Saturday, March 20, 2010

Will the drama never end?

Even in her sleep there is drama. We put Ellie to bed last night at about 8:30. She was up at least 3 or 4 times. First to go potty, then she fell OUT of her bed (which woke Josiah up), then she peed in her bed. Now @ 7:20 she just came out because her "bed isn't perfect" (the night before it was her room that wasn't perfect). I woke up exhausted. I'm so glad that I'll be getting a couple hours of a break today because I need it. Anyone who has children knows that it's nice to get a break when they are sleeping but to get a break when they are awake? Now THAT is golden!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

bringing in my 33rd year

Woke up this morning to the sound of Josiah bouncing in his bed. I waited in my bed until I heard him yelling, "right now, right now, right now" followed by "mommy, mommy, mommy". Changed a dirty diaper and rocked him (one of his favorite activities) until Ellie got up 45 minutes later. Breakfast and then we made some yummy granola bars, courtesy of Sugar Plum blog :) Josiah spent most of the morning either crying, being held or chasing me trying to be held. Half way into the granola bars I did resort to a few episodes of 'Curious George' and that helped me regain my sanity a bit once again!

Did Ellie's hair while she watched George and the granola bars almost burned . . . oops. Fortunately they were still VERY yummy! I would prefer them not to be quite as sweet - but I still really liked them! I didn't put any white chocolate on the kids bars :) My MIL came over w/ three bags of clothes for Ellie . . . yaay for grandma's . . . and then took Ellie out for lunch (double yaaay)!

Spent some time w/ Josiah (after taking some allergy medicine) in the backyard. Beautiful day outside . . . I was in a sundress ... it was 75 degrees today!! My birthday friend Kristi called me and we chatted while I rocked Josiah to sleep on the hammock ... wish I had a picture of that ... little baby boy laying beside me with his blanket, Woody on one side and his moose on the other. Precious. Put him down in his crib.

Back to work, tidied the kitchen, worked on some bills and waited for Miss Elizabeth to come home. She took a nap once she arrived home and Josiah woke up in time for me to take another important phone call from another special friend (who doesn't share my b-day tho) - Carrie.

After playing in the backyard we went inside for a snack. Ellie woke up to join Josiah in eating the granola bars. They loved them and Josiah, unfortunately carried his all over the house - unbeknown to me!

Before dinner we made yet another mess in the kitchen by making Sugar Plums, Chocolate-Orange Ricotta Torte. The kids left about half-way through and played outside until they couldn't handle it any more. Then it was another couple episodes of 'Curious George' (did I mention we LOVE that monkey?) and dinner...

Dinner was crock pot corned beef & cabbage w/ carrots. Wouldn't recommend this recipe - although the corned beef was yummy! Kids ate well and then we ate the "birthday cake" and they sang "happy birthday" for me. Regarding the Torte . . . it was very yummy...the picture makes it look a little more dense and I was hoping for a bit more of a chocolatey taste. But all in all it was VERY good, the kids polished theirs down fast. Chris even had a whole piece (and he doesn't like "fruit flavored desserts") and I enjoyed mine as well. It was very light and reminded me of a chocolate "snack" cake I ate once. Yum!

After "teamwork" (clearing the table together) we all hung out in the playroom, mommy folding diapers, Josiah and daddy reading books and Ellie being, well, Ellie.

Put the kids to bed and now it's time for me to get off this computer, tidy up the kitchen and go to bed!

Oh...and my birthday surprises aren't even done! Going to spend time getting pampered at a hair salon on Saturday morning and spend the evening going out to dinner with Chris!

Friday, March 5, 2010

what a day

Chris has been gone for 2 days now and will be gone for 2 more. I don't think I would be cut out to be a single mom - I have to give kudos to the single moms, moms whose husbands are in the military or travel a lot out there - it's a hard job to do it all by yourself!

Yesterday was a bit easier than today. The highlight of the day was picking up a double jogging stroller for cheap and eating dinner @ Carrows in Ventura. Food wasn't fabulous - but the kids ate free and a kind couple sitting near us took care of our bill for us! You can't beat that!!

Today started by me procrastinating my alarm. It went off @ 5:30 and I finally rolled out of bed @ 6:30 . . . Jo was up about 20 minutes after that and Ellie soon after. However I was able to get last nights dishes in the dishwasher and wipe down the kitchen counter before they were up! They started the day by taking out all of my fabric and spreading it all around the dining room floor (where it still sits). After breakfast I gave them a quick bath, got them dressed and put on a short movie so I could do Ellie's hair (it turned out very cute)! At 9ish my MIL came over and we headed out to do some errands before Ellie's dance class @ 10. Ellie had a good dance class and then the kids played at the park until lunch time. We went out to lunch and then "window-shopped" (which I don't enjoy at all) until Josiah started to lose it. By 2pm we were home and I was rocking Jo to sleep. He took a 2 hour nap & Ellie spent those 2 hours by herself in her room. I enjoyed some "me" time on the computer for my break :) After naps we ate a quick snack and Josiah continued to melt down until we got in the truck and headed out for MORE errands (@ 5:30). Now THIS is where the fun REALLY began. We got to the first bank and there was a line. Ellie went right over to the chairs, sat down and began a conversation with a gal who was so patient and seemed to thourally enjoy chatting w/ a 3 year old. It was so sweet and I was SO thankful. Jo finally convinced me to let him off of my back and he went to join the party. The chatted while I waited in line and then Jo came to "help" me w/ my transaction while Ellie continued talking with her new friend. We arrived at the second bank 10 minutes before closing and in my rush to open the door I failed to see that Ellie was behind the door, hit her in the nose and knocked her down. Three of the guys working there RUSHED over to see if everything was okay and one even went to the local Jamba Juice to get some ice for her. Meanwhile my deposit was taken care of and Josiah drew a picture of Nemo to share with everyone. We made it back to the truck with no mishaps and headed over to Daphne's for dinner. Took us awhile to make it inside, however because Josiah was more interested in the really cool fountain/light show to the music that was going on outside. He was so interested that he stood at the window crying while I stood in line to order. Dinner went well and afterwords, while I cleaned up, the kids took their "WetWipes" and proceeded to clean everything in sight. We went back outside to enjoy the water, went home and they were in bed by 8.

I'm exhausted, my house is a mess and I'm sitting at the computer to "unwind" while waiting for Chris to call!

But only 2 more days and as I read back my post it doesn't look quite so ominous - I think I've got it pretty good!