Happy Birthday, Maddie!

I can't believe that my baby turned three yesterday. Where has the time gone?

She isn't a baby any more - at least, that is what she tells me. She is a BIG girl.

(But not one of those big girls that use the potty. Those are Big Girls. There is, apparently, a difference.)

This year, Maddie had her first real party, with just her friends. We had a Princess Party, playdate style, while everyone's siblings were in school. In lieu of goody bags, me, being the good mama that I am, I made tutus for everyone.

Here they are, all lined up and ready for the girls:

To go with the princess theme, I also baked a doll cake. The cake was moist and delicious (thanks for the tips, Susie) but the frosting debacle, well, I'll take responsibility for that.


Maddie was thrilled, and it tasted great - so that's all that matters, I guess!


So 7 of her friends and their moms & nannies gathered in our basement playroom for a few hours of playtime and dressup. And dress up they did!

(Did I mention I made these tutus?)

Maddie is blessed to have such sweet playmates, and she really does love all her friends.

So happy birthday, my sweet little Princess Pea! You are one of my greatest blessings, and I love you.

Farm weekend for Sam

The weekend of cousin Julia's birthday was especially exciting for Sam for another reason as well - we would be on the farm. And next to rock-and-roll, Sam's favorite thing is John Deere tractors!

So being on the farm, the best thing you could ask him is "want to go for a ride on a tractor?"

He was in heaven, and loved every minute of it.

How much does he love tractors?

Well, this weekend's celebration involved a pool party. The cake part he could enjoy, but the swimming part would be a bust since he had a temporary cast that he couldn't get wet.

So while Daddy got the rare opportunity to have Maddie to himself, without her big brother, Sam and I took a short ride down the road to the local Rural King. (Its kind of like Farm 'n Fleet to us Northerners....)

Sam had a blast! We wandered the aisles, looking at big lawnmowers "Like Papa's", go-carts, smaller tractors, tires. We saw bins of live baby chicks, ducks and hens chirping away. He discovered a huge bin of pigs ears ("ewww, gross - dogs CHEW on those") and a display of John Deere work boots (colored green and brown - his cousins all have them, and he wanted a pair too.)

In the course of our wanderings, we came across a metal rake and hoe just his size ("'cause you drove over my old hoe, Mommy"), a Barbie doll on sale for Maddie ("Mommy, she'd like that - I could give it to her for her birthday") and of course, a few Matchbox-sized toy tractors for Sam - a consolation prize for being so brave.

To be honest - I think he had just as much fun at Rural King, and when we left, didn't feel so bad about missing the party.

He's already looking forward to our next trip, knowing that Uncle Bob will likely be working in the field and he can get another tractor ride!

I wonder if he'll have the same fascination with tractors when we start sending him down for a month at a time to actually WORK with Uncle Bob....

Playing Dress-Up

Maddie has dress-up clothes, and LOTS of tutus, which she does like to wear.

However, our most recent visit to the St. Louis area for her cousin Julia's birthday was the ultimate dress up weekend. She and Julia clopped around in princess shoes and princess dresses for a good part of the weekend. They play so well together!

Of course, when Sophia took a break from playing with Sam (as they play so well together), she donned some princess clothes and joined in. Aren't they darling:

The Princess Bride, aka Sophia

The lovely Princess Julia and Princess Maddie

and of course - he couldn't be excluded:

"Princess Desmond Tutu" (aka Max)

Thankfully, my brother-in-law, Bob, has a great sense of humor and no hang-ups about letting Max join in the fun.

Although, I think I will make him his own tutu, in John Deere colors.

The not-so-unbreakable Sam

Sam can be, well, shall we say, a tad bit melodramatic at times.

So when he fell OUT of the minivan - parked in the garage, I was not shoving him out the door as we rolled by preschool - and cried because his arm hurt, I wasn't surprised that he put up a fuss.

A major fuss. Despite only a tiny scratch on his wrist.
There was no swelling, no bruising.

While he slept peacefully, the next morning was the start of a new day of fussing and whining. He was now holding his hand very still. I'm still skeptical, of course -- this is the same boy who limped for 4 days because of the band-aid on his knee. It hurt, you know. (Not the scrape, it was that band-aid, the universal source of pain and evil.)

However, while waiting for Boo's classroom to open, I was chatting about it with a fellow parent, who shared a story of waiting 4 days before finally taking their boy in, only to discover it was a green-stick fracture.



When I came to pick him up, his teacher says "No problems today, and no complaints" -- just as Sam moaned as he put on his coat. Teacher rolls eyes.

I drove to Urgent Care. (Hey, he knows what the hospital looks like.)
He was asking "what place IS this, Mommy" as the doors opened.

He stops dead in his tracks. "I am NOT going to have an X-RAY. NO XRAYS. THEY HURT!"
While the receptionist amusedly asks, "do we need an X-ray today?" (Sam yelling NO WAY in the background), another head pops up from behind another window - a hopeful face, saying "Xrays don't hurt". Yes - meet the bored radiologist.

Long story short, after much fussing over the xray, which suddenly became very cool, Sam has a fractured distal radius. In other words, he broke his arm. Since we were at Urgent Care, there wasn't an Orthopedic doc on site, so they set us up with a partial cast for the weekend until we could get an appointment for a hard cast.

Sadly, Sam was very much looking forward to his cousin's pool party in St. Louis - with this cast, he couldn't swim in the pool. However, he did survive the weekend (more on that later) and on Monday, was rewarded with a waterproof cast in his very favorite color: red.

