Grumpy airplane lady

In my last post, I mentioned how John and I just happened to sit behind a really "grumpy" (trying to use a nice word) lady on the flight back to Houston yesterday. Luckily, we didn't know she was "grumpy" until after the flight.

John kicked the "grumpy" lady's seat a couple of times. I always made sure to tell him that he can't kick the seat in front of him b/c there's someone in it and it's not nice. To top it off, our flight took longer than usual b/c apparently traffic was backed up coming into the airport so we ended up flying in circles for an extra 30 minutes. So a flight that was supposed to be an hour and 30 minutes ended up being 2..30 minutes is a LOOONG time in the eyes of a 3 year old.

Anyway, so we grab our luggage and climb on to the parking shuttle bus. I look up and here comes the "grumpy" lady getting onto OUR bus. I had a feeling she was going to say something b/c she looked particulary "grumpy". Here's how it went down...

Grumpy lady: "I sure hope you changed his pull-up"
Me: "excuse me.... there's nothing to change besides he doesn't wear pull-ups"
Grumpy lady: "well, he sure did stink"
Tim: "it wasn't him...do you want me to stick his butt in your face so you can make sure? and how do you know it wasn't someone else"
Grumpy lady: "hmmppph...well he did kick my seat the whole time"
Me: "I'm sorry lady but he's 3...and maybe you should find an airline that doesn't allow kids...good luck with that!"

Both Tim and I were furious. I mean you could tell she was one of those types of people that just gripes about everything. I just can't understand why some people can't understand that kids are going to act like kids. Argh!!

Happy 90th Birthday GiGi!!!

What a weekend!!! Saturday was Tim's grandmother's 90th birthday. So all the kids, grandkids and great-grandkids converged on Highland, IL. It was so much fun to get everyone together and celebrate such a special lady!

Here's a picture of GiGi and her margarita..this lady knows how to party!

We stayed at Carl & Jill's house and it was so beautiful...their house, the property, everything! The fall colors are amazing up there...nothing like we have in Texas. Our last day there, we went up to the city park and enjoyed the beautitul weather. We even played in a corn field!!

This was also John's first trip on a airplane. He did AWESOME!! I explained what was going to happen throughout the trip and he just couldn't have been anymore excited. The flight to St. Louis was a breeze...smooth and quick. Coming home wasn't as smooth or quick but overall I can't really complain (I have a story about a grumpy old woman that sat in front of John....I'll save it for another post!)

For more pictures check out http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2321656007/a=33404556_33404556/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=bellsouth/

Lunch time discovery

I'm in a blogging kind of mood! 2 yesterday and one today....I'm on a roll people!

Today at lunch I had to run some errands. One of them involved me going to the mall. I rarely go to the mall...in fact I really try to avoid the mall at all costs. But today's trip was necessary.

So I entered the mall through Sears and was pleasantly surprised!!! Have any of you visited a Sears lately? They've really stepped up their game. I've always kinda associated Sears with old women. I think that's because I remember going to Sears with my Grandma as a kid and thinking how "un-hip" all the clothes were (I was a label obsessed brat...I admit it). Do you know they carry Land's End clothing...is this new or am I completely out of the loop? They had a huge section and I could have bought SOOOO much..didn't...but could have! The kids stuff was adorable, the women's stuff was classic and the men's was manly. Everything you would expect from Land's End.

OOOH and the best part was that everything was reasonably priced and they were having a sale! I get super excited about cheap cute clothes!!!

Anyway, I thought I would share my little lunch discovery!

Cute vs. Comfort

I had the urge to shop today ... shop for shoes of course...new converse! I happened to mention it to a friend of mine and she laughed! She also felt the need to remind me that back in the day (pre-John and living in Dallas) I was all about sassy high heels (thanks Jen). Heels that I paid WAY too much for and hurt everytime I wore them, but by golly I bought them and wore them anyway b/c they were cute!!!

Then I had a flashback of the first time I went shoe shopping after I had John. I remember it so vividly....I was at Dillards and I completely walked by the "hot mama" heels and went straight to the old lady comfort shoes. I bought a pair of Merrell slip-ons simply b/c they were comfortable!!! Now the old Laura would never buy shoes just because they were comfortable....comfort was never an option...it was always about cuteness!!! I immediately had to call Potter and tell her the news. She laughed...still not sure if she was laughing b/c she thought I was kidding or laughing b/c she was making fun of me.

So here I am now shoe shopping for comfort..hmmmm. Everyone always says your life changes when you have a child...I guess they meant your shoe choices too!?!

Leavin' on a jet plane

Okay, it's not quite a jet plane...more like a small 50 passenger plane.

