What A Day

My day began yesterday with Tom hurting his back again. This meant I now had 3 kids to take care of. Let me say that the biggest was the worst too. Lucky for us his back is not as bad as last time and he still had good meds from the last time too.

But things continued with B refusing to do any errands while A was at "camp". So I came back home and found out that a few of my bills I have paid on line were late. My Kohl's was sent, but never received. Great for my cash flow and credit report :) After calling the bank I think things are taken care of.

Moving along to playing outside with A and B. "Set up the sprinkler Mommy" "Can we have the water table?" "I'm not having any fun!" and so on and so on. But the best is when I put out the sprinkler and out little neighbor girl runs over in her suit to play too. And where is her mom you might ask? Oh she is no where to be seen. I guess I am now a day care.

Lunch was served and my sister was over. Then off to nap for A. She is really catching on to this nap thing to. If she sleeps she misses all the fun. So lots of tears this time. Alone time with B.
At 2:30 I have to go to mom's house to get sister off the bus since Dad is not home. I like the peace and quiet.

Run back home since kids were left with bad back dad. First, stop at store for flowers and a few items. Grab B and head over to library with flowers for the last book time. Get home to find A all over me again.

Start dinner which is a total anything in the fridge type meal. Tom goes to get glasses and the whole cabinet door falls off. Well almost off. I still need to stop what I'm doing to unscrew the hinges so the door can be fully removed. A then proceeds to want to change seats on the bench and spills her whole plate of food all over the new bench cushion. Did I mention we were having pasta with sauce? Clean that up and B spills her milk! I was just waiting to see what T was going to spill next.

A decides she is not going to eat tonight and goes off to play. Fine with me. B finished and goes on the computer for her daily "computer time". A of course now drops what she is playing with and wants computer time too. I tell her, "not now" which results in me getting hit and being called "stupid" Oh I so love this little temper! She then gets sent to the naughty step.

It does not take but a few seconds for her to come to me from the naughty step with the need for a diaper change and some chewed up carrot pieces. As I go to the stairs I find a few more chewed carrot pieces on the stairs. I question both kids, but to my surprise "no one knows how it happened" No one knows how more carrot pieces got in the sink either by the way. Although A claimed to stand on the toilet and spit them in the sink. Could happen, but I'm not buying it. I think it is the big one not the little one who is responsible.

So with a clean diaper and an apology A is back downstairs at the computer. After a little Elmo fix it is now bed times! Again little miss temper starts and almost looses her story. Both books read, water cups filled, blankets on, and kisses given. I now go downstairs to relax. What a day!

What Every Princess Should Have

Yes, these are photos of the not yet finished playhouse inside the playroom at my neice's house! She does not have any kids, but loves to provide for visitors. This house has 2 floors with a full staircase, balcony, front and back doors, recessed lighting... When finished it will have carpet inside, twinkle lights, flower boxes, painted outside, and of course more stuff inside. The girls loved it. As did I. I did go inside and upstairs. I did have to duck, for it is not adult size :) It sure is cool. I now know what we need to have Grandpa start building at my house.

Our visit in Philly

So we are here in Philly with Marianne. The girls are having a great time as am I.

The flight went very well. In fact I even got to sleep for a few minutes while the girls watched a movie. Sleep is something I never get when Tom flies with us. I don't know why, but it just never happens even though I am the one seated with the girls. A looked super cute wheeling her little Elmo bag behind her all through the airport and the plane. Bridget too had a good time being the helper to me.

All the aunts and cousins again were impressed with the girls. Some were meeting A for the first time. It seems weird to think that she is 2 and some of her aunts had never even seen her. I mean we don't live that far away. We do come in town at least twice a year too. But it was nice to have her seen by all now. The next time will be in September for the wedding.

Well I have to get the girls to leave the dogs alone for now. I think they need a break from the girls and some peace. More soon.

Funny/Scary Face

This is A's new thing. She loves to make this face. Why? Because when she makes this face no matter how many times, we crack up. She must have done it 20 times at my mom's this weekend. She just went around to everyone making the face and getting the laugh. This photo was actually on my sister's blog, and so I copied it and used it. Now it might not look all that funny, but when she does it I swear it is a laugh. I did find myself thinking... She better stop this before her face freezes this way.

