Back to the drawing board…

We bundled up the kids to play while Marc shoveled the driveway. We didn’t last long, but it was fun. It is bringing back memories of early 2005.

New Lola pictures

New Sidney pictures

A few miscellaneous pictures

I’m not as thorough as I used to be, posting every cute picture we’ve got, creating a new album for every little event in our lives.  Just don’t have the time.  So you’re seeing the cream of the crop, the tip of the iceberg, whatever you want to call it.

Otherwise, pretty much the same old story for us – busy with kids, EcoReno, etc.  Nana has been visiting for a bit, but her time here is drawing to a close and it will be back to the usual day to day activities.

Until next time…

Parents: the kids are getting so big! Sid turned two in July and is a talking machine. It is a great age where you can actually start communicating better with your child as they start to use words and can better express their emotions. Sid likes to jump up and down really hard and throw himself onto the floor – when he gets upset for you doing such parental duties such as keeping him away from a hot stove, taking away the scissors, scolding him for taking a gulp of your wine.  You know, those parental duties. He finally got his first haircut too. Not too much and I am told by a certain someone that he still looks like a girl. The comments have cut down a  bit about ‘her.’ Lola is going to turn 5 soon. Sometimes I think she is trapped in the body of a twenty year old. She knows it all! I promise, because she tells me all the time.  She doesn’t start kindergarten until next year, but she can’t stop writing or spelling. We S-P-E-L-L everything!  She still loves to dress up  and wear everyone else’s shoes.  I think some of it is rubbing off on Sid.

Business Owners: We just moved EcoReno into a bigger, more visible location. It has been great! We are able to get a few more lines and some different things in. Overall, things are continuing to be good and keeping us very busy!

Home Owners: Nothing new around that actual Tiar house. Well, a new car. We sold the Eurovan and bought a minivan. It has been a little adjusting and despite my hesitation, I really like it. It will be very handy with company in town or any additional passenger as anythign else will lend no room with the two car seats.

Me:  Busy.  Really.  I like it though and all for a good reason.  Just hope that it all pays off.

Recently though, it was starting to get in his face and eyes. Becoming a bit of a nuisance. We can’t put it in a ponytail. It is one thing to let you son have long hair, it is another to let him look completely silly. I took Lola to a kid’s themed hair place to get a trim and convince Sid that this would be an okay thing. I had every intention of letting my friend, Kelly, do it. But when it came down to it, I knew he wouldn’t sit still for her in his very own home.

She cut into what she called a ‘surfer look’ which looks more ‘page-boy’ like. He was very good as he ate is sucker and she trimmed away. Of course, I said not to cut it too short!

EcoReno is moving!
Mice in the garage – head count = six so far.
Hot summer weather!
Selling the van
Watching The Wire, two seasons down.

That is all.  We’re well, dog and cat are good, life is fine.

She exclaimed about 10 days ago that she wanted to go and see Santa and tell him what she wanted. She kept saying, “I won’t cry.”  I said that we could go on Sunday and she asked when she was going everyday after. So Sunday came and we made our usual game plan of errand running and other miscellaneous tasks that we tackle on this one day we have off together. We headed out and ended up eating lunch at Port of Subs in Shopper’s Square. As we were sitting there, I realized that they probably had a Santa and we could avoid the whole annoyance and turmoil of going to Meadowood and pick up our Christmas tree from the Boy Scouts. And yes indeed, there was a Santa who sat very alone and idle as we approached. We had to detour to wash hands, but Lola gave a wave and a big,” HI SANTA,” as  we walked by. She even asked the lady in the bathroom if she was going to see Santa and proudly announced that she was going to go and tell him what she wanted for Christmas and again, that she wasn’t going to cry.

As we prepared for our meeting, Lola was asked by the gentleman working Santa’s Workshop if she knew what she wanted for Christmas. She told him she wanted a trampoline. He told her to go ahead and go tell Santa. She quickly answered, “You go tell him.”

We made our way over to the man in red and as we approached, I felt a bit more weight and tugging on my shirt. I looked down to find Lola clawing at me and whispering not to leave her. I encouraged her and told her it was fine. I even plopped Sid down on Santa’s lap to prove how easy and okay it was. Uh, no. Sid started to get red and slowly looked around to take it in. I knew he was only going to last about another 20 seconds before he reached break down. He just quickly put his arms out to be picked up and every attempt to put him back on Santa’s lap for a picture was more clawing and grabbing on for dear life. Lola was still hanging on one leg and refused to even stand alone at the side of Santa’s chair. There was no way she was going to sit on that lap. There were some AWFUL photos taken of me with the kids, neck bent in an awful position, with Santa. Lola was finally bribed with three candy canes (she calls them candy cans) to sit on Santa’s lap, but only after they put a stool six inches away so that I could sit right there. We got two quick shots and she was off in the blink of an eye.

These are the pictures that we got:

Yay. Done and easy. No lines or crowds.

As soon as we hit the parking lot, Lola asked if we could go see Santa again!

Here are my thoughts as I have pondered as I have watched the show:

Terri:  Lay off the pants. At first I was such a fan, but as a short wider person, I could never wear your pants anyway.  Can you sew a skirt? Finally when you did, you were kicked off. Maybe pants is the safe bet?

Jerrell: How can anyone not love you? I thought you were very innovative on the Saturn challenge. You used things that totally did not look like car parts. Awesome.  Really, you are very creative. The win for the Elle shoot was fantastic. You deserved to win.

Kenley: efor you, I have never liked you. Never. Not for a second. I never thought you deserved to win any challenge. I am completely annoyed by you and think everything about you evolves around 1950 or 60s and your hair that goes with it. Ugh. Yuck. You have done nothing else.  Mostly, you are self centered and annoying. Get over yourself. I would never wear anything that you have made.

Leanne:  Man, you can really tailor a garment. I am really surprised and impressed with the detail that you put into everything. The tailoring is unbelievable. Seriously. Perfect. A little marmie, but always looks impeccable.

Suede: Morgan hates third person. Come on!  You are fun, creative, and I know that you are Suede.  You remind me of Zach Taylor from Saved By the Bell with blue hair. Nothing about you Morgan really hates or likes. I kinda liked the dress from this week – without the jacket. A cute pair of light, flowy pants under the dress would have been super cute.

Korto:  Super cute and cool. Mostly cool.  You have such a smooth vibe about everything. Your fashion reflects a comfortable, easy look that we all strive for. I really think that you are my choice as an overall winner. Congrats! I have not disliked anything you have done.

Blayne: I never thought I would see you again after the first episode.  No, really. You are so far out there, I know that the sun must have an affect on your brain. Fun, creative – but just too out there sloppy and overall not committed.  This is exactly what sent you home last week.

Joe: Ugh. I am over the straight sports look that you pull with everything. You are too safe and straight. Are you sure that you’re not gay? It might help. Most of what you made was not done well.

Stella.  “LEATHA.”  No, I LOVE “LEATHA.”  I am taken with your innocent biker strength. Something is very appealing about your leather work. I don’t think you over work your style as much as Kenley. I was sorry to see you go.

I think this includes everyone that is still on….I am still cheering for Korto and Leanne. And now after two wins, Jerrell has sure stepped up the competition. Please have mercy on me and send Kenly home next week. I can’t take it anymore.