Ben's Posse: Walking for Autism Speaks!

This is Ben. Ben is my nephew. Ben is funny. Ben is creative. Ben is smart. Ben has Autism.

Ben is lucky. Because Ben has a posse! You know, a whole bunch of people who love him & who are backing him up.

We are walking on Saturday in Dallas with Ben & his family to raise money for Autism Speaks. Because we're a part of Ben's posse.

Can you help?

(Small donations add up and are a HUGE help! We'd appreciate any amount you can spare.)

Click here. And THANK YOU for backing up Ben (& all the other kids who have Autism) & helping them to find their voice. We appreciate your support!

Maya's 7th Birthday Party: Roller Skating!

Maya loved my 30th birthday party @ the roller skating back...ahem...a few years ago, now, and has been asking for one of her own ever since then. We finally got a rink down south, and I figured at age 6-7ish, these girls were ready to skate!

The invitations were delivered with a pair of knee socks for each of the girls - perfect roller skating gear! I tried to keep the food simple after throwing away 90 percent of the tea party food last year, so we had hot dogs, chips & grapes, with some jelly beans & licorice to snack on. Maya requested root beer & grape soda to drink, and strawberry cupcakes! I am not much of an icing piper, but they came out okay...

Maya was so excited to get laced up & get out there! (Mason, too!)

For the first half of the party, it was girls on the ground & clinging to walls! But they actually got the hang of it pretty quickly, and we made it thru with minimal crying & injuries.

A few of my favorite mommies and/or grandparents and/or daddies and/or uncles. The little guys loved taking a spin around the rink in the stroller.

Cake & presents! Always the best part of any birthday bash. These girls were so funny. Every time Maya would open a gift, they would shriek and giggle. It was hilarious.

So, another party in the books. My accountant (that would be Chris) informed me that this was the cheapest party I've ever thrown (gasp!)! Now, on to Simon's 2nd birthday party tomorrow, where I'll be re-using all of the things I did for Maya's 2nd birthday (Elmo party), but scaling it down a bit. See I'm getting smarter as I get older! :)

What I Wore Wednesday

Okay, I can't help myself! I'm jumping on board with the What I Wore Wednesday thing. I know, it's very self-indulgent. But it's also helpful in keeping me from throwing on the same 2 shirts I like over & over & over. And I also see that my mirrors are all in need of a good cleaning! I'll do better next week! :) Thanks to Leslie from A Room Somewhere for the motivation, and The Pleated Poppy for doing the link-up. Fun, fun! (Do it! You know you want to!)

Wednesday - Tonsils out for my little guy: tee, Old Navy; top, Target; cardigan, Old Navy; jeans, Gap (Always Skinny); shoes, Target

Thursday - Baby shower @ my house: tank, Old Navy; cardigan, Target; jeans, Gap (Real Straight); moccs (an almost daily staple - so comfy!), Shoe Boxes (local); necklace, Stella & Dot

Friday - errands, Dr. appts. & stuff: It started out as a rainy day & I was super stoked to wear boots (Kohl's) and a sweater (Gap); but by school pick-up time it was 87 degrees and I swapped those for my go-to yellow top (Forever 21, in need of ironing!) and flip flops (Tory Burtch). Also...jeans, Gap; skinny belt, Target.

Saturday - errands & date to the mall with the hubs: top, Liberty of London for Target; cardigan, Old Navy; jeans, Nordstrom (Kut brand); shoes, Target; skinny belt, Target

Sunday - keepin' it real...home with sick kids (& trying a different mirror...): tee, Cottam family road trip 2010 (design by ME!); sweats, Paul & Joe for Target; slippers, Target

Monday - home with sick kids (again!): tank, Old Navy; top, Old Navy; jeans, Gap (Always Skinny); moccs, Shoe Boxes (local)
Tuesday - errands & stuff: Making it easy on myself...with an all-Target get-up! Got to love the Target.

Catch-Up: Randoms

A few more catch-ups...

Maya blew out the candles on her 7th (!) birthday! Crazy, crazy.

Mason wrapped up his "SportBall" class. His favorite sport was basketball.

Simon continued to be a disaster, requiring many baths.

This goose is a rockin', rollin', smilin' little bundle of JOY!

Catch-Up: Playing In The Rain

I'm not one of those fun moms who thinks it's a blast to go out & play in the rain...usually. But during this particularly warm downpour in mid-September, I thought what the heck...and we went for it. The kids had a blast, and it made for an early transition to bath time & jammies that day!

