Despite the chaos that surrounds my house at times I have been able to sit back with each child recently and really take in their uniqueness.
I'm touched by Eli's kindness in simply asking me if I want a piece of his favorite gum when he goes to get one or asking me if I'm okay while I'm in the bathroom and Elizabeth won't leave me alone despite his trying to play with her in the other room to give me a private moment. I'm in awe that he is so determined to get his speech perfect for his class and practices over and over despite his huge fear of getting up in front of the class and doing it.
I'm tickled at Ian's sweet personality when I snuggle with him in bed tonight and ask him his high and low for the day only to hear him respond with his high is me laying in bed with him. I laugh constantly at Ian's quick wit and sly personality that creates such laughter with such little effort. I'm in awe over his determination to learn to play the piano on his own.
When I take the time to slow down and just watch Elizabeth I'm tickled over her awareness of every sound outside our house despite the loud noise within it (each airplane flying overhead, birds, big trucks, dogs) to which she has learned to stop, touch her ear and say "hoo hoo..." over and over with big open eyes. I've been shocked at her willingness to sit on a potty the last week and poop when her crazy mother thinks that is a good idea despite her young age and that she will put her baby on the potty now and then lift it up and look in the bucket to see what surprise the doll may have left. (that cracks me up) I'm embarrassed slightly but proud at the same time at how Elizabeth says hi to every stranger we see and she says it louder and louder until they acknowledge her presence. I'm touched at her kindness towards her brothers when they get hurt and start crying, showing her concern by rubbing their hair and patting their faces until they start laughing at her; but then her boldness in slapping them on the face when they get too close to her 'business'...that we are working on mind you!
So...although I make my children seem like they are under foot and all over the place making me insane most of the time; when I do stop and watch each one of them I can easily see how special and very unique they are with their own little personalities!
Feb 25, 2010
Feb 23, 2010
"Excuse the chaos Mr. Cramer!"
This afternoon I brought home my friend's two boys from school until her husband could drive across town to pick them up. This is the reenactment of my crazy afternoon (as usual)...I hope it brings some entertainment to your household.
Come in the house. All four boys go to back yard to jump on trampoline "WITH COATS ON AND ZIPPED UP!" I try half-heartedly to put Elizabeth back in her crib after hearing her pipe up in the backseat with the sleepy song. Didn't work...we go into kitchen.
Put Elizabeth in high chair for an afternoon snack of "keep baby busy with food" just in time for first child to come through back door screaming. It was Ian...I'm not too worried despite the whaling coming from his vocal chords.
Just hit in the face with a ball...he started the game said big brother...give Ian a cookie (just between me and him) and all is better.
Fill up dishwasher and push start. Next child starts screaming and back door flings open. This time it is the friend's oldest son. He was hit in the arm by younger brother with swing chain (don't ask why the swing chain was laying in the lawn just tempting a young boy to swing it...don't ask!). Give hurt arm boy a cookie and then make younger brother apologize. Now everyone is in the kitchen grabbing pop cycles out of freezer.
Horrible noise starts emanating (thanks Nate for that big word) from dishwasher. When the noise is too much to bear I push cancel and when that doesn't work I open the dishwasher door only to have water pour out onto the floor. After a brief screaming episode myself and two towels on the floor I calm down.
Ian then looks at me over his thinment Girl Scout cookie and says, "this isn't a good day for you is it?"
I proceed to call Nate (like he can do something over the phone other than feel sorry for me and KNOW what I'm going through right now). Then I call the dishwasher repair people and the warranty company.
Then the door bell rings...I answer it thinking it is friend's kids' father (and husband) but no, it is a salesman. I puff out my chest and tell myself 'NO NO NO' over and over until finally it comes out enough and I'm able to shut the door feeling a little guilty that I didn't buy something from the poor man.
I go back to screaming baby in highchair and get her down while taking off her yogurt soiled clothes and let her go running. Get back on phone with dishwasher people only to hear door bell ring again.
This time it is Mr. Cramer. I mouth for him to come in and explain that my dishwasher leaked all over the floor, "do you know how to unclog a flooded dishwasher?" I ask. He surveys the chaos and begins to inspect the dishwasher as any gentleman in the presence of a crazy woman would do.
