Planet Awesome Kid

There's a fun blog called Planet Awesome Kid that posts photos of children exhibiting their own sense of style. It's so much fun to follow this blog because because the photos show that each of the kids really do have spirit and character just oozing from them!

Back in January, I sent in a photo of our Mikey for fun. It was rather exciting when I got the e-mail from PAK that they used it for a post called "Homey". This was from a while back but I realized today that I didn't even document the address to the blog post anywhere, and had quite a hard time locating it again! I figured I'd post it on my own blog, so it will remain captured forever. lol

Dinner..Hawaiian style

Shirtless island boy tearing up his loco moco. :)

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Hello, Chipmunk!

Isaiah was thrilled to host the classroom mascot this past weekend. He is a stuffed monkey named Chipmunk, who really is the cutest little thing. He also came equipped with a few monkey books and a journal for Isaiah to write in about all the fun they had over the weekend. Me, on the other hand, I just couldn't get past the thought of 17 kindergarteners bringing him home before us and doing Lord knows what with him. All I could imagine was little germies crawling all over this stuffed monkey. Sigh...I know, I'm a paranoid, obsessive, crazy person. So?

Too bad we didn't do anything super-duper-over-the-top-fun that woulda knocked Chipmunk's bow tie off, but whatev. We all enjoyed his company nonetheless. Even though I did keep calling him Cooper all weekend, which Isaiah found extremely offensive for whatever reasons a 6yo has for being offended.

I'll just share a few of the photos that also ended up in the monkey journal. Here are Chipmunk and Isaiah getting their froyo on. Apparently, Chipmunk likes chocolate froyo...I like him already.Hanging with Mikey and Cooper. We were getting ready to read Chipmunk's favorite books. Who knew monkeys could be narcissistic? All of his favorite books were about himself...

Chipmunk also enjoys popsicles. Yellow ones...This last shot did not make it into the journal. But here is a nekkid Liam terrorizing the poor monkey....Fun times with inanimate objects!

They are REASONS, not excuses....

The hubby sees every holiday and birthday as another excuse for me to get all crazy with making stuff. But I don't call them excuses...I call them reasons. Big difference, don't you think? And it just sounds better, if nothing else.

With Easter right around the corner, I had to start picking my brain for banner ideas and treats to bring to Isaiah's classroom. I'm making a few banners because we will be using them at our playgroup's ginormous annual Easter Egg Hunt next week. Until then, my mantle, and eventually the rest of this house, will look like it threw up Easter.If you don't know by now that I freakin' love my Cricut, then let me shout it from my rooftop for all to hear...I LOVE MY CRICUT! What's not to love when it produces little Easter animals as adorable as these...
I found this super cute idea for a classroom treat from one of my favorite craft blogs, Living Locurto. You may remember them from a blog post from around last Halloween when I made these cookie jars. The tag reads: Happy Easter to one of my favorite peeps. And there are peeps in the snack bag. Get it? Super cute, I know! And easy, too! :)
This craftin' mama isn't finished yet, either. Although, I'm all tapped out in the idea section of my brain, so I will have to surf my favorite websites and blogs for more....'til next time, my friends!

Cuddly boys

I love it when the boys are super cuddly with each other in the morning. What a wonderful way to start our Friday. :)

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The Heat is On!

Ok, well, not quite yet. It's still a little chilly but, according to Professor Isaiah, it wasn't too cold to get his first run through the sprinklers this season. Yippee skippee!! We are welcoming the warm weather with open arms...

Marine World Africa USA

I don't care what they call it these days...it's always going to be Marine World Africa USA in my mind and heart. :) My sister treated us to a fun-filled day at this wonderful place and the boys had the time of their lives! I brought Isaiah and Mikey, while Liam and Shawn spent some quality time together at home.

It was an unexpected reality check of how big my boys are really getting. I couldn't believe Isaiah was able to ride some of the 'big kid' rides all by himself now and even Mikey was able to ride the kiddie rides without me. I just sat back and watched them enjoy the ride! Shoot, there goes my need to be needed. At least, I've still got Liam. haha!

Isaiah and my nephew, Jalen.

My niece, Siliana, in Bugs Bunny's bed.

Mikey on his first ride without me next to him. *sniff sniff*

Siliana thought the Conductor from Thomas was "Daddy". haha

The family going for a ride on Thomas the train. Choo-choo!!!

