I should preface this by saying that I don't garden. In the past 11 years and 9 homes, we've only had one actual living plant inside our home. It was given to us as an apartment-warming gift when we arrived in Korea. I promptly killed it.
So I was feeling rather proud of myself recently when I planted some flower seeds around a tree near our curb. After watering and feeding regulary, I was seeing some results. Tiny shoots and leaves were making themselves known.
Today, our lawn care company came to do the lawn. And some idiot weed-whacked everything around that tree.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
In which the Devil Pup strikes again...
The kids and I were at Stretch's office late in the afternoon. Big Sis decided she would stay and do her homework there while waiting for him to come home. (I have to admit that I also figured he would leave more promptly if she were there.) While I was getting her settled before leaving with L'il Sis, I told her to do something (or not do something -- I can't remember now) and she responded with, "Roger that!"
My first reaction was a double-take. But as I thought about later, I wondered why can't I hear that more often? Seriously. As long as she's doing what she's told without whining or otherwise complaining.
My first reaction was a double-take. But as I thought about later, I wondered why can't I hear that more often? Seriously. As long as she's doing what she's told without whining or otherwise complaining.
Monday, April 27, 2009
chasing zits
It's bad enough that I have to battle both wrinkles AND acne at the same time. Now, it seems the zits have developed a mind of their own. I started using a zit zapper a few month ago and, for the most part, it seems to work pretty well. At least, it seems to stop them in their tracks and shorten their lifespans.
A few days ago, I started treating a spot that looked as if it could go on to become a zit-zilla if left to its own devices. The zapper did its job and that particular spot stopped growing and started shrinking. But tonight I found its clone near my nose. I can almost hear the evil laughter, "Ha ha! You thought you stopped me! But I cannot be contained. Resistance is futile!" I still used the zapper and now I'm waiting to see where the zits will strike next.
*I should clarify that the "zapper" I use is an OTC gel.
A few days ago, I started treating a spot that looked as if it could go on to become a zit-zilla if left to its own devices. The zapper did its job and that particular spot stopped growing and started shrinking. But tonight I found its clone near my nose. I can almost hear the evil laughter, "Ha ha! You thought you stopped me! But I cannot be contained. Resistance is futile!" I still used the zapper and now I'm waiting to see where the zits will strike next.
*I should clarify that the "zapper" I use is an OTC gel.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
party planning
There's just nothing like waiting to the last minute, is there? I've known for months that we were going to have a "real" party for L'il Sis when she turns 5. ("Real" in the sense that we'll be inviting people from outside our family) So... had I done anything planning-wise? Had I even thought of what the theme would be or what types of games or activities to do? Um, that would be no.
So, with less than 2 weeks to go to B-day, I really had to get in gear. On Monday, I secured a site. We decided we didn't want to do it at the house for a number of reasons, including parking. So while I toyed with a few other ideas, we ended up with a screened in outdoor room at our neighborhood clubhouse. One of the other ideas I had was a local drive-thru animal park/amusement park. But then I called and realized that it would cost us $450 (plus tax) at a MINIMUM. I love my child, but that wasn't going to happen.
After locking on the site, L'il Sis and I headed to a party store. We needed to get at least one of the invitations out that afternoon and we still didn't have any. She was really set on having a bunny theme. Yeah. Do you have any idea how hard that is, especially with Easter over?! I managed to get her to change her mind. Her obsessions are bunnies, Hawaii (because of lava -- don't ask), and Egypt (because of mummies -- again, don't ask). I figured Egypt might be equally difficult, not to mention it might creep out the other kids, so I steered her toward a luau/beach party theme. So that's what we're going with. Invites have now all gone out.
Eschewing the $200 option of having art teachers come and do crafts and activities with the kids (we're only talking about 9 at the most, 2 of them ours!), I headed to a craft store today hoping to be struck with inspiration. Foam visors were on sale 2 for $1. I also found flower- and sea-themed foam stickers. So we're going to put foam stickers on foam visors. Easy enough for 5 year-olds.
Coming up with the cake idea was easy enough. Execution might be a bit more difficult. I'm going to make a doll cake and decorate it as a hula-girl. I think I'll need some luck and well-wishes sent this way for that one! On the up-side, I've done doll-cakes before. The downside is I haven't attempted this level of decorating before. Just a few weeks ago, I made one for my niece. It was the fir
st time I'd done one by myself (the first one was about 7 or 8 years ago when Jody roped me into helping her make one for her daughter. Oh, and neither of us had ever decorated any type of cake before. That's a whole other post, though.) By the time I had my niece's cake "dressed," I decided I'd better quit while I was ahead and didn't add any more embellishments. The back-up plan is a generic birthday cake from the grocery store if the cake fails miserably!
