tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100657602024-03-14T04:07:55.202-04:00Living In Perfect ChaosJennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-27267668050881060532010-08-03T14:41:00.002-04:002010-08-03T15:11:32.493-04:00KINDERGARTENAhh, yes. The time for tears has come. For me, that is. Isabella is fine. She's more than fine. She is ready for big girl school! I don't know what or how, but in the last two weeks, she has started reading and her drawings have become much more meaningful and detailed. <br /><br />Is this what happens when a child is about to enter big school? It makes me so joyful for her and sad for me. IzzyB is definitely no longer a baby and I know that elementary school will only catapult her further into being a big kid. I know that iCarly and Hannah Montana loom in the distance. I've shielded her from all that crap as long as I could. However, now she will be in a school that varies in ages from 5 to 12. EEK!<br /><br />Ava is super jealous. She has two more years of pre-k before she too heads to big school. The difference between a first born and a second is incredible. Ava is a very mature 3 1/2 year old. Anything Bella can do, she thinks she can do better. I'm not about to discourage her but good grief, she's my last baby and already she wants a school uniform and first reader books!<br /><br />The girls have had a fantastic summer full of love, friendship, spit and fire. Sisterhood. Fortunately, they love each other FAR more than they dislike each other. There is a definite individualism sprouting with the two of them. Yes, they can play together for hours, but then there is Ava shutting us out of her room while she changes clothes. Or Bella, hiding keepsakes in special places in her room and requesting that NO ONE even bother to guess what or where.<br /><br />Privacy.<br /><br />Does it begin this early? Apparently so. We generally have a no shut door policy but if a girl wants to change into her princess pjs in private, I think she should have the right to do just that. Ava is almost embarrassed to ask me to wipe her behind for her, but thankfully she'd still rather do that than end up with skidmarks in her day of the week undies.<br /><br />Bella regressed for a couple of weeks this summer. Pre-6 year old birthday. Maybe she too was realizing that she was beginning a new chapter in her life. For a while, she requested that we carry her, brush her teeth, give her our earlobe to rub (remember that from years past?). <br /><br />Then she learned to swim. On her own. With nary a floatie within reach. Freedom. And she loved it. For two weeks, she learned how to take care of herself and I could see progress daily with her confidence and self-esteem. When the instructor said she was good enough to be on a swim team, Bella beamed up at him and then at me, her face full of pride and accomplishment.<br /><br />My Kindergartener. Sure, she could've gone to K last year as a very young, immature 5 year old. But listening to that inner voice of parenting wisdom and the love of her pre-k teachers, we decided to wait until she was 6. And it is truly one of the best things we ever did for our formerly timid, insecure child.<br /><br />Bella is ready. And so am I. Let the adventures begin!!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-58749903364074820402010-05-14T16:43:00.002-04:002010-05-14T17:04:10.855-04:00Pants On FireOh, my goodness, I am such a liar! I said I'd start blogging again and posted 3 times. Sheesh. You'd think life is busy or something.<br /><br />We're ending the school year. I have so many mixed feelings about it. Bella is starting Kindergarten in the fall. What? Why? She doesn't help matters with the fact that she is totally into Barbie and wants to wear all of her shirts off the shoulder. Seriously. It is almost a daily battle. How do you tell a nearly 6 year old that you simply don't want her to look like a slut?<br /><br />We finally compromised on bathing suits. She can NOT have a bikini, but we will allow a tankini. And toenails can be painted shades of pink but we draw the line at hot pink. <br /><br />Bella's taste in friends is going from rough n' tumble boys with imaginations to girly girls with giant bows and frilly skirts who discuss those rough n' tumble boys with mock disgust.<br /><br />Oh my, are we in for a long ride.<br /><br />Following close at her heels is baby sister who is no longer a baby. Ava insists that everyone know she is three AND A HALF. Nothing less is acceptable. She mimics her sister in every way but adds her own flair. And sass. I can still pick out Bella's clothes with her but Ava wants to do it all by herself. I should really post some of the outfits my child puts together. She's good! Ava is all about finding colors in clothes that match but has no qualms about mixing prints and layering. My little trendsetter *beaming*<br /><br />We so adore my girls. We're a little sad to be done with having children, but not TOO sad. We have balance in the family with the 4 of us. Well, technically, my husband and dog Zeus are outnumbered even more considering we just got two female Betta fish, but he's absolutely happy with that. Zeus would just be happy to eat the fish, no matter their gender. <br /><br />I used to love blogging and looking back over the years, I've enjoyed reading about moments in our life that I haven't thought of. So, I will really try to return more often. I know that I would've loved if my mom had kept a journal of our life...all the good and the bad. <br /><br />See you soon! And I'm not lying this time!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-64470520152134669462010-02-01T12:21:00.003-04:002010-02-01T12:43:33.232-04:00Always Learning<strong>The upside to a mild UTI for a 5 year old? She figures out the pause button on the TV remote pretty quickly.</strong><br /><br />For those of you who don't like to rely on antibiotics, I have been very pleased with D-Mannose in treating Bella's UTI. <br /><br />D-Mannose is a natural occurring simple sugar that's a safe, practical alternative (even for infants) for the treatment of urinary tract infections. D-Mannose is absorbed eight times slower than glucose, and when ingested, is not converted to glycogen or stored in the liver, but rather goes directly to the blood stream from the upper GI tract. Hence, D-Mannose is mostly filtered through the kidneys and routed to the bladder.<br /><br />It is also 10x stronger than cranberry which is great because Bella refuses cranberry in any shape or form.<br /><br />I don't consider myself "alternative" or a hippie, but I do like having options for my family's health and well-being!<br /><br />Happy Monday!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-68756631887823350712010-01-27T15:58:00.003-04:002010-01-27T17:17:23.849-04:00Life's StoriesI find life to be full of surprises, mostly funny, though sometimes not. I also find that we human beings aren't as different from each other as we think we like to think are. <br /><br />Everyone has a story. Everyone likes to share their story. I have to mentally make myself shut up from telling my stories simply because someone has told me theirs and I might have one similar. Sometimes I can hardly stand to be quiet cuz my stories seem so funny to me and I want others to laugh along. Is that ego or just wanting to connect with others? <br /><br />That's why I blog. I can tell all the stories I want! Even those that I had to shut up about earlier in the day.<br /><br />My brother is in Breckenridge, CO for his first ever ski experience. He's really excited but has no clue what's in store for him. I've asked him to take pics (he's already texted one to me) and remember all the gory details of learning to ski.<br /><br />Because MY ski experience was a complete disaster! I look back on it now and laugh but at the time I was thoroughly pissed.<br /><br />We went on our honeymoon to the gorgeous mountains of Whistler Blackcomb, BC, Canada. It is where the 2010 winter Olympics are being held for cryin out loud. I had no business skiing for the first time THERE. Nonetheless, hubby and I wanted to do something fun and a little crazy for our honeymoon. That seemed to fit the bill.