All In One Day

Monday, February 23rd seemed to be "the day" for everything. The fun part was that everything that happened was GOOD.
Let's start with the fact that two special people have the 23rd as their birthday---Nathan (my bro-in-law) and Alexis Crum (our sweet friend who is now a big 2 year old!). A big (and a tad late) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you both!
Let's see...what next....
Oh yeah! So the 23rd was also the day John brought home my sweet surprise, Basel. I swear, he is still the cutest and most cuddly dog on the planet. I've really been reading up on Yorkies, and apparently they can be pretty stubborn. I'm officially vouching for that. :)
This date also marks 3 years that we've been living in this house. That's actually the longest we've ever lived anywhere. In the past, John and I have not been anywhere longer than 2 years--that includes apartments and houses. Funny thing is, we've been trying to get rid of this casa for almost a year now, so if we would have sold it when we wanted to, we would have stuck with the tradition of moving every 2 years. I'm kind of glad we held off.
Hmmm....anything else? Yes!
On the evening of the 23rd, John told me that he would be going to West Palm Beach, Florida for some training the last week of March. The awesome part is that he's going to fly me down there for a few days to hang out with him--and there will be no kids! Wahoo! I loved our short getaway to the DFW area on our 10th anniversary so much that I really have been looking for an excuse to do it again--John found one for me!

March is looking like a crazy/busy month already. It's exciting to have tons going on, but it can also be overwhelming if I'm not careful. I swear, as I get older the time flies by even faster.
That reminds me....
Someone special (aka: Christian Alexander) is turning 5 in 9 days!! Jeez, who told him he could grow up so fast?!?

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The New Kid In Town

I got quite the surprise Monday night.

John was supposed to be working out from 4:30-5:30pm, and I had stayed home with the kiddos. He came waltzing in around 5:45pm with an ornery grin----and a dog purse. I was at first very confused, but then it hit me---he had bought me a dog!

This is Basel (the English pronunciation, not the spice), and he is a 4 month old Yorkie. He weighs a little less than 2lbs, and he won't get much bigger. He's a great lap dog--would sit here all night if I would let him. The kids are CRAZY about him, and Charlie actually thinks he's a fun playmate. We are very excited to have him in the Haskell household--he's such a little ball of energy!

Oh yes--and of course I already bought him a shirt!

Caroline...In The Sunshine...

Caroline is my early riser. She thinks that if she has allowed me to sleep until 6:30am, she's done me a huge favor.
This past Saturday morning, however, she slept until 7:30am! I was thrilled and all too happy to get up with her. We came downstairs by ourselves--being as quiet as possible so Daddy, Caitlin, and Christian could catch some extra zzzz's--and I asked her what she wanted for breakfast.
"I wanna cheese square, Momma," was her answer.
A piece of cheese for breakfast? Sure, why not. It's not like she asked for jellybeans.
I decided that since she has been such a big girl lately (we are SO close to being in panties full time!), she could sit on a bar stool to eat her cheese instead of sitting in her high chair. She loved it!
Also, I just had to take the opportunity to snap some pics. The sun was shining in beautifully, and she was in a great photographing mood.

Still Here

Yup, I'm still here. Seriously though, I've run out of things to talk about this week.
It's true.
Hopefully I'll get some cute pics up soon and have something witty to say. Until then, I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow--TGIF (almost)!

Tellin' Ya Tuesday

Random Fact:
I secretly think Hannah Montana and High School Musical are entertaining. Hmm....guess it's not such a secret now.
Have a great Tuesday!

V-Day 2009

As most of you already know, my darling husband boycotts Valentine's Day. He bought me a beautiful heart-shaped diamond necklace for our 1st V-Day as a married couple, and since then he has refused to buy me gifts. His reasoning here is that this is a holiday made up just so retailers can make big $$. Same with Easter--he refuses to participate in the hulabaloo.
Anyway, I usually get him something small---like a little thing of candy and a card---but in the end, he doesn't really return the favor.
That's totally ok though. Really. I'm not a bit bitter, because throughout the year he shows his love for me in other ways. :)
He did, however, try to "give" me something this year by signing me up to run a 5K with him this morning....in the FREEZING weather....
Didn't happen.
He went, but I decided to stay home with the kiddos and lounge in my nighties, eat steel cut oatmeal, and listen to the kids play under the dining room chairs (they are currently digging a tunnel like muskrats do--they saw it on animal planet).
In the Haskell household, V-Day is really just like any other day. I'm sure I will be able to talk John into taking us out for dinner, but other than that it's just business as usual.

