Project 365 - Day 52

I have a serious problem people. I am totally into this doughnut place in town now and I could easily eat a dozen doughnuts by myself. There is just something about the fresh doughnut goodness coming out of this place that makes me dream of them. On Saturday I treated the kids to breakfast at the doughnut shop - shhh don't tell them it was for my benefit. We then went to Target to get a birthday present for a party for Nathan's school friend the next day. The place was so crowded I could only get one quick shot off and again my lame photo skills leave me wanting much, much, much better pictures. Ahh, but just looking at them makes me drool and want to sneak away to get some more - they are open 24 hours you know....

Project 365 - Day 51

Just hanging out before Nathan goes to school. Nathan and Laura love Noah so much, I love to see the love in their little faces. They always want to be near him.

Project 365 - Day 50

I really can't stand how cute this kid is and I don't even have any reservations saying that just because I am his mother. His little personality is coming out and he is a pure joy. Yes, he is sitting now - still not rolling over but he can sit. If he leans too far one way he goes right over but he can lean forward and get himself back to upright. He just LOVES attention - I know the third (last) child syndrome where he will be a little clown to make everyone happy. He is just so smiley and so cuddly. Daddy can always make him laugh so thanks to Mike I was able to get these shots.

Project 365 - Day 49

My late night obsession, just by myself, alone, in the dark, reading my favorite blogs. My newest obsession can get out of hand. When I should be sleeping I am catching up on all my friends and checking out new crafty things. I have even 'met' a person in North Carolina who keeps me laughing with her family life stories. It is pretty weird to be reading and catch a glimpse of myself on someone else's blog which is exactly what happened this late night so I thought it would be a good picture of the day. Thanks Annie!

Project 365 - Day 48

This was a fun day for me. I got to get away in the middle of the day and hang out with friends at my local scrapbook store. Thanks to my mom who took charge of Noah, Laura and picked Nathan up from school only to bring Noah to me when he needed to be fed. Mom and Dad also graciously took all three kiddos back to their house for dinner and brought them home. What great, awesome helpers I have and the kids get the benefit of doting grandparents.

The crafting was a good time had by all. Old friends Dustin and Annie and new friends Dana and Desiree. I worked more on the bridal shower stuff and actually was able to complete something. It was so nice to have time to myself. I realized that was the longest I have been away from Noah since he was born and I do have to say it felt good - weird but good. I guess I need to get out more!

Project 365 - Day 47

I could seriously take this picture for every day. This is how my little one sleeps. He has to have this blanket (thank you auntie joni for the handmade goodness) and he has to have his fingers in the big holes and he has to have it either right next to or on top of his face. I know, I know, I have already received the bad mother lecture from my own mother and how he is going to suffocate and what am I thinking and he is too hot and he doesn't need a blanket and so on and so on. But, I will tell you he does need it. The look on his face when I put him down and put the blanket only half way up only to immediately watch him pull it up to get comfy cozy is priceless. He just settles in and is soo happy. Now please note, knowing he needs it and still worrying about how much air he has are two totally different stories. I do check on him multiple times a night and re-adjust ever so slightly to maintain comfy cozy with safety - I never knew what I was getting into with the balance of motherhood to keep them comfy and stay asleep so you can sleep and keeping awake to know they are still breathing. I guess I will never win, or sleep.

Project 365 - Day 46

A rainy Sunday. Laura and I went out to pick up pizza and she wanted to wear her rain boots. I thought I would take a quick shot of her and those cute rain boots (of which I was unable to get a clear picture because she kept running around and jumping like a crazy monkey who had not been let out of her cage all day - oh wait that is what happens on rainy days huh?!!) Anyway, I was able to catch her mid jump and I still can't get her to wear that hat the right way - thanks daddy!

Project 365 - Day 45

Happy Valentine's Day! It is real love when your husband gets up early to make you your favorite french toast. And it is even deeper love when said husband is allergic to eggs and dips your bread into an egg/cream mixture to make sure they are extra good. I was too busy eating to think about a picture until they were gone but they were so yummy. His hands are all itchy but man honey they were good. Thank you!

Nathan's Valentine Party

I am really enjoying working in Nathan's class on Fridays (thanks again mom). This was a Friday I have been looking forward to. Since he is the 'Star of the Week' he gets to talk about all of the pictures and special things he brought in throughout the week. He doesn't really talk much in class or participate in the songs and such (if he doesn't want to do the hand motions he just won't), BUT today he was very talkative. He explained all of his pictures - the wall was completely covered - I have never seen another kid bring as much stuff as my kid did. He wanted to bring his scrapbooks but I declined and said yes to waay too many other pictures. The funniest thing was hearing him explain all of the pictures and wait until the other kids were really listening before he would finish a sentence. Here he is with his best little friend opening their valentine's cards. His favorite was from his best friend because it was Star Wars. I had made Nathan's with a picture of him and it was fun to hear the kids thank him for it and one kid even said 'Thanks Nathan, now I will never forget you". Too cute - out of the mouths of babes!

