Friday, December 30, 2011

Freakshow Friday : Diaper Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a funny photo. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is this week's photo, it's almost terrifying.

This Christmas, dad gave away his dignity.

You got a better one for me?
If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.
Oh...do I ever have an award for you!
You will win this brand spankin' new award!!

<span class=

If you win then I'll link up to your
Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Scenes From the Aquarium

We took the cousins and kids
to the Atlanta Aquarium to celebrate Griffin's Birthday!
It was so special to have them here for his big day.

Photobucket

It was Koen's first time at the Aquarium
and he was extremely thrilled by the experience.
He was shouting and hopping
and pointing and generally freaking out the entire time.

Photobucket

Griffin is a bit more stoic in his admiration
for undersea creatures.
I love seeing how intently he studies
the fish as they swim by.

Photobucket

The Whale Shark always
impresses me but even more than that
are the brave little fishies that
swim around with him.

Photobucket

I love that the creatures
flirt with the crowd
and swim right up to say hello.

Photobucket

Even better is when
you can crawl right in and say hello to the penguins.

We heard about this moment the
entire drive home.

"Mama, I went in the tunnel
and saw penguins
and they liked me
and it was cold."

Such a fantastic day!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Happy New Year, Baby!

My weekly column is up over at Athens Patch
and I'd like to invite you to join the conversation.
Has becoming a parent changed the way
that you celebrate New Year's Eve?
What are your plans for ringing in the new year?

Please join the discussion by leaving a comment
over at Athens Patch or
suggesting the article to your friends on Facebook!

Click here to hop on over and read it!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

52 Weeks of Happiness :: Week 42

Photobucket

The joy of Christmas.

I decided to really experience Christmas

and not be hidden behind a camera taking pictures

but truly living in the moment.


So, you will have to take my word

without the photos to prove that

it was wonderful holiday.


I can tell you that there was

family, moving prayers, splendid food,

hugs, presents being torn open, laughter,
glitter, chocolate, and a few Christmas meltdowns.


Even the meltdowns felt magical.


Photobucket

Here is the wrapping paper carnage
left in my living room.

Doesn't it look like a toy bomb exploded?


It was an amazing Christmas!

Photobucket


Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Winner : Hostage Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.
Secret Mom Thoughts
This is what happens when you eat Santa's cookies.

Heidi
That is what happens to little boys
who diss their mama's
"Classic Clear White bulb" choice for the Christmas tree.

Karen Mortensen
Mommy, I don't want to be a Christmas tree anymore.

And the winner is...
Heidi

That is what happens to little boys
who diss their mama's
"Classic Clear White bulb" choice for the Christmas tree.

Heidi
is the funniest blogg
er in all the land.
Be sure to visit her blog and
admire her fancy new award!


Photobucket

Thanks to all the people who played.
Tune in this Friday for another installment of Freakshow Friday!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Freakshow Friday : Hostage Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a funny photo. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is this week's photo, it cracks me up!

"You will learn to love Christmas."

You got a better one for me?
If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.
Oh...do I ever have an award for you!
You will win this brand spankin' new award!!

<span class=

If you win then I'll link up to your
Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

You Capture : Festive

Here are bits and pieces
of the festive explosion
that has spread all over
my house this holiday!

Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas is About More than Chocolate


My weekly column is up.
How do you celebrate the
true meaning of Christmas with your kids?

Please click here join the conversation over at Patch!

How the Grinch Stole the Zoo



Photobucket

When I caught wind that our little itty bitty local zoo
was having a Christmas Light extravaganza,
I got so excited and promptly told the children we would go.

It just seemed so thrilling
to see animals at night
in the glow of flashing colored lights.

It looked so amazingly dreamy as we walked in
and saw all the festive decorations.

Photobucket

Our first stop was at the alligator habitat.
It took me a moment to notice the
alligator made of lights up on the fence.

We giggled at how silly that was
while we looked for the real creatures.

They were nowhere to be found.

Photobucket

So, we scampered over to the bear habitat
with all the excitement and wonderment
that could fill up our bodies.

Photobucket

There was nothin'.
It was pitch black.
Then it sunk in that we
weren't going to see any animals
frolicking in the glow of Christmas lights.

Photobucket

They did have one creature who
was still awake for the occasion
and it was a one eyed tree owl.

I've never seen kids get so excited
to see a bird with one eye.

The poor little guy was the main attraction that night.

Photobucket

Although, this was pretty awesome too.

On the way out
Griffin stopped to tell the ticket collector
what a rip off it was.

Oh well, you can't win them all.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

52 Weeks of Happiness :: Week 41

Photobucket

Playing with my family.

My older brother and his family

are in town from Colorado for the holidays
and my mom and dad's home has been
bustling with fun and excitement!

Photobucket

I just love the true joy to be found
when cousins get together.
Little games and activities pop up
and it's so sweet to see the kids
having such a blast together.

Photobucket

Little feet scamper and stomp.
Squeals of happiness echo into the neighborhood.

Photobucket

A simple playfulness takes over our bodies
and it's because we are just so happy
to be together.

A family full of such love
is a gift.

I treasure every wild and crazy moment.

Photobucket



Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Winner : "Come Together" Edition

We have a winner for this week's installment of Freakshow Friday. Please take note that my super hilarious and non biased best friend was the judge. Here are the top three in no particular order.
Moooooog35
In retrospect, it was probably a bad idea
to think the two adopted kids could get along
..even if it WAS for a Christmas photo.

Linda D.
When the family decided to get a snack at the zoo,
they had no idea what they were in for!

VandyJ
The circle of life, it's not just a saying, it's a way of life.