He's doing great, and milking that cast as an excuse to get help doing everything he is too lazy to attempt on his own.

Rebel Girl

Maddie does her best Billy Idol impersonation:

No, she's not trying out a goth look - its the remnants of a fudgesicle. But she cracks me up anyway!

Make Me Laugh Monday - Yes, I'm smarter than THIS guy

As I'm struggling this Monday morning just to form a sentence, let alone a funny one, I've opted to share this giggle forwarded to me from my dear old Dad:

Running stop light = $100

D.U.I = $5, 000

Not wearing your seat belt = $50

Putting both your and your girlfriend's photos on your fake driver's license = PRICELESS

Lesson of the day: When making a fake ID, attach a picture of yourself only...
no matter how much you love your girl.

Apparently, this is an actual Drivers License from a traffic stop...

And no matter how badly I screw up today, I'm still smarter than this guy.

For more Monday fun, head on over to Jenny-on-the-Spots blog!

Always with the quick comeback

At nearly 5 years old, I don't think Boo can yet be classified as a smart-ass. Not when he is so matter-of-fact in his responses.

What he IS is a worry-wart.

"Mommy, if I touch this, will the police come?" (No, Boo)
"Mommy, if I touched my butt and then ate a cookie, will I die?"
(Your pants were up? Then, no)
"Mommy, if I don't finish this, will I starve?" (Um, no, not in this house.)

After 15 minutes of STRAIGHT questions, I finally asked:

"Boo, why do you always look for problems???!!!"

The response? "Well Mom, that's just the way I work!"

The Bumpa Flyer rules!

Once upon a time, there was a little Boo - too small to ride in a regular sled - and no baby sleds available at any of the stores.

My dad (the original MacGuyver) found an old booster seat and an older sled, and with a little ingenuity, the "Bumpa Flyer" was born. (Bumpa was the name given to him by my nephew when he was little.)

Several years (and a couple of store-bought sleds) later, the Bumpa Flyer is still a favorite of the kids! This year, Sam is too big to allow Maddie to ride between his legs, but they managed to take turns nicely.

Now, if we could only find a bigger hill to sled on!

Thanks, Papa! Your creations are always the most loved!

Beach Day in February

(Warning: gratuitous photo blog post for grandmothers ahead)

Its beach day!

Well, not for real - just for Pea at preschool. I found it kind of hard to get in the spirit, given that it is about 24 degrees outside today, but she is certainly excited! Just check out that grin!

(and note the remaining snow in the background...BRRRRRR)

She thought the fishie barrettes were "perfect".

However, when we came home, she wouldn't take off the dress, but agreed to add some leggings. And the bunny slippers, because her FEET were cold. (Huh.) Always the fashion diva!

Needless to say, THIS was the outfit that Miss Thang wore all day long - including when we picked up Boo at school later that afternoon. She did agree to switch into her kitty rain boots when we went to Boo's guitar lesson, but those arms (now paint-covered from school) were still bare.

Yup, I'm one of those moms.

A Valentine's Celebration!

Sam had his Valentine's Party at school today. First, they played some bingo, using Sweetheart Candy as the markers. (I'm impressed that none were eaten - really!) I'm more impressed that Sam was totally cool with not winning.

Then, they had a yummy treat! (Yes, let's just get them really sugared up before lunch....)

Their teacher read them some special stories, too. Finally, they sang some songs for us. Aren't they all great!!!!!

Maddie had a party that day, too - hers was much simpler - just a tasty snack and a fun story. But she sure looks happy to be there, doesn't she???

Such simple delights. I wish they could hold onto them forever.

A Postscript

Just one additional comment...

Before you form any judgment regarding the earlier post, I must add that saying grace is Boo's first action in any given dining event.

Step two?

"Cheers, Mommy! Cheers, Daddy!..Cmon Maddie, I said CHEERS!"

Yes, Boo requires that we all clink glasses and cheers him.
Just setting good boundaries for all those drinking days ahead in college!

Grace

Boo always leads the blessing before meals. Always, irrespective of location and time of day
(And believe me, we never thought we'd be hearing "God is Great..." over a Quarter Pounder at Mickey D's, let alone being the ones saying it.) Not that we are heathens or anything, mind you - we've just never been that strict at saying grace in our pre-children days. I am infinitely grateful for the blessings that my children receive from their time spent at their preschool.

This year, Boo's preschool class is learning a new blessing or prayer each month. Yesterday, he yelled "Mommy, c'mon, its time for the blessing"...and launched into the Lord's Prayer.

My jaw hit the table. I mean, he's four. I went to parochial school, and I can tell you in what grades I learned each prayer. Heck, I was awarded a Marathon bar for being the first to memorize The Apostles' Creed. I can guarantee that I didn't learn the Lord's Prayer until second or third grade...

So needless to say, I'm stunned.

Pea, on the other hand, is seriously irritated, because she doesn't KNOW that one. And she doesn't like to be left out. I think because we say them at home, she remembers the blessings that she says in her preschool class before snacks. Which I guess, is impressive in its own right.

As one of her classmates, apparently, leads grace at his house with:
"God is crazy...juice and snacks!"

Lonely Godiva

There is a box of Godiva chocolates sitting on my counter.

Heavenly, lovely chocolates. I love chocolate. I mean, really, really love chocolate. It is my favorite food. You can pretty much put chocolate on nearly anything, and I will eat it. And this is GODIVA we're talking about, here.

