Do the Birthday Dance

My Baby is 2

My baby, my Kman, my doodle. Where do I start? You turn 2 today little man, and I am sitting here wondering where the last 2 years of my life have gone. It feels like only yesterday you were swaddled up in a blankie in my arms. You have grown so much these past 2 years into such a big boy already. My heart aches to watch how fast you grow up, but I am so proud of you. You have the most adorable personality, carefree, happy, just like your dad. You are a spitting image of him, and every time I look at you I see him. You are so special to us and we love you so very much. Happy 2nd Birthday little dude!

Your mommy will always love you with all her heart.

Now that is just gross, son...

Movie Review

MMMM. What do I say. Alright, let me break it down for you.

The good:
The majority of the characters looked like I imagined. Bella, Edward, Alice, Emmett, Jacob and Charlie at least.

The bad:
The film felt majorly LOW budget. The plot skipped so many crucial points, I was left scratching my head thinking that if I hadn't read the book, I would probably have been lost most of the way through it. There wasn't the depth that I had wanted, the romance, the desire, the love. Not to mention that Edward makes some funky faces through the whole thing! It was almost comical really. It just isn't, how do I put it, as believable as the book was.

Overall Rating:
C-

I was disappointed. Sad but true, for the first time in my life I must say, the book is SOOO much better then the movie. I don't think I would see it twice. Save your money and rent it when it comes to dvd.

Excuse Me? What Did You Say?

When I woke up this morning Nick decided out of the blue that he was going to work from home today, totally random. So, I went to work by myself. For the past few weeks my cousin has been trying to get me to go to her Hair School's hair show at Murray Highschool, which happened to be tonight. I couldn't find a sitter, and I wasn't going to be able to go, until Nick stayed home. Then everything changed.

It was pretty sad because my cousin's model decided last night that she couldn't be in the show. Long story, don't want to go into why she dropped out, but it was a sticky situation. They have been preparing for this for months. They had to draw a name of a celebrity, put together sketches, a board, pick out outfits, cut and color hair...just lots of work. She had picked Barbara Streisand. She had to go through two rounds of juding and made it to the finals. One of 17 finalists out of who knows how many students, lots.

She did really awesome for having to pick a back up model last night, and won first runner up! The winner got a full paid trip to a hair academy in London. She was so close! I was proud. Then at the end of the night, everyone there had a ticket put into a bag. The owner of the salon on stage pulled a name to announce the winner of a $15,000 FULL RIDE scholarship to Cameo College. There had to be 1000 people there. She pulled the ticket and read the name "ERIKA STOCKS"! I won! I cannot believe it! I have wanted to go to hair school since I was very very young , maybe 7. I was bawling my eyes out! It pays for everything, 100%. Books, tuition, supplies ALL OF IT!

I start nights part time in January. I am still in shock. I don't even know what to think! I just can't believe after all of these years my dream is coming true and I don't have to pay a dime for it, it's completely free. I knew something told me I had to go tonight, but I don't think I knew what I was in store for. I am truley blessed.

Here is my golden ticket!

I Can't Wait!

I am seriously SO EXCITED to see the Twilight Movie this weekend! Nick and I already bought tickets and are going on Sunday. I haven't been to the movie theatre in years (I know LAME-O). In fact Nick and I had a hard time even remembering the last time just him and I went to see a movie. I think it was "Hitch" actually, and how long ago did that movie come out? HA!

As I said before, I have never been a reader, never even had the urge to read. I read when I HAD to, but that was tough enough. I am almost done with book 4 now. Well, I should have been done long ago to tell you the truth, but I can't do it! I can't let go! I have been taking my time with this one because I am so scared that I will finish and be ready for the next one, and that's it, there gone, it's over.......UGH. OMG, what is wrong with me? I sound like one of those book nerds...I AM A BOOK NERD! AHHHHH!

I guess I will read the Host next and see how that goes. I have heard mixed feelings on that book, but I love Stephanie Meyer, so maybe if I stick to the same author it will kinda be the same? Won't it? It doesn't have to end completely.......:( Man, this sucks.

I'm Having Hair Withdrawls

Alright, I am having hair withdrawls. I miss my long hair sometimes and wish it would grow back. The first picture is when I had my extensions in. I don't want that back but I miss having some length:

This was way to long, and way to much hair for me. I couldn't do anything with all of it, and it took FOREVER to blow dry. Totally annoying. If I ever did the whole extension thing again, I would do way less, and shorter.

When I decided to take out my extensions, I did the dumbest thing and decided to lighten my hair, of course damaging it again. Plus I chopped about 3-4 inches off in this picture:

Then I decided to go back dark. I think I miss it about this length and color the most (ya I know, my tag is showing, thanks):

It's even shorter then this last picture now, and I have a couple extensions through the front to thicken it out a bit. But it feels so short, and of course my hair takes FOREVER to grow. I don't know, I mean it was fun cutting it short since I haven't had it short in almost 15 years, but I think I'm past the whole short thing now, and I wish I could grow it out faster! I am tempted to put back in my extensions but that totally damaged it before. Maybe I will just put in a few to give it some length, or maybe I will just shave it off and start over. Who knows!

Birthday Blast!

Well, the boy's party turned out awesome! Everyone the kids invited showed up, we probably had 10-12 kids there. The room was so fun! They had a real DJ booth with black lights, strobe lights, and a microphone, and they played DJ all night and sang songs.

The walls lit up when the black lights were on.

You can't see it very good, but this is the DJ Booth with a mini window next to it so you could look out

Ke'alohi and Mitch had their hair painted!

Everyone loved hangingin out in the DJ Room!

