Mickey Mouse Invites!

We love Toodles around here. 

Eric and I are constantly walking around humming the tune of the Hot Dog Dance, and saying "Oh Toooooodles" a little too much. It's addicting, I swear.

We can sing the Mousekatool (?) songs without a blink of an eye, and we know that Pete is always behind any mischief that goes on.

What could be more appropriate for a Mickey lovin' boy/family than a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed Birthday party? 

I decided this theme long ago, so I've had plenty of time to carouse the internet for ideas and cute crafts to save some money on decor and still make it a fun time. I love to throw a party, but my favorite part is the decorating, and making the cute little details. Since we made Tristan's Cookie Monster invites last year, we thought we'd keep up with the tradition.

I got my idea from here and the tutorial here.

They were so easy and so fun to make! For those that remember last years invites, you also probably recieved a one eyed or even a blind cookie monster. We had a terrible time trying to get the eyes to stick on. This year, I learned that glue dots are the key. I hope everyone's buttons stayed on! 

Our week via Instagram: 4/07-4/13

A little mid-day project

A little spring cleanin' today!

It feels so good when the sun is shining and the motivation is rolling.

It's true what they say about us Seattlites. 

When the sun comes out, we know why we live here;

it makes all the gray days worth the while.

Here's to hoping it's finally spring!

I have wanted a clean, organized garage for as long as I can remember. 

And now I finally have it. 

On to the next item on my want list... a backyard to use and enjoy!

In preparation for Tristan's birthday and my mothers arrival next weekend, we decided to clean off the picnic table and the deck. 

BEFORE

I know. I look sooo good without makeup. Eat your heart out!
bahaha. ok, but seriously...check out the Hubs' gray hairs.
He's going to cry when he sees this pic.
I think it's sexy!

finished project!
 i love the rustic look,
although we'll probably paint it
when we can guarantee a couple of nice days in a row.

It's amazing what a bottle of 409 can do. I feel like that guy on My Big Fat Greek Wedding that uses Windex on everything. I use 409 on everything.

On another note entirely, I've decided to end my week of blogging with a summary of my happenin's via Instagram photos. I don't have the desire, nor the time to blog on the weekends so I thought it'd be a fun way to leave my friends and family with something fun for the weekend. Will post that late this evening, so look for it this weekend! Hope you all have a beautiful SPRING weekend! 

Cross your fingers for the PNW.

The Daily Donut

I have created a monster.

In an attempt to quit drinking coffee (attempt # 3,641) I decided that if I didn't make coffee at home then I would drink less. If I bought coffee from Starbucks, I would be limited to a certain quantity instead of making it when I wake up and drinking it till 5pm. This was my theory. It seems to be working somewhat. Since my "allowance" usually goes towards Starbucks anyways, it's not too big of a deal. A couple weeks ago, I felt bad because Tristan hadn't had a big lunch that day and we had been out all day so he hadn't eaten anything for a few hours...so, I got him a donut. The old fashioned glazed donut. If you haven't tried these, don't. They're so addicting, you'll never stop. Which I suppose is why Tristan is now addicted.

I usually swing through the Starbucks Drive Thru on my way home from my morning gym session. It has become habit now to get my coffee and Tristan's donut. Now, I feel guilty if I don't buy him a donut because he gets so excited when we pull in the Drive Thru.

Yesterday, I attempted to wean him. I ordered my coffee and drove to the window. He started kicking his legs and laughing hysterically, taking his binky out, getting ready to receive his donut. He thought he knew what was coming. Ugh. I gave in and asked if they could add a donut to the order. All was well. No tantrum and no willpower. I am feeding my child donuts to keep him happy.  This is a huge deal, seeing as he rarely gets sugar in his diet. Surprisingly, I think the sugar has been a positive effect. He seems happier (or maybe I'm imagining it... I don't know) and has more energy, which I actually like. My kids pretty sedentary, glued to the TV so I have to bribe him to get him to play with toys so the fact that he wants to play and run around like a real kid is satisfying to me.
Today, I forgot to tell Eric to go to Starbucks because we were so distracted by the sudden downpour (after considering putting shorts on my children this morning because it was so pretty out). All of a sudden Tristan started crying. Out of nowhere, as if he was being provoked. It was then that I realized we were passing Starbucks.

