The Weasels Go To San Antonio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!!!!

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!!!!