Adventures in Shopping...and getting Lost.

NaBloPoMo...Day 7

It was a very busy day....but I'm posting just under the wire. I have some video from our day and I'll probably just add the funny parts to Friday's vlog....cuz I ran out of time so I'm just going to share some pictures with you.

We got up early this morning and went to get donuts. YUM!

Then we went to The Gateway in Salt Lake City. Me, Bobbi and Mallory did some serious power shopping. The funniest thing was when we were in Baby Gap and and Mallory freaked out. She didn't like anything in the store and screamed at me that nothing in that store was her size.  Little Diva!

We saw this in the window at Forever 21....by the way, I need one of these stores to move into my neighborhood because I wanted to go on a serious diet after being in there.

so I made Bobbi re-enact it inside.

We had a great time at Z Gallery.  Bobbi found a book that might prove helpful in figuring out her dogs sexuality.

And I saw a living room/dining room/ bedroom set up that made me want to run away from home and get my own apartment.

And we found some art for my fantasy apartment's bathroom.

We left downtown...and I thought we were going home and then Calvin got a wild hair up his butt and decided we were going to lunch but he got us kind of lost.  Bobbi and I were tweeting each other behind Calvin's back.  It went something like this.

@Connieaw Hubby has gotten us lost.  Bobbi pointed out to him that our fancy SUV has navigation system.  We are still lost.  Send Help.

@Shoegal1975 I'm confused as to why he won't us the navigation system.

@Connieaw This happens every time we come to SLC.  Please help me remember to not let him drive anymore.  I'm glad I brought granola bars.

@Connieaw  Alex wants to know where we are going....I'd like to know that too.

@Shoegal1975  Next time I'm driving!!

@Connieaw We are not LOST...he knows exactly where we are...by the airpot.

@Shoegal1975  His excuses are bullshit.

@Connieaw  Men can't admit when they're wrong.

@Connieaw  M just said it all.  *Oh Damn It*

@Connieaw  I'm going to need a drink when we get to our mythical destination.

@Shoegal1975  Holy Shit!  He found the highway.

@Connieaw  Calvin says we're really close now....I offered to google the address but he doesn't know the name of the place.


We finally made it....a place called Le Luna.  Mexican food...that was just okay and not worth the hassle of driving through the countryside and scary part of town to get to it.  By the way...we ended up in West Jordan which I've never heard of before.

Bobbi...with the giant dirty mind....molested this bear outside of the restaurant.  Alex is all...Get Off My Bear so I can touch it all over and get swine flu!

 We still had some crap craft stores to visit and I had to get home and make a some advent calendar's for my Showcase on Etsy tomorrow!  I just finished a little bit ago.

Bobbi and I watched The Real Housewives of Orange County were shocked to discover that we are opposite teams!  I'm Team Tamra and she is Team Gretchen!  Can you believe it?  I even took the Which Housewife Are You Quiz and I'm Tamra!

Describes me to a T!   I have to tell you...Slade makes my skin crawl!  I can't stand him!  ECK!

Releasing The Butterflies! NOT!

Remember a while back, we got some butterfly larvae and we were going to watch them grow into beautiful butterflies? Well...we have and they are and now we want to release them into the wild. We decided to take them on a road trip to Salt Lake City to the Red Butte Gardens so that they could have a chance of surviving.

It was a great plan! I got up, got the kids up, dressed, breakfast, make snacks and sippy cups and we were off like a pair of panties. Darling husband had two things to do. Get up and get the butterflies. I'm guessing doing TWO things is TOO much.

We forgot the butterflies.

Regardless, we had a wonderful time walking around and seeing all there is too see! I had my first squirrel sighting! The squirrel population of Colorado was out to get me and I'm now deathly afraid of them. I screamed like a little girl when I saw it. They have a darling children's garden and the most delightfully smelling herb and fragrance garden. My favorite by far...was Edna's Waterfall Garden. It is the most peaceful place...I could have sat there all day.

Note to self: Next time bring....

