Children For Sale!

Thank you very much for saying that I have well behaved children. Said me to anyone who has ever watched my kids. I need to start getting under cover cameras hidden so I can watch this. I don't know who are talking about. MY Children? You think MY kids are well behaved?
Yes, I understand that my kids behave for other people. Even when they were in daycare, Ellie Never spoke ( and if you know Ellie, this is miraculous ) and Georgia was just a sweet, happy baby.
MY Kids behave? Sure, for you they do, not me... their mother... the one who brought them into the world. Of course they don't behave for me.

When Ellie hit 2 we thought "wow, we should have waited to see what a devil child we were going to have being 2 before we had another baby." Ellie was 18 months old when Georgia was born, and when she turned two, boy was it like a light switch of naughty-ness. She would throw temper tantrums, shout NO all of the time, not eat her food, beat up her sister... the list goes on and on. It's typical terrible two behavior. Rotten. When she hit three ( and I had heard from moms that three was way worse than two and that frightened me ) she really did get worse. She's incredible articulate for her age and has a way of talking back that makes it sound like a 16 year old is talking back to you. Not fun. For some insane reason, we decided that we needed another baby while our daughter was experiencing these gruesome threes. And so, we had another baby before our second daughter was two.
When Georgia turned two, she still got terrible. But mostly it was a copy cat reaction from following the bad behavior of her sister. Sure, I get that. I am an older sibling and I remember my sister following me around all the time. How annoying, ( Sorry, sis, it was. ) So, Georgia is no exhibiting bad behavior because her older sister is fairly rotten. How do I know this? When we have them apart, Georgia is an absolute sweetheart. She says "Yes Mom." and "No Mom." and "Thank you, Mom." What a sweetie! But of course, when her older sister is around it's "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" And not followed by any sweetly mom retorts. Nope.

A couple of months ago we were in Kohls. ( Gosh, I reference Kohl's a great deal, I don't go that often, I swear! ) Anyway, we were in Kohl's looking for a dress for me for my husband's Christmas Party. Ellie was refusing to sit in the cart. Flat out refusing. So, I told her that she could walk beside me as long as she kept her hands to herself, She did pretty well. The occasional hand would jut out and she would touch something "pretty." I remember walking by the jewelry case and her pressing her snotty nose up against the glass and then proceeding to lick it. I was so grossed out.
"Stop that! It's disgusting!"
She wouldn't. I grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her away from the glass.
She shouted at the top of her lungs "LET GO OF ME! DON'T TOUCH ME!"
I told her to stop it. And then...
"NO I WON'T STOP IT! LET GO OF ME! YOU'RE A BAD MOMMY!"
Holy Crap! Did MY kid just say that to me? I was so embarrassed that I snatched them up and ran out of there. I had no idea what to do or say.

I don't get embarrassed very often. I think its funny when my kids scream or throw a fit in a store because they aren't getting what they want. That's normal kid behavior ( although my mom says I never did it )
I just look at the people who are staring at me and say "They're -- whatever age they are at that time "
If they've ever had a kid, they understand what I am talking about. Most people offer pity or sympathy or even empathy. I don't care if someone can't understand my kids' behavior, it happens. I feel bad when it happens to other moms or dads as well.
Our kids don't always act like we want them to. But our kids are their own people. My oldest red haired daughter is incredibly independent. She doesn't like help and she doesn't like to be told what to do, This is bad. She needs to respect people. She does, however, that person never is me. It's always someone else.
We are working on it. Daily. She's not nasty every day, but there are the days when she's rather out of control. Like the Kohl's day. Yikes.

So, when you say my children are well-behaved little angels. Thank you. At least some of it is sinking in and they are good for someone else.

Note to self.

I am in no shape to be giving relationship advice. We all do it. We give out our own story or experiences to someone, hoping that in some way, it will help them. I wouldn't take anyone's advice. I probably wouldn't even take my own. If 31 year old me could go back in time to talk to 21 year old me and tell me to break up with my current boyfriend because I knew for a fact that he would cheat on me, I probably still wouldn't listen. I'm a stubborn cuss. I'd probably say "No way, I'm going to change my fate, you wait and see."
That would have never happened. The same thing would have happened to me, and I'd still have experienced the same things.
And you know, I wouldn't change a thing. I don't regret anything about my past. Everything I did or did not do has led me to the place that I am in right now.
If I had left my boyfriend at 21 instead of 25, I'd be somewhere different. The planets wouldn't have aligned and I wouldn't have reconnected with my husband. ( I say reconnect because we went to high school together, and have known each other since we were 14. ) I also wouldn't have realized what its like to be happy in a relationship. I mean, really happy. Happy Happy. Happy in a way I thought only existed in fairy tales. I thought I was happy before, and then when I dated my husband I became really aware as to what being treated right was. Do I think I am lucky? Yes. But I also believe that I am supposed to be treated this way. I never would have known what it is like to be treated like a Queen if I hadn't been poorly treated. Not exactly poor, per say, but just not every made a priority in the relationship. Then that leads to being unhappy. I know what its like to be unhappy and to have someone display the behaviors that lead two people to split up, so seeing and being with someone who displayed none of those characteristics was like winning the lottery. My husband puts my needs before his own. "You're crazy!" I'd think. I was always the one doing that in the relationship before. Giving, and making sure the other was taken care of. What a crazy, unbelievable feeling to have someone do that for me?! You want to make sure my needs are met before your own? But, but I do that. No one has done that for me before. Wow.
My husband still treats me this way. After three children and four years of marriage, we are excruciatingly happy.
But don't get me wrong, there are also the days that I don't like him. I love him. Sometimes I don't like him. Some days we don't get a long. Sometimes we argue. We are together all the time. We get to the point where we sometimes just need some space. It happens. But at the end of the day, I thank my lucky stars for all that I have.
I can tell you that because I give him the love and respect that he deserves, that he returns that to me. I don't have any advice for you other than that. We're a good couple. We're compatible. We have the same likes and dislikes. Our stances on family and religion and politics are synced. We like the same music. We both want the same things out of life, and we are just happy to be with one another. But we love each other, respect each other, and try to make sure that the other person's needs are met to the best of our ability.

