So, Ryker is 6 today.....

It's really hard to put into works how I feel about my youngest child, my baby, turning 6 years old. It's like the beginning of a whole new chapter, and one I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to embrace. I am no longer the mother of a baby boy. He's growing up......literally, right before my eyes. He's taller, he's losing his baby looks. He's so proud of the fact that he finally has two loose teeth......because that means "my baby teeth are falling out, because I'm not a baby anymore". And today, he told me that when he grows up he want's to be a paleontologist......and he KNEW what it meant!!!

His nickname is Peebs. Short for Pee-buh. A nickname he accidentally gave himself. When he was first learning how to talk, I used to call him "my little peanut". Well one day, I called him by his actual name, and he looked at me with all the seriousness that his two year old self could muster and said, "I not Ryker, I Peebuh (Peanut)" And the name just sort of stuck with him.

Sweet little Ryker. You were either really stubborn, or really just quite content where you were.

So I was induced.

You are the child I gave birth to with no epidural, or drugs of any choice really. And let me tell you, that was not easy. But Grandpa Monte convinced me that it was the best thing for you. So, I toughed it out.

You were the happy baby that smiled at 2 weeks old and never stopped. I look back now and see your true personality was so crystal clear and yet I didn’t even realize it at the time. You will do anything to get a smile out of us. It is who you are.

You were the baby that always wanted to keep up with your brothers. And so you crawled…FAST!….at 7 months old. You walked at 10 months.

You are my curious child with no fear.

You loved to climb. Actually, it should come as no suprise to anyone that your favorite animal is a monkey.

The whole family is crazy about you, kiddo.

Idol Chatter: The FINAL Two

OK, peeps. This is likely to be my final American Idol post ever. Without Simon next year, I'm not sure that I will be watching. I may have to start blogging about his new show, X Factor. Anyway, I was really going into tonights show with a clear head about not siding with either contestant. I've said from the beginning that Crystal was going to win it, but after last week, I think that Lee definately has what it takes to pull it out. So here is what I think about our final two contestants:

*Lee --

1) "The Boxer": I liked it, but it didn't blow me away like a semi-finalist should. It was a little sleepy, but it was defintately better than the first time. He needs to get a lot more pumped tonight if he wants to win this. I don't understand why he didn't do "Hallelujiah" again. I know he only did it last week, but he got raves about it more than any other performance, so to me it would have been a no-brainer.

2) "Everybody Hurts": Again, I wasn't hugely blown away here. He had trouble with the high notes in the beginning, and he turned it into just another average rock ballad. He stripped all the pain away from the essence of the song.

3) "Beautiful Day": Wait....isn't this a U2 song? Are the American Idol execs so apathetic that they can't even give the winner an original song this year? How sad.....and Lee sucked at this song. He didn't sing it well at all. I hated the entire performance.

Overall, I wasn't hugely impressed with Lee at all tonight. He just didn't seem hungry for it like he did last week. I'm thinking he is in trouble.

*Crystal --

1) "Me & Bobby McGee": Again, better than the first time. She is a consumate professional. She sang that like she meant it. She's here to win, and it's completely obvious. Fantastic job.

2) "Black Velvet": Hmmm......not really liking this arrangement. She was too shouty and the music was too loud behind her. I love her, but this song left me pretty unimpressed.

3) "Because you asked me To": This is why she deserves to win. Brilliant performance. It gave me goosebumps. I loved everything about it. If that song didn't just hand her the title, I don't know what will.

So in the end, I think Crystal deserves it. Yes, Lee has grown more than anybody else, but Crystal has been a solid artist right from day one. I would buy her album today.

10 Things I Hate About You

You know who you are....you take away the few precious seconds I have to run into the market, you made me lose my prime parking spot and you made me miss the light.

