I slid into sloth mode this week.

The girls and I haven't really left the house since.....hmmmm. I think Saturday. I did run to the bank, deliver an order, and shop for groceries but the BE Girls have been feeling a little sluggish....and the little ones have rejected clothing.

I have cleaned up the kitchen and den 450 million times in four days and it still looks like a mad house. Tomorrow I will go outside. I have cooked every meal and watched every episode of "Arthur " on Netflix. PBS kids 'Arthur' not Dudley Moore 'Arthur'.

I am also super happy the batteries in the Disney Princess Microphone have died. And I don't have any to replace them. Hehe.

We have been taking naps everyday. All in all I have been overwhelmingly happy and content with my girls.

LOVE

Now I have to rant a little, because really what's the point of having a blog?

MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR IS RUINING MY GLOWING CONTENTMENT.

The problem started three years ago when was pregnant with Tiny.

POST FROM MY FACEBOOK PAGE SEPTEMBER 5,2010

"the kid next door has a death wish...why ride a motorbike around and around and around in circles ? Normal BE finds this annoying...Prego BE wants him in pain...."


 During the summer every night he takes out his gas motorbike thingy and rides it. Around. in Circles. In his yard. From dinner time until after dark. We are on day # 3 this week. Every fall he puts it away and I think maybe by next summer he will have outgrown it but every year for the past three years this happens. It is driving me nuts. He is in his own yard, yes, but every night from dinner time in our kitchen (right next to his house) to doing dishes (right next to it) and then any reading/TV time ( right NEXT TO IT) I am listening to VVVVVVvvvvvvvvVVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvVVVVVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvVVVVVVVVvvvvvvvvvVVVVVVVV
AS HE CIRCLES HIS HOUSE OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to be complainy neighbor fuddy duddy but DUDE. There are also some other circumstances that I really don't want to detail over the internet but I don't want to cause anymore issues. AAAHHHHHHH. You'd think venting would make me feel better but all I can hear as I sit at my table and write this is him, on his bike, going around and around.

It's raining now and he is still doing it. STILL DOING IT.


BE

So Sweet When They Sleep

Last night before I headed to bed I wrote the title to this post. I was going to talk about how great the girls have been sharing a room and how well Tiny transitioned from our bed to her crib a few months ago. Then just as I was turning off my computer and heading to the bedroom. I hear "Mom! I am thirsty!" This is at 12:45 AM.

It was Little. I got her a drink and sent her back to her room. Five minutes later Tiny starts screaming. Little woke Tiny up because she wanted someone with whom to talk. Tiny figured out she didn't like being in the crib and started complaining, loudly. I tried taking Little out of the room, tried nursing Tiny, and tried laying very very still and praying for them to drift peacefully to sleep. Finally at around 2:30 AM. Everyone was back asleep.

Lesson. Learned. Never take months and months of peaceful all night quietness for granted. AND never try to write a blog post bragging about sleep at bedtime.

Is it nap time yet?



BE

Stuff I Dig in the Summer with a Toddler and Preschooler Edition.

I haven't done a post like this in a while and the last one I did was weird and wasn't finished. So here goes.

1- Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set- Little got this for her fourth birthday and it was one of the best gifts she got. I picked it up at Toys R'Us at the last minute and boy am I glad. The entire time we were at the beach this was THE toy for both of the girls to play with together. I loved that they COULD play as a team and for kids that love to play kitchen this is a great way to take it outdoors. I also love the mesh bag this came with to hold all the parts and get rid of the sand. Well, as much as you can get rid of sand.

Yum. Sand Cupcakes.

2- Rock-A-Bye Baby- We got our first CD from this series from Baltimore Uncle for Christmas but this entire series has been awesome. If we don't have our CDs and CD player with us you can find the channel on Pandora. Again BOTH of the girls fall asleep to this and it is entertaining and relaxing enough that it doesn't drive me crazy over the monitor.

Every time I turn on Pandora this is on.

