Vacation

I have one thing to say and it is . . .V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N! Hurray. I would have posted this happy news yesterday; however, I was extremely tired from the long work week preparing for vacation. Yay for me!

Check Up

Matthew had his well baby yesterday. He weighed 19 pounds 10 1/2 ounces and measured 29 1/2 inches. He is in the eightieth percentile for height and thirtieth for weight! My tall, thin baby! Well, I think he looks like a chubby baby. He certainly will eat anything. Tonight for dinner he had real chicken, real sweet potatoes, some of his chicken noodle baby food and some pears. Oh, and we mustn't forget his Cheerios appetizer. I guess he just has his Daddy's metabolism.

Now We're Dancing - Hopefully

Well, we are going to try dancing again. Today Natalie and I went to buy tap shoes. Yes, real tap shoes. I had no idea what tap shoes even looked like, being that I never took dance. We actually found them at Payless. She was so cute trying them on. The sales associate gave us the little cut off nylon socks. (My mom used to call them peds. I hated that word.) I helped her with the "little socks" and they fit. Of course when we bought them, we had to put the "little socks" in the box too. I actually bought her a pair of lacy ankle socks to wear with the tap shoes. Now I am afraid that she'll only associate the tap shoes with the "little socks." For instance, she put her shoes away and then the socks too. She's funny like that.

Her first class is on Friday and it's with the big three year olds. It's not Mommy and Me so she has to go in by herself. I've been talking it up all week. I hope it goes well. If she likes it, there will be a recital and everything.

Need Some Flattery?

Check this out! A compliment never hurt anyone!

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing . . . Again

Natalie just loves Dancing With the Stars. Instead of putting on pj's after her bath, she had to put on a dress for dancing. She put it on backwards, but she did it herself. Then we stood and waited for the first number. It was a mambo, just like what Dora does in Daisy's Birthday Fiesta. So we attempted to mambo. Then we watched the quick step and boy did we have fun "running" back and forth as we attempted that number. My little dancing girl is now fast asleep. Tomorrow we'll watch a little more and I am sure we will practice some more of those fancy steps. See, who needs lesson. My three year old and I can just jump right in and learn by imitation.

I Feel Like Dancing

Tonight Natalie and I watched "Dancing With the Stars." Well, she only watched the first few numbers, but she loved it. We danced along with them and made up our own moves. After she went to bed, I watched the whole show and really enjoyed it. This is pretty funny coming from someone who made fun of their own mother when she insisted on watching the finale during a recent visit. "Okay," I groaned, "you can watch Dancing With the Stars," secretly hoping that she wouldn't tell anyone that the program had been viewed on my television. Well, tonight I watched it and now I am officially hooked. I thought, how fun. I want to dance now. Maybe in my "spare" time I could take ballroom dancing. It looks like fun. For now I'll probably have to settle for dancing with Nat and making up our own steps.

Topic Sandwiches Anyone

I remember when I was in college at Northern Arizona University. My freshman English professor used to randomly spout out words that had nothing to do with what he was talking about. On a research paper he gave me an A minus but then added, "a few too many footballs," in which he crossed out footballs and wrote "footnotes." I thought it was the strangest thing and of course showed it to all my friends and just couldn't get over the all mighty professor's faux pas.

Well, fast forward to umpteen years later . . . my third grade class . . ."Okay boys and girls, we are going to take another look at your topic sandwiches . . ." "What?!" Of course giggles ensued. And I joked that I must be hungry. But I do that all the time. Random words pop into my head and come out when they are not supposed to.

I credit it to having kids. Before I had kids, I was normal. I wore fashionably cool clothes that weren't stained with sweet potatoes. I listened to music other than Laurie Berkner or the Wiggles. I kept up on my reading books and up to date magazines. I didn't drop things and weird things didn't pop out of my mouth. Yes, having kids does that.

Well, the students did think it was quite funny. One little boy, G., insisted that he thinks about food all the time. He said it several times, I guess insinuating that perhaps, his teacher must too. Another little boy came to my defense, "Well, she doesn't. She never thinks about food!" Thanks, C., another brownie (yum - my favorite) point for you!

Guilt

This morning Natalie woke up a little later than usual. I was all dressed for work. She asked me where I was going and I told her work. She said, "You can't go, Mommy." I told her I had to go. Then she said, "No, you can't go. Matthew doesn't feel well and you need to take care of Matthew. He needs you." Talk about heart wrenching! Sigh, if only there were an easier way. I did enter into the really big lottery pool at work. This is our third time trying to win the big money. What do they say, "Third time is a charm." We'll see.

