A Cameo from the nephew....

As I was spending Easter with family yesterday my Brother and Sister-in-law reminded me of a funny Spring Break moment. We all were able to travel to Utah for Spring Break this year, be together and ski. Yes, I'm pregnant, and yes, I skied. OH THE HORROR! I don't follow rules well, what's new. Anyway, at night, if I made it past the hour of 8 pm, we would watch tv or a movie together. This particular night, my oldest nephew aka the pre-teener, went downstairs to watch something he wanted to watch. I had made a little pallet on the floor for Sophia and decided I'd lay down with her as well. But as I'm laying there I think, hmmm, a few pillows sure would be nice. I say "where is an extra pillow?". To which my Brother and SIL reply "oh you can go to our room and get one, we have a lot on the bed." Great. Downstairs I go. I knock on the door since I knew the nephew was in and say "are there any spare pillows in here?" After all, I don't want to just barge in and demand a pillow having been already told they were in fact in there. I'm looking at him lounging on the bed, watching tv, with each arm out to the side in a "t" position and he says matter of factly "not in here". Dumbfounded I thought, hmmm, but he's laying against 6 pillows. S-I-X pillows. At that moment I'm in a bit of shock as to how to proceed and just slowly and quietly shut the door. I go back upstairs empty handed and say, well, I asked him for a pillow and he replied there weren't any in there. It was seriously, one of the funniest pre-teen boy encounters I believe I've had. As he's laying there like a King on the fluffiest SIX pillows I had ever seen and I'm just wishing I had one, I couldn't help but laugh. Apparently, I need to branch out blogging about other kids too because that was hilarious. And for the record, shortly after, I was given a pillow. :)

We're having a baby......again

So all of these posts should make sense now, as to why my child continues to be a Jenny Craig advocate. I'm not just getting fat, I'm growing a baby. Again. We have been dying to tell our daughters for a while, but didn't want to go through what we went through last year. Here is my story:

End of January I was in a bootcamp and getting in shape....but had to stop when suddenly....I was going through my early spring cleaning phase and cleaning out closets and rooms. As I came into the bathroom, I discovered a pregnancy test. I had absolutely no reason to take one, but who doesn't love peeing on a stick for fun. I found one opened, but not taken, from who knows when or how long ago. So, curiosity killed the cat and there I went to pee on it. Do you think I expected what was to come? No sir-e-bob. Two days "early" if you know what I mean, two blue lines popped up as fast and as dark as could be. And yes, I ripped open the test to look closer at the paper because I was in disbelief.

However, I was in complete denial and thought, well isn't that interesting....but no way that's possible. No.Way.Possible. We were pretty busy that day, so I just informed the Husband that we need to stop at the store for a test because we needed to see what was going on. And with a shocked panicked look, he had no words. Later that night I had picked up some digital tests, after all, who needs to obsess over lines, no lines, plus signs, no plus signs....I mean it's more confusing than your friggin' taxes. Just give me a straight answer. Pregnant or Not Pregnant. And again, the dang test pops up a "pregnant" within a minute.

The least amount of time it "can show up". WHAT!?!?!!? Pregnant? How? When? What the.....so I tell the Husband who then says "well, ok". I guess after the 5th time announcing "babe, I'm pregnant", it loses its luster. And the craziest part? I found out exactly a year from my surgery of the ectopic pregnancy in January 2011. Talk about a sign. Dave says I was on a conference call with God, but failed to buzz him in on it. The beginning was no easy ride, in fact, some days were completely scary. Thus the decision to wait to tell the Instigator, who surely has informed her entire elementary school by now, and the Silent Assassin, who I'm sure will come up with some way to tell everyone.....that is when she realizes or cares about what's about to happen to her baby status. So over our ski trip to Utah last week with our family, we told our daughters. The week before she found out, Rylee came to me one morning and said "Mommy, I talked to God last night and asked for a brother, and he said YES!".....



