Could this be true....

I brought up Henry for bath. I got him out of his diaper and let him crawl around a bit while I filled the tub. He crawled into the bathroom, stood up by me...hands on the lid of the toilet. I knew he was there and wasn't paying close attention. But when I finally did look over he had a proud smile on his little blue eyed face....hhmmmmmmm now what would that be for. Then I looked down. The boy had peed all over the base of the potty. Every night Charley pees before bath. Henry is usually already in the tub by this point and of course continues to watch his brother's every move. COULD IT BE TRUE that he actually attempted to pee in the potty! HOLY COW! I will now watch closely and see if he tries it again tomorrow night. I knew the second child could be potty trained easier if they are motivated by their older sibling...but could it be this easy!

He continues to amaze me everyday. And today he blew my mind!

Perfect moments...

And they are usually just moments...not long stretches. In a family of four someone is always crabby or whining. But Ed reads our blog updates at work so he doesn't hear the music or see the pictures. So tonight he asked about the song. So I played it on our stereo. I turned it up loud. And it hit me. I LOVE THIS SONG! It has been a while since I have let country hokey lyrics hit me and move me. This song makes me think of day two at the cottage...at a northern Wisconsin bar with good friends and family and creative drinks made by our favorite bartender (gosh I don't even know her name...do you remember Colleen). So turn this song up...it is Friday night! I am happy in my jeans! And the four of us just sat in the living room listening. Charley laughing and talking...Henry walking from daddy to mommy and giggling. Both Ed and I taking in the moment and realizing that we are doing this thing called parenting justice. I think we are doing a pretty good job...most of the time. It was a rough day for Charley and it is nice to end with a family moment....along with a large glass of red wine.

What day is it?

On Friday mornings we announce....
It's Friday! And all day I remind Charley and ask him... What does that mean? He responds with a huge smile on his face - Daddy will be home tomorrow! It is the day that we recognize each week because it means Daddy gets to play all day tomorrow. It means daddy can come home, have a beer, stay up late, sleep in just a wee little bit, hang out in the morning in his pjs playing star wars with Charley, get some cuddle time in with Henry...wear his jeans (new ones that I love) and just be home. So tonight we will just be home --- simple, maybe not exciting, but it is Friday! And tomorrow Daddy is home and gets to play with us all day!

The song playing will only be on here for 24 hours. Just not too bloggy but my sister sent me a workout cd and threw this one on there as a cool down. LOVE THE CD RAINA!

Here is our day in pictures...it was a pretty good one..given that the three kiddos were all bouncing back and probaby not quite 100%.

Rian was back today. Everyone was feeling better so we made orange smoothie shakes. Yum!




Henry is keeping up with the big kids...in more ways than 1. He is reaching new heights!



After lunch Henry needed a bath. He had too much food in his hair. UGH!

PJ days

There have been a number of posts today on various blogs that I read about mom's who are home feeling like losers when they don't get dressed, put on makeup, get a bunch of things accomplished, get out of the house, and engage their children in some structured creative activities. I could relate to much of what they were saying.

It is January, the middle of the freakin' most depressing time of year. It can be beautiful and fun but mostly it stinks. It is too cold to snow, too cold to go outside to play, and it gets dark early...oh and most days the sun doesn't shine. So you start out the morning thinking...well we will have cozy pj day today. And it is a great thought. The kids are excited but by midday yes, I do start to realize that I don't feel very happy anymore. I would give anything for a long hot shower. But by this time in the day I think...what is the point. Then Ed comes home and tips his head when he sees the boys, once again, still in their pjs. Sometimes different pjs...but still pjs. Now for Henry, footie pjs just make sense. He won't keep socks on so they keep him warm.

This week we have been stuck home most days because the boys aren't well. However, today Charley's nose wasn't running. He could hear me a little better. His face was no longer swollen. He had been on all his medications for well over 24 hours...so when it was time to go to school. I got him dressed. Put the boys in the car. Threw on my boots and we left. Half way there...I realized.... I still had on my pj pants! Okay, now that could be somewhat pathetic. However, I don't have to get out of the car to drop him off. Charley giggled at me when I told him. And really...I can take a much more relaxing shower this afternoon when Henry naps (which I am praying happens).

So yes, some days I do feel like a loser midway through the day if I don't get a list of things done, have not showered, and I have to throw on a hat before answering the front door. But it is often days like this when Charley and I play circus, write thank you notes, teach Henry how to play hide and seek, and just enjoy each other.

It is the middle of winter...what else is there to do but be cozy with your kids ....and heck no one knew I was still in my pj pants at school. (They are new ones by the way...cute! 12 bucks at Jcrew! Can't beat that!)

By the way...Henry is still battling a fever, his nose doesn't stop running and the kid is quite miserable. Thank goodness he did sleep through the night though!

25 things about your mama

On Facebook they have this thing circulating where you share 25 things about yourself. I have been inspired by the unique facts people have been sharing. I just can't get up the courage to share on facebook since I have a few friends on there that I really don't want to know 25 intimate details about myself. That gave me the idea to share with my boys...so someday they can see who I was....in January 2009.

1. I used to be a teacher in the public schools. I am a proud supporter of the public school system and wish the rest of the world could get with the program. I loved teaching and I miss it a little everyday. I anticipate going back to the classroom and love that feeling even more.

2. I have been a stay at home mom for the last year and a half. I love it, most days. This job can be draining and I sometimes think that if I worked my time with my boys would at times be more quality than quantity. However, now having experienced being home and just focusing on my family and raising my boys I can't imagine balancing both. This is the most important job that I will have in my life and I appreciate and love that I get to witness every moment.

3. I am a home body. I am very happy and content having no big plans. I like cozy time at home with my family. This would be why I often times offer to host playgroups, evening friend get togethers etc.

