Sippy Cups Are Not For Starbucks

Tiny Dancer On Hold

2013-05-19T08:07:00.000-04:00

I mentioned a few weeks ago that Bean was asked to audition for the performance team at her dance studio. Unfortunately for her, auditions were on the same day as Tough Mudder so she couldn't make it. The studio assessed her anyway and last week offered her a spot on their six to eight year old competition team. She's four, you guys.
Four.
We got the breakdown of what this competition team would entail and it was a lot to take in.
It would involve a little over two hours of classes a week, including a ballet, tap, jazz, and rehearsal class.
There would be several performances locally (parades, etc.) and one about two hours away.
She would need costumes and a performance team jacket.
In all, it would cost us about $150 a month just for the classes. The time would obviously be at least two hours a week.
I really want Bean to do what she loves. I really want to allow her to tap into her natural talent. I really want to support her.
But...
We couldn't do it. That's a lot of money and time for a four year old. The expectation is that she'll be on this team for the entire school year and the strain it would also put on us... that's just too much.
This will be one of those things I'll only be able to reflect on in hindsight, but I think we've made the right decision for now.
This isn't to say that we won't be revisiting this discussion in a year, but for now, the tiny dancer will have to stay in her tiny once a week class with her tiny fraction of the cost non-performance friends.

Cute Baby Saturday: First Fish of the Season

2013-05-18T08:14:00.000-04:00

Complete with a skirt and her winter boots, of course.

Friday Night Leftovers: The Crying Preschool Water Table Edition

2013-05-17T16:45:00.000-04:00

Two-ish weeks until I'm supposed to defend my dissertation. I say supposed because there might be a hiccup which is totally not my fault. So stressful to keep this process going because of something I can't control.
I'm sure that this happened with the girls, but this boy crying at me all day makes me want to run away. No matter what I do, how much I try to entertain, how much I try to ignore, he is relentless when he is with me. It's totally a mommy thing.
Bean only has two more days of preschool left this year. It's hard to believe she has another whole year of preschool to go before kindergarten. She is so ready to do more.
Blue had his fifteen month check up this week. He is starting to level out a bit in the height and weight department (down to the 60th percentile in both). Everything looked great developmentally but we're monitoring a little vertigo/ balance/ inner ear issue.
The water table on our deck is both a blessing and a curse. I'm on my third onesie and second pair of Baby Legs with the boy today. The kid gets soaked. I'd leave him in just a diaper, but he thinks it's awesome to try and take it off and pee on the floor.

Throwback Thursday

2013-05-16T09:19:00.000-04:00

I'm so busy. I need an assistant. Or a nanny. Or one job. Something that could bring me closer to sanity.

Time constraints prevail, let's enjoy some throwbacks.

This time in 2007 (Tot)

This time 2008 (Tot)

This time 2009

Time time 2010 (Bean)

This time 2011 (Tot)

This time last year

Wordless Wednesday: Me And My Girl

2013-05-15T19:41:00.000-04:00

Quiz Time

2013-05-14T11:06:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time since we've had a quiz, so take our your number two pencils kids.

In our house what do the following words mean?

1. Washclub (Bean)
A. The club you belong to after a bath.
B. The bathtub
C. A washcloth
D. Soap

2. Ripping Book (Bean)
A. A book about surfing
B. A book about farts
C. A hardcover book
D. A softcover book

3. Cut pants (Tot)
A. Capris
B. Pants with frayed bottoms
C. Pants with holes
D. Cut off shorts

4. Sauce (Bean)
A. Chili
B. Gravy
C. Beer
D. Ranch dressing

And the answers are....

Scroll....

1. Washclub (Bean)
A. The club you belong to after a bath.
B. The bathtub
C. A washcloth (I have no idea why she refuses to believe it's a cloth, not a club)
D. Soap

2. Ripping Book (Bean)
A. A book about surfing
B. A book about farts
C. A hardcover book
D. A softcover book (As in, get that book away from Blue! He'll tear it! It's a ripping book!)

3. Cut pants (Tot)
A. Capris (a.k.a. "cut pants")
B. Pants with frayed bottoms
C. Pants with holes
D. Cut off shorts

4. Sauce (Bean)
A. Chili
B. Gravy
C. Beer
D. Ranch dressing (The sauce that hides all the food you don't want to eat)

Milestones and Independence

2013-05-13T14:13:00.002-04:00

When you're pregnant and a new mom, pouring over those What To Expect books, you're marking milestones like smiling, rolling over, crawling and the like. What no one tells you about are the milestones that make a huge difference in the life of parenting. And before anyone starts "whoa, slow down, I don't want them to grow up" I would like to add that sometimes I do want them to grow up a little and in reality, they're doing it anyway so why not admit that some of these stages are enjoyable and make life downright easier.
Some of my favorite milestones to date (in no particular order) have included:

zipping jackets
pumping legs on the swing
clicking and unclicking car seats and seat belts
putting on socks
putting on shoes
tying shoes
drinking from a regular cup (ugh, sippy cups)
walking (going out in public with a child who refuses to be still is especially hard when they want to go crawling around on their hands and knees on dirty, disgusting floors)
washing own hands
eating food without having it cut into minuscule pieces

I'm so tired of hearing the "they will only be young once so you should really just enjoy it" responses every time I mention how happy I am to be done with another phase of the baby stage. Let's be honest, for the past seven and a half years all I've done is wipe children's butts, have my body destroyed with pregnancy and breastfeeding, endure more sleepless nights than in my entire life combined, and spent my days wondering when I'll be able to shower. This is motherhood. I get it. I adore these kids and wouldn't have it any other way. But, a little independence from these kids? That's not so bad. It's pretty darn good actually.

