Patrick is drinking one of those drinkable yogurts and his thick, yogurty mustache is creeping me out. Yogurt belongs on a spoon in my world, sorry. I continue to buy them, though, because the kids like them and I think a little extra calcium can't hurt. Surely someone reading this will tell me they are loaded with sugar or something, but you know what? They don't drink twenty a week, so I am okay with that.
In case you are curious, also on my list of things the kids like that creep me out:
Trix Yogurt (NOTHING should be that color)
Peanut Butter Captain Crunch (gag)
Velveeta-as a kid, I thought this was cheese. For real...imagine my horror as an adult when I realized the label actually says "pasteurized prepared cheese product"..::shudder:: That is so gross. I can handle this melted in a dip, I guess, but I will never again eat a piece of the stuff. Even Tim likes the Velveeta mac & cheese, but I think it's yucky.
Kool-aid: What is the redeeming quality of this again? I can see it spiked with vodka (thank you, college) but that is about it.
That is all I can think of for now, but I am sure something else will pop into my mind. I think I'm off to grab a string cheese...you know, the kind made with real cheese...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
I Like Blogs!
I have talked to people (like my own sister) who don't read blogs. They don't understand why someone would blog or why anyone who didn't know them would bother to read it. This is baffling to me. I don't know when I started reading them, but I can tell you I have my dailies! I feel like I know Heather Spohr and Matt Logelin even though they have no idea who I am. I have to get my fix at Barefoot Foodie because Brittany is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S and real and it makes me happy. Heather Armstrong makes me laugh out loud at least two times a week, if not three. All of the MckMama Drama is something I can't stop myself from clicking...and I could go on and on, but for my non-blog-reading (other than mine, of course!) friends, well, this sounds like gibberish. My point is, once you start, it's impossible to sign online and not see what other people have to say. It is especially hard if said people have adorable kids or funny dogs. I started my blog, not too long ago, to keep people updated in a way that was more personal than Facebook. It's also for me to remember things that my kids say or do because, let's face it, I'm not nearly as good about journaling as I was at seventeen. I was feeling pretty good about my blog right up until Dan over at Single Dad Laughing informed me (via post, not me directly-I wish!) that I have a NERD BLOG! Well, that's unfortunate. I guess I'll be spending some time in the not too distant future transforming this blog into something presentable. Maybe I can even make it to the popular table at lunch!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Corndogs.
Donovan: Mom, you know what I think of corndogs?
Me: Nope, what?
Donovan: I think they're like a popsicle. And the breaded part is a sweet, sweet wrapper that I can eat.
Me: So you like them?
Donovan: Oh yea...they're completely awesome. Anything you cook is the best!
Me: Thanks, D. Make sure you talk to your wife like that someday. She'll appreciate it.
Well, hmm. I bought frozen corndogs and baked them on a tray in the oven. I am pretty sure Bobby Flay wouldn't think that constitutes cooking...but if Donovan wants to think so, I'll take it. Oh, and they also think I'm the best because I gave them cottage cheese for dessert. I am so not kidding...weird kids.
And in case you are wondering, Patrick DOES usually wear a shirt. He had just gotten out of the tub and he wanted to eat in his towel...
Me: Nope, what?
Donovan: I think they're like a popsicle. And the breaded part is a sweet, sweet wrapper that I can eat.
Me: So you like them?
Donovan: Oh yea...they're completely awesome. Anything you cook is the best!
Me: Thanks, D. Make sure you talk to your wife like that someday. She'll appreciate it.
Well, hmm. I bought frozen corndogs and baked them on a tray in the oven. I am pretty sure Bobby Flay wouldn't think that constitutes cooking...but if Donovan wants to think so, I'll take it. Oh, and they also think I'm the best because I gave them cottage cheese for dessert. I am so not kidding...weird kids.
And in case you are wondering, Patrick DOES usually wear a shirt. He had just gotten out of the tub and he wanted to eat in his towel...
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Someday, Right Now, and What Matters
Someday, my house will be quiet.
