My Life Feels Like the Great Llama Escape

I watched this video today and laughed so hard I hurt myself!  The entire time I was watching, I was armchair quarterbacking and telling the people in the video who could not hear me how to catch the llamas. Honestly, it looked like a Keystone Cop movie for a while there! Having been raised with and among cowboys much of my life, I kept wondering where the ropers were!?!  It's Arizona, right?  No shortage of ranch hands and cattlemen and horse trainers there, so surely someone in the area had a rope and could use it!

(video courtesy Fox News 10)

Then, like magic, right at the end of the video the cowboy comes to the rescue!  He didn't ride up on a horse with a big ten gallon hat.  He actually arrived in the back of a work truck wearing a ball cap and a tee shirt. But you could tell by the way he swung his lariat that this wasn't his first rodeo. Just a few turns of the wrist, a quick flick of the rope and the loop landed right over the top of the llama's head.  Cue fist pumps from his buddies (and probably half of the citizenry of the Valley of the Sun) as Dude leaps out of the bed of the truck to hold the rope so the llama doesn't run off.  It was a triumphant, albeit humorous live TV moment that made me and the boys giggle and cheer!

After the boys went to bed tonight, I started to think about the chaotic, traffic stopping scene that had unfolded when the llamas escaped.  I feel like one of those llamas right now - actually, ever since we lost our home in Phoenix and ran helter skelter to a new home in Idaho. I thought it would be a good move for us. I pondered and prayed about the move for 6 months before we left and felt in my gut that this is where we needed to be.  So we took off down the highway like the streaking llamas and landed here in Boise. That was almost 4 years ago.  And I don't feel like we've actually ever settled down to live here since we arrived!

Instead, I feel like I'm the crazy llama in traffic, running full speed while dodging cars, spin moving past people who want to get to know me, and wildly darting from one street to the next, all while looking for a place to rest for a few minutes until I can figure out how to get home. Or at least get to a nice patch of grass where I can relax for a bit.

I don't want to be trapped by someone or something I don't know, but I don't want to run around in traffic any more either. This lost llama needs to find her her family's place in the world.  Running through the streets without a plan isn't fun and it isn't getting my family anywhere! And while it may look like an adventure for some, right now it feels like a freaking circus to me!  I need a good roper to ride up (or drive, or fly, or even appear out of thin air...I really don't care how they arrive or if they are human or angel or an inanimate object!)  and toss the lasso of stability and calm around my big, fat, mama llama waist so I can stand still long enough to figure out where home is and what the hell I'm supposed to be doing right now!  The grandiose escape isn't fun anymore!

I hope the llamas go home and laugh about their "Big Day in Town!"  I hope when they get back to their green field that they recognize the blessing of having a nice home where they can chill and eat grass and hang out with their llama buddies.  Because as this Mama Llama is finding out, while adventure and escape adds variety to life, there's a lot to be said for a tranquil life of peace and stability.
  

When Are Kids Considered Too Old for Legos?

Disclaimer:  This is NOT a review!! I am not being compensated to say anything about the movie. We are just Lego fans and this post is a result of a conversation that took place after seeing The Lego Movie. Everyone cool?  FTC, I'm talkin' to you. We good? OK. 

I took The Boys to see The Lego Movie on Monday. I was surprised and happy that the movie was actually funny and enjoyable for adults (Batman provides some great comic relief).   The only reason I went is because both of my boys have loved Legos since forever and I am not ready for them to sit in a theater by themselves. So I went when I would have rather seen a good chick flick.  But I'm glad I went.  I had such a great day with my kids! 

Later that afternoon when I mentioned to an acquaintance that we had been to see the movie, she asked me if I thought they were too old for Legos since they are both becoming teens.  I could tell she was surprised by my response. Which was that I don't think my kids are too old for Legos.  Because I believe that anything that inspires a kid (or an adult) to use their creative minds in positive ways is a good thing, no matter how old a person is!  And in this age of video games and electronic devices, if I can get my boys to take a few hours a week to sit down with a bucket of Legos and make something unique (and sometimes pretty damn amazing!) out of a bunch of plastic bricks?  That's a win in my book! Why would I take that away from them or tell them they are too old to play with them?

