Sorry that it has been a couple days since my last post,

but there have been some new developments in regards to my precocious preschooler and her "fiance". Thought I might catch all of you up on the details.

1) The husband finally came to his senses and had a talk not only with our darling daughter, but also with our nephew. He told Mikey that as the only boy in a family full of girls, he had to take more responsibility in regards to his friends and what their intentions were towards his sisters and cousins. And because he was lucky enough to be blessed with some really cute female relatives, he would also learn that some boys will want to be his friend just so that they can have introductions.



They decided that Mikey needed to make sure that his friends knew that it was not "cool" for them to date his sisters or cousins. Plus, the two oldest girls would be heading off to elementary school with him in the fall, so he also needed to take care and watch over them at school.



During the whole conversation, Mikey just stared at him with wide eyes, shaking his head and saying "Yes, Sir."

2) The "talks" must have worked because the next day at the bus stop, Mikey pulled So&So aside and told him that he was not allowed to kiss Kyla any more. Later that afternoon, Kyla also told him that she was not allowed to kiss him. That her hugs and kisses were only for her daddy, mommy, sister, mom mom, papas, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was too young for a boyfriend and needed to enjoy life.

After that, all the kids played really well together...but there was still some unspoken "kiddie crush" tension in the air.

3) Sunday afternoon, we had another beautiful day in Sunny, FL. We loaded up the vehicles and headed to the beach for a couple hours of fun. Mike asked if he could bring his BFF and since all was understood, the approval was granted. Well, when Kyla heard that So&So was joining us, she was beside herself with excitement. She begged and pleaded with me to let her ride in the same car as the boys. She wanted to sit beside her boyfriend! Guess where she got to ride?!?! I'll give you one guess...in my car where I could keep a close eye on my little raggin' hormone girl! She cried and cried, telling me what an awful mommy I was. That because of me, she would never be able to marry him! Poor Baby Girl!

At the beach, all went well for the most part. The boys played with their action figurines...



while the girls built sand castles...



Every once in a while, the two star-crossed lovers would cast longing glances at each other, then look quickly away. The two of them just seemed so sad...





I was starting to feel pretty mean until a group of 4 or 5 high school boys walked by. My sweet precious Princess Pumpkin Pie dropped her sand bucket, straightened her flowery bikini, flashed her brightest smile, and said "Hi boys!"



Does anyone have the name of a good convent in the mountains?

What's A Mom To Do?

On the way to Yoga class, I dropped my girls off at the P's house. My oldest daughter asked to play outside with her cousins and a neighbor boy who is the same age as my nephew, which is around 7 year old. The young boy is really very nice and helpful. He plays with the younger children and makes sure that they are not getting into trouble...or so I thought.

As I walk out the front door after leaving my youngest inside with her grandfather, my niece and nephew come running up to me chanting...

"Kyla and So&So were making out!"

WHAT?!?!?!?

"Kyla and So&So were making out!"

As I pick myself off the ground and try to perform chest compressions on myself to restart my heart, I look over at my angelic little 4 1/2 year old. She is sitting beside So&So, holding his hand!

I calmly walk over to them, tell her to go inside with her younger sister and grandfather, and tell So&So that he should probably go home because I am sure that his mother is getting ready to serve dinner.

That is when my precious baby girl tries to kill me again by saying...

"I love So&So and he loves me. We are going together and plan on getting married!"

Needless to say, I was a little late to class...and I really needed the stress relief after this!

And do you want to know what my husband said to me when I called about the problem?

"At least she likes boys. Remember she told us a few months ago that she loved the new little girl in her preschool class."

I could have smacked him! This is all his fault! He is the walking, talking hormone! And my Pumpkin Ky is just like him!



Do you think it's too early to send her to an All-Girl Boarding School?

Tag...I'm It...

The thanks goes to Mad About Plaid Girl who tagged me. Now I am suppose to write five random things about myself...Only five? Too many random things to choose from! Not sure if I can take the pressure this late at night. Let me take another sip of my yummy Greek tea and collect my random thoughts...

