Would Dwight Schrute Say That?

 I am resorting to sharing some silly things my kids have said recently, just to get two posts up this week. So sad.  My title was inspired by a comment on Facebook.

 5 yo TJS to 7 yo CDS: "I'm going to melt you with a potion of melt!"

TJS to me: "I don't think my eyelashes are lashing."  I asked what that meant, and he said when you blink your eyelashes should come together and lash. I guess he wasn't feeling them "lash" yesterday.

And I know there is more but all of a sudden I am a blank.  Lame.

I Kept My Mouth Shut **UPDATED**

TMS is running for mayor of third grade. Or mayor of her class anyway.  I'm still not entirely clear.

Today she will present her ideas to her class.  She worked on it last night and shared her ideas with Husband and me.  Her ideas are basically three things dealing with discipline and one point about people helping each other when someone drops their stuff.  She is a classic oldest child I guess.  I worry that her ideas (one is to have a table captain to make sure people behave!) are going to get her laughed at.  I'm fairly confident that her fellow third graders are not terribly interested in having someone else tell them what to do.  When she first shared an idea I gently suggested she think about ways she could maybe reward good behavior, instead of calling out poor behavior, or maybe focus on teamwork.  Clearly I was not getting the message of her campaign though.

We have never been the kind of parents that let our kids win at a game just to avoid disappointment.  We have told our kids that they won't always get their way, that they can't always choose what happens.  Still, I wonder if I maybe should have given her more direction on this task.  Will she be crushed if/when her classmates don't choose her?  Is the popularity game already starting?  Will this be the first event that marks her, that introduces her to the idea of saying what people want to hear, even if you don't agree?

I'm pretty sure I'm over thinking this.  I also know we are getting ever closer to the sad realities of kids and fickle friendships and so on.  So I guess I'll find out this afternoon if I should have spoken up a little more.


**UPDATE**  Turns out she did not present her ideas today after all.  They ran out of time, so she will have her turn tomorrow. She has no plans to change her presentation, even hearing ideas of others.  Voting will happen next week.  Thanks for all of your comments on how we handled it.  So glad we don't have to do this parenting thing alone!

We're a Team

 I don't know if you've noticed, but I try not to complain about Husband here on the blog (or anywhere for that  matter).  For one thing, he doesn't give me much to complain about. For another, I just think it would be disrespectful.  But I also realized that perhaps I don't talk about him positively enough either.  So I will.


He had his knee "scoped" last week to remove a tear in his meniscus.  He was out most of Wednesday sleeping off the drugs.  Thursday and Friday he was awake more, but obviously still limited in his activity.  So pretty much everything kid and house related fell to me.  Of course I've done this when he has been on retreats, but his inability to help like he usually does really hit home this time.  I was still able to leave little kids home while I ran around to our various obligations.  He did still have to clean up vomit one time because I wasn't home.  I think I noticed more this time because we are just doing so much these days.

We work together to keep things going in our house. When people ask me how I do it I try to remember to say I have a helpful husband first.  Husband changes diapers, he does dishes, he referees sibling disputes, he plays catch, he tells stories, he does whatever needs doing.  Last night he didn't even blink an eye when I left to have coffee with a friend even though it would mean handling bedtime solo.  I'm blessed.

We're a team.  That's how we do it.  I'm so glad.

A Day in the Life

 Today has been a doozie of a day friends.  I think the best way to share is to just bullet point in rough chronological order.  But first you should know that Husband had his knee "scoped" yesterday and so was out most of yesterday and obviously limited in activity today.

