Ahhhh! It's a Tick.

I decided to cut the boys hair last night. I've been meaning to do it for a while. Last night it was going DOWN for sure. So glad I did. Both Kutter & Kooper had a tick on their heads. I'm still a bit itchy all over just thinking about it. Do they now have Lyme disease? I guess I gotta check 'em every night now? I love the woods that surround us but maybe not so much now.

Kyle was totally unphased by the whole thing. "We had them all the time growing up. It was a game pulling them off our dogs!" Ummmm...ok. Not me! I remember my brother having one tick and that was about it.

Kyle just grabbed the tweezers (after my failed attempt of ripping out hair instead of the tick and causing severe crying and screamin) and got the little sucker out. WHEW! Gross.

Oh, we'll be at the Pumpkin Patch park playing today if you wanna join us. It's in the woods. I'll have OFF with me FORSURE.

More Mamacita, PLEASE

I got the rare chance to meet up with Kyle for lunch today. He took me to the absolute BEST taco restaurant in Chattanooga called "Taco Mamacita." You can find it at 109 North Market Street. The food is crazy fresh. The options are creative, unexpected and DELISH! Kutter downed the fresh guac by the handful. I wanted to join him in doing so but refrained...a little! I still did some damage with the perfect tortilla chips.

Anyone wanna head there for a girls' night out?

SYTYCD

I admit it...I like me some reality tv. SOME. Watching what's below is one of the reasons I do. I don't have any major addictions. Maybe some chocolate issues (and reality tv, I guess) but for some reason this piece about addiction just pulled me in. The dancers dynamically captured each of the rolls they were portraying that I was brought to tears (while Kyle laughed at me).



Of course, the other reason I had to post this clip is because I adore Cat Deeley's style. I want that black dress. Out of my price range? probably. Do I need it? no. oh, well. Her little blue number from tonight...love that one too! Don't be scared about the 7 minutes...the dance is only the first 2 minutes or so and the rest is just judges chit-chat.

Anyone, anyone?

I know I've mentioned this fundraiser for Team Greene that I have on my sidebar. The event is coming up quickly and I'm working on a basket for the silent auction. They want to have all of the baskets valued at a $200 minimum. I'm REAAALY stretching to get there so I was wondering if any of you had any handcrafted items you make that you'd like to add to it? I'm doing all green items (an apron, decorative tassel, magnets, flower pin) and would love to have a few more.

Any volunteers? Maybe our HCH vendors? It could be a Handcrafted Holidays gift basket. I'll post a few pictures this week of what I've assembled so that you could coordinate...you know how much that makes me happy!

Thanks and if you're interested in attending then please let me know and I'll get you on the evite list. Bones is doing the catering. Yuuuummm!

Oh...no word from Mr. Groban. Big Surprise. Sorry, Jamie...save your plane ticket money for our wild september weekend!

Hens and Chickens

I think that's what these plants are called. My mom has them in her back yard. WOW. I'm loving how they look in a photo. Frame and hang on my wall? For sure.

just a few more

The boys wanted to go chase Nalla (Ryan & Whit's dog) instead of taking a picture. Saying her name as loud as we could seemed to get some cute faces out of them though.

The older boys usually demand ALL of Kyle's time and attention. Hence the reason I adore these pictures of our little fella with his daddy. So sweet. Oh, the bottom left pic is Kyle's version of a Kooper pose for a picture.

Finally, the fireworks. Next year when I figure out my camera a little better I'll take some good pictures of them. This year it didn't really matter though since Kooper decided (after 10 minutes) that they were WAAAAY too lound and that we had to go home immediately. Smartt boys...please come back soon. The KG brothers had a BLAST playing with you.

Our July 4th Review

Thanks for the good picture, Grandma!

(Truth be told I was minus makeup and a shower so I kept the glasses on and the hair pulled back.)

No, I did NOT make the cookies. I do love my local bakery's half price bin though!

Happy Birthday (just a few days late) to Grandpa too.

We loved our day together. We got a bunch of yard work done, hence the lack of time for my shower, had some good eats and rounded it out like most with great fireworks.

Did I really just hit send???

I just emailed Josh Groban to ask if he'd sing a duet with me at the benefit for TeamGreene (see sidebar link to the left)!! I'm totally nuts. I'm pretty sure the answer will be no but I had to ask. Besides, it was one of my goals to sing a duet with him before I turned 31 (ok...initially it was 30 but who's really paying attention to my personal goals besides me?).

So, Josh...the ball's in your court! Call me!!!!!!!


(I realize I'm no Celine...but seriously, this song is AMAZING and it would be a dream come true to sing it with him. Tears...brings tears every time.)

Oh, if you feel like it, you could go to his website and beg along with me!

Sensibly Styled

Have you been to this website yet? I'm not one to shop around on the internet much. I prefer to get out. Touch the fabric. See how the cut works with me. I also don't shop with something specific in mind...I just like to find surprises. However, now that I've been over to Sensibly Styled and browsed through all the modest beauties all in one place...well, I have a list. I'm trying to keep it small but the trouser capris below from Charlotte Russe (I don't think I've ever even been in that store) and the ruffle pencil skirt from Express are what I'm crazy about. How HOT is that skirt???!!! Not sure the capris will work that well with my trunk junk...but really, what does? Plus, it's in a juniors store so we'll just have to see. The mall is calling me!!!!














