Jon is gone this week which is why I am SO BEHIND on life at the moment. For those that do not have traveling spouses, the logistics never really get contemplated. He is often in another time zone meeting with customers. Every day he is gone, we discuss whether I can or can not text or call him. Generally I can NOT call or text Jon when he is gone.
I've got five years of a traveling spouse under my belt so I am VERY adept at dealing with situations. Kid with a 105 fever at 11PM? Jon didn't get a call until the fever was under control and I had a Plan A and a Plan B. Vomiting kids? Laundry is done by the time he gets home. But last night.... oh I was not prepared for last night.
At bedtime, one boy was changing into pajamas when he said, "My p*nis hurts." NEVER something you want to hear. Or see, really. I checked it out and there was definitely some kind of heat rash going on all kinds of places down there. I asked the kid to show me his underwear he wore to school (because you know he was nekkid at this point). He put them on and to put it politely... ALL of his junk was hanging out the leg hole.
YES I am excited my children can dress themselves. But perhaps we need a new rule of "if your junk is hanging out the sides of your underwear, you need to tell me." I guess they've worn the (coveted) white pairs (tidy whities) so many times the elastic stretched a little too much.
But then WHAT TO DO??? I've never had heat rash like that because I don't have those parts. Do we even have stuff to deal with that kind of rash in the house? Dr google is NOT a place to look for advice for "rash on junk." With Jon gone, I immediately called my sister, who has a son older than Nate and Alex. She recommended neosporin but I used desitin and everything was clear this morning.
So in an already crazy week, now I need to add ALL NEW UNDERWEAR to the list of things to buy before vacation. And probably pack some Desitin to go. And somehow wipe my brain of the number of times I heard the word "p*nis" last night while the boys ENDLESSLY discussed what transpired.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Can someone please just decorate my house for me?
Last month I posted a photo of the bunk beds we planned to buy for each of the boys' rooms. I did some more research and then did some basic math and was all AH HELL NO. Two sets of bunk beds + four mattresses + all new sheets + decorations for walls + dressers = enough money for an insanely super awesome vacation. Like a family vacation to Hawaii for a week. Or Europe. Or Africa.
Then I went to Ikea with Maria in Boston and thought - we'll just get Ikea bunks. Totally forgetting that we have an Ikea bed that we SWORE we would get rid of 4 moves ago and STILL want to replace. I also forgot our Case family rule of - NO MORE IKEA.
We finally decided to get one set of bunk beds and put them in Alex's room. We asked Nate if he was fine with that. He said, "Yes. As long as I get to sleep in Alex's room every night." Help me out buddy!!!
So we went back to the bunk bed store last night to look at the SUPER SAFE step bunks one last time. Alex immediately did this:
Um.... this is not any safer. In fact, this may be less safe than regular bunk beds.
After all of this churn, we finally decided to get normal cherry twin bunk beds for Alex's room. They arrive next Saturday. I need some kind of personal shopper to make all these decisions and purchases for me. Any takers?
Then I went to Ikea with Maria in Boston and thought - we'll just get Ikea bunks. Totally forgetting that we have an Ikea bed that we SWORE we would get rid of 4 moves ago and STILL want to replace. I also forgot our Case family rule of - NO MORE IKEA.
We finally decided to get one set of bunk beds and put them in Alex's room. We asked Nate if he was fine with that. He said, "Yes. As long as I get to sleep in Alex's room every night." Help me out buddy!!!
So we went back to the bunk bed store last night to look at the SUPER SAFE step bunks one last time. Alex immediately did this:
Um.... this is not any safer. In fact, this may be less safe than regular bunk beds.
After all of this churn, we finally decided to get normal cherry twin bunk beds for Alex's room. They arrive next Saturday. I need some kind of personal shopper to make all these decisions and purchases for me. Any takers?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Lightning bugs, year two
We're a little behind this year on catching lightning bugs. Every time we set out to catch them the last few weeks, it would rain right at dusk. Or someone would have skipped nap at school and be too tired to stay out late. Or the weather was perfect for pool time. As for our lightning bugs are dwindling, we decided to let the boys stay up really late to catch some.
