Monday, May 31, 2010

Halloween conversation. In June.

William loves to talk. I've written about that before.  Sometimes we'll have conversations and I turn the camera on just to catch them.  I know these moments really are fleeting and I hope to someday look back at these little conversations with such fond memories.

William and I had previously been talking about President Obama and how, "You know how he has a black face, mommy?  Like Elijah at school?"  I was kind of hoping that conversation would continue but it didn't.  Instead it turned to Halloween.  Believe it or not, this is William talking with very little enthusiasm.  This easily could have involved standing up, acting it out, and major hand motions.  He kind of kept it to just his eyebrows during this conversation.  

I'm stoked that I may have an out this Halloween.  I mean, if he really doesn't want me to make his costume as I'd pledged I would last year, I won't argue with him.

 

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Memorial Day celebration at the park

The kids are only 1, 3, and 5.  They don't get and/or appreciate what Memorial Day means.  I completely get that.  I think it's important, though, to expose them to things like this early.  Every year we've attended the Memorial Day celebration that our town has at one of the bigger parks.  There are military vehicles that the kids can climb on and in, there are helicopters they can get up close and personal with, and there is a big stage with USO performances.  This year there were some vendors and there is always a big bounce house section.  The Memorial Day celebration includes a couple other things to see and do, as well.  With exception of a few things, it's terribly boring for the kids.  That's ok because each year I'm hoping more and more things will click with them and become of interest.  Already this year the big kids wanted to walk through the big chinook helicopter whereas last year they both were afraid to even touch it.  This year they wanted to listen to the band on stage sing patriotic songs whereas last year it was torture to stop and listen to the singers.  They walked through the crosses, all of which signified one of the 4,000 California soldiers that has been killed in the Middle East.  William was very interested in what that was all about.  At the end of it all, all they wanted to do was the bouce houses (which we didn't do) and that's ok.  I was happy that this year they each took more interest than last year.  I would expect the same next year as well, too.  Oh, and they wanted flags for today so I bought little flags that they walked around with all day.  Drew and Lauren wore their matching 4th of July dresses and they got lots of smiles from the old men walking around in their Veteran hats.

Chris was working today so I was going to take the three myself.  We were so glad to have Auntie Sandy join us, though!  I don't mind doing things like this with the three on my own but it sure is nice to have a helping hand.  And some grown up company!

I have a sitter coming tonight for an hour to stay here while Lauren sleeps and I take Drew and William back for the fireworks show in about an hour.  They are so excited and I think it's more about being up late than it is the fireworks.  I don't EVER deviate from my schedule.  Drew said, "We get to be somewhere when the sky is black?  And the stars are out?"  So funny.  Yes, my dear, the benefits of getting a little older.  I told her that they behaved well today and since she is 5 and William is 3, these are the kinds of things we get to do now and then now.  I'm unsure who is more excited - the kids or me.

The 3 before heading out.  William looks injured.  He's not. 


My camera sucks and since I can't make take decent pics in color, I've been playing with black and white.  This is her patriotic red, white, and blue gingham dress.






William checking out the cockpit of the chinook helicopter.  It was pretty awesome.


Taking a break in the shade of the flag.


The focus was supposed to be on the low-flying helicopter, not the row of port-a-potties. 


I know, I shouldn't be a bitch on such a day but c'mon.  Let's at least spell the banner correctly.  Seriously.
  

Hope you have a great long weekend!

Missing an old friend

I don't read anymore.  I hate that.  I haven't read a book book in quite a while.  I think it's because my time is so limited.  I have LOTS of random minutes of free time (enough to write half a blog or check my email, unload the dishwasher, or change the bedding on one bed) but not lots of minutes strung together.  Lauren does nothing but nap but I'm not as fortunate with the other two.  And although they don't need me, they do.  Not too many minutes go by without someone coming to get me for something or yelling my name or whatever.  Because of this, I don't sit down to get engaged in a book.  I can engage myself in People magazine, in a blog, or msn.com, but just not a book.  My goal this summer is to change that.  Not only do I miss it terribly but I don't want the kids to think that mommy only reads on the computer.

I would never poo-poo the computer, though.  It allows me to read numerous newspapers online, most of which I'd never read otherwise.  It allows me to keep in touch with friends and family.  If I don't talk to my mom on the phone everyday we email everyday.  It allows me to bitch here on my blog, it allows me a tiny window to the outside world during those hours that I am stuck at home with no one older than 5.  Thank God for the computer.  Thank God for blogs.  Thank God for facebook.  But an old friend is missing.  Books.  



Any recommendations of what I should read first?


    

Saturday, May 29, 2010

5 things I want to share

Again, I've found some things I'd like to share.  Two of them I've had for a while but I remember when they were new to me, I was so happy to have found them.  I want to pass them along to you, my friends. 