How do I know that one of my kids won't become an architect or a city planner because his love of building was spawned from those few hours of meticulously piecing bricks together to make a house or a town? My youngest actually made a Lego candy dispenser the other day!  Hello, Future Engineer!  And the fine motor skills that my oldest still struggles with as a teen?  Legos are great for that! The intricate and detailed military vehicles he creates with those struggling fingers give him a great sense of accomplishment and he has no idea that the activity in which he engages is helping map his brain and exercise the muscles in his hands. He just knows that he made a kick-butt Sherman tank.  So I don't care if he is a teen who plays with Legos.  I only care that the time he spends using those Legos is helping him creatively and physically to become a better, more dexterous and confident person. 

And honestly?  As pissed off as I get when I step on one of those little b...ricks, I myself have found them to be a very calming diversion when I am beyond stressed and looking for a way to defrag and think. There's a quiet fascination that takes place in my mind as each brick I choose clicks snugly into place with the next.  As I silently ponder what creations will emerge with the addition of every Lego, my jaws unclench and my shoulders relax and my mind begins to be open. Sometimes nothing grand takes shape and I just end up with a giant column of multi-colored plastic.  Other times I end up with a house or a lame looking animal.  But here's the thing: regardless of what I build, I always feel better when I'm done.  Because I gave my brain something to focus on other than my issues and problems.  I don't always find solutions to my problems in those moments, but that's okay.  Because if being creative for just a few moments helps me relax enough to really think when I am done "playing?" I am in a better place mentally and emotionally and the answers start to flow. 

I could go on, but I won't.  You get the point.   We all have our outlets.  Some people run, some people write, some people create, some people play.  Right now, my boys do all of those things. Sometimes while using Legos. 

First School Dance and Funny Dance Moments in Movies

My son hit a major life crossroad this weekend.  He went to his first dance.  I had posted about it on Facebook, because I was a little worried about this pivotal teenage moment that he didn't seem to be taking very seriously.  Dude!  This is your first dance!  This will set the tone for all future dance experiences!  You need to be ready!  But he thought my concern was unfounded.  He refused to listen.  He actually told me I was making too big a deal of the whole thing.  Obviously he has no clue about the ramifications of a bad dance on his social life.  Whatevs, son.  He wouldn't practice his dance moves with me or dress up in something other than his "good shorts" and a clean t-shirt. Even his little brother told him he at least needed to wear a button up shirt.  See!?  Not just me!!  

Anyway...I drove him to the dance and I watched him get out of the car and walk toward the gym, knowing full well that I would get a call a few minutes later telling me to come get him because he was under dressed and didn't know how to dance.

But that didn't happen.  There was no worried call, there was no text saying "this dance sucks."  There was nothing.  And then 2 hours later, there was my son., getting in the car.

Me: "How was it?"
Son: "Fine."
Me: "Did you dance?"
Son: "Yeah, a few times."
Me: "Did you ask them or did they ask you?"
Son: "They asked me."
Me: "Slow or fast?"
Son: "One slow, one I don't know what it was. everybody just kind of danced together."
Me: "Cool.  Did you have a good time?"
Son: "Yeah."

That was it!  All that worry and stress and that was it! Shorts were fine, dance was fine, friends and girls he danced with?  All fine.  Ok, then.  Guess we're good to go on the dance thing.

To honor this rite of passage in my son's life, here are a few of my favorite funny dance scenes:
 

SodaStream House Party

It's been too long since I last posted!  I've kind of had writer's block.  Oh...and a job that took up a LOT of my time and energy.  But the job is gone, so now I have no excuses. 

The good news is I have more time to do fun things with my friends and my kids!  Like make and drink our own soda!

Last Saturday we hosted a SodaStream House Party.  We received the Source model and a bunch of flavors, along with the carbonation cartridge to make the fizz!  Set-up was simple and in a matter of about five minutes we were adding bubbles to everything from water to juice!

 

 

The boys and a few of their friends went first and had a great time making their own sodas and mixing and matching flavors. They tried really weird combos like rootbeer and lemon-lime.  Why?  Because their boys and they do weird things.  That rootbeer/lemon-lime combination?  Was disgusting.

 

 

Then the other moms and I all took our turns.  Our favorite flavor was Cranberry-Raspberry mixed with Lemonade.  It was light and bubbly and delicious and the SodaStream was so easy and fun to use!  All the moms agreed that the 1 liter bottles that come with the SodaStream are the perfect size.