Fill In The Blank Mother's Day

2013-05-12T22:34:00.003-04:00

Each of the girls made me a fill in the blank Mother's Day gift. Their responses were awesome.

I love my Mommy because... she gives me ice cream. (Bean)

My mom looks prettiest when... she goes to work and she wears a pretty shirt. And pretty pants. (Tot)

The funniest thing I remember about Mom is... when she tickls (tickles) me a lot. (Tot)

The most special gift I could give my Mom would be... some bulitful (beautiful) flowers. (Tot)

My Mom loves me best when... I hug her and kiss her on the cheak and when I say I love you. (Tot)

Cute Baby Saturday: Homemade Puffy Paint

2013-05-11T21:22:00.000-04:00

Friday Night Leftovers: The Perfect Mother's Day Edition

2013-05-10T11:27:00.002-04:00

It is quite possible Bean's ears are broken. I've never had to repeat myself and put a child in time out so much in my life. She does not listen.
I am so grateful for a Trex deck with morning shade. Opening the back door and letting children play in the water table while I try to get some things accomplished is the best ever. If only the weather would stay this nice.
Blue has made up his own sign language for the word "milk."
Bean is under the impression that sunscreen keeps you from getting hot in the summer. Don't I wish.
I know I said I'd never do it again, but I've been considering another Tough Mudder since the day after I finished the last one. I'm crazy.
Know what I think every mother should get on Mother's Day? The whole house to themselves for an eight hour stretch... with no expectation of accomplishing anything. I just want to lie on my own couch, watch DVRed shows, eat food without interruption... you know... do what I want to do.
Bean only has two weeks left of preschool. Tot has about four weeks of school. Summer is almost upon us.

Little Writer

2013-05-09T11:05:00.000-04:00

I love to write (obviously) and I always have. As a kid I won writing contests and I was involved in every creative writing activity imaginable during school. Each week Tot has to write sentences during word study. While the rest of the class is reportedly writing, "I have a book" and "A shark is big," here is what Tot is writing:

The happy baby got a funny book for her first birthday.
The lady will try to fly a jet in the sky.
I have a little baby brother at home.
Outside today the sky is blue.
Ladies wear dresses to dinner.
In art class I drew a blue shark.
She will go to a garden party in March.
Do not start to chat now.
You can not chat with your dad or your friends.
You have to hold your mom's hand when you cross the street.
I grow a garden with fruit.
You have to be careful with glass and not break it.
The one that is last is called the caboose.

Wordless Wednesday: What Is Going On Here?

2013-05-08T19:14:00.003-04:00

Outside, Everybody Outside!!!!

2013-05-07T23:27:00.000-04:00

This kid loves to be outside. I don't say LOVE lightly. It's more like an obsession. I really can't stress it enough. Obsessed with being outside. You can't walk by a door without him yelling and screaming about going out. And once he's out, there is no getting him in. No matter what the weather, it's like he needs his outdoor fix. He must be outside. He's been giving me plenty of exercise since I've had to get him out every morning for a walk. I keep saying I want a puppy, but in actuality, it's like I already have one, minus the leash. And diapers.

About Birthdays

2013-05-06T21:08:00.000-04:00

So here's the thing about birthdays as a mother of young children: They don't care.

You can tell them all you want it's your birthday, but unless you're holding a cake they can devour in honor of ~~their~~ your celebration, they don't care that it's ~~their~~ your day.

Presents? They want to open them.
Peace and quiet? You wish.
A day of relaxation? Ha!

As much as I ~~tell the truth~~ kid about kids and birthdays, I have to give Tot some credit. She remembered I wanted a coffee press from Starbucks and told Bee. Guess what I got for my birthday? Yep, that exact coffee press.

Of course, she wanted me to use it immediately to make her some hot chocolate though.
True story.

It Has Begun

2013-05-05T23:27:00.002-04:00

Last week Tot asked me to take a clip out of my hair before I dropped her off at school, despite the fact I wasn't even getting out of the car. She found my hair clip "embarrassing."

Today she searched the upstairs for her brush because she didn't want to run a ten minute errand with me with her hair "all crazy." It looked exactly like it does when it isn't "all crazy."

