A Mama's Drama by Tammy

I'm Baaaaaaack!

2011-02-03T18:31:00.000-05:00

My intention was for the title to sound like that old scary movie. You know the one where they go, "They're BAAAaaack!" Okay, well, if you're still around after my six month sabbatical, then you might definitely check out after my explanation of my title!

I had fun playing with Picasa again making my header. We have had snow in Georgia...twice. Seriously, we usually have snow maybe once a year, but we have had it twice. Well, it started out as snow and ended as a big icy mess. They are talking another bout of snow coming before winter is over too. We just don't know what to do with all of that white stuff. Note to self, though, buy marshmallows for the fire BEFORE people clear of the shelves! I guess aside from stocking up on milk, bread, and eggs fellow shoppers had the same idea on did on yummy smores in an ice/snow storm.

These are my sweet girls peeking out the window waiting for the snow. They went to sleep, and they woke up to find the ground covered. Do you remember how magical that was when you were little? It's still pretty magical to me! A week later of missing both school and work resulted in all of us going a little crazy though. For the most part, I loved being "trapped" with my little girls. It was a great week...full of great memories.

It has definitely taken me the full six months to get acclimated to being a part time teacher and a full time mommy and wife. I can't even say that I have the hang of it quite yet! One week, I will be thinking I have got it all under control! Then, BAM (yes, I heard the chef, Emeril Lagasse, in my head when I wrote that!), something happens, and I begin to think what in the world am I doing?! Juggling a dozen balls is the best way to explain it!

Honestly, I love, love my new job. I love the kids and people that I am blessed to work with every week. They have proven to be hard workers and absolutely wonderful kids. I without a doubt have a great deal of passion for my role as mom, but it feels good to use that other passion that God gave me-passion to help kids that don't think or learn "inside of the box".

If I could create the ideal, perfect job, I pretty much have it. I'm not sure if it found me or if I found it! It is doing what I love at a great place....without taking too much time away from my two little priorities. I also have to remind myself that I'm doing it for those two little priorities. We do not have the best schools around where we live. I love being in the same building as my Charlotte. Best of all, by me working, my girls get to go to an awesome school. The education, the atmosphere, and their Christian focus are all what I want for both of them.

Although I haven't been blogging, I've been enjoying blogs. Let's face it...I know some of the people on the blogs I stalk better than some family! My husband, Robert, sometimes has to ask me if I'm talking about a "blog" friend or a "real" friend. There all "real" friends! Plus, blogging helps me keep accountable with what is going on in our lives. I want my girls to know all about their life and the "mama drama" that surrounded it! Being a mama is the most difficult job you'll ever have! I would have LOVE to know what my mom was thinking and going through on the nights I wouldn't sleep, as she juggled opening a business with my father, or the drama a day can bring. Hopefully, my girls will learn from my mistakes as a mama, laugh at our craziness, and be able to understand how wonderful and powerful the job is as a mama!

Thanks for sharing in our drama!

Tammy

"A Mama With Plenty of Wonderful Drama!"

Are You Still There???

2010-08-30T10:50:00.000-04:00

Wow! Has it really been a month since I blogged? Let me start by saying, "HOW DO YOU WORKING MAMAS DO IT?!" That's my first question?! I am only working a little more than part time, and I feel like my lists are never done! I used to say that as a SAHM too? Are the lists ever done? I think part of my problem is I am used to doing everything...my way! Now, I am having to let go of that control...and settle for not perfection. I have a friend that works full time, teaches church nursery, dresses her little girl so cute, house is organized, sews, and is up to date on her kid's scrapbook...plus, she has a life with friends! How? How? How?

I love my friend, and I stand back at awe...a lot...at her abilities. Do you have a friend like that? Are you the friend like that? I think it is all about priorities. I'm working on figuring all of that out! Until then, I'm going to keep looking at my friend in awe. She looks at me funny when I ask her what the secret is?!

The other part of going back to work? There is mommy guilt regardless of what you do?! I had mommy guilt when I stayed at home. I have mommy guilt while I'm working. I have come to the conclusion that no matter what we do as moms, we will still be consumed by that mommy guilt. I feel guilty because I love my job so much. I know...crazy, right? I love the challenge and the break that it allows me to be a person rather a mom all of the time. Plus, eventually, it will allow us to give our kids the opportunity to attend a great private, Christian school.

You know what? I have to sit back and watch my kids sometimes. I try to remove my personal emotions from the situation and observe with an unbiased perspective. They do not seem irrevocably scarred or emotionally damaged. Their childhood is still magical and preserved. Mommy gets to go to school with LaLa three days a week, which she thinks is so "cool". Little Bit gets some one on one attention from her grandma three days a week. I think they might just make it out of this okay. I just have to remind myself that when I have a hard time remembering it!

I have some catching up to do! I have lots of Elmo party stuff from Little Bit's birthday. I'll post it on the blog soon if anyone is having an Elmo party soon. I'll probably sell it for ten dollars like I did the pirate stuff. I'll try to catch our family and friends up on our crazy, mama drama world! My goal is to post at 2-3 times a week! I'll try!

Be back soon!

Tammy

A Leap of FAITH!

2010-07-27T23:26:00.001-04:00

OK. Imagine putting a blindfold on. Do you see it completely dark? Now, follow my voice and continue taking large steps closer and closer. As you take each step, you desperately reach your hands out to feel in front of you to try to make your steps safer. You slowly point out your foot and consciously feel for strong footing before you put your weight down. You don't know where you are going. You don't know how far you have gone. You just continue to follow that voice.

Sometimes, that is exactly what we have to do in our lives. God just completely takes control. For a moment, we may not know where is taking us or why. It's really difficult to relinquish that control...and let Him guide us. We still may be cautious and put our hands out because we are hesitant, but we go step by step following Him where He is leading.

Well, that is what has been happening in my life. As most of you that know me or read the blog, you know that I have control issues. I know it. I can admit it. I like to do things my way. I like to plan. However, over the last few weeks, it has felt like I have been blindfolded and God is leading me step by step.

I have gone back and forth this summer about going back to work part time. Next year would probably work better because both of my girls would be in school, but God had other plans. As you know, we decided not to re-enroll LaLa in the private preschool she was at after K3. Our plan was for me to homeschool her. I had our "learning spot" set up in my office/craft room. I had ordered all of the K4 curriculum. I had the year mapped out with the themes and units. We actually started some of the curriculum over the summer because she loves doing "school work". We were ready and all set with our plan!

A few weeks ago (3 or 4...actually), I actually noticed that a wonderful, local private, Christian school was hiring a part time teacher. Here is the catch...it was a music position. I considered applying for it...because it was part time. I printed out the application, talked to a couple people, and never went any further because of several reasons. Well, I love kids and I love singing and such...but I am definitely not a music teacher. Also, several days later, the position changed to full time. See, I knew that wasn't for me is exactly what I told my husband. I forgot all about my thoughts on going back part time and engrossed myself in my summer projects and Little Bit's birthday party.

Well, several days later, a friend called me and said she had found the PERFECT job for me. I laughed and asked what in the world it was!?! She replied that it was a part time job for a Learning Lab Instructor. I was thinking, "what in the world is a learning lab?!" and "No schools have part time right now. Who in the world is posting a part time job?!" You'll never believe it. It was the SAME school that I had looked at the week before. Remember, the application I had printed off, and never finished? Consequently, I emailed a friend that worked at the school to see what the Learning Lab was exactly. It was described as a place that struggling students could go for extra academic support. Eventually, they hope that it will encompass enrichment for students that need enrichment as well.

I couldn't believe it. I have had the opportunity to work with students with special needs and gifted students. These two groups of students are each special and need unique support to meet their needs. Both of these groups are also often the children that fall through the cracks in a regular education classroom. This is where my passion is. This is where my dissertation focused. Once I heard more information about the program, I realized that not only was this job perfect. It was a dream job and a great opportunity.

Within a week from hearing about the job, I completed my application, interviewed, and began working. The environment is incredible! Everyone is so friendly, sincere, and Christ focused. We decided that since I would be at the school, we would go ahead and register LaLa for pre-k. She was very excited as she toured the school, and I feel like they will definitely give her a challenge and keep her focused, which were my goals in homeschooling her. I attended a couple days last week for new teacher orientation, and I have preplanning this week. Every day has been exciting. I L.O.V.E. what the school is trying to do for these struggling kids. I love the opportunities that this program can provide for kids! Plus, this dream opportunity still allows me to be mama. It is part time. Perfect, huh?

We went from no plan of me going back to work and homeschooling LaLa to me going back to work and enrolling LaLa into school within less than a week. We had to figure out childcare, pray about what to do, evaluate all the pros and cons, and so on...but amazingly, everything fell into place within 24 hours of the job being offered to me. Child care was offered to us (more on that later)! I even worried about a back up plan if our child care can't help one day! Within 24 hours, two different wonderful friends offered to be back ups. Let me point out that I didn't even ask...they offered. It gives me chills just thinking about how it has all worked out! Concern after concern was handled until we couldn't even make up a doubt. God had put this opportunity in front of us. Then, he takes any concerns we have and gives solutions. It has been a lot of changes...a lot of adjusting, but it has been amazing. Let me emphasize that again...it has been absolutely AMAZING what has happened over the last three weeks.

It has literally felt like I was blindfolded and took step by step without knowing if my next step was going to make me fall right off a cliff! God has really shown me that if you take that leap of faith and give up that control...that HE has great things ahead for you! I feel such peace about the way thing have worked out. Do you remember my "summer calendar and projects" that I have been working on all summer? I can even see how God knew that I'd be going back to work this fall...even though I didn't. Without even realizing it, I was getting our house and world in order so it wouldn't be hanging over my head or overwhelming me with projects undone! As we get settled, you'll have to forgive me for not blogging regularly, but I'll be back regularly when I get settled in a routine! I'll be sharing Little Bit's birthday pictures too!

Thanks for reading about our big changes and my leap of faith! I'll keep you posted!
Tammy

My Little Bit is TWO!

2010-07-15T16:27:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Little Bit!

You know, my goal as a mother from early on was to make sure that I treasured every single little moment. I did not want to look back one day with regrets. I didn't want to hear a little old lady tell me, "it's over in a blink of an eye" and worry that I was missing something. Although that was my goal, I still feel like these last two years FLEW by without me noticing. I was intentional with my moments where my children are concerned, yet despite my deepest efforts, here I am two years since Little Bit was born...shaking my head and wondering where the time went.

I think with your first born you are so excited to reach each and every milestone that you are looking ahead...not behind at phases that passed by you. I know that is the way I was with LaLa. Plus, as soon as LaLa passed this baby stage, I was so excited about what was just ahead...preschool, being able to be more independent, soccer, more talking, more active, etc.. I was pregnant when LaLa turned two. I think that helped too! I knew the "baby" world was still just around the corner. It is so odd to be excited over such a milestone, yet so sad when those milestones go by as well. Wow, what contradictory feelings!

Little Bit is so excited about her big party on Saturday. She is pointing at pictures of all her friends and family (hanging up on a board beside changing table) and asking, "they coming to my bertday?" She can also hold up two fingers when you ask her how old she is. However, she has to hold up one finger on each hand because she just hasn't grasped the concept of two fingers side by side on one hand! Regardless, it's cute!

LaLa has been a great big sister to Little Bit today. She woke her up by singing happy birthday! We spent the day as a family at Chuck-e-cheese, and the girls had a great deal of fun. I think they should hand prozac out to the parents when you leave. Needless to say, the grown ups are quite exhausted!

Can you guess what kind of party Little Bit is having!?:)

My Sweet Ballerina

2010-07-14T22:11:00.000-04:00

These are from LaLa's ballet recital...my sweet girl is growing up. I am having a difficult time realizing this for both of my girls. I love watching them grow and mature each and every day, but at the same time, I want to scream against Father Time because I feel cheated that my time with them "little" is so short. It's hard to explain. I think my baby, Little Bit, turning two is the source of all of this crazy emotions. Today is actually the LAST day that she will be one. The LAST day in my head of her being a "baby".

Getting Dressed.

Tap...love those hats as props!

Ballet...LaLa's little dance class was so sweet this year. She made some great friends (and the moms were great too!)

You mean I get a trophy?! You should have seen her face! Her class is on the far left.

How do you keep a busy toddler still during a recital? A "sugar" pacifier...aka...a ring pop!:)

LaLa's grandparents brought her a bouquet of flowers. She kept smelling them on stage.

One kid looking at that trophy (her favorite part of the night) and one kid that would not quit goofing off with that hat!

My sweet big girl!

LaLa with Robert's parents, "Nana" and "Daddy Gene". They drove all the way from Dalton, Ga to come to her recital for a couple hours! That's grandparent devotion!

My mom and dad with LaLa. (Gumpy and Mimi)

2010-07-13T22:14:00.001-04:00

These are some embroidery pictures from the summer. I have been embroidering and sewing alot on my project list. I have been sewing curtains for several rooms. Rooms that I bought curtain fabric for when we first moved in our house (6 years ago!). I have also been working on a lot of projects for Little Bit's birthday that I will share next week!

Beach Towels...I think I have monogrammed a few dozen beach towels since the beginning of summer! They are great for gifts, and they last forever! I still have mine that was a highschool graduation gift!

My poor girls are usually the last ones to get things monogrammed, but I did monogram their bathing suits and really liked it! It makes these Target bathing suits look extra cute!

Are all of my pictures driving you crazy yet? Just a couple more days!:) We are still getting ready for Little Bit's big party day on Saturday!

4th of July

2010-07-12T12:21:00.001-04:00

I have a ton of pictures to post. So, I am going to take the next couple of days and catch up! I know family will appreciate getting caught up with pictures, but it might be quite boring for some of you! My blog is usually the only "scrapbook" that I am always up to date on consistently. That is the best part of having a blog!! When it hits my one year mark of having the blog, I plan to make it into a book so my girls can have an entire year worth of a journal/scrapbook of sorts from mommy! Don't you just want to go start a blog RIGHT this second! Hence my guilt and need to catch up on posting pictures!

I am not doctoring these pictures at all! You will see dates, background, and completely unedited pictures!:) It's part laziness. It's part that dang project calendar keeping me busy. It's part distraction because of family coming in town. And the BEST part? It's my Little Bit's birthday week! She will be two on Thursday! We love birthdays here and celebrate big...meaning I have to do lists on top of to do lists!

Here are pictures from the fourth of July. That is my second favorite holiday...just love it! We had so much fun, especially since it was on Sunday. We had the opportunity to celebrate at my parents' house all weekend...lots of swimming, lake time, movies, playing, and enjoying the days! My parents live on the same lake we do...just on the other side. It makes visiting great because we are close enough to run home when we need to rest or get something. Plus, they have all the fun "big toys" that we get to enjoy like the pool and the boat!:) My mom is one of five girls in her family. When she cooks, she cooks for an army despite how many people will actually be eating. She and my dad shopped and had SO much food for the weekend! I think I ate and snacked all day...and probably gained a gabillion pounds! It was fun though!

Robert carrying our stuff in for the day! Kids are so little, but they NEED SO much stuff! It feels like we are moving no matter where we go because we pack so much stuff!

LaLa and I made a yummy flag cake. She was great at decorating. I was throwing the blueberries on the top while she methodically placed each one! Little Bit was "fired" from helping by LaLa because she kept "accidentally" getting whip cream on her.

Fun playing in the back yard.

I was trying to pose the girls to get a few pictures in their "Dependents" Day dresses (their name for the 4th). You know how that goes...one looks while the other looks away!

Looks so sweet! She was looking at the geese across the cove.

Little Bit is such a mess! She would have jumped in the lake if we would have let her.

Hmm...almost a good picture!

Fishing at the dock. LaLa caught a fish off the dock last year on Easter...the only fish she has ever caught off the dock. However, she never forgets that one time and always thinks that fish will bite her hook again! My brother "caught" my ear when we were little while fishing with our grandfather. My ears get the "ibbyjibbies" every time someone casts a pole...even years later!

Popsicles and waiting for the fireworks. I make the girls, especially Little Bit, wear swimmies on the boats...just in case. I keep their life jackets on hand too, but they will wear their swimmies longer. Our neighborhoods do something really cool. Everyone pays in a certain amount to go toward fireworks for the community. On the fourth, everyone goes out in their boats to see the firework display they do over the lake. It's great...no crowds, kids are contained (for the most part), and it is really a great show! I have great memories of doing this as I was growing up on the fourth...so it made it extra special to get to do it with my girls! Good things of that night? It didn't rain. Little Bit didn't try to jump off the boat (I was worried.). You dock your boat...walk up to the house...and go to sleep!

My two little fireworks on the boat. They were so excited for the fireworks. LaLa thinks Tinkerbell has something to do with ALL fireworks. Little Bit covered her ears and fell asleep during the fireworks!

A great, great day!

Summer Projects: The Girls' Room: French poodles...almost finished!

2010-06-30T21:37:00.000-04:00

Things Done...

Move out old stuff!
Move in new stuff from craigslist (includes the two paintings, the two duvet covers (Little Bit's not shown), pillows matching theme, boxspring, new twin bed for LaLa, etc.)
Purchase needed items (new twin sheets, use crib sheets from nursery from LaLa's decor, etc.)
Use what we had (crib (matched perfectly!), changing table/dresser, bookshelf, toy box, table and chairs, etc.)
Paint (opposing walls are different colors)
Hang pictures
paint eiffel tower (chalkboard paint)
paint ceiling (darker shade of sky blue)
paint clouds on the ceiling (if you look closely, some of the clouds take special shapes...a teddy bear, mickey mouse ears, the letter c, the letter s, a flower, etc.)
organize closet

Still to do...
1. Put sheets and bed ruffle on crib. Little Bit's nursery decor was brown/pink so it did not go with the new room. However, LaLa's nursery decor was pink and green...matched well! See, good thing that I save everything!
2. Make curtains with the fabric that came with all of the wonderful craigslist goodies! It's not enough to do both windows. Instead, I put up Pottery Barn curtains that I had bought for LaLa's old room. They work for now until I can make the new ones. My girls like it dark when they sleep. I plan on using that striped fabric that you see on the bed in one of the pictures with solid dark pink. I'm trying to think of something I could embroidery on the solid portion of the curtains...poodles? french saying?
3. Hang LaLa's collector's shelf beside her bed. (I'll have to tell you about that later! It is like the ones from pottery barn, but they are a fortune! I made it out of trash...basically!
4. Hang LaLa's "princess" valance above her bed. It's from the nursery that both of the girls had from newborns. I want it to follow them as they grow up.
5. Pull out all the 18 month clothes from the closet and drawers. When I started this project in April, Little Bit could still wear them! Now, I have to pull them out just about the same time I finally finished!
6. See that white tall floor lamp? We had this lamp post in our front yard...until the contractor (from our kitchen remodel) hit it with his monster truck. It is unfixable. I plan on sweet talking my dad into using the "shell" of the lamp post that I would not let Robert throw out to make that floor lamp look like a lamp post in their room. I'm not even sure if that's possible!

LaLa's New Bed...hasn't even fallen off...YET! I love the sleigh bed! I love that it matches the crib so well! I couldn't have planned it if I would have tried!

First,, do not look at the curtains...still have to do that. Now, look at the Eiffel Tower out of chalkboard paint. The girls love it, but I have this thing about chalk EVERYWHERE...so I have to hide the chalk! Little Bit draws on EVERYTHING if you don't watch her closely!

I love this table in their room! I might paint the top with chalkboard paint too. Why didn't I put a table in their room forever ago? We use it all the time!

Close up of her duvet covers...cute, huh? I can't wait until Little Bit can use hers on her bed, but then again...I'm not ready for her to be loose at night! That's the fabric that came with the bedding. I love all the colors that it pulls in!

I need a new changing pad cover, but I am hoping to potty train in early fall. This is the changing table/dresser from the girls' nursery. I spray painted that previously white shelf, and of course, LaLa had to put her new ballet trophy on display! (Oops! I still need to post pics of my little ballerina!) I had the girls silouettes done a few months ago. I plan to frame them and put them up here as well. And, yes, they have a television in their room. It keeps me sane...they use it for rest/nap time. It only plays dvds...no cable.

A new sign to welcome the girls into their new shared room!

LOVE the details on the bed! Did I mention it matches the crib?! Ahhh...wonderful luck! All of these wonderful pillows came with the beds, bedding and such! LaLa puts them in special spots every morning...she may be a little type A like her mommy!

That's the ceiling...clouds.

Toy box...found at as a "display item" of a boutique going out of business. It's the same cream color as the beds. It's where I hide the toys they leave all over the floor!

There is no more space in this room, but I desperately need a spot for the books, books and more books that the girls have. They inherited a lot from my teaching days. I don't have any floor space...hmmm...any ideas?

I'm so close to finishing...I just need to mark off those last things on that list!

If you ask LaLa, she loves her new room because it's not just for her sister and her to share...they're best friends too! I hope they stay best friends forever!

Summer Projects: My Girls' Room: Charlotte's Web & Growing Up Too Fast!

2010-06-30T14:38:00.001-04:00

I'm writing this post for two reasons. First, I am posting to share all the work and ideas that we did in my girls' new room. Second, I am posting because one day when I print my blog out for my girls to remember our little things everyday, I want them to remember how much they loved each other's company. Each of my little girls had their own room that I spent time working to make it special and individual. However, in November, LaLa began to insist that she had to sleep with her sister as you may remember here. Well, after a few weeks of sleeping on the floor, we moved our guest room bed in the nursery so LaLa would at least have a bed to sleep in at night. The nursery was quite small, and the girls were getting bigger every day. By March, we realized that this sleeping situation seemed to be sticking around our house. Now, both girls really enjoyed each other's company at night and during naps. They even began sleeping better!

We decided to change LaLa's unused room into the girls' new room they would share. It is the largest of the four bedrooms upstairs (excluding ours). It currently had a four poster queen size bed, a dresser, etc. Since two little girls were going to share, we had to look for furniture. We were right in the middle of the remodeling our kitchen...remember here, here, and herewhen we were in the chaos of our kitchen and everything else in the house started falling apart?! I began to peruse Craigslist in January, but I was looking for something very specific.

