I love fresh haircuts.

Makes ‘em look cute n’ pudgy.

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.

G-U-M Spells Gone.

Even though I’d determined never to take all three kids to the grocery store by myself again (or at least until they’ve reached high school), last night I found myself having to do just that. I was in a pinch; I needed cheese for the soup I was making for dinner. Andy was still over an hour away and I knew he was especially hungry. And I aim to please.

So I bundled and loaded everyone up, (we’re using my in-laws’ other van) and we headed to the store. Normally I’d strap Drew and Madeline into the double stroller and carry the baby in my sling. But yesterday (and all week, for that matter) my stroller has been in the back of my van, which is STILL AT THE HONDA DEALER.

Which doesn’t do me any good at the grocery store. Thus, I was forced to let Drew and Madeline “ride” in the little plastic car on the front of the shopping cart. Madeline, unbelievably, stayed in that car almost the entire time. I did allow Drew to walk, as long as he stayed right next to me.

[Turns out ‘stay right next to me’ is a completely relative phrase.]

When we were finally in line to check out, I asked Drew if he would please sit next to Madeline INSIDE the plastic car while I paid for our stuff. He pulled a package of Bubble Tape off of the checkout shelf (also known as Parental Shopping Torture) and asked if he could have it. I’d previously told the kids we’d buy more gum, so I told him yes he could have it but ONLY IF he stayed INSIDE the plastic car with Madeline. I had the cashier ring it up and I gave it to him.

As soon as I paid I looked down to check on them. This is what was left:

That much gum in less than 2 minutes.

Free Stuff and Finished House

A friend from church invited me to go with her to this children’s clothing exchange that was held tonight at her in-law’s church. There was a whole lot more than just clothes, oh yes ma’am. Anyway, we walked in to this huge fellowship hall overflowing with people, tables upon tables piled high with clothes, gear, shoes, toys, and every kind of kid item you can well imagine.

Best of all, it’s all free.

FREE. Did you get that? FREE.

So I jumped in to the madness and started grabbing and bagging. A lot of the older sizes were not worth much but a lot of the newborn to 6 month stuff was new or gently used. Since I don’t have a baby in that category (although I did pick up a bag full for Adelaide and several random things for Madeline) I just started bagging things for a local friend that just had a baby girl. She can just throw out what she doesn’t like because hey! it was free!

And I’ll be doing the same after I go through what I got for us because I really wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention beyond hey! it’s all free! Just grab and sack! I mean, who really knows what ended up in those bags.

I also picked up an exersaucer for Adelaide – because it was free – and because we didn’t have one. I borrowed one for both Drew and Madeline but never thought it was worth actually spending money on. So now we have one for the two months Adelaide will use it.

And, on a totally different subject, I’m happy to report that the curtains I found at a warehouse on Saturday (for $8!!!) match our living room perfectly. I could not be more thrilled. About curtains, at least. A few more finishing touches and the house will be finished.

I thought I’d never see the day.

Y’all come over now, ya hear?

"It’s like a birthday party in my mouth."

- said Andy about the supreme pizza we had for dinner tonight. (Hafta check out all the local eateries, obviously.) He was giving me flack for my dislike of all things mushroom.

AND!!! The ‘room darkening’ roller shades came in the mail today. As soon as we heard that merry news Andy drove straight over to his parents’ house and picked them up. You can bet your bottom dollar they are already installed and hanging happily in Drew and Madeline’s bedroom windows.

SLEEP IN, MY CHILDREN, SLEEP IN.

Another Day

Andy worked in NYC again today so it was another of my single-parent days, (otherwise known as days that feel eternal). But, thankfully, the summer heat is nearly gone and so we spent a lot of time outside.

I was sitting in the yard watching Drew play with his cars when Madeline walked over and held out her hand, “look, Mom!” She was holding a spider on the tip of her thumb. I probably jumped at least ten feet.

Then later Drew came in and was complaining about ‘the bees outside.’ (One had pestered us earlier but I had sprayed it dead with my trusty Raid Wasp & Hornet spray.) I walked out to the deck to find a swarm of flies (Drew had thought they were bees) hovering over a chicken breast bone that was once, apparently, someone’s dinner. The neighbor cat has brought over a variety of unwanted gifts; I’m sure this was also from that cat. I brought out my OSHA suit for the cleanup, don’t worry.

Surprisingly, we didn’t go anywhere today. I mean we didn’t drive anywhere. My kids did drag me on two different walks around the neighborhood (during one of which the top part of my flip flop kept breaking out of the sole. I’m sure it was a very attractive scene).

I hit that stir-crazy time in between nap and dinner (say 5:00 ish) where I just thought my head was going to explode if we didn’t go somewhere, anywhere, and spend some money. Even if it was just a pack of gum at the gas station.