See, here is the thing:
we were given the box of chocolate for Christmas.

Yes, its absurd that in THIS house, any kind of chocolate lasts that length of time.

I have a very conflicted relationship with chocolate and sweets right now. I'm desperately trying to lose weight. And, while I know that eating ONE chocolate will not affect that, the fact that my husband, who also loves chocolate, has the willpower not to down the entire box - no, has the willpower to ignore the box, drives me beserk.

Because, you see, that means that I ate nearly all the box of Godiva.

Is it my fault that my husband didn't eat his share? I can't blame our financial advisor, who sent us the box of chocolate for Christmas (heck, its the least he could do. Literally.)

Sigh.

In reality, one little box of chocolate, over the course of three months (ok, its only the start of February, but we're talking chocolate-months - they are like dog years) isn't that bad, is it?

The pull is overwhelming. I can't be looking at this box every day! Sometimes, a girl just needs her chocolate.

Sorry, hon' - but I need to put this box out of its misery.
If anyone needs me, i'm hiding in my bedroom, with my chocolates and a book.

The not ready for naptime Maddie

Maddie, minus nap, is not always a creature one wants to experience.

Thankfully, she rebounds quickly. Where she keeps her reserve stores of energy, I don't know.
I'd like to know, but I don't have a clue.

Today I pushed my luck. Maddie had survived school, playtime at the health club, and a quick lunch before picking Sam up from his preschool class. He met me at his cubby, yelling "Mooommmm!! CanwegotoopengymwithJackand Dannyand MollyandMissWendyPulEEEEZE!"
I looked at Maddie, who was playing with Molly and hugging Danny. "No NAP. Gym-nash-TICKS!"

Oh, why not? I have a deal with the Devil, anyway, right?

We get to the gymnastics place. Maddie breaks down (warning #1) "But I no have my gym-NASH-tiCKs out-fit!" From the depths of my purse, I pull her gymnastics outfit. (And yes, you would not believe the stuff I have in my purse. I really should have been a Girl Scout, I am so overprepared.)

Before I can say anything, she strips to her diaper in the middle of the room. No shame, this girl. Once appropriately attired, she dashes into the room. Five minutes later, she runs out "Mama, I'm habing so much FUN" and turns to go back into the gym. Ten minutes later, she runs out again, sobbing (warning #2). I ask if she fell or got pushed. "NOOOOOO. I too short!!" I notice the ramp and mini tramp kids are using to hop onto a BIG mat. There is no way her short little legs could hoist her up there. She wraps her arms around my neck and her little legs pull up, monkey style, around my waist.

"Do you want to go home now?" I ask?

"Nope" she says calmly, climbs down and runs back into the gym. What is it with the quick Sybil-like temperament changes of two year olds, anyhow?

Needless to say, the rest of the day was a series of meltdowns and fits.
Yes, I brought it onto myself.

Yes, she was in bed, sound asleep at 6:20pm.

And yes, she WILL be napping tomorrow!

How the CPSIA WILL affect your kids.

For those of you who know me well, you know I'm making tutus. And how, after February 10, I will no longer be able to sell them on Etsy. You've then also heard my rant about the CPSIA and how it will affect every product intended for children under 12, and how this will destroy the Mom and Pop cottage industries that are flourishing on sites like Etsy and Artfire. In an economy where the jobless rate is rising, taking away additional sources of income seems ill-planned.

The Handmade Toy Alliance sums up the issue well:

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public's trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational toy manufacturers to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each toy have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and update their molds to include batch labels.

For small toymakers and manufacturers of children's products, however, the costs of mandatory testing will likely drive them out of business.

• A toymaker, for example, who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $300 - $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA.
  
• A work at home mom in Minnesota who makes cloth diapers to sell online must choose either to violate the law or cease operations.
  
• A small toy retailer in Vermont who imports wooden toys from Europe, which has long had stringent toy safety standards, must now pay for testing on every toy they import.
  
• And even the handful of larger toy makers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007.

The fines for selling products under the wire is up to $100,000. Products made prior to the date will pretty much need to be discarded instead of sold.

Well, you say, I don't buy handmade items. Does this really apply to me? Do you ever take your child to the library? Well, the way the Act is written, books will need to be removed from school libraries, and children under 12 may be banned. Don't believe me? Read here.

Don't get me wrong. I'm totally about protecting our kids from the harm of lead poisoning. But our politicos rushed through this legislation a little too quickly, and I honestly don't believe they thought through the implications at the time. Forbes even commented on how the Act needs to be scrapped.

There are a few things that you can do. You can contact your senator or congressman(or woman), or sign the online petition.

In the meantime, if you have any favorite Etsy shops, now might be the time to make that purchase if you were putting it off until a later date! www.etsy.com

Pushing Boundaries

One of the things about my kids that simply amazes some of my friends is how well the like to push their limits with me. Boo is a master at this. All the while that I'm trying to learn to cope with this, my mom has been saying something along the line of "watch out for Rosebud. If you think Boo is tough, she's going to drive you nuts."

My tots being who they are, they can't simply throw a temper tantrum that I can easily ignore or redirect. No, they LOVE to test me, to push me to see how much it takes to get me to cave. "Well, this is expected", you might say. "Children need to test their boundaries". With my darlings, should they figure out that they can't get me to change my position on a particular issue, well, they try to work outside the box. And around it, under it and over it.

