Visions of Sugar Plums

Well Christmas is over, but wasn't it fun? Yesterday was the longest day ever, but that's not a bad thing. It was a lot of work, but it was priceless seeing the kids so happy. I had so much fun, I couldn't sleep lastnight. I just kept replaying the day's events in my mind.

We have lots and lots of pictures, but we need to download the new program that comes with our camera, so until we do that, I won't be able to download the pictures.

We got up at 7 a.m., took our showers, ate some breakfast, then got the kids up at 8 a.m. We took them straight to their presents. The first present they opened (all together!) was the two-set Elmo - Check-up Elmo and Potty Elmo. The second gift they opened was this thing called "Learn Through Music." It has a moving screen with Elmo singing about some scavenger hunt. Once the boys saw that, they were done. AR opened the rest of the presents herself. And she got the hang of it pretty quick!! She dug right in! We got her a Cabbage Patch baby that looks just like her, and she's been unable to part with it from the moment they met. :)

Then RD and I opened our gifts from the kids. The kids got him tickets to see George Strait in February and they got me a CD/Stereo to be mounted under our kitchen cabinets. Yeahhh! Win-wins for all!

We made hash brown casserole, then headed to his mom's around 10:30 a.m. for brunch. We ate, then once again dug into presents. Between our presents and the kids', RD and I were opening gifts for close to an hour. I can't complain...we got a lot of neat things!

We headed home around 12:45 p.m., put the kids down for a nap (yea right, they had other plans) and got the house, food, etc. ready for my family to come over at 3:30 p.m. It was my first turn at hosting and it was a lot of fun. Everyone always complained in year's past about how much work it is, but I didn't think it was so bad. Other than not a single person in my family helped me clean up after we ate...but that's a different story. Thank God I have such a wonderful MIL. She's the best!

The last guest left around 7:30 p.m. RD and I did a fast clean-up around the house, then plopped ourselves down on the couch by 8:30 p.m. to veg out in front of the t.v., then were in bed by 9:30 p.m. It was a great day.

I expected the kids to be bloody awful today. We had been running, running for two days straight, and they were allowed to go wild (within reason :)) and eat their weight in cookies during this time, so I thought today we would pay the price - but they've been pretty good. I've been assembling their new toys ALL DAY, so they've had plenty to keep them occupied.

Now it's time to go play. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!! I'll post some pictures soon!

Almost There

Can you believe it's only two days until Christmas? Given the 60-degree weather around here, I sure can't! This weather is amazing. Once I hit the streets to get my groceries for Sunday, the time of year couldn't be denied. The traffic was horrendous! But I got most everything I needed. I forgot only one thing, which really is a good thing. I always forget something. ALWAYS. This time it was the rye bread for the rye bread pizzas. And actually, I didn't forget it, I just bought the wrong thing. It looked like the little rye bread loaf, but it was honey wheat or something. So it looks like I'll be braving the crowds again before the day's over.

SA gave me quite a start to the day. I walk in the boys' room and nearly gagged at the heavy stench of poo. Not out of the ordinary. But what was a surprise was to look at SA, totally naked, standing in a pile of poo. Poo smeared all over his face, his mouth (which yes, means I think he was having a good ole' nasty time eating it), and hands. I was planning on letting RD sleep in this morning since he has to work tonight, but I quickly dragged him out of bed since I had to take SA straight to the bath. How nasty. Ugh. I can't wait to share this story with him someday. "Let me tell you about the day you ate your own poo." Just lovely.

And to top it off, the kids have been acting like wild animals. Why is it after kids are sick they feel the need to act like maniacs once they're well? Are they making up for lost time? Please tell me my sweet babies will be back for Christmas!!

I don't know that I'll have time to get on-line until after Christmas, so Merry Christmas everyone! Have a wonderful time enjoying your family and friends. I can't wait to hear how you spent your holiday!

STAY WELL STAY WELL STAY WELL

We've recovered. Now the goal is to stay well until Christmas. December 26, if the bugs must come, so be it, but please, please keep us well until then.

Tonight was Bunco night and a couple of the ladies were saying they could feel something coming on, so (since we're all handling the same dice of course) I would wash my hands each time before I went to the food table. Yes, I'm that paranoid. It's not just that I love Christmas THAT MUCH. I do, but since we're hosting, it's added pressure.

I've been eating like crazy, as I do every holiday season; and as much fun as it has been, I'm ready to get back to some healthy eating. It sounds strange to have this thought come out, but I'm sick of all this wonderful gooey butter cake, cookies, and ordering out left and right. There's always a little bit more of me to love each Christmas. The treadmill is waiting for me, but why rush? My birthday is two days after Christmas, so I'll start being good December 28. Sounds like a good plan to me!

The kids...as crazy and destructive as they have been, they are so much fun right now. The new words never stop. And they're so sweet and loving to each other. They hug each other. Kiss each other. Hold hands. It's the sweetest thing. If one of them is getting into something, all I have to say is, "Mommy needs a kiss," and they come running over. My babies. So precious!

Well, speaking of gooey butter cake, I think I better go have a piece. Yes, right before bed. Sometimes it's good to be bad...

Serves me right I suppose

Be careful what you wish for. Here I was bitching on here about how busy I am...and whattayaknow? Two of the kids and I get sick, so I cancel the sitter and RD goes to his work party alone.

He's only been at this job since July, so I was looking forward to meeting all his co-workers. There's always next year, right? *smirk* Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow so I can go to A's party. RD said if I'm okay, he'd stay home with the kids if they're still not feeling well. I might do that anyway - I would feel awful getting someone else's kid(s) sick right before Christmas. I can be careful to wash my hands and not touch any of their things...but my kids? Well...try telling them hands off. I don't think so.

The Parents as Teachers lady came this morning. She did the Denver Screening with AR. She did above average on everything but the fine-motor skills. This was very frustrating to me because the kid stacks everything - her carrots, her Bologna, her crackers...EVERYTHING. But when she's getting "scored" for her actions, forget it. Oh well. No biggie. I know my girl rocks. :) She'll do one of the boys next month, then the other the next.

Other fun news, we bought a new camera! Our old camera finally went kapoot, so it was time to get a new one before the picture-taking frenzy starts next weekend. It's scheduled to arrive Tuesday. So be ready for a bunch of pictures of anything and everything!

Mini Vent

You're about to get a taste of just how crabby I am right now, so feel free to skip this post.

For the record, dear family and friends, I do not like e-cards...I do not like links to sites that show horses singing the twelve days of Christmas...I do not like PowerPoint presentations with kittens and puppies telling me how much I need to smile. I DON'T LIKE THEM! I usually just hit delete or skip, but every time they sucker me in, they boot me out of my e-mail or off the computer all together. For the love of God, just stop!

Wrap it up

Things are slowing down a bit...sort of. Well...maybe not. I got all our Christmas cards out last week. All our Christmas presents (w/the exception of one that RD is picking up tomorrow) are bought, wrapped, and under the tree. It's so nice not to have that last-minute rush of wrapping the days before Christmas. We're going to have so much going on from now until Christmas, I wanted to be sure to get as much done as I can.

The painter is coming over tomorrow to help us figure out what the next step is for our bathroom from hell, and we have a fence guy coming to give us an estimate on a fence. RD's going to some trivia-night thing tomorrow night, so again, he won't be home (he's been working all evenings/nights lately). Friday morning we have the Parents as Teachers lady coming to visit with us and the kids, then another fence guy in the afternoon, and RD's work Christmas party that night. Saturday morning my mom is coming over to watch the kids while I run RD's mom's gift to her house (coffee table/storage unit we want her to have before Christmas, since she's hosting), then we're going to A's Christmas party that evening. Sunday...ugh...Sunday. Now...I know we have something to do on Sunday, but I don't have my planner in front of me, so for the life of me I can't remember. Monday, another fence guy. And, again, I know we have something almost every day next week, but my brain's so fried, I'm drawing a blank. To make things crazier, my neighbor behind me called today and I told her I'd bring the kids over one day next week for a playdate. It adds to the craziness a bit, but at least it's something fun - something to look forward to.

