The Bug Whisperer

 Despite all the efforts I've made in the last 4 years to scream any time a bug, spider, or unwanted crawling thing comes near me, my son has NOT been affected.  This is probably a desirable scenario, seeing as I am raising boys, and screaming around bugs is a girly sort of reaction.  I don't know how this boy does it, but he can coax any bug he wants to hold into his gentle little hands.  On this particular occasion last week, Tyson became friends with a "Cheetah Butterfly".

 Emmett has a kind heart, too.  Pinched between his little fingers are some crumbs he found on the kitchen floor from breakfast or lunch that he's trying to feed our friendly little insect.

 The boys decided our Cheetah Butterfly needed a ride on a Tonka truck before I made them release him back into the wild.

This picture sums up my children's learning habits perfectly.  Tyson looks, points, talks, and discovers.  While thinking, Emmett participates in a pensive thumb-sucking session.  All that I care about is that they're learning...in whatever method is most effective for them.  I love my boys.  Maybe Tyson can teach Emmett a few tricks about bug whispering, because unfortunately the latter has been known to whack creepy crawlies with toys and sticks...I'm pretty sure that's the opposite of what Tyson did to coax his Cheetah Butterfly friend into his hands.

NOW TRENDING: DEAD FISH

What's the hottest thing on the Net right now?  DEAD FISH.  You heard me.  You probably won't find it in your MSN top-10 web-search list, but I'm telling you, it's BIG.

First of all, one of THE MOST amazing, sweetest, most adorable, kindest, thoughtful, and unique individuals you will ever meet--named CIARA (who happens to be my cousin)--likes dead fish.  You heard me.  We were walking through Wal-Mart together (classy store), and as we walked past the jewelry section she decided to take a peek.  Much to my dismay she reached for a necklace and set of earrings that resembled DEAD FISH!  All I could say was, "Why would you want to wear a dead fish around your neck."  She thought it was cute, but I definitely talked her out of it and she purchased the airplane jewelry set.

After our Wal-Mart trip I felt guilt and remorse.  Honestly, what would be so extremely wrong about expressing your true self by wearing a dead fish around your neck?  I could not find a reasonable answer, either.  A little while later Ciara and I had a situation where she tried to pay me for something and instead of letting her "pay me", I purchased the $5 jewelry set for her with the money because I knew it would make her happy and I had been planning on getting it for her anyway.

About this time, my son had been caring for a little fish that he got from his "Sunbeams" church class.  They had been talking about God's creations and the theme was "I love fish."  All of the 3 and 4 year old's came home with a tiny goldfish.  Before this experience I had taken Tyson to the Pet Store for some pet goldfish to add to our tank.  He named them Chick and Needie, but they didn't last long because the bigger goldfish would nip at their  tails so we kept them in a jar on the counter and cared for them there.  Well, they died and shortly after was the church lesson.  Tyson decided to name this fish from church Needie also, and he LOVED IT!  He would tell Ciara all about it and after a couple weeks when Needie was found belly-up, we buried him/her in the backyard, and Tyson even showed Ciara where.

At my family birthday party in July, Ciara came over and doted on both me and Tyson. Lo-and-behold in my gift bag was some cute jewelry--the BEST KIND!  I got a matching dead fish necklace and earring set.  What's hilarious is that I wear it all the time when I was initially the one who wondered who on earth would wear a dead fish around their neck.

Why would someone wear a dead fish around their neck, you ask?  Well, for one, it's the newest trend--it's HOTTER than owls and feathers that you see all over the jewelry stores.  AND it reminds us of  our Chick and Needie fish experiences.  My necklace is the "Chick" fish, and Ciara's is the "Needie" fish.  Honestly, this necklace has become one of my most cherished possessions.  I love these memories of the good times with people I love! : )

A Week in Pictures

Independence

Tyson wanted a Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich the other night...since that's his FAVORITE meal of all time.  He insists on making his own. ALWAYS.  That cute, little, whipper-snapper.  Well, Emmett decided he wanted to make one, too.  He pushed a stool up next to the counter where Tyson was and climbed up.  I pulled out the bread for him and started to make the sandwich, and Emmett immediately insisted, "Iiiee ooo it, Iiieeooooit!"  So, of course I let him try to do it and he mashes the knife into the bread and makes a hole, and doesn't spread the peanut butter around in the slightest.  Eventually I persuaded him to let him help him just a little bit.  Amidst this whole process, Tyson leans over, changes his tone of voice and quietly encourages his brother, "  You know Emmett, when I was this age I couldn't make my own peanut butter and honey sandwiches, but then I COULD!" 

I about died.  It's so hilarious to me when kids think they're so old and experienced.  I just love it.  And it's so funny to me that my little Emmett, who isn't even 2, yet, thinks he can do everything his big brother can do.  I love my children.  They make my life!