So here I am.....or was last week. Growing too quickly for my liking, but I guess that's what 5 pregnancies will do to ones body.

And here is our little baby.

So that's it. Here we go again. Think and pray your blue-est thoughts and prayers. I don't want to know the gender, but sadly, I've been outnumbered in my household. So we will know in t-minus 9 weeks!

Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig.....whatever

I think Sophia needs to be a weight loss advocate. The girl will set you straight in no time. I'm cooking dinner the other night, a nice whole wheat spaghetti and turkey meat with homemade sauce and salad mind you, and the child says....."mommy" (as if in disgust) "LOOK at your tummy." About that time Rylee comes around the corner and says, what's wrong with it? I say, it's sticking out. Rylee, now quickly turning in to my little angel who really, genuinely cares about feelings, says as she sticks hers out as far as it goes "like this?" I said, yep, like that. She says "well, maybe just a little". That's a better delivery than Sophia's blow. But Sophia goes on to disagree and say "nope, it's a fat tummy." I mean, what would the child do if I was truly obese? I certainly don't mean that in a derogatory manner towards those who are overweight, but she sure is in tune with when my stomach is "no longer a fat tummy" vs "a fat tummy". Who needs bikini pics of yourself positioned correctly around the house? Who needs a picture of a cow or pig on the fridge to make you steer clear? Nobody when you have Sophia around. So I warn you now, if ever my child is around and says something to you, take it with a grain of salt and wear your big girl (or boy) panties. She's brutal.

Maybe I should join Jenny Craig?

It's been one week over a year since I had my surgery last year, the ectopic pregnancy. I thought it was going to be a very hard month, but I pulled through surprisingly well. Let me get to the point, the other day Rylee, as she randomly does here and there, decides that we're going to "have a brother". Bless her heart, last year when we lost the baby she basically said "that's ok, we can just go get another one". As if they're just on display and for sale next to the peanut butter and jelly. Ah, that one looks good, bathe him, we'll take him! :) Silly girl. Anyway, I've had some stomach issues and pain lately and I've been working from home and seeing my Dr. The other day she says, "did you work from home?" I told her yes, she asked why and I said, well, because my stomach still hurts. She says to me "I know why", I look at her as if she's my Dr. who has just come in for results and she says "it's because you're having a brother!" Man, she's relentless. I say, nope, sorry, but thanks for the diagnosis. So that night we say to Sophia, hey sissy, do you want mommy to have a baby? She says "NO!!!". I laugh and say "sissy wants one, why not?"......she says, and I quote "Because you'll get a biiiiig faaaaaat tummy!". It was just one week ago that she said to me "heeeeey, Mommy, you don't have a fat tummy anymore!" Wow, is there something I'm missing? Has she learned my behaviors? She is so concerned with my weight. No need to post an old bikini pic of myself on the fridge for motivation. No. No need to put out my old "skinny" pants and shorts to remind me to go on that run, no no! Just ask your 3 year old how you look and she'll gladly fill you in. Shoot, good thing that's all I apparently have going on because I'd hate to see what she thinks of my hair or clothes! Guess I should thank her for looking out for me. I'm off.....to research weight watchers, jenny craig, or sign up for the Biggest Loser. Silly girl....

She's a bit high maintenance....

