Life with a 3 year old

Ty, while playing with his cars on the floor: "Miska, mooska, Mickey Mouse!"

Damn, he's smart.  He's only seen that show maybe twice.

What I'm Thankful For (Belated)

1. My apple pie was damn good.

Thanks to my friend Rebecca, who reassured me that no, I do not have to boil apples.

2. The weather was nice, so we played outside on the deck.

3. I only have one in diapers now.

It's been a good weekend. :)

I'm a horrible cook

Me: "I'm going to make an apple pie this year for Thanksgiving!"
Husband: "That's a pretty big undertaking.  Are you sure?"
Me: "Yeah!"
Husband: "But you haven't even boiled the apples yet."
Me: (Pause) "Wait, you have to boil the apples first?"

Yeah, to hell with that.  We're having pumpkin pie and raw apples instead!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Holiday Wish List

For the kids:

Educo wooden kitchen, from Amazon.

Kids Vans for Ty

Some Tiny Toms for Lily

A quilt for Lily's big girl bed (she'll move into it sometime in the summer, when Thrice occupies the crib.)

A Little Red Wagon, to put their books in.

Like this.

And for me:

Ceramic mugs

A mug tree

And some Minnetonka moccasin boots.  Yes, please.

Not quite sure what to get yet for the hardest man ever to shop for.

All pictures via my Pinterest. 

Fries

Ty: "I have some of your fries?"
Me: "Sure buddy, go for it."
Ty: grabs a handful and takes them back to the couch to watch his movie.

This is all after he stuck a Smartie candy up his nose.

3rd birthday

My baby boy big boy turned 3 this past Saturday.

We surprised him with a train table and train set.  He was a big fan.  He played with that thing for a good 10 hours, and wouldn't even stop for a nap (damn it).  I had to deliver his food to him...but it was his birthday, so he could be selfish for one day.

He even got to play with it all by himself, without little sister...which meant that I was constantly pulling her off of the table.  

I even got all domestic, and made cupcakes.

I should obviously never be a cupcake artist.  Or a baker.  While the cream cheese frosting rocked (probably due to the stick of butter and 2-3 cups of powdered sugar) the cupcakes themselves were a little suspect.  The kids didn't seem to mind, and Steve had a couple too, but they just tasted off to me.

Ty's actual birthday party is next Saturday.  I delayed it by a week to allow Steve time to finish laying down the deck and clean up the backyard.  I'm glad I did, not only because it's not finished, but because I didn't feel much like celebrating.  I got some pretty devastating news Friday within my circle of college friends, which hit me hard.  So I was content just to sit home and watch my kids play with the train table and scarf down cupcakes.  I don't think they minded at all.

Don't judge me

It's time I confessed something.

Something I've tried to keep secret for far too long.

Something only a couple of my closest friends may know.





I like the "Twilight" series.

I've tried to deny it, even to myself!  I've made excuses for why I read all the books, and have watched all the movies (in my defense, only one was in the theater).  (And honestly, if I wasn't so embarassingly excited about "Breaking Dawn," I would skip watching that one in the theater, too.  I don't like listening to screaming fan girls...and fan women.)

For god's sake, I'm almost 30 years old.  I'm a feminist.  I'm cynical.  I HATE Valentine's Day, and my husband and I never celebrate it.  Why is it that I like to read about sparkly vampires and the weepy chick who loves them?

Don't get me wrong.  I think the writing is atrocious.  Bella is a horrible role model for young girls.  I think Kristen Stewart is mediocre at best, and I'm not attracted to Robert Pattinson (well, unless he's using his real British accent.  But that's not saying much, as I'm attracted to anyone with a British accent.)

But damn it, it's entertaining.  And I've already made plans with a friend to see "Breaking Dawn" over Thanksgiving weekend.  Though I may be wearing sunglasses and a fedora when I sneak into the theater, lest anyone spot me.

And even though I'm finally admitting this shameful secret, I will continue to make fun of the series and post things on Pinterest like this:

All pictures courtesy of Pinterest.


Now, I think "Twilight" is on FX.  I'm going to go curl up in bed with some insecure humans, sparkly undead creatures and peanut M&M's.

The Red Lipstick Challenge

A few weeks ago I came across something called The Red Lipstick Challenge.  It originated on the blog Fox in Flats (see link for more info).  Basically, she challenged readers to wear red lipstick, all day long, for 7 days.  I was game, so I did it.

I wore it to school.  I wore it to the park.  I wore it to the pumpkin patch.  I wore it for my daughter's first birthday party.  I wore it to drop my parents off at the airport.  I wore it on a trip to Whole Paycheck Foods.  I even wore it around the house, while watching college football (go Dawgs!)

(I actually thought I had taken more pictures, but apparently not.  Oh well, just take my word for it!)

It was really fun!  I found that if I applied it with a lip brush, it was just enough color that I didn't feel like a cabaret act.  I used a couple of different colors: Revlon's Colorstay Liquid Lipstick in Top Tomato, and Maybelline's Red Revival.  I liked the staying power of Revlon, but the color of Maybelline.  I've still been rocking the red on occasion-- it definitely jazzes up a boring jeans and t-shirt combo!