After looking and calling around for several months, I happened to come across cute bedding on Craigslist. It had poodles and a French theme. The perfect colors and idea for a "sister" shared room that varied in ages! Here was the bonus...the seller even listed McDonough as her location...very close to me! I contacted her and didn't hear anything for several days. It was actually someone that I knew. She has four kids of her own. She has been involved with all kinds of things (like owning and running a successful baby gym business!) and has completely amazed me with how she juggles it all so well! She mentioned that she had two twin beds for sale as well. Now, I had in mind something....like bunk beds (but were nervous about my girls' ages) or loft beds, or a carriage bed...but I knew I was really limited with my resources too!

I looked at the beds...and looked...and looked...and asked everyone else what they thought about them...I deep down already liked them...A LOT. However, a friend's husband could make the beds in my "head" for about the same price. I could get the beds, but then I would not have all the bedding that I fell in love with! Or, I could get the bedding and have to wait a few months to save up for new beds. I made an offer on everything...and didn't tell Robert. She totally worked with me...within very close of where I was trying to get...pricewise! Then, I had to tell Robert. After the initial shock, he was okay. I couldn't even go the day we planned to pick up the beds because our sitter canceled and one of the girls were sick! I was so excited!

The girls helped choose the colors and shared ideas. It has been a slow process getting it all done, finding mattresses, moving everything out, and moving stuff back in the room. Now, the closet has both of the girls' clothes. We have another twin bed that is at my parents' house waiting until Little Bit needs a big girl bed, along with the mattresses (who knew mattresses were so expensive?!), and her new matching bedding.

Before we could start in the new room, we had to paint over the "charlotte's web" mural that I painted in her room when she was little (sigh, wipe a tear). A friend and I painted grass around the room and the ceiling light blue. Both of my girls loved running up to the animals and saying their names and sounds. I had to leave the room when Robert painted (three coats!) primer over it! First, before we picked up the new beds or anything, I had to snap a picture. Oh, sweet LaLa, if you only knew the time and love I put into your "big girl" room! I'll miss seeing you and your little animals, but I am so excited about your new room that you and your little sister will make many, many fun memories!

I'll post more tomorrow.
I have to go hug my girls...
feels like I painted this just yesterday...
time is going by way too fast!!!

Enjoying the Backyard...Refurbishing our Swing

2010-06-29T11:42:00.000-04:00

Our backyard has this gradual slant to it. We never use this back corner in our yard that is shaded by large trees in our neighbors yard. In order to take advantage of space, Robert moved the swing in this back corner. (after trying it several other places...I'm visual!) It looked kind of lonely back there. We added jasmine plants on both sides of the swing. Hopefully, they will start vining around the swing eventually. Plus, they smell so good!

Covered in rust...this swing needed some TLC. It was a gift Robert and I got my grandmother. Since it was hers, I couldn't just get rid of it and get another. It has lots of memories of swinging and talking with her.

Magic Wands...

After just the first coat, it made a great difference. We put brick pavers around the jasmine plants and planted various plants that had color to make small flower beds. This has turned out to be one of my favorite spots in my backyard. Now, the girls and I can make our own memories swinging and talking in a part of our yard that we never used. If I could just figure out how to make new cushions, I would be set!:)

Any Complaints?

2010-06-24T20:33:00.001-04:00

My first thought on complaints...I don't complain. I just listen to complaints. Ummm...then again, that's not quite true. I just went upstairs where my husband had bathed the kids (don't give him too much credit yet...I was cleaning up dinner and making his lunch for tomorrow). I "tagged" him out as he brought them into their room to get their jammies on and teeth brushed so he could go ~~play~~ work in the yard with some new yard tools. After prayers were said, books read, multiple requests granted and denied, covers tucked and so on, I finally left the girls. I entered their bathroom to replace their toothbrushes from the counter, and I discovered clothes on the floor, the tub still filled, toys littering the floor and the tub, shampoo open in abandoned in the tub of water.

Did I complain? Yep...marched my five foot feisty self outside and tried to yell my complaints over the weed eater only to find that he still couldn't hear me between his singing and the IPod turned up to unbelievable decibels. Then, I complained that he is too old to be listening to music that loud. (My husband suffers from the delusion that he is a teenager at times rather than a man in his thirties...most of the time~emphasis on most~ I love that about him.) However, after discovering the bathroom mess was not a moment where that love for his lust at youth was inspired!

Did it do any good? Nope...not at all. Did I exemplify a servant’s heart? Nope...not at all. Did I feel better? Nope...maybe for a minute. Actually, I probably could have cleaned it up faster than going out to complain about it. Then, I find myself wondering where my kids learn to complain...about it being too hot, or being bored, or some food they don't like. I guess tonight I answered my question. I also remembered a Bible verse that I haven't thought of in a long time.

Do everything without complaining or arguing (Ph. 2:14).

By the way, I went outside to snap a shot of him with my camera during his yard work and loud music escapade. He didn't even bat an eye. Without even inquiring as to why I was taking his picture, he stopped, looked at me, let me take the picture, and continued singing and weed eating.

What can I say? Thanks God for the lesson!:) Seems like I'm learning several this week...

A Mama's Blessings...focus on the Good Things

2010-06-23T22:21:00.001-04:00

Blessings...

I was just talking to a friend last night about some of the things that I posted yesterday. During our conversation, I realized that there is definitely drama in all of our lives. Whether it is mama drama or day to day drama or drama in our relationships...we all have drama.

Despite all of our drama, we all have blessings—Blessings that get pushed to the side and often forgotten because the drama and urgency of the day to day takes over. So, I am taking this day...this moment...to focus on the good things.

As I began writing this post, I remembered a blog that I genuinely enjoy will often do the same thing. The author, Erin, will periodically devote a post to the good things in her life...or her favorite things. Whatever they may be...when I have read her posts on good things, it has made me stop and focus on my good things as well.

I should really stop and do the same thing...talk about the good things...more often.

Good health...definitely at the top of my list.

These moments...with my girls.

My dishwasher...really love my new dishwasher. I do not even have to prewash my dishes...seriously! Also, it has several compartments...even a perfect compartment for sippy lids. A mom must have created this dishwasher. The dishwasher also has a sanitize option...now, I will never need that bottle sanitizer again! It is so, so, so very quiet too! Ah...sweet dishwasher.

My house...love my "right now" house. Of course, I'm always looking and wishing for what I want "one" day, but with the economy the way it is lately...I am blessed to have the security a home offers for me and my family. I love this picture of our house when it snowed.

My parent's (live a couple miles away) swimming pool...really enjoying it this summer!:)

Yep, I'm blessed.

Summer Sanity?! Random Ramblings...

2010-06-23T11:26:00.000-04:00

I need ideas for keeping our summer fun and my sanity in check. We are, actually, having a super fun summer! We have been staying busy, playing, and enjoying each other. Schedule and routine has been the key for us so far! I should turn the television off a bit more, but I have to clean my house and make dinner sometime (right?!). I just cannot figure out how to do all the stuff I WANT to do with having the kids around ALL the time. When I say that out loud though, it sounds somewhat selfish. Not sure?

I miss blogging...desperately, miss blogging. My hubby misses me blogging. The way he has it figured out is the more I blog...the less I need to talk about EVERYTHING in my head to him!:) So, if your husband thinks you talk a lot and if he gets that glazed over look periodically, I highly suggest blogging. When I do have a few minutes to myself on the computer (now, kids are watching barney on tv!), I usually end up trying to get my blog fix on my blogs that I follow. I just HAVE to know what is going on in their worlds. Some blogs are my encouragement for the day...as a mom...as a woman...they send me these motivating ideas to keep my focus throughout the day. I think this is why blogs have gotten so popular for women...just my opinion.

What's even funnier? I could care less if anyone reads them. Honestly, I forget that whatever I write ends up on the Internet world. I love comments though...ahhh...so someone else is out there and doesn't think I'm kooky!:) Then, I will be at church or visiting some friends for a kid play date, and someone will mention something they saw on the blog. Ugh...my mind begins to randomly recheck past posts to see if I wrote anything in particular...something where I was ambitiously rambling. I have to be cautious that what's in my head doesn't immediately go onto this computer! Regardless, summer is definitely getting in the way of blogging. I guess that is understandable!

When I do something, I like to do it all the way. 100% devotion to the project. Thus, my frustration with not blogging consistently! I just tend to do too many things at one time. Then, I get crabby and stressed and overwhelmed in my home because I'm stretched too thin. I forgot a lot this past year that the REASON that I chose to be a stay at home mom is for the benefit of my kids. However, I would spend spare minutes devoted to all these other activities for church or preschool or people in general. (Not a bad thing...just in moderation!) I enjoyed it for the most part, but my family suffered. My energy and time was zapped. They only received the left overs. I have been a crazy woman fighting for simplicity this summer...convincing myself that we do not have to be on the go all the time. Now, if that would just rub off onto my expectations for myself, I would be set!

I received a couple emails about my calendar for my house when I was out of town (Again, that wonderful moment when you know you are not the only crazy mommy out there.) I'll post my calendar soon! I don't know if it will help or make you laugh, but I will post it regardless!:)

It's nice to know that someone is curious about my craziness in order to help their own chaos! More mommies need to be more open about our struggles and chaos with others! I don't think we would be as hard on ourselves...if we REALLY, genuinely knew what other moms were going through each and every day.

Okay...that's my random ramblings for the day! Thanks for listening!

Little Bit...a FULL moon...

2010-06-14T07:30:00.001-04:00

Little Bit has this issue with removing her clothes at any and all opportunities. She will remove her clothes and diaper and hide them somewhere. My only solution that works is to put pull ups on her. They tend to take a bit longer for her to figure out how to remove it. Once she figures that out, I'm out of ideas?! Let me know if anyone else has ideas! This is how I discovered Little Bit an hour or so after I had put her to bed. Her pants and diaper had been tossed out of her crib. She was sound asleep. I guess from a mama's perspective I can say...at least she was asleep...that's more important than being half naked!

Since I am sharing Little Bit memories and thoughts, I am sad to say that she is no longer calling her big sister LaLa. I know sad, right? She can now actually say her name, Charlotte. It was so sweet as she tried to say it and came out with LaLa. She is still known as Little Bit to most around here, and that name just fits her perfectly. She is such a bundle of everything in this little body! Amazingly, after months and months of trying to get her to say her name, she finally said it a couple weeks ago. She says it pretty quickly, and it is still hard to understand unless you are listening for it. It is still quite cute though! She is really growing up! I think this (her being able to say the real names and not her "baby" names she created) has really made me realize how much she has grown up. Where has my baby gone? It is exciting and sad at the same time. Hard to explain...

When did you realize or what made you realize your little one grew up without your realizing it?

Two Mommies and Three Little Ladies Going to the BEACH!

2010-06-10T00:44:00.000-04:00

I'm packed. I'm ready. I ask myself everytime I get to this point..."why did I wait until the last minute?!" Actually, I had everything in my head that I needed to pack. I bought food, snacks, and beach things days ago. I had some stuff put out here and there. I made a list. I printed out the directions. I printed out the weather for the next week. I closed up any house and family details. I have a restaurant bag for the kids. I have snack boxes for each kid. I have a bookbag with car toys for each kid. I have bag and bag and bag ready...YET...here it is 12:35 in the morning and I just finished packing except for a few last minute things to throw in the bag in the morning. Oh yeah, it is morning already. Did I mention my friend and her little girl that we are going to the beach with plans on being here at 5? FIVE. IN. THE. MORNING.

Between finishing preschool, working on my summer cleaning list, LaLa's dance practices and recital, and entertaining my girls...I genuinely figured the packing would all just come together! Maybe my friend will not notice if I just sleep ALL the way to Florida! I'm sure she can handle three little girls and driving...right? Well, she might not even be my friend anymore if I go that route! I'll post pictures of LaLa's sweet recital pictures soon and lots of fun and adventures from our trip!

Hopefully, the beautiful beach will not be ruined with oil...ugh...that's an entirely different rant for a different day!

Enjoy your weekend!
Tammy

Lightning Bug Adventures

2010-06-09T06:30:00.001-04:00

A priority this summer was to hunt and capture some of those magical lightning bugs that have started to grace our backyard. It's not truly summer until you have your lightning bugs lighting up your room on a hot summer evening. The way these little bugs light up as they fly around is magical and such a testimony to God's creation. I love that He wanted us to enjoy and be mesmorized over His handiwork of creation.

When I was a child, we simply used mason jars with holes punched in the lid. Obviously, times have changed. LaLa has this little "bug house" that is meant to retain her bug creatures. Fancy, huh? Honestly, I think the mason jars worked better! We had to really pep talk those little bugs into agreeing to enter the bug house.

She and Little Bit enjoyed the little bugs lighting up their room until they fell asleep. I think they were upset for a while and refused to light up for quite a bit...the bugs not the kids! Robert let them go shortly after so the bugs could continue their adventures. While LaLa was looking for lightning bugs (or "lighty" bugs as they called them), Robert and I took turns pushing Little Bit in the swing in the backyard. It is basically a baby swing on a huge tree. The swing is usually the first thing friends want to do when they visit. They are able to swing super high and still be secured with straps. Of course, Little Bit had been playing in the sandbox and is filthy! If there is sand or dirt around, she can find it!

Now for the best question of the night...how do "lighty" bugs light up?

Hmmm...good question...go ask your daddy!

Now, I guess I have to go google the answer!;)

The Second Child Syndrome?

2010-06-08T06:30:00.003-04:00

Uh...oh...I'm caught?! Run, run...hide...close my eyes. I can't be in trouble now!

Poor Little Bit simply looks pitiful in this picture! I snap pictures of my girls several times a week. The blog is great for holding me accountable to take pictures regularly. (Add that to the great reasons for blogging). Now, Little Bit is well taken care of, but she is a wild little monkey! She has no fear. She thinks she is as big and as tough as her big sister. She will climb anything. She makes the strongest willed child look like a piece of cake. She does everything with her whole heart. She loves her big sister like crazy. She copies her. She watches her. She adores her.

Little Bit sings songs...any song. She loves to dance. She skips or gallops rather than just walk. In fact, she rarely walks anywhere. She rarely goes in the direction you want her to go. You will often see me walking our neighborhood with my girls, yet Little Bit must be strapped in the stroller or attached to one of those kid leashes (at least it looks like a puppy backpack)! She loves to play with dolls as babies. She loves to dress up. She walks better in princess "high heels" than I do in my high heels. We are working on sharing because her current favorite word is...MINE. She loves M&Ms...I mean loves them. She loves her dogs...when they do not run away scared of her. She loves to swing. She loves the park. She walked really, reallly early...even though I did not encourage it...at all.

Little Bit is the second child. With LaLa, I made sure she never left the house without being dressed just perfectly. I always had the diaper bag packed. I had a stash of toys for restaurants. We planned our day around naps and days around her schedule. She never played with markers...or even art supplies for that matter without 100% supervision. Have you ever heard of Baby Wise? I lived and breathed that book with LaLa. If she spilled something on her clothes, I changed her immediately. Well, take another look at this particular picture and notice the arrows!

She is still so cute, but looking at this picture, it made me realize (once again) how I have changed as a parent. Do you see the arrows pointing at the spots on her shirt from lunch?! Did I change her? NOPE...we weren't going anywhere, and that would have been more laundry! Do you see the arrows around her little face? That is (once again) the result of a marker that she managed to snag from her big sister's stash. Fortunately, they are non-toxic because she colors on herself in her attempts to create her art! Despite the fact of the label declaring it is "washable". It is not. Markers on skin take several washes and a good day to get it off completely.

Do you notice her eyes are closed? Well, this is because I had just discovered the markers (with their tops off) in a trail straight to the culprit. Let me also mention that no matter how much I hide these stinkin' markers, she still FINDS them! What does she do when she knows she is in trouble? She finds a spot and closes her eyes. You see...in the mind of a one year old...or at least in the mind of my one year old...if she can't see YOU, she believes that YOU can't see HER! I continue to say, "I see you. Open your eyes. Did you get the markers out?" She never moves or opens her eyes. I give up and begin picking up the trail of markers and tops to hide them in an even more difficult hiding spot. She slowly opens her eyes and peeks to see if she is in the clear.

Oh well, choose your battles...yeah, she is definitely the second child!

Our Summer List...What to do this summer?!

2010-06-07T05:00:00.001-04:00

I finally remembered to take a picture of our summer list. My mom would let my brother and I choose one fun "trip" or activity per week during the summer (water park, etc.). She would put it on the calendar, and we would look forward to that special day. It made summers fun and exciting! When I was a teacher, I would do this project as a writing activity at the end of the school year. It was always fun to see what the kids were looking forward to doing during their summer break. I would make my own list before my own children. I was facing several weeks of not teaching, and I wanted to make the most out of my summer and time off!

Now, it is a lot of fun to do it with my own children. We have been brainstorming for several weeks now. In fact, when we went to Panama City a couple weeks ago, we began the list. Each item was highly debated as of its importance to be included. Every family member made suggestions, but most of the items came straight from LaLa. She also made several ideas on Little Bit's behalf. Little Bit would agree or disagree with a YES! or NO! and thus our list making went on and on until it was finished!

It becomes easy to become lazy and let the summer and free time just slide right by you. Time goes so fast when we are adults! I want to make sure we take the opportunity to make memories. One mom mentioned that she wanted to be "intentional" with her time this summer. That is a great way to describe our goal. We want each moment to count! Of course, we do plan on having some of those lazy days along the way as well!

(By the way, I add this page to their scrapbook(s) at the end of the summer with pictures. It just makes it easier to go ahead and place it on a 12x12 piece of paper so it's ready to go!)

What do you plan on doing this summer? Have you made a summer list with your kids? Post a picture or your link!

Fastest Way to Clean Out Closets?

2010-06-04T05:30:00.007-04:00

This is Robert. This is my husband over a decade past his highschool graduation. If you did not know him then, he will be the first to tell you and share with you his memories of his glorious time with his football team at Dalton High School. If you let him talk too long about these precious memories, he might even bring out these enormous scrapbooks the mothers of the football players made.

Have you ever just gotten completely overwhelmed with things you want to do in your house? Maybe some things you want to decorate or organize or clean? I do...often! Well, as I've mentioned in the past, I am on my clearing through my house binge (I go through these periodically!). My kitchen remodel began the inspiration. Then, I realized I was simply at my wit's end on STUFF! I'm tired of stuff. My house felt like it was shrinking. In fact, my house is not shrinking. Our stuff is growing. My husband and I felt just fine in our house prior to children. We even had room to spare! Then, LaLa came...more stuff. Then, Little Bit...even more stuff. It's either stuff gets organized and cleared out...or we move out and our stuff stays in the house! I went room to room with a pen (okay, a pencil) and my "list" notebook (my spiral notebook designated for lists). As I went in every room, I considered how I could better use space. Did I love or have to have these items?! Do I need to paint something? Is there something that I have been wanting to change or decorate? I wrote details of what needs to be accomplished in every room...in every nook and cranny.

I have a list. I have a calendar. I combined them. It's not as overwhelming because I focus on just that day or week. I have a mission. I am making progress. In fact, I cannot be stopped...yeah right! Has my little family not realized that I have a LIST on my CALENDAR? Did I mention it is written in pen?! Yeah, I knew that would really get me focused. When my family is around (believe or not...my husband is as bad as my children!), it takes me longer to get through my list because we have to stop and reminisce on each and every item! For example, the football helmet from Robert's ~~glory~~ football days in high school and my cheerleading megaphone from high school. I didn't even know we had these items still!

The first picture is Robert "trying" on his helmet and telling LaLa about what it meant to play football ~~and how wonderful he was as a football player.~~ ;) I convinced him to let me snap his picture assuring him that when he is in his old age wouldn't it be cute to still have it?

Now, on to the second picture (keep in mind...this is totally interrupting "the" time devoted to my mission). This is Robert TRYING to get the Helmet off. Hee Hee...laughed hard...really hard! Didn't quite fit like it used to fit in high school! Snapped this picture illegally without his permission during his efforts to remove it.

Now, LaLa gets her turn to try on her daddy's old helmet. It's, of course, huge on her. She also yells into my megaphone periodically to mix it up a bit. Hmmm...makes me wonder...in her future will she be a cheerleader or a football player or neither one? If you ask most people, she probably has a good chance of being either one! She's pretty tough for such a cutie!

You may ask...where was sweet Little Bit? Well, she WAS sleeping until LaLa got a hold of the megaphone!

Off to finish the next room...maybe we will not get quite as distracted with our high school days on the next one!

Preschool Memories

2010-06-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

I haven’t shared any “inside” information on LaLa’s end of the year party last week. If I was this broken up on LaLa moving on to K4, what am I going to do when she graduates from kindergarten…or high school…or college?!

Here are some of the fun things we did for the end of the year…

These are cards that we made for each student so they would have their friends' personal information. All of the parents signed a release at the beginning of the year allowing me to create and share a student directory for the parents. I would not share personal information without being sure it was alright with everyone...so always check first! Hopefully, this will encourage the preschoolers to keep in touch over the summer. They made some wonderful little friends. I always made books for my students when I taught, and I always included my address as well. I loved receiving and returning letters throughout the summer with them.

These were just water bottles that we found at the dollar store. LaLa and I cut out the kids' first initial using my Sizzex (which is one of my all time favorite scrapbook toys). Just a tidbit of a secret...I use 'shelf liner' rather than the 'cricut' vinyl to make the letters. It works the same. Plus, you receive a lot more for a better price! I just look for good quality vinyl liner.

LaLa's Preschool teacher's end of the year gifts. Now, she is ready for the beach...plus, she likes (amazing there are still people out there that like it and have time to do it!) cooking! The students also worked together to make their teacher and teacher's assistant flower pots out of their handprints and a scrapbook filled with their "thoughts on their teacher". I forgot to take pictures!