3- Gymboree Cotton Shorts and Tanks- WARNING I do NOT recommend these at full price. Actually I recommend nothing at full price BUT right now, like, this very minute these are on sale for $5.99 which IS CHEAPER THEN TARGET. AND I ALWAYS recommend stuff that is high quality and cheaper then Target. They are super comfortable (so I am told) and wash really well.

This one is Tiny's

4- Weleda Calendula Shampoo and Body Wash- Tiny still has very sensitive skin and everything that I tried to use on her body and hair would give her either dry skin or cradle cap. Then I found this. I ordered it through Amazon and it has been a miracle wash. Now that it is summer and both girls are spending time in the sun and outside I am using it on both kids and it keeps them moisturized but not oily or lotiony feeling. Love it and it is hippie-ish enough that it makes my top ten of all time.

 5- Tovolo Pink Star Ice Pop Mold- I DON'T OWN THIS...yet. I am stalking them on Amazon. I want them. Bad. I think the girls would love this and I am really excited about the thought of not have empty plastic Flav-O-Ice wrappers everywhere. Oh and I can make them healthy ice pops, yeah, that sounds good too.

6- Mindy Kaling's Book- The title is too long for me to type out. I read this book because last year I Read Tina Fey's book Bossypants and I LOVED it. I figured, like most people, ohhh another really funny lady wrote a book. I also thought I needed to read something other than cheesy romance novels and Fifty Sades of Grey this year. It was good. Not quite Tina Fey good or Christian Grey good but a good light summer read. (Disclaimer: Mindy's book was actually MUCH better as far as writing technique in comparison to Fifty. And anyway, I only read Fifty for the articles.)

I dig Kelly Kapoor in general.

7- Sidewalk Chalk- SO my goal with the girls this summer is to be outside playing for at least an hour every single day. So far we are rocking this plan. As we rock so many things we do. Every afternoon after snack and nap we have been going outside until it is time to cook dinner. Another one of my very important goals is to have the girls play together as much as possible and as peacefully as possible this summer. They are both at an age were they like to PLAY and this is something of which I am taking full advantage. Any game or toy that allows them to play together and be age appropriate for both is a winner in my book.

8- This is a hard one. I have something in mind but because I am an Independent Consultant I will not mention cause I won't self promote on this page. BUT it is something that I have used everyday the past two weeks and I really do love it. See some mystery is good.

9-Countrytime Lemonade- I know I should be making my own. AND I know this is full of all kinds of sugary and chemically evilness. Bad Mommy. But it is caffeine free and if I am cutting all sodas out of my house I need to have a little fun. Per the label it is the "Great Taste of Summertime" how can a girl argue with that. Oh and I checked and it's made by KRAFT not NESTLE so it can be ALL evil now can it?

10- Step 2 Wagon For Two- I love this general. Little got it for her second birthday after we found out that Tiny was on the way. I figured it would be great someday to have. My someday is now! The wagon is getting some miles on it and is holding up well. It has now made trips to the zoo and the beach. The girls stay put and sit in the back and talk and giggle while we walk along. One of the best nights of our beach trip was a long romantic walk on the beach where BG and I really got to talk and hold hands.....and drag Little and Tiny behind us. They had a ball and we got to have an adult conversation without the phrase "Mommy I gotta tell you something".

Ours is red and cooler then this.

There it is guys. Some fun stuff.

OH The thing I HATE right now.....

THIS.

It's not funny Male Cruiser. Not. Funny.
You should NEVER give a microphone to a child who is only quiet when she sleeps. It only makes her louder and for some reason LOUDER=LESS PATIENCE FOR MOMMY. Hm. Seriously, I love her and I love that she is smart and creative. I just don't ALWAYS need her miked.




Tryin' to find a hidin' place for a certain birthday gift,
BE

The Part Where I Tell You About Great Stuff.