(1) I hate tomatoes. Hate the taste and texture, but love the smell of fresh grown tomatoes on the vine. How weird is that?!?! But when I was pregnant with my daughters, I ate tomatoes like crazy. After the hormones settled down again, back to hating them.

(2) Have to glance in and around the toilet before I use it...even at home. I am afraid that a snake will be there, ready to strike me on my lily-white bottom...or a deadly spider under the seat that will kill me in days because of it deadly toxin! Those Urban Legends have really got me messed up!

(3) One of my favorite toys when I was a preschooler was a rubber alligator that squeaked. Because of that, I decided to become a Florida Gator! When I was in high school, I would have Florida Gator Week and wear nothing but Orange & Blue outfits. Loved the Gators so much that I told my high school boyfriend that I would break up with him if he didn't accept the football scholarship to UF. He went, played, and graduated...and I had a blast hanging out with the team. (And get your minds out of the gutter...I was and still am a "good" girl)

(4) Driving relaxes me. From the day I earned my license, I have taken drives to calm down and / or de-stress. I usually volunteer to drive whenever I go out with friends or family...and even make my husband ride shotgun. That drives him nuts! Cannot take random drives anymore because of the horrible cost of gas right now...so I have to think of another way to relax myself.

(5) I cannot take a shower without cleaning it. I am usually scrubbing down the walls while I shampoo and condition my hair. Then I spray down the glass enclosure before I step out. It just seems so much easier to clean it while I am cleaning myself.

O.K. Did I pick some good "random" things about me? Do you think I am a complete nut job?

OK...now it is my turn to tag some other bloggers that I "stalk" on a regular basis.

My Favorite Oppolds

My Favorite Gozdieskis

The Adventures of Maverick & The Mrs

The Preppy Lizard

And I am also going to tag my dear friend, Susan, who lives in Scotland. She doesn't blog (yet), but she reads my blog all the time. We have been friends for so many years that I've lost count. Love you! This should give you something fun to do at work! Hug Russ & Cara for me.

Have fun ladies!

Guess What I Got!

My surprises from my Preppy Spring Swap Partner. Yeah!

Here is my huge box of goodies...I could not wait to open it up.



She sent a note detailing what everything is and even used one of the note cards that I sent with her gift.



S - Spring Scents



They smell wonderful!

P - Preppy Printed Box



How in the world did my Swap Buddy know that Chocolate Brown and Pink are two of my favorite colors!

R - Refreshing Treats



A package of Greek Tea and it smells so delicious! As I am writing this post...guess what I am drinking?!?! It tastes yummy too! Thanks again! I am going to have to find out where I can order more of this stuff! I love tea and usually have a cup (or two or three) every day.



And then there is this luscious looking bar of hazelnut chocolate...also from Greece. Now I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of fine chocolate, but I do have to admit that this will be the first time that I have ever had the pleasure of trying Greek Chocolate. Will have to post later about my first taste.

I - Ice Pop Maker



The kids and I are going to have so much fun making Popsicles this summer. You know it's Spring Time in Sunny, Florida when the ice cream man starts trolling the neighborhood. And with this star-shaped Popsicle maker, we can avoid going anywhere near that scary-looking dude! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

N - Note Cards



How cute are these note cards! I love the Cherry Blossoms on them. Pink and pale spring green is also a favorite color combination of mine. Will have to write a thank you note to my thoughtful partner.

G - Garden Of Cherry Blossoms



Now this is something really thoughtful. It is a wonderful photo of some Cherry Blossoms. The photo was taken by my Swap Partner. She had this lovely view outside of her apartment in Greece. How breathtaking would that be to wake up to the luscious site of cherry blossoms.

And then I also got an added bonus



Not only is my sweet partner a gifted photographer, but she is also a talented knitter. She made these wonderful dish cloths. They are almost too pretty to use...

Thanks again for putting together this wonderful box for me! I love all of it...

Just A Quick Post...

because the day is gorgeous. So after church, we are headed to the beach. Aren't you jealous! I'll be sure to soak up lots of sun and fun for you.

