Shopping sucks

Well, I just have one question...If you go and apply to work at Walmart, is it a prerequisite to be miserable if you want to be a cashier there?

Ok..let me backtrack and tell you what happened.

My mother and I went to the store to get a few things. I needed some different groceries and whatnot and she did too. So we figured we would head to Walmart because it's closer, cheaper and a necessary evil.

So, we get all of our goodies and head to the line. Now, I don't know how it is in every Walmart but the one here makes you want to punch a kitten when you go in to it. Don't get me wrong, not everyone that works there is incompetent. Actually most are just fine..but it's the few that ruin it for everyone.

That being said...we got one whopper of a cashier. Now, my mother and I were both in bad moods anyway. She didn't feel good and I was tired/cranky. You know those days where someone just looks at you and you want to be like "What are you looking at, huh? I'll cut you". That was the day we were having. So we get in line behind some old lady with oxygen sitting in her Rascal that had no clue how to use the credit card machine and couldn't comprehend when her transaction was over. Hell, she couldn't even tell when her stuff ended and mine began. It shouldn't have been so hard, I highly doubt she was buying anything with Mickey Mouse on it or anything else a 3 year old would want. She wasn't the real issue though, she's old..I get it. They woman she was with and the cashier was the problem.

The woman she was with was too busy talking about bingo with the cashier to move ahead(it was my turn) so the woman in the Rascal just stayed there. So there we are, half way down the register waiting to get up to pay..the cashier had already started ringing my stuff and they just stood there. My mother, being the ray of sunshine she was that day(it was hilarious..she was so crabby..but so wasn't I) decided to make a comment to the woman. It was something to the effect of "Come on old lady, I don't care about bingo and I don't have all day..get your Rascal moving." They didn't budge, or get the obvious hint. The cashier had to tell the woman like 3 times that this wasn't her stuff and her transaction was done. I even said like 5 times, "That's my stuff." Again..she didn't move. I was ready to hot wire her chair and push her up a little so I can pay. But no..Bingo talk was going on all while this was happening.

Finally, after about 10 minutes(I'm not kidding, it was at least 10 minutes of this) they moved up ever so slightly so I could pay and get my crap. Now, the lovely cashier was just Suzy Sunshine. She was all rainbows and candy, really...she just gave me a tooth ache because she was so sweet.

You catch that sarcasm there? Good.

She was an older lady too..and I swear I have no problems with old ladies, but these three took the cake.

Ok, as I was saying. She was the most miserable person ever. She didn't greet us, rude when she did talk, never once looked up and never told us our totals. Oh..and when I went to scan my card she was rude about the amount and said some stupid comment. So..I snapped back(because, I too can be Suzy Sunshine at times..I know, hard to believe..hehe). She was the same way with my mother when it was her turn.

Now, this is what I don't understand. If you are that unhappy working where you are or are that miserable then why are you working in retail? Retail sucks, especially big retail places because you get tons of people. Maybe she was having a bad day, fine..don't be miserable to me. I didn't take your last Ensure or make you run register. Neither my mother or my self were rude to this woman, she had no reason to be like she was. So, when we left we made sure to give her a big thank you and have a great day. I think I might have even called her Suzy Sunshine. Don't get me wrong..I don't hate older people..not at all. I just don't like rude, inconsiderable morons. Young, Old...I don't care. If you're a jerk, you're a jerk. Being young or old doesn't change that fact.

The store here in particular have a lot of cashiers like this. There is another one, she is younger..younger than me I think and she is one of the rudest people I have ever met. I want to kick her every time I get in line and she's the cashier. I usually avoid her line completely..but hers is usually the short line. With good reason too. It makes the whole experience in the store a bad one. I'm never was the world's best cashier or anything, but there is a thing called common courtesy. You are working with the public, be friendly..or at least be decent. Tell the customers their total, give them their bag, say hi...something. Don't just stand there like a miserable lump of poo. If you hate your job that much...quit or transfer to another part of the store. I have a hard enough time finding someone to actually help in the store, you can never find a worker and if you do it's "Not their department" or "Uh..I don't know". You never get a "I don't know, but I can find out for you." On a rare occasion where you do hear that...they leave, disappear and let you wait there forever..never to return.

Am I the only one that notices this? Is it only at the Walmart here? I just don't get it..they really need to up their standards on (most) employees. Again, not all of them are horrible..but for the 3 good, helpful ones you get 10 useless ones.

