Random Act of Kindness

There is still good in this world! It ain't comin' from me, but there's good out there.

Clara got a kitty from Build A Bear and a $10 gift card, to buy accessories, from Santa this year. She was so excited to use her own "credit card" to buy something she picked out, so we headed off to Fashion Place.

First of all, the mall was crazy! I think it was the day after Christmas and I had NO idea that it would be such a madhouse. Clara put her card in her back pocket and we trudged through the crouds to the Build A Bear store. The line there was HUGE but she had fun picking out some pajamas and slippers for her kitty. (we would supplement Santa's meager givings)

We got in line and Josh, being the chatty cathy he is, started talking to the lady behind us about how Clara was so excited about her gift card and yada yada. We get up to the counter and I tell her to take out her card. She looked like she was about to die when she reached into her back pocket and nothing was there. I scolded her for losing it. I feel bad. Especially now. We had talked about making sure she didn't lose it. I made her put the slippers back. I said I'd SUPPLEMENT, not pay for it all.

The lady behind us must have overheard the fiasco and she reached into her wallet and pulled out a $20 bill. She leaned down to Clara and said "Here Honey. Now you can get whatever you want. And I bet you'll have a little leftover to go buy some cookies after."

Clara gave her a big hug and I stood there feeling mean and thankful at the same time. I thanked her many times. I felt like I should have given it back but I know how it feels when I try to give someone something and they reject it, so I let it happen.

I'm going to pay it forward, as soon as I get the 20 bucks to do it. What a sweet lady.

On a completely different note, I made another cake. This one was for a friend of a friend of a friend. An artist cake. It was loads of fun to do.

I Feel So Cheated!

Okay, its been a while. I know, I know. I promised I would post once a week. Clearly I have a problem with commitment. But I'm trying! Give me SOME credit here.

On to explain my blog title. I feel so cheated! Nolan is one already! His birthday is today and I'm trying to figure out where the past year went. I swear it didn't go by this fast with Clara. I mean, people say that the older you get, the faster time seems to pass. So I'm 25. What's it going to be like when I'm 103? Cause I AM going to reach 103. Seriously though. I understand now. Its cliche, but time flies.

He's so big and smart. He's developing quite the personality too. I'm really dreading the terrible twos, because he's thrown more temper tantrums than Nolan Ryan's thrown baseballs. (eh, eh, you like my analogy...and how I linked the names?) Josh says the kids are mirrors of us. Clara is sweet and passive, like him, and Nolan is tempermental and vocal like me. Whatever. I don't throw temper tantrums. I do try to get my way as often as possible, but I don't usually resort to throwing myself to the floor and contorting my body. It HAS worked a couple of times though.

In any case, whether he's a !@#&^*()_+ like me, or just a free spirit (which side I tend to lean to) he's one. He's all grown up. His poop didn't used to be that bad. I'd think "Hmm, I haven't changed his diaper in an hour or two, I should check it real quick." Now I don't need to check. I'd be able to smell that stuff with a can of air freshner shoved up my nose. And the puke. It used to just smell like baby. Not bad! Now it smells like big people puke. I gagged the last time I had to clean it up.

I know it sounds like I'm bashing my one year old, but I'm not. I'm just missing my one month old. I did get a pretty good trade in though. He's the funniest little kiddo ever. He's a baby genius too. Just ask his dad. He can say "apple beer". Or something like it. He's created his own version of sign language. We call it NSL (Nolan sign language.) He knows exactly what he wants, and how to get it. He has an awesome glass shattering soprano voice. Everyone at church can attest to that. Yet he's the most boyish boy I've ever met. For instance, at church last sunday he belched right in the middle of the meeting (it was a pretty good one too, the belch that is) and afterwards he just looked so proud. And he loves anything that bounces or has wheels.

What a fun little boy he is! The last year has been a joy. I just wish it lasted longer!

I just thought this was a cute picture. Apparently he's inherited the love-of-shoes trait from his mama and big sissy.

If you look closely, you will see an "ouchie" above his left eye. My child has a death wish, or he's an adrenaline junkie. He hurts himself all the time. This one was from crawling a little too fast and running into a door hinge. His eye was purple for a while.

Nolan's birthday cake! I copied it from pinkcakebox.com. Such a cute design. I'm glad I was able to pull it off!

Clara really wanted to eat his little smash cupcake. It was so much better than a whole little cake, I think. Minimal mess, although he did a good job of smashing and smooshing it to the fullest extent.

I haven't figured out how to take pictures when its dark outside and the horrible inside lights are on, so the picture's junky, but this is the most awesome present ever. Carly, my cousin-in-law, if there is such a thing, made Nolan this sweet little superhero cape and cuffs (not shown) for Christmas. She sells them online I think. Her website is palmegranateandco.etsy.com He loves it and since he already thinks he's a superhero, it fits perfectly.