Birthday Week...Bummer.

Ok, really. This has been a very strange week for us. 

You probably know that I work as a nanny. The kids' parents are out of town this week, so Jonathan, Jonah and I are staying with them. We love them dearly and care for these kids as if they were our own. (I feel qualified to say that since I do have my own) So, I can take whatever comes our way. It is just part of it, as they say.

Well, earlier in the week (my most recent post) I told you about the stomach bug. It hit 3 of the 4 kids (one at a time), Jonah included. It was short-lived. We got through it generally unscathed. 

Well, the one kid who didn't get hit with that nasty bug...came down with something else...something much different. Something I believe he's shared with Jonah. 

look at these cute guys!

Now, look what he's got.

Yep. those are what you think they are. 

Neither boy has been vaccinated for CHICKEN POX. 

We won't know for a few days...but these two are best buds, they spend lots of time in close company. 

Therefore, the Birthday Party is canceled. 

BUMMER. 

Oh, well. Thankfully the procrastinator in me hadn't gotten too much ready yet. 

We may just have an "adults-who've-already-had-it" only party. 

BirthdayWeek with a Vomit Bug.

I was just thinking yesterday that I didn't write a celebratory blog post. I had planned to write something birthday-ish each day this week. I've made a change in plans. Why? Because little man has a vomit bug and we are spending all our free time dealing with that rather than writing for the ole blog! He woke up with it this morning. He isn't alone in his misery. Two other kids we spend lots of time with are sick with the same thing (only no fever for them.)

This picture was taken around a year ago, and this is just about what he's doing now (as well as a good portion of the day.) Poor fella. He's added on a touch of fever tonight. I'm gonna go check on him now. Hopefully the next B.W. post will be happier!

Birthday Week 2011

Well, here it is! The last week of October. The little man is almost out of the "baby" stage. In less than a week he will enter full-blown toddler stage. *sniff sniff*

To kick-off Birthday Week I've created a little video. Jonah received an early gift in the mail a couple of days ago. Since Daniel and Riss couldn't be here to see him open it they requested video footage. And to make it even more exciting...well, at least for me...I expanded my horizons and posted it to YouTube.

Without further ado, I give you:

Five for Friday: hodgepodge edition

disclaimer: i do not have any cohesive thoughts today.  next week isn't looking so hot either.

1.Well, Friday has rolled around again. Have you reached a point in the week where you could use a good laugh? I am not one to love tattoos...but this one is pretty clever and made me chuckle. 

2.I might need to chuckle a bit more to burn off the calories from this new recipe I tried out yesterday. Unfortunately I didn't have any toffee bits nor pecans to add. We ate it on graham crackers. It wasn't the best thing I've eaten in my life, but that doesn't mean I walked away from the bowl quickly...at all! 

3.Fact: We do not own Horton Hears a Who on DVD. (gasp)

 Jonah saw part of it for the first time today. 

 He really likes Horton's silly moves. Every time Horton did something funny, Jonah said "adin (again)" to the t.v.

4.Oh, and a little BIG, flashy update for the Man of the House. 

Jonathan registered today for the American Board of Certification for Teacher Excellence.

That probably deserves an entire post. I'll work on that, but you can pray for him to study hard and pass the test at the end!! I think he will make a swell teacher!

5.Next week's Five for Friday post will be all about this guy:

since he will be turning TWO!! 

That's right...this coming Sunday kicks off BIRTHDAY WEEK. 

stay tuned.

(aren't you glad I didn't commit to a top ten list on Friday's...I know I sure am!)

To Sleep or Not to Sleep.

How about NOT.

Our sleep pattern has been a bit "off" lately. A few weeks ago nap time became very tricky. I'd been having Jonah nap in the morning because we leave the house everyday around 3. He'd nap from 11:30 or 12 until somewhere around 2. It worked out great.

And then, it didn't. Naptime became a battle.

We fought the battle.

Then, bedtime became a battle.

Two battles a day? No thank-you!

So, I ignored my inner "mommy" voice telling me he was too young to give up naps. And we started keeping him up.

That has been working out fine. Bedtime is still tricky, but here's why...he falls asleep in the car around 3.

WHAT to DO??? (this is one of those "insolvable problems" we are just going to have to struggle through)

Oh, and just to throw another kink into the pattern...HERE's what he's been doing this week:

on the couch, watching a movie ("rest time")

(I think he's growing)

Meanwhile, I'll be brewing up another pot of coffee! 

Happy Wednesday Afternoon!

Proper Coffee...and something worthwhile.

In honor of the weather changing to that crisp coolness which makes coffee drinking so delectable...I give you A Proper Cup of Coffee (by a folk group from my neck of the woods...Trout Fishing in America.) 

