Tired, thanks, and you?

So... Fourth of July...

I unpacked my china cabinet in the morning (not so much because I care about that particular piece of furniture, but because the boxes were taking up precious real estate all over the room) and then late afternoon we went over to a friend's place for a little birthday party combined with a 4th-of-July BBQ. Oh, and also a small Welcome Home Us was thrown in for good measure.

Dolly and Ethan came up for the festivities and ohmyword it's been way too long. They are some of our closest IRL people. And, of course, it seemed like we'd never been gone. Don't you just love friends that you can utterly be yourself around? I didn't even bother with make-up because, hello, swimming.

(Not that I even got that far into the water. Two words: ICE COLD.)

We scarfed down our veggie burgers and then later gathered around the drive to set off a collection of do-it-yourself fireworks (which are perfectly legal around here, bytheway). The kids even were allowed to "help," under careful adult supervision and they LOVED it.

I even heard Drew yell, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULY!!!" in his excitement.

I have no pictures to share because a) my camera batteries are dead and b) the aforementioned no make-up.

Today we had a little more time with E/D & kids , sandwiched by more unpacking. I managed to run several boxes and rubbermaids up to the attic this evening, so it's not quite as cluttered as it was. I even did a couple of loads of laundry and started the dishwasher (my reacquainted bff).

I, for one, am looking forward to resting tomorrow.

Memorial Day - Sure to wear you out.

We took the kids to the beach today. (Adelaide stayed with the grandparents, oh yeah!)





And now we're all tired and bright red.

What did y'all do?

Mother's Day Brunch

After church yesterday all the family still in town went out for brunch for Mother's Day. We took a million family pictures, as usual.

My mom (in the cropped red jacket) with all her sisters and mom:


Adelaide and Papa:


Trying out his shades:


Madeline and Grandmommy:


It's called "Keeping Baby Occupied":


Andy and me:


Hope your Mother's Day was just as wonderful! What did y'all do?

Happy Birthday To Me

Welp, folks, I've made it to 28.

[And I always thought it was fitting that I was born on the 22nd day of April and the 22nd chapter of Genesis is where I was named from: (vs. 2) "Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah..."

And you thought my name was pulled out of a hat.]

I'll do a real post tomorrow, I promise.

Life, it happens. Even on Easter Sunday.

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday, despite all that I'm about to tell you.

We started by piling the kids up on our bed and giving them their Easter baskets. Of course that was exciting; they're always thrilled with cheap toys and candy. (And I really don't want to know the combined sugar intake for today. Ahem.)

Drew immediately ran outside and tested out the new sidewalk chalk, jammies and all. And then after I got the two of them ready, Andy whisked 'em off to Sunday School. Ahh, peaceful bliss. And coffee.

Instead of chasing Adelaide around while I tried to get my own self ready, I plopped her in the tub with a few inches of water and the bath toys. She was happy to splash around and I was happy to have her so contained.

Except, after a few minutes, I peeked around at her and the bath water was brown.

Never a good sign.

She had had herself a little bath Poop Fest '08. I'll spare you the remaining details. Suffice it to say, I was very late to church. And surprised to find that Andy and the kids weren't sitting in our usual pew.

The organist resigned a few weeks ago and so Andy had been asked to lead the hymns, a cappella (and standing up front). Which meant that he and the kids were sitting on the very front row. How embarrassing.

After church we had our big Easter dinner over at his parents' house. Here's a little smattering of the pictures from today:

We brought the kids home for afternoon naps (I personally didn't get one, unfortunately). Afterwards we re-dressed everyone in church clothes and went back a little early since Andy still had to lead the music.

We had been sitting (yep, again in the front row) for several minutes, waiting for the service to start, and Madeline whispered she had to go potty.

So I took her back to the bathroom and the next thing I know, Drew shows up. (How did you get here?!) Apparently he also had to go potty. And helped himself to leaving the sanctuary, all by himself.

(Andy later told me the service had just begun; he was facing the congregation leading the music when all this happened. And, can you just imagine the look on Andy's face when Drew just upped and strolled out? Andy said he was so shocked he didn't know what to do - keep singing or chase after Drew. But by then Drew had already walked out the back door and all Andy could do at that point was keep the singing going.)

So after our eternal potty stop, I led the kids back into church - my hands clamped down on theirs. Unfortunately, Drew walked right into one of the jutting-out wall buttresses and smacked his forehead. (This was on our way back up to the front row. Just to clarify.)