4. I totally prefer sliced up carrot sticks over the mini-carrots. I find the time to clean and slice them up. They taste so much more carroty.

5. I have become an avid blogger in the last 6 months and love it. I love that it allows me to reflect on motherhood and life. I love that I learn from my friends when they respond with their thoughts and feelings. I love reading blogs just as much as I love writing them.

6. I have always worried about losing those I love. Especially my parents. I would sit up at night crying about it. Drove my mom nuts. I still worry about it and it still can keep me up at night.

7. I ABSOLUTELY love being pregnant and hope to do it one more time! But we'll see.

8. I love to go out to eat. I make it a goal weekly not to eat out...since it can be such a waste of money. But it is such a treat to have someone else cook for me once in a while.

9. I can make a pretty damn good French Silk Pie...and I love that my husband loves it.

10. I have never had a cavity.

11. I am a person that lacks self-confidence and has trouble trusting in my decisions. I appreciate all those around me that help build my confidence. thank you!

12. I love my ONE diet coke a day. Around 11 am I love the sound of the can fizzing open and the first drink. It makes my day.

13. I have great in laws! I learn from my mother-in-law. I enjoy hanging out with my sister-in-law at Patsy's (even though it has been awhile), and I wish my brother-in-law and his wife Becca lived closer so we could have weekly Canasta tournaments...and we could get our hands on that baby girl who will be arriving in April! EEEK! Can't wait!

14. I have two fabulous little superheroes who amaze me every day. Charley Robert and Henry Kelroy. I am blessed to have two healthy happy little boys.

15. My favorite part of every day is 30 minutes after both of them have fallen asleep for the night. Then I can relax and realize that we have two healthy little boys upstairs: happy, dreaming, healthy, and safe.

16. My least favorite time of the day is when I am still sleeping and Charley calls for me. I hate having to put on a happy morning face immediately after waking. And this is why my goal each week is to go to bed early enough that I can get up before the boys and have a few moments to myself to wake up and put on that happy face.

17. I have great intentions to exercise but I have terrible follow through. I wish I had more self-discipline when it comes to exercising and eating healthy.

18. My favorite day of the year is day two up at the cottage. I have been going with the same family friends, for the same week since I was born. Now I bring my boys and share with them the same fun that I had growing up.

19. Holidays for me are a time of chaos and family. I will forever want to travel to see people. Santa can come any day for my boys. Just write him a letter.

20. My sister is pregnant and I can't wait to see her as a mother. I know she has enjoyed watching me stumble through my first years as a mother. I can't wait to giggle at her experiences.

21. My photos of the boys are in shoe boxes. I am not organized in this way.

22. I use my own grocery bags when I shop ...both the shopping bags and the produce bags. I am very proud to have been doing this for the last year.

23. I love to shop and one of the hardest things about being home is not needing to buy work clothes. I am slowly losing the urge to shop for anything other than the comfort clothes...jeans and t-shirts. But I pray I am never that person, who is submitted on Oprah for needing a mommy makeover.

24. I am married to an amazing man that is a compliment to all of my short comings. He is organized, level-headed, logical, good with money, has great perspective on situations, can fix almost anything, and supports me and my crazy ideas.

25. I am craving a night of martini's, margaritas, and dancing with the girls.

UPDATED : I will sit here all day if I have to....

Someone thought the picture was a breastfeeding picture. It was not. So, I am varifying that I was wearing a shirt! Haha!


My little Henry is not feeling top notch either. He has taken two naps in his crib but his stuffy little nose keeps him from resting for a longer stretch of time. He seemed comfortable right here. And so...as a mama who realizes that these opportunities are flying by and will soon be limited to a lap snuggle or a head resting on my shoulder...I will savor this moment and hope that he sleeps just a few more minutes. Sleep Mr. Blue Eyes! I love you!

Henry has his first temperature in this picture. 102.7! He is one year old.

Update: 5 pm doctor appointment proved that he did have an ear infection. I let out a little hooray..the doctor looked at me puzzled. I explained I just wanted reason for the temperature and an answer. Hopefully a little Motrin and a little antibiotic, will help him get a good night sleep so he is better tomorrow.

Oh, and we saw the same doctor and he wouldn't look in Charley's ears but he said that Charley's eye looks better than yesterday. A good sign.

Those who get to sleep through the night tonight. Relish it and dream a little dream for me. I have a feeling I will be up a few times loving up my boys.

Dana knows...

I have this friend Dana. We used to teach next door to each other. She is one of those people who knows a lot about lots of different things. Many times it is health related. She is one that can tell you if you are having a boy or girl when you are pregnant, WAIT!, she can actually sense when someone nearby is pregnant before they share the news...sometimes she knows before the person knows.

These last couple weeks I have been honored with watching a miniature version of Dana. Her daughter Rian, has been spending days with us. Well not today, because germs were being swapped in extreme ways. Yesterday, Charley's eyes started to look a tad pink in the late morning. After lunch the gunk started to show itself. By middle afternoon his eye was glued shut. A prescription was called in and waiting for pick up, bless their hearts for not making us go in. But it didn't look like the typical pink eye a few hours later...so when Dana showed up to pick up Rian I had her look at Charley. From across the room she saw the swollen side of his face..how his eye was almost swollen shut. And she named this long difficult condition. Rian had dealt with something similar this past summer. She encouraged me to take Charley in. Rian had to spend time in the hospital (like four days!) when she had it. So I called and our clinic now is open until 7 pm (God bless them). Ed met us there. The doc looked at him and confirmed Dr. Dana's diagnosis. He had what she had named. But because it was early enough the prescription would clear it up before the infection moved behind his eye and interfered with his eye muscles. The doc also confirmed that he had pink eye. Then he checked his ears to see if the double ear infection from Saturday was clearing up, since I am still yelling to tell Charley anything. Nope! The boy is amazing to not have been complaining from pain. It hadn't changed at all. So he is on a new medication that will cure the eye and ear infections. He is taking drops for the pink eye.

