The Crandall Family

Crafty Shirts

2012-01-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

This post should be alternately titled "Why I don't want to be on Pintrest"!!

Marlie came home yesterday with a note stating that Friday was the 101st day of school - so they would have some celebration stuff, activities and such, relating to the number 101 (fitting since most kids learn to count to 100 in kindergarten). The note also read that the kids should take an old shirt and paint on 101 dots to wear - or tape them or sticker them. Seriously teachers? You send home a note on Tuesday to make an article of clothing to be worn Friday? Well we were on our way to OC for Kids Night so Hobby Lobby was going to have to be a stop after dinner. It's times like this, I'm thankful for our home being within 3 miles of everything in Clarksville! I thought we would get the supplies and then do it another night . . . until I remembered Wednesday is Girl Scouts and Thursday . . . gasp . . . I am going on a Moms Night Out with our Club to see the Vagina Monologues! So we skipped bath and got painting! Luckily we had a turtleneck that was getting a little short and had gotten stained on the sleeves . . .

Yes, that's a rainbow mohawk wig that Marlie is wearing . . . it was a prize she got for having sold coupon books . . . The final result . . . We counted and are pretty certain there's 101 dots!

And she wrote her name on the back in paint marker . . .

Samantha worked on some workbooks while Marlie painted since I told her we would do a project in the morning for her . . . And this is why I shouldn't have Pintrest - because my friend Bethany forwarded an idea she found yesterday and I felt compelled to make it with our leftover fabric paint with Sam . . .

Samantha loved it and painted her name on the side to cover up a paint spill!

If I had Pintrest, I can't imagine the stuff I would make that you would find around my house!! I have managed to go against the flow and avoid facebook . . . I am hoping that I can resist the Pintrest urge . . . I figure Bethany will keep forwarding me stuff, so that should keep me away! ha! And just because people always ask, yes, it is true, I am a very Type A, D personality, borderline OCD control freak . . . but no, when it comes to my kids crafts and projects, I do not interfere . . . I would much prefer that the end result is a reflection of their work - and if I wanted something "perfect" I would just do it myself . . . and I think these 2 shirts are a pretty good example of that :) Each is perfect in its own way!

And not to be left out . . . Evan tried on the mohawk the other night!! hahaha And naturally, that's Sota in the background!

The Fever Awards

2012-01-22T09:55:00.001-08:00

Since we are in award season, I thought I would do a little award session of my own for our little family.

The award for worst reaction to a fever EVER . . . . goes to Marlie Katherine, age 10 months.

Do you think you'd freak out if your child looked like that and the doc just said "oh, it's her body's reaction to a fever, give her Tylenol"?! And it was FULL body . . . I swore she had somehow caught the measels from an unvaccinated kid!!!

The award for highest fever in the Crandall household . . . goes to Samantha Michelle, with 105.9, age 19 months!

And our newcomer to the awards, Evan Michael, winning his breakout award in "Spiking the quickest fever" going from normal to 102 in 30 minutes . . .thanks to a heinous ear infection.

Evan also received honorable metion in the sharing category because he has given his loveliness to me, and we all know my body turns anything into strep . . . so I am now off to the doctor to get a strep test!!

Star Student

2012-01-20T12:23:00.000-08:00

Guess who received the Star Student award today?!?

And doesn't she look thrilled? ha!

Free Range?

2012-01-19T18:37:00.000-08:00

I had a conversation the other day with my brother (who is expecting my nephew, his first child, in the next few weeks) . . . it got me thinking a little . . . and then I found a new blog about Free Range Parenting (no, it's nothing to do with organic foods) . . . and it got me thinking some more. So I wanted to write a little list to my kids, now, when I am in the thick of all that is parenting little ones - a baby, a preschooler, and a school-aged child - so that when I say the same things 30 years from now to them, when they are in the thick of parenting, they won't shrug it off and say "oh it's just Mom being crazy", like I, being truthful, probably have done to my Mom a time or 2 :)

A Little List For My Kiddos:

When I was a kid I rode in a car with no seatbelt, a lot - and carseats were not something I remember from age 3 forward

I would spend all day outside, unsupervised by parents. Safe? Not always - your Uncle Jason broke my pinky playing football and almost cut my finger off with a limbtrimmer - but I lived with some bandages . . . kinda like the kid down the street who made fun of my hair and I impaled into a brick wall and then ran home before an adult found out, his bandages helped him live too. I rode my bike without a helmet and made it through with no head injury - unlike the injury sustained when your Uncle Jason chased me until I fell head first into a brick fireplace. Are you seeing the common denominator of my childhood injuries?

Which brings me to - we stayed home alone and lived to tell about it. Though when I look back at things like taking the aeresol hairspray and lighting it on fire, I kinda wonder how - but we did!

There was no such thing as hand sanitizer and sometimes, we might've played outside and then turned around and ate without washing our hands (and fyi, I probably let you do that as a kid too, your strong immune system thanks me for it!).

We had bumpers in our cribs (this is what my brother was asking me about - the safety factor of them) but in fairness, it was probably to cover either the deadly lead paint on the crib or the fatal drop side that was on our crib. But from my perspective, they really serve no purpose other than decoration anyway, and after you change a crib sheet 3 times in one day, the bumper will go in the damn closet! Just a helpful hint :)

There were no outlet covers - and I totally stuck a butter knife in an outlet more than once! Eat that APA!!

We didn't have cell phones . . . well, until I was 16 . . . I'm not that old!!! But our tvs growing up, they were gigantic pieces of furniture!! And when I was 5 years old, I may or may not have taken my wiffle ball bat and stood at the back of the living room and charged the tv at full force trying to break it open thinking that I could jump inside the A Team cartoon and hang with Mr. T . . . unfortunately after 2 tries I had no success and then Mom got off the phone and realized what I was doing . . . see, the phone actually had a cord attached, so she couldn't go anywhere but the kitchen with it . . . but I feel like after that she got a 20 foot cord . . . or maybe it was when I got into the openly displayed match collection and tried to light some that she got the longer cord . . .

I could probably go on forever . . . but I feel that's a decent list for now. I guess just having had that conversation with my brother (in which he also mentioned a study that stated no child should be within earshot of a television in the 1st 2 years of life or their creativity will be diminished by 11% . . . oh the naive bliss of not actually having had a child!) and then today putting up a baby gate on the steps just got me thinking about overprotection. Then I stumbled upon the free range blog . . . and oh my! I think so much of it is valid - I speak for myself in saying that sometimes we can be so worried about preventing things that we stifle the experience. And at some point I find myself stopping and saying "it's good enough"!! No you shouldn't stand on chairs, but Marlie did and broke an arm, and it healed, and life went on . . . and guess what?!?! The event was so traumatic that she tried to stand on a chair again WITH THE CAST STILL ON!

There are obvious things made for protection i.e. the baby gate at the top of the steps so Evan doesn't fly down 14 steps because he truly believes he is the 8 month old version of Superman. But what about car seats?!?! I am all for them - and I will be the first to tell you that I buy top of the line $300 seats . . . but don't look at me and tell me that because my 5 yr old is only 40lbs and my car seat supports rear facing to that weight that she should be turned around!! And yes, I know the research, and in some states the laws, but no, I do not make Marlie strap on a helmet when she is riding her bike on flat ground without the presence of any other people or vehicles or bikes . . . and as a side note, a helmet would have done nothing to prevent the scar Jayson has on his chin from riding a bike down a hill and having the front wheel pop off - seems to me that we should be pushing for professional bike assembly . . . because, quite honestly, the assembler of Marlie's bike worries me a little more after seeing some of the things Jayson has "fixed" around the house! ha!

I don't know how to end my rant really . . . and everyone is certainly free to parent and screw their child up as they see fit :) But for me . . . I think a lot of times I need to take a deep breath, realize that my gut will tell me what's right, and not care so much about what other people think is "safe" or "right" - because I know that I have my child's best interest at heart and I know that I can make an educated guess at how we should parent our kids . . .

Before Kids There Were Dogs

2012-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have had a few different people ask me lately what kind of dog we have. Well, we have an AWESOME dog named Sota - he is a 7 year old English Springer Spaniel. We seriously lucked out with getting him. But before I talk about Sota . . . I have to talk about Jackson.

When Jayson and I moved in together right after college, we were doing some shopping at Sam's Club. All of a sudden here comes Jayson with a 40lb bag of Puppy Chow stating that it's for our dog - we had no dog. 3 hours later we were at the animal shelter adopting what we thought was a little lab mix puppy named Jackson that had an awesome demeanor and would grow to be about 50lbs. Fast forward 1 year when Jackson's tongue had turned black and his tail flipped (Chow) and his ears stood straight (German Shepherd) and he weighed 110 lbs! He was our boy - but unforunately, didn't fit into our future plans of moving to Minnesota. There was no place we could afford that would take a dog that size . . . so we had to find a loving home for him, which we did . . . but sadly, that put Jackson on the list of dogs that Jayson has had to give away.

So a year later when we were in Minnesota, I found myself talking to my boss about dogs that he bred. His dog just had a litter and he asked if I wanted to come take a look - why in the world I said yes, I have no idea. I had never heard of English Springer Spaniels, but when I saw the little puppy they had named Jason, who was the puppy that ate the most and slept in the food dish, stumble out of a box, I knew it was over. Naturally, we renamed him - and his name is Sota, as in Minnesota. His AKC name is Sota's Winter Wish - and get this, his Mom is Sadie's Indian Summer (my old car was named Sadie, as in "rapping with a bitch named Sadie" - look it up if you don't get the musical reference) and his Dad is, wait for it, Zeus Paws of Thunder!!!!!

Well we totally lucked out with Sota and his breed. He is VERY energetic, but he is also very well behaved - he just loves people! He can be let out without a leash, he follows directions, and most of all, he can be pulled, pushed, and tugged by our kids and he will still stand by them, because he thinks his job is to be their protector. You can google English Springer Spaniel . . . I did to read about the breed . . . but then I made the mistake of looking at Springer puppy pictures! UGH! We will get another Springer someday - while I know there are dogs in shelters that need to be adopted, we tried that. I loved Jackson, and he would've been great with kids too, but I don't want to ever be in the spot again where we can't have our dog because of breed or weight. And honestly, Springers have my heart now . . . Sota is considered a senior now - but has a ton of life left in him. When we got him there was a Springer down the hall, Emily, and she was 16! A note on that - she lived down the hall in our loft in St. Paul - whose idea was it to get a dog and have to housebreak it in a 2nd story loft, downtown with no grass, in the dead of winter in Minnesota?!?!?! Oh yea - totally mine!

Like I said, we will get another Springer someday . . . Jayson would say tomorrow . . . I have fears of coming home with one from Minnesota in October (you know, when they have those silly hunting shows with hundreds of Springers for adoption?!?!?) . . . but we'll see. For now - we love our dog . . . and his handsome self just got a haircut, foods, and preventive meds all in the same month this month . . . reminding me why we don't have another dog yet :)

Sleep

2012-01-16T12:12:00.001-08:00

Sleep is such a loaded word . . . and it's meaning has changed greatly over the years . . . and I now find myself at another milestone . . .

Sleep . . .

When I was a kid, I never wanted it
When I was 15, I didn't think I had time for it
When I was 21, I didn't need it
When I went through my first pregnancy and was managing a restaurant 55 hours a week, there never seemed to be enough of it
As my kids all hit the 3 month mark, there was always relief at the end to the broken sleep
Evan has been a sporatic sleeper . . . which has made me miss my sleep - even though all he wants is a pacifier once in the middle of the night and a bottle @ 5am . . .
Sleep - I have seen the return of the unintteruppted sleep as Evan has gotten over the paci and has crossed the threshold to a 7am wakeup time . . .
Oh the glory of uninterrupted sleep . . .
And now we unfortunately hit the milestone of the nap issue . . .

Here's the deal - we have always lived with kids who took naps - they have never been an unscheduled optional thing in our house. And usually around 18months, we transition to one nap. But even now with 3, naptime has been the same 2-3 hour block for all 3 kiddos . . . it is a fabulous, much needed break every day . . . but alas, all good things do eventually come to an end. Marlie is now 5 1/2 and can go through a whole day at school with no issue . . . so it's time for her to say goodbye to her nap, hello to quiet reading time, and at the same time, for Samantha to be put into the reality of "she's older, that's why"! As a youngest child myself, I hated saying those words to her . . . and now it's time to stop my scatter brained post because honestly, how much quiet time can a 5yr old take sitting there staring at me on my laptop?!?!?! :) ha!

Our Girls

2012-01-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Is it possible to have such a defined personality at such a young age?! I am in awe of how different our girls are every day . . . but strangely similar as well. I remember a line in a favorite movie of mine where the woman says "People don't change - you are at 5 who you are at 50" and in the very next scene, playing the other side of the coin to a different character you see her saying "People change - it's just part of life" ha!!

I wonder about that . . . I mean, obviously people grow up and mature and there are always defining moments that can change part of who you are - but at the core?!?! I mean the essence (ha! such a completely baseless term!) of a person, the basic character traits that make you who you are . . . I am willing to bet that the 1st statement is right - you are at 50 who you are at 5.

Marlie Katherine - my analytical, detailed, smart, rule-following, focused, fun-loving, maternal, and kind little girl . . . I think 20 years from now I will be able to say the same thing. She will always be the first born and the big sister . . . and she will always play that role with perfection and grace. Marlie is on book 3 already in her accelerated reading program. Each student has up to 2 weeks to complete a book and the test that goes with it . . . she started the program on Friday and is currently on her 3rd book! ha! "Why would someone need to keep the book 2 weeks?" she asked. Her report card that came home yesterday also stated that she was "simply fabulous and an example to all of the other students in the class". Words aren't enough for the pride! This one is smart . . . but her heart matches her brains in size . . . and that's what makes her truly special.

Samantha Michelle - my free spirited, smart, wiley, funny, kind, and loving baby girl. At the little age of 3.5 yrs old this one has learned to write "Sam" and loves to play show and tell with her sister, in which she says "This is special to me because . . . ". She is obsessed with playing beauty shop - real people are her models of choice, but she'll take dolls and My Little Ponies too. My favorite part is now that she has learned to chew and spit out gum properly, she is allowed to have it . . . so she will get a piece of gum, her beauty kit, and start conversations like "So do you know that we are going to Disney World? Have you ever been?" Though she's not always a people person, she is very decisive and will tell you upfront "I am going to be shy with that person". She toes the line between following the rules and how much bending she can do to get away with something . . . and her big blue eyes help her out! She loves to be a big sister to Evan, unless he is trying to get into her beauty shop kit, then she will run from the room exclaiming that "Evan is attacking me". No drama here at all . . . my heart swells with pride and love for this little one.

They are so very different these two . . . but they are the joys of our life that keep it interesting and worthwhile . . .

What Day Is It?!?

2012-01-11T10:52:00.000-08:00

Wow . . . I have been in a bit of a haze the last few days!

Saturday we headed to Home Depot - totally rocked it with 3 kids and myself :) Evan was good after he ate and Bethany held him!

The girls made and painted savings houses - and Marlie totally did her entire project solo!

3 kiddos

The rest of Saturday and Sunday were filled with moving excitement as Grandma and Uncle Eric moved into town! Oh, we also had a little tea party with friends after our Home Depot fun!

Monday was playgroup time and Tuesday was catch up on laundry day . . . and today was tour the donut shop day!!

Samantha made a yummy donut with white icing and sprinkles ;)

Tips on Fun - by Evan

2012-01-06T17:49:00.000-08:00

When it is 65 degrees out on a January day . . . you spend as much time outside as you can - and try out the swing for the first time!

Totally loved it and totally spent about 15 minutes in the swing! And a few notes - I am totally rocking some football shoes I got for Christmas . . . and, um, is it just me, or do I look really tall in this pic?!

And when your Mom tries to tell you "I can't pick you up because I am trying to cook dinner", it's cool - you just crawl into the kitchen, snag yourself a pot and start cooking - it's not hard :)

The Santa Inquisition

2012-01-06T06:41:00.000-08:00

I was 9 when I "found out" about Santa . . . and I've wondered how long it will be before our kids start feeling the doubt . . . I would be lying to myself if I said that we have more than 1 or 2 more Christmases with Marlie believing in Santa! Here are a few reasons why I think that . . .

The other night I was feeding Evan and the conversation went a little like this . . .

MK (looking up the fireplace since we've moved our tv stand): How can Santa really fit down that little hole?
Me: It's magic remember?
MK: Well I didn't hear his reindeer on our roof . . . and anyway, why would he park them on the roof if we sprinkled reindeer food in the lawn . . . and if he put them in the yard so they could eat, then how would he get up on top of the roof . . . because if he did put his sleigh and reindeer in the lawn then wouldn't it just make more sense to walk up the deck and come in the back door, but you wouldn't know it and the door would be locked because you lock the doors at night, right?!
****Let's take a break and explain that yes, this is exactly what she said, and yes, this is how it was said, with no break in words or thoughts for me to even offer an answer!!****
Me: I imagine Santa has been doing this for a very long time and he has the whole reindeer situation and chimney navigating under control
MK: Does he come into our room to see us sleeping like the song says?
Me: Nope - he's very busy and doesn't have time to check on every boy and girl - just deliver the presents
MK: But he has time to sit down and take a break for milk and cookies . . .
Me: Well everyone has to eat
MK: So does he really make all of our toys at the North Pole . . . because my guitar came in a box - so does Santa make the toys and then put them in boxes - or does he go to the store and buy some of the toys?
Me: Probably when there were less children in the world, he made them all - but now there are too many kids so he has to get some help and might buy some of the toys from the stores
MK: But I thought the North Pole was a cold place where no one lived, so how could there be stores there to buy toys at if no one is there but Santa?
Me: Santa probably has some select stores he uses throughout the world
MK: Okay, it looks like Evan's ready for a bath, I'll go let Sam know it's bathtime
Me: Deep release of breath . . .

