Commercial Baby = Cleaning Accomplished. Good or Bad?

Every day I think it can't get any busier.  I just like to prove myself wrong so I don't get a big head.  Today the kids were home from school, so we had fun. We got around kinda late, had a big breakfast (eggs, toast, juice, AND cereal-big for us!), then headed out to run some errands.

We went by the church to get new envelopes for the kids-we've been out for a while now.. Then we stopped in and had lunch at Tim's Pizza with Ches, then on to haircuts!  Ethan had promised to be a big boy (and not cry, scream, and generally get hair bits stuck in his tears and snot), but backed down when we got there. : (  I did the Mommy Thing (that makes the other kids jealous) and bribed him with a toy from Target (you know, his FaVoRiTe!), and it worked!!  He was really good, only freaked a couple times, but good.  Then we went to Collier's to pick up more supplies for Mary Claire, then to get some shoes for Clay and Mary Claire (and Ethan picked out those ugly shoes with car pictures on them, and I just Couldn't), then to Target to get the aforementioned Toy.  I had said I'd get the Chuck the Truck, that he wanted from tv, but that fancy toy was $34.99!  I didn't know what I'd said!  It was almost as much as the boys' haircuts.  He held it, but moved onto other things (thank you, God!).  He ended up with a portable-ish fire station, and is very happy with it-even hours later!  Then we moved onto Wal-Mart for groceries and then home for me to crash.

I could take no more.  That was a busy day for my tired bones.  I was even craving a coke from a bottle (ick-no ice or straw!), so I was getting desperate.
I called Ches and he was on his way home, so he said he'd put the groceries away (again, thank you, God!).  The kids played around outside, packed up their stuff, for they were going to GIGI's!  THey were excited, and so excited, they took off with Clay still in his new shoes!  They had to come back, since we knew he'd play outside (and ruin the new shoes, for he's a BoY!).  Then we forgot to take a bunch of Splenda to Mom's for their tea party, so we were running 0-2.

I napped for a little while Ches ran the kids to Mom's house, then we got back in the van to pick up our girl scout cookies.  They're Here!  and they are SO GooD.  I had to open some Samoas (remember, the caramel delites?).  Oh, and you can't eat just one.  Happiness in My Mouth.  Did you remember to order yours!?  Delivery starts tomorrow!  If you need a few more, we have some extras, so order fast.  They only come once a year.  Sound like a girl scout? heehee

My little sweetie is sound asleep in bed-he had a long day too: lots of running, haircut, cookie, puzzles and books.  What a great day!  So, thanks Springdale Schools for this day-cation! : )

Random Information: Ethan's new phrase is: Don't Get Mad, Get Glad!  I have a short video from Ches' phone I'll try to post.  It's so funny!! Especially if you say the word Mad, it comes right out of his mouth.  Gee..think my baby watches too much tv when I'm getting all that cleaning done?

Do you get your hair cut or your hairs?

Well, we are minus 5 flu shots/mists, and minus some hair! We did not get flu shots and/or mists as planned. Our pediatric clinic wouldn't make us appointments for them. They said we cold leave a message for a nurse, and we did. The nurse told us the same thing, and said we could make an appointment and plead our case with a doctor (for Mary Claire's health). We've always been in the first round (for her). So, it does feel weird to be on the outside. I did call Target (and they have flu shots) and Collier's (and they won't have any till mid October). I can't believe we can't go to our doctors! Ches did find some flumist at the student health center, but he's scared to go there since he could catch something while he's there! Lucky duck, they have the flumist there! I asked him to see if I could go as a spouse, but he doesn't think so.

And we are minus some hair as the kids got their hair (hairs?) cut on Thursday. Clay is just shorter, but Mary Claire decided to really cut her hair! It is at her shoulders, where she requested, and so cute. I didn't even put a bow in it today (shock, shock!!). It looks very nice down or in a headband (which we've only invested in three, maybe?). I don't truly think I can resist, but we'll see.

Clay's practice was practically rained out, but he still had batting practice yesterday!

Today the kids didn't have school for inservice, so it was a nice day off, with no games! This morning I got all the sheets changed, worked on laundry and changing out the new dishes I got a couple weeks ago! I'm still not finshed, but there were so many to wash, and I just couldn't eat off of dusty-looking dishes! And then I had to clean out the cabinets, rearrange the cups, throw away the ones, move dishes around since the bowls were different... heehee, a good problem! : ) Then I had a late (after 1!) lunch with Jenifer since Ches had a conference call with the CDC (that kept getting moved later and later...). He had me bring him home some spaghetti and lasagna to eat to get ready for tomorrow! Then we had a playdate at Kendra's house. She's painting a cute cabinet all different colors-her "funky" cabinet. AdOrAbLe! She wanted my advice, although she already has a great start! I'm sure it'll be awesome when she'd done!

