Who's Birthday Is It?

On the menu:
Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, homemade cream gravy (maybe a vegetable if I get crazy)
Homemade peach cobbler & Blue Bell ice cream

Inside the gift bag:
Impulse purchases made this morning

It's Tim's birthday.



I got all crazy and bought that for you on itunes (last week and I forgot and never told you... until now.)

Ich liebe dich and happy birthday.

almost wordless wednesday

In case you couldn't tell-

That guy there with the hat on... I love him. 

 

He still makes me laugh

and has crazy ideas

and flirts by trying to irritate me.

and then I laugh-cried and everyone went to bed

Did you know I never need to look at a clock to know when it's 4:30pm? It's true. I always know when it's that time because my children lose their minds. When I had one baby I didn't believe in this "witching hour" thing. Until I got pregnant with my second... and D would need immediate attention right as I started making supper or doing anything relatively important. He would cling to my legs and cry and demand to be held. This trend has continued and I'm afraid it may have gotten worse over the last couple of months. I'm praying/begging/pleading with whoever is in charge of this hour to end this trend because I think this is about as much as I can handle. At least the upset/angry/everything-leads-to-a-fight "witching hour". (About 50% of the time the "witching hour" is just my kids being happy-wild. I am much better with that.)

Spider Man made an appearance last night and fell off his bed. I had just told him and his side kick, Superhero Flying D, to stop jumping on and off the beds. When I returned to my residence (the kitchen) I heard another jump, followed with a hard land, followed by scream-cries. I gracefully scaled some obstacles (maybe one of my other children) and rescued a crumpled Spider Man. I saw some blood (from the nose) and luckily my adrenaline was in high gear (because the nausea attacked when we calmed down a few moments later). I grabbed some tissues and typed furiously into the search engine "kid fell off bed bloody nose" and deemed him fine. (honestly there was more slobber coming from his blubbering than blood from his nose) He was back to being his normal self a few moments later. (Which means he didn't slow down for very long.)

Everything seemed to be better after I gave them a slice of homemade bread. They were quiet for about a whopping 3 seconds. Then they tried to negotiate eating their supper... we'll just have bread, this stew looks yucky. (It was delicious!) Then a little smarty-pants appeared at my table and told me to give him more bread or I'm gonna take your computer away. To which I replied with a you don't make the rules around here mister! He spent some time in his room.

Rose was giving me lots of grief because I wouldn't carry her everywhere. She has been running straight to me and grabbing my legs and I keep on walking/doing what I was while she makes me drag her around. She also bursts into tears any time I put her down, give her an option of graham crackers or cheerios, give her juice, or have to peel her off of my legs. I'm not exaggerating. I have to have something to blame for her crazy actions over the last several days, so I am about 73% sure she is cutting a molar. Or two. I tried to pry open her mouth and look but that's a difficult task and then I tried to feel for one, but the fact that she thinks it's hilarious to bite my fingers frightens me.

The boys (neither took a nap so I'm sure that was a catalyst in all of this) were refusing to eat supper, jumping off their beds, trying to have an excuse for an ER visit, trying to punish me for feeding them, telling me No and not listening. I sent a text to T that read Mind is shriveling. That was after I debated sending him this one: I've lost my mind a million times already! They are trying to send me to a padded room because I made stew for supper!! What did I do to deserve this?! I decided that was a little much. I didn't want to scare him too badly. He called a few minutes later saying he was on his way home and I must really be having a tough time since I texted him about it and I rarely do that. He was so sweet. I may have laugh-cried (which instantly requires a moment of mommy isolation/timeout or she is sure to only see her kids during Sunday afternoon visits in a private courtyard on the outskirts of town.) (That sounds like a nice place... don't be fooled, it isn't.)


T made it home and the house was extremely quiet which may have scared him a little bit. I was folding some laundry (while Rose jumped in it, totally making it pointless) in our bedroom while D was still sulking at the table and Ry had just decided to go on to bed. T was very good with them. He put in bed and told them a story (I don't know what about but I heard Once upon a time there were two little boys who never ate their supper...). Then we put Rose to bed and she was unhappy about that. After a while of her mommy, mommy, mommy-ing I went in and she tossed her blanket at me and I hugged her and said it was night-night time to which she responded with, I want Daddy! I let her have him. Then I inspected her gums and administered some infant ibuprofen (not a full dose, however) she stole some bread from T and then I put her back in her bed where she blew me a kiss and said, bye Mommy! wuv you! She plays the game so well.

Those evenings are hard, but luckily they aren't the norm around here. I guess the whole point of writing this out is to keep things real. I usually don't write much about how the kids were misbehaving or me hiding in my room for 30 seconds to just breathe and find a happy place... So anyone else out there having one those kinds of days- you aren't alone!

Thankfully, today is a new day and we can start fresh. Hopefully we won't have any mega meltdowns or serious injuries. It's supposed to be nice out so maybe we'll go a long walk this afternoon to get the wiggles out before dinner time. Maybe I'll grace the blog again later today with something a little more lighthearted... we'll see how it goes. Have a happy Wednesday everyone!

