For the moment...

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.

We just roll with it.

Bella also has a new dislike for school. THIS one is getting old fast. Every day is a school day check.

"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!"

Whip. me.

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.

She's bashful and I know what it is like to be misunderstood because of it.

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.

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.

Sweet baby girl.

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.

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.

Make It All Bettah...

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.

We all spend a lot of time saying "Huh??"

My children are very concerned about everyone's illnesses. We talk about it constantly. Especially with Ava.

"Gran not sick anymore? Momma all bettah?" Ava will ask with great concern. 50 times a day.

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!).

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."

I hear her words clear as a bell and it makes it all bettah...

Just 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.

Still laughing? Yeah, we are too. With snot flying everywhere.

I went to see my Grandmother (my children call her Oma, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Though I think we've now begun a trend. Daddy had a welcome home party Tuesday night.

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).

It really out shined the two wind-up plastic kitties I got in the airport gift shop on my return home.

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 souvenir thongs.

Ew.

Kid Perspective

Bella Funnies...

"Mom, can we go to Old McDonalds today for lunch?"

"Sure, babe."

She claps her hands with glee and says, "They have the best ketchup in the world, don't they!"

------

We're watching the girls' favorite new cartoon, Olivia. This particular episode is about a new girl also named Olivia joining the class.

I tell Bella that one day she may have another Isabella in her class.

She nods, knowingly, and says, "Oh, yes. Or a Brandon, or an Ally, or a Meagan."

-------

The girls are playing outside and their "five more minutes" is about up. Ava doesn't want to go in and begins her fit.

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?"

Indeed.

-------

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!"

Then we hear Ava mumble, "Thass stwange."

-------

Little loves, they are.

Step N Fetch It Momma...

The last week and a half has been exhausting, at times frightening, interesting and even funny.

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.

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.

So after many long nights and days, Bella is finally better too.

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.

They kinda remind me of my brother when he was a teenager with a bottomless pit belly.

And the potty training is back on. Ava's sporting her new princess panties. Such a tiny little behind to be wearing panties!

There have been very few accidents. Just races.

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.

We have FOUR bathrooms, people.

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.

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.

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.

Ooookay.

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.

I figure at some point I will be in control of this scene again.

Right?

Ugh.

That's the best way to describe the past few days.

Ugh.

Ava's got the stomach flu and I've got 500 loads of laundry and cans of Lysol because of it.

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?"

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.

And then this morning, right before we were supposed to leave for school, my sweet Bella had her turn hugging the porcelain bowl.

Now we're all toting around our personal tubs. Gonna be a long day.

Hope you and yours are healthy cuz it certainly tis the season not to be!

Over The Edge

I am artistic but I'm NOT craftsy.

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.

I think I'm a freak now.

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.

Nope. Now I deal with purple glue sticks that dry clear, washable markers, blunt scissors and lots of construction paper.

It is CRAZY.

Take Valentine's Day for instance. Please. Take it away!

First, decorated heart cookies and heart-shaped brownies.

Then the 18 Valentine butterfly cards with Smarties inserts.

And I HAD to sign up for the Valentine's craft for the school party. My idea? Birdseed hearts. Seriously.

Which naturally went into cutsey Valentine baggies for taking home. Come on!

I even got a sick pleasure from the oooh's and ahhh's and comparisons to Martha.

Help.

Me.

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.

Happy Not Quite Valentine's Day! And did you know the Easter crap is already 40% off?! I'm salivating as we speak.

I do it all for these two beauties.

I think.

I 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!

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.

Naturally, I called the seller. The package had nothing written on it like "Do Not Bend." She should be somewhat responsible, right?

Oh. My. Gosh.

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.

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:

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.

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?

This email came last night...*DRAMATIC SIGH*...

Jennifer,

Me again. :)

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.

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!) :)

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.

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.


Cripes, Lady! Is this a joke? Am I on YouTube??

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!

Suggestions, o' wise ones?

Tip Swap

I love tips. I love crafty ideas for organization, discipline, cleaning, storage, entertainment...anything!



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.



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!



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.



3) Pizza Wheel. These are perfect for trimming off the crusts of sandwiches, quartering quesadillas, cutting herbs (like messy cilantro) and brownies.

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!

My girls love to be independent...sometimes. I certainly like to encourage it...sometimes :) So...

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).



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.



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.


Your turn!

