This weekend Ed had his annual spring golf thingy. He goes every year around this time with a huge group of friends. They chance the weather and are sometimes surprised with great weather and sometimes it is wickedly winter like. This weekend he was graced with some nice weather and some okay weather.
Meanwhile, I was single mama for the weekend. Even though I build up these days all on my own as being hard they usually go smooth and are enjoyable. It is nice to just do things when I want with the boys...dinner on their schedule, bath and bed when I am ready. This year I invited my good friends Molly and Kim over. Their husbands were swinging their golf clubs with mine. They came over Saturday night and we hung out. The kids played, bathed together, and all went to bed decently (Charley had the most trouble - too excited to have sleep over in mama's room since Kim and Tommy were crashing in his room). Along with the kids Kim and Molly both brought their BIG dogs and Henry loved watching them roam our house. I got some good chatting with my girls and it is always good to hear what is going on in their lives...we discussed the idea of a girls weekend. WE NEED TO this into action and do it....even if it is simple, local, and for one night. I am ready!
Thanks gals for coming over, hanging out, being cozy in our house with us, and reminding me that time with friends is soooo good for the soul.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
A New Identity...
Almost all of the time I enjoy my life to the max...but every once in awhile an escape would be great. Today I got to escape and be.....
But with a little thinking...my brilliant four year old son was able to identify my alias.
and Peter was exposed as Mama!
But with a little thinking...my brilliant four year old son was able to identify my alias.
and Peter was exposed as Mama!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
I liked this one today too.
I liked this one today too.
I put these on here because sometimes I need a reminder and I can come back and click on this and read words that give me insight...not all of what people write speak to me...but there are some things in this one that make me realize how much I need to enjoy each and every moment.
I put these on here because sometimes I need a reminder and I can come back and click on this and read words that give me insight...not all of what people write speak to me...but there are some things in this one that make me realize how much I need to enjoy each and every moment.
Charley's first bike!
Last night we took Charley shopping for his first set of wheels. Today he got on and away he went...with a little help. But I believe in a week or two he will be flying around the cul-de-sac. It is going to be a great summer.
Charley and his wheels!
The next step towards independence. Away he goes!
Hank watches in awe and is so proud of his big brother.
This is another reason I love where we live. Our house is on a cul-de-sac and one house down you turn the corner to another cul-de-sac. Plenty of opportunity for bikes, scooters, and baseball in the street.
Charley and his wheels!
The next step towards independence. Away he goes!
Hank watches in awe and is so proud of his big brother.
This is another reason I love where we live. Our house is on a cul-de-sac and one house down you turn the corner to another cul-de-sac. Plenty of opportunity for bikes, scooters, and baseball in the street.
I am a mama....
It amazes me that I have two human beings that call me mama...for real! I am a mama 24 hours a day seven days a week. Even when I "get away" I am still a mama. It annoys me that I get irritated by little things they do because they are my everything and they make my day every single day! I know them well...I know when they are tired, frustrated, happy, or hurt. I don't always know how to fix it but I love that I am the person that can make it all better.
Cheers to being a mama! And thanks mom for being my mom for almost 33 years!
Loved this one today!
Cheers to being a mama! And thanks mom for being my mom for almost 33 years!
Loved this one today!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Happy "REAL" Earth Day!
So last week we celebrated Earth day. Today we did our part by hitting up our first garage sale of 2009! We helped the environment by making someone else's "trash" into our treasures....this tent and the stroller! I know, I know, I have boys and the stroller is pink and girly...but you know what! Henry loves it and he might be a daddy someday.
Scrubbing floors and other ramblings...
So I hate washing kitchen floors...or any floors. I have never felt I can do this task justice so I have always asked Ed to do this. Henry has made one part of our kitchen my daily nightmare. Today we had a new friend over and where did she stand most of her time here....back by the sliding door so she could see her kids...right in Henry's blueberry applesauce corner. I of course apologized and she has an 18 month old and deals with the same issues. Still.....embarrassing.