10. You are so busy texting you don't notice the light has changed until 2 seconds before it turns yellow

9. You are trying to reach over into the passenger seat to do Lord knows what and swerve into my lane

8. No matter how much mascara and lipstick you put on, a pig is still a pig, so just drive the car

7. You block the parking lot waiting for some chick to load 80 bags of groceries into her car because you're to lazy to walk

6.You don't seem to understand that the lines are to park in between, not on or over.

5.You park so friggin close to me I need liposuction to get into my car

4. You pull up next to your buddy and chat. Blocking the road, carpool or the parking lot

3. Your so busy handing out snacks, yelling at your kids or trying to keep your youngest awake so he'll actually sleep at home that you drive like a fool (Oh wait that's me, scratch that one)

2. You take up 8 spots because your car was made in Germany

1. STOP backing into to spots! It takes longer to back into a spot then it would take you to back out. You make me growly all you backerinners.

Please take this time to adjust your driving to accommodate me, OK!
Thanks Love Ya!

Idol Chatter: The Final Three

So tonight, we finally get to hear two songs from the finalists; one they chose themselves and one the judges chose. I have a few thoughts on both. But first, my song choices for this week. Since our first song would be a choice of our own, I think I would go with something like this:

Now, for the judges pick, I can only speculate as to what they would choose. Maybe something a little more country rock. Sooooo maybe something like this:

And now onto the REAL contestants:

*Casey -- “OK, It’s Alright With Me”: Yet another lackluster snooze of a performance by Casey James. Standing there with his acoutstic guitar like he's done a million times. He made the mistake of singing a song that not a lot of people would know, and he sucked at it anyway. The guy has absolutely no heart or passion when it comes to singing. This has become evident week, after week.

His second song was "Daughters" by John Mayer. Kara and Randy picked this song for him, and I think they sent him on a suicide mission with it. The arrangement was WAY to slow, and whe whole thing was just as boring as the first performance. If he was looking to redeem himself with this one, it didn't work.

*Crystal -- "Come to my Window": I completely hated the arrangement for this. I know, it was vintage Crystal, and probably something that would show up on her debut album, but I didn't care for it, and the mouth organ didn't do her any favors either.

Her second song was "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney. I really wasn't impressed with this as a song choice, and though that Ellen really dropped the ball with this one. I mean having a girl sing a song that had repeating lines of "maybe I'm a man" probably wasn't really smart. But she still kicked Casey's butt, and probably solidified her place in the top two.

*Lee -- "Simple Man": This is one of my favorite Skynard songs ever. So, I was really excited to see what he would do with it, and man.....he didn't disappoint a bit. I thought it was fantastic choice. He sung it brilliantly, and really proved himself to be a contender.

"Hallelujah": I have to admit that I wasn't sure what Simon was thinking when he chose this song for Lee. It just didnt' seem like something he could excel at. And again, I was proven wrong, and pleasantly suprised. Lee hit this one out of the park. Probably my favorite rendition of this song since K.D. Lang did it at the Vancouver Olympics.

My thoughts are that Casey is going to be going home tonight. I think that is a no-brainer. But everyone has expected a Lee/Crystal finale for weeks. However, where I once thought Crystal was a lock to win it all.....now I'm not so sure. She needs to really blow it up next week. It's gonna be an interesting final outcome.

A Downward Spiral Into Boredom

Again, at a loss for meaningful words tonight, I'm resorting this time to a meme. So, I searched out a short and, what I thought was funny, meme. Try it if you want! No obligations to do anything else except laugh.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Reuben Caravan (lame!)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Mint Chocolate Chip (lame again! What kind of gangsta is that?)

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) EMor (yawn)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Spaniel (oh, my word, so lame)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Rebecca Magrath(I guess that could work)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) MorEr (could these get any lamer with my name? Really. And I'll stop using the word lame now.)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (“The” plus 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Purple Pepsi (Bwah ha ha ha -- That would be me.)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Willie Max. (That's pretty Nascar, alright)

STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Ange ou Demon Mentos (Gah!)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's and father's middle names ) Margaret Lee

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Wagner Waterton (Lame....oh yeah, I wasn't gonna use that word anymore)

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Christmas Orchid (ppth)

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Watermelon Shortie (that sounds like a new character for the Pee Wee Herman Show!)