Stuff is great. I feel like I am having the time of my life. The girls and I are falling into an exciting routine. Most importantly they wake up between 8:30 and 9 AM. I am so glad they aren't morning kids. They are so funny about waking up and talking to each other. The first time Tiny complains about being in the crib Little tells her "I'll go get your Mama" ( Like I am only Tiny's Mama ) and she runs to get me out of bed. She nurses and then we head to get breakfast. Tiny is starting to imitate everything Little does and breakfast around the table is one of my favorite times of the day.

In the morning we "work" and in the afternoon we nap and play outside. I have been cooking. Yes. Let me say that again slower and with more emphasis. I . Have. Been. Coooooking. Like a bunch of meals. So far no one has complained and they seem to still be healthy and stuff.  I am learning so much about my girls and having a good time with them.

Here are some pictures from today. LOOK HOW BIG THEY'VE GOTTEN !!!!!!

Rockin' Little

Runnin' Little

Tiny Tot

Pretty

Favorite

 Ok, now the more important stuff. I have proof of how Tiny operates. PROOF.

Sissy what you doing?

I must join you in the car.

I will help push you out the other side.

It is mine!

Ha!

 Keeping the Peace!
BE

"...And then she resigned and said she was staying home...WITH HER KIDS"

Yep. Well, that's not really how it happened, it was really very involved and I almost gave myself an ulcer.

But now I am home with the girls and I am overwhelmed with everything that I haven't been able to do in the past few years. I want to clean out my attic and go to the park and shop for groceries BEFORE it's dark outside. The good news is that I am back to blogging. I am so happy because it is something that I really love and now I am going to MAKE time for it so I have something for myself.  I am trying to pace myself and so I have plans for some great stuff this summer but I am also not going to pile on too much all at once. There are still only 24  hours in the day and I am going to need to make sure I prioritize so that we are doing what we need to do and some of what we want to do. So bring on the summer!

My daughter is Rapunzel. After Flynn gave her a haircut.

There is so much going on right now. We are about to make some very big changes in our lives and we are very excited for the next few months. I am currently trying to do some things for my side business, work 40 hours at work, clean the house, pack us all up for a mini-vacation, and turn 28. Ok let's stop right there and think about that for a minute. Yes, I will be 28. In.Five.Days.

Little has been having some little issues with behavior. Nothing that will send me running to the nearest behavioral specialist with her but she is having a bit of what I am calling " A transitional attitude issue". She is almost four. Four in May. And a girl. It's ok. Ummmm well... it will be ok.

We went for haircuts yesterday because we wanted to look pretty for the upcoming holiday and because Little's neck was starting to hurt from trying to see under her bangs.  Little has never had a big haircut and I decided since she won't let me do anything with her hair I was going to have Cappy the hairdresser take it all off. So up Little hops into the chair and Cappy starts chopping away ( In a highly professional, not all all "choppy" way) and then my daughter proclaims "I want to be RAPUNZEL". I informed her that she would look like Rapunzel after Flynn chopped off her hair and this seemed ok. Until this morning. After she got dressed she hands me two rubber hair ties and informs me she wants a ponytail. UUCkkkgggggg. She has a SHORT THIN CHIN LENGTH BOB. I remind her that her hair is short and we will now need to wait for it to grow out. MELT DOWN. Not a normal three year old meltdown. This is what I imagine a four year old meltdown will be. It even included the silent treatment and selective hearing. Oy. I survived. I WILL survive all of this. I MUST. I would show you a picture of how ridiculously cute she looks right now but she's asleep and I will NOT be waking her.

We also took Tiny for a little mullet patrol. Tiny is still my awesome Ninja of love, joy, and toddler stomping cuteness. Tiny's hair is curling in the back. Tiny loves to sing. And eat. And beat the crap out of her sister. Tiny has opinions. Most of them involve not sitting still. I don't have any good recent pictures of Tiny's haircut either. I am a slacker. I PROMISE I will TRY to take some pictures of the kids. Maybe BG too. He's cute. And 31 which makes me feel better about almost being 28. See...love some BG.


Out.
BE

Another list. These people need to pay me.

