Benjamin's

Busy, Busy, Busy!
At home trying to play catch up with housework, at the school helping Z's class prepare for their Halloween centers, finishing up some Halloween goodies for E's class and baking a cake for the cake walk.
Not to mention we went over to our neighbors house for cake and juice, our sweet little Nael has turned 3, and he's the cutest 3 ever!

When done we were excusing ourselves to come home because I still had to finish decorating the cake and E's shield.

A friend of my neighbor asked about the shield. I told her I was decorating a Captain America shield for Little E.

She was impressed and started to tell me how crafty I am when I blurted "Ah I painted one because I'm too cheap to buy one."
She laughed...hard.
But it's true I started crafting to save us some Benjamin's.
Okay not Benjamin's, some Washington's, were too poor to have Benjamin's.
I just felt like saying Benjamin's after watching Notorious BIG, hee hee.

Anyway I had to show off my Shield... Little E is tickled pink.
Seeing his beautiful happy face makes the work all worth it!


We bought it like this originally, I had already started to paint red before I took a picture.



Finished Product, still needs touch up's though.
"Awesome" were Pop's words, a high compliment for me from the Comic buff himself.



Have a safe Halloween!

It has begun

Every fall our holiday traditions begin.

In October we watch Halloween specials with the kids, already watched a Great Pumpkin..twice! Dad watches scary movies after the boys are put to bed, I sit there with him clipping coupons and not looking up...blech.

Set out a dish of candy corn to pick at until Halloween.

Decorate pumpkins, and make other decorations.

November is slow on tradition, we will start some.
I want the boys to start learning about the First Thanksgiving.

December well that's a horse of a different color!
These are our Christmas holiday To DO's:

Watch Christmas movies from the start of December until Christmas day!
Rudolph, Frosty, Grinch, Christmas Vacation(mom&dad only), our all time favorite Polar Express and so many more!

Buy a box of chocolate covered cherries, Pop's and I sit and have only one every night until Christmas..why?? I don't know but it's super yummy and special for just Nick and I.

Baking, Baking, Baking the boys and I become baking fools! Cookies, cakes and pies Oh MY!

Going to the tree lot and picking a tree as a family.

Listening to Christmas music in the van as much as possible, sometimes in home too.

Sitting down on a chilly night and having Abuelita Hot Chocolate by the fire.

Teaching the boys that under no circumstance is it Merry X-mas! It really urkes me to see X-mas! Got it? GOOD! If we forget the reason behind Christmas than we might as well not celebrate at all, we'll be making ourselves materialistic people who just want gifts. I don't go yelling at people who write X-Mas but not it our home. Boys will learn that the real meaning of Christmas does not come in a box.

Setting out a pretty dish with red & green M&M's for us to pick at all season long. Mmmmmm M&M's.

Jesus cake, we started this either last year or the year before. The boys and I bake and decorate a cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, they love it.

Well that's our To Do's, What's your To Do's?
If you don't have one make a To Do list, make memories for and with your little ones. It will stick with them forever, I know mine did.

Unstoppable

These boy's were under the weather but still wanted to keep busy and who was I to stop them?
Little E was the worst off it seemed with a cough and fever. While resting on the couch he caught a glimpse of someone making pumpkin pies on Noggin and asked if he could make one.
WHY OF COURSE!
So we made a pie, he didn't want any but had a blast baking.



That evening we did our family pumpkins.
It was nice to sit around the table and do a project together.



Having both the boys home yesterday was tough since they didn't want to "relax" at ALL!
I wonder how many times I repeated "Just relax so you'll get better faster", "Relax"
"Relax"
"RELAX!"
OY these boys.

They got up off the couch and made their own little pizza's they loved it.




They ended up playing pretend with their superheroes and bad guys for most of the afternoon.
At times I sat there on the couch and listened to their little imaginations go wild.
They have great Pretend playing skills.

Lastly, the boys and I arranged our Corkill Pumpkin family outside.

Nick's pumpkin had a nasty spot on it and he covered it up with red paint.

He claims its his gunshot wound.

Ha ha very funny *sarcasm*

I wouldn't let him show that part to the boys.

But the boys LOVED that dad added a booger to his pumpkins nose.

Why do boys love gross stuff??

They cracked up and show me dad's pumpkin booger any chance they get.

Our sick days are almost up, Little E is back at school and has been fever free for over 24 hours.
Z goes back tomorrow I kept him home on more of a precaution.

So glad they got this virus over with, it would of broken their hearts to miss Halloween, and mine too.