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Muffin Wisteria (LOL!)

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your favorite hobby/craft, favorite weather element + “Tour") The Singing Tsunami Tour

Alright, play along if you want. Let me know if you do so I can come read yours.

Have your cake and eat it too.

I have about 10 boxes of cake mix sitting in my cupboard. I buy them here and there, but never use them. I don't really have a sweet tooth (I crave the salty snacks) but keep them on hand "just in case".

A couple weeks ago, my friend was telling me instead of using the eggs, oil and milk/water, you use.. Da da DA....Diet coke. D.I.E.T. C.O.K.E. Put your eyebrows down. I did that too.

She had heard about it at weight watchers but hadn't yet tried it. I forgot about till tonight. I decided to get a second opinion. So off to Google I went. I googled "diet coke cake" and up came a gazillion and two links for it.

"okay", I thought to myself. "this can't be that bad." At worst case scenario one box of cake mix, one, yes ONE, bottle of diet coke would go to waste. So I hauled out my chocolate cake mix, my ONE bottle of diet coke (it STILL seems weird) mixed it together, baked for the required amount of time, and...??

VOILA!! CAKE!! That tastes like cake! Fluffy little morsels of (mostly) guilt free cake!!! I couldn't believe it! I put the regular store bought icing on it, but I read using cool whip is a great guilt, I mean, calorie reducer too!

Next time I'm using chocolate mix with diet orange pop. Mmm... Chocolate orange cake! Doesn't that sound good?? THEN, I'll do vanilla cake mix with a diet sprite. Or chocolate with diet cherry coke. There are so many options!! I can honestly say, I have never been so excited about cake!!

Oh yeah. One more thing... Without the eggs, oil and water? There is less cleaning up to do after!

Idol Chatter: The Final Four

OK, let me just start by saying......how can you not love Jamie Foxx. The guy is so immensly talented. And not bad eye candy either, am I right?

Now, if I had been singing on last night's show, I think this would have been my choice for performance piece. It's a really slow song, but I think if I could have played with arrangement a bit, it would have been amazing:

Now, on to the contestants:

*Lee -- "Kiss From a Rose": Well, he blew it on the first high note. His breath control was terrible during the chorus, and he sang the whole thing a little too fast. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever heard, but it definately wasn't his personal best.

*Mike -- "Will You Be There": Snoozefest.....He adlibbed almost the entire thing. There was no "meat" to the performance. I think he played it way too safe. It was a terrible, boring song choice. And I completely disagree with Simon. I don't think he gave it 100% at all.

*Lee & Crystal duet -- "Falling Slowly": I adore this song. I'm not sure I completely loved this duet. But I did enjoy it. This pair should be the top 2 of the show.

*Casey -- "Mrs. Robinson": I think that I really liked this. I love this song, and it was kind of a funky, acoustic arrangement. He may have saved himself with this performance. I agree with Simon about lack of huge substance, but I still liked it better than Big Mike's performance.

*Crystal -- "I'm Alright": There's your winner. Competely stellar performance. I would buy her album right now. That was head and shoulders above any of the men. Loved it, loved everything about it.

*Mike & Casey duet -- "Have you ever really loved a Woman": Snoozefest again. Boring, pitchy, too much vibrato by Casey. And when they tried to harmonize together on the high note, it was WWWWAAAAYYYYY off. Horrible.

Anyway, so Mike and Casey are going to be your bottom two, and really at this point either one of them could go home and I wouldn't be say. But based solely on this performance, Mike deserves to get the boot.

Mother's Day

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother- Abraham Lincoln

The REAL 10 Best Things about Parenting

So, a few days back I had posted the Top Ten Best Things About Parenthood, courtesy of a card my friend had given me when I was first pregnant 13 years ago. One of you lovely readers thought I should try my hand at crafting my own list. So, the challenge was on! I gave a great deal of thought to the matter (ahem, yeah, I can focus.....what are you looking at me like that for?) and here's what I came up with:

Mama's Top Ten Best Things About Parenthood. Possibly.

