It's a Candyland Christmas

Mallie and True's daycare host a Christmas program every year. I will admit that I totally look forward to this spectacle. Maybe it's just the holiday spirit in me or maybe it's just because I'm mean and I LOVE collecting embarrassing pictures, etc. to use as bribery when the kids get older. Either way, I'm so excited that my kids get to participate in these types of "community" events.

This year's theme was:


Unfortunately, we got into the auditorium a little late so we had to sit behind Amazon-like people. I mean I'm short, but seriously every one in front of us was about 6 feet tall (they all decided to sit on the first two rows). See what I mean?


Anyway, the program was very fun. Each of the classes came out and either ran through the auditorium or sang a song. True's class dressed up like Christmas trees and paraded through. What more can we expect of toddlers? I'd post a picture, but they are all on the camera in the car. So will get one up at a later date.

But Mallory's class ... well, they were something else. Take a look at the video below. Oh, and please disregard Amazon-woman's dancing. I love me some Jackson 5 too ... but I don't do that in public (you'll see when you look at the vid). My munchkin is the one with the red/pink stripes on her sleeves. I think she inherited her rhythm from Daddy!



On another note, this video forced me to learn how to compress files. YEAH! I think I may have created a monster so lookout for more vids. The one bad thing about compression is that I've lost a little quality (which wasn't great anyway since I took it on a camera). But this is so worth the memories.

Sleeping arrangements

When Mallory was 18 months old she gave up the crib cold turkey. She took a nap in her "big girl bed" one day and forever after screamed when you tried to take her near the prison that was called crib. True on the other hand has well ... been a handful when it comes to transitioning to a big boy bed.

The first try at sleeping on the twin came at nap time a few months ago. Yeah, that lasted about 5 mins before I moved him to the crib. Then, I decided to try again one night that he was exhausted. Jackpot! He fell asleep on the bed. I was giddy (and proud too). But, about two hours later I checked on him only to find he was rolled into a little ball on the floor NEXT to the bed. Yeah ... bust on that one.

But, I have promised our crib to our nephew for their new baby, Lauren, who is due to arrive in Feb/March 2009. So you see my problem. I have started to feel the internal clock ticking in my head. So the last few nights we've made an effort to go to sleep in the big boy bed. It hasn't worked. But you know what has? Going to sleep in the big girl bed.


See those stripes? That's little man hugging the wall. I'm not complaining and neither is he. It works. However, I've lost a little free time in the evenings because loss of prison (aka crib) also means that bedtime is extended. You give and you take, right?! Poor Jill is the loser here ... she's lost prime sleep territory.

Add architect to my job description

It's been a VERY busy weekend. It started on Friday with a run to Costco (and an outlay of $400 for random stuff; how do I do that?). Then, I headed off to the regular grocery store. Stayed up late doing some projects for Christmas. I'm not sure why midnight is a standard weekend bedtime but something's gotta give soon or these bags under by eyes will have their own airplane.

Saturday we had planned to visit Santa. Mallory needed to tell him what she wanted you know. I had planned to get there when they opened (9a), but somehow I was just waking Shawn up at that time. We finally got there at 10:30a and waited in line for 45 mins. I got to do a little shopping while Shawn held our place. Good thing the Stride Rite store was right there cause True NEEDED a new pair of shoes. Mallory busied herself in the play area and then stood like a statue in front of a clown making balloon animals. Yeah ... he had a little sign up that said "$2 tips" but wouldn't give out any animals without cash in hand. Mallory suckered us into two greenbacks to buy a heart shaped balloon. Tip not included.

When it was finally our turn to see Santa Truett was having none of it. He yelled, cried (or screeched as Mallory says these days) and arched his back. Wouldn't even get close. Mallory on the other hand couldn't wait to jump on the big man's lap and tell him what she wanted. A dollhouse. I hope she gets it (LOL). After Santa, we walked around the mall to ride the kiddie train and then ran up to Borders to buy a book for Mallory's school exchange. Good times.


