Super-Duper-Crazy-Busy-Full Day

I had a busy-crazy day. I'm overwhelmed just recalling all that has been done and experienced today.  Nothing out of the ordinary, just jam-packed with everyday mom stuff.


It all started after breakfast, I followed Ryan to a bike shop to get his bike that had been worked on. He then left for work and I went to Costco on my way home. As I was finishing at Costco, my hairdresser called to ask if I had forgotten my hair appointment.  Crap, I did forget!!!  Good thing I was in her side of town and was able to run over to get my hair cut!  Then I hit a chocolate store on my way home (I received a call this morning that my name had been drawn for some free chocolate melts!). I picked up my free goods and went home.  Isabel and I barely had time to fix lunch and take a few breathes before picking up Mae and Caleb from school. Then Mae asked if she could stay late to help with a video she was working on (I said yes).  Which meant I had to stick around school for an extra hour. We made it home shortly before 4:00. And Isabel and I hadn't had time to do any school, so we worked on that. Then I threw in some dino chicken nuggets for dinner and slapped some honey dew on the table and we ate. 


I think I'm sitting at the computer, resting, now (and blogging). I'm pretty sure that's what I'm doing. That, and counting the time left to bedtime. One hour.  I think I'll sleep well tonight.  Whew, what a day!


**please note that I really really wanted to type this post without any spaces between words.  Looking back over my day, that is how I feel.  No wonder I have a headache!


***the good thing in all this (so far) is that I have not been ugly with the kids!  Truly the Lord is with me, for there is no other explanation for such good motherly behavior.  

NYC

Ryan and I took advantage of several things last month.

1).  Flyer miles
2).  Hotel points
3).  Spring Break
4).  My parents compassion, generosity, time and love of their grandchildren (and for us)

Put all those things together and we got a trip to New York city!!!

Yep, Ryan and I dropped the kids off with Mom and Dad and headed off to NYC for a week.  Alone.  It was bliss.  All of it!

Neither one of us have been to New York, and it was great to explore the city together for the first time.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised with the city.  We both were.  New York was a great vacation for us, and we look forward to going back someday.

While we were there, I downloaded a new app for my iphone.  Hipstamatic!  It takes vintagey pics, and I basically took lots of pictures using only the Hipstamatic app.  Here are a few that chronicle our trip.

Ryan took a picture of me after we went through the Guggenheim museum. (the only picture of myself taken with my iphone.  Ryan has a few on his fancy schmancy camera).

I took this shot as we were walking from the Guggenhiem to yet another museum, across the street from Central Park.  I got all artsy fartsy with my new app, can you tell?

Central Park had these neat lampposts throughout, and I just loved them.  What can I say, this is me being all artsy again.

This shot was taken by Ryan.  His turn to be artsy fartsy with my app/camera.  On Ryan's list of places to go was the Apple Store.  On the way, this shot was taken as we walked by Central Park, where the horse carriages are.  It was a beautiful dreary morning and Ryan took advantage of the low clouds hugging the buildings.

We purchased City Passes that gave us admission to many museums and attractions in the city.  One of the things used the pass for was the Empire State Building.  We went to the 87th floor (typical observation deck).  It was neat to look out over the entire city and see several sights from one spot.  This shot was taken after our tour and when night was upon the city.

We also took a tour of the Hudson and East River.  The boat took us past the Statue of Liberty.  I think next time we go, I'd like to actually go to the statue instead of quickly floating by.  Next time I'll also know that I'll need to purchase tickets for the crown months in advance.

I love this shot of the city, taken while on our river tour.

Ryan.  On the subway.  We took the subway every. where.  It was great.  At first we thought we'd have to take taxi cabs when we wanted to go places.  Turns out that the subway is cheaper, easier and more fun to use.  We were careful not to take the subway during late-night hours, so we were pretty safe (contrary to how I felt about NYC subways before our trip).

One night we went to a broadway show, Jersey Boys.  We got all dressed up for our night out.  Consequently, this is the only picture of Ryan and I together in the city.  After dinner, we had time to kill before our show, so we walked over to Times Square.  Oh.  My.  Goodness!  The sidewalks were crammed with people!  And the big signs all lit up, too!  I'm not a huge crowd person, so walking a few blocks on the super-crowed streets was enough.  But I can say I've been to Times Square.  And have no desire to go back.  Been there, done that.

Like I said, we'd LOVE to go back to New York.  There is so much to do!  We missed out on Soho and Greenwich Village, to name a few.  Hopefully next time we'll hit those places.  I also wouldn't mind spending more time in Central Park.  Maybe rent a couple bikes and have a picnic lunch in the park.  All with my man.  Alone.  It will be bliss.

Until then, I'll treasure the 5 days I had, alone, with my husband as I dream of the next trip.

Is That Why We Don't Get Visitors?

Tonight we heard coyotes in the vicinity of our backyard.  They were cackling their strange song, so Ryan went outside to scare them off.  I stayed inside with the kids and watched from our dining room window.

Caleb was quite upset about his dad being out there with coyotes.  He didn't cry, but was close.  Isabel reassured him that Dad would be ok.  She said "Dad will be ok 'cuz he smells bad".