I get off the phone and after discussing the possible problems of the dishwasher we hear Elizabeth screaming. We then all go to the bedroom where Elizabeth is stuck under her crib (obviously coaxed there by one of the 4 other children in the house). Mr. Cramer than kindly explains to Elizabeth how to duck her head down and crawl on out from under the crib while I'm laughing nervously/hysterically from behind him. Of course that is when Mr. Cramer can see that yes indeed my child was not only unsupervised but half naked in her bedroom. We then proceed into the living room where he tries to gather his young ones from the trance of the play station when Elizabeth walks in and throws up on the floor inches from Mr. Cramer's shoes. Without hesitation he runs into the kitchen and grabs paper towels while I grab Elizabeth and take her to the sink.
At this point I'm apologizing profusely for my house..my kids...my life. He just smiles and says something about his house being the same way, which I'm sure it is only b/c any house with three kids is INSANE! Then he whisks his family out the front door (I think I saw his eyebrow twitching).
And the sad thing is that was only 4pm...I still had 3 more hours to go! But it is 8:15 now and I can laugh about it all; Eli worked on his speech, Ian read his very long book finally, Elizabeth got a bath and put to bed, Nate fixed the dishwasher (and garbage disposal that quit working too), and I'm about to crash in bed!
(NOTE TO READERS: NONE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHAOS WAS DUE TO MR. CRAMER'S CHILDREN BEING AT MY HOUSE...THEY ARE LOVELY BOYS AND ONLY ADD TO THE FLAVOR OF THE CALLENDER FAMILY'S CRAZINESS!)
Come in the house. All four boys go to back yard to jump on trampoline "WITH COATS ON AND ZIPPED UP!" I try half-heartedly to put Elizabeth back in her crib after hearing her pipe up in the backseat with the sleepy song. Didn't work...we go into kitchen.
Put Elizabeth in high chair for an afternoon snack of "keep baby busy with food" just in time for first child to come through back door screaming. It was Ian...I'm not too worried despite the whaling coming from his vocal chords.
Just hit in the face with a ball...he started the game said big brother...give Ian a cookie (just between me and him) and all is better.
Fill up dishwasher and push start. Next child starts screaming and back door flings open. This time it is the friend's oldest son. He was hit in the arm by younger brother with swing chain (don't ask why the swing chain was laying in the lawn just tempting a young boy to swing it...don't ask!). Give hurt arm boy a cookie and then make younger brother apologize. Now everyone is in the kitchen grabbing pop cycles out of freezer.
Horrible noise starts emanating (thanks Nate for that big word) from dishwasher. When the noise is too much to bear I push cancel and when that doesn't work I open the dishwasher door only to have water pour out onto the floor. After a brief screaming episode myself and two towels on the floor I calm down.
Ian then looks at me over his thinment Girl Scout cookie and says, "this isn't a good day for you is it?"
I proceed to call Nate (like he can do something over the phone other than feel sorry for me and KNOW what I'm going through right now). Then I call the dishwasher repair people and the warranty company.
Then the door bell rings...I answer it thinking it is friend's kids' father (and husband) but no, it is a salesman. I puff out my chest and tell myself 'NO NO NO' over and over until finally it comes out enough and I'm able to shut the door feeling a little guilty that I didn't buy something from the poor man.
I go back to screaming baby in highchair and get her down while taking off her yogurt soiled clothes and let her go running. Get back on phone with dishwasher people only to hear door bell ring again.
This time it is Mr. Cramer. I mouth for him to come in and explain that my dishwasher leaked all over the floor, "do you know how to unclog a flooded dishwasher?" I ask. He surveys the chaos and begins to inspect the dishwasher as any gentleman in the presence of a crazy woman would do.
I get off the phone and after discussing the possible problems of the dishwasher we hear Elizabeth screaming. We then all go to the bedroom where Elizabeth is stuck under her crib (obviously coaxed there by one of the 4 other children in the house). Mr. Cramer than kindly explains to Elizabeth how to duck her head down and crawl on out from under the crib while I'm laughing nervously/hysterically from behind him. Of course that is when Mr. Cramer can see that yes indeed my child was not only unsupervised but half naked in her bedroom. We then proceed into the living room where he tries to gather his young ones from the trance of the play station when Elizabeth walks in and throws up on the floor inches from Mr. Cramer's shoes. Without hesitation he runs into the kitchen and grabs paper towels while I grab Elizabeth and take her to the sink.
At this point I'm apologizing profusely for my house..my kids...my life. He just smiles and says something about his house being the same way, which I'm sure it is only b/c any house with three kids is INSANE! Then he whisks his family out the front door (I think I saw his eyebrow twitching).
