Cleaning and Scrubbing...or Not!

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. I had every intention of staying home and finishing up the cleaning and getting the cooking started. Instead, Lizzy is home from school so that changes things some. Then, Anna needs a home for the day while her momma works. They play so well together and have so much fun, how could I refuse. Not to mention Jamey pulls me out of more fires than I could ever count. Anna arrived at 6:45 AM and the fun began. Soon there were pleas to read, color, play games and go outside. I remember the saying "Cleaning and scrubbing and can't wait for tomorrow because babies grow up much to our sorrow...) Cleaning and cooking plans went to the side and we had a blast!!!

Swimming!!

Elizabeth was invited to come swim with her friend Fin while they were at the beach on a mini get-away. She had a BLAST! The whole way down there in the car, she kept saying "I so cited!". On the way home she slept the ENTIRE way. Thanks Fin for dinner and tiring her out! Oh, yeah, and for being a good friend and giving her the courage to be the best she can be. Tonight was the first night that Elizabeth has ever been in a pool without mom. In fact just 2 weeks ago, she refused to get in without me. When we did get in, she just clung to my throat. Tonight, she swam like a fish (a fish wearing her swim vest). She even jumped in by herself ~ face wet and all. I was so proud of her accomplishing something new. Thanks Leslie for the opportunity!!


Fin will never drown in a pool! She is a pretty good little swimmer.






This is Elizabeth in July of 2008. Boy, sometimes I forget how big she has gotten.

Totally off topic but way to funny!

This was just too funny NOT to post....

This is an "actual letter" from an Austin , Texas woman sent to Proctor and Gamble regarding one of their feminine products. She really gets rolling after the first paragraph. This was PC Magazine's 2009 Editors' Choice award-winner for the best letter sent via e-mail.

Dear Mr. Thatcher,

I have been a loyal user of your 'Always' maxi pads for over 20 years and I appreciate many of their features. Why, without the LeakGuard Core or Dri-Weave absorbency, I'd probably never go horseback riding or salsa dancing, and I'd certainly steer clear of running up and down the beach in tight, white shorts.

But my favorite feature has to be your revolutionary Flexi-Wings. Kudos on being the only company smart enough to realize how crucial it is that maxi pads be aerodynamic I can't tell you how safe and secure I feel each month knowing there's a little F-16 in my pants.

Have you ever had a menstrual period, Mr. Thatcher? I'm guessing you haven't. Well, my time of the month is starting right now. As I type, I can already feel hormonal forces violently surging through my body. Just a few minutes from now, my body will adjust and I'll be transformed into what my husband likes to call 'an inbred hillbilly with knife skills.'

Isn't the human body amazing?

As Brand Manager in the Feminine-Hygiene Division, you've no doubt seen quite a bit of research on what exactly happens during your customer's monthly visits from 'Aunt Flo'. Therefore, you must know about the bloating, puffiness, and cramping we endure, and about our intense mood swings, crying jags, and out-of-control behavior. You surely realize it's a tough time for most women.

The point is, sir, you of all people must realize that America is just crawling with homicidal maniacs in Capri pants... Which brings me to the reason for my letter. Last month, while in the throes of cramping so painful I wanted to reach inside my body and yank out my uterus, I opened an Always maxi-pad, and there, printed on the adhesive backing, were these words: 'Have a Happy Period.'


Are you f------ kidding me? What I mean is, does any part of your tiny middle-manager brain really think happiness - actual smiling, laughing happiness, is possible during a menstrual period? Did anything
mentioned above sound the least bit pleasurable? Well, did it, James? FYI, unless you're some kind of sick S&M freak, there will never be anything 'happy' about a day in which you have to jack yourself up on Motrin and Kahlua and lock yourself in your house just so you don't march down to the local Walgreen's armed with a hunting rifle and a sketchy plan to end your life in a blaze of glory.

For the love of God, pull your head out, man! If you have to slap a moronic message on a maxi pad, wouldn't it make more sense to say something that's actually pertinent, like 'Put down the Hammer' or 'Vehicular Manslaughter is Wrong'.

Sir, please inform your Accounting Department that, effective immediately, there will be an $8 drop in monthly profits, for I have chosen to take my maxi-pad business elsewhere. And though I will certainly miss your Flex-Wings, I will not for one minute miss your brand of condescending bullsh!t. And that's a promise I will keep.

Always . ...

Wendi Aarons
Austin , TX

Wordless Wednesday

OK, 4 word Wednesday ~ I love you, baby!!

