My New Camera

A wonderful gift from my thoughtful hubby. Just some random pictures taken with my new Nikon D5200.

Hubby had a hand in this one!

I just seen his pocket is hanging out. I love his eyes in this picture. 

I have been busy with the family just opened it last night. I have a thousand pieces that go to this camera I'm used to just point and click. I'm a simple person now I have to read to just point and click turn a setting to something it may take
me a little while to learn all of the features to find out how to use it completely. I love how clear the pictures are. I have been taking pictures for a little over a year going to school as a hobby. Now, I think I may try to profit with my pictures now that I have a great camera to take the pictures. I love when my hubby reads my mind this is by far the best Christmas gift ever.

My Christmas Flowers from my amazing hubby.

I love this picture of my Popsicle his eyes are so intense. I'm not sure who he looks more like but I think I'm going to say my hubby 100%. 

This is her new cat tower Santa left for her.




Tell me what you think of my photos? What kind of camera do you have?

Mickey's Christmas

Do you have a cat? What about dressing them up like a kid? I have been dressing my cat up since Halloween. I know it sounds silly but it's funny and cute. No, I'm not doing it to be mean I will take it off if she starts to go crazy.

Christmas 2013

Let me share some pictures from Instagram http://instagram.com/patricianeedham

Who else dresses up their cat or am I alone in this? I almost purchase a Buzz lightyear outfit while we were at Disney world but I passed I thought it was a little much.

Halloween 2013

 Today it was on sale.

Mickey's Christmas was great she has already fallen off her cat tower twice good news she landed on her feet. I guess that saying a cat will land on their feet is true after all. Hubby is in the process of putting down the rubber mats to put under her tower so she doesn't get a concussion! It may have been part my fault I did put catnip on the top. She was eating it big chucks of it. Hubby had to rub it in. She was high as a kite. I guess if we don't talk to our cat about catnip who will?

#59 Gone

My Bucket List is still getting things crossed off. Like Number 59 Show my mother the ocean.

We had a blast the water was a little cold but we were swimming in it. I think we have adapted to Florida to much 85 out at the beach being cold. My momma and sister came out for the Holidays with my little niece Eva who is a doll. I love her she is too cute!

Don't mind the hair I have beach hair mixed with wind not a good day for hair not to mention the salt water that sticks to me like glue. Great for the skin bad for my hair. I haven't seen her in a year I miss a lot her seen her being born which was a little weird my sister laughed and talked the whole time giving birth. She is now two years old I'm missing so much living here in Florida but good news my sister is thinking about moving here yeah. I'm showing her places while they are here.

We are having so much fun feeling a little home sick. First Christmas with my family since Christopher was born can't wait to spend it outside this year. It's still a weird getting use to it here with no snow. 

Shopping with my 3 YEAR OLD

I have to laugh at Christopher he is a true nut. I walked into Aarons furniture store. I remember talking to Christopher and asking him to be on his best behavior until we leave. Laugh now I know it was not going to happen. I seen a table online so I wanted to go in and look at it so I could buy it. GOOD NEWS it gets delivered on Saturday. I'm so excited I haven't had a table in about a year because we were going to build it but it didn't turn out the way that we thought it would. Back home my hubby built the table in the wall which was pretty neat because it was half in the kitchen half in the living room best of both worlds right. First, Hubby calls me. Trying to off the phone with that man is like impossible he talks more than a woman. Sorry babe but you do. He was trying to tell me to get other things all I wanted was a table I don't like to shop. I know I'm weird! Trying to fill out paperwork was nearly impossible when Christopher spilled the water that the sales associate gave us all in our lap. Not bad I suppose it's just water. Christopher starts off saying hello to everybody then he takes off. I finally get him after making three rounds in the store running after him trying not to knock over anything as he's laughing and saying mom can't get me.  I pick him up then he licks me. He is in this licking stage I have no idea why. He wants to lick everything the couch his brother me the cat the Christmas tree the window my phone. It's totally gross! He finds  a kid in the store looks a little bit younger than him maybe 1. Mind you his parents are no where in sight. Christopher starts showing him around the store.Which in turn is fantastic for me turns out it was cheaper than I thought. I ended up just buying it right out. He was like a little  Aarons associate. He has my phone mind you and he is taking pictures of everything. Thank God the sales associate has kids two twins girls that are 3 as well. He understood even made a comment that's why he has a job and she stays home. I can't be mad at him. He did tell me he had a really good time even thanked me for taking him. Christopher is so sweet! It's all part of the job being a mom I love it!!!!