The 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.

Now I practice self-portraits. The key is to have long arms, it seems. And squish everyone together at the same height.


This one reminds me of Bella's favorite joke:

Do you know when it is time to see the Chinese dentist?

Tooth-hurty...

Wee one down, people! Wee one down!

Why does my daughter look so pained?


For the last time, Bella, I cannot see your face when you play Bashful.
*sigh* At least all our faces are in the picture?

It appears that I have one smile. One. I'm THAT expressive.

Or maybe I just like to keep things simple.

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! :)

What I Learned Last Year

1) Honeycrisp apples are hands-down the very best snack apple. Fuji, Gala, Pink Lady...you are dead to me.

2) Mom groups are a great concept but it is still like high school. The Snobs, the Misfits, the Nerds and me.

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.

4) I know the words to more children's music than adult's now.

5) Four year olds like to discuss death. Alot. And they pretty much figure death is temporary as well as great fun.

6) Ruby is a pain in the arse. Max needs speech therapy.

7) America's Funniest Videos on Sunday nights is stressful for Isabella and a riot for Ava.

8) The Office still makes me laugh and uncomfortable.

9) Two year olds echo four year olds. It is as though we live in a canyon.

10) Daddys of little girls love convents and guns. Even if they never liked either before their daughters came along.

11) Laundry breeds. Not that it is new news, just still shocking.

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.

13) Kids are fantastic procrastinators. I expect this will last well into their 20's.

14) Reconnecting with friends and family from the past can be wonderful as well as really weird.

15) Facebook makes no sense to me but it is absolutely addictive.

16) Clothing is totally overrated. Just ask Ava The Nudist.

17) Fart = Funny in our home. Thanks, Honey.

18) Not all organic foods taste better but organic chicken DOES.

19) Creating an eBay store is nerve-wrecking, exciting and worthy of putting it off a few more months.

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.

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.

Here's to the silly lessons of 2009. May you have many :)

Kidbits 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.

Bella: "Daddy, can I tell MY story now?"

Hers was about a Pegasus, a ball eagle and Sammy the turtle.

-----

Kids have a very interesting knack for being candid with their kid logic.

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.

Um, yeah, Daddy...

-----

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.

We tried this with Ava last night. As I was scrubbing and "gossiping" with her, Ava grinned and said "See? Is not so bad!"

*snort*

------

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!"

Oh.

I told her I couldn't really see it very well and again looking surprised, Bella said, "Well, I can!"

What is it they say? Art is in the eye of the beholder. Or the artist?

-----

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."

Correcting her is to no avail.

Her favorite thing to say is "I can DO IT MYSEFF!" Never any confusion on that one.

-----

Bella insists that all the songs she sings are without err.

"Give up the morning glory" is correct. Apparently, "Give God your glory, glory" is not.

Also...

"Jesus loves the little children. All the children of the world. They are yellow, black and white."

We are bumblebees?

-----

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.

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.

*sigh*

-----

The most baffling of all has to be Isabella's new desire for...wait a minute...

A diary.

Seriously.

She's 4 1/2!

Help.

Vacation? Really?

Christmas vacation. What does that MEAN?

It means no more school. You and your children get to spend every wonderful freaking moment together for 14 days.

It means baking and eating and eating and baking until you don't want to do either anymore. Then you wear your pj bottoms until you decide to pony up on your New Year's resolution.

It means realizing just how much you do around the house. And how much your husband must do at the office. He at least keeps his underwear, newspapers and fingernail clippings off the floor THERE, right?

It means checking your email throughout the day for the 36 emails about incredible sales you have no intention of looking into but you are delighted with all the attention.

It means having to listen to Rudoff the Red-Nosed Reindeah, Jingle Beyells and all the holiday songs learned for the Christmas progam...performed nearly a month ago. Are there Valentine's day songs we could be working on?

What is the beauty of Christmas vacation? Well...

We get loads of time with Hubby/Daddy. There's never enough of that.

We play games together, dance together, make up songs together, nap together.

The girls remember that they really are each other's best friend. Sharing one another with cousins and friends isn't nearly as fulfilling as an afternoon pretending in the playroom. Or the kitchen. Or under Mommy & Daddy's legs as they lounge on the couch and ottoman reading the morning paper. Or by the bathtub as Mommy gives up on any hope of a Calgon moment.

