Tooth #2 came out this morning -
with a little help from Daddy-O and a piece of floss!
with a little help from Daddy-O and a piece of floss!
I just love a toothless grin!Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
I've Figured It Out!
I have very often wished that my house were a lot cleaner and more organized than it is. But it isn't - and most likely will not be for the next 10 or 15 years.
Why?
Simple - I have 3 small children. (And some days, like today, I have 5 small children.)
Can I really blame it on them? Yes, I do feel justified in doing that. Sure, I have my lazy days and moments, but even on days, like today, when I had a big job to do (see previous post!) and was very motivated to do it, it just takes FOREVER! Like 3 times longer than it should!
After breakfast, the kids will either watch a movie or, days like today when it is so beautiful out, they go outside and play. Once they are all settled, happily doing whatever it is they are doing, I get busy. But the quiet and happiness never lasts for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
Soon someone is whining or crying about something. Someone has hit someone. Someone fell down and needs lots of kisses to make it better. Someone has to go potty. Someone is hungry, needs a drink, has some very important question to ask that requires my full, undivided attention. Someone needs Something!
And so whatever it is I am doing, stops. It is put on hold until later, sometimes much, much later.
Today would be a good example of that. When I got up, my #1 priority today was to get the laundry done. I was SO excited to do laundry today because it meant I could use my new clothesline for the very first time! I was ECSTATIC!! But then there was a little fiasco while cooking breakfast and so that got pushed to #2 priority. I think from start to finish, it took me about 2 hours to clean the stove - way too long if you ask me. But between all the little interruptions, that was the best I could do.
I have managed to get 4 loads of laundry washed. 3 of those loads are even hung, but don't get me wrong. There were lots of interruptions and about 3 too many helpers, so excited to see how to use the clothesline, that hanging those 3 loads took me about twice as long as it should have.
And just a short while ago, after lunch, the kids were all playing nicely and happily so I decided to sneak away for a few minutes and do a bit of blogging. Not halfway thru my previous post, I hear a little scream and decided I'd better go check it out. I was met at the top of the stairs by a white, powdery substance all over the landing, an opened diaper bag nearby. I headed down the hall, noticing another white powdery mess. I followed the voices into Gabriella & Tabitha's room. White powder sprinkled all over the floor, all over Gabriella's pink sheets. Sprinkled in Tabitha's hair and on her hands and an almost completely white little 22 month old named Tycee that I babysit. UGH! And in the middle of it all, Gabriella and William sitting doing a puzzle.
Gabriella looked up at me. "Mom, Tabitha is getting that all over everything!" Really? Gee, Thanks for letting me know!
I wish now that I had taken a picture of Tabitha and Tycee - these 2 little partners in crime. I tried brushing out Tycee's hair to get all the baby powder out - no good - it was still completely white - like she was a little midget grandma. Off went her clothes and in she went to the tub. I quickly sprayed her off, shampooed her hair and she was clean again. She loved her little shower! Tabitha, I knew, would not have been near that easy. She would have been screaming at the thought of having water running down her face, not laughing like Tycee was. And since she wasn't near that bad either, she just went to bed.
Things are quiet and peaceful now - for the moment. Maybe if I hurry I can get 1/2 of my last load of laundry hung to dry!
Why?
Simple - I have 3 small children. (And some days, like today, I have 5 small children.)
Can I really blame it on them? Yes, I do feel justified in doing that. Sure, I have my lazy days and moments, but even on days, like today, when I had a big job to do (see previous post!) and was very motivated to do it, it just takes FOREVER! Like 3 times longer than it should!
After breakfast, the kids will either watch a movie or, days like today when it is so beautiful out, they go outside and play. Once they are all settled, happily doing whatever it is they are doing, I get busy. But the quiet and happiness never lasts for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
Soon someone is whining or crying about something. Someone has hit someone. Someone fell down and needs lots of kisses to make it better. Someone has to go potty. Someone is hungry, needs a drink, has some very important question to ask that requires my full, undivided attention. Someone needs Something!
And so whatever it is I am doing, stops. It is put on hold until later, sometimes much, much later.
Today would be a good example of that. When I got up, my #1 priority today was to get the laundry done. I was SO excited to do laundry today because it meant I could use my new clothesline for the very first time! I was ECSTATIC!! But then there was a little fiasco while cooking breakfast and so that got pushed to #2 priority. I think from start to finish, it took me about 2 hours to clean the stove - way too long if you ask me. But between all the little interruptions, that was the best I could do.
I have managed to get 4 loads of laundry washed. 3 of those loads are even hung, but don't get me wrong. There were lots of interruptions and about 3 too many helpers, so excited to see how to use the clothesline, that hanging those 3 loads took me about twice as long as it should have.
