Water Fun

Today we set up the slip-n-slide and pool for the first time. The boys -including JW who won't let me put his picture on here- really like the slip-n-slide. (I declined to participate.) They had so much fun.

Will was really into this big water gun. He kept shooting all of us to the point of being slightly annoying! He, of course, thought it was hysterical.

Recent Read

I just finished reading "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs. A review on the front cover calls it "Steel Magnolias set in Manhattan." Now, I wouldn't go that far, but it is pretty good. It is your basic "chick lit" book about a group of women that, you guessed it, have a knitting club. It takes a while for the author to develop all the characters and once in a while I would have to stop and think "now, who is this?" Overall, it is a great summer read if you want something that is easy reading and entertaining.

Zucchini Muffins

After almost 3 weeks, we are glad to be back home and return to some kind of routine (however short-lived it may be!) The boys had gotten used to eating Pop Tarts and Captain Crunch for breakfast while on vacation and I knew I had to put a stop to it before I lost all control. So, I was very glad to find this recipe in the Tennessean while in Nashville. I had been making my Carrot Orange Muffins for breakfast most of time, but this gives me another muffin recipe to slip in once in a while. They are delicious. They boys LOVE them. Ryan ate 2 this morning. Be sure and grate your zucchini on the smallest hole of your grater.
If you make them, let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Zucchini Muffins

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons cinnamon
3 eggs, well beaten
11/2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups finely grated raw zucchini
3 teaspoons real vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl. Combine the eggs, sugar, oil, zucchini and vanilla in a large bowl and mix well. Add the dry ingredients a little bit at a time, mixing until well blended. Pour into a well greased muffin pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until done. (test with a toothpick.)

Hilton Head 2008

It was impossible to get all 4 boys to look at the camera at the same time. But I love Ryans expression in this shot. He is thinking about putting sand on Dawson's head b/c one second later he does it!

Will looks so big to me in this picture!

Sweet baby Dawson turned one this past Sunday. We had a little party for him Friday night in the condo. I promise he was this happy the whole week! Sliding with John

These 2 sweet boys had so much fun together all week. Cousins, but also best buddies!
Brothers
Ryan having a fun day at the beach
Ryan running towards the water

Ryan running away from the water

Allow me to brag on my dear husband for just a moment. On Mother's Day he surprised me with a trip to Mandalay Bay in Vegas. It is also an anniversary gift. (9 years on June 5th.) We first went to Mandalay Bay about 5 years ago when I was in a wedding there. That was a great trip and I have always wanted to go back just the two of us. So, on Mother's Day morning he handed me a card the second I got up out of bed with our confirmation in it for a 3 night stay. I was overwhelmed.

Mandalay is not your ordinary Vegas resort. It is a 5 star, over-the-top, opulence dripping from every corner, dream escape. What you see in the picture is a man-made beach complete with waves and sand. We are going to be staying at TheHotel at Mandalay which is the smaller building on the left. It is a newer, upscale part of the resort. Needless to say, I am very excited! My sweet husband never fails to surprise and delight me. Thanks, JW!

(beach pictures coming in next post.)

The Graduate

JW graduated Friday night with honors. Needless to say, we are all very proud. Afterwards we had a delicious meal at Regas. Now we are at the beach for a week. And we are not thinking about houses, moving, or work of any kind!

Graduation Cake

Check out this great cake I got JW for his graduation. I wish I could say I made it, but I didn't. I think the lady did a wonderful job with the scales and all. It is red velvet with cream cheese frosting. Yum! Graduation is tomorrow night. I will try to post some pictures for all 2 of you who still read my blog!

Birth Order

The plight of the older sibling - Kids and parenting- msnbc.com
This new research has been all over the MSNBC front page and the Today show. Basically it is the age old debate over birth order, which has long been talked about and the subject of many books. I find it all very interesting, but not necessarily true. Does the oldest take all the heat? Is the oldest always the smartest, more responsible, and eventually most successful (as this study finds?) Is the baby always the dare-devil that gets the left-over discipline from tired parents? Is it really the stereo-typical "Wally and the Beave?"

I don't know, I'm an only child. I don't have much first hand experience. Sometimes Ryan seems to be the riskier of our two boys and Will is the calmer and more cautious one. What are your experiences with your siblings and/or children? Any truth out there to the birth order theories?

This caterpillar is very interesting...

You know you are a Mommy if....

I recently saw this list in a magazine and had to share.

You know you need a Mommy time-out if:

1. You wear your hair in a ponytail- everyday.
2. You clothes are usually covered in food and/or a child's bodily fluid.
3. You can't remember when you last had a hot meal.
4. You have eaten macaroni and cheese at least 3 times in one week.
5. You can wipe a nose, break up a fight, eat a meal, and talk on the phone all while driving. (not that this would be safe.)
6. Mothers who always look perfect make your stomach turn.
7. You consider Chik-fil-A going "out to eat."
8. You hum the "Feeling Good with Jo-Jo" song in your mind randomly during the day.
9. You husband winks at you and you think he has something in his eye.
10. You still have maternity clothes hanging in your closet and your youngest child is in preschool.

I think we can all identify with some of these, right?