Sunday Movie Reviews

Looper

I was expecting more of an action/adventure/sci-fi movie, but it was more of a drama - and I liked it.  I was not expecting such a heavy and emotional impact, but it was fantastic.  

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

Thankfully this was not an over-the-top sappy, coming of age, dramastic high school movie, even though it had many elements of one.  I did not like the climax of the story, but I really enjoyed the movie.  Buttin loved it.

Here is Cashman chasing me on the trail - apparently, this is what a slow spider looks like.

Thomas The Train Day

This morning we surprised Cub with a rainy trip to see Thomas the Train.  He LOVED seeing Thomas, riding the train and playing with all the train cars. 

Here's our family photo (I'm not paying $40 for the picture, so please excuse the writing).

Here are Cub and Buttin riding on the train.

After a very busy morning, Cub was a little exhausted/overwhelmed and wasn't very interested in napping until he sat on Butitn's lap.

Filanthropy Friday

This morning I did my blood glucose test  (yucky drink), so  fingers crossed for no gestational diabetes.

Since this is such a momentous occasion, I decided to donate $20 to the JDRF - which is really an organization for all ages and all stages of Type I diabetes, not jut juvenile part.

Wordless Wednesday

Three Months Till Christmas!!!

He looks pretty excited about it.

Time really needs to slow down.

Misfit Monday

I think all misfits were wearing underpants today, maybe.

I did have to remind everyone to make sure to wear underpants on Thursday for the trade show.

Speaking of the trade show, posting will be someone sparse this week as I help our misfits prepare for it. 

Here is Cubbie today playing on the trail.  To me, he is perfection. 

Water Balloon Fight!

This morning we had a family water balloon fight.  

Buttin said I didn't make the water balloons correctly, but we all still got soaked - which I think is the point.

Here's Cub chasing me.

After the water balloon fight, Cash had to dry off and wanted to snuggle Riggs.  I took a ton of pictures and I just couldn't pick one (or two). 

Split Lip Pissed

Yesterday evening I was making dinner at the Ronald McDonald House and Buttin was at Fantastic Fest so Hannah came to stay with Cub and put him to bed.

While Hannah and Cub were out playing, Cub fell down and split open his lip.  Our neighbor's daughter ran into him and he fell on his face.  Now, Cub doesn't need help injuring himself and I would never fault a child for having an accident with my child, but I'm a little pissed off at her parents.

It seems like EVERYTIME we have Hannah over to stay with Cub, our neighbors allow their children (an approximately 8-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl) outside,  unsupervised and seem to expect Hannah to keep an eye on them too. 

When Cub fell down, all three children were down the path, and Hannah was trying to run home with Cash but didn't know what to do about the two other children.  I hate that she felt responsible for those other kiddos. An 8-year-old (if he is that old) is not old enough to supervise a 3-year-old outside without a parent at least sitting on the porch.  It kind of ticks me off. 

Thankfully, Hannah was able to tend to Cub's lip and calm him down enough that by bath time, he was ready to play.  I made her send me pictures - constantly. 

This morning Cub asked about Hannah and said, "I like Hannah, she help with my lip."  If you ask him about his lip, he says, "little girl did it on the sidewalk".  

 

Here is a picture of Cub's lip today.  

 This afternoon, Cub didn't want to go outside so he played a lot with the animals.

Here he is looking at a lizard with Scratch.

Here he is playing snuggle puppy with Riggs. 

Filanthropy Friday

This afternoon I'm going to the Ronald McDonald House with a group from the Austin Apartment Association to made a meal for the families staying at the house.

Making a meal is actually a great opportunity for friends or groups to get together and do something for others.  Ronald McDonald House has a huge kitchen, so you just bring in food and prepare it.  As I would imagine, for the families with children in longer term care, eating out can get pretty expensive and unhealthy. 

The Ronald McDonald House was actually my very first Filanthropy Friday charity, so I'm glad to actually be donating my time (and a little money) to it this week.

Cash & Riggs Go On A Playdate

This afternoon Cash and I stopped by baby mama Heather's house to play.  We brought Riggs too!

Heather has a yellow lab, Jackson, who loves to play.  Riggs goes to a doggy daycare once a week, so I know he loves playing with other dogs - but I've just NEVER actually seen him play with another dog.  It was so much fun to watch!  Eventually Jackson got a little tired even though Riggs kept bugging him to play (sadly I didn't get any pictures of the dogs playing, but it was cute).  

