Flowers

rena

When we were going over our plans for today, Rena suggested that after we clean the house, we go to the pool, come home and take a nap and then go pick up my car that's in the shop. I said, 'that sound like the chain of events'. To which she replied, 'they won't chain you to a fence!'.

Ah, the mind of a 4 year old. I love it.

When good potatoes go bad!

When we got back from our Sanibel trip, I decided it was more important to clean out my pantry than to unpack. Evidently it was long overdue. This was a 'lost' potato that I found.

Thank God I have a green thumb.

Buckin' the Water Po-Po

Here in Georgia, we are in the middle of a severe drought. It's been that way pretty much since we moved here. It is a big fat pain in the ass. We take water for granted. It's true. But, just like central and eastern North Carolina tend to go overboard on the news coverage for Hurricanes, the same thing has happened here with the drought. Now, it's not that I think they are hyping it (Ok, maybe a little). I drive over Lake Lanier everytime I need to go anywhere and it's obvious we are really low. However, we'll probably get a little rain between now and then, too. I'm all for water conservation and I think most of us could do a better job reducing the amount of water we use. But sometimes, you've just gotta run through the sprinklers!

Here are our latest guidelines for watering: Hand Watering As of April 1, each household, business or other institution/property owner can hand water existing landscaping using one garden hose for 25 minutes a day within the hours of midnight to 10 a.m. on designated days. The hose must be hand held during watering and equipped with a standard spray nozzle that automatically turns off when not hand held.

Now, on to the real point of this blog. My kitchen chairs have been caked in spaghetti/macaroni/yogurt/cereal/oatmeal/banana goo for quite some time now. I hate these chairs. They are almost impossible to clean. So, I told Blair that I was going to power wash them. That freaked him out. He didn't want us getting some hugh water fine...and neither did I. But a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. So, I took those nasty chairs out back today and power-washed them. Yes I did. All nice and sparkling clean. And in about 1/100th of the time it would have taken me to scrub them with Mr. Clean! Now that sad part is, my girls, and one of the neighbor girls thought this was the greatest thing. They got to run through the water spray and get wet. They were so excited. It really is sad that they are not getting to do the slip n slides and run through the sprinklers. They are just constantly being told to "TURN OFF THE WATER!"

So, all in all it was a good day for us. The girls got to play in the water...no matter how sad...and my kitchen chairs got cleaned. Yea!

sanibel

Wish you were here!

We are in Sanibel Island, Florida this week and it's been beautiful. I'm not sure, but I think we might have picked the hottest week to head to south Florida. Blair is working in the area, so he's not really on vacation, but I am! Kind of.


The pool is right out our back door and the beach is just a few short steps away. Who could ask for anything more? A bar close by, you say? Well, they have one right there at the pool! It's all very laid back and cool.



The expression on this womans face cracks me up. That's Rena jumping in, sans thloatie.



Despite the fact that we have access to a pool 7 days a week in Georgia, that's where my girls would rather spend their time. So, we've been in the pool everyday! Rena has learned to swim all by herself! I'm both petrified and excited all at the same time. She's quite proud of herself and I have to give her the freedom to test herself without turning back and relying on the floatie...or thloatie, as it's refered to in our household.





Rachel has been dubbed 'Rachel the Brave' this week. She is driving me absolutely CRAZY and I spend half the day yelling at her, despite all of my behavior management knowledge. However, her feisty little personality really pays off for her. At the pool, they had a log-rolling contest. Rena tried it first, and then Rachel decided to give it a try. You know what I'm talking about? You stand on a log, in this case a styrofoam blue 'log' and try not to fall off. Well, Rachel probably didn't last 2 seconds, but the whole pool cheered for her! They were all shouting "yea, Rachel". I'm not kidding. Earlier on the quest for bravery was the waterslide. Rena also had tackled this first and I finally talked Rachel and Riley into going down. They both ended up loving it.





Riley has turned into a scaredy cat this week. Poor thing. We were coming home from dinner one night and one of those lovely Japanese beetles landed on her. If 2 year olds regularly had heart attacks, Riley would have been on her way to meet her maker. Thank God he made her with a strong heart, if not a brave spirit! She completely freaked out and cried the rest of the way home. Now, don't get me wrong, I hate the little boogers too, but they are really nothing to freak out about. They do tend to get stuck in some odd places, but at least they seem to have a sense of direction, unlike those damn June bugs that bounce off your head in the summer. Can't wait til Riley sees one of those!