We headed to the greenway and after catching two, the boys were super spooked by how dark it was outside. We went home with two bugs in Nate's net to set them free in our backyard. Once the boys set them free, they proceeded to spend 30 minutes catching and re-catching the same two bugs over and over. (names = Lightning McCase and Lightning McQueen)
If we thought Nate was excited last year about lightning bugs, this year he pretty much screamed excitedly at the top of his lungs every time he saw one light up. Sorry, neighbors.
Considering I am 37 and still get excited about lightning bugs, I'm thinking we have many more years of this.
PS. Again, no comments calling them fireflies or you are dead to me.
We headed to the greenway and after catching two, the boys were super spooked by how dark it was outside. We went home with two bugs in Nate's net to set them free in our backyard. Once the boys set them free, they proceeded to spend 30 minutes catching and re-catching the same two bugs over and over. (names = Lightning McCase and Lightning McQueen)
If we thought Nate was excited last year about lightning bugs, this year he pretty much screamed excitedly at the top of his lungs every time he saw one light up. Sorry, neighbors.
Considering I am 37 and still get excited about lightning bugs, I'm thinking we have many more years of this.
PS. Again, no comments calling them fireflies or you are dead to me.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Blessed blessed blessed!
One of my ongoing Mondo items to keep up my tribe of women. This is kind of crazy to me as going to a science and engineering college, I didn't have many women friends. The older I get, the more I realize how important it is to have women in my life. I'm blessed, truly blessed, in that I have a LOT of women in my life. I just got back from a three day trip to Boston where I got to spend time with a few of them.
(Joanna, Steph, Maria and me)
(yes, Joanna never smiles for photos)
I have a lot more to say about the super duper awesome trip (that included two photo shoots) but for now, I wanted to give a quick shout out to Maria for driving my butt around and generally being my partner in crime. And thank you May06 Babycenter for being this insane place that made it so easy to find the normal people.
(Joanna, Steph, Maria and me)
(yes, Joanna never smiles for photos)
I have a lot more to say about the super duper awesome trip (that included two photo shoots) but for now, I wanted to give a quick shout out to Maria for driving my butt around and generally being my partner in crime. And thank you May06 Babycenter for being this insane place that made it so easy to find the normal people.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Family! Visiting! Us!
My aunt Angie and her daughter (my first cousin) Brittany came to visit yesterday for a day on their way to a wedding in Raleigh. They got to see our house and the kids and each got to stay in their own guest room and drank frozen lemonade vodka slushes while we watched the kids swim. It was a FANTASTIC visit!
Make your reservation at Casa Case and we treat you right! We would love to have more people visit!
Make your reservation at Casa Case and we treat you right! We would love to have more people visit!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Back to regularly scheduled photo blogging
In the final big push to get my photography website launched, I took a lot less photos of the boys than I normally do. I can't explain the number of hours I poured over thousands of photos to painstakingly pick each one that would be displayed. The idea of spending more time in front of Photoshop seemed like a chore to me. But I'm back with my camera in front of Nate and Alex's faces YAY!
Something about age 5... Alex is more and more boy every day. Lots of shouting, tumbling, getting dirty and pretending everything is a light saber or a sword. We have a long paper tube we use to get legos out from under the couch and that thing has been put in time out more times than I can count.
I decided to snap a few pictures while hanging out in our house, as we have very few of our times in the new house. As I watched Alex play, he did this and I had no idea what he was about to do. He did a cartwheel... ON THE COUCH. And I had to point out to him why this was dangerous (!).
We go through band-aids like no one's business in this house due to all the jumping, falling, running, scraping, and tumbling. Much like the diapers we used to carry, we now have band-aids stuffed into every extra space - the pool bag, glove compartments, my purse. I want to tell them to slow down, stop acting crazy, watch what you're doing but the craziness brings them so much joy that I just need to shut my yap and let them learn the hard way.
Something about age 5... Alex is more and more boy every day. Lots of shouting, tumbling, getting dirty and pretending everything is a light saber or a sword. We have a long paper tube we use to get legos out from under the couch and that thing has been put in time out more times than I can count.
I decided to snap a few pictures while hanging out in our house, as we have very few of our times in the new house. As I watched Alex play, he did this and I had no idea what he was about to do. He did a cartwheel... ON THE COUCH. And I had to point out to him why this was dangerous (!).
