Good Bye City Life!

We spent the weekend in Cestohowa. Billy's cousin got married and if you've never been to a Catholic, Polish wedding, then you are missing out! These things go on for an entire day. It's so much fun, especially if you are into drinking ALOT. But I'm here to say, it's still fun if you do not drink. But dancing is a MUST. As soon as the bridal party arrives, the bridesmaids come around with bottles of hard alcohol and sell shots for $1. The money is collected for the honeymoon. They didn't do so well at our table. But did very well throughout the rest of the hall. Then the older Polish people go around banging a pot and singing a wedding blessing song, I would attempt to spell it, but I have no idea where to start. My in-laws were the lead singers for the song, Grandpa is a wonderful singer. Anyway, while the song is being sung, people throw money in the pot for the couple's new life. Although our wedding day was a simple Church of Christ ceremony, complete with finger foods, unspiked punch, coffee and wedding cake, we did have a throw down after our honeymoon. It was complete with the old traditions minus the bridesmaids selling shots. I didn't think my girls were too keen on that idea. They did; however, collect enough money for a washer and dryer during our Polish song!

My favorite highlights of the weekend were the Grand March, the Cotton-Eyed Joe, and all the waltzes with my hubby. We spent the night at our farm in Kosciusco and rode dirt bikes on Sunday. I don't usually like to go to the farm, but we were right there, and I missed these little babies.
I used to get sad when the plan was to feed them and then load a couple up and sell them. Now, it's old hat. When we drove up, we just missed a baby calf being born. That was a such a treat to see it try to walk for the first time. I'm sad the boys missed seeing it being born....I think?!?!
This one was the pick of the day.

We also had time to ride a little. Don't ask me what I was thinking striking a pose with all my gear on. Pink gear! I have to remember that I'm a girl with all these boys around me all the time. I'm such a dork!

Although I enjoy getting away and going to the farm, I still call "1st SHOWER!" on the ride home. I'm a city girl at heart.

Fiber One Won

This morning, like most, was a blur. I have such bad allergies with Mountain Cedar that my debilitating sneeze attacks make me more groggy than usual for our morning rush. Billy goes to work at 4:45am, so I HAVE to get up and get going and drive the boys to school. To add to this chaos, Tanner got up early too! He usually sleeps until we are ready to leave, then I get him up. Well, in the midst of getting 3 breakfasts ready, 3 lunches packed and trying to sip some go-go juice into me, Ty said, "Can I have another muffin please?" This boy can eat in the morning! I looked and saw that all I had given him was gone and I saw two extra muffin wrappers on the counter in front of him. "Did you have 3 of those?" He said, "Yes, mam. They are delicious!" Uh oh! I made these: Yogurt-Bran Muffins These are so good! But the Fiber One cereal in them is a hum-dinger. I hesitated to tell him as to not plant any ideas, but I felt it necessary to let him know the effects of consuming that much fiber at one sitting and weighing in at a whopping 72 lbs. The end result could be devastating to say the least!

I had a doctor's appointment that I had already confirmed and have been waiting to go to for over a month. I had just sat down in the waiting room and opened my book when, there goes the cell phone. Sure enough, the clinic was calling with Ty in the office for the 2nd time complaining of a stomach ache. I tried not to laugh into the phone. Not because I thought it was funny, but it kinda was funny in a predictable way. I really did feel sorry for him, but there was NO way, if at all possible, I was leaving my doctor's appointment that took 40 minutes to get to. So I told the nurse that I was in fact at a very important doctor's appointment in the Medical center and I would have to get my emergency contact to come get him. So, once again, Nana to the rescue! I love having my mom right around the corner for times like these. I felt like a horrible mom, but I was already in my doctor's office and I knew exactly what was wrong with Ty, so I made a selfish, not-so-good-mommy decision. He was fine with it, but I felt bad. I rushed home after my appointment and all was well. It wasn't, but it got better. Poor guy! Maybe he'll ask for permission when he eats anymore muffins around here.

Born to Eat!