Like mother like daughter has really, taken on an all new meaning. When I had our first daughter, I thought, oh Lord, paybacks are hell. Then, I had another one. Little did I know. I'm a firm believer in karma, or reaping what you sow, or what have you. And man am I getting it back 5 fold. I had plenty of corner moments. You know, "Alison, go stand in the corner!".....and my children don't know the meaning of that. Once, they learned it at Grammy's, but it's funny how it isn't as enforced as a grandchild. So that leaves me to do the parenting. Ho hum. So far this morning Sophia has called me stupid and stuck her tongue out at me. Don't worry, it didn't go unpunished. The Instigator sure tested her limits, but this one has a sharp tongue. She's a little stinker. Which brings me to the actual point of today's entry. Each morning, she steals my coffee. I started making her decaf when I realized she actually likes the stuff. Shoot, it took finals and a few all nighters in college to finally drink a cup. (and when I say a few all nighters, I literally mean, just a few.....maybe I didn't study hard enough). Since then I'm thinking I should either Franchise a Starbucks or at least purchase some stock. And Sophia is quickly following suit. The child loves a latte. She loves it black. She loves it anyway she can take it. I can just see it now, she's 16 in line for her morning coffee before school and she stands there and spouts out the most ridiculous order......"tall, nonfat, soy, half caff, vanilla latte, extra shot".....HA. And Dave thought it was going to be clothes and shoes that were the end of our finances......Lord help me.

We have real life Willy Wonka's

So not only do my children look just like their Daddy, although I so graciously shared my body for 9+ months with each of them, but they also take after him in the candy eating department. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a good box of Dots on a rainy day or Milk Duds at the movies, but I certainly don't need to buy it like we have stock in it. Wine, however....well, that's another story. These girls have been known to be dead asleep and hear the rattling of a candy bag or wrapper and sit up and say "I WANT SOME!". Shoot, if you go in and kiss them goodnight after eating a sweet tart they sit up and *sniff sniff* - Did you have a purple sweet tart? WHAT?!?! How do they do that? I have told Dave numerous times that he needs to become a closet candy eater because these girls are going to have some serious dental problems, but he doesn't listen. Dinner time alone has become a series of negotiations worse than selling and buying a home for how many bites we must eat until we get this said candy. I suppose this could be a gift that they have. Maybe we should buy stock in candy or open up our own Wonka Factory? Ohhhh, we could hire some oompa loompa's!! Okay okay, so that's a bit crazy. But surely there is something they can do with this gift. Today I caught Sophia in the dining room while I was making her lunch. I said three times "Sophia, get out of the dining room"....after all there is a massive amount of breakable glass in that room....yet she never budged. Finally I walk in, find her under the table and she's eating chewy jolly ranchers! So now, I have finally achieved the closet candy eater, but just not with the person I told to do so. If ever you find a golden ticket in your chocolate bar, it could be from me. I think that candy making may be our calling. Guess I shouldn't fight it anymore......

How long did I sleep?

Apparently I have a teenage girl and I didn't know it. In the last week, the following has happened with the Instigator. And she's not yet 6.

1 - After getting bags of clothes from our neighbor as hand me downs (thanks Leigha!) she decided one morning to try on the "bigger" ones. She came out with a big Hollister t-shirt (although saying "big" to a Hollister tshirt is an oxymoron)....and she also had on something that she thought was shorts that say "cheer" on the rear. I'm thinking these were/are really panties. Anyway, she has her shirt hanging off of her shoulder, tied up on one side with a rubberband and the cheer "shorts". I say, oh, I see you found the bag of clothes?!?!? She said yes, I want more shirts like......as she pulls it off her shoulder more. She's got another thing comin' if she thinks I'm going to allow her out of the house lookin' like that!!

2 - Just as I get over the tshirt incident thinking, oh that's funny, she informs her Pawpaw, and me and Daddy while overhearing this phone conversation, that she is in fact dating a boy. A teenage boy and he's 18 and they "go out". WHAT? Dave immediately says "you better not be or we're going to have some problems"......and I do know she is speaking of Kendall from Big Time Rush, aka BTR, but I do prefer that she doesn't broadcast this information.

3 - I'm sitting at morning assembly today and sat next to her friend's Dad. I didn't realize I had been sitting by him until he says "I hear Rylee has a birthday coming up".....I said, she does! He says to me "M came home telling me that Rylee is having a party and there will be teenagers there", to which a good Dad responded with "ummm, then you're not going". I had to clarify that she meant that she wants to have a few of the local Drill Team girls (Cavalettes) come and teach the girls a little routine and perform for the parents, thus the "teenagers".