Weekend Update

If you read my posts from this weekend then you already know what I did for the most part. Saturday I spent the morning feeling pathetic and whiny. T went grocery shopping and got everything on the list plus some items that he felt I might like. (creme brulee ice cream, flowers, donuts)

little treasures

I believe the kids picked out the flowers. They asked what my favorite color was (green) and I supposed picked these based on that fact. Very sweet and I really appreciated the vibrant colors! The donuts were delicious. There was a cinnamon-sugar one (one of my favorites) a coconut, pecan, butterscotch and of course chocolate and sprinkles.

My father-in-law was also out grocery shopping and sent T some sweets for me, too. A pyramid raspberry mont blanc... fancy schmancy (I don't know what it is but it's sweet!) Unfortunately, I can barely taste anything except salty things so, the ice cream was cold but I could taste hints of sweet sugary goodness, the donuts I could taste (maybe cause they weren't cold?) and the raspberry I could almost taste. So I am saving it until I regain my sense of smell and taste.

The rest of Saturday we ate pizza and watched some football. I started feeling a lot better which was really nice.

Sunday I woke up painfully early because I was coughing. So I was able to spend about thirty minutes just browsing around the Internet world with a cup of coffee. I wasn't feeling ultra good but it was still nice. Then everyone else got up and T took the boys to check on some things around the place and I ended up taking Rose to town to get some feed and eye patches. (yep, still doing eye therapy and it's going good.) I don't know if I'm not supposed to take zyrtec with coffee but I got really woozy both Saturday and Sunday when I did. So, I'm going to avoid doing that again. It was weird.

Sunday was good to me. We went for a walk and although it made feel physically bad because I was right in the middle of a bunch of weeds setting off my allergies I really enjoyed being out with my family. T and I talked about our future house and I'm pinning away ideas. Sunday seemed like a really long day (probably because I woke up so early). I made some soup I'd been craving for supper. We all loved it and I don't have any leftover for lunch today. After we put the kids to bed T and I played dominoes and watched Sunday night football. I won. Then I went to bed. The end.

Only, it's not. Now Rose is sporting a faucet nose and cranky.... it's probably going to be a long day. Thankfully I know how she feels and am being very sympathetic and compassionate.  I might do the minimal as far as housework. Cuddling is a far bigger priority than laundry today.  (and it always should be...)

I'm the biggest baby ever

Why am I posting on a Saturday? Well, T got up around uh... I don't really know but I'm guessing around 630ish with the kids. I finally managed to fall off the bed a little after 7 and was promptly told to go back to bed. (I must be lookin' real fine today.) We were supposed to go grocery shopping this morning. It's still getting done but I'm not there. T took all three of the children grocery shopping. You guys, I prayed for him after he left because anytime you pack up all three children to do anything by yourself you need someone to pray for you. (I bet all the women at the store are going to find a way to talk to him. It's happened before.) Anyhow, I just love that man. He gave me a hug and said, "you just zone out or blog out or whatever you want." So, I watched some TV (I caught the last 10 minutes of the Pioneer Woman/Bobby Flay throw-down thanksgiving episode for the first time. I'm glad she won. Tradition is everything) and then I opened up my blog reader and decided hey, why not type something ridiculous and random on a Saturday. I am sitting here with my coffee (that was made by T) and my laptop and the TV on, still in my pajamas and loving it. (have I mentioned that I love my husband?)

stay strong, T

(click away now. I'm about to get whiny)

Why am I home? Poor, pitiful me is still strugg-a-ling with the allergy attack of fall 2011. I don't know why but it seems like it gets worse every year. Growing up I never suffered from any allergies (except mosquito bites which I sadly passed on to my offspring) so, as an adult I am suddenly and dramatically brought down by a low count of some terrible pollen. The first day I had a scratchy throat and stuffy nose. Nothing I couldn't handle. The next day (yesterday) it was a very sore throat and runny/stuffy nose and I started coughing. (ooh, isn't this the most fascinating thing ever?) Anyhow, by last night I was hacking up lungs left and right and barely talking with out trying to find a morphine button for the extreme pain in my throat (unfortunately for me there was no button, but I popped some more tylenol was able to swallow without bursting into tears). I was still a good person and made peanut butter cookies for a delicious treat for everyone putting up with my adult onset allergies that turn me into a big baby. I also made pizza for supper. It made my whole day when T walked in and exclaimed "Yes! Pizza!" (because pizza is reserved for laziness on my part)

a rainbow to make up for this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad post

Wow. This is the most boring and self tragic post in the world. And it's taken me forever to write it because I keep misspelling nearly every word and getting distracted with crappy television shows. By the way, my throat is feeling better this morning and my head is feeling okay until I stand up because it feels like it's going to pop off from pressure. My cough is not sounding so evil, however I've come to possess an unnaturally low, smokers voice.

