Fun day with Mommy

As we are preparing for leaving for our Family Reunion this week, today was the day to venture to the stores to get our last needed items. We decided to make a day out of it, and I was surprised at just how well my boys did being dragged from store to store in 100 degree heat.

Our first stop was Cabela's to look a life jacket for JoJo. They were sold out but they boys had a blast looking at the stuffed animals and the aquariums with the huge cat fish. Joseph said his favorite was the Polar Bear, and Thurston loved the fish with the "glass water" and the squirrels.

Our next stop was the Mall, I was hoping to find a sporting goods store. While I was unsuccessful at that, I did manage to find a Pretzle shop, the Disney store, and most dangerous, Mrs. Fields cookie shop. The boys got a cupcake cookie with frosting and a Mater ring (Cars). Of course I indulged with a couple of Walnut chocolate chip cookies. ahhhh. I'm officially out of the nauseated stage of pregnancy and into the "hey, I smell food!" stage. watch out!

They enjoyed the escalators as much as a ride at a theme park. On our last trip down there was an elderly couple behinds us that kept cracking up at them. At the bottom, Joseph said in a very loud voice "Mommy, I love you!". Yes! Finally they say something loud that makes me happy. The couple smiled and laughed and there were others around that looked at him and smiled. It was a happy Mommy moment.

The last stop was uneventful at Target. I'm a little sad that I came home and realized I forgot to visit the $1 section! (Probably for the best). At the end Joseph told me that it had been a perfect fun day. Ahhh. Now I'm pooped!

Tea Party for the Boys

The other day Joseph informed me that boys could go to tea parties. He saw it on Barney.

Then he kept asking me if he could have one. Naturally, how could I resist?

We had some friends over and I decided it would be the perfect day. Now, what to wear? Do they dress up like girls? Get in Sunday clothes? The obvious answer: Super Hero Tea Party!

They were adorable and had a lot of fun.

Those who know me know I jump at a chance to dress up myself. I was wearing my tiara from my wedding, but it didn't make it into the shot.

I taught them basic etiquette, we'll see if any of it stuck! We had fun nonetheless!

Art with the Boys

Our friends asked me if I wanted an art Easel, and I said 'Duh, yeah'. It's awesome. It's a lot better than the cheap plastic one that I got that broke on the first use. It has one side that is chalk board and the other is a marker board with a paper roll on top. The boys finally got to try it out today. The first pictures are the boys art pieces for the library for the Family reading program. This is Joseph, he named it "Super Joseph and side kick Thurston" Sooo cute! Thurston's is named "Super Thurston"

While they played, I got some work done. Here is the cover of my next Project. I am doing the illustrations for a friend.

I have tons more photos and it takes forever to upload, so I am posting a link to my Drop-Shots account. They include Father's day and a recent picnic, and my cat and his catnip addiction.

http://www.dropshots.com/charleyface

This is why we forget what it's like to be Pregnant

I was very excited to get pregnant, but I have to admit that pregnancy sucks. Especially this one. I always boasted that I never really was sick with my pregnancies before and was just a little tired. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut so I don't have to eat so many of my words. On top of the complete exhaustion, nausea I now have Hypoglycemia due to the pregnancy. I guess if you are going to be diagnosed with something, it should be the one that tells you you need to eat 6-8 meals a day, keep snacks and juice packs on hand all the time and to keep it light on the exercise. The only thing that poses a problem is when I feel like barfing when I see food. We've faced some difficult trials lately. I found a lump in my breast and caused a little worry. We have an awesome hospital here that has a very good breast care center. I was in and out with the ultrasound and consultation with the DR in an hour. Things are ok and they think it is just normal tissue reacting a little different to the prego hormones. Plus I have a protruding rib that makes it seem worse than it was. I got over that in time for all of us to get sick. At the height of all this, we found out that Preston's cousins baby was airlifted to Primary children's with SBS (shaken baby syndrome). Little Morgan fought for 4 days before passing. She was only 4 months old, and now her parents not only have to deal with the loss of their child, but the investigation with the babysitter. It has really affected us and Preston's family. It is amazing how it has brought us together. Here is her obituary: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=103949805737&h=GYzWA&u=0hDp-&ref=nf It makes me slow down and hold my children closer. Life is precious and I am grateful for the gospel and the perspective it gives us.