Why all the talk of relationships and advice all of a sudden? Next week is the anniversary of our first date together. I was getting a little nostalgic about it.
2007::  I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship of 7 years ( as noted before ) and I was in no place to start dating again. I was going to be a cat lady and live in my parents' basement for the rest of my life. Seriously. I didn't want to be hurt again, and I certainly didn't think I would ever recover. Ever. So, the ever wonderful Facebook reconnected myself and Andy. He messaged me and asked me how I was doing, etc, etc... I responded and he asked me to go to a movie on that Friday. I accepted. I had always had a crush on him in High school. We passed notes in German class and I used to draw his shoes. He never asked me out, I never asked him. Bad timing, I guess? So, I was a little nervous what his intentions were when we went out. He says that they were to just hang out with an old friend. Mine too. ( I think he may have had a crush on me as well and wanted to see if I would say yes. Well, I did. Of COURSE I did! )
We talked. A LOT. We talked the whole night and after the movie was over and I drove him back to his apartment, he gave me a hug. I left that night with a sense of optimism that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was nice. We went out the next night and weren't a part from each other for months. We literally saw each other every day! Friendship, pretty quickly, sprung into love. The rest is history. We are friends. We have been friends a long time, and now we're husband and wife. I love him so much. I love him more now than I did before; for giving me the kind of relationship that I have always wanted. For my family. I love him more with each baby we bring into the world. It's crazy how much I love this man.
So I say to you naysayer who is pissed at love and relationships: Don't be discouraged. It can happen to you. And maybe when you least expect it.
I went through a lot to get here, and a lot of those things I wouldn't wish upon enemies; but I wouldn't change anything. Not a single thing. Every experience has made me the person I am today, and put me in the place that I am right now. And I am happy with the way things turned out.

So 21 year old me. If you're somehow reading this: keep on doing what you're doing. You'll go through what seems like hell and back, but in the end... it will all be happy in the end. I promise. I know. I can make that promise. You will live happily ever after. I mean it.

Do You Believe in Magic?

I have written before about the awesome responsibility that I have recently realized that I have taken on as a parent. With Christmas coming, I realize that I must now play Santa. Not the real Santa, because we all know that Santa isn't real. ( and I AM SO SORRY if you are hearing this now, I didn't mean to burst your bubble )
Santa isn't real, but if you've watched ANY Christmas movie about believing in Santa, you will hear that "seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing"
So, to those naysayers, Santa exists in the hearts of those who believe. I believed in Santa until I was about 8  or 9. I found my toys from Santa in the basement one year. I got the pink and red Barbie doll from Santa and figured out that it was my parents because I had found it in the basement earlier in the month. I wasn't broken hearted, and it didn't crush me. I just kept the illusion to my parents that I believed in Santa. Until I became a snotty teenager who was too good for Santa, that is. Sorry Mom. :)
But now... I Am Santa?! AND The Easter Bunny AND the Tooth Fairy, and every imaginary creature that sneaks into your home to leave you something. Wow. That's a heavy load to shoulder. I get to determine the way my kids interpret Santa Claus, and the others, based on what we do for them and how we approach it. So far, we have visited Santa every year and the kids have told him what they want. This year Ellie is four. She actually gets that the man in the red suit drives a sleigh with reindeer and brings presents to you based on a naughty and nice list. He comes down your chimney ( and if you don't have one, uses magic to make one ) and he eats your milk and cookies.
Last night she was making a trap for Santa. To catch him when he comes to the house. I told her she has a while to wait for that. It was quite funny, though.
I hope my kids continue to believe in Santa for a long time. If not for their own sake, or mine, at least for some day when they have kids of their own.

I recently came across this letter that has been floating around Pinterest. It's written by another mom. It was pretty much how I was feeling about the situation.

Dear Lucy,

Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?”

I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say.

The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa.

I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.)

I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights.

This won’t make you Santa, though.

Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch.

It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments.

Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy.

With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible.

So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too.

I love you and I always will.

Mama

I really enjoyed this. I agree. I'm not really Santa. Santa is an idea and exists in the hearts of those who choose to keep that spirit alive.
It's the belief in magic and whimsy and all things we can't see or touch. Right now my kids believe in fairies. I love this. I think seeing things through a child's eyes also makes me want to, and truly get excited about them believing in these things.
When my kids ask if there's Santa, I am going to RUN To my computer and pull up this blog, or my Pinterest page, or my facebook page and read it to them. Maybe I should just print it and them put it up for safe keeping. Yeah, that's a much better idea. :)

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I can't listen to the song "Do You Hear What I Hear"
It's a BEAUTIFUL Song that is usually only played around Christmas time, about the birth of Jesus.
I still can't listen to it. Even when its sung as beautifully as Carrie Underwood sings it:

It's lovely and it has an important message.
But consarnitt, I've been ruined by the movie "Gremlins"
IF you haven't seen this adorable/gruesome holiday horror classic, I will have to full you in a little bit.

Taken from the IMDB Website: 

A boy inadvertantly breaks 3 important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.

So, these monsters begin reeking havoc on the town, starting in the home of the boy. These Gremlins start terrorizing his mother, and as she's looking around the house for the creatures, the record player begins playing the song "Do you hear what I hear." She then proceeds to find the Gremlins in her home, carrying a knife around the house, in typical 80's horror movie style. 
-- Let me make this clear. If I was going to watch a movie that was scary in any way, my mom was always sitting beside me making sure I wasn't scared. And if I was, she always explained what was going on. It didn't matter if it was Gremlins, Jaws, or even a scary scene in the Care Bears movie with a scary character. If I was ever upset by anything, she was always there to clarify what was going on for me. Gremlins has an adorable mogwai in it ( see photo above ) His name is Gizmo. I was in Love with this li'l guy when I was little. He's adorable and I'm sure I wanted to see the movie for that reason. 
Anyway,
This movie was released in 1984. I don't know if that's the first time I saw it. It may have been when I was around 5 ( if I did in 1984, that means I was 3 years old ) 
But seeing that movie at such a young age pretty much concreted the song in my brain as being identified with that movie, and that particular scene in the movie. Not a pleasant one, needless to say. It's meant to strike a little sense of urgency of getting out of that scene into someone. 
I really wish I could listen to that song. 
Then I started thinking about all of the things that made my memory jog like that, the songs and smells and tastes. My husband can't eat Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal because he got sick as a teenager after eating it. It brings back bad memories. 
I also had a similar experience from chocolate chip mint ice cream. I can't eat it. It makes me sick. 
I know that no can hear than infamous, ominous song in Jaws without feeling like they need to hurry up. When swimming sometimes as a kid I would hear the song in the back of my head and hurry up to the edge of the pool ladder! ( if you ever swam in a pool, don't tell me that didn't ever happen to you ) 

It's funny how your brain makes associations between things like that. It's not always bad ones, either. 
And for some reason, me hearing the above song has blocked out any good examples that I may have. 
I'm sure you have them, songs and foods and smells and activities that excite a certain nostalgia in your brain and take you to a happy place. :) 

That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles.

