Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Violet is FAST!!!
Nels got some new toys in the mail yesterday. This was his first demo.
No wonder I have such a hard time keeping up with her!!!
Friday, December 9, 2011
bits of yarn, fuzz, boogers, and blab
My friend Stefanie keeps asking for pictures of where we're living. I want to do it, but 95% of the time it just feels like a crowded little mess. So. Instead I'll just give you reality.
I've got a hundred different projects going on - trying to finish for Christmas. They're coming along well and I'm pleased with my progress, but as a result the apartment, myself, and my children are a mess.
A mess, I say.
See? Messy.
But what alternative is there?
We've got about 1000 sqft. for seven people. Somehow I can spend my entire day cleaning up after and caring for these seven people -- with little time for anything else. There are not enough hours in the day and enough organization in my brain to be able to sew, crochet, cook, clean, wash, play with, feed, shop, etc. -- for all of everyone. Yes. All of everyone. Don't try to correct me. It's hard to write with someone climbing on you back and yelling in your ear.
Last night I told Nels that the laundry and several other jobs were just going to have to be within his jurisdiction until I get my projects finished. He is amazing and is alwayshappy willing to help. However, it was readily apparent yesterday that if I'm going to dump this on him, I'm going to have to be resigned happy with his limitations as well. He's just no housewife. (Thank goodness, right?!)
This is the way he does laundry. It drives me kind of nuts. But look how much he washed and (sort of) folded last night. Without complaint. :) He's a pretty good fella. :)
Thing 1 and Thing 2 have also been kind of fending for themselves the last little while. It seems as if Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming have become close friends and the theme song to "Dinosaur Train" has become the theme song for our lives lately. I have a real love/hate relationship with all of them. Love that they can babysit my kids while I'm actually accomplishing something, but (aside from the whole tv-ness of it) hate the constant sound, noise, and sound and sound and sound of them.
Today as soon as Hazel and Lilie left for school, Elsie started pleading to watch Dinosaur Train. When I told her no, she flung herself onto the couch, covered her head, and started to weep. (oh my goodness, there has been so much weeping in our lives lately!) When I tried to make fun of her distress by taking a picture, she forgot why she was sad.
And instead joined Violet in making their own train.
There are a lot of things lately that I'm trying to decide whether they're absolutely revolting or perfectly perfect.
Like Things that walk and stand all over our books (re-breaking the spine), drawing on miniature pads of paper, ripping spent pieces of paper out and onto the floor, with boogers dripping down to their mouths.
I just can't decide. Gag or smile?
Every time I snuggle my baby, I get partially digested milk dripping down my arm. Every time I hug my children I feel like I'm getting boogers wiped on my shirt (or face). When I decide I'm going to shower today, there never seems to be an opening before 10:00 at night. Sometimes I feel like a dirty burp cloth.
When I tell my daughter that we're not going to watch TV for 8 hours today, she starts weeping and trying to turn it on every time I turn my back . . . over and over and over. Almost like she doesn't understand. -- But I know neither of us are dumb enough to believe that's true. :)
Oh well. Whether they're perfectly gross or grossly perfect, they're all mine. All MINE!!! I sure love them.
Our lives are just a little messy right now. And I am GOING to convince myself that that's okay.
I've got some Christmas presents to finish up and I'm determined to not still be working on them Christmas Eve.
I've got a hundred different projects going on - trying to finish for Christmas. They're coming along well and I'm pleased with my progress, but as a result the apartment, myself, and my children are a mess.
A mess, I say.
But what alternative is there?
We've got about 1000 sqft. for seven people. Somehow I can spend my entire day cleaning up after and caring for these seven people -- with little time for anything else. There are not enough hours in the day and enough organization in my brain to be able to sew, crochet, cook, clean, wash, play with, feed, shop, etc. -- for all of everyone. Yes. All of everyone. Don't try to correct me. It's hard to write with someone climbing on you back and yelling in your ear.
Last night I told Nels that the laundry and several other jobs were just going to have to be within his jurisdiction until I get my projects finished. He is amazing and is always
This is the way he does laundry. It drives me kind of nuts. But look how much he washed and (sort of) folded last night. Without complaint. :) He's a pretty good fella. :)
Thing 1 and Thing 2 have also been kind of fending for themselves the last little while. It seems as if Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming have become close friends and the theme song to "Dinosaur Train" has become the theme song for our lives lately. I have a real love/hate relationship with all of them. Love that they can babysit my kids while I'm actually accomplishing something, but (aside from the whole tv-ness of it) hate the constant sound, noise, and sound and sound and sound of them.
Today as soon as Hazel and Lilie left for school, Elsie started pleading to watch Dinosaur Train. When I told her no, she flung herself onto the couch, covered her head, and started to weep. (oh my goodness, there has been so much weeping in our lives lately!) When I tried to make fun of her distress by taking a picture, she forgot why she was sad.
And instead joined Violet in making their own train.
 |
| Choo-Choo! |
Like Things that walk and stand all over our books (re-breaking the spine), drawing on miniature pads of paper, ripping spent pieces of paper out and onto the floor, with boogers dripping down to their mouths.
I just can't decide. Gag or smile?