I am a lover of all foods that make you fat.  Ice cream, however, is not one of my favs.  I like it, but often it's like, "Meh, I don't really feel like ice cream."  I saw this today, conveniently placed next to the all fruit popsicles I buy for the kids.  It's called Half Baked and the description is: "A crazy concoction of chocolate ice cream and vanilla ice cream mixed with fudge brownies and gobs of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough."  They had those 1/4 pint ones that literally takes 4 bites to eat it all.  I bought it.  Thank God I didn't buy the bigger one.  Most of you have probably heard of it and had it.  I had not so I'm sharing it like it's brand new. 



Oven mits and I never had a problem but I love these.  They cover just your fingers instead of actually putting on a big ol' mit that goes to your forearm.  These are good for up to 500 degrees so you're good pretty much no matter what you're reaching for in your oven.






The kids take a multivitamin everyday along with a flouride tablet. Half the time when they ask for their vitamin I am too busy doing something else, am in the other room, am just too annoyed to stop and tend to them in the moment, whatever.  And yes, they are the ones who ask for it, long before I can suggest it is time to take it.  This is my solution.  It's in the kitchen, they have to do it in front of me, but they can dispense their own daily vitamins.  Drew has one side, William has another.  At some point during the week I fill them all for the week with both vitamins they are to take.  Whomever's day it is gets to pop the top and give the vitamin.  It's relieved me of one responsibility in the morning and given them one - a win/win.



If you live in a house with a bunch of little people, it's likely that snotty/congested days happen as often as non-congested days.  These are really great and a little soothing.  Everyone can use a little soothing if they are wiping their nose 20 times a day.  I heart Vicks.



I've had this product since Drew was a year old.  I saw a lady at the mall with one and I literally chased her down.  I went right home, went online, and ordered them.  They are tops that just screw right onto any standard water bottle.  We still use them off and on and now Lauren is in the mix.  They are perfect for the car or a place you want the big kids to have a water bottle but are fearful of slippery hands and a spill.  They are called Lil' Toppers and you can buy them by clicking here.






If you have any products that you love or make your life easier, please pass them along in the comments section! 

Friday, May 28, 2010

Cousins!

I have one brother, Brandon.  He's pretty awesome.  He has one daughter, Emily.  She's totally awesome.  Emily is four years old, just 11 months older than William.  They live 4 hours away and with life and jobs and space and life we just don't see each other all that often.  That needs to change, 4 hours just isn't that far.  Brandon brought Emily to come visit last weekend and we had a great time.  Drew and William looked forward to it for weeks and asked often how many more night-nights until Emily arrived.  They finally did arrive on a Friday afternoon and left on Sunday afternoon.  In those 48 hours we fit in quite a lot of fun.  Here is our visit in pictures.  And yes, I am aware that Emily and William look like twins.  It's pretty neat.



Popsicles in the morning?  Craziness.


If Lauren could talk she would have said, "Um, Uncle Brandon, this is my chair."


William wanted to ride with Uncle Brandon to dinner


Dinner


We rode the escalator.  A lot.


Lauren, Drew, Emily, William




First slumber party for all three and it was successful!


We walked to Starbucks Saturday morning.


We played a lot in the backyard


We made projects at the kitchen table


We had a picnic lunch

We went bowling


Brandon helped the big girls plant flowers


Brandon nearly bounced Drew out of the trampoline


More popsicles, this time in front of the fire


William was looking forward to being silly with Uncle Brandon


The girls gave each other pedicures, sans nail polish.  Don't be jelli of my bathroom.


We took a walk in the rain after dinner.  Love how Drew is barefoot.  Never even noticed in that moment.


After bath storytime.  We had so much fun with this story.


LOVE

Uncle Brandon taught William how to "pull my finger" which William and Drew now do amongst themselves and then make lovely noises with their mouths if they don't do the real thing.  Uncle Brandon also taught them to sing, "Who let the frogs out?" after someone toots or burps.  I had a tight lid on the poop and pee humor until now...  but I have to admit that when I hear William in the bathroom sing, "Who let the frogs out?  Who? Who who who who?" all by himself, I laugh out loud.

We can't wait for them to come back.  We did so much in such a short amount of time and there is so much more to do! 

Ah, crap. It's here.

Today is the last day of school.  Monday morning when you hear a low humming, that's ME singing the OhmyGod it's Summer blues.

The kids had such a fantastic school year and I feel more fortunate than ever that we have found a place and can provide them with such a wonderful preschool and kindegarten. 

So much has changed during this school year.  One thing that has not changed is the obligatory first day/ last day picture in front of the tree.



