Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder...

Did you miss me? Sorry, I took a little hiatus from blogging because I went on vacation! I have pictures to share from the beach later but here's what happened before our vacation...

See that blondie above? See something that's a little off?

Yeah, this crazy kid decided to BREAK HIS FOOT before we went on vacation! He did it on a Tuesday and I didn't think much of it and by Thursday my mom thought I might want to take him to the doctor to just make sure it was okay. He was kind of limping on it but I just thought he got like a stone bruise on the bottom of his foot of something. (Sidenote: This kid broke his foot by running and jumping in the shallow end of the pool and his foot landed on the stairs....AFTER I told him to not do it!)

Anyhow, I took him to the doctor on Thursday and sure enough, he had two broken metatarsals (the long bones that connect the ankle to the toes) in the center of the foot. We got a half cast (basically a splint) put on and we went ahead to the beach on Friday for the week, keeping it wrapped up when we weren't playing in the ocean and in the sand. He had the real cast put on yesterday...and after days of telling him that he wouldn't get to swim once he got the cast put on, I'll be darn if they don't offer water-proof casts these days! So we still get to swim and take regular showers.

Here's a sneak peak of this beautiful red-head we got to spend time with this week on our vacation!

More to come soon!

A Little of This and That...

I've got a lot of things swimming around in the great beyond, known as my brain. So here's a random post full of, well, randomness.

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Lawyer got a new toy the other day from Jason. I'm pretty sure that most 4 year olds don't technically need one of these but Lawyer sure does love it.

It's this scuba underwater propeller thingy (not certain what the technical name is). It's actually used by scuba divers in the ocean and it can go down to 60 feet but we decided it would be super fun in the pool.

See? He loves it! I can't wait to buy some disposable underwater cameras...I'm going to get some ultra-rad shots in the water!

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I've got one sleeve on the circulars for my nephew's sweater I'm knitting. The other sleeve is started so hopefully I can finish this by sometime in this millennium.

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Did I mention I tried my hand at embroidery recently?

There's this super-cool website that has fun embroidery patterns you can purchase. I actually bought the owner's little book from Barnes and Noble. That's where the unicorn came from.

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Oh and I found the coolest thing for when Lawyer starts losing his teeth. It's called the Official Tooth Fairy Kit. It's got a letterpress (LETTERPRESS, I say!!) form that has what looks like an old-timey dentist chart of teeth that you fill out each time. Here's what the website says about it:

The Official Tooth Fairy Kit contains one letterpress Certificate
of Record for filing with your local Tooth Fairy and one reusable silk screened cloth deposit bag for your first and all subsequent transactions. The official certificate keeps record of name, age, tooth lost, method of extraction and compensation information.

How hilarious is that? I purchased one today and can't wait to get it next week. Lawyer is going to LOVE it when I pull this one out at the appropriate time. You can buy one at the Office of the Tooth Fairy.

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I looked out the window the other day and saw Lawyer creating hopscotch squares. Where, pray tell, did he learn this? I have never done such a thing with him!

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Oh, and running still sucks. No matter how much you want to convince me.

Love, Me

PS: Two nights ago, Jason, Lawyer and I went to see Land of the Lost (don't take your kids, I hear EVERY SINGLE CUSS word in the first five minutes and there was plenty of boobs - on cups, grabbing, etc - and this was supposed to be a movie I could take my 4 year old too!) and we showed up just in time for the tornadoes (although I don't think it was much more than funnel clouds) to be ripping through our 'hood. Good times.

Oh Dear...

I love fantasy/whimsical things - probably why I love children's books and movies so much....Alice in Wonderland having always been a huge favorite. I once was discussing a fantasy-like book with someone once and they told me "I don't like fantasy stuff." Um, last time I checked, most books you read for fun have some sort of fantasy value. That's why people like to read books - to put themselves in another place and in another time! Anyways...

I decided to buy some art on a whim at 8:00am this morning. I've really enjoyed the art and blog of Emily Martin of Inside a Black Apple. Her art is intriguing and whimsical, with a slight dark-side to it. Think Alice in Wonderland meets the Adams Family.

I bought two different pieces and I can't wait to take pictures when I receive the art so I can share them.

This purchase has led me too want to paint my office...again. But not until after we have knocked out most of one of the walls between my office and living room to put double french doors in. Then I can paint it. The same color as my bedroom. I'm thinking the icy blue-green and red would look quite lovely.