Today was date day with Billy, as all our Tuesdays usually are. This time it was my turn to pick what we would do. So, our day started at the gym, his favorite thing to do (cough, cough) and then to eat at Papouli's Greek Grill. I love this place! I knew they were a chain but I didn't know they were only in San Antonio. Most chains around here have the names El Taco, de Jalisco, #4, Las,or any combination of those . Which is where Billy takes me on his Tuesdays. I still prefer to eat on a safe side of town. When he takes me to his hole- in-the wall joints, we cross WAY too many streets that are on our nightly news for drive bys and other assorted crimes. It's hard enough to stomach those greasy tacos, but to top it off with one hand on my purse and a straight shot at an exit, it all doesn't mix well. But I have to admit, the prices are considerably lower on that side of town. So if you are ever visiting the lovely city of San Antonio, don't eat on the River Walk...just watch the news and head that way for some good cheap eatin'! FYI, tea is included in the price~ If you're in to Russian roulette with your life. I'm kidding~ sort of. Just go in the daytime when all the crimies are sleeping off the night before. But one time, I did see a "Blue Plate Award" from our local news for perfect score from the Health Department. Didn't see one at Papouli's. But then again, I wasn't looking for one.
Speaking of eating.....
One funny about Mason. That kid was 10 lbs,9 ozs and 22 1/2in at birth, so needless to say he was a chunk from day one. He's not fat now, but he's not able to wear his big brother's hand-me-down slims either. He had a gift card to Blockbuster from his birthday so we took him yesterday to buy a movie. He got a movie and $10 worth of candy. I told him there was no way he should eat that whole amount of candy today! I had no doubts he could, but there was no way I was letting him. Lately, I have been making everyone look at the serving sizes on the nurtrional side of food boxes and just eat the serving size. Well, here is his response to the bucket of Gummy Worms. "Mom! They have NO fat in them and the serving size is 23 worms!" So yes, he sat there and picked out 23 Gummy Worms and had a ball. Then he went to the next box Mike and Ike's. OK, he's got the serving size thing down, but we don't have to eat everything in the house's serving sizes. He's on a mission. Lord help my grocery bill! We went to IHOP or as Tanner calls it "IDOG" and Ty and Mason both got the all you can eat pancakes that also come with a platter of hash browns and eggs. Let me just say, our waitress was getting a bit sick of us requesting yet another plate. 3 plates of 3 pancakes per boy. Looks like Billy is going to have to hit some overtime instead of date day when these boys get bigger. HELP me! 3 boys with bottomless stomachs. Aye Yi Yi! This just in! Gummy Worms and Mike and Ike's are gone. Self-control is a virture that he has yet to master.

It's A New One!

This morning, Tanner and I were the only ones up and he wanted to watch a cartoon. So I put it on the Disney Channel, "No Mickey's Playhouse." Next channel, "No. Put it on Cartoon Neckwork." I've tried to correct him that it is NETwork, but he claims "That's what I said." Whatever! It said up next Tom and Jerry.
You know, the one that's been on since the birth of the television? Well, Tanner loves it! When I poured my coffee, I almost spilt it because Tanner screamed,"MOOOOMMMM! It's a new one! Oh WOW~ I so excited Mom!" Yeah, I'm sure it's a new release since Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbara are such young whipper-snippers. Here they are in 1950.
Back when it was OK to wear just a collared shirt to the Emmy awards apparently. My money is on that new episode being a rerun. Tom and Jerry...classic of all time. Now which one is Tom and which one is Jerry? I've always had to think that one through since there usually is no dialoge. Makes for a good DVD to watch in the car~

Take and Extra 50% off!

Warning: If you are a self-proclaimed, addict to good deals, turn away. Read no further!

So for those of you who decided to go on with this post. Get ready! I'm about to knock your socks off. You see, I am in fact, an addict to shopping either in person or on-line, but I am in denial. So I'm OK with it. I just like good deals and when you put me in Target and there are a slew of t-shirts for my boys for $1.24, I'm on it in every color. But today, my equally addicted friend, Anne and I hit the mother load of deals. She didn't spend as much as I did since she is pregnant but she did her share of damage. We wondered into Old Navy and got shirts, pj's, pants, and a sweater for $20. Everything is marked 75% off and by the grace of God, they will take another 50% off! We celebrated by eating some good ole' Greek food. Mama Mia!! Wait, that was Italian. Sorry, we were speaking in foreign languages all day. She is fluent in Espanol and I semi-literate in French. So it was entertaining with just that. Anyway.....

We knew we were passing by The Gap and promised we'd only run through, being that we had a time crunch with kids and school. I might have left with a bag of things for $30. They had everything on sale and took an additional 25% off. Gap is the only pair of pants I can wear because they have "longs". So when I saw my size on the sale rack, I got extrememly excited! Right across the hall was a little store called American Eagle. Now, I realize that I am 34 years old and this store mostly caters to the younger generations, but I happened upon some darling dress pants! Navy with pinstripes and a cream sweater that was obviously MADE for these. I was fully prepared to not purchase these adorable, can't live without ,or beat the price pants, because I couldn't think of any shoes in my closet that would compliment these. Upon returning from the dressing room, Anne was eagerly awaiting the verdict. When I told her the dilemma, she promptly bee-lined to a pair of the most adorable navy shoes that were marked $11.95 and they had my size. Aren't they cute? Navy suede with a velvet bow. Shut up!
So I gave into temptation and purchased an entire outfit! But on the bright side, I am going to wear it to church this Sunday because I am working in the nursery. God understands, right? It's important to wear pants so I can get down and dirty with those precious babies of our congregation. So if you're out shopping, stop in these few places and stock up on great deals for the remainder of this year and next! Oh, and PS Ann Taylor Loft is having an extra 40% off of their sale merchandise! That place is my downfall, well, one of many. I need help!!!!!

