House of Weasels

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET SON!

2008-09-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today you are 3 years old. It seems like only yesterday I was in the hospital holding you in my arms for the very first time. You have grown into such a smart, articulate and handsome boy with such a joyful personality. You have my sense of humor and my short temper. You have your dad's good looks and charm. You are also your own person with such a great imagination. Your dad and I love you so much and can't wait to watch you grow, learn and become the great man you are destined to be. You make us proud.

September 29th, 2005 "First Time, Ever I Saw Your Face"

Today You Are 3!!!!

You have grown so much!!!

The Sleeping Habits of Children

2008-09-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

Nap Time is my favorite part of the day. This is the time I get to do what I want to do in peace and quiet. I go in to check on my sleeping babies and this is what I see. They are such funny sleepers.

Lane looks as though he is hiding from the bogey man, while Teddy is his look out.

Riley is sleeping side ways and sucking on her two middle fingers.

Dream my little angels and stay dreaming for about 2-3 hours....Please!!!

FIre! Fire! Call 911!

2008-09-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

Does a hurricane spark stupidity in people? Seriously, there have been two incidents in the past two weeks that have made me think that the answer is Yes. Mind you, I live in a suburban neighborhood in Cypress, Texas. You know, where the houses have maybe 6 feet between them and a wooden fence designating whose property is whose. Typical suburbs.

My neighbor gets the genius idea that he is going to burn the tree limbs, leaves and pine needles that fell in his yard, from the hurricane, in his back yard. Yes, I said burn. He piles his debris with brown leaves on bottom, then tree limbs and then green leaves and other things on top. He then proceeds to light it on fire in his back yard. Really? This sounded like a good idea at the time? Wow! The neighbors, who all are lacking electricity and who have their windows open because it is a nice, cool, windy day, are all in a panic because the black smoke from Smokey the Bear's camp fire is now blowing into their houses. They were about to call 911 when someone decided to investigate where the smoke is coming from. One neighbor goes into the back yard of Smokey the Bear and sees what he has done and says, "What the hell!?!?!" Smokey's eyes were big as saucers as he stuttered through, "I'm Sorry". No harm no foul, This Time. Thank goodness. We won't soon let him live it down but we did let him live.

The next genius, identity unknown, in our neighborhood decided that he would make a pile of broken fence pieces and burn them in the empty field behind our houses. (Side Note: I am going to place my bet that this person is a man because I don't know any woman who would even have the thought in her head to burn anything to get rid of it. We would just put it by the curb on trash day.) He obviously didn't notice that the field was completely covered by brown, dead, dry grass. He lit his pile of wood and to his surprise, I am sure, the field caught on fire and spread. I wasn't aware of any of this until my friendly neighbor came over and asked me if someone was burning trash behind my house. I said that I had no idea. She said that there was a lot of smoke coming from the field behind me and asked if I could see the field from my yard. I told her to come on back because since Ike hit we had a panoramic view of that field from our back door. When we went outside and saw the field it was amazing. It was like the California wild fires, on a much smaller scale of course. There were fire fighters out there along with some neighbors with water hoses trying to put out the flames. It got a little too close for comfort to my house and scary that if my neighbor hadn't told me what was going on I would have not known until it was too late. The good thing was that they put it out quickly and nothing was damaged. This time.

To the two geniuses we have living among us, please use your brain next time. Think to yourself, "Should I be doing this?" And if there is any doubt in your thick skull then don't do it. Remember, you do not live on a farm you live in the suburbs and we have trash pick up on Wednesday and Saturday. We will let it slide this time and chalk it up to a slip in judgment but next time I will make you a "Stupid" sign and you will be required to wear it.

I am taking this picture while standing on my broken fence. See the black circle.

Black circle a little closer.

This is how close it was. I am now standing in my back yard. Scary!

BANOS?

2008-09-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Well I am wondering if I will ever be able to set foot back into my favorite Mexican food restaurant. Del Pueblo, I love you and please forgive me!!!!!

I had the bright idea that Sunday afternoon, while Craig was doing yard work, that I would take the kids and go to Del Pueblo for some lunch. My neighbors had ordered Del Pueblo the past couple of nights for dinner so I was starting to crave it. The chips, green sauce and salsa are amazing. No exaggeration, the best I have ever had. I asked Craig for the 10th time if he would like to join us and he declines but doesn't hesitate to put his order in with me before I go. I pack up the little Weasels and head out. We get there and get a table within eye shot of the arcade. Lane is already asking if he can go and play. I make him eat his lunch first and then let him go. I feel comfortable because from the table I can keep an eye on him. Riley is being such a good girl. She is just sitting in her carrier, being quiet and watching everything. Life is good.

I look over to notice that Lane has climbed up on a bar stool to see into the "claw game". The claw game is that annoying game that you put a dollar in and try to grab a stuffed animal with a mechanical claw. It is a total rip-off and so gets on my nerves. He was watching a little girl play and win a toy. I noticed that he wasn't standing but squatting in a weird position. When I looked closer I noticed the puddle of urine he was squatting above. I thought to my self, "Nice!" I also at the exact same time remembered that I had removed the "just in case" clothes from the diaper bag not 1 hour earlier. Again, "Nice!", was the thought in my head. Now I am standing in the middle of both kids trying to figure out what to do. I can't leave my daughter alone but I don't want my son to walk through the restaurant spreading pee all over. What To Do!? As I stand there with a perplexed look on my face a sweet family that was sitting right behind me says, "We will watch her if you want to take care of your son." I said, "Thank you" and headed to the arcade. I grab Lane by both arms and carry him to our table. I then proceed to wipe him down with wet wipes as best I can. Now my thoughts are the chair he was sitting in, well more peeing in than sitting. There are no towels or napkins in site. I let the waitstaff know that I needed some towels. They just smiled and said no problem. Before I could get my crap together they had already mopped and put a "Caution Wet Floor" sign out. It should have said, "Caution Wet On Floor". I scoop up my kids and Craig's meal and headed out to the car. When I get to the car I strip Lane of his urine soaked pants, under pants and shoes because what's the point in wearing shoes if you are not wearing any underpants. Needless to say, Lane had to ride home commando with no one the wiser. Good Times!!!!!

Please forgive me Del Pueblo. Maybe we will just order in from you for a while. Well, until this thing has blown over and I don't people are starring and pointing and calling me the Pee Mom.

P.O.E.T.S.

2008-09-18T09:18:00.001-07:00

(Written: Friday, September 19th, 2008)

Piss On Everything Tomorrow's Saturday

It is nice to get back to a semi-normal routine. School will hopefully be back in full swing on Monday. I can't tell you how I am looking forward to that. Don't get me wrong I love my, almost 3 year old, son but man is he a hand full. He is a typical 3 year old boy, causing chaos, destruction and a trail of dirt where ever he goes. It's exhausting! I am sure I will someday look back on these days and miss them. Not Today!!!

I have enjoyed catching up on some of my favorite blogs. These include Lula at Lulaville who is so funny, witty and an all around cool girl. She keeps me informed of new music. She takes me back in time to the days of childhood. She even introduced me to crack, I mean the Twilight saga. I think that if we were neighbors we would be bestest friends.

I also love to read about the life of Angela at the painted house. She has more energy than anyone I have ever known. She makes me want to take a nap after just reading what she does on a daily basis. She has overcome so many things and all with a great sense of style and a sense of humor. If there was a real live Super Woman I think my money would be that it is Angela. "Faster than a speeding bullet, able to clear tall buildings in a single bound", and all that stuff.

Then how can you forget about Melissa at Stretchmarks. This girl has got to be one of the funniest people I have never met. Her writing skills are amazing and her stories will literally have you rolling on the floor, peeing your pants they are so funny. She really should be her own sitcom. She is obviously a much loved friend to many and a "real" person. She loves her southern cuisine and her Big Sexy Hairspray. Who doesn't! She is also not ashamed in letting you in on the world of I.B.S. She leaves you thinking, "Funny but so true".

Lots 'O Love to You Ladies!! Keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are all so inspiring and have really made me love this great big world of blogging. Check them out. There links are on my side bar.

Take A Hike Ike

2008-09-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

(Written: Thursday, September 18th, 2008)

Well, we survived the horrible visit of hurricane Ike. I have lived in Houston all of my life and have been through hurricanes before but this was the first one that I have been through where I am the adult in charge. It is not fun to be the one in charge of making sure your family pulls through a hurricane safe and sound. Pretty much I just sat on the couch with my arms wrapped around my legs and watched out the window as the outside world was blown around by 90 mile per hour winds. I did finally go to bed with a sense of, "What happens will happen and I have no control over it". I went to sleep and woke many times to assess the damage through the window. I looked out the back door and the back and side fences was gone. I thought, "Well, we needed a new one anyway". I looked out the front to see a tree down in my neighbors front yard and thought, " Well, at least it didn't hit their house, as far as I can see". When morning arrived we were all safe and sound and no damage to the house. We were extremely lucky. We had no electricity and this lasted for 2 1/2 days. Seriously, we all take electricity for granted and it is the greatest invention ever!!!! Thank you Ben Franklin!! Our neighborhood, which is full of tall trees, looked as though a bomb had gone off. Tree limbs, leaves and in some places entire trees were covering the streets and yards throughout. It was a sight.

