Life with Dylan

Category: Mom

  • The Easter Bunny Is Awesome!

    Yes, at almost 8 years old Dylan still wakes up at 6:30 am to see what the Easter Bunny brought to him. After all his dental work, Dylan was a little worried because his sugar intake is now limited. What will the Easter Bunny bring me?

    To make sure the Easter Bunny still stopped by our house, we made special Easter Eggs for him to find and hide. No ordinary dyed eggs would do this year… we made our own colored eggs with melted crayon wax!  What a cool science experiment too. As soon as the eggs came out of the hot water, Dylan carefully applied the crayon to the egg. Instead of just coloring the egg, the crayon began to melt and the result was a beautiful shinny finish on each egg. And the best part, no messy dye to clean up!

    Much to Dylan’s surprise, the Easter Bunny filled his basket with not candy … but LEGO’s! The best part, he didn’t even care about the candy! A couple eggs filled with jellybeans and a small box of chocolate sat in the basket while Dylan ripped open the new Pirates of the Caribbean LEGO’s and began building at 7 am.

    Now it was off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for the annual egg hunt in the backyard. This is one of Dylan’s favorite things because he knows these eggs contain something much better than candy … MONEY!

    Ok, this is just a little too easy. Maybe Grandpa needs to think of some new hiding places for the eggs next year.

    Dylan found all 24 plastic eggs and walked away with $7 plus a few chocolate eggs. After all was said and done, Dylan said, “Mom, the Easter Bunny is Awesome!”

    Make your child smile like Dylan did with the newest Lego Collection, Pirates of the Caribbean. 

  • Spring Break in Monterey

    This year we decided to not only get away for Spring Break, but to take our first road trip together. It was better than I thought, considering the furthest Dylan has driven is San Diego (2 hours), and this was going to be a 6-7 hour drive. The Are we there yet? didn’t start until Santa Barbara, and then it was How much longer? about every 40 minutes. I tried to get him to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery, but it didn’t last too long.

    At last, he sleeps and the drive is peaceful.
    It’s just not a road trip without a stop at McDonald’s!
    Dylan’s picture from the road. (only 1 hour to go)

    We arrived in Monterey about 4 pm and I immediately felt relaxed. Something about hotels and being away from home, not to mention the fresh coastal air, was just what we both needed. Our agenda included The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Fisherman’s Wharf, Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, and anything else we saw along the way to our destinations.

    The aquarium was amazing and we spent almost all day there. Took over 150 pictures! Definitely worth the drive to see this place.

    Dylan even got a little education on Steinbeck with some historical landmarks…

    And in true Dylan style had a little impromptu photo shoot …

    A little stroll through the Cannery for some lunch.

    Lunch at Bubba Gumps

    A Kid in a Candy Store … Classic!

    Day 2 – The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History (like he needs any more animal/nature facts to add to his ever-growing encyclopedia of a brain)

    Who cares if it’s only 60 degrees outside … we’re going in the water! Well, Dylan went in the water. For about 2 minutes and then he decided his feet were freezing so we put our shoes back on and went for walk along the rocks to see marinelife up close. We spent almost 2 hours here along the shore in Pacific Grove.

    Just a few of the seals we saw

    Come on Mom, let’s go!

    The kelp beds from above

    This sign was great … Tsunami in California?

     After a long day of sight-seeing, we decided to have an early dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf. Dylan love the fact that seals were right outside the window of the restaurant. he thoroughly enjoyed his calamari and pasta!

     We had an amazing time together and will always treasure the bond that we share.

  • Made My Son Cry Today …

    We all know how much Dylan loves LEGO’s … especially Star Wars LEGO’s! He has spent all his money on new Star Wars LEGO’s and they are now displayed in his room. (that is for another day’s post) However, there is one particular set that he really wants and has been asking for. Every time we go in the LEGO store or into Target he just stares at it. He keeps asking and I keep saying no. Dylan is learning the value of the all mighty dollar and that money must be earned. Yes, I even said ‘money doesn’t grow on trees ya know’ … wow, just like a parent huh?

