Last Minute Trip

So Jerry's family was all going to Disney Land and we were not planning on going.  But plans change.  We decided on Friday that we would go to Disney Land with them on Monday.  It was an action packed day.  The kids had a ton on fun.  It was worth it.  We are all beyond tired today.  Got home last night about midnight.  James has minimum schedule this week. So instead of 11 - 2:30 its 7:45 - 11. Throws the whole week off.  But we are rolling with it. 

Every once in awhile I let go, and fly by the seat of my pants.  It's harder to do doing the school year. But now we are good with Disney for a couple of years again. Or at least until Caroline understands standing in line.

Freak Out Update

I have the old external hard drive being looked at to see if I can salvage any pictures.  The new external hard drive is with it ready to catch them. 

My camera has continued to give me the error message.  I have two senior picture sessions that I have to get through then I can send it in to be serviced.  Thank goodness I filled out the warranty card on that one. 

My senior pictures have been so fun to to do.  But I have two appointments that I have rescheduled several times due to weather and illness.  So keep your fingers crossed for me on Sunday and Tuesday.

Next up is trying to schedule family pictures...

This is life

It's just about 8 in the morning.  I am starting another load of laundry that I won't get around to putting away.  Everyone around here has clean clothes they are just wrinkly. 

Kids and I are fed.  Coffee is being consumed. 

Gym is going to be attempted.  But first I have to pack a lunch for James.  He has to eat lunch before he goes to school.  School starts at 11:00.

Come home put baby down for nap.  Take shower that is needed after gym, but can't be taken while baby is awake.

Pick up James at 2:25.  Take Hannah to ballet at 3:30.  Chase Caroline around lobby and listen to James whine for 45 minutes. 

Start some kind of dinner.  Clean rooms (fight with children about cleaning rooms).  Baths and good night sweet children.

Get ready for the Senior pictures I am taking on Wednesday. 

Do it all again but a completely different schedule on Wednesday. 

3 baskets of Laundry that need to be put away. A very helpful baby wearing hand me down Jammies.  A poor dog that needs to go on a run.  This is life and it's all mine.

Caroline

There was a little girl

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

There was a little girl,

Who had a little curl,

Right in the middle of her forehead.

When she was good,

She was very good indeed,

But when she was bad she was horrid.

 
Dear Caroline,
 
Tonight while I was vacuuming, this poem popped into my head.  Maybe it was because you kept wrapping the cord around your neck every time I turned around.  It could be because you like to bring the stool into our living room and climb up onto the tv stand.  Maybe it's because the chairs can't be next to the table otherwise you will climb up onto the table.  Or because today I have caught you playing in the toilet five times.  Or the fact one of the toilets is very, very clogged right now and I am worried there is more than human waste down there.  Don't forget you like to get into the garbage can and eat what you find. 
 
You make us laugh, scratch our heads, and cover our eyes at times.  You are our little sweet mush.  You are our big trouble maker.  We love you.  You are giving your mom and dad grey hair in our early thirties. 
 
You like to give hugs and pat us on our back.  You like to cock your head when you smile.  I don't want to forget a moment of you right now.  But quit being such a trouble maker. 
 
You are 16 months old right now and you are my little personality clone.  You run everywhere, momma appreciates a fast walker.  You are stubborn and independent, just like me.  You look just like your dad, right now.  But there is a whole lot of me in that personality.  I know you are going to be trouble and I love you for it.
 
Love you my little baby,
Momma

Weekend Warrior

I have never looked froward to a weekend like this since I worked.  I have to say last week was one of the  busiest weeks I have had in a long time.  So what do we do over the weekend? Paint Hannah's room and move Caroline in. 

Lots of girl power pink in here.  James declared he wasn't playing barbies with Hannah anymore in this room.

I still have to get around to painting the kitchen set white.  Dragging my heels on that project.

Yes the closet is purple and I love the color.  All organized and put together.  Let's see how long it lasts.

Hopefully there won't be any climbing in drawers to get down stuffed animals. 

Adventure Time

Jerry was going to be working a 72hr shift because of a trade.  He called yesterday morning saying his trade had been canceled and what did I want to do today.  Not being a huge creature of spontaneity, I had to think about it.  Luckily for me he had some ideas thanks to his book.  So we set off on an adventure to Balch Park.

Lets just say we are looking forward to going back.  It had two little lakes that the kids can fish in, an easy hike/nature walk, a little museum and a campground.  And by the way there are giant sequoias there!

Just not doing it for me

I have been changing the blog everyday.  I can't find something I really like for the background and layout.  So I will just keep playing with it until I do.  Might take awhile.  Funny how I go from not blogging for months to changing it every day.  Work in progress, I guess.