A picnic lunch
A bottle of wine
My freakin camera
A babysitter

Next...we went looking for some lunch. I had heard about Cafe Trio from my foodie friends on Twitter and it looked darling. There were so many great items on the menu but I decided on the asparagus and mushroom cannelloni and it was amazing! So creamy and yummy....the song AT LAST came on just as I took my first bite and I was in heaven!



Cafe Trio
680 South 900 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801.533.8746

We saw the Tulie Bakery next door so we saved a little bit of room in our tummies and enjoyed the most mouthwatering desserts we have ever had. Hubby selected a banana cream tart, the kids each had a frosted cookie (this frosting was out of this world) and I just wanted a little bit of chocolate. Chocolate Bouchon (Bouchon is french for cork) is a small brownie like cake, the outside is crispy and the center is moist and fudgy. Hubby couldn't stop thinking about the slices of cake so he got one of those too and it was the best cake he has ever had. We will be ordering our birthday cake from here in September.



Tulie Bakery
863 East 700 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
801.883.9741

HERE is a video of our little excursion! You tube has muted it because I used a song that belongs to someone else. But if you can't view the other one....HERE is my video without sound.

I Love a Parade!

We have had the best weekend! Calvin had Friday off for Independence Day so we decided it would be the best time to take the kids to their very first movie! We saw UP and they loved it! Poor Mallory is too small to fit in a seat so she sat in my lap. They loved that they got to eat popcorn and JuJuBe's in the morning and we loved sharing our love of movies with them.

Then we went to Zeppe's for some frozen custard for lunch.

Friday night, we grilled steaks and sat on the patio with a glass of wine and listened to our neighbors behind us practicing for the parade. They had their band set up on the back of a big truck. I love live music and they played for hours....

Saturday, we were sooo excited to walk a couple blocks from our house to see the Cherry Days Parade. Folks in our town start setting out their chairs along the parade route days ahead of time. We had just arrived when we ran into our neighbor across the street. These are the only folks that have really been friendly to us and their daughter is our babysitter. He invited us to come sit in their roped off area and some of our other neighbors were there. Everyone was very nice to us and even offered us chairs to sit in. One of the boys, gave Alex and Mallory some of the poppers that you throw on the ground and they pop. They loved these things!

We were all waiting patiently for the fly over to signal the beginning of the parade!

Once the parade started...all of these kids walked into the streets with plastic bags. We soon discovered that every float throws candy and the kids scramble to retrieve it. Alex was so excited about this and he was great at grabbing a couple pieces before the vultures other kids took them.

Mallory wasn't interested in the candy or much of the parade. She was interested in eating all of the grapes that I brought as snacks.

For some unknown reason, Alex decided to eat his own fingers. I thought his eyes looked so pretty in this picture.
During the parade, a float from our doctor's office was going by. The kids' pediatrician was walking with his son, recognized us and came over to where I was sitting and gave me a water bottle with the clinic's logo on it. I was amazed that he had seen us in this crowd of people.

We let the kids stay up very late so that we could take them to see the fireworks. Around 9:15pm we headed over to Pop's Malt Shop to get some shakes before driving to find the perfect place to watch. We were the only customers there and they brought out some little fireworks and lit them in the parking lot for us. The kids even got to hold some sparklers. The grocery store was in our way for viewing so we drove a few blocks away and sat and watched the kids' first fireworks display. They loved it! Mallory kept saying Boom Shakea Shakea.


This was such an amazing day. For the first time since we moved here 32 months ago...it felt like we were accepted and welcome. The people we spent time with today were so generous and friendly. It felt like we were home....

Alex was up bright and early this morning. (WHY LORD WHY) and he wants to go see a parade and some fireworks. Oh sweetie....not until next year.

The Best Day....Today

Friday night I got an email that The Sweet Tooth Fairy in Provo was going to be celebrating Nie Nie's birthday with a special cupcake and that all of the proceeds of these yummy creations would be going to the family fund and the AZ Burn Center. I mentioned it to Clark and didn't think about it again.


