It's so bloody hot here so after a quick lunch of left over "sketti" I filled Bug's pool with some cold water and we went out to dip our feet in. Ahh! Cool and refreshing. Here are some pictures that I took of Bug having fun.
Tiny wet footprint
Oops! Bug fell out of the pool!
Splash!!
Playing with a stick and a "helicopter" from the tree
Silly grin!
And here's one for Corey
Yesterday afternoon, Darling Hubby, Bug and I went to a local church to help my friend Stacie and her mom sort donated items for their annual garage sale. They were trying to set up and had hardly any help. Plus, it was great to see Stacie again. I hadn't seen her since January or something like that. It's been a long time.
Bug was a very good boy. I was so proud of him. He played in the back of the room where all the kids toys were and didn't have any fits, except when we were getting ready to leave. He didn't want to sit in his carseat.
Darling Hubby and I attempted to organize the books while Stacie attempted to sort through all the clothes. They had so many books and clothing items it was hard to organize everything well. We kept saying to just put it out on the table and let people rummage through. Some people call them Rummage Sales, so it makes perfect sense. We were there for about 2 hours and we managed to get a slight dent in the books and Stacie made good progress sorting out all the yucky and nasty clothes that people donated.
Oh, and because we helped out, we got to fill a box with as much stuff as we could get in it for a low price. I managed to cram all of the following into a box:
Saw this on my friend Shannon's blog. The only "bad word" was dead...gasp, the horror of it all! Guess I shouldn't like the 2nd Pirates of the Caribbean movie. lol
Oh, and Bug still sucks his thumb! lol
Yesterday was my birthday. I turned 27. *sigh* I feel old. No, not really. I'm still young at heart! lol. Mostly yesterday was just any other day. I haven't truly celebrated a birthday in a long time and even then it was just a small family and friends get together. Never more than like 6-10 people at best.
Yesterday I got up with Bug, we snuggled in my bed to watch some cartoons before breakfast (and to let Mommy catch a few more winks while Curious George and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse was keeping him enthralled.) After that, it was downstairs for a nice breakfast of cheese omelets and for me to do some laundry. yeah! My mom called for a few minutes and we talked about this and that and then it was off to cut up some more firewood with my dad. They are retired and never stop working around the house.
As for me, I didn't really do anything productive (aside from the laundry) and curled up on the couch for much of the afternoon reading a book (during Bug's naptime.)
When Darling Hubby got home he gave me my present. A gift certificate for one "Afternoon Off" session at a local spa. I'm really looking forward to that. It will be nice to get a whole afternoon off to be pampered. Now I just need to find the time to get an afternoon off. I think all my weekends for a while are occupied now that summer is here. After that, we had a nice family dinner at my favorite restaurant, Friendly's. Later Darling Hubby and I curled up on the couch to watch the Series Finale of Stargate SG1 and the Season Finale of Stargate Atlantis. Yes, we are geeks.
Today I allowed my birthday to spill over and I got up early (gasp! On my day to sleep in of all days!). Darling Hubby was actually happy that I got up early. He said it's nice to see my face before 10am on Saturdays. I did a quick check of the newspaper online and planned out a route for garage sale hopping. I love going to garage sales. I got several kids books, a couple long sleeved shirts, a pair of jeans, a Little People amusement park set (complete with figures) and a new sippy cup all for Bug. For me I got a couple books, a little stuffed Eeyore and a silver heart necklace all for $7.70. Woot! I love a good deal. And then I went grocery shopping and bought enough food to make dinner every night for 2 whole weeks. And, I used the 3 canvas bags that I found at in the attic at my moms house last weekend that she wasn't using. And next time I use them at the store, I'll get 3 cents off for each bag! I'm going to the craft store tonight when Bug wakes up and Darling Hubby gets home to look for some scrapbooking stuff and I'm going to check to see if they have any more bags. I felt really good using them, although the cashier seemed a little put out by it cause it slowed down the bagger, but who cares! I'm doing my little bit to help save the environment!