How will I ever survive the real teenage years? She already rolls her eyes, tells me "that's embarassing" and asked me the other day where her bra was. (Grammy bought that one for her, not me)......holy monkey, where's the tylenol.

New Year, New Post, New Potty?

Another year gone. Where does the time go? I wonder what 2012 will bring.....surely more comedy from the girls. We wrapped up the end of the year and went out with a bang for the holidays. But now it's time to move on and today, I'd like to discuss the art of potty training. What is it about the potty that doesn't appeal to this child? Rylee was done with ease shortly after 2. Yet the Silent Assassin, in true Silent Assassin form, finds every nook and cranny of the house to do her business in a pull up then proceed to tell me about it. If you KNOW you have to go, just tell me for Pete sake. (who is Pete and why is it for his sake?).....anyway, I've tried the special singing potty, a potty that looks like a frog (why a frog, is that more interesting to pee on?), I've tried candy, an arsenal of m&m's, gummy bears, hershey's kisses....shoot we've even resorted to promising 100 bones should she decide in a month she will be diaper free. No dice. Let me just say that I'm sick of supporting pampers and their multi billion dollar business of poo catchers. I know she won't get married this way, let's hope, or she may not get married. But o.m.g. let's do this thing! Her allergies prevent us from being able to really attack the numero dos department, I'll spare those details, but surely a little sprinkle in the froggy is possible. So, I simply leave it at if you have any magical mystery tips on how to get this child to give up these poo catchers from hell, please do share. Oh, and let me just note we've done the whole "just put her in panties" thing.....it's messy, she doesn't care and if you know how OCD we are, this is just not a good solution, but thanks.

Side note, I bought a Bissell Little Green and I've been in Heaven. It's like cleaning heaven in a little plastic contraption. Two thumbs up Bissell, two thumbs up.

Yoooooo Gabba Gabba!

Well, we did it. We attended a kid show. We have been to the Circus before and other various kid type shows, but never a TV show like this one. And I must say, it was fairly entertaining! I was so happy when I heard it was at the Cedar Park Center. GREAT venue. Not many bad seats in the house, if at all. Well, let me back up. At first we were on the floor, but when we realized after 2 numbers that there were some empty seats in the "stadium" area, we took those and could see much better. The show was completely kept our girls entertained and in awe the entire time. Annnnnd I have to be honest and say the highlight for Dave and I was to see Biz Markie pop out and beat box and spin a bit! All of the parents in the audience were going crazy. I'd post a pic or video, but my "old school" iPhone didn't have a flash to pick up the madness. The show went just like it would on TV. So I felt like I knew what was coming next. Sadly, yes, I have seen that much Yo Gabba Gabba. But at least I wasn't the lady wearing the belt, backpack, dangly toy and kid completely decked out in the gear as well. And that wasn't from the show, they showed up in it! I suppose we all do what our kids love though, huh? I'd definitely recommend seeing that show. I've also been told Imagination Movers puts on a good one.....guess that may be next on my list. It was the second show I've seen at the Cedar Park Center, and I believe I may just become a CPC fan on Facebook now to stalk the future events there. Great venue. Great show.

Yooooooo Gabba Gabba!

Hello Friends, it's time to DANCE! Yo Gabba Gabba Live! It's Time to Dance! will perform live at Cedar Park Center on December 4th at 2pm and 5pm. Are you ready? For discounted tickets CLICK HERE and enter promo code YGG40 to save!

Have fun!

Words to live by.....

I have this framed in my room with a picture of both of my girls. I should print it and hang it on the fridge and then put a copy in my purse and take it everywhere I go. Why can't I live these words??? I read them so often.....nonetheless, here it is....

Just For Today
by Sally Meyer

Just for this morning,
I am going to smile when I see your face...
and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning,
I will let you wake up softly in your flannel p.j.'s...
and hold you until you are ready to stir.