And the winner is...
Linda D.

When the family decided to get a snack at the zoo,
they had no idea what they were in for!

Linda D.
is the funniest blogg
er in all the land.
She doesn't have a blog
for you to visit
but she's still a winner in my book!

Photobucket

Thanks to all the people who played.
Tune in this Friday for another installment of Freakshow Friday!

Friday, December 16, 2011

Freakshow Friday : "Come Together" Edition

It's time for another installment of Freakshow Friday. Where I ask my readers to come up with a caption or story for a funny photo. My best friend will be the judge and she's one hilarious freakaziod. So, bring it! Here is this week's photo, It's been making the rounds on-line and I 'd love to see what y'all can come up with.

A reminder for all of us to come
together in harmony and peace this holiday season.

You got a better one for me?
If so, you may just when this awesome award
and have bragging rights forever.
Oh...do I ever have an award for you!
You will win this brand spankin' new award!!

<span class=

If you win then I'll link up to your
Blog and make a big deal
about how funny you are.
Simply leave your funny caption or story
in my comments section.

The winner will be announced on Monday.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Legend of Tomorrow

My dad found this sweet little
Christmas village for me
at the flea market.

I love it and find myself creating
stories and drama with the people of the village.

Photobucket

In a small valley lies
a quaint village named Tomorrow.
Where the lights twinkle by night
and passion simmers in the light of day.

Photobucket

In the center of town you will find
Lovers Park where residents mingle
and hearts break from day to day.


Photobucket

On this cold winter afternoon
all seems well within the village,
yet a heartbroken young lady
by the name of Mindy is going for
an innocent stroll.

Little does she know that
disaster awaits behind the park gate.


Photobucket

There she spied her ex-lover, Corbin
tightening the laces of another lady's ice skates.

Her spirit dropped as she was already mending
a broken heart from Corbin leaving her
only days before.

She had suspected there was another woman.

Photobucket

She quickly hid behind the topiary
as to not be seen by the couple.
It was then she saw that the other woman
was none other than her sister Trudy.

Photobucket

How could they do this to her?
The display of public affection
sent her spiraling out of control
with wild rage and passion.

Photobucket

She found herself at the Hunter's Tavern.
The last time she went on a bender at the tavern
she ended up flipping tables
and making out with Noah the cute bartender.
That had been years ago.

Could she drown her worries in ale?
In her heart she knew
that it was a bad idea.

After all, she was carrying Corbin's baby!

To be continued...

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Play in the dirt...



My weekly column is up once again and
I would love to have you join in the conversation
or suggest the article to your friends on Facebook.

Today we are talking about Nature Deficit Disorder
and the ways that being raised
in the electronic age can affect our children.

One local group is doing something about it
and getting kids back to nature.


Please click here to join the discussion over at Patch!

A Happy Mess

I know that I've expressed on here
more than once how
I think that baking is good for the soul.

When the boys are bored
or the house gets a little too wild
I'll shout "EVERYBODY TO THE KITCHEN, NOW!"

Photobucket

The boys run to me and drag
chairs up to the counter.
Suddenly, the house feels calm
and the boys are focused.

It's like magic.

Photobucket

They are so eager to help.
Griffin always snatches the measuring cup from me
and clamors to fetch the water for the recipe.

The water usually runs over
and spills onto the floor.
It doesn't matter, though.

He's having fun.

DSC_0161-2

Koen likes to snatch the spoon
when it's time to pour the batter
into our beloved muffin pan.

The batter splatters and gets everywhere.
It's nothin' that we can't wipe up together, though.

Getting messy is half the joy of baking.

Photobucket

After the muffins are popped into the oven
and the boys scamper off to play,
the kitchen looks like it was ransacked
by two wild and crazy Keebler elves.

I love seeing a kitchen covered
in activity and happiness.

A happy mess.

Photobucket

Then the pumpkin muffins sit on a thrown
like baked goods royalty.

The house smells delicious
and all is well in mama's house.

It's always worth the mess.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

52 Weeks of Happiness :: Week 40

Photobucket

Griffin's 7th Birthday Party!

We had a little gathering
at the local skating rink
to celebrate
my big boy's
approaching b-day.


The DJ played Golden Oldies

and as Crocodile Rock

thumped and the disco lights spun,

the kids had a blast!


Photobucket

Watching children roller skate
can be so entertaining.
They drop like flies
onto the hard wood floor
and then get right back up
only to fall once again.

Photobucket

We had homemade Ben 10 cupcakes
that were a huge hit with the kiddos.
It was so fun to whip up treats
for the celebration.

Photobucket

Every year, as Griffin's face shines
in the glow of his birthday candles
and the sound of loved ones singing
Happy Birthday in his honor fills the air,
I get a little teary.

I can remember holding him in my arms
moments after he was born
and feeling so blessed.
I rocked him back and forth
and sang Happy Birthday to him,
his little face inspecting me as I sang.

I think of that sweet moment
and see how big he is now.
He'll always be that little baby to me though.

Photobucket

Oh, check out the mountain of gifts!

I think that Birthday Parties
are one of the funnest parts of being a mama.
I love to make it an awesome time.

It was so much fun to

watch him enjoy his big day!


Photobucket



Want to join me in my quest
to scout out happiness for a whole year?
Simply post a photo of something that
makes you wildly happy and tell us all about it.
Then, steal my button and include it in your post.
Don't forget to link up to Mr. Linky.

Wait...I have to tell you
that I am hosting a
Toy Story Showtime! App
Giveaway over at Leigh vs Laundry Reviews.



Click here to read all about it
and enter to win!