Thursday, July 09, 2009

Photo Story Friday and The Toddler

I have always liked my two year olds. Granted, Evie has discovered her shrieky voice, and is still practicing her tantrum talents, but I fully admit to enjoying this stage.

I like the stuff that comes with toddlerdom. It's both entertaining and gratifying as a mom to watch the growing and the learning and the discovering that comes with this age.

But as long as I'm admitting things, I'll tell you that I could have done without Evie's recent milestone.

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I may have blocked it out, but I don't remember Isaac OR Gracie figuring out how to open the fridge this early.

Anyone know where I can get a good lock?

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Then copy the code below into your post and sign the Our Blurbs Guest List.
<center><font size="-2"><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank" alt="Photostory Friday"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfws.jpg" alt="PhotoStory Friday" border="0"></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</a><p/></font></center>


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Thursday, July 02, 2009

Photo Story Friday and You Write The Captions

This week, my normally unorganized, scattered brain is working on fumes. And when I say working, I mean barely.

It's rotten when you are reminded at four in the morning several nights in a row that you've passed the insomniac gene on to all three of your kids.

So. This week for PSF we're going to play a game. A game where you do most of the work for me. Are you all enthused about this idea? Because I SO am!

The other day, as I was discovering my adoration for the action setting on my new camera boyfriend, the kids humored me. They spent the better part of the afternoon running and flipping and diving into our cheesy blow up pool while I snapped away.

Oh, I had fun (three shots per second makes me giddy)! I'm fairly certain they did too (even though Gracie did eat grass).

But, since my brain is oatmeal at the moment and I can't come up with any brilliant captions of my own, I'm leaving it up to you to add the story to these shots. I have complete faith that you will come up with winners.

And speaking of winners...for helping me out, TWO of you (chosen at random) will win some totally awesome Fishful Thinking swag courtesy of yours truly and the good folks at Pepperidge Farm. Fabulous.

So...caption them.


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PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Then copy the code below into your post and sign the Our Blurbs Guest List.


<center><font size="-2"><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank" alt="Photostory Friday"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfws.jpg" alt="PhotoStory Friday" border="0"></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</a><p/></font></center>





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Tuesday, June 30, 2009

WordFUL Wednesday and Pool Tricks

What happens when you miscalculate...


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by the smallest fraction of an inch...


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and your mom takes pictures of everything.

For more WordFUL Wednesday participants, check out Angie and her Circus.

P.S. She wasn't hurt. At all. In fact, she laughed.

In case you were worried.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Photo Story Friday and Climbing The Tower

Since she was a tiny person, Gracie has been a bit of a dare devil. A climber. An adrenaline junkie.

A few years ago, after an interesting discussion about swinging and the possibility of flight, she breathlessly informed me that,

"Mom, two of my most favoritest things are fast and high."

I totally knew that already.

So when midway through a leisurely walk in a local nature conservancy on Monday, this tantalizing tower came into view...

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I all but could guarantee what was coming next.

Heart palpitations, cold sweats, swallowed shrieks and camera clicks.

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Similar to the way I deal with Evie and her tantrums, having a white knuckle grip on my camera eases a little of my stress about having a 7 year old who refuses to stay on solid ground.

But not much.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Then copy the code below into your post and sign the Our Blurbs Guest List.
<center><font size="-2"><a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com/2007/06/iphone.html" target="_blank" alt="Photostory Friday"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc50/whatworksforus/pfws.jpg" alt="PhotoStory Friday" border="0"></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://whatworksforus.blogspot.com" target="_blank">MamaGeek</a><p/></font></center>


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P.S. In case she forgets to link up today, check out MG. Prepare to do some squealing!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Photo Story Friday and Comfort Objects

I've said before that of the three small people who live in this house, Evie is by far the best sleeper.

Lately, however, in order for her to get to that point, she has become a rather demanding little task master.

Before she can settle into her two year old dreamworld, whether its for the night or just a nap, she requires that I run all over the house frantically searching for the following (and most of you know me well enough to know that I actually DO have to hunt for this stuff every time...) items:

one pillow (a very flat one with the pillow case that Gracie decorated a few years ago)

two blankets (one can be random, but the other MUST be an old burgundy fleece thing that she drags everywhere and calls her Beeeeeee)

one stuffed bear (that she swiped from Gracie, who is still fairly bitter)

two Dora action figures (what would YOU call them? Plastic dolls?)

four to five books (three of which are specific titles that cannot be substituted)

and nine times out of ten, her shoes. On her feet (last week she wore a pair of pink sandals for three days straight...even when she bathed. Good thing they were waterproof). If they aren't on her feet, sometimes she puts them on her hands.
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Now, say what you like about me giving into her demands and spoiling her...I've said it all to myself as I dart all over the house like a crazed lunatic looking for Touch and Feel Farm and that mangy fleece blanket...

