Weekend with Laurie

This past weekend my oldest sister Laurie came to visit, along with her son Tanner. We had such a great time together. Sisters are so much fun! We ate out, shopped, baked together, went to a movie, and she demostrated how to make her famous caramel apples. We attempted to watch chick flicks together, but the "elevation" made her too sleepy. Nice excuse Laurie.

One of the many goodies we made over the weekend, was a chocolate Texas Sheet Cake. Here is Laurie licking the whisk like a true Shahan:

Here we are stuffing our faces with popcorn and being silly. Don't be fooled by my serious pose, it's because my mouth is full of popcorn.

I just had to put this picture in of Laurie comforting Jack when he was sad, I can't even remember about what! He's a sensitive child and I love him to pieces. Despite his many tears, I'm discovering that as a mother, having a sensitive child is a lot better than many other characteristics.

I had so much fun with Laurie. It was almost as though I played all weekend and didn't do my job as a mother. So now it's back to reality! Thanks for being so much fun Laurie.

Reasons for Blogging

Reasons I have chosen to blog:

1. It's healthier than watching American Idol. I mean, at least I'm not killing any brain cells.

2. Now everytime Jack, Owen, or Lucy says something precious- I can actually archive it. Because children do grow way too fast so that we can hardly take enough time to enjoy them.

3. It inspires me to be a better mom, as cheesy as that may sound. I have been truly inspired by some of my friends great ideas in the occupation of motherhood. I hate and refuse to use the term "stay-at-home" mom because we really don't stay at home. We're here and there and everywhere. So thanks to all you bloggers out there! I fell under the pressure, but it was a good pressure.

Lucy Lu

Lucy Lu . . . our toddler- not the actress. The only thing they may have in common, is thinking they're the tough girl in town. Lucy is eighteen months old yet already showing the sassiness of a fourteen year old. Today she managed to get into a tub of aquaphor (a greasy, petroleum jelly-like substance and YES, the lid was screwed on tightly beforehand), she then proceeded to spill a glass of milk INSIDE the fridge, got into a box of valentine chocolates on the counter, then spread around the chewed up caramel on the floor, AND ofcourse she had to practice her latest talent- playing in the toilet. Brace yourself, because you might get grossed out. She is our third child, yet the first to do what I'm about to share with you. She'll lift up the toilet lid, splish splash around as if she's playing in a pond, and then- suck on her fingers. We have been very stern with her, but she just tightens her lips into a pout, doesn't shed a tear of remorse, looks at us smugly, and then trots off to destroy something else in the house. Any ideas?!?

Owen's Sense of Smell

Our three year-old Owen has an amazing sense of smell. We are always astounded by his comments. Here are just a few that have happened within the past week.

Example 1. I had just eaten an orange, then plopped down beside him on his bed, to sing him a song, read him a book- the usual. His back was to me, but I could hear those powerful nostrils in action as they sniffed the air waves and then . . . he asked in his very Owenesque voice, "Mama, did you just eat an orange?"

Example 2. We are in the car, music blaring so I can drown out my kids' noise (I'm a horrible mother, I know) and I put a piece of gum into my mouth- Dentyne Ice, it's my favorite. Two minutes later I hear Owen calling my name, so I turn down the music and his precious little nose that I just love, continues to sniff at the air as he asks, "Are you eat-ting gum?" He accentuates his "t's." I just love the way he talks and pity all of you who can't hear his darling little voice. Okay, so I'm just a little bit obsessive about my children.

Example 3. Never buy Bath & Body's Pumpkin Pie Body Scrub. Sorry Mikki, it was a lovely gift but it has coated my shower walls with a thick, orange residue that it impossible to remove. I'm too embarrassed to say how long my shower has been orange. Needless to say, I was up to my elbows and knees in soft scrub when Owen comes meandering in on his tip toes. He often walks on his tip toes, it's very cute. His nose starts to sniff, and then he makes his statement, "It smells like the YMCA." The liquid clorox bleach must have reminded him of the over-chlorinated pool.

Example 4. This one is a mystery. There were numerous smells hanging out in the kitchen that day- good ones I might add. I do remember using lysol disinfectant spray. I could hear Owen sniffing before he even showed himself. And then he spoke, "It smells like Skittles." Okay- skittles were NOT one of the smells hanging out in my kitchen. I think he would have LIKED them to be, but they weren't. So sometimes his cravings must over power his logic.

We'll keep you posted on Owen's amazing sense of smell.