Busy, busy, busy. Where have the 'lazy days' of summer gone? We have had so much going on lately I am ready for a break!
It seems to be a time of testing for Miss Thumb Sucker. She has continued to do well (most nights) in her toddler bed. But a few nights ago was one of the not-so-great nights and the little stinker figured out how to open her door! That is no good when trying to keep a little one in bed. So, in a pinch daddy tied her door knob to her brother and sister's across the hall. Yes, shock and awe, we tied our baby girl into her room, it was the only option unless we wanted to stand at her door holding it shut for half an hour. As soon as she was asleep and not pounding at her door we untied it. Thankfully, I mentioned this at our MOPS play date the next day and a brilliant mother suggested we get the little toddler door knob covers - I totally forgot about these and was trying to figure out how to keep her in her room. These little suckers work like a charm.
Our other challenge with her also stems from her bed and not wanting to stay in it past 5:30 am. This is one tired mommy because I have been giving in and just getting her and bringing her back to bed with me. Once there she tosses and kicks for about 15 minutes until she finally falls back asleep. At this point there is no point of return for mommy and I am up for good. Ugh! So, I finally put my foot down yesterday and made her cry it out until she fell back asleep on her own (probably on the floor, but hey that is better than my bed). This morning she only cried and pounded on her door for about 5 minutes until she gave in. Of course, she woke up her brother in the process so I was stuck getting up anyway, but maybe tomorrow she'll decide just to stay in bed. Hey, a mom can dream can't she?
Miss Firecracker continues her bossy and sassy pants ways as I continue to pray and try to figure out how to teach her better 'friend' skills. Otherwise, she had her very first T-ball game the other night. The poor thing was clueless for the most part. I totally forgot about practicing with her until yesterday, at which point it was 100 degrees and wind blowing 50 miles an hour (OK so I exaggerate, but it wasn't pleasant). So we skipped practicing and just went cold turkey. She still had a blast and was starting to figure out the base running stuff by the end of the game. It is supposed to cool off tomorrow, so hopefully we'll get some practice in before her next game!
Our trip to the circus was probably most enjoyed by this curly-haired princess. We got there early enough to go to the animal preview (which we stumbled upon by happenstance!). It was very neat to get to see the animals up that close - even closer than the zoo. Then, they have lots of acts out on the floor before the show starts as well, so we got to go down and watch them juggle and dance and even watch Asia the elephant paint a picture! They got to participate in the dancing too. Which Miss Firecracker was all over, but Noisy Man just wanted to watch. During the actual circus, Miss Firecracker was just in awe. She sat there wide-eyed and open-mouthed 90% of the show. It was so fun to listen to what she had to say about everything and ask her million questions. I actually didn't enjoy it as much during the part where she went and sat by Aunt M. It was fun to see it through her eyes.
Noisy Man totally loved the circus as well, but he was farther away from me so I didn't get to hear his reaction as much. His memory never ceases to amaze me as he recounts the numerous things they did during the show. He loved the silly clowns and the zebras running in circles. He thought the tightrope walkers were pretty amazing as well as the guy on fire they shot out of the cross bow looking cannon. I thought he'd be more intrigued by the elephants, but he was way more into the tigers (although he was a little bummed there weren't any lions). It was definitely a highlight of the summer for us!
T-ball was also on the schedule for Noisy Man, but he is a seasoned pro since he played last year. Thankfully, this year he and Miss Firecracker play on the same team, so we only have one night of games. Unfortunately, this will be the last year for that convenience. It will only get crazier from here on out. T-ball isn't the only thing he considers himself a pro. He seems to think he is the world's best swimmer as well. Two trips to the pool this week will send me to an early grave. He is just fearless! Jumps in, flips over, dives down, wanders into the deep, and on and on. Ah! I have got to get this kid in some REAL swimming lessons that will teach him how to swim. The ones he has taken so far have been decent, but haven't been focused enough for a kid who really needs to learn what he is doing before he hurts himself or gives his mother a heart attack!
Another fun night for us was probably daddy's highlight for the past weeks. A gal who works in his office has a killer pond in her back yard (Daddy is totally envious of their whole place and would buy it in a heartbeat if they put it up for sale). They have been inviting us to come down and fish for a while and we finally took them up on their offer. The fishing was fantastic! Daddy didn't even stop to eat the picnic supper we packed. We were catching them left and right, crappie, blue gill, sun fish and even a few large mouth. Noisy Man had a blast as well and was casting a real fishing pole like a pro by the end of the night. He even caught a crappie that daddy thought would qualify as a master angler, but daddy accidentally dropped it back in the pond as he was preparing to measure it! Oops!
Daddy also started skeet league this week. It is the one thing he does each summer that is a regular 'get-out-with-his-friends' type of thing. Even though I am left alone at T-ball games every Tuesday night and at home alone until after bed time, I really don't mind. I often think daddy needs to get out a bit more, so this activity helps. The kids like to go out and watch him shoot when they can. too.
Mommy is the most boring one this time. I had a 10K race this last weekend that I rocked (for me) in 1 hour and 49 seconds. Then I had to do a
Pampered Chef bridal shower that afternoon as well. I love doing bridal showers, but I didn't have time to eat lunch in between the run and the shower and I rehydrate well enough either, so I ended up feeling pretty sick for most of the show. I made it through and I think everyone had a great time. The bride got a TON of awesome stuff! Other than that, I have been tending some flowers I planted this year, my garden and planning a bedroom makeover for Miss Thumb Sucker. That and online shopping. . . I haven't shopped for myself in a long time and I found some killer sales so I am on a shopping hiatus for a little while, but anxiously awaiting the arrival of all my goodies. Seriously, I got some great deals. Like an awesome pair of black, ruffly heels that were originally $39 for just $10 and some cute tops for just $7.50!
more pics soon
Today I decided to try a little bit of an experiment. I have been trying to use more whole grains in our diet. I have been using whole grain pasta for quite a while and always make whole grain bread. I just recently found a recipe for whole wheat chocolate chip pancakes, where the chocolate chips eliminate the need for syrup. I checked our bottle of syrup: 33 grams of sugar for 1/4 of a cup! Granted, we don't use near a 1/4 of a cup. I always have my kids dip their pancakes in their syrup which results in less syrup, and less sugar consumed. So I scoffed, can chocolate chips really have that much less sugar? Holy buckets, yes! They only have 8 grams for 2 tablespoons, again, of which there aren't that many in 1 pancake.
The result: A slightly darker cookie, but virtually no taste difference at all! The kids noticed the different flours when we measured them in, but didn't say a thing while enjoying the cookies! The true test will be when daddy tries them. . . . I'll fill you in on that once it happens. 