I like to cook.
I do not like to bake.
I had this discussion with my mom last night. She's a baker and likes to make all kinds of things from scratch. I seriously love her cinnamon rolls and her apple pie is my favorite of all time. I did not inherit that gift of the love of baking. We started to talk about why.
Baking is way more exact than cooking. It's precise measurements that go in at specific times.
With cooking you can be a lot more liberal with the amounts that you put into your food. I tamper with recipes all the time and use substitutions or add something or omit when I don't like something.
Baking isn't like that. You need all the ingredients to work together to create your food.
I use a lot of recipes when I cook. If you haven't read any of my previous blogs ( shame on you ) - you should know that I search for recipes on Pinterest quite often. I also have cookbooks that I use as well, and will repeat good recipes that my family enjoys. I swear that its never the same recipe, though. I always add a little more or a little less of an ingredient based on how I am feeling that day.
Garlic? YES! I'm going to add more garlic than what that recipe calls for, I'm feeling pretty garlicky today.
Or, the recipe will call for apple juice and I will add Woodchuck instead for a little zing.

This is a recipe that I wrote down exactly what I changed on it, and what worked and we all enjoyed:

Note the splatter marks on the bottom. I use this recipe, not a lot, but frequently. We like it.

Don't get me wrong, I DO bake on occasion. I will make a box cake or muffins or even sometimes I will be daring and sometimes make things from scratch. I'm really good at making a personal brownie in a large coffee cup for when I want to eat just one brownie and I don't want the kids to know what I am eating. Yeah Yeah, sometimes I don't like to share. I usually end up sharing anyway.

Christmas is right around the corner! Yikes! I'd better get to baking some Christmas cookies, right? It's the traditional thing to do. I usually make cookies. I make some crinkle cookies, peanut butter blossoms, and I even make some Rolo pretzels. This year my husband wants me to make a Polish cookie that is a family recipe passed down from his mother. YIKES!!! Am I up for that?! As I prefaced earlier, I don't really enjoy baking and sometimes I don't always make the best confections. Am I really going to take on something that his mother has made for years and had that time to perfect these? The pressure is on. I don't want to mess it up and them be compared the ones his mom makes! ( which are awesome )
Why, or why must I make the Polish cookies this year? I wish there was a way to put my own flair on the cookies instead of baking being such an exact science. With savory foods I can create my own spin on them and change something to make it my own. With baking, I cannot. I will be trying to recreate something my husband has enjoyed for years! Years. He says they're his favorite and wants me to start making them now.
Oi Vey.
I will attempt them. I think I may google the cookie ( I have to go look up how to spell it first )
Maybe I will find a different version of them and add a little bit of my flair to them.
Or will I? Do I want to do that? It's a traditional family recipe! Do I dare tamper with tradition?
We shall see...

Fessing up

I'm going to fess up to something that I've been facing for the past several months, and have dealt with in the past. I'm coming clean, and I'm hoping that writing about it will help me deal.
You're reading this in anticipation, sitting on edge wondering what I'm about to confess to!
It's nothing glamorous or torrid, or anything of the sort. Fact is, its something that a lot of women deal with, and its the second time that I have.
I have PPD, or for people who aren't familiar; PostPartum Depression.

It's a depression that happens after having a baby. I'm told it can happen up to any time after delivering a baby. It happened to me when Georgia was 6 months old, and this time around the same time with Delilah.
Don't worry, if you've read the symptoms and are worried about me hurting myself or the baby -- its not like that. PPD covers a really broad range of feelings and emotions. For me its anxiety and anger, and overall feeling of mopeyness.
I knew something was wrong when the smallest, minute things would make me mad. And not just any kind of mad -- like a crazy "Hulk Smash " mad. Seriously. I felt bad for my kids and husband because the smallest things would set me off. That wasn't me. It was usually the result of anxiety building up inside of me.
When you come home from the hospital, PPD is monitored by paperwork you have to fill out when you visit your OB and when you take your infant to the Pediatrician. ( mine is, at least ) There are questions on this questionaire asking about how well you're dealing with things, if you're so sad you cry a lot, if you have trouble sleeping because you are depressed. Well some of the questions are stupid. Things are getting on top of me? Really? I have three children now and I have to clean up after them, myself and my husband. Things may occasionally get on top of me. Yes. Thanks for reminding me that I have laundry to do when I get home.
But seriously. I was never really honest when it came to those things. I never felt depressed, or sad or like hurting anyone or myself. I just felt like I was always in a state of being wound up tighter than a spring, waiting to pounce at any time. And when I did - oh boy. Do NOT be in the same room as me. It was terrible.
So, upon admitting to myself ( really hard ) that I was not getting better and the fact that I was striking fear into the hearts of those I loved, I took myself to the Dr and told her that I felt as though I had PPD.
So, I have PPD. Now what? I am getting better. I am coping quite well and do not "hulk smash" things as much anymore. I can ask for help if I need it and the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do is subsiding. I am taking some medication to help with the anxiety, but I like to regulate that on myself because I feel as though if I just ask for help when I need it and talk through what angers me, that I can pull myself out of this state I am in. Some days I don't feel like that. Some days I want to lie in bed all day long. To be truthful, some days I don't clean a thing in the house and the kids and I just watch Disney Princess movies all day. I can do better than that, though... and I will. Eventually. Let's take it one day at a time.
Don't feel bad. Because I only sometimes have pity parties for myself. I will be okay. Admitting that I wasn't right was the hardest thing for myself because I'm not one to ask for help. Asking for help was hard for me. I'm not sure why. But this time I recognized what was wrong in myself and immediately took myself to the Dr. I also asked my husband for help with things and told him I was overwhelmed. Even though he was also overwhelmed with a lot of things, he stepped into his husband and father role and it helping me quite well.
I can't imagine that there's never a time that any mom doesn't feel like she needs to lock herself in the bathroom for couple of minutes and scream into a pillow. Or is that just me? No. I have heard from other moms that they sometimes need to take a minute to regroup as well.
So, if for some reason lately you think I've been hermit-ish and lingering around my home a lot and being anti-social. Well, I have been. It's not anyone's fault. I am just dealing with things as I see fit. And taking children out by myself sometimes springs unwanted anxiety attacks. I'm not sorry. But if I have excused myself from an event or anything lately, please don't take it personally.

I actually feel better having admitted these things. For anyone else who is dealing with it and feels like they want to talk about it. Send me a message/email. Drop me a line/whatever. I heard that talking to other people with it makes things better. I actually messaged a friend recently about it and she told me the things that she was going through when she had PPD. It made me feel like I was normal, because she was feeling the same things as I was. >Phew, I'm not a Loony Toon After all! <

Stand Back! I'm About to Rant!

