It's Always Fun To Learn New Things. . .

You really can teach an old dog (me) new tricks.  I found that out this weekend.  More on that later in the blog.

Zachary and I invited his best friend Drew and his mom Erin for a beach getaway weekend.  After school last Friday we drove to Destin to start our fun.  Erin spoiled us and brought along homemade spaghetti and meatballs with all the trimmings (including brownies, YUM.) for our first night's dinner.  When we arrived at the condo, we got groceries at a nearby Publix, heated up dinner and put our luggage away while the boys played.  They had a bedroom all to themselves and, after a fun bath,  it was so cute to see them snuggled up together.   They loved it.

The next morning we took a tour of the grounds and both of us had our cameras in tow.  Erin has recently gotten into photography big time.  I thought this weekend might be good practice for both of us and a good time for me to get her shooting in Manual mode.  We were hoping the boys would be good models for us. . . once in a while it worked out while other times we could tell we shouldn't even try.  The walk was cold and very breezy.  As the boys were playing near the pond suddenly I saw a look of big time concern on Erin's face.  I looked over and saw that she was looking at Drew's shoe floating in the water.  (see video clip below!) That boy is hilarious!  Yes, his shoe floated away while I laughed hysterically.  We grabbed a pool net but had no luck reaching it.  After laughing, we continued on our walk, he with his wet sock and all.  However, a few minutes later, when we were down a ways at the other end of the pond, the shoe was spotted again!  This time near the shoreline!  I raced to get the pool net again and this time success.  Definitely a memorable moment.

While Erin was learning more about her photography hobby little did I know I would learn more in the kitchen.  Here's a secret about me. . . I'm a pretty picky eater.  I don't branch out into the unknown very often.  However, I completely trust Erin.  She and I are definitely cut from the same cloth.  So, when she told me I should try some hummus that she bought at the grocery store I, albeit reluctantly, said yes.     Shazammm!!!  That stuff was good.  She prepared it on a tasty parmesan garlic pretzel with smoked gouda cheese.  The hummus had red peppers in it and the entire bite was just delish!  I loved it and ate it all weekend.  (when I got home I promptly went to the store and filled our fridge with several flavors.  Hubby loves it now too!)  She also somehow got my picky eater child eating apples and bananas with peanut butter on them.

Saturday afternoon, even though it was still windy and cool, we headed to the beach.  The boys had been asking and asking to go so we finally made it.  It was alot warmer than it had been that morning so it was definitely fun.  We took a gazillion pictures and had fun talking shop.  It was fun but we were all pooped afterwards.  The beach just does that to you.  Regardless of the pouty faces when we asked for pictures we did come away with some really cute ones.

Sunday we woke up and headed to Baytown Wharf.  We toured all the little shopping areas and tried and tried to get some good pics of our children.  They were so over the photography stuff though.  Who could blame them.  We are worse than the paparazzi.

Each night, after the boys went to sleep, we had fun talking girl stuff.  I think we have shared all our secrets and, thankfully, she still loves me.  We had such a relaxing time.

Now, for pictures. . . drum roll please. . . enjoy!

I'm starting off with my absolute favorite from the trip.  I knew it the second I snapped the picture.  Not perfect photography, not perfect exposure, or perfect clarity, but I simply love it for the fact that it's a precious picture of two best buds starting their day off together.  This is REALLY what photography is all about.  Making lifelong memories.  These little guys will be friends for life.

Always beautiful. . . from our living room window 14 floors up.

Legos and Battleship were popular morning activities.

The new photographer working her magic.  She's only been learning a few short weeks and I am astonished by all she knows and accomplishes.  She is a natural.

the infamous shoe. . .

Let's take a moment to watch the short shoe video. . . ha!

The photos of me by Miss Hotness Photographer E. Cuzzort:







finally retrieved!!







beach fun. . .

Wow.  THAT is a hot mama with a sexy lens!

That lens just makes you smile big!

I could look at pictures of my lens all day long. . . that thing just ROCKS if I do say so myself!

Just adorable.

This is definitely one of my favorites.  For sure. 

LOVE THIS!!!  The dude is just ultra cool.  What more can I say?
(Can you find me in the picture?)

