Child Labor

*Made possible by child labor

I was running a factory yesterday morning! It was the last day of summer camp and we had thank you cards to write out. In my mind this was:

 2 Teachers X 3 Ladies = 6 Cards

They had other plans. So in the hour after breakfast and before we get ready, they were cranking out cards. I cannot tell you how many times I spelled out T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U, cause heaven forbid people copy what's written in front of them, or their neighbor, or on the last card you made. They did get the job done, and I'm sure the teenagers were just thrilled to have a bundle of almost legible cards. 

I'm sad the camp is over already, but I'm looking forward to art camp next week!

*Rant* Don't Punish the Children

I should be writing about our summer, preparing to start school, and finishing up my NYC posts. Instead I'll tell you of my seething. I'm being eaten alive.

So my wonderful ladies turned 5! We skipped a party and focused solely on them for the day. I chose not the have a party, the work isn't worth it for me. I don't want hoards of crap filling my house (apparently people don't think twins share), nor do I want to be bothered chasing people down. Now they were delighted to receive gifts from some friends and their cousins, but I made sure to remind them to celebrate with people, not things. They were thankful.

They were equally thankful and excited over a bag of trash from Mother.

*BOILING*

Left behind for the ladies was a recycled store bag, labeled with a post-it on the side. It was stuffed with random things I can only assume she found around her house. Some card stock, finger paints, an open pack of paint brushes, left over Easter activity books, flip flops, and sock monkeys that I sent to her house for them to have there, and happy meal toys.

Seriously?

This is what you leave your grandchildren?

This isn't about the stuff. It's the lack of thoughtfulness. I would rather them receive a hug and warm wishes over a assortment of stuff collected around your house. 

Of course that wasn't a option, because they weren't around. They planned to take THE DEVIL and her spawn on a little vacation. To meet her mother-in-law and introduce the spawn, sans husband. Perfect timing. Awkward much? We got to watch the Devil's dog, which my parents repeated checked on. Awesome.  

So glad your priorities are in line.

After completely ignoring me during the family reunion, I have concluded these events are some form of retaliation against me. I have displeased Mother. Clearly taking it out on my children is her best response. 4 point for maturity!

My heart aches for them. Although they are still fairly unaware, one day the ladies will realize the disparities. What do I tell them? Grandma doesn't like me so you get the short end of the stick? My inner 7 year old is ready to wage an all out war. This is unfair to them. Such behavior didn't arise until the Devil returned. With the chosen child back, I made a decision to distance myself to keep the peace. My children now pay. 

What's a girl to do?

I know I'm not alone with the family drama-rama! 

Overall I think it has reaffirmed my position on my family, how is will raise my children, and helped eliminate any remaining expectations I harbored with regards to my Mother. It has also reminded me the importance of filling your life with good people, and showing them appreciation. Something I hope to pass on to my children. You can't pick your family, but you can pick who you surround yourself with. 

Now if you'll excuse me, this 7 year old has some scheming to do...

Winter Is Coming

Our winter stash so far. 

Every few months I have to pull inventory on the clothes hoard that grows in the ladies' closet. Like every other mother perusing the aisle of target, I pick apart the clearance section at the end of every season. However this year promises to be our very last in the toddler section and since I'm not a fan of the little slut section, I grabbed everything I could get my hands on! Hopefully no one has a major growth spurt!!

So for my own record keeping:

19 Long Sleeve Tops (cringe at odd numbers)

8 Sweaters & Hoodies

1 Sweater Dress

4 Pair of Jeans (<-- Yikes!)

2 Pair of Tights

2 Pair of Fashion Boots

2 Pair of Winter Crocs [who else felt Rebecca cringe?]

It just occurred to me that my children a.) cannot tie shoes and b.) have never had the need. Mom fail. 

I have also started a bag of clothes for the following winter, but jeeze! It's soooo hard to shop in the girls section. Maybe it will be easier when I see them with older kids? I'm so not a fan of this growing up business. 

How far ahead do you buy? 

Happy Birthday Ladies!!!

How did this happen?