Warning.
The following blog contains a rant.
This isn't aimed at anyone in particular or to make anyone else upset or mad in the process. So, if you're one of the people I am ranting about, don't take it personally...
...or do....
Today we went to Kohl's to get Andy some fancy new duds. Well, not really. We had to return a belt and he needed some new khakis. I had to go and supervise to make sure that he was getting the right pair of pants. You know, wifely duties.

If you've ever been to Kohl's you will know that they have stroller/carts/stroller cart baby carrying carts in the store.
 I never take my double stroller in, the thing weighs a good amount and its a little hard to maneuver in and out of the aisles in that department store. So, I usually grab one with one kid seat in the front, or the one with two. I can fit all three off my kids in the one with two seats in the front, and I can put Delilah in the carseat on the basket in the back. It's awesome. It's the only place I can do this. So, when we went there today, Andy grabbed Delilah in the car seat because she fell asleep on the way there and we didn't want to take her out of the seat to wake her up. I had the other two girls and we were ready to get a stroller inside. There were none. No biggie. We went to the other side. There was one, but it only had a singular basket on it, and you can't put the car seat on it. So, Andy proceeded to carry Delilah, in the car seat, around the store. Delilah now weighs 19 lbs. Then there's the weight of the car seat. It starts to weigh you down after a while.
We started at the back of the store, where I had to return a belt. We made our way back up to the front of the store, and I checked again for a stroller. I watched a woman walk away with a stroller that had the baby carrier on the front ( specifically made for car seats ) She looked at me, and then Andy, and continued to walk away with the stroller. Maybe she was taking it to someone else who had a baby? ( I was trying to be optimistic about the whole thing. Andy hates it when I get into confrontations with people when he's around. Like when I get crappy with the people in the drive-thru. If I saw Thank You and they don't say anything back I get pissed and tell them that they need to say THANK YOU to customers. It makes him uncomfortable when I tell people they aren't doing their job. ) Anyways! -- The lady walked away with the baby carrying stroller. I walked to the other side of the cash stand again and found a stroller. Hazah! Andy was able to put Delilah above the basket and Georgia was able to sit in the stroller. Ellie is better about sticking right next to us than Georgia is. She has a leash because of it. Not the point, though.
We passed several people in Kohl's pushing a stroller/basket/whatever they're called, and none of them had children with them. The lady who took the one with the car seat holder - she did not have a baby to put in it, and I saw her pushing it around dangling clothes off of it. I saw that and I could feel the vein in my forehead starting to throb. But I didn't say anything. It's a little my fault. I could have taken my stroller into the store. I could have. But Kohl's offers strollers for people with children. They also offer hand held bags for people to place items into. These are for the people who do not have children. It drives me batshit crazy to see parents toting around children because there are no strollers available, due to the people who do NOT have kids pushing them around dangling clothes from them. It's all well and good for them to use the strollers when there are a large number of them still available. For the lady who saw me and my husband with three children, one of them in a car seat -- shame on you. You're lucky my husband was with me or you would have gotten an ear full. I'd say its right up there with parking in a handicapped stall and not being handicapped. You're using someone else's advantage for your own and not considering the fact that you are creating an imposition for someone else. Okay, maybe I am over reacting a bit? Am I? Yes, I have three kids and it's rough for me to tote them all around, but am I wrong that the lady should have given up the stroller when she saw that there was a baby being carried around and she didn't need it for that reason?
It's called courtesy, people. I'm going to teach it to my children.
Like opening doors and holding them for people.
Once I was going into Gordmans, pregnant as could be, holding Ellenore... I was walking behind a couple and the lady let the door slam in my face. She saw me. She commented on my daughter in the parking lot before making her way into the store.
Andy wasn't with me that day. I proceeded to tell her how rude she was.
But that's neither here nor there. Common courtesy. I'm going to teach it to my kids. Because I go batshit crazy when people don't have it, and I don't want someone to think they've grown up with their mother not teaching them to be kind to other people.

Supermom . . . ?

I don't really see myself as being a supermom. Supermom as in, one who cleans the house spotless, tends to the kids, makes a 5 course dinner, creates something, rearranges the closet, vacuums the drapery; all of this happening in one day.... whatever the definition of supermom is, I don't think that's me. I think more often that not I am more of a mess than anything else.

I am a stay-at-home mom. I have three children at home with me, ages 4, 2 1/2 and 9 months. We have a minimal daily routine. Which means that it changes a bit from day to day. Some days I make breakfast, but my 4 year old usually insists on eating cereal... with milk! Big Milk!
After Breakfast we get dressed. ( Remember, this isn't the same every day ) some days I will get the kids dressed and not dress myself, or just dress the baby. Some days Ellie won't get out of her pajamas and it isn't worth fighting her for it.
Ellie is getting pretty good about putting her dirty dishes in the sink, but Georgia is still learning.
So, there's the issue of cleaning up the table afterwards. Sometimes I do it immediately. Sometimes I put it off.
We usually play after breakfast. Unless a movie is requested. It sometimes depends on what I have going on that day, too. If I feel like I have more cleaning to do, I will request a movie for my kids so that they will sit in the living room and watch the movie for me while I clean.
Example: Yesterday I turned on Arthur Christmas so that I could go upstairs in the loft ( my bedroom ) and put away and sort through clothes, and then wrap Christmas presents. Delilah came upstairs with me and played in her pack n play. The movie attention span didn't last, and within 30 minutes they were upstairs with me, getting into things and putting on my shoes and clothes. I sent them back downstairs, and by the time I was done, the downstairs was now a complete mess. Some days I feel like I can't get ahead of them, and that all I do all day is pick up toys and clothes and socks and food all over the place.
Anyway, after this it was time to make some lunch. Again, it depends on my mood and how much of a mess I want to make because then I have to clean it up. That always determines what we eat for lunch. Yesterday we had strawberry pancakes, little egg cups I made in the cupcake pan, and bacon. I made a huge mess. It's still waiting for me to clean it up. ( I do not own a dishwasher. Okay, maybe now I feel a little more like a supermom because I don't have a dishwasher. Anyone who doesn't have one, should! )
After lunch the kids go down for a nap. Yesterday this was the exception because my parents were out of town and I had to let their dogs out to go to the bathroom. So, since it was nice out, we bundled up and went for a wagon ride up the street to where my parents live. We hung out at their house for a little bit, petting the dogs and playing with Oma's toys. By the time we got back home the kids were wound up and not ready to go to sleep. Georgia took several replacings back into her bed for her to finally fall asleep, and Delilah had to be rocked to sleep because she has now decided that naps are for chumps and will fight me to take one. It's so much fun. <- Did you get that hint of sarcasm there?
During naps I will clean something. Yesterday I waived this. I made an advent calendar for the kids instead. I am still not finished, and we will be working on it again today. The kids are going to help me. Ellie helped yesterday because she no longer takes naps. She usually helps me with a task if I ask her. Yesterday she cleaned up the mess she made while I was upstairs. To the best of her 4 year old ability, mind you. But picking up toys is within her realm of ability.
I usually am on the computer in the midst of Delilah feedings. She eats every 4-5 hours and sometimes can take up to 30 minutes to decide she wants to finish eating. While this is transpiring, I am usually ( one handed ) using Facebook or Pinterest or checking my email on my laptop.
Right now, while I am writing this, Georgia is coloring, Ellenore is playing with magnets on the fridge, and Delilah is crawling around on the floor putting the toys in her mouth. I usually can't make blogs too long because something will happen and I will need to abandon the post. There's no "drafting" the blog, either; because I will come back to it and have completely lost track of any thought. Then my post will be even more random and weird than they already are.
Yesterday I made dinner in the crock pot. Which was nice because I was able to make that calendar. I still have dishes to do from last night. I did not get all the kids' laundry put away from yesterday. I still have clothes in the dryer to get and another load to go into the washing machine. I need to dust. I should probably vacuum again today. The counter tops in my kitchen need to be wiped down and I need to take a shower myself. Did you see any time in there that I took a shower? Yeah, well, I didn't. Some days I don't make it to the shower. I'm okay with that. Unless I have to leave the house, then I will take a quick one. I usually wait until Andy comes home and he can watch the kids for me. Then I can have some time to take a shower.
While writing this blog I have :
gotten up 6 times to redirect the baby on the floor
helped Georgia with her game 9 times
told Ellie not to touch the Christmas ornaments 4 times
broken up one screaming match with Georgia and Ellie because Ellie decided she wanted to play the game and Georgia wasn't done
Is this what a supermom does during the day? I'm pretty sure I am just a normal mom with normal mom tasks and duties.
( helping Georgia with the game just went up to 11 times )
Now I've gotta go. The baby is being antsy and I have no idea what Ellenore has gotten into in the kitchen.
Now its 14 times, and counting  :)