Funny Story (well not funny haha but more funny ironic).......

Well we are sitting in the Texas heat with out electricity for 1 1/2 days and my mom calls to let me know that they have electricity. She tells us to pack up and come stay with her. Let me tell you, she doesn't have to ask us twice. I packed every one's stuff in record time and we were in the Weasel Wagon before you could turn around, headed for Pearland. This seemed odd to me since we were much further away from the coast then she was but "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" is what I always say. We arrive to her air conditioned, television blasting abode and it seemed like paradise. We wallowed in the lap of luxury all day and even took a nap with covers piled on top of us. It was awesome. We finally wound down for the night. Kids got their baths and were put to bed. Craig and I settled into the upstairs living area to watch some television. Right when we were about to get comfortable, "BOOM", no lights. The electricity went out and did not come back on. I started thinking that this was some sort of punishment for being too comfortable when others had lost everything. We decided to go to bed and maybe it would come back in the morning. Morning came and no electricity. The miracle though was the cold front that came. The weather outside was awesome. It was about 70 degrees and the wind was blowing. We could open the windows and be most comfortable. We decided to head back to our house to do some more clean up and clear out our fridge, since by now the food was most likely rank. When we got home the block parties were still in full swing. Everyone was outside, kids playing, adults gossiping, it was a blast. A Reliant Energy truck drove down our street and then turned around to leave. We all screamed and waved and the poor Reliant guy shouted out his window, " Sorry, wrong street". We all hoped he was kidding but he kept going and didn't return. We all agreed that next time they come down our street we would make a human chain and block them in until our electricity was back on. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I was sitting out front with everyone chatting it up when I saw something strange. I exclaimed, "Is that a light on on that porch and that porch and that one too?!?!?" It was! I looked back at my house and the light was on in my garage. "We have electricity!", I yelled at the top of my lungs. It was awesome. You would have thought we had all won the lottery with the celebration that was happening in the middle of the street. It wasn't long before everyone cleared out and was now inside enjoying the luxury of electricity. Needless to say we all slept well that night.

We are all trying to get back to our normal lives. Some of our friends and family still do not have electricity. I have offered many people to stay with us but everyone wants to stay put and ride it out with the hopes that soon the electricity will be back up and running. The good thing is the weather is still nice so sleeping with the windows open is still comfortable, according to them. The offer is still open. My thoughts and prayers are still with all the people who had it way worse than we did. There were a lot of people who's since of "back to normal" is a long time away.

Back Fence...Gone!

Side Fence......Gone!

Ode to the Outlet Mall

2008-08-24T06:38:00.001-07:00

Well we have a new outlet mall in out midst and it happens to be down the road from me. I have mixed feelings about outlet malls. I always have these expectations when I go. I imagine walking into the Gap outlet and everything is going to be half the price in the store but not the case. I go into the Gap Kids outlet store and the prices don't seem to be that different. I see signs that say 20% and 30% off but the tags read the regular price. I mean isn't that just a sale and not even a good one at that. I would love to know what they mean when they say "Outlet". I really don't feel like I am saving that much money. I have the feeling that the people who setup these "outlet malls" are thinking that just by putting that on the sign that it will draw a bigger crowd. I think it is more marketing then it is anything else.

I got a call from my friend, Joy saying that her and my friend, Jamie were heading to my side of town to go to the outlet mall and to see if I wanted to join. I say my side of town because most of my friends from high school live on the south side of town (i.e. Pearland, Friendswood, Sagemont, League City, etc.). I don't miss an opportunity to hang with my girlfriends so I loaded up the Weasel wagon and headed to the outlet mall. The outlet mall is not what I consider a mall. My definition of a mall is a large structure that contains many stores and is connected by air conditioned hall ways. This place is more of a super large, open concept strip center. When I say open concept I mean no roof and no a/c. Needless to say it was hot unless you were in a store. Have I ever mentioned how HOT and HUMID it is in Texas? Well it felt today like it was 200 degrees. I had both Riley and Lane in tow. Joy brought her too cutie pie kids, Chase and Carson. Jamie brought her adorable son Jackson. We were loaded down with kids. They were having a good time running ahead of us and chasing each other. I asked Joy, "Do you think that some people look at us and we become their reason for birth control?" She said, "Absolutely!". We went into Gymboree and thank goodness they have a television with some sort of kids show on. That kept their attention for a while so we could shop. Whoever you are at Gymboree that thought of that little gem, you are a genius!!!! After subjecting our wild ones to many, many stores we decided to treat them to a cookie and a Cherry Icee. Another genius on my list of geniuses is the inventor of the Cherry Icee. It's cool, refreshing and oh so sweet. After what seemed like an eternity in line, the guy finally got to us. I ordered a chocolate chip cookie with M&Ms and 2 small Cherry Icees. We all decided that we would take the kids into the air conditioned food court to eat their cookies. Plus Riley was fusing because she had been patiently waiting for her bottle. I sat Lane in a chair with his cookie and Icee. He was so excited about the cookie but not so much enthusiasm for the Icee. I got Riley all settled and started feeding Riley her bottle. It wasn't 30 seconds into it that Lane squealed. He had dropped 75% of his cookie on the floor. Of course he did! He was acting like a money and climbing all over his chair. I was not about to let the 10 second rule go into effect in this germ infested outlet mall food court. I told him that I may possibly get him another one but that for now he would have to wait and eat the banana I brought. He pouted a little bit but got over it a lot quicker then I thought he would. After we were all done we went in a few more shops. I got Lane a pair of cool shoes from Stride Rite for school. He calls them his football shoes. I have no idea where he came up with that. Daddy I am most positive. I never mentioned the cookie and neither did he. I did however treat him with $5.00 worth of rides they have in the middle isle of the walkway. He loved it!!!

Seriously, how many times is too much, "Lane look at Mommy! Lane look at Mommy!" I finally just give up and take the dang picture.

Lane the bull rider!!!

This time I get a smile but still not looking at the camera!

We were exhausted by the time it was time to part ways. It had been a day of fun, many trips to the potty, many stores, many threats to behave or no cookie, much sweat and good times with my girlfriends. Overall it was worth it. Joy and Jamie, Thanks for coming and hanging out with us. It was fun!

Just A Little Something To Make You Smile

2008-08-21T07:29:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would post a few pictures of the kids. I know that most of the people who read my blog are family members and they love them some kiddo pics. So here ya go.......Enjoy!

Riley - Isn't she so beautiful!!!!

Lane - What a great smile he has!!!

Riley - Showing off her 2 little tiny teeth!!

Lane loves to pretend cook with Mommy!!

Oh Where Oh Where Have The Weasels Gone

2008-08-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

If you are wondering if we have been kidnapped by aliens or on a trip around the world. Well I hate to disappoint you. We have been here in Texas being washed away by parcipitation. Yes, it is again raining. Oh how I love rainy days....NOT! It is a week out from school starting and instead of doing fun stuff we are staying indoors frying our brains with television. Oh well, they're young they will bounce back. We did however go to Ruckus Room (a bounce house type of thing) yesterday. This was because I promised Lane that after I drug him and Riley out into the rain to go to Target and buy my book, that we could do something fun. Yes, I dragged my kids out into the rain for a book. My blogger friend at Lulaville got me hooked on this "Twilight" saga and now I can't put it down. There are 4 books in the series. It starts with "Twilight", then "New Moon", then "Eclipse" and ends with "Breaking Dawn". I am hooked! I can't put them down. I am only half way through "New Moon" but it has only been 2 days. Poor Craig came into the bedroom last night after the kids were in bed and said, "Can we just talk for a moment?". I thought he was trying to start an intervention but he wasn't. He just wanted to talk and spend some time with me since I have had my head in these books for 24 hours straight. Poor guy!!! Don't worry Honey I love still love you!!! So if you haven't heard from me in a while you know that I have not packed up my family and moved to Mexico, I am just mentally in Forks (the place the book is set in) with my imaginary boyfriend, Edward (one of the main characters).

Wii the People

2008-08-17T19:19:00.000-07:00

I got a phone call tonight from my sister-in-law, Chelsae. She was telling me about her weekend and how Nolan's 4th birthday party went. (Sorry Nolan for not being able to come. I hope you had fun and we love you very much.) We were in mid conversation when my brother-in-law, Jeremy chimes in.

Jer: "Did she tell you what I did?"

Me: "No, and do I want to know?"