And just a short while ago, after lunch, the kids were all playing nicely and happily so I decided to sneak away for a few minutes and do a bit of blogging. Not halfway thru my previous post, I hear a little scream and decided I'd better go check it out. I was met at the top of the stairs by a white, powdery substance all over the landing, an opened diaper bag nearby. I headed down the hall, noticing another white powdery mess. I followed the voices into Gabriella & Tabitha's room. White powder sprinkled all over the floor, all over Gabriella's pink sheets. Sprinkled in Tabitha's hair and on her hands and an almost completely white little 22 month old named Tycee that I babysit. UGH! And in the middle of it all, Gabriella and William sitting doing a puzzle.
Gabriella looked up at me. "Mom, Tabitha is getting that all over everything!" Really? Gee, Thanks for letting me know!
I wish now that I had taken a picture of Tabitha and Tycee - these 2 little partners in crime. I tried brushing out Tycee's hair to get all the baby powder out - no good - it was still completely white - like she was a little midget grandma. Off went her clothes and in she went to the tub. I quickly sprayed her off, shampooed her hair and she was clean again. She loved her little shower! Tabitha, I knew, would not have been near that easy. She would have been screaming at the thought of having water running down her face, not laughing like Tycee was. And since she wasn't near that bad either, she just went to bed.
Things are quiet and peaceful now - for the moment. Maybe if I hurry I can get 1/2 of my last load of laundry hung to dry!
Bright Orange Flames
My morning started out on fire - literally - ON FIRE!
It all started when I decided to make oatmeal for breakfast instead of letting the kids start their day off on a bowl full of sugar & chocolate. I started a pot of water boiling and soon smoke started rising from the coils and whatever it was that was trapped underneath. I remembered that a couple of days ago when I had used that same burner, there had been a lot of smokiness then as well. And I had told myself that I really needed to clean up whatever was in there.
I sprinkled a lot of salt on, hoping that would diffuse the smoking and mentally told myself that I REALLY need to get that cleaned up or we're gonna have a fire in here! Next thing I know there was a whooshing sound and flames - lots of bright orange flames under my pot of now very boiling water!
I panicked! Quickly I turned off the burner (I did remember from a video that that is the first thing to do in situations like this - THANK YOU Masterguard!) and then grabbed the phone and called Rick, who had just minutes before left for work.
"Honey! What do I put on a fire - baking soda or baking powder?!" I yelled as soon as he answered.
"What?" he calmly asked.
"Do I put baking SODA or baking POWDER on a fire?" I yelled again.
"Honey, I can't hear you," he calmly replied again.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM?!?! Our house was about to burst into flames and he COULDN'T HEAR ME?!?!
"THERE'S A FIRE!! WHAT DO I PUT ON IT?!?!" I screamed at him.
He heard me that time. Amazing. But he didn't know either. Baking Soda was his guess.
Panicking, I started looking for it in the cupboard, worrying that if I used the wrong thing, it would all blow up in my face. But Someone was watching out fo rme this morning.
The fire stopped. It just quickly died down. I was SO relieved and thankful.
So, what was #1 on my list to do this morning? I cleaned my stove, top to bottom, inside and out. I seriously think that something had died in my oven!! It was NASTY! And I have vowed to keep up on it now - as soon as there is a big spill it will get cleaned up - I hope. That is my goal anyways!
It all started when I decided to make oatmeal for breakfast instead of letting the kids start their day off on a bowl full of sugar & chocolate. I started a pot of water boiling and soon smoke started rising from the coils and whatever it was that was trapped underneath. I remembered that a couple of days ago when I had used that same burner, there had been a lot of smokiness then as well. And I had told myself that I really needed to clean up whatever was in there.
I sprinkled a lot of salt on, hoping that would diffuse the smoking and mentally told myself that I REALLY need to get that cleaned up or we're gonna have a fire in here! Next thing I know there was a whooshing sound and flames - lots of bright orange flames under my pot of now very boiling water!
I panicked! Quickly I turned off the burner (I did remember from a video that that is the first thing to do in situations like this - THANK YOU Masterguard!) and then grabbed the phone and called Rick, who had just minutes before left for work.
"Honey! What do I put on a fire - baking soda or baking powder?!" I yelled as soon as he answered.
"What?" he calmly asked.
"Do I put baking SODA or baking POWDER on a fire?" I yelled again.
"Honey, I can't hear you," he calmly replied again.
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM?!?! Our house was about to burst into flames and he COULDN'T HEAR ME?!?!
"THERE'S A FIRE!! WHAT DO I PUT ON IT?!?!" I screamed at him.
He heard me that time. Amazing. But he didn't know either. Baking Soda was his guess.
