1st day of preschool- so fun!

To new beginnings and seasons!!

I cannot believe that it is Labor Day weekend, summer flew by! I swear that it was just Memorial weekend and we were so excited to open up the lake, now this weekend we are sadly closing it. Sometimes I don't feel like going to the lake but now that it is over for this year I wish we had another month. We had a lot of big changes occur over the summer. I am ready for the fall season to start.

This summer Anthony learned how to swim w/o his life jacket- he is a fish, somersaults, goggles, swimming is a whole new world. Alex has transformed from a little 4 month old to a 7 month old that is "almost" crawling and eating baby food. He now plays with Anthony and is just starting to irritate him when he rips one of his pictures or drools all over one of his toys.

We had plenty of fun weekends at the lake. Many memorable moments. 4th of July, smores, and me falling off the dock at 4 am- long story. Erik probably playing his worst round of golf in history. In his "defense" he wasn't using his own clubs. Losing Charlie in the middle of the night, unfortunately he figured out which camper we were in. Disney World and Florida was so fun, a vacation that we will never forget. Hopefully Alex will forgive us some day for not taking him.

Erik and I are now getting in the fall/winter mode of updating our house. We got new furniture for the basement (new to us anyways) and it is super comfy. Leslie took our sectional that we had and we are going to transform the basement into Erik's dream hideaway and toy room. So the red walls are going to become neutral- not sure on a color yet, the big TV is being moved to the opposite end, and the Centipede game and toys will occupy the other side. The other project we are going to tackle is our kitchen, I am hoping that we can afford to do that this winter but we'll have to see how many placements I make. Cross your fingers ladies!

Well I hope everyone takes the time to enjoy their long weekend. It is going to be awhile before the next.

Happy Birthday Erik!!!

Today is my lovely husbands 33rd birthday. I am sitting here thinking of all the reasons that I want to celebrate him today so I am just going to list my Top 10.

1. He still makes me laugh every single day.
2. He always opens the door for me.
3. He is the best dad I a mom could ask for. He plays with the boys, changes diapers, gives baths, and steps in when I am about to lose my patience.
4. He makes a mean egg sandwich and breakfast burrito, the "Erik Special".
5. He calls me every morning to see how our day is going.
6. He mows the best looking lawn in the neighborhood.
7. He remembers that a girl never minds getting flowers.
8. He went to prom with me my senior year even though he was 20.
9. He plays Rockband and golf like a pro.
10. He has put up with me for 15 years and tells me (most of the time) that he is looking forward to the next 50.

Last night Erik stayed home with Alex, Anthony was at my Aunt Diane's, and I went out with my friend Holly who I have not seen since I was pregnant with Alex. We ran into Brian downtown and had a blast!! Erik was waiting up for me when I got home to make sure that we all got home safe. That actually shocked me because by the time I roll in after a night with Holly he is usually tucked into bed. It was a nice surprise!

It was awesome seeing Holly. She is getting married in a month at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. It is her second time around but she is marrying her high school sweetheart Garret(who she should have married the first time). I told her that high school sweethearts are the best route to go. Erik and I are both looking forward to her wedding because you can always count on having a good time when you are with Holly.

Today Anthony is off to the zoo for Jack's 3rd birthday party. Tonight Kristi was kind enough to agree to come over and spend some time with the boys well Erik and I go have an adult supper, yay!!! Thanks Kristi! When we get back we are going to end the night with some cake, ice cream, and the birthday song.

You are my friend.

Don't Walk In Front of Me, I May Not Follow...
Don't Walk Behind Me, I May Not Lead...
Just Walk Beside Me and Be My Friend...
~Anonymous

If needed I want my friends to find their path back to happiness, it is not as if my path doesn't have some dog shit in the flower beds. It is how you decide to handle it, do you let it fertilize and make a hell of a pretty path or continuously step in it and always smell like shit!

That is my two cents for today.

P.S. The first pic is of our dog Charlie from Anthony's vtech camera- I think he has a future in photography. The second is our girl Ruby the only other female in this household. We are one.

Definition for those who have forgotten.

Truth
Pronunciation:
\ˈtrüth\
fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance2 a (1): the state of being the case : fact (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3)often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true c: the body of true statements and propositions a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality briefly British : true 2 c: fidelity to an original or to a standard capitalized Christian Science : god-in truth

The reason that I am writing on this subject is because I am tired of half truth's, tired of hearing stories with missing pieces, and tired of hearing versions of what people believe to be true. Is that what we want to teach our children? That it is okay to lie if it is convenient for you.

I have been catching Anthony lying lately about the silliest stuff. The poor thing does not realize that right now it is nearly impossible to pull the wool over my eyes but he definitely puts forth the effort if he thinks that he may keep himself out of trouble. Currently his famous line is,"just kidding."What I am not kidding about is it is so refreshing to have a conversation that is truthful. For those who know me most are aware (sometimes painfully) that I pretty much call it as I see it. Granted there maybe a good sized opinion involved but I do not beat around the bush. To me there is no point in living in the gray area when the world for the most part as I see it is black and white. It is frustrating for me to be witness to people who cannot just come clean and be who they are. Life is too short, shout it out and be done with it. The truth will set you free...all lying does is make life difficult for the rest of us and puts poor Anthony in unwanted time outs.

1...2...3....

Start!! (All your answers must start with the letter W) and you have 60 seconds to answer-don't cheat!

1. A boys first name.
2. U.S. City
3. Body of Water
4. Type of Spice/ Herb
5. Name of a Professional Sports Team
6. Famous Person
7. Type of cold blooded animal
8. An item you would find in a purse.
9. School Supply
10. Terms of Endearment.

What is a girl to do?

Okay so before I forget for the 10th time I have an announcement. My little Alex's modeling career is in full swing. Remember that my friends' Kris and Holly opened up a baby boutique in Fargo called Pout (http://poutbabyboutique.com). If you have not been there it is a must! Everyone that I have sent in so far absolutely loves it. Anyways Big Al (as we call him here at home) was one of the chosen few to model their very cool wears for babies. Ria Lee Photography (http://www.rialeephotography.com/) did the amazing pics (Ria I couldn't resist downloading this pic). He was also lucky enough to be selected for their advertisement in On the Minds of Moms (http://www.onthemindsofmoms.com/), a very cool new publication offered in the FM area. Kris and Holly are featured in an ongoing section of the mag called "Momprenuers". Seriously how cute is that? So ladies thanks for launching Big Al's modeling career, I can hardly keep up with all of his bookings :). You are going to do awesome!!

On another completely opposite subject, I am clearly having issues. When I am stressed out I tend to get cold sores, styes, and gain weight. Well let's see... I have a huge cold sore, a stye that I think may lead me to blindness, and have gained 7lbs. What is up? I have been teasing our friends that are having some troubles right now that apparently I am taking it just as hard as them. The only exception is that they have both lost weight and I have gained. Figures!

Leslie sent me a card yesterday via JibJabs cards. It is hilarious, if you are looking to get a good laugh out of a loved one it is a must.

Check out the card that she sent me http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/HERXIhO3kR559FYS.

Erik, Anthony, Brian, and I watched it at least 4 times and could not stop laughing.

Well today I am off to the FM Zoo with the boys and my aunt. We are also going to hit some Indian Food for lunch. I figure I might was well make it a solid 10 lb weight gain before I put forth the effort to lose it. Swing by Pout for Alex's book signings and help a friend move. A full day is ahead of me so I better get to it!