And the sad thing is that was only 4pm...I still had 3 more hours to go! But it is 8:15 now and I can laugh about it all; Eli worked on his speech, Ian read his very long book finally, Elizabeth got a bath and put to bed, Nate fixed the dishwasher (and garbage disposal that quit working too), and I'm about to crash in bed!
(NOTE TO READERS: NONE OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHAOS WAS DUE TO MR. CRAMER'S CHILDREN BEING AT MY HOUSE...THEY ARE LOVELY BOYS AND ONLY ADD TO THE FLAVOR OF THE CALLENDER FAMILY'S CRAZINESS!)
Feb 22, 2010
antibiotic junkey
I reached the point yesterday in my cold where I felt I earned the right to walk into a doctor's office and expect some remedy! It's been the usual slow progression from scratchy throat to runny nose to full out body ache and head throbbing over the course of a week.
That is the magic number you know...seven days! I learned that the hard way too many times before so now I know exactly what to say to the nice doctor to get what I want.
Yes, I'm an antibiotic junkey. I admit that I need help. I actually was doing better with my addiction when I met the 'witch doctor' (aka: holistic medicine woman) and started taking all the herbal remedies for my ailments. And believe it or not they worked if you caught the cold in the first day or two. But I ran out of my herbal magic and let the cold develop into what I thought was worthy of an antibiotic.
So, I spent the $25 copay on the walk-in clinic and was sitting in the waiting room mentally writing my next face book status update: "walk-in clinic + antibiotic = one happy momma!" Sounds good doesn't it?
I made sure to not put on airs and act tough (you know the way you do around everyone but your husband when you are sick) so I coughed loudly, held my head and closed my eyes plenty. When the doctor walked in I told her the magic number and all the right symptoms...but this is what followed:
Me: "I've been sick for about 8 days now."
Doc: "Do you feel a trickle in your thought? It sounds like you are clearing your throat a lot."
Me: "A trickle? Well, my throat really hurts and my cough is working its way down into my chest now. But it's my head that really feels the pressure."
Doc: "Is your mucus green or clear?"
Me: (I knew she had me then...I paused too long and gave in to pressure) Well...I haven't really looked. I don't know but I'm blowing it a lot.
WRONG ANSWER...IT HAS TO BE GREEN TO GET THE MED'S.
Doc: (looking up my nose - as if she can really see anything!) You don't look like you have a sinus infection. I've seen a lot of this lately and it usually lasts 3 weeks. Why don't you come back after next Wednesday if you are still sick and I'll give you an antibiotic.
SHE COULD TELL I WAS A JUNKY! SHE KNEW WHAT I WANTED!!!!
Me: (trying to act like of course I don't want an antibiotic if I don't need one. Why would I want to hurt the American population by watering down the effectiveness of antibiotics...) "Oh, sure..." I was speechless. I tried to just hold my head up as I walked out of the office while all the nurses stared at me knowing I was leaving empty handed.
I have given myself a pity party for the day and seeked friendly support from others in my right to have be given an antibiotic but now I must move on.
I guess I will pull out the Netty pot and saline spray and go buy a new bottle of herbal medicine! Sniff, sniff, cough, cough...stay away from me for one and half more weeks (until I rightfully earn my right to a bottle of antibiotics).
That is the magic number you know...seven days! I learned that the hard way too many times before so now I know exactly what to say to the nice doctor to get what I want.
Yes, I'm an antibiotic junkey. I admit that I need help. I actually was doing better with my addiction when I met the 'witch doctor' (aka: holistic medicine woman) and started taking all the herbal remedies for my ailments. And believe it or not they worked if you caught the cold in the first day or two. But I ran out of my herbal magic and let the cold develop into what I thought was worthy of an antibiotic.
So, I spent the $25 copay on the walk-in clinic and was sitting in the waiting room mentally writing my next face book status update: "walk-in clinic + antibiotic = one happy momma!" Sounds good doesn't it?
I made sure to not put on airs and act tough (you know the way you do around everyone but your husband when you are sick) so I coughed loudly, held my head and closed my eyes plenty. When the doctor walked in I told her the magic number and all the right symptoms...but this is what followed:
Me: "I've been sick for about 8 days now."
Doc: "Do you feel a trickle in your thought? It sounds like you are clearing your throat a lot."
Me: "A trickle? Well, my throat really hurts and my cough is working its way down into my chest now. But it's my head that really feels the pressure."