Exhausted!

No pic's and I'm pretty doggone exhausted.
Little E woke up fever free..yay!
Z went to bed with one..nay.
Both woke up in great spirits, E will go to school tomorrow if he keeps showing signs of Zero fever.
I on the other hand am beyond exhausted.
Like I needed another reason not to catch my Zzzzzz's.
I haven't been sleeping lately.
It's not uncommon for me to suffer bouts of insomnia, but this bout has gone on for a few months it seems.
Funny thing is a article came out around Labor Day weekend in my Runner's magazine about a runner with insomnia, a relative and I both teased that now we were going to become running insomniacs due to this article, like we were brainwashed.

Thing is I was already suffering from lack of sleep....the irony.
I go 2 maybe 4 hours than I just lay there, it's awful.
Even fell asleep one day at 10:20 then woke up at 12:49 and headed to Wal-Mart to pick up some things.
Came home fell asleep for about 2 hours and then I was up to get the boys ready for school.
Sleepless nights are doggone awful.
This is the longest episode I have ever had, I hope it goes away soon or I'll need a wheel barrel to carry my under eye bags!
To healthy boys and more sleep, Oh I need it.

Round Two: Pumpkin Patch

Why Round Two? Z did this exact same field trip last year. http://monkeylemur.blogspot.com/2008/10/new-home-for-monkeylemur.html

This year same pumpkin patch, same teacher, different little one, Little E.
He truly enjoyed himself and actually was a bit more active than Z was, which equaled to one worn out mom!

Picked out his pumpkin of choice for decorating.




Voila! Looks great Little E.
He's so proud of his pumpkin.



This patch also has rides, giant slides, and so much more.



Marshmallow roasts was quite a highlight.
E why do you look bothered?
Maybe it was the smoke blowing every which way.



The day ended well and Little E and his classmates had a blast.
All well end's well.
This week I'm going with Z and his class to a farm, hope I can make it...Little E is sick.
To a healthier E and great trip for Z.

Sent from Heaven.

Sometimes trials put a strain on every aspect of our lives.
People find themselves questioning themselves, life, their marriage and their faith.
Especially now during these hard economic times.

Our trials has sometimes made us question our faith and wonder what God wants from us. What are we missing?

Is there something we have to learn from this?
I can tell you what we were missing.
We were missing faith, because we weren't giving all of ours to God.
And yes we are learning that as long as we have God and one another we're already ahead.

Though easier written than done sometimes we do find ourselves down in the dumps.

So Nick and I are really giving it all to God.
Times are hard, life is hard, and being a Christian is in no way easy.
But the rewards are truly priceless.

Nick and I are making a point to make it to service EVERY Sunday.
And sadly, we are always late.
We told ourselves regardless of our finances we will tithe to God.
So even if late we hand money to the church and apologize profusely since they are usually in the middle of counting.

One Sunday we were late, handed our tithing and it felt good. Mind you it's not much but more than we can afford at times.

That week while out running an errand I found 70 dollars on the ground.
I now had money for the boy's costumes, and we prayed that God bless those who lost this money.

This Sunday same thing.
Late to service shame on us, paid our tithing and Nick calls me yesterday morning.
"Liza, after work I'm buying you new running shoes." ( I SERIOUSLY need them, like foot pain with swelling and shinsplints need them!) "I just found a 100 dollar bill and automatically thought of you."

I think I was in shock for a second.
More found money?!
Seriously!?
Then I figured yes, seriously.

I hung up the phone and gave God all the thanks for our gifts from heaven.

Weekending.

Saturday our lazy day was just that, Lazy.
I guess it depends on what your definition is. I mowed the lawn, Pop's edged but aside that...so lazy.
The boys and I decided to make Halloween decorations, quiet, sweet, and relaxing.








My little artists, Pop's popped in to sample some candy corn.
You know I leave that plate with candy corn and the boys do great not gobbling it all up at once. Now as for Pop's well that's a different story.




Sunday was a bit busier with church then a play date at the zoo with my cousin Leandra and her little one Abraham.
The boys really enjoyed themselves and LeAnn and I enjoyed the nice conversation.





A, Z and E.
Z made us laugh he insisted on posing like that.




Now this stinker landed on my head and proceeded to groom me.
Look at all the hair he pulled up.



Z on the wooden horse...I like this picture.

After the zoo I visited with my aunt and cousin a bit and had to almost drag the boys out. They were watching their cousin bust some Michael Jackson moves!

Next off to dinner with John and Debbie, it was so nice.

