Bug Bites! Ack!

My darling P gets gigantic, swollen, almost-boil-like bite marks from mosquitoes. The first time I saw the area where a bug bit her I freaked out. I thought she had the mumps or the bubonic plague. Luckily, that same day I noticed the big bumps we had an appointment for E at the pediatrician's office. I was going to see if the doc noticed her bumps when he saw her, because if he did then I would know it was a problem. I was trying really hard not to be *that* mom who overreacts and makes a second appointment to have her seen too...I mean, over swollen bug bites, it seemed shameful. Well, I didn't have to wait until he noticed because P immediately said "Dr. F look at my HEEEUUUUGGGGe butt bites." I chuckled to myself. Our doc is always so lovely with the kiddies, he just responded "Oh my, those are big bites." Not at all concerned, so I am not concerned....well, I was and still get the iggle jiggles when she gets them, but I feel comfortable with just smearing on some over-the-counter medication to sooth her itchiness.

Today, however, I think I may give her some Benedryl before bed as suggested by my friend Heather. I took some pics (below) of my sweetie to show why Heather and I discussed Benedryl. Her eyelid above her right eye is really swollen, under her left eye on her cheek is swollen, her neck has a huge red inflamed area, and the bites all over her arms are totally swollen.

She brought the swollen bumps home from her visit to Michigan with my parents and my brother's family. She, E, and my niece were jumping on the trampoline later in the day when the squeeties come out. P said Aunt Niecie sprayed her down with bug spray, obviously Denise didn't want to spray her face - and that is where she is most swollen. P also commented on how Grammies kept complaining about getting butt bites. hahahaha!

Anyhow - here are some pics to prove I am not overreacting:

I told her to look serious into the camera. Not her fave thing to do. She'd rather pose.

That is NOT her elbow. It is so swollen it looks like a bend in her arm here!

Cute - even when swollen with a boxer's eye.

First Kid-Free Weekend

I have never been away from both of my kids for more than a few hours at a time. A whole weekend without the both of them is pure insanity. Did I think I'd really be okay with this? I know, I know, it is only two days, but that is a long time. The thing is, I need this weekend to myself. I need a reset and there is a ton of stuff on my list that needs to be crossed off.

So, cheers to being productive.

This pic was taken in Honolulu, Hawaii - why can't my weekend away from the kids be here? ha! ha!

Selling Bras

I have been cracking up at my kids lately. They keep doing and saying the funniest things! My latest example:

I pulled out a white wash from the dryer and took it upstairs to fold. Generally, the biggest things such as shirts or pants get folded first and everything else gets put in the basket until its turn. Well, I thought I was pulling out a shirt -it was actually one of my big ol' nursing bras. I announced that I needed to get rid of it because I stopped nursing a year ago, handed the bra to P and said "throw this in the trash." Then I realized that someone may benefit from the big ol' nursing bra and asked her to just to put it down, that I'd put in a pile for donation. (I don't like donating unders, but nursing bras are so essential and can be expensive).

P put it down and then announced the following:

"I know! We can have a sale for your bra. We can sell your boobies!"

I laughed so hard and replied that it was a great idea, but who'd buy it?

"well...ladies that need boobies!"

My little sales woman needed a pitch, so I asked her what her sales pitch would be and she said "what's a sales pitch?" I explained it to her and asked her to come up with something that'd make me want to buy that bra from her.

She put "my boobies" on, held her yarn dolly up as if it was her partner in the sale, and said:

"Please buy these boobies." (with a hair twist)

To Irish Dance Or NOT To Irish Dance

I enrolled P in Irish Dance camp this summer in hopes that she would love it. She seems to have the desire to dance, and when she makes up her own "moves" they always remind me of what I have seen in Irish or Scottish Ceili dances. Well, she didn't like it so much. She said it was too "tappy." Whatever that means. Maybe next year we'll revisit it.

I do have to mention that she went everyday and did not complain. The camp was Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30a - 11:30a. They learned to dance a reel and a light jig for a type of Ceili dancing (Ceili means group dancing) and a bridge dance. She did a craft each day and had a snack which I packed for her. I thought she was enjoying it, but the last day when I mentioned we could register for more classes, she vehemently said "noway."