I have to be honest...when Dana mentioned an actual name to her diagnosis I was all excited to prove her wrong. Partly because that would be fun and partly because I didn't want my son's eye to be in any danger. Now I have to sit down and realize that Dana does know! When in doubt trust Dana. Dana says, "a momma knows!" But today, my response is "Dana knows." I like to think we would have taken him in last night even if Dana hadn't insisted. By the time 5:30 rolled around I knew it wasn't "just" pink eye...but by that point we would have probably had to have gone to urgent care and spent hours there. So I am in debt to Dana. Thank you!

The Truth Comes Out

You've gotta love four year olds and their honesty. Daddy came home for dinner and Charley said, "Guess what daddy? When Rian was here we sneaked into the kitchen and the lid was off of the cookie bowl and we snuck a cookie and shared it." He thought only daddy could here...because when I exploded with "WHAT!" He turned looking at me with a shocked face. He then continued to blame Henry. He said, "Well Henry told us to go and take a cookie when you weren't looking." Henry was napping by the way. Unbelievable. Although you gotta love that they shared one cookie.

I knew something was fishy. When I called over to them and said,
"What is going on in there?". They responded "Nothing" But Rian stood there and stared at me with wide eyes covering her mouth. Then ran back behind the island in the kitchen. Daddy's question...why was the lid off the cookie jar. hmmmmmm....

Then Charley informed Daddy...
"Mama disobeyed us when we were jumping on the bed." Yes, I had to ask them twice not to jump on the bed today. Third strike and they would have lost the privilege of playing in the guest room. I am not sure where he learned the word disobeyed. But he obviously was mixed up with the meaning. But daddy had a firm talk about obeying his mama. I sat in the other room snickering. Glad Ed dealt with it because I don't think I could have kept a straight face...especially when Ed had to repeat because Charley responded with "What?" His hearing is still leaving a lot to be desired.

Today I feel like...

I am living with an old man that refuses to invest in a hearing aid. Charley was diagnosed with a double ear infection on Saturday. He was miserable. By Sunday he had his energy back and wasn't in pain. Today, seems like his old self...however, he can seriously STILL not hear. I have been less than 2 feet away talking in my normal loud-ish motherly voice...demanding he clean up by the count of 10 etc. And he turns around and says...What? He is not usually the kid that ignores me. And at times I was telling him exciting things or answering his question. So today, I did a lot of loud talking, repeating, and making exaggerated lip movements so he could "read my lips" (Which by the way at one point I was ready to say.) He sat close to the TV and didn't hear me when I said to move back. Poor guy must still be dealing with the ear infection. If it doesn't clear up soon we will be going in because I refuse to repeat and shout everything I say.

Now he wants me to read a book to him, and I hate to admit this, but I have been putting it off. I just don't see how me reading in a normal relaxed voice is going to be heard. We'll see...because who can resist a child who wants to read.

One Year Appointment

Mind you...he was 20 pounds at 4 months...and Charley was 20 pounds at 9 months.

He weighed 22 pounds and 5 ounces...so he has slowed down (thankfully) He is now in the 48 % for weight.

His height was 30 inches ....66th percentile...

And his head was 19 inches...94th percentile...so he has a big melon!

Love that little guy!

Updated : Title Change...Look at these colorful explosions!

Charley and I made the playdough cookies I mentioned a few blogs ago. They do taste good. They were fun to make.

Taking a little for myself

So it has been a cold winter and I have kept pretty cooped up in the house. We ventured out a few times this week and now are fighting colds and ear infections, so most likely we will stay put again next week. So this afternoon Ed was looking at the movies because he is going to hang out with buddies tonight. Good for him - he needs and deserves this. Charley was napping on the couch, Henry seemed to be napping....so I spur of the moment grabbed my jacket and left. I went and saw a movie ALL BY MYSELF! Now when I contemplated...Ed responded, "If that is what you want to do...all alone. You could call a friend." But see, to pick a friend, call them, find out they are busy, call another and then set up a time to go to the movie in like two weeks...just wouldn't do what I needed to do at this moment. I know that not everyone is comfortable going to a movie alone. However, my mom has always encouraged me to go to a movie by myself at different times in my life. I hadn't done it in a long time. But to escape and nab up some time that is frivolous and fun....that was what I needed. I felt independent and halfway through the movie I felt excited to get home. ahhhh...that felt good. I forget that getting out and doing something for myself can be reinvigorating.

Cheers to a moment for me.

My boy is sick...

I took him into the doctor this morning to get his ears checked. He complained last night that they hurt. On the way there he fell asleep...clue that something is wrong. He fell asleep with a sucker in his hand. Doctor looked in the first and cringed. Doctor looked in the second and cringed. Yep, double ear infection...ballooning and ready to rupture. She assured me that this would relieve his pain if it happened in the next two days. If it happens after two days we need to come back in because the meds aren't working. He fell asleep again, holding the sucker, waking momentarily to take a lick.

We got home and he won't take the medicine...not with all the bribes in the world...Horton Hears a Who, m & m's, ice cream, real gum (since the amox. tastes like bubble gum...and he has never had gum), a little present from Grandma Barb (Yes, mom there are like three left from when Henry was born and they are very handy), instead he did take some motrin. Ed snuggled him on the couch and he is sleeping through all the noise going on down here. Obviously the boy is tired. Hopefully a good nap will wake him ready to take his meds otherwise we are going to have to force it...and with a four year old, I don't think that will go very well.

I don't remember ear infections...but I had my share of swimmers ear and the basic ear infection. I wish I could remember so I knew what he was going through. I will just love him up...as will his daddy. And Henry, he will try his darndest to make him smile.

I am a mom of a boy!