Seriously, I'm not going to get into the conversation in the car on the way to the library as to why Samantha received gifts when she clearly did not write her letter to Santa - when I explained she told him what she wanted, I was met with "I was there, I did not hear her say anything about Strawberry Shortcake to Santa" . . .

And we will end on the note of moving on . . . as we were searching for a tv stand the other day Marlie asked if we were going to the mall - I said no. She asked if Santa was still there - I said no. Then came "When will the Easter Bunny be there?" "Probably in March" and then came "Mom, do you wanna know what was really weird? Last year when I sat on the Easter Bunny's lap he asked me what I wanted in my Easter Basket - candy of course, what else would I want?!" ha!!! I simply explained that the Easter Bunny must've just had an off day . . .

All of these mythical symbols are pushing my explanatory abilities to the max! I can understand why people don't "do" these things with their kids . . . but I also remember the magic and fun as a kid, and like it or not, she's only 5!! So if she wants to reason her way out of all of it by herself, that's one thing - but I'm not going to take it away . . .

And while we are on the topic of holiday characters - ever wonder why it is that kids find out about Santa and then the progression trickles down to the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy?! I have never heard someone say - "I figured out the Tooth Fairy wasn't real and then it went downhill from there" ha!

Ma Ma

2012-01-05T04:43:00.000-08:00

You know, over the years I have had moments when the kids do something, hit a milestone, or go to a next phase and I say "I should write that down" . . . and quite honestly, I usually do! In the back of Samantha's baby book is a very clear list of sizes in diapers, clothes, bottle nipples, foods, etc. and the corresponding ages. Well, a lot of good it does when kids are so different! ha!

Last night I heard a very distinct calling "ma ma, ma ma" . . . and I looked and both girls were in the same room with me and I thought to myself "Um, it's either the dog or Evan has decided to utter my name" . . . so I walked into his room and he said "ma ma" - oh, but this is Evan Michael, he doesn't do just one amazing thing at a time . . . he was saying this as he was standing in his crib! Did I mention we lowered his crib a little bit ago - halfway down . . . NOT ENOUGH!!! Guess what Jayson's doing today?!?! I am hoping all the way down will be enough - but I do foresee him moving to a big kid bed at 18 months like Marlie - that crib is going to become a danger sooner rather than later when he tries to catapult out - and he will be tall enough and strong enough very soon! While it was a bit terrifying to sleep a night thinking he could bounce outta that crib . . . it was kinda cool to hear my last baby say my name . . . especially when Daddy has been trying to force him to say "da da" . . . Jayson got both girls to say his name before mine, I'm taking this one!!

So all of this movement brought about the change of a new tv situation in our living room. We had our large flat screen on one of those nice low stands - you know, the kind you can have when both of your children are old enough to know not to touch . . . Evan quickly developed an obsession with the Directv box . . . and now he is pulling up on EVERYTHING, and I would assume by this weekend, the tv was next on the list. So now it us up on a nice 3ft stand, and all components are behind glass . . . again, we never went through this with the girls - our tv's have always been up high . . . ugh!

It has also brought a change to our morning routine . . . Evan gets up about an hour before the girls - and while I'm working on getting up before him, it just doesn't happen most days! So he sits in my room and plays while I get ready and then we head downstairs and get breakfast ready for everyone and pack lunches . . . well, I guess he has decided that giving up the bath ring wasn't enough . . .

now he would prefer to take a shower! ha! See, you look at this picture and he doesn't really look all that big (to me anyway) . . . but then you find out that those are his 18mo Carter's jammies and they are getting snug in the torso . . . and did I mention that the highchair at OC the other night wouldn't buckle around him at it's complete end?!?!

I will go ahead and put my prediction in writing (and try not to sob as I do so) - I do believe our son will be walking when we celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary on Valentine's Day . . . may some force be with me . . .

It Doesn't Happen Often

2012-01-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

. . . but every once in a while, with 3 little ones, you grab a glimpse of a photo and have to stop yourself for a second to remember which baby it is! Marlie and Samantha were very different looking babies . . . and naturally, even though Evan may have shimmers of both babies in him, all the pink from the girls' baby pictures would take away all doubt as to who it was . . . but as I was doing some updating of baby books tonight and filing of pictures, my eye caught a photo and I had to stop for a second . . . because this picture looks a lot like 2 of my kiddos at 8 months old . . . Alas, it is Samantha at 8 months old! But oooh, could've been Evan!! However, this next one - no mistaking . . . that widow's peak of Marlie's didn't fade into her hair until she was 1!! And this guy is to busy pulling up on things for me to even get him with the real camera these days! Something tells me he isn't going to wait until 13 months to walk like his sisters . . . at 13 months Mickey Mouse better watch his back, because Evan is going to be running at him full force!!!! :) The thing isn't so much that he pulls up (he has the upper body strength of a 2 yr old), it's that once he is there, he lets go without fear and manages that few crucial seconds of balance . . . I would say it will be odd to see a 9 month old baby walk . . . but he will be the size of a 15 month old by that point (at least in his sisters' measurements) so I guess it won't be that odd . . . and now I will return to my research of how to apply a pause button to life . . .

Catching Up

2012-01-01T17:54:00.000-08:00

On our last few days of 2011, we . . .

used Marlie's Christmas present to make and decorate some bake pops . . .

crawled all over the place and decided it's just not cool, so now he's trying to pull up . . .

wore a new robe that we got for Christmas to bed . . . her name is monogrammed on the chest in script . . .

took a trip to Nashville with friends to go to the Adventure Science Center . . .

celebrated NYE with some chocolate fondue . . . check out the super cute snowman fondue pot from Grandma . . .

and definitely did not even come close to making it to midnight on NYE!!! But I did enjoy some awesome sushi and we had some champagne . . . and we woke up to fireworks and Sam complaining about the noise at 12:15am :)

2011

2011-12-31T09:22:00.001-08:00

Well . . . It's New Years Eve and I can say that this will be the best one in a few years!! In 2008 we partied it up with some great friends to ring in 2009 . . . and then the last 2 have pretty much sucked! I rang in 2010 vomitting next to Marlie in a bed (who was also vomitting) and pretty convinced I was going to die . . . Jayson was in another state. Then I rang in 2011, again no champagne, since I was prego . . . Jayson was in another state. So I'm saying since we will be in the same state and even the same house on NYE, we are taking a step in the right direction!!! And we have BIG plans . . .BIG, HUGE . . . I'm talking take-out Japanese, champagne, maybe some Irish whiskey and doing our darndest to make it to midnight . . . which given that list, means are plans for New Years Day will be NOTHING :)

I could write a list of the "Top 11 of 11" - but honestly, we welcomed our son into the world this year, everything else on the list would kinda pale in comparison. And I could write a list of my goals for the upcoming year, but at the wise old age of 30 I have realized that the truly important goals don't really change with the flip of a calendar . . . you know, try and find enough time to maintain adult, coherent thoughts so that you can have grown up conversation and a fun marriage and raise happy, healthy, thriving children . . .

2011 was a great year . . . I think 2012 will be a great year . . . it's not very prophetic, but let's be real . . . I have a house to undecorate from the holidays and those 3 happy, thriving children have about 10 times more energy than me today . . . and that son I mentioned earlier, yea, he's decided that at 2 days over 8 months old, he's got this crawling thing knocked, so it's time to start pulling up and trying to cruise . . . and at this particular moment, he is climbing on his sisters and trying to jump on them . . . so that's all you get :) ha!

Can You Say Best Christmas Ever Every Year?!

2011-12-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

I think you can :)

Christmas Eve morning, Grandpa, Daddy, and Marlie headed down to OC to sell some Girl Scout cookies (12/24 was the 1st day for sales). Miss Marlie sold 70 boxes!!! We have a lofty goal of 500 - I said 300, but Marlie said 500!

Then we had our family over for a fabulous Christmas Eve dinner and gift exchange! And this handsome little guy had a great first Christmas.

Then we put cookies out for Santa

And woke up excited to see what he left!

You know those Best Buy commercials from this season? And the one where the chic says "Game on Santa". Yea . . . well, Santa had nothing on Grandma and Grandpa this year! Christmas afternoon Grandma and Grandpa gave the kiddos each a suitcase with goodies - Disney themed suitcases . . . and announced that instead of the beach this year, we were heading to Disney World!!!

Excited - do ya think!?!?!? A little regretful - yes . . . because Samantha is now asking about every other hour if it's time to go to Disney World :) hehehe

Evan was very excited to see a Lightning McQueen suitcase with a Mickey jacket and pirate stuffed animal inside . . . he was beginning to worry that all this Disney business was about princesses!

Besides the AWESOME news of our summer vaca - the favorites were:

Marlie - guitar, spending time with family (her words), going to Chuck E Cheese
Samantha - Magic Fairy Dora, beauty shop kit, and Melissa and Doug brownie set (she bought herself with a gift card! ha!)
Evan - all wrapping paper, the DirecTv remote, and a singing soccer ball from Uncle Ryan and Aunt Cess

Merry Christmas To All

2011-12-25T17:11:00.000-08:00

Of course there will be posts and pictures to follow . . . but for now, just this one :)

Merry Christmas

The Days Before Christmas

2011-12-22T16:28:00.001-08:00

On the days before Christmas we like to stay busy by . . . .

Making Cheerio ornaments for the trees outside . . .

So the birds can eat them . . .

Then we hang them up . . .

We watch some holiday movies . . .

And we use our window crayons to draw on the mirrors . . .

because sometimes Mom just doesn't have enough stuff to clean up with regular crayons :)

Gingerbread Houses and Acorns

2011-12-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

Marlie came home from her half day at school yesterday with a FABULOUS gingerbread house! I was so excited and I think the fact that I started snapping pictures of it and her made her even more proud of her masterpiece.

She informed me that there was a milk carton with graham crackers hot glued to it, but not to worry because the glue was cold now - and then she put her icing on and decorated it completely by herself. Then also pointed out the path, the fence, the windows, and the front door :) So proud . . .

And now on to the story portion of this blog post - my life lesson that I am turning into a fable, because it seemed so applicable and appropriate. This morning as I was getting ready and Marlie came up to ask where her acorns were (she has a bag that she collected from her Grandma's backyard and she likes to periodically disperse the wealth and share with the squirrels). I thought for a second about just saying I didn't remember or telling them to find them herself . . . but then I explained where they were. Thus began my mental spiral . . . I have them often - I don't know if my mind was originally programmed to have them, or if I have a degree in Philosophy to thank - either way, I just go with them . . . and thus, I went with this one and decided since it was an acorn, a fable type antectdote seemed appropriate with a lesson at the end . . . feel free to continue reading with the disclaimer that your mind will spiral at the end as well . . .

As a parent, you watch your child collect several things throughout their stages - for example, acorns. Now, children being children, will often misplace things. Thus, when it comes time to find their acorns, you have several options depending on your mood. You can either A. Tell them where the acorns are and hope that someday they will learn to put their acorns in a safe place and remember it. B. Tell them to go look for them C. Tell them you don't know where they are or can't remember and maybe you will look for them later. I tend to choose option A 99% of the time . . . but in questioning myself this morning and wondering why I choose option A, I discovered the serious and heinous consequences of options B and C. You see, it might not be the first or second time you don't know where something is, but eventually, if you go with options B and C enough, what do you think your child will figure out? Oh, Mom doesn't know where everything is . . . Mom can't find everything in this house . . . I bet if I had something I wasn't supposed to have, I could probably put it someplace and Mom would never know about it . . . and BAM next thing you know that acorn is a pack of cigarettes or something perhaps a little more illegal or distasteful . . . Yes, yes, this is actually how my mind works. And what else do you think I thought of?! The very first thing I hid from my mother of course . . . a totally rad Beavis and Butthead pin (because in no way, shape, or form was I supposed to be watching that shit when my age was in the single digits!).

The lesson: For as long as is humanly possible, it will be in everyone's best interests if the household operates under the assumption that Mom is an omniscient power that can find any acorn, at any given moment, on any person, or in any space in the house . . . so just tell them where the acorns are . . . and if you can't remember, start making up spots at random and go searching in the other direction . . . because you can't really be omniscient . . . though I think mothers/wives are closer to achieving that goal than anyone else in the universe . . .

Baking and Boys

2011-12-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

We baked some Christmas cookies on Saturday afternoon. I wanted to get in some with just the girls before we do them on Friday with playgroup

And we had some extra "boys" around - so Uncle Ryan joined in on the fun

He is adored . . . well, that would be a drastic understatement

And this boy is a moving machine all of a sudden

And my little had his boy by his side (admit it - you thought I have been just randomly getting Sota in pics! He truly is always by Evan's side!!) as he discovered world on the other side of the carpet!!

The Beauty is in the Attempt

2011-12-17T11:49:00.000-08:00

Because when you have 3 kids . . . and then throw Santa in the mix . . . you just try and take what you can get in the picture department . . . and I will take this one :)

We had breakfast with Santa at Chick Fil A this morning!

Bass Pro Shop

2011-12-16T07:23:00.001-08:00

Grandpa and Uncle Ryan are down visiting from Minnesota - so we headed to Bass Pro Shop to visit and have a little fun

We saw Santa . . . Marlie and Evan got a pic together, but in the spirit of his first Christmas, we took a pic of just him :)

Then Evan cruised around on Dad's shoulders for a bit and loved it

We tried on some funny hats

Posed while we waited for craft time (a jingle bell snowman ornament)

Tried out the ATVs

And this is what 3 men totally enamored with 2 beautiful girls look like

Today - Some Things I Learned

2011-12-13T17:43:00.000-08:00

People suck at driving! Like I didn't already know that! UGH! On the way home from the library we were stopped at a stop sign. The car in front of me went - so I looked left and started to go as well . . . oh, my fault - because they started to go but must have changed their minds because they actually then stopped in the middle of the road - just because :) There were no cars coming or anything . . . so I barely touched their bumper - but oh well! The dude got out and took a picture of my insurance card with his IPhone and said "Have a great day" and I was just standing there and he was already back in his car and on his way. Ok . . . so I guess I will wait for the insurance to call me since he has the same company. You couldn't see anything on either car . . . weird . . .
If you're having a bad day - like you rear end an idiot - if you blow on a 7 month old baby boy's tummy, his laugh will take all of your worries away :)
Samantha is my quiet genius. Now, don't get me wrong - she is not my quiet child . . . but when it comes to her intelligence, she prefers to quietly bust it out. She has almost completed her 200 page preschool workbook . . . she sat down and did over 10 pages by herself - IN THE PHONICS SECTION!!! She knows over half of the alphabet at sight, 1-20 at sight, but up to 30 in rote counting - colors and shapes are completely knocked. So my question is - if they expect a 5 yr old to score a 40-50 on the initial kindergarten benchmark testing (Marlie scored a 90) and Sam could score a 40 at 3 1/2, should I stop teaching her?!?! After the new year, I guess we're moving on to writing . . . even though she can already do A, I, O - and she will tell you (because her sister told her) "I can write most of my vowels" . . . wow . . .
My craft supply is pretty awesome - if you can keep 4 girls ages 3-6 entertained with crafts for 45 minutes, that is an AMAZING accomplishment! Sweet!

It's My Jam

2011-12-12T13:34:00.000-08:00

I am claiming the Christmas carol "All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth" as my personal jam this holiday season . . .

Because I totally scored my 2 front bottom teeth today! Oh yeah!

Oh the Holiday Movies

2011-12-12T06:20:00.000-08:00

My all time favorite Christmas movie is Frosty the Snowman. 3 years ago Build a Bear was kind enough to have Frosty available for building - so that year Marlie loved the movie too! And the girls have watched it once or twice this season, but oh there are so many new favorites . . . and thanks to the wonderful invention of DVR, we have a full selection of holiday movies at our fingertips.

First up is, naturally, a princess one - Beauty and the Beast - The Enchanted Christmas

Next would be Tom and Jerry's Nutcracker - an interesting take on the classic ballet - but Samantha's current favorite that we've watched at least 5 times!

Last night we watched a new one for the first time - Polar Express. I know it's been out for a while, but I was stuck on my classic clamation movies :) Geez, at the end when he pulled out the bell I had to leave the room because I was tearing up. Christmas seems to be getting me this year - I think it's seeing so much of the magic being so real for Marlie and Samantha now - and having it be Evan's first Christmas at the same time . . . it's making me a big ball of sentimental mess. Next thing you know I'll be crying at the stinking Hallmark commercials like my Mom used to! But I'm also getting the knot in my stomach by how much the girls are focusing on giving this year. Don't get me wrong, they want a lot on their Christmas lists, but they have also been all about our toy drive, the Salvation army buckets, and saying that the meaning of Christmas is to be with family and give :)

Mickey's Christmas made a triumphant return this year. It includes every Disney character snowed in at the House of Mouse. They show a few short cartoons, and naturally, the Disney version of the classic A Christmas Carol. Grandpa bought this last year and it is still a favorite!

And last . . . but most definitely not least . . . last night Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure came on for the first time this season. This movie has such a weird and huge place in my heart. Before I had kids of tv watching age, Dora was my least favorite. I just felt like we should focus on learning English before we started learning Spanish . . . but as I said at the time, it's an early lesson that you can't pick what your kids like - just like you can't pick their friends when they're older. So the girls have always loved Dora.

Dora's Christmas movie came out in December 2009 - that was one of the scariest, greatest, nervewracking months of my life! You see, Jayson lost his job on the 2nd, got a job offer on the 3rd (but wouldn't start until the 28th), and we put our first house on the market on the 4th (and we know how that turned out!). So we spent the month of December broke but together as a family . . . and I just have the fondest memories of my 6'4" husband running around our home with a blanket tied around his neck saying "shake your travel cape" :) That and we would giggle like 10 year olds when Benny the Bull sings "I've got some tasty nuts for my friend Tico" hahaha It still makes me laugh. We have a Dora ornament of her in her red dress on our tree - it will always bring back the memories of that month - though I don't know that I will ever forget it with or without an ornament!