Can I go on Strike?

Any one else tired of picking-up toys and other crap all day every day? I find that I am now begining to think before I pick up and then end up just leaving it. Why throw away that napkin? There will be another one there soon. Why put away the crayons? They will just take them out again. Why put dishes in the dishwasher? More will magically appear in the sink. I feel like I now need to clean the house top to bottom due to my thinking. I'm not sure how I cleaned and meals thought out and made before. I just am done and want to go away on an alone vacation. I'm sure when I got back it would be even worse, So why go? Darn thinking!

The girls and I are going to visit my husband's family this week without my husband. I now feel like I need to have the place clean and food in the fridge before we leave. I'm sure the house will not get cleaned while we are gone. I need to pack and get a few other things finalized before then too. As my list gets longer, my time, patience, and will get shorter. I am now finding myself on the computer reading blogs and telling my oldest to find something to do while the youngest naps.

So I ask... Can I just go on strike?!

Why Buy Toys?

We buy toys inorder to get the great bags. I could not believe that the girls played with this bag for 45 minutes last night. They each got in it, colored on it, dragged each other around in it, and much more. It was nice to see them have fun with such a simple object. I guess all that TV and computer time is not hurting them after all. They can still use their imagination. Plus they did it all with the help of Mommy or Daddy. We just sat back and laughed.

Time Check

Just a quick post for now.

B walks into my room this morning at 6:17. She looks at me and sees that I'm not really sleeping so proceeds to "have to tell me something." I proceed to interrupt her with,"It is too early for you to be up." And she says," But mom, you said I can get up when there is a 7 on my clock." Can she work the system or what? I did not let her get up yet even after my quick, the 7 has to be the first number not the last explanation. We then snuggled for about 20 minutes. She could not longer take it and had to get up. Ok, good, get out of my bed. I "rested" till 7:15 :)

Backseat Driver

I was taking B to camp today when all of a sudden a car pulled out in front of us. I had room and there was not an accident. But B yelled out "WHOA Mom!" I replied with,"What?"
B: You almost hit that car.
Me: I did not almost hit it, I didn't even press on my brakes yet.
B: Mom, tell the truth. You did almost hit that car.
Me: What are you talking about? Do you really think I would hit a car with you and your sister in it?
B:I know you wouldn't try, but I hate to break it to you. If your breaks didn't work what would have happened? Come on, tell me what would have happened?
Me: I guess I might have hit that car.
B: That is right. So you did almost hit that car like I said.

Imagine what I say when she get behind the wheel:)

And might I add for the next 3 minutes A kept asking,"hit car mommy?"

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I find it so funny to watch A copy everything that B does. Being the younger sister, A believes that if B can do it, so can she! Today was a great example of this Can Do attitude. We were in our play room watching B spin around to make her skirt fan out. A thought this too she could do. So she pushed B out of the way while telling her"my turn". And she spun her heart out. For the next 5 minutes all I saw and heard was "my turn" as the girls rotated spinning in front of me. As fun as it was I did leave them to take a quick shower.

It also goes the other way where B copies A. At dinner tonight A refused to wear her bib while eating spaghetti and meatballs. So I simple solved this by removing her white shirt for this meal. I figured sauce won't stain skin. Well B to informed me that since she didn't want to get her shirt messy she would take it off too. I looked at Tom and said"I am leaving my shirt on so don't even think about it!" A proceeded to chant through the meal "nakie! I nakie" I really wanted to take an after shot of the sauce covered tummy, but I felt a little funny posting that on my blog. You never know what weirdo might see it.

I look forward to the rest of the copies, for it sure is fun to watch the learning going on. It is also interesting to try to figure out what will be copied and what won't. I have started to figure out that only the things I don't want copied are. Big surprise there :)

Bad Mothering?

