Three Became Four

Two years ago or family was turned upside down with the arrival of Spencer Scott. The three of us were "3" for so long, it was strange to add another person to our family. It was weird to say the word "kids." Ten years and ten months is a long time between children. We were so blessed to have Spencer and I am thankful for having two very special children. Happy Birthday to my baby.

2 Year Old Pictures

Justin, Spencer and I braved the heat today and headed to the park for some pictures. I wanted to get some pictures of Spencer since he turns 2 years old this week. It has been an amazing road with him. I enjoyed today, but I have a new appreciation for professional photographers who try to capture anyone under the age of 3.
Spencer definitely did his own thing, I just followed him with the camera.

Hoarding

I'm sure many of you have seen the TLC show "Hoarding." I find it repulsive, yet I watch. How do people get that way? About three weeks ago, we adopted a Shi Tzu from the local shelter and named her Moxie. Being a shelter dog, we didn't know anything about her. Here is what we have learned:

• She likes stuffed animals (ALOT)
• She had been fed table food
• She likes to "dig" in the bed
• She likes to attack your hand for no reason at all
• She likes to go and visit the neighbor's yard by digging in the mud and sliding underneath
• She likes to "attack" your feet when you get home
• She likes Madison's fuzzy green slippers (ALOT), probably because they look like a stuffed animal
• She is NOT the cuddly little lap dog that I wanted so bad

With that being said, Spencer has decided that he really doesn't care too much for her. He feels a need to hide his toys (typically under his butt or legs). When he has more items than his butt can handle, he moves them into the recliner. In the corner, he will place 2-3 books, plastic fake food (typically the can of soup), his orange tow truck, his stuffed monkey and 1-2 of his blankets. On top of this heap, he will add a couch pillow to discretely disguise his treasures that lie underneath.

He has been doing this for about two weeks now, so I think he is afraid that Moxie will take his toys.

A few nights ago, it went into full hoarding mode when I found him in his bedroom surrounded by every toy in his room. Yes, there was two whole walls that were completely cleaned out and and it was all piled up around him with his favorite couch pillow right next to him.

So, when the TLC executives start calling, I am for sure we will make it onto the show. After all in order to be on TLC you either have to dress really badly, have a ton of kids, be of small stature or have an OCD illness.

Painting Picasso

Madison took a painting class at the community college this past week and she learned lots of new techniques. I am so proud of her. I absolutely lover her paintings and can't believe she did these herself! LOVE THEM!!
Flowers painted at the community college during her last class period. She "whipped" this one up. I actually like this one a lot.

This was painted at a studio called "Paint Your Art Out." It is an instructor led painting class and it absolutely amazing. These are "Tree Branches." We will definitely be visiting this place again.

This was the horse that she painted during the week at the community college.

SOOOOOO cool. Once again, love all them. I definitely could not paint like this.

Guitar Heroine

Madison has been wanting to learn to play the guitar for a few years now. We had put it off as nothing series, but when the community college offered guitar classes, we gave in. Our hope was to purchase a used guitar or rent one. Well, that didn't happen. We couldn't find any decent used ones and it was pointless to spend the money on renting one, so we ended buying one.

Not just a guitar but, a FENDER guitar. Holy cow this thing is beautiful! Madison offered to pay half since it was a bit more than what we were planning on spending.

I had never seen a real guitar up close and I am still amazed at how beautiful it is.

You can see the wood grain.

The back is mahogany.

She started classes on Monday (the only girl in the class) and has learned how to tune it, play chords and more. She is my budding rock star!

Watch Out Tiger

We were headed out the door on Friday night and Spencer wanted to wear a hat. I had just bought him a plaid newsboy hat that he really liked, so we took that one. He decided he didn't want to get into the van, he darted straight for the outdoor toys. The following pictures were not planned in anyway - this was ALL him.

Inflation

We all know it is a bad economy right now and inflation is everywhere. Well it has also hit babysitters. Yep, when I was a kid, I would HAPPY to get $2.00 an hour to make some summer cash. Those days are gone, long gone! I approached one of our teenage girls at daycare to find out if she babysat on the weekends. Yes, for $7.00 an hour. YEP, minimum wage.
So, our dream of finding a sitter that we can rely on and Spencer already knows, was shattered. It is back to enie meenie miny moe to see who gets to go with Madison to the movies.