Day 60

I was a bad mama and checked Freyja out of school early today for a field trip to the NW Florida animal sanctuary. We saw tons of pelicans, we got there right at their feeding time. They had a blue heron that was very photogenic and let me take a bunch of pix of him. Jax wasn't too fond of the goose that constantly honked at us, especially when we let him out of his stroller to walk around. Jax walked up the fence and it started honking and Jax all but climbed my leg to get away from him. Freyja loved the outing and took a few pictures of her own. She didn't mind skipping school in the least!

Day 59

Papa left this morning shortly after Bugg went to school. Jax has been inconsolable all day, he wants his Papa back! It's been a day filled with whining and mama making lots of concessions to keep a somewhat quiet/happy house. And if that wasnt enough, Jax rolled off my bed while playing and landed face first on the floor...oh the wailing I have heard today! Here's hoping Leap day is LEAPS above today!!

Day 58

Papa and I took Jax to the park this morning so we could take pictures, Jax loved running around the park and being chauffeured around in his stroller, we picked up Freyja from school and took her to see "Secret World of Arrietty" at the theater, daddy went to class afterwards and the Freyja, Papa and I played "Sneaky Snacky Squirrel" til daddy came home. Freyja won twice and papa and I won once each. Jax sat in his high chair and snacked and cheered us on. Papa leaves in the morning...it's been a short but sweet visit. Both kids have loved having him here and both have gotten to spend quality time with him. I dread sending Freyja to school in the morning only because I know she'll be heartbroken that he's gone when she comes home. Please keep papa in your thoughts for the next few days as he finishes his long trek back to Utah! Off to knock out some kids now!

Day 57

Had a fun day with dad/Papa. He and I played cameras for bit, went to a cooking demonstration at mom and dad vhs (cookware cost between $1800-2500), let the kids play with DJs kids for a while then headed home for chocolate malts and tv shows. Dad will be here tomorrow as well, then leaves Tuesday morning. The kids are loving having their Papa here!

Day 56

Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!! I feel better now....NOT! It's been one of those days! I got new cabinet for the kitchen today so David and I cleaned the kitchen and put in the new cabinet, we cleaned all the azalea branches I cut down in the back yard, I cut back the mosquito bush again and wiped out the oleander, baked a whiskey cake, cooked a heap of cashew chicken and then dad FINALLY arrived at 8pm! So I'm just now putting Freyja to bed, Jax is already out...my turn!

Day 55

It's been a funky weather day! Started in jeans and tshirt, the tank and shorts then need warm pjs for tonight! We nearly blew away at lunch today, the clouds were hideous and full of wind. Dad was supposed to arrive today for a quick visit but Murphy's Law once again foiled his plans...he'll be in sometime in the morning, probably between 6-9am. He'll be here thru the weekend then he has to finish driving my step brothers UHaul to Utah. It's a short visit but as we've all learned, we take what we can get! Jax helped me clean house this morning, he saw me with the vacuum and kept trying to steal it so I got out his little play Dirt Devil and he chased me around the house "helping" vacuum. Then when sister came home from school we played with Mardi Gras beads in my room (we have a sea of beads...) then moved on to a Jurassic adventure in Jaxs room. We ordered pizza for dinner and watched Lady and the Tramp. It was Davids and Freyjas first time seeing it!! Jax slept thru the entire movie which inevitably means it's gonna be a looooong night for me! Yay for weekends!!!!

Day 54

What child doesn't love puzzles!!  Bugg has mastered the skill of putting together 100 piece puzzles now! She's been able to throw together 24-50 piece ones in nothing flat but yesterday we bought two 100 piece puzzles at the dollar store and sure enough she whipped out this one all by herself in just a little over two hours. Pretty impressive for a 4yr old on a solo puzzle mission!

Lil man is still awake...I have a headache and all I want to do is duct tape him to his toddler bed and go to sleep! He's been a pill alllllll day....Here's hoping to a quick and painless end to the night SOON!!

Day 53

Somedays you just gotta give in and let them do something "forbidden"! Today the kids got the rare pleasure of eating dinner at the coffee table in the living room while watching a movie as a family. Jax and I went for a walk today with DJ and Xander, i took more pix with my big camera. After school the kids rode their bikes around the culdesac for a bit, we watched Despicable Me as a family, and then Freyja and I put together her first 100piece puzzle. It took us almost a full hour but it was good quality time!

