Flower is not a morning person, at least not when we have to wake her. If she wakes up on her own she’s a happy little thing but if you have to wake her she can be a bit crabby.
Dear Husband tried to get flower up the other morning. She grabbed her blanket, rolled over and grunted at him. He called her a grumpy bear and started to get her clothes out while Flower came to terms with the fact that it was morning.
Eventually Flower got up and was trying to tell DH something. He and I were both having problems understanding Flower. She’s at that stage where she’s speaking in sentences but we can only understand about 30% of her words so communication is a bit frustrating sometimes.
Flower kept repeating herself, giving us this look to let us know she was losing patience. Finally it occurred to us what she was trying to tell us. “I not grumpy bear….I Flower!”
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day 2009
In honor of Earth Day I thought I’d post about what we’re doing to help out the earth. Those of you who know us know this will be a short post.
Last fall we started recycling plastics. It all came about sort of selfishly, I’ll admit. There was a group at work sponsoring a recycling drive. If you brought something in to recycle they entered you in a drawing for an iPod. It just happened to be the Monday after a road trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s so we had a vehicle full of plastic bottles.
Princess helped me gather all the empty plastic containers in the house and I showed her where to find the recycling symbol on the bottom. She immediately began checking every single plastic container in our house for the recycling symbol and number….even plastic containers that were still full. We had a few close calls with full bottles of ketchup and juice with open lids….
I’m happy to report we are still recycling plastics. Flower has even joined the recycling mission. When she finishes a bottle of water or juice she runs over and sets it on the kitchen counter and yells “CYCLE! CYCLE!” until we help her take it to the box in the garage. I must say it’s not the easiest thing to do around here. There are only a few places which accept plastics (24 hr drop-off locations that is, there are others places throughout the year which accept more but I don’t have space to store the recycling for more than a couple weeks), only 1s and 2s, and they don’t accept milk jugs. I have yet to figure out why. The girls enjoy checking every plastic container to find the number. I feel slightly less guilty about the huge ecological footprint we undoubtedly have. Every little bit helps, right?
Last fall we started recycling plastics. It all came about sort of selfishly, I’ll admit. There was a group at work sponsoring a recycling drive. If you brought something in to recycle they entered you in a drawing for an iPod. It just happened to be the Monday after a road trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s so we had a vehicle full of plastic bottles.
Princess helped me gather all the empty plastic containers in the house and I showed her where to find the recycling symbol on the bottom. She immediately began checking every single plastic container in our house for the recycling symbol and number….even plastic containers that were still full. We had a few close calls with full bottles of ketchup and juice with open lids….
I’m happy to report we are still recycling plastics. Flower has even joined the recycling mission. When she finishes a bottle of water or juice she runs over and sets it on the kitchen counter and yells “CYCLE! CYCLE!” until we help her take it to the box in the garage. I must say it’s not the easiest thing to do around here. There are only a few places which accept plastics (24 hr drop-off locations that is, there are others places throughout the year which accept more but I don’t have space to store the recycling for more than a couple weeks), only 1s and 2s, and they don’t accept milk jugs. I have yet to figure out why. The girls enjoy checking every plastic container to find the number. I feel slightly less guilty about the huge ecological footprint we undoubtedly have. Every little bit helps, right?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
It's a Spring Thing
Princess is ready for spring. Heck, we’re all ready for spring. For the past month she has been asking me if it is spring and I’ve been telling her it is. According to the calendar, it is spring.
We were fortunate to have a beautiful Easter weekend. We played outside without coats and had to break out the sunscreen. Yesterday the temperature dropped to the 30s and it’s snowing. This morning it feels more like February than April.
As Princess was putting on her winter coat this morning she looked at me with great displeasure and said “Mommy, I thought you told me it was spring.” This, my dear, is spring in Montana.
We were fortunate to have a beautiful Easter weekend. We played outside without coats and had to break out the sunscreen. Yesterday the temperature dropped to the 30s and it’s snowing. This morning it feels more like February than April.
