Tuesday, August 31, 2010

I'm not sure this is Santa's department....

Santa you say? It's still "summer"! Well, I'll have you know that around these parts, we've already been making a list (and checking it twice). We're still working on the naughty or nice part though. Just wanted to mention that. Anyway, today while I'm cleaning up after yet another healthy meal, aka chicken nuggets, I was told "Mommy, I decided I don't want a dog anymore, I'd like a brother. It'll be me, Sophia and a brother, okay?" Now I'm no where near ready for a birds and bees talk, but surely I can tell her that it's not Santa's department? I think Daddy, The Saver, will revert back to the days of "yes, let's get a dog"......food for thought Daddy.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

School supply lists

Really? Shall I say it again.....really? I was at our local school supply haven the other day, aka, the grocery store, and picked up a list for fun. After all, it's only one short year and my little princess will be taking her first backpack-lunchbox picture on her first day. So I wanted to see what the fuss is all about. We all know the commercial, the kids want to freak Mom out with the list and how expensive, or extensive, it is. That is certainly is. I have a few bones to pick here. And correct me if I'm wrong, I'm no teacher nor have I ever been one (well in academia). Here goes:

10 Glue Sticks and 2- 4oz glue bottles - What the! TEN glue sticks, times about 16 kiddo's.....WHAT are they gluing? I realize that when Rylee glues she uses enough to glue a house to its foundation, but I believe 160+ glue sticks will suffice.

1-8ct crayon, 3-24 ct crayon, 3-8ct thick markers, 2-8ct thin markers....I mean what in the name of Pete are you coloring? I have a Pacman box of crayons at my Mom's house that I have kept around since I was little. Instead of constantly replacing, how about we teach them to hear that glorious little *click* when putting the lid back on and not eating crayons. Then maybe then we won't need to continue to send Crayola into yet another billion dollar company in the midst of this "financial crisis".

And only one can of playdoh? The stuff that dries out faster than my swimsuit does in 100 degree Texas weather? Who makes this list? What I want, along with this list next summer, is an itinerary of their year. So far it looks as if they'll be coloring, gluing and molding. Now I know there is much more to it, but from the mother of a preschooler, I think we've gained enough macaroni art to last a lifetime.

Although the list made me laugh, I do look forward to the back-to-school shopping and getting ready for it all. Until then, I'll enjoy the lax schedule, laminated artwork and my two little preschoolers.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Conversations with a mini me

I love talking to Sophia. It's sometimes the highlight of my day, well, next to comedy hour provided by Rylee. This afternoon's conversation goes a bit like this:

S - More...(complete with both index fingers touching, she never got the entire hand sign down for "more", after all, who needs the entire hand when index fingers get the job done)...

Me - You want more grapes?

S - Eyaes (from an ealier translation post, you'll remember this is in fact yes, pronounced eyes)

Me - Ok, I'll go get you some more. Would you like more milk?

S - NO!

.....as I head downstairs and peek my head over the half wall.....

S - BYE!!!!

.....excuse me, I guess I wasn't moving fast enough.....

Me - I love you....

S - I uhhhvvv ooohhhh. Byeeeee!!

.....while downstairs.....

S - Mommyyyyyyyyyy....er are oooohhhh???

Me - Downstairs! (was this new information?)

.....coming back with some grapes, I put them down on the coffee table.....

S - All done!

*DOH!* I guess I didn't do enough on the stairmaster this morning and she was looking out for my best interest helping me to shed a few more cals. Much appreciated.

Monday, August 16, 2010

No time for A Case of the Monday's

When did I wake up with teenage girls? I realize it's my fault, I plan these things, but man am I tired from their social schedule. And we're only 21 months and 4 1/2!! I'll save you from the "just wait" comment and I will let you know that I know I've got a lot more in store for me. After a whacky last minute decision to venture over to Sea World Saturday without my man, we definitely enjoyed lazy Sunday. (insert thank you to Melissa for braving Sea World with me on the brink of my monthly insanity breakdown) So here we are, Monday has arrived and we're violently shoved into the week. My day starts somewhat like this......wake up, COFFEE, breakfast, dress the octopus, argue with the Instigator over which swimsuit to wear, and head out the door to swim camp. And all week, 9-12 swim camp. I've been told "I'm doing swim team, soccer and gymnastics" this year. Apparently we didn't get the memo. And I guess she doesn't really understand that her Daddy is a Banker. If we're going to introduce him here, I suppose he needs a name too. Let it be known to all that I'm married to a Banker, he's the President and I'm the First Lady, but that's neither here nor there. For the sake of nicknames, we'll call him "The Saver". Thus making me "The Spender".

