Cookies! Cookies! Come Get Your Cookies

I have spent the last 36 or so hours either sorting cookies, counting cookies, stacking cookies, or packing cars with cases of cookies. This year the towns supply of Girl Scout cookies were delivered to my dads garage because his driveway is level and there was space and also because my dad is super nice and generous and offered the use of one of the bays to his garage for this purpose. (Not to mention how he set out a dolly and some plastic to protect the boxes from the damp floor. My dad rocks. And everyone knows it.) In the past few years a lady that lives on the side of a mountain donated her garage, but the delivery truck had a hard time backing up the driveway and also most of the parents couldn't back their vehicles up the icy incline to retrieve their loot. So yesterday I, along with a couple of other leaders, met the cookie truck drivers to unload, then sort into troop stacks then into stacks for each girl in each troop. Then today I had my troop pick up day. The main between today and yesterday? Yesterday was a nice sunny warm day, and today was a warm rainy day. I can't even describe my hair. All but one mother showed up, and she will just have to wait for now.

I was just thinking that this post would be a good drinking game: every time you read the word cookie - take a shot!

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This Is Me Being A Braggart

Miss came home from school with a permission slip in her folder for me to sign that would allow her to participate in a after school reading program. The principle is the instructor and according to the information attached, only eight second graders were invited to join. Yeah Miss! Selection was based on the students with the best reading grades and I am so proud of her. She was so proud of herself and we both stood there hugging each other and re-reading it for about five minutes. To ice the cake, she also boasted that the teacher announced to the class that Miss was the only one to score 100 on her unit test. I don't brag often about my kids because I know each child has an outstanding quality that is different from the next, but today I'm bragging!

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Goodbye Forever

Or at least for the next 40 days, which will seem like forever in the beginning.

Ahh, my daily cappuccino fix in nixed. That is my sacrifice for Lent this year and it won't be easy, at least for the next five days or so. It warms me up on the inside and as I cradle my mug, it keeps my hands warm on the outside. Eric gave up soda. Miss is doing something, but she changes her mind so often I can't keep it straight. "No Spongebob - no wait, no junk food! Well, forget that I need junk food. No complaining. Maybe." I like the last one myself, but at least she gets the idea. We told my mom she should give up watching QVC but she laughed at us like we were idiots.

Happy Fat Tuesday

We don't let no stinkin' snow storm stop us from grilling.
Though, he did need a blow torch to get the coals going because the snow was making them wet.


Who is giving something up for Lent this year? Miss wants to participate in giving something up with Eric and me this year. Last year we didn't really 'give up' anything but we spent time with each other every night talking about something meaningful. The year before we gave up meat. I can't remember what we did any of the other years except for the one year while I was in Arkansas a client and I gave up candy. Sounds easy, especially since we both had zero kids at the time, but on the counter of the shop was a bowl of candy. Yummy, sweet candy. I would eat at least one every day, and he would horde them when he came in for his appointment every other week. We both were successful, at least I know I was and I'm only going by what he told me. This year I'm contemplating something I know will be very difficult. I won't say until tomorrow, just to make sure that is what I am for sure choosing. I think Eric is cutting out all kinds of soda. That will be hard for him because he drinks it all day long , but he has determination, so I think he can do it.

This Was Three Shoe Sizes Ago

I love this picture. I know exactly when I took this. It was mid May and also the Babys first toenail polish so I grabbed the camera. It is blown up and framed on my dresser now. I think when I am an old woman I will look at this and remember all the background to why I snapped it in the first place. How I never want to forget that moment. I want to remember the picturesque weather outside. The beginning of a summer, a beautiful day with breezes coming in the open windows. Green grass waiting to stain their clothes. Birds yelling to each other across the yard. Black flies in our hair and nose, sun so bright and warm. The smell of the earth- alive and a little wet waiting for them to explore it. Trees standing patiently waiting their turn to be climbed. Worms about to be hunted and jars to put them in.
I love this picture for so many reasons. The month of May. Having little girls. Being a mom. Watching them grow up to be each others friends. 'Catching' them being patient and kind to each other. Hoping they don't lose their friendship. Hoping they will always paint their toenails pink in May, and remember me kissing their toes and tickling their feet.




Little girl toes with pink polish. It should be a law.
Honestly, there are few things cuter.


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?

