4 Year Check-Up

Well, 4 year check-up that was 5 months late. I'm just trying to squeeze in some last minute points for Mother of the Year. Having a summer birthday is rough when it comes to scheduling and I'm terrible at scheduling things way in advance. We are usually away over their birthday and then once we've returned the office is bustling with back-to-school visits. So I waited sweet forever but the good Doc didn't mind a bit, she agreed it's quieter and easier this time of year.

My ladies are healthy and thriving, petite and advanced. No signs of prematurity! I have slacked on enforcing their diet but I will now drive them hard. Apparently gagging to the point of purging is a "food tantrum" and I shouldn't tolerate it. So I rode them at lunch and she was right! All this time I thought it was impossible for a 3-4 year old to have such control, but the moment I told my dear child to cut it out and eat, she did! I really thought she was genuinely gagging! I feel a bit like a failure, and I've totally be had, but I am ready for battle now!

I was surprised to find they only weigh 32.5 lbs. each! One most definitely feels heavier, and looks bigger, but I suppose the scales don't lie. We weighed and measured twice just to be sure! I was pleasantly surprised by how well the FOUR shots went, even for the second child. Minimal tears. They were more startled by the nasal mist! HA!

I'm sure I say this every year, but is anyone else alarmed at the indicator questions? The things that children of whatever age should know? I really worry about where my ladies will be when they start school. They are doing things off the 5 and 6 year old lists with ease! Had they known phone numbers they would have already met the 6 year old indicators, but I just haven't bothered with phone numbers. I can barely remember my own!

Can you believe a 4 year old is only expected to be able to count to 20?

Or that being able to draw a circle is a 4 year old indicator, but triangles belong to 5 year olds?

Hopping on one foot? Knowing your name, address, and phone number? 6 year old!

When asked for their full names they both started to spell it all out. I thought nothing of this, and when on to explain how we're doing the sight words/reading/spell stuff, but apparently that's not common. Do these indicators seem low to you? I understand not all children have people working with them, yadda yadda, but I feel that the biggest slug of a parent who drops their kid in front of the tv all day will have picked up counting and letters from Se.same St.reet and Do.ra! She was impressed with their vocabulary and communication, my concern for Claire's occasional Boston accent was completely dismissed and the baby talk that seems to be cropping up is just a phase and I should discourage. Here I was worrying about speech therapy!

Before I digress into some rant about American children falling behind, I really need to know if I'm alone here. I really don't think my children are that advanced or extraordinary. Every time we leave that office I feel like I'm holding hands with little Einsteins as we cross the parking lot who will recite the cures for cancer and the common cold on our way home. Perhaps it's just my doctor being nice, and maybe all doctors are this way, but I can't help but wonder if everyone's visits are like this.

Why do we expect so little from children?

Are my standards too high?

Someone people give me the look when they hear we do preschool at home. I get the impression that I should be letting them enjoy their youth, and trust me they do. If my two hours, 4 days a week, has advanced them this much, I'm tempted to go to three hours and see if we can complete the high school curriculum by the time they're 6!

Hooray for my little geniuses!

Christmas 2013

Christmas 2013

7: Hours I slept 

9: Gifts we gave the girls

273: Times I reiterated Santa was fiction

3948574832: Times I questioned going against the grain

2: Reminders to be grateful 

8: Dishes I cooked for dinner

3: Times I cried

5: Confirmations I was hatched

0: Number of usable "Christmas morning" pictures

Poor lighting, big lens, slow shutter, just terrible pictures. The clear ones are blown with flash. Oh well, who really goes back to look at wrapping paper all over the floor?

This year, as in years past, we kept things small and simple. I much prefer this. The hubs is slowly but surely coming around. This is the entirety of the ladies' Christmas gifts. 

Those patterned boxes on the right, they are gifts they purchased for each other. You know I can't be bothered with such floofy paper. Count them, with the easel and castle they had a total of 9 gifts between them. 

Do you know how much hell I took for this?!