Alex woke early this morning. We sat together eating breakfast and he told me stories and asked me questions. And then he told me I was pretty. insert my heart melting here. A short while later as I sat enjoying a cup of coffee...Alex came to me and said 'Provo Mama, Cupcakes'. He had been coached by Calvin and that was all I needed to hear. I quickly packed some snacks and juice and off we went for an adventure! If you know me...I don't do unplanned adventures very well.

We took a couple detours to a Dinosaur Museum, the gift shop at Thanksgiving Point and The Olive Garden and then we finally made it to our destination and enjoyed some yummy cupcakes! As I sat there in a sugar coma with my family...I said a pray for Nie Nie. I hope that soon she is back to doing all of the things that she loves to do and that she has many, many more birthdays.

It was completely worth the drive....and now we can say we've been to Provo.

Weekend Update...Special Purpose!

Monday...it's raining. Like a lot. We live in the desert. Alex suddenly decided that he would like to add to his train collection and he peed in the potty three times! Whoo Hoo! I am amazed at how much energy it takes to constantly ask someone if they have to pee and perform the costume changes. I also decided this was a great time to order the larvae for our butterfly habitat.

Tuesday...we had a lovely play date with Shannon, Haylie, Sara and Sophie. We met at a local park for lunch and we each brought some stuff. Shannon brought some fruit salad, Sara brought coffee from a brand new coffee shop in our hood and I brought brownies. These two are marathon runners/dietitian/nutritionists so I like to feed them as many calories as I can when they're with me. I also found out that one of these gals has been keeping a little secret from me and I'm so excited! baby

The kids and I arrived at the park early so they could play and there were a couple kids already playing. Mallory and Alex are very polite to other children so I didn't think it was going to be a problem....until we approached the play structure and this snot nosed (literally) kid had a couple hundred dollars worth of Thomas the Train crap spread all over it. The other kid was hanging out in the middle of the spiral slide like a troll. My kids couldn't play. Their mothers' stood a couple feet away chatting it up without a care in the world that their children were being rude. Later a teenager (babysitter?) showed up with 7 kids between the age of 1 and 10. Suddenly, there were more kids at this park than a Polygamist compound!

Somehow we managed to have our park time during the only sunny part of the day and we got to see some baby races.




Wednesday...I wrapped the kids in bubble wrap and made them stay in the house all day. It was raining anyway so it worked out. The reason for the extra bit of protection was that they had well baby/toddler checks scheduled for the afternoon and I hate going to see the doctor with a kid that has just injured himself or his sibling. I'm in constant worry that someone will alert Child Protective Services and find out that I'm filming and photographing my kids for more than two hours a day and that sometimes....I deny them something to drink but yet I drink like a fish in front of them.

Both kids are doing great! Mallory is tall and skinny and Alex is off the chart for both height and weight. We have a meeting with a sports recruiter next week...the Denver Broncos have expressed some interest in him.

Thursday....where the heck does Thursday always go? We must have played or something. Oh wait....I remember now. More freakin potty training and Alex found his special purpose.

Friday...Finally! The sun! And the mud. Oh Gosh the mud! The kids played outside until almost dark. Play, play...work, work. I'm seeing more and more of myself in that kid of mine. I think these is a reason that he looks so much like me. He likes to organize things and tidy up. I found him outside doing this:

I asked him what he was doing and he said he was picking up the junk! He designed this rubbish removal vehicle all by himself and filled it with every single item from the yard he could find. Later I found all of this junk lined up on the deck Garage Sale style. And that's where we differ...I don't do garage sales.

Alex expressed no interest in potty training and instead just wants to play with the new toy he found in his pants.

Look what came!

Saturday...against my better judgement, we are all going to swimming lessons. sigh Mallory and Daddy will swim and Alex and I will sit on the picnic table while I destroy his self esteem for not wanting to get into the water. In the event that he does not get in the water my husband will finally accept the fact that the boy is just not ready. EDITED: I have cancelled swimming lessons for the day because it is raining, windy and 53 degrees.

It's beauty parlor time for me again and then I was hoping to go on a date with Calvin to see Star Trek but my babysitter won't call me back.

Have a great weekend!

