Growing Girls

Yesterday I went to Subway. As I waited in line to place my delicious order, I noticed a group of 8 high school age girls crammed into a booth. I first noticed how "done-up" they were (compared to my t-shirt and jeans and maybe a little mascara high school look), hair done, make-up, clothes, accessories. Then I listened to them. I could not believe how disrespectful, and just plain mean, they were to each other. Presumably, they were treating their friends this way; a way in which I would not treat my worst enemy (not that I have any :) ). I left Subway vowing to do my best to raise Olivia in such a way that she would not treat others this way.

Today we received our book order through daycare. I don't know about you, but I LOVED book orders growing up, and I still get giddy when I find them in our daycare bag. I had ordered both kids a few new books to spruce up our library. Olivia was stoked to read one of her books, that came in a set of 3, before bed tonight: Pinkalicious, Goldalicious, and Purplicious. All look like adorable stories about a little girl...and I ordered them because someone had told me how cute they were. Olivia picked out Purplicious for tonight's bedtime book, and I excitedly started reading our new book:

"What are you painting?" asked Kendra.
"A picture of a sunset," I said.
"EWWW, it's soooo ugly. Pinkalicious, why does everything you paint have to have pink in it?" asked Tara.
"Because pink is my favorite color, " I answered.
"Don't you know, pink is passe. Passe is French for 'over,'"said Brittany. "The new color is black. All the girls like black now."

I stopped reading. I don't believe in throwing books away, but this book will NOT be in our library. It's no wonder girls now days treat each other the way they do.

Sometimes...

a cute picture helps me to not lose my patience.

Sometimes not. But we're trying in this house with this 3 year old who's naughty behavior is increasing 10 fold every day!

Just to vent...

The kids and I had a busy morning! At 7:40 I called the clinic to schedule an appointment for Aidan, 7:42 off the phone, racing out of the house to drive 15 min. to get to the clinic for our 8 am appointment. MADE IT! :) And thankful, no ear infection! Just some stinkin' virus. Headed to a friend's garage sale and another garage sale down the street where I scored the cutest outdoor table & chairs for the kids... $2! Red Adirondack style chairs with a yellow table. Adorable! Plus another "boy toy" (I put it in quotes because Olivia thinks it is just as great as Aidan). Headed home for lunch & a little play before naps. Aidan went down great, Olivia rested with me and is now having quiet time.

We had a great morning! But as I sit here typing I just feel crabby for some reason. Better get those crabbies out before the kids wake up. I think I'll treat myself to my latest addiction... watching 16 & Pregnant (MTV) online. I consider it "work-related" television. :)

Life in the fast lane!

Did you know it's August 23rd today? I can hardly believe that summer is soon to be done... although I will be SO glad to be done with humidity. I'm a fall kind of girl myself, so I am really looking forward to some cooler temps soon. I feel like the last few weeks have zoomed by faster than I can imagine! Here's some random updates:

Aidan is talking up a storm! In the last 2 weeks he has started putting words together all the time. His favorite sentence is: Daddy tractor ride. :)

He has also started being very concerned about things biting him (as if we don't need to be concerned about that from him!). The other day at breakfast he said" MOMMY! Bug. Bite. Waffle." I, of course, told him it was okay, that the bug wouldn't bite his waffle. "MOMMY! Bug. Bite. Peabuha (Peanut Butter)." No no, Aidan, it's okay. "MOMMY! Bug. Bite. Toes." "MOMMY! Bug. Bite. Nose." Then he started giggling so I stopped reassuring him. :)

We ate breakfast out on the steps one morning last week when the humidity was down. This is one of Aidan's favorite things to do. The squirrels are out in full force at our house and they were in the trees above us knocking down acorns. Every time a squirrel would move around above us, Aidan would look at me with the most serious expression and say "MONKEY." So sweet!

Olivia is starting preschool in only a couple of weeks! This is so exciting for her, and while I am excited, I am also feeling a little sad. My little girl is growing up so quickly and I can't help but feel a little hole inside me where those few hours a week will be spent being independent from Mommy!

Miss Olivia, or Tasha as she told me last week that I could call her from now on, is going through a serious SASSY phase. Miss Sassafrass and Sassy pants are common references made to this girl recently. She's seriously 3 going on 15, and the glimpse I'm getting gives me a little fear! :) Luckily consistency is something I always strive for with discipline and I see improvements!

As sassy as she is, she is so full of love for her little brother! She melts my heart with how much time she wants to spend with him, helping him, loving him, and laughing with him. I could listen to them play for hours! (if only it lasted that long...)

A little more Rome...

Sooo many fountains!

Why haven't I been blogging?

We've been busy! Family reunions...

Road trips to said reunions...

Obstacle courses...


Working in our garden...

Working on the potty... :)

We've been so busy that I just realized I saved all of August's pictures in July's folder... time is flying! I have so much more to update on, and more fun pictures, but here's a taste!!

The Colesseum

...is truly too amazing for words.

Were we in Rome?

I think it's about time I told you about this part of our trip! We flew to Rome early in the morning on June 8th, arriving around 10:30 AM. It feels so strange to be in Sweden and just 2 1/2 hours later you land in Rome, Italy! We got checked-in at our hotel and walked down the street to a great little pizzeria. I think that every block in Rome is filled with 2-3 pizzerias and 2-3 gelaterias. It's fabulous (if you like pizza and ice cream!)!! After a quick lunch we just decided to walk around for a bit. We admired the wonderful streets and buildings and had walked about 10 min. when we turned the corner and were faced with the Colesseum! It was so amazing to see, and even more amazing that it is just RIGHT THERE. We decided to head down there and tour the Roman Forum & Palentine Hill. Here are some pics from our first day:

Me (& the garbage can...) & the great view from Palantine Hill
Ryan in the Roman Forum, overlooking the Colesseum

The Roman Forum

Looking out at the city of Rome


Oh how I could be back there today.... :)

Birthday

If you didn't know, it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago (June 21). I love birthdays!! I even celebrate my 1/2 birthday... even if it's nothing more than me telling myself "Happy 1/2 birthday". :) This year I turned the big 29. Truly, I felt a little old. Now, I don't know about you, but when you are an adult, birthdays tend to not be as much fun as when you were a kid. For me, it's namely because I usually have to work on my birthday. Even with working, it was still a great birthday.

Since I've become a Mom, I've become very bad at spending money on myself. Particularly when someone gives me $ or a gift card... most of the cash usually gets dumped into the bank account and spent on groceries or bills... gift cards, since they're usually for Target, get spent on diapers. Not really a lot of fun. However, this year I have made a committment to myself to spend my birthday $ only on ME.

So I'm faced with a tough decision: (I'm already saving up to buy a Northface fleece) but with the rest of the money should I buy some fun jewelry or fun stuff for my kitchen?

Apparently...

We, and by we I mean my children, don't wear clothes enough in the summertime! Even for snacks! :)