Where to start?
We went to Tyler, Texas last weekend to enjoy a Day Out with Thomas at the Texas State Railroad. The Day Out was actually quite fun - perfectly geared to younger kiddos. It wasn't overcrowded and there was plenty to keep the kids busy. Unfortunately, Moose did not sleep the night before and was melting down about two hours into it. I also had a crazy headache. Our Day Out was more like a Morning Out. Oh well. We still felt like we got our money's worth.
The hotel we stayed in was disappointing - the pool was outside, the tub didn't drain. But I have no complaints about the mattresses. The dog was also awful in the hotel room - she whined A LOT and barked every time a door closed or a person walked by. Ugh, we cut the trip early and were back in Shreveport by 12 noon on Sunday.
I went to Urgent Care upon arriving home. The headache was just awful and wouldn't go away - it was like a stabbing pain that made me gringe so badly I couldn't drive. I was diagnosed with a suspect-case of shingles. My scalp has a red rash, but no blisters. I'm on an antibiotic and pain killer, and the pain stopped completely yesterday afternoon. So, maybe we got to it early enough? Maybe it's not shingles? I don't know, but it sucked.
Oh, and Saturday morning ... my mom had a FIRE IN HER HOUSE. It started in the basement and traveled through the window and torched a chunk of her deck. Amazingly, the damage was minimal and she made it out safely. Her insurance has been very responsive, and she has new floors to pick out now :) She's living in a hotel till Wednesday, but she sounds amazingly NOT STRESSED despite the circumstances. So, thank goodness for all that. I can't believe it wasn't worse. She, of course, waited till Sunday evening to tell us because she didn't want to ruin our Thomas trip.
I started a j-o-b today. I'm tutoring at under performing schools. I had NO students show up today, so I'm off to an awesome start. Since participation is so low at this school, they're moving me to a different school ... so maybe I'll actually w-o-r-k on Thursday. It's just two days a week for about three hours each day. It pays well and Husband's schedule is pretty flexible right now, so we don't even have to pay for child care.
Bean tested for a stripe on his high white belt today and did well at the testing, but then he was called out four times afterward for fidgeting. The ONLY kid called out, according to Husband.
Oh, also, my husband has tossed my sweet kittens outside. Somehow, on Sunday, between when we arrived home and about six hours later, they tracked pooped all over the bathroom and the bedroom carpet and had smeared it around the lid of the litter box and flung a sticky combination of poop and litter onto the door. I tell you, they defy both reason and gravity with their litter box antics. They seem to be doing OK out there - they stick close to the house and are eating well, and I haven't found out where they're pooping yet ... so that could be a good or bad thing. So, now it's two outdoor kittens, a dog, and three chickens.
Chickens are laying an egg a day lately. The white one is certainly in the throws of molting.
Moose continues his reign of the Terrible Twos. You just never know with that kid. I'm getting a little discouraged with his speech ... he's still hardly saying a thing, and we've been going twice a week for MONTHS now. He likes going, though, so I hate to just stop. It's certainly not hurting anything.
So, that's that.
Showing posts with label Bean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bean. Show all posts
10.26.2010
10.17.2010
Kids First, Right?
KIDS
On Friday, Bean stayed home from school. He yacked for a good chunk of the day but was "all's well" Saturday morning. Moose also puked in the evening (but just once). After spending the day cooped up in the house (I was under the weather as well - so Husband got to wait on everyone and get puked on), I took the boys to the park Saturday for lunch while Husband volunteered at our church "clean up" day - a nice break from (a) the house and (b) puke.
Moose shot right up this slide, which is pretty tall for a shorty like him:
Oh, the static-electric hair and that smile. Doesn't he just melt you?
Bean wanted to try out the "see saw," which was pretty darn lousy. It just bounces a metal seat against your rump. What happened to REAL see saws? We couldn't make sense of it but took a picture anyway.
On September 30, Bean tested for his high white belt. He was victorious and we celebrated with a root beer float at Smash Burger.
CHICKENS
After two weeks, we got our first dozen eggs!
Here are their offerings after Day 1.
Production is very slow lately. I'm not sure if it's the weather or what. They seem happy enough, but they are not laying. Now, maybe it IS the weather, maybe they ARE unhappy. I don't know and haven't cared enough to look into seriously, but it is a little annoying. We've never gotten more than two eggs a day ... so one may turn out to be a rooster (hard to tell when they're juveniles, even to the trained eye sometimes). They don't make much noise, though. We'll see.
HOUSE
Ever had a sewer back up?
Gross. Our neighbors recommended some great plumbers, but they're not a clean up crew. We've never used so much bleach in our lives.
On the house front, we're very casually looking at homes. We went to an open house today - BEAUTIFUL home, nice lot size and neighborhood, close to a huge park. However, it's a little close to a busy road. No rush on our part.
CRAFTING
I've been working on lots of things. These are for a Disney-themed swap. A few of your lucky people will be receiving complete A to Z Disney Dessert Recipe Books for Christmas :)
Robin Hood's English Bread Pudding:
The Jungle Book: King Louie's Banana Cookies (incomplete, but I had the camera handy):
Finding Nemo - Dessert Sushi Rolls (Nemo is watermarked behind the recipe):
A cute card made for a caffeine-themed swap:
Some happy penguins done outside of my usual style (I think), so I'm pretty proud of it:
The folded card is and tied in front of the open card (this is for a wing-themed swap, same as the penguins):
On Friday, Bean stayed home from school. He yacked for a good chunk of the day but was "all's well" Saturday morning. Moose also puked in the evening (but just once). After spending the day cooped up in the house (I was under the weather as well - so Husband got to wait on everyone and get puked on), I took the boys to the park Saturday for lunch while Husband volunteered at our church "clean up" day - a nice break from (a) the house and (b) puke.
Moose shot right up this slide, which is pretty tall for a shorty like him:
Oh, the static-electric hair and that smile. Doesn't he just melt you?Bean wanted to try out the "see saw," which was pretty darn lousy. It just bounces a metal seat against your rump. What happened to REAL see saws? We couldn't make sense of it but took a picture anyway.
On September 30, Bean tested for his high white belt. He was victorious and we celebrated with a root beer float at Smash Burger.
CHICKENSAfter two weeks, we got our first dozen eggs!
Here are their offerings after Day 1.
Production is very slow lately. I'm not sure if it's the weather or what. They seem happy enough, but they are not laying. Now, maybe it IS the weather, maybe they ARE unhappy. I don't know and haven't cared enough to look into seriously, but it is a little annoying. We've never gotten more than two eggs a day ... so one may turn out to be a rooster (hard to tell when they're juveniles, even to the trained eye sometimes). They don't make much noise, though. We'll see.HOUSE
Ever had a sewer back up?
Gross. Our neighbors recommended some great plumbers, but they're not a clean up crew. We've never used so much bleach in our lives.On the house front, we're very casually looking at homes. We went to an open house today - BEAUTIFUL home, nice lot size and neighborhood, close to a huge park. However, it's a little close to a busy road. No rush on our part.
CRAFTING
I've been working on lots of things. These are for a Disney-themed swap. A few of your lucky people will be receiving complete A to Z Disney Dessert Recipe Books for Christmas :)
Robin Hood's English Bread Pudding:
The Jungle Book: King Louie's Banana Cookies (incomplete, but I had the camera handy):
Finding Nemo - Dessert Sushi Rolls (Nemo is watermarked behind the recipe):
A cute card made for a caffeine-themed swap:
Some happy penguins done outside of my usual style (I think), so I'm pretty proud of it:
The folded card is and tied in front of the open card (this is for a wing-themed swap, same as the penguins):
10.04.2010
Take What Your Can Get
My Tastefully Simple party wasn't a raging success. Between TWO big Louisiana football games, my neighbor being out of town, and an art festival downtown ... it was a busy weekend for people. Who wants to come eat delicious food at my house when there are all these exciting things going on? Four people DID so up, for which I am grateful. It was very nice to get to know these people better, and my husband and I certainly won't complain about all the delicious leftovers!
I'll host another one in December, me thinks, and check the date against big football games :) I was hoping for a better turnout, but it certainly could have been worse!
I had a fun flower arrangement at the party, which I then toted to church on Sunday. I should take a pictures. It's flowers in a pumpkin with some apples on sticks.
While Sunday started on a high note, after a gallon of tea being spilled and cleaned up AND a gallon of water being spilled and almost cleaned up AND a glass scattering and getting cleaned up with the rest of the water ... I was quite thankful that the day was done. That sucked. I should be happy that tea and water are not sticky and it was small glass and not a big glass. See? It can always be worse.
Bean, of course, is at school. I received his outstanding progress report on Friday, where he got "mastered" on everything and where he needed an 8+ in initial sound, he got a 26 and where he needed an 8+ in letter naming, he got a 41. He's a genius after all.
Moose also went to school today. Let me tell you, four hours is not long enough. I ran to Kohls to exchange a pair of Bean's too-short pants and gather some shirts for our family pictures (for the three boys, of course, Mama got nothing), then came home and did dishes and watched The View, then met two buddies for writing, then it was time to pick him up. I need five hours. OR I could get a job and just send him full-time, but then I wouldn't have time for things like shopping, The View, and writing. Oh, the dilemma.
I had this very vivid dream last night that we had another baby and it was delivered on the early side by c-section, and I was mortified. I did not want drugs, let alone a c-section, and I did not get to see the baby after it was born, but I had been all blacked out the entire time and had no idea how the delivery came to that point. The baby was healthy (and a boy) but much tinier than my other guys. I also had wicked PPD (which I did not have with either boy). I woke up exhausted. It's cool to have such vivid dreams sometimes, but it sure doesn't make for a restful night's sleep.
