Are you ready for some FOOTBALL? LSU vs. Oregon FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY BABY!
Can you feel it?  That excitement in the air????  IT IS FOOTBALL SEASON!  Games start Thursday!!!!  WHOO HOO!
And who cares that LSU is super screwed in the players department b/c of some bad choices by a few choice players?  We will beat those Ducks anyway!!!!!!!  (Or we will lose and have a grumpy Bart, but hey, whatever...it'll still be a good game!)

Now THAT is a big a** Cookie!

image from JBC site

We went to Jone Bros. Cupcakes Monday after a MOM play date.  I chose a cherry almond cupcake for myself (YUM) and a cookie for Ethan.
Ethan was very upset (to put it mildly) that he did not get a cupcake (that he would not eat).  He literally threw himself on the floor, was screaming and crying and just going wild.  As I sat there debating what to do, he got up and ran away.  He ran to the service area to get water, creamers, etc.  He is still throwing a fit.  Then he starts saying he wants water.  Well, I got down on his level and said, "Ethan, you are making Mommy sad because you are not being nice.  You are hurting my feelings.  If you want water or that big ass cookie I just bought you, you will calm down, tell me you are sorry for being a brat, give me a hug, go sit down, and quietly eat your cookie."
Now, I know he probably didn't get half of what I was saying, but it made him calm down, helped me calm down, and ended his tantrum, without ME having to eat TWO desserts or revert to other drastic measures.  See, that was my real problem...how to punish him but still let him have his cookie so it didn't become MY cookie.  :)  And the hug, kiss, and "I sorry Mama" I got out of the deal was pretty darn sweet, too.

And that little monster who didn't want a cookie?  Refused my bite of cupcake and ate every bite of that big ass cookie...even if he did get offended when Bart asked him what he got at Jones Bros later on.

Click here to get the REST OF THE STORY

Find Megan's version of our Debbie Gibson/Tiffani concert HERE.

And y'all can't believe all that girl says.  She did drink 3 feet of booze, remember? I mean, I'd NEVER let her get arrested for public urination.  I'd have told the cop that it wasn't pee, and watch as Megan tried to drink some to prove it. 

And that, dear friends, is the rest of the story.  (Paul Harvey anyone?  Noon on 95 country, compliments of Vidalia, LA)

You know those stories...

You know how you have those stories that you'd DIE if anyone knew?  But they are still so funny (some even as it happened, some in very far off hindsight?) that you wish you COULD tell someone?  Like, on your blog.  Because readship would SKYROCKET if others knew how hilarious your life had been from time to time.

Yeah, I have some, too...

Friends at the Lincoln NE Zoo

Oh, wait.  You thought I was going to share one?  HECK NO!  But at least I gave you a cute picture of adorable littles to help you ease the pain.  These kids all turn 3 between the middle of October and the beginning of January.  Aren't they just adorable?  Esp. that one in the all brown shorts...

Tiffany and Debbie Gibson LIVE in concert at Stir Cove for just $10, sure I'll go if you twist my arm just a little.

I have a confession to make: Other then "I Think We're Alone Now", I have no clue what songs these 1980's pop icons sang.  Why, you might ask?  Because during these most formative years of mine (that being the ages of 0-10), my parents did not listen to pop radio.  Nope.  Daddy listened to the oldies, plus some CCR.  Mama listened to Neil Diamond and maybe some other people, but all I remember is "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "Sweet Caroline" before it was cool to sing it out!
But, Megan said, "Dude, they are $10.  Don't be lame, buy the damn daily deal before it ends", I decided to oblige.  I mean, what's not to love about a girls night out?  Especially one at the Stir Cove, which is an outdoor amphitheater, one of the top 100 in America, according to Bart.  Um, I don't think it compares to Red Rocks, but it was fun, nevertheless.

When we got there, there was a dude handing out fliers to support some whatever.  Well, I was tired from walking and carrying my car, and all I heard was the word "BUS".  So, Ms. Smartie Pants me says, "Oh, I hate buses".  I know, super impressive.  I just didn't want his flier, but whatever.  Megan or Marcia might tell that story better though.  They were paying more attention then me. 

