Beginning of the End

I've been dreading this day:

The first wiggly tooth 

How gross! I cringe with every bit of me. If my children never lost their sweet, perfectly aligned baby teeth I would be he happiest mother ever! After you pass the gross wiggling you're left with the awkward growing in phase. These nubby teeth erupt and will take the next 6 years to finish falling out and growing in. More wiggling and more holes. Ahhhhh. 

What's worse is that they now have expectations for this disgusting phenomenon! Thank you mother. She with her pillow, in addition to tales traded at school, have left the ladies eager for this nonsense. More than once I've had to talk down this tooth fairy business. I never wanted to go down this path but now that I'm here I refuse to keep up with the Joneses! We keep things simple here. 

So what is the going rate for teeth??

Hopeful dear Miss C doesn't spend her day wiggling and prying this tooth out. We have ballet pictures Saturday!! Save me this one last set of over priced pictures!!

Teddy Surgery

The slight horror in her face when she tumbled down the stairs and said:

Teddy cracked open!

They ladies received Valentines from their grandparents with small teddy bears attached. Of course these 4" teddies were now prized possessions and one of them was now leaking his inners. Just want I want to deal with before bedtime! So I had genius parenting moment; YOU can sew him up in the morning. Pure brilliance! 

Look at those stitches! All by her lonesome!!

Sadly I don't have any during shots, because she was very into this repair. She was mending her teddy, and she sweetly calmed him during the procedure. She promised it wouldn't hurt and she would make him good as new. So stinkin' sweet! 

 

So Teddy is now good as new. 

And someone is pleased as punched to have completed this. I fully expect that he will be cast to the bottom of the toy bucket and out the door before summer, but for now lets enjoy this victory! She sewed! Independently! My fingers aren't bleeding!!

She also wanted to take pictures of me, post lesson and pre-shower.

You're welcome world!

Tried anything new with your wee ones?!

Snow Day: Pax Edition

Before we begin, why are we now naming snow storms? Granted, I name many thing in my life but I feel that storms don't belong on the list of things that need to be named. What makes things worthy of a name, my only qualification is that they provide a service. I've named my dogs, children, car, appliances, and even renamed my husband; they all provide me with some sort of service. Dear Pax the snow storm does not fall into this category. 

For this snow day, which for the hubs has now turned into a 5 day weekend, I was nervous. I hate feeling trapped. I was down in the morning, fearing the worst. We woke up to a gorgeous blanket of white that was being trampled down by sleet and freezing rain. Pictures dashed. Once I resolved to get moving, I was able to decorate the house. 

My only Valentine's Day contribution for the ladies. I'm also telling myself that since it is yellow I can leave it up for a while without embarrassment. 

We are fortunate enough to have a fantastic neighbor I've never bothered to meet. He likes to use his snow blower and who am I to stop his joy? Everyone's sidewalks and up to their house. I'll be sending him a thank you card! Should I include a picture of the ladies to identify myself?

So after lunch I undertook the painful task of bundling. Boot, bibs, jackets, scarfs, mittens, and all the careful tucking and fastening -- times two. It was well worth it though. I expected the joy to be short lived, but it actually wasn't cold at all. Sadly, freezing now feels warm thanks to all this arctic business we've had lately. The ladies LOVED being outside and ENJOYED the snow. After a few quick pictures I joined in. I'm glad they make jackets so roomy because I had my camera hanging around my neck and zipped up in my jacket. I never suspected I'd have a need for a camera snow suit! 

Am I right Marcia? 

Smiles are optional at this age, so I'm always happy when they are at least looking at me. Maybe next time someone won't look so devious. 

The one I feared would fuss and scream was totally enthralled.

This little lady and her sister loved eating snow. Perhaps they've spent too much time around HAM. I think they will be thrilled tonight when we make snow cream. I think it will be wonderful over brownies with caramel!

