A letter to the birthday boy

Dear Rowdy,
Five years ago today was three days before you were due to come into this world. Today was the day we planned to celebrate your big brother's birthday. We wanted to celebrate early because we knew we would be busy (and tired) with a new baby boy at home.

You had other plans.

This was the day you were ready to make your grand entrance. You let mommy know first thing in the morning but didn't seem to be in much of a hurry. So she showered, got dressed, cancelled the party, arranged for someone to come over to watch your brother. She even had time to pack her bag (which should have been packed weeks in advance) and to put the birthday cake in the freezer.

Daddy and I arrived at the hospital with smiles on our faces. I knew I could handle anything as long as I had some pain medication and since you didn't seem to be in a hurry, there would be no problem getting it.

I was wrong.

You had your own agenda. Just like you do now.

You came out on your own terms and have lived life ever since just like that...on your own terms.

An hour later, while mommy was still in Triage, she was begging for a room.......begging for some pain medication. By the time they got her in a room she was letting them know you were not going to wait any longer. When the nurses let her know that there was no time for pain medication, a few terrible words came out of her mouth. Ok...alot of terrible words came out of her mouth. Enough to make the nurses somewhat ticked.

You arrived before the doctor arrived.

Since that day you have brought excitement and joy to our lives. You have shown us that you make your own decisions when you want, where you want and how you want whether other people like it or not.

You have taught us that parenting is not that easy after all. What we thought we knew before you arrived has all been thrown out the window because you are unique.

Very unique.

The yelling. The screaming. The stubbornness. The cuddles. The "I love yous". The "I hate yous". I wouldn't change a thing.

Making cold Zoodles. Making cold pizza. Putting sprinkles on your yogurt. Buying Sunny D by the case. I would do it all in a second just to see you smile.

All of the dirty diapers/underwear.....until you were 4 1/2, was not fun and did make me angry at times. I am sorry for getting angry. I should have known that you would stop pooping in your underwear when you were ready. You do things on your own terms. Shame on me.

All of the time spent trying to teach you your numbers was similar to the time spent teaching you how to spell your name. Until the other day, when you printed the numbers 1-10 independently and even knew what each of the numbers were. Another one of my favourite moments ever!

In your short 5 years, you have taught me so much.

It is ok to say "friggin" and "damnithead" in the same sentence.
Wearing two pairs of underwear at the same time is better than wearing no underwear.

It is ok to eat an entire bag of Skittles for lunch.

Yelling can get people to pay attention to you.

Spanking people on the bum hard is a sign of love and affection.

Changing your clothing 3 times in a day because they "aren't cozy enough" is just fine.

Drinking an entire pitcher of orange juice in a morning is ok because "oranges are fruit and fruit is good for you".

Punching and kicking is allowed because you are just "learning how to be strong". How could you get big muscles if you didn't wrestle?? Hmm........

Opening and drinking an entire bottle of cough syrup at 3 years of age isn't as scary for little people as it is for their Mommy's.

Peeing on the neighbours lawn is ok because "dogs do it".

We love you Rowdy. We couldn't imagine our life without you in it. You have brightened our days. You have made us smile. We love you more than you will ever know.

Happy birthday 5 year old!!!!!!

Love Mom

xo

A favour.....

As my baby..err......big boy celebrates his fifth birthday today, I ask you a favour. Please pray for this family who just lost their baby girl. My heart aches for them.

Princess and the Cheerios

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Once upon a time there was a beautiful little girl who recently started eating "big people food". Not much, but a bit here and there made her feel like a big person and quite happy to experience the challenge of picking things up. Ooo, it was so much fun trying to cath the lil' buggers in her index finger and thumb. Forget about the the toys, give her some Cheerios and she was happy for hours. Not really hours because her wonderful, fantastic mother would not keep her restrained in her high chair for that long. Promise.

Sometimes there would be success.

Success=picking up the Cheerio, putting in mouth and chewing. But most of the time, this is what happened. It was success in her pretty little mind. Yay Princess!

Happy Friday!!

To the lady at Walmart.......

Dear Walmart Lady,

I came into your brand spankin new store the other day excited. Very excited. Not much excites me these days but walking into a brand new Walmart in my hometown was enough to make me giddy.

As I approached the doors I was high. Not from drugs but from my shopping trip that I was about to go on. I like to shop. Better yet, I like to shop in new stores. I also assumed that the employees who just started brand new jobs were eager to help out shoppers like me because they just...well......they want to keep their jobs. Silly me.

