Rants & Raves!!!!

My patience & tolerance have been tested to the absolute limit!!! Let me preface this by saying neither Landon nor any of my close friends are the source of this frustration. I won't go into detail but I have to wonder why people act the way they do and do some of the things they do. I ask myself, "Are they really that cold or do they not even realize how their actions make other people feel?" Then I wonder if they even CARE!!!! I also wonder when they might change and disappointment after disappontment I am still silly enough to keep hoping there might actually be a change or something!!! Anyway, I'm not going to throw a big pity party for myself. I firmly believe that everyone I know, I know for a reason. So to those of you who are so wonderful... thank you because there are so many things I couldn't have weathered without you. And for those who are trying my patience.... well, I will continue to hope and remain patient (as long as I can)!!!!!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Say hello to my little friend!
Lauren & I celebrating my 32nd birthday just a few short weeks ago
Best of friends!

HAPPY 31ST BIRTHDAY LAUREN! Today is my friend Lauren's birthday. The big 3-1. She and her husband and friends celebrated with a day at Big Kahuna's. I hate that I wasn't able to make it! Hope you have a wonderful birthday Lauren and enjoy your birthday dinner at P.F. Changs! Love you and can't wait for our next girls' night out!

Now I'm sure Lauren is going to kill me for sharing this one particular photo but I love it. Lauren and her pet squirrel (you really had to be there!) It was taken while Lauren, Cathy and myself were staying out at Baytown Wharf a couple of years ago for a conference. We had a blast!

Strep Throat... Round Two

Well, guess what Landon and I are sharing???? Yep, you guessed it... strep throat!!This is so frustrating!I had to visit the doctor because I started running a fever and my throat was killing me. Doc said I had the worst looking throat he has seen all week. So, Landon and I are both on antibiotics. At least Landon appears to be completely recovered and I'm at least headed in the right direction now. But let me tell you, gurgling with salt water and peroxide really sucks!!!!

Mommy, my pants fell down!!!

Yep, they sure did.... right in the middle of Target! Landon's shorts were a little big (I don't buy anything unless it is 4T or bigger because he grows so fast) but he has worn them several times without incident. So, we ventured out to Target today and I heard, "Mommy, my pants fell down" and sure enough, when I turned around, there was Landon with his pants down around his ankles. He had a huge grin on his face! Several passing customers got a good chuckle and Landon thought this was the funniest thing! Man, I wish I had a camera to share it with all of you. It really was hilarious!

Strep Throat.... Grrrr

I knew something was wrong when I picked Landon up from day care yesterday and they said he couldn't stay awake to eat lunch. He ALWAYS eats lunch and isn't much of a napper. So, we went to see Dr. John this morning and it was confirmed.... Landon has strep throat. He was so good during the examination and even the throat swab. He really is a trooper. The doctor said he would need to stay out of day care until Friday so it looks like we will be home for a couple of days. I know all of you Mommies know how awful and heartbreaking it is to have a sick little one. I always feel so helpless. Landon always runs a high fever with strep. It is one of the few ailments that actually makes Landon act "sick". So, he took a good nap after I was finally able to convince him to take his antibiotic (not near as easy as it used to be!!!) And now he is already up and at it again this afternoon. He will need to get rested up for Abigail's first birthday party on Saturday! Try telling him to rest.... it's impossible even when he is sick!

Movin' on up

"Congratulations! Landon is ready to move to the next classroom due to his developmental level increasing." These are the words I read this morning when I dropped Landon off at day care. Landon is moving up to yet ANOTHER room. He has only been in his current room for a couple of months so I was surprised to hear this news this morning. But after talking to his teachers, it appears that he is "developmentally excelling" and is ready to move up to the next room. They are amazed at how easily he catches on to things and he knows his numbers and letters so well. I'm always torn when Landon is "moved up" to a new room because it just reminds me that he is growing up so fast. So, yes.... I'm bragging about my little genius! I'm so proud of him!

Mommy's Time Out

It's true...

