Busy busy busy...

That is the most concise way to describe life right now. Busy. But busy is good. I have been working at Vinyl Words, the girls go to the best sitter in the world, and Eric has managed to hang onto his job at Micron... for now. It is a busy time of year to begin with, holidays are right around the corner and Clara is having her Birthday party this weekend. Yay (insert sarcasm here). I hope to keep up with the blog better - I need to at least try and get pictures on here to entice you all to actually visit (yeah Dave, I know blogs without pictures are boring).

Clara funnies...

These may or may not seem funny now, but trust me, they were funny coming out of her mouth!

A few nights ago I went in to cover Clara up in the middle of the night. She was sound asleep. After I pulled the covers up to her chin she grinned and said "That is certainly sweet of you." I asked her "what?" and she repeated it. I tried to talk to her more, but she was definitely asleep.

Then a day ago she was playing in the yard with her friend, Hailey. They were playing in the kiddie pool and had a sprinkler going. When I brought them inside I told them they were going to take a bath. Clara looked at Hailey and said, "Hailey, we need to go take a bath to wash all this............. water off of us."

Today as we were watching tv she went off for about 5 minutes telling me that I need to buy Lysol because it kills germs better than what I use. She told me that germs spread and nothing kills them better than lysol. I think she watches too much tv?

Portraits!

Watch out, they'll kill ya with cuteness!

June is almost gone??

Whoa! What a month! Nothing in particular has happened, but time is flying. Here is the brief rundown (there may be more on any of the following later...).

This month we celebrated Father's Day and Eric's 30th Birthday. Clara joined a ballet/gymnastics class. We have season passes to the water park. Amelia is still not walking, but she tries every now and then. I am betting she walks in the next 2 weeks. She has also started copying words, her favorite are "no", "owwww", "kitty, meooooow", "ahhh-beeee" (as in aubrie, her friend), and "wah, wah" (from us encouraging her to walk as we hold her hands). For our Birthdays and Mother's/Father's Day combined Eric and I finished the retaining wall and backyard. He also picked up a Kindle and I snagged myself a slick new computer.

I have been continuing to coupon and bargain shop. It is really crazy what I get for free/cheap. I feel like only a few people I talk to understand it, but Eric is very pleased with the new (cheap) me. Not only do I use coupons to save money, but I spend less because dollars have more value to me when I spend so much time and energy to save them with coupons.

I got the girls' portraits done. It has been forever. I'll post them here and try and add pictures to this nekkid blog soon. I have began to dabble in Photoshop again, it is fun and I have major catching up to do!

A question -

When will my 15 month old stop walking on her knees and walk for real?

Today I dressed Amelia in a dress that she could not do her silly crawl/knee-walk in. Ha ha! She would get mad and sit and scream while refusing to move. Now, when Clara was 14 months old and we put her in a dress that prevented crawling, she up and started walking. Not so much for Amelia. Oh well. They say normal kids can take up to 18 months to walk. 3 months baby, and counting. Then you are officially not normal.

Today was a good Sunday, we attended church, were fed dinner by some friends (thanks!), and had our family time (read Mario Kart time). Now if I had only gone to bed early so that tomorrow morning is not the equivalent of a kick in the head. One of these days I'll learn.

This Day...

The girls managed to drive me crazy. Well, who are we kidding, they can always “manage” that. But today, Amelia refused her nap. That alone makes for a baaaad afternoon.

Then after dinner got the bright idea to try and replicate my favorite dessert, Lemoncello Cream Torte from Cheescake Factory… I made a pretty little pudding cool whip cake thing… but it is NOTHING like CF’s. More disappointment there.

Despite my tired state I decided to go to a few places to catch some good deals with coupons. Yes, coupons. Just shut up and take them already. I am SO tired of being harassed for my coupons.

Now I am ready to go to bed… but not before I check the bank accounts to see how much moolah we don’t have. That is, if I can manage to get on the stupid internet that has been flickering in and out of service tonight. Me without internet…. Bad bad bad bad bad.

How about a better day tomorrow??

PS. Stupid internet is finally working.

A date! A date!

We had a date! Eric and I got to go out to eat. And did we eat! We went to the Cheesecake Factory. Mmmmmm. Can I just say the Lemoncello Cream Torte is better than..... everything. Seriously.

Then I got a nap. Then it rained (poured, actually). Then Eric had to be a jerk about cleaning. Way to ruin a good day.

We got a dolla'...

We got a dolla'. We got a dolla' hey hey hey hey!

Last night I scored some free lotion, 25 cent deodorant, free toothpaste, $1 shampoo/conditioner... Heck, I even managed to get my Taco Bell order for free! I am getting good at this. Thanks to Brie and the BBC bargain board, I am addicted to coupons.

Mario Kart...

is tons of fun and slightly addictive. A very good way to burn an entire Sunday as a family.

Clara-isms!

What are Clara-isms? The things this child comes up with are hilarious. I feel the need to jot them down every once in awhile. When I think about it i'll post em. Hopefully they will still be funny. If not, oh well.

