Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Part 1

After watching prismatic colors float across the sky all last week; yesterday we made the sojourn to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. I say sojourn with tongue in check, since we only drove 3.3 miles to the Park-and-Ride location nearest us. Then, rode the bus less than ten miles. This is one of the largest Balloon Celebrations in the world, and people travel thousands of miles to attend it. For us, it was more of an emotional and awe-inspiring "sojourn" than anything.

To begin with, Tom was quite cross... asleep at 11:30 pm, woke up at 4:30 am, no Coca-Cola, and "the bus was bigger the last time (he) rode it".


Once we arrived and Tom paid three dollars for a 16oz Pepsi, AND he snatched back his sweater (which I was wearing under my rain coat), all was right with the world. He had a delightful time, as did we all.

We arrived at the park around 5:30 am for the Dawn Patrol which gave us a taste of what a Balloon Glow might be like.


As the row of balloons lifted off, they synchronized and flashed their burns.


(Yeah, you try taking crisp night-time photos of moving objects without a flash!)


I am glad we arrived so early because after the Morning Glow lifted off, things happened so quickly!


Before we knew it, we were surrounded by balloons... which are colorful, but also noisy! The crews are all a-chattering, the balloon chasers are departing, fans are inflating the balloons, and the propane tanks are burning all around.


This is perhaps my favorite photo of the day. What do you think?


After feeling like you are being swallowed by bright colored "tents" on all sides...


...you turn around and see the sky filling with colors.


You realize that you are in the middle of Mass Ascension.


Words (and pictures) just can not describe it... which is saying

A Day in the Life - Birthday Boy

Pile of new *free* Legos + Insomnia until 3 am =

A Crazy Creation by "Mommay"!

I'm quite proud of my funky little Lego vehicle.


The fact that the vehicle is still intact this evening says the boys also liked it!


Jack kindly allowed Tom and I to sleep in this morning, despite it's being his fifth birthday.


I use "sleep in" loosely, since I was up at 7:30 and Tom by 8:00.


We met some friends, and my Geology Professor, who's also an Anthropologist, was kind enough to give us a private, guided tour around the college's dinosaur exhibits.


While Jack usually loves the dinosaurs, he was looking a little tired, and kept wondering around.


We adults learned quite a few new things though, which we'll be able to share on future visits with the kids.


Jack enjoyed playing with his friends who came to celebrate with him, while we went about looking at the many free exhibits.


Jack wanted a brown (chocolate) inside and out cake "this big" (as far as his arms could stretch.)


I made a 9x13 cake, then cut it in thirds lengthwise and shoved them together on a foil covered board.


The design would have lent itself to a train, but since we were looking at the dinosaurs, we choose to put some dino toys on the cake so the kiddos could each have some toys.


I am always loving the faces (and sounds) this boy can make. I wonder if he'll be a comedian (I mean and get paid for it, for he's already perfecting his act!)


Even tired out, Jack is just always HAPPY!!!


Tic-Tac-Toe. Franks favorite way to wait at restaurants.


I picked up this Crayola "rubbing" toy in a Thrift Store last year for fifty-cents... it was one of Jack's favorite gifts! Gotta love that!!!


I missed the funny, foamy face in the mirror, but you get the idea of what it's like to brush kid's teeth.


When I returned from reading with and tucking the Birthday Boy in, I found Tom and Frank engaged in a Pokémon battle.

Hope you enjoy the pictures, sorry for the sparseness of anecdotes, but, as I said, I had just four hours sleep for the second time in three nights. I'm going to bed!

Happy Birthday Sera!

Hey, Sera's just one year from driving and *I HOPE* just three years from being able to talk with me again. When her Dad and I divorced, she and I were cut off from each other. As I've told you before, I miss her terribly and am just biding my time until she's old enough that we can talk again.

I love you, Sera and hope you're having a GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!

Benevolent Birthday Bonus

My best birthday's always seem to be the one's where lots of people calling or sending well wishes. Today has been full of surprise visits for me.

• My Mom drove up from Chandler, Arizona.
• My Father-In-Law flew up from Phoenix, Arizona.
• My neighbors have been stopping by.
• My Grandparents drove two hours from Lander, Wyoming.
• A big surprise, my cousin and his family stopped on their way through town from Portland, Oregon!
• I've also had phone calls from friends in Gilbert, Arizona and Amesbury, Massachusetts.