So here I am running around with a pre-schooler and a toddler...I HAVE A PRE-SCHOOLER and A TODDLER. As I said during  my Cystoscopy last week...uuhhhhhhh. (Don't look that one up....just take it from me it involves a scope and a bladder)

So, having children that want to grow and mature for some reason brings you to another level of "STUFF". For one thing, at this point they are both mobile. The first thing you long for may be a leash but alass I will not be featuring leashes on todays post. So here I have put together a few things I love, a few things I hate, and a few things I want you to buy me. My birthday is coming very very soon and if I Must turn 28 then I get to have a wish list.

Stuff I Love

- I know you are all super sick of hearing about the LeapPad from the mommy blog world. I know I am. Little got one for Christmas from Santa. She wanted and Ipad and a pink sparkly fireplace tool set. This was the next best thing. I am not saying anything about the system itself but I am going to recommend "Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg" as a game. Little has really enjoyed playing it and it has helped her writting skills. The Leap Pad uses a stylus so it is very similar to holding a pencil and she is working on controlling her letters, numbers, and shapes. It was recommened by a friend and I am glad the jolly fat guy managed to haul it down the chimney for Little.

-Tiny's Crib. We are now using it for something other than a large laundry basket for clean clothes that I dont want don't have time to put away. She sleeps, like, in the crib. Everyone in the house is sleeping so much better and in the morning she calls me over the monitor when she is ready to nurse (oh shut up, she isnt in college yet) I say everyone in the house is sleeping better but here it is late on a tuesday night and I can't sleep. Little, Tiny, and BG are sleeping like a rock....snoring rocks. All of them.

-www.zulily.com is a site that I read about on another blog and I joined up for daily emails. Up until about a week ago I was super annoyed by the emails and barley looked at them. Then this week I ended up buying the girls some super expensive smocked church dresses for HALF OFF. So although I am back to being annoyed with the emails I am really pleased that I was able to get such good deals and some great stuff.

-Osh Kosh Bigosh's spring line of clothes for little girls. They are really cute, well made, anddiverse enough that every single outfit does not have the same style and cut. 

-

Time for a Tiny Rant From BEs.

Why must Tiny empty every wipes container and tissue box in the house? She has plenty of toys. She has a sister to annoy. Yet, she seeks out tissue boxes and wipe packs to empty. Now you might be thinking something like "Dumb BE just stop her! You are the adult aren't you?" Yeah...apparently you have no children. Or YOUR children aren't Ninjas like mine. I'll take my Ninjas any day.

Yes I Re-stuffed them...They cost money!

Rant Over!
BE Out!

The Reason I Am Anti-Social Right Now AKA The River of Green

You haven't seen me in weeks. You haven't really seen my children much either. Maybe once a week and really we all know that's nowhere near enough. You are in Blue Eyes family withdrawal.

The reason? Something I call "The River of Green" with no affection at all. Yes, this is a post about snot, boogers, the green gold, etc. It is currently coming out of all four of our noses and Tiny's ears. Yes, EARS. That is the beauty of tubes in the ears. You can still get the infection BUT it COMES OUT. The first time Little had an infection after her tubes I called the Pediatrician in hysterics because it was bloody. BLOOD WAS COMING OUT OF HER EARS! Guess what? NORMAL. So here I am with tissues literally surrounding me (Tiny got a hold of the box ) and I want to go out. I miss my friends. But every time we leave this house I end back at the pediatrician and although we love Dr. Singleman like she is a long lost member of the family, I really need to not owe more of my pay check back to my employer. ( How crappy does that sound, right?)

Look Close....Boogies.

 I am not saying you are making my family sick. Let's be very clear about that. I am saying we will infect you. We are Patient Zero and Typhoid Mary. We generate the snot here and I am very greedy with our magical snot. How else will I get my ears to do that snap*crackle*pop* thing they have almost perfected.