Somehow I averted temptation and we stayed put. I even managed to make it all the way to bedtime in one complete piece. I will say though, I’m looking forward to the weekend when there will be other people in the house older than, well, four.

Keeping Busy

Today was one of those days where I wish we could afford a live-in nanny/babysitter/maid. I haven’t caught up on laundry in oh, about forever, so this morning I set about folding the twenty-six mounds that had been wrinkling away in various baskets.

Here’s what Drew and Madeline did in the meantime:

Drew ate my new stick of Softlips chapstick. (I don’t know why they think it is fit for human consumption but suffice it to say, this was not the first time.) Madeline spit out her purple hunk of bubble gum and left it for me to step in (which I did). Then I found Drew had scribbled pencil all over the wall going up the stairs (which reminds me, I still need to erase it). And Madeline broke one of Grandmom’s wine goblets out of the glass cabinet. Later she also broke the monogrammed plate off of her bracelet when she was trying to take it off herself.

That was all before lunch.

So. Know of any good maids that will work for, say, cookies and milk?

Fun Friday

Ran down to the children’s museum again. Only this time with friends and without baby. (Thank goodness for a mother-in-law who was home all day.)

Ate lunch at Target. It was my first time eating an actual meal at Target. A new low perhaps – eating at Target. But it was fun, so who cares? I don’t plan on making it a routine, at least.

Found some great pants, as seen on Big Mama. (Although I ended up re-ordering a different size online to compare. Will be returning one of them.)

Home for an intended nap. Emphasis on “intended.”

Thankfully Daddy walked in early. (“Please take these kids far, far away. I’ve had them for three days, by myself.”)

Not really, we ended up playing ball in the backyard with the kids and enjoyed the pre-rain wind. You know, I don’t know that it ever did rain, now that I think about it. Decided that figuring out any sort of dinner plans would send me straight into a mental institute. Went out for Mexican.

Andy did not want Taco Bell.

At least the music was loud enough to cover over our napless children. I said to Andy in the car, “it could have been worse,” and he said “it could have been a LOT worse.”

Is that how you judge a good dining-out experience with three kids? ‘It could have been a lot worse!’

?

Probably the boringest post you’ll ever read

Yesterday Andy had to work in NYC all day and then take clients out for dinner.

I know, Really Tough Job.

We decided it would make more sense for him to stay there overnight and then make his way home today by seeing accounts from north to south. So he stayed with Vangie and John. (The only consolation I have is that they were busy all day yesterday, too, and so it wasn’t really a sit-around-and-chat kind of visit. More like a can-I-please-just-crash-on-your-couch-and-we’ll-spend-ten-minutes-talking-over-breakfast kind of visit. So I didn’t miss too much.)

I always do better having the kids by myself for a couple of days if I know in advance and can mentally prepare for it. It would have been a near-disaster if Andy had called Wednesday night saying ‘honey, it’s too late to drive back, I’m just going to stay up here. See you tomorrow night.”

But since I had advance notice, it went off without a hitch. Yesterday morning the kids played on the front porch in the breeze (finally!) while I read and then after their nap we hit the playground. This morning we went over to some friends’ house and played until Madeline’s nap. (She’s started asking for a nap. Usually long before Drew is ready or willing.)

And I’m sure you’re dying to know if we went to Target, Andy being gone for two whole days and all.

Of course we did. (But only once…not too bad.)

And, since I’ve had the kids to myself for two full days without any other adult assistance, my brain is now mush and I have nothing further to say.

For now.

Several things.

First, I forgot to mention that we tried out the children’s museum here last Saturday morning. We purposefully bought our Ch@ttanooga membership with the nationwide option, knowing we’d be using it up here as well. (Except, I’ve been putting it off because I was a little nervous about navigating directions into Philly and then trying out a new museum all by myself with three small children. That sounded more like parental torture.)

Well, it turns out there’s another one only ten to fifteen minutes away from our house. Which basically means WE COULD HAVE BEEN GOING ALL SUMMER LONG!

It’s a somewhat painful subject.

The museum itself was fine, if a little older and shabbier. Still good for an outing and will be great for rainy and snowy days. Some of the play areas were really clever – they just need more fencing and a generous dose of sanitizer.

Second – I went to a friend’s baby shower later Saturday afternoon and realized again how confusing directions around here can be. It took an hour to find the church when it should have only taken twenty to twenty-five minutes. It was hot and the sun was too bright even with sunglasses on. Then, the largest mall of the area was just down the street so of course I had to go check it out after I left the baby shower. But I ended up having to walk a lot further than I was expecting. And then I had to search desperately for a gas station and hope and pray I made it to one or I wasn’t going to make it home.

It all added up to being a really wonderful recipe for a splitting headache.

