Laundry with Mama

One of my biggest struggles right now is how to get my house clean. I know, I know...if THAT is my biggest problem...consider myself imminently blessed. I get it. I do. I also get that I feel happier when my house is clean & I'm not drowning in clutter. So, I try to make laundry fun. I'll say, "Noah, do you want to help Mama with laundry?" He will mutter something that sounds like, "Dree," which probably only Michael & I can understand. But he "helps" me put the clothes in the living room, and we play peek-a-boo and "Where's Noah?" while I attempt to fold. Here's today's pics of laundry fun. Where's Noah?

There he is! Love you!

Mommy's little helper!

Cleaning the garage

Michael & I, regrettably, still have stuff in the garage that we've never unpacked. Michael is a pack rat. I am not. Imagine the difficulty getting anything thrown out. BRIEFLY, while Noah napped, we went through a couple of boxes in the garage. I had to capture the ridiculous pack-rat nature of my husband...as evidenced by this archaic phone he's kept, like we'd EVER need it! Give it up, baby! I think this is the "cordless phone" 1st used in the movie "Pretty Woman."

My iphone so kicks this phones butt.

Matthew's 5th Birthday Party

Saturday, November 14, 2009, we celebrated Matthew's 5th birthday with a fish party at his house. Susie calls Matthew, "My little nature boy," and true to form, Matthew told Susie at the last minute, that he wanted "a tree." So, if our little nature boy wanted a tree, a tree he would have. Michael & I brought him a Shumard Oak which Matthew thought was pretty grand! His family and friends joined in the celebration! We ate fish cake, had fish party favors (which Noah loved) and even did a fish pinata. Fun day! Matthew & Susie cut his 5th birthday fish cake

Our little nature boy was so excited when he discovered, "There's real rocks on my cake!" (Rock candy, of course, but real rocks nonetheless!)

Matthew shows off his new tree

Noah & Daddy take a turn swinging the big stick at the fish pinata

Grampa & Noah play ball

Great morning

I had a great morning with my angel. We went to the mall and bought him a Christmas outfit for pictures next week, had some snickerdoodles fresh from the oven, bought some fun Christmas decorations, & ended with a quick trip to Kohls. Considering Noah has been up since 5 a.m., I thought he did great. He was so tired that he fell asleep in the car & didn't wake up when I put him in his bed. Sweet, sweet angel son of mine!






Night night sweet angel. Mommy loves you!





Brenda Joy McBride

Girls Night Out

Girls Night out at Villa Montez was so much fun. We had our fun group of ladies and a couple new friends, Courtney & Tess, that joined us! We had a super time talking about everything from potty training children, internet scams, running, Hollywood's hottest old leading men, and, of course, "the cashew incident," as it will forever be lovingly referred to from last night on. When we left the restaurant, Courtney accidentally dropped her take-home box over a railing. She wasn't worried about the food, but didn't want to litter! Hilarious! We were debating which one of us was going to hike over this railing after dinner & drinks when a friendly cowboy walked by. He volunteered to get the take-out box...much to the DISAPPROVAL of his date! I just had to post the picture of the cowboy's date while this was going on. She was clearly irritated that her date befriended Courtney in her time of need. I thought it was very kind. I don't think the girlfriend saw it that way. She obviously has some insecurity issues, not that I'm a professional with the quality to assess that...oh yeah, I am! lol. When we got to the parking lot, we saw a sweet white limo, and Mary Beth took off for it! Hilarious! The poor little limo driver didn't know what to do! Mary Beth dances it out in front of the limo! Shake it, baby!

Mary Beth points the friendly cowboy in the right direction of the take-out box. To the right of Mary Beth is the cowboy's unhappy girlfriend.

I normally take pictures of people, not objects, but dinner was so pretty we took a picture. Thanks ladies! Can't wait for the sexy Santa event in December!

Happy 5th Birthday Matthew

Today is my nephew, Matthew's 5th birthday, and as luck would have it, he was in Tyler with my sister, Susie, and Nick Nick. The boys napped at our place so Susie could make a doctor's appointment & then we went to Olive Garden for a birthday dinner. The boys had so much fun together! I brought some cupcakes from Chez Bazaan and we had more carbs than a body can hold, but it sure was a good time! Matthew is about as shy as I am (i.e., not at all!) and we all laughed our head's off when he uncharacteristically ran behind Susie when the Olive Garden staff came out to sing "Buena Festa, what a joyous day..." Matthew ran behind Susie (still smiling) and said, "That's not the happy birthday song!" I think he thought he was jipped! Kids reactions are so funny! We'll be at Matthew's house this coming Saturday for Matthew's official birthday party, but it was nice to be with him on the actual birthday. We love you Matthew! Happy 5th Birthday!

Thanks Grammie & Rebekah

A special word of thanks to Rebekah & Grammie for keeping Noah while we did the mud run! 4 kids age 10 and under was a lot of work! Grammie got Noah to nap for 45 minutes in the stroller. She walked and walked until she got blisters on her feet so Noah could rest. Thank you both! We love you!


Brenda Joy McBride