New Year's Resolutions for one and all

New year's resolutions are a sham.  Basically, it's shit we should already be doing, but are too lazy to for whatever reason, and we use the "new year" as an excuse to say "Yea, I'm finally going to _____!" Whoo-hoo!  But, I usually jump on that bandwagon as well, trying to pick a few things I'd like to do more or less of to help make me a better person (is that even possible?!?) I advise you to make a few different ones, just in case you can't keep them all, and then you don't feel like a total failure!  I made a list of ten things I want to work on a few posts back.  This way, statistically I have a decent chance of keeping a few through out the year.

I decided to ask the peas what their New Year's resolutions are going to be and after attempting to explain what that meant, here were their responses:

Hannah: "I want to play doctor more." (as she was actually playing doctor)  Good choice

Jacob: "I want to do more science and finally become Spider man."  Lofty goal, my son, but I'll support you.

Abigail: "I want to do more grown up stuff like bake and run with you." What the heck??  Doesn't she know that these two are my sacred ALONE time activities??  Blah!

Here's what I would've like for them to have said:

Hannah:  "I'm going to stay in my bed when you tuck me in because I realize that you are ready for your alone time."

Jacob: "I'm going to whine less and quit grinding up my bread on the table when I eat a sandwich so that I will minimize your clean-up time after a meal."

Abigail: "I am going to stop constantly whistling, because I know how aggravated it makes you."

Excellent.

As for Mr. Pea, he's usually quite good at keeping a resolution if he makes one.  Two years ago, he vowed to floss everyday and two years later he still is.  If I were to make one for him this year it would be "I will plan more date nights, on my own, and not say 'I don't care what we do' when you are trying to plan a night out."  That would be super, thanks! :)

If I had to make a resolution for the world it be a two-parter: one: Ladies, stop taking self-pics.  It's super annoying. Ask a friend to do it for you.  And two: people need to stop being such self-centered ass-holes.  It's getting old, people.  Take care of one another and our Earth. We are all that we've got.  We don't want end up like the tubs o'lard living on the Axiom on Wall-e because we couldn't take care of the things that were the most important, do we?!?  I didn't think so.

So happy New Year's everyone!  2012 wasn't my most favorite of years, so here's to wishing for a better one, filled with happy days and peaceful nights (unless I'm going out, then a party-riffic night!); glasses constantly full of wine and houses that magically clean themselves; kids that don't argue nor whine and that sleep into 7:30 on a Saturday and that, most importantly, everyone that I love stays put. :)

It's almost 2013, bring it on, year!

Potty Training 101 {again}

I hate potty training.  I really do.  I was saying to my good friend Courtney the other day that someone should just create a "potty training camp" where you are enroll your child, they stay for a few days, and come back all ready to go!  Bye bye diapers!  Wouldn't that be great?  But, until that glorious day comes, we have to suffer through it.  I liked training Abby.  Jake was fairly easy too.  Hannah, on the other hand, is a different story.  I tried training her in the late spring.  She did ok, as long as I was taking her to the potty.  It never "clicked" for her though. I always had to take her.  She never went on her own.  Then we went on vacation and she completely regressed and I got frustrated and decided we BOTH needed a break!  So now we are giving it another go. 

Two days ago, I gathered all the essential supplies:

Adorable pee and poop potty chart.  What's the best thing about potty training??  Saying POOP and PEE-PEE a hundred times a day!!

Doggy stickers, of course.

Bribes of choice.  I like m & m's.  Easy, small and on holiday clearance. :)

And, of course, a timer, stain cleaner, soaking bucket, a trillion pairs of undies, venti chai's for the daytime and venti glasses of wine for the evening.

 Here she is.  Big girl coloring in her big girl undies and leg warmers (a personal must for pt-ing).

 

I haven't left the house yet.  That's the scariest part.  And the heaviest. All those extra clothes, undies, plastic bags for wet stuff, travel potty seat.  Never did I see myself carrying a foldable TOILET SEAT in my KATE SPADE bag!  Ugh!  Oh well, comes with the territory, I guess. 

 

Hopefully she "gets" it this time and I can move onto the stage of no diaper.  Do you know I have had a child in diapers for 7+ years STRAIGHT?!  That's a lot of diapers. 

 

Come on Hannah, let's get this sh*t together.  Mommy's ready, are you?? Let's rock and roll!

Saying goodbye to Hermie

Today was Hermie's last day with us.  Tonight is he suppose to fly back with Santa to the North Pole and then he will come again next year.  I will have to say, I'll miss Hermie.  He has been a fun addition to our Christmas tradition and the kids just loved finding him every morning.

 

Since he was so special to the kids, I wanted to do something fun for his exit.

 

 

 

Last night, I wrote a little note to accompany his hiding spot.  Here's what it said:

 

"Dear Abigail, Jacob and Hannah,

Today is my last day,

I must say good-bye,

Tonight I must go

to the North Pole I'll fly.

