The Armadillo Tales

Cute Overload

If you are ever in need to smile then head to Cute Overload.   Oh those photos will guarantee get at least one smile off of you.

Photo credit: Cute Overload

My Kids Keep Me Fat

I knew it ... I knew it ... I just knew it couldn't have been the 3lbs of chocolate chip cookies that keeps me oh so plump.   It's my boys.    Don't shake your head just yet.   A study performed by the University of Iowa and the University of Michigan have found that adults living with children consumed more fat than adults living without children.    On aveage it was found that adults ate an extra 4.9 grams of fat a day, including 1.7 grams of saturated fat.    That comes out roughly to an extra whole pepperoni pizza a week.   

Now it makes sense.   My boys force me to eat pizza, hot dogs, chicken tenders, doughnuts, cookies, chocolate, etc ...  Why can't they force me to eat a salad instead?     What makes this even more painful is that while I pack on the pounds, the armadillo remains committed to being his cutie skinny string bean self.

Photo credit: Yahoo

2 Years Too Late

Of course since my boys are too big for an infant car seat, Graco decides to introduce their SnugGlider Infant Car Seat Swing Frame.    Gawd, why couldn't the nice folks at Graco bring this out before I had the armadillo?   It's a brilliant product if it works perfectly.    All you do is just insert your Graco SnugRide car seat into the frame and swing away.   Yes swing away.   You don't have to take the "I only fall asleep in the car seat" baby out and risk waking them up in a wrath of fury. 

There are varying swing speeds, swing vibration, music, and nature sounds.   Whoa ... hold it.   Vibrations?   My swings don't have vibrations.   Aargh!  I hate the baby/toddler industry.   These people do it on purpose.   Purposely introduce items that were touched by God himself to make your baby/child happier and your life easier AFTER they are too old for those products.    You can even take the damn frame, fold it up, and use it anywhere.   

Sigh ... you baby/toddler industry people ... forcing me to want to have another baby so I can buy products like this.   Evil ... just evil. 

Who Said They Are Mean Dogs?

Here's an adorable photo of a rottie mixed dog with his buddies, an adorable kitty and their friend the mouse.   I wonder if I can get my rottie to let the cats sit on her back.

Photo credit: Yahoo

Perfect Timing

When we were in Lake Tahoe I recollected the days when I use to get asked for my ID while gambling.  It had been years since anyone asked me for my ID.   I must be looking old I told B-Dad.   I guess the day would come where I couldn't pass for under 21.    But lo and behold I got my Christmas gift early.    After the meal I took my turn at gambling.  I headed straight for my favorite, roulette.   As I was waiting for the dealer to pass me my stack of chips, she asked me for my ID.    I was perplexed.   "Me?"  I asked.    "Yes." the dealer answered.    "Oh, you're asking me because it's the hotel policy right?   You ask everyone regardless right?" I asked.   "Oh no, it's just that you look like you're under 21."   the dealer replied.    "Are you serious?" I asked in shock.    "Yes, you look very young." the dealer said. 

Wow what an ego booster.    At that point I didn't care if I won at the table or not.   I looked like I was under 21 years of age.  Me?!    Ha ha ... Considering that it's been more than a decade since I became of legal drinking age, it was a much appreciated gesture.     Especially considering that I lost over $300 at that same table.   

New Year's Resolutions

Why do we have New Year's Resolutions?   Why do we wait till New Year's to make changes in our lives?    Why can't we start today or yesterday?  Is it because we want 30 more days of eating greasy foods before we start our diet?    Or is it because we want to say "sh1t" one last time before we start throwing quarters in the potty mouth jar?

I'm just going to do it my way ... if I think of something I'll do it right then and there.   Then I'll probably forget about it the next day.

Wild Animal Park Pics

Here are some promised photos from our trip to San Diego and the Wild Animal Park ...

I was plesantly surprised at how courageous the armadillo was with the deer.  Many of the deer were bigger than the armadillo but he went right up to them.    I'm not sure if it was the feed in his hand or the fact that he is just so cutie that made him appear to be a friendly creature.

Adorable baby elephant!

Another baby!   It's a baby rhino ... too cute!

You have to be 6 years or older to ride on the Photo Caravan Safari.   Hopefully we'll get to go when the boys are older.

The above is the armadillo's brief but yet unsuccessful attempt at being the Crocodile Hunter.

Ducks ducks ducks galore!

My favorite!  The gorillas ...

and their mighty king!

Back to the Grind ... For a Bit

The day after Christmas is worse than a regular Monday.    It's hard to get back to the grind again when you've had pleasant disruptions for over a week.   By disruptions I'm referring to our amusing trip to Lake Tahoe.    Unfortunately I don't have many photos of the stunning white winter scenery.    The boys hated being outside in such chilly weather.   I think the day that we ventured outside the temperature was hovering around 32 degrees.   Freezing ... literally.    Even I had an arduous time trying to adjust to the biting cold.    My hands and face were feeling raw from the wind.   We drove to an area where there was just enough snow for the armadillo to play with.   But the 2 1/2 year old mind is a strong one.   Nothing could change his mind about playing in the snow.   Not the geese that were walking around, nor the animated sound of our voices saying how fun it would be.    The armadillo was not fooled.  The sumo baby was on the same train of thought.   He hated the 3-in-1 jacket we poured on him, as well as the hat and boots.   I think the frosty wind in his face was not as pleasurable as he thought.    So we took the boys to the next best thing ... the hotel arcade.   The armadillo as we thought, had a blast.    B-Dad was fabulous as he took the armadillo around playing all of the games, collecting tickets galore.   At the end of our 5 day trip, the armadillo and B-Dad amassed over 3000 tickets.    Ooooh weee!    The armadillo traded in those tickets for a few new friends.    They were adorable stuffed animals that were purposely swollen to look adorably plump.   These new friends now join the armadillo on his big-boy bed.   The armadillo has so many friends that pretty soon there will be no room for the armadillo himself.   

As expected B-Dad and I had a blast gambling.   Regrettably we didn't hit the jackpot and retire but it was still enjoyable.   I stayed to the table games, roulette, "let 'em ride", and Texas Hold 'Em Poker.    My luck would go up and down but I did hit some good hands every now and then.    All in all the family had a marvelous trip.  It was a good vacation for everyone.    The only bummer was that when it finally snowed, the weather waited until the last night of our trip.   That's too bad.  I'm sure the armadillo would have enjoyed seeing snow fall.      I think when we go up again, I'll show the armadillo how to catch snowflakes on his tongue.   Of course I'm sure he'll think it's overrated and silly, of course.   

What the H-E-Double Hockey sticks Happened?

What a terrible Christmas ... my team gets their butts whooped by the Eagles, 23-7.      Come on 'Boys ... can we not choke once in a while?   Can we play like we want to win?   Ugh.    To think that they are making it to post season play.   Maybe they'll get lucky.

Photo credit: Yahoo Sports

Kim Family Auction

Citymama posted about an auction to help the Kim Family.   Please take a look as this is a fabulous way to show your support.