The demise of the wallpaper

It has been removed from the kitchen! FINALLY!!!

I have been after John since we moved here, 3 years ago, to take down the horrible wallpaper in the kitchen. It was ugly 70s/80s flowers.



We started on Saturday with the help of Dallas, John's cousin. We steamed it off and then were able to prep the walls and I primed them on Monday.



This was me priming the walls. Can you tell I was super excited to finally be putting something else up there?


And now to the color. I wanted to do something like a burnt orange, but it seemed like the consensus on orange was *gag* and didn't want people puking in my kitchen. But, I can't resist to go against the grain. So, I went with a sorta paprika color. (apparently we enjoy Fruit Loops while painting too)


And finally, I decided I wanted to tackle the art of faux finishing. I always watched Trading Spaces and figure I could give it a whirl, so I did.



Of course, I still have many things I need to finish, but here is the finished paint project. Final pics to come later!


UPDATED 10/1/08
New Pics

The great ones always get crapped on.

Today was Joshua's 15 month well baby checkup. I had planned on blogging about how much he has grown, but it has changed since the checkup, and I am so sad.

First, I can't resist, so here are my baby's stats....he is big! I think (if I remember correctly), he was 25lbs and 31", but don't quote me on that. He received 4 shots today, and of course screamed his little head off. He is now in bed passed out.

And now, some cute pics from yesterday.






And now, to the sad news...
We moved the kids out to Island Pediatrics 6 months ago, after staying at the Carrithers Group in Riverside since Aliya was born; well, since I was born technically, Aliya's Dr. was my pediatrician.

Anyways, the first time we were there, we had Dr. Bonnie White. She was amazing. She was so friendly with the kids, she actually talked and hugged them. You just don't see that much anymore. She would talk with John and I about things, and she would listen to us. She wouldn't run us off to get to other patients, just really personable. She loved Joshua's cloth diapers, always commented on them, and she never questioned my decision about delaying one of Joshua's vaccines.

While we were there today, Dr. White informed us that she was leaving the practice after being there for a year. Apparently, the 2 other Drs. on staff think she is too social and too friendly with parents. Their clients were moving to Dr. White. They were questioning her judgment, etc. She has been in practice for over 20 years.

She gave me her cell phone and told me to call if I wanted to. She wasn't sure what she was going to do yet, I just hope she stays out here and can open up her own practice.

Standing up can be hard

I have to write this now, if not, it just sits on my heart and stomach...

It's 6:45 and we just got back from dropping Aliya and John John off at Wednesday night church. They have a children's program there and it gets the kids involved in church.

Two weeks ago, the first week, I was sideswiped by news that they were going to keep John John back in the babies class. Apparently, if you are not fully potty trained, you cannot move up. However, John John was the oldest kid in that class, by at least 6 months and 6 inches. He is potty trained, and goes to school in underwear, however he is 3 and 3 year olds have accidents.

So tonight, after a lengthy, emotional discussion with the preschool admin, she said we can try him in the older class tonight and see how he does. He is in a pull-up, and I know he will be fine, but here I sit waiting for the phone to ring.

I think part of me thinks that everyone is against my son because he is speech delayed, and I know that is not the truth, but it feels that way more often than not.

Back in his original pre-k 2 class at a church, John John was the 'bad kid' that was put in time out every day. Not because he was bad, but because he did not understand what the teachers wanted. That was so hard, to come and get your child and hear how bad he was, but to know that these teachers have no experience working with children like him, and so they put him in time out, rather than help him.

And that is how I feel now. I refuse to hold him back anymore. My son deserves to be with his peers. He wants that, more than anything.

The problem is, if he has an accident, they want him in the babies class, and that is where I will draw the line.

It's times like this that I thank God for John John's teacher at Shadowlawn, Ms. Maunz. She is a wonderful person. She is the best thing that has happened to him, and he loves her so much.

Ahhh, that's much better

I was able to go and get my hair cut and colored yesterday and I am so happy. My hairdresser has been out on maternity leave, and yesterday was her first day back. She brought her new baby boy in and I got to hold and feed him while she did my color. Let me just say, wow! Makes you 'sorta' want another one. Of course, thankfully, those feeling go away once you hear about night feedings and such. And thankfully, John is fixed so that won't be happening, whewwww.