My Little Luke

My little Luke, or "Tanner" as Bexar County has him formally documented as, is my angel! He loves his mama so much. He gives me more hugs, kisses and compliments than Billy on most days. Just pure love for that "sweet, sweet Papa." Why he calls me Papa is beyond me. I have no idea where he gets the idea of calling people abstract names?! I call his other two brothers, "Ty" to the T to the Y to the TYler Yo! and his other brother "Mason" Filene Dion. Why? Don't know! It's just our little lovey names.

Tonight, I was in my room and he quietly knocked and came in. I had just had one of my "Mountain Cedar" sneezing attacks which consists of about 8-10 continuous sneezes which in turn, makes me sound like a congested nut ball. Example: the simple word "Mom" sounds more like "bomb" after my sneezing attacks. So in he comes with a question and hears my response and says, "Oh Papa, I'm sorry you're so sick. Let's say a prayer. 'Dear God, please let my sweet Papa not be so sick of all these crazy trees in our neighborhood. Oh, and please be with everyone who is sick like Barack Obama. And why is his name Obama? It sounds alot like 'old bottom'? In Jesus' name, Amen." Sweet innocence. I love that kid! And NO, I don't tell him that democrats are sick, but Sean Hannity might. Poor kid hears too much talk radio. But he does know that our current president is "George Straight". He could sing us the constitution. He should run for Prez. He could sing, "I cross my heart and promise to. Drop all your taxes and make all your dreams come true. In all the world, you'll never find another President like I." OK, now I must go. Getting a little Cedar-Feverish...

Eggs Benedict?

When you tell your child to clean their room, do homework, etc....they don't hear you. But when you don't need their input, whoop!, there it is.

The other day, Billy and I were talking about his cousin's wedding and when it was going to be. From the backseat came this comment from Mason, "Wait! January 26th? That's when our eggs go bad."

Well, it looks like Omelettes for everyone! Thank you Mason for the refrigerator update. I'm here to say, this kid has his priorities right! Food first. A healthy mind is a full tummy...and a cleaned out fridge~

Gotcha!!

When the kitty cat is away, the mice will play!!! There's proof in the pudding, and in the picture. Take a gander:

Here is Billy using my laptop. And P.S. if this present was exclusively for me and me only, it would have been pink! That's the one I said I loved. But that's the kinda girl I am! Honestly, I could care less. It's just funny because I came around the corner and he looked up after the flash and said, "I thought you went to the gym." Well, you thought wrong laptop boy.

Then I wander upstairs to look for the "way too quiet" boys. Well, what do we have here?
Ty is at Grandma and Grandpa's house to help feed the cows tomorrow. So I found the little boys in his room, watching TV. He is the only one who has a TV in his bedroom, a seniority perk. As well as a never-ending bribe to always act his age or the perks can leave as quickly as they were given. I love that Mason closed his eyes like "If I can't see you, you can't see me!" They both said, "We'll make the bed back when we get done, promise!"

Since I have you all here in Ty's room, I wanted to show one of the coolest gifts Ty and Mason got from my brother this Christmas. They are called "fatheads" and are just the neatest things ever. Especially for a boy's room.

Meet a life-sized Chad Reed. The great part is that it just peels off and you can move it around with no damage to the walls or the picture and it re sticks!

Moving down the hall to Mason's room.....
This is Travis Pastrana. Quite possibly the craziest boy alive. Admittedly, he is fun to watch, but if I was that kid's mother, I would be a nervous wreck! Oh, I shake to just think about it...


Anyway, they are too cool. Check them out! There are football players, basketball players, just about everything you could imagine.

Enough of that 'boy' stuff. Look at the most yummiest cake on the planet. I made it for Christmas Eve dinner. Isn't it pretty? Tastes even better.

Praline Bundt Cake. I got it from the December 2007 issue of Southern Living. The recipe was so long and I don't feel like typing it all out, just click here! I promise, you won't be disappointed.