Here are some Monster Jam Pics! What can I say ... big trucks, big tires, big noise, lots of people. Actually we had a great time. We got there early enough to meet some of the drivers with a pit pass. I can't say that I actually knew who Grave Digger was and that he was by far the most popular driver, but when I saw the 2 hour line just to meet him I figured it out. Yes, we did wait in that line. Kaylea got her hat signed - at least we had good company for the wait ... our ever so sweet friends Kevin & Angel got there before us and graciously allowed us to "merge" in line with them.

It's Good to be home.

Today is my usual day off from work. I usually spend it running around catching up on errands. I hate to do errands and tend to push them off as long as possible. Today was a little different because Kaylea was home sick. I really enjoyed attending to her ever little need. She is growing up so fast and doesn't need me as much these days. In between caring for her, I actually started spring cleaning the house. I think it has been 2 years since I've given the old home place a deep clean. Sometimes, I really miss being at home full time. My job is so stressful these days and it is difficult to get out of stress mode once I get home. I think I will be home with her again tomorrow and hopefully she will be feeling much better.

Mason and I had a nice little evening out until we got called out of an old lady.

We went to Party City to pick up his birthday invitations and Mason asked to eat dinner at Wendy's. I was completely on board because the dog trainer was at our house and I wanted to stay away as long as possible.

The line to order was long and slow, as usual. Mason picked a perfect table by the window and during the long wait decided to take the salt & pepper shakers off 2 other tables and built a pyramid. I have totally learned about picking battles and this wasn't a big deal at all to me. At least he was not using them as bowling pins (which he has been known to do). Once our food was ready we had a nice little dinner - just the two of us - having great conversation. When we were ready to go, Mason left the pyramid as a special treat for the next lucky family at our table. As we walked to the door, an old lady totally called us out. She looked right at Mason and said "Young man, you need to put those salt & pepper shakers back on the other tables." We both looked at her confused and she repeated it and added that other guests would need to use them and he needed to put them back. Mason was terrible shy and embarassed and tried to hide behind me and asked me to help him put them back. I was still uncertain if the lady was actually serious. I think she was. I just didn't see that it was a big deal (at Wendy's after all) and I didn't want some crancky old lady to ruin our evening. Mason was actually behaving (for once) and now he was getting in trouble by a stranger with a bad attitude.

I thought about assisting him in putting the S & P back in their rightful place but changed my mind. I simply said "Please don't get on to him about that, his mommy thinks it OK." The lady mumbled something about his mommy and we left with a friendly smile on my face.

Maybe, I should have listened to the old lady but by gosh it was OK with his mommy.

It been a long time.

I was reminded that it has really been a long time since I blogged anything. Mostly because things have just been - how do I say this?? BORING!! I need to put some excitement back into my life so I have something worthy to share.

I just remembered that I haven't posted any pics from our vacation in January - so I'll do that soon. I feel like we just got back and it has been over a month.

Random things:

I am doing pretty well on my Couch to 5K adventure. I just love the whole running experience - not really while I'm doing it but the way it somehow lifts my spirits and I just overall feel better. My big 5K is less than 2 weeks away. I really doubt I can run the whole way but who knows - maybe with the adrenaline flowing.

We had a very unromantic Valentine's Day. The sad thing is that neither Bobby or I seemed to really mind. We spent it with the kids at a soccer tournament in Tampa and ate Wendy's on the way home. I really needed to go some place that served cocktails after entertaining Mason for 2 hours at the game. He is really over soccer. I could watch it all day - Well, depending on the age level. I am sorta over watching adults on the soccer channel every single night.

Mason has started tutoring after school one afternoon a week. He is there as I type - that is why I am able to type. She has recommended speech therapy for him. I am thankful for any suggestions that will help him in school. I am really tired of hearing that boys just learn slower. I don't expect perfection but I really don't want him to fall behind so early in his school career. Trust me, I know that boys are different than girls (Kaylea is currently doing her homework without even being told) but I so want to see him excel in school. I also want it to take less than an hour to do a 1st graders homework each night. The tutor does his homework with him and that makes for a great afternoon. Do you think I can pay her a weekly rate? It is just delightful to have it all finished so early in the evening.

We have dog training tonight which puts an uneasy feeling in my tummy. It just stresses me out and I really don't like to participate. It has made a huge difference in their behavior so for that I am thankful. This will be our 4th week so we are halfway there. Mario is drinking rain water out of our fire pit as I speak. I'm sure that tastes yummy not to mention I can't remember when it last rained.

Well, Mason is home now and begging me to play with him. I will try to limit my Facebook time and blog a little more.

It's official! We keeping Mario (the big dog). I have not been a very proud mommy of a new puppy because I have been really stressed out about him. He is just - BIG! I know he's not the largest dog in the world but to me he seems really, really big. Things are starting to settle down a little. He is sort of getting into a routine - if you can call it that. We start dog training tonight and I am hoping it makes all the difference. Boomer is also getting a piece of the training. According to the dog trainer Boomer is the "alpha" dog. He may be small but he rules the roost. He really needs to learn his place in the pack and learn some doggy manners. If you have ever watched the Dog Whisperer, you know what I talking about.

Anyway, here are some pics of our newest (and last) addition to the family

Going home from the SPCA

He really looks big in the truck

Cute Face - Isn't it?

He loves this chair but he's not allowed.

I have officially started my Couch to 5K and can I just say?? I FEEL GREAT! I'm not even sure how far we ran tonight but I already love it. That is what I like about doing it in a group - the leader just leads the way and I can just be mindless. The first step to any fitness program and is always the toughest for me. I'm glad I've gotten that out of the way.

I am a huge water drinker these days. I think I was the only one of about 50 runners carrying a water bottle. I just can't help it - I get thirsty.

By the way, I think they put some sort of addictive substance in Dasani water. The more I drink the more I want. I am a total Dasani snob and nothing else will do. I can really and truly taste the difference. It's sort of like the Diet Coke thing - there is no other substitute. They are both distributed by Coke - there may be something to my theory?? I'm just saying!

I'm sorta sure that if you read my blog you are thanking me right now. I decided to say bye-bye to the music. It totally got on my nerves every time I viewed my blog and I can just imagine how other people feel. I have muted every computer in our house so I don't have to listen to it when I plugging around my blog. Nothing against the music - I love those songs - I just don't need the distraction.

Bobby & I got a laptop for Christmas and Santa brought the kids one of their very own. We are in computer heaven around here. Now we are not all fighting over the same desktop tucked away in our office. I have discovered my newest favorite thing about a laptop. I copy and paste recipes that I find online - when I'm ready to use them - I just pull them up from my documents. My laptop sits right there with me in the kitchen and it is easy as pie (not literally - I don't really bake).

Which brings me to-

I have committed myself to cooking at home for several reasons:
1. It saves lots of $$$
2. It is definitely easier to count calories
3. I sorta like it these day
4. It makes our evenings easier - not having to get ourselves together and out the door
5. We can eat healthier - nothing fried

I think it is all about planning ahead. I can't tell you how often through the Holidays that it is suddenly 6:30 and I haven't a clue about "Whats for dinner?" I am finding this to be the most dreaded time of day. So, my commitment (or resolution??) is to play out a week's menu and cook at home.