Moving about our day after drop off we quickly run to the grocery store, after all the frog potty that I was stoked about hasn't been doing it's job, nor have I, so diapers are a must. We follow up that fun with a quick trip to the gym for some running, after all, Momma ate too much junk and muffin top was beginning to try to make an appearance. I figure by this point The Silent Assasin has suffered enough so we'll insert a quick trip to a sporting goods store before we head to our local Barnes and Noble for some fun (and free!) train table time. Why is it that the B&N train table is loads of fun, but ours at home from Santa gets the shaft? The little one had sticky fingers and tried pretty darn hard to take home The Backyardigans gang and Boots from do do do do da Dora. Not to worry, I had a master plot and she handed them back oh so nicely to the lady behind the counter so they could take a "nigh nigh". Disaster avoided. Back to get The Instigator, onto Chick-Fil-A, aka the local germy sess pool, and home after a Silent Assasin meltdown. Today she isn't so silent.

All by 1 pm. If you need me, I'll be in a hot bath. Hey, one can dream, right? Come on Tuesday.....whatcha got for me?

Friday, August 13, 2010

What a sad day...

I've posted all of our baby items in a huge SALE on our local Craigslist. Now I've been known to want three kiddo's....but after our "vacation" (aka not a vacation with two crazy girls) I am D-O-N-E! I had fun, don't get me wrong, but it took me about 3 weeks to recover.

Annnnnnnnd of course a few fun things The Instigator said today:

1) Mommy, did you know you're the best Mommy in the world? (sorry you other Mom's, I've taken the title and I'm going to own it.....now where is my crown......)

2) When I start a band, I'm going to say 1-2-3, and start playing the drums! - Lord help us, we have a future rocker chick on our hands. Drummer though? I much prefer the female guitarist or the lead singer. But I will support it, as long as she remembers the little people when she makes it big. Oh, and Santa, if you're reading this, didn't you mention that your sled was too small for a drum set?!??!

3) While moving a bowl of decorative balls from the coffee table, it clocked her in the neck and what does she say "OWWWWWW, right in the jugular!". If drumming doesn't work out, looks like she's got a future in stand up comedy because I don't care who you are, that there was funny.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Exciting news!

I've been in talks with US Family Guide for a few months, well, supposed to join in on some webinars/meetings and never had the time. Finally, I was able to and long story short, was selected to be a member of Moms Connect. (Find the link on the right side and in this post) - Basically it will link you to US Family Guide where you can find your area and all the cool happenings around town. Pretty cool little resource. And for those of you with your own business, you can advertise with them. What I'll be doing is attending events (ie: Ringling Brothers) and writing reviews here (so check back!) and it's published through their site as well. So check in and check often. I'm about to do a major overhaul on this thing and get a heck of a lot more stuff up. Share this blog link with your Mom friends so we can all navigate through this crazy world of Motherhood together!


USFamilyGuide.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Oh today....

It sure was an interesting day. Have I mentioned that I work mostly from home with my two girls? I do. I work a little bit for my family owned business (insert plug for NHRG, Inc here - IT Consulting) and in the midst of all of that work and raising my girls, I started up a Photography Business and decided to pick up this crafting. Let it be known that I function with too much on my plate, but oh today was a challenge. Since our live in Nanny has left us (ELLEN COME BACK!) I'm left working, alone, with these two crazy cats. A few things that happened:

1) The Insigator, in true instigator fashion, got on my workout equipment and said "Sophia, do some exercise! It makes your body feel good!" - Now I hate to be a gym rat, but let's face it, I've turned into one as the Foursquare mayor of good ole Gold's Gym of Bee Caves. I definitely agree with her on this statement, although I must say an elliptical machine is no place for a 21 month old.

2) Because I have to get some work done while they destroy the house, er, I mean play and do arts and crafts, I cannot always watch them. So when Sophia falls off a chair (kid size chair, I'm not that bad) and busted her eye open and it begins to bleed or when she takes a good spill down the stairs, I believe it's time to call it a day. And on that note I took The Instigator to our local Rolly Pollies for a good ole day camp. Ahhh, thank you Rolly Pollies!

3) Lastly I must say that Kidz Bop 18, again you can own your own CD and Instructional Dance DVD - don't hate, isn't really bad! I found myself singing. However, when you purchase this kid edition of some of the raunchy current hits, be sure you use your listening ears before you belt it out like you're a part of the band. When Katy Perry's California Girls came on I found myself singing "no no" words at the top of my lungs only to realize, hmmm, I bet they aren't saying that. After all, they're what, 12? Just sayin'.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Tu tu tu tu ta tutorial.....

 

I'm so proud, that I had to share. I've been known to be crafty, even going so far as to host an etsy shop (see my store link on the right!)....but for now, I'll share my craft. And by the way, if you'd like to purchase this one, or one in your size, it is $15 plus shipping.

