Lovely Blog

Jennifer from, Momma Made it Look Easy, thinks my blog is lovely. Thanks, Jen! This was my first blog award! Now.. I am supposed to pass it on. I'm giving it to my scrapbooking friends. I was going to give it to all of them, but then I realized I would have to give it 9 people.. so I picked the first three and figured they can pass it on to the others.

1. Vicky Jo- Vicky Jo's Little World

2. Sandy- All Around a Toddler

3. Cassie- All Smiles and Sunshine

Momma Needs a New Rug

I'll bet you never imagined someone can write an entire blog dedicated to.. umm... er..., "carpet". We'll call it "carpet". Well.. you were sorely mistaken, my friend, because anyone who can compose an entire blog about nothing other than caterpillar poo, can drone on and on about absolutely nothing at all. So.. here goes:

I was in the salon today, waiting for my turn to have my hair cut and colored. While waiting, I was browsing the products looking at the new conditioners, shine sprays, make-your-hair-curly/straight gels when I spotted a box of something called, "Blonde Betty". The description said, "color for your hair down there.". I did a double and a triple take. I physically got out of my chair and walked over there to inspect it up close because I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I had no idea such a product even existed, but there it was sitting on the shelf next to the Redken products.

Throughout my service, I could not stop thinking about this product.... and giggling at all the scenarios popping into my mind. For example, why would one WANT to color there? Perhaps because they dye their hair blonde and want "the carpet to match the drapes" for all those times they hang out on nude beaches? Because they spend countless hours walking around nude and when they catch a glimpse of themselves in a mirror, they are reminded they aren't really blonde?

Next, I imagined someone trying to actually do this at home. How long does it take for the color to set? I guess you have to run around naked while waiting. Do you start with the roots and work it to the ends after a few minutes? How big is the bottle that you mix this stuff in? Does it stain your skin? Do you get that awesome little tube of after-color conditioner that comes with regular hair color?

And THEN-because I have too much quiet time in the salon and can allow my thoughts to run freely - I took it another step and wondered if you can get creative with it. Can you, say, dye it brown and then give it highlights and lowlights.. you know.. for that NATURAL look? Or, for the crafty gal, could you possibly use a stencil and dye it all blonde leaving maybe a heart or a cute butterfly in your natural color? I dunno... you tell me!

Noah's Invitation

This is the invitation I made for Noah's birthday party.  I used a picture off the internet of Legos and added the Halloween picture I had of Noah dressed as a Lego to it.  This was much easier than the Star Wars invitation I made for his birthday last year.

Always Plan Ahead

For Noah's first birthday party, I chose the theme of puppy dogs, because he didn't care.  For his second birthday party, I chose Elmo because he was obsessed with the red giggly monster. For his third, he was able to choose ( trains)  and chose a few months before the actual party. 

Immediately after his third birthday, he informed me that for his fourth birthday, he was having a Sponge Bob party.  I was amused because throughout the entire next year, he never waivered and indeed, he had a Sponge Bob party when he turned four.   The day of his Sponge Bob party, before the guests even arrived, he told me his fifth birthday would be Star Wars.  And so it was.  Again, right after his Star Wars party, he informed me that his sixth birthday would be a Lego theme. Once again, he has not changed his mind.

This year, I decided to let him have his party in June, before school gets out, so that all his school friends can come.  Since his birthday is in August and usually close to Labor Day, it's hit or miss if there is anyone around to come.  

So, we began the official planning of his birthday last week.  This morning, I got Noah dressed and we drove to Michael's and Party City to get some ideas for decorations for his Lego party.  While strolling through Party City looking at all the supplies, we passed a section for Oscar parties and other movie-related functions and he thought it was pretty cool.  Then, in Michael's we saw some really cool robot and space stickers that he ooh-ed and ahh-ed over.

On the way home, this is what he said to me:

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Noah?"

" For my seven-year-old birthday, I want an M&M's theme."

"  Well, that sounds like a great idea!  I will remember that for next year."

" ... And for my eight-year-old party, I want an Access Hollywood theme.  Then, for nine-years-old I want to have robots and when I'm ten, I want a spaceship party."

So, if by chance, you wanted to spend a birthday with Noah, you can plan ahead.  We have the themes for the next five years planned out.  I'm sure if you ask him, he can probably tell you the date of each party and pencil you in.  

He's taking reservations now... hurry... his calendar fills up quickly.

Mother's Day

I am just now getting to this post, because DJ had to upload the pictures from his phone. I- **GASP** forgot my camera!!

The only thing I asked for on Mother's Day was brunch at the Robin's Nest in Mount Holly. It is my favorite local restaurant here in my area.

Sunday was a perfect day, sunny and beautiful with awesome temperatures. Because of this, they had the outdoor patio area, which is right on the water, open. It was a little windy and a lot of people were afraid to eat out there, though, so it turned out to be even better for us, since we had almost the entire patio to ourselves. There was one other family out there.

The patio area is a short walk away from the restaurant, so we were secluded and could hear only the ducks, water and, of course, Noah's complaints that the sun was in his eyes. Brunch was phenomenal, with everything from herb-crusted salmon to eggs, bacon, strawberries with homemade whipped cream on french toast, a beverage fountain flowing with mimosas and a buffet of homemade desserts set out for when you finish your meal. Absolutely fabulous.

After we finished eating, the waitress brought out a pitcher full of duck food so we could feed the ducks. This was Zoe's favorite part of the day and even Noah perked up and participated.

Thanks, DJ, Noah & Zoe.. it was an awesome day!!

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I imported this picture from their website... it is a view of the deck dining area and the back of the restaurant...

Well Pinch My Nose and Call Me a Cheese Tater Tot

I don't think words can do it justice.. the pictures speak for themselves. I'll simply say, " It's open!"

..waiting in the drive-thru line ( it was shorter than waiting for a stall- only 30 minutes)

the menu they gave us to peruse while waiting

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Zoe just has no idea the significance of this moment.

Noah enjoying his grilled cheese.

Yummy! French fries!

There it is.. the Route 44 Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper... they even included a cherry!! Perfection.

Thirteen point seven miles. That is how far it is from my house to this wonderful place. Now.. if they'd just open an Elena's.... I might never leave New Jersey.

Pick Me, Pick Me, Pick MEEEEE!!!

The Meanest Mom , Jana, recently had an awesome photoshoot and the photographer, Bonnie, of Bonnie Loves Pictures did an incredible job. Both blogs have a sample of the stunning photos of Jana and her family. Two of my favorite things.. writing and photography.. now if there were scrapbooking intermingled in here, I would totally implode.


Well, much to my ( and all the other gazillion readers of The Meanest Mom) delight, Bonnie is giving away a free photo session to a lucky reader. All we have to do is leave a comment on Jana's site and link to Bonnie's. So.. keep your collective fingers and toes crossed for me.. those family and friends that know us well, know what my efforts at capturing photos of my children are like :

They're BA-ACK!!

If you missed my science lesson/hysterical rant on gypsy moth larvae and caterpillar poo last year, consider yourself blessed. If, however, you enjoy seeing me teeter on the edge of complete insanity, you can catch yourself up and read it here .

Now back to the present... they're back! Yup.. tiny, still, but swinging from their disgusting little strings already eating the newly-sprung leaves from the oak trees.