O Happy Day!

Big Brother went back to school today--finally! We were out for almost 3 weeks. That is forever. He was a little weepy at home, but Daddy took him to school and he made it without choking up. Had his mother taken him, it would probably have been a different story. What's up with that?

Miss Bug went to her first day of the 2 year old preschool today. She will go 2 days a week. She is going where I taught Prek and Big Brother went for all 3 years of preschool. I didn't know if she would remember going there at all, but maybe she did? She walked in there like she owned the place and went right into her classroom. She had never even been in that area before. Leave it to me to have 2 completely different children. They may look alike, but they are so different in so many ways.

I did get a text from one of the teachers saying that she had found her teacher's biscuit on the table and helped herself to it. Oh lovely impression on the first day! So glad I know the teachers! I tell you this child is a HOOT. Rarely a dull moment.

So, in my free time I got to go to Lowe's to buy hooks and to the Factory Outlets about 20 miles up the interstate to exchange a few things. Oh how I love shopping. I really do. It just makes me happy. I don't necessarily have to buy anything, but just looking around makes my heart smile. Now actually purchasing something does make me even happier, but it is definitely not necessary. Just the fact that I got to do it sans children was glorious! Carters has some smokin' deals right now. With it being very cold for South Georgia, I did buy my girl a few warmer things. And I found her some pink fleece pants and a striped pink long sleeve shirt--all for under 10 dollars at the Gap Outlet....a steal I tell you! I do love the Gap Outlet for children.

OK must do a few things (finish up packing Christmas stuff) and watch some DVR'ed TV while I can. So nice to have some child-free time. I forgot how precious it is...

School's Out, School's Out, Teacher Let the Monkeys OUT!

Big Brother went to his very last day of Pre-Kindergarten today. He was THRILLED to be out of school. (I thought this attitude didn't happen for at least a couple more years?)

And I picked up Miss Bug from thebabysitter and right when we were turning in to our neighborhood she puked all over the place. ...

...and again in the tub....
....and again after she was all clean.

What else will the Summer of 2009 promise to bring?

Update

It is getting harder and harder to blog. Not enough time! Am missing it and keeping up with you guys! Will try to do better!

So, Miss Bug's rash left by the weekend and we were all good--I thought. Tuesday Big Brother complains he doesn't feel well--no fever, no headache, no cough, no sore throat, no itchy eyes, no ear irritations. He's fine, right? Wednesday he stays home b/c he doesn't feel well. Thursday he goes to school because he has Prek Cap & Gown pictures (yes, really). His teacher texts me saying he is 'an emotional wreck', which by the way, I don't recommend you use those exact words (though we are more than acquaintances). I pick him up when school is out. He didn't eat his lunch. He has a MONDO canker sore on his tongue.

I'm at a loss for what could be wrong. I take him to doctor. He has Hand/Foot/Mouth Disease. My husband says, "WTH is that? Do we need to take him to a vet?" Doc shows me the inside of his mouth (which Big Brother wouldn't dare let me see earlier) it is FILLED with canker sores--all on the insides of his cheeks. YIPES! Now you KNOW that's gotta STINK! My poor little man!

Now we're wondering if Miss Bug had the same thing and that it just showed up in a different way? She had NO sores in her mouth.........and Big Brother ONLY has them in his mouth. He has been wayyyyyyyyyy out of commission. Doesn't eat hardly anything. Tried to give him chewable Tylenol and he had to spit them out b/c it burned so bad.

The up side is that when I asked him if he wanted to try to go to the pool he answered with a heartily, 'YES!', so I figure he's not that bad...

And for those of you who are judging--it's not contagious after the fever is gone, so we weren't spreading all our germs around.

PS. No special shots or anything fun for a cure--just Maalox and Benadryl mixture to swoosh around in the mouth. Maalox coats the sores and makes them less sore.

Bribe updates

Second night did better. Got up once with legs hurting (growing pains?). Gave Tylenol. He woke up at 5:30 saying his hip hurt. Daddy rubbed it a little and then sent him on. Since then--the past 2 nights--he has slept all night long. Hallelujah! The only problem is that Miss Bug woke up that first night, but then last night we ALL slept all night long.

Thank goodness. I was starting to think I had a serious problem on my hands. I get a little uptight about the sleep thing and I know that doesn't help. I think my son needed not only a sleep adjustment but an attitude adjustment. Mommy and Daddy had to start putting the 'hammer down' if you know what I mean. He's a great kid, don't get me wrong, sweet as he can be, but he's still a kid who is going to test boundaries.

Of course now that we are getting the sleep back to normal, we are going to the Grandparents for Spring Break. That will require another attitude adjustment.

And don't judge--but he's gotten 3 Hot Wheels car. When they run out, they run out. (I think I bought 6.) Then it's probably bedtime sticker chart time. How about Hot Wheels stickers for the bedtime chart? A nice compromise, don't you think?

We are probably going to the new Monsters Versus Aliens movie today. I'll let you know if it's good. I personally think most movies are worth it b/c you get the popcorn, Diet Coke and some peace from your day....love that.

