Sorry me.

We are working on manners, and while some seem to be catching on ("pwease" and "gank you") we're having a little trouble with "excuse me."  Instead, Fawn says "sorry me."  Too cute, still sweet, even if not quite right.

Crock Pot Chicken.

This is my at-home version of a rotisserie chicken.  While not quite as quick and easy, it's pretty darn close.  And, if I do say so myself, much tastier.

whole chicken
olive oil
salt and pepper OR seasoning of your choice (I use a salt and pepper blend that also has onion powder, garlic powder, and celery seed)

Rinse chicken, and pat dry with paper towels.  Place in crock pot.  Drizzle with olive oil and then salt and pepper or seasoning of your choice.  (I apply the seasoning with a heavy hand since I discard the skin after cooking.)  Cook for approximately 5 hours on low heat.  Enjoy!

The meat will literally fall off the bones, so this is perfect if you want to make chicken salad or need shredded chicken for a casserole.  It's also great plain or on buns for sandwiches.  Got to love the crock pot!

First steri strip.

As I mentioned in my weekly update, Fawn's chin collided with a very sharp edge of a table at the McWane Center last week.  There was a loud thud followed by blood and tears (even mommy shed a couple).  Mommy's yellow shirt = ruined (no big deal, Target special).  I finally got the bleeding to stop in the bathroom of McWane, but the cut was pretty deep so I called in some back-up in the form of Buck.  Luckily we were two blocks from his office, so I just pulled into a loading zone and he came down to inspect.  His verdict -- no stitches needed, but a steri strip wouldn't hurt to make sure the cut closed up.  Buck's dad is an orthopedic surgeon in town, so after a quick phone call to his office, Fawn and I were headed that way.  We braved a crowded parking lot, elevators, and a crosswalk, but made it to Doc's office, where the sweet ladies that work up front ushered us back to a room where Doc put on the "special bandaid".  And, we were off again to more summer fun.  Despite this face, Fawn was very proud of his steri strip, which he referred to as his "fruit strip" (he loves the Organic Fruit Strips from Target as a special treat, I guess that's what he was thinking).

I'm happy to report the fruit strip is off, the cut is healing, and Fawn is ready to brave the McWane Center again.  I'm guessing this is our first of many accidents that need more attention than a mere bandaid, considering that Fawn is 100% boy with absolutely no fear.  So glad Doc's around to take care of us!

The Air Up There.

Definitely the best way to ride around Pepper Place.

Summer Update: Week 1.

Okay, to recap a couple weeks ago I posted our aspirational summer "to-do" list.  As of today, here's where we stand (I know we will repeat many of these trips!).  For those readers north of the Mason-Dixon line, I know that summer doesn't officially begin for a few more weeks.  But, seriously who decided that?  Certainly no one living in Alabama (for the record, it's been 90-plus degrees here for the past couple weeks -- in other words, summer has officially arrived).

We've done:

1. Lake Martin - over Memorial Day weekend.  Fawn was much easier to deal with at the lake this summer, as opposed to the past couple.  He loves being on the boat and piddling around the yard with Buck. 

4. Pepper Place Saturday Market - embarrassed to admit that we came home with no fruits and veggies -- only McEwen and Sons grits and Wright Dairy cheese (We do eat fruits and veggies, I've just been trying to stock up as much as possible at Murphree's in Cahaba Heights -- we love them and their produce!)

5. Swimming at my grandparents' house - finally convinced Fawn that swimming was a good idea this afternoon.  He had repeatedly resisted the outing telling me that it was too cold to swim (seriously??? do we live in the same state???).  When we arrived he was a little standoffish, but quickly remembered how much he loves, loves, loves to swim.

13. Imagination Lab at McWane - awesome addition to McWane Science Center -- we will definitely be back.  Though this was cut short -- Fawn slipped and split his chin open on a table (he's okay, more to follow in another post).

16. Summer Reading Program at Library - we're registered, though (gasp!) I haven't logged any of the million books we've read yet.  Oops!  We also went to a really entertaining musical program at Emmet O'Neal last Tuesday which Fawn loved.  It was drums from around the world, and it was loud so Fawn was happy.

17. Doodles Italian Ice - definitely the best summer treat in town

18. Veterans' Park in Spain Park - love, love, love this park and all of the wonderful slides (go early so it's not too hot, but take a towel as the slides are always wet in the a.m.)

23. Backyard Garden - sunflowers and watermelons in progress

Okay, I've been really lazy at picture taking this week.  Can I use the common theme that it's just too hot as an excuse?  I did snap some precious pics of Buck and Fawn at Pepper Place, but am having some uploading difficulties so will share it later!

Errand Helper.

Because I have no time to run errands without precious Fawn (I work when he goes to school), he's -- by necessity -- my errand helper.  He's generally pretty good at cooperating, as long as I keep the trips short and the stops few (throw in a treat or a side trip to the park and he's over the moon). 

Even my little errand helper has his limits.  For example, at the grocery store we have a certain routine: 1) Fawn is in charge of the recyclable bags -- they are his, do not mess with them; 2) Fawn gets to pick the cart; 3) Fawn does not ride in the cart but instead helps mommy push; 4) Fawn places (in actuality throws) all of our items into the cart; 5) Fawn helps unload the cart at checkout (while telling the checkout clerk what he is purchasing "dis is my cheese" "dese awe bananas" like she cares...); and 6) Fawn gets to "sign" mommy's name at checkout (which underscores the fact that no one is checking signatures on those electronic checkouts).

And, sometimes he just says no (he is two, after all).  After a stop at Fawn's school to pick up his artwork from last year, I told him that we needed to go by the store to get daddy a new bow tie (he somehow misplaced his at my brother's wedding last July -- i.e., took it off and totally forgot to look for it when we left the reception).  Fawn:  "Mommy, I do not want to wun a bow tie ewwand.  I want to wun a tot lot ewwand.  Yeah, let's do dat.  Dat is a gweat idea!"  (For those non B'hamers, the tot lot is a great little park in our town.)

So Jealous.

Hey ladies, haven't you always wanted a golf cart?  Me too!  I'm so thrilled Buck decided to buy one for us. . . in theory, it's for the farm but we've made great use of it to ride to get our mail from the mailbox.  I was so exasperated by this purchase (I could name a MILLION things we need for our home and golfcart doesn't make the list) that I did a little mother-daughter venting to my dear mother.  Her response?  "Honey, men are just large boys.  They're toys are bigger and more obnoxious."  Couldn't have said it better myself.

Did I mention Fawn thinks it is the coolest thing in the world?