But.

I'll be honest.

If that kid continues to sleep through the night (for the most part, anyway), I'd let her snuggle with the broom, a cantaloupe and a box of crayons if she asked.
Photo Story Friday
1. scrappysue28. Chronicles Of A Mommy
2. Cecily R @ MCMB29. Holly at Tropic of Mom
3. Lauren @ Snellings Stories30. Corey~livingandlovin
4. Saz aka FFF31. Steph
5. Maggie May32. Zach @ Our Blurbs
6. Emily @ Powell Power33. CrazyMama
7. Straight to Your Hart34. Sports Mama
8. Lauren @ Snellings Stories35. Carissa {Peony In Love}
9. Carrie Keiser MT36. CoffeeJitters
10. Following In My Shoes37. Newlyweds (Veggie Garden)
11. Chris38. A Silly Little Sparrow
12. Kellan39. Lisa@Click!
13. Lisa40. Deb - Mom of 3 Girls
14. tommie41. Spoiled Mommy
15. HG42. Lisa (Jonnysmommy)
16. Honey Mommy43. Amy (Kid Infused Decorating)
17. Mom24@4evermom44. caRANTit
18. LIVE. Laugh. Pull your hair out45. Leslee @ Phillips 101
19. david mcmahon46. kaye
20. david mcmahon47. Karin
21. Photos by Tammy48. Lindsay @ The Nutshell
22. abjacabjacal kris49. Kimberly, Mama of growing kids!
23. Tink *~*~*50. One Crafty Mama
24. Izzy N Emmy51. Karen MEG
25. Lisa @ C & C World52. Jen@HappilyEverAfterLand
26. pamepoo53. Kelli @ writing the waves
27. Momisodes54. Cafemommy

P.S. I haven't heard from Mama Geek this week, so let's hope that means she's snuggling two healthy babies at this very moment.

Oh, and one more thing...this is Our Blurb's first run so if you have trouble signing in, shoot me an email or let me know in the comments. Thanks oodles. You're all RAD.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Photo Story Friday and A Hundred Years of Rain

It's been raining here for what feels like the last hundred years. Normally, I am a huge fan of summer storms. There's just something dreamy and poetic about sloshing through puddles and the way colors in nature are more pronounced and clear after a warm rain.

But, there isn't much as far as after is concerned lately. It just keeps raining. I think my brain--and my patience--are getting waterlogged.

So today I'm going to pretend a little. Pretend that the rain, even after a hundred years of it, is still dreamy and poetic. And that it inspires something in me other than grumbles and short temper.

A dreamy photograph...

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And a summer poem...

BEDTIME ROUTINE

In the moonlight
that comes through
blinds that whip and crash
in summer breezes,
there is comfort.

I listen to the blue
shadows and
sink into
a cool simplicity
covered by a cotton sheet
and your draped arm.

The hum of
a fan on its
last leg and muffled
snores are my
grown up lullaby.


PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign Sir Linky. Please note the Linkster is having issues, so you'll need to click on the graphic below to sign in.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Photo Story Friday and Tantrums

Over the last week or so, Evie has been in intense training. Learning the Art Of The Tantrum.

Clearly, she's mastering her craft.


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Generally speaking, these lovely little tantrum sessions are fairly short. If you want the truth, most of them (as in the case of the particular rant I caught in that picture) leave me biting my lip and forcing myself not to laugh out loud at the kid.

Most of them.

The past few days though, we're both tired. She's tired of me not understanding her two year old demands and I'm tired of...well, I'm tired.

I'm thinking it's a really good thing summer officially starts tomorrow around here. She and I need backup. In the form of a big brother.

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P.S. I don't condone laughing at your kids when they are really frustrated. Honest, I don't. But seriously, that face? That drool? Those tiny fists? It made me laugh.

And. She was mad at me because the tree swing was in the back yard instead of the front, so really, what could I do? You know, other than grab my camera and snort while I let her scream it out...

In the future, I promise we'll do more frustration jigging (a fabulous Fishful Thinking method) and I'll do less giggling behind my hand. Pinky swear.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign Sir Linky. Please note the Linkster is having issues, so you'll need to click on the graphic below to sign in.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

WordFUL Wednesday and The Winner

"Hey Isaac. I need your help."

He shuffled into the kitchen, assuming that what I needed was something he'd rather not do.

"Huh?"

