The Sprightly Syndicate

Audy is soo much like me!

2010-08-01T23:24:00.001-04:00

Ok so as we were at the gas station tonight Audrey asks to get out and wash the windows. Me'Me let her do this while she and Amelie were on their parent free trip to visit Me'Me, Paba, and Aunt Leah. So after a few minutes of back and forth abut the fact that it's raining and the windows don't really need cleaned. I say let's do it. After we get out a young woman pulls up next to us and goes inside to prepay. I notice she has a really cool turtle stuffed animal on her dash, so I point it out to Audrey. She thinks its super cute so I tell her when the girl comes back she can tell her she likes it. Audy goes and tells her as she is starting to pump. She sets the pump to automatic and tells Audy she'll show it to her. She comes around the car and gets it out. It really was the cutest thing. We chat a bit. I notice she from her shirt that works at one of our favorite local pizza place. I tell her it was one of the first places we ate when we moved here. She hands it to Audy and I think I hear her say that Audy can have it. Audy gives it a hug and smiles all cute. I tell her to put it on our dash in the same same spot. The girl's like "No, I meant she can hold him". We all start laughing as Audy hands him back. No upset. We all just giggle at the confusion. I apoligize about the confusion several times. We chat a bit more. Then we both head our separate ways with the final note that we will visit the restaurant to see her and have some great food. I giggled and smilled the whole way home.

All this happened about 20 minutes after the speakers in the van shorted out. With a loud pop and a puff of stinky smoke as I drove over a bump. So we no longer have music or NPR in the van. Sad Mom. Sad Kids. But we'll make it work. Lots of singing songs and storytelling. Hey this may just be a good thing in disguise.

I was pulled out of what could have been a very bad mood by making a new friend in the gas station with my daughter. Who just like me seems to be able to make friends everywhere we go. Even places you would never expect. Audrey rocks!!

It's Been A Year!? Really? A Year? Wow!!!

2010-07-29T22:09:00.000-04:00

So I realized a few weeks ago that it had been forever since I had blogged. Then realized that the last time was on Amelie's Birth day last year. Wow!! I decided that today would be the day I started blogging again. It has been a crazy year. I have been on a roller-coaster the past year. Bipolar-type mood shifts, bad decision making, the verge of insanity at a few points. I am trying to get back in rhythm and balance. I am feeling tons better. Through all of this I have learned a lot about myself.

But really today is all about my super special birthday girl. Amelie!!! The second daughter. My shining star. My headache maker. My inquisitive detective. My ballet dancing, messy tiny chef. All with a heart of pure gold. She loves everyone. She is sweet, sensitive, cuddly, active, spirited, and well just plain sprightly!!! We all love her.

So today we woke up and made Oaty pumpkin pancakes. I'll post a recipe soon. Made two different types of cupcakes. Both of which where made with secret ingredients vegetable purees. I found Jessica Seinfeld's great cookbook, Deceptively Delicious at the thrift store awhile back and scooped it up. We made the Yellow Cake with Pumpkin and the Chocolate Cake with Beets. I probably won't do the Yellow Cake again; it tastes great, but it was a little too moist for my taste. But that Chocolate Cake with Beets...DIVINE!!! It's so good you have no clue that there are beets. It calls for melted chocolate--which I didn't have--so I just used Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa. But it turned out fine.

We went to the park and took the Cupcakes with us. It was Homeschool Park Day. We go every week, but since it's been so crazy hot here, not many people make out. But I have to get out of the house, so we go even when its hot. Today Suzanne and her kiddos came, so we weren't all it alone and the girls made friends with a little girl named Hailey. They had a blast. It decided to rain a bit, but we stayed through. But after the rain, instead of cooling off, it turned into a sauna. Suzanne and I both said, "This is just too gross" and loaded up the kids and headed out. We came home and chilled till it was time to get Daddy.

