Genetic Make Up

Well, there is no question that my children - that I carried for 9 months and gave birth to without the use of drugs - do not look a thing like me.

Friends and family, acquaintances and strangers have all at one point or another made a comment something like "Your children sure do look their father."

NEWS FLASH - I KNOW!!! I do all that I can on a daily basis to find things in the children that will show me that I may have had something to do with their conception.

Yesterday Bryden and I were at the pool and as I went to put sunscreen on her I hear the most beautiful words that come out of her mouth. Words that confirm to me that she just may have some of me in her DNA.

I had a whole handful of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen ready to apply and she says "That smells wonderful!"

It was right then that I knew that this little girl is most definitely her Mama's girl. There is NOTHING more that I love than the smell of coconut. I would wear Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen all day every day if it was necessary...kinda like perfume I suppose. It conjures up memories of Hawaii and the beach and the ocean...a place that I can't wait to take Jim and the kids to one day.

For the time being they will have to be happy with the sunscreen and a day at the pool. I will be reveling in the fact that Bryden showed a side of her today that was all me :-)

So, until tomorrow dearest blog....

Being Kicked out of School

Hayden James Palmer is my middle child, my first born boy. He can be quite serious but other times he can be a REAL goofball...hamming it up for a crowd or for the camera. He has a smile that lights up a room and eyes that are truly a camera to his soul.

Hayden loves to draw. He could spend hours tracing pictures as well as drawing things free hand. He is much more the artist than anyone else in the family. Hayden also loves to build with Lego. He creates the most amazing things. I know what they are just by looking at them...no explaining involved.

So, my boy is a pretty linear thinker...architect maybe?? Hayden likes things to be in firm words and terms....not a lot of room for gray in his world. Black or white...very literal.

We were driving to the gym today and Hayden said "Mama did you know that a boy got kicked out of Bryden's school?" I told him that I did not know that. The question that followed was priceless and depicts a perfect image of my sweet boy.

"Mama, when kids get kicked out of school does the teacher use their foot?"

What do you say to that?? I laughed a big laugh and told my boy that that was a great question!! He was very smart to ask that :-)

I hope that my Hayden made you laugh today too and think about kids who get "kicked out of school" in a whole different light.

So, until tomorrow dearest blog...

I am a Pretender

Today I was scheduled for a photo shoot with one of my best friends (Marie) who happens to be an amazing photographer. I wanted to do some shots that were business professional without being business stuffy.

So, after a quick 30 minutes we had what we needed. Oh, let me mention that since the boys are now out of school they were with me. Added excitement for sure!! So, they played with the cars and the legos (thanks Nathaniel) while I got these pictures taken.

For being so good they boys were rewarded with lunch at Chick-fil-a. The reason why the boys picked this fast food joint was because it has a play area. Oh joy oh bliss...but I promised and I am a Mama of my word.

As soon as we walk in the front door I am greeted by one of my swimming moms who has 2 of her 6 children with her for lunch :-) She said "Oh, I will have to tell Claire that you are here." We ordered and found a table 2 down from their table and sat down.

I hear this mom say "Claire, Miss Dayna is here with her boys. Go over there and say hello." I watch Claire (who I have taught for 2 years) walk right past me, get to the end of the row, turn around and say to her mom "I don't see Miss Dayna. I think she left." Her mom points over at me and says "No Claire, Miss Dayna is sitting right there." Claire looks me square in the face and says "That isn't my Miss Dayna. That is a pretender."

Well, I burst out laughing. Of course I was a pretender...this little girl has never seen me looking like I was. She is used to no make up, hair pulled up on the top of my head and a swim suit. Here I was with my hair down, make up on and a DRESS with HEELS!! Poor thing.

At least no one (especially not the dad) said "Oh Dayna, I didn't recognize you with your clothes on." That has been said loudly at a mall once...very awkward....

I was able to reassure Claire that I really was Miss Dayna not a pretender and then she was more than happy to give me a big hug.

So, while I love the pictures (I have friends that help me be beautiful) I also love that these little kids I teach only recognize me in my au natural state :-)

Here is the Miss Dayna that Claire just did not recognize. Thanks Marie for an awesome photo!!

So, until tomorrow dearest blog....

My Big Boy Baby

My little Landen may just be the sweetest thing you have ever met...minus the super whiny baby voice that he does not seem to be growing out of.

As much as he loves to do things with his daddy, he is truly a Mama's boy...and I LOVE IT!!

During the hockey playoffs he would say "Mama, I come watch hockey with you?" He knew that if he said it, I would let him into bed with me to snuggle and stay up later than his usual bedtime. I am a sucker for my little blond curly haired boy - after all, he is my baby....

Well, as we were sitting in bed one night - probably discussing the various hockey positions (1 goalie and 5 skaters who play left-wing, wight-wing, center and 2 fencemen) I said "Landen, are you Mama's baby?"

And he looked and me with his big brown eyes and said "Mama, I am your big boy baby."

He may never know how true those words really are....he is growing up into a big boy...but he will always be my baby.

Until tomorrow my dearest blog....

Dear Blog, I have come back to you...

Hello again my dear friend the blog,

I have neglected you for the past year and for that I am sorry. You have to understand that my life is crazy!! With the 3 kids and 2 businesses and 2 new ones on the way...I just don't have the time I did before to spend with you.

But due to the fact that I am slowly losing my mind, with very few outlets to keep me sane, I decided that I would take you up on your offer of making a go of this relationship just one more time.

I have ordered you a style makeover that will arrive in about 6 weeks. I think that this new look will make you feel more confident and I hope that it will make me more attracted to you and will help me to want to spend more time with you.

I have thought about you often over the past year and wondered what you are up to and how you have changed since we last spoke. I know that you rely on me for growth and change and while that pressure was too much for me before, I am willing to take this journey with you.

I think that I need to be with you and really dive into this relationship with my whole heart and keyboard. So, I commit to you that I will blog each and every day this summer. I want you to feel loved and cherished and this is the only way that I know how to do this.

I hope that you see how committed I am to you and to us. One day we will look back on this last year and laugh.

So, until tomorrow my dearest blog...