Cash and Issac really wanted to play in the backyard with the dogs, but the dogs were playing a little too rough so the boys played in the front yard. 

Wordless Wednesday

Volunteer Day

At the beginning of the year I established some personal goals, and one of my goals was to continue Filanthropy Friday and also find opportunities to volunteer my time.   I haven't been very good at the latter part of that goal.  However, today I spent the morning sorthing food at the Capital Area Food Bank with some colleagues from the Austin Apartment Association.  

In an "it's a small world moment" one of my baby mama friend's husband was also there volunteering with his company. 

The volunteer experience was great - the CAFB is very well organized and I hardly got any mayonnaise (or other food product) on me.  In a very humbling moment, a group of very disabled young adults arrived to volunteer.  I thought - if they can donate their time - I can certainly find a few more times to do this before Chicken arrives.  

This picture is for Mormor and Gigi (who think that Cub never throws a fit).  On the way home from work/school Cubbie wanted to go to McDonalds, but I told him not today.  This was the reaction I got (it was pretty fake and short-lived):

To make Mormor and Gigi happy, here is a picture of Cash playing outside - much happier - after we made it home. 

Misfit Monday

For our trade show next week, the boys are dressing up as nurses (nurses in dresses).  

I received one of the nurse costumes in the mail and wanted one of the boy misfits to try it on so that I could see how it looked and decide if I should order more of the same. 

During our sales meeting this morning, I asked one of the misfits to try it on and I bet you'll never guess why he couldn't (wouldn't) try it on  - - go ahead, try to guess. 

HE WASN'T WEARING UNDERPANTS!  

That's right, our misfits (some of them anyways) come to work without underpants.   I'm not sure I want to know how lack of wearing underpants helps with sales.  

This afternoon Cub and I had to stop by the gas station on the way home from school.  This particular gas station had a McDonalds (with a playground) attached to it.  We've never taken Cub to McDonalds, but Mormor has done it a couple of times.  

Cub said he wanted to eat CHICKEN AND APPLES.  I thought, this would be an acceptable snack plus it was nice outside and there was no one else on the playground.  

If you order a kids chicken nugget happy meal - it comes with apples and french fries.

The only thing Cub actually ate - FRENCH FRIES!  I mean, like all the french fries.  I've never seen him eat french fries before, but he loves them.  I felt duped by a toddler - I mean, really -  I fell for chicken and apples and all he really wanted was french fries. 

Rainy Day Play

This morning Gigi left and took Cartman with her.  Cartman will have a much better life as an only child/pet with Gigi.

It pretty much rained all day so this morning Cub and I went for a walk in the rain with his monster truck.  While walking, he found an empty can of Lonestar Beer and thought it was the best toy ever!  I felt a little embarrassed as cars drove by staring at a pregnant me with a child carrying a monster truck and a can of Lonestar Beer with liquid that he kept pouring on the ground (he would refill the can in the puddles, but I wonder if some people thought it was beer). 

Here is my little redneck toddler. 

This afternoon Buttin power-washed the garage.  Cub tried helping by playing with all of the toys we put away in the garage for Chicken.  He even told me he was a "baby right now" and needed a ride (in the rain) in his infant stroller.  Silly kid. 

Busy Day

Today was quite busy.

We said good-bye to B-ma and Papa, met friends at the park and spent the afternoon playing with Gigi. 

Here are a couple of pictures.

Filanthropy Friday

The news hasn't been great this week, so I wanted to find something fun and inspirational.

I did!

Texas Pie Kitchen

The Texas Pie Kitchen makes pies (so I ordered one) that are made by low income adults who have a barrier to employment (i.e. disability, homelessness, criminal history, etc.).  The Texas Pie Kitchen provides culinary and baking skills as well as financial literacy training to their adult students. 

I think mixing baked goods with philanthropy is pretty awesome so  I donated $10 to the Texas Pie Kitchen and also purchased a Chocolate Chess Pie (with pecans).  I'll make sure to post an update on pie tasting next week.

Playing In The Rain

There is absolutely no dissuading Cash from a decision once he's made it. 

This afternoon we went to Auntie and Uncle's house to see B-Ma and Papa.  It started pouring, so of course, Cash wanted to go outside.

He then decided he had to go out in the rain and that he needed to "be naked" (except for shoes) to play.  

He and Papa took a little walk.

Wordless Wednesday

B-Ma and Papa Visit

Today B-Ma and Papa came into town (from Florida).