I am reading Confessions of a Shopaholic, and I'm really enjoying it. I thought it would be very light and chick-lit and almost embarrassing to read, but it's not. Sure, she loves nice things, but she's certainly dealing with the consequences of her actions (in this in this first book). It has a nice vocabulary going on (or, at least, anything taking place in Britain always sounds a bit smarter). I think I'll give the whole series a go. So nice not to be bogged down by textbooks.
Another round of speech, karate (where Bean just tested for his High White Belt - he's no longer the "new" kid), writing group, etc. I have no clue how parents balance several kids in several activities. They each have one lousy thing outside of "school," and I feel like we're jammed-packed.
We might go the art festival for an early supper and then check out some bunk beds a family is selling in the neighborhood across the street (nice quality, mattresses included). There is also a good-sized home in the most perfect location for us that just went on the market. It is very hard to resist. Right size, nice lot size (.3 acres), private backyard (for chickens!), even closer to the school, end of cul-de-sac, in our price range ...
I'll host another one in December, me thinks, and check the date against big football games :) I was hoping for a better turnout, but it certainly could have been worse!
I had a fun flower arrangement at the party, which I then toted to church on Sunday. I should take a pictures. It's flowers in a pumpkin with some apples on sticks.
While Sunday started on a high note, after a gallon of tea being spilled and cleaned up AND a gallon of water being spilled and almost cleaned up AND a glass scattering and getting cleaned up with the rest of the water ... I was quite thankful that the day was done. That sucked. I should be happy that tea and water are not sticky and it was small glass and not a big glass. See? It can always be worse.
Bean, of course, is at school. I received his outstanding progress report on Friday, where he got "mastered" on everything and where he needed an 8+ in initial sound, he got a 26 and where he needed an 8+ in letter naming, he got a 41. He's a genius after all.
Moose also went to school today. Let me tell you, four hours is not long enough. I ran to Kohls to exchange a pair of Bean's too-short pants and gather some shirts for our family pictures (for the three boys, of course, Mama got nothing), then came home and did dishes and watched The View, then met two buddies for writing, then it was time to pick him up. I need five hours. OR I could get a job and just send him full-time, but then I wouldn't have time for things like shopping, The View, and writing. Oh, the dilemma.
I had this very vivid dream last night that we had another baby and it was delivered on the early side by c-section, and I was mortified. I did not want drugs, let alone a c-section, and I did not get to see the baby after it was born, but I had been all blacked out the entire time and had no idea how the delivery came to that point. The baby was healthy (and a boy) but much tinier than my other guys. I also had wicked PPD (which I did not have with either boy). I woke up exhausted. It's cool to have such vivid dreams sometimes, but it sure doesn't make for a restful night's sleep.
I am reading Confessions of a Shopaholic, and I'm really enjoying it. I thought it would be very light and chick-lit and almost embarrassing to read, but it's not. Sure, she loves nice things, but she's certainly dealing with the consequences of her actions (in this in this first book). It has a nice vocabulary going on (or, at least, anything taking place in Britain always sounds a bit smarter). I think I'll give the whole series a go. So nice not to be bogged down by textbooks.
Another round of speech, karate (where Bean just tested for his High White Belt - he's no longer the "new" kid), writing group, etc. I have no clue how parents balance several kids in several activities. They each have one lousy thing outside of "school," and I feel like we're jammed-packed.
We might go the art festival for an early supper and then check out some bunk beds a family is selling in the neighborhood across the street (nice quality, mattresses included). There is also a good-sized home in the most perfect location for us that just went on the market. It is very hard to resist. Right size, nice lot size (.3 acres), private backyard (for chickens!), even closer to the school, end of cul-de-sac, in our price range ...
9.22.2010
Head Cold
Hit with a bit of a head cold. Took some Sudafed (which, rumor has it, also dries up breastmilk ... so that might be a bonus SINCE I STOPPED NURSING SEVEN MONTHS AGO).
A manager (possibly the general manager) of the local Michaels called me last night and asked me to give her a call back. (I copy and pasted and blog post to Michaels' corporate email.) She sounded sweet-as-pie complete with a Southern accent. I was hoping a man would call me, because then I'd have no trouble standing my ground ... but I am hopeless with nice-sounding ladies! I don't want to call back, I said everything I had to say in my email. My mom says I am a chicken. Ugh.
Met up with some fellow Tastefully Simple consultants today for lunch. They're such a nice group. I mailed off four packages with catalogs, recipes, and samples to a few out-of-town clients today. Enjoy! I am hosting an open house at my home Saturday, Oct. 2 and am planning on a mystery host catalog party online too (need to figure out those details). I have a good feeling about all of it.
Moose has been in a mood this week. Maybe it's the Terrible Twos or maybe he has a bit of a cold, but he's so disagreeable and whiny when we drop him off at Mother's Day Out (though, he doesn't CRY, he's just not so gung-ho like he usually is). He's just not quite himself.
Bean is still doing great with school and is making improvements with his karate. He's just growing up fine and dandy.
The kittens are psychotic. I have never met two things that poop so much. They also yacked three times for my husband this morning. Lord only knows what they ate this time. Why are we adding chickens to our zoo? Crazy people. CRAZY.
I rearranged some closets and my craft/crap room last night with some help from Husband. I'm trying to relocate all my hobby-type stuff to the craft/crap room and keep it out ofour master bedroom, our master bedroom closet, the dining room, the kitchen, the living room the rest of the house. I sure know how to take up space!
RAIN! FINALLY! I HEAR IT. I SEE IT. We so needed this!
A manager (possibly the general manager) of the local Michaels called me last night and asked me to give her a call back. (I copy and pasted and blog post to Michaels' corporate email.) She sounded sweet-as-pie complete with a Southern accent. I was hoping a man would call me, because then I'd have no trouble standing my ground ... but I am hopeless with nice-sounding ladies! I don't want to call back, I said everything I had to say in my email. My mom says I am a chicken. Ugh.
Met up with some fellow Tastefully Simple consultants today for lunch. They're such a nice group. I mailed off four packages with catalogs, recipes, and samples to a few out-of-town clients today. Enjoy! I am hosting an open house at my home Saturday, Oct. 2 and am planning on a mystery host catalog party online too (need to figure out those details). I have a good feeling about all of it.
Moose has been in a mood this week. Maybe it's the Terrible Twos or maybe he has a bit of a cold, but he's so disagreeable and whiny when we drop him off at Mother's Day Out (though, he doesn't CRY, he's just not so gung-ho like he usually is). He's just not quite himself.
Bean is still doing great with school and is making improvements with his karate. He's just growing up fine and dandy.
The kittens are psychotic. I have never met two things that poop so much. They also yacked three times for my husband this morning. Lord only knows what they ate this time. Why are we adding chickens to our zoo? Crazy people. CRAZY.
I rearranged some closets and my craft/crap room last night with some help from Husband. I'm trying to relocate all my hobby-type stuff to the craft/crap room and keep it out of
RAIN! FINALLY! I HEAR IT. I SEE IT. We so needed this!
9.17.2010
My Hallmark Card
Wednesday night, a person told me that my life was like a Hallmark card. I wanted to break into hysteric laughter, but instead I said thank you (and possibly rolled my eyes). All in all, if you put things into a list of what my life is compared to what it could be, it is pretty good. I wouldn't say Hallmark card, I'd probably say Endless To-Do List. Maybe entitle it Life Interrupted. Seriously, though, I have a lot to be thankful for (or "for which to be thankful," if we don't want to end a sentence with "for," but who talks like that?).
It's funny what people see when they don't hold you to same standards you hold yourself to - I usually just see the last-minute meals out of cans and heaps of laundry. Start seeing what's so good, stop worrying about the short-comings. There's no such thing as perfect.
Moose has decided to stop napping. This is not a good thing. Today he is in a rare mood, and he's napping ... I don't care if he stays in his room and wails for two hours. He is tired and grumpy and needs to go to sleep and leave me alone!
Bean is still doing well in school and should be assigned to his "reading group" by the end of the month. I am hoping he gets in with the higher kids, because everything they are doing right now he covered and mastered in pre-school. I really think he's ready to start reading and stop with the "trace your name" and "identify this letter."
The kittens are growing like crazy. I did take the one to get stitched up. They also gave her an antibiotic. She's not gaining weight as fast as her sister (might have a little something to do with her diarrhea), but she's eating/drinking/playing just fine. Her sister (notice the non-use of names) ate a bunch of leftover Fruit Loops the other day and yacked them up. It never stops with those two. They turn EVERYTHING into a toy and enjoying nuzzling up to us at 5 a.m. Oh, my goodness ...
Husband is almost done with the chicken coop. I'm pretty proud of him. I never thought he'd (a) get on board with us getting chickens or (b) actually build a coop from scratch. Way to go, Husband :)
We are also planning just a Husband-and-Me weekend to Wisconsin in November. A friend of ours is getting married, and we're going to splurge and spend the weekend there. I even have a house/baby/pet sitter arranged for the three days. Bliss! We're going to fly up there, rent a car, and just ridiculously enjoy ourselves. Wisconsin in November? Hey, we'll take what we can get!
Lots of reading and writing to do. First, though, LUNCH!
It's funny what people see when they don't hold you to same standards you hold yourself to - I usually just see the last-minute meals out of cans and heaps of laundry. Start seeing what's so good, stop worrying about the short-comings. There's no such thing as perfect.
Moose has decided to stop napping. This is not a good thing. Today he is in a rare mood, and he's napping ... I don't care if he stays in his room and wails for two hours. He is tired and grumpy and needs to go to sleep and leave me alone!