The Bribe: Part 2

Didn't work.

No Hot Wheels.

Was up 4 FREAKING TIMES! I'm so tired that I am cranky and can't hardly stand to be in my own skin. I'm that grumpy. Tylenol PM is calling my name. I was up on and off from 1:30am-5:00am. I wanted to put up 2 baby gates at his door--one on top of the other--so that he couldn't get out.

I woke up just pissed off. I know that doesn't sound very ladylike, but I'm not feeling very ladylike at the moment.

Today I upped the Anny (or however you spell it). I told him he'd get a Hot Wheels car and I'd take him to the freaking CIRCUS that is in town. I even got on the Internet to show him pictures of what we'd see.

His top 5 list of things he wants to see are: man shooting out of a 'canyon' (cannon), motorcycle riding on a rope, trapeze artists flipping, juggling and getting to be with our friends--Ms. Rachael, Kendall and Jordan. I told him that the elephants would be there, too, and he replied with, "Mommy, they aren't cool."

OK.

I said, "There will be camels, too." I was again informed that those aren't cool either.

OK.

I can't believe my 5 year old son is already telling ME what's cool. I know what's cool, damn it! I'm only 36. I've still got LOTS of cool left in me!

So the saga continues. You'll be updated tomorrow, and hopefully not too early because we'll all be SLEEPING!

The Bribe

Yep.

Don't judge me.

It's come to this.

If Big Brother (who is freaking 5 years old) sleeps in his bed 'all night wong' then he will be the new proud owner of a Hot Wheels car.

Yep, I said it. And I'm going to follow through.

It's worth the buck to get a good night's rest (and Daddy is about to shoot me b/c I have let him in bed with us too much!).

I actually went to the Dollar Store in my pj's (Daddy called me white trash as I left the house). I had on fleece pants, VAIL tshirt and flip flops. I didn't think it looked like pj's necessarily, but hell, I didn't care. They didn't have 'feet' in them for crying out loud! Just think of it as the Lounge Pants that Clemsongirl always talks about...yet mine are striped. Love and Labs probably knows exactly what clothes I'm talking about too--I've had them so long.

Enough about my attire and back to the issue at hand. Big Brother wants to sleep in our bed because as he states with his darling blue eyes all a-flutter, "I can't stop finking (thinking) about you and Daddy and I want to snuggle and I want to be wif you."

And look at this face--he is so precious, sweet, snugly and yummy! How am I supposed to say no?

So he's not scared. No nightmares (at least not in the last couple of days).

I'm trying positive reinforcement first. He also got a new nightlight.

If that doesn't work, then I'm beating him.....JUST KIDDING!

PS I bought 6 --figure if I give him one each morning that by Day 6 I can move on to something more simple--like candy! (Wean him slowly...)

PSS I didn't look out of place at all at The Dollar Store.....trust me. It's South Georgia and I had all my front teeth. (No offense.)

Church Shoes

Our church is very casual. We can wear whatever. I usually take the opportunity to dress up a little (read: wear something other than jeans). We have quite a diverse congregation so you can pretty much go either way and blend in, unless you wear a suit and tie. Then you might get a smile or two your way. We're all harmless--do whatever floats your boat.

This past Sunday I told Big Brother he should wear his brown shoes to church. We bought them for him to wear to my sister-in-law's wedding last month and he's not really worn them since then. I'd like for him to get some wear out of them before they are too small. They aren't real dressy at all--lace up and brown--the typical trendy little boy shoes. They are darling and he looks adorable in them!

His reply, "Who's wedding are we going to?"

(I wanted to reply, "Nope son, we aren't. And when I was growing up I had to wear a dress and tights every Sunday!!!" --and your Grandpa had to walk uphill both ways to school ...with no shoes, blah blah blah)

Soccer: Take One

My son had his first soccer game last week. He had only had one practice so it made for a humorous experience for all. Of course I am his mother, but I have to say that he looked adorable! I know the point isn't to look cute, but I'm a girl. I see those things. He had matching clothes and accessories (read: shin guards) and his blond hair was shining in the sun. It was precious! It was kind of surreal seeing him out there--my baby all grown up enough to play competitive sports!

I really like the way the do soccer for little ones--no goalie, no score keeping, cheering only, etc....that's good to start out with, though I did catch myself wanting to coach from the sidelines. Picture this--I'd yell "Way to go Big Brother! Kick the ball!" and he would stop in the middle of the field, look at me and give me the 'thumbs up' along with a big grin! All the other boys are running around him, concentrating, etc! It was hilarious!

Meanwhile my 16 month old keeps trying to go on the field to try to get the ball. Daddy was gone to a bike race, so luckily I had wrangled in my parents to stay for a few days longer so I could have the help. I needed it too! I wasn't prepared...forgot the stroller, no lawn chairs, no bug spray. It was brutal.

Anybody else doing soccer?

Puke-a-pa-loosa

While some of you were enjoying watching the Superbowl last night, I was in the shower removing the chunks of puke from my hair. I was laying in bed with my son for a few minutes when he rolled over and threw up on me while I was half asleep.