As Princess was putting on her winter coat this morning she looked at me with great displeasure and said “Mommy, I thought you told me it was spring.” This, my dear, is spring in Montana.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Status Report – Project Binkie Elimination
I’m sure you’re all wondering how Flower is doing without her binkie. Well, we’ve been binkie-free for 12 days and I’m happy to report she is doing great. When I told her daycare provider, Miss S, she kicked the habit I found out she hadn’t been using her binkie for naps on occasion anyway so I guess Miss S was ahead of us.
Flower hasn’t even mentioned her binkie for days now so I think we are in the clear. She has been sleeping better as well. I knew once we got rid of the binkie she wouldn’t wake me up as often to search for it. Flower is still waking up once a night for a drink of water (another bad habit we need to work on), but she is also starting to snuggle under her blanket and go back to sleep on her own too.
On a totally unrelated subject, Princess says the funniest things while she’s sitting on the toilet. Just a minute ago she asked me to please be quiet, it’s hard to concentrate on going poo while someone is talking. Hmmm….I wonder who’s talking?
Flower hasn’t even mentioned her binkie for days now so I think we are in the clear. She has been sleeping better as well. I knew once we got rid of the binkie she wouldn’t wake me up as often to search for it. Flower is still waking up once a night for a drink of water (another bad habit we need to work on), but she is also starting to snuggle under her blanket and go back to sleep on her own too.
On a totally unrelated subject, Princess says the funniest things while she’s sitting on the toilet. Just a minute ago she asked me to please be quiet, it’s hard to concentrate on going poo while someone is talking. Hmmm….I wonder who’s talking?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Happy Easter!
Easter weekend is officially over. We had a nice weekend. Thursday we dyed eggs. Friday we played outside. The weather has been really nice the past few days. Saturday we had a play date with Homestead.
Today we got up early, donned our new Easter dresses, checked out our Easter baskets, and found all the eggs the Easter bunny hid in the front yard….all BEFORE church….the 8:30 service I might add.
Then we went to the potluck Easter brunch at church and came home for a short rest before the big Easter Egg Hunt. At noon we headed to a friend’s house for the annual hunt where we get to see the Easter Bunny. Flower loved the Easter Bunny. Princess is still not sure about a 6-foot tall bunny that doesn’t talk. I overheard her asking the Easter bunny why he, or she, doesn’t talk.
After the hunt we went home for naps and Dear Husband and I began to prepare dinner. Actually, DH finished the roofing project on the storage shed he stared yesterday while I started dinner prep. Nana and Papa join us for an early dinner followed by a short walk and key lime pie.
Flower is sleeping, Princess is brushing her teeth, I’m typing, and DH is watching baseball. A fantastic weekend if I do say so. We hope your weekend was too!
Today we got up early, donned our new Easter dresses, checked out our Easter baskets, and found all the eggs the Easter bunny hid in the front yard….all BEFORE church….the 8:30 service I might add.
Then we went to the potluck Easter brunch at church and came home for a short rest before the big Easter Egg Hunt. At noon we headed to a friend’s house for the annual hunt where we get to see the Easter Bunny. Flower loved the Easter Bunny. Princess is still not sure about a 6-foot tall bunny that doesn’t talk. I overheard her asking the Easter bunny why he, or she, doesn’t talk.
After the hunt we went home for naps and Dear Husband and I began to prepare dinner. Actually, DH finished the roofing project on the storage shed he stared yesterday while I started dinner prep. Nana and Papa join us for an early dinner followed by a short walk and key lime pie.
Flower is sleeping, Princess is brushing her teeth, I’m typing, and DH is watching baseball. A fantastic weekend if I do say so. We hope your weekend was too!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Java Jumpstart
Early one Saturday morning a few weeks ago Dear Husband and I were still asleep when Princess came into our room. Princess is an early riser so she is usually up before we are on Saturday. She informed us she had been awake for a while and played quietly in her room trying not to wake us. She’s a very thoughtful child.
Princess also came in to tell us the dog needed to go out so she had let her out and back in already. I thanked her and DH asked Princess if she made the coffee too. All of the sudden she became very quiet, told us to go back to sleep, and took off.
DH and I laid there for a few more seconds and then it occurred to us Princess was downstairs in the kitchen preparing to grind coffee beans….if the thought of a 4 yr old grinding coffee beans and trying to dump them into the coffee maker doesn’t get you going in the morning I don’t know what will.