***Come back Monday TUESDAY for a BIG announcement!***

And Tuesday we return with Manic Martha! Find out what I'm going to do with this.

Weekend Update...Come Fly With Me

Sunday....We drove to Sandy Utah to the IKEA store and met up with my friend Denise and her family who were visiting Utah from Colorado. You may remember that I had a lovely breakfast with Denise last month in Denver. Well, she just couldn't get enough of me and she wanted to visit IKEA. I arranged for us to have the entire store to ourselves, and by arranged I mean that 80% of the state was at church! We had a great time walking around looking at cool IKEA stuff and our kids played together on one of those play stations that are scattered through out the store. Denise showed no signs of being done shopping after a couple of hours so we said our good byes and we went to lunch at Ruby Tuesday.

Monday...I spent most of the day looking for places to put my IKEA finds and perusing the catalog I picked up at their store.

Tuesday...My friend TOM showed up and he brought his friend Migraine and Cranky.

Wednesday...I decided to train for a 5K race that I will be running in honor of my 39th Birthday. I spent the day (between cleaning and folding laundry) daydreaming of running. I put up the tent that I bought at IKEA. The kids love it! Best $10 I've spent this year.

Thursday...I walked 1.5 miles in the wind and got a freakin blister. In the morning, we went to the HAFB Air Show Open House at the Ogden Airport with our friends Monica, William and Kate. Monica and I had a lovely time chasing following a certain airman around the hanger and checking out the airplanes.


Mallory kept telling me she wanted to drive the airplanes and Alex wanted to leave immediately after we got there. I had to lure him with Scooby Snacks. Mallory was also drawn to the NAVY plane and I had to nip that in bud and tell her that she is going to West Point. GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY! The kids' and I had lunch at Doolittles Deli, they enjoyed a yummy wood-fired cheese pizza and I was a good girl and had a Pear & Gorgonzola Salad with candied Pecans. It was the best salad I've EVER had! Right before we left, we met the Mayor of Ogden!

After dinner, I went to a running store (all by myself!) and got a new pair of running shoes.


Friday...We went to Target to get Alex new swim trunks (5T) because he is getting too big for his britches and I started looking into online work opportunities because I reckon this kid will be eating me out of house and home before too long. Mallory didn't trust my memory...she fished the empty Scooby Snack box out of the the recycle bin and brought it with us so I wouldn't forget to buy more.


Alex decided that he only wanted to ride his big wheel in the garage so I set up my white plastic chair...Kate Gosselin style.

someone needs a tan

Saturday...I pulled a muscle in my neck on Friday and today I can't move my head or my arm. And I have a massive headache from crying my eyes out watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button last night. Alex is not enjoying swim lessons and refuses to get in the pool. I'm getting a massage this afternoon! YAY!

Have a great weekend!

Weekend Update...Buzz Off Bee!

Sunday & Monday....We pretty much just hung around the house all weekend. Calvin smoked some wonderful chicken breast and thighs and I did my juice fast (lost 3 pounds).

Tuesday....my Aunt Faith arrived and we had a nice chat.

Wednesday....The kids' and I went to Lowes because we needed some more stuff to plant because Mommy bought too much potting soil. Alex and Mallory picked out their own flowers and potted them. They did a fabulous job! We also planted strawberry plants and they are already blooming. Many of our herb seeds are coming up and our radishes are growing strong.

We also went to the grocery store and Mallory disrupted a group field trip for a bunch of Mentally Challenged folks. She wanted to push the child sized cart first and it was not her turn so she threw the mother of all tantrum at the front doors right as these people were entering the store. There was mass chaos as they all freaked out over the ear piercing screams of my child and were herded back out the door.

Thursday....Lazy day of laundry and cleaning. When Calvin got home we ran to Subway, got a couple sandwiches and took them to the park. Mallory is suddenly afraid of heights and Alex was a super monkey...it's like some kind of Freaky Thursday phenomenon.

