Time has Come

We spend a lot of time in the bathroom. As a family. A L.O.T. AND I WANT TO QUIT!!!! Here is the worse part. Crewe has been potty trained for a long time. We've had a few back sliding incidents along the way but it has been all good for awhile now. Except one thing. The grossest thing possible. He doesn't wipe his own Buns (we no longer can say Butt at our house, although I am still holding on to Ass). WHEN will learn this? WHEN will I get to stop being the wiper? WHEN is it okay for me to teach him to drag his Buns across the floor to get them clean and leave me alone?

The BIG 04

A cake with BLUE frosting equals..........

Crewe that evening whispered in my ear:
"Mom, I guess I am all done being 3. It's time to be 4, now!"

ummmm

I was getting ready to leave this morning and this is what was in my bag.

Me and my 14 year old companion

Here is my dirty little confession of the week.

I tricked Rich (using womanly wiles...) into going into the city for a book signing this weekend. It was for the famous Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series. I enjoyed the series and have had many friends (my peers) who liked the books. Also 2 sister-in-laws who no-likey the books.

The babysitters were booked. Rich was home and showered early. I looked super cute in my Polk-a-dot shirt. The night was looking good. Off we went to the city. We had to go the bookstore and show them our tickets (which we had to get a month ago) and get a number. Then at 6pm they started letting people in according to their number. You were sat according to this magical number and with that number you got to get in line for your book to be signed. Ah, Southwest, you taught them well.



Now these photos are not ones I took but our from Meyer's website, tour photos. I want you to look at the last shot. How many 30 old do you see? HOW MANY 35 YEAR MEN? That's right, we were the OLDEST people there. Except for a few moms who were there with their 16 year old's. What the......????

Another quick diddy about "the event". Whilst we were in line to get in to get in the bookstore, a little girl ( wearing a TEAM EDWARD t-shirt) came around passing out raffle tickets. Once we were seated in the store they started raffling items to pass the time. The numbers would be called and 300+ girls would start to squeal and scream, with delight as the winner of the coveted item would march to the front to claim their prize.

YES, I WON a poster. A POSTER!!!! Whooo-who! Here is the thing, I refused to acknowledge that I was the winner. I kept my eyes down on the book I was reading. I shunned my 13 years old's. I shunned my old guy companion . Rich said, "It's YOU!", but I just stared forward.

The raffle caller demanded that the winner come forth or she was going to pick another ticket. "Someone else will get the poster!"

Then from the back I heard, "Who wouldn't want it???!!!!"

Me. And my my 14 year old companion, I mean 35.

Let the Partying Begin

Crewe's birthday is on Sunday. We had party #1 today at playgroup. We brought pizza and cupcakes for all 17 kids. Everyone was there and it was so much fun.

(The little girl eating the pizza is a vegan. I don't think pizza fits that diet. hehe!)

wishes

(Because blogs stink without pictures...here is the $68 bottle of eye medicine for Dayne. Cheap!)

I want to be a good mom. I really do. I actually want to be an amazing mom that never yells, is never rushed, bakes cookies in the afternoon (that they can eat after a HEALTHY balanced lunch, after they drink all their milk -which according to Crewe's Dr. should be 22 ozs a day) and children that go to bed smoothly; after scripture study.

Here is why I will be winning no awards:

1. Crewe has no clothes on right now. He does have a towel on and it will remain on until I threaten him; then he will change into jammie pants- no shirt. Start calling him Josh Diem.

2. Dayne went to the Dr. the other day. She had a yeast infection, heat rash and an eye infection.

3. Crewe is having a birthday celebration tomorrow at playgroup. The invitations are still sitting on the table. The family invites for the Sunday party are their too!

4. I let Crewe watch t.v. almost all day. Dayne needed to be held (good mommy) and I could only do 1 kid at a time today.

5. I have not showered since........

P.S. Truthfully, my children do go to bed smoothly.

The shop is OPEN

Majestically Yours is now open for business. We are making quilted crowns for your little baby, little girls, goddaughters and nieces. Wands will be added too! Check out our www.majecticallyyours.etsy.com shop.

BBQ

Oh, the BBQ dreams. I must admit. I don't really have them. But I am married to man who does. He dreams BBQ, he tivo's BBQ specials, he wants to talk about the difference between BBQ and grilling (don't ask). On Saturday there was a BBQ cook off in Pleasanton. Off we went to the FREE event.

The first RIB I have. Parking was $8. Yes, to walk through the gates, free. To leave your car, 8 Bucks!!!


The food (not free) was amazing and we ate like royalty. The lines were long and to help with the waiting hunger Crewe he ate a$4 pretzel. Not free.