Day 52

UUUUHHHHH!!!!*sigh*....that would be Jax on the phone with Gran today. There was a lot of loud uh's, looks, and screeches on his end of the call! But he's finally learning NOT to touch the off button and not hang up on Gran. Won't be long before I never get to speak to my mother again because my kids won't let me! Other excitement today included me taking a pair of trimmers to the azalea bush up against the fence and destroying it. It was to tall and too unkempt to keep so I took it all the way down to the ground but still need to drag everything out to the curb. Also I took an herb class today...how to use your cooking herbs for healthful benefits. Quite fascinating!! Now time to knock out the kids :-)

Day 51

It's been a day of chores. I caught up on laundry for the first time in a few weeks and cleaned Freyjas room top to bottom. Kids actually played nice without biting or any other tears tonight. Hopefully it will be an easy night and everyone will go to sleep soon, this mama is tired!!!

Day 50

Happy anniversary to us, happy anniversary to us , HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO UUUUSSSSS, happy anniversary to us!!
Did I mention it's our SIX year anniversary?? Thanks to mom and aunt Nita we got to go out childless to lunch at McGuires and then coffee at Barnes and Noble. David found this pendant for me at McGuires and bought it as my prize! We had a wonderful day!!

Day 49

It was a nasty day for a parade but Freyja and I couldn't let weather stand in the way of us going to our annual Mardi Gras parade. We came home with a reusable grocery bag overflowing with beads, moon pies, stuffed animals and other odd assorted parade treasure. We were wet, wind blown and cold by the time we left but we had a wonderful time!! The boys stayed home because of Jaxons ear infection and snotty nose. No sense having him anymore sick than he already is. DJ, John and kids met us down there so we had a nice size little group. Now it's time to batten down the hatches and try to sleep through our nasty weather tonight!

Day 48

Lil man had his 18m check up today, no shots but he does have another ear infection. Otherwise he's healthy and right on target. Gran and Nonnie came over and played for a while today. Wendy and I went out on a girls night and got our new tattoos. I've had a picture of mine for over a year now and finally got to get tonight. It's a Spanish Quetzal. I gave the artist freedom to color it as she wanted as long as it was with my colors of choice. I couldn't be more pleased with this if I tried! I LOVE IT!!!! David and Freyja love it too but it's a bit bigger than David thought it would be. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!

Day 47

Here's my Bugg all dressed up in her pjs with her 100days project and ready for school! It was a wet and nasty morning but we managed to get her and her project into the school building 99.9% dry! This afternoon we went to Milton to see mom and Aunt Nita and go to the Milton Mardi Gras parade. It was small but well worth the trip over. Jax really enjoyed clapping and waving at everyone, Freyja of course enjoyed catching all the beads and treats. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for the big parade on Saturday! Tomorrow is Jaxs 18m appt, I can't wait to find out how much progress my lil man making and maybe get something for that horrid cough still plaguing him!!

Day 46

Oh my!! He ate and LIKED his first vegetable!! Given it was mixed with sour cream (that he eats by the spoonful), cream cheese and ranch (that he loves on anything)...BUT the point is the kid ate spinach!!! Saw Gran today, played for bit then tried to kill her with a light globe...is it Friday yet???

Day 45

He stole my heart, then he stole my easy mac! She dazzles me with her beauty every time I look at her! I'm blessed to have two wonderful and loving children. Freyja loved her valentines day party and received lots of cards and candy. She saw the neighbor boy out and made him a valentine and took it out to him and they played for about an hour. Jax didn't nap again today but I guarantee you if he stops for a moment he'll keel over in no time!

Day 44

Daddy started back to class tonight so I'm back to the "pile in one chair, eat snacks and watch cartoons" mode with the kids on Mondays and Thursdays. Eight years ago today we brought home our fur-baby! Hard to believe we have an 8yr old now!! Freyja and I finished filling out valentines day cards and put all of her party stuff in one bag for tomorrow. I got to see their shoeboxes they decorated and they're precious! I can't wait to see all of Freyjas cards tomorrow! Off to bed now...lil man has been out since 630 so it could end up an early morning!!