Princess also came in to tell us the dog needed to go out so she had let her out and back in already. I thanked her and DH asked Princess if she made the coffee too. All of the sudden she became very quiet, told us to go back to sleep, and took off.
DH and I laid there for a few more seconds and then it occurred to us Princess was downstairs in the kitchen preparing to grind coffee beans….if the thought of a 4 yr old grinding coffee beans and trying to dump them into the coffee maker doesn’t get you going in the morning I don’t know what will.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Project Binkie Elimination
Project Binkie Elimination is going ok. Not spectacular, but not horrible either. Flower has no problem taking a nap without her binkie, but nighttime is another story.
As you recall, we packed up the binkies and sent them to Cousin Halle last Thursday. Bedtime was not fun. Dear Husband and I each made multiple trips into Flower’s room to gently remind her we sent the binkies away. Eventually she gave up and went to sleep. For a few hours. Then Flower awoke about every 1 to 2 hours all night long. She was having a hard time going back to sleep without her binkie. But there was no crying or screaming, just a little fussing and another gentle reminder where the binkies went.
Friday and Saturday night were more of the same. Friday night wasn’t too bad actually, but Saturday night she was up a lot. Last night Flower only woke up three times so I’m calling it progress. When Flower woke up this morning I went into her room to get her. She looked at me and said “Binkie baby Halle!” with a big smile so maybe she is coming to terms with binkie-free living. We will see what happens tonight.
As you recall, we packed up the binkies and sent them to Cousin Halle last Thursday. Bedtime was not fun. Dear Husband and I each made multiple trips into Flower’s room to gently remind her we sent the binkies away. Eventually she gave up and went to sleep. For a few hours. Then Flower awoke about every 1 to 2 hours all night long. She was having a hard time going back to sleep without her binkie. But there was no crying or screaming, just a little fussing and another gentle reminder where the binkies went.
Friday and Saturday night were more of the same. Friday night wasn’t too bad actually, but Saturday night she was up a lot. Last night Flower only woke up three times so I’m calling it progress. When Flower woke up this morning I went into her room to get her. She looked at me and said “Binkie baby Halle!” with a big smile so maybe she is coming to terms with binkie-free living. We will see what happens tonight.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
A Confession of Sorts
Princess was upstairs Friday afternoon playing while I was working on a file from work, or at least I thought she was. That night I opened my bathroom drawer and found my make-up in disarray. I immediately knew the culprit. I wasn’t sure why because Princess is very good about following the rules and she knows my bathroom drawer is off-limits.
Saturday night Princess and I were reading the Dick and Jane book she received as a gift when she was a baby. She wasn’t interested in it until recently and now we’re on our second reading. The book is a large hard cover that contains three of the Dick and Jane series.
I was about half way the first book when Princess asks me if I knew which was her favorite story. I didn’t and she told me it was the story when Baby Sally gets in her mother’s make-up. Then Princess tells me that she is very glad she didn’t spill my make-up all over the floor like Baby Sally. Me too, sweet girl, me too.
Saturday night Princess and I were reading the Dick and Jane book she received as a gift when she was a baby. She wasn’t interested in it until recently and now we’re on our second reading. The book is a large hard cover that contains three of the Dick and Jane series.
I was about half way the first book when Princess asks me if I knew which was her favorite story. I didn’t and she told me it was the story when Baby Sally gets in her mother’s make-up. Then Princess tells me that she is very glad she didn’t spill my make-up all over the floor like Baby Sally. Me too, sweet girl, me too.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
This One's for You Carlye
My sister, well, both of my sisters actually, live 1,000+ miles away. So does my sister-in-law. The girls only have two uncles and four aunts. All except two live out of state. Part of my motivation to blog was to keep them updated on our daily activities. I'll be the first to admit I'm terrible about keeping in touch with my friends and family. I think of them often. I mean to call them. Then our day flies by, it's 10 pm and I barely have enough energy to crawl into bed.
This is my pledge to post more since our siblings don't get to see us very much. I'll try very hard to post something at least 3 times a week. I think I can do that. Be prepared though because we're pretty boring. I might have to start posting about what we ate for dinner.