Then there are the ants. To my children, all ants are fire ants and evidently they have gone from being prey to predator. I've tried to tell my girls that the ants can't catch them, but they are having none of it. At least Rena has reason to fear ants. When she was 2, maybe 3, she was bitten by about 100 of the things at one time. Welcome to Georgia. So OF COURSE, she's scared of them. Riley might have been bitten by one at some point, but really one or two is no big deal. Rachel the Brave will step in to save her sisters from anything with an exoskeleton. One swift stomp of the foot, and that is that!

The next thing that has Riley freaked out are the holes in the walkway. I don't think this is a Steven King kind of fear. The fact is we went out to an old beach house and the boardwalk to it wasn't in the best shape. I'm really not sure how, but one of the boards came up and landed on Riley's foot, scaring her to death. Today, we were walking across another boardwalk when she noticed the holes. You know, the space between the board. That gave her yet another thing to fret about!

It is fun to watch her overcome her fears though. She did manage to overcome her fears of the waterslide. I really wish I had gotten it on video. When she started moving at the top, there were serious signs of fear on her face. Once she hit the water, it was all good and she had the biggest smile! It was great!

So only a few more short hours until we hit the road again. I'm going to miss it here. I NEED to be by the beach.

Where's mommy

So, I was talking to my Dad on the phone the other day and the girls were watching SpongeBob. I wanted to talk to him about something that I really didn't want to girls to hear - nothing horrible, just not for little ears -so I walked out onto the front porch and continued my conversation. After a couple of minutes, I heard the girls call me, so I finished up my conversation and walked back inside. No girls. Where did they go? I called them. No answer. I checked the garage (which was open). No girls. I went back inside, thinking they might be hiding from me. Called them with that serious, 'you'd better answer me NOW!' voice. No answer. I looked out back. No girls. Checked Grandmom's room. No girls. Now where could they be? From the time they called me until I came back inside wasn't even a minute. Hmmm. What would they do? They'd go looking for me. So, back out the garage to start the search and here they come out of my next door neighbor's house.

Evidently, they called me once and headed straight to Ms. Ruth's house. The told them they couldn't find me! Luckily, Ms. Ruth's mother knows me better than that, and she was pretty sure I was home. The therapist they had there doesn't know me and she was alarmed! I was actually amused that they had left as a team to find me and they had the sense enough to go find an adult. What it really was, though, was an excuse to go see their favorite neighbor, Ms. Ruth!

naptime

What could be more inviting than a love seat on a shady porch on a warm spring day. Doesn't she look so sweet? She wanted to go to Grandmom's room and take a nap (yes, she puts herself down for a nap in the afternoon) but I was outside and I wanted her to stay outside with me. I wish there had been room there for me!

Who Knew!

So, we're sitting outside tonight after dinner, just hanging out. The girls are playing. Blair and I are talking. Then Rena says, "Can you take the training wheels off my bike. Daddy won't do it." "Why won't you do it?" I ask. "Because she's not ready. I'M not ready," is the answer. "I'll do it." I say.

Blair will have none of that. So he reluctantly takes the wheels off. I tell him I'll help her. Nope. He wants to do it. The look on his face says it all.

So, at 4 and a half, Rena decides she's ready to ride her bike without training wheels. The look on her face says it all.

And even though the pictures are blurry, you get the idea. Off she goes! Amazing!

ah, the irony

Back in September, when the girls first started school, I was so excited that I was going to have SOOOO much time to myself and I was going to be able to get SOOOO many things done, like clean the house, organized the closets, clean out the garage, get the twins baby books started (so what if they're 2 1/2!), paint, heck, I might even have time to crosstich again.

Reality. Pretty much nothing got done. If I had anything to do 'in town' it took up most, if not all, of my free time. Then I got addicted to tennis. I managed to work in a private lesson right after preschool drop off, which was perfect! I LOVED it. But, now the girls are out of school and even though my coach is a good sport, I think 3 toddlers interupting our lesson constantly might wear him a little thin. Sometimes, I would come home and just enjoy the quiet and still until it was time to pick them up again.

So, now here we are on summer break and, ironically, I'm excited about not having anywhere to go! No 40 minute round trips to town twice a day. Think of how much I'll be able to get done! And I'm excited about having the girls with me all day. I did manage to get part of the garage cleaned up....again. It's quite the catch-all. Some reorganization and I might just have the problem solved. The list of things to get done is overwhelming. I've planted my garden which requires daily maintanence, the garage isn't quite done, the toys that I confiscated weeks ago and sequestered in the dining room are still waiting for their final resting place, there's a yard sale in my future, I haven't finished planting all the flowers and seeds I've bought, the now mostly empty playroom/formal living room is still waiting for it's new assignment, there are 40 bags of mulch waiting to be distributed, the dogs need a bath, the girls need a bath....wow, I'm tired just thinking about all that. Aren't you?

