Happy Rainy Friday,
Well, it's the second day of Autumn. While I do lament the end of hot lazy days spent in little else than a bathing suit and flip flops, I am still ready to embrace the current season upon us. I feel more motivated. More alive. More into doing what has been put off while we swam, BBQ'd, camped, traveled, built sandcastles and blended drinks. Time to put the sandals away. Vacuum the sand out of the van. Add another blanket to the kids beds. Time for scheduling and organizing. Time to bake and use the slow cooker. Time to think of Thanksgiving.....and all I have to be thankful for. Speaking of Thanksgiving, I am hosting my family's dinner at our house this year. I cannot wait. I so enjoy spending time with my wacky relatives. It is always a good time. Full of laughs and good food, games and such fun! So far I am expecting around 20.....so I will have a houseful, to say the least! With so many people ranging from 2-77, I am trying to think of something fun we could all do together. Perhaps a neighborhood scavenger hunt. I planned one before during a family reunion/wedding celebration/75 birthday party, and it was a hoot. I will keep you posted on what I come up with.
Well, I'm off to organize the girls' room. Add those blankets I mentioned! Oh, and laundry.....ALWAYS laundry!
Enjoy your Friday everyone.
Smiles, Be well,
Crystal
Friday, September 24, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Sometimes I just have to ask myself 'why?'!
Good morning!
Thought I'd try to sit for a moment if I can, (you will get why I may not be able to shortly), and jot down a new post. Twice now, this week, I've had added two extra kids to our midst. A friend asked me a favor and I quickly responded yes. Didn't really think it through. Not that I would have said 'no' even with more time to think....but I probably would have come into it with the proper amount of apprehension! All that ran through my mind in a matter of seconds was 'my girls will be at school, my van sits 7 for pickup/dropoff, Lane is bored without the girls so will enjoy playmates and as long as we are around the house for his naps, all should be fine'. Well, that IS basically it. Except I forgot Monday was a Pro D Day. So I had all 5 ALL DAY. :S It wasn't exactly hard....just BUSY! Yes, the more playmates, the merrier, I tend to figure. I didn't really take into account that more playmates also means more mess, more food to prepare, more fights to subdue, more whines, more screams, more trips to the toilet, more buckles to buckle, not enough room beside or on me for 5 and generally lots more chaos! All in all though, it went pretty well. I slept like a baby myself that night, but no real complaints. I am currently 1 hour into day 2. Minus my girls. So far they have thrown blocks (which are still everywhere), dropped stuffies from the second floor landing down to the basement, played tambourine (god help me!), 'cleaned' a TV with wipes, played trucks (including the one that turns on and honks), had a snack and drink, chased each other, tickled each other, jumped on the couch and argued about what and when to clean up. They are here until 5. My girls join us at 3. Only 1 will nap. HELP! Did I mention I get to go to my actual job tonight at 5:30? Yup, that's right. Plus I will have dinner on for Brad and the girls, since he has to go to 'Meet the Teacher Night'. I may lose my mind. Check back later to find out!
With a forced smile, I bid you farewell,
Crystal
Thought I'd try to sit for a moment if I can, (you will get why I may not be able to shortly), and jot down a new post. Twice now, this week, I've had added two extra kids to our midst. A friend asked me a favor and I quickly responded yes. Didn't really think it through. Not that I would have said 'no' even with more time to think....but I probably would have come into it with the proper amount of apprehension! All that ran through my mind in a matter of seconds was 'my girls will be at school, my van sits 7 for pickup/dropoff, Lane is bored without the girls so will enjoy playmates and as long as we are around the house for his naps, all should be fine'. Well, that IS basically it. Except I forgot Monday was a Pro D Day. So I had all 5 ALL DAY. :S It wasn't exactly hard....just BUSY! Yes, the more playmates, the merrier, I tend to figure. I didn't really take into account that more playmates also means more mess, more food to prepare, more fights to subdue, more whines, more screams, more trips to the toilet, more buckles to buckle, not enough room beside or on me for 5 and generally lots more chaos! All in all though, it went pretty well. I slept like a baby myself that night, but no real complaints. I am currently 1 hour into day 2. Minus my girls. So far they have thrown blocks (which are still everywhere), dropped stuffies from the second floor landing down to the basement, played tambourine (god help me!), 'cleaned' a TV with wipes, played trucks (including the one that turns on and honks), had a snack and drink, chased each other, tickled each other, jumped on the couch and argued about what and when to clean up. They are here until 5. My girls join us at 3. Only 1 will nap. HELP! Did I mention I get to go to my actual job tonight at 5:30? Yup, that's right. Plus I will have dinner on for Brad and the girls, since he has to go to 'Meet the Teacher Night'. I may lose my mind. Check back later to find out!
