Some times you just gotta let go...

I won't lie... I enjoy picking the kids costumes! Each year, I scour the Internet, catalogs, and stores for just the right one... I fell in LOVE with the Pottery Barn kids cupcake and popcorn costumes this year... LOVED them! BUT I could not for the life of me convince the minis to be the foods I selected... :( The time had come for them to select their own costumes... Sadly, I had to pass over the reigns and let them chose... They are big enough to have a say now.

I will miss finding the perfect CUTE costume, but we had so much fun shopping. Anthony was totally into picking "just da wite one" and finaly chose an Astronaut which is super fitting because the planets, stars, and solar system is his thing with his daddy. I have a mini space man in the making so the costume was PERFECT!

Madison on the other hand, had a hard time choosing. She LOVED all the princess costumes, but she was OBSESSED with all the tutu type costumes. She finally selected a perfect candy corn witch costume! It is super cute and she looks ADORABLE in it if I do say so myself!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! All of us here in Casa de Crazy had a BLAST!

To give teacher gifts or not to give teacher gifts?

This has been the question I have been pondering this week...

At Anthony's old school (Mad's current school) the first Halloween he was there I did not do a teacher gift. A gift wasn't really on my radar. Well... I was the only one NOT to give a gift! oops! My first fail at preschool politics... Let's just say, last year, we rocked teacher gifts for EVERY holiday :) (Only about half the kids gave gifts that year... there is no rhyme or reason I tell ya!) So without a doubt, I will be sending in a gift for Miss Madison's teachers tomorrow...

My question lies with Anthony's new school... Do I or don't I?! I don't want to be the over achiever mom (ok I kinda do... lol) but I don't want to be the slacker either... So, after polling many friends, I decided to err on the side of caution and give gifts. They are nothing EXTRAVAGANT by any means, but I thought they were cute and would let the teachers know that we appreciate all that they do.

As I patrolled blog land, I stumbled across these M&M cookie jars and decided to give it a whirl... Super easy and super cute... I had everything except the M&M's and mason jars, but I have been meaning to pick up more jars anyway... (I use the heck out of some mason jars. LOVE them). I thought they turned out cute even though the Halloween colored M&M's are no where to be found in my town; and hope the mini's teachers enjoy them!

So do you send in gifts for Halloween?

Wordless Wednesday

First Tire Swing Experience!

(yes, I know I have deprived him)

Let's get this party started!

I'm not sure about this....

woohoo!

That's what I'm talkin' about! HIGHER!

For more WW: A Beautiful Mess, Look at What Mom found... and Dad too,  Momspective,  Wordless Wednesday ,

A Brand New Me...

Well, kinda...

All of a sudden I was FED up with my hair. It was too long. Too stringy. Too blond. Too blah. I needed a change and I needed it fast! I called upon one of my most fabulous peeps and she worked her magic and got me in to "her girl"...

I was nervous as all get out BUT I made it to the salon / spa in one piece and my excitement was growing :)  I explained to the girl, I wanted a more natural color, more browns and reds, and while I wanted to keep my layers long, I needed a good few inches chopped off. As she went to mix color I breathed a sigh of relief. We were speaking the same language.

As I BBM'd my girlie full on FREAK out occurred! I was minding my business BBMing while a girl caped me up for the major beautification (hahah) I was about to face... All of a sudden, mid text,  two hands start waving in front of my face. Very slowly, very methodically, very peacefully...

What the??!! Totally jarred and a bit freaked out I decided I must step away from the blackberry and figure out what is going on.... Before I could drop my beloved BB in my bag, I was assaulted by two hands rubbing my neck, shoulders, and back....

Uh... yeah... I am not a touchy kinda girl. I have a bubble. It surrounds me. I ENJOY it! Do Not enter my bubble unless I birthed you or married you. This is my bubble. If I allow you to penetrate it, you are pretty darn lucky because I like to be IN my bubble and YOU to be out of my bubble... I do not dig hugs, I do not dig massages. I dig my space...

