Olivia the pig...

Ok, so today I discovered that my post about the "Rules of Life" from Nick Jr.'s show Olivia, is one of my most reviewed blog post.  That truly made me smile and smile BIG TIME.  So, I thought I'd share another tidbit...I'm a fan.  Not just a fan, I'm apart of the fan club.  That's right, I'm a card carrying member of the official Olivia Fan Club.  In case you didn't know, I LOVE Olivia.  I'm still very much a kid at heart.  Even at the age of 35, I LOVE to watch the show and read the books.  I love the enthusiasm in life this little piglet represents.  So here you go, a few of my favorite Rules of Life and my very own prized possession...

Rule of Life #17:  Sometimes other people's idea of fun is very different from your own.
Rule of Life #19:  Sometimes you just have to use your big voice.
Rule of Life #38:  Just because a dog looks cute in a nurse's hat, doesn't mean he's a very good nurse.
Rule of Life #52:  Never seat your customers under an angry squirrel with acorns, unless they insist.
Rule of Life #65:  For some reason, headbands make you feel faster.

Have a great weekend!  ~Mama Brown

Winter Weather...where are you?

I need some winter weather!  I'd like at least 1 big snow, so we can play and make snow cream!  We have some snowball makers and igloo block molds for the boys in anticipation of snow this year.  I would also like a good winter snap so that the bugs would be a little more controlled this Spring and Summer.  Seriously, it's February 23rd and the sun is out and shining so bright.  I have the washer going, the dishwasher going, boys are playing nicely upstairs in the playroom, Andy is sleeping on the couch and I'm blasting Dara Maclean through the house.  

I love Dara Maclean.  She is my go to music these days when I'm feeling uplifted and in a great mood.  Even if you are in a stinky mood, her songs can give you the "pick me up" you'll need.  One of my absolute favorite songs in the entire world is That's what love looks like.  It is amazing.  Here is a link to the song on You Tube.  It's well worth the few minutes to listen.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2EMYNSZpFU&ob=av2e

Enjoyed waking up today to Brownies in great moods.  It's been a lazy morning for them.  Big Brownie usually wakes up every morning between 7:25 and 7:45a.  He is a great alarm clock for me and Daddy Brown.  Little Brownie typically asks for "10 more minutes Mudder".  He is the one I have to tickle and wake up slowly otherwise he can put a hammer on everyone's mood for the day.  I have learned that starting to wake him up early and just keep at it until he "wants" to wake up.  Telling him what Big Brownie and I are about to do, that is exciting of course, is my best weapon.  I usually give him the 10 extra minutes he request, then come back in for a tickle session.  Giggles are the best way to wake up don't you think?

Plan to do some projects with the boys today once I get the house picked up from the WWE Cage match that took place last night.  The boys LOVE to "Wrassle", especially with their Dad.  Now that they are over 3 feet tall, they also love to wrestle with Andy.  Andy is still learning, as a fresh 2 year old pup in a 5 year old dog body, how to be gentle with the boys.  Boxers...well like to box.  However, 1 swat from Andy can take one of the Brownies down in 1 failed swoop...then mass chaos ensues.  Hoping to really soak up this beautiful day that we have been so blessed with today.  However, I'm totally ok with the forecast of 43 degrees tomorrow.  Wouldn't mind a few below freezing days with a chance of beautiful wet snow flakes!  Please Frosty and Jack Frost, give us something?  Please?

Say What Wednesday?

I've been on a blogging hiatus for a while so I thought I'd throw out some funny moments over the last little bit...

As we were coming home from the grocery store, Big Brownie reminded me that he was issued an official drivers license by his teacher at Mother's Day Out.  He said, "Mama, I am officially ready and able to drive the car at any moment.  I promise to drive the speed limit and NOT get a ticket.  I don't want you to take money from our family to pay for my ticket.  We need that money so you can buy me more toys."

Little Brownie was walking around the house grabbing his booty.  I asked, "Why are you grabbing your booty?"  He replied, "Don't worry, it only hurts a little."  I said, "Why, what's wrong?"  He said, "Oh, it's just my underwear...I put them on backwards so I could see my booty today."  With a smile I replied, "Well, let's put them back on the right way."  He said, "Ok Mudder"!

And on that note, does anyone else have a 3 year old child that chooses to call their mom Mother?  Well, Little Brownie does and he calls me "Mudder" all the time.  Sometimes I even get a Mud instead of a Mom!

The boys were watching the Disney movie "Up" the other day.  Big Brownie says, "Mama, one day I'm gonna go to America".  I said, "Baby, you live in America."  He said, "Oh, well maybe I can be in American without my brother!" 

We have started our responsibility chart in our home.  The boys are expected to make their bed, get dressed on their own, put their clothes in the hamper, pick out their own breakfast (if it's a cereal morning), pick up their toys, put their wii games away and in the correct boxes, feed our dog Andy, brush their teeth in the morning and at night and put on their pajamas.  Now, that is the goal, not necessarily the action.  These are acts they are expected to do, most importantly, without me having to ask them.  However on some days around the Brown house, you may here things like....

"Can today just be a pajama day so I don't have to get dressed?"
"I didn't eat anything that was stinky today, so do I still have to brush my teeth?"
"Can I just put these clothes in the washer for you instead of the hamper?"
"If I leave my toys on the floor, then we can just let Andy play with it."
"I didn't feed Andy today because I didn't want to get my hands dirty."

These are just a few that come to my mind at the moment.  And...because I've been on a blogging hiatus, be on the look out for Birthday and other holiday posts to come.  :)

In sickness and in health...

In sickness and in health is very convoluted.  The words can take on several different meanings depending on the circumstances.  Everyone is always there to share with you the "in health" part.  That's the enjoyable part of life.  The part that makes memories and warm fuzzy traditions. 

But what about the "In sickness" part?  I pray that our boys will be there for us in the event that one or both of us need them in our elder years.  Hopefully, we will have planned well enough to take care of ourselves.  But what if you never marry or have children?  What if your spouse dies before you?  Who will be there for you when you are struck with sickness? 

I am praying today for those who do not have someone to take care of them during the "in sickness" parts of life.  I pray that God gives us all strength, compassion and love to care for those people in our lives that need us, even in the most difficult times.