She's A Genius

Daddy put Teagan in bed for her nap, and put Kaitlyn on the changing table, to change her and the following is Daddy and Teagan’s conversation.

Teagan – Why you have to change her butt?

Daddy – Cause she has a big potty butt.

Teagan – You need to get more diapers, Daddy.

Daddy – We don't need more diappers.

Teagan – You need to get more diapers, Daddy.

Daddy – You need to take a nap.

Teagan – You need to calm down, Daddy.

Daddy – I am calm.

Teagan – CALM DOWN DADDY!

Daddy – I don't think you know what that means, Teagan.

Teagan – I'm a genius, Daddy.

Visit with Santa

The girls did not really like Santa last year. In fact they were scared of him. I wanted a picture with Santa for this year but because of last year's issues I was reluctant. So when I saw that Walmart was having a free Santa I didn't want to let it pass.

I dressed the girls in their Christmas dresses. We actually had to stop by Target first and get new dress shoes since last years were too small. I know why go to Target when I was heading to Walmart. Simple, selection. Teagan got cute black dress shoes and Kaitlyn got ruby red sparkle shoes (I love them the most and so does she).

We get to Walmart and the Santa was very nice. It took both girls a moment to warm up but it helped that he had candy. The key to their little hearts. Although Kaitlyn didn't tell him what she wanted until she was back safely in Mommy's arms.

I know it was free but the Santa was really fake. Fake beard, fake belly. And I think he was around my age. Bummer. Since it went rather well I want to go to see a better Santa but Hubby says no way. Too much of a hassle I suppose.

Here are the girls and a Walmart Santa. Unfortunately you can't see Kaitlyn's shoes!

Merry Christmas!

Black Friday Marathon

Black Friday shopping. Did you go? Have you ever gone? I happen to love shopping on Black Friday. There is a rush that is better than espresso yet doesn’t last as long. I guess it’s a mixture of the lack of sleep from getting up and out so early, the crispness of the air as you wait to get into your first stop and the actual vibe you get from the other shoppers sharing in the experience. Most people are rather nice. Talkative as you wait. A giddiness resembling little school kids doing something taboo. Like you, they are looking for the deal and are willing to give up some creature comforts to get said deal.

For years I went alone. Battled the throngs with no one slowing me down. I can’t imagine having a companion to fight the jewelry counter with. If you have never been the jewelry counter is by far the most vicious of shopping arenas. Women will step on you and shove you out of the way for clearance pearls. Toys are bad but at least there you can grab and don’t have to wait on someone to get it out of a locked case.

Three years ago was the first time I had a partner. I actually had two. At the time I was almost nine months pregnant with our second child and Hubby couldn’t see letting me go alone. I’m not sure if the concern was for me, our unborn child, or silly people that would get in the way of crazy prego woman. Either way together we mapped out a plan. He left most of it me as he only really wanted to go to one computer store. I set out before 4 a.m. with Hubby and Teagan, who had just turned one. It was quick and painless. In and out of all the stores. I knew where everything was and we grabbed and went. His computer store took the longest as they didn’t seem as well prepared for mass customers. We were done within three hours and topped the wonderful morning off with breakfast out.

I thought it was a great experience and it opened me up to the thought of future companion shopping.

The next year we had Grandma and Grandpa staying for the Thanksgiving holiday so they agreed to watch the bears so Hubby and I could go Black Friday shopping alone. This year we went to Best Buy to snag a laptop for me. I was so stoked because I have never owned my own computer. I have had several joint pc’s but nothing just mine. When we finally got past the velvet ropes they were sold out. Major bummer. However the sales guys were super nice and helped us find one that was a little more expensive but worth it. I have the laptop and stand off to the side while Hubby goes to look at something else. While standing there another associate asks me if I was looking to buy a laptop. I told him yes but the one I really wanted had been sold out. He said “Do you mean this one? I just found a stack of them.” It was the one I wanted and I could have hugged the guy. I’ve had this laptop for a year and still love, love, love it. Hubby and I ended up spending way too much money but I have to admit we use it all and often. After that we went to several other stores and arrived back home right as the bears were waking up.

Most of you know I have been out of work for a very long time and Hubby has also hit a snag in employment. So this year is going to be lean regardless. With that in mind I scrutinized the Black Friday ads this year very carefully. Since we already have a great T.V. with electronics, great computers and a camera that works (I hate it but can’t justify buying a new one when it does the job) I didn’t find anything worth getting up early for. However Mom was going and since I love the fun I decided to tag along.

First let me say I love my Mom. She is one of my closest friends and is and always has been Super Mom. Downright perfect in every way.

That being said I will never go shopping with her again. I am use to a two hour marathon of grabbing and going to the next eight stores. Mom is a marathon shopper too. But a time marathon. We started at 3:30 AM and ended at 1:30 PM. Ten hours, six stores, and three stores twice. She would buy so many things we would have to check out to take it to the car and then go back for more. I had walked for so long my hip started to hurt. Mom was fine. Decades older than me and she was running circles around my gimp butt. Finally I had to throw in the towel. She dropped me off and then went out to more stores. I have no idea how she did it. Now mom was a little loopy at the end of the day and had a zombie stare to her but she certainly put me to shame.