 

One of my camera shy friends - photo by one of the other 5 camera shy friends!

 

 

 

Really bad picture of me giving a demo...fire the photographer!

Here's a video of how it works, not sure you can see it all that well, but it will give you a general idea about how the SodaStream works. Ignore the ridiculous conversation taking place as I film and try to control mother my children.  Oh...and please turn your cell phones to vibrate so you don't disturb the other viewers...it's that good.  You won't want to miss a second of this high quality video. 

 

 

 

So...we enjoyed just about everything the SodaStream has to offer.  The only negative thing I would bring up is that many of the flavors I received to try contain sucralose or Splenda.  I am not a fan of sucralose or Splenda.  But the good news is that SodaStream offers some all natural flavors that do not have the artificial sweetner, so I am looking forward to trying those.  I am a fan of sparkling juices though and I think that we can save a lot of money making our own sparkling cider and non-alcoholic mimosas using SodaStream!

 

The other great thing about SodaStream is that it is great on the environment.  Their reusable 1 liter bottles mean no more empty 2 liter bottles going in the garbage or ending up in landfills.   

 

SodaStream is definitely going to be put to good use in our home.  We already have plans to include it as part of my youngest son's b-day party and it makes an appearance every family movie night as well. 

 

I have three $20 rebate coupons left over from the party if anyone is thinking about buying one for Christmas.  Shoot me and email, I'll be happy to get the coupon to you via snail mail!

 

 

**Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this blog post.  I did receive a SodaStream kit from SodaStream and House Party to help facilitate this review.  My opinions are always honest and are my own.**

 



And So It Begins...

Okay, so we are 18 days into the New Year and so far, so good.  Kids are back in school after an extremely long Christmas break and they are extremely unhappy about it, so that's all normal.  I gained my typical holiday weight, so again, all normal.  I am working again, which is good financially, but I must confess, I am at heart a stay-at-home mom.  Not because I don't like to work, but because I feel like when I try to juggle both home and work, my family ends up suffering.   Actually, that's not true.  My family doesn't really suffer, my housework and laundry are what really suffer.  But if I'm honest, those things are a struggle for me whether I'm home or not, so I guess I really just need to let go of some of the things I stress about and move on.  Luckily I have a really decent boss who has his own family to take care of and he gets the struggle. 

So...what did I learn last year?  That you have to roll with the punches.  I'm kind of done being black and blue from fighting back when I probably shouldn't.  For some reason, when I wrote that sentence just now?  I totally started laughing, because I just had this vison in my head of me hitting myself over and over, like when I was a kid and my cousin would smack me with my own arm and go "Quit hitting yourself!"  Whack. "Why are you hitting yourself?"  Whack.  "Quit hitting yourself."  Not sure why I had that vision, because I wasn't thinking that I was the one I was fighting with when I made the statement about rolling with the punches.  Ummm...is that like an "AHA" moment?  Am I the one beating me up!?   How 'bout that for some instant self-enlightenment!  Wow!      

Anyway, I was looking back at some of the first posts I wrote when I started this blog...I was a lot more fun then.  I am striving to get back to being that person, so bear with me while I get my groove back.  That's the goal this year - Boymom Gets Her Groove Back.  I'll be working on my attitude, my body, my brain and my blog!  I'm looking forward to big changes in all of those areas!

On that note then, let's call it a day and I'll go home tonight and dream up some really great blog posts to keep you all interested and laughing this year...K?

We've Been Invaded! Hexbugs Review & Giveaway

Sometimes raising boys can be a little challenging, especially when you're a mom who isn't big on all the little creatures that boys seem to be attracted to.  We have been home to a number of lizards over the last few years, which means we have to keep crickets and mealworms for the lizards to eat.   I really HATE having these icky things in my house.   I've found the boys poking at beetles, grasshoppers and even a scorpion once, albeit from a distance, with a VERY long stick.  That one about gave me a heart attack!

A few weeks ago, we got a package from the UPS man FILLED with bugs!  Lucky for me, they are of a robotic/electronic nature, so they were very welcome inside our living room.  HEXBUGS are swarming the country and I gotta say, for little tiny toys, they are pretty interesting.

So what are they?  HEXBUG Nanos are these little robotic toys that look and act like bugs!  They use vibration to scurry around on their twelve little rubber legs and when they hit a wall or get stuck, they just redirect themselves  (in a freaked out, chaotic way like a real trapped bug would) until they find an escape point, then they're off again! They can even right themselves when they get flipped on their backs!  They really do look and act like real bugs.  Kind of freaky, but in a good way!

