Fantastico!

(this pic is a little shadow-y, but I love it!)


Our long weekend was muy fantastico! How was yours?
We went up the NJT (NJ Turnpike for those of you not familiar) to pay a visit to my dear old dad (verrry old! ha!) and my lovely mom. Seriously, what a great time!!

The boys (true to form) did NOT want to leave!!!! We literally had to drag them out of the house kicking and screaming.
So, what made the weekend so grand? I got to sleep my little heart out. Nothing like being able to sleep uninteruppted for once. or twice.

Actually, that's not true. On Sunday morning, Jordan came into our room and woke me up. BUT, he just came in because he was "trying to find MomB and Dadu." He didn't even want us!! Score! I got to go back to sleep....

I also got to see my friend Z. We've been friends since 1984... she's dope. We are very different, but I think that's why we get along so well... we complement each other.
So, she's due with her second baby boy at the end of June. She's super prego! She's getting ready to move too, so she has tons on her plate. It was great seeing her though. All the boys got to play together, which was hilarious! I wish we lived closer so they could play together more often, but she's not trying to move to Philly and I can't afford to move back to Jersey! We've all seen this right.... Well, we don't live that large (not yet anyway), but North Jersey (where I'm from) is just too expensive.

ANYWAY....

The boys had a great time too. They got to wear down their grandparents and just "wow" them with their intelligence and boundless energy. oh yeah, and their complete disregard for authority.

a little see-saw time...

a little baseball time...

SWWIIINNNG Jordie!


Jordie running the bases (WITH the bat!)

Dadu running the bases. Run, Dadu, Run!

And I gotta say it was nice to have all my boys together all at the same time. I'm just sorry I didn't get a good shot of my brother.... Next time. Here are my other 4 boys though!

Since the month is quickly coming to a close, we decided to do May's dinner and a movie while on our trip. This month's feature, Bolt. Jordan saw this in the movies, so he was really excited to see it again! (or so we thought).

The boys getting ready to watch our movie

We ate our dinner first, then all gathered in the den (me, Ty, the boys, MomB and Dadu too). The movie started, we watched. The doorbell rang, it took 3 people to answer the door (2 under 3 feet tall).

It was Uncle Aych! So long Bolt.

My big brother came in toting bags like he was Santa Claus or something. Since he didn't get to see Jordie on his birthday, he didn't dare enter the house empty-handed. Jordie got the obligatory pajamas (for some reason, he ALWAYS needs pj's), and he got him this and this. Jordie loves Little People and he loves animals - so this gift was PERFECT! Of course with new toys, or any toys for that matter, we must reinforce the principle of sharing. Jordie let Aaron play with 2 of the animals. One for each hand. Isn't he generous!! LOL

So, all in all, the weekend was a success! No major attitudes, not too many tears, good weather, good company.... what more could I ask for?

Ohhhh, that's right! A blog post wouldn't be complete without some some mention of an ailment. I was fine the whole weekend... until I woke up Monday morning. I woke up feeling dehydrated and hung over. I spent the next 5 hours spilling my guts from the upshoot and the downspout - if you get my drift! *wink* Since then, I feel super nauseous each time I eat... no matter what I eat. Not sure what kind of bug I have, but I'd like him to vacate the premises... asap!

Not Long Enough

Dadu & his girls (me & lil sha sha)

We just recently returned from a long weekend away in North Carolina. We were visiting family and friends and we had a GREAT time!!! We arrived on Thursday and left on Tuesday.... that's a good amount of time to still consider it a long weekend. Even still, our time away was not long enough. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to stay past our welcome (and with 2 toddlers that can come fast) - but I just wasn't ready to leave. Have I mentioned that we had a GREAT time??? Like, really!

Anyway, here are a few highlights from our most glorious trip. To you, they may not be oh so special, but they definitely serve as reminders of a fabulous trip that was far too short.

I think what makes it tough is that I have no idea when we'll be able to get back down there. In the past 2 years, we've been at least 4 times. We just love it! Ha!

Okay, okay... I know you just want to see my gorgeous family...