And I am succeeding. Charley's nose has been running nonstop this week. By Wednesday it was pretty dried up but still a little gunky. So today, I could see them in there. Big boogers! Now, how many kids would let their mama work on their nose until it was all cleaned up. Not many. But with a little convincing...Charley let me extract the two major blockages...how did I convince? Hey, I am a mom of boys. I am proud of it. So I said, "Let me get 'em and you can use your magnify glass to investigate!" Gross, but he stood there, put up with the intrusion, looked for a maximum of 10 seconds, said, "Wow", and then went off to play. While I felt some pride in a job well done.

Gross, I know..but hey, I am a mom of boys...whatever it takes!

TGIF & It's 5 o'clock somewhere...isn't it?

So I am a tad crabby today. There is no reason. It is Friday, the kids are pretty much healthy, Charley has a playmate again today, the house isn't a disaster, so why?...not sure. I think I just haven't gotten out enough lately. So spur of the moment I decided we would race to another indoor park, quickly touch everything to gather up germs for the weekend (totally kidding), and then come home for some quiet time. So within 10 minutes of deciding, we were in the car heading to the park. Of course, forgot water bottles, snacks, etc....but we did it without touching a water fountain (I am afraid of those - at least until my children are old enough to not touch their mouth to the spout).

As we left I said to the kids, "Did you have fun?" No one answered. So I said, "Charley, did you have fun?" He flat out, without hesitation said, "No." So I responded, my crabby self coming out. "Well, We won't go back there again then." Then instead of changing his mind and saying, "just kidding mom, I had a good time. " He freaked out and started crying. "I want to go back. I want to go back. I had a good time." Rian, the little girl I am watching, of course said, "I had a good time."

So I took the moment to vent my feelings and I explained to Charley, here I go...brace yourself, "Charley, when I ask you if you had a good time? It is because I care about whether you had fun. I want to know so I can plan more fun things. When you say no it hurts my feelings. If you really didn't have a good time then you should tell me that. But to just say no because you can is not polite. We will not do fun things if you don't tell the truth. I try to plan fun outings and when you don't say you had fun, or you dont say thank you. Then I don't want to do more outings." Meanwhile, his mind has wandered and I am still ranting....without hesitation he then asked about lunch. I don't even think he heard what I said. UGH! How crabby am I now. So I turned up the corny children's cd that I have in the car and thought....I wonder if my parents asked me if I had fun and if I responded in a snotty voice, "No!" If I did...which I am sure I did, don't all kids; then I am sorry. I am sorry mom and dad for ever saying no, without genuine thought and consideration over the question.

Am I overly sensitive today....hunting out any little thing to complain about..maybe...but oh well. I can.

Oh and another thing that really flipped my lid. When kids ask you to turn up the song on the radio and then continue to ask you for a kleenex or something. So you turn it down to hear what they are saying and they then say in a not so nice voice, "turn it up." This weekend I will be working hard with Charley on being patient and thinking about how he is answering and asking questions.

Happy Friday! It's 5 o'clock somewhere...isn't it?

Our Post Office

This morning things were a little hairy. Charley's nose seemed to have stopped running but his mood left much to be desired. So I found two shoe boxes and a load of stickers, foamy stickies, and markers and we decorated their very own mailboxes. They then picked special spots to place their mailboxes. I set up a post office with markers and stampers. Gave them each a folder with paper and envelopes...the folder made it that much more exciting and official. Now they are busy making mail, checking their boxes, and thanking each other for their nice letters. I am even getting quite the load of mail.

This is something I grew up playing with my mom, sister, brother, and friends. It is something my mom, I am assuming, started and it was a hit for years and years. So I will carry on the mailbox tradition. Happy Thursday!

My Busy Boy

He turned one and his whole world opened up...or rather...drawers. He is into everything. He is occupied. He is fun to watch. He is work to clean up after. But, he is a riot to watch!

We finally got out!

We finally ventured out for a little fun. We have really been staying close to home because of the cold. Now we are all verging on having colds and I am sure after going to an indoor play area we will all increase our chances of catching something. But boy did we all go a little crazy and enjoy running, jumping and sliding. Even Henry went down the huge slide with me. And I couldn't resist taking a few jumps in the big jumpy thing. Rian looked at me at first like I was crazy and then she clapped and joined me. HA! Now Henry is napping hard and Charley & Rian are having a quiet afternoon.

Love this letter!

Love this!

Things I love about today and the future...

I love seeing the millions of people in Washington DC this morning celebrating the historical day.

I loved seeing President Bush and President Obama together.

It amazed me to see Bush standing behind President Obama during his speech today.

I love that I am alive during a period in time where history is being made.

I am thrilled that my boys will grow up without thinking about color or race. I love that there are children out there with different colored skin, different religious backgrounds, from different parts of the world, who are Americans and can grow up believing that they can be anyone, an opportunity that has been available, in my heart, for a long time. But now, today, there is proof! There is a role model.

I wonder how Bush is feeling as he flies away....I am sure relief. I know there are so many mixed feelings out there about him. I think he had some huge events/issues that he had to deal with as a president and he did the best he could and for that he deserves some peace and time to just be. I hope the American people can let him be.

I love that this new president is going to bring a different family lifestyle to Washington. I love that they have children, I love that they are a new generation, I love that it is new and different.

I am in awe of the history and the tradition of this event.

I love that whether you voted for Obama, whether you are democrat or republican, whether you pay attention to politics....most people can see the significance in this day.

The thing that brings the most emotion though....isn't that this is our first black president or that we have a democratic president. My friend Paula pointed this out....it is that in America our transition of power is peaceful, celebratory, ceremonial, a party. In other parts of the world the transition of power is associated with war, struggle, and unhappiness. It is amazing how our country works, and has worked forever! I am a proud American.

Some days just fly by....