The HEXBUG Nanos come in test tubes, each with a unique code that kids can register online to track their collection.  Once online, they can play games and learn intersting scientific facts. I liked the fact that the manufacturer (Innovation First International) encourages learning as a part of the HEXBUG experience.  My oldest is really enjoying the website, my youngest seemed a little overwhelmed by it, but he's not the computer kid in the family, so either his brother or myself will have to help him navigate the website at some point.

According to the HEXBUG website, "the first prototypes of the Nano were inspired by the old vibrating football games...Thirty some iterations, a few years, and dozens of designs later the Nano was born. To give just a taste of how much development went into this product, we engineered and rapid prototyped over 150 variations of legs alone."   Which is why I'm not a scientist.  I have no patience for the fine tuning process I guess.  But people who are interested in what makes the HEXBUGS tick should check out the Design portion of the website.  It gives LOTS of information on what makes the HEXBUGS work.  The site also has instructions on how to change the batteries and other helpful info to keep your bugs working properly.  A "How to Care for Your New Hexbug" handbook, if you will.

Thanks to HEXBUGS and MomSelect, we had the chance to invite some of the boys' friends over to try out the HEXBUG Nanos on their Habitat set.  Boys and girls both loved the little creatures and spent 3 hours at our little bug party racing them in the habitat and all over the house. 

Along with using the habitat, we also played a few games with the HEXBUGS.  The kids favorite game was called Anthill.  We cut some holes in a box and assigned each hole points.  The HEXBUGS all got turned on and set on the floor then we quickly (and I mean quickly!  Those little dudes are fast!) turned the box over on top of them.  We could hear the bugs bouncing off the sides of the box looking for and escape, which made the kids laugh hysterically.  Eventually one of them would find a hole and emerge, winning the points assigned to the hole.  The HEXBUG with the most points after 3 rounds won the game. 

  

It was a fun day for the boys and their friends and the HEXBUGS and Habitat continue to be a source of entertainment for our boy filled neighborhood, as well as for Blackie Chan the Ninja Cat, who on occasion will appear out of nowhere to pounce on one of the unsuspecting robotic creatures.  His fun is shortlived though.  As soon as he realizes he can't bite through them, he bats them across the room and walks away.  

Wanna win a HEXBUG Nano of your own?  I have 2  Nano test tubes to give away to one lucky reader!!   You know the drill, right?  Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win!  For extra enteries you can

• Post the contest on Facebook
• Tweet the contest on Twitter
• Blog about the contest
• Link the contest to a Mr Linky somewhere on the internet
• Follow my blog!  

Let me know in a separate comment what you've done so I can make sure you get credit for each effort! Contest will end on September 30th 2010 at 12 midnight PST.  U.S. residents only (sorry, shipping costs!). 

Happy Blogoversary to Me!!

It's that time again, people!!  2 years ago this month I started this blog. (yeah...disregard the 1 on the cupcakes...I jacked the picture from somewhere on the internet and didn't take the time to change the number to 2, so for you you detail-oriented people, don't get all hung up on the number - focus on the message.  The message!)  It has been an amazing experience and I continue to be shocked, amazed and grateful for the friends I have made and the experiences I have because of this online journal.  It's really weird when you stop to think about it.  I mean, it's just a diary of sorts.  How can something so insignificant bring about such changes in my life?  Well...I could go on and on about the hows and whys of the whole thing, and you all know I will, because that's what I do.  I go on and on and on about my thoughts and feelings, my experiences, my growth...usually in great detail.  But I'll spare you the lengthy, self-indulgent post for now and I'll just thank you for taking the time to stay in touch with me as I write about my growing pains and life with my boys. 

And to thank you all for your love and support, I will be finishing out the month with lots of giveaways!!  YAY!!  Free stuff!!!  So ya gotta check in over the next few weeks to see what's on the giveaway list and leave a few comments to win a prize.  Okay?  Cool.  Now go do something totally fun this weekend to celebrate my blogoversary while I sleep off the last few weeks of 12 hour work days and this sucky work schedule of mine!  Somebody eat a giant piece of chocolate cake for me while you're at it.   

