Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! 39 years! This is something you should be extremely proud of. You are a role model for Ed and I. Many things amaze me about the two of you. But as a couple, husband and wife, I think the thing I appreciate the most is how much fun the two of you have together. Most weekends you have fun plans with great friends. You go on trips. You attend concerts and sporting events that are good for your soul. You enjoy a good fish fry. And on weekends when you don't have much going on I know that the two of you will find a band to go listen to or you will drive the little red sports car down to Chucks for a beer and a burger. I only hope that someday, when Ed and I have been married for 39 years, that we will find 1/2 as much joy as the two of you find together. Because if we can find 1/2 we will be so lucky! I am sure you have had your ups and downs, and you have worked hard to hide it from us kids. Celebrate today. Mom I called and you told me Dad had you join him on some errands today...and you didn't know what to expect. Often times, with dad, you don't know what you are in for. I remember growing up, after church dad would have us all locked in the car, held captive, to hit some antique store, Gibson girl sales, or the ever famous Sheboygan Art Center. I hope your errands today included a margarita or a beer and a toast to 39 years! We love you! You inspire us all!

Come in from the snowstorm!

Only in Minnesota can it be spring like one day.....and the next...all the animals come in from the snowstorm!

Catching up....

So it was such a treat to get away from the normal routine for a few days but I will admit that it would almost be better to have not gone. It is really hard to get caught up and feel back in the swing of things. We had playgroup this morning and missed because I wanted Henry to get a nap and we were getting so much done. Making dinner last night, I just kept thinking, how nice it was last week to just get dressed up and go out. Waking up this morning was really hard. I was so tired. And falling asleep last night...happened earlier than usual.

Today I have been catching up with the boys and even though it is so tempting to put off playing with them to get the laundry done or the kitchen cleaned up - I am focusing on them. This morning we played and when Henry went down for a nap Charley and I had a game marathon and played several games. After lunch we went for a nice long walk, taking a rest stop at the coffee shop nearby to split a cookie, and then returned home. Charley is getting really good at cleaning up. I set the clock for 10 minutes. He tells me to "Go!" and then we clean up! I am very very proud of him. He is amazed that it only takes a little to get it all done. Now we are both resting in front of Max and Ruby. I will tackle a load of laundry and clean up the kitchen in minutes.

So it is overwhelming returning home and getting thrown back into being a mommy. But we are getting there and soon that break from the norm will be a distant memory.

How do you deal with this...the boy picks...

Warning...daddy....this is going to hurt and you will have steam coming out of your ears.....use the commute to calm so you can deal with this situation calmly.

So this morning I went into Charley's room and laid down on his bed and this is what I saw....

just above his pillow on the wall! He has picked a hole down to a nail in the wall! WHAT! HOW DO YOU EVEN DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION WHEN HE IS FOUR!

He is a picker. He picks at his nails, he picks at the world, and he has done something similar to this at my mom and dads. Sorry! I catch him picking at his toenails and I make him stop and put on socks or what not. He runs and finds a corner and doesn't think I notice his plan. Or he will put his foot under the blanket and think I won't know that he thinks he can continue picking.

I know he didn't do this with the intent of ruining the wall or making us mad. I am sure it is just this drive that he has in his body. He informed me that we could just paint some brown paint on it and it would be fixed. Unfortunately I informed him that it is deeper than a little paint. I then calmly lectured him and explained that if he ruins things like carpet, furniture, or walls we will have to stop buying fun food, toys, activities etc.

I will admit, I had absolutely NO idea how to deal with this situation. Any guidance would be appreciated. I want the consequence to fit the crime. Help!

Meanwhile, the little rascal is fishing today in a laundry basket with another laundry basket on top and a blanket over that.....could he be hiding.....

I can build it...can you...

Grab some blocks...we have a bin of pattern blocks. Take turns building a shape or picture and then the other person has to try and copy it. We start using only 3 blocks and then do four and then once we have the hang of it we use whatever. Build away, talk about shapes, use your imagination. You can use any type of blocks or tinker toys.

Remember the Us in our marriage

Ed's job has given us the opportunity to get away together a few times in the last 4 years. He has to work for part of the time but it is a trip that we would otherwise not take together because our priorities always seem to center around our children. And when I decided to stay home, one of the things we talked about having to give up was taking trips. So to be able to escape life in MN for a few days is such a gift. Lately, I hear of acquaintances who are dealing with divorce or trouble in their marriage. They are often emptynesters; and now that their little birds have grown their own wings and they have flown off to test them - mama bird and papa bird are left in this big nest with only each other.

