Did we catch SANTA CLAUS?

Monkey had an idea. How about we set up our camera in the living room to try and catch Santa by surprise?
Who was I to say no?
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, the camera was placed on the mantle above, motion detector on.
We tucked Monkey and Sugar Bug in, their eyes dancing with anticipation about what the morning would bring.
Last presents wrapped, all cards signed and sealed.
One more look around, Doors locked, Dogs inside, Both kids fast asleep.
Off to bed Wheeler and I went, so tired were we - fast asleep before I could even count sheep.
Not long after, I woke to a click, Imagine my surprise when I realized, oh yes, that wasn't just any click, that was a camera click!
My eyes flew open, I sat up with fright! Then I jumped out of bed and ran downstairs as fast as I could.
Oh, but he was fast, faster than I! All I saw was a red flash as he dashed up the chimney, HO HO HO ~ echoing down.
Was this a dream? Was he really just here? Did I have evidence St. Nick had appeared?
I grabbed my camera, hands shaking and all, powered it on ~

this is what I saw...

Homemaker, schomaker

I used to pity stay at home mom's. They would fill out a loan application and list Homemaker as their occupation. I felt so sorry for them. I really did. It never occurred to me that they might *gasp* want to stay home! Working gave me a purpose, it defined who I was. It made me feel good about myself. I loved being a professional and wearing my "business clothes".
I would never become a person who lived only for her children. It was repulsive to me. The powers that be didn't give me that understanding...that is, until I had children of my own. As soon as I had my son, the maternal instinct just kicked in. While I was pregnant with him, I didn't even contemplate not going back to work. But after he was born, I could not imagine leaving him with someone else. I just couldn't do it! Unfortunately I had not planned on staying home, so I had to go back to work for a couple of years. Lucky for us, my Mom was able to take care of him during his early months. (Thanks Mom!) The second time around, I knew I wanted to stay home. So yes, I am a {GULP} homemaker. Staying home is not as easy as I thought it would be. It's not Soap Opera's and Bon Bons all day. As rewarding as it is, some days are tough. Today has been a trying day, one of those days when I ask myself, what in the world was I thinking?

New Post Coming Soon!

Anytime I fall behind on posting, I fall way, way behind. Updates will be coming soon!

Sugarbug turns THREE!

Our little Guppie!

Monkey is a guppie on our neighborhood swim team and it seems he has found his niche in sports! Here are some photo's of his first swim meet!



Getting some great advice from his coach.


He started out a little behind.


Watch out, he's gaining on them!

Pulling ahead!


Where are they!?!

And the winner is.......Monkey!!


Monkey and his Guppy Coach

My neice is visiting!

We are thrilled that my neice is visiting us for a couple weeks. Here are a few photo's from our annual neighborhood nighttime Float and Flick. She's sweet as sugar and positively beautiful! Every time we go to the pool, I have to carry a baseball bat with me to beat the boys off. ;)

Future President!?!

Monkey was elected by his classmates as Most likely to be President! This was the most coveted award in his class. He was so honored, and we are so proud!

Lipstick jungle

Today Sugarbug was way too quite in our bathroom. Wheeler went in to check on her, and this is what he found.

Resturant.com savings, 80% off right now.

What a deal! Restaurant.com certificates are currently 80% off with the code SPECIAL. $25 certificates are now $2! And $10 certificates are a mere $.60!
I just bought a $25 gift cert from Flat Rock Grill for $2. There are rules, like only one gift cert per party, and a minimum purchase amount.

Andie

Hot Air Balloons!!

This weekend is Freedom Weekend Aloft. Imagine our surprise when this happened! Of all places, the Balloons flew directly over our house. They were so close, we could talk to the people in the baskets! I don't know how many flew past, but it had to be around 40 or 50, and it lasted for about an hour! I think the adults were just as excited as the kids, except our neighbor Nate ~ he was drinking Hateraide (as his wife Kendall calls it). Tee hee hee!

Stacked.

Addison's hair is stacked! I took her to get a haircut and decided to go pretty short by getting a Stacked Bob. The back isn't as stacked as I had planned, but it's still pretty darn cute!

Learning to sew

I'm taking sewing classes at our neighboorhood club house! So far we have made a pretty pillow case and a 6 pocket tote bag. Here are some photo's of the tote bag I made. This is a learning process, and I have learned one lesson, always make a pattern on your fabric! My handles are too short because I didn't have a long enough section of fabric for the handles. Wheeler calls it a bowling bag. I call it a briefcase.