Friday...the kids tried to play outside but it was too hot for Mallory. Alex rode this ride-on thing that has no steering; back and forth across the cement until he ran out of shade. I figured out that having the Recession Garden so close to the backdoor has some drawbacks....because all of these flying bugs keep coming into the house and I freak out and chase them out with a broom. A GIANT BEE came in and I was panic stricken! It's buzz was soooo loud!

When Calvin got home we went on a little shopping trip to Target. Calvin needed swim trunks and the kids needed swim diapers and plastic pants for swimming lessons. Poor hubby. He has never purchased, much less tried on clothing in a box store and it was quite a shock for him. He's used to the attentiveness of the Men's Warehouse employees and didn't appreciate trying on his outfits in a topless box in the middle of the store with 15 other people. I think he felt just a little bit dirty when we left.

Finding swim diapers for our giant boy was....a challenge. Apparently they only make them to 37lbs size and my 3 year old is 44 pounds. The Swimming Pool requires swim diapers AND plastic pants. We also couldn't find the correct sized pants. We bought the largest sizes of both...hoping for the best.

Saturday...We had our first swimming lesson this morning. I was really nervous about having to wear a swimming suit....but Alex saved me from anyone staring paying attention to me. You see, my three year old that looks like he should be in the PRESCHOOL swimming class because he is a giant....screamed and cried for most of the class. Lucky for me, Calvin was his handler for the class and he got to deal with it. Mallory and I moved as far from them as we could and acted like we didn't know them. I feel really bad for all of those parents of INFANTS in our class that were video taping their child's first swim experience because they now have audio of my kid screaming his freakin head off. As for the lesson, 10 minutes into class they instructed me to blow in my daughter's mouth and dunk her under the water. Wanna know how that went over?

Does this answer your question?

And after I did it the third time...she looked at me and in her best Linda Blair impression said, 'GET ME OUT OF HERE!' As luck would have it...it was almost time to leave because if I had sung 'the wheels on the bus' one more time; her head would have spun around.

My thighs and shins are killing me from 40 minutes water aerobics....I can hardly walk! I'm going to have thighs of steel by July!

Weekend Update...Scooby Snack Mutiny

Sunday...planted our Recession Garden. For details on what we planted click HERE. The kids are so excited to see what is in the dirt and I have given steen warnings not to touch or pull out any of the plants. They are super scared of the dirt nazi (that would be me).

Monday...laundry, laundry, laundy! And Mallory decided to sop up a puddle with her clothes. This girl loves a good puddle! The kids were so excited to water the Recession Garden and did a great job of sharing the watering can.

Tuesday...spent the day anxious about the Unplugging I was about to do. Soaked in as much internet, twitter and facebook as I could. Kids wouldn't take a nap and I thought about running away from home. We ate Subway at the park for dinner.

Wednesday....Unplugged! Looking back on our day...it was very nice to not have the distraction of the computer and the TV. We read more books and I felt calmer. We had a great time at the Ogden Nature Center and we are looking forward to many more visits there.


Note to self: Always watch where you are walking at the NATURE park. You might find more nature than you bargained for and STEP in it.

Thursday...Alex decided it was 80's day and was channelling Jen Lancaster! Doesn't he look adorable? He even brought out the teen angst just for me. I found out that my friend Loralee had her baby on Tuesday night! Yay Aaron is here!

Friday...another beautiful day in northern Utah! The kids are bored with watering the garden. I see no puppies in our future. Mutiny ensues when it is revealed that we are out of Scooby Snacks*. We drove to Layton to meet Calvin and had dinner at Red Robin. Then Mommy escaped for some retail therapy and grocery shopping and the kids and Daddy went to the park. Have you been to TJ Maxx lately? I got a super cute green straw handbag for summer, some sunglasses, a pair of underwear and a crystal goblet! It's almost as awesome as TARGET!

Saturday...In an effort to jump start my weight loss (which has been very slow) I am doing a juice fast today and a colon cleanse tomorrow. I had to laugh when I went to the healthy food store and the cashier's comment about my supplies was *brace yourself*! Now I'm scared shitless to death. I'm mostly worried about the sugar and caffeine withdrawals that I'm about to experience. Wish me luck!

