I heart this.

Are you in need of a chuckle? 

Out of money and have no spare gold?

Don't want to switch to Geico? 

Well, look no further!  Have I got a deal for you!

Have a laugh, for FREE, courtesy of Hayden!!

You're welcome!!!

Quite the problem.

If any of you had knocked on my front door this afternoon, I wouldn't have been able to invite you in.

Why???

Because there was no way for me to approach my door without safety gear and mountain boots.

If you will notice to the left of this picture, you'll see that everyone has their own hook for their coat and backpack.  And there's that huge basket for their shoes

Yet almost every day, I'm reminding my kids to put their stuff away where it belongs.

*sigh*

Anyone else ever have this problem??? 

Goggles.

Did you know that goggles make for an excellent dress-up accessory? Oh yes, they do.   

Obsession.

If you read yesterday's blog, you'll remember that I mentioned that Drew sent me on a wild goose chase for solar lights.  He had searched for these particular lights online and was ecstatic when he found out that our Walmart carried them and immediatley sent me the UPC via text message.  Drew takes his lights very seriously.

It took over an hour to find those lights for him and four walmart employee's assistance. But, no worries, I didn't mind the wait because a) everyone was very helpful and b) my husband is obsessed with lights. 

He takes interest in my makeup obsession = I take interest in his light obsession.  You don't ask questions, you just accept.

Drew was a very happy man to see his box of lights when he arrived home from work.   I wondered when would install them.

 ******

Fast forward to last night, it was 10 p.m. when I noticed that my husband was missing.  I couldn't find him anywhere.  Aaaanndd then it clicked- he was outside.  With his lights.

I put on my shoes and braved the cold. 

I rounded the corner and ding, ding, ding, we have a winner.  There he was, up on the ladder with a soldering iron.  You know, your typical 32 degree weather activities.  Funny thing is, I wasn't even surprised.  I stayed out there as long as I could to be supportive and ooohhh and awwww over it all.

At least in my crazy little world, I know that some things will never change...

... and I can always count on my home being illuminated. 

Slow motion.

Today my husband sent me on a wild goose chase for solar lights (for the side of our house, he hearts ambient lighting).

As we entered the zoo (aka Walmart), I was drawn towards the McDonalds.  Their advertising knew the way to my heart- 44oz of delicious diet coke for $.99??  SOLD!  I also decided that I would get Kaitlyn a happy meal.  They were only $3 and I hardly ever buy them (hello Wendy's dollar menu!) and I was pretty sure she would like getting a toy.

There were two people in line in front of us.  A grocery cart sat to the left, full of groceries, but no apparent owner.  An elderly lady, who was waiting for her order, was to our right.  She had parked herself up against the Happy Meal toy display. 

Have you ever had a time in your life where everything suddenly goes into slow motion?   My first experience with that was when I was 9 years old.  I had practiced the piano enough over the summer that I was able to choose several reward items from my piano teacher's 'store'.  I remember one item was a Japanese hand fan and one item was a glass bottle of Dad's Rootbeer.  After my lesson, I approached my mom's car to show off my treasures when suddenly my firm grasp failed me.  Everything was in slow motion as the bottle fell through the air and then shattered as it collided with the cement.  It felt like minutes yet there was nothing I could do to stop the motion. 

Kaitlyn and I took notice of the actual toy display at the same time- the featured toys were Monster Trucks and My Little Pony.  In that instant, life once again slowed down to a crawl.  Kait's eyes lit up, the biggest smile popped up on her face and she attempted to pump her crazy little legs as she launched forward.  I believe the word that I heard bellow from her mouth was, "POOOOONNNIIIIIEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!"

I was not able to stop the motion that was my daughter.  My mouth slowly dropped open as she approached the area and my mind started racing- just what exactly did she think she was doing?   Hello, that lady was in the way of the ponies and..... oh, NO! 

Kaitlyn met her destination and weaseled her way between the display and the back of the elderly lady.  But nooooo, that wasn't good enough for her.

