More of the good stuff

So inspiring.

Best thing I've read on Christian parenting in a while:

Part I

Part II

See, Mom, she still has plenty

I made the mistake of telling my mom I sort of got carried away the other day cutting layers into Madeline's hair. She had been sitting perfectly still, watching a movie and eating fruit snacks, so of course I snatched up that hair-layering opportunity.

I had been wanting to cut it for a while because I was tired of the frizzy that was the top half of her head. And of course it turned out totally as I planned (*wink*). Thankfully curly hair gives you LOTS of room for error.

Ok, so these pictures are to set my mom's mind at ease. I think she was a little concerned that I had cut all Madeline's hair off.


(Not really super excited about mama taking her picture, obviously.)






See? Still an abundance of tangles.

He should just be thankful it wasn't lumpy pea sauce

Tonight, for dinner, we had beany-weany. (Or, as Andy calls it, ‘frank-n-beans.’ When he told me that I nearly fell off my chair laughing.)

Beany-weany. It was an all-time culinary low for me. Right up there with “here, have a bowl of Cocoa Puffs.” But, in my defense, payday isn’t until Friday and I’ve been trying to clean out the pantry. And the meat drawer, too, apparently.

Also in my defense, they were turkey franks. Because I’m health-conscious like that.

However, you would have thought I was feeding the kids cement or some other toxic waste the way they reacted to having a bowl full-o-beans placed in front of them. Drew even looked up with the most pitiful face and declared, “it…will make me sick.”

I immediately had flashbacks to sitting at the table for over an hour once as a child because I could not gag down a salmon patty covered in some sort of lumpy pea sauce. And then I was forced to eat it cold. I decided then and there I would never do that to any future children.

I mean, a salmon patty with pea sauce? It’s just plain wrong.

But you’re not supposed to gag over beany-weany! It’s full of healthy yummy things like, well, ketchup and brown sugar. And (turkey) hot dogs.

Nevertheless, I’m guessing he probably would’ve rather had the Cocoa Puffs.

Passing it on

A couple of recent noteworthy posts (in no particular order):

If you sometimes feel like a run-down mom, this is for you.

If you're like me and sometimes get in a rut reading your Bible, click here for a brilliant idea.

This one is a hodge-podge of randomly answered questions but I really liked some of her answers and thought they were helpful. (Such as the once-a-month reevaluating goals-for-your-kids thing.)

I thought only little girls were supposed to be clothes-picky

As I dressed him for church today: "No, Drew doesn't want that yellow shirt. I need the white one!"

Let's compare hair notes

[I've mentioned this to some of my friends before, but I thought it might be fun to share with the interpeeps.]

This is why, looking back, Madeline always felt older to me than Adelaide does now.

Here's Madeline at 9ish months:


(That pink outfit in the first picture, coincidentally, was mine. I think my mother made it. Which is why I stuffed her in it and took a picture.)



Did you notice anything? Like a full head of hair? Beginnings of the curly madness now going on in this house?

Now, here are a few shots of Adelaide I took before she went to bed tonight. She will be 10 months tomorrow.





The hair. It is not all created equal.

Following in her sister's footsteps

When Madeline was a baby (the crawling kind), she was notorious for picking up gross things off the floor and sticking them in her mouth. It didn't matter how often I vacuumed or swept, I'd still find her chewing away on lint fuzzies, dirt, crumbs, even a dead fly once.

Yeah. I nearly threw up.

Anyway, Adelaide is taking it upon herself to keep up Madeline's floor-scrounging legacy. (No dead flies or ladybugs yet though, thankfully.)

When the kids went to bed the other night I swept up all the rice puffs that Adelaide had dropped from her johnny-jump-up tray. Naturally other kitchen crumbs and dirt got swept up as well, and I left a small pile over by the wall. I put the broom away and was planning to just vacuum up the mess and be done with it.

But then I went to bed and forgot all about the dustpile and my vacuuming plans.

Sometime the next morning, wouldn’t you know, I rounded the corner into the kitchen and there was Adelaide, sitting in the middle of the pile, happily munching away on dusty rice krispies.

Ew. But at least it wasn't a dead fly.

Sometimes

You just need a little sugar cookie in your life. Or two. Or twelve.


Or forty-seven.

Three Kids, Three Days

"Flying solo 'round here for a day or so" turned into more like three days. But who's counting?