What did we eat? Grilled shrimp (BBQ'd shrimp with sauce), a pulled pork sandwich, ribs and corn bread. We did not have anything to drink as we did not have $20 more dollars. We were stuffed and full. Fat and happy. Pitted and BBQ'd. And what did I do to help with my digestion?

That's right! SPINNING TEA CUPS!!!

THE END

this Week at our house

We had a really busy week at our house this week. It was a fun week. A good week. Here are a few highlights.

1. We took baby Dayne swimming for the first time this week. She loved it. The pool was a salt pool. That part sucked.

2. Baby Dayne was put in the exersaucer. She LOVES it. So do we!
3. I won $40 at BUNCO!!

5.Crewe read a book to Dayne
6. I got to see the movie, Hairspray. Which I loved. And I also saw the movie, "Becoming Jane." Julie has been in town so we got to do lots of girls nights. It was lovely.

It was such a crazy busy week. But I loved every minute of it. I am thankful that Rich happily took care of the kids so I could go to bookgroup, BUNCO and 2 girls nights.

You want what???

To help with the "Stress" of strep, Rich bought me Haagen Daas ice cream bar So freaking good. I was totally allowed to have an ice cream bar for breakfast . I gave Crewe a Popsicle. A purple confection. It was shaped like a star.

Then he saw my magical treat.

"I want THAT licky-pop."

What the.....*#$#$&#!@#

I am a moron. Who eats Haagen Daas in front of their kids? AND WHO SHARES??????

Swim time again

Smart man. Jumps to a woman in a 2 piece swimsuit.

Yum!

Penne Rustica
Ingredients
Grilled chicken breasts (3 ozs. or more)-marinate in olive oil and garlic salt overnight, then grill on BBQ for best flavor)
Strips of Bacon
12 oz. Penne Pasta
1/2 a red pepper
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. Paprika

Gratinata Sauce:
1 tsp butter
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 c. Marsala wine
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chopped rosemary
pinch of cayenne pepper
2 cups of heavy cream

Saute garlic in cutter in large pan. Add marsala wine, mustard, salt, rosemary, cayenne pepper and heavy cream.

Cook pasta according to directions. Cook bacon. Slice cooked chicken into pieces.

Combine sauce, cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, peppers, cheese and paprika. Mix.

Top with chopped rosemary and mozzarella cheese.

Bake @ 475 for 10 min.

This is a recipe that Nat sent me. I have broken it down and made a few changes. It still makes a large pan full. Enjoy.

Dear Anonymous Commentor-


Bite Me!



Love,
Ashley

A streptococcus bacteria

I am dying. No kidding. I have a b-a-c-t-e-r-i-a. STREP. AGAIN!!!!!! How many times do I need to get this? I am in a bad mood! I can't even think of a smart ass post or picture to post. Poor me!

What a Night

Location: Our Front Room

Time: 9pm

What's Going on: Hanging with their Dad

History: Crewe fell asleep and napped from 4:45-9. I hate that!

Future: Dayne went to bed shortly after the pictures were taken. Crewe.....who knows? Ashley went to bed at 9:30

oh dylan

Beverly Hills, 90210 was a prime time television show that aired from October 4, 1990, to May 17, 2000. AND I LOVED IT!!!!! I'll admit that I didn't start watching it until my freshman year of college, 1995. Here are reasons why I pledge my love the famous ZIP.

1. During my college years, reruns were on every night from 5-6 (and maybe 6-7) and I was able to catch up on all that I missed. Now it is on everyday in the afternoon. I DVR it everyday and watch my guilty pleasure when I feed the baby her bottles.

2. It was one of things that brought my very missed friend, Kelly Jones, and I together. Kelly now has sons named Brandon and Dylan. She claims that is has NOTHING To DO with show. Ummmm........(her thirds son is NOT Steve)

3. It brought Dylan McKay into my life. THEN when Nat and I were in London we saw the play When Harry Met Sally. Starting Dylan, I mean, Luke Perry. We were able to shout "Dylan we LOVE you!" Boy did we shout! (ok more me than Natalie. She is too young to know true 90210)

4. I never took classes on Wednesday night. I also didn't answer the phone during the show. I do that now during Grey's (but maybe not this fall......).

5. The acting is ......what it is.....

6. You get to see David Silver dance and later he runs a club and at the end he is a DJ.

7. "Donna Martin Graduates!!!" How often do you get to say that???

Ok, I know most of you don't care. But right now, my kids are asleep, Rich is at the store and I get to pretend that I am in my dorm basement with my friends watching
a
little
90210.

All is Well

After a hairy day yesterday all is well today. Life is good.