I'm Sooo Behind....

It's hard to decide how to spend my time at the computer in the evenings after the kids are in bed. There's coupons, or halloween inventory, reading blogs, or posting, or organizing/editing photos. We took over 1500 pictures between just the three canons- that is not including my mom's, or the last day from Rachael and Lisa's cameras. Crazy!

Unfortunately, I'm on a bit of a deadline with the inventory for Let's Party, so I have to start devoting most of my time to that.

In the meantime, I've managed to get one collage done from our first day at the beach. With so many pictures, I'll probably just keep making collages. Which means more time spent playing with Picnik... Ahh, if only I could sit at this stupid computer all day.

Speaking of pictures, Jessica Sprague is offering a free photoshop editing class starting July 6. There's some kind of official button I could add but, who has the time for that?! If your interested, go to her site jessicasprague.com. Jason and I are going to try to follow along when we have some time- we both want to someday really know how to use PSE, but again, we're busy.

So, back to the real reason for my post- here's a little shot of how Carson enjoyed his very first trip to the beach. So crazy to think that I was 8 months pregnant on last year's trip!



The weather was overcast but beautiful. It was warm and not windy- perfect for taking pictures!

Somethings Never Change

I'm a huge procrastinator.

I'm also big on never fully finishing anything. Almost everything I do is about 96% complete. And I like it that way- gives things character. Or at least that's what I tell myself.

I'm also really good at having great intentions that never seem to come to pass. All these good ideas swimming around in my head, but never seem to materialize. Or I think of them too late, I'm full of "Well, I was going to do this but...."

So, in honor of me not honoring my amazing Mom on Mother's Day or my amazing Dad on Father's Day on my blog- I'm going to deem next Sunday "Parent's Day". And I'll throw in a post about Jason being a great dad sometime next week too.

I'd hate to change now, and be all responsible about doing things in a timely manner. I'm just too old for that sort of thing...besides, it would upset the balance of my nature and I can't imagine that being any good either.

Change freaks people out.

Proof

Although I have sandy shoes, empty wallets, salt water taffy, photographs, sunburns, unpacked suitcases, and seashells...



it's still hard to believe we were really there.

The weather was gorgeous. The kids were great. The trip was way too fast and full of fun times.

We fished, played on the beach, played in the water, flew a kite, saw some whales, touched a starfish, ate too much, and of course, went shopping. I can't wait to get all the pictures loaded!

Three and a half Winners and One Big Loser

My lovely, pajama-clad assistant is withering around on the floor right now. He struggling with the immense amount of disappointment he's feeling since he didn't pick Ms. Kristen's name. So, even though she didn't enter herself in the give-away, I have a feeling we'll be bringing an extra bag of taffy home just for her.

Along with a bag for Sara- thanks so much for commenting! I just checked out your blog a few nights ago- your kids are adorable! And I totally feel for you with your little guy and his cast. Having Sophie in one was not the funnest thing ever. Let me know if you have any flavor preferences!

Another bag will be going to Mark- who prefers fruity without being fruity. I love that you went from never commenting to being a full-time commenter. By the way, I think Rachael's a little jealous...you may want to send a comment or two her way so we all can still be friends. And does it count if I just RSVP for 2 right now or do I actually have to be proper and mail it in? Proper's always been a little hard for me...

And the last bag will be going to Natalie- it has been a very long time since you've been around for a good gossip session. Next time you're in town we'll all have to go out to lunch! Let me know if you'll be down anytime soon, or I'll need to get your address- any flavor preferences?

So, there we have it for the winners. Now onto the loser. The really big one. The really big loser who essentially bragged about her upcoming trip to one of her favorite places. And spelled it wrong. And no one even told her.

I feel pretty stupid and a lot lame...it's not Depot Bay...but Depoe Bay...

We'll be there soon and that's all that matters.

Three in a Row

Today has had some nice highlights-

~Carson took 4 good, full steps on a few occasions (this is great and terrible all at the same time)
~I successfully helped the kids build a fort (this is actually a big one for me, engineering is not a strong suit of mine, even if it's just a few blankets and chairs)
~I had a surprise commenter

So, in celebration of this particularly nice afternoon, I will be hosting a small contest/give-away.

Anyone else who comments for the first time will be getting some salt water taffy straight from Depot Bay. Though I don't love the taffy, I can't wait to get there.

Anyone else that wants to comment that has commented before, will have their name thrown into a hat and one of my lovely, and usually dirty, assistants will select a winner on Tuesday.

You may comment on any post you wish.

Those moments

I love those times when I catch myself thinking, "This is why I had kids."

Unfortunately, those times happen less often than I ever imagined they would. In between the crying, fighting, diaper changes, messes, and non-stop verbalness, it's hard to have those thoughts on a conscious level.

Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, and I love being a mom. This is what I always wanted. I am amazed by the three little incredible beings I've been blessed with. But, I'm also amazed at their alien clones that seem to poltergeist in and out of their bodies on regular intervals. Again, making these kinds of moments hard to recognize.

My moments with Carson come at night as I rock him to sleep. During the day, that kid can fall asleep anywhere. But at night, he won't give in unless his mom is rocking him, and I love it. I love that my other two kids go to bed quickly and easily so that I can rock him. I'm even realizing after watching Jason struggle with him one night, that I'm grateful for it just being me and Carson most nights.





With Sophie, those moments hit when she scrinches up her chubby little cheeks and dashes towards me for a hug. Or when she's in her story telling mode and tells me the most wonderful stories about what she's seeing, or thinking. Like the other night when she told me about how her "Uncle Steve tell Ty-Ty, 'No! No!' cause Ty-Ty hit me on my head. I cry like a baby."



And with Spencer, it happened to Jason last night as they sat outside watching the lightning and discussing negative and positive energy, and electrons, and hot air and cold air, and thunder and all manners of science. For real. For me, it happened today as he presented me with his first infomercial. Feel free to skip, or at least mute, from :51 seconds to 2:10 seconds, unless you enjoy the sound of crinkling plastic.

Does anyone out there...

happen to have an umbrella stroller they'd be willing to let join us on our yearly journey to the Oregon Coast? Carson seems to be outgrowing the only one we own. Plus, it's pink. And we can't have any of that.

It would be returned with a bag of salt water candy, a little sand (because really, no matter how hard you try, you just can't completely get rid of that stuff), and a few extra miles.

**Salt water candy can be substituted for another treat if anyone else suffers from the dislike of s.w.c. like I do.