E and I both got to come into the dance room to watch what the children had learned. Experienced Irish dancers enter the stage flat-footed, but the children wanted their moms, dads, and grandmas to see that they could walk on their tippy toes, and so they did. They walked out and then lined up in a straight line facing us. P was so serious and I could tell she really wanted to show mama and brother what she had learned. She was definitely one of the youngest in the group and some of the children had been taking lessons, so I didn't expect her to dance similarly to the rest of the dancers. She did her counts well and her body posture was terrific. When the music started she got a huge smile across her face and just beamed like the sun. Luckily, I videotaped it because I cried the whole time (I am a boob) and couldn't really watch her. Plus I had a two year old climbing in and out of my lap.

She informed me the stance in that picture was "Heel to toe. Shoulders back."

Hubby texts me.

I received a text from hubby that read:

P: E got his slippers wet. Dammit

E: Dammit

I replied "What?" and hubby wrote That is what your kids just said. P is 4 and E is 2.

I think they are sharing that word with their buddies. A couple of my friends have said their children use that word, and they always have to turn their heads to laugh when it happens. I'll admit it, I laughed when I read through that text message.

Reversible Change

Hubby was taking my kids to run errands. They were walking out from the house to the car and hubby asks P "Why is it colder in the house than it is outside?" He asked for no reason - that is what my husband does, just talks about stuff. Interesting stuff, ideas and such.

My P answers "reversible change!" out of nowhere. Hubby laughed in surprise and told her she was correct. She is 4 and already smarter than her mom. I had to ask what reversible change was, and then had to look it up to be sure I understood it (really isn't that difficult). In case you do not know what reversible change is and would like to teach your child, here is a fun site: BBC KS2 Bitesize.

And back to my husband and all his "idea talk." He says that there are 3 types of people:

1. People who talk about people.
2. People who talk about things.
3. People who talk about ideas.

He says he wants to be a person who talks about ideas...and he is. He is pretty cool - and let's me have it when I complain about people. He'll tell me I am being catty or gossipy or just won't listen. Or this is the best question he asks me "why don't you just tell them instead of complaining about it?!" I say, "you don't know women very well, do you?"

A Happy Meal and a Costume?

Favorite words

I have compiled a list of words that my children currently love to use. Now, I certainly *never* say such things, well, uhm...yeah (uncomfortable silence). Well, if I do use these words it is only because they are fun to say, which is why I am never too hard on the silly experimental words (the ones your kids test out to see how you'll react?). But, I do have soap and vinegar on hand for the words that cannot be named.

The word "poopy" makes a debut at least twice a day, which is better than it was. My daughter was using "poopy" as an adjective for just about everything about three weeks ago. I actually wrote a post about it on the late Ohio Moms Blog - go HERE if you want to read it.
Here are some of the silly experimental words (of course, all used in name-calling or adjectives for each other or cars):

• booty butt
• poopy
• poopy butt
• booty
• stinky
• stupid

I am adding "dammit" to the list. It is quickly becoming popular! ugh.

Am I pretty?

Latest quarrel between P and one of her good friends was about who was prettiest. P said to me "I am at LEAST as pretty as Becca is! She said I was just kind of pretty!" They are 4 and why are they bothering me with this silly fight? Well, I am glad they did because any chance I can jump on the beauty comes from the inside train, I am on it.

I sat them both down and explained that they were both beautiful and pretty to me, but what really makes a girl pretty is how kind and loving she is to people around her. I went on to say that pretty girls treat their friends with respect and love and that they share their toys with them and say nice things. Then I put the ball in their court and asked what else they thought made someone pretty, and they really astounded me. P said being nice to friends and giving them a hug would make her feel pretty. Becca said sharing her toys would make her feel pretty. Both pretty awesome responses for four year olds. I don't know if they are really "getting it," but I am trying to build a strong foundation of self confidence, for they are both sensitive souls and will feel heartache when they go to school.

My mom was a kindergarten teacher for over 30 years and can tell you some doozies. Girls can be mean even at 5 and 6 - I say let's try to nip it in the bud now. Not so much their actions towards individual children because that is more about right and wrong, but how they will process what someone says to them or if they are treated poorly. That worries me. Mommy won't be there to say "chin up." No one should have the power to make another person feel unworthy, and kids do it all the time. I felt unworthy much of my young life because I was fat. I got teased, pushed, punched, and it sucked ass. Once I got into high school I lost a ton of weight and became a cheerleader. I don't think I did the cheerleading thing for myself, though, I think it was more of a kiss my ass maneuver to all the buttholes that teased me throughout middle school.