Just for this morning,
I will let you choose what you want to wear...
and I will say how beautiful you are.

Just for this morning,
I will step over the laundry to pick you up...
and take you to the park to play

Just for this morning,
I will leave the dishes in the sink...
and let you teach me how to put your puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon,
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off...
and sit with you in the garden
blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon,
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you
scream and whine for the ice cream truck...
and I will buy you one, if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon,
I won't worry about what you are going to be
when you grow up...
I will simply love you for the joy you bring me

Just for this afternoon,
I will let you help me make cookies...
and I wont stand over you . . . trying to 'fix things.'

Just for this afternoon,
I will take you to McDonald's and buy us both a 'Happy Meal'...
so you can have two toys.

Just for this evening,
I will hold you in my arms and tell you the story of how you
were born...
and how much we love you.

Just for this evening,
I will let you splash in the bathtub...
and I won't get angry when you pour water over your sister's
head.

Just for this evening,
I will let you stay up late...
while we sit on the porch swing
and count all the stars.

Just for this evening,
I will bring you glasses of water...
and snuggle beside you for hours...
and miss my favorite t.v. show.

And tonight when you are sleeping safe and warm in your bed,
I will think of the mothers and fathers
who mourn for the children they have lost.

I will remember the parents who sit by hospital beds,
watching over the little ones they love.

I will weep for those parents whose children are cold,
hungry and suffering,

and .... this evening,
when I kneel down to pray,
I will simply be grateful for all that I have

and not ask for anything...

except just one more day.


© copyright 1999 Sally Meyer

Happy Birthday to my Angel....

Today was my due date. I would have baby number three (or 4 technically), most likely in my arms. I'm a little sad about that, but I do take comfort knowing that I have two angels in Heaven watching over my two angels here on earth. However, it doesn't make it any easier. I guess with our first loss, grief was taken over by joy when I got pregnant with our sweet Sophia. This one has been a different process. Grief has set in for the long haul. I know there is no time period to get over any type of loss, so I'm allowing myself to feel it, but I sure wish I got to meet these little ones instead of the sorrow that came instead. Rylee continues to talk about and pray for our babies in Heaven. What a sweet heart she has. Her dinner time prayers mention them at least once a week. And if you didn't know, the babies are up there playing with our deceased cat Dylan. What fun! I'm glad they too havev a pet. Perhaps today is a bit harder because of all of the friends I have who were due date buddies and have been having their sweet babies. Followed by the tragic losses of 9/11 and all of the specials on tv. And the loss of a community member to cancer who have children not much older than mine. Seems like a sad time. I do know tomorrow is a new day, but my heart seems to break today. I certainly don't mean to be a debbie downer, but I think accepting and realizing what is going on around me is okay too. It's ok to be sad sometimes. As long as I can pick myself right back on up, right? I wore my special necklace today, although it's not much different from any other day. It has a disc with my girls names, Rylee and Sophia, along with two angels to represent our other angels. I write not for an "I'm sorry" or to bring anyone down, just to share my story and to comfort those who know what I'm feeling. It sure helps me to get it out. I am glad for the renewed life I'm seeing though. All of these new babies at this time comfort me in that it is the circle of life. Hug those babies tightly and love on them a bit extra for me. :)

In Him......

Kids say the darndest things....

Just a quick one today, but certainly no less funny and notable. As I was getting the Silent Assassin dressed for bed last night, we pulled out a t-shirt that her sister recently received from attending a Vacation Bible School. This was definitely an exciting event. With pure joy on her face she looks at me and begins cheering. She then says "NO WAY, REALLY?!?!?!" (as in, I actually get to wear this shirt that sissy wouldn't even let me touch before), so I say, yes! Really!! To which she replies "NOW I AM IN THE BIBLE!".....in the Bible huh? I had no idea wearing a shirt could get you there. If that's the case, perhaps I'll wear it. Wonder which section I can now read about Sophia in.....I'm off to research.

