The whole reason for this post is merely a test. Tonight we finally pulled some videos off of the video camera, so I'm just posting one to the blog for fun (and to see if it works).
Enjoy.
Dad throwing marshmallows into Luke's mouth. This is the kind of fun we have at our house.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Scotch Brite Heavy Duty Sponges
So, I went to Sam's Club (months ago) and among the items that I purchased was a gigantic package of Scotch Brite Heavy Duty sponges. The yellow and green ones. These are not my usual sponges (I usually just get the regular blue ones), but since I was at Sam's I thought I'd do a bit of money saving and just get these since they were pretty much my only option.
So, I got home and used it as I use any kitchen sponge. I washed a few dishes, then I cleaned out the sink. As I was cleaning the sink, I noticed that this sponge really did an amazing job with those hard water circles that had been lingering in the back. Nice!
Then I used the sponge to clean off the counters. On the island, I noticed two hard, crusty spots where spaghetti sauce or something had clearly been spilled quite some time ago and neglectfully not wiped up. No worries, my lovely new sponge will do the trick!
(scrub, scrub, scrub...)
A few mintues pass, then I look back at the counter top and see that the area where I had just scrubbed seemed... different. It had kinda lost its luster. There were two distinctively dull areas where I had just scrubbed!
Awww man... what have I just done?? Did I really just ruin the countertop??
I grab the package and read the fine print. Now, do you usually read the fine print on the sponge package? Because I surely don't! Anyways, it says (in a font that is barely readable because it is so small) "not for use on dishes, non-stick cookware, countertops, glass, tubs, sinks and shower areas".
Are you kidding me?!? I had already used this sponge on three of those surfaces within the first 10 minutes of its usage! And I certainly had plans to use it on those other surfaces listed. I mean, what CAN you use this sponge for??
So, I stewed in my misery and threw the entire package of sponges under the sink. I still had about 20 of these stupid sponges, surely I can come up with a use!! Maybe Andie will need them for something in the garage... or there will be a cool art project that Luke and I can do with sponges... I don't know...
Ok, fast-forward a few months (to the present day... well, last week really). It is late afternoon on Friday - a gorgeous day - and Andie is gonna grill hamburgers and corn on the cob for dinner. Deeeeeeelicious!
I'm in the kitchen preparing the patties and Andie is outside prepping the grill/starting the charcoal. Andie pops his head in the door and asks if I have an old sponge that he can use.
YES!! Finally, an outdoor usage for the heavy duty sponges that I've been stockpiling! Grill grate cleaning! Wonderful!
I give him a sponge and finish forming my patties. As I go outside to hand off the burgers, I see Andie leaning over the hood of the Tahoe... scrubbing something on the hood of the car.... with the abrasive side...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (it is best to visualize that part in slow motion)
So, yeah, as you guessed, the score is Sponges - 2, Hammonds - 0.
Needless to say, we threw the rest of those sponges directly into the garbage can.
So, I got home and used it as I use any kitchen sponge. I washed a few dishes, then I cleaned out the sink. As I was cleaning the sink, I noticed that this sponge really did an amazing job with those hard water circles that had been lingering in the back. Nice!
Then I used the sponge to clean off the counters. On the island, I noticed two hard, crusty spots where spaghetti sauce or something had clearly been spilled quite some time ago and neglectfully not wiped up. No worries, my lovely new sponge will do the trick!
(scrub, scrub, scrub...)
A few mintues pass, then I look back at the counter top and see that the area where I had just scrubbed seemed... different. It had kinda lost its luster. There were two distinctively dull areas where I had just scrubbed!
Awww man... what have I just done?? Did I really just ruin the countertop??
I grab the package and read the fine print. Now, do you usually read the fine print on the sponge package? Because I surely don't! Anyways, it says (in a font that is barely readable because it is so small) "not for use on dishes, non-stick cookware, countertops, glass, tubs, sinks and shower areas".
Are you kidding me?!? I had already used this sponge on three of those surfaces within the first 10 minutes of its usage! And I certainly had plans to use it on those other surfaces listed. I mean, what CAN you use this sponge for??