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Try it. TRUST ME!

If you know me at all, you know that I'm always game to try to make my favorite sweets just a bit healthier. I don't have a pretty picture to show for this one AND it does sound a bit strange but it was SOOOOO good.

Key Lime Pie

I did a search to make this pie using greek yogurt because that's what we use for EVERYTHING now. THIS was the best one I found and I'm so glad I did. Basically you make a key lime ice cream and the secret ingredient is spinach...2 cups of it pureed with pineapple juice. You can read all about it on the link. I did not use the coconut for the crust because I already had a whole wheat one in the freezer but I will certainly give it a try next time.

Try it and let me know what you think. My kids helped me make it and the whole time laughed about how they would not eat it because of the spinach but once they tried it they just wanted MORE!!!

done

finally done with vacation pictures. karson had an ABSOLUTE blast. i wish i could have captured it with the camera more but it just wasn't possible. his favorite ride was the "toilet bowl." i think it has an official name but seeing as how i never got to ride any of them i couldn't tell ya what it was. when i saw him after he got to ride it i asked him how it was. i got this response, "AWESOME!!!!!!!" with the hands up in the air and everything. that's why we went, little man. just so i could get a reaction like that. loved it!

now this little fella...it just wasn't his year. he's usually a trooper and enjoys our adventures. not this time. the first day he seemed excited. he was sitting in the general lee, afterall! after that though, he didn't want to do much of anything besides chill in the stroller or my arms and chow on some snacks. maybe next year we'll ride more than one thing? ahhh, probably not!

Kooper

Yup. More vacation pictures. Gotta get collages for the other guys too. Betcha can't WAIT till tomorrow!

Poor Fella

This little guy has the runs. Lovely, I know. It's bad. Really bad. I've never taken one into the doc before for this but I think that's where we're headed. I'm wondering if this thumb and this waterpark are the culprit of our problem???? That's all he did while we were there...touch the water and put it in his mouth. His little bum...I feel so bad.

How fantastic was this talk? I have a tendency to procrastinate. As much work as being a mother to young children is, I can get lazy and let things slide. That said, I enjoy and appreciate beauty, organization, and refinement. I have a long way to go to feel like I've attained those things in my life and my home but this talk reminded me how important those things are to me. Refinement in Literature, Music, Language, Appearance...I don't expect perfection but I loved the reminders that I can do better in seeking these things for myself and teaching my children to do the same.

Lil' Cub Lookout

A few shots from our stay at the Lil' Cub Lookout Cabin. Silly Faces. Tranquil setting. And the two things that kept Kutter happy: playing on the HUGE wrap around porch and Bubbles. LOTS of Bubbles.

First trip to Dollywood

We really enjoyed our little trip. We packed in so many fun things and everyone had a blast. Well, Kutter really didn't but in another year or two he'll be right in the mix. The hightlight (besides all the rides at Splash Country) was the Kratt Brothers' Zooboomafoo show. It was PERFECT for the boys. We had great seats and only wish it lasted longer.

I know this one's fuzzy but I only had my little camera on me and couldn't use a flash. I just love their captivated faces. All those animals were amazing to see and had the boys spellbound.

 

It goes quickly from semi-mess to MAJOR all over full body art.  I have to be in the right mood for this.  We don't do it often but when we do they sure have fun.  Not sure I'm thrilled with how the driveway looks now.  MUST do this in the grass next time.  MUST!  At least it's about 100 degrees out and 90% humidity so the hose felt great.

 

As pretty as a little girl

 

I needed a model.  Female preferably but that doesn't exist in my house.  I went for Kutter first since he was the least likely to refuse.  Once we got some good laughs out of him Koops wanted to join in the fun.  Karson was a no go but LOVED calling the other two "pretty little girls" for the rest of the night.  

Last Playdate

 

We had a final playdate with our friend Isabella last week.  Kooper picked her some flowers and was so excited to give them to her.  She liked them for a few minutes and then they sadly met their end on the pavement.  She also had fun swinging on our back porch like the big boys do...monkey style!  No worries, Allison because she did great.  I also found it funny that she had to check the basketball goal to see if it had a heart beat.  Kurt, I know you're a doctor but what are you teaching her???!!  Kidding.  Kidding.  She's adorable. We'll miss her.  You guys had better move back.  Oh, the orange thing in her mouth in most of the pics is a water balloon that she was obsessed with.  

Swim Lessons...check!

 

The boys finished up their two week session of lessons at the Y today.  They loved and and both improved.  Well, Kooper REALLY improved all due to the FABULOUS teacher he had.  Ms. Kelly was awesome and they'll both be working with her one on one in July.  If you need lessons for your little one, I HIGHLY reccommend Kelly.  I've got her digits so give me a call.  You'll love her too!