Chaotic Blessings

Citadel

2008-11-16T20:57:00.000-08:00

Frustrations with Bike Lessons

2008-08-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

The frustration. The tears. The kicking and screaming...and that's just the parent. But seriously, all the different ways to get your child to let go of their fears and just get on the bike, whether by bribe or pushing, is exhausting, I tell you!

As a parent you're not supposed to show your emotions. Keep that frustration in check. Smile when you just want to scream. Say great job when the only thing you want to do is take that bicycle and throw it in the trash. Fortunately, the bike was saved thanks to an online book I found about how to teach your child to ride a bike without losing your mind or breaking your back. I will try to post it here when I figure out how. In the meantime, here's a link to some info that might be helpful to you or just google "bike riding made easy". And because my husband does the bulk of the teaching, I gave it to him and was surprised that he actually read it and tried some of the techniques. It has been a life, mind, relationship saving thing.

I did have to pay $15 for the book, but it was well worth it. There are lots of free sites with similar info, but who has the time. My daughter just turned 5 and is riding her 20" bike like a pro.

Latest Favorite Things

2008-08-08T16:14:00.001-07:00

My dear husband ordered these socks for our two little girls the other day. They are from a company called 'Little Mismatched' and I have absolutely fallen in love with them. No two items match, which is perfect for my eldest, who tells me, on a daily basis, that she doesn't have to match. To me it promotes individuality and independence.

These are my baby's feet. She will not go two hours without her new socks on.

See how adorable they are. They come three in a pack with similar colors in varying patterns. How ingenious is that?

Only downsize? Well, all this individuality has led to my baby wanting to wear sandals with socks. Oh, the horror!

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Now to my next favorite thing (s), which has no correlation to the above post except maybe that I briefly breastfed my babies. And if you're like me and absolutely hate strapless bras or if you've ever worn band-aids to cover up the *gasp* nipple, then this one is perfect for you.

You see these? They are called Nipple Smooth 'em concealers. They are perfect to wear with tube tops and those hard to pair with a bra tops and dresses. I got mine at genealogy but you can also purchase them online or at fine boutiques. The other really amazing item they have is called the pick-me-up breast lift tape and other coold stuff such as this one. It is pure genius for those of us who've had and breastfed babies and are fighting gravity.

This is what they look like outside the box. They are the color of flesh and you can reuse them up to 20-times and up to 8-hours per wear. They are made from 100% silicone and are waterproof and sweatproof.

**Not a paid endorsement. I just absolutely, positively love these products.

Something to make you laugh. Or cringe!

2008-08-06T05:44:00.000-07:00

Bringing you a dose of laughter. I know, I know, it's cruel to laugh at other peoples' misfortunes but you know that you know someone that has gone through at least a similar mishap.

Let's just hope the athletes on this video are not our current olympians in China.

It's all rated G. No adult content on this site.

It's all in fun. Enjoy!

Home and Children

2008-08-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Living with children is always one surprise after another. Your life is always being rearranged. It also means that your children are constantly rearranging your home.
For example...

...Your countertop becomes a nature trail...nature preserve?

There's a stoty here...when we lived in SC, Belle and I would go on nature walks and on these walks, she would try to pick up every rock, leaf, and stick on the way. She would gather something for everyone in the immediate and extended family that she could name. When we got home, our pockets were full of everything that nature has to offer. Well, She hasn't lost her love of nature and her passion for bringing things for her loved ones...This leaf here is for daddy, I know he's gonna love it; and this rock I picked for sissy. Mommy, I got you this stick, isn't it pretty?...so sweet! Let's hope she doesn't start bringing stray pets home.

...Your kitchen table becomes an art studio

They love their art!

...Your kitchen floor becomes the site for your next tupperware party

Lilly's handiwork

...The floor becomes your library/bookshelves

The girls spend a lot of time in this little corner amongst their books.

...And your master bath becomes the new playroom!

They will dump their toys in there and entertain themselves for a while.

There is never a dull moment when kids are around...and who says you don't have enough room in your house?

The Beach, Part II

2008-08-05T11:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm finally back to blogging after being gone for a while. My computer crashed. But I don't want to talk about that. Instead I want to talk about the crashing of the waves. Our trip to the beach and the opportunities that therein abound. And they don't always have to do with sand and surf. For example:

Cousins from different parts of the states finally together and sharing a watermelon. What's a southern get-together without watermelon?

Turning a profit

Seashells for Sale. We also have icebergs in Antarctica for sale

A chance for family, young and old, to help each other out
Dining alfresco overlooking a marsh. Without supervision!

Brothers to sit down and talk after months of not seeing each other

Explore new territory

And beautiful sunsets. View from main house porch.

Savannah/Pooler, GA

2008-08-05T11:36:00.000-07:00

So after leaving the kids at the beach, I made the 2-hour drive to the Savannah airport to pick up the hubby from a business trip to MN...We wanted to see some friends that moved to Pooler last year and also support them in their new venture - their new store:

Genealogy...you need to go! 10-minutes from the Savannah airport

It is an upscale boutique with the latest trends (French Connection, Citizens of Humanity, Paige denim just to name a few). We had a great time and I even got my own personal shopping day. Yep! I'm that important...okay, maybe not that important.