The people at work thought I was terrible! My mother gave me the side eye. Friends think I am scaring them and a lady at work offered to take me out thinking I couldn't afford to spoil them. Is it such a bad thing not to spoil them? I think spoiling is a shame. I am not wasting money on more gifts just so they can have the pleasure of opening them! Nonsense! I only buy gifts they will value and use. Emphasis on use. Everyone can point to at least one toy in their house that gets little to no action. Why make that pile grow? I spend time analyzing their play and seeing what they use and enjoy, I want toys they will go back to time and again. I want my money's worth while conserving space in my shoe box of a house. 

I also think this business of list writing is ridiculous. I don't need sheets and sheets of toddler shopping guides, I worry they will set expectations. You may give each other gift ideas if you're stuck, but I will not be encouraging or accepting any ransom notes. I was quite pleased when I had to coax ideas out of them for gifts to give each other because I had already gotten the things they most desired. Score one for this mom! 

Even with all the excitement of gifts under the tree and visible gifts to see and touch, our ladies came down and immediately went to the train garden to see what had been added this year. They were most excited about our train garden, and this warms my cold, little heart. 

So what did they get? The easel and castle I made, both big hits, with appropriate accessories. A set of magna tiles to add to their collection, another winner. Two dresses each. Lastly, an unplanned surprise. Zul.ily delivered earlier than planned so they received their own Beatrix Potter collection.

We then travelled to our first set of Grandparents for breakfast and returned home to cook and change. 

I cooked my first holiday meal which was promptly loaded up and delivered to my inlaws for our third Christmas of the day.

Our annual "in front of the tree" picture. This was post melt down once we collected ourselves. One of my ladies has an issue with certain pants/tights/socks. Sigh. This could drive me to drink but some battles just aren't worth the fight!

And for comparison, all the others. Someone forgot to get a picture last year!

So after all the preping, cooking, and cleaning, I didn't take one picture of the meal. I was nearly in tears when we showed up at my in laws. I picked up paper and plastic wear figuring it would be easier and quicker for everyone, it's not the setting but the meal that is shared. Well Pop blew me away by carting out the china. *tear*

I did document his unique butter butchering. ;)

Do you cook?

It was so nice to share a family meal that wasn't out of control. It was small and simple. Just us and I loved it. I could really do this every Sunday! I could totally be a Walton!! More importantly, no one died from my cooking!

The ladies trudged through dinner, nicely taking their no thank-you bites of ham. Oh how I wished they would eat better, but I've learned that forcing that issue gets us no where fast. After eating like birds, they were driving us hard for desert. So of course we s-l-o-w-l-y opened gifts. 

Our biggest gift given this year to my MIL was in iPad. She will finally have a functional and up-to-date "computer" to keep in touch with the outside world. The downside here is that she is upgrading from a Windows.95 machine with dial-up so there will be a bit of a learning curve. HA!

I was also pretty proud of my money gift. I had nothing to give my parents. Parents are just hard to shop for, and I feel a bit guilty knowing that since the ladies have been around my parents have received nothing but pictures in some form. Granted they rant and rave, apparently my father has a now two year old calendar still on his desk he refused to part with, but I feel a bit redundant. I so hummed and hawed, and ran out of time which sent the Hubs running to the ATM on Christmas Eve. I know, great timing! Knowing dear Papa has lost a good deal of weight, I figured clothes would be appropriate. Since I hate shopping for clothes I opted to dress up the money!

Way better than plain cash in a card, right? And who can turn down money? Of course I had the obligatory photos waiting, a new calendar and photo book, I just needed to do something different this year. Can you believe my mother took the card to work to show off?

I guess I'll take that as a compliment. 

So what were the highlight of your Christmas?

Hopefully I'll have a completed castle post before New Year's. The ladies are having a blast with it, and have taken to using the playmobi.l people with it. It all blends so well together. :)

Homemade Christmas

It's no secret I love to give homemade gifts. I love crafting something for someone, something they will hopefully appreciate and use. I'll spare you the dialogue about commercialism and not funding big companies. I'm proud of myself for being reasonable this year. Cutting back, even with my procrastinating, allows me to finish before Christmas Eve. Everyone likes a happy and non-stressed Mommy around the holidays!

