I've got some explaining to do

Ok, you're probably wondering what I'm doing switching my blog around every day. When this blog started almost two years ago (wow, really?), it really was a way to tell about the boys and show off their undeniable cuteness. Can I get an amen? But the more I wrote, the more I really got into it. I realized that this really is my therapy some days and the only way I can get through my life is to laugh at it! If it's not my boys making me laugh, it's a situation that is so terrible that I can only laugh at it. Anyone remember my Central Market story?

As my minister once said, the best sermon out there is to hear, "Me too!" We just want to hear from other moms, that yes, it's completely normal to want to lock yourself in a closet some days. We all just want to be validated. Oops, there goes my educator side slipping out again. I started daydreaming about it and thinking maybe I should try and make more of this! So maybe wanting to be the next "Dooce" is a little big, but hey we can all dream a little, right?!

I began doing some research online and I've found some really amazing sites that both inspire me and make me feel COMPLETELY inadequate. Blogging for dummies doesn't even cover it for me. Is there something like blogging for idiots...that's more my style.

I recently came across a blog that I'm in love by Amanda and maybe I love it so much because she's into all the things that I am...which automatically makes her cool. Although by looking at everything she's into, I think she might live on Red Bull with all her talents she can fit in. Again...feeling inadequate. She was so gracious and gave me some tips to implement but trying to fit it all between being a full time mom, full time teacher and church is the problem. I'm lucky to find time to write a post, much less "spice" up my blog.

So I'm taking baby steps (and I mean baby). I'm adding more features, personalization, and just trying new things that I think entice new readers. So spread the word, at least you can promise a good laugh!  Look for some changes as I figure this thing out.

Spring Scrappin' Break

About five years ago, a co-worker of mine made me a scrapbook for Nolan's first year. I really enjoyed putting in the pictures and then once his first year was finished, I wanted to do more. So I went with a friend one night and made fun of the other ladies who had suitcases and backed in their suburbans to come scrapbooking. I called them "super scrappers" and told her never let me become "one of them."

Well, fast forward four years later and I think I'm a self-proclaimed super scrapper. I've really gotten into it and my high school girlfriends and a few others do it too so we use it as an excuse to get together. We used to get together about once a month at a place called Recollections but it's closed so now we're going to long weekend scrapbook adventures and having a blast doing it. My next one is in July at Memory Lane Inn. Check it out...it's amazing! Scrapbooking until crazy hours of the night, a chef that cooks our meals and no kids! You know I love them but that long weekend during the summer after being with them all day everyday is going to be a little piece of heaven. I'm doing a countdown already! We make fun of ourselves and say that we're on "scrap crack."

For Christmas, Justin bought me a software called Sure Cuts a Lot and I'm in love. In scrapbook nerd land that just means a software that allows you to choose a million different fonts, files to use for your scrapbooking. My Cricut has been smokin' this Spring Break. I only got 5 spreads done but considering everything else we fit in this week, I feel proud that I got that much done! We turned our dining room into an office/scrapbook room. Stay tuned for pictures, we're still putting the finishing touches on the room.

Under the Big Top- circus last Aug (I know I'm behind!!)

Take me out to the party (Nolan's 4th birthday)

If family were flowers, I'd pick you (Kentucky family visiting for Cam's birthday)

Hey Batter! (Nolan's obsession with baseball last summer)

What's in a name? (all of the nicknames we call Campbell)

Gratitude (Thanksgiving 2009)

I've got the need for weeds!

When we got back from Weatherford, it was WELL past the boys nap time, but it was still such a beautiful day, that I didn't want to waste it. So I told the boys they could play in the backyard for a few minutes. Well, they got a hold of our weeds. Guess it's a good thing that we're such slackers because they turned out to be great pictures!

I ran and grabbed the camera. My husband, Justin, is the photographer and was at work so I was very scared about having to change lenses and taking some shots on my own, but I must say that for an amateur, I thought they turned out pretty good! I'm trying to get Justin to teach me some skills on Photoshop, but he's so crazy good at it (he's a graphic artist) that I don't think he can dumb himself down enough to teach me. I'm looking for photo editing for dummies.

Nolan helped spread more weeds by blowing the heck out out the dandelions in our yard. I tried to tell Campbell to do the same, but he just kept eating them when I told him to blow them. Nothing like the taste of fresh weeds!

Top of the mornin' to ya

We put on our green for St. Patrick's and headed out to enjoy the BEAUTIFUL day outside...or as my mother-in-law says a "Camelot" day. We went to Weatherford to eat on the square and do some fun boutique shopping. Before we left Nolan took a picture of Campbell and me in our green attire. Pardon the EXTREME close up but now you know why. You can see my arm in the picture trying to push Nolan back.
Next we were on to Weatherford. The great thing is that since my parents and I work for the same district we have off at the same time and get to do fun things together. We met my parents mid point so we could caravan together. We took the "scenic" route...not on purpose, but my iphone sure did come in handy...love the map app. Otherwise, I still might be driving looking for that place. We met my sister and my nieces at a tiny sandwich shop on the square with homemade bread...yummm. We did a little shopping and finished up at the Farmer's Market. It was fun and the boys loved it. It was much better than last July when we went for the Peach Festival when it was 106 degrees outside. I just love small old Texas towns with their town squares and courthouses.