The girls have been asking since January (not kidding) when the pool is going to open. Well, it's open. And I'm sure it's cold. But we are heading there today. We may come home blue. I'm not getting in unless they are drowning and I can't reach them with that net/pole thingy. I'll let you know how it goes.

first day/last day

bittersweet endings

This week has been full of endings. It was the last week for the girls' preschool and also the last ballet class which culminated in a recital.

Thursday was the last day of preschool. I got the teachers' end of year gifts while we were in Raleigh, thank goodness. One thing checked off the list! The twins didn't have an end of year party (that I know about) but Rena's class did. Since I'm the roommom, I was in charge of organizing it. Never, in a million years, did I think I'd be roommom. But I did and it was fun. I painted sandpails with each child's name and we used those for their lunch. Their end of the year party consisted of eating, blowing bubbles and playing on the 'big kids' playground. Rena had a great class and a wonderful first experience in the classroom. I couldn't have asked for more. So that made it hard to leave. We'll be back at that school in the fall, but it was sad that the year was over. I know it's hard to believe, but I'm a complete mushpot when it comes to endings like this. I cried for weeks every time I thought about the last day. I avoided both teacher the whole time I was at school Thursday, but when it came time to say goodbye, Ms. Beth lost it and so did I. She won't be back next year, and I know that feeling. It also is a milestone, however small, in my childrens' lives. I love them so much and love the age they are at RIGHT NOW, no matter when that right now might be. Change is hard.

Rena started ballet in the middle of the season. It runs it's course on the school schedule. So Rena was late to the party, but she fit right in. Once a week, we have been going. Rena attends class and I hang out in the lobby with the other mothers, Rachel and Riley. Riley wants very badly to do ballet. Next year! But I've gotten to know these other mothers and have really enjoyed their company. In fact, this week we are all getting together for a playdate. Yeah. Hopefully it will go better than the last time we attemped a playgroup.

Anyway, we had the dress rehearsal Friday. Rena stood on stage and looked like she was wondering when the party was going to start. I had already seen another rehearsal during parents day. On that day, Rena also seemed to just watch the activity and would occasionally spin or plie. So, I really wasn't holding out much hope for the actual recital itself. I was sure that with all the strange people in the audience, we'd get nothing from her. Wrong! She was right on cue. Danced the whole time. Never missed a beat. It was great! We got no pictures of the actual recital! So sad. But it will live on (and get better) in my memory.

So I went out with the girls from my tennis team last night and we ended up having a blast. I think that's the first time I have done anything like that since we moved here. We ended up going to the Melting Pot and I was excited because I had never been there before. Our group was early except for one person who we decided we wouldn't wait for. They ended up seating us in the bar. Not what I was expecting, but OK. We had been in the bar waiting for our table. Hmmm. Not only that, but the bartender had never gotten around to getting a drink for me and I was one of 4 people at the bar. OK. So they ended up seating us and then no one came to take our drink order. So one of us went and complained and finally the drinks were brought...except from the bar. Then we waited. Finally we flagged down the manager and complained. He took over the table for us. He did a pretty good job of waiting on us from that point on, although, when salads came, he didn't leave mine and actually took it back to the kitchen. I saw him walking away with it and once he came back I had to ask for it. So, the conversation was fun and it was nice to be out. The service sucked. I don't say that very often, especially since I worked in restaurants for so many years. But he comped our drinks which was very nice.

Next time we go out I think we'll choose something a little cheaper, but it was so much fun to be out with the girls.

Which leads me to the next part. Blair is out of town, so my babysitter was here with the girls. Rachel was still awake when I got home, but she actually fell asleep while the babysitter and I were talking. Babysitter leaves and I have to haul all three kids upstairs to their beds. I start with Rachel. Into her bed. Next is Riley. Into her bed. Last is Rena. Into her bed. This is a rarity that all three girls are in their respective beds and I get my bed to myself. It's late, I'm tired and I might have had just a little too much wine.

