Celebrate Good Times!

This is going to be super quick and photo-free...I'll do more of a blog on our trip to Kansas tomorrow when I have more time. But for now, here's what we've got...

First, before I begin, start singing that Cool and the Sunshine Band song "Celebration", it must accompany this blog.

Patrick pooped in the potty TWO TIMES today! TWO TIMES! Whoo Hoo!!!! I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the potty training tunnel! (I promise, Baloney, I'm not rubbing it in, I want to celebrate with you, too...come on Jacob--you can do it)!

Two down...one to go (or maybe I should say 1 1\2 down--I wouldn't say Patrick is 100% potty trained, maybe somewhere around 95%).

Have a Great Monday night...gotta go now and see who Dionna choses on The Bachelorette! (Like it's not obvious).

'Til tomorrow...

Country Livin'...It's the Life!

Remember this?

And this...

For some crazy reason we think it's a great idea to load our three little ones up in the car and head north again for Kansas. This time it will be to visit my family. I love KC...the shopping, dining, entertainment, museums, etc. You know, all that stuff we never do when we're there, but it's a great feeling to know it's available. Well, my hometown is the polar opposite of Kansas City. My hometown is about 1 hour west of Wichita, Kansas with a population of about 4,000. It's kind of the gateway to 'No Mans Land' a.k.a...Western Kansas. But I have a secret--I love the place!

So we're going to spend 3 glorious days on the ranch! Well, it's not really a ranch, but my home is out in the country and there are cattle nearby. And wheat fields. (But not too close, my step dad takes pride in his well manicured lawn, landscaping, pond).

I'm sure our 3 1/2 hour drive will be worth it, but I'm SO dreading the drama that will take place later today.

"God, please grant me patience this afternoon."

Here are some things my hometown offers to tourists:

1. 3 stop lights

2. 2 fast food restaurants

3. Brick streets

4. A picturesque courthouse

(here's a photo of it)

5. A drug store with a soda fountain and lunch counter

6. Main street with brick buildings and front door parking

When I was in high school I could think nothing more that I wanted than to 'get out of here!' I thought small town life was stifling, there was no anonymity, nothing to do...the list went on and on. But now, I love it. I love taking my children to a place where people know them, simply because they know me. I love that they can run and run and run in vast open space. I love that they can go fishing with Papa by just stepping out the back door. I love that the view from the front porch is a field of native grass and wildflowers. I love that they get to spend time truly with nature.

I love this place now and there are many days that I yearn to be back in the stillness of the country and a town where I know I can count on the people. I can't wait to get my kids there this afternoon. I'm sure the drive will be trying, but it will be worth it!

Have a Great 4th of July!!!!

Summer Camp: My Suggestions

I don't know if those of you who live in Tulsa have glanced through the July issue of Tulsa Kids, but there is a great, comical article about summer camps and how parents have this urge to fill their children's summers with this camp or that camp. I have to admit, this is not happening in my family. Not because I don't think it's important to go to summer camp, but because I have 3 children ages 4 and under and there are some days where I'm struggling to keep my head above water. Therefore...no camps for us this summer (we are taking summer ballet, but it's not a "camp"). So...in the spirit of summer (and to piggy back some more suggestions to the author of the Tulsa Kids article), here are my suggestions for summer camps for the Lam children:

1. No Screaming in the Car Camp: At this camp your child will learn to get in the car upon first request and get themselves buckled, or sit still enough for the parent to buckle them up without getting few thumps in the head with a 2-year-olds shoes. Your child will also learn to ride along quietly or converse pleasantly with their sibling. We will even teach your children to agree upon a said song on iPod or CD and sing along politely.

2. Eat What You Are Served Camp: This camp is perfect for preschoolers who think any food that is not the color beige is "disgusting." Your child will learn that mommy only fixes one dinner per night and the whole family will eat that dinner. By the time your child has completed this camp your days of "I'm not eating this, fix me macaroni 'n cheese" will be something of the past.

