Red Iguana

A small little restaurant the Red Iguana doesn't seem like much from the outside . It's very inviting with all the beautiful bright colors. 

Our first impression was excellent.  People are very friendly. Our waitress was very nice and on the pregnant side. With not a whole lot of room between the tables my  hubby and I held our breath just incase the baby decided to kick our water glasses over. 

It's funny if you walk into a Mexican Restaurant and say " Hola" the people start rambling on in Spanish.  Nope, Sorry I don't speak Spanish. A lesson learn I would say. I know very little. 

I ordered a chicken chimichanga. It had amazing flavor to it. It was soft unlike other restaurants that serves it hard and brunt. 

 A traditional enchilada plate is what my son ordered hubby had the same with a chicken salad which was more like tuna salad. They had no complaints.  Of course our popsicle had fries. He is on his kick of stubborn.  Totally takes after his dad all the way. I give it thumbs up better than any other Mexican Restaurant we have been to before. It actually taste like it was homemade not out of a can. It's overall is another place we will visit again.  

Splash Park

The boys are having a blast at this Splash Park in Minot, North Dakota. It's a bunch of mushroom looking pipes with water coming out of it. I thought it was a little cold to play in the water. The kids were shaking and lips were turning blue before they came out of it. Funny Justin hasn't changed in that aspect. He would cry when he was little just like Christopher did when I told him it was time to leave.  

Oak Park is huge It's five playgrounds all rolled into one. It's about an hour and half away from Stanley where we are staying.  It's well worth the drive if you will be in town. The mall also has a splash park with water slides and a pool. We opt out of that one as you see no one ever gets out to pee. I can't do it! It's more of a mental thing I guess. It's linked to an arcade which we played at. 

I never knew playing tag could be dangerous until today my poor popsicle ran into the pole that is height level.

He freaked me out as you can see that bump is huge. I think my heart stopped for a few minutes. He cried for all of a second then proceed to tell me "Don't worry mom it will heal." He reminds me of his brother. Justin was accident prone I think they all are when they're little. 

A few days later the bump is gone. Overall we will be back before our trip is over. As long as it is a little hotter then 70  degrees outside.  Until next time remember play safe at the park. 

Small RV

Working out is never easy especially when you spend your summer in a small RV the size of a can. It can be done I have proven that to myself.  Although doing the Superman for your back on the floor is a bit challenging. When your cat thinks that you are playing it also become confusing and complicated. I made it I did the workout from P90X chest and back with the 15 minute AB ripper X at the end. I have started my 90 days again.Wish me luck till I go home. I have tried really hard to stay on my healthy eating lifestyle. It consist of fruits, vegetables and salad. I try not to eat processed foods. I don't eat anything in cans or meat. I have once a week a cheat day which isn't bad. I'm not depriving myself of anything because it's not a diet it's a lifestyle change. I'm healthy, strong, fit that's all that matters and I'm happy. Which is the most important part about working out. You have to make yourself happy. Remember being happy is a choice that you have to make yourself.

Working out without a gym

Working out without a gym no problem go a playground.  My kids could play at the park all day if I let them. Put your workout clothes on pack a lunch don't forget water and your protein mix. You can use the Swing to do pull ups as well as one legged Squats.  The swing is also good for abs. Get down in a push up position with you feet on the swing. Bring your feet to your chest for work on lower abs. You are still working on your upper body as well. Follow your kids around the playground doing walking lunges. 20 on each leg 10-12 calf raises finish with 20 jump squats Repeat 3 times. Look at that you just had an amazing leg day with running around in between playing with the kids. 

My boys and I will have races together that will bring in the other kids playing to. I throw in some barrel racing. I may not like burpees but I sure make everybody do it. It makes it fun to see who can do more. They love it.

If you want something bad enough you will find a way to get it. Believe in yourself take that leap for the future.  I may be in the land of nowhere for the summer but that won't stop my workout routine. Thanks for reading. 

Traveling this summer

A 30 hour three day trip from Florida to North Dakota to see family another two days to Marquette Michigan to see my father has been a very long drive. Our boys had a seminar on how to build a deck. On top of learning how to cut down tree's.  Justin is a hard worker he cut down three tree's all by himself.  With just a little help from daddy in pushing them down. It's been about two years since the last time I was UP North.  I miss it nice and quiet sitting on the deck I help put together.  It's the small things that make me love life.  I adore the fact that my hubby takes time out of fighting the horrible mosquitoes to put down his hammer to build something with his boys. 

