These Are The Days

Precious.

Aren't these faces just precious?

 

Good thing because these two precious animals should be locked up in the looney bin for how NUTS they've been today!  I swear, some days it just takes all of my energy to move on to the next task.

We attempted a run to Ikea this morning before my parents left.  I knew it would be challenging but it was pretty difficult.  A full meltdown for Bella upon arrival that had Grammy disciplining her then Bella declaring that "her Gaga doesn't love her."  CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT CRAP?  She's TWO!!!!  I was hoping the Gaga discipline voice was going to work like a charm and of course, it totally backfired on Gaga leaving Gaga telling Bella that she loves her no matter what.  Oh. Dear. God.

Luke bellyached through the entire store.  It was the kind of crying/whining/fussing where I pretended he wasn't crying b/c there was literally no other way to deal and then those people that think they know much better than you look at him with the most pathetic  "your mother is such a bitch" face.  Yeah, one of those days.  At the end I released him from his suffering to chase him through the aisles and have a first class workout.

Upon arrival home Bella entered into meltdown #2 of the "I don't want to eat that/sit there/be by him/nothing is good enough" variety.  Luke, loving his sister wholeheartedly decided to join forces with his empathetic "misery loves company" cry.  I watched as my dad ate his lunch hurriedly and declared "Time for us to hit the road!"  Can I come too?

Just a challenging day with these two precious souls.  Just hoping that a nice nap, daddy returning home from a friends house and hopefully an afternoon walk will turn this day around.  Crossing my fingers.  XO.

-out of the office-

But checking in to keep up with daily posts!  Here we are enjoying a day of FUN in the Minneapolis SUNSHINE today!

Self timer shot by Lake Harriet where we went to blow off some steam today!  A couple more -- one of my mom and Bella that I LOVE and another of us girls so you can see my boots and weigh in on what you think.  I think I might be too short to pull this look off but I went for it today to test it out!

 

My mom has worked SUPER HARD and has lost 30 pounds!  Doesn't she look FABULOUS?!?!?  Feel free to give Mama a big shout out about how super terrific she looks!  Happy Saturday!

I'm Bushed.

Do you ever have these glorious "plans" during the day about what you'll do at night?  Woo your hubby in a special way?  Prepare a 5 star meal?  Work on a project that keeps getting put to the back burner?  I DO ALL OF THE TIME.

Then 8 o'clock rolls around.  And if I'm LUCKY the kids are in bed and its EVERYTHING I can do to not pass out like a zombie and zone out to the television aside my love who's holding my hand kindly but understands that I've yet again turned into protoplasm at the end of another looooooong day.  Does this happen to you too?

I think the road is paved with good intentions and sometimes, sometimes, I'm just lucky enough that they all pan out and plans do take form and come to life.  It just doesn't happen as much as I'd like.

As I took a walk with the kids late this afternoon to enjoy the blissful weather we were having I thought to myself "it's Friday.  Shouldn't I be excited?  Shouldn't that hold the promise of a weekend, of fun, of things to look forward to?"  And I do have much to look forward to as my parents are in route as I type.  But in my stay-at-home-mom role I find I miss the tinge of excitement that FRIDAY and TGIF used to bring.  That release of all things work, the ability to indulge in fun plans, sleeping in and time to recharge your batteries.  When your work is your life (and I'm not spending a minute complaining!  I feel BLESSED and lucky to have the SAHM job that I do) there are few breaks from the monotony.  I miss my Fridays (all said while still feeling grateful).

The project I had in mind for todays blog post is going to wait until next week.  One of those "best laid plans" that just isn't going to unfold tonight.  I hope you'll understand.

And, I hope you are all feeling TGIF and have some wonderful weekend plans in store.  Here's to all of us working mothers and SAHMs alike to recharge our batteries this weekend and come back on Monday refreshed, renewed and ready to tackle what lies ahead.  Happy Weekend.

Sunshine Day!

Sometimes I'll wake up Bella (especially in the summer) and say "look pumpkin, it's a SUNSHINE DAY!"  She automatically wakes up in a great mood ready to take on the sunshine day.  Today, we welcomed a sunshine day!  It feels like we have had a tiny streak of gray days and when the sun decides to make an appearance, we practically throw a parade in its honor.  I also used the occasion to break out my camera after a hiatus!  Not too many shots though -- these kids were on the move!