Found a good spot for pictures

It was an impromptu stop.  Notice the outfits and the tattoos peanut gave herself on the car ride.  But it made me happy.  I had been thinking about this place for awhile.  I haven't had a chance to play with the pictures in Photoshop.  But here are the originals.

The lost me

I used to be on the ball. For most things I would say. Now I forget most things and feel flustered most of my days. I have been losing things lately. I think one of the biggest things lost would be me.

One of Jerry's aunts asked me if I was already done Christmas shopping. I almost died laughing. Now the old me, that could have been a possibility. The new me, the one with 3 kids, no way. My wheels have been spinning since April.

I can't get anything cleaned up. And as soon as I do, it's ruined with in minutes. I think I might have thought I was invincible, now I know I am not. I am the barely showered frazzled scream at your kids mom you see everywhere. I am sure one day I will find myself again. But for now, we are just surviving.

A crazy thing happened

The kids and I were driving along, minding our own business, and a crash happened right in front of us. It was a bad one. It freaked me out. There was nothing I could do to help, with 3 small children in my car. I tried my best not to scare them. But they had to cover their eyes as I got out of the way.

I wish I could have had more calm, cool and collected about me. Considering my husband is a firefighter I would think I would know better what to do. But I didn't. I froze. Osmosis failed me.

I couldn't believe how close it was to us. I can't not think about what could have happened if I had been driving just a little faster. Today driving the kids to school some lady was digging in her purse and swerved right near me. I almost had a heart attack. Then some other guy was driving too fast and that made me nervous. I realize you can only control yourself. How can I protect my babies when everyone else is a maniac?

Do I sit and dwell on the what if's or do I keep moving forward and live my life the best I can? I am thankful for my life, I am going to try to stay more in the moment and stress less about all the other stuff.

Amazing what a crazy car accident can do for the brain.

Trip back

Keep Moving Forward

Nothing went as planned today.

Gym trip was ruined by a crying baby.

Kids did some naughty things.

Projects went unfinished.

It's 8 and I am just getting started on a project that has to be done for preschool in the morning and I just remembered I have to take in something for a birthday treat for James's class.

So I squeeze in today's blog post and I keep moving forward.

11:45

It is late, I have a busy day tomorrow. But I can not sleep. I was laying in bed wide awake, thinking. All kinds of blog topics bounced around in my head. So I got up, came to the computer and I am removing them so maybe I can sleep.

When I first started this blog, my main topic was sleep. You see Hannah was around the 1/2 year mark and sleep was becoming very difficult for us. Not much has changed. I can still gauge my days based on sleep. Caroline isn't the problem. In the morning it becomes real clear real quick if the kids have had enough sleep. Today Hannah cried about everything. James had a couple of melt downs as well. So bedtime was a priority tonight. I got them to bed only to have James come out of his room several times. It makes me freak out. Because I know how tired he is, why doesn't he?

November is coming up. It is National blog month. Last year I actually managed a post for every day in the month. I actually like the idea. It refreshes your brain on the blogging point. It gets you going again. It happens to everyone, you go strong then taper. I usually taper because I am in the trenches. As I like to call it. It's when we are so busy we don't have time for anything, but everything we are doing is boring and the same old stuff. Boring and Busy, who wants to read about that? So I don't post.

I do read many blogs. When I have time. There are so many styles out there. My favorites are funny, the ones where the authors don't take themselves to seriously. They usually post very often and the stories are not usually to long. Quick humor. This is what I aspire for.

This brings me back to why do I blog? It's my life with my monkeys. I hope that in the future I can look back and remember what it was like. Good and bad. A quick note in cyber space to save a memory. If I quit posting and don't write down the memories I am cheating myself? I don't know if anyone really even reads this but my mom. But I do it for me. That is what is important. Complete with bad grammar and comma splices.

I was thinking about a friend today and how much crazier I am than her. Her oldest is 5 months older than my oldest and her youngest is 5 months younger than my middle one. I used to say youngest. My oldest is about to turn 5 and I have 3 kids. No wonder I am tired. But not enough to sleep, tonight.

Every once and awhile

I go a little crazy and think I can do more than I can. I get a little too busy, make plans, follow through, fall apart.

Monday after a whirl wind trip south and back I was so tired. Then I became sick. It hit like a bus, fever, body aches, headache and a cough. Luckily now all that is left is a cough and sore muscles. It feels like I have been working out, and I haven't.

I panicked and thought the worst. I have swine flu. I guess it was possible. So today the kids got their flu shots. But get this,to vaccinate for the swine flu each kid needs 2 shots at $17 each. Nice. $102 to try a brand new vaccine, that I am not sure I want to get at all. So I am going to do a little more research. The pediatrician recommends it, of course.