<br /><br />Whistler is absolutely beautiful and serene. Driving up through the mountains on the side of cliffs was breathtaking. Watching a small boulder narrowly miss us as it fell from the cliff was a wee bit life threatening.<br /><br />We stayed in a fabulous townhome we'd rented, complete with a private hot tub outdoors. Perfect for honeymooners but, even more importantly, medically necessary for a beginner skiier in Whistler.<br /><br />The morning started out great. I was to take a full day of lessons since I'd never even seen a ski up close. Wearing all that gear felt ridiculous. My leg muscles refused to cooperate with the simple task of scootching over to the instructor.<br /><br />1/2 hour later, I was at least moving with both skiis lined up. 2 hours later, I was mastering the snow plow. If you don't ski, that is where you almost but not quite cross your seemingly 30 foot skiis in the front to slow your butt down as you speed down a powdery hill.<br /><br />Lunch time came. I was feeling pretty good about my progress. Turns out, my new darling husband thought I was AMAZING on skiis. Really? Oh. Okay! What? You want me to take the rest of the afternoon to learn with you instead since I'm so awesome? GREAT! <br /><br />The instructor just shook her head and waved goodbye. I figured she had her money anyway and didn't really care what I did.<br /><br />So we start out. I fall. I fall every 2 seconds. Small children on short skiis with no poles are flying by me. <br /><br />New hubby is eyeing me with concern. He asked me to remember this move or that as I curse the skiis flying off again. <br /><br />Me: What "moves" are you talking about??<br /><br />Hubby: Ummm. Weren't you over there to the left in your lovely blue ski jacket cutting back and forth?<br /><br />Me: No. I was over there on the right running into the other newbies during my snow plows.<br /><br />Hubby: Crap. (it may or may not have been a stronger word)<br /><br /><br />So we literally spent the next 2 1/2 hours trying to get me off of the bunny slopes. It was excruciating! God bless my husband because he was SO PATIENT with me and I knew he really wanted to leap onto the gondola and ski the black slopes with abandon.<br /><br />I pretty much fell down the mountain that day. Almost at the bottom of Blackcomb, I was so mad that I finally got the hang of it. And then I spent the rest of our weeklong vacation in the hot tub, watching movies and hiking a mountain once my limbs resumed use.<br /><br />I'm excited for my brother. I hope no matter how his first experience skiing turns out, he comes home in good condition with a great story.<br /><br />Wait until he goes to the Grand Canyon. Boy, do I have a story to tell then!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-53634866754032664092010-01-20T12:47:00.004-04:002010-01-20T13:32:38.963-04:00Age Appropriate Honesty Or Just Total BS?We're quite relaxed about nudity. The girls ask questions about my body, giggle at it (thanks) and inquire about Hubby's anatomy. I want the girls to have a healthy view of their own bodies and also know that a male's body isn't some big mystery. We discuss personal privacy and the fact that some subjects are better left discussing with Mom & Dad.<br /><br />However, inquiring minds still want to know everything.<br /><br />My girls are fascinated with how they got here. We keep the rated R details out of our explanations but sometimes the conversation throws a curve ball and we're faced with a question we either have to dance around or tackle head on.<br /><br />The other day, they were asking about their births. Easy enough, right?<br /><br /><strong>How tiny were we when we were born?</strong> - <em>I would show them an approximate length</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>How did we get out of your tummy?</strong> - <em>The doctor cut my tummy to get you out (yay for c-sections when it comes to the birth questions)</em><br /><br /><strong>Didn't it hurt?</strong> - <em>No, I was given medicine so it wouldn't hurt AND I was so happy they were about to be born that all I could feel was love (embellishment is acceptable)</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>What is that blurry picture?</strong> - <em>A sonogram. A picture of you in my tummy.</em><br /><br /><strong>Did they know I was a girl when I was in your tummy?</strong> - <em>(Uh oh) Yes.</em><br /><br /><strong>Could they see my girl privates?</strong> - <em>...yes...</em><br /><br /><strong>Boys have boy privates. They are called hangers.</strong> - <em>Oh? (We're in the vehicle. There's no escape)</em><br /><br /><strong>Yes. Boys have hangers. Daddy does. Ben does. Grandpa does.</strong> - <em>Mmmhmm.</em> <em>(Had to throw Grandpa into the mix? Really??)</em><br /><br /><em>Ava pipes in: Boys have hangers, Mommy! Girls don't!</em><br /><br /><strong>But they aren't really called hangers.</strong> <strong>What are they called?</strong> - <em>(Turn up radio NOW) </em><br /><br />I would normally tell the girls that boys have a penis except I know that my friends with boys call it quirky names and NOT penis. I am not gonna be guilty of using a word they obviously aren't ready to use with their children who own one.<br /><br /><em>We call them boy privates.</em><br /><em></em><br /><strong>Do you think it feels funny when they sit on it? Their privates, I mean?</strong> - <em>Well, why don't you ask Daddy? (finally, my out!)</em> <br /><br />I could tell Bella had filed this question for later. She and Ava spent the rest of the ride arguing about who was the tiniest baby.<br /><br />When Hubby gets home that evening, the girls immediately start asking their questions. <br /><br /><strong>Daddy, does it hurt when you sit on your hanger?</strong> <em>- No, does it hurt when you sit on your girl privates? (He looks at me and mouths "Hanger?" I shrug. Their word, not mine) </em><br /><br /><strong>Bella ponders and says, No, but I don't have a hanger</strong> -<em> Good point.</em><br /><br /><strong>Daddy, what do you call your boy privates?</strong> - <em>My penis.</em><br /><br /><br />Great. Now I have to warn the mothers.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-81750292997454858082010-01-15T09:48:00.002-04:002010-01-15T09:53:03.364-04:00The Abyss of LifeTa-Dah! Here I am once again. Home sweet blog home. What? No more readers? Nobody hung around for the last several months waiting for my grand return? Mom?<br /><br />I've missed blogging. I didn't realize how much I like writing full sentences until I joined Facebook and started giving sometimes witty status updates. Not as fulfilling as one might think.<br /><br />So, I'm back to the blogosphere. Not for anyone else but me. As it was and as it should be.<br /><br />See you in a few months.<br /><br />I'm kidding! Oh, silly me.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-45306944079070090742009-08-15T12:09:00.002-04:002009-08-15T12:19:57.414-04:00Ze Queen Hath Spoken...Isabella is a decision maker. Not that she reaches her final decision quickly but when she's ready for change, she plows ahead and doesn't look back.<br /><br />Bella decided 3 nights ago that she wanted to start sleeping in the big girl bed in the room next to ours. She didn't require anything from me other than a goodnight kiss and turning off the light on my way out. I was shocked!<br /><br />This is the same child who has slept in Mommy & Daddy's bed since I was pregnant with Ava. The very child who would rub Daddy's earlobe to help her fall asleep. And now she's in the room next door hidden among 15,000 stuffed animals and dolls, snoozing until 9am.<br /><br />We admit we miss feeling her toes knead our legs and her arms smacking our face in the night.<br /><br />Even after 5 years of knowing and growing with Isabella, she still surprises me. She definitely likes to be in control of her own gig...at some point. Whether it is quitting breastfeeding, diapers, the crack paci or crying at school, when Isabella is ready to move on, she simply does it!