Tuesday, May 31, 2011

The best someone else's date night ever


Last Friday one of our favorite families had a special occasion. It was Josh's Birthday and I got a special Linker present. Ava and Izzy! It was one of those weeks where everything seemed to be coming at me so fast I couldn't keep up. (Not that those weeks are abnormal, it just so happened this was one of them). The house was somewhat clean, the dishes were washed, the laundry was overflowing out of the laundry room, the baby had a morning round of 15 month shots, and we anxiously awaited our friends. " How long until they get here?" " 2 hours" " How long now?" " An hour and 45 minutes." And so it went on 15 minute increments until AT LAST! THEY ARE HERE!!

First, we made pizza from scratch. By from scratch I mean I cooked frozen sausage, pulled out a store bought crust, a jar of spagetti sauce, and shredded 3 different kinds of cheeses. I like to shred my own cheese because block cheese is cheaper and has more variety, also Cabot carries 3 types of cheddar cheese that are lactose free, so my Izzy can eat it without consequence.

I laid out 5 napkins each with the 3 types of cheese and some sausage. Everyone tried the cheeses and then decided which ones they would use on their slices. In a style unlike anything I have ever seen, each child took turns decorating their two slices, and no one fought or complained about who got to go first, next, or last. Seeing as Israel doesn't eat pizza, he had no problem going last.

The pizza cooked, they played, the pizza cooled, they played, the pizza was done, they ate.

We set up a big floor full of blankets, pillows and more blankets on the living room floor. There were 7 blankets, 5 pillows, and 5 zoobles. We read stories and then we watched Despicable Me. Which everyone loved. Although I think RJ and I laughed harder than any of the kids, and we have seen it 5 times!

We had one little disagreement, when Gwin said Ava hurt her feelings because she didn't want to lay next to her. But Ava quickly said she was sorry when we pointed it out, she still wouldn't let Gwin lay next to her, but she said she was sorry, and then once the popcorn was brought out Ava didn't care who sat next to her, so it was easily smoothed over.

And right as the credits were about to end the Linker Mama came and collected her little ones. As I said, the best someone else's date night ever.

Monday, May 16, 2011

I don't want to be a mommy because...

I spent part of today in the doctors office waiting to see our family doctor because of yet another ear infection. I always talk a little funny before it has been treated because the side of my face feels like it is swollen. I told the girls this morning I wasn't feeling well as I am sure they don't notice the subtile difference in the way I talk.

I let Izzy and Emma watch much more T.V. then usual. I also yelped in pain when eating. All of these things Gwiny missed while at school. But then, while sitting outside with friends, I hopped up off the ground to answer the call from the doctor. I then heard a pop and a sting of pain from my hip. Now I can't chew, I can't walk, and I sound funny when I talk. So after homework, I turned on Tangled and sat on the couch, something rather unusual for me.

While sitting there, Gwin turned to me and said. " I don't want to be a mommy because..." and in my mind I was thinking, 'cause mommy's are old with bad hips and have to work while sick?' but she finishes the sentence " I don't want to have to spend all of my money."

You don't want to have to spend all of your money. I find that as good of reason as the other. Especially from my little frugal mini-me. But it surprises me that a 6 year old would even think about something so few grown ups consider.

Not only has Gwiny proclaimed her 6 year old version of why she doesn't want to be a mom, a few moths ago, Izzy did the same same in her own 4 year old way. " What do you want to be when you grow up? " Izzy: " I want to be a superstar." Do you want to be a mommy like me too?" "No, I never want to be a mommy."

And I bet you first started reading you thought I was going to complain about why I didn't want to be a mommy. GOTCHA!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Learning a lesson


We woke up this morning. I packed a lunch, checked the weather, put 50 cents in Gwin's backpack for a popsicle. I found all three kids clothes in my giant pile of clean laundry. ( Izzy flooded the toilet last night and all the kids clothes and towels had to be washed, 3 loads!) I filled juice cups, found socks, tied shoes. Got everyone out the door, walked up the steps, Izzy fell and I had to take Emma up, then return to carry Izzy up. We got to the car. Put Emma in, Gwin got in, Izzy got in. Buckled Emma, go to buckle Izzy and she says " MOOOOM, I can do it my self."

I am trying to buckle a child in the car who wants nothing to do with my help, in the end she couldn't do it herself, but it did nothing to erase the comment that sent me into a flashback.

" Izzy!! Get out of my purse, you can not have any more gum" And as I turn around she grabs another piece. " Izzy, give me that gum, you have already snuck 3 pieces and you can not have any more." And then she shakes her head at me. So I proceed to slap the stick of gum out of her hand and march her out the door so we can go get milk and juice at Walmart. On the way to the car she starts yelling " I am not talking to you any more!" I told her "Thats fine." She says " I love you." " I love you too, Izzy." " But I am not talking to you." " Ok."

5 minutes later, " MOOOMMM, " Cue hysterical sobbing. " I am not a baby, you are always treating me like a baby!" Oh good grief. Are we really gonna do this now? " Why won't you let me go across the road by myself. I can run home and get it." "Gwiny, we are in the car, you are not getting out to run home and get a stuffed animal, when her dad said he would get it next time." " But I can do it, you are treating me like a baby and I am not a baby." " Gwiny, its not because I think you can't do it, but we are in the car leaving. It is fine."

45 minutes later, " Get in this cart. You two have lost your walking privileges. Running around this store like it is your personal playground. You are d.o.n.e."

And so is my flashback. Well at least it is Izzy upset at me, instead of me upset at them.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Kara's cell phone photo challenge


Maybe she didn't mean it literally, but whenever I hear the word challenge my mind always says, " Challenge Accepted." ( You How I Met Your Mother Fans will appreciate that one). I have been trying to figure out what to make my latest blog about and Kara's blog seemed to offer me a perfect solution. Random pictures from my cell phone. They are always on there, taking up my phone memory, but it is rare that I do anything with them.

So following the tried and true method. Here they are:


This my oldest picture. This is the week before RJ started his LL.M. in Vermont. They had this little hut by the river with the rocking chairs in it. I had to get the girls down there to take a picture. I just love how they look like tiny old ladies.





We recently won tickets to go to the FSU circus event. They had students performing circus tricks. The girls were so excited they got a blue snow cone. They found out 2 bites into it, they don't like snow cones. Imagine that, Mom says "If I buy that for you, you better eat that cause I hate ice and so do you."


You guys made me ink.


This is my most recent picture. While at a play date Emma fell asleep. After laying her in the kids bed and then walking away. I returned to find her wearing a spiderman hat. Too cute kids. Too cute.

I promise to one day figure out how to rotate these pictures.

Oh and just an update: Gwiny asked for a Unicorn boost yesterday!