    Well, today we had to run some errands to get a few things for our vacation and once again he asked to go look at the LEGO’s. As he stared with awe he said, “Mom, I’m going to keep saving until I have enough money and buy this. It’s on sale for $35.99” He then proceeded to walk away and I put the LEGO box in the cart. We continued our shopping and I told him that maybe if he helped clean the house today and kept doing so well in school that he could earn the LEGO set. Mind you, he has been walking alongside the cart moping like he just lost his best friend. Just then he looked in the cart and tears began to roll down his face. He ran to me and hugged me so tightly. I asked why he was crying and he said, “Because I’m so happy” This is when I knew I made the right choice when I put the box in the cart.

  • 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!

  • 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?

  • 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 Family Business

    Aside from Cub Scouts and all of Dylan’s other activities, we have a family business to run! Shel Cosmetics will be celebrating our 3 year anniversary in April and this mom-owned business could not be happier. Using my education and over a decade of experience as a licensed Esthetician and Makeup Artist, I branded my own line of cosmetics in April 2008. Whether or not Shel Cosmetics would take off was yet to be determined, but together Dylan and I made a go of it.

    Believe it or not, Dylan has a role in this family business. He helps choose colors, take inventory, and best of all he likes to help package and ship out the orders. Dylan is the best advertising ever, telling his friends that their mom should buy our makeup because it’s the best, Naturally. Still working on the company slogan “Bring Out The Most Beautiful You, Naturally” but he gets the point across.

    As for me, I stay busy with the Blog, Facebook page, Twitter, monthly newsletters, and special sales. That is just the marketing side. I also handpick each and every color for the core line and twice a year (Spring and Fall) introduce Limited Edition products.
    To find out more about our family business visit the website. shelcosmetics.com

  • MomAgenda Rocks!

    Life with Dylan can be quite chaotic at times and on top of all his activities, I have my schooling and a business to run. I tried using my phone to organize everything, but I’m old fashioned and love my paper. Give me some post-it notes, colored pens, page tabs, and anything else to keep all the balls in the air at one time and I am a happy mom. I have been using my MomAgenda for almost 5 years now and would never switch to anything else. Day Runners and Day Planners are so ordinary. I want something designed for a mom who lives a crazy life.

    My personal MomAgenda

    If you have not heard of MomAgenda or tried their products, I encourage you to check them out. Recently, MomAgenda launched a factory outlet and the prices are unbelievable!

  • Mom’s Serenity

    Everyone has their own way of relaxing and finding serenity. Some people enjoy long walks in nature, others a quiet room with a good book, and some find serenity in the kitchen.

    Today this is where I felt at peace. Armed with my Kitchen Aid mixer, flour, sugar, eggs, frosting bags, decorator tips, and all cupcake paraphernalia at my fingertips. For me, there is just something about using my creativity and baking skills to make something so delicate and so sweet. Some may find making cupcakes from scratch and decorating cupcakes too stressful and would rather just buy a box mix and spread the frosting with a knife. That’s ok … just not for me.

    Those who know me, know that I love any excuse to bake and tomorrow being Valentine’s Day made the decision that much easier. After a long week and a crazy Saturday, Dylan and I needed to relax and find peace today. (No, Dylan did not help bake today … he chose to find his serenity playing Mario Sports Mix on the Wii)

    Nothing too fancy today, meaning I did not get out the fondant and make cute little hearts. Instead I opted for pre-made conversation hearts that I had. Although I won’t eat more than 1 or 2 cupcakes, the serenity I found while baking was wonderful. I’m sure my friends and coworkers will enjoy a sweet vanilla cupcake with pink buttercream or a rich red velvet cupcake with cram cheese frosting. 
    What is your favorite cupcake flavor?