Sorry for the fuzzy pic ... I took a picture of a picture! We came home and I started wrapping gifts for those friends and family who must be mailed away. Got almost all of them done. Maybe we will actually get them in the mail/overnight mail tomorrow (Monday). But, if I were a betting girl, I wouldn't bet on it. After that, it was time to get ready for the annual Buck holiday party. I really wanted to take a nap instead, but it had been two years since I made an appearance so it was a required event for me. We had an okay time. That's all I can say about it. I'm not sure it was worth the $20 we paid for babysitting.

This morning we slept in until 8:30a. What a treat. I even stayed in bed until 10a. An even better treat. That was where the fun stuff ended. I spent the next 9 hours picking up the house, making food for our work holiday lunch on Monday, making dinner, folding 4 loads of laundry and putting it up, etc. But, the best part of the afternoon was the art project I did with Mallory. Behold my newest talent (LOL), gingerbread architect:

While it doesn't look perfect, we had a fantastic time putting it together and deciding how to decorate it. I defnitely think this will be an annual tradition from now on. And I can only thank the powers-that-be who designed and marketed the ready-made gingerbread house!

So, off to have a bath and bed. And then we get to start another week all over again. I really need vacation.

In the presence of celebrity

On Thursday night, we went to Serendipity. Oh the deliciousness (in more ways that one!). On our way in, I looked up and saw this man coming out of the door. I instantly recoginzed him but couldn't place him. All of the girls thought I was crazy because they didn't get a good look at him. And of course, I was too chicken to pull out the iPhone and start snapping away to show them. I was content to know that I had run into a famous actor ... but would never be able to place him.

So ... Mello showed me a pic she had taken of the famous restaurant and lo and behold, she unknowingly got my "celebrity" in the frame!

It's Nestor Carbondell. He was in Suddenly Susan, Lost and was even in The Dark Knight. Yes, we were in the presence of greatness!

New York (city) state of mind

Ahhh ... as I write this I can still feel the chill of air rushing through the corridors of buildings and worming its way down my double tucked scarf. The double socks on my feet that kept me warm and toasty. And the sore muscles that come only after one walks about 60 blocks in one day. Oh the thrill of NYC!

We left on Thursday and jetted off for a four day Girls' Getaway. No husbands, no kids. Just myself, Tracy, Melody and her sister Treena. A gaggle of crazy women out for a good time. Here were are at the beginning of the trip (at about 6:30a no less):


There are so many details about the trip that I could write about ... and show you, but all of the good pictures are on Tracy and Melody's camera. Until I get all the good pics, here are a few highlights.

1. Rockefeller Center on Thursday night. Wow is all I can say.


2. Treena and Melody waiting for our table at Serendipity (yummy frozen hot chocolate). We had a celebrity sighting here ... but I can't think of his name! Tall, skinny Latino actor. I'll think of him.


3. Our hotel room and series of capers that ensued (how many rooms could we move to in one weekend?!). Damn smoke.


4. How close we sat at Wicked, my most favorite musical in the world.


5. Ice skating in Bryant Park. I only fell once (haha to Reggie!).


6. Being silly in Central Park. I can't wait to see the Charlie's Angel-inspired pic from Melody's camera.


7. Crazy Russian lady's hair at the NYC library (how did she do that Jetson do?).


I'll post more when I get pics from Mello and Tracy. Until then, I'll be dreaming I'm still in NYC with my girls.

Happy (late) Thanksgiving and what I did this weekend

Another Gobble, Gobble! day has come and gone. I managed to sufficiently stuff myself to the gills. My pants won't hardly button anymore. I think it's time to go back on Weight Watchers (really, no joke here). While our vacay to Gilmer got off to a rocky start (Shawn was sick on Tuesday) we managed to get up on Weds and hit the road.

Came home on Saturday afternoon and did five (yes, let me repeat, five) loads of laundry. My parents are smokers so we have to wash EVERYTHING when we come back home or risk smelling like an ashtray for weeks.

I got an itch on Saturday evening to start decorating for the holidays. So, my dutiful husband climbed into the attic and dropped about 20 boxes into the garage for me to peruse. It was actually fun this year because Mallory oohhhed and ahhheeedd over each and everything that came out of a box.

