Notes from a Shopping Trip

I went to Goodwill today. I was looking for a couple specific things. Some notes from my shopping trip.

I'm collecting little white dishes for this shelf that I have in the kitchen. I wanted to see if they had any that would fit. They did. Here's where it gets confusing. I found a little white pitcher that I liked and looked at the price. I don't know who is in charge of pricing over there. The little pitcher was priced at $2.99. I would like to remind you that I paid $0.99 for the upholstered green chair seen in the picture (below). Yes, that's zero dollars and ninety nine pennies for the chair and two dollars and ninety nine pennies for the tiny white pitcher. Baffling. See, even Luke looks baffled.

Next up...who wouldn't feel a little tug on the ol' heartstrings when they see something like this ENTIRE set of Cabbage Patch Kids books. I actually still have one of my own books on the bookshelf. I was really jealous of the girl I knew who had the entire collection. (My neighbor Nina). Maybe they are hers??? I couldn't justify the money to buy the entire collection of musty smelling books, but seeing them on the shelf made me feel bad. Yes, now I'm feeling bad for books.

The following is a message to my children: I have made/will make you things. If I spend a considerable amount of time on something, you can NEVER, EVER donate it to Goodwill. I saw this needlepoint (see below) and several other projects that probably took people many, many hours to complete. You, as my children, must keep anything sentimental. Even if you don't like it. I brought you into this world, wiped your bottoms, and put up with a lot. You can put up with my stuff. That is all.

Reality

It seems like everyone has their own reality show. They are filled with drama, fighting, rebellion, partying, and irresponsible spending. I'm still waiting for the call, but I've put together my own reality show pilot. What inspired this, you say? My husband has been gone for the last two weeks (including a trip with two of the kids) and it has been quite "interesting" not having him here. I'll give you a sneak preview.

Craziness: Oh, we've got a lot of that in the pilot. This would include, but not be limited to, the toilet overflowing. It gets a little gritty during the scene with me simultaneously holding back two super curious kids while trying to clean up the mess and plunge. It also includes the scene with me trying to figure out which smoke alarm was beeping at 2 a.m. That's a beauty. You'll see some raw emotion there. (I never figured it out and I was mighty tired the next day.)

Wild Parties: Does it get any more wild than Redi-Whip being sprayed directly into your mouth? I think not. Riveting. We also watched Nancy Drew (two nights in a row). Good times.

Irresponsible Shopping Trips: It shows me splurging on this "Open" sign at The Round Barn. I put it in my kitchen. The kids think the kitchen is always open now, but that just adds to the drama. The burlap bow has since been removed by someone unknown to me. I guess I better watch the episode to find out who took it off.

Fear: It shows me awake at night (every night) convinced the "bad guys" are going to burst through my bedroom door any second. I'm terrible at being the only big person sleeping in the house. I may or may not have slept with the house phone in one hand and my cell phone in the other. You'll have to watch to find out. I also may or may not have avoided the basement for the past two weeks. I realize it's going to be difficult to believe that I'm 36 years old, but that's what makes it good television.

The ratings are going to be through the roof.

Love is in the air!

Cloning. Such an interesting topic, don't you think? While I don't think it would , in reality, be a good idea to have more of me running around, I would like to explore the idea of having more copies of myself for special occasions. Valentine's Day is just such an occasion. Here is what I would have done with more copies of me...

Clone #1 would have gone to Reed's ice cream party at school. I always love to visit Reed in his classroom.
Clone #2 would have gone ice skating with Sophie for her fifth grade field trip. She would not, however, have embarrassed Sophie in any way.
Clone #3 would have made sugar cookies from scratch instead of using the tube of dough from the grocery store. She would have involved Luke in the process and smiled and hugged him even when he made a big mess.
Clone #4 would have prepared a gourmet dinner complete with something for everyone.
Clone #5 would have dropped off something small, but sweet to my husband's office just to let him know I was thinking of him.
Clone #6 would have tidied up the house for everyone to enjoy.
Clone #7 would have dragged out all the art supplies and made valentines with the kids. She probably would have even used the old fashioned paste with the stick in the jar.

Can you just imagine what a day it would have been? I only needed seven more of me to make it happen. Despite the fact that I didn't get any of that done, it was a lovely, lovely day.

Here are the valentines I made for the little ones. They are rolls of paper -- each 24 feet long -- with the reasons why I love them.