As I sit here enjoying a glass of wine and some mindless tv with my husband I come to realize that I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Some days drag, some days I want to pull my hair out, some days fly by, some days have too many moments that I want to remember and tell Ed about. Today flew by. We woke up, vacuumed upstairs, threw in a load of laundry and ate breakfast. We played a three rounds of the game cariboo, watched a cartoon, threw in another load of laundry, and made banana bread. Aunt Sara was here for a few while so she played with the boys while I made my four meals for meal swap tomorrow. Charley played a game on the computer when Aunt Sara left. I made lunch while Henry napped. I threw in another load of laundry, read some stories to Charley, tried to get the boys to nap, picked up toys, unloaded the dishwasher, vacuumed downstairs, and gave the boys a snack. I hosted a playdate/dinner with my mommy friends who Charley and I met through a group we joined connected to the hospital. When they left we headed up to bath, Ed arrived home, and the boys are in bed.

It wasn't a day of huge moments, nothing big was accomplished. Some of the things might seem silly to some. But everyone's moods were happy here, even though Charley's nose didn't stop running. I enjoy a day like today just as much as I enjoy a day filled with more exciting adventures.

Tomorrow will be more of the same for our household. However, in the bigger picture tomorrow will be a great day in history. I hope that I can some how find a moment to take it in and I hope I can share tomorrow's historical event with Charley in some small way. He is living in a great time in history and I am proud and thankful that this is his lifetime to live. Tomorrow is a new day for the United States of America. Go President Obama!

When life gives you three overrippened bananas

Make banana bread! Sherry's banana bread!


This morning Charley and I whipped up a batch of my mommy friend Sherry's banana bread. It is something she has served at playdates and it is unbelievable. She shared her recipe and I was able to make it! It is heaven...especially when it is still warm. Henry loves it! Charley loves it! Ed does not - more for us daddy! Thank you Sherry for sharing. I can't not nibble as I walk by....and the kitchen amazingly looks very cleaned up...maybe because I have found excuse after excuse to walk through the kitchen this morning.

Do you have a scrumptious recipe that you can't not nibble?

This month's preschool project

So each month we are given a family project from Charley's preschool teacher. This month we were given a cereal box with a blue background. The directions instructed us to build a winter scene for January. So I thought we would use marshmallows. Gluing them would keep Chuck busy for a while. He is getting better at cutting so I drew some trees and a sun and he cut them out. Here is the finished product. I have to say that he freaked me out when I explained what we were going to do and he said, "no mama, I want to glue some clear plastic over it and cut some strips and glue them across so it looks like a window" Holy $@#*! I thought my son was incredible for about 5 seconds until he continued with "I saw one like that at my school!" HAHAHA! One of his friends did this. We almost had breakdown when I explained we were going to do something different. We couldn't copy his friends work. We had to try our own idea. That seemed to please him. So here is our finished product.


I enjoy these projects but I am quickly seeing how some of my students parents might have been annoyed when projects came home. Pressure is on to add something else to your already busy life. Then it is hard to act as a guide..because it is so easy to get excited about the activity, wrapped up into it, and the next thing you know your child has gone off to play and you are bent over gluing toothpicks into some exotic house. Anyways...I look forward to years of projects.

My baking challenge for the week....

Don't these look fun!

Oh! And while puttering around on my blog I changed a setting and I think that some of you who have had a hard time commenting....will be able to now. Let me know. I love the comments you email or write on the blog. It makes me feel like you are sharing your life with me...since I am sharing mine with you....So...I'll show you mine...if you will comment on yours every once in awhile! That is what blogging is all about!

Love, Sarah

Pausing to appreciate...

Lately, I have had time to sit and just listen because Charley has a playmate and is very occupied. I can sit and watch and take it all in. I think getting full nights of sleep really helps with my energy and outlook on life. Lately, I have had moments where I am just giddy with happiness. Maybe it is that life has settled down and there is nothing major going on. I feel caught up...or maybe...

# we got to see family over the holiday and everyone was healthy and well.

# I have great mommy friends that help make our days at home more fun.

# I have gotten in touch with lots of old highschool friends who I hadn't spoken with in probably 15 years. Thank you facebook. I love hearing how they are all doing and it amazes me that many of us are at similar stages in life.

OR
Maybe...

#it is the comments people make or messages people share in response to my blog. I LOVE hearing your thoughts. LOVE it.

# I get to go on a get away to the Florida sunshine in a month with my husband. It will be good for me in so many ways and it will be great for US in so many ways.

# I have a mom and mother in law that get along well and are coming to love up our boys so we can get away. Thank you!

# Our washing machine dial may have broken but I am still able to do laundry. Love that!

#Henry is playing more and more and it is fun to watch him shadow his big brother.

#Charley is absolutely going through a daddy stage. He loves his daddy time.

Well..maybe it is that...

# I have gotten in a few bubble bath and am almost done with a REALLY good book.

# Weaning Henry is going slowly but well.

# I have pink eye but my OBGYN got a prescription called in to Walgreens and Ed can drive through and pick it up...so I have been home since Tuesday and loving that I can when it is so bitterly cold.

# It must be warming up because it is starting to snow. Maybe next week we can get out of the house.

# I am taking care of three munchkins during the day and it is going well....hmmm....what does that mean...3's a charm!

# My sister is pregnant and I can't wait to be mama sisters with her. Our relationship got closer when we could drink together and I can only imagine what will happen when we can change diapers together.

# The Christmas presents that the boys received were great choices because they are getting lots of use.

# Our house is warm, our pantry is stocked, our clothes are clean, and I have new boots that put a skip in my step.

# Being home all week...except for a doctor appointment on Tuesday has actually been really nice. I would think I would be going nuts but I have really actually enjoyed the excuse to just "be" home.

Okay, so there are lots of things that are going well in my life. I think often times I get so caught up in the crumbs, poopy diapers, piles of laundry, and the running to and from that I don't take time to realize all these things that I should appreciate more. Pausing to sigh before I go change up the laundry.