My parents have an amazing relationship. I hope someday, Ed and I can enjoy each other like they do. They are so social now and they take trips and do things together whether it is a cruise with 12 great friends, a Badger game with another couple, or a fish fry and a blues band on a Friday night alone. They have fun together. My goal in life is to raise my boys so that they can move out and make their dreams come true. But that means that it leaves me with "just" Ed. As I hear of these older couples struggling I wonder if they lost what they had in the beginning of their relationship because they stopped making time for each other. They stopped having "fun" together. Raising children is hard and I am realizing that as they get older it doesn't necessarily get easier. It is so easy to just talk about the kids, to just do things with the kids, and to live for the kids. But this trip that we are gifted gives us a chance to sit on an airplane for a few hours together, to eat a few meals together, to walk the beach, or find something to do together.

I missed the trip last year because Henry had just been born. I think...I can say...that Ed missed having me there. This trip is also special because I get to see him in a different way....as the professional. I am gifted with the chance to meet some of his coworkers. I also get to hang out with some of their wives. We all sit on the beach while the men are in meetings and chit chat about everything and anything. Some of the women are grandmas, some of them have college aged children, some have high school/middle school/ or elementary. Some have new babies and missed the vacation because they are home being mommies. I sit and am quiet quite a bit on this trip because I find all of these women amazing and I love hearing how they live their lives. 4 days sitting on the beach with them gives lots of time to talk about everything and anything. As the trip ends we all fly out at different times and we say our good-byes...and most likely I won't hear or see them again until next February (if the trip happens because it isn't a sure thing). We all go back to our busy lives with our hardworking husbands that all leave us each morning to go work together.

So this trip is a gift. It gives me a chance to revitalize and get away but more importantly it gives Ed and I a chance to have a little time focusing on just each other and not who is giving bath, who is packing the diaper bag, who is picking up the milk and eggs, and how much we will have to pay the babysitter...etc. etc. etc. I said to Ed that we don't have to fly somewhere to have this time together....date night on a Saturday night after the kids go to bed, a night at a hotel in the area, swapping kids with another couple so that you can go out to dinner without paying for a babysitter....whatever it may be...I make it a goal to keep our marriage a priority in our family because it can only mean more amazing things for our family. Because my plan is to never feel like I am left with "just" Ed in my nest...but rather, it is our time to focus on each other again....I want to anticipate that. I do anticipate that.

It has been three times that we have done this trip together and this is the first year I took a few pictures. My sister demanded...I am glad she did. Here are the few we took.

Team Grandma

I want to extend a thank you to my mom and Ed's mom. They took off work, left their husbands and busy lives, to come to the frigid state of MN to care for our miracles while we went on a short trip. Charley told me twice today, "Next time you go away, I want both grandmas to come again and we will do the exact same things." He had a special time of being pampered with two people who played with him non-stop. He is slowly sharing little bits of information and I can tell that he was in his glory telling them how he does things, how mama does things, and how he thinks things are done (but aren't necessarily true).

Tonight he shared that they had to do bath over because Henry pooped in the tub the other night. HA! Henry has never done that.

The Grandmas referred to themselves as "Team Grandma." The grandmas got along, worked together, and even enjoyed each others company. Last night I giggled heading up to bed because it almost seemed slightly like two elementary school friends having a sleepover..the way they laughed about certain things, finished each others stories, and shared how they spent their time in the evenings watching American Idol. They shared the "chore" stuff and took turns loving up the boys. Henry also got a ton of attention and learned some new stuff.

He is nodding yes and no now. Tonight he used this new skill to cause my heart to break just a teeny tiny bit. Ed had put his PJ's on after bath and was carrying him around and I came in to take over with reading a story and putting him to bed. So I reached out and said time to go night night! and he clung to daddy and shook his head no. Ed's smile reached from ear to ear. So I proceeded to say night night, shuffle out of the room, and try and convince Charley that I could play a round of tackle football instead of daddy.

We arrived home last night and the boys were in bed so we planned on seeing them in the morning. Ed's mom, Charlie, got Henry up when he woke and brought him downstairs. When Ed was ready for work the two of us went down together. Both Grandmas were playing with Henry and Charley downstairs. Henry had his back to the stairs. When we reached the bottom I kind of shuffled my feet a little louder and someone might have said, "Look who's here!"
He turned around, stood up, and stared at us. He got this mystified look in his eye and his lip quivered...almost wanting to get big and start crying. However, he did hold it together. But as Ed and I pleaded with him to "come to mama! come to daddy!" He turned to my mom and quickly got to her, stood up, and clung to her for dear life. Then he turned and just watched us. Slowly he warmed up to us. I can tell it will be a day or two before his complete trust in us is back. I suppose that is to be expected. He did a wonderful job with our moms. Makes me sad to think we could have not returned and he probably would have just gone with the flow and lived life. BUT, WE ARE BACK! And I have thoroughly enjoyed watching how he has changed just a little bit...walking with a little more confidence, nodding yes and no, getting loudly excited over certain things like food, riding the blue dog, the ball toy thing, etc.