Then we ran out for a quick dinner and picked up Ches' number for the Tour de Cure. He got a great goody bag that was passed around the van-and totally got skimmed on the way around! I got a new thin Sharpie pen in orange, and the kids picked out the little goodies. He's ready. He laid out some jerseys trying to decide what to wear tomorrow. It's going to be around 48 degrees in the morning, but up in the 70's by the time he finishes! He decided on a short sleeve jersey with some "arm-warmers" he can strip off halfway. We crafted this lovely invention out of some baseball socks that Clay doesn't like. They go up to Clay's thighs, and he can't stand them, but they were perfect for Ches! We cut out the toes, and his elbows fit in the knee bends. I think they'll help. He is wearing short pants since his legs will be generating so much heat! He said he was going to bed early tonight, but it has yet to happen. Eleven will be early for him!

I will be getting everyone ready alone tomorrow. We need to be at the ball field by 10 (if we skip the soccer game-which I just can't add to my list tomorrow). Clay has two baseball games: a 10:45 game and a 1:45 game. I think Ches will be finishing up between 1 and 1:45, so I'm not sure how we'll work out seeing him at the finish! We'll meet up with him afterwards, but it might be after he's cooled off and eaten. I feel bad when I can't be in more than one place at a time. God's hardest job calling: a mom. You have to accept Good Enough when you want to be so much more! There just aren't enough hours in a day. : P Sometimes I think if I go-go-go all day, I can get more in, but then I'm just T-I-R-E-D!

Oh, and the latest, is Ethan, and his Non-Sleeping. And his fear of his room. He screams and says he's scared. Or, "Scary!!" We are coping, but we are trying hard not to set up impossible standards and problems to get out of later. Ches laid in bed with him last night until he fell asleep, but we can't get into a habit. He never took a nap today, so he went to sleep pretty quickly tonight, but we bought 15 watt bulbs, and put one in his lamp on his nightstand and left it on. He has already woken once, but I went right up (and he was shaking!), and he fell asleep within a minute or two. It'll be a long night.

And Mary Claire is running low. Since Ches is "going to bed early", I'll need to stay up to check her. Lows are scarier than highs. Tomorrow night is our Silent Auction, and the kids will be with a babysitter. I just pray it all goes well. I'll be in close contact, but it seems like things haven't been so predictable lately. I'm sure the biggest is Ethan's bed change!

I'm remembering. . .
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ. Philippians 4:6-7

Growth Process

I won't even say the words. I finished the painting. It's now officially Peony Pink-very coral-y, dramatic, watermelon red. You'd just have to see it (and you WiLL! when my camera battery is recharged). I have rehung the blinds, and picked up some great Peyton drapes (in oatmeal color). They are working. The 84" were way too short, and the 96" are too long for my rod, but I'll compromise. I folded the tops backwards, and clipped them. It seemed easier than having them hemmed or moving my rods. I'm all about the easy right now!

In newer news (since this is all like day-old bread now), we got our hair(s) cut! I got mine done yesterday (and had the wits to refuse the amazing wine and drank water), and got mine cut all layer-y! It's so different, and I felt like Mrs. Brady, all mullet-y this morning when I woke up, but styled, it's okay. It's got body and movement like he promised, so I think I'm ok. Ethan, on the other hand, makes me SaD. His beautiful locks are all gone. It is the saddest thing this week. He has really super short boy hair. I just loved the big full bodied hair he had. I took before and after photos, and they make me cry even now, as they upload.

It's just a growth process. For me. These kids are causing dog-gone growth in me!! This is how you make a Mommy. Give her a couple kids, break her heart, build her up, stretch her out. Cut her hair. Or something like that.