Someday, not too far in the future, really, no one will need me to get them a sippy cup or another snack or a band aid. I won't look around my house, exasperated at the toys strewn across the room. I won't think about how I just want to sit down and relax while someone asks for another story. I won't have an exuberant seven year old chatting mindlessly about his day, where every sentence starts with, "and guess what, mom?" Someday, I will have all the time in the world to take a shower in a bathroom, alone. Someday, I won't have to take anyone to baseball practice. Someday, I won't have to rush to think of a healthy dinner that I can squeeze into the hour between this thing and that thing. Someday, I won't have to juggle a toddler who is reaching for everything at the grocery story checkout and a three year old who doesn't want to stay with me.
Someday, I will not have to tell anyone to please get back in bed, and no you don't need another drink, or another hug, or another story.
Someday, I hope I will look back on this time in my life and know that I spent it not wishing for someday, but rather living in today.
Yes, my house is a mess right now. It could use a good dusting, a good vacuuming, and a good decluttering. We didn't eat a healthy dinner tonight, and I probably snapped at someone for not listening or getting out of bed one too many times. You know what else? Right now, there is a little, two year old girl asleep in her crib. And right now, she is holding a Minnie Mouse, and I read her three stories before she went to bed. She stayed up later than she was supposed to because she was playing with her brothers. Right now, she doesn't know what it is like to be hungry, or cold, or unloved. Right now, there is a three year old boy asleep (maybe) in his bed, clutching a cabbage patch and his glasses case. He is wearing mismatched pajamas that are spaceships on the bottom and stripes on top because that is what he wanted. He probably ate too many tortilla chips before bed. Right now, he knows that he is one of the three centers of his parents' universe. Right now, there is a seven year old boy sleeping on the top bunk and snuggled with his stuffed barney and a glow-in-the-dark pillowcase. He went to bed knowing that his mom cared about what he did today, and remembered to ask about his spelling test, and who took him to baseball practice, and made sure he brushed his teeth. Right now, that little boy knows that he has a big responsibility because he is the oldest brother and a role model, and he revels in that knowledge. Right now, he knows that his mom and dad love him no matter what.
Right now, I want to remember to be that mom who reads the extra story, and doesn't get mad if someone spills their milk, and takes the extra ten minutes to let someone put on their own shoes. Right now, I want to remember that it doesn't matter if my house is perfect. What matters is those three, little people who are right now asleep in their beds. It matters they are loved and protected. When they grow up, it matters to me that they remember me as the kind of mom I want to be for them. I doubt they will remember much about how clean the house was, but I am pretty sure they will remember when I let them help make brownies, and let them crack the eggs even if it meant digging out pieces of shell. I don't want to get so caught up in what doesn't matter that when someday comes, I wish for right now. I have talked to many mothers and grandmothers, my own included, and I am pretty sure all of them would give anything to have one more day with their kids as children.
Someday, not too far in the future, really, no one will need me to get them a sippy cup or another snack or a band aid. I won't look around my house, exasperated at the toys strewn across the room. I won't think about how I just want to sit down and relax while someone asks for another story. I won't have an exuberant seven year old chatting mindlessly about his day, where every sentence starts with, "and guess what, mom?" Someday, I will have all the time in the world to take a shower in a bathroom, alone. Someday, I won't have to take anyone to baseball practice. Someday, I won't have to rush to think of a healthy dinner that I can squeeze into the hour between this thing and that thing. Someday, I won't have to juggle a toddler who is reaching for everything at the grocery story checkout and a three year old who doesn't want to stay with me.
Someday, I will not have to tell anyone to please get back in bed, and no you don't need another drink, or another hug, or another story.
Someday, I hope I will look back on this time in my life and know that I spent it not wishing for someday, but rather living in today.