We started with the Christmas tree. We put on a PBS special about Glenn Miller and danced around while we put it all together. Mallory and True loved it. Shawn stayed in the other room because he's not so crazy about Glenn Miller (or Christmas, except the present part!). I wish we had a real tree ... but the fake version is just so much easier these days. To tell you how lazy I am ... it's even pre-lit. Just add ornaments and voila, you have a tree.

Still have much left to do inside the house. See that mantle with no garland? It looks so naked.

Yesterday, I didn't get motivated until around 4p. At that point, I decided it would be a good idea to put the outdoor lights up. Yes ... crazy, but it's the life I lead. Shawn had already put up the icicle lights on the eaves. He was motivated much earlier in the day than I was.

I meant to take a picture for the blog ... but I was too tired. Another day.

Slow ride

The Barbie Jeep is still a big hit in our house. Thankfully. You always spend big bucks on toys and then they end up being neglected and lonely. Not a good return on investment. Luckily, the BJ is still new enough that we haven't encountered that problem.

Jeeps seem to be on the mind lately. Shawn's been doing some work on his Jeep in the garage. I think he's pulled every socket, wrench, tire (there are 9 of them ladies and gentlemen), drill press, oil can, tire rim, whatchamacalit out. I'm not exagerating. But, because of the chaos that is JEEP there's been no room to keep Mallie's ride out there. So, he put it in the office until he's sufficiently reorganized the outdoor storage area back to its usual clutter. The kids love having it in the house ... they just sit in it and listen to the radio ... taking a slow ride to nowhere.

They'll play with it for hours. Getting in. Getting out. Crawling over the hood. Hanging on to the back pretending the wind is going through their hair (maybe that's a mommy dream!). I think this love affair with Jeeps is a Tinkham trait. All the men in the family seem to eat, drink and sleep Jeep at some point in their lives. Now that I think about it ... I was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee when Shawn and I first met. Actually, it's the one that he's been working on. Maybe it wasn't my charming personality that brought him over to the dark side ... it was the Jeep! It all makes perfect sense!

Anyway ... as you can see in the pic, True is a great chauffer for Mallie and the baby (whose name changes daily so I am not sure what to call her right now). Of course, I hope he can sit down and keep his eyes on the road when it's really time to drive. I may have to revoke his license otherwise.

P.S. Please forgive my issues with formatting. Blogger is not cooperating and refuses to let me put spaces before the picture and before the paragraphs. Someone should send her to time out.

Me, in the eyes of a child

Mallory has started drawing pics of people. With real eyes and arms and everything. This is a big improvement over the blobs she used to draw. So imagine my joy when she told me she had drawn a picture of me. That's me on the chalkboard.



She gave me a HUGE head. But on the plus side, she also gave me small hips. What mommy wouldn't want that?

Oompa Loompa

I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Who wouldn't want to go through the ceiling in a glass elevator?! It's just a classic childhood movie (the old version, not so keen on the new Johnny Depp version ... and don't get me started on the book vs. the movie discussion ... yes, I should like the book, but no, I'd rather watch the movie).

Anyway, imagine my surprise when I looked over to see my own personal Oompa Loompa at the dining table. Isn't he a lovely shade of orange?! Sorry for the fuzziness ... he just couldn't sit still you see.


Yes folks, somoeone was taking his taco soup dinner very seriously. That soup must have tasted really good to be wearing it like this. Or, maybe he knows something about a new-fangled skin care regimine that I haven't read in the latest Cosmo (really, Better Homes & Gardens is probably more my speed these days)?

Anyway, I did learn one thing from last night's dinner. Don't get taco soup in your eyes or you'll look like this:

Kissy,kissy Night, night

We were playing around with True tonight and he was just so darn cute I had to take a couple of vids. I will abstain from sharing the nakey versions and just post the clothing not-optional movie. Too bad you can't see his cute little cheeks though!

Mallory's stats

Mallory had her four year old pediatrician visit today. Here's her stats:

Height: 39.25" (50 %tile)
Weight: 30lbs (20 %tile)
BMI: 13.6 (5 %tile)

Poor thing had three shots, a finger prick, an attempted urinalysis, a hearing test, a vision test and her blood pressure taken. It was a VERY long visit. The good news: she's normal (at least physically!).