So, I stewed in my misery and threw the entire package of sponges under the sink. I still had about 20 of these stupid sponges, surely I can come up with a use!! Maybe Andie will need them for something in the garage... or there will be a cool art project that Luke and I can do with sponges... I don't know...
Ok, fast-forward a few months (to the present day... well, last week really). It is late afternoon on Friday - a gorgeous day - and Andie is gonna grill hamburgers and corn on the cob for dinner. Deeeeeeelicious!
I'm in the kitchen preparing the patties and Andie is outside prepping the grill/starting the charcoal. Andie pops his head in the door and asks if I have an old sponge that he can use.
YES!! Finally, an outdoor usage for the heavy duty sponges that I've been stockpiling! Grill grate cleaning! Wonderful!
I give him a sponge and finish forming my patties. As I go outside to hand off the burgers, I see Andie leaning over the hood of the Tahoe... scrubbing something on the hood of the car.... with the abrasive side...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (it is best to visualize that part in slow motion)
So, yeah, as you guessed, the score is Sponges - 2, Hammonds - 0.
Needless to say, we threw the rest of those sponges directly into the garbage can.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Memphis - Anna's Wedding Weekend (part 2)
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Memphis, and all the bridesmaids gathered at the Memphis Zoo to get ready for Anna's big day!!
There was laugher, there was beer, and there was nervous excitement as the girls curled hair, powdered faces, and pinned bra straps.
Erin, our resident make-up artist, gave Anna "the works":
Here's a shot of Anna showing off her beautiful dress:
I just love this next photo! So hilarious - Caitlin, Angela, and Karen helping each other zip up their dresses (those darn zippers were SO difficult to maneuver!)
Putting on the finishing touches... Anna's mom helps pin down the veil. The veil was Anna's "something borrowed" from ME!! I was so honored!!!
ah, the lovely bride!
Now that all the ladies were ready to go - it was picture time! It was fun goofing around with everyone during the hundreds of photos that were snapped by the photographer at the various zoo locations. Sadly, I only got one photo of the bridesmaids with my camera (and I forgot the turn the flash on for Brad!), but I stole two other photos from Angela on facebook...
Such a good-lookin' and fun bridal party!
The wedding went off without a hitch as did the reception. Dancing ensued, cake was cut, toasts were made... you know the drill!
This post would not be complete without mentioning how different it was attending a wedding with a toddler!! During Anna and David's first dance, I was outside with Luke while he pushed the stroller up and down the walkway. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.
When Anna and David cut the cake, I was watching Luke climb up and down some stairs in front of the polar bear viewing area. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.
(actually, I have a photo of that one...)
Luke usually goes to bed at about 7 or 7:30 - but since it was a special occasion, Luke didn't get in bed until 10:00!! That's very late for my sweet boy, but very early for exiting a wedding.
Such is life with kids! :)
We did manage to get a family photo (thanks, Angela!) and a shot of Luke and I before going back to the hotel.
Congrats to Anna and David Tuttle!! Now, when are you guys gonna have kids?! :)
There was laugher, there was beer, and there was nervous excitement as the girls curled hair, powdered faces, and pinned bra straps.
Erin, our resident make-up artist, gave Anna "the works":
Here's a shot of Anna showing off her beautiful dress:
I just love this next photo! So hilarious - Caitlin, Angela, and Karen helping each other zip up their dresses (those darn zippers were SO difficult to maneuver!)
Putting on the finishing touches... Anna's mom helps pin down the veil. The veil was Anna's "something borrowed" from ME!! I was so honored!!!
ah, the lovely bride!
Now that all the ladies were ready to go - it was picture time! It was fun goofing around with everyone during the hundreds of photos that were snapped by the photographer at the various zoo locations. Sadly, I only got one photo of the bridesmaids with my camera (and I forgot the turn the flash on for Brad!), but I stole two other photos from Angela on facebook...
Such a good-lookin' and fun bridal party!
The wedding went off without a hitch as did the reception. Dancing ensued, cake was cut, toasts were made... you know the drill!
This post would not be complete without mentioning how different it was attending a wedding with a toddler!! During Anna and David's first dance, I was outside with Luke while he pushed the stroller up and down the walkway. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.
When Anna and David cut the cake, I was watching Luke climb up and down some stairs in front of the polar bear viewing area. Up and down. Up and down. Up and down.
