New Dentist....

Both the kids had dentist appointments in the last couple weeks. We had some issues with our previous office and since I spent a year avoiding taking them because of the bad experience, I realized it was just time to change. So, now I am simply taking them where Scott and I go. It has been a perfect fit for us.

Luke's appointment went so well. The hygienist is the mother of a friend am from school so she was great. Ally enjoyed her as well. Ally was treated like a kid, but also age appropriately. She was told what she is doing wrong when she brushes. And how to do better. I felt her exam from the doc was crazy thorough and we learned a lot about her little mouth!!! She needs to have FOUR teeth filled though. All her permanent molars. This was example one of her crappy job with teeth brushing.

It is a tough age. We can't brush her teeth for her anymore. Haven't been able to for years. And Ally is not the biggest fan of personal hygiene these days. So.... She learned a valuable lesson today.

I'm sure it doesn't help that we took so much time off between cleanings is that's my fault. But still, Ally is very much to blame. She is upset as you can imagine. Lesson learned maybe? Growing up is hard to do. ;)

Is it Possible?????

Could Luke me MORE dramatic than Ally???? Is it possible???

He has his moments let me tell you.  Take yesterday for instance:

He notices an invitation on the fridge. 

Luke:  "Mommy, what's this?"

Me:  "It's an invitation to a baby shower buddy."

Luke:  "Am I going?"

Me:  "No."

Luke:  "Is Ally going?"

Me:  "Yes."

Luke:  (throws self on floor in the most defeated way possible) "NOOOOO!!!!  I have to stay home with DADDY???? Alone with Daddy????  Just me and Daddy????  BORING!!!!!!!!!!"

Apparently Daddy sucks.

I ignore him hoping this will stop. This is ridiculous.

He goes on for about half an hour.  On and off.  Long moments of silence then out of the blue "It's going to be so boring just me and Daddy........"

He does this, my little drama child. He throws fits GIANT in nature when I am leaving him. Take for instance, the other day when I had to leave him with my cousin, at her house.  He GRIPS my clothes like he is going to DIE if I leave him.  Screams.  Throws a fit.

Is fine the SECOND I am walking out the door.

It's gotten so I just look at him and say "I know you're just doing this to hurt Mommy's feelings."

I'm not a fan buddy.

I know the change can be hard... going from Mommy to babysitter... Mommy to Daddy. One in charge to the next. My kids have never handled the transistions well.  EVER.  But, man it is getting old.  I'm sorry. I'm kinda over it.

The truth of the matter is a babysitter and even, Daddy probably give Luke more undivided attention and play more than I ever do when we are home together......... I have a zillion other things I am doing.  Dinner. Helping Ally with homework.  Pickup up. Showering. Getting read to go here and there. 

Drinking. ;-)

He's just so freakin' dramatic that one..... sweet as hell. So damn sweet.  But dramatic. 

I try very hard not to feed the drama. Not to give in.  To barely acknowledge it.  I will empathize for sure and offer my sympathies, but I will not change my course of action because of what he (or Ally!!) chooses to throw a baby fit about.

I am sorry you need to be a crazy freak right now, but Mommy is going to go on with her day. I  love you. In fact, I love you so much that I am going to teach you this lesson:

You are not in charge around here.

Someday you will thank me. Control scares you. You are too young to be in control.  I am happy to fill that role for now.

Not always easy to do.

Remember blog friends:  you are the parent.  Don't let your kids run your house.

Don't let their drama rule your life.

Peace.

My Pick Monday...

Today my pick for "My Pick Monday" is a new a-freakin-mazing face primer I recently started using. This stuff is amazing. The stuff dreams are made of baby. Dreams!!!!

Ok. That might me overstating it ever so slightly. ;). But really, this is good good stuff!!!!!!

I have always admired women who have glowing skin. I have tried and tried to strike the balance between glowing and oily. I have super oily skin - worse in the summer for sure. Anyway.... I tried shimmer powders, bronzes, highlighters.... All to no avail. Enter Victoria from Kiss and Makeup.... And all my wishes come true!!!

