Look Who's All Grown Up!

Yep, you guessed it.  My little baby robin has officially gone from a hatchling to a fledgling.  He has left his nest, to fair for himself under the protective eye of Mom and Pops in the grass below.  I am so proud... (wiping tear from eye..)  It's a tough world out there little guy, so watch your tail feathers!

BEWARE!!! There's an epidemic!

First it hit Maria...  Then my niece caught it...  And now Lillian has succumbed!  Yep, Lillian got her ears pierced last night.  She has been insistent this past week that she wanted to have it done.  Mike and I told her she had to think about it for a few days and make sure it was what she really wanted.  But true to Lillian, once she decides on something then there is no changing her mind!  So we ventured off last night and the deed was done, with no tears (not that I expected any, Lillian is my little toughy..), and we have one very happy little girl!  Now on to the pictures!

Waiting..  She was SOOO excited!

Getting prepped, look at how her hands are clenching the chair.  The only indication that she was nervous!

OUCH!!  She teared up a little bit but fought it back!

Is it there??

Owwie!

Are they really pretty??

I did it!!  The look on her face says it all.  Way to go Lillian, they are so beautiful!

Run, Run, Run!!!

A few weeks back my 19 year old neighbor came wandering over and asked me if I would like to run a half-marathon with her in September.  My initial reaction was to laugh.  Like???  No way in heck would I LIKE to run it!  But would I run it to prove something to myself and keep myself in shape, yes, that I would do.  (After all, I did a 10-miler last year, how hard could a few extra miles be??  Right?  Yeah..)  So after finagling my Brother-in-Law into running it as well (figuring the threat of life-long ridicule if I bailed would keep me motivated..), the training has begun.  Well, I should say the training leading up to the training has begun..  I really haven't been putting forth much extra effort thus far.  Something that is gonna have to change soon seeing how I am 2 months away from the big day now! 

So it is now time to get serious.  I needed a new pair of sneaks since the ones I had were a year old and have a lot of mileage on them (HA!  Never though I would say that!!)  I found this pretty pair at half-off..  ($60, down from $125!)  They feel great on, however after doing a little research I have discovered they are geared more for the under-pronator, while I am a mild over-pronator.  Mike doesn't think it will make a difference, saying all good shoes are about the same, but I am yet to be convinced.  I plan on taking them on a short 3 mile test run tomorrow morning (hopefully dodging the rain showers forecasted..)  We will see after that!  Wish me luck!

You Know I Love my Birds!! Quick Robin Update..

Look who's looking all bright-eyed this morning!

Momma (or Poppa, who can tell??) on guard duty.. 

After sighting me..  She started to holler..  A lot..  Note the monstrous nest inside..

Who knew that when Robins get riled they get mohawks?  I certainly didn't.  That was one ticked off bird.

Disappearing Robins..

We have had a pair of American Robins come across some hard times this summer.  Try as they might, they have been having trouble becoming parents.  I first discovered the duo as they were building a nest in one of our shrubs.  They managed this successfully and had laid several eggs to only be predated a few days later, all 4 of their pretty blue orbs smashed to smithereens below.  I then watched as they tried for several days, unsuccessfully, to build a nest in the kids playhouse eaves.  Apparently this was taking too much time for Momma because before I knew it, she was once again sitting in the original nest in the shrubs, laying eggs.  Now this nest had lost a lot of it's stuffing and was dangerously askew, sitting at a precarious angle among the branches.  And just as I feared, after a vicious storm, the nest was knocked loose and it and all of its precious cargo was once again smashed onto the rocks below.  By now it was time to get serious, I mean summer is half over and still no babies!  So the pair once again tackled the playhouse eaves with a fury, and between the two of them they managed to get quite a substantial nest built tucked up in the corner, with 3 beautiful baby blue eggs gracing it.  The next couple of weeks I watched with bated breath for signs of life to come from the playhouse, until one morning I saw the telltale signs of busy parents feeding their babies.  YAY!  I run out to peek in and see..  2 healthy baby birds.  Wait a minute, what happened to the third?  I can only assume that it was a dud egg from 3 times trying and was discarded when it did not hatch.  So for several days I watch, seeing 2 heads poke up, mouths open wide as Momma comes to feed them.  That is until the past few days.. You see, it has been unbearably hot, with temperatures soaring into the 100's.  I decided yesterday to go check on the critters since it has been eerily quiet and snap a few photos and discovered this..

Only one baby remained, looking half dead, with no signs of the second.  I watched it's labored breathing and even tapped it's bill a little to try to perk it up, to no avail..  I am assuming the heat has gotten to them, killing one (to be discarded by Momma) and torturing the other.  I leave the playhouse with a heavy heart, with not much hope for the surviving hatchling, sure it would be gone by morning.

Today I see this..

It's still kicking!  I am amazed as I watched Momma and Poppa, diligently flying in and out, feeding the survivor, it's feeble head reaching up everytime they come in to accepted the offered meal.  What a fighter.  And as the forecast is calling for slightly cooler weather the next few days, there may still be a chance yet for this persistent pair to successfully raise an offspring.  I will keep you posted!