Day 43

FIRE! Been a cold day! Made steak fajitas, homemade refried beans and Spanish rice for dinner. Helped Freyja with her valentines day cards til she lost attention, will finish those tomorrow I guess. She has a valentines day party on Wednesday, her 100days project is due Thursday, Jax has his 18m appt Friday and the Mardi Gras parade Saturday and anniversary on Sunday...gonna be a busy week!!

Day 42

Bugg and I have a girls morning today. We went out to the beach to a small parade called "Kids and Kritters", one of the local ROTC groups was in it as well as various people and their pets. The little girl in this picture was Freyjas and my favorite, she embodies the happiness of Mardi Gras!! It was rather frigid so we didn't stick around and play but we did take our time going home and stopped on the fishing bridge so I could play with my camera a bit. I can't wait til my photography class(es) on the 25th!!

Day 41

Seems Punky Brewster is making a comeback! Here's my child ready for school this morning is her pretty purple dress and rainbow toe socks! And don't forget the sporty shorty light up shoes! Her teacher complimented her on her colorfulness this morning and Freyja took off her shoes to show that they are TOE socks.
Theoretically we are headed to a parade in the morning...will see what the temp is in the AM before dragging my coughing cruddy people out to the beach in frigid weather!

Day 40

Jax plus daily house cleaning equals adventure city! Lil man must not be up to par because this is one of the only times I really got a grin out of him today. Freyja was less cranky but I feel like I live in a vineyard with all of whine I deal with daily. David is still gross...I'm ready to turn in my resignation and run screaming from this house!! Thank goodness I have a good book to read tonight!

Day 39

Took the mini hurricanes to the park today, Freyja got to climb the caterpillar they have and Jax got to watch all the airplanes take off (we were right next to the airport). We received Freyjas information about graduation today! If you are free, please join us May 11 and help us celebrate Freyjas big day! Today is day four of Jax being limited to only nursing at night and so far everyone has survived. It's been rough at times but it's forcing him to eat more so it's slowly balancing the good/evil of it all. Maybe I won't have a teenager still nursing after all!

Day 38

Welcome to my new addiction! Poor turtles didn't know what hit'em...DJ, John, Xander, Jax and I hit the nature trail at UWF today and I took my new toy with me. As seen in today's picture, here I am fawning over the turtles that I took well over 100 pictures of! Hmm..do I love turtles or taking pix more...I need more turtle models!!

Day 37

Baby boy went on his first play date today! He fell madly in live with their giant slide, it was too big for him to climb alone so I had to escort him up innumerable times and squealed each time as we plummeted to the floor again. I have a feeling I have another little thrill seeker on my hands!! Maybe for his second birthday we can his party there and let him slide til his little hearts content!

Day 36

Sick hubby, puny kids, healthy mama...We've laid low today, watched movies, played games and that's it! Tomorrow Jax and I are going to HIS first play date!!

Day 35

Oh she makes me scream but man she is my beauty!! Today was one of those rare days that she wanted to pose for me and lo and behold she gave me some gorgeous shots! We spent the day with Gran today running errands, had lunch at CiCi's, came home and played in the yard for a bit with the camera, left the gate down in the house and let Jax play in the den with sister for the evening, tried to burn down the house...not really but almost smoked us out. Other than that its been a great day!

Day 34

My monkey man! I made the mistake of being on my hands and knees cleaning the floor and he saw it as an opportunity to ride mama.

My Bugg made her 100days project today. I found what we needed at the scrapbook store and then Freyja decorated the letters with ten stickers each (10 letters/10 stickers each) and ten glued them with her 4yr picture to the poster. She is very pleased with her project!

We're off to Milton in the morning!

Day 33

Happy hedgehog day!!! True, we have 6wks of winter left but it's not like we've ha any winter so far this year! Freyja made a cute little groundhog today in school. They colored a picture of one glued it to a Popcicle stick and poked it in a Dixie cup so that it looks like its peeking out of its hole. Tomorrow I'm going to our local scrapbook store to figure out Freyjas 100days project, hopefully I will find inspiration there!

Day 32

Happy February! Freyja wanted watermelon at the grocery today and Jax agreed it was wonderful! It's been a rainy and nasty day but we have finally dried off and are snugged into bed! Jax is snotty and coughing a bunch, Freyja is just coughing...does it EVER end?!? Got called in to the bookstore for a short shift tomorrow. Will at least give David and I some anniversary money to play with...a movie anyway if we can find a sitter for the youngens! Don't forget it's HEDGEHOG Day tomorrow!