Lately, Princess Pea has been fighting naptime. Not because she doesn't need them; she does.
No, its more because she is afraid she might miss something! She's figured out that Sam doesn't nap; he gets to play while she is snoozing.

Pea needs advance warning for just about anything, so she can organize blankets, dolls, etc appropriately before naptime. Lately, when I would tell her "finish your lunch so we can go upstairs" she would sit, grinning, with one piece of food left on her plate. After a few days of my grinning back as I swooped up the last bite and tossed it/wrapped it up for later, she gave up.

Today, she had a different plan of attack. When I announced it was almost naptime (and, getting smarter, didn't mention finishing lunch), she stuffed the last remaining chicken nugget in her mouth. In its entirety.

Grinning, she proceeded to chew. And chew. And chew.
10 minutes later, she's still sitting there with a mouthful of food.

"Swallow it, please" I tell her. She (pretends to) swallow. "Let me see", I ask.
Mouth opened, I see the aforementioned nugget in less than appetizing condition.
"Swallow it, please, Pea!" She just sits, smiling smugly. Aha! she thinks. I've found it! I've found the perfect way to avoid naptime!

Now, at this point, I'm:
a) Mad, because she is clearly pushing me;
b) grossed out, because lets face it, she's been chewing the same bite for going on 12 minutes now; and
c) a bit freaked out, because, clearly, she can't swallow that whole mouthful, and I'm afraid she's going to make a break for it, trip with that mouthful of food and choke. (Good Italian-Catholic guilt and paranoia at work.)

Ok, mom, YOU are in charge her. Someone has to be the adult, and its YOU. So, go do it....
"Listen, Miss Pea, you need to choose: Swallow it, or spit it out". Her cute little head shakes back and forth, a smug smile on her barely closed lips.

Mean Mommy takes over. She marches her little girl down to the bathroom, plops her on the counter, and when Pea opens her mouth to yell....Mean Mommy sticks a finger in there and scoops out that chewed bite of McNasty and throws it away. Pea swallows. "I did it!!!"

Good girl. Good Mommy, too.

Kids NEED boundaries. They need to know what they can expect from us - it provides them a safety net, a comfort zone. They also need consistency in how we as parents respond to the crossing of those boundaries. Its a tough job, resisting the tears and tantrums, when it would be so much easier to give in.

Its said that God never gives us more than we can handle, but some days, with how hard my two can push, well, let it be said that I think he has way too much faith in me!

It won't be her day job but....I'm no photographer

Last year, on a train ride home from the city, Maddie sat next to me, happily chatting away to the Madame Alexander Wicked Witch doll she found in her Happy Meal.

The woman in front of me asked if she was always this happy (I wish) and said "You know, she is very personable and delightful. I'm in THE BUSINESS, and you should take her to an agency." On her way out, she leaned over and stage whispered "take her to Lily's Kids".

While this is always flattering to hear, its most likely not something that I'd consider. However, when it came to taking pictures of my first tutus for sale, who better to model than Princess Pea, the tutu queen herself?

Not exactly the shot I was looking for....

as she was having too much fun, dancing and spinning in it....

So with a few threats, and a promise of a new tutu for HER, I did get the sweet Maddie...

Now I just need to finish my purple tutu for Lyla, so her mommy can help me take more professional looking photos...

Its the Simple Things in Life

This afternoon, like any other Monday afternoon, I woke Princess Pea up from her much needed nap so that we (they) could play at open gym at the local gymnastics place. (Before my dear friends can give me, the nap-nazi, grief about waking up my own daughter from a deep, blissful sleep, let me say in my defense that she is starting to give up her naps, and anything over an hour now has her up talking in bed until 8:30 or 9pm.)

Today, however, was different.

Today, I presented Maddie with her first gymnastics leotard.

Initially, still groggy, she brushed it away. "No sparkles Mommy. Want one without sparkles." Unusual in itself for my girly girl. However, the lure of something pink and sparkly was too much to resist, and she struggled to put it on before asking for help. She ran to admire it in the mirror, and returned, gently and lovingly running her hands over her belly "tank you so much mommy for dis beautifuwl gym-nastyicks outfit".

At the gym, she would be in the middle of play, catch sight of me, and come running to me. Each time, she would lovingly touch the new outfit, and say her thankful, wording never changing.

And it struck me - when was the last time that I was so wowed, so grateful for such a simple gift? And if I was, was I ever as expressive in showing my gratitude?

I mean, aside from the gift of a dual-control electric blanket last year from the hubs (and I do thank him every time I hit that preheat button, because the air in our room can get pretty, well, brisk when its 7 degrees outside as it is situated over uninsulated space), I really have to search to recall the everyday things that really wow me like they do when you still have your childhood innocence.

Granted, I do have a "gratitude journal", and while I cannot say enough about the benefits of keeping one, most of the thoughts jotted down in it, well, stay in it.

(In the interest of focusing on the positive my kids do, instead of the negative, I do try to make a point during snuggle time before bed to thank them or acknowledge what good behaviors particularly stick out. Snuggle time is the one time I really do have each child's undivided attention, and it is amazing the comments and really deep insights that I get from my 4 year old.) But that is about the extent of it.

Given the economy today, the struggles that some people face, be it health, financially, or spiritually, there is more need than ever to recognize and acknowledge (and better yet, verbalize) those little things that make each day a little better, a little brighter. If even for a moment.