I was TOTALLY caught off guard... The massage came out of left field, but I will admit it was nice and whatever hot smelly stuff was on her hands totally mellowed me out and mentally prepped me for the dark side I was about to cross into....

I have always been a blondie, but I was over it, so bye bye blond hello Madison's hair color. I am so glad I listened to my girlie and finally visited her girl at her place :) I do LOVE it, the color is great, the cut is perfect, and yeah I have no real picture to share... I'll get on it eventually...

bad pic... don't jusge but the best I could do.... (my eye is all goofy.... OY)

My Very Own Handy Manny...

My husband is awesome! He really is.... Yes, he drives me nuts, BUT he really rocks! He builds me things and I love him for it! He has built me a shelf for my office, nightstands for Anthony's room, and he was happy to build for me yet again...

One of my besties was having a baby and I wanted her gift to be SPECIAL! I did not want to do clothes or baby gear or anything that would be used and then discarded.... I wanted to give her something she would keep and remember me by... So I was on a mission to find the PERFECT gift.

My first thought was for him to build the bankable bookshelf like in the Land of Nod catalog. Who can't use cute storage right?!? BUT then I peeped out her nursery there was NO room so I was back to the drawing board!!!

Sara has complained before how she has NO WHERE to put all of Aiden's books, hence why I wanted to do the bookshelf. So I put my thinking cap on and remembered the Pottery Barn Kids super cute wall / book shelf... BINGO! I sent Jason to the store and he built one for Sara and 2 for our playroom (note to self: must paint them soon!!)

I painted the shelf pink and had a ball filling it! I bought a few of Madison's favorite story books (ones that should be on every little girls book shelf): Pinkalicious, Fancy Nancy, and Olivia. Plus I picked up Jamie Lee Curtis' new book (super cute by the way) and threw in a few board books... I grabbed up some bath products, a pack of plugs (a.k.a pacifiers), a dolly, and a rattle...

I was so excited to give it to her! As soon as I had the shelf just so, I ran over to give it to her. I am pretty sure she was as pleased as I was by how it all came together! In my excitement I TOTALLY forgot to take a picture... I hate when I do that! Thankfully, as a true bestie would, she put some of the things back in and snapped a picture for me even though she JUST had a baby 7 days ago!! Thanks Sara!!! <3 Now I can't wait to see how it looks on the wall!

Up next for my very own Handy Manny? The Pottery Barn Kinds mini farm table and 4 matching chairs.... CANNOT wait! Go Jason! Go!!

Out of the mouths of babes....

Madison and my mom were doing a puzzle and just chatting away. As I was folding laundry, I couldn't help but listen and smile. My ears perked up as I heard Madison say:

Sometimes my mommy takes my things away sometimes, but I still wuv her!

As we watched Beauty and the Beast, I couldn't help but be struck by how much marketing effects our children after Anthony asked me:

Mommy, is this Booty and the Beast: DIAMOND Edition? We need the diamond edition....

Anthony has been telling me there are millions of "bug bites" flying in his room at night.... Thinking his imagination is running wild, I kept telling him there are NO bugs in his room, but he is insistent! Finally, I asked why would there be bugs in his room and he explains:

'Member when you said goodnight, sweep tight, don't let the bug bites bite...

These children crack me up!

One of them days....

You know the kind. The whiny, cry-ee, nothing goes right kind of day... The minis were super sleepy and so was mom so we were all a tad grouchy! I was counting down the seconds to bedtime and as soon as I gave the last kiss and tuck I pranced into my bathroom for a nice long soak in my big ole tub with my beloved Kindle! HEAVEN!!

As my bubbles grew, I heard the minis calling out for one last kiss, one more drink, and the forgotten hug, but being the mom of the year that I am I TOTALLY ignored them. I was done. Spent. Pooped. If I would have went in there it would have been more tears and I just could not bare the thought so I slouched down a bit more so that the water filled my ears...

