Another Evening

I was planning to come home after work and talk to each kid about their day, but Ross felt the need to shower immediately upon entering the house and hollered at me “bring me some underwear!”

 

I wanted to unload the dishwasher and get some water boiling for dinner but Molly decided to pull all the pots and pans out of the cupboard, fill them with water and dump loads of water across the counters.

 

I hoped to enjoy a glass of wine after I mopped up the counters, but Maisie decided to cry hysterically while lying on the kitchen floor, grabbing at my ankles each time I’d pass her while pointing to her tongue, yet refusing to speak.  I later found out she wanted a graham cracker.

 

I cooked chicken, rice and green beans for dinner, knowing it was one of their favorites, but the chicken was burnt and the rice was too sticky.  Everyone noticed.

 

I wanted to help Ross finish his homework, but Mike hollered down the stairs that Molly had unwrapped 6 bars of soap before throwing each one in the bathtub.

 

I needed to get Ross’ lunch packed for the next day, but Molly got ahold of the salt shaker and went to town.

Those wings are just her disguise

I wanted to read books to the kids before bedtime, but Ross kept telling Maisie to sit on his face and when she told him to knock it off, a war ensued.  Not long after, Maisie kept asking me what “Jake” spelled.  I told her and she replied, “NO, there is an ‘e’ on the end, YOUR LYING MOMMY!  TELL ME WHAT JAKE SPELLS FOR REAL!!

 

I wanted to put the kids to bed, but they opened a package of flour tortillas and smeared chewed-up tortilla bits over the couch just as a bowl of salted popcorn dumped onto the rug.  Maisie began crying that she was still hungry.  We sent her to bed with a tortilla.

 

I was looking forward to finally having a chance talk to Mike once the kids were down for the night, but we were both asleep by 8:30. 

 

Maybe tomorrow…

Easy Bake Oven

Maisie realized she didn’t get to play Easy Bake Oven on the last day of daycare as planned.  They were so busy having a farewell party they ran out of time.  When she realized it, she was crushed. 

Mike being a fixer promised Maisie he’d buy her an Easy Bake Oven.  Really?  Right before Christmas?  However, Maisie’s love language has never been gifts and she rarely asks for “stuff”.  She is happiest with a ‘nuggle’ and praise.  We agreed, that just this once it would be ok to get her an Easy Bake Oven only 2 weeks before Christmas.  As Mike says, “it’s the holidays.”

 

Saturday morning, with a headache the size of Honduras, I was elected Easy Bake Oven supervisor.  Our first recipe was red velvet cupcakes.  I’ve never owned or played with an Easy Bake Oven, so this was new to all of us.  The cupcakes came out the size of something you would feed a Barbie doll (if Barbie dolls could eat).  I did a little research and found a gazillion homemade Easy Bake Oven mixes you can make at home, which is more my style.

 

Sunday afternoon Maisie and I were psyched to start making the Pretty Pink Cake mix; from scratch I might add.  I let Maisie add the food color and it came out more burgundy than pink, but that’s only because I accidently grabbed the box of “fall” food colors instead of the standard set.  Details.

 

The recipe made a double-layer cake.  Don’t get excited, each layer was no bigger than an Old Maid playing card and nearly as thin.

Since we had cake, we decided to call it a party.  We had candles, chocolate milk in wine glasses and some magic wish paper (another story).  We decided to make a ‘toast’ wishing our new daycare would be one of the bests. 

 

 

 

Monday was their first day and all I can say is, so far, so good.  Molly is having the hardest time, but I’m hopeful that time will help.  Last night I explained to Ross and Maisie how life is always changing and being able to adapt and adjust to change is a skill they will need for the rest of their lives.  I’m still working on that one myself.

 

And with that, the 3-week daycare saga comes to a close.  7 years down, 3 to go. 

 

 

All he wants for Christmas

All he wants for Christmas is his two-bottom-side front teeth, his two-bottom-side-front teeth, see his two-side-bottom front teeth.  Gee if he could only have his two-side-bottom front teeth....

 

then he could wish you Merry Christmas!

It's been 10.

 

 

Someone snapped a photo of Mike and I at the Hy-Vee Christmas Party....

 

 

10 years ago.

 

It was our very first date.

 

I don't know much, but whatever he and I got...

 

we've still got it.

 

 

Friday Funnies

This week has been heavy with daycare decisions and goodbyes.  So thankful to come home to an Indian.

 

Yep, those are arrowheads stuck under the bandana circling his head. 

 

This is the head-to-toe look, complete with moccasins and authentic Indian drum.  Note the bandana has been removed for the photo yet a can of beer on the end table remains.

 

I love when faces smile back at me. 

 

This grin can turn any frown upside-down.

 

This line-up cracks me up.  What's going on with Ross' necklace, you might ask?

No clue.  But that's my boy.

 

 

A Baby Doll

I needed to make a quick trip to ShopKo.  I was searching for a Baby Doll and returning a Barbie Doll.  While waiting in the return line, I noticed a flustered teenage cashier who was struggling to subtract .29 cents from $21.  She had to do the math in her head while a line of customers and her boss watched intently.  She couldn’t do it.

I was instantly 16 years old working at Super Valu and on the spot to make change.  It’s a lot like I imagine being on a game show would be.  It’s easy when you’re watching someone else, but when the pressures on, it can be so hard.  My heart went out to her.

 

As I made my way to the toy aisle, I spotted a woman from church with her 12 year old daughter.

They were looking at training bras.  The girl looked embarrassed, yet excited at the same time.

I was instantly 13 years old, standing in Walmart with my mom and sister and asking if I was going to get to buy a bra that day.  Lord knows I didn’t need one, but the idea of getting a bra was almost as exciting as getting to wear nylons and eyeliner.  I knew deep down it wouldn’t be long before Maisie and I would be standing there, looking at the training bras. 

 

I continued walking toward the toys, smiled at the memory and secretly thanked my lucky stars I was only there to pick out a baby doll. 

 

Life is good. 

The Skating Rink

I got the skating rink from Grandma C after she got her wings.  I remember her showing it to Ross as a baby, hoping he'd be impressed.  He didn't get much out of it, considering he was one.

I pulled it out each holiday season and was so disappointed that the skaters were missing from the box.

Last year Ross pulled the box out of basement and asked if we could set it up.  I told him the people were not in the box.  I've checked every year.  He pulled the rink out of the box and all of the ice skaters plus a miniature puppy went flying out of the box. 

Thanks G'funk.  It's no miniature christmas tree covered in chocolate ornaments, but it'll do.