Mr. Mom

I just returned from my Hard1ng trip and was relived to see that the children had survived their first extended stay with the Dad.

Hard1ng was a lot of fun. I don't know if I loved getting to speak at the lectureships or I loved getting to go on a road trip sans screaming babies. Hmmmm, that's a hard one. Let me put it this way: I will come and speak at your great-grandmother's nursing home if it means a road trip and a hotel room. I think you get the point - Hard1ng was fabulous.

I was happy to see the family although I was a tad bit surprised to see that my son looks like Rudolph (although for the sake of full disclosure I must admit this incident did happen on my watch):

So Productive

Don't mess with me woman, I'm working.

He just informed me he's filing for workman's comp for this unfortunate on-the-job injury.
I am leaving tomorrow for Hard1ng. I am so excited to speak at their lectureships! I don't have a clue as to what I am doing but thankfully I have the best mentor ever (that's right, I'm talking about you, Karla) who, if nothing else will go to my classes and act very interested in what I have to say, along with Tara, who is going for moral support and to run my power point (there's nothing like finding out you have been volunteered to do something by reading a blog post - hope that's ok, Tara). Road trip '08 - Hard1ng doesn't know what they're in for!

He's very secure with his masculinity

Why there are 227 flies in my house

In case your wondering that is an entire stick of sidewalk chalk in his mouth:I am starting to sympathize with the Egyptians. However, if keeping your back door open ALL DAY means your 1 year old is happy, then what's a few hundred flies?

You haven't lived until...

You have had to clean vomit out of this thing:Somehow Bode managed to vomit the most horrific vomit in the western hemisphere directly into the ball popper. And then, too add insult to injury, he pushed the button that should make the balls pop up but instead...well do I have to say it? Yes, that popped out and onto everything. And the little fan in the popper that pushes the balls just pushed that lovely smell all over my house.
Bode + Dairy = Disaster. Don't say you weren't warned.

13 months

Now that he's walking he thinks he's the man. He has also perfected the fall-face-down-on-the-floor-and-scream-fit. My favorite part: when he stops and looks up to see if I am watching and then starts up again, that's a nice touch.

I need a photography intervention

I can not get a decent picture of these two to save my life.
Is it just me or do Bode's legs look freakishly large?

The inevitable ending: Bode on the ground in a pile of dirt and tears 5 minutes before we are supposed to leave for church.Just pretend with me, if you will, that these are two perfect children who can't wait to go to church in their adorable coordinating red outfits. There, wasn't that fun?

There's nothing like a live performance by Mia. She pours her heart out on the stage. This one is sung to the tune of My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less Than Jesus Blood and Righteousness.
"My hope is built on Peter Pan, He really makes me feel so good."


She had to sit down for the slower, more emotional part of the song:

Cah-ray-z

These are the Lashley's crazy poses (per Mia's request). Let me tell ya, we are a wild bunch. Lock up your children, the Lashleys are on the loose!


I survived the fair up until the eight-legged woman booth, then I was out. Gena summed it up nicely on her blog. More pictures soon.

My life...

I do

Mia spots a white blanket and viola - she's a blushing bride.

Mia at the Aquarium vs. Bode at the Aquarium

How many hands does it take to keep Bode from lunging into a pool of angry snapping turtles?
Mia exploring stingrays:Bode exploring stroller escape techniques:And you can forget about a diaper change in a public restroom, he's not having any of that: This makes my case for never going out in public even stronger.

Girls Night Out

I took Raegan and Mia to Follies tonight. They really enjoyed parading up and down the aisles showing off their purses and going to the bathroom together. At intermission they decided to ditch their plans and head over to Braum's for thier sugar fix. Oh my goodness, it just dawned on me, they have officially become Gena and me.

Par-taaay

Nothing says back to school like a thrift store prom in a mud pit. Sadly, I think one of the girls had on my prom dress from 1995.
One of the perks of living across the street from OC is being able to take your three year old to a college party, because all three-year-olds should be exposed to college antics.

And the children, or should I say Bode's teachers, survived the first day of Sonshine School.

I realize these pictures are horrible, but that's as good as they get. I'm just keepin it real, people.