I need to FIRM UP!

Today was a tough one, I was mentally drained...
A school tour with the kids (solo as a parent), and they both wanted me to hold them. Hard to listen! :)
Looking at houses...went to 2 with the kids. The first, Henry cried because there was a dog and Sophia cried because there was a cat...both very friendly. Non stop crying, Sophia, you were feeding off of Henry I think. Henry, you cried the ENTIRE time and the dog couldn't have been friendlier...
Went to Nordstrom's for lunch with the kiddies...
Home for a nap for Henry, I packed and Sophia, you sat with me while I packed.
Cleaned the house, did 4 loads of laundry (we are potty training you Sophia for night time...)
Henry awake from nap and then off to Target.
So tired but...tomorrow Mexico, yippee!

My lesson of today hit home hard...I always feel like I am fairly firm with you kiddies but as I was packing with Sophia, she kept asking and asking and asking if she could watch tv...

I was trying to pack and I kept saying , ‘no’…finally after the 3^rd or 4^th time of whining/asking I said, ‘fine’. She THEN said, ‘mom, why did you say no then? Why did you say ‘no’ and then say ‘yes’??’ I guess I need to start sticking to my guns!

What a relaxing weekend...finally!

Life has been quite busy lately so it was so nice to enjoy a relaxing weekend with nothing to do!

Bedtime for Bophie...


We always love lunch at the Cricket!


The playoff game begins, Packers vs. Bears, 1st quarter, Bears down 12 - 0...


Bears down 21 - 0...

Parent helper days are always so fun...

...but so tiring! I was parent helper in Sophia's school today. Our morning was spent reading, painting, playing with playdough, singing hickity pickity, cleaning up, eating a yummy snack of parm fishies, craisins and bananas...and then wanting to lay down and take a nap (which I didn't do).


After naps the snow began to fell... I desperately need to get to the store but alas, we stayed at home and played 'fort' (until Henry hit his head entirely too many times) and then cars and trucks.

Monday Monday...da daa da da da

We had a wonderful weekend, nice and relaxing is all we want these day :) I had to share this picture of Dad and Henry making breakfast...this is one of Henry's favorite places to be, he just likes to belly-up to the counter to help either me or Cecil. As you can see he likes to bring his truck too which does pose a bit of a space problem...



A busy morning today, in light of MLK day we had no school. I took the kids to the gym so I could get in an early morning workout as well as enjoy our staple smoothie from Patty which was delicious as always. Then off to the park for some 'warm-er' weather swing, slide and overall play time. It was a tad chilly for me personally and as you can see, for Henry as well :)

"Don't cry about it"

This is what my daughter said to me today while playing Candy Land...she drew the gum drop card AGAIN. I must say the girl wins 90% of the games...I very well may cry about it!

Here we are though at the end of the week and I can say that now I am happy to play a game of Candy Land. Sophia has had quiet time in her room for at least an hour a day for the past 4 days and it is heavenly, I finally have a little 'me' time again.

Meanwhile, Henry and I hit the stores early this morning and he was happy to be the hood ornament to my cart.

Happy Weekend!

If I hadn't been in the water myself...

...I would have taken a picture of the kids during their first swim lesson at Starfish!

They both had such a great time. I was indeed nervous about Sophia but she was great. Happy as can be and I believe secretly excited all along...perhaps a smidge cautious until she knew what she was getting into with this swim lesson.

In my quest for a 'no tears' lesson, I promised them (specifically Sophia) lunch at the Cherry Cricket. She was so proud, I even overheard her tell her teacher where she was going for lunch.

I am sure it helped that I was in the water with Henry. He did great as well!  A bit hesitant but understandable...even went under water 3 times, go Henry! After those few times though he would wave his hand in front of his face, furrow his eyebrows and say, 'noooo face...'. No more water in your face little man...until next week that is! ;)

I was so proud of my kiddies...we celebrated a successful day with lunch at the Cricket as promised and some yogurt/ice cream at Yogurt Guru, another fam fave...

Hard to say 'sorray'...

In the midst of Henry trying to take Sophia’s “soup” from her, a dual meltdown ensued and Henry had to sit on the stairs for one minute... I went into the kitchen and a few minutes later, Henry rounded the corner in his fire hat and said, “sorray mommay (as he likes to say)” and wrapped his arms around me and said, “huggie” and then gave me a kiss. Wow, at the ripe old age of 23 months he either knows how to work me over or melt my heart…perhaps both all at the same time.

Some much needed 'mom' time...

My lovely daughter gave up her afternoon naps quite a while ago. While I love nothing more than spending some quality one on one time together with my kiddies...I need to find a way to get SOME things done without getting caught up in an hour long game of candy land.

Today help arrived when she was so sad with me for saying I needed some 'mom time' in order to send one email, she cried herself to sleep...for 15 minutes :)