The Random Hoo's and Ha's

Sometimes, it's good to say that things are relatively normal around here. We are chugging along at work.  It appears as though all of the snow days that I 'predicted' in my planbook in June are NOT panning out.  Every year, I mark a few day blank for 'snow'.  Not one has been used.  Sometimes, I actually get them right.  I called this week for snowdays.  It's 70 degrees.  My tulips are up.  What's going on here?  
Today, was one of those days at work, that when you get to the end of the day you feel like you've run up hill with weights tied to your legs.  Oh, and there's a rock rolling down toward you.  Since we are not getting delays or snowdays, we totally need a half day off for good weather (Ray's idea).  I don't know how people work year round.  If I didn't have a chunk of time off in the summer to see a light at the end of a tunnel, I might crumble and cry.  But, I do feel like my time off is deserved.  I work really hard for 9 months a year (sometimes 10) and my day does not end when the kids leave.  I work from home pretty much constantly until June.  This weekend, I was at my parents' house checking my work e-mail because there was a research paper coming in.  And, now there are 125 of them on my desk.  Yikes.
On a brighter note, Abby and I went to visit my parents last weekend.  Just her and I.  It was fun.  She was good in the car, we listened to a lot of Disney tunes and except for a bout of carsickness where I had to stop at a seedy bathroom with a shower and condom dispenser, it was all good in the hood (middle of nowhere).  
Anyway, we got there and my dad immediately whisked me to an auction.  For those of you who don't know, I love all things vintage and strange.  My dad loves all things old and sellable.  We are a great match.  If we still lived in the same house, we might make my mom move out with all of our stuff we could acquire. We had a lot of fun.  We ended up buying too many things, but it was a good time by all.  I mean, who does not need 16 coffee creamers (non matching), a 1930s Humpty Dumpty toy doll who needs sewing, an L.L. Bean Children's Toboggan, and flatware for 16?  I needed all of that.  And, my dad needed to buy a mannequin.  (Don't ask.)  It was a fun ride home.  All of our treasures were jingling in the back with the headless, armless, legless, standless mannequin that is the ugliest color in the universe.  
Meanwhile... Abby and my Mom had a day out.  They went to get their nails done (hot pink) and then they went to McDonald's.  They also went to the children's store and Abby got a new dress, shoes, purse and probably other things that she shoved into the basket.  They watched Lady and the Tramp and had a great afternoon.  Abby was happy to go visit and was mad about coming home.  So mad, that I got her a milkshake at McDonald's and she refused to drink it because she 'didn't ask for it.'  
It was nice to spend time with just her.  We went to Cracker Barrel on the way home.  She and I had lunch and played with the little toy thing on the table (the golf-tee jumping triangle thing).  
Apparently, Brooks and Ray had a great time as well.  Ray installed my corner cabinet while I was gone!
We bought it last summer at Second Chance in Baltimore.  They are a non-profit company that takes apart old homes that are being renovated and sells EVERYTHING- furniture, cabinets, door knobs, toe molding, hardwood floor pieces, fire place mantles and frames, windows, doors from the 30s (thank God we know where to get a new one when Abby slams one so hard it cracks in half)... everything.  So, we found this cabinet pair.  We ended up sitting down on a furniture display and literally spent 45 minutes debating whether we should buy this (great use of baby sitter time).  We had to split the pair, and we ended up buying the one that we liked the most.  It was in our garage for awhile, and then Ray decided that he was going to put it up and then start redoing the wainscoating, molding and everything else in the dining room that needs redone.  I love it.  It makes me smile.  

Abby wanted names on the feet of the toys- like in the movie.  She wrote her own on Jessie- her beloved.

Checking out the girlies.

Brooks likes Vogue.

What?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Scribble from Brooks -15 months

 
 

Silly Brooks

Since I can only upload one video per blog, here is the video of Brooks hiding crayons from his sister.

Snowless February Events

At Disney on Ice- Intermission

Silly Face

Abby liked this dragon at the end of the Mulan vignette

Finale

Love

This weekend, I took Abby to Disney on Ice.  I bought tickets on a whim a couple of weeks ago.  I took her since Ray is taking her to the circus next month, and I am just not really a circus kind of girl.  I won't detail the horrible Baltimore Arena experience that I had, but I will say that the show was fantastic.  It was a lot of fun to watch, and it wasn't a skit.  It was a lot of the Disney 'stories' redone on ice.  And it was done well.  Abby was enamored.  The Lion King was the best part.  But, so were the princesses.  We had a nice time despite all of the complications involving the crowd, the lack of order and the parking situation.  It's nice that we live fifteen minutes from venues so that we can see things like this.

Valentine's Day is today.  Overall, it was a pretty fun day. We left treats out for the kids this morning (Abby knew what hers were since she picked them out.) I worked a half day and then left to go to Abby's preschool party which was pretty cute.  They sang "skinamerinkidinkadink" (not sure of spelling) and we had cupcakes and treats. Abby got a bag full of Valentines and candy.  She worked really hard on her Toy Story Valentines and signed each one herself. I was very proud of her.

Abby's cards- the bottom left one- she got 'tired' and drew a picture of herself.

