A day in the life

The end of the school is year quickly creeping up.  I'm going to miss these days.  Next year, Maddy won't be walking home with me.  I'll be waving to her on the bus too.

There's certain things we do everyday.  We have to walk to the school bus because they go to school in a different school district.  On the way, we MUST do this:

Then we wait and look for fish, ducks, geese, and even crayfish and the otter at the creek.

On rare occasions, we see a fox, bunnies, and deer, but more often just the woodchuck.

And our day would not be complete without doing this before heading home:

We're not in Brooklyn, anymore.

What I've been up to...

Whenever we go shopping, we have to do it all in one day because we live so far from civilization and gas is ridiculous.  It's hard on Maddy and Daisy so I have to pack the house or make lots of extra stops for snacks.  A few weeks ago, we stopped at TJ Maxx hoping to find our favorite organic lollipops but I stumbled upon some organic apple chips instead.  They were yummy and Maddy LOVED them. 

When we got home I looked them up and found out they sourced their apples from, gasp, China!  Yes, just like every other apple chip company that we've tried.  I quickly went to Facebook and jokingly commented on their page.  I don't think they liked it because it was deleted in a few hours.  It said something along the lines of, "Really??  Another apple chip brand sourcing their apples from China?  I guess I found an industry to get into."  But that's all it was...a joke.

I thought there had to be a way to find some made in the USA.  Google wasn't much help.  I had to make them myself.  And they were so easy and they were awesomely addicting!!  I can't keep any long because they are quickly gobbled up by everyone including myself.  The only problem is that they are so time consuming. 

The next day, I picked the girls up from the bus.  It was Friday so the Farmer's Market was set up in the parking lot and a light bulb went off.  These would be great here.  The only kid friendly stuff they have is cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream.  Parents would love these.  Who wants to give their kids sugar filled treats when they are getting ready to serve dinner, right??

So tomorrow I'm bringing a bag to the Market Manager.  She's expecting me and really excited.  Wish me luck :) 

Bowling, anyone?

I just signed the girls up for 2 free games ... A DAY ... ALL SUMMER!

Bowling <----- Click your state to find available bowling alleys.

You can also sign up for 4 adults to play all summer for a one time $25 fee.  Not bad, not bad at all.  Yay for free air conditioned activities :D

Snow and Pajamas

I was getting lunch ready for Maddy and Daisy when Kaity ran outside to play in the "snow". A few minutes later, I hear the door close as someone else ran out. I stopped what I was doing about to call Apani back in because I knew she couldn't possibly have cleaned her mess that fast. So I get to the door and see that it's Maddy. And forget the cold, I had to grab my camera.

Yes, that is her SITTING half naked in the snow after making a snow angel.












Yes those are slippers! Is she just so darn cute?!

Trying, I am

I really don't like children...
Not mine, I love mine. And chances are, if you're reading this, I love yours too.

As I was tucking the girls into bed tonight, Abby told me that Kaity licked the floor because the girls on the bus told her to. I send her to school hoping she will be safe and cared for and the kids are pushing her around. She's such a sweetheart and they are taking advantage of her. I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm failing her, like I'm not teaching her how to love and respect herself. Why didn't she say NO? How dare those little girls!! This is not the first time Kaitlyn has been pressured to do something. What am I doing wrong?

I really "hate" motherhood, sometimes. I wallow around in my own personal pity party and self loathe wondering what kind of mess I've gotten myself into, while dipping my hands into a box of chocolates trying to ignore the nearly constant whining between Maddy and Daisy, hoping that with just enough dark chocolate I can drown them out. It doesn't work and I'm going crazy. Days are difficult and stressful and all I want to do is runaway, or hide in the bathroom for a minute or 10. But I don't, obviously runaway. I like to think that with chocolate and a deep breathe I can get through anything, but I don't. I try, though. Apparently, I'm not trying hard enough. Things like this happen and it brings me even deeper down.

I feel like I spend more time being a drill sergeant than a mother. I yell and yell and yell. And then I yell some more.

Every night, I go to bed, regretting many things I've done during the day. Wondering what I could have done differently and pray that tomorrow will be better. Tonight, I'm looking back on the past 7 years, wondering what I've taught them. They are all good kids. I'm always approached by teachers at school and church and the people who get stuck in the pew behind us who do nothing but compliment us on how well behaved they are. So I must be doing something right, but why is Kaitlyn letting people walk all over her? I may be doing something right, but I'm also doing something so wrong. How do I teach a child to love and respect themselves and know that it's ok to say no. I thought I've made that clear, but obviously I haven't.

I've been contemplating home schooling and as hard as it would be, I'm beginning to think, for Kaitlyn, that might just be what's best.

So tonight, instead of worrying about the wrongs I've done today, I'll cry in prayer about the ones I've made for the past 7 years.

Now, Where's my chocolate...I've got another party to attend. Party of one, over here, care to join me?

I should be

... preparing lunch boxes
... packing the bookbags
... laying out uniforms
... finding the shoes, scarfs, mittens, and hats
... setting my alarm
... FINDING MY PHONE SO I CAN SET SAID ALARM
... cleaning
... folding laundry
... sleeping

We're all ready to go back to school, but I'm not prepared for waking up at 6 again. Who am I kidding? I never got to sleep in, but at least I didn't have to jump out of bed and walk 2 miles in the cold.

Maddy, Daisy, and I shall miss them, but I'm sure they will start fighting as soon as they walk in the door and I'll be reminded how important time apart is!

Eggbert

We saw Eggbert. I don't know what a big egg with a crown has to do with Christmas, but if you grew up in Orange County, you saw him every year...and he knew your name...everyone's name. I just found out that after the owner died, there was a huge fire destroying everything. They only just realized Eggbert survived. This was his first year back. It was very exciting.

Even the New York Times wrote about his return.