Again, I am sorry for being such a baby about this. And for writing it and posting. As soon as I feel normal I'll regret this forever. I'm sure you've already clicked the red x in the corner. I'm not upset over that at all. This post has been just delightful. Here's to hoping I feel better soon. My family would very much appreciate it, I'm sure.

trying to catch a rainbow. me, too, honey

best and cutest children in the world

For the record, T and the kids have been so very kind to me. Hugs, and "are you feeling better Mommy?" and kisses on my forehead... I love them. I'll have to make them something really special to eat when I feel better, cause that's what mothers do, right? Cook and bake to say thank you.

pictures (sans clever title)

Last night we celebrated my brother's birthday. I mentioned yesterday that I was going to bake some cookies and give some to him for his present.... didn't go like I planned. I halved my recipe (no biggie) and substituted butter for shortening... apparently this is where it went um, flat. I think I should have chilled the dough before plopping the cookies on pans and shoving them in the oven. Were they tasty? Yes. Did they look good? Nah. See for yourself.

I was so happy to be baking but this kind of ruined it. How do I mess up cookies?

I didn't box them up and gift them. I just went and ate tacos and let my presence be my present. I didn't even have a card (I am such a thoughtful sister).

Then there was the free entertainment provided by the children

Rose practically tackling D cause she needed a lift

Ry was oblivious to his siblings' shenanigans and watched Toy Story 3

Opa, my sis, D & T.J

Beard-O (playing the role of uncle) and T.J

I know I'm editing pics!! I like the sketch effect on free photoshop.... maybe too much?

Well, I took uno photo of my bro and it's not exactly flattering so I will be a good sis and not embarrass him. (I don't think he even knows I have a blog so I could very probably, almost, maybe get away with it if I did.)

I'm off to the grocery store now. Three people are about to have some serious words with me because they are out of juice, yogurt and cheese sticks... Please let them have pumpkin pie spice creamer for me; it's like a little reward if they do. I am hoping that my early morning trip will prevent the little ones from doing a repeat of last week. I did not appreciate them mocking me in the produce section. (I'm being a smart(ish) lady and taking a ziploc of animal crackers with me... will they stop a potential meltdown? We shall see. we.shall. see.)

It started out great until my facepalm moment

1. Furry Mammals 
Yesterday D and I went to feed the chickens and something small darted across our path and hid under an old bathtub (we use it for compost and such). Upon first peripheral vision glance (while it was darting) I thought it was a toad, but then my brain and eyes caught up with each other and added fur. I was kind of freaked out about seeing a furry toad until I figured out a way to position myself for a quick peek while simultaneously positioning myself for a quick escape... in case it was vicious. I was glad I had thought to bring my camera (as well as D- he was acting as my fearless bodyguard) so I could snap this picture

Not a fur covered toad after all. It's a baby bunny rabbit. Later D was telling me that he'd like to have a pet bunny (this is NOT an acceptable birthday gift!) because they are cute. Oh honey-child, what I couldn't tell you is that "pet" bunnies usually end up on your dinner plate. I can't cook that so it ain't a-happnin.

Our second mammal was a mouse. A mouse that had been extremely careful and had managed to eat/lick the peanut butter I smeared on the mouse traps without setting any of them off. I was a tiny bit irritated with said mouse since I keep discovering evidence and have actually seen the perpetrator run across the floor (Mama is not happy when these things happen). Well... the mouse got thirsty, or maybe he wanted to go for a swim. I don't know. Beard-O went in the bathroom this morning and I hear, "Oh! That is GROSS." I'm thinking that a kiddo forgot to flush, but he tells me to come see what he's talking about. (Have you figured this out, yet?) There was a mouse. Swimming!! in the toilet. Ugh. Now I have to worry about that in the middle of the night when I'm doing my "check the children and pee since I'm up anyhow" routine. yea!!!

2. When I started this post I had multiple things to address and now I can't remember them.

3. I really want to bore you with the amount of clothing that should be put away, the baking I want to do but don't want to clean up after, how the frito pie yesterday was a bad decision, that I may or may not be designing a 49 square foot kitchen, how it's becoming increasingly hard to be motivated in my housekeeping duties, I want some retail therapy, want my hair to look nice, am looking forward to this cold front tomorrow, am disappointed in my chickens laying 5 eggs instead of at least a dozen thus making me even more upset about the price hike in feed. Venting and facepalming is apparently my specialty today.

via

 4. I'd like to publicly thank Beard-O for everything he does and for being so kind to me. I have been in a funk over the last couple of days that I have no explanation for. I just feel bleh/meh. You never complain about my lack of putting clothes in proper places and that I continue to allow the dryer to become a closet, that we had an impromptu pizza dinner (cause that's what I felt like) at 8pm last night due to my poor planning and time management, that you have taken the kids outside so I can have 20 minutes of clear thinking while I'm cooking, thanks for taking charge of bath time with the kids.... I don't know why I get impatient but you are awesome for letting them splash you and listening to the ever present shrieking about water getting near their faces. You are more fun than me, tell better stories and seem to enjoy them using you as a human jungle gym. I feed them so they love me for that, though. I really appreciate you.

5. Picture of an adorable child to make up for all the nonsense of #3:

 

I'm done here. I'm going to bake something to see if I can find some motivation in sugar, butter and flour. It's there somewhere, right? Oh, it's also my brother's birthday today so baking cookies can double as a gift. Winning. (sort of)