If you don't want to work with people, get out of retail or go work in the backroom.

There..I'm all done my rant about shopping in that store...I'm sure I will go back, again, the necessary evil thing but I will be biting my lip and hating every moment of it.

Oh and this day only got better..but that will be another post. It deserves it's own..trust me.

Little creatures are no friend of mine

Well...I feel I need to declare something.


I HATE SKUNKS!


There, I said it. Now I feel so much better. Actually, I would feel even more better if there were no skunks at all, especially the skunks that are attracted to my porch.

Wait, let me back up a minute...

In my last post I mentioned quickly about a skunk smell that we were trying to get out of the house. That's because in two weeks time we got sprayed three times and it reeked. Like, drive you out of the house reek. We caught one little skunk but figured there must be one more. So, the live trap was set up again and we caught a cat. A stupid black cat that lives around here somewhere and loves all things garbage. Not a big fan of the scavenger cat, but I let it go after calling it a few names. So again, we set up the trap for that night and we got another skunk! This one was HUGE, like a small child could ride it huge. Ok, maybe not THAT huge, but trust me, it was biiiig. If I had to guess, because I didn't get that close, I would have to say it was like the size of small fox. Seriously, one big skunk. One big, smelly, soon to be dead skunk. Everyone was working so I called my mother to tell her we got another one and she said after work she would come over with my step brother to take care of it. Meaning, he would take care of it while she held a large piece of cardboard in front of her. It was quite funny to watch. Long story short, he got the skunk and it was the most foul smelling skunk I have ever smelled. I mean, like rotten garbage can juice on a hot day kind of smell. It was the kind of smell that stayed in your nose for a few hours.

So far, no more skunks. We're going to set up the trap one more time...actually, we did that once and caught the stupid black cat again. So, it is going up one more time and hopefully I will get rid of all the stupid skunks that like to taunt me. I have to admit, I felt all victorious after catching the second skunk. Like I was the "Skunk Hunter" or something. "The Skunk Hunter: Ridding the neighborhood of stink, one skunk at a time..." Not a name I think I really want though. I just want a skunk free porch.

Now, apparently we have a new friend. I think. This summer was a woodchuck, then the skunks and now...I think we might have a mouse in the ceiling. Last night I heard something that I haven't heard before and it made me sick all night thinking about it. So, today I am going to the store and getting traps, De con and whatever cleaning products I can find. This weekend, it's on! Granted, I have slacked with some household things. Not that I'm miss spic and span anyway but I'm not "Ms. Let's leave cereal on the floor for later" either. I'm sure with Gage there is a little of this or that here and there. I get it the best I can, but I can't deal with a mouse. If that is what it is. It taunts me, it's taunting me now without even knowing it. I'm all itchy and want to check everything for little turds. I have never seen anything in here and last night was the first I've heard a noise. So, that's good but still...the only mice I like are dead mice. If you haven't noticed, I'm not a fan of woodland creatures. I think I need to get a cat...

Alright, all critters and such aside...

I went to the doctors yesterday for my thumb. I have been waiting a year to go to this appointment and I get there and they want an x-ray. I guess because I shouldn't still have tightness/pain this long after surgery. So the doc orders an x-ray but I get to the x-ray place(right down the hall) and asked if it's ok for me to have one if I'm pregnant. Which, I kind of already knew it wasn't but still..I asked. So, as expected I couldn't get one. Now I have to wait until after I pop this baby out to go back and get things started. Fun times.

Well..I'm getting closer to the end of this whole pregnancy. I must say, I can't wait! I feel like complete crap. I'm tired, sore, can't breathe and hate heartburn. Oh...and I would like to be able to not have ginormous boobs anymore. I mean, they were large and in charge before..but now..the need their own zip code, seriously. It's scary. I've gone from "Look at the chick with big boobs" to "DAAAAAAYUM!!". I'm like a circus freak. They need to go.

Other than the crazy chesticle growth, things are good. I'm still not gaining any weight but the baby is..I think I really started to pop now. I go in two more weeks for my appointment so we will see the damage on the scale then. I have a feeling that this no weight gain thing is coming to an end. I had a good run, but it's time to play catch up I think.

I have pretty much everything I need, except a few more packages of diapers, another set of bottles, a pack and play and random little things that are easy to get. I should have stuff from Gage, but stupid me either sold or gave it away. Not all, but enough of it.

