The Wait Is Over!!

It has been a long 6(almost) years waiting for this day. Today it finally happened. The day B has been preparing for all year if not longer. She has been the last for everything(in her mind). But today all has evened out. She is now in the new group of kids, no long a have not.

She lost her first tooth!!!

B found, a few weeks ago, that her 2 bottom front teeth were loose. That news was HUGE. Not only did she finally have a loose tooth, but in fact she had 2! At the same time! She has been wiggling, I have been wiggling, Grandma wiggled, even A has wanted a piece of the wiggling action. All this wiggling has paid off.

Not only did she lose it today, but she lost it at school. Nothing better than loosing a tooth at school. It was the first thing she showed me when I went to pick her up. Her teacher put it in a zip lock baggie with a Congrats! note attached. Even other moms noticed and congratulated her. She felt pretty special. As soon as we got home we made a few phone calls too.

Now all that needs to be done is the official Tooth Fairy visit. What will she bring? I would assume that the 1st tooth is worth a little more than the rest right?

Truly Is Spring

I know it is officially Spring, for I have received my first flower bouquet from B.

She likes nothing more than to pick flowers. It pains her to pass all of the gardens now with their beautiful flowers, knowing that she can not pick them. So she resorts to the poor man's flowers.

You know the one of which I speak of. The ever popular dandelions and violets. The flowers that are not really flowers. Yet as soon as I see her coming with a big bunch of these my heart melts. She just loves collecting them for me. Our house is soon filled with many "cup vases" of dandelions and violets.

The worst part is when they die (2 days max) and I have to throw them away. It does, however, provide her with a reason to pick more. I look forward to this summer when both girls bring me bouquets of their beautiful flowers.

Waffle Day

Saturday morning I decided it was time to make the waffles. (Yes, I do sound like a Dunkin Donuts commercial)

For this activity I literally make a bunch of waffles so B can have them all week for breakfast. It is healthier ( I throw in flax) and cheaper for me to do it this way than to buy a frozen box.

B is on a waffle kick right now so that is all she wants for breakfast. This means that a box from the store lasts a few days. My homemade stash last longer.

I don't mind taking the time, but after about the 20th it is no longer is fun. At least I didn't have to make bread too. I am saving that for next week.

40 Years!

Today we celebrated my parent's 40th wedding anniversary. It was a nice day and a fun celebration.

It is hard for me to imagine being married that long. I have just made 8 years and that seems like forever. It is hard to even try to picture where I will be in 32 years. I will be 67 years old, Tom will be 77! B will be 38 and A will be 36. Wow!!! I wonder how many grand kids I will have , if any. What will my girls be up to then? Will they be SAHM, or will they be working women? Will they live close, or far away? So many things to wonder.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!

What Will She Say Next?

I told B that I would not blog this story, but I think it is so cute and rather funny that I just have to.

As B was getting dressed this morning...

Me: Honey, you have to unzip the jumper or you will rip it.

B: I know mom, but I want to do it this way.

Me: No, you need to unzip it.

B: These jumpers are a girl's nightmare!

Where does she come up with this stuff?

A is not far behind on comments...

Driving in the car A begins the Doodlebop chant.
A: I want to hear the DOOOOO -DLE -BOPS!, DOOOO-DLE-BOPS!!

Me: I am trying to ignor for the last thing I want is to hear the Doodlebop CD again.

A: Hey You!! Don't you hear me? I said DOOOO-DLE-BOPS please!!

Me: Hey you? Oh my. Well I guess since you said please.

Stupid Ebay

I spent all of my kid-less time last week putting up 8 different outfits on ebay. From taking photos to writing up the detailed descriptions. I have sold before and have done ok, but this time, not at all. I might have just given the clothes away. I am swearing off ebay! I will either give it to my little Tulip, or save them a little longer for Maddie.

It just is not worth it when I sell, and I use that word lightly, a GAP dress for $2.00!!! I now have to spend more time getting all the labels and packages together for my trip to the post office.

Those who need clothes check out ebay. You too might be able to steal a great outfit.

I am finished with my rant for now. Just needed to get it off my chest. Thanks for reading.

