Summer Days (warning: this is a pathetic attempt at a blog entry...)

I cannot even begin to tell how many times I have begun a new post with pictures and everything but I never actually save it. For some reason, I have no passion for blogging anymore. It is my primary method of journaling these days, and I just have not been diligent on keeping everything updated.

So, here are some of our activities this summer in a short "nutshell" post:

Swimming As often as we possibly can.

Bug-Catching Carter has decided he likes to put bugs in his pocket. He remembers them a few hours later and finds that they are dead. We release the bug to its natural habitat (nice way of saying we dump the poor, dead thing) and Carter will always comment saying something like (and always in a bright, cheery tone), "Maybe next time he will grow up." It is really quite dreadful.

Popsicles & Ice Cream Sandwiches Our favorite summer treat.

Sleepovers in Mom's Bed I have always refused to allow Carter to sleep in my bed... But its been so hot that I cannot bring myself to force Carter to sleep in his room where it is hot and stuffy. I have large windows and my room is at the back of the house where the cool breeze from the creek blows in. Beginning tonight, we have a window air-conditioning unit, so there will be no more sleepovers in my bed.

Cars the Movie We watch it constantly.

Soccer As soon as it cools down (about 8:00pm), we go out to the backyard and kick the soccer ball around. It is my last opportunity to exert the last of Carter's energy, hoping for a painless and easy bedtime routine.

Work & School This is the most time-consuming activity of our Summer Days. Necessary but certainly not the most fun.

Well, that's about it. We are looking forward to the Fourth of July and a family camping trip planned to take place a few weeks from now. There will be a few firsts for Carter, so there should definitely be some blogging material available.

Birthday Bash!

Ok, it wasn't so much a bash, just a weekend full of fun activities.

Friday, June 6th

- I worked from 7-5. Blah.
- Went to dinner at Epic Restaurant with a group of best buds.
- Went to my mom's house with Best Buds and watched movies, opened presents and partook of a deliciously adorable cake; complements of Amee.
- Fell asleep on my mom's couch fully dressed with basically a towel as a blanket. Best Buds left me there.


Saturday June 7th (My Actual Birthdate)

- Woke up on Mom's couch and had her drive me to my house. Got in my pj's and went back to sleep in my bed until 10:30am.
- Woke up and did some digital scrapbooking and downloaded music.
- Got lunch at Subway. I love the Veggie Delite sandwich.
- Went to Sego Lily Day Spa in Murray where I soaked in a Japanese bath tub, had a 90-minute Hot Stone Massage, steamed, sauna-ed, ate snacks, drank Elixirs, slept, read. Finally, ended the spa trip with a luxurious 90-minute pedicure. Thank you Mama!! I was at the spa from 1:30-7:00!
- Went to my favorite Thai restaurant, Orchid, where I had potstickers and Yellow Curry with Chicken to go. Went back to my house with plans to watch all the movies I have been wanting to see, but remembering Carter had broken our TV two nights before. Ate food, read a book and went to bed at 9:30.


Sunday, June 8th

- Woke up to Carter arriving at my house (he was with his dad this weekend).
- Showered and got Carter and I ready for church.
- Went to church at 11:30am and I actually quite enjoyed my meetings today. Not to mention, one of my favorite people was sitting right by me in sacrament meeting! :)
- Went home, changed to cozy clothes and went to Mom's where Andrea and Jayson graced us with their presence. She made one of my favorite meals; Cafe Rio Salads (of course mine was meatless). We ate, talked, played and made some "plans" (wink wink).

Another year and another memorable birthday!

Bowling!

This weekend, I was thinking of all kinds of things Carter and I could do together today.

Swimming, playing soccer, riding bikes... Even Lagoon was a possibility.

Well, as you may all have experienced, today was cold and rainy. So, what did we do, you ask? We went bowling! It was Carter's first time and he loved it!



Carter's average speed was about 1.8 miles per hour!



1st Game - I barely beat Carter! He is pretty good!


Carter would do this move and hold it while he waited for the ball to make it down the lane. People were laughing and clapping. He provided much entertainment for the nearby bowlers!




Carter enjoying some deliciously greasy bowling alley food!


Game 2 - I showed some improvement! Hey, I got a strike!

A little peek into my soul...

I have realized that I always write about Carter (with such an endearing child, it's natural) so I thought I would write a bit about myself.

I have an obsession. I have a serious obsession. I have a shoe obsession.

I think it would be safe to say it is a borderline addiction. I try to keep myself under control by giving a pair away to D.I. for every pair I buy... that way I am giving back a little... but nevertheless, still borderline addiction, I think. Points, flats, heels, wedges- love 'em all.

So, I have put together some pictures of my favorite shoes this season. Please ignore my feet- they are in desperate need of some tender love and care. Anyone?




I am a size 5 1/2 - 6 if you'd like to check out a pair.

Funny Hair... Funny Faces

Here are some pictures of Carter as I was getting him ready for church. This is pretty typical of our Sunday mornings.





Carter can clean up nice though.

The ABC's

The ABC's
I've been tagged! Thanks a lot Andrea!