<br /><br />So while her Daddy and I pout a bit over her newfound independence, we are also bursting with pride at her ability to know when she's ready for change and she goes for it.<br /><br />She is named for a queen, after all.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-37355048947934822982009-08-13T20:32:00.004-04:002009-08-13T20:37:25.529-04:00Too Busy To Blog<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0sxye4-xX8RbBKlBNBSUruiS8AGJhhkI8p6HC1Qz30YfIALc0T7n7NLhEwcHV0IS8vRKZpQRl-dIvox-AyvvUfHTm0_wBK2CLb_TLPxV-Qn5IThVib4mrvgTj-O46nQJ29Tf/s1600-h/DSC05466.JPG"></a>No worries. We're alive. </div><div align="center">We just play so hard, we pass out.</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLV2GrpUDPwuZykhmQTT6ZemahHJ_m61irz8cGwbC5ohZ-HNxt5UmehgoUVRRUpm66ZrKWWQZSCaxFu77Hl7lV7jGZEVcuSYLA799NUTft-c4UwsJCh1FBE9gOq0YT4fio3xU/s1600-h/Nap+Scene+Aug+09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369611310387090914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLV2GrpUDPwuZykhmQTT6ZemahHJ_m61irz8cGwbC5ohZ-HNxt5UmehgoUVRRUpm66ZrKWWQZSCaxFu77Hl7lV7jGZEVcuSYLA799NUTft-c4UwsJCh1FBE9gOq0YT4fio3xU/s320/Nap+Scene+Aug+09.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-49176907446946221902009-07-21T11:43:00.006-04:002009-07-21T12:07:57.602-04:00SpectatorsBoys are strange beings. We all know that. They just don't know that.<br /><br />Bella has a cute friend named Ben who talks like a robot or roars like a dinosaur whenever we see him. Never a normal hello. That would be boring!<br /><br />We also know that boys are visually stimulated. They like things that move. And before their brain slides to their pants, it is fairly rated G. Fast cars, football, bugs, air guitar, their pee stream, etc.<br /><br />Even after puberty rocks their world, there's still a little boy lurking around, waiting for something to move and entertain them. <br /><br />Hubby went to a networking event one evening and came home rather dumbfounded. It seems that as he was talking to a current client, she brought up that while she loves that her husband keeps their yard so lovely, he obsesses over the sprinkler.<br /><br />Not the sprinkler system installed by a professional. No, he likes to manually hook up a twirly sprinkler to the hose, drag it all around the yard and watch in a daze while the water quenches his lawn's thirst.<br /><br />My husband was taken aback because HE DOES THIS! <br /><br />I think I got over it years ago. Watching my husband stand in one spot during the 20 minutes of a new area he's watering is just old hat to me. But I find it hilarious that hearing about someone else doing the exact same thing resulted in Hubby's shock over it. <br /><br />Guys always like to think that no one else is ever like them, even remotely. I'm glad I wasn't the one to burst that bubble.<br /><br />Oh, and of course staring at the grill while it does its magic on chicken or ribs. I'm sure no other man does that either!<br /><br />I love you, Honey!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-56903687826089494292009-06-24T18:16:00.003-04:002009-06-25T09:39:18.180-04:00Gimme Five!<div align="left">Tuesday morning on her 5th birthday, Bella found a beautiful figurine of Tinkerbell on her nightstand. She was in awe all day of who possibly brought the lovely statue. Was it the Paci Fairy? Or maybe the Tooth Fairy? Or MAYBE it was Tink herself?? She swears she has heard tinkling sounds coming from her bedroom since.</div><br />I love that Hubby helped create this sweet magical memory for Isabella. He picked it out especially for her. It is similar to those "wooden" Willow figurines at Hallmark but it is Tink and she's pretty colors. The message at the bottom says "Let Your Dreams Blossom." He's such a wonderful daddy.<br /><br />Today Ava pointed to the Tink statue and exclaimed, "Look, Bella! Its Tink from China!"<br /><br /><br />I kid you not.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>------------- Kidbits -------------</div><br /><br /><div></div>Ava: I'm Gran's dawder.<br /><br /><br />Me: You are Gran's granddaughter.<br /><br /><br />Ava: Mmmmhmmm...I'm Gran's dawder.<br /><br /><br />Nevermind.<br /><br /><br /><br />------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /><br />Bella woke me up at 3am this morning.<br /><br />She whispered: Momma, I just dreamed about blowing carrot bubbles! *giggles*<br /><br /><br />I think I just patted her head and went back to sleep.<br /><br /><br /><br />------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /><br />I can't believe this beautiful child before me was just 5 lbs 12 oz five years ago! What a wonderful time we're having being her Momma and Daddy and Little Sister. Bella's got a long list of things she wants to do now that she's five so here's to another awesome year!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">We love you, Bellarena!!</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351258813217920530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HiWv95voFCA2GSaItmu7uTz6ZFuXy2PJifSA8GIVuyRjDv29LFPomOp6CZHaCJhs_HzW6BTmML-I6QkSqRG9iJOkS9_S9t3aYJAZa1H2zxpOfy_webxldX_qDe9ZvflRZlc7/s320/DSC05206.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-23044044957356786662009-06-18T17:08:00.005-04:002009-06-18T17:51:20.983-04:00How Many Fingers Am I, Momma?Babies are wonderful. They smell good, they are cuddly. They smile with unabashed love.<br /><br />Toddlers ROCK. They are spunky, sparkly, argumentative, imaginative and smile as well as hug with unabashed love.<br /><br />Ava's a yapper. She's been talking for a long time. At 2 1/2, she's at the stage where new and big words are very fun. She also creates her own words.<br /><br />You want examples? Splendid!<br /><br /> Ava wears a rainsuit to go swimming.<br /><br /> She loves to drink Dr. Peppermint.<br /><br /> Her Papa (great grandfather), who is very sick, needs alot of lovins. <br /><br /> <br />Big words as of late:<br /><br /> Danjuous - "Mommy, walking on the woad is danjuous"<br /><br /> Adowable - "Maggie is a cutie-pie and adowable"<br /><br /> Cussumuh - "We had two cussumuhs come look at the house, Mommy!"<br /><br />Her facial expressions are hilarious. Eyebrows shoot up, eyes get huge. Everything is over the top and she makes lots of "o's" with her mouth when excited, which is often.<br /><br />Her favorite person on Earth? Isabella. Ava is her big sister's mini-me with flair. And Bella's got plenty of flair of her own so you can just imagine the entertainment quality around here!<br /><br />It is easy to get caught up in the every day chores of life but when I take a moment to sit still, I smile as I listen to my little girls pretend play in the other room. <br /><br />"No Alice! Don't step in the fiery pit of the volcano!"<br /><br />Shrieking...<br /><br />"Alice! Alice! I save you!"<br /><br />"No, Ava, you're Alice and you're dead."<br /><br />"Okay, Bella!"<br /><br />Rustling sounds. Grunting. (most likely because she's lugging Alice around the room)<br /><br />"Wanna play school now?"<br /><br />"Okay, Bella!"<br /><br /><br />Come to think of it...SISTERS rock!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-43066543499600693252009-06-15T10:45:00.002-04:002009-06-15T12:04:45.649-04:00Two Decades Later...Hubby had his 20 year high school reunion this past weekend. It was the strangest event I've ever attended. <br /><br />Most everyone met at a downtown club on Friday night called 8.0. This was supposed to be the relaxed reunion before the formal reunion the next night (in other words, for those who didn't find it necessary to fork out $40/person for the real reunion).<br /><br />At first, Hubster was over it. He had no interest in seeing people he hadn't seen since the 10-year reunion. He figured if they were really friends, they'd already be a part of our life. <br /><br />Then Friday night rolled around. Old high school buddies were blowing his phone up with texts. At 5:30, he called me to say he really wanted to go. Fine by me. I've been busting my butt prepping our house to sell and an adult beverage along with adult conversation sounded appealing.