Catchin' Up Picture Style

Since Jessica is complaining that no one blogs anymore, even her, I thought I would post some pictures. I have been having issues with our home network in getting pictures from our shared drive to this blog, so I am doing this the "dirty" way - you know taking the actual memory card and connecting it RIGHT to my computer. Crazy, I know. So here are some extremely random shots of my girls.

Sunday, Aubrey is very sad because GTaw's Hammock is down for the season.

Saturday, Molly was reading a book.

Last weekend, in the leaves in our yard. Aubrey likes to pose.

This is what happens when you ask Molly to smile.

Seriously, Aubrey poses all the time. I don't like this pose.

Mama Said There'd be Days Like This

But seriously?
1) Baby girl still sick with fever, have to go to work for a few hours anyway.
2) Stop at gas station, wait in line, get to pump - NO FREAKING GAS!
3) Traffic backed up about oh you know 20 out of the 30 miles I drive.
4) Elevator is OUT at my building, in downtown Baltimore, with lots of stairs and my laptop I make it, only to find:
5) THERE IS NO DIET COKE!
And the biggest reason my morning isn't great:

I have 16 minutes stuck in my head from HSM3 (the way we play tonight, is what we leave behind, over and over and over and over and over again).

So let's talk about the good things:
1) Margartaville came on the radio
2) Hubby talked Comcast into lowering our bill by more than half - getting core channels only and ending up paying LESS than when we just had Internet.
3) Made everyone at work laugh.
This:

So Cute and So Volatile

This morning Molly was being Molly. Doug turned to her and said, "You are so cute and so volatile".

I can not get over how TRUE that statement is.

I needed to preserve it...so here you go.

Planning and Cuteness and Random

... but not planned cuteness.

So HSM3 comes out this weekend and I am taking Aubrey, she really wants to see it... well maybe she doesn't know what it is but I want to see it, but let's go with the first way I wrote it.

Also, tonight is the Halloween Party at the club. But it starts at like 5. Doug is taking the kids and I will meet them after my late meeting. A hay ride in the dark should be lots of fun?? But why do they plan these things when it is hard to ge there?

I have a bone to pick with the pre-school Aubrey goes to. On Wednesday (29th) they want the parents there at 3:30 so the kids can get their costumes on and trick or treat around the business units. So if Doug or I can't take off (which is looking like the case), Aubrey can't go. That is just not fair! Why plan activities that require parents when the reason Aubrey is there is because she can't be with her parents?!?! Is that just me?

Costumes and Usage:
Aubrey got a beautiful unicorn costume for her birthday, and I was able to find the exact same one on ebay for 2.99 in Molly's size. They are very cute.

Where do you go trick or treating? Do you go? We don't know what we are doing this year but have 4 halloween parties plus ZOO BOO so they will get LOTS of use.

And I have been trying to post pictures of Saturday's Navy Game and the goats, but having issues. Plus, I once again lost the data on my phone... fun times people, fun times.

And the Cuteness from Sunday Morning:
Sunday morning Aubrey has said a couple of things that are melting my heart.

1) Aubrey leaned over and kissed me, then put her hand on my cheek and said,
"Mommy do you know how much I love you?".
I said, "how much", she said as she shakes her head up and down, "a really lot".

2) Molly took a little nap and when she woke up I gave her and Aubrey a taste test of the cookies. Aubrey accidently knocked Molly down and Max ate her cookie and Molly started crying.
Aubrey took Molly's hand, led her over to the couch, got on her knees, put her hands on Molly's face and said,
"Molly, when Max takes your food you say, "Drop it Max", then you tell Mommy Maxie ate it and you don't have to cry and Mommy will gladly fix it".

And not to leave Molly out:
3) Saturday night as I was snuggling Molly during bedtime routine, she says, "I missed my mommy, mommy".

Halloween Prep

Aubrey did not get a "friends" birthday party this year. She had about 7 celebrations but none with "friends". This is so very sad. She did get an invitation for a school friend's party in November and we are VERY excited about this.

Some friends we haven't seen in WAY too long - maybe a year or more? are coming over on Saturday (they have girls the same ages as our girls (2 and 4)). Not knowing this Aubrey asked if we could have a Halloween Party, and I am putting the 2 things together!