Marica dressed up 80's style...only problem?  She forgot to tell us so we'd do the same!  That's okay, we had  a blast hanging out in our chairs before the concert began checking out all the wild outfits some of the ladies had come up with!  There was a large group of ladies who had to have had their custom 80's style prom dresses made for that night.  No way did they find that many perfectly fitting dresses at the GoodWill.  It was fun to see all the different takes on an era gone by.

Truth be told, I still would not have dressed up, even if I had known Marcia was...see, I kind of STINK at dressing up in the 80's style...just ask Brennan, he will tell you ALL about that time "Mom dressed up naked for the talent show at church and she and her friends danced to Girls Just Want To Have Fun?"  Yeah, not cool.
So, anyway, the red headed one (IDK why I can't keep them separated in my mind) looks old and sang a few old songs (not all her own, so I knew a few) and a bunch of new songs she kept calling "Country" but I don't think it was.
Then the hot blond came out...dude, she has abs like nobody' business!  And her two male dancers were hilarious.  Let's say they were very BIG in their movements.  It just made me giggle to watch them.
The hot blond did a great job and I enjoyed her the most.
At the end of the concert they came out and sang either one or two more songs.  The LAST song they sang together was Journey's "Small Town Girl" or whatever it is called that is just all over the place now.  It was even on my pandora.com Katy Perry station!
Oh, yeah...um, after the concert was ALMOST as exciting as the concert itself.
1.  Megan had to pee...really bad.  But for some reason didn't go when we were in the casino walking to our car.
2.  We forgot to check where we parked in the parking garage (By WE I mean me, I was the driver)...so we walked around pushing my car honk button for like 20 minutes.  And it isn't even that huge of a parking garage!
3.  I tried to get Megan to pee in the drainhole, but she wouldn't do it!  LAME Megan.  I just don't get city girls.
4.  We went to Denny's to drop Marcia at her car and get a bite to eat.  Our waiter started out great, personable, fast, etc.  Then...he disappeared off the face of the earth.  With our FOOD!
We finally made it out of there, but it took a lot longer then it should have.  (But it was pretty tasty).
5.  I went potty on the way out of Denny's but before I paid my check.  I put my little recipet slip to give the cashier down when I went to wash my hands.  It got soaking wet, of course.  Well, when we went to check out, I gave it to the man and said something like, "That's just water."  As if he would assume it was pee.  Man, I am one smooth girl.

I hope next time it is a super amazing concert, like Eric Hutchinson or Jack Johnson or Justin Beiber (just checking to see if you were paying attention still.).  Even if it is not, getting together with girlfriends and having a good time is always a great way to spend a Friday night in my books!

UP Train Museum

If you are ever bored and looking for something free to do in the Omaha area, head over to Council Bluffs to the Union Pacific Train Museum.  Admission is free but there is a donations box.  Right now some of the exhibits are put up because of the threat of flooding, but my boys still had a great time.

Cake Decorating Class coming to Precious Treasures, use your Silhouette or Cricut to decorate cakes

It's back! The class where you use any of your electronic cutters, be that Silhouette, Cricut, Gazelle...and decorate cakes! You do not need to own a special machine just for cake decorating, just a separate housing unit and blade. This class will be held Saturday, October 8 from 10-12:30.

Go see Precious Treasure's blog for complete details.

And the best part? You can take your cake to the Nebraska vs. Ohio State game that night and impress all your friends!

Contact Amy to sign up today.  (402) 727-7706... Space is limited to 12, so don't miss out on this great hands on class, call today to sign up!

A Back to School Tradition

We don't have a lot of traditions in our home.  Yeah, Bart always gets fried chicken for his birthday, Santa comes on Christmas Eve, and we celebrate the kickoff to college football season big, but other then that, we are pretty much a "let's see how things work out" kind of family.  However, one thing we seem to have created into a tradition is first day of school ice cream.  Created by a pregnant mother who was craving some sweet treats after Brennan finished his first day of Kindergarten ;)  What a wise woman I was.  I tell you, I must have been inspired!