I won't even get started on the day of and days surrounding Christmas. Besides...I know I'm preaching to the choir. Who isn't busy right now? So let's all take a deep breath and remind ourselves to enjoy this busy, crazy, stress-filled time of year. It's Christmas!

Blah Blah Blah

I'm just feeling blah. Down about my weight. Stressed over the bathroom. Tired.

How do you like the new look? I'm happy with it. I loved the other one, and I think this one will take some getting used to, but I was ready for a change.

I really need to finish up our Christmas shopping. RD doesn't go in until late tomorrow night, so he mentioned us going out to get the kids' stuff tomorrow. We'd have to take them with us, but they'll be clueless. We could probably get away with not getting them anything (they're young enough not to know, and they'll get lots of presents from family), but we didn't get them anything last year, so I'm really wanting to get them gifts this year. We need to do a complete overhaul in here anyway. They have so many "baby" toys - we need to clean a lot of this out and bring the new stuff in. Like last year, I think I'll be more excited over their new toys than they are. Even if they're not sick of these same 'ole toys, I am.

One of my neighbors brought her girls over to play today. E is four years old and M is 20 months old. The kids had a lot of fun playing with each other and I had a lot of fun chatting with someone my own age. I really like her a lot. I'm excited at the thought of having maybe met someone in the neighborhood I could be good friends with. There are a lot of friendly women in the neighborhood, but we seemed to really click. The next step is seeing if the husbands get along just as well. ha!

I know I've said this before, but damn I love Grey's Anatomy. I really enjoy that show. Unrealistic, sure, but it's pretty entertaining. RD and were both laughing out loud lastnight, and if he's laughing out loud at something, you know it's good. I love the Dr. Shephard (a.k.a Dr. McDreamy)/Addison/Meredith love triangle. As much as I wanted him to pick Meredith, going back to his wife was the right thing to do (a-hem...FOR NOW), because it sure adds to the drama watching the dynamics between the three. I couldn't stand Addison in the beginning, but I've found myself really feeling sorry for her, watching her in pain vying for Derek's love and forgiveness. Enough of my obsession with this show. But I just had to say again...love it!

Sample Unseen

Yet another lesson learned during this whole faux-finishing/painting ordeal. Number one priority...get a sample before letting the painter start, because what you have in mind and what he has in mind might be two different things.

One word.

UGLY

I'm talking hideously ugly. Nasty. Looks like you wiped your ass on the wall ugly. We were shooting for the plaster look...textured-sort-of-Tuscan look. What we got was a bunch of slop on the wall. Nasty stuff. So...now the painter is going to just paint over the whole mess. It is impossible to get our walls back to their original condition - they'll never be the same. Nothing we can do about that now. Ugh. Crap. I wish I could just hit rewind.

On a brighter note, my new template's ready. Mia said she's going to install it sometime tomorrow.

I'm off to mope now.

Christmas Party

The Christmas party was a lot of fun. We don't get together with our friends enough, so it's always a treat when we all get together. The last guest left around 12:30 a.m., then there was clean-up, so of course Sunday RD and I were both walking zombies. We spent the majority of the day lying on the floor with the kids crawling all over us, begging them to stop bouncing on us.

Here comes the "back in the day" speech...

I remember years ago I would go out until the bars closed, then be at work at 8 a.m. I was tired, but knew my bed would be waiting for me at the end of the day for my much-needed nap. I just can't handle missing out on sleep anymore. Ahhh...those were the days. But it was all worth it. It was great seeing everyone.

It's going to be a fun month. We've got a party to go to next Friday, then Friday and Saturday of the next weekend. Watch out, we're party animals! Then we'll need the whole month of January to recover. I joke...but there's a lot of truth in that statement!

It looks like the final changes have been made, so Mia will probably be installing the new template in the next day or two...I hope. Can't wait!

Foyer's Done!

Dave finished the foyer and it looks GREAT! I'm really happy with how it turned out. And other good news, as far as I can tell, it doesn't smell.










He said he'll be back Tuesday to do the bathroom and touch up the door trim in the foyer. Just as he was walking out the door, AR stuck her hand right on the wall, leaving an imprint - so I yelled out to him and he came back to fix it. I can still sort of see it, but in a way I like it. It's not something that would be noticeable to anyone but me, and I can just picture myself looking at that small outline of her hand years from now and smiling. Memories. They're everywhere.

Since I downloaded pictures off my camera, I thought I'd go ahead and show a few just for fun.








Our New Chair



Our New Kitchen Curtains

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Down to the Wire

I will be so happy when this painting is all done. Good news is the base coat is finished, so we no longer have to deal with mullet man (mullet man being the man with the one-liners), but we still have to deal with the main guy, Dave the painter. He does the faux finishing. This has been going on forever. We signed the contract back in September sometime saying we'd like it to be done by December 2 (the day before our Christmas party). Now it's December 1 and he hasn't even started on the faux finishing yet. He was supposed to start this morning, but called and said he'll get started this afternoon and finish tomorrow. Talk about cutting it close.

I'm so frustrated because one, I don't want it stinking of paint in here for our party, and two, I want them done and out of here so I can get the house cleaned up. I hate all the last-minute scrambling to get everything ready the day of a party, so I was wanting to get as much done tomorrow as I can. It'll all come together, it always does, but why can't anything go as planned?

Lesson learned...don't give them a date and expect them to be done ahead of schedule just because you give them 2 or 3 month's notice, expect it to be done by THAT DATE. I guess I can't ask for much more. Lesson learned. My fault.

Some exciting news...Rick Springfield has returned to General Hospital! Okay...I don't watch General Hospital anymore, haven't since 8th grade, when I gave it up for Days of Our Lives, but back in his day, DAMN he was sexy. Remember that movie, "Hard to Hold"? I sat in that theatre seat, butterflies in my stomach, gazing at the screen, wishing he would jump off the screen and...and...you know...reach back in time and remember those teen-year fantasies you had about your favorite rocker. I wanted to do it all and more. This was the 80's folks, my fantasies consisted of some heavy necking and maybe a feel-up over the blouse. Do they still use the term necking? Do they still say petting? Ew. Anyway, I still won't be watching, but I'm excited he's back.

I'm waiting on some changes from Mia for the new look. Hopefully soon!

Too Many Paint Fumes?

Quips from our painter...

"Are all three of them twins?"

"I have more respect for murderers and drug dealers than thieves."

"I'm taking this with me (pointing to our toilet paper)."

"I've got a bed like that, 'cept mine has mirrors on the top."

"Dang! That's the biggest bathroom I've ever seen!"

"(Referring to his boss being a Jehovah's Witness) What does that mean? Does he believe in God and stuff? You can tell me. I promise I won't tell him you said anything."

Turkey Turkey Turkey

My first turkey venture was a success. It could have been taken out a little sooner, but overall, everything was delicious. Along with the turkey, I made stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, corn, and sweet potato casserole. Then Saturday, we did it all again, but our friends were kind enough to bring the side dishes, so all we had to do was the turkey and stuffing.

The baking of the turkey turned out to be a lot easier than I thought it would, but it's such a time guzzler that I think we're going to do a ham instead of a turkey for Christmas. We're hosting Christmas at 3:30 p.m., eating around 4:30; we'll be at his mom's for brunch in the morning, so that doesn't leave us much time to visit and get home in time to get the turkey in the oven. We might fry a small turkey to have alongside the ham, but that's it.