Speaking of my lil' old man, he is such a turd! He had a new word...Walmart. Yep, Walmart. He saw a commercial when we were visiting my cousin and he pointed and said "Malmart". Now, this made me think that we go there way to often. So I'm thinking that I need to cool off on the trips with Gage there. I hate going there, but it is a necessary evil because I'm too lazy to go to three stores for the things I need to buy. Although, I do need to go there today....crap!

Alright, lunch is calling...actually screaming my name. So it's off we go!


Wait! I forgot some really good news! Duh! ::slaps forhead::

We got the results of Gage's blood work from the genetic center. He has no chromosomal abnormalities, fragile x, the one gene for Autism they can now look for(I guess, some kids on the spectrum have this gene) or anything else! He is completely chromasomially good. :) Which is good news.

Ok, now I'm done.

H-A-double L-O..W-double E-N spells Halloween!

So, my favorite holiday has come and gone and this year I wasn't really into it. I usually dress up and have my costume planned months in advance...but I had no motivation. I wasn't even excited about going trick or treating..well, I mean I was excited for Gage and curious how it would turn out. I was unsure if he would even like it.

Wait...let me back up a minute.

Let me start with pumpkins and the pumpkin patch. This year we had A LOT of pumpkins, mostly because they were free but also because I had the oh so brilliant idea to paint the pumpkins instead of carve them. Then we wouldn't have a goopy pumpkin mess. Sounds good in theory, right? Well...being the brilliant idea comer-upper that I am, I figured let's paint all of the Little Einstein characters on the pumpkins! Of course, I procrastinated and didn't actually do them until oh...a week before Halloween. I will say though, I am pretty happy with the result and the fact that Gage knew what each one was made it a success in my book.

Here is a picture of all of the pumpkins on the porch.


My favorite pumpkin, Leo


Rocket


Quincy


Annie and my least favorite pumpkin, June.


So..over all, not too shabby if I do say so myself. I did like that it gave me something crafty to do. We also went to the pumpkin patch a few times this year, which Gage loved.

Gage attempting to pick up his pumpkin


Gotta love that smooshy face


The mall had a little trick or treating event, like every year "Mall-O-Ween". We've brought Gage in the past, but this year I think he actually got the concept that he was getting candy. Of course, he got to do it the lazy way...he stayed in a cart. He did get out a few "treats" and "thank you's" to the people handing out the candy.

Treat or Treating the lazy way..


Not wanting to keep his hood on..it was warm in the mall


He got a decent amount of candy, but I don't think we will be able to keep it. More on that in a minute.

So...for actual Halloween night Justin and I were planning on bringing Gage out early, but of course, we were running late. By the time we go to where we were going, around 6, Gage fell asleep in the car.



We figured we would get him up because it was way too early for him to be sleeping and if he slept he would be up all night. So we get him in the stroller and start off to the houses. Gage did awesome! He walked to each door, knocked on a few of them, said a few "treat's" and a few "thank you's". I think he might have melted a few hearts when he signed thank you to them.

Heading up to a house with Daddy


Walking with Daddy again.


We finally left, after getting a little lost and got home around 8ish. It was good, Gage got a lot of candy and had fun.

Here is from the beginning of the night, isn't he adorable?


Ok..so on to the other fun news. So for the past two weeks we have been playing a tug of war with a skunk that decided to make a home under our porch. We got sprayed three times in two weeks! The first time, I was alone thank god because the smell was so bad that it woke me up at 6:15 am but I stayed home because it wasn't that bad. The second time, poor Gage was here and again..it was 6:15. Justin was heading to work and it woke me up. I woke up and Gage was up too, laying with his blanket over his nose. Poor guy..we ended up leaving and going to my mother's. We stayed there for a few days because it was so bad. The third time I was alone again..Justin's parents were keeping Gage overnight. I was on the phone with Justin while he was doing an overnight, so it was around 1:30am. I could smell it again and it wasn't long before I was heading to Justin's parents. Needless to day, it was a long night and even longer next day. We finally caught a skunk in a live trap we borrowed. I still think there might be one more...but we will see. I'm still trying to get the rest of the smell out, it seeped into some stuff and it's a pain to get the smell out.

ok...

Now, on to baby update...