I did my shopping and as I was making my way to the checkout I passed the bra section. The section you work in. I thought "Momma, go look at the bras. You have been wearing your nursing bras for 9 months and you havent been nursing for 6 of those months. Get to it lady"

I found some bras. I wanted to try them on. I walked over to the dressing rooms where you were standing.

You were chatting with an older woman. A shopper who was obviously a friend of yours. You two were speaking in another language so I don't know if it was that important or just friendly gibberish.

I waited patiently like the good customer I am. You looked at me. I looked at you and smiled. You went back to conversing with your friend. Huh? I continued to wait thinking maybe you didnt actually look at me....whatever. You looked at me again. I was still looking at you holding 5 boxed bras in my hand. I was not standing there for the hell of it. I was not standing there admiring your size 44DDD's while I held my 36B's. I WANTED A FRIGGIN CHANGEROOM!

Any good employee who had just been hired and trained to work in a brand new store would be doing their job and assisting customers who will eventually, through word of mouth, tell all of the people she knows about her experience in the new store. Not you. You found it more important to converse with the old lady who you will probably see in a few hours (after your shift) anyways, instead of helping the poor young mom with a cart full of merchandise and a baby with 5 boxed bras in her hands (not the baby, the mother).

Hmmmm.....excuse me for being confused.

Maybe you thought I was rude for interrupting your conversation and asking for a changeroom but frankly my dear, I dont give a damn. You should just be happy that I didnt go find your boss and let him know that you were not cut out to work in his store where employees are to.....umm......provide customer service. Customers are the people that buy stuff in the store you work in which, in turn, allows the store to stay open, which allows you to keep your job. Just in case you werent sure about how it all works.

Have a nice day.

Momma

Wordful Wednesday

Dear Dad,

Thanks for teaching us all of the important stuff that "men" do.

Stuff like using tools, riding tractors and demolishing buildings.

Ooo, we love to knock down walls, it is so much fun!

Thanks for making us sandwiches that are shaped like animals and for introducing us to "cowboy food".

Thanks for loving us both even when we are difficult to be around.

Thanks for the hugs and kisses. We know that a real man shows his love and expresses his emotions because you taught us that.

Thanks for all of the toboggan rides and for the trips in the "Big Ford".

Thanks for buying us our four wheeler and dirt bike. They are our favourite things in the whole entire world.

Oh yeah, and thanks for teaching us how to shave. The chicks love it.

Love Rowdy and Messy

xo

Tribute on a Tuesday

A Jay and Deb Production.

We havent known eachother for very long...only a month or so to be exact.

I had seen you around for many many months before finally introducing myself.

I have to admit I was unsure about you at first, which is the reason I was so hesitant to introduce myself.

Were you as great as my husband said?

You looked good.

But looks arent everything. They are alot, but I need to know more about something before committing............

I asked around, hoping others would tell me something about you.

Were you as great as my husband thought you were?

Yes you were.

I am so happy we have met and become friends. I am so happy you enjoy living in my house because I enjoy having you here. Actually, to be honest, I can't believe I waited so long to include you in our lives. My husband was right. It doesnt happen often but I give him credit this time. (just kidding honey)

Welcome to my home Mr. Roomba

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Yo Yo Yo...... here we go. I did not really say that did I?

* I do not hate Mondays. They are the greatest day of the week even when you're home with all three kids...one of them sick and full of green mucous

* I do not hate winter. It is so much fun being trapped in the house with three children (one who is sick) when it is -20 outside

* I do not watch The View because I enoy seeing women bicker. It is not good TV at all. I also don't watch The Bachelor, Rock of Love and Kenny vs. Spenny because they are just terrible, awful shows.

* I did not eat Smarties for breakfast. No way...what kind of lesson is that teaching my children?

* I did not dream about going to the Caribbean.....by myself. I am not a selfish a person. Really.

* When I typed "not" in the above sentence, I did not really type "snot" and go back to change it when rereading it. Eww.....

* I did not leave leftover food from Christmas Eve in the fridge downstairs and then forget about it until January 23.

* I did not actually enjoy the 90 minute drive to see my sick Grandpa in the hospital because I was by myself, listening to my groovy tunes and rocking out in my mini van.

* I did not spill soup on my Grandpa's hospital gown when feeding him his lunch.

* I did not giggle when the man laying in the bed beside my Grandpa let out the loudest toot ever!

* I do not think tooting is funny. Ok...just a little bit

Interview with my 6 year old

Momma: Hi sweetheart, I know you're sick with a cold and aren't in the greatest of moods but I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.
Messy/First born: "Ok"

Momma: "What are you watching on television?"
Messy: "Digimon"

Momma: "Are you wearing underwear today?"
Messy: "Yes"
Momma: "Clean underwear?"
Messy: "Yes"

Momma: "What about socks?"
Messy: "These ones are new because dad made me change them last night."

