Japanese Hair Straightening

Today I got my chance I have been waiting for since Leigh (Heller) Boerner told me about this great new process called Japanese Hair Straightening. It is an ionic thermal hair condition procedure that will permanently restructure the hair's condition and make it silky, smooth and straight!!! Everything I have always wanted!!! It takes anywhere from 5-8 hours (mine took 6) of straight procedure. It takes so long because you have to take 1/4 inch sections of hair - and anyone who knows me and my hair knows that I have a LOT of it!

My girlfriend, Lindsey, is my new stylist out here in Columbus and she needed a "model" to learn this procedure on. There were people there observing and teaching her - and she totally knows my hair - so I fully trusted her. This would normally cost between $500-$1500 (mine is on the upper end because it is considered extra long). Luckily - I did not have to pay that - just the minor cost of the chemicals. The day flew by - and now I will be able to get out of a shower, or the beach or pool and let my hair air dry and it will be totally flat and straight and shiny! What a difference!!! A huge thanks to Martina for watching the kids - and a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Ashli!!! Hope it was great! http://www.thermalreconditioning.com/qanda.html

PS - The pictures in order are:
1. Before with nothing done but air dry
2. A saran wrap after the first chemical application to straighten
3. Sections of 1/4 inch pieces to be flat ironed then sealed
4. The after shot (after the flat iron, sealant, rinse, and blow dry - NO FLAT IRON !!!) Look how shiny and healthy looking - and straight!!!

It's not fair...

that I cannot sleep when one of my kids is awake in the mornings. I even turned the monitor off so I couldn't hear Evelyn at 5am this morning...but I KNEW she was up and could hear her playing then crying in her crib from 2 rooms away. So guess which mom has been up since then???

Evie's first hair cut

We went to Cookie Cutters to get Gavin's hair cut before our trip back home and I decided to get Evelyn's trimmed as well. She did a great job in the chair - thank goodness they had Dora on video! Check out how big she looks!

GGOOOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL!!!

Today Gavin wanted to be a soccer player like daddy - so here he is in his authentic Italian soccer uniform!

What a cute/great idea!

I totally stole this idea from Ashli!!! She saw it in one of the parenting mags and when I saw how cute and logical it was - I had to do it too! All you need is an extra shower curtain rod and some hooks and these super cute baskets with holes/drainage all over ($1.50 at Garden Ridge). She puts 3 different sets of bath toys and rotates them so the kids don't get too bored with them - and it gives the toys a real chance to totally dry before getting wet again (prevents mold). I think I will also put some toiletries in one since Evelyn likes to grab anything in sight and eat it. This will keep it up and away from her tiny grasp! Thanks for the great idea Ash!

The pink room

Evelyn's room is definitely PINK! Patrick painted it last year and put up some white wainscoting. It looks great! But very PINK. So we added some white furnishings and picture frames to tone it down a bit. We got one of those "build your own" shelving units from Target and this weekend, our neighbor Angie was able to get another one (from someone moving) for less than 1/2 what they cost in the store! So I was trying to figure out how to put it in Evie's room and ended up bookcasing her crib between them. I think it looks cute! It is a small room so there are not many options. Of course, I added some pink baskets so now there is lots of storage for clothes or toys. Thanks Ange!

You gotta know when to walk away...

Last night, Ashli invited Gavin and I to join her and Nathan to go see a play at her old high school (I believe in make believe). I was a bit wary - since it started at 8, which is Gavin's bedtime, but Ashli assured me it was only an hour or so long, so we decided to go. It was a typical high school musical/play with a lot of fall down humor, so Gavin enjoyed most of it. Nathan had seen the play last week and loved it - so we expected the same this week.

Wrong.

Unfortunately, after many unanswered attempts by Ashli to get tickets in advance, we got there right as the play was beginning and got the last 4 tickets available together - which were in the highest row of the bleachers (still a great view though). The bad part was that as we all know, hot air rises, and with a sold-out small auditorium and the hot spotlights right next to us, it was getting mighty warm and quick. Our cheerful boys slowly deteriorated and started whining and crawling in our laps. In an attempt to cool them off, Ashli took off Nathan's sweatshirt, but he was going downhill fast. Gavin was also antsy to "go downstairs" - which was not an easy feat since high school kids were seated in the steps off the bleachers all the way down to the ground level from where we were. But as soon as I heard Nathan say "Mommy, I feel like I am going to throw up" and "I feel like poop has to come out" - I knew we had to get out quick!!!

