some kind of wonderful

First, let me say how wonderful it is to start the day with an English muffin slathered with cream cheese and homemade strawberry jam! The jam was a gift from Kari&kids, and it is seriously the most freshest jam (yes, it deserves TWO superlatives) I've ever eaten. It's like you put it in your mouth and your tastebuds say "Well, hello there...where have you been all my life????"

We had a great time for M's 17-month birthday! We don't usually celebrate the months but I figured, "Why not?" In fact, why don't we all celebrate the months? It's a wonderful idea! So...my next month-birthday will be next week...lavish gifts can be sent to....

The day started with a b-day candle in his banana...a gig we had to repeat at least a thousand times:

The big blow:
We trekked to the mailbox for some key&lock free-for-all, which means M got to spend all the time he wanted putting our mail key in every lock he could reach. Pure bliss! Later we stopped by the store for some new kicks since he has already outgrown his summer shoes!!! Finally, we ducked into the hardware store for the big treat: a bolt w/ washers and nut...and paint samples!

Don't worry, the hardware is too big for swallowing...but fun for his little fingers! And the paint samples....well, he LOVES them. M will take paint cards and one by one hold them up on the wall while all the time jabbering away. I like them because it's a fun way to talk about colors.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE UPDATE: ok...we tried the sockarooni and, while the taste was good, it was a little (OK, a LOT) too chunkalicious for us. I pretty much cut the jar in half when I strained out all of the chunky whatnot. But next time we are trying the recommended Paul Newman's Marinara!!!

New photos, I'm not having a meltdown, and spaghetti sauce in a jar

Thanks to all who recently inquired about my mental state! HAHA! Just wanted to make sure that everyone knows we are doin' good. I've posted before about my tendency to compose stories dripping with drama but, since we have new blog friends, I thought I better say again that I'm not flying over the cuckoo's nest anytime soon. For example, when I wrote that after seeing M's tan lines I almost cried....well, that was a bit on the exaggerated side. Actually I said something like "Ah, drat." In all honesty I had no idea that a baby's crazy sleep issues would have such an effect on a mama's life (and daddy's, too), and there are definitely times when I say to M, "Dude, if you don't stop crying my brain might explode." But life is good. Life is good.

NEW PHOTOS: Sorry, I'm too busy to upload them, so click HERE to view "outside fun". Don't forget to click on the captions at the top right of screen.

On another note, does anyone know of a good, not-too-sweet spaghetti sauce? I'm talking in the jar. Don't laugh, I used to buy the canned kind on the bottom shelf for 99 cents, so the jar is a step up. I can't find one that isn't too sweet tasting...and I'm not into making my own. Some people swear by their so-called "easy" recipes, but when you live the life of a rockstar something has to give and, for me, it is homecooking. So...any advice is appreciated! Disclaimer: I am not a rockstar. (Well, at least not yet.) That was an exaggeration.