We got our Christmas decorations up this weekend. I've been wanting to take some pictures, but our digital camera has been on the fritz, so it looks like a new camera might be in our future. We need to do something quick so we can get a photo to use for our Christmas cards this year. That's always fun...and stressful! Getting three kids to cooperate for a fun, family photo just isn't the jolly good time you dream it to be.

Mia is going to have some mock-ups for me this evening, so my new look should hopefully be up in the next day or two. Keep your fingers crossed!

Randumbs

I think I've got everything I need for Thursday. It's my first turkey, so it's safe to say I have a bit of turkey-anxiety. Cross all crossables that I leave us with an edible - and maybe even delicious - meal. There's only going to be three of us, plus the kids. Then Saturday we're doing it all again with two other couples. It will be good practice for when we host Christmas - serving close to 30 people, plus a gaggle of children. eek! Practice makes perfect, they say...

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I'm going to see "Wicked" tomorrow night. I was hoping to get through the book in time for the show, but it's not exactly a quick read - I'm maybe a third of the way through. I used to be an avid reader, but since I've had kids, I'm just too damn tired anymore. I'm really looking forward to the show. It starts at 8 p.m. and goes to 11 p.m., so I'm sure it will be midnight at the earliest before I get home. That's LATE for me. If I make it to the first guest of Letterman, it's a big deal.

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RD and I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and got everything we needed to make our wreath. This is what I was going for. I need to take a picture of it. It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Though...RD did most of the work, though he wouldn't want me to share that. ;)

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We decided to wait on the train set for the kids. I think they're still a little young to appreciate it, so we'll reconsider it when their birthday comes around. So now I'm trying to think of something else and I'm drawing a blank. This (21 months) is a really hard age to buy for. They're past all the baby-stuff, but they're still too young for most everything else. My mom's getting them a big, play kitchen; RD's mom is getting them this big Dora-house thing that they can play in; and his sister is getting them these Flinstone-type cars they can ride in. What toys did your children love at this age? As for what they're into right now...Elmo, dogs, babies (I bought a Cabbage Patch Baby for AR), and planes. You can only buy so many Elmo's.

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Something I'm very excited about...I will have a new look soon! The kids aren't exactly babies anymore (though I'm in constant denial), so I wanted to change things up a bit. Mia is working on something, and I hope to have it up soon. Stay tuned!

Merry Christmas to Me!

We went shopping for my Christmas present today. After searching various stores on-line, we headed to Pier 1 to look at some chairs. We saw a couple we liked, but nothing that got us too excited. RD suggested we go to Crate and Barrel. I thought they'd be way too expensive, but I love the store, so we went ahead. I still had a few Christmas gifts to buy, so the trip wouldn't be a loss.

Everything we looked at was way too expensive, as expected, then we found this. Still not cheap, but not ridiculous - and it's the perfect color! The chair and ottoman will be delivered November 29. I'm so excited!

Now the only furniture pieces we really need are end tables and a chair for the living room and a chair and bench (for the end of the bed) in our bedroom.

I'd like to get some art pieces, but I think all the fun house stuff I'm wanting is going to have to wait until after the holidays.

Our dining room walls are a dark chocolate brown. I am wanting a vintage chocolate print, but have been unable to find one that isn't too cutesy or just the wrong colors. Do you have any stores or websites you'd recommend?

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. It's taking everything in my power to keep from dragging out our Christmas decorations. Maybe I'll see if I can find a good movie on t.v.

I'm bored out of my mind.

Fun all over the place

Bunco was a blast! I'm so excited to have a scheduled outing every month. A chance to get away from the house, the family (yes, definitely needed from time to time), and a chance to gab with the gals. Everyone was really nice and a lot of fun.

Plus, the host of the evening built the same model house as we did, so it's always fun to see what options and upgrades other families go with when building the same house.

The night before last I got a call from one of the moms I met at the Pampered Chef party, inviting me and the kids over to play yesterday morning. RD was off work, so I left SJ home with him and took AR and SA down to play. It's a win-win situation. I have just two kids to keep in line and SJ got some one-on-one time with his dad. She has a 17-month old daughter and is due in April with her second. Another mom from her cul-de-sac brought her 16-month son over as well. They kept commenting on what angels my two are. "Just wait," I told them, "They're not comfortable here yet. Let us come a few times and you'll see what they're really made of." ha!

While at Bunco, I made plans to have another mom and her two daughters (4 and 18 months) over to play. Even if it's time spent with Elmo and choo choo trains, I feel like I've finally got a social life again.

Something that's long, long overdue.

Bunco Fabulous!

Yeaaahhhh!! I got a call from my neighbor, A, "the clock lady," as she called herself (long story). They've added another table for their Bunco group, so she asked if I'd like to join them. They take turns hosting and meet the third Wednesday of every month - my first being this Wednesday.

I'm so excited! Two of my Aunts have been in the same Bunco league for close to 30 years and have made lifelong friends. I have no idea how to play, but I hear it's easy and has more to do with a bunch of ladies gabbing and drinking it up, more than the actual game itself.

I really need this.

Weekend Randoms

RD cleaned up SA's hair, so it doesn't look all that bad anymore. Aside from me missing all his sweet curls, it actually looks pretty good. RD even went ahead and cut SJ's hair today. There was a lot of squirming and screaming involved, but his hair turned out pretty good. I trimmed AR's bangs, but I'm not going any further than that. This sound awful, but it's one thing to mess up the boys' hair, it's another to mess up her's. The boys hair is a fairly easy fix, just buzz it...her's...well...I can't chance it.

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Yesterday was a fun day. I spent the morning at a multiple's playgroup. A girl I used to work with had triplets a few days after mine and she's involved with the local Twin's Club. She has them over to her house once a month for a playdate. This is the first time I've gone and we had a lot of fun. I thought for sure my three (especially AR, who is very clingy) would be fighting over my lap the whole time, but to my surprise, they all jumped right in to play.

Then lastnight I went to a neighbor's house for a Pampered Chef party. I really don't need any more Pampered Chef stuff, but I went mainly to meet some new people. I had a lot of fun. I really hit it off with a couple of the ladies, and we plan on getting our kids together sometime in the next week or two. It's always wonderful having something to do in the mornings - it really breaks up the day. Plus, our kids are the same age, so I'm excited for my kids to make new friends as well. And mommy can always use more friends herself!

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I'm back on my happy pills. Boy can I notice a difference! I'm a much more pleasant person when medicated. I never wanted to be one to rely on meds to get by, but I got so sick and tired of being so pissed off and unhappy all the time. It's like night and day. I'm happier and you can bet those around me are happier as well.

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Dave the painter is starting on our foyer and master bathroom a week from Monday. He is doing a reverse rag rolling technique in the foyer and Venetian plaster in our master bathroom. He said it should only take him three days. I'm sure that's if he doesn't talk. This man talks and talks and talks like you wouldn't believe. Once those rooms are done, all we will have left to paint are the kids' rooms, which we're waiting on until they get their big-kid furniture. The house still looks a little bare - we still need furniture here and there, but it's all coming together.

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That's all folks! It's starting to storm, so I guess I'll get off the computer. It wouldn't kill me to go to bed early for a change.

Have a great weekend!

A Moment of Insanity

We did the unthinkable. Insanity? Maybe. Over-confidence in our ability? Most definitely. Stupidity? Well....gulp...yes.

Just what did we do, you ask? It's awful, just awful.

We cut our son's hair. RD did the doing, but it was my idea, and he won't let me forget it for a second.

His hair was out of control. All over the place! SA's got this really curly hair and when it gets long, it doesn't really get, well, long, it just sort of grows...out. It just gets bigger and bigger. The boy's already got a huge head, so his hairstyle was just not helping. If my husband made one more Art Garfunkel joke I was going to snap, so I said, "Let's do it. Let's go cut his hair. Let's cut both the boys'." Due to the results of our first victim, the second son was spared.

