If you don't want to hear about how my kid's a genius then this post isn't for you.

Come to think of it, this entire blog may not be for you.

My eldest child loves herself a project.

The bigger and more complicated the better.

So for Easter dinner I gave her the charge of preparing dessert and this is what she decided to make.

She spent hours painting each family members pot to represent them. She painted a "fancy, fashion woman" on my sister's pot and gave her huge knockers. I had to pretend I was having an allergy induced coughing fit when I saw it.

She doesn't take to laughter very well when she is in her creative zone.

My kitchen was unrecognizable when she finished these babies but it was so worth it.

Although Andy did almost cut his thumb off on the food processor blade so he may not have thought it was worth it.

But it was, trust me.

They happened to be delicious.

But more importantly, she was so proud of herself, as was I.

And if this doesn't scream genius, I don't know what does.

Happy Birthday, Darling Boy

You have survived your first year of Bode drinking your bottles, Mia dragging you around by your head, and your Aunt Summer not cleaning her floors thus allowing you to eat all kinds of non-edible goodies like leaves and dead ants.  

It's official: What hasn't killed you has made you stronger.

At least this year I got a picture.

I didn't even attempt this last year, but I at least had my act together enough to pawn the responsibility off to Aubrie this time.

If I had to give one of these babies up to save the world, everyone would burn.

Thank you, God, for doing what I never could.

Tell me that's not the cutest kid (with the biggest noggin') you've ever seen.

You wouldn't believe that just yesterday it took four time outs and 45 minutes of screaming to get him to put on his shoes,

or that he flooded my bathroom and kitchen floors,

or took one bite out of four different apples,

adamantly refused a nap,

and obviously would have nothing to do with letting Katie cut his hair.

But darn it if that smirky little smile doesn't get me every time.

So long baby blues

I looked at Bode the other day and panicked.  

His eyes had changed color and I never even noticed.  

This is not very Lashleyesque of him, although his music obsession will allow him to stay in the family.

I realize I'm biased but I think they're beautiful.

If you can raise people from the dead or know Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr personally, please let me know.

Bode informed me that the only people he wants at his birthday party are John, Paul, George, Ringo, Abigail and Ben.  He also declared that he will have a sausage pizza cake with the Beatles on top.  

And I thought Mia's theme was odd.

And under the "in other news" category:  Ahmo whipped this baby out a couple of weeks ago.  Meet Princess Tiana.  

In yo' face, Disney Store!

What part of "Don't talk to Mommy until the timer goes off" do my children not understand?

Just a question for the universe.

In other news, Mia attended safety school at the fire station last week.  If you are ever choking, have accidently poisoned yourself, are in a fire, or have accidently left your pot handles facing out instead of in on the stovetop, she will be the first to let you know.  

Bode honed in on all the group pictures of the safety school graduation and you'll be glad to know that after much dedication and concentration he finally got that giant thing out of his nose. 

On the next episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive....

Meet two-year-old Bode:

These are the minimum things required for him to go to sleep.  They include, but are not limited to: one Buzz Lightyear, one Woody doll, one random slinky dog thing, 2 blankies, 5 books, 3 drumsticks, a stuffed Tigger, one box of wipes, a Lightening McQueen car, a King, car, a fire-truck, one guitar, a set of nesting dolls from Poland, a package of gummi snacks, and a sippy cup.

And no, he's not ready to admit he has a problem.

Found this on my camera today

I love the Father, with Belle's cape on, holding out his arm as if he is Jesus preaching to the masses.  I think I will pretend that is exactly what this little dollhouse set-up was intended to be:  Jesus preaching to the Pez dispensers and random naked black fairy.  How precious. 
It kinda makes me miss my little girl, who has been with her Yaya and DD for the past couple of days.  I am confident that neither of my children are missing me, which is exactly as it should be.

It's about that time...

...for my living room to look like this for a while. 

Putting a toilet in the middle of my living room is but one of the many, many things I swore I would never do when I became a parent.

At least it's multifunctional.

There is so much wrong with this picture I don't even know where to start.

So I won't.

Sorry, ladies, this man's taken.

Dear Children,

In an effort to prepare you for adulthood, I decided to completely overbook your weekend, keep you up way too late, stress you out running from one thing to another, feed you on the run, and then get annoyed when you act tired and irritable.  Welcome to the rest of your life. Ain't it great?

Love, Mom

(For the sake of full disclosure, I must confess that the above sentence describes the mother better than it describes the children.  They loved it.)

Spring Sing

Movie Night at MRCC

Silly Faces

Friends forever, whether they like it or not.  Period.  End of discussion.

Birthday Boy

Drumming to the theme song to Lots and Lots of Firetrucks with his firetruck right next to him. BTW, that theme song makes me want to throw myself in front of a firetruck.

This never ends well.

The Bed-Head Bandits

Who let the middle-aged mother of two out? Who, who, who, who, who?

Or is it woof? Who cares, it makes the song no less annoying and forever stuck in your head. One of many reasons I avoid sporting events. I digress...

This is Rhett Miller. He's hot. I can say that because my husband has a man-crush on him. He is the lead singer for my favorite band, The Old 97's.

Old 97's concert, two huge meals that both included chips and salsa, great movie (Crazy Heart, I highly recommend it), some cool mid-century modern antique stores, and great friends. Bliss.