Prior to the party, the students had the opportunity to enjoy a field day of sorts. LaLa's favorite part was the "jumpy house". She also played with chalk, bubbles, beanbags, and hula hoops.

I love their little shirts. Aren't they cute?

Party time...picnic style!

Each parent sent in an "outdoor" item to go in the kids' goody bags. Here are some of the things that were included: the shovel and pail, a backpack, a bucket hat, bubbles, chalk, a bug catcher, a bug net, plastic bugs, a magnifying glass, a float for the pool, etc.. Now, LaLa has seen this bucket sitting on her classroom's shelf for several days, she has been chomping at the bit to get her "end of the year bucket". You would have thought it was pure gold. Every single day, she would ask if today was the day she received her bucket! Then, we got it home, and I think I intervened a gabillion times when Little Bit and LaLa were not wanting to share the items. Obviously, they both liked all of the items!

I know I wasn't the student this year. I wasn't the teacher. I had a marginal part as just the mommy. However, on this last day, I wanted to pat myself on the back...and I still just might. This is the first year that I realized the parents' full perspective on the school year. Despite the marginal part, it is still a great deal of work as the mommy of the student. A lot of juggling your role as mommy and letting someone else have the control...ups and down of learning and behavior...your little one loving and disliking school from day to day...knowing how to handle a situation to not having a clue how to really handle it...learning when to say yes and when to say no to people...letting go (did I mention that yet?)...juggling picking up, dropping off, volunteering, schedules, and all while you have another little one very dependent on you...

see, a great deal of work!

If I ever go back to teaching, remind me to give the mommies and the daddies a certificate of hard work at the end of the school year and not just the students!:)

I felt like we completed the school year successfully. Our first one...my first one...ever...as a mommy. I survived it...successfully...and LaLa did too, of course!

Ugh...

2010-06-02T10:07:00.000-04:00

Can you tell that I've been playing with my blog last night...late into the night? I do not think I have ever yelled at an inanimate object for such an extended amount of time. It is, actually, quite addicting. I want my banner to spread across the entire page. I also would like the center column to be wider. Why in the world is the end columns so wide when they serve absolutely no purpose? Most of the sites that assured me that they could remedy my problem...involved html codes and such. Scary for me. I'll keep working on it. My husband continued to ask why I invest so much time playing with my blog. Well, first of all, it's fun. Second, it's currently the only family scrapbook that I have up to date!

Aren't the pictures in the banner just great?! Not so bad for my itty bitty not-so-smancy camera! I think I went through the Picasa tutorial a dozen times! I love the picture of the girls facing away looking at the lake...so sweet. I just love pictures that catch that "moment"! My favorite is the one of Robert being "superman" for his girls! The girls were also showing their muscles and their unbelievable strength to save the world in the picture. Of course, I cropped them out and left Robert in all his glory...hee hee! Heck, if I worked as hard as he does to train for races and such, I'd show my "muscles" and "super strength" all the time! Better yet, I can't figure out how to change the pictures in the banner even if I wanted to! So, he's stuck seeing it anyway!:) That makes it even funnier!

Well, I shall be back to play around some more with these blog features! If anyone has any tricks, let me know! You may save me some sleep deprivation!

Tammy

Sex In the City...A Night with the Girls

2010-05-29T21:45:00.000-04:00

A friend is a person with whom you dare to be yourself. -Pam Brown

Last night was so so so so so (I could go on and on and on!) much fun! A bunch of girlfriends (and some of their moms and friends) and I all got together to go see Sex in the City...the sequel. Now, this is not a normal movie that I would even like. I never saw any of the shows when they were out on tv. However, the Christmas that I was pregnant with LaLa, Robert bought me the entire set of seasons of Sex in the City. Consequently, he went skiing with some friends for his birthday, and I was left to amuse myself at home and very pregnant. I literally snacked and watched every single episode from the very first season to the last. I was hooked, and I felt like I had met each character personally after our weekend of bonding. By the way, my daughter was named prior to knowing there was a character with her name on the series, but it was kind of fitting after my weekend marathon.

The first Sex in the City movie came out a couple years ago. My girlfriends and some of their moms (they all live a couple hours north of me) went to see the movie together. They were all dressed up, ate dinner, enjoyed some wonderful laughs and memories, and hired a limousine to make the night even more special. I, however, was very, very pregnant with Little Bit. I couldn't go. I know...sad, right? Fortunately, I did have a fellow pregnant friend of mine that went to see the movie with me at a nearby theatre. What is it with me being pregnant and my Sex in the City memories?! Funny, right?

Well, this time...I was not pregnant. I hired a sitter (my marvelous cousin that my girls LOVE), drove a couple hours, and made it to enjoy the experience. We had an expedition limousine. We dressed up as glamorous girls. We transformed into normal women and left our "mom" brains behind for a night. I stayed the night with one of my best friends, Jennifer. She and I were college roommates. It was a great opportunity to actually play with her kids. I'm usually so busy with my own that I have never gotten that one on one time with them. Her husband's big breakfast was perfect too!

I laughed all night. My face genuinely hurt from smiling and laughing. I realized that even after years...we are still the same girls we were five or ten years ago. The group was a combination of friends that have been friends for years, friends of friends, moms of friends, and new friends. Ultimately, I realized that we have gotten married, had kids, and started our lives and careers. Regardless if the girls were my age, younger, or older, if they had been in my life for a day or for years, or whatever...we were all friends. We were all women taking a break from life and enjoying "being women" (you have to see the movie to get that:)!)

It was great to be reminded of that....

It is one of the blessings of friends is that you can afford to be stupid with them. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did I mention that I laughed...all night?! I'm going to so be in trouble for this pic being posted...so enjoy it until she sees it and I'm forced to take remove it. Hee Hee:)

Hold a true friend with BOTH your hands.-Nigerian proverb

Personalized Beach Towels are EXTRA Special!

2010-05-27T15:40:00.000-04:00

I have almost used my entire inventory of beach towels! All I have left is a couple blue, teal, and white striped towels. They are the adult size and super soft. These would be perfect for a boy...or a little, spunky girl like my LaLa. Thanks to Jessica on facebook...my embroidery machine is not making sad noises any longer. Wow, facebook is so useful!:) I can put off service...a tad longer!

They are $15 with a name. If you would like to add an image with the name (i.e. dirt bike, butterfly, princess crown, dragon fly, sports, flower, hearts, etc.), they are $20. I get bored easily...so I thought I would move on through these beach towels and move on to another project! Let me know if you need pictures! Oh, I THINK I have paypal now...thanks to Brittan's help...I haven't tried it out yet!

drtammy@gilreath.com

Random Things...

2010-05-27T13:14:00.000-04:00

Random Ramblings...hmmmm....that sounds appropriate.

First, thank you for all of your ideas on getting the blood from poor Little Bit's boo boo out of my couch and her cute outfit. It worked wonderfully...the peroxide and the spray and wash (even though I couldn't throw my couch in the washer). Stitches have dissolved, and she is as good as new! I was even brave enough to leave her with my brother's girlfriend, Katie, while I enjoyed LaLa's end of the year party at preschool. She survived it without another head wound...maybe I will get to leave the house again in the near future without trips to the ER!

Ok, next, have you felt like your world is swirling around in chaos? Yep. Well, that is where I am! I love to organize...the key is...when I have time! I get giddy when I get to organize, yet I have realized with my kids I usually make a bigger mess trying to organize. Part of my chaos is starting and not finishing things. I think I could totally qualify for adult ADD! It amazes me every day that I used to be the most organized, efficient person. However, I am more often the complete opposite post children! I threatened encouraged my husband to sit down with me and create a calendar, list, and plan (yes, charts, lists and calendars make me so happy) for the summer and our to do lists. We have divided those BIG jobs up to be finished during specific times...for example, my garage. It's so scary lately. That's our job for the next week. This week I am diving into laundry (from our trip) and moving both girls’ current season clothes into their new (more later) room's closet. Sounds like it will work doesn't it? Well, let's hope. Otherwise, I am going to go crazy! I cannot stand chaos. I either go crazy and combat it or give up and give in. (I'm probably leaning into the crazy mode right now) It basically boils down to running around too much and not having the time to invest into keeping things in shape. One thing leads to another and you're swimming in chaos! Some people have recommended a house notebook. I have a skeleton of one, but it is not very efficient (it just looks cute!). So, anyone have ideas...let me know!

Our beach trip was wonderful. Too fast. Way to fast. The girls loved the water. I still hate driving THAT far with small children. Ugh...I just kept repeating that it is worth the drive!

I love Bewitched on TV land. However, poor Samantha usually looks wonderful in her cute outfits and twitching her nose. Have you seen the pregnant episodes? Her clothes look like a tent. I can't twitch my nose and make my dishes shine, but at least we have cute maternity clothes now. I'm still trying to convince Robert that I have so many maternity clothes that we just HAVE to have another baby (and adopt one too) in the next year. Two wonderful friends passed their clothes to me. I have more maternity clothes than regular clothes, but I haven't been pregnant since I inherited all of these clothes! See, it's just necessary...I know my reasoning has a few holes in it!

LaLa is officially a "K4er" as she says. Preschool is over. I had mixed emotions. It's one less place that we have to dash off to. It's more time that we can spend together. I can't slow down life, BUT I can reduce our running and invest more time in our family and our home. I'll share some cute pictures soon from her end of the year party and teacher gifts. I'm too lazy to download the pictures!:)

Three different people have commented on my voicemails. They all feel they are comic relief. I tend to leave long messages that include all the necessary information JUST IN CASE I don't get to talk to the actual person. My posts probably sound just like my voicemails. Oh well, at least there is a consensus that they are humorous.

I just realized that this particular post unintentionally supports my theory on ADD! Ok, enough ramblings for now, I mine as well, suck it up and get busy...you know on my "chaos" plan!

Thanks for listening!

Tammy

One phone call can change so much...

2010-05-20T12:24:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, a friend and I thought we would steal a few minutes away from our families. I am off to the beach this week. She is off to the beach next week. We needed pedicures. Our husbands took on the role graciously of staying home and watching our girls. We sat down in these luxurious spa chairs, feet placed in warm sudsy water, and prepared for some girl chatting and some special treatment for our toes. About that time, my phone rang. It was Robert. All I gathered was panic in his voice (he never, ever panics), blood everywhere, my sweet baby crying, and that she had hit her head. My friend and I, literally, paid the lady something for the inconvenience, jumped out of the chairs, and ran to my car. Somehow I drove to my house without hitting anyone or anything. My friend did say a prayer for Little Bit, but I think part of her might have inwardly prayed for my driving!;)

As we pulled up to the house, my parents had just arrived as well. Robert called them to help with LaLa and for a car with seats if he had to run her to the hospital. Currently, my SUV is the only car we have with a backseat. Fortunately, the bleeding and crying had subsided by the time we arrived.

The story has varied according to who tells it, but from what I can gather, she was playing like the couch cushions were "lily pads" with her sister. Robert was doing the dishes (where he can still see them in the living room over the bar). She tripped in the midst of a jump and hit her head on the wall of the fireplace or coffee table...that's the sketchy part. The part where LaLa was the princess and Little Bit was the frog in the game prior to the accident is the only part that is accurate and consistent on everyone's account.

We decided to take her to Scottish Rite to make sure she was okay (concussion?) and to see if she needed stitches. They were incredible there. I was so shaken up I put her birth date as July 15, 2010...um...not quite, but they still looked at me concerned. I am somewhat of a germ fanatic and hospitals just freak me out a bit (okay, a lot). I did not want Little Bit to touch anything (not to mention that we had grabbed her and left without her shoes). We managed to keep her amused by walking and talking a lot. They checked her out immediately...head wound really gets you to the front of the line. They put this head band and numbing gel on her that had to stay on her for thirty to forty minutes. Hmmm....keeping an almost two year old from pulling it off...interesting. Then, we saw the doctor. He was great...absolutely great. I'm sure it was mostly due to my friend's prayers on the way to the house. He decided to put in a couple stitches because of its location. It would have continued to bleed and not have been able to "close" and "heal" properly. He said that there was no concussion and the wound was not too bad. He reassured us both (pale still, I'm sure) that head wounds bleed a great deal.

Then, the awful part. They swaddled her, wrapped her in a straight jacket, washed the blood out from her hair (right at her hair line), and cleaned the wound preparing it for stitches. She fought and fought to get out of that thing. She was crying, sweating, and pleading for "mama and dada to help". Heart breaking and breaking and breaking. Completely helpless. I am not good in emergencies. I cannot even sugarcoat the extent of my lack of ability to deal with them. I thought I was going to pass out when they took that thing and began to stitch her up.

Once it was over, she was fine. Her daddy handed her milk and her blanket, and she placed her head on my shoulder and fell asleep before we walked to the car. It had been an eventful day for a little girl....and me.

The first thing she said when she woke up was...ow...boo boo...hair hurt. Yes, baby, your "hair" will hurt for a couple days. You are just going to have stop being such a monkey! I think it is going to be Little Bit that gives me a heart attack and makes me gray WAY before my time. She has no fear. Sometimes, I want to be more like that myself. Sometimes, I long for the days when she didn't know how to be mobile yet and was safe!

The stitches should dissolve in a few days. Until then, we can't brush her hair. I can't remember whether or not we can wash it. Hats at the beach...she can't touch it...all that fun stuff. Do you see that girls crazy hair? Well, she will have that same crazy hair for a few days it seems!
It just amazes me that ONE...one simple phone call...can change so much...so fast. Fortunately, it all worked out, and I can this blog post to her scrapbook. Let's just hope that it's the last entry that results in a head wound and blood. On another note...does anyone know how to get blood stains out of a cute Bailey Boys outfit and couch cushions????

Have you ever wondered what your life would be life if…?

2010-05-18T09:55:00.000-04:00

My goal lately has been to live in the moment. This lesson was a Bible study that I heard several weeks ago that has been on my mind. How often do you live in the moment? I mean fully live in this exact moment? When you are sitting in church listening to the sermon, are you making your to do list in your head rather than taking in that exact moment? (I am.) When you are driving in your car from place to place, are you living in that exact moment? (I am usually struggling to entertain my children, focus on driving, and talking on my cell phone.) When you are with your children, do you drink in every drop of that moment? (I don’t. I am usually saying, “I can only play for one more minute. Then, I have to get dinner started.”) Wow, are there really that many moments that I miss? Are there that many moments that I do not take full advantage of by living in it completely?

I had always thought that my multi-tasking ability was one of my best attributes. Now, I am not so sure. That attribute might be in part responsible for making my mind race and wonder when I should be living my fullest life in every moment. Do I sometimes make wrong decisions or wrong turns in life because I am not in the moment? Would I have the opportunity to enjoy life and my children more if I was in the moment? Would I hear and feel God more within those focused moments?

James 4:14 says, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” Regardless your religious preference…we most believe in one thing: life is short here on earth.

We know life is short. We know we are not promised tomorrow, yet I allow my moments to get stolen.

It is difficult to focus on living within each moment. My brain has been trained to multi-task, to rush through each activity to get to the next, to be productive, to make my decisions based on a quick response not giving myself time to consider what I think and feel or meditate on God’s desires. Try it. Try to be consumed with each and every moment today. IF you are talking to your preschooler, put your entire self into that conversation. My preschooler talks so much that it is really difficult. My eyes glaze over after a while. Do you know my biggest flaw? My most difficult thing I overcome every day? To focus on a task. My mind wanders while I write. It wanders while I fold clothes. My mind wanders and races so I venture into another task or thought. Would I actually be more productive if I lived within the moment? Would I actually (gasp) enjoy or actually complete putting away laundry?

What would my life be IF I lived within every moment? I wonder…

Overheard...

2010-05-16T22:58:00.001-04:00

*My Little Bit has been flipping out (to say the least) over SNAKES. What in the world has put this fear into her? She will run frantically for me yelling, "Help, Mommeeeee, Nakes." I will encourage her to get in the tub, and she will adamantly shake her head, "No, dere nakes." Robert and I just couldn't figure it out. It was funny at first, but then it has become a complete fear of hers. Late at night, I heard the girls whispering in their room, "Little Bit, give me the silly bands or the snakes will get you." Little Bit promptly handed over silly bands to her big, manipulative sister saying, "no, nakes, LaLa." Hmmm....I think I have found the culprit! LaLa, I wouldn't blame your little sister if she gets you back for that one day!

*I called Robert today as I was on my way home.

LaLa answered the phone.
Me: What is daddy doing?
LaLa: He's pole dancing.
Me: He's what?!
LaLa: pole dancing.
I hear Robert in the background asking her to repeat it again. She clearly says the same thing again.
I hear him ask her where she heard that from. (By the way, he is coloring with Little Bit and watching the Braves game.)
LaLa: I heard it on the chipmunks.
Me to Robert when he gets the phone: What in the world are you doing? AND, where in the world did she get that?!
I do not remember that part AT ALL on the chipmunks?! Maybe we heard it wrong? Maybe she heard it wrong? Great, now our child is going to go to her private, Christian school tomorrow and tell her teacher and friends that her daddy was pole dancing?!

*LaLa and Robert were taking a nap together on our lazy weekend. They love watching the Braves game. She is one of the only four year olds that I know that can name almost all (entire starting lineup) of the Braves players. She is a serious fan just like her daddy.

LaLa: Daddy, I know a lot of the Braves players because we watch the games together. You watch My Little Pony with me, but you do not learn their names. If I know the Braves' names, you need to know the ponies' names.

LaLa continued to teach Robert each of the ponies’ names and quiz him for the next thirty minutes. Finally, when he successfully named each one, she was ready to take a nap.

*On a walk on our street today, I wearily told LaLa that her mouth had to be so tired because she never, ever quits talking. She said her mouth was not tired at all. I told her my ears get tired sometimes of listening. Robert sincerely turned to me and said, "Now, you know how I feel about your talking." Hmmm...Didn’t like the comment, but it made sense. I guess I do know now.

*As I was driving, LaLa said to Little Bit, "Little Bit, will you always be my best friend?" That mama moment made me want to melt and cry all at once. (maybe that will make up for the snake episodes!)

*We are having some DREADFUL traffic that we face on the way to church or preschool due to construction. However, instead of dread the construction and traffic, I end up laughing and smiling because Little Bit is so in love with the tractors. LaLa is pointing them all out to her the entire trip there while Little Bit squirms and screams excitedly, "TACTOR, TACTOR!"

Summer Anyone & My Embroidery Revelation...

2010-05-13T15:35:00.002-04:00

I have started to monogram all gift bags. They are perfect to throw in ballet clothes or for nursery or toys for a restaurant or whatever!

Okay...my embroidery plan that I mentioned a while back...for those of you who care:).

I have decided to no longer do any embroidery of personal items. (in other words...I will no longer embroider anything you give me.) I have reasons...I promise. First, it makes me a nervous wreck (that should be reason enough!:)) I have had people ask me to embroider all kinds of wild things. I do not want to embroider your grandmother's childhood blanket (I still love my friend that asked me). Good grief...I would die no matter how much you assure me that it is fine if something happens to it. With embroidery, you can remove any stitches (for the most part), but it is always a possibility that it will leave a mark or holes. If I embroider something I have (a towel, a bag, a shirt, etc), I ususally have more. I can replace it easily. If I can't replace it, I won't feel bad...well, as bad!

Second, I cannot embroider everything. Let's see...people have asked me to embroider crazy, crazy things...umbrellas (which would be super cute if I could do it...and you can with "embroiderable" umbrellas"), little bitty items (I don't even know how you fit a letter on it much less fit it on an embroidery machine), hats (nope can't do hats), shoes (nope can't happen), smocked dresses (probably, don't want to "probably" do a dress that you paid eighty dollars for! I would stop breathing), bathing suits (yes, you can do some types...only some) etc. The thing is even if something is embroidable...it has to "fit" on a hoop or rather pull the object far enough from the front where it is embroidable! Okay...boring rambling...but this is my reasoning...so I thought I would share. No mean looks...you still have to love me...lots!

My hubby gave me this wonderful machine last mother's day because I embroidered all things in my house. What's embroidered in our house (by the way, I do not know how to properly conjugate the verb "embroider" so excuse my mistakes!!)? I have embroidered curtains, framed fabric, my lamp (tricky), towels (hand, beach, bathroom, kitchen), blankets, pillows, pillow cases, shower curtain, basket liners, etc.. When I had girls, it became an obsession to monogram all their little things. He figured he had a lot of high priced hobby toys. My scrapbooking and purse obsession added up to be costly overall, but I did not have any big toys. He thought he would share the love a bit and surprised me with a wonderful mom's day present...my embroidery machine. I never thought it would turn into a great way to make extra (secret) spending money! I love doing it...especially when my kids cooperate and give me time to do it! It can make anything special when you add a monogram. If I thought I could get away with it, I would monogram my own shirts!

If you find something just wonderful that you want embroidered, ask me! Like...hey, I found these cute bags at Target. Do you have anything like it? I probably do! Or, a friend of mine...will call and say I really need two hot pink shirts that have a black monogram to go with a cute black skirt the girls have. No problem! I'll try to find them for her! It eliminates the randomness of "trying" to embroider something that may or may not be possible and the possibility that I could mess up something you own.

I'm hoping sometime this summer to have a site or etsy shop...the only thing is my dear friends and their friends are keeping me so busy that I'm scared to add more (strangers' orders) into the mix! Do any of my wonderful friends know how to do this kind of thing or set up paypal...hint...hint?!

Beach Bags for the twins...can I please have twins. Did you hear that? That was my hubby choking when he read that! Their stuff is just too cute! Hee hee...that's what would happen. I would finally talk Robert into having a third, and it would be twins! Better yet...twin girls! Four little girls...I better stop while I'm behind!

Well, now that I shared (and you all promised to still beg and want my stuff I make) my plan...

I can tell you the important stuff...

I am loving this weather....the sun...the walks...the jasmine...the garden. I love it all. I am not a winter girl, but I just can't get enough when spring hits. It just gets better and better after that point.

