Whirlwind Saturday...

A Morning with the Oldest Row Boy...
6:30am Rise and Shine
7:25am Car packed down with ski gear
7:30am Stop at Safeway for a donut and water on the run.
7:40am Visit our favorite Barista for Hot Drinks.
7:45am Finally on the road.
8:40am Gear-up!
9:00am First Lift of the day.
10:45am Cade's toes and fingers are frozen solid.
11:00am Gear-down!
12:00pm Lunch with Bob and Morgan back home.

Talk about a fast ski trip!

Nursery Rhymes from the Row's...

Mogan's Solo

Cade's Solo

This and That Thursday...

Did you know we woke to another few inches of snow? Yep, we sure did. the boys were lucky enough to stay home with Bob for a few extra hours since they had a late start to the school day. Entertainment of choice? Cade=Wii and Morgan=Cartoons...

The Rowan's managed to make it an entire week without going out to eat! Trying to make some budget cuts in this household and THAT is a big one. Let's see if we can make it another week.

Bob has officially stumped me. You can head over to his blog and try your hand at his latest puzzle. I have drawn my last diagram with a continuous line.

Now for some entertainment...Morgan's Close-up.

Good Night!

Our Own Gourmet...

Dinner time at our home is like a crap shot- you never know what you're going to get. Tonight though, we enjoyed two very good boys who 'licked their platters clean'...

We also enjoyed Morgan's fine dining tip of the night. According to Morgan, the only way to eat a Dorito is by dipping it in your Chocolate Milk and then immediately into your ketch-up. Just scrumptious according to him. Well, at least it all goes to the same place...

Sorry Morgan, I think I will pass on your tip...this time.

Conversation of the Night...

Setting....
Laying down with Mojo in his bed finishing off Jack Sprat and other great nursery rhymes.

Mood...
Lights off, can hear the muffled voices of Cade and Daddy reading.

Conversation...
Mommy: "Are you going to be a good boy tonight?"
Mojo: "Uh-huh, Mommy."
Mommy: " What do good boys do?"
Mojo: "Ummm. They be good?"
Mommy: "Yes. that is one thing. They also keep their lights turned off, right?"
Mojo: "Uh-huh, or Mommy will take out the light bulb."

Inside Mommy's head...ahhhh, good boy!

Alright, I am off to turn his lights off...Good Night Everyone!

Not Me Monday

It's another Not Me! Monday! The blog carnival masterminded by MckMama. If you have some time on your hands, you can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I would never even consider cleaning off all of the mustard on Morgan's ham with a paper towel when he proclaimed, "I don't like mustard, Mommy."

I did not utter the words, "Cade, don't ever pee on your brother." while they were taking a co-shower. I mean, come on, boys don't do that kind of stuff. Do they?

I did not laugh my head off and proclaim to my wonderful husband that I am SO glad we did not have a girl when I read the definition to the word, "prosti-tot" which refers to little girls that have been dressed scantily by their mothers.

Did you know that a string cheese stick works really well when you find yourself without a spoon to eat your yogurt at the zoo? Of course, I wouldn't know this at ALL- I would never do THAT!

What type of mom gives her children popcorn at 9:30am in the morning? Not Me!

Enjoy your Not Me! Moments this upcoming week. I am always surprised to see how many I have by Sunday night!

Spaghetti Supper...

So my mom just so happens to make THE BEST spaghetti sauce ever, and I use the same recipe and get nothing but raves from Bob and Cade.

*Notice I did not mention 'Mojo' in the above statement.*

I honestly believe I gave birth to the pickiest eater EVER. So to try and get him to eat spaghetti tonight I have committed a terrible sin...I modified my mom's recipe to be vegetarian. The Mojo has issues with the meat, and I really don't want to strain the sauce of meat just for him.

So wish me luck! So far it smells and looks wonderful.

Love this Book!

I found an old author (new to me though) that has a great line of books. His name is Mo Willems and his main character is a wonderful pigeon.

Now both Bob and I like to buy books, and we are suckers for books that are animated beautifully. The animation of these books is very basic, but that is why I love them! This pigeon cracks me up. Who knew that a pigeon could look so annoyed???? But he can!