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On another note, I hate running. There I said it. Those that like it and love it and live it, I congratulate you because I think running sucks and anyone that can honestly say they love it should be extremely proud of themselves (and I'm not being hateful, I'm truly intrigued by those that love it). This isn't to say that I have quit my little 5k jaunt. I'm still plugging away, I'm just saying it sucks.

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I rented another lens for my camera and it should be here next week, just in time for our little vacation to the beach (thank goodness!). I'm super-excited about this lens since it is an L-series lens...I can't decide if it will make me super happy to have rented it or super-sad that I will have to give it up after three weeks.

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Does anybody know of anything fun to do in New Orleans that doesn't have to do with T&A? We'll only be there for a few hours worth of a stop but I like to do stuff. I was mortified when we took our son through Bourbon Street last time, even at 10:00 in the morning. I'd like something a little on the G to PG side this time. It doesn't necessarily need to be something to do, it could just be something interesting to drive through or see.

Art is Top Priority Around Here

You've never seen a 4 year old more in-tune with his creative side.

Seriously.

We had fun...

Um, yeah. About this weekend...I went to the mega-country concert of the year! LeAnn Womack (Julian Hough got sick), Blake Shelton, REBA FREAKIN' MCINTYRE and GEORGE ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME STRAIGHT played at the brand spankin' new Dallas Cowboys Stadium on Saturday night. We had floor seats, dead center, 35 rows back and it was simply an amazing concert at an amazing new stadium! The company we had was great and I think all of North Texas is officially dry for how much beer the six of us consumed. Good times.

Oh and fun fact o' the day...Jason's company did ALL the glass for the new stadium, including the world's largest moveable glass doors!

Lawyer got to hang out with Granny and Papaw and he was perfectly fine with that. He even spent the entire day at Six Flags yesterday.

Let's see...I've gone 6 weeks straight (maybe 7?) of drinking at least 64 ounces of water every day but I noticed that I'm closer to a gallon of water (128 ounces - thought I would do the math for you) the past week or so. Why? I decided I needed to get my butt in gear and attempt to get back in shape so I started a LITTLE running program (I'm talking minuscule) since I wanted to do something new and running is always new to me. I'm doing this "Couch to 5K" schedule and so far it is alright. My hamstring hurts so bad even though I'm very strict about doing at least 10-15 minutes of stretching before and after my little walk/jog. Funny thing is, it only hurts when I walk but when I run, it is fine.

Okay since I've rambled on, here are some pics of Lawyer and I at the park. (Granny and Papaw - this is when you want to look away, okay?) Lawyer scaled the little rock wall. The 4 year old is absolutely fearless.

NOTE TO SELF: If you are going to take your nice camera to the park and you think you might want to capture some fun pics of your child...make sure you have a charged battery! Or at least make sure you have your iPhone with you so you can still take pics.

Day 5 of Summer

::Sometimes we just like to hang out on the couch and watch a movie.

Just Us

Because I love "Before & Afters"...

Here's Jason's "before and after" after a fabulous trip to the dentist for some teeth whitening! He has the most beautifully shaped teeth and he finally went and did something to perk them up...I love them (and him)!

Oh and here is a picture of Jason's eyes...he has the most beautiful color of eyes. They remind me of sea glass. This is a straight out of camera shot so don't think I manipulated the color of his eyes.

Self-Portrait

Here's yet another Lawyer/Mom picture....I'm really starting to like the pics I'm getting with him - especially when they are silly.

The other day, I BEGGED Lawyer to let me take some "nice" pictures of him and after tears (not by me...but almost), resistance and lots of ignoring me, I thought the little photo shoot had been a waste on both of our parts...but after looking through my pictures, I liked this one a lot - despite the lack of focus (I can't decide if it is me or my camera - all my pictures lately seem REALLY out of focus...hmm).

Okay, that's it from me!

Day 4 of Summer

::Bubble Blowing

::Seed Starting

::Sun Catching

Day 3 of Summer

An outdoor science "experiment" is where it's at this summer!

Day 2 of Summer

What would summer be without snow cones? Honestly, I've never touched a snow cone. For some reason shaved ice with a really sugary syrup drizzled over it never sounded that appealing. But for MOST PEOPLE, what would summer be without snow cones?

My goal this summer is to get into MORE pictures with my family. I have very few pictures of myself with my family - a handful really, but you know, having a creative outlet sometimes means getting out of your comfort zone so you'll be seeing a LITTLE bit of myself in a few pictures. I'll even try NOT to make nervous jokes about myself either (like, "Don't I look like I stole glasses from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?"). Besides, I'm doing this for Lawyer's sake - not my own.

