EIGHT!

 Pierce Matthew,

You my boy, are now 8 years old.

This last year, like all of your precious years, has flown by. 

And in this last year, you have continued to excel. 

Everyday when you come from school, there is another good behavior report.

You are always pushing yourself, to do better, and try harder.

I would say in this last year, you've come into yourself more.

I see more confidence in all aspects of your life. 

You are still a sensitive, and passionate child. 

And when faced with a passionate son, sometimes your passionate mom isn't sure what to do.

But together, we've figured it out. 

Still the one we refer to as our "shy child." 

But how it warms my heart to see you laughing with your friends at school. 

But isn't that what you've been doing from the beginning?

Warming hearts. 

If I could have custom ordered a son

You are EXACTLY what I would have asked for. 

Pierce, I love you with ALL that I am, and raising you is a JOY.

And remember what I always tell you....

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be.

I love you,

Momma.

Party like an 8 year old

Pierce told me weeks back, there was only one thing he wanted for his birthday, "momma, I only want to play with Jax." 

So, we set a plan in action. 

I set up a little playdate with Jax, and I also invited along one of his baseball buddies, Owen. 

But we kept it a secret, up until the day before. So you can imagine his delight when he found out he would be with his friends, and to top it all off, it would be at Chuck E. Cheese!

Two hours to eat pizza, play their hearts out, and earn cheap prizes.

What's not to love about that?

And they waisted no time spending all their tokens.

They ran around like crazy,

With an intermittent pizza stop or two.

And Hope also reaped all the benefits from this little gathering of boys, because she was tearing it up!

And while I was certainly enjoying watching the kids have a great time, there was something more I had on my mind....

Since this was a very small shindig, I didn't want to order a whole cake, but I did want something sweet for them.

What to do? What to do?

Internet to the rescue!

And by internet, I mean, JamiesRabbits.

 I follow her on twitter and read her blog, a funny and witty gal, who also happens to make cake pops (and I think cupcakes too?) I'm always noticing people raving about them, so I decided to go ahead and place an order.

 A dozen Transformer cake pops later, I was dying to try one....

And try one I did not.

Try four I did.

And I was not the only one pleased.

Next time the order shall be doubled!

While I normally complain about Chuck E Cheese, yesterday was an exception. I was so enjoying watching Pierce with his buddies, that the evils of that place seemed to melt away.

Such a sweet time.

And now the countdown is on....

In less than 24 hours, he will officially be eight.

Flashback Friday!

It's Friday, which can only mean one thing!

Ahhhh yeah!

FLAAAAASHBACK FRIIIIIDAAAAAY. (Still said in my best game-show voice)

Today, I thought we would look back at some Christmas scenes from my youth. 

Like this one of three excited children, on Christmas Eve. What I really enjoy about this picture, is my brother's old man slippers, and my footed pajamas, which inevitably, always made my feet sweat. 

I'm sure these pajamas also made my feet sweat, but who cares! I had a a bendable Bugs Bunny in my stocking! HOLLA.

And here's a little fact about Christmas past.

Santa was never happy. 

But I think this Santa was just too busy pondering my farm scene on my overalls, and simply forgot to smile.

I think my dad lost his camera for a few years, because many years seem to be missing.



But no worries, I made up for it, by showing up in a, STUFF MY STOCKING shirt?

Um, really?

And also, I've got a turtleneck under it, and white stockings?

And the side-ponytail is the icing on it all.

But by far, one of my favorites I found, was this one. I'm guessing I'm about 15? And I have a giant teddy bear? And do you see what's sitting next to me?

Four L'eggs eggs.

A giant teddy bear, and pantyhose. You guys! I got a giant teddy bear, and pantyhose for Christmas!

And I'm betting those pantyhose were a lovely brown hue.

And lastly in my latest edition of FLAAASHBACK FRIIIIIDAAAAY, check out a very tiny Rico being all cute in front of his rockin' tree.

I'm already contemplating next weeks edition.....

I'm enjoying this WAY too much.

2 months to go! I'm like a skilled hair athlete now.

When this whole hair situation started a mere 9 months ago, I was determined. 

In the nine months since, my determination has wavered a time or two, but I've stuck to it, and not cut the hair.  (If only, I could stick to a diet with such determination) 

And now, when I head in to the bathroom to do my hair, I prepare for the work. 

I have a LOT of hair. 

It's thick, and sort of wavy, and then sort of straight. It's weird. 

If I decide to go with the wavy look, it takes much longer to dry. So, I settle in for the time and effort it takes. 

I consider myself a hair athlete now. 

I've always wanted to be an athlete, and this is close as I will ever get.

A skilled hair athlete.

With color stains on her t-shirt.

YOU GUYS, I am in the home stretch now!!!!

I see the finish line, and I. AM. GOING. TO. WIN.

Have you ever?

Have you ever?

Slept this good? 

Mouth WIDE open good?

And no matter how much raucous is going on,  you stayed mouth-wide-open-asleep?

Honestly?

One of the funniest and cutest things, EVER.