Taylor turns 6!

Wednesday we celebrated Taylor's 6th Birthday! Wow! I can't believe how fast six years goes by...when did I blink? She has brought so much joy, fun, and laughter into our home. Here is what we love about Taylor:

• T is for Taurus. Which means she is patient and reliable, warmhearted and loving, persistent and determined, and placid and security loving. Taylor really is ALL of these things.
• A is for Artistic. Taylor is quite the artist. She is constantly coloring, painting, and drawing pictures or making crafts to display in the home or give to friends.
• Y is for You are her friend for life. Taylor has a great capacity to make friends. She is very affectionate and generous towards her friends and once you are her friend she is loyal and true.
  
• L is for Love. Taylor loves everything! She loves her family and tells them daily. She loves to eat sweets, she loves school, she loves making up games for her brothers to play, she loves watching movies, and loves helping her mom clean up. She always has a good attitude and truly loves everything and everyone!
• O is for Oh, she can be very strong-willed sometimes...she doesn't like to be wrong!
• R is for Really great daughter! She is always trying to please everyone and make everyone around her happy. There is never a dull moment around our house when she is around.
  

Taylor you are the best! We love you so much! Happy, Happy Birthday!

My Lucky Dollar Bill

The other day, I was driving in the car listening to the radio when they announced "What's New For You." In other words, what's new for you...a new car, a new house, new kitchen, a dream vacation to New York, etc. Then, they announced that if you were the lucky caller, you could possibly win $25,000.

Of course, my mind began to whirl and fantasize about winning the 25 Grand and all that I would do if I won.

I began listening for the cue times to call in and what you needed to do to play. The rules are you must have a one-dollar bill to play and be the lucky caller.

Since then, I have kept a one-dollar bill stashed in my car and have labeled it my "Lucky Dollar Bill." Devon tried to spend it the other day and I wouldn't allow it. Once I told him it was my "Lucky Dollar Bill" he grinned and put it back in it's place.

I have been listening for those times to call in and have yet to be the lucky caller. Those dang phone lines keep giving me a busy signal!

If I do happen to get through, and be the lucky caller, then the first four numbers on my dollar bill have to match the numbers in their sealed envelope. If all numbers match, I could win 25 Grand!

So. What are my chances, really? Do you think my dollar bill is lucky? Let's find out!

I don't have $25,000 to give away (obviously!). However, I do have some cute personalized baby onesies, t-shirts, and vinyl lettering to give away.

If you think your dollar bill is as lucky as mine, then post a comment with the first four numbers on your dollar bill and let's see if we can make a match! I will make a post with my numbers later in the week. Even if you don't think any of my items sound interesting to win....leave a comment anyway. Tell everyone you know. Let's see if I can find a match. Doesn't this sound like fun!

Swap!!

Today and tomorrow are the last days to sign up! I will be assigning swap partners on Sunday. Don't be shy! Anyone and everyone is welcome to join! I know we're all desperate for something...what are you desperate for?

To sign up email me at starpansie2004@yahoo.com Click HERE for more details!

Blake the Bruiser

My pregnancy with Blake was awful! Early on, I was diagnosed with placenta previa and, for this reason, had to be monitored often. Although the pregnancy was awful and I anxiously awaited the day that I would no longer be pregnant, I felt extremely close to this child and knew he was going to be a sweet boy.

He was born two weeks early, healthy and sweet. He was one of those "textbook" babies. He slept and ate at all the right times and made the transition from being a mother of two to three easy. Blake has always been a happy boy and is the "life of the party" on a daily basis.

He is still a sweet boy, but today has been one of those days where his behavior has led me to scourge the cupboards and fridge for chips, chocolate, coke, cookie dough, and any other dietary substance that will give me comfort and keep me from driving myself to the nearest insane asylum! I don't drink alcohol, but if I was ever going to start--today would be that day!

In nursery, he has been labeled as "Blake the Bruiser."