The table 

I bought.

The plant Christopher said he likes. He took a picture of it. 

He wanted to buy this! 

Random new friend.

Christmas

A Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without giving. The boys and I donated about six coats to the Salvation Army with a duffle bag of my hubby's clothes that he no longer wears of course. Sending in a Christmas gift today for a little boy who is the same age as my little one. Who may not get anything but what we bought him. Justin was so cute explaining to his brother what we were doing.  Christopher kept asking why doesn't Santa just get him toys. Justin finally just told him he will. While looking at me and said  "I hope he does." It's hard not being able to explain fully without destroying Christmas for my son. I have always told him that some people don't believe in Christmas that's why Santa doesn't come. I don't know what else to say. We give a lot around this time of year. I help out everywhere I can. Now, That my son is getting older he understands more of the meaning of Christmas not what he will get. He sent a gift in for someone in his school and one for a child overseas.  We were on the way to his tap class when he asked if we could stop to give a homeless person his last ten dollars.  I pulled off in the parking lot where the man was. Justin ran up to him as I was getting out of the car.

Justin "Maybe you can get something to eat. Merry Christmas try to be safe." 

Yes, I'm a proud momma. A qick note please be careful if you take part in giving to a homeless person.  

The gift contains

Thomas the Train, Captain America and in the stocking is filled with cars.

I hope we helped out just a little for this little boy. 

My Cat

Okay, I truly think my cat is worse then my boys.

She freaks me out like peeking  her head out of the bathroom when I walk by. In her mind we are playing tag or something. 

I walk into the kitchen she is meowing like she has never ate anything in her life.

She bugs me when I workout at home. 

She walks on me when I'm trying to work on my abs.

 She likes to roll on my hair eat it.

 I have no ideal why.

I hate when she jumps as tall as me all puffed out to where she has no eyes. 

 She is beyond weird for a cat. 

I had to use her to carry a lizard out of the house. She kept dropping it.

Our cat loves french fries thanks to Christopher.

I still don't  understand her attacking Justin out of nowhere.

 She will sit and wait for him. It's funny but so disturbing.

She tries to climb up my windows.

She loves to climb under the covers with the boys to sleep. 

She is scared of our turtles.  Maybe because Christopher tried to feed her to them.

She dislikes me making my bed.  She will pull the blankets off like a dog would. 

She is insane meet Mickey the cat.

Write a letter to Santa

Beginning in November, kids of all ages can drop their stamped letters, addressed to Santa At The North Pole, in the Santa Mail letterbox at their local Macy’s. For each letter received through Dec. 24, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to $1 million. Visit Macy’s Believe website at macys.com/believe for more  information.

How many of you still believe in the magic of Christmas? I love this season it's one of my second favorites following Halloween. The issues of believing in the big man in the red suit came up at one of my parents meetings. I was surprise how many parents have told their children that he is not the one that comes on Christmas Eve. I have a ten year old who very much believes in Santa Claus. We are sending our letter out sometime this week and dropping them off at Macy's to help the make a wish foundation. I have made writing a letter to Santa a part of our Christmas traditions since my son Justin was four. I have always told him with the many religions people have  America has a large variety of people who don't believe.  That's okay that is the reason Santa can visit everyone who believes in him in one night. His Uncle Adam is a Jehovah Witness who doesn't believe. My good friend Sandy is a Muslim who also doesn't believe.  They understand he is a child they don't tell him it's wrong that he thinks Santa is coming in a few weeks. These are just a few examples of people  who don't celebrate the the holiday. I have always made sure my son understands that people are different and it's okay that is what makes them BEAUTIFUL. He is to embrace everyone as the same.  It's a person Character that makes them who they are. I have made sure he knows now that he is getting older he will get only a few items from Santa. The rest will be from his father and I. I want him to be a child for as long as he can be. There is no rush on growing up. Of course telling him the Santa at the mall along with Santa at the tree lighting as well as why is that Santa white and the other is black questions I have taken care of when he was in first grade. They are all helpers who have been given a job by Santa himself to help out during the BIG Christmas season. Santa and Mrs. Clause have a lot of work to do at the North Pole before Christmas Eve. They have to help keep everyone on task to get the toys ready packed and to be shipped off. The addresses need to be updated with the reindeer gps. I think I have covered all the basics with my son. If he does ask the famous question "Is Santa Claus Real?" 

