...

...I think Fritz must have been having one of those days. Poor little dude. This can not be comfortable!

When Olive Garden breadsticks call my name...

I just have to go!

And Fritz and his Daddy don't mind going either. Oh Fritz, where is your smile??

It seems these days are cold once again...

So let's warm up a bit with that hot cup of cocoa or coffee or tea and sit down next to that warm fire. Brrr... The weather gave us a misunderstanding when it was nearly 60 degrees F last week for a nice few days. Playing outside in the dirt with tractors and diggers, basking in that glowing sun. And then... snow. Ugh. That's Montana for you!

Sometimes...

...naps are just better when taken on the floor.

Slowly Fading...

It seems that those sledding days are soon to be gone. Not that we have had much snow this season, but any is good enough for little boys.

One of those nights... Summer I miss you.

A perfect (Winter?) day with warm, warm weather and sunshine all around. Fritz and I spent a good hour outside basking in this special day in what normally would be cold and frosty. Moving on into the afternoon, fresh breezes came drafting through the kitchen window. Ahhh. Smelling that fresh breath of air it seemed that with the night approaching it would be perfect for a BBQ. Chancing it? If a BBQ happens are we challenging the weather to say "Hold up there, it's still Winter! What'cha think you are doing?". Maybe.

~~~

Man was the food good.

~~~

The perfect ending to the sudden special day was the sunset that has been missing for months. It seemed a summer sky sunset of warm, rich colors. Mind tricks. And really so now as the forecast is saying cold and snow to be headed our way. Damn.

My Sweet Valentine

My treasured little boy got a special early Valentine on Sunday. After two months of being away (and using Skype on a regular basis) my parents came back home from their travels. After breakfast it was time to make those extra special Valentine cupcakes. Special in the two that were making them. Decorating and eating was the icing on the cake after the laughter and fun of one little boy and a special day. Happy Valentines Day to all out there!

No it's not summer, but what the heck...

Camping season? Nope. But that didn't stop us from having a bit of fun on Friday evening. Finally trying out our Christmas gift from my parents, it turned into a perfect time for some marshmallow roasting. And oh! How much fun a certain little boy had!

As of today, however, we will have to wait again to add that chocolate to the marshmallows, as snow is blowing in wisps and swirls outside. Once again, every thing of the outdoors is white. I guess that means we will just have to go sledding...

ahhh...

The writing is on the wall. Literally.

There are those times when the house is just too 'quiet'. When little boys are playing and having fun, but shouts and noises are absent. That's when the Mommy sense kicks into gear. When it's too quiet, there has got be trouble going on. And yes, here is the evidence. Thank you my sweet little son. Permanent marker is a lovely addition to those pristine walls.

My little one.

Fritz seems to be growing up too fast these days. Multiple new words spoken every day leading into longer sentences and conversations. Realizing that there is a person called Santa who brings presents. Tasks and chores without Mommy or Daddy's help.

~~~

But I am still holding on to the many giggles and chases around the house, the stories before bed time and the 'hewoo Mommy's that I hear a thousand and one times a day. Keeping these moments of childhood, precious and always in my heart.

Having a bit of retro fun.

It's that time of year again! When taking out the lights for our tree, the Hubs put on his puppy dog face and said "Can we use colored lights this year?". Yuck. I hate anything but white lights for my tree. But, I do have to say that the colored lights I got last year for our deck were, well, pretty. Why not for the tree?

~~~

So with colored lights and colored bulbs and hearts, here it is. One retro, rad looking tree.

~~~

And getting out the rest of the decorations, I wasn't feeling the full blown all-Holiday-in-every-corner-of-your-house-decorated thing, so only a few items actually made it out of the boxes. I have to say, it's kind of nice this way. Nice to have a simple Holiday. We won't be traveling, or having a big family dinner with 30+ people, no stresses, just...simple.

~~~

*My Mom has gotten me a Peanuts or Lucy item every Christmas since I was a Junior in High School. The one time you are the Lucy lead in a Charlie Brown musical and you get to be Lucy for life!! But... I love her!!

~~~



I found this night light last year. Could not pass it up. How fun it is to have this little happy Santa glowing every night until Christmas morning.
~~~

And here is the pies de resistance. The family heirloom. The tree in all my Holiday memories. My Grandparents did not have a very large house. It was really very tiny, so with having no room for a live tree, this silver number was purchased and sat in the corner every year behind the front door. There would be lights or decorations and smaller boxes of presents underneath, but with the simple fact that even though they had no room, they made sure they had a tree for those Holiday celebrations with that part of the family.

~~~

And lastly, but the best part of all... Fritz.

~~~

Happy decorating to all!

A new one..