A real smile.  I just never get these anymore.  What a treasure it is to get one again!
Love my sweet man so much.

I purposely did not edit his bruised, scratched up legs.  See, he actually does get banged up!

The remote controlled boats were a big hit with the boys, not the moms!  What a scam.  $3 for about 3 minutes worth.  Not nice people!

Instagram time. . .

my new yummy eats!!!

Battleship wars. . .

everybody deserves to play hookie once in a while. . .

My alarm went off this morning and I refused to get up and go to the gym.  I was diligent and went yesterday morning but this morning I reset my alarm and hit the sack again.  I was just sleeping so well.  When the alarm went off again at 5:45 AM I just couldn't do it.  Hubby was sleeping in and I had the random thought of playing hookie go through my head.  I just did not feel like getting up, rushing to get breakfast, get Zach ready for school, VACUUM yet again, and have that same ol' schedule.  So, I made myself feel better by telling myself that Zach needed to play hookie too.  So, back to sleep I went again.

At 7AM when Zachary came in our room, I could tell he was surprised to see us both still in bed.  He asked me "what is going on"?  He crawled in to snuggle for a few minutes and I asked him if he wanted to play hookie.  Of course he said yes.

So, we invited Uncle David to go with us for the morning.  We hit Tom Brown Park and let Zach drive his monster truck for awhile.  Chase Parker had a blast too.  Uncle David CANNOT drive the truck.  He is dangerous.  Zachary, however, is an awesome driver.  (Except for the one time he ran over his brother.)  After the park we headed to Zoinks.  We wore ourselves completely out.  And, the uncle, who is turning FIFTY (yes, that's 50) in a few short months was POOPED.  He needs to get in shape to hang with the young crowd!  I say get in shape loosely and comically.  The old man regularly takes 20+ mile bike rides several times a week.  I guess he's in pretty good shape.

We had a yummy lunch at Firehouse before going our separate ways.  Uncle David was going home to work in his vegetable garden (what a retired life!) while the boys and I headed home.

I put Chase Parker down for a much needed rest and then headed out to wash the nasty Rover.  It was filthy!!  Zach had fun getting drenched in the water hose and watering every strip of grass in our yard.  Now I am pooped.  Big time.

We are currently inside in the cool A/C resting up so we will have energy for T Ball practice this evening.  I think I've exhausted myself. Whew.  It may have been smarter to just get up and do my regular day this morning.

Here are a few cute pictures and videos. . .

Oh!  P.S.  I hope to have the pictures from our weekend beach trip soon.  It was fun fun fun!  Zach and his best buddy had JUST about as good a time as I did with Erin.  We all had a great time.  That post coming soon!

Oh, did you need me? I'm sorry, don't have time, I have to vacuum.

For any one that really knows me, you knew this day was coming.  When you read this story on December 21st, you all knew this blog post was inevitable.  The truth is, down deep inside, even through all the honeymoon bliss, I knew it too.  I was just hoping that either one of two things would happen:

1)  She would be the first long-haired dog in the history of animal life to not shed.  Ever.
2)  I would become a slob by the time shedding season was upon us and just not care.

Sorry to say, neither miracle happened for me.

The dog is SHEDDING SHEDDING SHEDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I've never seen so much freakin' hair in my life!  Get this. . . I vacuum all the hardwood and tile flooring in our home

TWICE A DAY.

Once in the morning before we leave to take Zach to school and usually again in the afternoon before Daddy gets home.  That's 2500 square feet twice a day.  Thank God the upstairs is carpet and she does not go up there often.  I'm not joking.  I wish I were.  I, most days use my "could never live without" Elecrolux battery operated vacuum, as seen here (at the very bottom of this post).  Three to four times per week though I use my "could never live without" central vacuum cleaner.  God knew what he was doing when he told my husband to demand that we put a central vac in the house when we built it.  I actually argued with him at the time. . . now, I love love love it.