I met her at my daughter's birthday party. She did her Diva Party as you may recall. She is an amazing makeup artist. Amazing. I am sooooo thankful she is here in little old Jackson!! She is slowly turning my makeup regime around. There are many other products I could rave about but I choose to start here. With the primer. :)

It is oil free. Has SPF 20. Has hylauronic acid so it fights aging. And it makes your skin absolutely glow!!!! It's amazing alone. It's perfection under foundation. I love it!!!!

And..... It's NOT that expensive at all!!!!! An it will last about 6 months! $35 for six months.

Those who know me, know I have been a strict Laura Mercier user for years. Years!!!!!!! The makeup that Victoria is turning me on to, is priced well below what i have been using an I feel like a million bucks. :)

Best part is I can call, email or show up at her boutique and ask for help anytime!!!! Love this stuff. That's any it's my pick this Monday!!!

What's in a Weekend....

Our weekend has been glorious. And it's only 3:00 on Sunday. So much of the day is left to enjoy!

My kids are currently in the basement after playing outside for hours. Ally is really into her roller skates right now. She is all about it. And she's getting quite good. Who could tell this is the girl that came home crying from a rollerskating event at school just a year ago cuz she felt she couldn't do it.

She got skates this year for Christmas and has been skating around the house a bit, but looking forward to the day she could skate outside. Looks like the day has come! She is really loving it.

Luke has been riding his bike (which is too small for him - we have to get a new one) and generally enjoys just doing whatever. He's a boy. He is happy to draw with chalk. Play with his kitchen on the deck. Play with super heroes. Or play with cars. His favorite activity is playing whatever Ally tells him to play though. ;). He basks in the glow of her attention.

Friday night I had an amazing girls night. A good friend of mine had a Stella and Dot (jewelry) and Kiss and Makeup (makeup) party. With wine and amazing food. The core group of is stayed until 1 am and we just had a blast trying on gorgeous jewelry and having our makeup done. Can't think of a better girls night!

Ally skipped gymnastics Saturday since she was still recovering from her cold.... But as the day wore on, she completely turned around. The sore throat disappeared and the headache subsided. She is through the worst on just a couple days thank god!

We went to mass Saturday evening and then to dinner at Night Light. Steve Berkemier was playing and the kids loved it! His music is awesome. Luke danced and danced. It was the best way to eat dinner.... Luke entranced by the live music! Scott and I could enjoy one another's company without battling him!!!

On our way home, we saw that the Tasty Treat was open. Apparently we missed it on Thursday! And Friday we never drove by to see it as Ally didn't go to school. So, since the promise is, that no matter what (even if it spoils our dinner) we get ice cream when we see the Tasty Treat has opened!!! So even though we were plenty full from dinner out, that's what we did!!

Scott has spent the last two days trying to cut the lawn. After getting the lawn mower out, not having it start, attempting to charge it, having that not work.... He finally bought a new battery today. We got the deck furniture out. Started pulling the weeds in the landscaping. Generally started to get the yard in shape. Something neither one of us truly enjoy. But it's gotta be done. ;)

Feels good when it looks good and we can enjoy it. Looming forward to getting my flowers to hang on the fence and huge pots for the deck! That always warms the place up. Makes the deck perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee on the weekend... And drinking in the evening. :)

Love the weekends.... But after three days in a row of the kids together..... Looking forward to the routine of the week and even work. ;). I know summer break is around the corner and that's awesome. But it's hard to keep the kids in a routine, happy, and not have us all want to kill one another. ;)

Here's to another wonderful weekend behind us!!

Home Sweet Home....

We are all home today. Minus Daddy I guess. Ally isn't feeling well. She has had a sore throat this week and needs some down time. She was exhausted this morning. I could tell she needed so sleep.... So I tucked her into my bed and she slept a few more hours.

She is in between sick and well really. You know, she's not bed ridden. She is able to be up and wants to do things. So.... She is nicely playing with her little brother. They have done some coloring, player some games and now Luke wants to take a shower and she wants to help him. It's interesting to me how she is so happy to play with him sometimes and annoyed by him other times. I suppose that's siblings for you. Luke is just so happy whenever he is in her good graces. Today is a good day. Or rather, this moment is a good moment.