They are in deep thought as you can see above the expression on their face. As a woman I can't think of anything more sexier than a man with his children. He is spending time as well as teaching them hard work pays off. I know I can do just about anything my hubby can in landscaping but when a son see's his father complete a task. Not giving up at anything he sets his mind to means something different then seeing mom do it. As my children especially my oldest I'm grateful everyday for the time we spend together as a family. I love watching my hubby's eyes lite up when he hears "Daddy" it's amazing to be apart of something special My Family. This trip back home made me realize how much Family really means. Not that I didn't know already I mean Life gets busy and we all need a refresher.

Here is the deck with the fire pit almost complete. 

Deck complete all our hard work paid off bruised knees, shoulders from carrying the deck boards a few million mosquitoes bites that cover our body from head to toe all to see my parents smile. Not to mention that I get to build one again next year on our house in Florida.  I can't wait for all the fun to start again. 

The day is complete with smiles !!! 

Giving Back

 Justin is at it again after three years of giving back now he has a new mission. He will even be on the S.P.C.A of North Brevard Facebook page.

8 bags of food and cat litter

I started giving back in High School even if I didn't have anything to give I would find a way. I have now pasted that gift of giving down to my children. They love making people or animals happy. If I left it up to them and my crazy hubby we would be the people with to many cats, dogs,chickens and whatever else they felt needed a home. I almost said yes to a homeless snake as much as I hated seeing that bottom lip of theirs out I can sleep at night knowing I won't be a snake's lunch. 

Going through the boys closets and toy boxes this weekend. They love giving back. It makes them happy when I say it's time to think of things to add to Justin's Steps. He comes up with most of them with a little help from the Internet possibilities are endless. 

If we want to help change the world we have to start with our children. It doesn't take much to put a smile on someones face. 

Find your way

There are times I find myself thinking about my life my kids and my hubby.  That's a lie I think about them all the time. How we became a family all the struggle that came with it. All I ever wanted when I was little was to be happy. I didn't want a new toy or my parents back together. I wanted a place I could lay my head at night to call home. My family growing up was very broken it still is. I don't know a family that isn't in some way. 

I changed that ten years ago when I had my first son. I was set on raising him on my own. I didn't want to be dependent on a man to pay child support. I didn't care if he was ever in my son's life. I wasn't going to be that baby momma chasing after a man who didn't want to be there. I was and still will never be in need for someone that bad. I can stand on my own two feet by myself. I grew up with a very large family so taking care of a child wasn't something new to me. I took care of my brother and sister when I was my son's age. I can say at ten years old I was a little more mature then the kids I went to school with. I had to be with them watching. I didn't want that kind of life for my son. That is why I choose to be a stay at home mother. It was hard at first very hard but with the help of a man now my hubby. I realized I didn't have to do it alone. It bothers me when I log on to Facebook on how many mother's are still chasing  a man for the reasons above I mention. Even worst they need a man to validated them in some way to say they are good enough. They need that constant boy not even a man to make them Happy. What is Happiness? The state of being Happy is what the definition is. It's sad many people still don't know how to have that in today's world. There is beyond enough drama on Facebook alone that makes me extra Happy I live far away from many people I know. Maybe it's because I'm older I see things in a different light now. No, that's not it. I have never been the type for drama not even in High School. However I did find it funny to say and do things on purpose that I knew would get under a few skins. I still do that while I laugh at how people react as if the world will end in that moment. I can laugh at myself if I make a mistake. I can support myself when I need it. I can't give up, it's not in my nature to do so. I was told once that I didn't know what it meant to struggle. I have struggled all my life growing up in a family of alcoholic's with more then enough pity parties to last six life times. A single mother who worked as many jobs as she could on no sleep just enough to keep a roof over our heads and food in our belly's. I can remember times where we didn't have heat or lights on in our house. Living in Michigan that was a very rough time trying to make a game out of camping in your siblings room. Thinking of things to tell them so they didn't say anything to someone at school. Taking cold showers was nothing we were going green long before it became a problem in today's world. My mother crying herself to sleep not fully understanding what was going on until much later when I became a parent.

Life never goes the way you plan it. It just happens a child before marriage a parent before a couple. My son Justin is my little sidekick. I celebrated my 21st Birthday with him when he was 7 months with a cupcake. I guess what I'm trying to say is that everyone has something in life that doesn't go the way you want it to. Don't worry about being a great person for someone else. Be something great for you. Love who you are. If you don't like the way things are going know you have the choice to change them. 

As the meaning of Life is in the title of my blog Life is only what you make it!!! 