Jer: "Well I was playing to Wii and I was playing bowling. I was all into it and about to make a 3-10 split (now this I am not sure he actually said since I couldn't remember the bowling lingo he spouted off) when the controller flew out of my hand."

Me: "What!?!?!"

Jer: "Yeah, it flew right into the just recently paid off, 50" flat screen television and cracked it"

Me: "What a dork!"

Jer: "Can you believe it?"

Me: "No but Yes!"

After that the phone was passed back to Chelsae,

Chelsae: "I was so upset."

Me: "Understandably! You know something always happens when you pay something off"

Chelsae: "Yeah, but Jeremy and I had just had this conversation about the safety strap on the controller. He said that he didn't like wearing it, I guess he thought it was uncool"

Me: "How cool is he now?! Hahahahahahaha!!!

I pre-warned Jeremy that by telling me this story it would for sure be posted on my blog. I don't lie!!!!

This is a public service announcement.....Please use the safety straps that come with your Wii system because it's all fun and games until someone (and by someone I mean your paid-off, 50" flat screen television) gets hurt.

Me, Myself and I

2008-08-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I stole this from my blogger friend at Stretch Marks (aka Melissa Lee). It's okay she stole it from someone else and said I could. I normally blog about my family and friends but today it is all about me.

I AM........ addicted to sugar. I love me some sweets. I love everything about them. Any kind of candy, cake, pie, donut, ice cream and cookie. Why is this and is there a support group for sugar addicts? Maybe I can start one and call it SAA (Sugar Addicts Anonymous). You can find a meeting in your area by just following the trail of candy bar wrappers.

I WANT...... to live in Austin, Texas. Every time I visit this place I leave saying to myself that I want to live here. This past trip to Austin I came back and told my husband that I want to live in Austin and whatever it takes to do that then I am willing to do it. He is on board.

I HAVE......crooked pinkie fingers. My mother has them and I inherited them. I checked both of my children and they do not have them. Lucky for them.

I WISH I COULD.....have one more day with my brother. I would introduce him to his niece, for whom he never met. I would let him and Lane play catch together in the back yard. I would watch him and Craig have a beer while watching the kids run and play. I would hug him and kiss him and tell him how much I love him and how much he means to me. I would also ask him why he decided to leave us.

I HATE......to hear about the suffering that people have to endure everyday. I have had to stop watching the news.

I FEAR.......rats, mice and sharks. I know, what a weird mix of animals. I know that I fear rats & mice from a childhood incident. We lived in a new neighborhood where there was a lot of housing construction around. Next to our house was an empty lot that was being cleared so a house could be built. This caused us to get field mice in our house. One morning I went into the pantry to get some cereal. When I pulled the box of cereal down a mouse jumped on me and ran down my nightgown. Ever since then I have been deathly afraid of mice. Can you blame me? Well my fear of sharks comes from a little known movie called "Jaws". Seriously, doesn't this movie freak everyone out? To this day will not swim in the ocean.

I HEAR.......the story in a song. When I listen to music I listen to the words so intently that I can hear the story in it. This is why some of my favorite songs mean so much to me.

I SEARCH......for my talent. I think that everyone has a talent. The one thing they are good at. Some people sing, some dance, some draw, some cook, some play a sport but me, I am still looking. I will let you know as soon as I know.

I DON'T THINK.......clowns are funny. They are more scary then funny. I don't think I like them.

I REGRET....... not getting a college degree. I think that I am smart enough but I was and still am lacking the motivation.

I LOVE......my life. My husband and my kids have made my life better then I ever thought it could be. I never knew that I had this much love in me until they came along.

I ACHE FOR.......a vacation away from the good ole state of Texas. I need Hawaii or Jamaica or Costa Rica, just somewhere tropical that serves drinks with umbrellas, beach side. I want to watch the sunset and sunrise with my husband. I want us to take a nap in the middle of the day, alone. I want to swim and sunbath all day.

I ALWAYS CRY......when my husband cries. This is a rare thing and I always poke fun at him and tell him he is dead inside when he doesn't cry over things I do. He says I cry enough for both of us. I just tell him "I'm a girl, we cry!"

I AM NOT......a good speller. My husband makes fun of me all the time for pulling out my Webster's New Pocket Dictionary. Spell check is my life saver.

I DANCE.....when a good song comes on. Mostly if the song is hip-hop or rap. Also if I am alone or just with my kids cause I know they won't tell and they think it's funny. I will also dance if I am with a group of friends at a club (rare these days) and usually many drinks are involved.

I SING.....with every song on the radio. I can't help it. Something just comes over me and I feel that I must sing every word to every song I hear. Sometimes I don't even know all the words. When I do know all the words then look out, I will belt it out as loud as I can. This makes me happy.

I NEVER......want to skydive. I don't get why people want to do it and pay big money to do it. My luck my shoot would never open or I would just throw-up all over myself. Either way it wouldn't be pretty.

I RARELY........ look in the mirror and like what I see. People, including my husband, will give me a compliment about the way I look and I smile and say thank you. Inside I am thinking, "Oh they are just being nice".

I CRY WHEN I WATCH.....Hope Floats. You know the movie with Sandra Bullock, where her husband has an affair with her best friend and she finds out on national television. I cry from beginning to end every time I watch it. Especially the part when the husband comes back to ask Sandra for a divorce and the little girl thinks her daddy came back to get her. Rips my heart out. I have watched this movie probably 50 times and still cry.

I AM NOT ALWAYS......as truthful with people as I would like to be. Sometimes it is to spare someones feelings. I feel I am doing them a favor and I do appreciate it when people do it for me. Other times it is to cover my own a$$. If I do something wrong or that I am embarrassed about I will lie like nobodies business to get out of it. I think it might be human nature. Survival of the fittest or something like that.

I HATE THAT....my brother died at such a young age (23 years old). He will never have a wife, a family of his own or know his niece or nephew. He had so many things left to do in his life. I hate that!

I'M CONFUSED ABOUT.......religion, politics, the human mind, the legal system and many more things that I just can't think of right now.

I NEED......to loose 58 lbs. to be healthier for my family and myself. This would also make looking in the mirror and at pictures of myself a lot easier.

I SHOULD......end this whirl wind of information that I am throwing at you. You are probably thinking, "Hey Heather, T.M.I. (too much information)".

I hope this was helpful as well as informative.

Now We Are Off To The Lions Den

2008-08-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

Wake -up call is again at 6:30 am for our next leg of the race. We are now heading to Austin to stay with our friend Holly. She is a dear friend that I have known since middle school. She has 3 kids, Jackson, Abigail and William. Jackson and Abi are 5 year old twins (or at least they will be next Thursday). William is 1 month younger than Lane and Will be 3 in October. We are so excited to see them because they are fun to hang out with and William and Lane get along so well.

We packed the car with all of the stuff we originally brought and now have added some souvenirs from Sea World. If we keep accumulating stuff one of these kids is going to have to ride on the roof of the Weasel wagon. I wish I had taken a picture of our car packed to the max. It was just a miracle that it all fit. Well maybe just pure talent that I could fit it. If I do say so myself. We call Holly to get the directions. We are all set now. All I need is a Starbucks and I can kick it into high gear. We are going along just great but not a Starbucks in sight. Seriously, what does San Antonio have against Starbucks? Okay never mind, we found one. We get our coffees and we are now back "on the road again". I don't know what it is but when I am on a road trip, and still awake, that song gets stuck in my head.

We start looking for the exit that Holly told us to take. Neither Chasity nor I see this exit 281. Then we notice that 1604 North has all the sudden become 1604 South. What in the world has just happened? We are both flabbergasted. We call Holly to find out what happened and now how do we get to her. She tells us that we have passed it long ago and now we will be traveling a new route. Where is a GPS when you need one? We finally get turned around and are on the right track. When we finally arrive and are happy to get out of the car. Holly and the kids are there to greet us with sandwiches, chips and drinks. Gotta love that Holly.

We decide to take a rest from the car for a while and let the kids play. They all get along so well. After our rest we all pile in 2 cars and head to The Hollows Beach Club. This place is fabulous. It is up on the side of a hill amongst an awesome neighborhood and marina. The beach club is what they call the pool area. The pool was nice and refreshing and it had a restaurant with waiters to serve you pool side. This is the life.

Chasity, Kylar (hiding) and Holly

Lane and Will were wearing matching bathing suits. (Which was not planned.) They played so well together and even got into a little trouble together. We were calling them Frick and Frack. We all had a great time relaxing, soaking in the awesome view and just letting the Austin winds blow through our hair. It was exactly what we needed. We headed back to the house for baths and bedtime. We had all the kids in an assembly line for the tub. We had Frick and Frack in one tub and the girls in another. When everyone was bathed and in bed Holly and I snuck off to pick up some snacks for our boat trip the next day and wine for the night. When we returned everyone was asleep. We opened the wine and the back door and started going back in time. We talked about the old times and everyone we knew back then. We laughed, maybe a little too loud because a few neighbors' lights started coming on. We wound down about midnight. It was fun and a much needed little trip back to the old days when we weren't known as mom but as Heather & Holly. It was fun.

