Wordless Wednesday - Marshmallow Skies

Dylan Rocks!

So this past week and a half has been a total blur for me. Finishing up my Psychology Capstone class and starting my final Humanities class on Tuesday. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the assignments are killing me. Not just a paper about what I learned this week or last, but a paper about what I have learned over the past 2 1/2 years along with a PowerPoint presentation. My life has been nothing but coffee and this laptop. Oh, and someplace in there I made it through days of work in a zombie-like state of mind.

I have reminded myself to eat and survived on 4-5 hours of sleep each night. I have managed to get Dylan's homework done, get him fed, and get him to Cub Scouts. I have blogs to post, but this must wait a few more days. My business has fallen behind, but this too must wait. I have come so far. I can't give up now.

All this time, Dylan has been nothing but a supportive and loving son. Doing what I ask, leaving me alone so I can do my homework, and rushing in the morning to get out the door without as much as a complaint. He has been nothing short of awesome during my blur of a life these past 10 days. He is my support system and my encouragement. Always there to give me a hug and that smile melts my heart every time.

Dylan Rocks!

Disabilities Awareness

So this month's theme is Disabilities Awareness. After visiting the Braille Institute, the Wolf Den was told that they would be teaching the Cub Scout Promise to the entire pack at the next Pack Meeting ... in sign language!

Dylan really enjoyed learning about sign language and he was the first in his den to memorize the entire Cub Scout Promise in sign language. Actually, he had it memorized after only two tries. I swear this kid has a photographic memory or something.

The leaders were so impressed that they asked Dylan to lead the Wolf Den during the Pack Meeting. So proud of him. Way to go Dylan!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away ...

What better way to introduce Dylan to the fine art of live performances than to take him to play put on by children in our community through the Arts and Learning Program ... and the theme of Star Wars was a sure bet to get him interested. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi - The Musical Edition. The perfect mother/son date night. Dylan prepared himself by wearing his Yoda t-shirt and Jedi Academy sweatshirt. So cute! Of course the waiting to get in was a test of his patience, but I knew to go early for the pre-play extras.

The play was good, but it was the before part that really got Dylan excited! Real live Star Wars characters ... walking around and taking pictures with the kids. They even had droids, very cool if I do say so myself. We could not take pictures inside, but the ones from before the play are priceless!

Cool Car Mom!

The Droids (fully remote controlled)

C-3PO

Planning their next move ...

Storm Trooper

Boba Fett

Darth Vader

All characters are volunteers from the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion who have made their costumes themselves. Darth Vader told me he had over $5,000 invested in his costume. They were amazing!

I was able to locate this picture through a promotional site for the play so you can see the actors, all ranging from age 5-13 ... some are natural born Broadway talents!

The Braille Institute

What an amazing experience for Dylan and myself to have the opportunity to visit the Orange County Braille Institute in Anaheim as field trip for Cub Scouts. The kids had so much fun learning how blind people read, watch movies, tell time (talking watches), and even play games. My favorite was the Monopoly board all in braille. Also, we got to watch part of a movie, the Lion King, which had been formatted for the blind. The movies are narrated so that even in a scene where there is no talking the descriptive narration allows a blind person to see the Savannah in a way that I found almost better than watching the movie.

We got to meet Wayne, a man who slowly starting losing his sight in his late 20's, and is now almost completely blind. Wayne also brought his sight dog, Tuesday, who was the highlight for the boys.

The large braille board was very cool too. We learned about how each letter is made up of six positions. The positions that do not have bumps are just as important as the ones that do.

Wordless Wednesday - 120 New Crayons

Longing for Childhood

As I sit on the floor surrounded by bills that need to be paid, piles of receipts for my tax return that I have yet to file, laundry that needs to be folded, and a term paper that needs to be written I find myself wanting to cry. Then I catch a glimpse of Dylan out of the corner of my eye. He is sitting at the table drawing a comic strip about a marshmallow. The marshmallow who is about to become a s'more over a campfire. Suddenly I find myself laughing and listening to him tell me what will happen next.

Why are we all in such a hurry to grow up? To be independent and free from our parents? Oh, how I remember counting the days until I was 18 and could move out on my own. Freedom. Nobody to tell me what to do or when I had to be home. Now that I am a 'grown up' I realize that I also have nobody to cook for me, do my laundry, clean my living room, wash my dishes, buy my food, or pay the bills to keep the television and lights on so I can watch my favorite shows.

I find myself longing for childhood and the carefree days of playing with friends. Not a care in the world except for what game I would play at recess or wondering what my Mom packed in my lunch box.

Take time to be child with your child. Forget about the dishes and the laundry for just one day. Sit on the floor and build LEGO's, color a picture, go to the park and toss a ball, play a mindless video game, watch Tom and Jerry, whatever makes you feel carefree and childlike. If I can do this just one day a week maybe, just maybe I won't be longing for childhood so much and the responsibilities of adulthood won't seem so undesirable.

