Diving Board Dude!

It just doesn't seem possible. My kiddos are growing up and growing up so fast. I really can't believe it. I just said to a friend the other day, "You know, people always tell you that it will fly by, but I never really thought....."

Here is just another example. Yes, both my kiddos have done the high dive....and it's really not a big deal to them anymore. But it's still a big deal to me.

Doesn't Max look so small next to that enormous high dive?!?! Humor me please!

Here he is getting really to climb the steps......doesn't he look so tiny!

(His head is only at the 4th step for pete's sake!)

(I just had to yell from behind the camera, "You don't need to plug your nose!" He didn't!)

Can you see the VBS bracelet around his ankle....he won't take it off! "Reminds me of God, mom!" Can't really fight him on that one!

"See...no big deal!"

Great job buddy! Oh, and just for the record....you're always going to be my baby!

Road Trip Planning!

We are going on a road trip the end of July, but the planning has already begun.

This will be our very first, very long (like 18 hours one way) road trip.

I'm sure it will be fantastic, an awesome adventure, but the organized part of me is kind-of dreading being cooped up in a car for that long. So I'm going to do my very best to have lots of "stuff" for the kiddos to do so that all the "are we there yets" don't drive me totally crazy!

I've got the standards: portable dvd player, ipod, Nintendo DS......but I need other helpful hints and tips!

Any great iPhone apps for me or the kids that are must haves? Great snack ideas? Make ahead games for us to enjoy?

I'll take anything you've got....the planning is already underway....I want it to be as smooth as possible!

Thanks in advance, from a mom who doesn't want to loss her mind before she even gets to her destination!

A little inspiration for today....

I saw this on the Today show this morning and just had to share it!

Maybe it's MS, or cancer, or some other devastating disease, just finding one other person who you can talk to makes a world of difference. Even if your situation is different, (cause everyones is), knowing someone who understands a little bit of what you are going through is super important in my opinion.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I was recently asked this week to provide a quote for some MS WALK material that is being sent out.....and one of the most important things I have learned is this! "Yes, I have MS....but MS does NOT have me!"

All about DAD!

This is what Maggie had to say about her dad:

1. What is your dad's favorite dinner?
The same thing he always gets when we go to La Fiesta!

2. What is your dad's favorite color?
Blue

3. What is your dad's favorite drink?
Soda

4. What is your dad's favorite game?
Soccer

5. What is your dad's favorite thing to do outside?
Bike Ride

6. What is your dad's favorite fruit?
bananas

7. What is something dad always says to you?
be good to your brother

8. What makes dad happy?
Mountain biking

9. What makes dad sad?
When we do stuff bad!

10. How does your dad make you laugh?
Tickles us and farts!

11. How old is your dad?
39 1/2

12. What is his favorite thing to do?
Mountain bike and run!

13. What does your dad do when you're not around?
plays on the computer!

14. What is something your dad isn’t very good at?
Picking up his stuff! (I would totally agree with this one!)

15. What is your dad's favorite food?
chips!

16. How do you know your dad loves you?
He makes me laugh!

17. When you are all grown up, what will you remember most about your dad?
How much he played with me!

18. What has your dad taught you?
How to ride a bike, how to Rollerblade, how to chew with my mouth shut!

19. What is your favorite thing about your dad?
He'll do a bunch of things with me!

20. If you had to describe you dad in one word, what would it be?
Adventurous!


This is what Max had to say about his dad:

1. What is your dad's favorite dinner?
corn on the cob

2. What is your dad's favorite color?
light blue

3. What is your dad's favorite drink?
beer

4. What is your dad's favorite game?
Sorry!

5. What is your dad's favorite thing to do outside?
dig

6. What is your dad's favorite fruit?
watermelon

7. What is something dad always says to you?
No

8. What makes dad happy?
Me givin' him smooches

9. What makes dad sad?
no smooches

10. How does your dad make you laugh?
he tickles me

11. How old is your dad?
38

12. What is his favorite thing to do?
Mountain bike or run

13. What does your dad do when you're not around?
I don't know...I'm not here! duh!

14. What is something your dad isn’t very good at?
cleaning up

15. What is your dad's favorite food?
cupcakes

16. How do you know your dad loves you?
He gives me kisses!

17. When you are all grown up, what will you remember most about your dad?
How much he plays with me!

18. What has your dad taught you?
wrestle

19. What is your favorite thing about your dad?
He wrestles with me all the time!

20. If you had to describe you dad in one word, what would it be?
Goofy!

To the very best Daddy in the whole, wide world!

Happy Father's Day! We all LOVE you very much!

Team Work!

Summer is a great time. Time to play with friends, stay up late and enjoy the things you can really only enjoy during summer time.