Panicking, I started looking for it in the cupboard, worrying that if I used the wrong thing, it would all blow up in my face. But Someone was watching out fo rme this morning.
The fire stopped. It just quickly died down. I was SO relieved and thankful.
So, what was #1 on my list to do this morning? I cleaned my stove, top to bottom, inside and out. I seriously think that something had died in my oven!! It was NASTY! And I have vowed to keep up on it now - as soon as there is a big spill it will get cleaned up - I hope. That is my goal anyways!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!
It was a good day - it really was - it just started too early for me, but hey, what's new?! I was woken at 7:30 by Rick and the kids bringing me breakfast in bed - french toast (my fave!) with sliced strawberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar - oh so yummy! I ate and then got to go back to sleep for a bit - that was nice!
Even nicer is the new clothesline Rick put up yesterday for me!! It is just what I have wanted - for about 2 years now! Now I know, a clothesline does not seem like any big deal - probably seems kind of silly to some. But for me, I have dreamed of having a clothesline! We had one at our old house and I have missed it SO much! So about this time last year, I gave Rick the ultimatum - a clothesline by Mother's Day 2008 . . . or else! And he came thru in the nick of time! Now I just have to let the concrete set up for a week or so and then I am in business!! That will be a most exciting day for me when I get to use my new clothesline, bought, welded, drilled, and set up just for ME for the first time!! Thank you Rick, SO much!
And tonite brought a fun, exciting, and sweet little ending to the day. The kids got to bed a bit late tonite (we'd gone to visit Nana & Papa), but shortly after they were all settled, Tabitha started whining. I went to see what she needed and while I was checking on her, Gabriella told me that one of her loose teeth hurt really bad. For the last month or 2 she has had the 2 top and 2 bottom teeth a little bit loose. Every few days we check them and just a few days ago, they were still all just a little loose, with one on top being the loosest. She told me in the one of the bottom teeth so I gently gave it a little wiggle. It wiggled a LOT. I couldn't believe how loose it was! About ready to come out loose!. She had quite the clumsy day yesterday - fell down (hard, lots of scrapes and bruises on her knees and legs) a couple of times, so I think she must have knocked it.
I found Rick and asked him if he was ready to pull out his first tooth and he headed into the bathroom and started rummaging around for some floss. I couldn't figure out why he would want to floss her teeth when one just needed pulled.
"Want me to get you some pliers?" I asked him.
He laughed! and told me he would just pull it out by tying a piece of floss around it - that's how he would always pull out his own teeth growing up. Ok, definitely differently teeth pulling strategies in our homes! My dad would just get a pair of pliers, give it a good yank and it was done!
Here is a picture of Rick trying to get the floss around her little tooth. It wasn't working too well.
What finally happened is, at Rick's suggestion, Gabriella just gave it a little pull and it popped right out! She didn't think she could do it, but she did! And it was so easy, not even a tear! She was pretty proud of herself! (Her little tiny baby tooth is inside her plastic little tooth case)
For me, it was kind of a sad thing! My baby, my little girl, is growing up.
I had to get a picture like this of her looking in the mirror. I remember one my mom has of me doing that when I had lost my first tooth and I always loved it! (It didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped - maybe we'll try again in the morning!)
This is my 6th official Mother's Day. I have been a Mother for 5 years, 6 months, and 22 days. And thanks to a little tooth popping out, this has been my most memorable Mother's Day so far.
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers - Hope you had a wonderful day!
Even nicer is the new clothesline Rick put up yesterday for me!! It is just what I have wanted - for about 2 years now! Now I know, a clothesline does not seem like any big deal - probably seems kind of silly to some. But for me, I have dreamed of having a clothesline! We had one at our old house and I have missed it SO much! So about this time last year, I gave Rick the ultimatum - a clothesline by Mother's Day 2008 . . . or else! And he came thru in the nick of time! Now I just have to let the concrete set up for a week or so and then I am in business!! That will be a most exciting day for me when I get to use my new clothesline, bought, welded, drilled, and set up just for ME for the first time!! Thank you Rick, SO much!
And tonite brought a fun, exciting, and sweet little ending to the day. The kids got to bed a bit late tonite (we'd gone to visit Nana & Papa), but shortly after they were all settled, Tabitha started whining. I went to see what she needed and while I was checking on her, Gabriella told me that one of her loose teeth hurt really bad. For the last month or 2 she has had the 2 top and 2 bottom teeth a little bit loose. Every few days we check them and just a few days ago, they were still all just a little loose, with one on top being the loosest. She told me in the one of the bottom teeth so I gently gave it a little wiggle. It wiggled a LOT. I couldn't believe how loose it was! About ready to come out loose!. She had quite the clumsy day yesterday - fell down (hard, lots of scrapes and bruises on her knees and legs) a couple of times, so I think she must have knocked it.
