40 bags...

So awhile back I wrote about getting rid of a bag of something every day of lent. I proceeded full steam ahead. Totally excited. Then I was worried about being defeated by my distract ability.

Guess what? I HAVE KEPT IT UP!

I can't believe it.

I must admit, I have skipped a few days here and there, but have made up for it on the weekends or evenings that I have had more time.
It is unbelievable the amount of things I am eliminating.

Trash, broken things, things that we have kept because, well, we don't know why.

IT IS GREAT.

But, in all honesty, it is slightly embarrassing and humbling.

I am guilty. Totally guilty. I find things on sale, really cheap and get them. Because someday, maybe I could use it. Or buy a pair of pants for the girls because it is $1.17 and what kid doesn't need a pair of knock around pants...

So I am learning, that a) I need to stay away from the clearance section-unless, I need a pair of $1.17 pants. b) I need to purge more. It is so much easier to keep things nice and neat when there is less to keep track of (duh!) c) i am going to work on saying 'no I don't think we need that right now,' when an all to innocent family member or friend wants to hand down something that they don't 'need' any longer.

I have also come up with an idea-I don't think it is my idea, but an idea none the less.
I am going to pack up toys each season, and put them away.
In a safe place.
Then when the season switches, take some out, put some away.
I think the girls will have much more appreciation for what they have.
Adam and I both noticed we just have too much for them to use all the time. I am a firm believer that we don't have as much as some kids do, which is great, in my opinion.
But, we have too much to play with all at once.
So that is that.
What do you think about it? Anyone have another idea? Leave a comment if you have some advice on toy control, or patrol! :)
I don't have a play room for the kids, so toys in the bedrooms are what we have to do. I also converted our foyer coat closet into a play closet during this whole 40 bag process which has been working perfectly.

~Chat soon!

Zingo!

My sister Susan gave Anne the game Zingo for Christmas.
It has been the best game the girls have ever played.
Both can play-ages 5 and 2. ALONE.
But, it is fast and easy if play with them. Not as daunting as getting up all the ladders and down the chutes on Chutes and Ladders.
If you're looking for a game, that is unique...check it out.
The girls give it 2 thumbs up!

In the heat of the moment

Everyone sad because the 'right person' didn't win.

Anne doing the I WON dance.

~Chat soon!

spring chicks

Here are the girls...
I was just having simple fun with my camera and then picnik.com to add some effects.
Happy Spring.
It's coming.
I'm sure of it!
~Chat soon!

Sharp As Tacks...

So tonight was any random Thursday…and then this…
I was working on a project for a little friend of Anne and Kate’s. Minding my own business.
The girls were occupied.
Adam was hanging out.
We were chatting.
Out of nowhere, Anne comes flying around the corner…very upset.
Here is how it panned out…

A-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
M-Sewing…
A-YOU KNOW WHAT? I’M TIRED OF THIS. YOU SEW 100 DRESSES FOR EVERYONE AND NEVER ONE FOR ME
M-That isn’t true
A-WHY CAN’T YOU MAKE ME ANYTHING??????
M-I make you things all the time
A-I’M SO TIRED OF ALL OF THE SEWING

All the while Anne looks extremely mean. She has this ability to screw with her eye brows. They look as if there is thread pulled through them and someone is yanking them up at very odd angles.
Her tongue was sharp…as if edged in tacks.
Terrible to endure.
Adam turned his back to us, he said he ‘felt sorry’ for me.
I think he was either a)afraid of her turning on him, or b) fighting tears himself.

My eyes for some reason produced LARGE HOT TEARS.
Totally unexpected.
Tears that you get when your mother is so mad she is speechless…you know that look that they give, half laid with guilt the other half anger…ew…just an ugly combo. She then softened her look and said…
YOU KNOW WHAT?
YOU MADE ME CRY TOO and sobbed into a huge puddle on my lap…Eventually she calmed down, and happily went ‘shopping’ in the book order her teacher sent home with her today…
I have made approximately FOUR DRESSES in about 5 months time.
REALLY? What the….
She had me up against a wall. Her look, her tone, everything screamed prepubescent. PLUS it had a side dish of my personality...which when pressed, can be feisty. I don’t put up with a lot junk. And if crossed one too many times, I will eventually CRACK. Apparently, she has inherited that trait of mine!
So if anyone was thinking that we sit around every night singing nursery rhymes and playing bored games…FORGET IT!
I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will cure all tacky-tongues!
Luckily, the wounds are only flesh deep, nothing a glass of wine can’t cure. Now I’m stewing of what is to come, say 10 years from now…
~Chat soon!

I spied...

...daffodil greens starting to peek up out of the ground. i'm so excited, i could almost cry! spring is coming. i can smell it. :) bring it on. blue skies, sunscreen, smelling like outside...all of it. bring it on, just bring.it.on!

~chat soon!

rocket science?

Because of my occupation, I see some strange stuff. I really do. I see things that people would flip over, if I told them about. It's not necessarily bad, just at times unbelievable.

Today for instance, I had a deep conversation with a parent who is struggling with her daughters behavior. She was really groping for help. Searching for reasons and answers. Not sure what she was doing right or wrong. It was disheartening to say the least...

It brought to light that many parents/families really.don't.get.it.

Parenting is an overwhelming job, task, duty. But simple all in the same breath. In my opinion you don't need to drown your kiddos in every latest fad, or technology based hand held, make them quiet all the time game. Again, in my humble opinion, YOU MUST DROWN THEM WITH love, affection, emotional stability, routines, and did I mention love? It takes just a few minutes, a hug, a quick game, eye contact, a giggle, including in a wierdo task like making fruit kabobs, simply acknowledging that, that little munckin is important to you... to show them the respect that we as parents so often demand. It is a mutual thing, right folks?

I was saddened by the conversation with the parent, but also somewhat comforted thinking that my chicks are in good hands, most days. I'm not perfect, Adam isn't perfect, we lose our patience, and may very well not give 100%, 100% of the time.

Today I focus on the moments that make my heart swell as a momma and make my kids smile ear to ear, or just purr with satisfaction like little kittens.

After all that, I was reassured that I love my job-both of them, as a teacher and a mom!

~Chat soon!

Birthdays...

February birthdays have come to a close. Adam and his brother Aaron both celebrated their birthdays this past week. We had our family party at Maw-maws house. The kids had a blast.