Club 33

"Club 33 is a private club located in the heart of the New Orleans Square section of Disneyland. Officially maintained as a secret feature of the theme park, the entrance of the club is located next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant at "33 Royal Street" with the entrance recognizable by an ornate address plate with the number 33 engraved on it<sup>."

How I wish I was talking about Club 33 at Disneyland, but this Club 33 is exciting, too!

LaVor joined Club 33 yesterday (or you could say he celebrated his 33rd birthday).  We had 2 fun-filled days of special activities.

He decided to take Monday off, even though his birthday was on Tuesday, so we went on a walk, watched tractors, ate lunch and went to the park.  Tuesday was work for him but we joined him and his co-workers for a special lunch.  The Lime is especially fond of LaVor's co-worker, JJ.  I think because that's the only name he can say.  LaVor found a surprise of balloons in his car after work (this has become our new birthday tradition.  You really can't beat $1 store balloons!), that The Lime picked out himself.  

After LaVor had a chance to clean up, he opened presents and we rushed to Texas Roadhouse to meet some friends for dinner.  Always a good time!</sup>

I wasn't going to buy him clothes this year, but I couldn't resist this darling shirt and tie I found.

^{It was getting late but that didn't stop us from indulging in some cake!  More friends met us at home where we sang, laughed and stuffed our faces.}

Cocoa

Clinton Kelly from "The Chew" made a frostee with Nesquik today. Then, I used cocoa powder for LaVor's birthday cake tonight.

Those 2 products took me back to the 4th grade, when my mom watched 2 girls before/after school. Monica was the older sister and also my sister's friend. Megan was Monica's younger sister and a year older than me.

I've always had jealousy issues and I remember my jealous levels skyrocketing during this time. I believe I thought my mom would end up loving these 2 girls more than me. Crazy.

I handled my issues horribly. I was mean, really mean, to these girls but especially Megan.

I remember making signs on our computer that said "Keep out!" and putting them on our snack cupboard, with a big X made out of tape. When Megan went to get a snack one day, she saw the sign and looked elsewhere for something to munch on. The baking cupboard wasn't off limits so she took the unsweetened cocoa powder to make chocolate milk. After each taste test, she'd add more powder, hoping to make it sweeter, but it made the drink more dreadful. I remember sitting in the family room, watching her and laughing hysterically, waiting for her to eventually figure it out. I don't think she ever did.

I've gotta track these girls down and apologize. Or else I've got a one-way ticket to you know where.

Tally Mark 25ish

I really thought I was done doing these but there's stuff The Lime is doing now and I don't want to forget it!

-Loves his color books that "Baybay" (Becky) gave him for his birthday. The butterflies are his favorite to point out, as of 2 days ago.
-Is trying so hard to say sentences. Last Wednesday, LaVor was leaving when we were and The Lime said, "DeeDee wook Dada?".
-Is also intrigued by LaVor's co-worker. "JJ wook Dada? JJ hom, nigh night."
-Believes that if anyone is at home, they're sleeping.
-Knows that GrandPop played the trumpet.
-Chose to eat blackberries and strawberries over fruit snacks today.
-Hates sitting in anything babyish. Only wants to sit in big seats at tables, wants to walk in stores. It makes for interesting times.
-Proceeded to say, "Man!" over and over again as the police officer reprimanded me on Thursday.
-Begs for Daddy when I discipline him.
-Fights me every morning when I get him dressed. He only wants to wear his basketball shirt & sweatshirt or his tractor shirts. I've been doing a lot of laundry lately.
-Is my best little friend.

All We Need Is Love

As I was getting ready this morning, The Lime and I both agreed that we needed some music to dance to.  This song was #2 on the playlist...it's been stuck in my head ever since. 


Love makes me happy and the two guys that I love make me super happy.

They happened to be wearing the same thing last Wednesday.

I shot this video several months ago but I love The Lime's little "Hewwo?" and that he got embarrassed and ran off.

While I was standing out, collecting donations on Saturday for the breast cancer walk, LaVor and The Lime took a stroll through the Farmer's Market.  They know I love tulips and surprised me with a bunch.