• I am now a person, an old lady type of person, who cannot watch scary movies. Holy shit! Has anyone seen I Am Legend? We got it from Netflix and I am so tense after just watching it. I was crying, yelling at Eric and hiding my eyes. I don't think I've always been like that. I know I wasn't. I have officially crossed over to the old side.
• I hate the word Fucktard. Who even thought of ever saying that? I think it is so immature and ridiculous. It annoys me.
• I am mad and sad. All day my grandma has been in the back of my mind. Tomorrow is her birthday. We were going to have a huge bash because this would have been the big 8-0. I'm mad my mom got cheated out of giving her a party. I'm sad because I want to go to her house in the morning, hand her some flowers and yell Happy Birthday! Then she would have smiled at me and thanked me and we would have hung out all day because it is Saturday and that is what we did. I would have done her hair and she would have been told she was going out to eat for her birthday. Instead she would have ended up at my aunts firehouse for a big celebration with all her family there and her senior friends would have come and she would have blushed and been happy and we would all laugh with her and... we won't be doing any of that. That is why I'm mad.
• I love and miss you grandma. Happy Birthday!

My Unique Middle

She's curious, honest to a fault, giving, empathic, protective and has the second most contagious laugh I've ever heard. (Second only to my father.) In keeping with her curious nature, she asks many questions each day. Some are common five year old inquires, but some are real whoppers. Today was no different.

First: Mom, can hair grow in your stomach?

Answer: No. -

Yes, I'm sure.

Second: Mom, when you have a baby how do pick a name? Does the doctor just tell you or do you decide?

Answer: You get to pick your babys name.

Follow up: How can you think of a name with just having a baby? There are so many names!

Response: While you are pregnant and waiting to have your baby, you think of lots of names and when you first see the baby, you know which one is right.

I'm not at all sure how her mind works. Should I be scared? Why would she wonder about hairy organs, or even about how to pick a baby name? Makes me stay up at night thinking, that I can say.

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They Tried

Yesterday I took the girls to what was supposed to be, to quote directly from the event calender,
Live Dog Show: these dogs fly over and through obstacles, perform stunts and yes, really dance!





What it turned out to be was a basement filled with lots of kids with parents- so many in fact a count of seventy were turned down and waiting to see an unplanned for second performance- to see a few pure bred dogs move around the floor following their trainers treat filled hand. The dogs walked backwards, got distracted, went through an accordion type play tube, got distracted, walked on their back feet for 8 seconds, got distracted and you get the picture. The kids had fun, it was free, the owners of the bookstore who put this event on were very nice and it was something to do during winter break. I have seen dog tricks and dog acts before, so I can say these dogs could really end up being great, but right now they aren't ready. The trainers danced around, but I can't say the dogs did. The owners put on more of a show then the dogs. But they were cute. I can't say they weren't cute.

My cousin went with us to the 'show' and then we all went over to Toys R Us so that Miss could spend her birthday money. We topped it off with pizza from Pizza Hut.

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Yo, Yo, Yo- What Up?

What do you get when you get unlimited time to play and active imaginations?

A cross somewhere between drag queen and clown. But don't tell them that, they think they are rockin' chicks buddy.

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Winter Vacation/ Day Three

Today we are just,



..hangin' around at home.

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What Everyone Needs: Markers Made For Window Art

'Santa' aka grandma gave the girls markers that are specifically made for doodling on windows. Yay. My windows get smudgy enough on their own, now we can add to that with markers! Whoo-hoo!

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For day two of winter break we went to see Coraline. It was freakin' scary! The beginning wasn't bad, but for the last 45 minutes or so, it was making them jump. They were like little koala bears, each of them hugging one of my arms. They say that the movie was really good, but at one point Middle said, 'if you see my eyes watering, I'm not crying, just...you know'. Hmm, sure.

Bowling Party

The kids were invited to a birthday party at the bowling alley today. This was Middles first time bowling although she corrected me and said, 'No, I bowled on Webkinz before'. I tried to explain that doesn't count, but she insisted she was a seasoned bowler. They both ended up doing really well. That might have something to do with the fact that the bumpers were up, but I'm not telling them that.
No matter how I tried, I couldn't get Miss to stay still long enough to get a front shot of her. I tried and tried then my camera battery died.




This is the technique middle used: Hold out your tongue and chuck that ball as hard as you can. Pretty good technique actually.




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The Trouble With Having A Best Friend

I had Middles preschool conference yesterday and there wasn't too much of a surprise as to how she is doing academically, but I was surprised to learn that the teacher had a small issue with her and her 'best friend'. It seems that although Middle is a 'joy to have in the class room and doing great with her letter recognition' she and her friend have a hard time being apart from each other. They will try to save each other a seat, play together and resist letting anyone else join in. And they talk, talk, talk. A few times they had to be separated because they wouldn't shut up. (Shut up is my phrase not the teachers.) The teacher explained to me that she doesn't mind kids having extra special friends (best friends) but not at the expense of hurting others feelings. I agree. I didn't even know this was happening until yesterday but the mother of her BF has already been told a while ago. I wish I had known so I could have talked with her about it earlier. It seems like there is one particular girl that they are excluding and I don't like that at all. I hate to think of how sad this little girl might have been from not being included in on their fun. From having the GS troop I see how all too young these cliques start and I hope I can prevent Middle from being a ring leader to one of them. Or even a participant.