Elmo On The Brain

I've got Elmo on my mind this week, as I prepare for Simon's Sesame Street party on Friday. I SO super love this song from one of this season's new episodes (ALL my kids love it, too):

Of course, silly Simon's favorite is Elmo's Celebrity Lullaby (he does a killer "NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH - nighty night"):

Catch-Up: Pre-K Kid!

My Mason started Pre-K in September. He's LOVING it, and doing great, learning lots. He has our favorite lady, Ms. Maria, and just adores her. Can't believe this guy will be in Kindergarten next year! Crazy how time flies...

Wishlist: Nest Pretty Things

Topping my jewelry wish list: something bright + fun from Nest Pretty Things. I'm pretty much in love with everything in this shop, but these are my most wanted:

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{They also have an adorable kids shop...}

{Aaand...Sunny and Delilah has some similarly gorgeous items that I'm also drooling over...}

Meow.

I cannot tell a lie. Things have been a little rough around here since little Mase had his tonsils out on Wednesday.

Wednesday night was fairly uneventful. Chris slept up in Mason's room, woke him in the night for his meds...well, there was one puke incident, but overall, not bad. Mase has been more "with it" than I was expecting after witnessing Chris' week-long coma after he had his tonsils out in April. During the day he's been feeling pretty well, playing lots of Legend of Zelda & Angry Birds and eating much more than I expected him to. He's been a little teary and a little pukey, but not too bad.

Thursday night, though, he was up a lot of the night throwing up and Simon was up most of the night crying. Quick trip to the doc on Friday: Simon has an ear infection, so he's being drugged now, too.

Friday night Lucy got in on the fun, up most of the night just wide awake, not very fussy, but not willing to go into her crib without a fuss. Plus, Maya was up for several of the wee hours complaining of a tummy ache.

Last night, Simon threw up before bed, Lucy was spitting up like crazy and Maya still had a sick tummy. Mason was up in the night sobbing and talking crazy (dreaming about waking up after surgery, I think, because he kept saying "I'm SO COLD" and "I want to go home", all while burning up with fever...at home.). The best was when I told him I was sitting him up to take his medicine and he said (with his eyes closed, fast asleep, I think): "Meow". "That's right", I told him, "kitties have to take their medicine, too", to which he angrily hollered (still asleep) "KITTIES DON'T TAKE MEDICINE!". It was pretty hilarious. He thrashed his way thru the night, first half in bed with me while Chris had cranky Lucy up in Mason's room. Halfway thru we switched. I fed Lucy and hoped she'd sleep in her crib, but it was a no-go. She was up screaming at 3:30 and again at 4, so I finally brought her in with me and we semi-slept the rest of the night snuggled up. Chris took Mason back to his bed, and Mason woke up feeling pretty decent! He's been in good spirits and has eaten some today. We're hoping that since we're on the dreaded Day 5 of recovery (scabs fall off & form again, oucha!), things will be on the up & up from here on out. Here's hoping, anyway!

So...I'm tired! But I guess it's better to be double-teamed every night and get it over with than to have the all-night mania stretch on for weeks and weeks, right? That's what I'm telling myself. Now, should I take a nap or a shower? Decisions, decisions...

Next Wishlist: Goose Edition

Oh, the things I want to buy for Miss Lucy at Next. Going to have to narrow it down a bit...although, I must say, their prices are pretty fabulous...

1 2 3 4

1 2 3 4

Not to worry, I'm sure Maya & boys editions are forthcoming...so much cute stuff!

What Leslie Wore

I love Leslie's blog A Room Somewhere - she has my exact taste, if I had the money to buy all the things I want! :) I love her What I Wore Wednesdays posts...she inspires me to try a little harder in my day to day. I'll admit, I've snapped a few shots of what I've worn a time or 2, but not often enough to do a post. Maybe someday...I LOVE the idea. Fun stuff.

Day 2: Fingers Crossed

Mason was a pitiful sight when he came out of surgery. At first, the skin around his eyes was totally red, due to them taping his eyes shut...?! The tape bothered his albino skin, I guess, poor guy. He threw up a couple times (TMI, sorry) but he perked up after a little while, and once we got home, he was on a roll. He had 3 popsicles, soup, yogurt, 2 ice creams and a jello before bed. Here's hoping we can continue that momentum as we come up on the difficult days (Friday & Saturday are supposed to be the worst). It's so sad to see your littles sick...but I've heard (and know from Chris' experience) that it's worth it in the long run.

Keep him in your prayers!!

Out With His Tonsils

My little snorer is just starting to wake up after having his tonsils & adenoids removed! Here's hoping his recovery is nothing like when his Daddy had it done in May-that was brutal! He's been so brave & is looking forward to all-you-can-slurp popsicles & unlimited access to Angry Birds & Legend of Zelda! I'm just hoping he'll be able to breathe through his nose for the first time ever, poor guy! Say a little prayer for him, if you would...