Menu (has nothing to do with Halloween)
Chicken Fajitas
Avodado and Tomoato Salad
Spanish Rice
Chips and Salsa
Halloween Cupcakes with Funfetti icing
Margaritas
Pumpkin Pie Dip

Craft Ideas
Salt Dough Ghosts
Evil Eye Baskets
Bony Beads
Decorate Pumpkins - with sharpies or markers?

If any of the crafts work out I will post pictures!

So Emily, where have you been, you ask? Here, working through life as a crazy person.

• Email address was hacked and had to change it
• Cell phone lost all data after Molly licked it - hate that I lost a TON of phone numbers (basically everyone I have added in the last 8 months)
• Bronchitis for me, Sinus infection for Hubby, now Molly has a cough, Aubrey just got over a cough and cold
• Trying to figure out how upset I should be with the losses to our retirement accounts (and you could say, "what loss, did you sell" no we didn't sell but still scary maybe?)
• Going to join WW in the next couple weeks - gaining weight like an idiot.
• How do you put away summer clothes when it is 80 degrees? Blah.
• Started Aubrey in swim lessons - she is doing GREAT! I love it!
• Aubrey is great - her 4yo stats - 42 inches, 40 lbs! None of her 4T clothes fit - unless you want skirts and dresses that don't cover your underwear... and don't get me started on her size 13 feet.
• Molly is Molly. Don't know what to say about that. Other than she has grown about 6 inches in the last few weeks. Her 2T halloween costume is too small for her. But of course LA is helping me out with that :)
• I twitter more than I blog these days. Did you know Santa and Mrs. Clause twitter? Really keeps you in touch - and reminded me only 77 days til Christmas!
• HA, how is that for randomness?

Halloween Bunny

Driving home from swim lessons today:
Aubrey: Where does the Easter Bunny live?
Mommy: In a magical forest.
A: But what can he eat?
M: in the magical forest in his hollowed out tree, well right next door is a special farm that makes carrotts that give that easter bunny energy to make all the eggs
A: That doesn't sound right, are you sure he is real?
M: Of course he is (thinking WTF)...
A: Well then there must be a Halloween Bunny, what does that one bring, again?

HOW DOES THAT CHILD TRAP ME, EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!!?!

M: Well honey, I have never heard of a Halloween Bunny, I don't think there is one.
A: Most importantly Mommy, that forest is too big for just one bunny.

Failures and Triumphs

I was potty training Molly this weekend, we gave it a great effort and will keep going but let's just say it was not a success (and that eating Molly poop makes Max barf).

BUT, as easy as it would be to wallow at home, just the 2 of us for 5 days without cooking or cleaning - I didn't do that (well maybe yesterday I did, but not today)!

Today's Menu:
Breakfast: Eggs with Dill and Pepper scrambled

Lunch: Whole wheat tortillas with Low Fast Vidalia Onion Dressing, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers (served with Pirates Booty and Apple)

Dinner: Marinated Flank Steak, new red potatoes with rosemary, sauteed mushrooms and cheesy rolls

Dessert: Molly and I are making cookie icing sandwiches.

Tomorrow: Shrimp, penne, asparagus

Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs with Caesar salad

Wednesday: Bertolli Froze Meal (9 minutes to make)

Thursday: Pizza Night

Friday: Burgers and Sweet Potato Fries and Green Beans

Besides meal planning, cooking, some baking, I also put together a Consignment pile of clothes and cleaned out my closet for the fall! I may start on Aubrey's closet when Molly goes down for a nap! Did I mention the 17 loads of laundry? That is how many you have to do when your child pees on everything, everywhere, all day.

I do have to say that a few days of just me and Molly is quite eye opening - she is the sweetest cuddliest kid when she isn't trying to keep up with her sister and follow her everywhere!

Oh, and in order to complete the randomness that is this post... I won a pair of pink Uggs for Aubrey on ebay last night... 40 bucks baby!

In The Morning

In the morning I will make sure my daughter wakes up with a smile on her face.

In the morning I will let my daughter have a cupcake for breakfast.

In the morning Aubrey will open 4 presents for her 4th birthday.

In the morning I will make sure we have everything we need for the dinner Aubrey decided we were having:
Bologna Sandwiches
Dill Dip with Pretzels
Kool Aid

In the morning I will take Molly to school and Aubrey to her 4 year check up.