Happy Friday! Tomorrow is Saturday and my husband who has put in long hours and has still managed to get home for bath and story with the kids every night gets a day off to rest. I am going to do my best to let him rest. But I do need to go get groceries and breathe some fresh air. Enjoy your weekend. Take a moment to pause and think of the good things in your life. It sure does make a difference.

3 to love during the day

For the next three weeks I am helping out an old teacher friend of mine. Her daughter is becoming one of our family while her daycare provider has a baby. Charley and Rian have been playing wonderfully. They have their moments where one is stubborn or needs a break from the other. I try to explain that they don't HAVE to pay together but for a 3 or 4 year old that is hard to understand. So I am trying to keep things fresh and busy here.

The conversations I get to witness, the imaginitive play that is occuring, and the challenge of sharing and getting along is awesome. Here are a few moments that have occured in the last two days. For some reason I can't get some of the pictures to download turned. UGH!

Dance Party

The other night Ed had to work late and we were all crabby from a long day of being cooped up in the house. And so I once again, tried to help us all get our wiggles out by putting on some fun kid music for dance party. Every time I do this Charley starts crying and hates it. He refuses to let himself just enjoy and get crazy. At Charley's conference his teacher shared that she also saw Charley shy away from singing and doing these types of activities. I have witnessed it at library class etc. I am not sure how this can be, since he has me as his mother. I am constantly singing the old crazy camp songs, dancing around with actions, and being silly. Maybe he has a little of his daddy in him when it comes to this area. Ed isn't one to just bust out into song and dance. The other night when I turned on the music Charley ran and hid but after about 1 minute he came back in and asked me to restart the song. He didn't want to stop and we danced and played rock star to the ENTIRE cd. It was awesome. Even Henry played along. Here are a few moments I captured. So good for a mama's spirit.


Resting...

Love that I figured out how to link

I enjoyed this blog this morning. It reminds me to thank my friends who look past the laundry piles, dishes, crumby floor, and scattered mess that often times greets them when they pop over for a last minute play date. And for those friends who vent about mommy stuff and share that there are days when their kids drive them crazy, watch too much TV, or don't eat their veggies. Being a mom is hard. Judging yourself is something that happens without much thought. It is nice to have friends who you don't feel judged by. I am lucky to have a great support system!

I have also been trying to figure out how to link things on here. YAY! I think I did it.

I'm A Mom and I Get to Make the Call

Today the weather was tremendously cold outside. I have three little ones who I am loving today. The question came up...should I take Charley to preschool. Should I bundle them all up and drive him there? Then bundle them all up to go get him. They played all morning making a tent, camping, playing house and more.

I am a mom now. And even though I feel silly not taking him today...I just didn't want to take these three cozy kiddos out. Charley thinks his teacher cancelled school today. Hopefully he will forget by next Tuesday. But honestly, it was a two hour late start in our district and so many schools in MN and WI were closed. So I am going to feel good about my decision and enjoy the rest of the day. It was first time as a mom where I had to call the secretary at school and tell her my son wouldn't be coming to school. Kind of freaked me out.

What's for supper?

So...what is the dinner dilemma? I have been well fed all afternoon with plates of food that look like this.



With all these yummy snacks that have been described as "super yummy". Heck, some of the ingrediants even fell on the floor but were quickly retrieved and mushed into the entrees. Why am I crabby that Ed needs to work late, which makes me not want to make anything nice for dinner. So grilled cheese and soup might be what we have tonight. I just wish these adorable cooks...




could actually cook. Wouldn't that be nice?!

Who me? Did I do something?

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Doesn't every kid do this at some point? He hightails it towards our cupboard that stores our fish crackers and cereal. Was he in heaven for a few minutes....yes! Will he attempt this trick again...probably.

Let's be honest...

What cupboard in the kitchen do you dread going in? What cupboard do you open and things fall out? Which one do you try to organize and swear that you are going to do better...but within a day it is a mess....if you are like me...that would be the "Tupperware" cupboard. Now, I say Tupperware...but I have very little actual Tupperware. Maybe if I had actual "Tupperware" I would be having less issues. But this cupboard has caused me great stress. My husband is helpful and at times gets fed up and tries to organize it himself. I can't find tops to match bottoms. And there is absolutely no solution to stacking the different sized containers.

So I have slowly tried to stop buying plastic storage and thanks to my Aunt Pat I have accumulated quite a bit of Pyrex glass storage containers. Now, yes, one of the reasons is the whole plastic thing going on right now. I do think glass is just better for us. But there are other reasons...and that first paragraph is the main reason. Glass stacks so nicely and the containers all have obvious tops. I also love that I can store my food, freeze my food, and reheat my food in the same container. So far less dishes. I am down to one small shelf in a lower cupboard for my plastic. I won't completely give it up. It works well for freezing or sharing food with friends.

Why am I writing about this today? Well, this morning, in between playing memory, a card game, serving breakfast, laundry, and play dough...I reorganized several kitchen cupboards. It was a snow day in our house...too cold and snowy to go out. So cheers to my "Tupperware" cupboard! I am going to win this battle.

Toss and Turn ....or....Get up and Enjoy!