<br /><br />My MIL saved the day to watch the girls for us. She has a cousin visting and dumped her to watch her grandgirls till midnight. Now that's love!<br /><br />Let me just say that I have NEVER seen my husband so nervous. He's not a nervous kind of guy! But he was a wreck Friday night. Too much beer gut? Would everyone notice his hair is thinning? He even picked out an outfit similar to what he might've worn in '89. I had to intervene on that one, of course.<br /><br />After dinner, we went to 8.0. Hubby was worried (again, such unusual behaviour!) that we were the first ones there. He saw a friend named Paul. So, we were the second ones there. Former classmates started trickling in soon after.<br /><br />Watching this 20 year reunion was just like a Ben Stiller type movie. People greeting one another with a total question mark on their face as to who's hand they were shaking. There were obvious comparisons of who looked different, fatter, better, weirder, balder than the last reunion. The women didn't even hide their contempt for some and surprise at others. Guys cursed one another in a jovial manner but there was a hint of true disdain sometimes.<br /><br />And hardly any spouses of classmates were there. Isn't that STRANGE? My hubby had insisted I go. Why wouldn't a spouse want to see a glimpse of their loved ones' past? Shoot, I've already heard all the stories from the group of friends from HS that are a part of our lives. Numerous times. And yes, the stories get more exaggerated with each telling.<br /><br />The hilarious and highlight of the evening was when we ran into "Jill". Hubby dated her most of high school and then dumped her in a not-so-gentle manner when he realized there were other fish in the sea. At the 10 year reunion, Jill still hadn't gotten over it. This time she tried harder. <br /><br />There was idle chatter about who worked where, lived where, how many kids, are the folks still living here, etc. Then silence. Both Jill and Hubby were trying to not bail out rudely but neither had anything to say. So you could hear the crickets chirping. Really. We were outside on the club patio.<br /><br />Finally, a friend who's a real-life friend showed up and, oh, the relief on my husband's face! I cracked up. Inside, of course. We said our polite goodbyes to Jill and bolted.<br /><br />As the evening went on and the drinks were increasingly consumed, there was more laughter and less awkwardness. I was kind of suprised at how little reminiscing there was. Perhaps because 20 years later, high school's impact on who we are has diminished? Maybe because everyone has taken such vastly different paths in life? Some cling to the high school years, for sure. And there were definitely those who were on the prowl for a hook-up. Ew.<br /><br />In all, I have to say that attending my husband's 20 year reunion has confirmed that I will not be attending mine. Sorry, former classmates! You'll just have to choose another Most Popular 20 Years Later.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-33193871773615591702009-06-08T17:51:00.005-04:002009-06-08T18:17:32.037-04:00Do They Still Make Calgon??<div>Sorry I haven't posted in so long, ye loyal 4 readers. (hi, Mom!)</div><br /><p>Ahhh....where do I begin??</p><div>School is out. We're in the second week of summer and already my children are prepping for fall. While at McDonald's (Old McDonald's, they call it) the girls spent the entire time pretending to go to school. We've been pumping up how very awesome school is and now there's a slight possibility they won't even go there.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Why, you ask?</div><br /><div></div><div>We've just put our house up for sale. After 8 years in this wonderful blessing of a home, we've decided to get the heck out of Dodge. Whether this will all happen at a mule's pace is beyond me. </div><br /><div></div><div>We've also come up with a crazy ass plan. I have to say "crazy ass" cuz it is.</div><div></div><br /><div>We PLAN to sell our house, move into a condo temporarily, sell our renter house, fix up my mother-in-law's house, sell it, move all our butts about 45 minutes away to a town outside of the Big City onto a couple of acres of land with a big house, a big pool and a lil' bitty house for my MIL.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Told you it was crazy ass.</div><br /><div></div><div>The girls are thrilled. Bella wants a house like Tara. If you recall, that is the Colonial style home in Gone With The Wind. See what happens when you leave movie books laying around? Kids get ideas.</div><br /><div></div><div>Speaking of my big angel, Bella will be five in a couple of weeks. FIVE! </div><div></div><br /><div>I'm already loving leaving the 4's though. Like magic, she's been sweeter, more loving and helpful. Don't tell me it is just because her birthday is around the corner! LA LA LA LA...I can't hear you!</div><div></div><br /><div>Ava is preparing for the theater stage. I'm sure of it. I can just imagine all the plays and musicals I'll be dragging family to for her.</div><div></div><br /><div>She dresses in costume daily. She sings daily. Dances daily. Uses dramatic flair daily. Isn't the writing on the wall??</div><div></div><br /><div>Prime example: We're at my parents' house for the weekend and my children are obsessed with the stairs. </div><br /><div></div><div>Bella's playing in one of the bedrooms up there and Ava's already gone up and down at least 15 times. This is only annoying because I have mini heart attacks each time she goes up. My folks have THE steepest staircase ever and my girls can't seem to grasp the concept of going up those deadly stairs without peeping through the bars, striking up a conversation mid-flight, or balancing on tippy toes and twirling while climbing up.</div><div></div><br /><div>I told Ava no more going up the stairs! Without blinking, she headed upstairs. When I asked her just what she thought she was doing, she looks over her shoulder and matter-of-factly says,</div><div></div><br /><div>"I need to check on Bella. I have to hug her."</div><br /><div></div><div>What do you say to that? Especially since we spend hours a day telling the girls to love one another and be kind to one another. </div><div></div><br /><div>Just when you think you're smarter than they are...</div><div></div><br /><div>I will try to post more often. Life is truly hectic. Keeping a clean house daily is ridiculous. I can't wait to move and be a slob again!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345084155328563346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN3jBI9jegFYWnQxq_20qf7BzmFScwAHPzBUCGX1uam_oyldK7g2C4kDVaPWQLdSItgN-DrpRiimX2G95XLt_1MXK7pMbZlUIGF8Dhdxd3ZqQrqUsyE9xQHuG0e9kSn7HxWRk0/s320/DSC05050.JPG" border="0" /></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-92229413669282690412009-04-27T10:13:00.006-04:002009-04-27T10:51:04.951-04:00For the moment...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXWcJjOsEgKjhXgnGVLhiyj_JTIcvwDXsGkrfdbTcH3KxBWp3qD8w-Nt72L1UGCpDkYlTnvbckkRgfjpRVvM78hyYokv-P3vK6SRN3wHFt7J8-KY1vz9EhEsr27rg6k8wIW2f/s1600-h/Bella+Smiles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329382602738093330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXWcJjOsEgKjhXgnGVLhiyj_JTIcvwDXsGkrfdbTcH3KxBWp3qD8w-Nt72L1UGCpDkYlTnvbckkRgfjpRVvM78hyYokv-P3vK6SRN3wHFt7J8-KY1vz9EhEsr27rg6k8wIW2f/s200/Bella+Smiles.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div>Bella has a new aversion to yellow. First, because she swore that it makes her need to pee when she even looks at yellow. Now she just insists that she wear no yellow. And no coloring with yellow. Yes, her suns are now orange.</div><br /><div></div><div>We just roll with it.</div><br /><div></div><div>Bella also has a new dislike for school. THIS one is getting old fast. Every day is a school day check.