Friday, It's Friday!

Whew, made it through the week.  Since it's going to be a very busy weekend, let's confess and get on with it:

• I am oh so happy it's Friday.
• This weekend is going to flash by.
• Bruiser has his birthday party tomorrow.
• Five 5 year olds and a couple of bigger kids.
• Superhero theme and games.
• Now to get everything organized so we can pull this off.
• We may be dead tomorrow night.
• Then it's Superbowl.
• The biggest party in The US.
• I'm looking forward to good company and hopefully interesting commercials.
• Good food as well.
• Monday could be a bit rough.

What do you have planned for the weekend?  Anything fun?

Spin Cycle--Vortex, Polar or Otherwise

Vortex.  A word that has been bandied about in the media of recent.  At least in connection with Polar.  We were by passed by the so called polar vortex and had seasonal temps for our neck of the woods. But vortex means other things too.
Do you ever feel like life is swirling away with you?  Do you get sucked into an activity and it takes over you life?  Life runs away with me all the time. Last year felt like one huge merry go round that was going a bit to fast.  There were ups and downs but truly, I would have preferred a calmer ride.
This year has been better, but illness and injury have followed us out of last year. Things have to look up soon.  Starting with this weekend.
We have a much better reason to be swept into a vortex of fun--Bruiser's 5th Birthday party. He is getting a full on friends over party with games, cake, ice cream, presents--the works. To say he's excited is an understatement. Last night we had the grandparents over for a family celebration.

He's five now.  The last five years have whirled by and I can hardly believe that they have passed.  The vortex that is kids growing up is probably the most interesting, exasperating, and engulfing vortex that I could be caught up in. I wouldn't miss a minute.

Are you caught in the "Polar Vortex"? Or just a standard vortex that has taken over your life?  Spin it up and link it up.
Gretchen and Ginny Marie, would love to have you!

WWTK--Emo Times

We Want To Know how emo you can be.  I know that after having babies, I'm much more emotional that I used to be.

1.  Are you an emotional person or do you tend to hold things in? I tend to hold more in.  I can be happy and show it, but I hold anger and resentment in.  It's not really good for me, but I'm working on it.  A lot of the time it's irrational, and doesn't make sense, the things that have made me angry, but ranting about it would only make things worse, so I try to shrug it off.  Not really successful with that one all the time.
2.  Do you cry at commercials? Not now, but there was one or two that got to me while the hormones and such of pregnancy were raging.
3.  Name a movie or movies that make you cry. (If none, then that's ok) The end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, when Harry heads into the forest, that makes me tear up.
4.  Name songs that may make you cry (If none, then that's ok) Skin(Sarabeth) by Rascal Flats gets me every time.

Tim McGraw's Don't Take the Girl really gets me now that I have kids.

5.  In times of panic or when you feel overwhelmed, are you more likely to buckle down or break down? Depends on the circumstances.  Major injuries to the boys--I do better letting Nick take over and I sooth the boy, but in times of sickness, I take over clean up and dealing with the sick one. We have been lucky in that we haven't had any major times of panic, yet. I am knocking on wood and such right now.

Grab the questions and link up with Scriptor.

Tuesday, Tuesday

It's a better day than Monday, but ours is cold, cold, cold.  Below zero cold.  Makes it hard to get moving.  I'd have much rather stayed home curled under my fluffy blanket, reading. No such luck, though. Let's get on with the random:

• I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I wanted to see the new movie Monuments Men.  In further pursuit of the subject, I got the book from Amazon and read up on them.  Very interesting, but then I am a WWII history buff. I love that period and have read about it for years now.  This was an aspect that I had not heard about before and was sucked into the story.  Now I'm looking forward to the movie that much more.
• We have a birthday coming up.  Bruiser turns 5 tomorrow. How exactly did that happen?  Where have the last five years gone?  Where has my baby gone? Oh right, he's this big grown up kid:

• There will be a birthday party on Saturday.  Superheroes and all. Here's hoping that it goes smoothly.
• Looking forward to the Superbowl game this weekend.  More for the snacks and commercials, but the game should be good too this year.  I'm a nominal Seahawks fan, so Go Seahawks!
• We got pictures of the boys taken. Here's a sneak peek:

 

•    They came out just awesome! I'll show more later.

So that about covers my random.  What random do you have?

