Birthday Boy

Today a very special person was born.  Today is my Daddy's birthday.

My Daddy is truly the best Daddy ever.  I'm sorry for those of you that think that your Dads are the best, because you are mistaken.  Your Dads may come in 2nd or 3rd, but the best spot is already taken =). 

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Daddy!!!  I love you!!!

 
Have a good weekend, everybody!
Ms. T


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Night Time Ninjas

I keep waking up to find bruises that I have no idea where they came from.  It looks like I've been beat up.  The thing is I cannot remember how I got these bruises.  So I have come up with a theory.

I swear there are ninjas that live in my sheets.  They come out and beat me up during the night.  At least they are considerate enough to let me sleep through the beating.

That is my theory.  And until you prove it to me otherwise it's the one I'm sticking with.  Because I refuse to believe that I am both a major klutz AND completely forgetful.  One or the other sure, but not BOTH at the same time.

Have a great day!
Ms. T 



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Silence

Lately I've seen several people post things that say something along the lines of, "Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler.  Then Silence is suspicious!"  Well, Sweet pea proved that the other day!

Sweet pea had gone into the dining room and was in there unattended for a few minutes.  When she came back into the living room with the rest of us she looked like this:

 
 She had found the candy stash in the diaper bag!  (I keep a stash of candy in there to reward her with when she goes potty when we're out and about).  Lil' stinker ate every last piece!!! The gross part?  There were both M&M's and Skittles in there.  I would think those would taste nasty together.  But as you can see by the picture above, Sweet pea was pleased with her score! =)

I hope you all have a great day!
Ms. T



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Tiramisu Pancakes

I am officially in love with IHOP.  They have created a tiramisu pancake.  OH MY WORD!!  Now, fair warning, they don't really taste like tiramisu.  They taste more like chocolate pancakes!  OHHHHHHH so good!!!!  

Our server, a friend, was telling us that she was disappointed in the tiramisu pancakes, because she was expecting tiramisu, but got chocolate flavor.  Since I had the warning before hand and knew I was in for chocolate pancakes I was not disappointed at all.  As a matter of fact, if they keep running this special I'm going to gain 50 pounds. =)

I hope you have a great day!
Ms. T 

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Good Friends

The other day I was shopping for clothes and there were 2 other women in the shop also.  One had gone into the changing rooms while the other remained out on the sales floor continuing to shop.  The one woman that was trying some clothes on came out with an ill fitting top on and asked what her friend thought.

The friend said, "Oh, honey, no!  That shirt shows off a bulge around your middle!  You don't want that one."  And then went back to shopping.  I looked at the friend who made the statements and said, "it's awesome to have a good friend shopping with you that you know will be honest with you."  She smiled and said, "yeah, I don't want my friends wearing anything that doesn't look good on them.  I want to help them if they ask my opinion."

I am blessed to have friends like this.  They are brutally honest with me when I need it.  It truly is refreshing. =)

Hope you have a great day!
Ms. T 


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5 Question Friday

Good morning, Friends =).  It's going to be a great weekend.  I can feel it in my bones =).

On with the questions 

1.  Have you ever been robbed and how did you handle it?
     I've never had any one break into my house or hold me at knife point.  Thank the good Lord.  I have had things stolen.  When I was about 12 I had my brand new Christmas bike stolen.  It broke my little heart.  My Daddy reported it to the police, but it was never recovered.

2.  What do you do at a kid's function when Parents don't behave?  Meaning they are the ones being impatient and rude.
     I'd like to say I handle it with the patience of a saint.  I would like to say, that I calmly speak to the parent and ask them to be considerate of others.  However, I'm not quite up to saint status yet :).  
    Most of the time, if I'm in a situation like this with my kids, we leave.  There is no reason for me to subject my kids to that.  Especially, since I constantly am telling them that we need to be kind and considerate and think of other people.  How is it beneficial to them for me to make excuses for an adult?  Nope.  We just leave. 

3.  Have you ever heard of a potty party?  Will you have one for your child?
     Ummm nope.  I've never heard of a potty party.  Seriously, I am envisioning standing around a toilet with party hats on.  Hahaha!  And while I know that's not what this question is asking it's still funny to think about ;).  Anyway, no, I don't have any intentions on throwing my kids a potty party.

