Glutton For Punishment

Natalie’s and Ashley’s kids came out for a few weeks this summer. In my effort to keep up the “Favorite Aunt” status, I took on the task of taking the kids to the zoo… Yes, I’m an idiot.



We got there right at 7am when it opened. Already drenched in sweat as we walked to the entrance. The place was PACKED. Seriously. Packed. And it was supposed to be 110 that day. Who in their right mind?? (I think we can ALL agree I’ve NEVER been in my right mind…)

At any rate.. here are a few pictures from that day. Alexis and Miaya were brave enough to ride the camel. Wyatt said he wanted to…but chickened out as I agreed to it.



Needless to say, we didn’t stay long…maybe 1.75 hours. While they had some water features for the kids to cool off, since the place was packed, it just wasn’t fun.

My punishment continued when we took ALL the kiddo’s to Disneyland for a few days.



We had a large group. 11 total – Mom, Dad, Mike and Natalie + kids – Hunter/Alexis, Camdon and Miaya were there under Grandma and Grandpas supervision, and of course me and my brats – Chase/Wyatt.



We did 2 full days at Disney and CA Adventure. Wyatt got denied at Indiana Jones. I forced him onto Splash Mountain (he was crying/screaming as we waited in line). After the ride, he insisted it was FUN! I asked if he wanted to go on it again, and I got an emphatic NO! From there on out, he inquired at every ride if it was a ‘kid ride’.

Wyatt met a few of the Disney Characters, told them all that he loved them, and that they could stay at our hotel with us if they wanted to.



We didn't get to ride Peter Pan.. but the kids got to meet him. Yes, he was a little fruity...although he was flirting with some young chicks ahead of us...? haha



Here was Chase's first Disneyland Ride Ever. Pirates of course.. and he said it was TOO SCARY!


Chase driving at Autopia


Chase of course didn’t fail us with his fits and tantrums and desire for girly things. While we were all on Splash Mountain, Natalie stayed off with the “Sissy La La’s” – Camdon and Chase. During this time, Chase pleaded with ‘Aunt Naawie’ to buy him a Minnie Mouse Purse (filled with dress up Minnie mouse dolls). She of course complied and that kid carted around his pretty purse and my pretty pink lipstick ALL.DAY.LONG.





California Adventure with Chase..who was too short and too scared to do much of anything. I even got attitude introducing him to the freakin FAKE cars!



At the end of it all, I learned a few very valuable lessons.

1. I do NOT feel guilty traveling without my kids ANYMORE.
2. It will be a VERY LONG time before I take my kids back to Disneyland.
3. Chase realllly needs a good lesson in sharing. (and a therapist to work him through his “issues” with women’s things! LOL)

It was great spending time with Natalie and her family. Uncle Mike is always a favorite with my boys. I’m sure by the time they all went home though, they were burned out on “small children”!

At one time..Wyatt said very loudly so we could all hear.. I want someone to put me up on their shoulders. We all knew what that meant!

A Failed Fish Experiment

Ashley and Natalie were both in town this past week for the 4th of July weekend.. kids in tow. So, being the BEST aunt in town, I decided to get them all some fish to see who could take the best care of them...and ultimately have the longest living fishies... Well, in short, we failed. HUGE TIME. But... we did manage to get some cute pictures of both kids and fish!


Each kid got their own bowl..with labels. Aunt Ashley helped get them settled into their new homes.


11 fish total (one extra for Chase since he was napping when we bought them)



The Momma's of the group. Miaya on the left, Alexis on the right.



We even had a fish named Macaroni...



Wyatt and Cam



Perhaps there was just too much 'petting' of the fish...


2 guesses whose fish died first?



I have to say though... for .28 cents a fish, the kids had some good fun. We still have 2 survivors... out of 11. I put them in some clean water today, so we'll see how long they last! (Hopefully not too much longer since we leave for Disneyland in a week!)

Where do they get this stuff?

I guess this is how it works folks. Take note:

Chase got a 'gum whistle' at the dollar store via Marni (best sitter ever!). We were driving over to Marni's this morning and Wyatt says: Chasey! I can smell that gum, so you need to give me some!

Chase of course responded with: No, it's too sticky.

If we all went by Wyatt's logic though...I guess next time you are at Krispy Kreme and the guy next to you is enjoying a delicious donut...you can tell him: HEY! I can smell that! Give it to me! ;)

Gotta love kids and their wit.

My favorite time of day you ask? This time:

Couple more remodel pics... Still going...

Tile floor is in and grouted.



Instead of a 28 dollar towel bar, I spent 2.99 and got these cute wooden thingy's. Not even sure what to call them. Technically they are meant to hold curtains back..but totally work in the bathroom too. :)




Tall linen closet is in too, still working on the doors. Backsplash was finished too.. custom door threshold tile is in too, but haven't pictured it yet. :)




This is the week though, I can feel it being totally done! LOL

Chasey's Big Day

I officially have a 3 year old. Phew! Bout time!


This is the best we get when we ask him "how many" he is. :)

Mommy treated him to donuts for breakfast. These kids do love sugar. He ate all the frosting off the top, and then called it good.



We invited everyone over...but first mommy made him take a picture with her.... definitely not high on his priority list.



Friends started showing up and all the kiddies wanted to hurry through lunch to get to the water balloon fight!




Then the cousins arrived!



We did Water Balloons, watched Wall-E...







Then of course, Chase couldn't wait to get to his presents!



And we wrapped it up with some Costco cake...



Then, I kicked everyone to the curb so I could get a nap in! :) Happy Birthday Chasey Boo!

Are you sick of this remodel yet? Cuz I am!

Okay, so a few more updates. No, we are not done yet. Slow but sure though.


Let's talk towel bars.



I went to Home Depot originally and bought 2 towel bars, toilet roll holder and a towel ring. Seriously, the cost was RIDICULOUS. 27.99 for just an average towel bar..just to give you a feel for it. Well, I was NOT going for it... I returned it all after one trip to Ross.

I got this towel rack for 11.99. I have more fun decor stuff, but it's not up yet. I'll show you as we get closer to completion. I loved this unique towel bar though, and at more than 1/2 off what Home Depot wanted. LAME, Home Depot, LAME.

Here are the towels I got for the bath, but I still have to make the tie backs out of some cording I had from curtains I'd made.



Ok...moving along. Tile is set, not grouted yet though. It's not the NICEST stuff I could have bought, but it works. Let's face it, anything was better than the CARPET and 1980s 12" tiles.




This stuff was 16x16 and only .99c a square foot.

Last update for today is the shower curtain.



I originally went to Target and found a cute Brown one for 30 bucks. HOWEVER, you guessed it, went to Ross. Found this one that works just as well and about the same look for $6.00.

I hate paying full price for anything, in case you weren't sure.

More updates as we make more progress...

Remodel Update

Still plugging away. I can't complain TOO much since the labor and some materials are FREE! LOL

At any rate... Here is a quick update on what things are turning out to be.



Mirror: 50$
Paint: 5$ Oops
Faucet: 90$
Countertop/Cabinets - Free
New Light: 70$



Sink was $40.00

Got some new decor, but I won't put that up/in, until the final cabinet is installed. (Tall linen closet in the back corner).

Also bought some new tile. Carpet has been torn out, but still have some work to do before we set the new tile.

Hopefully by MONDAY evening, there will be more progress. My part you ask? Painting. That is about all the skill I have...and even that is sketchy.