We had such a lovely weekend, to many more lovely weekends.

Goodnight Whispers

My little monkey's hit the hay at 8:30 every night.

Ahem sorry my monkey and piggy, E insists on being called monkey, Z insists on being called piggy.
I won't lie, not thrilled with calling him piggy.
Don't want to give my child a complex, Nick hates it because that means he gets alot of PINK.
Well we're getting over the "piggy situation", hey he loves pigs! We can't help what we love right?

Back to my story.

Monkey and Piggy hit the hay at 8:30 I on the other hand don't usually hit the hay until midnight.

Before I go to bed I check on the boys, kiss and cross them goodnight (my grandma used to do this to us) and I'm gone.

A few times a week my nightly ritual is different.

I climb into bed with piggy and hold him close, feeling his little breathing pattern.
Suddenly he's a baby again. With a bald head, chubby cheeks, full lipped, slanty eyes (due to super chubby cheeks), wearing those stripey pants that look like they came straight out of a Tim Burton movie (I loved those pants).

Then he stirs and baby is gone.

Now I am laying with a long noodle of a child, with long licorice hair, still has those full lips and no longer has those chubby cheeks, and the Tim Burton stripey pants will maybe fit like socks.
I lean over, try to find his face in the craziness of his hair, I stroke his cheek.

I'm so in love.

I whisper in his ear that I'm so proud of him, he's so wonderful and end it with an "I love you."
He sometimes leans toward me and smiles in his sleep.
Or the best is when he whispers in his sleep..."I wuv you."
Yeah still having trouble with them "L's"
I cross his forehead, say a prayer and I literaly roll down to the trundle where the monkey sleeps..sorry monkey no trees for you tonight.

There he is, angelic face with curls and all.
I hold him and he too is a baby again.
Fat cheeked chunky monkey with a bald head, Big, Big eyes, holding on to his beloved bear Bennet, working on the pacifier and glaring at anyone who dares to try and pull him out of my arms.

He truly earned his name...monkey.

Then he too is gone in a blink of an eye.

A little boy is now in my arms, with wavy chocolate curls, still has big eyes, chubby cheeks and Bennet sadly replaced by a matchbox car.

I feel a bit sad.
I hold him, kiss him and whisper in his ear the same little ditty I say to Z.
Sometimes he'll curl into me, snuggling for dear life...those nights are my favorite!

That's not every night.

I whisper "I love you."

And suddenly he jolts like he was struck by lightening groans out "Eeeeeaaahhhh" and he proceeds to punch me not once but twice in the face.
I lay very still as if I'm waking a lion.
Heaven forbid he awakens because it'll mean a tough night for both mom and pop's.

Goodnight whispers, who knew they could be so sweet yet so dangerous.

Afterschool.

Warm banana bread + Window crayons + 2 sweet little boys = for a great snack while learning sight words.

I'd say our after school time was quite perfect.

Weekending.

Our weekend was busy but relaxing at the same time.
Saturday I had a Scentsy Party at Tonya's, it was very nice and relaxing to be honest with you.
Than Karen and I watched the boys while Nick took Dave on a "Man Date."
He probably won't be too thrilled to see it worded that way.

Sunday we went to services then back home to watch the game...whew it was a close one.
I'm not much into football but I'll be honest it's very interesting to watch.
I got all into this Sunday's game and can honestly say now I know why men are grouchy if their team loses.
You put a lot of emotion for 3 hours on your Sunday afternoon just for them to lose?
I felt MYSELF getting grouchy.
Plus they went into overtime and Nick didn't expect that so our DVR cut off the end.
We weren't happy.
But caught the highlights of Miles Austin so we were happy again.

Another goody this weekend was tortillas.
I don't know what got into me.

Just felt like having the real thing I guess.
It's no work at all when you have little helpers.



Ethan actually did amazing! BUT because he watched and studied me do a whole bunch before doing his.



Z's did great too considering he didn't get to see me do all that many, he was with his Pop's..bonding.


Well the air is cooler and were anticipating our holiday traditions.
Watching Christmas movies, baking cookies, apple cider, and watching the red glow in the fireplace.
Ahhh welcome holiday season our sweaters are ready and we're so happy to see you.

The taste of Fall.

Fall has arrived full swing at the Corkill home.
We decided it was time for it to feel more Fall like so we turned off our A/C (which may have been a mistake it will be in the High 80's today), started putting up Fall and Halloween decorations, and Caramel apples!
These caramel apples were a first for us, but it was quite easy.
The bag of caramels came with a recipe AND the sticks for the apples, pretty neat.