PS: JCR you might want to bring an extra bag to pack more clothes in when you come. Same goes to Aimee.

Years Ago...

Happy Birthday to me!


Having a little trouble turning 35, I thought I'd take a trip down Old Photo Lane. Once there I remembered just how cute I was. Maybe my girls did get some of their cuteness from me after all.

Fun Fact

Came across this tid bit the other day. I thought of my brother, Marty, right away. He is full of stupid facts that no one else knows. So now I have one that perhaps he didn't know about.

Margaret Marks is the one woman show whose job is to name all IKEA products. Yes, everything they sell is named by just one person! How IKEA names its products is interesting. Dining tables are named after places in northern Sweden. Rugs get Danish place-names. Bookcases are named after professions, while mathematical terms designate curtain rods. Desks and chairs get men's names, whereas anything meant for a bathroom is named after a body of water.

Now that you know this, and have both an atlas and a Swedish dictionary handy, you'll probably do well at Cal Henderson's IKEA game, a multiple-choice quiz in which players are asked to match names to products.

Enjoy filling your brain with this info :)

Can't Believe It

So 21 years ago, today, I got my prayers answered. It only took 14 years, and 3 brothers, but finally I had a sister! In fact I had 2 sisters! I could not believe it. It has been a fast 21 years, but now I look forward to the next 21.

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY

RACHEL and VICTORIA!

Easily Forgotten

This morning as I was leaving to go walk/run, I grabbed the Walkman. This re mined me that yesterday the batteries died at my halfway point. I never did replace them, but thought I told Tom.

Me: Yesterday it was awful that the batteries died at half way point. i had to walk in silence.

Tom: Why did you not change them when you got home?

Me: I guess I forgot, but didn't I tell you about it?

Tom: No, so when I went for my run there was no power at all.

Me: Oh, I am sorry I forgot. Did you replace the batteries then after your run?

Tom: No (with a smile) I forgot too. Sorry.

See, even with 2 brains we don't get even the simplest things done. Good news is that I changed the batteries today so my walk was full of music.

New Music I Found

I was on the computer yesterday with A at the Noggin site. Here we were listening to all different songs and this one caught my ear. I love the classical sound with a bit of funk. I quickly tried to get their CD from the library, but no such thing. I did find a bit more on You Tube. I also went to their site. They do have a CD, so I will perhaps buy this one. I did not know they were not "kid music" makers. They sound great. I really like that it makes me want to get up and dance. Hey anything to burn calories, right? Hope you like it too.

Nuttin But Stringz...

Not The Best Plan

I have been making an effort to plan a month of dinners and then grocery shop twice a month. This does take time, but I am getting better at it. The only real problem is produce doesn't always seem to make it for 2 weeks. I do find that running in for fresh fruit and veggies is still easier and faster than lots of stops during the week for all sorts of stuff.

Tonight I was making a pasta dish and needed shredded mozzarella. No problem, I have a big hunk in the fridge. See I started buying hunks of cheese too since it is better (no preservatives) and cheaper. I got everything I needed out and began the "making dinner during nap time process." I go in the fridge for the cheese, I swear I have some! And...

Crap! Check out my hunk of cheep, no preservatives cheese.

I was thinking of cutting off the moldy parts, but then I decided I would just run to Trader Joe's after I get B from school and pick up some fresh cheese. Good choice I assume.

So after a small cart of other items that we thought we should try like baby kiwi and black raspberry juice we got out of there with our cheese. Dinner was saved and back to planning for the rest of the month. Guess the reason the pre-shredded cheese lasts for so long is reason enough for me to buy it.

Secret Stash

I came home yesterday from a quick run to the grocery store to find out that my little A was looking for some candy. Tom informed me that she not only asked for candy, but had a piece in her hand at the time.

I was surprised by this for I put all the Easter candy up in a jar on the counter. I know she can not reach it. B, yes but A, no way.

Tom continued to tell me that he took that piece away. Good for him I can't believe he told her "No". However she did not stop with just one asking. Apparently she came back with another piece asking for this one. In her defense, it was different than the last one she asked for. He told her "No" again and took that one. Then what surprised me the most is that he asked her where she was finding this candy. She took him by the hand and showed him her secret stash!