Days of Summer - Day 1

We got a new (new to us) diving board thanks to some friends that were throwing theirs out due to renovating their pool. It's 2 feet longer than what we did have, not broken (Jason cracked ours on the very last day that we swam in the pool last season) and it is EXTRA springy. Perfect for doing flips into the pool.

We chilled in the pool yesterday.

And I was determined that Lawyer was going to be rid of his annual fear of swimming in the deep end at the beginning of the swim season. He was three last year and we just tossed him in the deep end of the pool and said kick your legs. Worked like a charm.

And this year? I made Jason take away his swim noodle while they were in the deep end and made Lawyer swim to me. And guess what?

This kid didn't look back.

Have I ever mentioned how much I love summer?

Backyard Adventures

Some days I have to wonder who is really into being a little kid - Lawyer or myself. Since Lawyer's been out of school all this week, I really wanted to have lots of fun with him at home but, alas, Granny and Papaw's house is WAY cooler than hanging out with your mom.

Yesterday, I got this brilliant idea to make a tee pee out of garden stakes and a half-finished quilt so that Lawyer could have a change of scenery. It really was quite cute - Lawyer ate popsicles and watched a movie in it.

Lawyer, by the way, isn't this pale, pasty white in person...it's just how I did the post-processing. I happen to love it when he's really white since it looks so beautiful on him.

We've had lots of questionable visitors around the yard, what with the Texas rat snake and this little fellow. I researched him and found out it's a wolf spider. I like to investigate what things are since I find no need to kill off every creature - if it's harmless, it stays. He will stay...if he bites, it's like a mosquito bite.

I made this random concoction for lunch the other day. I was feeling adventurous not wanting to read a cookbook and all. It was some cut-up veggies I had in the fridge that I threw onto some lettuce leaves and then made ramen noodles (without the seasoning packet) that I tossed with a peanut sauce I made. It was alright, definitely not what I'm used to eating when I eat Ina Garten, Ruth Reichl or Martha Stewart recipes.

My dad bought this 28-135mm lens that is really awesome (by the way, Dad, I think I forgot to tell you what I thought about it!). I was about 12 inches from the center of this sago palm and the detail truly is amazing. In fact, all the above pictures were taken with it...it may be a new go-to lens for me.

Anyhow, it's FRIDAY!!! We've just got a few plans: last t-ball game, a birthday party to go to and go see the movie UP. The rest of the time? We'll be hanging out by the pool! Enjoy your weekend!

This Child of Mine...

He will be 5 in a few short months. Sigh. Where has the time gone? I actually relish each and every day with Lawyer in all of his growth...I don't think about yesterday and I really don't see past today. I just breathe in this boy's spirit and all is okay to just enjoy today.

I love his energy, leadership, strong-willed attitude, his dance moves, how he loves on me early in the morning and late at night (I'm chopped liver at all hours in between, usually!), his amazing works of art, his imagination, his thoughtfulness for others and every inch of his 4 foot tall frame.

And even during the topsy-turvy, spinning-wildly-out-of-control days of parenting, I wouldn't trade this child or our days together for anything in this world...

because I know one day it will be his time to leave this house and make new adventures with his own family. Thank you my sweet boy for each and every day.

Officially Summer

I love how Memorial weekend jump starts the beginning of summer. Lawyer's official last day of school for the school year was last Thursday so we have stayed busy doing absolutely whatever we want! What better way to depict summer than to be a naken 4 year old boy, eating a popsicle with your feet dangling in the pool at the end of a long, summer day. Ah!

Lawyer woke up unusually early on his first day of summer, slipped on his pirate pants and swabbed the deck...seriously, that's what he told me when I saw him outside with the broom.

And of course, you've got have T-Ball for your summer-time adventures.

I may go light on posts this summer...I'm so incredibly busy with work and something has to give so that I can still maintain my time with my family. I'm thinking of doing just a picture each day to share what we are up to. We'll see...staying away from my blog is like taking a huge part of my creativity away.

Until next time!

Monkeying Around

Today was lovely. And it was spontaneous, something we lack in our lives a lot. Lawyer saw a playground on the way home from the library and asked if we could go to it and instead of saying "Maybe later" or "How about tomorrow?", I pulled my car off to the side of the road, grabbed my camera and we played in the 100 degree hot Texas sun. And it was fun!

These were my favorite images from the day. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed getting to see them when I put them onto my computer!And in the spirit of trying to be edgy, gritty and cool in the abstract photography arena (I have no clue what I'm talking about), here is a picture of the stairs at the playground and I love it.Until next time...over and out.