Shelby's World

The Break-Up

To Eli,

You're now 10 years old.

Last year is when our break-up began.

And I'll be honest, it's still kind of hard for me sometimes.

Maybe because I feel like I have to let you do things like this now...

You'll never know what it feels like to be a mom and watch your boy jump off a cliff!

My heart was beating out of my chest, but your Dad thought it was the coolest thing ever.

And of course you think he is the coolest thing ever.

And why wouldn't you?!

I don't jump off sand dunes.

I didn't teach you to throw rocks.

I would never let you put cheese on my head.

And I certainly couldn't build this for you...

No wonder you don't want your mommy that much.

That's okay son, I know my place.

And so for your birthday gift this year, I give you your Dad.

Happy 10th.

PS. Just don't forget that I'm the one who let you wear your Batman costume to pick strawberries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love my President.

 

A Pitiful Day

Here's the back story:  Samantha and Eli got palatal expanders put in their mouthes.  Eli can roll with it, but Samantha is somewhat traumatized.

When you put that kind of hardware in the mouth of an anxious child that only likes about 5 foods you've got a problem.

She's found it difficult to eat anything.  This equals chronic low blood sugar, and that equals drama... for everyone.

The first eruption happened on our way to pick up Poppy from the vet.  

A summary~ screams, tears and flying fishy crackers.

She waited in the car while I got the dog.

Poppy was spayed and returned to me looking like this~

In a word... pitiful.

I stood in front of the car window, with coned dog in hand, looking at my crying child.

She began to laugh.

Then cry.

Then laugh.

Then cry.

Then she settled on laughter and compassion for the coned one.

The end of the story looked like this~

Two pitiful girls doing the best that they can.

One mom grateful for both.

Eleven

 

There was once a time when you only cared about Buzz Lightyear and your blanket.

You don't care about Buzz anymore:(  

Now we discuss boys and bras.

But that blanket has never left your side.

It has changed and evolved much like you have.

It has survived challenges.

It's bolder now.

It's perfectly seasoned.

It gets better with age.

Just.  Like.  You.

Happy Birthday Sammers.

Are you ready to GO-cart?

Backstory:

Before I even married Eric, I knew he wanted to build a go-cart with his son one day.  Eli was about 2 years old when he started asking, "do you think it's time yet?"  That was many years ago and he's been "collecting" parts ever since.

Now Eli's about to turn 10...   it's time.

Most Dad's would probably whip up something like this~

and with all do respect...  AS IF.

Here's what's happening in my garage~

A few teaser pictures...

 

That's one lucky kid.

 

I'm trying so hard not to be the crazy puppy lady, but seriously?

Flashback Friday even though it's Monday

Piper in all her glory.

Good times.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

 

The reason why Eli is my favorite son~ Literally.

We went to to 5 Guys for dinner the other night.

I noticed a perplexed look on Eli's face and asked him what was up.

"I don't get it... there's WAY more than 5 guys in here."

And just when I think I couldn't possibly love him anymore than I already do, he says something like that.  

Osm.

That was one of his better observations, followed closely by this one from last summer...

This is the air museum near Tillamook Oregon and we pass it every August on our way to Cape Kiwanda.

It's Ginormous.

We drive by and Eli comments, "that would be really boring".

"Why do you think that?", we ask.

"Its just a huge building of air.  What's so great about that?"

Osm.

Literally.

Family Motto

This was sent to me by my dear cousin Jill.  She loves me in spite of my addictions:)

Which is funny, because I just came across this one on Pinterest...

You get the idea.