Caramel Milk Shake

Jackson picked where we went this year and he picked Dairy Queen (He likes the oreo blizzards).  I tried very hard to get him to pick Zestos (root beer milkshake anyone?) but he picked DQ, which is fine but...when we got there we discovered half of Omaha also thought a trip to DQ after the first day of school was a good idea.  We waited in line for quite a while, but finally got our yummy treats.

Oreo Cookie Blizzard

 It was nice to sit with the boys and talk about their first days, things they were excited for, nervous for, etc.  I'm glad we have started this tradition and I feel it's one that can continue throughout the years.

Oreo Cookie Blizzard through a straw

 Ethan obviously needs to get into school ASAP so he can "get some learnin'"  and learn how everyone else does things.  That child insisted on DRINKING his oreo blizzard.  Bizarre little boy.

 

Overall the boys enjoyed themselves and even ate dinner after having that sweet treat so late.  I hope they remember the little things, like ice cream and silly discussions as they grow up.  I hope they remember how much I love them and want the best for them.  I hope they remember they are always free to tell me (and Bart) whatever is on their mind, good or bad.  And mostly, I hope Ethan learns to eat his blizzards with a spoon.  ;)

Jack's First Day Of School

The boys started school Monday.  They were so excited, and I was, too.  The last few weeks we had really been out of a routine and it was starting to be quite wearing.

I was a bit apprehensive about sending Jackson, as I wrote about in a past post.  Not that I thought he was not ready and I should redshirt him for a year, more just sad for me for losing my buddy each day.  He brings such happiness to my heart with his funny stories and cute antics.

The boys each had their brand new first day of school outfits all ready...except I discovered Jackson's shirt actually fit Brennan and Brennan's shirt was too big, so Bren wore Jack's shirt and Jack wore one we had.  It worked.  Jackson was sooo proud of his new outfit and lunchbox, he could hardly contain himself.  He even slept with them for a few days.  (not that he doesn't get new things, I guess this time it was different because it represented him growing up)

I thought I'd cry (I have been having issues with this every time I think about Jackson going to school!) but I didn't.  Reason one:  Ethan throwing a fit to stay with Jackson.  Reason two:  Walking home with a friend and having her talk about her upcoming wedding!

Jackson did great his first day and yesterday went well also.  I hope he loves school as much as Brennan does so that going does not become a struggle.  We have had a very tired Jackson on our hands (he *may* have napped pretty much until Monday morning) but in a few weeks when he's adjusted to this new schedule, I think that will be fine.

So, two down, one to go!  And I can't wait! I actually think Ethan might be the only child to go to preschool for two years in our family.  ;)

I snuck in to get this shot of Bren in his third grade class.  He's "too cool" for me to just go right in.

Sewing

I have a love/hate relationship with sewing.  I started sewing as a little child, using my mother's scraps to make tube dresses for Barbie.
I won my first competition at the age of 11, entering a local fair...I sewed a skirt and vest, maybe the shirt?  I can't remember that far back...
I did sewing in high school for 4-h, winning the state competition my senior year for a painstakingly sewn plaid sleeveless dress.  Every single stripe matched up perfectly on that dress.

There are times when I love sewing, and times when I hate it.  I hate sewing curtains, thus our home has had 1/2 its curtains done for the living room for 2 years.  I hate the cutting out of patterns or fabrics.  That part bores me to death and you have to be so precise...I just don't love that pressure.  But I sure love seeing my finished product.

A few weeks ago I helped a fashion designer friend of mine, sewing on a beautiful royal blue formal dress (I can't wait to see it finished!)  I am going to be helping her some more in the next few weeks as she prepares for her fall fashion show in October (stay tuned for all the details on that one!)...this has me really excited as I don't have to do the "grunt" work on this, just the actual sewing.  I really hate the pinning and cutting out part so I will leave all of that work to ES.  ;)

Ethan sporting the pants I made.