Oh! And I've been having fun wearing the crown (Crown Me Queen pattern from StoryQuilts.com) that my Mom made for me last night, along with my "Heart of The Ocean" from Tom last year!


And yes. I really dislike posing for pictures... especially one's I'm taking of myself! :P Maybe I'll have Frank take a better one in a little bit...

In honor of this being My Birthday AND my 222 Blog Post, I thought I'd follow the lead of SO MANY others and do a little gift giving. I recently dug out this little sample/teaching piece:


This is just a string quilt made to demo some techniques. It measures about 14 1/2" square. I'll probably throw some other things in with it, but I'd like to at least offer up this little quilt for you. If you'd like a chance at it, please leave a comment by 5:23 pm Mountain Time on August, 8th. The winner will be chosen by at random. In your comments, tell me what makes a birthday great for you!

Make New Friends, but Keep the Old.

One is Silver,
and the Other Gold.

That's a song we use to sing in the Girl Scouts.

Today I am SO EXCITED that I am LITERALLY jumping for joy!

Yesterday I made two new friends. Roxie I met at the laundromat, only to discover that she just moved into my apartment complex (in fact, I have her moving boxes from beside the dumpster!) She has two boys, ages 2 & 4.

Amy I met online yesterday and in person today. Her 5yo son is actually over playing with my boys. We hit it off SO WELL! AND... while giving her a private, 2-hour-tour of Rock Springs, she loved the houses for sale on our street. She took her hubby over, and, well, they are writing a contract with the developer in about two hours! I've actually called the developer and left a message... I'm going to ask him for a Referral / Finder's Fee... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

It is just SO COOL to be making new friends! I now have four great lady friends here in Rock Springs with a total of eight kiddos (5 girls and 2 boys) to hang out with me and my 2 boys... hey, we've got a balance of genders now! I've also met several other ladies, but I can see that I'll be getting together with these ladies A LOT!!!

Oh yeah! Amy, who's buying a house just down the street, has been homeschooling her oldest for two years, and our 5yo's are both going to be in Kindergarten this year. We're already talking about sharing teaching responsibilities. I'm just SO EXCITED and I HAD TO SHARE it with you!

Also, I mailed off my Summer Sassy Apron Swap items today. So, that's a relief! I had fun making them and hope she enjoys them.

:D

By the Numbers – A Birthday Shout Out

Is there some terminology for people that are totally, weirdly obsessed with numbers? My birthday adds up to ten, three different ways. I’ve figured out weird little number things for each of my boys’ birthdays. We were married on 02-02-2002… I wanted to do it at 02:02 am (we eloped, so, not a lot of people to coordinate), but the marriage official refused to get out of bed in the middle of the night. Basically, I find and make interesting number patterns… constantly.

I also tend to remember dates. Birthdays, anniversaries, surgery dates, death dates. You name it, if it’s a number, it seems to stick around.

I'm thinking about numbers because today is my former-step-daughter’s 14^th birthday. Is there a “term” for your Ex-Step-Child? Can I just call her my friend? I miss her. I haven’t been able to talk with her in 7 years. I always find myself thinking of her extra the week of her birthday. So, even though I can’t speak with her or write her in person, I thought I’d give this little e-tribute to Serina Mae.

I’m thinking of you.

I love you still.

Happy Birthday Sera-Bear!

Holiday Weekend

Well, I guess I did it again, didn't I? I disappeared for yet another holiday away from computers. Can you believe that I'm online everyday, several times a day, and yet (it would seem) that none (or very few) of my relatives are online... at least not the ones I go to visit. If they are online, it is with a land-line, not a wireless connection. I guess I'm just not the dedicated blogger that goes to a library everyday to make posts... sorry!

We went to Lander for the weekend. Stayed with my grandparents.


Played cars / trains / blocks.


Practiced Checkers (I just taught Frank this month).


Visited my Aunt (who cracked a whip for four-plus hours, while we cleaned out her guest / junk room). Also visited with my Uncle (who was very appreciative of all our hard work). No picture… what was I thinking? I got pictures of everyone but them and evidence of the hard work (guess I was too busy... oh, that's right!... WORKING!) Sorry!

Visited my Cousin (who had nasal, pollup-removal surgery on Good Friday)…

...and his family...


Got a good dosing of Churchy stuff (from each household). We're heathens, you know... we don't go to church every week. We don't even "have" a church of our own... yep, that's me and my hoard, just floating out here in Godlessness, doomed for eternity. Anyway, when we go to visit, we also go to Church... keeps the peace and gives us the opportunity to have discussions on beliefs with our boys. Here we are post church...