We go through band-aids like no one's business in this house due to all the jumping, falling, running, scraping, and tumbling. Much like the diapers we used to carry, we now have band-aids stuffed into every extra space - the pool bag, glove compartments, my purse. I want to tell them to slow down, stop acting crazy, watch what you're doing but the craziness brings them so much joy that I just need to shut my yap and let them learn the hard way.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
My feet still hurt
Remember that time back in April when the ice cream truck bypassed our house? We've been trying to get ice cream from an ice cream truck since then. Last week we were on a walk on the greenway when we could hear an ice cream truck in the next neighborhood over but much to the boys' disappoinment, we never could find it.
On Saturday morning we went to the beach again (it was glorious and we tried to teach the boys to chicken fight but Alex was too.... chicken). We all took naps when we got home and when we woke up, I heard the ice cream truck go right past our house! I didn't even pause, I ran out our front door completely barefoot to flag down that ice cream truck. I told Nate to get tell Jon to get money and come meet me.
The ice cream truck stopped at the pool, Nate came running down the street with money, and two enormous ice cream sandwiches were procured.
When I'm having a rough parenting day and I question whether I am a good mother, please remind me of the time I ran barefoot down the street chasing an ice cream truck and I DIDN"T EVEN GET ICE CREAM FOR MYSELF.
On Saturday morning we went to the beach again (it was glorious and we tried to teach the boys to chicken fight but Alex was too.... chicken). We all took naps when we got home and when we woke up, I heard the ice cream truck go right past our house! I didn't even pause, I ran out our front door completely barefoot to flag down that ice cream truck. I told Nate to get tell Jon to get money and come meet me.
The ice cream truck stopped at the pool, Nate came running down the street with money, and two enormous ice cream sandwiches were procured.
When I'm having a rough parenting day and I question whether I am a good mother, please remind me of the time I ran barefoot down the street chasing an ice cream truck and I DIDN"T EVEN GET ICE CREAM FOR MYSELF.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Yes I'm a copier.
Jon and I have this running joke about spoiling presents. We are VERY good at guessing what the other has gotten us as a present. I think (?) it all started when I shook a present he got me and guessed it correctly. Then there have been *many* times when we said to other, "I really want to buy this for my birthday"... and the other person has already purchased it.
Jon's main Father's Day gift was not a surprise (new steak knives) since he asked for them so I really wanted to make sure I surprised him with something else. When he was out of town a few weeks ago, I procured wooden letters and set off to copy Goddess in Progress' DAD pictures.
The boys wanted to take them in their pajamas. I started to object but then realized, how many nice photos do we have of the boys in PJs?
Nate's crab peeking through the D:
Couldn't get normal smiles from them to save my life:
CLASSIC ALEX:
I got a nice frame, got them printed, and hid EVERYTHING away in secret places. Three days before Father's Day, Jon randomly went into my desk for something and found the frame.
At the very least, we've come a long way since Jon's first Father's Day. The first one, all Jon wanted was a good night's sleep:
For his sixth Father's Day, he got presents and a well-deserved day off, complete with vodka slush and sleeping in.
Love you sweetie! I couldn't imagine a better father for my children.
Jon's main Father's Day gift was not a surprise (new steak knives) since he asked for them so I really wanted to make sure I surprised him with something else. When he was out of town a few weeks ago, I procured wooden letters and set off to copy Goddess in Progress' DAD pictures.
The boys wanted to take them in their pajamas. I started to object but then realized, how many nice photos do we have of the boys in PJs?
Nate's crab peeking through the D:
Couldn't get normal smiles from them to save my life:
CLASSIC ALEX:
I got a nice frame, got them printed, and hid EVERYTHING away in secret places. Three days before Father's Day, Jon randomly went into my desk for something and found the frame.
At the very least, we've come a long way since Jon's first Father's Day. The first one, all Jon wanted was a good night's sleep:
For his sixth Father's Day, he got presents and a well-deserved day off, complete with vodka slush and sleeping in.
Love you sweetie! I couldn't imagine a better father for my children.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The most traiterous traitery post I could ever write as a traitor
I am a beach SNOB. For reals, 100% certified beach snob.