Frick (aka Lane) & Frack (aka Will)

Riley lounging in a poolside chair
Kylar playing in the fountains
Holly & Will
Lane and his popsicle

Riley asleep in her poolside lounge chair

The next morning we got up and fed the kids. We packed our bags for the boat. Holly and John have a boat that is docked at The Hollows on Lake Travis. This would be Lane's and Riley's first ride on a boat. I think it might have been Kylar's too. They were so excited. We also brought the tube so they could take rides. I wasn't sure if Lane would do it but boy was I wrong. I couldn't get him out of it. I was so proud of my little boy. Riley fussed a little at the beginning when she had to wear a life vest but I gave her a pacifier and she just sat back and chilled out. She even at one point took a nap. That girl will sleep anywhere.

Kids and Holly on the boat
Heidi, Me & Riley sporting her most fashionable life vest

Kylar, Lane & Jackson

Kylar & Lane tubing

Chasity, Kylar & Heidi

Me, Riley, Lane, Will & Kylar

I think Lane was getting a little homesick because he turned to me at one point and said "Can we eat lunch and then go home and see Daddy?". What a cutie!

When we were all done boating and living the life of leisure we headed back to the Lion's Den. We packed and headed back home. We had a great vacation and what an adventure for 2 moms and 4 kids.

Watch Out Shamu....Cause The Weasels Are Coming To Visit!

2008-08-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

Friday morning started at 6:30 am for me. I had to take a shower and get packed so that we would be ready to leave. We wanted to be at Sea World as soon as the gates opened. When you are taking 3 kids under the age of 5 anywhere, there is a lot of packing and preplanning. Riley was staying with Nana and Mema while me, Lane, Nolan, Chelsae, Heidi, Kylar and Chasity headed to the home of Shamu. We got packed and dressed and headed out. We got to Sea World just when it opened at 10am. We were a little shocked at how many people were already there. I guess we kinda thought we were the only ones with this grand idea to go on a Friday and get there early.

Let me tell you that within the first 10 minutes of being in the park I was already sweating like a pig. Texas heat will kill you....no lie! Our first stop, after the bathroom, was to the Shamu Express. It is a small kids roller coaster. They all loved it once we got on. They were a little confused on why we had to wait in line so long. I just told them to get used to it because obviously, someone told everyone in Texas our plan to go to the park Friday and get there early. We have a "mole" amongst us.

Kylar & Heidi

Nolan & Chelsae

The Shamu Express

We decided that our next stop on this fun train would be SHAMU! We headed 30 miles to the other side of the park to see the Shamu show "Believe". It was awesome! I just can't get over the fact that this is these peoples job. To hang out with whales. What a cool job to have. The kids were speechless the entire time. Not one peep was made from any of the 3 kids during the whole show. Amazing!

Nolan & Chelsae at Believe

Chasity, Heidi & Kylar

Me & Lane

All Lane could say was "WOW!"

We stopped to check out the flamingos or as Nolan said "Hedder come and see the pink mingos". Too cute! If you haven't noticed from the pictures, Kylar is a girly girl. She loves the camera and loves to pose. Isn't she adorable!

Lane, Nolan, Kylar and Heidi (up top)

After we watched Shamu consume arms full of fish we decided that we were a little hungry too. On the way we stopped to get the kids swords. Now who's brilliant idea was this......Chelsae. The kids loved them but I think that we may or may not have maimed a few innocent by standards along the way. We headed to the eatery to get some over priced kids meals, but hey it's all worth it since it came in a Shamu lunch box.

Nolan & Lane with swords

Kylar, Nolan & Lane with swords....Scary!!

$85.00 later we took a stroll to somewhere they had a/c. Have I mentioned how hot it was. I think the thermometer read 150 degrees or at least it felt like it. Chelsae said that the Anheuiser Busch brewery on site gives adults 2 free beers. That was all I had to hear and I took off. I don't even think that I noticed until we got there that our kids had fallen asleep. Fine with me since the brewery had a/c, tables and chairs, and did I mention 2 free beers........YIPEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Nolan & Lane are out cold

Poor Lane. He's gonna have a sore neck when he wakes up.

This is where I stopped taking pictures. It was too hot to think and I from this point on couldn't remember to take a picture. After mama had her beers we headed to the penguin exhibit. This was my favorite, well other then the free beers. It was so awesome to see the penguins swimming and the way they have the exhibit is so awesome. They have a moving sidewalk that you get on and it takes you for a ride passed the glass exhibit where there have to be 100+ penguins of all different kinds swimming and waddling around. Plus the whole place had a/c.

We decided that we had enough of the heat so we headed to the Lost Lagoon. This is the water park they have at Sea World. It has a lazy river, a wave pool, twisty slides and a play area for kids with a huge dumping bucket. Lane and Kylar loved the wave pool. We could barely get them to go on anything else. I love the twisty slide that I got to ride on with Heidi. The other kids were too small so they had to stay behind. It was so much fun and a little scary too. You get in a 2 person tube and slide down this pitch black slide and every once in a while you could see some light. It was a blast and so worth the wait. When we were ready to go I understood why they called the place the Lost Lagoon. We rented lockers for our stuff when we arrived and they gave us a key. When I went to open my locker my key was gone. I had lost it in the wave pool. Typical me!!!! Well it only took the entire teenage staff and 20 minutes to finally get it open. The funny thing was every time they sent a new person to help they always asked me, "Lost your key?" Like I did all this for attention or something. We all got dressed and headed to the car. It was a short ride home but long enough for all the kids to fall asleep. We all had a great time and can't wait to do it again next summer.

Are We Crazy Or What?

2008-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

My friend, Chasity, and I made plans to take our kiddos on a road trip. The plan was to head from Houston to San Antonio on Thursday evening and spend the night with my in-laws. We would wake-up the next morning and head to Sea World. Spend the night Friday night and then Saturday morning head to our friend, Holly's house and come back Sunday. Yes, it does sound like a lot of driving but she and I are tough moms who can handle it........Can't we?

We were a little scared but ready for the challenge. My instructions to her were to pack light. Yeah Right, like that's going to happen with 4 kids and 2 adult women. We did the best to consolidate but ended up with a lot of stuff. I used my super power organizing skills to make it all fit in the Weasel Wagon. It was a challenge but in the end I won.

Now, all we had to do was make it there. I was confident that we would with no problems. I made sure that I drove the last trip we made to my in-laws so that I was sure I knew the way. So off we go!!!!!!

We get about 30 minutes into the trip and Kylar, Chasity's 4 year old daughter, says "Mom, are we there yet?". I thought I was going to pee my pants I was laughing so hard. I thought that phrase was something that only kids said in the movies. Apparently not, since she proceeded to ask about 30 or 40 more times. Funny the first time but no so funny the other 29 to 39 times. Kylar and Lane also began to argue like brother and sister for another leg of the trip. I heard, "Stop touching me! Mom, Lane is touching me!" to Lane growling at Kylar like a bear and her saying "Mom, Lane is giving me a headache". It was funny at times but other times Chasity and I looked at each other and said "Did you forget the beer?" Yes, this was the first time that Chasity and I had been on a road trip that did not include a cooler of beer. It sure is sad to grow-up.

We finally get to San Antonio around 10:30pm. I am cruising along and we come to the exit that I am suppose to take to get to my in-laws and it is under construction and closed. "WHAT!" This is the only way I know how to get there. I am also very low on gas. Of Course! Just like in every horror movie the car won't start or the girl falls down and can't seem to muster the strength to get up and run when the scary guy is coming. It is typical. Well, Houston highways and San Antonio highways are totally different. In Houston if you get off on the wrong exit you can just go to the next light and turn around. Apparently, in San Antonio they thought we did it wrong. They thought that if you get off at the wrong exit at night with a car full of kids, in a town you are unfamiliar with you should be punished and scared straight. Well we decided to try to make a u-turn and did. But to our surprise it lead us to a dead end feeder road. Wow, how convenient for us. There was a gas station on the corner so we at least could fill up. Lord knows we do not want to run out of gas in this neighborhood. This neighborhood was straight out of the movie, "Boys In The Hood". We saw a sign for free pregnancy tests along with a mural of Jesus and Mary on the side of the building. What a combo!

After driving through the neighborhood for about 20 minutes we finally made it back on to the highway. I now have my in-laws on the phone and asking for directions. They give us the new route and we finally make it to the house. Thank goodness the kids were asleep the whole time we were taking our detour. Can you imagine the questions they would have had?