Potty Training Update: In the words of Alex....Never, never, never!

Job Update: We have heard nothing from the Denver company. I'm bummed....but also frustrated because the cost of living (housing) is so much more in Denver than Utah and we would have to downsize considerably. I don't want to move to Denver and not be able to afford the lifestyle that I want to live there. Does that make sense?

Here is the backyard tree that I told you about a few weeks ago!



*Scooby Snacks...little gummy fruit snacks that the kids are addicted to.

Weekend Update...Manic Housewife

Saturday & Sunday...What a great weekend! The kids got to spend lots of time with Nana, Poopa, AnJew and Bobert! The kids did great in the car (thanks to the in car entertainment system) and we came home all excited to try to find a job in Denver.

Monday...Calvin sent off a resume! I started packing and looking for a house. Already, you say? Yes. Already. This is how I roll! I'm motivated and excited. Thank god we don't have more boxes or half the house would be packed by now. Decide liquor cabinet needs decluttering and have a couple drinks in the middle of the day. Basil is coming up nicely.


Tuesday...A more detailed resume is requested from Calvin. I called the Moving company, cancelled my newspaper subscription and the plans for my recession garden. Got an awesome package in the mail from Denise at EatPlayLove. Mallory learned her ABC's and wants to me to Sing ON* Her all day long.


Wednesday...Trash Day! Failed to win the Colorado Lottery so I throw away half of our belongings when I realize that the housing market in Denver is out of control overpriced and we will only be able to afford a 2 bedroom townhouse. I made Apple Peanut Butter Sandwiches that were a huge hit.


Thursday...I realize I packed my underwear. Decide to buy new undergarments at Target the next day instead of unpacking it. Don't want to send the wrong message to the universe. Start working on my Vision Board. Make an Executive decision not to shop for food so that we don't have to throw anything out when we move. Kids have been eating lots of eggs, cereal, Spam and expired juice boxes. I unearth a package of mystery meat from the freezer and the kids immediately start making me a grocery list. We order pizza and Alex answers the door without his pants on. I am now THAT Mom.

Mallory wrote down what Alex said we needed

Friday....I text Calvin every 30 minutes asking if he has heard anything about the job. He eventually turns off his phone. Me and the kids go on our first outing to Target alone. Alex walks with me nicely through the entire store until we get to the bakery and he sees the Donut case. Throws huge freaking tantrum on the floor until a super nice Mom with 5 kids enlightens me to the FREE COOKIE stand! God.Bless.Her! Stop at Mc Donald's for crack Iced Coffee and find out they are marketing to children now. Mallory cheers!


Saturday...Weeded stupid flower bed in front yard and vow not to plant another f**king thing there because I can't keep up with the weeds. Buy some storage containers at Wal-Mart so I can continue packing organizing. Meet my friend Monica at the nursery to buy a couple tomato plants for now defunct Recession Garden and decide to plant an Artichoke plant in the front flower bed because it will grow 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. F**k You Weeds! Stop at liquor store and buys lots of wine.....

Potty Training Update. The plan to reward the boy with pieces of Thomas the Train crap has failed miserable. He refuses to go potty and when I ask him if he wants {insert Train Name here} he tells me that he has enough train stuff. So....a new shirt is being made.

Will NOT Poop For Thomas

* Mallory says Sing ON Me instead of Sing WITH me! It's so stinkin cute!

Weekend Update...Milestones

Sunday...My gosh I had to rest!

Monday' s are always good for preparing for the week. It was a lovely day so I left the back door open and let some air in....and a giant bug that I STILL can't find. I put on my hat, in case it was to fly into my hair and then I couldn't see up to where it might be. I decided that ignorance is bliss. You know how we had lots of rain over the weekend? I somehow forgot about that and let the kids out to play....in the mud! My inner Kate Gosselin was all freaked out and we had to have bath time at 4:30pm and Mallory was mad at me because she thought she had to go to bed. Ever give a cat a bath? Ever give a 22 pound cat a bath? That's what it was like! When Calvin got home he had a heart to heart talk with Alex and they made a decision to take down the crib. Mommy cried.