So again I ask, why are we all in such a hurry to grow up?

Fill In The Blank Friday

I Love Random Fridays ...

Join the Fun Here!

1. My biggest accomplishment in life thus far is ... my son Dylan! I know, hard to believe isn't it? Haha. Aside from raising an amazing child, my biggest accomplishment is going back to school at 38 years old and earning my Bachelors in Psychology. (I will graduate May 2, 2011).
2. My favorite place to sit in my house is ... on the couch with Dylan watching movies or alone on the couch when he is sleeping. I can sit and reflect on everything in complete peace.
3. My fashion philosophy is ... keep it simple. Comfy, casual. Give me a good fitting pair of jeans and a cute top and then I am a happy girl. Simple jewelry too.  
4. Something every girl should have is ... a great pair of black pumps! They dress up jeans and make your legs look great in a skirt.
5. If you looked in my purse right now you'd find ... not too much because I just cleaned it out this morning! Wallet, checkbook, small makeup bag (with lipstick, lip gloss, and rubber bands), cell phone, business cards, kleenex, receipts from today, gum, small note pad and black pen.
6. My favorite music right now is ... Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, and Carrie Underwood.
7. My favorite part of my body is ... my eyes. They are the one thing that doesn't fluctuate in weight!

Share your random thoughts in the comments below or over at

the little things we do ...

The Ultimate LEGO Experience

Today was the first day of the 3-day Grand Opening Celebration of the new LEGO Store in South Coast Plaza. What better reason is there to take Dylan out of school early than to give him the ultimate LEGO experience? I took the day off work today to relax and free myself from stress, so why not let loose and have some fun! Oh my, I think I was almost as excited as Dylan was. The new LEGO Store is located on the lower level in Carousel Court on the Rainforest Cafe wing.


Before you go into the LEGO Store, be sure to stop by the Master Builder area located right next to the carousel and help build an 8 foot tall Yoda from LEGO's. There is a Yoda already built that stands about 2 feet tall so the kids can see what the finished product will look like. Stations are set up with friendly LEGO employees to help.

Each brick you build is 4 x 4 and is equal to one normal size LEGO. You can choose from tan, brown, or green bricks ... or make one of each like Dylan did!

Once you have built your bricks, you give them to the LEGO Master Builder and he places them where they need to go.

Dylan getting a high-5 as he hands his bricks to the LEGO Master Builder

Now, off to the LEGO Store so we can get Dylan's certificate. Yes, you get an official Master Builder Certificate of Achievement for helping out. (While supplies last)

What a great way to get people into the store right? We spent almost an hour in the store looking at all the displays and deciding what LEGO's to purchase! Using our VIP card, we were able to earn double points and get a FREE LEGO Universe online game. Dylan was overcome with excitement. Just look at all those LEGO's!

Also, the first 300 people to visit the store on Saturday, March 12th can receive these Limited Edition Collectible Mini Figures with any $35 purchase.

In the words of Dylan, today was the "Ultimate LEGO Experience" and a day with my son I will always remember.

What is your favorite LEGO memory?

The Blue and Gold That Was!

Since I posted about the Blue and Gold that wasn't, I thought it only appropriate to post about the Blue and Gold that was. Last night we attended our first official pack meeting with Dylan's new Cub Scout Pack 744 and it was amazing! Such a difference from the old pack. Words cannot begin to describe the level of organization, loving families without the gossip, everyone helping and supporting each other, and the simple task of following the Cub Scout guidelines. Dylan was not only asked to stand up as he was welcomed into the new Pack, but his name was printed in the program, and the Den Leader presented him with all of his achievements he earned in the old pack.

Receiving his achievements

His bag full of belt loops, pins, and patches!

Also, there was a leader leaving and all the boys gave her a rose. On the ribbon of the rose was something nice she had done for the boys and each boy read it as he handed her the rose. Dylan's rose read, "Although I didn't get the chance to learn from you I am happy to meet you and wish you luck" ... now that was cool! They took the time to make Dylan feel like part of the Den from the get go.

Dylan's new Cub Scout friends

The Pack even decorated a chalkboard so that Dylan would have a place to display his posters he made.

Guess he couldn't stop eating the cake long enough for a picture

This poster had to explain the food chain of an endangered animal.

The 6 elements of the Leave No Trace Pledge

We LOVE our new Cub Scout Pack 744

Wordless Wednesday - Happy Boy!

The simple things ...