After your apples are washed and dried you melt them with 1 0r 2 TBSP of water.
I used my electric fondue pot.
Then you coat your apple and pop them in the fridge for an hour...super easy.
Easy but a bit messy, I recommend using two big plastic spoons to help coat the apples.
Also put them on a buttered cookie sheet I used parchment paper...not a good idea.



Boys enjoyed helping out. Except Z let me know he was helping but not eating them.
Who doesn't like caramel apples!?!?

Little E waited not so patiently can you tell?

Mmmmm... Finally yummy caramel apples.

E loved making the caramel apples, Z did somewhat.

He usually enjoys cooking things he'll actually eat, but I can totally understand that.

Some of my Fall decorations, now all I have to do is add some Fall scent to my warmers and VOILA fall is complete!

Then it all comes down for winter!

Tune In!!!

Tomorrow's Oprah is one to watch.
Every day as if reading my daily paper I read 3 of my favorite blogs,
nieniedialogues, soulemama and africankelli, there are my morning musts before I start my day.
Last year nienie, real name Stephanie was in a horrible plane crash and severly burned along with her husband, their friend and fellow pilot did not survive the accident.
I kept reading her blog and praying she'd be okay.
Funny how you feel like you know someone just from reading about their lives.
Well she survived and still has many hurdles to jump and now she is going to be on Oprah!
I had to pause my DVR and show Nick when I saw her picture.
He remembers her as the one who likes to have her husband do chores around the house without his shirt on.
Anyway catch her on Oprah and you really should read her blogs, I love them.

www.nieniedialogues.com
my other faves..
www.soulemama.com
www.africankelli.com

Howdy!

The State Fair how I love it.
It's become a yearly tradition for my little family and I look forward to it every single year.
The Fair, what you see is what you get! Over priced food (I take my own), Dogs catching Frisbees, Live music, crafts to explore, cars you know you can never afford, free bags, Demonstrations on blenders that are 400 dollars!!! Oh I love that demonstration, NEVER paying 400 dollars though.
AND this year no strollers to be pushed, no wagon to be pulled. Big milestone for us Corkill's. Though I still look at those Huggies baby tents with a meloncholy eye...sigh.

*Arriving at the Fair*



*Hands on Kid Farm, they're planting seeds with Pop's help.*

*After much irrational consideration I want a farm...now! I want baby goats so I can see them play and hop and jump and look so so so cute. I think Nick agrees, but when they grow we can sell them off...we need to make room for more baby goats!*

*Boys checking out Big Tex and the mini train...they love that mini train*

*Someone was getting tired, I caught him hugging his Pop's leg*

*Museum!! They enjoyed it, but my camera kept dying and my pics are all blurry, I'm really starting to hate this camera, therefore taking less pictures. I think it needs a new battery, this one won't keep a charge.*

*They loved climbing this elephant*

Oh and one of our favorite parts of the fair was............

Little E!! He can CUT-A-RUG!!!

Doing the robot per Pop's request.

The boy loves to dance!! We encouraged and clapped him on, there he was just dancing in front of total strangers he didn't care...and we're glad he didn't.

Lastly, "Backyard Circus".

We've never made it on time for this show in the past. We'll this year we did and Ethan was part of it. He was the big Finale Lion. Last one to jump through the hoop of fire!!

Isn't he precious!?!

Why don't I have an adorable picture of him leaping through the hoop of fire you ask??

Because of my cursed camera!

I had to stop Dr.Jekyll Liza from coming out then and there.

I SERIOUSLY wanted to chunk my camera on a hard surface and see it fly into pieces, oh I was hot!

But alas I calmed down, E was looking adorable and I had to make sure my brain recorded this memory.

Z could of been up there too but he got confused and didn't walk on stage.

We felt bad for him, he was disappointed.

But he was so good for not throwing a whiny hissey.

Until next year State Fair, until next year when we meet again.

Blah

Being a mom you don't have much time to feel Blah.
Slowly, surely and oh so stubbornly I am learning to let some one else take care of me during these times.
Pop's made me nap at 4:00 pm yesterday, I slept until 6:00p.m.
He fed us dinner, bathed the children all the while I rested on a comfy recliner watching the boob tube.
I slept in until 11:00 in the morning and loafed all day, resting, sipping juice and water, watching television.
My fever broke as soon as it came, I feel better, I feel rejuvenated.
Not 100% ,but well enough to be mommy again.
Speaking of being a mommy I am being beckoned for a "hug/Kiss" goodnight.