And I should mention that to get these pics I had to risk my life, as the Robins weren't the only winged inhabitants of the playhouse!  These handsome guys were 6 inches from my head..

Let me tell ya, when one started to take flight you never saw me move more quickly!  Mike will be tending to these fellas as soon as their neighbors move out..

Maria Got Her Ears Pierced!!!!

There is little that bothers me more than seeing a tiny baby with their ears pierced.  I would have to say it is one of my biggest pet peeves.  I feel that getting ears pierced is a major milestone, a right of passage, per say, for a young girl.  One that should be decided for themselves when they deem themselves ready.  The other morning, Maria came into my room and, out of the blue and as calm as could be, told me she wanted to go get her ears pierced.  What??!!  Really??  My little girl is growing up.  I didn't even know she was thinking about it!  Anyway, I always promised my girls that whenever they decided they were ready that I would take them, but it had to be their decision.  So the day had finally come.  Now those of you that know Maria REALLY well are probably all laughing right about now. Yeah, right, drama queen Maria who practically needs to be sedated for a flu shot is going to willingly sit still and allow two holes to be punched through her ears with a needle.  My thoughts exactly but, as I had promised, we ventured out to the jewlery store.  And I must say I am one very proud and surprised mama!  Maria did so well, she must have reeeaallly wanted her ears pierced because she sat there and didn't shed a tear.  Way to go Maria!  Your ears are so pretty.

Now on to the pics.  Here she is arriving at the store and waiting for the piercing lady.  She was so nervous and excited.

After having a few moments to sit and really think about it.  I thought she was going to bail at this point.  Doesn't she look miserable?

Watching the lady get the stuff ready.  She was breathing heavy at this point.

OUCH!  She didn't even realize it was happening until it was almost over!

Holy cow!  I just got my ear pierced!!!!

Then it was time for the second ear.  And the worst possible thing that could have happened for Maria happened, the piercing gun misfired and had to be backed out before the earring went in crooked.  So she had to have her second ear done twice!  Not a good thing for a girl who now knows what to expect.  She was brave though and stuck through it, without so much as a whimper.

Still in shock that it is done and she did it!

Time for a celebratory slushy!  She was so happy and pleased as could be that she got her ears pierced!  And I am too.  Isn't she so pretty?

Open for Business!

True to my usual pattern of blogging, I have deemed it time to resume my daily (well, OK, more like weekly..) rants after a little hiatus.  I have discovered as I look back on my blog archives that I have developed a pattern, I see myself going strong for a few months, then taking off a couple months..  This cycle seems to repeat over and over.  Sad, but true.  So it is now time to sit back and enjoy some more Gross ramblings.  At least for a couple more months until my self-imposed blog blockade is imposed!  Enjoy!

Here Piggy, Piggy?? Or is it Kitty, Kitty....

So this year I decided to make the kids' birthday cakes myself. In years past I have always ordered one from the grocery store, however they have just gotten too expensive and I couldn't justify spending $20 for one anymore when I could make one for $5. Now those of you that know me very well are probably laughing uncontrollably right now.. Me? Make a cake? Well, I am certainly more than capable of making cakes, it's pretty basic, after all.. However trying to make a character out of a cake is another story!! I am SO not the crafty type.. I just don't have the patience for it. That being said, I put forth my most valiant effort and.. VOILA!!!! My pig masterpiece was created!!!

Well, sort of.. When I excitely showed it to Lilllian the next morning, fully expecting her to ooh and ahh and go gaga over my labor of love, she said.. "OOOooohhhHHHHH!!! A pink KITTY cake!!!" Yeah.... Well, not the response I was really expecting.. She did ooh and ahh.. Just not over the pig. Can't you clearly see the pig nose?? And the curly tail coming out the back? OK, so the ears don't really look like pig ears, but in my defense I must throw my husband under the bus and blame him.. I initially had no ears on the thing and he thought it was lacking.. So it was HIM that added the tiny, pointy, pink, CAT-like ears. (Sorry honey, but I have a reputation to salvage here!) Regardless... the kids didn't seem to care whether it was pig or cat and demolished it like any good cake should be demolished.. It was delicious! Now I have 6 months to recover before my next attempt for Mikey's birthday... I think I can do it...

Happy Birthday Lillian!! You are 6 today!!

Six years ago today my lil' Lillian finally made her way into this world, our lives, and our hearts.. As this day comes to a close I am reminded of how, true to Lillian, she tried to do things her own way and on her own schedule.. Two pre-term labor scares and an extended stay on bedrest later, we were finally able to meet our baby girl. My little Lillian, what would our lives be without you in it? You are my sweet, sweet anomaly, full of life, love and wonder.. You are my nature lover, my smart, smart little girl who is so shy and sensitive yet so stubborn and sure-minded as well. I love you Lillian, am so proud of you, and can't wait to see what the world holds in store for you. You will take it by storm, I am sure, and accomplish whatever your heart desires.. Happy Birthday!!