We see extended family that we haven't seen in months or even years. We swap photos and stories, laugh and even cry.

We cuddle up by the fire and make smore's. Then we have an 80 degree day and spend the afternoon at the park. Mom feels all good about those nature walks and vows to do it daily, then the temperature plummets to 40 degrees and she eats all her Lindt truffles instead.

We stay up late, we sleep late. All together at first, then each to our designated beds or sleeping spots only to squish next to each other on the couch in the morning to watch Charlie & Lola's Christmas for the umpteenth time. Fortunately, we all love those two.

Hubby and I watch our beautiful, healthy children in our wonderful home and feel so very blessed. To be their parents is an honor and a joy. You can never even come close to imagining what it will mean to your soul to have children until they are there. Husband and I hold hands, sneak kisses and try to whisper sweet nothings but that's pointless with screeching girls around so we've got love code. We are best friends and the loves of one another's life. It wasn't an easy or short road to get where we are but we certainly wouldn't change a thing.

'09 will be difficult for many...most, I'd even venture to say...but hopefully this year and it's Christmas vacations will still result in precious moments of pure love and joy with one another.

Bella's advice for your new year? Twirl in a teacup at least once.

Happy new year from our family to yours :)

Mehwy Kwissamiss...

Iced cookies, pumpkin breads, pies, cakes, candies, peppermint bark...

Why don't we bake all this yummy goodness year-round? Cuz we'd be large as boulders?

Hope you are all having a fantastic holiday season thus far!

Two For One - Lessons Learned

If you never leave your 2 year old for more than a couple of hours and then one evening leave for 6 hours to attend a party until nearly midnight, you may very well get finger-stabbed in the eye...

If you want people to be super nice to you and even sympathetic during the Christmas shopping season, get your eye finger-stabbed.

The tiny abuser insists my eye is "burnt."

Free At Last!

She came, stayed awhile and has finally left. The Paci Fairy's kid sister...the Boobie Fairy.


Yes, dear friends, after nearly 4 1/2 years of nursing (holy CRAP!) my duty as a nutrition vending machine is finally over.


I'm too elated right now to be sad about it but I have no doubt there will be a tinge of longing for that unique mommy-baby closeness.


I've been asked countless times why I chose to nurse so long. With Isabella it was unintentional. She just kept going! Then she abruptly stopped when she was 19 1/2 months old and a few days later I found that I was pregnant with Ava.


With Ava, I promised her at least that same length of time for Mama Milk. Once 20 months passed, I started to panic a little. She was full force with no end in sight! Then I'd relax and remember that nursing for any child over the age of 6 months is about SO much more than nutrition. I provided comfort for Ava that no one else could. I take great pride in that.


There's no rule about nursing. What works for mama and baby is what matters. The past two months we've been dwindling those shared moments to nary a minute before nap or bedtime. She would pat my right boob and say "Dis one ehpty (empty)" and then the left "Dis one good!"


For some reason she and Righty became out of sorts because she couldn't nurse without tearing it. Yeah, did you just cringe? Mmmmhmmm...


About 5 days ago, we decided to experiment. That's the best part about parenting. Experimenting and then being so friggin EXCITED when it works out!


We let Ava lay next to Bella to fall asleep. Project Distraction.


She would tuck her chubby little hands under her cheek, squeeze her eyes shut to pretend sleep and then actually fall asleep! Magic! Knowing that she and her sibling were not at all used to sleeping together, I waited until she was sleep twitching before moving her to her crib.


We've done this nightly. I panicked a little because we went out of town but we tried it again and it still worked!


Twice, she has awakened and asked for Mama Milk. It was half-hearted so I gently told her that it was all gone and she could either lay back in her bed or snuggle with me. She opted to snuggle.


The best part of all this? No tears. No heartache.


My children have taught me that not everything has to always run according to my time table. If I allow them their own, we all win. Even if it takes a wee bit longer :)

Listen Up, Guys...

What not to say to a woman you've apparently been stalking:

"Pardon me for saying, but you are REALLY CUTE and probably married, huh? Don't worry, I'm not following you. Ha. Ha."

First of all, telling a woman she's CUTE isn't going to get you anywhere. Confirming that you've been stalking her by denying it certainly doesn't help matters.

Hubby thinks I should be flattered and carry some pepper spray along with an air horn.

Randomness...

