You know your kid needs a diaper change when...

Exhibit A: A little bit of butt crack shows...

Exhibit B: They can use said diaper as a pillow to cushion their knees and legs while playing on the floor...

OR Exhibit C: Their diaper hangs down to their knees.

I've been tagged...

by my friend, Megan.

"The Rules"
1. Go to the 6th picture folder and pick the 6th picture.
2. Post and wax nostalgic about said picture.
3. Tag some peeps.

This was Gibson after his Amtrak train ride to Portland where I picked he and Gregg up so we could continue our journey to the beach house in Lincoln City - Gibson was sacked out! Nothing more sweet than a sleeping child.

I tag (in no particular order!):

1. Nan
2. Kevin & Jody - both of you have to do it on your separate computers :)
3. Stacy
4. Kristi
5. Laurie

The Jump Place

My friend, Tamara, called this morning to see what we were doing, I told her, nothing, and that I was planning to call to see what they were doing because I felt like we needed to get out of the house. She suggested Pump It Up! in Lynnwood to let the kids burn off some of their energy. I was hesitant because I was/am scared of having to follow both kids around in that place, but agreed that I needed to give it a shot at some point, so why not? We checked the time, and off we went!

I was a bit nervous about taking Grady, he is a more reserved child and doesn't do well in settings like this. When I got their the girl asked how we were and if I only had the 2 kids, I said, we were fine, and I was hoping that my little one wouldn't freak out at this place and that I hoped he would do ok. She asked how old he was and I told her, and she said that she wasn't going to charge me for him. I thought that was nice of her. So, we paid and walked in. Grady immediately burst into tears and ran out the door back into the lobby - this went on 2 or 3 more times before I finally convinced him it was ok to stay in there with me. Meanwhile, Gibson was gone, off playing somewhere, he loves the jump place.

Anyway, after some "gently guiding" aka me forcing him into the bounce house with the basketballs in it, Grady warmed slightly to the idea, but it didn't last long. He sat on my lap most of the time in there and after about 5 minutes, came up to me and vigorously signed "all done". So, out we went.

Gibson's favorite thing there besides the air hockey table is the slide.

Grady after I "gently guided" him into the bounce house, look how big his eyes are.

The few minutes he actually enjoyed himself - it was just the 3 of us in there, so I think that helped.

Back to the old routine.

Tamara took him down the slide - he soooo did not like that. Oooops! I thought maybe he would think it was fun after he went because he kept trying to climb up the stairs like the other kids - clearly not.

Getting off after his slide down - you can tell how upset he was. Ya, I'm a good mom like that.

Tamara went down the slide several times with the big kids, they loved it.

And I promised Gibson that he and Chloe would play air hockey the last 15 minutes we were there. They love playing that, so what's $2 to make the kids happy and finish the playtime on a good note.

Gibson's funny!

So, Gibson has a lot of funny things to say, and, well, some not so funny things to say. He is really picking up on a lot lately and while it's great, it also has it's issues, like telling people to shut up. Anyway, he learned that lesson really quick that that is NOT something we say to people, especially our mom!

Anyway, today I was talking to him and he was watching a show so we were talking about the characters. He said "I really like June, Mom", I said "Did you know your birthday is in June?" He looked at me and said "Wow, that is really cool" and went back to watching his show, it was a crack up.

Then, a while ago, while Gregg was home, Gregg was helping Gibson in the bathroom, and Gregg said "Holy cow, where did all that poop come from?" and Gibson looks at Gregg with a "Duh!" look and says "my butt!". Where do these kids get these things?!?!?

Gibson's new thing is to tell Grady "I don't fink so" when he is doing something wrong or he will tell me, "I got it, mom" and then he will tell Grady "Das is a no-no, we don't do dat". I have to remind him almost daily, that I am the momma, not him, and while I appreciate his help, he needs to be the brother and let me tell Grady what is right and wrong. He always says "Ok, mom".

As an aside - I am no longer mommy or momma, I am simply mom now. I wasn't expecting that change quite so soon, but it's ok, I am just happy he quit calling me April. If Grady would talk, I probably wouldn't be missing the mommy thing.

There are a few others that I can't remember off the top of my head, I'll have to write about those later. It's just totally funny to me what these kids will come up with.

My boys

They are very excited that their momma is home.