I don't know what I was thinking. Okay, that's a lie, I was thinking, "How hard can it be?" I figured we'd just set the clipper to a 6 or 7 and buzz away. Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom. Just like that.

Three words.

It ain't pretty.

I just kept staring at him thinking how strange he looked. Poor kid. He's a great looking kid...but...that hair...well...that head that once had all that hair. I think he'd be better off had we just shaved it. Yes, it's that bad. All RD could say was, "This was your idea." And he said it again and again and again.

Now I'm taking the kids to a playdate tomorrow where we're going to meet a lot of new moms. Just how long do you think it's going to take me to blurt out, "My husband did this!" ;)

Bring On the Ho-Ho-Ho!

I am so excited for Christmas! We've had some crazy weather around here - I've had the windows open for a few days, kind of strange for November - so it's hard to believe Christmas is so close, but I'm ready!

I'm looking forward to decorating our new house. I spent the better part of the afternoon yesterday in our basement, going through bin after bin of decorations. A lot of it I need to just get rid of. My mom, God love her, is a dime-store junkie, so I have a lot of things that I've never been able to bring myself to put out (AK, like that Christmas tree toilet bowl brush I used as a White Elephant gift last year). I know I'll never use any of it, but I've felt too guilty to throw the stuff away, but I need to either give it to Goodwill (someone would want it, right?) or throw it away, because right now all it is doing is taking up space.

We're hosting two Christmas parties this year - RD's friends (they're mine, too...but you know..."his side") on December 3rd and my dad's side of the family Christmas afternoon. It has always been tradition that my dad's side has turkey for Christmas - something I've never made. I suggested we have ham this year...that didn't go over so well; so turkey it is. RD's working on Thanksgiving this year, so I'm having my mom and my friend, C, over. I'm planning on having a small Thanksgiving dinner that night, so I'll have a trial run at the turkey dinner.

I've gotten most of our Christmas shopping done. I got most of it done while down at the lake, then did some lastnight and this morning. Now I just have our mom's, our stepmom's, and our kids to get. We're getting the kids a train set and table, along with a few little things; RD said he is getting new work-out equipment for Christmas (oooooooo-kaaaaay, I'll play), so then I told him I'm getting a new chair and ottoman for our family room. Boring, I know, but I'm going to get my fill of perfumes, knick knacks, and clothes from family, I'd like something I've really been wanting. My birthday is two days after Christmas, so I already asked him if he'd get me the vacuum I've been wanting. We're great fun at parties...heehee! Who would've thought I'd get so excited over cleaning supplies? Welcome to the real world!

I've got a great husband who is quite romantic when he wants to be, so I know he'll pull through for me on V-Day and our anniversary in March, so for now, give the lady what she really wants. ;)

I've got a question for ya...we've become sort of friends with some of our new neighbors (I say 'sort of,' because it hasn't turned into any more than joining each other for walks around the block or talks in our yards...yet), so do I do anything? I mean...do I send them Christmas cards...give them some Christmas cookies...anything? What is a nice neighborly gesture without being too...I don't know...creepy or suggestive? I know I'm giving this too much thought, but am curious to see what the general consensus is.

Grown-up Type'a Weekend

Okay, I feel like a total grown-up now. I totally get that I am a grown-up, and have been for some time, but I still feel like a kid. I feel like a kid playing house sometimes. I may look all of my 31 (getting close to 32) years, but I sure don't feel like it (except for my back pains...and crow's feet...and snail's pace metabolism...you get the idea). Sometimes I still have to pinch myself when I see that I'm married with three kids living in Suburbia. House payment and all. But anyway...where was I? Oh yes... I had a total grown-up moment today...

RD left for Chicago this afternoon to take his boards. His flight comes in tomorrow at 8:20 p.m. - right in the middle of Desperate Housewives...what on Earth was he thinking(?!?!) - and I needed someone to watch the kids while I pick him up. A neighbor-girl stopped by a while back offering to babysit, so I gave her a call. When she called back she...gulp...called me "Mrs. XXX". -insert shocking horror music here- "Please, please call me Mel, because calling me Mrs. XXX makes me feel really, really old and someday you'll understand that's a really, really bad thing. You see I like to think I'm this young, cute, itty-bitty thing that just happens to have three kids and a husband, so don't jolt me back into reality by addressing me as you would your Great Aunt Jane's friend, m'kay?" Okay, I didn't really say that, but it did cross my mind.

So that was my moment of the day. They seem to be plentiful these days.

As for the rest of my weekend, lastnight I painted the guest bedroom. The color is sort of a coffee with cream kind of look. A very relaxing, and what I would call yummy, color.

Tonight, my friend, C, came over for dinner and we rented a movie after the kids went to bed. This was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time and I highly recommend it. If you haven't watched it yet, you've gotta put this movie on your gotta-watch list, because it is that good. Crash. I laughed, I cried, I got really pissed off. You've got to watch this movie.

Tomorrow, not much on the agenda. I need to go to the store to get the Sunday paper (gotta get my coupons...yes, very old lady of me...teehee), and I've got to get some cash to pay the sitter. Other than that, nada.

Time to go through my US Weekly. Britney's pissed off and Jessica's once again not wearing her ring. Oh the drama!

Until next time, have a great weekend!

Enough to Make Your Heart Melt

I was sitting on the floor, just before bedtime. AR came up next to me, wrapped her arms around my head, pressed her cheek against mine, patted my head and said, "Awwwww, my baby."

So sweet.

Pictures and stuff

I finally downloaded all the pictures from my camera. Long overdue! So I thought I would post a couple.

Here is a picture of AR and SJ in their costumes (w/my MIL)...



Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of SA dressed as Elmo without his face in the picture, so I don't have one of him to post.

Here are the three of them crawling like babies. They think this is hilarious for some reason. I say, "Crawl like babies," and they take off. If only they'd listen to me any other time.



As you can see, the boys aren't wearing their costumes in the picture. They couldn't wait to take their's off, whereas AR would've stayed in her's all night if we'd let her.

And I have to share my great buy from the Lake. I bought two of these lamps...



...at $12 each!! They were originally priced at $50. They're gorgeous and they're perfect for our bedroom...



I went to the mall and to Target today to get some deals on the discounted Halloween merchandise. I got a cute witch from the Hallmark store and a whole bunch of goodies from Target. Man I love Target. They got all their Christmas stuff in...and I'm going to be getting into a lot of trouble! ...insert evil laugh here...

I told RD to take the remaining Halloween candy into work today, but he said he didn't want to take it in today because he's sure they'll be overloaded with it. Like we're not overloaded with it? He said he'll take it in on Monday. I guess he would rather be the cool guy who brings all the candy in on Monday, rather than blend in with all the other people who brought it in today. In the meantime, I'm doing my part in ridding us of Snicker's. I.JUST.CAN'T.RESIST.

My bladder's doing spasms right now and I really should get to bed anyway. So until next time...

Happy Halloween!

Remember that cold RD and the kids had? As expected, I got it...and why do I always get it worse? Oh well. Aside from the endless tickle in my throat when I lie down to go to sleep and the chunky coughs, I'm feeling back to my sort-of-normal self.

The kids still all have snot running out of their noses for the better part of the day, but I expect they'll have an endless supply of snot for the rest of the season. We're such a perty family!