And, I just love this little face coming to ask me if we can go play in the "pood".

Of course, sweet girl, who could say not to playing in the "pood" with two cute girls! And better yet...they won't tell that I haven't shaved my legs in a week...I know too much, huh?!

I'm off to splish and splash in the pool with my girls. Gotta love this time of year!

Beach bag and towel for LaLa's little friend.

A Quick Cure for an achy kind of Day...

2010-05-11T11:43:00.000-04:00

Tammy: I have a headache. We don't have anything here to take (especially after all the crazy recalls lately!). I'm tired and achy. I'm just done.

Robert: Ok, I'll pick you up something on the way home from work.

Robert enters with a couple magazines he swiped from the lobby at work, peanut M&Ms, Advil, and a Coke (which I haven't been keeping in the house to try to cut down on my caffeine addiction!). He even admits that he did try to look for a scrapbook magazine at the store without luck. Then, he eats with the girls and sends me upstairs to eat and watch TV Land (Bewitched). Ah, now I remember why I married him! I wish all guys knew that this kind of stuff means more than expensive items and flowers!

Ramblings & My Husband

2010-05-10T14:41:00.000-04:00

This is my 200th post. Wow! I just thought that was interesting.

I went to Lowes today to collect 30 of these brick edger things (technical term), spraypaint, and a couple flats of flowers (can never have enough). All over their store, it says, "We will help you load." Well, Lowes...I say "yeah right". I spent almost forty minutes after I asked and paid for assistance and getting and loading these heavy brick things, got my kids in and out of my car four times because I was forgotten about waiting for help, and moved my car three times because the lady didn't know where to send me. Ultimately, I got my kids out of the car (both quite tired, exhausted, frustrated, and crying) one last time and went back inside the lawn and garden section. The lady assured me someone was stacking them this very second. I strolled our circus of screaming children over to the brick section and not one single person was there! I promptly got a refund for EVERYTHING I bought & packed my kids back in the car! YOU have to get this...it's the best part, the lady said, "Let me walk out with you to your car (still blocking the parking lot) to get your return (one brick paver thingie so she could ring up all thirty of them & my flats)". This cashier and a young man walked out with me to get my now returned items. So, they could walk OUT with me to get my returned items, BUT no one...not one...could help me LOAD my car! UGH! Okay, that was my rant and rambling.

Now, on to my husband. He's smart. He's lucky...wins everything and anything he signs up for in contests and activities. He can sale anything to anybody...pretty handy to have around to haggle or sale something at yard sales and such. He thinks and debates through everything and anything he does, especially when money is involved. Let's just say he is ~~the cheapest person that I have ever met.~~ beyond frugal. My dad often says he trips over dollars to save pennies. When he does spend money, I think he physically gets sick. With all that said, he's been (financially) nauseous for a few weeks now with our spending on our kitchen, our water heaters that went out, our air conditioner that stopped working, and everything else in the house that suddenly decided to fall apart! After a good thunderstorm and a full day power outage a couple weeks ago, our television began having a vertical green stripe and a double image. Every other tv worked in our house. Every tv is hooked up to a cable box just like the one downstairs. Only the downstairs tv was not working. Now, what would you think? My thought was the tv is broke. My sad husband mourned the loss of his flat screen, but after much debate, he decided we should replace the tv.

He spent the entire day (yes, mother's day) going back and forth between stores, sales people, the internet, and sales papers trying to decide the best economic decision on a new flat screen. After all, he rationalized that our tv was five years old (how is that old for a tv by the way?!). He purchased a tv. It wouldn't fit on our existing mount because it is now obselete (yes...five years old and they do not make it that way anymore...seriously). Off to purchase a mount. Oops...now we need a special (60 dollars) cable to make the dvd and vcr work. My poor dad and Robert worked hard the entire day working on getting this tv up and working. They turn it on and....

IT HAS A GREEN STRIPE AND A DOUBLE IMAGE!

WHAT?! Let me repeat, WHAT?!

I say (T), "that's not right. it has a green stripe too."
Robert (R) says, "oh, no, this tv is broken too."
My dad (D) says, "well, guys, it must be the cable not the tv."

R looks like he is about to pass out. He turns white, white, white and sits slowly. My D stands looking serious and perplexed. I fall down on the floor laughing, crying and unable to talk.

All that work. All that money. For no reason. We are not real frivalous people. We did not buy the original tv to begin with...my parents did as a gift one Christmas. We try to keep savings for emergencies (like air conditioners, water heaters, etc.). We have just had too much of that lately! We try not to have debt (if we cannot pay for something, we don't get it.) We saved for years to redo our kitchen. Like I said...Robert is ~~cheap~~ frugal. We would have used the other tv until it died. Now, we have this fancy smancy tv after we have fixed item after item over the last few weeks in our house.

It's just kinda funny...well, let's just say Robert is not ready to laugh yet.

I just figured...you have to laugh or cry, right?!

I couldn't be mad because I assumed the tv was broke as well.
I was more mad about it taking my entire mother's day than the tv drama!

Come on over and watch a show on our new fancy, smancy tv...

and feel free to laugh at with my smart, lucky, saavy husband about his not-so-smart purchase!

"Happy Mudders Day" & Thoughts About Being a Mommy

2010-05-07T23:01:00.001-04:00

Mommy. Mama. Mother. Mamamamamama. Mom. These are the names that altered my life forever. That title of Mommy is the first time that I felt complete purpose for my life. It changed my perspectives. It changed my fears. It changed my goals. It changed my life.

Motherhood...a place that I never thought I would want to be. I assumed if I did ever become a mommy it would be a mom with a career, a nanny, a cleaning crew, and a nice, stylish wardrobe. I did not even plan on making a lot of money. I had dreams and plans of working or creating a non-profit organization to protect/support/advocate for children.

I know so many that dream and fight to have a baby of their own or through the gift of adoption. They have fought paperwork, time, money, infertility, tests, tears, miscarriages, and disappointment working toward experiencing the wonderful gift of motherhood. A gift that is easy to take for granted when you're tired and overwhelmed. My heart goes out to those that go through those trials and tribulations in their journey. There are so many sweet, innocent babies out there that need mothers. I pray and pray that they will find their way into their arms. I know a time after my miscarriage that I felt pain like no other. I felt like I lost a gift before I ever had the opportunity to treasure it.

When I became pregnant, I remember looking for a nanny to help when the baby came. I remember thinking (despite how wonderful and qualified the person was) that there was no way I wanted this individual raising my baby. You know what? I finally came to the conclusion that I was the only one that I wanted raising my baby. Then, I had to break it to my husband. I am finished with working. I will now be a stay at home mom...over night...decision made. One baby changed my mind...my life.

Time after time I feel frustration, confusion, overwhelmed, exhaustion, and just plain dumb as a mother. I heard a statement recently that explained it all. It's not that I have lost brain cells as a mommy. Rather, I just have so much more to do, think about, and worry about as a mommy. I do not have enough brain cells to go around!

However, more often than not, I feel admiration from my kids. My girls are two little people that tell me and think day after day that I am pretty as a princess....even with my glasses, ponytail, and sweatpants. I feel unconditional love when their sweet voices say "I love you, Mommy". I feel happy when my silly faces and "tickle tackles" make them giggle contagiously. I feel secure when they fall asleep beside me and reach out to snuggle in their sleepy state. I feel an overwhelmed need to protect when they cry or hurt, they run to me for comfort, a kiss, or a band-aide. I know for now...a short, very short time....I can make their hurts better.

I want to give my children so much. Most of all, I want them to be happy, healthy and strong. I want them to see God's love through my love. Yes, it is challenging at times. If I cannot show them Christ-like love, then who can I expect to show them the love of Christ.

I know that I would give anything, anything at all, for my children....my body, my time, my thoughts, my nights, my days, my life.

Yes, I would die for them...in a heartbeat...without a moment of hesitation. Could I let them die for me? Honestly, NO, I could not.

When I became a mother, I realized the sacrifice and love that God showed us when He gave us His Son to save us.

Wow...there are no further words to express that kind of sacrifice.

I love you my sweet girls. Thank you for making mother's day my favorite day of the year...the day that reminds me what a blessing being a mother truly is. LaLa and Little Bit, my mom used to tell me that you will never know a mother's love until you become one. It is so true....I will love you both....forever and always.

Love, Mommy

May all of you, Mommies or soon to be Mommies, have a very happy and special Mother’s Day.

The Strawberry Patch

2010-05-06T10:43:00.000-04:00

My granddad would plant a huge garden each year that he shared with family and friends. I always enjoyed "helping" him. I remember helping him pick strawberries year after year. He would often call me his "strawberry queen" because I ate much more than I picked. I could never get enough strawberries. There is something that makes strawberries taste so much better when you picked them yourself.

After preschool yesterday, we went on our own strawberry picking adventure. It was lots of fun. I think Little Bit might have inherited my tendency to eat more than pick. LaLa meticulously admired each berry prior to picking. The tractors, animals, and homemade ice cream were an unexpected addition to our visit to the strawberry patch. The people that worked there were so nice. Nice people can make a day even more special. We so often forget that!

Here are some pictures from our strawberry pickin'...

Southern Belle Farms

McDonough, Georgia

2010

My Chandelier's New Look!

2010-05-04T11:26:00.000-04:00

Before

The picture is fuzzy because I remembered to take the picture AFTER I had turned off the power!

I have been "puttering" around my house doing project after project since our kitchen remodel. Of course, it's inspirational and quite frustrating all at once. As I focus on a project, other "household" chores seem to pile up! Hopefully, I will get a bit better at managing it all! I did manage to clear out all the dust from the remodel (jack hammer thingies are messy), but I still have quite a bit to organize in my kitchen, spring cleaning projects to finish, and declutter obsessions to work on! Everyone knows when you spend a great deal of money on a purchase....something always fall apart...something unexpected.

Well, that is certainly true for us! Our water heaters went out as our kitchen remodel was underway. AND, you will never believe it, but our flat screen TV was hit by lightning yesterday. My poor husband sat quietly in the living room mourning his lost for quite a while yesterday. It's just part of how it works. We have to just be thankful for the blessings that we do have and not worry about what could go wrong next! If you see my husband mourning his lost, please feel free to remind him!:)

Now for my chandelier project! My husband was not very supportive of this project. He feared that this was my secret ploy to just get a grand replacement to match the new kitchen. It sincerely wasn't a plan! I had seen on blogs and research that this was totally possible! My brass chandelier was about to be a beautiful rubbed oil bronze (ORB) color just like my kitchen!

It was not very difficult, and I did it with two children under four underfoot. My small dog did get a bit of spray-paint on his back after being a bit too curious during my project!

Here is what I did...

1. Take down the chandelier. (You must turn off the main power. You also need a second set of hands because it is difficult to unhook the wires and hold the fixture.)

2. Put some sort of plastic or cardboard down to protect the floor where you plan on working on the fixture. I used whatever I could find in the garage! Some people recommend a cardboard box to sit it in while working. I also used something (empty baby wipe box) to prop it up on both sides.

3. Remove anything that comes off. For me this included the light bulbs, the "candle thingies", and such.

4. Tape around the wires to protect them from paint.

5. Lightly sand all the brass.

6. Clean the fixture.

7. Spray-paint with a primer. I used Kilz Spray-paint Primer. Let it Dry. Turn it upside down and repeat. You don't have to be very thorough with your spraying with primer.

8. When it's all dry, spray-paint with your chosen color. I used Rustoleum ORB. It took two cans. After I had let it dry, I went back with a small art brush to get any spots that I might have missed or need some touch up.

9. Pull off tape and add the pieces back that you removed.

10. Hang your "NEW" chandelier back up and enjoy your new look...costs less than twenty dollars!

After:

Hmmm...several questions come to mind. First, can I buy the ORB spray-paint in bulk? (I have a LOT of brass in my house. I really like this color.) Second, what else can I spray-paint?!

I'll keep you posted on what else I can "surprise" Robert and spray-paint!

On a side note, to those of you who have asked...I ordered some more needles for my embroidery machine so I should be up and running by the end of this week...maybe. I still need to get it serviced for its yearly visit, but I think this will help it to "go" a little longer until I get it down to Macon! I'm having an embroidery debate (mostly in my head). I'll share it this week...

Have a great week...and remember when things go wrong, count your blessings...

and admire your "new" chandelier!

Tammy

Pirate Party in A Box...For Sale

2010-04-29T11:30:00.000-04:00

TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY?! WOW!

Is anyone having a pirate party?

I had so much stuff for LaLa's Pirate Party that I thought I would sell this overflowing box of goodies.
In my recent overhaul of all things clutter...I have to get rid of it. I am selling it for 15 dollars...to someone local. It's a good bit of stuff so I don't want to mail it.

Here are some things in it (just a few)...
tatoos
foam hats
stickers for foam
pirate bandanas
eye patches
decorations
shirts (say it's a pirate's life for me)
treasure boxes for goody bags
a Wilton Pirate Cake Pan
and more...

First come...first one gets the pirate party box of goodies!
Here are some pics...

Pirate favor boxes

wilton pirate pan

See that FULL box in the back?! I tried to pull some stuff out so you could see...

Ooops! Now just turn your head to the side...and see close up! There are several more shirts in that box too!

Box FULL!

Close up of the other side!

Search on the blog for pirate party to see how I used a lot of this to decorate for LaLa's party.

Consignment Clothes = Shopping...Cute clothes!

2010-04-29T11:20:00.000-04:00

I just had to share some cute (CUTE) clothes that I picked up at a consignment sale! I went with my mom, and we just had a blast! I could have bought EVERYTHING (I'm not exaggerating). I did not see ONE thing that I did not like! mostly bought for LaLa because she has very little cute, unique, boutique kind of stuff. She just keeps GROWING! Little Bit has an overflowing abundance in her closet between what I have bought her (2t is easier to find cute clothes than older sizes) and her hand me downs from LaLa (LaLa was the first grand-daughter on both sides and received more clothes than she could ever wear as a baby...especially in 24 months/2t size). Little Bit is pretty "hooked" up as far as clothes are concerned! (That statement just made me laugh out loud!)

Ahhhh...my husband gave me a certain amount of cash to spend. Well, you know how that goes! I got up to pay, and I had my cash and my credit card in each hand. I was completely prepared and aware that I had went over my husband's (suggested) amount. You would not believe it, but I was 32 cents away from the amount he had given me! I looked at the lady and said, "ARE YOU SURE?!" Fortunately, my mom was with me, and she had snatched half of my stack to purchase. You should have seen us sitting on the floor with clothes spread all around us! Someone would casually walk by glancing at your piles, and instinct would make you want to lay across your finds yelling "Mine, mine, mine". Yeah, it brings out the viciousness in us all! People (my mom included) would follow you around and wait until you would put something down to claim it for their own little ones! Did I mention how much fun this was?!

Cute...cute...cute!

Girls clothes are just so darn CUTE! I love the smocked tops! I need cute monogrammed tops to go with the light blue bottoms.

I found that Christmas three piece adorable outfit for 10 dollars! Why? you might ask? Well, they considered it 'defective' or something another because it had a C initial on it. UMMMM....PERFECT for my LaLa! Those other two outfits need an initial or monogram too, don't they?! What do you think about putting a G so that both girls can get use out of them?

Yes that second rooster outfit is a "shortall" meant for a BOY, but it matched LaLa's dress so well! I think if I monogram it and put ribbons on the short part...it will "girl" it up enough to get away with it! Oh, my hubby LOVED the georgia bulldog dresses! He was excited that they can show the "bulldog" pride and even wear it to church. We will probably have to go to his hometown for church just so his girls can wear their dresses!:)

Did I mention all of these were NEW clothes at the consingment sale? Can I go again? My husband would probably kill me or lock me up one...so if you don't hear from me...you'll know why!

Kitchen Remodel! We Survived!

2010-04-27T21:56:00.000-04:00

Out with the old...in with the new!

You have to tell me what you think because I am IN LOVE with my new kitchen!

New floor. It has character...or so I think!

New dishwasher. You can't even hear it. Our other one was from 1994. I don't even know what half of these buttons do. It has a SANITIZE button. The sales guy said this is great to sanitize bottles (baby stuff), sippies, and such! See, we just have to have another baby now to see how wonderful this feature is!

Oh, do you see the sink? It's great. I could climb in it. It's so deep. I picked the faucet out at Lowes, and let me just say...I am not known for my quick decision making skills. This was when both girls were sick...I know bad mom! We had to have it picked out by the next day because the plumber was coming, and my girls were sick for weeks...I would have never, ever left the house! Both of them fell asleep in the stroller as I harassed employees with questions on faucets. Then, I drug four or five boxes, opened each one up, and compared the color to the stainless of the appliances. Just so you know...stainless steel colors vary! This was actually the cheapest of the ones I had in my hand, but it was the perfect color with all the features I wanted. I even had a 10% lowes coupon to use with it!

Ahhh...the fridge was from my brother in law. He didn't need it anymore, and he graciously offered it to us! Um...took us point two seconds to say YES and THANKS for the beautiful, almost new, stainless fridge. I think it was meant to be to live right there in my kitchen. When you get water or ice, the light magically comes on. Yes, the little things in life make me happy!

I just want to share some insight that I gained in appliance shopping. First, we had a built in/slide in stove. It is made to overlap over your countertops (bugged the stew out of me trying clean under it though!). These ranges do not have a backsplash. They are more expensive because they offer a "built in" look. Second, this is a free standing stove. I like it better mostly because of the price and the cleaning. Anyway, it even has this griddle thingie that goes on the fifth burner OR you can use the fifth burner as a warmer. The microwave is pretty nifty too! I tell it what it is defrosting...it tells me with a sensor when it's done defrosting. Ahhh....maybe I won't burn or create "sparks" with my microwave anymore!:)

Some additional insight...you can bargain with places on appliances! I,personally, do not bargain or haggle. I point and tell my husband to haggle. Then, I sneak out to wait until he has sealed the deal...haggling makes me nervous! Fortunately, he is very good at it. Shop around and get your information of prices and model numbers. Lowes met Brandsmart prices... Brandsmart prices included the 'cash for clunker' rebate deals & Lowes met the price regardless. Then, we were still able to submit for the rebates. We also have our old stuff on craiglist to sell. I listed it today, and we already have two people coming tomorrow to look at them. I wonder if that can be my money...my husband is probably choking as he reads that statement!:)

I apologize for the bragging, but I have dreamed of this kitchen. I've threatened to paint my pink corian countertops before. It can't be done...I've researched. Finally, almost six years later (let me point out that we were suppose to do it when we first moved into the house)...I have my kitchen. You should come see it....food even tastes better in it!:)

I don't like my kitchen results in a kitchen mess!

2010-04-26T22:30:00.000-04:00

Have you ever noticed that when you start one 'home improvement' project, it will often spread like wild fire?! I think we just get inspired. My wild fire starts slowly. One idea inspires another until I am peeking out below a never ending list of ideas and projects!

As I promised, here are the before pictures of my kitchen. We (actually my mom) painted the cabinets last Labor Day from an off white to white. We added hardware and a new lighting fixture. We had talked so much over the last six years about changes we would like to make to our kitchen that no one actually took us seriously in my family when we truly decided this time. We have debated year after year. Then, we would decide it was too much of an investment and make do with what we had. Finally, after saving and saving...after discussing and debating...after visiting store upon store, we did it!

Things that drove us crazy in our kitchen?

The floors. They had a dark pink grout that would never, ever come completely clean.

The floors were white tile. They showed every doggie footprint and crumb. I had resorted to sweeping twice and mopping once every day, and my floors would still look dirty! The kitchen has two exit doors that encouraged even more tracking in from the garage and the backyard.

The appliances. This was more my hubby's master plan, but I have to say they made a BIG difference.

Countertops. We had pink corian countertops...I don't need to say anything else.

Backsplash. This was not in our plan. It was a kind of last minute decision that is my all-time favorite part of the kitchen!

Well, that WAS my kitchen. It is so wonderful now that I just might sleep down there every night. It's my favorite room in the entire house. I have been cooking...just to play with the new stuff. I have been reorganizing...because it was so dusty after construction AND because the new kitchen just begs for order. I have been cleaning...just because it's too wonderful to leave messy.

Yes, the construction and chaos was worth it! Check back to see how we got to the final result!

Get CONTROL?!

2010-04-23T11:10:00.001-04:00

First, let me apologize. This is going to be a LONG post! I think it might be due to blog withdrawal. It's worth the read...
Get control. Yeah right?! That is what I have learned over the last few weeks. Control is not within my reach. LaLa's birthday bash was the last sense of control I think I had.

Then...

it...

all went downhill...FAST! I think many of my friends and family probably think I have been a little CooCoo (is that really a word?!) over the last few weeks..well, maybe most of April! They would probably be correct in that assumption!

I had to take a technology break. Phones...very little. Emails...only if I had to. Blog...very, very little. Facebook....not at all. Twitter...what is that?! The break was not necessarily by choice. It was mostly brought on by chaos in my world, and my crazy self trying to grasp for control and stay afloat.

We had multiple (and I mean five or six) doctor visits for the girls. They continued to get one thing after another. They would get better, and then they would catch something else! LaLa had the stomach bug, strep throat, kidney infection (ya'll know she has reflux so this is scary for us when this happens...it hung around for a while BUT was mild), and a 'viral' infection with an unexplained fever. Little Bit had the stomach bug (TWICE! and had to be put on zofran? Is it really important if that is spelled correctly?), double ear infections, two new teeth, and tonsillitis. Robert had the stomach bug, allergies, and food poisoning (which were the worst of the three). You might ask about me...well, I survived! I never got sick....wood, where's wood to knock on?! Let me point out that none of these illnesses happened at the same time. They had one...got better...got sick...and so on.

In the midst of this mess...and we all know how helpless we feel when our babies our sick...our hot water heaters went out! Two big massive things in our attic, which we learned as the plumbers hated life and their chosen lot in life, were placed in our house prior to the house being built. This makes it rather complicated when you need to remove them! The builder basically built around them. They just barely fit into their spots. It took a great deal of work and "Tammy being highly agitated" to get the plumbers to figure out something and replace the things! Not to mention, we didn't have hot water for several days.

