Well, not for 3 more months. In May we head to the Outer Banks for the Romans Family Reunion, then the Oregon Coast in June for the Mitchell Family Reunion. I (we) LOVE LOVE LOVE the beach!
Leo got a new swimsuit today and all the kids wanted to run around in theirs. They’re pretty pasty white right now, but a little sunshine come Spring will help out. And I’m ’bout to call Jenny Craig so I can be hot to trot in my sassy suit!
. . . as the saying goes.
The boys both got haircuts – actually the same haircut. It’s my same haircut, too, because I have my own clippers and that’s the cut I know how to give. Neither of them likes getting a haircut, but it was a bonding experience for us: a lot of crying, a lot of hair, a lot of anger.
I chopped my thumb pretty bad on Saturday while I was making lunch – took a little piece of the tip right off. It took several hours and a lot of direct pressure for it to really stop bleading. Anyway, the point being that I have a new appreciation for my thumbs.
Even with it wrapped up, it was painful to touch anything, so I had to have Marissa button my shirts for me. Trying to take a shower and keep it out of the water has been a challenge. And even typing this post isn’t as easy as it should be. Now if I can just get my disability insurance application approved . . . .
The kids were hooked up by the Valentine Aardvark today!
We’d love to see your Valentine pictures too!! Email them to aardvark@valentineaardvark.com and we’ll put them on the Valentine Aardvark website. Look here to see other’s Valentine pictures.
The Valentine Aardvark is across the nation…
In Virginia: ‘Legend’ of Love
And Washington: Richland family carries on Valentine’s tradition
This past weekend we took a road trip to visit Denton’s sister & fam in Apex, North Carolina which is only 3 hours from Richmond. When the cousins reunited, only the nearby dogs could hear their squeals of excitement. We had a great time and plan on heading down there to see them lots more, that’s if we’re invited back after our kids cried and screamed throughout the night!
We visited the children’s museum and saw a preview of their dinosaur exhibit, Fischer loved it and got pictures with all the dinosaurs. Leo got up-close and personal with a butterfly in the butterfly garden. And Rocky loved the blocks exhibit. Denton and I hit Trader Joe’s and spent Leo’s college tuition on all their fun food. We call it “food storage.” We spent some time at the parks, even in January there was awesome weather! And of course we had to make a jaunt to the mall and leave our mark at GAP. It was fun being with the fam – we love the Wood Family and are so glad they’re just down the lane.
I picked Leo up from preschool today, and although it’s a pretty nice day, I hadn’t rolled down the windows or turned on any air. After about two minutes of me asking her what she had done at preschool, she cut me short and said, “Dad, I’m freaking hot in here.” [Emphasis on freaking]. At least we already know what one of Marissa’s legacies to her children will be – let’ just call it the ability to speak in rich and vibrant language.
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was a little hot in there, but I asked her if she was just hot or actually freaking hot. She confirmed, and I can attest, that she was indeed freaking hot. And then she told me to “kick down, whiteboy” . . . .
The Valentine Aardvark is going to be in the Richmond Times Dispatch (VA) and the Tri-City Herald (WA)!!
I emailed our local VA paper and had an interview with a reporter tonight re: The Valentine Aardvark. She was really cool and funny (so now we’re best friends) and they’re sending a photographer to my house on Friday to take pics of the kids making their Valentine Aardvark pouches!!! The article comes out Tuesday, February 12. Also, my family in Washington had a interview with a reporter from their local paper and have a photog coming to their house too on Friday. Next stop: Oprah!
It’s been so great to get feedback from people saying they’re going to have the Valentine Aardvark start coming to their house!! I couldn’t think of a better way to honor my dad and remember him then by having other people join in this tradition that my family has been doing for years and years. I think dad is proud of us, not because his name is out there, but rather cuz it’s brought his family, and other families, together and we can focus on all the great memories from his life.
Happy Aardvarking!
SAM HELL JUST HAPPENED! Ok, so I’m 31 today… but seriously, I don’t know if that’s right because I still feel like I’m the 20-something in college, screaming and laughing way too loud, yelling things like “kickdown” across BYU campus, having dance parties every night, and that any Beehive could beat me at a game of Who’s More Mature?.
So how did this happen??? When did 31 come into MY life?? I’m almost 40, and not even close to 20 anymore. I remember being younger and looking at those girls who had 3 kids and were in there 30′s and I thought, “Oh, they are so old and know it all and have been thru so much in life!” Well, let me just tell you that I don’t know JACK! People ask me for advice, just cuz i have 3 kids and I say, “Heck if I know!” Cuz I feel like I”m a preschooler and how did I end up w/3 kids when I’m a child myself! I think I’ll always serve in the Young Women’s cuz the Bishopric is scared to put me anywhere else and let me loose on the other organizations in the church. But really, I”m ok with that – I love YW.
So here’s a birthday shout-out to those I share this day with: Laurene “Lips” Ross, Ronald Reagan, and Axle Rose — all fine, upstanding Republicans (I’m sure Axle doesn’t even vote so we’ll just call it good….) So happy freaking birthday to me – NOT!! I already had my mid-life crisis the other night… poor Denton. And really I don’t care about my birthdays except that it’s a good excuse to spend more time w/Denton and the kids, and hit GAP w/my bday Gift Card in tow.
Peace out, don’t ever change, or grow old like me
G-Ma Moisha
I’ve always had a thing for Giada (of Food Network fame) – for her food, of course. Everyday Italian is the name of her show, and while some of it might not be every day fare, there are definitely some great, quick meals. Now the kids love her. Every night, Leo will ask me to check the DVR to see if there are any new Giada’s to watch. If there are, both she and Fischer sit enthralled. They think it’s hilarious when she says any Italian words, because she says it will full accent – like parmigiano reggiano.
So now they’re my little chefs. It’s great because I can do the prep, and then they’ll add it to the pan and stir, so I can do several things at once and not worry about burning something. They’ll put a chair on each side of the stove and stand up there and cook away. Last week, Leo made pork chops alla pizzaiola and Fischer made a fine sauteed spinach with lemon and garlic. Tonight is chicken piccata.