Memorial Day Whirlwind....

What a weekend! It was amazing really. Filled to the brim with all that is good. Family. Friends. Great weather. Amazing food. Drinks. Laughter. It was awesome.

We kicked it off on Friday with a trip the Country Club pool. For months and months, the kids have asked "when is the pool gonna open?!?!?!". Well the day arrived and it was pretty amazing. Great weather. Great friends. Great margaritas. :)

Ally had a friend sleepover... And Dave, Mary and Maggie arrived somewhere in the middle of the night. When we woke up, they were here! The kids could not have been more excited. The adults were able to enjoy some breakfast, coffee and conversation while they ran around like banshees. It was pretty awesome. Nothing better than a cousin reunion.

Maggie is just as cute as can be. You will never, ever meet a happier kid in all your days. She is always smiling. Always happy to meet anyone. She is the friendliest three year old in the world. She just amazes me. I love et to pieces.

Both the kids have told me that they miss her today. So. Freakin. Cute.

We went over to my grandmas Saturday and visited with lots of family. We were supposed to have some outdoor activities and a bonfire but had to postpone due to poor weather. We made the best of it and enjoyed talking and eating inside together. It was still a great time. We were even able to see the fireworks from their neighborhood!!!! Luke thought they were the greatest thing on earth!!! Can't wait to take him to some more!

Sunday was gorgeous so we headed to the pool as soon as it opened. Spent plenty of time there and then made our way to my uncles, where the kids played harder than I can say. They jumped on a trampoline for hours, teeter tottered, played on a giant blow up water park and a mini bounce house. I was exhausted just watching them!!!!! We were able to have our bonfire that night and it was pretty cool. I love me a bonfire.

The kids were up all hours. Maggie and Luke slept together in Luke's room and woke up playing immediately each morning. Everyone was exhausted come Monday. And it was just as it should be.

Dave and Mary made the drive home Monday morn. We had a down day. Naps all around. Luke's lasted almost five hours. It's exhausting being a party animal.

We are all caught up now and in the midst of our week. Second to last week of school!!! Exciting stuff. This weekend gives me a taste of what our summer will be like. And I like what I see!!!!!!!

Here are some collages from our weekend!!

Thursday Morning....

So it's Thursday. There are no words for all that I need to accomplish in the next 24 hours but here I sit. Blogging on my phone, sipping coffee a d watching as Luke plays happily with a paper airplane and an ambulance.

Must get motivated.

My brother, Mary and Maggie arrive tomorrow. The basement is near disaster. As always. Sheets need to be washed. Beds made. The upstairs of the house isn't in much better shape.

Kids can be a one man wrecking crew.

I marvel at how well Luke plays alone. He is at peace alone. Much more so than when Ally is here. It is funny because she doesn't like to be alone but he "claims" not to like him either. They are a funny pair. Fighting like crazy lately. This does not bode well for the summer of togetherness.

I am meeting up with Kristen at the park later. Which really means I need to get moving on things. Tonite I am having drinks with some girl friends. We are reason the book Fifty Shades of Grey and meeting to have girl talk about it. We are calling it a book club. That might be a stretch. ;)

Tomorrow I have a hair appointment and thank god my mom is in town to help out by keeping Luke and picking up Ally. She only has a half day and my appointment overlaps that. Then, the moment my kids have been looking forward to all winter.... The opening of the pool. We will be there for the grand opening and hang until we hear Dave is about to arrive.

Looking forward to a nice long weekend of family and friends.... Hope your weekend is great blog friends!!!!

Sometimes the Resemblance is Uncanny....

So.... I have decided Glennon, of Momastary, is my long lost twin. We don't look alike or anything, but I swear to you.... I feel the EXACT same way about parenting and life that she does.  Many moms can probably say this. Of that I am certain, but I read her most recent post, Whack-A-Mole, and I about died when I read that she sings "You are My Sunshine" to her daughter each night.

I sing the same song to Luke.

I nodded in agreement when she talked about how getting your kids to bed is the most stressful part of the day and that it should be done in the morning when you are fresh.  I dread the bedtime routine.  It is ridiculous and I know that my kids aren't half as bad as some.  But, they are my own worst hell.  I have limited patience at night, and like Glennon, I want some peace myself! I am selfish. I want MY TIME! My "victory lap" as she calls it!  (love that term)

When Luke has naps (school days) he is the worst cuz he's just not as tired. And maybe if I were a better mom I would let him stay up, but read the above statement about my selfishness and needing my victory lap. I clinge to the hour of 8:00 pm like no body's business.  No matter what, tired or not, my kids are going to bed at 8:00 pm come hell or high water!