And he threw up a second time....

And then a third time...

and then the next morning when my husband went in to get Miss Bug out of her bed for the morning, she had puked too...in her sleep.

We are pretty sure it was the boxed yogurt-covered raisins by Sunmaid. And they weren't old...

And now we're trying to get raisins and blueberry (they snacked quite liberally on those that afternoon) stains out of their linens. Thank Heaven for Oxyclean...spray and powder.

So, I'll be back soon. I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry! But everyone is okay now and they are going to the babysitter and school tomorrow!!!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

I made brownies for Big Brother's class tomorrow. I made fudge-y ones and then put white frosting on top and red sprinkles. That's about as complicated as I get.......with any cooking! They are going to turn the air down really low and make it really cold and put wax paper on the floor and pretend to be ice skating. I'm wondering how that will turn out.

All they really need to do is open the door for a while. It is c-c-cold for South Georgia!

Big Brother said he needs a scarf. He is 5. He doesn't have one. He said we could make one out of paper. I'm hoping that he will forget this in the morning. I will be in no mood to make a scarf out of paper. I will be hauling booty to get them both out the door so I can go to work!

But my Poinsettias are still alive. I swear, I kill the stuff I want to stay alive and the stuff I would rather die off is still thriving!

Is it appropriate/etiquettely correct to still have Poinsettias in your urns out front? Think about that one and let me know.......

Big Brother Speaks....

So I was in my son's bedroom this morning playing with him before anyone else was awake yet. We were 'playing' Bakugan, or his version of it, and I was trying to 'play' it correctly.

Then Big Brother finally just looked at me and sighed and said, "Let me handle this, Mom."

And I took another sip of precious, warm, comforting coffee and let him......

Stubborn and Determined

Big Brother looks at me dead in the eyes and says to me, "Mom, it's still Christmas."

Then a brief pause.

"And I mean it."

I had no reply...

Random Thoughts

This should be a lovely, random flow of thoughts right now. I need to update you on my life, and it's been so busy that I'm overflowing with 'stuff', so I'll start with the laundry list and try to go go into detail in future posts.

-My Christmas was wonderful! Kids were great. Big Brother super surprised, etc. My parents were able to come (in-laws backed out--previous post if you are interested) and stayed at the condo on SSI, so it was perfect. They watched the kids a lot and I got to work and shop!

-Have had to work and have Daddy watch kids. Have a little guilt over it. 20 hours is more than you think it is! And if you saw my paycheck you'd think I worked about 10! Working for God does not pay you back monetarily! ha

-Shopped in Jacksonville and found some smoking deals--best one I will share with you--Pottery Barn kids rug 3x5 normally priced at $129.00. I got it for $29.97! I can't even express to you how incredibly exciting that was for me! LOVE THE DEALS when I can get them from PBK.

-Went a little overboard and bought a 5x8 rug from Pottery Barn that was on sale, but still price-y. We had an 8x10 rug that is Pottery Barn that we've had for 5 years and it has been thoroughly abused by all--from small children to the dog--and I saw that it was on sale and so pretty. I'm pretty picky when it comes to a lot of things--including rugs--and it is really pretty. We didn't need the 8 x 10 size, and the 5x8 fits well, it just looks SO small compared to the 8x10. It shows off our hardwood floors, but I'm not 100% convinced it is 'the one'. Damn you Pottery Barn for being so freaking expensive and beautiful! We still have the wrapper and might return it. It's on a trial run right now. I just have a hard time with change, of any kind obviously! I'm such a weird-o.

-Miss Bug is walking---not 100% --but a lot! It is too funny. I forgot how cute they look when they stumble around like drunk old men. Love it!

-My husband's older sister--who we aren't very close to--that's a longgggg story--is getting married for the 3rd time. This time she's having a wedding--in Feb. I thought we were going to be able to avoid the in-laws for several months now that the holidays are over, but nope. Sucks. But we can't punish his sister and not go b/c we are so frustrated by his parents. And no, we still aren't talking to the parents.

-I have a bazillion thank-you cards to write.

-We had Big Brother's 5th birthday party this time last Saturday. It was so fun! That boy has so many toys!

-I have been eating like it is my job--birthday cake, twice-baked potatoes, banana pudding (homemade Martha Stewart meets Paula Dean style), candy, homemade fudge, cookies. I'm salivating just thinking about it! Not. Good.

-I'm mad at Ann Taylor Loft. Their return policy sucks. Beware.

Must go. Have a baby with a dirty diaper and a child that needs a snack.

Sneak Peek

So here is one of the pictures that were made over Thanksgiving. It is one of two pictures I used for our Christmas card. It is so sweet. And it is so fitting for our family--he is the one giving the sweetness and kisses--and she is the one receiving them. Read: He gives me life & she sucks the life out of me. Just kidding. Not really.

Can't wait to see pictures of your little ones, or furry ones, or your significant other! Please do let me know when you post some pics!