I have gotten it down to a well oiled process.  I can vacuum 2500 square feet of hardwood flooring in a matter of about 15-20 minutes.  If I move at the speed of lightning. . . which I have to in order to have time to do it TWICE every day.  My husband just doesn't get it.  At all.  However, he also is missing being home during the day and seeing the white fluffs swirl and blow all over the house.  It's a nightmare.  How LONG does it take the girl to shed her winter coat?  Will it ever be done?  And, on top of all the vacuuming, I BRUSH the dog OUTSIDE every single day.  Not that it does much good.  She even goes to the groomer every five weeks.  Do you realize how much time I spend on this girl?  Blows my mind how I could still be totally and completely in love with her.  But, I am.  I am her mom and I will continue to pick up after her just like I do the two-legged kind living with me.  

Here is where my heart attack comes in though.  I'm leaving this weekend.  Zach and I are going to our condo in Destin with our good friends Erin and Drew.  Paul and Chase Parker will be staying here.   Along with Bella.  Who is shedding like we've already thoroughly established.  Paul doesn't vacuum.  No one will be here to vacuum. What will my house look like when I return?  

The begging process will begin this evening.  If I could just get him to run the little Electrolux at least once every day then I think I will be able to walk into the house.  Then again, maybe I shouldn't mention vacuuming to him and by the time I return he will "get" why I vacuum twice every single day.  Hard on me but it brings much needed understanding for him of what I go through each and every day because HE wanted the dog in the house.  Let's remember that people.  He wanted her inside.  

I think as an experiment I won't ask him to vacuum and we will see how thick the fur is when I return.

Pray for me.  This is ROUGH STUFF for an OCD girl like me.

Gotta love Bella Kate.  God put her in my life for a reason I guess.  Just wished He would have waited until shedding season was much further away.

Even as I am winding up this writing I am shuttering at a new thought I just had. . . is this EVEN really shedding season yet?  Is it just beginning?  Will it get worse?  Oh my. . .

This is what comes off my central vac after vacuuming just ONE room.  Now, let's think about this.  What you see here in this picture is probably only 5% of what actually went inside the vacuum.

Before we go, let's revisit exactly why I put up with all this:

She IS the sweetest, cutest, prettiest, hairiest girl in the whole wide world!

A Birthday Bash To Remember. . .

As many of you know, our big man Zachary turned 5 years old on March 2nd.  Still can't believe that I'm saying "5 years old!"  Amazing.

Since last summer when we first visited Veterans Memorial Railroad in Bristol, FL he has been begging to celebrate his birthday there.  So, we did just that this past Sunday with all his friends and family.

I was pleasantly surprised with how many people were willing and able to make the hour or more long drive to Bristol to join us and we appreciate all who did.  I think all thoroughly enjoyed it!

All the kids and adults enjoyed 2 steam engine rides and the kids enjoyed an awesome playground as well.  The steam engine ride consists of a mile long track that travels over a bridge, through the woods, through a tunnel and around the playground area before heading back to the Depot.  On the 2nd ride a brush fire had started and was on either side of the track.  The engineers took us right through it . . . it was definitely WARM.  Ha!  I wish I had gotten it on video.

They have a big covered area with lots of picnic tables where we had all the food and present table.  The wind was quite gusty and cold but we still managed to keep the yummy food on the table and, yes, the favorite part of my day, the gorgeous and delish rainbow cake survived the windy weather too!

Zach had such a fun time playing with his friends.  There was a huge dirt pile out in the field that all of them played in.  (Even Zach!)  And they all were so cute walking on and playing around the train track.  Drew and Brady brought a football too so there was lots of activity.  Chase Parker wore himself completely out having a blast.  He was a great little baby though.  Never whimpered once.

The amount of gifts was astonishing.  Wow!  Everyone was so generous in spoiling him rotten.  I hope he will not get too big for his britches!!  He really loved his electric trains that his Daddy and I gave him.  He is dying to run them at the Antique Car Museum on their track.  We plan to do that very soon.  He has also been practicing his monster truck driving too.  He really loved all his gifts and especially the fact that so many people came out to make his day so special.  THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!

And, a HUGE thank you again to my friend Erin for baking the "to die for" Rainbow cake.  Gorgeous and delicious!  And, also thanks to Erin and Amber for taking pictures for me too while I was off doing hostess and mom duties part of the time.

Here are photos and videos from our big day. . . .

The Train Depot. . . 

Firin' up the steamy!

A TRUE Engineer and lover of the railroad!

Loading up!

My sweet birthday boy!

