“When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself. ” - Jacques Cousteau

I try to pick Archer up from school most days. Yes, I know school is only a half-mile(ish) away. Yes, I know that he is 15 years old. Yes, I know I do not need to pick him up. But I like to. I do it because I want to. I want to see him in those few moments after being released from learning and friends. I want to hear about his day immediately (because otherwise it may not happen). I want to tell him if I bought his favorite iced tea or that I signed him up for driver's ed. I want him to know that those few moments, because sometimes all it is is a few moments alone, is important to me.

Yesterday he gave me this ^^^ paper. His health teacher gave them each one to wear and some to give out. He methodically looked through saying, "not this one" "nope" "maybe this one" until he got to the one he wanted me to have. Evidently I'm doing a great job. After losing my cool a few too many times these past few days I'm glad to know that he still thinks I'm doing a great job. When he gave it to me he told me it fit me best because it meant all the other things (positive statements) put together and that he thinks I do a great job at being a mom. That is all I want. Love my boy.

“The greatest gift you can give another is the purity of your attention. ”—Richard Moss

tingling tastebuds for over 75 years.

"Life is like a twinkie, we all want the fluffy golden outside but it's the cream filling that really matters." Tom Brady

Until just a few days ago, Wednesday to be exact, my 13 (and a half) year old son had never tasted a Twinkie. I didn't know this. I just assumed the kid had had a Twinkie at some point in his life. Not so. Evidently he liked his first Twinkie. Good to know. So, he asked me if we have anymore. Uh, no, of course not I ate them (duh). Being the nice mom I am I went and bought him a box (yep, a whole box) of Twinkies. I will not eat a single one. I promise.

My question is - Am I a good mom because I kept my kid away from Twinkies for over 13 years or I am a bad mom because I kept him away from Twinkies for over 13 years? Hmmmmm.....


By the way...He has had donettes quite a number of times. We are big on the chocolate covered ones. AND did you know that you can go to the Hostess site and there are recipes for using their oh-so-nutritious products? The Mini No Bake Twinkie Cheesecakes look interesting.

Edited: ok. I just went and looked at some more recipes and the penguin party for the Sno Balls is ADORABLE (as is the wizard and the ornament...)! And I want to try the Ding Dong dessert sandwich.

Frozen feet.

Whenever it snows Archer wants to run out into the yard and back in his bare feet. This is crazy - I know - and I thought I better have evidence. One day he may have children who want to do this and being a good parent he will probably say no...I, as we established earlier am not running for mom-of-the-year, so I thought I should gather the proof today! I even made him stop (he usually just runs) and pose for a picture (notice the look on his face) - he did (willingly I might add).Crazy kid. :)

Love!

I completed these cute LOVE frames today. I bought them on New Years at Treasury of Memories. To see another version (the black frames) look at Tami's blog from a few days ago. Tami is all Valentine's Day-ed up, while I am finally putting away the last of my Christmas decorations. I think I have my Christmas stuff put away, with the exception of a few snowman things that can stay out for awhile longer. Love my snowmen.
In other news - Archer had an eye appointment today. Last month (?) Archer got "the letter" about his vision. He has never received "the letter" before - even without glasses - so when "the letter" came home I was a bit surprised. Being the wonderful mom that I am I said that I wasn't taking him into the eye doctor until his next scheduled appointment. Well...after realizing I didn't win mom-of-the-year last year I thought I should get a start for this year and actually checked when his next appointment was (March) and decided if he is really having a problem maybe I should make an appointment (duh). So, we went today. He needs a new prescription, his eye sight is becoming progressively worse, yet the good news is his focus is improving! So, watch out ladies I am SO in the running for mom-of-the-year! Hahaha!

Target Audience?

Since being sick Archer has watched quite a bit of t.v. I am a good mom and know that t.v. makes kids feel better...that is another story. So, the favorite things he has watched in the past four days is the infomercial (a full 30 minutes) of the Magic Bullet. He fell in love. Got so excited. HAD to have it. Well, looking for the mom of the year award, I indulged him in this want. He is paying for half (mostly with manual labor) and he is giddy. He still isn't feeling great, however he took some time to make blueberry muffins for Troy as a "welcome home/we missed you" gift. Lovely. My lovely friend, fellow reader, and all around great shopper, Tami has this Magic Bullet and has told me she loves hers which is one of the reasons I felt I could purchase this infomercial super gadget. Looking forward for some margaritas...For me, not Archer!