And because we don't just sit around and watch movies here, it should be noted that there are also some other holiday favorites. We jam out every time we're in the car to our Little People Christmas CD! And the current favorite Christmas story is The Night Before Christmas! We have to alternate between Samantha's copy and Marlie's copy - they each got one from their Grandma and Grandpa on their 1st Christmas. Our musical tree that sings a loud version of Here Comes Santa Clause remains a favorite - the girls got it from Donna in 2009. I swear, I've never changed the batteries on that thing . . . I am in total disbelief at the fact that it is just as loud as ever :) And our Little People Christmas village in the front hallway is still very loved, this year by ALL of the kids that come in our house, not just ours.

Have I mentioned that I seriously love this time of year?!?!

Allowance

2011-12-11T07:08:00.000-08:00

Well if you search the internet, or ask a group of parents, you will get a thousand different answers on this topic. EVERY family handles the responsibilities of chores and allowances in a different way - EVERY family.

In our house, we've always expected the kids to pick up their own messes - obviously to what degree changes with age. When they're little we sing the clean up song and do it together, as they get to preschool age we expect them to pick up what they take out. Marlie has always enjoyed helping with dusting and cleaning - but she's 5 - so her willingness to offer depends on the mood.

Almost 2 years ago I bought this Responsibility Chart

You know, manufacturer ages on toys are a bunch of crap! This said 3+, and while I adore everything by Melissa and Doug, I don't think that's really accurate. Do you know a Barbie doll, good ole' fashioned Barbie doll, has a 3+ age recommendation on it?!?! Who is going to give those tiny little shoes to a 3 year old? I digress . . . .Anyway, at 3, Marlie wasn't ready to get into this chart . . . 2 months ago she wasn't ready to get into this chart . . . but now, we are in full force! You see, now there is something that she wants - lunch money!! So we just finished our first week. There are 7 spaces per day - so 49 in a week. If she fills in 35, she gets $2 for lunch money . . . if she gets 40, she gets $2 lunch money plus $0.50 ice cream money. So essentially, the weekly allowance is $2.50 max - or $0 if she doesn't hit her goal. Jayson and I were talking and that seems right with inflation from when we were kids :) I figure the lunch money thing will get old soon enough, but the desire for the cash - oh, the desire for the cash is here to stay . . . she is my daughter, and the smile on her face when she has $1 to spend on anything she wants at the Dollar Tree is something that is just a fact of life!

So here is what I have discerned as my perspective on allowance and chores for our home so far . . . a child is ready for chores and an allowance as soon as they discover something that they want that you, as a parent, won't readily give them . . . then so develops the system of earning . . . game on!

TWO

2011-12-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Today I took TWO pictures . . .

Evan and his TWO dogs - yes, Sota is always by him, especially during pictures. And that Fisher Price dog is Evan's new BFF! I gotta say, that puppy makes batteries last like it's his job! I haven't changed the batteries on it since Sam was little . . . which is amazing since it seems possessed at times just randomly shouting out "Hug Me!" when you swear you turned it off.

And TWO of the coolest chics I know . . . who have randomly developed a new love of sitting in this shopping cart. We've had this for 3 years and no one thought to sit in it EVER until last night?!?

Can you tell by the craft table in the background that Christmas crafts are in full force in our house?! :) Oh the fun . . . I seriously live for this time of year!

The Nutcracker

2011-12-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

We headed over to the library tonight to hear the Sugar Plum Fairy read The Nutcracker to us :)

And yes . . . Samantha is totally rocking her tutu!

After reading the story she did a short part of the ballet . . . the girls loved the dancing. I, on the other hand, almost really embarassed myself by starting to cry. I was fine while she was reading, but when she started dancing and I saw the looks on the girls' faces, I got very overwhelmed. You see, it was 24 years ago this week that my Grandma Millie took me to see my very first ballet, The Nutcracker. We went just the 2 of us . . . and I remember it every year at this time, like it was yesterday. It was a very cold and rainy late afternoon . . . I remember sitting in awe of the dancers, I remember sitting next to my Grandmother, I remember the old building and the creaky bathroom door that was heavy and slammed - and every Christmas, I unpack the porcelain ballerina ornament she gave me a few weeks after the ballet as a Christmas gift so I would always remember that day . . . and to this day, it is still my very favorite ornament . . . and that is one of my very favorite Christmastime memories . . .

Unfortunately, the times and ticket prices on the ballet this weekend are just not going to work for us . . . but maybe next year when Marlie's 6 she can do her 1st ballet . . . and then when she's 30 she can stop herself from crying at storytime with her daughters at the recollection of a memory of it :)

And the Parental Irony Begins

2011-12-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

Seriously, one of the phrases that rung in my ears like nails on a chalkboard when I was a kid was "Do as I say, not as I do"! That was right up there with "because I said so". You swear that you will never be as completely unfair when you are a parent . . . and then oh, how the mighty fall!!!

Now I will say that I've only used the "because I said so" a very few times - mostly because I do still think it's lame . . . but when you have 2 girls that ask "why" as frequently as mine do, there are moments when the sound of your own voice will send you running if you have to speak and give one more explanation.

But the unfair parental irony . . . it has started already, and almost went undocumented - but then I saw a picture in a little framed ornament on our tree, and it all came back to me :) I can see into the future having battles with the girls about piercings and tattoos, and I will conveniently forget my love of the piercings and I won't look down to see my tattoo . . . but this first one, it goes to Jayson . . . this one is for Evan . . . you see, Mr. Crandall said yesterday that Evan needed to get his haircut because he was starting to look like a little dirty hippie . . . . certainly though, those words would not come from the man in this picture whose hair is longer than mine, right?! I mean, the man who had to wear a hairnet on his beard when working in the kitchen because it was so out of control?! No . . . he would never say such a thing! And I'm not even commenting on Auntie Tina's dreads in that pic and how they add to the irony! ha! Mostly I thought it was funny and a good story to go with one of my favorite pics of 2 of my favorite people.

But so it begins . . . it is true, our parents didn't start out as parents, and neither did we . . . but how quickly and conviently we forget some things . . . dammit . . .

From Baby to Litte Boy

2011-12-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

Wow . . . you would think I've never gone through a first haircut before! This was so different though. I've never cut a baby's hair so stinking early! Samantha was around 15 months (and honestly it would've been a longer wait if it hadn't been for Uncle Ryan's wedding) and Marlie was 20 months. So 7 1/2 months was a little out of my comfort zone . . . but Jayson and I agreed that it was time. And anyway, I kept it long for our first family of 5 portrait, so it was time . . . I don't think I realized quite how long and out of control it was until I saw the drastic difference!

Before

After

Hi, we haven't met yet - my name is Evan Michael Crandall and I am officially a little boy now!

In Which I Post a Bunch of Randomness

2011-12-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

Well let's start with Monday night . . . we had a little Christmas living room picnic for dinner before opening an early Christmas package from our friends the Holloways!Evan was super excited to open his very first Christmas present from his bff Jameson! He will have no problem at Christmas!

Last night I took Marlie over to the Learning Center for story time and a craft with Lars the Polar Bear!

The pic of Marlie and the Polar Bear was from my phone - and I'm not cool enough to have a nice pic taking phone yet! It was interesting to be at the story hour with only Marlie. There were a lot of moms there showing up in work clothes after working who knows how long of a day - I tell you what, have a bad day as a SAHM and when you're ready to complain, go out at 6pm to an event with your school aged child and see the Mom that still hasn't been home to cook dinner and has a good 3 hours of work still ahead of her when she gets home! You will hug your child and shut up! I feel qualified to say that since I've lived on both sides of that fence!

I was also doing some thinking on the way there as we were listening to the kids Christmas CD about music I listened to at her age. I remember being almost 6 and rocking out to Madonna, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi! Of course, I had a very influential older brother . . . but still, I couldn't imagine letting Marlie listen to any of that, much less their current counterparts! And seriously, don't even get me started on the fact that I had the entire movie of Dirty Dancing memorized!ha! There is something to be said for being mature . . . but there is also something to be said for being a kid while you have the opportunity . . . .and I prefer the latter for my kids . . .

And then there was this handsome guy who had to have his flu shot booster today.

You wish you could rock a sweater vest and no pants :) He didn't even cry after his shot! And take a good long look at the curl on the side . . . Daddy and I have decided that this handsome little guy is going to get his first haircut tomorrow . . . almost a year earlier than his sisters got their first trims! But even with long, uneven, weirdly curling hair, he can still impress the ladies!

Evan and his "girlfriend" Olivia at playgroup this morning! They were having a good time with the blocks and Rudolph!

The Holiday Fun has Begun

2011-12-03T17:39:00.001-08:00

This is why I like to finish my holiday shopping early . . . because it seems like the month of December is always filled with so many fun activities, and I don't want to be stressing out about gift giving when there is fun to be had!

We started out the awesomeness on Thursday! Miss Jane was in Nashville and decided to drive up and spend the day with us! We went to the new Clarksville play place, Kids N Play. I was drastically unimpressed . . . but Sammie had a blast with Jane!
And after some playtime we headed out for lunch and then home to hang out and watch The Grinch!

On Friday we had our MOMS Club Holiday party. We ate, did a mommy gift exchange, and collected items for Urban Ministries. Samantha had a fun time playing and running around with all of her friends!

Next up, we started out our Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast with Santa at Marlie's school!

After eating their pancakes and sausage, the girls did some crafts - made a picture frame, decorated cookies, and even made reindeer food. I told them I was so excited they had gotten that done so we could cross it off our list. If you're wondering, reindeer food was rolled oats sprinkled with glitter . . . that way there is food outside for the reindeer while Santa has his cookies inside - and the glitter helps it shine in the moonlight so they can find it easier :) Marlie sat on Santa's lap . . . Samantha was a no go for the 1st attempt this year . . . but something tells me that she'll be good the next time we see the Man out and about . . . she was not pleased with the fact that Marlie received a candy cane and she had missed an opportunity for sugar!

Of course, it was the first Saturday of the month, so off to Home Depot we went. I have to say - BEST project EVER. They made snowman napkin holders and painted them!

They even brought out Homer the Home Depot guy! Sam went running for him . . . we've never seen him before - I have to wonder if she thought he was handing out candy canes too?!

Then it was off to take care of some holiday business! We went and picked out our Christmas tree, brought it home, and did some decorating! This year was Samantha's turn to do the star at the top!

There was some brief naptime . . . and then while the boys stayed home and watched some football, us girls did a quick run to the mall to see Ladybug Girl. The girls love her books . . . and naturally asked where Bumblebee Boy was . . . she motioned that he was napping.

And after a few days like we've had . . . it was time to crash after dinner . . . but not before one of our little holiday traditions we are starting. For the last 2 years we've read stories by the little tree the girls have in their room. This year I decided we would add one of their favorite things to their story time . . . hot chocolate. So a few times a week we will make our hot chocolate, add our marshmallows, and will sit by our big tree downstairs and read some of our Christmas books!

If you look closely, you can see that even Sota likes to lay by the Christmas tree to hear stories :)

A Few Randoms From the Week

2011-12-02T04:49:00.001-08:00

Conversation with Marlie as we are riding home from Target, just the 2 of us, after picking out Samantha's Christmas present:

MK: Look at moon - it's a crescent . . .maybe with a little extra white

Me: Yep - it sure is

MK: There was a book in the library today about planets and moons.

Me: Did you learn anything about planets?

MK: Saturn has 7 rings

Me: That's awesome (thinking to myself that I will have to google that when I get home since I have no idea!!)

Mr. Crandall is, as of today, a Kitchen Manager again! He has been in the bar since Evan was born, and this is his 3rd time back in the kitchen . . . but I do so love him going to work at 5am rather than getting home at 4am - it puts us on more of the same wavelength :)
When I went to drop the rent check off yesterday, I found out that the plumber who fixed a leak on our toilet had told the whole rental office that we had installed a bidet (and yes I had to google the spelling of that word!). Um no - sorry maintenance dude - I did not install a jet powered sprayer on the side of my toilet to act as a bidet . . . it's called a diaper sprayer because we cloth diaper! I burst out laughing when the lady at the desk said it!! ha!
Oh Samantha . . . yesterday alone she managed to think that some new nail polishes looked more like lip gloss and put them on her lips, try to spray Sota with detangler because he needed to play beauty parlor with her, soak Jayson's and my hair with said detangler while playing beauty parlor, and then finish up the night by somehow coming crashing out of her bed, hitting her stepstool, and waking up with a little of a black eye today . . . life is never dull with Sammie around!!
We made Christmas presents yesterday for all of the grandparents . . . let's just say, we had to improvise . . . we've always done their handprints on a pot holder . . . 3 handprints fit on pretty much nothing except a platter . . . so we came up with what I think is a pretty awesome idea - but we'll have to wait until after Christmas to put a pic on here!
Super excited for a busy Saturday . . . breakfast with Santa, Home Depot, getting a Christmas tree, Ladybug Girl will be at the mall, and the Christmas parade downtown!!! YAY!!!

Technically We Are Even

2011-11-30T12:07:00.000-08:00

3 Girls

3 Boys (Yes, Sota's a dog, and yes he's been fixed, but for gender numbers, we count him!)

AR

2011-11-28T18:02:00.000-08:00

So Marlie brought home her folder today with a note from the teacher that she'd like to talk sometime this week . . . I dropped her an email that I wouldn't be able to meet this week without the other kiddos along, but to give me a call. I have to admit that I was extremely curious as to what she wanted to discuss and was very relieved that she called me about 20 minutes later!

Marlie has been working a little on her own with a teacher's helper with her sight words and reading . . . and her teacher feels that in another week or 2 she will be ready to begin the official accelerated reading (AR) program. They have a program with books sent home, activities to do, and then they answer some reading comprehension questions on the computer at school when they're ready, for each book read, and get points. At the end of each period, they add up the points earned from testing and get to go to the school library and "shop" for a special trinket.

Um . . . do you think Marlie was a little excited when I told her about this?!?! We immediately added the remaining sight words to her flash card ring and went through all 50 of them tonight fairly quickly. She is very excited . . . and we, as her parents, could not be more proud. This program will most likely put her at a 1st grade or above reading level by the end of the year! And she already loves to read and learn, so the teacher thinks that she is going to move extremely fast once we get started . . . P-R-O-U-D!!!!

And she also wrote a letter to Santa last night and put it in the mail on her way to the bus this morning . . . Santa better be on the ball, because she is serious about this business this year! As in "If I write Chicka Chicka will Santa know that I want both Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Chicka Chicka 123, or do I need to put that on 2 separate lines?"

That Week Flew By

2011-11-26T18:28:00.000-08:00

I feel like the last thing that wasn't a blur was sitting in the doc's office getting a shot on Sunday! Then there was kinda dying and taking care of the kids . . . followed by feeling half alive and watching Jayson get strep . . . then there was some going out when I knew I wasn't contagious . . . and then it was Thursday morning and I was baking cinnamon rolls, turning on the Macy's parade, and realizing it was Thanksgiving! ha! The sickness and drugs had me in quite the haze! But I wasn't hazy enough that I forgot anything to cook dinner ;)

Samantha helped with the pie

I dressed the kids up and grabbed the best pic I could (no family pic since Jayson spent the day throwing up thanks to his antibiotic!)

And of course, we ate! It was nice and casual . . . and the food was fantastic! Marlie made a green bean casserole all on her own! And Evan enjoyed rolls, mashed potatoes, and cranberry relish!

Friday morning my MIL and I were up to shop . . . we refuse to go out and be a part of the stupidity that starts on the actual holiday! We will continue with our tradition and be out by 5am . . . Toys R Us was my major stop, and though it took time waiting on associates to grab items I needed from the back, they had everything on my list in stock, and I was very lucky to score 2 helpful boys in each department :) Then it was time to pull out the Christmas decor and head down to the riverfront to see the Lights on the Cumberland and kick off the season!

Also . . . because this is the cutest picture ever of my girls being little girls . . . beauty shop is a new game in the house right now . . . they like to do everyone's hair . . . but when all the grown ups were otherwise occupied, they decided that each other were good enough . . .

I really don't know where the time went . . . but I know we had fun . . .and aside from the tree, our house is ready for Christmas!! Oh yea!!!

Some Firsts . . .and Maybe a Second

2011-11-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

Samantha completed her first preschool lesson on opposites today . . . we started it, and we finished it - after about 12 sets of opposites, I was pretty certain we could check that off the list . . .that and I got annoyed when Jayson shook his head at me because I had the nerve to say that I didn't really think that left and right were opposites, just corresponding directional terms - because the true opposite of taking a direction is not taking a direction?! Right?! Ugh, of course me and my over analytical self had to go on and think that actually they might be opposites, but in that sense the word "right" has several opposites - left, wrong, and you could go so far as to say privelege . . .but as for Samantha, she did an awesome job in her workbook today! So proud of her :) We try and do things that are similar to what Marlie does in school - that way when Marlie comes home and shows her worksheets and crafts, Sammie doesn't feel left out (she was starting to get frustrated and asking why she didn't have projects). So now we call it "morning work" and "craft projects"!

Evan spent his first few minutes in his walker today! You could tell the look of sheer amazement that he was upright, and somewhat mobile, with toys, and I even blew his mind by throwing some puffs down on the tray! ha! Sad for him that we don't have a full main level of hardwood like Samantha had . . . but somehow, I think he will manage!