Mikey was especially excited for the Thomas the Train ride. He looooves his trains!

Isaiah's first 'big kid' ride was a water ride. Thank goodness, since I was in no mood to get soaked! He rode with Jalen.

Here they come....

The end to another wonderful day filled with fun and family. Couldn't ask for more! :)

I'm Still A Virgin....

..when it comes to Scrapbooking Expos!!! At least, until just yesterday!!! I went to my first at the fairgrounds in Pleasanton with a fellow scrapbooking enthusiast. Never in my life had a seen so many giddy women, including myself, in one place at the same time. I can finally empathize with Isaiah when I see him giddy with excitement as he runs his finger along the spines of the video game cases at Game Stop. I will NEVER, EVER rush him into choosing his games again!

We spent almost three hours there and had such a great time seeing all the new and exciting things that the scrapbooking world has to offer. I also exercised a great deal of self-control...I didn't buy EVERYTHING! Shawn was so proud.

I still think I made out like a bandit...here's a shot of my loot.

Embellishments galore. Mostly from dollarscrapbooking.net.

I picked up a number of different mini-album kits from Rusty Pickle. So sad they are going out of business. :(
I couldn't resist the pretty paper packs from s.e.i. Super cheap and very unique. Nothing like what you can find locally. My friend and I joked that we wouldn't need paper for the rest of the year...probably true...

Can't wait to get to crafting with my new goodies. And, better yet, can't wait until the next expo!

WOW...that's all I have to say...

Happy Birthday! for the umpteenth time...

Ok, ok. I know this whole birthday thing is getting old. But it wouldn't be fair to not dedicate a blog post to the excitement Isaiah experienced on his actual birthday, March 9.

I made sure I could help out in his classroom that morning so that I could bring a treat to share during snack time, which is when they celebrate birthdays. We picked some mini blueberry muffins, trying hard to abide by the rule of only store-bought, healthy treats.

Isaiah and his classmates
These boys are trouble with a capital T!
At home that same evening, I made his favorite dinner of shrimp sinigang and rice (LOL) and baked some cupcakes for the five of us to enjoy.One little boy, in particular, really enjoyed the cupcakes. :)

6 Years!!!!

On this date, six years ago, I became a mother. At the early age of 21, most would say (and I have heard it ten too many times) that I was toooo young for kids. I don't disbelieve that. But on this day six years ago, I also made a definitive choice...a choice to do everything I could possibly do to be the best mother I could possibly be and give my son the best life that I possibly could. There have been many stumbles and difficult decisions that had to be made along the way, but I know that they were all the best decisions I have ever made.

With the stumbles came many wonderful and unforgettable moments that will forever replay themselves in my mind. And now, look what I have been blessed with...three beautiful, young boys, one of which has turned 6 years old today! They are all growing up to be exceptional human beings, a tight-knit team that will never let anything get between them, and an amazing man that they call Papa who, alongside myself, will guide them through this crazy little thing we call life.

Sunday is Fun (and Relax) Day...

After a crazy week approaching Isaiah birthday party, I was more than happy to spend Sunday doing...well, nothing. Just hanging out with my boys and doing...boy stuff. Shawn did some manly work on the Rover, while I watched the boys ride their bikes and scooters up and down the street...over...and over...and over again. heehee.

It helped tremendously that the day was beautiful and sunny and we were able to walk Cooper to the park (where he almost got eaten by a bigger dog). We also busted out one of Isaiah's birthday presents - a build your own volcano kit. FUNNNNN!

Here are the boys getting the materials ready for our little science experiment. :)

There she blows! Yes, I'm aware that blue lava is not scientifically accurate, but I didn't have any red food coloring....

Isaiah handed the safety goggles over to Mikey and helped him have a crack at it.

The aftermath.

Isaiah's 6th Birthday Party

Isaiah celebrated his 6th birthday today, three days early. He was very fortunate to be surrounded by many wonderful friends and family members to help celebrate the coming of another exciting year of growth and learning.

A big, humongous thank you to everyone who made this such a memorable day. It really means a lot to Isaiah and our family. Isaiah is the type of child who wears his emotions proudly on his sleeve and today was no different. He truly could have been the happiest boy on earth.