Snakes in the grass...

Oh this was not so funny until after I got to thinking about it. We got a puppy, a 5 month old Shih Tzu appropriately named "Jeter". I failed to blog about him, but don't worry, he shall soon be added because he's about as funny as these kiddo's. So today we took him outside to do his business. As he's roaming around the Silent Assassin in true silent assassin form, escapes to the side of the yard. The AC unit is over there with rocks and all kinds of things that could be bad for kiddo's. So I head over there to say get outta there and come inside, after all, we're still in jammies and had no shoes on. (shhhh don't tell Dave) And as I'm saying this Rylee, who we all know as the Instigator but should be renamed Rylee the Dramatic, starts screaming "RAINBOW SNAKE!" Let me side note here that this snake was previously seen by the home of our family of frogs who live in a drainage area in the yard, but we hadn't seen him since. Of all days to make his grand re-entrance.....so I say just walk closely to the fence and come here. The waterworks continue, the screaming gets louder and about that time Jeter comes running over. Being a puppy he just bounces and runs and is excited, which is super cute by the way, but this particular time he bounced and sat right on the snake!! Rylee starts screaming louder and is frozen in her tracks. The more she screams, the more excited Jeter gets and the more freaked out this rainbow snake gets. At this point I'm feeling pretty helpless. This is all unfolding like a movie. And would require strategic timing of exiting stage left. From here it goes quickly. Jeter is sitting on the snake, Rylee is screaming and Sophia is looking to us all for approval. The snake then freaks out and starts after Rylee, she starts doing some hot coals type dance with her feet and screams louder, Jeter gets more excited, I'm screaming JUST COME HERE, Sophia is still frozen and now crying.....the snake then coils itself on the fence, the girls run away while screaming JETEEEEERRRRRRR, I watch the snake who goes into the neighbors yard (sorry about that G family), and the dog is still bouncing around and wagging his tail. I find the girls standing on the back porch screaming, crying and shaking, the dog is following me and is still oblivious to his snake sit and I have no idea who to console. We go inside, thankful this was not the coral snake we previously found in the yard and I begin to laugh. Probably not that funny, but seriously, it was the most dramatic scene I've seen in a long time. What will happen tomorrow, sheesh, it's only Monday....

She doesn't like boys....

At least for now. I'm learning a lot this summer. Er, re-learning I should say. Rylee went to camp today. Let me note that this is at her old Christian Preschool. For kiddo's 9 months to 5 years before Kinder. She was joined by a few familiar faces and some that I had not seen before. I leave her there for 4 hours of fun and return to collect her and her things. I ask her "did you have a good day" and she proceeds to tell me all of the fun things they did. Her fun includes, but was not limited to, painting a car, riding cars, gym time and learning that ole saying "boys drool, girls rule!". What? I tune back in, because let's be honest, the child talks and talks and talks and I often check out. Come on, she is my child. Her sister is quickly learning. Anyhoo, did she just say boys drool, girls rule? She repeats it over and over after noticing I'm chuckling quietly. I asked her where she heard this, to which she replies, from my friend Ava, she's a new friend. Aha. I recall seeing this said "Ava" as I was picking her up. She is probably two heads taller than Rylee. All of this got me thinking more about this whole Kindergarten thing. I am quite afraid of the things I'm about to start hearing. Especially when she gets around older kids who have older siblings. Shoot, at this rate, the child is going to ask me to go on her first date by the 5th grade! I pointed out that her current "BFF's" include boys, so obviously at this point they don't "drool" and she then listed them out, in order of her favorites of course. Perhaps she's sneakier than I know. Her Daddy has vowed to clean his gun at the poker table full of his biggest buddies the day a boy comes to pick her up. We should really watch out for this one.....

And so it begins....