I had a lot of fun tonight. Once again, I got that feel-good feeling about our new neighborhood. I was worried we wouldn't get many trick or treaters due to the crappy weather, but that didn't seem to stop anybody. It was so neat to look out the window and see all the kids walking up and down the street with their parents. And to top it off, the kids were so polite. RD had to work, so my mom came over, we ordered pizza, and dressed the kids up - just for our benefit really; I didn't take them out. They're still too young to get it, but I'm hoping next year they'll be old enough. AR was a princess, SA was Elmo (he's obsessed!), and SJ was a frog. They looked adorable...of course! They were in awe of all the different characters that came to the door. I wasn't sure how they'd react, but they loved it. They just stood there and stared in amazement at each kid that came to the door. We had A LOT of kids, but we still have A LOT of candy left over. I anticipated a large crowd, so we stocked up. I told RD that whatever is left he is taking to work tomorrow. I've been eating Snicker's and Twix bars for two weeks now, and my belly izza growin'!

The kids have been a little out of sorts since the time change. I wasn't sure how we would handle it - what we would change, if anything. Before they would go to bed sometime between 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and get up at 8:30 a.m., but since the time change, it's been a struggle keeping them up past 7 p.m. So I think we're just going to shift everything up an hour - put them to bed at 7 p.m. and get them up by 8:00 a.m. I think with it getting dark so early it does something to them. Even before the time change, as it got darker earlier, they just seemed ready - like they knew it was time. We'll see how things go. For now, I don't mind having more of the evening to ourselves.

I got the last trick or treater a little after 8:00 p.m. By 8:15 p.m., I turned our lights out, got in my jammies, grabbed a handful of chocolate (might as well go out with a bang!), and sat down to watch a movie. I watched the Amityville Horror remake with Ryan Reynolds. It was pretty good. Damn his body is out of control! He's got a sort of weird yet attractive face, but his body...wow. I think the original was better, but I'd say it's worth watching.

I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! Time to take my tired, chocolate-stuffed body to bed!

Exhale....aaahhhhhhhh!

Now back to reality!

I had a wonderful weekend! It was the annual girls' trip down to the lake...and more importantly...to the outlet malls. My Aunt and Uncle have a condo down at the Lake of the Ozarks, and all the girls in our family (my dad's side) head down for some serious eating and some hardcore shopping.

We had such a great time! You should see what all I bought! Wow! We always have a contest (that no one really wants to win) on who buys the most each year. I have to say I won hands down this year. I got about half of our Christmas shopping done, some clothes for next year for the kids (Children's Place had a great dollar rack!), and some fun stuff for around the house. I got a fountain for our garden in the backyard for a steal - $100! The fountains we were looking at around home were $300 or more. I also got some lamps for our bedroom for 12 DOLLARS EACH!!!! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

As much fun as we had, I couldn't wait to get home to see RD and the kids. Unfortunately, RD, AR, and SA all have awful colds. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before SJ and I catch it ourselves. RD had the house spotless when I got back. Damn, he's the greatest.

It was a wonderful time and very refreshing. Just one more year until we get to do this all again!!

Time to go tend to my sick children. I hope you all had a great weekend!

A Less Than Perfect Day

I had a busy day ahead of me, so I hopped right out of bed. I got the kids up at 8:30a, got them dressed, fed, then cleaned up again, and headed out the door.

First task of the day - the mall. I had to get a present for our good friend, P, who just graduated from the F.B.I. Academy. I went to Things Remembered to get him a leather travel bag. The girl said it would take about an hour to get the nameplate engraved. "Great," I said, "The mall's gonna love us." I told her thanks and headed out to the van. I was making chicken and dumplings for dinner, and thought I'd go ahead and go across the street to the grocery store to get the items I still needed. As soon as I got to the van, I realized there were perishable items on my list, and I couldn't chance our trip at the mall taking longer than expected, so I headed back into the mall, saving the groceries for later.

We strolled in and out of stores, stopped for a pretzel and lemonade, and enjoyed all the people-watching. We smiled at all the old ladies ooh-ing and ah-ing over the triplets, and went back to Things Remembered to check on our gift. "I'm running behind. It's going to be another 20 minutes or so." So off to continue our people-watching.

My stomach started to turn. Great. The pretzel decided not to agree with my stomach. My bus...I mean stroller, doesn't handle those small stalls so well. Lucky for me, there was a family lounge with an oversized stall just the right fit for us.

It was a bit hairy maneuvering the long stroller into the stall, but we made it. The door kept bumping back into the stroller, and as big as the stall was, it was still a little tight for the kids' liking...so the screaming began. I could hear a sound like a phone ringing and some voices coming out of the alarm box on the wall. I figured one of the kids must've accidentally touched the button, and though I couldn't hear what the person(s) were saying from the intercom, I yelled, "I'm fine! Just trying to go to the bathroom! We're okay!"+

My stomach even worse now after the screaming, the kids finally settled down, and I tried to get down to business.

Banging on the door.

That did it. Now the kids were screaming again.

"Security!"

"I'm fine! Just trying to go to the bathroom! Everyone's fine!"

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Please. I'll be out in a minute!"

Talking over intercom.

It quickly became obvious they weren't going anywhere until I came out. I guess I'm just going to have to be miserable, the business isn't getting done anytime soon.

Long story short...too late...turns out there's a voice activation system in the restroom, in case someone calls for help. Great idea, but I would think in a family lounge, screaming kids wouldn't be so out of the ordinary.

The tall, bleached-out security officer (woman) continued to follow us throughout the mall. No offense to all you mall security personnel out there, but c'mon. Did she think I was abusing my kids? And...she's MALL SECURITY! To top it off, as SA was crying, she said, "She needs a nap." I guess HE needs a haircut. Bitch.

It's lunchtime, and I still have to go to the grocery store. Lovely.

Fast-forward to later in the day...

The kids were playing together quietly. Perfect! Time to start dinner. I put in an Elmo video, hoping it would buy me enough time to wrap everything up (got as much done during naptime as I could). Perfect planning...just didn't work.

The kids were crazy. Not a little crazy...CRAZY. They were getting into the pantry, pulling everything out they could get their hands on. They were spinning the lazy susan, pulling out all the spices - running from me as fast as they could, waving their Nutmeg and Celery Salt in the air - giggling all the way.

I looked over at SJ, he was covered in orange. He had gotten some cheddar-filled crackers out of the pantry and had a gooey, cheddar mess all done the front of his shirt (the F.B.I. shirt that was a gift from P...I should've known not to put it on them until the last minute). Pulled his shirt off, he's going to have to go shirtless. No time.

As the madness continued, I called our friends on their cell phone.

Me: How close are you?

Friend: Just got on XXX.

Me: Shit!

Friend: Time to put P's (new) badge to the test. I'm flooring it! Be there soon!

They got there just in time to save our dinner from being burned to the bottom of the pan. RD got home (finally) and we all sat down to eat. The results...eh...not great. I bought the wrong biscuits for the dumplings, but overall, it wasn't so bad.

We got the kids to bed and sat back for some good, ADULT conversation. It was bittersweet really. We knew this was the last time we'd see P for awhile. His first assignment is in Cleveland - three years. These are friends we are very close to - friends we would see every weekend - friends the kids are very close to. It pains me to think that next time we see him, the kids might not recognize him and run to him as they do now.

As the evening came to a close, we all hugged goodbye, and I fought back tears as I said, "See you soon." It won't be too long really. They're talking of coming back as early as Thanksgiving, so that's not too far away. And though I worry, I know the kids won't forget.

So that was my less than perfect day. Not much different than any other day. I go to bed and let it all go, then wake up the next morning refreshed - naive maybe, as I wake up ready to start it all over again.

Bit of This, Bit of That

I went to my good friend, A's, Friday night for an At Home Party. We had such a good time. RD stayed home with the kids, what a treat! We had a great time sharing stories of the past, reminiscing about old times. You know...those stories you share when the hubbies aren't around. RD still says he can't imagine me being a "party girl." Oh, honey, if you only knew. I wasn't always so innocent. ;) Those were the days! So glad they're behind me!