Then at about 5:30, Rena shows up and tells me she's had an accident (wet the bed). "Ok, go in the bathroom and take your clothes off and I'll get you new clothes." As I'm going to get clothes for her I check on the other 2. Riley is in my bed....of course. I peek in the girls bedroom. No Rachel. So I go into the room and look. No Rachel. Where is she? My heart picks up an extra few beats. So I think, maybe she came and got in my bed too and I just didn't hear her. It could happen. Back to my bed. No Rachel. Down to the playroom. No Rachel. Back to her room. Shake out all the covers. No Rachel. I'm actually starting to panic a little. Back to my room. Shake out the covers. All the lights are on at this point. Where could she be? Who do I call? I'm planning on checking downstairs since she was the first one I took up, she might have followed me back downstair and gotten in the bed down there with her sisters and in the dark I wouldn't have noticed. Then I'll check the window and the door. Parents who's children have dissappeared from their bedrooms at night flash through my mind. Poor Rena is standing in the bathroom, naked. I'm starting to breath a little rapid. Finally in my last moment of clarity, I decided to look one last place.

Busy, busy weekend

Friday we spent the day at the museum of Life and Science in Durham. This is a really cool place. Here we are on the train. I'm not sure why Rachel is looking so afraid. She loves strangers and is sure to introduce herself to them as she runs for Mayor of the Butterfly house.
RayRay and Riley check out the butterflies welcoming us.
This is a flower in the butterfly house. They hang straight down and I thought it was really beautiful, especially the way the light was hitting it. It's my favorite picture from my trip.

This past weekend we went to Raleigh for a big event at the school where I used to teach. We made the most of the weekend and visited lots of places. We spent Friday at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. We saw bear, lemurs, red wolves, farm animal and butterflies. Even though we didn't get to stay long, the butterfly house was the biggest hit. It's full of tropical butterflies, plants and birds.

After we left the museum, we met up with Grandmom and Grandpop who had made a special trip to Raleigh just to see us and watch the girls Saturday night. 2 of my Aunts met us at Kanki for dinner. The girls were surrounded by people who loved them and wanted just one big hug. They didn't dissappoint.

Saturday, we (accidentally) went to Pullen Park. I tried to send Blair to a little playground while his mother and I shopped at NOFO at the pig (nofo.com). He didn't quite understand what I was asking him to do (entertain the kiddies for 30 minutes) so he ended up at the biggest(?) park in Raleigh. The girls loved it. They got to do the regular playground things and then they rode the carousel and the little boats and the train. That night Blair and I got to go to a coat and tie affair put on by the school. It's really a fund raiser, but it was also a celebration for the schools 50th anniversary. I had a blast. I got to see old classmates, parents and teachers that I had worked with. I had so much fun and the night ended way too soon. There were 450 people there and I didn't get to talk to everyone!

Sunday, my brother and his wife were in town. We had a short visit and lunch. It was nice to see them. After lunch we went to the schools Open House and then we all headed out to our old neighborhood. We spend most of the evening with my backdoor neighbors whom I REALLY miss. I did get to go meet the people who are living in my house. They were super nice and invited us in. It was so nice to be 'home'. We stayed there for about 30 minutes and then I got to get a cutting from one of my bushes. Hopefully it will root. Back to Sharon and Bob's and we all went out to dinner. We got back to the hotel late, but it was worth it.

Monday, we headed back to GA. :( There's more to the trip and I'll try to post more pictures, but it's bath time and I think I hear them calling.....

Bumping in the Burbs

This is hysterical. Bumping in the Burbs with Notorious D A D. This is what my life has become!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxj5EEksI1I

Chaos in the playroom

Our formal living room was our play room. But it ALWAYS looked like this.

Not very inviting. And I really like this room and the light it gets. It's also on the front of the house. I like being able to see out front. Our family room is on the back of the house and we back up to woods, so it's very isolating. So, I've decided to do away with the chaos. How? Well, first I rounded up all the toys and their respective parts. This took 2 solid days. I put them all in ziploc bags and put the bags in plastic tubs. I've left the girls with about 3 toys...they still can't manage to clean them up. Now, I've got to decide what to do with my 'new' living room. I get to pick everything out. I'm so excited. But I have one, really big problem. No money. There is nothing in the budget for this room. So, it'll probably take awhile for me to actually furnish this room, but that's ok. I want all NEW stuff. Not the hand me down stuff that decorates the rest of my house. I know the feel I want in there, so, I'm looking forward to building this room. I'll keep you posted!

PS. That's a tantrum throwing Riley in the bottom corner. I don't remember what she was mad about!

Bedtime fun

I was getting the girls ready for bed the other night and our puppy got a case of the 'Go,Dog,Go', as we like to call it. Nixie Would run down the hall, spin around and race back. She'd jump on the bed and just lay there like she'd been there the whole time. Then, with the slightest provocation, she'd leap off the bed and race down the hall again. This went on for a few minute and had the girls squealing with delight. Even though Nixie has an evil look in the pictures, you can tell by the look on the girls faces that it was all in fun. Even I was laughing instead of trying to get everyone to settle down and go to sleep.