4.  How young do you think kids should be when they start taking swim lessons?
     I think a kid should start taking swim lessons around 2 or 3.  However, I've seen some amazing video of infants saving themselves.  For real, y'all.  You need to watch this:

 
 It's so cool. 

5.  What makes you happy?
     Chocolate.  Chocolate makes me happy =).  Okay, okay, so my Hubs and my kiddos make me happy too.  I love them more than life itself.  (Seriously).  But chocolate definitely ranks right up there.

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Ms. T



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Up Swing

I've shared several times before about my mental illness

I went to see my crazy doctor on Friday.  (No, my doctor is not crazy.  It’s the doctor I go to because I am crazy. =)  I had been dreading the visit, because I’m still adjusting to this new doctor.  My doctor that I was comfortable with moved away =(.  Anyway, point of the story, Ms. T!  Stop with the bunny trails!  Sorry.

So we worked out some different things and I feel so much better!  I am definitely on an upswing and I love it!  It had been a long time since I’d had a true up swing and gosh I’ve missed it!  Anyway, so I’m reveling in my mood.  However, I’m also kind of waiting for the “other shoe to drop”.  Gah!  I hate being a pessimist! 

I hope you have a great day!  I am going to =)

Ms. T

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World Record

 Have you ever wondered who holds the world record for the most returns of the same item in one shopping trip?  Well as of now it is me!

Back story:  A few weeks ago our DVD player broke.  I was the one assigned the task of buying a new one.  I did and low and behold not a week later that darn thing broke too!  So I had to return it.  

Ok this brings me to the current story.  I walked into the store and returned the broken DVD player.  I then went back to the electronics department and picked up a new one, and a few other things.  I checked out while still in the electronic department.  I then proceeded to the clothing department, while there I noticed a sign that said with a 50.00 purchase you would get a .30 off a gallon coupon for gas!  Since I had spent 50.00, but didn't get a coupon I went to the front desk to ask about it.  

The lady behind the front desk said that I didn't get the coupon, because the cash registers in the electronics department do not have catalina machines (the machine that prints out the coupons).  So she said she would return the stuff for me and then take me to another register where I could check out again and get the coupon.  

Once the return was finished, we toodled right over to the registers, picked one and I checked out again.  However, the catalina still didn't print.  It turns out that register's catalina machine was broken!  So the lady took my receipt back to the front desk, returned it all AGAIN and then we went to a different register to check out AGAIN.  Finally, the coupon did print and I was able to leave the store.  Goodness!  I felt like I'd run a marathon by the time I was done with that mess.

And that, my friends, is the story of how I became the world record holder for the most returns of the same item in one shopping trip. =)

Have a great day!
Ms. T

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Tattle Taling- Monster's Inc. Style

Firecracker gets into these phases where he wants to watch one t.v. show or one movie all the time.  He'll ask for this show/ movie every time he gets to watch t.v.  Sometimes these phases will last for weeks on end.  

Right now we are in the middle of a Monster's Inc. phase.  Firecracker wants to watch it constantly.  Well, there is a part in the movie (don't worry if you don't remember it, because I've watched this movie at least 4 times in the last week, that's why it's fresh as can be in my mind) where one of the monster's comes out of a kid's room and turns around.  This monster's partner spots a child's sock on the first monster's back.  (You must remember that the monsters think that one touch from a child can kill you).  So the partner monster shouts "Twenty-three Nineteen!!"  Then like 50 monsters from the CDC decsend on the first monster to remove the offending sock, and sanitize the monster.  Ok, so with that scene in mind, we move on to this post.

Lately, every time Firecracker sees Sweet pea doing something she shouldn't be he starts screaming, "Twenty-three Nineteen!!"  Until I come to find out what the problem is.  I never realized that Monster's Inc. could teach a child a completely different way to tattle ;).

Have a great day!
Ms. T 


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Great Memories

With Father’s Day this last weekend, I was reminiscing about what a great Father I have.  One memory hit me harder than the others.  It was something I hadn’t thought about in years.  However, it shows what an amazing, sweet, self- sacrificing Father I have.