Yes, my house is a mess right now. It could use a good dusting, a good vacuuming, and a good decluttering. We didn't eat a healthy dinner tonight, and I probably snapped at someone for not listening or getting out of bed one too many times. You know what else? Right now, there is a little, two year old girl asleep in her crib. And right now, she is holding a Minnie Mouse, and I read her three stories before she went to bed. She stayed up later than she was supposed to because she was playing with her brothers. Right now, she doesn't know what it is like to be hungry, or cold, or unloved. Right now, there is a three year old boy asleep (maybe) in his bed, clutching a cabbage patch and his glasses case. He is wearing mismatched pajamas that are spaceships on the bottom and stripes on top because that is what he wanted. He probably ate too many tortilla chips before bed. Right now, he knows that he is one of the three centers of his parents' universe. Right now, there is a seven year old boy sleeping on the top bunk and snuggled with his stuffed barney and a glow-in-the-dark pillowcase. He went to bed knowing that his mom cared about what he did today, and remembered to ask about his spelling test, and who took him to baseball practice, and made sure he brushed his teeth. Right now, that little boy knows that he has a big responsibility because he is the oldest brother and a role model, and he revels in that knowledge. Right now, he knows that his mom and dad love him no matter what.
Right now, I want to remember to be that mom who reads the extra story, and doesn't get mad if someone spills their milk, and takes the extra ten minutes to let someone put on their own shoes. Right now, I want to remember that it doesn't matter if my house is perfect. What matters is those three, little people who are right now asleep in their beds. It matters they are loved and protected. When they grow up, it matters to me that they remember me as the kind of mom I want to be for them. I doubt they will remember much about how clean the house was, but I am pretty sure they will remember when I let them help make brownies, and let them crack the eggs even if it meant digging out pieces of shell. I don't want to get so caught up in what doesn't matter that when someday comes, I wish for right now. I have talked to many mothers and grandmothers, my own included, and I am pretty sure all of them would give anything to have one more day with their kids as children.
Thursday...Brought to You by Patrick and his Crazy Dance...
Patrick if often calm and shy...get to know him, and you get a whole lot of this...and yes, he DID ask me to photograph it...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Matilda is two!
Matilda and Mommy, 3/23/2011
So, apparently, I am just terrible at this whole "daily posting" idea. Sorry about that...I continue to work on it.
This past weekend, Matilda turned two! TWO! How is this possible?! I feel like we just brought her home. That girl is a shining light in my life. She is so funny and sweet. She is everything I hoped having a daughter would be and more. I thank God every day that we decided to have a "#3." I simply cannot imagine life without her.
We had a great birthday weekend filled with family and cake! Poor Donovan suffered through a terrible earache and eventually ruptured eardrum which landed us in Urgent Care on Sunday morning, but he was a trooper.
Matilda and her cousin, Eliana, are exactly one year and one day apart. We celebrated Ellie's birthday, too, and had more cake!
Matilda's last gift arrived today...Tim and I knew this little, pink piano would be a hit...and we were right! Her face says it all!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Parenting: Who Knows What They Are Doing?
I started the van post, but I keep putting it off. Now I've pressured myself into MAKING that my next post, and I don't feel like writing it, so I just haven't written. Since that doesn't seem like a viable solution, I gave myself permission to skip it so I could take about something slightly more important.
As parents, WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Really, the more blogs I read and the more people I talk to in real life, I keep coming to the conclusion that no one knows what they are doing as parents. As a kid, my parents seemed so adult. I thought that when I grew up, there was some magic point where I went from feeling like a child to feeling like a grownup. Guess what? I'm 30 and it still hasn't happened. I do lots of grown up things like making sure there is food in the house and the kids bathe regularly, but I still have times were I would like to sit around in my pajamas all day doing online shopping and reading books. Maybe the line between being a grownup and not is just doing things because you have to and not because you want to...or not doing things you want to because you have other people to consider? Feel free to weigh in...
As parents, WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Really, the more blogs I read and the more people I talk to in real life, I keep coming to the conclusion that no one knows what they are doing as parents. As a kid, my parents seemed so adult. I thought that when I grew up, there was some magic point where I went from feeling like a child to feeling like a grownup. Guess what? I'm 30 and it still hasn't happened. I do lots of grown up things like making sure there is food in the house and the kids bathe regularly, but I still have times were I would like to sit around in my pajamas all day doing online shopping and reading books. Maybe the line between being a grownup and not is just doing things because you have to and not because you want to...or not doing things you want to because you have other people to consider? Feel free to weigh in...
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Week in Review!
So if I TAKE a picture every day, but don't actually POST them every day, does it still count? Yes? Oh, good!