Humbug of Christmases Past

Bah Humbug.
I used to really connect with the Scrooge Character from A Christmas Carol. Not on the mentality that I wouldn't give anyone the time or day or a cent to charity. Just in the mindset that when the Holidays rolled around, I became a giant grouch.

I used to work in retail sales. I did so since I was in high school and did until I was 27 years old.
People do it longer, but I'd say that was a good amount of time.
I think that my grouchiness of the season developed from working in retail and dealing with customers around this time of the year. Because, for some reason, people really start to get mean and cruel when you can't seem to give them what they want. They do this all the time, but more so when its Christmas time. Especially when its two days before Christmas and they've waited until the last minute. and it's your fault you don't have what they want.
There's always a reason you can't give them what they want :
1. You don't have it in stock
2. It's not an item you sell in your store
3. the promotion is over and you're no longer carrying it
etc etc etc..
For some reason it's always the sales person's fault. Being in retail sales means you also have to smile, nod, and surrender the fact that you have to agree with that customer. "Yep, I'm wrong. I'm sorry, Sir/Ma'am." ( All the while in the back of my head I am thinking: " You are SO Rude! I want to know where YOU work so I can come to your job and harass you like you are doing to me right now. jerkface... " )
Working in retail meant extended working hours that I didn't like. And ( as a manager ) working more hours and not getting paid any more. When I worked at the mall I had to contend with mall traffic and parking, which was always a nightmare. All of these goings ons lead me to be a mean grouch during Christmas time. I didn't really enjoy that time of the year. This time of the year. It's supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year!"
Well Dang it, it wasn't.

But this story has a happy ending.
I am regaining my whimsy and enjoying this time of the year more now. And I think that its due to my children. Seeing Christmas time through the eyes of a child rather than a grizzled humbug sales person has really turned me around. My kids are excited to see pretty lights and Santa. They love going to relatives houses and singing Jingle Bells. ( I am still warming up to certain Christmas songs at this point, that hasn't completely changed for me. ) My kids getting excited about this time of the year has gotten me excited for them. I like it. I like that I can give them wonderful Holiday experiences, and I can get over myself being jaded about the season.
We drove around our neighborhood the other night on the way home just so the kids could see who has lights up. The whole time they would "Oooooh and Ahhhhhh" at the lights. I seriously loved it.
Ellenore has become to understand certain things about Santa. She asked if Santa could come through our fire on Christmas Eve if we had it burning. We're going to watch The Santa Clause so that we can see all the magic about Santa. I'm excited. Wow. I just said that I am excited for something Christmas'y! I'd say the magic of the season has started to work its way back into my life. It's all thanks to my children. ( and not working retail at this time of the year anymore. )

Gender Bender

When I was pregnant with our first baby, I knew what I wanted. As far as gender goes, that it.
Everyone says " as long as the baby is healthy, we don't care." Well, yes, of course. But most people would be lying if they said that they didn't have a preference in the sex of their baby. Most people. I am not going to lie here. I wanted a boy. My husband wanted a little guy to carry on the family name and his legacy. People have said "boys are easier! Girls have more drama." Sure. I'm a girl. I think there's a LOT more to deal with than when it comes to boys. Dresses and dances, puberty, hormones, dating, hair and make-up, shoes and purses, crushes and crazes. Girls can be mean to each other, and not like boys who just punch each other and then are fine the next day. I'm over simplifying all of this, of course. This was all in my mind. If I had a girl she was going to be obsessed with princesses and ruffles and bows and tutus and all kinds of things I had no idea about ( having been a tomboy.) What was I going to do if that happened? I would be out of my element.
So, the day came for us to find out the gender of our baby. It's a Girl! -- Are You sure? -- Yep! A Girl!
We weren't disappointed. We just wanted our baby at this point, and were excited to be having a little girl. But not as excited if it had been a boy.
I knew a couple of things at this point.
1. No pink. Well, not none at all, but we were going to limit the amount of pink.
2. No crazy dresses that had so many ruffles that you couldn't even see the baby
3. No huge bows
4. No frills
5. No Princess stuff

Gosh. I was wrong. You can't predict or shape your child in this manner. They're going to like something regardless of exposure to it. Ellie was a girly girl from the start. She loved having her clothes changed. She loved being in dresses. She preferred them. I don't know how to tell you I knew, but I did. She loves having hair bows in her hair. She loved Princesses! Yikes. Out of my element. But, this isn't anything I can't handle, and in the process, have also found my inner girly girl. And I love it. I wouldn't change a thing. I love my little girl ( and now, girls ) and they are all different as can be. I have learned many things from having little girls. Such as:
I like bows
I like dresses
I like Disney Princesses.
I like pink!