So today this beauty will be gifted. 

Although I am fairly anti-princess and Di.sney, HAM laps it all up. Until November she was a pretty big Cind.erella fan and I finished it as that castle. But then she fell for Sofia, so I fell for a can of primer. 

She might not fall in love with it, she might not appreciate my work. But I didn't gift her some giant piece of Di.sney plastic and for that I am elated. 

Lost Legs

Why was I worried about bunk beds???

I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with this. Nothing at all! 

Knock on wood, so far so good. I'm also glad they still enjoy them, to the point of bragging. Granted their 'friend' group is small, and the coolness of their bed is destine to drop once they hit school, but for now I'll pat myself on the back. 

Right after I check on them just once more. 

Wordless Wednesday

Today's big accomplishment.

Also, this:

And lastly, not hyperventilating over:

Yes there is glitter ALL OVER THE MAIN LEVEL!!! It looks like a craft fairy was murdered in the breakfast nook and her tiny body savagely ripped to pieces and drug all over the house leaving behind a trail of magical, sparkly, fairy blood. Grrrr...

Snowless Saturday

Saturday was a family Christmas party, the cousins party. We get all the kids together for the afternoon. It's always good fun and the kids go on and on about it. This year we were threatened with snow. Well some of us were threatened, I was prepared with snow suits and saucers!

We trudged on, with no snow falling, and enjoyed a day with this rowdy bunch!

We have reached the age of abandonment. The ladies now abandon me in search of their cousins and a basement full of new and different toys. Sniff, sniff. 

I made sure to have entertainment, and these kids did not disappoint! I set up a few minute-to-win-it style games which the bigger kids enjoyed and the adults loved to watch. 

Who knew these games would be so popular?! They were hysterical to watch. I only wish the basement had better lighting for pictures. I now know for Easter that the more ridiculous the better for this crew.

They also had a craft set up. Each child made a handprint snowman ornament. 

Unfortunately, I do not have a matched set. Someone refused to put her hand in paint. Sigh. 

After all the shenanigans and lunch we settled in for dessert and the gift exchange. I love the mass unwrapping, there is chaos and no one is singled out for their reaction or chance to boast. (Yes, I asked for and received outfits for the ladies.) The ladies were ecstatic over their new dresses and accessories. 

So much so they had to be laundered and worn immediately. 

I was excited my snowman cupcakes turned out. They even survived a long car trip and car tumble! 

They looked nice but were way too rich. 

Hope you're busy making some holiday memories!

Snow Day

The first snow day of the 2013-14 school year is in the books. It was a waste of a snow day, a melting, soggy mess. No snow was played in, and the layer of ice tainted the remaining snow. We did go out however the entertainment of the day was inside, trying to work on crossword puzzles in peace. 

Since the county closed today despite the warm temps and clear roads, I'm sure they won't be closing tomorrow for the pending snow. On the off chance they do close, or the banding is severe enough to keep them closed Wednesday as well, I'm hopeful we can find a Chistmas tree and make it to the post office! If not, at least I will have an extra body for the ladies to jump on! 

Whoever said having the hubs home was distracting?!

December Goals

I did amazingly well in November without really trying! I have nearly all my shopping for this holiday finished and the cards are all signed and addressed, if only I had stamps! I didn't make it out for a night the hubs, but we'll survive. December is another month right?

WRONG!

December is the month from hell! Things to do, places to go, people to see! This month is all about going. Christmas preparations, parties, and concerts. We will most definitely be treading water while trying to look happy and festive for the ladies. Despite being ahead on the Christmas front, I can feel my motivation dwindling. Sensible and realistic goals! Here goes...

Family

• NOT address the elephant in the room at the family Christmas party!
• Get all the games and food together for the party
• Eat at home more
• Plan Christmas dinner menu and logistics
• Plan Christmas morning, my parents?