I know I never felt right about fighting back. I did *once* and got in trouble. I stuck my middle finger up at a girl who kept calling me "fatso." The bus driver saw me and I got pulled into the principal's office. heehee - I still love my middle finger. Lots of drivers see it all the time.

Anyhow, I just hope I am setting a good example about beauty for my daughter and I don't want her to be obsessed with looks. That's all. Yes, and that easy. AS IF. I *am* a woman (I have my own vanity to deal with).

Franklin County Fair

Since P was 8 months old, one day a week has been reserved for "Buddy Day." I was originally invited by my friend Beth to join her mommies group, which was just starting out and consisted mainly of the women she went to church with and a couple of girls she met online (I think). I feel so smart to having said yes when she invited me to be a part of the group, because that mommies group has become a major part of my life. I am so fortunate to have such a bounty of love and support from women who I never knew existed pre-babies. I have found friendships that are incredibly honest and sincere - lucky me! That old quote "friends are the family you get to choose" is not cliche to me.

Anyhow, we meet up each Friday for Friday Fun Day. Our latest was an outing to the Franklin County Fair. It was a small fair, which happens to be the type of fair I prefer. I don't feel as if I missed seeing anything and got out spending less than $50 for the day (fair food, games, rides - it adds up!). We watched the turkeys pant in the heat, saw some 4-H members show llamas, pat the bunnies, smelled the pigs, and saw a chicken lay an egg. After that we got lemonades and let the kids play a little game hosted by a woman who called herself "Walmart of the Fair." It was hotter than Satan's breath that day and we grabbed a picnic table in the shade to have lunch. The kids were acting crazy which spawned a conversation between the moms about sneaking vodka in by way of water bottles to add to a freshly squeezed lemon shake-up. Oh the sweet tantalizing day dream of a cocktail (or liquid patience as I like to call it) on a hot summer day to help mommy smile while she gets her kids in line. Then the squeal of reality set in as we realized it was time to move on to another activity before the kids got themselves into consecutive timeouts.

We excitedly found the ticket booth for rides and bought enough tickets for our little thrill seekers to ride each one once. Timing was perfect for seeing a show directly after the last ride - a silly magician/juggler guy who had to do his bit in direct sun. You think it is hard to get someone to laugh in air conditioning? This poor guy was probably wearing SPF 70 and barely got a nod from the adults. Then time to go home! Here's our day in pictures....

Griffin being kissed by a bunny.

I didn't know turkeys panted to cool themselves!

Kendall and bubbies loving a baby goat.

I should have gotten a picture of our girl "Walmart at the Fair."

Oh yeah. Lemon Shake Up.

Giving a nice carnie their tickets.

Tom is a race car driver. (Think Primus)

The wave runner of doom. My kids loved it.

My favorite color and favorite berry

Blueberry season! Hubby and I were so excited to read that blueberries were ready to be picked and that we could go and pick the berries ourselves. My hubby and kids love berries: blue, rasp, straw, black, service - you name it, they'll eat it. Me - I get most excited over blueberries. Those little dark blue buttons of sweet and sometimes tart juicy goodness are wickedly habit-forming.
Hubby and I went blueberry picking with my SIL in Michigan a few years ago. We thought that Michigan was blueberry central, and yes, their blueberries are terrific, but Ohio has some great berry farms as well. My family and friends are the perfect example of just how delicious Ohio blueberries are - we went picking twice in one week. I don't think I've ever eaten so many berries in my life and felt as if I was turning into a regular Violet Beauregarde. The Blueberry Patch was our blueberry bush vineyard of choice because the farm was close and easy to get to. We had also seen their blueberries offered frozen at the Worthington Farmer's Market after blueberry season commenced and also at various gourmet food markets, such as The Hills Market.
We picked over 12 pounds of berries this year and I turned most of the berries into jam. Since learning how to make jam from my buddy Rachel over at Hounds in the Kitchen, I can't stop. Forget the bread! Homemade jam made from fresh blueberries can be eaten with a spoon. I barely saved some blueberries to eat or freeze for winter months because I was busy boiling jars, boiling fruit, and canning. Trust me, no blueberry or blueberry piece was left...I took my finger and scraped the sides of the jam pan to be certain of it. My mouth loved me.