As my water cooled, I reluctantly drained the tub, but was quite pleased how some bubbles and the written word brightened my spirits... After getting cozy in my yoga pants and tank, I headed downstairs for a snack and was struck by what I saw peeking out of a door down the hall:



The closer I got the harder it was not to laugh. Seriously? Yup, seriously. There she was PASSED out on the carpet with No Pillow or blankie! Thankfully, as I scooped her up and tucked her back into bed she did NOT stir!

Once Madison was back in her rightful place, I peeked in on Anthony to make sure he was all snugged in, but his bed was empty! For a split second I worried that he went out the front door while I ignored them (bad mommy, never do that again) but I decided to look for him before panic mode set in... Low and behold, there he was sound asleep on the couch!

Once the minis were all tucked in, I decided the best way to end the whiny, cry-ee, grumpy day was to take the kids lead and CRASH!

Wordless Wednesday

For more WW: A Beautiful Mess, Look at What Mom found... and Dad too,  Momspective,  Wordless Wednesday ,

Breaking It Down Fresh Beat Style!

Who doesn't love a good ole high school marching bad?!? ;)

What a FABULOUS week!

Unexpectedly, my parents were able to visit so last Sunday they arrived and hung out with us all week! It was so nice and the minis LOVED having their grandparents here :) The weather was BEAUTIFUL and we made the most of it! Bubbles were blown, playgrounds were climbed, bikes were ridden, and balls were caught.

 We visited  a local historical park and my son was in TRAIN heaven! We crossed a foot bridge over the river and as we were next to the train tracks a train whizzed out of the mountain tunnel.

He squealed with delight!! We ate lunch in an old train dining car and explored our hearts out. It was a perfect day!

I was even able to get Madison's closet cleaned out and sold ALL her Gymboree clothes from last fall / winter. Yahtzee!!! It was an awesome week and I was sad to see the 'rents go... Hopefully they will be back soon!

I cannot wait for the nose crinkle phase to be DONE with!

Wordless Wednesday

Just like his mama: His nose always in a book!

For more WW: Wee Shenanigans, A Beautiful Mess, Look at What Mom found... and Dad too,  Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus,  MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

I woke up in the morning

and I felt like P Diddy! Happy Sunday everyone! My day is starting out on a FABULOUS note! I fell asleep WAY early and got 10 hours of sleep.... Oh my gah how 10 hours does a body good! 10 hours is a gift.. a FABULOUS gift! The parental units are arriving today so I am looking forward to having a free babysitter and some date nights with the hubs (of course I am looking forward to seeing my mom and dad too...)

Now to start my clean spree, as I do have appearances to maintain... You know the one the "perfect stay at home mom, with the perfect minis, and the perfectly kept house, and everyone wonders How does she do it all and still have that smile?!?" Fake it til you make it baby that is my goal of the day... Sadly the perception of perfectness gets shot down as soon as you speak to me or enter my house for more that 2.5 seconds! Chaos, mayhem, flustered, a HOT MESS, that's me and mine! At least we are happy and most times I can laugh at our mini disasters! Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!

Compassion...

Compassion is something one cannot teach. Its inherent. It who you are... You're either have a bleeding heart or you don't.  I will never forget babysitting one of my sisters by choice and being struck by how compassionate she was for others. She's a tough little cookie but she wears her heart on her sleeve and shows such care and concern for others... I will never forget being snuggled in on the couch with my four girls watching "My Dog Skip" (great movie by the way...) OMG, when skip dies, I thought she was dying. You would have thought the girl lost her best friend! She sobbed and I mean SOBBED! For days if you even mentioned the movie she would get weepy... I wonder if ...a million years... later if she still does (note to self: ask!)