Oh, there is more! We had a great Easter and Easter lunch with family at our house. Little Bit was on antibiotics for the first round of illness at this point. My hubby and I have talked for SIX years about replacing our countertops (they were PINK corian). Well, he gets all motivated over Easter weekend to do it (yes, after SIX years, he decides in 72 hours!). He finds a contractor, gets an estimate, hauls us to stores to make choices, and demolition begins the Monday after Easter. This means NO kitchen...at all...or laundry room (they are connected) or breakfast room for a little over two weeks. In the mean time, my whole family is sick. This means...Vomit and no washing machine is a serious problem! (thanks mom by the way for use of yours!), Antibiotics are in the fridge in the garage. NO BIG DEAL...you just walk out your front door, around the yard and into the garage to get it! Loud, loud noises from a jack hammer thingie. Dust, dust, dust...everywhere. No hot water for a few days. Whiny...unhappy...kids. A tired, frustrated, helpless mama.

As I mentioned before, I promise that I am not complaining. I did complain...quite a bit over the last few weeks. However, each and every time, I would feel this twinge in my gut. Why in the world am I complaining? I am (after six years of saving and begging) getting my dream, dream kitchen. Do I know how many moms do not have a kitchen at all to make their family meals? I am going to have hot water. Do I know how many mamas do not have clean water to bathe their sweet babies? I have antibiotics and food. Yes, I may have to go outside to get it, but I HAVE it to make my babies better. I have to go to the doctor AGAIN and pay my forty dollar copay. Yes, at least I can pay for my kids to go see a doctor. They're throwing up AGAIN?! Yes, fortunately, they have stomach bugs and sore throats. Both are curable. I just have to make it through THIS one moment of them being sick. They will be healthy and driving me nuts in new ways within days...what about that mama that is clinging to her terminally ill baby at the hospital. I complained about organizing my girls' closets...a project I started before I realized the chaos that was about to ensue upon us. How could I complain with all their clothes they have? It's a blessing that they have so much to go through.

Will I never complain again? Oh, I'm sure I will, but these last few weeks on my technology break, I realized that I do not have control of anything in my life. God says, our life is but a vapor. We are only a spot on the large scale of history. I get so caught up with my life...what I can't control...the things that I think are BAD, AWFUL, AND HORRIBLE. I learned over the last few weeks...a new perspective. I'm blessed that these bad and inconvenient things...weren't as bad as they could have been. God probably gets so TIRED of hearing me complain....thinking, "She has so much to be blessed with, to bless others with, to be thankful FOR, but she is just looking at the bad to complain and complain and complain!"

Hmmm....something to think about...I know it has had me really THINKING before I COMPLAIN

Be back soon to show you my...blessing of a kitchen! I'm still trying to get the LAYERS of dust off so I can show it off!:)

Easter Memories

2010-04-14T15:27:00.000-04:00

Come 'on girls...SMILE!

Look this way...

How hard do you work for smiling, posing pictures of your kids?

Hmm...almost. Sweet at least. I didn't post the one of Little Bit pushing LaLa away.

I told LaLa to try to keep her eyes opened. She was squinting them in the pictures. This was the result of that request.

The girls and I. Little Bit is looking at an airplane.

Little Bit...need a quicker shutter on my camera!

Cute pose, LaLa...Robert's hand in the corner trying to catch Little Bit from walking in front of the camera.

I love this picture. I took this before church without LaLa noticing. She was checking out her Easter Basket. She insisted on wearing her gloves all morning. Little Bit and LaLa both were hats to church too. They looked like little princesses!

After Robert and I worked so hard to catch these snapshots of the girls, we were exhausted. We walked in asking...Is it nap time yet?

We enjoyed a great Easter service at church, fun searching for hidden eggs, and a family lunch...and we all did get to enjoy a nap...that's a good day for parents with young kids!

Words from LaLa on Easter evening...

"I'm so glad that Jesus woke up on Easter."

You know mama, He did that just because He loved me so much."

I'm glad He did too, LaLa!

A Pirate Party...A special moment

2010-04-13T13:50:00.001-04:00

This is my last post about LaLa's fourth birthday, a pirate party. I wanted to share two quick lessons that I will never forget as a mama.

The pirate party was a lot of fun. I would have to admit to my little girl that she had a great idea for a party. Something I never realized before I had kids, but you, as a parent, will spend most of your weekends shuttling from birthday party to party. It makes you really appreciate the guests that come to yours because it is a lot of work and time to make it to all these kid celebrations every weekend! Pirate was a theme that was fun and different from the norm. That statement describes not only the perfect pirate party but also my sweet, special, and unique little girl.

She is one of a kind! I can already see at the young age of three four that peers have influence over each other. My hope and prayer for her that she will stay true to her unique self and special spirit without being influenced by the "way" others assume she should be. Sometimes that uniqueness can drive me crazy as a mama, but I try to remind myself to value it rather than squelch it. LaLa put it best when I was trying to persuade her to a princess party, "Mama, my friends will love to be princesses, but I want to be the pirate and lead the crew. I'd like an eye patch and a peg leg." I pleaded to LaLa, "BUT don't you want to be a princess like everyone else?" LaLa replied, "No, mama. I'm a princess every day. Everyone is a princess at their party. I want to be something different, but if my friends want to be a princess, that's okay with me. I'm just going to be a pirate when I'm four. Maybe next year, we can do a princess party. We'll just have to see." EVEN the best mama couldn't argue with that statement... So, LaLa, you lead your crew and be whatever you want to be...for your birthday parties and in life!

Picture of Little Bit & her Daddy Gene. She wasn't feeling quite like her peppy self at the party. Ear infections, sore throat, and new teeth have a tough battle for Little Bit lately! She looked super cute as a little pirate though! She would not. absolutely. would not let me fix her hair! Oh, well, choose your battles!

Okay, now to my favorite, most precious birthday and mama moment ever!

We asked LaLa what her birthday wish was for her party. Did she want a character or a jumpy (thank goodness she said no)? She wanted her daddy to dress up like a pirate. Hee Hee. IF you know my husband, Robert is somewhat reserved. He can be crazy and rowdy, but he must be perfectly comfortable in the situation first. It was sort of the family joke that Robert was going to dress up for her party because no one (and I mean no one) thought he would ever dress up. Bless his heart. He found a pirate costume (from my brother....hmmm...odd, huh?) and spent the night before the party planning his costume. Just as people were starting to arrive, he came down the stairs all dressed up as a pirate.

Robert coming down the stairs in his pirate costume for the birthday party!

LaLa's facial expressions were priceless. It melted my heart. She looked up at her daddy and said (as she smiled and hugged her daddy), "Daddy, you tricked me. You did dress up like a pirate to make my birthday special."

Took this picture as she looked up and saw daddy as her pirate.

Later, that night as I put her bed, I asked her what her favorite part of her birthday was....after toys, toys, toys, cake, ice cream, food, friends, games and all...do you know what she said?

"Daddy dressing up for my party was my favorite part of being four. Daddy is my prince, mommy." I don't think I have ever loved my husband more than at that moment! It reminds me of this plaque I saw once at a craft festival,

"I found my prince, and his name is Daddy."

Better later than never...going to share Easter pictures on the next posts! Then, (hopefully!) I can share the reason(s) why our life has been so extra crazy lately!

A Pirate Party....Decorations & Games

2010-04-09T16:36:00.000-04:00

Easy Pirate cupcakes....bake regular cupcakes. Add a bandana, an eye patch and a smile using icing. Use a chocolate morsel for the 'good' eye. They looked really cute on the cupcake rack.

Pirate Birthday Cake. LaLa wanted a pirate ship cake with "candy" on it...where does she get these ideas? I used swedish fish on the "ocean" and put the four pirate candles nearby as decorations so they would be close for the BIG blow out moment! This is the first time I used a cake mold pan to make a cake. Wow...it's like icing by number...so much easier than trying to shape and mold a cake! I would get frustrated because I could not mix and make colors to match the "wilton" example on the cake mold, but I believe that is probably more my OCD and not necessarily anything any normal person would notice!

I am so glad that the dollar tree seems to work with my kids' party ideas! I have just gotten really lucky that last couple years and accidently discover their requested theme at the dollar tree. Some of the napkins and decorations also came from Michaels. They were getting rid of all their pirate collections a few months ago! Everything was a quarter! Paper goods and decorations are often the biggest waste of money when you are having a party...do not forget about your local dollar store and don't wait until the last minute. If you keep your eyes open throughout the year, they will often carry what you need or what you could use with a little creativity!

The kids' table for the party. Do you see LaLa's new dollhouse she got for her birthday? My girls actually love this thing. I like listening to them pretend play with the stuff! It cracks me up!

The kids played games included a treasure hunt with a treasure map and clues. They each had their swords, their eye patches, their telescopes, and their hats that they decorated to help them find the X that marked the spot! LaLa was so determined and focused throughout the hunt. It was hilarious. Looking back on the video that my hubby took made us laugh and laugh. Her facial expressions were priceless. She would take off running before I finished the clue...at least she had fun. Little Bit trailed behind the pack trying to figure out what in the world was going on!

Okay, now turn your head sideways because I cannot figure out how to rotate it. I had it rotated when I downloaded it and it turns back all by itself...it's the computer's fault...surely, it's not my lack of skill!

Madison holding her treasure map. She was one of the head ring leaders looking for this treasure!

Other games included...walking the plank and X marks the spot (pirate version of pin the tail on the donkey). After the kids found their treasure, they went downstairs to sing Happy Birthday and for LaLa to blow out her candles. While they were sitting so still on the floor and all the parents were around, they were given some "GOLD". LaLa and her daddy went that morning and got each child a GOLDfish and a bowl. Note to self...I should have probably have included food! All those poor mommies and daddies had to stop and get food! The kids (as well as the parents-heee hee) were so excited! Robert had the fish lady bag each gold fish seperately so it would be easy to transport them to their new homes. I found bowls at the dollar store.

Now, they could take home their very own Pirate "GOLD" as their treasure from LaLa's party!

On the next post, I'll include my two favorite pirate moments.

One of these moments actually made me tear up!

A Pirate Princess for a Pirate Party

2010-04-08T17:20:00.000-04:00

Pirate Party...the costume

LaLa was determined to be a pirate, and I was determined to make her a girly, cutesy pirate. She wanted an eye patch and a peg leg. A compromise was needed. I am sure it will be the first of many compromises in our relationship. She got to be the pirate...actually, captain of the pirate crew as she corrected me throughout the day. She didn't have a peg leg, but she had an eye patch....actually a couple (they disappeared throughout the party!). I made the costume girly, girly, girly! She really liked the costume and wore it the entire day.

How to make a Pirate Princess Costume...

It was a really easy costume. Black leggings (from Walmart during Halloween clearance). Black/white canvas high tops (I love these spunky things! Found at Payless.) Tutu with black and sparkly pink tulle. Then, I took a pirate bandana and cut 3 inch strips to tie throughout the tutu. You tie the fabric just like you tie the tulle on the tutu. I like to use the wider elastic for bigger girls so they can get it off and on for dress up and such. Black short sleeve shirt from Walmart (I think little kids in black are so cute because there is not a lot of black out there in kid clothing.). Skull & Crossbone rhinestone iron on patch (Michaels for a couple dollars). Embroidered LaLa's requested phrase, "Arrrrgh, Mateys." The hat is actually Captain Feathersword's hat from a Wiggles' concert. I took off the 'feathers' and added maribou around the edges. She really, really liked the hat and still wears it. She has a cute pirate bow in, but since she never took the hat off, I don't think I ever got a picture of that! She also had an eye patch with hot glued rhinestones surrounding the skull and crossbones. I think she lost this one early into the party! The costume turned out to be super cute and cheap!

An American Girl Day with the Big Girls!

2010-04-05T23:10:00.000-04:00

My sweet baby is four. FOUR. Four. Yes, four. Maybe if I keep saying it, it will click in my mind. I somewhat want to cry because she is my sweet baby...not a four year old! Part of me is so excited that she is four! I'm thirty...and my baby is four. Man, I need Prozac, seriously. My brain cannot wrap around those concepts.

Anyway, my mom (Mimi) started the tradition of taking LaLa to American Girl (AG) for her birthday last year. LaLa got the bitty baby and the bed...this baby is known as Lily in our house. Now my hubby insisted that no doll was worth that amount of money, and that they wouldn't know the difference between a dollar store baby and an AG baby. Well, they do...even Little Bit. She loves the dollar babies too, but Lily is the only baby in our house that is consistently played with. She even has a name...and clothes on half of the time!

Of course, I am not sure my mom knew what a ~~monster~~ she was creating in starting this tradition because my LaLa is in love with all things AG. They send this catalog regularly (smart people, huh). It is addressed to her and very kid-friendly. You look at it and just FEEL like your AG baby needs it ALL! I'm an adult, and I look at that dang catalog and feel pity for poor Lily that she doesn't have the latest high chair or bunk bed set or new spring outfit! We have, however, kept it a bday tradition only...fortunately!

On the first trip, we braced ourselves for the long drive and had no idea what we were in store for! My mom and I felt like kids again. We took both of my girls, and it was a blast. If you haven't been, go! The experience is worth it! You don't have to buy a thing, but you will. They do have babies to loan for the bistro experience. They have this little bistro, and your little girl will be treated like a mommy, a princess, and a mini little lady!

This year, my BIG four year old, daughter wanted to take her 'bestestestestests' friend. She insisted that this was not a day for BABIES...like it was a bad word or something. Poor, Little Bit! When she turns three, she will get her turn though! So, my friend, Brooke, and I traded children. I took her oldest (LG which is 5 months younger than LaLa) and LaLa. She had my Little Bit and her little one (5 months older than Little Bit). We couldn't have planned our babies any better! Their ages work out great! Once again, a year later...right before LaLa's fourth birthday, my mom, LG, LaLa, and I head up to AG store and bistro. It was a great day full of memories that both girls talk about all the time! My mom lets LaLa choose her birthday gift and treats her to a girls' lunch!

Of course, we had to get them matching little outfits and bows. The little girls get all "cutified" at the bistro. Your doll can get her ears pierced or hair fixed too. I'm serious!

Right before we left, I snapped a quick shot of the girls posing and displaying all of their loot!

LaLa chose the twin bitty babies and the double stroller for her present. She thought for days...and days....on a name. She wanted them to rhyme. She makes everything rhyme right now...it makes me laugh when they happen to be a "non-repeatable" word. It starts out, "mommy, what rhymes with duck?" This is usually motivated by the ducks and geese around our lake. Anyway, back to the twins. She came up with three options...Charlotte (she wanted one to look like her with her name) and Scarlett, and Harlot...guess which two I persuaded her to stick with? So, Scarlett and Charlotte enjoyed their birthday crowns while LaLa ordered to the waitress off their mini menus for her babies. See the cute little highchairs they provide?! They also talk to the babies and serve them real food. LaLa and LG both explained to the waitress that their babies had allergies...french fries and peanuts. Oh, the things they learn at preschool!

Surprise! They brought out cake, ice cream, a special, secret surprise from Mimi and Gumpy (grandparents) and goody bags! LG and her baby Kristen are so excited about the cake! Oh, four candles!

I'm so glad that my sweet baby is so excited. Her mimi (which my family calls mafia mama because she has secret mysterious powers and we're all a little scared of all five feet of her!) somehow found SUGAR. SUGAR is that little fur ball of a dog that LaLa is holding. It has been backordered since the day it became available on AG. I have looked on ebay and everywhere for that little thing. They secretly brought out the unexpected gift during the cake. It was 20 dollars. I could have bought a real dog for that! Then, you have to buy the dog's accessories seperately. Yeah, that part is a scam. I'm telling you though...AG is addictive. I emphasize to you though...I didn't buy it. The dolls, yes. They are totally worth it. The bistro, yes. The fur ball yorkie...not so much! My mom will tell you, though...LaLa was ecstatic. That smile stayed for days and days. That dog is still treated like a real dog...so maybe it was worth it...maybe. I just don't get the attraction!

So, Sugar, Scarlett (she wanted two t's like her name) and baby Charlotte all joined our family! Those are some Southern names!

You may look at this picture and say, "That looks like trouble! 2 girls in a mall with strollers." Well, you'd be right!

People, please watch your ankles and be ready to jump out of the way FAST. On the elevator up, LG announced to a very crowded elevator that her baby had a stinky diaper. She asked random people if they smelled that poopy baby! Fortunately, people (even the hit and run victims) oohed and aahed over their cuteness. LaLa and LG thought they were big stuff and acted as such the entire stroll.

Of course, we have to visit the merry go round.

A fairy tale day for two sweet little ladies!

Just have to show this one...one more time!

This was right by the door on our way out to the car.

Sweet girls!

Ahhh...Spring!

2010-04-05T22:19:00.000-04:00

Spring...

spring cleaning...

spring flowers...

spring weather...

spring showers...

spring thunderstorms...

spring gardening...

spring fishing...spring boat trips on the lake...

spring break...spring vacation!

spring organizing...

spring shopping...for spring clothes...

spring, spring, spring! I love the SPRING!

I think that summarizes some of what my crazy little world has been up to...and some of what is going on now! We...everyone but me (airborne is awesome to give your immune system a boost by the way!) was sick for a week, Little Bit was sick for a couple weeks, birthday parties were great, and Easter was absolutely wonderful! I always feel like SPRING is officially here after Easter. Oh, the weather has been amazing! It was, seriously get this...91 degrees today! NO kidding! If I wasn't typing and inhaling dust (long story) and Georgia pollen, I would be so excited about having the windows open for some more great air! I'm a mood to organize and redecorate everything right now! Doesn't Spring just do that to you?! So, so, so very excited!

Welcome Spring!

Easter Cuties...

2010-03-23T11:25:00.000-04:00

We enjoyed an Easter party last week at my friend's Hope's house. She is like me and loves parties. We had so much fun! She had an egg hunt. I think each child filled TWO buckets of eggs! She had them decorate little "egg" cupcakes. Each little girl brought their dolly as their guest to enjoy the party as well. The girls also had stickers to decorate their "Easter" basket, which was a pail & shovel (great idea!), before the great hunt! The little ladies at the party had a great time playing together and enjoying yummy, kid friendly snacks!

Our host, Hope, then gave each guest a goody bag (PACKED full of everything imaginable), their eggs, their decorated pail and shovel, a mini cupcake to decorate at home with their dolly, bunny or lamb ears, and a day full of wonderful memories with thier girlfriends and their mommies.

I snapped this picture of Little Bit running after eggs. She would shout, "FOUND YOU" and put each egg in her bucket. This was her first 'official' egg hunt because she was so little last year. She figured it out pretty quick by watching the big girls. The bigger girls were so sweet to her. They would drop an egg or two in her bucket or point out a hidden egg for her. I was so impressed with their thoughtfullness, especially at such a young age.

LaLa's little bunny expression posing for a quick picture with her doll baby, Lily. She was the youngest out of the "big" girls, but she loved following them around and playing pretend with her baby doll. The other little girls were so cute, but I'm always cautious of posting pics of other people's kids without asking...so you'll just have to take my word for it!

We were so shocked to receive a package a few days later from our friend, Mrs. Hope. Do you know what it was? A beautiful collage of each of the girls! Hope has wonderful talent with her camera...and capturing their personality in her shots. It was a great way to welcome in Spring and enjoy the day with friends!

March Giveaway Winner!

2010-03-22T15:40:00.000-04:00

All names were numbered and chosen randomly.

And the winner is....

Donna Black

Congrats, I'll be in touch via email to get your prize!

Oh, HEAVENS! My weekend mess of stress...

2010-03-20T16:11:00.002-04:00

I guess I often say "oh, heavens" when I'm in a pickle. LaLa just walked in her room and said, "oh, heavens, mama, what have you done?!"

It has to be done...every mama knows that it does. I don't think my husband has any idea of the extent of work that is involved in switching out seasons and sizes out of our girls closets. It is a massive project. Why in the world am I doing this project the week before LaLa's pirate birthday party? I don't know. I'm asking myself the same thing! I'm a glutton for punishment...or maybe I know that I will clean it up and organize it before pirate guests arrive. It's good motivation at least. I didn't mean to pull everything out. I started small, but I just got more and more involved until the closet was empty and the bed was full. Let me add, this is the bed and the bedroom that LaLa no longer sleeps in because she insists on sleeping in her sister's room.

I'm not sure where to start. I have two girlfriends that have cleaned and purged kid's clothes over the last few weeks...first motivation that inspired me. I really don't know what they have and don't have...second motivation. I need to buy spring and summer stuff...and they have both grown so much! I have bought some stuff ahead last season. I have no idea where that should go. Will I have more kids one day? Should I save all their clothes when they outgrow them? I'm running out of space for storage and I may not have more...or if the sun and the moon and the stars aligned, we could even have a boy instead of another girl one day! Should I pack up the stuff LaLa outgrows because Little Bit is close behind fitting in those clothes. UGH! I probably need to be working on that pile of clothes rather than blogging about it.

I just had to share my mess of stress! I think I just close my eyes and blink and maybe it will organize itself...or maybe I should go to Starbucks and walk down every aisle of Hobby Lobby...it'll still be there later, right?

If you have any organization ideas for closets, please share....

Thoughts on Friends...

2010-03-19T10:35:00.001-04:00

I snapped this picture of "30" confetti at my birthday party.

Maybe turning 30 has me becoming reflective...

I overheard one of my friends telling another friend about my blog. She said, "Yeah and it sounds just like her. Sometimes, I read it really fast so it's like she is talking." That made me laugh. Isn't it funny how your friends know you better than you know yourself sometimes. They see the good, the bad, and the ugly, yet they still choose to be your friends. It is like seeing a reflection of yourself in your friends. I have had great friends all my life. Most of my friends have come and gone through different seasons or times of my lives, but they made a great impact on who I am.