Tonight at dinner I had the boys sitting ready to eat as Ed walked in and Henry heard the door slam and got so happy. Things are back to normal...even if I am still depressed that it isn't spring yet, my tan will be fading and gone by Wednesday, and I was making dinner instead of being served something yummy.

Welcome back to the regular routine in our household. The boys won't be catered to by two Grandmas that have boundless energy to give to them. Ed is back to the commute, workday - returning home in time for dinner, play and bath. And as for me....I get to blog again! Do piles of laundry. Make meals. Change diapers. And continue to watch my little guys grow and change. Being gone makes them grow so much faster...I am glad to be home.

Back Home...

Overwhelmed with getting caught up. Will be back to blogging within hours...I am estimating.

My "Vacation" Begins

This week Ed and I will be taking off for the warm sunshine state of Florida. I am praying the sun shines and it is warm enough to lay on the beach and get a little vitamin D. Ed will have to work for part of his days but they take us out to some pretty fancy dinners in the evening and he will get a little beach time. I am looking forward to reading, walking on the beach, sleeping in, and having time to think about life. It will be a break from blogging, from making meals for the family, no whining, no dirty diapers, no picking up toys, fighting over clothing, laundry, keeping the kitchen clean, and rushing to shower and get dressed while one is napping and one is watching a cartoon...It will be a great break and a great chance to rejuvenate myself as a mommy. This will be my first time away from Henry ...well I was away from him for one night last June. We have our wonderful mother's coming together to care for the boys. I am not worried about the care for the boys. I know they will be spoiled, played with, given so much love, and upon my return I will have two little boys who will want attention that I will not be able to give! But that is okay. This time with the grandmas is so special and they need this change of pace just as much as I do. I am worried about missing them. Since being home everyday is my life now it will be a big challenge to have down time to stroll the beach or lay and think for hours during the day about missing them. So that is what I am worried about.

I also wonder how Henry will react when I return. Will he still want to snuggle up against my chest after nap time and just rest. Or is he going to grow up during these next 5 days and realize that he is a little boy now and doesn't need to drown himself in his mama's scent. That is my biggest fear...that when I return he will have changed. Charley is going to be a trooper and is going to miss us but he relishes in the attention he gets from his grandmas and to have them both here at the same time....the kid is going to be flying high.

So tonight, I am considering my vacation to have started. I spent the day getting the house ready for the moms. I got the fridge stocked. Laundry is caught up. And tonight I went and got a pedicure with my good friend Lynelle. Tomorrow I pick up my mom in the morning from the airport. We will hang out a little in the morning and return to the house around lunch time. Get Henry down for a nap and wait for the arrival of grandma #2. Then I will begin going over all the routines, where things are, how we do things. They can of course do things their own way...but I know I will be able to relax that much more if I feel like I have said all the stuff that is buzzing around in my head. Ed says, that the two of them have raised 6 kids collectively. I don't need to tell them all the obvious little details...but for me, telling them will make me able to relax.

I am almost 95% sure I am leaving my laptop at home. Silly since I finally have a laptop...so it will be a few days without blogging. That will be weird. It isn't so much that I live so I can blog...but blogging does give me a chance to reflect on my day and it has been such a healthy thing for me. So it will be interesting to not have that outlet for a few days.

This trip is an opportunity for me to grow some wings and fly away from my little birds and for my little ones to have some adventures without their mama hovering. Independence for both mama and boys. It will make us all stronger. Hopefully the Grandmas will take some pictures of the boys and I am determined to get some pictures of Ed and I this trip. It will be our third time on this trip and we have no pictures yet. Silly. Night!

My Sister is REALLY Pregnant!

I have been begging my sister for a picture of "the belly". She lives 5 hours away from me so I don't get to see her day to day or even week to week. I know when she appears with this baby I am going to be like...WHAT! if I don't get a visual every so often. So today at 22 weeks she finally got me one! LOVE IT! She looks great! Makes it real for me. She shares her progress on assembling the baby room. She tells how Andy is reading to baby nightly. She has had some goofy cravings...and she is soooo excited for baby to get here! She is going to be an amazing mom and even though I keep telling her to relax and enjoy every moment of this journey; I can't help but want life to fast forward 3 years when we can go camping with them and have the kids run around while we sit back and have a cocktail and reminisce about the good ol' days. But no...I will not wish the next three years to go fast because they will go fast whether we wish them to or not. I see that with my own. Henry is already one and cruising around on his two feet instead of on his knees. Charley leaves me for preschool two afternoons a week and kindergarten will come soon enough.

So I am so glad I got a visual. It makes me realize that there is going to be this little being who is going to be a little bit like his/her mama and a little bit like his/her daddy. Will he/she be a lefty like his/her parents or will he or she challenge them to think like a righty. ha! We were forced to think like a lefty with our Charley.