Bean is still doing well in school and should be assigned to his "reading group" by the end of the month. I am hoping he gets in with the higher kids, because everything they are doing right now he covered and mastered in pre-school. I really think he's ready to start reading and stop with the "trace your name" and "identify this letter."
The kittens are growing like crazy. I did take the one to get stitched up. They also gave her an antibiotic. She's not gaining weight as fast as her sister (might have a little something to do with her diarrhea), but she's eating/drinking/playing just fine. Her sister (notice the non-use of names) ate a bunch of leftover Fruit Loops the other day and yacked them up. It never stops with those two. They turn EVERYTHING into a toy and enjoying nuzzling up to us at 5 a.m. Oh, my goodness ...
Husband is almost done with the chicken coop. I'm pretty proud of him. I never thought he'd (a) get on board with us getting chickens or (b) actually build a coop from scratch. Way to go, Husband :)
We are also planning just a Husband-and-Me weekend to Wisconsin in November. A friend of ours is getting married, and we're going to splurge and spend the weekend there. I even have a house/baby/pet sitter arranged for the three days. Bliss! We're going to fly up there, rent a car, and just ridiculously enjoy ourselves. Wisconsin in November? Hey, we'll take what we can get!
Lots of reading and writing to do. First, though, LUNCH!
8.24.2010
First Day of School
Of course, I have pictures.
The whole family headed out to walk Bean to his first day of kindergarten! It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, since he did part-time Pre-K at age 3 and full-day Pre-K at age 4. He's good to go. After three solid months at home, I know he's ready for this adventure. He was thrilled to put on his uniform and meet his teacher.
His teacher seems like a sweetheart, Mrs. Q. I think he'll respond well to her, and I like what I know of her so far. (Though, she is much more lenient with candy than I'd prefer, but at least she's up front about it.)
Cooper was totally ready and Husband and I were ready. Of course, Moose sat down next to his brother and thought he was staying. He pouted when we left and all the walk home (despite us taking turns carrying him). I'd like to say it was because he missed his brother, but it's because that child hates to be left out of ANYTHING. He was SO happy to go to speech today - made him feel like he was at school too. He'll start his Mother's Day Out school September 1 - just another week, kiddo, you'll make it!
The whole family headed out to walk Bean to his first day of kindergarten! It doesn't seem like that big of a deal, since he did part-time Pre-K at age 3 and full-day Pre-K at age 4. He's good to go. After three solid months at home, I know he's ready for this adventure. He was thrilled to put on his uniform and meet his teacher.
His teacher seems like a sweetheart, Mrs. Q. I think he'll respond well to her, and I like what I know of her so far. (Though, she is much more lenient with candy than I'd prefer, but at least she's up front about it.)
Cooper was totally ready and Husband and I were ready. Of course, Moose sat down next to his brother and thought he was staying. He pouted when we left and all the walk home (despite us taking turns carrying him). I'd like to say it was because he missed his brother, but it's because that child hates to be left out of ANYTHING. He was SO happy to go to speech today - made him feel like he was at school too. He'll start his Mother's Day Out school September 1 - just another week, kiddo, you'll make it!
8.12.2010
August Shenanigans
I am still working on editing some older blog posts and on my new pages. I'm giving myself another week to work on the blog (and maybe another week after that, if I so choose), but I decided that I can still continue to post.
Moose started speech therapy this month. He really enjoys it. His biggest problem is closing his mouth correctly for "m," "b," and "p" sounds. She suspects that his teeth are a bit big for his mouth. He CAN close it properly (as he says MA-MEEE loud and clear), so it might just be a bit of sheer laziness. Who knows. I do know that he naps like a champ when he gets home from speech.
Bean started karate. Similar to soccer, I don't think there's a lot of natural ability there. He often whines about practicing and has trouble paying attention, but I think all that is pretty age-appropriate. Tonight is his first class lesson, which is earlier in the evening. I'm hoping the earlier time will help a little bit. His private lessons were at 6:30, which is pretty late for him.
Bean has kindergarten testing next Thursday, I guess just to evaluate where he's at. I'm not sure if they mix the kids up or separate the higher- and lower-scoring kids. My school teacher friends tell me it depends on the school, and the school will never admit which way it goes. He starts classes the following Monday, August 23. Thank goodness, there's been A LOT of togetherness this summer!
Moose starts Mother's Day Out on September 1 from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. twice a week. Can you imagine eight hours a week of NO KIDS. Oh, how blissful. We visited the class last week and liked what we saw. He didn't want to leave.
Both boys got haircuts today (nothing major). We have family pictures scheduled for Saturday morning. It's our fifth wedding anniversary, so we have a sitter for the afternoon and evening. We're going to Painting with a Twist and to dinner (still undecided, we have a free meal at Outback, but we're really craving Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro - it's a tough call, but I'm guessing FREE will win out).
I also submitted a personal essay to a contest. I'm not sure when they announce the winners. I have my eye on two more writing contests by the end of the month. It's good for me.
I'm in the middle of several books, most notably Barbra Ueland's If You Want to Write. I have another on urban gardening (still) and another on Unitarian Universalism (very insightful - I become more and more convinced we're in the right place there). I went to the downtown library branch last week - what a wonderful place. It's not kid-friendly like the one I usually go to, but it feels so smart and urban with all its levels and such.
The boys and I are headed over the church to work on one of the gardens (of course, we don't have medians in the parking lot, we have GARDENS) this afternoon. Will probably come home with a nice selection of tomatoes, peppers, and whatever else is hiding amongst the weeds (we are going there to clean it up, not to pick ... but pick we shall).
Moose started speech therapy this month. He really enjoys it. His biggest problem is closing his mouth correctly for "m," "b," and "p" sounds. She suspects that his teeth are a bit big for his mouth. He CAN close it properly (as he says MA-MEEE loud and clear), so it might just be a bit of sheer laziness. Who knows. I do know that he naps like a champ when he gets home from speech.
Bean started karate. Similar to soccer, I don't think there's a lot of natural ability there. He often whines about practicing and has trouble paying attention, but I think all that is pretty age-appropriate. Tonight is his first class lesson, which is earlier in the evening. I'm hoping the earlier time will help a little bit. His private lessons were at 6:30, which is pretty late for him.
Bean has kindergarten testing next Thursday, I guess just to evaluate where he's at. I'm not sure if they mix the kids up or separate the higher- and lower-scoring kids. My school teacher friends tell me it depends on the school, and the school will never admit which way it goes. He starts classes the following Monday, August 23. Thank goodness, there's been A LOT of togetherness this summer!
Moose starts Mother's Day Out on September 1 from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m. twice a week. Can you imagine eight hours a week of NO KIDS. Oh, how blissful. We visited the class last week and liked what we saw. He didn't want to leave.
Both boys got haircuts today (nothing major). We have family pictures scheduled for Saturday morning. It's our fifth wedding anniversary, so we have a sitter for the afternoon and evening. We're going to Painting with a Twist and to dinner (still undecided, we have a free meal at Outback, but we're really craving Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro - it's a tough call, but I'm guessing FREE will win out).
I also submitted a personal essay to a contest. I'm not sure when they announce the winners. I have my eye on two more writing contests by the end of the month. It's good for me.
I'm in the middle of several books, most notably Barbra Ueland's If You Want to Write. I have another on urban gardening (still) and another on Unitarian Universalism (very insightful - I become more and more convinced we're in the right place there). I went to the downtown library branch last week - what a wonderful place. It's not kid-friendly like the one I usually go to, but it feels so smart and urban with all its levels and such.
The boys and I are headed over the church to work on one of the gardens (of course, we don't have medians in the parking lot, we have GARDENS) this afternoon. Will probably come home with a nice selection of tomatoes, peppers, and whatever else is hiding amongst the weeds (we are going there to clean it up, not to pick ... but pick we shall).
7.31.2010
Saturday Happenings
Moose woke us up at 6:05 a.m. Good grief. We caved and let him watch cartoons in our bed while we tried to snooze and then Bean joined the party. We finally got the gumption to get ready and head out to breakfast - which went well. I love Strawn's (may need to go back for a couple slices of ice box pie later).
We drove by a few garage sales, but we didn't find anything.
Then Bean projectile vomited at the last garage sale.
So we came home.
Husband set the TV up in his room temporarily and they are in there relaxing and watching Indiana Jones. I mowed the lawn ... on the hottest day of the year. (So, I'm going to skip my walk today.) Moose toddled around outside, sometimes following me his play lawn mower.
Made some gift card holders yesterday for Christmas and am hoping to work on the cards some more today.
I am still trying to figure out the blog situation. I like writing about my kiddos AND scrapbooking AND writing AND reading AND my homesteading experiments (not to be confused with running a grow house), but I don't want all the family stuff public, but I do want to share the other stuff publicly. Still haven't found the right answer, so I'll have to think about it some more.
Oh, and something I don't want to forget:
If I leave my car unlocked, sometimes Moose will get himself in the drivers seat and turn all sorts of buttons and levers. When I first get in the car, I have to turn a turn signal off (sometimes the emergency blinkers) and the windshield wipers. Then, hours later, when I go back to my car and it's dark, I turn on the lights ... my brights are on too. It just makes me smile.
We drove by a few garage sales, but we didn't find anything.
Then Bean projectile vomited at the last garage sale.
So we came home.
Husband set the TV up in his room temporarily and they are in there relaxing and watching Indiana Jones. I mowed the lawn ... on the hottest day of the year. (So, I'm going to skip my walk today.) Moose toddled around outside, sometimes following me his play lawn mower.