</div><div></div><div> </div><div>"Momma? Am I going to school today? No? Am I going to school the day after this day? Yes? *whining begins on cue* But I don't wanna go to schoooooooool!"</div><div></div><br /><div>Whip. me.</div><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuO64KJRs8bP6TemEHy5EW6KGBP_uWndlUHIf3O66-2Igq5uhIdkLckrbRUHrcl7lRZG69Q5V1dfrmfFDer4DsZxMWXLGbAGfXnmLi9Cg55rFQ7vEY1prt_gqcusUp7ioZtLy/s1600-h/Ava+Smiles.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329382597327081426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuO64KJRs8bP6TemEHy5EW6KGBP_uWndlUHIf3O66-2Igq5uhIdkLckrbRUHrcl7lRZG69Q5V1dfrmfFDer4DsZxMWXLGbAGfXnmLi9Cg55rFQ7vEY1prt_gqcusUp7ioZtLy/s200/Ava+Smiles.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Ava is learning to be more social. Slowly. Ever so slowly. Usually when anyone says hello to her, she turns her whole body away and buries her face into me (because she is permanently attached to me, you know). It is almost embarrassing. She comes across as a little brat, I'm afraid. </div><div> </div><div>She's bashful and I know what it is like to be misunderstood because of it.</div><br /><div></div><div>The thing about Ava is that you are either in or you are out. She's her own reality show. There's no middle ground and no immunity unless you are on her Love List. And the list is really short. But recently she's added a few people. Thankfully, one of those people include her uncle, my brother. </div><br /><div></div><div>Now we hear about Uncle C constantly. He's been added to her "I love..." list. Every day we go through her list of loves. His name comes with an asterisk. "Unca Clayton is a seely guy, Momma!" Followed by a giggle.</div><div></div><br /><div>Sweet baby girl.</div><div></div><br /><div>My girls are getting too big, too fast. We were all snoozing in the big bed in the wee hours of the morning and I could feel eyes staring at me. Usually it is Mia, the rubenesque cat, but this time it was Hubby. He said later that it sort of surprised him and made him a little sad to see how long and lean his babies have become. Even Ava's Buddha belly is disappearing. Bella has no more baby fat. She has very long legs and her daddy's nose. Ava looks like her mother. So all that makes Hubby okay with his baby girls growing.</div><br /><div></div><div>Life is hectic and stressful so we crave all our moments of togetherness. Just being in the same room makes us all happy and content. I hope it is always that way.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-40276007580123087342009-03-25T12:12:00.004-04:002009-03-25T12:37:31.892-04:00Make It All Bettah...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F8akmYDl2Zs3Tu8Cmg6aEpjKkQ6y5bpdPmj9VY_5qHWJJ4zYcjtdiG1vh41j9Y57Mllrkz72U2ugAuRgQZVY3kRsx55IWS7bCJBVlsPpsfvPA4PHhEm3HTHeq52QrQKU9J9k/s1600-h/Ava+FLowers+3-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F8akmYDl2Zs3Tu8Cmg6aEpjKkQ6y5bpdPmj9VY_5qHWJJ4zYcjtdiG1vh41j9Y57Mllrkz72U2ugAuRgQZVY3kRsx55IWS7bCJBVlsPpsfvPA4PHhEm3HTHeq52QrQKU9J9k/s320/Ava+FLowers+3-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317165135471796530" border="0" /></a><br />Our family has been through the ringer with health issues. I topped it off with an eardrum rupture last Monday and still feel like I'm in a tunnel. Hubby says I'm now the UnderTalker which is just one step up from being the Mumbler. Trying to compensate for not being able to hear my own voice and not wanting to yell, I guess.<br /><br />We all spend a lot of time saying "Huh??"<br /><br />My children are very concerned about everyone's illnesses. We talk about it constantly. Especially with Ava.<br /><br />"Gran not sick anymore? Momma all bettah?" Ava will ask with great concern. 50 times a day.<br /><br />Bella refuses to even touch someone else's cup, utensil, plate or napkin. She's so tired of being sick and is determined to not miss anymore school (thata girl!).<br /><br />The best moment of my day of late has to be when I lay down with Ava at bedtime and she reaches up her chubby little hands to rub my cheeks, gazes deep into my eyes and whispers, "You a sweet Momma."<br /><br />I hear her words clear as a bell and it makes it all bettah...Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-27543188937415536872009-03-13T13:15:00.002-04:002009-03-13T13:34:28.977-04:00Just Cuz...Not much to say other than I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired (famous line from my Dad). The girls are finally feeling better and now they get to take care of their mother and father who are ill.<br /><br />Still laughing? Yeah, we are too. With snot flying everywhere.<br /><br />I went to see my Grandmother (my children call her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Oma</span>, which I love) who is living remarkably day-to-day with an extremely bad heart. How does she do it? I'm convinced it is all about removing stress from her life by moving into a lovely retirement home a year ago and having the will to keep on living and loving.<br /><br />She's a little social butterfly, that one. Crowned Ms. Valentine's Day Queen. She got to dance with a short hunched-over Valentine's Day King. Then got irritated that his long king's robe got in the way so she hauled it up over her arm while they danced. She's a problem solver. <br /><br />During that visit, I got to reconnect with my Aunt. I haven't seen her in many, many years and it was fun to catch up and see how we've changed and grown. She is fantastic with the elderly and they absolutely adored her. That was sweet to see.<br /><br />I could see Mexico from atop the hill of my grandmother's home. Lots of city lights close to the border, not so much further away. Very strange.<br /><br />I came home to two very happy little girls and one VERY happy and exhausted Daddy waiting outside the airport terminal. They had party balloons, streamers, hats and icing cookies for me at home. It was supposed to be a surprise but I wasn't even buckled into the car before Bella spilled the beans. She was quite proud of her big idea for a party. As she should be.<br /><br />Though I think we've now begun a trend. Daddy had a welcome home party Tuesday night.<br /><br />He brought them presents. He'd been in Orlando and returned with 2 very cute Disney babies. Cinderella (Ava's favorite) and Tinkerbell (Bella's new fave).<br /><br />It really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">out shined</span> the two wind-up plastic kitties I got in the airport gift shop on my return home.<br /><br />I don't mind though. I'm just always happy when he returns home safely to us. I am glad, however, that he quit buying me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">souvenir</span> thongs.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ew</span>.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-55773356201435169722009-02-28T17:27:00.004-04:002009-02-28T17:37:43.558-04:00Kid PerspectiveBella Funnies...<br /><br />"Mom, can we go to Old McDonalds today for lunch?" <br /><br />"Sure, babe."<br /><br />She claps her hands with glee and says, "They have the best ketchup in the world, don't they!"<br /><br />------<br /><br />We're watching the girls' favorite new cartoon, Olivia. This particular episode is about a new girl also named Olivia joining the class.<br /><br />I tell Bella that one day she may have another Isabella in her class.<br /><br />She nods, knowingly, and says, "Oh, yes. Or a Brandon, or an Ally, or a Meagan."<br /><br />-------<br /><br />The girls are playing outside and their "five more minutes" is about up. Ava doesn't want to go in and begins her fit. <br /><br />Bella warns her, "Ava! We can't stay out here by ourselves because we might get nabbed! Mommy & Daddy would miss us and we'd miss them. And if they weren't nice people who nabbed us then who would take me to school?"<br /><br />Indeed.<br /><br />-------<br /><br />On our way to their cousin Channing's house (hubby and I had a hot date) Bella pipes up from the back seat, "I bet the first thing Channing said when she woke up this morning was "Bella!"<br /><br />Then we hear Ava mumble, "Thass stwange."