I was sure he was going to start crying from the pain, but he didn't. And poor kid, he now has a red welt on his face.

So back to our front row situation... During the hymn favorites, I was talking to Madeline and turned around to find Drew had totally vanished. I looked towards the back, and there he was - again - about to walk out the back doors! I could hardly believe my eyes! I sort of froze, grabbed Madeline, and ran after him.

I found him in the bathroom; he hadn't finished going potty the first time around. I gave him a very pointed lecture about how he was not free to just come and go in church as he pleased, he needs to get permission from mama first. And then we returned, yet again, to our front row seats (are you picking up on a pattern here?).

I think my cheeks might still be sporting a slightly reddish hue. I felt even more conspicuous with the lack of an organ to cover any noise. It was dead silent in there. (Well, except for my loud and fidgety children, that is.)   And then Drew finished up the service by walking a finger man up and down the front banister during the benediction. I didn't notice until he'd already passed back and forth a few times.

Of course we didn't let the kids see, but Andy and I sure had a good laugh over the whole ordeal. I'm not one to enjoy making a spectacle of ourselves, but I can't help but laugh over it when it happens.

Oh, and Happy Easter, interpeeps.

Madeline's Valentine pants

I found these at Target and thought they were hilarious. I mean, when can you wear red and pink striped pants and get away with it? When you're under 3, that's when.


(Static hair and all.)


Adelaide wasn't quite so enthusiastic.

V Day

Hope your day is full of sugar-overload, too!

(I'll post some pictures of the kiddie party we had the other day maybe when Andy gets home. You have to see Madeline's Valentine pants!)

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.

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.

New & Improved

In which I declare my love for the-day-after-Christmas sales.

I decided not to buy a tree skirt this year, hoping it would still be at Target (where else?!) the day after Christmas. There was one left, so of course I gobbled it up.


Same thing for stocking holders and some cheery stockings for the kids.


Everything is even better when it's 1/2 off.

Christmas in a (Very Large) Nutshell

Christmas with three small children is a slightly crazy time. I think one of the best things we did this year was to do things in stages. (Last year the kids opened all their gifts in one sitting and we ended up in a gigantic mess and they were too overwhelmed to even move (okay, not really). Borderline sensory overload, it was.)

After this year’s Christmas Eve service at church (and I finished Madeline’s dress in the nick of time, by the way. It was last year's dress and I just let out the hem),


we ate dinner and then the kids opened the boxes from my parents and grandparents. It was perfect; they got to enjoy that first set of gifts until they went to bed and they were more than pleased.





[That last picture was taken Christmas morning; Adelaide had slept through the Christmas Eve festivities.]

The thought even crossed my mind, ‘hey let’s just return everything we got them and save us some money! They obviously don’t need any more toys!’ (Which wouldn't really be possible. A couple of weeks ago a friend tipped me off to a local toy store closing so I had bought everything from there, marked down and final sale.)

We had Andy’s parents over here for Christmas morning breakfast and coffee. (That coffee got Andy and I through the day. We may have stayed up until 2 a.m. the previous night wrapping and stocking stuffing and cleaning and getting everything ready. I felt like I was back in college pulling an all-nighter. But not.)

The kids were allowed to have their stockings first thing – another set of gifts that they actually got to spend time enjoying.



After breakfast (hello, old friends),


we did the bulk of the presents – our stuff to the kids. Here are some highlights:


She's trying to wiggle out of the sling I made for her. I also made her a doll blanket (shown with the doll pack n' play I found at that closing-toy-store sale).



Isn't it hilarious? It also serves quite well as a makeshift toy box, apparently.


Toy shopping cart: yet another thing to fill up and push around. Those are always a hit.

And then we flew around cleaning up the mess(es) and getting our food contributions for the Christmas feast ready and heading over to Andy’s parents’ house. The kids opened their final set of gifts - the ones from them - while we were there.






And we ate. And ate. And then went home and took a much-needed nap.


And left the mess for... another day.

A Very Merry Christmas Eve Morning

It promises to be a busy one! We've got a to-do list a mile long. And near the top, I've got to finish hemming Madeline's dress. I won't mention the fact I started it in August. Tonight's Christmas Eve service is true motivation. I mean, she won't be needing a Christmas dress for Valentine's Day, afterall.

Well, time's a waistin'. Merry Christmas Eve!

Day Late and a Dollar Short

This was supposed to be for yesterday; we were having computer issues yesterday. Still are. But I'll do my best.