Doc: "Is your mucus green or clear?"
Me: (I knew she had me then...I paused too long and gave in to pressure) Well...I haven't really looked. I don't know but I'm blowing it a lot.
WRONG ANSWER...IT HAS TO BE GREEN TO GET THE MED'S.
Doc: (looking up my nose - as if she can really see anything!) You don't look like you have a sinus infection. I've seen a lot of this lately and it usually lasts 3 weeks. Why don't you come back after next Wednesday if you are still sick and I'll give you an antibiotic.
SHE COULD TELL I WAS A JUNKY! SHE KNEW WHAT I WANTED!!!!
Me: (trying to act like of course I don't want an antibiotic if I don't need one. Why would I want to hurt the American population by watering down the effectiveness of antibiotics...) "Oh, sure..." I was speechless. I tried to just hold my head up as I walked out of the office while all the nurses stared at me knowing I was leaving empty handed.
I have given myself a pity party for the day and seeked friendly support from others in my right to have be given an antibiotic but now I must move on.
I guess I will pull out the Netty pot and saline spray and go buy a new bottle of herbal medicine! Sniff, sniff, cough, cough...stay away from me for one and half more weeks (until I rightfully earn my right to a bottle of antibiotics).
Feb 17, 2010
Wednesday night confessions
Just want to confess my recent addiction to "Friday Night Lights." An old mini-series that seems to have lasted a whopping 3 seasons...the best 3 seasons of t.v. history in my humble opinion!
If you've never seen it...get it! Of course I'm downloading it instantly on my Netflix queue; I have no idea how you would get your hands on the past seasons otherwise.
But...if you do...it's got everything! High School drama (it's more fun to watch when it isn't you going through it), parenting teenagers (hey, we all need some lessons for that future endeavor), marriage counseling, peer pressure (we still deal with that as adults don't we? Well, I don't mean in the form of funneling beer or not but you get the picture). Jealousy issues, job security, personal goals vs. caring for your family as a mother...oh my goodness it could go on! And the best part I think is the underlying Christian message in it. I know some of you might laugh but truly it is there! Of course the actors who are Christians make some really stupid mistakes but they are teenagers for crying out loud...but the coach and his wife are really something to admire!
I'm going to grow my hair back out and wear it really big (the show takes place in Texas...enough said) and well... well I"m not going to start wearing low cut shirts but I might just dress to impress...and I'm going to start drawing out my words more and smacking my gum...and tell Nate to "now just you listen hon!" and smile really pretty while I have the force of Zeus behind my words!
Okay I'm cracking myself up...but I do think I'm going to start practicing plays with Eli in the backyard more...I'm convinced I would make a better football momma than a swim team momma! I remember some of those old cheers: Push 'em back, Push 'em back, Wayyyyyy back! (I never did know what that meant until watching this show) Another great reason to watch "Friday Night Lights"!
If you've never seen it...get it! Of course I'm downloading it instantly on my Netflix queue; I have no idea how you would get your hands on the past seasons otherwise.
But...if you do...it's got everything! High School drama (it's more fun to watch when it isn't you going through it), parenting teenagers (hey, we all need some lessons for that future endeavor), marriage counseling, peer pressure (we still deal with that as adults don't we? Well, I don't mean in the form of funneling beer or not but you get the picture). Jealousy issues, job security, personal goals vs. caring for your family as a mother...oh my goodness it could go on! And the best part I think is the underlying Christian message in it. I know some of you might laugh but truly it is there! Of course the actors who are Christians make some really stupid mistakes but they are teenagers for crying out loud...but the coach and his wife are really something to admire!
I'm going to grow my hair back out and wear it really big (the show takes place in Texas...enough said) and well... well I"m not going to start wearing low cut shirts but I might just dress to impress...and I'm going to start drawing out my words more and smacking my gum...and tell Nate to "now just you listen hon!" and smile really pretty while I have the force of Zeus behind my words!
Okay I'm cracking myself up...but I do think I'm going to start practicing plays with Eli in the backyard more...I'm convinced I would make a better football momma than a swim team momma! I remember some of those old cheers: Push 'em back, Push 'em back, Wayyyyyy back! (I never did know what that meant until watching this show) Another great reason to watch "Friday Night Lights"!
Feb 16, 2010
Baths, Bubbles and Babies!
Yes, at this point in sister girl's life we allow the boys to occasionally bath with her...so don't call child services just yet please!