Halloween Costumes (On the Cheap)

I love Halloween.  Looove it!  I love the scary movies on TV (though I don't watch them), the candy, the days getting shorter, the chill that sometimes exists in the air here in south Texas.  And I love Halloween parties and taking the kids trick or treating.

Unfortunately, this year I have class on the night of Halloween, so no trick or treating (not that my kids will miss it; they're really too young to get the concept anyway).  So the only "Halloweeny" thing we did was going to a party with the playgroup we're in.  And since that was the only event, I didn't want to spend money on costumes.

So here's how to make fun costumes from the clothes you already have!

Punky Brewster

Pigtails, rolled jeans, a bandana and mismatched shoes-- DONE.  But I'm kicking myself for not having an awesome jean vest for her, or two different Converse shoes.

Clark Kent

Superman shirt peeking out of a button down shirt.  Add some glasses (these were sunglasses with the lenses popped out).  DONE.

Hipster

Sadly, I own all the pieces that make up a "hipster" costume.  Converse, check.  Skinny jeans (yes, even maternity ones), check.  Cardigan, of course.  Hipster glasses, is there any other kind?  Fedora, yes, for the bad hair days.  Ironic mustache?  Drawn on by the hubs, faded after hand washing.

Even though that was our one and only Halloween party this year, we had a great time!

Life with a 2 year old

A banana in the back of James's cart.

After a brief hiatus, I'm back!

Ty is laying with his head on my lap watching "Dino Dan" before bed.  My god, it's the cutest thing ever!  And he loves when I scratch his back.  If I stop, he says, "More, Mommy!" and moves my hand back.  A child after my own heart.

So in the month that I've been gone (meaning, studying like crazy, working on presentations and final exams, and reading all about the wonderful world of multicultural counseling and counseling theories and techniques), the kids have been getting cuter.  Here's proof.

First day of college football

Go Dawgs!

Ty's new time out spot...just kidding!

Double fisting milk and water/juice

Some post-nap reading

Lily turned 1!  (Cake by Sweet Karma)

My first graduate school quarter is over!  I think I know how I did grade-wise, but I'm not going to say anything until I know for sure.  And I get a nice, long break of 5 days before the next quarter begins on Monday. :)  I think I'm handling it well taking two classes a quarter.  Here's hoping I can still handle it when this next baby pops out in March...and here's hoping I don't pop out the baby during class!

The obligatory post

Where were you when...

JFK was assassinated?
The space shuttle Challenger exploded?
9/11 happened?

The first, not even a twinkle in my 2 year old mother's eyes.  The second, I was 3 1/2 years old, probably at Miss Brenda's play school.

The third, I was 19 years old, a sophomore at Agnes Scott College.  Brushing my teeth before class, my roommate called to me from our room down the hall.  I walked back and saw what was happening.  We watched for awhile, then left to walk to class.  I stopped in the art building to watch for a minute on the small TV there, and continued to the dance center.  I slung jazz hands for an hour, then watched again from the art center as one of the towers fell.  I ran to the student center, where the majority of the students gathered to watch the events unfold.  I clustered with friends.  I called my parents.  I cried.  I went to sociology class, where we discussed what had happened.  I went to some friends' apartment, had some drinks, watched the news more.  Classes and CNN are what occupied my time for about 2 weeks.

So yeah, I remember where I was. 

Life with a 2 year old

This morning
Me: "Ty, can I have a hug?" (arms spread wide)
Ty: (Not even looking at me.)  "No."

5 minutes ago
Me: "Ty, what are you doing?"
Ty: "Playing with nose."

I walk in to the playroom to find a pencil stuck up his nose (eraser end, not pointy end).

I'm sure there will be many more to come.

Also, an update to my last post: I got a B.  Thanks professor, for curving the grade a little and having those bonus questions!  Tricky little bugger, he was so damn specific on the questions that I got one wrong because one of the answers said "refers to" in the sentence instead of "defined as."

Daily Challenge

I'm stressed about the first test I took for grad school.  It was last Tuesday.  I studied hard all weekend, during the week, and right before it.  I reviewed, took notes, re-read the chapters.  I took the multiple choice test, and felt confident.  I even answered the optional bonus questions.

I'm fairly certain that I failed.

After turning in our tests, the professor went over the answers with us.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that many of the questions I felt so confidently about were trick questions.  Imagine the class outrage when we all discovered that because of these trick questions, the majority of us failed.  We bitched about it during the dinner break, then resigned ourselves to the fact that at least now we know what to expect.  But I was still angry.  All of my hard work for a test that I failed.  And it wasn't that I didn't know the answer.  I did.  I felt GOOD.  And it was still wrong.