Today as Madison and I were finishing up my all time favorite Disney movie: Beauty and the Beast; this memory came flashing back! As Belle and her prince charming were twirling on the dance floor and the credits rolled I turned to Madison to see if she loved it as much as I do... I could NOT believe it she was a hot mess! Tears were streaming down her cheeks, her eyes and nose were bright red, and she was terribly distraught... I could barely get her to speak! Finally, I got the gist. She was so sad because the beast was gone!! She did not like the prince, Belle LOVES the beast. Now, according to Mad, the beast is gonna die because he is all alone and Belle is with the yucky prince!

I tried to explain that the beast and the prince were one in the same, but she was not buying it! As I tucked her into bed she asked:

Can we watch the Beauty and the Beast in da morning? But mommy I want to skip the part when the beast goes bye byes. K? Can you fast rewind it peas?

Compassion is something Madison has. She feels so much for others. She gets upset if someone gets hurt, she cares about others feelings (well almost everyone! She often forgets about mine), she dislikes seeing people upset, she truly cares. This is one thing I truly love about my sweet little baby girl!

Questions...

Questions. Madison is full of them! Some I can rattle off answers too... Others? I am STUMPED! Ever since Murray has been gone the questions come, out of no where...

We miss Mister Murray

Mommy, is Murray with God?

Mommy, can we touch the clouds so we cans tough Murray?

Mommy, can wes go to God and his baby so we can play with our Murray?

Mommy, is Murray coming to our house now?

Mommy, is Murray with God's baby... you know the baby Jesus?

Mommy, why is Murray on TV? Can we go get him now? See he's no sick no more!

Oy! These questions are TOUGH! At first they made me cry, but now they make me smile. She loved her poochie as much as I did and we all miss him. Honestly, I am surprised three weeks later he has not fallen off her radar... That poor little guy is missed terribly!

On a lighter note... Tonight at dinner the little Miss started in her her questions again... We were chatting about who's birthday was next, it just happens to be mine, when she pipes up:

Mad: Mommy? How many is you?

Me: I am 32 and I will be 33 in January! Soon it will be my birthday.

Mad:Oh. My. GOD. Mommy! That's a lot of times. How long it takes you to get firty two?!? That's a a lot of time Mommy!!

Yup! That is a lot of time... Can I just tell you how old that convo made me feel? ANCIENT!

Wordless Wednesday: Minis & Me

For more WW: Wee Shenanigans, A Beautiful Mess, Look at What Mom found... and Dad too,  Momspective, Five Minutes For Mom, 7 Clown Circus,  MomDot, Wordless Wednesday , , Life @ 30, Three Peas in a Pod, & Conversations with Moms

Soccer Monster

Soccer is in FULL swing and Anthony and I are both having a great time! I have NO CLUE as to what I am doing, BUT I have been having a blast helping coach our team. The kids are all so sweet and Anthony likes having me helping out... It has been a win win situation!

Anthony has been doing pretty good this year... When he's not upset over the other team scoring, he really plays hard and my boy can kick! We are working on his sore loserness... I swear he gets it from his daddy ;)



He shoots and SCORES!



Finally....

Finally my house is clean!
Finally my laundry is caught up!
Finally I have cooked dinner more than 2 times in one week! (the first time in MONTHS!!)
Finally I am on top of my game!
Finally I am not rushing all over the map!
Finally I have had time to really PLAY with my kids for more than 20 minutes at a time!!
Finally I feel like my old self!


Man I don't know what has happened, but I came back from the funeral and it seems as though I have re found myself! I was lost in the shuffle for a minute there... ok for a while :)  The last few weeks I have been in a funk as it seems one bad thing is happening after another.... Before that the school rush has made me in chaotic hot mess... And all summer I lived by  the all play and NO WORK motto!  But it now seems like I am no longer playing the catch up game and it feels GREAT! Let's see how long I can keep it up! I am guessing by mid week I will be floundering yet again drowning in the piles of papers and mounds of laundry while twitching and head banging from the lack of sleep and over committed schedules... But for now I am going to enjoy this feeling of accomplishment!