She is such a clever little one don't you think. I would never have looked there. I just could not stop laughing. Tom actually took all the candy out, but I put it back for the photo only. It has now been added to the rest of the candy in the jar.

FaceBook

So JCR has once again got me to do more time wasting. I joined facebook today and have no idea why? I tried to look up old friends and have found 2. At this time (one whole day) I don't see me keeping this account for very long. Perhaps I need to understand this whole thing a little more, but I'm not sure I want to put forth the time.

I tried to friend some peeps today since my friend list is rather sad (a whole 3 people). But since I can't find people I know what is the point?

I did find one old roommate, but I don't know if I want to contact her. If I recall correctly we did not part all that well. I think it had something to do with me not really liking her boyfriend. I do believe that the boyfriend of which I speak, is now her husband. So you might be able to see why I am not jumping at the chance to reconnect. Perhaps I will try.

So thanks JCR for the idea, but don't be too sad if I drop facebook.

Bad Good News

Tom has been after me for a while to go to the doctor's for a physical. I am one of those people who really don't like the doctor, one might even say I hate them. This comes from many visits to a doctor as a kid that I didn't like. In my mind don't like one, don't like any.

I still see my "lady doctor" yearly and don't mind that, but for some reason that is just not good enough for Tom. I have been having a few more bouts of vertigo. Remember, I swear my thyroid is to blame for my gaining weight too? So I figured I would go and get it all checked out.

Tuesday was doctor day. I went at the end of the day without kids. That alone was worth the visit. The check-up went well. In fact I am a picture of great health. I could not do blood work since I had not fasted for 12 hours. This meant I had to return Thursday. The doctor and I also decided that a tetanus shot would be a good idea since I could not remember when my last one was.

Thursday, with A in tow, I went for blood work and a shot. All went well and I should have results in a few days. At this point I still am convinced that my thyroid does not work and will continue this belief till told otherwise.

Otherwise came yesterday. The doctor's office called to report that my blood work looked great except for my white blood count (a little low). So now I have to deal with the fact that my weight gain is due to me not my thyroid. I am back to depressed, but will not just have to move to acceptance and then get my butt moving. I figure if I did it once I can do it again, right?

One more thing... This shot kills! It didn't hurt going in, but a day later it sure does. I feel like I have a big bruise on my arm. It hurts to lay on it, and when it is pressed. I will have to keep this in mind when the kids get a shot and complain. They are not kidding about the pain.

What Do You Hear?

I was in line today to pay for my Ikea "must haves" when A told me she was "very hungry." I said we could get a snack in a few minutes, after I pay. She then proceeded to pull her shirt all the way up and told me to listen. I had no idea what she was talking about, so I bent down to try to pull her shirt down and to see what she said. A then pulled my ear to her naked belly and said, "listen mommy." I said I didn't hear anything. She replied (my ear still at her tummy) " My tummy says it is very hungry and needs a snack right now!" Needless to say I was a mean mommy for I paid for my goods and we left without a snack. Funny thing is that she didn't seem to mind and made it all the way home too. Guess her tummy was wrong.

What Is My Name?

Quick Note...

I am inside on the compute, A is sleeping, B is outside with our neighbors. I continue to hear the little girl, Sonna, call "Girl!, girl!" I have figured out that B is "girl" and Sonna does not know her name.

I go out to tell B, "Tell Sonna your name."

Again I hear, "Girl!, girl!"

Guess the introduction didn't work, or perhaps B never did it. Either way they are all playing nicely so I see no need for names when "Girl" seems to be working just fine.

Kite Time

Uncle John gave the girls 2 huge kites for Easter this year. They have been waiting to fly them ever since. Tom came home from work early yesterday so it was time to try it. the wind seemed good and the sun was shinning, so off to the park we went.
We got the macaw up in the sky and she looked great. The sad part is that she didn't stay up there for long. I think the wind was just too strong so down she came.
B did not want to give up. She was determined to fly the kite. She and Tom tried many times, but no luck. Finally that decided that they would try again another day. It was a good time while it lasted.