The boys had a cake with a mini skooter on it, and 16 candles. 7 for Koa and 9 for Kolya

I didn't get a picture, but we bought both boys a pair of skates for their birthday. Kolya loves the old school roller skates, and Koa got a pair of Roller Blades.

I made them wear their hats at least one time around the rink...

Then it was off for a turn in the money machine. They got to spend 30 seconds in the machine that blew around fake money bills and collect all of the money they could by putting it in a whole in the front of the machine. When the timer got to 10 the audience all helped count down. They earned 110 tickets!

Then it was time to spin the Wheel of Prizes. Kolya won a light up pendant and Koa won $10, after a little help from Kayden (watch his video below).

Even Kayden had a good time hanging out and dancing in the room!

The boys also got a giant Birthday card that had a digital photo of our group inside. Everyone got to sign the card.

I am glad they had a good night! Kolya mentioned after we got home that it was "his most awesomest Birthday Party ever!" Happy Birthday Guys! We love you lots.

DJ and Skate Party Friday Night

All 3 of our boys have Birthdays in November. Doodle is still too little to have a party with the big boys, and his Birthday is actually on Thanksgiving this year. So he will get a little party of his own that day. But, we thought we would throw a DJ and Skate Party at Classic Skating for Kolya and Nakoa this Friday!

I made some cute invites for 5 of their friends, and we booked the DJ Theme Room at Classic. I was quite impressed with their birthday packages. Here is what $8.00 a person includes ($80.00 for 10):

Room: The DJ Room features your very own DJ booth where YOU get to control all the music and lights. Your guests will think you're the greatest as ou play todays hottest music while controlling strobe lights, lazors, and other special effect lighting. This room even has a rotating disco ball!

Package includes: 10 skate admissions, 10 skate rentals, 2 party tables for up to 2 hours, hostess for your party, 100 dimecade game tokens, small prize for each guest, unlimited soda, bouquet of balloons, 1 ice cream cup per guest, 1 free roller skating pass, 30 seconds in the cash machine for the birthday guest(s), 1 spin on the lucky birthday prize wheel, 1 glowstick for each guest, World's Largest Birthday card with digital photo of your group, and birthday place settings for each guest. (We added 2 large pizzas for $10 bucks more.) Oh, and we are bringing a cake!

Ok seriously, we got HOOKED UP right?!

I hope this birthday turns out awesome for these two. They sure are good kids, and we will post pictures later!

Thankful

We didn't have the kids this weekend so we were extrememly productive and got the house deep cleaned, all of the Halloween stuff put away, and we just got back from doing a huge grocery shopping. I cleaned out the fridge and pantry today and threw a bunch of old stuff out, and I don't think I realized how in need we were of food.

I went to Walmart to do my normal shopping routine. I usually go by myself while Nick stays home and keeps the kids. It is so much more peaceful that way. I had made a list of all of the items we needed, a huge list. About half way into my list I realized my cart was full, overflowing actually. So I called Nick to have him come, bring the kids, and help me finish the shopping. Two entire carts later, we have a very full pantry, fridge, and freezer. Can I tell you what a good feeling that is?

I am so thankful we are blessed enough to have a nice house, buy food when we need it, and pay our bills without a struggle. This time of year really makes me thankful that we are able to do the things we do and give the kids the things they need and deserve. I really guess I don't have much to complain about you know. Sometimes I think "we could have this, and we could have that, and this would be so nice" but then I take a step back and realize what we do have and how thankful we should be. We have 5 healthy beautiful kids, and so much more than some people would ever dream of. I have a husband who loves me deeply, takes care of me and the kids, gets up and goes to work every day, and that I couldn't live without. It's been four years now that I have been with Nick, and not a day goes by that I don't realize how lucky I am, and how much I truley love that boy. He is so selfless, caring, genuine.

So there you go. How was that for sap. :)

Happy Holidays to all of you.

Happy Birthday Nakoa!!!

When you first became a part of my life you were barely 3 years old, still in diapers and with a bundle of curly hair! I couldn't get over how adorable you were.

I can't believe you turn SEVEN on Saturday, and how much you have grown up these past 4 years. You are a such a special kid and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of your life! Your dad and I love you with all of our hearts.

We hope you have the best birthday ever and we are both so proud of all that you have become. No matter how much you grow, and how big you get, I hope you always have that same cute raspy voice that I love so much!

Happy Birthday Sweetheart! We love you so much!

When I met you, this is what you looked like.....

You are such a brave little dude!

with a smile to die for....

Happy 7th Birthday Bud!

Thank Goodness for Small Miracles

Victory baby!

What did you say? It's November?

I looked at the calendar the other day and realized it is less than 60 days until Christmas. On a normal year by this time, I am done shopping or very close to it. I am sad to say that I still have not bought one single item. NOTHING. I think maybe I was too overwhelmed with Halloween to realize how much time flew by.

November is a busy month around our house. We have the normal Thanksgiving, but we also have all 3 boy's birthdays. Nakoa turns 7 on Saturday, Kayden turns 2 on Thanksgiving, and Kolya turns 9 on November 29th. I better get moving or I might get burried in all the madness!

I think perhaps the holidays seem a little different every other year. Maybe that is what the problem is. This year we don't have the kids on Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. So I am not as motivated to go crazy like I normally do. I mean really, what are Holidays without kids? At least we get to see them on Christmas day and they will stay over that night, but there is something about waking up Christmas morning to silence. Kayden is getting older and maybe we will be ok this year since he will be there. It is really hard to share. You feel like you miss so much when the kids aren't there to watch open presents and be anxious on Christmas Eve. It makes me thankful that we have them as much as we do.