The Captive Audience

I LOVE a good car ride. For me, nothing brings out better conversation then a good old fashioned car ride. Even when I babysat, the girls and I would talk and talk. Sometimes wicked crazy questions would be thrown at me and as I nearly drove off the rode MANY times, I always would regain my composure and answer them as honest as possible. Me + Cars =FAB CONVOS

I even see it now with my minis. Even though they are small, our trips to and from school and jaunts around town produce some of our best dialogs... No crazy questions have been asked yet, but I know they will come soon enough... I hear more about their school day in the 10 minute drive home then I do all day. They express their "thinks" and wishes, their hopes and dreams.

Part of it I think is that its just us. We have no other distractions. The phone's not ringing, the TV isn't on, I am not doing 10 million things at once. It's just us and our voices to keep us entertained. I have stopped letting the DVD player entertain the minis unless I just need to decompress and need that SILENCE or if its a long car ride.

Tonight as we were heading home from ice cream, Madison piped up from the backseat and we all listened as she described what she was going to be when she grew up.

Mad: Mommy? Workers know everything.

Me: The do? What kind of workers?

Mad: You know, workers. They know how it all works. Whens I get biggest I am gonna be a worker.

Me: You are? What kind of worker are you gonna be?

Mad: I'm gonna be the girl kind of worker. The girl worker that builds houses! Just girls houses dough. NOT boy worker houses. BUT... Maybe when I grow up I not gonna be a worker. I'm just gonna get married. I fink. Yeah. Just gonna get married.

Me: Really? Well who are you gonna marry?

Mad: Moooommmy! I'm just gonna marry daddy! He's my daddy you know. You just have to marry someone else. Ok?

Jason and I shared a look and just smiled. These are the moments we will never forget. They are fleeting and go way too fast. It's funny how somedays never seem to end, yet when I look back they are really over in a blink of the eye.... It's sad really...

According to Madison....

As we were driving to school this morning and I was explaining to Miss Mad that I would be working in the other classroom today... She thought about it for a second and then explained...

"Mommy my school has a special thing. No picking noses. The only one whos dos that after 4 is Anthony and its GWOSS!"

And with that she went back to belting Katie Perry tunes while I pondered why I needed to know that the rest of the way there...

Rate My Space: The playroom is FINALLY finished!

As I was planning my playroom, I knew I wanted something not too babyish, not too girly, and not too boyish. That was a DIFFICULT task! Just choosing colors was hard. I knew I didn't want to go the primary route, but what other choices would be fitting for children of different genders but basically the same age?

That's when I remembered two hand print art projects the kids made at preschool... Anthony's was made in 2009 and Madison's in 2010... I have always kept them because I wanted to eventually frame them. So, I pulled them out and there was the foundation of the room! I LOVE how they look mounted on card stock and framed....

Madison's is the crab and Anthony's is the bird :)

Once I had my colors, I knew JUST what I wanted! I think it all came together just as I pictured! Now, if I just didn't have any toys in there it would be PERFECT, but I guess it IS a playroom! :)



excuse the messy train tables... Anthony is in the midst of changing it up!

The only thing I dislike in the room is the couch, BUT it was in my basement and FREE so I can't complain! It was one of the first pieces of furniture Jason and I bought 15 years ago lol... MEMORIES!

I knew I wanted some sort of graphic on the wall, and I decided on a wave of circles... My friend Julie, came over one night and we painted our hearts out til 3:00 in the morning! I owe her BIG time! The graphic turned out just how I envisioned!!!

It's amazing what shot glasses, plates, bowls, and cups can make!

On the other side of the TV, I needed something and I wanted it to be personalized by the kids so I painted their hand and foot prints... They totally make me smile. I wish I had found square canvases the right size, but the rectangles work! I love the Artist in Training sign and I like how they can chose which projects to display. 

Finally, my super AWESOME husband built the table and chairs and the book shelf on the wall! He did an AWESOME job! The chairs are SO sturdy and the table ROCKS! I love the wall shelf and the cost to make it was a fraction of the one in my beloved, often drooled over, Pottery Barn Kids catalog.

note my little coordinating crayon can... scrapbook paper and ribbon :)

So this is what has been keeping me, ok Jason, so busy, BUT it is just what I wanted and makes me smile even when its messy! What do you think?

Wordless Wednesday

My Sleeping Beauties

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

7 days

As I arrived home from a doctor appointment my wee little powder puff was jumping and greeting me as she always does. She always gives me the warmest welcome even if I just go check the mail... As I reached down to pet her, I noticed her head was wet...