Y-Me

I had brunch this weekend with my 2 "first daughters", Sarah and Christie. these girls are now in their twenties and are doing great. It is hard for me to believe that I knew them when they were babies and I took care of them when they were teens after their mom passed away.

Anyway... Christie now works for the Y-Me breast cancer foundation as their events coordinator. I was telling her about my interest and asked if she had any info in the car she could give me. She went out to her car and look at what I got.

S-C-O-R-E !!!!

She gave me a long sleeved t-shirt, a new pink water bottle, a watch, and tote bag that folds up to a envelope and tons of info. I had to stop being so greedy, so I did not take the fleece pull over and traded the short sleeved t-shirt for the long sleeved one. I guess now with all this free stuff I might really have to do this walk. If I decide to walk you will be the first to know cause I will be hitting you up for money :)

Not Exactly What I Had In Mind

B was looking for her flip flops yesterday and I suggested to her that she go look in the bag, that I had yet to unpack. After a few minutes she came back to me and told me that she could not find them. It was my time to look and I could not find my floor. One would think she should have found it with everything on the floor, but nope. Luckily the flip-flops were found and all was good.

Good news is that due to the mess I am now unpacked! Ok, I have unpacked the 2 bags with clothes. The carry-ons full of toys and things to do are still waiting, but not on my do right now list.

Baby Fun At The Park

Since it was a rather nice and sunny day we decided to go to the park after school. Both girls decided that they wanted to bring their baby dolls to the park too.

I can't remember a time in which B played with a baby doll, let alone went out of the house with one. On the other hand, A loves to play with them and walk around the neighborhood with the stroller.

B chose 2 dolls to bring for they were twins, and A took her usual baby named Africa. (Thanks to the Little Einstein's she is all about Africa).

As soon as we got to the park both "mommies" put their babies in the swings for a ride. I of course did not have my camera, but I did have my phone. The photos are not the best, but you get the idea.

Trip Down Memory Lane

I decided for some reason today (the reason being that I have a mile long to do list and don't want to begin) that I would go back to my first blog post and read. I highly recommend this for those who have been blogging for a while. It was fun. I could not stop at just one post I just kept reading. It was like looking at a photo album, only better due to the stories too. I laughed as I re- read all the girls naughty moments. And how could I forget B's lies/stories?

I guess now that I have re-read many months of posts and I think A has fallen asleep, I should try to get to a few things on my list. Oh wait, A is not asleep---great this will make for a fun afternoon. Plus Tom is in Philly this weekend. His dad is not doing well. So I am back to single mom after a week of a 2 parent household. Should be a good time. :) Since A is not sleeping perhaps I will go unpack a few bags from our trip. Tom was helpful and unpacked his stuff from the bag. And by his stuff I mean nothing that was not his own clothes. I guess the toiletries and ipod are all mine.

Enjoy your own trip down memory lane. I did.

Trip Well Done

Our week in Naples sure went by quickly. I don't think I can remember a trip when none of us wanted to come home. Not even I wanted to return. The weather was great, the girls had a blast, Tom was in a great mood, and I even got to sit in the sun and read 2 books!

We tried to do a few new things such as the Naples Botanical Gardens. We also did a few that we have done before, the Naples zoo, the girl's favorite playground, and of course the beach.

I am glad to be back in hopes that the warm weather will be here soon, but for now we are all sad to be home and back to real life.

Here are a few pictures (I took about 150) to see.

Here we are at the botanic gardens holding a parrot. B did it all by herself, but A wanted nothing to do with it on her hand. As soon as the bird "bit" A she wanted nothing to do with it at all. Hope she learned not to put her little fingers in front of a bird's mouth again.

OH! The fun one can have in the sand. The girls made lots of castles and just piles of sand. the more they built the more fun they had.

Tom always claims there are not enough pictures of him with the girls. So here is one of B and her daddy on the monkey boat at the Naples zoo. We actually go on a boat around to different islands to look at the monkeys. There are no cages due to the monkey's fear of water. They will not come off the island. Rather cool.

Speaking of monkeys at the zoo...

This might be the only time A has taken Tom's hand while I am around. They did some serious bonding this week. (I did try NOT to notice how often she put her thumb in her mouth at the zoo)