One friend in particular, I have been friends with since we started school in kindergarten. However, we moved and changed schools and our paths went different directions. Our paths have crossed here and there, and I am still blessed to call her my friend 25 years later. She always remembers my birthday. Now, for someone like me that often forgets dates, this amazes me. We may not talk or see each other for an entire year, yet she will still track me down and wish me happy birthday. That is a friend. I think that early friendship is how I based all my future friendships. It was a pretty high standard. It is someone that you can grow and change and not be concerned that they won't accept or understand. You may be at different seasons in your life, but that person is your friend still. Years can go by, but you run into each other and instantly reconnect like you spoke just the other day.

I realized early that girlfriends can be trouble. They can be high maintenance. They can involve drama, drama, drama. I had a lot of friends growing up, but I was always very leary and careful of getting too involved. Of course, there was still drama, but I seemed to stick to being friends with the boys more than the girls. I think that having friends that were boys helped me to understand more about what's important in life. Boys don't waste time with drama (for the most part), and they were honest with their friends with little to no expectations. I look at my daughters and hope they find friends, both boys and girls, like that in life.

In college, I randomly met this girl (very, very randomly). That same night I asked her if she wanted to move in with me in the dorms. She didn't like where she lived, and I didn't have a roommate yet. Now, if you know me, you would know that I don't do stuff like that. I would have probably created a chart and evaluated over and over if I should ask her. For this moment though, I was out of character and just asked. It was one of the best things that I have ever, ever done. I think it was one of those instances where God just took over my brain because my brain would have messed it all up. We have been friends ever since. She is truly my other brain. She understands and puts up with me when most (yes, even my husband) would not. She would go across the world and fight til the death for me (as I for her). It's just something you know about someone. You know when people say, "I've got your back." That is the way she is. It doesn't matter what I have gone through or what is in my future...I know she's "got my back". We have lived a couple hours apart for the last few years, but I still talk to her more than anyone else in my life. It may be just a few minutes between kids crying or interrupting or in the grocery store, but it still feels like she is right here with me. It's amazing to me that we have been able to keep such close contact after living so far for so long, but it just works for us. She is someone that I can be totally and completely real with. I don't worry about feelings getting hurt or what's right or wrong. In the words of Jerry Maguire, "she completes me." hee hee

Since our friendship, I have been blessed to meet friends that she knew that took me in as if they had known me all my life. They have become both inspiration, laughter, and support so many times in my life. We have watched each other grow and change from season to season only to realize that being a part of each others lives make it all so much more exciting and interesting.

After college, I was quite overwhelmed with life, I graduated really early from college. I started getting my masters, living alone from friends, and working full time all at once while all my friends were still in college. By the way, don't rush college if you don't have to. I still don't know what I was thinking. I prayed for a friend like the ones I was missing so much! God answered my prayer and sent me a friend I met in my Masters class. She was a friend that I could even do group work with! I hated...and still hate group work! I have control issues, and most people have no problem letting other people do all the work and taking credit. Well, this friend had similiar weird issues like myself. We instantly became partners in various projects. She is someone that is a lot like me and so different. She constantly amazes me. She is someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with. She works so hard, loves my girls, and goes out of her way to make people feel special.

After I got married, I came to a crossroad again in my life. Do you notice that my friends co-inside with big events in my world? My husband and I had different groups of friends. We really wanted "couple" friends. I met this girl that was student teaching, and we realized how much we had in common. I actually remember that she let everyone call her a different name than what she actually goes by because she didn't want to offend anyone. I called her the name when we were out one day, and she said I don't actually go by that name. It caused serious confusion when I started calling her the name she goes by and everyone else continued calling her the given name. It would be like my brother's name is James, but we call him Jimmy. He's never been called James...just Jimmy. I think for a few weeks no one knew what her name was! It's funny because we have grown up in the same area all of our lives. Our paths have probably crossed or just about crossed many times, but we never remember meeting until this point.

Our husbands became instant friends probably before we did. We became "newlywed" friends together. I look back and so many great memories I have are with all four of us. I think my husband and I grew closer by having good friends to spend time with. My husband always says that this friend and I are so much alike sometimes that it's scary. We have a lot of different qualities, but I think we have quite a few similarities. Our paths are ones that have crissed and crossed as our lives have changed, but we seem to instantly reconnect when we are back together.

The last friend that comes to mind has been in my life for just four years, but I call her my "God-given" friend. I had just quit working, finished my doctorate, and had LaLa. My days that used to be full of preparing for classes, intriguing discussions at classes, working with students, planning lessons, and leisurely living my life were now overwhelmed with a sense of boredom despite the hundreds of mindless tasks that consumed my day, a collicky baby that I could not figure out how to soothe, and a feeling of abandonment and not fitting in with my friends. They were all busy and living, and I was here trying to survive the changes and this little bundle of joy that I couldn't figure out! I prayed and prayed for weeks, then months, for a friend that was where I was. A friend that would understand and be in the same season of her life. When LaLa was eight months old, we hosted a party for our Sunday School class. A girl left her crockpot at my house, and we began talking by email. We have been friends ever since. It was so obvious that she was exactly what God wanted me to have. Yeah, it took eight months. I thought God was telling me I was just out of luck, but He answered the prayer in His own time. She had just quit working as a teacher and was staying home with her daughter as well. We now have two daughters each within months of each other. Our husbands also became fast friends. She is my rock and my encourager...someone you can always count on. I continue to learn so much from her.

When I pray and think of what kind of friends I want for my girls, qualities of my 'forever' friends often come to mind. Michael W. Smith says...Friends are Friends Forever...in one of his songs. I am blessed to have and truly understand what a "forever" friend is. You know what else...only one...maybe two of my friends even read this....so I could've said anything about them and completely gotten away with it! That's how you know I meant it all!

What kind of qualities mean the most to you in your "forever" friends? What kind of friends do you want for your kids? It really makes you think how important friendship is!

Random Little Trick

2010-03-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Of course, I cannot just start any post off like a normal person. I have to add random little tidbits first. There are two things I am not...although I try. First, I am not a photographer. You can see my fingers in the shadow of the picture. I tried to turn off the flash and on the flash with no luck in improving the picture. Do you see my pink corian countertops in the background. I love the quality of my countertops in my kitchen. They are tough. I can cut on them, put hot stuff on them, and probably jump (I've stood on them but I have not jumped on them yet) on them without causing any harm. However, they are pink. My husband and mom try to say big random other neutral colors to sway my opinion, but they are ultimately pink. However, (hubby if you read this, which you probably won't) I think a brand new wonderful fancy smancy camer would probably even make my countertops look better...not to mention make up for my bad photography skills! (It would be a lot cheaper than new countertops. I'm waiting for those when you sell a kidney or win the lottery!) Okay... now on to the next detour...I am not a baker either. I like to pretend sometimes. I tend to find complicated pictures on the internet and get determined to imulate the same creation. Now, most of these people are professional bakers and have been trained, yet I am stubborn and go out asking random questions to random people and buying random things to try to copy their wonderful baking creations...especially for my kids' birthday parties. If people only knew that it usually takes much frustration, burnt cakes, and yelling in defeat before I finally finish the product. Just so you know, this is why I laugh if you have ever complimented me on my kids' birthday cakes! I'm thinking if you only knew! Here is one of my mama tricks that has completely saved me late at night when I had ran out of icing bags to ice a cake.

I think most people may know this little trick, but a friend of mine was totally in awe when I shared it with her so I though, "Hmm...maybe others do not know it either!" My mom taught me this a long time ago when I was in a frantic before a party about not having any icing bags. It's a quick fix and quite cheap!

This is my used icing bag after I iced the cupcakes. You just grab a ziploc (or small plastic storage bag of any kind). Place your icing tip (see, I am not a baker) at the corner and make a small hole until it just comes out of the edge of the bag. You can buy a set of four icing tips pretty cheap at most places. Then, spoon your icing in from the opening of the bag. Squeeze the bag evenly until it comes out the icing tip. Voila!

Yeah, you can just call me the Cake Boss... hee hee

Rainbow Cupcakes Revealed!

2010-03-17T19:40:00.001-04:00

I had to make you wait just one more day...just to build my poor cupcakes up a little bit! The little icing "puffs" are suppose to be a cloud at the end of the rainbow! The recipe suggests icing or whip cream, but I was concerned about allergies at preschool so I went with icing.

TaDa! Rainbow Cupcakes with the goodies that the St.Patty's Day leprechaun left this morning for my girlies at breakfast!

They look pretty, but I have to be honest...they don't taste any different than regular cupcakes and a lot more work was involved. My kids were super excited when they bit in the cupcake and saw the rainbow. That made it totally worth it!

Happy St. Patty's Day everyone!

If you haven't signed up yet...Don't forget March Giveaway is going on now. Click here to enter. It's easy & quick! No one has guessed it yet, but I am definitely stealing some of your ideas for the future! Keep guessing!

St. Patty's Day Fun

2010-03-16T23:03:00.000-04:00

Don't forget March Giveaway is going on now. Click here to enter. It's easy & quick! Plus, I get giddy when I have comments...even if it is bribery!:)

LaLa's teacher requested these "Taste of The Rainbow" cupcakes on Family Fun's site. Now, I am not a baker by any means! My first thought when she said "rainbow cupcakes" was I would just march my happy self to Publix and get a nice baker lady to make some cupcakes with rainbows on it. She might even throw in some rainbow sprinkles. So, I went home and looked up the cupcakes to find a surprise. The batter of the cupcake was the rainbow. Hmm...how would I do that?

I read on to find out that multiple bowls would be involved and mixing of colors and careful layering of batter in little bitty cupcake liners would be involved. On top of this today we had ballet, I flooded my kitchen (forgot to turn off the water...can you say this mama needs a nap?), my Little Bit opened the fridge (so not normal for a 19 month old & is going to start a whole new mess of chaos) and dropped a bottle of syrup which cracked and exploded everywhere. The syrup explosion happened while I was leaving a message for one of LaLa's preschool parents. Yeah, they might think we are off our rocker over here in this house after that message. I have mopped and mopped and mopped and mopped. It's still sticky?!

This chaos seems to be our normal though so we just try to roll with the punches! Determined me (maybe stubborn would be a better word) still went against all odds of this crazy day to make rainbow cupcakes. Uh-oh...only two eggs! I needed one more. Off to Kroger we all go! Okay, so now we're home and I begin again. All my bowls...all my mixing of colors (This would be a great activity to do with a kid to teach color combinations! Not this mama though. I definitely did not have enough patience for the project much less to encourage a little helper on this day!) and I began! I think my oven preheated for over an hour while I meticulously dropped precise numbers of food coloring to make the six colors. For a normal person...in a normal house...with no interruptions, this would not be too difficult. It's a lot of extra work, but they end up looking super cute and unique. I am cautious about giving LaLa a lot of dye though...and these cupcakes definitely have dye in them! On a side note, you also have to use different spoons for each bowl. Yeah, they mess up your colors. It looks pretty with all the bowls...except when they were in the sink to be cleaned!

Then, you take each color (which by the way is the actual order of the rainbow) and layer the cupcake liners. Make sure to spread the batter of each color to the edge. Now, I have been known to be a perfectionist. This drove me crazy a bit. I think a few cupcakes might be missing a few colors because I would run out of batter of a one color by the time I got to the end.

Next, you cook just like the box says for cupcakes. You let them cool, remove the liners to see your amazing rainbows, and ice the top to look like a small cloud (according to the directions found here.) I have to say that their icing cloud was better than mine. However, despite the excess of dishes...despite the distractions...despite the frustration...despite reading the directions over and over...

I am quite proud of the results! I patted myself on the back and went to blog about them!

I hope LaLa' preschool class enjoys them...

and my family since I stashed the extra to save for tomorrow's dessert ~~and ate two while cleaning up~~...

and ultimately, I think they will make some ~~proof of how wonderful mommy is~~ fun memories of St. Patty's Day!

Check back tomorrow for the final result of my baking ~~ordeal~~ masterpiece!

Kids or no kids yet? Doesn't Matter! A March Giveaway for Everyone...

2010-03-14T22:20:00.001-04:00

First things first, I had a wonderfully wonderful birthday party. I knew I had wonderful friends, but I realized they are beyond the wonderful! They made my party so special! They made turning 30...not quite so bad! I have these cute cards by Mary Englebreit (Don't tell me that I didn't spell her last name correctly. I'm pretty sure I know it's not correct already.) that say, "TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING IS WONDERFUL." I definitely agree! They describe both my friends and the party completely!

I'll share pictures this week, BUT I have to share something wonderful first!

Alright, as promised...

Drum ROLL "po-lease" (as Little Bit says)...

It's time for the March giveaway! See, I didn't forget!

Same rules as last time...It is a surprise. It is embroidery. However, this time, you do not necessarily have to be a mom to enjoy it! I know I have some "non-mom-yet" followers so I'm making sure you do not get left out of the fun! You follow just to laugh at my crazy world, and I think that is just wonderful! If somebody had told me half of the stuff that goes on in this mama drama world before I had children, I would have went into it with an entirely different perspective! I would have realized that it is wonderful, but you just can't take life quite as serious as you did before. You have to enjoy the moments rather than plan and worry about the moments! I'm still learning!

More about this giveaway? It is a wonderful surprise for your home! It is more than one thing. You had just better hurry up and enter to win it!

Here is how you enter:

1. Join as a follower on a mama's drama...it's really easy! If you're already a follower, skip to next step.

2. Leave a comment on this post with the following information- your family name (aka last name) and your email.

3. If you link my blog on one of your blog posts, I will enter your name in the drawing twice! Make sure to let me know on the comment! Somebody asked me about this one last time because they didn't have a blog...they suggested telling friends on your facebook status as an alternative of a blog post. That works for me...just let me know in your comment.

4. Giveaway ends on Sunday, March 21st at 9 p.m. (eastern time). Check back Monday, March 22nd to see if you won! The drawing will be chosen randomly.

Hmmmm....wonder what it is??? Any guesses?? Anyone??

No Kids...No Husbands...No Worries...

2010-03-11T23:27:00.000-05:00

I might just post that "title" on the door of my office/craft/storage/sewing/hide everything else/Tammy room!

I am being a blog slacker this week! March is really crazy in my world. Just the birthdays alone keep us pretty busy. We have my mom's, mine, LaLa's, my nephews, not to mention a few family friends as well. I have been hard at work this week getting ready to host some of my favorite people for a sleepover. Yes, a sleepover for grown women! We are leaving our kiddos, our husbands, and our worries behind to focus on having a great time. Isn't that fun? I am so excited. It has been a LONG time since I have had the opportunity to just relax and enjoy my friends...without interruptions. We have had a lot of work and family craziness going on, but I am ready to take a break from all of it and focus on friends and fun this weekend!

I will have lots of pictures and fun to share after Friday...

and a March giveaway is coming up soon...

"Me & My Peeps"

2010-03-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine came up with this idea for a shirt for her little man. She's crafty and creative like that. She is probably the one who buys the most embroidery from me. Yeah, she supports this crazy hobby of mine regularly! I had seen "my peeps" on etsy, but I loved this idea the best!

I even had to go buy some little peeps because I was SOOO inspired...umm.. to eat little marshmallowy bunny rabbits...yum!

I have these spring short sleeve shirts in blue, white, and green.

I have most sizes 12 month-5T.

$12.50 or buy 2 for $22.50

Email drtammy@gilreath.com for orders

Well, I have to go enjoy my 30th (yes, I cringed) birthday dinner & cake with my own little "peeps" who have gotten into my real marshmallow peeps!

Is it still today?

2010-03-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

At moments I wonder if my life is a SNL (saturday night live) skit.

Today...
I wore two different socks. They were not just different styles. They were different colors.

Today...
I decided I needed some exercise as this warm weather has finally hit atlanta. The girls and I went on a walk. Well, I walked and they ate cheese its and juice boxes in the jogging stroller. We hit the half mile mark and my stroller had a flat. Of course, I didn't put shoes on either of my kiddos! We still had that half of a mile to back track in order to get home. Obviously, it hasn't seen much use lately. See, hubby, I knew that little pump attachment would come in handy some time or another...just should've learned how to use it. Strange person on the side of the road helped poor pitiful me.

Today...
Caught my daughter's birthday invitation on fire. Yes, I'm serious. Wouldn't a pirate invitation look extra cute with burnt edges? I was trying to go for the whole pirate map look. I was trying to gently burn the edges and the invite engulfed. I blew...bad...made worse. I waved it....very bad....got bigger and flames move. Threw it down in garage floor and stomped on it....worked...soot on floor.

Today...
In the grocery store we stopped by to get that free cookie the bakery gives kids so their parents can shop and spend more money instead of being grumpy and leave quickly....the baker lady sees my wild little bit and says, "oooh, that girl might need two to keep her still." Actually, Lady, even two cookies won't keep my toddler still unless you have a sedative in there!

Today...
I put my cell phone on the back of my car's bumper and drove away. Fortunately, I do most of my talking while I'm driving and noticed quickly....and it was still there!

Today...
I told my preschooler on the way to school to be a good girl. She said, "Mommy, I might just need to be a little naughty. I don't know how the day is going to go yet."

Today...
I told my mom that my kids were probably going to turn me gray early. LaLa overheard and told me I already had gray hair. (I don't by the way...or I don't think I do.)

Today...
I put my toddlers diaper on inside out. Yeah, that happens when they get to the age of not being still during diaper changes. The goal was to just get it on that end of her body.

Today...
I called the vet to schedule a follow up recheck for my yorkshire terrier. I did not get an appointment because the vet I like wasn't there, but the receptionist could not understand what I was saying even though I repeated myself over and over and over. Without realizing it, I had slowly gotten louder and louder the more times I repeated myself. I was trying to be productive and called while I was waiting outside at LaLa's preschool for the children to come. Of course this simple task turned into a quite embarrassing moment. "Yes mam, that's correct. HIS NAME IS MAX. YES, THE DR. I SAW LAST WEEK TOLD ME TO COME IN FOR A RECHECK. IT'S FOR HIS ANAL GLANDS. HIS ANAL GLANDS. HIS A-N-A-L GLAAAANDSSSS. OKAY, WELL, THANKS, I'LL TRY AGAIN IN A COUPLE DAYS. I looked around and people are trying not to look at me. They probably thought my husband was Max, and he has anal gland issues. Good luck, hubby, at donut for dads this week! I probably made you some new friends at preschool today.

Today...
is the day before my 30th birthday. I'm excited because I love, love, love birthdays and celebrations of any and all kinds, but 30 sounds like a real grown up. That is the part that is giving me some hesitation.

My mom used to tell me when I was little that when we are sad and we cry, the angels would cry with us. This comforted me to know that I never cried alone. Well, I think the same goes for laughing. I have laughed at myself all day. The angels must be laughing too. Maybe I need to submit some ideas to SNL.

The BEST date EVER

2010-03-04T16:35:00.000-05:00

My husband is not going to like this post...
Curious now...aren't you?!:)

I went on the best DATE ever last Saturday night, but it was not with my husband. He was actually watching the children.

That sounds more interesting than it really was!

I actually went on a date with a girlfriend. Dates with my husband aren't bad, but this date was exactly what I would have picked to do and I was with someone that enjoyed what I enjoyed! We decided that it was great because we did our favorite things...

We ate Olive Garden. We went and saw a movie, When in Rome. We went shopping and shopping and shopping. It was the ideal date. I didn't have to worry about a babysitter because they were with Robert. I didn't have to worry about what my husband would enjoy doing. I could talk and talk and someone talked back...my hubby starts getting that glazed look. He has even told me before that I talk more words than anyone he has ever met. I'm not so sure that was a compliment!

It was so much fun. I felt so refreshed and energetic when I got home. I felt like a real person...not just like a mommy or a wife for a little while. I think everyone needs a date night without their husbands and with a close friend sometimes!

My hubby offered to get a babysitter and take me out for my birthday this weekend. He asked what I would want to do...hmmmm...I told him after my date last weekend the bar is set pretty high. He wasn't amused!:)

What would you do on your friend date?

A Day with Daddy=Fun for the Girls & A LOT of work for ME!

2010-03-03T20:24:00.000-05:00

When is the last time you left the kids home with daddy for an extended amount of time?
Well, I did last Saturday...What did it cost me?

A MESSY Playroom...I can't even see the floor! A huff, puff, and sigh from mommy & several minutes cleaning and re-organizing...asking myself why I even label their cubbies and boxes.

An art project involving a lot of paper on the floor...mommy on her hands and knees picking up paper and discovering random object colored with crayons in our house. Can you say unsupervised toddler with crayons????

A FORT in the dining room...AGAIN...more work for mommy and convincing my kids that we cannot keep a fort over our table forever. By the way...my husband assured me this was NOT a fort. It is the pony palace. It's difficult to take a 30 something man defending his fort as the pony palace.

A fun dinner...a messy kitchen and a sink full of dishes.

A night with daddy and his girls.....priceless.

Show some Dr. Seuss Love!

2010-03-02T17:31:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

I didn't plan on sharing this today, but since it is a great opportunity to have some fun with your kids, I thought I would go ahead! Check back tomorrow to see what fun my kids and husband had over the weekend!

A lot of kiddos are celebrating Dr. Seuss this week because it's his birthday! Dr. Seuss is just so much fun so I wanted to share some ideas that might inspire you to go a little Dr. Seuss silly too!

LaLa and I made OOBLECK to take to her preschool class. The book, Bartholomew and the OOBLECK, is long, but it has a great message. The king learns that he made a mistake, but there was something he could do to fix his mistake. He could admit it was his fault and say those magic words..."I'm Sorry!" That was right up our alley with what we have been working on it in our house! OOBLECK was super fun to make, but you have to be brave! IF you are not so brave, make it first, and then let them squish their little hands in it!

Recipe for OOBLECK (there are quite a few...here is an easy one)

2 cups corn starch
2 drops of food coloring (I put mine in the water before mixing)
water (add it in a half of a cup at a time and stir. it is usually close to the same amount of starch you put in.)