I will go shopping next year but I will either go alone or with Hubby. I can only take one year of being humiliated and left wasted the next day.

Hangover

I have a turkey hangover. There is so much that happened over the weekend and I'm flat out exhausted. I will catch up with you all tomorrow. This week I'll talk about Black Friday shopping with my Mom, getting a job and the first step in ushering in Christmas. I hope you had a wonderful and safe holiday.

Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday

Today is Kaitlyn’s Birthday. She is two. Oh the terrible two’s. I think Kaitlyn entered this mischievous stage months ago. Kaitlyn is very smart, very loving and very sensitive. I have never seen such a young child get her feelings hurt so easily. I think it is because she wears her heart on her sleeve. If I am sitting down for over five minutes I am guaranteed a visit and lap sitting from K-Bear. She’d rather be snuggling than sitting alone and when she gives you a kiss you sense meaning behind it.

Teagan was only four months old when I found out I was pregnant with a second child. I really wanted a boy. A girl and a boy, I’d be done. Even when I was told it was a girl I still hoped they were wrong. I guess all the hoping is why Kaitlyn looks just like her Father. From her smile, to her pout, to her leave me alone glare she is her Father. Now that I have her I would never ever trade her for a boy. Kaitlyn is perfect and the girls are perfect for each other.

I was also very worried that I would not love Kaitlyn as much as Teagan. I hear this is a common thought for Mother’s expecting their second child. Teagan was such a blessing that the very thought of her would swell my heart to bursting and I had so many doubts that this feeling would not exist with Kaitlyn. I was wrong. When Kaitlyn was born they gave her to me to lay skin upon skin to warm her. In that instant she looked up at me as I cooed to her and my heart surged. It was the same breath taking love I had for Teagan with no failing. My Kaitlyn had her own place in my heart and it was just as vast.

We were blessed when we had one beautiful, smart wonderful child. We are humbled to have received two. Kaitlyn you are my heart with legs. You are my joy and I am thankful to be your Mom. I love you and hope you have a very Happy Birthday.

Dancing Bear

Birthday Cakes

Birthday cakes. The center of the Birthday party. This year I wanted two cakes, one for each bear to have a candle on and blow out. I thought of Max and Ruby or a Dora and Diego but I kept being brought back to Sponge Bob and Patrick. It’s a square and a star so how much trouble should it be? If you allot for the time it shouldn’t be any bother at all. Time, my fatal foe.

I bake two 9” rounds the morning of the party. Taking each round I cut out the figures. Piecing together arms and legs. Teagan and Kaitlyn come in to the dining room and see the uncovered chocolate figures and yell out “Sponge Bob…Patrick.” If nothing else the figures are recognizable so I suppose I’m off to a great start.

I mixed up a big batch of frosting. I am not use to frosting cakes and I was afraid of running out of frosting. There was so much leftover I could have made a thick frosting on another set of cakes but it was worth it to easy my mind. I took several bowls and doled out servings for all the colors; yellow, green, pink, purple, brown, and red. I cheated and bought black. The colors were okay but brown is not an easy color to achieve without it getting brackish.

I decide to frost Patrick first. His body was easy, as were the shorts. I pipe on the flowers on the shorts and they end up looking like blobs. I put on his eyes and pipe in the retinas, mouth and of course belly button. Patrick is done. He actually looks cute. I’m not going to win an award but he’s definitely Patrick and I’m happy.

On to Sponge Bob. He’s square so he should be even easier. I coat his body and move on to his sleeves and pants. I was not pleased with the color of the brown but the pants went on well. At this point I look at the clock. I have thirty minutes before people should start arriving and I have not taken a shower, done my hair, make-up or gotten dressed. Time, damn, damn, damn, time. Because of the new stress I decide to forget the shirt and I pipe on his tie. Well that just looks stupid without the shirt. So I lay out a line for the shirt. Better but you can tell it was an after thought. I put on his eyes and pipe out the tongue. I take the black and pipe the retinas, eye lashes (the are important), and mouth. I realize the little tube of black is not enough so his shoes will have to be the horrible brown. At this point compromise comes easily. Something is missing. Not just right. I forgot his two huge teeth. Without them it’s just not Sponge Bob. So I carefully try to squeeze in teeth. They are little nubbins but they will work.

I have no more time. They will have to do. No they are not as good as I could have done if I had mapped the time accurately. However, I am over all satisfied with them.

Every one recognized them and actually gave me kudos. My SIL was the only one who was brutally honest and chalked them up to a tolerable rendition. I think that’s why I love her so much. She did like the frosting and so that is notable.

The girls loved them and even their cousin was pleased. Once I gave her Sponge Bob’s eyeball. A good time was had by all and I will of course take a crack at it next year.