Perplexed, I decided to ask Madison why her head was wet.

"I don't know mommy. Maybes Anthony spilled juice on hers head I think."

Satisfied with the probability of that answer, I wiped her with a baby wipe and started dinner forgetting all about Juliet and the mysterious wet head.

Later that night, fluff and I were snuggled on the couch when I smelled something funny. I sniffed and sniffed, but could not figure it out. I sniffed Juliet's head and oddly enough it smelled like URINE! Totally skeeved out, but not having enough time to wash AND blow dry her, I was puzzled as to how my pooch's head smelled like pee... Then it came to me:

ANTHONY!

Anthony had to of peed on her; hence the wet head.... In the morning as we were getting ready for school,  I confronted him with my suspicions....

"Ant, did you pee on the dog?"

"Well, I think it must have been Mr. Nobody. Yeah, that's right Mr. Nobody did!"

"Anthony.... Don't lie!"

"Weeeelllllll, Mom, I was TRYING to aim, but my penis got a wittle out of control and I started  to wiggle like this {his entire body is convulsing at this point} and a wittle of my pee got on her. It was SOOOO totally awesome!"

Really? My 5 year old lost control and peed on my dog! Unable to bathe her since we were late for school as usual, I rushed out the door with the minis in tow VOWING to wash Juliet once I got home.

Once home, Juliet and the minis were outside enjoying the BEAUTIFUL day and I was chatting it up with the hubs in the garage. Miss Fluff must of heard us and started barking at the gate.... Finally, her yapping was a bit much so I went over to grab her. That's when I found her COVERED in mud! Her nose, snout, feet FULL OF MUD! The little mutt was trying to dig her way out!

So, 7 days. That's how long Miss Juliet stayed clean after her full day at the doggy spa. 7 Days. I think that was money well spent don't you??!!

Princesses with my princess!

One of my besties was super lucky and won tickets for Disney on Ice: Princess Wishes and she was awesome enough to share 2 with me! Last night we loaded the kids up and headed into the city for a great night!

Madison was super excited. She could NOT wait to see Belle and Snow White (her new favorite... side bar: MUST remember to buy that DVD!!) I was looking forward to it too, and was pumped to have some time with my soon to be four year old!

she ate her chips but not her hot dog so of course I had to eat it :)

Madison insisted upon the crazy snow cones that taste like eww and spill as soon as you put your spoon in it even though I tried to convince her to chose a snack she could actually EAT! BUT she loved it and that's all that matters :) I  got my fill of cotton candy and with each bite all I could think of was Taylor on the Beverly Hills Housewives lol...  I was cracking myself up :) I SO did not look like THAT!

Madison was MESMERIZED through the entire show! She LOVED it and all I have heard is how "best da show is" all day.  I have been to three Disney on Ice performances and this, by far, was one of my faves! We had a great night out with some great old friends and it was just PERFECT!

A New Adventure

Sadly, one of the teachers at Madison's preschool was diagnosed with breast cancer. The news just broke my heart.... Obviously, she will be out while she beats the big C's butt, so Mad's school asked if I would be willing to help out and be the aid in that classroom. Of course I said yes! A. I would love to help them out and B. I LOVE working with little kids. Majority of my working like has been with kids.

So, I will be "working" (if you can call it that...) Tuesday and Thursday mornings for at least 6 weeks. It works out perfectly because my minis are in school during that time... I was a bit worried that Madison would be upset if she kept seeing me in another classroom, but she did great so far!

A few weeks ago, I popped in for a while to meet all the kids. It was really a whirlwind! There were all these faces and names and I felt a wee bit overwhelmed as the kids chatted me up! BUT, I knew it would be a great experience!

Over the weekend, I took my minis to the movies and as I was standing in the snack line, this oh so cute little girl kept staring at me. Finally, she worked up enough courage and told me her name. As I looked at her, I knew she looked familiar, but I just could not place her. She had a HUGE and BRIGHT smile as she whispered, "You are my new teacher" and then it clicked. I told her I was going to be there this week and she just beamed as she exclaimed, "I can't wait!" How's that for a warm welcome?!

Yesterday was my FIRST day! OMG. I was SOOOO nervous. It was so silly, but I was! Once I got in there, I felt more and more comfortable with each second and I really had a TON of fun with the kids.  We painted, played, and I just LOVED listening to them tell me ALL kinds of fun stories. It was a FABULOUSLY perfect morning and I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

I just wish my new adventure was due to other circumstances... I hate that this poor woman is going through all that she is. I know I will be hoping for a quick recovery because there is a bunch of wee ones who are going to miss her terribly!