Four years ago "in the morning" was a new life, it was a new family, it was 3 not 2.

In the morning I will wake up with memories of the first time I saw Aubrey, memories of breastfeeding a tiny child, and now that same child stands next to me, and her head reaches my breast.

In the morning I will mourn the babyhood that is gone as I rejoice in the girl that has come in its place.

People ask for Pictures which calls for Picture People

Molly (2) has NEVER been cuter!

My Aubrey Girl (almost 4)

Together!

I used Jen's advice from the Hair post and did both girls hair that way! I have done it on Aubrey with 3 a number of times over the last week - she calls it 'princess hair'. I did it to Molly for the first time at the Picture People while her daddy held her down :)

Hair Decision Input Requested

I need help. Molly has bangs. I was going to try to grow them out. But she won't keep a barrette or tie in them for very long so do I:

1) Give up and just cut them
2) Keep up the dream and just live with not seeing her eyes very often
3) Other options?

I really need input here... yes I am a dork and stress about silly things.

Updated: Took the girls for haircuts last night... we walked out looking like nothing had changed :) Molly's is a little more square around the bottom, bangs are still growing, untouched. Aubrey's was just trimmed a little bit.

THANKS!

Cows are Fast Part 2

A couple months ago, I met a cow on the road. A fast cow.

Yesterday, driving home from the pool, in the same spot on the same road, we saw that same cow; with 2 teenagers who had a stick, trying to get the cow to move.

We stopped, Doug rolled down his window and asked about the cow. It was their cow. And he does live on our road. And the cow's name is.... BURGERS.

I can't make this stuff up.

Not My Proudest Moment

At the pool today, 2 little girls (older than Aubrey) were playing with Mermaid Dolls. They were using our buckets and our ponies. Aubrey went over and introduce herself and sat down. And the girls were not nice to her.

I watched the whole thing and tried to stay out of it. But when I heard the little girl call Aubrey a stupid face, I went over there. I asked if everything was OK. Aubrey told me that the girls wouldn't let her play.

I asked the oldest girl what was wrong, she said, "my mommy doesn't let me talk to strangers so I can't play with her".

To which I replied, "Well, where is your mom, let's get introduced so you can play nicely". The little girl wouldn't go for it so I said...

"Fine, Aubrey if they don't want to share with you, let's grab our buckets and ponies and go play over here". And I dumped their dolls, took our buckets and ponies and walked away.

And I talked to Aubrey about sharing. And I felt like an idiot. Another mother did come up and say I handled that well... but it didn't feel like it.

And on the way out, I made sure that the little girl saw me talking to her mother - who I ended up casually knowing.



What would you have done?

Unspectacular Tag

Here are the directions from the Meme from Lyds.:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 people following bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they have been tagged.

Here are my 6 unspectacular quirks:
1) I secretly steal my kids snacks. And I don't tell. And I don't share. This includes french fries to Barbie "fruit" snacks to bites of their pizza/hamburger/whatever.
2) Sometimes I think having the right pair of jeans means I don't need to lose weight.
3) Whenever I eat something with high fat or sugar or have a beer, I actually make a decision before taking a bite, "Eat this or be thin" and then I eat it. And always regret it.
4) My husband is better at taking both our children out than I am. Or does it more often or is more comfortale doing it. Either way...
5) I drink too much caffeine and soda.
6) Aubrey knows that I don't sew and tells me that Ms. LA will fix her tights/skirt/shirt, etc. I don't correct her because she is right.

Random 7 - I don't like doing these because what if I took it too far or it is too weird?

I am not tagging... but do it, it is fun.

Mollyisms

I keep thinking I need to write this down so I don't forget...

When looking at a picture book and Molly sees a pair of shes she says, "Don't Fit" instead of "shoes".

When asking about a barrette for her hair or if I am brushing her hair she says, "Haircut"

When she sees the shape of a star she says, "Starfish"

When she wants me turn on the water while she is brushing her teeth she says, "Wash your hands" instead of Turn On Water.

When she wants the door closed she says "door open", light off is "light on"

When she wants me to help her she says, "Help you mommy".

When she wants me to wash her hands off she says, "Me wash your hands mommy".

