and finally some friends came along

still playing in the water

water play, all day.

Toddler Exercises

Friday is His Fun Day

Friday ended up being a real treat. Brody and I woke up bright and early, 5:30 a.m. Since we woke up the sun, we figured we might as well get some things done around the house. After two loads of laundry and watering all the inside and outside plants we started our day. We left to go for a tour of CSUDH. During our little tour we stopped off at the book store where $25o later we walked out with two books and a 4T shirt.

On our little tour I explained to Brody that mommy goes to school just like he does. I told him that when I drop him off at school that this is where I go. He then quickly asked me if I use markers. I replied with a giggle and a no. Then he asked me if I color, agagin I said no. Then he said well it is still amazing! This time I laughed a little harder as there were several students that over heard our conversation that found it quite amuzing as well.

On our way home Brody asked for chicken for lunch. So we stopped off to get him some stars at Carl's Jr. and headed home. To our suprise Mike was already home from work and it was just 12:15. Yippie! That meant we were able to mow and edge the lawn quickly and set up the watersilde. Brody invited the girls from next door over and had a blast.





Brody helping clean up so he can play

At the very top Sophie, climbing the wall is Ruthie and Brody getting ready to tummy surf on his beach ball.

you're looking at miss 2.82

Yippie! I finally finished the 2008 Spring semester at California State Univeristy Dominguez Hills. I attempted five classes this semester which is one more then I am comfortable. Yes, for all you people quick at math that does mean that I got a C. For those more curious of my grades below is a breakdown.

• Operations Management B-
• Humanities 200 B-
• Organizational Behavior A-
• International Business C
• Humanities 310 Success and Values B

Starting Monday June 2nd I am attending Summer school from 6 to 10 p.m. I will be taking Employment Law and Administrative Financial Resources. Next semester I am really stepping out of my comfortability zone and attempting six classes. Why? Well if I take so many classes that I no longer recgonize my soon to be three year old son and never see my lovely fiance. By December of this year I will be a GRADUATE! I hope to apply for the Master's program in early 2009 and hopefully can start classes over the next summer. The Master's program is ten classes and takes about 18 months. I figured I have been in school so long that a real scholar would have been working on their second Ph.D. so I might as well have a Master's.

Thanks Dad and Nana, whom I am sure will never see this. But thank you for all your prayers and having more faith in me then that I had in myself. I am doing it for you. I hate to hear you guys nag.

relentless Mike

Mike has been set on getting a new wagon for the past couple of months now. Since we already have three other ones I didn't feel guilty at all saying "NO!" However, Mike's agenda is a lot different then mine. He crept off to Sears saying that he needed to pick up some work jeans. Of course I didn't even think what he was really going for. One pair of jeans, shorts, and flip flops later all pulled in by a monster wagon, brought our grand total up to four.

Brody loved it! Mike took him for a few trips around the dining room table and through the kitchen then down the steps. Brody said he wanted to go to sleep in the wagon. Enraged I agreed.

this shirt reminded me of Uncle Chris so I bought it

not too sure why this polo reminded me of Uncle Chris, but it did. so I bought it for Bubs. he was he best dressed crazy haired kid at preschool that day. don't worry we got his hair cut yesterday.

Congratulations Gretchen!

Gretchen and I at her graduation party
Gretchen's niece and nephew and my two new babies- Soso and Dorian

Congrats Girl!

I am so very proud of you. You are a strong beatiful woman and I will follow in your foot steps. I promise I will do all my shyster monkey techniques to get into grad school with you.

sorry folks! i am his manager

hi grandma!

Bye Lions!

During our trip around the block Brody found

• doodie bags holder (mike lost the night before when frankie took off after the basset hound freaks)
• used but remarkably clean tennis ball (he was going to give it to frankie, but when he threw it in, it bounced out the other end..he never noticed)
• one bubble maker with missing bubble holder

Brody also found a few friends to talk to along the way

• Old Man Sam- they discussed the weather
• Random lady neighbor on other side of the block- advised Brody to not pick up hitchhikers
• Old Man Sam- they then talked about his truck and "great" driving skills
• New Fireman- Brody showed him his found treasures. He advised Brody to drive with two hands on the wheel

Thanks neighbors for your random advice! Now I am being asked about hitchhikers, why driving with your cell phone has been outlawed and what the weather forecast is for tomorrow.

dateanelephant.com

Before my Ogranizational Behavior final this morning I spent a few moments at the computer lab, located on the first floor of the library. This memo was left at every cpu in the media center. Unable to control my laughter, I had to excuse myself . Needless to say, little studying took place. I had to inform all my friends of such sarcasim. I must admit this sparked my curiosity to see what dateanelephant.com is all about. It reminded me of two things, there is somebody for everyone and BIG GIRLS NEED LOVE TOO!

