Rock Star!!!

Brayden's new thing is "I'm a Rock Star".....when I ask, "What does a Rock Star look like"...................

I have no idea what started him on this "phase", but it's hilarious. I wish I knew how to put a video on here...maybe one of these days....anyways I have a video of him playing the drums. I'll say "Play like a Rock Star!" and he'll go "1,2,3....Let's ROCK" and starts playing his drums!! AGAIN...I have no idea where he learned this.

Thankfully, Boden hasn't picked up on his antics too much.....although he did want to show me his best ROCK STAR pose.....

God's Gift to Ironing!!!

Ok, so I admit......I HATE TO IRON. It's one of those chores that I absolutely cringe when Corey needs it done. Another reason why I NEVER buy anything that needs ironing. Corey use to rarely wear THOSE type of clothes, but now with his new job, I suppose he likes to look more professional....MAJOR UGH for me!!

I honestly don't even think I owned an iron until a few years after we got married. I went to Walmart and bought the cheapest one I could find. I hate to admit this, but I even bought that funny infomercial one you see at the Women's Show that irons with no heat just steam, water, & salt......SPECIAL ALERT-Don't waste your money, it doesn't work!! I would iron, spray some starch, iron, iron again and continue for at least 20 minutes and the shirt would still look wrinkly...truly a waste of my time. If there was a dry cleaner closer to my house, I would have gladly paid someone to do the ironing. Since most of you know how incredibly frugal I am.....that's how much I despised ironing.

Move forward to a few weeks ago, while browsing my favorite store Costco......I happened to find this iron that has the word "professional" on the box. "Maybe that's what I need" I think to myself. It wasn't like the $18 one I originally bought at Walmart and in my frugal mind I couldn't believe I was about to spend $65 on an iron....but I was desperate to find a calm in this ironing storm, so in my cart it went! I brought it home and obviously didn't open it right away.....as usual I put it off as long as I could. But last night, Corey needed a shirt to wear and all of his shirts were in need of an iron job, so I could no longer put off my chore. I pulled out my new iron and plugged it in. First off, this thing is heavy duty! I poured the water into the iron and waited for it to heat up.....I decided to test to make sure it was working and put my hand on the iron (remember this was like 20 seconds after I plugged it in)...I suppose I should have read the box that said "Heats up in 30 seconds"...thankfully I was able to pull away fast enough to only feel the heat and not get burnt!! WARNING-This iron will burn you, do not touch!

I line my first shirt up on the ironing board and ironically feel an excitement for the first time ever (when ironing)...almost like when you are about to go down a water slide and know it's going to be fun....the iron hits the shirt and LITERALLY one swipe and that shirt is flat as a pancake!! Could this be true? Did this iron really just do that? After finishing that shirt in like 45 seconds, I had to try again, and again, and again, until all 10 of his shirts were ironed!!! I actually LIKE to iron....I was just missing out, all these years with a crappy iron. Boy do I feel sorry for the poor soul who buys my old iron at the Salvation Army!! I know I should just throw it away but I come from a family (Meyer) who never throws ANYTHING away!! Thankfully, I didn't inherit the "pack rat" mentality too bad and discovered the amazing right off world of taxes.

Now the burning question......what is the name of this iron and where can I get it!! I know I'm not the only one out there who hates to iron...so ladies and gentlemen......GOD'S GIFT TO IRONING........THE ROWENTA PROFESSIONAL IRON

Time-In's??

Ok, so I recently read an article in my Mothering magazine about "Time-In's" instead of time-outs. Interesting, but would never work with my child....I thought. Basically, a time-in consists of setting your child down in a "family circle", with all involved and taking turns expressing your feelings using the "talking ball/stick".

So, the other day I get my opportunity and try it. It goes something like this: Brayden hits Boden.....I immediately want to react with my normal "GO TO YOUR ROOM" scream, but instead call everyone into a family circle.....all while Brady looks at me as if I've lost my mind. Mom gets the ball first and starts by saying how sad and angry it makes her to see her little boy hit his brother. Boden is then handed the ball and cries loudly, sharing his sadness. Brayden gets the ball next, and expresses why he hit his brother. Mom gets the ball back and asks what we can do to make this situation better instead of hitting. Brayden has an idea, therefore gets the ball back and shares his idea. Boden....stopped crying so he must like the idea too. Mommy says....."I REALLY like that idea, high fives for you and high fives for your brother too." It WORKED?? (10 minutes later)

As much as I hate screaming like a wild ban chi....anything was worth the effort, even if it does take 10 minutes out of my day. Can't tell you that I will remember to do that every time, but when I have the time, I'll try. Plus, Brady always comes up with the best ideas that continue to make me smile....something I desperately need when I'm about to lose my mind!!

Here's to Time-in's......don't worry though, I haven't completely converted...there's still something bout a good ole spanking that seems to do the trick when craziness has set in!!

Ok...so I'm a little behind!!