Sick Again

Poor, little Matthew is officially sick again. His nose has been running all day and his nasty cough is back. The poor, little guy has just not been himself. His naps were horrible today. He barely slept. I finally got him down for the night at 6:30, he was so tired! Since then he's been up twice. The first time Ryan fed him again while I got Natalie ready for bed. This last time I just held him and patted his back. It breaks my heart to see him so miserable. I just want to take care of him and forget work. He looks so cute in his new, little football pj's too. Thank goodness I only have three more weeks until I am off for a month.

Natalie, realizing that Matthew was getting extra attention being sick decided to jump on the band wagon. She claimed that her nose was running and that she needed her "purple" medicine, which is actually just Dimetap. I rushed through her rocking and song so I could set up Matthew's vaporizer and Natalie said, "Mommy, I need a moisturizer for my cough too (insert fake cough here)" She didn't believe me that she really didn't have a cough so I told her that if I heard her coughing, I'd put it in her room. That seemed to satisfy her and she went to sleep. She's fine right now, but who's not to say that she won't get the cold, virus, whatever it is again like last time. She was sharing her banana with him today.

Poor little guy is still coughing. I can hear him. I think it's going to be a long night.

I'll just keep thinking three weeks, three weeks, three weeks. Then I can be home with my babies. Of course, then I'll have to go back in a month, but then I'll think eight more weeks until Christmas. And then . . . well, you get the idea. I am always counting down until I'm off. Then, I stop and hope it goes by very slowly. Last year was great because I had maternity leave. I had a very tiring but long, partially paid vacation. Hmmm? Just kidding!

Would This Annoy You?

Ryan asked me today, "Have you sent Natalie's thank yous?" I looked at him and first gave a "smart" reply, "Natalie can't write yet." He said, "You really ought to get those out it's been two weeks." Do you know what I was thinking? I am sure you can imagine! Instead, I said, "My friends and family understand if the thank yous come a little late. They realize that I do work full time (as a teacher!! so I don't sit all day and I only take one lunch a week! Breaks- I don't think recess duty counts. Oh, and did I mention that I take my work home with me to do after the kids go to sleep. But this is a whole other topic.) and take care of two children. AND you have been sick for the past two weeks!" Grr. Honestly, the thank you cards are done. I am really good at thank yous. They might be a little late, but they go out. Ask Ryan how good he is at thank yous. Natalie and I did them last Monday (one week after her birthday). We even wrote one to pink frog and Mommy and Daddy. Then she proceeded to collect them and carry them around. Now, they are strewn around the house. I suppose Daddy could have collected them and put stamps on them.

Sorry, my rant is done.

By the way, Matthew is sick again! So any free time on a Saturday was spent holding an uncomfortable baby while entertaining a preschooler and doing laundry. I did manage to go grocery shopping though. But my house is still dirty because Matthew wouldn't let me put him down. Oh wait, I could clean it now.

Okay, my rant is NOW done.

Picture Day . . . or Not

Yesterday and today was picture day at daycare. Natalie happily took her photos yesterday and even wore costumes. Now, Matthew's photos were supposed to be today. I got his little outfit ready and was looking forward to a cute photo. He's a ham and loves to have his picture taken.

See.


Well, I got there to pick them up and the assistant director said, "I tried and tried to have Matthew's picture taken but he would have no part of it."
Apparently he screamed when they sat him down. Then they went to get Natalie to comfort him thinking that they could take the photo together. And SHE would have no part of it. She screamed and wouldn't leave her classroom. They said she cried for about an hour after that. She did not want her picture taken and wasn't going to do it. Period. Don't ask.


Does she look like she hates having her photo taken?


Well, in reality, she is picky about photo opps. Sometimes she's all for it and other times she's not interested. Oh well, that's my ornery group. They are quite independent.

It's a LIterature Monopoly!

I can't believe it. The customer service rep at Scholastic Book Clubs hung up on me today. I am still in shock over it. There was a mistake in my order, in my student's order. It could've been my fault. I did place the order online. I could have easily hit the wrong key. I've made erroneous bids on ebay before by hitting the wrong key so it is very likely that I hit "Weather Pack" instead of "Weather Fairies." But, who made the mistake is a moot point (yes, it is a cow's opinion!).

I called the 1 800 number to rectify the situation. An unhappy student is an unhappy parent. These parents paid good money for their books and I wanted to make sure that I cleared the mix up right away. The first woman I spoke to was sooo RUDE right from the start. I asked her how to rectify the situation and she snapped at me to read the back of the order form. Well, I was calling during class and I didn't have the time to read the back. For goodness sake, isn't that what "Customer Service" is all about? When I asked for a return label she snapped it me and said, "You ordered the wrong book. It's your mistake." I then very politely asked to speak to her manager and that is when the line went . . . dead! I was shocked.

Now, I am getting a bit feisty in my "old" age so I called right back and got someone else. This rep was nothing but helpful and courteous. She apologized profusely for the poor service I got. They had no record of my call and because I didn't get the person's name (I don't even think she gave it), they couldn't file a complaint.