My time alone with the kids was a really sweet and cuddly time. It helps to be mentally prepared - I doubt we would have done so well if it had been sprung on me from out of the blue. It was a little annoying to be completely cooped up, (Andy took my van because he needed the space, so we couldn't go anywhere; and it was really even too cold to go outside) but I just took it as a grand excuse to watch an endless string of movies.

We also had some friends over to play one day, which helped break it up a bit.

And each night the kids wanted to pop popcorn (which we did) and watch Anne of Green Gables (which we did). Although, Madeline calls it "Geen Ables" as if that's her name; "what happened to Geen Ables?!" I kept saying, "her name is Anne!" And then halfway through the movie she looked up and said, "what happened to Cinderbella?"

Apparently we need a little lesson in keeping the heroines straight.

I did manage some deep cleaning and dejunking. You can actually walk into both Drew and Madeline's rooms without stumbling over a sea of toys. And they only successfully rescued one thing back out of the trash bag.

But, sweet as the time was, I'm glad we're back to our normal (normal?) life. Life with Daddy home to help put the kids to bed.

Gearing Up

We have big plans for the day - overhaul the kids' rooms-o-junk, general cleaning and organizing, keep everyone alive... We're all about goals and ambitions and the big picture here.

Andy will be gone tonight because after a day of work he's going up to NY for a voice lesson tomorrow morning in the City.

Wish we could all be so lucky, I know.

Not really.

But wish me luck! (Even though I don't believe in such a thing; but that's neither here nor there.) I'll be flying solo 'round here for a day or so.

Hence the lofty goals.

One of my favorite evening hymns

The day you gave us, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at your behest;
To you our morning hymns ascended,
Your praise shall hallow now our rest.

We thank you that your church, unsleeping
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun, that bids us rest, is waking
Our brethren ‘neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Your wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; your throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
But stand, and rule, and grow forever,
Till all your creatures own your sway.

- John Ellerton, 1870

Photo Shoot with Adelaide

It started out sweetly enough.

"Sure, Mom, you can take my picture. Even up the photo albums a bit... me being the third child and everything."


"Another one? Well, okay! If you insist."


"Hmph. This is getting kind of boring."


"That camera looks like an acceptable teething toy."


"Maybe if I act uninterested and busy she'll leave me alone."


"Oh! You're still here?"


"Okay, maybe one last photo. Try this angle as I stare at the TV."


"Or is this my best side?"


"You really are a crazy mama, aren't you?"


"Please stop taking my picture. You're starting to make me nervous."


"I said please stop taking my picture! I've had just about enough!"


"Maybe if I look away..."


"...she can't see me anymore."

See? I’m just a wealth of information

• You know those Magic Eraser cleaning sponges by Mr. Clean (or whoever)? They really are magical. With three kids my walls can sometimes get a little dirty. Okay, they’re filthy. Andy’s mom had given me an eraser sponge a while back and I just threw it in my cleaning bin and forgot all about it. Then the other day I pulled it out for a trial run and ohmyword I could not believe the magic. Takes EVERYTHING off with very minimal effort. Greasy fingerprints? Gone. I’m thinking about buying stock in the magic eraser business.

• I’ve used Biolage shampoo and conditioner for the last, like, gazillion years (fourteen to be exact). I was a little bit of a shampoo snob. But since it’s not fitting very nicely into the budget these days, I decided to be adventurous and try something a little bit cheaper. A couple of months ago I found out that Lancome is owned by L’Oreal. So, clearly, L’Oreal must know something. [My favorite eye-makeup remover is the one by Lancome; it’s light and not greasy. But it’s fairly pricey, so when I found out about the L’Oreal ownership, I gave the L’Oreal one a try. It’s a nice, cheaper alternative and I’ve used it ever since.] Anyway, so I decided to give the L’Oreal shampoo a whirl. And I’ll let you in on a little secret – I love it. I’m using the Vive Pro in the Nutri Gloss for medium to long hair. And the bottles are hot pink. And they cost $3 something.

• Since Madeline graced us with her presence, I’ve been a loyal Pampers mom. I used Cruisers for a while because they really are the best. But then Pampers put the stretchy sides on their regular diapers and I couldn’t tell a difference between the two, so I switched back to regular because hello, they’re cheaper. But for a while now, Luvs has also had the stretchy sides. So basically what I’m trying to say is I cannot tell a difference between Pampers and Luvs. And Luvs are significantly cheaper. So now, therefore, I’m a loyal Luvs mom. Don't judge me because I'm cheap. (On diapers, that is.)

