One Thinks That I'm Brilliant....One Thinks That I'm An Idiot

I forgot how hard the 3's are until Spencer SLAMMED straight into them. Although he is stubborn and all around frustrating and infuriating to anybody who has to spend more than 2 minutes with him...he still thinks his Momma is Brilliant (and I am you know---humble too). He is always telling me, "that's a gweat idea mommy".

My 5 year old, on the other hand, although generally better behaved, thinks his momma is an idiot. He doesn't come right out and say it (because he is smarter than that). But I know my kid and I know what's going on in that cute little head just by the look on his face,,,,and boy oh boy do I know the "idiot" look and I get it often.

So the tie-break goes to Chad---Well he is a smart and peace-loving man, so I know what his vote will be.

Oh How New Furniture is a Balm for a Troubled Soul

Yes, the title is a little dramatic. But true none the less. I have just been on edge the last couple of weeks for several reasons---no sunshine, boys needing sunshine, jewelry sales down the crapper since Christmas, a storage room I haven't found the "uummph" to fill with all my craft stuff so Chad can finish a bedroom for the boys, my basement being a MESS, changes in a day of the week for me, baby??when???. Yes, we have all the important things, Chad has a job he enjoys, we are healthy, we have a mortgage we can definately afford (compared to the dipshits out there we will be bailing out), etc. etc. But when the little things build up it makes for one uptight Momma (enough that a couple of tears were shed at the mall yesterday--thanks for listening Mom).

Anyway, my new kitchen table was delivered at 5:00 last night,,,,,,and ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD. It's silly, but I can forget everything else and focus on the redecorating I am doing in the kitchen and living room. I LOVE to redecorate, sometimes just rearranging existing furniture and buying a few new pillows, a throw, and a couple of candles or picture frames can keep me occupied for a good 2 weeks. I love my little house, and it's nice that it's little, because small changes can make a big difference. Today we are heading to buy a shelf and pick up the new love seat. Then I will head to Roberts to find a wreath. The anticipation is almost equal to Christmas morning. The perfect diversion for a mom who hasn't been as nice to her boys as she should be. SORRY MY LOVES!!!

Before and After pictures to be posted soon.

Its A.........Water Fountain!!!!!!

Saturday night, the boys wanted to play a game,,,and not their kid games, they wanted our games. I kept saying no, and when Cam brought out Pictionary I still wanted to say no (I had visions of frustration and tears), but Chad wanted to give it a try. Good call Daddy!!! It was a riot. Chad would draw really easy things that they could guess and Cameron did a good enough job, he only had to give a clue now and then (with no tears). Spencer was just happy to be playing with markers. And mommy loves the smell of dry erase markers, so I was happy. We will definately be doing more of this. We are all tired of Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.

It's a..........Tornado (I'm not even sure Spencer knows what a tornado is)

It's.............Mommy making a ring, while jumping (too funny)

It's a............water fountain (???? to a 3 year old it probably is)

It's a.........ladder on its side

It's a..........man in a submarine, and a squid, in the water, underneath a big boat

For anybody with kids about this age, get a white board and some dry erase markers. It's always helpful with church things, and Pictionary is awesome. AND you can sniff the markers when it's not your turn.

Hey, I Know That Voice

Last Friday afternoon the boys and I were out and about looking for a love seat. We were at the very back of IM Home, the boys playing with a kids bus they have there, and I was sitting at the bottom of a bed pretty much snoozing away. The boys were having such a good time and behaving so well (and more importantly Chad wasn't due home for another couple of hours), that we stayed and stayed. All was quiet and I heard this darling little voice just jabbering away. Hey, I know that voice. Sure enough my little Cole-baby was with her Mommy and Grammy out looking for a bedroom set. The kids kept playing and Mom, Shell and I talked. It was one of those moments that made me really grateful that I live close to my family. And grateful that we all need furniture.

Too bad Kristi wasn't in the market for a major furniture purchase, or I'm sure she would have ended up at IM Home with us.

The kiddos were kind enough to stop playing for a quick picture. Spencer was in an especially good mood to actually smile---wow!!! (It's hard to tell, but Cole has on her Tinkerbell wings under her jacket. Such a girly-girl.)

Nothin' Says President's Day like Bowling, Home Depot, and Cleaning

This is the first year Chad has had President's Day off of work. It was great!! January and February are long, cold months. So it was a nice break for all of us.

Alex is obviously pleased with himself

Cameron was very worried about lining up the perfect shot
Spencer did well for a few frames
Always the girl,,,I caught the pose a little bit late. She had her hand on her hip and did a little butt-swish before she pushed her ball

Spencer preferred Grammy's tummy tickles to bowling

We told Cam to put his arm around Samantha, and this was as close as we got. Smart-alec

Cameron REALLY wanted to take a picture of us--Kris, you look hot. I think I'm at a bad angle :) (no woman likes pictures of herself)

YAH!! Bowling's over, time for lunch (we think they should have a "kiddie game" that is only 7 frames long.)

They love riding the carts at Home Depot

We are trying really hard to make our boys good little workers. They loaded all of the expired food storage up the stairs and threw it into the garbage. Cam didn't complain once and got every bit done.

Spencer got distracted a little bit at the end, but still did an amazing job for a 3 year old.

While the boys loaded food, I steam cleaned the couch, lazy boy, and carpets, and Chad worked on the bathroom.

All in all a great day, little bit of fun and a little bit of work!!!

Belated Birthday Party Pictures

The Birthday Quesadilla before church. In our house, it isn't a cake, but anything else you can stick a candle in (they don't care, as long as they get to blow out the fire)
My Sis-in-law Shannan makes AMAZING Birthday cakes for her kids. Well I have embraced my kids' allergies as an excuse to be lazy when it comes to the cake. So this year Spence got a Birthday Ice Cream Cone!!! (he got to choose the orange sherbet and was as happy as can be).

Let it be known that I have tried egg-free recipes and my boys still won't eat it, so ice cream cones it is baby!!!
Don't you love the look on my face?! Cameron kept blowing out the candle right as I lit it. Too bad both hands were occupied, or he would have received a big ol' flick on the forehead.
He LOVES his Geo-Trax that Grammy got him.

Such cuties, Lovin their ice cream cones: Mantha-Moo, Pence, Cole-Baby, Cam, Ellie (Nat's niece), Alex-Man

I gotta say, I love having fam over, but I DO NOT have enough room. Hopefully everybody just thinks that Kami's house is really "cozy" when we all get together. We are trying to remedy this a bit by getting rid of a bunch of needless furniture and fitting in a bigger kitchen table, and a love seat. Everything is on order, and will hopefully be here in the next 2 weeks. I am excited to make that post.

Wow, Men Learn to "Camp" Young!!

This was a common exchange in the Loveridge house hold when we were youngins

Kami, Shell, or Kristi: "Mom, where's Dad?"

Mom: "I don't know, probably in the bathroom." And sure enough if the Funnies were missing, that's were Dad was.

Spencer can't read yet, so he has to find other ways to entertain himself while on the potty.