But Santa will be here

with gifts and good cheer,

and I'll be back again next year.

So remember to behave and take care of yourselves,

and remember all the fun times you had with me, Hermie the Elf!"

 

and just for an extra special touch, on the bottom I added:

 

"at 12:00, Santa will lift my magic, only for a few minutes, so you can pick me up and say good bye!  Remember to say the magic words: Snowflake, snowflake, snowflake!"

 

So all morning, the kids were anxious for noon to come.  Finally, at 12:00, we got to hug Hermie and say good-bye.

I cannot express how excited and nervous they were.

Pure joy.

Abby was nervous and didn't want to hold him for too long!

One last picture with The Herm!

Then tonight, we said our final good-byes.  They seemed to have mixed emotions about him leaving, expressing how much they will miss him.  I explained that now was the time for Hermie to go on vacation with his elf friends so that seemed to help!

Next to Santa's cookies, Hermie is leaving these chocolates and coloring pictures of himself!

He left a note saying how much he will miss the kids until next year :)

 

Merry Christmas Hermie. We will miss you!  Tell Santa hi from the Thomas Family.

 

Now it's back to following up with my own consequences for bad behavior...great ;)

A Confession

So, before you are a mother, your head is full of visions of how it will be someday when you become a parent: lazy days full of snuggles, joyful crafts sessions where the mess doesn't matter, little angels falling asleep peacefully in their beds without fuss.  Then you become a mother and you realize that, while these moments do exist, most days are full of mini triumphs and many small struggles.  Instead of lazy days; your days are filled to the brim with things to do and not enough time to do them...instead of crafts, there are more just messes...and very few evenings end the way you plan.  Now, this doesn't mean that these days aren't memorable and full of love, they are just a bit different then they were with your rose-colored glasses on.

Before you are a mother, there are certain events that you are led to believe are a MUST to do AND enjoy with your kids.  Things like crafts, reading, walks, bike rides and building blocks fall into this category.  We all do these, but do we really enjoy ALL of them??  Probably at one time or another we do, but if you are like me, then you may have days that these sort of obligatory events are less than pleasurable.  But, rare is a mother that will admit it.  Who me???  NEVER!  I LOVE doing things with my kids ALL day.  I am a perfect mother, didn't you know??? 

Well, I am going to be the first to make a confession.  Loud and online.  Permanent and for all the world (or at least the anyone that reads my blog) to see.  There is one of these obligatory events that really can't stand doing {most days} with my kids.

Ready?  Are you going to judge me? 

I'm sure some of you will....

BAKING WITH MY KIDS.  Ugg!  I can't stand it!  Phew, that was liberating to say!

Yes, I LOVE baking.  I really truly enjoy it.  It's fun trying out new recipes and new techniques.  My kids, however, ALWAYS want to help.  I know this seems terrible to say, but I'd really rather they didn't.  I know they mean well, and it isn't really their fault, but I just find them to be in the way when I'm baking!  Our kitchen is an ok size, but not nearly big enough for all of us to be at the counter at the same time.  They usually make 3x as much of a mess as I would do and it'll take me 3x as long as normal.

And the worst thing is they are ALWAYS trying to lick all the ingredients!  I mean, come on!!!  Just because the butter is there on the counter doesn't mean you stick your finger in it!!  It's a guarantee that if I have ever baked something for you and I let the kids help, their fingers and spit were in the dish before it baked. (Sorry Santa!)

Now, of course, I will let them help sometimes, and it is fun for all of us {sort of}.  It does build memories they were cherish forever and messes that take equally as long to clean up....

Do some of you think I am a bad mommy?!?  Maybe.  Oh well, can't please everyone!  I have to share everything I do.  I can't pee, shower, sit on the couch, shop or have a snack alone.  I really enjoy baking and running alone and I'm keeping it that way!

Well, that was a weight off my chest!  Am I alone in this??  Does anyone else have a confession they want to make??  Feel free to share...and as all us mommies know, sharing is caring :)

Go the f*ck to sleep

Have you seen this book???  It's so funny and spot on.  I don't actually own it but I'd like to someday.  If you haven't heard it, you can listen to it here on you tube.  It's narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and is as funny as the title sounds.  Seriously an lol-er. 

My kids have come up with their share of excuses of why they can't go to sleep.  Here are some of the better ones that I can think of.

The usual ones:
- I have to go potty.
- I need a drink of water.
- I need some more water.
- I can't find my {monkey, blanket, stuffed dog, Blue's Clue...}
- My blanket is wrinkly
- I need more milk (Hannah).
- My pillow fell off my bed.
- My blanket is untucked
- I can't here my window.
- I had a bad dream. (How is that even possible since you actually haven't even gone to sleep yet!)
- I have a boo-boo {enter any place on their body}
- My stars turned off. (night light animals, even though they do have a regular night light)


Some of the more exotic ones:
- I have too my spit in my mouth.
- I heard my bad-guy siren and I need to go sling a web out of my window.
- My body is cracking in half.
- I have something sticky on my finger. (oh great!)
- I need to go poop.
- I forgot to feed Biscuit.
- I didn't brush my teeth. (yes you did)
- I didn't floss. (too late!)
- I need some medicine.
- I don't like the song on my radio.
- There is a cat in my bed (no there isn't)
- There is someone talking to me (no sh*t, Hannah said that to me once, SCARY!)
- My blanket is upside down.
- I want to watch this show with you.
- I forgot to tell Hermie {the elf} something.
- The stars are too bright.
- I have wax in my ears.

