Friday Flashback

What? Doesn’t everyone dress like the Dutch for their 10^th birthday?

In my defense, it was my birthday and my Aunt was living in Holland at the time. (And yes, I have three scrunchies on one arm and at least one on the other. I was COOL people!)

Happy Friday!

Lily

Thought Vomit Thursday - Clipboards

I love clipboards. I know, that’s a weird thing to love, but I do. They are good for so many things. Need something to write on? Here’s a clipboard! Need a place to hang multiple papers? Here’s a clipboard? Need to keep unruly children in line? Here’s a shotgun clipboard! See! So many uses!

I've always recognized the value of clipboards but my love truly blossomed when I got my first “real” job after college. I worked in a library. (Did you know some really WEIRD people work in libraries? Like the guy with the elbow patches and fedora. He was…something. No, I do not have elbow patches – I don’t even own a sports coat. That would be weird. Just because I worked in a library doesn’t mean I own a sports coat! I am a GIRL! Girls own blazers. Yes, I own a couple of blazers – no, they don’t have elbow patches! Stop judging me just because I worked in a library…ok, a science library…annex. Whatever! I said stop judging me!)

So my job was…boring. Yeah, that’s a good word for it. But being the goody goody (on the outside) that I am, I needed to “look” busy (because on the inside I’m just a slacker). So when I wasn’t sitting in my office emailing Smidge I would take my clipboard and roam around the library looking at random books and making “notes” on my clipboard. (Genius, I know!) It was highly effective. (Except for that one time when my boss asked me what project I was working on. I said something but I don’t know if it was coherent. Whatever. Would you please stop judging me!)

This “technique”, let’s call it clipboarding (I just thought of that! I wish I had thought of it back them! Maybe I can make it the new craze, kind of like planking! OOH! I see this getting BIG!) was really very helpful in getting me through the day. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes I had legitimate uses for the clipboard, but chances were good that if I had a clipboard in my hand I was just trying to look busy so I didn’t bang my head on my desk in the back office.

I left that job after a year (and they eliminated my position after I left. That just shows you how “vital” I really was.) but my love of clipboards has remained! Is there a national Clipboard Day? There should be! Maybe I should write a letter.

Lily

Fresh Look or Scary Eyesore?

So? What do you think? Do you like the new look? It all started because I wanted to create a new header. I really like how it came out (the pictures) (Thank you for your help Daily Mom!) but I didn’t like the new header with my old background picture. It just didn’t go. I browsed through the Blogger templates but I really want it to be “my own”, ya know? So the purple with the white is what I came up with in Paint. (Yes, I used MS Paint, aren’t I creative?) I went through like 7 or 8 editions before my eye started twitching  settling on this one. I’m not in love with it but I haven’t come up with anything better yet. I want it to be kind of simple but also have a little pizzazz to it. If any of you creative people  have any suggestions I’d like to hear them!




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UPDATE: I'd really like to take credit for the current background but I can't. My paint version lasted a day before a wonderful reader suggested this photo instead. Although I liked showing off my mad MSPaint skillz, I am just not that creative or talented! :-)

Lily

My inner artist...or a poor attempt to take a nice picture

I love to take pictures. I’m not especially talented (and completely incompetent when it comes to people subjects) but every now and then I manage to get a really great inanimate shot. (It helps that I have a super awesome camera now.) Here are some of my favorites.

 (My husband, kids, and me made this bird feeder from scratch)

 (This is a nicer picture when it's bigger. If you look closely you can see the splash just left of center.)

Lily

Dear Bud

Dear Bud,

No one is perfect. We all have our flaws. We all have our bad habits. You won’t get your way every time. People will be mean. Opportunities will be lost. Your heart will be broken. If I teach you nothing else, I pray that you will learn to pick yourself up. I pray that you will learn to forgive. I pray that you will roll with the punches, even when you can barely breathe. I pray you do not let fear of the unknown rule your life. I pray you will learn your lesson but live your life. I pray, with all that I have, that you will learn to be flexible; that you will learn to turn the other cheek. I pray that you will learn from your mistakes and see that there is room in all of us to be better. People will stumble, you will stumble. Get back up. Brush yourself off.

You are growing so fast. Every so often I catch a glimpse of the man you will become. You have so much potential. You are so smart. You are so curious. I hope that things come easy to you but I hope that you see the value of hard work. I hope you see that a little effort now will bring big rewards in the future. I hope you don’t back down when it gets tough. I hope that you will stand up for what you believe, even when it’s not popular. I hope you learn that you can’t control everything and it’s ok that you can’t.

I watch you struggle with fear. “What if” statements have come to rule your life. I don’t have the answers. I don’t know how to make your fear go away. I don’t know how to calm your nerves. I don’t know.

I do know that I need to help you. You can’t go on being scared of everything. Yes, some of it is just a phase – you are so young – but I can’t sit back and watch you struggle and not offer a hand. I want to instill the right habits, give you a path, show you how to handle your troubles. I don’t know how. Not yet. But I am trying. I am your mother. I am your ally. You need to do the work but I will be by your side. It is your burden but I will be by your side. You will make bad decisions, and I must let you, but I will be by your side. I promise I will be by your side.

