Awesome

Kenny started the dishwasher yesterday and the dishwasher door was partially open. Now granted most dishwashers wouldn't run with the door open, but not this fine piece of machinery from 1978. (Like most appliances in our home there is a secret way to operate them i.e. stand on one foot, blink twice and push the door in three times to shut it.) Kenny wasn't aware that the door was open and left to go pickup Chloe. I came home and started dinner and water started flowing out of all of the seams of our laminate wood floor. Needless to say the laminate is now lifting... I must tell you that when we do get a new dishwasher, I'm going to take a sledgehammer to this one, seriously....

Super Star

Ellie Kate is our performer. She sings daily, making up the lyrics as she goes along. She insists that we sit quietly and watch her sing. She comes out pretending to be on stage and greets us like we are her fans (and of course we are :) Will this be great to drag out in 20 years or what?

It's The Little Things..

Yesterday we were talking about Chloe's birth and remembering the girls reaction. Of course they were excited and so sweet when Chloe finally arrived. They both however separately, without the other knowing asked me where her eyebrows were. Ellie said "Where are those things over her eyes Mommy?" and Madelyn said " Mommy when will she get her eyebrows?". (Let me clarify that Chloe did have eyebrows, they were just very light. ) So funny, the things they notice.

Perspective

Today while driving to work I noticed this cow with his neck shoved through the barbed wire fence. He was feverishly reaching for the grass on the other side, obviously convinced that it must taste better. I laughed and thought, it's not just humans but an animal as dense as a cow believes that the grass is greener... Of course, most life experiences have taught me that indeed, it is not. I guess with age we learn to enjoy what we have, live in the moment and cherish what's in front of us. Lord knows I'm still working on this. No one does this better than my Dad. He wants for not, and is content as long as his family are happy and safe. I love that about him. He's always so calm and at peace, takes everything in stride. Such an admirable man with a genuine sweet spirit. I've been blessed with incredible parents- I only hope they know how much I truly adore them.

Happy 4th!

Ode to Technology

I just recently discovered a few wonderful gadgets and a great website (thanks to my friends) that anyone with children should investigate. First is the Bissell SpotBot. It is a compact carpet cleaner that you simply place over the stain, turn it on, walk away and it sprays cleaner, scrubs and sucks up the water and cleaner- I borrowed my friends machine to clean some spots on our carpet and it got every stain out. I have to go buy one, I loved it. It is truly a miraculous machine.... I know, I'm easily amused.

Second is Flip Video- This is a small video camera (3x5) that records up to 60 minutes of video. It takes 2AA batteries and will fit in your pocket. It has a USB port that flips out from the side, plugs into your computer downloads the software and videos all together. We borrowed one from a friend to see if we liked it prior to buying, and we absolutely loved it. We videoed more in the 2 days we borrowed it than we have in the 7 years we've had our big video camera. The Flip Video camera was just so convenient, that we were constantly grabbing it to video the girls. It's also not terribly expensive, you can find them on the internet from $120-$150. Be sure to get the one that records 60 minutes as they do have one that records only 30 minutes.

A friend just recently introduced me to the website Freecycle.org. This websites mission is to reduce the waste in our landfills and to give items away free to those who can use them. The posts contain offered and wanted items. You cant sell or trade items, only give them away free. I've already given away a couple of things that we no longer needed. It felt good... with a family of five, I feel like we generate so much waste. It was nice to do something "green" and participate in the recycle process.

For the Love of Pete....

For the record- I hate pumping! While I've enjoyed every second of nursing, pumping SUCKS, lugging around the pump, cleaning everything, packing ice packs, storing and freezing the milk- all of it SUCKS. Taking the time out to do it everyday, kicking my male office mate out etc... And I cant even tell you how many parking lots I've invaded and busted out the cigarette lighter adapter to pump. If the innocent bystanders in the parking lot only knew...I'm certain they would be mortified. And dont even get me started on the nursing bras that make me feel like an 80 year old lady. I've committed myself to 1 year with each of my children and I plan to stand by that, but wow.... am I tired. OK, I'm done.

P.S. And don't think I wont remind my children of my enduring commitment and dedication to keeping their little bellies full. Who am I kidding, they'll be no gratitude, only disgust that they sucked on my breast :)