<br /><br />-------<br /><br />Little loves, they are.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-38997340290694972072009-02-26T11:35:00.003-04:002009-02-26T11:56:02.485-04:00Step N Fetch It Momma...The last week and a half has been exhausting, at times frightening, interesting and even funny.<br /><br />Ava had the stomach flu for 6 days. Both ends of her were going around the clock, simultaneously. Our home still smells like Lysol and Clorox. My hands are chapped from all the soap washings and anti-bacterial gels. <br /><br />Then Ava was better and it was Isabella's turn. Let me just say that of the two, Bella is the worst patient. The whimpering, mumbling, whining, wailing, yelling. And that was just me! heh. I've reached and exceeded my goal of 10,000 steps a day getting Gatorade, puke bowls, carrying children to the toilets, lunging for clean-up towels and medicines.<br /><br />So after many long nights and days, Bella is finally better too. <br /><br />Let me tell you that after children haven't eaten anything in a week, they become rabid vultures once their appetite returns. They circle the kitchen constantly, eating everything in sight. They snarl at each other over cinnamon toast on a plate, each grabbing handfuls of it just so the other won't snatch it away. Then they hover in their corner, devouring it and begging for something else to eat.<br /><br />They kinda remind me of my brother when he was a teenager with a bottomless pit belly.<br /><br />And the potty training is back on. Ava's sporting her new princess panties. Such a tiny little behind to be wearing panties! <br /><br />There have been very few accidents. Just races.<br /><br />Bella will say she needs to go to the bathroom. Next thing you know, they are both bolting to the bathroom. They call shotgun on the little half-bath, then one cries while doing the pee dance as the other triumphantly does her business.<br /><br />We have FOUR bathrooms, people.<br /><br />Then they figured out how fun it is for one to be in the half-bath and the other to be in the kids' bathroom around the corner. Because they can hear each other. So then there's lots of giggling, singing and updates on loud toots or large deposits.<br /><br />Not to mention all this time, I am in charge of wiping. Bella got really used to this service which was provided while she was sick. <br /><br />I wait on Ava, who doesn't like the little potty seat because she'd prefer to teeter. She'll look up at me, taking her sweet time finishing up and tell me to go check on Bella.<br /><br />Ooookay.<br /><br />I go in to Bella and she's making origami out of toilet paper as she also takes her sweet time. You can't exactly rush someone on the toilet and my children know it and like it. I am their potty puppet.<br /><br />I figure at some point I will be in control of this scene again. <br /><br />Right?Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-11078294154182289852009-02-18T12:45:00.002-04:002009-02-19T09:54:02.617-04:00Ugh.That's the best way to describe the past few days.<br /><br />Ugh.<br /><br />Ava's got the stomach flu and I've got 500 loads of laundry and cans of Lysol because of it.<br /><br />I can't stand it when my babies are sick! For some reason, the violence that shakes such a tiny body during vomiting is the hardest for me. Last night she was curled up next to me moaning and then looked up to her Dad and asked, "Daddy, you make my tummy feeyuh bettuh?"<br /><br />Poor Ava's been working hard on her potty training but right now she just doesn't have the oomph required to go through the process so we just change alot of diapers.<br /><br />And then this morning, right before we were supposed to leave for school, my sweet Bella had her turn hugging the porcelain bowl.<br /><br />Now we're all toting around our personal tubs. Gonna be a long day.<br /><br />Hope you and yours are healthy cuz it certainly tis the season not to be!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-70145980935663226952009-02-13T14:53:00.003-04:002009-02-13T15:28:57.025-04:00Over The Edge<div> <div><div><div><div>I am artistic but I'm NOT craftsy. </div><br /><div>That has been my mantra for years. I've always been one of those who is sort of envious yet sort of gaggy over those uber craftsy, scrapbooking, Martha-lovin freaks.</div><br /><div>I think I'm a freak now.</div><div><br />Increasingly, I find myself doing art projects. Don't clap just yet. These art projects are not the kind I used to do like painting, portraits, fancy schmancy pieces.</div><br /><div>Nope. Now I deal with purple glue sticks that dry clear, washable markers, blunt scissors and lots of construction paper.</div><br /><div>It is CRAZY. </div><br /><div>Take Valentine's Day for instance. Please. Take it away! </div><br /><div>First, decorated heart cookies and heart-shaped brownies.</div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302362886834223474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXSyd9E6j8lWxWvbbNYQKGuUEfJEzk78uySBdSaf6Ivo5g7PaPhppfiYMLsYgW9G2Yt1PaTMnl_JXzXO0MPzNKUHuPIA0a1EffUol4eDmr0UH7WZCzQTVpztf3pEszpKCa5M4/s320/Vday+cookies+09.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Then the 18 Valentine butterfly cards with Smarties inserts.</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302362897307332418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqpwvXkEcUSlB7RZgpHRv6vT_Qjdh81nY06sp7tBtB8fEQZJ30DtrR3YtB25iIdrNS2NZ6WoGN91TEwt2ZSE0ZrwC8JFopL1Q_6T-IzgovCPN75RhlYA4yiDtSVjZQ2TMvhPi/s320/DSC04776.JPG" border="0" /></div><div><br />And I HAD to sign up for the Valentine's craft for the school party. My idea? Birdseed hearts. Seriously.</div><div><br /> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302362888507582994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnSzIzGACld7GiVpjuZwfSN8ZLCxWN8WMEPJcHfVSb4_USf2YwBONSBXPVzQsm8HV_UVIdlCk1P6l8_OviE2PbNFzUOQI67PAf9q_kq0KcFtMVSUHxVZpIEVoDchcj1Unnn7z/s320/Birdseed+Heart+Vday+09.jpg" border="0" />Which naturally went into cutsey Valentine baggies for taking home. Come on!</div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302365537042231538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFiZYDgxU2KTauMOdPljOTBDHEXNEABKoWCavNk3DuNmoviHQ7_H6pxFlH3OwcSnIXdak-CO6pRJMpvTUpEVokfLefLDuFrlaPpqMTEelBiob-1Xb3hczE2gGhbIe2JGgtZLh/s320/Birdseed+Heart+II+Vday+09.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><div>I even got a sick pleasure from the oooh's and ahhh's and comparisons to Martha.</div><br /><div>Help.</div><br /><div>Me.</div><div> </div><div>The only thing that made me feel better was allowing my kids to devour all the candy in one sitting. I think things looked just about this hazy once they were done.</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302362898165904098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1DZ5NKqmuILuXcqerupDBnNCPFgf51Xe3migd9f5wKBdMzcE9SpZ5vNfEC1q1_oLSllUXflJnTsf5vLz7UugHRuGne-asGCFwZQYgiwOPUm3ooXCeT9slDhRhqFfGaYRPqrRZ/s320/DSC04782.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />Happy Not Quite Valentine's Day! And did you know the Easter crap is already 40% off?! I'm salivating as we speak.</div><br />I do it all for these two beauties.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302365537467769810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmY0-xaOng1J5BaDXziboNHCme1xI3ew728eOPchVPVPYXHokmH32DWQ070sWKjCdA0tzic9pxHcPEwsxXSWnPeklGJXtLBHZ5ihIxrMNoiPiAPUE-8BkT6tFHZrg88Wa6Hlo8/s320/Sisters+2-09.jpg" border="0" /><br />I think.</div><div> </div><div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-70452864570744259032009-02-05T12:34:00.002-04:002009-02-05T12:55:34.908-04:00I Think I Have A Stalker...I bought a totally cute Daily Duties wipeboard chart last week online for Bella. I've been looking for one that would stick to the fridge and this one was perfectly girly and cute!<br /><br />It arrived a few days ago jammed into my mailbox. The mailperson (cuz I'm PC) must've really worked to get that thing in there. When I opened the package, the wipeboard was not only bent but also creased all the way down the middle boxes. <br /><br />Naturally, I called the seller. The package had nothing written on it like "Do Not Bend." She should be somewhat responsible, right?