 

If the pictures look bright, it's because they ARE!  It was a SUPER sunshiney day here!  After a round of story time at the library, we headed on to the park for outside fun, fresh air, swings, sand and more.  We even met a friend at the library and invited them along!

All of you friends, family and great commentors -- report in tomorrow because I need your help with a tiny project that I'm adding to the blog.  Fun for all.  Oh, and about those passport pictures (I'll scan them so you can see them) -- just try getting your toddler to stay on the seat and look directly at the camera without BLUR.  I wished I could have just brought my own photo but they have to take it.  AND, you have to be still AND you have to be able to see both ears and a full face view.  Buddy took 9 pictures before we got one to work.  It took 4 Walgreens employees to help.  One to hold him still, one to snap a picture and two to act like apes beside me to get him to look our way.  It was a PRODUCTION in every sense of the word.  Mildly amusing, but yet a production!

Toodles.

I can't stop.

I read somewhere that this is "National Blog Month" (wth?) and you're supposed to post for the 30 days of November.  DUH?  Didn't they know LAST month was MY NBM???  So I feel somewhat compelled to keep the ball rolling...and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.  I do.  I just printed and re-read most of last month and I cannot say how thankful I am that I recorded so many details.

And what puts me over the edge and pushes me to just keep posting?  You guessed it, COMMENTS.  I've loved loved loved every one of your comments and especially everyone piping in about "addictions" and "sacrifices!"  WONDERFUL!  I love that many of us have similar things that bog us down addiction wise and also feel a common bond in the sacrificial love of our children/family/husband/dog/jobs/etc.  It's sometimes just nice knowing you aren't alone.

Thought I'd share what I'm doing right now (aside from participating in NBM)...

Just putting the finishing touches on my fall editing and ordering!  The fall frenzy has come to a halt and I'm glad and sad.  Glad to have been so organized and able to complete so many shoots with little delays.  Sad that the 'busy season" is done and wishful for more appointments on the books.  BUT, looking forward to business developments, changes and more PhotoGazelle improvements coming in 2010!  

And the magazines?  That is my "waiting to read" stack sitting right near me begging to be read...maybe later.  Until then I've lit the fire (by lit I mean flipped the switch) and am trying to take the chill out of the air in the last few minutes of nap time..

Tomorrow I'll tell you about my experience taking the kids to Walgreen's to have passport pictures taken.  What a riot!  No, we aren't going anywhere.  YET.  No trips on the books but looking forward to traveling for Steve and Annie's wedding where ever that may be once they decide!!!

And just one more thing.

Happy Birthday Mom!  We are very much looking forward to seeing you this weekend and giving our love to you in person with big sloppy kisses (I won't lick too much) and baby arms thrown around your neck!  We hope you have a birthday as BEAUTIFUL as you!

I'm an addict.

So yesterday in the car on the way home from Target (addiction number one), my precious pumpkin who MUST KNOW what "is next mommy" or where we are going asked as we left, "what's next mommy?"  I answered that we'd be heading home.  She responded "But mama, don't we have to go get your Diet Coke now?"  (addiction number two)  I BUSTED out laughing and answered, "most of the time that is true but today mommy got one at Target, remember?"  She says "oh yeah.  But we didn't get popcorn today huh mommy?" (addiction number three b/c it gets me through Target in a relatively sane manner).  "No baby, not today."

She cracks me up with some of the stuff she's been saying lately.  AND, each time she says something like this it reminds me that I'm supposed to be a GOOD and POSITIVE influence on her!  Not a Diet Coke guzzling machine!!!!  I'm giving myself until New Year's to tame down this Diet Coke addition.  I cannot make any promises on the Target addiction...but cutting back on that wouldn't hurt anyone either!

Tell me friends, what are your addictions?  NOTE -- lighthearted and funny addiction please.  If you have abuse issues just note that I am not a therapist ;)  However, I will listen.

Toodles.  No pics.  Sorry Grandma P and Grammy.  I tried to take one today of Bella when she put on this headband and freaky boots and looked so totally Olivia Newton John in "Let's get Physical" but she bailed before I could take it.  DARN IT!