Sohomode

Super in love with the vintage-style dresses at Sohomode. Wish I had it in the budget to commission one of my very own...

Next

I love it when my favorite UK sites come out with US sites. It makes shopping so much easier. (Thank you, Boden & Cath Kidston!) Next has a HUGE selection of mostly affordable (and adorable) clothes for the whole family (their baby girls clothes deserve...and might even get...their own post) Plus, shipping is just $5 bucks! These tops are all tops in my book, har har. And on my birthday wishlist...

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Tiny Buckle

Picked up a skinny belt at Target with this tiny little buckle. LOVE! Now, if only it magically made me look skinny. I guess that's not what "skinny belt" means. Too bad.

Weekend Recapper 10/16 & 17

Good weekend!

Saturday...

• "Sleeping in-ish", you know, 8am.
  
• Homemade "Snickerdoodle Muffins" for breakfast (YUM!)
• Fruitful trip to Old Navy for new clothes for Miss Lucy (Chris accused me of dressing her "like a pioneer", so I'm trying to up her "cool" factor, comfort be darned...). I may have picked up a top or 3 for myself while we were there...
• Snowcones! Only 2 more weeks & Bahama Freeze closes for the season. Waaaaaah!
  
• Lots of @ home chill time.
• Quick trip to Target. Maya finally had enough cash for the doll bed she's been saving for!
• Home for leftover pizza & bed.
• Chris sneaks out to get us a little Panda Express...yay orange chicken + Bejing beef!
• Doctor Who & reading magazines in bed.

Sunday...

• Late church today (Stake Conference), so "sleeping in" again. (I can't wait to sleep in for real some day, and do away with the " " forever!)
• Took Maya around to deliver birthday thank-you notes. (By the time we got home, her buddy from across the street had left a "you're welcome" note on our porch...so cute!)
• PB&J for lunch
• Off to church (Excellent speakers...I very much enjoyed.)
• Home again...big kids off to Grandma & Grandpa's for play time
• Baby snuggling/toddler wrestling
• Dinner with the fam': BBQ pork sandwiches, spinach salad w/mandarin oranges & candied almonds, baked beans, chips & dip, with cinnamon rolls for dessert.
• Playing in the yard...rides on the tire swings...lots of laughing & mosquito swatting
• Tubby time
• Kids in bed!

I'm ready for a treat...time to go raid the cupboards. I'm looking forward to a no-school day tomorrow! That means more..."sleeping in"! Hooray! Hope you have a great week.

Finally Friday!

This was a busy week. They've ALL been busy lately! Crazy, crazy. I can't wrap my head around a blow-by-blow of today, so here are the highlights:

• Sort of sleeping in. If you don't count a 5am wake-up call from Lucy & getting Maya out the door at 7ish. Snoozed a bit after that...
• Not having to be anywhere until after 11am! Nice.
• That somewhere to be was lunch with one of my favorite girls at one of my favorite places. (Chuy's!)
• Watching Mason attempting golfing at his last Sportball class. So cute.
• Spending 2 hours in the yard in this perfect weather, chatting with my super-nice neighbors and watching the kiddos play nicely (and very imaginatively, I'd say!).
  
• Pizza for dinner!
• Pre-bed dance-off. My kids have moves, but Chris & I can really get down...;)
• Reading out loud to the kiddos before bed (Double Fudge!).
  

I'm voting for a low-key weekend...we'll see how that goes. Happy weekend to you!

Mint Brownies

My mint brownies seemed to be well-liked at the baby shower last night...and I got to bring a few home, which I've been snacking on in tiny slivers all morning long. I've shared the recipe before, but hey, what the heck...here it is again!

(These brownies have been approved by Mason, too!)

Step One: Brownies

(I suppose you could do this step from a mix, but these are really delicious brownies, and not difficult to make.)

4 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 cup butter

Melt together and cool.

4 eggs

1 cup flour

2 cups sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup chopped pecans (optional - I leave these out because I don't like nuts in my mint brownies.)

Stir all ingredients (including melted chocolate/butter) together and pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Cool, then refrigerate. When completely cooled, make mint layer.

Step 2: Mint Icing

(My friend Heather recommended doubling this layer...um, yes please! Why didn't I think of that?!)
4 Tbsp. butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. peppermint flavor

4 drops green food coloring (red works, too, for a pink mint layer)

1-2 Tbsp. milk

Mix well and spread over cooled brownies and refrigerate. Then frost with:

Step 3: Chocolate Glaze

2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

6 Tbsp. butter

2 tsp. vanilla

Melt in double boiler. (I am always too lazy to do a double boiler; I just do it in a saucepan on low heat and stir the whole time.) Let cool slightly and then spread over mint layer. Cool for 30 minutes for 1 hour before serving. (I keep them in the refrigerator and cut them into 1 inch squares.)

