It's a bird, it's a plane, it's ...

Haley in the Snow

My Little Genius

For some reason, Britton thinks that anyone with a mustache is a "genius". Probably the first time he heard the word was in reference to a guy with a mustache and he's just made the asssociation ever since. Anyway, he always pretends to have a mustache, then says, "I'm a genius". I guess this big nose on these glasses looks enough like a mustache to him because he calls them his "genius glasses". What a funny kid!

Get Up and Dance

One of my very favorite things to do with my kids is to dance. I turn up the music really loud, and they both just go crazy. And we laugh and laugh and laugh at each other's moves. It's so much fun. We all sing as loud as we can and dance without worrying about what we look like. Britton has some really funny, seductive-type moves that are just hilarious for a three year old. And whenever you ask him where he learned it he says, "from my daddy" which makes it even funnier. Haley has more of a wild, carefree style of dancing. She does whatever she can make her little body do. Her latest thing is trying to jump all around while rolling her arms like the "roll it and roll it" part of pat-a-cake. It's rather amusing. Britton's all time favorite dance song is "Whip it". He gets so excited when he hears it and says, "this is my song". Haley loves the theme song from the Gilmore Girls. Whenever she hears it, she stops whatever she is doing and starts bobbing her head and that gets us all going. Even though usually I can fast forward through the music, we still listen to it just to dance. And a lot of times, when it's over, she'll say, "again, again". And I just can't resist because we're all having so much fun.

Be a Kid Again

In a book that gives suggestions on how to change your life, one of the tips was to "Do some child like play this week". I glanced over the list of suggested activities and was amazed to see that I do almost all of them on a regular basis. I guess having kids really does keep you young, or at least keeps you doing child like things.
The list included the following:
Draw with pastels; Eat with you fingers; Play with play doh; Look at grass, sticks, pinecones, rocks; Dance; Get dirty; Color; Look for four leaf clovers; Hula hoop; Talk to a dog; Get a temporary tatoo; Play musical chairs; Get your face painted; Sleep with a stuffed animal; Have a watermelon spitting contest; Paint someone's toenails; Mimic your cat
I was trying to find at least one thing on the list that wasn't a regular occurrence for me, so that I could try to enrich my life this week by doing it. But, I guess if the idea is to do something different and expand yourself, then maybe I should be trying to find some adult activity to do this week instead. Too bad I can't remember what it is that adults do.

Today

Today was a fairly enjoyable day. I got to sleep in more than usual. Then we had a play group with some neighbors. It's always interesting to watch my kids interact with other kids. And I always wonder what other parents think about my kids and then in turn what they think of me as a parent. Usually, their opinions about my kids are directly related to the behavior and personality of their own kids. For example, I have certain moms who think of Britton as "a little angel", "a peacemaker", and "very easy going". Then there are others who probably think of him as mean, uncontrollable, wild, and violent. I don't know what it is that kids do to bring out such an extreme variation in Britton's personality. But, with certain kids, he is very bossy and wild. Then with others, he's happy go-lucky and kick back. In general, though, he gets along with almost everyone without incident or injury. But, it's still fun to watch him.

Weekly Dinner Schedule

Monday 15--Hawaiian Haystacks
Tuesday 16--Pizza, Salad
Wednesday 17--Sweet n Sour Chicken stirfry and rice
Thursday 18--potato bar, salad bar
Friday 19--Taco Casserole
Saturday 20--chicken and broccoli pasta
Sunday 21--spaghetti

Stop, Reflect, Reward

1. What changes have I made in my life so far?
*Keeping the house cleaner
*Getting organized
*Getting rid of junk
*Getting control of my eating
*Starting to exercise daily

2. How have I grown as a result?
I'm a lot happier and energized.

3. How has my relationship with myself improved?
I've learned a lot about myself and because of that, I can be truer to myself and what i really want out of life.

Projects and Purchases by Room

Backroom: Finish coffee table, paint doors, paint ceiling, fix glass in painting, new carpet
Livingroom: paint, refinish floors, mirror, picture, new furniture, piano
Kitchen: Redo Layout
Bathroom: Redo Layout
Haley's Room: Paint, Carpet
Britton's Room: Carpet
Our Room: Bedroom Set, Paint, Carpet

Hair

I got my hair cut yesterday and I'm still not so sure about how I feel about it. I still haven't adjusted to it. I look in the mirror every few minutes just to get used to it. The funny thing is that it's not all that different, just shorter. And although it's quite a bit shorter, it's not such a big change. So, I don't know why I have to keep looking in the mirror.

Friends

Yesterday I had the chance to talk to a good friend who I haven't talked to in over 2 years. It was so good to talk to her and it was just like as if we had been corresponding all along. We could just pick up where we left off. That's one thing that I really love about all my best friends. We have a bond that I think will never be broken by time or space or anything. I am very blessed to have some of the greatest people in the world as my best friends. And if I don't see them/hear from them in years and years, I still know that they are there for me and still care for me and would do anything in their means to help me. That's a great feeling.

Bubble Wrap

What is it about bubble wrap that everyone loves? It doesn't matter who you are, when you come across bubble wrap, everyone just starts popping away.
The other day Haley wrapped herself up in some pink bubble wrap. It just got me thinking...