I found myself not being a very good mom today. I know some of you will find this hard to believe, but it is true. How could I not be a good mom you ask? Well this morning B was on the computer with A while I finished laundry. Since they were sharing and being good I used this moment to call a friend to complain about my husband. I know, again you can't believe that I would complain. But I did. As I was on the phone A no longer wanted to just watch the computer game. She wanted to press buttons too. B did not like this one bit. So I did the first thing that came to my mind to stop the fighting without ending my phone call. I told A to come here and that I would put on the new Chicka, Chicka Boom,Boom video that we got from the library yesterday. She came running to me, sat down, and began chanting Boom, Boom! So as I finished my phone call I had one child plugged into the computer and the plugged into the TV. Not one of my best mothering moments. But on the plus side I did finish the phone call and soon B came in, sat next to A on the couch, and both watched the end of the video-together, without fighting :) Maybe I'm not so bad after all?

Yoga Mat or Magic Carpet?

I was cleaning up the kitchen when I began to hear the girls laughing TOGETHER. This was such an odd sound, for I normally hear them bickering. I turned to look and found them playing on their "magic carpet". Notice it still looks like A is getting the best of B, but I assure you she is holding on, not trying to strangle her big sister. It is so nice to see and listen to them playing together and use their crazy imagination. I too had to laugh and join in on the game. I did not get to ride the carpet, I just got to be the bad witch. How I long for the day when I get to be a good witch!

I Spy...

So this is an actual photo of a space in my house that many of you never see. Perhaps my sister, but she is over a lot. This space will stay clean for only moments and then returns to a mess. No matter how often it is cleared, it will return to mass chaos. If I allowed you to see it on a visit to my house I would take you through the "dining room" and there you would see what most people call a table. I however, call it my crap catcher.

So what can you spy? How many different things can you spy? I swear I will clean it up and put it all where it belongs, but first I must finish my blog :)

I like to believe that each of us have a space just like this. For that reason only am I letting you see mine. It is a space that haunts me some days, and yet when clean it is a wonderful sight. Why is it that I don't like others to see this if I believe we all have it? I guess because then I would not be a "perfect" SAHM (stay at home mom).

So relish in the fact that you don't have a mess like this and for that you are a better SAHM than I. Or take comfort in the fact that I too have a messy part in my house and my kids smile.

Last Night

So Tom and I took my sisters to see the Soul 2 Soul concert last night. This is the Tim McGraw/Faith Hill show. I will say that I don't mind country, but am not a huge fan. However this show was darn good. They played for hours. It was interesting to see how Tim and Faith interacted with the crowd differently. Faith was all over any child in the audience, where I think Tim was all about the reaction he got when he flexed his arms. I actually like Faith's songs more so that half of the show I liked best. It was an interesting crowd. Many ages, mostly whites, and good mix of men and women. Fair amount of cowboy hats, and not too many slutty outfits. I did like the people watching and with my binoculars I could see a whole lot more :) I still think as a star it would be weird to have tons of people wanting to touch me and hug me and stuff, but I think I would like the applause.

It was a late night, but we had a good time as did my sisters. I would do it again. well, maybe not the same show, but a concert with my sisters.

Back to School Shakes

Now I am not talking about the want or need to go back to teaching. Nor am I talking about my own daughter going back to school. I am talking about the uncontrollable need for back to school supplies! I love this time of the year more than Christmas. All the adds showing the newest products and the great deals on pens, pencils, glue and markers! Yes, many of you I'm sure think this is strange, but I find nothing better than a brand new box of crayons, or a never been written in notebook. Some of this could be derived from my teacher instincts, or from my bargain shopper roots. Whatever the reason the next month is wonderful. The only problem is that I really don't have a need for 10 rulers or 20 folders like I did when I was teaching. So I guess I can go get a few things to replenish the art supply box and hope that will be enough to fill the need.





Another plan is to go nuts and donate the supplies to the local food pantry. I'm sure many of you know which way I'm headed :)

I've Got Nothing

I have now begun to hit the wall on my blogging. What do I do when there is nothing to talk about? JCR has found something interesting to say daily. Me? Not so much. I went to other blogs today and still nothing. I did find a few cute shoes sites and also one for kid's super hero shirts, but couldn't figure out how to get the picture to my blog. So I have nothing!