Tom was a little embarrassed about the "Hawaiian" Shirt I packed for him. I kept telling him it was clean, it was wrinkle-free, and it was Pierre Cardin, so, it was okay. He didn't buy it, which, quite honestly surprised me. I thought the relaxed, but clean and neat, shirt would be right up his Church-Going-Feelings-Alley. Laid back and relaxed. Here, but not really. Oh well! Next time, I guess I'll pack his dress shirt, tie, slacks, and dress shoes... all last worn about four years ago and pretty much guaranteed not to fit! :P


What else?

Talk about being laid-back! Get a load of Jack!!!

Hmm..., what was it?


Oh yeah!

We hunted Easter Eggs!


That pretty much sums up our weekend!

I hope you enjoyed yours. Our weather was beautiful and the break to visit family was good.

Early Morning Time

On Monday I started going over to the Family Rec Center to do some of my exercising. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I now wake up around 5:30 to go before Tom has to leave for work. What then, of course, must happen for me is that my body will start to shift to this time schedule... up early (and soon to bed early). I've never been one who could easily "sleep in" just because it was a different day of the week... my body (and I read it's best for bodies) likes to go to sleep and get up at the same time.

This morning, I woke feeling refreshed and awake at 6:36 (I know it will move up closer to 5:30 the more I get up at that time). Instead of crawling back in bed and just laying around, I grabbed a workbook (Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting Playbook by Lynn Grabhorn) and journal, as well as my robe and some water. Then, I went and snuggled into the couch to do a little self-reflection. I got 30 minutes to myself before I heard anyone else stir. It was quite delightful.

The way I've ordered my life is to spend time cuddling with my boys and hubby each morning. Part of why I haven't allowed myself to get up and do "my own thing" was because of the cuddle thing. Well, this morning, when I heard them getting around, I just closed up my books and went in for snuggling with them. It was a good way to do it.

I am glad to be carving out some time for "me" when I'm at my best... in the morning. Often I feel like I'm trying to "steal" time for myself after the boys are in bed, but that's really when I too need to be in bed. I've always been an early-to-bed, early-to-rise kind of person.

Also, last night, just before bed I wrote out today's list of things to do today. I feel so much calmer knowing what I wanted to accomplish. You know how at the end of the day you'll think "I didn't get ____ done?" Well, by writing it down when I was thinking it, it helped give me a focus and a reminder for today.

Here, on the first day of Spring in Wyoming, we've been having rain showers mixed with snow flurries. I am so happy to see the ground wet, but not white, and the sky gray, but producing rain. It gives me hope for greener times ahead. Hope you all have a great day!

Fishing for Your Love – Fish Valentines

Today the boys and I made these Valentine’s and while I’d love to take credit for the cute little things, I got the idea from Family Fun. I like to go there when I need a quick and simple idea to do with the kids… especially an Arts and Craft idea. They have lots of them! Anyway… we made this pile of fish…


On the back I wrote all sorts of cute and clever sayings (from the craft idea on Family Fun)...

• You’re my Fish in the Sea! (Frank’s personal Favorite)
• Best Fishes this Valentine’s Day!
• May your Fishes come true this Valentine’s Day!
• You’re Oceans of Fun!
  

And Tom’s contribution to the Fishy Sayings:

• Fishing for Your Love

I just had to show you how excited the boys were by the end of it!


They actually had fun making them, but wouldn’t hold still (or allow the table to be still) while I wrote names on them and put them in envelopes.


You really shouldn’t be surprised about these pictures… take a look at just about any picture with them together… Jack just won’t hold still, and while Frank does well with holding a charming look alone, he tends to get tired of me trying to get Jack where he “belongs” for a group shot. Oh well. They were having fun, anyway.

Third Birthday Memories

So. Last week. Jack turns three. I’m feeling “guilty” for not giving him a “good party”. We’re in a strange new town (strange in more ways than one), with very few friends, all of them new. The mountain passes are full of snow and ice, so, even if our family was well (several recent hospitalizations) enough to brave them, the drive is dangerous.

Add to all that, “Dad” has a broken leg, and is still in a lot of pain from the surgery. So, we spend the day just “us”. It’s the first time since Frank was born that there hasn’t been at least family and a few close friends getting together for birthdays. Of course, everyone lived close (one to forty miles.)