Luke has his own tricks right now.  Each night, we have our cup of warm milk (yup, my kid is four and has milk WARMED UP at bedtime), a story and our song.  Each night, he has to "go to the bathroom" as soon as I'm out the door. Even though he just went before I put him in bed cuz I am no stranger to the bathroom game.  He goes into the bathroom and mostly just stands at the toilet for a moment and then, requires tucking back in bed.

He requests a cup of "ice water" and a "hard book" to balance it on his bed right next to him.

He then asks if anyone will be in his room and if the windows are closed.  My kids are big on safety.  Extremely convinced there is a high crime rate in Concord.

From there, the questions vary night to night..... last night, he wondered if I could take his gum with me to work so I would have it when I picked him up.  He asked Scott to come in for this and that. I smile when the request is for Scott.  Scott says to me "I've already been in there twelve times."  I say... "Well it's about to be thirteen."

Then, I have to go in for the "kill."  It seems only I can end this game. He needs to hear me start to lose it........ and tell him I am DONE coming in and that I will not answer him anymore............. then, the boy shuts up and goes to sleep.  It's a miracle.

Tonite, I will head it all off at the pass and maybe stop a few questions.... I will be more firm. He will work his way back to going to bed better..... then, slowly, we will be back to the twelve steps.  It's a see-saw with that one.

Ally is a champion sleeper and has been since six weeks of age. There are VERY FEW other easy things about her so God gave me this one.  She sleeps well. She does still get up and ask for hugs.  Have to pee. This and that....... but really, she has always just gone to bed.  We lucked out in that department. She drains me in every other way though.  ;-)

Where Glennon and I REALLY sync up again is what we do AFTER we get out kids down........ we pass out instantly. I know a lot of moms and dads do a whole lot after their kids go to bed... but Scott and I so do not.  At all.  It's our time.  We read. We drink. We talk.  It's our time.  No housework.  No making lunches. All that has to happen before they go down or it waits til morning. That's just how it is.

I can happily go to bed with a messy house. It doesn't bother me a bit. I wish it bothered me more, but maybe I am lucky it doesn't.  When I have finished my day... when I have rocked it out at work, volunteered like a champion and been mom of the year all day..... it's time for me (and my hubby) when the little ones are in the land of nod.......

That's just the way it is. Some things will never change. (I hope!)

Warm One....

It was SUCH a gorgeous weekend.  Gorgeous.  The weather was just perfect.  My children have, of course, already started complaining that it's "too hot" to play outside.  Lovely. It's May. The pool cannot open soon enough! Too hot.  Lord.  At one point yesterday, Scott actually locked them out.  ;-)  Before you call CPS, it was for like two seconds... to make a point..... but seriously...... GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY!!!!

School cannot end soon enought either. Ally is dunzo. Burned out. Over it.  Ready for a break.... and who could blame her. She works hard all the school year long.... she deserves for it to all end soon.  I hope the teachers begin to ease up just a bit these last few weeks.  Okay, they can have this week.... but starting next week... how about a little less homework for Ally (me) and some more games. What ever happened to "Heads Up Seven Up?" Best in the classroom game ever...................  :-)))))))

Last week, Thursday, Luke went to school an extra day because they had a field trip to The Treehouse. Cuz it's not like we didn't go twice the previous week or anything. HA!  I just had him go for the day to school so he could ride the bus and have a normal day.  My friend Debbie, the mom of one of Luke's besties went along with them because she is a better mom that me. ;-) She sent me pictures........

Luke and Joey are super adorable together. They have become besties this year at school. They go the same days, for about the same hours. They have laid back personalities and mesh well together.  I am sad that Luke will be going on to a new school without him, but it's for the best in so many other ways. I will have to work hard to make sure we still get together with Debbie and Joey on our days off though.

Thursday, after school, the kids and I went to the airport to pick up my Mom!  She was coming in to surprise my Grandma. And surprise her we did......... when we got to my Grandma's house, she had JUST left for the casino in Gun Lake........ so needless to say, the suprise was a bit delayed.  ;-)  My mom shocked her at around 11pm when she arove home.  It was still a surpise and she will be here for two weeks!

Friday, the day was SO gorgeous.  Luke and I went to pick up my mom and went to the park with our friend Rhen for a bit.