So this morning Henry woke up crying around 3 (he has been sleeping through the night pretty well) and we let him fuss for a long time. Then I went in and made sure he had what he needed. He had his four nuks in his hands. I turned on the music and said night night and then left. I laid there and waited. He fussed on and off. Then like usual I rationalized out why I needed to go in and just nurse him. (Tonight, it was because he had missed all of his naps on Saturday and therefore needed some extra boob time...yeah right. But I didn't want him to waste anymore precious sleep time.) So I went in and nursed him. And as his little hand played with my fingers as he was soothed I realized this was going to be ending to soon. He went back to sleep and I went and tossed and turned for another hour. Now it was 4:30. By 5 am I decided I had gone to bed early so that I could get up and enjoy the early quiet time. However, not this early. But, I decided to go for it. So I came down and folded some laundry and then decided to spend sometime perusing mommy blogs. Here are few that tugged at my heart. I am not sure how to link them ....Molly can you explain....but you can probably cut and paste. I really enjoy blogging and have found that it gives me pause during my day. I have also really enjoyed being enlightened and relating to other people's blogs. They make me laugh, give me inspiration, and just plain entertain. You do need time, which doesn't come easily. But this morning....it came early. I am praying that Ed will let me get a little nap this afternoon. If not..I guess I will go to bed early in hopes of some more early morning quiet time.

www.antiquemommy.com Plan for Joy I just enjoyed some of her writing.

www.absolutelybananas.com - man look at that belly. My sis is pregnant and she is just waiting for her belly to pop and I keep telling her to enjoy each moment and each centimeter. In no time she will be as big as a house trying to shuffle her way through the third trimester anxiously awaiting the arrival of a little miracle that is going cause her life to change in an awesome and incredible way. I hope she isn't overdue and this huge!

http://wouldashoulda.com/2009/01/05/the-force-is-strong-in-you/#more-2524 this one I related to because my little Henry is going to forever deal with his birthday being so close to the holidays. But this is a reminder that his day is still his day...and all we can do is make is special. Kids are kids and their birthday is often times the best day of the year. I know his "birth" day was one of my best days!

18 years or older to order? hmmmmm....

During the day my son watches tv. Sometimes more than the 2 hours than they recommend and some none at all. I believe it all balances out. I love the cartoons on PBS and Disney because they don't have the commercials that Nick Jr. has. I am realizing the influence of commercials. When my son asks if someday he can have Sketchers! WHAT!

One of my favorite cartoons to have on is Max and Ruby. It is about a big sister bunny and her little brother. It is simple entertainment. It isn't a big learning show. He isn't learning letters or numbers or how to count in Spanish. But Charley sits and laughs during this show because I think it is slow paced enough for his four year old sense of humor to enjoy.

This show that is so simple is on Nick Jr. So that means if I am not sitting right there...which I rarely am. He gets to see some commercials. The commercials that Charley really gets most excited about are the infomercials. The demonstrations really thrill him and he gets so excited. He just saw one about making mini slider burgers. "And you can even do the buns, mama. Did you see that?! The round buns not the hotdog buns (with a disappointed look on his face)" The commercial ended stating "You must be 18 years or older to order." Charley looked at me with a look on his face as he repeated this line. And finished it with an awwwwww! Why would an 18 year old be watching Max and Ruby. It isn't an inappropriate commercial and I guess it is better than some toy that he will want. But still....pbs....love you! Disney....love you! Nick Jr. we'll keep watching a select few shows without ordering the burger o rama...or whatever it was called.

I fear the home shopping network in the wee hours of the night might be something Charley needs to avoid later in life.

Starring Charley Robert

I Had A Little Turtle
Hint to watching these videos...turn off the music at the bottom of my entire blog.
Let it run through once and then rewatch and it might play more smoothly!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Whole Milk...what an udderly wonderful thing!

Henry had his first taste of cows milk. Here is video of his first taste. I think he has been waiting his entire 12 months for this because as you can see there is not a single moment of hesitation...or pondering or what this is? He just enjoys! He has also learned some sippy cup tricks...keep your eye on the cup and his hands.

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A Mama realizes and responds

Dear Charley,

Throughout your life you have left me speechless with your reflections, realizations, and contemplations. I thought I would take a moment and ponder some of the thoughts you have shared or experienced lately.

Lately you have spoken of being a daddy someday but wonder who will be the mom. Maybe your friend Elly you kindly reply. Many of your friends are girls and I have a tiny fear that someday our telephone will ring off the hook around prom time. There is also a tiny hope for this because it would mean you are growing up into a fine young man. Today we went to playgroup with our all girl playgroup. They all put on dresses, shoes, and jewelry and even Henry plopped himself on the pile of necklaces and was fascinated. You kept busy on the sidelines. You never complain that you are the only boy in playgroup. You treasure the young ladies who have become good friends. I am lucky because their mom's are my support system in this journey of being a stay at home mom.


Many days we have your good friend Elly over. The two of you play house most days. You are the daddy and she is the mommy. One day I heard you say, "Okay, I will go to the work because I am the daddy. You stay home because you are the mommy." I snickered at this however, the more it settled in I realized I had to march over there and put my two cents into that situation. I explained, "Now Charley, Elly can go to work too. I used to go to work. Lots of mommy's go to work. " You took that in and play continued. I just want you to always know and remember that mama used to work, and will work, and that being home is work.


This next realization you had the other day broke my heart but it amazes me that you could share these feelings.

The other day you came up to me and said, "Mama, remember when I was little and you used to play with me a lot." Then you stood there and looked at me with sad eyes. This broke my heart. For a four year old to notice and value those days when I did sit and line up cars all morning is something. Last year when I first stayed home it was just you and me. We would get up in the morning and play. I was so excited to be home to treasure every moment with you before this new little family member joined us. Now you are four and I explained that many things you can now do without me sitting right there. You can race your cars, color a picture, or do a puzzle. Many days I get wrapped up in the laundry, dishwasher, picking up the toys, and on and on. But just because I am not sitting right there next to you doesn't mean I am not completely aware of all that you are doing. I see that you turn in your chair and demand to your reflection to stop copying yourself. I am watching and loving that I get to take in every moment in your day to day life.

I probably do need to forget about some of the day to day chores and get down on the floor and play more with you. But I truly also see the value in you playing independently and keeping yourself busy.

These thoughts have been on my mind the last few days. Some of them hard to admit out loud but also I want to share my thoughts as a mother so that some day you can see what your journey and mine included.