I know we made a total commotion getting down (only about 1/2 way though the show might I add) but it was so hysterical to see us. Man, how old are we, carrying out our little boys who are too overheated and threatening to puke all over the people in the rows below us? What a funny sight - if it wasn't happening to us! But once we got outside (and got a little food in Nathan's belly), all was better. He crashed 2 seconds after we drove through a McDonalds - but Gavin toughed it out and stayed until we got home.

A big thanks for the night out to Ashli though - and a little special time with Mommy and the big boys and also for Mason - our neighborhood babysitter!!! (with a little help from mom, Christa!)

Down to uno

The title says it all...

And then there were 2...

Due to the unbearable sadness of cinco passing away on Tuesday, tres and cuatro passed away last night. Their little hearts just were too broken from the loss of their loved one. Uno and dos don't look very good either. The fishman originally gave them a 2 week span (enough to get the environment correct in our tank for "real fish"...) but we were pleased to have them as long as we have. Please keep uno and dos in your prayers.

fun again

We are trying to get in as much fun as we can before the rains are supposed to come! This morning we had gymnastics class for Gavin and Evie even joined in a bit. The kids all did lot better this week, because it was the same set up and they were getting used to the routine. Gavin absolutely loves the class and asks when he can go back! Check out the pics I posted or go to http://picasaweb.google.com/kellybull/FunInTheSun to see all of them.

We also went to the doctor to get Gavin's finger pricked again for a blood test (they did not get enough the first time). So afterwards, I promised him we would get a train, a movie or some paint for outside. We ended up with all three. So when we got home, Angie and the girls came over for some creative fun. The kids did great and actually painted for a while. We all went in for a while and then came back out for some play time. Evelyn was loving it too - and Christa came over with Ella and Silas. Angie watches 2 boys, so they were here too, and Leah was feeling under the weather so Angie had Brinley and Avery. All the kids had a blast! I truly love being able to stay at home and treasure moments like this. Nothing will replace the memories I have of hanging out with friends and watching Gavin and Evelyn develop into little people and make friends too. All the financial worries, stress about Patrick being gone (or home very little), being tired...nothing takes this away. I love being a mom - and am trying my hardest to cherish these days...

And then there were four...

Sadly, tonight, our fish cinco died. He lived a very long life of 3 weeks and 2 days. He will be missed dearly. Unless of course Gavin doesn't realize he is dead...then no worries. RIP old friend.

Yeah!

This weekend was so nice! We literally spent ALL day outside yesterday. From about 10am until 7pm. Partly because I was waiting for a stupid lawn care guy to come by (who said he would) but never came. It didn't matter - we would have been outside either way, but maybe not in our backyard the whole time! I am pretty bummed because I was having too much fun and did not get my camera to capture the moments. My neighbor did - so hopefully I'll snag some pics from her and post them.

Two of my favorite things about spring/summer is blowing bubbles with kids and grilling with friends. And we did BOTH! Besides playing on our new playset (and both of our neighbor's swingsets) I whipped out Evelyn's new bubble machine the Easter Bunny brought and some of our other fancy dancy bubble things. I literally sat with almost all the immediate neighborhood kids and blew bubbles and chased them for over an hour! Evelyn took a great long nap so I was able to act like a kid myself without having to chase her around too much! But even when she woke up she was just into playing too! She has quickly learned to climb up and slide down herself on our new playset and she loves to be a big girl and do it herself! And I love it because I can sit back and relax (with a watchful eye of course).

Then Angie and girls stayed over (their Daddy was on call) and we grilled some burgers and dogs and made some french fries. The kids didn't eat much - they were into playing - but just the smell of the grill makes me happy because I know warm weather is coming! I LOVE IT! It does make me miss Patrick even more though!

For the best man I ever knew

I am really missing Patrick these days. I guess I've never been the one staying here while he leaves - it's always been me leaving for fun places like Myrtle Beach or Philly. So I have been a little more sappy lately. I saw this somewhere today and totally thought of my Babe... I love the title especially.

The Best Man I Ever Knew

When we married, I saw you as perfect,
The ideal husband and more;
I thought I knew all about you,
All the things to love and adore.

But when you became a father,
I saw new qualities to treasure.
You enrich all our lives in fresh ways;
As a dad, you bring so much pleasure.

Our children are forever blessed
To have a father like you,
And I love you more than ever,
You’re the best man I ever knew.