1) Buy a onesie, any size, any color, any brand. For this one I bought a 24 mth Gerber Cotton that I found at Target. Cotton is very easy to work with.

2) Find some ribbon you'd like to sew on it. Or fabric. Again, cotton is easiest. I used a grosgrain green polka dot ribbon.

3) Measure the ribbon or fabric from seam to seam of the onesie. I placed it above where I thought the tummy would be so that it wasn't too low for shorts, skirts or pants. Or you can leave your little princess, or prince, in the onesie alone.

4) Fold over the ends of the ribbon and iron so that the frayed edges will be sewn down as a clean edge. I start with one end, fold it over, iron it so that it stays folded and then pin it immediately to the onesie at one side seam.

5) Continue pinning the ribbon to the onesie all the way across to the next side seam. Make sure you don't pin al the way through to the back, only through the front layer, otherwise it won't feed through your sewing machine.

6) Once everything is pinned down you're ready to sew! Start at one side seam and sew your ribbon down until you've done the whole thing.

7) For the bow, I just hand tied it into a bow, much like your shoe laces and worked with it until it looked the way I wanted. I used the same ribbon, but you could use any ribbon if you'd like some contrast.

8) Again, fold the ends of the ribbon over, I folded twice here unlike above where I folded once for the side seam, and feed it through the sewing machine to create a nice clean end to your ribbon that won't fray in the washer.

9) Now get a regular ole needle and thread to match your ribbon (I used white) and hand sew your bow. I sewed from the back since I didn't want stitching to show on the front of the bow. Feed through enough times that when you pull the ends of the ribbon you cannnot untie the bow.

10) Now you're ready to hand sew your bow on to the onesie. I picked the side I liked and sewed it on, again sewing enough to where I could tug on it and it didn't budge. You want to make sure everything is sturdy enough to go through the washer.

Voila! Cute little onesie. If you have questions, email me at loviesbyalison@gmail.com and I'd be happy to answer! Happy sewing!! Please feel free to comment and let me know if you like this tutorial (or if I left something out) and I'll be happy to post more of these!
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

A few things I've noticed lately...

1) I know all the words to every Disney and Nick/Nick Jr. Show. Don't challenge me. I do. Although if I hear one more round of Do do do do da Dora, I may drive myself into a tree.

2) I never realized how exciting a frog potty could be. From the store to the bathroom, it just got better and better. It's definitely the best $12.99 I've spent in a while. And that's probably because I've cut back on wine.....

3) Kidz Bop and Disney Channel Pandora has become a staple in my car. Don't be jealous. You too can own your own version of Kidz Bop 18 by visiting the website complete with instructional dance DVD. No, I do not work for Kidz Bop, but feel free to send me a check for my mention.

4) All things of pink and glitter have consumed me and our home. Must everything be so....pink? I love it, I do, I'm as girly as the next "girly girl", but man am I creating myself a few little princesses.

5) When did girl shoe designers decide that $75 with a "free make-up phone" was the going rate for a foot that grows faster than I can think of things to blog about? Moving on. For the record, we own some Twinkle Toes, not the alternative. $42 was still a big budget buster.

6) I've never been so crafty in my life. I have become a knifty knitter and sewer and I feel that the only thing I lack here is a pair of those square little glasses with a beaded chain to hold them up.

Let's just call it a day here. After all, the continuation of the Gusher's commercial as to why the "gusher didn't gush" is on and I've been waiting to see why in fact that is.....

Monday, August 2, 2010

Houston, we have a problem...

We have lost lovie. You've read that correctly, we have lost lovie. Now, if you have children, you know what this means and if not, let me explain. Lovie....it is vital for survival around these parts. This is a castastrophe people. Which brings me to the question....why do we as parents push these things upon our children? I'm not saying I forced lovie in her face, but we buy something to comfort them and they become attached so much that losing it means every member of the household will suffer. Now, at least she is old enough to understand that it's gone, but that's in no way easy to explain. We trecked back to the good ole grocery store, aka, the scene of the crime. But nothing, nathan, nada. No lovie to be found. And I don't quite think the staff of the local HEB gets the severity of it all. They simply jotted down my number to "call if we find it"....call me. Yeah right. I called many times, still, no go. So moving on. We have a back up, but it's not the same lovie, it doesn't have polka dots, it doesn't have brown satin and it doesn't have the shaggy weird fabric that seems to never get clean no matter how many times you've run it through the washer. And does anyone know how hard it is to keep a four year old quiet about the whole ordeal? The Instigator truly lived up to her name by announcing ever so often, timed correctly or incorrectly (not sure), that lovie was in fact, gone. Oh well. Lovie, where ever you are, you will not be forgotten. We sure had some good times with you. *Quick note to the evil person who threw it away - you have no heart and karma is a........* ;)