So I will continue counting the days, the weeks, until this little person comes out of Raina's belly so that she has to share him/her with us. And I will continue buying all the little things I am going to spoil him/her with. And I will keep telling myself not to wish the next 18 weeks to go by quick. Because having been through it...being pregnant is an experience that is an individual journey and a personal one. This is Raina's time to have this little miracle all to herself. She is nourishing it, taking care of it, keeping it warm and safe. It can hear her voice and it feels her feelings. And until it enters the world...it is all hers. Sorry Andy but it is true...but keep reading to that little miracle because your voice is going to be known too...and at 2 am when he/she won't sleep and Raina needs to rest it is your voice that is going to lull that little one back to sleep as you pace back and forth singing a song that is going to work like a charm because that is what a daddy's voice can magically do when nothing else works :)

Be happy my sister! Your days as a mama have begun and the journey is amazing. There is nothing like it. LOVE YOU!

Happy Valentine's Day Mom

I read this post and and this post this post today and loved them!

I read other women's blogs because they inspire me to look at being a mom a little different...maybe with more humor, more excitement, more peace, more creativity, more patience...

Happy Birthday Ed!

Today is Valentine's Day for the United States, but in our house we celebrate the most important man in our lives. Daddy! Ed was born on Valentine's day. After February 14, 1976, I am sure his mom was never given a Valentine's gift that inspired more love than on that day. Today was a busy day with a baby shower for his brother and his wife and a sliding party with family and friends. His day has not been "all about him." He was a trooper and seemed to not mind. That's Ed...

I would like to take a minute to list 10 things I love or appreciate about you (these are just a few...nothing too deep...just things)...

1. I appreciate that you know how to fix things...whether it is an oven, a garbage disposal, a toilet, the computer, or whatever else. You amaze me and I love that you can come to my rescue when these daily appliances that I take for granted leave us in a lurch.

2. I love that you kiss me good-bye every morning.

3. I love that you smile when you swing high.

4. I love when you laugh during "our" favorite shows. I am really glad we found a few shows that we both enjoy.

5. I love that you insist on driving when we go on trips around Minnesota and Wisconsin.

6. I love that you make time for your friends and go golfing, hunting, to the movies, etc. That time with friends makes you happy. I love that you are loyal and will be the last to "turn in" when you are hanging out with friends.

7. I love that being a dad is a priority to you. You come home after a long day at work and a significant commute to make the last hour of your two boys' days their best hours of the day. Whether it is playing Star Wars or wrestling....you get your time with them. And giving them a bath has been something you have done with the boys almost every night since they were born. Precious!

8. I love that in the seven years we have been married I have figured out one thing I can make that thrills you....french silk pie.

9. I love that you get excited about Las Vegas...even if the next trip we take there will be with my family :) And I love that we have been there together.

10. I love that you are one of the most kind, level headed, calm, patient men I know....you would have to be all of these things to survive the last 7 years married to me.

Happy Birthday Ed! We love you!

Our Friday

When I arrived at UW-Eau Claire and was placed in the all girls dorm I didn't know what to think. In high school I was shy and didn't say to peeps to a boy so I actually wasn't too upset about it. I knew that it was going to be a chance to meet some great girl friends. I was right. Living right next door to me was a girl named Kim. We got to know each other and our friendship grew. She is actually the person that brought Ed into my life, they are second cousins...or something. We actually graduated with teaching degrees from UWEC together. We got our masters at St. Mary's together. She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and continues to be a good friend. Even though we live "close" we don't get to see each other very often...since when you live on opposite sides of a major metro city the traffic can cause a 20 mile distance to take close to 40 minutes.

Today I got to watch the little guy. He napped well, drank his bottles well, and rolled around on the blanket. I could tell he was Kimmer's son because he is laid back and go with the flow. He never freaked out but kept his cool all day....well so far. I was honored to watch him and I hope I can do it again because it gives me a chance to know him.

Now, Henry, he didn't quite know what to make of the little person. He sat and looked at the gear that Kim brought for a while this morning. He fussed a little when I was giving Tommy his bottle. And he was intrigued by the old exo-saucer and bouncy seat that we dug out for Tommy to use today. They are 8 months apart (I think) and right now it seems like a lot...but in two years I have a feeling they will keep their two mommies on their toes as we stroll at the zoo or meet at a park.

Charley was an old pro telling me what he thought Tommy should be doing or needing. He entertained him nicely and was very gentle.

Thanks Kim and Cory for letting me have your little guy today. It was really fun.

Reconnecting with one's past

In the last year my world has opened up to my past. I have reconnected with old "best friends" from elementary school and great friends from high school. It keeps me in touch with teacher friends I no longer see on a daily basis. It makes me smile during the day to see my mommy friends communicating our daily ups and downs. Face book seems to be the butt of many jokes lately. It comes up in conversations. My husband refuses to join face book yet, he peers over my shoulder from time to time trying to get a glimpse of some of his friends who I have been lucky enough to have as friends because of him. I hate that I lost touch of childhood friends but I also am thoroughly enjoying catching up with them and finding out what has been up with them in the last 15 years.

