TYVM - 7/1/10 Hosted by ME!

It's Free Therapy Day!! That's right, it's Thursday, which means it's the Thank You Very Much day. The way it works is that you take out all your frustrations on people/things that peeved you off during the week and thank them in a very sarcastic way, for being who or what they are/doing what they did. I know everyone can use some free therapy, so go ahead and type yours out, grab Kmama's button, and then link up with me so that we can all share in each other's therapy.

It is my EXTREME honor to be able to host Kmama's Thank You Very Much today! If you have never been here before, welcome to my blog and Thank You Very Much (not sarcastically) for stopping by and hopefully linking up. NOW, on to the Thank Yous!

To my dry scratchy feet, Thank You Very Much for snagging the sheets and wounding innocent bystanders that I might accidentally brush with my feet! Can you say "Pedicure"?  I can, and I will be saying it to DaddyO this weekend!

To the HUGE bug that appeared to be dead on my kitchen floor, Thank You Very Much for coming back to life and running at mach speed across the floor as soon as I tried to brush you in to the dust pan! I'm sure my screaming and jumping on to the counter was hilarious but it's a little embarrassing to have to be rescued by a 6 year old!

To little Miss Daisy, Thank You Very Much for sneaking in to Lily's room and getting black paint all over your white outfit 1 minute after I got you dressed. Could you please slow down? I need at least 30 seconds to wash my hands after changing your diaper. Mmmm-kay? Love ya!

Thank You Very Much to Kmama (no sarcasm) for allowing me to host your meme this week!  Also, for making sure we didn't miss our therapy session just because you are on vacation, in beautiful San Diego, with no kids while I'm in the scorching heat dreaming of Sea World and Seaport Village (ok, maybe a bit of sarcasm in that one). It's not like you've been rubbing it in or anything! ;)

Link 'em up, everyone, and I will come by and make sure your "issues" are heard!

Ten Things To Smile About - June

Once a month, Emmy lists 10 things that made her smile for that month and allows us to join in. Great idea!

We have had a great June with many things to smile about! I had to shrink them down to 10! ;)

1. I found really really cheap swim lessons for the boys!
2. Even though we were on the wait-list for swim class, both boys made it in to the class AND time I wanted.
3. WIPE OUT! 'nuff said!
4. Pool parties! And Grandma makes Deeee-licious food!
5. I showed Daisy how to give 'butterfly kisses' and now she gives them to me all the time!
6. We all adjusted to being together 24/7 and there has been A LOT less fighting!
7. Dressing Daisy in all her cute summer clothes. Most of them, hand-me-downs, from a friend who likes to shop at     Gymboree and who's daughter is 4 months older than Daisy.
8. Sleeping in 30 minutes longer than I do when the kids are in school!
9. Remembering to remember 10 things that made me smile in June.
10. Setting the date for our Staycation!

What did you have to smile about in June? Let us know and link up with Emmy Mom - One Day at a Time.

Monday Mugs - Pets

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs is for YOU! I may or may not "borrow" ideas from IheartFaces and post my interpretation of their weekly theme. Without submitting my photo for judgement and not being forced to follow the rules.

Mondays are hard! Blogging on Mondays shouldn't be!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is: Pets

Everybody, meet Frank.

We're pretty sure this is Frank, who Lily got for her birthday about 2 years ago. We had other fish that did not survive our tank. Bailey named one Cinnamon Twist.
We would all like a dog but DaddyO and I can't agree on what kind to get. I have been working on a twelve month program, to harass DaddyO in to getting a cute LITTLE mutt and not a slobbery bulldog. We'll see how that goes!

If you are in need of a simple Monday post, JOIN ME! Grab my

button from the sidebar and link up your own post!

Next week's theme is: Blue

TYVM - 6/24/10

Courtesy of Kmama!

To the loaf of bread that we bought at the store last weekend, Thank You Very Much for covering yourself in white fuzz before we even had a chance to open your package! We may as well stand around and toss money in to the garbage can. You should not be going bad so soon after you were purchased!

To DaddyO and Lily, Thank You Very Much for wrestling and bouncing around on the bed while I am trying to type this post! Don't you guys know that blogging comes before bonding? I kid, I kid! Bounce Away!

To our Summer Monsoon, Thank You Very Much for not showing your face yet this summer! Where are you? We really need some rain and thunderstorms to break up all these sunny, HOT days! I will even take some dust storms as long as you provide a downpour afterwards!

Ok, go get you some free therapy from Kmama today, and make sure you stop by next Thursday when I get to host Thank You Very Much! I am so excited!

TST- I Finally Have a Name for my Camera!

I've had my camera for about 6 months. In that time, I have tried to come up with a unique and interesting name for her. Nothing seemed to fit her personality!