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Peep Hole

Of all the door knobs in the house, the one for the bathroom is the one to have a malfunction.

Best Proclaimation Uttered Today:

"Mom! I see grass!"

Yes, there was a patch of old, brown, sparse grass at my parents house today and she stood there for a good minute and a half looking at it. Everything is melty and wet today and it is fine by me. Even tomorrow will be 'warm'. Yeah us!

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The Love Affair Continues

My crock pot and I have been inseparable this winter. About three years ago I went out on black Friday morning and Walmart was selling crock pots for $4.44. I wanted to get one so bad but kept muttering, 'you already have one! you aren't supposed to be buying yourself stuff today!' so I didn't get it. I know now that I should have. I will be keeping my eyes peeled to see if they go on sale now that winter is coming to a close.
Anyway, I made Ravioli with Mushroom-Wine Sauce last week and it was good. Today I'm trying to decide between BBQ style chicken or inventing my own recipe with the bits and pieces of leftovers in my frig.

Have you ever noticed if you throw the bits of pieces of what not into your crockpot it usually always tastes good? That's because crock pots are magic.

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Happy Birthday Miss!

Eight is Great- just like you!

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Enjoying Our 'Heat Wave'

When I opened the door to let the dog outside this morning, I was hit in the face with a gust of 'warm' air! What appeared to be rain was falling and the dirt in my driveway was visible. I checked the temperature on my indoor/outdoor thermometer and sure enough- it was 34 degrees! The rain I saw was actually snow melting off the roof and during the night a good 4 inches of snow had melted. I could see the bits of gravel of my driveway. Eric had a friend coming over to help him shovel the roof today so we went outside to play/watch/tease with them.


It is a strange thing to wear mittens, apparently. You know your hand is still attached to your wrist yet you cannot see it.



Wow- snow is cold! It actually stings when you stuff your face in it. Imagine that!




Yum, but it tastes so good.

He's the king of the world! (In his own mind anyway.)

My mother saw two robins on Friday and that was a happy sight. Everyone knows that the animals are smarter then the weathermen when it comes to predictions.

Spring? Can you hear me?

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Friday/Saturday

• Yesterdays field trip with Miss's class was fun...except for all of the kids that got car sick on the bus. We even had a puker.
• Gave my friend (she leaves for Disney in less then a week) a highlight. Wish I could stuff myself in her suitcase
• My husband got me drunk last night. He poisoned me.
• Kids stayed with my parents last night, I cleaned the entire house this morning and you know what? It's still clean!
• Made a pot of sauce for the lasagna dinner I'm making tonight. My parents are coming over to celebrate Miss's 8th birthday. EIGHT. eight....

Thursday

• Using the youngest as an alarm clock -never fails, never needs new batteries and uses zero electricity
• Clean bathroom
• Littlest Pet Shop play sets
• Going shopping (alone) to buy Miss a bday gift and (of course) groceries
• Kindergarten round-up sign-up
• Extended naps
• Five loads of laundry:washed, dried, folded, put away
• Amen

Two more days of bullet points then back to real sentences. It's been a nice break though.

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Wednesday

• Preschool
• Playdate
• Informed by Miss the top of the mouth is warmer then the bottom.
• (?)
• Library
• Inside of house dry today - yeah!
• Looking forward to our 'heat wave' coming on Sunday

Nothing Good Today AKA Tuesday 2-3-09

• My house is leaking
• The teacher lost 360 minutes of reading Miss did
• My house is leaking!
• I accomplished 10% of what I needed to today
• Why does my mother in law send Miss a gift for her birthdays but not to the other two?
• Winter
• TV
• My fucking house is dripping inside

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Monday

• Miss didn't have school today but Middle did
• Dropped her off at preschool and proceeded to Wal Mart
• Locked out of my parents house, so spent 2+ hours in a car waiting for Middle with a two year old an almost 8 year old
• Practiced visualization
• Three games of Old Maid
• Listened to Baby utter 'I nuv you' into my neck over and over and melted a little each time
• Eavesdropped on an 'American Idol' type competition going on in my dining room
• Searched for 24 minutes for a toy the size of my thumbnail
• Never found it
• Read three bedtime stories
• Basking in the fact I can stay home tomorrow A L L day long

Sunday

• Started a big ol' batch of cheese dip in the crock pot
• Church
• Wrestled snowsuits onto kids
• Beer run
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• Dinner
• Bonked in head with Nerf gun by Baby
• Threw Nerf gun in garbage
• Worked through a mountain of dishes
• Laundry
• Off to soak in tub
• Then will fold laundry
• Finally sleep all night (hopefully) - Contemplating Tylenol PM