Speaking of Quiet..

Something like this is what I am putting on my Christmas list.

A mom can never have too much quiet.

Happy Place-- here I come!

Having trouble sleeping? Try...

Puzzles

I've been trying this new thing with Snugglebug this week at naptime. I let her play in her room for 15-30 minutes then I tell her it is time to sleep. It has been working quite well! Prior to this week she had been babbling for an hour or more before maybe going to sleep.

She was so off her game today that I put her to bed before 1pm rather than 2. I've had all I can take of 2 y/o DRAMA.

Can you hear that? It is the sound of heaven on earth!

It is 1:36 and I am HAPPY to report that the house is QUIET.

String or Not to String, That is the Question...

There is a debate among mothers about diapers. Cloth or Disposable. I guess now there is a debate about string or no string.

Check this out!


I would not have admitted that to anyone besides by best friend-- if that.

Ginormous Tinkertoys

Look what my Dad brought to play with! Tinkertoys that I played with at Gma C's house.

Works for Me Wednesday! My best friend...

In honor of WFMW, I would like to introduce you to one of my best friends "Swiffer Sweep and Vac". Swiffer meet the internets.

We met a couple of years ago as a result of a personal ad on TV. I was cynical after how I felt I had been let down in the past. I wasn't sure there was anything out there for me that would help meet my sweeping needs. My last relationship with a broom was more because it was comfortable and convenient as much as anything. I wasn't very content and my kids didn't really like him. In fact, they avoided him every time he came out. Our relationship was a take or leave it kind of thing. And he was ALWAYS leaving it! I just couldn't take it anymore!

When I saw that personal ad, I thought he was too good to be true. I figured he was misrepresenting himself and exaggerating. So I Googled him and then waited 6 weeks before I met him for the first time. I wasn't investing in this relationship without a good coupon to help cover my loss if the bottom fell out.

I was still cautious and skeptical but I brought him to my house to hang out a bit in the kitchen. Wow! He is the real deal! My floors were crumb free in no time flat and we had such fun. I was able to get along all the baseboards and into the corners under the cabinets where the mop can't reach. His swivel head made sweeping under the table and chairs effortless without moving a piece of furniture. I had so much fun that I begged him to stay longer and we tackled the entry and all the bathrooms. My kids loved racing around with him-- even the 3 y/o! How awesome is that! If they get along with him that well then he is a keeper.

He has been a part of our family ever since that day. There was no way I was letting go of him. I know a good thing when I see it!

So here we are today, almost at our two year anniversary. He asks for so little and gives so much. He's the best!

That's what works for me! Head on over to Shannon at Rocks in my Dryer for more tips and ideas. Happy Reading!

Random Pictures from November

Overheard...

This exchange was prompted by the fact that slow as a slug Ticklebug was not in his room at 6:58 a.m. like usual staring at the floor while in varying states of undress.

MB: " Where's TB?'
DB: " I don't know. Maybe he died and Daddybug went to bury him."
MB: What? LOL (laugh out loud) Where did that come from?

Ticklebug was sitting in the living room dressed all the way to his shoes with a huge grin on his face. "I beat you, I win". Says the child who had just said earlier "I'm too tired to race".

I will let him win that one any day.

Catchin' Fish

Here are the two fishermen... the fishergirl was already done...

Final Tally: 5 fish, 1 floater, 1 lost bobber, 1 stick fish, many dumped worms, 3 happy people

Camping Night...

Mimie and Grandpa C were in town when we went camping. Our friends Mr. L, Mr. H, Flickbug and Soccerbug came for dinner around the fire. Daddybug, Doodlebug, and Ticklebug spent the night. We had the best campsite around-- right across from the bathrooms. You know we were there quite often! We have the smartest Daddybug around!

It was a blast sharing our food and fun with friends and family. There is nothing like roasted hotdogs and brats, Doritos and smore's eaten outside in the fresh (sometimes smoky) air.

Although, my favorite part was the fact I didn't have to do dishes!

Kindergarten Farm Field Trip...

October was the month of the Kindergarten field trip to a "farm". I use that term loosely. Coming from Indiana originally, this was definitely a city version of a farm. Basically, a local park with a large open area hosted various farm animals as part of a traveling educational farm. The kids got to milk a brown cow that some wondered if chocolate milk came out of it. I took a turn at milking it. No big deal... : )

They watched pigs race, held various ducks, chickens and piglets, chased geese, petted calves, and picked a pumpkin from a pile. The biggest hit of the day was jumping off of round hay bales. They actually used hay for the hayride rather than straw. I think the boys just had fun being outside in the sunshine where they didn't have to sit still!

My little buggers are having such a different life experience than I did growing up. I was a country kid. Never thought I would be a city girl. I've gotten used to shopping and friends being nearby rather than 30-45 min away. If somehow I could get open sky, quiet and nearby shopping and Sonics-- I would be in heaven. Can't have everything... A girl can dream though...

Catchin' Up...

We've had a busy several weeks. My biggest little brother and his family came to visit for a long weekend with their little bugger AC from San Diego. It was a good time hanging out at playgrounds, eating at CiCi's, and chillin' at the house. It was entertaining and tiring watching AC and SB play together (sort of). Unfortunately, they had the same taste in toys-- babies, bags, phones, and strollers. Can ya tell they are girls?




AC



This is AC and DB. Fortunately, we had 2 babies and 2 strollers. DB was helping her wrap the baby doll up. AC's visit made quite an impression on SB. Today as we were shopping at Wallyworld for a sweatshirt, she informed me that we needed to buy one for "the baby". I thought she meant Baby Sally. She meant AC. : )