I am battling a minor headache myself. Amazing five course wine dinner last night. Small sacrifice to make I suppose that I have a headache now. ;). Scott and I enjoyed a fun night out with friends. Amazing food but lord I ate too much!!!!

The kids had a great night with a babysitter that they adore. She took them to the park. She plays games with them and generally adores them right back. I love it when you find a sitter that is like that. Ally worships her because she's a way cool high school girl. ;). Luke just worships her period.

Let's hope the day continues to go well. We are definitely going to have some quiet time so mommy can rest and be up for girls night tonite!

Work Week.... Over and Out!

It's a good thing this is the end of my work week, because my brain is done.  It has been a ridiculous week of busy-ness and a more stress than I like at work. Actually it's been a stressful couple weeks..... so I am happy to conclude the work week TODAY!

I find that I am exhausted when stressed.  Crazy exhausted.  Think first trimester pregnant type exhaustion.  I am taking a supplement that really helps that....... at least day to day..... but I still find that during times of super stress/more stress than usual..... I am still wiped out. No amount of caffeine can turn the tide either. In fact, when really stressed, I could drink a pot of coffee and still pass out.

I hate sustaining levels of stress such as that for long periods of time. I wasn't built to handle it.  I constantly find ways to reduce my stress and relax. It's a  big goal of mine these days.  All stress is unavoidable........ especially with my two kids..... but I can reduce what I can control.

I have been setting limits work-wise around here a lot lately. I have a new boss and new projects and new responsibilities. I find that I have to remind people just about daily that I work part time.  I hate having to do that.  It's one part: I like to go above and beyond and please people at work and another part: career suicide.  But, it has to be done these days.

I go back and forth about adding work days... adding hours.... god knows they could use me more...... but god knows I don't really know if I WANT to!  I am happy to add time when Luke is in school five days a week. In fact, I am sure that I will.  I will always want to be less than 40 hours because I always want to pick them up from school.... but I don't mind working say, four days a week?  Maybe?  ;-)

The hard part of that is the summer....... I like my three days a week come summer....... maybe even less. 

So, here's to another work week behind me. I will try not to take the stress and projects home with me.  A tough thing sometimes.

Tomorrow, Luke has a field trip at school on a day he doesn't normally go... so he and I are going to meet his class at the location.  The field trip itself is at All Around Gymnastics.  Yes... he is giddy to go! He is constantly exposed to gymnastics between Ally and Grace... so he loves it.  And this will be all his own. So, I had to make sure he could do it.  I am looking forward to watching him. :)

Tomorrow night..... Scott and I have a triple date night planned.  HIP HIP HOORAY!!!  A wine dinner. Five courses. Five different wines.  TAXI!!!!!!  ;-)  Going to be such a wonderful night out with a great date and friends.........

Friday I have a girls' night out. Once again, with wine......... AND jewelry and makeup!  All things girl.

So looking forward to what the rest of my week has to offer!!!!!!

Hope you are too blog friends!

Too Senstive....

Sigh. As a society, have we gotten too damn sensitive????  Come on people.  I am going to write about this here, because I REFUSE to take it up on Facebook. What the hell is wrong with people???  Why has Facebook become the place to crucify our friends???? For their thoughts... not EVEN their actions???

Today, a friend of mine made a statement.... she thought out loud... something that she would NEVER EVER do (and ANYONE who KNOWS her would KNOW this!) but she said it as a statement more on society than anything.

She said "she wished SOCIETY were different so she could leave her daughter at home for a few minutes while she ran to pick up her son down the road."

She did NOT say she was going to do it. She did not even say she wanted to do it. She said she wished our world was a safer place so that she could.

And wow....... did the comments come in fast and furious....... some going so far as to say they were shocked she would say this.... as if to imply they were disappointed in her.

Shame on you moms out there.  You KNOW you have wished once or twice in your life you could run somewhere quickly without waking a sleeping child. Have you ever been so HAPPY to have your child sleeping that you would do ANYTHING to keep them sleeping?

Any stay at home mom know this feeling. Hell, most working moms feel the same.

Parenting is hard and exhausting and HARD!  And we all make it worse on one another when we take a "holier than thou" attitude. I am so sick of it. I am so sick of everyone thinking they are a better parent than everyone esle. Who does that help????