This is what happens when you grow up at Siesta Key as your local beach (ranked this year as the #1 beach in the US). Fine white sand with beautiful crystal clear warm water. Visited MANY southern and northern California beaches- not impressed with the cold water and tarry sand. Visited Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French beaches - too rocky and dirty sand. Visited Hawaiian beaches - these come close to the perfection of gulf coast beaches, but not quite good enough.
So imagine my surprise when I came home from our local LAKE beach trip this morning as a TRAITOR. I think I may like lake beaches better than ocean beaches... with children.
(Pics with Canon Powershot G12)
Pros:
* Fresh water means no salty hands, no salty hair, no salty water in mouth, no salt water stinging eyes, and no salty water all over electronics
* Man made beach means no mucky bottom
* No worries about stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, seaweed, open cuts getting salt water in them. You can just get in the water and enjoy it!
* No big waves or big drop offs to worry about kids drowning
* Still get to enjoy the awesome pine forest of this part of the country while at the beach! So... plenty of shade.
BEST PART? 20 minutes door to door to our nearest awesome lake beach. It's only lunchtime and I already spent 3 hours at the beach today. And for the first hour, we were the only ones there.
Basically the only thing keeping the Triangle from being the 100% completely perfect place for me was the distance to the ocean. Now that I've discovered the awesomeness of lake beaches, looks like I'll be 100% happy in our forever home. And for that, I don't mind being a traitory traitor.
This is what happens when you grow up at Siesta Key as your local beach (ranked this year as the #1 beach in the US). Fine white sand with beautiful crystal clear warm water. Visited MANY southern and northern California beaches- not impressed with the cold water and tarry sand. Visited Greek, Italian, Spanish, and French beaches - too rocky and dirty sand. Visited Hawaiian beaches - these come close to the perfection of gulf coast beaches, but not quite good enough.
So imagine my surprise when I came home from our local LAKE beach trip this morning as a TRAITOR. I think I may like lake beaches better than ocean beaches... with children.
(Pics with Canon Powershot G12)
Pros:
* Fresh water means no salty hands, no salty hair, no salty water in mouth, no salt water stinging eyes, and no salty water all over electronics
* Man made beach means no mucky bottom
* No worries about stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, seaweed, open cuts getting salt water in them. You can just get in the water and enjoy it!
* No big waves or big drop offs to worry about kids drowning
* Still get to enjoy the awesome pine forest of this part of the country while at the beach! So... plenty of shade.
BEST PART? 20 minutes door to door to our nearest awesome lake beach. It's only lunchtime and I already spent 3 hours at the beach today. And for the first hour, we were the only ones there.
Basically the only thing keeping the Triangle from being the 100% completely perfect place for me was the distance to the ocean. Now that I've discovered the awesomeness of lake beaches, looks like I'll be 100% happy in our forever home. And for that, I don't mind being a traitory traitor.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sitting in the front seat, listening to the back seat on Wednesday, Wednesday
Alex saw a VW beetle before we drove through Biscuitville yesterday morning. Silence followed.
I got their biscuits and my coffee from Starbucks next door (I still have occasional morning caffeine).
10 minutes into our drive to school Alex said in a singsongy voice, "I've got a punch waiting for someone!"
I got their biscuits and my coffee from Starbucks next door (I still have occasional morning caffeine).
10 minutes into our drive to school Alex said in a singsongy voice, "I've got a punch waiting for someone!"
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Part-time update
It's been almost a year that I've been working 4 day work weeks instead of 5 days. I am SO THRILLED my company offers this as an option and honestly, it makes me work harder to ensure I can keep this privilege. I'm also not going to lie - it has made our life infinitely easier with two working parents, particularly with Jon traveling.
I am a machine on Fridays, busting out insane amounts of chores and tasks. I take full advantage of those 8 kidless hours. Grocery shopping, Target, menu planning, doctor's appointments... it is a super industrious day. The biggest benefit, by far, is that we no longer trek the kids on errands on weekends. We just get to enjoy the weekend as a family. It has been an awesome change for our family.
However, with just 7 Fridays left until the boys start kindergarten, we've decided to use those Fridays to let the boys play hooky. I broke the news last night to the boys that we were going to play hooky on Friday and check out a beach at a local lake. I had no idea how insanely excited they were going to be. Nate literally looked at the sky and shouted with joy.