Every time I snuggle my baby, I get partially digested milk dripping down my arm. Every time I hug my children I feel like I'm getting boogers wiped on my shirt (or face). When I decide I'm going to shower today, there never seems to be an opening before 10:00 at night. Sometimes I feel like a dirty burp cloth.
When I tell my daughter that we're not going to watch TV for 8 hours today, she starts weeping and trying to turn it on every time I turn my back . . . over and over and over. Almost like she doesn't understand. -- But I know neither of us are dumb enough to believe that's true. :)
Oh well. Whether they're perfectly gross or grossly perfect, they're all mine. All MINE!!! I sure love them.
Our lives are just a little messy right now. And I am GOING to convince myself that that's okay.
I've got some Christmas presents to finish up and I'm determined to not still be working on them Christmas Eve.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How to Tie a Scarf
Just wanted to share with all of you some of what Nels has been doing here at Coldwater Creek.
Isn't he awesome?! They've got a really great team there and we're excited to be here in Sandpoint.
Amazingly, I haven't even made it to the Coldwater store yet. Can you believe it? It just doesn't seem to be the kind of store that you take 5 kids into the dressing room with you. :) Or I should say WANT to take five kids with you. :) However, I'm determined that I'll get over there in the next few weeks. I've been browsing their scarves online and I think I like this one best.
Isn't he awesome?! They've got a really great team there and we're excited to be here in Sandpoint.
Amazingly, I haven't even made it to the Coldwater store yet. Can you believe it? It just doesn't seem to be the kind of store that you take 5 kids into the dressing room with you. :) Or I should say WANT to take five kids with you. :) However, I'm determined that I'll get over there in the next few weeks. I've been browsing their scarves online and I think I like this one best.
Monday, December 5, 2011
That's Different . . .
Things being what they are, our Christmas is bound to be a little . . . different this year.
First, seeing as how I am a complete GENIUS, when we went back to Idaho Falls a month ago, I thought, We'll probably be coming back down to I.F. near the end of December. I don't need to take our decorations with us. Incidentally, I gave the same pass to our snow boots. **insert eye-rolling and head shaking here** Stupid. While paying $30 for two flat rate boxes to ship our boots (thank you, Stef!!!) is annoying, it's necessary. However, the same can't be said of my large tote full of Christmas decor. I never really anticipated still being in this three bedroom apartment at Christmas time.
Now, beyond the idiocy of not bringing even one scrap of our traditional trinkets with us, we also have incredibly limited space for a tree -- that isn't in the middle of the room. And then there's the cost involved -- whether fake or live -- for ONE year. Plus it's always a bit exhausting chasing a toddler away from the water for a whole month. Can I get an "AMEN!"?
Anyway. My point. I've been thinking about what kind of alternatives I can come up with to the traditional Christmas tree. I found a couple on Pinterest.
OR. Just maybe, I'll cave in and drag my family up into the mountains with a $5 tree tag and find a little tree that we could put on the end table . . .
Which do you like best?
Also, do you have any favorite DIY ornaments? I suppose in years to come, it will be fun to have some fun little ornaments to commemorate this "unusual" Christmas. :)
First, seeing as how I am a complete GENIUS, when we went back to Idaho Falls a month ago, I thought, We'll probably be coming back down to I.F. near the end of December. I don't need to take our decorations with us. Incidentally, I gave the same pass to our snow boots. **insert eye-rolling and head shaking here** Stupid. While paying $30 for two flat rate boxes to ship our boots (thank you, Stef!!!) is annoying, it's necessary. However, the same can't be said of my large tote full of Christmas decor. I never really anticipated still being in this three bedroom apartment at Christmas time.
Now, beyond the idiocy of not bringing even one scrap of our traditional trinkets with us, we also have incredibly limited space for a tree -- that isn't in the middle of the room. And then there's the cost involved -- whether fake or live -- for ONE year. Plus it's always a bit exhausting chasing a toddler away from the water for a whole month. Can I get an "AMEN!"?
Anyway. My point. I've been thinking about what kind of alternatives I can come up with to the traditional Christmas tree. I found a couple on Pinterest.
OR. Just maybe, I'll cave in and drag my family up into the mountains with a $5 tree tag and find a little tree that we could put on the end table . . .
Which do you like best?
Also, do you have any favorite DIY ornaments? I suppose in years to come, it will be fun to have some fun little ornaments to commemorate this "unusual" Christmas. :)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Christmastime in the City
Today my big girls and I took a trip to Coeur d'Alene to do some Christmas shopping. I wish that we'd been able to spend more time there. That city is always pretty, but especially gorgeous at Christmastime. Lots of lights and novelty shops - right next to the lake. So fun!
Spent most of our time at this store -- Figpickles Toy Emporium -- looking for presents for their younger sisters. Fun. Fun. I love specialty toy stores. Afterward we walked to the bakery to get Christmas cupcakes for the girls and a chocolate croissant for yours truly. Yum. Especially with hot chocolate on the side.
Such a fun day with my two ladies - that are too quickly growing up.
Spent most of our time at this store -- Figpickles Toy Emporium -- looking for presents for their younger sisters. Fun. Fun. I love specialty toy stores. Afterward we walked to the bakery to get Christmas cupcakes for the girls and a chocolate croissant for yours truly. Yum. Especially with hot chocolate on the side.
Such a fun day with my two ladies - that are too quickly growing up.
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