It’s Gonna Cost Ya!

January 30, 2009 By 8 Comments

Do you know how many hugs and ‘kishes’ I get every day from my kids?

Dozens.  And I can’t get enough of their little love.  There is nothing better.

How do I do it?  Simple.  I stole borrowed the idea from a friend.  Here’s how it works:

Two year old: “Mommy, can I have some more milky?”
Me: “It’s gonna cost ya!”
He puckers up and here comes my kishes!

Four year old: “Mommy, can we play a game?”
Me: “It’s gonna cost ya!”
More Kishes for Mommy!

Two year old: “Mommy, will you play basketball with me? (Inside of course!)
Me: “It’s gonna cost ya!”
Lots of love for mommy.

It is how I get paid for my job.  Kishes and Hugs.  I deserve it.  Who cares if it’s just a touch of bribery?  They are young enough and sweet enough to give freely (no eye-rolling yet).

Try it.  You might like it.

Filed Under: Am I lucky or what? Tagged With: , , ,

THAT kind of day

January 29, 2009 By 4 Comments

Have you ever had THAT kind of day?? And on the heels of two THOSE kinds of days?

THOSE days are stuck-inside-all-day-no-break-from-each-other-no-way-to-get-the-kid-energy-out-mommy-and-kids kind of days.

However THAT kind of day is extra special…therefore rendering it the quality designation of , well, THAT day.

I’m sure you know what I’m talking about: You know, like when your two year old randomly smacks a strange lady on the ass bottom at the bounce house place?  And, while potty training, that same toddler requests 14 (no joke) trips to the bathroom while you are out of the house for three hours? Oh, yes….and poops in his pull up (also while you are out) and, of course, you have to change his POOPY diaper while he is standingbecause he is afraid of changing tables – and you don’t want to add rota virus to your list of things to deal with, so you won’t lay him down on the floor – even on a mat.

THAT kind of day also typically includes feeling invisible.  You speak.  No.One.Responds.  You actually look behind you and pat yourself on the shoulder to make sure you are really there.  It then hits you – the tone of your voice must have changed – you can now only be heard by the neighborhood dogs.  Hence the incessant barking out back.

There is also a myriad of screaming (you get in on the game when you can’t take it anymore and immediately feel guilty), a plethora of sibling fights, a headache you woke up with and can’t seem to kick, marker that has magically made its way onto your couch, and a 4 year old who’s current favorite past time is tattling.

And, let’s not forget the kicker: as a joke, while you are sitting at the dinner table next to him, your 2 year old proceeds to fill the left side of his nose with tiny pieces of quesadilla he has torn from his plate. 12 nose-blows later (and a vision of the ER) you are fairly certain he is no longer in danger of coating the inside of his lungs with cheese.

You instantly send your husband (who is at a business meeting, eating good food and having intelligent, adult converstation) a text that says, :Your son filled his nose with itty-bitty pieces of quesadilla.  I got it out, but I might be drunk by the time you get home.”

And, once you have managed to finally get them into bed (and get them back into bed, and then get them BACK into bed again), you sit down in a dark room, suck your thumb and rock back and forth.

At least I think that would qualify as THAT kind of day, wouldn’t it?

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday, I'm complaining, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

P.S. Snow is Cold

January 29, 2009 By 3 Comments

If you know anything at all about me, you know I am NOT a cold weather girl.  Blame it on my California blood, or call me a wimp.  I don’t care.  I’m just NOT A FAN.

Yes, I can see the beauty in a snow fall….sure, I can see the diamond sparkle on the snow when it is untouched, and yes, I think it is very pretty – beautiful even.  But note – I can see the beauty when I am INSIDE….not when I am driving in it, coating up for it, or trying to keep snow out of Coop’s mittens and pants.

Our first snow day on Tuesday was dreary and the snow didn’t even entirely cover the grass, but, by yesterday morning, we had the good stuff.  How can you have your kiddos look at 8 full, fluffy inches of the cold stuff and NOT let them outside to play. (Trust me, I tried to come up with a reason: Coop has a runny nose – dare I make it worse?  Coop is potty training – what if he has to go to the bathroom? etc. etc.)  But the Mommy in me sucked it up and spent a full 45 minutes getting everyone bundled up – 2 layers everywhere + boots, scarves, hats, coats and mittens.  I’m not exaggerating.

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And out we went.  First on the agenda: we shoveled the driveway.  This is what it looks like when a California girl shovels with help from a two and four year old : no method to the madness!

snowday9

We then attempted to go sledding down our back hill – but our sleds are suspect.  Too heavy.  Delaney couldn’t slide and my pushing didn’t budge her…and of course, Coop tipped over.

Snow in his mittens, snow on his eyebrows, snow on his lips….little guy went quickly downhill.

cimg6245snowday3

Combine the snow-in-places you don’t want it with a runny nose and some tears and you have a first class toddler meltdown.  I’m positive my parents heard him crying in California.  Of course, Delaney has no intention of going in.  What about the snowman?  And the snow angels?  So, like any responsible mother, I bribed the crying snotty nosed one with candy to get him to sit in the garage for a few minutes so we could quickly concoct a snowman and such.  Oh…and the snow wasn’t sticking….hence the little guy.

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And we did turbo blast through our angels.

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In case you are wondering, the angel on the left is mine, not Cooper’s.

And yes, Delaney’s hat did fall off, and no, because, we were in such a hurry, I didn’t make her put it back on.