Other favorite Dr. Seuss things to do with little ones...

1. anything rhyming! You can't help but to rhyme when you read a Dr. Seuss book. It's perfect to teach and master those concepts!

2. have a Dr. Seuss book fest! Grab lots of pillows and snacks, cuddle up, and read your favorites!

3. make a Dr. Seuss hat & teach patterns (red, white, red, white)

4. bake a cake and sing happy birthday!

5. read Green Eggs & Ham. Then, you can eat green eggs and ham. I sent in some to LaLa's class on Monday. I wish I would've taken a picture because it looked so gross! Her teacher said they loved it though!

6. read the Foot Book. Trace your kid's feet, cut them out and use them to measure things. Little Bit didn't get this concept. She just wanted to keep stepping on the paper again...and again...and again.

7. read a Great Day for Up and draw all the things you can think of that can go UP, UP, UP!

8. our last one that we are doing this week is to watch a Dr. Seuss movie for movie night. LaLa's little class is watching Horton Hears a Who! I think we might watch it again that night and make little whos out of pipe cleaners and googly eyes. There are lots of good Dr. Seuss movies out though! My kids learned to jump on the couch from the movie, The Cat in the Hat (thanks Dr. Seuss). PLUS, I didn't realize everyone didn't know this until I told two girlfriends of mine...and they didn't know! They do now and take advantage of it, but BLOCKBUSTER is doing 99 cent family/kid movies. We go on Fridays and get a few for a week. Cheap and easy! There is also a BIG variety!

Great Links...

http://atozteacherstuff.com/pages/250.shtml

http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/themes/seuss.html

http://www.seussville.com//university/

Why I am not blogging tonight...

2010-03-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

Well, my house was a mess...a BIG mess. Laundry needed to be sorted and put away. Dishes to be washed. I told myself,

"Self, you cannot watch Bachelor tonight unless you get it all done."

It's 9 o'clock, and I finally finished everything. My house is now clean. Well, clean enough! My laundry is done and actually put away...amazing! AND, my kitchen is shining! Bribery works pretty well for myself! I'll have to remember that! Fortunately, I have DVR or I would have missed it! So, I'm not blogging tonight because I get to watch the bachelor in my bed...in my jammies...all cozy.
          No one is allowed to talk to me.
                            No phone calls.
                                          No computer...just me and the Bachelor.
                                                                    The family has been warned!:)
It's my first bachelor experience. I have never watched it in past seasons, but I am hooked on this one! I'm on Team Tenley, but I think Vienna is going to win. Okay, since my list is done...I'm off to watch my reward! YEAH!

A Mama's List of "I nevers"...

2010-02-25T14:55:00.002-05:00

Things I thought I would never do...

*bribe my kids (I am the one who opens things in the grocery store in order to let my kids snack so I can make it through my list.)
*obsess about poop (the color of poop, if they are pooping too much or not enough, how to get them to poop in a potty...and so on.)
*breastfeed in public (you do what you have to do when your baby is screaming).
*hold a toddler/baby and still go potty myself.
*say bye bye and pretend like I'm really leaving in order to persuade my child to actually leave or come wherever.
*count to three...(seriously, we all know that we'll go beyond three to get our kids to give in. my kids probably think that I can't count past three).
*talk baby talk. (it's just really cute when LaLa says "whirld" for "world" and Little Bit says "kukay" for "okay")
*miss working.
*love anything/anyone as much as I love my children.
*be naked in front of people and not care...(once you're in labor, you lose all sense of modesty).
*eat at McDonald's (I'm a picky fastfood eater).
*love to eat gerber fruit snacks (they don't stick in your teeth.)
*get bored as a mama (mentally).
*get lonely as a mama (even though I rarely get to go to the bathroom or shower alone).
*coupon (it's now an obsession).
*not keep up to date scrapbooks for my kids.
*let my kids watch tv...even non-educational cartoons
*try to be "domesticated". (is that a word?)
*be able to cook (the teachers I worked with early in my career would be impressed. i didn't know how to make kool-aid when I first got married.)
*carry 2 kids at once.
*change a toddler/baby's diaper on my lap. (LaLa was the first diaper I ever changed without help.)
*clean up spit up/vomit...(still not my strong point. i have thrown a towel on it and waited for my hubby to get home before.)
*not take a shower.
*go (well, let's just say "a long time") without shaving my legs
*spend all my money on my kids' clothes and not me...not at all. (i think this is a mama habit that most of us do. we become way back on our list of necessitites.)
*compare myself to others.
*wipe a nose with whatever I can find...and I mean whatever.
*leave my house with something mysterious stained on my shoulder...spit up, snotty stuff, who knows?
*question my decisions and actions.
*be able to sing the Elmo theme song.
*know all the Wiggle's dance moves.
*want to "peek" in the windows everytime I drop my kid off at school (ugh...those mamas used to drive me crazy as a teacher. i get it now!:))
*miss going to school (I'm a nerd.)

What have you done as a mama that you thought you would never do?

Watch out this woman has power tools!

2010-02-23T18:00:00.002-05:00

I'm so going to post my want list. Oh, I'm quite serious. You know when you sit and go through a catalog and circle everything you want. Then, you consequently toss it in the garbage because it was something crazy expensive like coach or pottery barn. I even have a friend that walks through Target picking up this and that. She has no intention of buying it. She puts it all back. It's her own therapy. Well, I have been working with LaLa about needs and wants. I really think someone needs to work on that with me because lately I have probably been the same way...my wanting just isn't followed by incessant whining! So, I'm writing my want list...you know for therapy. Maybe I can even get it out of my system! I'm working on it, and it is actually kind of fun to create a want list. Go ahead...you know you want to!

BUT first...let me tell you about another (yes, another) obsession. It is a new discovery. It is this awesome, awesome blog that tells you how (specifically) to build the things I LOVE...pottery barn-ish furniture. I love to build stuff, but I don't have a lot of background with tools and such. I did grow up with parents that built a few houses that we lived in. For a while, my dad even bought, fixed up and sold homes as a hobby on the side. I might have picked up a few things from watching them while growing up. However, I know there is a big difference from watching, knowing a little background and actually doing it. We have a family business of automotive repair companies (fancy way to say body and paint shops). I know the difference in the parts of a car & I could probably prep a car to be painted from growing up around that too BUT can you imagine me knocking out a dent?! That would be trouble. I am trying to remind myself of that before I go buy out Home Depot with good intentions without the follow through that results in piles of lumber sitting in our garage!

Now, how might you ask does this tie into my want list??? Well, I think I just might want a table saw of my own...some hot pink saw horses, maybe a jigsaw...an automatic nail gun shooter (probably should learn right name!)...I'm a woman on a mission! My brother says my kids will be grown by the time I finish a project...ahhh...such a non believer.

I'll be posting up my want list soon....let me know what you would include on yours...be totally indulgent and selfish!

Oh, yeah, the link is Knock off wood.

Bless Her Heart

2010-02-22T23:28:00.000-05:00

This is definitely not what I planned on posting today! I guess I'll save what I had planned and share something else...Okay, I just have to share about my day...because you will laugh...hard. I laughed. Well, I laughed...after I cried!

It's one of those things where you just can't truly, truly appreciate it unless you were there, but I'll try to share it anyway.

Here's the background...my little yorkie max is not feeling well. After a week, I decided it was legitimate and not just a little dog pouting (which actually does happen) and took him to the vet today. I was very surprised that they could get me in today; however, I was not prepared at all. I had dropped LaLa at school on time (surprisingly). After missing two weeks of school between being sick, a snow day, and a week of mid-winter vacation, we were struggling to get up, get it together and get out this morning. We also had to remember all of her teacher appreciation items from the week she was out and her valentines to exchange (which she forgot to pass out today anyway). As you can understand (surely you can sympathize so far), we were lucky to make it to preschool, on time in one piece. We were all dressed, but I had decided to leave Little Bit in her cozy footed pajamas. She was asleep when I put her in the car this morning anyway.

Well, as soon as I made it back home from dropping LaLa off I put Little Bit back to bed. She immediately fell sound asleep. On my way downstairs, the vet called me back. They could get my Max in to see the vet in 20 minutes (p.s. I live 20-25 minutes away) or I'd have to wait several days. Well, off I run to get Little Bit back in the car (still in her jammies and with no shoes) and then I put my little Max in the car. Off we go to the vet. As I am driving, I realize several things....I have no collar/leash for the dog. I have no shoes or clothes on my child. How am I going to carry them all inside. Well, let's just say a couple hundred dollars later and a follow up visit for Friday, my Max will be okay (my husband is dying over the cost though). He is on antibiotics & pain meds too. That officially makes everyone in my family on antibiotics except for Little Bit and Brutus (my other dog). People and the animals (we saw cats, dogs, a lizard, and a bunny) looked at me with either pity at juggling my child and my dog or they were entertained. I was their personal three ring circus. At one moment, the vet tech had to run after an escaping Little Bit. I was holding Max on the table, and Little Bit somehow opened this locking contraption on the door and took off...looking for a cow by the way (why not? there was every other animal there!).

On my way out, I paid...hmmm...holding a wiggly one year old and a pitiful yorkie and trying to sign a slip of paper. It was creative to say the least. On that note, the tech came out and wanted to give Max his first dose of meds before we left. I decided to take Little Bit on out and wait in front of my car for her to bring Max to me. I waited and waited. Then, I peeked in and asked the receptionist. A different tech returns with the biggest dog...it looked like a small horse. I didn't notice at first because I was fidgeting with Little Bit, and the lady asked if I wanted her to put the dog (Max she said) in the car. I said sure, he has a car seat in the passenger seat. I look over and this lady is trying to put a monster in my front seat. NOOOOO!!! I yelled. Yes, I did. I was stunned. I tried to tell her that was not my dog even if that dog was a Max. My dog is a small, very small yorkshire terrier...hence...the small doggie car seat in my car! Well, I got my dog, and we went on our way.

I thought I'd run into Target with my thirty minutes to spare before I picked up LaLa from school. Then, as I was sitting there, I saw this young, cute girl get out of her SUV. She grabbed her purse and was talking on her cell phone. She opened her back door. She locked the doors; then, she threw her keys in her purse. She slid her purse up on her shoulder and leaned in the backseat to unlatch a super cute little girl. She proceeded to put the little girl on her hip while talking on her cell phone. I had to say, as I watched, that I was pretty impressed at how she was juggling everything. Then, I saw her shut the back door. She froze. absolutely froze. Her face contorted. I saw her pull her arm, yet her arm would not budge. I saw her drop her cell phone and pull on the door handle. She simply stood there for several minutes I'm sure. She looked in pain or maybe in shock or confused. Maybe she was thinking. I'm not sure. I wondered what this beautiful, talented lady could be doing.

Then, I saw her put down the small toddler on the parking lot. What in the world was she doing? The child had footy jammies on and no shoes. The concrete was wet from a morning storm. Hmmm...why would she do that? The lady dropped her purse on the ground and began digging through it looking for something. In the meantime, she was trying to corral the toddler with her leg so she wouldn't dart off in the parking lot and that other hand was still up by the door. So, here is this woman with one hand up by the door not moving it. One hand is digging through her purse. One leg is planted on the ground. The other leg is trying to keep the toddler in her jammies within reach. Any guesses?

Suddenly, the lady looks relieved and pulls her keys out of her purse. She frantically hits buttons, opens the back door again (child is walking off), and pulls her hand out of the door jam. Bless her heart (this is my southern way of saying "oh, that poor dumb sweet girl"). She runs to swoop up her wandering toddler before (thankfully) she walks too far away, grabs her purse, and holds up her arm. Yep, you may have figured it out....This is about the time that I realized that this was happening to me. I hold up my hand as blood was pouring all over my hand, arm and jeans. Fortunately, a nice (an angel from God) that works for Target happened to be in the bathroom and helped me. By the way, Target does not have paper towels only blowie things that will not help you in such circumstances as these. I think I would have completely passed out...not because of the pain but because of the blood if she had not been there!

Well, that was my mama drama for the day...heck, that should cover me for a few months or maybe the year?! I'm thinking my poor thumb nail may not survive...it makes me nauseous to even think about it. It's actually a great story to tell...if only I was actually watching it happen to someone else! Did you notice my adjectives that I used to describe the lady:)? hee hee I figured I deserved those after my ordeal!

It's a Pirate's Life for ME!

2010-02-19T15:50:00.000-05:00

I think that I have become the fastest typer ever. seriously, ever. See what happened was...I had a kid. She started rolling then crawling and finally walking. After she became mobile, the computer time had to be quick. really quick. If you aren't quick, she (now they) would just crawl on and over me until they are on top of me blocking the view to the computer and randomly pushing buttons. In order to outsmart my kids and still have my outlet of this machine (my laptop), my fingers had to get FAST! That is also why I write completely what is in my head...without rereading and without spell checking! So, never look to closely to my postings!

Okay, well, I went with my mom (thanks for joining us in our chaos) today to get my girls hair cuts. Little Bit got her very first haircut! I will share more on that next week because you know there is always (always) a drama filled story or adventure when it comes to our world or any world with kids.

Now on to the or rather my focus of the moment! Da da da dum....PIRATES. Yes, I'm serious about this. You heard me correctly. PIRATES. I am quite focused or possibly obsessed with pirates.

I really, really enjoy celebrating and planning parties, but I especially go a little nutsy for my kids birthday parties. I try hard to thrifty in my planning and preparations. I learned long ago to make a budget and buy early and slowly or I would be one of those people with a three ring circus pulling up to her yard. My husband and I both believe in celebrating birthdays BIG and special. I think he might have had something else in his head in thinking that than big children birthday parties, but seriously, who really runs our world...this mama, of course. He just looks at the pictures on the blog and doesn't read all the words so he'll never know...just don't tell him!:)

In the goal of planning ahead for LaLa's fourth birthday in March, I began asking her (last winter. ok, maybe fall) what theme she wanted for her birthday. From what I understood, she had chosen a princess party. I had this envision of the disney princesses, a bibbity boppity boutique, a princess visitor, dress up time, and so on. Then, she changed her mind from theme to theme to theme to theme. It messes with my world when they do things like this. Then, I decided I wasn't going to ask her anymore and do what I wanted because why should I ask a three year old...Well, maybe because it is FOR her, but I thought maybe I could just CONVINCE her of my great idea. I thought...oh, grand, let's do princess and pirates. It incorporated two themes she mentioned. Plus, we could still keep my six months of princess planning. My unique little one said, "Oh, mama, that's great. My friends will love being princesses, but I think I'll be a pirate." She has stuck on being a pirate. I just can't stomach making tutu dresses for dozens of little girls and hiring teenagers to do cute hair dos and invite a princess to visit when my LaLa will not be participating. Instead, she would be the one with the eye patch and the sword hunting for treasure. As a result, I have given up my princess party...until hopefully, next year. I plan on starting trying to convince her for her fifth party theme to be princesses the day after her fourth birthday party.

All the information was to ask my bloggy friends if you have ideas. Since I have succombed to the requests of the birthday girl (probably as it should be!), I have searched for ideas...a lot. I have found some cute stuff...get this...at the dollar store (plates, decorations, eye patches, etc). I mainly need a cute birthday outfit for the birthday girl...her suggestions were a tutu, an eye patch, a "dook" rag (I think this is a "doo" rag...I'm not really ghetto...I'm not sure if that is even right. I asked her what she was talking about. She replied, "like daddy wears when he runs and bikes and what the pirate's crew wears"). By the way, she doesn't like the skull and cross bones. "They are spooky," she says. Totally limits a pirate theme. Hmmm...she sounds like a punk rocker pirate. I also need some cute activities (I really want a pirate or a parrot to come to my house. I know, I'm special). I am trying to think of some wonderfully cute invitations that I can ~~copy~~ create. Oh, I need a cute cake idea too! I usually make their cakes, but I am so thinking about cheating this year and buying one!

Anybody have any ideas?

Gotta Do What You Gotta Do!

2010-02-18T16:54:00.000-05:00

When is the last time you had the opportunity to sit back and watch a movie with your hubby? If you have small children, it has probably been a while. Going to see a movie takes a great deal of action on your part. You must plan a babysitter, pay a babysitter (ugh), deem a movie wonderful enough to rush there and rush home...maybe go out to eat in the midst of your date if you are feeling advantageous (or if you have made family feel sorry enough for you to babysit for free!) Well, I think Robert and I have solved at least a portion of this dilemma. We work very hard to be creative in order to do fun stuff with little ones and on a budget. It usually involves an act of congress and the begging of family to help orchestrate some time off, but not this time...

A drive in movie...

Yes, I'm serious. They still have these around, and I have to say that they are GREAT! We visited this one in Atlanta a couple times during the summer. We were newbies to this concept, and we weren't quite prepared. IF you live in or near Atlanta, I highly recommend this idea! I'm sure they are around other areas as well...it may just take a little research first. I didn't even know we had one until this summer AND get this...it's 20-25 minutes away! I know seriously...all this time, I could have actually seen movies when my girls were little...and loud.

My Suggestions for a drive in movie with "younguns'"...

If they are preschoolers, try explaining the concept. We told LaLa that they play a movie for grown ups on the big screen and made a big deal about letting her choose a movie for the back.
In our world, we do not let them out of their car seat. If we do, it is all over! They sit in their car seat and watch their movie while we watch ours...the exception is if we have to go potty, but then it is right back in your car seat.
Bring blankets and lovies to get cozy...and hopefully they will fall asleep.
Bring lots and lots of snacks.
Bring dinner for you and your guy.
Most weekend nights are a double feature. When the girls were younger during the summer, we would have shuffling during the first movie, but we would get to enjoy the second, late night one because they would fall asleep! However, we were quite tired!
You get to TALK during your movie!
You can wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt. No one will ever know....unless you go potty!
Bonus: you can bring ANY food...you don't have to pay for the expensive concessions!
Bonus: IF your kids do scream or talk, you don't have to leave the movie!
Put your kids in their jammies. Ours either fall asleep during the movie or on the way home. We just put them in their bed when we get home.

We went out last night. We never got out of our car. We were all in cozy, comfy clothes. We got to see Valentine's Day. Both kids fell asleep in the car. We spent 15 dollars total. Ahhh...sweet success...and I GOT to see a grown up movie!

Do you have any great and sneaky date ideas? A date...even a sneaky one...can be great for your marriage and your mental state as a mama!

Hot or COLD?

2010-02-16T18:22:00.000-05:00

Two short weeks ago in Mexico...I was here. I was in my bathing suit, and yes, commenting on how extremely warm it was! My hubby took this picture as he was relaxing in a beach chair. I actually slipped on the coral on the ocean floor twice and could barely stand up straight without falling. Now, this would be funny watching your spouse slip and slide around as they go bobbing in the water, right?! Well, Robert obviously thought so because he snapped pictures of my distress. HOWEVER, if your spouse cannot swim, it is (I repeat). It is not funny! I'm sure if I would have really drowned, he would have at least documented it on camera for the scrapbook before he ran out to save me!

Then, you look at pictures from over the weekend. Cold, cold, very cold and lots of snow.

Our house covered (unbelievable) in snow! This is actually the most snow I have ever seen in Georgia!

Little Bit trying to figure out what this white cold stuff was floating in the air.

Robert and LaLa making snow angels.

It's no wonder why my body is so confused...hot...cold...who knows?! I enjoyed the snow, but I think I'll vote for the sunny weather! How much longer to spring?!

Are ya'll as ready as I am for some warm, sunny weather?

What do you plan on doing on that first wonderful sunny day?

Just so you know...

2010-02-16T00:20:00.000-05:00

Just so you know...

FIRST, I have been married seven years today. Hubby and I decided that we definitely need a "do over" because we're all sick...yes, still. I can't believe it has been seven years. Isn't it crazy how time flies so fast the older you get?

SECOND, Hubby and I got to escape and have a date out on Saturday. Let me just tell you how that one worked! It is a great depiction of how our world works! We had snow...lots of wonderful snow on Friday. When we woke up Saturday, it was still absolutely beautiful outside. Robert and I decided that we would take advantage of my mom's offer to babysit even though we weren't feeling very well. Our thoughts were that we have been stuck inside all week and shuttling kids to the doctor's office so we would probably feel better if we got out and about. We went to eat at a restaurant called the Oakwood. As we drove up, we noticed there were no cars...they were closed due to the weather. We took it in stride. Now, that we were running a little behind schedule, we decided to just try Longhorns. We had to rush to make it in time for the movie, but we ate quickly and went on our way.

We drove up to the theatre to find a very empty parking lot...once again. Yep, you've got it. They were closed until two due to the weather. Robert looked over at me and asked what did I want to do now. We had a couple hours left. You'll never guess what I chose to do with my two hours of valentine/anniversary date?! I voted on going to the doctor. I figured that I had already had Robert's stomach bug that he blessed our family with and then ended up with LaLa's cold/sinus/chest congestion...so I mine as well go to the doctor. It was either that or end up taking both of my girls with me to the doctor this week.

I now have antibiotics and medicine. Hopefully, I will be better soon! LaLa is getting better everyday. Little Bit woke up stuffy with a runny nose this morning...hmmm...been down this road before!

NOW, for the fun part...Do you know today is President's Day?!

JUST SO YOU KNOW...on President's day, the post office is not open! I'll add it to my list of things that I know now!:)

Here is Aidan's shirt for the winner of the giveaway, Cathie. I hope he enjoys it! I'll mail it tomorrow...assuming the post office will be open! It's not a holiday...is it?! I'm sending the doggy outlet cover too (from last week), but the "moo cow" will have to stay here!8) Congrats again! If you didn't win this time, try back next month for another giveaway!

Baby Proof with Style!

2010-02-12T15:39:00.001-05:00

Of course part of our mama drama with kids is baby proofing. I think every family has to baby proof according to their child's curiosity or ability. Some houses will need minimum baby proofing because their children may not be as adventurous or...umm...let's just say creative. If you follow my blog, you know that my kids fall into the busy, creative, adventurous, and can you believe they thought of that?! category.