Hiring Babysitters, No Hair Cutting Required

Did you miss me yesterday? Cause I can ‘xplain. Cleaned three messy kids’ rooms (took pix, but may be too embarrassed to post), vacuumed all upstairs, stairs, half of downstairs, washed/changed all bedding, reconciled my bank account with Quicken (on the day the statement came-go me!), and Vanessa came to visit us. We ran to Harp’s to get more dinner ingredients, made Philly cheese steaks (Ches is VeRy good at making!), homemade fries, and strawberries. Yum! Then we cleaned up, Vanessa left, and the kids jammied and got ready for bed. I vegged for at least 20 minutes on the couch, before moving to the bedroom to Wii for a little bit, then laid in bed reading my new Storage (I know, but I LoVE it! By Better Homes & Gardens), then knew I was headed south. I brought Lexi down, washed my face, and crashed. I was so very tired. Cleaning is draining. And when I was wii’ing (three i's in a row just look wrong), the Wii lady voice/trainer said, “I bet you’ll sleep well tonight,” and it was Suggestive Psychological Babble (that worked).

So today, guess what? Yep, busy! I had an appointment for the kids’ haircuts at ten, so I got ready, then we pulled it together and left. We were on time, but she was still busy. We waited a minute, and the kids were really very good (small cheer!). Mary Claire was first, and was fine. Clay was second, and was a little fussy-he doesn’t like even ONE hair on him! He had some hair on his face and kept using the(incredibly hairy) cape to wipe his face, thus making it Worse. Ethan was last, and The Worst!! He screamed, yelled (not the same thing), fought me, kicked, snotted up, teared up, swung his arms, yelled some more, and generally wore me out! When he was done (or when we just quit), he looked at me and said, “Night, night”. He was equally tired! On the way home, I called Ches, and my hand was shaking from muscle fatigue! My body was so sore, I can’t even imagine little Ethan’s.

Next was a quick lunch together, then Mary Claire and I were off to Kiersten’s birthday party. It was very cute-a rocker/karaoke/guitar theme. She had fun, got a blow-up guitar, worried about a few things, but thanked me for taking her(!). We didn’t really have time to run home before church so I called Ches, and we Made Plans. Sis and I ran into Fabric Gallery and bought some fabric for new insulin pump pouches (I wanted her to pick some fabrics/colors), then we hurried off to church. Our bishop, Anthony Taylor, was there, so it was CroWdeD! There were lots of extra chairs around the sanctuary, and they were full! It was an extra long Mass. And she complained about her shoes hurting, and her tummy hurt (she was 127, then 220 just 30 minutes later!), and how many more songs…

Afterwards, we went back to the house, picked up Ches and the boys, and went to eat, which I was not looking forward to at all (for good reason-I am psychic). We went to Jose’s, which was an okay choice. We got there, they didn’t take our order for forever (10 minutes with children is toooo long), then Ethan started his “Get Down” stuff. He got out, was screaming, trying to climb over our booth, etc. Ches took him to the car, and I called him when the food came out (only about 4 minutes later). Then before we were done, he started it again. It’s just a big ol’ waste of $45. Yep, it’s not cheap to eat out with 3 ordering kids anymore. We have made a Decision. From now on, we will save the $21 it takes to buy their kid menu items, and use the $21 to pay a babysitter once a week so we can go out alone for 3 hours ($7 an hour-wanna take a turn??) and eat slowly so we can digest our food before we leave (and maybe order dessert and have meaningful conversation?).

So then Ches dropped me off at Hobby Lobby (more fabric pieces), ran to get gas and a Dt. Coke at McDonald’s (his second favorite hobby), and then back to get me. Then home, kids jammied, and into bed. Well, Mary Claire was 336, so I had to change her site really quick. Then I had to prewash the fabrics to start pump pouches (I predict sewing is in my future…).

Now that I’ve had a few minutes to catch you up, I have to get ready for tomorrow! Agenda follows:
11:15am Lunch together, clean up
12pm Ethan down for nap
1-2:30 JDRF Family Event at Fast Lane (bowling & games)
3-4:30 Nora’s Bday Party
4:55-5:05pm Eat dinner together
5:15-6:15pm Ches and Clay to Church
6:30-7:30 Kids bathed and to bed, and we get ready for another day: make lunches, pack backpacks, lay out clothes

My new blog title will henceforth be: So you wanna be a mom?

We had a discussion about only children (no siblings). They must never argue with their siblings, never fight about who got more jell-o with Cool Whip (tonight’s snack), who got to go to a party today/who didn’t, they want sibling (which one changes day-to-day) to get out of their room, someone touched them, they want different crayons (at Jose’s), who drew better, how realistic (or Not) the other person’s drawing was, who got more reading time (just guess). Is it quiet at your house? Then you need more kids! You haven’t experienced full-on parenting! (ok, sometimes we’re jealous)
Maybe you could try rent-a-sibling for a day. Or we do a three-for-one deal for three hours for $21. Have you heard about it?