When I was about 6 I had a loose tooth.  Our family went to a friend’s house to visit for a few days.  While there my tooth came out.  I was elated!  (I’m pretty sure it was my first tooth to fall out, but I don’t remember for sure.)  Because I was 6 and didn’t think things through, I put the tooth on the counter in the bathroom and proceeded to go around telling anyone that would listen about my tooth falling out!  When I went back in to retrieve the tooth, it was gone!  My little 6 year old heart was broken.  Where had my tooth gone?  It was so special to me!

My Daddy came in the bathroom and helped me look around.  He concluded that it probably went down the drain.  I was crushed!  I had lost my prized possession!  My Daddy tried to console me, but I was so upset.  So Daddy went and got some tools and took the piping of the sink apart and looked all through it.  He was so sweet!  Unfortunately, the tooth was gone forever, but I knew my Daddy would do anything for me.  I knew he loved me.

That memory is one that will always stick with me.  How many grown men do you know that would disassemble a friend’s sink looking for their kid’s missing tooth?  Not many, my friends!  He’s one in a million and I’m so glad God placed me in his family.

I hope you all had a great weekend.  And I hope you have a fabulous day!

Ms. T

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5 Question Friday!

Hey, everyone!  It's Friday!  *insert happy dance here*  Weekends are so great =).

Ok, off we go with the 5 question fun!

1.  What do you appreciate most about your children's Dad?
     Hmmmm.... this is a hard one, because the Hubs is so amazing.  It's hard to pick just one thing.  If I have to pick just one I guess it would be how great of a Dad he is.  He spends time with them, changes diapers, helps put them to bed etc.  Firecracker and Sweet pea don't realize yet what a jack pot they scored in the Daddy department.  Plus, he's totally hot ;)

2.  Do you always wear your seat belt?
     Yes, I do.  Once upon a time I was driving on the interstate and got rear ended by a semi.  Not a tap either, like full on, hit 6 other cars, the car I was in was demolished, hit by a semi.  My injuries?  A big bruise where my seat belt had kept me in my seat, and whip lash.  God was sooo good to me that day.  It could have been so much worse.  Plus the accident was totally worth it, because it was one of the big factors in the Hubs and I getting together. (I'll tell you that story another day ;)
   Also, I try to be a good example to my kids.  I don't want to be one of those parents that is all "do what I say, not what I do".  So, because I expect them to wear a seat belt, I wear a seat belt.

3.  Do you dream?  And do you remember them?
     Yes, I dream.  I have wacky, weirdo, dreams.  And unfortunately, yes I remember them. Example: I go to a friend's house to hang out, we're sitting there chatting with our kids playing nicely together.  Then she asks me if I want to see her pet.  I say yes, she leads me to a swimming pool filled with alligators!  She says that pet shops pay a lot for alligators, so she and her hubby go out on the weekends and grab a few of them and try to sell them to make a little extra cash.  Then she insists I wrestle one.  See?  Totally wack-a- doo!  I need to have my head examined.  Luckily, I go to my crazy doctor today! =)

4.  What is one thing you swore you'd never let your kids do before having them, that you have now changed your ways about?
     I can't think of one right now.  I know there are lots of them, but right now that I'm put on the spot I've got nothing.

5.  If you could be granted one wish what would it be?
     Just one?  Gosh, I can think of 1,000 things I would wish for, but I guess everyone is that way.  Ok, so just one.... I'm gonna go with wishing that Firecracker and Sweet pea will always have a good relationship with the Hubs and I.  You know what I mean, the kind of relationship where they can tell us anything.  We can talk with them and feel like they're listening when we talk.  Nothing this world could offer could be worth more than that. =)

Have a great weekend!
Ms. T
 

 
  




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A Letter To Myself

The Hubs and I were having a conversation the other day about the things in the past that we would change if we had a chance.  And while I don't have any major ones like, "Hide the marijuana better" or anything, there are a few I would have avoided if I could.  I decided I'd compose a letter to myself of the things I would tell myself at the age of 15 or so.