I don't know where he learned it, but he has an unbelievable left-hand-hook. He, seriously, has 4th graders running away from him in fear! Here are a few examples:

1. While in the toy isle, at Target, he randomly walks up to an 8-year old and punches him--the 8-year old cries.
2. While in line, at the check out counter, he walks up to a little girl, with his chest puffed out and chest butts her--she cries.
3. While I'm holding him in line at Disneyland, he slaps a 12-year old on the back of his neck--the 12-year old keeps rubbing his neck better the entire time we were in line.
4. He throws toys.
5. He constantly instigates wrestling matches with Luke (his older brother).

He is like a male rooster walking around our house. He constantly walks around with his chest puffed out claiming his territory.

Today, was the last straw. Keep in mind, we spend at least 5 days a week at the kids club at the gym. (If I wasn't the instructor, we wouldn't be there that often.) Blake has been "written up" twice for s0-called "bad" behavior. In my mind, he is a normal boy with a lot of energy. Apparently, today he was punching with "closed fists" and "if he continues to exhibit this behavior tomorrow, he will no longer be allowed in the kids club."

I feel miserable. I don't know if this is a reflection of me and my parenting skills or just a phase that all boys, especially boys with older brothers, go through. I feel so frustrated and at a complete loss of what to do. I can't seem to find any discipline that works with him.

So. Until I can get over these feelings of guilt and self-pity I will continue scourging the cupboard and fridge and keep telling myself, "you're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darnit all of your blogger friends love you"...right!

Beach Days Are Back!

Seriously! This is why we live here! It was 95 degrees at the beach, and, since we live only 8 miles away, we just couldn't resist!

For some reason, there were oodles of ladybugs. Blake was obsessed with them and even had one that he let crawl all over his body.

In fact, he was so busy that I couldn't get one good picture of him from the front.

Favorite quotes from the last two days...

Luke: "Mama, I'm swallowing my food down my bath tub drain in my mouth."

After Taylor woke up, VERY early in the morning and wouldn't go back to sleep, she said: "I can't go back to sleep...I'm as awake as a tree. Trees never sleep, so why should I?"

Desperate Housewives Swap!

With the return of one of my favorite shows ,Desperate Housewives, I decided to commemorate the event with my first Swap!

The theme is "Desperate Housewives" -what are you housewives desperate for? A lazy day at the beach reading a good book or magazine, listening to some new tunes, or possibly spring fever has you desperate to rearrange your house and wardrobe and you're longing for colors, flowers, photos, fabrics, etc, that inspire you!

This is going to be so much fun! Tell your friends, invite your neighbors, send an email, post it on your blog. Let's get the word out and tell EVERYONE you know to join the Desperate Housewives Swap!!

As you can tell, I am very excited about this...so here are the details:

As a participant, you will be asked to send at least three objects (I seriously doubt anyone would mind if you decided to send more) that are some of YOUR favorite desperate housewife related things. As a Desperate Housewife, what are you longing for and desperate for? Be creative and, most of all, have fun with it! Objects can be new or vintage, bought or handmade... just remember, it is best to send something that you would be thrilled and pleased to receive yourself!

Please send the following information to starpansie2004@yahoo.com by April 18th:
* Your name
* Your email address
* Your blog address
* Your home address
* What you are Desperate for!

Money: You are not obligated to spend large amounts of money... you could put together home made items such as great summer recipes or a list of activities to keep your little ones busy during the summer.... there are so many cool and fun things out there, to contribute, that cost next to nothing!.

Your swap partner will be emailed to you by the 20th and your packages should be in the mail by May 3^rd!!

This is going to be FABULOUS...tell all of your friends and please don't be shy...sign up!!

Do's and Don'ts of Disneyland

Do take as many pictures as you can to ensure that it "looks" like you had a good time! You really did have a great time despite the aching toes from walking, sore back from carrying kids, and headache from small ones whining.

Don't expect to pay any less than $32 for the family to eat lunch and $4 for a cup of hot chocolate that isn't hot and very watered down!

Do adore your children (even if they whine and cry because their feet hurt, they're tired of walking and standing in line) and how cute they are when their faces light up with excitement and appreciate the fact that they still love spending every minute with you!

Don't go to Disneyland without two strollers! Otherwise, one (30+ lb.) child will end up being carried much more than you had planned. Especially, the final mile walk back to the hotel...ouch!