When she wants to do something herself she says "I-SELF", but 3 seconds later she says, "help you mommy".

She says thank you when you hand her something or put her somewhere, even if it is the time out chair.

She still uses the sign for please when she says please.

She says I love you, a lot.

I have a BLOG?

Really, cause I am sure you thought I forgot. Ever feel like with every step you take forward you are still 2 steps further than where you are trying to go?

- We are in our second week of pre-school and it is good, but 2 distinct drop offs and picks ups 3 days a week is a little hard to get used to.

- How do you find out about activities for your kids in your area? And how come once I do hear about something, registration is totally closed? But really - HOW do you know what is available and what to look for??? I am looking for Aubrey and for Molly for the fall - dance/swimming/soccer, etc. Thoughts? (I have looked at Little Gym which has cheerleading which I think Aubrey would love but no Saturday hours, Little Gym might have something for Molly, swim lessons has no Saturday hours, not sure I want to do dance because Aubrey bugged out of that last year... the "zone" rec site I looked at didn't look like they did soccer until age 5)

-And how much is too much, how little is too little - in terms of activities.

- I still haven't blogged about our Maine trip, which was great. Below are some pictures.

Molly, so big!

Aubrey

Us at Clam Cove

Molly at Broadcove, collecting her version of treasures

Doug showing the girls how a lobster trap works

Just some of the treasures we found on our trip around Magic Island (Richmond Island) and the 3 beaches we visited!

-This weekend we did the great bed switch of 2008. I kept the girls in their own rooms, we took down the crib, moved the toddler bed from Aubrey's room to Molly's room and got a new bed for Aubrey. We went out with the intention of getting a queen or full bed for Aubrey since I had a comforter and sheets to fit that. We ended up paying half of the cost of the day/trundel bed from Ikea because it was in the As Is section - and there was nothing wrong with it! But that meant I needed to get bedding for Molly. Last night was the first night they both slept through the night.

- Our niece is on her way to college today, CRAZY! I remember my first trip to Maine, she was 10 and we went to Ferry Beach and had a blast walking around and making up stories.

- My office is moving into our new office space tonight, this is the office that my gym is in the same building so really, zero excuses are coming for me. Oh, and my parking space is in that building too... so no more half mile walk - good and bad.

- I have been tagged and I have a cool website to share so those will come hopefully later this week!

- Ahhhh, that felt good.

Labor Day is Coming

... and that can only mean 3 things:

1) Time to shop for fall shoes for the family
2) Time to get out my Christmas Spreadsheet and start the budget/gift
buying process
3) Time to put away the white shoes, shorts, and capris

Hard to believe how fast it all goes...

What does Labor Day mean to you?

The Worst Part

As a working mom who commutes about 30 miles... the worst part of the end of summer is the time it will add to my commute. This week is probably the last week that the drive will be 30 minutes. It will double when schools are in session on Monday.

While I will miss hot summer days at the pool, I am already enjoying the cool mornings. And while I will hate the city in the winter and the cold, I can already see Spring and the blooming of my tulips...

But did I mention the doubling of my commute time?

IN OTHER NEWS
Have you heard about the Stephanie Meyer Twilight books? I started them on vacation and am already on book 4. So good.

Singing in the Car

I sing in the car. I admit it, I full out, BELT IT OUT, I do it with gusto and arms and bopping.

And so does my oldest daughter. It is awesome! She picks up lyrics to songs faster than I do. It is amazing.


Her favorites to sing in the car right now:
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Operation: Working Vacation (Sugarland)
Joey (Sugarland)
Knowing Me Knowing You (ABBA)
Pocketful of Sunshine (N. Bedingfield)
Umbrella (Rhiana)
Three Little Birds (Marley)
I Will (Kraus)

And Molly loves the "froggy song" by BNL. "Froggy song Mommy, Froggy song"

I find such joy and fun in having my girls sing with me! Especially when Aubrey jumps in with lyrics I didn't know she knew or were paying attention to... and when she jumps in with something new she has a very impish grin she flashes at me in the mirror like she knows I will be surprised and excited.

Welcome Home or Stay In Bed or Monday's Suck

I really couldn't decide on a post title. And I haven't blogged because I haven't had pictures. Well, I still don't have pictures but I felt like blogging. It was a conundrum really. Am I capable of blogging without photos?