(actually, I have a photo of that one...)
Luke usually goes to bed at about 7 or 7:30 - but since it was a special occasion, Luke didn't get in bed until 10:00!! That's very late for my sweet boy, but very early for exiting a wedding.
Such is life with kids! :)
We did manage to get a family photo (thanks, Angela!) and a shot of Luke and I before going back to the hotel.
Congrats to Anna and David Tuttle!! Now, when are you guys gonna have kids?! :)
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Memphis - Anna's Wedding Weekend (part 1)
This past weekend, the fam loaded up the Tahoe and headed over to Memphis for Anna's wedding!! We left on Friday morning and I went straight to the bridal luncheon at the Beauty Shop. It was such a cute little restaurant - delicious food, wonderful dessert, and the best company! That night was the rehearsal (at the Memphis Zoo) and rehearsal dinner (at the BBQ Shop - YUM!)
We had some free time on Saturday, and although we were at the zoo the evening before, we decided to take Luke to the zoo again for the full experience!
We saw elephants...
We saw "kits" (cats)...
We saw koalas...
(koala in the background)
We saw ostriches...
We saw zebras...
And we saw giraffes...
Whew! Of course, we saw more animals than that - but that gives a pretty good overview (and showcases my best photos).
With all of those amazing and exciting animals to observe, this was really Luke's favorite activity at the zoo:
Pushing the stroller!!
He couldn't get enough of it!
It was all we could do to get him to look over at the animals sometimes... he was on a mission with that stroller!
Anywho, we all had a good time at the zoo! It was a beautiful day to get outside and walk around. Here's one more parting shot from the zoo experience:
(what a cutie pie!)
Next, we headed over to Huey's to have the "best burger in Memphis" and I must admit... it was an awesome burger!!
We made it back to the hotel for a little relaxation before the evening festivities began.
Ok, this seems like a good spot to end this blog post for tonight. Stay tuned for the next post about the beautiful wedding!
We had some free time on Saturday, and although we were at the zoo the evening before, we decided to take Luke to the zoo again for the full experience!
We saw elephants...
We saw "kits" (cats)...
We saw koalas...
(koala in the background)
We saw ostriches...
We saw zebras...
And we saw giraffes...
Whew! Of course, we saw more animals than that - but that gives a pretty good overview (and showcases my best photos).
With all of those amazing and exciting animals to observe, this was really Luke's favorite activity at the zoo:
Pushing the stroller!!
He couldn't get enough of it!
It was all we could do to get him to look over at the animals sometimes... he was on a mission with that stroller!
Anywho, we all had a good time at the zoo! It was a beautiful day to get outside and walk around. Here's one more parting shot from the zoo experience:
(what a cutie pie!)
Next, we headed over to Huey's to have the "best burger in Memphis" and I must admit... it was an awesome burger!!
We made it back to the hotel for a little relaxation before the evening festivities began.
Ok, this seems like a good spot to end this blog post for tonight. Stay tuned for the next post about the beautiful wedding!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Weekend!
We had such a fun Easter weekend this year!! We went to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens for their big easter egg hunt. We actually took Luke to Cheekwood last year as well... maybe we have a new family tradition! :)
It is fun going out there - they've got some arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, the Easter bunny roaming the grounds, several scheduled egg hunts, and of course, plenty of room to RUN AROUND!!!
We went to the very last egg hunt of the day for ages 2 and under at 3:30 (after nap time!). This is what the "baby" egg hunt looked like:
It cracked me up - there were eggs EVERYWHERE!!
Here's the little guy scoping out the scene and preparing his egg gathering strategy.
Ok, now let me describe how the actual egg hunt went down.
3... 2... 1... GO!!!!
The small field immediately swarmed with kids, babies, and proud parents. We unleashed Luke and - let's be honest - he was pretty confused as to what he was supposed to do. We encouraged him to pick up an egg that was laying at his feet and put it in his basket. Yay! One down, plenty to go!
Next, Luke wanted to walk around for awhile... then Luke wanted to be picked up... then Luke wanted to play on the wide, grassy stairs for awhile. Needless to say, not at all interested in eggs! Finally, something caught his eye from a distance and he made a beeline across the field! Yay - watch out plastic eggs - it's go time!