This is pretty much the only recipe I never screw up...well, until yesterday. But if you read the recipe & follow the directions, you will most likely become famous and beloved by your friends. :)

Let's Recap...10/14

Today I...

• Got Maya off to school
• Dozed for 20 more minutes (bad idea)
• Fed Lucy
• Got the boys up & ready for the day
• Took Mason (& his bike) to school for...Trikeathon day!!!
• (Quick detour out to the car to get his backpack...10 minutes that I needed)
• Fastest shower ever
• Ready in 20 minutes, zooming off to Maya's class for my volunteer shift
• Helped 1st graders with their reading
• Zoom back home; fed Lucy
• Out the door for "quick" errands - ha!
• To the mall...shoes for Miss Lucy (these), tops for the boys for family pictures (this & hmm, Simon's isn't online)
  
• Back into the neighborhood...quick stop @ CVS for ice cream for a sick friend
• Pick Mason (& his bike up)
  
• Attempt to deliver ice cream foiled...she's out picking up prescriptions...can't leave it on the porch to melt & make a mess...doh!
• Back home
• Feed Lucy/naps for the babies
• Check e-mails
• Read with Mason (we're up to book 3!)
• Pick my girl up from school
• Home to nag my children...HOMEWORK! CHORES! I'm so mean.
• Make a batch of brownies
• Use 2 cups flour, 1 cup sugar instead of vice versa
• Throw away brownies
• Call my mom, who rescues me with more butter & sugar
• Make more brownies
• Make mint icing for brownies
  
• Babies up! Feed Lucy
• Whip up some bean burritos for dinner
• Get Maya ready for volleyball
• Eat dinner in the yard with the kiddos (PERFECT weather!!!)
• Wrap up a few burritos "to go" for Chris
• Say hello and goodbye to my husband (& the girls)...they're off to volleyball
• Frost brownies...make chocolate glaze
  
• Take the boys on a bike ride around the 'hood (did I mention...PERFECT WEATHER!)
• Glaze brownies
• Play outside & chat with my neighbor for a bit
• Little boys into jammies, teeth brushed
• Reading time, scriptures, prayers (Mason: "Please bless me to not be scared when I get my tonsils out." Me: "Waaaaaaa!" My poor baby.)
• Snuggles & smooches, lights out
• Chris & the girls arrive
• Girls ready for bed
• Feed Lucy
• Try to make myself presentable
• Out to a baby shower
• Eating too many brownies + a cookie or 2. And grapes, which cancels out the rest.
• Back home, scan Facebook, blog.
• Time for bed!!!
  

Boden For Fall

I absolutely adore Boden's prints. Got a couple of favorites from the new catalog...

Holland Park Dress

Fun-Loving Tunic

Let's Recap...10/13

You've seen and heard too much from me already today, I know it. As I've been away from blogging, I realize that what I miss is the journal-ing aspect of it. My days are a blur, but I'd like to remember them. So perhaps daily...perhaps often...perhaps from time to time...maybe rarely...or maybe never again, I shall do a little recap of my day, just to remind myself of what I actually did accomplish (if anything). You are welcome to read along...

• Up to get Maya out the door to school.
• Made cinnamon rolls for "study group"
• Got Mason & Simon up & fed them breakfast
• Fed Lucy
• Hopped in the shower
• Attempted to tidy the house
• Put Lucy down for a nap
• Made icing for the cinnamon rolls
• Study group (1 hour of studying conference talks with my friends)
• Fed Lucy
• Out the door to deliver cinnamon rolls to a few favorite ladies
• Ventured past the skeletons on the toilet while delivering (!)
• Hair cuts for the boys (To make up for being mellow last time, Simon went nuts this time.)
• Quick trip thru the Chick Fil A drive thru
• Home for lunch
• Fed Lucy/put her down for a nap
  
• Simon napping - checked e-mail
• Read Thomas phonics books with Mason (he's rocking it!!!)
• Off to pick up Maya from school
• Harass Maya to do homework
• "Work" on dinner (how much work is popping a frozen lasagna into the oven, but hey!)
• Out to play in the front yard with the kids & some neighbors
• Back in to set the table & steam the broccoli
• Missionaries joined us for dinner...lasagna not quite done, had to nuke the middle pieces
• Pop some cookies into the oven (break & bake, of course!) for dessert
• Chat with the missionaries for a few
• Tubby time for 4 little cuties
• Jammies on, teeth brushed
• Read a chapter of Double Fudge to the kids, + scripture study
• Simon says his first ever intelligible prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, Bless Grandma, Amen."
• Prayers, kisses, kids to bed
• Feed Lucy/Lucy to bed
• Bloggity blog blog
  

Now, I should be accomplishing something more important, I'm sure. Good night, all.