Anyway, we got back Saturday night. I watched the end of the women's marathon - AWESOME, and Phelps - unfreakingbelievable! So very cool to be able to say he is from Maryland.

Sunday we did the groceries, pool, unpacked, laundry, prepare for pre-school, etc. Plus I started back eating well and excercising which brings me to the post title and my Monday.

• Alarm goes off at 5am- because the next few weeks are crazy in terms of schedule. And I want to excercise and this is the only time I figure I can do it.
• I jump out of bed, get changed, and head outside with my iPod.
• It is freaking pitch black dark. Remember, Maine is further south so at 5am it wasn't that dark.
• I walk a little ways and remember that there are no lights on my road and it is kinda freaky so jump back in bed.
• Get up at 6, shower, start blowing drying hair.
• This is when my morning really starts.
• When the WASP gets tangled in my hair (flipped upside down) and stings me twice in the freaking neck right under my ear.
• And it hurts. It really hurts.
• Scream for Doug. He comes up, grabs a credit card and scrapes my neck and tells me to make a paste from Baking Soda and water while he battles the wasp in my bathroom.
• And it hurts. It really hurts.
• I make the paste too runny and run out of Baking Soda but manage to get some on and it does help.
• And it hurts. It really hurts.
• Doug gets the wasp, comes and puts some stuff on my sting
• Then I get the girls dressed, Doug gets them breakfast. I pack my new laptop bag, I pack up all of the stuff Aubrey needs for the first day of her new school, pack my healthy lunch, and get going - ON TIME!

Then I have to go to work. Well, after dropping Molly off and hearing her say, "Where sister go" and having my heart break. Then dropping Aubrey off at her new school - which I don't even get a hug good-bye, and then crying when I thought I wasn't going to be emotional at all.

And now I am at work, eating my healthy lunch and trying to figure out how I get a walk/run in tonight...

An Aside: And really what I want to know is, how do working women do it all? How do I figure out how to get all of my work done - which right now really requires 60 hours per week -get my kids where they need to go with in service days, half days, plus the Carnival at Aubrey's school this week, and LIFE?!?!

Beach Bulletts

Have I ever mentioned how blessed I am to have married into a family that vacations in Maine every year? No, well I should. It is like being in a time space continuum when you get up here. It was COLD, ok, very chilly, our first morning. It was rainy. Then we woke up to gorgeous blue skies and great beach weather. Then we woke up completely socked in with fog - but it burned off, we hit the beach early.

Amazing to me that in August it can be so pleasant - and that we can find big shells and sea life around every corner. I love it. I find peace (after some family leaves and things settle down), I am able to think about what I want to do or change or be. I can enjoy my kids and kiss my husband knowing that he is off to do what he loves - fish.

I haven't started exercising as I told myself I would - so after dinner I am hitting the beach for a walk instead of going to the ice cream stand... even if it is the best ice cream stand ever.

I haven't blogged, I have twittered , but I haven't had much to say... and even as I started this it was to be bullets but turned into not being bullets, but maybe that is because my husband surprised me with a Swedish Massage at the Inn By The Sea that has me slightly turned to liquid form.

Regardless we are enjoying our trip, enjoying our family, and remembering how to relax.

Overheard

This morning, Aubrey crawled in bed: I had a terrible dream.
Me: What was it about?
Aubrey: I just can't talk about it right now

Last night doing our good night routine:
Molly points to the ceiling: Starfish please
Me: Starfish?
Molly: STARFISH
Me: Starfish?
Molly takes my hand and leads me to the STAR maker machine thing.

After the doctor finished Molly's check up:
Molly: More, Please
Me: More dr. examine
Molly: Yes please

Crazy child.

Last night playing in Molly's room
Aubrey: Mamma, I will always stay with you. I will marry me.
Me: Oh, that is sweet.
Aubrey: Well, I won't marry you 'cause you are a girl. But I will always love you.
Me: I love you darling girl, and I am married to daddy, but thank you.

At the Dr. Office.
Molly: I play now
Me: Well, we need to wait for the doctor and stay in this room.
Molly: Come on, I play now.
Me: Let's see what's out the window, I see a truck.
Molly takes my hand, pulls me to the door.
Molly: I said COME ON.