So this afternoon I got Hank down for a nap and Charley resting in front of the TV. And went to town, swept with a broom, swept with dry swiffer, used the wet swiffer and the spray jet thingy...got down on my hands and knees and tried my best. But crumbs still surfaced and I still felt like I was moving around the mess. It sure looks better...all shiny. But I feel very inadequate about my floor cleaning skills.
Ed is super busy these days working and when he gets home he wants to enjoy the boys and the little bit of sunshine. Our outside to do list is massive and inside I have a honey do list that continues to get longer. So this time I did the floors. Does anyone out there have a tool, a cleaning product, a way they clean their kitchen floors. We have hardwood that needs major work and as I wash them and see up close how nicked, scratched, faded, and water damaged they are. I look forward to the day when we have a few extra dollars to get them fixed. But until that day, which should probably be after the boys are done driving their big digger, hot wheel cars, and other toys around on them, I will continue to try and make them look as good as I can.
Anyways, I am done. I am tired. They look fine.
I am also very, very tempted to put the highchair away and put Henry at the table with us. Is it time? My friend today just said they moved their little guy to the table. She said the crumbs are worse at the table but the highchair is no fun to clean either. I HATE the highchair! At least the booster doesn't have as many nooks and crannies to clean. At least it is summer soon and I can throw the thing outside and wipe it down, hose it down, or whatever needs to be done.
On a side note. We had a quick play date with a boy from Charley's preschool. It was spur of the moment. They are in Henry's class too so their kids match ours. It was super fun and everyone really clicked. It feels good to make a new friend, gain a new perspective, and be distracted for a few hours of the day with another mommy. She has four children and her husband travels international and is often gone for a week at a time...sometimes two. I can't imagine. It motivated me to look at the next few days as nothing compared to how some moms deal daily or more often as "single" moms. It is all relative to one's own experience...but still. I really find joy in hanging out with other moms and learning from their experiences. She mentioned a sandbox they built in their yard that is large and even has a bench along one side so she can sit there with the kids. I am putting this task on the top of the Honey-Do list and will hopefully get Ed to get to it next weekend! I am sure he will be full of energy after a weekend of golf with his buddies :)
Floor washing advice...got any?
So this afternoon I got Hank down for a nap and Charley resting in front of the TV. And went to town, swept with a broom, swept with dry swiffer, used the wet swiffer and the spray jet thingy...got down on my hands and knees and tried my best. But crumbs still surfaced and I still felt like I was moving around the mess. It sure looks better...all shiny. But I feel very inadequate about my floor cleaning skills.
Ed is super busy these days working and when he gets home he wants to enjoy the boys and the little bit of sunshine. Our outside to do list is massive and inside I have a honey do list that continues to get longer. So this time I did the floors. Does anyone out there have a tool, a cleaning product, a way they clean their kitchen floors. We have hardwood that needs major work and as I wash them and see up close how nicked, scratched, faded, and water damaged they are. I look forward to the day when we have a few extra dollars to get them fixed. But until that day, which should probably be after the boys are done driving their big digger, hot wheel cars, and other toys around on them, I will continue to try and make them look as good as I can.
Anyways, I am done. I am tired. They look fine.
I am also very, very tempted to put the highchair away and put Henry at the table with us. Is it time? My friend today just said they moved their little guy to the table. She said the crumbs are worse at the table but the highchair is no fun to clean either. I HATE the highchair! At least the booster doesn't have as many nooks and crannies to clean. At least it is summer soon and I can throw the thing outside and wipe it down, hose it down, or whatever needs to be done.
On a side note. We had a quick play date with a boy from Charley's preschool. It was spur of the moment. They are in Henry's class too so their kids match ours. It was super fun and everyone really clicked. It feels good to make a new friend, gain a new perspective, and be distracted for a few hours of the day with another mommy. She has four children and her husband travels international and is often gone for a week at a time...sometimes two. I can't imagine. It motivated me to look at the next few days as nothing compared to how some moms deal daily or more often as "single" moms. It is all relative to one's own experience...but still. I really find joy in hanging out with other moms and learning from their experiences. She mentioned a sandbox they built in their yard that is large and even has a bench along one side so she can sit there with the kids. I am putting this task on the top of the Honey-Do list and will hopefully get Ed to get to it next weekend! I am sure he will be full of energy after a weekend of golf with his buddies :)
Floor washing advice...got any?