Today a friend from high school, who I haven't seen or talked to in almost 15 years sent me a CD. I made her one and she made me one. We thought this might motivate each other to get on the elliptical machines and work out. So fun! Made my day! I wonder what she thinks of mine. The song playing on my blog is from her CD. LOVE IT!

I wonder about how Face book will change Charley's life. No, Charley does not have a face book page, he is only four. However, I am sure he will have one once he is in high school which makes me think that his high school friends will all be on his face book as friends and he will never lose touch with them. Because the children of today will probably have these face book pages they will stay connected, most likely, and that is very cool. However, he will then lose the chance to lose touch and have this feeling, I am having lately, of excitement and anticipation to hear who my childhood friends have become.

My brother once talked to me about how with every new invention or improvement we lose something. With emails most people have lost the ability to find time to write a letter. With text messages we are losing the need to talk verbally. With GPS systems we could easily forget how to read a map. With face book we will lose the chance to lose touch and reconnect. Is that a good thing or a bad thing....tough to say one way or another. I am really enjoying finding some old friends that were important during those somewhat difficult high school years.

Ever since I was little...

My mom says that when I was little she could take me to get my hair cut and I would be a new little girl. If I was crabby I would be happy after a new cut. I have loved getting my haircut for a long time. In college I got really brave and really chopped my hair short for the first time. Since then I slowly grow it out and then hack it off. I have had the urge to butch it short again. But wasn't completely ready. So tonight I ventured to the gal who used to cut my hair for years. She moved salons and is now working in St. Paul. When she moved there I knew it would be fun to follow her there, use it as an excuse to meet up with my friend Kim, get away from the boys...but reality hit when I couldn't take that much time to go get a hair cut. I have not found someone who has the confidence in cutting my hair like Marrisa has. I am up for change and Mel, or Marissa, always is ready for the challenge, gives her opinion and I trust her. So tonight I headed her way, after a year and a half of not seeing her, and man it was fun to catch up. I almost cried when I saw her. I really enjoy having her help me play with my hair. Of course, I didn't butch it pixie style...yet....but she did take a lot off and made is supposedly easy. She said I should be able to wash and dry and piece it out with a little gel...we'll see. It always takes a few days. Ed took a before picture and I have to apologize to my friend Kim who met me at this hip bar for a glass of wine before my cut. I looked horrid. I soooo needed a haircut. I don't think I mentioned ...I was able to meet my friend Kim for a glass of wine. SOOOO fun to be out on the town catching up with a good friend. So here is a picture ...I took...because I know several of you who read my blog have been helping me decide how short to go. I think I am going to like it but of course...will I be able to do it tomorrow while taking care of two boys. We'll see.

We've been playing

I realized yesterday that I hadn't blogged since Sunday! WOW! That must have been a record for me. I got me a new phone and it has taken some of my time and brain cells to get it functioning correctly. Yay! In the last few days Henry has gotten super animated and fun to play with and that has kept me from blogging too. He gets really excited about things Charley is doing. Here they are playing with a "Star Wars" ship that Daddy built. I have to say that this Christmas present was a winner! WE LOVE IT! We are going to get a second set so we can build bigger and more elaborate! We also took Henry to the pet shop to just browse. We have a great pet shop nearby. Henry pointed and talked loudly (talked..meaning baby babbled) about each of the animals he saw. I loved that he got that he was supposed to be looking at the animals. He is walking and turning and walking some more...but still chooses to crawl more often.



He wants to eat out of bowls or off plates just like big people. He is growing up so fast and he is at a stage that I can't get enough of. Charley is super patient and loves seeing all the new attention Henry gives him.

The countdown begins for me. Ed and I will be leaving for Florida next Wednesday. Both our mom's are coming to share in the loving up of our boys. I am not at all worried about leaving them...but I am worried about missing them. I have only spent one night away from Henry and so a few nights is going to be tough. I soooo need this though. A break from the house. I realize at times that when I worked I got a change of scenery. Being home all day, everyday, means my scenery doesn't change too much. It will also be soooo good for Ed and I. I was telling Ed that it is so important that we still find things that the two of us enjoy together so that when life isn't all about the kids (will it ever be...yes, I know someday it will still be all about the kids but different)we will be left to eat dinner just the two of us, to find entertainment on Friday nights for just the two of us...etc. And to make that time anticipated and okay we need to make time for us now. So this Florida trip is good for US. It is also such a special time for the kids to be with their grandparents. I had such close relationships with my grandparents because my parents let them have me. They got me for a week at a time...or for a weekend...without the parental hovering that happens. So this trip will be good...I just need to keep reminding myself that as the sad thoughts of not hearing Henry babble, Charley chit chat about everything and anything, and being able to poke my head in and see them sleeping, creep into my head. The crumby floors, the poopy diapers, the catering kid food at every meal, and laundry piles will not be missed. But I hope that coming back I will be excited again for them.