Now onto the photos! Lillian had four friends come over to help her celebrate, a first for her! When the girls first arrived, she was so excited and nervous, not quite sure what she should do.. Check out the look on her face in the picture below, taken shortly after everyone arrived.

It didn't take her long to warm up! In a blink of an eye all of Lillian's excitement was just bubbling out, barely managing to stay contained! One of her little friends said to her "Lillian, why are you SO quiet in school??" Her friends were definitely getting to see the true Lillian at her best. And boy did they all have a great time! Here they are decorating their piggy banks. (Lillian wanted a pig-themed party..)

And then it was on to present opening time!! Which, by the way, Lillian later informed me was her most favorite part... Naturally..

And I know I have said this before, but I really love my kids love for books!! Just look at that face!

After "pigging out" on a pig cake (pics and info on that later!!) the girls went back upstairs to play some more. What a special day for an extra-special girl. We love you Lillian!! Happy Birthday!!!

Silly girls!!!!

BINGO!!!!

My best friend Michele and I decided to go and do something really wild and crazy.. Bingo! You scoff now but let me tell you, it is serious business! I just dare you to sit in a Fire Hall filled with 150 old women prattling incessently with each other.. And then use the one bathroom in the building at the end of the night.. Oh yeah, that is living life right on the edge.. Crazy verging on insane but I did it and I survived! Here we were right before we went in, all excited with the prospect of winning big on our minds!!

All kidding aside, we really did have a great time! We sat at a table with 6 other women, 4 of them being old friends from a retirement community. There is nothing funnier and more heartwarming than hearing the comfortable rapport and razzing of a bunch of old ladies. They were great. I just hope Michele and I can be just as cool at that age.

And our table was a lucky one! 4 of the 8 won some moola, unfortunately just not Michele or I.. But I won a door prize and raffle! Yep, that's right, I am now the proud owner of a very awesome picnic bag, complete with built in cooler, plates, cups, cutting board, utensils, wine bottle holder stocked with a bottle of wine and blanket. Very cool indeed, and I am sure that at some point we will get some use out of it.

Even Michele was able to take something home, a magnetic notepad. It's not the $100 haul that some women scored but at least it was something! And knowing this afternoon was all for a good cause (the local Humane Society, to be exact) made it all the more enjoyable and worthwhile. Thank you Michele, for going with me. I had an amazing time, even if we didn't win big.. So when's the next time we're going?? We need to WIN!!!

Mr. Ed, Spies, Randomness..

So I took Mikey to the dentist a few days ago for a check-up and to get his overbite looked at.. The kid has the biggest overbite I have ever seen.. We are talking Mr. Ed sized.. There is at least an inch overhang between his top and bottom teeth. Poor kid, when he sleeps or is just relaxing he looks like the picture above, teeth over his bottom lip.. It is just where they naturally want to fall when he is not thinking about it! I think it also inhibits his speech.. L's and R's are very difficult for him to pronounce. Anyway, clearly, to me, it is not getting better. But of course the dentist insists that he still has a couple of years growing to do and that his jaw may grow forward some and close up the gap.. I'm thinking if I haven't seen any improvement so far (quite the opposite, actually) then it ain't gonna happen!! But I will play it by their rules and wait until he is 6 before I insist on an Ortho consult. That gives us 2 more years to start saving the pennies for what I am sure is going to be a costly fix!!

And because it has been a while since you have seen Lillian's beautiful face, here she is! This was taken after I caught her watching her new favorite movie, Spy Kids. She was mimicking the kids movements with their spy glasses exactly with her own "Spy glasses".. When they pushed theirs down, she pushed hers down, when they took them off, she took hers off, when they put them back on, she did the same.. It was so cute! My little actress..

And, of course, what use is a picture of Lillian if her favorite critter isn't in it with her?? Absolutely none, according to her.. So here she is with Hoops, doesn't he look thrilled!

Happy Birthday Maria!!! You are 8 today!!!

While I sit here watching the 2010 Olympic figure skating competition, I am reminded of another similar night that happened exactly 8 years ago.. in a small town hospital delivery room in Ozark, Alabama. I was watching the 2002 Olympic figure skating competition, waiting for Maria to decide to finally come into this world. And what a night that was!! My first baby girl was born and my life was forever changed, for the better. You are my little ray of sunshine, my sweet, sweet little girl who has the most tender heart and gentle soul. I love you Maria, I am so very proud of the little young lady you are growing up to be!

Now on to the pictures! Maria had a few of her very best friends come over to help her celebrate and one even stayed over for Maria's very first sleepover. What a special day for a special girl! She got her very first Webkins from a couple of her friends.. Who knew that was what 8 year olds were into now.. I certainly didn't!

And she was almost as thrilled with the books Mike and I got her. I LOVE her love of reading!

Happy Birthday Maria!!! I hope you had a great day, and remember, we will always love you!!