Now, the one thing I like even more is that Cade can't get enough of these books. He practically begged me to let him read all three in the series! (I obviously let him...)

Now here is another one we are reading. I like it because of it's comic book layout. It makes reading even more fun for our avid 1st grade reader.

Good Night, and happy reading...

Take a look-see at the Zoo troupe-see...

I like monkeys...

I like bears...

I like ravens...hey, what's over there?

Quote of the DAY...

Oh, to be three and so FREEEEE!

Morgan: "Let's fight Daddy!"
Daddy: "Ha.Ha. Morgan!"
Morgan: " We play all day...and Fight all Night Daddy."

Not a bad rhyme.

Night,

This and That Thursday...

Oh, another week has passed and another week of random thoughts for you all.

Hmmmm, I did not think I had to explain to Cade that running your finger up and down a knife blade can be dangerous.

From the mouth of Morgan-
'Jack be nimble.

Jack be quick.

Jack jumped over the candy stick.'

...Pause...

Morgan: ' Mommy, why did Jack jump over a candy cane?'

Cade knows how to read the word, 'Somewhere'...now the kicker, he can not read the word, 'Where'. Go figure...

Good Night...

Sometimes my book choices are mistakes...

So this book looked innocent enough.

It teaches a great message on how to be creative with the choices you are given and thinking 'outside' of the box. The only problem is that one, teensy-weensy, itty-bitty, tiny word... ain't.

Can I tell you how many times this week I said, "We Do not use that word in our home. You are to use proper english." Now as many times as I said that- my boys said this, "Mommy, it's not a bad word though!" How do you argue that point?

So here is my free advice for the day- DON'T borrow this book unless you are prepared to face the consequences. I don't regret reading it...it provide some funny moments this week...

Sassy- I dare you to read this one to your boys :oP. hee hee.

Love you all,

Get Real...

The thing about blogging is that it is easy to make everything seem perfect in the world of 'The-Rowan-Four' or any blogger's world for that matter. To show you my family's best side and leave out the rest. What I want to do is make sure that you all know us for who we are and not what type of story we can spin for a laugh, a smile or a good cry. The goal is to be transparent and here are a few items to help me get real...

1. I have developed a temper and low tolerance with my boys behavior, and it is tearing me up inside. Hence the many comments from my kids lately about, "Mommy, if you wouldn't yell at us..."
2. I love, love, love chick flicks. It can be the theater, lifetime, or rentals. I....love....them....all.
3. I wish my hubby and I could have more quality alone time.
4. I am ashamed that neither of my boys know how ride a bike without training wheels. Why can't I find to time to teach them???
5. I love junk food and can't live without my Diet Coke!
6. I am a terrible house cleaner. If I could only be half of what my mother is I would feel successful.
7. I don't have that one special Best Friend to experience life with from the girl's point of view. I have a good group of friends, but not the one person I call when I need a good cry or shout.
8. I have a strong desire to please everyone.
9. I worry that we have become complacent in our lives and we are missing out on showing our boys things that we experienced as children. Like walking on hot asphalt in the middle of summer just to get to the swimming pool faster!
10. I have a terrible memory when it comes to anniversaries and birthdays. Sometimes I can not even remember Morgan's birthday!

I hope you all can take time to think about 'Get Real' moments in your lives. I already feel better!

Love you all,

What's Wrong with this picture?

Oh...this was one entertaining exit...

Night,

Not Me Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not stand in the doorway of Morgan's Bed and cheer on the boys as they jumped from the top rung of the bunk bed. I mean, do you think I am totally insane?

I never once lost my patience with the boys this week...even when Cade was being a 'badger'. I have way too much self-control for that.

I did not start laughing my head off at Cade when we were practicing his sight words (aka words that you recognize quickly and say quickly without having to sound out.) and instead of saying 'People' he said 'Penetrate'. That's another Wowzer...no more discussion there.

The following quotes were NOT said in our home this week...

Cade: "Mommy, we can be good, but you have to stop yelling at us." (turning my head now to smile)

Morgan: "Mommy, where is your penis?"

Me: "Morgan, please don't spit out your yogurt and then eat it."

I hope you all have another great week...and that you enjoy your own 'Not Me' momments.

Love ya!

Family Game Night & Quote of the Day...