Spring Break, here we come!

It's just about the time of year where I get really worn out at work. The drill and kill time of TAKS testing looming, body changes of 5th graders and a big case of "I don't wanna" send me looking for the nearest crazy house. But then someone hears my plea, and it's SPRING BREAK! Talk about an answer to a prayer. Don't get me wrong, I love my students and love feeling a sense of purpose with my job, but everyone needs a break, right?

Well it's only three days in and we're not wasting a second of our Spring Break. First of all for those of you not in Texas, we're having the most incredible weather here. It's absolutely perfect after such a "cold" winter...well, at least for us, that is! Saturday we had a much needed garage sale. I must say it was the funnest garage sale we've ever had. Usually those things are just a beat down. My parents came over and my dad took Nolan for a bike ride, Campbell just played and played outside and we made some pretty good money...can't beat that! Next we went to Nolan's soccer game and he played the best he's ever played. I only had to tell him "WRONG WAY!" once!

On Sunday after church and naps for the boys we went to the mall to get some "eyes" (sunglasses) for Campbell. We happened to see the Easter Bunny. Nolan loved him...wow has he come a long way in a couple of years. He used to be terrified of him. Campbell, on the other hand, has traded places and is not a fan. That's the bad thing about the Easter Bunny and Santa...just as one of your kids gets over their fear, the next one is terrified of them!

Today we went to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. It's been closed for a long time for remodeling and it was well worth it because it is incredible. The boys loved it and every time we left a room, Campbell would throw a fit a scream, "NO!" because he wanted to stay. We went ahead a bought memberships and I'm so glad we did. I really think we're going to get really good use out of it, especially this summer.

Nolan playing with the trains

Our little Bob the Builder

Balancing act...notice the tongue helping him get his balance

playing in the water play outside

seriously, could he be any cuter?

We ran into some friends at the museum and love Campbell's face in this one

Ok so this isn't the best picture of Nolan but laughed out loud when I saw the kid in the background once I downloaded the pictures...BOYS!

Who knew water could be so fun?

Nolan on the huge tinker toy

You know it was a good time when this is what he looks like in the car

Soccer star

Well it's soccer season again. We were going to skip it this spring but when we drove past the soccer field Nolan said, "There's my soccer field!" Oops...we had already missed the deadline. Luckily my neighbor, Courtney, called and said they needed another team member for her son's team. So we're playing in a different league this time, but Nolan really loves that his buddy, Hank, is there to play with him.

We haven't played at all since our last season ended so I was nervous about it but he just acted like he hadn't missed a beat! He still can only kick straight so we better hope one of these days that the goal is actually straight ahead. He scored a goal last year. Who cares if it was for the other team! Usually at least 3 times a game I'm shouting, "WRONG WAY!!!" So we're not exactly David Beckham yet, but he's having a blast doing it! When we were done last week, I told him how great he played and he responded, "I run really fast." I think he thinks that's all it is...running. After that he said, "Mommy, wasn't that a fun adventure? An adventure is something exciting and I was EXCITED!" For someone that hates soccer, I'm really enjoying watching it with Nolan. I guess that's what happens, things become a lot more interesting when it involves your children.

got his game face on

Going straight!
Good game!

Wants to be just like his big brother. He actually has some really good skills!

Love this picture. "Which way is our goal guys?" Even then it's hard to keep straight!

Our soccer star!

I've got Spirit, yes I do!

This week was Dr. Seuss's birthday week. So at Nolan's school they've been reading Dr. Seuss books all week. His teacher told me that they're having crazy day on Friday to honor Dr. Seuss and his crazy characters. Well that's almost the same to me as spirit day and let me tell you I'm a professional when it comes to spirit days. And I knew that I had met my soulmate when Justin told me he was the same way in high school when it came to spirit days. Don't believe me? Here is the proof. This is my best friend, Angi, and me on clash day in 6th grade. Told you, I was no amateur when it came to spirit days. We started young...

Here we are again 6 years later on 70s day my senior year

Country Day my senior year

And this next one I can't remember if it was 80s day or Clash Day again. Why the belt around the forehead you ask? Well, because of Cherie from Punky Brewster, of course!

For those of you who don't remember her (how could you not...I loved that show!)

So it was a family event to get Nolan "crazy" for Crazy Day at school. His outfit consisted of a Wolverine costume, Lightning McQueen socks, two different pairs of shoes. We almost got him to wear a chicken hat but at the last minute he decided he wanted to wear a straw cowboy hat. Justin drops the boys off at school since I have to be at work at the crack of dawn. Justin emailed me and asked if I was sure that it was today because when he walked Nolan in no one else was even dressed up! He was the ONLY one. All the kids went crazy but Justin said he wasn't sure that Nolan liked all that attention. Our poor kids are doomed when it comes to spirit days. CPS may be called.