3. Manners and Magic Words Camp: This is a great camp for all ages. Please send your child to this camp. Thank You.

4. Poop In The Potty Camp: Title says it all. (Seriously if anyone can find a real one of these camps, let me know)!

5. Clean Up Your Own Spit-Up Camp: This is a camp specifically designed for the little ones in your life that have relflux. By the end of this camp your baby will know how to put on their own bib, wipe their own chin, and clean up their own spit up off of any surface.

Our Trip to KC; Part 1

We went to Kansas City this weekend to visit Weather Man's family. We had a great time and there will be more blogging on some of our activities later. I was super excited to go and was actually packed and ready to go when Weather Man got home. So we all excitedly hopped in the car--"yay! We're going to grandma's! Going to Kansas!!" Popped in a movie and off we went. I should've known that even though we were driving north, things would go south very quickly (the DVD player broke 10 minutes into the trip, "are we there yet" started at Owasso, etc.).

"This is the longest car ride I've ever been on" (we were probably about to Owasso at this point, 30 minutes down--3 hours to go)

"Get me out of this car before I barf!"

"Seriously, could I be more bored?" (no, she's not asleep--she's being dramatic)

"Don't ever make me ride in a car this long again!"

"Get me out of this car!"

I love my children! I love that there's 8' between the front seat and the rear seat! I love that we're taking them on another car trip on Thursday. Please tell me I'm not the only one whose children act this way on car trips!

Oh--disclaimer--I didn't do that to my daughter's face--blame the face paint on VBS.

Road Rage--I'm the Cause of It

I'm quite sure that I often create road rage in other drivers. I think I'm a good driver, but I have to admit that sometimes I can't see everything that is going on while I'm driving. This is for a number of reasons...
1). I have a monsterously huge SUV
2). I'm often opening a juice box, package of crackers, new Hot Wheels, etc. while driving
3). While driving I'm using my refereeing skills to settle an arguement whether Lightning McQueen is bigger than Barbie Mariposa
4). I'm trying not to spill my Starbucks on anything (remember the whole "it corroded away the insides of your laptop" issue?)

So that being said, I'm sure that I've caused many a frustrated driver. However, today takes the cake. Katie was in RARE FORM this morning. She's never been much of a morning person and it's always a challenge to get her to do anything, but this week is particularly hectic in her little 4-year-old world. She's going to VBS and 3 days this week she's going to her St. John school. So she's kind of everywhere and I have to admit that she's getting a little worn out. But she's also got a mouth on her--she's a sassy little sucker--and she knows it. So this morning on the way to take Patrick and Baby Lam to St. John, Katie sat in the back screaming (and I mean SCREAMING) "PUT ON A CD MOMMY! TURN IT ON NOW--A CD! I WANT A CD TO PLAY" This went on for a good 2 minutes, I thought she'd eventually shush--realizing that I was ignoring her, but no, why would that happen. I should have also mentioned that she's also super persistent--mix that with sassy and you've got a recipe for disaster!

So, back to the road rage...so in the midst of all the screaming I slammed on breaks in the middle of the road. During 8:00 a.m. traiffic in the heart of Brookside, right in the middle of Peoria, not at a light, not at a stop sign--but right in the middle of the street I brought my monster of a car to a complete stop--in about 1.2 seconds (the kind of stop where everything that was in your seat is now on the floor). I turned to her and said in my most calm but very firm, 'mommy's ticked off' voice..."you will never talk to me like that again...ever. I don't want you to talk one word until we get to church." Then I calmly turned around and off we went, continuing on our journey.

Looking back...I'm lucky no one rear ended me...I'm impressed with my breaking skills and my car. I didn't think a car of that size could get stopped so quickly.

So, if you were one of those cars driving down Peoria about 8:00 a.m. this morning and a big, black SUV came to a dead stop in front of you, I'm so sorry-I know I caused you rage.