Here are the almost homemade cookies.Here is the one part of the house that was tidy. (Until a three year old began to "rearrange" things.)

Here is what I did make for dinner.

Here is Reed's sweet, sweet Valentine box that he designed and made by himself.
Here are the valentines that we passed out.

It's January

It's January...that means we are celebrating birthdays and GETTING SICK. Blugh. We had a decent run until January. I've been in the house a good deal this past week and it's beginning to not be so much fun. Sooooooo, I've decided to focus on the positive things about my children being sick.

Here are my top ten favorite things about my kids being sick:

10. The doctor in urgent care asking if we've ever heard of a product called Clorox Wipes. That one gave me a GOOD CHUCKLE. That's like asking someone at Disneyworld if they believe in happiness. In answer to her question, "Yes, I think I have seen those at the store once or twice. What do you do with them?"

9. Reed, in his feverish state, has been using such phrases as, "It would be delightful if you could bring me lunch." Come on, how cute is that?

8. No one has been jumping off the couch.

7. Ruby has learned a new word -- TV. Yep, the TV has been on a lot around here. She added to her vocabulary so be quiet and don't judge.

6. Everyone has wanted to snuggle -- lots.

5. Luke told me "You're the nicest person in this house." (I am.)

4. I've had the opportunity to read the same book 500 times. (Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?) Not everyone gets an opportunity like that.

3. I've perfected the art of hand washing. Yes, it is an art. You can ask my children. It took me eleven years to get it just right, but I can wash those little hands until they sparkle.

2. My children are building up their immune systems, right? No seriously, right?

1. I have been wearing pajamas for DAYS. Not the same ones every day, but comfy, cozy pajamas all day long.

I know, you all wish you were me. It's a glamorous life.

You Know What I'm Talking About

Some of us are more organized than others. It's just a fact of life. I used to be really organized. REALLY organized--you know, to the point of being slightly annoying. (You can ask my college roommates.) Somewhere along the way, I joined the other camp. I think I sort of creeped over, moving my sleeping bag closer to the line until one morning I woke up in the disorganized camp. There are days I don't mind being in this camp. The company is nice, a bit more relaxed. Today I wanted to be in the other camp. You see, I'm trying to find a password to something so that I can set up something else.

Where am I going with this? We're coming up on a new year. I'm not going to make a long list of resolutions. Instead, I'm going to try to inch my way back to the "organized camp." I wouldn't say I'll end up in the other camp by the end of next year, but I just want to get close enough so that I can hear the campers on the other side. Are they having some kind of really organized party over there?

Another Year

Now that I'm *gasp* almost ready for Christmas, I have all this time to be nostalgic about another year almost gone. I think the kids might actually be growing up. Sigh.

My lovely, sweet, creative friend (who now lives in a toastier climate) took these pictures of the kids when she came for a visit. I think they really capture the kids' personalities.

Kid #1: The "first born." As a typical "first born," she carries the weight of the world. She is learning to do it with grace and ease. She has her dad's keen mind, and I don't doubt she will achieve great things. She is trying to find her own style, and I am realizing that I have to let her do this. (I need an entire post dedicated to this subject.)

Kid #2: The "middle child." He is adaptable and has a tender heart, but makes his presence known. His imagination is a gift. He loves to make giant messes, but never has the "strength" to clean them up. (His words, not mine.)

Kid #3: The "little boy." He still loves lots of snuggles (thank goodness), but wants to play with the big kids too. He makes us laugh A LOT--three year olds are famous for that. He swears he will never leave me.

Kid #4: The "baby." We've probably already ruined her. She only needs to whimper and her wish is granted. Everyone bows to her command. She is beginning to assert herself, but we're still curious about her personality. She mostly toddles around wondering what everyone else is doing.

I wonder what they'll be like next year?

The Scale Has Been Tipped

It's official! Four of us have glasses.

Two of our lovely offspring have been "blessed" with some genetic mutation that appears to be on both sides of the family. (I usually just blame Mike for all defective genes, but I'll take some credit this time.) They are "lucky" enough to get to wear glasses. Sadly, the one child who doesn't need them walks around wearing his 3-D glasses with the lenses popped out.

Little Luke got glasses several weeks ago. I was very worried that he would not leave them on, but he can ACTUALLY SEE so he has been just fine. I think they have made him more popular with the ladies. As we have been out-and-about during the holiday season, many people have commented that he looks a lot like Ralphie. I might just have to buy him a Red Ryder BB Gun.