My Purple Shoes & 1st Bridesmaid Bouquet....

When I found out Lindsay was engaged...I had the BRILLIANT idea of hand-making all 5 million invitations for her Bridal Shower. Lucky for me Lindsay has an amazing group of support. Between family and friends, we were able to make everything we envisioned happen. Jenny and Kelly were awesome and helped me plan and prepare for the Shower.

Just a sample of some of the things we had there. It was all amazing.

Every single person in this picture helped with the shower...and they weren't even the only ones! Terin & Sherri didn't make it into the photo because this was taken when it was all over, but I was amazed at all the help people were willing to give. Especially because we hosted it on Easter Weekend. It was a crazy time of year, but it turned out GREAT!

Whit, Me, Lins, Jen

I don't know why, but when Lins told me I was in her wedding, I didn't think about getting a bouquet, and I CANNOT TELL YOU how THRILLED I was with my GORGEOUS bouquet!!!! It made me happy the ENTIRE DAY!

I should do an entire blog post on my purple shoes alone...it's got a story enough to tell. Let me just tell you in a nutshell--my out of pocket cost was only $3.50 for a pair of perfectly matching purple shoes for my bridesmaid's dress. : ) Let's also just say that Mitchell Jay Borden is a STUD MUFFIN for spray-painting...YOU HEARD ME...SPRAY PAINTING these fabulous shoes. I'm not going to lie--my purple shoes and the bouquet were 2 of my FAVORITE parts of the day. I'm so glad Lins asked me to be in her wedding. The only other wedding I was in was my sister's...and I'm not really sure that I was considered a bridesmaid...I was a pregnant and emotional mess in Erin's wedding. It meant a lot to me that Lins would have me in her Bridal Party. I love her to bits and she's been there for me throughout all the years I've known her. I'm lucky we're friends. I had so much fun on her wedding day. It was a serious highlight of my summer. All this time we've been dreaming about what Lindsay's Prince Charming would be like, and now she's finally found him. It's such a beautiful thing!

Jenny and I had fun hanging out during all the pictures. She was really helpful for Lindsay--picking up things, and holding things, and I think she did her make-up...maybe not that day, but for a picture day. It reminded me of how awesome she was when I got married. I had been so upset because I wasn't able to get in the nail appointment I wanted, and AT MIDNIGHT the night before my wedding, Jenny painted my fingernails for me, and they turned out so pretty. I was so happy. Jenny is just an awesome friend like that. I love her!

Can't forget the dead bird we all stood by as we waited for pictures. Thanks for the pose, Cass & Jeremy, you look GREAT next to the dead creature with ants.

My first...and probably last bridal party picture...it's just not that common to get to be in weddings. I'm glad I had the experience.

The 3 Amigas

Can't forget to pose with the Hubbies! We all feel complete now. : )

Mitch is so cute. He wore the same tie that day that he wore at our wedding. I love him. AND, while I was busy being a bridesmaid...doing really hard work, like standing around and taking pictures, he went off to get me a soda from QT, and also brought me back a tongue tattoo. Haha! His says I love QT, and mine says Mix it Up. Haha! They only lasted for 15-30 seconds. : ) But they sure tasted good, and they were FREE.

I love this picture

Jenny is such a good mom. She was watching everyone's kids...while we were standing at a distance. : )

Tyson spent practically the ENTIRE night on the dance floor. : ) He was cracking us up with all of his moves.

I took a picture of Mike & Lins dancing because it made me cry. I'm SO HAPPY FOR THEM! I cannot even tell you how we've looked forward to her finding the man of her dreams. And they are so good for each other!

Since May 14th, and our experience dancing as a family on the dance floor with the bridal party, we've been singing, "Put your hands in the air, air, air, air...I put my hands up in the air sometimes, singing hey-oh, darling let's go....I want to celebrate and live my life, singing hey-oh...." Tyson knows almost all the words...especially the "dy-no-mite" part. : )

Tyson with his "best friend"...just yesterday he reminded me that Lindsay said he can marry her little girl when she has one...I love the relationship they have. Lins has always been good to my kids and they love her, too.

Tyson HAD to be by the bride and groom during the hokey pokey.

It was such a long, awesome, fun, FABULOUS day. Tyson did what everyone else wished they could have done.

Everyone should have a photo booth at their wedding. It's so fun!

Congratulations, Mike and Lins! I'm sorry this post is so long overdue. I love you guys! I had so much fun experiencing "my best friend's wedding". Thanks for letting me be a part of it! I'm so lucky to share these fantastic memories with you! We hope the rest of your 1st year together (and life together for that matter) is as beautiful as the day you got married!