Home

• Christmas tree
• Decorate the house
• CLEANNNNNNNNNN (I'm not the only one who compulsively cleans for the imaginary fat man who doesn't come down our chimney, right?)

Personal

• Pick up odds & ends
• Wrap before the 20th
• Stockings stuffed by the 20th

House Update

I'm so excited. The house is almost 'move-in' ready. Yesterday I stained the floors and painted the stairwells. I wish I had gone a hair darker on the floors, something a little more rich, but I'm pleased with the grain coming through. My initial plans of wood print paper didn't pan out because the grain was so wide. I like this better though. I need to decide on a finish soon, matte or gloss? Should I spray it with clear coat or mod podge the hell out of it? 

Look how pretty! Yes, I'm really this excited over a doll house! 

I think I'm going to paint all the outward facing frame gray or white. I'm quite pleased with how the rooms turned out with the wall paper. I nearly died trying to paint the stair wells! I did everything in my power to remain slow and steady. 

This room is the only one I'm having issues with. It's just sooooo dark. I was thinking maybe some wainscoting or just washing the walls with white to lighten it up. I was also considering adding baseboards, but then I would have to add them everywhere. 

Hopefully next Wednesday I can tape off all the windows and openings to paint the outside.  

I'm going with a textured spray paint to help hide some of the inconsistencies. This is a cheap balsa castle after all. I'm debating some outside details as well, but I haven't wrapped my head around those yet. 

I also need to decide on a door color. I feel a castle would have weathered door, but I'm not sure the ladies would appreciate my antiquing. The outside of the castle will be a white stone, but the inside foyer is this lovely grey and white polka dot. Lol! How about a punch of red?!

Oh how I need a chandelier for here!

So this is what I'm most excited to give the ladies this year for Christmas. I have some furniture to assemble for it, but I'm now not sure it's the right size. I also plan to crochet some rugs and I'm debating runners for the stairs. 

I'm having way too much fun with this! It's a welcome escape! 

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas card hell. 

While the making and inscribing of these cards took sweet forever, the repetition of the word 'NO' killed me. I don't want to be a 'NO' mom, and I don't want to kill their artistic spirit. I do want to have semi-presentable cards that aren't covered in every sticker from the sticker box. 

Amazingly, having them sign their names to thirty+ family Christmas cards- cakewalk! We had an assembly line and were done in 20 minutes. The homemade cards, all six of them, a full hour! 

It's Begun

We kicked off the holiday season in our house this morning. I set up the tree in the ladies' room. Can you hear the screams of delight? 

I've pulled down the tub-o-decorations for the house and I hope we can finish the fall to Christmas transformation by Wednesday. I also want to get my cards in the mall and review my gift lists. Mark this down, this is the earliest and most out together I've ever been!! I doubt I will be so lucky in years to come so I'll revel in it now. 

Yay me!!

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I'm left contemplating the question: "Why do you even work?"

Ho hum. 

Wordless Wednesday

Why yes, those are my addressed Christmas cards. 

Be jealous!!

Preschool Life

This homeschool stuff isn't nearly as intimidating after dabbling in preschool. Did I just say that?
I'm actually proud of myself for sticking to it and I'm amazed at how excited and interested the ladies have remained. They have made some strides and are starting to read! My babies! How did this happen? Yes I miss their babyhood a little more each passing day.

Side note: I'm slightly worried it will put them ahead when they start school and thus leave them bored.

Scribbling up an inch chart has been a huge hit. They are all about measuring recently. I'm on the look out for a relatively safe, but real, tape measure for them. I'm hoping to start volume after turkey day. I was reminded that we never really did many three dimensional shapes with them when they blanked when asked to find a cylinder during a scavenger hunt last week. Oops! Pretty sure they only know cone and pyramid, maybe cube. 

We will also be starting written addition and then subtraction. We are fantastic with manipulatives, I'm hoping the jump to straight numbers will be easy. 

The handwriting is a work in progress. 

But will you look at this!? They pick, read, and write! They sound out the words they don't know. Sat and ran were new words to them. 