I couldn't agree with Zac (or The Beatles) more...

All we [you] need is 

DeeDee

When I was a baby, my parents made the mistake of buying me Wish Bear.

I imagine it looked something like this.

I couldn't say "baby" so the bear became "DeeDee".  And 27 years later, the name remains.

DeeDee went everywhere with me, which is how he got lost.  I think the story was, we were at the Ochoas' house and DeeDee somehow got placed on the ground in the kitchen, just underneath the cabinets.  His little hiding place wasn't very obvious and I went home without him.  My mom didn't realize he was missing until it was time to put me to bed and I refused to go without DeeDee.  An imposter was brought in but I wanted nothing to do with it.  Thankfully, Sister Ochoa ended up finding DeeDee and life was complete again.

I remember my mom making me a DeeDee pillow.

Just like this little guy.

I also had a ceramic DeeDee that had a huge crack running through it.  Thank goodness for super glue.

Nancy's...not mine

DeeDee went on sleep overs with me but stayed in my bag because I was too embarrassed to show him off.  LaVor even threatens to throw him away if he sees him, so he stays tucked away in my top drawer.

Why would he want to throw away my favorite childhood toy, you ask?

Because he looks like this.

Battered, abused, sewn back together, bald, but most importantly, loved.

This DeeDee is loved just as much as our new Dee Dee. 

The Lime started out saying his name like "Dada" but now it's turned into "DeeDee".  All day, we hear, "DeeDee help", "DeeDee walk", "DeeDee truck", "DeeDee's Dada". 

I promise not to let my new DeeDee end up looking like my old one.

[useless junk] Keep(s) Falling on My Head

Since my recent conversion to Pinterest, I've looked at more home decor photos in the last month than my entire life.

I would REALLY love to create a board called, "You've got to be kidding me!". But in my welcoming e-mail, Pinterest asked me to be nice and I follow the rules.

One thing that gets me going is when I see outrageous wall decor over a bed. Clearly these people are not taking into account earthquakes!

Could you imagine sleeping with all of this stuff directly over your head, when the earth starts shaking violently?

Someone needs to watch my video of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Go, Go, Go, Go on an Adventure

The weather has been exceptionally unusual this year.  And although I'm anxiously awaiting more rain so the landscape will be green again, I do love only having to wear a t-shirt during the day.

After The Lime woke up from his nap on Saturday, we had to get out of the house and fill up on some vitamin D.

I've only been to Sycamore Grove once and didn't make it pass the bridge so this trip was fun.  Lots of exploring!  The Lime could hardly contain himself that he was able to run free and check everything out. 

One parent in the front, one in the back, just to be safe.

Climbing up...

Made it!

On the hunt for squirrels!

They were "hide" (hiding).

Now you see him!

 

Now you don't!

This reminded me of the drive-way to Mama's house in Forrest Gump.

We heard a ton of pecking, which could only mean 1 thing...

Woody was on our walk with us.

Checking out all the treasures the woodpeckers were hiding.

He just stopped and wanted to play in the dirt.  

We had lots of fun and got a great work-out (halfway through, The Lime didn't want to walk anymore.  My arms are buff from carrying 30 pounds around).  We'll just remember to bring the jogging stroller next time. 

And we won't forget the sippy cup in the car.

R&R

My brother-in-law came home for his R&R, from Iraq, in September. Their little family was able to enjoy some much needed time together on an awesome trip to Disneyland.

I love Disneyland. But that's not how I'm spending my R&R these days.

The Lime is into colors right now, despite still calling everything blue. He was able to repeat every color we told him last night but if you ask him, "What color is the apple?" it'll be blue.

He's also into "iting" (writing). We like to "ite" in his coloring books. Blue is naturally his favorite crayon to use but I'm an equal opportunity colorer. It's a favorite activity of ours that I could honestly do all day. The tv is off, the house is quiet except for The Lime saying, "Mama! Ite!", and I get to spend time with my love.

It's also a great tool to attempt to calm him down before his nap. But I won't tell him that secret.

My masterpiece with a green face mask.