Only mine would be a Miller Lite!!!
I had a rare Saturday night without Landon as he stayed at his Daddy's house. That gave me a chance to have an evening out with some friends I haven't seen in a while and I must admit I stayed up way past my bedtime and had a great time! But I must also admit that I missed him and my favorite dates are still those with my favorite man, Landon!!!

Sick Day and Haircut

Taking his own temperature

Landon was running a fever on Wednesday so he and I stayed home for the day. He never really acted sick but he couldn't go to day care. We had a fun day together regardless.

He felt much better yesterday but we stayed home one more day to be sure he was all better. Mommy had a hair appointment so Landon came along and ended up getting a haircut also (a much needed haircut). Then it was back to the house to make a big mess in the living room.

Do you like my haircut?
What a mess!!!

Trip to Birmingham

Miche & Landon - Best Buds!

What a weekend! Landon and I traveled to Birmingham to stay with Aunt Miche (Anne-Michelle to most people) for a couple of days. I have mentioned before that Miche and I have been close friends since were about 8 years old. Now, I have seen Landon become attached to some people easier than others but I have never seen him bond and trust someone so completely as he did Miche. He cried for a good 30 minutes when we headed back home and wanted so badly to stay at Miche's.

We had such a fantastic time I'm not even sure where to start....so I will try chronologically:

FRIDAY

We went to a pizza place called Davenport's and the pizza was awesome. And, blast from the past, they had a big Ms. Pac Man machine. That is from Miche and I's days but Landon loved it. Miche showed him how to play and he picked it up in no time. We were amazed at how well he could move Ms. Pac Man through the maze. Luckily, Landon had a shirt with a pocket because Miche kept putting quarters in the pocket and Landon would pat it to make sure he had enough. He loved it!
Once back at Miche's house, Landon was introduced to Smokey (AKA "Smoke") the cat and they became fast friends as you can see from the photos. Landon also found Smoke's doggie door but luckily he didn't go through it the entire weekend. So, Friday evening ended with all three of us in Miche's bed watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel.

SATURDAY

We went to the McWane Science Center and it was unbelievable! It was four floors of scientific fun. We visited the World of Water first and must have gone back to it four or five different times throughout the day. It was filled with, you guessed it, aquariums and other water related stuff. Of all the tanks, Landon's favorite was the Gulf of Mexico tank. Go figure, as the Gulf of Mexico is in our own backyard. Miche and I were fascinated by this HUGE green eel in that same tank. Everytime we came back we thought it might have come out or moved but NADA. The next floor was full of little buildings to climb through, a racetrack, and all sorts of littel gadgets to play with and learn from. We tried our best to at least look at everything. Not so easy, believe me. Then it was off to the next floor which has the dinosaur exhibits and games. Landon tried the T-Rex chase (see pic in slide show). It is a game where a giant T-Rex appears on a screeen behind you and you have to try and outrun him. Needless to say, Landon didn't get very far and chose NOT to play again. Then he and Miche stepped into the wind machine and the look on his face was priceless. He loved it! And on the next floor was Landon's favorite - TRAINS! So, we spent a great deal of time on that floor also. There are so many more adorable things and I could go on and on. It is so hard to put into words how much fun we had all day and what all we did but the pictures tell a good part of the story. Needless to say, we will be going back as much as possible. I know Landon will be ready for another trip to Aunt Miche's house ASAP!
And if the McWane Science Center wasn't enough, we went to a birthday party at a Kid's Gym and he wore himself out even more on mats and trampolines.
And finally, we stopped by the mall on the way home and Miche got all of us cookies. Landon turned to her and said " This is the best cookie I have ever had!" Too cute.

Thank you Miche for a wonderful weekend. Can't wait for Disney in October!

Twinkle Twinkle Little CAR

Ok.... I had to turn on my computer just to blog this.... Landon was playing on his road mat with his cars this evening and he started singing, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Car." It was too precious and I had to share it!

