Things That Make Me Smile

I'm a bit late in posting this sweet little picture story.  These pictures were taken at my parents' church over Halloween weekend.

Sweet Pea (or should I say, my Cheerleader)  found a new love.

We all know that she's fond of all things pink.  But, the girl means business if it is PINK, SWEET, & STICKY!

Meet her new love:  COTTON CANDY!

 Ah, yes... a face only a mother could love!

Thank goodness she cleans up well!  ;0)

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I pretty much dislike shopping with my kids.  They usually find some cheap toy or sticky candy to obsess over the entire time I wrestle the shopping cart through the isles.  They have a tendency to beg for needless items while I am just trying to make sure my cart has enough ingredients for our weekly meals. 

But, there is one place I love to take the kids shopping... and, I even prefer them to beg and obsess over things while we are there...

The Bookstore! 

I love watching the boys get excited over books.  It is almost impossible for me to utter the word "no" while their eyes light up and their lips pucker up with a long, whiny "Pleasssseeeeee?"

Plus, we also enjoy some profoundly academic moments when we discover some quality literature such as this:

Yep, we are some deep thinkers around here!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I moved around a LOT during my childhood.  (I lived in 4 different states, 5 different cities, and attended 12 different schools.)  During 3rd and 4th grade I actually lived in the very same city that I live in now.  Those were the summers that I truly learned how to swim.  I spent every single day at the neighborhood pool.  I loved swimming and I loved the freedom to spend the entire afternoon at the pool.


This spring, my parents moved back into that very same neighborhood.  Twenty-five years later, my kids are now swimming in that very same pool.  And, that makes me just a little sentimental.

It most definately makes me smile!

Things That Make Me Smile

Three Generations of Ladies

That makes me smile!

Things That Make Me Smile

Bruiser came home with this the other day:

It says, "I am lucky because my whole family loves me."

I always knew he was smart!

Although, some might call it "blessed." However, some days, (like the time he tracked mud all over my carpet, or cried over my home cooked meal, or "hugged" the cat until he let out a yelp...) it is luck. Pure luck.

No matter, his whole family does love him! LOTS!

Things That Make Me Smile

NEW SHOES!!!!!

(Spring Break~ Day 4)

Time to bring on the NEW SHOES SONG!!!

New shoes, new shoes. How do ya like my new shoes?

New shoes, new shoes. We really like your new shoes!

Something about new shoes just makes you want to dance and sing.

And, show your mother that these shoes can make you run sooooooo much faster.

Or, in Dimples's case, make you look sooooo much "cooler."

No matter what, new shoes put a smile on my face. By the looks of it, they put a smile on their faces too!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

I am not musically talented, but I did play the flute for 6 years. I loved band and found the flute to be challenging and enjoyable. My flute might be dusty now, but my memories aren't.

Now I get to watch my son find his love of music. Dimples started playing the violin this year. He has really enjoyed it. And, I think he is pretty talented, if I do say so myself.

That makes me smile!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

So, it is no secret that we have some cute kiddos. At least, I think so. I may or may not be a little partial. (OK. I am VERY partial, but facts are facts people.) What you may or may not know is that we have some sweet kiddos. No, not all the time, but most of the time.

The other day I caught some sweetness on camera that put a huge smile on my face.


OK, I laughed out loud.

My ultra "cool" 4th grader was having a tea party with his sister. Complete with ice cold water, imaginary rainbow cake, and all things pink. And, let's not forget the baby dolls and ponies that happily joined them. I just love how this kid can ever-so-carefully choose his outfit, meticulously comb his hair, and search around for his cheap cologne each and every morning, yet come home and happily let his little sister boss him around at the tea table.

She is crazy about her big brother and so am I.


Now, that makes me smile!

Things That Make Me Smile

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.


I noticed that Bruiser was feeling down in the dumps lately. Not sure why, but he wasn't himself. So, something had to be done to cheer him up. Honestly, I felt like he and I needed a night away. A night to just enjoy one another. A night to connect and just have fun.


Right before dinner, I whispered to Bruiser to grab his coat. His whole face lit up as he ran to put on his coat. He was quick to ask if anyone else was coming with us. They weren't. We left the house, leaving behind Sweet Pea, Dimples, and Nurse Boy to fiend for themselves for the night.