Ok, here are pictures taken of my Wild, Weird and Wacky family on Father's Day. Overload warning!
Bug playing ball with Grandpa
Playing with the shrooms
Baby Derrick napping in his stroller
Bug playing with the sprinkler - love the tongue
Taking a break from the sprinkler to eat more strawberries
More playing in the sprinkler - Still with the tongue
Grandpa Pierce - He turns 77 tomorrow
My Dad - talking to my brother Victor
Nothing on the bed except teddy bears and doggies
He just loves rolling around in all the teddy bears and dogs my mom makes.
And my favorite picture from this bunch...
On one of my baby boards they've started a thread showing our babies from the past years on Father's Day. Here is the progression of Bug.
I'm kinda sad that my little boy has grown so much. He's such a big boy now, walking, talking, feeding himself, playing with his cousins. Honestly, I've loved watching him grow. He'll always be my baby, no matter what!
ON THIS DAY
Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthday (only the month and day). Choose and write down 3 events, 2 births and 1 holiday. Then tag 5 friends.
June 22nd
Events:
I hate it when I can't sleep. Here I sit, 2:50 am, in front of my computer, squinting at the screen because my glasses are sitting on my nightstand upstairs. All because I JUST CAN"T SLEEP. Thankfully, I can type without looking at my fingers. I hate it when I just can't fall asleep. I can get comfortable, I can lay there with my eyes closed for what feels like eternity, but I just can't seem to turn off my mind...and, I'm not even thinking of anything of importance. What is really annoying is that I've got that "I'm as lonely as I wanted to be" song stuck in my head from Curious George that Bug watched with Rachael last night. Oh, and the other reason I came downstairs was that I forgot to sign Darling Hubby's father's day card from me and the one from Bug (he'll have to "sign" that after he gets up. Well, I'd better try to get to sleep. Only 4 more hours until I have to get up and drive 2 hours to visit with Darling Hubby's family and then my mom and dad. Somehow, I'm not looking forward to the trip (the drive, not the seeing the family part.) I made a 15 hour car trip with Darling Hubby and an 18 month old Bug last June, but a 2 hour car trip just kills me. Off to toss and turn some more....maybe I'll count sheep.
Ok, so I see some people coming up with lists of 13 things on Thursday. I like lists so I thought I'd jump on this bandwagon. I know, I know. I gotta stop getting on the bandwagon, but it's just so much fun! I wouldn't have this blog if I didn't! This may not happen every week as it's really hard to come up with 13 things, but when I do, look out! lol
Anyway, I thought today I'd write a list of 13 good things that have happend recently that have made me happy or smile or that I'm excited about in the coming future. In no particular order...
Ok, so there you go. My first Thursday Thirteen. I hope you've enjoyed reading it.
OK, so many of my friends have come up with some weekly thing that they do to show off something or tell something about themselves. I've decided that I'm going to make a point to start showing off pics of my Wild, Weird, and Wacky boy and I'll do it on Wednesday. The pictures won't always be wild, weird or wacky, but I'm sure some of them will be.
Watching Curious George with cousin Mikalla (and eating M&M's before lunch.)
These were taken around the house the past few days.
Petting Cleo nicely.
Say Cheese Cleo!
Tugging on Cleo's ear (honestly, I'm surprised she sat there long enough for him to pet her the first time.)
OK, so I'm not one to usually talk about or bash anyone's religion, but I'm just so annoyed right now. I'm literally so pissed that I'm shaking. I'm babysitting and everyone is napping...all is quiet...then I hear a knock at the door and Max goes ballistic! Of course Heather wakes up screaming...all because the Mormons have to spread their word! Gaah!! Honestly, if I wanted religion, I would go find it. Don't bring it to me. I'm not a religious person (I was raised Baptist, but don't practice at all) and I don't foist my views on others as I don't want them to do that to me. I do listen when others talk about their religion (talk about, not attempt to convert me) because I'm not opposed to them believing in what they believe in. I just don't like it when people go door to door trying to get me to join their church. If I wanted to belong, don't you think I would already. I don't, so please leave me alone! I can't keep a sign permanently taped to my front door telling all church visitors to take it elsewhere. Heather was so pissed that her nap was preempted that she literally screamed (I don't mean cry, I mean scream as in someone was stabbing her) for over 30 minutes (even with me holding her trying to comfort her) until she finally fell back to sleep.