Amelie decided she wanted to go to Chick-fil-A for her birthday dinner. It's tradition around here for the birthday kid to get to pick a place to go for lunch or dinner. It just happens that Thursday nights are Kids Nite at our local Chick-fil-A. They have a craft and face painting for the kids. Free Icedream for them as well. "Cowie" is my girls' favorite part (that's what my girl's have chosen to name the person in the cow suit). The person in that suit must feel so loved at the end of the night. All the kids love it, but mine will follow that cow around almost the entire time we are there. It's cute. Tons of hugs and dancing with the cow.

We went about a month ago and found out about the Kid's Nite and this was the second time we've been. I have to say we are huge Chick-fil-A fans around the Sprightly Household. Mr. Sprightly is a huge fan of the new Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Anyway, my beer is getting warm. So I think I'll stop her and go sit with the fam on the couch for some "wii movies" (Netflix thru the wii). Peace Love and Birthday Cake!!!!!

Already another birthday

2009-07-29T17:49:00.004-04:00

It's shocking to me how quickly time flies. June and July are big birthday months in my house. June 24th is sweet baby Cassidy who is now the big 1. July 13th is mine. it was 26 this year and man am I feeling the years now.

But today we celebrate Amelie. My rambunctious, spunky, joyful, emotional, lovely, crazy little girl. Born in the midst of much chaos she can still bring me the feelings of peace and joy or of stress and headache that where at the center of her entrance to the world.

She taught me to trust in my body and in all that I was created for. She has been key in my learning to trust myself, in my personal growth, in my growing collection of gray hairs. I would never change a thing about her. Her obsession with cutting her hair, her sweet smile, her beautiful hazel eyes that perfectly match her Daddy's, her whiny squeal, the just so way that she says things.

I love her so much even when she is pulling things off the shelves and making messes. Or pouring sprinkles in a bowl at someone elses house and trying to suck them through a straw.

Life just keeps moving on

2009-05-22T22:47:00.002-04:00

So day to day life has a tendency of overwhelming me. I easily get bogged down in the mundane, distracted by pointless, obsessed with the inconsequential. It must be my ADHD. I flit from thought to thought. Then I find one that sticks and it just won't let go till it has run its course.

That is what has been happening. I have all these things I have been doing, seeing, watching, enjoying that I have been wanting to share here. But I have been so wrapped up in the doing that I haven't gotten to the actual blogging of the events. I am sure that part of it has to do with the recent changes in my free time. With Dave being home I am much less drawn to the computer. He was gone so long I want to enjoy as much time with him now as I can. As I type he is sitting behind me playing guitar. Yeah he really is that sexy.

So a quick update of the things that I have been up to since my studdly guitar playing sailor arrived home.

-A few days before he got back my lovely mother in love, came to suprise Dave. She stayed a few days after he got back and we all had a really good time bonding. It was beautiful.

- We had a nice two weeks of getting reaquantied as a family. Parks, libary visits, the usual things. We spent a signifacant amount off money. We bought a new tv, Blueray DVD player, and a Wii. Along with several other sundry items.

-Then we left to spend Dave's two weeks of leave visiting his family. We drove to Pittsburgh stayed overnight, then headed to Ann Arbor for the bulk of the trip and the back to Pittsburgh for a day to visit more and go to the zoo.

-When we got back I was ready to dive head first into a big room switching adventure. Which is still not fully completed. But I am getting there.

So the plan is to be blogging out all this awesome stuff over the next few weeks as well as staying on top of all the great joys of late spring. Summer is coming quick. I am not sure I am really ready for it to be here yet.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. There are lots of awesome pictures I just don't know whats up with the laptop the picture files are set up diffrently than they are on my computer. So there will be pictures on the posts to come dont you worry your pertty little head about that.

Random Tuesday Thought and its a guest post!!!!

2009-04-28T21:45:00.003-04:00

Ok so dave has been talking about starting his own blog but I told him to start by guesting on mine. Well because I love him, He is hot, also smart, funny and totally awesome. So here we go Welcome Dave to the world of blog with love.