They have been at school. Can't do anything about that. I think the Panther's Fan needs her rest from wiping uncooperative noses. They have been at choir. (Although I have been using that time to work later because of the Dr appointments). I did let them hang out with the Female Cruiser yesterday. (She's been snotty too. Sorry Mom.)  And then there is AL the babysitter. The girls love AL and just want to share the magic snot with loved ones. She covered a jury duty last week and a date night.Thanks AL!

Speaking of the date night.....we had not been out alone together since August. Oy. The romance. It was our Valentine's-type day. I also realized that two years ago this month we became pregnant with Tiny. I have not had a solid nights sleep in officially two years now. Ok, back to the snot.

We will see you soon. I really am disappointed there was no snow this winter but I am ready for spring and the annual drying up of The River of Green. This year has brought the wonderfulness of Tiny mimicking the way Little blows her nose.....HILARIOUS.

Naked Yucky Face Boogers <3

 Sick and tired of all the sick and tired,
BE

I AM BAAAAAACK!

Boy did i miss you and all your wonderfulness. I warned you things were getting busy. Tiny is walking and that alone is enough to keep this Momma running...especially since the girl Just.Won't. Watch.TV. (I am only half kidding on that one)

So I missed you. I am going to have to work my way back in slooooowly. Just enjoy the knowledge that I am here.BG is here and the Little and Tiny girls are here and raring to provide you all with some giggles. Unless you are The Male Cruiser,in which case there are only big manly laughs, no giggles.

Feelin Like The Terminator-
BE

Thanksgiving Was Great.

Thanksgiving. WOW it has been almost two weeks since we came back into town. Going away and coming back with no washer machine has really been a challenge but luckily The Cruiser's Wash-N-Fluff has been open for business. Which means I have been spending a few days a week at their house.

We had a great time camping. Here are some pictures. Camping on Thanksgiving is AWESOME! Here.

Fancy Dinner Time

Ummmm K

Tiny Turkey

Tines and The Male Cruiser

I swear there are kids in there

Tiny's 1st Time Camping

I really really can't remember much of what happened other then I did read three books on the Kindle.Yay! Hmmm maybe that's why I can't remember....

Tryin' To Catch Up !

BE

Five Little Things

So this is the time of the year when people sit around tables and talk about how grateful they are for things. Am I grateful for my family? Sure. Do I thank God for my house and car? Yeppers. Am I glad I have a job? You Betcha'.

Here are a few more less "Thanksgivingy" things that I am grateful for:

1- Little's Drama- I recently shared a blog post on Facebook from Rants From Mommy Land in which  Lydia compares living with a three year old to living in a Telenovela. Our personal Telenovela is Littlemundo.She even speaks some Spanish after a few episodes of Dora or Diego. The little senorita is full of drama, stubbornness, and I swear sometimes she has an evil twin. Although I might not appreciate it when we are trying to get out the door in the morning and she burst into tears for the fifth time, I do appreciate that I have a little girl that has imagination and expresses herself. It is also a sign that she is reaching her emotional development milestones. Yay Early Childhood Development!

2- My Messy House- My children have toys to play with. We have clothes to pile up in the laundry baskets. We have food to cook so we have dishes to wash. We have decorations for holidays that need to be put away. Without all these things my house wouldn't be a disaster. I am so grateful for my disaster.

3- My Medela Pump- Without which, I would not be able to work. It has been a good pump and seen me through two babies. For FBH I will need a new one because using my Medela for the past thirteen months has lessened it's effectiveness. When Tiny heads to college and I finally stop nursing her I will bid it farewell and start researching another pump. (Seriously people I said she wouldn't go to college nursing)

4-BG's Relationship with Tiny- BG hasn't been able to be around for much of Tines' first year. I have been the parent that has been around to get to see her personality start to develop. The other day I walked in and the two of them were playing on the floor of the playroom and giggling. I am so happy that they are getting to learn each other now. BG being gone was harder on Little because she missed him but I think it was worse on his relationship with Tiny because they just didn't get to know each other. When he was able to be home most of that time was spent with Little or me. It makes me beyond happy to see them playing together.

