Snow Day

Sometimes it is the smallest, unplanned moments that melt your heart the most.  There were several of those today.  After a rough start to the week with typical two year old melt downs and infant cries, today was a snow day.  Just as when we were little, I still look forward to snow days.  I love the snow.  Watching it pile up on the ground as it falls gracefully from the skies... love it!  The white untouched snow covering everything in sight, my favorite sight in all the seasons.  But best of all is being able to live a snow day through the eyes of a child. 

Though Nolan had been sick much of the day yesterday and still had a slight fever this morning, I bundled him up and took him outside.  We waited for the lull in the storm.  There was nothing falling from the sky when we were out, it was just the ground covered 10"+ in heavy wet snow.  Getting out the door was hilarious.  "No, no" was all he kept saying.  We couldn't open the door because the snow was so high and he was saying no because it wasn't supposed to be like that. 

Once outside he marveled in the amount of snow on the ground.  We went for a walk and quickly turned around because the snow was blowing and slapping him in his face. 

We decided to walk into the middle of the yard and we just sat there.  We sat in the snow and laughed and giggled.  He was eating the snow and I was taking pictures.  His little nose was running and his cheeks were beat red, but that didn't phase him.  He just enjoyed the snow, as a kid should! 

Mr. Runny Nose

The snow has continued throughout the day and to be honest it is STILL snowing out there.  Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and for us another snow day.  I have hyped him up all night about going to play in the snow tomorrow and seriously I can't wait.  Whether it be the beauty, the pureness, or the chance to be little again..... there is something about the snow that puts life into perspective.

Be Little

Today, we celebrated my niece's birthday at a place that has a bunch of bounce houses and a huge play area.  I had been telling Nolan since Thursday that we were going to go play with balls and jump, just trying to build his excitement.  Upon arrival today (only 15 minutes late, amazingly), we walked into the place and Nolan's eyes lit up.  I, on the other hand, continued to repeat "walk buddy, Mommy needs you to walk", as I pushed a stroller through a crowd of kids and Moms. 

It's moments like that when I wish I could get a grip on the fact that life isn't about rushing or pushing forward as I had today.  Really, who would have cared if I would've stopped for a moment to bend down to ask my two year old what his thoughts were about the place?  Sure, the stroller would have been in the way of a group of kids, but they are kids.... so really, do they care?

Sadly, I admit that I am your classic type A personality.  Everything has to be rushed, I am very impatient, and unfortunately though I know this I don't control it.  I have however, become more aware of it since having children.  Almost daily, I remind myself multiple times to step back and take a breath.  I have to pull back and remember that my children are only two years old and thirteen weeks; and though the two year old appears to be a giant now that our little one is here, he is still only two. 

Today was one of those days where the reminder was necessary on multiple occasions.  As I sat talking with my Mom and sister, my brother took my son to run and play.  My son loves his Uncle, so going off with him didn't bother me in the least.  However, I was concerned about Nolan's safety in the bounce houses and the mazes.  There I sat looking across the play area trying to make sure he was okay. I was holding back my screams of "Watch, be careful, please don't do that because you will hurt yourself".  After walking over to him, I realized I was being watched.  All of the other parents were standing there too.  None of them looked as concerned as I did, though I am sure some were.  I took a deep breath and I said nothing, yelled nothing, and I stood in silence watching.  What I did next was wonerful....

I simply allowed him to be little and have fun.

 

  

 

Just One of Those Days!

I have classified today as one in which someone is out to get me.  I have decided to come back to the house and not go out until much later today.  I don't know what it is, but it appears that everything is working against me today.  Over the past three months, many days seem to fall into this same category of "Are You Serious" days.

After a lack of sleep night, thanks to two boys who decided it would be better to sleep with me then in their beds, I decided to roll out of bed at 7:00.  Did I want to get up?  No.  But as I laid there contemplating sleep or waking up, I realized my 13 week old was starring at me and he would start screaming in a matter of seconds.  After realizing the two year old was still snuggled in bed and snoring, I quickly jumped to my feet, scooped the baby up, and jolted out to the living room.  Clearly allowing the 2 year old to sleep was a much bigger priority then that of my own sleep.