This was Elizabeth's first bubble experience. I was surprised she didn't try to eat them more than once. Of course the boys being in the tub with her made for quite an exciting bathing experience. As you can see from the pictures...she is a force to be reckoned with!
This was Elizabeth's first bubble experience. I was surprised she didn't try to eat them more than once. Of course the boys being in the tub with her made for quite an exciting bathing experience. As you can see from the pictures...she is a force to be reckoned with!
Feb 13, 2010
nothing says I love you like a bunch of teenagers
For Valentines tonight Nate and I met up with two other couples and ate at our church's Youth Valentine's Banquet. We've been one other year and were quite entertained so we thought we'd do it again. It's only $25 for both of us and free childcare with dinner and entertainment provided. I had a great time laughing with friends and just eating a meal with no worry of having to get up so the next couple in line could sit down to eat an overpriced meal. But the best part was watching the youth perform.
These are I guess 13 to 17 year olds: jr. high to high school aged kids. The ones performing were in the youth choir, then there were the 'servers' and also the childcare workers. But it was the performers that got me. It was interesting to watch a large group of youth and see how some could be so confident and then others standing right beside them were so awkard in their skin. It made me a little uncomfortable watching the shy ones squirm and nervously move their lips (were they really singing back there?) as they obviously were in pain being on stage. But then there were the bold ones...clearly loving the limelight and thriving from the adrenaline rush of singing solo on stage.
It made me wonder what my boys would be like when they are that age. Eli...he so loves the attention of everyone behind closed doors and could steal a show with his dramatic interpretation of anything (or his Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance) but to actually get on stage and do that...I don't think so. And then Ian...I can't figure him out yet...he is constantly surprising me.
I heard a mentor mom tell our MOPS group once never to assume what your children would turn out to be like. Her son was extremely shy growing up and now well, he was the leading soloist in two or three of the songs tonight.
I honestly dread those years to come. Pimples, hormones, squeaky voices, girls...but I can't wait to see how they turn out. Will they be the waiters in the background or the stars of the show? It should be interesting either way I guess.
These are I guess 13 to 17 year olds: jr. high to high school aged kids. The ones performing were in the youth choir, then there were the 'servers' and also the childcare workers. But it was the performers that got me. It was interesting to watch a large group of youth and see how some could be so confident and then others standing right beside them were so awkard in their skin. It made me a little uncomfortable watching the shy ones squirm and nervously move their lips (were they really singing back there?) as they obviously were in pain being on stage. But then there were the bold ones...clearly loving the limelight and thriving from the adrenaline rush of singing solo on stage.
It made me wonder what my boys would be like when they are that age. Eli...he so loves the attention of everyone behind closed doors and could steal a show with his dramatic interpretation of anything (or his Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance) but to actually get on stage and do that...I don't think so. And then Ian...I can't figure him out yet...he is constantly surprising me.
I heard a mentor mom tell our MOPS group once never to assume what your children would turn out to be like. Her son was extremely shy growing up and now well, he was the leading soloist in two or three of the songs tonight.
I honestly dread those years to come. Pimples, hormones, squeaky voices, girls...but I can't wait to see how they turn out. Will they be the waiters in the background or the stars of the show? It should be interesting either way I guess.
Feb 12, 2010
A cup of 'calming tea' and everything will be okay
Today I was reminded that there ain't nothing like a little 'quite time' away from your loved ones to refresh your soul and spirit.
After working at MOPS rather than having a single conversation with anyone and then caring for my little sister girl who fell asleep in the van for 2 minutes only to wake up in her bedroom and start laughing at me, (!!!!!!)I lost it. Thankfully my sweet sister talked me off the roof and made me promise to not go to the boys' valentine parties at school, thus making myself a little more crazy I'm sure; but rather getting out of the house by myself and getting some coffee!
Thankfully Nate got home right after this promise or I would have talked myself out of it. Elizabeth went down for a nap and I was out of here! A little Starbuck's calming tea and some adult conversation with no kids yelling at me and no one to wait on I was refreshed and ready to get the boys in just one hour!
It all reminded me that yes, moms need some away time. Not just at 8pm after the children are tucked in bed and you are exhausted already...not just to go to the grocery store alone...not just at a 'mother's group' where you are so busy getting everything done you can't even finish your breakfast but really getting away from it all! I need to do this more. I need to make time for myself with no children and no "I'm in charge of this event" just me and other adults and some quite!