<br /><br />Oh. My. Gosh.<br /><br />This woman is driving me crazy! She not only called my cellphone and sounded very skeptical of my claim but asked that I email a picture of the damaged chart to her. Mmmmkay. I did.<br /><br />She has emailed me 3 times since. First, to ask me to mail it all back to her. Then she obviously realized that was a dumb request by a seller so her next email said:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;">It's in the mail, and insured this time. I marked on it front and back, and the post guy stamped all over it. If it's stuffed in there again, maybe it'd be best to take a picture of it before removing it - to prove they've done it despite the FRAGILE - DO NOT BEND warning.</span><br /><br />My eyebrows are raised in annoyance at this point. Don't you just chalk up the $8.49 as a loss at this point and just make it right with your buyer? <br /><br />This email came last night...*DRAMATIC SIGH*...<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Jennifer,<br /><br />Me again. :)<br /><br />Do you still have the complete package that was damaged? I spoke with a different person today, which told me if it was taken to the post office, to the supervisor there - and the delivery date was given, that they 'should' hold that carrier responsible and pay for the replacement.<br /><br />I'm not sure if you ever go into town, or near a post office. Of course, I don't want you to go way out of your way! But would it be possible to either do this, or call and speak to the supervisor about the matter? It would have to be from the customer, or I would do this myself. The lady today told me that NO carrier should ever stuff something into a mailbox - that they are to take care with people's packages. (I liked her a lot!) :)<br /><br />IF this is possible without any trouble, you would need to tell them the replacement product was the $8.49 plus the additional insurance - making it $9.44. Then I would just need to send another invoice to you for that amount to pay, so I could have it for my tax records.<br /><br />As a young mom myself, I can understand trips to town being hard. So, if this is just impossible, maybe you could send me the delivery date/ approx. time/ post office phone number - for me to see if they would talk to me about it.</span><br /><br /><br />Cripes, Lady! Is this a joke? Am I on YouTube??<br /><br />I'm sure this isn't over. I didn't even know how to respond to that last email. I am NOT going to do all that! <br /><br />Suggestions, o' wise ones?Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-6653965277526791372009-01-30T14:37:00.003-04:002009-02-02T11:40:56.002-04:00Tip SwapI love tips. I love crafty ideas for organization, discipline, cleaning, storage, entertainment...anything!<br /><br /><br /><br />So today I would like us to swap mom tips! I have a few that make my life and/or my family's life much easier. You moms probably know or do most of these but then maybe some of it is new to you or you can put your own spin on it.<br /><br /><br /><br />1) Port-0-potty. When Bella started wearing big girl panties, we began toting the potty with us when we traveled or went anywhere that a clean restroom wouldn't be available. Of course there are potties made specifically for travel, and that is awesome, but you can also just take your kids' potty, insert plastic bags and remove once used!<br /><br /><br /><br />2) Cookie Cutters. These make everything taste better and crafts more fun. My kids will eat just about anything if it comes in a shape. And don't just go for stars and hearts...there are great cookie cutter sites that sell everything from fire hydrant to groundhog shapes. Cookiecutter.com is great (Paypal friendly), as is thecookiecuttershop.com.<br /><br /><br /><br />3) Pizza Wheel. These are perfect for trimming off the crusts of sandwiches, quartering quesadillas, cutting herbs (like messy cilantro) and brownies.<br /><br /><br /><p>4) Vicks Vapor Rub. This works amazingly when you rub it on the bottom of your child's feet and cover with socks. The night time coughing will reduce greatly or stop altogether. Seriously!</p><p><em>My girls love to be independent...sometimes. I certainly like to encourage it...sometimes :) So...</em></p><br />5) Kid Pantry. My children eat all day long. They are snackers. So I have low shelves in my pantry with little baskets of food they can help themselves to. Organic fruit strips, little boxes of raisins or craisins, Goldfish crackers in little ziplock baggies, unsweetened applesauce or Ava's fave...mandarin oranges (I drain the sweet juice out before she inhales them).<br /><br /><br /><br />6) Kid Fridge. Bella knows how to open the fridge door and would stand in it to reach whatever she wanted. Now she has a low shelf in the fridge with a cup of celery and baby carrots in water, apples, pears and string cheese. <br /><br /><br /><br />7) Baby Wipes Containers. These are excellent for storage use. You can stuff them with plastic bags and keep in the car (you know you always need a plastic baggie when there isn't one available!). Or fill them with craft supplies like brushes and paints. <br /><br /><br />Your turn!Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-63526817856668106472009-01-22T18:32:00.004-04:002009-01-22T18:52:08.530-04:00The Perfect Self Portrait...Or Close Enough.My husband always impressed me with his ability to take self-portraits with a camera. I usually ended up with just my forehead or half my face. Then I became a mommy. This means that I am also the picture taker. So I have very few pictures of me with my children.<br /><br />Now I practice self-portraits. The key is to have long arms, it seems. And squish everyone together at the same height.<br /><br /><br />This one reminds me of Bella's favorite joke:<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Do you know when it is time to see the Chinese dentist?</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLfRRdotCPVJc7b1aKndHP7V21Wtu_5x1ODfCNClcyecvEXFFCW4QqBrcqyydOJhVCOWMEvE-VC2aXIj99Ieetuo7jEe7DQIMVp3_kup1BHENPKUnPTScQswLjGpExS6iNKP5/s1600-h/Jan+09+self+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251276141281058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikLfRRdotCPVJc7b1aKndHP7V21Wtu_5x1ODfCNClcyecvEXFFCW4QqBrcqyydOJhVCOWMEvE-VC2aXIj99Ieetuo7jEe7DQIMVp3_kup1BHENPKUnPTScQswLjGpExS6iNKP5/s320/Jan+09+self+1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tooth-hurty...</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br />Wee one down, people! Wee one down!<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhontrzhH0Y83LAIFmuSnTaY2O3XLh2b3n4lThJswLmdys2SlCMKmz9bxyuVtH5ggabqneWJZ1Ucby6HdK7RPl1T3myVXp3mxbWqnU1O0K_SKPkzZjDShGu0DoeyiF10MG_FLiz/s1600-h/Jan+09+self+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251272483097474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhontrzhH0Y83LAIFmuSnTaY2O3XLh2b3n4lThJswLmdys2SlCMKmz9bxyuVtH5ggabqneWJZ1Ucby6HdK7RPl1T3myVXp3mxbWqnU1O0K_SKPkzZjDShGu0DoeyiF10MG_FLiz/s320/Jan+09+self+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center"><br />Why does my daughter look so pained?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlDynI9B3_brohlNITKjk3-tIQQ6lSVjUmuxq_LFi5g5W5IdETg7NL667XpMiTXnwq5sUVfjNoOe_96DuqujCNHfvIWfiQzPXuLm6WmEP0nweDSLjJGlmCTPvaQFFPOORdIo3/s1600-h/Jan+09+Self+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251262179087138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlDynI9B3_brohlNITKjk3-tIQQ6lSVjUmuxq_LFi5g5W5IdETg7NL667XpMiTXnwq5sUVfjNoOe_96DuqujCNHfvIWfiQzPXuLm6WmEP0nweDSLjJGlmCTPvaQFFPOORdIo3/s320/Jan+09+Self+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For the last time, Bella, I cannot see your face when you play Bashful.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251264346150754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EQROrPAKpJmF6Zn-910_y3tLoVyV_v_xcS-b1V9JvaK5NJl4N6VwqF0oiJKT3ZaBXpeSui_z3cPXhKem6ca8VhS5EcTQTewuEOslMwKFZiUIMryle0lrPgN_Y4iIjAtcDTzP/s320/Jan+09+Self+4.jpg" border="0" /><br />*sigh* At least all our faces are in the picture?