Next thing. I found out sometime last week that Drew and Madeline know quite a few of the children’s catechism answers and Psalm 23. They even have some hand motions. They’ve been practicing in Sunday school all this time and I had no idea. We were sitting in the living room and Andy’s mom asked Madeline, “who made you?” Madeline pointed her little finger up towards the ceiling and yelled, “GOD!” It was precious. And it was the first time I was aware of this whole catechism phenomenon.

This past Sunday was something they call “Rally Day” for the SS programs. I normally don’t go to Sunday school because of the baby’s ‘schedule,’ but I wish I had gone this week after I got the full report of Drew standing up with his class in front of the whole church (hence the title “rally”) and reciting the whole children’s catechism (well, okay, only reciting what he knows up to this point) and Psalm 23 as if he’d been saying them his entire life. Andy said it was like Drew was the star of a show…perfect hand motions and everything.

It’s slightly ironic because the teacher told us he doesn’t really recite anything in Sunday school…he just stands there with his thumb in his mouth and watches everyone else.

He’s a closet prodigy. (Slight emphasis on ‘closet.’)

And, lastly, I walked into the bathroom tonight thinking it sure smelled like orange mango.

(Oh, and cows for today.)

See all those bubbles? Used to be our mostly-full bottle of Suave Orange Mango Outburst shampoo.

See What I Mean?

They tried to eat the cones – plain – right through the side of the packaging. For breakfast.

Clearly they need food immediately upon waking up.

It reminded me a little of those gerbils Micah and I had when I was in sixth grade. They would also nibble through just about anything.

Always A Mess

My kids tried to make themselves some oatmeal for breakfast.

I’m not sure what all the various matchbox vehicles were doing – maybe Drew tried to send in his own form of cleanup crew.

Most of my days are spent running around putting out their little “fires” from around the house. It’s this high-energy curiosity that wears even the best of us out.

But at least in the new house I won’t have to constantly worry about them touching or breaking all of Grandmom’s stuff anymore.

(Very) Random Tidbits

I wore a flower in my hair today. Just thought you might want to know that. Andy liked it.

And then proceeded to tell me about how it reminded him of the Top 50 Celebrity Fashion Faux Pas something or other that he saw on TV. Something about a mostly-beautiful green dress but that it had a bow on the shoulder that was nearly the size of an elephant.

Apparently he did not think my flower was dainty or petite. But he liked it nonetheless. Men.

I also should mention that his orientation was today at the seminary. He starts class on Monday. Here we go! Last chance to take a peek around before the rollercoaster heads toward a looming drop-off.

So since Andy was busy with school stuff and most likely going to be gone all day, I decided to use the last free kids’ meal coupon for Chick-Fil-A that we got sometime during VBS week. (Since it clearly does no one any good once it expires.) And if you think three small children by myself at a fast food joint sounds like volunteered torture, you’re probably right.

It really wasn’t as bad as all that. I let Drew sit in a real chair and kept the girls buckled snugly into the double stroller. That stroller is an old, trusty friend. The worst part was after lunch when Drew ran around unrestrained while I was trying to get the baby back into the sling and then I had to catch him to put him back into the stroller. I could feel the eyes watching me then. I’ve gotten used to the eyes. And the “wow, you have your hands full!” comment I know is coming as soon as anyone looks at me with their mouth open.

You know, sometimes I want to ask the old ladies huddled over in the corner eating their chicken sandwiches if they knew they were coming to the restaurant for food and entertainment. Because my kids are committed to providing them with only the best.

Oh! I finished picking out paint and carpet. So now I’ll just continue to hold my breath until I actually see it. The phrase, “nervous anticipation” comes to mind.

And lastly, as we were driving home from church tonight we smelled a skunk. And then I heard, “Mommy, my nose hurts!” Well put, Drew, well put.

Breath of (Very) Fresh Air

Today was a much-needed break of a day. Last week was just plain rough. I’m not even going to talk about it because I’d rather just forget the whole thing ever happened.

So! My mom-in-law had planned for us to go out to tea with one of her friends from the church. Andy was duly warned, oh about three weeks ago, and was buttered up good for his solo day with the kids. We weren’t even set to leave until after 1, but he took it upon himself to play with them all morning so I could take care of the baby and, also, get ready.

Which meant he was ready for a break right when we were ready to walk out the door. I think his words were, “now I know how you feel.”

Oh, buddy. You ain’t got a clue.

But! On the bright side, it was naptime. So he put them down for a nap and as far as I knew, went on his merry way.

[Now may I just interject here? One of his ideas was to take the kids (All! Three! Kids!) to the church pool party, also going on today. I'm not really sure what drug he was hallucinating on, but I talked him out of that idea right quick.)