Today is Saturday. I'm really behind at work so I'm hoping to work on a couple files I brought home. Dear Husband is going skiing because it's been snowing here all week and the ski hill closes soon. The girls are watching one of their favorite cartoons, Max and Ruby. The floor is disgusting so I need to clean it as well. It's spring and our dog is shedding so vacuuming is a daily necessity. We have a Costco list a mile long. We'll head there after naps this afternoon. I'm a little frightened of what that will cost. We never get out of Costco paying less than $100 but as I look at the list I'll be happy if it's less than $300. On the other hand, we haven't been to Costco in over a month so I suppose we're due.
That is how our day is shaping up. It's overcast here, 30 degrees and a couple snowflakes are falling. I'm looking forward to spring.
This is my pledge to post more since our siblings don't get to see us very much. I'll try very hard to post something at least 3 times a week. I think I can do that. Be prepared though because we're pretty boring. I might have to start posting about what we ate for dinner.
Today is Saturday. I'm really behind at work so I'm hoping to work on a couple files I brought home. Dear Husband is going skiing because it's been snowing here all week and the ski hill closes soon. The girls are watching one of their favorite cartoons, Max and Ruby. The floor is disgusting so I need to clean it as well. It's spring and our dog is shedding so vacuuming is a daily necessity. We have a Costco list a mile long. We'll head there after naps this afternoon. I'm a little frightened of what that will cost. We never get out of Costco paying less than $100 but as I look at the list I'll be happy if it's less than $300. On the other hand, we haven't been to Costco in over a month so I suppose we're due.
That is how our day is shaping up. It's overcast here, 30 degrees and a couple snowflakes are falling. I'm looking forward to spring.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Where Did March Go?
It has been two weeks since I’ve posted and it seems like just yesterday. I suppose I owe my three…yes, THREE readers (Hi Wanda and girls!), an explanation. Here it goes.
Two weekends ago our family descended on our house for the weekend to help celebrate Flower’s second birthday. We had a wonderful weekend but our house is not equipped to sleep ten people very easily. We did it though and everyone seemed to be happy the next morning so the sleeping arrangements must have been ok. We spent two days cleaning the house and it was trashed five minutes after everyone arrived…not literally of course, but it seemed like it. Dear Husband always wonders why I insist upon thoroughly cleaning the house before we have overnight guests. He thinks it’s a waste of time and he is probably right. Now that I’ve publicly admitted he is right and I am wrong, we’ll see if he reads my blog.
The following week we had a three-day workweek and then DH and I flew to Las Vegas Thursday morning for the weekend. We were in Denver last spring and signed up for a “free preview” weekend for a new resort in Vegas. I found some cheap airline tickets and our lodging was paid for (in exchange for two hours of our time where we got to repeatedly say we didn’t want to buy their program) so it sounded like a good plan.
The girls stayed with Nana and Papa for the weekend. This was the first time I’ve been away from Flower overnight. Flower is pretty good about adapting to new things so I wasn’t worried about her. Princess has spent the night away from us before so she was ready for another sleepover. Our dog, on the other hand, was not. Let’s just say the girls were easier for Nana to take care of than the dog.
We all had a nice weekend. Nana had lots of activities planned for the girls. We enjoyed some great food, a magic show, live music, adult beverages, a little gambling, sleeping all night without someone calling “Mommy!” and a tour of the Hoover Dam. DH thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the Hoover Dam. We took the “Hard Hat” tour, which goes down inside the dam and through tunnels, etc. It was very interesting. My favorite part of the trip was being able to fit everything I needed in a carry-on bag and still have plenty of room to buy a few things to bring home. That and the great food we can’t get at home. Unfortunately we didn’t hit the jackpot so we both had to go to work this week.
We left for Vegas in a snowstorm and we returned in a snowstorm that was much worse. Our flight was the last one to land that morning and later on that day the roads were closed. We were happy to be home.
This week was very busy at work and our daycare lady’s father passed away so she is out of town until after Easter. We’ve been juggling our schedules and staying home with the girls this week.