Playing with her new doll in a little bassinet (swinging the bassinet)
Molly: Wock a bye, wock a bye, baby, in the wee wop, wock a bye REPEAT

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Molly's 2 year check up went great! She is perfect. 35 inches and 29 lbs.


We are headed on vacation Thursday night. So much to do and so little time, but very excited!!!

Molly is Two

My darling Molly,

Your second birthday has come upon us too quickly. I am overly emotional about this day because you are my baby and with each passing minute you are moving toward your true self, away from your dependence on me. And while I am proud of you and excited for you, it hurts.

I think this letter is supposed to me telling you about you. But everything about you is part of me. So I will interject my own feelings here and there.

When I was pregnant with you, we went to Lake Winnipesaukee and a friend's mother told me that she saw your impish face and that you would be trouble. And you are. From the moment you were born - 15 days early, to the first 13 weeks of your life where you screamed every day to the point that I tried cutting all known allergens from my diet and lived on Rice Krispies for a week. It didn't work. You just needed to get it out.

And today, you still, sometimes, just need to get it out. Trying to hurry you or ask you to do something before you are ready or before what you have set to do first is done, just isn't worth it. You know your own mind and you know how to communicate exactly what you feel exactly as you feel it. I admire that. I wish I was more like that -but at the same time, taking a deep breath and using your words might get you what you want/need faster and with less fuss. Just a thought.

Molly, you are a girl after my own heart, you love shoes. You love all kinds of shoes and they don't need to match, and wearing heels while you pretend to vacuum works, you carry it well. And who says you can't wear a winter wool hat in the middle summer? It looks cute on you. You pick out your own clothes with no room for negotiation. It makes our mornings interesting to say the least. But there is a trick, if I can get you downstairs and distracted by your sister or your daddy or Maxie, then you don't care what you wear. Well, until you remember you had an opinion.

"Where sister go" or "Where is Aubrey" or "What Aubrey doing" are some of the phrases we hear most from you. You love your sister. You love to know what she is doing, and try to do it. You love to hear what she has to say, and repeat it. You love to sit near her, to rub her back and put blankets on her, you love to play with the toys she has and you love to use what you learn from her and go off by yourself with your own game - but always looking back and making sure you aren't missing anything.

You love dolls and you love the new baby at daycare, you don't like when children cry and want to help and you love to be a caregiver. Today you told me it was "nigh-nigh time". You put a blanket on me, told me you loved me, and kissed me. It makes my heart warm to see you so loving and caring.

So while you drive me crazy and scream at the drop of a hat, you have the biggest heart and the most amazing capacity to love. And you can laugh. And you love to laugh, and often when you are laughing, you start screaming - but you still are happy at heart and a joy to be around.

Your daddy read this and says it makes you sound like a brat - you aren't. A bit challening and a lot stubborn and very independent. A lot loving, amazingly silly, a great sister and friend. You crack us up and you find beauty in everything you see and everything that is new.

I hope you have a great day and I hope the next year goes by just a little bit slower - for my sake.

I love you.

2008 Race Results

We couldn't be there, but we wished we were on the sidelines yelling, "YOU INSPIRE US" with our favorite Sister In Law and the cousins! And of course we had to look up the scoop and get the details!

This year!
Keith Craig - 42:10
Royal Craig: 51:00 - that is a full 16 minutes better than last year! AWESOME
it should also be noted that I THINK this means he gets the trip/destination of his choice...
Roy Craig 56:19
Sarah Craig 1:02:31
Alan Craig - 1:26:32

It should be noted that Caleb and Grandy won the Grand and 2nd Prizes of the Bank North Prize Wheel! WOW!

Last year's Details:
Keith Craig - 43:08
Roy Craig - 57:58
Doug Craig - 1:00:09
Stacie Craig - 1:00:25
Sarah Craig - 1:00:50
Mark Craig- 1:03
Royal Craig-1:07
Debi Craig - 1:15
Alan Craig - 1:28

Missing Out

This weekend is the 11th Annual Beach to Beacon race and the first year we have missed it since I met Doug in 2001. And the first one he has missed period.