Y’all. A couple of towns over is a shopping/dining extravaganza I never even knew existed! (And we only walked past the entrance to the tearoom three times before we finally realized where it was. It looked more like a flowery home-decor shop.) I don’t even need to tell you that I enjoyed every sip and every bite. Oh, and, without children.

And then the three of us walked around in the “feels like 104″ heat and window shopped. That’s the kind of ‘shopping’ that makes you break the Tenth Commandment even if you are trying really hard not to.

I didn’t spend a penny.

Not that I didn’t want to at times, mind you. And then we drove home. Sigh.

I walked in the house to find that instead of their usual three-hour nap, the kids had only slept about an hour. I kind of felt sorry for Andy but then I remembered this was a measly taste of the battering I get daily. So I put that thought right out of my little head. And, besides, he seemed in quite good spirits when I got home.

After dinner, we put the kids in their jammies and left them with the in-laws and went to see “The Bourne Ultimatum.”

I don’t even remember the last time I went out, alone, with Andy. So it was high time for a real date. And this time, since we’d just finished dinner, we actually refrained from the popcorn drowned in fake butter. I know, a true battle of self-control.

Oh, the movie. Well, you’ll just have to go see it.

No, Pampers is not paying me for advertising.

I stumbled across these a little while ago. (Well, by “stumbled,” I really mean the blinking red “SALE!” sign caught my eye.)

They now live next to the dining room table. I love them because they have just enough wetness and soap (or whatever it is; I’m not really into label-reading) to wipe a greasy face clean – but do not leave any residue (like most regular diaper wipes). They are incredibly soft and really strong. I only have to use one per meal… I rinse it after wiping one kid’s face and use it on the other. And then rinse it again and wipe the table. It’s really just like a pre-wetted/soaped washcloth that you can throw in the trash when you’re done.

And I’m all about throwing things in the trash when you’re done.

Oh, and Madeline loves how they smell. Bytheway.

Rainy Day Survival

[I wrote this for Monday. Oh well. It rained again today anyway so the same stuff applies.]

It rained today. All. Day. Long.

But Madeline and I had a tender mother-daughter moment. “Pretty!” “Pink!” “See?”

I think the purple plush background is a nice touch, don’t you?

And, do you know how hard it is to take a picture of a two-year-old’s feet? I must’ve taken ten blurry ones before I finally held her down and got a good shot. She clearly wasn’t too enthusiastic about showing her pretty pink toes to Blogland.

We also had some quality time with the Play-doh. I like it because I can sit and play with them and it’s fun for me, too. I also stay because I do not want to see what level of ruin they could achieve if left to their own devices.

And, this one’s from today. If you could just imagine the look of surprise when Drew fell right through the bottom of the overturned Rubbermaid he had been jumping on.

Hair Washing and Other Things

I started to feel bad that I talk so much about my kids here. And then I remembered – it’s mainly a mommy blog, afterall. So if you find this kind of stuff boring, well, click away to the next blog, my friend.

Moving right along.

Madeline tried to wash her own hair again today, sans water. I actually had the camera close by, too.

There was, as always, a mess in her wake:

Then later this afternoon I was holding the baby and sitting with the kids in their room. I was the proverbial fly on the wall for one of their precious ‘conversations’ as they were going through Madeline’s drawer in search of jammies. (I always dress my kids in jammies for naptime because they sleep about an hour longer that way. And I’m all about longer sleep.)

“Dwew, hewp!” And then, “You need help, Ma-line? Here, let me help you.” When she managed to pull her pajama pant over her foot, “yay, Ma-line, good gwirl! That’s a very good gwirl!” It just tickles me pink to see him try to be the big boy when he’s still so little himself.

I also snapped a picture of them playing “tag” today. Although, they don’t call it that. They just run around screaming and chasing each other until one (or both) of them gets hurt. (And, yes, that’s “Cars” playing in the background…it was an ordinary day.)

An ordinary day that also included playing Miss Piggy Nose:

And, last but not least, I snapped a series of Adelaide in her pink chair. If you’re not already bored to tears, just click on the picture.

Happy Weekend, y’all.

Unfortunately I may have to rename this blog

The kids broke the salt shaker. It was my mom-in-law’s. I haven’t told her yet. But I will, after I order a new one somewhere.

The evidence:

I caught them licking the carpet. It was a proud moment in parenting history.

And, while I’m on the subject of destruction, take a look at this:

That used to be a beautifully-wrapped birthday present for my mom-in-law. Her birthday is in August and I couldn’t remember the exact day so I went ahead and got prepared on August 1st. Apparently Madeline thought the present was for her.

And, in case you’re wondering – No, Andy’s parents do not read this blog. I’m living with them. I need to maintain some semblance of privacy.

I’m just sayin’.