My reponse will be " No your father and I help him out to keep the spirit alive. Seeing is not Believing, Believing is seeing.  People have to believe in something it's a little piece of hope that there may be a Big guy in a red suit who spreads Christmas cheer. Parents take part in helping their children believe in something a little more around the holidays. Christmas is about spending time with family and friends." 
















There is also a cute website where you can write a letter online. Have fun make a wish come true today.

http://social.macys.com/believe/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-believe-_-n-_-n#/home

My Toddler

Having to take care of a three year old is a task especially when I think my son just went crazy this past week.

"Don't lick your brother."

 "Why Mom?"

 "People don't lick people you can't act like the cat."

 While he is licking his arm like the cat and running it over his head. Then he comes to lick me.

 "You can't lick me if I can't lick you back!"

 Now, I'm running after him pretending to want to lick him as he runs and hide behind his big brother. He is screaming and laughing.

"No mom don't lick me that's gross. Jay stop her!"

If that was bad enough he jumps off the bed I catch him in mid air.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm Iron Man mom I just got my flight power back!"

"Well you just scared me to death don't jump off the bed."

"Why Mom?"

Okay we are now in the "WHY" stage where now I have to come up with a reason why people can't fly.

"People can't fly in the house."

"Okay, Mom sorry Jay mom said we can't fly in the house let's go outside."

I seen that one coming!

"Put the turtles down they can't fight like the Ninja turtles."

He walks away only to find him talking to the turtles asking them what swords and guns they want to use to fight.

"No, Christopher Mickey doesn't want to play with the turtles!"

As he trying to put the cat in the pool with the turtles.
He has been non stop all day everyday for the past week. No naps it's like his batteries won't die out. Yup, He is crazy I don't know what else to call it when he is outside running around jumping off the lawn furniture tackling his brother and putting him in a head lock. I guess mommy and daddy can't watch MMA fighting anymore. He dressed up the cat in his Iron Man costume.  That didn't go over very well with Mickey the cat she was just a little mad. Tonight he was just running back and forth in the house for no apparent reason but to do it. He has discover his penis like a boy he walked outside with it hanging out.

"Put your penis away Christopher!"

"Why Mom?"

There is that WHY again.

"You can't be outside with your body parts hanging out."

"It's mind mom."

"Yes, I know just go get in the pool."

Okay, I think that was it nope he is now skinny dippin in the pool. I get him dressed to feed my boys dinner now he is sitting on the floor sharing his tacos with the cat. I don't know what is wrong with him. All I can do is laugh because this is not even half of my week. I still love being a mom. He makes me laugh for sure. There is not a dull day in The Needham Household.

My Awwe moments

If you are a mom I bet you have many of these same moments where it's hard to get out of your head. It's times you think to yourself what would my life be if I didn't have these moments in time. This morning I gave my kids their vitamins for the day like I always do. I gave Justin his first as the same time he was saying "Thank You."
I was saying "Here Chris."

Justin says"What did I do to you?"

I reply "What?"

Justin "You just said who cares,why?"

I start laughing "Why would I say that?"

"That's what I thought you must be having a bad day. You never say that to me." Justin says with a confused look on his face.

I always tell my kids to mind their manners so when Justin thought I said "Who cares." He probably thought the one time I say thank you before she says something and this is what I get. I'm laughing my butt off right now writing this. It was too funny all taking place before school.

In between looking for shoes, homework clothes,milk on the floor. Cereal in the freezer for whatever reason. The marbles I keep almost breaking my neck on not to mind the cat freaking me out. She likes to jump out of nowhere.

Later today Christopher and I took a break from doing his studies we are working on learning the parts of a skeleton right now. I laid on the floor when the cat jumped up on me purring.
Christopher said "She is vibrating."

"She is purring!" I told him

Another moment where I couldn't stop laughing

He says "Well unplug her mommy!"

Like where do they come up with this stuff? I swear I laugh more since I became a mom then I ever did before.  Christopher and Justin have a full fledge conversation. It's the cutest thing to hear my little one ask his big brother how his day was and then my oldest tells him.