I know there is more than this....I'll have to begin keeping a running list of the hilarity.

Hopefully they are FINALLY asleep so I can wrap Christmas presents!!

What's your kid's favorite bedtime excuse?? Please do share!

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

Today marks one week since last Friday's horrific tragedy in Connecticut.  I'm sure like every mother or teacher, I have felt a hole in my heart since this day.  Even though I didn't know these babies or their families, I still can't help but thinking of them everyday.  It could have been my daughter's first grade classroom.  It could've been anywhere.  It's a scary feeling. 
It was hard to put Abby on the bus the following Monday.  Not because I am worried about her at school.  She goes to an amazing school with amazing teachers and in an amazing district.  But these kids, too, went to an amazing school with amazing teachers.  This type of event, brings to light the harsh reality of how short life is; and of how quickly it can be taken away.  One of the things I would like to keep in the for front of my life for 2013, is this fact, and to really cherish every moment with my kids. 
I have prayed every day for these families.  For the families of the babies lost, for the families of the teachers and for the families of the kids that survived, since they know have had their innocence taken from them far too soon.  I pray for all of them to find peace some day. 
I didn't tell my kids about this and haven't let them watch the news about it.  I think they are just too young and I didn't want them, and especially Abby since she is the same age, to have fears going to school.  Plus, Mr. Pea and I plan on shielding them from these any all horrors as long as possible.  No child should have to know these tragedies, which is, of course, which makes this one especially difficult.  I have, however, been wanting to do something to help.  I didn't know what do to.  Then I saw this post on the blog The Handmade Home and I knew this was something that we could do.

When the kids from Sandy Hook go back to school in the new year, they will be going to a school in another town.  The Connecticut PTSA is wanting to decorate it in a winter wonderland of snowflakes for all the kids to have some joy as they attempt to progress on in their life.  They are asking for people to help make paper snowflakes to hang in the school.  I think this is wonderful idea.  Hopefully these little snowflakes sent from far away, will help remind these kids and teachers that they are not alone in their grief; that the whole country morns with them.
This afternoon, I plan on making some snowflakes with my kids to sent to Sandy Hook.  I haven't quiet decided on what I am going to say to them on WHY we are doing this.  I'll probably say something to effect of "there are some kids at a school far away that were hurt and these snowflakes are going to help to make them happy again." and leave it at that. 

If you would like to make some, here is some info on their PTSA website: http://www.ctpta.org/SANDY-HOOK-FUND.html

The address you will send them to is:
Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013.

Here are some more places for ideas for snowflakes:
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/coffee-filter-snowflakes/

http://www.marthastewart.com/266694/decorating-with-paper-snowflakes

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/crafts/christmas-snowflake-crafts/?sssdmh=dm17.622912&esrc=nwxmascrafts2012_13_d1


I will be working on these this weekend, and pics will follow!!  I hope this small thing can bring even one smile to any of those little boys and girl's faces, because that is the least they deserve after all of the sadness they have endured.  If you make some, send me some pictures and maybe I'll make another blog showing everyone that helped!

Top ten Tuesday (again, a day late)

With 2013 quickly approaching, I've complied a list of things I'd like to work more on in the new year!

Top ten things I want to do better or more of in 2013:
1. Lose 10 pounds, seriously!
2. Run at least 3x a week.  Life gets busy and my stuff is usually the first to be put to the side.  I'd like to focus on this more!
3. Drink more water. Not in replace of wine or chai though....that would just be crazy!
4. Work on making freezer meals.  I've had a pinterest board full of freezer meals for a year and haven't made a single one!
5. Make it to Disney for the first time with the peas in the fall.
6. Have more occasions to go out with my husband and wear clothes with buttons.
7. Take more pics WITH my kids.
8. Blog more often and on time (hence, no more Top Ten Tuesdays on a Wednesday)
9. Be more patient; for being a mama can be tough some days.
10. Focus on the importance of everyday blessings and to take nothing for granted.  It's easy to wish for days to end, to be exhausted and annoyed.  We all have those days and nothing can change that.  If the tragedy in Connecticut has taught us anything, it's that it serves as a reminder how precious life is and easily it can be taken away.  I vow to make every day count and to treasure every hug and kiss from my peas.  Will I still blog about the stressful realities of motherhood?? Sure.  But that won't ever change how much I love my peas and that I wouldn't trade a single one of those stressful days for anything <3

I'm looking forward to the new year!  What are you going to focus on more??