Birmingham, Alabama

Landon and I went to visit Aunt Miche over the weekend and I can't remember when Landon and I have had so much fun. We went to the McWane Science Center and it was amazing. Four floors of fun for kids (and big kids like Miche & I). We also went to a birthday party and the mall, where Landon told Aunt Miche she got him "the best cookie he had ever had!" I promise to post as many pictures as I can when I have more time. I must have taken over 100 pictures this weekend. So check back soon for more information about our entire fun-filled weekend with Miche!

Shark Week

I am so excited.... Shark Week on Discovery Channel. Twice a year the Discovery Channel hosts "Shark Week" with a week full of shark-related programming. I can remember watching "Shark Week" when I was in high school. I have been fascinated by sharks for as long as I can remember. (May be in part because my Dad let me watch "Jaws" when I was young). To this day, it is still one of my favorite movies. And since I have lived on the Emerald Coast for 25 years, I have seen my share of them in person. I can recall a large group of Hammerhead Sharks congregating under the Destin Bridge (the same bridge I swam under numerous time.) I have also seen tons of sharks around the fishing piers on Okaloosa Island. And to top it all off, when I was about 8 years old, I remember going deep sea fishing with my Dad and his buddies and a Hammerhead Shark (a big one) ended up in the boat with us. Unfortunately that episode ended badly for the shark but it was an amazing sight to see one that close up. That is something I will never forget!!! Anyway, although I love "Jaws" and other shark movies I do not believe they are out to get us and search us out as food. I believe they would much rather have some fish for dinner than you or me. So check out the programming on the Discovery Channel this week and you might learn something new about these prehistoric fish and I think you will like it.... well, if you like or are even remotely interested in sharks that is. Dive in!!!

I got an idea!

OK... the photo really has nothing to do with the post but I love it. Landon was walking around in my shoes and it was too cute.

Yet another adorable thing my son does..... when he comes up with something he will say, "I got an idea!" He says it so matter-of-factly it is just precious!

On another note, guess who slept in bed with Mommy again last night??? I have created a monster and it is all my fault!

Lastly, something I received by e-mail for all you Mommies out there...

On Being a Mother........
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking.
"Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all.
I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.
I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?"
That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her.
That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.
That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or Her best crystal without a moment’s hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into An important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell.
She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather Than the women's, at McDonald's, will become a major dilemma.
That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once She has a child.
That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a caesarean scar o r shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, and not in the way she thinks.
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is Careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.
I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again, for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.
I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
"You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.

Touching Video

Break out the kleenex...This was sent to me this morning and it is so touching I wanted to share it with all of you! It is the motorcade from the church to the cemetery for Tony Forgione's funeral.The person who made the video is a deputy in Gulf County. She was amazed at the number of people who came from far away and the ones that lined the road as the motorcade passed and then the large flag near the cemetery.

YouTube Video - Deputy Forgione Funeral

MySpace Video - Deputy Forgione Funeral

More Adorable Things

Needless to say, yesterday was a very hard day and so I was thinking of all of the wonderful things Landon has brought to my life. There are so many ways he has enriched my life it is incredible. The way he was comforting me yesterday tells me he has learned compassion and how to comfort people when they need it and it amazes me his sincerity in these simple acts.
So, I wanted to share a couple of things he has started doing more recently. Lately, after I tell him something that he isn't quite sure about he will ask me "Are you teasing me, Mommy???" It is so cute. Then he will say, "You're teasing me Mommy!" with a huge grin on his face. It amazes me how quickly he learns such phrases and knows exactly when to use them.
He is also learning to spell, well, mostly he now recognizes the letters. But when we get to a "Stop" sign he will say, "S-T-O-P spells STOP." He also tells me when I make a rolling stop instead of a complete stop by saying"Mommy, you were supposed to stop at the stop sign." I will have to be more careful about that! And he has also learned to recognize "house for sale" signs. And when we read books he wants to spell a lot of the words. Of course, I think he is brilliant and can't wait to see what he learns next. It seems to be something new everday now!