I dare you to listen to the whole thing (or at least stick with it through the chorus.) 

It is a silly silly song. I also dare you to try singing along!

My mother will not be able to stand it. 

And then, after listening, go fire up your Proper Copper Coffee Pots!

Traditional Turkish Coffee in a Copper Pot

Does anyone else find this "less-than-proper?" 

I don't think I could choke that down. 

I'll stick with what I know best.

ok, enough. go drink a cup of coffee and read some other blog with more worthwhile content. 

Here is a blog that will do:

My friend Amy and her husband are in the middle of an adoption ordeal. It was smooth until the baby was born and they discovered there were some legal issues. They AND another family have legal documents for adopting the baby boy. They attended a custody hearing yesterday which gave them more insight into the process, but did not result in a placement of their son. They are still waiting for a final answer, but trusting God with all the details. 

Read more at Becoming Five.

I LOVE Fall

Fall is beautiful. 

And it smells amazing! (I wish I could capture smell in a photo)

Things I love about Fall

*crisp cool air

*freshly fallen leaves

*marigolds

*snuggling under a blanket 

*bonfires

Fall Foods 

(which, for some reason, always taste better when the weather is cool)

*pumpkin spice latte

*apple pie

*frito pie

*hot chocolate

*most any kind of soup 

Somebody Had a Bad Day.

We saw this several months ago in the parking lot of Lowe's.

I'm really glad this didn't happen to me.

Dr. Pepper Remake

Remember the Dr. Pepper Photo Contest (that we didn't win)?

Well, Dr. Pepper has a new product.

it's the "manly" diet drink

So, I'm thinking, what better product could there be for the "cute boys and dr. pepper" photo contest. 

I know I just entered and I don't know if there are rules about re-entering. But, there's no harm in asking is there?

I'm trying a different angle this time.  This time I'm including Jonathan. 

But I need your input. I don't know which photo to enter. 

#1

#2

#3

Keep in mind this is for the Dr. Pepper calendar. We're looking for the complete package here. I am trying to best feature the product AND the cuteness. If the one on the right were better of Jonah, it would be my pick. 

What do YOU think?

oooh. Do you think she'd accept a collage?? You know how I love to make a good collage!

Football.

I've never really been a big football fan. I guess my philosophy on football is this: the younger the players the more enjoyable it is to watch. I don't care for professional football AT ALL. I can cheer for the Razorbacks, Missouri Tigers, or for Auburn just fine, but I don't live to watch. 

If the footballs all looked like this I might be more interested:

maybe.

Now, High School football, well, that's something I can get behind. I love sitting in the bleachers in the crisp cool air on Friday nights!!

Do you know why?

I love to watch the band at halftime. 

Why?

Because I was in the band when I was in H.S.!!

Christmas parade...1998

(do you see the smile on my face? i was trying not to laugh in embarrassment because my mother made me POSE for a picture right there in the street...and now, well,  i'm glad to have the photo.)

ok, back to present day...


My son apparently likes the game more than I. Go figure!


He learned a new word tonight. Well, maybe not new to him, but new for him to SAY!!

He is so cute. I'll definitely watch him play if he so chooses someday! 

I found it on Pinterest.

Have you heard of Pinterest? It's the newest social network that I'm aware of. I am really quite addicted to discovering new things there each day.

For example, just look at all these photography ideas!

Or how about all of these nuggets of wisdom?!

Maybe you're looking for some activities to do with your child.

There are also ideas for home decor and simple crafts that are lots of fun.

I'd like to feature a few of my very favorite things that I'd never have seen otherwise.

Pencil Art by Dalton Ghetti. (seriously...you should google him)

Simple but beautiful Toilet Paper holder. (I actually made one of these and I love it)

And last but not least, these CUPCAKES definitely take the cake. 

(just looking at them makes my mouth water and my tummy hurt all at the same time)

(oh, and if you are on Pinterest and don't already follow my boards...feel free to click the "follow me" button in the right hand column of this blog)

How To: get your sink clean...sort of.

Do you struggle with keeping the bathroom sink clean?

My new method doesn't involve any cleaning products.

All you need is a change in perspective.

First:

Get the sink REALLY dirty.

How did that sink get dirty?

before

after

Oh, just a little haircut for this sweet boy.

Final step: 

Wipe & rinse sink clean. 

It will appear more clean than it did before. Promise.

Oh, one more step...guess you could call it the 

"After the Final Step" step: go play with that cute boy! 

Interview with a Toddler

We recorded a recent conversation with Jonah. 

Happy Tuesday!