ART I LIKE

I'm not ambitious enough to start a blog that is completely devoted to original artwork that I like, but I am going to add a little feature on my blog.  You can find it down the side under my blogging friends.  I won't change it everyday, but I will update it often.    The first one is called Summer Moonlight Sailing.  

Real Talent

I will start off saying, I'm not fishing for compliments.  I realize that I have some artistic skills.  In high school I was my art teacher's favorite student.  I was too self conscience to take classes in college or any other art school.  This I've always regretted.  Now I desperately try to fill my need to create art.  The problem is the art I do create is always a knock-off of something else I've seen.  Anytime I come up an idea of my own, it never turns out the way it looks in my head.  I have very high expectations of myself.  Anyway, I'm happy to make things or copy things for my friends.  It feels my need to create.  But I'm still sad that I don't have the ability to create original art.  My friend Angela led me to a website www.etsy.com and there are some truly talented artists selling original artwork.  You should check it out.

Can't drive 35

I'm a very patient person.  Except for 2 areas of my life... myself and driving.  I'm not talking about road rage, but I do speed everywhere.  Not a lot, maybe 5 to 10 over.  I just do!  I talk to the idiot drivers all around me.  There are a higher percentage in Wichita than anywhere else!  My son is always asking me why the light can't get any greener!!  So yesterday afternoon, after Nathan finally feel asleep for a nap, we took him to Toys R Us to get a big boy bike.  He was amazing.  He just climbed on and started pedaling.  Eric was literally running through the store to keep up.  You would have thought Nathan had been riding bikes all his life.  Anyway,  after we left the store I was so inspired by Nathan's "Mad Skills" that I got a speeding ticket.  51 in a 35.  Nathan was so excited for me!  "Yeah, Mommy you got a ticket, that's great!"  We had to explain that it isn't a good thing.  So I will take my lumps and slow down for a while.  

Greater Andover Days

Today we decided to support the Andover community by attending Greater Andover Days.  This was Nathan's first parade.  After the parade we went over to the park for Kid Fest! Nathan was great and we had a great time!  

Before he can complain

I bought this outfit before Nathan was born, but by the time he was big enough to wear it it was too cold.  So we finally had a warm day and I put it on Zachary.  Poor little guy!  The things we do to our children before they can complain.  Isn't he a cute little guy in his hat?

Dinner and a Movie

(quoting my friend Angela) Remember when...  dinner and a movie meant you got dressed up and went to dinner at your favorite restaurant.  Maybe had a margarita with dinner.  Enjoyed adult conversations and took your time.  Then went to a late movie.  It didn't matter how late you were out because it was Friday or Saturday night and you got to sleep in the next morning.  Remember!!!!  

Thursday night I started a new version of dinner and a movie...  I made Nathan dinner, then sat him down in front of the TV to watch Brother Bear 2.  I fed Zachary and put him in his bouncy chair.  And I got on the treadmill for a workout.  I got an hour of time to myself.  I felt a little guilty about Nathan sitting in front of the TV to eat, but I sure enjoyed the sweat and loud music.  

This is what dinner and a movie has come to.  A little sad, but true.  

A few More

Before he was 3!

Looking Back

Trying to remember Nathan before the terrible 3s.  Here are some of my favorite pics.

Motorcycle Man

Nathan and I enjoyed the morning at home.  Zachary slept while we washed my car and Nathan's tricycle.  Then Zach and I watched Nathan ride his motorcycle round and round in the driveway.  He is quite the little dare devil and thought it was funny to watch mommy jump every time he came close to running over Zachary's stroller.  He is surprisingly good at navigating and never ran us over, but liked making me think he was going.  This was the highlight of the day, it was downhill after 12:00, with what felt like a continuous string of time-outs.  

Obsess Much?

This is a picture of me attempting to weigh Zach to see how much he has gained.  The scale said 10 lbs, but I don't think you can really gain 2 lbs in 2 weeks.

Brothers!

Ice Fishing!

After I realized Nathan had been in the bathroom for quite some time, I opened the door to see this. I said, "Nathan Shane what are you doing?"  He said, "I was just ice fishing."

Moments

I keep having these surreal moments when I realize "I'M NOT PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!"  Zach is two weeks old today and I already feel back to normal, except the 20 lbs extra.  But it could be so much worse.  Even though I only get little snippets of sleep about 2- 2 1/2 hours at a time, it is solid REM sleep where I start dreaming as soon as my head hits the pillow.  I think all the post delivery aches and pains are gone and I feel great.  If I was allowed I would get on the treadmill and start running today.   I find myself smiling for no reason at all!  

Kansas State Fair

We woke up this morning and went to the State Fair.  The weather was perfect!  My boys were the best behaved ever.  Nathan was pure joy!  Zachary slept or looked around until it was time to eat then we found a place to sit down and I used my "Hooter Hider".  He ate and we went on our merry way!  It was such a good day!

BIG BOY

Nathan started preschool last Thursday.  He is very excited to start at his "artwork" preschool.  We decided on the Wichita Center for the Arts preschool.  He had very little to say about his first day of school except that he learned how to sit criss-cross applesauce.  

Sweetest Perfection!

I forgot how much I adore holding and snuggling a tiny little person.  Zachary has the most perfectly soft head and adorable wrinkly forehead.  He spends all night sleeping on the crook of my arm.  We wake up to eat and then stare at each other until we both nod off to sleep.  I worried about so many things with Nathan that I missed out on enjoying these simple moments.  I am savoring everything little baby moment because I know it will be my last chance.  

First Baths!

Side by side comparison. Nathan (above) at 6 lbs and Zachary (below)  at 8 lbs. Nathan was about 3 weeks old and Zachary is 5 days old!!!