Before I go, have to post this picture my father sent the other day. If you have a warped sense of humor like me and are sick and tired of all the dirty politics going around...then you just might giggle so much that you do a little "tinkle"!



Hope you enjoy it...and try not to curse my name today while you think of me lounging by the water, reading my book, watching the kids play in the sand, and just lovin' life in Sunny, Florida!

I just love living here!

Look What I Just Did...

What do you think? I have been seeing these on some of the other blogs that I read and decided to do one for myself.

If you want to try one for yourself, go to this place.

Have fun.

She Likes It! She Really Likes It!

Received an e-mail from my Preppy Swap Partner and it sounds like she enjoyed what surprises I put together to welcome Spring 2008.

~~~

Hey Scarlet O'Kara,

SQUEEE!!!!! I love my package, so adorable! Thank you so much...

Your Preppy Swap Partner

~~~

So, do you want to see what I sent her?

Well here it is...



A big box! Doesn't that make you think of Spring?

OK...here is what is inside of the big box...



A pretty spring liner basket with some pink and green tissue wrapped gifts!



Don't you just love that basket! Saw it at the store and had to buy it. Thought that it would be prefect to set on a hall table by the front door to hold keys, sun glasses, mail, etc.



Loved these pink and green Scrubbie Sponges. Not sure about that rest of you, but I go through alot of these little scrubbies.



And how cute are these little Pumice stone stars. Almost too cute to use...but they are a must have in order to make your feet ready to wear those spring sandals.



Had a bit of a hard time finding something for R. Then I found these Raffia Ribbons. My Swap Buddy is a really crafty and creative lady...unlike me...so I know that she will come up with a great use for the Ribbons.



Finding something for I was even harder. Then these really cute polka-dotted I-shaped sticky notes called my name!



And don't you just love these Note cards! You can never have enough Note cards.