With wild excitement, my adorable, petite, pink-wearing three year old little girl, thrust out her arms and used all twenty six pounds of herself to PUSH THE LADY OUT OF THE WAY!

Oh yes, SHE DID! 

The lady stumbled forward and quickly looked behind her.  She was visibly startled to see such a little person behind her. 

As life suddenly caught back up to speed, I turned about 7 shades of red (possibly bordering on purple) and I frantically began apologizing.  I was horrified, people, HORRIFIED!  Who in the world pushes old people??  Apparently very young people that love My Little Pony do that.  I crouched down (no kneeling on McDonald's floor, that's just gross!) and hissed that we do NOT push and she needed to say she was sorry, RIGHT NOW.  My hissing was drowned out by Kaitlyn's jumping and yelling about all the cute ponies.  She was simply to excited and there was no way to get her to snap out of her pony zone.  To be honest, I don't think she even actually realized what she had done.

*sigh*

I apologized more.  The lady never said much and after receiving her order she found somewhere to sit.  I made the call to sit in the opposite area of her.  I think that was just best for everyone. 

What else can I say, the girl loves her ponies.

As a side note, I think I'll be waiting quite a few years before I take her out to shop with me on Black Friday.  Can you even imagine how ugly that could get?????

Trick or treat!

That's what my three year old just said to me.  While wearing my black shoes, a black glove with a spider web on it, a rainbow glove, a blue and white hat (which was Carson's) and her Princess trick or treat bag.

It worked.  She got her treat.

Christmas, Dec. 2010.

Because I wasn't blogging much last year, I never shared any Christmas pictures.

Now that it's a month later, and I forgot to blog yesterday and I have no idea what to write about, I suppose it's about time to share those!

First up, it needs to be said that we did NOT have a repeat of the previous christmas.  Boy, what a relief that was!  In attempt to avoid another.. disaster.. we had all four kids sleep in Kaitlyn's room.  They were all really excited to have a sleepover and surprisingly, they were asleep by 11ish and didn't wake up until 7:30.

First up is a shot of My Four Crazy Kids.  They're smiling because I told them they couldn't go downstairs to see the tree until I had a semi-decent picture. My threat worked, they look so cute!

Kaitlyn was so surprised to see all of the presents and kept hugging her stocking. After about 5 minutes she finally tore into it.  (can you tell she was the last kid awake and she got into her dress up skirts?)

Each of the kids had asked for a zhu-zhu pet for Christmas and I guess they were pretty good kids this year because Santa gave each of them one in their stockings.  (see? Kait's still hugging hers)

This is a look of happiness.  Not terror.  In case you were wondering.

Hayden was very happy to get a new basketball. 

Hayden really, really, really wanted a new Lego Pharaoh set and being the awesome mom that I am, I found it.  Happiness for $6?  I'll take it!  Actually, Hayden will take it.  haha

Carson was very happy to have Iron Man accessories to compliment his red snow boots and marker drawings on his chest.

Grandma and Grandpa McCaskey gave my kids a wii game, can you tell they were super excited to get it??

Kaitlyn totally loved opening each of her presents.  

I gave Drew a new drum pedal for Rock Band.  Don't laugh. This makes pedal #4 for him and was greatly needed and appreciated.  He plays hard!

I'm a giver and didn't want Drew to feel pressured to buy me something amazing so I bought myself makeup.  My favorite brand, Urban Decay, had an eyeshadow palette that they sold a year ago but it was limited edition and by the time I went to buy it, it was sold out everywhere.  I happened to be on facebook where they announced they they were selling a limited amount (which sold out in under an hour).  So, I bought it and then called Drew that he was done shopping for me.  Win/Win

mmmmmm soooooo pretty!

Here's Aubrey modeling her new bathrobe that she really wanted and her Tokidoki bag.

Hayden enjoyed assembling his Lego sets.

Carson was in heaven playing with the 10,000 lego guys (that pile to the side of his is just lego guys).

Kaitlyn loved having so many pink things.