After a failed attempt at trying to get my youngest back to sleep, I placed him in his swing and went to make my coffee.   While standing there waiting for the "Mommy must make it through this day" drink to brew, I started going over my imaginary to do list in my head.  Cause lets face it, it takes too much time to write a to do list, right?  Christmas decorations, wash, vacuum, more wash, take out the 6 month clothing (cause yes, my son is huge), even more wash...  It was then that I do believe I said "crap" out loud.  I realized that at 12:15 I was supposed to do a meet with two girls to pick up some clothing.  I thought to myself quickly and then changed my plans.  You see, prior to kids, I could have done my entire to do list and still been on time to meet the girls at 12:15.  However, with kids, I am lucky to just make it to the 12:15 meet on time.  Realizing I didn't have cash, I conjured up a plan that allowed me to leave the house at 11:30.  I would be able to hit the ATM for cash, drive thru Dunkin Donuts to get donuts and change (must have exact change to pay for items because no one carries cash anymore), and still meet the girls on time at 12:15.

So, I started...

I walked to the bathroom to get in the shower, but I didn't even make it half way.  Instead, I was greeted in the hallway by a crying little boy who's only objective is to have me hold him.  Twenty minutes later, he wanted "yum yums".  Eventually, after putting in a DVD, fixing breakfast, finding his "boom boom", and changing his socks (don't even ask), I was finally able to take myself to the bathroom to get a shower.  Once in the shower, I heard a crying voice yell "Mommy".  I peaked out from behind the shower curtain only to be yelled at because he couldn't get his toy gun to work.  As I washed my hair, I explained I would fix it after I dried off, and I finish showering.  I was able to fix the gun quickly then move on to start my hair.  I tried to entertain the 13 week old by making silly faces and funny noises, while bouncing his chair with my foot and using the hair dryer in one hand and a round brush in the other.  After an hour of trying to take a shower and do my hair, I went to get dressed.  I realized that my clothes were in the dryer because I hadn't had a chance to fold and put them away yesterday.  As I went to get them, the baby started crying.  It was time for him to eat.  I rolled my eyes and sat on the chair.  I fed the baby, yes, while only wearing a bra and underwear because it was just easier that way.  I finally made it to the dryer and got dressed.

Next step.... get the kids to the car because by now it was already 11:00.

Of course, the baby had just fallen asleep in his swing only after I spent 30 minutes trying to get him to go to sleep in my arms.  I gently picked him up and moved him to his car seat.  He did remain asleep, I smiled and thought to myself "one point for me".  Then my attention was turned to my oldest.  After asking him to get his boots several times, I finally found the shoes that were closest to me.  I went to put them on him and he freaked out and screamed "boots".  Oh dear lord, if he would have just gotten them when I asked.  We found them and put them on.  Then I did my checklist... jackets - check, hat - check, juice - check, diaper bag - check, kids - check.  Into the car we went.  Now for whatever reason, the oldest decided it was a great time to throw a fit screaming "Daddy, Daddy".  After explaining that Daddy was at work and consoling the baby (cause what do you know, big brother woke him up), we finally pull out of the driveway.  I thought to myself, if someone was watching us they probably find themselves asking "how in the world does it take someone 20 minutes to leave the driveway after getting into the car?".  Clearly that person has no kids.

I pulled out of the driveway only to realize that our trash can was still full at the end of the drive.  I questioned myself "today is Friday, right?" and continued on.  

My still full trash can

Off to the bank we went.  "Is it okay to leave your kids in the car to run into the inside ATM at the bank?" was the question I called my Mom to ask.  Any sane person knows that you are to never leave a child in the car.  But that said, who in the hell puts an ATM inside the bank?  A man!  It was 12 degrees today, both kids were in the car, and one was back to sleep... I was not taking them out just to get $40.00 from the machine.  After I decided I would take the keys out and lock the doors, since the car was only going to be a few feet from the ATM (which was housed indoors by glass windows), we made it to the bank.  That's when I saw the damn white sign which read "ATM temporarily out of service".  I kid you not!  All that planning and it didn't even work.  After sighing, I find my wallet and start unloading the kids who not even 10 minutes ago I loaded into the car.