So our weeks may be a little more hectic until they start kindergarten but it will be SO WORTH IT.
PS. More of Irene's family pictures on the photography blog!
I am a machine on Fridays, busting out insane amounts of chores and tasks. I take full advantage of those 8 kidless hours. Grocery shopping, Target, menu planning, doctor's appointments... it is a super industrious day. The biggest benefit, by far, is that we no longer trek the kids on errands on weekends. We just get to enjoy the weekend as a family. It has been an awesome change for our family.
However, with just 7 Fridays left until the boys start kindergarten, we've decided to use those Fridays to let the boys play hooky. I broke the news last night to the boys that we were going to play hooky on Friday and check out a beach at a local lake. I had no idea how insanely excited they were going to be. Nate literally looked at the sky and shouted with joy.
So our weeks may be a little more hectic until they start kindergarten but it will be SO WORTH IT.
PS. More of Irene's family pictures on the photography blog!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
5 year stats
The boys had their 5 year old checkup a couple of weeks ago. Here are the stats:
Alex weight 39 lbs (50%), 3 ft 6 inches (40%)
Nate weight 37.4 lbs (28%), 3 ft 5.5 inches (25%)
Jon and I were stunned at the results. Nate has ALWAYS weighed more than Alex and has always been taller. When we did our own measurements at home, they appeared to be the same height. I think the half inch must be within margin of error for measuring 5 year olds.
What is not shocking: they are still shrimpies. This comes as no surprise since they are still wearing 3T swimsuit bottoms and shorts. However they need to be 40 pounds to ride in a booster and at this point, I'm not sure they will ever fit into boosters.
I never think they've grown that much until we measure them:
Laura, why does Nate look so grumpy in that picture? Because he hit my camera with a white balance card while Alex was getting photographed and I told him he couldn't have any M&Ms for getting his picture taken.
The joys of twin boys never stop, even at 5.
Alex weight 39 lbs (50%), 3 ft 6 inches (40%)
Nate weight 37.4 lbs (28%), 3 ft 5.5 inches (25%)
Jon and I were stunned at the results. Nate has ALWAYS weighed more than Alex and has always been taller. When we did our own measurements at home, they appeared to be the same height. I think the half inch must be within margin of error for measuring 5 year olds.
What is not shocking: they are still shrimpies. This comes as no surprise since they are still wearing 3T swimsuit bottoms and shorts. However they need to be 40 pounds to ride in a booster and at this point, I'm not sure they will ever fit into boosters.
I never think they've grown that much until we measure them:
Laura, why does Nate look so grumpy in that picture? Because he hit my camera with a white balance card while Alex was getting photographed and I told him he couldn't have any M&Ms for getting his picture taken.
The joys of twin boys never stop, even at 5.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Starting my own campaign
Have you heard of the It Gets Better Project? I have been a Dan Savage fan for a long, long time, having listened to him on This American Life and read his advice column in SF and Chicago. LOVE his project. And just like my ideas "Twin Rookie Moms" and "Twin Parent Hacks," I've decided to start my own campaign:
"Twin Parents: It Gets Better"
I am inspired to start this campaign after spending some time with Matt and Irene this weekend. Their twin babies turned 1 yesterday so I took some photos for their family. I will post the highlights on my photography blog later this week but I wanted to use the outtakes for my Twin Parents: It Gets Better campaign.
Overtired meltdowns at 9:30AM? It Gets Better.
Objecting to things by instantly crying? It Gets Better.
One kid making a happy kid cry? It Gets Better... because you can put their butts in time out away from you.
The lack of sleep? The constant feeding of small children? The constant rotation of feed/diaper/play/nap? The feeling that you could DO all day and it would never get DONE? It Gets Better.
I promise you, by age 5 (if not earlier) you will be on easy street. And just like your relationship, all it does is get better.
"Twin Parents: It Gets Better"
I am inspired to start this campaign after spending some time with Matt and Irene this weekend. Their twin babies turned 1 yesterday so I took some photos for their family. I will post the highlights on my photography blog later this week but I wanted to use the outtakes for my Twin Parents: It Gets Better campaign.
Overtired meltdowns at 9:30AM? It Gets Better.