I am happy that the whole thing was resolved, but what really stinks is that Scholastic is this whole big conglomerate that has a monopoly on the school book fairs and book clubs. Even Troll and Arrow are now linked with Scholastic. I had a problem with an order two years ago that took forever to arrive and they claimed no responsibility because they shipped it DHL - don't even get me started on DHL. But, even though I had lousy service, I can't go anywhere else for great book deals.

Scholastic is the McDonald's of the book circuit.

Mr. Indecisive Food Orderer Guy

I am not a beer drinker. I much prefer a Coke with my pizza. However, I love the Bud Light radio commercials. You know, the "real American hero" ones. Today I was driving my five minute commute home and one came on. This one was a tribute to "Mr. Indecisive Food Orderer Guy." It was so funny. It coined the phrase, "Entree envy," (to want what someone else has ordered!) Too funny. It seems like these commercials are making a comeback. I remember them several years ago, but then I hadn't heard them in awhile. Then again, how much do I really "hear" on my FIVE minute commute! Commute envy, anyone?

Our Little Game

Matthew and I have a little game we play. He crawls away from me and I say, "I'm gonna get you!" Then I chase him and he flops downs on the floor and giggles uncontrollably. It is too cute! Sometimes, I just get down on all fours and then he comes charging at me, giggling. We bump heads and he flops on the floor and giggles uncontrollably. It is so adorable!

I Love Blogging - Saving Memories

I really enjoy blogging. At first I wasn't sure if I'd like, because I am a private person and I don't like to talk about myself. I thought I'd feel weird that anyone could read my posts. But, mostly, I don't talk much about me and I love how I can post pictures and keep records of big events. It is so much easier than a photo album. I just upload photos and viola, my memories are encaptured. I wish scrapbooking were this easy. But how can I save my blogs forever? Does anyone know how to scrapbook on the computer? I could hammer out Natalie's book - finally - if it were this easy. And, get Matthew's done too. The whole cut and paste business was hard enough when I didn't have kids. I have good intentions to scrapbook. I just don't have time. I want and easier way! Let me know if anyone has a suggestion.

A Little Spotty

Poor little guy developed a rash. Of course it came from daycare. I knew he'd get it once I "heard" that it was going around even though they assured my friend that it wasn't contagious. Then how did the other half dozen or so kids get it? Anyway, he looks much better with just faint spots. Here he is earlier in the week, a little spotty.

Cruisin'

Matthew is getting pretty good at cruising around on the furniture. He's getting a little daring and is starting to let go, only to find that he's still too wobbly and often ends up on the floor.

Miss Style

Natalie is definately becoming my little fashion plate. After trying on clothes the other night at Kohl's and encouraging me to also, we bought two more shirts at Target and she asked to go to the shoe aisle to try on shoes. Why, just a year ago I had to force shoes on her feet when trying to buy her a new pair! She looked absolutely adorable in the faux uggs.

Here she is modeling her birthday outfit from Grandpa, aka "the one with the black hair" or "the one with the dogs."

I've Created a Monster

I know that it's no secret that Natalie likes to shop. She's been my shopping buddy since she was two months old. I know I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that she tried on clothes for the first time in the dressing room and loved it. For her birthday she got a Dora cash register from my friend Julie and her daughter Brooke. She loves it! She shops every day. It even came with a "credit card." Well, the past couple times we've gone shopping we have had to take that Dora credit card. She'll ask me, "Mommy, do you have my credit card?"

Today when we were going to Walmart to buy thank you cards she asked me if I had any money. I told her no but I could use my card. "Your silver one?" she asked. "Yes, my silver one, but I prefer to call it platinum!"

Then to top it off today we made a trip to the bookstore. We were planning on hitting the party store, but it was closed. Sensing a melt down, I suggested Kohl's. I secretly wanted to go there because I always get such great deals on kids' clothes. "That sounds like a great idea! We can try on shirts in the big dressing room." Ryan looked at me and groaned, "This is your fault." Aw, but she's so cute.

On a side note, I got Matthew four pairs of shorts for two dollars each and Natalie three shirts for two dollars and less a piece. See, great deals!

Style

I had to go in to work for a little bit today to get caught up. Well, I never really get caught up. But, that's beside the point. I told Natalie that I would come back and get her after my Saturday meeting and she could help me but she had to get dressed first. She was ready in less than five minutes and boy do I wish I had taken a picture. She was wearing a sundress in pink tones and white, purple flower pants (long pants) with ruffles and her brown going shoes! What a sight. Did I ask her to change? Absolutely not! I praised her for getting herself dressed and off we went. We even went to lunch and Walmart after as she proudly strutted knowing that she had dressed herself today. That's my girl.