My in-laws live in Rio Medina which is about 30 minutes outside of San Antonio. They live on some land and there nearest neighbors are down the road. When we showed up it was completely dark and you couldn't really see how secluded we really were. We start unpacking our car and loading up the guest house with all our stuff. As we are doing this I notice that Chasity's 13 year old step-daughter, Heidi, is closing all the blinds on the windows. My in-laws ,who are watching the little ones so we can unpack, inform her that it is not necessary to do that because there is nothing around us. She smiles and stops to unpack her stuff. The next morning I wake up and notice that Heidi has taken 2 pillows off the couch and stuffed them into the window, where mind you there are no blinds, to cover the window. What have we done to these city kids? They don't even feel safe in the country. I guess we gave her a bad impression with the route we took to get there.

Reese's Pieces are the Bomb

2008-08-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Today was a successful day of potty training. We made it to the potty every time and had no accidents. Lane did however consume quite a few Reese's Pieces but I am okay with that if it gets us on the road to a diaper less society. Please keep sending your good vibes our way as this is just day 1 but a successful day one might I add. YEAH!!!!

Are Reese's Pieces the Answer?

2008-08-04T07:17:00.000-07:00

I can't put into words how frustrated I am over this whole potty training thing. Why can't a human child just instinctually know to use the potty? Why does it have to be so dang hard? My son, Lane, is almost 3 years old and still we can't seem to get the using of the potty thing down. I can grab him and put him on the potty and he will go either number 1 or number 2. We do the you're awesome dance and throw in a couple of high-fives. You would think with all of this positive attention it would some how snap to tell mommy when he needs to go. Yeah, no! I have tried the whole letting him run around without anything on. He will just poop and pee on the floor. It's too disgusting and I just can't do that any more. I have also tried the wearing underwear thing. Again, he will just poop and pee in them. He might not even tell me he has pooped in them so that when I try to take him to the potty the poop falls on my foot. This has happened on more than one occasion. Totally disgusting and completely frustrating. I have tried sending him to timeout. I have tried bribery. All has failed.

I have recently discovered that Lane is obsessed with Reese's Pieces. Who isn't?! So here we are trying another tactic to get this child to go to the bathroom and let us know when he needs to go before he soils his pants. PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE LET THIS WORK!!!!!! Everything I have read says that boys are harder to train than girls. Let's hope it is easier when Riley is old enough to start training. So I have the "Hang In There" kitty cat poster with the kitten hanging from a tree branch looking at you with terror and cuteness all at the same time. As encouraging as it is, I am still begging and pleading that this works. I am so ready for a diaper less household. If I can get through this then I just have one more to go. So please send your good vibes my way because Lord knows I need them!!!

I'm Hungry!!!!

2008-08-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

I just thought that I would show you what Riley looks like after she has eaten. She loves her food but boy she can kick and box her way through the entire eating process. This is the reason that she wears most of her meal. Her bib says it all.

Fun Days at Pump It Up

2008-08-01T16:52:00.000-07:00

Well today was another fun filled day of jumping on a room full of inflatables. You know these are not my favorite places but today I needed it. I bet you thought I was going to say Lane needed it. Oh no, it's all about me today. This morning I was talking to my friend, Amy, about her "vacation". I have put vacation on quotations because in this conversation we decided that it really isn't a vacation for us. It is just transplanting all the stuff we do and are responsible for on a daily basis to another location. We also did come to the conclusion that it is a "vacation" for us but for our husbands it is a VACATION. So pretty much we were in rant mode and the kiddos on both sides of the phone were distracting us from our Bitchfest 2008. I told her that we really need to get these kids somewhere they can run wild and we can continue our conversation. We decided on Pump It Up. It was perfect and we also had free coupons to get in. YEAH!!!!! I love me some free.

Amy invited our friend Kristin and her daughter Savannah. Then we all met at the local Pump It Up. I love this name by the way. It always reminds me of Hans and Frans from the Saturday Night Live skit. "We want to pump you up!" Remember those days when you could actually stay up that late and not pass out on the couch at 9:30pm. Those were the days. Lane is in hog heaven jumping on everything and playing with his friend Nathan. Riley was enjoying the girl talk and being held by everyone. There were quite a few kids there and as always the rough kids. You know the ones. The kids that have total disregard for other people's safety and will take you out just as look at you. Yeah, there is always one in the crowd. Lane, I guess, got a little sick of getting hurt on accident that he came over to me and wanted to wear head gear. I can't blame the kid.

This is where the cute picture of Lane in his head gear would be, if only his computer illiterate mother hadn't accidentally erased it!!!

We ladies commenced on our griping about husbands, kids, potty training and a many other things. Then we started to notice that the very innocent lady sitting next to us reading her magazine was inching her way closer to us. Her ears have now perked up and are pointing our way. She was listening intently to every word. Now don't get me wrong I would do the same. I would have been a little more discreet about it though. I am sure that in her mind she was thinking, "Right On! I totally agree with everything you ladies are saying. Fight the Power and don't let the man get ya down". Who knows she could just be thinking, "Could you people keep it down! I am trying to read about Brittany Spears over here". I guess we will never know.

The Weasels Go To San Antonio

2008-07-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well we packed, when I say we I mean me and the word over packed would be more appropriate, our Weasel Wagon and headed to San Antonio. We took the 3 1/2 hour road trip to my in-laws house with our cruise control on "Having a good Time". I don't know who invented the DVD player for the car but GENIUS!!!!! Seriously, my son was locked in for the whole trip. He even had headphones so we could enjoy our tunes and not have to listen to Finding Nemo or Toy Story or Cars the whole way there and back. AWESOME!!! I am not sure if it is good parenting but it sure as heck is good for parents. Riley slept most of the time until we made a pit stop at Buc-Ees for diaper changes and stretching. Lane didn't make a peep until I took him to the bathroom where he proceeded to yell "Beaver" at the top of his lungs. Not really appropriate in the women's restroom but I think everyone knew he was talking about the Buc-ees mascot. Let's hope. BUC-EES Truck Stop; Notice the Beaver

We arrived at the parents' house ready to party. Nana and Papa were so happy to see the kids and us of course. But mostly the kids. Like Craig always says "Once you have kids you become a potted plant and the kids are the focus of the room". He loves that saying. Lane loved riding the tractor (aka riding lawn mower) with Papa and anyone who would take him for a ride.

Papa & Lane

Bryan & Lane

Craig enjoyed the newly paved drive way that he proceeded to ride Lane's skateboard down and nearly killing himself. Every time he would do it I would yell "You do realize you are our family's sole provider". He acted like he didn't hear me and did it like a hundred more times. Men are children in disguise. Gotta love them.

He Lived!

Craig, David (his dad), Scotty (his brother), Bryan (his brother), and Jeremy (his brother) all went to play golf Saturday morning. While Lane, Riley, Dee (mother-in-law), Megan (sister-in-law), Chelsae (sister-in-law), Nolan (nephew) and I went to eat. Dee got to pick since this was a little celebration of her belated birthday. She picked this awesome Mongolian BBQ place called Hu Hot. Loved it. If you have never been to a Mongolian BBQ restaurant then you are totally missing out. You pick your noodle or not, then your meat, veggies and customize your sauce. You bring it to the BBQ guy and he cooks it all up on this huge round stone thing while you watch. It was awesome. A little steamy which did nothing for my hair but none the less good.

I made reservations for that night at the Oasis on Lake Medina for the whole gang. This was a great idea in theory but when we arrived it took an ugly turn. The place was 84 degrees inside. Yes, I said it 84 degrees inside. It may have been cooler if we had sat outside. This is Texas people we don't like to eat in the heat. We complained to the manager and she gave us some lame excuse about it being hot inside because they have to keep going in and out to serve people outside. Yeah right!!! I have been to many indoor and outdoor restaurants in Texas and never sat in 84 degree heat. "Sell crazy somewhere else lady, we are all stocked up here!" Gotta love As Good As It Gets. Any who.......that was just the beginning of our fabulous experience at Hellasis, I mean Oasis. We ordered. My salad was something straight out of a bag. It consisted of a hand full of spinach, a hand full of sliced mushrooms and a sprinkle of croutons from a box. That set us back $6.95. Craig and Scotty ordered Fish Tacos. When they arrived they were so disgusting that Craig, who never complains about anything and won't even take back a shirt, called the manager over and asked if they could get a hamburger instead. She took one look and with no hesitation said "oh, yeah I'll get that for ya". When she returned she brought with her a hockey puck on a bun. WOW! Could it get worse......oh yeah! Craig's dad had a Tossed Salad that was so drenched in salad dressing that it was soggy. He couldn't even finish it. This man will eat anything. He practically lives on Dairy Queen tacos for Pete sake. That is how bad it was. Jeremy thought that he would order the Lobster Raviolis. He thought that for $15.95 it has got to be good. Boy, was he mistaken. The plate was covered in sauce and had 6 raviolis floating in the center. No pasta, no side salad, nothing but 6 raviolis. To top it off it was room temperature and I don't mean 84 degrees. It was colder than that. The rest wasn't any better for anyone else. When we get the bill Craig and Scotty got charged for both the Fish Tacos ($14.95) and the hamburger ($9.95). We were so livid and sweaty by this point that we just paid it and went to watch the band outside. You know, where it was cooler. This is when it gets better. The kids ran around and danced to the band. Craig and I took a spin or two around the floor. Even my in-laws took the floor. We had some wine and that made it all better. The evening ended on a great note but I would not recommend the Oasis at Medina Lake to anyone. Well if I didn't like someone, maybe.