Objecting to things by instantly crying? It Gets Better.
One kid making a happy kid cry? It Gets Better... because you can put their butts in time out away from you.
The lack of sleep? The constant feeding of small children? The constant rotation of feed/diaper/play/nap? The feeling that you could DO all day and it would never get DONE? It Gets Better.
I promise you, by age 5 (if not earlier) you will be on easy street. And just like your relationship, all it does is get better.
Friday, June 10, 2011
My 2011 Mondo Beyondo list
On my 36th birthday, I shared 36 items from my Mondo Beyondo list. Of the 36 I shared here, I completed 18 of those. It was an awesome year. On my 37th birthday, I wasn't at the point where I was ready to think about a Mondo list because I was so focused on getting my photography business launched. I shared just a few things I wanted to accomplish.
Now that I am halfway through my second Mondo Beyondo, all I can say is WOW. I am dreaming big this time around. My list is a solid 3-4 times longer than the first time around. I feel like I trust so much more that these things will happen this time. My Mondo list has 130 (!!!) items on it. I won't share the whole list but here is a sampling of what you can expect to hear about in the upcoming year
How are YOU going to help me with this list? And what's on your Mondo list?
Now that I am halfway through my second Mondo Beyondo, all I can say is WOW. I am dreaming big this time around. My list is a solid 3-4 times longer than the first time around. I feel like I trust so much more that these things will happen this time. My Mondo list has 130 (!!!) items on it. I won't share the whole list but here is a sampling of what you can expect to hear about in the upcoming year
How are YOU going to help me with this list? And what's on your Mondo list?
- Be a smashing success with my photography business
- Host a women's retreat at my house
- Warrior Dash times two with my tribe of women
- Complete a 365 photo project
- Make an awesome wrap dress or buy one
- Find the perfect summer cocktail
- Do a handstand
- Karate chop a board in half with my hand
- Learn to do the worm
- Learn to surf
- Leave pennies for other kids to find
- Whistle really loudly with my fingers in my mouth
- Get back in a kayak
- Monster truck rally, hell yeah
- Learn to use the gas grill and not be a baby about it exploding
- Demolition derby
- Volunteer as a family
- End each day feeling like I LIVED it
- Get lots of quality beach time
- Wear my wedding dress on our anniversary
- Whiten my teeth
- Eat at French Laundry
- See the fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway
- Vacation to Italy with just Jon
- Go on a missionary trip to a third world country
- Take a whole summer off from a 9-5 job
- Say yes to life
- Be in the Hunger Games movie
- See the finale of SYTYCD live, in person
- Meet all of my favorite blogfriends and give them a bigass hug
- No skin cancer or other cancer
- Own all the professional cameras and lenses I want
- Live in Italy for a summer
- Attend the Emmies or Golden Globes
- Meet some of my photography idols in person and watch them work
- Join a running group
- Live to see my boys live long happy lives
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Say with it me...... awwwwwwwwwwwww
We talk each day about whether the boys got time outs at school and what they got them for. Yesterday Alex got a time out for kissing a girl!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
I couldn't help myself; I laughed out loud. I asked why you get a time out for that and both boys said, "We do not share mouth germs!"
I asked Alex why he kissed her and he said, "She told me to kiss her." I asked if he liked her and he said, "Yeah, she's my girlfriend."
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
I couldn't help myself; I laughed out loud. I asked why you get a time out for that and both boys said, "We do not share mouth germs!"
I asked Alex why he kissed her and he said, "She told me to kiss her." I asked if he liked her and he said, "Yeah, she's my girlfriend."
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Me and Alex
While we try to incorporate a lot of fun big things into the boys' lives, sometimes the simplest things can be the most fun. Like playing with my iphone camera and video!
Snuggles
Mouths
Tongues
Maybe we shouldn't have started on the tongue thing
Okay fine, it was fun
But wait, would you like to see a video? We're laying down because that's the only way I know how to get Alex to sit still enough to be captured on such a small video screen.
Snuggles
Mouths
Tongues
Maybe we shouldn't have started on the tongue thing
Okay fine, it was fun
But wait, would you like to see a video? We're laying down because that's the only way I know how to get Alex to sit still enough to be captured on such a small video screen.