The most enjoyable part about the blueberry experience was that we spent time together as a family. Hubby and I are so lucky (right now) to have children that are easy to take places and enjoy being with us. I am dreading the days when they will vehemently pass on going blueberry picking because it isn't cool anymore...hopefully that won't happen. And, hopefully they will continue to love my jam...because there is lots of it!

Miss P helped me not only pick and eat the berries, she mashed, stirred, added sugar and smiled the whole time. It was so stinkin' cute, and I believe the jam tastes better because it was made with a little love and adolescence thrown in (Yes. I am a "Like Water for Chocolate" fan).

Some recent pics I like

My heart is full....

My client and good friend AmyD is too much....

Via her blog at: http://madebyamyd.wordpress.com/

Busy Days in the Sweatshop!
June 23, 2010 · 2 Comments

Ready to go!

Yesterday, we shipped out what, in the industry, is called “an assload” of aprons and coffee sleeves to Dorothy Lane Markets in Dayton, Ohio. Tell your friends to check them out! The lovely Kristin Marks of @cbusmom fame hooked us up. She’s the official AmyD matchmaker.

Kristin has a way of talking to folks about my stuff that seriously must have some voodoo attached to it. They listen. They check it out. Best business investment I have made to date. PLUS, she’s super nice and foxy and so now I get to see her more.

We (my fantastic team includes Kara Cronley and Heather Gilbert) are making some great new clothes for you to try on and take home this weekend at Comfest! Hopefully, I’ll be next to Open Heart Art Studio again. They have so much fun and really helped me last year as I was a Comfest newbie. Heidi’s dad even went and got change for me in the middle of the day on Saturday! Really, a saint.

My friends are having a baby too! It’s a banner week. I almost feel guilty.

See you this weekend at Comfest!

Sprinkler

Lately I have felt as if my life is running through a sprinkler. No control, mind everywhere, can't focus, trying to find meaning, trying to find a path. I've been pouring over my thoughts, daydreams, and desires in search of a direction. Mostly, though, just getting frustrated because I have so many interests and wants that my mind was spitting out exactly what I was putting in, and nothing was bonding together. It was similar to water going through a sprinkler - feeling the need to get everything done at once and not getting one solid stream of thought - everything flying everywhere. All my thoughts, daydreams, and desires have been sprinkling out all over the place.

I feel as if I can help other people get direction. I feel as if I am supportive and nurturing to others' desires, but what about my own? Where do I fall into the mix? I have put myself on the backburner because I have trouble forming a solid path and direction for myself. I have been trying to play catch up with my blogs, my book idea (that has been sitting in my mind for wayyyy tooo long), my education, and it is so frustrating to me. Well, not anymore. I have finally put my thoughts in one place, organized and filed in my brain (which is a rarity for me, because I am far from being an organized person), and am focusing. I've started writing down my goals to make them a permanent part of my daily thoughts, I've started reflecting on what matters most to me, and most of all, I am getting back to me. It is just a start - and each day I'll get more focused...at least I hope.

Admitting that I need to focus is not a bad thing. I think it is the first step towards my personal growth and eventual success.

Saturday afternoons and birthdays

Susan, Heather and I celebrating Susan's 29th birthday

Saturday afternoons are most enjoyable when spent with wonderful friends drinking *adult* strawberry punch and eating birthday cake.

Raspberries! The berry kind.

I was apprehensive about planting raspberries in our backyard. The bushes have thorns, the birds could possibly eat all the berries, and raspberries really aren't my favorite fruit. Hubby was persistent. He told me that he loved hunting for berries when he was growing up in Rhode Island. He said hunting for raspberries and finding a ripe sweet one was a real treat, and that our children would love them.
Well, that sealed the deal. He is much better at knowing the things my children will love when it comes to entertainment or tomfoolery. It also helped that since I did a ton of work for the Three Sisters Garden, the landscape designer ordered extra organic bushes for me and only charged me half price. I received two summer bearing and two fall bearing bushes, two are reds and two are goldens. I had never seen a golden raspberry before and was excited for the fruit to come on.