After our time at the park, we scooped Ally and went to the store..... we got some wine and chicken to grill.... and had a little kick off of summer BBQ on our deck.  We ate outside... the kids got some new outdoor toys... and we enjoyed the day for what it offered. We enjoyed the wine even more.  :-)

Saturday brought with it a slumber party for both Ally and ME!  My friend's brother passed away this past week, so some of us were able to get together and spend some time taking her mind off things for a while. It was awesome.  Just drinks and sillinesss and lots of serious girl talk.  We slep on air mattresses and we slept the morning away without having to get up with our kids. It was lovely. Ally had a great time too.... and I am impressed that these crazy parents took on so many girls for a SLEEPOVER!!!! The birthday girl's mom uploaded this to FB:

That's a LOT of nine year old girls. A huge amount of drama. Just crazy town!!!!!!!!  They had a blast though!

We all got home Sunday..... some of us a bit worse for the wear....... and had a down day at home. Scott and Luke decided to wash Daddy's car.....

It doesn't get much better than a hose and a bucket for the little man. He just loves to squirt water and fill buckets.  He and Ally dragged crates up from the basement (I can only imagine what they did with the toys that were in them!) and filled them and played with them for hours.  I laid on a blanket next to them and drifted in and out.  ;-)  Can we say.... this Mama is getting too old to drink that much and stay up that late?  ;-)

Scott cleaned his car because he is going to be selling it soon!  We are getting a Nissan Leaf next week! A full electric car.  We had the electrician out last week to outfit the garage with the special outlet we need. It's all very exciting! (to us anyway)

A good weekend. Full of friends and family and togetherness.  Just the way I like it.  It should be a good week.  Lots going on.... and my baby brother, Mary and Maggie arrive Friday night! The opening of the pool and family BBQ's all weekend long.  YAY summer! Welcome. We are so happy to have you!

The Countdown has Begun....

Summer break is officially four weeks away....four more weeks of school.... less than that now really, since it's already Tuesday!  ;-)  Ally is done. Her mind is already on vacation. I can just tell she's burned out. Ready for break. Ready to rest and have some fun. I can respect that.

For Luke, school is just an opportunity to play. I think he will actually miss it a lot.  But, the kids are excited about the opening of the pool in just a couple weeks... and we are all looking forward to a change in schedule.  And, by the end of summer, you will read that I am SO READY for the kids to go back to school.  Just wait for it.............  ;-)

Right now, we are looking forward to so much... and I am feverishly planning, cuz that's what I do!  I am trying to figure out who will watch my kids all summer... how we will get them to and fro.  It's no small task!  I need to find out if Scott's parents would be willing to take them on a day or two. It's complicated because Ally has gymnastics all summer on Mondays and Wednesdays.  From noon to 2pm. Smack dab in the middle of two of my three work days.  I cannot shift my days this summer because I have a standing Monday meeting that cannot be moved. Sucks.

So, that means, we probably need to hire someone to come to the house Monday, that is willing to drive Ally to the gym and pick her up at 2 each day.  I have some options. Fingers crossed.  Hopefully, things will work out for the kids to go to my in-laws on Tuesdays... and then, Wednesdays, maybe Luke can go there again, and Ally will go to day camp at the Club because golf is Wednesday mornings. She will do a half day of camp there, and then, Scott and I will have to take turns getting her on our lunch hour from camp to gymnastics.  I plan to make Wednesday my "short" day and get her by 2. 

Three days of some craziness each week...... then, four days of "whatever!"  No schedule for the rest of the week..... and I don't have to work.

Really looking forward to this shift.  The kids were a freakin' disaster this morning. There are really no words to describe it. And this time, Luke was the worst of the bunch.  He just woke up angry...and never stopped yelling. I had to get him dressed while he yelled at me. And then, he went out the door, still yelling...... a complete shit way to start your day.

Ally started out rough. She marches right into my bathroom and starts in on how she hates her hair.  She hates that everyone else has smooth, straight hair and hers is curly and frizzy and we have to put product in it.

Lord give me strength.

Luckily she got over herself. I think she was so shocked by Luke's actions of the morning. At one point, she was even attempting to calm Luke.  A rare occurrence since she usually enjoys getting him all worked up.

I resisted the urge to tell her he was simply acting like she does on a daily basis.  Look at my superior parenting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ;-)

Scott cannot wait for the school year to end.  It pretty much means he gets to get up and get himself to work.  Life gets cushy for the Daddy. (slight exaggeration here!) If someone comes to our house on Mondays, we don't even have to wake the kids.  That is luxurious!  Tuesdays, they might just go to Nana's in their PJ's.  What a concept? And well, Wednesday we will have to get Ally dressed..... but one day a week ain't bad.  ;-)

I really am excited for the summer. I am just excited for it to be warm. For meals out on the deck. For drinks out on the deck!  Walks. Pool time. Happy kids playing OUTSIDE.  Bikes and scooters.  Driveway chalk and basketball hoops.  I love going home on days like today and having the kids change and turn around and run back outside. Lovely.  Just lovely.