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet ladies.

May your minds grow, your confidence soar, and hearts be filled this upcoming year. 

[*Cue ugly sobs* -- MY BABIES!]

Sleeping Babes

Today's post is coming to you live from: THE VAN!

Yes, I'm posting from the van because all three ladies are O. U. T. 

They are sleeping hard. So for the first time in their life, I am willingly sitting in a car waiting for them to start stirring. I always imagined this would have happened much earlier in their lives, not days before turning 5!

Seriously, when was the last time you slept like this:

Girlfriend is toast!

Normally I would rally them, but they did just finish a rather lengthy hike for bipeds with 24" legs. They decided, more agreed, to hike the trolley trail and walk into town. So I'm guessing that was roughly 3 miles, maybe a little more. 

It was a lovely walk with gorgeous weather. We brought a picnic and had lots of fun climbing rocks, playing in the water, and searching out broken bits of pottery. I brought this guy home:

He makes me happy. 

I'm hopeful I have some good shots, our last hoorah before turning FIVE. 

And starting school. 

And forgetting our dear old mother. 

So. Not. Ready. 

Have a great weekend! I'm hoping ours will be fantastic and we can start next week with two new five year olds! 

Time to wake the monsters, hold your ears...

NYC: Day One

So where to begin?

Last week we were fortunate enough to be able to meet up with the wonderful MandyE and her fabulous family. I think we would make splendid neighbors, with ladies running back and forth between our homes. What a luxury that would be! There is such a comfort and familiarity with her family, I just cannot put it into words, but oh how I wish she lived closer! It's rather astonishing to think about, but our ladies have only physically met ONCE, and that was two years ago!

Any concerns I had about cold feet and time wasted rekindling friendships were completely unwarranted. These ladies just picked up and went along. 

BEAUTIFUL!

So after Bryant Park we meandered our way to Central. Now most tourists would spend their time canvasing the park, looking for the statues and fountains. Some would seek out the merry-go-round and  pond as I had planned. These ladies wanted to rock climb. 

EVERY. SINGLE. ROCK.

Each rock was slightly better than the last I believe. It was slightly unnerving watching their smooth-bottomed shoes slide up and down the steep rock faces, but we all came out unscathed. 

But this lady here:

I want to steal her and take her rock climbing! She was definitely the leader of this expedition and the others that followed it. Quick and nimble, she seemed so comfortable and confident! I would love to see her really climb rocks, I think she would be in her glory!

Hooray for timers!

Can you find the old man I removed from the shot???

We will definitely be framing this one!

Playgrounds are for playing! I love that everyone was comfortable to split off with different parents and run their hearts out. I'm pretty sure we could have spent all of our time in Central Park and they would have been just as pleased!

Ok, I've googled unsuccessfully. I know this is common, it happened to me when I was younger. I need the reasoning behind it! Someone, anyone? April?

I whole-heartedly recommend vacationing with friends! Far better than family, no obligations, and everyone will have a great time. Your children will develop life-long (hopefully) friendships, you'll have extra eyes and hands, and if you've chosen well you'll be privy to their camera roll!

What could be better?!

A picture of the parents that's not a selfie, that isn't taken 36 inches from the ground, and one that I didn't have to ask for! 

LOVE IT! 

Summer Bucket List

I should be posting with the zillion photos we took in NYC. Or perchance the 47 other things we've crossed off our summer bucket list. Instead I give you:

LIGHTNING BUGS!

I recaptured a little piece of my childhood, and possibly malaria, catching lightning bugs with the ladies. Immediately after we got home from NYC, the ladies tootled to the backyard. They came in squealing over the fireflies. Honeychild, we say lightning bugs. 

I proceeded to abandon the ideas of unpacking, reconnecting with dogs,and reassembling our life to catch lightning bugs. It was completely worth it. Granted, I didn't bring out a giant pickle jar and fill it was grass to keep them forever nor did I teach them to squish their bodies and write with the glowing goo [did no one think to stop us?], but it was still a nostalgic experience! 

I now have two official lightning bug lovers!

Happy weekend!