What do I do when I reach my 200th post AND

my ONE YEAR blogging birthday??? I'm going to do a GIVEAWAY!! Whoo-hooo!

For my 100th post I listed 101 things about why I love my family... and that was a really long list- I was trying to come up with a list of 200 things of something and I came up with A LOT- and then I thought- WHO is honestly going to read a list of 200 things??!! Not me!! Unless it is on your blog- then of course I will take the time to do that:)

So to celebrate I'll be giving away a powerpod for your iPod... and well if you don't have an iPod I'll send you a really cool wallet made out of ductape that looks exactly like this- but you get your choice of different colors- because I have a lot of them- even pink, brown and white! Or a black, silver and white one- just in time for Father's Day!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment and let me know which one you want and there will be a drawing on Monday at 5 PM central standard time!!

Also- anyone can comment- if you don't have a g-mail account, just go to comments, and then choose the option where you enter your name and your URL - but the URL is optional- so you can just put in your name!! JUST DO IT!! 5-4-3-2.... DO IT! YESSSS!! (if you know what that is from then you will get a double entry!)

I'll leave you now with a few more pictures from Ethans b-day party with gifts!


His big boy bike was his big present because he broke his little bike he got for Christmas... and he started to always ride Erin's big bike. Isn't he cute!!
Here is him with his cake and cupcakes! I still can't believe he is 4! CRAZY!!!! He got more gifts but he took the scissors to them... but that will be an entire post for next time...........

Happy Birthday Emiwee!

WOW!! Emily (the baby in our family of 6 girls) is 17!!! Happy birthday!! I'm so glad I live practically next door to you and that I can see you whenever I want:) You are such a fun aunt and an amazing sister. I love you so much because you remind me of me- and who is better then me?? You know?? Just kidding- you are BETTER then me in everyway! I'm so proud of you and all you have accomplished so far (especially cheerleader and working so hard to do backflips and getting it!) and I know you will only soar from here. You know that I'm always here for you if you need me and I can always make you laugh away your tears.. and we can cry and laugh at life together. I hope you have a super duper great birthday and year all around! You deserve the world girl friend..... and remember you can do whatever you want................ IN SPACE!! :) I LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Burfday Boogs!!

At what seemed like 2 AM this morning- this little dude came running into our bedroom shouting- "I'M FOUR NOW! I'M FOUR NOW!!" So, yes- it is true- my baby turned 4 today! He has had a wonderful day today- and we will actually celebrate his b-day tomorrow, because Chet is working all day and night today- and is off tomorrow. And then he gets to celebrate it with Emily again!

Lately Ethan has had a thing for toads. I HATE toads- I don't know why- maybe it is because when you go running at night here- you are having to dodge them every few seconds or else you will squish one-- so maybe that is where I got my fear-- but Ethan LOVES the things, like any boy should. He has been "hiding" them from me- or at least attempting to hide them from me. He is not a very good liar- and he will come in the house and be like "Mom, guess what? There are NO toads in Erin's bike! " huhh?? does that make sense to you? Why out of the blue he would just say something weird like that?? So- I go and check in Erin's bike- and what do you know- a mama toad and a baby toad have been placed under the seat in Erin's bike that lifts up so conveniently. I jump about 10 feet in the air when I see them-- and tell him they will die if he keeps them in there and they need to go back to their home... so go put them back.
This cute little guy obeys and 25 min. later comes back to me and says "MOM! There are NO frogs under that bucket- so DON'T look!" (I hope this never changes- and that his lies will always be this apparent) I tell him- the frog will die if you keep it under the bucket because it is 257 degrees outside and it will burn up and die! So, he "did" what I asked.
This morning he was out early again toad hunting and I have to go find him because he isn't answering and I can't see him anymore. Sure enough he had broken in to one of our neighbors yards and found a toad. He brought him out, and I was like- k- go put him back now. Ethan then says- NO- he needs to go home! I say- ok- put him where he belongs and then come back home. Ethan does what I say. Later that afternoon he is crying and sad about something so I say--- OK- do you want me to take a picture with you and the toad?? He says YES- In the house??? Since it is his b-day I said- ok- but then you take that toad right back outside!!! So, he runs and goes and gets it-- and all of a sudden I hear Erin yelling- MOM! Ethan brought a dead toad into the house. I was like, "What?!" Ethan then shouts back- NO! It is not dead! I walk out into the hallway and Ethan has a toad sitting on his head! And takes his hands away and was like- see mom- it's not dead! I was like- Ethan take it outside, take it outside, take it outside (x's 50) because I was starting to hyper ventilate at this point because there is nothing worse then a toad except a DEAD toad! It must have just died because it was still fleshy and hydrated, etc... but it was dead! I kept trying to tell Ethan the toad was dead and Ethan kept insisting that it wasn't and he wanted to play with him. So, I said- ok- just stay outside, but he is dead! So- for my son's 4th b-day he got to play outside all day and play with a dead frog. I'm sorry- that may be sick and I agree- but it was his b-day.. and I didn't know what to do- I was in shock! There was a dead toad in my house. IN my house ON Ethan's head! That's MY boy- and I love him to death and hope that he will always look back on his 4th b-day as one of the best, because his mom let him play with a dead frog, while she locked herself in her room scared the dead frog was going to become a giant frog and eat her- because somehow Ethan probably killed it playing with it- and it was MY fault. (ps- I could NOT bring myself to take a picture of Ethan with a DEAD toad!- I couldn't even look at the thing- don't ask me why I have this irrational fear of dead animals- maybe Pet Cemetery?? ) Happy Birthday Boogs- YOU ARE FOUR!!!

