Stumped

So Mike got the chance to spend a couple days in Japan while "running and errand" for work. Speaking of running...one of his former students asked him to go for a run while he was there. So Mike, his Ipod, and new running shoes set out for a run. Along came a stump and my poor husband in an effort to protect the Ipod took a nasty fall. So hopefully that stump feels pretty guilty for wounding him. I should remind Mike that the warranty from Best Buy is still valid so next time, let the Ipod fly!Scratched and bloodied I still think he's the most beautiful thing I could set my eyes on. I hope it's healing up well.

Your wish is my command!

It snowed here today, AGAIN! I can't say that I am thrilled about it. I've come to enjoy taking MJ to swim lessons. I get to chat with a friend and have a few moments without someone asking for something! Then the snow came and I realized we would have to miss class today. I wrote to Mike saying how I wasn't up for taking the kids out. Of course being a snow lover he asked me to take them out anyway. I cannot deny him! His argument that his fondest childhood memories are from playing in the snow was very compelling. Calling me the coolest mom in the world didn't hurt either.

I'm not even saying how many times I tried to take a picture with the three of us in it before I remembered Mike's brilliance at turning the screen around so I could see it. Alas, I'm not looking at the lens when the picture was taken.

The battery ran out on the camera soon after and we just played. The kids both sledded down the driveway. We made snowballs and chucked them, and some we wore on our heads. Once the offer for hot chocolate was on the table we came in to thaw out. As usual, Mike was right. The kids had a great time. Well, eventually Annabelle did. She was quite frustrated by her gloves but would have been one angry baby had she not worn them. At one point she took them off and felt the snow. There was no resistance when I went to put them back on. And for me...well I melted the snow with my burning hand! Haha, actually the nerves on my hand near the burn are pretty shot and it really doesn't hurt that much.

Picture of the day

Have you ever been really hungry so you quickly fix some lunch and in a hurry to remove bread from the toaster you hear a distinct singe sound followed by a horrible smell? If not, here's what it would look like. Is this some sort of diet trick? Sheesh, it was a whole grain muffin what am I supposed to eat? Perhaps I will open the toaster and scrape my skin off the top of it...and next time I will pull the rack out before retrieving the toast. Ouch!

A message home

You'll never guess who was driving the big one when this picture was taken...The Boss! Haha! I think this is the view from where he's sitting. The bike behind him is where he works out. Who needs tv! Ok, I totally would. Haha!

I just thought I'd post some pictures I got from Mike. I don't want to post any key words lest I get picked up by some creepy person's search.

Don't leave home without it

Those who know Annabelle know that she goes everywhere with two things in hand, water and Dada. I just thought she looked cute as we were getting ready to walk out the door so I took a couple pictures. The other day we went to the YMCA and as I was checking her into the childwatch the YMCA caretaker asked me where the doll was...Annabelle was wondering too. I had forgotten it in the car. I just thought it was funny that the people working at the Y know it too. Best 30 bucks we ever spent. Don't worry honey, I carry you around too...in my heart! Awwww.... MJ was working on pictures to include in the latest package to be sent to Mike. Annabelle quickly joined and quickly this project morphed into sliding around on the paper. So sorry honey, here's a preview of the artwork that's to come, a bit wrinklier than it started, but there's lots of joy attached to it. Annabelle wasn't able to slide as efficiently as MJ so I ended up having to drag her around myself. She loved it and I wondered why I didn't stick a swiffer to her belly.

Valentine Outtakes

So if you've visited my photography website recently you've seen the kids' Valentine photos. What's missing are the pictures of Annabelle afterwards when she got to continue gnawing, licking, and building up huge amounts of pink drool. It was literally rolling off her elbows pooling in her lap. I had to snap a few.

MJ gave up on his lollipop much more quickly than Annabelle did. He traded it in for a piece of gum, his new favorite treat. However after his first piece he told me he spat it out because it tasted like lettuce. Ha! All of this technology and we haven't been able to come up with a gum that doesn't loose it's flavor! Perhaps he'll be inspired.

Tonight was the second movie night in Mommy and Daddy's bed. MJ gets to pick a movie and a special snack and stay up after we put Annabelle in bed and hang out, just us. He and I both really look forward to this time together. He's still so obsessed with Monster Jam and so for the second week in a row we watched one of his Monster Jam World Finals DVDs. This kid is hysterical. I don't think he stopped talking the entire time. And I'm not exaggerating. He discussed his plans for acquiring his monster truck when he's an adult. He has planned out how many days it will take him to go get the truck, pick out his gear, stay at hotels (and eat breakfast there), visit the hotel pool, and have his truck packed on a truck with hard stuff on the wheels so it won't break and move it with us on our moves. He told me he'll have his own phone and GPS so we can talk and he can find me. I probably shouldn't put this out there but he said he'd share his truck with me. And in his sweet and literal view of me and the world explained that he would get himself a big Monster truck suit and me a fat monster truck suit. I cringed but know he meant nothing ill by it and loves me just how I am. I on the other hand hate me just the way I am and knowing that my child recognizes this "fault" may have just given me the kick in the pants that I needed. So together he and I have planned how I can not be fat anymore! He told me I was already doing it since I was eating raspberries as my movie snack and he was eating Whoppers. The he said when Annabelle naps we could come in my room and lift weights together. I love how honest kids are even though at times it makes me uncomfortable. So all excuses are gone now I suppose. Annabelle naps daily and I typically use that time to catch up on e-mail and other computer related tasks. I guess MJ is right, I could be using that time to take care of myself and get back in shape. Stay tuned....

Yikes, it's been a while!

I had no idea how much time had passed since I last posted. I thought a week...more like two and a half. Sorry to my loyal readers!

I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures lately. My hard drive is almost full so in an effort to put off purchasing more memory I've not been as active with the camera. However, tonight Annabelle looked so cute in bed and I thought this one I had to share. I was happy that MJ actually wanted to be in a picture. They are so cute.

Ok, so here's a good one. Annabelle ran off after I got her dried off from her bath and went for a 5 minute naked drive on the plasma car!

I took the kids on a photo shoot with me a couple weekends ago. I won't likely do that again. Here's what Annabelle thought about posing. I'm not a huge fan of the conversion on this picture but it's the only .jpg I have of it right now. And MJ in a brief moment of cooperation he sat still for this picture...oh crap, no, he was in time out! :)

Annabelle just happened to have the perfect accessories for her outfit the day of the shoot so I had to snap a couple of her at home. Too bad we didn't bring these with us. And Odge found his driving cap and phone. So that's literally all I have that's new right now. I will have to take some more of the kids. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I'll do better. :)