P.S. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did.

picture perfect

Today I received Brody's 2008 school pictures. Here is a little sneak preview!

driving the sink

treehaw! this is for you Sarah and Tom

hi grandma!

Nana and Brody "Cleaning" the backyard

Thank You Mr. President

I absolutely loved your little present today automatically deposited into my checking account. I will be thinking of you when I get that much needed massage. I already have it all spent in my mind, but I'll hold onto it till I can think of something really good to spend it on.

the one man rock band

like mother, like son

splish splash!

happy tuesday!

my view of Brody (don't worry we weren't driving)
Brody was more then happy to smile for the camera
aww my cute little monkey, I love him
showing off his Poptart...shhh he still hasn't figured out that they come with frosting

Brody woke up in such a happy and cheerful mood. He grabed his guitar and started singing Johnny Cash. I let his good cheer spread and opened his door and started dancing. We had a little jam session with the two guitars before I got him ready for school. Brody was really silly this morning and it is just one more reminder to me why life is so sweet and special.

we went green

sushi anyone?

i Ysushi

Easy Like Sunday Morning

Happy Mother's Day

So far Mother's Day weekend is off to an awesome start. On Friday Brody and I started by hanging around the house. We slept in, made pancakes and watched a few cartoons. We had a nice lunch together and played outside till Mike came home from work, early! I was very exctied when I could spend a few hours at the local nail salon getting a manicure/pedicure and an extra massage. Since I was a mom they gave longer massages for the Mother's Day weekend. It was so nice, relaxing and peaceful.

That night was a girl's night out with some new and old friends. We all met up at Tracy's where good times between friends were shared.

Saturday morning was spent making pancakes. Soon after I headed off to work on a presentation with Joyce. We met up at Panera where we had breakfast while enjoying our free wi-fi connection.

Upon my arrival back home my mom showed up with a few goodies that Brody convinced her to buy. A purse, braclet, necklace and tuplips. Thanks Brody! But how did you convince Daddy to get me something too? Later on Mike gave me the icing on the cake and handed me my new Sony digital camera that I so terribly needed.

I can't wait to take and share more pictures with you all. Thank you mom and THANK YOU to my boys. I love you, all.

i did it!

Brody was very proud of himself that he finally mustered up the courage to climb up and slide down. He isn't very fond of having water splashin' him in the face, but after observing the first two days it was up, by the thrid he was all over it.

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears...Oh my!

Suprisingly engough, Brody didn't quite like the zoo. Although we talked it up the night before and made all kinds of animals noises the second we got there he was already done with it. We took him to go see the alligators, which is a personal favorite of mine, since I grew up having one in my great-aunt's backyard. Brody told us it was a shark, not an alligator. Shortly after that we hiked our way over to the mist pit aka the Gorilla House. Then we headed off to see the lazy lions. We soon approached the Giraffe's. Brody didn't even see the correlation between them and his blakine. I told Brody they wanted their blankie back. That just set him off in a 2 year old melt down. At that point we decided to high tail it out of there since most of the displays were closed. However, we were able to sneak in a few pictures when Brody wasn't looking. He pretty much so refused to let us take pictures of him instead he took several of Mike and I.

And The Roof Goes Up

How exciting! Finally after nearly a year the roof is going up. It looks like it will be finished by Brody's 3rd birthday.

You Are an AMAZING Little Boy!

Last night Brody, Mike and I were all sitting down in the family room watching Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! on Noggin and I began to realize. Brody is growing up so fast. He started talking about how he needed to fix his house tomorrow. Then he ranted on with how he was going to get his hammer and his nails and put the wood and nail it all together. Right then I realized he is no longer my little baby. I grabbed him, sat him on my lap, put one hand on each of his chubby little cheeks, looked him dead in the eye and said, "you are an amazing little boy!" In return Brody put one hand on each of my cheeks, looked me square in the eye and screamed "you are an aammaaazzziiinnnggg little boy!"

Pomona Car Show

Brody and "little" Fred

and the cow goes MOOOOOO!