things i ♥ thursdays

i ♥ the clorox bleach pen
this little guy works wonders on our families white tees.
i apply a little water to the stain first and then squeeze
a bit of this magic directly on the stain and *voila*,
stain is gone in an hour or so. it's super easy and it
has dual tips - thin point and a thicker brush.
i'm rarely without a tube (or two) of this stuff!

i ♥ backyard movie nights
and realized it had been forever since we had an 'adult' one
so tomorrow night we'll be having a nice sized co-ed group
over to watch the blind side under the stars.
there's quite a few that have never seen it so i'm excited for them.
i'm a HUGE fan - seen it twice and would love to add it to my dvd library.
showtime: 8pm
lots of popcorn and candy for all.



i ♥ fresh cherries
i look forward to eating them every summer.
henry's marketplace has the big fat juicy ones
on sale right now. i must get back as i just finished
off about 2 cups of them by myself. sooo good!

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i ♥ my boys.
ok, that's a given
but i'm tired and need to get some zzzs.

my other role model momma

of course my favorite momma and biggest role model is my mom.

i am drawn to down-to-earth type mommas.
the ones that are comfortable dropping their kids off
in their sweats and with no make-up on, the ones who
are comfortable offering advice or sharing tips, or admitting
they love being a mom, but they need more too.
these are the type of moms that i'm drawn to.

there is a woman in my neighborhood that i admire so much. 
she has 4 children and is the most down to earth and candid
mom i know.  and she's a great role model for me.

she's too busy shuttling her kids to and from school,
to sporting practices and games, speech therapy
and girl scout meetings to worry about what others thinks.
she makes monthly dates night with her hubby a priority and
she never misses her annual ski trip with her best girlfriends. 

not only is she down to earth, but she fully trusts her instincts.
i'll never forget - she invited finn over for a playdate at her house
one day after our families met. when i picked him up, she asked if
she could drop her son off at our home the following day for a few hours.

i fell in love with her instantly.
up until then, i hadn't ever had 'drop off' playdates with finn.
he was 3.5 then and it was time - probably past time.  he was ready and
i just needed a confident mom who was willing and wanting to show me
how it was done. she was exactly what i needed. 

her confidence reminds me alot of my mom and i wonder if it comes from
raising a large family. maybe it forces one to get her dialed in quicker than
those moms with 1 or 2 children?  maybe her mom was confident and trusting
and instilled this in her children too?

however she got there, she's did and i'm happy to have such a GREAT
role model momma in my life.

here's to Mrs. B!  (she knows who she is). *wink*

dapper lil' dudes

i haven't seen my sister leslie's boys since october 2009, and oh how i miss them!
she just shared this photo with me and i had to post.  my sis is a 'hat' girl and
in this picture she has her boys ander and soren sporting hats. 
ander's tee says "don't mess with my mommy". *super cute*

i'm so looking forward to taking a trip to northern ca to visit soon.

things i ♥ thursdays

i ♥ dressing the boys in matching clothes
i'm not sure why, it's just kind of fun.
if i like something enough to buy for one,
i figure why not purchase for the other.

finn is just about out of size 5T clothes
so this will be the last year shopping in the 'little boys' section for him.
at 6.5 he's been able to wear the clothes comfortably up until now,
for this fall's school clothes, we are moving finn up to the 'big boy' clothes.
scoutie still has another few years in the 'little boys' section though *grin*
my gerblets in their matching pjs last week.

i ♥ black licorice
i can't get enough of it!
at the grocery store i can't allow myself to go down the candy aisle
because i know i'll want to throw a pack in my cart.
if it's in front of me, i have a hard time resisting.
i think grandpa gerber turned me on to it years ago.
he mixed twizzler nibs in with his popcorn and shared - so good!
(i've recently discovered scoutie is a fan of black licorice too)

i ♥ singing outloud in the car.
usually the boys (little ones at least) join me in song and
because i play so many of my cds over and over
they can't help but memorize the songs after a while.

for about 2 months, scout has been requesting the same song
every time we get in the car. he asks me to play the song
leaving on a jet plane by john denver.
he is obsessed with this song (good thing i like it too).
he tells me "i don't know all the words" but he will join in at the chorus.
it's absolutely adorable.

last night he even asked me to sing it to him before bed.
somehow i was able to remember all the words.
i wonder why. *grin*


i ♥ talented woman
there are so many out there
and i am forever in awe of them - architects, engineers, musicians, athletes, teachers, etc.
my designer friend jessica (she created scoutie's 3rd b-day frog invite)
recently put together a gorgeous birthday party for her two daughters.
the party took place under a big oak tree and looked like something right
out of country living magazine!  i'm not joking.

she put so much time and effort into every detail and it's pure gorgeousness!
go to her sunshine and lemonade post to see photos and read about all about this party.
she's truly gifted at crafting and party planning. enjoy her post and enjoy the eye candy.

