A Day in the Life

Robbie had to soak his feet because he got a thorn. He ended up giving himself a bath in that bucket.

My life is oh so--not exciting. To prove to you how un-exciting it is, the highlight of my day today is cooking a 4 lb bag of dried pinto beans. I got 4 lbs for $2.47 which equals at least 8-10 cans of pinto beans which would be $.88/each. You do the math. I'm freezing them in ziplocs to save for tacos, taco salad, refried beans, chili, bbq baked beans...that's my highlight. I'm also dividing up food service sized cans of tomato sauce, tomatoes, and ketchup for the freezer. I'm pretty sure when it's all said and done today I will have saved about $40.

But it's the little things that really get you by. And a lot of times I think that todders are God's punishment....for something. But a lot of times, he is the biggest blessing ever when I look over and he is sitting in the bouncy seat with Elise in his Spiderman underpants. So just a post of a couple pics of my cute-and-strange kids. I'd like to think Robbie gets his strange-ness from his dad....but I may have to take the credit.

A Day at the Races

Click here to view Rob & Val's You Tube Channel

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and took Robbie to PIR for the day to see one of their friends race. He loved it. I'm afraid they've created a monster and forever Robbie will be dreaming of being the next Lightning McQueen...in real life. And also forever giving me nightmares of being the mother of a race car driver. BUT--really, God is in control of all of that and He answers prayer so hopefully Robbie will go to college and get a nice, safe job in business somewhere... so I'll get off my rabbit trail.
He had the time of his life! He sat in the car, wore the helmet, the gloves, the glasses, and said to Grandma and Grandpa, "I can drive this car." Funny little guy. In the meantime Rob and I had a day almost kid-free. Elise is an angel so we practically were alone! So, we did what every parent with a free day would do. Ate lunch at Culver's, Rob got a haircut while I read a book, took a nap...the usual exciting happenings of tired parents.

Another One Bites the Dust

One less single, available Laizure boy. So sad for so many! Micah and Shayla got married March 5th at the Castle at Ashley Manor. It was a georgeous location, a beautiful day, a perfect couple....Rob and I and Robbie were all in the wedding. It was a busy week but it turned out great and Robbie was an ANGEL! He was supposed to walk down the aisle, sit with Mona Lee and Papa Rob and eat his bag of gummy bears like a good boy. BUT, Robbie was a bit offended that he couldn't stand up there with the big guys...so he did. Silently. Like an Angel. He stood up there the entire ceremony and didn't make a peep. Up next...pigs fly.

Elise sat with Aunt Margaret and was a little angel too. Until she peed on Patty's leg. That was a downer, but poor girl needed a dry diaper! (don't tell CPS)

The Zoo...Vol. 1

You've got to read the sign. Funny.

Well, it turns out that it's close to a million dollars just to get into the Wildlife World Zoo for the day, but for the bargain price of $150.00 Robbie and I could have an annual pass and go as often as we want and Rob could get in free...once. So--we did it. We acted like we were rich and broke the bank and swiped the card and bought that annual pass. So--this is the first of probably many posts about the zoo. Because of the frugal in me, I must get well more than my moneys worth out of that pass!

Robbie LOVED the zoo--he ran from animal to animal, I think my favorite moment was at the Wild Dog exhibit. They were sleeping and Robbie just stood there yelling, "Wild Gogs"... "Hey, Wild Gogs! Come Here!" Pretty cute. We had a fun time and were home in time for naps. Elise loved the zoo too--she slept nearly the entire time.

Zoo Passes: $150. Broken Sunglasses: $18. 3 Large Diet Cokes: $12. Packed Lunches: $4. Rob Taking the Day Off: Priceless.

Neat Freak...NOT the same as a Clean Freak

Well--I am a self-proclaimed neat freak. I don't like clutter. I don't like chaos. I don't like tripping over toys or a basket of un-folded laundry. I start to twitch a little and get quite overwhelmed when my house is a "mess". I do realize that this is a relative term that can mean different things to different people. I consider my house a mess when the dishes aren't loaded and my bed isn't made and there are at least 5 toys/books strewn about and a magazine on the floor. Lately it has been an explosion! Keeping up with the baby's bottles, handprints on the wall, dirty underwear (potty training), and Christmas and birthday toys strewn everywhere-- all while caring for a baby and a 3 year old has proved to be more difficult than I thought. Sometimes a girl just needs a nap. So--sometimes my house is a "mess". Thankfully Rob NEVER considers our house an actual mess (I have no clue what it would take for him to notice a mess-- probably a literal tornado blowing through the place.)

Anyway, I am a neat freak. However I am not necessarily a clean freak. I don't usually allow people in my master bath or to open my microwave or in my garage. Sometimes you can write your name in the dust on my entertainment center. And don't you dare open up the junk drawer in the kitchen! As you can see in the pictures I had a very very dirty oven. In fact-I'm ashamed to say I had NEVER cleaned it in the five years we've lived here. (Heather and Pam are probably throwing up in their mouths right now) It's really been bothering me for a while now, but I managed to put off cleaning it because it can be shut and you don't have to see the mess inside. However, the recent angelfood cake explosion caused a necessary cleaning. I was so excited to just get it done I had to do a posting about it.

BUT--I also wanted to vent about the last of the instructions on the can of oven cleaner ---to keep oven clean wipe up spills immediately. I am a bit offended that the cleaning company thought it necessary to tell me something so elementary. OBVIOUSLY if I clean up every spill or mess I will never have a dirty oven. However, that instruction could not have been written by someone who actually cooks on a regular basis or who has more than one small child. By the time the oven has cooled off from recent use I have moved on to 5 other projects, jobs, or am asleep on the couch.

Bachelorette Party

Well, the Laizure Clan is about to grow! Our soon-to-be sister-in-law Shayla's bachelorette party was this weekend in Flagstaff. (Micah's bachelor party was too--but we don't have any pics...surprisingly enough!) We stayed at Rob's Uncle Scott's cabin, went to Oregano's for dinner, and Shayla's sister Briana had planned a scavenger hunt for Shayla to complete. OH--and Gabby felt it neccessary to pull out her pink pepper spray in the scary Jack in the Box by the bus station! Danger doesn't take a break you know.

We had a great time--can't wait for her the wedding. We're so excited to have her in the fam.

Naptime Shenanigans

Robbie apparently wasn't sleeping when he was supposed to be yesterday. I could hear him talking and playing--but I thought he was on his bed. He wasn't. He was playing with his Einstein's cards and wearing his snowboots. Luckily when I opened the door and saw him sleeping on the floor I had time to take some pics before he woke up. He really is a funny kid. Once he woke up and saw his door open he high-tailed it to his bed so I would think he hadn't gotten out of it. He thinks he's smarter than me...

Also--Elise is getting pretty cute so I included a pic of her making a "robbie" face. They have the same expressions--literally THE SAME--kinda wierd sometimes!