Once we were in the car, I announced that we were headed to a new restaurant. We went to a restaurant that has a train deliver your meal. You couldn't wipe the smile off of Bruiser's face!

This was how we spent the rest of the evening. It felt great to just focus on him.

Here he is "accepting" our train delivery.


Nothing like some wholesome food to cheer you up. Ha!

He really is a great kid!

Of course, we had to end the evening with sundaes! He practically took a bath in his! :0)



A little ketchup, sugar, and some alone time with mom makes everything better!

Our evening together made us both smile... for a long time!

Things That Make Me Smile!

Mrs. Nurse Boy here.

It's that time of year.

The only time of year that pink and red actually go together. No, make that BELONG together. And, hearts aren't cheesy, but show someone you care.

Especially if they are filled with dark chocolate. But, I digress.

I love Valentine's Day when I watch it through the eye's of my children. They love that they can create with stickers, candy, paper, and TAPE. Boy, do they LOVE tape.

I talked them into making homemade Valentines this year, since Martha Stewart and I are long lost best friends.

Stop laughing, Nurse Boy.

OK, I am NO Martha Stewart. Not even close. But, I like to play her on my blog.

Once I embraced my patient side and the boys got their grubby little hands on their often forbidden friend, Mr. Scotch Tape, it was pure heaven.

We had three different Valentines that we made.

"You're a JOY to be around." (With an Almond Joy.)

"You make me laugh." (With a Snickers.)

And, "Be cool, Valentine!" (With a mint.)

Add some stickers and the project is complete.

Even Dimples had fun.

Yep, homemade Valentines make me smile!

(And, so do chocolate covered strawberries... I'm just saying.)

Things That Make Me Smile

A WORKING microwave!!!!

This week we received a refund check from Nurse Boy's university. I know, it was a miracle! Universities don't usually part with money so easily. (We kind of overpaid-- long story.)

We thought the check would only cover about half the cost of a new built in microwave and instillation. We were wrong.

The microwave was on sale for a FABULOUS price AND the salesman told Nurse Boy how to install it himself. We had money left over! (I say HAD, because the left over money reminded me just how gross some of our drinking glasses were looking. So, basically, I was like a kid with a dollar in my pocket. I couldn't stand wasting it's beauty in my deep, dark pocket. Nope. I had to wave it around and buy something. I am such a good example for my kids.)

Nurse Boy did have some help. My dad came to the rescue and helped out.

I am going to get in trouble for posting all of these shots of their bald heads. Ha!

I would say it was a cinch, but Nurse Boy did shed blood. Twice.

Sweet Pea was super helpful. At least that's her story and she's sticking to it.


Now, THAT brings a smile to my face!

Things That Make Me Smile

It has been cold and gloomy here. We haven't seen much of the sun. The winter blahs are hitting pretty hard right now. January, no sun, cold weather, Nurse Boy hitting the books hard again for school, some challenges in parentland, and NO SUN are all making me exhausted. Wait, I already said the NO SUN thing, didn't I? Seriously, the absence of the sun has taken away a little bit of my spark.

But, NOT today.


Guess what I found in my mailbox?

It made me smile!

It made Sweet Pea smile, too! (Except, I am NOT sharing, so that smile will turn to tears as soon as she realizes that little fact.)

I found Utah Truffles in my mailbox from 2 of my dearest bloggy friends. That's right Suz and Boy Mom sent them to me to cheer me up! Aren't they wonderful?! I have had the privilege of "meeting" them in blogland, but one day I hope to meet them in person. They are so sweet! I don't even mind being the third wheel with them.

Thanks Suz and Boy Mom! You guys ROCK!!!

And, according to my family, I DON'T rock. 'Cuz I ain't sharing. ;0)

Things That Make Me Smile

It's winter and, in case you haven't heard me complain enough, it has been COLD! One way we like to chase off the winter blahs is by making some homemade hot chocolate. Which you MUST top with a very generous dollop of whipped cream.

See? It just makes you smile! You can't help it.

Plus, we may or may not try to squirt whipped cream into each other's mouths.

Can you tell he is smiling?!

And, well, sometimes we miss. But, he is still smiling!


Yep, homemade hot chocolate topped with whipped cream is sure to make everyone smile. Even giggle.

Getting warm is just a delightful side effect.