Next up on the first list is Evan again - first full meal of finger foods! Sweet potatoes, peaches, and whole wheat toast . . . and he's getting better with a sippy cup too . . . I forget that he's not even 7 months old yet. And then there's our second for the day . . . given that I was on death's doorstep last night, I told Marlie that she could buy her lunch today for the 2nd time ever - and what the heck, since she only has 2 days of school this week before the break, she could just buy it both days! All concern for my illness left the building at that point and was replaced by total excitement and the request that if she promised to eat fruit and vegetables could she please please please try the strawberry milk?! Naturally I said yes. So she came home and reported that there was no fruit available, but she had a sandwhich, side salad with ranch dressing, and a piece of cornbread with her strawberry milk . . . close enough, right?! This report was then followed by this statement "So I bought my lunch one other time before today . . .and I'm going to buy it tomorrow. That's 3 times in the month of November. I think that I should be allowed to buy my lunch 3 times each month - I've made good, healthy food choices and I think that sounds fair." I felt compelled to stick out my hand, shake hers, and say deal - I mean it sounded like a very logical presentation to me! And I will let it go for the next few weeks . . . but the next step of this deal is going to be earning the money with a few chores - of course, not a problem . . . she is my daughter . . . and she has her own butterfly sprayer filled with water that she uses with a microfiber cloth to dust and do mirrors and windows . . . she enjoys this . . . in fact, she was upset when she left her butterfly sprayer at home because she wanted to do chores in Atlanta and clean all of Grandma's things for her (she has a large, glass curio cabinet) . . . the love of cleaning . . . it's a sickness we share . . . :)

And lastly, it seems that the first one to catch the strep from me, Mr. Crandall of course. Luckily he was headed to the doc today anyway, so he just picked up some antibiotics before it hit - but alas, it hit him anyway!! There are not enough wishes in the world that I can make that this will stay away from the kids . . . Evan because he's a baby and Sam because she gets taken down for days with anything . . . and of course, I'm concerned for Marlie - but get real, the stomach bug hit everyone else for 24-48 hours - she threw up 3 times in 2 minutes, laid down for an hour, and then asked what was for dinner . . . the immune system of steel!

It Started Out Awesome Enough

2011-11-20T16:11:00.000-08:00

Jayson had Saturday off this weekend - a nice treat since Marlie is in school now! So we started the day out by heading over to Dunbar Cave for a family photo shoot with our awesome photographer/friend Jewel! After the pics we walked back to the cave to watch the interactive play put on by the Children's Theater. Then it was a quick stop home to drop off the boys as us girls headed to a birthday party at the bowling alley!

Suffice it to say, since naptime was skipped, I was a little worn out . . .so Daddy made french toast and sausage for dinner . . . of course both girls LOVED it and have requested it for dinner for forever! UGH! After everyone was in bed, we headed out to the deck to enjoy the nice 68 degree evening, some adult conversation, and a few adult beverages!

Somewhere in the middle of the night I woke up and could not fall back asleep . . . I totally blamed Jayson's snoring! ha! Then when the kids started to get up I was having severe lower back pain - which I never have. I thought maybe it was from tossing and turning . . . so we headed out to breakfast at our favorite local place (seriously $6.99 buffet, eggs cooked to order, and kids eat free! FABULOUS).

By the time we got home I was feeling very achey all over, not just my back . . . I began wondering if maybe I had just had too many of the aformentioned adult beverages?!? Alas, I looked at Jay and said - "I have a bad feeling that this is going to be strep" Within an hour, it hit full force, right along with a 101.9 fever . . . so off I went to Urgent Care once they opened.

We were supposed to go to the museum with our friends the Wengers, but when I sent Bethany a text to cancel, she offered to come get the girls and take them to the museum, out to dinner, and then bring home food for me . . . folks, you cannot make up goodness like that!! The funniest thing about Bethany is she reminds me sooooo much of my friend Tee in Minnesota (before bulimia overtook her life) - right down to the mannerisms and black glasses . . . I love this chic!

I just put Evan down and got a text from Bethany that she is patiently waiting at McDonalds for them to clean the @#%$@#$@#$ smoothie machine so she can bring me one . . . To say that I am fortunate to have a friend like her, with a daughter who my daughters adore, is nowhere near an accurate description.

And I will end with my open letter to the illness "strep throat":

Dear Strep Throat,

You are truly a piece of shit illness!! Every time you come, I spike a fever, sweat, and get the chills. I can't swallow . . . and you basically destroy my life for 3 days! I want you to know that while I do appreciate that you have avoided me through 2 pregnancies when everyone else was getting you, 5 times in 15 months is a bit excessive, don't ya think?!?!?

It is because of this frequency that I am seriously contemplating losing the organs you infect, i.e. my tonsils . . . so jokes on you! ha! I will kick your ass this time though - a penicillin shot, an antibiotic, and some pain meds are going to help me!

But I must say, if I were you, I would keep this beef between you and me . . . . because if you touch one of my children, I will Lysol your ass out of existence!

Jennifer

Irrational - yes. Childish - absolutely. Made me feel a little better about this stupidly horrible situation and how I feel - definitely!

And now I have to lay down . . . 102.9 fever . . . I am dying . . .

"Mommy . . .

2011-11-18T18:00:00.000-08:00

why aren't the crickets playing their music? I can't go to sleep without it."

~ Samantha - the girl who, at least for now, would apparently not like living the city

Oh the Teething Agony

2011-11-17T11:59:00.001-08:00

Good gracious!! I have been saying for months that this boy was going to get teeth - with all the drewling and chewing, I was for sure it was right around the corner! Alas, here we are at 6.5 months and still no teeth . . . but now the sleep is getting interupted - so it for sure has to be close!!! I know there are a lot of moms that would punch me in the face for complaining that my infant is only sleeping 11 hours instead of 12 - and that he's only napping for about 2 hours during the day instead of 4 . . . but hey, it's all about what you're used to!! But he is chewing up a storm . . .

But despite missing a few hours of sleep, he's relatively happy!

And you've heard about a boy and his dog?! Well naturally, zoom out and this is what you didn't see in the first 2 pics . . . But then Sota decided that he should get his own chew toy out of the line of fire before Evan found it! ha! I think Evan thought it was a race :)

Back in the Routine

2011-11-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

The kids and I have been outta town for a few days . . . Marlie had a 4 day weekend from school and we had some stuff to take care of, so we headed to Knoxville.

It seems like it took a little bit longer to get back to a normal schedule this time. I don't know if it's because it was just me with the 3 kids on the trip, so maybe I was a little less organized? Or if it was coming back and not being totally back to normal since Marlie didn't have school on Monday? Or if my grocery and food situation is out of control right now because we are in the stage I dislike the most on the baby food spectrum - stubborn and not wanting to be fed but not quite ready to feed himself - it's difficult to find foods for a 6mo old with no teeth that aren't fed on a spoon - avacado and banana anyone?!

Or maybe it's because my mental stability was a bit compromised on the trip I took! ha!! For anyone that's an adult, imagine packing up your parent's house (I am sure my children will read this one day and think there is no way they are going to pack my stuff!!). Now if that didn't give you a mild panic attack, imagine packing your parent's and your grandparent's house AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!! Essentially what it's like if your parent moves into your grandparents' home. Top that with the fact that my mother and I, while a lot alike, are completely opposite when it comes to "stuff" and "paper" . . . and I say again, my mental stability is still working it's way back to normal! ha! I do love her . . . but boy are we different . . . but how boring would it be if we were the same!??! But to give you an example of my mental state . . . this little high chair . . .

After feeding Evan his pureed food - which as mentioned above is not what he wants right now - I was wiping down his high chair and thinking about how this was one of my least favorite things. At least with dishes, after I cook and eat, I can take a break before I load the dishes - they just sit in the sink for a few hours. But there is something about that high chair tray that drives me nuts if it sits on the table. Now we've had our fabulous little chair for over 3 years . . . the other day I took a look down and noticed the words "Dishwasher Safe Tray" plainly labeled on the front. I don't know if I've never noticed it before, or just never cared about it - but in that moment, after the last few days, it was like the heavens opened up and shone down on me. Finally something that can be easier . . . one less thing to worry about at that moment . . .

That should give you an idea of where my head has been at . . . although, now back to more of a normal state, I realize the impracticality of it since I probably wouldn't run the dishwasher between each meal - which makes me think that I had probably read that before and thought the same thing. But for one meal, on one day, it made me not have a mental breakdown :)

But alas, life will return to normal - whatever that is at the start of the holiday season. I am soooo looking forward to a quiet Thanksgiving at home, some black Friday shopping (even though I have finished my Christmas shopping already), decorating for Christmas (my favorite part is the little 4ft tree we put in the girls room!! oh their smiles, and going to bed by the light of their Christmas tree!), and of course, family coming for the holidays . . . ahhhh . . .

Interview with a 3 Year Old

2011-11-10T08:18:00.000-08:00

With Jayson's schedule over the last 2 days, I've been able to go out and do our activities with just Samantha since Evan could stay home with Daddy. It's been great to be able to just chat with Sam without taking care of Evan at the same time . . . so I asked her a couple questions yesterday just so I could document some of her favorite things right now :)

Purple is her current favorite color . . .and yellow
Cheesy rollups are her favorite food (cheese on a wheat tortilla baked and rolled) also grilled cheese and tomato soup
She loves Looney Tunes and Dora
She has mastered her 4 basic shapes - colors - and numbers 1-10 . . . and can count to 30 unassisted, but to 100 if her sister gives her marks at the 10's
She has her own sense of fashion that most days includes rain boots or ruby slippers - and she prefers to change outfits at naptime so she can express her fashion sense twice a day
Samantha has the unique ability to be a fabulous big sister and little sister at the same time
Her favorite activity is roughhousing with her Dad and jumping on him
Her favorite thing at the playground is to swing on the big swings on her belly
She is the only 1 of our 3 kids to have a favorite blankie
There are nights where she will run in to my room at 2am and when I wake up she will say "I love you" and then run back to her room and go to sleep . . . I don't know if it's sleepwalking, we've explained not getting out of bed for non-emergencies . . . but how can you really discipline for that!? ha!
You will hear her say "accidents happen" at least once a day . . . this phrase has helped her live through several incidents

Samantha is by far the coolest 3 year old I know . . . the personality that she has lights up our lives . . . and life will certainly never be boring with our little Sammie around!!

Handsome

2011-11-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

At 3 months old . . . I was cute . . .

And maybe a little goofy looking like my Daddy at 3 months old . . .

But at 6 months old . . .

I'm just a stud - what else can you say?!

Why Wouldn't I Expect It?!

2011-11-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

Why wouldn't I expect this totally awesome little girl . . .

To come home and very matter-of-factly ask to go through the lunchline at school because she wanted to try something different - and when I counter with the cost factor, she offers to either take money out of her piggy bank or asks if there are possibly some chores she could do to earn the money to get her lunch?! I can't argue with a logical thought out request . . . so we will try it tomorrow - but I'm totally not making this a habit - and we'll see what she chooses left to her own devices!
To bring home a progress report with nothing but perfect marks
To bring a new phonics workbook to dinner at the OC tonight with friends, and very happily enjoy sitting and completing all 30 pages of it . . . with all correct answers . . . because that was way cooler than coloring . . .
To be very excited about going to pack up her Grandma's house - partly because she's excited about her moving . . . partly because she is my daughter and the sick thrill of organizing and packing gets her going - for the record, she has announced that she will help with everything, but her 2 most important jobs are gathering the pictures and sorting the toys!
To nearly give her father a heart attack to the point where he has asked me if I am going to start home schooling when she very simply came home and announced that she has a boyfriend :) ahahahahahahaha I totally remember my kindergarten boyfriend - Stephen Cole - he was very smart, always wore button up shirts, and his awesome red curly hair was the coolest thing I had ever seen!
To put me in awe of her most days . . . she is such a caring older sister, a loving little person, and she is wise beyond her years at 5 years old . . . I love her more than words!

Some Things Are Timeless

2011-11-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

Like posing for pictures with your siblings

Or enjoying a wagon ride on a beautiful fall day

Or being a big sister and pulling the little ones in a wagon . . .whether there are 2 . . .

Or just oneIf you didn't know better, you could look at the pic above and think that's Samantha pulling Evan, especially given the rain boots that the wagon puller is sporting . . . but that's little Sammie being pulled by a 2 year old Marlie!

But even Marlie was once small enough to enjoy her wagon rides . . .

Oh the Independence

2011-11-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

As I've said before . . . we thrive on change in this house!! And we love to have lots of it at once! So today was one filled with a few firsts! So let's start with Marlie . . . I got a call from my good friend Bethany this morning - who happens to be the Mommy of one of Marlie's good friends, Helen. She was taking her kiddos down to the Science Center in Nashville and wanted to know if Marlie could come with Helen. Of course I was invited too - but it was almost naptime, and I wasn't in the mood to drive 100 miles round trip . . . and Marlie said that she would love to go. So for the 1st time ever, Marlie went out by herself with a friend. Now it might sound weird - but think about it . . . she's 5 - other than the 3 whole months she's been in school, she has never left the house without a family member . . . and she has certainly never been in a car to travel to another city without a parent or grandparent. I turned to give her a few dollars to take and she already had a purse strapped across her with a snack packed and getting her shoes on - do you think she was ready to leave without me?!?!? ha! Naturally, she had a great time and behaved like we would expect . . . so begins a new chapter . . .

And then there is our boy! Today Evan rode forward facing in the stroller for the first time at the mall . . . and also rode in the shopping cart sitting up - because he does that now - sits up all by himself! And he also successfully ate several puffs today for another first . . . and to top it off, he is seriously trying to crawl! Except he can only crawl backwards - so he keeps scooting backwards and getting stuck under things . . . like the entertainment center, the ottoman, the couch . . . it's a great learning process to watch :)

Because I Can - The Rockstar Toy

2011-11-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

I had to do another one in the same day . . . this toy is hot right now! This was one of the few new toys for Sam, so there are no pics of Marlie with it . . . but Evan is in LOVE with this thing! It sings some great songs!!

Evan ~ 6 months old

Samantha ~ 6 months old

And I just realized the same blanket is on the floor in both pics! ha! I also just looked back at their 6 months stats when I grabbed this pic of Samantha . . . Evan was the same length as Sam at his 6 month checkup - but weighed 3lbs more! Just to do a little compare at the half birthday mark:

Marlie Katherine - 18lbs, 29in
Samantha Michelle - 17lbs 8oz, 28in
Evan Michael - 20lbs, 28in

And can I go ahead and note that it never occurred to me when naming Evan that I was giving him the male version of his sister's already assigned middle name?!? I think it's funny to look at them now and see Michelle and Michael - Michelle was my middle name though, and the Michael comes from his Grandpa and Uncle - so very different reasons, I just thing it's humorous - had I thought a little more, we might've gone for a different middle name just to switch things up . . . but alas, drugs are a powerful thing . . . and that's why you should not be on them in the middle of an operating room while naming your child :) But that's alright - I love all the kids' names . . . though I would be lying if I said I liked them all equally - the names, not my children!! As I am sure is true in most cases, my firstborn got my favorites in the name department . . . which is why my 2nd born got my actual name . . . and Evan also got a family name . . . and all 3 will undoubtedly at some point hate their names . . . don't all kids go throught that?!?! I know I did - right about the time that there were 3 other Jennifers in the same class! UGH!

Because I Can - The Dorothy Costume

2011-11-04T04:33:00.001-07:00

Yes . . . you can tell they're sisters . . . but they have different looks! Also, Marlie is only 2 in her pic - Samantha is 3 . . . Marlie has always been a tall girl! But both of my little Dorothies are the most precious little girls I've ever seen! I am sad to see this costume be outgrown . . . and while I don't save many things, especially clothing, this costume has gone in my box. It was handmade by Grandma - from the dress, to the shirt collar piping, to the basket liner . . . and maybe one day I will have a little granddaughter that looks like her Mommy to wear it :)

Marlie 2008

Samantha (and Jasmine) 2011

6 Months Old

2011-11-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

We went for Evan's 6 month checkup today! He is happy and healthy - 20lbs even and 28 inches long!

It's not the greatest since it's a picture of a picture . . . but this is little handsome's six month pic!

At 6 months old Evan is sitting up . . . eating a lot of food . . . trying very hard to sprout some teeth . . . getting very strong leg muscles from loving his jumperoo more than any kid I've ever seen . . . still squeezing in to some 12mo clothes, but mostly in all 18mo stuff . . . trying hard to crawl, especially now that he has been introduced to the wonder that is our playroom . . . and just generally smiling and looking adorable and handsome at the same time . . . I love this little boy more than words!

Happy Halloween

2011-11-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Of course . . . trick or treating was a blast. Samantha lasted for about 40 minutes and was done - no dramatics, she just sat down and said "I think I'm done - I want to go home and rest"! ha! So she and I took Evan home and Jayson stayed out with Marlie for about another half hour :)

Jessie

DorothyToto/Spike (he had to be a dual companion to his sisters' costumes!)Our girls

All 3 kiddos . . . after 3 kids you begin to let the idea of a perfectly posed picture go. Sometimes it's just not worth it! So if Jessie wants to have a "serious cowgirl look" and Dorothy wants to sit on her tricycle, you just go with it :)

Maybe next year they'll want to have coordinating costumes?! HA! I had 3 years with the girls of matching - Dorothy and the Lion one year, and 2 butterflies 2 years in a row. Their individual personalities are budding, and I could lie to myself, but I know the years of matching costumes are over . . . and that's ok! Besides, I have at least 1 more year that I can make Evan match someone, right?! :)

Down on the Farm

2011-10-30T17:11:00.000-07:00

We have been so busy with trips and sickness that I thought we were going to miss out on the farm for the fall festival . . . but we woke up this morning and the weather looked promising - so we headed out to the farm for the day. To say that I am wiped would be an understatement - me and 3 kids (Jay had to work today) and 3 hours at the farm . . .whew . . . but look how cute they are . . . they're worth it :) And despite what this pic shows, Evan had a great time - the tractor had just started up and he was less than thrilled with the sound. I love this picture - I always think the kids look like Jayson . . . my girls look like they belong to me in this one!!!!Sam loved the barrel trainWhile Miss Marlie preferred the pony rides

But everyone loved getting filthy in the giant sand pit

And then there was a chance to lasso the bull

It's always a fabulous time down on the farm . . . but like I said, exhausting!!

Halloween Fun

2011-10-30T16:40:00.000-07:00

Well we had to jam pack some Halloween stuff into one night since the sickness had overtaken our house for a few days! Believe it or not, even though Marlie actually got sick this time around, it only hit her for a matter of a couple of hours. She was bouncing off the walls by bedtime and was in school the next day without a thought! ha! That girl truly has the immune system of steel!