• When we lived in Chattanooga, the guy we lovingly called the "hairbow man" would set up shop twice a year and it was great because you could go, choose, and purchase right there on the spot. But since we don't live in Chattanooga anymore, and I have yet to find a Hairbow Man here up North, I thought I might let you in on another of my little-known hairbow secrets. Jenna, at Bellaroses Boutique, makes gorgeous bows and probably a higher quality than the Hairbow man. But don't tell him that. Anyway, her bow shop is here, if you wish to go and take a peek. Both my friend Sarah and I have been completely happy with our bows from her.

• There was a 5th thing, but it's escaped me now. Stay tuned...

Speaking of vacuum cleaners...

That new vacuum Andy's parents got me for Christmas? Let's just say the kids have provided me with several opportunities to test its capability and features.

I caught them having a little party with the packing styrofoam from Drew's train table box. The living room looked like it had been hit by a snowstorm.

Or, more accurately, a foamstorm.

(These pictures don't quite do it justice - the tiniest bits don't even show up.)




(Yes, that's foam wedged down into the back of the couch. To go with the SoftLips and anything else trapped down there.)


I am now accepting donations for a housekeeper.

Today? Rough.

Since we moved this past summer and changed jobs and health insurance providers, and then moved again, the kids haven't had any check-ups in a really long time. In fact, Adelaide's last one was at 2 months. She's now almost 10.

- Months. (Felt a need to clarify.)

(Although, I'm sure no one things I'm old enough to have a 10-year-old.)

Anyway, her first appointment with the new pediatrician was this morning. I couldn't find a babysitter and Andy's mom had to work.

Yeah, I didn't want to be in my shoes, either.

But, I sucked it up and we trooped out. Sat in the waiting room, sat longer in the exam room. I had specifically requested a female doctor, since that's what the kids are used to. And then in walked the grandpa doctor. I figured we couldn't just run out, so we stayed.

I sort of wished we had ran out. She screamed the entire time, start to finish. My other kids never screamed.

And then she got her shots. And screamed some more. And the other kids weren't exactly acting like fairy angels themselves.

So I spent the afternoon self medicating on Reece's peanut butter cups and oatmeal cookies.

The non-burned ones, obviously.

Yep, still forgetting the cookies

Apparently I don't learn.


But, lest you think my kids never get any homebaked goodness, I did manage to save a few:


We won't talk about how many are left.

Food and Drink

1. How do you take your coffee? Freshly ground, if at all possible. Very strong, with half n' half and a splash of French Vanilla. And piping hot.

2. What is your restaurant genre of choice? Mexican. Love the chips and salsa.

3. If you had to eat the entire cake, what kind would it have to be? Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Or pineapple cake.

4. What kind of cook do you consider yourself to be (i.e. gourmet)? Homestyle.

5. Eggs for breakfast? Often. With a carb. And for dinner occasionally, too.

6. Are you an adventurous eater? All things in moderation. But especially no when it comes to fish.

7. Would you consider yourself a food snob? No. Married to one, perhaps.


Tagging: WonderGirl, Dolly Mama, Moot Thoughts, BooMama, Jonesville

[Feel free to tag yourself and link to your post in the comments.]

Laundry Woes

Kids create a massive amount of laundry. And each additional child multiplies one’s laundry, or so it seems. Lately I’ve been trying harder to stay on top of it (which is really an exercise in stamina because doing laundry is near the top of my very least favorite things to do).

I’d rather clean my toilets.

But, laundry day felt ten times worse when I recently opened up the lid of the washing machine and was greeted by a water-logged Pull-Up. The foam – a grainy, beady mess - had all fallen out and was completely mixed throughout the entire load.

I may have yelled, kicked, and screamed. (Or really wanted to.)

It had obviously been hiding in a pair of Madeline’s pajamas and was clearly out to make my life miserable.

Andy thought the best way to go about cleaning up the mess was to take everything outside and shake it all out. But then he had to leave for work (which I’m sure he was secretly glad).