So I am the only one in our house who still needs the flu shot. I haven't had one yet. Big decisions. I guess as long as I don't try to do too much I won't get sick. Logic.

Momma Come Quick!

Yesterday I was in the kitchen and I hear screams coming from James room. I start on my way towards the noise. It is usually nothing more than a fight. Then it becomes clear James is screaming "momma come quick!"


I start to get nervous and I hurry up. Hannah meets me in the hall with a worried look. My heart drops. James is still screaming. I am thinking how did something so bad happen in his room?


I get in the room and he is standing on his bed holding up the United States Map poster that we had just hung. That's it? Your poster fell?


I start yelling at him. You do not scream like that unless some one is hurt and hurt badly. You scarred Momma to death. I rehang the poster and wander off shaking my head.

The reaction was more than the problem. How many times in life do I have a larger reaction than needed? Did my son inherit a drama gene? Oh boy.

A tale of Two Children

I don't know if I can do this story justice with my story telling skills. But I will try.

I have been battling the toys lately. I have been trying really hard to make sure the two kids have cleaned up the living room and their rooms each night before bed. For some this may not be hard but for us it is. You see I don't like the fight. Most nights it is just easier to let their rooms be a mess. Well back in July, I did the mommy freak out, and loaded all their toys into garbage bags. The toys were in the garage for a couple of weeks then they earned them back. Needless to say this worked, on one child.

My son James, is a sweet boy. He is very sensitive and empathetic. He has a huge heart and is easily scared by threats.

My daughter Hannah, is a funny little creature we haven't yet figured out. Cute as a button but feisty as heck. We haven't found the key to disciplining her.

Can you guess which child the garbage bag system worked on?

Tonight it was clean up time and I told James "go clean up your room." And he did. I told Hannah "clean up your room, start by putting the stuffed animals on the widow ledge." She told me "I can't." Actually she whined "I Caaaaan't." So I proceeded to just close her in her room. I told her she couldn't come out until she had picked up the stuffed animals.

James finished cleaning up his room so I bargained with him. "You helped Hannah make a mess, you help clean it up, and I will let you have some lemonade." OK. He was off to help her. Minutes later he is out "I can't clean up her room when she is just playing with her toys."

No kidding.

Then dinner was ready so I brought them out to eat. Cleaning was put on hold for awhile. Jerry called from work and I was asking him "What are we going to do with this child?" As I was on the phone I told her to pick up her toys or they were going in the garbage. Hannah shrugged her little shoulders and said "do it." No joke. I actually had to hide from her because I started to laugh.

I set the timer for 10 minutes and what ever wasn't up was going in the garbage. James started shrieking and running around and crying. Hannah just stood there and looked at me. So I turned off the timer and grabbed the garbage bag. So you want to play, do you?

I went into her room and started putting things in the bag. At this time James is in hysterics. I am hugging him trying to explain they're her toys and she doesn't care, don't worry about it. Nope. I put a white teddy bear in the bag and he starts crying "that's my favorite!" OK, go put it in your room. Hannah starts crying.

OK! I finally got to her. Nope. She grabs the bear and sticks it back in the garbage bag. She then starts picking up her floor and putting the toys in the garbage bag. She isn't fazed in the least bit.

So I have her come with me to the garbage can. On the way out, the garage door gets her toe a little bit. I get to the can. Throw the toys in the can and she starts crying. FINALLY! I got through.

"So, Hannah, why are you crying?"

"My toe hurts."

Augghhh!

I come back into the house and try to peel her brother off of the ceiling.

What am I going to do with these two?

Mommy Karma

I don't think I ever was bold enough to say what I would and wouldn't do with my kids when I had them. However I have judged silently some moms in public. I mean it's kind of easy to pass judgement on others when you are so perfect.

I don't know if it's the fact I have three kids now, or they just seem to be testing me more lately, or that I am completely out of energy, but my mommy karma is coming back to kick me in the butt.

At the beach in Carlsbad Caroline wasn't the happiest. She doesn't really like being outside in the bright light. So I decided to leave a little earlier than the rest of the crew and go start dinner and get the kids cleaned up. James had other plans. He was playing his heart out. I loved watching him have such a good time but in the interest of my plan he had to leave the beach. Well, we will just say he pitched a fit. A big enough commotion for strangers to comment. That's just embarrassing. I could only threaten a miserable life and try to get him to work with me. Needless to say it was ugly.