So it has been a few days since I blogged...lots on my mind, lots on my to do list, lots changing for the boys....but all good. I have felt really happy lately and gosh, that feels good.

Concentrating...

This year Charley gets to sign his Valentine's all on his own. We have done a few each day. Going to pick out his Valentine's was a cute experience. He knew he was going to get to pick them out as we headed to the store. He literally took 20 minutes. He held each box and thought about it. He talked to me about each option. I ruled a few out because there weren't enough in the box, they weren't appropriate for 4 year old preschool...(in my opinion). He even decided that doing our other shopping and coming back to the Valentines would give him more thinking time. He finally decided on Kung Fu Panda. They came with tattoos. His teacher told us they only had to sign their name...making it easier and quicker to pass out. As you can see from this picture he is working very hard on writing his name.

Recycle your Crayons

My friend Sarah made these for her son's valentine's this year. What a creative mom! She said she used a silicon heart baking pan from Micheal's craft store. We are heading there today to get one....not sure if we will get hearts but so fun! What a great way to use up your old crayons. This is not her recipe below but one I found online. I will try it this week and put a different recipe if it doesn't turn out.

1. Gather up all of your broken crayons, and cut them into small pieces. (An adult will need to complete this step.)

2. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees.

3. Fill the muffin tin with an inch-thick layer of crayon pieces.

4. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until the wax is melted.

5. Allow the tin to cool; then pop out the crayons, and they're ready for use.

Tips:

1. If you don't have a muffin tin to devote to crayon making, you can line your regular muffin tin with foil cups.
2. Candy and soap making molds can also be used to create fun, shaped crayons.
3. Recycled crayons make a great no-cost gift or party favor.

What You Need:

* Broken crayons
* An old muffin tin
* A knife

Life Is Good....

This afternoon we went over to our friend's house for a little sledding. Sherry, Lynelle and I are mommy friends who met through mom's club. We have gotten close, our kids enjoy each other, and we speak often of involving our men in a playdate. So today we did it. We kind of invited ourselves over to Sherry's for some sledding. Her backyard is SO AWESOME! Just the right size hill. The kids had a blast and as you can see from the pictures the parents enjoyed flying down the hill too. There were even some races. When the kids were done sledding we went inside for a few cocktails while the kids had hot chocolate and then played. It was a great way to end the weekend. I feel so happy this evening because I love that our children are connecting us to some great adults.

I think about growing up and some of the families we knew as kids. My parents still hang out with them. As I watched today as Sherry and Lynelle laughed and raced down the hill I wondered...will we be three couples that can enjoy life later on...when life isn't all about the kids. I hope so...

Thanks Sherry to opening up your home to us. IT WAS AWESOME!

40 degrees makes me think days like these are around the corner

However, here in Minnesota the reality is there are still two or maybe three more months of cold and snow. So let's just pretend days like these will come soon.

A fun morning

This morning we headed out for a morning of fun with good friends. We headed over to the Mall of America for some mall walking. I put the boys in the jogger we bought last fall and we walked and talked for about 45 minutes. I was sweating. Then we went to the amusement park and the kids each got to pick two rides. We grabbed lunch and came home. We would like to get the walk in more often...next time we will pack a lunch and they will each pick one ride. It was a fun morning! It always is when we hang with Lynelle and Elly.

Many Kinds of Moms Make the World Go Round

As I read other people's blogs, talk to other moms, and lay awake at night thinking I had some thoughts that I just wanted to get out of my head.

Our world is full of all kinds of moms....