Sight for sore eyes

On Thursday, we passed this gas station on our way home. I did a double take. And immediately reached for my camera. Mallory couldn't understand what mommy was taking a picture of ... and how do you make a four year old understand why something like this would make me so excited?!

Happy birthday, Bugaboo

On November 6, 2004, our lives were immeasurably changed - for the better. Our little girl, Mallory Manet, unexpectedly made her way into this world. She wasn't due for two more weeks but for some reason she just couldn't wait any longer to make our dreams come true. Now, four short years later it is still hard to believe we have been graced with such a loving, inspiring but insolent child! My little bugaboo (aka "bug").

So on Thursday, her actual birthday, I took the day off to revel in the joy of spending time with my beloved little girl.


Our big outing for the day was to the American Girl store. It was a first (but not a last) for both of us. We spent about 45 mins looking through the store and then headed up the escalator to the Bistro for lunch. Did you know they will let you borrow dolls to share lunch with? They even have the cutest itty bitty highchairs for the dolls that hook on to the table. Mallory got to choose which baby to take care of during our lunch. Unfortunately, she was too busy with the doll to actually eat. I just could not force myself to eat all $50 of the food we had ordered (call me sucker).


As the lunch progressed, Mallory kept asking me if the doll was ours to keep. What's a mommy to do on her first born's birthday? I didn't plan on buying anything but could not resist (I later told Shawn I had "sucker" tattooed on my forehead ...first lunch, then doll). We came home with a Bitty Baby and two sets of clothing (a birthday outfit and a cheerleader outfit). Later that day we stopped to see daddy at work and then chilled at home. It was a great day.

On Saturday, we had the "big" birthday party. Food, cake, bouncy house. You name it. It was EXHAUSTING. Now I know why people choose to outsource the birthday party. And I am already looking for next year's vendor. Way to plan in advance.


All in all it was a great day. Only a few toes were run over with the Barbie Jeep. Truett fell out of it once (thankfully on grass). It's a good thing he's good at the stop, drop and roll maneuver. And now my girl is officially a year older. I already miss my "baby." Mallory continues to protest that she is my baby (she's a big girl, don't you know!). One day she will understand that she will always be my baby.

Sugar shock

The kids had a very happy Halloween. They started off by having a pizza party at school where they were stuffed with all the cheese pizza, Hawaiian Punch and cupcakes they could eat. I think it was their idea of heaven. Honestly, I think I may have been in heaven too ... and I'm much older than a kid.

After lunch, they went room to room and trick-or-treated all the teachers. Each kid came home with a brown lunch bag FULL of candy. All of this before it got dark. It only took me about five mins to assess the contents of the bags and lay claim to the "good stuff." LOL ... this is the fun part of being a parent. I *know* Halloween brings lots `o candy. But I didn't make the connection that as the kids get older the candy also grows exponentially. And my will power is down to zilch. I think I was almost physically sick yesterday from all the sugar coursing through my veins. My only hope is that this toxic goodness is gone soon! I didn't get a before picture, but this is what the stash looked like as of a few mins ago after eating almost half of what was received:


See my surly Pom-Pom Girl (in her defense, this was taken at about 7a on the way to school!):


And the man who saved the day - Superman:


We didn't really end up trick-or-treating because Mallory was invited by the neighbors to attend a Fall Festival. We took True to a few of the neighbors just to show off his cuteness. They oohed and ahhed in all the appropriate places. Even better ... we got to take a house tour of the neighbor across the street who had done extensive remodeling. I was too chicken to ask to see the house as it was being done but they must have sensed my need when we knocked on their door and invited us in to show off all their work (and piles of money) they had put into the reno. Beautiful ... but I cannot imagine spending that kind of money right now.

The next Kitty

I watch Brothers & Sisters each Sunday on ABC. One of my most fav characters is Kitty, the political pundit. She's smart, quick-witted and has a silver tongue. All things I really long to be ... but somehow fall short. But I do think there is hope yet. I think Mallory may be headed in that direction. Either that or she has been sucked into the 2008 Presidential Election at the ripe old age of 3.5.