Made some gift card holders yesterday for Christmas and am hoping to work on the cards some more today.
I am still trying to figure out the blog situation. I like writing about my kiddos AND scrapbooking AND writing AND reading AND my homesteading experiments (not to be confused with running a grow house), but I don't want all the family stuff public, but I do want to share the other stuff publicly. Still haven't found the right answer, so I'll have to think about it some more.
Oh, and something I don't want to forget:
If I leave my car unlocked, sometimes Moose will get himself in the drivers seat and turn all sorts of buttons and levers. When I first get in the car, I have to turn a turn signal off (sometimes the emergency blinkers) and the windshield wipers. Then, hours later, when I go back to my car and it's dark, I turn on the lights ... my brights are on too. It just makes me smile.
7.29.2010
Christmas in July
I am on it.
I got the bases of my Christmas cards cut up and scored today. I even purchased my first Christmas gift for someone! I'm hoping to have all my Christmas hoopla complete by Halloween, so I can participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It's good motivation and will hopefully make for a smooth holiday season. It'll be so quiet this year - more than likely no extended family and no House of Toys or House of Trees. Regardless, we will make it a Merry Little Christmas.
I have my "to buy" list written out. The kids and I went to Hobby Lobby where, for the first time, I was thrilled they already had their Christmas stuff out. We got some nice craft kits to make a few gifts and they had all their glassware 50-percent off - I got several jars for things like dried herbs (hey, ladies from my writing group will love it) and dry mixes (for the neighbors).
So, remember my dishwasher detergent? I ran one load of dishes, and they were fine. The next two loads, however, are awful. Ugh, we'll be washing dishes BEFORE putting them in the dishwasher until we use up all this lousy stuff. I shouldn't make a final verdict just yet, but it's not looking good.
The boys and I had a really good day. Don't get me wrong, I still needed to escape to the book store after my husband got home (where I bought a magazine that I thought was about urban homesteading but is mostly about growing weed indoors ... I'm too embarrassed to return it).
We went to the dollar store and bought 15 tubs to sort the Lego blocks into (mainly by color). Aside from Bean's two largest (and, umm, most expensive) sets, all the sets are mixed together. The playroom often looks like Lake Lego - you must wade through them to get to anything else. Their wooden trains have been put away in favor of Legos. I step on Legos all day ... they find their way into nearly every room of the house. By some miracle, I haven't vacuumed any up yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
I actually did a little bit of research on "Lego block storage" BEFORE deciding on a system. By set would be my first choice, but it's so tedious to find each piece and put it back together like that. By color is an easy ways for the boys to help. It's not flawless, but hopefully it'll be better.
Also, Moose added the following to his vocabulary:
"I need help."
"Trash can."
What a wordsmith.
I got the bases of my Christmas cards cut up and scored today. I even purchased my first Christmas gift for someone! I'm hoping to have all my Christmas hoopla complete by Halloween, so I can participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It's good motivation and will hopefully make for a smooth holiday season. It'll be so quiet this year - more than likely no extended family and no House of Toys or House of Trees. Regardless, we will make it a Merry Little Christmas.
I have my "to buy" list written out. The kids and I went to Hobby Lobby where, for the first time, I was thrilled they already had their Christmas stuff out. We got some nice craft kits to make a few gifts and they had all their glassware 50-percent off - I got several jars for things like dried herbs (hey, ladies from my writing group will love it) and dry mixes (for the neighbors).
So, remember my dishwasher detergent? I ran one load of dishes, and they were fine. The next two loads, however, are awful. Ugh, we'll be washing dishes BEFORE putting them in the dishwasher until we use up all this lousy stuff. I shouldn't make a final verdict just yet, but it's not looking good.
The boys and I had a really good day. Don't get me wrong, I still needed to escape to the book store after my husband got home (where I bought a magazine that I thought was about urban homesteading but is mostly about growing weed indoors ... I'm too embarrassed to return it).
We went to the dollar store and bought 15 tubs to sort the Lego blocks into (mainly by color). Aside from Bean's two largest (and, umm, most expensive) sets, all the sets are mixed together. The playroom often looks like Lake Lego - you must wade through them to get to anything else. Their wooden trains have been put away in favor of Legos. I step on Legos all day ... they find their way into nearly every room of the house. By some miracle, I haven't vacuumed any up yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time.
I actually did a little bit of research on "Lego block storage" BEFORE deciding on a system. By set would be my first choice, but it's so tedious to find each piece and put it back together like that. By color is an easy ways for the boys to help. It's not flawless, but hopefully it'll be better.
Also, Moose added the following to his vocabulary:
"I need help."
"Trash can."
What a wordsmith.
7.26.2010
On Planting, Potty-Training, Etc.
Dragged the boys outside this afternoon. That big one hates going outside:
-I'm thirsty.
-It's so hot.
-Being outside makes me tired.
-It's cold.
-Being outside makes my elbows hurt.
-It's so bright.
Once I suggested he help plant some hollyhocks and lettuce, he was up for it ... as long as I put the pots and soil and seeds and shovels in the shade. I also let him water them afterward (he likes watering - I think he just likes being in charge of the hose). Later, he and Moose "scrubbed" the driveway. A bucket of water, some sponges and an old vacuum cleaner part provide an hour of entertainment.
I'm considering potty-training Moose. He knows how to bring me a diaper, so I'm guessing he could probably handle going to the potty. If I get it done before my in-laws come to visit over Labor Day, then we can probably drop both kids off at the RV and have a night out.
I am drowning in books once again. So much to read. Finished Cutting for Stone (surprisingly good, I expected it to be a bit boring. I mean, it IS about surgeons from India in Ethiopia and is 600-plus pages long) and my friend Laura's book. Am still reading The Urban Homestead and started Columbine. I'm fascinated with most anything written about Columbine - but not in a morbid way (I don't think). For most people my age, there was school before Columbine and school after Columbine. They were two different places. I also went on a trip with a few kids from the Littleton area (they were not from Columbine High School, which actually isn't even in Littleton). They knew some of the kids and were hesitant to specifically tell you where they were from. "Outside Denver" is all the teachers and kids said for the first few days.
Moose is on his third outfit for the day.
Note to self: Order more sippy cups.
-I'm thirsty.
-It's so hot.
-Being outside makes me tired.
-It's cold.
-Being outside makes my elbows hurt.
-It's so bright.
Once I suggested he help plant some hollyhocks and lettuce, he was up for it ... as long as I put the pots and soil and seeds and shovels in the shade. I also let him water them afterward (he likes watering - I think he just likes being in charge of the hose). Later, he and Moose "scrubbed" the driveway. A bucket of water, some sponges and an old vacuum cleaner part provide an hour of entertainment.
I'm considering potty-training Moose. He knows how to bring me a diaper, so I'm guessing he could probably handle going to the potty. If I get it done before my in-laws come to visit over Labor Day, then we can probably drop both kids off at the RV and have a night out.
I am drowning in books once again. So much to read. Finished Cutting for Stone (surprisingly good, I expected it to be a bit boring. I mean, it IS about surgeons from India in Ethiopia and is 600-plus pages long) and my friend Laura's book. Am still reading The Urban Homestead and started Columbine. I'm fascinated with most anything written about Columbine - but not in a morbid way (I don't think). For most people my age, there was school before Columbine and school after Columbine. They were two different places. I also went on a trip with a few kids from the Littleton area (they were not from Columbine High School, which actually isn't even in Littleton). They knew some of the kids and were hesitant to specifically tell you where they were from. "Outside Denver" is all the teachers and kids said for the first few days.
Moose is on his third outfit for the day.
Note to self: Order more sippy cups.
7.20.2010
Vitamin D
My husband is on casual duty while all his medical stuff gets wrapped up. He likely will not be starting training till December, so this means he has a pretty lack schedule nowadays. This means he's around A LOT. I love him, I really do, but when you're used to someone being gone most the day most days, it gets a little trying sometimes to always be "sharing" day after day with them. I've got a vibe at home that doesn't include him some of the day. This morning I told him he needed a second job, I could have him hanging around the house all the time. He told me to get a job. I said, "Fine. I'll apply at Michaels and work at night and on the weekends, that way we don't have to pay for daycare." The look on his face immediately suggested that he regretted saying it, but I started filling out my application (and what a tedious application it is).
My mom is in town for the week, so I have another round of taking care of her :) She had a long flight in yesterday and is on blood thinners and is very weak and tired. She is doing better today, though. We managed to go to lunch and stop by a plant nursery - I bought some ailing strawberry plants, two jalapeno plants, and herbs (lavender, chives, oregano, and mint). I worked outside for more than an hour planting and arranging and watering. I am soaking wet with sweat and humidity, but it feels good. I love not having to worry about the house (one benefit of renting) and spending so much more time in the yard.
Speaking of the house, the kids and I worked on redecorating the guest bathroom. I may have mentioned the "custom paint job" that my landlady came up with ... beige walls with red and peach sponge paint and stenciled green/black fleur-de-lise. Oh, I wish I was kidding. A friend (Mrs. Precious One) suggested vinyl a while back. First, Bean picked out a bath mat that was orange and blue and then some fun towels - one shaped like a blue monster and one shaped like a green frog. Then I found some shower curtain hooks in orange, green, and blue all from Kohls. We also found green and blue vinyl spots for the walls from Kohls and a large "Surf's Up" vinyl poster from Hobby Lobby in blue and orange. Yes, it's a wild mess in there, but it's much more kid-friendly looking and fun. I'm not completely embarrassed of it anymore.