So, with less than 2 weeks to go to B-day, I really had to get in gear. On Monday, I secured a site. We decided we didn't want to do it at the house for a number of reasons, including parking. So while I toyed with a few other ideas, we ended up with a screened in outdoor room at our neighborhood clubhouse. One of the other ideas I had was a local drive-thru animal park/amusement park. But then I called and realized that it would cost us $450 (plus tax) at a MINIMUM. I love my child, but that wasn't going to happen.
After locking on the site, L'il Sis and I headed to a party store. We needed to get at least one of the invitations out that afternoon and we still didn't have any. She was really set on having a bunny theme. Yeah. Do you have any idea how hard that is, especially with Easter over?! I managed to get her to change her mind. Her obsessions are bunnies, Hawaii (because of lava -- don't ask), and Egypt (because of mummies -- again, don't ask). I figured Egypt might be equally difficult, not to mention it might creep out the other kids, so I steered her toward a luau/beach party theme. So that's what we're going with. Invites have now all gone out.
Eschewing the $200 option of having art teachers come and do crafts and activities with the kids (we're only talking about 9 at the most, 2 of them ours!), I headed to a craft store today hoping to be struck with inspiration. Foam visors were on sale 2 for $1. I also found flower- and sea-themed foam stickers. So we're going to put foam stickers on foam visors. Easy enough for 5 year-olds.
Coming up with the cake idea was easy enough. Execution might be a bit more difficult. I'm going to make a doll cake and decorate it as a hula-girl. I think I'll need some luck and well-wishes sent this way for that one! On the up-side, I've done doll-cakes before. The downside is I haven't attempted this level of decorating before. Just a few weeks ago, I made one for my niece. It was the fir
st time I'd done one by myself (the first one was about 7 or 8 years ago when Jody roped me into helping her make one for her daughter. Oh, and neither of us had ever decorated any type of cake before. That's a whole other post, though.) By the time I had my niece's cake "dressed," I decided I'd better quit while I was ahead and didn't add any more embellishments. The back-up plan is a generic birthday cake from the grocery store if the cake fails miserably!
Friday, April 17, 2009
New Orleans, N'Awlins...
So Stretch had to go for work and it was my birthday... so I tagged along while my mother kept the girls. The first 2 days, I was on my own to explore the French Quarter (and it's shops). I even found a pair of dragonfly earrings. Here's a sample of a few of the sights:
Before...
and after! Yum!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Kindergarten Round-up
I know I haven't posted in forever. I was in New Orleans last week (I'll post some pics later) and have been playing catch-up since getting back.
Tonight, the girls and I attended the Kindergarten Round-up at our local elementary school. It's hard to believe that L'il Sis will actually be attending this fall. We'll have 2 school-age kids and the pre-school years will be over. I don't think I've fully grasped that yet. Although I'm already celebrating not having to pay those fees anymore! And the free time I'll have... What to do with myself?! I'm sure I'll figure out something!
Of course, the flip side is the small bit that is freaking out just a little that my "baby" is going to be going to school! Real school 5 days a week, not just preschool a couple of mornings a week. My babies are definitely growing up!
Tonight, the girls and I attended the Kindergarten Round-up at our local elementary school. It's hard to believe that L'il Sis will actually be attending this fall. We'll have 2 school-age kids and the pre-school years will be over. I don't think I've fully grasped that yet. Although I'm already celebrating not having to pay those fees anymore! And the free time I'll have... What to do with myself?! I'm sure I'll figure out something!
Of course, the flip side is the small bit that is freaking out just a little that my "baby" is going to be going to school! Real school 5 days a week, not just preschool a couple of mornings a week. My babies are definitely growing up!
Friday, April 03, 2009
In which my niece gives herself a DIY haircut...
My sister and her clan were here last week. She has 4 kids and one on the way so our house was hopping! The age break-down went like this: 12, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2. By nightfall, I'm not sure who was more tired, the kids from playing with each other all day; or their wranglers, I mean parents.
But getting back to the title... at one point, my niece, the newly minted 6 year old, came downstairs and we quickly realized her bangs were gone. They weren't just trimmed a bit unevenly. They were cut back to the hairline! Questions from all four parents started flying. Stretch and I were convinced one of our girls (the 4 year old specifically) MUST have had a part in the haircut. Oh, the relief when it was determined that no, our niece had done it all by herself. I was also relieved it wasn't one of ours that had cut her hair! Does that make me a bad mom or a bad aunt? Hmm.
Update: Here are the, ahem, bangs:
But getting back to the title... at one point, my niece, the newly minted 6 year old, came downstairs and we quickly realized her bangs were gone. They weren't just trimmed a bit unevenly. They were cut back to the hairline! Questions from all four parents started flying. Stretch and I were convinced one of our girls (the 4 year old specifically) MUST have had a part in the haircut. Oh, the relief when it was determined that no, our niece had done it all by herself. I was also relieved it wasn't one of ours that had cut her hair! Does that make me a bad mom or a bad aunt? Hmm.
Update: Here are the, ahem, bangs:
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