For today:
"Smell that fresh country air!"

Yeah, she is a nerd. She said this several times today.

Couponing Crazeee

All my time and energy has been going into couponing. It is fun, but like I said. It takes time and energy. And gasoline. And patience with jerk cashiers and store managers who don't like "people like me" (yeah, one Albertson's manager said that). Oh well. My scores for the last few weeks:

$.50 Wisk
$1.00 All F&C and Snuggle
$.17 Lawry's marinade
$.63 jars of mayo
$.36 Knorr side dishes
Free salad dressing
$.25 - $.50 cereal

I need some paper towels, toilet paper, diapers, deodorant, toothpaste... I WILL get these thing for cheap, if not free.

Camping!

Clara and I have been camping... twice! I am hoping to drag Eric along, I think he will enjoy it. For now, he stays home with Amelia, and I can't complain too much.

Camping trip #1, April 18-20

We tagged along with my friend, Sarah, and her family. We went to Three Island Crossing at Glenn's Ferry, close to twin Falls, Idaho. We slept in their camp trailer. Clara had her 1st camp fire, she was a RIOT! We went swimming in a warm springs pool and went on a treasure hunt. Of course, Clara loved every second of it. The Snake river is beautiful and I would love to go there again.

Camping trip #2, May 9-11

This time we rented our own little cabin. Eric still refused to go, so Clara and I had the place to ourselves. We went with 2 other families (Sarah's and Jen's) who had camp trailers. The place we visited this time was Bruneau Dunes, south of Mountain Home, Idaho. It was pretty cool , there were huge sand dunes. The kids played in the sand and the adults relaxed.

The weather is getting warmer, so I am not sure how many more camping trips are on order for this summer, but we will go again this fall. Who knows, maybe Eric will join us, maybe not.

Why are things so confusing...

when you're 4? Today during the drive home from the store Clara's conversation went something like this...

- She wants a baby brother.
- She wanted to know how babies got into Mom's belly.
- She concluded that Jesus puts them there.
- She also concluded that Jesus is nice.
- Then she said that it was a good thing he is nice because when you die you meet him.
- She wanted to know if we come back to Earth after we die.
- She pointed out that after we die we are resurrected (yes, she used that word), so why wouldn't we come back to earth.
- She said that she would rather stay on Earth after she dies than go to Heaven.
- She panicked because even though Jesus is nice, she wants to live with Mom and Dad after she dies.
- She panicked when I told her Mom and Dad would probably die first and be waiting for her.
- She panicked more and more and ran through every morbid death situation that could occur including herself, mom and dad, her sister, her grandparents, and even her future children.

Of course, I am driving while she is having this conversation. I am tuning her out and skirting around her questions by saying "uh huh, yep, sure honey"... but then realize I am probably confusing her even more by not listening. So I try and answer the questions truthfully. Well, being truthful about death doesn't work, not with a 4 year old, and not when said 4 year old probably knows more about it than I do. She is a better listener in church...

Another try.

Yep, another attempt at a blog. I moved some accounts around and started a blog for my vinyl business (modernsuburbia@blogspot.com), so this should be easier to keep up with. I think I am just going to jump right in like I've been blogging forever.

Archival Post - Our descriptions

Every time I update our little descriptions on the side bar I want to save what was there before. I don't journal or keep scrapbooks very well, so any little bit that I can archive helps. I hope. Or maybe it won't ever make a difference. Either way, this is where I plan to save them all to.

2007 Descriptions

Clara
Clara, Clara, Clara. Where do I begin. This child is the most entertaining 4 year old. There is not a day that goes by that her wit and big mouth don't make me smile. Even if I am really mad at her for whatever it may be. She enjoys coloring, tv, ballet dancing, and playing with (bossing around) her sister.

Amelia
Amelia is my baby, my sweet little baby. She is an active 1 year old who loves to play with her toys. She loves to eat too, which you wouldn't know because she is so tiny. One think that is big though.... her voice. We don't call her "terodactyl" for nothing!

Old Blog - Moving the posts here...

This is my last post...

12-31-2007

Of 2007.

It is 11:53 pm right now. I am sitting, watching New York City's party being re-played... alone while everyone else is sleeping.

Resolutions:

Lose weight and become healthier as a family
Become financially smart and responsible
Organize and stay that way
Keep on top of my kids pictures and memory books

Hmmm..... I am sure there is much more, but those are on the top.

I better get going, we have about a minute...

Happy New Year! Here's to 2008!

A Holiday Whobie Whatie?

12-24-2007

Yes it is Christmas eve. And the title is tribute to my siblings... good times. It has been snowy here, I swear I almost died coming home from the grocery store Saturday night. Well, I wouldn't have died because I was maxing out at 23 miles per hour... but still. I HATE winter driving. It is my very least favorite thing, besides cream cheese.

I took some pictures today, of the house with a little bit of snow (it snows here, melts a little, freezes into a sheet of ice, melts a little, becomes puddles of muck... repeat)and some of the girls by the tree in their jammies. So cute.