Then, the other day, something happened that sealed the deal and I KNEW exactly what her name should be!

It was Thursday morning. I knew I needed a picture for my Friday Letter of Intent. My camera has only left the house a few times, mainly because she did not have a proper carrying case. But on this day I decided it would be fun to prance around with my new camera bag.

I did prance. I got the shot I needed. I then carried Daisy and my bowling bag, with my precious camera inside, back to the car. I placed the camera bag on the floor of the car while I put Daisy in her car seat. When she was safely strapped in, I hit the automatic door closing button, hopped in the front seat and drove home.

Once home, we went inside for some lunch and then Daisy went off to have her nap. I decided to try to finish my LOI. Early, for once!

I typed up the letter and went to retrieve my camera so I could add my photo, taken with my super secretive photo taking abilities!

I went out to the car, but the camera, in its cute little bag, was not there!

I thought maybe I had already brought it in the house.
I thought maybe one of the kids brought it in.

There was a lot of searching but NO camera.

I was sick! I was shaking and saying not so nice words over and over and over.

Where had it gone?

The only time I had opened/closed the sliding door had been when I put Daisy in the car and when I got out of the car at home.

Maybe it fell out of the car at the Aquatic Center? If that was the case, did I run over it with my car? If someone found my beautiful, new camera and it's darling camera bag,  would they actually turn it in?

I didn't think so!

How could I lose something that expensive? What about the 100+ pictures on the camera card inside the camera?

I called the aquatic center.

Me: "Hi, I was just calling to see if you maybe had someone turn in a camera in a red camera bag?"

My new best friend: "YES! Someone found it in the parking lot!"

Sweet Relief!!!

And so, I shall call her Lucky!

For more true stories, visit Once Upon a Miracle.

Monday Mugs - Summer

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs is for YOU! I may or may not "borrow" ideas from IheartFaces and post my interpretation of their weekly theme. Without submitting my photo for judgement and not being forced to follow the rules.

Mondays are hard! Blogging on Mondays shouldn't be!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is: Summer

We don't usually go out of town during Summer break, but we like to at least have a little break from the house and it's "regular" routines! Most of the time, we enjoy a Staycation. Not a lot of tourists come to AZ in the summer time and the Hotels/Resorts offer really great rates, so we take advantage.

This was our in-town trip from 2006 and

some of my favorite Summer photos!

Our hotel room only had 1 king size bed, so we used a couch, a love seat and two chairs.......

to make 3 kid-sized beds!

If you are in need of a simple Monday post, JOIN ME! Grab my

button from the sidebar and link up your own post!

Next week's theme is: Pets

Happy Father's Day....

...to all the Father's out there!

For us, DaddyO, Papa Gee and Grandpa Rob!

We Love You!

Some how, through the years, I managed to get pictures of all of my kids over their Daddy's shoulder. And for some reason, I always caught them when DaddyO was wearing a navy blue shirt.

Letters of Intent - 6/18/10

Dear Parents Waiting in Line at the Aquatic Center,

Last week I "thanked" you for your horrible waiting in line skills, i.e. standing in the middle of the parking lot and blocking my exit from said lot. Today I must sincerely thank you for receiving all of my subliminal messages, making sure your heads are screwed on tight and realizing it is a much better idea to line up on the sidewalk! I could kiss you all! (can you imagine that?)

Love,
A Shocked and Amazed but Very Grateful Parent, Leaving the Aquatic Center


p.s. Just for you, I used my children to help me photograph this event!

For more letters, visit Foursons.

Thank You Very Much - 6/17/10

Courtesy of Kmama!

Hip hip hooray, it's free therapy day!

To the nasty bug, that I thanked last week for making Daisy sick, Thank You Very Much for making Ashton, Bailey AND me sick! I told you NOT to come near us! You've turned us in to a Chorus of Coughers that can repel people wherever we go! Go Away!

To PCOS, Thank You Very Much for not responding to medication and causing me to gain weight and break out like a teenager, among other fun symptoms! You had better respond to medication attempt #2 or I'll.................I don't know! GO CRAZY?

Alright everybody, go get some free therapy from Kmama.

Monday Mugs - All About Babies!

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs is for YOU! I may or may not "borrow" ideas from IheartFaces and post my interpretation of their weekly theme. Without submitting my photo for judgement and not being forced to follow the rules.

Mondays are hard! Blogging on Mondays shouldn't be!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is: Babies

How to choose, how to choose! I told myself I would only pick ONE baby pic of each of my cuties, then set out to go through all 9 of our scrapbook albums in an attempt to pick my favorites. Hahahahahahahahaha! I crack myself up!
How in the world COULD I pick just one?

