Girls and Clothes

OK, Moms, I have a question.

My daughters like to pick out their own clothes in the morning. They have VERY strong opinions on this subject. Seriously, strong opinions. So strong that on most mornings I no longer bother to fight about it and my girls go to school with diagonal striped skirts with shirts with stars in a completely different color pallet.

I don't have the energy to deal with the clothing issue now that BOTH girls are fighting me on this.

So... do I fight this, do I put my foot down or do I let them control this piece of their lives?

They feel pretty and isn't that more important than my perception of what is appropriate or am I feeding into a cycle that will continue to let them choose battles with me... and win?

There isn't a lot we give into in terms of behavior and politeness, my kids are very polite. They are respectful, they are loving and fun.

So thoughts??

Oh, also, Molly doesn't let us brush her hair, any thoughts on that?

Day 10 Update

We are at Day 10 of the Challenge. I have exercised 4 out of the last 10 days, but was sick so that hurt that area.

I have started throwing out catalogs as they come in instead of looking at them. I received the Book I wanted from Ali, and sent her one in return. We are thinking about using the old futon in the basement for the big bed in Aubrey's room instead of buying something new. We have also started finding other ways to re-use things in the house. It is pretty cool.

Some friends and I with our oldest kids all the same age are going to send postcards to the kids from the kids as a geography type lesson and as an exciting I got something in the mail with my name in it treat. I was going to buy some postcards - but instead have done some research and will use a photo I took in Maine a few years ago to print out and mail! I am looking for a good photo of Baltimore and have none, so I will work on that :) But still excited that I had to stop and think about making something using things in the house vs just running out and buying stuff.

Stopping and thinking is the best part of this challenge!

PLUS, my sister is having a little girl in November so I will get a TON of clothes and blankets and coats and pink stuff out of my house very soon!!

Animal Encounters

Saturday we hit the zoo in the morning! I thought it opened at 9am so we got there at 9am. It opened at 10.

Here are some pictures while we played and waited patiently.

Adorable, right?
Needs cropping, but this is a keeper!
My life!

Then we got to feed the giraffes.

Seriously, we fed the giraffes, it was super cool. Got right up close, the tongue comes out, grabs the "browse" and the girls were not scared/anxious at all! It was cool.

Then we pet the goats.







Some things to note, we were at the Zoo from 9am - Noon. We did not bring a stroller. We were the only idiots at the zoo that day that didn't have a stroller. This resulted in a 4.5 hour nap from Molly... so who's the idiot? Well... still us.

Men At Work

Men At Work signs in Atlanta are being replaced with Workers Ahead good idea or bad idea?

I think for only 1000 bucks, why wouldn't they make this change and why is this news?

10 Year Reunion

I got a letter in the mail this week inviting me to my 10 year College Reunion. I also got a phone call from a good friend talking about how blogging is not the only way to keep up with each other and how have we gone so long in seeing each other.

So... I totally think that her and her and I should go to the "reunion", sans husbands and children, stay in OC or Rehobeth, and NOT go to any of the events but instead shop and relax.

Don't you agree?
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Progress Report:
My laptop bag BROKE as I was walking to the car last night after work. I need a new one... but due to this ridiculously hard challenge I dug up my old, ugly, REI backpack and am using that. I say BLAH to you.

Also? I am going to Melting Pot tonight and could totally leave now and shop at the Mall but I can't shop. Why is it so hard to stop doing something when you "challenge" yourself but it is equally hard when you try to START doing something... ie start excercising, stop shopping. Both hard.

Morning Wake Up Call

Aubrey came in this morning and climbed on top of me for a full body hug. I asked her if I was a bed or a pillow and she said, "NO, you are a loving".

Ahhhhhh.

Then she said, "What happened to your face? It has yucky polk a dots".
Daddy said, "Aubrey, those are freckles".

Nice.

See the Beauty Within

This child is beautiful, inside and out.

She is polite, caring, outgoing, silly, and fun.

She is smart, strong, and brave.

She is my first born.

She is a good sister.

She is a light in our lives we couldn't live without.

Challenge Rules/Clarification

OK, here are MY rules.

1) Eating out is not part of this, but I am going to refrain from Starbucks
2) Gas is not part of this
3) Normal scheduled monthly payments, not part of this (like Netflix, subscribtions, etc)
4) Services (like haircuts) are not part of this
5) Clothes/Shoes/Kitchen gadgets/electronics/toys/books/off the rack magazines ARE part of this

Make your own rules :) Since a couple people are going to join me, I will add the list of participants here.

1. Jen
2. Anne
3. Erin
4. Virginia

My status: I really want the new Nora Roberts Book 2 of the 7 Trilogy. I read the first one over vacation (borrowed from my dad). This means I either have to 1) get a library card and go to the library OR 2) get my dad to buy it and steal it from him :)

I did hit the gym yesterday morning and this morning so I am feeling pretty good!

40 Day Challenge

Doug and I have agreed to take on a challenge. Over the next 40 days, we will not buy anything except for groceries. This includes our joint and personal "allowance" accounts.

This will be quite the challenge for us! We are consumers/spenders/gadget freaks. But I think we can do it. I just have to throw away all the coupons I get in the mail and ignore the SALE signs, the review sites I read, etc.

On top of that no spending challenge, I am challenging myself to excercise at least 20 days for 30 minutes or more in those 40 days.

So we shall see how that goes, I will keep you posted.

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Just a note, I am totally behind on email, blogs, etc. Hoping to catch up with everyone soon!
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And a question for moms... What type of hair ties or barrettes do you find work best in your children's hair? We have run out of small rubber bands and need something that we know will work! I count this as a grocery item BTW!