Momma: "How are doing with wiping your bum?"
Messy: "Good"
Momma: "You are doing it all the time?"
Messy: "Yes mom" (rolls eyes)
Momma: "Have you been flushing the toilet after doing your business?"
Messy: "YES. These are stupid questions."

Momma: "Ok, sorry. I am not a great interviewer but just wanted to talk about the important stuff first. Geesh. What do you want for your birthday?"
Messy: "A Lego bulldozer. Lego dumptruck. I want a couple of Lego things and a couple big Lego things."
Momma: "So you want all Lego stuff?"
Messy: "Uh huh"

Momma: "Are you excited about your birthday party?"
Messy: "Yeah, because I am going to be 7 and I will be able to do whatever I want."
Momma: "You think so?"
Messy: "Yeah, I can stay up late, drink pop for dinner and eat as much junk as I want. You won't be able to make me brush my teeth either."
Momma: "Oh, Messy, I think you are terribly misinformed. Does that mean you are going to get a job and find your own place to live?"
Messy: "No, I am too young."
Momma: "Well then I guess you are going to have to continue to live by Mom and Dad's rules if you're going to live in our house."
Messy: "What rules?"
Momma: "Bedtime at 8pm, drinking milk at dinner and not eating alot of junk food. You also have to brush your teeth in the morning and at bedtime. While we are talking about rules I should remind you about putting your coat and snowpants away when you come in the house, treating everyone with respect, no violence and mandatory hugs and kisses for your mother every day."

Messy: *giggles* "You're weird mom"
Momma: "I know, but you are part me so that means you're weird too"
Messy: "What do you mean I am part you?"
Momma: "I mean you are part me and part daddy."
Messy: "How did I get to be part you and part dad?"

Momma: "Ok, sweetie, end of interview. Go back to watching Digimon"

Photostory Friday-Winter Fun?

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


To be honest, winter sucks.

I am not a fan of the season. It doesn't matter that I am 100% Canadian...born and raised. I still do not enjoy it.


Except for days like this.

There was no risk of frostbite to exposed skin in 2 minutes. My boogers didnt freeze in 30 seconds. My children actually wanted to be outside.

Life is good.

Joyous Moment

I had it all planned. I was going to think of my own topic to blog about today. I thought maybe I could write about the weather but am sure you re all sick of me whining about it. Then I thought I could talk about my slobby children but I am sure most of the moms out there
want a bit of an escape when they have their few minutes on the computer rather than reading about children similar to theirs. Then I thought, gee, why don't I check out MamaKat's blog and I found some writing prompts.


Other than the birth of a child or your wedding, write about a joyous moment.
There are so many in my wonderful, perfect always joyous life. Like the time I got my hair cut and actually LOVED it. Or the time that I stepped on the scale and hadn't gained any weight. Or the time that I got an A on a math test (which didn't happen very often because I sucked at math) or even the time that there was a snow day and I didn't have to write an exam. Oh yeah, a close second is when Rowdy overdosed on cough syrup and after drinking charcoal, the emergency room doctors said he would be fine.

But really, when I think of my most joyous moment it goes right along with the most terrifying moment of my life. I was brave and took the kids to this place. I met up with a friend who brought her three rugrats and we spent the day. It was going to be fun. I was such a great mother for planning a fun day and my kids would thank me for the rest of their lives. So fast forward past the busy crowds and having our wagon stolen while we waited to go on a ride. I can deal with that even though I secretly searched wagons for the rest of the day as we made our way through the park.

Taking them on rides, spending a fortune on lunch and keeping a smile on my face as they whined because they were tired from walking (because we no longer had a wagon....but no...I am not bitter) wasn't enough. We went to the water park. Best Mom in the World Award goes to me thank you very much. They played on the climbing area and I had one eye on one kid, another eye on the other and waved to my friend as she watched her three kids.

What fabulous mothers we are. I bet all of those other frantic moms are looking at us wishing they were us because we were so calm, cool and collected...with smiles on our faces.




Time for the wave pool kids! Woohoo!

"Mom, can I have a snack?" asked Messy (first born)

So I went into my specially prepared backpack full of snacks and first aid equipment and pulled out a healthy cereal bar and sugar free juice box (yeah right). Total amount of time it took to retrieve items....less than 5 seconds.

I looked up. Scanned the wave pool. No Rowdy (middle child).

I calmly asked my friend if she could see him.........she couldn't.