Take a moment: What happened today that was a bright spot, a blessing, unexpected, be it big or small?

Make me Laugh Monday - "With Friends like this - what was I thinking?"

This is a bit of a late entry in Jenny on the Spot's Make Me Laugh Monday challenge, as its been one of those days, but who doesn't need a laugh on a Monday?

As someone who married, well, not fresh out of college, I remember the occasion where some buddies and I had the "if none of us are married when we're 40" conversations. We were sitting in the beer garden at an upscale pool hall-with-a-sand-volleyball-court kind of places, sharing a celebratory pitcher after a ridiculously funny/pitiful round of volleyball. Now, mind you, these weren't my closest friends - these were my meet you at the country bar and drink until you are stupid and line dance like we are actually cool buddies. (Note, I've never been described as a partier, but these guys were a hoot and a half when they got rolling, and you kind of got sucked into the madness.) So after a couple pitchers, we decided that whoever didn't get married would marry each other. Even better, we also agreed that if our spouses passed first, we'd all move into the same nursing home together, so we wouldn't be alone when our ungrateful kids decided it was too much of a hassle to visit us.

Now, with the scene set (and no other smooth segue:)

We've all been to one of those weddings where the Best Man doesn't get it...either he drones on and on, recounting all his favorite stories of the groom that are either so inside that no one can figure out the funny, or they just aren't funny. Or, he interjects far too many snarky comments.

http://www.freakybestmanspeech.com/

So tell me - did you make a when I'm 40 promise?

Too Much Rock for Just One Hand

If you've seen Sam's You Tube video, then you know that his new favorite expression is "Too much rock for just one hand." Sam has added a few new U2 songs to his playlist, but his most recent favorite is by the Jimmies, titled "Bedhead". Now, I should mention that his most current overwatched show on Playhouse Disney (and On Demand) is the Imagination Movers, particularly a recent episode which involved Scott's out of control "bad hair day", so while the video cracked him up, the music had him rockin' out. And having this Mommy hit the play button on the laptop, over, and over, and over.

Needless to say, he wants to know when the Jimmies will be on Playhouse Disney?

In our house, the term is actually "Frankendoo". Sam and Daddy have some pretty spectacular ones...Sam was rocking an awesome one right after bathtime tonight, and we were treated to one final chorus of Bedhead as he hopped around the bathroom singing into his toothbrush...(oh, c'mon, you know you do it too...)

and Ashley, Sam is working on a Frankendoo song, just for you.

(P.S. be sure to play the "Elephant" video, too. Cause where else do you hear the word wrunkle in a song, which is now the kids new favorite silly word.)

Friday's Favorite Thing: CountryWorkshop Signs

Trolling through Etsy, I came across the seller Country Workshop. They offer a sweet, delightful, and sometimes downright hilarious selection of wall signs for your home.

I mean, what's not to love when there is an entire section of wine, chocolate and coffee?
(Or, for that matter, men/cowboys/fairies!)

I think I need this one for my kitchen:

You can nab this sign and more at their Etsy shop here!

Maddie's favorite Princess - Revisited

Yes, you guessed it - still Jasmine, according to Maddie.

Do you think I could make an arrangement with Disney to get some kind of product placement agreement? And yes, she dressed herself, and picked out all the dining accessories.

He's Just A Guy

Sam asked why I wasn't going to Bible Study this morning. I told him that it was Inauguration Day - this is the day that Barack Obama becomes our new President. It was a "Big Day".

Sam understands "Big Days". He also knows who Barack is, as they even had a vote of their own on Election Day. (Sam voted for Barack, because he was Red, and red is his favorite color.)

So he asks, "Why is it a Big Day? He is just a guy".

He's four. At four years old, race is never an issue - friends are friends.

Its a hopeful glimpse into the future of America - a day when race isn't an issue, and a guy is "just a guy".

Partners in Crime

Today was like any other day.

"Mommy, Sam hit me", Maddie sobs. Sam retorts "I did NOT!" - despite the puzzle-shape welt growing on the side of Maddie's cheek.

"Why did you hit her, Sam?", I ask.

"Because she was making it snow puzzle pieces on my puzzle", he responds. (Note to self: its all in how you ASK the question - he doesn't even realize I just busted him.)

After another time out, during which time he talks to Daddy on the phone - not, I think, a SuperNanny approved move - they fall back into their usual routine of playing, fighting, crying, intervention, and playing.

As I rushed around the kitchen, trying to straighten it up before the mad dash for school, I heard giggles from the living room. I peek around the corner and see

two munchkins, giggling together on the couch.

Another moment of hope on an inspirational day.

Obamacon Me!

Shepard Fairey's iconic Obama poster is a memorable one. As we sit today and watch today's historic inauguration ceremonies, have a bit of fun too, making your own "Obamacon". Make history for yourself! (Or your kids...or your cat...or favorite character.)

Go to Paste Magazine to make your own Obamacon!

Make your own mark on history.

Jenny's Make Me Laugh Monday

I thought I'd join in on Jenny on the Spot's challenge for Make Me Laugh Monday (since its been one doozy of a day!) I was going to post about my kids (surprise) until I came across a picture on another blog that just cracked me up.

As someone who is NOT a fan of Valentine's Day, this had Coke Zero coming out my nose!

Ok, so maybe I didn't get a lot of valentines in elementary school.

But I was the smartest, and I'm not bitter, so there!