5- This Blog- It equals me time. It also has given me a place to document my children. These days our lives are so busy and things change so fast that it is hard to really remember all the funny and challenging things that happen when you are a mother. I am lucky that I enjoy writing and have a way to document my children for my future self and for others who love them. I also get to share a lot of who I am. I am not just Little and Tiny's Mommy and I am not just BG's wife. I get to be BE and share our story.

So maybe they aren't LITTLE things but they aren't the ordinary answers. This post ended up feeling way mushier then I thought it would. I guess whenever you start thinking about the blessings and good things in your life one tends to get a wee bit mushy.

Another thing I am thankful for is stuffing (dressing, for those of you who are southern). Stuffing and Sweet Potato casserole are hands down my favs. Oh and red cabbage. AND FRIED TURKEY. Yummmmmm. See why I love Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I will post again after the Holiday so you can see how awesome it is to camp at Thanksgiving.

All about some Thankfulness,

BE

Five Things Parents Don't Want You to Give Their Kids For Christmas. Seriously.

So a large part of my existence in the past week or so has been devoted to the Christmas thing. No, I am not listening to Christmas music yet. Unless you count Little singing Go Tell It On The Mountain four hundred and fifty million times as "listening to Christmas music". I swear my listening was voluntary like five times. Now it is like a pantyhose death roll. It starts and you can't really react negatively, so you just go with it until it's over and then try to move on. Now don't get me wrong. I love the song and I love Little more than words. The point is she only knows the first verse and that's a lot of  "Over the hills and everywhere-ERE!"

Ok, back to the point. So I have been planning ahead for S-A-N-T-A and trying to get the best deals blah blah blah. Little is no problem she is at the age where everything is really cool and she tells you what she likes and doesn't like. Tiny is a wee but more difficult compounded by her birthday being less then two months before Christmas. I am working through it but on one of my nightly searches for THE BEST TODDLER GIFTS THIS CHRISTMAS I also was seeing lists about the worst gifts for children. I started to think...hmmmmm what are some of the things I dread seeing under the tree for the girls. What wonderful torturous things have my parents bought this year....

Which brings us to NUMBER ONE ~ Playdough. There are already little tiny bits of this horrible substance stuck in Little's carpet after nap time turned into art project time one afternoon without my knowledge. (Male Cruiser this is your greatest offense. Well this AND the pink riffle.)

Little squishy rainbow of doom.

NUMBER TWO~ A Bad Case of Stripes By David Shannon. I read the reviews on Amazon for this book. People are claiming this book continues to give their children nightmares months and even years after the book was read to them. Even the cover is a little scary. PLEASE don't give my kids anything that will make them sleep LESS. If anything I need them to increase the time they sleep. Thank you.

Oy.

NUMBER THREE~ Bambi. Now available on Disney Blue-ray and DVD. The mom DIES. ugh.

How-to for hunters

NUMBER FOUR~ Lite Brite or any other age inappropriate toy with teeny tiny parts that I will have to keep up on top of my fridge or in a locked safe. I don't want to loose pieces and then wonder why the baby is pooping in Technicolor.

If your poo looks like this..see a doctor.

NUMBER FIVE~ Any Doll that looks like a Hoochie. Seriously trying to raise some ladies here people. I let Little play with Barbie and Princesses but I do try my darnedest to make sure that they keep their hind ends covered. I also try to choose dolls that aren't wearing too much makeup. I know that they will be exposed to all of these things in the general public but I do monitor things in my own home. I even object to some Tinkerbell toys even though we love her. Bottom line, Tink can be kinda a Ho. So please take two good looks before buying my kid the streetwalker fashion play set with bonus crack rocks.

Yep.Hoochie.

So...that's it. Again, I try to keep my negatives to 5 or less.

My children are so blessed to have so many people who provide so much for them. This post is just to give The Male Cruiser a hard time. (and BTW he is the BEST at Christmas gifts) Weedle weedle!

Over the Hills and...