We went to Wal-Mart tonight to get shoes for her pom pom girl costume (wait till I post the pictures!). On the way, I was listening to NPR which was airing a segment on Barack Obama's infomercial that aired last evening. The next thing I know, she's in the back seat yelling "Bakak Okambama" over and over again. Those of you who really know me understand how this just breaks my heart! Not that I have anything against the man, I just don't believe what he says.

When we got home, I sat down at the computer to do some work. Somehow my interests were diverted (imagine that) and I ended up perusing the net. Okay, I'll admit it. I was on Pink is the New Blog. It's an obsession. A guilty one. Anyway, Trent had a post up about McCain being endorsed by an alien (it sounds very odd, but you have to read it). When Mallie saw the picture of McCain she immediately starting telling me that the man in the picture was John McCain.

Now the only question is ... who is she going to vote for? Hopefully Mommy or Daddy. :)

Open wide

I am happy to report that I have officially received my first sickeningly, slobbery open mouth kiss from Truett. You know what I'm talking about. I had just gotten home and True was on Daddy's lap, lounging on the couch. I ran over and started loving on him and the next thing I know the wide open black hole is coming at me. And he did it again and again and again and again. I'd say, "give me a kissy" and he'd obey (good boy!). I think I have the sweetest little boy on earth. But I'm thankful that I bought the Kleenex bundle at Costco last week!

In other True news ... his new favorite word is "tha?" Always said as his finger is pointing to something. He wants to know what everything is ... if he'd only remember so I didn't have to repeat it 20 times. Sometimes I find that he asks me so many times I just start numbly answering ... sometimes giving the wrong answer. Funny how tuning out and turning off can do that. I certainly hope I haven't screwed him up for life. Picture this when he's in third grade ...

Teacher: Boys and girls, what is this on the wall (pointing to a clock)?
True (raising his hand impatiently): I know, I know ....
Teacher: What is this, Truett?
True (knowingly): It's a turtle.
Teacher (laughing in her head): No, it's not.
True (again, nodding knowingly): Yes, my mommy told me it was when I was 16 months old.

Okay ... so that scenario is a little far-fetched, but I do fear that I need to pay more attention to my precious one. Maybe I can just blame these little things on Mallory? She does so delight in teasing her brother (all in the name of love). I wouldn't put it past her to play some type of joke like this on him in the future.

Dinner

My kids love me tonight. $10 buys a lot of love these days. It also buys a lot of sanity. And quality time with the kids because I am not doing dishes.

How could I?

I think there's a cardinal parental rule that says "thou must have camera on ones person at all time." Otherwise, how does everyone get these great pics of their kidlets all the time? It's a requisite parental right to capture each and every memory memory on a memory card.

I used to abide by the rule. But lately, I've been breaking it. Not even taking the iPhone with me (which really is sacrilege.) And now I'm a little sad about it because I've missed:

1. True playing on the slide in the back yard.
2. Shawn pulling the kids around the block in the wagon.
3. Mallory and Christopher making cookies this past Saturday.
4. Mallory and True at the pumpkin patch, then at the Trunk or Treat and then at the petting zoo.
5. The ooey gooey fun that goes along with carving the pumpkins.

I could keep going, but you get my point. I need to get back on my game so I can inundate all you people with pictures of my photogenic kids.

Take a bite out of ...

We're certainly not taking a bite out of crime around here. No ... True has been taking bites out of other kidlets at school. I am sad to say that he even broke skin last week.

M'Dondo -- HE'S TURNING INTO A BOBBY! For those of you who don't know what this means ... well, I sincerely hope you've never had to encounter a Bobby. If you have, you have my sympathies.

See, at our other daycare, there was a little boy named Bobby that loved nothing more than to terrorize all of the other kidlets by biting them. We had several discussions with the director about getting this little boy kicked out (yes ... that's how many times he had bitten) to no avail.

So, the last few weeks we've been reading this:


Except ours isn't in as good of condition as that picture above is. We apparently cannot treat books with the reverence they deserve because coloring and tearing them seem to make my kids happy. Either that or we have had to read it more times than I remember. See what I mean?


Regardless of its appearance, the book is doing its job. I am happy to receive daily reports from the teachers at school that there has been no biting for several days. Good thing True is so easily brainwashed at this age. Let's hope it continues until he's a teenager.