All I'm asking is for the Mormons and the Jehovah's Witnesses to leave me the hell alone!!! Is that really too much to ask?
OK, since I entered another giveaway this week I figured I might as well enter another. Maybe I'll get super lucky. :D
This awesome giveaway is being held by Adventures in Babywearing and the winner will receive a $75 gift certificate for MamaKanga. Unfortunately Bug is currently too big to babywear anymore (and like Laura (one of my mommy friends who suggested this giveaway) I started babywearing later in his life) and I'm looking forward to wearing baby # 2 (whenever we get pregnant again). I think I'd like to try a hot sling or maybe a MT this time around.
If anyone else wants to enter this giveaway, just go to Adventures in Babywearing and follow the instructions.
So my mommy friend Megan (SortaCrunchy) passed along this little Father's Day Giveaway tidbit to parents of boys. It's being held by Jules at Everyday Mommy. I'm not one to usually enter blog contests, but since I didn't buy this book for Darling Hubby and I thought about it, I figured why not. Here goes!
When I first found out that we were expecting a boy I was elated and a tad bit scared. I didn't know what to do with a boy. I'd never played with many boy toys (aside from my brothers old Matchbox cars and farm set). I was scared that I wouldn't have much of a "boys" imagination. Little did I know that I wouldn't have to worry about that for a while. Bug was content playing with anything from balls to blocks to empty tissue boxes (which he himself emptied).
But the thing that Bug was most conten
t to occupy his time with was climbing. I had a climber on my hands! My very own little monkey! If he weren't already named after Wolverine of the X-Men variety, he should have been named Matt (Matt Murdock aka Daredevil) or Curious George (who is his very favorite book/movie character)
From the time he could walk (around 11 months) he could climb. Nothing was safe, no matter how high.
Darling Hubby and I are gamers and geeks (role playing, board gaming, comic books) so there are dice bags filled with
colorful little gems just waiting for little gamers in training. And, of course, Bug always (and still does) want them for his own. His one big "daredevil" moment that always pops into my head when asked how adventurous he is, is the time he scaled the storage boxes in the corner of our playroom/office just so he could get those dice. (see the pictures to prove it.)
He's now a tough little 2 year old and he's still dice obsessed and still loves to climb. And, to top it all off, he's smart. He knows what chair he has to move where to get a height advantage so he can get those other out of reach little delights he wants to get his paws on.
Oh, and here is one of my favorite climbing pictures. Don't worry, the background has been photoshopped, but he really was climbing up a short (3 foot) cliff face with daddy right behind him giving him a boost.
Despite how nervous he makes me with all his climbing, he can melt my heart with one smile, one laugh, one kiss, one hug, one "wuv wu," and when he calls me "Baa Eee" (He hasn't quite gotten Mommy out yet). I wouldn't trade my daredevil boy for the world!
This is just an update on how things have been going in my life recently.
Saturday morning we got up early and went down to Pennsylvania to see Darling Hubby's SIL and her 2 kids. They came back from New Mexico for a few days to load their horse trailer full of stuff to take with them, things that they couldn't take the first trip out. We mainly went to visit but helped load stuff (which was a complete and utter disaster.) It took forever. Bug didn't nap until late when he fell asleep on the futon that was left in the living room while all the cousins were watching The Wild. He slept for a while, but woke up cranky and only wanted Daddy who was filthy from moving stuff and trying to help them load kennel panels onto the top of the trailer to tie on since they wouldn't fit inside. We didn't leave until 7pm (3 hours later than I had wanted to leave) and it was a 3 hour drive. Plus we had our dog Max with us so we had to stop for a pee break for him and once cause Bug got car sick after eating dinner of a McDonald's Happy Meal. We think that was because he was watching a dvd and it was on really windy curvy roads. He was fine after that. We got home around 10 and I dunked him in the bath to get the insect repellent (there were tons of those big black flies everywhere, it was gross) and vomit off him before bed. Darling Hubby and I needed to take showers, too and I had to douse myself in aloe as I got a terrible sunburn and I wasn't even in the sun that much. Bug was asleep by 10:30, but was awake at 7 Sunday morning. He did play in his room quietly for a while before the rest of us got up.