I said out loud once, after spending a week with my child... alone... no help... that I could understand how some women want to drown their children.  How someone could snap in an instant.  Does that make me WANT to drown mine? Does it make me capable of it?

Hell no. It means I am an empathetic person.......... and I can see how another would feel so much pain they saw no other way out.  Damn. What happened to empathy????

I suppose a whole bunch of you sit around and say I have difficult children because I am a bad parent too.

If so, you and me... we don't need to talk again.  I'm over judgemental people.  I'm over it.

This makes me miss lent and want to drop Facebook again.

People.  Get real.  Get off your high horse.  You are not perfect either.

My Pick Monday...

I've never done one of these!!! So many people do. I decided to join in the fun as I am using one of my fave ingredients to make tacos today!!!!

Ortega Original Thick and Smooth taco sauce. I love this stuff!!!! I use it to season the meat (turkey in my case). I like it better than the powdered packets. They have hydrogenated oils in them. I love the flavor. Just the right amount of spice. I have loved this stuff since I was a kid!!!

Next to guacamole, it's the most important ingredient for Mexican night at the McIntosh house!!!!

First Shower....

Luke took his first shower at home ever today!!!! He has taken the occasional quick rinse at the pool but not an official "get clean" shower yet. After hanging out with Ally while she took hers this evening, he decided today was the day!!!!

He asked Daddy if he would take one with him and of course, Scott agreed. I had my doubts that he would actually do it.... But in typical Luke fashion, he proved me wrong!!

He hopped right in and loved every moment. Scott got out and Luke stayed in forever!!!!! Had to beg him to get out finally.... But not before snapping a couple pics to capture the moment. :)

So exciting! Go Luke!!

Exhausted...

What mom can't say this from time to time... but today, I really mean it. I am exhausted!  It was a stressful week of work, then a school Lock In to plan and work at, and then, the icing on the cake, Ally had a meet at the butt crack of dawn today.  I came home... fell into bed... and Scott informed me that he was going to take the kids to a movie.

I love him like a love song baby............  ;-)

(I may also have listened to too much Selena Gomez with Ally on the drive to and from K-zoo!)

So...... I fell asleep as soon as they left.  Passed out. Something usually only reserved for hangover days when I was up until 3:00 am the previous night.

I am up now and the house is quiet and I am in it alone and I am so freakin' happy about this I could cry. So... here I am.... getting a moment to blog and then,  I am going to read or watch myself a chick flick. I have not decided yet. I am also going to enjoy some wine. And Scott is going to bring a late dinner home to me.  He is certainly achieving super hubby status today.

Yesterday's Lock In was a success as always... and my room the Spa Room seemed to be the hit of the show.... I am quite proud of our success.  ;-)  It was the exact opposite of relaxation.... it was anti-relaxation.... but Katie and I rocked it out, with the help of some amazing sixth grade girl scouts who were earning some service time.

The best part was how much all the BOYS loved it... they all got facials and had their nails painted... they just CRACKED me up all night long!

This last one is our school principal, Liz.... the most amazing woman in the world... who lives and breathes our school... who is at every event, always... who loves our kids and knows not only all 350 of their names, but their interests, siblings, families and all the important details.  This was her time in the massage chair.  Much deserved.

Then, this morning, Ally and I got up bright and early to head to Kalamazoo for her meet!  She was excited and nervous. All the things anyone would be.  She had quite the cheering section.  Of course Scott, Luke and I were there... but also Nana and Papa, Jane and Grace, Aunt Elizabeth and Keaton and Beck and my Aunt Kris.  Whew..... lots of people made the drive to support you Ally-Roo!

And she did not disappoint anyone but herself... as she is and will always be, her own harshest critic.  She started out on bars, and got a red ribbon, improving from the meet prior... a good, good start!!!!

I took very few pictures this time.... why.... 1.) too many awesome people there to visit with and 2.) Jane had it covered and I am sure got better pics than I could take any day and I am certain she will get them to me so so soon!  ;-)  HAHA!!!