So we made it to week 2 for Family Game Night. Sadly, I was the only one to not win tonight.

Any who, Morgan played a killer game of 'Chutes & Ladders', taking us all down while we munched on our Subway sandwiches. Let me remind you he is 3...and each time he spun he announced the number the arrow ended on...That's my smart boy! Cade then followed up with a win at 'Cotties'. We ended our evening with homemade brownies and milk...Yummo!

Quote of the Day #1:
Morgan and Cade rediscovered a toy this evening that has gone unnoticed for months and months. It is a puzzle with 3D Dinosaurs that you assemble. Morgan was attempting to put one together when this converation occurred.

Cade: "Morgan, let me help you put it together."
Morgan: "No Cade, your just a kid."
Cade: "So are you Morgan!"

Quote of the Day #2:
Same toy as discussed above, but different conversation.

Morgan: "Look Mommy, they are in the hot tub."

Oh so Funny!

Goodnight...

The Strange things we do for our children...

So I am going to rewind to last night...

"...I have every intention of going to see a movie tonight by myself (on a school night)..."

Well, by the time the boys were down last night I was to exhausted to do anything but sit. Now at the same time that I was psyched for some 'alone' time last night at the movies, I also agreed to pick-up Morgan's Valentines for his party today...

So now we fast forward from last night to this morning...

5:50am I am walking out the door for work and....OH NO! I forgot to get the Valentines.

5:55am I am in the Safeway parking lot laughing at myself for what I am about to do.

6:00am I am back in my car, folding Valentines and sealing them with the little heart stickers- much better than the envelopes we had when I was a kid.

6:10am NOOOOOO! what are these 1"x1" stickers for? Ugh- I just noticed the little slots in the valentines that the 'stickers' are suppose to slip into...

6:20am The stickers are now inserted into the slots. Time to write 'From: Morgan' on each valentine. Eek! Why do they have to wax the cards? None of my pens work!

6:30am Back home, and I am searching for a ball-point pen.

6:40am Valentines Complete! Finally walking out the door for work...

So that is how I started my morning. Wow! I hope yours was just as stimulating.

Love ya!

This and That Thursday...

This is my day to just plop down random thoughts...so here I go.

I got to be s Strong Boss Lady today at work, and it was empowering.

I am going to miss my collegue and good friend April on Friday's as she transitions to part-time. Times are rough for us architecture firms.

I got to talk to my Mom ad Rod tonight. They are doing well as Rod recovers from surgery. Did you know they can glue your skin together now? Forget about staples and stitches! Bring on the Elmers!

I have every intention of going to see a movie tonight by myself (on a school night)...this is one of my favorite things to do. People always wonder why I do it alone? And the answer- I love the alone time, it is peaceful AND quite. Two things that DO NOT go hand-in-hand with 'The-Rowan-Four'.

I am so taking a half day tomorrow and getting my gray hair removed...well, I guess it would just be disguised...removal would just make them multiply faster.

I am compiling a list of 20 things to do before I turn 40...anybody have some suggestions on what some of those items would be? Don't worry, I do not want to do anything stupid like jump out of a plane...

We can not seem to get Morgan to keep his shirt on. Why can the boy not stay dressed?

Alright, randomness has ended. Time to get back to my 3 boys...

Goodnight,

The tale of two boys...the happy one & the not so happy one

Oh Boy oh Boy oh Boy! Wowzer! Do I ever have two boys who are something awesome. And tonight they could not have been more opposite from one another. Let me describe using one word statements, 7 for each boy...and let's see if YOU get the picture of my blessed evening

M O R G A N
calm
loving
smiley
chatty
silly
thankful
well-mannered (hyphens make it one word, right?)

C A D E
energetic
talk-backish (Still one word as defined above...)
loud
pouty
distructive
ungrateful
mean-as-a-badger-showing-all-his-teeth-coming-in-for-the-kill (yes- this is still one word)

Oh my!

Luckily we did recover and end our evening by making these 'hearts' for Valentine's Day...

I got this idea from Make-N-Take. You can head on over and check out some of her great ideas. This is the first one I have tried from her website, but it was successful, and SO YUMMY! It is super easy too!


The badger's Mother...