I found Rick and asked him if he was ready to pull out his first tooth and he headed into the bathroom and started rummaging around for some floss. I couldn't figure out why he would want to floss her teeth when one just needed pulled.
"Want me to get you some pliers?" I asked him.
He laughed! and told me he would just pull it out by tying a piece of floss around it - that's how he would always pull out his own teeth growing up. Ok, definitely differently teeth pulling strategies in our homes! My dad would just get a pair of pliers, give it a good yank and it was done!
Here is a picture of Rick trying to get the floss around her little tooth. It wasn't working too well.
What finally happened is, at Rick's suggestion, Gabriella just gave it a little pull and it popped right out! She didn't think she could do it, but she did! And it was so easy, not even a tear! She was pretty proud of herself! (Her little tiny baby tooth is inside her plastic little tooth case)
For me, it was kind of a sad thing! My baby, my little girl, is growing up.
I had to get a picture like this of her looking in the mirror. I remember one my mom has of me doing that when I had lost my first tooth and I always loved it! (It didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped - maybe we'll try again in the morning!)
This is my 6th official Mother's Day. I have been a Mother for 5 years, 6 months, and 22 days. And thanks to a little tooth popping out, this has been my most memorable Mother's Day so far.
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers - Hope you had a wonderful day!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Another fun Kid's Class!
This past Saturday the kids went to their 3rd Lowe's Kid's Class -
and they had a blast, as always!
and they had a blast, as always!
William was working SO intently on hammering in the little nailsRick & Aunt Laura helping them out
The Finished Project!
Gabriella & William look forward to these classes SO much!! I'd known about them for some time before we actually started going, and I am so glad we finally went! They get so excited to put on their little aprons and goggles and hammer away!
And Tabitha - well, what can I say. After the kids turned in their hammers and got their certificates and patches, we headed down to the garden area to get some seeds and sprinkler supplies. A few minutes later I realized Tabitha had something in her mouth (not unusual for her!). I told her to open her mouth and spit out whatever she had. She had been sucking and chewing on 4 or 5 little tiny 7/16" silver nails!! So that's what happened to the nails the kids needed to finish their project!!
And Tabitha - well, what can I say. After the kids turned in their hammers and got their certificates and patches, we headed down to the garden area to get some seeds and sprinkler supplies. A few minutes later I realized Tabitha had something in her mouth (not unusual for her!). I told her to open her mouth and spit out whatever she had. She had been sucking and chewing on 4 or 5 little tiny 7/16" silver nails!! So that's what happened to the nails the kids needed to finish their project!!
Grouchy
Ever have one of those days that you are just not in the mood? Not in the mood for anything? That is my day today. I am a G - R - O - U - C - H with a capital G!!
I was so not in the mood for William to wake me just before 6 am. Then I was not in the mood for all 3 kids to come in and wake me at 7:10. Obviously I did not get my minimum 8 hours of sleep last nite. I am not in the mood to clean, not in the mood to do dishes, laundry, get ready for my yard sale on Saturday, or anything else. And I am most definitely not in the mood for whiny, arguing, squabbling children! But, unfortunately ,they are definitely IN the mood for that! Isn't it nap time yet? And to top it all off - it snowed last nite!! Why can't it just be beautiful, sunny spring?!! What is wrong with you Mother Nature?!
But what I am in the mood for is sitting here at my computer, doing many mindless things, wasting my day (when I really should be doing SO many other things!). I am also most definitely in the mood for chocolate!! I just have to make sure I am sneaky so the kids don't find out - then I'd have to share - I know, selfish of me. But that is my day so far.
Maybe now that I have vented a little here, I can get in the mood for something more productive.
I was so not in the mood for William to wake me just before 6 am. Then I was not in the mood for all 3 kids to come in and wake me at 7:10. Obviously I did not get my minimum 8 hours of sleep last nite. I am not in the mood to clean, not in the mood to do dishes, laundry, get ready for my yard sale on Saturday, or anything else. And I am most definitely not in the mood for whiny, arguing, squabbling children! But, unfortunately ,they are definitely IN the mood for that! Isn't it nap time yet? And to top it all off - it snowed last nite!! Why can't it just be beautiful, sunny spring?!! What is wrong with you Mother Nature?!
But what I am in the mood for is sitting here at my computer, doing many mindless things, wasting my day (when I really should be doing SO many other things!). I am also most definitely in the mood for chocolate!! I just have to make sure I am sneaky so the kids don't find out - then I'd have to share - I know, selfish of me. But that is my day so far.
Maybe now that I have vented a little here, I can get in the mood for something more productive.
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