(inspired by SouleMama)
Right now, I am...
:: enjoying the sweet taste of gummy bears.
:: ecstatic Fall is here. I love this season.
:: feeling so-so. I’ve been very tired lately, looking forward to a couple of weekends where we have no activity, sleeping in, no errands, just hanging out.
:: wanting to take a day off of a work and just cook, cook, cook, to put meals in the freezer, to bottle up granola, possibly experiment with homemade ketchup.
:: riding along on this current journey, one milestone at a time. One milestone at a time.
:: enjoying my time with Max. Since putting down the chores list, and just letting that be, my time with Max has resulted in someone not trying to get my attention in negative ways. (just don’t come over to my house expecting the kitchen to be spotless.)
:: thinking about finances. Planning for the future. It’s a bit of a drag, but the budget needs to be updated.
:: grateful for family.
:: anticipating the cold nights. Looking forward to using the hand-me-down handmade blanket on the bed. It was a gift from my step-father’s grandmother to his mother on her wedding day. I estimate the blanket to be roughly 80 years old.
:: itching to finish some sewing and knitting projects.
:: wishing the trees don’t lose their leaves too quickly. I’d like to enjoy the beautiful colors for a while.
:: wondering if I should get my haircut.
:: hoping the blog class I signed up for will be worth the investment.
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I had intended to post this two days ago. My energy is *zapped* as of late which would explain for the even longer lapse of time between postings here. If anyone has any extra energy, and would be willing to share, please come on down!
A couple of weekends ago (yes! I know I am a bit behind!), Max and I met up with my brother, sister-in-law + kids at the Elmhurst Park District's Touch a Truck event. This was our second year attending. I think its a great event. Last year, the boys were skeptical, but still wanted to sit in some of the trucks. Max was way too small to do anything.
This year, Max was interested, but only from the stroller. The boys were really into it, but had enough of the horns. (seems the highlight of going in to any truck was to press the horn, got real old, real quick.) We got to sit in a fire truck, a de-icer from United Airlines, a Two Men and a Truck moving truck, a school bus and a Jewel food truck. Each truck was giving away a trinket of sorts. United gave out wings. Fire department gave out the red plastic hats. Two Men and a Truck, balloons. Jewel, Jewel gave out chocolate covered pretzel sticks dipped in mini chocolate chips (dark, milk + white). Um, hello...I'll be back to the Jewel truck any day!
*fire engine + airplane de-icer
Then there was the Helicopter. We were first in line.
Some one wasnt interested at all. That's okay, because when I looked inside, there isnt much room to do anything in the helicopter. My 'small space issue' would surface, and quick!
When Max and I were at the Morton Arboretum over Labor Day weekend, there were several art exhibits throughout the place. This one was my favorite. I think its visible from I-88.
You are beautiful.
You are.
My grandmother told me that everytime we saw each other. I tend to remember that when I am feeling low. I think we need to remember this and feel this about ourselves and others.
Looking for super quick, super easy and super cheap Halloween decorations?
Just go to your scrapbook stash, pull out the orange, black and green papers. Grab your glue stick and scissors. And Voila! (if you dont have scrapbook paper on hand, you can get a construction paper pack at Walmart or Target for less than $3.)
The hardest part is coming up with the face parts. I had a picture saved of this craft from a year ago, and cannot for the life of me recall the blogger who posted it. So I am giving credit .... here... just wish I knew!
If you need help with inspiration, check out Martha Stewart.
Another idea ... if your children are older, they can either do the drawing/designing/cutting themselves, or you cut out the pieces and they put them together. Its a fun, easy Halloween-themed activity.
image via
Lately I've been the Bad Cop. I knew I would have to wear this hat, but not ALL. THE. TIME. (Ok, in Max's defense he is not always misbehaving.) I just feel now that he is moving more into a toddler, and less of an infant, the parenting job has taken a turn in a different direction.
Stop biting.
Out of the bathroom cabinets.
Out of the kitchen cabinets.
Stop opening the drawers to Mommy's dresser.
Stop taking all of Mommy's shoes out of the boxes.
I know what I am doing is setting boundaries, teaching him right from wrong, good from bad. But man, this is hard. After Max's goes to bed, I've had little energy to do anything. I've found recently I walk from his room to my room and flop into bed. Only to wake up at midnight, go downstairs to do the dishes and pick-up. Not a good pattern or routine to be in.
Any of my mommy friends or family - Does this stage pass? If so, WHEN???
I love this kid like crazy. I know I need to discipline him. I know I will not be one of his favorite people some day. I just wish I had a crystal ball so that I could see my hard work paying off. And that my frustrations will not rub off on him. He's an overall genuine happy boy. I'd like for it to stay that way.