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Universal Studios

NO FEAR

It was hot,fun,and very entertaining.There is a lot to do as you can tell from my picture above my kids have a sick sense of humor. They are screaming and pretending their guts are coming out. They are too funny.  A spur of the moment trip out of nowhere my hubby says let's go. Before I could ask he was printing off the tickets. Not that I don't like his plans I just wish he would give me a ten minutes heads up or something. With my hubby that's impossible part of the reason I fell in love with him. His sense of adventure is off the chart. Our boys are the same way like let's go climb a wall. Why not it seems like the only logic choice to do after we filled our tummy's with ice cream. Maybe ride a roller coaster with Mom but don't tell her that is what it is. Yes, That was me on the Mummy Roller coaster.

Yes, Pure fear I'm screaming my head off. I'm not a roller coaster person this has all the proof. I thought I was going to die. I didn't feel that bad when I seen the picture Justin's my son was hiding. 

In this picture with Daddy he is straight down praying. He wanted to sit on the side to see the tracks only thing this coaster is in the dark. I was scared but I loved it. 

Hubby tried for Fear Factor in spandex which was a little sexy on him. He didn't win it was set up for one person to win the bragging rights. Our boys were excited and scared which in turn had poor Popsicle in tears when Daddy was hanging in the air. 

A random trip turned into a great day. Make sure you measure your little one before Popsicle was a little short at 38 inches. Most if not all rides kids have to be at 40 inches. We were turned away when it came to the Transformers ride which Popsicle really wanted to ride. They have a room off to the side for parents to switch. We were a little mad that we waited in line for an hour to be turned away. Justin and I had a hard time enjoying the ride because we all couldn't go. It was fun maybe next year we will have to do this again. Popsicle did get to take a picture with Optimus Prime outside the show. They cut his body off. It was pointless to buy the picture I just took one. 

I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted my camera with the bag is a little heavy to carry. The pictures I did get are awesome. It's about $96.00  dollars a ticket even for our boys it was $90.00 a ticket just for the day. It's a little expensive unless you rush with the park passes. It takes a whole day to see everything and still I think we missed a lot. Take your time travel light and have fun. I did get a heads up from a friend on the Jurassic Park ride at Adventure Island is a huge roller coaster just in case my family try to pull a fast one on me. I think I will do my homework before hand.

Zumba Sticks

Step One 

Step 2 Fill 

 I decided I was going to do something different  for Christopher's craft so this is what we made. Zumba Sticks or nose makers. First we went to Lowe's to get some PVC pipes,caps and duct tape. We also used BB's and beans to fill it. We cut the PVC pipes just to fit your hands. The beans weren't heavy enough so we ended up using BB's.  They run about $8.00 dollars at Target. 

They are about a pound a piece. As you can tell we had lots of fun. There's really not much to do with it just make sure you have a pipe cutter to make it easier on you please don't use a knife and be safe. Meanwhile thank you for reading and have fun with your Zumba sticks. Getting fit can be fun too!

Step 3 Complete and shake

Make sure you tape the top as well. You don't want the BB's to fly out. I believe I spent under $20.00 for seven sticks.

Sea World Trip

My Popsicle has been bugging me for two months to go see a dolphin. Here comes in at # 2 on my bucket list going to Sea World. I was a little hesitate about going because of all the drama surrounding this place with Black Fish. Now, I still feel a little guilty going because all the animals are in small cages. I don't agree with it but they still have to make money. Sea World does help animals it's not cheap to do it. It's like a catch 22 you in order to help with anything there is always a downside to it. We had a really great time however I don't think we will go back until Popsicle is much older. The workers seemed to rush us when we were deciding on what pictures to buy from the dolphin, sting rays, and shark feeding. They seemed to be unhappy too maybe it was the heat!

This picture above I'm using in my portfolio for Patricia Photography Company I'm starting. Something new I'm taking on.

It was a great chance to see what my camera lens can actually do.

It was extremely hot here last Sunday it was nice to cool off in the aquarium. Our boys loved sitting there watching the fish. 

Just an F.Y.I to avoid make sure you don't try to eat the fish you are feeding to the dolphins like my little one tried. It's really gross taking it out of his mouth. He did this all day long sometimes I wonder about my child. I think he does it just to see me react with a disgusting face. Each time he would laugh,smile and reply "I'm just joking Mom!" 

The only downside to this place is even after you wash your hands you still smell like fish all day. Thanks to Popsicle in the hot blazing sun after he wiped his hands on me the smell gets a little strong. In Justin's case his little brother thought it was a great ideal to play catch with one of the dead fish then afterwards toss it down his brother's shirt. He tends to be the jokester in the family with NO help from Dad while he is on the ground laughing. At least he didn't try to make me kiss the fish that was Dad's job. We had a blast when it came time for the Shamu Show.