*sigh*

Cute Baby Saturday: From The Phone

2013-05-04T00:36:00.000-04:00

The Fashion Disaster

The "Helper"

The Missing Tooth Girl

Friday Night Leftovers: The Time Edition

2013-05-03T14:59:00.000-04:00

I may never catch up on things I have to do.
I am days away from submitting the final copy of my dissertation to my committee chair.
I am a month away from my scheduled defense date.
I am minutes away from losing my mind.
I am seconds away from flipping out on crying children.
I am milliseconds away from falling asleep at any given moment.
Tot's homework load is steadily increasing.
Bean wants to be entertained non-stop.
Blue thinks that if he isn't being carried by me, the world will end.
The house is a cluttered mess.
We need groceries.
I just want to sit on the couch and watch television for days on end. With a big plate of nachos.

How Cute?

2013-05-02T23:17:00.000-04:00

Parachuting at the library, he was holding on to her for dear life. How cute are they?

Wordless Wednesday: Big Girl

2013-05-01T22:45:00.000-04:00

I Know

2013-04-30T23:01:00.000-04:00

With the grown up look that has developed with Tot lately has also come a more grown up attitude. Or so she thinks. I find it particularly sassy and annoying.
If I hear that kid tell us, "I know" (actually it's more like, "I knoooooooowwwwwwww") one more time, I'm going to string her up like a pinata. Seriously, she makes steam come out of my ears sometimes.

Here's how it goes:
I walk down the hallway and see a pair of pajama pants in the hallway. Tot has just stepped over them.
Me: "You need to pick these pajamas up."
Tot: "I knooooooooooowwwwww."
Me: "If you knoooooooowwwwwww, then why didn't you already do it?"

It's bedtime and the girls are screwing around in the bathroom. I walk in.
Me: "Please brush your teeth, let's go."
Tot: "I knooooooowwwwwwww."
Me: "If you knoooooooowwwwwww, then why aren't you doing it?"

We've decided that "I know" is backtalk and it is now banned. If you know, you should have already done it. Period.

The teenage years are going to send me straight to the mental ward. Or jail.

All Hail The Princess

2013-04-29T23:00:00.000-04:00

Bean has informed us that her middle name is Princess. And she's totally serious.

She yelled at Bee last week while he was trying to kick a ball with her. Why you ask? Because he was smashing the ~~weeds~~ flowers.

At four, we are still battling with the Princess about wiping her own butt when she poops. She insists that she'll get poop on her hands, which we all know, would be the end of civilization as we know it.

Bean informed us that at school she thought of a plan with "Owen." Apparently, Owen has a ring that Bean covets and her plan is to "let" Owen wear it for one day, he will bring it back to school, and then she'll wear it forever. Good plan, right?

Wheelin' and Campin'

2013-04-28T09:52:00.000-04:00

A certain girl, her daddy, and a group of friends and children enjoyed a weekend of camping and 4-wheeling through trails. This kid loves some outdoor time!

Blue: Fifteen Months Young

2013-04-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Happy fifteen months Blue!
This month:

Language- lots and lots of communication this month. Mommy, Daddy, ball, bath, doggy, alldone, byebye.... I know there is more....
You've decided you have opinions and boy do you have lots of them. What jacket you want to wear, what you want to eat for snack, who is allowed to look at you.
You can not get enough of being outside. Honestly, I think you'd stay out there all day if we could let you. You adore a good stroller ride.
You're still not impressed with Slick.
You're only taking one nap a day and it's pretty crappy. Maybe an hour?
Nighttime sleeping is going well (*knock on wood*) and you sleep about eleven to twelve hours a night.
You are still our little cuddle bug. Such a sweet, sweet boy.
Oh, the climbing. You are amazing. You can climb on flippin' anything.
You are practically running these days. You're not particularly coordinated though.
You can identify your belly (which is hilarious), your nose, and your head.
Your favorite foods continue to be all things fruit. I've yet to find one you don't like. Your current obsession is blueberries, which you calls "balls", of course.

Friday Night Leftovers: The Bird Egg Edition

2013-04-26T16:23:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday!

As with everything, I need to write a whole blog about this, but Tot's OCD-like behaviors are off the hook recently. All her little rules make me nuts.
While we're on the mental health topic, it's that rabbit hole time of year for me. Ugh. Why can't I just be "normal."
To follow up on last weekend's Tough Mudder post, there was very sad news that someone died on Saturday from a drowning at the race. We heard/ saw the ambulance but had no idea it was so severe. Very sad.
I swear, I'm two seconds away from saying I want to do the TM again in the fall. Something is wrong with me. There would be lots and lots more running training involved though and that's where I flinch. Could I become a jogging stroller type of person?!?
This month Blue's language and comprehension of language have exploded. He is so on top of things lately. We're back to spelling words and talking in code.
Slick is getting old. Not too old to eat a bird's egg from our deck though. Good thing the girls didn't catch him gobbling up the little egg they found in the yard. Or the moment right before the gobbling when Blue picked the egg up, said "ball," and threw it.

Mystery Reader

2013-04-25T21:29:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that I'm in a huge professional (personal) funk and so badly want a job, I appreciated my work schedule today. I was blessed enough to be the Mystery Reader in Bean's preschool class.

Today's book: The Tickle Monster