Being a mommy is really hard at times I know I'm a mom. Is the most rewarding experience to become a parent to see how much you have influenced your children. You watch the way what you say and do shapes them. It's funny how it's all rolled into one. They are their own person yet there  is a little bit of you and their daddy it's amazing! My son Justin is an amazing athlete! I am constantly getting compliments on how natural he is at soccer and basketball just about any sport he has ever done it makes us as parents very proud of him. My husband just bought our little one for his 3rd birthday a tablet now he wants to buy Justin a cell phone. I don't know about you but I'm not sure about a phone for my son but I know it's needed. Times have changed since I was 10. Christopher knows how to use my phone better than I know how to use my phone. He can take pictures he can call people and he walked in the room having a conversation with somebody. I'm like who are you talking to  he tell me he knows how to hang up he knows how to use my bluetooth it is so funny! My whole world revolves around my children. I love these crazy intense even the attitude justin has inquired lately I love all these moments. My children are growing up to be incredible  people who will soon be young adults. It must mean that my husband and I are doing a great job. I'm sure all the parents that are reading this you are doing a great job too. Just hold on a little tantrum will pass they only hold your hand for a short time make sure you're there to create a new moment everyday. Make time for family fun day as today we're playing uno. Remember to always have fun. Being a parent is a journey! Thanks for reading have a blessed day.

Yoga Class

Yoga is considered a mind-body type of complementary and alternative medicine practice. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety. 

I  have been taking yoga since I was in high school now I take yoga classes at the YMCA. It's a lot of fun but I'm not sure about HOT YOGA. 

What is Hot Yoga? 

Hot yoga is a vigorous form of yoga performed in a studio that is heated to 105 F (40 C) and has a humidity of 40 percent. The formal name for hot yoga is Bikram.

I have incorporated yoga into our daily life with our boys. I have found that it helps settle us down before story time in our house. The boys love it. I have the boys count to ten if I see they are getting frustrated in their daily routine. My boys are more focus in school and in life.  Count to ten and breathe is the best option when I set foot on a lego slide into the wall on a marble trip over the train in the hallway the cat scares the hell out of me and of course when I'm being pulled into three different directions by the hubby and kids. It works for me why not them? I have to say private yoga classes are needed with the hubby he has his mind in the gutter when the pose for downward facing dog is next. 

Example in the picture not of me just off of GOOGLE.



Not that I mind but we never get a full yoga class done together but we do have to stretch afterwards. If you need some alone time with your wonderful other half you should take a yoga class. It will help you and your marriage. I have never had the need to go to marriage counseling but I think this may help others. Yoga Helps my Marriage! Try yoga first get that spark back in the game. I have too much spark thank god my hubby matches me. (laughing) I think that is enough of yoga talk for today.

                                   Have a great day take a yoga class today.

Word to the wise if you do take a class space yourself out so you won't get a foot in the eye or kick someone in the head. It can be dangerous I have seen it! Good luck!

"Leave Only Your Footprints"

                    Adopt-A-Shore




I hate going to the beach seeing plastic bottles, sandwich bags, plastic grocery bags, beer cans and broken sand buckets to just rot away on the beach. You would think that people would want to be clean so they can keep coming back. Nope My son and I have no problem asking someone to pick up their trash if they just toss it to the side. I didn't realize how much my oldest is just like me. He is quite yet very out spoken on topics he cares about. We bring back a beach bag full of trash to the car to get rid of it properly. I mean it takes all of two seconds to walk your lazy ass yes LAZY ASS to the trash cans that are on the beach to throw away your garbage. The family and I have decide to adopt a shore here in our county.

http://keepbrevardbeautiful.org/adopt-a-shore.php


I think it will be fun to clean up the beach it's not anything we haven't done. It will also teach my Popsicle early that our environment is very important to take care of. I think I started with my oldest when he was one we started recycling, picking up the neighborhood trash and throwing it away. He cleaned his first park and donated his time in Kindergarten. Justin  help painting his Aunt's garage when he was six.  Here are some pictures of the second year he helped out his school with Cub Scouts.

Now we are off to make our beach beautiful. It's really the small things in life you can be proud of that will mean more as you get older. He still talks about wanting to help when people out on Thanksgiving at a shelter to make sure people get enough to eat on that Holiday. I have held him back in the last recent years because it's emotional for an adult to give their time on Thanksgiving let alone a child. Justin takes it to heart when people suffer. Maybe he can handle it this year he hit the big 10 in July. He has grown so much this year. I'm very proud of my little man. We already donate clothes to our church the YMCA and day cares around our city. What do you do to help out?                                                                                                                                                                                Leave only your FOOTPRINTS.

The Life in the Sun!