Introducing Sam Lenny and the Train Rockers

Sam performing his version of U2's "In the Name of Love", followed by "Go Tell it on the Mountain" and his title song, "Train Rock" on his very own stage, gifted to him by Papa. Be sure to watch until the the last song, to hear his new catch-phrase.

Its a joyful noise!

A thought before bedtime...

"Mommy, why do we have to watch out for fall germs?"

"Ummm. Fall germs? What are those?" (mommy plays innocent - instead of stupid)

"The germs that come in the fall."

"Well, sweetie, there are all types of germs, but they aren't for just one season. Where did you hear of fall germs?"

"At school*, we looked at pictures of germs. There is one shaped like a hammer. It (bonking himself on head) gives you a headache."

Wouldn't life be so much easier if germs were shaped in a way that related them to the illness they caused?


*just want to clarify that Sam goes to a wonderful school, and his take was his preschooler translation!

Friday's Favorite Thing: BrookeFreckles Handmade Star Crayons

My kids love to color. Heck, I love to color! And what kid wouldn't want to color with these crayons made by BrookeFreckles on Etsy:



Aren't they PURTY? Maddie was happy because a good portion of her share of the crayons had pink or purple in them. (Ok, mom is clever that way! Oh, alright, and Brooke was a doll and divvied up the crayons before she mailed them to me, packaging them each in their own bag. Mommies understand these things.) Sam thought it was really cool that he could make so many colors with only 4 crayons (his share) - and they had a lot of red and green. I loved that they didn't roll off the table - which is how I spend most of my time dining out while we wait for the food to arrive - chasing down errant crayons.

For Valentine's Day, she has some darling heart shaped crayons - with glitter! (You can NEVER have too much glitter.) Go check her out on Etsy.

Three guesses...

....as to which Princess is Rosebud's favorite?

1. 2

3

If you guessed "Jasmine" from Aladdin, you guessed correctly!!!!

(Huh?????)

That's what she told me this morning. Never can tell with this girl...oh, and yes, she IS watching "The Little Mermaid".

As for me, I'm still trying to find the greater lesson in this movie. I realize it is about love conquering all.

However, in my more pessimistic moments, I see a 16 year old who disobeys all her father's rules, sells herself to go chasing after a boy she's never really met, and puts her family at risk. Oh, sure, love saves her in the end - after she nearly gets the guy drowned and her father killed. Yes, that sounds like a fairy tale! The reality of today is that she runs away, gets pregnant, drops out of school and gets hooked on meth while hooking so she can eat.

Wow. Guess I shouldn't blog before coffee....yes, mom, that's why its a fairy tale.

I think I'll go pour myself a cup and snuggle with my sweet kids, sing "part of your world" and lighten up.

Maddie's change of tune

Its amazing what a well placed threat - er - encouragement will do with a 2 year old!

Boo has been taking gymnastics classes for the last year. Up until about 2 months ago, Maddie watched with fascination, occasionally stopping to cheer Sam on. When Coach Sue decided that Maddie was close enough to 3yrs old to join the Preschool class and to join in at open gym time, Princess Pea decided she wanted nothing to do with gymnastics, thank you, I'll be in the coat room playing in the Little Tikes garden. Yes, she takes off her shoes and socks like big brother, but no thanks to anything beyond that.

Last week, antsy-pants spent most of open gym time bouncing on the sofa next to me. Nothing could get her to expend some of that energy IN the gym.

This week, before we left I told her the coaches were very unhappy with us because she was jumping on the furniture, and that it was NOT allowed. So, she had two choices: she could jump on the trampoline, OR, she could spend the entire time with me, sitting in the minivan, without a movie.

So, it was little surprise that this week after stripping off boots and little socks that she ran up to the front desk, held up her hand and said "I want a stamp too, please", and ran like a mad-woman into the gym! She'd walk on the balance beam, run back out to wave to me, and barrel back into the room. I walked in to get a closer look at her bouncing on the tramp, and Coach Sue came over with a look of marvel on her face "Look at her! She is doing great! - what did you do to her???"

We all knew she'd love it if we could only get her in there.

If all my not-so-veiled threats were so well accepted!

PhotoStory Sunday

Once upon a time there was a Princess. She was very fond of soft, furry things.
And hats.
And coats.

And if those hats and coats were also soft and furry, "yike a bear", she was especially pleased.

Even moreso if she could wear them with her pretty red shoes.

Yes, she is a diva-in-training.

Doesn't she look divine?

19...20...Goo-goo-blah-blah

There is no "ready or not, here I come" in my house, when the kiddos play hide-and-seek in the basement. No, for some reason, they count to - well, whatever the chosen number is for that day, and then yell "goo goo blah blah". (Sounds like something from Seinfeld, actually.)

Don't ask, I don't have the faintest idea why. But it cracks me up.

Boo still has not grasped the idea of the game - he is the first to jump out when he's hiding, yelling "can't find MEEEE". Princess Pea giggles too hard - its not difficult to find her. Her favorite hiding place? Under the cube slide.

Mine, of course, is under the church pew. It takes some maneuvering to get myself under there, but its a great spot that they always forget to check. And I'm happy I can fit there!

And of course, "its not called Hide and Seek. Its actually called Tickle Monster, Mommy" corrects Boo. That is because once everyone has giggled and given themselves away, whoever is "It" chases the hiders and tries to catch and tickle them before they reach the "safe spot" - the bottom of the stairs.

For now, the screams of glee are too much to resist. I think its my turn to be Tickle Monster.