Naturally, we turned around and got him his daily donut. Good heavens, what have I done?!

This face

Photo courtesy of my dear friend, Laura Murphy

.... it kills me. Really. Do you know how hard it is to scold a toddler that gives you this face all day? Or that thinks your irritation is hilarious? If I try to count to three, he gets all revved up, giddy as all get out then runs off, jabbering away in the way that he does, "Gagagagaga"  laughing hysterically.

How the Thompson's got their groove back

While the Hubs and I were engaged, we had a lot of marriage advice thrown our way. Unfortunately, I can hardly remember any of it because I was blissfully unaware that we would ever need advice on marriage. The Hubs and I have practically been married since the day we met. We were well seasoned pros by the time we sealed the deal.

Have I ever told you about how the Hubs came over one day, and he never really went home? Well it's true. About a month into our relationship I'm at the grocery store when all of a sudden I realize I'm shopping for two. So I called Eric and asked him what kind of food he wanted. He gave me some crap about not caring, to just get whatever I want. I gave him some of my best 'not gonna take any crap' attitude and told him 'Look you better give me some suggestions cuz I dont want to hear any complaints about the food i buy.' See? Married since day one. (In the end he suggested Cap'N Crunch)

Anyway, out of all the marriage advice we were given, there was one thing that stuck out to both of us: Make time for each other without the kids; go on DATES.

We have tried really hard to make sure we spend quality time together on the weekends after the kids go to bed since the cost of a date in itself usually just stressed me out so much I don't want to go. After I add up how much it will cost to get an actually babysitter, and then dinner and whatever activity we decide I just want to cringe. It equals a tank of gas. or several boxes of diapers. I mean, I could do a lot with that kind of money. So we snuggle up at home and call it a date. Our dates usually turn into chore doing dates, but it's not too bad. Eric gets to eat entire tub of ice cream and I get to eat a whole bag of popcorn to myself. It's just like gorging ourselves at the movies. But with laundry and sweatpants involved.

On our moving day, we got a couple hours to do some shopping by ourselves and it was so exciting, it was pathetic. It was then that I realized I missed Mr. Thompson. Yes, I see him every day and we spend all of our time together, but our hands are usually full of babies and our conversations are full of who's going to feed who while the other starts the bath. I missed holding my husbands hands! I missed getting to be silly and not worry about getting children in and out of a store or a car. So we vowed to start small and do monthly date nights.

This last week, I was rummaging through some papers to find my art supplies when I found a gift certificate....from the 7th grade. Two $5.00 paper movie gift certificates. Geeze, that makes me feel old. Nowhere on it did it have an expiration date. So I decided we were going to see the Hunger Games. I figured that we could always end up paying the $10 if they wouldnt accept it, but at least it was worth a shot. I found a cinema that would accept the certificate, called up my sister-in-law and asked if she could watch the kids, and we had a date planned! I was so excited. The fact that it was at noon didn't even bother me. In fact, the noon showing turned out to be perfect for us.  It was gorgeous when we came out, the theater wasn't crowded and best of all... we paid $5 to see the movie!

Thank You Cineplex Odeon for housing our date.
And also, for the refill on Diet Coke, and the free bag of popcorn. 

The Easter Egg Hunt Debate

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

I know we did :)

Eric and I got into a debate about what you're supposed to do with the Easter basket...there was no resolution, so we're going to take a vote to decide on what we will do for the years following. 

What do you do with the Easter basket? Do you hide a basket full of goodies and then use the empty basket to collect eggs? Is the egg hunt a completely separate occasion? Do you skip the basket of goodies? In my home growing up, the Easter basket with goodies was always hidden and we had a separate basket to collect eggs, but we did it all at the same time. We always had Easter brunch and dressed up. That was pretty much it. I like that tradition, but with church incorporated into it (since you know...Easter is about JESUS, not the Easter Bunny). But alas... marriage is supposed to be a team, so I guess I'm willing to compromise. We're counting on your responses. Let me know any way you choose- FB, Twitter, Email, Here, ETC, but whatever you do, please...let me know.

"It was shed for you and me

that from sin we might be free, 

I remember how He paid the debt for me."