Artsy schmartsy

Mallory loves arts and crafts, as evidenced by the plethora of clothing that comes home from school with glue, glitter and paint on them. I'm not quite sure why I was asked to supply an art smock when they don't seem to be using it. But that's not the point of my musings today.

Mallie is art obsessed. I suppose it's normal at this time in her life ... if my brain was firing as fast as hers I would probably have the same problem. The need to create. She constantly wants to carry a pencil around the house so she can "write" on things. She draws little snake-like creatures on construction paper and brings them home from school. Hand outlines are a favorite drawing past-time. Painting is her favorite, but limited because mommy just cannot stand the mess and clean-up. (Side note: can you see me hovering behind her saying, "dip the brush in water so you don't mix your colors. Oh, you mixed your colors. How unfortunate?" And there she sits just smiling at her brown concoction.)

Now that I have the iPhone, I've even found a way for her to draw when we are out and about. The program is almost like an etch-a-sketch. You draw what you want with your finger and then shake the phone to erase it. BUT, we have figured out how to save her masterpieces. Here's an example:

I don't profess to be an art critic ... but it's not bad, eh?! Wish I knew what it was, but I guess that's the point of abstract art ... you find your own meaning.

Big boy chair

It's happening faster than I thought. Truett just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Shawn and I have discussed what would happen if we didn't feed him, but I don't think it would help us meet our goal of keeping him a baby.

I didn't blog about it, but about two weeks ago I tried to put him to sleep in his new big boy bed. He actually fell asleep in it and was so darn cute. I went back in an hour and a half later and he was curled up in a little ball on the floor. Back into the crib he went. Guess we'll try big boy bed again in a few weeks.

But, there is one thing that he did on his own. He walked away from the highchair. Cut the ties and went cold turkey. He was getting to the point where he'd arch his back, cry and have MANY temper tantrums if he even saw you walking towards said highchair. You would have thought it was going to bite him or something (more likely the other way around).

Day after day, he wandered over to Mallory's kinderzeat. Shawn started putting him in it for fun and well ... the rest is history. You know he had to have one! He got the updated version - the Tripp Trapp - on Friday. A beautiful orange color and he LOVES it. Mommy not so much because you can imagine the mess on my table at meal time. At least the highchair contained all that squished up food.


Guess you can't stand in the way of progress ... even at your own dinner table.

A peace offering

Mallory is upset that I did not buy flamingo pink bunk beds. And I am having a hard time explaining to an almost-four-year-old why this is a bad idea. Well, the explaining part is easy. The comprehension part ... not so much. But I am not one to rock the boat around here so I decided to make her a peace offering. This weekend while she was puking her guts out (poor baby) I did this to her bedside table:

It used to be white. Now, it's well ... bright. Nice, huh? I was a little worried as I was doing it. But I kept telling myself: no guts, no glory. Besides, it only cost me $2.99 and an hour or two of my time (which is worth $1 millon!). I'm pretty happy about how it turned out. Of course, Mallory is in LOVE!

Next on the list - this sad, sad dresser from Shawn's bachelor days. You can see I've already girl-ed it up once. But it's time to take it to the next level. And maybe find some new pulls for it since it's been this way for almost two years now. Luckily Mallory has nimble fingers and can pull the sides. Otherwise, she might be running around naked right now.

Bribery Works

Guess who earned her Hannah Montana flashlight yesterday?! It was one of the first things she asked about when she woke up. Such excitement. I wish I was that excited to get up! I am in a place where I just want to roll back over and snuggle up to the pillows.


Sorry for the poor picture. It was taken in the garage, sitting in the car with little light.

Don't take my man

Mallory was pretty sad when we came home from gymnastics yesterday. I thought it was because the fun of gym was over and the prospect of a bath was enough to bring on tears. Nope. As we started talking about it, she told me her friend Sabrina* was mad at her. Apparently there had been some altercation about Sabrina back-talking her. I just had to roll my eyes and tell her that both her and Sabrina needed to apologize to each other and move on.

So when I dropped off Mallie at school this AM, I casually mentioned the conversation to her teacher. Suddenly, her eyes lit up and she started laughing. Then, this craziness spewed out of her mouth ... and I am in denial that we are already starting down this path.