With a forced smile, I bid you farewell,
Crystal
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Back to school, back to routine......back to the blog?
Happy Wednesday morning all! It's me! Do you kinda remember me? I know I've been negligent. I'm back. I'm trying. Okay? Stick with me!
I'm thinking it is going to be easier to commit to blogging now that we are settling into the routine of fall. It helps that 2 out of 3 kids are out of the house full days now too, and my youngest is developing (cross your fingers!) a small interest in TV that is buying me a few minutes here and there. So here I go! :)
As I mentioned, we are back at school. Grade 1 and grade 4. FULL days! Yippee! So far, so good. Both girls love it and are sad when it's a weekend. Yes, I know it is only day 7....but I can dream, can't I?! Lane is feeling a little lost left in the wake of his sisters commotion. I'm finding myself having to entertain him a whole lot more than when they are around. I can't complain though. Who isn't happy when simple games of 'animals' and 'cars' make him light up? Or to have a baking helper who isn't throwing out elbows to their nearest sibling and insisting it's THEIR turn to stir/add/measure. Pretty easy. Pretty peaceful. He may be my current favorite. ;)
Not that I want to pick favorites....but while I'm on the subject you should have seen the morning I had with Madison. It was epic. Not is a good way either. She has decided to once again join the cross-country running team. (I knew my athletic prowess was just waiting to emerge through one of them!) I am totally thrilled she is eager to join school groups, not to mention the health benefits it brings with it and hopefully a life long commitment to health and exercise. (No, I don't think I am investing too much in grade 4 cross-country!) So, as it happens, this years practices are 3 days a week BEFORE school. Yup, that's right. We need to get up earlier for it. 3 days a week. I've got my head around that part though. I'm committed. So I wake her up early today. I make her one piece of toast and wrap up half a pb&j sandwich for after. Thinking I'm avoiding stomach cramps. I pack her extra water and even make her some tea; why not enjoy our early morning time alone together, right? Bonding maybe?! Wrong apparently. Even with the extra time, and this being all for something SHE wants to do, I have to stay at her to keep moving. 'Eat up, get dressed, pack your bag, brush your teeth, EAT UP already, where are your socks?, what do you mean the shoes you have been wearing ALL WEEK don't fit and you need new ones RIGHT NOW?!!!!!' Yup, that's right, the battle is on. Her shoes don't fit. (All of a sudden, mind you) I ask are they good enough for this mornings run and then I will buy you new ones today. 'I don't know' she answers. All while sitting like a lump on the stairs. 'Well....are you going or not? We need to hurry if you are.' No answer from the lump. 'Did you hear me?! If you are going, we need to go NOW!' 'Madison???!!!' 'What? she responds. 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!' 'I don't know....you are forcing me to do this anyways.' Is her answer. Yup, that's right, I am FORCING her to do this. Getting up early, making her tea, filling her water bottle, extra breakfast for after the run.....all to force her to take part in the group she INSISTED I sign the permission slip for 24 hours earlier. I'm done. Keys are set down, I pour myself some coffee and sit to watch the news. She starts crying (but still not getting shoes on). 'I want to go!' Okay then....let's GO! Quite honestly I am totally pissed off and somewhat hurt that my obvious effort at her special activity is being completely disregarded. Nevertheless, we get her in the van and have a drive full of stony silence to the school. I'm mad and hurt. She's frustrated....or something else I don't quite understand these days. Both of us barely containing ourselves. She hops out of the van with an 'I love you Mommy' and promptly bursts into tears as she heads to the group of runners. I respond with my own 'I love you' and drive home blinded by my own tears. So, there you have it. Madison is in cross-country. Hurray! :S Please let this not be the norm for the next 6 weeks.
