The best laid plans...

How does that saying go?


It was to be a wonderful week...Shannon was trilled to be starting school again and I had a list a mile long of things I was to get done while she was away learning and Adam was taking his morning nap. Monday morning was a reminder that all was not a yellow brick road as I scooted Shannon from getting dressed to eating, reminding her that it wasn't summer anymore and that we had to move it, or be spit spot (her words, not her actions). Managed to snap a few photos and it was off to school and Adams' 1 year check up (progress report to follow this week).Cute hair, huh? What I HAD accomplished before the comb "attacked her" and cause the previous post.Tuesday...off to school, spit spot. Just as I was baking banana bread and chatting with my sister about her crashed computer, I get a call from the preschool letting me know that Shannon has a fever and is wrapped up in a blanket in the principles office. But I was being so productive...guess I'll have to cancel grocery shopping and that trip to Hobby Lobby for fear of Shannon blowing chunks in the fabric department.

Next two days spent with this bundle of joy.Talk to the hand. Can't believe we already have a 50% absentee record. Not quite the week I had hoped for, but tomorrow is a new day and the world is my oyster. For my sanity, I've gotta get out more this week and based on my calendar, I shouldn't have any problems filling that need.

Portrait of Vanity

Yes, Shannon has shown us that too many hours in front of the mirror can be counterproductive.Earlier I had spent a fair amount of time doing her hair in this cute twist/french braid. It was now quiet time and she was suppose to be sleeping. All my efforts were for not when she came out looking like this after having done heaven knows what to her hair, which resulted in something that reminded me of a cube puzzle. After a lengthy period of time I told her she'd have to sleep on it and we'd try again later or cut it off. I let her sweat over the possibilities for a while.After a brief nap we got right back to work. A phrase my mom would say whenever she curled my hair kept replaying in my mind, "It hurts to be beautiful." I might have even said it to Shannon at some point, but I've blocked those hours from my memory.

This small crisis has a happy ending. I'd like to think it was my cunning problem solving skill that helped me to visualize a way out of this labyrinth of tangles, but really, it was luck and probably a silent prayer or two from Shannon that she would have to have her hair chopped and look like a boy.

When the livin' is easy

Although Shannon can't wait to return to school, I'd like to think she's had some fun this summer.

Eating S'mores. This summer the Hodgens' have identified 3 forms of S'mores. 1) Roasted, or the origionals as we call them. 2) Microwave, aka suburbs, and 3) S'more poptarts, aka city slickers. We have sampled all 3 and you can't beat the origional, but the others will do in a pinch.

Home improvement. Shannon's been a wonderful assistant, helping me give some old furniture a "couture" look.Swimming. Thank heavens our subdivision has a pool. Although its a mini production to get the kids there by myself, both kids now have a farmers tan as a result of their surfer bathing suits. It's so much easier than worrying about their shoulders and backs burning. Adam's arm rolls have a lovely white crease that draws attention from the ladies.I should have known that goggles would get Shannon to finally put her face in the water. She's amazed that there's a whole new world under the surface.Adam's not too impressed with the pool. Probably the frustration of , "Oh, whats that?" followed by a face plant into the water. He repeats it until he cries and we go home.Zoo. Acting like a flamingo at the zoo passes the hot summer days.Dance Class. Our talented friend, Sherilyn teaches a dance class once a week for the girls. Shannon then talks about it for the next 6 days.

I think I see a hint of potential. Or maybe I'm just a proud Mama.

She defiantly has my feet. Chillin' like a villain. Oh, the outfits that Shannon comes up with. AH! I need to beat some style into this girl. She's not lacking in the attitude division.
These sunglasses were a gift from the Jonas Brothers, whom she has no clue who they are mercifully.

Until Next Year...Au Revoir Summer.

Adam's Cake Demolition

My baby didn't disappoint!

Carefully watch the phases he goes through..

What is this?

Can I touch it?

What do I do with it?

How can I eat it in faster!
Completely worth the minute of your life.

Who needs a dog?

When you have an ADAM?

He...

Gets into your garbage
Spreading it about in a careless fashion
Eating any leftovers without any thoughts of the consequences of bacteria or mold...

Or that frosting is not compatible with the osmolarity of the eye.

Eats ice cream from your cone, even if it's bad for him
Then licks any remains from his face, or yours


Steals food from your plate with no hint of remorse.


Walks on all 4s, gives you slobbery kisses, and plays in the toilet (I haven't been able to get a pic because I can't stand the sight long enough to grab the camera)


And gives you 100% love and devotion.

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY ADAM!

Pass the Pesto

Shannon's favorite food is pesto gnocci, behind refined sugar of course. Our basil finally took off, just in time for us to use up our last frozen pack of pesto. Shannon's been a wonderful helper lately and made a fresh batch of pesto from start to finish. She picked and cleaned the basil, threw everything in the food processer, gave it a whirl, and then ate and ate and ate. Here she is pressing a pile of pesto onto her pesto pasta because apparently I didn't add enough. Not only do we have we made traditional pesto, but Steve also bought me a lemon basil plant, which make I lighter, less strong pesto that even Steve will eat.

If you drop in you might just end up eating a big bowl of pesto, as the freezer is filling quickly and we'll be chowing down on fresh pesto all winter long!

Real Men Wear Pink

It's been a rough week for Adam. Brain going 100 miles an hour but a body still working on fine tuning motor skills. He decided to give his upper 2 teeth a head start in breaking through by knocking them over and over on various objects. After the 3rd bloody mouth/mess, I started to wonder if the popsicles I was giving him to decrease swelling had anything to do with the repeated offences. Why no bib...the popsicle is hiding the blood that was already on the shirt, as well as the crib, the sheets, the pillows, the stuffed animals, etc. I though the crib was a safe zone?You might note the small tear in the right eye (your left). He's good this one...knows how to pull at the heart strings.Another offense that included tons of blood, but no teeth, occurred when I attempted to go to the bathroom. What was I thinking taking 1.2 minutes for myself? This innocent face, who has learned to take the lid off the garbage can,was on a quest to find the container of cream cheese frosting, but ended up cuting his finger on a lid of formula. He must have headed straight for the garbage as soon as I closed the bathroom door, because by the time I returned he had crawled all over the carpet, leaving a bloody trail for me to steam clean.By the weeks end, I had steam cleaned 3 times. But he does look pretty in pink And heaven forbid I take a picture of Adam and not include Shannon. Yes, this offense occured as we were trying to leave for a swimming party. We were late and I'm sure it won't be the last time we are late and Adam is the reason behind the delay.