The Mother of Geese

I am not a crafter. I don't frequent Michael's or Robert's or any other male named Craft store. But come Valentine's day I start searching around for those 50% off coupons and set my mind to some doilying. I was perusing Martha Stewart's website and found these little lovlies. Looked easy enough right? It seemed like a harmless and easy activity and it seemed to appease Amelia's disdain for my only 1 box of Valentine's decorations (as compared with my 21-no joking Christmas or 9 Halloween boxes) I think the problem I have with crafting is that I prefer to wing it and I don't like to be bothered with directions. I noticed that I needed a pencil sharpener for the crayon shavings. I was too lazy to go find one and unwilling to use my lancome eye liner sharpener on it, and I figured I am really handy with a knife. I shaved for awhile then thought I could make the process go faster if I used...my...cuisinart.. If its good enough for cheese and onions why not ...

Short story? I hear music in my head and made soup. Long story? I always, but always have a song in my head. Hopping in the shower? I hear Stripped by Depeche Mode. Doing the laundry? I hear Black and White from Michael Jackson. Taking out the garbage? I hear Special by Garbage. Going for a jog? I hear I wanna run run run from Webkins world. Thinking about what to make for dinner? I hear the Vegetable Soup lyrics from that trippy 70s children show. "It takes All kinds of Vegetables, It takes, All Kinds of Vegetaaaballls." This week I heard the vegetable soup song and thought I would make some soup. Did I neglect to mention that I got a Le Crueset pot for Christmas? (That my friends is a whole other song). But have you ever made homemade noodles? I hadn't. And I will not be using the packaged version ever again. Do it. whoops. Here comes another song in my head. Remember when Sesame Street was cool and not watered down? When they sang about girls that are half grown that j...

I may have mentioned that this week has not been a steller one in regards to my parenting. After being pecked at like a worm from a dozen chickens one morning my patience was at an all time low. Amelia was not cooperating and was being a whiney brat. (there goes that loving language of mine again.) I lost my temper. Bad. I set her down on the floor and was pleased that she was smart enough to head to her room without my "encouraging her to do it". After I had taken a little break I was ready to go apologize and make peace with her. She looked at me with tear filled eyes and told me that I had broken her heart a little bit this morning. I wanted to die. We made up and the two of us were ready to head downstairs. I hadn't had a chance to say my morning prayers yet (could have something to do with my behavior). I explained that I needed just a minute and I would be downstairs when I could. I began to kneel at my bed and she was in the hallway. She was watching me and begin c...

Its award season (side note, Ricky Gervais and the Golden Globes? Snoozeroo. Bring back Neal Patrick Harris please.). I love award season. I love to predict the winners, make fun of the losers, and marvel at the stars stylists. I have noticed also as of late, that I am having my own "performances" with lots of "drama", very little "comedy", no "makeup" as if it came straight out of a "screenplay" particularly in the realm of parenting. I also love a good blog theme, right? So I give you: The Award for Worst Parenting Moment: Day 1: Nearly Blowing the Whole Tooth Fairy Thing or it was all a dream, sleep on I approach the door cautiously. Abbie locked it. Super against family rules to lock doors at night. Wonder if she's onto me and has figured out how things "work". Grab piece from Sesame Street Domino Game to try to pick the lock. Unsuccessful. Cardboard ends have been chewed. Useless. Rummage around in mule chest and find...

I have had a challenging week with too many kids being stuck inside and not enough actual sunshine. I took the kids (my younger 3) to the museum to meet up with a friend and came home to Brad sniffing around the side of our house. He was working from home so I found his behavior slightly odd. I repeatedly asked him "What are you doing" and he repeatedly blew me off. I went inside to make lunch for the kids (chicken noodle soup X2, and one melted mozzerella on sourdough coming right up!) and waited for him to come in and explain his doings. "I think we have something living in our walls". (cue the sound effect man with the scratching record) This diagnosis will not do. He explained that he has heard noises in the walls. Nope. Not having it. He also refuses to buy poison, set traps and he thought my solution of "renting a stray cat from some place" unfeasible. So it was off to Wal-Mart I went to buy something to battle the critter. While a trip to Wal-Mart m...

Every single dingle picture I have of Amelia and I she is doing this. Little booger. I love the New Year clean slatedness. I am a firm believer in resolutions even if they don't last the whole year. Its the practice and exercise in renewal that I support. Since all goals that aren't written down are a wish here is my resolution: LESS. 2010 will be the year of LESS. LESS: noise waste selfishness grounding TV eating out denial grudges excuses waist stressing being inside the house fuel nonsense sugar staying up late biting of the nails crime (eh hem, Rebecca Spader) meat expectations worrying complaining Now while this list my seem unreachable if I can focus on the principle of less all aspects of my life will be richer. Bring on 2010!