So Friday night we headed to pick out some pumpkins at the corner church's pumpkin patch.

Then it was home to do some carving . . .

And some bouncing while I was cooking dinner :) Cutest pumpkin EVER!

The final products of the decorating - 3 pumpkins for our 3 pumpkins

And the family pumpkin!

Then it was time to open up some treat bags that Grandma and Grandpa in Atlanta sent!

Evan is totally going to be ready for Christmas!

And we have definitely gotten in the spirit with several watchings of Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin - Grandpa and Grandma in Minnesota sent it for Halloween!

Saturday night we headed downtown for a little trick or treating - but we went early and got out quick because it was getting crowded - and me alone with 3 kiddos on a downtown crowded street full of people in costumes . . . . even I have my limits :)

And the Last One Bites the Dust

2011-10-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Well, if she had to fall, at least she was the last . . . Marlie jumped off the bus today and immediately threw up in the driveway . . . and then 2 more times up the front walkway!

Let's back up a bit . . . Sam started throwing up Tuesday night @ 6pm . . . it then hit me @ 9pm . . . next up was Evan @ 11am on Wednesday (though his was shortest, thank goodness, and mostly just affected his appetite) . . . Jayson was next @ 8pm Wednesday . . . and now here we are at 4pm on Thursday and it's got Marlie Katherine!! Let me just say - LONGEST 48 HOURS OF LIFE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in a relatively better spot now than 48 hours ago. At least now I am prepared (pedialyte, popsicles, and that 3rd bottle of gingerale that I questioned the purchase of at the time, but glad I went with my gut) and I am not throwing up . . . I can handle sick kids . . . but holding back someone's hair to throw up isn't all that effective if, at any second, you could vomit in their hair! ha! You've gotta find the humor in the situation . . . because we will all come out with smiles on the other end . . . and a few pounds lighter, right!? Totally helps my cause!

But for now - I will start my 4th load of puke laundry and cook dinner for Evan, since he's the only one on solids now . . . you have to laugh at the irony of that if nothing else :)

A Little Catch Up

2011-10-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Let's start with Friday . . . Marlie was doing some practicing with her end of the year testing requirements. She has to be able to group numbers, the corresponding number word, and the number of objects in sequence. She blew through zero-ten like it was nothing - the marshmallows probably helped! I figured marshmallows made a good object for grouping - and yes, I let them eat them - Sam only got to eat ones off the numbers that she could correctly identify - and Marlie graciously let her take multiple turns since Sam went for 1-5 and Marlie did 6-10 :) Now we are going to add 11-20! And speaking of counting, she can now count to 100 by ones, fives, and ten.Saturday morning these 3 awesome kiddos and I headed out for a fun packed day!

We started by going to the fall festival at Marlie's school. We played a few games, bid on some silent auction items, did some time in the bounce houses, and naturally, got tattoos!! Gone are the days of good ole' face painting . . . now they have airbrush tattoo booths . . . Marlie wanted a heart on her wrist and an M on her calf . . . oh I had flashes to the future . . .

Then we headed to Nashville to pick up our fabulous friend Cecilia who flew in from MN for a visit. Next up was a quick change to costumes to head to a Halloween party at the park! Samantha is Dorothy and Marlie is Jessie (from Toy Story) - and we will be sure to get a picture on Halloween that includes Evan (aka Toto or Spike depeding on who you ask).

Sunday we cheered on the Vikings - I don't normally do this, but against the Packers, I will go for the Vikes. Plus I am really liking Christian Ponder . . . and if I wasn't married to the love of my life, Jared Allen is totally my backup choice! ha! So we put all 3 kiddos into their Vikings gear and headed to Old Chicago to watch part of the game and grab dinner. Did I mention that the girls LOVE Cecilia?!

2 unfortunate things happened today . . . the first one being we had to take CC to the airport so she could head back to MN. The second one . . . that Halloween party that I mentioned above - EVERY SINGLE family there had one or more members of the family come down with a wicked stomach bug over the last 3 days . . . so naturally, at 6pm tonight as I'm putting Evan down, Marlie comes busting up the stairs that Sam is standing in the hallway throwing up A LOT . . . so far we've had 5 puking sessions . . . it's going to be a long night . . . most especially since I am starting to not feel so hot . . . shoot me right now . . . who wants to bet that Marlie comes out unscathed?!?! My only fear is Evan, especially since he's supposed to take his last round of antibiotics tomorrow for the ear infection he just suffered . . . gross . . .

Wordless Wednesday - Minus the Title

2011-10-19T18:35:00.001-07:00

Best Dad EVER

aka The Man to See for a Piggy Back Ride

Because I Can - The Halloween Bib Version

2011-10-18T12:06:00.001-07:00

I am on a roll today - so I wanted to post this. I am going to start labeling my comparative pic blogs "because I can" . . . it's the best I can come up with - and I LOVE looking at how different all 3 of them look at different points in similar situations.

This particular comparative view is of our "First Halloween" bib . . . Evan doesn't have the same orange and white stripe shirt as the girls because 1. It had ruffles on the sleeves that Jayson said were girly and 2. It was only a 12mo shirt :)

Evan - 5 months

Samantha - 4 months

Marlie - 4 months

(again, we've discussed the no smiling thing - my smart, inquisitive baby girl)

Fall Break - Part 2 - Atlanta

2011-10-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

In Atlanta there was lots of game playing - most specifically, Princess Dream Ball!We went to another Children's Museum :)And then there was the big surprise . . . we dressed the girls in their princess dresses and told them we were going to take pictures of them . . . but we went to Disney on Ice - Dare to Dream!! It was full of princesses and AWESOME!!!!!

The 3 main princesses were Cinderella, Tiana, and Rapunzel . . . but at the end, ALL of the princesses and their corresponding princes came out in their formal white attire. I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up . . . the look of sheer amazement on the girls faces and seeing all of the princesses come out just hit me. I was so very happy that we could give them this experience! And as we should've expected, tons of $20 and up souveniers decorated all parts of the arena . . . our girls had their focus on 1 thing and 1 thing only - the cotton candy. They wanted nothing to do with souveniers - they wanted the sugar - that's all they asked for, so that's exactly what they got!

And on our last full day, Grandpa and Daddy hit up a beer festival - so we hit up the mall! I rode the train with the girls and Grandma enjoyed the caurosel ride with them.

And now we are home . . . whew . . . travelling with 3 kids and a dog to 2 different cities was exhausting - but a lot of fun!!! After Memphis a few weeks ago and then this long trip, I am excited that we have NO travel plans in the near future . . . but we do have company coming in from out of town for the next 2 weekends :)

Fall Break - Part 1 - Knoxville

2011-10-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

There are probably a million things I need to be doing right now to help me catch up on life after being gone for 9 days . . . but instead, I will blog :)

For the first part of our excursion, we headed to Knoxville! We celebrated Jayson's 33rd birthday with friends watching the TN v. GA game (pics cannot be published on the internet of those festivities!). Unfortunately, Georgia one . . . probably because my little good luck charm was wearing the wrong shirt!

We spent lots of time with our friends and family!! First up, Miss Jane!

And Barry and Donna

And of course, Grandma and Uncle Eric

And we met up with old friends at the Children's Museum

It was a fast and busy 4 days . . . but that's how it always goes! Next up . . . part 2 - Atlanta!

And We're Home

2011-10-16T19:08:00.001-07:00

So there will be a few posts about our fabulous fall break vacation . . . but for now, I am exhausted. We are home and ready to jump right back into our school routine - which included me getting Marlie's backpack together tonight and realizing that we totally forgot to do the family project of constructing a fire truck over the break for fire safety week . . . luckily we are big into crafts and had all the supplies we needed on hand.

Marlie, Sam, and Daddy headed out back and constructed this beautiful gem to take to school tomorrow. She is very proud of the ladder, hose, and the blue siren that she painted to look like a smiley face :) There are brown wheels on the side that you can't see. How lucky was it that the 1 item left in the recycling container before vacation was a 1/2 gallon milk jug?!?!?

Who Doesn't Love a Jumperoo?!

2011-10-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Evan - 5 monthsSamantha - 6 months

Marlie - 5 months (Did I mention that Marlie didn't smile in pictures when she was a baby?)

The Nashville Zoo

2011-10-01T18:09:00.002-07:00

The kiddos and I headed to the Nashville Zoo today for a birthday party! We had never been to the zoo, so it was pretty awesome to get to go for a party. After party time the kids and I explored the zoo for a few hours. Jayson didn't go because of his crazy work schedule for the next week . . . but that's probably not a bad thing. He had to mow the lawn this morning, but I am sure football was enjoyed . . . and kids birthday parties aren't really his scene - are they any dad's?! :)

The girls (and their friend Victoria) enjoying the private program for the party

Evan super excited to enjoy his first zoo trip!

Like I said, after party time, we took off on our own to enjoy the zoo. I will just say that for the entire party, the girls showed off their manners, and I was very proud . . . so as soon as we were done, it was their time. First up was a carousel ride - Marlie chose a cheetah, while Samantha, Evan, and I sat on the bench behind her - she really wanted a zebra (because she had zebras on her dress) but there was no zebra around the only bench . . . bless the 10yr old girl standing next to her that said "cheetahs are awesome - you should totally pick that one" - well, a 10yr old girl knows everything when you're 5, so up she jumped! Then Marlie grabbed the map and directed us on our way . . .
She actually did a great job. She found the bathrooms so everyone could go before we started exploring. I suggested we stop for slushies, so she found the food symbol - they enjoyed some iced goodness, I got a diet coke, and Evan had a bottle. Then we were off to explore only a small portion of the zoo - the Jungle Loop - after all, by this point we had been at this driving, party, and zoo business for over 4hrs! So Marlie directed us through the animals - ask me how many funny looks I got with a 3 yr old running over to say "Oh I love the tapirs - they're like big anteaters!" :) We took a break in the bamboo forest . . . to which Marlie asked "why do they have all this bamboo if there are no pandas around to eat it?"

So finally we got into the car to head home . . .whew - everyone was passed out within 5 minutes of being on the road! Let me tell you - I wanted to pass out to! We left home at 8:30am and it was 3:30pm . . . BUT 7 hours and no naps, me alone with 3 kiddos, and not one single tantrum or meltdown - child or adult!!!!! Oh yea - that's freaking awesome!

When we got home, Marlie said that she was going to draw some pictures of the animals she saw today . . . and then she announced "and then I think I will write thank you notes to Derek and Molly for letting us come to their party today" - to which Sam replied "I will make a card for Evan Michael and put it in his crib" ha! Seriously love these chics!!!

And to file in the random category of "growing up way too fast" - Evan now wants to hold his own bottle . . . Marlie has decided she is probably too cool for baths and needs to take showers . . . and Samantha's favorite pastime that she will do just about anything for in order to earn the privelege - playing nickjr computer games! Wow . . . I try so hard to tell myself I have to remember these days . . . like tonight, when the girls discovered that I now read to Evan before bedtime and wanted to come in and "read" to him . . . Sam kept grabbing his hand so he could feel the touch books and he would just crack up at her, and then all 3 of them would laugh - I know it won't always be like this, but wow, for as long as it is, bedtime can wait, I need as many of those memories as possible . . . it's what will keep them alive as teenagers, right?! :)

And That Would Be 4

2011-09-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night we made our 4th ER trip since having children. Unfortunately, Samantha woke up around 10pm and couldn't breathe very well. Then a few minutes passed and she couldn't catch her breath and was having serious issues . . . so up I jumped and off we went to the ER (Daddy stayed home with the other 2). For the 1st time ever we had to wait in an ER waiting room . . . and only because there were 40 people that walked in within the hour for a 25 room ER!

After 1.5 hrs we got a room and after taking 1 look at Sam, the respiratory department was down in under 5 minutes. She had 3 back to back breathing treatments to get her airways opened up. We hung out for a bit to rule out any pneumonia with an xray, and then after 4 hours headed home to grab 2 full hours of sleep! ha!

She is feeling much better with the help of steroids and a few breathing treatments - let me tell you, you haven't lived until you've tried to give albuterol through a nebulizer - WORST THING EVER, regardless of the kid! Can you blame them? Do you really want shit blowing in your face at close range?!

So 4 ER trips in 5 years of parenting - not horrible. Samantha has been 3 of the 4 - so her stats aren't that great! ha! She's been once a year from 09-11 :) And of course, Marlie's was just 3 months ago for her broken arm and then surgery . . . which we had to drive down to Nashville yesterday for her final xray - and it's healed just fine.

In the end . . . there have been sleepless evenings at the hospital, enormous bills, and some worry . . . but we have 3 happy healthy kiddos . . .

Walking in Memphis

2011-09-26T10:48:00.000-07:00

Because I love that song . . . and it seems appropriate since we were in Memphis this weekend!! In general, I will be honest and say that I think Memphis is a dirty city - it just is. But of course, they have a top 10 zoo and Children's museum . . . and it's the halfway point between where we are and our best friends in Arkansas . . . so alas, this was our 2nd trip to Memphis!

Saturday morning we headed out to the Children's Museum - AWESOME!!!!! It alone would've been worth the trip . . . and our museum membership in Clarksville got us all in free - which was even better! We ended up staying for over 4 hours and had a picnic while we were there.

The 4 big kidsSaturday night we watched the Duck March at the Peabody Hotel and then headed to Beale Street for bbq and beers! When we got back to the hotel, I had matching jammies ready for all of the kiddos so we could have a dance party!!! Yo Gabba Gabba rules :)

And it was sad to have to leave on Sunday morning - these guys are like our family! So we headed to Chuck E Cheese on the way out of town to squeeze in a little extra fun and hang out for just a few more hours!Our kids are 5 (in April), 5 (in June), 4, 3, 5 months, and 3 months - so it will work out nicely for many years to come :) And look at baby Jameson - he is 3 months old . . . and then look at the toodler size baby known as Evan hanging on the front of me who is only 2 months older! They are going to be best friends!

Picture Day

2011-09-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Friday was Marlie's first school picture day!! I totally went old school with the outfit - a longer plaid dress with a peter pan collar and smocking, white ruffle socks, and brown mary janes! I was fortunate that when I showed her the dress, she loved it. I know my days of picking out outfits are numbered . . . so I have to go extreme when I get the opportunity! So have to find my kindergarten pics!!

Someone else wanted her picture taken . . .

And then they agreed to one together!

So let's talk about Marlie Katherine and school for a moment. We had a her 1st parent teacher conference the other night at school. At the beginning of the year they test each child to see where they are at - at the end of the year, they test them again. The expected score at the start of the year is 40-50% - the goal at the end is 90%. So naturally . . . Marlie scored a 90% at the beginning :)

After fall break she will be tested again, and at the teacher's recommendation she will be placed into an accelerated path for reading and learning and she will work with her individually to make sure she doesn't get bored. Proud much?!?! When I walked in the teacher looked at Sam and Evan and said "So are those two as gifted as little Miss Intelligence over there?" I laughed and said "probably" :) Truth is - I looked at the test they gave, and if the average at the start of the year is a 40-50%, Sam could go ahead and start kindergarten next week! It is my hope that the accelerated path will keep Marlie challenged. With a June birthday, she's already one of the youngest in the class, so we would prefer to not do the grade skipping thing and just keep her on the accelerated path in her own grade - but we're learning as we go with all of this, so we will just see what happens! But like I said, we're kinda proud of fabulous little Marlie Katherine :)

Bye Bye Baby Swing

2011-09-22T04:39:00.000-07:00

I have loved our infant swing . . . It really is awesome!!! But alas . . . I think it's days are numbered. I don't believe there is a height limit, but I think we will have to impose our own for little Mr. Crandall . . . because I think it's time. What a difference 4 months make?!?Thankfully he has started napping more in the crib - he sleeps for 10-12hrs in it at night with no issue . . . but for naps he has preferred his swing . . . I just don't think it's comfortable for him anymore.

In other Evan news - his 12mo onesies are getting snug (AWESOME!), I have unsnapped all of his diapers to the final rise (fit to 35lbs? really?), he is on an appetite increase again (I can't keep up!), he is starting to self-feed (Baby Mum Mums - which btw, Jayson refuses to call by that name), and I think it's hilarious when people I haven't seen in a while say to me "I didn't think it was THAT long ago you were pregnant" - to which I respond, "he's only 4 mo old" and then have to see the shock on their faces. I know it seems like I say it all the time, but I can't get over how big he is and how quickly he is busting through milestones. I expect he will be sitting on his own in the next week or 2. And now for my memory - the foods he has eaten in the last 6 weeks:

Peaches

Apples

Pears

Plums

Mangoes

Rice Cereal

Oatmeal

Sweet Potatoes

Avacadoes

Carrots

Baby Mum Mums

Next week we are going to do peas and then start . . . meats . . . gross . . . the thought of pureeing a chicken makes me want to barf!

Pat Yourself on the Back . . . Then Laugh!

2011-09-21T10:01:00.001-07:00

There's no such thing as the perfect mother . . . even June Cleaver in her high heels while she vacuumed couldn't have been all that great or her damn son wouldn't have been out causing all those problems! ha! But every once in a rare while you can step back and give yourself a pat on the back . . . because even though you're not perfect, there are those moments where things seem to be peaceful and fall into place. And if you don't acknowledge them for the millisecond they exist, you may never find that calm in life you get when everything is just right . . . and then the moment goes away, and you have to laugh.

This happened to me today as I was standing at the kitchen sink. Please realize, I don't say any of this to brag, I say it because I find the humor in it. Just when you get a little too cocky, something always smacks you in the face. So back to the sink . . . I'm feeling pretty good today - I have my oldest daughter at school for the day (and btw, she's doing awesome - more on that later) carrying her wholesome lunch with fruits and veggies (and as little processed food as possible) - I have just put my baby boy down for a nap, after he ate his baby food that I made myself and after I threw his cloth diapers in the washer - and my youngest daughter is sitting in front of me, after eating her lunch, painting and we are talking about mixing colors and she's pointing to the color wheel I've done for her . . . . so I am thinking all of this to myself, how I want to actually pat myself on the back for seeing the fruits of my labor and the choices that I have made that, in my own perspective, make me a pretty good Mom to my 3 kids . . . I'm like "nice job Jen - working our way to a healthier, greener lifestyle - raising smart kids that are happy and healthy" - and then the moment flies away . . . .