The bushes were small, but grew quickly. We even got a number of berries the first year (last year), and this year - whoa!! We have at least 20 ripened berries a day. The kids absolutely love picking them off the bush and eating them. They are allowed to pick ripened berries whenever they want, and it is super cute to watch them search for a good mouth popping candidate. I love that they don't fight with each other over the berries (knocking on wood at this moment), both just get mad at Loki when she eats them first. Yes, my dog loves raspberries as well.
I love how excited hubby gets over picking a handful of berries. He'll come in from outside as if he is ten years old all over again with the plump little fruits in his hand. "You wanna try?" he excitedly asks me. Makes me imagine him as a boy wide-eyed finding his first sweet bounty of the season. I see that same wide-eyed look in my kids' eyes when they pick - and it is a really special moment to me. Guess I am glad hubby was so persistent about those raspberries.

P's Last Day of 3 Year Old Preschool.

P and her teachers. Two of the most adorable women I know!

Yeah, I cried. :) It is kind of funny that I was so upset about P's last day of preschool - because I almost didn't send her! Three year olds don't need to go to preschool, but I am glad I sent her because she loved it. I loved what she learned, the teachers, the wonderful schooling experience, and the awesome friends she made there. I can't wait for her to go back for fours. :)

The school had an ice cream social for the students and parents to celebrate the end of the year.

P and her best school friend Mazzie. Every day I picked P up from school she made me privy to the big plans she and Mazzie made for sleep overs. They really hit it off.

Potty training the Boy

We have started potty training the boy. He goes peepee before he gets into the bath or bed almost every night. We need to work on all the other hours of the day. I am not ready for this. I am going to miss changing diapers...not enough to have another kid, but enough to feel sad because my baby is growing up.

I am going to need to sell off his cloth diapers. That makes me sad, but kind of glad not to have all that laundry. I will, however, miss my hubby saying "I love that you wash my clothes in a shitty washer." hahahhaha!

Loving this snack idea!

P is still at the age where she prefers snacks over meals. She is a grazer. I came across this great snack idea from my friend Jocelyn over at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ. Joc always has such great ideas for all things "kid," not to mention is one of the most awesome people and mommies I know!

If you want to check out her snack idea, go here.

Happy Birthday P!!

My first child.

My daughter.

A heart song.

A breath of fresh air, a giggle, and pigtails.

My little love turned four today.

Happy Birthday P!

Last Parent/Teacher Conference

I had P's last parent/teacher conference last week. I cried almost the whole way through, it was embarrassing. I couldn't get myself together. One would think I was told she did something wrong, but no, it was because she was mastering everything. They said the most glowing things about her as a student, a friend, and as a leader. They said she was the type of child that draws people to her because of her confidence, independence, and kindness. They also said that we were doing a great job as parents - now, that mean so much when a family member or friend tells you that, imagine what it means when someone outside of the realm of friend or family tells you...basically, it is the type of compliment that resonates in my heart and soul, and probably will the rest of my life. Not that I agree most of the time, but I try really hard to be a good Kristin-mom to my kids.

I am so proud of my child. So darn proud. She is going to miss this year of preschool, I am certain. I bet if she had more than three year old wits about her she would laugh at the fact that she screamed and cried the first day, trying to claw her way out the front door. Mrs. Coleman, Mrs. Warren, and I had a good laugh remembering that.

Florida/Disney 2010

P is 3 (almost 4) and E is 2 - Pensacola Beach, FL - first time at the beach

Well, after a much anticipated trip, we are home. Disney was a great time and the kids did a fantastic job in the car for so many hours. The weather was perfect in Florida, as in not sweltering hot but warm enough for shorts. We visited with family and were so happy we made the additional trips to see hubby's Great Aunt Elsie and my Great Aunt Christine. The ladies loved our kids and we had a terrific time getting to say hello and hanging out with our elderly family members for a bit.

We took the kids to the beach for the first time, enjoyed a breakfast in Cinderella's castle for P's birthday, hung out with Shane's side of the family (which went better than I had expected), and had a blast at the Disney parks. Disney does such a great job manufacturing fun. I just wonder when I am going to make up for the sleep I missed? Sleeping with a three year old and putting bubbies in a bed for the first time kind of sucked, but they did okay. We had one pee the bed incident. Luckily it was at Old Key West and we had a washer and dryer. oy!