Charley, I am proud of how you are growing up. And I doubt myself on a daily, hourly, moment to moment basis on the choices I am making throughout the day. Because I doubt myself I feel like I keep myself in check and continue to try new things, attack the day differently, grow as a mama, and be the best I can be for you and your brother. You are a verbal boy who shares your thoughts so clearly with me and I am lucky. I pray that as you grow older you will continue to tell me how you feel. Even though sometimes the things you say can be too honest or blunt. It is your insight, however you share it with me, that makes me work that much harder as a mother.

Love you big boy!
Your Mama

Giving it a go...

Two things I am giving a try this new year:

First, I am in the process of weaning Henry. Ed and I will get to go on a trip to Florida in February and I need to get Henry down to one nurse a day by then. I want to nurse through the flu season because he has yet to be sick and I just think that nursing might have helped with that. I am also ready to be done. The boy loves his boob though so it is going to be hard. I am documenting this, maybe too much info for some people, but just in case another baby comes along in my life I can remember how I weaned. I have no memory of Charley's weaning process and his was different because of daycare. Today's first step is nursing him outside of his room and then taking him up and reading stories before bed. By the weekend I can cut out the entire 9 am feed before nap by having Ed put him down. Then next Monday we will live with no 9am nurse and by the next weekend we will cut out the afternoon feeding. We will also give milk a try as soon as I get to the store! So exciting!

Second, I am trying to get more active. Swimming was too hard to do at 8pm at night in this frigid weather. I hope to do it again in the spring. We have a nice elliptical machine sitting here. So I did 10 minutes on Tuesday and 20 minutes this morning.

So as the New Year starts I will no longer be burning 500 extra calories as a milking machine so therefore need to add a little exercise into my routine. Wish me luck!

Any advice on weaning jot me an email!

He leaves tracks..

Here is my dad....





And here is how I know he was here this past weekend :


My dad has been known to go through magazines and tear out these small subscription things. My mom told me she finds them all over the house. I have found three so far.

Charley conversation....

Charley was working on a life sized puzzle of the skeleton of a human. He usually won't attempt it without help. He started it under the impression that I would help when I had dinner going. He was doing great so I said, "If you can do that whole skeleton by yourself you can be a doctor someday."

He replied, "No Mama, I am going to be a race car driver. Remember?"

I then said, "Oh yeah, but you could be both."

He asked, "What do you mean?"

I said, "You can be a doctor during the week and a race car driver on the weekends."

He then replied, "But Maaaama, I want to be a daddy too. Oh wait, maybe I can be all three."

I then finished, "Yes, Charley you can be all three. You can be whatever you want when you grow up."

I am getting a taste

of my boys being "real" brothers. They are starting to play together. This afternoon they sat by each other and played doctor. Charley was of course leading the way but I heard lots of giggling from the doctor and when I looked over Henry was being treated very kindly. There have been some moments of rough play, which I of course break up right away...big brother needs a reminder that he is still much bigger. However, I see that once these two can play together life is going to be a whole lot more fun and busy in this house. They have no idea how important they are going to be to each other. I love that the brotherly dynamic is beginning to show itself in our house.


You know it has been a great day when the house looks like this....


this scene continues throughout the entire downstairs!

Shhhh...a quiet afternoon

This week has been a wonderful start to the new year. We have been so busy the last few weeks with holiday travels and celebrations. Henry's birthday took over last weeks routine. This week we are just trying to be normal.

This afternoon Henry and I brought Charley to preschool. He was hesitant on going today. I tried to get him excited by reminding him all of the things he could share with Ms. Heather (Christmas presents, Henry walking, Henry turning one etc.) He asked us to walk him in and that seemed to help too. Then I watched him meander down the hall with his over sized backpack on, dressed to go outside to play (YEAH! We don't get out enough since it has been too cold for Hank!) Henry and I raced home and I got him down for a nap and he was sleeping by 1:30. Pretty good! He will get almost 2 hours. Which means.....drum roll. I have had two hours to putter around in quiet. I will admit whole-heartily that I wasted my time today. I did work in our trashed bedroom for a bit. It turned into the dump spot as we did last minute cleaning up before company arrived on Saturday. But it really is a two person job so I think Ed and I need to commit to doing it together. But after that I really just puttered around on my mac, got motivated by watching yesterday's episode of Oprah, and just looked around at the house (which is semi cleaned up since we hosted Henry's party this past weekend). It was a delightful afternoon and I am feeling ready for Hank to wake full of energy and tired Charley to arrive home. It will be a normal night, with a normal dinner (of lasagna again!), with a normal bedtime where both Ed and I can work together to get them to bed early and peacefully.

The holiday travel, celebrations, and chaos is great. But it is also nice to just have normal, quiet, everyday routine back in our daily comings and goings. Happy Tuesday!

A Young Man After a Busy Day at the Office (or preschool)

Just sharing

This was taken by Henry's Uncle Mike. He set Henry up on this chair and Henry sat up there so happy and content for a long time.

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Tribute to my "cousin-in-law"

This Christmas I asked for a recipe for some amazing and beautiful cut out cookies. They are well known and desired by all my "cousin - in - law's" friends and family. They are my mom's favorite holiday treat. She shared the recipe she has mastered and has been making for 6 years. I decided to give them a try. I did well on the cut out part but respect needs to be given to Kim in great amounts to the icing part. Her cookies could be considered professional....my first experience glazing - What a disaster. Ed walked in during my first try at glazing them and told me "maybe you should go slower." My response was a death glare. I am not a slow project person. They tasted good but the glazing could have been better and the glaze faded for some reason after putting them in the fridge for a few days. I will try them again this Valentine's day. But communicating with a cousin who I don't normally talk to all but once or twice a year was fun. Thanks Kim and I will let you know how the next batch turns out.