Clara is anxiously anticipating Santa, although if the tale of the Big Fat Christmas Guy were true she would have earned herself the biggest lump of coal. In fact, I think Santa would just skip our house all together.

Amelia refused her naps today so she is already nestled in bed, resting up to wake us nice and early, my bet is somewhere between 5:30 and 6:30 am.

I get to assemble a few key items and finish wrapping, clean up the house a bit, prepare a few things for lunch tomorrow, possible make a pie (that is a big fat MAYBE), and try and sleep. I have to admit I am pretty excited for tomorrow. Christmases were always a big deal growing up and it is only natural to have those little excited flutters.

My feelings are mixed this holiday though - I really do miss the families. This is our first Christmas we are not spending with family. It is strange to be grown up with a couple kids at Christmas time. It used to be all about us and now the roles have changed. We are the mom and dad, and it is all about our little kids. It is fun and exciting, but a little sad and depressing at the same time. Ahh well, the good outweighs the sad.

Well, I better be off. Eric wants to go start a few traditions with Clara. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Holiday Relief...

12-18-2007

I think I am done! Yesterday was a busy one - after and hour and a half sitting in the McDonald's playplace finishing Christmas cards and another hour and a half waiting at the post office to mail my last batch of gifts... I think I am done. We are staying home this year for Christmas for the FIRST time since we have been married (I think). I had to ship every last family gift out, which cost well over $100... Ugh.

Well off to clean the house. Today is house cleaning day, tomorrow is baking day, Thursday is cleaning day again (yes, my house NEEDS it), Friday is doctor appt day...

December Pictures!

12-12-2007

So here is how the pictures work - each month i'll start a picture post for the month. I'll edit it throughout the month to add new pictures, so check the picture posts often for new pics!

Out of the mouth of Clara...

12-12-2007

Well, if you know Clara, you know that since the moment she could use her words, she has. You also know that she has a very funny way with words. Most days she has me calling Eric just to tell him what she has managed to come up with! I have meant to document these things forever, but I guess now is as good as any time to start. Maybe one day I'll remember every little crack up she has said and put it to virtual paper. For now, I'll start with this week.

Clara: "Mom, what does Millie want for Christmas? If you tell me, I can order it on my Christmas list for her. I'll also order something for Dad if he is good."

I guess that is a little better than what she said a few months ago. She was talking about something she wanted for her Birthday. I told her she could only have 4 gifts since she was turning 4. She said, "That's okay Mom, I'll just ask that big fat Christmas guy for it."

Christmas Program Fun!

12-12-2007

Okay, so we were officially the proud, beaming, waving parents in the back of the room at Clara's preschool Christmas program. Clara was officially the kid on stage that was so busy waving to her parents and yelling "I see my Dad, he is right there by my Mom!" that over half the time she forgot to sing and do the hand motions with the other kids. Oh well, isn't that what those programs are all about?

I hate snow.

12-10-2007

I really do. It is pretty if you are sitting in the house all day staring out the windows at the rooftops. It turns ugly the moment you step foot into it. Very ugly. It looks ugly stuck on the bristles of the broom that was just used to sweep inches of it from the car windows and rooftops. It looks ugly in the middle of the road and in between tire tracks. It is ugly as it flies off the top of the car onto the windows that were just swept off moments earlier in the driveway. It looks ugly melted on the bottoms of your pantlegs, car floormats, entry way rugs, and child's knit mittens that are not waterproof. It is just ugly. Trust me.

Today I had to drive in the snow to take Clara to preschool. Driving in the snow continues to be one of my least favorite things to do. It does not help that Clara is adamant about NOT being late. She did stop telling me to drive faster after I explained that driving faster could lead to us sliding off the road or into another vehicle, smashing the car, and that is why she leaves the chest clip on her carseat pushed up to her chest, and to not worry, that we would not crash if she was quiet and let me concentrate on driving... slowly. Amelia was quiet and happy in her seat, entertained by her sister's nonstop talking, as usual.

And so it begins...

12-10-2007

Well here goes. I have had inspiration from friends and family members to begin blogging. It makes sense. I don't mind writing. I would like an easy way to share with friends and family. The girls grow fast and are SO funny! We are pretty entertaining (well to us we are). I need to start documenting the girls more. I am horrible about sharing pictures - although I take dozens a day. I would love to look back and read myself. Hmmm, okay, I am nearly convinced. Yes, a blog is the way to go.

Before I officially begin, I need to compose a disclaimer. You will excuse all spelling and grammar errors. I am really smart in person, but my typing skills are not the best. I rarely proofread before I hit the submit button. You may not hold anything you read in this blog against my parenting skills, ability to be a good friend/sister/daughter/wife/etc, and you will love me unconditionally. You will always think highly of my children and husband, no matter how this blog may portray them.

Posts in this blog are subject to change. It is my blog.

Okay, I think I am done for now. Now on to the fun stuff..... daily posts.