I called his name. I yelled his name angrily to let him know I was serious. I screamed his name frantically like those panicked mothers you hear about.

No Rowdy.

I immediately told the lifeguard. Lifeguard=teenager more concerned about getting his tan and meeting chicks than actually doing lifeguard work. He walked around "pretending" to search.

We searched the length of the wave pool because really, in 5 seconds how could he have gotten anywhere else? He was 3.....

My angel friend went back to the play structure and there he was wandering. When she called his name she scared the heck out of him and he freaked out crying.

Best moment of my life was seeing her walk towards me with my baby boy in her arms.

I think I will put my "Best Mom in the World Award" right next to my Prozac.

Wordful Wednesday

Picture a tired, unshowered mother.

With a 9 month old baby bundled up like a lil' Eskimo.

An almost 5 year old boy dressed in hockey equipment.

In -30 degree weather.

At 730am.

On a Saturday morning.

Then look at this.

Sometimes getting up early on the weekend isn't that terrible.

Tuesday's Tribute

A Jay and Deb Production.

Introducing a wonderful, terrific piece of work.

Introducing a lifesaver.

Introducing number 4 on my list of "Best Inventions Ever".

The..............Baby Gate.

Yes, my friends, today I am dedicating my post to Mr. Gate. He has allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief every day as I lock my 9 month old in her play area and not worry about her finding my plants, going through my cupboards and........*cough*....finding the stairs thinking "I wonder what would happen if I went down those".

Being the wonderful mother that I am, the above has never happened. Not even when I went to feed the dog and came back to the stairs to find Princess putting her hands over the first step with a smile on her face. A good mother would never let that happen. A good mother would catch her before she went thumpety thump down those stairs right?

Thank you Mr. Gate. You have made life much easier on a wonderful mom like myself.

Not Me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Ok...on to a new week.

* I don't hate Mondays. They are great, best day of the week.......(not). Even when it is snowing and cold, I still like Mondays. They are wonderful. *gag*

* I did not dream about my blog last night. I did not dream that I had more followers, a stalker and what topics I should post about this week. I have a life...really.

* I did not eat a Whopper with cheese for lunch today. With poutine. And a large pop. Not me!

* I did not watch my 6 year old get dressed this morning to make sure he wore underwear and changed his socks. I have better things to do.

* I did not come up with a million excuses to avoid the gym this morning. It was cold. It was snowy. Princess was tired. I broke a fingernail. I had to watch paint dry.

* I did not fall on my butt yesterday after tripping over Princess' baby sleigh rope. Who left that darn thing laying there anyways?? Oh yeah...me.

* I did not watch Charlotte's Web with the kids this weekend and shed a tear. I have read the book many times and also seen the movie. Why would I get weepy again??

* I did not go out in a snowstorm yesterday to take pictures of snow. That is the silliest thing in the world. I waited until the snow stopped falling and the roads were plowed........(not)

* I did not sit down and watch E! Hollywood Story about the cast of Beveryly Hills 90210.......and Who's the Boss.......and Punky Brewster on TV while baby was sleeping and the boys were at the movies with grandma on Saturday. There was too much to be done around the house.

* I am not sitting here blogging while baby cries in her crib because I need a few minutes to myself. I am a much better mother than that........usually.

Happy Not Me Monday!

Advice for my 6 year old

* Using an entire tube of my expensive hair cream to spike and style your boy cut is not ok.......especially if you do it every hour.

* Underwear is for actually wearing believe it or not. It is not a decoration to be scattered around your bedroom and is not to be used to wipe pee off of the toilet seat. You are supposed to wear it. Every day. Going commando at such a young age is gross. At any age it is gross. It is also winter.....-30 and wearing underwear would help to keep your privates warm. Just a thought.

* Socks are to be changed every day. You are not supposed to wear the same pair of socks for 10 days straight or until they become one with your flesh. It is gross. It is stinky. Ewww.......

* Flashing your 9 month old sister is wrong. No one in the house needs to be flashed. Ever. You can be a nudist whenever you want. In the privacy of your own bedroom please and thank you.

* Calling your brother a "moron", "stupid", "idiot" and so on does not make you cool. Eventually he will be bigger than you (he already is) and we are working our hardest to teach both of you not to tolerate being bullied. If you bully him...well..........

* When people come to our house to visit, it is not expected that they bring you a gift everytime. Just because it seemed that way during the holidays, it does not mean that it will continue year round. I would love it if people brought me a gift too but I don't expect it. Chocolate is always a favourite. Or bath products. Or kitchen utensils. I like scrapbooking stuff too.

