Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Remember when?? fun times

As I watched Leia (yes, Leia, the almost 18 month old) pursue my kindle, I thought WOW!! technology is so advance from when I was little.

Thinking back to the internet and similar technology, I was "Schooled" on setting up an email account during my 2nd year of college. yes, that's right! 2002 is when I set up my first email account. And it was used to correspond with my boyfriend while I was 1,000 miles away. Hmmm...how times have changed.

I remember listening to music on our record player in the living room on raining days. We would line up blue blocks.5-6 on one side of the room and 5-6 on the other side of the room. And then roll a golf ball from side to side to see who could knock down all the other person's block. Fun times. We could really get into this game. I haven't found the right size blocks to play this game with my kids...yet. 

Cassette tapes are something my kids will more than likely never enjoy. Recording songs from the radio or the newest Adventures in Odyssey story. And when they were considered "trash", they became perfect decorations ...I loved pulling the ribbons out of them.

Guess I need to "school" my children in the things of the past, so if records do come back out; my kids won't use them as Frisbee's.  ;)

On a different note, the load bearing wall was put up yesterday in Dakota's new room. Contractor is working on the floor today. It's coming along nicely. Dakota and his friend are already making "No Lily Zone" signs.

Monday, March 25, 2013

+kiddos

Crazy kiddos. One minute, they're fun-loving and playing nicely...and then the next, fighting over who gets to sit where and by who!!

It's pure craziness.

On a different note, Construction has started on Dakota's room (formerly the garage). He's pretty excited.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Spring-a-ling time!

 Happy Spring!!

 I love longer evenings outside with the kids...thanks to the time change.

Fun at the park with her buddy, Brody.

Monday, March 18, 2013

I'm a survivor

I survived Spring Break!!!
I got the Big kid off to school this morning, but not before he showed me when Summer break starts.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Motherhood....tell me about it!

This week has been unbelievably fabulous and nerve racking at the same time. Sounds a bit puzzling but it's the truth. 
The kids were rather well behaved, I have to admit. They had their moments. Just as I had my moments. But as the week came winding to a close, the need to fulfill each "Mom, Mommy, Mum, Mummy" request became a bit overwhelming. I was craving to hear my real name just once. (and if I would have heard it from one of my children, that would have been the last straw...AHHHH!)

Any other moms out there crave just hearing your name? or having a conversation that doesn't involved potty talk? *both hands raised here*  I won't deny it. I really do love my children; but this is when you hear about that extinct notion called "Me time" and wonder where is it? how can I get some? I'll pay top dollar!!

Well, that was me that last 48 hours. Mopey. Wondering when I'd get a break to just pee in peace, take a shower without a screaming baby at the door, and sip a glass of tea that didn't have to be shared. Yes, that was me.  I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. Annoyed that I didn't take advantage of maybe the kids going to someone's house for a sleepover or just an afternoon away.

This morning arrived, I'm still nursing the hangover of feeling sorry for myself. But I figure...Let's do what we usually do on Fridays..Yard sales!! Finding a good deal has a way of cheering me up. We venture out. At each stop, I let 1 child get out of the van with mom. At our last stop, Dakota gets out with me. The lady asks him if he's having fun shopping with mom. He said, yes, it's my turn to shop. :) She was puzzled. I explained, it was easier for the sellers and me if I only brought 1 child to each sale. She understood. Then she said (and it took me off guard) "That's a smart idea. Thank you for putting time into your children. It really shows." 

Wow!! way to get me out of my mopey state. I'm over here "faking it til I make it" and a stranger is noticing my hard work as a mother and complimenting me. That really made my day .... it was almost as good as hearing my real name ;)

Kinda made me step back and think. And then later be thankful for all that I do have...some pretty amazing children who will drive me crazy one moment but love me just as more the next moment. ♥

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Give me Coffee!!!

It's the start of Day #4 of Spring Break for the kids. And shockingly, we are OUT of Fruit Loops! Guess this momma has to do a hot breakfast. Scrambled eggs it is.

I made myself some coffee while working on the eggs and Lily wanted some "coffee", too. So, we made some hot chocolate in the Keurig. I pulled out the kids' mugs from Uncle Steve and Aunt Glory and poured some up.
Leia and Lily LOVED it. They were just like momma. I got a thought "take a quick pic". I run to get the camera (No, I do not wear it around my neck like most think) and walk back into this:
Lily was holding Leia's cup and her own. And Leia was climbing across the table and throwing a screaming fit ALL at the same time. LOVELY *eye roll*

Finally we got things settled. Leia got her "copy" back and all was right in her world.