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
Ignore the tray
I just finished reading "Just Let Me Lie Down:Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom." It was written by the editor of Real Simple magazine. I wouldn't recommend anyone run out and buy it, but it was definitely worth a skim of a free library version. It's a mini-dictionary of terms for working parents, along with some stories about the constant juggle of working life with children.
By far, my favorite term of the entire book is "ignore the tray." This sums up my life PERFECTLY. It's a term waiters use when first learning to wait tables (a profession I highly recommend to everyone). If you focus too much on what is on your tray - how heavy it is and how it might be unbalanced -you might drop the tray.
So.... you just move forward with your head up and power through.
This speaks to me on SO MANY LEVELS. Let's look at my life. Full time job. Traveling husband. Twin boys. Launched a photography business. Trying to run 1000 miles this year. Reading more than one book a week. Maintaining friendships. Making new friends. Spending time with Jon.
The only way I cope is to ignore the tray. I think people think I'm crazy when they ask where Jon is going in two weeks and I don't know. I just don't look that far ahead. I *can't* look that far ahead or I will drop the tray. I just do what needs to get done each day.
I ignore the tray and it helps me enjoy life.
The other thing I do is cut corners because I can't be supermom. Like Starbucks hot chocolate and biscuits from Biscuitville for breakfast since Jon's gone.
By far, my favorite term of the entire book is "ignore the tray." This sums up my life PERFECTLY. It's a term waiters use when first learning to wait tables (a profession I highly recommend to everyone). If you focus too much on what is on your tray - how heavy it is and how it might be unbalanced -you might drop the tray.
So.... you just move forward with your head up and power through.
This speaks to me on SO MANY LEVELS. Let's look at my life. Full time job. Traveling husband. Twin boys. Launched a photography business. Trying to run 1000 miles this year. Reading more than one book a week. Maintaining friendships. Making new friends. Spending time with Jon.
The only way I cope is to ignore the tray. I think people think I'm crazy when they ask where Jon is going in two weeks and I don't know. I just don't look that far ahead. I *can't* look that far ahead or I will drop the tray. I just do what needs to get done each day.
I ignore the tray and it helps me enjoy life.
The other thing I do is cut corners because I can't be supermom. Like Starbucks hot chocolate and biscuits from Biscuitville for breakfast since Jon's gone.
Monday, June 06, 2011
Making our house a home
Now that I've launched my photography website (YAY!), I've had a little time to get started on finishing decorating the house. There are a few finishing touches downstairs that I want to complete. There was an empty wall between our couch and our eat-in kitchen where this is now hanging:
I had this custom made on Etsy from this seller. She did an amazing job modifying one of her standard designs to match our living room decor, price was reasonable, and it was completed super fast. LOVE!
And it's also time to decorate the boys' rooms. Alex's room still has toddler beds and Nate's room has an Ikea bed that we never planned to move this many times. Our family went shopping yesterday afternoon for bunk beds. The boys had a blast climbing in and out of different bunk beds. We've almost decided upon bunk beds with stairs instead of a ladder because it was so easy to climb up and down.
Anyone have thoughts on whether this is a good or bad idea? (Besides Brooke, who I can guess generally hates bunk beds? We want the ability to sleep a lot of people.)
I had this custom made on Etsy from this seller. She did an amazing job modifying one of her standard designs to match our living room decor, price was reasonable, and it was completed super fast. LOVE!
And it's also time to decorate the boys' rooms. Alex's room still has toddler beds and Nate's room has an Ikea bed that we never planned to move this many times. Our family went shopping yesterday afternoon for bunk beds. The boys had a blast climbing in and out of different bunk beds. We've almost decided upon bunk beds with stairs instead of a ladder because it was so easy to climb up and down.
Anyone have thoughts on whether this is a good or bad idea? (Besides Brooke, who I can guess generally hates bunk beds? We want the ability to sleep a lot of people.)
Friday, June 03, 2011
Pre-school graduation
My boys started at their school when they were 12 weeks old. Five insanely short years later, this happened:
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it." - Ferris Bueller
"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it." - Ferris Bueller
For the grandparents
I will be doing a post sometime this weekend because today is PRE-SCHOOL GRADUATION!!! It's hard to believe they've been at that school for five years.