I also bought this bedding from Bed Bath & Beyond. I've had my eye on it for months and am so happy to call it my own. The designer originally designed scrapbook supplies (which I was a fan of it), so it's no wonder I loved it. I skipped the designer throw pillows and throw, though, to make it a bit less girly. The sheet set is also different with my set - it all looks like that green paisley design pillow (umm, so more girly) and the euro shams are cream with pink embroidery. Hmm. I saved $91 with coupons ... so that just sort of suggests how much I spent on it (but worth every penny).
My mom is in town for the week, so I have another round of taking care of her :) She had a long flight in yesterday and is on blood thinners and is very weak and tired. She is doing better today, though. We managed to go to lunch and stop by a plant nursery - I bought some ailing strawberry plants, two jalapeno plants, and herbs (lavender, chives, oregano, and mint). I worked outside for more than an hour planting and arranging and watering. I am soaking wet with sweat and humidity, but it feels good. I love not having to worry about the house (one benefit of renting) and spending so much more time in the yard.
Speaking of the house, the kids and I worked on redecorating the guest bathroom. I may have mentioned the "custom paint job" that my landlady came up with ... beige walls with red and peach sponge paint and stenciled green/black fleur-de-lise. Oh, I wish I was kidding. A friend (Mrs. Precious One) suggested vinyl a while back. First, Bean picked out a bath mat that was orange and blue and then some fun towels - one shaped like a blue monster and one shaped like a green frog. Then I found some shower curtain hooks in orange, green, and blue all from Kohls. We also found green and blue vinyl spots for the walls from Kohls and a large "Surf's Up" vinyl poster from Hobby Lobby in blue and orange. Yes, it's a wild mess in there, but it's much more kid-friendly looking and fun. I'm not completely embarrassed of it anymore.
I also bought this bedding from Bed Bath & Beyond. I've had my eye on it for months and am so happy to call it my own. The designer originally designed scrapbook supplies (which I was a fan of it), so it's no wonder I loved it. I skipped the designer throw pillows and throw, though, to make it a bit less girly. The sheet set is also different with my set - it all looks like that green paisley design pillow (umm, so more girly) and the euro shams are cream with pink embroidery. Hmm. I saved $91 with coupons ... so that just sort of suggests how much I spent on it (but worth every penny).
7.18.2010
Sweet Home Louisiana
Made it back Thursday morning around 6 a.m. I took two 5-Hour Energy Shots to make the drive and it took me like two days to recover from the stuff. I had a similar experience with caffeine pills in college (took them for a week, completely melted down, and never touched them again). On the plus side, I made the drive in 13 hours and 20 minutes (including stops) AND painted the office when I got home. I finally passed out and proceeded to have a pounding headache most of the next day.
The house was standing and the boys, dog, and plants were alive. I suspect my husband makes a better homemaker than I do (the house was certainly tidier). However, all three guys were happy to have me home AND I was happy to be home with them (you know, after the energy shot hangover passed).
My mom is doing OK and will hopefully be back at work by the end of the month. It's been a long and miserable process for her.
My husband had a PET scan while I was gone. We got great news Thursday. The scan was clear. Thank goodness.
Not wanting my mom's lousy kidneys and my husband's cancer to take all the attention, I decided to FALL at a bookstore yesterday. It was the perfect storm - flip flops, long dress, door with metal slates, carrying a box of heavy books. I went down hard, dislocated my pinky and skinned and bruised my knee. I was so embarrassed. I don't remember falls sucking this much as a kid. My finger is in a splint (most the time, the darn thing gets hot and itchy) and my knee hurts every time my pants touch it. So, umm, fun times.
Post-fall, I dropped some items off at a locally-run thrift shop and saw TONS of plastic pots in their dumpster. I asked the employee (or, more likely, criminal doing community service) if they were just throwing them away. He said yes and agreed that it was wasteful and loaded 20+ into my trunk. Plastic pots aren't my first choice, but FREE plastic pots certainly are.
I am convincing Husband to build me a chicken coop and run. He's surprisingly on board with the idea. City ordinances OK chickens, but we need to get the by-laws for our neighborhood. Hopefully no one has thought to ban them.
Bean starts school in exactly one month! He'll be a real kindergartner at a new school. I should probably figure out how to register him for that foolishness. I am also hoping to get Moose into a private pre-school a couple days a week starting this fall.
It was Artist Sunday at church today - church members and people from the community came out to sing, read, dance, and play. There were belly dancers, little ballerinas, violin, piano, drums, poetry, stories, etc. Artists also had artwork (jewelry, paintings, collages, books, etc.) on display and for sale in the church classrooms. Very neat.
Am in the middle of three books right now - Urban Homesteading, Cutting for Stone, and a book written by a local friend. I'm enjoying all three and having a hard time deciding which one to pick up each time I get a chance to read ... now wonder I can't keep the house tidy. Ha ha.
The house was standing and the boys, dog, and plants were alive. I suspect my husband makes a better homemaker than I do (the house was certainly tidier). However, all three guys were happy to have me home AND I was happy to be home with them (you know, after the energy shot hangover passed).
My mom is doing OK and will hopefully be back at work by the end of the month. It's been a long and miserable process for her.
My husband had a PET scan while I was gone. We got great news Thursday. The scan was clear. Thank goodness.
Not wanting my mom's lousy kidneys and my husband's cancer to take all the attention, I decided to FALL at a bookstore yesterday. It was the perfect storm - flip flops, long dress, door with metal slates, carrying a box of heavy books. I went down hard, dislocated my pinky and skinned and bruised my knee. I was so embarrassed. I don't remember falls sucking this much as a kid. My finger is in a splint (most the time, the darn thing gets hot and itchy) and my knee hurts every time my pants touch it. So, umm, fun times.
Post-fall, I dropped some items off at a locally-run thrift shop and saw TONS of plastic pots in their dumpster. I asked the employee (or, more likely, criminal doing community service) if they were just throwing them away. He said yes and agreed that it was wasteful and loaded 20+ into my trunk. Plastic pots aren't my first choice, but FREE plastic pots certainly are.
I am convincing Husband to build me a chicken coop and run. He's surprisingly on board with the idea. City ordinances OK chickens, but we need to get the by-laws for our neighborhood. Hopefully no one has thought to ban them.
Bean starts school in exactly one month! He'll be a real kindergartner at a new school. I should probably figure out how to register him for that foolishness. I am also hoping to get Moose into a private pre-school a couple days a week starting this fall.
It was Artist Sunday at church today - church members and people from the community came out to sing, read, dance, and play. There were belly dancers, little ballerinas, violin, piano, drums, poetry, stories, etc. Artists also had artwork (jewelry, paintings, collages, books, etc.) on display and for sale in the church classrooms. Very neat.
Am in the middle of three books right now - Urban Homesteading, Cutting for Stone, and a book written by a local friend. I'm enjoying all three and having a hard time deciding which one to pick up each time I get a chance to read ... now wonder I can't keep the house tidy. Ha ha.
6.18.2010
Play Date
I'm not sure what has gotten into my kids lately, but they awful in public. OK, mainly Moose is awful in public and Bean makes minor infractions but the two combined are just way too much.
I took them to story time at Barnes & Noble yesterday. They happily looked at books prior to story time, but as soon as the bookseller arrived to read, they were having none of it. They continued to wander around, and then we chased Moose around the adult aisles. I almost asked for an application, but decided being there with my wild children was probably going to make a bad first impression. I thought they needed to burn off some more energy, so we walked down to a furniture store for a quick look around and then to PetSmart to check out the fish and ferrets and parakeets. Ferrets are so disgusting.
Later, they had checkups. They were rambunctious, to say the least. Bean is in the 97th percentile for height and middle of the road for weight. Moose is middle of the road for height and, umm, like 97th percentile for weight. They're both healthy and the doctor suggested multivitamins, but Bean's dependence on Ensure is no longer necessary. One tall and thin, the other short and fat. They both have referrals to eye doctors and Moose has a referral to speech. Bean wasn't up to par on gross motor skills, but I said we weren't that worried about it. Neither my husband nor I are extraordinarily coordinated people and tall kids are usually have a harder time with that sort of thing. I opted not to take the physical therapy referral - he'll get the hang of his body one day. Even if he doesn't, it's not like NOT SKIPPING will affect his ability to get a job one day.
Later, I took the boys to see Babies. It was showing at the independent theater downtown. Here's the scandal: It was PG for "cultural and maternal nudity." How silly. Neither of my boys blinked at the boobies or the baby penises. Bean, however, did not care for the baby pooping on its mother's knee and her wiping it off with a corn cob or the same baby chewing on a bone, which I think was meant for the dog. We had to leave 10 to 15 minutes early, because SOMEONE was making rounds shaking people's hands and screaming bloody murder if I tried to stop him.
I didn't find the movie particularly revealing - I guess I'm a bit crunchier (to use Courtney's term) than the average American mother. I did notice the NOISE. Despite the hut-living and seemingly meager existences of the babies in Namibia and Mongolia, it was so quiet there. Also, their interactions with the Earth were so much more natural. The babies in Tokyo and San Francisco had much more noise going on around them with the streets and the grocery stores and the organized play dates. Also, their nature interactions were pretty much the zoo and the family cat. The toy factor was also huge. I'm thinking I can strip my kids of everything but two toys, and they'll be fine, and I'll have a lot less to clean up :)
We went to another family's home for a play date today. She goes to the church and has kids slightly older than mine (6 and 7.5). It went well enough, but I always find play dates so awkward - especially those first few. Her husband is a professor and she is a high school teacher - both math/science people, very smart. The kids are also very well spoken. It was sort of like being at school over there and my kids neanderthal ways annoyed the older ones from time-to-time. ("He won't listen." "He doesn't get it." "He's not following the rules." "I already explained it.") Kids are funny.
