Bully

The other day, Cayden and I were at our favorite store (well, our other favorite store, Tantrums). They have a little play area for the kids with a slide and playhouse, so it's okay for the kids to play and have a good time. There was a little boy and girl in there. I'd say the boy was four and the girl was two. Cayden was just playing and minding his own business and then the kids started being really mean to him. They would call him over and then take his toys, or steal the toy he was trying to ride on. They were locking him out of the playhouse and not letting him on the slide. In nicer words, the kids were a little out of control. Their mom was off shopping and not paying much attention so I had to go over there a couple times and ask them to be gentle or to play nice. I was over at the books and I peeked over and saw this little boy literally grab C by the collar, spin him around and throw him on the ground. Alright, time to kick some little boy booty. The workers were all kind of just staring at these kids and their mother like "are you serious?" I should've said something to the mom but I just told him that wasn't very nice and took C, paid and got the heck out of there. Maybe that Mom was having a bad day and just needed to tune them out for a few minutes, but if my kids acted like that in public I would have a very hard time taking them anywhere. I'm sure it was his lack of discipline why he acted like that. It is hard to see your kid get picked on, and Cayden has so much to learn because it is such a mean world out there. Kids are mean! My Mom says this is why she homeschooled us. I mean, as a mom you want to protect your kids and stand up for them in every situation and it's going to be hard to learn that I won't always be there to make sure he is okay.

Humantoys

Please tell me this is not real!! Would anyone seriously trust a stranger to play with their children? Is it like a nanny?
http://www.humantoys.net/index.html

Friends

When I first moved away from home to Fort Irwin, I had such a hard time meeting anyone. It seemed like all my neighbors hid in their houses all day (or maybe just worked). I would smile at people everywhere I went in hopes I could stike up a conversation. I blamed not meeting anyone on the desertion of the desert. Maybe everyone felt the way I did?
I saw a nanny job listing on the bulletin board at the commissary, I called and she said the position was already filled. A few days later, she called back and wanted to meet with me. I got the job. As awful as it was (trust me, it wasn't a fun experience, I'll save that for another post) it got me out of the house. I took the kids to playgroup, story time, the park and I eventually started seeing the same people around. I was like 3-4 months pregnant and couldn't wait to start showing. Until then I was just wearing big maternity shirts and probably just looked like a fatso (just kidding, what I wouldn't do to go back to that weight). The point is, I wanted other Moms to know that I was going to be a mom too, not just these bratty kid's babysitter. That family PCSed that June and I was back to my lonely summer of taking Mollie on daily walks. I had been introduced to a wife from Kele's unit, and thank God for her (Kristie!). If it wasn't for her, I am not sure I would have ever made a friend or got out of the house. I eventually started meeting people, and then more people and I'd say by the time we left that place I knew a good amount of people and had my few close friends. It was such a small base that you always saw the same person twice and I think all the wives depended on eachother that much more.
Now we are at a new duty station and I am starting all over friend-wise. It is a HUGE base. I have resorted to modern technology and networks sites to meet people, but I haven't had much luck. Again, with the exception of kids playing outside I don't see any neighbors. I am sure that it is 10x harder since we live off base, but then again maybe not. I have joined meetup groups. I talk to people in the stores on base, I smile and try and appear friendly, but it seems like everyone is already content with how many friends they have and don't need another. Living close to family and getting to run away every so often definitely helps, but it also makes me think I am not trying hard enough for that reason. I am hoping and praying that the right friend comes along and that I can gain a network of friends like I had in CA. It's a struggle, I would love to have a friend or a buddy for Cayden.

There ya have it. That's whats on my heart today.

Tantrums

I was driving to a new natural grocery store the other day when I drove past a little building on the side of the road.. It wasn't in the best of areas (meaning typical Colorado Springs...old) but I noticed a few tricycles outside and a play kitchen which meants KIDS store!! On our way back home I debated stoping by because a) it was dinner time. b) Cayden was over it. c) I had stuff that needed to get in the freezer asap. But driving by once again I couldn't help myself.. I ever went out of my way to turn around to go back. Boy, am I glad I went!! It's a cute little kids consignment store called Tantrums. We scored a cuuuuute little rocking horse that I've wanted to get him for a while, along with a choo-choo train and some PJs. The next day (yes, I went back.) I got a little Radio Flyer tricycle and a travel booster seat. I could go there every day and find a treasure I think. Maybe I should get a job there. ?