Nana & Papa cutting a rug

Lane showing-off his many moves

Scotty & Megan

Chelsae & Nolan

Jeremy & Me

Bryan & Riley

The next morning we decided to head back to our neck of the woods. We packed up the kids and all that comes with them. Why is it that it always seem like you take home more than you brought in the first place? Even if you don't buy anything. Crazy! Overall it was a fun-filled weekend with the family and a much needed get away.

Slacker Of The Worst Kind

2008-07-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

I know! I know! Where is my sense of loyalty and commitment? I know that I have disappointed all 3 of my fans. I am getting it together and will soon be prepared to bombard you with several posts all at once. I have a few pictures to download and stories to sort, then LOOK OUT!!!

Just a little preview ........

This is my husband, Craig, looking for a lost toy behind the washer and dryer. Now that is loyalty and commitment. Nice legs by the way!!!!!

STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Many Faces of Craig

2008-07-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

I think my husband wants me to put him on my blog. I say this because one night out of the blue he is like, "Take a picture of me". This is not usual for him. He also knows that I have been posting our current pictures on my blog. I think this is his subtle way of saying "Take a picture of me and post it on your blog". So here goes.........

The most handsome man in the world!

Believe it or not, I have a picture of him as a small child and he looks exactly like this!

Back Off Ladies! He is all mine!

We are coming up on our six year wedding anniversary and he is still the most handsome, most caring, most romantic, funniest man I have ever known. He is my heart and the love of my life (the LOML). I couldn't have asked for a better husband to me or a better father for my kids. I hope that everyone gets to experience true love in their life. It's awesome!

I love you LOML and thanks for putting up with me all these years. I know that in it's self can be a challenge. Thanks for being up for that challenge! I love you!!

If you Could Only See What I See

2008-07-21T18:58:00.000-07:00

Just a few pictures that I wanted to share..........

When Daddy gets home from work it's time to play!

Riley doing her Friday night Yoga

Do you know anyone who can be COOLER than this? Seriously?

It's Exhausting to be so Cool!

24 Hours of Heaven

2008-07-21T17:57:00.000-07:00

My friends and I decided that we deserved to have 24 hours with out our kids and husbands. We wanted to hang out, talk, drink and be merry. This past Saturday was that time. We met at one of my best friend's (Kristina) mom's (Connie aka Kitten) house. We chose this location because it has a pool and no kids live there. These were our only stipulations. We started this shin-dig at Connie's around 5:00 p.m. Kristina on the other hand arrived around 5:30 p.m. Yes, you guessed it Connie wasn't home and Kristina (the key master) wasn't there either. When Chasity and I pull up there is poor, sweet Traci waiting outside.

Poor Traci!!! Can you hand me a beer?

She was fine and dandy since she was kid less and had already cracked open her first cold one. Kristina finally moseys on up and the party begins. We all decide that we would start our night with some dinner at the "famous" Italian Cafe. This is a place that we have been a hundred times. We like it, not because the food in over priced, but it is B.Y.O.B. I know what you're thinking..."What a Dump!" It isn't. It's actually a family owned Italian restaurant that is very successful and has been around forever. CHEERS to 24 Hours of Heaven!!!!

HERE'S TO GOOD FRIENDS,

AND GOOD FOOD! (This is my meal. Notice the missing meat.)

Chasity, our chauffeur, drove us back to the abode for a little hot tubing and gossip. I forgot to mention, and more drinks. When we got back we all checked in with our hubbies to make sure the kids hadn't tied them up, gagged them and burned the house down. Thankfully all was good and the night could continue as planned.

We slipped into our suits, because it's not that kind of party, and into the hot tub. Man was it hot!! I asked Connie if she was trying to turn us into soup and feed us to the homeless. Once we got the temp down from "H E double hockey sticks" to relaxing we began the gossip. We talked about the good, the bad and the ugly. It was great. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to talk about girl stuff and not Dora the Explorer or Blue Clues.

I have known these girls since high school (Kristina and Chasity) and one since middle school (Traci), so you know we can talk until forever. And we did. We also had a race across the pool. I have to give it up to my girl Traci for beating me twice with her little arms. Then once I realized that swimming under water wasn't cutting it and went old school on her, I won. Yeah for me!!!!

Me and My Girls (Chasity, Kristina & Traci)

In the morning, we ate breakfast. Traci had to leave and get back to her 6 week old baby girl. Chasity, Kristina, Connie and I went for a swim and some sunbathing. This should be the time I say, "and put on some sunscreen". I wish I could say that. Oh no, I don't know what I was thinking. Needless to say after a relaxing time of sunbathing I look like bacon. Just crispy. It's awful.

I would like to thank Connie and Joe for the accommodations. You are super cool and I love you both. I would also like to say that I have the coolest friends in the whole world. Chasity, Kristina and Traci, thanks for always being there for me for all these years. I don't know what I would do if you weren't a part of my life. I love you all and can't wait until the next one.

To everyone else, my advice to you is to take the time for yourself. It doesn't have to be 24 hours, it could be one hour but it is very necessary. Enjoy yourself and the people who knew you before you were wife or mom. When you were just you.

The Weasels Go To The Woodlands Again

2008-07-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Weasels' Wagon was packed to the max on Thursday. For those of you who I thought would think I was exaggerating I took a picture. Keep in mind this was for a day trip to the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. Yes, I said a day trip not an overnight.I know! I know! All my friends that went with us were making fun of me and my Samford and Son wagon piled high, strolling into the water park. Crazy but necessary!

Play group yesterday was at the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center in the Woodlands. Craig suggested it after someone at work mentioned it to him. It was so awesome! They have a play area with slide & dumping bucket, a lazy river, a lap pool, and a twisty slide that you slide down on tubes. They also have a concession stand that Chick-Fil-A and Smoothie King come and set-up. Being the good vegan that I am and cheap-o, we brought our lunch. But what an awesome concept and money maker. It was great. It wasn't so big that you could keep an eye on the kids but big enough to have all these activities. Now I said you are able to keep an eye on your kids but did we is another story. Lane is an active child and a little bit of a dare devil at times. I know this so when we go to the pool or places like this he wears his vest. This vest is awesome and gives him more freedom. I am sitting in the lounge chair under the huge umbrella shade with Riley and watching as Lane runs up and down the stairs of the play area. I turn to get a bottle out of the bag and look back and he is gone. I get up and look around and find him under the bridge climbing the ledge and jumping in. He is having a blast but I have just had a heartattack so I am not happy. I pull him out and give him the lecture about staying where I can see him. The whole 9 yards. I go back to our chairs and my friends are sitting there so I start saying "I know what you are thinking, Mom of the Year". They laugh and the day goes on. It wasn't an hour later that the lifeguard is holding the hand of my friends little boy and walking him around the water park. My friend sees him and says "Where were you?". The lifeguard says that he had jumped into the lap pool (mind you he can swim) and two ladies grabbed him and pulled him out. She thanked the lifeguard and gave him the same lecture Lane had gotten not an hour before. I went up to her and said "Hey! You trying to take my Mother of the Year award or what?" Before she could answer my other friend says, " Girl, she took it". So if anyone is looking for 2 good babysitters for your kids we have Mother of the Year and Runner-Up available.

Same day, Lane decides that he will follow the big girls to the lazy river. I am watching him (this time) follow them and tell him to come back because he can't go on that without me. He continues to follow so I lay Riley down in her chair, one of many items I hauled there, and when I look up he is gone again. I run over to the lazy river and he had jumped in. He is floating and saying "Help Me Mommy" in a playful voice. I run down in front of him and as he floats by grabs his arm. He wasn't in any danger but just scared me. The lifeguard saw him jump and was already about to grab him when I did it. Needless to say we were all exhausted when we left. No Lie, we were there for 4 1/2 hours.

Riley was worn out and took a little 1 hour nap while Lane ran like a crazy person all over the place.

We had a great time and we were really never in any serious danger. The place is crawling with lifeguards and the water is not that deep in about 90% of the park. We are planning on doing this again. Can you believe it?

When Bad Fashion Happens to Good People

2008-07-16T18:19:00.001-07:00

Short But Sweet.......

I asked Lane to please go to his room and bring me some pajamas. This was what he put together.

I can't wait to see what he picks out for the first day of school. Not Going To Happen! Maybe I will let him pick out his own clothes when he's 13. We'll see!!!!