Here are the owners, Rosanne and Gene. They are newlyweds; well, fairly new anyway, about a year. Gene and Thomas are childhood friends. Actually, I think they're fraternal twins born to different mothers. They also attended the same college. And I won't even go into all the mischief I've heard these two have gotten into over the years. But they are wonderful, sweet, fun people.

And here they are, along with Thomas, in front of the store.

And here we are at the Crab Shack in Tybee Island. Loved the place, the atmosphere, and the company. There's also a lagoon full of alligators which you have to cross to get to the hostess shack - so cool!

Maybe I'll post some pictures and a video of Thomas and Gene playing Wii. You will roll on the floor laughing. Just too funny. I've been told I can't post it. Maybe if I get enough support from everyone, he'll change his mind. And speaking of Wii, I seriously suck at the thing, but I was never any good at video games anyway.

The Beach, Part I

2008-07-08T15:20:00.000-07:00

After spending over a week at the grandparents house, we headed to the beach for a week of fun and family. It is an annual tradition where the whole extended family gets together.

Playing in the sand with cousins

After spending a day at the beach and leaving the kiddos with the g'rents, my next expedition took me to Savannah, GA to pick up dear hubby...see next post for more details.

2008-05-03T15:01:00.000-07:00

Mother/Daughter Pottery Night...
We had a great time and because of this, I only have one picture to show for it. We got there and got our plates and by the time I got my plate ready, Belle was half-way done with hers - all freehand! There was so much excitement and talking that we forgot all about the camera and focused on the fun at hand.

But I think the highlight of the evening was when my neighbor called saying she was running late, could I pick up her two girls from latchkey and she would meet us at the event. Well, Belle thought that was the best thing to ever happen, riding with her friends - WOW! Now imagine three little girls in the backseat of a car...the giggling, the talking, even the screaming - priceless sounds to be cherished!

Nap Time Reading...

Here's daddy reading to Lilly before taking her nap. She is the best sleeper ever...will nap from about 1:30 - 4:00pm and go down for the night at 8:00pm. Oh, and note that Lilly is matching her bedding...fashion conscious even while sleeping...hee hee!

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Impression 5

2008-04-28T14:59:00.000-07:00

School field trip to 'Impression 5 Science Center' in Lansing. There's nothing more relaxing than an hour trip listening to a sleepover party CD, a few hours with a bunch of screaming kids, and another hour drive back in howling winds. It was a lot of fun though, especially because it was mommy and Belle time in the car.
We didn't ride the school bus because: 1) The school asked as many parents as possible to drive to save money on gas - one school bus vs. two saves lots of money. 2) Mommy didn't feel comfortable letting her go on such a long trip in a school bus all by herself. Chaperones/parents were not allowed to ride the bus.

My! What a big mouth you have!

BFFs Sam & Belle

Slime Lab

Saturday Morning

2008-04-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

I want to share something that I did this Saturday morning and below is a picture to show you how wonderful an experience it was. Now, before you look at the picture, I must warn that your eyes might start to blur and your nose to sniffle.

Have tissues handy because you might cry at the emotional impact it will have on you.

I promise that it's a very rare event, unlike anything you - well, at least I - see on a regular basis.

It was very special to me. I hope you understand...

Ready?

Here it comes!

If you're absolutely sure you can handle it, please scroll down...

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Here it is:

That's right, I did absolutely nothing! Hey...it was special to me!

My dear, wonderful husband got up with the girls this morning and had them fed, dressed, and the house clean by the time I got up. They had a daddy/daughters morning out planned and mommy got to have the house all to herself. It was blissfully quiet and peaceful. I read the newspaper without interruption, I drank my coffee that he so thoughtfully always has ready for me every morning, I read my book (The Dark Tide by Andrew Gross) and sometimes just stared at the walls or picked my toes (just kidding).

I love my girls dearly, I even miss them when they're upstairs playing, but mommies rarely get any time off and more rare is the occasion when they have the house all to themselves. I cherished this morning. I relished in the quiet, the solitude, the tranquility of the moment.

I do have to point out however, that getting up with the girls or helping out around the house is not a one time thing for him. He gets up with them EVERY Saturday and has the house clean by the time I get up and come downstairs...this is after working long hours at the office during the week. I am a very lucky woman and I'm so grateful for such an amazing man!

Daddy/Daughter Dance

2007-03-07T12:46:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the Daddy/Daughter dance, the first one ever for both daddy and daughter. I took Belle to the beauty salon to have her hair done, I wanted her to have the whole pampering, princess experience; however, the way the hair was styled left something to be desired. It was just too much, too mature for her age; after all, she’s only 5 and I wanted her to look 5! even Belle said she didn’t like it very much. So we came home and after a little tweaking, I got her looking like the little girl she is. She'll be all grown up before we can say grownup, I don't want to rush it!

Then daddy came home and boy did he set the bar high for whatever boy tries to date her in the future. I thought he was going to bring her flowers, but no, daddy always does better than the expected. Before heading out the door for a fun night of dancing, he presented her with her first pair of diamond stud earrings…oh, be still my heart! As they walked out the door, I saw a glimpse of things to come. I was reminded to cherish this little girl, because before I blink, it won’t be her daddy she is walking out the door with…*snif, snif*