Wordless Wednesday

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

How many brain cells does it take to pump gas?

Apparently a lot, or at least more then I have!

As I was heading home from the gym chatting on my phone the dreaded BEEEP sounded. I hate that sounds, it means that I am stuck having to fill up my gas... I so hate that job.

I pulled into the gas station, picked a pump, turned off the car, and as I was going to swipe my card I notice the GIANT BRIGHT RED bag over the pump that reads Out of Service... Really? How did I miss that one.

So I popped back in and went around to another pump, turned off the car, swiped my card, and went to open the gas tank. Only it wasn't there! I pulled up on the wrong side! How dumb can I be?! It took at least 5 minutes for me to figure out how to cancel my transaction. Somehow I missed the big ole CANCEL button! As I hopped back in yet again, Anthony exclaims "Moooom! What are you doing?!?!" No clue son, no clue!

I restarted my car for a THIRD time and headed to a working pump and parked on the right side. I swiped my card, put the nozzle in, put the holder down clicker thing in place and decided to empty out the garbage dump that has become my floor boards and then I heard the tell tale sign... CLICK! Ugh, just as I opened the door, the pump unclicked. Completely annoyed at this point I walked back around my truck and restarted the pump. I walk 3 steps and... Click! WTF, by this point I am VOWING TO NEVER VISIT THIS GAS STATION AGAIN! I reclick the thing and FINALLY, I am able to empty the trash. $75.00 and quite a bit of annoyance later my tank was full!

It times like this when I miss New Jersey and the land of Full Service! My peeps know what's up!

Cupid Arrived at Casa de Crazy

Valentines Day has always been one of those holidays that never really mattered to me. That is until I had the minis. Now, I look forward to all holidays and celebrating with them. For the past 3 years, the mini's and I have made our Valentines and I have enjoyed creating them with the kids each year :)

This year was a bit different. Madison is my crafty child. She will cut, color, glue, and create ALL. DAY. LONG! Anthony? Not so much. He really does not like it! Last year it was like pulling teeth to get hime to do his cards, so this year against everything inside of me, I let him *gasp* pick some store bought Phineas and Ferb valentines. He loved them (so I guess that's all that matters even though my vision of hand made sweetness was ruined lol) and it was much easier fighting with him to sign his name 20 times rather then fighting with him to make AND sign the cards. I had to pick my battle and making Valentine cards was not it....

Madison on the other hand, dove right in! We spent the better part of an afternoon, punching, gluing, stamping, and signing her super cute (if I say so myself) Valentines.

They were super simple, and I got the popsicle idea from Family Fun magazine :) I just cut up some straws and she went to town. I must say I was SUPER proud of her because by the time she was finished signing her name to all 12,  her letters were almost perfect! The only letter she had trouble with was her "S", it was, of course, backwards... Go Madison!

Her party was tons of fun and she enjoyed sharing her cards with all her friends at school. I love being able to help out / visit her classroom. All the kids are SO cute and its neat to see Madison blossom into her own little lady. She has always just kind of been Anthony's quiet little sis so its nice to see her as just Madison <3

Anthony dislikes crafting, but that boy LOVES to help in the kitchen, so he was thrilled when I handed over the sprinkles so he could decorate the teachers' chocolate dipped Oreos! I thought these small gifts turned out great and I hope the teachers liked them as much as we liked making, ok sampling, them!

Unfortunately, Anthony woke up Thursday night with the puke monster, so he missed his party. Crushed doesn't even begin to describe him. He was looking forward to it all week. In between gags, he sputtered, "Mommy, can I go to my party still?" Poor guy, I felt terrible explaining why he couldn't :( One of my friends saved the day though and brought all his Valentines and some cute baloons since he missed his party. He was STOKED! When he woke up, I gave him his little treasures and as he examined it all he looked up with the biggest smile and said, "This is the bestest Valentine Party EVER!" before digging back in to all his goodies!

Off to leave a few Reese's Hearts and cards on the minis pillows! I hope all of you have the bestest Valentine Party ever too!

Almost Wordless Wednesday

I picked up Madison a new pair of jammies and she wanted to wear them last night... When she put them on they were a little big, she was a bit bummed. I rolled up the sleeves, which made it all better! This morning she comes screaming downstairs, SUPER excited!! "Mommy, Mommy!! Look I GROWED!!" she squealed with her arms stretched far with the sleeves unrolled... She was so proud that she grew big enough over night. Her smile was so big and bright it totally made my day!