Because then reality sinks in . . . I've baked some cupcakes for Marlie's Girl Scout meeting tonight for the girls to decorate and realize I need to ice them - full on, box mix, nothing but sugar in the icing cupcakes . . . and I totally let Samantha decorate and eat one at like 9am . . . and let's get real, it's Wacky Pack Wednesday at Sonic where all kids meals are only $1.99, so my kids are totally getting dinner out of a brown paper bag tonight since we have to get haircuts (because I just found out picture day is Friday) and then be at the GS meeting . . . and said GS meeting lasts until 7pm, so Evan is getting to bed late, and it is questionable that anyone is going to get bathed, which means we are somehow off on bath nights, and it's been how many days since they have had a bath?!?!

And then I laugh . . . like an out loud belly laugh . . . you have to!!!!! Because there is no such thing as a perfect Mom . . . and if you don't pat yourself on the back for the small victories, you really will miss the little moments of peace and laughter . . .

Nothing wrong with a little sugar at 9 in the morning :)

Just Being Sisters

2011-09-18T11:27:00.001-07:00

I don't have any sisters - just brothers - so it's interesting to watch the dynamic between the girls as they get older and gain their independence a little. And don't get me wrong . . . I am not the person that says "oh, I wish I had a sister" - no - I do not think I ever once uttered that phrase growing up . . . I was the youngest, and another sibling would've meant giving up that spot - not likely! I am pretty sure if anything, I said I wanted to be an only child! ha! Anyway - I look at the girls and I'm glad that they have each other. I mean, there are those days where if one of them looks at the other one in the wrong way shit is going to go down . . . but most of the time, they are the best of friends . . . so we'll just capture the pictures of those moments :)

Shucking corn for dinner - their profiles and hair don't look at all alike, do they?! ha!

At the farmer's market on Saturday morning - I was trying to take a picture - the actual event that is going on is Samantha running over to Marlie saying "Sissy hide me - I don't want Mommy to take my picture!" And yes, they are totally matching - they got the shirts as a gift and I had totally bought the leggings at the end of last season :)

I know they are very lucky to have each other . . . and one day they will know it too . . . and there will never be enough words to describe how lucky I know I am to be their mother . . . how lucky can you be to have an intelligent, sweet, healthy, beautiful, and kind little girl!? And I have TWO!!! Blessed doesn't even cover it . . .

Did You Get My Good Side?!

2011-09-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

Weekend Recap

2011-09-12T10:00:00.000-07:00

Friday night we went down to the river for Riverfest! It was fun and pretty low key with some decent food and activities for the kids :)Marlie snapped a picture of usSunday we headed to the museum - Sam got to go on Wednesday for a dinosaur program, and Marlie really wanted to go so she could see the dinosaur stuff and go through the giant maze (they went 14 times!).

Evan hung out in the wrap on the front of me - he was alert and awake for a bit . . .

then this was my view after about 20 minutes - he loves to nap wrapped up :) Notice how the wrap looks really dark green around his face - that's because he loves to chew on it! Ugh!

Jump Jump Jumperoo

2011-09-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

Well here we go again . . . . the transition from loving the swing, to wanting to be in constant movement . . . whether it's on the floor rolling . . . or jumping in the beloved Jumperoo! Evan has been trying to stand whenever he's sitting on my lap (yes . . . he is only 4mo old) - so on a whim I brought the Jumperoo up from the basement the other night. I figured I would put him in it, he would scream, and then I would remember that both girls were over 5 months when they started enjoying the Jumperoo . . . or maybe his feet wouldn't even touch . . . ha!

As you can see . . . neither of those things happened . . . He was more than overjoyed at the new freedom . . . and I wanted to smack myself for introducing it . . . because I've done this a couple of times before . . . I know that now the swing will soon become a thing of the past . . . and that just means being able to put him in it and have "free" time is over . . . but how could you deprive a child of fun like this?!?

Along with his growing up way too fast . . . he's now enjoyed a list of several foods . . . apples, pears, plums, peaches, carrots, and sweet potatoes! Mangoes were on sale the other day, but then I read something about those waiting until 8 months . . . um, okay - they should seriously put that disclaimer on bananas, not mangoes! So I'm gonna make them - but he's only 2 days into pears, and I like to do 3-4 days before a new food.

In other milestones, Samantha has decided that she's smart enough for school too, so she does Marlie's flash cards while she's gone during the day. The school gave them to us as part of the kinder kit during roundup . . . granted, they are really too elementary for Marlie, but it's nice that they both sit down and use them - I put them all on rings so everyone can have fun with them. And Marlie has decided that she now wants to wear hairbows every day - sometimes 1, sometimes 2. I think her friend Elise wears them . . . because in 5 years of her life, she has NEVER requested to wear hairbows and actually kept them in for more than 5 minutes! She is also learning "popcorn" words (sight words) as part of her first steps in reading.

It seems very weird to me to be straddled between so many different childhood phases right now. One kid learning to read, one learning preschool things while still really a toddler, and one going through baby milestones like rolling, sitting up, and did I mention that he is trying to crawl?!?! Like he actually made it about 6ft the other day and ran straight into the tv! I mean, life isn't static - change is what makes it so awesome . . . but I kinda feel right now like everything is moving a little too fast in a few too many directions . . . who am I kidding - I totally love it . . . but maybe a little slower pace in the realm of growing up would be good!

Before Kids

2011-09-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a post I read on a friend's blog to write one about the "us" before kids. That coupled with the fact that I have had that damn Katy Perry song stuck in my head for 2 days - "last Friday night we took to many shots . . ." UGH!!!! I want our kids to look back some day and see that we were actually people before we became parents - because let's all be honest, once you hit high school, you're convinced that your parents were never actually people, simply parents placed on earth with the sole purpose of ruining what would otherwise be an awesome life!

So here goes . . .

Before there was you, our children, there was an us - and our names were Jayson and Jennifer (not Mom and Dad).

We were very cool people actually . . . we had time and energy to do things like go to concerts and listen to music that we loved . . . and while we're imparting some knowledge, let's impart some musical wisdom - if you haven't already heard of them, you need to immediately go find music by Pearl Jam and 311 - it just might change your life!

We bought a dog because we thought we were responsible enough to handle it . . .we were . . . unfortunately, he grew to be 110lbs and we wanted to live in another city and couldn't afford a place that would take him . . . his name was Jackson . . . do us a favor and name a child after him! We had fun . . . and lots of it . . . probably too much fun. I would like to say that we travelled the world before kids, but we didn't . . . we will someday . . . we travelled the country a little and decided that life should be a continuous adventure rather than just a week long one, so we moved - A LOT - sometimes 10 miles, sometimes 1000 miles . . . I will go ahead and apologize for the fact that you don't have a childhood home . . . unless something drastically changes between me typing this and you reading this, moving will have been a part of your life as well . . . you're welcome . . . staying in one place is boring :)

Your Dad had long hair . . . I had piercings . . . and we partied our way through the first half of our twenties like it was our job . . . and we worked in restaurants for a large part of that time, so it kinda was our job. If you ever question our ability to hang, we will sit down with you and a bottle of Jagermeister and share some stories . . .when you're 30 of course . . . ironically, you will probably be too old to hang by then . . .us, never . . .

We have seen and done a lot of things . . . most of which cannot be published on the internet (along with the photos that accompany said events) . . . for us, we are lucky to have experienced these things . . . and lived through several of them - did we ever tell you about our first "date" where we had a gun pulled on us?! . . . for you, you are unfortunate that we lived as much life as we did - your teenage years are going to suck when you try to get away with stuff!

Before kids we were cool . . . but after kids . . .our life is pretty damn cool . . . I was young when I graduated college (20) and young when we got married (21) and by a lot of standards, young when you guys started arriving (25) . . . but we knew it was time for a different life. I will tell you, the night we decided it was time to start having kids, we looked at each other, took a shot, and said "don't you think there's more to life than this?" and looked around the bar . . . and we were right, there was . . . 3 months later we found out that Marlie was going to come . . . and while Friday nights have never been the same since kids . . . they have been everything . . .

A Home Depot Project

2011-09-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

Daddy helped the girls build dry erase boards at Home Depot this weekend!Evan was super excited to watch!And apparently someone caught on, and now they are providing paint so they can paint the projects when they're done . . . we've always done that part at home with our own supplies.

The girls posing with their Daddy and the finished products :)

Marlie and Jayson had a date at Chuck E Cheese on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, Jayson's work schedule combined with Marlie's school schedule doesn't always provide a lot of time for them to see each other . . . so Samantha and I took Evan down to Nashville and went to the mall . . . we got a package with lots of clothes for the kids from their G-rents in Minnesota, but some of the dress sizing was off - so we stopped into Carter's. The girls had a great time doing their "fashion show" with all of their new clothes!

Random story - while we were at Carter's at the mall, there was this lady whose son fell and busted his nose and lip open in the dressing room - so she came running out with blood everywhere and looked at me and said "I need some wipes please!" - obviously frantic - but when I said that I was sorry I didn't have any, she looked at me (with 2 kids) with disgust like I was lying!!! I looked at her and said "I'm sorry, I cloth diaper and I don't have disposable wipes" - she kept walking and was still irritated when I offered up some band aids, that I did have. WTF?!?!? It just really irritated me that she was so rude . . .especially after another woman had given her some disposable wipes. It was just annoying . . .

1, 2, Free, 4, 5

2011-09-01T10:34:00.001-07:00

I picked up some awesome books at the consignment sale for the girls . . . and Samantha is in love with them!!! They are wipe clean books that you use with dry erase markers for numbers, letters, and things that go. She has really gotten into the couting one. She can rote count up to 30 and is working on number recognition right now - she's got 1-5 down and is getting better on the others.She is very proud of herself!! And she calls the books her "homework" and carries them around all day :)

The 4 Month Checkup

2011-08-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

This little man had his 4 month checkup this morning . . . on the exact date that he turns 4 months old :) And the stats . . . .18lbs, 27in . . . and to compare that to his sister's stats . . . well, to get a little closer in numbers, we have to look at their 6 months stats instead! At 6 months old, Marlie was 18lbs 29in and Sam was 17.8lbs 26.5in . . . so he's comparable to the girls, just 2 months early!!!And if you know how big a pack n play is . . . you can see how long the little Mr. Crandall is!!

The doc says that he is very proportionate . . . he's just a big guy! I think it was 90th percentile on the height and 97th on the weight - but I've said before, I don't really buy into those things . . . though I suppose I might believe it if you told me that my 4mo old is bigger than 97% of the kids his age . . . I mean, he beat out his sisters for sure!

On the clothing front - he's in all 12mo clothes . . . and by all, I mean all the 12mo ones that fit. He has some 12mo outfits that are too small - notably Osh Kosh and Target brands. That is why I like to stick with Carters - then I know the sizing is consistent (except 1 sleeper I bought last week that was Carters and the armholes were half sized . . . and Jayson was the 1 to discover it when Evan's arm couldn't fit . . . but that was the 1st time in 5 years of Carters). So I have managed to accumulate 15 Carter's short sleeve onesies in 12mo size . . . other than that, summer stuff is just gone in stores . . . and Evan has nothing else to wear. 15 onesies might sound like a lot - but when you burn through 2-3 a day - not so much! I have a sick feeling that all of the fall 12mo stuff I have will not even get worn . . . I anticipate being well into our 18mo clothes by Halloween!

As far as food - we've had rice and barley, apples, peaches, plums and tomorrow we will be tackling carrots! I am making all the food this time around - it's way too easy and soooo much better. And having to buy all of the healthy food for him, ,leaves plenty to eat for the other kiddos . . . .or sneak into purees so Jay might actually get some veggies!!!

Overall . . . he's big - he's healthy - he's a rolling machine that babbles A LOT - and he took his shots like a champ (I would say "like a man", but that's a little sexist . . .especially when your Dad is terrified of needles! ha!).

Story Time

2011-08-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

As we were reading tonight, I thought it might be a good idea to make a quick list of a few of our favorite books right now. Some of these have been faves for a while . . . and they remain top choices each night! We try to read during the day, and a lot of times before naptime, but at night before bedtime, stories are a staple. Whether it's one parent or both - this has been a part of our night routine since Marlie was 6 months old and I started reading Goodnight Moon and Guess How Much I Love You to her every night!

Polite as a Princess - this is a fairly new addition to our shelves, but it was an instant favorite! It has several examples of things princesses do to show their manners. Not bragging, just saying from the heart, our girls have pretty good manners most days - but this was nice to give a little boost to some of those less common things like the napkin in the lap! And while we are on manners - we explained to Marlie that when she went to school, she was to address all adult women as ma'am and adult males as sir - no problem, she totally understood. Then earlier in the week she started saying "yes ma'am/sir" to Jayson and I . . . that was never on my list of things that I expected from our children - I had friends' parents as kids that required it and I always thought it was lame . . . now I'm never going to call her out and make it a requirement, but it kinda makes me laugh on the inside and feel special when she says "yes ma'am" :)

Nursery Rhymes - This was a present Marlie got a few years ago from Aunt Katy - and they have since memorized almost the entire book. When they get this out they recite all of their favorites in order and know them just by seeing the pictures!

Llama Llama - We love all of the books in this series. Right now, we are into this one because it talks about the little llama going to school and missing his mama :) In each book the author always uses the phrase about "llama drama" - I bust this out every once in a while when the girls are just being girls . . . I tell them to stop all of their llama drama and it gets a laugh rather than perpetuating the fight!

The Gruffalo - we've loved this book since it came from the Imagination Library 2 years ago! It's a fun story . . . and speaking of the Imagination Library - it was kinda sad . . . Evan's first book came at the same time Marlie's last book came :( But she loved the last book - Kindergarten Here I Come!

The House That Jack Built - this is a pretty hot book right now . . . because now, not only can Marlie recite the entire book by sight - but Samantha has picked it up! There is one picture for one word on each page, but they have memorized everything around it . . . funniest phrase uttered by a 3 year old " . . . that waked the priest all shaven and shorn . . ." ha!

I can only hope that their love of reading will continue. I lost mine somewhere along the way . . . and after college, it was more than lost, it was beaten out of me. I have started to gain it back gradually - but I will never be the person that reads stories for fun . . . even when I read for fun, it's only non-fiction and informational :)

When the Weather's Nice . . .

2011-08-26T10:17:00.001-07:00

spending time outside just makes us pass out in the middle of the floor . . . (btw, while he was sleeping I tried to measure him - my guess for his 4mo checkup is 28in!)we play baseball and pose . . .we hang out and watch Daddy grill dinner . . .

we spray each other to stay cool and hydrated . . .

and we take Sota to the dog park and make sure he gets a bath afterwards!

Our Little People

2011-08-23T18:08:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite movies includes a rant by a Mom to her husband in which she says "and our kids, they're great kids, and we made them, first there were no people there, and now there's people . . . " Somedays I kind of get overwhelmed by that - 5 years ago there were no people, and now there are 3 distinct personalities that we have quite literally created and begun to develop - it's a very awesome thing this parenting business . . . we made these 3 little people . . . and man, they are pretty damn cool!

When Marlie came bounding in from the bus today, she had a snack, and immediately wanted to sit down and play with Samantha . . . and now that Evan has his newfound mobility, he saw a card game going on and rolled right over to see what was up!! I want to make some notes about these guys for a minute . . .

Evan - wow, if any baby at not quite 4 months old can look like a little man, it's my boy!! I put that GA jersey on him yesterday (and btw, I'm not a GA fan! Heather commented that he rolled because he wanted out of it - I totally agree!!!) and he looked like a football player! I am guessing his measurements at 4mo will compare to that of his sisters at 9mo - and they were not small babies! I looked into his eyes today and they just light up like no other eyes I have ever seen! I remember when Samantha was a baby I was shocked at how much she smiled and what a ham she was - Marlie was my serious baby, she was also my BFF at 6 mo old because she provided more attention and look of concern than most adults - so Sam seemed just jubilant! But this boy, my son . . . holy cow . . . that kid's smile and his eyes light me up in a way I don't think I could've imagined in a million years . . . I am pretty sure it's because he looks very similar to the only other man in my life whose smile can make me smile . . . I just stare in Evan's eyes and wonder why it took me 3 kids to realize that the moments I sit my ass still for long enough to stare at a baby are the ones that life should be made of . . . but the lesson has been learned. Anyway - he is now a rolling machine in his 12mo clothes (and on the last rise of a cloth diaper that's supposed to last until 35lbs . . . the Bum Genius peeps and I are going to have to have a discussion about that I have a feeling) . . . and he loves homemade applesauce . . .

Samantha - She is starting to get used to life in the limelight when big sister isn't around - but in her own way. She isn't running around all crazy because Marlie's gone - but boy is she talking and making sure her words are heard . . . and they are some good ones too. Today she asked if she could have some fruit "because if I eat healthy fruits and vegetables and drink healthy drinks like milk I will grow big and strong" ;) We picked up a Sesame Street preschool binder today - thank you Borders for going out of business so we could score this binder for $4 instead of $25!. We got home and after nap she just wanted to sit down and do the whole thing - not possible - but she wanted to try. I have zero concerns about doing her preschool at home - she is very well on her way! And while she will give her sister a run for the money in stuborness, my little Sammie is as sweet a little girl as I could've ever imagined having as a daughter. I love her more than words . . .