The second we were done, we booked inside….Coop crying and asking for ‘girlled cheese’ the whole time.  And a good time was had by all.

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday Tagged With: , , ,

Connected – Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You

January 22, 2009 By 3 Comments

The amazing mommy at We Are That Family has a little game that I am joining in for the first time….post a picture from your past – recent past or WAAAAY back when and share a bit about it….  Sincerely ‘Fro Me to You.

delaney-2-months-022

There is something about having a family of my own that makes me crave ‘connections’….

My kids don’t really look like me….at least I don’t think they do and am not one of those Mommys that hears, “he/she looks JUST like you!” but I would like to think they have a little of me in them, right?

Could it be my eyes?  My slightly crooked nose? My Taylor chin? Or maybe they will have my talkative trait?  My love of reading?  Some things they are just going to get naturally and others I hope to teach. 

One of my greatest loves of all time: the beach.  I grew up a California girl and find a level of peace in the sound of the waves, the salty air, the rhythm of the tide.  I would love to pass my ‘inner beach baby’ on to my kids.  Alas, we live in the Midwest. Beaches are a bit hard to come by.

This picture was taken when Delaney was only 2 months old.  It was her first trip to the beach in California.  I dunked her toes (much to her displeasure) and spoke to her softly about the magic around us.

I hope someday my kids will love the ocean the way I do…or find their own place that calms them from the inside out.

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday Tagged With: , , , ,

Kid-themed Inauguration Celebration

January 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have to admit, I stole this idea from a girlfriend….in honor of the Inauguration today, she and her 4 year old daughter made these darling cookies:

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I offered the same fun times to Delaney – she wanted cupcakes instead.  Not quite the same effect…..even with red and blue sprinkles in the batter:

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So…we aren’t winning any baking awards from the Inauguration Committee, but at least Mini knows today is special! Right??

Filed Under: In the News, Small people Tagged With: , , , , ,

This moment in History – a letter to my children

January 20, 2009 By 1 Comment

Dear My Favorite Small People,

Today history unfolded in front of our very eyes.  Well, at least in front of mine and the millions of adults, teenagers and children who were lucky enough to grasp the magnitude of January 20, 2009.

I have tried to share the moments with you today as they happened, but you were perplexed by my ‘tears of joy’.  When you are 4 and 2 years old, you only cry when you are sad, but trust me, my sweet babies, you will shed tears in the years to come when happiness fills your soul and you simply overflow.

I have loved hearing you recognize the men running for this highest office.  Your squeals of recognition when now President Barack Obama’s face was present on our TV screen will forever be a part of my psyche.  And, Coop, he will always be part ‘E-rock O-Bana’ to me.

As we listened to Barack Obama pledge a unique allegiance to our country, I was struck by something very special:  there will be many moments in your life that root you to the ground, compelling you to remember ‘exactly where you were’ when those events happened, but, as history has shown us, most of those moments will be powerful in a tragic nature. In your history classes you will learn about 9-11, about Challenger and Columbia, about Hurricane Katrina and many others.

But today was different. Today was the opposite of tragedy – it was pure triumph. It was a beautiful tribute to the United States of America, what this country stands for and how powerful the collective voice of the people can be.

President Barack Obama is the first African American President.  He has proven that there is absolutely no dream too big.  While you and I will never truly understand the magnitude of this for the African American men, women and children in this amazing country, we will be proud that we live in a nation that is destroying the lines of race between citizens. 

President Obama will be the President you initially hear most about in school as he will be in Office as you begin to learn.  He has a very tough road ahead of him, and I truly hope he will be someone you respect.

I know it will be years before Obama’s gift as an orator will effect you as it has me, but I hope you can take comfort in my words as I tell you, he is something special.  He, whether you agree with all of his political philosophies or not, has moved Americans (and many from other countries as well) in a way that few have.  He is giving hope in a time that we need it.  He is dreaming and setting lofty goals in a time that has been drowning in a collective frustration with a down economy, millions of lost jobs, and a continuing war.

His gift for inspiring and offering hope, I believe, are just the beginning. 

I hope, as you get older, you will know that my priority is and always has been the two of you – your health, your education, your safety, your dreams.  I respect President Barack Obama because I believe his priorities and mine are the same: You and the other children who make up the future of the United States. 

I love you and am grateful you tried to share my joy and awe today.  And, I know that President Barack Obama would think your little kid enthusiasm for his moment in history was something special.

Love Always,

Mommy

Filed Under: Extraordinary, In the News, Small people Tagged With: , , , ,

Proud Mommy Keep on trying

January 16, 2009 By 4 Comments

coopsmall

The Enthusiasm on his little face makes me smile every time.  And it is with a great big smile that I announce we are successfully potty training.  For many of you potty training is probably no big deal.  For me: pure terror.  Training Delaney was the single worst parenting experience of my life.  She would cry.  She would scream.  She would buck herself off and pee on the floor.  But not Coop.  He thinks it is cool.  He isn’t doing it all day.  He isn’t telling me every time, but he is trying.  We seem to have first thing in the morning and right before bedtime all squared away.  During the day, he is just too busy to be bothered.  But that is ok with me.  We are still a FULL YEAR away from how old Delaney was when she was trained.

I’ve got nothing but time.  And a bucket of Skittles: Coop’s potty award of choice.

I will not be scared.  I will not cower in fear of the itty-bitty potty.  I will be proud of our progress.  And I will keep on trying.

Filed Under: Can we talk? Tagged With: , , ,
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