Lily

Friday Flashback

This was my Archie comic book collection mid-90’s. It grew bigger before I stopped reading them because I was old enough to buy them with my money and those things are expensive. I took the picture to send in so I could be one of the super cool kids who got their pictures in the back of one of the comics, except I never actually sent in the picture. I like to think I was just too cool! Or maybe I was a slacker and just didn't get around to it.

 Happy Friday!

Lily

Thought Vomit Thursday

So you might not know this about me but I think about some really random crap. (I know! Hard to believe, right!) Most of the time I spare you guys the details but I have come across the perfect platform to spew my mind vomit all across the Internet.

Thought Vomit Thursdays was brought to my attention by Josey over at “My Cheap Version of therapy” (Go ahead and click the link. She’s fun.) I’m really looking forward to this feature and plan to stick with it for as long as I can. Here goes…

Our DVR is 89% full. The fall TV lineup starts tonight. I have shows I haven’t watched from back in April. I’m thinking I have to admit defeat, just skip to the season finales and go from there.

LET’S GO RANGERS! Rangers preseason started last night!!! (Yes, I get this excited about preseason. Just wait until the REAL season begins!)

I’m gettin all sassy in my old age. I find myself barely being able to control the words that come out of my mouth when someone is being stupid. Sometimes, I can’t control it and I say things like “Stop being an asshole.” Surprisingly, this hasn’t gone over so well.

I have been known to say the wrong things in response to someone’s action. For example, a student handed me a withdrawal form, I signed it, gave her the student copy and said “Good Luck”. I don’t really know what she needs luck for, but at least she’s got it now!

Face paint is a sure-fire fix for a lackluster sick-day. 

This is, apparently, his "mean" face.

Please don't critique me on my painting skills. 

 Rambo or fashion model? You decide.

I don't think a fairy should be able to wrestle a gun away from Rambo but never say never.

Lily

Sick child blues

Nothing like starting your day to diarreha and vomiting. I really can't think of a better way. Who wants to get dressed in peace, eat breakfast in peace, do a few chores before the children wake up in peace when you can get dressed with a child sobbing at your feet because his tummy hurts only to just make it to the toilet in time (oh, dear Lord! Thank you!) then to put him back in bed only to have him vomit all over his sheets that you just washed. Yes, it has been a fun morning! And now, of course, because he expelled all of his bodily fluids he is now feeling perky and obnoxious much better! Damn that school rule that says you must keep your child home from school for 24 hrs after a vomiting incident!
Lily

Friday Flashback

In light of the recent Ms. Universe competition I feel that today’s Flashback is highly appropriate. I don’t know about you but I think I would have given Leila Lopes a serious run for her money!

Lily

I CAN'T WAIT!

I don’t live close to my family but we do get to see each other on a regular basis. We make it a point to get together every few months. This weekend two of my cousins are coming up to visit and I don’t know if I can contain my excitement!

KD has two kids that are just a little bit younger than each of mine…which means it’s hella fun when they get together! Usually we just see them for the day at my Grandma’s house but this will be their first sleep over visit! Bud is nearly splitting at the seams for them to get here! He’s already packed some of his Toy Story green army men in a shopping bag to give to G as a present! He’s prepared people!!

When I tell Babe that M is coming she runs to the fridge screaming her name and pointing at her picture, laughing and clapping her hands. I’m thinking we are going to have a good weekend!

Memories....

M and Babe circa two years ago

G, M, Babe, and Bud circa two years ago

Me, KM, and KD circa a super long time ago.
 Each and every one of us is a fashionista!
KD really has that bored teenager thing going on while KM has the "I'm gunna die if I don't get out of here soon" look. I think it was the farmer shirt and red bow. My sweater was slammin! And that necklace! I don't know why I'm not working in the fashion industry!

Also circa a super long time ago (J, KM, KD, and me from left to right)

We didn't plan it but we all showed up for the party in purple shirts. We be cool like that, yo! (And yes, I was wearing slouch socks.)

Lily

Babe's First Day

You know your child has a good teacher when she sends you an email about your child’s first day AND posts pictures of their activities, all within two hours of the class ending. (And before I was even able to upload my pictures from earlier in the morning!)

It looks like Babe had a GREAT first day!

I was kneeling to take the picture and she thought she had to kneel too

Still trying to convince her to stand all the way up!

Ok, Mom, I'll do a little dance for you.

 And I'll show you how smart I am by counting on my fingers.

 And I'll show you that I may be 2 but I can still have attitude! Enough with the pictures already!

Her GIANT backpack
(which incidentally, I saw one of the college kids walking across campus in the SAME one just the other day. I tried to get a picture but she was weaving in the crowd too much and I didn't want to be crazy stalker staff member taking pictures of all the college girls!)