You see, the story goes a little something like this ... late last week Mallory and Joshua* decided to get married. Unfortunately we weren't invited to the wedding but Ms. Robbie assures me it happened. They have been sitting next to each other and playing on the playground together ... just two little lovebirds, two peas in a pod. Suddenly, Sabrina* began hanging around Joshua* trying to steal my girl's man. Yeah, you can imagine how that went over ...

So I guess children and adults aren't quite so different when we feel our relationship is being threatened. And I think Mallory told Sabrina* where to stick it.

There's the 3 year old version of How the World Turns.


* Names were not changed to not protect the innocent.

Cat nap

I feel like doing this about right now, especially since the prospect of 3 - 4 more hours of work tonight looms.

Bribery = Bust?

After last week's pity party post about how Mallory wasn't sleeping in her bed we seem to have veered off into a path of unknown territory. Ladies and gentlemen, she has SLEPT in her bed and done so willingly (I'm not tieing her down, really). Of course, it was too good to be true that she'd actually earn the object of bribery in the first week.

But, we are headed in the right direction ... four consecutive nights in her bed ... one night in ours. Two more nights in her bed ... and let's hope we make it to five. Man do I want to give her that darn Hannah Montana microphone/flashlight! Mainly because my hairbrush isn't cutting it anymore. I need something that resembles the real thing so I can break out my inner diva.

Shawn thinks she'll make it this week ... so much so that he went out and bought the next bribe. A Polly Pocket set. He does love his little girl so (either that or he is in love with peaceful sleep).

Predicament

Truett and I were hanging out on Sunday afternoon. Shawn ended up having to go into work and Mallory was ensconced in the playroom absorbing knowledge from the electronic babysitter - the TV. As I was doing something in the kitchen, I looked over to a mewing noise and this:



Yes, he was in quite the predicament. He just sat there and mewed plaintively as if saying, "I am your child, how can you leave me here? Help me, Mommy. Please, rescue me. " I am sad to say I just watched, waiting to see what he'd do.

Uh huh. I can can hear you Dondo. I eventually got him off ... after he started screaming!

I have a present for you

When I came home last Friday afternoon it was pretty quiet. Mallory was out playing, Shawn was on the computer and Truett was wondering aimlessly around the house. Unfortunatly, that peace only lasted a few moments before Hurricane Mallory made her way inside. There were lots of hugs and kisses and "what are you doing-s" to be asked. She finally ran on her way and I decided to pick up the house a little.

As I was reading the day's mail, I heard Mallory casually say, "Mommy, I have a present for you." This does not cause me great excitement but it does warm my heart that she wants to present me with little trophies. I've received flower petals, rocks, leaves, little pieces of construction paper. You get the idea. So when she told me she had a gift I was thinking along the lines of previous trinkets. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her swinging something around and looked over to see:


OMG. A tampon? It was one of those moments as a parent where I could not contain the laughter. It spilled out, and out, and out, and out. Mallory thought it was hilarious and started laughing with me. What a joyful moment a crazy little cotton string started! That night at dinner I was recounting the story to Shawn. He then told me she had been playing with it all afternoon. Oh to be a kid again.

Of course, now I am thinking I should just give her a box of tampons for her birthday and she'd be overjoyed. No more expensive Barbies whose hair gets tangled up, puzzles whose pieces get lost or games that we can never play because we can't find the pieces.

Case of the Cat Nap

I used to read mysteries voraciously. I started off with a few Nancy Drew's, then moved on to Trixie Belden and her side-kick Honey. As I grew up, I started reading some Mary Higgins Clark and then the Nora Roberts series about Eve Dallas. So you can see I have a weakness for figuring things out ... I just never thought I'd have to solve a mystery at home.

It all started when the plant on my dining room table suddenly started losing dirt. Yes, it would be scattered around every morning. None of the other two plants in the house were touched ... just the one on the table. Honestly, solving the WHO was easy. Meet the culprit, Cinder.


What a mugshot! She actually looks like, "who me? I didn't do it, I tell ya."