Goo-Goo, Blah blah!

A Flashback Moment (or, Am I Really That Old?)

They say you are only as old as you feel. Well, if that is the case, mentally, I'm still about 33. Yes, that sounds like the age when I stopped, well, feeling older. (Physically however, there are days after chasing kids and battling whines that I feel every bit my 40 years.)

A fellow Facebooker just posted that WXRT has been talking about & playing music from 1986 - the year he (and I) graduated from high school just as he was driving past his high school -not the one I graduated from, by the way. Someone else followed his comment with a post that they were BORN in 1986 - and my initial reaction was "punk kid" - until I realized that that "kid" was 23!

Yikes.

Now, my cousin Sarah and I are pretty close. I don't regard her as a "little cousin" (even though it is her mother and I who are actually cousins). She's more like a baby sister to me. But thinking about that Facebook post had me digging through photo albums.

Beyond the fact that I'm glad the fashions from the '80s are long gone (at least from MY wardrobe - no way any designer can trick me into wearing that stuff again) and that my hair will NEVER be that large again, I came across a picture that made me realize that I am older than I thought.

Only for you, dear readers, do I post THIS:

Yes, those are my bangs that are standing up. I found another picture, and I think they were a good 3 inches long. Impressive hairspray, no? Now, if you look closely at the photo, the cutie on the far right is none other than Miss PRSarahEvans, Twitter and social media queen. I don't know how old she is in the picture - I'm a freshman in college - but for the sake of ego I'm going to say she is a very young looking 16?

Maybe not.

So, I guess it is true - you ARE only as old as you feel, because in no way can I be THIS much older than her.


As I my email signature reads:
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO - what a ride!'"


I'm going to go have another glass of red wine for my heart with a piece of dark chocolate for my cholesterol, and roll around on the floor with my kids playing tickle monster. I've got a ways to go before I'm used up!

For my Southern relatives...

If I could box up some snow and send it to you, believe me, I would --

we have more than enough here to share.

And yes - the kids WILL swing in this weather...

Brrr. Just looking at the pictures make me want to wrap myself in a grandma afghan with a mug of hot cocoa and not come out until June.

You know, when the weather finally warms up.

Friday's Favorite Thing: Madbags Portable Toybox

I'm long overdue in sharing this fantastic find: Madbags portable toybox (or Mommy organizer, if you will):



This little cubby is perfect for organizing your car. It includes two small pockets in the front, large enough to hold a sippy or other small item. But the genius here? There is a small strap on the back of the cubby that utilizes your seat belt to secure it in place - every had to make a fast stop, only to have everything go flying? Not with this baby!


I actually have two: one for the kids, between their seats, and one for me on the front seat. I'll be honest, between both pregnancies, hormones scrambled something in my brain (Ed. note: that's past-tense, Bob, I'm NOT pregnant now) and I am now so absentminded its ridiculous. I keep hand sanitizer and a small package of kleenex in the front pockets, and fill it with all the fun things I need to remember for the day - stuff for errands, papers that need to go back to the school, a book, my phone - anything. It has two small handles for easy transportation between the car and my house. LOVE IT.


I actually bought the second one this summer, right before our vacation in the OBX. The kids and I drove out ahead of hubby, and I had mine loaded to the gills with all kinds of snacks for all of us, premeasured and ready to grab without taking my eyes of the road. I highly recommend it!


Madbags is back from a little holiday break on January 10. Check it out here!

Happy Birthday, my darling husband!

Happy Birthday, Pete!

Today, my wonderful husband turned 45. (Yes, I married an older man!) However, due to local fire regulations, we could only put 4 + 5 candles on his cake. Well, that and it was smallish to begin with. (But from Cold Stone Creamery, so acceptable.)

All kidding aside, I am blessed to have this amazing man by my side.

I love him for his sensitivity, sense of humor, his grouchiness before he's had his morning coffee;

his self-discipline in getting to the gym at the crack of dawn. I love his appreciation for family history and family traditions. (Like taking birthday pictures on Grandmommy's sofa.) I appreciate how he takes the kids after dinner to give them their baths, read them stories and put them to bed (rocking for Pea and a snuggle for Boo) without complaint, even on his longest days. I love him for when he gets teary-eyed at movies, tear-jerker story lines and some days, just watching his kids.

So happy birthday, Uncle Fussy. I love you to the moon and back.

A handsome devil, isn't he?

A little help blowing out the candles


A snuggly moment with Princess Pea and Boo.

Escapism, mommy style

Its been a rough morning. My lovely daughter was apparently NOT ready to get out of bed, and proceeded to whine-speak. I do not speak whine, do not even attempt to understand it.

There is something about a child's whine that akin to driving a white hot fork into my eye socket. An excruciating pain develops behind my left eye, my right eye begins to twitch, and the yell-center of my brain (yes, there is one - its related to the eyes in the back of my head) is switched to "on".

Sam saw how much fun Maddie's whine appeared to be, and he thought he'd join the fun. So what did I do?

In a proud parenting moment, I turned on PBS Kids, and went outside to clear the driveway of the freshly fallen snow. By hand.

Cheap trick to prolong a moment of solitude, yes. However, what struck me, once my blood pressure lowered, was how profoundly silent it was. The sky was overcast, the snow was light and sparkly, and there was that blessedly peaceful sound of nothing but the snow crunching underfoot.

Try as I might, I couldn't still my busy brain, but I tried my hardest to enjoy it before the next round of snow boots and coat battles begun.