I love the picture above. Our little one keeps us all on our feet even at the Beach as he thinks he can catch a bird and take him home. One of us is always running down the Beach chasing him. My wonderful hubby was surfing with our oldest playing catch digging to China like the GREAT Father he is. He did get stung by a jellyfish. I have to admit after I was stung in the eye I'm a little worried about the Jelly's but not enough to keep me out of the water. It was the worst pain I ever felt in my life my face hurt for 48 hours. I was not letting anyone pee on me. Which is a myth the best thing for a jellyfish sting is vinegar. That is a must need item now when we travel to the beach. 

 I love The beach it's nice to go and relax in the sun. Here are some pictures of last weekend at the beach I can't wait for this coming up weekend we are going to watch the Surfing contest at Cocoa Beach. The hubby and I agree we want our son Justin to watch it before we start him in classes since he already has a full plate with Hip Hop dance class, Soccer and Choir class this year already.  

It amazes us how well he learns new things like surfing. He is a pro he just started this year. His surf board is huge he takes it out with daddy. 

He has been a dancer since he was born. He sings all the time but now has taken a huge interest in it. I love being a mom. I'm very proud of Justin school already started three weeks ago he has good grades tons of friends. I couldn't ask for a better kid. He is a huge influence on his little brother. Christopher wants to do everything his big brother does. They have a wonderful relationship as brothers it makes my heart happy to see how they interact with each other. 

However his idea of bringing home this sea turtle shell was not going to happen it would have never fit in our car nor on top. He wanted to bleach it and make a slide out of it. I love your idea's kid just not this one it still had dead meat in it. 

Until next time have a wonderful day! Thanks for reading.

Mickey

Meet my cat her name is Mickey she is almost a year old. She likes coffee and will follow me until I leave my cup. I will find a cat's head in my cup on return. She follows me around everywhere like the bathroom just to see what I'm doing. I can't pee in private without her sitting on the sink next to me. She has a habit of licking my face to wake me up. I think she is a dog in a cat's body. She likes to play hide and seek with my boys. I have never seen a cat jump ten feet in the air like she can nor a cat that will let a bug walk right by her without moving. She will sit and lick your arm,head,hair, toe and face out of nowhere. Like now as I write she is licking my arm sitting on my lap non-stop. Strange is not the word. She sits and waits between the shower curtain while I take a shower. She has a bad habit of sitting on the tub when Christopher is taking a bath. It never fails he pulls her in every time. You think she would learn but still goes back. She likes to scare the living hell out of us by hiding and jumping out of nowhere. On top of her weirdness she likes to come up to us to take a little nibble. Why I'm not so sure. She hates it when the boys and I play around she will take your arm off in a second if one of us screams like we are in pain. It doesn't matter if we are or not she goes in protect mode like a dog would. She hates it when it rains.

 She loves the fan and thinks Christopher's bed was made just for her. 

She sleeps like a toddler and takes up all the room. 

Yes, We co-sleep as you can see I was kicked out of the bed. 

She loves to be involved in everything we do. Maybe she is a kid in a fur coat.

She loves to travel.

She like the web.

Her name is Mickey the cat.

Done with my 30 day challenge

    

I started this challenge on July 2 I just now seen that I put the wrong month on the picture on the bottom. Oh well it's July not June. I have been very consisted  with my workouts listed above along with lifting weights at the gym. This week I reached a level 18 in resistance in cycling. If you have ever taken a class 18 is hard as hard. I'm still working on reaching a 21 like the teacher it might take me a few weeks to break in 18 to get there.

July 2

Cycling is not for the weak. You start a class off by stretching your arms out. The teacher puts on a song and the class starts. Everyone is jamming on their bike like we are in a race with each other. Then she calls for a half circle which is where you only use your legs no upper body. This part is hard your top rpm should be at an 80 mine is like a 70. I rarely pay attention to any other numbers besides my heart rate that spike to 185-190 at this point I feel like I'm going to pass out. My breathing is heavy but I can control it pretty good to get it to come back to 170 where it is nice to be at. I can breath normal. Yesterday our fourth from our last song took forever I thought it would never end we had sprints, up and downs, jumps and circles I made it. I still went to the gym to lift weights it's getting harder. I can't complain I love the results I see everyday.
Lifting weights is my new favorite at the gym. Take a look tell me what you think. I haven't stop I'm just on my next challenge is keeping up with what I have already done.




Day 8

Day 20

Today Day 30