• Nurse BTS around 12:30 a.m., or maybe it was 1:30.
• Hear LCS cry but then stop and figure she was just upset because she was in her crib instead of our bed, where she feel asleep.
• Around 3:45 a.m. TMS brings LCS to our room and tells me that LCS threw up a little on her pillow.
• Note that TJS is asleep on our floor.  Take LCS out to living room so she can sleep on towels on floor and I can sleep on couch.  LCS tosses and turns and gags and finally settles around 5:00 a.m.
• Wake at 6:30 a.m. and begin breakfast for four kids.  Make lunches for school kids.  Brush hair, tie shoes, get kids to school.
• Return and begin making brownies to take to school for MOS and her class, since it is her birthday.
• After brownies are finally done make cupcakes for TMS and her class, since her birthday was Sunday and this was first chance to go to school without younger kids.
• During this time also feed BTS and get dishwasher started.  Also get load of laundry going.
• Get online to purchase World Series tickets!  Highlight of the day!
• Frost cupcakes, take shower, sit with LCS and try to comfort her for a while. Nurse BTS again.
• Go to school for lunch with MOS.  Go grab a bite to eat for Husband and myself before returning to school to take cupcakes to TMS for lunch.
• Get home again around 1:15.  Sit with LCS again for a bit.  Nurse BTS.  Give him baby food (twice a day already!) and put him back to bed.  Husband is sleeping, TJS is napping, Nick Jr. is on for LCS when I go pick up kids at school at 2:50.
• Come home and see that kids are awake and Husband is trying to work a bit.  Allow all kids to watch a little TV.
• 4:00 start homework and also get cake in oven for MOS birthday celebration at home.  Find uniforms for boys baseball games.  Do more dishes.  
• LCS has a fever.  TJS feeling sick, minor accident, decide he will sit out tee ball game.  
• Make sandwiches for kids for dinner (going several different directions).
• Nurse BTS.
• Frost cake, change BTS's diaper, pack up diaper bag and leave house with CDS and BTS for baseball game.
• Husband calls me less than five minutes after I leave to tell me that TJS has puked everywhere.  He rallies and cleans up the mess (he has a weak stomach and is recovering from knee surgery remember).
• Arrive home at 8:40 p.m.with burritos for Husband and me and MOS waiting for us to sing Happy Birthday and open her presents.
• Kids in bed at 9:00ish, TJS sleeping on living room floor, Husband takes a pain pill and gets ready for bed.
• 10:48 p.m. and I realize that I did not sit still for more than 15 minutes all day, or if I did it was with one or more children on my lap or in my arms.

Tomorrow we are going to Game 1 of the ALCS.  Go Rangers!  Thankfully days like today are few and far between.  Here is hoping that Friday is a much simpler day.

I Heart Social Media (and sports)

History was made in my neck of the woods last night. My Texas Rangers finally won a postseason series and advanced to the ALCS.  It is no exaggeration to say it was one of the most exciting nights of my life.  Maybe I love sports too much, but I don't think so.  Husband and I share a love for sports and I think that is good for our marriage.  My kids enjoy sports and we bond by cheering for our teams.  My love of sports started when I was a kid and I wanted to have a common interest with my dad.

What does social media have to do with this post?

Well, let me just tell you.

Last night, I watched a baseball game at home with my husband, but the joy of the victory was shared with many more people.  Actually, the benefits of technology started earlier in the night. The girls had a softball game at 7:15.  I prayed for a freak rainstorm so that we could watch the Rangers from beginning to end, but we had another beautiful night ahead.  Luckily, Husband downloaded the MLB.com app that gave us pitch-by-pitch updates on the game.  Thanks to his phone we felt like we were watching the game.  Also, we were able to share the score with other folks at the softball fields and cheer our team on together.  The social aspect of sports is great.

We eventually came home and had the kids showered and in bed (I wasn't going to let them stay up  to watch) and the game going on TV.  I had already exchanged text messages with my dad and mother-in-law that evening. As the game moved on I logged in to Twitter and Facebook.  It was so fun to see status updates when Ian Kinsler hit a home run.  It was great to see Twitter explode with Rangers love.  I felt like I was in a sports bar watching the game with my favorite people, even though we all live in different places.  When the Rangers won my entire FB news feed was Rangers focused and I loved it.  I fired off a text message to my brother in Ohio.  I posted my joy all over the internet. 

Social media allowed me to experience the communal aspect of sports from my own home.  All of us long-suffering Rangers fans (40 yeas without a postseason series win) shared our excitement.  Husband and I kept looking at each other and grinning as we received celebratory text messages from friends.  Technology and social media sometimes get abused or overused, but last night I was giving an imaginary toast to the people who made it possible to share the night with others.

My Texas Rangers are STILL in the playoffs!  Woohoo!

You Capture: Faces (My First Time!)

 Beth at I Should be Folding Laundry hosts a photo carnival every week. She wants us to take pictures and share them.  I never participate because I have a silly preoccupation with not having good enough pictures. But I'm trying to overcome that.  This week's topic was faces and I just happen to have a couple of pictures I want to share.

It is birthday season in our house. Both boys have had birthdays.  We took cupcakes to school and had lunch with CDS last week.

TJS had a birthday a couple of weeks ago, so technically this is not a new  photo.  But I love the excitement on his face as we all sing sing to him.

We were enjoying a beautiful day outside.  Clearly we waited too long to put LCS to bed for a nap.  It seems we see that face far too often.

And finally the sweetest baby ever and his delicious cheeks.  We kiss them a lot. It is a wonder his skin is not chapped from all the kissing.

 Visit I Should be Folding Laundry for more photos!

I Want One Too!

I've joked to my non-blogging friends that I am a fake "mommy blogger" because I don't have a fancy camera or an Etsy business or a passion for adoption or any of the other things that seem to be prevalent on blogs lately. I admire the women who do have those things, and I'm especially moved by those pursuing adoption, but I have stayed back from all of it.