Wow, That Was No Fun and MMMM

I am back among the living.  Turbo brought home the stomach flu last Tuesday evening.  It hit us all.  After Turbo, I was the next to fall, then Bruiser and then Nick.  My Mom also got it and gave it to a couple of her friends.  Virulent little bug, that's for sure.
After copious amounts of laundry, disinfectant, and sprite, we are all back on solid food and feeling human again. As for activity this weekend, well we did manage a bit.  Nick and I took the dogs for a walk in the park.  Nick tried flying his helicopter in the park with Turbo, but the wind came up.
Sunday, Nick met up in the park with new friends.  They have a  little boy who is Bruiser's age. It was really good for Bruiser to make a friend his age.  We just don't know very many people with kids Bruiser's age.  This will change next year when he hits kindergarten.
Planning is on for Bruiser's birthday.  He turns five on Wednesday.  The family celebration will be on Wednesday.  The kid party will be on Saturday. Superhero theme, per Bruiser request.  We are thinking a Batman pin the mask on game, Superhero cake/cupcakes, present opening and possibly one other game.  Goodie bags, with, hopefully, some decent treats in them. Sounds like a fun birthday, right? We sure hope so.  Bruiser is excited.
We have snow this morning.  About 4 inches and more falling.  Really fluffy, pretty snow.  More is expected later this week.  Turbo is thrilled, he gets to try his newish skis in the park.
Here's to the rest of the winter being illness free, injury free, and uncomplicated.  I know, somewhat wishful thinking, but I can dream.

Monday's Music Moves Me is all about songs with food in the title.
Lady Antebellum's American Honey:

Deana Carter's Strawberry Wine:

And one form my high school days, Def Leppard's calssic Pour Some Sugar on me:

Spin Cycle--Testosterone Awards

Gretchen is all in the spirit of awards season and has given awards as the topic of the Spin Cycle this week.  Awards.  Well, let's just give out the Testosterone Awards.

Award #1 is the Dinner award.  Now you might think this category would be about putting a consistent dinner on the table, but no.  This award goes to the pickiest dinner eater in the house.  Turbo started strong in this category, but has been slipping and, gasp, trying new foods that he is finding he likes. Nick has never really been in the running for this one as he'll try anything once. No, our winner this year is, hands down, Bruiser.  The person in the house who asks what we are having for dinner and almost always responds to the answer with I'm not eating that or I don't like that.  On, occasion I get a do I like that? 

Award #2 is the Clothing Pick Up award.  This award has some strong contenters.  There is Nick who leaves his socks all over the house, Turbo who also leaves socks where he removes them, and Bruiser who leaves all sorts of clothes anywhere.  But is a surprise twist, I win this one, as I am the one who picks them up. Sometimes I make Turbo pick them up, but since I am the motivating factor, I win.

Award #3 is the Zone Out award.  We are all quite skilled at zoning out.  I do it quite well when reading books. Bruiser gets into a mode with his pretend games.  Turbo can zone out to a video game in any form--Xbox, Kindle, Wii, or DS.  Nick zones to TV and movies.  Since I have to choose the best zoner in the house...the award goes to Turbo.  He can get lost in the game in seconds.

Award #4 is the Helpfulness award.  Bruiser loves to help me in the kitchen. Turbo doesn't really complain about cleaning his room or dog poo pick-up. Nick helps with the cooking, does the outside chores and will clean the odd room when the mood strikes him (although he's not doing much at the moment, poor guy.  He can't even stand up straight.) I think this award has to go to Nick.  He really is a wonderful guy who will willingly make dinner, vacuum, or distract kids so I can do those thing uninterrupted.  Love him for that.

Well there you have it, the Testosterone Awards.  Not wildly exciting awards, but they work for us.
Do you have awards you want to give out?  Do you enjoy awards shows?  Spin it up, link it up.
Gretchen and Ginny Marie, would love to have you!

WWTK--While Away The Time

This week on WWTK it's all about passing the time.

1. Are you a football fan? If so, which team are you rooting for? Not really a football fan. I have  a general idea of the game and can appreciate a decent game, but it's not my preferred way to spend time.  I make an exception for the Superbowl. We actually watched the play-off games this weekend.  By default, since Denver is so close, most around here are Denver Broncos fans.  I am not.  I will be rooting for Seattle and really hope they win. Added bonus that I have blog friends that live up there now.

2. What is one movie you could watch over and over and not get tired of? Mamma Mia.  Cheesy singing and all.  It's great fun to belt it out along with the show and even my boys enjoy watching it.

3. Are there any books you've read lately that you would recommend? I've been on a historical romance kick recently, but haven't really read anything great.  I have recommendations, cause I have very favorite books, but nothing new from recently.

4. What is currently your favorite song? I haven't been listening to much new stuff.  I really need to turn on CMT or GAC in the mornings again. I do like the song that Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert sing together:

And the Darius Rucker song:

5. What's your favorite way to pass time? Read a book--if I get some uninterrupted time. If I know I haven't got uninterrupted time, just time to kill here and there, I like the hidden object aps on my Kindle, or solitaire. If family time is necessary, watching movies while fitting puzzles is a favored way to while away the time.

