Rox Van Gogh

Rox has had a passion for painting since he was a wee baby. As a toddler it was his favorite pass time before he discovered dinosaur figurines and YouTube. But even now it's the only time where he can stay seated in complete concentration. 

We've gone through so much construction paper and kids finger paints, that I decided it was time for him to graduate to the real thing.

 Acrylic and Canvas! Having gone to an art school I have tons of acrylic to put to good use, and a pair of canvases were only 5 bucks!

We learned about mixing different colors and how to create pastels and shades of colors to make completely new colors. Which he really couldnt do before with the kids paint.

 It totally blew his mind in excitement, as I was able to watch his masterpiece unfold. 

And wa-la. I now have 2 one of a kind paintings to use as home decor! 

I've realized how important it is to nurture our children's natural born talents. 'Cause you know what they say about practice! 

matchy matchy

Remember that ecstatic feeling you got while playing with your dolls of dressing and undressing them. Perhaps strategically laying them all out, taking mental inventory of how pretty and fabulous they all looked freshly styled and combed.
Well, everyday I get the kids dressed and pressed to take on a new day, that's the same feeling I relive. But unlike dolls they're real, squirmish and waay cuter!

Brother dresses himself and picks out his own clothes. And sister, well she looks good in anything.
But today they fell straight out of the Gap, and I decided it be an impromptu match day.
After realizing how adorable they look matching I see a reoccurring trend coming on!

Juicy Juice.

Its been a couple of years since I've juiced. I was on it so hardcore 3 years ago, I ran through 2 juicers and then said forget it. And throughout my 3 year juicing hiatus my body and mind have been through so much. 3 hospital stunts, all resulting in major surgery, one full term pregnancy, one home birth, and being a nutritional hosts to a growing human being for the past 19 months. It's definitely felt like time for a complete physical and mental cleanse.
So I  got a new juicer  and started a gentle detox regime.

I try to juice at least twice a day. Once in the morning before breakfast and once before dinner.
For my morning juice I incorporate more fruits than vegetables and for my pre-dinner juice I pack it full of veggies. Making my own juice recipes as I go, its hard to go wrong with what you concoct because no matter how "yucky" it may taste its still so nutritional rewarding for your body.  3 of my favorite ingredients I like including in most of my concoctions are 4 carrots, a pinch of ginger and coconut water.

Since I've started back again, its increased my energy and appetite for more yummy healthy foods, and has toned my body and skin giving it a nice glowy look. And from a kids perspective stuffing produce into a machine and watching it turn into juice has been a pretty exciting process fun and healthy for the whole family!

A couple of yummy recipes I like to make using mostly organic fruits & veggies:

4 Carrots
3 celery stalks
1 apple
1 orange or grapefruit
pinch of ginger
2oz Coconut Water

1 handful of spinach
1 beet
4 kale stalks
pinch of ginger
1 apple
5-10 strawberries
2oz coconut water (optional)

Juicing Tips I had to learn the hard way:

• store left over juice in glass container as opposed to plastic for freshness.
• cleaning the juicer can be a pain so make an initial large batch of it to drink throughout the day
• prepare and organize your fruits and veggies before turning on the juicer.
• no matter what the juicer claims it can do, its better to cut bigger tougher produce in pieces before putting them in. 
• wash juicer immediately after use with a good cold rinse and scrub without soap!If there are any recipes you have to suggest I'd love to try them out! 

Feeling juicy? I wanna hear about it!!

the Snake Charmer

Rox has officially turned us into the reptile family.
It all started when his good friend G had Spiderman come and surprise him for his recent birthday.
In preparation for his own birthday, Rox kept insisting he too wanted Spiderman.
Been there done that. Lets crank it up a notch.
Rox is an avid crazed "reptile guy" who for any outing travels with his figurine cobra in one hand and saltwater crocodile in the other. Our zoo membership is for repeated visits to the reptile exhibit. And all he ever wants to watch besides My Little Pony are youtube clips of snake handling.
BINGO.
Forget Spiderman. We need the Snakeman.

The Snakeman was so awesome! And a bit of a hottie! I gotta be honest and say I kinda expected him to be a bit old and creepy...
All the park goers watched and joined in amazement as the kids were able to touch and handle different types of snakes. With this big daddy being the grand finale.
But of course every party has its debbie downer...
Someone who was afraid and repulsed by the fact that I had brought snakes to the snake birthday party.
Talk about killing a vibe. I paid 200 bucks for this damn snake man! You will have a good time!

The kids learned and they had fun. And I got to conquer my own hesitations with snakes.
I kinda want one of our own know to cuddle with.

adventures in pictures: Roxsssssss Party

 Today was Roxs snake party! And it didn't rain! We splished. We splashed. We slithered. 

And ate cake.

My sweet beautiful boy thanked everyone for his party. And made a wish with balloons.
His new constant question is
"Am I 5 now?"
"Yes, your birthday is finally here. You are one year older."
"Mommy, why am I getting older?"

FML.

my first BIRTH day.

 Today is Roxwell's 5th birthday, and as I spend the night getting things ready for his weekend celebration, I cant help but think about the day he came into the world. It feels as though its my birthday as well. And although I have given many amusing verbal accounts of the day he was born, after 5 years I've decided its time to put it on "paper".
I remember it like it was yesterday. Being pregnant with him was a breeze. I felt happy, healthy, sexy and confident, I wore hot shorts and mini skirts with my bump and went out dancing, and yes I was 21 at the time.

Boob Talk.

Sometimes I wish I had a man in my life that paws at my breast the way Avy does.

18 months of breastfeeding, so it's not to say that "the ladies" haven't seen any action, but need I point out its not the same?!
I'm super single and life is pretty stress free considering, which is why I think Avy and I have been fortunate to develop such great nursing longevity thus far. Not to mention a sweet, loving experience to reminisce on for the rest of my life. But at this point in the game I'll trade that for a pair of man groping hands. Selectively approved man hands to be precise.
It makes me wonder about all the other moms out there who are "married" and are extending nursing. Since I have to live vicariously through you, I wanna know, do you still let and want for your husbands/ baby daddies to grab and man handle your breasts when they're on break from nursing or are they still predominantly kid toys? Cause lets be real, when kids are reaching potty training and reading ages, they're not really for nourishment any more but pacifying toys. But really comfortable, cuddly, loveable safe ones.
Which makes me think your man might be missing those.