Oh, my laundry detergent DID thicken up. I think I can easily just use 1/2 cup now instead of 3/4 cup. It's amazing, but I need more essential oils. Good sites for those?
I took them to story time at Barnes & Noble yesterday. They happily looked at books prior to story time, but as soon as the bookseller arrived to read, they were having none of it. They continued to wander around, and then we chased Moose around the adult aisles. I almost asked for an application, but decided being there with my wild children was probably going to make a bad first impression. I thought they needed to burn off some more energy, so we walked down to a furniture store for a quick look around and then to PetSmart to check out the fish and ferrets and parakeets. Ferrets are so disgusting.
Later, they had checkups. They were rambunctious, to say the least. Bean is in the 97th percentile for height and middle of the road for weight. Moose is middle of the road for height and, umm, like 97th percentile for weight. They're both healthy and the doctor suggested multivitamins, but Bean's dependence on Ensure is no longer necessary. One tall and thin, the other short and fat. They both have referrals to eye doctors and Moose has a referral to speech. Bean wasn't up to par on gross motor skills, but I said we weren't that worried about it. Neither my husband nor I are extraordinarily coordinated people and tall kids are usually have a harder time with that sort of thing. I opted not to take the physical therapy referral - he'll get the hang of his body one day. Even if he doesn't, it's not like NOT SKIPPING will affect his ability to get a job one day.
Later, I took the boys to see Babies. It was showing at the independent theater downtown. Here's the scandal: It was PG for "cultural and maternal nudity." How silly. Neither of my boys blinked at the boobies or the baby penises. Bean, however, did not care for the baby pooping on its mother's knee and her wiping it off with a corn cob or the same baby chewing on a bone, which I think was meant for the dog. We had to leave 10 to 15 minutes early, because SOMEONE was making rounds shaking people's hands and screaming bloody murder if I tried to stop him.
I didn't find the movie particularly revealing - I guess I'm a bit crunchier (to use Courtney's term) than the average American mother. I did notice the NOISE. Despite the hut-living and seemingly meager existences of the babies in Namibia and Mongolia, it was so quiet there. Also, their interactions with the Earth were so much more natural. The babies in Tokyo and San Francisco had much more noise going on around them with the streets and the grocery stores and the organized play dates. Also, their nature interactions were pretty much the zoo and the family cat. The toy factor was also huge. I'm thinking I can strip my kids of everything but two toys, and they'll be fine, and I'll have a lot less to clean up :)
We went to another family's home for a play date today. She goes to the church and has kids slightly older than mine (6 and 7.5). It went well enough, but I always find play dates so awkward - especially those first few. Her husband is a professor and she is a high school teacher - both math/science people, very smart. The kids are also very well spoken. It was sort of like being at school over there and my kids neanderthal ways annoyed the older ones from time-to-time. ("He won't listen." "He doesn't get it." "He's not following the rules." "I already explained it.") Kids are funny.
Oh, my laundry detergent DID thicken up. I think I can easily just use 1/2 cup now instead of 3/4 cup. It's amazing, but I need more essential oils. Good sites for those?
6.15.2010
Good News
Husband's CT was clear. For all purposes, he's cancer-free. The doctor is running some blood work to double check some things, and Husband will need to have CT scans every 6 months forever, but I think we'll get to keep him :) He may do precautionary radiation, but he also has the option of doing nothing except the CT scans. We'll see what the doctor suggests.
If he has radiation that means no more babies. Well, no more babies in the traditional way. Honestly, I feel like we have two happy and healthy children. It's not necessary to bank his, umm, boys (or girls, maybe) before treatment. As far as I'm concerned, let's just adopt a little girl - IF we want more. Then we know it's a girl and there's no turkey baster (or morning sickness or fat-ass-ness) involved. It's not the most important thing in the world, but it's something on our minds.
Husband jumps into training tomorrow. He'll speak to his commander about what is going on, and I'm guessing that they'll push him through training unless the Flight Doc steps in and says no. Of course, the Flight Doc wasn't available to talk to him today. No surprise. He still has multiple doctor's appointments over the next few weeks and isn't fully recovered from surgery. It clearly makes more sense to wash him back a class and keep him on casual duty while he wraps this cancer thing up. But, no one cares what I think. I'm used to that.
I am going to make Amish Monster Cookies for the journaling group tomorrow.
I am still on the lookout for washing soda, because I want to make a batch of laundry detergent - I have been to two Walmarts and the commissary and cannot find the stuff. I thought it'd be hard to track down the essential oil, but that was EASY (call crazy hippie store and ask if they have them and they do, they have all sorts of essential oils for reasonable prices, Bean decided on orange essential oil this time around - I kind of liked the lime, but I thought orange was a safer bet for my first batch). Husband thinks I am a lunatic. "Making your own laundry soap isn't even something that's ever dawned on me that could be done," he said. I told him I had SEVERAL friends who make their own and the DUGGARS make their own. I quickly realized that mentioning the Duggars was not making the idea appear NORMAL and shut up. I did buy a pretty blue 5-gallon bucket for the detergent, though. Hopefully my husband doesn't get a hold of this one (all my other buckets are lined with GROUT).
Boys are good. Bean is scrapped up on his arms and legs ... all from, umm, like walking. Moose is also pretty banged up and has a pretty rash on his face and buttocks. He pooped SIX times today. Big, full diapers - not like I caught him mid-poop and he had to finish. So, so gross. We tried out a new park today and checked out the campground my in-laws will stay at later this summer. Verdict: Not Ghetto.
We also visited the farmer's market downtown. Wow, Tuesday is nothing like Saturday. Not even half the booths were set up. It was pathetic. It was also super-hot and there was some lady singing who sounded like a dying cat. Much, much different vibe Saturday mornings. Verdict: No Tuesday Nights at the Farmer's Market.
I can't believe it's not even 7 p.m. Bedtime cannot come soon enough!
If he has radiation that means no more babies. Well, no more babies in the traditional way. Honestly, I feel like we have two happy and healthy children. It's not necessary to bank his, umm, boys (or girls, maybe) before treatment. As far as I'm concerned, let's just adopt a little girl - IF we want more. Then we know it's a girl and there's no turkey baster (or morning sickness or fat-ass-ness) involved. It's not the most important thing in the world, but it's something on our minds.
Husband jumps into training tomorrow. He'll speak to his commander about what is going on, and I'm guessing that they'll push him through training unless the Flight Doc steps in and says no. Of course, the Flight Doc wasn't available to talk to him today. No surprise. He still has multiple doctor's appointments over the next few weeks and isn't fully recovered from surgery. It clearly makes more sense to wash him back a class and keep him on casual duty while he wraps this cancer thing up. But, no one cares what I think. I'm used to that.
I am going to make Amish Monster Cookies for the journaling group tomorrow.
I am still on the lookout for washing soda, because I want to make a batch of laundry detergent - I have been to two Walmarts and the commissary and cannot find the stuff. I thought it'd be hard to track down the essential oil, but that was EASY (call crazy hippie store and ask if they have them and they do, they have all sorts of essential oils for reasonable prices, Bean decided on orange essential oil this time around - I kind of liked the lime, but I thought orange was a safer bet for my first batch). Husband thinks I am a lunatic. "Making your own laundry soap isn't even something that's ever dawned on me that could be done," he said. I told him I had SEVERAL friends who make their own and the DUGGARS make their own. I quickly realized that mentioning the Duggars was not making the idea appear NORMAL and shut up. I did buy a pretty blue 5-gallon bucket for the detergent, though. Hopefully my husband doesn't get a hold of this one (all my other buckets are lined with GROUT).
Boys are good. Bean is scrapped up on his arms and legs ... all from, umm, like walking. Moose is also pretty banged up and has a pretty rash on his face and buttocks. He pooped SIX times today. Big, full diapers - not like I caught him mid-poop and he had to finish. So, so gross. We tried out a new park today and checked out the campground my in-laws will stay at later this summer. Verdict: Not Ghetto.
We also visited the farmer's market downtown. Wow, Tuesday is nothing like Saturday. Not even half the booths were set up. It was pathetic. It was also super-hot and there was some lady singing who sounded like a dying cat. Much, much different vibe Saturday mornings. Verdict: No Tuesday Nights at the Farmer's Market.
I can't believe it's not even 7 p.m. Bedtime cannot come soon enough!
5.30.2010
Home Sweet Home
Last week, Bean and I headed back to Texas. He did his last two days of school, and I closed on the house. We had a great time - one last goodbye to good friends and to the old house. Mrs. House of Toys was a great hostess.
Bean really enjoyed his last days of school, they had a water day and a fizzy foam day - you know, those last few days are packed with education :) He had lots of fun, though, and I'm glad I took him back for it. He also loved spending lots of time with his best buddies and enjoying their birthday party.
Closing on the house was easy. I mowed that huge lawn one last time (and told the property good riddance - I hate mowing that yard). A few signatures later and we're richer. The buyers only used about half the closing costs they were anticipated, so we walked away with $1500 more than we expected. We certainly won't complain about that!
We are settling into Louisiana nicely. We're only 20 miles from the Texas border, but it feels like a world away. I am loving Super Target and living within 10 minutes of nearly everything.
Bean made some friends today. There is a five year old boy two doors down one way and two brothers (maybe 6 and 7 or twins) and a little girl (4 or so) two doors down the other way. Best neighborhood ever :)
I brought home my potted plants from the House of Toys and have been arranging them around the house. I also have two big hibiscus plants that Mrs. House of Toys acquired from a mutual friend. Mrs. House of Toys doesn't care for the maintenance of plants (and escapes to North Dakota for MONTHS during the summer), so I rescued the pretty plants. I know they sell hibiscus plants in our area (I saw them at Lowes), but I haven't seen anyone with any in our neighborhood.