I am taking this opportunity to do away with Flower’s binkie. She only uses it when she sleeps and it’s been that way for almost a year. She actually sleeps with two binkies, one in her mouth and one in her hand. I asked her if she wanted to give her binkies to Cousin H yesterday because Cousin H is still a baby (who doesn’t use a binkie, but Flower doesn’t know that) and Flower agreed. Last night we put the binkies in a box, wrapped it, decorated it with bows and stickers, and “sent it off” to Cousin H. Flower wasn’t very happy at bedtime when she didn’t have her binkies but after I reminded her a dozen times we gave them to Cousin H she finally went to sleep. She woke up twice last night, which isn’t uncommon for her, but she didn’t go back to sleep as easily as usual so she had a rough night. She is napping now and it took a bit longer for her to go to sleep, but she made so I think she’ll be over the binkie by Monday.
I tried to slice the tip of her binkies last year but she immediately noticed and that just made her mad. I was weak and needed my sleep so I gave in and bought new ones. This time I’ll be stronger. I hope once Flower has moved past the binkie she will start to sleep all night, or at least not wake me up when she wakes up. A girl can wish, can’t she?
Two weekends ago our family descended on our house for the weekend to help celebrate Flower’s second birthday. We had a wonderful weekend but our house is not equipped to sleep ten people very easily. We did it though and everyone seemed to be happy the next morning so the sleeping arrangements must have been ok. We spent two days cleaning the house and it was trashed five minutes after everyone arrived…not literally of course, but it seemed like it. Dear Husband always wonders why I insist upon thoroughly cleaning the house before we have overnight guests. He thinks it’s a waste of time and he is probably right. Now that I’ve publicly admitted he is right and I am wrong, we’ll see if he reads my blog.
The following week we had a three-day workweek and then DH and I flew to Las Vegas Thursday morning for the weekend. We were in Denver last spring and signed up for a “free preview” weekend for a new resort in Vegas. I found some cheap airline tickets and our lodging was paid for (in exchange for two hours of our time where we got to repeatedly say we didn’t want to buy their program) so it sounded like a good plan.
The girls stayed with Nana and Papa for the weekend. This was the first time I’ve been away from Flower overnight. Flower is pretty good about adapting to new things so I wasn’t worried about her. Princess has spent the night away from us before so she was ready for another sleepover. Our dog, on the other hand, was not. Let’s just say the girls were easier for Nana to take care of than the dog.
We all had a nice weekend. Nana had lots of activities planned for the girls. We enjoyed some great food, a magic show, live music, adult beverages, a little gambling, sleeping all night without someone calling “Mommy!” and a tour of the Hoover Dam. DH thoroughly enjoyed the tour of the Hoover Dam. We took the “Hard Hat” tour, which goes down inside the dam and through tunnels, etc. It was very interesting. My favorite part of the trip was being able to fit everything I needed in a carry-on bag and still have plenty of room to buy a few things to bring home. That and the great food we can’t get at home. Unfortunately we didn’t hit the jackpot so we both had to go to work this week.
We left for Vegas in a snowstorm and we returned in a snowstorm that was much worse. Our flight was the last one to land that morning and later on that day the roads were closed. We were happy to be home.
This week was very busy at work and our daycare lady’s father passed away so she is out of town until after Easter. We’ve been juggling our schedules and staying home with the girls this week.
I am taking this opportunity to do away with Flower’s binkie. She only uses it when she sleeps and it’s been that way for almost a year. She actually sleeps with two binkies, one in her mouth and one in her hand. I asked her if she wanted to give her binkies to Cousin H yesterday because Cousin H is still a baby (who doesn’t use a binkie, but Flower doesn’t know that) and Flower agreed. Last night we put the binkies in a box, wrapped it, decorated it with bows and stickers, and “sent it off” to Cousin H. Flower wasn’t very happy at bedtime when she didn’t have her binkies but after I reminded her a dozen times we gave them to Cousin H she finally went to sleep. She woke up twice last night, which isn’t uncommon for her, but she didn’t go back to sleep as easily as usual so she had a rough night. She is napping now and it took a bit longer for her to go to sleep, but she made so I think she’ll be over the binkie by Monday.
I tried to slice the tip of her binkies last year but she immediately noticed and that just made her mad. I was weak and needed my sleep so I gave in and bought new ones. This time I’ll be stronger. I hope once Flower has moved past the binkie she will start to sleep all night, or at least not wake me up when she wakes up. A girl can wish, can’t she?
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