And here is our snowman. This is the first time I have ever made one and I am taking all the credit while giving myself a nice pat on the back. I much prefer sledding and tubing, but this snow isn't the best for that. I also made a half hearted attempt at an igloo, which was more like a retaining wall that we called a snow fort. Bear had been asking since the night before to make an igloo. Thank you C.urious G.eorge for the igloo idea...

Lastly, why aren't "snowman accessories" on the list for winter prep list?

I called in to the hubs for accessories and he was baffled. He ended up joining baby carrots with toothpicks and scrounging around for anything we could shove in. I considered us fortunate to find a stick among the snow when we walked the dogs so Mr. Snowman could have arms. 

Note to self: Make a snowman kit for next winter and store it in the bin of mittens and hats. 

Anyone else enjoying the weather?

Together, Or Apart?

How do you like your sickness, together or apart?

I was just commenting to a woman at work that sniffles last forever in our house, passing through us one at a time so that I always have a sick child. That has always held true. Every thing that has wondered into our home has has an unreasonably long stay. The second to be sick always got the short end of the stick. That was until this weekend...

*cue dramatic music*

For the first time in my history as a MoM we had congruent sickness. When the first child falls, you always have you eye on the next to go. So when Emma went down Friday morning, and Claire Friday afternoon, I really thought we'd be toast. How could we keep up with the demands of two children? By we, I mean my poor Husband! I had to work and it killed me to leave them.

In addition to leaving them so sick for the first time, and them being sick together, this was also the first time actually called the pediatrician! Yeah, it's been rough. We're now members of the 104F + Club, that's exciting. I was able to explain evaporation one morning at 2 a.m. to sweet, little, vomit scented ladies. [Incase you're curious: a wet rag dries on your forehead because your body is soo hot that the water turns back into a gas, but not the kind for your car - the air kind.]

Relatively speaking, it has been a breeze aside from the 2 a.m. visits. They're progressing at relatively the same rate. They're on the same dosing schedule. Best of all, they're lethargic together! That means that one isn't bothering the other or feeling neglected. From the MoM POV this is a fairly tolerable sickness, as much as one can tolerate seeing their children miserable and the feeling of total helplessness.

The last silver lining of this sickness cloud: extra (although hot and sweaty) cuddles and rocking children to sleep. That hasn't happened in quite a while and it was a welcome memory.

Finally, a letter:

Dear Virus,

I'm not sure if you're a run-of-the-mill nasty virus or a low grade flu. Either way, you've plagued my children and home long enough. Our new mattresses now have vomit stains despite my blotting and treating, my night stand is overrun with "sick supplies", and the stench of vomit is lingering with the house shut for winter. My bed can't hold any more bodies and my dogs can't handle losing more sleep! Just go!

                                                                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                                            One Exhausted MoM

It Begins

Introducing Goldie. 

I never understood why parents bemoaned carnival games so much. Till I was the parent. The parent in the unbearably hot attic lugging out a fish tank for a .10 cent feeder fish that I paid $5.00 to have the pleasure of "winning" knowing full well that this little ticking time bomb will probably blow by weeks' end. But because I went to the effort to set up the tank, I will dutifully explain the circle of life and rush out for another .10 cent feeder fish- just to avoid returning the tank to hell, er, the attic. 

The little things in life, right?!

Giving

I very much want to raise children who are givers. I'm excited that they have reached an age of understanding and awareness. Although I'm not sure of how deeply they understand the idea of poverty and need, I'm clearly not giving them enough credit for what they do know.

This is what they voluntarily removed from their room. By themselves. 

I was quite shocked. This was the first year I involved them in toy removal and I really hammered in that there were children who went without and that since they had so much they could afford to share with others. That it would be kind and generous to do so and how good it would feel to give to others. While I folded laundry they set to clearing out. I was very proud of what they did. But I was also a little teary-eyed. The farm? Those books? Didn't my babies want to keep their crocodile? They loved it their first Christmas! But alas, it will go back to babies, which is becoming a familiar phrase around our house now. They freely offer up their things that sit unused. 