=moms who give their crockpot a good workout (I wish I used mine more)
=moms that can change a tire
=moms that stay home
=moms that work
=moms that stay home part time and work part-time.
=moms that keep a clean house.
=moms that are laid back and can let the stress of a clean house go.
=moms that get cleaning people who come in and do the "dirty" work. (gosh I wish this was me!)
=moms that can come up with crazy projects and activities.
=moms that find fun things to do outside of the home.
=moms who fit in a workout.
=moms who don't worry about the workout.
=moms who serve all organic.
=moms who don't do vaccines.
=moms who volunteer at school.
=moms who volunteer their time in so many ways it is amazing.
=moms who can cook a different meal every night.
=moms who know a 100 ways to make tator tot casserole.
=moms who have patience that never ends.
=moms who take time to read up on new ways to raise their children.
=moms who forget to make time for one's self.
=moms who are great at making time for girlfriends, book clubs, and things that make them happy...
=moms who let you know they are having a bad day, a sad day, a great day, or a lazy ass day.
=moms who never let you know that things are not perfect.
=moms who put on makeup even when they don't leave the house.
=moms who don't leave the house period.
=moms who support other mom's the best they can.
=moms who need support right now in their life.
=moms who live by the nap schedule
=moms who sneak the veggies in to their kids foods in secret ways.
=moms who do an excellent job teaching values, morals, religions...the deep and tough stuff.
=moms who raise free spirits.
=moms who rule with an iron fist and are strict.
=moms who are great about getting outdoors and teaching a love of nature.
=moms who do dates with each of her children individually.
=moms who manage to go on dates with their husbands.
=moms who use teen babysitters
=moms who only use family to babysit.
=moms who take their kids to the sled hill.
=moms who join their kids going down the sled hill.
=moms that do everything for their kids.
=moms who give their children chores/jobs/and do their best to teach responsibility.
=moms who don't let their children watch TV.
=moms that know they let their children watch too much TV.
=moms that expose their children to every opportunity out there.
=moms that sign their children up for swimming lessons.
=moms that share ideas.
=moms that keep to themselves.


And there are so many more.

I believe that I am all of these mom's on various day. There are times when I am each of these moms or times when I strive to be one of these moms. There are things on this list that come naturally and things on this list that I have to work really hard at. The thing is...we need all these various ways of being mommys so that our children are all different. It is what makes motherhood a job that doesn't put us completely over the edge because there is no ONE way to do it and accomplish it. There are things one might feel strongly about. There are things that one would maybe say "I would or would never do that." However, something I love about the mom's I surround myself with is that however we choose to do things it is okay. They support me and I hope they know I support them. I learn from each of my friends. I am jealous of each of my friends for their crumbless floor, their time out with girlfriends, their ability to never have a dirty dish on their counter, the way their children play together, the way they hold it together in situations where I would scream out in frustration, their chance to be out using their college degree...this list could go on and on.

I have lived as a working mom and I have lived as a stay at home mom. Both are demanding and hard in their own way. We need both kinds of mom's and it makes me sad when there is tension between the two choices. And that goes for anything on that list up above. So judging yourself as a mom, putting pressure on yourself to do better, feeling confident in the choices you make, where you focus your time, it is hard. It is impossible to feel confident all the time. And if someone says they don't doubt them self at times- I really have a hard time believing it. Maybe not every day -fine - but when the kids don't listen, the house is a mess, the laundry isn't done, and it is spaghetti night, AGAIN! It is impossible not to feel a little down on this job called being a mom. When I feel my confidence weaning I somehow always pull my bootstraps up and figure out how to get myself feeling better. And I have this huge feeling that it comes from having a network of mom's who support, family that encourage, friends who lighten the load, and people that cross the lines of family/friends/mom network. So thank you to all the people who help me feel like tomorrow I will have a little more patience, a little more energy, a little more of whatever it is that I need. Thank goodness there isn't one way to do things and thank goodness we can be a little of all those mom's from time to time. Every day is a fresh start. I LOVE being a mom. I LOVE learning and seeing how other mom's do things. I LOVE deciding for myself what is best for me and my kids. Because when it comes down to it...that is what matters. What is best for you and your own. Make that your priority.

Meet an Author

Charley was an author this morning. He wrote a book called I LOVE. Here he is reading his first book.





Note: the video takes the picture backwards...so the house is opposite, some of his letters are backwards....etc.

My Class

So I offered my class through community ed and no one signed up. Not sure if I am more relieved or bummed. Either way, I did have interest from people but the time didn't work. The Community Ed people said it is normal for a class not to run the first time...it takes a time or two to show up in the brochure. So I will be offering it again in April. So for the time being I am going to just try and keep the ideas flowing and I will share them on my Busy Bee Blog...I am going to make it a goal to update it more often so when the class does come around I am in a groove and will feel confident in my ideas. If any one who reads my blog does something fun with their kids and wants to share it..... Feel free to email me a picture or a description and I will post it and give you credit!

I Love book

Have your child practice writing and reading. Talk about the two words I and LOVE. Then give them a magazine and have them cut out things they love. Then have them write the words I and LOVE on each page. They can READ this book!

They will practice: writing, reading, cutting, gluing....and so much more!

Valentine Graph

Give your child a small cup of candy hearts. Have him/ her count the different colors. Have him sort them, count them, read them (if they can), and graph them. Why not. Then talk about more and less. Could you even do a lessen on adding and subtracting. SURE THING!

Colored Garages

My friend Kimberly gave me this idea. Give your child this task....lay out different colored pieces of construction paper. Have him park his cars in the right garages. He can practice sorting by color. Then you can play car shop and shop for cars.

2 things....fried rice recipe and comments

Here is the link to the pork fried rice recipe. I also have it typed on word. So I can email you it. Let me know.