So, after rocking bars... we went to beam... which I thought Ally rocked as well! She didn't fall. A bit more unsteady maybe (she later shared that for some reason she felt much more fearful this time because the beam seemed higher) but she took a yellow ribbon (fourth) on the event. Same routine last time earned her a blue. Here's this gymnast mom's introduction to inconsistent judging!!!!  ;-)

Floor up next...... awesome routine.... and she took a knee on her roundoff/backhandspring. Ugh. I knew this was something I was going to hear about for a long, long time.  She got a white ribbon (third).

Vault.... again, a red ribbon and she got blue last time.  Thank you judges for judging super hard on a FUN MEET!  Not a single one of our girls got a blue ribbon.

I will not complain though..... it happens.... and you deal.  Ally learns to deal. She still rocked... and we will tell her she rocks and we are proud until she tells us to shut up... which, in case you were wondering, she has already told us.  ;-)  That's how my girl rolls.

She and I stayed and watched some of the older girls compete and they were a sight to behold. So much fun to watch them! Becky and my Aunt stayed as Becky is or has been a teacher to some of the girls.  And, she loves gymnastics.   Ally just loved to watch the girls that so often teach her!  Also gave her a chance to see that they fall... and mess up sometimes too... and that sometimes they also cry and get mad.  It comes with the territory.  She is not alone in this.

A great day, once again for my girl.... tougher to take maybe.... not as many smiles... but that's sports for ya..... you win some, you lose some..... but you live to fight another day.....

Coffee...

Sipping my coffee this morning and getting a blog post in while Luke lays on me and watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Quite possibly his favorite show. Nice way to ease into our day.

We have a day at home ahead of us. Some picking up (house disaster) and some preparation for tonite's Lock In at school. I am in charge of the "spa room.". A challenge I was happy to accept!! I am having two nail stations, a massage chair and a facial station where the girls simply get peel off masks. Ally and her friends did them at her birthday party and loved them! I also got a bunch of little girl magazines and am creating a relaxation waiting area with bean bags and fuzzy rugs.

Should be fun!!!

Yesterday, Luke had a dentist appointment and then we had lunch, got Ally and ran errands to get the things we needed for the spa. Luke was amazing at the dentist. He always surpasses my expectations at appointments such as these. He sat by himself and I sat next to him and held his hand. It really helps that the hygienist is the mom of one of his best buddies at preschool. She was awesome with him. Just amazing.

After we left, I told Luke we needed to get some lunch. He said he wanted to go to "the place that was like McDonalds but wasn't McDonalds but it has chicken nuggets and fries and I went there with Daddy when you and Ally were in Florida". Haha! Culvers!!! So that's where we went!!

I had a quick adjustment to get to. Luke watches diligently. I am working him up to being able to get his own soon. Ally has x-rays and will begin hers next week!!! Then we got Ally and I needed her help to select nail polish colors!!! I know nothing of trendy little girl colors these days. Green. Blue. Orange. On top of some more traditional colors like red, pink and purple. We got tons of options!!

Had to go a few places before I found the peel off mask I was in search of. And after that, it was late enough to call it a pizza night!! So we grabbed a Hot and Ready on the way home and called it a day! ;)

Luke even got some time on the playground.... It was a pretty nice day!!!!! I love my days with Luke. He is such a great helper and amazing lunch date. :)

Easter Pics...

What's Goin' On...

Well, Easter came and went.... and I made it through 40 days without Facebook and Coke!  I still haven't had a Coke and I didn't get back on Facebook until Sunday night.  I find myself forgetting it's even ON my phone anymore... and I also have little desire to check it as often as I used to.  I find this refreshing!   I do enjoy being back as well though.... if used wisely, Facebook is a great thing.... it's just so easy to abuse it!

We had a good end to spring break!  After arriving home Thursday, the kids and I had a lazy day of laundry and eBaying (me selling anything and everything in the house!) on Friday. Saturday was a GORGEOUS day.... Scott went golfing and the kids and I packed a picnic lunch and headed to the park.

Ally took a couple days to detox..... any change in routine seems to throw her off.  While our trip and time off was fun, it was almost emotionally exhausting. I always forget how difficult times with her can be.