We walked into the bank.  I had to ask for a checking account withdrawal slip because what do you know, they didn't have any out at the counter to fill out and my checkbook was fresh out.  I filled the slip out, handed it to the lady, and while I waited the two year old spotted the lollipops.  Now, we had just gone to the bank yesterday and I had three pops in the car.  I gave him a pop from the counter, got my cash, and off we went.  Or so I thought.  Instead, we had to have yet another melt down.  With a bright red cherry pop in his hand, my two year old cried out "another".  I explained I had more pops in the car, but that didn't work.  As the infant seat swung from my arm like a fashionable Coach purse, my hands held the cash and my wallet, and I used my foot to direct my son to the door.  After standing in front of the door and not moving, I gently nudge him out of the way and opened the door.  We headed to the car only to get stopped by the old man who was trying to park next to my car.  I walked over to the other side and put the two year old into the car.  I then realized that the old man had parked so close to my car that now he couldn't even open his door.  "Stupid old man.  So much for putting the baby in", I thought to myself.  I stood there for a moment and realized that I needed to take the title of Mom to a new level.  I quickly became flexible and pulled out my super hero cape.  I lifted the infant seat up and over the toddler seat while pulling my body into the car and placed the seat into the base.  "Shew, that was 5 minutes in the gym", I laughed to myself.  After yet another fight with the two year old, he gets belted into his seat and I into mine.

Pops in car

Our next stop was Dunkin Donut's drive-thru to break a $20 bill and get coffee (muchly needed) and donuts.

Only a Mom would have a sippy cup and coffee in the same location

We met the first girl and then waited on the second.  Upon arrival of the second girl, I asked if the amount was $15, she responded with "No, it was $12 but I am only going to charge you $10 since the one shirt is the wrong size."  "Great", I thought to myself.  I had gone out of my way to get exact change and it wasn't even right!

On our way home the car fell silent.  I looked back and both kids had fallen asleep.  "Awesome!", I thought.  Then I realized I had to get them into the house.

Sleeping kids!!!

As I started creating my plan for this impossible task, I noticed we where going so slow.  The truck in front of me was going 35 in a 50.  Argh!  Nothing like being able to see your house and imagining what it would be like to enjoy just five minute of quite time there but being stuck behind THE.SLOWEST.MAN.ON.EARTH.

Super slow jerk!

Finally making it back home, I again questioned the day of the week again as I realized for the second time that the trash was still not picked up.  

I moved my items from the car to the house.  In the process, I noticed the Thomas remote that we searched for all day yesterday was in the pocket of my bag.  "I swear I looked there", I mumbled to myself.

Missing Thomas remote - yes, I did check here yesterday!!

I then started my quest of getting the kids in the house while keeping them asleep.  It actually worked!  Both kids were sleeping soundly .... for about two minutes.  "Nope, I can't even get five minutes!!!", I wanted to cry.  I picked the baby up out of his car seat, nursed him, and back to sleep he went.  Ahhh!!! Silence.

Fifteen minutes went by....

Then I heard this horrible sound, like nails on a chalkboard.  It was getting closer and louder.  "Are you f'ing serious?!", I thought.  "There isn't even snow on the damn road!"  It was a plow truck.  And not just once did he go by... nope.  In a matter of one minute he went down and back.  Yep, my silence was over.  The two year old started... but wait, he fell back to sleep.  Ahhh!!!

More silence.

THEN THE DAMN PHONE RANG.  It was officially over.  The silence gone.  I looked at the clock and realized that it was only 12:45.  "12:45?", I thought.  "I have only lived half of this day?  I guess it is just one of those days!" 

I'm baaaack!

One of my to do's for 2014 is to get back into blogging.  I have missed writing and blogging for more than a year and decided I wanted it back in my life.  Since my other blogs are my children's blogs and so much has happened in the past year, I have decided to use this blog going forward.  It only makes sense since this blog is all about Making Our Years Count and that is what I plan to blog all about.

In scanning over the last few posts on this blog, I saw a photo of my husband, myself, and our son.  Boy, we have all aged.  I can only wish I looked that young and my little baby, well he isn't a baby any more.  Nope, he is 2 and a half and looks all grown up.  My husband is still wearing that same shirt (as he does with most of his clothing) but we have both aged some.  Additionally, we now have a third child.  Baby #3 was born in October, a little boy, yes another boy!!!

Here's a more current photo of the family:

See, what did I say, we aged.  But hey, that's life right.  We aren't here forever and we never live the same moments twice. 