First of all, today I heart Home Depot. Yes, the man store. I rarely go in there but Saturday was family day which means we are velcroed to each other for the entire day. That includes barber shop and the man store.

Last spring we got the hankerin (I'm Texan, ya'll) for a propane fire pit. The one we like was tall with a bar around it...for hot cocoa of course...and the pit was in the middle. $299. No thanks! Then hubby saw it this summer. $129. Ooooh...maybe. How bad do we want/need it? Not enough.

This weekend while searching for a spring loaded hinge at the man store, we saw the cool propane fire pit. For FIFTY SIX DOLLARS.

It looks really awesome in our back yard.

----

I've never given a music review but I have to now. Did you watch the AMA's? Or did you flip channels and come across the New Kids On The Block trying out new sounds with their old songs? Me too!

Did you cringe? Did you laugh as Donnie Wahlberg attempted to rap to Right Stuff? Did you wonder if he's a wee bit jealous that Marky Mark grew up and is a talented director/producer?

Me too! Sadness, really. Movie sequels are rarely good but boy band sequels? Eeee... From 15+ years ago? Eeeeyew.

Stay in your decades, people! Let our memories remain as fluffy as your hair was, k?

----

A child gang is after my daughter. They are ages 5, 9 and 10. They ride in front our house either on their bikes or their heelys (for you geezers, those are tennis shoes with wheels). Used to, they waited to pounce when the my girls ride their bikes in the driveway. Bella gleefully skips up to them to pick flower weeds, talk about school, run up and down the grass at the front of our yard.

Then dear husband hovered on the porch while Bella socialized for a good HOUR yesterday. WHAT? Doesn't he know that just sets us up for begging in the future??

Then today the door bell rang at 1pm. Ava was napping. I peeked out. The gang leader, 5 year old Justin, was jumping up to ring it again. I wished them away with all my might. Then he rang the dang bell 5 more times! This time I opened the door and his backup, 9 year old sister, was there. She merely said "It's us."

And?

Then she asked if "that girl" could come play. At least know her name!

I don't know that I'll ever let my children just run hog wild like these kids do and like I did when I was a kid. Not sure if that mama knows but these are far different times!

----

Ava should just be nicknamed Mini B. She walks, talks and acts like Bella. Many say she looks like her too. But I wouldn't know as of late because this is all I see:

Something in the air...

I don't know how but it is not humanly possible for me to ever leave Target without having given them a hundred bucks.

I went in today with a list for 10 things. TEN. Then the One Spot drew me in. $5 there. No biggie. Then the sale rack for the OshKosh Genuine Kids (my favorite for the girls!). $11 there (one striped pant, 2 polka dot leggings). Not bad, eh?

The rest is a blur. All I know is that when it came to checkout time, my eyebrows shot up as the register did. $104.23.

DANGIT ALL!

That target logo is really hypnotic spend all-your-money trickery. I'm on to them now! HAHAHA!

So....see you next week with my hundred?

Oh, Thanksgiving Tree?

I'm chomping at the bit to decorate for Christmas. I think our home is it's prettiest when decked out in reds, golds, velvets and greenery. A crackling fire, evergreen candles, Christmas music classics played quietly in the background.

Love. It.

It is tradition for us to begin decorating the weekend of Thanksgiving. I just don't know if I can wait that long!

Plus our house is super duper clean because friends came over yesterday for a playdate. Their kids and mine, not us adults playing Barbie or anything. Though that might've been fun.

With all this cleanliness and lack of dust bunnies around me, it would be the best time to drag down the attic boxes of Christmas goods, dontcha think?

My friend, C, has a very Southern Living decorated home. It is picture perfect and I get jealous. I imagine any woman who enters her home leaves with decorating ideas and just a weensy bit of love/hate. (Kidding, C!)

Anyway, she takes about a week to decorate for Christmas. Any excuse I have during the holiday season to get inside her house is a good one. Decorated trees in every room! Greenery draped in the most perfect places. Stockings hung by the chimney with care. Sick. Like, awesome sick!

Not only that, C bakes Christmas goodies. Mmmhmmm. Feeling the love/hate yet?

If I could nominate her for one of those Better Homes & Gardens contests to show off her skillz, I would. Then she would love/hate me!

Though I'll be waiting until Thanksgiving weekend to decorate, you can bet your bottom that I will be accidentally on purpose visiting her home for more ideas. Copycat friendships are healthy, right?

Super!