Apparently Ryan doesn't smell so appealing to wild coyotes.  It must be a scent undetectable to the human nose.  Or maybe we all smell bad and no one is telling us?

This Week In Quotes

Isabel has been saying some pretty cute stuff, as usual.  And I feel the need to share it/write it down so I don't forget these things (I'll need bribery material come her teen years, you know).

So, here's the latest from the mouth of my babe.......

"Japan had a salami" (tsunami)

After we found a caterpillar and put him in an old fish tank with lots of leaves and sticks, Isabel asks "when will he make his raccoon?"

"I hurt my funny bone and now there are sparkles in my arm."

"Dad is runned out of hair." (yes, his hair is not as prolific as it used to be)

Day 5

It's been five days since Mae has been her usual self.  Granted, today she really does feel and act better, despite the lingering hacking cough.  It's also been 5 days since either one of us has ventured out of the house (and going to/from school to get kids doesn't really count).  So today I am putting my foot down on this silly flu thing and Mae and I are going out!

Out of the house, I say!

I have a fabulous Jamba Juice coupon (that expires today) and I fully intend to use it!  How's that saying go....'starve a cold, feed a fever'?  Or is it 'feed a cold, starve a fever'?  Whatever, doesn't matter.  Jamba feeds the 'I've been confined inside for DAYS' part of the soul.  And so Mae and I are busting outta of this joint.  Watch out world, here we come.  No, really, watch out.  And to all those that are behind us in line, you should go ahead and get the immunity boost, just in case.

Sick Days

Today marks day 4 of Mae being sick with a off/on fever and cough.  She's logged a lot of couch and movie time.  A LOT.  Thanks to streaming Netflix, Mae has watched numerous movies.  As thankful as I am for Netflix and the ability to stream instant movies, I'm also ready for this to be over and for life to return to normal.

Here's the top ten things I've said countless times over the last 4 days.

1 - How are you feeling?
2 - Better?
3 - Let's take your temperature.
4 - Here, drink this.
5 - Are you drinking your water?
6 - Drink your water.
7 - Hungry?
8 - you need to eat something.
9  - What do you want to watch now?
10 - What movie is this? This is weird.

Simply The Best

My friend Amy makes the most amazing popcorn.  Like, EVER!!!!  She pops the kernels on the stove in her handy dandy stock pot along with a secret mixture of oil and salt (not that it's really a secret secret, it's just that I don't know).  When we get together for Friday afternoon play dates Amy inevitably brings her homemade popcorn.  And instead of watching my kids or talking with my friends, I usually end up scarfing up most of the popcorn.

It's sad really, my obsession with Amy's homemade popcorn.  I really should learn how to make it myself. Then I won't be so rude during play dates or neglect my children.  Maybe.

In the mean time I will console myself with the fact that popcorn is a vegetable.  It has to be!

He Still Loves His Mama

Today is St. Patricks Day.  A day that most people (or kids) wear green so as to avoid getting pinched.  I talked with the kids yesterday about what they would wear today so they'd be prepared (and cut down on any potential morning rush to get out the door and off to school).  Seems that everyone was ready and prepared for, save me.

On the way to school this morning we were talking about what each was wearing to guard against the dreaded pinch.  Me?  I just threw some clothes on in order to get out the door, which meant no green.  No one made a move to attack me, on the contrary, Caleb said "I will guard you".  Awwwe, my sweet boy still loves me!  My plans of finding something green for the day may be scraped just to see my son provide a defensive shield of protection for his mama.

I love that boy.

Saved By Text

I was saved from a life-long grief this morning.  All because of a good friend and her handy dandy texting abilities!

My morning was not typical as I got up to get ready for the day and take the kids to school.  I had to actually get up and be ready for the day before I leaving the house.  No staggering out of bed, throw on a sweater and grumble out a 'get ready, let's go!' as I make my way to the truck.  Nope.  Caleb had his yearly doctors check up at 9:00, and this meant that I had to be presentable for the world before leaving the house to take Mae to school.  However, I did have time to put the finishing touches on between the time of the school drop off and leaving for the doctors office.  

Just as I was unplugging the flatiron and heading to the coffee pot, I got a text from a friend.  She was asking if Caleb was ok and that they didn't want to leave without him.

What??!?

It's amazing how quickly the mind can process things.  In 2.7 seconds I realized that Caleb's class was going on a major field trip and they were leaving in 12 minutes!  Good thing Caleb was ready to leave (as was I!) and that it only takes 5.3 minutes to get to school from our house.

In conclusion, I made it to school just in time for Caleb to board the bus (and exchange a few smiles and thanks with my friend and Caleb's teacher).

Whew, saved by a text.  Saved from a life-long recollection of "the time Mom didn't let me go to Wally World!".  I may be stripped of my Stellar Mom award, but this is not that day!

Project Baby Blanket

Over Christmas I asked my sister-in-law if I could crochet a blanket for her coming baby.  After agreeing, she gave me her color choices - Classic Pooh, specifically Piglet colors (sage with some pink).  Fortunately Isabel had a swatch that I used to select the perfect yarn colors to match the specifications.  Then I had to think about the pattern.  You see, I've never followed a pattern when crocheting.