Doug's entire immediate family, 90% of his extended family are all converging in Maine for the race and the annual Lobster Fest at the house.

This year, because of new jobs, daycare closings, extra vacations planned, we are not there. We are very sad. Seriously sad. We are setting up some times to do a video conference with everyone but it isn't the same.

We will not do this again next year, next year we will figure out how to be there!

We miss you and we will be there in 2 weeks!

Favorites

I am curious... do you have a favorite candy or magazine or author or skin care line or application that reminds you of childhood, helps in day to day life, let's you escape, organizes you?

What is it?

Hubby picked up some Fun Dips last weekend and I was reminded of going to the pool as a kid and spending my quarter at the snack bar on Fun Dips or my nickle on Fireballs! But I always had to put my fireball in water until most of the red was gone.

Also, I love Everyday Food, Oprah, Baltimore, and Maryland Life magazines - oh and Parenting.

I will randomly pick 3 responses and send some Old Bay packets if you comment with your thoughts!

Updated:
I emailed Amy, Jef, and Carrissa to send Old Bay! Sorry it took so long!

Dream Bed

I found this while looking for bunk beds yesterday, and while my girls would sleep on the floor with a pink blanket I so would LOVE for them to have this in their room.

Wouldn't you want this bed if you were a little girl??? It has a twin on top (look through the window) and the full on the bottom - but I THINK I could put our current toddler bed in that space until we needed a bigger one!

But it is only a dream...

Pre-School

Today I am taking Aubrey to a play date at the new pre-school she will start in Mid-August. I am nervous/excited/scared and a little sad. She will meet the teacher and the kids and we will play for an hour or so and then head back to Ms. LA's.



What if she loves it?

What if she hates it?

What if she is the problem child?

What if I haven't given her the tools to do well in a class room setting?

What if...



How did she get so big?

How did we get to preparing for kindergargen?

How did time fly by without a warning?

How do I let her go?

How...

**Update: Aubrey was fine. She was great. She had fun, she was polite and she told the teachers her full name, age and birthdate - I didn't even know she knew her birthdate. They played outside and about 7 kids were asking to play with her and she got a bit overwhelmed but she dealt with it and had a blast.

Food

A couple of weeks ago, we picked some ripe raspberries from the bushes lining our driveway, we grabbed some tomatoes from our garden and some rosemary from our garden. These fresh ingredients made me very excited to cook and so I made....

Raspberry and Blueberry Cobbler

Rosemary potatoes

And putting that together reminded me of these Crispy Green Beans I made last month, which were to DIE for!

Da Balloons

We hit Party City on Saturday with my mom. We needed birthday party supplies for Molly's 2nd birthday - I don't consider this a break in the 40 day plan as it is for a 2 year old's birthday party - well actually supplies for 2 parties. One at home and one in Maine.

While we were there, my mother saw a clearance rack for mylar balloons. The rest is history... BIG history.

Yes, these balloons could be in a Thanksgiving Parade.

And are bigger than Molly!

Are You My Mother?

This morning I helped get the kids up and dressed and instead of leaving the house with them I lallygagged a little. I cleaned up, I blogged, I did my hair a little fancier than usual, I had a cup of coffee, I read the news...

And as I drove to work, on the road that I live on, I was talking to my husband and saw a cow. In the road. I hung up with hubby, stopped the car, put it in park and got out to take a picture of the cow... in the road.

Exhibit 1: I have stepped out of the car and here is the Cow.
Exhibit 2: The cow has begun running towards me, and I start running but still try to get a picture. (So I don't know if this is an exhibit of the cow so much as my stupidity)
Exhibit 3: Safely in my car the cow in the mirror, very close.
Exhibit 4: The cow is now chasing my car as if it is his Mother.

I need to note here that Cows are much faster than you could ever anticipate. Very fast.

Toy Clean Up

Friday night I decided to take control of the house. From the clothes, the toys, the chaos. I started with the girls clothes. I tossed every piece of clothing in their rooms into the middle of their floors and did a major weeding. It felt good. And now there are only clothes for the season, that they can wear to school, available for choosing. That created 3 big bags for good will, plus bins for the new baby niece and fall bins for both girls.

Saturday we were gone all day having fun. Sunday morning we continued the clean house routine. Doug called me "a machine". We tossed every single toy, in the entire house in the middle of the office - toys from the basement, attic, rooms, etc.