Everything is going good, I'm getting that round baby belly. I still haven't gained any weight, but the baby is getting bigger. I don't get why I am not gaining, I eat. As long as things are going good though, that's what matters. I go in a few weeks for another sonogram. Less than 100 days left! I better get to cleaning!

Oh and I forgot to add..Gage is doing awesome! I started to keep a count of what he says and I lost track. He is at at least 200+ words. He just is absorbing and repeating everything, it's nice to hear him talk but it's hard to figure out what some of it is. A lot of times when he says something, because a lot of it sounds similar I go through the list until he says "yeah". Horrible, but it's the only way to figure it out. He should be starting school soon..but we'll see how that goes.

Alright, that's enough for now..the grape juice Gage spilled is calling me to clean it.

Getting beat up by a baby is no fun..

It's true, I am getting my butt kicked by someone that hasn't even been born yet. This little squirmy baby is kicking me up, down and yes, all around. I get kicked on the left and right sides..at the same time. I think I have one large and long baby brewing. I have no idea how much he weighs right now, I do know that at 19 weeks they said he weighed about 12 oz. and from what I looked up, the average at 19 weeks is 9 oz. So, 3 oz. might not sound like a lot, but when you are the size of a banana it is...picture a banana that weighs almost a pound! Gage was a larger baby, weighing 8 lbs. 7 3/4 oz. but I think this one will take(and probably eat) the cake.

Oh and I know a lot of people know now..but we have an official name. Are you ready for it? Drum roll please....
brrrrrr....bum.....brrrrrr...bum

We're going with Eli Rylan. Now..if you think of the entire name, first/middle/last the initials will spell out something. That's right! It's spells my last name! I thought it was cute and luckily, Justin didn't oppose....too much. Eli isn't going to be short for anything, no Elijah, Elliot, Elias..nope..just Eli. So I'll have Gage and Eli. I think it's a good combo, both different but not like naming them Pancake and Falafel. No offence to anyone naming their kids after those foods..just not my cup of tea, that's all.

So far things are going good with the pregnancy. I'm still wicked tired, no appetite(I've gained 0 lbs.) and I'm carrying so different than I did with Gage. I'm just to the point now where my back is very sore all the time and I have to be careful how I lay down...so I don't leak all over myself. Sorry..TMI, I know.

Update on Gage:

He's awesome. lol..I know I say that all the time, but hey, it's true. He is awesome. I started to keep an official list of the things he says..so far I am up to over 120 words. I'm sure there are more, but when trying to remember them all..I was proud I remembered as many as I did. So, needless to say, he is doing really well. Especially when less than 6 months ago I wouldn't have guess he said 30 words. He should be starting preschool soon..but who knows. It all depends when they open the room...I'd like to know soon though, I have things to do to get him ready! This coming week will be interesting. We go to the genetic doctor and Gage gets blood drawn. I am not looking forward to it, they are going to sedate him. Not looking forward to that either. I guess this will be a test to see if we ever do it again. I'm already thinking no. Hopefully things go well...

I can smell a poopy diaper, so it's time to do some cleaning!

Why do I even bother looking around?

I just watched a video from Autism Speaks called "I am Autism". I heard a few bad things about it, but I thought that I would watch it myself and get my own opinions about it. When it was done, I was disgusted. In my opinion it makes Autism sound like some evil little troll coming to capture your children. Now I have gone through all the emotions a parent would go through when finding out their child is Autistic. I was in denial, mad, sad, very angry and then I got over my own little pity party and realized that Gage was still Gage. I didn't "lose" anything, I gained an understanding of how to relate better to my child. He is still the same goofy, loving, smart little boy he has always been. I just know better now how to help him communicate and deal with the things around him. I am sure a lot of parents go through a grieving like process when their child is first diagnosed, that is understandable. I think I did because it wasn't that I was losing anything, it was the fact that I had no idea what could or couldn't be. That was the scariest thing and that, is what made me angry/sad/upset. Of course I couldn't know what Gage's future holds even if he was never diagnosed, but you have ideas and know a general idea. School, college, marriage, grand kids...the whole shebang. The thing is, all of that is still possible. Gage could go on to become anything, whether that be a CEO of a big company or a fry cook. Of course, I hope for the first one...what parent wouldn't, lol. My point is, that video makes it sounds that there is no future or possibilities and it couldn't be farther from the truth. Autistic children and adults(yes, Ms. M..they Do exist) in my opinion have a limitless future. Of course, that being said that future could be different for each person. If someone is completely nonverbal and dependant on someone else, maybe that future is to try to get to a different goal than someone that is verbal and is not dependent.