So take you moment while you can. Today, I tried to recall that quiet crunching sound of snow under my boots every time the kids lit up the annoyance board. Its almost working.

Well, that, and a healthy dose of Lexapro.

Building Traditions

This Easter, we won't be making our usual trip to Virginia. We are still working out alternate plans, and in the meantime, it had me thinking about the smaller, fun and funny habits and traditions that have come to be over the past few years....

This year, we started what we decided would be a new one: a New Year's Day movie and lunch out together. The theater was uncrowded, the movie fun and a great subject of conversation at lunch;


At night, the kids and I blow each other kisses, which we catch and whisper "I put it in my pocket" for later in the night, if we can't sleep or get lonely in bed;

Sam getting up early in the morning just to "share" breakfast with Daddy and then wave goodbye from the front window;

Going to the train station to watch trains come and go while waving to the engineer (hoping for a honk of the horn) and saying hi to the conductor;

Hugging Sam, and then pretending he is "stuck" to me, and finding someone to pull his leg and "pop" him off;

Running laps around the first floor playing "tickle monster" and "bucky-bucky" (the kids love Pete's version of a bucking bronco piggyback ride) ;

Riding the train into the city, sometimes just for the sake of taking a train ride, and sometimes to go someplace special, like BluesFest;

Going to the Chicago Botanic Garden: Sam, in particular, has a routine - we visit the "choo choo" garden, then walk to the waterfall, go to lunch in the cafe, and then back to the train garden for one last visit;

Taking a million pictures of the kids on every type of vehicle imaginable at Barrington's Big Trucks festival, all the while trying to manage the kids impatience to get on the Garbage truck and wishing I'd loaded up on Advil (on the days they don't pull the fuses on all the truck horns) - I think I have pictures of Sam sitting on the park district's big lawn mower for the past 4 years;

"Picnics" in the family room floor, the psychedelic fleece blanket spread out (ostensibly, to catch crumbs).

I'm sure there are more that will come to mind later, but its amazing to me what we've built as a family in the past (almost) 6 years. There are days I want to tear my hair out, days I want to quit, but most days I'm filled with a sense of peace (and sense of humor) and thankful for the gift of my family.

The gift I can't exchange or return - And (most days) wouldn't dream of!

Rock on, Sam!

Sam is our little rocker and an imaginative boy. He's never needed fancy instruments - in a pinch, a garden rake or even a story book will suffice for a guitar, (he plays a mean air guitar, too, just don't call it that) and a tee-ball stand for a microphone. The front steps make an excellent stage, as does the front yard. (Acoustics kind of suck, though.) While he is aching to rock it out on his classical guitar, I'm not yet allowing it - although, maybe he would be more inclined to practice without argument.

However, he truly is in his glory on his new stage, microphone, guitar and amplifier. We just need to expand his repertoire beyond U2!

Enjoy!

Counting my blessings

In the words of Dean Martin "Baby, its cold outside".

Cold, a bit snowy, but beautiful. Its a blessing to live in such a wonderously pretty place.

New Year's Resolutions

Historically, I have not been one for New Year's Resolutions - keeping them, that is. Oh, I gamely make a list, but if I have something I really want to accomplish, I usually wait until Lent - 'cause as you know, give up something (or take up something) for 40 days, and you can form/break a habit. The "this year I will" is too vague for me, but Lent is manageable.


However, I still like to make a list - and then I have something to work with for Lent. And I'll be honest, I LOVE making lists. So here goes, in no particular order:


1. Take a knitting (or crocheting) class- finally. I started a pair of mittens when Sam was 8 months old. They are not finished. I really need to go to a class, where I can get help immediately. I'm tired of unravelling and starting over in frustration.


2. Lose 20 pounds. I lost 16 on Weight Watchers in 2007, and gained much back in 2008. My cholesterol has been high since I had Maddie, so I really have to regain control. See my hipbones again - lets just keep it simple!


3. Get organized. Oprah had a show which stated your external environment was a reflection of your internal mindset. If that is the case, then that explains why I'm so disorganized. I was never like this before I had kids - I was extremely efficient...Clutter really sends me into sensory overload...

3.5 (as this goes hand in hand with getting organized) - regain my self-discipline. Part of the problem with organization is that I let myself get distracted from the task at hand, and get caught up in something else.


4. Be the best mommy to my kids that I can be. Which means using 3 and 3.5 to find more time to spend with them individually and together; to find creative ways to get Sam to practice guitar, instead of nagging; to yell less and praise and acknowledge more...


5. Try one new recipe a week. I'm bored with my menus. We eat healthy, as a rule, but when I am uninspired I tend to fall back on prepackaged foods.


6. Get back to the gym on a regular basis. 'nuf said there. Look at #2.


7. Learn to work the sewing machine my mom bought me. I can't figure the thing out, and I have lots of ideas...


8. Throw out my old makeup. Some of the lipstick in there dates back to my single days. Ugh. When it tastes weird, its time to go...


9. Learn to love my hair. It will never likely be long again, and no shampoo, conditioner or hair product will actually make it shinier or fuller. Time to toss the excess "product" cluttering up the bathroom, and instead celebrate the fact that I'm not on a first name basis with my colorist, as at 40 I'm just now finding my first gray hairs...


and, because I like nice round numbers:


10. Create a "vision board" to hang over my kitchen desk to keep me focused on what I want to accomplish!