I didn't know that what I actually wanted... nay, what I actually Needed was a little girl.

So, I had a baby 4 Years Ago...

My Oldest Daughter turns Four tomorrow! Four? How could this be? It seems like yesterday we brought her home from the hospital! 

:: This is a note entry I wrote on Facebook::

Ellenore Louise Grabenstetter was born November 26th, 2008 @ 12:44am. She was 19" long and weighed 6lbs .014 oz. I was 36 weeks and 5 days pregnant. For all of you who know anything about gestation and pregnancy, you will know that this is 2 days shy of being full term. ( which is 37 weeks) complete term is 40 weeks. Some people don't carry that long, others go over that amount of time. I, on the other hand, was not expecting to deliver a baby on Wednesday the 26th. So...

here's the story:

I went into work, just like any other morning. I was expecting to pull an all day shift. I was having some contractions and back pain the night before and the Dr. told me to take a bath and take it easy. Well, sure enough I went to work the next day. As I was sitting down at the computer to do my morning ritual work, I noticed a gush a fluid that was a little more that is "supposed " to come out. I assumed a little came out with standing and sitting because the baby was applying pressure to my bladder... or at least, this is what I was lead to believe by people around me who were pregnant or who had been pregnant before. But I got a little leery when this "more than normal" amount came out of me. Which means to people who have not experienced this, I left a little wet spot on my chair and on my pants. So, I called the Dr was told that they would probably send me to the hospital by a nurse. I immediately texted Andy to "come get me." He said he was on his way. Then the nurse got back on the phone and told me to come into the Dr's office so that they could do a non stress test on the baby. Well okay. I thought " they're gonna do this test, tell me that everythings fine, that I'm having Braxton Hicks and then tell me not to work 60 hours this week like I did the week before. Then I'm gonna go home and take a bath and wait another 3.5 weeks for the baby." So, I get to the Dr's office with Andy and she does the NST. This reveals that I am, indeed, having contractions. No problem, I knew that. So, then she does a pelvic exam. This was a little upsetting when I scooted towards her on the table and she said " oh my, you ARE leaking, aren't you?" So, they did an ultrasound and revealed the my  fluid level was at 7% where it needed to be at 24%. They took us back into the examining room and our midwife said she was going to go talk to the Dr for a minute and would be right back. I think this was probably about 2 minutes but felt like I stared at Andy for like 30. So, Sue ( our midwife ) came back into the room and told us that there was no reason for me to be pregnant anymore. I was in labor, my water had broken, but I was not dilating on my own... so they needed to induce labor. Wow, My head was spinning. I remember looking at Andy and both of us kinda smiled and laughed nervously. So, we got into the truck and tried to call everyone. When only my dad answered and I told him what was going on, I then texted my sister and mom " Having a Baby Today." My Mom said that she was driving her bus and had one of the girls on her bus read the text message to her... and then mom got so excited she missed the turn where she was supposed to go. :) Anyways, we got to the hospital and checked in. Our room was huge and nice and had a couch and a closet. It was cozy. This was around 4pm. I got settled in and then they started my I.V. and what not. Then the medicine to get me dilated came soon after. That was around 5pm. Contractions were minor and I couldn't feel anything at this point. They were a slight annoyance. Andy had to tell me when I was having one. Around 10pm I wanted to have a minor pain reliever to dull the pain a little bit. 30 minutes later all that did was make me throw up. at this point I was dilated to a 4 and the pain was more severe than I could deal with. Only because dealing with the back contractions were so painful that it was making me tired trying to deal with them. I told the nurse that it was more important for me to keep my strength when it came time to push, so I needed the epidural. She said that was very smart. I had the epidural at around 11pm. I then could take a minor nap; and at 11:45 the nurse came in to check me and I was dilated to a 10. I needed the pain meds for my body to relax enough for me to dilate. They then called Sue and at 12:05 I started pushing. Sue showed up around 12:20 and then by 12:44 the baby was out. I pushed around 3 times every contraction. It didn't hurt to push, I just pushed so hard that I felt like my face was going to explode. I wanted the baby out! I'm gonna say that it wasn't hard.... and I'd do it again and again if they;re all like that. She actually helped herself out. At one point, when her head was out, she was wriggling enough to make herself come out a little bit. Andy said that she came out with her eyes open, looking around at everyone. I did not witness this. I did, however, get to touch her head while that was happening. Andy watched the whole ordeal, even though he said they he wouldn't. He also cut the umbilical cord even though he said he wouldn't do that either. Our midwife said that I was made for birthing babies. The nurses and Sue said I did an excellent job and made everyone's job a little easier. I did need 7 stitches afterwards. I don't know why, but the only thing that EVER freaked me out about childbirth was the episiotomy. I don't know why. Jenny Mcarthy was freaked about pooping on the table ( which I didn't, by the way ) I was freaked about getting my gooch sliced open. Yep, I said it. I didn't have to, and I only tore a tiny bit. After Elle was born they put her right on top of me and I got to hold her. I need to put that photo up. She was so beautiful and all I could do was smile and look at her. I wanted Andy to hold her so bad because he's been waiting to touch her since the day we found out about her. He was able to feel her kick, but not in the same way I did. So, I wanted him to hold his daughter so badly. He got to. They wanted to give me the baby and I told them to let Andy hold his daughter. It was amazing. It's corny... but the two people I love more than anything... seeing that was amazing. Then I got to feed her and hold her. Then they took her away to do tests and clean her. Much after that is a blur. I was so tired and hungry at that point. I made Andy go get me a Snickers from the vending machines. :) Andy was amazing in the hospital. He changed her diapers and held her and spent the nights by my side. He brought me red roses and Elle tiny yellow ones. He's so sweet. He's a great Daddy already. He impresses me every day with how much he loves her. We both love her so much. We're now a family. The Grabenstetters. :) We're happy.

I love this little girl so much. My First baby. <3 She's our Red Head! :) 

Red Pants

I recently tried red hair again. Not like a crazy bold red or anything, and not a natural looking red like my daughter's, either. I took a bit of an auburn to my already dark hair ( yeah, I dye my hair myself ) and this created a very dark reddish/black color of hair. I wasn't so sure about it. I dye my hair to keep up with grays. Yep, I am turning 31 in 4 days and I have gray hairs. I have been getting them for about 3 years now. ( I have a four year old next Monday, isn't that coincidental? )
But Anyway, back to what I was saying...
I dyed my hair red, I was a little unsure of it. I am still in the uncomfortable phase of post-pregnancy where I question every little minute thing about my appearance. Did I over pluck my eyebrows? Do these pants make my muffin top come out? Is the red hair appropriate on me?
Well, when my hair started growing out ( and my hair grows at a rapid rate and always has ) my roots started to show and I couldn't rock the red anymore. I just can't do it. My confidence levels in myself aren't as high as they used to be.....So, I went back to my dark hair.