Okay, so here's my Random Tuesday Thought. It's more like something random I saw today. I'm not sure if they do this where you're from, but around here, the shopping carts at the grocery stores are fitted with a "boot" on the back wheels to prevent people from taking them out of the parking lot. So anyway, while we were at a stoplight, we saw this poor, confused old lady desperately trying to push a cart full of her groceries out of the parking lot of Kroger and wondering why it wasn't moving. She was putting quite a bit of exertion into it and looked rather frustrated. I wanted to roll down the window and say "HEY LADY! YOU CAN'T TAKE THAT CART WITH YOU!!"

Poor lady probably lived just down the street and walked to the store for her groceries. But, if so, she probably would have had this problem before. Maybe she's new in town. How much would that suck. So here's to you confused old lady leaving Kroger. May your future shopping trips be less eventful!

Other random thoughts...

Last Monday Amelie was half asleep while Amy, my mom and I were talking and she was responding to some stuff we said. Among her babblings were:
"I'm not a drunk dude!" and "I'm a girl! Not a boy!"

Today, I attempted to play Wii Boxing with the girls. Amelie actually did better than Audrey.

I've had too much to drink at this point...so I'm done.

And that's my thought for the day, as Mort Crim would say. But unless you're from the Detroit area, you probably don't know who that is...

My heart is whole again!

2009-04-21T20:16:00.003-04:00

He is home. Safe and sound. His mom left this evening. He is at the ship for the evening. Duty days are no fun. Man how I missed him. Now the real journey begins. Its so nice to be held again. I missed that.

We took him lunch on the ship it was nice to get to hang out. I wish I could have taken him home right away, but duty called. (lol, he had duty and had to stand watch on the ship.)

Always a gentleman he held my stuff on the ship and he bought me roses.

the girls and I made this awesome sign and hung it on the porch. I plan on using it for lots of stuff. Because we really do love our daddy around here. He rocks!!!
Waiting for him at the pier was really exciting. It was a little chilly since it was still early but it was really nice.

Savories on Sunday

2009-04-12T15:30:00.003-04:00

Ok so I have figured out part of the picture problem. I now know that it is the new memory cards. I'll fiddle around with that later but for now enjoy the taste sensation I just cooked up.

I am calling this Tropically Tasty Curry

1 14 oz can Trader Joe's light coconut milk
1 28.2 oz can bionaturae organic crushed tomatoes
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drain as much liquid as possible
1 15.5 oz can organic great northern beans, drained and rinsed (I added these at the end for a little protein, but they added something special)
cumin seeds
turmeric I just eyeball the seasonings whatever looks right to me.
ground coriander
curry powder

1 good sized onion, sliced up (I didn't worry at all about the pieces being the same size)
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
4 yukon gold potatoes, cut into little sticks (you can cut the potatoes in whatever small shape you like)
A few good sized hand fulls of fresh green beans, cut in to bite size pieces
1 head of cauliflower, cut into bite size pieces
3 small yellow squash, sliced into rounds
oil, i used safflower

Put some oil in the bottom of the pan over low to medium heat, depending on if you are still cutting veggies or not. Add the onion, let it get translucent. THen add the cauliflower and potatoes, cook a few minutes. Add squash, garlic and beans. Add spices. Stir well. Add all the canned ingredients. Simmer until the veggies are to your desired texture i like mine to still have some crunch left in them. I plann on serving this with rice or quiona. I made it today to serve later in the week. Most of it will get frozen for later.

Enjoy!!!

My song of the day

2009-04-02T19:21:00.002-04:00

I just wanted to share this song with you all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oX98DqGd2f'

So my my new memory card doesn't seem to want to let the pictures off. So all these cute pictures I am taking are not getting on the blog as soon as I had hoped. Well I have my tech people on it. We shall get back to picture posting soon.

oh thank heaven

2009-03-30T19:14:00.001-04:00

I bought a new camera today so lets see how the pics look on the blog.

its coming

2009-03-28T10:48:00.003-04:00

The day is soon approaching when our family will all be home again. It's less than a month away now. THere are lots of things to be done so I am going to post my list here. In hopes that it will make me feel a little pressure to get these things done. So here's the list:

-Make Welcome Home banner for the porch
-Deep clean and organize the office/tv/play room because it looks like this

Actually its worse now if that's even possible.