Not me Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog idea was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I love to read, and I love to watch movies. I really love to read books, and then watch the movie based on said book. So I would never even considering going to the last chapter in 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' to find out how it ends before I even finish the book! That is just plain cheating!

I did not eat the licked portion of Mojo's Ginderbread Man. I mean- THE GERMS! THE GROSSNESS OF IT ALL!
No, no, never would I ever let my boys climb up on our window seat wearing pillowcases on their legs and then jumping off into the mounds of pillows that just barely missed the wall. I didn't even sneak a peak at my sweet Bob to see how he was reacting!

I was not THAT mother who yelled at her child in front of 100's of skier/snowboarders standing in line at the Central Express ski lift. I mean isn't every mother as happy as a clam, cooing to their lovely child before they have to walk up a huge hill in stiff boots, carrying 2 sets of skis when it could have ALL been avoided if said little one had only listened? hummm- Nope! Again, not me.

...and lastly I would never eat half of Cade's gummy bear without him knowing, and then accept more from him when he graciously offered to share! hee hee...that is just awful.

One of the many 'Not Me' Mommies...

He did it!

He did it! He took the plunge. I am not surprised...I am extremely excited. I am married to the most intelligent, quick-witted, deep thinking, serious minded, clever man. He can weave a story, a joke, a puzzle, a question- you name it- in the most interesting & engaging way. I enjoy what he says- even when it is so far over my head I have to ask, 'Can you say that again?'

So what has he done?

What plunge has he taken?

He has his own blog called Bob Blah Blog! So head over and check out his first post which is sure to entertain you all and to make you think inside and outside the box.

I love you Bay!

Family Game Night & The Gingerbread Man

So Cade annouced this week that we needed to start having Family Game Night. Great idea huh? We now have a 'Family Night' sticker on every Saturday in February on our calendar. If he is anything he is consistant and he has the memory of an elephant.

So we went all out...We made Nachos for Dinner. Cade made the gaucamole all by himself!

And then we played 'Cootie'. Do you all remember that game? As a child I loved it...and the new version provides more variety in 'dressing up' the cootie. From roller blades on the feet, to buck teeth it is quite adorable. I unfortunately won both times, and it was declared by Cade that someone can not win more that one game on Family Night. We lost Morgan after the first game. Poor little Mojo doesn't have the patience to play a game that long. Hey- we at least found out the boys got a strong left handed roll of the dice...

We ended our evening by making Gingerbread Men. The boys got to decorate there own cookies with icing, chocolate chips and sprinklers. While they were baking we read 'The Gingerbread Man'. Luckily our cookies did not jump out of the oven and run away after they were baked, AND there were only little boys to eat the cookie- no foxes anywhere near us.

Run, Run, as fast as you can...you can't catch me I'm...

Saturday Morning Craft...

So, it only took me 1 month, but I finally found a use for those New Year Eve Champagne corks...

Meet our 'Cork Heads'.

Girl's Night Out...Bowling

Oh boy. I have never been a very good bowler and that continues to be true, but what fun it is to play and laugh with a great group of friends. Now- we can't forget how lousy, but somehow yummy bowling alley food is too!

Remember the days when you would leave the bowling alley smelling like a chimney? Oh- how glad I am that you can no longer smoke inside, because I left smelling the same as when I arrived...well, almost- Viv did spill a bit of her drink on me, but hey that's a memory too!

First game 98! Second game 113! I can't complain considering the last time I played was at my bachelorette party almost 10 years ago. ( I am not counting the Bowling Party for Logan's 3rd birthday- because thaqt had the gutter bumpers!)

It's hard to imagine that I have known most of these ladies for 11 years. We have come a long way since the days we are known as the 'Wamu Chicks'... We have learned to knit, book binding, and make custom jewelry... We have thrown wedding showers, baby showers, and 30 year-old birthday celebrations... We have golfed together- well, maybe I wouldn't exactly call it Golf- but everyone know we love it and they always like to be in front of or behind our group in the scambles.

Here is to friendships. they are blessings, and they are special. I only hope that I can somehow be as good a friend to them as they are to me. If you are reading this girls.. I love you.

Good Night- and I hope you enjoyed the photo- courtesy of Katrina (my photos did not turn out)!