And finally, how about some great tasting Gum...in a pink and green wrapper of course!

~~~

Now I just have to wait patiently for my goodies to arrive! I just know that I am going to love whatever it is!

Thanks again to Connecticut Charm for putting all of this together! What a great way to welcome in the Spring-Time.

Now, I am going to gather up my pretty little daisy girls and go out for a walk to soak up some spring time!

Happy Tax Day!

Hopefully yours has already been completed and mailed...cause if not, enjoy the long night ahead of you!



Ours was completed, submitted, refunded, and spent a few weeks ago. How quickly it was disappeared from our checking account and I didn't even get to go shopping. So sad...



Thought I would pass along a couple of "Tax Day Only" deals. If you go to this popular donut place today, you get a free donut with the purchase of any sized hot coffee. So that takes care of breakfast.



For lunch, you just swing into this kid's favorite and buy one of these huge burgers with that speci@l s@uce and get a second one for a penny. That takes care of lunch.



Not sure what you can do about dinner...maybe eat the other burger? Or you could just consume vast amounts of these...

What A Bad Mommy I Am!

Bryleigh turned 5 months old this past Friday and I didn't even post a picture, much less mention it. Sorry about that Punkin Bry.

Here is a photo of my baby girl.



She was loving on her Papa Ron and I captured the moment. She had a hand on either side of his face, pulled him close, and was gazing into his eyes.

[Please excuse the wet mark around her neck. She is teething. No matter how often I change the bibs and outfits, within moments, she is drenched again!

Ouch...

it hurts to move. Did too much yesterday.

So I am just lounging on the sofa reading blogs. After all, isn't Sunday suppose to be a day of rest?

Update...

Still looking at the laundry!

In case anyone was wondering.

But I have a better excuse this time. From 10 am until 7 pm, I was outside working on the landscaping. It looks so much better than it use to, but still have quite a bit left to work on.

Guess the laundry will have to wait until Monday.

Just Sitting Here Looking For Something To Do...

and the sight of my piles of laundry is driving me nuts. So what do I do...decide to take Tie The Knot up on her offer...List 6 Unimportant Things About Myself...so here goes.

(1) When I was a child, I wanted to be a horse.



(2) Hate my feet...even when they are nicely pedicured.



(3) Wish that I knew how to play the piano.



(4) Wanted a puppy when I was 4...



got my little sister instead.



(5) I wanted to play football when I was in high school but wasn't allowed.



(6) Can pop my right shoulder out of joint.



Told you that I was bored. Guess I need to get back to working on that mountain of laundry. It isn't going to go away if I continue to ignore it.

I won't tag anyone else, but if you are bored and don't feel like doing laundry...this can take your mind off of it for a couple minutes.

Do You Have Nomophobia?

My husband does...and a really bad case of it too! Apparently, it is the fear of being without his cell phone or out of cell range. And he is not the only one that has this phobia. Some 53% of cell phone owners suffer from it too!



The man who I love with all of my being cannot live without his cell phones...and yes, I did mean to use the plural form of the word. My husband has two...count them...one...two...cell phones. He says that this is perfectly normal because one is a personal cell phone and the other is a work cell phone. I think it is because he wants to make sure that one phone is always available for someone to reach him.

When we are in the car together, he is usually talking on one phone while the other is ringing. He has also nearly caused accidents because of the need to check his messages while driving. And lets not forget about the times that he sits in his car in the driveway for 30+ minutes, talking on the phone. Why? It is a mobile phone. Mobile means that you can move and take the phone with you!



But you know what is really funny...with two cell phones on his person at all times, he sure is a hard person to get in touch with. Wonder why?

I'm Participating In Connecticut Charm's Preppy Spring Swap!

Here is a link to the Swap Information in case you are wondering what it is...

Connecticut Charm

Basically, I had to find six items that are spring-y, pink and / or green, and each item starts with the first letter of one of the letters in S.P.R.I.N.G. I was not allowed to spend more than $20 either. I personally think that I did pretty good...and I just hope that my swap partner thinks so too!

I received an e-mail from my swap partner the other day. So, I guess that I need to get busy and post about this...as well as respond to her e-mail with my questionnaire...

13 Questions and answers about me...

1. What are your favorite preppy designers?

Well, since I had children, I haven't spent alot of money on my wardrobe...but both of my girls had closets filled to bursting with clothes...from 3 months - 6X! I love seeing them in cute little dresses with matching accessories.

When I did actually spend money on myself...I loved Ralph Lauren...Gap...Ann Taylor...Brooks Brothers...just to name a few. I also lived at the Coach store. The smell of that place is one of my favorite smells. :)

2. Favorite preppy accessories?

Classic pieces...diamond or pearl earrings, pearl drop necklace, charm bracelet, a good Coach bag.

3. Do you have any hobbies?

Cooking, shopping, reading, entertaining, blogging.

4. Do you enjoy crafting, if so anything in particular?

Wish I was talented enough...

5. Any favorite books/magazines?

Love to read but currently do not have the time to read a full length book...so I read short essays and magazine articles. Have tons of magazine subscriptions, including Southern Living and People. Cannot live without those two.

6. 5 favorite things (besides those listed above)

My husband, my daughters, my family, my friends, and my country.

7. Do you collect anything?

Native American Artwork, Antiques, Old Fashion Roasters, Angels, and Coach Bags.

8. Any kids/pets?

I have two daughters, 4 & 4 months. Also have two cats, Abigail and Tabitha.

9. Any allergies?

I am allergic to grass, trees, dust, mold...seriously, I am not making this up. Have a doctor's excuse and everything. I also am what you would call a "cheap date" medically...have a low tolerance to medications, so it is a good thing that I have a high tolerance to pain.

10. Favorite thing to do in the Spring?

Open up the windows and let the house air out. Get rid of that stale winter air and invite in all the wonderful fresh, spring breezes.

11. What most makes you think of Spring?

Little girls in sundresses.

12. Favorite treat/drink?

Fresh baked cookies, cakes, brownies, and pies...as well as homemade lemonade and Southern Sweet Tea. I also combine the two and make Arnold Palmers.

13. Anything else your partner should know about you?

I love surprises!


This is my partner's blog info...

The Pied-A-Terre

1. What are your favorite preppy designers?

J.Crew, kate spade, LL Bean (does that count? I think so), Ralph Lauren and from afar Vineyard Vines. Hadn't gotten anything from them yet but I always like to look on the website.

2. Favorite preppy accessories?

Headbands. Be it skinny or wide, I like them alot. Great with short hair.

3. Do you have any hobbies?

I cycle, knit and read (way too much). Trying to get into a bit of sewing as well.

4. Do you enjoy crafting, if so anything in particular?

Knitting and now sewing/embroidery. Overall I find that I like making "little things."

5. Any favorite books/magazines?

Memoirs of a Geisha, historical novels from Philippa Gregory and historical novels over 500+ pages long; Martha Stewart Weddings, Interweave Knits and Real Simple are fav. magazines.

6. 5 favorite things (besides those listed above):

Handkerchiefs, yarn, books, Cadbury chocolate, stationery.

7. Do you collect anything?

My fiance and I collect agnets from different places in the world.

8. Any kids/pets?

Two family cats, names Caesar and Cleopatra. Their "mom" is my sister who is a Classic CIv/Art History major, hence the names.

9. Any allergies?

Nope!

10. Favorite thing to do in the Spring?

Sit in Madison Square park on a summer day and have an ice cream or just generally walking through NYC. Eating at outdoor cafes. Cycling in Central Park on the weekends.

11. What most makes you think of Spring?

The Macy's Flower Show; seeing a sea of green when the trees are blooming in Central Park from the windows at the Time Warner Center. Pretty box pleat skirts and flats.

12. Favorite treat/drink?

Cadbury Fruit and Nut Chocolate, and Irish Breakfast Tea.

13. Anything else your partner should know about you?

Nothing that I can think of but I do have a question for you, is "S" the initial of your first name?