We had a great Christmas.  I hope you did too, even if it is a month past due.

Advice from Dave Barry.

A few nights ago I decided to pick up Jimmy John's for dinner.  Have you had their sandwiches before?  They're awesome and made so quickly too!  For the two minutes that I was waiting for my order, I was looking at the fun signs they have hanging up.  One of them was a list of things that Dave Barry had learned by the time he 50 years old.  A lot of it was good advice and the rest was just fun to read.

It's been a long day and I'm tired and I think my creativity is stuck someone at the bottom of my sink (which is full of dirty dishes) and so I'm going to just share that list with you.

Dave Barry "16 Things I've Learned"

1. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

2. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

3. There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

4. People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

5. You should not confuse your career with your life.

6. Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. (This one is very important.)

7. Never lick a steak knife.

8. The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

9. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

10. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

11. There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age 11.

12. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above average drivers.

13. A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)

14. Your friends love you anyway.

15. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

16. Thought for the day: Men are like fine wine . . . They start out as grapes; and it's up to the women to stomp the crap out of them until they turn into something acceptable to have dinner with.


I'm so happy tomorrow is Saturday!  FINALLY!!!   I hope you have a great weekend!

Months of the Year.

Carson has been learning the different Months of the Year in preschool by singing it as a song.  It's SO CUTE!

He happily performed it for me tonight after I told him I would put it on my computer.

I'm not sure what part is actually my favorite, there are so many options!  There is April where he's not actually saying anything but a few random noises.   Or July that is pronounced Jume-my.  Perhaps the jumble of the fall season is also a fine selection.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Nah, those were all great but I think the fact that my 4 year old is doing the MACARENA takes the cake!!

Sticker Princess Tutorial by Kaitlyn

Would you like to look like a Sticker Princess but you really aren't sure how to go about it?  Or you're worried that you won't be able to pull off this glamorous look in public? 

Well, I have a treat for you!  Kaitlyn is an expert in this department and was kind enough to do a picture tutorial for us today!

First, choose a very pretty princess sticker, preferably with glitter or sparkles.  It can be difficult to pull the sticker off of the backing but trust us, it's worth the effort!

Next, you will want to hold the sticker with your fingers and put the sticky side towards your face or body.

This part can be tricky and don't let it intimidate you.  As a hint, you may need to use a mirror for your first few applications!  What you need to do, is quickly smash the sticker on your face.  Don't worry about any hair in the way.. you can rip that part off later!

Don't be afraid to add on a few layers.  Less is NOT more!  More IS MORE!

Kaitlyn's best advice to looking like a Sticker Princess is to always, always wear a smile.  If you own it, you can wear ANYTHING!!!! 

See?  You were so busy looking at her happy little Sticker Princess face that you didn't even notice all fourteen stickers! 

We really hope this tutorial was helpful and showed you just how easy it can be to look amazing!  Feel free to write in the comments if you have any questions!  I'll ask Kaitlyn and get right back to you!!

A healthy give-a-way!

Today I have a give-a-way that I think you should take the time to enter.

This is a link to my friend Kelly's blog:
 What are my kids eating?.

Kelly is the busy mom of two young children (who are really active in different sports and she works full time).  She is very passionate about taking the time to make sure that her kids (and her- she practices what she preaches) are eating healthy and educating others to do the same.  We've been friends for over 7 years now and she's definitely influenced me- I haven't bought a box of Hamburger Helper in years!  Part of her blog headline reads: Trying to keep it Healthy, Simple, Affordable and Real.  Yep, sounds like Kelly to me!  She doesn't use processed foods, she rarely spends more than 30 minutes cooking dinner, she shares coupons to help make their lifestyle very affordable and Kelly is just plain awesome.  Love her!!

For her blog's one year anniversary, she is having a give-a-way which is hosted by Cliff Bar and Company.  Nice!!!   She explains what you need to do to enter (super easy) but I think you should also subscribe to her blog and she's also on facebook if you're interested.  You won't regret it!!  Contest ends on the Monday, Jan. 24th.