We even sounded out swims! Yes, I'm a proud mama. A proud mama who needs to make up some more word cards...

We are also blowing our way through spanish vocab. If only I had a native speaker on hand! I can tell you that after seven years of it I can barely string together a very, simple sentence. Thank you goog.le translate! To my SA friends, the robot Afrikaans voice kills me and I like to imagine you all speaking as such. :)

If I wasn't worried these ladies would outsmart me by 3rd grade I could easily see myself homeschooling. I can't believe I said that! I really think they might receive a more diverse and complete education, one to really reach them individually and cater to their strengths, needs, and interests. In fact, one of my favorite things about this preschool business is letting them explore their interests. Last week, we looked up volcanoes and now they know about the earth's crust, magna bursting through from pressure to turn to lava, the lava turning to rocks and 'growing' the volcano. It also brought up and helped to reinforce the idea of steam, so hopefully they won't be confusing it with smoke as often!

PPT

So.


Sick.


Of.


Work.


I'm over it!

But when is it enough to just throw in the towel? It's a game I've played for the last five years. How do you know when it's just not worth it? It very much feels like an utter waste of my time, but it's free money. How can you walk away from an overpaid babysitting job? I'm not liking how much I'm depended on, how much I'm used, and more than ever how I'm treated.

They call me PPT, for part, part time. It fits! So why is the woman who works no more than 8 days a MONTH so valuable? Furthermore, if I'm so valuable than why aren't I treated better? I feel that someone who is pulling my time shouldn't be holding major responsibilities. 8 days a month people! We had new equipment installed and it sat unused until I came in to program it. It went another week without being cleaned because no one "knew how" and apparently the manual is only for me... Inspection, my job to clean for.
Inventory, my job to count.

More importantly, no one keeps me up to date on the gossip!


What is holding me back?

And what on earth would I do with myself when the ladies start school??

Embracing Simple

It was my word of the year, although I haven't been as successful at embracing it as the others before it. So today when everything was going wrong, I decided now was a wonderful time to simplify!

I was jumping from project to project; cleaning, caulking, painting, laundry. All of them failing over some missing piece; a lost dust pan, expired caulk, missing brushes, no dryer sheets! So I stopped to think of anything I could do to bust my mood and feel productive, I landed on THE WALL JR!

See the ladies have recently been into art. Sheets and sheets of drawings, letters, coloring book pages, paintings, washi tape play, on and on and on. They have found their way all around the house, both in stashed stacks and taped to random walls at the perfect level for two clumsy dogs to bump into. This leaves them on the floor and then straight to the trash. While I have no problem ditching these freely flowing masterpieces, I do have a problem being the one who picks up/sorts/discards. The ladies need a place to display and be responsible for. The Wall Jr. was born.

But not before The Wall Sr. was retired. See, Sr. has been around for a long time, nearly as long as we've lived here. I decided one day that a magically board would organize my life, and if I hid it behind the kitchen door I would surely stay on top of it. Instead it sat unused, and I attempted again after the ladies were born. Today I took it down, it was last used December of 2009. I know this because written on the board are the ladies' bottle amounts for my mother and my Uncle's calling card. Some other odds and ends have gone up, but this was doing nothing for me.

Neither were these. 

Keys from two cars I haven't owned in years, a security tag for the last car we had, and keys to our LAST HOUSE! Clearly these were important...

So all this was ripped from the wall, the broom without it's dustpan have been banished from the corner. I have no place to hang my reusable bags, but I think I'll survive. 

Disregard the fire extinguisher.

The perfect pick-me-up project.

Made from left over crib frame I'm hoarding, it could use a burst of color but the spray paint I have on hand is white and brass. The side supports will probably go when I paint, and I'm thinking I should jazz up the clothes pins too. The ladies were excited and I'm hopeful that this will keep things under control. If not, it's right next to the recycle bins!

I also have one of the side rails set aside to paint and turn into wall storage for my craft table. 

Everyone squeal with me!

I fear I will hold on to these cribs for years, just waiting for inspiration. 

Now, what does one do with an old fire extinguisher??