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Customer Service...
Lately I have been gifted great customer service at the well known store...Target! The last time I went shopping I was looking for large bags of lettuce to make a giant salad for my sister's shower. I was overwhelmed with packing, travel, etc so I didn't want to cut my own. As I stood there, the man who stocks the shelves stopped and asked if he could help me find something. I asked him if they had any larger bags. He answered, no and that they used to but not anymore. So he recommended a few smaller bags. I grabbed a few and then he handed me a handwritten note that told the check-out gal that each bag was 99cents instead of the 1.59! COOL!
Then tonight I went and had a handful of coupons. I didn't find a few items and accidentally gave the gal a coupon for something I didn't buy. I told her that I didn't get that item, as she scanned and it didn't work. But she pushed a few buttons and scanned it anyway! She did that for a few coupons that had two coupons mentioned on one piece of paper! I HATE how some check out ladies pay attention to expiration dates, others don't, and now some will scan coupons even if you don't buy the item! I am loving Target these days! I saved $16.40 with coupons tonight!
A few months ago I bought some Target brand croutons. They were supposed to be flavored but they weren't. It was like the batch hadn't been seasoned. I called the number on the back of the package and asked or informed them of the issue. Within 3 days I was sent a $6.00 voucher for Target. AWESOME! Now that is customer service.
I grew up on Mrs. Grass's Chicken noodle soup.....I know, I know...there isn't much nutritional value in it but it warms you on a cold day. It tastes great with a grilled cheese and it doesn't have anything scary in it for kids :) Well we had a box that didn't taste right. So I called and they sent me coupons for two free boxes and then 50cents off two more boxes!
Did you know that if you buy Pamper's diapers and as you are putting them on the sticky tag pulls completely off ...leaving you with a wasted diaper....they will reimburse you an entire box of diapers. They did this for me twice when Charley was tiny. We have not had the problem yet with Henry! So I am not sure if they still do this. But it is good to know!
In college I was known by a few of my college dorm friends as the girl to go to to call up the phone company or elsewhere to get business taken care of. I guess I still got it.
* Note I am not out to scam to get free stuff. I just expect to get what I paid for. I am always very nice and complimentary. Like my mom always said squeaky wheel gets the grease!
Then tonight I went and had a handful of coupons. I didn't find a few items and accidentally gave the gal a coupon for something I didn't buy. I told her that I didn't get that item, as she scanned and it didn't work. But she pushed a few buttons and scanned it anyway! She did that for a few coupons that had two coupons mentioned on one piece of paper! I HATE how some check out ladies pay attention to expiration dates, others don't, and now some will scan coupons even if you don't buy the item! I am loving Target these days! I saved $16.40 with coupons tonight!
A few months ago I bought some Target brand croutons. They were supposed to be flavored but they weren't. It was like the batch hadn't been seasoned. I called the number on the back of the package and asked or informed them of the issue. Within 3 days I was sent a $6.00 voucher for Target. AWESOME! Now that is customer service.
I grew up on Mrs. Grass's Chicken noodle soup.....I know, I know...there isn't much nutritional value in it but it warms you on a cold day. It tastes great with a grilled cheese and it doesn't have anything scary in it for kids :) Well we had a box that didn't taste right. So I called and they sent me coupons for two free boxes and then 50cents off two more boxes!
Did you know that if you buy Pamper's diapers and as you are putting them on the sticky tag pulls completely off ...leaving you with a wasted diaper....they will reimburse you an entire box of diapers. They did this for me twice when Charley was tiny. We have not had the problem yet with Henry! So I am not sure if they still do this. But it is good to know!
In college I was known by a few of my college dorm friends as the girl to go to to call up the phone company or elsewhere to get business taken care of. I guess I still got it.
* Note I am not out to scam to get free stuff. I just expect to get what I paid for. I am always very nice and complimentary. Like my mom always said squeaky wheel gets the grease!
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