Marlie - oh my goodness! I love this chic! She is me so much that I am terrified to my core of life in 10 years. I think I was prepared for kindergarten and the school part of it . . . I don't know that I was or am prepared for the social part and little miss independence! First it was "you don't need to walk me to the bus" - then came the explanation that the big kids don't have their moms there. Now tonight it was "do you think I could pack chocolate milk in my lunch tomorrow - they sell it my school in the cafeteria and some of the kids get to buy all of their food in there and get chocolate milk" . . . let me tell you, lunch could be free and I will still pack her food - I have seen the menu, and frankly, I ate the menu! After years of private school with no cafeteria and packing lunch, I was exhilarated to get to buy cafeteria food at a public school - live and learn! Then after the request was "well, maybe I can just pack my own lunch in the morning - a pb&j, some strawberries, some veggie sticks, maybe a hardboiled egg, and some chocolate milk" - I think I will have to pick my battles. She has eaten her whole lunch every day - carrots, fruit, and all - so maybe we can make occassional exceptions - I'm thinking "Chocolate Milk Monday"?! Tell me she wouldn't learn to read the calendar?!? :) And I snapped a pic of Jayson taking her to the bus (she let him, but I don't know for how long) . . .

Jayson acted all appalled like I was embarassing everyone! "Are you going to take her picture EVERY time she gets on the bus?" Um, this was the 2nd time EVER in her life getting on a bus - and it's not like I'm his Mom embarassing him . . . and anyway, how fabulous would you feel if every day you got into your car to go to work and someone went all paparazzi and snapped your pic?! I would feel pretty damn special! ha! But I do live in reality, so I will reserve photo taking for before she walks out of the door and/or the first day each year . . . because we all know how embarassing parents are . . . gah . . . :)

I love our little people . . . they are pretty much the coolest . . .

Rolling with the Homies

2011-08-21T06:57:00.001-07:00

Going . . . Going . . . Gone!!!!And we put on a new shirt to celebrate - "This is how I roll!" hahaha

This morning was the very first time that Evan rolled over completely on his own from stomach to back! So let's see - he is exactly 1 week away from being 4 months old. I remembered I had a post with Sam about rolling, so I looked here. It seems Samantha was 4 months and a couple of weeks . . . and I wrote in the post that based on baby book stuff she was about 6 weeks ahead of Marlie . . . um . . . of course I immediately googled milestones!! I knew other than walking, I never thought Marlie was behind in anything (and she walked at 13mo just like Sam, so that's not really behind!) . . .so sure enough, it says that most babies roll by 5-6mo, some as early as 3mo - depends on head control and neck muscles . . . well, I know this boy has neck muscles! He's the only one out of the 3 to actually enjoy tummy time - and he LOVES it. In Sam's post I had also put her in the Bumbo - we put Evan in the Bumbo on Friday, and there was no falling over, he was straight up and loved it.

I am super excited that he is hitting these milestones - but I am also a little reluctant. With Marlie and Samantha, it was great to see them growing, but I wasn't sad to see the baby phase leave because I knew there would be another baby someday . . . I don't know that with Evan . . . and that's making everything a little rough to watch . . . especially since it's going so quickly!!

On the food front, he has now been on cereal for 2 weeks - after 10 days of the rice, I decided he needed some flavor - so he's been on the Barley for about 3 days. I will give him another day or so to make sure the barley is flowing through and then I will steam him up some apples and make applesauce! The doc is probably gonna have a coronary - by the time he gets to his 4mo checkup next week he will have been on cereal and fruit for over 3 weeks! We will probably be on a 2nd fruit by then! Oh well - the cereal a few times a day has helped reduce his formula consumption to 32-36oz a day . . . still more than most babies his age consume in a day . . . but I feel like he's not starving! And I'm trying to get as much wear out of his 9mo stuff as possible . . . but after this next load of laundry, I'm gonna pack it up for a friend, because it's starting to compromise the snaps! ha! That cute little onesie above . . . doesn't look too big, does it?! Because it's a Carter's 12mo! Have I stressed how the clothing situation is out of control in this house!!!! Samantha is the only one growing at a normal rate . . . and I have probably jinxed that now by saying it!! We certainly have 3 very healthy, happy kiddos!!! I don't know why I would have ever thought with Jayson as their Dad that growth would be a problem!? :)

Buses and Clothes

2011-08-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well I would be lying if I said I wasn't VERY nervous when Marlie got on the bus this morning. Dropping her off at school the first day was okay with me - I watched her walk into the building and come out of it. But the bus . . . whoa . . . I was not prepared for that! But she did what she does . . . jumped right in with no problem! And she came home with the biggest smile on her face! I told myself that she would be fine - after all, I rode the bus when I was her age (forget that I had my big brother with me) and she would be fine . . . and perhaps it would've helped if coming back from the bank I happened to pass by the school at the time that her bus was supposed to arrive . . . and if I had seen her get off the bus that would've helped me feel better. . . of course, that's all hypothetical . . .ha! And she was so comfortable with the whole situation, that tonight she very plainly said to me "Mom, I don't need you to walk me out to the bus, you can sit on the porch and watch from there" . . . and so it begins . . . Jayson walked her out this morning - and this was the best pic I could get sitting on the porch with Samantha and Evan :)

But she had another awesome day . . . although it started out funny! She put on a dress and Jayson took one look and said "You need to go change" . . . I swear the dress fit just fine last week - and now, it was short enough that you could see her bike shorts sticking out the bottom (they have to wear them under dresses if they don't have tights on). So I grabbed another dress and then started doing some measuring. I freaked out and sent a text to my MIL that I thought all of the dresses we had just bought last weekend were going to be too short!!! Well, there are a few that will be questionable . . . but I measured Miss Marlie when she got home . . . would you believe that since her well child visit in June she has grown 1.5 inches?!?! Hmm . . . .that's about by how much her dresses had "shrunk"!!

And as if the clothing situation in this house weren't out of control enough - I am tagging stuff for another consignment sale in Clarksville now, we're changing seasons and separating non-school clothes for the first time, I am sorting out and donating maternity stuff, I have NO clothes that fit - tonight I put Evan Michael in his 12mo sleeper . . . some of his 9mo ones still snap, some do not . . . but his little feet were getting scrunched up! He looked so comfortable and able to stretch and bend in his 12mo sleeper . . . and his feet fit with about 1/8in maybe to spare . . . wow . . .

Pictures by Marlie

2011-08-17T11:18:00.000-07:00

Marlie snapped a few pics at Grandma and Grandpa's house this weekend . . .

Grandma's curio cabinet

Daddy on his I-Phone - not a hard thing to get in a picture . . . especially since he just added Oregon Trail to it!She even snapped a self-portrait

And her favorite subject . . . baby Brother :)

A Trip to Atlanta

2011-08-16T18:17:00.001-07:00

We had a fabulous trip to Atlanta over the last few days. We went down mainly to visit Grandparents and go to a consignment sale to get clothes for fall (and I sold over 300 items!). While we were down there, we thought it would be a good idea to get together with a lot of old friends with all of our kids. Our friend Josh offered up his house and it was a BLAST!!!! I thought Josh was kidding when he said that he would build the world's longest slip n slide after dinner . . .he wasn't joking. We had about 75ft of tarp laid out at a perfect angle and then hosed down . . . eventually soaped down too . . . and a whole bunch of naked kiddos, and a few clothed adults, enjoying the fun! I didn't get many pics, Jayson took a bunch of video though. I did grab this pic of Jayson and Long with the kids. Long is one of Jay's oldest friends, and I adore him, and his wife Holly is a sweetheart. Here is Jayson and Evan with Long and Sevi . . .

The boys are about 6 months apart . . . but I took the pic because I remembered I had this one of 3 years ago with the guys and Samantha and Lila . . .our girls are only about 2 weeks apart :)I got some pics of one of their favorite pastimes with Grandpa . . . filling their piggy banks! They worked together to fill Evan's for him too.

Of course we had to take pics after bathtime in our jammies . . . when kids look the sweetest ;)

We also spent one morning at the park. There is anwesome park near the house that the girls absolutely love! We have gone every trip for the last 2 years! It's a super nice park and trails.

And afterwards, we met Grandpa at Olive Garden for lunch . . . YUM! But not without taking a few more pics at the park!

We also met Uncle Jason and Aunt Angie at Cracker Barrell for breakfast on Sunday morning. My SIL is expecting her first baby . . . we will find out in a week if I'm going to be the best Aunt ever to a niece or nephew!!! YAY!!! I'm laying my money down on a niece . . .

The First Full Day of School

2011-08-16T18:02:00.000-07:00

I am a little bit behind because we've been in Atlanta the last few days . . . but Marlie's first full day of school went AWESOME!!! She jumped out of the car when I dropped her off like she had done it a million times . . . and came out at the end of the day all smiles!!

All ready to go! She wanted to leave as soon as she was ready, so we had time to run a few errands before I dropped her off. She was so excited I didn't want to make her sit around and wait to get in the car.

A back shot of the backpack - right now it's all about Tinkerbell! I totally remember my first backpack - hot pink with Gizmo from the Gremlins :) And of course, she has a matching lunchbox too - she tells everyone that they came in a package from her Grandpa and Grandma in Minnesota!

All 3 kids excited and ready to leave @ 7:20am!!!

It took us a while to pry some of the details out . . .as soon as we picked her up we were hitting the road to Atlanta, so she had to take her Dramamine . . . this did not make her happy, so she withheld info until we got on the interstate! But . . . she loved everything, got to be the line leader twice, and only her and 1 other friend got a special treat from the teacher because they followed all the rules and were quiet during rest time too! I am soooo very proud of her!

Thankful Thursday . . . kinda like Wordless Wednesday with Words

2011-08-11T12:32:00.000-07:00

I know I've already posted this pic . . . but I love it :) And I'm just feeling very thankful today that I am at home with them . . . Evan almost rolled over this morning and it just hit me like a ton of bricks! I missed the first time Marlie rolled over, the first time she sat up by herself, and the 1st time she crawled. I was there for all of the milestones for Samantha, but I was also pounding out 40hrs/wk worth of work in under 20hrs from my home office, and having mild panic attacks because Jayson was working 70hrs/wk - so I wasn't totally present.

But this time . . . this time I am here for it and it is my focus . . . and I'm just really thankful for that! Which in turn, would of course mean that I am so very thankful for my husband . . . because he works as hard as he does for this family so I can be here for these moments . . . and really, what more could you possibly ask for from one person?!?! I mean, he's kinda cute too - so I do love him for that as well :) But seriously - there are so many days filled with worries, stress, and other general non-fuzzy feelings . . . so when I have a day that is just awesome for no particular reason . . . I want to remember it . . . and I want my kids to read someday that on any given day, they and their Dad are what make my life great . . . and my life is pretty freaking great!

Shoes

2011-08-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

Who knew shoes could be such a big deal?! I have never been the girl obsessed with shoes - at least not in quantity. I have always been more on quality. So in college when I was broke, I would much rather have owned 2 pairs of Birkenstocks than 6 pairs of cheap shoes. The one time that I did stray from that was for a pair of black leather knee high boots, that were on the cheap side, and I ended up busting a heal on one and falling on my ass on the sidewalk on my way to my court appearance for public intoxication . . . that looked awesome . . . but that's a story for another day . . . back to shoes!

I had the thought instilled by my Mom that Stride Rite was the only way to go for little kid shoes - so I have been diligent about making sure that the girls always have them - granted, from the outlet, so probably not always the current fashion. I can justify the $$ on the Stride Rite if I can get them for the same price as Target shoes . . . so I do :)

The last time I took Marlie shoe shopping, I could tell she was getting antsy about the little kid styles I kept pushing her towards. It was easy to keep her in the toddler section though, because even though the rest of her is tall, her feet are pretty small - so she was still in a size 10 . . . well flip flops got us through the summer . . . and now we need to pick out back to school shoes. And so it begins . . . She does have a pair of Dora light up tennis shoes that I bought simply because they were $2 and I knew they would make her happy . . . I was hoping they wouldn't fit by now, but no such luck. Then I start showing Marlie some pics of cute mary janes for school . . . and she insists that she wants these . . . . or something similar. . .

I thought I would escape these by plainly saying "those have ties, and once we work on tying your shoes, maybe we can get a pair like that" ha! Have I met my daughter?!?! She promptly goes and gets an old pair of her tennis shoes that had ties (back when I could help her and she wouldn't lose her mind) that are sitting in the closet waiting for Sam, and asks how to tie them. So I thought about what method would be best and then went with the one we just saw on Shrek - the dragon under the bridge, through the loop, and into the castle. Well of course - it worked!! 5 times in a row she did it . . . by tomorrow she will be a pro asking for those horrid shoes!! Do they not look like something straight outta the 80s that you did in your bedroom with your friend's Bedazzler?!? And lord help us all - they have ones that light up!!

Don't get me wrong, I am very excited that she mastered the skill of tying her shoes in under 10 minutes . . . but I have to find a pair of shoes to go with all of the the cute little courdoroy jumpers and little girl school dresses that I plan on purchasing in Atlanta next week . . . and those shoes are not working for me!!!! So I will have to more than likely turn to bribery . . . perhaps we can go with some nice brown or black mary janes if I offer to buy her other coveted pair of shoes . . .

But then again, didn't I learn my lesson with Samantha and her obsession for rainboots when she refused to wear anything else for 6 months?!?! Clearly I didn't, because I bought these on clearance at Old Navy for Sam to have this fall . . .Oh well . . . my new mission is to find Mary Janes with glitter stuff, the first of many compromises . . . but of course then get her tennis shoes that tie as well ;) What the heck is next?!?!? Oh wait, I know what's next . . . I got my ears pierced for my 6th birthday . . . this is all going way too fast for me . . . I think I will have a drink tonight! :)

A Weekend . . .with a Few Firsts

2011-08-07T11:31:00.000-07:00

Our first 1st of the weekend was on Friday - Marlie's 1st day of school. It was only for an hour, and Jayson stayed to get info . . . but I guess it counts. She goes next Friday and the following for testing - then starts full time on the 23rd - that will be way more eventful! But we took pics anyway . . .Have I mentioned before that Marlie likes to pose!?It will be weird when the days start with just 2 kids - Friday was nice and easy though . . . weird, but very easy with just two kids!!!

And Grandma and Grandpa got into town from Atlanta on Friday . . . so naturally Grandpa took the girls to Home Depot on Saturday morning to make pencil boxes!

And Evan Michael provided us with 2 firsts this weekend. #1 - Friday afternoon was the first time that I have had to remove an outfit from a child because it got so tight that it was cutting off circulation and turning a leg blue!! The outfit fit fine last week . . . and it was a 6-9mo romper! #2 - Evan had cereal this morning for the first time. After consuming about 50oz of formula yesterday, and all of his bottles being topped out at 9oz, we decided he needed another form of food. Both girls were 4 months when they started - but I remember Marlie's doc asking why I hadn't started her on cereal yet because she was having 48oz a day . . . . so it was time - the boy needed some food . . . and he enjoyed quite a bit for his first time out :)

Oh Yea . . .

2011-08-04T06:11:00.001-07:00

we're pretty much famous now . . . our picture was published on the local paper's website! ha!

I Know I am Biased . . .

2011-08-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

but I have never seen a baby boy cuter than this one!He had his 3 month pictures today :)

The Last Couple of Days

2011-07-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

Thursday we hosted playgroup at our house. The little boy next to Marlie is Jeremy . . . I tell his Mom all the time that I could totally steal him and everyone would think he was ours :)

After playing outside the kids came in and decorated cupcakes I had baked . . . check out little Mason trying to get in on the action!

Saturday night we headed over to Cooling in the Cave - they had a little band playing music in the cave. We were having a fabulous time until a little boy with zero social boundaries came over and pushed Marlie down . . . of course she landed right on the elbow that just had pins taken out - needless to say, she freaked out and asked to go home . . . not a request I generally oblige, but this time it was understandable.

This little boy turned 3 months old! And he is diligently trying to roll over every day . . . and he LOVES tummy time . . . and no, I'm not being sarcastic. The kid loves to be on his stomach . . . and he tries to push off with his feet . . . I have a little feeling that he is going to be my early crawler and walker . . . I could be wrong . . . but he is definitely my most smiley baby - and that is saying a lot with Samantha as a sister . . . and speaking of his sister, I can't get over how much they look alike!! These 2 look alike as babies . . . Marlie will always be on her own in baby pics with that widow's peak!!

Our Parenting Skills

2011-07-27T18:45:00.000-07:00

Note - the following event caused me to have a mild panic attack, but probably wasn't as dramatic as I make it sound. However, when retelling it to a good friend today, when I was finished I just lo0ked at her and said "Wow, we are awesome parents!"

Yesterday we spent the day in Nashville. Marlie's appointment to get her cast off wasn't until later in the afternoon - more on that later - so we went to Monkey's Treehouse (I was not impressed), had lunch at Five Guys, and then headed to the Galleria for a bit. After walking around for a bit, and convincing the girls that the rides that cost $0.75 each were way better than running around in bare feet in the mall playground with who knows what on other kids' feet (I'm not by any means a germaphobe, but at some point I have to draw a line on downright unsanitary!), the girls wanted to just go up and down the escalator one time before leaving. Harmless enough request, right?! Are you seeing where this is going?!?!!?

So Jayson has Evan in the stroller so they stand at the bottom . . . Marlie gets on and then I get on with Sam holding my hand behind me . . . somehow Samantha lets go, trips, and is now in the process of doing a faceplant on the escalator and not getting up as it is getting dangerously close to the bottom where all I see is her fingers heading for the opening . . . HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!! So what do we do - I start to run down and Jayson gets there way faster than I do and we do a quick handoff because, well, the escalator is still moving up. There you have it . . . I leave one child, who at this point still has a cast on her broken arm, to fend for herself, which by the way she doesn't , she tries to run down the up escalator after me . . . and Jayson leaves our 3 month old 15ft away in his stroller in the middle of the crowded mall . . . but we saved the one. We rock at this parenting thing!