PL Nap Time

Oh we are battling colds here. Fall has most definitely arrived and winter is on its way. Here's to jackets, hats, and scarves! 

This friends, is project life. Helper not included. Cutting these corners brings me calm and joy, more importantly a feeling of success. For the first time ever I've been able to successfully record this life. Simplicity is key for me, I only wish I would have discovered that sooner! 

It's also a way to kill a nap time or two each month! 

But now that the end of the year is here, I'm planning for the upcoming year and I'm torn. Do I purchase a different kit for the new binder or continue in Turquoise? Help! 

Outstanding Happenings

**whoopsie, sometimes you just forget to schedule things**

First and foremost, a miracle has occurred. 

Three clothes pins at the top of the chart called for celebration. Delicious, gourmet celebration. And yes, I did share. Of course these are ridiculously over priced cupcakes, but sometimes you just need that. Fancy does, occasionally, taste so much better. 

It's been WARM so far this fall, so I was none to please to be shelling out money to fix the heat. 70 degrees in November makes me think winter may not come.

After shelling out for boiler parts and feel so relieved and ready for winter, BAM! The dryer went up not 4 hours later. Whomp, whomp. Luckily I've ridden this rodeo before and patiently waited for my new parts to arrive. This Mama doesn't like to pay repairmen for things she can plug in herself! I'm really starting to take some pride in that too. It amazes me how afraid people are to just dig into something and try. Cost to me, $25 and a few minutes on a Sunday morning. 

Fast forward a few days, and the warm weather had finally departed to make way for some flurries!

Ham in her flannel jammies! Too perfect. The ladies were overly excited and quickly started to make plans for building snow bunnies and eating snow. Poor HAM was pleading to eat snow. I had to deliver the bad news that there would be no snow play. I'm sure all my talk of ground temperature when over their heads but they left me excited for the next snow fall. Now I can't wait to go build snow bunnies and have my first bite of snow!

What's been outstanding in your world?

Cuddles

Cuddles...

Sometimes you just need them. 

5.5 Hours

Five and a half hours with a plumber will ensure your boiler won't explode, ensure you have functioning heat if winter should ever arrive, and back up your laundry and chores for the day.

Five and a half hours with a plumber will tell you your house wasn't up code, your children can't be trusted with paper and washi tape, and despite approaching six your puppy is still quite the jumper around new folks.

Five and a half hours with a plumber will cost you two months' groceries, give you piece of mind, and ensure that something else in your now repaired home will fail you-immediately.

On to dryer repair, or maybe I should embrace salt rinse and lining drying in winter?! Save myself another repair elsewhere?!

Behavior

Welcome to the new cruelty.

Oh yes I did go there and with one day under my belt I must sing its praises! While it was only really intended for one of the natives, I didn't want to single anyone out. However much to my surprise, the others have taken to it just as well. This morning there was a native eagerly straightening shoes in the closet in her eagerness to make it to the top. Now I just need to get them to fluff and fold or start washing baseboards!! They are to eager to please!

I choose this chart over others because of its simplicity. I knew I wouldn't follow through with stickers and I don't like the idea of having to dole out prizes. I would lose track of long term goals as well. I also didn't want to limit myself to specific criteria. 

I love the all encompassing nature of this one. I also like that they have to ability to make up for any wrong doing throughout the day so there isn't a shadow over the rest of the day if you happen to land yourself in the red by 10 o'clock and lose your snack. There isn't a predetermined privlege or prize so I can make them up along the way to suit the situation. 

So far it has reinforced responsibility, manners, and maturity. It has reminded the ladies that their behavior is their choice. I'm just the enforcer. 

If nothing else, it was an excuse to use up some cardstock and washi tape!6

November Goals

Ooooooooooh my goodness! Did I accomplish all of my October goals?! Ok, so no hair cut, but success none the less. On to bigger things...