Welcome back to my blog. Ha ha.
Now, I'm going to make today's favorite some Play-Doh. Ah....the simple things.
As my Nana always says 'This, too, shall pass'. God I hope so! It's my daily mantra these days!
Be well,
Crystal
I'm thinking it is going to be easier to commit to blogging now that we are settling into the routine of fall. It helps that 2 out of 3 kids are out of the house full days now too, and my youngest is developing (cross your fingers!) a small interest in TV that is buying me a few minutes here and there. So here I go! :)
As I mentioned, we are back at school. Grade 1 and grade 4. FULL days! Yippee! So far, so good. Both girls love it and are sad when it's a weekend. Yes, I know it is only day 7....but I can dream, can't I?! Lane is feeling a little lost left in the wake of his sisters commotion. I'm finding myself having to entertain him a whole lot more than when they are around. I can't complain though. Who isn't happy when simple games of 'animals' and 'cars' make him light up? Or to have a baking helper who isn't throwing out elbows to their nearest sibling and insisting it's THEIR turn to stir/add/measure. Pretty easy. Pretty peaceful. He may be my current favorite. ;)
Not that I want to pick favorites....but while I'm on the subject you should have seen the morning I had with Madison. It was epic. Not is a good way either. She has decided to once again join the cross-country running team. (I knew my athletic prowess was just waiting to emerge through one of them!) I am totally thrilled she is eager to join school groups, not to mention the health benefits it brings with it and hopefully a life long commitment to health and exercise. (No, I don't think I am investing too much in grade 4 cross-country!) So, as it happens, this years practices are 3 days a week BEFORE school. Yup, that's right. We need to get up earlier for it. 3 days a week. I've got my head around that part though. I'm committed. So I wake her up early today. I make her one piece of toast and wrap up half a pb&j sandwich for after. Thinking I'm avoiding stomach cramps. I pack her extra water and even make her some tea; why not enjoy our early morning time alone together, right? Bonding maybe?! Wrong apparently. Even with the extra time, and this being all for something SHE wants to do, I have to stay at her to keep moving. 'Eat up, get dressed, pack your bag, brush your teeth, EAT UP already, where are your socks?, what do you mean the shoes you have been wearing ALL WEEK don't fit and you need new ones RIGHT NOW?!!!!!' Yup, that's right, the battle is on. Her shoes don't fit. (All of a sudden, mind you) I ask are they good enough for this mornings run and then I will buy you new ones today. 'I don't know' she answers. All while sitting like a lump on the stairs. 'Well....are you going or not? We need to hurry if you are.' No answer from the lump. 'Did you hear me?! If you are going, we need to go NOW!' 'Madison???!!!' 'What? she responds. 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!' 'I don't know....you are forcing me to do this anyways.' Is her answer. Yup, that's right, I am FORCING her to do this. Getting up early, making her tea, filling her water bottle, extra breakfast for after the run.....all to force her to take part in the group she INSISTED I sign the permission slip for 24 hours earlier. I'm done. Keys are set down, I pour myself some coffee and sit to watch the news. She starts crying (but still not getting shoes on). 'I want to go!' Okay then....let's GO! Quite honestly I am totally pissed off and somewhat hurt that my obvious effort at her special activity is being completely disregarded. Nevertheless, we get her in the van and have a drive full of stony silence to the school. I'm mad and hurt. She's frustrated....or something else I don't quite understand these days. Both of us barely containing ourselves. She hops out of the van with an 'I love you Mommy' and promptly bursts into tears as she heads to the group of runners. I respond with my own 'I love you' and drive home blinded by my own tears. So, there you have it. Madison is in cross-country. Hurray! :S Please let this not be the norm for the next 6 weeks.
Welcome back to my blog. Ha ha.
Now, I'm going to make today's favorite some Play-Doh. Ah....the simple things.
As my Nana always says 'This, too, shall pass'. God I hope so! It's my daily mantra these days!
Be well,
Crystal
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