Do make mental note to self: "do not have any more children until older children are capable and willing to walk all day at Disneyland!"

Don't eat the pizza while at California Adventure...it's disgusting!

Do remember to take advantage of ALL ride-share passes and fast passes!

Don't be surprised when you run into your Aunt Sandy (and her family), your sister-in-law, and Brian and Brenna Smith! I mean, who ever sees people they know at Disneyland!

Do be surprised when your 21-month old is completely mesmerized and in love with the giant characters walking around the park because the other two were always fearful.

Don't be surprised that your husband still loves you despite your moments of crankiness. Also, Don't be surprised when you go through the pictures from your trip and find many shots taken by him of your back side...proof, again, that he loves you!


Do get lots of sleep to recover and gear up for another trip back next year because we love Disneyland and it's always a BLAST!

To My Mom!

In honor of my mom, on her birthday, I wanted to share a few of my favorite "mom" memories!My mom has always been very nurturing! In fact, all the neighbor kids loved her...all the girls in the neighborhood would come over to have her do their hair.

She always had a rockin' hairdo that matched the decade!

I've never doubted that my mom loves me because she always tells me and shows me...she loves all of her children (however, I am the favorite or at least I like to think so!).

She is very patient. One time, I was experimenting in the kitchen, trying to bake my own cake, and put it in the microwave...sparks zapped all over inside and when she found out she didn't get mad at me.

She would make up silly songs and sing them at the piano with us.

After me and my friends would spend hours making up dances, to Paula Abdul, she would sit and watch us perform and love every second...even if the dance went on and on and moves were repeated!

She has always been my biggest fan!

Anytime I needed a hug, Mom was always there!

We loved singing together...we thought we would be the next "Judd's."

Mom makes the best Coke/Pepsi floats!

I, also, really love her Valentines Day Cookies!

I remember sitting in this pink bathroom and peeling off the wall paper as I sat there...I don't think my mom every got after me!

She took really good care of me when I had the chicken pox...I remember her telling me over and over, "don't scratch." Thank goodness she kept me from scratching or I would probably have scars all over my body!

It's hard to believe how quickly time passes. Before I got married, we would stay up late and talk and talk. I miss that! It's nice that she is only a phone call away and available to listen and talk anytime I need her...she is the best!

Happy Birthday, Mom...I love you!

She Has A BIG Heart!

Yesterday, Taylor approached me with big, sad, watery eyes, and told me that for the last 3 or 4 recesses, her "best friend" told her she doesn't want to play with her and only wants to play with someone else.

As I listened and gave her a hug, my eyes started to well up with tears and my heart ached for my little girl.

I remember moments of feeling sad at recess, too, because my "best friend" was playing or having fun with someone else.

How do you explain to a 5-year old that moments like this will pass. Some friends are fair-weather friends and others are friends for life!

I told Taylor that it is good to not just have one best friend, but to have lots of best friends so when situations like this occur, then you have other friends to play with that make you feel good and don't make you feel sad.

Her response was, "Well, I only want to play with HER!"

So, then I told her, "Well, next time she tells you she doesn't want to play with you, you just tell her that's too bad because you are a lot of fun to play with! And then go find someone else to play with."

She thought that was a good response. So, all morning long we practiced. Devon played the part of her friend and I played Taylor. Devon would say, "Taylor, I don't want to play with you today!" Then, I would say, "Well, that's too bad because I'm a lot of fun to play with!" We practiced over and over, but all she would say for her part was, "I don't care!" We thought that was good enough.

Finally, after school, I was anxious to hear how recess went. Once in the car, I asked her, "So, did you have fun at recess today?" She said, "Well, I was standing in front of her (her best friend) while she played on the swing and she just wouldn't get off to play with me!"

All that practicing and explaining at home didn't work...she just didn't get it!

Taylor wears her heart on her sleeve. Once you are her friend, she is loyal and true and you are her friend for life! I want to put her in a bubble and protect her little heart from experiencing pain caused from others who are unkind.

I survived Elementary School, Middle School, and High School, so I know she will too! I guess I can just expect to experience a lot of tears along the way! Hopefully this is only something you experience with girls because I don't think I could handle it if the boys were this emotional too!