Self-Praise

In an effort to increase my self-esteem I decided to make a list of things I'm proud of.

1. I have kept my sink and counters clutter-free and shining for two weeks.

2. I'm overcoming* my clean laundry. *Don't visit now or you'll see 3 heaping baskets of clean clothes.

3. I haven't weighed myself in 3 days. This is a biggie.

4. I have completely given up my habit of People.com. Completely. I noticed the other day that I had no idea what the celebs were up to.

5. I have let my eyebrows fill out and quit with the obsessive plucking. This is also a biggie.

6. I joined the Y and have started working out and doing yoga again. I feel wonderful.

Drug Stores

We've been sick. This morning Avrie is playing with the thermometer and is sticking it between all her stuffed animals legs. Oh boy.

I took Nolan to Urgent Care on Sunday night and he has/had a titch of pneumonia. He had really high fevers and a terrible sounding cough. A note on drug stores: they have anything and everything you could ever want. At outrageous prices. I cannot believe people actually "shop" at CVS, Walgreens, Synder, etc (just how many pharmacies do we really need? It's obvious we're a drug addicted society run by the pharmacuetical companies.) I was going to buy a bottle of supplements that I normally buy at the co-op for $9.99. CVS wanted $14.99 and they were tablets, not capsules, so not as good. Sheesh.

Turkey Day

My Mother Hates Me!

(more foodie pics on the food blog)

He Really Loves Me.

Best Hair Day Ever!

Pops.

My Boys.

Earlier This Week

My Big Girl. Avrie self-weaned two weeks ago and loves her sippy cups.

We have an adorable puppy named Nolan. Avrie loves noses of all kinds these days.

Playing in the tunnel. See how close they are to each other and they are smiling!!

Kiss

Ignore my insanely high pitched voice and focus on the kissing cutie!

Who Needs Toys When You Have Daddy?

Meow

Tonight's Finds

Not Pictured: finger paints, books, boutique tea mugs, army jacket and pants (Evan), black knit skullcap (Evan). Here's just a few of the awesome deals we found tonight.Adidas gym bag: $2.95, Purse: $5.95, Retro Gloves: $2.42, Children's Place Skirt (1/2 back and 1/2 front): $3.98, Children's Place shoes: $3.45, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson denim jacket (back): $2.95

Amazing cable-knit bag. How cute is this?


Major steal. Major.

Check out this realistic fake fruit, stickers and all. The whole lot for $1.40. It will never mold or attract fruit flies! I've seen fake fruit like this in stores for a couple bucks EACH.

Sticky Situation

Am I speaking for all parents when I say "I hate stickers"? They get stuck everywhere but the stickerbook or paper. They are hard to remove. I believe my door at Mom and Dad's still has sticker residue on it. Nolan won't touch stickers but Avrie loves them. She'll find a sheet that I haven't confiscated and proceed to stick them all on the floor/dresser/coffee table/you-name-it.

Haaaaa!

Nolan was irritating Avrie this morning (imagine that) so I told him to go to his room and started counting to 3. I got to 2 and used a sterner (is that word?) tone of voice and he says "but, but mommy, I forgot where my bedroom is".

Random Pictures/No Particular Order

Swimming at Aunt Cindy's.
Not quite sure what Evan is doing here!

This picture cracks me up.

Check out my tools!

Fancy Pants.

Ride 'Em Cowgirl!

Y I'm Giddy!

The kids and I went and joined the Y this morning. I've been dreaming of it for months and now that I'm making some extra money it's reality. I dropped the kids off and worked out (I'd almost forgotten how) and had a long, hot, wonderful shower in peace. Great water pressure and an endless supply of hot water. Yipeeee! I can already feel my sanity returning!

Add another word to Avrie's expanding vocabulary: "Mine". Now, why is that not surprising?

Last night I told Nolan we were going to go to the Y in the morning and he said (while scratching his chin) "Hmmmm, I thought that maybe we could go to the zoo after the Y". Exact words. What a hoot. We didn't go since it was nap time and a bit cold but we might venture over tomorrow to see the Polar Bear.

Oh, No!!

My Big Kids

Avrie eating her breakfast all by herself. She wouldn't have it any other way.
She even gets her own big girl chair when Klara has the booster seat.

This is what goes on at home when the kids get left with Daddy for an hour. Lifejackets and underwear on the head...he must be some kind of superhero.

A handsome one!

Check out my Calvins!! She got her legs in the right holes and on the right direction. I helped pull them up. She also likes to wear them on her head.

I was SO proud! Nolan does not like to draw or color. He brought this to me the other day and was just pleased as pie with himself. I was too. The cutest smiley face I've ever seen.

Game Time

Head on over to my food blog for a game of "Name That Product".

Spanking

I absolutely do not believe anyone who says they've never spanked their children. Maybe I have anger management issues or something*, but what about a screaming toddler** who won't sit in a grocery cart two minutes after you've entered the store doesn't make you want to slap them upside the head? If you have a child too small to spank and you say you'll never do it, come back and tell me what you think in a year or two. That being said, I didn't slap her upside the head and I can't remember the last time I spanked Nolan. But, I seriously don't believe the parents who claim they don't ever need to spank. There. Now I'll go hide from CPS.

*Burned out Mommy Syndrome (maybe my husband will read this and take a subtle hint)
**Happy as a clam when she gets put on the floor and left behind. This did not go over well with the other patrons of Target. They were less than thrilled with my parenting I'm sure.

It's after 5pm and I have a house to clean for Union Meeting and a meal to make for lunch company. I haven't even started. And I'm home alone with two kids. Someone send the Prozac.

Attention: Cheri's Daycare Kids

See what a GREAT job Nolan does cleaning up his books? Every day! Here are some pictures of before and after. (Adults, be sure to read the fine print).
Fine Print: Nolan does not clean up his books. His Mother does it once a week to keep her sanity. Yes, we do have oodles of books. I firmly believe in reading to children. A lot. Oh, and I only paid full price for ONE of these books. All the rest are from the thrift store or Grandma (who also got them from the thrift store).

Leaves, Leaves, Leave Us Be!

Wheee!
This is not fun. I'm cold, my nose is running and I want to go in the house.

Ahhh, I got one down my shirt!

Aweee.

This is how Daddy has to eat lunch if he happens to come home during the week.

Jitter Bugs (Jitter = Sugar High)

Check out my razzleberry tongue, Mom!
Nolan unwrapped as many suckers as he could before I noticed! He was chewing them faster than he could taste them.
Avrie is convinced this is the best holiday ever!

Ladybug Mom is convinced it's the best holiday ever. I had my fill of Reese's and now I'm done for another year. The ones with caramel were quite delicious!