I am feeling down now that I think some of my lost weight is becoming "found" again. I knew it would happen once I stopped working out daily and since I have been on an eating binge. I mean if it wasn't called working out I might be into it. The word WORK not very appealing to me. If perhaps people called it "resting out" or "easy out". I can't just change the word now because I know what it really is. This is why I knew I should have just stayed fat. Disappointment is so not good for the ego.

The big tear moment today was when B asked me "When are you going away!?" This would stem from the knowledge that her Dad will be gone for 2 days starting tomorrow. Due to the tone of her question she spent 5 minutes lambless on the naughty step. Husband of course thought this was pretty funny, I on the other hand...not so much. So the tears shed were hers, not mine, for the entire 5 minutes.

that is the end of my nothing :)

The One Good One

Here is the one good shot of the girls together. Notice B is not touching A in any way. A would have nothing to do with her if she was actually touching her. Like I said, it is not bad. I am thankful for this one.

Not so sure about B's hair though. I want to get it cut, but she is not going for that. I think it needs a little work. It is usually so pretty. Not so much here :( maybe before school I can convince her.

Lightning Fast

I had such a great bike ride yesterday evening. My brother put new road tires on my bike and man am I fast! I had no idea that taking off the off-road tires would make such a difference in my speed. I should have done it a long time ago. Plus it was about 85 degrees when I rode which is perfect for me. I don't really sweat when I exercise so ridding in the heat makes me drip. I like feeling like I got a work out when I get home all sweaty. I was in such a foul mood before I went out to ride. You know the mood, pissed at everything. Even Tom, who got dinner all ready was not on my good side. So the ride was needed. I called my brother when I got home and sheared with him my increase in speed and gears. I almost can't wait to ride again today. Notice I said almost. Plus the path is all open now so I won't get killed by a truck or yelled at by a "ranger" when I ride it. All good things.

Looks Can Be Deciving

I find it interesting to find all the differences between B and A. On the outside they look like little carbon copies, yet on the inside...

We had another "different" moment this week when my Dad and I took the girls for their yearly photo shoot. When B was 2 years old she wanted nothing more than Grandpa to take her picture. They spent 2 hours at the botanic gardens taking pictures. B would sit on every bench and touch every flower and just smile at Grandpa so he could take a picture. Let me just say I am lucky to have any pictures of A.

No matter where we stopped, or what we asked A to do her reply was the same."NO!" How frustrating it was. There were moments too when she would do what I asked, but would not look at the camera. What a stinker! Finally Dad was able to get a few good shots.

Now on to the girls together. Oh I must have forgotten that A is in the NO B stage. So let me say dad did get a few sister shots, but not many. Funny, we still spent 2 hours there, but not so many shots. How did I get such different girls?

I was wrong?

B informed me today that I was wrong. What? Me? Wrong? I had to ask her to explain this new found info.
B: Mom, didn't you say Ellie is afraid of her bike?
Me: No, I said she doesn't ride it much
B: Well that would be because you think she is a afraid of it, right?
Me: I guess so.
B: well you are wrong, she is not afraid of it. She just doesn't like it much.

I have to say that I have never been more wrong than since B could talk. She really likes to find moments that I might not be correct. Now many of you know I am not perfect, nor right a lot. But like any good woman, we don't want to be told we are wrong EVER. I am trying to get B to understand this, but then again I don't want her thinking I don't make mistakes. Oh what a tough job us moms have.

What I Learned During My Trip to U of I

Today my brother Marty and I took Victoria down to U of I to go apartment hunting. It was a very educational trip. I feel I learned a few valuable lessons that should be shared with others.

1. When having a migraine do NOT take old medicine
2. If medicine is old, do NOT take both pills
3. Do NOT wash down old pills with 2 diet pepsi. (not sure how to make that plural)
4. Collage apartments are gross
5. My brother, sister, and I are trouble together and also very funny
6. Frozen strawberry custard and cold fudge topping is really yummy
7. It is possible to leave my kids with Tom for an entire day

See, I told you some of these learned items will help you too. Hope you had as much fun today as I did.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I don't have much to report today, but came up with this thought after my long afternoon nap today.
A few of my all time favorites:

