Gavin's First Hair Cut

This was another event that occurred is the very busy month of February that I just haven't taken the time to share.

Gavin got his first hair cut and that beautiful red head was trimmed to look like a little boy.  Not surprisingly, he was great throughout the session. I think he was more intrigued by the man cutting his hair (whose name also happened to be Gavin and who had purple hair).


Time is simply going too fast....

Gavin Is Abducted.....

by his brother!

What this movie doesn't show is that in fact Ayden dragged Gavin across the entire great room floor, Gavin's face just beaming with delight. By the time we got the camera out, the boys were halfway through the kitchen on their way to the workroom.

I'm not sure what impresses me most about this video...

a) Ayden had the strength to pull Gavin (no light load) this whole way (including some carpet);

b) Gavin didn't flip out sooner that he was being dragged around the house;

c) Gavin was able to take my phone with him the whole way; or,

d) that this didn't end badly for anyone involved (including J who was trying to film and search for lights at the same time)

Another Saturday in March

We are watching the Lucas' dog Olie this weekend and Ayden is enjoying the company outside.

Our Pro Golfer Look

Gavin prefers a more distant vantage point....and let's be honest.....food :)

After some time outside with Olie the golf balls and golf club, Ayden came in and announced that playing golf makes him tired.

Oh, I like Mustard!

Ayden: "what is that yellow stuff called?"

Me: "that is called mustard."

Ayden: "oh, I don't like mustard."

Me: "have u ever tried mustard?"

Ayden: "I have never ever tried mustard."

Me: "then how do you know you don't like mustard if you have never tried it?" [yes, i know - original parental questioning. I can hear my own parents chuckling to themselves as they read this since I was (and still can be) the worst at trying new foods...hey, doesn't mean I can't urge my kids to be better!)

Ayden: [clearly assessing the situation and determining the answer possibilities] "um...I  donnnnn't....... liiiiiike.........the.........oh,.... I LIKE mustard!"

Me: "huh, this was a confusing conversation...."[Thinking...Is my child trying reverse psychology on me??]

The next phase is here!

It's official. Gavin has joined the ranks of a walking toddler.  Check it out!

You might be asking yourself why my kids are running around in just a diaper/underwear....

well there is a perfectly good explanation.....

Ayden wanted to....(is that considered indulging???)

But really...how can you resist the cuteness of their little bellies and [Gavin's] thunder thighs!!

Some Redhead Research

Redheads Don’t Feel Pain (Like We Do) | Motherboard

The funny thing about this is I saw it in a friend's Facebook post the same day that Gavin hit his head pretty hard and mom and I were discussing the fact he doesn't seem to be that sensitive to bodily harm (sensitive to getting what he wants...yes), but not so much to injury it seems. Perhaps there is some truth here.  

Just what I need....a redheaded little boy who already appears three times more daring than my oldest and potentially genetically built to have a higher threshold for pain....

"It Makes Me NER-Bous"

Me: "Ayden honey, I'm going to have to ask you to stop getting more food and drink out. You have helped enough and we have all we need for dinner. Thank you for your help. We need to find another way for you to help now."

Ayden: "Mommy it makes me feel NER-Bous when you tell me that I can't" (said with a super sad face and puppy dog eyes)

Me: [thinking....is he saying the word nervous???? How did....where did....what!?!??] "Is that word 'Nervous'?"

[I look up and catch J's eye in the background clearly as floored and surprised as I am]

Ayden: "Yes, NER-Bous. When you say No and I want you to say Yes, it makes me feel NER-Bous."

Me: "Do you mean frustrated?"

Ayden: "No, I not frustrated! I feel NER-Bous."

Me: "Are you worried or are you upset?"

Ayden: "I am upset"

Me: "Then I think you are frustrated, not nervous."

Ayden to Daddy: "Daddy I am frustrated when mommy tell me No."

I think my three year old has more self-reflection than most grown men I know :)

Ayden's 3rd Bday BASH

"Bash"

I think that appropriately describes the event. It was planned to be on the larger side, but I didn't realize just how much fun it was going to be for adults and kids alike.  I also didn't realize just how SPECTACULAR the new house would be for parties!!