Stranded and Vulnerable

2008-07-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

I have to say that there are many times in my life that I feel stranded and vulnerable. Most of the time it's not literally the case. Today it was most definitely real. This is where the T.M.I. (too much information) begins:

I am home with the kids like most days. Lane had just awoke from his nap and Riley was still asleep. I was on the other side of the house when the urge to go to the bathroom arose. I headed to the guest bathroom, sat down and did my business. I look over at the toilet roll and ,surprisingly (I am being sarcastic now) it is empty. I open the cabinet next to the toilet and it is empty. I think to myself "Great! Now what?". I call for Lane. He responds, "WHAAAAAAT?". I say "Come Here". He says "I'm coming!". Taking his time and poking around. Seriously, if the house was on fire and the television was on Lane would probably burn up since he has no sense of urgency when he is watching "Lazy Town". By the way, this is the most annoying show on television and all the kids I know love it. Crazy! He finally shows up and says "Whatya doing?" I said "Going potty". I asked "Lane can you please go in mommy's bathroom and bring her some paper?". He says "Okay". Again, he moves like molasses to finally return with, no lie, one ticket, one square or whatever you call it. I laugh and think to myself I am going to have to strut my stuff across this house to get some toilet paper. I looked at him with desperation on my face and said "Thank you honey bunny but I need a lot of paper. Can you get a lot of paper for mommy?" He sweetly says "Yes". When he returns from space, which was about how long it took, he has a handful of paper. Thank goodness!!!! Now I can start participating in the world again.

Pearland Here We Come

2008-07-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

I know that I have been slacking on my blogging. All three of my readers must be highly disappointed. Well my excuse goes like this......

The Weasels headed to Pearland to visit Gigi and Mike (aka: my mom and her husband) this weekend. Lane was so excited to see his Gigi. He was especially excited when we said that we were going to go swimming at Mimi's (aka Janet, my best friend's mom) house too. She has the most awesome backyard. Her backyard comes equipped with a beautiful pool and hot tub with waterfall feature, an outdoor kitchen with BBQ pit, sink, refrigerator, bar with bar stools and my favorite the "Margarita Machine". They also have a flat screen with cable mounted outside and Lane's favorite the "Snow Cone Machine". It is an outside wonderland. Every time I leave I ask Craig, "Can you please buy me a backyard like that?" He just laughs and walks off. Maybe this is his way of throwing me off the scent. Maybe Christmas morning I will wake-up and look out my back door and see a backyard wonderland of my own. Yeah, doubtful! A girl can dream can't she?

We got there late and left late. Everybody, that I hadn't seen in a while, was there. Holly was in from Austin with her 3 kiddos, Jackson, Abby & William and her mom, Jackie, Chasity and her daughter Kylar, Traci and PJ with their kids, Jordan, Dylan, Dustin and newest addition, Addelyn, and dearest Kristina came solo. I think it was her night off from kids and hubby. It was great to get caught up on things that are going on in everyone's lives. I miss my girls on the Southside. It's hard to get together when we are all spread over Texas. We all had a great time and appreciate Janet and Bill for letting us bombard there home for the evening.
When we left I asked Craig if he had a good time. I asked him because he was the one that got slapped in the face more than 10 times with the pool noodle, he was lifeguard on duty and actually got to save a child's life (I exaggerate). He was the one who got to listen to a bunch of girls talk about pregnancy, sex lives, hair removal techniques and overall girl talk that men should really not be apart of. He said he did have a good time. Believe me, if he didn't he would tell me.
When we get home we get the kids to bed and by this time we are all wiped-out. It is time for bed and Craig and I slip into my mom's guest bed for the night. I think that people buy small uncomfortable beds for their guest rooms so that people won't stay long. This bed is a double and Craig and I are used to a King. It is also hard and the sheets are a little on the scratchy side. Needless to say the night is filled with tossing, turning and a few kicks to the shins. I guess I shouldn't complain since when my mom comes to visit us she has to share a double bed with Lane, the fighting octopus. I call him this because he kicks, punches and slaps all night long. It's bad.

The next day brings visitors to see the kids. When you become a parent it seems that you no longer exist. People no longer come to visit you they come to see the kids. Craig says that we have become potted plants. He loves that saying and says it all the time. I think he is pretty proud of it.

After naps we go to visit our friends in Taylor Lakes that have just had their first baby girl, Madeline. She is adorable and they are adjusting to being new parents quite well. The evening includes a little wine, a big dinner, music and Guitar Hero. Oh yes, I think I may be addicted to Guitar Hero. I am horrible at it and pretty much got booed off the stage in the first 15 seconds of playing. It was sad to watch but fun to play. I loved it. Thank you Deana and James for a great night. Much needed and much appreciated.

Back at the Gigi's house we are all exhausted and the kids fell asleep on the way back. Craig and I slip into another night of WWF or as you would call it "night of rest". It was fun and the weekend went by faster than we would like. Thanks mom for being such a great Gigi and my kids already miss you. I miss you too but I am not missing that guest bed. Dang!!! Home Sweet Home and Home Sweet King Bed!

The Weasels Go To The Woodlands

2008-07-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

Well today was another "Banner Day" for the Weasels Crew. We decided to head on out to the Woodlands. I admit I like to take my kids to the Woodlands Mall as a source of entertainment. I know it sounds a little, okay maybe a lot, pathetic but it has all the elements I like. It has a play ground, air conditioning, food court, elevator and believe it or not a carousel. Yes people, a real working carousel. It is beautiful and just as you would imagine it. It is also only $1.00 and no charge for the adult or 5 month old that have to ride since the 2 1/2 year old is not 42" tall. So in a nutshell it is cheap entertainment for the kiddies and they love it
What I want to know is why is it when you get older your body tolerates a lot less? When I was a kid I would ride roller coasters that would go upside down, inside out and backwards. They would hang you by your toe nails until your face turned blue and snap your neck until your head almost fell off. I loved it and could ride from morning to night, no problem. But today on a less than 5 minute ride on a kiddie carousel I thought that I might loose my food court "Japanese" noodle lunch all over the place. Crazy isn't it.

Our next stop, on our voyage, is the play ground area. This is the place that a parent brings their child, good or bad, cute or ugly, sick or healthy, to play with other children they don't know. This is a time when the parent gets a few moments to themselves to sit and maybe talk on the phone,desperate for an adult conversation, or read a book or in my case feed the other child screaming from the limo of a stroller I cart around. I know that these places are just infested with all kinds of germs and only God knows what else but at this point Mama doesn't have a choice and doesn't care. All I can think of is, kid is screaming and I have got to stick bottle in that open hole to stop noise and headache from setting in, ASAP.

Now, to get to a place to sit down you have to maneuver your stroller through and around the play ground equipment and dodge a few wild kids too. The whole time you are apologizing to people who won't move their feet to let you by. Sometimes I bump into them or roll over their toes and then say "I'm sorry.", like it was a terrible accident. This was no accident. It is actually my way of saying....."PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND HAVE SOME COURTESY FOR A FELLOW PARENT JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT THROUGH ANOTHER DAY". I finally get to the open seat next to the stroller corral, which mine won't fit in because like I said I drive a "Limo" of a stroller, so mine sticks out into the path for everyone to bump into. I know it seems a little over the top but it is necessary. Believe Me!

Finally, I am feeding Riley and Lane is running around like a crazy person. I have my eye on him to make sure he is still being courteous to other kids and not getting hurt. I think I might be the only one since I spot a kid out of the corner of my eye crying and looking for his mom. Mind you this place has only one in and out and is a giant circle. For pity sakes where could she have gone. I'll tell you, nowhere. She has her head in a book or on her cell phone, acting like she forgot she had kids. This is typical in these types of places.

Lane is a friendly kid and really makes friends anywhere and everywhere we go. His choice of friend on the other hand is lacking in the nice department. This annoys me. It burns my hide to watch a child be mean to my kid and no parent in sight to discipline the bully. So Lane hooks up with this kid who has brought a large, hard plastic spider to the play area. *A little housekeeping note to parents: don't bring your own toys to a play area at the mall. It is just a recipe for disaster and makes it difficult on all of us.
So Lane and spider kid are playing and seem to be getting along fine. Then spider kid starts to get a little rough. He starts shoving the large, hard spider at my kids face. I watch as Lane runs away with a part smile and part scared look on his face. I know that this is going to get old soon. He then decides that it is getting old and runs to me. Meanwhile, I have Riley and a bottle, so my hands are full. Spider kid follows and proceeds to shove that spider not only in Lane's face but mine too. I start looking for the mother of this arachnid and of course she is no where to be found. I put the bottle down and gently slap the spider away. He finally gives up and walks away. He then goes and sits not three spaces down and next to his mother. She never got off the phone or looked up. She was only three seats down the whole time when I needed back-up. Amazing! They leave and as they do they walk right by me. I never move my feet.