This is where we started. Each girl started their own pile of things they needed to keep. And everything else got in a box - Goodwill, Trash, Sell/Give.

We are almost done here. I was shocked that I was able to every piece of every toy back together in it's original state. Puzzle pieces, Blue's Clues, Farms, Dora stuff, etc. It felt good.
And our stuff "organized". It is all sitting in the dining room now. We are trying to figure out what to do with the "good" stuff - yard sale or just give it away or what. Some of it we will keep and rotate.

And there only the toys that are in this room are out. And the girls are actually playing more with their toys because they know where everything is and maybe are not as overwhelmed with how much there was!

I think this came from us doing the 40 day challenge and realizing we don't need 1/4 of what we have!

Ahhhhh.... which lasted until Tuesday and now the house has toys all over it again. But as soon as I hit post, I will straighten up because I know where everything goes :)

What Molly Taught Me

She showed me that I can't be perfect, but doing my best is everything my girls need.

She taught me that accepting help is OK and doing it gracefully is a skill I took too long to learn.

Molly has shown me that every battle can not be won and that sometimes crying is the only thing you can do. But holding her through that is enough.

She has proven that what worked before will never be enough because of her determination and drive; I will sometimes need to go back to the drawing board.

She showed me that even if I do everything the same, she is different and in every difference is beauty, determination, and a chance for me to learn and grow and exand my heard.

She is my daughter. She is my heart. She is a little sister trying so hard to keep up that she forgets to enjoy who she is.

And while sometimes we forget to enjoy who she is, she never fails to surprise and entertain us! Like this morning at the breakfast table, "I funny".

I love you Molly.

Proof I am a Bitch

Aubrey: "Mommy memember when Maxie was in your tummy and I wasn't a little girl yet?"

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!

Potty Update

When we arrived at the beach on Saturday, I brought out the little potty, Molly sat down, and opened 2 presents, pretty princess panties and stickers. She was also offerred an M&M for being a big girl and sitting on the potty.

She did great. But I didn't do great. Being at the beach, having 2 girls running around needing attention, I really was not consistent with her and I didn't get her sitting as I should have. So the first 2 days she peed and pooped in the potty, between rounds of NOT doing those things in the potty. BUT Arley wanted in on the action and he ended the week potty trained! To the point that when naked he would walk over and pee and poo in the potty with no help!

On Wednesday I gave up - because of me more than because of Molly. I put her in diapers - except for at the beach. She was free-styling it all week in her bathing suit.

When we got home from the beach she said, "I have poopy I potty". So I put her on the potty. She looked like she was trying to do something... and then her sister walked in and she said "All done". We walked to the stairs, I hung up a coat whereby Molly squated down and pooped at my feet. And Max ran by and tried to eat it and Molly stepped in it and I yelled out "Welcome Home Craigs" and Doug and I laughed ourselves silly.

So... Arley is potty trained - he turned 2 in May. Molly is not... but I was confident enough that she wouldn't poop in her bathing suit in the pool that when we went today she free-styled there and was fine.

Good things about this trip: 1) Molly doesn't poop 5 times a day anymore, she does it twice and 2) When I have the energy and can maybe get Aubrey out of the house for 2 days I am pretty sure we can be potty trained and out of diapers and 3) We are out of swimmie daipers and Molly can swim in the big pool.

Oh, and this morning Molly told me she needed the big girl potty, we sat and sat and again I know she could have done something but her sister came in to use the sink and she wanted to go run after her and play with water...

Consistency, rewards, consistency, and encouragement - those are the tools of the trade! I think my sister and her husband were quite surprised that Arley did so well.... even at the beach!

Catching Up

We got home yesterday from a great vacation at Bethany Beach. Laundry is done, groceries purchased, even fit in a dinner with the girls Aunt Debi and Uncle Roy and Sarah and Royal.

We took 700 pictures. I promise not to post them all but here are a few I love.

Any one know any talent agents? This girl wants to be a model, just ask her ;) Baby crack rocks!
FisherWOMEN and Daddy
Ahhhhhhh
Arley and Molly were very cute together... if cute includes pushing, shoving, grabbing... but they had their moments and we miss Arley this morning!!