Busted!

Xander has been caught!

Red Handed,

Hand in the Cookie Jar,

BUSTED!

We have started cleaning the kid's rooms before bedtime each night instead of in the mornings.  We all sing the "clean up" song and happily pick up all the toys that accumulate in there throughout the day.  For two kids that seem to be under my feet ALL day long they sure get their rooms messy.  They probably hold the world record for speed-messes... maybe.

The last couple of morning when Xander has woke up we've discovered this little scene:

What you are seeing here is evidence that Xander does NOT go to bed as well as we thought he did.

GRRRR

He is apparently pulling back the curtain to light his room with the overly bright street light and playing with his cars and construction equipment when he should be sleeping.  I can just picture him laying there playing with them.  It really makes me wonder if he's sleeping in his bed or on the floor!

I guess it's time to start checking in on him to be sure he's ASLEEP and in his BED!

sigh

Dinner Time Fun

We absolutely LOVE this place:

They have some of the yummiest pork I've ever had.  Mix that in a thick, handmade tortilla with rice, beans, cheese & sauce and I am in heaven!

Unfortunately, due to a lack of this

We haven't been able to enjoy the yummy goodness much lately.

What's a family to do without their favorite "fast" food???

FIND A RECIPE!

We've been using the recipe I found here for over 6 months now and it is wonderful.  Not quite exactly like Cafe Rio, but close enough to satisfy our cravings. 

The best part about eating our Cafe Rio at home is listening to James ask if we want "black or pinto beans?" as he puts together the burritos.  It's a good thing everyone likes pinto because we don't ever heat up any black beans.  :)  He also is sure to yell out "Extra Meat" when he makes his and even occasionally "Free Meal."  For those of you that haven't been blessed with a Cafe Rio meal ALL of the employees yell out both "free meal" and "extra meat" - it's a little crazy.

That little window makes it nearly impossible to get a good picture of someone in the kitchen after 4 pm!  It might be time to invest in some curtains :)

James continues to crack us up by placing a little bit of meat on the outside of the burrito, just like the restraunt.  He thinks he's so funny - and usually he is.

Xander loves the meal and often has most of his food gone before everyone can get sat down. 

He's a monster.

Elsha also enjoys the porky-goodness and devours hers as well.

I like it for so many reasons; the smiles my husband produces while assembling the burritos, the taste (of course) and the leftovers.  There's usually enough left over for 2 meals that we put in the freezer for a quick easy meal later on (we double the recipe).

Pictures from 5/16 - I'm trying to get caught up on my blogging/family journalling so you'll start seeing some old dates soon.

Elsha Turned Two!

Elsha turned 2 years old this week and we had a blast for her birthday.

Daddy started out his little girl's birthday right making muffins for breakfast.  According to Elsha and Xander they were cupcakes and they couldn't get enough! 

We painted fingernails - such a fun thing for a little girl.  I never would've guessed that she would instinctively know to hold out her fingers until they were dry but she did and my furniture will be eternally grateful to not have red smudges.

We enjoyed lunch with Grandma & Grandpa D at Red Robin.  It was the first time in months that we took the kids to anything more extravagant than drive through.  They did exceptionally well.  There's nothing like well behaved kids to make a mom proud :)

Elsha went down for a late nap and we got her presents ready.  After waiting to wake her for a little while Xander couldn't resist any longer.  She HATES getting woken up and was prepped and ready to be super ornery until.... she came out to this site:

She got a Tea Set and wasn't sure what to think of it at first...

But she figured it out and was SUPER excited.  Yes, that is a happy face.  I think she was saying "Yay" or something similar... but a happy face none-the-less.

I refinished a cabinet my grandfather made for me when I was a kid.

I'll post before & after pictures on my other blog when I finish up a few details I'm considering adding.  We'll see...

She also loved her boa & tiara (that Xander promptly sat on and broke within minutes after this picture, sigh)

Later, we had yummy cake (the real stuff this time, not muffins) and icecream with Grandma Laurie & Grandpa Tom. 

Elsha loved being the center of attention all day.

YAY FOR BIRTHDAYS!

Elsha's Big Day

Our sweet little girl is turning 2 today!

She is a true blessing in our lives in so many ways.

Introductions

It's been a while since I gave any attention to our blog. (It seems to be a reoccuring problem as evident by the valentines decor in late April).

Our family has been VERY busy these last couple of months and we seem to be adding to our ever growing busy-ness.

Enter Echo

Echo is a 3 year-old African Grey that we have adopted.