Here Kitty Kitty

Katie wants a kitty.

Weather Man does not.

Patrick wants a kitty.

Weather Man still does not.

I secretly want a kitty (I guess it's not a secret anymore).

Weather Man secretly wants a puppy.

I'm potty training an almost 3 year old, I don't need to potty train a puppy, too. Kitties come potty trained.

Both Katie and Patrick's birthdays are in 2 weeks. Wouldn't a kitty be a great gift for both? They would be super excited and might even forgive Weather Man and I for not letting them have a big birthday blow out (that is actually still on the table for discussion).

How about this little guy? He's too cute and available for adoption at the animal shelter. Do you think maybe this will melt Weather Man's heart? He'd definitely be the dad-of-the-year in Katie's book if he'd allow him to come live at our house.

"Please, Mr. Weather Man, won't you let me come live with you?"

A Bunch of Nothing...and Other Random Thoughts

I have to admit that I'm NOT an organzied person...in any area of my life. That doesn't mean that I live my life in a constant state of choas (even though it sometimes feels like it), it just means that I'm living in the moment! I have very random thoughts and taste in things. I think my iPod is a prime example, right now The Police are playing, but I'm pretty sure that the Spice Girls are next and after that is the Royal Philharmonic and then the Bee Gees. So you get my point--random. I've been rather proud of myself for most of my blogs have generally stayed on one course of thought. But today that ends...and you can see how my mind really works. Stay with me on this one, we will jump from topic to topic...

Last night when I was putting Baby Lam to sleep Weather Man was ironing his outfit for the kick off of the big Ridge Run golf tournament that he's playing in. Never did I think it would be so hard to match a pair of shorts and a golf shirt. But seriously, I think he must've come in and said "does this go together" at least 20 times. I'm not kidding...AT LEAST 20 times. Finally I said "just wear khaki shorts and your white shirt." That's not what he's wearing today. I never knew my husband was so fashionably challenged. I secretly think I knew, but wasn't quite ready to admit it. Last night was like an addict sitting in a jail cell after getting busted, sitting there thinking "I think we have a problem."

Hmmm...what's going on here? She's a fox, huh? All you other babies at the pool better just get your floaties and move on out--hottie is in town! Our neighbor got this baby bikini for Baby Lam. Put it on her and took a photo as proof that she actually had it on, then took it off. I look at this photo and just want to say "you go girl, be proud of those thighs!" Do I detect somewhat of a baby six pack in that photo? I'm not sure how that is happening since she's got a Buddah belly like no ones business. Goodness I love that baby!

Can I tell you how much I love the store Trippets! (for those of you not in Tulsa, it's a shoe store--mainly children's shoes but also they carry dance attire). I love to stand in the dance section where all the tiny (and not so tiny) leotards and ballet skirts are. I stand there daydreaming of Katie's journey through ballet and how I will present her with a dozen beautiful pink roses after her premier performance with the New York City ballet. And how it will all have started right here Trippets. "Can I help you? Is there something you're looking for?" Oh--I'm snapped out of my dream--"yes, I need a pink ballet skirt in size 4/5, because my daughter was promoted and wears a pink leotard now." The sweet lady just smiles, knowing that Katie probably won't ever be in the New York City ballet, but gives me a confident "you've come to the right place" like buying this tiny pink crepe skirt at Trippets is as good as buying a ticket to New York. I also love that place because they remember me and my kids and their names! (Something I can't do most days). And one more reason I love that store--the smell--I love the smell of new shoes (let me reemphasize...NEW shoes, not shoes in general).

Here we are at the beginning of our journey to the New York City ballet....

Our first ballet recital

And a photo I took of Katie dancing at home...she's always twirling or dancing, and usually she has to be in full costume.

And here's a little something to keep you intrigued...I'll blog on this maybe tomorrow. It's our new philosophy on potty training....

Can I get in trouble for putting something like that on the internet? Dang it's cute, though!