After seeing the tiny gowns and hats, I had to go out and buy more waterproof mascara to prepare. Photos and video to come.
After seeing the tiny gowns and hats, I had to go out and buy more waterproof mascara to prepare. Photos and video to come.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
And this is why we avoided advertising for so long
The boys have been watching a lot of Phineas and Ferb recently. It is the first show we have let them watch that has commercials. We could use Netflix instant streaming to avoid the commercials but by setting it up on tivo, Jon and I have been able to sleep in on weekends by telling the boys to go downstairs and watch tv for an hour while we stay in bed. The thing about Disney Channel commercial breaks is not only do they advertise their products and their shows, they also show music videos from their teeny bopper stars. But let me repeat: SLEEPING IN.
The boys have been much more amenable to listening to a variety of music in the car. We still check out Kids Place Live but we also listen to my music too. It's cute to hear them excited about one of "my" songs and it has made driving much more tolerable.
Imagine my surprise when a Selena Gomez (GAG!!!) song came on Kids Place Live and Nate screamed, "I LOVE THIS SONG!!!" Turns out, this song had been on during the commercial of Phineas and Ferb. It's Nate's favorite song, so he claims.
There are moments in parenthood where you feel omnipotent, all-knowing, and powerful. I then explained that Selena's boyfriend was Justin Bieber.
Nate and Alex = MINDS BLOWN.
The boys have been much more amenable to listening to a variety of music in the car. We still check out Kids Place Live but we also listen to my music too. It's cute to hear them excited about one of "my" songs and it has made driving much more tolerable.
Imagine my surprise when a Selena Gomez (GAG!!!) song came on Kids Place Live and Nate screamed, "I LOVE THIS SONG!!!" Turns out, this song had been on during the commercial of Phineas and Ferb. It's Nate's favorite song, so he claims.
There are moments in parenthood where you feel omnipotent, all-knowing, and powerful. I then explained that Selena's boyfriend was Justin Bieber.
Nate and Alex = MINDS BLOWN.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Can't say no
My friend Gillian recently remembered on her blog that I never
say no to lemonade stands or ice cream trucks. Last night there was a stand set up in our neighborhood, so I walked the boys over. Instead of lemonade, they were selling iced tea. Sweet tea.
Friends, we have given sweet tea to Nate and Alex about a bazillion times. Nate liked it one time but the rest of the time, they spit it out and complain it tastes gross. This breaks my heart, raising two southern boys who don't like sweet tea??? Also how can you not love the deliciousness of ice cold sweet tea on a hot day?
It must have been the 98 degrees and 100% humidity because they LOVED the tea/lemonade combo and sucked it down. On the walk home, we talked about how good the drinks were and possibly setting up on a stand to sell drinks. Sometimes I forget that Nate and Alex have only experienced things a few times in their lifetime, so buying a cold drink from someone on the street is still novel and exciting to them.
It was interesting over dinner to hear them hatch their plan for their stand. It will be near the pool so there are more people. It will be at lunchtime so more people are out and thirsty. Nate wants to give a discount if you buy four or more cups. Alex wants to sell candy too. If you drive past, you better stop and help put a smile on their faces.
say no to lemonade stands or ice cream trucks. Last night there was a stand set up in our neighborhood, so I walked the boys over. Instead of lemonade, they were selling iced tea. Sweet tea.Friends, we have given sweet tea to Nate and Alex about a bazillion times. Nate liked it one time but the rest of the time, they spit it out and complain it tastes gross. This breaks my heart, raising two southern boys who don't like sweet tea??? Also how can you not love the deliciousness of ice cold sweet tea on a hot day?
It must have been the 98 degrees and 100% humidity because they LOVED the tea/lemonade combo and sucked it down. On the walk home, we talked about how good the drinks were and possibly setting up on a stand to sell drinks. Sometimes I forget that Nate and Alex have only experienced things a few times in their lifetime, so buying a cold drink from someone on the street is still novel and exciting to them.
It was interesting over dinner to hear them hatch their plan for their stand. It will be near the pool so there are more people. It will be at lunchtime so more people are out and thirsty. Nate wants to give a discount if you buy four or more cups. Alex wants to sell candy too. If you drive past, you better stop and help put a smile on their faces.
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