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

Love is in the air...

As I was ordering my much needed and WELL deserved Venti Skinny White Chocolate Mocha No Whip at Starbucks, I glanced over and saw that Anthony had made a new "friend". Once my latte was in my hand ready to be downed, I called him to go. After saying bye, he bounced on over and grabbed my hand. I leaned down and told him how happy it makes me that he is so friendly and makes friends so easily. He is such a kind, sweet, outgoing little guy...

He looks up at me and says, "I like only boys though Mom. Boys are only my friend, but well, I do LOVE Amy. (Fake name, but she is a cute little girl in his class) Amy goes on dates with me. She eats breakfast with me EVERY day at my school. We are going to a date in (the name of our town). I think we are going to get married one year."

That white chocolate mocha almost spewed out of my mouth... My FIVE year old knows about dates! And LOVES a GIRL! Hold up... Did I miss something?! When did THIS happen... As I concealed my shock, I asked, "Well, why do you like Amy so much?" His response?

"Because she is ALWAYS so nice to me and she's coot!"

Yup, I DIED right then and there. My baby is in LOVE... hahahaha!

the drama and "ant"ics

Both of my darling minis are dramatic. Seriously. Over the top, all the time, drama... I think they will both win an Oscar before age 15! It couldn't be helped though, as I am their mother and if you look up drama queen in the dictionary, you will find moi!

As I was walking Anthony to the car this morning, I explained that we had karate AND school today which he vehemently disagreed with. My son who normally LOVES school refused to go! He INSISTED that it was a snow day and that he was only going to karate... As he stomped his way to the car, threw himself through the door, and flopped into his car seat, his eyes filled with tears. I was trying to explain that karate was AFTER school but he was having NONE. Of. IT! As I clicked his buckles, he looked at me with those big browns and just about broke my heart...

"That's it," he yells, "I quit!! I'm leaving this family and going to a new family that doesn't make me go to school! hmph!"

Stunned, as he never says mean things like that (as that's Madison's gig), I unclicked his buckle and told him to go find a new family then....

With that, his sour puss face disappears and a look of pure shock sets in. "Fine. I'll go to school today, BUT next year I'm going to a new family!"

***

As I was drying off my little miss, she so eloquently (and without me inquiring) explained why she is sometimes mean to her family...

"Mommy, I have some mean ants filling up my body. They controls me and that's why I talks rude and bees mean to you. Sometimes da ants make me rude to my famwee"

"Really?! Well... What do you say we get rid of those mean ants so my sweet baby girl comes back?"

"Ok Mommy! Maybe the next day I will have only nice ants, but still just some mean ones!"


One word: Oy!

Wordless Wednesday

Reason 3,781 I can't wait for Spring:

Good Old Fashioned Squish the Lemon :)

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

Sid the Science Kid

My kids LOVE science, really what kid doesn't? The concepts are "way cool" and it is so easy to make science fun... The best learning happen when kids don't realize they are learning...

Since my minis wake up before the sun, they usually chill in the playroom with a breakfast bar, juice, toys, and PBS Kids until a much more reasonable hour... One of their favorite shows to watch is Sid the Science Kid. I won't lie, I really like this show too. I think its cute, fun, and I love all the catchy tunes!

I was SUPER excited when I opened the mail and found "Sid's Sing Along" DVD inside to review. The minis and I could not wait to check out Sid and his friends... The movie is great and a lot of fun, as usual. Sid finds that he has a day off of school and when he and his friends get together, they decide to make this LOOOONG day off fun. They all put their minds together and decide to put on a show. They each take turns singing their favorite science songs for the best audience ever: mom and dad!

My kids really enjoy this DVD, currently it is on repeat in the car :) I must say I thought it was great too, and I constantly find I am humming or singing one of their science songs!

If you have a kid who digs some Sid or science, I would really recommend "Sid's Sing Along". The DVD will be available at Toys "R" Us, Walmart, Kmart, Amazon, and at NCircle on February 22, 2011. The DVD is 60 minutes and includes two episodes. "Sid's Sing Along" will have a special price of $6.99. 

NOTE: NCircle Entertainment gave me a copy of  "Sid's Sing Along" to review. This did not shape or influence my review at all! This product was Kid Tested & Mother Approved :) Thanks NCircle!