The mystery came as HOW she was doing it (I don't think I'll ever understand the mind of a cat to get the WHY!). And I was determined to solve it! You see, the plant she is trying to destroy was one from my Nana's funeral. I have never been known to have a green thumb. In fact, if you wanted to kill something you brought it to me. So I have been very proud of myself that I have kept this plant alive for almost three years now. I like to think my Nana, whose whole body was green, is looking out for me.

I watched and watched and watched but I could never catch her in the act. Then the break through. One afternoon when Shawn came home, it all became clear. And I died laughing when I heard what she was doing. It seems as if she's figured out how to climb in the pot, curl up and nap in the warm sunshine of the dining room.


I've tried to get a picture of her doing it, but she seems to avoid me at all costs when she knows I'm upset with her. Just like a kidlet. Yes, she is my sixth kid: Shawn, Mallory, Truett, Jack, Jill and finally, Cinder. So, I'll keep chasing her down ... waiting for just the right moment to catch her in the act and send her to jail.

Hallelujah!

Do you hear the restrains of one of the most beautiful songs in the world going through your head? Because I do! Why?

Mallory slept in her bed last night!

Can I hear a hallelujah?! I surely hope this sweet relief is not a fluke. Because boy did I enjoy my beauty sleep last night. I haven't spoken with Shawn yet today but I'm sure he didn't miss the kicks to his kidneys one bit.

First, I tried bribing her. A few months ago Shawn bought a flashlight that looks like a Hannah Montana microphone. She's a little young for HM (IMO) so we put it in the closet, just waiting for the right moment to whip it out and have her submit to our will in return for a toy. Last night was the right time. I told her if she slept in her bed for five nights in a row she would get the toy.

Wasn't so sure it was going to work though ... because around 9p she crawled into our bed. I was working so I kept shooing her away. She finally got the point and went back to her room. When I was done ... bout 9:30p, she was still wide awake. Then it hit me ... she used to sleep with music as a baby, let's put some on for her. Easier said than done ... we don't have just a "plain" CD player in the house anymore. No, I can only buy technology that has dual purposes. :) But, regardless, there was no problem ... I hauled my laptop in there, popped in the Celine Dion "Miracle" CD and dug out a power cord to ensure said music would play to the end of the CD (I wasn't taking ANY chances).

It worked.

This morning she asked me if I would play her the music again. OF COURSE I WILL IF IT WILL GET YOU TO SLEEP IN YOUR BED. So, I have an errand to run at lunch -- to pick up Mallory's very own technological device that will keep her out of mommy and daddy's bed. Cross your fingers that it works again tonight.

It's not the excitement I thought it would be

Hallelujah the bunk beds arrived on Saturday morning. The delivery truck's arrival was heralded with a beautiful sun-shiny day. Even better, they were on time. I wasn't feeling great that day but sucked it up, moved furniture around, cleaned out closets, etc.

Mallory was sooo excited to get her beds. She played coy with the delivery guys and would run back and forth from her room to me or Shawn and bury her head. When it was all said and done, here's what we have:
Nice, eh? The finish is called Shell. A wonderful creamy color. Of course this means that I must paint all the other furniture in the room to match (because it is currently white). Oh well ... I will just keep telling myself that I love my family and enjoy all the work that goes into making their abode beautiful.

The new bedding looks good too. I got two different quilts. The bottom bunk has a fairy princess on it and the top bunk is a patchwork. You don't get a pic of the top one because well ... I was too lazy to crawl up there and snap it (I foresee Mallory taking advtg of mommy's laziness!) Both are Simply Shabby Chic by Rachael Ashwell from Target.


So what girl wouldn't love all this? Apparently mine. We've had the bed for two nights so far. And you want to know how many nights she's slept in it: zero. You got it. She is now saying she's afraid of her room. That if she sleeps in there the Kangaroos (???) are going to come in and get her. Monster/kangaroo spray isn't working. I don't know what to do. These beds were supposed to solve my problems!

Truett didn't get left out of the room makeover challenge this weekend. He got Mallie's old bed. The room is tight with the crib and bed, etc. but I think we made it look okay. Please overlook the theme mishmash. I know that monkey/jeep and bunnies do not go together. But until we dump the crib bunnies have to go off-roading and avoid being food for the crocs/monkeys.

So that was my weekend. Lots 'o work, but worth it.