Oh... wait... that's just a rock.
Sure, go ahead and put it in your basket.
At this point in time, we looked around and noticed that all the eggs had magically found their way into other kid's baskets! Poor Luke - you snooze, you lose! He was finally getting used to the scene and was actually looking around for some eggs now. Bummer!
A nice lady walked by us - saw Luke - and grabbed a handful of eggs out of her child's basket and threw them on the ground in front of Luke. So nice!! He was thrilled and very enthusiastically gathered his loot!
On our way out, we encountered the Easter bunny strolling around. Yeah, we had to stop and get a photo. I don't think that this photo requires any additional explanation. Instant classic.
Here are a couple more cute photos...
(lookin' tough):
While we were in town, the three of us decided to get some pizza at Mafiaoza's (our FAVORITE place), then stop at Las Paletas for some wonderfully refreshing gourmet popsicles. YUM! What a fun day!
Ok, now on to Easter Sunday.
I carefully assembled Luke's basket on Saturday night and put it out on the ottoman for him to "discover" in the morning. I was very proud of his basket - I strategically chose items that I knew he'd really like - some books, a small football (he's obsessed with Andie's big football), a big bouncy ball, two squishy dinosaurs (he loves the dinosaur book that he got from Aunt LT for Christmas), bubbles, and some Peeps to try!
Success! Luke did not disappoint with his reaction! He spotted the basket from across the kitchen and ran into the living room with a smile plastered across his face!
Now, for the big Easter finale, Luke tasted his first Peep!
Delicious! Just like the whole weekend!
It is fun going out there - they've got some arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, the Easter bunny roaming the grounds, several scheduled egg hunts, and of course, plenty of room to RUN AROUND!!!
We went to the very last egg hunt of the day for ages 2 and under at 3:30 (after nap time!). This is what the "baby" egg hunt looked like:
It cracked me up - there were eggs EVERYWHERE!!
Here's the little guy scoping out the scene and preparing his egg gathering strategy.
Ok, now let me describe how the actual egg hunt went down.
3... 2... 1... GO!!!!
The small field immediately swarmed with kids, babies, and proud parents. We unleashed Luke and - let's be honest - he was pretty confused as to what he was supposed to do. We encouraged him to pick up an egg that was laying at his feet and put it in his basket. Yay! One down, plenty to go!
Next, Luke wanted to walk around for awhile... then Luke wanted to be picked up... then Luke wanted to play on the wide, grassy stairs for awhile. Needless to say, not at all interested in eggs! Finally, something caught his eye from a distance and he made a beeline across the field! Yay - watch out plastic eggs - it's go time!
Oh... wait... that's just a rock.
Sure, go ahead and put it in your basket.
At this point in time, we looked around and noticed that all the eggs had magically found their way into other kid's baskets! Poor Luke - you snooze, you lose! He was finally getting used to the scene and was actually looking around for some eggs now. Bummer!
A nice lady walked by us - saw Luke - and grabbed a handful of eggs out of her child's basket and threw them on the ground in front of Luke. So nice!! He was thrilled and very enthusiastically gathered his loot!
On our way out, we encountered the Easter bunny strolling around. Yeah, we had to stop and get a photo. I don't think that this photo requires any additional explanation. Instant classic.
Here are a couple more cute photos...
(lookin' tough):
While we were in town, the three of us decided to get some pizza at Mafiaoza's (our FAVORITE place), then stop at Las Paletas for some wonderfully refreshing gourmet popsicles. YUM! What a fun day!
Ok, now on to Easter Sunday.
I carefully assembled Luke's basket on Saturday night and put it out on the ottoman for him to "discover" in the morning. I was very proud of his basket - I strategically chose items that I knew he'd really like - some books, a small football (he's obsessed with Andie's big football), a big bouncy ball, two squishy dinosaurs (he loves the dinosaur book that he got from Aunt LT for Christmas), bubbles, and some Peeps to try!
Success! Luke did not disappoint with his reaction! He spotted the basket from across the kitchen and ran into the living room with a smile plastered across his face!
Now, for the big Easter finale, Luke tasted his first Peep!
Delicious! Just like the whole weekend!
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