Our master bathroom has a bizarre smell that only ceases when we leave the window open all the flipping time. I stuck some indoor plants in there - particularly the fern. It doesn't seem to be helping. Maybe a bigger fern? We can't determine the source of the smell and no amount of air freshener freshens the room. Suggestions?
I am also very bothered to learn that the show Billy the Exterminator features a pest control business that serves my area. That means EVERYTHING I have seen on his show could very likely be in my yard or house - huge rattlesnakes, alligators, armadillos (which carry leprosy - yes, freaking LEPROSY), bats, etc. Ohmigoodness.
Oh, my birthday is Wednesday! We've been so busy that I haven't thought that much about it. My sweet husband had balloons set up (yes, already) when I arrived home from Texas, and I've received a few gifts in the mail :) Maybe I'm waiting to open them (but maybe not).
On the camera front, I narrowed it down to the Nikon D3000, Nikon D5000, and Nikon D90. I fiddled with all of them at Best Buy today and have decided on the D5000 - the features/options seem quite a bit better than the D3000 (justifying the price difference) whereas the D90 doesn't seem that much better than the D5000 (therefore, not justifying the price difference), so the D5000 it is. Now, I'm going to investigate a couple lenses and decide on one of two of those (probably just one, hot damn, this stuff is expensive).
Oh, the counter tops were tiled while I was away - they look much nicer than the burnt linoleum that was there before :) Husband also cleared out the courtyard and remulched the front. He also got a shepard's hook for our bird feeder - so far, I've seen a few finches at it, but that's it. I think food is pretty plentiful right now, so the birds aren't scouting out feeders right now. We have LOADS of squirrels in our yard. They haven't messed with the bird feeder, but I always see at least four running around the big oak trees.
Moose has taken to calling everything "Maaaamaaaa" lately and in the most whiny voice ever. Oh, I love him to pieces, but those Terrible Twos are hitting hard.
Bean really enjoyed his last days of school, they had a water day and a fizzy foam day - you know, those last few days are packed with education :) He had lots of fun, though, and I'm glad I took him back for it. He also loved spending lots of time with his best buddies and enjoying their birthday party.
Closing on the house was easy. I mowed that huge lawn one last time (and told the property good riddance - I hate mowing that yard). A few signatures later and we're richer. The buyers only used about half the closing costs they were anticipated, so we walked away with $1500 more than we expected. We certainly won't complain about that!
We are settling into Louisiana nicely. We're only 20 miles from the Texas border, but it feels like a world away. I am loving Super Target and living within 10 minutes of nearly everything.
Bean made some friends today. There is a five year old boy two doors down one way and two brothers (maybe 6 and 7 or twins) and a little girl (4 or so) two doors down the other way. Best neighborhood ever :)
I brought home my potted plants from the House of Toys and have been arranging them around the house. I also have two big hibiscus plants that Mrs. House of Toys acquired from a mutual friend. Mrs. House of Toys doesn't care for the maintenance of plants (and escapes to North Dakota for MONTHS during the summer), so I rescued the pretty plants. I know they sell hibiscus plants in our area (I saw them at Lowes), but I haven't seen anyone with any in our neighborhood.
Our master bathroom has a bizarre smell that only ceases when we leave the window open all the flipping time. I stuck some indoor plants in there - particularly the fern. It doesn't seem to be helping. Maybe a bigger fern? We can't determine the source of the smell and no amount of air freshener freshens the room. Suggestions?
I am also very bothered to learn that the show Billy the Exterminator features a pest control business that serves my area. That means EVERYTHING I have seen on his show could very likely be in my yard or house - huge rattlesnakes, alligators, armadillos (which carry leprosy - yes, freaking LEPROSY), bats, etc. Ohmigoodness.
Oh, my birthday is Wednesday! We've been so busy that I haven't thought that much about it. My sweet husband had balloons set up (yes, already) when I arrived home from Texas, and I've received a few gifts in the mail :) Maybe I'm waiting to open them (but maybe not).
On the camera front, I narrowed it down to the Nikon D3000, Nikon D5000, and Nikon D90. I fiddled with all of them at Best Buy today and have decided on the D5000 - the features/options seem quite a bit better than the D3000 (justifying the price difference) whereas the D90 doesn't seem that much better than the D5000 (therefore, not justifying the price difference), so the D5000 it is. Now, I'm going to investigate a couple lenses and decide on one of two of those (probably just one, hot damn, this stuff is expensive).
Oh, the counter tops were tiled while I was away - they look much nicer than the burnt linoleum that was there before :) Husband also cleared out the courtyard and remulched the front. He also got a shepard's hook for our bird feeder - so far, I've seen a few finches at it, but that's it. I think food is pretty plentiful right now, so the birds aren't scouting out feeders right now. We have LOADS of squirrels in our yard. They haven't messed with the bird feeder, but I always see at least four running around the big oak trees.
Moose has taken to calling everything "Maaaamaaaa" lately and in the most whiny voice ever. Oh, I love him to pieces, but those Terrible Twos are hitting hard.
5.25.2010
Why You Don't Nap at 5 p.m. and Drink a Cherry Coke Shortly Thereafter
I finished a book tonight and then started another one. I finally turned off the light and tried to sleep for about an hour before I just gave up and decided to finish some laundry and peruse the internet for a while.
The kids had a great time at the child care provider's today. She said they were a joy and totally easy. Bean did manipulate her into giving him half an ice cream sandwich after breakfast - telling her that "I get dessert if I finish all my food." She said that Moose looks like me. I love being told that, even if it's not true. They don't really look like Husband either, but they sure look like each other (at the same ages, they don't look that much alike nowadays with the skinny versus heavy, short hair versus long hair, glasses versus no glasses).
I ordered True Blood Season 2. It should be here when I arrive back from Texas (Bean and I are headed out that way for him to enjoy the last two days of school and a birthday party at House of Toys - I'll also do all the closing paperwork while I'm up there). So, at least I have Sookie Stackhouse as a friend when I get back.
I'm hoping to paint the boys' room tomorrow. Bean picked out a color called Hint of Mint. It's green, but it's almost gray. For some reason, the kid is obsessed with gray. Ask him his favorite colors and he will tell you gray, brown, and green - in that order. What a strange one.
Moose was sitting on my lap when I fell asleep at 5 p.m. today. Husband moved him off of me, but he came back later and sat nearly on top of my head ... while I continued to sleep. He's taken to saying "Mommm-me, Mommm-me" a lot. It's odd that Bean calls us Mama and Dada (still) and Moose has taken the Mommy and Daddy route. He's strange as well.
I don't know where they get it from.
The kids had a great time at the child care provider's today. She said they were a joy and totally easy. Bean did manipulate her into giving him half an ice cream sandwich after breakfast - telling her that "I get dessert if I finish all my food." She said that Moose looks like me. I love being told that, even if it's not true. They don't really look like Husband either, but they sure look like each other (at the same ages, they don't look that much alike nowadays with the skinny versus heavy, short hair versus long hair, glasses versus no glasses).
I ordered True Blood Season 2. It should be here when I arrive back from Texas (Bean and I are headed out that way for him to enjoy the last two days of school and a birthday party at House of Toys - I'll also do all the closing paperwork while I'm up there). So, at least I have Sookie Stackhouse as a friend when I get back.
I'm hoping to paint the boys' room tomorrow. Bean picked out a color called Hint of Mint. It's green, but it's almost gray. For some reason, the kid is obsessed with gray. Ask him his favorite colors and he will tell you gray, brown, and green - in that order. What a strange one.
Moose was sitting on my lap when I fell asleep at 5 p.m. today. Husband moved him off of me, but he came back later and sat nearly on top of my head ... while I continued to sleep. He's taken to saying "Mommm-me, Mommm-me" a lot. It's odd that Bean calls us Mama and Dada (still) and Moose has taken the Mommy and Daddy route. He's strange as well.
I don't know where they get it from.
5.12.2010
Too Early
Starting on Sunday, May 9, my children decided to start getting up at 6:30 a.m. I tell them, no, it's too early and to go back to bed. What is so wrong with 7 a.m.? Just give me a half hour. They don't go back to bed, but Bean does return to his room and plays till I go get him. Moose paces in his crib and squawks a lot.
Last night was my last M&Ms meeting. We had a catered meal, and I got a present. I love presents! Our mentor mom gave a little talk about mothers and all the roles we play. It was a great meeting, filled with us "old" moms and few new visitors. That group saved my sanity on so many occasions - it's where I met many of my closest friends.
I have been saving for an SLR camera. I have a good chunk saved now (after many, many trips to the consignment shop and some eBay sales) and have started researching. My goodness, you can drop a lot of money on cameras. I started to think it might make more sense to use that money towards a new vehicle and just continue using my blue Sony Cypershot (which I am very fond of - I mean, it is blue, and we know how I feel about things that are a cute color).
Anyways, I am leaning towards the Nikon 5000 for now and investing in a lens or two and a photography class. If I end up LOVING photography, then I can upgrade my camera body later and still be able to use the lenses on the new body. So much to learn.
We head to our new place this weekend but will return. The movers will be here next week (exact date still unknown).
Also, my aunt's breast cancer is confined and has not spread. That is great news.
Last night was my last M&Ms meeting. We had a catered meal, and I got a present. I love presents! Our mentor mom gave a little talk about mothers and all the roles we play. It was a great meeting, filled with us "old" moms and few new visitors. That group saved my sanity on so many occasions - it's where I met many of my closest friends.