* Setting your alarm for 7am and then spending the next hour whining and crying because you want to stay in bed is not how I enjoy waking up. I would prefer it if you were happy and excited to start your day, thank you very much.

* Quick question. Why do you have to wear ear plugs at the movie theatre but have no problem screaming and yelling at the top of your lungs all night when you're at home? Doesnt that hurt your ears too? It hurts mine. Can I borrow your earplugs?

* Never share your earplugs

* It is ok to flush the toilet after you do your business. Really. A monster is not going to come out of the bowl and attack your bum. Honest.

* Burping and tooting is a natural thing that our bodies do. Sure it can be extremely funny at times but it is not funny ALL of the time. We would really appreciate some manners when you have to expell some gas. This is not a barn, but we do have one and would be happy to set up a bedroom for you out there.

I love you son. Even though you drive me crazy sometimes. xo

Photostory Friday

Is there anything better than......

eating the cookie dough off of the beater "thingy"??

wearing comfy clothes all day and not leaving the house because it is -30 degrees outside??

eating chocolate dipped marshmallows with sprinkles on top??

eating homemade chocolate chip cookies with a big honkin glass of cold milk??

(No, I didn't eat all of these..... )

having middle child babysit while you eat cookies and milk??

Nope......I don't think so.



Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Assignment time

Write about a scary encounter with one of your old professors.

I was a good kid. I never got in trouble.

Except the time I was accused of taking liquid lunches.

And stealing candy from my teacher's top drawer.

Or the time I drew "SFP" (Super Flea Protection) on the back of my hand and continually waved it in front of the losers.

Oh yeah...and the time in Home Ec class when the recipe called for chocolate squares and I put an ExLax bar in instead.

Kidding, folks....I would never draw anything on my hands...........

But there is one time that sticks out in my head as possibly the scariest moment I had with a professor.

She wasn't a professor.

Or a teacher.

She was actually the Principal.

I was waiting in line at the cafeteria waiting to get my microwaved pizza from the cranky cafeteria ladies. My husband was in line with me. I think it was Grade 6.

We werent married back then.

I had bubblegum.

In my mouth.

I blew the biggest best damn bubble ever.

Just as the Prinicipal looked at me.

Yeah....uh huh......I almost pooped my pants as our eyes met eachother.

What did I do you ask?

Tried to stuff the bubble back into my mouth as fast as I could hoping that she really wasnt looking at me but instead was looking at the person in front of me...or behind me.....anywhere else but at me.

How could it happen? Me the good kid getting into trouble....with my future husband standing right there witnessing the entire embarrassing event.

I had to throw my gum out.

And my husband has not let me forget that moment over 20 years later.

Go here for more completed assignments.

WW-Donations Please

Donations are currently being taken for my trip to somewhere warm. Anywhere with above 0 temperatures would be great but I would love to go somewhere hot, please and thank you.


Last night I dreamt about


sand


sun


the beach


men in Speedos...eww.....


fruity, girlie alcoholic drinks


and me sitting on the most comfiest beach chair EVER with my girlie beach towel, Hollywood sunglasses and girlie beach hat



oh yeah...I was tanned....waxed.....in awesome shape and had a smokin hot bikini on. Wishful thinking, I know....



Why did I have a dream like this you wonder?

Because this is the temperature outside of my Canadian home right now.

Yeah...umm.....Mother Nature is in a terrible mood and decided to pound us with -30 degree (celsius) weather.

Thanks alot.

So after your generous donations (or just hugs and prayers would do), please head on over to this fabulous (and probably warm) site for more Wordful Wednesdays.

Tuesday's Tribute

A Jay and Deb Production.

Another way for Momma to post but not come up with the idea herself. One day it will happen folks, but for now enjoy my tribute and go here for others.

I am trying to find a nice way to dedicate this post without appearing self -centered because truthfully, would I do a Tuesday Tribute post if it had nothing to do with me?

Ummm................................

Word on the street is that bloggers are self- loving because all they do is write about themselves....their stuff....their kids......their hubby..........but I love others just as much (if not more) than I love myself. Oprah always says that the journey to great happiness is only achieved if you love yourself first.

My blog is the beginning of my journey.

Ok, Oprah didnt say it in those exact words, but you get the point.

There I go again.....I just wrote 3 paragraphs about myself. Shame on my self- centered self.

On to my tribute.

I dedicate this post to these........

My window coverings.

They have completed my life. I could die today and feel 100% fullfilled. I lived in my new beautiful home with my beautiful kids and hubby for 9 months.

Without window coverings.

Our house was open for the world to see.