-Get daves clothes out of cold storage in the back of the closet. So that they are ready when he gets home. This also involves finding a home for them in the bed room since we are lacking in storage.
-Make the girls outfits for homecoming
-Decide what I want to wear for homecoming
-Work on front flower beds so that they don't look like big mud pits
-Bake for freezer. Extra muffins and cookies so they are ready for him.

There is more I'll keep adding to the list.

Hiatus

2009-03-19T19:22:00.001-04:00

Just came to apologize for the bloggy hiatus. I'll be back soon. Tha camera broke and there are things to be done.

Picnicking and a recipe

2009-03-09T16:52:00.002-04:00

So as of late we have been picnicking quite a bit. I'll pack up some fruit, sandwiches, a salad, and various other yummy things before we leave the house. With the intention of stopping and eating at the park, rather than getting drive-thru junk. One of my favorite salads is a play on something one of my doulas from Cassidy's birth made me once.

Some you take an avaccodo and mash it up. I add a little olive oil to thin it out but you could use water if you are worried about fat content. A little bit of vinegar. I have been using Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar. A little all purpose seasoning or seasoning salt to taste. Maybe a little ground pepper. Some lettuce I have been using a baby romaine mix or an italian salad mix, but any good, quality salad greens will do. Add veggies, fruit and toppings of choice. I like carrots, apples, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, cucumbers, really whatever is in the house at the time. This is sooo yummmy!!!! Try it and ENJOY!!!

A song for Saturday

2009-03-07T11:24:00.002-05:00

Ok my Four year old LOVES Jazz. So this makes her mother very happy!!! I am going to share one of the songs we have been listening to. I love this album and has been our jazz of choice in the van the last two weeks or so.

Ok I hope you enjoyed that. As much as we did. The plan for tommorrow is to post pics of their art. Audy wants to be an artist when she grows up. That or a chef. I hope both. But I want to give her a little show on the blog.

From Snow day to Hiking day in just 4 days!!!

2009-03-05T17:54:00.003-05:00

We went hiking today at the Arboretum. Man I love this place. It has to be one of my favorite in the area. The beach being number 1 of course. We walked a lot today it ended up just being the girls and I. We invited friends but no could make it. I think that was meant to be. I really enjoyed just spending time with them in nature. It was great. Audy thought the woods were "creepy". I thought they were resplendent. It was beautiful. So we walked I have no clue how far. Then we went to the little homestead area and had a picnic lunch. We learned that PB and J is great with shredded coconut in the middle. Very yummy we will be doing this a lot I think. As well as more hiking. The girls were pretty good at sticking with me. Ok so you want to see pictures of this outing I am sure so here ya go.

Does it get any cuter than two sisters sitting on a bench. I think not.
The trail passed by the back of some apartments.
You would not believe how many times I tried to get this picture there are several of my armpit.

The girls at the trailhead when we started out on our journey.

We will not be going into the two visits to the park that ended in us having to leave because Amelie wet her pants and only once successfully park streaked and the time with other children present. I was distracted enough to not pay much attention to guy who was yelling at his son to apologize for some minor park mishap. But it was cool that the second trip my friend Anna Facebook stalked me and came to the park too. That was awesome.

Wordless Wenesday

2009-03-04T14:24:00.002-05:00

Randomness!!!

2009-03-03T17:46:00.005-05:00

Ok so yesterday we had a snow day so of course we played in the snow.
Amelie was making a snow angel. Oh the zipper on her coat is broken that is why its open.

Then we made snowflake cookies. They are all gone now. Polished off this morning. Man they were yummy. I made good Old Fashioned Royal Icing. RAW EGG in all its glory. We are not sick. Just so you know.Now for some baby cuteness. Ok so the other evening I was doing dishes and Cassidy was in her Bumbo beside me. I look down and this is what I find.

No she is not dead. She fell asleep like this. I left her there to cause I didn't want to wake her up. She has done this a few times. It cracks me up every time.

And now for the cuteness to end all cuteness.

