Some updates

Maris is eating and sleeping much better! She has taken to eating without her hands and just diving face forward into her plate. Macie and I thought this was so funny yesterday when she got mac and cheese stuck to her snotty nose. It was really funny when there were two noodles stuck there, but I couldn't grab the camera fast enough. Unfortunately, she likes to eat that way off the floor too. She will dump her snack out and then eat them off the floor like a dog. Ha! (I know, it's gross and I do stop her). I guess that is why we have ants and also why I won't spray with chemicals.... so we still have ants.

I finally decided on Macie's birthday. I don't know why I was having such a hard time. Finally, it all just came together in my head. Thanks for all the comments on the blog & otherwise. We are going to have the party at home and it is going to be Mermaid and Pirate theme because Macie wanted to invite boys this year. It will involve our fabulous fort in the backyard, that is very soon to have swings and maybe even a tire swing, and some kind of water fun. We are considering buying or renting a big water slide. Macie and I made the invites, modeled after some ideas I found online and in Parents mag. The invitation is on blue cardstock, cut with wave scissors & blue glitter paint on top. The bottom, we dipped in sand. Then, I mailed them in a paper bag. The invite said to bring the bag for the scavenger hunt. I stayed up til midnite working on that Mon nite. I thought it would be regular postage, but the grumpy lady at the PO told me it would be 59 cents. I had to use two ugly stamps, one of a pitcher and one of James Michener in a Hawain shirt. Ha! Oh well. Cost more to mail them that make them.

About the gifts..... This was a hard one. I am going to just let people bring gifts. And, I think I will wait until she is a little older to try the no gifts thing. I still think she doesn't need anything else. Our house is full of toys, and you know what her friends fight over when they come play? AN OLD BROKEN CELL PHONE! Don't donate your old phone or recycle it, send it to me so they will all have one. Ha!

Now, I have to go clean up the sand that Maris dumped out all over the desk and carpet. I know, I was stupid for bringing it in the house.

Macie is out of school for the summer. I am looking forward to summer and we have a few trips planned. But, I think I will be ready for kindergarten. Macie is so bored already!

Birthday Dilema

Ok, again, I don't know how many people read this regularly, but I need some input. Sara, I already talked to you about this, but am still having some problems deciding. We started having friend bday parties with Macie at age 3. She has had 2 really fun backyard splash pool parties. This year, we were planning on another at home party. Possibly pirate and princess themed so she could invite some of her friends who are boys. I really enjoy the home parties and making the cake and all that. But, for some reason am tempted to go somewhere this year. Macie told me this morning she wanted to go to the princess tea room place. This is where they get to jump in a bounce house, dress up, have nails painted, get their own tea and teapot and cakes and cookies. You pay someone to do all that stuff. Problem is, I would have to limit the invitees cuz its pricey. This is probably the last year she will want to dress up like this. So, what do you think.... at home or fancy pants tea room? I really never thought I would go somewhere for a party, esp a place like that. But, really, I do end up spending a lot of money and definitely a lot of time getting favors and decorations and making the cake and decorating the house and cleaning up the house......

Next issue: Gifts. I really have been thinking that I want to request no gifts or donations to a charity. Macie wasn't too hot on the idea when I mentioned it once. Should I push it or wait until she is older? (For Maris, I think I will definitely start earlier, but Macie has had and has been to too many parties and seen all the gifts galore). Ok, any input would be appreciated.

Mothers Day

I had to share these things:

Macie made a Mothers Day card for me at school. It was a Mad Lib-style form letter and here is what it said:

All About My Mom by Macie:

My Mom's name is Stephanie. She is 37 years old, has brown hair and brownish greenish eyes. If my mom gets to go out to eat, she wants to go to Burger King and she likes to be with the family. Mom spends most of her time cleaning the house and her hobby is playing with me and maris in the bathtub. She would love to take a vacation to everywhere. The best thing my mom does for me is put me to bed.

Hee hee. By the way, I hate Burger King. She said she couldn't think of anything. But, I would like to go on vacation everywhere.

These pictures are of some more flowers Macie picked for me. She LOVES picking flowers. This little vase is a tiny syrup bottle from Cracker Barrell. My grandma was visiting last week and it was her idea. It is so cute and PERFECT for the tiny flowers Macie finds. And, what a great reason to go to Cracker Barrell and order the pecan pancakes! (You get a glimpse of my new kitchen in this picture too. I am currently making curtains, then I will take a picture. My mom helped me get started... I may never finish). The other picture is of some dead magnolia tree leaves. Our neighbor has a magnolia tree and Macie is always picking them up and making a bouquet out of them. This time, we brought them in and put them in a vase. Add some rocks from the front yard and its not a bad look.