For this blanket I decided to do the whole thing in the sage color then edge it with the pink.  The kicker was that I wanted to add a few flowers to it.  This is when I thought I needed outside help.  Enter the magazine.  However, after playing with the yarn, I figured out how to make the flowers I wanted without the assistance of a pattern.  I got a great scarf pattern out of the magazine, so it wasn't a loss (more on that another time.  maybe.)

Anyway, here is the finished blanket.  I'm so very pleased with how it turned out.  I hope my niece likes it. Or more specifically, my sister-in-law!

I've Been Busy

There are some projects that have been in my queue lately.  There is a little baby niece on her way very, very soon, and I took an order for her baby blanket over Christmas. While I was working on her blanket I bought a crochet/knitting magazine (I needed some tips!) and came across a lovely scarf pattern that I had to try.  Then I found this idea the other week and now I am figuring out a way to put it into action! (thanks Susie for the tip/link!!!)

As of this very moment, the baby blanket is finished and so is the scarf.  And now I'm working on scarf number two and thinking about implementing the next project.

See?  I've been a busy girl!

Wanna peek at the blanket??  Come back tomorrow!

Sick? I Think Not

Caleb is home sick today.  We had to go in and wake him up this morning, which is unusual for this boy who is usually up with the sun!  I guess he was coughing a lot through the night last night and when we got him up he still had a cruddy cough.  Ryan asked him if he wanted to stay home from school.  Of course the boy said a pathetic little 'yes'.  And so Caleb is home from school today.

However, I am thinking he is just fine now that he's been up for a while.  He rarely coughs and is doing all kinds of house work for me so he can earn money for an ipod touch.  I mentioned to him that I doubt he's sick and that he seems just fine to me.  His response???  A few quick coughs.  Yeah, I think he's fine and will be going to school shortly.  The bum!

In the mean time, he's brought in the garbage cans that have been sitting out on the street since 'garbage day', taken out the trash in the house, and vacuumed the living and family room.  After that he's going to vacuum the couch for me, and sweep the family room and kitchen.  Maybe sick days aren't so bad.  Maybe we should have routine 'sick days'?!

I've Never.....

turned the car stereo up louder as to drown out the noise of children in the back.

And I'd certainly not share a conspirator smile with my husband while doing so.

Of course he'd not smile back either.

Never.

Giddyup

Recently we took the kids to an aquarium.  Here is a little conversation I had with Isabel before we left for our outing....

Me - Isabel, we're going to an aquarium today!

Isabel - What's that?

Me - It's like a zoo for fishes.  And they have seahorses there!

Isabel - Can I ride one?!?!

She's killing me with the things she says, and I just love it.  I want her to never stop!

I'm In Love

Last night after dinner the house got pretty quiet.  Now, as a mother, this initially causes me to wonder where my kids are and what they are doing.  I start to ask myself questions like "is someone about to get hurt?", "will there be a fire?", or "I hope nothing gets broken!".

But my fears were quickly put to rest when I realized that all three were in Caleb's room quietly, peacefully, playing with Legos.

"Quietly"??  "Peacefully"???

Yes.  ALL three were together in one small room and being relatively quiet and peaceful.

I love Legos.

Pocket Full Of Kisses

Some people find money when they do the laundry.

Not me.  I found kisses!!!

*also known as 'tile spacers', but today I will think of them as a coded message of love.  

She's An Artist

Mae has displayed amazing abilities at art even at a young age.  Ryan and I have been astonished over and over throughout the years with some of the things that Mae has created.  She says she wants to be an artist when she grows up, and I certainly think she can!  It will be interesting to see what she ends up doing.

Mae's most recent product came from doodling on Ryan's ipad.  She was trying out the new stylus that he got for the ipad, and this is what she did:

You saw it here first, a Mae original.  Contact me if you're interested in purchasing a print of Mae's art. ;)

Onward and Upward

For Christmas, Isabel said (repeatedly!) that she wanted a jet pack.  She's also mentioned wanting Heely's because "I wanna roll".  But now it's something different.  I was just informed that for her next present, for her birthday (which isn't until July), she wants a pogo stick.  This girl has a thing for personal mobility.  With a side of danger.

Sleepovers

If this weekend was to have a theme, it could summed up in a word - Sleepover.

Friday night Isabel had the opportunity to go to a friends house (and stayed up until 1:30!).  Then Caleb had a friend stay the night at our house on Saturday night. 

Isabel is now obsessed with the idea of sleepovers.  It's all she talks about.  I told her that she and Mae have sleepovers together every night (especially Mae, seeing how she sleeps in the top bunk!  get it, sleepOVER?).  Now Isabel talks about how she and Mae have sleepovers.  Then comes the next part.....she wants to know if Mom and Dad have sleepovers?  Why yes, yes we do! :)

Another Re-Filling

I wenbt to the bentist tobay.

She used a lot of Nobacain.

I'm kinba glab she bib, but I wonber how long it will tabke to wear obff?