After being inspired by so many cool blogs out there, I've somewhat decided to start posting more.....meaning, I promise to be more dedicated to my blog. I WANT GROUPIES TOO!!!

My life is full of laughter and as mothers we can all relate to those "funny moments" in life that you just stop and say....."Boy I hope we can remember this when he's 16!!"

So my journey begins and I only hope you'll join me.

We recently had to sit Brayden, my 3 year old, down and explain to him why using his manners with "Mimi and Papa" is a must. He often forgets his place with them and becomes the biggest bossy-butt I know. So, before Mimi & Papa came over the other day I reminded him to use his manners and be nice. He agreed and when the doorbell rang, he ran around like a crazy monkey full of excitement and ready to play. He quickly hugged and kissed me and told me to leave ....gee thanks, but I understood and was happy to go, knowing he is so secure with them. Just as I was leaving, I forgot something in my bedroom, so went back to get it. When I returned I heard Brayden say very directly and with the bossiest voice I've ever heard, "E-X-C-U-S-E...M-E..M-I-M-I...GO GET MY BALL"!!!! WHAT?? I immediately said, "Brayden....that's not what using your manners sounds like". He quickly corrected me...."But Moooooom, I said excuse me???"

Kids, you have to love them!!

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Viva La Vegas!!!

I'm back and proud to say we had a fabulous time!!! I was very uneasy as to what to expect taking kids to Vegas, but ironically there were things we never even had a chance to do, because there was SOOOO much to do for kids!! The only hairy situation was arriving at the hotel around 9pm after a long day of flying and needing to find somewhere to eat. There was an awesome and fun Rainforest Cafe, but with our luck it was on the other side of the casino (I swear a mile away!!). So, I grabbed the stroller and we started our journey across the hotel at 930pm....for those that don't know PRIME gambling/drinking time!!! The whole time I was mortified thinking "I'm sure these people think I'm the worst mother ever...way past their bed time....wading through smoke and drunks....they're thinking I'm off to gamble while my kids are waiting in the stroller....ARGGGG where is this place????" So, to make myself feel better (and justify my actions).....I proceeded to loudly state "I know you guys are STARVING after FLYING ALL DAY.....MOMMY HATES TO HAVE YOU UP THIS LATE". It became a repeditive statement just in case someone knew questioning my behavior hadn't heard the last 50 times I said it. It made me feel good and my kids think I was crazy! haha We finally found the cafe and quickly hate some food and enjoyed all the animals and even a couple rainstorms!! And to my amazement on the way back to the room......We saw another stroller!!!! YEAH, I'm not the only crazy person in this place~!

Are next couple of days were filled with FUN!! I was bummed the pool was closed, but we found carnival games in every casino, fun resteraunts, an EXCELLENT Midevil Times show with live horses, knights, maidens, and kings!!! We hit the M&M factory, only to spend $11.95 for a pound of M&M's....ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I bought Brayden a baggy of about 15 total peanut M&M's and paid $2.68!! RIDICULOUS!! But Brayden enjoyed them and was excited to have only BLUE ones!! We went shopping, saw sharks, touched stingrays, hit the Bass Pro Shops (Daddy's play time), played mini golf, saw a circus, drove by the pirate ship and water show, went to an amuzement park and even rode a REAL roller coaster!! Overall, it was so much fun!

The best part was after Mommy put both boys to bed and Daddy watched TV.....I got to slip away for some fun Slot Machines and Black Jack!! Although I never really won much, it cured my desire to "PRESS MY LUCK" and I enjoyed my alone time, even if I was with a MILLION people!!!

My mom and I had a wonderful time at Miss America and after the show wrapped up we quickly headed back to the boys and all had a GRAND buffet!!! It was great!

I'm off to VEGAS....and taking the kids!!

We are heading to Las Vegas on Wednesday for the Miss America pageant (yes, but another side of me)! Who would have know a conservative hippie would be into pageants!!! haha Strange, but yes I competed myself back in the day and then stayed involved as a volunteer! This is my second time to Miss America, but the first with kids.

I know, I know.....kids in Vegas???? Well, let me explain.....1) my husband and parents are both going too...2) we are not really gamblers or partiers...and 3) what kid wouldn't want to see all the cool things in Vegas???? The more I thought about it the more our days have become packed with activities to do with the kids. We are staying at the MGM, so we have lions right in our hotel!! Plus, we're headed to the Medieval Times Dinner with the horses, knights, and kings!! Brady will go nuts for that~ We thought we'd go down to see the circus at Circus, Circus. Volcano at Mirage, Pirates at Treasure Island, M&M factory, ESPN Zone, Rainforest Cafe, Downtown Light Show, Eiffel Tower and Venician Canal Rides, and way to many more to list!!! I'm actually soooo excited for Brayden and Boden to see all the lights. Imagine what their little minds will think??? Soo fun.......so I'm off and will report when I get home whether it was a great idea, or one of the worst yet!!!