<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_545ILp81FFMZyqQUtezcBqLqMVttFmLklR8Z3pDmS4HZHG-lVK5QDRXKnAxdGl6x6Y_YkMMO-RYA2lN4hyZnzUZVw58GZWL5SpTRJRZ8giGOmjr2FGuO21KXx0xTou0eywD/s1600-h/Jan+09+Self+5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294251259386671410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_545ILp81FFMZyqQUtezcBqLqMVttFmLklR8Z3pDmS4HZHG-lVK5QDRXKnAxdGl6x6Y_YkMMO-RYA2lN4hyZnzUZVw58GZWL5SpTRJRZ8giGOmjr2FGuO21KXx0xTou0eywD/s320/Jan+09+Self+5.jpg" border="0" /></a> It appears that I have one smile. One. I'm THAT expressive. </div><div></div><div>Or maybe I just like to keep things simple.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="left">I did all this work to print pics for hubby before he went out of town and GUESS WHAT. The printer is totally out of ink. At least we had fun! :)</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-75966965336515424782009-01-16T13:02:00.005-04:002009-01-16T14:24:20.100-04:00What I Learned Last Year<div>1) Honeycrisp apples are hands-down the very best snack apple. Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady...you are dead to me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>2) Mom groups are a great concept but it is still like high school. The Snobs, the Misfits, the Nerds and me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>3) Weaning from long-term breastfeeding and then embracing the open medicine cabinet and wine without abandon has proven to be much more difficult than anticipated.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>4) I know the words to more children's music than adult's now. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>5) Four year olds like to discuss death. Alot. And they pretty much figure death is temporary as well as great fun.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>6) Ruby is a pain in the arse. Max needs speech therapy.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>7) America's Funniest Videos on Sunday nights is stressful for Isabella and a riot for Ava.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>8) The Office still makes me laugh and uncomfortable.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>9) Two year olds echo four year olds. It is as though we live in a canyon.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>10) Daddys of little girls love convents and guns. Even if they never liked either before their daughters came along.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>11) Laundry breeds. Not that it is new news, just still shocking.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>12) I am a better mother to not always feel the need to control everything in my children's lives. Allowing them both to wean off their plastic or human lovies has been good for all of us in the end.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>13) Kids are fantastic procrastinators. I expect this will last well into their 20's.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>14) Reconnecting with friends and family from the past can be wonderful as well as really weird.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>15) Facebook makes no sense to me but it is absolutely addictive.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>16) Clothing is totally overrated. Just ask Ava The Nudist.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>17) Fart = Funny in our home. Thanks, Honey.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>18) Not all organic foods taste better but organic chicken DOES.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>19) Creating an eBay store is nerve-wrecking, exciting and worthy of putting it off a few more months.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>20) Sometimes being a good person means keeping your mouth shut and your heart open. Kinda tough when you are all that and a bag of chips, ya know.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><em>So I kept the 2008 lessons learned pretty light and fluffy for ya. But isn't that how we should view the past for the most part? If we harp on the bad, it doesn't do much positive for us in the future. </em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>Here's to the silly lessons of 2009. May you have many :)</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291959015920700466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5E_8-YoevDxXir15j8qBkl9gbDJjdZ-bJlA2E5uTB_4rsRyqCKXA2hKhwjbaRp1bJWwUVL-bQzSEYM6_Rzfl27cY6SjkqCSxX1lGU_RVZ5MrzGDL5FEsl8IyqNPFxXVWbw0I/s320/Sisters+10-08+BW.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10065760.post-22880610773115884792009-01-07T15:10:00.003-04:002009-01-08T10:13:11.302-04:00Kidbits for the new year...The other night Hubby was telling the girls a bedtime story. A wonderful tale about the friendship between a Pegasus, a bald eagle and Sammy the snake. As he was really getting into the plot of the story, a little hand shot up in the air.<br /><br />Bella: "Daddy, can I tell MY story now?"<br /><br />Hers was about a Pegasus, a ball eagle and Sammy the turtle.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Kids have a very interesting knack for being candid with their kid logic.<br /><br />The other morning, Hubby told Bella to pick up her blocks at night so he wouldn't step on them in the wee hours of the morning. Slightly confused, Bella asked him why he doesn't just walk around the blocks.<br /><br />Um, yeah, Daddy...<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Ava hates baths lately. She loathes washing her hair. It is major drama every time we do it. When Bella went through this stage, I began washing her hair via Marge's Beauty Shop. This means setting up a washing station, getting the fancy strawberry shampoo and putting on my best over-the-top beauty shop persona. <br /><br />We tried this with Ava last night. As I was scrubbing and "gossiping" with her, Ava grinned and said "See? Is not so bad!"<br /><br />*snort*<br /><br />------<br /><br />When presenting me with a piece of white paper that appeared to be blank, I asked Bella if she was going to draw a picture. Surprised, she said, "I did!"<br /><br />Oh.<br /><br />I told her I couldn't really see it very well and again looking surprised, Bella said, "Well, I can!"<br /><br />What is it they say? Art is in the eye of the beholder. Or the artist?<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Ava speaks very well but gets her responses confused. If you ask her something that she doesn't know the answer to, she will shrug her tiny shoulders casually and reply "I don't sink so."<br /><br />Correcting her is to no avail.<br /><br />Her favorite thing to say is "I can DO IT MYSEFF!" Never any confusion on that one.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Bella insists that all the songs she sings are without err.<br /><br />"Give up the morning glory" is correct. Apparently, "Give God your glory, glory" is not.<br /><br />Also...<br /><br />"Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. They are yellow, black and white."<br /><br />We are bumblebees?<br /><br />-----<br /><br />Ava will one day grow up to be a star on Broadway or a magician. She changes in and out of clothing no less than 15 times a day, sometimes so fast that you could barely see what she'd just put on before.<br /><br />With a new interest in potty training, it is your guess as good as mine if she's going to pee in her diaper and immediately want a new one, pee in her potty and spray as she watches in awe, or go without a diaper at all and complain when her new change of clothing is suddenly wet.<br /><br />*sigh*<br /><br />-----<br /><br />The most baffling of all has to be Isabella's new desire for...wait a minute...<br /><br />A diary.<br /><br />Seriously.<br /><br />She's 4 1/2!<br /><br />Help.Jennboreehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01920449345093917410noreply@blogger.com4