Lily

Ashton

Bailey

Boys

Kids

Daisy

If you are in need of a simple Monday post, JOIN ME! Grab my

button from the sidebar and link up your own post!

Next week's theme is: Summer

TYVM - 6-10-10

Free Therapy Courtesy of Kmama!

To the nasty bug that made my Daisy sick, Thank You Very Much! We are on Summer Break! There is NO getting sick during Summer Break! You better not even think about getting anyone else sick!!

To the super intelligent people waiting in line at the Aquatic Center! Why are you all standing in the middle of the parking lot?  I need to drive out of here, Thank You Very Much! There is a perfectly acceptable AND shady sidewalk a few feet away from you. I promise you will all still make it inside even if you skooch over a little!

These silly geese did not disappoint this morning!

I placed Bailey by the back bumper of my car so they wouldn't think I was taking pictures of them. By the front end of my car is the sidewalk!  If someone would just curve the line a little sooner they could all be standing in the shade and I wouldn't have to dodge them on my way out of the parking lot! I realized that the reason they are so hyper about their spot in line isn't because they are afraid they won't get in but because they are trying to make sure they get one of the good chairs, right by the pool! Oh, they make me laugh!

Now, go get you some free therapy from Kmama!

WW - Camera Bag

She doesn't have a name, but now my camera has a comfy/affordable/safe place to sleep.

TST - THE Aquatic Center

It is gettin' hot around here! 110degrees last weekend.

We recently found out about a really great Aquatic Center that is very near by AND is very reasonably priced. It has waterslides, a lazy river and a super cool playland IN the water! We told the kids we would take them there over the weekend. I used it as a bribing tool to encourage good behavior. I went online and showed them the virtual tour.

They were VERY excited!!

Sunday afternoon, after Daisy's nap, we loaded all of our swim gear and ourselves in to the car and headed to this cool pool. We stopped for lunch. Big mistake!! We arrived at the aquatic center about an hour and a half after they had opened for the day.

They were FULL TO CAPACITY! We didn't really feel like standing out in the heat, waiting for 6 people to leave so we could go in. There were people ahead of us in line too. We decided to bag the waterpark for now and enjoy some swim time at Grandma and Grandpa's pool.

The kids were DEVASTATED!!

Fast forward to Monday morning. The boys have their first swim lesson at the same aquatic center.

Their lesson is the last class before the waterpark opens to the public. After their class, we get right in line to be one of the first families to get back inside.

The kids were SO happy!

They had a great time keeping cool in the pools. I enjoyed the lazy river and watching my kiddos go down the waterslides. We had fun!

On our way home, I asked them what their favorite part was about the waterpark. They said "THE SWIM LESSON!"

Go visit Once Upon a Miracle to hear more true stories!

Monday Mugs - Play

Are you in need of a mindless Monday Blog post? Are you struggling to deal with the weekend being over and can't muster the strength to type a single word? Well, Monday Mugs are for YOU! I may or may not "borrow" ideas from IheartFaces and post my interpretation of their weekly theme. Without submitting my photo for judgement and not being forced to follow the rules.

Mondays are hard! Blogging on Mondays shouldn't be!

Today's theme for Monday Mugs is: Play

I wasn't exactly sure which 'play' pictures I was going to use. I have plenty! So, I just grabbed one of my scrapbook albums to see what inspired me! I had more than enough 'play' pictures to choose from!  Except for Daisy's, all of these pictures were taken in 2006.

We bought something that came in a really big box. The kids took the pieces of box and placed them on the stairs. Two kids would stay at the top to hold on to the slide while the other kiddo did some serious slidin'!

One of the kids' favorite places to play is in our backyard!

Playin' in the sandbox. In January!!

Searching for and catching lady bugs in the grass.

Drivin' around in the pink jeep.

Playin' with the moon.

Daisy has also learned to love the backyard. Whenever she sees that someone is going to open the sliding door she runs over to make sure she can make it out the door before it closes!

If you are in need of a simple Monday post, JOIN ME! Grab my

button from the sidebar and link up your own post!

Next week's theme is: All About Babies

Have a great week everyone!

LOI and Friday Follow

Letters of Intent Courtesy of The Blog Dominator

Dear Children-O-Mine,
I can't entertain you every minute of the day! Please stop fighting with eachother! You have only been out of school for 1 week and you have already received too many early bedtimes and injuries from your squabbles!
Just get along!!
Love,
Your peace lovin' Mama.

Here are our attempts at keeping the kids busy during our First Week of Summer Break:

DaddyO broke out the waterslide and rotates it around the yard so the kids can use it every day and it won't kill the grass!

Swimmin' at Grandma and Grandpa C's!

Snow Cones! Clothing optional!

Just taking it easy!

I am also joining in with Friday-Follow. HELLO, to anyone new visiting for the first time!