I don't claim to have any special incite on Autism, in fact I am sure in the big scheme of things I know very little. What I do know is my son and that is all I need to know. I just don't understand why there is such a huge divide in the Autism community. You do what you do and I will do what I do. That should be all there is about it. I have my opinions and I have chosen what I think is right for my child. You do the same and leave me alone. Yes, I have finger pointed in the past in the blog..but understand, that is when my son was first diagnosed and I was bombarded with information. Much of it I didn't understand at the time and I had a lot of emotions going through me. Now, my take on things are I don't care what you do or preach. I am going to what I believe is best for my child. I do know though, that I do not appreciate an organization that is "committed" to help people doing the opposite. How can you help someone when you won;t even allow the people you claim to help have a voice in your organization? It makes no sense to me at all.

No, I do not know what it is like to have a child that is completely nonverbal that is dangerous to himself or possibly others. I will admit, I could no imagine what that is like. I know that there are times when I get frustrated, discouraged and just down right tired from day to day life with Gage. Would I ever want to change him? HELL NO! I just can't stand people saying that their child is "broken" or need to be "cured". I think it is irresponsible for a parent to say that about their child because to hear that from your own parent is devastating. How could you talk about your child like that? They may not be what you expected them to be, but they are still a person with thoughts, feelings and emotions. They do not deserve to be told they are "broken". NO one deserves that, Autistic or not. How would you like to go through your life being told that you needed to be "fixed"? I am not saying that you are a bad person for wanting to improve the quality of your child's life but they are not less of a person because they are Autistic. This video to me, makes it seem like just that. That because a child had Autism that they are some how less of a person. That is complete horse crap! I don't get how an organization like this can speak for something in a constantly negative way. I'm not saying Autism is all sunshine and roses, it isn't, but it isn't all manure and worms either. Its like having someone that is anorexic speak at a convention for obese people. Where is the logic in that? I feel like Autism Speaks is really cutting out a huge portion of the Autistic community by not having any Autistic adults, parents with "high" functioning children and adults with Asperger's a voice in the organization. How about instead of pouring millions into a nonexistent cure, putting that money into the homes of the people that truly need it. Set up something so children with Autism can get the services they need, devices that will help them in their day to day life...help create more schools, train more speech/occupational/physical therapists and special ed teachers..something! Maybe use that money to help low income families with Autistic children or help for Autistic adults in job training and life skills so if possible they can be more self sufficient. How about improving housing for the individuals that can not help themselves? Give better training for people that work in ARC homes so they can take better care of Autistic individuals? Nah..instead lets pay the organization workers triple digit salaries. That works.

There is so much more that can be done, but many people are just focusing on negative things. Why not help the communities? What about support groups, counseling sessions for parents with newly diagnosed children? Maybe then, they could get much needed information and talk to other parents. I know if that would have been available when my son was first diagnosed it would have been awesome. It would give such so much help to parents going through all the confusion and emotions of wondering what is next. I still have a lot to learn about how to help Gage and am grateful for the support system he has. He has wonderful therapists that I am sure must have gotten sick to death with all my questions. I still have questions that will probably never be answered. Do I know what is in store for Gage's future? Nope, but I do know that his possibilities are endless in my opinion. Right now we make short term goals and it works for us. We have some long terms ones in there too, don't get me wrong. I fully believe that when he is older he will be in school, hold down a job and be a functioning part of society. I would never not think he wouldn't be. Why put a limit on him? He doesn't deserve to be halted before he even tries.

I know, I am full of opinions and you might think.."Well why not get off your pregnant butt and do something about it?" or "Well, your son is this or that and you don't get what it is like with a child that is this or that." Nope, I don't. I cant speak for you and your child just like you cant speak for me or mine. Neither can an organization that is so one sided..that is the point to what I was saying here. Yes, it was a long winded, highly opinionated way to get to it. That's me though and this is my blog. If you don't like it, don't read it. I'm not holding your mouse from wondering up to that little X now am I? Nope. Basically, this is what I am thinking and feeling at this moment and I felt like getting it all out. I am entitled to do so on my personal blog.

Oh and yes, I know I tend to babble..so I apologize if I said the same thing 100 times. My mind tends to go faster than my fingers can hit the keys.