This week I made these delicious pretzels...for Tim to take to a doctor's office as a thank you-
Who needs flowers, really?? That is a pretzel bouquet!
And then Matilda strutted her stuff in this lovely tutu....
And got delightful kisses from her biggest brother...
And then on Wednesday, we watched this pretty girl...the smile is deceptive as she isn't very happy without her Mommy or Daddy here, but Donovan worked his magic and she was very agreeable for most of the evening!
And to wish her cousin Bon Voyage to Disney, Matilda was rockin' the Minnie bow and shirt. Take a goood looong look because I will admit it-I HATE character stuff. Rarely (unless they pick it!) will you see any of my kids in character-anything other than PJs.
And MR. HANDSOME Patchy got some new specs!
Next post...the saga of my van! I bet you can't wait?!
This week I made these delicious pretzels...for Tim to take to a doctor's office as a thank you-
And then Matilda strutted her stuff in this lovely tutu....
Saturday, February 26, 2011
No Fooling Me...
If you hear Donovan talk...he thinks he is too cool for all of the so-called baby things. No Yo Gabba Gabba for him, no baby forks (as he calls the kid forks), no napping, no having mom do his hair (yea, still do it, though) and lots of other things...but don't let him fool you. This kid is OWNED by a sweet 23 month old who likes all things pink. Donovan is a fabulous big brother to her. He is patient and giving. He plays with whatever she wants and watches whatever she picks. He'll give her a sip or a bite of anything he has. He will give her his balloon when she accidentally lets go of hers and cries. He will help her find anything she needs. I think watching your kids interact in this way is one of the BEST things about being a parent and also the best, "Hey, we must be doing something right!" the universe can offer. Oh, and when Matilda wants her "Don-in" to snuggle with her on her pink princess couch? He's there...
Thursday, February 24, 2011
We Have a Brown Belt in the House!!
Yay! Way to go, Donovan!
We are about to take about 3 months off of Karate due to baseball season and a seven year old who doesn't need to be doing something every night of the week! Glad he gets to go out with a bang! See you in June, Karate!!
We are about to take about 3 months off of Karate due to baseball season and a seven year old who doesn't need to be doing something every night of the week! Glad he gets to go out with a bang! See you in June, Karate!!
Why Patrick is Hilarious...
I don't like the word "stupid," but that doesn't mean I never say it. For example, when I couldn't find a coat the other day, I muttered something about, "that stupid coat" which, of course, got the, "We don't say stupid!" from Donovan.
ANYWAY...the point of this is that I try to curb my own usage of the word and discourage the kids from using it. Patrick went through a phase where he would get mad and just yell, "STUPID!" So...we taught him to say "Stupendous!" It has worked very well and he rarely says either one at this point. The other day, however, we were riding in the car. Patrick was trying to put two pieces of a toy back together and he was struggling. I asked him if he wanted help, but he told me he wanted to do it. The next thing I knew, there was a shriek from the backseat, followed by, "YOU ARE NOT STUPENDOUS!" which was just about the funniest thing I have ever heard. Even now, when I get frustrated, I am tempted to yell, "You are NOT stupendous!"
On a side note, Matilda now says something that sounds like, "stoop-IT" when she gets frustrated. She makes the cutest face, so it is hard to be stern about it. Usually just telling her to say, "sweet!" instead is enough...
I had no idea how much I'd have to watch my words when I had kids....
And I'll leave you with Patrick jumping like a crazy man at Kidmazium.
ANYWAY...the point of this is that I try to curb my own usage of the word and discourage the kids from using it. Patrick went through a phase where he would get mad and just yell, "STUPID!" So...we taught him to say "Stupendous!" It has worked very well and he rarely says either one at this point. The other day, however, we were riding in the car. Patrick was trying to put two pieces of a toy back together and he was struggling. I asked him if he wanted help, but he told me he wanted to do it. The next thing I knew, there was a shriek from the backseat, followed by, "YOU ARE NOT STUPENDOUS!" which was just about the funniest thing I have ever heard. Even now, when I get frustrated, I am tempted to yell, "You are NOT stupendous!"