Tis' the season for swimming......

The kids have been in and out of the pool every single day over the last few weeks and they are having a ball! We live over at my mom's house during the summer, because all the kids want to do is swim, and it gets so hot here- that that is about all anyone wants to do:)

Whenever I think of kids swimming I think of this video! It makes me laugh and cry and sometimes pee my pants- it is THAT funny! I would love to witness something like this someday.



Also, this evening I went over to a Memorial Day Bar-b-que- and was SOOO tempted to push one of the adults in the pool- but I felt like if I did- then I wouldn't have any friends anymore! So, I held back- and I hope you feel special Amber- because I held back from pushing YOU in! You were right on the edge and I was walking by and I was soooo tempted! Melynda held my hand and took me away. She had a little talk with me about how it is not nice to push people in the pool when they are wearing clothes. Just kidding- she just laughed and told me that you would have been a good sport and egged me on for next time! So, maybe next time! Because a party really isn't a party until someone gets pushed in:)

Giveaway!

Hey all!

I just thought I would let you know about a contest I have going on over at my jeans blog. This time all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered- go here to enter and see what the winner gets! Thanks:)

Birdie??

My sister Amy and her husband Brett have a parakeet. His name is Eco like Echo. Dante and Ethan have learned to love Eco. Ethan used to be scared of him- but now he lets him fly on his head, on his arm, walk all over him, bite him and even poop on him, if the occasion calls for it. The bird is usually free in their bathroom or bedroom. So, sometimes while you are walking down the hall way, you'll start hearing some weird noise and then something lands on your head... and it is Eco.

I'm not much of a bird or fish fan. I don't want to have to deal with them when they are dead- so I just leave them up to other people. Dead birds and fish scare me- and haunt my dreams at night. Don't ask me why. However, I am happy that Amy and Brett have a bird so my kids can have him to play with.

Now, Erin on the other hand- loves LOOKING at Eco- but he comes within a few feet away from her- and she freaks! Have you ever heard your child "I'm really scared scream?" Erin's "I'm really scared scream" is like a very deep "aughhhh" and she literally can't move. I can't wait to get it on video tape someday because it is soooo funny!

I still have some funny footage for you though! For mother's day- Christie video taped or rather tried to video tape my kids individually telling me what they love about me and stuff like that. Here is a snip of Erin's part with Eco!

So You Think You Can Dance!!

I can't believe no one even TRIED to guess the song trivia. I'm very disappointed in my readers right now- does anyone watch SYTYCD?? If not- you WILL this season-- or I will make my blog private and you WILL NOT be invited to read. Just kidding- but seriously- this show rocks!! It starts MAY 22nd- so you better tune in! Some of the dancers are HILARIOUS that try out. I will definitely be doing a recap this year on my blog of my favorite and least favorite and hopefully adding video when I can. Just to give you a few clips from my favorite past dances- OH- and I do expect you to watch this season- so you know what I'm talking about and so that you can make your own comments too on my blog:)

You'll want to push pause on my music player towards the bottom on the right hand side of my page.:)

Here is one of my favs from Sabra and Neil from last season- Neil was my pick of choice to win-- SO close!!



This video is Lacey and Kameron, and the dance that the song goes with-- (my trivia song!)



This one is pretty funny! LOVE IT!! This is from the second season-- here is TRANJI!!



I'm sure that is enough for now- if you watched the show- what are some of your past favorite dances or couples??:) Can you tell I'm a little excited??