With my camera (my New Boyfriend) ready I said,

"I need you to act weird. And pick a name out of that bowl. While I take pictures of it."

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It's nice having a kid who accommodates me and this blog so willingly.

Congratulations Tiffany! You win the super awesome kitchen set from the super awesome folks at All Children's Furniture!!

Incidentally, Tiffany's blog Gillar Girl is one to take a peek at. It's one of those that just makes me feel gooey and happy whenever I visit.

AND for more WordFUL Wednesday participants, check out Angie's 7ClownCircus(another gooey and happy blog).

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Photo Story Friday and The Pause Button

There are times when I look at my children and I wish I had a pause button. The moments are never really perfect--what moments in real life ever are--but they dance on the edges of perfection. It's in those glimpses of perfection that I wish I could stop time.

When I became a mother I expected those feelings. People told me about them. The second Isaac was handed to me in the stiff striped blanket in the hospital I felt that need to pause. It was the same with Gracie and Evie.

Milestones. Laughter. Silliness. Stillness. Pause.

It is for that precise reason that I am looking forward to the lazy days of Summer. While I am fully willing to admit that by the time school starts (and likely for the month before) I will be more than ready for it, for now, it truly appeals to me.

Sleeping late. Outside meals. Sandy toes. Warm nights. Pause.

Or at least, slow down.

Some people in this house may be intent on getting bigger and growing up, but I intend to savor the next few months as much as I can.

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Even if the only tools in my arsenal are Popsicles, a camera and my ability to take drippy towels and waterlogged kids with a grain of salt.

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


To play PhotoStory Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign Sir Linky:

Please note Sir Linky is currently under construction, so you'll need to click on the graphic below to sign in.




Oh, and one more thing: Don't forget to enter the super RAD giveaway from All Children's Furniture in the post below. Who can resist the possibility of winning your very own play kitchen?

Monday, May 25, 2009

The Rock Exhibit and The Giveaway

When I was about seven, my grandpa made me a bed. I'm not completely certain how it really happened, but my memory of it is that he and my grandma drove from Utah to Texas with it strapped to the roof of their car. I have a very clear visual of Grandpa presenting it to me in the driveway next to the mimosa tree in the front yard.

It wasn't fancy--really it was just a box big enough to fit a twin sized mattress--but I LOVED it.

A year or so later, I turned that box bed into a museum.

While my parents were out and my brother was babysitting, I convinced (her memory is that it wasn't that hard to talk her into it) my sister to help me pull the mattress out and we filled the box with our rock collection. Which was mostly a gravel collection, but it was big and I was proud of it.

Anna and I organized the rocks into groups and we made tiny plaques with the rock names on them (most of them made up) for the visitors that I was SURE would come.

You have no idea how proud I was of our work. When my parents came home, they were flabbergasted. Not everyone comes home from a date to find a museum in their house.

My mom and dad were probably annoyed. Or mad even. I remember them being impressed.

Whatever they really were, they let us keep our exhibit and we slept on the floor the entire Summer that year.

So what does this have to do with The Giveaway up there in the title?

Well, the good people at All Children's Furniture have agreed to sponsor a giveaway here at MCMB, and they actually SELL a kind of gussied up version of my rock exhibit bed.

Just looking through their merchandise makes me feel all gooey about the time I spent parading my neighborhood friends in front of my rock museum.

So what are we giving away (don't you just wish I would stop reminiscing with myself and tell you already)? Well, along with kids furniture, All Children's Furniture sells TOYS. And since I am all about good, open ended toys, I have to say I am a little jealous that this little goodie will be shipped directly to the winner's home...



According to the site: this little wood stove and oven is just the appliance for the beginner chef who wants to cook up quick meals like fried eggs and pizza and other culinary delights. The 30-piece kitchen play set includes pots and pans, sliceable veggies and bread, utensils, and even salt and pepper. The slide-together pieces make assembly a snap. Ideal for children ages 3 and up. Retail Value: $69.99!

So what do you have to do to enter? Go to All Children's Furniture. Look around. Then come back and tell me something that catches your eye in a comment. That will get you one entry.

Follow me for a second entry (or tell me in your comment that you are already a follower). For additional entries, blog about this lovely giveaway, twitter about it or link it up on Facebook.

So I think, and my math is rotten so I could be wrong, that gives you five entries. Potentially. The contest will run from today, May 25th to Monday June 1st at midnight. I'll announce the winner on Wednesday the 3rd.

Just imagine. Maybe you will fall in love with their version of my childhood box bed. And then maybe YOUR kid will make it into a museum. Or something equally as flabbergasting and fabulous.