We have been very lucky (blessed) with both of our adopted animals (Wylie and now Echo). Both came from very loving homes that wanted the best for their pets. With time constraints and health issues Echo's previous momma just didn't have the time to give her all the attention an African Grey needs. She comes to us with a great personality, lots of talking and a loving nature. Right now she is quiet as a mouse - but as soon as she is more acclimated I've been assured she'll be a real chatterbox; in other words, she'll fit right in!

I’ve wanted a parrot for years but have never taken the plunge. I’m glad I didn’t get a parrot when the idea first struck because I would’ve gone for looks more than personality. I’ve done a lot of research over the last few years and had decided when the time was right I’d get myself an African Grey. I check KSL from time to time just to see what’s out there as well as to cure some boredom. About 6 weeks ago I came across Echo in the ads.  I marked the ad to follow up on while I convinced James to seriously consider letting me add a bird into our family. Life got busy and by the time I followed up on the bird the ad said she was sold. Little did I know she was sold to James.

James is wonderful! Not because he bought me a bird but because of all the time he invested into Echo before I even knew about her. He has been secretly spending several hours each week with Echo and her previous owners. Getting acquainted and learning how to handle an exotic bird. I am in awe of my sweet husband in so many ways.

The kids have been introduced and she is a little shy right now. This is the first time she has seen little ones and I’m sure their energy level will take some getting used to. Xander has told Echo all about our life in the Ridenour household including information about HIS blanket (not to be shared apparently). He is also convinced that she farts and has told me all about them. I have yet to hear one of these mysterious bird farts – but Xander assures me they are real.

Here is a link to a Youtube video taken of Echo when she was a year old.  It was also before they learned the she wasn't a he.  Click here to see it.

mmm... Cake!

Jaxson was kind enough to make cake this weekend.

Yummy, yummy chocolate cake.

We don't eat cake very much but apparently Elsha has a wonderful memory.  As soon as Jaxson pulled out one of these:

Elsha started yelling "CAKE, CAKE, CAKE!"

We all just looked at each other and shrugged.

Here's some adorable pics of the little ones enjoying their rubber spatulas and spoons that Jaxson loaded up with batter for them.

Yum!

So excited she can't even keep her eyes open!

Somehow this has become a 'thing' for Elsha whenever she sees the camera.

What a cheeser!

Xander loves to cheese it up as well.

Jaxson's A B-Ball STAR!

Jaxson had his last basketball game of the season last week. He continues to get better and better and we are proud of him for playing each year.

During his last game he stole the ball from another player (YAY JAXSON!). Too bad the other player didn’t want to let go and Jaxson ended up lifting the kid off the ground. As the kid hung from the ball helplessly the audience roared in laughter.

You teach those kids who’s boss Jaxson!

On a side note:  I wasn't able to go to any of Jaxson's games because they always seemed to be during nap times.  Considering it takes a little over and hour to get there, an hour to watch the game, and a little over an hour to get back it wasn't hard for them to interfere with Elsha's naps. 

James on the other hand went to every single game.  I also asked James to take pictures of every single game but got pictures of just one.  I'm super impressed with the pictures he did get though!  Thanks hun for the pics.  I sure wish I could've been there.

Playdate with Belle

Last week we had Belle over for a couple of hours.

(Yup last week... I'm behind... I don't even want to talk about our scrapbook)

The kids thoroughly enjoyed playing with each other.   It was a very busy couple of hours.

We snuck our binki's out... sneaky girl

We hid in closets...

We rode horses...

I love how they are all going in different directions in this picture.  It is a perfect example of the chaos that is my home.

We had fun playing with light switches...

And rolling around on the bed...

which also can be used for a jungle gym...

We had contests to see who could jump the highest...

Xander wins... he has no fear!

And we all joined in on the fun!

On your mark... Get set...

JUMP!

We also went up and down the stairs a million times! 

I was pooped

Nighty, Night

Elsha's nap time is fairly consistent.  She eats lunch then happily goes down for a nap.

EXCEPT for Mondays and Wednesdays.

She sure sleeps funny.  That can't be comfortable for her arm!

Why Mondays and Wednesdays??

Xander goes to school twice a week. 
You guessed it; on Mondays' and Wednesdays.

The bus picks Xander up between 10:45 & 11:00 at our house.  Elsha says her "Bye's" and waves from the window or door until the bus pulls away.  She then heads to her room and asks for her "Kiki" (Binki).  She sleeps the entire time Xander is at school.  If she happens to wake up before he gets home she calls out "Xa" over and over wandering the house looking for her big brother.