Big On The Inside

Nerdy Natalie confession: in my time away from the blog-o-sphere, I've gone & gotten myself addicted to Doctor Who. That is the quirkiest, cheesiest, weirdest show ever...and I'm way into it. (Saturday nights on PBS, check your local listings.)

If you've ever seen the show (or, are perhaps a fellow addict...), you're familiar with the TARDIS...the Doctor's time/space machine. It looks like a phone booth on the outside...but on the inside, it's HUGE...full living & working quarters for a time traveling scientist. Everyone who steps inside has the same reaction "It's so big on the inside!".

I was thinking of Doctor Who while rocking Lucy before bed tonight (what did I tell you...obsessed!), and how very big she is on the inside. I commented to some friends just today that if I really knew my kids as they really are...their spirits, if you will, it would probably be hilarious to me that I'm somehow supposed to be "leading" them, teaching them. They are so big on the inside, all four of them. Well, and all kids in general. And all of us. Way bigger than we look.

Hoping to unlock the inner bigness in them (and in myself) and do some good things...

PS - You should really consider adding Doctor Who to your DVR, but you've been warned: it's both utterly weird and highly addicting.

PPS - Recent trip to the beach...post forthcoming, I'm almost certain!

WOW!

Has it really been nearly two months since I let myself off the hook, blog wise?! That is incredible. My intention was to blog here & there without worrying if it wasn't consistent, not to abandon blogging altogether! I have received feedback from a couple of kind souls who claim to miss my blogging (kind souls, I said that, right?) and my Facebook-holdout of a father has also commented that he'd like to see an update here at some point. Of course, the most compelling element of persuasion came from my husband, who reminded me that he utilizes my blog when it comes time to make birthday & Christmas purchases...both of which will be here before we know it! SO! Here I am. Ready to blog.

I'm guessing that as kind as your soul may be, no one is interested in a blow-by-blow of the past few months (and I couldn't muster one if I tried...I can't even remember what I did this morning), so here's a cliffnotes version...

• First grade agrees with Maya! She adores her teacher and has made some awesome friends. She started volleyball this week and is liking that, too. Her 7th birthday was a blast...pictures to come (no, really!). American Girl dolls, playing outside with her friends, riding bikes and reading every book she can get her hands on are her favorite things.
• Mason is doing GREAT in pre-K. We adore his teacher (Maya had her) and the boys are a little more his speed (i.e., not quite so wild) in this class. He's obsessed with the Legend of Zelda (old school Nintendo), Angry Birds (on my awesome new phone that I don't know how I ever lived without) and is working hard to learn to read with Thomas the Train phonics books. Sad news: he has to have his tonsils removed next week. Ugh. I'm excited to see him breathing like a normal kid instead of panting like a puppy, though!
  
• Simon is such a funny kid. You can tell by the way he walks that he thinks he owns the place (every place...). He's confident and silly and adores his blankies. (All 3 of them.) He's also very feisty and has been known to headbutt you when you least expect it. (To quote Mason: "I wasn't expecting him to do that!") He's the worst eater I've ever had, maybe because I don't have the time or energy to push it like I did with the others. He's still a willing snuggler, so we'll keep him around.
  
• Miss Lucy! Almost 5 months old! She's getting around in her crib like crazy, scooching herself into corners and getting mad. She laughs & smiles & chatters all the time. She loves hanging out with me in her "pouch" (sling), where I can love on her & snuggle her. She's quite the good sport...along for the ride at all times. She's a champion sleeper now, hooray! Makes such a difference for me.

I am BUSY! The pace of our days has changed since school started. It's not so much the quickness (although it IS quick), it's the consistency. From the time I'm up with Maya in the morning until I crash at 11 or 12, there's almost NO downtime. It's crazy. But we're getting it done...eventually...mostly...and having lots of fun! It's definitely a "just keep swimming" sort of deal, but aside from slacking on the housework (as ever), I'm sort of keeping up mostly, at least sometimes.

My phone allows me to still get blogs read on the go or while feeding the baby, but commenting is hard. I love keeping up with all of you. Some day I'm sure I'll have more time for this portion of my life...but NOW is not that time, I guess. I will be here more, though. At least with my birthday wishlist! :)