I have been saving for an SLR camera. I have a good chunk saved now (after many, many trips to the consignment shop and some eBay sales) and have started researching. My goodness, you can drop a lot of money on cameras. I started to think it might make more sense to use that money towards a new vehicle and just continue using my blue Sony Cypershot (which I am very fond of - I mean, it is blue, and we know how I feel about things that are a cute color).
Anyways, I am leaning towards the Nikon 5000 for now and investing in a lens or two and a photography class. If I end up LOVING photography, then I can upgrade my camera body later and still be able to use the lenses on the new body. So much to learn.
We head to our new place this weekend but will return. The movers will be here next week (exact date still unknown).
Also, my aunt's breast cancer is confined and has not spread. That is great news.
5.08.2010
Best Mother's Day Gift
This morning, Bean climbed into my bed. The baby was still asleep, so I turned on the TV and nodded off again. Out of no where, Bean said, "Mama, I love you." Then he said, "Mama, your hair is SO pretty." It just melted me. Bean is usually much more affectionate with Husband than with me, so this was a real treat. I asked him if he would snuggle with me because I was cold, so he did. He snuggled for about 15 minutes and then said, "Mama, will you snuggle me? I cold too." So, I did.
It was the sweetest thing ever.
Right before bed time, Bean went through all his DVDs. I asked him what he was doing. "I'm making all the DVDs straight," he said. He opened every case and made sure the title was running level. He is my husband's child after all.
It was the sweetest thing ever.
Right before bed time, Bean went through all his DVDs. I asked him what he was doing. "I'm making all the DVDs straight," he said. He opened every case and made sure the title was running level. He is my husband's child after all.
4.26.2010
Let's Move Already!
We have a Realtor's Open House this Thursday, since our home is not officially sold until These People sell their home.
These People had their home inspection today, and I'm curious to see what the guy found. We've worked really hard to eliminate most problems, so I'm sincerely hoping he didn't find anything that is (a) expensive or (b) a deal breaker. Please!
My mom is here. I picked her up at DFW last Thursday, and we went to the Fort Worth Zoo and the Miniature Train Ride. It was great weather and the boys had a great time. Awesome day. I want an open-air bird house with lots of cockatiels and parakeets.
Since there are two more hands around, I finally got around to listing several items on eBay. No joke, I have 16 auctions on there and am hoping that I make enough to buy my SLR camera in the very near future! You can see them here. Spare me the lecture on buying the stuff in the first place, got it?
Speaking of my camera, my mom and I went to the casino Saturday night, and I made $90 off the free $10 the casino gives people with a military ID! Wahoo! I pocketed my $90 and walked out with it more than an hour later. Mom's luck wasn't as good.
My old neighbor, House of Boys, wants to have a garage sale May 15. But, Melissa, you just had a garage sale! I know! Still, though, now that we're actually moving I have a few more items I might be willing to part with, and she has a chunk of stuff anyway. Why not? I have rugs and kitchen carts - maybe I'll find more.
We went for a walk today at the park, did some shopping, and pigged out at Red Lobster - lobster, scallops, shrimp. Yum. I am stuffed.
=====
Boys are good.
Bean is skinnier than ever - my mom notes that all his chub is gone, even his face is skinny. She's suggested adding Ensure to anything that calls for milk just to get some more calories in him. We've been giving him a PediSure each day, but clearly he's still anorexic.
Moose is running and walking and climbing. He throws things when he's mad, and he can be a bit of a bully - but when those things aren't going on, he's still very sweet and easy-going. (Even with the mood swings, I still think he's less ornery than Bean was at this age.)
Husband is very busy with work, his paper for his master's, and maintaining the yard and doing some small repairs. My mom noted that his car is much dirtier than it used to be. Clearly, the man is stressed out. We are still waiting on official orders - we can't schedule the movers without them. So, yes, that's fun.
These People had their home inspection today, and I'm curious to see what the guy found. We've worked really hard to eliminate most problems, so I'm sincerely hoping he didn't find anything that is (a) expensive or (b) a deal breaker. Please!
My mom is here. I picked her up at DFW last Thursday, and we went to the Fort Worth Zoo and the Miniature Train Ride. It was great weather and the boys had a great time. Awesome day. I want an open-air bird house with lots of cockatiels and parakeets.
Since there are two more hands around, I finally got around to listing several items on eBay. No joke, I have 16 auctions on there and am hoping that I make enough to buy my SLR camera in the very near future! You can see them here. Spare me the lecture on buying the stuff in the first place, got it?
Speaking of my camera, my mom and I went to the casino Saturday night, and I made $90 off the free $10 the casino gives people with a military ID! Wahoo! I pocketed my $90 and walked out with it more than an hour later. Mom's luck wasn't as good.
My old neighbor, House of Boys, wants to have a garage sale May 15. But, Melissa, you just had a garage sale! I know! Still, though, now that we're actually moving I have a few more items I might be willing to part with, and she has a chunk of stuff anyway. Why not? I have rugs and kitchen carts - maybe I'll find more.
We went for a walk today at the park, did some shopping, and pigged out at Red Lobster - lobster, scallops, shrimp. Yum. I am stuffed.
=====
Boys are good.
Bean is skinnier than ever - my mom notes that all his chub is gone, even his face is skinny. She's suggested adding Ensure to anything that calls for milk just to get some more calories in him. We've been giving him a PediSure each day, but clearly he's still anorexic.
Moose is running and walking and climbing. He throws things when he's mad, and he can be a bit of a bully - but when those things aren't going on, he's still very sweet and easy-going. (Even with the mood swings, I still think he's less ornery than Bean was at this age.)
Husband is very busy with work, his paper for his master's, and maintaining the yard and doing some small repairs. My mom noted that his car is much dirtier than it used to be. Clearly, the man is stressed out. We are still waiting on official orders - we can't schedule the movers without them. So, yes, that's fun.
4.14.2010
My String Bean
For quite some time, we've known that Bean is not much of an eater. Oh, if it's complete junk or a shade of golden brown, he'll eat to his heart's content. If it's say, oh, green. He won't touch it. Unless it's a pea, then he'll just swallow it whole.
Me: Bean, you need to chew the peas, that's how your body gets the good stuff.
Bean: No, Mama, it good to me dis way.
On occasion, he will humor with a couple raw carrots and maybe some apple. Day to day, though, it's strictly peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fries (which, I'm happy to report, he knows come from potatoes), fruit-veggie juice, and milk. He did eat FIVE strawberries a couple days ago - it was a huge victory.
I had the pleasure of learning that almost every single pair of shorts from last year look like hot pants on the kid. I went to Kohls and scoured the boys section for size 7 pants with adjustable waists. The inexpensive shorts with just the elastic waists don't stand a chance of fitting his waist. So, I found all of two pairs of shorts for about $15 each that will both fit my son's waist and be an appropriate length. I would again like to note how clothing this child will break the bank.
Thank goodness, I had enough 3T items to supply Moose with a more than complete wardrobe for both summer and winter (we don't have fall around here). Of course, the stinker has outgrown his sweet Pedi-Peds, so I am in the market for new, flex-bottomed shoes.
Out of my three pairs of jeans, two have holes and the other pair are sort of ill-fitting anyway. So, umm, I should probably do some clothes shopping for myself. I don't really like clothes shopping. I have a pretty specific way I like things to look and fit, and recent trends don't seem to agree with me ... that's why the only pair of shorts I own are from 1999 and most my t-shirts are from college or hand-me-downs from my husband. I did flirt with a pair of Bermuda shorts last year, and when I saw a picture of myself in them they were quickly retired forever. Yuck, how unflattering.
Moose is awake. We're going to run to The Children's Place and see about more shorts for his string bean brother. I will be wearing a pair of capri pants from, I believe, 2001 - strangely enough, both the '99 shorts and these capri pants are Unionbay. Timeless, baby, timeless.
Me: Bean, you need to chew the peas, that's how your body gets the good stuff.
Bean: No, Mama, it good to me dis way.
On occasion, he will humor with a couple raw carrots and maybe some apple. Day to day, though, it's strictly peanut butter sandwiches, yogurt, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fries (which, I'm happy to report, he knows come from potatoes), fruit-veggie juice, and milk. He did eat FIVE strawberries a couple days ago - it was a huge victory.
I had the pleasure of learning that almost every single pair of shorts from last year look like hot pants on the kid. I went to Kohls and scoured the boys section for size 7 pants with adjustable waists. The inexpensive shorts with just the elastic waists don't stand a chance of fitting his waist. So, I found all of two pairs of shorts for about $15 each that will both fit my son's waist and be an appropriate length. I would again like to note how clothing this child will break the bank.
Thank goodness, I had enough 3T items to supply Moose with a more than complete wardrobe for both summer and winter (we don't have fall around here). Of course, the stinker has outgrown his sweet Pedi-Peds, so I am in the market for new, flex-bottomed shoes.
Out of my three pairs of jeans, two have holes and the other pair are sort of ill-fitting anyway. So, umm, I should probably do some clothes shopping for myself. I don't really like clothes shopping. I have a pretty specific way I like things to look and fit, and recent trends don't seem to agree with me ... that's why the only pair of shorts I own are from 1999 and most my t-shirts are from college or hand-me-downs from my husband. I did flirt with a pair of Bermuda shorts last year, and when I saw a picture of myself in them they were quickly retired forever. Yuck, how unflattering.
Moose is awake. We're going to run to The Children's Place and see about more shorts for his string bean brother. I will be wearing a pair of capri pants from, I believe, 2001 - strangely enough, both the '99 shorts and these capri pants are Unionbay. Timeless, baby, timeless.
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