Project 365 - Day 44

I had pictures all picked out for today since I worked in Nathan's class for the Valentine party extravaganza and then all of that went out the window when Mike calls to me that he has the perfect picture for Project 365. I think it is fun that he is getting into this. They fell 'asleep' watching Tom and Jerry cartoons. It is almost as if she went frozen trying to crawl up into the chair. I just am laughing out loud with this one!

Project 365 - Day 43

The famous button wall at my local scrapbook store (isn't it pretty?!). I had to go in and get some things for my brother's upcoming wedding favor stuff and more bridal shower invitation stuff I am working on. I don't really like going there with the kids for obvious reasons but Laura promised to be good for some buttons to add to her collection. She LOVES buttons. They have the prettiest buttons too, flower shapes and all different sizes. Her daddy gave her $1 to buy some and she was just so thrilled to pick some out.

Project 365 - Day 42

More crafty obsessions. These are for my sister-in-law to be's bridal shower. They are coming along - slowly but surely. I don't think there is anything that I do that is easy but hopefully these will be worth it. Just favors and decorations to do after this along with Laura's birthday invites. Ugh - not enough hours in the day!

Project 365 - Day 41

Our 'Star of the Week'. This was the first day of the week for our 'Star'. I wanted to capture his expression when he is the first one out. The star is a such a big deal for each of the kids. They get to be line leader and first for everything. Nathan is really looking forward to Friday where the day is all about him.

Project 365 - Day 40

It was a Taco Bell night at the Lacerda house. It was a busy day and I just didn't have it in me to cook. So needless to say I didn't even take a picture, so this pretty much sums up the day.

New Jeans

Not that anyone cares but this blog is more for my benefit than anyone elses. It is my online journal so to speak to help me remember things as my brain cells are rapidly vanishing. Can I just say - I love jeans. I have recently lost some more baby weight and have given all my older jeans to my mom who is rapidly shrinking, so I got some new jeans. Mike is wondering too because he says every time he sees me I have a different swirl or pocket on my rear. I wear them just about every day with a t-shirt and that is my mom uniform. I have not been this size in a very long time so I just want to take it in for a moment. I thought about cleaning the mirror after I snapped this but really I think the 23 layers of dust add a little something extra, something real. I am trying desperately to gain some of my confidence back and start taking better care of myself and these jeans just make me happy.

Project 365 - Day 39

On Friday Nathan was chosen as 'Star of the Week' in his kindergarten class. This is a BIG deal to each of the kids. He gets to take care of Buddy (the class mascot) for a week and we have to journal his exploits. My mom and dad called to invite Buddy over for dinner, the rest of us were along for the drive. After dinner my mom surprised Buddy (and Nathan) with a cake in his honor. Obviously, Buddy and Nathan were all smiles!

Project 365 - Day 38

After Nathan got his haircut we were off to help Zach celebrate his 6th birthday at the Maidu Interpretive Center. The kids learned about the Maidu Indians and did some really fun stuff. They made bracelets, made music, listened to stories, ate hot dogs, roasted marshmallows over a nice campfire and ran around with flashlights. It was a really fun party!

Project 365 - Day 37

It's the 100th day of kindergarten! This is a big deal at school. Every kindergarten class has been counting this since day one and they take the celebration very seriously. I was able to work in the class (thanks mom) and helped the kids do their crafts and eat some cake - it was a very big cake and the 20 kindergartners needed some help so I did my part and had a piece and finished Nathan's piece. Nathan is flanked by his best friend Ethan (notice the star wars garb) and Belle (we are told by the teacher and Nathan's other classmates that Belle loves Nathan). It was a great day - only 80 more days of school to go!

Project 365 - Day 36

I was really not in the mood to cook dinner and had a serious craving for mizithra cheese from The Old Spaghetti Factory. Mike was kind enough to indulge my craving - I can't remember the last time we went there - it has been a really long time. Nathan was so funny about dining in (we usually get take out) he announced 'Ooooh, this place is FANCY!' No, I guess we don't get out much and our poor uncultured son was so taken with the gaudy stained glass, but out of his mouth it is just priceless!

Project 365 - Day 35

Exhausted! That is what we were. We took Grandma Alma home to the bay area today and had dinner with Aunt Pam. We got home and I realized I hadn't taken a picture of the day and this just seemed the most appropriate and the most convenient!

Project 365 - Day 34

Grandma Alma agreed to come and visit for a few days and we had a great time visiting and sewing and of course there was the tea party. Laura was just thrilled to pour and drink 'tea' and of course shove cookies in her mouth.

Project 365 - Day 33

I was just so excited about this deal at Gymboree. The tag reads $22.50 but I only paid $1.99 - yes that is correct only $2 for the pair of pants. Yippee!! This just made me very happy!

Project 365 - Day 32

I took full advantage of Nathan wanting to do his valentines early. He was very excited to write all of their names and it took every ounce of my OCD recovery skills to just let it go that the names were messy. I got the picture idea from Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Project 365 - Day 31

Such a sweet baby. As I was reading up on my emails and favorite blogs the little guy fell fast asleep. I love how cuddly he is.