I was able to get this picture after taking 30 of them. It was a little loud for us as well as Popsicle he hates loud stuff. A pair of earplugs is necessary for little ones! The animals seemed fine and performed great! 

Keep in mind if you take a trip to Sea world!

1. Take a change of clothes there are water rides.

2. Don't bring a purse get a backpack. It will be easier to carry.

3. Wait to you leave before you buy anything. Just so you don't have to carry it. 

4. When you sit in the seats at any shows. Look for the signs that say "Soak area" that means you will get wet!

5. We also learn that if you buy any photos from the feedings or the first picture they take of you when you walk in. Save the receipt instead of paying $20.00 for each picture it becomes $10.00 with the proof you already paid for one earlier. That would have helped eight pictures in. They don't tell you we were lucky. 

6. There is a kids playground but water everywhere. Bring a swim suit. 

7. Have fun!!! 

Kids & Chores

How many of you out there have  set chores for your kids? I did at one point but it never worked out for my family. Instead when Justin was little I made a game out of mopping the floor. I got down on my hands and knees with a rag under each one along side was my little man making a mess. It took twice as long to clean the floor but it was fun! I would take a big towel lay him on his back made circles with him on the towel to dry it. He loved it! He would laugh hysterically again it was great bonding time with memories we still share. Now with my Popsicle we have continue to make games out of cleaning.

I have been an easy going parent when it comes to chores. I don't mind picking up after my kids. They are very helpful with everything from cleaning taking care of the cat, make their bed and cleaning their room. If they see me doing something they always ask if they can help. It doesn't seem like work because I don't make it seem that way. It's a game to see who can do it faster or to see who can complete it neatly. I don't use that word chores it just seems like the word stops you in your track before you even start. Since Easter we have been cleaning up confetti for a week now. I do this every year with our egg hunt. The kids love it.  It just leaves a huge mess behind.

Justin and I used to do it with real egg shells he just decided that it was too much work. If you wanted to try it out just take a dozen of  raw eggs. Take a tooth pick and make a hole on both ends of the eggs. Over a bowl blow into one side until the egg comes out the other end. I toss the raw egg or use it in an egg wash for my hair. Which will make your hair shiny.  Let the shells sit for a day or two to dry out fill with confetti. To close up the ends of the eggs with the holes just take a little bit of water and a piece of confetti it will stick to the egg. Have fun and go crack an egg filled with confetti over someones head. Then RUN!!!!

http://youtu.be/-6LgUv4r8hg

Here are my boys cleaning together after they completely destroyed the house. It's okay we had a lot of fun. I let them clean their way for however long it takes them. They are still learning how life goes and this is one way to let them have the opportunity to see what works and what doesn't. Of course once they are in bed I end up cleaning anyways. I love being a Mommy!

Indian river Festival

Florida isn't really that bad once the season of really hot decides to show up. You have to find things to do like this art fair/ whatever festival shows up. It had a little bit of everything there. It was great bounce houses, games, food trucks a gator guy named gator bill. He talked about snakes which made my skin crawl but had a few good points about snakes that I didn't know. Sometimes I have no ideal where my kids get their sense of adventure at for example.

This picture above was a big giant octopus kite that Justin wanted to climb on and then slide down the legs. It was a kite and insisted that he could do it no problem it wasn't even a ride. He just wanted my okay before in the future he wanted to try it. We had a twenty minute conversation about it which made me laugh he sounded just like his daddy. He weighed out the pro and cons with me then finally said "Life isn't worth living unless you take chances Mom!"

He couldn't make a mother more proud then when he uses my own words against me. He is an amazing kid. I'm so happy I get to be his mother.  I tried to go donate blood and he sound like his father again. 

"Mom, Only a few people have your blood you need to keep it!" 

I have AB- blood the red cross calls me all the time to donate. Then we had another talk about blood types my boys are B positive and hubby is O positive explaining all that lead into a baby talk thank god we ran into someone who we knew which cut that talk in half. 

I love when my son has his mind set to something he doesn't give up at all. Determination is the key for whatever you set your mind to. It was a blast my son had an amazing time. Thanks to all the volunteers that helped out including Coach Mike who helped watch Justin while he tried the wall a dozen times. Justin completed the kids one but got really mad when they refused to let him finish the adult course and be timed.

GO JUSTIN!!!

 

He didn't fall I guess his pull ups at home have worked out. 

THE RUN!!

 ALMOST THERE

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!

My son is AWESOME!!!

We will go back next year.