But one of the bummers of summer (at least for me) is the bickering that seems to start the day school lets out.

UGH! It's my least favorite thing about summer! I LOVE my kiddos to the end and back, but the bickering is driving me CRAZY!

And just when I thought I couldn't take it anymore....it happened.

None of their friends were home last night....so there wasn't anyone to play with except each other. As I sat on the porch not saying a word, they figured out how to actually communicate and have a little fun together!

So what if the moment was over as quick as it came....I enjoyed every single minute of it!

Block Party!

Saturday night we had the very first T***** Street Block Party!

It was the first year and so we started off small. We got ourselves a little committee together and finally settled on a date. Getting a date that would worked for those of us on the committee was the hardest part.

We decided to keep it small to see what kind of turnout we got! And there was a great response.

We started it at 6:30 (after the dinner hour) and had an Ice Cream Sundae theme. Those of us on the committee brought the ice cream and we had each family bring a topping or two along with their lawn chairs. We blocked off the road and let the kids play in the street! This part was a HUGE hit! We even had a kids movie playing after it got dark along with very fun glow sticks!

I definitely think a good time was had by all......take a look, wouldn't you agree!

Playing in the street was the best part....for the kids!

Jane & Papa....remember they live on T Street too!

The group is starting to gather!

We had "razor" races in the street!

Charlie LOVED all the attention too!

Just hangin out with friends!

Racing....

and more racing!

Then the big girls got their chance!

You go girls!

Ashlyn and her hula hoop!

Sawyer was laying in the street.....at first I thought he was hurt.....
but he was laying there....just because he could!

We had lots of little cuties! (Just like this one!)

And some bigger cuties too!

Block Party 2001 + 10 was a huge success! Can't wait till next year!

More Silhouette Projects!

I found this cute little navy polo shirt at Wal-mart for only $3 and thought I could cutie it up with some help from my Silhouette SD machine. Adding the rhinestones was definitely time consuming, but I love the outcome. A subtle red and silver star, perfect the upcoming July 4th holiday.

You can see it a little bit better in this picture!

We got a new front door....finally one with a window. It's amazing how much light comes in that window. I love it. However, when I walk by, I still keep thinking I left the door open....still doing a double take! I'll get used to it.....but I loved the "Welcome" sign on the old door so much that I just had to make one for this door too!


And then there was the plain ol' white mailbox. I totally HATE the post, and that will change soon, but the white mailbox will stay the same, and so why not add a little cuteness to it! I LOVE it. I'll make sure to show you the before and after pics again when the new post gets done. It will make a big difference.


So whatcha think?

WFMW - Art Wall

So....this is one of those problems that I think we all can relate to.

You know ALL the beautiful art work your kids make that is so fabulous it has to be displayed somewhere, but you really don't want another piece of paper hanging off the side of your fridge.....what are you to do?

You create the "Art Wall!"


Ours happens to be in the garage....where everyone can see it!

And just for the record....only the BEST of the BEST get to be on the "Art Wall!"

(oh, and we take down and clear out every once in a while....just to make room for new masterpieces!)

The kids are happy and I am thrilled to NOT have it in my kitchen!

BTW, this is a GREAT idea for grandparents as well.....display all the art work your grandkids give you....so when they come to your house, they can see that you really thought their work was special!

It works for us....find more WFMW tips over at We are THAT family!

Join my Team!

Doesn't this look like so much fun! Be a part of Traci's Troops! to help fight MS!

Join Today!

Traci's Troops!

It's that time again!

It's time to register for this years MS Walk!

Traci's Troops! has walked for the last two years and I'd LOVE to make this year the biggest year ever!

Hopefully, you've all marked your calendars.....if not, you can do that now!

Sunday, September 11, 2011 @ Tower Park in Peoria Heights (little bit different location!...more details on that later!) I'd love for you to be there by 12:30 so we can get our group picture and then the 3-mile walk begins at 1:00.

Traci's Troops! was the largest "team" last year at the walk and together we can make it even bigger this year!

What do you need to do? Just register to be a part of the team! There is NO registration fee....just takes a few minutes to register online!

You can register HERE!

Come and be a part of Traci's Troops! and walk to find a cure for MS!

There will be LOTS more info to come!

Finally Friday!

Our first full week of summer has flown by.

Okay, so it was a shorten week...but still.

Just a few of the activities we participated in this week....camping, biking, boating with friends, s'more eating, swimming (a couple different times!) playing with friends, eating Popsicles, sidewalk chalk drawings, kickball, reading library books, a little bit of quiet time to ourselves.....oh, and entire day shopping for mom! It was a great week!

But I'm totally exhausted and really for the weekend!