one fine day

mondays aren't usually my favorite day of the week.
but today was a good day for a few reasons
that i wanted to share and remember:

brooke (nanny) sent a text letting me know
that scoutie did wonderful at his swim lesson.
his instructor thought he had taken lessons before because
he was doing so well. i guess she doesn't get alot of first timers
who love to go underwater.  funny, because i can't remember when
he didn't like that - maybe before 6 months. he's always loved water.

i'm sure watching his older brother swim has helped.
when i came home he announced "momma i LOVED swimming
lessons with my teacher and i was i was a GOOD LISTENER."
(i glanced at brooke and she nodded to confirm it).
sure made this momma smile.

on my drive home, i was able to chat with one of my dear
friend who lives in florida.  i've had the darndest time connecting
with her so we talked for quite a while to catch up.
i was reminded how much i miss this girl and how special
it is that we've kept our friendship alive all these years.
that's something.

later christopher called me to tell me he passed the pmi exam
he took today to be a project manager.
he's been wanting this particular credential for a few months and
started studying on his recent business trips. that time away from family
was put to good use as he past the test today.
he was so happy to share the news with me and i was happy to hear it.
i'm proud of him.

in the evening, auntie jen came over for dinner with a dvd in hand
though the movie the fantastic mr fox, based upon roald dahl's novel,
was a bit unusual, it was just nice to be together relaxing in front of the tv.
it's not something i do often so it's a treat for me and a really nice one.
i'll admit i ate my share of junk food too.

last, my girlfriend became an auntie.
her brother became a father of twins tonight! 
a new baby is always something to smile about.
congrats auntie char.

though today was a monday,
it was certainly one fine day.

hope you had a fine monday as well!

things i ♥ thursdays

i ♥ san diego's weather
even when it's bad, it's still good.
for the past 2 weeks, it's been overcast and in the low to mid 60s
not horrible, but i was ready for a little sunshine.
the sun has since come out and it's been in the mid 70s on the coast.
c just returned from sacramento where it reached 100 degrees.
mom just blogged that it's 90 degrees and humid in florida.
here's what i have to look forward to this weekend.

i forget sometimes how amazing the weather is here.
until i leave and come back.
ahhh, i ♥ san diego's weather!




i ♥ the wee ride
these kiddie bike seats are the coolest EVER!
instead of sitting behind the adult and staring at their back,
the seat is designed to go in front of the adult. it's brilliant.
c bought one for us years back to tote finn around in
and we've kept it and have been using for scoutie to this day.
it's one of our best purchases we've ever made as far as kid-gear goes!
though scout prefers to ride his trike these days,
for long rides, he simply can't keep up so he rides in this.
last night he rode with mom in his wee ride
while big brother pedaled his cruiser for
a sunset bike ride along mission bay.
was such a nice evening!

i ♥ that scoutie is 98% potty-trained.
the best part, it's been painless for all of us.
he was ready and i believe timing is everything.
no forcing, coercing, or bribing was necessary.
he went from pull-ups to underwear this week without a fuss. *cheer* 
he simply announces he needs to go, walks to the bathroom and goes.
we are thrilled and very proud of our 'big boy'.

though he prefers to wear the lightning mcqueen undies he picked out.
i just ordered these adorable shark undies from baby gap.
i couldn't resist them.
i justified it by knowing they'll last until he outgrows them.

i ♥ having my hubby home.
it's really tough on all of us without him, especially me.
i forget how much he does until he's not here.
during one of scoutie's tantrums this weekend,
i actually told the boys 'mommy needed a time out'.
i walked out of the house and went into the cottage.
i stayed in there for 15 minutes or so while i regained my composure.
with c travelling a bit lately, i've gotten a glimpse of what it's like to be a single parent.
it's NOT easy. i have a whole new respect for single parents.
i must remember to tell my sis and mommy friends how much i admire them.
they are everyday heros.

happy birthday christopher!

happy birthday love. 
i've shared so many birthdays with you
and yet still, you seem eternally youthful.
what is your secret honey??!!

good genes for sure,
but you also LOVE life.
and this keeps you young at heart.
one of my favorite qualities about you.

i love you with all my being
and am glad to have you by my side.
wishing you many more birthdays
and hope to be by your side celebrating them all.

kisses!!!
a

~ had to throw in a pix of your favorite bday sweet - boston creme pie!

scout's frog party

everything's been different, all the day long.
lovely things have happened, nothing has gone wrong.
nobody has scolded me, everyone has smiled.

isn't it delicious, to be a birthday child.