Remind me of how much I anticipated this summer come July/August when my kids have had enough togetherness............... remind me and hand me a drink. :-)

Bring on the summer.........

Happy Mothers Day...

It's Mothers Day morning. My kids slept until well after 9 am. Scott got up with them, when they did wake. They made me breakfast and coffee. An omelet, hash browns, bacon and a croissant with strawberry jam. Awesome.

I had my coffee and breakfast in bed as I always do. They brought me cards and gifts. Hand made gifts they made in school. A wonderful gift basket they put together with Scott. A gift card to the spa. A bottle of wine. My favorite candies. A book. Perfect. :)

Now, Ally is taking a shower. Signing Taylor Swift at the top of her lungs. Luke is playing with a lamp cord while eating tic tacs. This pretty much sums up my kids. :)))))

We are headed to Scott's parents in a bit. Grilling salmon over there. Having some wine. A low key, relaxing day. As it should be. My kind of day.

Much love to all the mothers out there. I am blessed to have many. I am blessed to know many.

Treehouse...

I'm at the Threehouse with Luke and Grace. We met Nicole and Jessica here earlier. Jessica took off. Then, Nicole. We are still here. Luke and Grace are having so much fun. So much. This is my first time at the new location. It rocks. It is perfect for the age they are. They are as happy as can be!!!!!! It is so nice......

I have given them the ten minute warning. They have made friends and are not going to like leaving at all.

The fun always has to come to and end.

Bummer.

Mid Week Ramblings...

This is going to be a scattered post.  My thoughts and feelings are quite scattered today. They have been all week. So, I am certain my writing will mirror my mind. My apologies in advance. Try to keep up.

Scott is sick. Super sick. Sick in bed sick. Sick and isn't working sick. That's sick.

That means I have been single mom for a couple days.  Today he is home, but is feeling well enough to care for our children this evening so I can attend Ladies Night Out at the club. It's a total cheesy night.  They have a fashion show of golf and tennis attire.  I will be like one of five women there under 60.  But the wine will be flowing and the food will be great....... and like I said, I need a night out.  Leslie and fam are considering joining, so I am taking her to the event so she falls in love and wants to become a member. I want everyone to join so I have lots of good peeps to drink poolside with me this summer. It's all about me and my needs people. ;-)

We all know this is NOT true as much as I joke about it. But a girl can dream.  ;-)

Scott and I had a wonderful evening out last Friday that I never shared. We went to Marriage Matters fundraiser and auction. Some friends of ours are super involved in this amazing program.... and we have gotten to know the fundraising director so we wanted to go in support of the program and have a night out with friends and each other. It was a great time.  The food was awesome.  The wine was decent.  The company could not be beat.

We feel pretty strongly about helping out in this regard.  We know how hard marriage can be. Who doesn't? But we feel a sense of obligation to reach out and help others. We are talking about becoming more formally involved.... more than just writing a check.  We talked about time and do we have it..... but I think when you reach out to help others, you only help yourself... your own relationship. Always worth the time.  We will find a way. Such a great resource for a community that really needs it.

Ally had a sleepover Saturday night and Scott, Luke and I went out to eat.  All I have to say is just Luke is the easiest thing in the world. He is a really, really great kid. 

I will speak no more on the subject.  ;-)

It's not to say Ally is a BAD kid..... she's just more consuming. More high maintenance. It is what it is.  Damn Luke is easy. He may have his moments of drama (and they can be big - se previous post!) but he gets over it and all-in-all moves on!

Ally has a sleepover Friday night too.  I may or may not be really looking forward to it.  ;-)

I love my girl... I do. I like my breaks from her. I will admit it.  This morning, she was being so mean to her brother.  I don't see her like this with anyone but him. She can be so awful to him.  All he does is love her and worship her.  She really can't accept his love right now or love him back. She is so freakin' jealous of him in all that he does.

Maybe it's the age difference..... she sees him as "getting away" with everything... and that is true. We expect more from her.   She is nine. He is four.  She doesn't get it.  She doesn't see the reason in it.  Sigh. It's not easy.

I know siblings have rivalries... but I don't have to like it.

They do have their moments of peace where the play together amazingly well. I know this. I write about it. I take pictures of it. But, right now, the last time we were all together, it was fight, fight, fight.... and that's what's fresh in my mind. Ugh.

