Time to Say Good-Bye

I can't believe that this day has come. This bear was won by my parents when B was born. They won it in a raffle and we used it for B's first Christmas photos. She was so little that she basically sat in the bear's lap. As soon as we made our basement into a playroom Grandma and Grandpa were happy to give us the bear. It has been with us for a few years, but due to some bad rips it is time to put him down. B was a little sad as I am, but it was a good 5 years. As I put him out in the garbage, I knew I had to take a final photo.

So, good-bye friend, you will be missed. Thanks for your endless cuddles, hugs, and pillow time.

Never Thought I'd Hear This

B received a great package in the mail yesterday from her best buddy Drake. As she began taking the items out she exclaimed, "Wow! That Drake sure knows how to buy a girl a present!"
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As we were eating dinner:
B: Mom you are going to change your outfit before you go to my school's Open House?

Me: I wasn't thinking of changing.

B: Mom, this is a big day for me, so you should put on something nicer.
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@ Midnight:

B: Sorry to wake you mom, but I'm all out of underwear.

Me: Don't worry we will figure it out in the morning.

(just to let you know I then spent the rest of the night trying to figure out how she could be out of underwear for I had just done laundry. And also tyring to figure out when I was going to do laundry before school. needless to say she was NOT out of underwear.)
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Getting dressed today:
Me: A what do you want in your hair today? Pony or Barrette?
A: Piggy
Me: Piggies? I'm not sure I can do piggies in your hair.
A: Piggy mom!

I did do piggies and she is super cute. Post photo later.

Just Call Me Bob Villa

After dropping B off at school I took A with me to Lowe's. I wanted to get mums for the flower beds and a set of saw horses. Now to some of you this might sound strange, but I have decided that I need a set. Perhaps now I will finish a few more of my wonderful decorating ideas. I would have finished them ages ago, but didn't have saw horses.

So after finding the horses and convincing A that they really do fit in the cart they are not "to big" I went to look at lights. I have decided project number one for the day would be replacing the 2 very old and very gross kitchen lights. I found a good one for under 20 dollars, so I bought 2 and went in search of mums.

With all my new items, home we went. A decided to watch Elmo, and I though it would be a good time to do the lights. I have never changed out a light fixture, but I did watch my dad do the ones in the basement. Plus I had directions, so really how hard could it be?

Well to start, I decided turning off the main power would be a good idea. My dad just goes with the theory that if the switch is off so is the power. Makes sense, but I didn't want to find out this is sometimes wrong with only A in the house with me. So off went the power. After removing the old light I found that these wires are also wrapped in cloth. This means there are no black wires which the directions tell me to use. I figured the red one is probably the same since there was a white one. Just to be sure I called Dad. And I was right! Next came hooking the wires together. Not as simple as it looks to wrap wires around each other while holding a breakable light fixture above my head. I soon found out that I did not have a large enough plastic cap. (Found this out by calling my dad again). By this time an hour had past and I still did not have a light plus it was time to go get B from school.

On the way home we made a quick stop at the local ACE for more caps and electrical tape (just to be safe). I decided the girls would have to eat in the living room since the kitchen table was being used for parts. This was to their delight and they even got me to turn on the tv. Wow! with the right cap the light went right up. I did it!!! The second one was not so easy. The screw holes were not lined up right so it was very difficult. But I did it!!!

Now I have 2 new, clean lights that I am very proud of. All for under 45 dollars! I guess these home shows I watch do pay off :)

We Have Reading!

B came home from school yesterday upset that they are beginning to read. I found her being upset a little strange. She loves books and now often speaks in first letters. Her first letter speak goes like this... "Mom can I have a S?" S translated is snack. Anyway, I quickly deduced that since my daughter is a perfectionist, reading is hard for her. Hence she hates it.

It was a nice surprise that I went to the library and picked out a few books while she was at school. We sat down with the pile and she picked this one out. She read it all by herself! I did have to help with a couple of words like "everyone", but I was so excited. We have a reader!!!

She was so proud of herself that she read the book many times during the day. She read it to daddy, and even to little A for her night, night book. I'm sure most of the book is now said from memory, but that is how reading all begins right?

I did go the extra step and asked her at bed time if she still thought reading was "stupid". And with a smile she replied, "Nope, it is easy." Oh my work here is done :)

I will definetly be reserving more Biscuit books from our library.

Most people were surprised to find that the horrible, ear piercing screams that were being made all during take- off came from this sweet little thing. She doesn't look naughty or even capable of screaming does she?

Let me tell you that I felt bad for all passengers on the plane during this flight. Poor A just didn't want to sit in her seat. She just kept telling me in between her tears and screams,"Scarry Momma!!! and Not Fair!" Big sister B was not much help as she continued to ask me for ear plugs so she wouldn't have to hear all this noise. As soon as we were finished with take-off all things returned to normal.

That is until landing time :)

Everything Else Is Recalled

Since most toys these days have been recalled, I have resorted to the basics.

Today B decided to make horses for each of them. I was impressed with her great horse heads. I also like the use of pipe cleaners for the reigns. Little A was responsible for getting the hats. "You can't ride a horse without a hat mommy." I was told. How right she is. Good thing I had gone to Costco and picked up these great boxes or who know what we would have done. The girls also made a stable downstairs for their horses.

Who knew one day it would be a bag, the next a box? Perhaps tomorrow I will give them some sticks and see what they can do.

Little Helpers

Let me begin by saying the girls have not had much sleep these past days, so they are getting very moody. I was trying to prepare dinner when B came at me for help with another "great" art and craft project. She has been on an art and craft kick all day. Many of her ideas entail me doing most of the work. So needless to say I tried to get her to help me with dinner instead.

Not so willing to help until little A wanted to help too. Now all of a sudden the big sister can't wait to help me. Again, this does not work well when I give each different jobs, yet they still fight over one job. I practically had a full brawl over the baggie of crackers that A was crushing. "So help them if they pop open that bag!" I thought to myself. Well actually I said that line out loud to them. But I'm sure I thought something more vulgar to myself.

After crackers were crushed (into a fine power) the fight over who was going to mix began. I was able to solve this a little due to redirecting B to her art and craft. As I was helping B little A decided to stop using the fork to mix the crab cakes and use her hands. Oh wait she is not using her hands to mix, she is using them to EAT the crab mixture. Apparently she likes the mayo!

So washing of hands and mouth began. Now if they both would just leave me alone for 5 minutes I could be finished. I guess the only way I can get them to leave me alone is to yell at them. This I found out after actually doing it. Poor B had no idea what was going on. She was actually covering her ears as she cried and ran upstairs. Little A did not care that I yelled, she just cared about why B was crying. What a good, sweet sister.

After I calmed down I went upstairs to get B in the bath and found her asleep on her bed. I woke her up and gave her a quick shower. I did not want her to rest now for she would not go to bed later if she did. Little A also wanted a bath the shower was not going to work for her.

I decided to let B stay in the bath so she could make sure A did not drowned while I finished up dinner. Yup- mother of the year!

Funny, Tom came home just as all was good. I did however make him get the girls out of the tub. He was not happy until I informed him that they were all ready washed.

Dinner finished, dishes done, and to bed thy girls have gone. I hope tomorrow is better.