BE

These Keds are made for Toddling

Yes, it is true. Tiny took her first steps the day after her birthday and now almost 2 weeks later she is taking multiple steps and walking to people. The first person she walked to? Her sister. Why? To steal the flashlight Little was holding. Yay Tines!

Gooooo Baybeeeeeeeee!

So now I have a Toddler and a Preschooler. Woa. I am also nursing a Toddler which is a totally new experience. She moves around A LOT. I think it is super funny. When will I be done nursing ? When we are done. Maybe before she heads to college. A brilliant person somewhere came up with the international symbol for breastfeeding a toddler:

At first I just thought it was cute and funny...then I found out it's not just funny IT'S TRUE.

Proof. Yeah she's nursing like this.

Everything else is going well. BG has been at the new job for a week now and loves it! We are quickly learning how to be morning people again.

On an even super funner note, it's almost time to start packing for Thanksgiving.  There is something really special about eating Thanksgiving supper out in the woods. This will also be Tiny's first camping trip and I think she will love it. Basically the kid likes to eat dirt and leaves so the campground will be a smorgasbord of yummy crunchies. I will be constantly be pulling away something or prying stuff out of her mouth! 

Not looking forward to packing,

BE

When it Rains, The Washer and Furnace Stop Working.

As if life wasn’t stressful enough. Last week in the mad dash that was our lives we discovered our furnace is causing something to short out and trip the breaker in our attic. So we are without heat. Luckily it isn’t that cold, we have plenty of blankets, and we’ve only been home to sleep for over a week. Last night as we had finally laid down to sleep and BG started his long night of tossing and turning before his first day of his new job we heard something strange happening in the hallway. Our washer was dying. So we got up and pulled the clothes out of the rinse cycle and wrung them out in the bath tub and then started the washer again to drain the water. We were able to put the clothes back for the spin cycle. So…I don’t know what to do about all that. BG has one heck of a honey-do list at the moment.

Names have been covered with leaves to protect the innocent.

Tiny had a great Birthday party and we had so much fun. We played the Tiny Timeline game and a Tiny Trivia game. The cake was awesome and Tiny was super happy to dig right in. Thank you to our cake lady! I almost fell over with joy when I saw her cake and smash cake. So thanks to our cake guru! Someone...ehem *Mario's Grammie* mentioned they love my kids but they come to our parties for the cake. That's ok, I only throw the parties for the cake.The most important part is that Tiny had a wonderful time. Thank you to the Female Cruiser for the wonderful food and for all of your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

Speaking of the Pteranadon….She took some steps on Thursday night for the first time! I worked late to get some hours in and she was at home with BG. I was home for about an hour and was getting her ready for bed
when this conversation took place:

BE: OOOOh poor baby! She is getting another diaper rash.
BG: She walked from the table in the playroom to me today.
BE: What? She took a step?
BG: Yeah a few then she fell down.
BE: WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME WHEN IT HAPPENED?!?!?!?!?!
BG: Well I forgot.

Then I promptly rushed her to the hallway where I made her take steps to me over and over again as I cried and clapped and made Little so jealous over all of the attention her sister was getting she came over and said:

Little: Mom! Watch me walk!

Then she sashayed up and down then hall while I clapped and praised
her. Oy.

On Sunday we had lunch with The Panthers Fan and Baltimore Uncle who was in town for the weekend. Little misses her uncle and had a great time talking his ear off. We then went and took a nap because BG and I needed it. Bad. We had dinner with Beach Aunt and the PoPo who were also in town for Tiny’s birthday party. We really had a great time and it’s funny to see how they interact with Little and Tiny. Beach Aunt and the PoPo don’t have any kids and really aren’t around kids a lot. My kids are so lucky to have so many people in their lives that love them and that make such and effort to be part of the big moments.  No matter how far away my family is they make an effort to be here for big events as much as possible and to be there in spirit when they can’t be there physically.

Love this!

And This!