Things that make Gavin go "Hhhmmmm"

This morning we were getting ready to go to the gym and were in the bathroom. As many of you already know, Gavin is fascinated with his "male member". He is just into that phase where he identifies who are boys and who are girls...and he knows that boys have a penis and girls do not. So today he watched me go to the potty and said..."Hmmm. Mom? If you don't have a penis, how do you go peepee?" I didn't really know how to answer without laughing.

Fun Day in the Sun

So today was another glimpse into possibly nicer weather. It was upper 40's or low 50's (a little chilly but nice) and SUNNY! So what a perfect day to neglect all the household chores and purging and to go outside ALL day! Basically from noon until 4 - we were outside playing. I found the playset I have been looking for on craigslist and my mom said she would buy it - so my neighbor was kind enough to help pick it up in his truck last night and then I put it together today (with the help of Ashli, Nathan, Carter, Angie, Kelly, McKenna and Gavin). It is perfect for the space I wanted it in and for the littler kids to play in. Even crawlers can enjoy it as there are tunnels, etc to play in - but the big kids loved it too (with 2 slides and a small tunnel to crawl through for them).

The second we got inside Gavin fell asleep. Unfortunately, when he woke up he had a super nasty rash - almost like a sunburn/sunpoisoning rash ALL over his back and chest. It was red with goosebumps and clearish little bumps. Poor thing was scratching himself on furniture, with forks, hair brushes - anything to relieve his itch. The doctor thinks it may be a strep rash - but I think it is from grass. It is sporing time here in Columbus and I know he has had reactions (although different from this one) before. We'll see. Anyway - we all enjoyed getting outside and forgetting about cleaning and purging for a while!

If you have a quick gag reflex - DO NOT LOOK

Since Patrick left this morning for Philly, I am trying to re-organize the entire house. I am starting with the kids stuff - since that is the majority of it anyway. It is hard for me to do this when Patrick is home because I tear everything out of it's place and then put back the stuff I want, give away the rest. But when everything is out - Patrick sort of has panic attacks because there is so much clutter. I eventually clean it all out - but it takes a week or so. So I have to do it when he is away.

Anyway, I am cleaning out the kids' rooms and I find Evelyn with this.... My first reaction was dry heaving, because my mind automatically goes to the thought of poop. But then I realized she just ate a brown crayon...still gross though!

monkeying around

This week we went to the zoo for playgroup. It was Leah (and Brinley and Avery), Ashli (and Nathan and Carter) and Angie (and Kelly and McKenna) and us. We had a great time. The weather was perfect - about 50 degrees and sunny. The only downer was that it was spring break so it was a little more crowded than usual for this time of year. But we still had fun! The animals were in rare form - and we caught some of the monkeying around on tape!

Patrick and Kelly

Our new official names according to Gavin...

Easter Morning and Easter Supper

This morning started off great! The kids came down, excited to see what the Easter bunny left for them! They LOVED the easter egg hunt and Gavin helped Evelyn find her basket that the bunny hid for her (after he found his, of course). I posted some pics from "the hunt". Also - for all those Stoneboro Easter fans - I added a clip movie from Gavin saying...
































"Thank you Easter Bunny"!

The rest of the day (after the whole York Peppermint Patties deal - see below post) was sort of yucky. Gavin was on the potty until 2 and then slept from 3-5. We woke him up to join our friends/neighbors for Easter Supper. Gavin was in a bummer mood until he got some grub in his belly...just like his daddy gets.

We had a delicious meal and enjoyed pretending not to miss home/family too much. Actually, I didn't really even think about it until after dinner was done...we were having a great time! Jessica and Hannah came by too which was so nice. And Angie (and gang) have a med student, Larry, who also joined us. So we had a big person table and a kiddie table to accommodate us all. We ate honey baked ham, sweet potato casserole, super yummy scalloped potatoes with corn flake topping, green bean casserole, bread and lots of desserts! I was (still am) so stuffed! Check out some of our cute pics with our friends...my favorite is Gavin hugging the girls (McKenna is licking his face!). I also love the ghost apparition crotch shot of Patrick (you know you all looked anyway!)

Thanks to Angie for hosting us - we are so fortunate to have friends like you!

Stupid York Peppermint Patties!

Yeah - they have egg whites in them. Not listed under allergy information - but they are in the ingredients (which I hardly ever read any more because it is REQUIRED to list them under allergy information). Oh well - I feel awful. I guess I can blame it on the Easter Bunny!


After the benadryl kicked in to keep his face from swelling even more, he had a horrible bout of diarrhea. Every 2 minutes it was back into the potty to pee out of his little 'ole butt. Poor kid. I have been feeling so guilty about it all morning. The pooh has slowed down - but he is still pretty miserable...