My confidence was really shaken that night.  I started doubting myself, my decision to enter grad school while parenting 2 (soon to be 3) young children, even my ability to read and interpret information on multicultural counseling, a topic I am extremely excited to learn more about.  Almost a week later I'm still stressed about it.  I can't read this professor.  He contradicts himself a lot, and we have to second guess a lot of what he's said.  I like him, but as a professor he frustrates me.

I have a midterm in my other class this week.  We get to take in 3 pages (front and back) of notes.  This professor told us a little about what to expect, what to really look over, and the format (short essay form-- whew!  Thank you, Agnes Scott College!)  But for all of my calmness and confidence about the last test, I'm freaking out over this one.  I've been really shaken up by my last failure.

I wrote all of this as part of a Daily Challenge website that I use.  I get a daily email of something to do, like an exercise or becoming aware of something health-wise, and complete it.  I don't complete every challenge, but I do what I can.  I chose to do this one somewhat publicly because I think it's important to face mistakes head on.  Yes, I made a mistake with the last test.  And I'm hoping I can learn from it.

Besides, I got the two bonus questions right. :)

It makes me a better mother

Yesterday, I dropped the kids off at a Mom's Day Out program.

5 hours, all to myself!

I met with my academic advisor, ran around trying to find a nap mat for Ty (before his nap time of noon), and drove back to the church to deliver it.  I met Steve for lunch, picked up some diapers for the kids, and finally hit up the massive Borders liquidation sale.

(Great selection of fiction, but not of anything else.  The kid's section is cleaned OUT.)

By the time I picked up the kids, I was exhausted.  But I was so excited to see them.  We played and hung out on the couch.  Lily took a late afternoon power nap (she didn't nap much during the day, apparently).  I was so patient with them.  Ty's whining and new-found defiance didn't bother me as much.  I was calm and collected, and could laugh at their ridiculousness, rather than get frustrated.  When Ty didn't want to eat dinner, I said "OK," and left it out for him in case he changed his mind.  I didn't yell or get angry.  I told him that he could eat dinner when he was ready, or wait for his bed time snack, his choice.

It's amazing what a little break can do.  Some parents are cut out for spending all day, every day with their kids, and not getting frustrated.  They do crafts and have fabulous adventures.  I'm not that type of mom.  I love spending time with my kids, don't get me wrong.  We color, read, run errands, play with friends, go to the park.  I also love spending time with ME.  When I get a little break from them, it makes me a better mother. 

(It will also make me a better student-- that time is usually going to be spent working on class assignments and studying for tests!  I have a midterm next Wednesday, and my 5 hours of alone time Tuesday will be spent compiling my 3 pages of open book notes for that.)

All in all, it was a great day for all of us.

Well, maybe not all of us.  While Ty skipped off without a backward glance when I dropped him off, Lily wailed and reached out for me.  Sorry, baby girl!

FINALLY got a shot of her being still.

Of course wearing a "Cars" shirt.

Fun Times

Last week I faced my fears.  I accompanied some friends and went to the local Snake Farm.  I went there are few years ago with Steve, and thought it was cool.  I can handle snakes if they're in a terranium, locked securely in a cage.  And this place is no joke.  They have some of the top poisonous snakes there.  They also have a pit, located (strangely enough) in the bookstore.  Now, in my mind, this pit contains hundreds of snakes, all slithering on top of one another, much like scenes from an "Indiana Jones" movie. 

Yeah, about like this.


In reality, it's this.

Yeah, a few rattlesnakes.  Scary, yes, but not the pit of fear that I remembered from a mere two years ago.  Oops.

Anyway, the kids loved it.  Here are some shots.

Lily was on my hip in the sling the whole time, but yes, she was there.

I'll say it-- ouch.

Passions

Does anyone remember the soap opera "Passions"?  I don't remember too much about it, but there was a witch with a talking "doll" named Timmy.  And lots of horrendous acting. 

My best friend Val and I used to watch it during the summer of 2000, then call each other and talk about it.  What a great way to spend the summer between high school and college, the summer before we became, for all intents and purposes, "adults."

But as awesomely bad as that show was, it's not what this post is really about.

I think I've found my passion. 

When I graduated from college back in 2004, I thought I would take a year or two off to work, then go back to grad school.  Instead, I took seven.  I waited tables, worked with medically fragile/abused children, moved to a different state, taught teen moms life and parenting skills, got married and had a couple of kids of my own.  I knew I wanted to go back eventually, but I didn't know for what.  Nursing?  Teaching?  Social work? 

I started grad school this past week, for my master's in counseling.  And I LOVE it.  The classes are 6-10 pm, two nights a week.  And while I wondered if I could stay up past my usual bedtime of 10:00, I've found that it's really not a problem.  I'm so interested in the material that I'm wide awake.  I love the reading (well, some of it is a little dry-- I'm just not a theories girl!), and I love the material.  I'm reminded of the history and anthropology/sociology classes from back in undergrad.  I was fascinated by what I was learning, and had a great time with it.  That was my passion at the time, though I had no idea what to do with it. 

And now I've found it.  And I'm so excited.