Come on how cute is that. The sweetest little thing ever. Those rosy little cheeks in a Momma made tomato hat. Doesn't get cuter than that. And the look on her face is priceless.

Favorite Music Friday

2009-02-27T19:25:00.003-05:00

Ok My Best Friend Megan Posted MXPX today and so am I because coping my friends is how I roll. Now if you could only hear the extra verse Dave wrote for this song when we were dating that would be flippin' awesome. I hope you enjoy the funny video. I have no clue who made that but it was better then the other ones.

edited to add link to Megan's blog. I am a bonehead and just realized I forgot it.

Shoes!!!!!

2009-02-22T16:25:00.002-05:00

Ok so Friday Morning my wonderful friend watched Amelie and Cassie for me while Audy was at school so that I could get a little break. I got some coffe at 7-11 and went to my favorite thrift store to see what I could find. I am always looking for cute shoes. I have a hard time finding heels that I like anyway new or used. Well it was my lucky day check these out. Super sexy gray heels my size for $6. I am so happy and too top it off they are actually really comfy.

Wordless Wenesday

2009-02-18T15:58:00.002-05:00

The joy of morning

2009-02-16T13:03:00.002-05:00

This is what I get to wake up to every morning. What a joy! I love them so much. Oh yeah the girls regularly sleep in what they wore the day before. Who cares about jammies when you are tired. I sincerely hope that you are all enjoying your President's Day. We woke up this morning like any other Monday and got ready for Audy to go to school. Got in the car and started driving. We drive by an elementary school on our way to Audy's Lutheran Preschool. The light wasn't flashing. No grumpy looking crossing guard. The sign said NO SCHOOL 2/16. Hmmm I didn't hear anything at school Friday guess we still have school. We get to Audy's school and not a single car in the parking lot. I drive on by and try to tell Audy that she has day off. But there is no way she can hear me over here screaming. Oh well I guess I am taking all three kids to the Commissary. All I here the whole time we are in the store is a chorus of I want this I want that. I persevere. When we get to the van with the bagger i realize all I have is a $20 to tip the guy. I feel like being generous so I give it to him. So all in all it wasn't a bad morning and I did a good deed.

Hope Your Day Is Enjoyable!!!

Am I Really reading again?

2009-02-15T19:14:00.002-05:00

Yes I do believe that I am. So I finished the entire Twilight Saga in two weeks. Which is crazy. I pretty much just let my house fall apart. But it is looking pretty good now that I finished just in time for bedtime on Thursday. Now we have started reading The Harry Potter series at bedtime. I was hoping to get through a chapter a night but we get through like 3 or 4 pages before Audy is driving me nuts with the wiggling. Amelie is usually out by the second page. Why did I not think about reading at bedtime a long time ago. I mean I know lots of people do this But man if I knew it would work this well for mine I would have done it a long time ago.

I have a stack of library books to go through this week. Lets see what I get through.

Let me leave you with a song that I have been loving this week. This is Such Great Heights originally by The Postal Service covered here by Iron and Wine. This is the version I have been listening to. The video is not what I would want but it was better than the title through the whole song. Garden State is a really good movie too.

Friday Five

2009-02-06T22:21:00.003-05:00

Five things in my bag

Ummm... ADDICTED!!!!!!

2009-02-05T20:02:00.002-05:00

Hello my name is Amy and I am addicted to Twilight!

Yes I can truthfully say that now seeing as I Have spent the last few days in a daze. It is not really even funny anymore. I have devoured Midnight Sun (Twilight from Edwards POV). There are only like 11 chapters that she posted on her website. And now I am in love with Edward. Dave I hope you get home soon. I may need to be sent to the nut house when you get back if I don't get this under control soon. I feel a little wacky but I am slowly coming down. Must keep breathing. Keep mental focus an real life not creepy vampire fantasy world. Ok I will be fine. Over and out!