After they made their donate box I went in with them and we straightened and re-organized. There just might be enough room for big girl beds! One thing I was a little disappointed with was the inability to donate stuffed animals. I freely admit that many that we received go out as soon as they come in, and that the little crappy ones I throw out whenever they are left around, I'm astonished at how attached they seem to be to some of them. Of course the regulars that live in their beds are going no where, but I have half a bin full of ones they don't play with, and that they adamantly chose to keep.

So how long do I honor their wishes? 

I hate stuffed animals. 

Then while they were busy playing in their room, I peeked into their closet only to be reminded it was full of birthday toys and toys from LAST CHRISTMAS! I think there is even one in their from the Christmas before! 

Hi, my name is Mandy and I am the toy nazi.

Jeeze! I now have days until another toy invasion!

Unless the zombie apocalypse hammers down on us Friday, in which case I won't have to wrap all of this OR make my first car payment!

Zombie can't be that bad, right?

Jack- lo- Mantern & The Snor'eastercane

 We finally carved a pumpkin!

This is the first time we've ever carved a pumpkin as a couple, as a family, and my first time since maybe elementary school. I think the ladies were mostly confused as to what we were doing, but once the process was under way they were overly excited.

The only one brave enough to dig in with me. 

Hands like a surgeon, or serial killer. 

Eagerly watching.

Our jack-lo-mantern.

I know I should correct, but that is irresistibly cute!

After a fun, family evening we continued enjoy fall today. The girls have been enamored with leaf fights. I even laid down the other day and let them cover me with leaves. I'm still itching from that! However, since there is a Snor'eastercane on the way I wanted to soak up that last bit of fall before all the leaves are blown from the trees and float away in the flood. 

Don't you love it!

But back to this snor'eastercane, people need to get a grip! It's going to rain, the wind will blow, the world will however not be ending and no amount of batteries, water, and toilet paper will save you if it does! Stocking up on perishables is also not a fantastic idea because the power will probably be going out and you can only eat and cook sooo much before you fall into a food coma. I will comp to buying three gallons of milk, but I can guarantee you that nearly all of that will be gone when dear Sandy makes landfall! 

So work will be hell this weekend. I will probably lose power at some point. But everyone cross your fingers that the storm surge isn't horrible! Enjoy the weekend for me!!

Apple Season

We headed to the orchard early Sunday morning with some of our favorite people. We met up with HAM, Auntie Hobbles, and the neighbor girl for some apple picking!

Ironically the child who seemed most enthusiastic about apple picking was Claire, the child who doesn't eat apples. Go figure

Waiting for Mr. Bob to get the tractor we played around.

DAREDEVIL

Digging in deep for the good ones.

All the rotten apples on the ground just rubbed us all the wrong way. It seems so wasteful!

Of course you need to sample.

And double fist.

And sample some more.

And run wild. Always run wild. 

Posed pictures, not my speciality.

Hello contrast!

BwThe 5 year old in me still thinks the bottoms of apples are their butts. This one is hanging out for all the world to see! Bwhahahaha!

She carried this blessed apple all through the fields, on the tractor ride back, and through check out but has yet to eat it. 

Oh Marcia...

Then we went to visit the animals. 

Whose live each day eager to see little hands with feed bags.

We chased the barn cats.

And made ourselves at home in other peoples' houses.

Some of us aren't so enthusiastic about the animals. 

This is the same goat that Auntie caught making a get away. How bold!

I saw this and immediately thought of Marcia. It's rustic beauty. 

After the farm we headed home for lunch before heading back out to a family birthday party. I'm so glad the ladies got to play with their cousins. It was a LOOOOOOOOOOONG day and I was so happy to finally crawl into bed! I knew the next day held apple sauce making with toddlers and I could have used all the rest I could get!