You know you're married with kids when your idea of a fun date is a quiet romantic dinner and window furniture shopping.

Originally we were going to go to Cattleman's Steakhouse but when we got there it was loud. Really loud. We were trying to get away from loud. So we went to Deep Fork Grill and enjoyed a nice quiet dinner. How did we follow it up? By going furniture looking. We don't need any new furniture but it sure was nice going to all the furniture stores and not worrying about something accidentally getting broken or being asked one hundred plus times when we were leaving.

Seriously, one of our best dates ever.

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Meet Charlie

Meet my new man, Charlie! Last year I took a kickboxing class and loved it. I also like the bags at the gym and classes that include hits and kicks.It really helps with stress. So I asked for this dummy man. Didn't get it for my Birthday or Anniversary so I kinda gave up. Then I walked out to "Charlie" on Christmas! Whoo hoo! I squealed with excitement and kissed my hubby, boys, and Charlie. Isaac said he was worried bc what woman really wants a punching dummy over jewelry?! Ummm this one does!

Christmas Card Display

Last year I saw the coolest idea on pinterest for a Christmas card display. You take some old shutters, paint them a new color, and *walah*...awesome display! My goal was to find some shutters. I love antique stores and it was a good excuse to go in them. However, they want a charge an arm and a leg for those things....bummer. 

Today, I miraculously got all of my errands done early before it was time to pick lil Isaac up from school. So, I went on a quest...for chocolate (shocker I know). However, I saw this cute antique store on my quest and I went in to look for shutters. Shutters I did not find but I found this beauty. $20. With tax $21 and some change. Sold!  Went home and changed out the sad, old, dimming lights. Got some cute mini clothes hangers from Hobby Lobby, went through our decorations box and reused some stuff. 

Ta-Da! An awesome new card display!

$21 and some change for a cute wood tree.
$3.50 for mini clothes pins from Hobby Lobby.
Steal!

I guess I forgot to mention the part about child labor. Someone had to paint the mini clothes pins sparkly colors. They didn't seem to mind though :)

Close up. Don't judge that it's a card form Isaac's college. It's the only one we've gotten so far. *hint hint friends and family ha ha*
ps the second card in the first picture is actually a card with a recipe from my mother in law but I wanted to add more than one card for pictures sake.ha ha 

Blend Tech blender

About 2 years ago I was at Sam's club when I saw the most awesome demo EVER. A blender that made ice cream, humus, soups, coffee...the guy never stopped. I NEEDED one! Unfortunately Isaac said $400 on a blender was "crazy" and "unacceptable". So I walked away blenderless. My dreams of all the awesomeness shattered. I talked about that thing so much Isaac got sick of it. Well, it just so happened while he was deployed they came back through. I thought about discussing it with him but then I remembered his favorite motto "better to ask for forgiveness than permission". I got one in white. When I told Isaac he looked shocked. Then I reminded him he had a brand new shotgun he had yet to shoot and a motorcycle in the garage he had yet to ride...3 years later. 'nough said. All I have to say is I love my Blend tech. So far I've made soups ( seriously you throw in all the veggies and some water...90 sec later, soup!), peanut butter, Ice cream, guacamole, juice, cookie batter,pancake batter, it shreds chicken...all in 90 secs or less! Love is really an understatement.

Show and tell

This story tickles me and it's something I want little Isaac to read someday....

Every Thursday at Isaac's school the boys bring something for Show and Tell. Isaac has asked from day one to bring his toy shot gun. It makes the noise, spits out shells...it's pretty realistic. Every week I say, "I forgot to ask your teacher pick___ instead" This time he was adamant that he bring the gun "mom you say so every week. It's my favvoooorriiittteee toy!" I told him
To put it I the car and we would ask his teacher. First I ran into the upper school principle and asked, " sure! I don't have a problem but ask Mrs Taylor" I ran into Mrs Taylor...*turning red* " can my son bring this fake shot gun for show and tell?" *gulp*..."honey I'm an Army wife!"...now on to Mrs. lee...let me just say it is crazy awkward carrying a fake gun to school. I wanted to say to every parent I passed "it's for show and tell"...Anywhoo, Mrs Lees response "cool! Does it make a noise?!"... His classmates parents response. 1) He's just practicing his second amendment right ...2) They did pass a new open carry law.
*whew* thank the Lord for non uptight parents and teachers that realize not all kids are mini psychopaths. Sometimes they just want to show off their cool toy gun :)

Haircuts

All,

School pictures will be taken of all students on Tuesday, October 2nd. Students wear their normal school day uniform (hair cuts optional). The proofs will be sent home along with an order form the following week.

Hope this clears up any confusion about the calendar.

Have a great weekend,

Ann Taylor
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Nothing like getting an email on a Friday and realizing your weekend is crazy busy and that Isaacs haircut would have to be squeezed in on a mon. His haircut was not optional. It was to long to spike up and look messy down.

I got his haircut on base. It's my go to place when Isaac is gone. Our usual guy was not there and it made me a tad nervous. I looked around and thought we could go with anyone but the guy with the shaky hands. We got a lady. She asked what I wanted. I pointed to a nice looking gentleman and said, "clean cut like him but not so short. These are for his school pic..." BUZZ went the clippers right down the middle of his head. WTH?! I'm gonna smack someone look must have registered across my face because she said, " is that to short?" my curt response was, "well there's nothing you can do about it now!" she said, "you said short like him" (pointing to the guy) ' I said clean like him and longer on the top' stare down followed by awkward silence and then she proceeded to buzz the rest of his head. Israel was next. Payback time lady. He screamed "NOOO! NOOO!", he kicked his legs, he waved his arms, he shook his head. She was super sweet with him and said really soothing words. She redeemed her tip and Israel took care of the karma.

5 years all ready

Can't believe you're 5!

My Isaac,

What can I say...I blinked and you turned five! This year has been so much fun. I've watched you go from a shy little guy to a brave one that makes friends easily. I love that you are so kind hearted and want to share everything with your brother. I wanted to make you a picture like Israels, with all of your "likes" but you have so many! And you seem to change them every week. How about we do your currents!?....

color: Red

Thing to do: play Angry Birds or Old Yeller with Scooter.

Food: pizza, nuggets, mac&cheese....to name a few

Hero: Daddy. You want to do everything he does!

Sport: You like them all!

I love you my little man. I am excited to see what year 5 is going to be like! I am sure more exciting than the last :)

Love, Mommy