I look forward to writing and sharing with everyone again.  Happy New Year and remember that today is a gift... breathe and notice!

Party Planning

Party planning....

That's the topic.  So let me ask you this.  Do you do themed parties?  You know, like is there a theme when you plan a birthday party, or summer bash?  Jungle, rainbow, beach scene...

I have done themes for all of the large parties I have recently hosted.  And to my surprise, I love planning them.  It is a lot of work.  Searching, deciding, planning.  But it is totally worth it. 

The thought has even crossed my mind to start blogging, making, and selling items and such for party planning.  Thoughts..... Would you consider using a party planner for your parties to get the effect that you are looking for?  Would you purchase supplies off ETSY for a themed party? 

Just asking.....

Barefoot Basket

Since becoming laid off in November of last year, I have found myself trying to find ways to live frugal.  I recently sat down with a notebook and pen to jot down where we spend wasteful money.  A lot of it is spent by the hubby on food and such since he struggles to pack lunches, but I found an even greater amount that was leak through the cracks.

Holidays, birthdays, and celebrates have been causing our money to pour from between our fingers.  Of course, I still want to get family and friends gifts and celebrate with them.  But there has to be a less expensive way. 

After searching many websites and Pinterest (of course), I have found many many ways to save money when it comes to gift giving. 

Today I tested my techniques by making a gift for my sister-in-law.  I will not list the amount I spent but I will say that I saved myself $45.00.  She likes socks and I found a pair of nice fuzzy ones that looked very comfy.  After getting the socks, I decided the theme would be feet.  Yes, I know, an odd theme but it seemed to work out nicely.

Gift contents:

Fuzzy socks

Shower foot scrubber

Nail files and clipper

Nail polish

Toes separators

Bath foam

Bath gel

and... to top it all off a national bestseller book titled.... "BAREFOOT"

I added two cards made from card stock, free printables, and cut outs from some scrapbook pages I had.... I wrote "Feet in the Sand" on one and "Happy Birthday" on the other.

Other ideas for this basket could include:

Flip flops

Additional pairs of socks

Gift certificate for a pedi

Shower puff

Beach towel



What If Something Were To Happen?

Nothing like opening your eyes after witnessing a nightmare and realizing it was all just a dream.  Shew!  That was me this morning and talk about waking up suddenly, oh my gosh. 

The nightmare was so real.  We were in an apartment like structure at the beach and the waves continued to get bigger and bigger.  The coast was covered with water, which is normal for the Delaware beaches during high tide.  People around were taking picture because the sea foam was blowing on shore.  There were a bunch of crazies in the water trying to "catch a wave".  At first we were standing outside the complex and when we realized the water was getting closer we casually walked inside and headed up to the room.  For whatever reason, Nolan was upstairs in the room playing with his uncle.  Upon walking up the last flight of steps, I saw Nolan crawling on the ground trying to get down the steps.  After my heart was in my throat, I realized that his uncle was there playing and crawling with him.  We got ready to head back up to the room and that's when it happened. 

I heard people outside yell "it's coming.. hurry up".  The sound of people screaming and running to high ground was incredible, that was all you could hear.  The sound of the waves had stopped, no birds chirping, no breeze blowing.  Mother nature had silenced herself.  You could however, feel the ground shaking, the floor moving beneath our feet, and the windows were shattering.  I remember hearing a voice counting down "Five, Four.."  I recall reaching into some sort of organizer and grabbing for a key and a cell phone.  And then I remember swimming, swimming as fast as I could to reach the top.

The wave had crashed and covered everything.  After the water retracted I realized I was back in our room.  Nolan was in his car seat (not sure how that happened) and everything was soaked and covered in sand.  The cell phone I grabbed was working, but I realized quickly it wasn't mine.  Mine wouldn't allow me to view anything, as the screen was destroyed by the water.  I started going through stuff and I remember finding photos, all which were destroyed. 

Then... I woke up. 

Wow, talk about waking up and appreciating everything that you have.  Yea, that was me this morning.  Thanking God for allowing me to have all my possessions with me, my family, our memories, even small things that I always take for granted.

I think the dream was a result of watching too much Doomsday Preppers last night.  But after "living through this nightmare" it honestly has me second guessing.  What if something were to happen??