Not Me Monday

There is a tidal wave going around the blog world called "Not Me Monday." MckMama created the idea of Not Me Monday as a way to share the things that we (mostly moms) would NEVER do. So here is my first Not Me Monday post...

It was NOT ME who took a quick nap while my daughter slept and my son played quietly with his blocks today. I did NOT try to convince him to nap as well.

It was NOT ME who opened the enormous animal cookie container at Costco just to stuff my kids mouths so I could finish my shopping. My kids are always perfect angels when we are out shopping so I would NEVER have to do that.

It was NOT ME who was fine with my kids just eating breadsticks for dinner tonight. They always eat a well balanced and healthy dinner around here.

It was NOT ME who bought a ton of stuff at said Costco trip only to realize I had both strollers in the back of the car and no room for the 20-pack of paper towels, 224 pack of size 3 diapers and huge bag of Mickey Mouse chicken (which I did NOT feed to my kids for lunch...again, we eat healthy around here).

It was NOT ME who drank a big glass of wine while the kids ate those breadsticks for dinner and my daughter walked around the patio of the restaurant barefoot...

Always Smilin'

Lauren is always smiling. Seriously, that girl cracks me up. She laughs to herself in her car seat, giggles in her crib with her dolls, shakes her lil' booty when she hears music...you name it, she is happy. The other day she had a fever and was just not herself and it was so hard to see her not completely happy. I'm just not used to that! She's all better now and back to her happy self. Here she is playing in the yard at our water table.


P.S. in all honesty, of course Lauren has her cranky moments, but they are when she is tired or hungry. I don't want you all to think she never cries!

It's Beginning to Look Like Halloween

Last weekend we celebrated my mother-in-law's birthday, but it was Daniel who walked away with the best presents -- his older cousin Parker's old Halloween costumes! Now the big decision is Incredible Hulk or Spiderman. We've worn both costumes everyday since last weekend, it's just such a hard decision...


Cousin Molly and Daniel (Molly is the best with the kids!)



And not to be left out, Parker with Lauren

Funny Things are Everywhere

"From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere." -- Dr. Seuss

Here are some funny things my kids are up to these days...

• When Daniel has to go #2, he tells me to close the bathroom door because he needs "privacy."
• If I give each of my kids a sippy cup, Lauren ALWAYS ends up stealing Daniel's.
• Daniel quietly sings to himself when he is playing on his own.
• Lauren waves at planes going by and says "bye bye" to them...and we are on the flight path for the airport so it happens a LOT.
• Daniel tries to negotiate or cry his way out of eating vegetables every night at dinner.
• I have to stop Lauren from eating vegetables because that is all she will eat if I let her.
• Daniel is learning about Jesus at preschool and told me the other day that "Jesus is mighty and so is Daddy, but Daddy is busier."
• 
• Daniel tells me I am "The best lady in the whole world."
• Lauren loves dogs, until you get one close to her then she freaks out.
• When Lauren is upset, Daniel will give her his favorite teddy bear.
• Lauren loves shoes - she will try on any pair she can get her hands on...but she especially loves her dolls' shoes.

A New Twist on an Old Shirt

I've been reading several sewing blogs lately and these women amaze me with their abilities and creativity. A new term to me is "re-fashioning" -- which basically means take something you have that you don't love and re-fashion it into something better. I decided to give it a try. I was browsing Anthropologie's website and came across a pretty basic, but cute shirt. Here it is:


I looked at it and thought, well it's basically a t-shirt with some detailing at the "V" and on the sleeves. So I grabbed a plain, round necked t-shirt from Old Navy and created this:

Please don't mind the fact that it's wrinkled (I hate ironing). It's really cute on and is just a little something better than a basic t-shirt. Nothing in my closet is safe from my scissors and thread now...

Priceless

I've always enjoyed those "Priceless" commercials by American Express. Here is my own version.

Multi Grain Bread...$2.39
Bananas...$2.08
Taking Daniel grocery shopping in his pajamas, knight costume and rain boots...PRICELESS!

Getting Over Fears

This was a big weekend for Daniel. He was able to tackle two of his fears head on and triumph. The first was the diving board. We've been encouraging him all summer to jump off our diving board. No tricks, treats or positive words could break that kid. Then the impossible happened. He stepped up on the board (and with a nudge from daddy) made a leap. Now, our only problem is getting him off the darn thing and out of the pool for dinner.


The second fear was sand (see earlier post). Not exactly a fear, but a distinct dislike. Maybe the sand is less intimidating at LA County beaches, because on Sunday we headed up to Redondo Beach to visit Uncle Pete and Aunt Kriszta and once again, the impossible happened. Daniel was happy in the sand and even helped daddy build a sand castle.

Every day my kids amaze me. Whether it's getting over fears or learning a new word, they do inspire me. It's funny to me how within 30 minutes I can go from complete frustration to such a powerful love it actually hurts. How can they drive me crazy one minute and create tears of joy the next?

I have to remember to get over my own fears and just leap into this wonderful, crazy, emotional, all-encompassing world of motherhood. I fear if I'm teaching, disciplining, encouraging, leading and following my kids the "right" way. But, like Daniel did this weekend, all I can do is get out there and do it.

I Love the Way She Loves

For Lauren's first birthday she received several dolls. The way she loves them makes my heart melt... I love the way she loves. Here she is right after opening up her gift from Aunt Kathy (and the rest of the Green family), a Snow White doll. It's the look in her eyes and way she hugs her dolls that gets me!

Getting in touch with my creative side

My grandmother used to sew beautifully. Unfortunately I was 9 years old when she passed away and I didn't have the chance to learn from her. A few months after she passed I asked my mom if I could have my grandma's old sewing machine. "Sure, why?" asked my mom. "I want to learn to sew" I answered. Fast forward 22 years and I'm just now really learning to sew.

I started getting in touch with my creative side a couple of months ago when Lauren started to grow hair. Funny, right? Well, not so funny when you go to buy cute hair bows for your 6 month old and either they are ugly or ridiculously overpriced. So I made a couple, then a couple more and now Lauren pretty much has a bow to match every outfit (and so do both my nieces because how many ladybug bows does Lauren really need?). Then I branched out into sewing. Here is a picture of Lauren in a top I made for her (hard to tell but the top part is shirred - meaning elastic) with a matching hair bow.

Preschool = Organzing

Last week Daniel started preschool. To my shock, it's been a smooth transition. No tears, happy when I picked him up and even talking about the next time he goes. Not bad for a kid who has never been left with a sitter (family doesn't count). The teacher said he was quiet, but listened well and would answer her questions. Ahhh, my sweet boy.

Here he is ready to go on his first day - Spiderman lunch bag in hand.














In the meantime, Lauren still takes a morning nap so I've had actual time to myself (I have to be at home, but still). I'm amazed at how much I can get done with Daniel gone and Lauren sleeping. I've organized the toy closet and many of my kitchen cabinets. Both days I've dumped at least two large trash bags from my organizing. Which makes me wonder, if I keep this up will I just be sitting in an empty house at the end of the school year?