And because it's practically impossible for me to blog without a picture, here's one of Kait.

While I was browsing in Lane Bryant this afternoon, Kaitlyn spent most of her time looking at the pretty jewelry.  I guess I took to long because after awhile she took it upon herself to relax George Costanza style.

She is such a funny little girl!  Now go enter that contest!!

Oh, the excitement!

Today, because there was no school, my kids were hoping to go to our local fitness center to play in their super fun play area.

But, apparently they were closed.

Soo...... we resulted to a trip to the gas station.
I KNOW!  WOO HOO!

lol

The kids happily piled into the van and discussed what they wanted to look at in the gas station.  It was actually very comical to hear them chattering.

My children spilled out of the van after parking and made a beeline for the Redbox machine. 

Aubrey happily took charge in the official movie decision.  She used her excellent persuasion skills to convince the boys to not get a rough and tumbling movie (aka The Last Airbender) and instead go with Ramona and Beezus.  She's got skills!

We spent a half hour in the gas station.  Oh yes, we did.  I didn't rush them at all and just followed the little kids around as they chose their treats- something they very rarely get to do.  Aubrey went with a Nerds Rope, Hayden chose skittles and Carson and Kaitlyn happily shook their Nerds.  How those two managed to get a sugar rush without even opening up their boxes, I have no idea.

I then also let the kids each choose their own Icee (or however you spell it).  You would have thought it was almost as good as Christmas!  Maybe next year instead of buying the kids presents, I should just get them a Maverik gift card.

They even happily SHARED!!  Simply amazing.

The kids declared this their best day ever (that phrase never gets old!) and they can't wait for another day off from school.  Sounds good to me!

The joys of having older brothers...

Today when we were at our friend's house, Kaitlyn had a wonderful time on their spring rocking horse.  It seems like every time I went to check on her, she was just happily bouncing away.  It was great!

(Lisa, isn't all this blurriness, that is my child, just fabulous?? Love it!)

That is, until her older brothers and their friend came into play.....  Sometimes it's rough being the youngest.

Sad part is I'm not sure how long she was actually stuck there since she never yelled out for help. I'll be adding this onto my Mother of the Year application. 

Good news is that .02 seconds after she was released, she was happily bouncing on the horse again.

Ultimate Fighter.

My kids have a new favorite game called Ultimate Fighter.


Yeah...  I'm super appreciative of Drew for showing them some specific techniques.  


Here's my crew and their friend Jake posing prior to fighting.  :-S

Here they are when I asked them to move around a little.  (Wow, don't ever cross Aubrey! Yikes!)

Thanks again Drew for teaching them an awesome childrens activity!  :-S

Hayden's stamp.

Yesterday, because I'm just this awesome, I finished taking down the last of my Christmas/Winter decorations that were in my front room.  I clearly loved how they looked.  But, being the middle of January, it was time to let them go for another eleven months.  I scraped off the dust polished the furniture and then juggled my accessories and lamps all around until I had a set-up that was aesthetically pleasing.

Hayden  apparently felt the need to have his decorating stamp left behind because my piano now has some additional artifacts including six lego guys, a small ship, a pharaoh's treasure thingy and a catapult. 

I wonder if this means he will do the dusting now???

My morning.

I wake up earlier than normal on Thursdays and Fridays because I watch my friend Delinah's two cute boys.  One goes to school while the other is dropped off here.

Today was a busy day.

It started off with pouring three bowls of cereal, a million drinks and repeating myself about 17 times that it's not yet time for lunch.

Just before 10, I took Jacob to preschool and dropped him off.

After returning home, I finished getting my kids ready for the day.  I changed out of my black pajama pants and into jeans (since I had people to see, no pajamas in public!) as well as finish applying my makeup (dark blue smokey eyes if you were wondering).

At 11ish, I loaded my kids into the van and drove over to preschool.  The earlier start time is due to today being early day and no school tomorrow.  Lucky me!