On a side note, Matilda now says something that sounds like, "stoop-IT" when she gets frustrated. She makes the cutest face, so it is hard to be stern about it. Usually just telling her to say, "sweet!" instead is enough...
I had no idea how much I'd have to watch my words when I had kids....
And I'll leave you with Patrick jumping like a crazy man at Kidmazium.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Guess We Can't Call Him Biebs Anymore....
I had a lot of kids in my care today!! Five kids ages 7, 5, 3, 1, and 10 months...digest that for a moment. No, really...take that in for a minute. I'll even give you a visual...
(Donovan, 7; Tyler, 5; Patrick, 3; Matilda, 1; Jake, 10 months...as you can plainly see, Matilda was NOT into being made to pose!)
Done?
Okay, so it actually was fine...in fact, the older two hardly ever get to see each other, so they occupied one another pretty well. Unfortunately, Patrick was the odd man out a few times and he took it pretty hard. BEING a younger sibling myself, I can appreciate his pain. For the most part they were all very good. Had to pry the Nintendo DS away from the big boys...and then the Wii...but once I got them thinking about things other than video games, they amused themselves with games of superheroes. Donovan even took a few minutes to read to Tyler and Patch!
And then Matilda made funny faces...
And Jakey made super cute faces:
And then we did craft/art time
And later, Mom-mom and Pop-pop made a quick visit on their way to drop something off to Tim...and Matilda pretended to sleep.
And then Donovan got a haircut-
I'll admit to being a little sad...we can't call him "Biebs" anymore without his Justin Bieber hair! So sad! BUT APPARENTLY...Justin B. cut HIS famous hair today, too!
And now it's time to relax! Hopefully Tim will be home by 8 tonight...starting a business is hard work!
(Donovan, 7; Tyler, 5; Patrick, 3; Matilda, 1; Jake, 10 months...as you can plainly see, Matilda was NOT into being made to pose!)
Done?
Okay, so it actually was fine...in fact, the older two hardly ever get to see each other, so they occupied one another pretty well. Unfortunately, Patrick was the odd man out a few times and he took it pretty hard. BEING a younger sibling myself, I can appreciate his pain. For the most part they were all very good. Had to pry the Nintendo DS away from the big boys...and then the Wii...but once I got them thinking about things other than video games, they amused themselves with games of superheroes. Donovan even took a few minutes to read to Tyler and Patch!
And then Matilda made funny faces...
And Jakey made super cute faces:
And then we did craft/art time
And later, Mom-mom and Pop-pop made a quick visit on their way to drop something off to Tim...and Matilda pretended to sleep.
And then Donovan got a haircut-
I'll admit to being a little sad...we can't call him "Biebs" anymore without his Justin Bieber hair! So sad! BUT APPARENTLY...Justin B. cut HIS famous hair today, too!
And now it's time to relax! Hopefully Tim will be home by 8 tonight...starting a business is hard work!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tilliebug
Matilda is turning into such a big girl...she went to Sunday school with Patrick today instead of coming with Tim and me! The class is three and four year olds, but she didn't mind. She barely gave me a second look when I walked away. I'm not going to lie; I was anxious..at one point during church, after I had glanced at the door for the 17th time, Tim said, "Oh my gosh, stop it! You are making me nuts and she is FINE!" I knew he was right, but I couldn't help it. She is my baby...our last baby...and I am not ready for her to be so big and independent. Sometimes I think she really is more independent than either of the boys were at her age. Maybe that is what happens when you're number three...? She is the sweetest thing-always saying please and thank you. She is so excitable and happy. I just really love being her mom.
And as you MIGHT be able to tell from this picture, Tim is pretty thrilled about being her Daddy:
For the record, she did wonderfully without us this morning. She participated with the other kids, sat in circle time, and folded her hands when they prayed. One of the teachers said she couldn't believe she isn't even two yet.
And finally...I wanted to leave you with a little musical number from our girl, but it just won't load properly. I'll put it on Facebook instead!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Just the kids...
Matilda is nearly two and won't stop sucking on her wrist. She gets very angry if I tell her to stop...that is why she looks so displeased in this picture! I'm not really sure how you break a kid of something like this. Neither of the boys sucked their thumbs...none of them took a pacifier...I don't know. I guess I am hoping she outgrows it on her own!
