Who Knew?

Who knew that watching a 3-year old dress herself to look like this would make me a proud mama...

Who knew that listening to a 2-year old describe how he is going to find a park while looking through a kilidescope would be so enlightening to me?

Who knew that I liked Boston butt and mint chocolate chip brownies so much?

Who knew that Ebay could be so addicting??

Who knew that a 22-month old who loves to have this much fun could drive me crazier than I ever imagined myself to be...

Who knew that hearing 'potential' news from good friends could bring tears to my eyes so quickly...

Who knew that you would be somewhat disappointed when finding out something you were hoping wasn't going to happen in the first place really wasn't happening...(that's confusing to follow, I know!)

Who knew that 2 siblings could be SO drastically different?

Who knew that doing something so outside the box and fun with your significant other could be so hilarious?

Who knew Sundays could be as fun as they are these days?

Who knew that hearing the words, "I think you are the best mom in the whole.wide.world." could make you melt like they do...

Sometimes it just takes the little things to make you realize how great life really is...savor every little moment you have.

A Must Read

All you moms of little girls, this series needs to fill your bookshelves.

Ladybug Girl

by David Soman and Jackie Davis

Eat, Drink and...

Be Irish!  Hope your St. Patrick's Day is full of lots of luck!

A little St. Patty's Day Breakfast...along with a treat of green & orange jello! 



Cheers!

Weddings and Babies

They don't always mix so well.  But as I find myself saying more and more these days, we are again outside the box on this one too. 

For us, these two concepts seem to mix a little too  well.  We've been to less than five weddings over the past four years.  I was pregnant with Bug for two of them, and then pregnant with Monkey at the last one.  What's the connection with those two leftover weddings...we welcomed our two baby girls into the world nine months after each of those holy days of matrimony. 

Bringing this up because?...I received three shower invitations in the mail this week.  Bridal Showers.  At this time, I do not believe to be prego.  Attending these weddings better not change that status.  But now looking back at our record...Monkey would go from being the little sister to the middle sister... 

I just finished passing down all of our baby stuff to family members expecting a little girl in the very near future.  A girl I went to high school with just said goodbye to all of her baby stuff and weeks later found out she is pregnant. 
WITH TWINS.

Went to 'the doctor' for that lovely annual appointment this week and he tried to have the 'tubes' conversation with me.  Sorry, doc.  Not yet.  Too young for permanent measures. 
Are these signs trying to warn me??

Maybe TOH should go solo to the weddings...just to be on the safe side.
Kidding.
Maybe.

Little of this & that

Not a lot of major happenings to report as of late, but just lots of sporadic thoughts...

Just went in to check on Bug, who after not falling asleep until after 10:30 last night, was out by 7:45 tonight...so she's crashed out and I stood over her for probably a good five minutes just watching her sleep.  No matter how crazy they may drive you during the day, watching how peaceful and innocent they are when they sleep cancels all of that out.  But I will tell you, as I was standing there, I did have a random thought about the book, Love You Forever...you know, the one where the 80-year old mother climbs into her grown-son's bedroom at night and rocks him while he's asleep?  I know that it's a super-popular book that makes a lot of people weepy, but I have to say I think it's just a little creepy.  For the record, I did not pick her up and start rocking her...

The circus.  Like I said, I was a little scared.  Don't know why, because it was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time.  The circus is nothing like it was when I was young.  At least not what I remember it to be.  Not as many clowns and lots of elephants.  Two very good things.

The girls were in awe.  And not gonna lie...at one point, I had to look around at the other adults to see if they were as shocked as I was at some of the performances.  Unbelievable. 

My question of the week...why does it seem like the kids always want you to play with them when you are trying to get something important done, but then when you do sit down and want to play, they want nothing to do with you...then again, maybe it's just mine?

Bug's new thing...running into the room with both hands up in the air yelling, 'W-INNING!!'  Their brains are seriously sponges. 

While reading a book about using your manners this week there were 'What would you do?' questions at the end of the book...
Me: 'What do you do when your parents tell you it's time to take a bath?'
Bug: 'Get naked!!!'
And she laughs...and so do we.  Guess maybe we need to get some books on 'being appropriate?' 
Love her.

Finally...got my hands on some great wine today...best part is...it was $3.97.  Cork and all.  Pair that up with my shamrock shake and today was pretty much money. 

In the words of my oldest, I think there was a whole lot of winning going on today.

19 Miles

Unfortunately, we're not talking running miles here.  I wish.  But rather a road trip. 

For this...

Perfection in a glass.  Think Thin Mints smashed up in a cup.  Delish. 

The back story...during all my years growing up in Pennsylvania, Shamrock Shakes were always part of the St. Patrick's Day tradition.  They went together like Halloween and candy.  Three years ago we moved.  And until then, I just assumed that everyone in the world enjoyed these delicious treats like we did.  W-R-O-N-G.  Our first St. Patty's Day here, I drove around to 7 McDonalds in the area searching for the shakes and the employees looked at me like I was nuts.  Finally, when I asked if they ever had them, someone told me,  "Yes, but only at one certain time during the year."  Hmmm.  Interesting.  Wondering when that 'time' is...  Last year, I didn't even try.  I erased them from my memory.  Or at least tried. 
This year...I couldn't do it.  I had to have one.  Too many Facebookers posting about how much they were loving theirs.  Jealousy kicked in.  I became a crazy woman on a mission. 