Oh....I DO have to brag on him a bit....
John did take me out for an adult-only dinner last night with some friends at Cafe Bella. I got to order an appetizer, main course, wine, and dessert. I was in hog heaven!! :) The food was fantastic, and we had Kara (the ever-so-wonderful babysitter) over to watch the 3 C's.
So--thank you sweety for indulging me and somewhat participating in the "spirit" of V-Day. :)

May you all have a wonderful day and enjoy the ones you love!

Transition

This week, we decided that it was time for Caroline to transition to a toddler bed. Thankfully her crib is a 3-1...it can be changed into a toddler bed very easily. I had already ordered a handmade bedding set for her a few months ago with the idea that she would not be needing the crib set anymore. We finally get to use it now.

Isn't it adorable?!? I just love the colors! It was made by Punkey Monkey at http://www.etsy.com/.

The link to her auction for toddler bedding sets is: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14355465.

I got to pick the fabric, and I picked something very out of the ordinary. She was fast at finding it and did a great job. Seriously, I couldn't have made such a nice set for that price. The fabric I chose was expensive, but she didn't charge me any extra. I highly recommend her!

Caroline is actually doing a phenomenal job of staying in it at naptime/bedtime. We put a baby gate up in her doorway at night, just in case she decides to get up and peek out. That way we are assured she will not wander the halls and have an accidental trip down the stairs.

I took down all of her decor and boxed it up along with the crib set. That reminds me: if any of you know someone who would be interested in a pink toile crib set with a ton of accompanying decor, please let me know. :)

We are also really working on the potty training thing again. She is doing so well--except when we go places. I still put her in pull-ups for the gym, MDO, and church, and she seems to think that it's okay to tee tee in them. I think they are too much like diapers---but then again, what do I do? Just put her in panties and hope for the best while I'm not right there to take her to the potty? Jeez, I wish I had all the answers. I don't remember what we did with Caitlin, so that's not of any help. Hmmm....

Tellin' Ya Tuesday

It's that time again!

Random Fact: I go to Target at least once a week. It's my favorite place, and I can ALWAYS find something on clearance. At one point in my life (about 4 years ago) I spent a ton of $$ there on anything and everything clearanced. Didn't matter if I needed it or not--just the simple fact that it was at least 30% off made it a necessity for me. I like to think that I've since been cured of that, but I'm sure John would highly disagree. :)

Breakfast-MckMama Style

As most of you know, I read a blog called My Charming Kids. The author, MckMama, is very witty, fun, and creative. She has 4 children ages 4 and under. She gives great tips and tricks on how to feed/care for/nurture/entertain children. Two posts that I found particularly interesting were on the topic of food (imagine that--that I would like to read/talk about food). Anyway, she shared about her "Woodland Creature Food" breakfast, as well as ideas she has for great kids' breakfasts and dinners. I loved these 2 posts so much that I went and bought the ingredients. The "Woodland Creature Food" breakfast ROCKS---and for those of you who live in Amarillo, Drug Imporium has one of the ingredients, Kashi Go Lean Cereal, for $1.40 a box in the clearance section near the organic foods. I actually found all of the necessary ingredients there and for a good price. Ok, so click on the links below to see her posts, and let me know if you try any of it!

WOODLAND CREATURE FOOD BREAKFAST

OTHER GREAT KIDS' FOOD IDEAS

A Few Things I've Learned

I love being a stay at home momma....really, I do. Nothing pleases me more than to see those 3 sweet faces first thing in the morning----you know, when their teeth aren't brushed and their hair is crazy. As the maker of our home, I have learned a few things over the past 10 1/2 years--ok, A LOT of things. Anyway, here are some I figured I'd share with the rest of you.

1. Laundry doesn't wash/dry itself. It requires some action on my part, even when I don't feel up to tackling the piles.

2. Floors get dirty--they really can't help but do so. I accept the fact that I can't keep them 100% clean and germ free all of the time. And if Caroline decides to pick up a goldfish cracker that she dropped and eat it, that's okay. Contrary to popular belief, it won't kill her. Oh yeah--and I really don't believe in the 5 second rule. At our house, we've been known to have the 5 day rule.