One really funny thing while we were down there, our dog Max was out running in the woods with the older kids and he came back and tried to cut across the pond. He got part way out and panicked and got stuck just off shore and wouldn't come back.
We tried calling him and snagging his collar with a cane. I had to snag his legs with the cane to get him to come out.
"Now how are you planning on getting me out of here?"
He hates being in water for some reason and then when Darling Hubby was trying to get him out, he thought he was in trouble and refused to budge. Needless to say, Max got a bath Sunday morning. He was a yucky dog! lol
We got to go through some of the stuff that they were not taking with them (putting in an auction) and we got a couple small chairs and a little tykes desk and a booster seat for the car for when Bug's bigger. It just needed to be disinfected as it had been stored in the horse barn. Plus Darling Hubby's sister gave me 2 big boxes of clothes that her son has out grown. I washed them once, but they need to be washed again as they stink to high heaven of cigarette smoke. Yuck!
Sunday was a bit better. Bug seemed to be better, although he did have a couple very messy diapers. I got out of the house to see Pirates of the Caribbean 3. Despite the negative things people have said about it, I enjoyed it.
Today started off bad and I'm hoping it gets better. Bug didn't wake me up until around 8 and he was a poopy mess. I had to change the sheets on his bed as well as his clothes. Then, I brought him into bed with me so he could watch Curious George and he threw up all over himself. Needless to say, I called Baby Girl's parents and requested that I not watch her today. I'm also getting tomorrow off just to make sure he's feeling better. We aren't sure what he's got, but it sounds like what Baby Girl had last week, except with the throwing up. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that Bug gets better soon and that I don't get sick this week. Tomorrow I'm going to see Celtic Woman at the arena and I don't really want to miss it.
So this morning we met with Mike from the Assessment office. He was basically there to check on the number of bathrooms and look at the foundation to make sure it wasn't crumbling. He did and while he was looking in the basement, I mentioned that the house had also been listed incorrectly as a 2 family when it was obviously only a 1 family. He said that he wasn't aware of that and when he looked at his sheet, yup, there it was. They never mentioned it to him! They only said check the bathrooms and foundation...The family listing was right up there in our complaint...whatever. I'm a little annoyed about that, but what can you do? Anyway, he said he'd make the change personally and as of noon today we should be correctly listed as a single family residence. Woohoo!
He did say that the Board of Assessment has already been through the B's (our street starts with B) so a decision has pretty much been rendered, but since we had complaints about how the house was listed, they will more than likely revisit our complaint and hopefully (fingers crossed) we will get a lower assessment by July 1st. I did come right out and ask him what he thought the value of our house was having seen the inside and he said that what we were asking as a value was very fair and that it was very likely the board would come down to just a smidge higher than what we were asking for.
So, hopefully come July 1st, I'll get some notification of what our new assessment is going to be. I'm hoping that it's right around the 130 we were claiming.
Oh, and for those of you who read this blog and are homeowners, you should check out what your assessment is EVERY YEAR and check out the values of the homes selling in your area to see if you are being assessed fairly. When your city changes your assessment, they have to notify you and you are allowed to contest it so it's in your best interest to do so!
I got a call this morning from Mike at the Assessors office and we've set up a time for him to come in and check to see how many bathrooms we really have. They have us listed as 2 fulls and we only have 1.5. It's a start for something. Hopefully he will address that the house is also listed as a 2 family when it really is a single family. Fingers crossed this takes us somewhere good. Maybe I'll know more after 9:30 on Friday.