These beautiful blinds cover our bedroom windows. I am sleeping 1000 times better now that I dont feel on display. Sure we live in the country and dont have neighbours closeby, but I still like privacy. I like to feel like I am in my nest...my cocoon.... and when my bedroom is wide open, I feel uneasy.

(I can only imagine what the wildlife and passing motorists on the nearby road have witnessed during these last 9 months. Ugh.)

And then there is the light. We have a barn. The barn has a light. A VERY bright light. It is on from dusk to dawn. It shines directly into our room and lights up my pillow like a spotlight.

Now you know why I sleep with my pillow over my head.

I love you blinds.

How did I ever survive without you?

You have made my life complete.

I dedicate this post to you.

You deserve it.

xo

Not Me Monday!

I did not totally forget about posting a Not Me Monday post and resort to posting an old post. I would never do such a thing.

I did not hear the weatherman say it was going to be -30 degrees celsius this week.....did I?

I do not have baskets of laundry sitting in my living room and still have 2 loads to finish. The magic fairy does laundry...I just don't know what is taking her so long. You would think she didn't enjoy it or something........

I did not let middle child build a fort in the living room where the laundry baskets full of folded laundry are not sitting.....really. My house is always clean and tidy. I would never let it get messy, even with 3 young children.....honest.

I did not let middle child go build the fort with a messy face because I wanted to finish eating my own lunch in peace, even if it was just for 5 minutes. I do not enjoy eating my lunch by myself. I like to have young children whining beside me about how I am so mean because I didnt let them eat ju jubes before lunch.

I did not go outside to the van in freezing temperatures without a coat to search for a gossip magazine I bought the other day. I don't like those trashy things. I never read them and if I do, it is because I am bored and have nothing better to do, like parent.

I will not lose sleep wondering where gossip magazine disappeared to.

I do not take pictures of my children crying so I can display them in 20 years at their wedding. I am not "one of those" parents. I have also never taken nudey baby pictures and pictures of children peeing on the neighbours front lawn. That is just cruel.

I am not saving $$$ for future therapy bills for my children.

I am not sitting here on the computer when the laundry needs to be finished, middle child's face needs to be wiped and my gossip magazine is missing. I have better things to do.

What did you not do today????????

Writer's Block

I am experiencing a severe case of it so instead of driving myself nuts over what to write, I will post one of my favourites from my other space on this land of the Net.

Recently I received a neat email about Grade 1 kids. They were given the beginning of some well known phrases and then finished them with their own thoughts. I did this with my Grade 1 little man and LOVE what he came up with!

Never underestimate the power of.............children.

You can lead a horse to water, but...............you can not let it go.

Don't bite the hand that........is dirty.

No news is.........no news.

You can't teach an old dog new............toys. (????)

A penny saved is..................a dollar.

Children should be seen and not.................hit in the butt.

If at first you don't succeed..........get a tractor.

When the blind lead the blind..............you can't see.

Try it with your kids...I would love to see what answers they give you! Or....pass on some other well known phrases to use with my own little munchkins.

Photostory Friday-Pink

Pink has not been a colour in my home since I was little.

I had two boys....a boy dog.....and a boy husband.

Until April 20, 2008.

Now my house looks like it should.

Pink are the bears that fill up Princess' room




Pink is the bedding that surrounds her when she sleeps.

Pink are the shoes and clothes that she wears everyday

Pink are her little tiny feet when she struggles to pull herself up to stand

Pink is her beautiful face when she stands up and doesn't know how to get down.





Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Assignment given by MamaKat

The Prompts:

1.) Describe your latest obsession.

2.) Ask a loved one to use 6 descriptive words to describe you and report your findings. How well do they know you?

3.) Who was your first bloggy friend? How did you find each other? Do you still correspond?

4.) Tell us about your pet! If you have a weird infatuation with your dog or cat we want to hear about it (or if they just plain drive you crazy)...but please don't compare them to children. It's just not the same.

It would be easy for me to do all of these because it is hard for me to shut up when writing. Odd because I am a very quiet, shy person in real life. Just ask my hubby.

I did. I asked him to describe me in 6 words and he complied. Good husband.

I thought about asking my children but I was afraid of what they would say considering I hear "I hate you" and "You're mean" about 10 times a day and I couldnt promise that I would not change their answers just to make myself look like a saint.

So here are my hubby's words and I promise that I did not pay him, promise him any favours or bribe him. Really.

1. Selfless
2. Beautiful
3. Caring
4. Shy
5. Nurturing
6. Stubborn as Hell

Gosh, he knows me so well. He has known me since 1982....grade 3.......I was the new kid in class.........so I cannot really argue with his "findings".

Except the last one.

My latest obsession.