- rose fyleman

after what must have seemed like a lifetime for scoutie,
the day arrived to celebrate his FROG themed birthday!

this past saturday, we gathered in the backyard for a simple party.
scout's closest preschool pals,
along with his cousins maya and isaac, joined in the fun.
having them with us made it extra special.

scoutie adores his cousins but
isn't quite sure what to think about his uncle trevor.
he ATE one of his frog's crickets on a dare. *serious*
scout's exclaimed "that's disgusting"
(but that's a story for another time)

the kiddos enjoyed a jump castle, swimming and wearing their frog goggles,
playing leap frog and watching REAL LIVE frogs leap.
i should note these frogs are now the boys' pet frogs. *sigh*

the kids drank frog juice (green lemonade),
munched on frog-shaped pb and j sandwiches,
and snacked on other frog-themed or green goodies.

as the tradition continues, christopher was in charge of the cake.
his design was simple but so so cute - and most of all scoutie loved it.
he's still talking about his 'frog cake'.
i admit, i'm so glad daddy takes this on every year.
i'd much rather put cupcake toppers into cupcakes.

some photos highlights of the day:

watching one of his balloons float away.

he almost cried but finn quickly came to his rescue and turned it into a game

"let's see how high it can get before it pops. maybe it will go to outer space."

scoutie turns 3

three years ago today, july 6, 2007, scout benjamin gerber was born!

when i first saw him,
i actually wondered if i was given the right baby.
for some reason, i expected a mini finn - a fair-haired white baby boy.
not our scout. he had darker hair, darker skin and was bigger.

as he grew, he took on a strong resemblance to christopher.
now, there's no mistake - he is his daddy's boy.
they share the gerber cheeks, coloring and those unique blue eyes.
before teachers and friends who've met scoutie meet christopher,
they know he is the father as soon as they see him - before he introduces himself. *grin*

though he's his daddy's mini, he's got a personality ALL his own.
i was going to list 3 things i wanted to remember about scoutie at age 3,
but i don't think i'm going to be able to stop there. here's a handful:

 - he has a good sense of humor
it showed itself early in his life.
he loves to laugh and he likes to makes others laugh.

- he is a natural athlete
he throws, kicks and hits balls very well for his age. 
it seems to come easy for him and with this comes a little bit of fearlessness as well.
(remember he was climbing monkey bars and to the top of the cottage ladder at 1 1/2 yrs).
i'm excited to see what sports he will enjoy as he grows older.

- he has good manners
ok, not always, but i am told this often by babysitters, teachers, my mom, and my girlfriends.
he says please and thank you most of the time, asks to be excused from the table and
takes his plate to the counter.
it might just be a phase, but i'm hoping this continues.

- he is completely in love with finn
he calls him "my finn" and wants to be with him all the time.
he is lucky his brother includes him when he plays.
he is good to him, which is why scoutie can't get enough of him.

- he can be super duper sweet
he still loves to hug and cuddle,
and he tells family members that he loves us SO much.
one weekend, i counted 14 "i love yous".

- he loves auntie jen
she has been there for him since the day he was born and for countless other things. 
he points out where she lives every time we drive by her apartment,
and screams out her name and jumps in her arms when she comes over.

- he has quite a vocabulary
i imagine scoutie has picked up some language from finn
who, like the rest of his family, is a talker.

- he adores animals
as long as animals aren't bigger than he is.
he's drawn to dogs, frogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and frogs.  
he has been asking for a "kitty" for over a year now.
there are no plans for one anytime soon, but with a new pet frog,
i'm hoping he will be content for a little while. 

- he loves books, puzzles and stickers
he can't seem to get enough of these and can spend
hours engaged in any of these activities.


happy birthday baby boy!!
though you are no longer a baby,
you will always be my baby.
love love love you.

i am SO in love with this little guy.

things i ♥ thursdays

i absolutely ♥ this little retro numbered shirt
i randomly received a chasing fireflies catalog in the mail and there it was.
i'm thinking i'll order for scoutie. it's so cute!
i should probably check etsy first.
they may have something equally cute and for less money??

i ♥ going to work every morning
even though i miss my little guys,
i feel balanced having a job outside the home.
there are those occasional days when i feel differently
and i wonder what my life would be like as a stay at home mom.
would my house be cleaner? would i be a great cook? would i have less stress?
maybe, but probably not. *grin



i ♥ this corona billboard
it's not showing up in the image but there is text below that says 'separation anxiety'
i just saw this tonight on my way to the airport
(christopher has been in chicago all week on business)
he's not much of a beer drinker, but he will enjoy a few coronas in mexico.
this made me think of my man.
so glad to have him home.

i ♥ grandmas
they just have a way of making everything better.
our home was fortunate enough to have my mom
for the past 2 1/2 weeks.  it was such a treat.
things just seemed to go smoother with her around.
the boys were content and her days were full and happy with them. 
finn and scout would wake every morning asking if it was
a "grandma day" and cheer when i said yes.
scout will never find someone who has the time and patience to
read stacks upon stacks of books to him like grandma.
it's only been 8 hrs but we are already missing her. *sniff*