Today I sewed the cutest little simple skirt and I loved it.  I can't wait to make a few more to compliment my neck ties to sell at the Millard West Craft Fair (Sept. 24).  I used some fabric I've had for probably six years, always wondering what to do with it.  Once I made Jackson and Ethan simple elastic waist pants for church out of it, but the rest has sat, begging to be used, for years.  And it finally has a purpose.  It always amazes me how you can take a piece of fabric and turn it into whatever you want.  There are probably thousands of tutorials out there for sewing and crafting with fabrics to prove it. 

Check out this adorable skirt my sister made to sell in my craft fair:

Isn't it just adorable?  I totally want an adult sized one.

So, what do you have a love/hate relationship with?  Because you can bet, the closer the craft fair gets, the more I will hate sewing...

Monday

Monday OPS goes back to school.  It's a day I've been anxiously awaiting and also dreading.
Today MPS went back to school.
And Joss started kindergarten...one of Jackson's earliest friends.

Jack and Joss were JUST tiny babies yesterday.  Just thinking about Jackson going to school ALL.DAY.LONG makes me so weepy.  And I hate weepy. I want to punch weepy me in the face.
I was not like this with Brennan.  I wonder if it is because he was the oldest?  Or because he'd already done 1/2 day preschool.  It was during naptime so I basically didn't even miss him.  But Jackson going all day?  That is going to leave a big gap in my heart and the home.  Poor Ethan isn't going to know what to do with himself.  Poor ME isn't going to know what to do with MYself!  I am getting weepy just typing those sentences!
Maybe it is because we did "homeschool preschool" last year?  Maybe it is because he has the cutest smile with perfect little teeth?  Or maybe it is because he is so darn accident prone and I worry about him on the play ground with others.  Maybe it is the because I will miss the way he tries to comfort Ethan, even when Ethan is the one causing his own pain and frustration.  Whatever it is, it's going to be tough.
I am going to try and be brave.  Jackson says he is "99% excited and 1% not excited" to go to school.  He's already told me many, many times he is going to miss me so much each day.  I don't want him thinking him going to school is a bad thing.  It really is great and amazing and aren't we so lucky we live in a country where the children can safely (for the most part) go to school each day to learn and grow and blossom?  And, I don't want the other mom's thinking I'm a wuss, either...maybe I can just keep thinking about sneaking to Brennan's room and snapping a picture and how he will hate that and that will help me smile and get through those moments as Jackson walks from my arms into his big boy chair at a table full of new friends and adventures.

But...Monday morning will be a rough one for me.
I set up a lunch date to help ease the lose of my "junior kid".  Because I think Jackson will have a valid arguement against Brennan that he is now officially a " real kid".  I am getting so panic-y and my chest gets tight thinking of having to walk away from the school Monday morning.  It could get ugly.

Jack on Bren's first day of prechool, 2007

The only reason I cried when Brennan went to school is because as we walked about from the building, Jackson started asking why we'd left Brennan.  And I blamed it 100% on pregnancy hormones.  If Ethan even THINKS of doing something like that, I am giving him a bottle of hot sauce to suck on ;).   And if any of you even THINK it is pregnancy hormones, my dears you are WAY mistaken (it's just fat, trust me!)   Every time we drive past the school, Ethan points to it and says, "Jack go kindergarten there."  He has no idea how that is a tiny knife in my heart.
Man, having your kids grow up is hard on a mother's heart!  (Though let's be honest, if Ethan were going, I'd be doing cartwheels.  Which means I'd have learned to do cartwheels.  I love Ethan but man alive, a break from him would be great.)

What hard things have you had to do lately?

I love a cute zebra cake

Shoe provided by the mother.

My friend Ashley has the cutest daughter.  She just turned five and is having a birthday party any adult would want to attend!  Manis, pedis, hair styles, dinner out, the list goes on and on!  I got to make a birthday cake for her and LOVE how it turned out.

Simply Said by Courtney created the adorable invites and the sign for the front of the cake.  I tried to have the cake mimic the invite, thus the polka dots were introduced...but as Bart will tell you, I've always been a fan of polka dots!
Alli, I hope you have a fabulous birthday party!

Wordless Wednesday...Just Hanging Out