The cult of Twilight

2009-02-02T15:08:00.002-05:00

I have officially joined. I hated the first chapter. Her writing style leaves something to be desired. But I have to give her props for telling an amazing story. It has infected my mind. Yesterday after church I came home and pretty much did nothing but read THAT book. I read it until i finished it. I started the day in Chapter six. I went to bed having started the first chapter of New Moon. I spent the whole night dreaming of plot lines and stuff for Bella and Edward to do. It was kinda insane. I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of New Moon. I borrowed Twilight from one of the sixth grades girls from the small group I lead on Wednesday evening at church.

I now fully understand the TwilightMania. This book gets stuck in your head. I didn't watch a second of the Super Bowl, check my email or really cook. I made baked potatoes and drowned them in butter, I put sliced mushrooms on mine. What a day I think I will call it my Super Bowl of reading.

I do have to say that I did not fall in love with Edward and was really annoyed at how much Bella droned on about how gorgeous Edward was. It got quite old and she used the same descriptions to many times. "his marble arms" AGHHHHHH!!! It was a little over the top to me. But I guess in some ways true to a 17 year old girl. I reallyt want to give girls more credit than that though.

wordless wenesday

2009-01-28T16:10:00.002-05:00

Laziness

2009-01-27T16:30:00.003-05:00

La-zy- adjective: 1. adverse or disinclined to work, activity, or exertion; indolent
2. slow-moving; sluggish: a lazy stream

So I am in an extreme state of Lazy these days. It is a chronic problem for me but it has hit a peak it has never quite reached before. It is most obvious in the current state of my house. I swear if someone broke in to rob my house they would turn around and walk out thinking that the place had already been robbed. I am doing better at keeping up with the dishes but that's about the only thing that is getting done in the house these days. I am not exaggerating in anyway. I will post pictures if people really don't believe me. You can't walk through the house without tripping on, stepping on or being jabbed in the foot by any number of toys, silverware (clean that the kids have deieced belong on the floor), clothes, towels, blankets, pillows, empty boxes, bits of trash.

Ok so I say all this not just to whine. I seriously want to change. I hate living this way this is in no way what I want for my children, myself, or my home. I know it is more than just the season, which totally plays a part for me. I am starting to think I have Seasonal Affective Disorder. I am just so overwhelmed by everything. I really want to be motivated to get up an take care of this. This playing out in more than just the housekeeping, though that is the most obvious. I am not taking very good care of myself. Most of the time we don't eat breakfast or at least noting of any substance. I am not getting any exercise at all. I am not making any effort to do fun things with the kids. I can't remember the last time we sat and did a craft.

I want to get off the couch, well futon, and be outside playing with my kids. I want to really be excited about planning and starting our garden. I want to have the desire to keep my house in order and not just crisis clean when I want to have people over. I want to have a good routine with the girls. I want to engage them in activities that we will all enjoy. I want to be myself again.

Maybe it's Dave being gone that has exacerbated this. I feel like half of me is missing. We have been in contact as much. Its hard not having my best friend, my sounding board, my counselor, my love.

It is more than that though there is a piece of me that feels like it's dying. It's a tiny ember deep in side me that just wants to be stocked in to a roaring bonfire. I just can't find the fuel. What is the fuel that will ignite the blaze?

A song for my honey.

2009-01-25T21:13:00.002-05:00

You have to know that story But I know Dave does and that's all that matters.

Dashboard Confessional- Saints and Sailors

Sunday Songs

2009-01-25T20:54:00.003-05:00

Anberlin- Godspeed

Anberlin- Unwinding Cable Car

I am back!!!!

2009-01-25T20:23:00.002-05:00

Ok I just took a not so little blog break. I have had a lot going on in my mind but no real motivation to write it out. So ya know.

But I am a growing person. I sometimes need to focus my attention other places. Now I focus a nit more back over here.

I am a slacker!!!!!

2009-01-08T18:50:00.002-05:00

I have been home since late Saturday evening and have yet to post or unpack our suitcases. I guess two weeks of leaving out of suitcases wasn't enough for me. I am some kinda crazy. But I already knew that and I am sure several of you realized that as well. I have worked on a few projects that I have been waning to work on. Such as putting the dining room back together. It was kind of a mess when i left town. Well I have officially lost interest in this post so I am just going to stop now before I bore you to death with nonsense.