This is a tough one because I have so many. Once I like something, I cannot get enough of it.

Magazines. A.Real.Problem in the eyes of my husband although I catch him reading them quite often. The way I think of it is magazines are my drug of choice. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I read trashy gossip magazines about rich celebrities. Who am I hurting???

Chocolate. A.Real.Problem in my eyes because my butt isnt getting any smaller. I love it and would trade a gossip magazine for a chocolate bar anyday. Even better......reading a gossip magazine while eating chocolate. There is nothing better.

Blistex. There is one in my bathroom, one in my purse, one in my kitchen, one in my vehicle and one in my makeup bag. Enough said.

Lucky Charms cereal. A new obsession thanks to middle child. He HAD to have them when we went to the grocery store the other day and only wanted to eat the marshmallows. I thought I would eat them the way they are meant to be eaten so he would realize they are yummy and do the same. I have had them every day since. I had them for breakfast this morning and will probably have them for lunch. No, I am not 5.....I am almost 34 thank you very much........

Nibs. You know...the licorice. Not the twisty kind. The solid rope kind. The softer the better.

There seems to be a food theme going here........

Go see MamaKat for more completed assignments

Wordful Wednesday- The Life of a 6 year old

Bring all craft supplies, including Mom's Christmas ribbon upstairs to your room.
Decorate your room with those supplies.

Build all Lego sets you received for Christmas and then leave them on your dresser and bedroom floor.

Leave all leftover tiny Lego pieces on bedroom floor.

NEVER clean up your mess.

Oh, to be 6 again.

Go here for more Wonderful Wordful Wednesday bloggers!

Conversation with my Friends.

Dear Eliptical,

It has been such a long time since we have seen eachother. Momma was just so busy with Christmas preparations, sick children, lack of sleep and umm...no energy. BUT, the New Year means things are going to be different. I prepared for my visit to your home (aka the gym) for a few days, psyching myself up, getting motivated and primping up my unwashed hair and washed trackpants and old ratty t shirt.

Then this morning arrived.

Princess and I sent the boys off to school and got ourselves ready for the big visit.

I have to admit, I was actually looking forward to getting all sweaty with you. The chocolates and MANY turkey sandwiches have placed themselves right on my butt and you're always so helpful helping me sweat them off. That is why I love you so.

I love you so much that I ran up the stairs with Princess, diaper bag and gym bag in my arms. I almost skipped to the doors but was afraid I might drop something. I opened the doors, said bye to Princess and dropped my other stuff in a locker.

I walked over with my water bottle, a smile on my face and the song "Gonna Get Physical" by Olivia Newton John running through my head.

Then I saw you.

You were busy with someone else. How dare you? Have you forgotten about me already? Has it been that long that you have already moved on and found other women? I thought I would try to make you jealous by finding another friend that looks like you and does all of the same stuff as you, but they were all busy too.

I am heartbroken.

Momma



Dearest Treadmill,

You are my new best friend. I had so much fun with you this morning. Can't wait to see you again soon.

Love Momma

Not Me! Monday

>
MckMama said it best......

Not Me! Monday was born out of a desire to admit some of our imperfections and reveal a few moments we'd rather forget.



As mothers (and fathers) we do things that we are proud of and not so proud of. I say let it all out and don't be ashamed.....everyone does it...we are only human. Here are mine for the week.

Enjoy!

I did not look forward to this morning...the first day back to school after two weeks at home. And nope, I am not looking forward to tomorrow when BOTH boys will be at school. Not me!

I did not wake up at 230am to an almost 9 month old baby screaming and want to ignore her and go back to sleep. Nope, not me!

I have not eaten almost all of the chocolate I received at Christmas. NO WAY, not me!

I have not gained a few pounds in the last few weeks because of the chocolate I did not eat.

I did not witness my baby girl pull herself up to standing yesterday while she was in her playpen. She is too small.......too little.......it did not happen!

I did not hear my middle child thank his brother for building him a Lego house. Nice things are not said between my boys. Their conversations usually involve insults and punches.

I did not sit in the freezing hockey arena yesterday watching my boy practice and shed a tear when he got a breakaway. Nope, not me.

I am not an emotional sap....no way.

Go here for more Not Me! Monday peeps!

The "R" word

I always have good intentions at the beginning of a New Year making resolutions, but by the fifth day of the year I have broken them all.

This year will be different.

I figure if I type them here, it is like having a contract in writing and I have to keep them or I will be punished. Maybe.

So, for the year 2009...............