Ferry Ride

Gregg took the boys on a ferry ride while I was down visiting my mom. The bos had a good time. Gibson loves the ferry, he would ride it everyday if he could!

Back home

Well, I am home.

Mom & Mama Tommie drove me (well, I drove so mom didn't have to drive the 70 miles both ways) to the Santa Barbara airport today so I could catch my flight back here to Seattle. We stopped and had breakfast and had a great time for my last morning with Mom. My Dad had a big job installing a garage door out past the edge of town so he was at work early this morning, so he couldn't come with us.

I had a great visit. It was really nice to get away and have a break. We sure did a lot in the 4 days I was there, but it was nice to only have myself to worry about, it was a break I really needed. I am very glad to be back home though and see my boys, all 3 of them. I know they missed me and I missed them too. Thanks to my wonderful hubby for taking off the time from work and allowing me a mini vacation!

Carson

Bridget and Carson came over to visit on Sunday before I left so that we could see each other one more time. Carson was sooooo good, he just hung out and played with some tupperware my mom got out for him. He is so cute and hanging out with him is getting me more and more excited for my new baby to get here. May needs to hurry up! The only time he cried was when we put him on my Dad's lap. Scary Phil! We got him smiling for a picture though.

The best burger in Santa Maria

So, on Sunday after church Dad and I decided to go get a King Falafel burger. It's a little hole in the wall place out in Orcutt that has the best burgers in our opinion. Dad drove me out there in his old truck. It was fun. If you are ever in Santa Maria, you have to try this place!

Accomplishment - AHHHH, what a feeling!

This has been my seat for several hours during this trip.

1 DVD Video Camera $450

1 Computer $1000

1 Cable for Camera $20

1 VERY exhausted and frustrated favorite daughter that can't let the camera disk win, accomplishing what seemed totally a hopeless project - PRICELESS

Now, the backstory:

My dad took a bunch of video at a family reunion we had in August - - I was tasked with taking said videos and putting them on a DVD for other family members. I have spent several hours on this at home and was unable to accomplish it after trying everything I could think of. SO, I mailed the disk to dad to make sure the disk was "finalized" on his camera. Well it was in the package until I got here this week. So, I got it out and started working on it. Well now, SEVERAL hours, two software upgrades and a $20 camera cord later, I think, by golly, I may have accomplished the feat of getting this video OFF the camera and onto the computer to burn to a DVD.

Whew! I love it when things FINALLY go my way.

Carlie & Carson

Tonight, I went over to Bridget's house and got to see her kiddos, Carlie and Carson. I had to go over there to go through all the baby clothes that I gave her for Carson. The kids were so fun! I haven't seen Carson since May and so of course, he has changed a TON! Carlie is quite the character. She is a crack up. It was fun to hang out with them for a little while.

Lunch with the girls

Since I was in town and by myself, I thought it would be fun to have a girl's lunch, so mom called a few friends and we all went out to eat at a local place here. It was great fun! I don't always get to see everyone when I come to town, so it was very nice to see everyone all at once and get caught up. Starting on the left and going around the table: Pam, Lorrie (Bridget's mom), mom, Tommie, Evelyn, Denise, Mrs. Karling (her name is Linda, but I STILL can't call her that because she was ALWAYS Mrs. Karling growing up), me and Bridget.

Friends

This afternoon, I got to hang out with my good friends, Denise and Dave. I have known Denise since Jr. High. They had a good time checking out my dad's gas powered bike, then we just hung out in the garage (it was 78 here today!). We ALL had to try on dad's Harley Davidson helmet.

My First Califonia Duty...

Taking the Mom shopping.

Mom needed some new clothes since she has lost some weight and so we headed to the Santa Maria Mall. They place is a ghost town (and I am NOT exaggerating when I say this), but does have 2 clothing stores left (or so) and so we were able to get in there and get some good deals. Mom got her FIRST pair of designer jeans. It was a proud moment.

Anyway, I am by no means a fashionista (Brooke, where are you when I need you?) but I didn't do too bad if you ask me.

Judge for yourself. I think she looks GREAT. And we can mix and match almost everything, so the possibilites are endless. Some of the shirts are from her closet but were recently purchased, so nearly everything she has on is brand new.

Grady

This is his new thing tonight...

And everynight before bed he has to wrestly with his tiger. It's really cute, he growls at it too.