And then there is Patchy...What? Your kids don't watch TV while wearing a motorcycle helmet? And no pants? Afternoons are pretty much always pants-free for Patch. He just likes it that way, and since we're usually home...I figure there is no harm.
And besides that, he is just so darn cute!
Check out this face:
I love that kid!
And this one, too:
I made Chicken Parmesan last night and now wonder why I never made it before?? It is easy and delicious, and best of all, the kids loved it!We've had a busy week and we are gearing up for a busy weekend...Goodnight!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A Clean House (and other things I know nothing about...)
I am not the kind of person whose house is always clean. I wish I could be that person, but it doesn't come naturally to me. I am (I admit!) envious of the houses I walk into with clean, bare counter tops and newly vacuumed floors. I seem to live in a world where even if I catch up, it all goes downhill very quickly. If you dropped by my house RIGHT NOW...you would see this:
But...odds are good that if you came to my house, unannounced, on any given day-you would see this:
I really do try, but with three kids and a husband...well, it doesn't take long to get back here.
My mom said to me, "Molly, you're a good mom. Cleaning just isn't your thing..." Ouch! She meant well, though...and it never has been and probably never will be "my thing"...but I DO think that around here we pay a certain amount of attention to other very important things...like making time for this:
So...Clean House, you will continue to live in my dreams. I'll take this.
But...odds are good that if you came to my house, unannounced, on any given day-you would see this:
I really do try, but with three kids and a husband...well, it doesn't take long to get back here.
My mom said to me, "Molly, you're a good mom. Cleaning just isn't your thing..." Ouch! She meant well, though...and it never has been and probably never will be "my thing"...but I DO think that around here we pay a certain amount of attention to other very important things...like making time for this:
So...Clean House, you will continue to live in my dreams. I'll take this.
Monday, February 14, 2011
My Valentines
I love Valentine's Day. Actually, I love all of the silly holidays...St. Patricks, Halloween, Valentines...it's a reason to just do things with a little bit more fun! We started off with a special Valentine Breakfast..complete with some small treats and a festive tablecloth!
Cinnamon raisin bagels with strawberry cream cheese, cottage cheese, strawberries drizzled with chocolate, and a mini powdered doughnut.
Matilda's hair gets a little crazy in the morning...
My kids are totally nuts about cottage cheese. You should have seen Tim's face the night Donovan finished his dinner, asked what we could have for dessert, and then cheered when I said, "Cottage cheese?" All three of them...cheering...it was hilarious.
Then they opened some singing cards from their Mom-mom and Pop-pop. Always a hit!! Matilda's was a recordable card and she couldn't quite figure out how she was hearing her Mom-mom and Pop-pop...the face says it all!
Then Donovan went to school...not before I made him pose!
And then Patchy and I took some pictures to make into lollipop cards! A special thanks to a friend for passing along the idea!
Punching pic:
Which we printed at Target and turned into these:
I think his preschool friends will be impressed tomorrow! His daddy sure was when he got one at dinner!
And then Matilda did finally allow me to tame the crazy hair...see how cute??
Happy Valentine's Day to you!
Cinnamon raisin bagels with strawberry cream cheese, cottage cheese, strawberries drizzled with chocolate, and a mini powdered doughnut.
Matilda's hair gets a little crazy in the morning...
My kids are totally nuts about cottage cheese. You should have seen Tim's face the night Donovan finished his dinner, asked what we could have for dessert, and then cheered when I said, "Cottage cheese?" All three of them...cheering...it was hilarious.Then they opened some singing cards from their Mom-mom and Pop-pop. Always a hit!! Matilda's was a recordable card and she couldn't quite figure out how she was hearing her Mom-mom and Pop-pop...the face says it all!
Then Donovan went to school...not before I made him pose!
And then Patchy and I took some pictures to make into lollipop cards! A special thanks to a friend for passing along the idea!
Punching pic:
Which we printed at Target and turned into these:
I think his preschool friends will be impressed tomorrow! His daddy sure was when he got one at dinner!And then Matilda did finally allow me to tame the crazy hair...see how cute??
Happy Valentine's Day to you!
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