First day of preschool and Jr. K - August, 2009

Last day of school - May, 2010

Notice the hip?  Check out this one:

This summer is going to be full of sass and assertion I'm afraid.  Oh, but don't worry, my friends.  You'll hear all about it.

Have a great Friday,


Thursday, May 27, 2010

Joy, day 3

I've been terribly moody today.  You're as tired of hearing about it as Chris.  I'll stop.  I had to look for some joy today although really I know it's all around me.  Here we go:

Joy #1.  Last night Drew gave Lauren a bath.  I sat right there pretending to be engaged in painting my toenails while really watching like a hawk but she did it and it was awesome.

Joy #2.  We had a thunderstorm today and it only lasted about 5 minutes but it was great.  William declared that the thunderstorm gave him permission to have more chips with his lunch.  Unsure of the logic but I agreed and gave him more. 

Joy #3.  Lauren slept 13 hours straight last night as opposed to the normal 12 hours straight.  And she still kept her same nap schedule today.  She is an angel on earth, that girl.

Joy #4.  Went to Costco with the 3 kids after the storm, found a dry carriage, and everyone listened while there.  I also got out of there for under $100.  Always a success.

Joy #5.  Tomorrow is the last day of school before Drew is officially a kindergartener.  It is also the last day of William in preschool before he moves on to more of the Jr. K class.  I am totally going to pretend that the following bring me joy:  1) they won't be in school and they'll be home for 8 weeks everysingleday with me and 2) they are growing up and moving up so quickly.  I'm totally lying that these two things bring me joy.  I should just delete this one completely.

Joy #6.  I got an unexpected facebook message from a mommy friend of mine that was very kind and complimentary and it pretty much made my day.  

Joy #7.  Chris is home tonight and he has no commitments tomorrow except to be with us.  No firehouse, no class to teach.


I would love to hear the little things that brought you joy today.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Joy, day 2

I'm beginning to come out of my 4-day funk and I knew that first thing this morning when I woke up at 7:15am and everyone was still asleep and I wanted them to wake up so I could see them.  What?!  The last few days when someone has called from the other room, "Moooommmmyyyy?"  I've responded with the, "What?"  Not the, "Yes?" or "What, honey?" If you can hear a snarky tone vs. a kind tone you'd know what I mean.  And as you know, the big kids can't come out of their rooms in the morning until their clocks say seven zero zero and that's precisely when they come downstairs, every morning.  Lauren usually wakes around 6:30am and she plays happily until I go get her, usually around 7:15am.  (I know, don't hate me.)  Today, though, it was 7:15am and it was quiet.  It's only 10:00am but here is my joy for the day:

Joy #1.  I'm coming out of my funk and actually want to be around my kids again

Joy #2.  We're going to see the band the Afternaps with some friends this afternoon

Joy #3.  I donated about 200 books to the kids' school a few days ago and this morning the director told me that each teacher took a lot their classroom and those that were left were taken by the janitor for his grandson and that they all found loving homes.  

Joy #4.  I am wearing jeans I haven't worn in 2 months today and they are tighter than they were the last time I had them on.  There is NO joy in that but it didn't ruin my day and in that I find joy.  

Joy #5.  The American Idol finale is on tonight.  It was 6 years ago that I was at the finale to see Fantasia win.  I love the finales because I know what it's like to be there; see the celebrities, feel the confetti fall all around you and feel the heat from the fireworks.  I think Lee has it in the bag, BTW.

Joy #6.  The kids were kind to each other this morning.  There was no fighting or arguing or unkind words spoken.  There was laughter.  Here is one moment I caught of Drew and Lauren playing:


What is your Wednesday joy??


Thanks again to Amanda and Amy for this idea.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Finding Joy

I'm stealing this idea from Amanda and Amy, who apparently originally got it from Whimsy.  Still following me?  The assignment is to find joy in things, the little things.  Some days it's kind of hard.  If you read yesterday's post, you know which days I'm referring to.  Other days, joy smacks me in the face all day long.  Today I'm having to search for it but it is there...

Joy #1.  I bought William an eyelash curler.  He's been wanting one for a few weeks now.  They make the best fireball shooters (the fireballs are imaginary, BTW) and I think it's awesome.  Normally this is something he'd have to use his 20 pennies for but I know this will keep him busy, happy, and out of my hair for countless hours.  He opens it up, makes a ton of sound effects, closes it, and out shoots a fireball. 

Joy #2.  William's imagination.

Joy #3.  Drew dresses herself in the morning and today she looked gorgeous.  She even had a flower in her hair.  Despite the impending rain, I let her wear the whole summer get-up. 

Joy #4.  Lauren and I had lunch together at Boudin.  She a grilled cheese, I a chicken salad.  We sat on the patio under an umbrella as it sprinkled.  It was lovely.

