LegoLand

When Grandma Cupcake and Papa Jeff went to California at the beginning of August, they made a stop at Legoland to get the boys some souvenirs.  They LOVE their new books, guide of Legoland, and clothes. 
As a matter of fact, we were having ziti for dinner right after this picture was taken, so I had the boys remove their shirts to keep them stain free.  Ethan got so mad that I let him wear his hat...he has not taken it off since (and that was last Thursday).  He LOVES his hat.  He goes into his bed with it on and as soon as he sits up after a nap, he starts trying to put it back on.

It usually sits too low on his head, though, so he can't see where he is going...but we don't mind because that has brought a LOT of comedy into our days.

At least it is not way up high. like good ole Les Miles.

Guess what???  LSU FOOTBALL (and all college football) Season begins SATURDAY!!!  WHOOO HOOO!

Deep Breaths

Did you know I hate to cry in public? True story.

I think I'd rather pee in my pants or fart sneeze.

But today at church, as I looked over at Stephanie, whose mother passed away the other day and who had just returned from the funeral home where she was making arrangements, I couldn't help it.

Memories of my visits to the funeral home with Bart and his father, as we picked a casket, an urn, a plot.  Before they were even needed.

The smell of that room full of coffins.

The surreal feelings.

When I saw Stephanie quietly sneak in for the end of sacrament meeting, it was all I could do to sit there quietly and not cry.  (Because crying is weak and I am strong?  I do not know why I do not want to cry)  So, I took deep breaths and ate Ethan's cereal (he wasn't even there but I'd packed a little snack for him anyway).  Even though Ms. Glenda was not my mother, I'd experienced those moments and they all came back.

And felt such sadness.  Not that Ms. Glenda is gone, but because I hated doing all of those grown up things.  It just didn't feel right, or natural, or fair.

Such sadness for Stephanie, having to deal with that right now, as she still has to deal with the daily dealings of children and a home and work.

Such sadness at the world.  Those poor coal miners stuck, alive, and maybe they won't even be rescued in time?

Did you know today is the fifth year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina?

That was devastating people.  My side of our wimpy street didn't even lose power.
Bart's aunt Jane?  Lost her house.  Bart's baby cousin Trevor?  Lost his little frog and every memory of his life up until that point.  And still others?  Lost their lives, their livelihood, their security.

It's not truly real...until it happens to you.  Then it is.  And a room full of "luxury edition" coffins and "value urns" just seems to be too much to bear, even as an unexpected memory in the middle of church as the friends around me sang the intermediate hymn.

Happy Late Birthday Daddy

What I wanted to do for my dad's birthday was post all of these cute pictures of him with the kids this summer ON his birthday (8/25)
BUT...what happened is I loaded those pictures onto blogger to upload and went about my business...only to discover Ethan messing with my computer (should have put it up higher, so my fault) and that he had caused the internet to close.
So, I got frustrated and just didn't do it.
BUT...I do want my daddy to know I love him very much and hope he had a great day.
He does so much for everyone.  This summer he drove to and from LA to NE TWICE in less then two weeks.  He just gives and doesn't grumble or complain.
Thanks for all you do.

LOVE YOU!!!!!

Oh, and did I mention that the boys just adore him?  I mean, what grandkid wouldn't?  He gives them CASH MONEY for their car trips, lets them drink all the Diet Coke they want, takes them on MOTORCYCLE RIDES and let's them do just about whatever they want when they come to visit?  I'd say my kids are pretty darn lucky to have him as a grandpa. 

Confetti Creations is LIVE!

Well, for a few months now, I've been tossing around an idea.  It's been in the back of my mind, and the more I thought about it (as I drove the L.O.N.G. car trips from NE to LA, LA to TX, TX to LA, LA to NE, and then NE to LA all within a two week time frame) the more I wanted to do it.

One of last week's many cakes I created.

"It" all started when I was at an ICES Day of Sharing in San Antonio with my mom.  We pulled into the parking lot and EVERYBODY has their "brand" on their cars.  I thought, "I want that on the back of MY car-that-looks-like-it-had-sex-with-a-mini-van-and-made-a-mini-station-wagon-baby window".

But then I thought, "IWISHTHATIHADJESSIESCAKES.BLOGSPOT.COM is just too long.  And what about the other stuff I do?"  I like making shirts, banners, etc.  So I thought, should I put IWISHTHATIHADJESSIESCAKES.BLOGSPOT.COM and WWW.ETSY.COM/LITTLEDUDEDUDS on the back of my car window?  It'd be a great sun shade for when the boys sit in the way back, right?

So, long story short, I drove everyone insane with questions about what I could name my "brand".  Finally, after weeks and weeks of pondering different names, pestering different friends, and much tossing and turning, I decided on Confetti Creations!

So, without further ado, here is the link to my NEW blog (that will be my main site) for all things crafty, cakey, and anything else I think of doing for profit :)  WWW.CONFETTICREATIONSBYJESSICA.COM

Karen Wolcott is working on the logo...I'm pretty excited with the few suggestions she's thrown out and can hardly wait to see a sketch :)  She's the same friend who did my blog header.  LOVE HER WORK!

So, go check it out if you want to.  There is also a facebook fan page (with an appliqued tee giveaway when I reach 100 LIKES...gave away a not yet released Halloween iron on at 50) and an etsy shop.  Be on the lookout as these sites grow.  I will be closing Little Dude Duds and transferring all my goodness to my new etsy shop slowly but surely...(not much in LDD right now...every listing but one expired while I was on vacation).

Thanks for listening to me ramble!  I'm just so excited for my car's window!  And feel free to spread the love.  Soon (beginning of October) there will be giveaways on my site.  For now, I will leave the giveaways on facebook only...I've got a craft fair to get ready for!

Ah, not CLAMPS!

Today before nap time:
Me: Jackson, make sure to take a good nap. I think we will walk to school to get Brennan this afternoon.
Jackson (look of concern and concentration on his face): But if we walk to school, I will get clamps."

That is a pellet gun.  It's never had pellets in it before.  I don't even know why we own such a thing.

Me (laughing at the very concerned child): You mean CRAMPS?