Our Color, Our New Baby

Its the color that when worn, I feel beautiful and confident. I wear it on my lips for that evening look. Sometimes I wear it underneath my clothes when I'm feeling a bit secretive and saucy. It's pretty on my toes. It makes my body look fabulous in a swim suit. It's the color of my work shoes which my mother thinks are hideous. But I love them.

It is the color of the bow I put on our new baby puppy to meet the boys as they arrived home from their first day of school. It was love, it was amazing. We all decided she looks beautiful in red as well, so we named her "Scarlet".

My mom found her on Sunday, my favorite day of the week. We have been researching dogs for some time and the boys and I were certain a small white Maltipoo or Maltese was the fit for us. Scarlet is small, but certainly not white... a deep blue-black and tan. She's everything perfect for us though. Funny how you plan and prepare for something you think you want and will do great with, then something comes along better than you can ever expect. That's our Scarlet. I don't even know exactly what she is, but what I do know is that it doesn't matter. We love her.

I try to take her everywhere with me. She licks and bites everything including noses, kid nipples, and the heels of my black boots... we are working on that. She was trying to drag the Sergeant around by his underpants this morning and bit his bum. Sometimes she is gassy. She is so super smart... already knows where to go potty (most times) and knows how to give kisses on command. She remembers things I tell her and listens. She eats pincher bugs and chases ants. She loves my boys... she adores me. She is super playful yet likes some space at times. I love that pure child-like play of hers... making innocent mistakes but just wanting to please the people she loves. She likes mirrors and stands up to big dogs. She plays in Benny's room at night and goes under Sergeant's bed when she hears thunder. She fits right in with us- she's a snuggler and likes to be held. She moans when your holding her and she's missed you. She smells so good. I can tell she is going to slow me down a bit, and that's okay.

She is sooo cute (especially in her bling red collar)... a perfect creation from above... love!


PS- had to add this picture in here... Mom's color rubbed off onto someone's choice of football cleats... almost cuter! ;)

Benny turns... 8!

Happy Birthday Love... it was most def a happy one, one of my favorites for you. My little men are getting so big and the parties seem to just get more fun the older they get. Benny woke up to a brand new, shiny bike in his favorite color... orange. It was the hardest color to find on a bike, but I was determined my sweet son was going to get what he wished for. Especially when one day leading up to his birthday he says, "Mom, it's okay if you can't get me an orange bike. There are other things that I like too." That just gave me an extra nudge in the tush to find the perfect one.

I let Ben-Tenny pick two good friends that were able to go spend two days and one night at a water park resort. Sergeant Stink and the party crew went early to decorate the room very special to welcome the next year of joy he is going to bring into my life, and others as well. I captured and adored the happy but gentle look on his face as we all yelled "surprise" when he opened the door to his friends and party scene. Benny doesn't tend to express his excitement in a 'wahoo' manner but with a soft smile and glow of appreciation in his eyes. That's how I know he's truly touched.

We went down a few super high water slides, tubed down the lazy river, and swam until we were hungry for pizza and cake...
The boys decided to wear the cake on every part of their faces before eating it. Then before eating it looked in the mirror to see who wears the best icing look. It was late night swimming across from our room playing marco-polo until the boys were literally wiped. Then all over again the next morning. It was kind of sad to pack up and go... we all had a darn blast.

It was the only party where I ever lounged in a bikini sipping on a drink watching and then actually playing with my Birthday Boy, his friends and my family... all with minimal mess to clean up. Just a little planning and packing involved. Surely beat those Chuck E Cheese and Peter Piper parties pleasing 15+ children and adults briefly in 3 hours (though they were still fun). This one took the birthday cake... for us all.

Love Note Day

It was a day that marked the end of the truest part of Summer for us. I said "bye" to my children with kisses, hugs, grabs, and my high pitched mommy-in-love voice. Then it hit me and I cried very unexpectedly as they drove off and all that was left was me... My boobs were sore so I know it was part hormones but mostly to blame on the fact that we just had another awesome summer break together- that I will cherish but will very much miss my boys, just being there and hanging out.

Then I pulled it together and tackled some things I won't miss too much. Sticky portions on the counter (and floor to match) and items placed in odd spots. Honestly, it wasn't all that bad. The boys are really helping out around the house- sometimes I have to ask a couple times but they are becoming more respectful and responsible with each summer.

My Sergeant told me this was the best summer, on a random day, just randomly with an honest tone and look to my eyes. He was right, the best so far. We didn't do anything super spectacular, but had the most spectacular moments as a family. We decided to find our summer love with each other and locally. We didn't even get to explore everything on my mental summer local list... there is so much to do here and the possibilities are positively endless when some thought is applied. The boys did request to extend the "summer fun box" project. I was told that just because school is starting doesn't mean the summer is over, so we must continue, and must share later.

The boys do get sick of each other towards the summer break's end, even though they are the best of friends. The fights are frequent, words get more creative and the house gets louder. Benny even said he didn't care if he saw his brother for the rest of his life during one of the last days... he said it with hesitation followed by a long dinner conversation hosted by mom.  

My house is now almost spotless clean, ready for the year and the first love note for the lunch boxes was already written. The kids are now back to school. I started to write about it last night but didn't quite make it... my boys interrupted me with a snuggle request and I fell fast asleep. Benny and I were in a simultaneous breathing rhythm as I held him and felt my Sergeant's nose air on my skin as he smelled his mom right to sleep. Put me to sleep, putting them to sleep... all the way until 5:40am today. Just in time to make pancakes and send those muffins off with my love to their next school-year adventure.

I may be a little delayed during the summer when it comes to some things... but the pace is right with the best reasons... us.

What a summer... <3