Joy #5.  Chris will be home tonight.


What brought you joy today?

Monday, May 24, 2010

Diagnosis

I've blogged once before about my issues... my hormonal issues.  I diagnosed myself right after Lauren was born with Absolute Bitchiness and My Hormones Are Jacked Because I Had Too Many Damn Kids So Close Together Syndrome.  Apparently there is a real medical term for everything I've been dealing with and I wasn't all that far off.  It's called PMDD and it's real.  Like for reals, folks.  Honestly, I thought PMS was an excuse for girls to complain and bitch and be mean for a few days a month.  I had never experienced it so therefore it didn't exist (that's the Chris Peters way).  Then... well, then things changed.  Only I skipped over the whole PMS thing and went right into PMDD.  I know, all these acronyms!  PMDD stands for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.  It's like the granddaddy of PMS.  If you are a guy who is reading my blog, sorry if you think this is TMI.  It's actually not because chances are you're married or have a girlfriend.  She too may deal with something like this someday and instead of saying things that may make her cut off your d*ck during the night like, "It's in your head" or "Go workout, you'll feel better" or "You look like you feel fine", you may want to be a tiny bit educated.  I'm here to do that for you.  PMDD SUCKS.  Once you have it, you always have it, although treatment can make it better.  It's moods and pain and tenderness and craziness for about 4 days out of every month.  I'm sooo thankful that the depression part of it is not something I have experienced.  THANK GOD for that.  I have all the other symptoms, though.  My joints ache like I'm 90 with terrible arthritis.  It comes on rather suddenly and lasts for about 48 hours.  I'm talking about fingers and toes and shoulders and elbows and hips.  I will f*cking snatch someone bald if they look at me sideways if it happens to be the wrong moment.  No one is excluded from that, either.  And I can't help it.  I'm sore all over.  The apathy and lethargy are ridiculous.  I don't sleep and if you know me at all you know that sleep is n-e-v-e-r a problem for me.  Ok, so blah, blah, blah.  The reason I decided to discuss this lovely problem is because I had never heard of it before.  PMDD isn't all that rare (10% of all women) but I'd never heard of it.  And I'm not quick to accept a diagnosis and start medicating myself BUT there is no denying this is what is going on with me.  After months of being out of control and one doctor's visit that proved somewhat productive but then I got worse, I made another appointment and went in to plea with my Dr. that she had to make me better.  My poor children.  My poor husband.  It's just not fair that they have to suffer 4-6 days a month, too.

I have been on a regimen now for 4 weeks and I see some improvement and am hopeful that in the next 4 weeks I'll see even more.  My Dr. said that so many women who deal with this stuff just deal with it.  They think it's normal or part of getting older or it's just what happens after you have kids or whatever.  It's NOT.  I would urge anyone who is not feeling normal to go be seen.  There is help out there.  There are drugs out there!  You can reclaim your life.  But guys, if your wife is just being bitchy, please don't suggest she may have PMDD.  'Cause if she really does, she may just cut your d*ck off.  I'm not even kidding.

*If you're avoiding doing work and want something else to do, you can click here to read a bit about PMDD.  It's for real, yo.


Sunday, May 23, 2010

One sweet thing


Let's start the week off in a good way.


Happy Monday, friends.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Pac Maaaan!

Today is Pac Man's 30th birthday!  Atari kicked ass and although I killed many hours playing Nintendo on Brandon's bedroom floor, Atari still is my favorite.  I look at the kids' Wii and I almost feel sorry for them.  I mean, who wants interactive, HD quality video games?  They miss out on Space Invaders, Frogger, and the best, Pac Man.  Oh, well.  Poor kids. 

If you go to GOOGLE's homepage today, their logo is an interactive Pac Man game.  Instead of hitting "search", hit "insert coin" and just use your arrow pad to play!  Whichever Google employee game up with that for today's logo should be given a $100,000 bonus.

What are you waiting for?  Click here and go play!


Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Big girl

Drew performed at school tonight.  It was preschool graduation but she was in Jr. K this year and she's attending the same school next year so to her this was a night to sing with her class more than anything.  Lauren stayed home with our sitter because it was passed her bedtime.  Chris was at a swiftwater training class.  It was a super fun night for just William, Drew, and me.  Drew did amazingly well for one who is typically shy if she thinks others are watching.  She sang a couple songs, recited a few verses, and did a whole lot of waving to William.  Here are a couple pictures:

The three before we left.  Lauren wanted none of it.


Proud mama


The sky when we arrived at school


Looking at the rainbow


Waving to us


Totally feelin' it.  How come she's the only one?


The ladybug dress she hated until daddy said she looked beautiful in it


Ta da!

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