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The kids have been so wonderful the past few days. God's good like that. Just when the kids are about to send me over the edge, he gives me a taste of the good life - reminding me how precious these three babies are. They're so sweet, so loving, so perfect...well...almost perfect. ;) They're dishing out kisses and thank you's without being asked, keeping tantrums to a minimum, and being so kind to their siblings. Just heavenly.

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Why do so few people know their directions? Is North/South/East/West so hard? I swear...being new to the area, I have had to ask directions my fair share of times - when I ask, "So is XXX Street North or South of Highway XX," I get (almost every time), "Uh...I don't know." What do you mean you don't know? Is it THAT difficult to figure out? Geesh.

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Grey's Anatomy - LOVE THIS SHOW! It seems to be getting better and better each week. I'd been getting a bit burned out on ER, so I didn't think I'd be interested in another medical drama, but I gotta say it's pretty good.

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Our security system is being installed next Wednesday. Now we can all sleep better.

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Okay...my heavenly little children are screaming at each other, so I gotta go. Be back when the angels are sleeping.

Why must one child always be having a bad day?

Why? Is this some cruel game that gets played on mothers of more than one child? For two weeks SA was a bear. He had two molars coming in - and to put it mildly, he was pissed. During this time SJ and AR were my sweet little darlings. Now SA is back to his lovable self, and SJ and AR have been raising hell. Now...I know I should count my blessings and thank my lucky stars that they haven't all been out to break me down at once. Don't think for even a second that we don't have those moments. But damn! Can't they all be having rock star days simultaneously? Is this not possible? Is that asking too much?

Apparently so.

Just How Safe is Suburbia?

As I mentioned before, I live in your stereotypical subdivision. Well-manicured lawns, neighbors waving to each other from their front porch, sharing some beer and conversation as they push their strollers up and around the block after dinner. I've joked many times that it feels like what I would call a "Stepford Community." BMW's and Lexus' are a frequent sight driving up and down the street and everyone feels safe leaving their garage doors open. Heck...I even leave my purse in my car AND key in the ignition. Bad...bad...I know.

A new neighbor just moved in next door. Final house is now complete! No more construction!! Woo hoo! I went over to welcome her to the neighborhood. One of her first questions was whether or not we had a security system. We hadn't really talked about it much yet, and rarely used the one in our last house, so didn't really think of it as a priority. She mentioned that a security company's salesman had stopped by and informed her of a string of burglaries that had occurred recently in our neighborhood. I hadn't heard anything and assured myself that it was just the salesman's way of trying to scare her into buying his system. I was playing outside with the kids and saw the neighbor behind me outside talking to another woman who lives down the street. Their kids were outside playing, so I took AR over to play for a bit (the boys were still napping). After the usual smalltalk, I asked her if she had heard anything about the break-in's. Turns out to be true. As a matter of fact, the local news was here a few days ago to do a story on the burglaries. Most of the burglaries were thought to be teenagers - taking purses and money left out on counters, but the last break-in was in the middle of the day. A man was standing in his kitchen when a teenager just walked in his house through the door in his garage. The man chased the teenager out, and when the teenager reached his car he pulled out a sawed-off shot gun. The man then immediately ran back to his home. Smart move! Unfortunately, he didn't get his license plate number, so the punk never got caught.

Then tonight...the doorbell rings. It's a woman I don't recognize. She says she lives across the street and goes on to say (in broken English) how she saw someone walking through our house in the middle of the night. My mind immediately goes to the burglaries and my stomach turns as I'm waiting for her to tell me how she fears she may have spotted an intruder in our home. As she's going on about seeing someone, I'm wanting to wave my hand at her, wanting her to get to the point...anxious and worried about what she's driving at here. She then proceeds to tell me that her husband was beating her. He was beating her inside the house, then dragged her to the front yard and beat her some more, then to the garage where he continued to beat her. During this time, she said she looked around desperately for help and saw that someone was up and walking around in our house - she was wanting to know if either me or my husband had witnessed the beating. I was confused as to why she wanted to know if we had witnessed anything - her accent was so heavy, it wasn't all clear, but I'm guessing maybe as a witness for the police? I'm not sure. I told her that it was probably me she saw, that I walk around at night when I can't sleep (which is often), but that I hadn't seen anything. Which is quite odd considering how nosy I am...I'm often looking out the windows. She asked that we call the police if we see him around, as he has made threats to come back and "get her." I gave her our phone number and told her that if she can't get to a phone and he is there, to flash the front porch light on and off if she can as a signal and I will call the police. It makes me so sad...so sad to think that she was looking around for help, and saw me (or RD) walking around and we didn't see. I then knew why I didn't recognize her, in all the times I had seen her, she never looked up. She would always follow behind her husband (the very few times I saw her) out in the yard, but always had her head hanging down, like she was afraid to look up.

I later felt bad...like maybe I should have invited her to stay at our house if she was scared, but I feel like I just can't put our family at risk like that. It would be different if we didn't have kids, but I have to protect them first. I don't know how crazy this guy is. I do want to help her in any way I can though. RD said he will take care of her yard for her, and I hope to see her again soon - maybe we could invite her over for dinner or help her get out of the house a bit.

Though everything looks perfect around here, nothing's ever as perfect as it seems. You never know what goes on behind closed doors.

This is what we talk about

In reference to the news that Katie Holmes is pregnant with Tom Cruise's baby...

My Mom: She must've been artificially inseminated or something.

Me: Sigh...what this time? Why?

Mom: Because I don't think there's anyone in this world that would want to sleep with HIM.

Me: Don't be stupid.

Mom: Really! I don't think anyone would. They had to of had it done for them or something.

Me: I would. Sure he's an ass...but I'd sleep with him.

Mom: Going back to a discussion we had two years ago or more... I still think he's gay.

Me: Well, then, Mom, you must be right. I give up. Why do I care, people? Why?

Boring Post

I haven't been able to get on-line, as our Internet has been down, but it's FINALLY up and running again! After bad-mouthing our Internet provider, we've finally come to the conclusion that it's our computer not the service. Not as easy a problem to fix...

We went to Sears to get the kids pictures taken this morning. What an ordeal. Awful. Just awful. The photographer was totally obnoxious and the more the kids fussed, the louder she got. We went ahead and ordered a few photos, just for our trouble, but I don't know that any of these will make it to our walls.

I cleaned out a few of our closets today. We've only been here a few months, but the closets quickly became the place to stash all the junk we had no idea what to do with.

Oh brother. RD's on the floor next to me...he just said, "Let's go have sex now." Are you kidding me? Gotta love the boy for trying. It's hot...I'm tired...you know the drill. Well...maybe it would make for a nice break in the afternoon. Hmmmm....

Told you this was a boring post! Until next time...

Little Things that Make Me Smile

• Having the windows open. There's something about having all the windows open in the house that make things seem...I don't know...better. It's so refreshing.
  
• Starting the walk to the cart return when a stranger comes up and says, "I'll take that for you."
  
• RD putting his things away...without me having to say a thing. Maybe it's the new house, but he's been so great about picking up after himself. Oh...Lord...please tell me this is going to last!
  
• Sleeping in until 8:30 a.m. and sometimes 9 a.m. I don't know what it is with these kids, but they've been sleeping so late some days - and I'm loving it.
  
• The kids hugging me back...and doing it so tight. I love it!
  
• AR puckering her lips up before I do for a great big kiss.
  
• "Just because" calls from RD in the middle of the day.
  
• Getting catalogs in the mail. May sound silly, but I LOVE getting catalogs in the mail. Got a mailing list? Sign me up!
  
• Clean sheets.
  
