That just ain't right...

The Economist

I went downstairs in my building to get some pop (that's soda to those of you non-Pittsburghers...LOL...) from the "rip-off" shop (nicknamed convenience store in BNY Mellon Center by my co-workers because of its expensive nature...but there in a pinch).

Before I grabbed my pop (and a King Size Peppermint Patty...yes...I have no willpower), I eyed up some of the magazines on the magazine rack.

Check out the picture on this cover of the print edition of The Economist.

All I have to say is "That's just wrong!"

I love France. So, of course, when I saw the Eiffel Tower it piqued my interest. Then, I read the headline. Wow! Seriously? The Economist must be hurting for readers to have to resort to phallic imagery to get its point (pun intended) across...

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy reading The Economist. (Yes...you heard that right! I'm weird like that..)

But, this just ain't right...

New hand-stamped, handmade card!

Check out the new card I made for a co-worker's baby shower!

http://papercraftersnook.blogspot.com/2010/07/precious-butterflies-baby-card.html

Lady Bug on Minivan Today!

A real lady bug landed on the minivan today when I parked at Target to do some shopping.

Specifically it landed on my left mirror. By a real ladybug....I mean not one of those "imposter" orange and black beetle things...but the "real deal"...a true, dark red ladybug with black dots! It was so cute! :)

I'm taking it as the good luck sign that it is. Yay! Life is good!

Do the Hoodlebug...

Here comes Tyler...

I took this picture of Tyler at the Floodway Park in Homer City, PA this weekend while John ran the Hoodlebug 5k Race.

Minivan...Take 2

Say hello to my little friend!

This is our "Sweetmobile II" (the minivan that replaces our crashed one). This one is a 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT...fully loaded...We're talking leather seats, full entertainment system (can we say DVD player?!?), electric EVERYTHING (sliding doors are even electric). Thus, the name "Sweetmobile" LOL...

We already took a decent little one-hour drive to and from Homer City, PA for John to run in the "Hoodlebug 5k Race" out there. Evan got to watch his Caillou DVD. Ahhh...sweet silence....

Tyler...sweet boy!

Tyler is my sweet, polite little man.

He says "Thank you" to everything.

You give him a cookie.

"Thank you"

He gives you a toy.

"Thank you"

LOL

What can I say...apparently we say "Thank you" a lot in our house! ;)

He's starting to say more words now. He finally says "Mommy". He's been saying "Daddy" for a long time (in my defense they say that it's easier for babies to vocalize the "d" sound than "m"...just saying...hehehe). "Papa" has been a mainstay, as well. We've figured out that "Mama" is actually "Grandma". Too darn cute!

He tried saying "bus" yesterday when I pointed to his bus toy. It came out "buh". He tried saying "bucket" and it came out "buh buh". :)

He actually tried saying Evan today. It came out "Eban". Yay! That's my little man!

He gives kisses by puckering his lips and saying "Mm...muwah". He says "night, night" before we put him to bed for the night. And, the kicker...he actually SLEEPS - what a concept! (unlike his big brother who shall remain nameless to protect the guilty...um...we'll call him "Eban"...LOL).

Evan...the gymnast...

I love this picture of Evan!

My mother-in-law took this picture of him next to our backyard wall where he likes to put rocks between the spaces of the wall.

Evan just started a gymnastics class (also thanks to my MIL). I was a little concerned on how he would react to going to this class since he does not go to daycare or anything like that, yet. But, we were pleasantly surprised to find out he loved it. He came home all jazzed up (so to speak) and hepped up on Oreo Creme pie a la Eat'n Park-style (his "suggestion" to Grandma & Papa, of course!).

Both Evan and Puppy received stars or as Evan called it - a Macy's star - for doing a great job. Now, THAT is great advertising/merchandising when a 3-year-old recognizes your brand. And (believe it or not) I don't really go shopping...much. ;)

Evan received his "Macy's" star for his great job at gymnastics and Puppy, for a great job sitting on the sidelines & "watching". LOL Too cute...

Apparently, these are the gymnastic moves he learned: The Bear Claw, The Kangaroo Jump and the Frog Jump. While the Kangaroo and Frog jumps seem self-explanatory to me, can anyone tell me what the "Bear Claw" is?

Believe it or not, I did take gymnastics as a child at Luanne's School of Dance in Burgettstown, PA, but not at 3-years-old. More like 8-years-old, if my memory serves correctly...(and it may not at this point...LOL).

John actually took gymnastics as a boy, as well. He went to the same dance school that Evan is now attending. Crazy, huh?!

Anyway, I'm sure I could dig up some really juicy (see ---> blackmail) dance school pics of me and/or John.

But, I'm sure none of you want to see all those old, tacky 80s sequinned-outfits , now, do you?! ;)