I owe it to my family. I owe it to myself!
After working at MOPS rather than having a single conversation with anyone and then caring for my little sister girl who fell asleep in the van for 2 minutes only to wake up in her bedroom and start laughing at me, (!!!!!!)I lost it. Thankfully my sweet sister talked me off the roof and made me promise to not go to the boys' valentine parties at school, thus making myself a little more crazy I'm sure; but rather getting out of the house by myself and getting some coffee!
Thankfully Nate got home right after this promise or I would have talked myself out of it. Elizabeth went down for a nap and I was out of here! A little Starbuck's calming tea and some adult conversation with no kids yelling at me and no one to wait on I was refreshed and ready to get the boys in just one hour!
It all reminded me that yes, moms need some away time. Not just at 8pm after the children are tucked in bed and you are exhausted already...not just to go to the grocery store alone...not just at a 'mother's group' where you are so busy getting everything done you can't even finish your breakfast but really getting away from it all! I need to do this more. I need to make time for myself with no children and no "I'm in charge of this event" just me and other adults and some quite!
I owe it to my family. I owe it to myself!
Feb 10, 2010
Good times here we come
Today at lunch I witnessed sister girl throw her first full out tantrum. Now before you laugh I admit she has let out little cries of protest and actually fallen to the floor in tears before but each ocurance is short lived. This one was not.
And what was it over? A potato chip with sour cream and onion dip. She had her lovely pinto beans and sweet potatoe lunch going on but then Daddy had to pull out the bag 'o chips and dip and did not think twice before plopping them right in front of little baby girl's healthy lunch. She eyed those chips and she immediately refused to take another pinto bight! Then it was my turn to make the mistake...I gave her a lick of a chip with the dip, then a bite of one with the dip and then...well, she wanted the whole stinkin' bag!
So began the compromise..."if you eat one more bight of your lunch you can have another chip with dip." (usually I know she understands about 90% of what I tell her but at noon today I swore she looked at me like I was speaking Chinese!)
And there the compromsing ended. You know the script...baby first bows back, pushes tray, thrashes head, lets the tears run, screams, turns red, gasps for air. Do I need to go on here?
My sweet little 15 month old sister girl let us have it. But because we are such wise and patient parents now (and because big brothers weren't sitting there to laugh and hoot and holler) we just turned away and let her get it out. I smiled nervously to Nate a lot but really wanted to just give the girl a chip for crying out loud. But I didn't! No sir'eee...I won't raise a spoiled little priss in this house!
After what seemed like 5 minutes of carrying on she actually managed to calm herself down although she still couldn't look me straight in the face. (she was ashamed, that's right!) I took her out of the chair and held my baby girl tight, wiping away those big old dried up tears.
And no, I didn't give her a chip...but I did get a glimpse of my strong willed beauty that has many plans already underway for me in her future. I even think I saw her taking notes in her crib tonight so she didn't forget anything! I'm ready girlfriend...bring it on!
And what was it over? A potato chip with sour cream and onion dip. She had her lovely pinto beans and sweet potatoe lunch going on but then Daddy had to pull out the bag 'o chips and dip and did not think twice before plopping them right in front of little baby girl's healthy lunch. She eyed those chips and she immediately refused to take another pinto bight! Then it was my turn to make the mistake...I gave her a lick of a chip with the dip, then a bite of one with the dip and then...well, she wanted the whole stinkin' bag!
So began the compromise..."if you eat one more bight of your lunch you can have another chip with dip." (usually I know she understands about 90% of what I tell her but at noon today I swore she looked at me like I was speaking Chinese!)
And there the compromsing ended. You know the script...baby first bows back, pushes tray, thrashes head, lets the tears run, screams, turns red, gasps for air. Do I need to go on here?
My sweet little 15 month old sister girl let us have it. But because we are such wise and patient parents now (and because big brothers weren't sitting there to laugh and hoot and holler) we just turned away and let her get it out. I smiled nervously to Nate a lot but really wanted to just give the girl a chip for crying out loud. But I didn't! No sir'eee...I won't raise a spoiled little priss in this house!
After what seemed like 5 minutes of carrying on she actually managed to calm herself down although she still couldn't look me straight in the face. (she was ashamed, that's right!) I took her out of the chair and held my baby girl tight, wiping away those big old dried up tears.
