the little things...

Who knew that the $10.00 pool from 3 years ago would still be a big hit?

Nice pools in the n'hood and yet - we're in the backyard playing in our baby pool. HA!

I did go and grab a fun pool for the kids for the backyard, but there's some leveling to do - our yard is NOT level at ALL....

So until then, sprinkler, slip and slide, and just somewhere to splash - is all they need....

New Beginnings...

I can't believe it, he's graduating....

Right in front of my eyes, I watched this young man grab a diploma and literally walk across a stage that means ending one chapter and starting a new one.

He, along with his class, beamed with pride. All the while, I sat with proud tears rolling down my cheeks. Proud that I could be there at last minute to watch as the kid who used to chase me around the house when I'd visit, is starting to chase his dreams. Dreams that will come true for him as long as he keeps his focus.

Congrats Nick Nick! You have made me proud to call you my nephew, proud to hold the title of being your Aunt. Your dad would have been glowing with pride to be there. As I watched you walk across that stage, for a moment, I felt like he was right there - smiling down on you... I love you Nicholas!!!

life

Not been in the bloggin mood lately... but I'll be back with pictures soon!

Lost my harddrive on my main pc, which meant I lost EVERYTHING. I hadn't completed a backup to my external harddrive for about 6 months. SUCKS!!

Life is chaos right now. Too much to even contemplate blogging about. Will be back soon!!

the last concert of the year

The last concert of the year was a big hit!!

Above is a photo of his teacher, and below is a photo of his best "girl" friend. He says that's all they are, but it was fun to watch them flirt in between songs and during warmup.

The group did an amazing job, it was such a noticable improvement from the previous concert!!

Big E and I registered for next years classes, and it includes advanced Orchestra. He wants to put flames on his violin!

colors

Tonight the sky was whipped with clouds, stacked on top of each other, and looked heavy with rain - but it has yet to rain this evening. The wind is blowing pretty strong; the colors of the sky are AMAZING as the storm clouds blow overhead.

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. ~Rabindranath Tagore

oh - and I love my hair chick.

She rocks my hair. I can't hardly style it as good as she can, but man she is gifted with those scissors in my opinion!! I gave her a picture, and she worked magic!

Misty ROCKS!!

finding my focus

I found my focus on that flower there... with my good camera...

recently switched to iPhone and found a snazzy app that makes pics look aged; thanks to my cool friend Sharnee ... its not in focus, but the subject is clearly family...

my close friend Jenn took these pictures; I'm not at all a fan of being serious in candid shots - so I may look like a total GOOBER in both - but those are my boys - and we've been spending some serious quality time together. I realize now, more then ever, how very precious this time is with my kiddos.

headed uptown

One of my bestie's came over today with her kiddo's and we headed uptown to ride the train for a while, and have a nice lunch at a super cool soda shop! Outside of the soda shop, and all across town during our train ride, we saw interesting stone work like this one below. Snapped this one with the iPhone, so it's not the best quality - but it's still pretty!!

Waiting on the train to pick us up and take us back to the car!

Overall, this spring break has been a blast for the kids and I!!!

The Final Review!

For the past two weeks I've posted links to my Citizens Journalist Program review's for Nintendo and the Wii Fit Plus over at the WiiMommies site where this awesome program was offered! This is my last week to post a review on the assignment I was given based on my entry.

I’ve had such a blast getting to know the Wii Fit Plus Routines! I can tell already that my flexibility is getting better, and my muscle tension is less frequent. I haven’t been able to commit to daily workouts, but I have tried every other day at this point. I decided to give a mini review of each area that was assigned to me, so I’ll apologize in advance if it’s lengthy. I was assigned Lifestyle, Health, Youth and Form.

Go over to WiiMommies Site HERE to read my full review!

park - unedited

These are gasp straight out of the camera (SOOC in fancy DSLR talk)

above: big E rarely glances at the camera, he's too busy running around...

little J is a red cheeked hot kid today - it's 90+ degrees in APRIL!!

not too long after these we hit the road, it was a little hot, and it was barely 130pm!

sometimes I have a few edits to make for over or under exposure, but these just looked colorful enough to post SOOC...