Like I said yesterday.... it never gets easier.... we just have brief moments of ease!  Then, moments of complete shit.  ;-) 

I want to sing the facts of life song... "you take the good, you take the bad and there you have the facts of life......the facts of life......."

Remember Tootie?  Remember how she rollerskated all over the house?  Good times.

Speaking of rollerskating.  Ally is really into it right now.  She is also really into the Babysitters Club books, GYMNASTICS, Taylor Swift, watching music videos on YouTube (apparently MTV doesn't play them anymore), reading magazines about teen stars (like Taylor Swift), painting her nails, smelly lotion from Bath and Body, PANDAS, her guinea pig Penny, and flipping all over my house ALL the time.

She's at this interesting age... not a little girl that plays with dolls and not yet a teenager.... though if I had to pick one over the other, I'd say she more resembles a teenager.  When did this process start at the age of nine????? 

She still hates to shower or brush her teeth or have her hair done.  It's odd, that little bit about her. 

Then, there's Luke.  Luke is becoming so social at school. Each day his teacher tells me he just does more and more... the year has been wonderful for him.  He has a best friend at school... or two!  We have play dates with one of them regularly now and Luke looks forward to seeing him outside of school.  Luke is really into Spiderman, trying to do gymnastics like his big sister, riding his bike, art (he loves to paint, color and draw), helping Daddy work in the yard (loves to help!!!), reading his preschool magazine stories (we get Turtle and Ladybug), chocolate milk, his Mr. Paws paper doll, ants, and his fish.

Ahhhhh his fish....... all but one have died........ lovely.  We cannot keep fish alive in our house.  At first Luke would get really upset... now, I think he's immune to death. He says we can just go get more. Nice huh?  Ugh.  I don't like the fish tank.  Never have. 

Goldfish Cracker took a digger.... he was the most recent one to go to fishy heaven.

Goofball is still alive and kicking, although Luke doesn't know that it's really Goofball the Second cuz the first one died and we replaced him before Luke could notice.

So, technically that means we killed all the fish. 

Luke took the passing of his "ant friend" harder than the most recent passing of Goldfish Cracker. Apparently Luke has a love for the ant.  Who knew?  He wails when they get lost (he tries to hold on to them).  "But he was MY FRIEND" he cries in a heartbroken voice like he has no one else to love him but an ant.  Lord. 

Ally tells him to go outside and get a new one.  Empathy at its finest right there.

God I love my kids.  They are such a giant pain in the ass...... but I love 'em. 

Happy Wednesday my friends........ is it Wine-o-Clock yet?????????????????

It's Gonna Get Worse Before It Gets Better....

So, yesterday my Facebook status read "So you're telling me this parenting business doesn't get any easier...."

It was prompted by an event among Ally and a friend. An event where one girl hurts another and feelings are hurt on both sides, so then friends don't talk to friends and others take sides and you end up with a little girl who doesn't understand and you are left to pick up the pieces.

This isn't going to stop anytime soon.  She is only nine. She is only in the third grade.

Children can be so cruel. I include her in the equation. I am not taking her side. I do know my daugther is hurting, but I also know my daughter and I know she played a role. And always will. 

It doesn't matter what the details were.... it doesn't matter who did what, to whom. I told Ally to go to school today and apologize.  She doesn't know what for or why. I simply told her to be the bigger person. That friendship is always more important that who is right or wrong and who did what to whom.  None of that matters.  Always be the bigger person Ally. Always rise above.

She's so fragile and strong all at the same time. I look at her and I see this. I think she is more fragile than strong right now though... and she acts tough to cover.  She hates being seen as weak. 

She hates being seen as wrong.

She has all these adult feelings and notions..... I wish she could just be a clueless, happy kid. But she's not. That's not the cards we were dealt.

So, I am feeling a little down and overwhelmed today. I'm letting myself think that I have years of girl drama to deal with. Years of tears to dry. Feelings to repair. And years of teaching her to be the bigger person... to say she's sorry no matter who was wrong... cuz when it comes to people... to friends... the person is more imporant than the act. 

I wonder how Ally is doing today at school. I wonder if she was able to do it. I wonder if I will pick up a sad little girl or a happy little girl.

How do I teach her to just be exactly who she is... and that the friends who love that person are the friends she needs and should have.

Never gets easier.... they carry our hearts all around with them.... and they are open and exposed.... and they're kids, so frankly, they're not so good with protecting them.  Our hearts are bound to get inujred.

It's the nature of the game.

Game on.