Front of cards

Treat envelopes

Third from left

Praying before snack

Weird pretzel face

After preschool, Abby and I got lunch at the diner.  It was tasty and a lot of fun.  She wanted to pay, so when the waitress came, she took her own dollar out of her coat pocket (crumpled up) and gave it to the waitress- super sweet.  We then went to Ray's work and took him a Valentine. It was nice to see him on his break, and we got to show him Abby's Valentine's from school.  Abby has always wanted to stop at my work so we went in there quickly as well (they are close to each other).  She wanted to walk around and see the big kids.  Of course they all ooohed and ahhed over her and she liked the attention.  She had a little fashion show for the secretaries in the office.  She didn't really want to leave.  It was a great day to spend with her.  She is growing up so fast, and these days really make me happy to savor our alone time.  It's fun.  And, we actually had conversations today.  Even though Valentine's Day is a fake holiday from Hallmark, it was a fun excuse to buy little gifts and eat a lot of candy. 

This afternoon, Ray gave me my Valentine's gift.  We don't exchange because it's his birthday, but he always makes something.  He made me a really cute little box.  It was tied shut and when I opened it, there were little origami letters.  Each one had a reason why he loved me on it.  I took pictures of the funnier ones.  I loved it.  It was super sweet.  And, it was nice that he recognized the little things that I do like let him buy season tickets keep the holidays organized.  I count the season tickets as a big thing.

Ha. 

It would be nice for space, but yeah, no thanks for now.  And mine would have the little stick figure family.

Has anyone seen my calendar?  Exactly- my organization is calling Heather to find out what's going on.

Later this evening, we had some friends over for cake.  I actually had time yesterday to bake something, and it was nice to sing Happy Birthday to Ray.  He convinced Abby that he is 22, and that is what she keeps telling people.  Ray doesn't like to celebrate his birthday anymore, so I have to make sure it's recognized.  And, I like birthdays.  I think that it's a good excuse to open gifts, eat cake and have people be nice to you for a day.  Hooray!  I took off work tonight from my other job, and it was fantastic to have another evening at home this week.  My boss called and told me to come in because the girl who was subbing for me called out sick.  But, no way.  I've taken off one day in a year.  And this is number two.  It was truly nice to be home for Ray's birthday.  And, Abby gets very excited about Valentine's Day, so she really liked that I was home too.

Cake

strawberries

Brooks has started scribbling with crayons.  He has four crayons that are "his."  Abby likes to steal his stuff (it's mutual thought).  So, today when she was wandering around while he was scribbling (on paper), he kept hiding his crayons.  He would sit with his legs folded and try to shove the crayons under his legs and butt.  It was pretty hilarious where he was 'hiding' them.  He's a silly guy.  One day, I will tell his girlfriends that he used to shove crayons under his butt to hide them.  

It's been a busy week, and it's not over yet!  I think (hope) that everyone should sleep well after the eventful day.

A Super Day

I can count on my hands the number of times that I have been alone for more than two hours with both kids.  And, we've had two kids for about 15 months now.  My husband is that hands on.  And, because of my work schedules, he's the one pulling the load during the week.  On weekends we usually split the errands and kids and no one really has to take both of them anywhere.  (Well, except for Ray, who is awesome and took both kids for shots on the SAME day.)  Tonight, Ray went to watch the Super Bowl with some friends and I thought that was great since he deserves the break.  I was actually excited to prove myself as super-mom, get some stuff done, keep the kids entertained, well-fed and happy, and take them both out in public.

What I feel like some days.

 So, after Ray left, we went to the Home Depot.  I was really hoping they would have some pansies (they didn't) and a paint sample I wanted (they didn't).  There were also only about seven people there and they were all women.  There was also a man who looked really pissed off beyond belief enamored to be with his wife shopping for plants.  We pretty much had the run of the place, and I was tempted to let the kids go run while I hung out in the patio furniture and bought a coke.  They seemed really excited about the ride on lawn mowers- but I decided to hold back and keep them in the cart.  We roamed around and came across a display of cheap remnant rugs.  For those of you who have been in our house, we have no rugs on our main level.  Our house is small and people never seem to get their shoes off when they come in.  Every rug has been ruined, and our pets are not helpful.  After throwing out rug after rug, we stopped buying them. 
The kids have rugs in their rooms, but not in their little playroom downstairs.  They were salivating at the prospect of an $8.99 3x5 rug and Abby was begging me for the 'shaggy one' like it was a puppy.  "We'll take care of it!"  "I'll help clean it."  So, I got them the rug and we came home.  It was pretty much a National Holiday around here when I unfurled it.  They both rolled on it like they were little animals nesting.  Luckily, the "Magic Carpet from the Depot" entertained them while I made a gourmet dinner a crappy meal.  I'm glad my neighbor didn't come over.
One would think that having two college degrees would come with perks.  Common Sense.  (Nope)  The ability to reason quickly (nope).  The ability to make pancakes and French Toast- not for me!  I cannot make French Toast or Pancakes to save my life.  My french toast is always soggy and looks like there is an egg cooked on top.  Of course, this is what Abby wanted for dinner.  I tried to disguise the mystery bread/breakfast product with fruit and syrup.  She managed to choke down enjoy with great smiles the French Toast and didn't make too many comments except to tell me that Daddy makes a 'good French Toast.'  Brooks ate it without a peep.
I was feeling great about my evening alone with the kids, and then I realized that it had only been an hour and 45 minutes.  I had to get creative after dinner, and we all played with some alphabet blocks and made up some games with those (on the new rug).  Then, Abby and Brooks had a show down over a book with a squeaky toy in it.  I let them duke it out.  Brooks won.
The rest of the evening was uneventful.  They both went to bed nicely (surprising), and there was only one injury- Brooks fell flat on his face because he was so tired before bed. 
So, that was my super evening.  I rock.  So, I'm not sure that I met all of my goals for the evening, but I think that it went okay...