Contests, contests, contests...

So lately I've been having a great time reading other blogs, and entering every kind of contest like it was my job. Having a whopping two followers of my blog, it's amazing to me that I haven't actually been contacted yet to host one of these contests. Or write a review of a product, whatever. I'd be up for it.

Anyway, the latest one I've read asked how you get creative with your kids. I had to stop and wonder about this. With 17 month old twin boys and, shall we say, a rather needy four year old daughter, do we get creative? Or is it just a feat of creativity to get through the day around here? I mean really.

But then I thought about my expressive girl and her amazing ability to tell stories. Whatever books we read or movie she sees, she seems to internalize some portion of that story line and then weave it into her own story later on. She has an amazing cast of stuffed animals, really the only toy she wants to play with, and she could tell stories with them for hours. She can often be heard for hours after the lights have been turned out telling her stories.

Now, as a former teacher I had all kinds of great plans for creativity when she was younger. Arts and crafts ideas like some crazy pumped up Martha Stewart on steroids... but that girl. She was having none of it. She cried when I first introduced her to finger paints. To this day drawing or coloring is a chore that she'd rather not be bothered with. Building things? Nah. She'll tell her stories, thank you.

Her other interesting creative expression is to actually be the animal that she's interested in. We had a long period of time in which she was a baby reindeer. Strange, but true. And man was that reindeer cheeky. This game can, at times, be embarrassing. She can't seem to escape the role playing and will at times bark at people at inappropriate times. Once she was being a cheetah and using it as an excuse to be a little too rough with her baby brothers. (You know, the old cheetah behaviors- scratching, roaring,etc.) When I told her she needed to be a nice cheetah, a happy cheetah she replied, "Mom, I am happy. I'm happy that I found some meat." Oh- easy enough then.

So we play together. Tonight I was a snake and she was a lion. An interesting matchup, no doubt. And funny because she can relive the same scenario over and over and over. But I guess that's how I encourage her creativity. Play. Give her opportunity to express herself in whatever way she needs to. Keep offering her stories to learn and grow from. And offer up her little brothers as meat if necessary.

Well, looky there. It's December. Slacker! (I say this in a tongue and cheek way- anyone who sees the absolute madness of my daily laugh, feel free to laugh with me.)

I was just addressing Christmas cards and realized that I didn't order enough. I feel like the list has grown exponentially over the last few years. And I guess that makes me glad. I'm also pleased the my stepmother suggested to me keeping all the addresses from my wedding invitation list in a type of file for reference. It was kind of a trip down memory lane addressing those cards. Going through that list of people who came to our wedding, who now receive pictures of our children, made me feel proud of the connections I've made with people over time. Of course there are the aunts and uncles, but also the people who come and go in your life in the most amazing ways. There's Clara, who took care of me each summer of my childhood while I stayed at Grandma Bert's house. A loyal soul, Clara stayed with Grandma Bert all these years, and nursed her until her death in 2007. Clara just lost her husband of 50 plus years to cancer this Fall and it felt good to write to her. To tell her that we still think about her and appreciate the way she's touched our lives. Let her know that she's not alone this Christmas.

So it's almost Christmas. I'm starting to feel like my life is finally making sense again after a few topsy-turvy years here. The boys are so cute- learning new things everyday and making me laugh every moment. Well. Not every moment. Fiona is growing up- we just put in her application for Kindergarten. Whoa! Easy girl, slow down....

Needless to say, change is in the air for 2010 and I'm kind of excited about that.

Wow- so October... hmmmm... time goes by too quickly.

My thoughts this morning are leaning toward the negative, but I'm trying hard to put a nice spin on it. I took the boys over to Lil'Monkey Bizness (Roll my eyes at the spelling) and had quite a time observing the other moms. I'm all for looking good, who says moms have to be dumpy, just because they're moms? But come on. These women were skinnier than I've EVER been (post children,no less!) and they do themselves up like it's a night on the town. Seriously, who do they think is looking (besides the obvious, me) ? I find it to be the double edged sword of a question. Yes, I think that feeling good about yourself, dressing well, staying fit, are important things. But do we feel the need to compete with each other, even in our thirties, as moms? Could it be that I'm just bitter because I'm one of the no fuss moms? I think maybe you're damned if you do, damned if you don't. I, for one, feel that it's important to dress for who I am RIGHT NOW. Clothes that can be painted on, puked on, and preferably stretchy. Ditto for my hair (which in fact was painted the other day- hot pink streak as a matter of fact. Lovely.) Oh yeah- and my budget. Maybe that's where the issue happens for me. I just don't have the cash to shop for all the latest fashions- so sweatpants it is.