First Day of Kindergarten

The first day of Kindergarten is a mixed bag of emotions around here! To be fair, it also falls on the same day that 3 years ago we walked through our front door for the first time as a family of 3. Only three ago!!! Most mommies get 5 years with their babies before they send them off to begin their life of academia, I only had 3 and Lizzy only had 3 years to be babied before she was on her way to big things. I need more time. I am not sure about her. She is so smart and ready and eager to learn. I usually don't mourn the loss of the her first 3 years or the loss of mothering a true baby but maybe just today will be ok?

Kindergarten started out with a meet your teacher tonight. Lizzy was eager to go. She was most eager to wear that back pack that had been hanging on the closet door just taunting her. She was not allowed to touch it until the big day!


She woke up happy and ready to go!! I had gotten a little worried because over the weekend, she kept crying that she wanted mommy and daddy to go to kindergarten. We explained the rules and she seemed to accept them. She even got to sleep in mommy's bed the night before for some extra cuddles (and to make sure the anxiety didn't get the best of her. After all, a good night sleep would help her be rationale in the morning. She even insisted on wearing a dress, which is unusual for her. She was all smiles and ready to pose for some commemorative pictures.

School went great. She got out of the car with no problems, kissed Daddy goodbye and went off to conquer the world, or a least to make friends with 2 new kids, Maria and Devin. We promised her that we would go our to her favorite restaurant if she had a good day, so off we went to the "Terra Cotta Warriors". We praised and she beamed. Please just let the next day go so well I thought.

Getting home, we let her play outside, which she loves before settling into our early to bed night time routine. We will pray for a day 2 that is just as wonderful as day 1.

Update: Day 2 not off to the same good start. She cried from the moment she got up to the moment she disappeared into the school. Today she knew what was up and she would have NONE of it! Oh lordy, I hope this gets better quick. Dealing with her attachment issues as it relates to all of this puts a different twist on the situation. We have seen such progress with her attachment struggles. I don't think I am mentally ready for a step back. I so wanted it to go smoothly:(

Kindergarten

Tonight was open house for Kindergarten. I am not sure if it is to ease the Mom's and Dad's (well, mostly the mom's) in to Kindergarten or if it is really for the kids. Elizabeth had a pretty new dress to wear after all, we know the old saying about first impressions. She was excited to put on the new back pack which has been hanging on the door know for a month just taunting her. She seemed excited and inquisitive. I think she will do great and have the whole situation under control in a week!

Her teachers are Mrs. Yarrington and Mrs. Moore.

Excited by all of the new things that lie ahead.

She proudly found her seat, her new home away from home!

"Finally, I can wear my backpack!"

Summer Vacation Part 2

The second part of our trip was in Lake George New York. It was a long rainy ride from South Jersey but Elizabeth did amazingly well. Lake George, the lake and the village, are so quaint. It was a wonderful place to visit.

We found a fun place to eat on "Grandma's Front Porch"

The big reason for going to Lake George was to visit our former neighbor, Alisha and her beauty, Mollie. We gave not seen Mollie since she was just a few weeks old. She is such a cutie. We had a fun time visiting and exchanging gifts.

We went on a horse drawn carriage ride around the lake.

We then went on a cruise along Lake George. The Mini haha was alot of fun!

Oh, how I wish I owned this chair!

Friends sharing popcorn along the way.

So pretty and vast!

Our hotel "The Tahoe Resort" from the lake

It was a wonderful stay. Next time, I hope we can spend some more time and enjoy some of the other activities that the area has at offer.

Our Summer Vacation

We enjoyed a wonderful summer vacation! The first leg of our trip was to Wildwood NJ. My dad went there as a kid, I went there and now Elizabeth is enjoying it just as much. We stayed at a new place which was fancy by Wildwood standards. Janet and her family were in the room next door and we shared a room with Grammy and Poppie. While all of the activities were lots of fun, I think the time Elizabeth spent with her Grammy and Pop was the best. That is what she talks about most which is cool because you can jump in any waves or ride any rides but doing with your grandparents is special.

Here is our first 5 days in pictures

Having lunch on the Cape May Lewis Ferry. Wildwood here we come!!

Grammy, Pop and E on the Tram Car

Daddy and E on the bumper cars. She so wanted to drive.

Fun with cousins, Domi and Gabe

She enjoyed the beach, especially jumping the waves with "Gammy"

Refused a nap in the hotel and then collapsed for an hour on top of me at the beach.

Lots of good food was had. She loves "Cabs"

and rides with Grammy was a hit.

All in all, a great extended family vacation. I am thankful that the good lord blessed us with the opportunity.