We're gearing up for the trip to Highland, IL. John is super excited to see GiGi, all his cousins and most importantly fly on the airplane.

Carl, we told him we're staying at your house and he said, "I like Uncle Carl"

It will be his first flight and I'm SOOOO nervous!!! Nervous b/c his ears are sooo sensitive and I don't know how he'll react to the change in pressure...nervous b/c he's a 3 year old boy and will have to sit still for 2 hours... nervous b/c it's flu season and we'll be on a small plane...nervous b/c he might have to use the bathroom on the flight and there's barely room in there for one person let alone me and the kid...and nervous b/c the plane is small(did I mention that already)!!! AGHHH!!

I've tried to prepare as best I can. I've stocked his backpack with gum, all sorts of snacks, coloring books, and Benadryl (just in case). I'm bringing the trusty portable DVD player WITH headphones of course. I think I've covered it all!!! Does anyone have any other suggestions???

Boo in the Zoo

Last Sunday we went with Grandma, Poppy, Uncle Scott, Aunt Stephy, Isabella and Alexandra to the Boo Zoo at the Houston Zoo. The kids wore their costumes and the day couldn't have been any nicer! It was beautiful!

John was a pirate... minus the hat and eye patch...he wasn't cooperating. Isabella was a princess and Alexandra a bumble bee but like Johnny, she wasn't cooperating.

We had a great time and the animals are simply amazing!!!

When it rains it pours

Do you ever just feel completely overwhelmed....like you just can't seem to catch a break?? Well lately the Spengel household has been feeling that way!!!

Just like most of America's population, Tim's business has really been hit hard with this "recession". People just simply aren't buying new homes or they can't get financing.  So we're in crunch mode now and just saying our prayers that God will take care of it. That being said...it seems like whenever things are tight some major appliance will have an issue!! A couple of weeks ago it was our septic system and last night it was our hot water heater!!!

I came home from work and washed my hands, noticing that the water was ice cold. Normally it's scolding hot. Long story short, Tim checked it and called the plumber. Basically it boils down to either the heating element needs to be replaced (not too bad) or the WHOLE heater. Spec-friggin-tacular!!!

At this point it was 8:30 and we had ice cold water, so a bath for John was out. We just  washed his hands, face and feet and off to bed. Poor Timmy had been sweating in the attic, fooling around with the water heater so he desperately needed a shower. That's right...a nice COLD shower!!! It was probably the quickest shower in the history of showers.

Sigh....

We really DO have so much to be thankful for so please don't take this as I'm being ungrateful. Sometimes it's just nice to get it off your shoulders!!

Kodak moment

I was getting dinner ready the other night and noticed how suddenly quiet it was. I called for John and heard no response. I immediately went searching and found this....

Naked, completely covered in stamps and drawing on the marker board in Daddy's office!

My first response....grab the camera!!!

Cruisin'

John has recently rediscovered his Jeep. I say rediscovered b/c he received this Jeep from Santa Claus 2 years ago and hasn't really touched it since. I know...that would make him 1 when he got it but I can't help that Santa thought he was extremely gifted and wise beyond his years :)

Notice his "baby" in the passenger seat...buckled up of course.

This thing even has a real working radio! It's really cool, I wish I had one!!!

It's Fair time

Last weekend, John and I went "home" to Tyler for a visit with my parents. I haven't been to Tyler in a couple of months so it was definitely time to make a trip, PLUS, it just happened to be the starting weekend of the East Texas State Fair. I have so many fond memories of the fair. The lights, rides and especially food!!! I really wanted John to experience it like I did when I was growing up.

So late Saturday afternoon, we headed out! It's funny how much smaller it is now that I'm an adult! I remember everything being so much bigger!!!! We attempted the petting zoo but wouldn't ya know as soon as J walked in, a baby goat jumped on him and he was DONE!!! So Granny ended up holding him and I ended up feeding the animals....or actually being acosted by the animals!!

Next we headed towards the rides. I just loved watching J's face as he ooohed and  ahhhed over the lights and rides! He only rode the train and I had to ride with him but that's okay..it was his first fair experience.

We walked around Harvey Hall where all the exhibits were and played some games but by this time, we were getting pretty hungry!!! All J wanted was a "cotton ball" aka  cotton candy. So he got it...that's right, I fed my child cotton candy for dinner. Mother of the year award! Mom got a sausage on a stick and I got curly fries and a turkey leg!!! ahhh, nothing says the fair like nawing on a big ole turkey leg!!!

I have to say I had a great time and I'm pretty sure John did too!! Until next year....

Skater boi

John has been asking for skates for a while now and I finally caved....
He thinks skating is the neatest thing ever!! He tells me everyday, "I have to practice"...cracks me up!!