Sunday, May 24, 2009

Blackberry for Kids

Leapfrog has saved me with the latest in toys that kids really shouldn't need but because of technology do need. The kids are always fighting over my cell phone and Blackberry. They need their own, but it doesn't make sense to get one for two kids under 7 that would just be crazy. Bring in the newest toy to hit the shelves, Leapfrog Text and Learn, this toy is similar to a Blackberry, you can even send text messages back and forth with Scout, the pretend dog who is the star of this new toy. These toys were flying off the shelves but I was lucky enough to get one and my mom and sister found another one. Score!
Taylor & Cody love them, a Leapfrog success. The night they got them both begged to stay up just a little late, which I of course gave into. That night when they went to sleep they left their Blackberries on the counter and the first thing Cody did when he got up the next morning was to check for messages. Ah, addicted to his Crackberry already.
Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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Time to Slow Down

This message was made clear in two different ways by both Taylor & Cody these last few weeks. First from Taylor in a conversation she had with her teacher on Monday. It went something like this.

Ms. Sheena: Hi Taylor, did you have a nice weekend
Taylor: Yes, Sunday was awesome!!!!
Ms. Sheena: Really, what did you do on Sunday?
Taylor: Nothing, absolutely nothing. It was perfect.

And a picture of Cody from that same weekend. All tuckered out...
These two events made it quite obvious that it was time for One Busy Mommy to slow down and let the little ones catch up. Bring on the relaxation!!!

Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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H2H: New TV...Finally

This House to Home project is one that has been much needed for some time, and I'm very glad that this phase is over. A new TV has been an item that we have needed for a while not because our other TV didn't work, it was fine really. But because we needed to get into the 21st century with a "real" TV. I mean after all I do work for NBC right, I should be able to actually see the shows that provide me with a paycheck week after week. The process of finding a TV was a nightmare so many choices and so many options. Finally though Costco did not let us down and we found another item to continue with the 2009 House to Home Challenge. This challenge needed a before picture because the after is so different.

Before: Nice, but not our style anymore
After: Perfect in every way
Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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Princess Taylor is 6

On May 4th my Princess turned 6 years old. It's been a few weeks since this happened and while it gets a little each day it still is unfounded to me why time has to go so fast. On one hand it seems that the past 6 years have flown by on the other I try to imagine life before Taylor and it seems a world away. My Princess means the world to me and each and every day she amazes me at the young girl she is turning into. Almost a little too much at times, but really that is only the beginning, people have told me wait until she reaches her teenage years. Eek!

Posing with her cake at her party
Getting started on her presents
Taylor in true Taylor form, need I say more

Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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Sunday, May 10, 2009

99 Days

About 7 weeks ago or so I made the decision to double up on my final classes in an attempt to finish my degree just a tad sooner. Already done with my first set of 2 classes at a time and I'm pleasantly surprised at the fact that I'm not drowning yet. It probably helps that my last few classes were focused on what I do for a living anyways so it's not too difficult. So what exactly does doubling up mean, it means that I'll be done a little over 100 days sooner than planned.
Even more exciting is that in 99 days I will be done with my Bachelor's degree. It's weird to sit back and think that less than 3 years ago I set out on this adventure, a full time working mom of 2 kids (at the time Taylor was 3 and Cody had just turned 1) set out on a mission to earn my degree.
It has not been easy, I've made a lot of sacrifices, but in the end I wouldn't change a thing. The hard work has paid off with two promotions since going back to school and the sky is the limit.
While I would love to say that in just 99 days I'll never have to go to school again this isn't the case. Since my education goals now include a Master's degree I still have many more sleepless nights of writing papers ahead of me. But I'm getting there!!

Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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Cody's Weekend with Grandma

A few weeks ago Cody got to experience his first "hotel" weekend with Grandma. Taylor and Grandma Brenda (GB as Taylor likes to call her) started this tradition a few years ago when Cody was just a little guy. Taylor lives for these special weekends where GB takes her to a hotel and they get to spend the night having fun, shopping, eating, and just escaping for a few days.
Cody's hotel night was at the Sheraton Universal. The day started off with Cody charming his way into a room with a view and an upgrade to the VIP level complete with free food. When my mom called to tell me this I was so excited for the two of them. After the two of them got checked into the hotel they headed out for a day of fun in the sun at Universal Studios.
I was for sure my little guy would have a blast, I mean I love the place so why wouldn't he. Wrong, wrong, wrong. I was very wrong. My Little Guy hated the tram ride. Too much scary stuff for one little boy. Maybe in a few years he will change his mind, in the meantime it looks like the season passes I was contemplating are out the door.
My mom and Cody spent the rest of the day hanging out and doing some serious shopping. Part of "hotel" weekend always seems to include an even advanced level of spoiling my GB. But since it's not every day mommy let's it slide and even more so because the kids love their one on one time with GB. They are only young once right, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

The "tourist" shot in front of the Universal Globe Waterfall
Getting ready to take off on the tram ride
Cheese crepe a.k.a Quesadilla to Cody
Big giant bed all to himself and one of his many newly aquired toys from the weekend
What happens with Grandma, stays with Grandma, except when Grandma comes back with evidence. Up past his bed time...eating candy and drinking soda. Now I know why the kids love Hotel Weekends so much
Milk and a banana for breakfast, he loved his coffee cup
The view from the room, they overlooked mommies office

Cody had an awesome weekend and now talks about the next "hotel" night with Grandma and what he wants to do.

Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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Easter 2009

Tomorrow will be one month since Easter, which means it falls into my rule: "as long as it's less than a month ago it's still Blogable". I just hit the mark on this one.
Easter was yet another extremely busy Holiday filled with family and fun and food. This was Cody's first year understanding the Easter Bunny and he was very excited. Taylor enjoyed dying the eggs this year and took pride in making sure they were up to her standards.
The night before we did our traditional dying of Easter eggs, Easter morning was spent having breakfast with my parents and an egg hunt at their house. We followed that up with a visit to a local driving range that was hosting an Easter egg hunt for the kids. The day ended with a visit to Jeremy's parents for Easter dinner and the final egg hunt. Three egg hunts in one day equals Two tired kids and Two tired parents. Great fun, but happy to say that Easter 2009 is now behind us.



Stuffing eggs to take to school for the egg hunt


One for Cody, one for the eggs
This face says it all, that's my Taylor
It's got to be perfect
Concentrating
Easter morning loot
Egg Hunt at the driving range
Dinner Easter Egg Hunt

Peace Out...Cub Scout!!!
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