Once I calmed down I wanted to walk away from the scene as quickly as possible. I'm not one to often care what others think . . . but can you imagine?! At least one person had to think, "Well now we know how the other one got a broken arm" ha! And the only thing I kept thinking was how you apply logic to this situation. Shouldn't it be a majority rule thing in most events?! Clearly not in this one since we abandoned 2/3 of our children! Yes, Samantha was probably in more danger . . . but that is questionable given Evan's inability to scream if a stranger came by and Marlie's lack of balance due to the fact that she was already down one limb . . .

After the near death experience (that is what it seriously felt like to me), we headed down to Children's and Marlie got her cast off. Jayson wanted to be the one in the room when they brought out the "tickler", aka - the saw! Marlie informed me today that it did not in fact tickle her at all! Then came the pins . . . everyone had been matter of factly saying how they would just take the pins out, like it was similar to taking off a bandaid. For the last month I have been thinking how much that would have to hurt - I'm talking 3 2in pins that are down through a whole arm of muscle, tissue, and cartilage - and they're sturdy enough to prop up a bone - AND it took a surgeon an hour and a half to put them in . . . but they're just gonna pull them out?!? Wow, all I have to say is I thought it was a miracle Jayson came out with his hearing in tact - through multiple walls across a very large office, I heard her screams, and the pitches they took when each pin came out . . . she was not happy when she came out. Well . . . we were told when we got home to take the mound of gauze off her arm and put bandaids over the holes the pins left - and they are holes! Understandably, she was FREAKING out about anyone touching her arm - so what do we do . . . we bust out the bribe I had planned weeks ago for this very occasion - new Tinkerbell jammies. For the first time ever, the bribe didn't work . . . oh, we got the bandaids on, but not because she accepted the bribe . . . it was weird, bribery has worked very well for us over our 5 years of parenthood . . . like I said - we are rockstar parents! :)

Since I am confessing about some highlights of our awesome skills - I may as well add a quick few. When Marlie was 6 months old I didn't buckle her in her stroller because I didn't think she'd go anywhere - she slid out onto the hardwood floor of Gap Kids and landed on her head. Right before Marlie turned 2 she locked herself in my car while she was buckled in the carseat and then dropped the keys - yes I gave her the keys, and yes my cell phone was in the car. Jayson arrived before I smashed in the windshield with a golf club - it was an hour and a half later :) When the girls were 3 and 1, there was an incident with the deck door and some attitudes - the girls then began the toddler version of fight club - Marlie came out with a black eye and Samantha with a bloody nose . . . we took pictures. Stellar parenting skills at work in all of the above events . . .

Of course, I joke about all of this . . . now . . . 5 years ago I thought I was the worst parent ever when Marlie fell out of that stroller (I cried in the middle of the mall) . . . but yesterday, once I calmed down, I knew it was an accident, and sometimes those are out of my control . . . even though we are such awesome parents . . .

These are our 3 children . . . and I am sure they are going to turn out to be totally well adjusted adults because, like I said, we totally rock at this parenting business! :)

Some Notes

2011-07-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

Notes on life right now:

Yesterday we went to the Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic - NOT impressed. You had to register for a spot because only the first 50 people get the project, and then you have to be there no later than 10:15am to pick up the project, and there's a small room that everyone is supposed to fit in?! We took our project and left . . . we will be sticking with Home Depot!
Driving through the Kroger parking lot yesterday, Samantha shouted "Look, it's Bob Marley!" Sure enough, we turned around and there was young black dude with long dreads . . . both girls then broke into the chorus of Three Little Birds - I would be lying if I said I wasn't kinda proud . . . of the singing, not the generalization of the dude looking like Bob Marley . . . kinda . . .
The countdown is on until the cast comes off on Tuesday! To occupy her time in the last month we have been playing A LOT of games. There is just no way to go out in 110 degree weather when you can't be in water . . . and that goes for Evan and Marlie! Marlie got the games below from her Grandma and Grandpa for her birthday, and it has been well loved for the last few weeks. I forgot how much I love Memory and hate Checkers! I also love Boggle Jr - she got that in a care package from Aunty Katy - it can be played independently . . . AWESOME!
Sam and I went to the grocery store yesterday . . . and when you only have one kid with you, it's a freaking breeze!!!! Doesn't matter which one - they are all equally easy when they are solo. So we were looking in the cereal section and I decided to see just how much sugar was in those cereals that I had decided a long time ago would never grace our pantry. Well, that is except for Mr. Crandall and his Peanut Butter Captain Crunch that we keep out of site! Anyway, to say that I was shocked would be a drastic understatement. Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks have the same amount of sugar as plain damn Cheerios!!!!!!! Which, by the way, is half the sugar in raisin bran and equal to the amount in a mini whole wheat bagel!!!!!!! I have been depriving my kids of my favorite childhood cereals because I thought it would be the equivalent of giving them a bowl full of sugar and milk. Now, I have to say, I had a bowl of Apple Jacks this morning and I am seriously thinking there is half the sugar in that cereal now as compared to when I was a kid - it tasted different, i.e. my teeth didn't hurt after I ate it. I now feel a small piece of happiness that my kids can watch their cartoons in the morning with a big bowl of Fruit Loops . . not all the time . . . but sometimes I just don't feel like making a hot breakfast, you know?!
We just booked a hotel and are in the process of planning a trip to Memphis in September. Not for the glamour of the location, but because it's a halfway point between Clarksville and Fort Smith, AR, where are best friends are right now. They too just had a little baby boy, Jameson was born on my birthday!! Our kids are pretty well synched up. Grace was born 2 months before Marlie, John Thomas and Samantha are exactly 1 year apart, and Jameson and Evan are 2 months apart. And it gets funnier - they have 1 girl born in April and 2 boys born in June . . . and we have 1 boy born in April and 2 girls born in June! ha! So busy times coming up - Atlanta in August, Memphis in September, and then Knoxville and Atlanta in October for vacation :)

And now by break is up . . . :)

All About Us

2011-07-23T11:53:00.000-07:00

There are times as a Mom I get so wrapped up in what my kiddos are doing that I forget that one day I will want to look back and remember the random times of our marriage as well. So I thought that I would write about us for a change!

Our summer nights since we've become parents haven't changed much. Our kids are all in bed before 8pm, so we then head out to our deck, crack open a beer, and watch the sunset. When Marlie was little I bought a book called "All About Us". It's a book filled with probably 1,000 questions that you are supposed to sit down and answer with your spouse. I bought it at Urban Outfitters on a whim, and it has been awesome!!! We started filling it out 5 years ago and still haven't finished. But every once in a while after we crack our beers, we will work on a few quesitons. After 10 years together, there aren't too many surprises, but some things are just fun to talk about! I was surprised to know that Jayson knew how to cross-stitch though . . .

Anyway, our summer nights are filled with lots of laughter and conversation. Those nights after our kids are in bed are our chance to just be ourselves, not Mom and Dad. When we first talked about having kids we agreed that any children we had would be a huge part of our world - but our marriage, and our relationship, would always come first. There are lots of parents that can't conceptualize this because their children are the center of their world. Don't get me wrong, everything we do is for our children and because of them, but we do it as a team, and if the team can't work together, life isn't going to be very fun. And the reality is, in 15-20 years, our kids will be fabulously independent adults with their own lives, and we refuse to be that couple that sits down after 25 years of marriage and has nothing to talk about because the centers of their world have their own lives now . . . check out the stats on divorces for couples with over 20yrs of marriage . . . sad . . .

I am writing this down because I want to remember these nights and conversations . . . and I'm writing it because I want our kids to have an idea of how we stayed married for 50 years when they look at their own relationships :) Because the truth is, we have great parents . . . but as far as first marriages go, probably not what we want to model ours after since they are all over . . .

It is hard with 3 kids and a crazy work schedule to find the time to sit and talk about just yourself - because most times there are a million other conversations that need to be had about kids and life. But I love and cherish the fact that, on the nights he is home, Jayson and I sit down and have that time to ourselves. We don't need a babysitter or a fancy night out - we have a deck with an awesome view of the sunset and a kegerator in our basement . . . and we take that time every night that we have the opportunity to sit down and connect . . . because if we waited for an actual date night, it would only be once a year! ha! And ps, have you heard what babysitters charge per hour these days?!?!

I look forward to one day finishing our book and giving it to our children . . . I also look forward to maybe remembering to take pictures of us that don't involve an IPhone camera after a 15 hour day taking care kiddos and then sitting in 90 degree weather at night! Did I make enough excuses for why I look so bad in this picture?!

#400

2011-07-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Well I just realized that this was my 400th post . . . I'm really not feeling very wordy or prophetic today . . . but I wanted to do little comparison of the kiddos at about 3 months old . . .

We didn't get a picture of Marlie smiling until she was 6 months old!!

You can totally see Samantha and her personality - even at this age :)

Clearly he has Sam's smile . . . but I think he's a good mix of both girls . . . who both look mostly like their Daddy (minus the blonde hair).

Things They Say

2011-07-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

A few of the random things I heard this weekend . . .

Samantha - As I am cleaning with a Lysol wipe (the one with the purple things on them) she looks at me and says "Can you feel the difference?" I asked her what she said, and she matter of factly says "Can you feel the difference? A cleaner surface?"
Marlie - "That cloud looks like a donkey with a beard" Funny in itself ,but at first I thought she said beer - that would've been funnier :)
Samantha - As Marlie gets up to go get something at dinner "Guess dinner wasn't yummy for her" ha!
Marlie - "I can't sleep because Samantha is talking to me and actually wants me to listen to her"

And not to be left out, Evan burped and Marlie laughed - so he laughed too and burped again - you would've thought it was totally on purpose.

Another note on life - Evan has been having issues the past few nights with sleeping . . . UGH! He is only doing 7hrs at a time and I am seriously lacking sleep! And bathtime right now - HOLY CRAP!!! It would be nice to only do baths on nights when Jayson is home, unfortunately, that would mean our children would only bathe about 2 or 3 times a week! I actually had bathtime for 3 knocked out - I would do Evan and get him in bed while the girls played and then do their tub time and we were good to go. However, with one in a cast now, I have to do 3 separate baths - Evan in his sling, Marlie standing up with a trash bag over her arm, and then Samantha, who totally enjoys being in the tub alone!!

Other than that . . . life is just fabulous right now . . . I am busy tagging clothes for a consignment sale . . . between that and getting Marlie's school supplies together, I see the baby years fading away . . . but then I squeeze Evan and it makes me feel better! :)

On a Normal Day

2011-07-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

We spend lots of time working out on our gym! Do you like my shirt?! It says "Just Add Milk"! ha! And don't worry about it - it's only a 12mo onesie!We model our casts and make funny faces.

We do lots of puzzles. The other day Samantha did 4 24 piece puzzles in 20 minutes - and then moved on to a 48 piece one . . . working her way to genius like big sister!We bake! From now on though, we will use Mommy's stuff. Marlie picked out some Easy Bake stuff for her birthday but it tastes GROSS!! Oh, and so you know, now they have Microwave in Style, it's a line by Easy Bake so you can microwave stuff instead of using the actual oven. I remmeber burning myself on that thing a lot as a kid. But this stuff is nasty - and instead of icing, they have microwaveable fondant - YEAH RIGHT!

In Which I Post A Lot of Random Pictures

2011-07-13T11:42:00.001-07:00

Marlie's favorite part of the 4th - sparklers. There are no pictures of Samantha because she is terrified of fireworks . . .this fear comes from her father setting off a strip of 100 fireworks right next to her last year (and she litterally pooped her pants!).

My big 3 year old!! Standing in the middle of her FAVORITE puzzle of the moment - 50 pieces! She is so proud - now she does it over and over to see how fast she can do it.Our first little boy - he tends to get left out a lot . . . and he loves to have his picture taken, so when the camera is out, he gravitates toward the photo opportunity :)

Goofy face - have to get the everyday moments in pictures once in a while.

Modeling her new purple cast - she is very in to posing lately!

The cutest baby smile around

"I don't know Mom - I think horizontal stripes make me look fat - what do you think?"

It's a great day today . . . Evan finally got the memo that in the house at 3mo old you sleep 12hours. Both girls did it, and I expect the same from my handsome little guy. So last night he went down @ 7pm, woke up for about 10 minutes for a diaper change @ 4am, and then didn't get back up until 7:30am :) Would you believe that I ran in his room @ 7am to make sure he was breathing because he hadn't made a peep?!?!? He has about 2 weeks to get it down - but I think he'll make the 3mo cutoff for his sleep pattern :)

And before I forget, this past weekend we had our wonderful friends from Knoxville visit with their little boy. Unfortunately, Marlie and Jack didn't really get along . . . much like Jack's Mom and me when we first met! ha! So we figure in a few years they will be best friends like we are :)

The Fabulous and the Not-So Fabulous

2011-07-08T11:15:00.000-07:00

Let's start with a few of the fabulous things in life right now:

How great is it that I can now watch my favorite childhood cartoon with my girls!?!? It's on the HUB :) I discovered this last week, and they get excited when it's on because I tell them I watched it when I was little. . . YAY!!!!!!
I just found out that while we are going to be in Atlanta during Marlie's fall break Disney on Ice will be there . . . and not just Disney on Ice . . . Dare to Dream - the Disney Princess Spectacular!! Sooooooo excited to take the girls!
Evan is starting to talk and laugh a lot . . . I don't think there is anything else that makes my heart melt like one of my children smiling . . . and especially when they are squishy little babies :)
Oprah reruns are now on CBS at 1pm - during naptime - finally after all these years, I get to watch Oprah in quiet by myself (well, Evan is hanging out to on his gym - but even though he is talking, he doesn't talk during Oprah - he knows better).

And now the not so fabulous . . .

I about sliced my hand open today . . . why would I think there would be a problem using metal scissors to cut open a package of magnets?!!?
Unfortunately this week we had a first that I am not too happy about. I rounded the corner and heard the sound of someone getting hit. Marlie jumped up and Samantha was holding her hand . . . and when I asked Marlie if she hit her sister, she straight up looked at me and lied and said no. Finally after 4 or 5 times of asking her to tell the truth and not to lie. She looked at me and had the presence of mind to say "Did you see me hit her?" So I did what any good parent would do . . . I lied, and said "Yes, I saw you do it" ha!!! And she naturally admitted it then. We had a very long time out and an extended discussion afterwards. I have to be honest - I had to stop myself from just smacking her upside her head for lying to me. But I learned that Marlie doesn't react to spanking - but you destroy her world if you make her sit quietly or alone. And how appropriate would it be to smack a child with a broken arm!?!? As angry as it made me, I felt the need to pen it for memory . . . and so that years from now when Marlie is a Mom she will be able to appreciate the irony of the fact that I caught her in her first lie by lying to her :) I think we will just let the go with a little "the means justify the ends"!
It is kinda stinking that we are having a summer sans the water due to the cast . . . that is now purple by the way . . . but we are making due with some fun play dates.

Happy 4th of July

2011-07-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

And Happy 1st 4th of July to our little boy!

A Saturday

2011-07-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

We went to Home Depot on Saturday morning. I have to say, this trip was so much more successful than last month's trip. There was no screaming from Evan, he slept the whole time, and no bathroom breaks. And even with only one arm, Marlie was able to complete the project almost totally on her own while I helped Samantha . . . who by the way is now a serious hammering expert!!! I got nailed in the finger a couple of times, but she was no joke - every time she would lift the hammer up she would say "Here I goooooo"! Anyway - we walked away with 2 very awesome coaster sets :)

Do you think these 2 guys look alike?I love pictures like this - not only does he look like a perfect sleeping baby . . . but you can totally see his old man hairline! He has a patch of hair on top totally separate from the rest of his hair in the back.

2 Months Old

2011-07-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

That is little Mr. Crandall's sneaky smile :)

Evan had his 2 month well child visit today . . . and the stats were 13lbs 12oz and 24.5in long. He is definitely beating out both of his sisters in height and weight - and that's how it should be :)

There really isn't much to say at 2 months old. He is handsome, has the cutest smile ever, and is our stout little boy who just busted in to a 9mo pant and sleeper and is stretching out his 6mo onesies right now! He is doing us all a favor and working on his sleeping skills - depending on the night he will go 6 hours or 9 hours, so we're getting there!

Other than that - he did fabulously with his shots today . . . oh, and we kinda like him and are pretty thankful that he is part of our little family :)

Raise Your Hand If You . . .

2011-06-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

think I am going to be a red head
have one of the cutest smiles you have ever seen
are totally shocked that my Mommy had to go buy me 9mo pants yesterday (and I'll only be 9 weeks old tomorrow)
are super excited to see how gigantic I measure at my 2mo checkup tomorrow
just sang the title of this blog to Pink's song
agree with all of the above :)

Go Big or Go Home

2011-06-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why, but I heard that phrase the other day and it seemed to be the perfect title for a blog post . . . especially this one.

On Sunday afternoon Jayson left for work . . . 15 minutes later I was changing Evan and Marlie was asking for a popsicle - we had just bought the little popsicle molds that you use with juice and then put in the freezer. She pulled a chair from her craft table, and right as I put Evan down and walked around the corner, in slow motion I saw her open the freezer, lose her balance, and hit the ground! As soon as she hit, I heard the sound she made and knew it was gonna be a bad one. I threw her on the counter, and sure enough, her left elbow was about 2 inches further out than her right - GROSS!

So we made it a short night of work for Jayson and he met us at the ER . . . and the result was a morphine IV and an ambulance ride down to Nashville to go to Vandy's Children's Hospital! They determined she would need surgery bright and early on Monday morning. Marlie and I spent the night in the hospital and Jayson spent the night at home with Evan and Sam. Surgery on Monday entailed 3 pins placed in her elbow to reset her arm.

The result is a temporary cast for a week, then next week an xray and a permanent cast that will stay on for 4 weeks, and of course, no tball and no water for the next 5 weeks . . .

It's funny - Marlie will scream about a scraped knee, but apparently she is cool and calm in a crisis! She really did a great job with everything - the IV, the ambulance ride, staying in the hospital, all of it! She took everything in stride like a champ! She is doing awesome . . . and now the fun begins - learning to do everything with 1 hand :)