They eat lunch shortly after Xander's return and can be found snuggling on the couch when both are done with their food.

I am constantly amazed at the love these two show for each other.

Reading Time

James gets a couple of magazines a month that feature the latest and greatest in construction equipment and cars. Technically James is the recipient but he has to fight Xander for first dibs. Whenever we get a new magazine Xander grabs it and settles in for a good long look.  You might think he likes all magazines, but nope - he doesn't touch my Better Homes & Gardens.

He reads it for the articles though... Honest.

Career Path Ramblings...

Since I was young I have always loved looking at house plans. I remember the Homes section in our newspaper would feature different floor plans from time to time and I'd cut them out. I still have them somewhere, I'm sure. I would draw out my ideal home, picturesque creek and all. Some of them were pretty detailed. Pages and pages of custom floor plans filled my notebooks.  I would even explore the unfinished homes in my growing neighborhood as a youngster and imagine how they'd look when finished and what I'd do diffferently.

It wasn't until after I graduated with my Bachelors in Information Systems Security that a friend asked me why I didn't go to school to be an Architect. I didn’t have an answer for her. To be honest, it never even crossed my mind and I don’t have a clue why. I have regretted my choice in my degree ever since and have felt like I passed over something I’d be great at. But so goes life – right?? Some paths are taken and some are passed. I’m okay with that. I am very happy where I am right now. That’s what is important.

Today James called me out of the blue and asked me if I wanted to go back to school.

“Let me think, NO!”

He went on to explain that he knows that I am drawn to (pun intended) architecture both because I’ve talked to him about it and he notices my constant comments on people’s homes, remodeling projects, buildings that are beautiful, buildings that are just out of place etc. etc. etc. Maybe, he says, after the kids are in school I can also go back and get a degree in Architecture. With our construction business it would come in handy – we could be a design and build kind of company. One-stop shopping for customers, in a way.

Now it’s got me thinking…

Insert my Dad saying “Does it hurt?” or “Explains the smoke” here.

Right now I’m a MOM, with capital letters. It is the most important job I have, have ever had, and will ever have. I would never want to do anything that will diminish my ability to be the best mom ever to my sweet children… BUT, I also know that when they are both in school if things remain the same there will be two outcomes.
1. I will get my daily chores done and just have lazy days (not a very healthy option)

2. I will craft, decorate, and shop ourselves into the poor house (not a very financially wise option)

So maybe, just maybe it’s a good idea.  Something to think about any how.

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

Little Helper

James decided to pull out some plans to review tonight BEFORE the kids went to bed.

Brave, brave man!

Elsha and her extensive knowledge of letters and numbers *yup she knows them all* decided to help by pointing out each one.  She was such a big help!

Here she is showing off all her pride and happiness for all the "help" she provided and the "time" she saved.

(speaking of help & time she's currently on my lap trying to show me each letter on the keyboard.  Please ignore any extra letters that might be in this post. I'm not sure if I've caught all her little entries)

Grandma's Visit

Great Grandma visited this week and brought me lots of fun stuff to use while crafting. 

Elsha is such a ham for cameras now.  I don't know when it started really but she can't just simply smile - she has to squint and grin as big as possible.  Not complaining, actually I LOVE IT!

If you're wondering why I haven't done many posts this year this little kid right here is the reason:

(yup that's their messy faces & my messy floor - I'm just keepin' it real!)

He sees the camera and instantly want to take it.  James found my old camera and now he uses it so hopefully I'll be able to get more pictures of the kids now.  I already can tell you that all pictures of Xander from here on out will have him holding his camera.  As soon as he hears the lens on my camera he promptly runs to find his.  Ah well - I'll take what I can get at this point.  He gets pretty good pictures most of the time so I'm excited to see what he does when we head to the zoo this spring.

Fool Proof Plan

Want to know the trick to getting your husband to cook more often???

Here's Shanon's three part plan:

Step 1

While chopping & cutting be sure to nick your self on a fairly regular basis.

Step 2

Burn yourself whenever possible - not bad burns of course but just enough that you say OUCH and run to the sink.  I guess it would be fairly easy to fake if you don't already have the tendency.

Step 3

This step alone can provide immediate results.

Singe your hair over the stove.  Don't ask how to do this, I still don't understand how I did it myself! It's only happened once (today) but the results were fantastic.  I was immediately shooed out of the kitchen.

That's how my day's going... how's yours??