Today was Dylan's day and somehow it turned out to be one of the best days I have had in a long time. Nothing really planned out, just a few errands to run and then play at the park. Our day started at GameStop because Dylan saw a commercial on television that said you could bring in your DS and Pokemon Platinum game and get a free mystery Pokemon downloaded to your game. This made him happy. Then off to the Scouting store to buy a bigger shirt and some patches we needed. Nothing too exciting. Next it was off to the park to play a little football. Yes, I said football. Believe it or not, I have a pretty good arm and even surprised my Dad that I knew how to hold a football properly.

Practicing his form

Seconds before he threw the ball down ... Touchdown!

Listening to Dylan give play by plays and instructing me what to do was hilarious. I told him he should try playing football and he said no because they get tackled. So I suggested he try Quarterback since they don't get tackled as much. He still said no. He just wants to play for fun. Fine with me because I don't want to watch my baby being tackled. As we got in the car to leave he said, "Mom, that was awesome!" Totally made my day. Today was such a beautiful day too ... perfect for tossing the ball around.

Next it was off to Downtown Disney for a visit to the LEGO Store. Dylan realized he needed a few things to complete what he has been working on. Good thing Grandma and Grandpa were with us because his eyes were bigger than his wallet.

The infamous Death Star, a mere $399

No, Dylan did not get the Death Star! Although, he has been asking for this for two years now with the same enthusiasm ... if he keeps it up, Santa just might bring it to him one year. What made this trip to the LEGO Store so special is Dylan had his new wallet and was ready to spend his coveted $12. Today we also joined the LEGO VIP Club and now earn points toward every purchase made in the store or online.

Creating with his new Legos

While Dylan was searching the store for his purchases I was mentioning to my Mom that I couldn't believe they had not opened a Lego store at South Coast Plaza. Ironically, when we got home and I was online registering our new VIP card I did a search for store locations ... and guess what? Next week (March 11-13) is the Grand Opening of the LEGO Store at South Coast Plaza! Some really cool events will be going on during the Grand Opening, including an opportunity for kids to help a Lego Master Builder build an 8 foot tall Yoda out of LEGO's that will be displayed in the store. This is definitely going on our calender!

Take the time to enjoy the simple things in life. 

When was the last time you enjoyed the simple things with your child?

Fill In The Blank Friday

Another reason to LOVE Fridays ...

Join The Fun Here

1. The phrase or punctuation I overuse most is ... Seriously? No, I am not questioning the "fill-in", I just like to say Seriously? when people tell me things that I just can't believe or that shock me. I also tend to overuse the infamous exclamation point!!!
2. Today I am thankful for ... today. No longer worrying about anything beyond today. I am thankful for my job and my talents as a makeup artist that allow me to do what I love. I am thankful for my son!
3. My best friend is ... Laura. We have been through thick and thin together for the past 20 years and I don't know what I would do without her. We finish each other sentences and can talk in a code that only we understand. Our famous last words ... "to the grave" ... secrets kept forever.  
4. A quirky thing about me is ... that although I am quite anal retentive with labels, bins, and organization, my home still seems to be in some sort of organized chaos all the time!
5. This weekend I ... will relax and spend time with Dylan, enjoy lunch with my great friend Roxanne, and cook up something new from my collection of Food Network recipes.
6. Something that worries me is ... I can't answer this one because I promised my aunt that I would stop worrying so much!
7. On my night stand you would find ... my cell phone charger, clock radio/alarm, a hair band, a candle, a bottle of water, and a picture of Dylan.

Share your random thoughts in the comments below or over at

the little things we do ...

God and Me

"A Scout is Reverent." All Scouts show this by being faithful in their duty to God. Some go further and give special service. This can qualify them for a religious emblem. Such an emblem is not a Scouting award. It is conferred on a Scout by his religious leader. Each faith has its own requirements for earning its emblem. (taken from usscouts.org)

Universal Religious Emblem Square Knot

Over the past two months, Dylan has been taking classes at our church, St. Andrews Presbyterian, with his Grandpa. During this time, Dylan has learned how to pray, what God does for him, and how he can live a life alongside of God. He even memorized the Lord's Prayer. Each week Dylan had homework to do for the class and projects to work on to fulfill the requirements to earn his God and Me Religious Emblem. Last week Dylan and Grandpa completed the course and tonight was the official ceremony, complete with pizza and cake.

After answering a few questions about what he had learned, Dylan along with the other scouts who completed the program were presented with their religious emblems.

When asked why he took these classes, Dylan responded, "So I could learn more about God." My heart just about melted. Then Brienna (the woman who taught the class) said that she was told Dylan had learned the Lord's Prayer and asked if he could say it. At first he was shy and said no, but then he stood front and center on the stage and said the entire prayer with such confidence in front of about 30 people. I have never been so proud of my son. Not a dry eye from our family. 

Religious Emblem earned in 2nd year of Scouting

Pardon the glare ... 

Dylan and Grandpa

Thank you Grandpa, for taking the time to teach and lead Dylan how to follow the right path.