Sunday

Dad headed off today and made his way to Moab for the night. Cayden was a little confused after he left, he kept saying "papa?". Cute and sad at the same time. Good thing it's a guarantee we will see him next weekend or the one after =)
My love treated me to a much needed and well deserved pedicure. I was so tired of looking at my feet, now they are all cute! Yippee! We then had a late lunch at Red Robin and then walked to the park and played for a while before we got poured on on our walk back home. Evening thunderstorms are so cool! Hopefully it doesn't come back again tonight, I have a feeling someone wouldn't sleep thru it ;)


About to race Daddy down the slide.



Helping Papa get on the road.

Saturday

Today we had a very good day!
Every year, my Dad takes an annual motorcycle trip at the beginning of summer. He would always come see us in CA so he decided not to break the tradition and came down here for a couple of nights. If you don't already know, Cayden adores his Papa, and vise versa. Cayden is my little clinger, he is always by my side- except when Papa (or Grandma) are around. Since C was a baby, I have showed him pictures of all of his Grandparents, so he is very familiar with them. It doesn't help that he talks to them on the phone every day too.

We started the day off playing in the backyard while we waited for my Mom and Sister to drive down here. We enjoyed lunch at Chipolte and our daily Starbucks, and then went over to a car show that the church was having. The band was playing music outside so we all hung out on the curb while Cayden danced along. Cayden napped in the car so when we got back home another nap just wasn't happening. We left Cayden home with Papa while we ran over to the PX so Katie could look at the "scenery". We ate dinner at some wing place, then it was bathtime and bed! It is great living close enough where everyone can come down and spend the day with us.

Nothing

I'm on a major writers block. Not like I would call myself a writer, not even close. But I have nothing interesting to write about. So there. I'll just show you a picture or two instead.


Here is Cayden writing a bike in Dick's. Yes it's princess, yes daddy didn't really like it. But he had fun..



Cayden stuffing his face at Chili's. He's a boy, what can I say? He doesn't master the table manners quite yet.

Cabin

We had a really great weekend at the cabin with my Grandparents and Mom. The weather was rainy right up until we were leaving yesterday (go figure) so we spent most of the time inside. We had a long night with Cayden, he is always a little off when we are at different places, and it is so hard for me not to stress about it. I have to remember it is just sleep and he will get caught up again, it's just hard to think clear on very little sleep =) It was the first time Kele had ever been up there, he was wishing we could've stayed longer. He even got to go fishing but didn't have any luck because it was so crowded. He told me he doesn't want a Mustang anymore, he wants a cabin instead. Ha! We roasted marshmellows in the rain, and grilled hamburgers (hot dog for me, I don't do elk burgers). The GPS got a little lost way out there in the mountains, but we managed to find our way there and back. It is really funny, the Garmin talks in an english accent and everytime she says "turn right" or "turn left", Cayden says it in a perfect little accent. Kele is off today and tomorrow so he is going to do a little work on the cars and if the weather is nice we will head to the zoo or old Colorado city tomorrow.

First Project

My mom and I each picked different fabrics and both made a pillowcase dress. Sewing is a lot more work than I expected. Here is mine. I will put a picture of my mom's later, she is working on it as we speak =)

I found this on a blog (http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2009/05/show-us-where-you-live-friday-living.html) and thought it was so creative! It is usually done on Friday's- but I missed it.. Last week was kitchens, this week was living rooms, so I decided on kitchens. We eat all our meals at the table, and no there aren't always fresh flowers around. =) Lots of cars get pushed along the floor, and it is only half painted. I'm still planning on putting some window treatments over the window and the sliding glass door, but haven't found the right fabric. That seems to be the trend around here.


This is looking out into the living room.


This is looking into the kitchen from the play area.


This is the kitchen table and the door to the half bath.


The door is always closed.


This is looking in from the back door.


This is my very unorganized pantry. The only thing I miss about Irwin was my HUGE walk-in pantry!