I guess the point of this blog is my insecurities. We all have them. If you don't, you're lying. No one is perfect, and to one's own self, they can pick apart their problems in a second.

My husband told me to clean out all of the clothes that I don't wear anymore and we can donate them. The thing is, I have a lot of clothes that I accumulated before I started having kids, and was hoping of hopes that some day I would be able to get back into those clothes. Some I do. Some I don't.
I already donated a bunch of shoes because my feet grew over the course of three pregnancies. There's no way to slim down feet back to normal. ( unless I missed the memo? )
Going through my old clothes and getting rid of many of them meant that I was kinda giving up on my old waste line.
Some of the clothes I can get rid of willingly. I don't need those old college jeans that are "low-rise" and when worn, constantly pulling them up to avoid seeing plumbing. No problem. In the bag for donation they go.
Stylish pair of red dress pants I got at the Limited when I was working wearing business professional attire daily... those are a little harder to part with. >>cringe, grasps tightly and tosses under the pile for the 10th time<<
Let me set the record straight.
I do NOT think I am fat. I'm not fat. Even when I was pregnant, I wasn't fat... I was just pregnant. I've been incredibly blessed with good genes ( thanks, Dad ) and have always been conscious to take care of myself.
What I do have is skin that has no where else to go since having three babies. It happens. I have the body of a woman who has had three babies. It's been a little worn out, stretched out, lived in. I can accept that. Well, I am in the process of accepting that.

I do not have time for the gym. I have three small children. I work on things I need to when I can, from home. I have some videos and online guides to help me with the areas of my body that I am uncomfortable with.
For now, I am will go through my clothes, toss all my old tanks tops that show a tiny bit of skin when I raise my arms, T-shirts that were fitted and are now just a little too fitted, and jeans that are too low of a rise for anyone. Those red pants in the back of my closet. I'm going to keep those. Maybe one day I will be comfortable in my mommy skin and put them back on. Or maybe I will just hold onto them as something to show my kids when they older, for them to see that at one time Mommy was stylish. Then my daughters can have them. :)
Vintage attire, right? I have shirts that belonged to my mom that are some of my favorite shirts. They are as old as I am, and I love them. Perhaps some of these items may be worth holding on to for my three daughters?

Like this dress. They may one day want it? :)

What did we do before Pinterest?

Do you have Pinterest? Do you know what this amazing internet sensation is?
This is how I can compare it best:
When I was in High School, college, etc and I liked something in a magazine that I saw, I would cut it out and place it in a binder or on my wall, locker, etc.
This is what Pinterest is, but an online version. It's like looking at everyone's boards or books or lockers and seeing all the neat things they've "cut out" to display for everyone to see. There's everything from wedding ideas, food recipes, craft ideas, designer clothes, fun things to do with your kids, cute photos of animals, the occasional E-card that makes me laugh out loud, ideas for your kids' birthday parties -- there are a million things on that site.
If you're not already a member of Pinterest, you should at least check it out. Ask someone you know if they're a member.
I am talking more to other mommies especially. I seriously have found great meal ideas on this site. The sweets alone are worth trying it out.
I have also made a couple of my own pins as tutorials or ideas for people to use.

Here's a link to a photo that I have pinned on Pinterest

There should be a warning on this website, however.
It's pretty addicting. Especially if you are hungry and looking for a good recipe. It's like shopping when you're hungry, it's never a good idea. Often times, early in the morning before I have eaten anything, I will find some amazing decadent recipes of chocolate cakes, cookies, desserts, etc... and I just keep pining all these sweet items because I'm hungry.

While looking for ideas for a Birthday party, or a baby shower or something of the sorts, I am often distracted by the enormous amounts of ideas that there seem to be on there.
If I have an agenda at first, I feel like my time is spent a little better on there. Otherwise, I spend my time all willy-nilly pinning things like a madwoman.
**Note** If you pin too many things in a small time frame, Pinterest will block you from pinning more items because they think you are spamming them.
This has happened to me.
>insert sheepish grin here<

There are some peeves I have about the website.
One is that I will pin something based on a description and photo alone, and when I go back to it to find the website it came from, its not a real link.
Or its spam. I hate that.
I always try to link my pins to something when I make them.
If you can't link the photo to a website, at least include it in the description so that someone is able to find what you are trying to get them to look at.

I think that this website is a great resource for a lot of different people.
Such as :
Photographer. It has some awesome ideas for photographers that are worth giving a shot. ( no pun intended here )
Moms. Crafts and meals and clean up remedies for around the house.
Teachers. Lesson plan ideas, art projects, printables and ideas from other teachers.
Future Brides, Bridesmaids, wedding planners. There are a lot of wedding ideas on there. Where was this when I was planning a wedding? I was cutting photos out of magazines and glueing them into a binder by category. Seriously.
Homemakers. Cleaning tips and tricks, decorating ideas, organizational tips, whatever kind of tips you can think of!
Anybody and everybody should use Pinterest.
I have a category for my husband to look at when he's on the computer. They're things I want him to see or ideas I have for him. He logs on to approve of them.

I can't say enough good things about this site and the positive influence it has had in my life as a stay at home mom and homemaker. I have come up with awesome dinners, cleaned surfaces I thought were damaged beyond repair, made myself clothing, come up with cute themes for parties, and gotten a seriously good laugh from the saying and quotes that people post.
Pinterest. You should try it.

Here's a cupcake idea I got for my Husband's Birthday from Pinterest:

Here's a Shirt I made:

Here's another shirt I made:

And here's a scarf I made:

and some food I made:

http://pinterest.com/grabenstetter/

/\ There's my Pinterest page if you want to check out any of my boards.

No TV. You Don't have TV? No.