Dear Me,
     I know that right about now you think you're so mature.  You're not.  And that's ok.  Enjoy being a teenager, because it only comes once.  Yes, I know you feel awkward around boys, and sometimes you don't know exactly what to say to people in general, but just chill.  Be happy and enjoy your life.
     The guys that you're surrounded with right now are great as friends, but none of them are your soul mates.  Hang out with them and have fun, but don't crush hard.  
     Don't try to become a teacher.  You will enjoy a few years of teaching, but then you become weary of overbearing parents.  Parents that think you're the one who is wrong and their child is perfect.  These people steal your joy and make you despise teaching.  Get a business degree instead, or something else, NOT teaching.
     Becareful what you say.  Yes, I know you are sarcastic, but not every one does.  Be more gentle with your words.  Know that your friends truly do care for you.  And you really will be BFFs ;).
     Oh, and most importantly, keep an eye on the guy with the awesome mustang that goes to church with you.  Sure you've known him forever, and yeah he might be a little older than you are, but trust me, he's a MAJOR KEEPER!  
                                                                    See you in the future,
                                                                          Me 




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Night Time Shenanigans

When Firecracker first moved from a crib to a big boy bed I held my breath.  I just knew he was going to be one of those kids that would get up in the middle of the night and paint the walls with peanut butter or shove 123,434,321 match box cars down the toilet etc.  Firecracker surprised both the Hubs and I by never getting up.  If I remember correctly he got up once or twice, but after that he was obedient and stayed in bed!  We were thrilled!!

Recently we came to an impasse with Firecracker.  He was constantly asking to go to the bathroom after he had been laid down for the night.  So we told him that he was allowed to get up and go to the bathroom, but that was it.

For about a month Firecracker would get up and go to the bathroom at night time without incident.  The Hubs and I were feeling pretty confident that we were going to be fine.  Yeah.... we thought too soon!

For several days now we have been catching Firecracker up at all hours of the night.  Not only has he been up he has been into all kinds of things!  Let's see the list includes, but is not limited to:
*putting bandaids all over himself
*using an entire roll of toilet paper and throwing it in the toilet
*using his tooth brush to clean the bathroom mirror (thank God it was the mirror and not the toilet!)
*unwinding 1/4 of a roll of floss and spreading it all across the bathroom.  Trust me you don't realize how much floss is in a container until your kid stretches it across the bathroom 2 or 3 times and there is still 3/4 of a roll left!
*getting into the pantry and eating snacks

Yep, and this is just the stuff we've CAUGHT him at.... Oh goodness.  The Hubs and I have become much more vigilant about making sure he's in bed when we go to bed and inflicting punishment when he's not in bed.  However, I can't help but wonder what has caused this boy, who nearly never ventured out of his bed at first to become the master of night time shenanigans?  I doubt I will ever figure this kid out!

Have a great day!
Ms. T


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Conversation

The other day Firecracker was watching "The Mickey Mouse Road Rally".  In this episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse the characters each pick a different form of transportation.  That was the backdrop for this conversation: 

Firecracker: "Daddy, what do you want to drive?"
Hubs: "I want to drive my cool mustang."
Firecracker: "okay.  Mommy, what do you want to drive?"
Me: "I want to drive a 68 mustang."
Firecracker: "No, Daddy is driving a mustang."
Me: "Okay, I will drive an old school Firebird."
Firecracker: "Nope, you can't drive that.  You get roller skates."

And then he walked out of the room.

A few minutes later he came back in and I said, "buddy, do you realize that a Firebird is a car?"

Firecracker: "No, Mom, that's a BIRD.  You can't drive a Bird!"

Hahahaha!!  He cracks me up!

I hope you have a great day!
Ms. T 


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Potty Training

Sweet pea has been potty training.  It has actually been going very well.  She often just goes right over and sits on the potty seat without being reminded and goes.  She only comes to tell me when she's all done and is asking for her candy. (a skittle as a positive reward system).

In fact Sweet pea has done so well I have started becoming frustrated when she has accidents.  My Mama had to remind me this week of just how new she is to this whole potty training thing (less than a month).  And how very rare it is for a child to be doing this well so soon.  Sweet pea even poops on the potty!  That is a HUGE step for those of you who don't know.

Patience is what I need to remember.  Rome wasn't built in a day, and potty training is not accomplished over night.