We slowly walked to Carson's class.  Why?  Because Kaitlyn insists in walking in the snow.  Actually, it's more of a stamping.  One foot on solid ground and one foot stamps in the snow.  I warned her to stop because I didn't want her to slip and fall but also to hurry up because it's COLD!  She doesn't listen.  Carson asks us to hurry up because the little girl that he really likes is right in front of us.  She's super cute, I don't blame him.

After finally making it to the door, we walk in, I sign him in, help him hang up his gear, give him a hug and kiss and leave where...

...we slowly walked back to car.  That whole stamping thing mentioned before?  Lather, rinse, repeat.

As we drove to Jacob's preschool, I decided to indulge myself and stop at the gas station to get a Diet Coke.  I was a VERY happy girl to see this:  MY FAVORITE!

Kaitlyn said, "Hi, I'm Kaitlyn.  What's your name?" to five different people.  She told one guy that she lost her gloves and needed to buy more.

We waited at Jacob's preschool for about 20 minutes while Kait watched a movie in the van and I blissfully enjoyed my Diet Coke WITH Lime while texting and checking Facebook.

After buckling up Jacob, I drove to Delinah's house (because she had to stop by there for a minute and we conspired to meet up) to say hi and pick up a Starbucks that she got me!!  LOVE HER!!

Then I ventured over to Harmon's to pick up baby wipes (I *only* had like five left and you KNOW that's just asking for trouble) and a few other items.  Jacob and Kaitlyn were so cute together!  They did a good job staying with me and not running off or throwing any tantrums. 

I needed more documentation for here so I asked them to look at me and smile.  So, what do they do??  Not look at me!

I repeated myself.  Jacob (who is only 7 months older than Kaitlyn but is the same size as Carson) took it into his own hands to help Kait listen to me.  Literally.  Still didn't work.

At the end of quick shopping extravaganza, Jacob told Kaitlyn that because they were so good that they were going to get a big treat.  And he wanted donuts.  This kid cracks me up!!!

It was time for lunch once we were back home so I suggested we get a bag of baked lays and they could share them with the big kids too.  They happily agreed.

On our way there, both of the little kids were very excited to see the Cheetos.  What is it about little kids and artificial cheese???  Jacob gave Kait the low down on not buying the spicy varieties but to go with the traditional kind.  You can see his hand over them as to say, "Don't get this one! It's HOT!" 

I practiced my sheep herding skills as we walked back out to the van and I successfully deposited the two children back into their carseats. I arrived home two minutes before the big kids were out of school.  Nice!!  Aubrey is a rock star and picks Carson up for me on Thursdays.  I put things away while they all walked home and the little kids stood at our sliding glass door and screamed who-knows-what to Carson.  No really, I have no idea what they were saying. 

And that concludes my morning.  I'll spare you from my afternoon.  You're welcome.

My Resume.

One must always be prepared for things in life.

I believe part of that is keeping your resume updated.

Under accomplishments, next to my Mother of the Year award, I have Guitar Hero listed.

Well, technically it's Rock Band that I actually play.. but being a Guitar Hero is so much more fun to say!

Think I should include pictures??  That's not overkill, is it?

I would attach these that I took last night.  And between you, me and the lamp post (and facebook), what makes these even better is the fact that they're all Linkin Park songs. I LOOOOOVE Linkin Park!  Every Tuesday, new songs are available for download through xbox.  Some people go to movies.. Drew and I buy Rock Band songs.  It works for us.  ANYWAY, so these were played maybe two times each before I took these pictures.. not too shabby of scores for being my second/third time playing them.  :-D

Awwww yeah, 100% on Expert!!

 This one is #80 on the leaderbaord!  That's awesome!

5 gold stars is such a lovely sight to see!!!

WoOo HoOo!!!!!!!!

Told ya I'm a Guitar Hero!!!!!!  Not that you ever would have doubted me.

After all, it's on my resume!

(p.s. how rockin' are Drew's drum scores???  How the man does it, I'll never know!)