Today we adventured to Costco. It has been awhile, and since I can't seem to get the schedule worked out so that hubs can be home and share in this errand, I toughed it out and went by myself with the 3 kiddos. I wear Caroline in her Moby Wrap and since it is a double cart I usually push both the kids in the cart. This is fairly manageable. Today James wanted to walk, so I gave an inch and let him walk. Also Caroline wanted to look out. So I had to fiddle with her a bunch and hold her with one hand before she was settled and somewhat happy. So between James running around using his outside voice, Caroline complaining about the view, and trying to concentrate on what exactly I needed at Costco, I gave up.

Jerry and I have been at a grocery store and laughed (a tiny laugh) at a mom who had clearly given up. Her kids were in the way, running a muck, and she just shopped along minding her own business. I wish I could say at that point in time I didn't declare that would "never be me." But I think I might have.

good bye Expedition

Today is the big day. We are getting rid of our big gas guzzling Expedition and getting a Ford Flex. I have always wanted a station wagon. It is really more of a crossover than a wagon. I like that it reminds me of a wagon though.

Since we will have a new car we are going to go over to San Luis Obispo for a quick trip to celebrate low mileage.

It's a big day for me. I am kind of sad to get rid of my car. I have loved that thing. I have driven it into the ground. Now it's time to get something new and drive it into the ground.

I have already bought seat protectors. I don't want to dent the new leather.

Wheels

I need a new set.

OK, just so you all know. I love my car. All of its 1998 gas guzzling Ford Expedition self. It has three faults, no 4wheel drive, it guzzles the gas, and it has 165,000 miles on it. I have been driving this beauty for 6+ years and it works great. I can fit three car seats in a row and still have a back seat if needed. It tows our little boat. It is old and used enough I don't mind an occasional spill or vomit episode. But all that said, I need a new car. Jerry doesn't like us driving it on long trips anymore and he is holding his breath for something major to break.

So here is the list of things we must have. 4wheel/all wheel drive, leather, room enough for 3 car seats, some storage space and or a roof rack for storage, and the capability to tow the boat. Oh yes and we would like it to be fuel efficient. And, we don't want a huge payment.

Do you know how hard it is to find this golden car? You can go huge and guzzle the gas, but how earth friendly is that? Or you can go smaller, loose a few seats and a bunch of storage. What we have to weigh out is how often do we use the storage? How far do we tow the boat? What is the majority of use for our car? Well we only occasionally take long trips and we only really use the boat in the summer and we only tow it 15 miles. I really use my car for hauling kids around town. So what is the point of getting the huge car?

Now in the search for the perfect car I have a folder in my favorites called "Car research". I use the following websites constantly to try and pick out the perfect car.

www.autoland.com
www.carsoup.com
www.fueleconomy.gov
www.autotrader.com
www.carsdirect.com
www.edmunds.com
www.carmax.com
www.cars.com
www.consumerreports.com

I am constantly searching, thinking, and choosing a new car. So far we were going to get the Acadia, Sequoia, Navigator, Expedition, Pathfinder, 4runner, XC90 ... the list goes on.

We have even been to car dealerships ready to buy and only to return empty handed. I have called the bank, gotten funds ready for a private party purchase, and changed our minds.

Now things might change for us. We have always said we were going to get a used car. But President Obama passed a law called CARS aka cash for clunkers. Yes, I drive a clunker. However, we can get money towards a purchase of a brand new car if we trade in our car. More money than we would be able to sell it for. What do they do with our car? They recycle (destroy) it. Kind of sad. But the deal is we have to get a fuel efficient car. So the search is on, again. Thanks Mr. President.

Tent Camping

There was a heat spell right after I had Caroline. At that point in time I declared I wanted to go camping on the beach. It sounded like a perfectly logical idea. Go tent camping with two small kids and an even smaller baby. So we reserved a camp site for a 4 day'er in June and we were off.

Having returned now I can share the knowledge I have gained from the adventure.

Things that we learned tent camping with 3 kids and 2 dogs.

1. First thing to pack is extra patience.
2. Make sure to bring toys for the kids, they don't like just chillin next to the fire taking in the scenery.
3. Dog crates take up too much room.
4. Chip will howl at night when he hears coyotes in the distance.
5. Playing with new campground buddies will increase your vocabulary.
6. Momma will forget tons of things for cooking at camp.
7. It is quite cold at night at the beach.
8. Make sure to have a place for baby to go that isn't bright light.
9. Dog poo at the camp site stinks, especially when James sits in it.
10. Going to sleep when the sun is down and getting up when it rises is not really enough sleep for small children.

We had fun over all. There were a few moments when I had to threaten to become the white trash momma and let the whole campground hear me yelling. But playing on the beach with the kids and dogs just kind of warms your heart and makes you want to go again. It can be quite hot here in the summer.