Well, if we must baby proof, I think we should definitely do it with some crafty style. I saw these little thingies (technical term) at a boutique a while back. They were nine dollars. Yes, I'm serious. Nine dollars for one. My brain was instantly thinking, "You have gotta be kidding. I can so make that for a lot less."

They are very easy. AND, this was something that was easily versatile for a boy or a girl. In fact, you can switch them out when you need a change. All you need is a hot glue gun (or some strong craft adhesive), little painted, wood item(s) (I found these for .50 to .99 at Michaels), and a box of outlet covers. I obviously went on some sort of bender at one point or another buying these wood animals because I found several of them in my craft closet. The flowers were used to "label" drawers in LaLa's room, and the jungle animals were for some project that I intended but didn't do for the girls' bathroom! We have boxes and boxes of outlet covers. When I was pregnant with Little Bit, I thought I'd save time by registering online at a local Baby superstore. Well, rather than clicking 1 for outlet covers, I accidently clicked 11...too many ones. So, if you have received outlet covers with your baby gift in the past, that is probably why!!

Hmm...now where is my glue gun? I had just collected my materials, and so impressed that I had remembered to snap a picture only to find my glue gun had walked away! Of course, with kids and crafts, you have to look in the unobvious places...Ah ha...there it is...

You just have to put a dab of hot glue or craft adhesive on the back of an outlet cover. Then, push it firmly onto the animal or item. Let it dry completely before you stick it in the outlet. If you get a little anxious and plug it in before it is dry, it will come off the next time you pull out the outlet cover to use your plug in!

It makes a fun difference in boring outlets...

Before...So boring!

After...with a sweet monkey hiding the outlets...perfect for our jungle themed bathroom.

Before...in LaLa's Charlotte's Web themed room...takes away from her cute grass bordering the wall.

After...I had to keep the outlet cover in the bottom holes because the flower only covered the top one.

I think I could have glued it lower and covered them both...but I'm too lazy to do it again! The flower used to have labels in the center. I found these oval mirrors on clearance for .25 (pack of 3) at Michaels. They fit perfectly in the little flower's center. It would be fun if you had a little toddler pulling up to see himself/herself in flower mirrors around the room. They look like they "fit" mixed in the grass around LaLa's room. She decided on all flowers, one ladybug, and a little frog to cover her outlets.

Hmmm...now, off to do another breathing treatment with LaLa! I think we are all getting better! AND, of course, to enjoy the snow falling in Georgia. Can you believe it?! Snow...twice in one year in the SOUTH! Of course, they closed schools in our county last night because of the chance of snow! If they just say snow in the South, they shut it all down!

I've never done this before, BUT I am going to try to link to DIY day on a Soft Place to Land...Click the link here to check it out and all the fun, creative do it yourself ideas! Plenty to get your crafty, mama brains busy on a snowy, cold day!

Save your Sanity...Try a Fort!

2010-02-11T11:59:00.001-05:00

She said the sparkles were tinkerbell dust.

I'm desperate. Absolutely desperate. I need something. I mean anything that would make my little one happy. She has been hacky coughing so much that she can't sleep. Do you know what happens when a three year old can't sleep? I am praying for patience and creativity.

The prayers must have work because I have not heard any whining, crying, or squawking in minutes. Actually, I think the coughing has even subsided to a minimum.

On that note, I put a call into the doctor this morning. She finally called back and because of LaLa's fever (which has broke), complaining about hurting when she goes potty (has a history of kidney reflux) and this hacky cough that is causing her to throw up and be miserable...we have to go back to the doctor's office this afternoon. I'm normally a very conservative mommy on medication. BUT not this time. I want drugs. Give her something to make her feel better. WE were just there forty eight hours ago and left with a chest xray and diagnosis of a viral infection and maybe something starting up. That's an expensive appointment for nothing to be specifically wrong with her...just my thoughts. Don't you hate that?!

Before...

Okay...back to answered prayers. Creativity struck...I'm giving God credit because I actually had just desperately prayed for inspiration and patience! I was moving the chairs to vacuum under the table (umm...still haven't done it after Sunday's company...) and eyed the clean, folded blankets on the stairs (you know from all the LAUNDRY from the three year old throwing up after coughing until she's blue).

After...

Ah-ha! I told LaLa to stay on the couch for a big surprise (not that she was really moving and groovin' anywhere anyway besides being attached to me). I used the blankets to put over the table, grabbed a disco ball and light (I think this stuff was from when I was in college...a LONG time ago! See, hubby, labeling the boxes in the garage did help.), made yummy snacks (oreos, grapes, carrots, and strawberries--desperate attempts to get the sick one to eat anything), lots of pillows and blankets, a mommy note, and hauled down LaLa's little tv. I wanted Christmas lights, but I couldn't reach that box! We turned on Cinderella and climbed in. The note was a big hit because she couldn't figure out how to "get" it because it was on top of the glass table facing down at her. Hee-hee to think like a three year old! As Little Bit says, "TA-DA!" A good old fashioned fort with a few surprises.

Mommy Note that I placed face down on the glass table before throwing blankits on it. It was hilarious listening to her tell me that I was magic because she can't figure out how it's stuck there and she can't touch it.

Let me just tell you...this simple idea saved my sanity...at least for now...We both actually fell asleep under the table for a little while. Can you imagine if someone stopped by? "Oh, just come on in. We were just napping under the dining room table." 8) Little Bit was sleeping in her crib. She may be the Godzilla of a fort when she discovers it!

No pictures, please. Is that actually a small smile from the sick one?

As for when the fun wears off, who knows?!

It seems a lot of us are (or will) be covered in snow. You may not have sick ones to entertain, but you may enjoy a good fort if you have bored little ones! Let us know if you try it out!

Off we go, off we go...to doctors office we go...again! Yep, it's our new theme song!

I love it, I love it not...

2010-02-10T22:05:00.000-05:00

I have been talking to friends lately about being a mom, especially a stay at home mom...
It reminds me of pulling a petal off at a time...

I love it...
I love it not...

More on that on a different day...there is only so much time when you have a houseful of people running fever and tired of being tired!

I have truly realized one thing that I absolutely LOVE about being a MOM.

I love seeing myself through their eyes. Well, I do most of the time.

Little Bit was crying yesterday in her bed. While I am getting ready to head upstairs to get her, I hear in the intercom, "It's okay sweet baby. Don't cry. LaLa is right here."

Hubby brought girls a balloon (big hit in our world) to cheer them up from feeling bad yesterday. Little Bit runs saying "Oh, gaw." I laughed saying where in the world did she get that from? My husband laughed saying she sounds just like me....oops!:)

At the super bowl party, LaLa was in the craft/office room playing with some other kids. I heard her tell one of the toddlers as they were "creating" art work, "Don't be vusterated. You just have to do your very best. See you can do it. This is great work." (hmmm...I believe she has heard those same words in our craft attempts!)

Again, at the party, I see LaLa give a little boy a toy and say, "I'm so glad you're here. Make yourself at home. You can play with any of my toys." (hee hee...she probably shares better than I do though.)

Little Bit dropped her bowl of puffs. She promptly drops the entire bowl, puts both palms on her forehead and said, "Oh, no!" (surely, I am not that dramatic!)

LaLa waiting at the top of the stairs for her daddy to come tuck her in (for the fifth time...at least) yells, "Roooobeeert, I've already asked you nicely twice!" (oops! sounded just like me. I may have to work on that one!)

At the doctor yesterday, LaLa whined and asked how much longer do we have to wait. (yeah, I am one of those crazy moms that won't let her touch anything in the sick room.) I told her not much longer and encouraged her to play I spy with me. She said, "Mommy, do you have any paper or a pen in your purse?" I told her yes and gave it to her asking her if she was going to draw a picture. She said, "No, mommy, I'm trying to write my list of what I'm going to do later." (the OCD is genetic...isn't it?)

LaLa walking by the chair accidentally stubbed her toe on it. She promptly replies, "Shoot!" and kept walking. (hmm...need to work on that one too)

Last but not least...Last night, she and I both felt completely horrible. Thinking she was enthralled in her movie and cuddled on the couch, I collapsed on the floor (which actually felt wonderful to just be able to stop moving). I suddenly felt a blanket being pulled haphazardly over me. I looked up to see LaLa covering me up and running to get me a pillow. Then, she sat beside me moving my hair out of my face saying, "just close your eyes and rest. I'll make you better." (What a sweet baby!)

It's that wonderful moment that I feel like she is growing up right...like maybe by the grace of God, I am doing this mama thing right. It may only last for a second, but that second makes me love being a mom.

You are the winner!

2010-02-09T09:33:00.000-05:00

Look at poor, sweet LaLa. We are about to run out to the doctor to see what is making her "feel not better" as she says, but we had to choose a winner first. She says thumbs up to little Aidan because he was the one chosen. I think Aidan is a boy's name. Hmm...now I have to think about a boy idea!:) I've been wanting to try something I saw in a catalog...this may be the perfect time!

We chose it the old fashion way by pulling a name out of the hat, which LaLa also provided from her dress up bucket. I was so excited to get comments that I will definitely have to do another giveaway soon!! I think in March we should do an Easter shirt giveaway! So, keep checking back! Well, I think the giveaway encouraged comments and the fact that I turned the comment blocker thingie off! Silly me!

Congrats to

Cathie

You are the winner! Email me at drtammy@gilreath.com and let me know your address so I can mail your prize! We'll wait 48 hours to hear from Cathie before we draw another name....hurry, Cathie! Also, send your sweet little one's size, gender, and correct spelling of the name...just to be sure!

Surviving Mondays...

2010-02-08T19:24:00.001-05:00

Mondays are rough...

Imagine the theme song I will Survive... as you read this post...

My kids are so off kilter after a weekend of fun and no schedules. I have noticed even if we are home all weekend, we still seem to struggle on Mondays from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed. It reminds me of those little Garfield comics that say "I hate Mondays".

We were very excited to host our young marrieds group at church for Super Bowl Sunday. We had a great turn out. In fact, I'm just hoping that I had the opportunity to at least say hello to everyone that came yesterday! With all the kids and the adults, I wasn't sure! I was excited to meet a lot of families that I didn't know! What counts is everyone seemed to have a great time and have plenty of food to eat! Ah, the food was simply wonderful. Each family brought an appetizer. Who couldn't make a meal out of that?!

First, let me say that my hubby quite surprised me and was a LOT of help in getting everything ready for party time. Unfortunately, I think being out of town and trying to catch up on work and everything else finally hit Robert last night. He woke up feeling pretty rough. He doesn't get sick often, but when he does, it is like having a really big sick child. He does not like being sick at all. About an hour after he woke up, Little Bit woke up. (She has been waking up almost every night since we got back from our trip. She cries for about an hour, wants to play or walk around for another hour, and then she goes back to sleep.

She has no sick symptoms....so I am cluesless...and quite sleepy lately!) The hour after Little Bit had finally stopped crying, LaLa woke up very, very whiny saying her back hurt and she had a cough. I told her I haven't heard her cough at all. My comment was followed by "cough, cough". I gave both kiddos tylenol, read some books, and put everyone back in bed. (Shhh...don't tell, but this desperate mama put on a video and left them in their beds to watch it and fall asleep. It worked.) However, poor Robert was up the rest of the night. By the time he crawled out of bed to go to work, I slept an hour until the girls woke up.
LaLa had a fever this morning...still with no symptoms. Although she is tired, she seems fine now.

They are dropping like flies in my house! AND, I feel like a zombie! My vote is we have all just been on the go too much and maybe we need rest. Maybe it is all the food they ate at the party. You know what they say about too much of a good thing. I'm just hoping it's not anything else! I'm lysoling everything in case they have cooties. I'm sure Robert wasn't sure about my concern when I was bringing him medicine, crackers, and sprite with a can of lysol last night!

I may just pack up all of us and go the doctor before the week is over! Well, in my sleepy and cranky state, I thought I would share a bit of our craziness that keeps us smiling...even with no sleep!
As I was cleaning last week for the Super Bowl Party at our house, I mentally patted myself on the back (okay, maybe I really patted myself on the back) that I had gotten so much done! First mama mistake...I know it was a rookie mistake. It's like saying you never get a ticket. With a statement like that, you will get one...soon.

I came around the corner (fortunately, this was one of the things that I had cleaned that day!) only to find my child laughing and squealing.

There she was fully clothed in the potty! Do you notice that she had moved the stool over the potty? She must have figured out how to open the lid (new source of problem in our house!), moved the stool, climbed up and got in?! She promptly said, "Good Girl, Bath!" Of course, I laughed, grabbed my camera, and said, "Say Cheese!" What else can you do but laugh?

There's not much time left until the giveaway is over! Check back tomorrow to see if you are the winner!

OCD, anyone?

2010-02-05T15:16:00.001-05:00

If your kitchen is just driving you crazy and seems a mess, I have a quick fix. It sounds crazy, but I am always amazed at what a pick me up it is when I clear off my fridge! I should've taken a before picture! Our fridge gets so cluttery (no, I don't think that's a word). My fridge is the infamous part of our house where all of our reminders and notes end up. My garage door is magnetic and is nearby so that is where some of these notes and kid's artwork landed. You may have a pantry door where you could put some stuff on the inside of it. I even have a friend that uses the inside of her cabinet doors to hang such stuff.

Now, I still had these pesky (BUT still wonderful and loved by my kids) magnets that end up all over the floor and all over the fridge. The letters REALLY hurt when you step on them barefoot! I took painter's tape (all I could find) and made a rectangle to corral all of our magnets. We have a couple other noisy magnet things, but I thought I would trade them out when my girls were tired of these. For the last couple days, it is actually working! They are putting them back in the magnet "home"! No more fishing magnets out from under the fridge, in the fridge, or all over the floor!

Am I pushing the OCD card? Probably. However, I have decided that OCD is no longer obsessive compulsive disorder. Once you have kids, you can claim OCD as Organizing my Children's Disasters! (That's pretty clever, huh!? It's bad when I am impressed with my own randomness!) Regardless, I've learned through working in the field of education...there is an acronym for everything (think in school: EBD, IEP, OI, OT, EIP, and so on). Everything sounds important and official if you give it an acronym! So, I am going to show my OCD fridge off with pride!8)

Maybe my fridge is my version of the flylady's shiny sink...maybe I'm a little crazy...but my cleared off fridge has made me really, really happy. Who knows, it may work for you! AND, who would've thought a taped rectangle would control the magnet chaos in our world? Hmm...where else can I put taped boundaries for my kids' messes?! Wouldn't hurt to try clearing off your fridge. It even inspired me to clean the rest of my kitchen! That is amazing in and of itself!

If you haven't participated in the giveaway yet, click here! It ends SOON! There aren't many signed up...which means that is even better odds in winning!!!!!

Learn to say GET NAKED in Spanish...

2010-02-04T09:15:00.001-05:00

This is a picture of us in Cozmel. A few things just crack me up about the picture. First, it is the only one that we took that actually has us both in the picture. Even as we had the moment of realization that we hadn't taken any pictures, we asked a random lady to snap a shot. We could have faced the other way and had the ocean in the background or maybe even put down our stuff or even put down Robert's *coke*! Second, Robert received so many compliments with my overfilled beach bag on his shoulder. We are so pitiful in our picture taking when our kids aren't around!

The last time we were in Cozmel at Paradise Beach I was 4 months pregnant with Little Bit. As Robert indulged in one of these "on the beach massages", I just sat back in the chair wishing him muscle cramps because I couldn't get one! Well, this year, by golly, I got one. Robert is the haggler. It's not really that he is a good haggler. He just drives the other person crazy until they just give in to him so he'll go away. Well, he talked this guy Hector in this little tent thingie to do a massage for an hour for thirty dollars. Not bad, huh?

Well, Robert took me over there, assured me everything was fine and taken care of, and left. The guy started speaking spanish very quickly. I gathered that I was to lay face first. I was excited that my little bit of Spanish was kicking in...or that I was just a good guesser. Next, he started speaking again. Too bad I don't know how to tell him to slow down and I might figure out what he is saying. I was able to understand two words..."top" "off". I wasn't sure if I was understanding even those words...I was not taking my tankini top off in a sheer tent on the beach. Yes, I'm a little modest.

No, no Hector, I'm fine thanks! Well, I went to lay down face first, and he thinking that I still didn't understand him began to "help" me slide my straps off and my tankini down. I gave up by this time figuring at least I was still covered up...however, even with that, after breastfeeding two babies for almost a year each (they'll never be the same.sad.very sad.), it takes a little positioning to lay face first. This is what was rambling in my head. I just want to point out that men never have to worry about this kind of stuff. Never.

Between watching his toes (Scary men toes.) as my face was in the little donut (Yes, I had a round mark on my head that my husband never told me that I had for several hours) and trying to figure out what Hector was saying, I still managed to enjoy the massage. I tried to focus on the ocean sounds and the breeze. Then, I would get caught up trying to figure out what Hector was saying. It was like when you go get your nails done...I'm thinking the whole time that they are talking about me. Then, of course, I got lost trying to find Robert after the massage. I'm convinced he moved, and it was not just my lack of navigation skills! I tried to relay this story back to Robert. He just laughed and told me I worry too much. Yeah, yeah, a man named Hector didn't want him to get naked in a tent!

Check back to yesterday's post (click older post under this one) to sign up for the giveaway!

Need a Surprise? My 1st GIVEAWAY...

2010-02-03T10:49:00.001-05:00

Wow! It is certainly difficult to get back into the swing of things when you have been out of town. First, let me just tell you that I missed my munchkins. Yes, it's true. They are all I could think about! The mommy in me is seriously worried that my going away might have scarred them for life. Yes, I'm serious! I'll tell you more on the psychological trauma that I am quite sure I caused later this week.

On another note, I have been awed by these giveaways on blogs so I thought I would give it a try! I'm sure it will be quite a learning experience...so you'll have to help me with it as I go here. The giveaway is for a child's embroidered shirt...so I will need to know size, boy or girl, and a name and/or initial. The surprise part is what I will do with that information:). I thought about showing you the shirt idea, but I thought it would be more fun if it was a mystery! I figured...um...all four people that read about our crazy mama drama and my wacky obsessions at least deserve a surprise!

Here is how you enter:
1. Join as a follower on a mama's drama...it's really easy! If you're already a follower, skip to next step.
2. Leave a comment on this post with the following information-size of shirt, boy or girl, name and/or initial.
3. If you link my blog on one of your blog posts, I will enter your name in the drawing twice! Make sure to let me know on the comment!
4. Check back Tuesday, February 9th to see if you won!

Giveaway ends Monday, February 8, 2010 at 8 pm (Eastern time). The drawing will be chosen randomly.

Additions...Thanks to all of you that email me this giveaway information & helpful tidbits! Comments are working now...and if you create a link, please make sure to include that in your comment so I can add your name twice.
Good Luck!

See Ya Later...Alligator...

2010-01-26T20:46:00.001-05:00

How can an upcoming vacation make you so excited, anxious, and sad all at the same time? Well, that's what happens when you have children! I am so very excited about the opportunity to get away, sleep, relax, read, write...(oh,yeah) and spend some one on one time with my hubby (I've already warned him the other items are very high on my list though! I might just see him at the end of the week & sleep the entire time!).

Regardless, the sad and anxious part kicks in because you wonder how your kids are just ever going to make it with you over the next few days! My mom will be watching the girls. I'm sure she will do a wonderful job and will be very tired by the time we return, yet I am still plagued with this feeling of...hmmm....could it be a brief bout of mommy guilt? I think that's it with a little bit of "supermommy" thrown in there. You know what supermommy is-that feeling where we just have to have our super cape in our back pocket trying to do it all, all the time. Essentially, it is the concept that our kids just will not make it if we aren't there. More importantly, it is the part of our brain that just won't relax even when we have the opportunity. Is there medication for such things?

So, what have I done to get ready for the cruise?

Written list after list of what to pack, emergency numbers, our itinerary, what the girls need to do each day, where they go, what to feed them...
Shopped, shopped, and shopped.
Put a lot of clothes out to pack, but I haven't packed ANYTHING. I know...way to wait to the last minute.
Bought 6 books to read on trip...stayed up LATE last night reading one. I continually told myself to stop reading and save it for the trip, but I was a little excited.
Talked about everything that I NEED to do before we leave for the trip! (I'm good at this one! Notice I did not say DO anything I NEED to do before the trip!)
Laundry...until I get distracted. Have you heard that it's a sign of genius if you aren't good at getting laundry and housework completed? Probably not because I made it up, but it sounds good! I would definitely be a genius.
Procrastinate...you know, like I am now by blogging!

Well, I am not one of those fancy, smancy bloggers that planned way ahead and have posts scheduled to go out on the days that I won't be around! That is one of those things that I thought about doing though!:) I will relax for all of you mommies out there that need a break too! I have lots of fun crafts coming up when I get back. We are super excited about hosting a superbowl party too. I need great ideas that incorporate kids and adults, if you have any! I am sure that there will be great adventures from my Tammy Trip & with my sweet little ~~monsters~~ angels under my mom's care...~~good luck, mom~~ thanks again, mom!

In a while...crocodile...be back next Tuesday...

Sing & Dance Like No One is Watching...

2010-01-25T10:37:00.002-05:00

Don't you wish you could just sing and dance with no inhibitions? I'm sure it feels great. I, however, embarrass myself...even when no one is watching!

It's Monday. Do you need a laugh? My daughter has just fallen in love with the chipmunks after seeing their sequel or "squeakel". She came home singing the "single ladies" and "you better put a ring on it". Most people think she is saying "singing ladies" so at least they don't think we are jamming out to Beyonce with our three year old all the time! Over the weekend, LaLa told us where to sit so she could have an audience. Then, she went up to her "stage" to perform her song and dance. Everytime I watch it, it just makes me laugh so hard! I hope you enjoy her entertainment just as much as we did! In her world, she's a singing and dancing star!

Enjoy your Monday and the Video. Take a moment to laugh.