Welcome to our home at Christmastime!


Not sure what the football is doing under the tree. Also, a few of our ornaments have been broken this year by an unnamed almost-four-year-old.

This year I tacked up some ribbon in our kitchen and used clothespins to hang the Christmas cards we've received in the mail. It's been a festive addition.



This cheery snowman is one of my favorites. I got it in the college bookstore years ago when I was still in school. He used to have twig arms but they would mercilessly poke you if you sat or leaned on him. Those arms probably could've taken out an eye. So last year I de-clawed him. Childproofing, people. Childproofing.



This is our nativity set. It's up high, out of reach of little inquisitive fingers.



And, lastly, I found myself a cute, and sometimes useful, little elf.


Merry Christmas!

The Tree Is Up (hopefully this time for good)

Yesterday we were supposed to meet some friends for a little kiddie Christmas cookie making party, but that was put off due to a bit o' sickness. In the end, I took my kids to the children's museum (because we'd been home for over a week while the van was getting a whole new life and clearly it was time to get out) and met another friend and her bundle of cuteness.

I've missed my morning outings, I have. Anyway, we were sitting in the play area for the under-5 crowd and I looked over and Madeline had climbed up onto a counter where they have a real sink (versus a pretend one), and was kneeling on the countertop, stooped over, drinking water out of the faucet that she had turned on full blast.

Nevermind I had her sippy cup within easy reach. I think she just likes to embarrass me. And drink questionable museum tap water.

And, on an entirely different note, today was a day full of Christmas fun and festivity. I wish I had brought my camera when Andy wheeled the kids out the nursery door at Lowe's standing on a flat cart with the Christmas tree. They were so excited and looked extremely proud of themselves.

Drew was very concerned watching Andy tie the tree to the top of the van and then the whole way home he kept saying "it's gonna fall!" The only time it DID fall was later when he was standing on the back of the couch, reaching to put an ornament on some distant branch and he lost his balance. I didn't see him fall but knew what happened the instant the whole tree toppled over and landed right next to Adelaide's exersaucer. And, yes, she was in it.

She was only close enough that maybe a pineneedle brushed her hand, but it startled her. It startled the whole family, for that matter. I am glad it happened if it means the kids will be a little more cautious around the tree (and so far they have been).

Last year we had a tree delivered right to our front door - in a stand with lights and everything. Oh, and it was also free. So this year maybe wasn't quite as nice as that, but we roll with the punches and move on. I think last year I also must have thrown out our tangled strands of lights because this year I could only find one.

So, it still needs a little bit of work... and a few more lights.

And possibly, a fence.

You can tell Santa, if you see 'im.

Since I already have my two front teeth:

Starbucks gift cards - one can never have too many.

These boots or these boots. Size 8 1/2.

A bookcase like this for under the window by my desk.

Green Tea Moisturizer by ProActiv Solution.

Wives & Daughters (DVD).

My very own computer would be nice, too.

Can't Sleep

It may have something to do with the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks I had late this afternoon.

Oh well, we only live once. And it was worth it.

So, Thanksgiving.

Andy's friend/best-man-in-our-wedding, Josiah, and his wife are here visiting, staying with Andy's folks. We had Thanksgiving Dinner over there, which was nice. I didn't even have to clean! And I still have yet to roast a turkey. Although I did bring the pies, rolls, and the sweet potatoes.

Which, bytheway, convinced Andy's dad that he really doesn't hate sweet potatoes after all.

(Covered in brown sugar, butter, pecans, and coconut, almost anything would taste fairly delicious.)

Today I thought it might be fun to take the kids to the playground down the road and let them stretch their legs and run off some of that toddler energy. Except we adults nearly froze watching them run and play. I believe it's now time to pull out the winter coats. And hats and mittens and scarves.

At naptime Liz (J's wife) and I hightailed it out of here to that shopping extravaganza I stumbled upon the other day.

(It being the biggest shopping day of the year and all, you know.)

It was late enough we didn't have to fight any crowds and also we had no problem finding parking spaces. It was just so much fun and, oh! the sales!

Because what could possibly be better than an afternoon with Starbucks and sale shopping without kids?!

[Also, Andy didn't even call once to ask when I was coming home. So, clearly, it was a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon.]

Tonight everyone came over here for pizza. And so far my plan to get to bed early hasn't happened. But I'll say g'night for now, anyway.

July 4th

It's not for the faint of heart.

I'll just paste a link for pictures - enjoy!

4th of July - 2007