November Goals

Family

• Date Night
• Schedule dentist appointments
• 4 year check-ups *blush*

Home

• Get the heat straightened out- can I get a hell yeah for radiators!
• Build and paint bookcase
• Reorganize the entertainment center and straighten out the wires
• Futz with my Ro.ku

Personal

• Order and address Christmas cards
• 75% of my Christmas shopping finished

Short and simple, but certainly enough to fill my plate.

What are you doing this month?

Halloween Festivities

Halloween just might be my new favorite holiday. Simply because there are no expectations or frill. No meals to cook, family to see, or people to please. 

Costumes and candy. 

Cousin bought this and the ladies have asked nearly every day to build it. 

"When are we going to make the spooky house?"

Of course they've also asked to eat it everyday since. I'm sure if given the chance they would devour this cardboard-esk gingerbread, but I just can bring myself to watch the horror happen. 

Claire's face sums up her pumpkin carving experience. A big NO THANKS! Emma was more than happy to dig in of course, but Claire was turned off by the seeds and guts. 

They were overly excited to light her, and she's been lit every night since. Recently we've found things taking up residence inside our dear witch. GROSS! Ants, slugs, and last night a moth was fluttering around inside. 

Just once, for a fraction of a second, do I need everyone to look the same way. Perhaps with a smile even!

#thisisfour

You're looking at the best homemade costumes money could buy! Can you feel the fairy dust falling over you? Can you imagine me cringing at the abundance of pink and purple? I was quite thrilled the weather was so warm. Last year my fingers were going numb through my gloves!

Hope everyone had a great halloween!

Jack!

I will start by saying our ladies left their cribs just after turning two, and only because I was trying to avert night time accidents with a potty chair in their room. Aside from the froggy potty being a doggy buffet, that was pure genius! So with two years of freedom at nighttime under their belts, and having moved on to bunk beds, I was rather relaxed about the bedtime routine. Yes they stayed up and chatted, that is usually rather entertaining. They did leave their beds to exchange books, I was ok with that. Generally speaking, if you are quiet and in your room you're free to do as you please! This Mama is off duty once the door closes!

Then recently it happened, someone came out once. Then twice. Then they were coming out in pairs! Accompanying each other to the potty. I should have put a stop to it then but I was off duty and the union has rules about working off the clock. Fast forward a few weeks and this in and out routine evolved into a small floor show every night with them not-so-slyly sneaking down the stairs to bid us endless goodnights, ask for various things.

GO THE FUCK TO SLEEP!

Sadly we don't own this book, although I find it hilarious. I was done. Silence wasn't coming until almost 2-2.5 hours after bedtime! Nonsense! So the hubs came up with incentives. The ladies have earned new books, and dates with Daddy, and tonight they've earned a movie! So as loving parents, and given the season and their new interest in the music, we've decided on: The Nightmare Before Christmas!

Can you hear my mother's shock and horror! Bwhahaha! 

Honestly they love the music, and have seen youtube clips as we've listened to the music. I'm embracing the idea that fear is taught and we've gone over that such things aren't real, only costumes and make believe. 

Now we only need to make our exit from the incentive program and establish that the expected behavior is for them to lay down and sleep! As of last night, they eagerly hop into bed asking for "rules" for the evening and curious as to what they can earn. Sigh. 

Suggestions??!

Anyone?

Help!

Maternity Shoot

Does this make me a real photographer? 

LOL

I was asked, politely, to do a maternity shoot. I thought it would be a nice gesture and certainly would give me something other than my children to edit. 

Of course it was the first bonafide day of fall, with a slight drizzle. 

Sigh. 

I felt horrible every time something fell out of my mouth about smiling and looking happy. The proud papa to be has Bell's Palsy. I know this. 

I. Still. Asked. 

REPEATEDLY.

It also reaffirmed that I hate people, even if I like them a little. 

I have little tolerance for people complaining. I'm not a fan of whiners. If you want my services, follow directions!

So I missed some shots I had really hoped for. 

Like train track shots. 

Over all though, I think it was a thoughtful gift. Something they wouldn't have otherwise been able to do. Pictures they'll have and cherish forever. 

If only I could show you MY favorite!

What do you think?