Perhaps I should rename the Instigator to The Sass-master. It's a name I'm thinking of copyrighting. We recently spent a fun day out with the girls. On our way home we stopped into the gas station for something. As Dave runs in, I hear an old familiar tune. So naturally, I pump up the volume. Now, the girls aren't really digging it like I am, but that's ok. At least for the moment it's not Kidz Bop. Dave returned to the car to get in on the action. He's just as thrilled as I am. And I want to say it's Journey playing. Who wouldn't jam to Journey? It really is moot. As we're pulling out I hear an awesome drum solo and decide that I too, need to have my own drum solo using my hands and steering wheel. You just sometimes have to make do. As I wrap up my totally awesome solo my Sass-master, ahem Rylee, rolls her eyes at me and says, and I quote "Ummmm, embarrassing!!!!" Embarrassing I say? You don't KNOW embarrassing! I proceeded to tell her that if she thought that was bad, and at only 5, she has a lifetime of problems ahead of her and that I will make a point to bring back the running man and roger rabbit at her 6th grade dance if she calls me embarrassing again. Now I don't really mean that, I mean, I'd much rather bring back the funky chicken. I kid, I kid. I wouldn't do that to my girls, but it sure was fun to say right back to the sass-master herself.

Bone to pick...

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Dora, I am beginning to think you don't listen to me. I commended you for performing and putting on such a wonderful and educating show, however, I have already asked you to pipe down. For instance, when Benny the Cow has the hiccups and is running around yelling "Hiiiiii cccuuupppp, ohhhhhh", it is in no way, shape or form an invitation for you to tell MY KIDS to "YELL" while counting to 10. Not to mention, counting 1, 2 3....and so on isn't going to get rid of these said hiccups. Perhaps the real problem is that you're talking to a cow in the first place? I'll move past that for a minute to again address this issue that I have with yelling. My children already cannot distinguish between inside vs. outside voice, so when you come into my house telling them to yell the numbers 1 through 10 to help Benny the Cow get rid of these hiccups, you are really, well, ticking me off. How is this appropriate? When you get home, will your mother approve of this yelling in her house? I think not. So if you want to continue to yell things at your supposed friends, who are cows and a weird monkey in boots, then so be it, but let's leave my children out of it por favor. Comprende? I also would like to take this moment to address the real issue at hand because let's face it, it seems that you just have a lack of parenting here. We very rarely see your parents. Perhaps they work, perhaps they are at home making a good home cooked meal, point is, they have not taught you well. Sure, you can count and you can get through the rainbow forest to the magic mountain only navigating with "Map" while singing a pretty little diddy for your Map friend, but honestly, I think it's time to go home and spend some quality time with good ole Mommy and Poppy. Perhaps then you would know the following:
1) you need not befriend random animals
2) these journey's your going on are unsafe for someone your age
3) again you're yelling and teaching others that this is in fact "okay"

I don't mean to come down on you and sound so harsh, after all, my girls aren't perfect, but I sure as heck don't let them yell as much as you do. And for what its worth, I bet cows don't really get the hiccups. So grab your map and your magic backpack and head on home. Dinners on the table.

Misconceptions about Easter...

I realize it is my duty, along with the Church, to teach our children about Easter and God. However, there are a few things that were taught correctly, yet translated, well, a little bit like this.....

Me - Rylee, do you know the meaning of Easter?
R - Yeah, Easter bunnies and candy!
Me - Nope, do you remember what Christmas is?
R - Yes, Jesus was born.
Me - YES! Well, he died and on Easter he came back!!
R - Yeah, he died from those Kidney Stones!

Let me make note that I did correct this one. But her translation was that since they stoned him, and Daddy had kidney stones....it's all the same, right? Another time, another day....

R - Did you know Jesus is going to rise again?
Me - Yes! I sure do!
R - Yep! He'll be at Church on Sunday! I can't wait to see and meet him!

Again, I explained that while it would be great to in fact meet the man, I don't quite think we will see him as we see each other. Although I sure do have some questions....Jesus, if you're reading this, you can call me at 923....well, you probably have my digits.