Tuesday is when all the action seems to happen! We made a trip to Wal-Mart and Alex helped me remember what we were shopping for. He is sure becoming helpful! We decided to do a little craft project that required Glow In The Dark Paint. We have made a little tent with a sheet over the top half of Alex's big boy bed and we thought it would look cool with some stars painted on it. We also needed some more jammies for the little boy that is growing faster than weeds! He picked out a lovely Minnie Mouse NIGHTGOWN but I talked him into the Thomas PJ's. We came home, painted the sheet and then I decided to really get crazy and I got out the poster paints that we bought the kids for Christmas. They had a blast! And then Mallory, covered in paint...took off running up the stairs leaving a trail of green in her path!

Here is Mallory celebrating Jen Lancaster Day.


Wednesday I got the brilliant idea that I should try working out while the kids play in the basement. My home Gym IS in the kids' playroom afterall. It worked out great! I only had to jump off the elliptical a couple times to break up fights and I now have no excuse whatsoever to exercise. I should start shrinking any day now....

Thursday is a super busy day! We are getting ready for our trip to Denver, leaving early Friday morning. I asked the kids to pack a cloth shopping bag with toys they wanted to bring to Nana's house. Mallory was the first to return with her bag...it contained books and the coffee mug from her play kitchen. That's what I'm bringing too! Books and Coffee! Gosh I love this kid. Alex returned soon after with a building from his Thomas Train, Sam and some wooden blocks. I asked if this was all he was bringing and he said YEP. I said, 'what about some track?' Oh yeah he said and ran off. He returned with TWO pieces of track. Then I asked about trains. Oh yeah and off again. Then I said 'what about cars Alex, do you need any cars?' Oh yeah! He was channeling Steve Martin...it was hilarious!

Friday, we are on our way.....see you on Monday!

Weekend Update...Singing in the Rain!

Last Sunday marked the first day of Potty Training. Any hopes of training both kids at the same time have been dashed! Mallory wants nothing to do with it. The good news is that Alex is so greedy in love with Thomas stuff that he will do just about anything to get more trains. He had a gold star day...going potty 4 times and wearing real underwear for a couple of hours.

Monday...more potty training that came to an abrupt stop when a ball of poo rolled across my living room floor. Major Potty Training Fail! The kids played with their dyed pasta. Next week I will introduce GLUE! I also discovered my new favorite thing...Cold Brewed Iced Coffee.


Tuesday...we went to the Union Station Museum and purchased a Season Pass. This pass will allow us access to the train museum, Ogden Nature Center and the Dinosaur Park for a full year. Also 10% off all items at the gift shop which had some adorable goodies in it. This special pass is a well kept secret that I am letting out of the bag! This offer is only good at the Union Station. We walked around a bit looking at the trains and the kids enjoyed their first Junior Mint in front of the fountain. Now we will have plenty to keep us busy this summer!


Wednesday... Potty training has been suspended until further notice. We were supposed to go to the Ogden Nature Center but I woke up with a migraine and it was a little chilly so we cancelled. That night, I went to dinner with my friend Loralee who is about to have a baby boy named Aaron! We spent four hours eating, talking and laughing! It was just what I needed....

I have very little recollection of Thursday. Why do Thursday's do this to me? I do know that I made a very good choice and turned down pizza and asked Calvin to bring me a sandwich from Subway! YAY me!

Friday...rain! All morning. The afternoon brought sunshine! We went out for iced cream and then the kids played in the backyard until bedtime...they slept like logs!

Saturday...MORE RAIN! I participated in the March of Dimes Walk with Monica and Kaycee and we were marching for Maddie Spohr. We were soaked! But we had a great time talking and walking and listening to The Band. I raced home in time to change out of my super wet clothes, pick up Alex and we went to our friend Haylie's 1st Birthday Party. He inhaled a pink cupcake and played with his girl friends. Then I raced home and dropped Alex off and went to get my hair cut. I'm thrilled with how it turned out.

Have a great week!