Conversations from the road

Today we were driving back from Target when Rage Against the Machine "Bulls on Parade" came on the radio. Me, being me, turned it up. LOUD. I love me some Rage and especially Bulls on Parade. This is the conversation that ensued.

Jillian: I don't like this.

Me: This song? You don't like this SONG?! Honey this is Rage Against the Machine. The song is called Bulls on Parade. Mommy LOVES this song.

Jillian: Well, I don't like it. At all.

Me: Well, what music do you like?

Jillian: I like Party in the USA. I like that a lot.

Me: So, you like Miley Cyrus and Party in the USA?

Jillian: Yes, I *love* smiley and Party in the USA.

Who is this child? I am pretty sure Jason is planning a musical intervention.

Spring has sprung

The girls and I made our first trip (of the season) to the arboretum this afternoon. After last weeks hail storm, and days of cooler weather, the sky opened up to a deep beautiful blue and warmer winds blew on the horizon. Just lovely weather. And perfect for the arboretum!

Nuts I tell ya!

My kids are crazy. Like hobo crazy. Today they have renamed our dogs. Crazy names too.

Bailey is now known as "Boulder". Now this works fine since he is a tank of a wiener. He is strong and fierce. He will literally shoulder his way in front of you just to get a nice rub down. He will knock you down for a treat. He is a Boulder.

Murphy is now known as "Jemsa". Sorry Murphy. Apparently you are the hippy dog. You tip toe through the house and dance to your own tune Jemsa. I am pretty sure the girls will be draping ribbons and beads on you by the end of the day.

Every time I call the dogs, the kids correct me now. "No mommy, that is Boulder, and that is Jemsa." Awesome hobo kids, Awesome.

Stuck indoors again....

This winter has been cold. And windy. And snowy. Momma no likey. SO we have spent most of our time indoors. Some things I have learned over the winter months:

1) Either my kids are NUTS or I am. It's a toss up these days.

2) Never, ever turn your back on kids playing with Play Doh.

3) Streaming Netflix has saved my arse many days.

4) Snow ice cream is best with the heavy snow.

5) There are plenty of places to hide ponies, and down our pants is probably not the *best* place.

6) Making and decorating cookies will require a full 2 days. One day baking and decorating. The next day cleaning all the little sprinkles off the floor and around every crevice in the kitchen.

7) The Rainbow Brite movie has got to be the worst movie ever. I do believe it shares space at the #1 slot with the Care Bears.

This is how it all begins. Look how nicely they are playing together.

Uh-oh. Toddler Smackdown 2011 begins.

The fit ensues and the crying begins. This is my day folks. Rinse & repeat several times a day.

Snow ice cream!

I stuck!

Momma, can you help me zip my jammies? What in the world is that? Are those Ponies in your pants? Yes. Ohhhhh - kaaaay.

Murphy is cleaning Bailey once again. **Big sigh**

Even princess's get time out.

Cookie time!

Redneck Momma!

I love watching people gingerly dust the snow off their car. Like they are polishing an exquisite bejeweled egg. Sorry peeps. This momma is redneck. And when it snows over a few inches, I bust out the broom. The broom is a little trick I picked up while we lived in Virginia. Those sweet little snow scrapers won't work for an SUV. That's like trying to use a toothpick. No mam. We need a broom - of significant size to brush the 7 inches of ice encrusted snow off this here vehicle.

Redneck Snow Removal

Tools of the trade

Voila! A clean car.

Playing in the snow

Shortly after Grammy & Boot's visit, we got about 7-8 inches of snow. The girls were CLAMORING to go play in it. "Mommy, can we go outside and play? Can we? Can we?" Oye, I really have started to dislike being cold and this includes snow. I can never get warm. Ever. The ever present wind, fingers numb, teeth chattering cold. So I bundled them up like a couple of eskimo kids and away we went. Who says a mother never sacrifices for her children? I sacrificed my fingers and toes that day.

Jillian making a snow angel

Kate, who refuses to look at the camera these days. Every picture is a fight unless I catch her off guard. Sorry child, mommy likes to take pictures. Lots of pictures. So just work with me and smile. Pretty please?

Grammy and Boots visit

This past month, Grammy and Boots flew up to Kansas for a visit. We spent the days chatting, gossiping, playing, relaxing and eating. That is ALWAYS a perfect combination! Luckily they left Kansas just a few days before we got 8 inches of snow. But that didn't matter too much, because they got several inches of snow and ice at their farm in Honey Grove. Family visits are the BEST!

New Years Eve

This year one of my great friends Lindsey and her husband John hosted a New Years Eve party. Complete with yummy food, plenty of drink, and a room full of friends and laughter. I had such a wonderful time hanging out with the Hot Mess Express!

Miss Sloane is going to melt hearts everywhere. Poor Lindsey and John. :)

Nom, nom nom, get in my BELLY!

See what I mean about her breaking hearts? She looks at you with her bright blue eyes, bats her long lashes and POOF - you are putty in her hands.

Daddy and the girls reading a book.