A- Attached or single: Still attached legally... Nuf' said.
B- Best Friend: Andrea and Mommy
C-Cake or Pie: Cake. Oooh... Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake- with the cookie fudge center!
D-Day: Definitely Sunday
E- Essential Item: Facial Moisturizer
F- Favorite Color: I love them all!
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms- you can slurp 'em!
H-Home town: Syracuse
I- Indulgences: Haaggen Daaz Coffee Ice Cream (although I have not had it in a few months- I could not convince myself any longer that it was just coffee flavoring!), massages and sleeping in.
J- January or July?: Pre-Carter... January. Post-Carter... July.
K-Kids: One amazing child who is the epitomy of perfection.
L-Life is incomplete without: LOVE. Any form of it.
M- Marriage Date: Non-Applicable. Ha!
N- Number of Siblings: 4 brothers-Aaron, Brandon, Ethan & Kyle. 2 sisters-Angie & Andrea.
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges! Oh and I love orange juice with tons of pulp in it!
P- Phobias or Fears: Spiders, sharks and jellyfish. And being locked in a car trunk. Which did happen once (You remember that Andrea? Girls Camp at Ophir? Yup, you did it).
Q- Quote: Gordon B. Hinckley - “It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. If we will put our trust in Him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of His blessings, He will hear our prayers.”
R- Reason To Smile: I'm blessed. :)
S- Season: That's a toss-up between Spring and Fall.
T- Tag Three: Amee, Darcie and Kacie
U- Unknown fact about me: I am pretty much an open book!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I was a vegetarian until I became pregnant. All I wanted was red meat! Now, I am leaning back towards vegetarianism.
W- Worst Habit: I sometimes impulsively cut my own bangs... with small eyebrow grooming scissors nonetheless!
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds are great if there is a baby in there!
Y-Your favorite food: I have pretty much been obsessed with Thai food. Yellow Curry Chicken and Tofu Pad Thai! YUM! The best!
Z: Zodiac Sign: Gemini

How do I tag?

Mother's Day

I am so grateful to be a mother. As difficult as it can be at times, there is nothing more fulfilling.

Today in sacrament meeting, the Primary children sang a medley of songs as they traditionally do. This was the first year Carter was able to participate. He stood in the front and he waved proudly to me as they began to sing. It brought tears to my eyes because it is amazing he is already to that age. He also began to pick his nose which made me laugh and cry at the same time. There is always one and I never thought this time, it would be mine!!

Bored

I am at work right now and for some reason (well a lot of reasons), I just cannot focus. So, I need to do something to pass the time...

Here are some of the many reasons I should be home right now and not working.

-I just got new, crisp, white 1200-thread count sheets. I should be breaking them in.
-I am in the mood for potstickers, which tends to be at least a day-long event.
-I am in the middle of three books. Yes, that's right, three. I need to get them finished so I can start a new one... or two.
-I have not scrapbooked in at least 6 months. I need to get going!
-Carter and I need to go on a bike ride together.
-I just like home. I am kinda a homebody.
-I need to sew my pillow shams, build and upholster a new headboard and hang my curtains.
-I want to snuggle with my bug - Carter Bug.
-I would like to just sit out by the creek in my backyard. We have a creek!
-I miss my Carter.

I know, I know. Many of you are probably surprised- I have become quite domesticated.

The Mullet

Recently, I had to have Carter's hair cut because it has become insanely long. I always make the 45 minute drive to Andrea's salon for a 10-minute haircut (although we usually do enjoy a nice lunch and conversation) and then I will typically head back home.

However, the last 2 times, I have just gone into a nice salon with a good reputation that is close by my home. I hope and pray they will not mess up Carter's precious hair. It really has become his trademark. The first time, the woman was older, larger and more outdated-er (I know that this is not a word- back off!) and I was extremely nervous but I am too nice and I was in too deep to back out. So, she started chopping away and to my surprise, it turned out quite nice.

The second cut, which happened about 1 1/2 weeks ago, I tried to get back into the above mentioned and she was booked the whole day. The receptionist talked me into going to another stylist. She told me she was the best and she was really fashionable and cute. So, I agreed. She was great with Carter and she seemed to know what she was doing. She really went to town with the razor and it looked much more "texturized" (ya like that, Andrea?)than what I would think a 3-year old boy would need. She styled it pretty cute with gel and everything, I paid $20 (yikes) and we were on our way.

As the day went on and Carter's hair began to fluff out, all I could think was mullet. For the next 10 days, no matter how I styled it, it looked like a mullet.

On Sunday, we had a family gathering. Carter ran into the room where Jayson and Andrea were as they had just arrived. Andrea says, "Oh... Carter's hair is sooo... short." I started to laugh and I said, "You mean it is a mullet" She finally admitted that it was a terrible haircut and she should fix it. I ran to my house, got my scrapbook scissors, and she began the transformation.

Here is the before of the mullet.



Here is the beginning of the transformation.



Here is the after... the demise of the mullet.




Yes Andrea, I have learned my lesson. I will never betray you like that again. The 45-minute drive is a small price to pay for "un-mullety" hair.

Spidey Senses

I love my child. I especially love my child in his amazing Spiderman Sweat Suit (complements of Grammy & Grandpa straight from China... the suit, not Grammy & Grandpa).

Here are some photos of Spiderman in action.






Here are some more photos of Spiderman after a long day (and night) of action.