After six years of having the same two comforters for our bed, it was time to upgrade. Don't get me wrong, we still love our floral quilt, it's just not very wintry! As in... not warm enough for sure!
~~~
There is something wonderful about one tiny change. A picture here, a vase there. But oh! how I love patterns and design and swirls and ok, everything!

And of course, my little Fritz had to come in and share in the joy of the new bed makings. He's one of those people out to get me with a freshly made bed. ALL roommates I have ever had or family members or friends have had many a laugh at me for one 'quirk' of mine. I despise un-made beds. Yuck. Now that's not saying that I make mine every day or anything. Sometimes there are other important things to be done. Playing robots, or tickling fights, or chasing the kitties around the house. But... when the bed is finally made it needs to stay pretty. And that's where the roommates would get me. They would see my made-up-pretty-as-a-magazine-spread-bed and jump on it and mess things up!!! Oh the horror! Oh the evilness of roommates! However, there were many good laughs, me included. One in particular roommate would mess up my bed nearly every day. For some reason he had a 'sixth sense' about when I was about to or had finished with bed making, and if he was home? Yep. War.

Fritz enjoys torturing me as well. But I let him.

Only because he is the love of my life.

*Do you see Boo pictured in the background? Notice how his ears are down? You guessed right. Boo does not like the little Fritz one bit. Hisses and growls, but I do think that slowly there is some kind of cat/kid understanding going on.

**Don't forget! It's the last day of my Black Friday through Cyber Monday sale! 15% off and FREE shipping! Get your shopping done today!

Open windows, the white stuff, and #305

Such a lovely morning, afternoon we were having yesterday. Such warmth coming from the sun, shinning brightly, but, maybe too brightly?? It's almost Thanksgiving in MONTANA! Hey weather, seriously, what's up? Fresh breezes were filling our house. I figured I would be pushing my luck with the weather, but just had to have that window open. Maybe for the last time in the months to come.
But... later in the early evening, the clouds rolled in and the yellow glow of light turned to blue and gray. Temperature dropping fast, the wind picking up even faster. Nothing happened for awhile. For a few hours, a standstill in the weather world.
~~~
After Fritz was in bed, while picking up the days worth of little kiddo fun, a glance outside and magic! Would it last? Would it snow all night long? Would there be a winter wonderland to see the next day?

Yes. And lots of it! It's still snowing actually! Fritz and I will have to make an adventure out of it soon. It would be loads better, if I could teach a 2.5 month old how to shovel. Not too early for chores, is it?

And finally.... somehow I am on post #305. I had no idea I had that many!

Boo, where are you?

Well hiding of course! During the hours when Fritz is up and about, running crazy all over the house, the cats seem to hide out on my bed. It's funny when all three are sleeping there, then Fritz comes in and thinks he won the kitty jackpot. Although Boo has the right idea. Usually you can't see him at all. He hides behind the pillows on top of two flat pillows (which are now his) and sleeps the day away without being bothered. Much.

Alfie doesn't care much. She sleeps anywhere in the bed always on sleep-high-alert-for-kids-my-eyes-are-always-open-and-I-will-be-watching-for-you. As soon as she hears little feet walking close, she is up and away faster than a speeding bullet. Not kidding either, it's quite funny.

Ahh cats. They make sometimes boring mornings, all that much more interesting.

Waiting

Enjoying the last bits of warm weather. How many more days do we get? It seems that every morning that I see the sun peeking out, I get nervous and a bit sad, but also a bit excited, knowing that snow is just around the corner. It's the weather guessing game.

~~~

And soon, we will trade the light jackets for those snow pants and layers. And instead of warmth, breath misting out when we step into the winter.

~~~

Ok Season of Cold.... bring it on. I'm ready.

~

There is something so special about holding on to a little boys hand on a cool evening, and going for a nice long walk. Enjoying the last bits of Summer in an amazing Sunset. Then watching that boy run with delight to chase grasshoppers and stop every few feet to find rocks. Nothing can ever compare to those precious minutes with a calm evening, and one amazing little man.

Like No Time Apart

Nothing can beat a few days with a great friend, and her wee one.

Spending time, hanging out, laughing and talking.

Of course adding the little bits of shopping in the mix.

Enjoying the sunshine with two wonderful kids running around.
Conversations that never end .

Monica and her pretty hair.

Mixing drinks and playing games. Realizing that even though the time apart

has been almost a year, it doesn't feel like a day has gone by.

More sun with squeals and giggles mixed in, by both tots and adults.

Lounging by the pool and wishing for just one more day for the laughing

and stories to continue.

Until next time...

Let's Get The Wax On

I'm not one to really give shout-outs to products, but this one... I just have to put it out there. I have known and used this lotion for most of my life. My Mother use to have jars of it around the house and would give it out for presents to friends and family, but sadly for me over the years I have forgotten about this awesome product.

~~~

In trying to get my poor little babe's eczema legs under control, we have gone through appointments at Dermatologist, and regular Doctor visits, and have tried multiple recommendations for keeping Fritz's poor legs looking nice and smooth. Prescription cortisone cream does help, but it's not something that can be used for continuously. I believe that we have tried around 5 different lotions and potions to help keep the eczema under control, but so far nothing works that great. Until now!

~~~

After thinking about other options to try, for some reason Wool Wax popped into my head. I knew it couldn't hurt, but where to find it?? It's not a product that is easily available at every store as it is a Made In Montana product. Thankfully it was found, and many jars were purchased. And the greatest news?? IT WORKS! If we put it on Fritz (pretty much all over his body) twice a day, his legs heal up nicely and he isn't bothered with all the itching and scratching!

~~~

So for any out there who need a lotion to contain those serious skin issues (i.e. dryness, cracked, eczema) feel free to go to http://www.buymt.com/ and get some!

~~~

Please note that even though the name is Wool Wax, no animals are ever harmed in making this product. It actually comes from their wool, hence the name. I guess many years ago, some sheep farmers noticed how wonderful their hands always were during shearing season compared to the rest of the year and figured out it had something to do with the wool. Then they were smart enough to turn it into a lotion for the rest of us. Well, thank you to them!!!

Let's Get the Music On!

We had a wonderful evening last Thursday when the Hubs came home a day early from work to check out the free concert. For any Idol fans (I'm not really one-sorry) Danny Jones who was on last season, graced us with his awesome voice. He is a local kid who will definitely make it very big!
~~~
The sun was warm, the music wonderful, and having family near to share the evening is everything that can make a night full of happiness.
Finding a beautiful flower garden that was not discovered the last time we went to the concert, also can make some happiness come alive.

And of course... a stop at the ducks pond. That makes Fritz smile with happiness.Can't wait for the next time...