So much for keeping up to date..

Well, it has been a month since I last posted anything. Didn't I say not long ago that I was going to keep this up to date? Nah..I couldn't have said that, because I know I would have done what I said I would do. But anyways..

I am officially at the half way point of this pregnancy! As Gage would say..HOO HOO! I've done pretty good so far, besides being wicked tired and a bit grumpy. What, me? Grumpy?? NEVER! I had my 20 week sonogram the other day. Justin came with me, which was nice because he missed Gage's sonogram because I was in another state. Watching his face was the fun part for me. So..I went in there hoping for a girl but pretty sure it would be a boy. Especially since everyone it seems is having girls. I always have to be the odd ball and do the opposite. While the sonographer(or whatever the official title is) was doing her thing, she was checking out the kidneys and I saw a little bubble. Now, once I saw that I knew it would be a boy. Justin was oblivious so I didn't say anything. Then, of course...she started to scan lower and I was right! I TOLD Justin not to call the baby she until he knew for sure! So there you have it...hot dogs:3 buns:1. I'm getting another momma's boy. I'm pretty sure we have a name, at least we(actually I) picked one out. I think we are going to go with Eli. It's different but not too out there and it goes well with Gage.

The sonogram was pretty neat though, a lot different from Gage's. This baby is active and has HUGE feet! While it was going on the baby's mouth was moving, hands were going and fingers wiggling all over. From what I could see...we have a big footed, fat cheeked baby brewing. I'm good with that, I'd rather have a baby with a little more meat on their bones. Then I don't feel like I'm going to break it. Now, I won't lie...the minute she said it was a boy I started to worry. I started to think, ok...I need to start with sign language right when the baby is born, just in case. Then, I thought I need to really keep track of milestones, fine/gross motor skills, socialization, eye contact..all of that stuff. All of this is going through my head while laying there. Of course, this baby not be on the spectrum at all, but it is more likely for another boy to be than a girl. Not that it would matter anyway, but it's still a worry. Alt east we know what to look for and have a support system already set.

Now..another good thing is that I have sooo many clothes that still have tags on them from Gage that I can now use! Plus I have onesies coming out my butt..not literally of course, that would be odd. I won't use all of Gage's old clothes on this baby, because those are Gage's memories. But I can use a lot of it.

Speaking of Gage..he is continuing to be awesome...lol. Actually he is doing great with his speech and sensory. He is saying so much and really trying to say even more. He is even starting to say things with out prompts. One thing in particular that is adorable that he does is point to my belly and say baby or sometimes will say brother. How cute is that? We're waiting patiently for the go for school. As soon as they open another room, Gage is in. I'm still hoping for one room over another, but any room is better than no room. I think in a room Gage will just blossom. I would make my usual list of the new things Gage says, but I'm too tired to think of all of them! I'll have to put in on here later.

I'm sure there is more to update and sorry about the lack of pictures. I do have some..of the sonogram and from a recent trip to the pumpkin patch but those will have to come on another post. I'm going to sneak a quick nap while I can.

Part 2:The Blogging Continues...

As stated in my last post, this one is all about my little man!(well..pretty much).

Last week Gage turned the big 3! He got off pretty easy, he got to play, relax, get presents(LOTS of them) and eat cake. Me on the other hand got the poopie end of that lollipop.(sorry, I've been watching Dodgeball..). For about 2-3 weeks before the actual day of the party I scrambled to get decorations, cake ingredients/decorations/pans, gift bags, stuff for gift bags...and I realized I spent WAY too much money..but that's besides the point. So far, every birthday Gage has had, has had a theme. His first birthday was The Backyardigans, his second was Cars and this year was Little Einstein's. Now each year, once a theme is decided I comb through stores and online for decorations, wrapping paper and whatnot to match the theme. I have noticed a theme so far with this. EVERY year, no matter what the theme is..no where has anything for that theme. Until the following year that is, then they have it all over the place. I couldn't find The Backyardigans stuff ANYWHERE when I wanted it and now..it is in all the party supply stores. The same goes for Cars and now you cant turn around in a store without seeing Cars decorations. I figured this would happen so I started looking online for this year. I knew I could get somethings at the Disney website..of course I printed tons of things and then never used them. So I totally wasted my mother's ink(sorry..). I had such a hard time finding things this year, more than I could have thought. I finally found a site that sold what I wanted and it wasn't the cheapest, but cheaper than anywhere else. So I got a little of this and that, then figured I could improvise the rest. I ordered a few things and they were expected to be in on the 4th, which was perfect since the party was on the 9th. I get the box when expected but I opened it to make sure everything was there. Of course..it was missing stuff! I would have been ok if it was just missing a thing of cups, I could deal with that. Oh no, we were missing the banner, table cloths, cups and blowers! I think the pick and pack person doing my order must have been drunk or something to miss that much stuff...not to mention, some of the more important items! To top it all off, the number on the invoice was not a valid number. I spend the rest of the day searching for people to yell at, lol. I ended up calling the corporate office and telling them I wanted the rest of my order rushed to me or they can take it all back. Yes, this was am empty promise on my part, because I knew I couldn't get the stuff anywhere else...but it worked!

