Livin' the dream.

I've often wondered as a housewife, what it would be like to find myself the employer of various household help. I dream of having a maid, butler, or a cook. I am sure that I am not alone. Today, I took a step into the life of the rich and famous as I woke up and found myself face to face with my own, sticky, chocolate-covered butler.

"We made you breakfast in bed, Mom!"

How sweet. However, it was not yet 6:30 and the baby was still sleeping. Nothing short of a hostage crisis was going to pry me out of the warm comfort of my sheets. The idea of cleaning Carnation Instant Breakfast out of my carpet put the brakes on the whole deal.

"Thank you very much! Please don't try to bring it upstairs by yourself. The baby will be up soon, and then I will be down to join you for breakfast."

The baby did not wake until 9:00. He's never done that.

As the old adage goes and still applies in the Gailey household, "You snooze, you lose.". Finding a warm 1/4 gallon of milk, soggy cereal, and the last two packets of Instant Breakfast wasted on my kitchen table made me sad. Oh well, how about a raincheck, Geeves?

My wasted breakfast, complete with tray for convenience.

My new employees.

*Notice the chocolate on their noses and chins. Butlering is very hard work, indeed.

Just can't hold it in...

Just got our Christmas card photos back. I love them! (Of course, some arm-fat photoshopping could have been in order... turns out, elastic cap-sleeves=not flattering...)

All the same, I still LOVE them, so I can't wait until my card comes out to share. This is one of the awesome "didn't-make-it-to-the-card-but-made-it-to-my-heart" rejects. Stay tuned for more...

If you're in the Vegas area, and you are looking for a rocking photographer: http://hazleburyphotography.blogspot.com

Unwanted Visitor

Dear Neighbors,

If this little darling is yours:

might I suggest that you keep him indoors?

Not that he isn’t just lovely…

but if I find him or more of his poop in my backyard…

I’m calling animal control to have him disposed of.

So. If you love him, please keep him to yourself.

I’d appreciate it.

Love, Your Cat-Hating Neighbor

My Little Runaway.

Now, before you watch this and think of what a horrible mother I am, just know that all this drama was self-inflicted.

The story:

While Josh was working a dental clinic for veterans a couple weeks ago on a perfectly wonderful Saturday morning, I made chocolate chip pancakes and then I put the boys in the bath. After warning them several times that bath time would be over when the splashing was out of control, I finally took them out of the bath, kicking and screaming. Having had a bad week with misbehaving children, I was in no mood when a soggy Ethan, standing on my carpet, told me that I was a mean mommy and that he was going to run away.

"I am going to get in the shower," I said. "By the time I get out, I want your things packed. Oh, and don't forget your toothbrush and underwear."

To my surprise, he was, in fact, packed when I got out of the shower. Since this kind of scenario has happened before, I decided to really ham it up. "Don't forget to tell your new mommy and daddy that you need to go to the dentist in December. Oh, and try to stay in the school district, won't you?"

It was when he tearfully requested photographs of his "old mommy and daddy and Sloan and Mason", that my heart broke and I knew that both of us had taken it too far. However, unwilling to lose ground, I prepared for his departure. I'll let the video take it from here:

The Tooth Fairy Proudly Presents:

Basic Oral Hygiene:

Use a fluoride-rich toothpaste as you...

... brush at least twice, daily.

Floss regularly, at least once, daily.

And don't forget to visit your dentist every six months for a regular check-up.

This public service announcement brought to you by:

The Gailey Family

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!

I must be magic.

I turn my back for one minute...

... and apparently time turns back, too.

A-Visiting We Go!

So, a few months ago, my Grandma had a few health scares. When I realized that I hadn't been back to Illinois to see her since 1997 (I am not a terrible granddaughter... I have seen her on several occasions since then, I just haven't been back east since then. I'm only almost terrible.) I booked a flight and Mason and I, in the company of my sisters and brother, were off on Grandmapalooza Tour, 2009!

Here are the highlights:

Sami and Brandon, modeling Grandma's latest garage sale finds.

She's always super generous!

Does anyone remember that scene in Willy Wonka with the lickable wallpaper?

Seriously, actually, licked this when I was seven.

Mason, waiting for our plane in St. Louis. I do think that he was as confused as he looks...

Other accomplishments:

-Eating 1 pint + 1 quart (I can't add those two measurements. Stupid metric system.) of Krekels Lemon Custard in 36 hours.

-Sniffing the air inside ALDI. Weird? I just may be.

-Nursing Mason for 3+ hours on a plane. Quite literally. (Did I use it right, Jana?)

Yeah. So, 2 full days in Illinois, and these are all the pictures that I got. Hmm. I just might be a terrible granddaughter after all. At least I've got my memories...