E, hubby, P, and Papa Bill

He loved that little seahorse from Nemo at Epcot.

Such a great time at Cinderella's castle for breakfast.

Great Aunt Elsie (hubby's side)

Great Aunt Christine (my side). She barely made it back off the beach. It was scary because she got dizzy and almost passed out. She said her whole body was different now that she was 82.

TIKI!

I made in the paper for beer.

Figures. ha! See me here: Columbus Alive - Beer Camp at Wild Goose Creative.

My good friend Amy of AmyD aprons (who I am also working for) invited me to join her because her husband had hockey practice. Of course I wanted to go - free beer and a chance to hang out with Amy and her cool friend Olivia of Wholly Craft, you betcha! They had lots of local brews and then local celebrities were judging food, crafts, beer, and design. Amy and Olivia judged the craft portion - all hand-made things that had to include beer in some way. I think a pair of earrings made from beer bottle caps won.

I didn't get a chance to taste all of the food. I did get a chance to chat with Clint Reno - a good friend and local artist. Seriously, Clint's stuff is amazing, and as a friend, I am so incredibly proud of him and impressed with his talent. Clint was judging the design portion. Unfortunately, I had to go and didn't get to see who won. I am sure it says in the Columbus Alive article.

Good times. Good times.

My boy is so daring!

This is why I get nervous - he flies down the slide and wipes out...and laughs.

I cannot believe how daring and brave my little bubbies is!! Everything he does is with gusto and a no holds barred type of attitude. He makes me nervous. I think he makes P nervous too, because if he gets the least bit daring she calls out for me. heehee.

Recently we went to a super bounce place that had ton of bounce houses set up for kids to jump and play in. The kids had a blast. I, however, was trying hard not to worry my son would break his neck down the slide. He was following the big kids up the big slides and flying down them like a pro. He was not scared in the least...but, watching him made me scared...very scared. Trying not to be an over protective or helicopter mommy I just watched from the sidelines - or the bottom of the slide to catch him is more like it - and let him enjoy his day.

Me hanging out to catch him - yes, and attack him with kisses.

Oh Darling P

Sometimes I wonder if there really is such thing as reincarnation. What makes me think it exists is when my darling P talks about "when she was as big as me." She'll tell me things such as:

When I was a big as you, I drank soda and I really didn't like it.

When I was as big as you, I always wore skirts and laughed at funny jokes.

When I was as big as you, my name was mommy and I had a son.

Today I said "When you were as big as me, what was your name?" She happily said Peyton. That was when I realized they were probably just the ramblings of a three year old. :)

My first guest post

My first guest post. I need to become a better editor! I am horrible at editing my own stuff, and generally online media prefers articles post-ready. ack! Oh well, I hope the content is helpful!

Here I give some PR advice to small mommy businesses: Market Mommies

bubbies' new tricks

My boy is such a trip and never ceases to puzzle (in a good way) me. Lately, he has been wanting books to go to bed. We gather 4 or 5 board books and put them in his crib next to his collections of lions: Lancelot, Lion, and Heart Heart, and his one Webkinz dog he named Woofie. Don't forget Woofie or he screams for Woofie until you go and get him. Woofie is currently in the laundry and I try to divert his attention to a frog I found to take Woofie's place while the stuffed dog gets clean. The frog has to stay at the foot of the bed, but for right now it'll do. Woofie will be home from doggie spa soon, my son.

This is it though, my darling two year old has been asking to go on the potty. Mostly for hubby, but today at naps I went to change him and asked if he'd like to use the potty. He said "yes" in his baby boy voice, promptly lead me to the bathroom, I plopped his chubby butt on the Elmo potty, and he went! I am in awe.

8pm

This is how you'll find us at night. Me and my girl, and the plastic baby P tells me is mine too (well, I always did have a thing for GI Joe). *Note to self - really should have paid the extra cash to get that reclining glider four years ago.

RIP Sheilah

We still miss you and think about you every day Mom, Nana, Sheilah...

Sheilah passed away Feb. 6, 2007