It never fails....

So I spent my 34th birthday at Disneyland and I highly recommend it. Do you see my happy children, the ones who were thrilled to have their picture taken once again for mom's big day? I just wanted to document that I wore my b-day button with pride and thoroughly enjoyed the "happy birthday Carrie" wishes I received from cast members all day. Kari/Carrie....it's all the same!


Jack and Cole are at perfect ages to enjoy Disneyland. They act spazzy together, argue very little, and once in a while.....hold hands. It's pretty cute.


We were told (by the lovely gentleman to the left) to get off these rocks right after I got a couple shots off. Yet another reason I love my new fast camera.

Another talent I do not posses...balloon animals or in our case, knights with helmets, belts and swords. These were a huge hit at dinner one night. The fellas couldn't understand why they couldn't take them to the park each day.

Ah, the character meet and greet!

Thomas family favorite ride....Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.

Jack getting really serious about his driving abilities. He's totally pumped for next time ...he'll be tall enough that he can drive on his own.

Brody in true fashion. He doesn't calm down gradually, he'll just stop from exhaustion. Case in point.



We've never really been a "princess" loving family ...hard to believe I know. Kate had to meet at least Cinderella. The boys graciously waited for her big moment!

We're a little nerdy when it comes to visiting the happiest place on Earth. We love to pin trade...a lot. We also get a kick out of finding "Hidden Mickeys".....and find some good ones we did! Yes, that is a glass Mickey laid somewhere in the cement amongst the park. Ok, so we use a book for clues but it's so fun!

"Can we get a churro?"

"No."

"Can we get a churro?"

"No."

"Can we get a churro?"

"Maybe tomorrow."

"Can we get a churro?"

"Tomorrow."

"But we're leaving today......."

"Riiiight..."

Happy Churros!


Even though Kate was teething and pretty much despised the stroller, she was still a dollhead. She was so thrilled eachnight to get out of the stroller that she actually figured out how to finally crawl...right there on the delicious hotel carpet....mmmm!


I just thought this was a fantastic picture!

Only long wait of the week...."Toy Story Mania" so worth it everytime!





How we roll: we pack snacks....and lots of 'em.





The best $7.50 spent on food.

Her majesty.....




It was such a blast. I love my family and honestly, I do enjoy spending 24/7 with them for a week straight. Now the plane ride home is quite another story.

And....we're back....

It's been quite a week but we are back from our happiest of trips to the "Happiest Place on Earth." The children have been disinfected, 11 loads of stinky laundry are almost complete and the fridge is on the verge of being replenished. Back to reality. Due pardon me if I share a few photos from our week at D-land, thee place to spend your 34th day of birth if you ask me. This will have to do for today, I must get back to the reality of this morning... pronto.

Weekend whatnots......

"Well...good morning giant hot air balloons" and "What the....?" were 2 things that crossed my mind Saturday morning when this was the view from my front door. The weather has been FANtastic lately and obviously some balloon lovers were just itchin to ....float?!! It was actually quite fun to watch. I couldn't help but think of one of thee greatest old time Disney movies..."Night Crossing," has anyone ever seen it besides yours truly and my siblings? The story goes: 2 East German families literally sew their own hot air balloons by night (obviously secretly) so they can escape to West Germany...full of suspense.... anyone... anyone?? It was a family favorite growing up..good show....as was the Saturday morning display for that matter.

Other exciting tidbits and insights from the week/end included:

A 3 year old throwing a tantrum will eat a rock hard frozen corn dog if given the chance. Hold the ketchup and mustard.

Even with gorgeous weather outside, yahoos will play for hours in......a box.

It is possible to renew ones driver's license with all 4 kids in tow and no stroller:

I never said it was pleasant, it just was possible. My crew along with 138 other people chose to be at the DMV on that blessed day. It had to be done. I just ignored the" Parents please do not leave children unattended" sign, gave Jack and Cole strict orders to stay seated at all times, applied some lip gloss, wiped the light sweat forming on my forehead, bundled Kate's blanket under her bottle so she could self feed in her car seat, held Brody's hand with a death grip so he wouldn't run into the "employees only" section again, asked the kind worker if my shirt was straight (with no response) and smiled! Hopefully in 7-10 business days it will look as dreamy as I'm imagining it will be.

I love......