Also, I think I have changed the settings so that you can now leave comments without having a blogger or gmail account. Just click on the URL choice and leave your name. FUN! Whether you are friend, family, or friends of friends and family....whether you find my blog annoying, frustrating, silly, goofy, or interesting....whether you have anything important to say (because I rarely do)....it is fun to know who is out there...and what you think about things. Go for it!

Three things that made me smile today...

1. Henry got a haircut today. He has had his haircut three times now. But the first two times were only little trims of the bangs and a little clean up but still long. Today he got a real cut. I LOVE it. I am happy. I have not captured a good picture yet. But here he is




2. Today I was sitting with a few of the mom's in one of my playgroups. It is a group that has been meeting for over a year. We meet every other Thursday. We were asked to name our playgroup so that it could be listed and referred to in our MOMS Group. Charley is the only boy (well besides Henry). He loves his friends in this group and I enjoy the mom's and look to them for support and fun during some of these long days at home. So, my friend Lynelle came up with a name for our playgroup......drum roll. "Charley's Angels". HILARIOUS! LOVE IT! And someday he will get it.

3. Tonight for dinner I made pork fried rice. I got the recipe from one of my favorite blogs. She said it was to die for. I would have to agree. It wasn't too hard and it tasted really good. It will now be my standard pork fried rice. Here are two snap shots of the rice and ingredients. I am trying to better my skills at picture taking so that is why I am starting to take pictures of things other than my boys.

This is not a real endorsement...

Some car.com websites operate like this.



Where you tell us what you are looking for and we find it for you!

A thought hits home...

Today I am having a delightful day with my kids. It is Rian's last day so I baked heart cookies last night and today we decorated them. There is a mixed message in the shape...they are hearts...partly for Valentine's day...but also because I truly loved having Rian here and I hope she had a good time with us.

We had our friends over to decorate cookies and my girlfriend and I sat and drank our diet cokes and chatted about various topics. I threw in a frozen pizza. The three big kids all got along and played well. Henry followed them around and kept checking in with me. It was a comfortable morning and I treasure the ability to do these silly little holiday activities. Reading a blog today on the site I realized that the last thoughts in her post really hit me. Here it is:


I had always thought that I was a stay-at-home mom for my kids' sake, that this was something I was doing for them but now, after ten years of perspective, I can see that it was all for me, this tremendous gift that I gave myself. Now she is right on the cusp of her unafraid leap into the bigger world and I know that these are the very best days of my whole life, these leisurely days with her and the days I spent with her brother and sister, and that for the rest of my life this will be the golden remembered time, this radiant center of my all of my days.

I will leave it at that. Happy Tuesday!

Today's three thoughts...

So I just took a minute to read through some of the blogs I follow and loved this one. I have mentioned that I love reading other mommy blogs. They inspire me, make me feel less stress, make me feel more normal, and invigorate me for the next day...to look at the situations that I experience each day and see them with a more creative and open mind.

Charley is having trouble listening lately. I can ask him to do something, not to do something, to clean something up, to help with something, to put something on, and the list goes on and on...and he refuses and often throws a fit. So today I decided to try a little something to make him more aware of how often he questions my requests. We will only do this for a day or two. Hopefully by causing him pause things will start to turn around.

On another note, tomorrow is our last day watching Rian. It has been a fun three weeks. It has been nice to have a playmate for Charley. Henry too has started interacting more and more with Rian. We have enjoyed her giggle, her easy going attitude, and her ability to put up with "bossy" and emotional Charley. I have enjoyed having her. I will admit that watching another child isn't always more work (Rian was not more work at all, she just was here). However, it is someone else to think about, clean up after, and feel guilty about (am I doing enough, is she entertained, am I being fair, is she hungry, does she need a nap, are her parents happy, is her face washed,...etc). It is also a little more overwhelming going places, so the grocery store and Target have not been a weekday stop for three weeks(I think Ed appreciates that). So tomorrow we will enjoy and hope that Rian leaves wanting to come back and play sometime. But, I will also be glad to just have my boys to worry about. Charley said at dinner he is going to miss having Rian here. He made a great friend these last few weeks. Let's keep the connection there Dana. Thanks for trusting me to watch your daughter. It was an honor and a pleasure.

Favorite "old" treasured photos

A good friend advised me to scan these photos that I have hanging in our house because some of them are fading. So I am going to share them...now that we finally have them scanned. They normally hang in our living room. I LOVE these pictures. But I will probably find some new favorites sense I want these photos to last.

July 20, 2002



Just love this picture...maybe because I remember this garage sale maybe because of the jeans in summer. Maybe because I loved living at 944 Webster Lane.


My Grandpa Schooksie!



My brother and sister - Merry Christmas!



My favorite place on earth!



My parents!



This is Ed when he was little.