I’m actually in the frozen food aisle the day before the birthday, on the phone with my Mom, trying to decide if I should buy a “store-bought” cake. I’ve NEVER done that for a family party before… except maybe two ice-cream cakes, which are kinda tough to make (for me), so, I justified them… but just a regular, plain-Jane cake from the bakery? Never! Anyway, I’m trying to decide this, with my Mom, on the phone, at the store, frozen food aisle, and I spontaneously start crying. I’m tired. Actually, I'm exhausted. And now I’m feeling guilty because Frank’s third birthday party (probably the one I’m most proud of putting together) was TOTALLY COOL… and right up a three-year-old’s alley.

Elmo’s World: Bubbles

That was the theme for the party. The invites and gift bags were handmade (by Frank and I). There were LOTS of bubbles – soap bubbles, balloon bubbles, packaging bubbles (for shipping / stomping on), bubbles, bubbles, bubbles! This thing was planned out! Ever seen “Elmo’s World” on Seasame Street? We EVEN had an appearances by an expert, "The Bubble Lady" (a school-teacher friend talking about bubbles when we wash our hands) and our own “Mr. Noodle” (aka Dad, dressed in the garb and acting goofy out the back sliding glass door “window”, where the kids were all sitting and could watch. Oh yeah, there was even face-painting.

Let me just say this… I had an agenda and time-line for the party! Who does that? For a party? For a three-year old? Me! That’s who! And given the chance, I would have done it again for Jack this year.

You may wonder why I’m telling you all this? All that time. All that effort. It was ONLY two years ago, so, I just ask Frank “do you remember you’re third birthday party?”

“No.”

What?!?! He has to remember, just HAS TO!

I prompt him… “you know, Elmo’s World?”

He gets a goofy grin and nods.

FINALLY!

“What do you remember?”

“Opening presents!”

Hmmpfh! All that time and planning and just two years later, all he can remember is presents? After the event, I was so proud because he said his favorite part of the day was “spending time with my friends and family”. What happened to that? What happened to our Elmo theme? Nothing. All he remembers is presents. :P

What do YOU remember about your third birthday?

Have you done a party for a child that you were especially proud of? Do they still remember it?

What do you think children remember about birthdays? What makes for good holiday celebrations? Traditions? Right now I’m thinking about Birthday’s. What are some of your favorite traditions from when you were young? Do you plan to or have you continued them with your kids?

I want to know. Tell me all about those special birthday celebrations. Let me hear it!

Suzy

Happy 3rd Birthday Jack!

We had a busy day with Jack today! Let’s take a look, shall we?

Mixing Batter for his Mickey Mouse Waffles (with butter, Peanut Butter, and syrup!)

Discovering the Present Frank and Mommy Sewed for Jack… a set of pennant flags.

Playing at Gymnastics, with Daddy in attendance for the first time.

At the local Community College’s Dinosaur Exhibit

Did you know that there are only eleven T-Rex’s on display in the world? Six of them are in the US.
We’ve been to two of them (we saw “Sue” in New Mexico, and now this one in Wyoming).
Perhaps we’ll have to make it a point to find and visit the other four... hmmm….

Exploring the vents behind the T-Rex,

and the power outlets in the floor beside the T-Rex.

Time for Cake!

This is the FIRST time I've EVER bought a cake instead of making it for a family birthday party! The boys enjoyed the treat of the store-bought cake.

I feel perhaps I should pause to say that I've been wearing that purple "birthday robe" every year since I was six or seven. (My Mom made me the cape for my Princess Halloween Costume that year. I still have the crown that she made (with lace, beads, and rhinestones) too.) I made all my family members (even my dad- begrudgingly) wear it on their birthday's too... at least while they endured hearing "Happy Birthday" being sung. My hubby rolls his eyes and grumbles about wearing it... quite like my dad use to, but, it's a tradition I created as a kid. I loved it then and I continue to love it. I recently (three years ago) added the crown which I made for Frank for a Mardi-Gras celebration. It's made of a file folder covered with aluminum foil (not exceptionally sturdy) so, again, it only comes out for the Happy Birthday Song. :D

Opening the last of the presents (all day long, I gave them to him presents all throughout the day).

Playing with the BINGO paint daubers from Auntie Lou after tracing a wooden dinosaur onto some new construction paper.

One of the few pictures Jack would pose for… he saw me taking a picture of his opened presents and jumped in front of the camera.

We love you Little Punk! Happy Birthday!!!