Instead, I used the hose of the new vacuum cleaner Andy’s parents got me for Christmas (bless their souls). I piled all the clothes onto the dryer and suctioned/shook each item.

Little did I know that somehow the blue roll of birthday crepe paper leftover from Drew’s party was under the mound and got swept up with it into the washer. So after running a full cycle to wash out the Pull-Up mess, I opened the lid to find tiny bits of blue paper everywhere and stuck to everything. I could hardly believe it happened to the very same load. (Or to the very same mother, for that matter.)

It was not a particularly productive day for the laundry.

Also, Madeline has taken to stuffing a tissue into the pocket of her jeans and I finally realized it’s because in the winter Andy’s mom usually carries one with her in the pocket of HER jeans. I can just hear Madeline’s little voice, “just like Grandmom!”

Well, of course I never remember to check Madeline’s pockets so suffice it to say that I’ve also recently had little bits of her tissues all mixed in with the clean clothes.

Also on more than one recent occasion.

Will someone please wash me???

Happy Four

The kids were fairly sick on Drew's birthday - so the party was really small and relaxed. Almost everything I used I already had on hand, so it was a bit homespun. But Drew didn't seem to notice or care.


("I do not like this strappy thing under my chin"):


The Pineapple Cake. One of the best cakes ever and I had all the ingredients already in my pantry. Which is convenient when you're doing a throw-together party.



Felt a need to sword-fight the balloons, apparently:




And, a few presents.




Andy's parents got him this train table. I wonder how long it's going to sit in my dining room.

I hope not forever.

Andy's Back

"Hi Honey! Welcome home! Where’s the laptop? How was your trip?!"

Andy was down South last weekend having a grand ole time, while the kids and I were shut up at home with a bit of sickness (also known as Cough Fest 2008).

As you can see, life is totally fair.

He wanted to go before school starts, to see some friends and check on the house. Well, except he had such a great time he forgot all about the house. Which just means we’ll have to go back. And that, as I’m sure you can imagine, is perfectly fine with me.

So, yeah, the kids and I were home for over a week straight. Which was really an inconvenient time for the DVD player to break. (Thankfully I remembered we have a spare.) I’m sure it was one of the most uninteresting weeks I’ve ever spent, but there’s not a whole lot else you can do with a band of sick kids.

Although, Saturday my mom-in-law did come over so I could run a few errands and I also got a spur-of-the-moment hair cut. (I clearly was in need of some excitement.)

So he got home Sunday night, but the wireless card decided to stop working. Which means I'm a little backed up on bills, e-mails, and other internet business. I am currently sipping on tea at Panera - alone. That in itself is noteworthy.

Oh! I almost forgot! Drew turned 4 on January 3rd. I will post some pictures soon (for the grandparents, obviously).

Since I didn't get to, before.

Consider yourself warned.

I'm not going to have internet access again until Sunday.

You can weep along with me.

Meet y'all back here then!

Back in the Land of the Hosting

So.

We ended up with the salmon and lamb. [I’m sure Nicky is snickering right about now since she knows I’m slightly particular when it comes to anything, well, salmony or lamby. But I will say that it was much tastier than I had anticipated.]

Let me back up.

Some friends of ours invited themselves over for New Year’s Eve. We love it when people do that, for the record.

Actually, let me rephrase. We love it when people we love invite themselves over. I’m sure you understand.

Our self-invited couple was Ezra and Alissa and then they also asked another couple; so there were six of us. E and A brought the meat, (aforementioned lamb and salmon), I did the potatoes, salad and rolls, and Sheryl made the dessert(s). Which I just realized I forgot to take a picture of. Ah, well, now it's too late.




When we first started talking about the evening, I suggested just having fancy appetizers. That was met with general disdain in the Andy and Ezra department. They wanted a full-course meal. Fine, but I have no idea how to cook lamb. Or salmon, for that matter.

We told Alissa she could bring whatever meat she wanted. And, even after the runaround, they still showed up with those two things from my particular list. But that’s okay because I’m an adult now.

I know how to gulp things down with water.

Totally kidding. It really was tasty.

And, I’m surprisingly awake this morning for having gone to bed at 3 a.m. It’s probably a combination of all the coffee drunk yesterday and the fact that it’s very hard to get quality sleep with three little voices making their wakeful presence known.

I may be in for a nap this first afternoon of the year. I’m sure you understand.

Oh have mercy upon us all