Your children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson

how was your Wii'k?

Well, so far it's been a busy and active week"Wii-k"! I mentioned in a previous post that I'm proud to be part of the Citizen's Journalist Program with Nintendo and WiiMommies for the Wii Fit Plus. I wrote my week two review HERE if you'd like to check it out!!

As the week came to a close, my brother arrived to build our playset for the kids. Little J couldn't have been more exicted to help!! Even big E was out on Friday for spring break and was able to pitch in too!

My brother and I, along with the kids and the n'bors kids, spent the ENTIRE day outside Friday!! Then Saturday morning woke to work more...

Today started early, my nephew arrived during the night and my mother arrived mid-day for an Easter family gathering. We were in and out alot from cooking, eating, and working on the playset. After all was said and done, my brother rocked that project!! 16 work hours later, the boys couldn't be more thrilled!!

click to enlarge

more blooms

I'll probably post alot of blooms, because they're GORGEOUS around here right now!!!

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!" ~Robin Williams

that's how we roll

Both boys got haircuts yesterday and had green gel put in their hair...

...and the youngest decided to take a super short nap, so mama and da boyz rocked the park!

Cuz, that's how we roll.

Blooms

Nintendo Citizen Journalist Program

Well, the good news lately is that I was one of 5 people selected by Nintendo and the Wii Mommies to do a review/journalist program on the Wii Fit Plus!!

I was so excited to hear that I was part of the Citizens Journalist Program that I literally did the happy dance, which was pretty ugly and I’m glad no one saw it. Just the same, I am stoked!!!

The Wii & the Wii Fit Plus and my assignment arrived exactly 1 day after I was notified of being accepted into the program! HOW AWESOME IS NINTENDO!!!???!!!

Read the rest of this post HERE.

Read more about the program HERE!!

falling apart

everything seems to be.

I've been away for a while; and will prob. not be on blogville for a while yet....

music

Often I'll hear a song a couple dozen times before I find a reason to like it. Usually because the radio has over played it. I rarely listen to country music, though I am quite broad in my appreciation of music in general. I like anything from classic rock, alternative, indie, to rap - yes, rap. Country music has a way of making me think of my oldest brother, who died in 2007.

Last night on American Idol, one of the guys sang "Already There" by Lonestar. The lyrics grabbed me. Even though the song was written about a father of a child - a father who is still living - who's away from his family, it made me think about Mike. It made me think about how very often I sense him all around me. I just loved the lyrics so I thought I'd post the part that hit home for me here...

Take a look around

I'm the sunshine in your hair

I'm the shadow on the ground

I'm the whisper in the wind

I'm your imaginary friend

And I know I'm in your prayers

Oh I'm already there

So turn out the light and close your eyes

I'm already there

Don't make a sound

I'm the beat in your heart

I'm the moonlight shining down

I'm the whisper in the wind

We may be a thousand miles apart

But I'll be with you wherever you are

Wordless Wednesday - I laugh EVERY time

I laugh everytime I see this truck hauling around a bunch of "bimbos"...So I guess that makes me 12... oh well

a special picnic

Special picnics with little J...

he decided to make me a special "salad pie".

There's a special way to smash it down, just in case you ever need to have this recipe. It requires alot of love.

Once you're done smashing it just right, you add the salad (grass).

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!
~Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think!<>

peace out...

this little guy sat and watched as little J and I played in the sand for a long while...

then as quickly as possible, he said "peace out homeys".

oh sunny day

AMAZING sunny day!!!

We spent some time enjoying it at the park, it was still a little cool - but the sun was out and very inviting and we had no choice but to let these boys out of the house!!

Nothing like a little dirt tossing...

and some balancing too...

Tomorrow's supposed to be even warmer!! It may just be Springtime around here very soon!!

The sun is the epitome of benevolence - it is lifegiving and warmthgiving and happinessgiving, and to it we owe our thanksgiving.
~Jessi Lane Adams