• The sound of my kids giggling. It's priceless.
  
• Trips to the store without the kids. Again...priceless.
  
• RD leaning over for a kiss or whispering, "I love you," in the middle of the night.
  
• The look of lust in RD's eyes when he sees me naked. Even after three kids and having 20 pounds to go, he makes me feel like I've still got it.
  
• Hearing my favorite songs on the radio from way back when and still being able to sing along to every word.
  
• Hearing the love behind the word "mama." They may not know how to say that they love me, but I can feel it.

More Quips from my Mother

Mom: Pointing to the kids. Do you ever wonder how all their stuff fits in there? You know...their guts and stuff?

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Mom: I bought some slippers for the kids. Tossing them on the floor. I don't know who this blue Elmo is.

Me: That's Cookie Monster.

Mom: Shrugged and kind of made a face like I didn't know what I was talking about.

Me: Blue Elmo....geesh.

No title...just a bunch of randoms

AR's surgery went well. She was so good. The nurse warned us that at her age, children are usually bears when they come out from being under, but she was a doll. She fussed a bit when she woke up - confused, not knowing where she was, but settled down really quick. We're still awaiting results on the biopsy, but the good news right now is that she is recovering well. She's as spunky as ever; you'd never guess she just had surgery.

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We have a busy weekend ahead of us. We're going to my cousin's baby's birthday party Saturday afternoon, then we're having some friends over for a BBQ that night, then Sunday we're having RD's family over for dinner - sort of an informal birthday party for him. His sister is going to cut the kids' hair when she's here, so we can FINALLY get some pictures done! We haven't had professional photos taken of them since they were SIX MONTHS OLD! Bad mommy! I know!

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I've been out of my Sarafem (a.k.a. Prozac) for over a week now. I didn't think it was that big a deal, but I can tell the old paranoid me is making her way back. I really need to be more on top of my medications. I'm awful about taking them. It's amazing I haven't wound up pregnant or in the hospital due to an asthma attack as bad as I've been. There's a drive-thru pharmacy right up the street, so I have no excuse. Just being lazy. You know the routine...keep the house up, keep the kids taken care of, (try to) keep hubby happy, and forget about me. It's the same ole' Mommy Mantra.

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Speaking of routines, I really need a new one. I'm bored...I think the kids are bored. It's so hard taking three out by myself. I'd love to take them to the park, but how on earth can I keep all three in line?! I'd love to let them run around in the back yard, but we don't have a fence yet and live on a corner lot, so I'm not comfortable letting them run loose back there. For now, the extent of their outside-play is hanging out on the deck. We're having a fence put in next Spring, but that doesn't give me any solutions for what to do now. It'll be easier when they get older (right? ha!), but right now when I say stop or come here, they think it's hilarious to run the other way, laughing hysterically at the top of their lungs. Maybe I could get one of those child harnesses? Do you remember that old Saturday Night Live sketch with Mike Meyers and Kim Bassinger? They were little kids at the park and he was strapped to the playset. He kept trying to run and kept getting jolted back to the ground as he hit the end of his lead. It was hilarious! That's how I picture an outing with my kids using those things. I don't think they'd be too happy.

Anyway...I'm rambling and I'm tired. Who knows if I make any sense. I'm getting over a cold and my head has that doped-up-medicine-head feeling.

Maybe I'll try going to Target tomorrow. We all know how well that's going to go! :)

We're not THAT old

After a nice session of foreplay, RD and I just laid there.....

....

....

....waiting for the other to - shall we say - assume position. After some awkward silence...

RD: My back really hurts.

Me: You know my muscles have been aching all over. Still aching from when I was sick.

RD: sigh...

You know it's bad when you start bickering over who has to get on top.

I guess Target wasn't meant to be today.

I've been waiting for this day. Pay Day. All the projects we've had going on, it's put a lot of the fun little purchases on hold for awhile. Then today came.

I got the kids up from their naps, gave them snacks, and changed three poo-filled diapers. I noticed AR had strawberry stains all down the front of her shirt from lunch, so I was scrambling around to find another t-shirt that would match her pink pants. Finally, after going through every drawer, found one! Then it was time to put on the kids' shoes. I found five shoes - there was one missing. After looking every place imaginable, I found it in the laundry room. Go figure. I run in the bathroom, glance in the mirror...what's that? Oh, God...please tell me it's not. Poo. I somehow managed to get a smear of poo on the front of my shirt during the diaper derby. For a brief moment, I actually considered just wiping it off and heading on our merry way. I then came to my senses and realized that if I didn't want to head out with AR having strawberries smeared down the front of her shirt, what on earth makes me think poo is okay? I quickly change and carry everyone downstairs to make our way to the van.

I rush around turning the tv and lights off when I hear, "Uh-oh." I go to see what uh-oh's about when I see AR holding my Diet Dr. Pepper can, soda dripping down her belly. Time for shirt #3. I change her shirt, no longer caring if it matches her pants, and clean up the floor. Now time to go.

We hit the road. I get about a mile when I realize I forgot my wallet. Just brilliant. I start wondering if maybe something or someone is trying to tell me this trip isn't meant to happen.

We finally get to Target, I get the stroller out of the van when I notice a white powder substance all over the seat. hmmmm. Great. It was on the floor of the garage when Pest Shield came by. The stroller was covered in pesticide. I look around for a double-seated cart, contemplating carrying the third, when I realize this trip just isn't worth it. I jump back in the car and head home.

After the hellish preparations that went into this shopping trip that never happened, I decided I better make a stop at Dairy Queen to make all my trouble worth it.

I guess we'll try again tomorrow!

Lessons in Building

Going into building, we heard all sorts of horror stories. So many, that we went into this on the defense, ready to have all sorts of hurdles thrown our way. Overall, it was a very easy, very pleasant experience.

Now, RD will go on and on about how much work it is moving into a new house, but going from experience at our last house, moving into an older house is much harder work. But that just goes along with my theory that RD isn't happy unless he is complaining about something. I love my glass-have-empty man. :)

It took quite some time to feel like home, but I have quickly come to love this house. It's such a wonderful feeling loving everything about it. How can you not when you get to pick out every detail yourself. Everything from the shingles, brick, siding, cabinets, flooring...down to the little things like door knobs and thermostats.

We started off throwing in all the bells and whistles, then seeing the pricetag, started weeding out all the things we thought we really didn't need. Hindsight's a bitch they say. Overall, there aren't a lot of things I would change, but there some things I would've done a bit differently or would have added.

• Larger deck - we've been in the house just shy of two months and we're already adding on to the deck.
• Bay window in bonus room.
• Ceiling fan in bonus room.
• Bay window in basement.
• Heating lamp in ceiling right outside master bath shower.
• Window for (future) bedroom in basement.
• Run electrical wires under sidewalk for landscape-lighting in front.
• Would've done some sort of fancier front porch. Maybe exposed-aggregate...I don't know...something.
• Stained glass in master bath.

But there's a reason we don't have all that. Money...or lack thereof. So, I can't complain.

I love our house and given the chance, I'd do it all again.

It's not fair *POUT* *POUT*

I babied you while you were sick. I held you. Rocked you. Sang to you. I gave you all the TLC you needed and more. What do you do when mommy's sick? You're pulling out all the vents, you're jumping on the couch, pouring your milk on the floor. I can see you conspiring in the corner to kick me while I'm down.

This hurts, kids. Really, it does.

One more week to worry

AR's surgery has been rescheduled for next Monday. I was afraid this was going to happen. She came down with a fever Friday - it was gone by Saturday - and all three had a red rash from head to toe by Sunday morning. The doctor thinks it's Roseola. I called the ENT Doc Friday and this morning, and the nurse said that it would be okay to proceed. After making the poor thing go all morning and part of the afternoon without anything to eat or drink, having RD's mom take the day off work to watch the boys, and spending two hours in the waiting room (let me tell you how much fun THAT is with an 18 month old!), we were told they wouldn't do the surgery due to the rash.