Some day I am going to figure out how to make my blog look nice. Maybe when Sara comes to visit...... I have no idea where these pictures are going to come up on here. Anyway, one more thing to share. Last Saturday, I bought myself a mothers day gift. Maybe I will take a picture of it. But, it is two interlocking rings, one says Macie, the other Maris. I first saw the idea here at nelle & lizzy. But, I saw that a lady was selling them here locally and was engraving while you wait. So, got me one.

And, finally, I am adding the picture of Maris cuz I think it's funny. She is walking around the kitchen with a bag of Pirates Booty. Maybe that's why she doesn't eat dinner...... (actually she is getting much better)

Easter & a Macie conversation.

I know, Easter was a million years ago. But, here are some pictures of our little family. I tried all day to get a sweet picture of the girls in the dresses their Granny made them. They were both being stinkers. Notice Maris's muddy toe in the family picture. Ha!

And, here is a funny little Macie story:

Macie: I don't like my name.

Me: Why?

Macie: It's too different. I want a more prettier name like Sheeba or Rudolph.

Okkkaaaayy....... This is an example of a conversation based soley on the fact that she wants to be talking... about ANYTHING.... Just talking. Ha! Which reminds me... She was describing a girl in her class today and she told me "She's not much of a talker ya know". Hee hee.

Mommy Confessions

As I was warned, having Maris has been humbling. Picky eaters bug me and I love to sleep. Macie slept thru the nite by 6 wks (mostly), and eats tons of stuff (not as much as she used to though). Our dog sleeps all night, always has. ha! Maris... she's a picky eater and she still isn't sleeping thru the nite. Well, she does sleep until 4 or 5, if we are really lucky 6. So, technically, that is thru the nite, right? But, I still nurse her to sleep for naps and bedtime. Ugh. She will sit in her high chair for 5 minutes or so and then tries to escape by scooting down under the tray. I always give in and let her out because I am tired from trying to get dinner cooked then cut up on the girls' plates and on mine. (John is rarely home before dinner) I just want to eat in PEACE! So, she gets down after two bites and entertains herself while we eat. Last night she ate her avacado off her plate in her high chair, then got down and ate a piece of egg off the floor from breakfast and some Pirate Booty chees puffs she found left over from her snack earlier. I joke that I should just scatter her dinner around the floor under the table and she would eat it. For lunch today she had a chicken nugget in the car and 4 french fries. That doesn't include the nugget that she chewed on and then spit out in my hand. Lovely. When offered some foods, most foods, she blows a razzberry at it and turns her head away. What the heck? Anyway.... I am not sure who all reads this, but I don't want a lecture or advice. Just venting. I know what the problem is. I have a million excuses and I just can't get there yet. I do have to say to all those people that I secretly looked down on for: nursing too long, not eating well, not sleeping..... "SORRY, Now I know why!!!!!!!" Hopefully, I can get everyone whipped into shape before its too late!

I have been horrible at updating this blog. I hope to post some picts soon.

simple things

The past few weeks have been crazy and busy for me. I won't go into details, cuz its whiny and I just don't feel like it. Consequently, my patience has been short and my girls have been driving me crazy. Then, on Tues, the girls and I were in the front yard and the ice cream truck came speeding down the street. Macie got a huge watermelon flavored popsicle with candy seeds in it. I just remember how much fun that was when I was a kid. Then, we met some friends down at the park where Macie picked these wildflowers for me. She ripped most of them up by the root. It was hilarious. Sometimes I forget that she is just 4, still such a little girl.

I have not been updating my blog like I want to because I have been busy with other stuff. But, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maris is getting tubes in her ears on Fri am. I am so ready. She has had 5 ear infections! And, she has not been sleeping well AT ALL, which of course contributes to my crankiness. So, I will start making her sleep better after that. I am selling a ton of stuff in the JBF consignment sale this weekend, clearing out a bunch of junk. Hopefully this weekend I can do a little shopping and can start re-decorating my newly painted kitchen. Of course I am going to wait until the termite people come and drill holes in the newly painted wall on Friday. Oops I said I wasn't going to whine. Ok, that's it for now!

Overheard in OK

We spent a great few days in OK visiting my mom and Grandma. I forgot my camera in my rush to leave my horrible kitchen and mess of a house, but maybe will post pictures soon. But, I got a kick out of this conversation that took place on Sat while we were fishing down at the pond:

Macie: "Grandma, I'm diggin up this cow patty!"

Grandma Ruth: "Oh good, do you see any worms"?

HA! Gotta love it!!