3. Nutritious meals are a necessity, but are not always served. I quit beating myself up about this topic--if they eat, that's all that matters. If it's only a bowl of mac & cheese one night, that's fine too.

4. Snotty faces, dirty diapers, mismatched clothing, and back talking are all a part of raising children. I deal with each appropriately but accept them all.

5. There needs to be time set aside every evening (after the kids are in bed) just to sit in silence.

6. Watering plants is essential to their survival.

7. Peanut butter, Foreman grills, and crock pots rock.

8. Children are GREAT at ridding the back yard of dog poo. Amazingly, they love to help if I will let them wear a pair of Daddy's latex gloves.

9. Unfortunately, not everything is dishwasher safe. *sigh*

10. Just because we own a television doesn't mean it has to be on at all times. It's kind of relaxing without it blaring.

Update

Yes, that's the only title I could come up with for a post today. Not a whole lot has been going on here this week--kinda boring actually. :)
Caitlin has been taking TAKS simulations all week (TAKS is the state test that kids must take). She has done amazingly well on it, and we are so proud. Moving from private to public school really ate her sack lunch for the first 1/2 of the year, but now she's moving right along at a great pace.
Christian still goes to Mother's Day Out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This week they learned about sharing, which was just what he needed. In fact, he got so outraged when Caroline took his toys (and I'm sure she did more than that, but he didn't specify) that he bit a plug out of her little thigh. She has a nice mouth-shaped bruise to prove it. Ugggg.
I signed both Caitlin and Christian up for indoor soccer that starts in March, and they are totally pumped. After watching John play a few months ago, they got interested in it and asked to try it out when it came back around with Kids Inc. Sooooo, the next few months may be hectic from that, but I think it will be a boatload of fun!
Caroline still goes to Mother's Day Out on Tuesdays, and she is JUST NOW at the point where I can leave her there without a dramafest. She hasn't cried in 2 weeks--makes me happy and sad all at the same time. She is trying to get back into the potty training thing too, and it was HER idea--not mine. Here's hoping she finishes that soon!
Funny note on that subject: about 2 weeks ago, I had laid Caroline and Christian down for a nap and came back downstairs to do some paperwork. I had her monitor on so I could hear what she was up to (sometimes she strips down and then yells for me to come dress her again--silly goose). After about 10 minutes of listening to her babble and sing, I hear this:
"Christian! Christian Haskell! Come change my diaper. I'm stinky!"
She said it about 3 times in a row.
I just sat there listening.
Suddenly, I hear the door squeak and open. Then I hear:
"Caroline, I can't change your diaper. I'm too little!"
Door shuts....silence.
I died laughing. Christian sure did tell her!

John and I aren't really up to much, yet it feels like we are up to something all the time. He works, I clean, we work out, take care of kids, crash in bed late....the end.
*deep sigh*
Thus is the life, huh! :) I wouldn't have it any other way, that's for sure.

Darn!

Ok, so YESTERDAY was Tellin' Ya Tuesday...ugggg. Where did the days go? I swear, I haven't been able to keep up lately. Sooooo....I'll go ahead and do it a day late. Promise it won't happen again (here's hoping anyway).

Random Fact: Back in high school, one of my basketball teammate's dads told me that I had the longest arms of any white girl he had ever seen. I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or not. Funny thing is, I'm starting to believe it's true. Certain sweaters will fit me in the body but are too short in the arms. What an affliction to have huh.
:)

DO YOU WANNA WIN?!?

Ok folks, here is the ultimate prize!
I found a blog through MckMama (My Charming Kids) that is raffling off 2 (yes, that's right--2!!!!) Canon EOS Rebel XS Cameras, an adorable camera bag, and a beautiful camera strap---all in the name of adoption. That's right--the money raised from this raffle is going toward adoption fees for this sweet family. If you are at all interested in owning one of these cameras--or even if you just want to donate out of the kindness of your heart--then click on the link below and visit their blog!
PS: The contest was originally set to end last night, but it's been extended through Feb. 5th. There are chances to double your tickets and whatnot, so don't miss out!

http://asisterforthebean.blogspot.com/2009/01/claires-super-huge-adoption-raffle.html