After a long day of touring, hiking, and shopping we squeezed in an hour of ice skating. This was a first for all the kids but I think they did really well. Abbie and I training for our Olympic couples ice skating event. Max did not understand ice skating. He did however understand the marshmallows he helped himself to by the fire. Amelia thought ice skating was the coolest because it involved reinacting Home Alone silliness. Falling is hilarious, right Grandma Kitty? Where was that random Korean man for this photo opp? Now this is what I call a good shot! Abbie LOVED ice skating! I admit I got a little teary watching her complete joy in the experience. I can't wait to take her again!

For anyone who is wondering about Yosemite the week before Christmas let me just say it is Magical. This year Grandma Kitty flew us out and treated us to the best Christmas ever! We stayed at the Yosemite Lodge, parked the car, got dressed up in our winter woolies and enjoyed the sights. Amelia was playing in this snow bank when a man came up to her and started taking pictures of her. She thought it was odd. So did I. Max could care less about the snow and views. All he cared about was the tour bus that was taking us around. He cared so much in fact, that during a scheduled photo stop he climbed back in the bus and helped himself to the drivers seat and steering wheel. Awesome. Abbie kept us on our toes by leaving her gloves, hat and scarf behind a record three times. Max usually tolerates snow play for about 20 minutes making it a minor miracle that he stayed outside in his snow clothes for the whole day.

Ah Abbie...if only the whole world had as much faith and belief in Santa as you do. It would surely be a kinder, more logical, more magical, more loving place. Thank you! Amelia: I'm sure he appreciates that you don't want to share your secret of what you want him to bring you, but throw your mom a bone. Refusing to tell anyone but Santa has been a bit inconvenient this year. Max: I don't think you fully understand how this works, but thanks for being so nonverbal and not spilling any beans while out on errands. Merry Christmas!

Abbie and Amelia: working together and sharing their gingerbread house and not eating all the candy first= nice list.

Max: Waking up at 4:30 to go help yourself to marshmallows=naughty list

Max: Insisting on walking around the neighborhood with your hat like this and protesting whenever I would try to fix it properly but nevertheless making me grateful that I have a stroller so I can strap your silly butt to it=a little bit naughty a little bit nice.

Abbie, Amelia, & Max: Finally being at an age where you can play together nicely and not fight during "that music game": VERY VERY NICE

Hi, I'm Rebecca. I steal strollers. I have a miserable life. Dear Funbecca81: Christmas is a time of year to make ammends, forgive others, and to let go of grudges. It is in that spirit I am writing this to you although I will probably never send it to you. I wanted you to know the means I have taken to get what was rightfully mine returned and how it has taken over my life so I can purdge these feelings and really move on. Are you surprised I knew it was you? Truth be told, when it happened I was sure it was a mom and your face popped into my head. So the next morning when my friend mentioned she saw you and the time line fit I was sure. Why would you be trick or treating in my neighborhood when you moved to a different town last February? You might not remember me but I knew your nursery, sunbeam, CTR 5, CTR 7, and CTR 8 when you started to bring them in mid-November and I missed them when you stopped bringing them in January. Did you have a nice Christmas? As a side note, you s...

Max: stripping down nakey so you can dance and jump off the couches, shake your booty and feel free all woodstock style=naughty list because I had to wipe down everywhere your booty touched. Eventhough you didn't piddle anywhere I couldn't get the sound of your butt squeaking down the leather out of my head until we were all disinfected. Points for getting down to Weezer though.

Amelia: believing me when I said that Hannah Montana wants you to have your hair back when you wear this dress instead of in her face and straight=nice list.

Abbie:cheerfully wearing a hat that is too tight for her big head so to alleviate my guilt at sending her to the bus stop freezing=Nice list

Max: Taking Abbie's special Santa puppy off her made bed then bringing it downstairs and feeding it "Bee Cereal" till it drips off the fur=Naughty list.

Daddy, Santa Puppy, Abbie and Amelia: Not breaking mommy's tea set during our hot chocolate party and sharing the Pepperidge Farm "Entertainment Collection" (ooo-la la) special cookies and saving me the Milanos and cookie cigars=Nice list. (memory flash-Rob do you remember when we were living in Uintah and we rolled up newspapers and tried to smoke them on the drive way during the holidays? Good times. So glad your kids check my blog more often than you do for that little memory nugget.)