And no, I didn't give her a chip...but I did get a glimpse of my strong willed beauty that has many plans already underway for me in her future. I even think I saw her taking notes in her crib tonight so she didn't forget anything! I'm ready girlfriend...bring it on!
Feb 5, 2010
Swap Party 2010
It was in Better Homes and Garden. Then my mother mentioned it. After that a friend told me she read about it in the newspaper. What? Swap Parties...sweeping the nation. Help rid the planet of excess junk in your closets: recycle, reuse, rediscover! I had to do it!
As one friend's mother put it, "You stay at home moms can find such clever ways to save money and socialize!" And that is what we did today. I sent out the invitation via e-vite (my new best friend) to a few people and set a date! In the invitation I clarified that one must not bring over 10 items and they must be 'good quality' or rather 'not Union Mission worthy.' And the searching began.
My mother of course trumped us all bringing across the great state of Tennessee a trunk load of good stuff (you can always count on your mother to have some good stuff hidden in her closets!) The rest of us found an average of 7 to 10 items. Things ranged from picture frames (hot ticket items), purses (the faux leopard skin mini-purse from Anne Taylor was surprisingly not fought over), a set of brand new curtains, a few jackets, leather boots, and a hand-held milk shaker blender that became quite the ticket item only to be taken with the "red hot trump ticket" in the end!
9:30 yummy mini cupcakes, baked brae cheese and jelly and Dunkin Donuts coffee was served. 10:30 tickets were distributed per item brought. A drawing was held to give away the "red hot trump ticket". This ticket allowed the holder to steal any item she wanted in the end. And then we began our search. Each person laid down one ticket in front of the item they wanted to get. For multiple tickets on an item a drawing was held in the end. That was the fun part. Then the trump ticket was used and the swap party was officially over. All left over items were then freely given away to the first taker. After that the left left overs (the sad lot) were collected for the mission or taken back with the person.
It was so much fun shopping through everyone's stuff and leaving with new stuff. It felt great to watch a friend leave with something you no longer wanted/needed and know she was so excited about her free find!
I left with a great bean bag for the kids, a leather magazine case, a beautiful snowman decoration that sits on the floor (still can't believe she gave that away!), an Indian blouse, 2 leather picture albums, a brand new toy for Elizabeth, a great plant that completes the look I needed on that table in my living room, and a few other things as well.
I know I will be setting aside that stuff I come across from now on that I don't want to throw away or take the time to sell but would love to swap with a friend who would give it a good home! Next year...come winter time...Swap Party 2011!
As one friend's mother put it, "You stay at home moms can find such clever ways to save money and socialize!" And that is what we did today. I sent out the invitation via e-vite (my new best friend) to a few people and set a date! In the invitation I clarified that one must not bring over 10 items and they must be 'good quality' or rather 'not Union Mission worthy.' And the searching began.
My mother of course trumped us all bringing across the great state of Tennessee a trunk load of good stuff (you can always count on your mother to have some good stuff hidden in her closets!) The rest of us found an average of 7 to 10 items. Things ranged from picture frames (hot ticket items), purses (the faux leopard skin mini-purse from Anne Taylor was surprisingly not fought over), a set of brand new curtains, a few jackets, leather boots, and a hand-held milk shaker blender that became quite the ticket item only to be taken with the "red hot trump ticket" in the end!
9:30 yummy mini cupcakes, baked brae cheese and jelly and Dunkin Donuts coffee was served. 10:30 tickets were distributed per item brought. A drawing was held to give away the "red hot trump ticket". This ticket allowed the holder to steal any item she wanted in the end. And then we began our search. Each person laid down one ticket in front of the item they wanted to get. For multiple tickets on an item a drawing was held in the end. That was the fun part. Then the trump ticket was used and the swap party was officially over. All left over items were then freely given away to the first taker. After that the left left overs (the sad lot) were collected for the mission or taken back with the person.
It was so much fun shopping through everyone's stuff and leaving with new stuff. It felt great to watch a friend leave with something you no longer wanted/needed and know she was so excited about her free find!
I left with a great bean bag for the kids, a leather magazine case, a beautiful snowman decoration that sits on the floor (still can't believe she gave that away!), an Indian blouse, 2 leather picture albums, a brand new toy for Elizabeth, a great plant that completes the look I needed on that table in my living room, and a few other things as well.
I know I will be setting aside that stuff I come across from now on that I don't want to throw away or take the time to sell but would love to swap with a friend who would give it a good home! Next year...come winter time...Swap Party 2011!
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