We've Been Invaded

For a while now we've been inundated with Star Wars. Everywhere you go in our home there is something Star Wars related that has been left behind in an epic galactic battle fought by my kids and the neighborhood boys.

One day, about 6 months ago, something else showed up in our house. It was just one little, round, ball-looking thing that seemed harmless - so I paid no attention to it. I should have paid attention though. Because the little round ball thing has morphed into about 50 more with no end in sight.

Books are being checked out of the library to identify the various kinds of balls. Allowances are being spent at a rapid-fire pace. Trades are being made in the car on the way to school, at lunch recess and in the parking lot after school. All the neighborhood kids fight over whose little round thing is best and they can't wait to knock on other kids' doors to show off new purchases.

They even made their way to church on Sunday, hidden in pockets.

I think George Lucas has met his match. At least until another Star Wars movie comes out.

Blogoversary Giveaway Extravaganza Starts Next Week!

I told you all last week that I wanted to have a Blogoversary Party. So starting Sunday, May 24th, we'll have a Blogoversary Giveaway Extravaganza, which will include a new giveaway each day next week! I'll be reviewing a few products in the next few days, starting with Woolites Dry Cleaner's Secret. Be sure to read up on them, 'cuz I may have you answer some questions as part of the giveaway. I hope it will be lots of fun for all of my loyal readers!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check in on my little corner of the blog. It means a lot to me. So much that I want to give you stuff! So come by and have some fun next week, make a few hilarious comments and maybe win a prize. No RSVP's necessary, we're pretty casual around here at I Am Boymom. Mostly cause I don't have to clean my blog to have folks visit, unlike my real house. On that note, guess I'd better get back to the dishes. See ya at the party!

The Reasons I Keep Trying

I sat and wrote a really LOOOONG post today, regarding my depression. I am still trying to decide if I need to post it or keep it private. Maybe it's just for me. I don't know yet.

In the meantime, we went to the park Tuesday to enjoy the afternoon sun. The warm sun and my kids helped me feel a few moments of joy.

Way behind on Wordless Wednesday

We Have Our Winners!!

These are the winners of the Book Drawing. Big Brother wanted to help.



Congratulations to 4FunBoys, Rachael (who posted on another thread), Heather Pride and Micaela!! I can't wait to do another giveaway!!

(I realize the first draw looked kind of planned. Big Brother drew 4FunBoys then my camera batteries died. I put new batteries in, but lost the video. But we had already drawn 4FunBoys and I didn't think it was fair to disqualify her because of MY camera malfunction. So he just set that name on top and pulled it out of the bowl again for the video. But she really was the first one drawn in a fair draw just 2 seconds prior to the video starting. Did I really need to explain this? I just don't want anyone thinking I'm running some kind of racket here. I don't need no Uncle Guido comin' after me over a Precious Girl's Club book! Ya know what I'm sayin'? )

Summer Fun Photo Contest!

5 Minutes for Mom and Skinny Dippers have teamed up to host a Summer Fun Photo Contest. The prize is $500.

Here's my summer fun pic:

Little Man Catchin' Toads after a Summer Rain Storm

Here are some things I can do with the prize money, if I win:

• Pay the APS deposit
• Fix the hole the woodpecker made in my house
• Have a pedicure to cover mangled Big Toenail as it grows back
• Purchase Scouting awards for next pack meeting to avoid disappointment for Big Brother
• Buy Sue at Happy Hour a new Purse to replace the Pee Purse
• Make business cards and buy a license for my husband's new pool repair business
• Buy a tank of gas
• Pay for Big Brother's upcoming B-day Party...I think he needs a GREAT party this year!
• Buy a new, NOT crappy camera

Hope we WIN!!!

P.S. - They are also doing some great back to School giveaways, check them out!

I Am A Winner!

Yes, I am a Winner! Of course in the whole personal well-being sense, this is a good thing to say and believe. Positive thinking and all, yes?

But seriously...I'm a Winner!! I won this game in a blog giveaway at Reviewsings. Jo-Lynne (Musings of a Housewife) also has a Review site where she reviews great products and sometimes has giveaways. I entered her giveaway for a game and won! Yay!! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!


Here's the game I won:

Here's their website! I'll send pics when we get it so you can see how much fun it is!! Thanks so much to Jo-lynne, game creator Steve Velte and RSV Productions for sharing this with my family!!