  Her teacher posted this picture

 And this one

Lily

I let them eat candy and smoke cigarettes too!

I have a confession. I let my kids stay up really late. Wait, that’s not fair. I don’t LET them stay up late, I just DON’T put them to bed very early. Actually, we all go to bed at the same time. Let me shamelessly defend myself explain. By the time I get home from work it’s 5:00. Then I have to figure out what to make for dinner (did you guys know I suck at this task?) so by the time I’ve actually finished cooking and eating it’s usually later than 7. Then I have to clean up which makes it around 7:30. Being the lazy ass good mother that I am I like to plop myself on the couch and watch TV for a bit spend time with my kids. All of a sudden it’s 8:30 and they aren’t in PJ’s, their teeth aren’t brushed, and they are running around screaming and horsing around. (I’m awesome like that.) Then, as any mother knows, it’s not a simple walk upstairs, swiftly changing into pajamas and putting your groggy but happy child gently down on his or her pillow before softly closing the door to the sounds of “I love you Mommy!” No, it’s more along the lines of this.

Both of you, get up here and brush your teeth!

BUD, put the iPod down!

BUD, so help me god I will beat you senseless if you don’t put down Talking Tomcat and come brush your teeth! You will never play with my iPod again!!

Babe! Come over here so I can change your clothes!

B-ABE!!!!!! (yes, two syllables!)

BABE! Your toothbrush does not go in your pee pee!

BUD, stop making funny faces in the mirror and just brush your teeth!

BABE! Get your fingers out of your butt!! NO! Don’t put your fingers in your mouth! GROSS!

Bud, please get naked (he sleeps naked – it’s a decision he has made on his own).

Babe, get the floss out of your toes!

Bud, please get naked!

Babe, stop putting on Bud’s underwear from the laundry basket!

Bud, please, for the love of God, GET NAKED!

Ok, let’s get into the bedroom.

Ok, guys! Time for bed. Let’s go!

Babe, put down the toilet brush!

Bud, enough with the iPod, shut ‘er down!

IF YOU BOTH DON’T GET IN THE BEDROOM RIGHT NOW I’M GOING TO BREAK YOUR FACES HAVE TO PUNISH YOU!

Once we finally get teeth brushed and PJ’s on (or not on) Bud is pretty good about giving Dad goodnight kisses and letting me tuck him in to his own bed. Babe…not so much. It’s generally a 1 hour process that involves books, made up stories, singing, peep-a-boo from her bedroom door, and mumbled threats.

I know this routine is my fault. I know it can be fixed. My problem is I don’t know how. Time slips away. I want to spend time with them but I also must feed them. I can’t do both at the same time. Yes, they can be in the kitchen with me, and they generally are, but I can’t read them a book or do arts and crafts (those who know me probably just laughed at the thought of me doing arts and crafts – lets change that to playing outside). Plus, our kitchen isn’t that big and they get in the way. I’d prefer not to spill boiling water on them or have them get bumped into the oven, thank you very much! I also can’t see putting them to bed at 7:30. They aren’t tired. I can convince Bud to stay in his room but he wouldn’t fall asleep, and Babe would have nothing to do with staying in her room if she’s not tired.

The problem is Bud has to wake up for school now. Babe starts tomorrow and will have to as well. My mornings aren't any better as I haven't fully recovered from the nighttime routine. Something's got to give. I just haven't figured out how to fix it yet.

So tell me, what time do your kids get to bed? Are you June Cleaver or Peg Bundy with your bed time routine?

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While I say that I let my kids go to bed so late, my friend Smidge insists that I'm an old lady for going to bed by 9 every night. Sooo sorry, Smidge, not everyone can stay up until 2am watching Zulu movies!

Lily

Our weekend getaway

We had a great weekend! (You may remember my husband won a free trip to the Berkshires in Massachusetts.)

As expected, they were trying to sell us a timeshare. They did a really great job at the presentation. They almost got us too. Until they lied! I wonder if they really thought we wouldn’t check with my husband’s parents to confirm the deal they had gotten several years ago. When we told them that his parents own a time share through them they told us that they have a policy that allows them to offer us the same price his parent's paid all those years ago. (“What a great deal!”, said the sly fox.) They showed us the offer and it was way too high for us and we would never use all the weeks they said came in the package. (“Not to worry!”, said the sly fox) They offered us a much more reasonable deal that had our mouths watering. Then, we called my in-laws. They paid a third of what the sales manager said they did and have half the number of weeks. Long story short, don’t lie about something that is easily verifiable! Duh!

But besides the wasted three hours of our life that we will never get back, we had a fabulous time together. We played in the park for hours (conveniently located right outside our door!) and took a hike, did some shopping, and even fit in a chilly swim session. Take a look…

 View of the ski mountains from the playground.

 The kids were ordering "chicken nugget burgers" from me.(That's what Babe calls her chicken nuggets from McDonald's.)

 Who's the bad mother who forgot floaties?

 Typical!

This was the hidden pond we discovered while on our nature hike. 

Lily