State Troopers (in Delaware I think) who we had to follow for like 20 minutes going like 10 mph... no joke, no exageration!!


we stopped at Hardees somewhere in VA for lunch. anytime is a good time for a photo op! :)

here I am a few minutes after we left Hardees....super carsick! coincidence, maybe?

Finally we arrive.....
We say our hellos, get settled... then the girls head out for a night on the town!


here I am trying soooo hard to pose... maybe little too hard! haha

going out on Friday night... such a fun time


me & Owwie eeeeaaarrrrlly the next morning



the obligatory bathtub pic

Me and Ash... Strike a Pose! lol

MomB, Dadu & the grandboys

Ty & Ash - they are so photogenic! :)

Me & Shana.. I'm so glad she was able to come

All the Ladies @ The Gathering



me & ty trying to hang with the youngins

the Ladies! too pretty I tell ya!

me, shana & aunt raye (hostess with the mostess)

the grandboys with the grandparents at Dadu's bday dinner (i won't dare tell his age.. besides you'd never believe me - doesn't he look YOUNG!! :-D)

My ABSOLUTE FAVE pic of the trip!!! They are just TOOOOO cute!!

Backlog Much

Weeeeeee'reeeee baaaaccckkkkk!
What a GREAT trip!!! I had such a great time even if we did bring weather from above the mason dixon with us down south. And so what if it's gonna be in the 70's this weekend... who cares!! We had a GREAT GREAT GREAT time!!! I'm exicted to go back (even though I have no idea when that will be).

So, this post was supposed to have been written yesterday (Much Tuesdays), but I was too tired after a full day of travelling.

I'll try to recap our trip over the next few days. But let me tell you - the boys were ANGELS!!! I cannot believe how well behaved they were. Yes, they had their moments (they are toddlers after all), but they were SUCH GOOD BOYS!!!!

Annnnnnnnddddddd
Ty drove the entire trip!!!!! (both ways) what a guy, right!!!
He was TRULY a gem.... very patient the entire time!! I have mentioned I'm not the easiest to travel with, right.... Well, God bless him! :-)

So, I'm gonna finish up reading my backlog of blogs (it's been a week since I've read anything)... then I'll try to post again!!

Oh yeah, and even though it was FREEEEEZING and it even snowed (smh) - I didn't even get a twinge of a cold!!! YYYAAAAAAYYYYY immune system!! LOL

Suitcase Much

In a few days, we're hitting the road. In preparation, I have to do one of my least favorite tasks - pack the suitcases!! I don't know why I find this such a chore, but I do. Maybe it's because I know that packing also includes the equally unenjoyable task of UNpacking. I might like this even less than the packing itself. Perhaps I find it so awful because of my own control issues and how I must painstakingly create my packing lists (yes, plural) to ensure I don't forget anything. I then must pack each item with the utmost consideration and diligence. You know, so everything is accessible when it needs to be accessed.
Uggghhh, I'm cringeing just thinking about it!!!

Can you tell I've given this process a bit of thought??

Well, tonight was supposed to be a night of many chores - all of which I unequivocally abhor!!!
I have to do something with my hair - wash it, curl it, shave it... something!
I have to wash every dish I can find in the house so there are no surprises waiting for me upon our return.
I have to do one last load of laundry for the boys just so they have enough options while we're away.

Last but certainly not least...
drumroll please....
bbbbddbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbdbbdbdbdbdbdbdbdb (my version of the drumroll)

Pack my suitcase and pack the boys' suitcase (they share)

It's around 11:30 Tuesday night and all of the above tasks should have been accomplished.

Let's review:
Well, there's no real need for a review since I can't check off anything on my published list. I half packed my bag, so I guess that counts for something (a little something). Also, I did pack all of our snacks for the ride into baggies. I got our bottled juices and waters ready, so that's another project I tackled successfully. I guess tonight can be categorized as a mini-fail, rather than the EPIC fail! ha

I'm off to bed now because tomorrow is "D Day" and I need my rest if I'm gonna make it through unscathed. I have A LOT to do tomorrow and I'm alone tomorrow night since Ty is in class. We'll see how the day unfolds.

Until then.... smile, Jesus loves you!
T.G.I.F. - Today, God Is First!! (say it everyday)