Easter was no exception.... again, another "big" event.... and she seems to have a hard time coping. We had no less than two fits before Church and then another between brunch and going to Nana's.  I will tell you this..... they started with "messed up" nail polish. God help me... the teen age years are going to be brutal.

Easter was also wonderful.  As hard as it all can be..... all of it.... the trips, the time with family, the Easter bunny coming, church together, brunch at the Club and getting no sleep.... I am constantly reminded that we are so very blessed.  So blessed to have all that we do and be exactly who we are.

I was reading a book and there was a quote that resonated with me. "Love is not always an act of faith... sometimes it is an act of will."

It is one thing to go out on a limb and love someone, knowing that you could get hurt (faith).... it can be even harder to make yourself love someone just because they NEED your love (willing yourself to love).  Sometimes I feel that way with Ally.  That sounds awful doesn't it?  I love her with all my heart.  But, she is sometimes so hard to love.  She teaches me so much every day. She teaches me that I have a stronger will to love than I ever knew was possible.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.... this girl is making me a freakin' super hero.  ;-)

I went off on a tangent.... sorry.....

Anyway.... Luke is a character these days. I am marveling at how much of a BOY he is becoming.  Getting older, going to school, and starting to come out of his shell.  He is currently running around the living room with Spiderman and a helicopter making whoosh noises and shooting things.  He also says the craziest things sometimes.  The other day, when we were having an odd discussion on dying, Ally said "Death is real, because when we die we just go on to heaven."  Luke looks at us so seriously and says "Dying is real and you know what else isn't real?  Robots."  It was the statement and his facial expression.  That kid just cracks me up.

Today, we forgot to take his nap mat to school in the morning, so I had to take it in before lunch.  I went in and dropped it... and just couldn't help myself, I needed to see him and give my boy a hug, even though I knew it might be hard on him.  I walked into his room, and he came over to me, gave me a hug, smiled his big gorgeous smile, and then turned right around and went back and sat down on the rug to listen to his story.  I was absolutely amazed and crazy proud!  My little man, getting so big and brave!  So proud.

Speaking of proud... I am so excited for Ally's next gymnastics meet, which is this coming Saturday in Kalamazoo.  I was crazy proud of her at the last one.  She just surprised me with how amazing she was and how she handled the pressure of it all. I hope this Saturday is just as wonderful an experience for her!

In other news, Luke has a dentist appointment this Thursday (pray for me), Ally has a Lock-In at the school that I am working at Friday night (I am running the "spa room!" and Scott is starting his masters program!  Work is a challenge for me right now, but I am dealing. I have amazing co-workers and friends to help me through.

More than anything... I am SO ready for spring..... why in the world is it SNOWING!?!?  ;-)

Have a great week blog friends...... promise to upload Easter pics as soon as I get them off my camera.  Not sure I got any great ones though...... see above discussion on the numer of fits Ally had on Easter.  ;-)

Home Sweet Home...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there is nothing better than getting away and nothing better than coming home!!!!! We are home. And while it's cold, the sun is shining and I won't complain!!! We had a wonderful time. Delray Beach.... I would go back in a heartbeat. Amazing place. Awesome restaurants. Great hotel. Great pool and beach! Just all around perfect.

Our last day we spent poolside. And then Ally and I did some souvenir shopping for the boys in downtown Delray before meeting the ladies for dinner at the most adorable Italian place. Where we ate outside and had amazing food and wine. Vacation is all about the food and wine. ;)

But I cannot lie. I was more than happy to come home to the little man I missed more than anything. It's so good to be home.

Shopping Day...

We had to stay out of the sun today. Poor us. We had to go to the mall. A super nice mall with amazing stores. We had to shop. And eat lunch and drink wine. We had to do this. To avoid the sun. ;).

When we got back, we did some swimming with the sun behind our hotel. The big and little girls needed the break. The big girls drank poolside. The little ones swam. This is a win win. :)

Sunny Days....

Holy hot!!! But I'm not complaining!!! Yesterday we had quite the day. We all burned. We went out to dinner with Scott's Uncle Jared. Amazing food. Good times.

Life at the Beach....

Spending some time at the beach today. It is gorgeous. Weather is perfect. Everyone is happy. We love Florida!!!