And another thing, these cute moms out with their kids this morning? Not one of them actually played with them. They stood in a group and drank their lattes and left their kids to run wild. Hello? I thought that's why I stayed at home. So my kids would have the benefit of having me around. Good old me. Enough of my high horse.

My friend Anne sent me a "list to live by" the other day. It really was touching. And one of the things said, "Your children only have one childhood." I'm trying to remember that one and have some fun with them. Sometimes I'm grouchy mom.

I'm going to go enjoy some quiet time before my girl's home from school.

Monday morning- off to school!

Yippee! First Monday to send my girl out of the door with Daddy. I think she's in a bit of a tailspin. What??!! I have to do this again? When will school end? I'm hoping she will adjust quickly to this new 5 day school week, even if it's only half days. Still- I recognize that exhaustion. It's the hyper-tired girl who bursts into tears at any given moment. Yikes. Especially fun in public.

Went for my first bike ride yesterday! Had David drive me down to the bike shop so that they could attach the trailer. After too many hours spent staring at nuts and bolts I decided to let a professional take over. They attached the trailer and inflated my tires and off I went! Fiona got the first ride in the trailer. "Whoa, crazy lady!" was heard more than once. Although trust me when I say I wasn't going that fast. She's just a little overly cautious- I blame her father. In fact, she wanted to carry on an in depth conversation on the way back and I could hardly spit two words out in response. It was that hard-or I'm in that bad of shape. Either way, I DID it! I overcame my insane embarrassment of being a non-sporty mom in this oh -so -sporty mom town.

Now for a little quiet time (go to sleep, boys. Yes, you!) I could get used to these mornings. I need to feed my reading habit, any good ones lately? Been enjoying Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." You know, just a little light reading. Although I'm sure the grown up in the back of my brain will soon remind me that I should be doing something productive with my time. Like organizing the garage so that my above mentioned bike can actually fit in there. Or cleaning. Yuck. Laundry. Oh please.

Happy birthday to me!

Okay 35, no big deal. I don't worry too much about getting older, possibly because I don't feel so old. Who knows? Maybe it's because I see it as an opportunity for change, like a new year, with all the possibilities wide open. (Unlike another holiday of the same name with so many failed resolutions + a hangover). Seriously. 35 is good. Now that I'm getting a little more sleep I might actually try to lose some of this leftover pregnancy weight. No more excuses- cuz I'm not having anymore children! Besides, wouldn't I like to look better at 35 than I did at 25?

I made a date to go back to WW tomorrow morning at 9:30. It worked before, I lost 30 pounds! And although my goals are not so lofty this time- I'd settle for 10- I still need some help.

I also went out and bought a bike today so that I could toot around town with the boys in the trailer. Thought it might be a fun way to add some exercise to my days. Now if only I could figure out how to attach that damn trailer. *&^%7* arrgh.

Fiona's finished her first week at preschool. She's absolutely exhausted but I think it went well. A little sad to have our days together coming to an end ( I mean of course her days out of school and my days as a SAHM). But I suppose our time alone at home ended when the boys were born. So I see this as a positive change for both of us. She's no longer bored at home putting up with ,"hold on a minute, babe!" or, "Wait! I'm helping the boys!" and I no longer have to cater to a needy 3 (now 4) year old girl! Good all around. Added bonus: I now can spend some time with these delicious, if not overly rambunctious, boys of mine.

A Beginning

Wow. Here I am. They say that at home mom bloggers are the new force in internet blogging- multiplying exponentially every day. And so... here I am. I find myself thinking with each new day that I should be writing this down. I should be writing this down! So many new things said... done... missed.

Life is made up of small happy moments, and so I dedicate this space to my own small happy moments, shared with the ones I love. Will I share this site with anyone I know? Maybe. Will anyone read it? Maybe. But here it is, if only for myself.