1. NAPS - These can be taken by me or my kids, but must be an hour or more
2. ICE CREAM- I find nothing better. Any time of the day and just a spoonfull will do it.
3. HUGS- I love good hugs from my girls, however I love a hug from friends and family too. It is such a comfort.
4. READING- I love a good book. I can sit and if allowed begin and finish a book in a few hours.
5. SUNSHINE- Not as much as I used to, but still love sitting in the sun feeling the warmth.
6. SMELL OF BAKED GOODS- Maybe due to my mom who often baked, but I love the smell of bread or muffins baking in the oven
7. CEREAL- I think I can eat cereal 2-3 times a day without a problem. I don't have a favorite cereal however
8. BREAKFAST OUT- My favorite meal to get in a restaurant.
9. Laughter- I enjoy making others laugh. I do love hearing a good belly laugh. One of my favorite laughs would be Jessica or Marissa's. (If you have ever heard Jen's twins laugh you too would list it as your favorite)
10. POPCORN- Movie, air-popped, microwaved, butter, caramel, cheese, it doesn't matter I like them all.

Well there you have it. A few of my favorites. Some you might know, some might be your favorites too, some you might write down for future gift ideas :)

Happy 4th

Well our 4th went well. As you can see I had a lot of fun decorating the rides for this year's bike parade. B was sure to win the bike decoration competition this year. But, ALAS! She did not come home a first place winner. She was not happy about it either. I on the other hand am allready thinking of things to do for next year. I still don't know how we did not win with all the sparkle I put on! A's was a last minute job. I had such a migraine while working on B's, that I just wanted to be finished. I think it still looked cute and she liked it. Both girls had a good time in the parade, and at the town's festivities. A and B had at least 2 cotton candies each, as well as a few snow cones. What a special day it was! I have to say that the snow cones for A are juice free. Yes, that means she is happy as can be eating plain shaved ice. Hey, those things are such a mess and a stain maker. I'm not that crazy. Plus what she doesn't know won't hurt right?

Lots of laughs today. Yet holiday or not, we did have some tears. B found out that one of her best friends lost her first tooth, and not getting first place for her bike brought on her water works. I myself cried when I burned the smores pie I was making for dessert.

Just to let you know I really am still awake on the computer at 12:30am. I just finished some apartment hunting for my sister and now off to bed!

Love to Help

I have a real problem. I love to help others. Now these might be strangers, family, friends, it doesn't matter I love to help. You might be saying,"how is helping others a problem?" Well let me tell you. I help others so often that I forget to help myself. Many moms out there know what this is like. I live close to my large family and being one of the oldest I still love to help as often as I can. This means driving siblings to and from, finding apartments for others, making food for some, and I love to do it all. Perhaps my real problem is that I love being needed. Right now as I sit to type this I have a large "to do" list and still I type away. My husband probably would say it is not the love of helping, but the love of doing it my way. Perhaps he too is right.
Why is it so hard to say "no" or to just do what I need to do? I look forward to finding out, but till then I love helping!

Nikon Moment

I got my new Nikon camera for father's day and I'm still trying to get the hang of it. I will say I feel more like my dad with this fancy camera. I am not nearly ready to give up my professional photographer father, but it is nice to finally get a photo in which A is looking at the camera.

My dad did take a few moments yesterday to set many of the features on my camera so perhaps my photos will be even better now.

I just need to get over the weird feeling that I have when I take this camera out in public. It is a great camera but not, shall we say, very cute. I am getting over the non-cute factor more and more when I see the end photo. Soon there will no need for my cute little camera. Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

Favorite Store?

Just because I find myself going to Kohl's weekly, does that really mean it is my new favorite store? I will admit that I use it as a place for A to "play". I mean there are mornings that I don't want to do much so off to Kohls. Abby loves to play with all the toys in the toy section, and she doesn't ask for any either, unlike B. She also loves to hide in the racks and run around. If the store was busy I would not allow this, but at 8am we are pretty much the only ones around. I find that the more I go the less I buy. Strange, but true. This theory does not hold true in Target however. Kohl's doesn't really have a lot of impulse things for me. I do get the occasional shirt or something, but nothing like I can do at Target. Anyone else have a good place to go and not shop?