Hotter than H E Double Hockey Sticks

2008-07-08T11:24:00.000-07:00

If you have never been to the South let me tell you something....It Is HOT!! If anyone tells you any different then they are lying. If it is summer and you live in the South then you are either inside or looking for a place to soak. Since I have 2 kids and one being 2 1/2 years old, I do have to venture outside more than I would like. He wants to play outside and doesn't care that his mother is literally melting. I decided on this 98 degree day (but with the humidity it feels like 110 degrees) to take him to the shadiest park I could find. Let's just say it's tolerable for an hour. I am chasing him down and trying to take some pictures. Riley is strapped to the front of me like a buck to the hood of a F150 truck during deer season. She is just bouncing around, Lane is having a blast and I am counting the sweat droplets falling off my face until we can leave. I give Riley a bottle and Lane an hour to get his fill. Now, you know when the hour is up and mom has had enough that Lane is not going to just come quietly. Oh no, it's a fight. I am trying to be the calm mother that I know I can be but the heat does something to you. I think I might have sweated out the patients and it has been soaked into the dirt on the playground. Where ever it is it is not with me. I scoop up Lane and strap him down in his seat. I get Riley in hers and all our required stuff that we have to bring in the car for a short drive. I always ask myself as I am packing this overstuffed bag if we really must take all this stuff to go down the road for an hour. I have come to the conclusion that the answer is "YES". The minute I don't take one thing is the exact time I need that one thing the most. Crazy I know but you know I think the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, I was neither, had it right "Always Be Prepared". Thank you small children in goofy uniforms, I will be. We made it home and as I am about to get out of the car I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. WOW!!!! It looked like I had just jumped into a pool with all my make-up on. My mascara was down my cheeks, my lipstick was smeared and my hair is stuck to my forehead with sweat. That is when I realized that Lane wasn't screaming because he didn't want to leave, he was running from the scary monster. Poor kid! I am sure he won't sleep for a week with that image in his head.

Go Stros!!!!!

2008-07-06T09:24:00.000-07:00

Nothing is more American then a baseball game on the 3rd of July. It was the Astros vs. the Dodgers.

It was Riley's first game. No need for a beer....I brought my own bottle.

Daddy is loving the fact that he has another kiddo to introduce to the world of baseball. In the Weasel House you are either an Astros fan or you need to find another house to enjoy your sorry team.

I scream, You scream, Lane screams for ICE CREAM!!!!

I know what you are thinking, "Hey I thought you guys were vegan?". When my husband came back from taking Lane around the ballpark with a helmet ice cream in hand, I was not a happy camper. I gave him a look that could turn anyone to stone. Medusa would have been proud. But was my husband frightened? No way. He looked at me with the same look and said "Don't Even Ask!" Needless to say Lane enjoyed his ice cream in peace and loved every minute of it.

We had a great day. Lane left dreaming of someday being on that field, in an Astros uniform and being a part of the "Best Game Ever Played"! GO STROS!!!!

Houston We Have A Problem

2008-07-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a great family dinner and then the boys (Craig & Lane) went outside to visit with neighbors, play and whatever else before bath & bedtime. They came back in smelling like little puppies and sweat. There was also a slight smell of poop in the air and I asked Lane if he had poop in his pants. He pitifully admitted, "Yes". I asked Craig to please change him and give him a bath. He said "No problem", famous last words. Now this is where it gets graphic. Don't say I didn't warn you. It wasn't a minute later that I hear Craig beckoning me from the back of the house. When I say beckoning me I mean yelling for help. I come around the corner and lay eyes on a horrible sight. Craig is elbows deep in the nastiest poop diaper I have seen in a while. I asked him what I could do to help. He looks up at me with watery eyes, from holding back his gag reflex, and says "Nothing". He said "I just wanted you to see the worst of the worst diapers and appreciate the fact that you didn't get it. Also a few brownie points wouldn't hurt either". I walked away laughing and thinking to myself, "Honey this is my life on a daily basis but if a few brownie points will make you happy then you got it". I heard him later as he was taking Lane to the bathroom to give him a bath, "It's time for bath and for Pete's sake I may just need to jump in with you."

This is why I love my husband so much. Even when the situation looks bleak he still maintains his sense of humor. Big kisses to the LOML!!!!

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

2008-07-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

Well we had one Hell of a morning.......

I woke up with a smile on my face with the thoughts of the perfect day running through my head. Riley woke with a giggle and we all went in to wake the sleeping Lane. We kissed his face until he woke up. The first words out of his mouth were "Cartoons?". Yeah, I think he is watching too much t.v. We all snuggled for a little while and took our time waking up. We all moved from Lane's bed to my bed and decided to turn on some cartoons. I heated a bottle for Riley and was getting ready to feed her. The anticipation on her face was fierce. Just as I was about to put the bottle in her mouth, DING DONG! Who could be at my door at 7:30 a.m.? Could it be Craig? Maybe he left so early this morning he forgot something. I opened the door to the smiling face of Martha, the housekeeper. "Oh My Gosh!", I totally forgot she was coming today. The house was a wreck and last night's dinner was all over the kitchen. Now I am in a panic and still in my pajamas. I usually pre-clean before the housekeeper comes. I know that sounds crazy but who wants anyone to see their house like they really live in it, including the housekeeper. I scrambled to clean up, Riley is crying for her bottle and Lane is lying in my bed with his hands behind his head watching cartoons like nothing is going on. Martha starts in the second bathroom which gives me a chance to clean up the rest. I cleaned and straightened like I had a jet pack on my back. It was the fastest I had ever moved. No need to workout today, that should cover it. I throw some clean clothes on over my un-bathed body and get a hat over last night's pool hair. I scoop up Lane and throw some clothes on him and run a brush through his hair and teeth. I grab Riley and get her diapered and dressed. The bag is packed and we are heading out the door. As I pack everyone in the Weasel wagon I think to myself , "Man you are awesome and boy can you work under pressure". Sometimes you have to give yourself a pat on the back even if it is an un-showered one. You do what you gotta do!!!

Now that's what I call a "Tuesday".

Vegan or Bust

2008-06-30T17:49:00.000-07:00

I have had a lot of inquiries about the vegan in me. Just to clarify, a vegan is someone who doesn't eat meat or any animal products (i.e. milk, eggs, butter, cream, etc.) . Well I am here to tell you that it is not as hard as you may think. They have substitutes for everything. From milk to cream cheese to ice cream to whatever your heart desires. Shocking as it may sound....they are good too. Believe me, the former junk food queen with a side of sugar and fat, it's good stuff.

So how did you decide to become a vegan after 33+ years of life? Is what you may be wondering. I read a book. Yes, a book. It totally changed my outlook on what I was putting in my body and my family's bodies. The book is called "Skinny Bitch". The title caught my attention but the content kept it. Even if you do not become a vegan I will suggest this book to anyone and everyone. Not only did we give up meat and animal products but we have gone organic. Yes, I said WE. Craig is on board and Lane doesn't know the difference.

We have also given coffee the boot. I know what you are thinking "ARE YOU CRAZY?". You would think so but don't start an intervention just yet. We all know that caffeine is not good for you. C'mon! You know when you're chugging that Starbucks like a college kid at a frat party kegger, that the caffeine and sugar you're putting in your body is going to make you feel like crap later. I thought if I am going vegan to be healthy then I should do everything I can to put only healthy things into my body. I won't give you the grocery list of other things that I have cut out but I will let you know that I just make more informed decisions when I buy my food products. I know that you are snoring by now so I will just leave you with this...............

I like being a vegan and I feel 100% better after I eat. Do I care if you are not a vegan....no way. Live your life for you and no one else. At least, that's what I always say.

"Don't Cry For Me Argentina"

2008-06-30T10:18:00.000-07:00

Okay, I think that I might have started this thing off on a bad note. I should have eased into the "things off my chest" stuff. My dear and wonderful friend Amy just called and ask if I was okay, after reading my first entry. Sorry if I frightened you all. Like I said I will get better at this.

My life is wonderful and I appreciate the fact that I get to stay home with my kids. We have a lot of fun and we have great friends that we hang out with. So "Don't Cry For Me Argentina". This little lady is okay and her head is held up high. Just having one of those days!!!

Blogging to Regain Sanity

2008-06-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Please be gentle. I have never done this before (also the same line I used the night I lost my virginity).
As I stated in my profile I am a mother of two and a wife of one. I love being a mom and a wife but sometimes you just want a little time alone to be yourself. This is very difficult when you're a stay-at-home mom. You know that moment when you think to yourself, "Where did the funny, always the life of the party, shenanigan starting Heather go?". Well, I am in that moment! After back to back poopy diapers, one kid is spitting-up down your back while the other is pulling on your leg because Blues Clues has ended, you start to feel like you have lost your coolness. It also doesn't help that you are in your post baby body and just got a bad haircut.
So here I am trying to gain some sanity by blogging my feelings to the big wide world of the web.