Meeting up with friends at the park later today. I might have the kids play "Run, run as fast as you can!"

Zoo adventure

 My sister and a good friend from college met up with myself and the kids to have a zoo day! The Zoo was crazy busy. But our kids had a great time. It was neat that each kid had a buddy his or her age. It worked out perfectly :)
Day #3 of Spring Break....Success!!!



Leia loved the bear...climbed up out of the stroller to get a better view.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

jumping hurdles



We met up with friends at the field today. The kids had a fun evening of kicking around the soccer ball, having races, trying to jump the hurdles. It was FUN!
This momma jumped a hurdle, too. I didn't land on my feet, but I cleared it. I know I will pay for this action in the morning but for now, I'll just bask in my awesomeness ;)

Lovely!
Zoo is on the schedule for tomorrow. This will be Leia's 1st trip to the ZOO!! I know that she will LOVE it.  


Who/What's the culprit?

Hi ya! Dakota's 7 yr checkup is today.  
Lily is in a whiny mood. And Leia seems to only cough-up-a-storm when it's any kind of sleeping time.
It's Day 2 of spring break and Lily got into my thin mints. This caused a chain reaction with Leia. She found one and inhaled it. But not before creating a complete mess on her face and hands. She then came in to supervise my actions of putting clothes away and touched every piece of clothing she could in record breaking time.

I don't know whether to be upset with Lily for getting them out or the wretched Thin Mints for still being here?! You chose.

Another thought/inquiry? how many times is too many for timeout for a certain 5 year old??????

Monday, March 11, 2013

hitch in my schedule

It's nap time here at the Smiths.  Is it a successful nap time?  probably not.

Leia laid right down (YAY!!) but the big kids (who are usually in school but home for spring break) were oblivious to the noise ordinance during the times of 1-3pm. They came stomping and bickering back inside and bam! Leia was rudely awoken. And not too happy about the awakening, either.

But thank God for neighbor kids, they came over and asked to play. Now, my kids are occupied with their friends and hopefully, "take 2" of nap time will be a success.

For now, I will listen to the shrieks of laughter from the children outside and savor the deliciousness of my 2nd cup of coffee.

Day 1 of Spring Break..."hitch in my schedule"

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Lego Maze


Found this idea on Pinterest. Make your own Lego Maze.
And you guessed it, It was a HIT!!!  This nifty project gave me about an hour from peace from the big kids. I helped a little bit to get them situated but for the most part, they did it themselves. 
This will definitely be added to the rainy day activities :)

Dorm life vs Motherhood

As I stood in the shower contemplating whether to use Bath and Bodywork's body wash Energy or Stress Relief, Leia is banging on the door and screaming. I'm wondering if mixing them would provide this momma some sweet relief from stress with a jolt of energy ;)  I can wish, can't I?

But this blog post came to me in the shower...I know, how inspiring! *snicker*
I remembered signing up for a shower time slot when I first moved into the college dorms as a freshman. I knew I could do a quick 5 minute shower. I had practice with quick baths/showers. Growing up in a family of 10 with 1 bathroom...yep!  think I had a jump on the other dorm girls. 

Five minute showers are still not a thing of the past. But a Mommy's gotta do what a Mommy's gotta do.

Some other funnies during the last few days.

Dakota: "Mom, when I have a kid, I'm gonna name him Harry Potter." --this was after seeing a screen name of "harry potter" on the Wii Mario Kart race. 
Me: "Okay, but you know that Smith will have to be his last name, right?"
Dakota: "Harry...Potter...Smith. Yes, that sounds good!"  --all the while smiling like he just found the fix for world peace ♥

And another:
--I hear a flush and Lily comes running into the living room--
Lily: "I wiped and flushed, Mom. Did you hear the flush sound???  Can I play Mario Kart now?"
All I could do was smile...and of course, let her play the game. How can you say no to that?!

yes, college life prepared me for motherhood. From the quick showers, multitasking, and just going with the flow no matter how spontaneous...yep! I owe a bit to college life :)

Now...
To figure out where that stinky smell is coming from. This one should be easier than it was during dorm life. I have $5 on Leia's diaper ;)

~enJoy