We ended up with about 50 guests of all ages.  We had a Toy Story jumping castle, a buffet of mexican food and scrumptious cupcakes.  Despite being the 'invitor' of all these people, and obviously being friends  with them all.... the amount of kids that showed up was jaw dropping. I knew we were reproducing...but wow! It was awesome. The older ones entertained themselves, sometimes under the watchful eye of an adult...sometimes not...and the younger ones made their rounds from adoring arms to adoring arms.  We had kids swinging, kids riding bikes, kids playing with rocks, kids drawing on the sidewalk, kids sleeping (wahoo for a Gavin nap despite the party) kids in the playroom, out front, out back, in the family room, in the workroom.....phew!!  And yet, there was not the slightest sense of crowding - oh how we (and someday the kids [scary!]) are going to enjoy this home.

Without a doubt my most favorite part of the day was when we sang Ayden Happy Birthday. What would be really really cool is if I said here watch this video so you can get the full experience....but no. I failed you and myself yet again. No camera in my hand and no video....of the WHOLE PARTY!!  Thankfully, Hillary did some shooting. I will put a link at the bottom of the email for you to check them out :)

But...back to Ayden and the birthday song.

Everyone gathered around as we pulled Ayden from him concentrated playing into the big family room. Jeremy approached him, cupcake in hand and flaming #3 candle on top, as we all started to sing Happy Birthday. Between the number of voices and the acoustics of the huge tile-floored room, the sound was quite startling. And startle Ayden did. He gave a little jump, looked around in surprise, then decided that clearly he too should be singing, like everyone else, at the top of his lungs. As he sang (read, belted) he looked around searching for who in fact we were singing for. Not until about half way through the song did Ayden realize this was all for him; he was the center of the universe for that moment and he simply beamed. With a smile from cheek to cheek, Ayden blew out his candle.

We then proceeded to devour the delicious cupcakes.

The party and company was purely perfect. Thank you for all who were able to come and celebrate Ayden's big day with us as well as to those who sent their love and well wishes.

Here are pictures from the Ayden's Party.

Living the Life of Riley

Livin' the Life of Riley....really I don't think there is a better title for my blog (for so many reasons)... but not the least of which is the fact that my life rocks (in my opinion). My husband, my kids, my family, my friends, my hobbies, my work....just life. Are there downs....of course, but man those downs are fewer and further between when I keep my perspective.

This past week was one of these downers for me. I think it was the combination of sleep deprivation (from running RAGNAR which while be explained in another post) and serious lack of work at the office. One might think a light week at work would be great, but for me, right now, it is possibly the worst thing that could happen to me (perhaps a little exaggeration there). Let me explain why (it took me three days to do some self-reflection on this).  As you may or may not know, my job requirements are "simple".....make my billable hours for the year - which translates into a certain amount of hours each month and then each day. [For those who are not familiar with "billable" hours, it means that I can count time that I spend doing something substantive for a client. In other words, time spent going to the bathroom, copying, printing, checking email, checking anything social media, reading a news article, talking to a co-worker, thinking about my training or plans for the weekend...(I think you get the point) does not count.] So, simply being in the office doesn't cut it. Due to my training schedule and time with kids schedule, I only have between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00pm to make my billable hours (minus a two hour 'lunch' on days that I have more than one workout). Soooooooooooo, if I do not have the work to put in billable hours one day or one week, my schedule is screwed - initiate operation panic. There is little to no time in my schedule to work at night or really even on the weekends much, thus, I must be kept especially busy and productive during the allotted working time :)  [this is sounding a bit Type-A].

Long story short, I was super depressed this week and I couldn't figure out why. Well...that is why. I couldn't enjoy my light week at work because I MUST be super productive each day to make sure I make my hours AND do everything else I have scheduled everyday. Also, I must continue to build a bank of hours to fall back on when my training increases and I have more two hour lunches and finally a week and half off for participation in Ironman and then family vacation. Despite asking the partners numerous times for more work....I got almost nothing...except things that were fires and despite being bored all day, came up at 4:30pm and made me late for my kids at home.....not the kind of work I had in mind :)

Any who, the actual purpose of this post besides my whining, is that life is still good. Today I got up and ran the most beautiful path at Saguaro National Park East with four of my good friends. Then, we all drove over to the Eller's house where a delicious and nutritious breakfast was waiting along with many many many other friends, my boys and lots of adorable kids.  As I was driving across town blaring my radio and taking in the chilly morning air and bright sunshine, nothing could have wiped off the goofy grin plastered across my face - this, my friends, is what life is all about!!

Yummy...

Either this kid has a wicked sunburn, or he just thoroughly enjoyed a full body baked ziti dinner :)