10. You can get away with wearing dirty clothes, including those covered in spit up, chocolate and jelly.

9. You can drive a minivan and still feel funky. Inside.

8. You get to be used as a tissue. (it's all about being there for your children, snot and all)

7. You can go to bed early (occasionally) and no one will think you're a wimp.

6. You get to be an expert in waste removal. Good times.

5. Having someone regularly point out your faults (and things you've said) at inappropriate times. In front of other people. At totally inappropriate times. Did I mention they do this at inappropriate times?

4. You get to experience all variety of communicable infections, courtesy of daycare and school.

3. You can look like a train wreck and always blame the kids, i.e. "I was up all night with so and so..." This also applies to your house and vehicle.

2. You can milk "baby" weight for a very long time. If they hit high school, you'd probably best stop using that excuse, though.

And, the number one best thing about parenthood according to me?

1. You can opt out of any event, anytime with an excuse related to the children, i.e. "You know, we'd love to come but little Mikey has a dreadful contagious cough right now and we just don't want to spread it around." (and what you really mean is "I'm so tired that I couldn't bear having to spend an evening being social.")

And, you know that my real number one is exactly the same as the other list - the three monkeys. They are the the light of my life, the cat's meow, and the fly in my soup. :)

Alright, now you add one to the list! Best thing about parenthood?

Happy Birthday 10 Yr. Old

Dear Randall:

It seems so cliche to say that "Time flies when you're having fun," but in this instance, I truly believe it. Could have been last month that I was sitting in the doctor's office, planning on the day of your birth. I remember it vividly.

It's been ten years ago today, that you breathed your first breath. I could never put into words the sound of your first cry, and the relief I felt when I heard it, knowing that you were healthy and striving.

Seeing your dad hold you like a tiny fragile bundle, gazing into your eyes, kissing your soft face. You were the most beautiful newborn creature I had ever laid eyes on.....just like your big brother had been three years earlier.

My favorite time was the three days we got to spend together in the hospital. We snuggled and loved on each other in complete privacy, and it was as if there was no one else in the world but you and me. I studied your brand new features. Your tiny fingernails. Your tender, pink skin. I sniffed your head endlessly all day, like I was getting a high just from your sweet, intoxicating smell. I was in such a daze when we first met.

I have savored your childhood more than anything else in this world, and I am sad to see it go as you turn ten today. If I could ask for one thing in the whole wide world, it would be to keep you my baby forever -- for you to need me as you did the day you entered this world until the day we both depart this world.

Randall, I am for sure going to be shedding some tears today but please don't hold it against me. I am so very happy to see you reach your tenth birthday and every single birthday to come, but at the same time, I am mourning the past as well.

Gone are the days of the late-night rendezvous while the rest of the world sleeps. I am no longer your only source for nutrition and being. From when you used to reach for me every time you needed so much as a hug, to where you proclaim your freedom by pushing me away. Going forward, your independence will grow and grow until you no longer need me to help you through life, pick you up when you cry and feed you when you are hungry.

Although you may not always remember the details of this special day, I hope that you will remember how much you are loved and cherished and valued today and for always.

Happy birthday big guy! I love you!

Mama

Idol Chatter: The Top 5

OK, I was beyond thrilled to find out that it was Sinatra night. If you know me, you know I absolutely love the old Rat Pack music. And Harry Connick Jr. being the nights mentor? Well, that was just the hot and sexy icing on the cake. He was by far one of the most enteraining additions to the show thus far.

Anyway, ahem, onto my song choice for the nights. I love this song so much, so naturally, I think I would have sang it.

And, now the actual contestants:

*Aaron -- "Fly me to the Moon": Umm.....is it just me, or does he look like he is auditioning for "Newsies"? Horrible outfit and hairstyle on him. I found it kind of sleepy and boring. It just didn't have the Sinatra "swagger". Ha ha ha!!! And as soon as I mention it, Simon mentions something about swagger. Damn! I'm good. Maybe I should take over his judging seat next season. Anyway, didn't really like this rendition of the song at all.