I think Cash wore them out.

Misfit Monday

Trade Show planning is in full swing.

Our September is going to be so busy.  I need a nap just to think about it.

Today when I picked Cash up from school; we went to go buy a baby doll.  

Here he is at Target - baby doll, car and donut. 

Adventure Day

**Picture Heavy Post**

 

Yesterday we had beautiful weather (today too) so we took advantage and played outside.

In the morning, we went to the Park For All where Cash found a baby doll.

It became HIS baby doll.  I thought it made for excellent Chicken practice.

He snuggled the baby and really wanted to take the baby home.  He told me the baby's name was "Cash Nay-er".

Thankfully, the baby's rightful owner claimed him (so we didn't steal the baby), but I see a trip to Target in our future to get Cub a baby of his own.

After lots of playing (and attempted kidnapping), he ate a snack.

In the afternoon we went to the Cedar Rock Railroad and rode the train.  Cash had a blast (and Buttin did too). 

After the Cedar Rock Railroad, we went to Kiddie Acres.  This little amusement park was kind of dirty and depressing and like a tetnus shot waiting to happen (see rusty ride below).  Buttin said it looked like murders happened at this place.  Cash had a great time and thought it was awesome.

 

Cub also got to ride a pony, which he thought was pretty fun (even if the pony was a little smelly and he called it "donkey").  

Debating a Toddler

Yesterday we were having some work done on our deck.

Cash wanted to go outside and watch the people working on the deck.

At first, he just watched but then he started throwing acorns down at the men doing work.  

Here is a very accurate transcript of our conversation.

Me:  Cash, if you throw one more acorn - we are going inside.

Cash:  I throw two.

I guess two isn't one, so I can't argue with that logic. 

Here is the defiant little toddler holding (and ready to throw) two acorns.

Today we took advantage of the cooler weather (high 80s) and spent most of the day outside.  We went to a park, to a train and to a little amusement park.  I'll have pictures of our adventures tomorrow.

Filanthropy Friday

Last night I watched as our President accepted the nomination for another term.  I admit, I get swooped up in his eloquence and passion.  I'll also admit that it's easy for me to do, because I agree with him on nearly everything.

However, it's not important that we all agree on all the issues - but it is important that we all vote and have the same access to voting.  That's why all this voter identification legislation that's being passed off as "voter fraud prevention" angers me.   We should all have the same rights and when a law is created to purposefully deny rights to a certain group of people - that's discrimination, or worse. 

This week, I donated $25 to the ACLU to help defend voting rights in our country. 

Lazy Post

This evening I had a meeting/happy hour - lots of drinking for this pregnant lady.

I was away all evening - which meant Buttin and Cub spent the afternoon and evening together.  

Here are Cub and Riggs hanging out on the cold tile floor.

Wordless Wednesday

Misfit Tuesday

Yesterday, we didn't work - so no Misfit Monday.

Today, thankfully nothing too eventful at work.  This misfits were all pretty well behaved.

Here's Cub this afternoon on the way home from school.

#1 Lesson Learned From Aunt Liz

This afternoon we went over to visit Aunt Liz and Uncle Jonathan.

Cash had a great time playing in the pool and terrorizing Liz's pets, but he also did some learning. The #1 lesson learned was "If you don't want to do it, make Aunt Liz do it for you."

Here's Aunt Liz flying a kite (aka, running like a crazy person). I think it's kind of cute how Liz suggests, "Cash, let's go outside and fly this kite I bought you."   I guess she expected the no-wind, 100 degree day would provide perfect kite flying conditions.  She offered to "fly" Cash's kite for him and ran around her front yard while he followed.  I loved the look on her face when she wanted to stop and go inside and he said, "more".  I love how their jogging step for step in this picture.

Here's Aunt Liz pushing Cash around on the raft in the pool.  He loved making her do work for him.  

Time With Gigi

Yesterday Mormor and Dadoo went home, but Gigi came into town - it's been a grandparent Labor Day weekend for Cubbie!

Here's Cub telling Gigi to get on his bike.  

Here are Cub and Gigi cuddling. 

Duck Pond

This morning Cub and I went to the duck pond (Mormor and Dadoo brought us an old loaf of bread to feed the ducks).

I'm not really sure these are ducks, but Cub had fun.

The ducks (or geese) weren't very shy about wanting the bread, but they weren't aggressive.  It's obvious these duck/geese are fed frequently by people.