It's a Party at the DMV

With my birthday on the horizon, it was time for me to update my driver's license. For five and a half years, I have successfully dodged the DMV, but it was not going to work this time. My first attempt ended in utter failure. The information line alone was 20 people deep and the waiting area resembled a busy night in the ER. FUN!

On my second attempt, I took my dad's advice and showed up 20 minutes before opening. I was the eighth person in a line that was formed outside the DMV. I had Gavin with me, so it was going to be tricky. I was armed with the Ipad, snacks, and hot dog bag (if you don't know what that is, check out my blog, "Good Help is Hard to Find"). I was in and out in 50 minutes, not too shabby.

The DMV has the power to bring together random people who would normally not associate with each other. While I was there, I saw some great stuf:
1. An Elvis impersonator
2. A kid announcing, "I FARTED!"
3. I watched that same kid get spanked and his dad offering to kick his *&%!
4. An older couple wearing matching windbreakers and duck hunting hats.
5. A 16 year old with piercings all over having a lively conversation with an older woman who looked like the See's Candy lady.

And all this happened while smooth jazz softly playing in the background.

Happy Valentine's Day

I wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with conversation hearts, red construction paper, and paper doilies. Below are some wonderful kiddo items to get you into the spirit:

Layered tee- janie and jack
Heart cardigan- janie and jack
Plaid slipon- old navy

Glasses- crewcuts

Cupcake- miette

Rubber duckies- kaboodle

What Happens in Vegas Should Really Stay in Vegas

Two weeks ago, we took a road trip to Las Vegas. Our goal was to buy decor for this year's upcoming Singing Christmas tree. The trip was also designed to provide inspiration for this year's production. Unfortunately, this trip instead provided me a bad case of the STOMACH FLU.

On Monday night, my stomach started to churn. I was starting to double over as we were deciding on where certain elements were going in the design. When the clock struck midnight, that's when the real fun began. Throughout the entire night, I was running back and forth to the bathroom. Nausea and the runs are no laughing matter. I will say, I found the heated toilet seat to be most comforting when I laid my head on it. (overshare?)

I guess if I had to get sick, I would rather do it in a hotel room instead of at home with a 2 year old tugging on me. Within 24 hours, I was back to my old self and able to add another funny story to my growing list of odd occurences while in Las Vegas. Below are some pictures of happier moments I had pre-flu. 

Viva Las Vegas!

  

Sharing is Caring

This morning, I fed Gavin, my 2 year old, oatmeal for breakfast. Some oatmeal got on the table so I picked it up and was about to eat it. The oatmeal looked a little different so I took a closer look. After careful inspection, I realized that it was one of Gavin's boogers. Thank God I didn't eat that.

That moment reminded me of a time that I was having breakfast with Bryce who was 3 or 4 at the time. We were sharing a glass of orange juice. I was drinking out of a straw and then something chunky shot up straw and into my mouth. I spit it out immediately. It turns out that Bryce was chewing up sausage and spitting it into our community cup. Nothing like a little sweet and savory drink to get the appetite going. Needless to say, we didn't share drinks for a while.

Happy Monday!

Good Help Is So Hard To Find

Being a mom is hard work. We couldn't do a good job without some help. Below is a list of the top ten Mommy aids that I am thankful for:

1. Microwave- I love that we can put food in a magic box that heats it up for us. Let's face it, it's probably healthier to use a stove but who wants to clean a pot?
2. Goody bags- I like to keep a bag of toys to occupy my youngest son when we go out. We call it, "Hot Dog Bag". Packed with books, cars, and stickers, this has aided in avoiding many possibly explosive moments at restaurants.
3. The Boppy- That C-shaped breastfeeding pillow was so wonderful during the many hours I breastfed the boys. Sure, I could have probably used a regular pillow, but it's so much more fun to say, "Boppy".
4. Baths- I think my boys are part fish because they love the water. Sometimes when they get so riled up and I don't know what to do, I have them take a bath. They calm down and I have a chance to relax and all is good again.
5. Iphone- Technology is my friend. For long road trips, the boys are occupied with that talking cat app or a movie on the Ipod. Thank you Apple, you guys do the Lord's work.
6. Disposable diapers- Can you believe people used cloth diapers and then had to clean them in the toilet? Gross! Not to mention all of the time parents spent folding them some certain way. I am so thankful that I don't have to do that.
7. Electric double breast pumps- When I went back to work, my breast pump was one of my most prized possessions. They cost a fortune but are worth their weight in gold.
8. Crocs for babies- You know, those colorful gardening shoes that somehow all of the world thought were fashionable? They are fantastic for summertime. Crocs are easy to take on and off, which is perfect because I hate fiddling with kids' shoes. Unlike flip flops, your kids won't complain about the uncomfortable plastic strap between their toes.
9. Lysol cleansing wipes- I have cleaned many spills and messes with those. I cant imagine life without them.
10. Nap time- As if I really need to explain how great those are.

If you can think of another wonderful tool in the Mommy tool belt, chime in.

Maybe Wigs Wouldn't Be Such A Bad Idea...

Is it just me or does it seem like hair refuses to grow out when you want it to? However, when I used to color my hair, I would develop roots so quickly and wish that the hair would just stay put.

At the end of last year, I decided I was going to grow out my hair. To what length, I don't know. I think I'm going through some sort of early 30's crisis. I have enjoyed the short look. However, I'm hoping that long, cascading hair will make me feel somewhat youthful.

I got my last haircut on New Year's Eve and now I have to just let it grow out until it drives me crazy. I am tired of my hair getting stuck in my collar. I just want to wake up and see it 2 inches below my shoulder.

Oh, and bangs! Do I keep them? Should I lose them? I know to a man, this is trivial, but to a woman, these are some of the great questions of life. I want a change and I want it fast!

I'm convinced that no woman is ever satisfied with their hair. Even if it looked great, a woman could probably find something about 5 things that they would want to change. If you have straight hair, you want it wavy or curly. If you have dark hair, you want it to be lighter and shinier. Why are we like this?