~~~

I have taken photos of what I am sending to my partner...but will not post those until I know that she has received it. Don't want to ruin her surprise.


This lovely box will be mailed out today...

I've been tagged - My first MeMe

I have been kinds busy this past weekend...my sister and brother-in-law arrived into town and you know how it goes with family. So today, I was catching up on my blog reading when imagine my surprise...someone tagged me!

After picking myself off of the floor, I decided that I better get started...especially since I was tagged on the 3rd. Told you that I have been busy!

~~~

So, I was tagged by The Adventures Of: Super Mommy & Spit Up Boy

Here goes -

Four Jobs I've Had

1) Apprentice Chef / Catering Assistant
2) Nanny
3) Office Manager / Bookkeeper
4) Stay-at-home-mom

Four Shows On My TiVo / DVR (don't have either, but I love to watch)

1) House Hunters
2) Hidden Potential
3) CSI
4) The Amazing Race

Four Places I've Been

1) The Beach
2) The Mountains
3) The Prairies
4) The Boondocks

Four Favorite Foods

1) Cuban
2) Mexican
3) Italian
4) Japanese

Four CDs Recently Listened Too

1) Queen
2) Abba
3) Elton John
4) Nickleback

Four Things You Can Do To Make My Day

1) Clean My House
2) Take Me Shopping
3) Fix Me Dinner
4) Read My Blog & Leave A Comment

And now it is my turn to tag 4 others...

Mad About Plaid
The Adventures Of Fliss & Mike
The Pied-A-Terre
The New Doing Things I Never Thought I'd Do

Have Fun! And Now I am back to catching up on my reading.

BUT I WANT CHOC-CHOC MILK!

So my 2 1/2 year old niece just threw the biggest (and funniest) hissy-fit...because I told her that she needed to drink a glass of water before I would give her a glass of "choc-choc milk".

Apparently this was not to her liking...



Oh the pain...



Real tears too!



And my sister, the big softy, couldn't stand to see her cry...so she gave her some jelly beans and M&Ms...



All better now!



This scene will be repeated at dinner...when she gets the same glass of water!