We don't have television.
I didn't say we don't own a television, I said that we don't have TV. As in, we don't purchase cable or a satellite or anything that commands channels to our television. We don't even have rabbit ears to get the basic four. We haven't had TV since we moved into our house in 2008. It just wasn't something that was necessary for us to have. We watch a lot of movies, and DVD's that we own, and we will watch shows streaming through the internet if we want to.
For instance, tonight is Sunday and there are three shows that I would like to watch.
1. The Simpsons
2. The Walking Dead
3. Dexter
How do I get to stay on top of these shows? Well, a lot of the times, we can stream the shows from a website onto our computer, which is hooked up to our television. There's also this website called "Hulu" where you can usually watch shows on a day delay if you don't want to pay for it. Or, you can pay and watch them a little after the show airs.
We don't have television.
I don't see commercials.
I don't know what movies are coming out, who is dating whom, what songs are popular, what the new car coming out from Toyota is...
but my kids also don't see any of these things, either. They don't go spastic over seeing the new toy for Christmas this year or watch something inappropriate on a channel that's not geared for them. We didn't originally plan to not get TV for this reason, but it has worked out pretty well for us.
I hear parents say all the time that they "don't like a certain show " that their child watches. Well, I don't have that because I get to choose what my children watch, every time they watch TV. ( at my house, anyway )
I like this.
What do we watch?
There are some websites and youtube channels geared towards learning. Supersimplelearning.com
There's also the hoards of Disney movies that we have for the girls to watch.
My kids watch the Simpsons. Yes, they watch the Simpsons and even though its not geared for them, they will beg to watch it. We enjoy it as well, so its a win-win when we get to all enjoy something as a family.
With all that being said, I don't spend my time in front of a TV screen watching shows all day/night.
Nor do my children. I cannot tell a lie here, though. I will sometimes use the TV as a babysitter and put on a movie I know the kids will watch all the way through so that I can get things done around the house. And I will, however, some days sit in front of a computer screen heavily addicted to finding something spectacular to make for dinner on Pinterest.
I need to write a blog about Pinterest. Maybe tomorrow...

Want, Need, Wear, Read

I have three children.
I never thought I would have three children.
Don't get me wrong, I have always seen myself becoming a Mommy and having kids, but I never pictured three kids in my future. I think two was it because most people have two kids. You know, the two kids and a dog rule? I come from a family of two kids and two dogs, so I just assumed I would always have two kids. Then I started dating my husband... who wants to bring a small army into this world. He is an amazing father and husband and provides for us everything that we need so that I am able to stay at home with our children. ( Ages 4 on November 26, 2 years  and 8 months )
Kids aren't cheap. This is why people don't have a small army of them.
We have three girls, I see them being more expensive in the future than if we had 3 boys. I wish I had saved my prom dresses now. I could have told them that "vintage" is in, right?
So, Christmas is coming and we have three small children. TOYS!
Last year we accumulated 13 Barbies. Wow. That's a LOT of Barbies. Among other toys and books and clothes and what nots, we brought home a LOT of "stuff" from relatives and our own home.
That's going to get expensive at some point, for everyone. So, while Pinterest-ing one day I found a little saying for Christmas that goes :
" Something they want. Something they need. Something to wear. Something to read"
Excellent! This is a GREAT Idea! So, I have passed it onto the grandparents as well and given them each their own lists. It looks something like this:

Dear Santa, 
I want ----------------
I need ---------------
I'll wear --------------
I'll read ---------------
and I really, really want 
-----------------------
Love, 
( Insert child's name here ) 

I feel like this will go over well and not break the bank every Christmas with our small army of children. I wanted to share this, because Christmas really isn't about "stuff" anyway. So, keeping it to a minimum will help with the expectation of having ten million presents under the tree every year.
We also did this with ourselves. ( the adults ) to our parents. Because my mom told me that if I still believed in Santa that I would still get presents from Santa under the tree at my childhood home.
I DO believe in Santa.. after all, I am Santa now.
--that's a completely different blog, realizing that I am now Santa?---

Halloweenie Family

Halloween.

We LOVE Halloween. We love Halloween so much that my husband and I got married on Halloween.
Who doesn't like dressing up and pretending to be someone/something else? I don't know anyone who have never done this, even as children. My kids love dressing up. Love it. I love it. So, Halloween is our Christmas. This year my kids ( Well, the oldest one ) decided that we were going to go as Monsters, Inc for Halloween. Awesome idea! I was all for it. Now, who to be?
If you haven't seen Monsters, Inc you should, right now, open a different browser window and attempt to view it/google it/youtube it. Because if you do not, the following really is going to make you lost.

There are several characters that play a large role in the movie. The most popular are :
Sully
Mike
Boo ( Boo can be Boo as a human or Boo as a Monster ) We chose Boo as a human

There are the bad guys:
Mr Waternoose
Randal

There are some supporting cast members:
Celia
Roz
Abominable Snowman
George
Teenage Monsters

Who were the players in our household? Ellie, my oldest, determined who was going to be each character. She was going to be Celia, Georgia, my middle babe, was going to be Boo. Then Delilah, the baby, was going to be Mike. Daddy could be Sully and mommy could be Roz. This was a great idea.

They no longer make Monsters, Inc costumes in the stores. It's an older Pixar movie, and not really that popular anymore. Definitely won't beat out Toy Story for popularity at this point. ( but wait for Monster University by Pixar, it will make a comeback ) So, that meant that I had to make everyone's costumes. Boo was easy.

I put Georgia's hair in pigtails, got some purple leggings and a "too big" T-shirt and viola! We already owned the monster doll from the movie. This was by far the easiest costume to make.
Next I tackled Sully, my husband. I purchased a monster hat from the local Spirit Halloween store and then he was transformed into Sully!

You can also see me here in this photo. I'm Roz - the "turns out to be the head of the CDA in the end and is posing as a Monsters, Inc employee the whole time" lady with a raspy voice. I had some glasses already, so I just cut some old mardi-gras beads up and attached then to the glasses. I wore a cardigan, teased my hair, and added some pouty lipstick and a mole. Roz.
She's constantly asking Mike if he filed his paperwork last night. He didn't.
Speaking of Mike Wazowski:

There is Baby Delilah. I painted a Mike Eyeball and mouth on a big green long-sleeved shirt. I found the hat at Target. She also had on some slipper socks that had blue toes. Super adorable, super appropriate.
by far the hardest person in the fam to make a costume was Ellie. She wanted to be Celia, Mike's girlfriend. Celia has snakes for hair.

This is Celia. Nothing I could do for the one eye - but I painted some Squooshy snakes purple and attached them to a headband. I cut sleeves off a "too-big" T-shirt and put some tulle around the collar. I also drew some scales on the dress with a sharpie. I put a swirlie snake on the back to imitate her hair a little better, and to balance it on her head. I also cut up some purple tights ( heavy ones ) and sewed a thumb hole in them to she had "mitten-hands." Like Celia does. She wore the same tights on her legs.

She was so happy.

So there we are! Happy Halloween from Monsters, Incorporated! We Scare Because We Care!