I had such a lovely Valentines day. It was chalk full of things I had mentioned in passing: Help around the kitchen ie: YOU come up with something for dinner-gorgeous hot pink roses which I DIDN't even ask for ("I know you're not a rose fan but these were really pretty and I knew you wouldn't want red")

-Ah, very good Kyle san, breakfast in bed consisting of homemade waffles, eggs, and turkey sausage with a glass 'o milk and a very thoughtful card. Just nice stuff all for me. I loved it. It got me thinking of other nice things I love:

-These 3 yahoos

These chubby fingers

This face

A few more to add to my list:

dark chocolate

Jr. mints

cheese

chips and salsa

DO YOU SEE A PATTERN HERE??

peanut butter

good books

cold sheets

cilantro

avocados

vacuuming

sunshine

my microwave

chapstick

red shoes

Disneyland

obedient children

a good hair color

Cole's smile

mowing the lawn

bananas

Kyle

the American flag

my sister

my mom

Pixar movies

Wednesday night tv

crab legs and butter with lemon

swimming in a pool -not ocean

perfect fitting outfit

earrings

cold cottage cheese and pears

Brody's milk dud eyes

cooking in general

teaching a lesson

Fox news

antique stores

chubby baby legs

polka dots and stripes

peaches

tulips

happy kids

hot chocolate

talk radio

Kate's hair bows

singing

ponytails and crazy up dos

wearing sandals

trying new recipes

visiting my sister

the color red

receiving good mail

smiling at grumpy strangers

going to Hawaii

playing Doodle Dice with my kids

Pina Coladas

Christmas lights hung straight

king size bed

going to dinner with friends

my in-laws

brushing my teeth

a good bag

bread

being able to soothe Kate

going to college

playing sports:volleyball/tennis

running on my treadmill

kissing Kate's chubby neck

going to church

when Brody hugs me every morning

a clean car

my KitchenAid-it has never failed me

road trips

a good cake stand

my new house

laughing with Kyle

winking at Jack

being a mom

I could go on and on....but that's for another day......

100th day

Today is Cole's 100th day in kindergarten. As you all know they do the usual festivities full of 100 everythings. His recent homework was to fill out a paper that eventually would be compiled into the class book for all to share and see. He came up with every response very quickly. It went a little something like this:

I hope I have a 100: VIDEO GAMES (shocker)

I hope I have 100: MOMS (yea, wouldn't that be nice)

I hope I have 100:TOYS (another shocker)

I hope I never have 100: SWATS ON MY BUM (huh?)

He giggled and said , "Yea, you know when dad swats my bum at night....he would get really tired trying to get me in my ca-verths.!

And then there's a lovely colorful illustration to go along with it... his cute round face..mouth wide open... hands flailing...you know, very very accurate!

*Family disclaimer: An occasional bum swat has occurred at bedtime. Never with mouths wide open or flailing of hands. Should I have edited his ideas? I'm now a wee bit nervous to see if this revelation will knock me out of the "mother of the year" award I was up for.

I got nothin...

"Lame lame lame lame ...LAME! "-Syndrome (the Incredibles)

That's what's going through my mind right now. I want a new dress. I want lots of new things- but a fun, perfectly fitting, stunning dress is what my heart desires most at this very moment. It's almost spring and spring screams "new dress" time. The stinky problem is I cannot find one. I have searched and searched but to no avail. I did get a good chuckle however. I was perusing the Internet and stumbled upon the Urban Outfitters website. On my honor... I have never been to an actual store nor have been on their website prior to today's visit...an Urban Outfitters virgin if you will. Go there please....get a good laugh, view the "dress" selection and give me your thoughts and opinions...it's good stuff!

Ideas on where to look....websites, stores....would be greatly appreciated. I'm tired of looking lame.

Like mother like....sons??

So my brother and his family used to live in the house that we all grew up in...you following me? Anyway, they have since moved closer to my family and thus, we see each other more often, which is fun. He had recently returned from visiting said house (and would you believe that another brother now lives there with his family?) and brought back some treasures from the good 'ole days ie: cabbage patch dolls and pony plates. Now don't think the Thomas fellas couldn't appreciate a good cabbage patch doll when they saw one...especially "maked" ones. They have been given the names"Jo Jo and Roosie-not to be confused with Rosie" and dressed appropriately. Jack wins good sport award for indulging Brody for a good 30 minutes. His reward...watching the original "Karate Kid" -one of my favorite movies of all time. And would it shock you to know that....he loved it?!

Cole is reading like a maniac lately which is fantastic. He's the type of kid that sits quietly and giggles to himself, completely enthralled in the detailed plot lines of mischievous felines such as Garfield. I used to love that cat myself...who knew?

Cole is a man of few words.....he's cool.
He even sleeps cool!

Brody is into kissing everything, all the time. Yesterday I had to stop the love fest in the produce section at the grocery store. When you touch the broccoli (especially with 3 year old lips) you buy the broccoli. Now I'm a big proponent of affection yet prefer kissing my husband and children and I leave it at that.

In the meantime, he'll just continue to drive remote control cars over Kate and I'll continue to take pictures because I find it just as humorous as he does.