Except now I want to be one of the cool bloggers with awesome photos. I don't want to start a business. I just want really excellent pictures of my kids. When I look at Beth's blog (I Should be Folding Laundry) and see pictures of her precious son I am consumed with a desire to get my own fancy camera and take a class and take pictures of my kids.

I messed around with the settings on our basic point and shoot digital camera, but I didn't really know what I was doing. I even went so far as to download the user manual because I had no idea what stuff meant. I took pictures of a wiffle ball and grass. I discovered my camera had a black and white option. I still have no idea what I am doing, but I am hoping to find time to experiment some more with my little camera.

I guess I fit the mommy blogger stereotype after all. Oh well, I find it a pretty good crowd to belong to.

I Am a Babywearer

Hello friends. I usually don't post on the weekend, and most of you won't read this until the week anyway, but I am joining in the effort to keep babywearing safe and acceptable.

Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing has a post that really explains what is going on, so go there for those kinds of details and links to many posts (by her and others) about the joys of babywearing.

I did not "wear" my first three kids at all. I was only vaguely aware of it as an option, although it would have been a lifesaver, considering I had a 2 yo, a 1 yo, and a newborn. Somehow I survived that.

I had a pouch style sling with TJS but never felt comfortable with it. I know now that is because I wasn't using it correctly, since I got it hand-me-down and didn't have instructions or a video to guide me. With LCS I had a sling that was okay, but it was still only a rare thing for me to wear her.

With BTS I was ready to give babywearing a real try. I knew we would be spending a lot of time at baseball games and things like that, and LCS would be keeping me very busy too. I bought a wrap from Lovey Duds (pictured above) and it came with a dvd with instructions for use. There are also several videos on their website for guidance in using the wrap, plus a warning with the product. I didn't use it until I was sure I knew how. BTS and I both loved using the wrap! He could snuggle in and go to sleep and I could have my hands free to do things with the other kids. I was at softball games with him when he was just twelve days old! The wrap kept him upright and I could see his face and I knew he was safe.

We're now using an ERGObaby carrier and it is great too. This carrier will give us options for positioning and is no strain on me. As I've grown used to babywearing I realize I should have tried it a long time ago. It is a way to keep baby close to me while still doing things with my other kids. I get extra snuggles with my baby and he gets to be close to me. It is a win all around.

Please do visit Steph or the BCIA for more information about safe babywearing. Accidents happen and it is tragic when a child dies. Babywearing is safe and good for you and your child, should you choose to do it. Knowledge is essential to keeping it that way, not drastic measures to make it more difficult.

Photo credit: Checkpoint Chickee Photography

Fashion Friday: Fall Shopping

Husband says my blog has been kind of depressing lately. Sorry about that. Just keepin' it real, yo. And yes, I just snickered at myself for typing that. Today I'll talk about things I might like for fall fashion. Just links, no pictures, because I am not getting along with technology.

I tried on some leggings last week. I didn't think I would want to go there, but I am very interested in the tunic sweaters that are everywhere. I tried on a few at Macy's. I love the color of this one. The collar on this one is flattering. I'm trying to decide if I can commit to the look. I don't really have the money to buy some cute flat boots, so I'll need to see if my high-heel boots will work. I promise not to buy stirrups though. Also, I noticed on the website that they have a jumpsuit and romper category in the women's catalog and that just makes me sad.

Skinny jeans are still hot, apparently. I tried some on and have decided once and for all that the look is not for me. But, I did want some jeans that I could wear with my Converse and flats, should I ever buy any. I struck out at Macy's, but had some success at JCPenney. I found a pair from VGS denim that is a straight style, but not skinny. More fitted than a bootcut style, but not the unattractive look of a skinny jean. Well, I think I had success. As usual the stretch element is proving to be a little too stretchy, but I think I will be able to wear these (the link is to a similar pair) anyway.

I'm on the hunt for a new fall/winter handbag. Conveniently I have some birthday money for just this purpose. I saw a woman at church with a gorgeous bag with a ruffle detail, but I was in my car and couldn't ask her where she got it. I've scoured the internet for something similar and come up empty. Boo. I always have a hard time deciding if I want something custom from Etsy or if I want one of the more traditional bags I see at the stores. I'm kind of in love with purple, and Target has some options. I like Target for their prices. But I might be persuaded to consider other bags, like this one by Fossil at Macy's. I can't decide how I feel about a bag like this one, with a huge flower on it. And of course Etsy has bags that I can see myself carrying around too.

What are you adding to your wardrobe this fall?

For more fashion talk, visit Big Mama or Girlymama.