I hope you all have a great day!
Ms. T  


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Singing

Sweet pea has recently started into a new stage that Firecracker never hit.  She has started attempting to sing along with nearly every song she hears.  It's so adorable!

If she is familiar with the song she can get a few of the words right.  However, even if she's never heard the song before after the first stanza or so she jumps right in with her own version.  

Honestly, so many of these little stages are things I'm afraid I'll forget about my kid's childhoods.  I'm afraid I'll look back and remember generalities.  However, its so hard to remember to document these cute little phases.  I'm going to have to try harder.  Especially with Sweet pea!  I tend to be lopsided, because Firecracker is the first we experience each phase with newness and excitement.  With Sweet pea we accept it as the norm.  

I'm going to try and be better.... try being the operative word.

I hope you have a great day!
Ms. T 


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Cloud Dough

I've shared with you my ever growing love for Pinterest.   Well, cloud dough is another inspiration from this one of my favorite sites! 

Cloud dough feels like flour, but is mouldable.  It is fun to make all kinds of different shapes and even just run it through your fingers.

Pros:
1.  The kids loved it! (always a great thing to find an activity they like)
2.  It's cheap
3.  It's super easy to make!

Cons:
It makes more of a mess than I was intending.  So it's more of an outside activity than an inside activity.  I was looking for fun indoor activities for rainy days.  Oh well!  It exceeded my expectations in other respects.  I can live with this one miniscule down fall.

Recipe:
8 cups flour
1 cup baby oil

mix and give to the kids! =)  See I told you it was easy and cheap!

Here are some pics of the kids loving the cloud dough.

Have a great day!
Ms. T


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Super Hero Madness!

Lately Firecracker has gotten into a major super hero craze.  He insists on being called Batman the majority of the time.  There are even times he will not answer to his true name!  He corrects me and says, "No, Mommy, I'm Batman."  He says this in a patient tone with a hidden meaning of, "I can't believe you forgot, again".

Firecracker has even gone so far as to assign each member of the immediate family a super hero identity.  My super hero name is pretty solid.  I am always Robin.  It's cute to hear him say things like, "Robin Mommy, may I have a granola bar?"  The Hubs is Green Lantern, I'm still scratching my head about this one.  To my knowledge he has never heard anything about the Green Lantern.  He has seen him on a few pictures of the Justice League, but other than that nada.  Anyway, sometimes the Hubs is switched up and can be either Captain America or Iron man depending on Firecracker's mood.  And Sweet pea is often referred to as Superman. She, like the Hubs can change her identity according to Firecracker's mood.  On occasion she is Wonder Woman, or Super Girl.

I'm not entirely sure how long this Super Hero craze will last, but it's utterly adorable. =)

I hope you have a great day!
Ms. T      

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A Lesson In Thankfulness

Lately Firecracker has been going through a "gimme gimme phase".  You know how it goes, "Mommy, I want a __________ like my friend has." or, "Mommy, look at that toy! I want one!"  It doesn't matter if he even knows what it does, what matters to him is that it looks cool, and he wants it!  No matter that he forgets about said toy's existence the next day and is on to asking for something else.

The Hubs and I have been working with him about being thankful for the things he has, not constantly asking and desiring more than he has.  It's an on going struggle for him (and us).  We explain to him that he has lots of things other people do not have.  A home, a bed, clean water, electricity etc.  He doesn't fully grasp this concept.  In his world everyone has these things.

Well, this weekend we got the opportunity to show him first hand what it's like to be without electricity.  Not purposely, but we had a power outage after the sun had gone down, but right before bed time.  These circumstances made it difficult to get ready for bed.  Firecracker couldn't understand why the lights wouldn't turn on.  He ran from room to room flicking light switches and calling, "Mommy! The lights aren't working in here either!"

This was a valuable chance to explain that a lot of people go without electricity every day.  Aren't we lucky to be able to have it?  Firecracker agreed we are lucky to be able to flip a switch and have lights and fans and air conditioning.  

Now, I know our battle with gaining contentment is far from over.  I mean come on, I'm a full grown adult and still struggle with desiring things I don't have.  But I hope our little lesson sets in and Firecracker gets a small hint of how lucky we are.

Hope you have a great day!
Ms. T 


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