Anyways, so my hair looks fantastic, I love the color, I went with a dark brown, very close to my natural color, with bright red streaks. My mom is probably going to freak like she usually does, but that is okay. I figure, it's not like a tattoo or something that can't come off, it something I can change. Plus, I secretly love when she gives me 'that look'.



I've got a few things I need to work on today. One being getting the kids' Halloween costumes started. They are going as pirates this year, and John John is so excited. Every ship in the sea is a pirate ship.

He and John were watching the first part of National Treasure the other night, and you know in the beginning how they have the British ships sailing. John John saw them and said "ohhh, pirates!, arrrr"

So, I need to get busy on costumes. It's pretty much going to be old clothes cut up and then a few black and white strip accents and some red. Joshie has his pirate costume on today, a little outfit my hairdresser bought him before he was born. I can't believe he is almost growing out of it already.

Here's Joshie in his outfit today, you can't really tell cause he is sitting down and I was on the couch taking the pic.

Just some weekend pics

I thought they were cute.

Aliya was playing the Wii, and John John was watching her. He likes to pose like this, whatever, something he learned from school I assume...



And, Joshie was so tired and throwing a fit by the front door, with one shoe on.




And just for amusement, my mom had me scan her first wedding picture, something she and my aunt are working on for my grandma. She was 18 here, and I think just stunning. I had to enhance the color because the picture is 38 years old. (woops, did I give her age away?)

We Survived

Well, we made it, and it wasn't too bad, except the whole sleeping situation.

We were packed and loaded when Aliya got off the bus. The kids were ready to go.


John John was excited


so was Joshie, haha


When we arrived, our original site had fire ants, so I called and had us moved to a better site, closer to the bathrooms, with no ants.

John and I set up the campsite while the kids played in the dirt



and went exploring.


It was also super hot


So after we finished setting up, we started on dinner and the kids had some drinks.





After dinner, the kids roasted some Strawberry Marshmallows over the campfire and I made some Jiffy Pop on the stove.






Then, I gave the kids a shower in the bathroom and they watched a movie in the tent while John and I sat by the fire.


John John came out to say hi.


Now to the sleeping situation. Once we all got in the tent to go to sleep it was miserable. We all shared the queen size air mattress in the 4 person tent. Somehow we ended up finally going to sleep, John and I each had one of the boys laying on us and Aliya was sleeping across our heads. John John spent a good hour telling me he wanted to "go home mommy" because he was so uncomfortable.

We've now decided that we can do camping with the kids, except we need a larger tent.

We're going camping

And I am a nervous wreck. I need to finish packing, but I sit here on the computer, staring...

As soon as Aliya's bus gets here at 3pm, we are leaving. We're going to a state park down the road for just a one night trial camping trip.

John and I have never taken the kids camping, and we haven't been since 2006. We have a little 4 person tent and 1 queen air mattress. Luckily, the kids both have a blow up sleeping bag that they will sleep in, assuming we can squeeze them in the tent.

John is busy working, trying to wrap up his hectic work week. And I just laid down Joshua for a nap. I have several loads of laundry waiting for me.

Wish us luck!

Tuesday night TV

Do you remember this?



Of course you do! The original 90210.

I didn't get to watch the original show much, as I was 10 when it originally aired, but I do recall some episodes, when they were in college, and then reruns.

So, now to the point...
Last week, I made it a point to watch the New 90210. Unfortunately, it was on during the RNC, and I was flipping back and forth between the new show and Fred Thompson's speech (which by the was was wonderful, that man can speak!)

From what I saw, it was pretty good, a little risque, but kept my attention. So, I watched the new episode last night and I think this is going to be my new show. I can't believe I am saying this.

So, for all of you old 90210 fans, you may just like it. Kelly Taylor, Brenda Walsh, Nat and even Andrea's daughter Hannah make an appearance.

For Your Amusement

Since this is on my TV, it should be on your screen too.