SO...this is the third time we've had to reschedule. I sure hope this isn't a sign. I told you I have an over-active imagination!

What exactly do you mean by EVERYTHING?

We were outside talking to the neighbors behind us yesterday when we got on the subject of window treatments.

Neighbor: I really like the shutters you put up. I wish we would've done something like that.

Me: We're really happy with them. It's helped so much with the heat...and we were anxious to get them up...having a corner lot. (The back of our house is visible from the street. Lots of windows...you get the idea.)

Neighbor: Yea, before you had your blinds up, I could see everything. And as if to add for emphasis, repeated... EVERYTHING.

Me: I'm sure. Nervous laughter...

What exactly did she mean by everything? It wasn't what she said as much as it was how she said it. Now I know it couldn't have been anything THAT bad because we had temporary treatments up on the bathroom and bedroom windows. Humph.

Could be a number of things...

• Maybe noticed I point and yell a lot around the kids.
• Maybe noticed I'm often picking my underwear out of my butt.
• I often wiggle my butt back and forth when at the computer in the playroom. (We don't have a chair yet at this desk)
• I really need to wear a bra more often...even if I'm just hanging around the house.
• I kiss my babies...A LOT.
• I lie my big butt down on the floor any chance I get when the kids are playing quietly.
• I snicker a lot when RD leaves the room. Our yard looks great...but a great yard means lots of time for him outside...outside, meaning not inside helping me with the kids. Can't wait to get that fence!
• I snack way more than anyone with my size thighs should.

Whatever it was, I hope she enjoyed the show!

Pray for my baby

AR is having surgery tomorrow to remove a cyst in her neck. It's not uncommon for young children to have cysts, so often they go untouched, but this cyst is in the front center of her neck. They're concerned that as it grows it would make it difficult for her to swallow food and/or make it difficult to breathe.

I know I sound overdramatic, but as a mother, that's my job, right? It's a very simple outpatient procedure. I'm not as nervous about the surgery itself as I am about the anesthesia. I find the idea of her being knocked out completely totally overwhelming.

Then there's the biopsy...ugh...the imagination of a worried mother is endless.

I'm sure everything will go smoothly, but keep all crossables crossed for my sweet princess. :)

Out of the mouth of Grandma's

Grandma (my mom): Why are XX's testicles so much larger than XX's?

Me: Blank Stare

It's one thing to compare the accomplishments of each grandchild, but...

Year-End Projects

My list of things I want to buy is endless - no, I don't actually have a list of things I want to buy...though that's not a bad idea(!) - so I won't fill up cyberspace with that long list, but there are many projects I'd like to complete in the new house before the end of the year...and some that will spill over into next Spring.

• Finish painting
  - Guest Bedroom - light beige
  - Foyer - reverse ragrolling w/neutral colors (hiring someone)
  - Master Bath - Venetian plaster...light browns w/hint of olive (hiring someone)
• Get new switchplates and receptacles for all rooms.
• Get boxes organized in basement. You know...all that junk we have no idea what to do with. Maybe a Spring garage sale isn't a bad idea...
• Get digital camera fixed. We're missing out on way too many photo opportunities.
• Start Christmas shopping. Quite an arduous task now that we have kids.
• Get some Fall/Winter clothes for the kids.
• Get some Fall/Winter clothes for me.
• Glue broken-off piece onto kitchen table.
• Fill nail holes with wood putty. The chair-rail had to be removed when the shutters were installed in the Dining Room.
• Deck addition. late-September/early-October
• Installation of remaining shutters (play room), blinds (laundry room), and shades (kitchen/breakfast room).
• Storage/work station in garage

Spring Projects

• Backyard fence.
• Installation of irrigation system.
• Play set for kids.
• Get bids for finishing basement.
• Built-in bookshelves one each side of Family Room fireplace.
• Big-kid furniture for kids.
• Paint boys' room (dark, slate blue)
• Paint girl's room (bottom pink, white chair rail, top yellow)

Long-Term Projects

• Crown molding in Powder Room
• Cabinets in laundry room
• Ceramic-tile backsplash in kitchen

Making a list is one thing, actually making these things happen is another.

DARF!

My husband is quite intelligent. Very smart cookie he is. Sometimes...however...I just don't think he thinks things through.

Due to busy schedules and the usual monthly visitor, we hadn't had sex for over a week. He was off work yesterday, we had no plans for the evening, so I was looking forward to some nice - let's call it - adult time. We had a pretty good day. We were tired from...well life I guess - no better way to put it - but it was a good day. We had some screw-ups with our prescriptions and once again I forgot to take the deck-addition plans to the Assocation for approval. He starts nagging at me an hour before bed.

THINK IT THROUGH, BUDDY!

B*tch at me before bed and you know what's going to happen? Nada. That's what.

Lucky for him - and me - we avoided each other for the next hour and come time for bed we acted like nothing ever happened. As a matter of fact, this sweet, loving, man showed up for bed.

I knew he was a smart cookie!

Prairie Dogs Rock!

I was desperate to get out of the house yesterday. I had been stuck without a van (in shop for repair) for too long, and the weather was gorgeous, so I needed to get out. We decided to head to the mall to go to ZGallerie in search of some framed photos for the dining room and breakfast room. Half way there, after commenting on how awesome the weather was, we changed direction to head to the zoo. On such a beautiful day, how could we go to the mall?

It was the kids' second trip. We took them earlier this Spring, but SA had some crazy reaction to his sunscreen, so it was a very brief jaunt. Last time we went, the kids seemed more interested in all the people there and could care less about the animals. My how things change!

They were enamored with all the sights! They were unimpressed with the zebras...even the monkeys...then came the giraffes. They were all leaning forward in their stroller and in unison they all started...barking at the giraffes. What can I say? They're obsessed with dogs.

I laughed at their silliness and kind of shrugged my shoulders at the mom next to me, and she said, "My son's been baa-ing at everything all day." Aren't kids precious?

We checked out the penguins, where AR let out an excited shriek making the ladies ahead of us jump. Then came the best part. THE PRAIRIE DOGS. The prairie dogs were always something to glance at and pass. What's exciting about a prairie dog? I failed to find a single thing. But our sweet children opened our eyes. They went nuts!! What it was about these little things that was so dang exciting is beyond me, but our kids thought they were the neatest things. We probably spent 15 minutes staring at our children, cracking up, watching them stare and crack up at the prairie dogs.

I always enjoyed the zoo. I'm an animal nut and always enjoyed a day at the zoo. Now it's not about the animals, it's about the kids. We had the best time. You couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces. Watching the joy on our kids' faces was priceless.

It was a perfect day.

Bad Blogger!

I know I haven't posted much since we moved in. I don't have a good excuse really...just haven't felt like it. I'm constantly writing blogs in my head - they just never make it to the computer.

I've even fallen behind on all of your blogs. It's sort of like that book that's been sitting on my bedside table for over a week. I'm really excited to read it...I really want to read it...but to find a moment to kick back and clear my head enough to concentrate on one thing....

Isn't that the hardest thing for moms? Making time for ourselves? Don't even get me started on the condition of my feet. eek! I missed my last pedicure appointment - and let me tell you - these toes ain't pretty! Next appointment - my nail tech better where a mask and some full-body armor. But...enough of my failure in grooming. Can you tell I'm in a whacky mood? I'm on my period...I'll just blame it on that.

The excitement of the new house has kept us busy, but our projects are slowing down, and I should find more time for me now.

Now Raffi is singing about a spider on the floor...and I'm really finding it hard to concentrate...so off I go.