*Casey -- "Blue Skies": sigh......I know that Kara was probably a little too harsh on him, but I am so happy that someone else has finally mentioned his insane vibrato. I can't stand it. I hated this performance; it had absolutely no pizzazz to it at all. I actually fast forwarded through about half of it. He is just too uncomfortable up there without his guitar, and it shows.

*Crystal -- "Summer Wind": Well, for the second week in a row, I am a little nervous for her security in the competition. I think she looked totally hawt, but it was kind of a lackluster performance from her. A whole lot better than the first two performers, but definately not her personal best.

*Big Mike -- "The way you look Tonight": OK, so let me start by saying how much I love Mike and I adore his voice. That being said, I think this balladeer week after week, is starting to catch up with him. He's becoming boring and predictable, and while his vocals were great with this song, I thought the performance was really safe, and quite boring.

*Lee -- "That's Life": OK, people. This is what I'm talking about. That performance oozed the swagger. I loved it, thought he was fantastic. I don't agree with Kara at all about his lack of confidence. I thought that was one of his best performances to date.

I have a feeling, Aaron, Casey and Crystal will be the bottom three with Casey going home.

So, there you have it, peeps. What did you all think? Who's safe? Who's in trouble? Who's going home? And, who is going to drool over Harry singing at the results show? C'mon, I know I'm not the only one with my hand up.

**Also, today is Rand's 10th birtday, so look for another post from me a little later tonight.

The Top 10 Best Things About Parenting

So, before I start, it has come to my attention -- yet again -- that I didn't include my performance piece for American Idol this week. Sorry, mommy brain is running amok in my head. So, without further adieu......here's my song:

Now, my actual reason for posting tonight.

As I was cleaning up a box of assorted things from years past, I came across a card that a friend had given to us when we were pregnant with Drew, thirteen years ago! (wow, where has the time gone?)

Anyway, seeing this card again made me laugh. It's for the parents-to-be and listed the Top Ten Best Things About Parenthood. I thought I'd share them with you and we'll see how many of these things are actually the truth!

Here we go:

10. You get to use phrases like "When I was your age..."

(Sadly, I've used this phrase more times than I can count in the past year. Does that mean I've turned into my parents?)

9. It's more fun to name a human being than, say, a puppy.

(Really? I mean, I was a little disappointed I couldn't name my kids Rover, Bowser and Brutus.)

8. Two words: Teddy bears.

(This is a good thing? Stuffies overflowing from every nook and cranny, much like those crazy Tribbles from Star Trek...dammit, Jim, I'm a parent, not Christopher Robin!)

7. You'll get to attend those wild PTA meetings.

(It's taken every effort to restrain myself from attending these desirable parties.)

6. You can finally put to use all those parenting lessons you've learned from watching years of TV sitcoms.

(No matter how hard I try, I will never have the patience and calm of the Huxtables or the Keatons. Am I dating myself with those references?)

5. It gives you an excuse to buy that minivan you've always wanted.

(This is where I laugh, having (pre-children) said many a time that I would never, ever own a minivan. In fact, I even said it after the first child. Now that I'm older, and more weary, I can confess: I like owning a minivan. ::shudder::)

4. It increases your appreciation of a good night's sleep.

(Ain't that the truth!)

3. Maybe your child will eventually become fabulously wealthy and buy you a new home.

(I guess there's always hope.)

2. Two more words: tax deduction.

(I've yet to see this one really work in our favour. I must call a meeting with Stephen Harper to discuss...

1. And, the number one best thing about parenthood is...You're both such high-quality human beings, you owe it to society.

(::blush::)

I'm wondering if that friend regrets sending that card now that she's seen what we've produced! Gah! ;) I'll wrap up tonight by sharing with you my own three best things about parenthood: