Birthday Soup and MY Tomatoes

Ohhh, the kids have made me mad. Yesterday, Allie ripped a huge branch off my butterfly bush. The kids wanted to play outside again today. I warned them if they even 'touched' one of my plants, they would ALL be losing 30 tickets (that's a lot of tickets when they need 100 for a special prize tomorrow). I let them go outside and they played nicely for a bit. I could hear them and was checking on them often. THEN it got quiet. I went out to check and every single tomato was gone off my tomato plants. Allie ate the red ones (there were at least 10 that would have been ripe in the next few days) and then they picked the 30+ green ones and put them in their sand box. It rained yesterday and the lid wasn't on the sand box so it's full of water. They also gathered up grass and leaves that were in their "bug buckets" and dumped that into the pot. When I went out, Allie was standing on the edge of the sandbox stirring it with a bat. I didn't find out who's birthday it was before I marched their little hineys inside. They've all lost their 30 tickets. No one seemed to mind too much, but tomorrow when the Little Pet Shop lip gloss, the mouse princess and the frog prince are all still in MY prize bucket, I think there may be some issues. That's what they get for pulling all of the tomatoes off my plants!!!! Arrghh! :p

The Escapees!

I woke up this morning to Allie and Caden calling my name. It was 6:30 and I was very perturbed that they were yelling instead of coming to my room to talk to me. I yelled back (way to go Mom) for them to come to me. They kept calling me. Finally, Allie said she was wet. I immediately decided she had peed in her bed and was even more perturbed. She doesn't pee in her bed and if she had an accident, it was because she didn't follow directions and pee before bedtime. They showed up in my room as I was dragging myself out of bed. Allie wasn't just wet. Her night gown was literally dripping and making a big puddle on the floor. She hadn't peed in the bed. Caden was also soaked. Allie and Caden had woken up and snuck out of the house into the backyard. We'd left the slip 'n slide out and there was enough water left one if for them to play. Who knows how long they had been playing outside before they decided to come inside and wake someone up. Ughhh! Tonight, the alarm will be set and a clamp will be on the sliding glass door so they can't escape.

Oops, She Did It Again

I have a friend babysitting for me tonight and she asked that I get crafts together for the kids. When putting everything into the basket, I hesitated on the kid scissors, but put them in the basket anyway. Angie stopped by today and I was showing her were everything is. Allie must have heard me mentioned the crafts, because when we went downstairs to show her the lock on our back door, Allie got into the basket on the counter.

We were gone just a few minutes and came upstairs to quiet. Allie and Caden were in his room with the door closed. I found her sitting on top of his dresser looking in the mirror. There was hair all over the floor. Now, I've got to back up and say, it's taken her hair a year to grow out from the incident last summer (also 1 week before her ballet recital). She didn't cut quite as much (or as short) as last year. She cut the left side up above her ear so it looks like she has half a head of bangs. She also thinned out the back w/ a couple of layers. I can fix the back without any troubles and I can pull her hair up in little clippies to make the side look okay. She's been wanting her hair cut shorter, and I told her after the recital. She's dancing to "Good Ship Lollipop" w/ a sailor costume and her teacher wants Shirley Temple curls. I guess she couldn't wait. Unfortunately, she also cut 4 bald patches in Caden's hair. I just buzzed his head this weekend so there's nothing I can do to fix it except except shave his head and that's not an option. At least his hair grows fast. Maybe she was getting even for him cutting her ear last year.

There are days that I feel like such a failure as a mother and those feelings really flare up when Allie gets into trouble. Why can't I convince her to be good? I do love her free spirit, but it's frustrating at time. My friends have all been awesome and I've been reassured Allie is not the only one who gets into things. I'm not alone in my struggles!

Up to Her Old Tricks

Allie has been so much better lately about getting into things. Or maybe, I've been better about putting things away. Either way, we've had a peaceful time lately. All of that ended yesterday. Jaelyn has field day today so I got the sunscreen out so I'd remember to put it on her. I sat it on the counter (mistake #1). All four of us went upstairs to Caden's room to read. We read a few books together and then Jaelyn picked out a book to read to me. At that point, Allie and Caden decided to go downstairs to play (mistake #2). It was a new book for Jaelyn so it took her a bit to sound out all of the words. I normally have a sixth sense about Allie when she's getting into trouble, but my warning alarm did not go off. When we were almost done with the book, Caden came upstairs to wash his hands. I thought that was odd, and my alarm started ringing, but not loud enough to make me get up and run to check (mistake #3). Instead I sat and let Jaelyn finish the book while I thought about checking on Allie. I couldn't think of anything she could be getting into. When I did finally check, I was beyond mad. There are many things my dad has made me that I'm sentimental about, but of all of them, the kids' wooden rocking horse is my most treasured treasure. Let me just say that Nay Nay will be pale for the rest of his existence. No worry of sunburn for him! Oh my! He was covered in lotion. They had also squirted globs of lotion into a empty plastic tub lid. As far as messes go, it was pretty easy to clean up. Soapy water to get the lotion off of Nay Nay. It didn't damage the finish, thankfully. I used a spoon to scoop up what was in the lid - sun tan lotion is expensive and they used over half a bottle. Allie and Caden lost every ticket in their cups. It didn't phase Allie too much, but it sure had an impact on Caden. I think he'll be tattling next time instead of participating, at least I hope he tattles next time!

So the moral of the story, don't let Allie out of my sight or maybe it should be to put things away and let her out of my sight. Hmmm, I'll think about it.

And the Phone Rings

Last night was session 5 of our foster classes. It was Anna's birthday (our babysitter) so we baked her cupcakes in the day, made play dough to play with, and made her a present. We left Anna and the kids happily eating pizza.


About 1 1/2 hours into our class, the phone in the room rang. I should back-up and say cell phones aren't allowed in the courthouse so we left that phone number as an emergency number for Anna. My heart immediately dropped. I was sure it was going to be for us and I was right. Poor Anna. Jaelyn was pitching an all out fit and was refusing to put on her pajamas, go potty, get into bed. I could hear her shrieking in the phone. Anna was beyond her experience and had no idea what to do (as most people would feel when dealing with Jaelyn's tantrums). Anna managed to get Jaelyn on the phone and between her sniffling, she actually talked to me. She didn't want to go to bed. It was as simple as that. Jaelyn and I compromised. Bed was not negotiable, but pajamas, potty and a pull-up were. I told her to get into her bed in her day clothes (as they call them), be very still and quiet and STAY AWAKE. If she didn't want to go to sleep, she didn't have to, but she had to be in her bed. Pick your battles, right... I then talked to Allie, who was laying on Daddy's pillow reading a book and being very good, and Caden, who was in pajamas and ready for bed as well.


Our class wrapped up early, thankfully. We have a quiet class, except for one person. I'm sure the instructor would like more interaction and discussion, but I'm getting a lot out of just listening and don't feel the need to discuss things in front of everyone else. Dan and I usually have a good talk on the drive home, but I'm off topic now. We got out early, about 8, and drove home as fast as we could to rescue poor Anna (and on her birthday no less). All was quiet when we got home around 8:30. Anna said she thought they were asleep since they'd been quiet for a little while. Sounds can be so deceiving with my little angles though so I went upstairs to check. First Caden's bed...no Caden and then I heard a loud crash from the girls room. I checked there next and found a mountain of books on the floor. I peaked in Jaelyn's bed and found Caden on the end preparing to throw another batch on the floor. Jaelyn's bed was full of books as well. Apparently, the kids had been very stealthy and had gotten all the books out of Caden's room. They had also cleared the girls' bookshelf. I turned their lights on, told them to clean them up, and then left Dan to supervise while I took Anna home.


I think I was awake half the night last night (and the circles under my eyes this morning confirm it) trying to figure out how to make them be good for her. Bedtime is the issue. The conclussion I've come up with is that bedtime is stressful when I'm doing it, and I've been doing it for 4 1/2 years. Next time, I'm going to have her get them ready for bed and then have her park them with their pillows and blankets in front of the TV to watch a long movie with the threat of going to bed if they get up. If nothing else, we only have 4 more classes to go until we are done. Just please pray the kids will be good for Anna so she'll keep coming!! We really need her.

This is Anna with the kids wearing our birthday hat from Baba. The kids said she didn't wear it while she blew out the candle on her cupcake and they were singing to her, though. :p

Allie's Artwork

Allie was very creative with her drawing today. I think it's a bat...


































...ON MY COUCH!!!

It's my fault. I left the sharpie in the basement and forgot about it, but Allie knows better! She lost her barbies and Pollys for a week (that's what she was supposed to be playing with) and she'll be my shadow until Friday when Dan gets home from his trip (that's as long as I think I can stand it). Whatever room I'm in, she'll be in or face severe consequences. There might have also been a spanking involved like one I have never given before!!!!

Thankfully, I discovered it within minutes of her doing it - that lovely sharpie smell. I've read enough stories from friends to know to run for the hair spray. That with goo-gone I bought later got it almost out. If you look closely at the picture, you can still see parts of the face. At least this is our basement couch which was literally the cheapest in the cheap furniture store I could find. We only intend to use it in this house and get rid of it when we move.

Make-up, Lies and Gummy Bears

We've had a morning...one of those mornings. Jaelyn is out of school today. Today is also grocery shopping day and we have run out of food. I bundled the kids up against the 25 degree weather and off we headed to the commissary. Shopping was an experience - not a fun one. We made it to the check-out in one piece with the promise of gummies if they continued being "okay." The girls decided to play in the parking lot and nothing makes me more mad...well, okay, there are a few things, but I'm big on parking lot safety. Anyway, the girls thought it would be fun to play and I made the executive decision that they didn't deserve the gummies they picked out. Allie was unhappy, but quiet about the decision. Jaelyn, on the other hand, was not fine with it. She pitched a complete fit on the way home and might never get gummies again if I have anything to say about it. She finally calmed down and decided to help put the groceries away.

Next Allie disappeared and unfortunately, I didn't notice it until it was too late. Later, I found her in her bedroom with my make-up all over her face and her bed. She was painting her toe nails with my mascara. I also found small pearls all around her. She had gotten into my jewelry box and taken a strand that had belonged to my Great Aunt Sarah. They were strung together with a piece of string and it pulled loose from the clasp so I'm pretty sure I can fix them, but still. It's been a while since Allie received a spanking, but she got one today.

Next...do I really need a next??? Next, I found Caden with keys that had been on a key rack. He knows he's not allowed to touch them. He lied to me and told me Jaelyn got them all down. Jaelyn says she got two of the rings down and Caden got the third. I believe her, although maybe I shouldn't (see "They did it" post). Anyway, I gave Caden several chances to tell the truth. He didn't and even blamed Allie once (who was upstairs with me getting in trouble during this time). Caden got his first dose of fibby juice on his tongue and lost tickets. He was not a happy camper.

We had lunch and all seemed well. I put Caden down for his nap and sat down to type this post. Half way through, Jaelyn, who's playing connect four in the living room, tells me "mommy, the ceiling's peeing." Oh no! Off I dash to the upstair bathroom and the toilet has over flowed. I turned off the water and cleaned up 1/4 of an inch of water off the floor. Thankfully the water found a chandelier to drip down so hopefully, it'll just drip down that and not drip on the ceiling and stain the ceiling (I just finished painting! I have no desire to paint a ceiling!!!). The water will be staying off until Dan gets home and can check the toilet. I like doing things around the house. It's fun for me to fix things, but the toilet is where I draw the line. That's a man's job (like taking out the trash :p)!

BTW - Did I mentioned Dan's out of town so today is par for the course!

Hiding "Santa Presents"

I have learned a lesson this year. My kids are getting older. You can't sneak things by them anymore without them noticing. I should know better.

I've been keeping all of the Christmas presents in bags in my closet. I hadn't really even thought about hiding them better. Well, I caught the kids playing in my closet the other day. I knew they had looked in the closet, but everything was in bags. That day, they were IN the closet. Did they go through the bags? Were they just playing? I don't know and I can't tell from their answers whether or not they were telling the truth. The "santa presents" were in my closet and I don't want to chance them getting something they know was in my closet so I ordered them all a new toy and I'll put the santa presents up for their birthdays or for reward prizes. At least now Santa will be bringing what they actually asked for - I had already bought the presents before we wrote to Santa to ask what they wanted. So...don't wait until it's too late. Assume your children are with it and hide those presents better than I did!!!

Daddy's in Charge

How many of you have seen that email picture of the toddler duct taped to the wall? It's hilarious, isn't it? My first thought when I saw it was "a Daddy did that." There's no way a mommy would do that to her child. Well, same goes for what happened around here the other day. It started innocently enough, well, actually I don't know how it started. Probably Dan got tired of the non-stop chattering. He got out the scotch tape and taped the kids' mouths shut. They actually liked it and had a grand 'ole time - until it was time to pull the tape off, of course. That was no fun at all. Poor Allie's cheeks were so red from the adhesive. Dan has promised to never tape the children again! I don't think the kids would mind, however, if he did. Mommies and Daddies play so differently!

A Snowball Fight Gone Bad

We still had snow on the ground yesterday so I promised everyone I would let them play when Jaelyn got home from school. Caden and Allie started our playing with a nice snowball fight at the bus stop. Allie was a master at making snowballs, but her aim was pretty bad - well, except one that hit my neck and sent snow down my shirt - yowzers it was cold. Caden needed help making his snowballs and his aim was really bad. He actually threw some that landed on himself.

Jaelyn got off the bus and we all ran back to our front yard to commence the playing. It started off well between the three of them, but it turned bad QUICKLY. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, here you go...

Jaelyn making the snowball

Jaelyn running away from the scene of the crime

The unhappy outcome

Poor Fishies!

Well, Caden went fishing again this morning while I was brushing my teeth. Today, however, he managed to dump the lid in the fish tank and had the net stuck through the hole. He started screaming that he needed help. I guess so...yesterday's warning was a happy one in a happy voice. Today's was in a not so happy voice and came with the threat of a spanking if he did it again. Tears and crying followed so hopefully he got the point! Poor fishies! Oh, and I've learned my lesson and the fish net is no longer behind the fish tank.

Fishing and Other Ramblings

My shingles still hurt, but not like crazy like they did and I have no new break-outs. The medicine is working, I just wish it would work faster.
I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping. We are making candles for a few people and I still have a few little friends to buy for, but I have my family, everyone in Pensacola and all of the January birthdays purchased. It feels good to have it done. Now, I need to get to wrapping for the kids and then decide if I want to ship extended family gifts home or carry them on the plane. Decisions, decisions...

I am excited about going home and seeing family. It's been 9 months since we've been home. I'm also excited about our spa day with Jennifer and Rich. We'll drive to Destin in the morning, have lunch at this cute little deli, spent 3-4 hours of pampering at the spa (I'm getting a 50 minute massage and a 30 minute facial - so you can be jealous), and then we'll have dinner, seafood most likely, before driving back to Pensacola. It's going to be soooo much fun.

My sweet little Caden is getting into mischief today. I was in the basement doing laundry. While I was gone, he pushed the HEAVY bench from the table to the kitchen counter (had to move a chair out of the way as well). Climbed up, reached around the fish tank to get the net, then spent who knows how long "fishing" for rocks in the bottom of the tank. The poor fish were petrified in the corner. He uprooted all the plants, but he did manage to snag 3 shiny rocks, which I immediately made him put back. He also managed to soak a pile of important papers. Silly boy! I asked him after nap what he was fishing for. His reply "I was fishing for fishies, Mommy!" in the sweetest little voice you've ever heard. How can you be mad at that?



Caden is doing great in his big boy bed. He wanted me to share a picture with all of you.