As you can see, mission accomplished.  19 miles later.  Multiple Shamrock Shakes.  Lots of happy family members. 

Now, onto running those miles...

Opposites

It's here.
It's all sorts of blue.
Very sparkly.
LOTS of poof.  

Her 1st dance costume. 

She stepped into it.
She fell in love.
I teared up.

Not going to make it through the recital without a full box of Kleenex. 

Moving on...we're off to the circus this weekend.  Haven't been to one since I was 5?  Somewhat afraid.  The girls, on the other hand, ecstatic. 

At least we all balance each other out, right?

Here's to a fun-filled weekend!

Room for One

A great mom once told me, "Always find some time in your day to have 'me' time...even if you have to lock yourself in the bathroom."

I really do stand behind this and believe everyone should have some 'me' time each day.  But as we all know, the days can get crazy (whether you have kids or not) and sometimes you can't seem to find the time. 

On the days when that time isn't looking like it's gonna happen, I try to work a five minute shower into those short 24 hours, hoping that it will give me some peace (that's right, a daily shower doesn't always make the cut, please do not judge!).  Funny how the girls' new obsession is showers.  Lovely.  Adios to those 5 minutes. 

A girl has to go use the bathroom at least what, 5 times a day...that should equal out to 5 or so minutes, right?  Not in this house. 

I don't know what is so fascinating about that damn bathroom, but I can't seem to go in there without the pitter-patter of two pairs of little feet following close behind.  I even kindly tell them, "Mama will be right out, go play for a minute..."  Nope.  Not having it.  It's like I am hiding a candy store in there and they think I am sneaking treats while behind closed doors.  There is absolutely no personal space.  And if you've been in my master bathroom, it's about the size of a kitchen pantry.  Claustrophobic issues.  Thank goodness the three of us are all female and I don't have to worry about having the boy/girl talk every time we have our 'bathroom parties' because that would just be a whole other issue!  God love my girls, but I may just need to start locking that door...

Nope.  Couldn't and wouldn't do it. 

But man, I need to find a way to pee in peace.

Even Better

You guys rock.  I will repay you someday, somehow.  I knew that some of you were loyal readers, but there were a few great surprises that really made me happy to see! 
The birthday weekend was awesome and you helped me smile even a little more :)

There was...
Girls night (sans kids and husbands)
many, many glasses of wine
great conversation
broken dishes (result of the many, many...)

pampering
ladies happy hour

couples date night
dancing

late-night cooking by TOH
sleeping in until 11am
pancake breakfast/brunch! in bed
napping on the couch
Sex and the City marathon
shopping
an extra day home with TOH
plans made for our CA vacation in a few weeks!

Wouldn't have changed a thing.  Will be a birthday I will always remember.  In a very good place with lots to be thankful for.  The thirties aren't anything what I thought they would be when I was younger. 
They're fabulous.

didn't your mom teach you that?

I have a great fantastic mom.  She has taught me more than I can even remember...and still does to this day.  One of the most important lessons I walked away with is this: 

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.

Pretty easy, if you ask me.  All you have to do is keep your mouth shut.  It goes along with some great advice my mother-in-law also gave me after having baby #1 and I was a nervous wreck about not doing the 'right things' when it came to parenting...

If they don't like what they see, they should just look away. 

Also pretty simple.  It's just a turn of your head.

So, where does this lead me?  Someone very close to me has a job that requires them to interact with much of the local public.  These people never have face-to-face contact or conversation with my 'friend' but instead, it's all through technological devices (television, email, Twitter, Facebook, etc.).  Most of the time, people are nice.  Complimentary.  You know, they follow the whole 'do onto others...' lesson that your mom also probably taught you.  However, there is a small group of people out there who unfortunately missed all of those lessons.  For some unknown reason (read: they have so much spare time on their hands and absolutely no life) they feel they are 'empowered' in some way by hiding behind their computers while trying to tear down others who are simply trying to do their job.  They say things that are demeaning, false, and just plain nasty.  I mean, really??  Does that bring joy to your day?  Do you go to bed at night feeling good/better about yourself after doing so?  It makes me angry.  I would love to meet these people in person and see what they would have to say once they don't have anything to hide behind.  It makes me sad.  I hate seeing my friend work so hard and put so much heart into their job and then have to deal with people losers (sorry, but that's what I really think) like this.  Grow up.  Get a life.  Either learn to say nice things, or look the other way, or simply shut your face.  Harsh, I know, but the more I am talking about this, the stronger my feelings get.

So, I'll stop there.  Just had to vent tonight.

Thank you mom for everything you have taught me. 

There will be happier posts to follow.  Promise.