All the passengers in tow. . .

Zach's best bud Drew

sweet Jenna!

and, ah, the "to die for" Rainbow cake!

Mommy's best bud Erin

Officially FIVE!

sweet Dawn A'leice!

Boys and their dirt piles. . . 

Zach and his best bud Logan enjoying a walk. . . 

Even Bella was pooped from watching all the gifts opened!

He loves his "real" electric HO trains!

After just one time he can handle that monster truck for sure!  He's a pro!

If those millions of pictures weren't enough for you then please go here to see the rest!

I Cannot Believe. . .

That my little boy is turning 5 years old tomorrow.
That I just signed him up for T-ball.
That, when I close my eyes, my mind cannot remember clearly how he looked when he was firstborn.

or

How drastically my life has changed in the past five years.
How much I love my sweet Zachary.

From a person who thought I never wanted children and still does not feel that maternal instinct naturally, I am constantly amazed at the capacity my heart has to love these two legged things running around my house. They drive me nuts.  They make me wish for time alone every second of the day practically.  But, when I do get my alone time a big percentage of that time is spent wondering what they are doing, if they are comfortable, happy. . . it's a crazy, wild rat race.

I so hope Zachary has the most wonderful birthday.  We have fun things planned for him for sure.  Tomorrow is the Dad's Breakfast at his school.  He is excited that his Daddy will be eating yummy casseroles, danishes, etc. with him and having fun with the program they have planned.  We are also going to bring his class birthday goodies for them all to enjoy at lunchtime.  And. . . The Lorax is out!  A favorite Dr. Seuss story, out on the big screen.  Paul and I are taking him to see that movie after school.

This weekend is hopefully going to be AWESOME. . . Sunday we are celebrating Zach's birthday with family and friends at Veteran's Memorial Railroad. (http://veteransmemorialrailroad.org/)  They have an awesome playground area with covered tables and a really cool train depot.  Not to mention the huge war planes and helicopters on the grounds as well.  They will be providing two steam engine rides for all of our party.  Zachary is super duper excited about his big day.  And, to top it all off, we are having the most amazing birthday cake. . . my absolute favorite now. . . a rainbow cake.  My good friend Erin is making it and I am most appreciative!  Move over Martha Stewart. . . Erin is in the house!

His big gift from us this year will be electric trains that he has been wishing for.  My dad found out about the Big Bend Model Railroad Association here in town.  They have about 150 members and all members are allowed to use the model train track layouts at the Antique Car Museum any time they wish.  All you have to do it bring your own trains.  So, we bought him an HO engine and a few cars along with his membership to the BBMRA club.  Each month they have meetings and they also host the big train show a the North Florida Fairgrounds every summer.  He will be SO excited!!!

We originally had the party planned for Saturday but due to the expected bad weather we moved it to Sunday.

Well, I've come full circle as my brother David likes to sarcastically remind me.  From a woman who wore high heels to her challenging "outside" job everyday, kept her home absolutely spotless to the point of people asking if anyone lived here, who went out to dinner almost every night with her husband since she didn't know how to use a stove, and swore up and down she would never have kids, but rather, her dogs and cats were enough, to. . . . me now.  Domesticated.  Big time.  A woman who never wanted kids but now has over 21,700 pictures (yep, you read that number right. . . I tallied all the ones on my external hard drives!) and 90 hours of video between the two of them, gained 65lbs with her first pregnancy, who stays at home now (and works harder than I ever have I might add!) with two kids, can barely stand to look at her floors in her house, struggles to not burn dinner every night, hasn't worn heels in years, much less a suit, has a freakin' LONG-HAIRED huge dog INSIDE the house, and to top it off, allows one of these in her house. . . .

I'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY!!!

Happy 5th Birthday to my firstborn tomorrow.  I love you more than life.

You, your brother and daddy are my heart for sure.  

I love you so much Zachary Thomas.

From someone who never thought I would be,
I am so very proud to be your mom.

Zach's invitation to Daddy for the Dad's Breakfast tomorrow. . . .

Brought tears to my eyes as I was filling this application out. . . 

fun times this week. . . . 

The "membership" card I made for Zachary. . . . 

I'm pooped too. . . let's say goodnight!!!