This week is a little slower then last week. Choir for Little on Wednesday and Christmas pictures on Saturday. I also have to put in some S-A-N-T-A time this week. I told Little it is time for our weekly Santa
chats to start again. Every week from here to Christmas the Jolly Guy and I are gonna have a little chat about the state of the household and the behavior of two little girls. I know it’s a lot for him to handle but Mrs. Claus is also available for chats as long as I leave her a bottle of Riesling along with Santa’s milk and cookies and the carrots for the reindeer. BTW Little is learning how to spell…soon we will be S-C-R-E-W-E-D when it comes to keeping things from her. Just Sayin’.

I can’t wait for Thanksgiving camping. My Kindle is loaded up and I just want some time with my kids and husband without having to be anywhere. It is the closest thing to a vacation we have had since May.

Dreamin’ of a Fried Turkey
BE

Happy Birthday My Lovie!

My Tiny Girl is one and I continue to alternate between excitement and sadness. It seems like this last year has gone by so fast. We woke up on her birthday and cuddled and snuggled. It was a great morning . That night we had a small family party at our favorite pizza place. I also went and got some of our favorite cupcakes. BG unfortunately missed the dinner but did make it home from Virginia before she fell asleep. She was nursing and saw him enter the room out of the corner of her eye. She immediately unlatched and started yelling at him until he picked her up!

Yum.

 We also gained another member of our extended family on Tiny's birthday! You have been introduced to Mario, who is one of Little's best friends, but I grew up with Mario's Daddy and all his Aunts and his Uncle. Mario's Aunt had a baby boy on Tine's birthday! He is the 4th boy grand baby in the family and we are so happy to welcome Baby B to the world!

So I wrote a little letter to Tiny for her birthday, If it's too mushy for you skip it, then go have a baby and let them turn one, the return to this post and cry like a baby because your baby is one. Got it. Good.

Dear My Tiny Love,

One year ago today you joined our family. I remember laying in the hospital bed waiting for my turn in the OR and wondering what you would be like. Now, It seems like you have always been here and it's hard to think of a time when our family didn't have you around.You have always belonged with us. You remind me so much of your Daddy. Your facial expressions and temper are a mirror of him. It makes me so happy to watch the two of you together. You can be both the silliest baby and the most serious. A lot has changed in the last year and for the first time in a long time we have hope and are content with the changes we face. You, my love, have been such a source of joy and comfort. Your smile and the way you and Little giggle together makes me both fill up with love and burst with pride. You and your sister have been the driving force in my life. I am very proud of our relationship and how we have nurtured each other this year. I promise to continue to do my best as your mother and to allow myself to grow and learn from you and your sister. I love you my Pteranadon! Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

Always,

BE

A Long Long Time Ago...

My Cupcake

Like the weekend before Halloween. My Grandparents came to visit. It was a great visit and Little did not stop talking the entire time the Traveling Great Grandparents were here.  The Male Cruiser made her a huge pile of leaves and she jumped in them. We only really got to spend Sunday with them because of a lovely little snow storm but it was so much fun.

I prefer it when my witch has an attitude. like this.

See Attitude

Then it was Halloween. Little was a Dancing Witch and Tiny was a cupcake. We went Trick-or-Treating in the neighborhood I grew up in and saw the families I babysat for. It was so much fun bring MY kids to see them all. We pulled the girls in our wagon. Which is to say BG pulled the wagon and I kept freaking out about cars coming even though there were very few. The girls hauled in some great candy which we also split with Unc since he joined us for our walk.

Almost birthday cupcake!

 The day after Halloween Little was miserable and cried all morning so she played hooky at school and stayed with The Panthers Fan all morning. That night was her soccer banquet and The Cruisers and Unc joined the girls and I an we got to see Little get her trophy. We are so proud of Little and all of the Ninjas and we can't wait for next soccer season. Now we are pondering basketball. I think we might wait until next year ...baby steps! BG was on his final trip out of town and we are so glad that he is done traveling!

Trophy Time!

This is what she was waiting for!

Tiny is eating paper towels. GTG!

BE