Our Easter was certainly fun, entertaining and good! Sophia ate four eggs of jelly beans and "beans" (aka M&M's) before the hour of 8 am. I entered their room to find her sitting in bed, with the basket, screaming about what the Easter bunny brought her while chewing M&M's and with a chocolate smile....gotta love it. Rylee of course stole all of the Easter eggs that the "Easter bunny" left for them. In true older sister fashion of course. Ahhh "holidays"....creating memories to talk about at the Thanksgiving dinner table for years to come......

Our very own Picaso...

My morning came late today. But that's okay because I showered last night to meet my Mom to Mom group for a "late" dinner. I say late because, let's face it, we eat with the elderly. Or at least at the same time they do. I don't mean to say we have groups of elderly come to our house for dinner, but we eat at the same time my Grandparents do. Some of my friends think this is such an odd practice, but hey, when you're used to eating at 5:30 and one day you eat "late" your stomach will let you know "I'm here and I'm not happy with you". Wow, little sidetracking. Back on target. So I woke up at 7:45 thinking oh.my.stars I'm going to be late and today is "Easter" day at school! I had to get the girls fed, dressed and in the car in t-minus 45. No bueno. I start my rushing around, and again remembering that I showered the night before so I can pull off the just-got-dressed-today-no-bathing look. As soon as I am up to brush my teeth The Instigator comes in bursting into tears about how "sissy took her pen and put it in my hair and pulled my hair!" Now, one can only wonder at this point, how did this happen? Well, let me fill you in. They got new pads and pens yesterday at Office Max. You know, the type of purchase that is the "YES YOU CAN HAVE IT JUST BEHAVE!" All day yesterday they used their colored gel pens to color and draw me pretty pictures and pictures for a friend who just had a baby. Sweet, right? All fine and dandy until the pens miraculously made their way into their bedroom. As I walk in, fearing what I might find and assessing the damage, I find that Sophia's white sheets have been "decorated" with the pink gel pen. I counted to 3, or maybe 10, and decided at this moment, it wasn't worth it to change. However, I did have a lecture ready. I told the Instigator it was her fault for allowing these pens into the room soley for sleeping purposes and I informed the Silent Assasin who was in rare form that it was her fault for coloring somewhere besides on paper only. After all, we have discussed where pens, markers, crayons or any other form of ink belong. PAPER ONLY. Surely this was a slip, surely my girls know better than to paint a masterpiece on their beds? One could only hope, right? So as I'm lecturing they both quickly get into their respective beds and hide under the covers. The scene of the crime. At least I can say that in reading this, I have found humor in it, and perhaps I should take a picture of it to share later, you know, to go along with the sheets of stickers that I found stuck to the wall when Rylee was about this age......good fun!

Save the drama for your mama....

Oh how I'm shocked at how girl drama has already started. Two girls = great fun, three girls = catty drama. I realize I cannot be a helicopter parent, nor would I ever want to be. Typically my motto is "let them work it out", but seeing the sad little face of a little one with hurt feelings kills me. I hate thinking about next year. This Kindergarten stuff is really hitting me. She's going off into the world of public school, or school period (not her sheltered Christian Preschool) and no longer in my safe bubble. I am now entering into a world of catty-ness for the next, oh, 15 years?!?! Yuck yuck yuck. I don't recall it starting with me until I was probably 9 or 10. Of course, now they start dating at that age right!!?!?! My how things change. And my how things look so different being the parent and not the kid. I'd like to wrap them up in my bubble and keep them safe forever. Ho hum. I can only hope that I have equipped her with the right skills to walk away and be strong enough to deal with, well, life. You know what I mean girls, we're still in this catty "phase" and from what I'm told by older women, it doesn't get much better. Terrible. I used to do a thought of the day (TOTD) and I believe now I will start a prayer of the day (POTD). So here goes it.....

POTD:
Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.