In other news, I want a do over on today.  Turbo started throwing up last night and progressed to diarrhea about 2 am. Nick is down cause he threw his back out and the dog pooped on the carpet cause I didn't get him out after he ate this morning.  Can I go back to bed and start today over with new options? No? Guess I'll muddle forward.


Grab the questions and link up with Scriptor.

Random-like Tuesday

Back at it after a long weekend. Could have used another day--the kids are home today with Grandma.  Interesting planning on the School's part. Teacher inservice day right after a holiday.  Smooth.
On to the random:

• Scrubbing toilets is rather unsatisfactory.  Most household chores are, but scrubbing the toilet has got to be the worst-no one notices and it just gets dirty again immediately. Even vacuuming shows results for a little while. You can take momentary pleasure in an empty sink and clean kitchen. A shiny toilet just doesn't satisfy the same way.
• I conquered mount laundry.  Every thing is folded and put away.  I even got the bathroom rugs washed.  Next weekend it's sheets.
• Vacuuming is more fun after a glass or two of wine.
• Why, yes this weekend was all about house cleaning, why do you ask?
• Bruiser is having a party for his birthday this year.  If Nick and I can manage to plan one.  We are long on intention, but short on the planning.  I'm hoping I can get invites out this week.  We are keeping it simple, at home, a few games and cake and ice cream and presents.  They're five, a huge extravaganza is not going to make much of an impression. Bruiser just wants to have his friends over.
• We took the boys to get pictures taken.  The pictures look great.  When we get the CD, I will share the best of.
• Thought of the week:

• Totally Nick and I.  Crazy relatives on both sides, check; quirky habits, check; seen at worst, check; Morning breath, check; covers all the bases.  Love you Nick!
• A juice diet that appeals:

Have a great week! It is a short one and hopefully busy enough to flash by.

Friday Confessions

Whoop whoop--it's Friday!  And here in these parts we get a long weekend. Have to admit, I'm looking forward to sleeping in some.  But first let's confess:

• I have a hot date this weekend.
• With the laundry.
• Maybe the bathrooms.
• And the vacuum has been pouting and complaining that it is neglected.
• It may be telling the truth, as evidenced by the dust dinosaurs under the couch.
• So, smoking times with house work this weekend.
• You are so jealous, aren't you?
• I may have succeeded in using the heck out of the crock pot this week,
• But failed at getting kid approval for most meals.
• I did have a minor victory with a zucchini salad on Tuesday.
• Turbo found out he loved it.
• Score one for mom.
• Bruiser on the other hand, practically didn't eat dinner all week.
• Take one (or four) away from mom.
• Next week starts the balance act all over again--nutritious, interesting food vs. food kids will actually eat.
• Isn't that the standard lament for moms?
• Not wanting to be a short order cook, but also wanting the kids to just eat already!
• The joys of motherhood.  
• I really wouldn't trade it for the world.

So do you have anything to confess?

Spin Cycle--More Words for the Year

So, the Spin Cycle was so successful last week, Gretchen and Ginny decided to continue with the word of the year--with a slight twist.  We have to pick someone else's word and tell how we would incorporate it into our life.
I chose Sharon, from The Mayor of Crazyville. Her word for the year was Fun.  With my word of Balance, fun seems to go hand in hand.
We do a lot of fun things all year: camping, road trips, things of that sort, but they are big things.  I need to find the fun in the little things.

• Having the boys help me cook, or for that matter having Nick help me cook, more fun for all participants.
• Small trips to the rec center--not only good for us activity wise, but fun for the kids.  Fun for the adults too.
• Menu planning.  I really need to organize this one so it more fun.  I really think it's time to put all our favorite recipes in one place.  Then it is only a matter of thumbing through them to decide on dinner for the week. The easier it is the more fun right?
• Household chores--get them done more often--less to do each time, therefore less time taken to do them.  Less time doing the drudgery, more time for more interesting and fun activities.
• Carve out more time for Nick and I the is not kid/work/issue related.  We need the time to connect.  Find our passions again. Or find a passion. We are not movie goers. We seldom get out to eat. The boys are getting big enough for us to start taking short times away--just going for a walk together could be good for us.  Find the fun in the simple things.

Life is so busy, if you don't stop to recognize the fun you're having, it'll slip right by. The big fun is easy to see, the small fun, pleasure in the little things, it's far easier to miss.
So my secondary word for this year will be Fun. With finding balance, the fun will come.

What word would you choose?  Spin it up, link it up.
Gretchen and Ginny Marie, would love to have you!