1. I will continue writing because I enjoy it so much. In high school a teacher told me that I should be a writer, but I dismissed it and just like any teenager thought she had no clue what she was talking about. Who cares if she was teaching for 20+ years....and was Head of the English Department. I was a teenager dammit and knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life................

2. I will take more pictures with my brand new camera! I would describe it but all I know right now is that it is a Sony and says "For Professional Photographers" on the box. I also know that there is a course I have to take to learn how to use it. *gasp* So far I know how to turn it on and off so I am getting there...........

3. I will yell less. Notice how I didnt say "I will not yell"? I am listing realistic resolutions. I am a yeller and know it isn't right but when I try to talk to my kids calmly as they beat the crap out of eachother, it doesnt get noticed. WHEN I YELL, they can actually hear me. I will work on this.........I was a behaviour therapist in my "before kids" life so you would think I could come up with some creative ideas for my own little rascals.

4. I will take better care of myself. I could write a novel about this one but I am going to strive to put myself first at times. When I need a haircut, I won't wait until I look like a shaggy dog. When I need my brows waxed, I will get it done before people tell me I need it done. I will take time for ME, because I have learned over the last 7 years that I am a happier person when I take the time for myself. Even if it just means a 10 minute breather every day, I will do it.

5. I will meet up with my friends Treadmill and Eliptical 2-4 times a week starting next week. I havent seen them in a few months and know they miss me. I wish I could say I missed them too, but I don't. What I do miss is being 20lbs lighter, tanned and in shape. I vow to get in shape before the warmer months arrive because I will not go through another summer wearing only capris and praying for fall to come so I can wear jeans and big baggy sweatshirts again. So there.

6. I will enjoy watching my kids grow up instead of being depressed about it. I will take in all of the new things they are accomplishing and be happy about it. Every year brings new exciting things in their lives and before I know it they will be men and a little lady. Ugh. Oops...I mean YAY!

7. I will scrapbook more. This falls in the "taking more time for myself" category. There is no better feeling to me than being caught up to date with my pictures all in albums. Sick eh?

I am going to stop here...........this is going to be a tiring year............

Five Questions

The Maven did this on her blog and because I am such a copycat and love to participate in this stuff, she hooked me up with some questions.

1. If you could invent your own holiday, what would it be?

This is a tough one because I would have two. The first one would be some sort of National Chocolate Appreciation Day. I believe that everyone should dedicate a day every year to the wonderful creation. Really, what would we do without it? It allows women to survive the week before and during their monthly cycle. It is there when people are feeling depressed and need some sort of unconditional love that doesnt care what they look like and how awful they are feeling. It is there when stay at home moms need an extra boost to get them through their day....so what if it is everyday. My second one would be National Stay at Home Mom Appreciation Day when SAHM's get paid ALOT of money and are given the day off. Think the government would go for it?

2. You have to design a parade float that best represents your life at the moment. What would it look like?

It would include a a beautiful, skinny woman (HA) with her hair sticking straight up and bags under her eyes so dark that she gets mistaken for a raccoon at times. There would be chocolate wrappers everywhere. She would be standing in the middle of her messy house holding a cranky teething baby. There would be boys wrestling close by in the middle of Lego, stuffed animals, cars and tractor toys. But she would be smiling.............

3. Which one of your children reminds you the most of yourself, and is it in a good or a bad way?

Each child reminds me a little bit of myself in different ways and it is difficult to pick just one. Oldest child is Mr. Independent and likes to do things on his own and figure things out himself. Once he has mastered the challenge, then he includes others. I am like that. He is also not a "lovey dovey" kid. He has his moments but for the most part rolls his eyes when I tell him for the 27th time in one day that I love him. I have always been the type of person who cannot accept "lovey dovey-ness" and only give it out to my children........will work on that. Middle child.......oh, goodness........middle child is Mr. Stubborn. That is me 100%. Don't tell me what to do because I know how to do it and I am doing it right, no matter what you say! Will work on that too. Youngest child...Princess is only 8 months and I havent noticed much yet but when I look at pictures of me as a baby there is definitely a resemblance. I am scared to see what the future will bring...................

4. What is your favourite book of all time, and why?

That would mean I would actually have to read books. Does People magazine count?

5. What is the best thing about being Canadian?

Health Care

If you want to participate, here is what you need to do.

Send me an email saying: ”Interview Me” to livelaughpullyourhairout@gmail.com I will respond by emailing you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
You can then answer the questions on your blog.
You should also post these rules along with an offer to interview anyone else who emails you wanting to be interviewed.
Anyone who asks to be interviewed should be sent 5 questions to answer on their blog. It would be nice if the questions were individualized for each blogger.

Link back to my blog.

Thanks.