Now, me being how I am thought it was an awesome idea to make Gage a cake that looked like Rocket. Big mistake. Oh but that wasn't enough, I had to make butter cream frosting..from scratch. Bigger mistake. I've made butter cream before, but it is a pain in the butt if you don't have a nice mixer. Which I don't, I have a little hand mixer..some day I will have my Kitchen Aid Artisan mixer..some day..sigh...When I do get one, it is cookies, cakes and pastries for everyone! Anyway.two days before Gage's party comes around and I realize I better get cracking on this cake. I also have to make the sign that says "Happy Birthday", stuff the gift bags, wrap presents, make the frosting, make the cake, carve the cake..and on and on. I also had a wedding to go to the day before the party(those were the pictures from the previous post). So Friday night I get all the presents wrapped(I over bought..big surprise there huh?), got the sign made and the gift bags all set. I must say, I was pretty proud of the gift bags..I think they were cute. I personalized each one and tried to split everything evenly.


The sign I made for him..cheaper than getting one made for me!


The gift table(well, part of it) and gift bags..

Oh..by the way.. none of these photos are edited..I got lazy :)

Alright so now about this whole cake mess. To make a long story short, I went all over trying to find the correct pans for this cake but couldn't find them anywhere. So I spent more than I would like to mention on a football shaped pan so I could get the proper shape for part of Rocket. Now..I got all the cakes made and it was time to carve. I was NOT looking forward to this part. I spent the better part of a day making this cake. I let the cakes cool so I could carve them easier, then it was so hot in the house that once I made the butter cream I had to keep letting it cool in the fridge so it wouldn't melt. So I got the cake all carved, frosted and set after staying up until 2am! The next day my forearm hurt like a mother from everything. I don;t think its as good as it could have been, but I think Gage liked it. Next year, I'm doing a sheet cake! I didn't even want to eat it, but from what I was told it came out pretty good.



Full view of cake..again, not edited so its a little dark.



Close up of Rocket.

Towards the end, I got a little messy with decorating. My hand hurt too much for me to care about it, especially at 2 am.

All in all it was a successful party. We had a lot of people show up, Gage got some awesome presents. The next day we went to my mothers(where the party was held) and he ran to the back door looking for his party again. It was cute. We had a few other things happen to...



Gage was excited to see his party.



Jack was a little flirt, of course



Kasey actually got to snag Rocket away from Gage(this rarely happens)



Gage got excited to get Rocket back



and Hayden gave Jack driving lessons.


Thanks to everyone that came to celebrate with Gage and thank you all for the wonderful presents!

The next day, Gage's actual birthday I was determined to take Gage out all day. We rarely get to do this with his therapy. So I figured we would go feed the ducks at the hospital, maybe go play at the park, go out to eat and just play all day. We did pretty good for the most part. Gage LOVED feeding the ducks, me..no so much. I'm not one for ducks that growl at you or come so close that you think they will bite you. Oh and if you are noticing..yes, Gage does have the same outfit on..I washed it. I just wanted him to wear his birthday boy shirt again, lol. Here are some pictures from that little adventure(again, not edited).



Headed to the pond...



Checking out the crazy ducks with his Mee Mee.



See how close they got! It took bread from my hand!



Throwing bread to the crazy ducks.



Taking his revenge! Chasing the seagulls!



Playing Peek-a-boo with Mee Mee.



Ok..so I did edit one picture...this kid loves trees!



By the end of the day, this is what happened.

Alright, I know I said before I would have wedding things in this post...but I am not even close to being done editing those..so next time, maybe.