Why does a church need a fog machine?

2008-12-28T14:38:00.003-05:00

Ok so i went to an church we used to go to. I felt really uncomfortable. I used to love the vibe and feeling of the music, but man has it changed. Crazy stage lights, huge screens, fog machines blowing fog juice all over the stage, a guy running around the stage with a camera to to flash fancy shots of the musicans on the side screens. It was way to much for me. I would prefer a few people with acoustic guitars and diffrent hand drums. I don't know I find that all the cool stuff puts my focus on the cool stuff and not on being in a group of people WORSHIPING the GOD of CREATION!!!!!! The sign on the way into the parking lot said "Are you ready for an unforgettable experince" Well I had one but I don't think it was the kind they were intending. I used to love this church but as they have grown so much they have changed soooooo much.

Now the people are still just as awesome as they used to be and the church is doing tons of awesome stuff in the community but I have a hard time with the feel and vibe of the place now. It seemed to be all about apperences. Maybe its me?

Adventure

2008-12-26T19:33:00.003-05:00

Yeah thats Santa at Nene and Papa's house. Oh wait I mean Santa Claus. Audy made a point that it was Santa Claus and not Santa.

Ok so are here and Christmas is over we have had a great time. We have had to change our plans seeing as the weather isn't great and the drive here with my mom was revelatory in the sense that driving a long trip alone with three little ones would be a nightmare. I spent a big chunk of the trip in the back of the van managing snacks and dvd players and other such nonsense that needs to be managed when you have a 4 and 2 year old and a 6 month old.

Goodbye friends!!

2008-12-18T21:38:00.003-05:00

I am off on my trip tomorrow I have no clue if i'll be posting at all there will sure be lots of stories when i get back. I am ready to get on the road and get this trip started. If I can post I will. Peace Out My Friends.

Dear god i am freezing

2008-12-12T22:49:00.002-05:00

Ok so It's 10:30 and I am sitting at my computer with a sleeping two year old in my lap, toes getting really cold. Ihave been getting colder and colder all evening. Suddenly I realize that someone must have turned down the heat. I head to the front room to check the theremostat. It's 64* in my house. I know for some people thats were they might normally keep it. I am not that woman I need warmth in the winter. I usually keep it between 68 and 70. But ANyway back to the story.

So I go check and it 64* AND the heat is turned OFF!!!!!!!

Who did this they need to be shot. It's cold outside you don't turn off the heat when its cold. Thats just craziness.

Well its fixed now. On and set at 69*.

There are going to be two little children gettting tickled till they cry in the morning for this craziness. My feet feel like ice cubes.

I am busy!

2008-12-08T17:58:00.002-05:00

I am going to probably be a bit flaky with the posting for a while. I am starting a major undertaking in the house and then I will be going on vaca till January. A three week road trip with the kiddos and I. My Mom is flying out to drive with me to back to MO for Christmas. Then on to Des Monies to see this lovely lady and her brood. Next on to the in-laws in Ann Arbor, I am so excited to see them they are more like my family then my in-laws. Then the train makes a stop in Pittsburgh to see my mother-in-laws family. Finally we make our way home with a stop at Ikea on the way. Yes Iam insane to do this by myself but my kids love to travel. So we should be golden.

Guess what?

2008-12-05T22:19:00.002-05:00

You can play games and waste time for a good cause. Check this out. I know most people know about this site but I just realized that you can do more than just words. I was just doing artwork. Man was that fun. You can also do chemistry, other languages, geography and more. Too cool . Go check it out.

Menu Plan Monday

2008-11-30T18:47:00.004-05:00

I had to share this piece of dried Papya in the shape of California. I did eat it. That's why I took the picture.

Monday
B- Crockpot Oatmeal
L- Nuggets and Fries
D- Sloppy Lentils

Tuesday
B- Applesauce Oat Bran Muffins
L- Annie's Mac and Cheese
D- Trader Joe's Veggie Pasta Blend

Wednesday
B- Cereal, Fruit, Hard boiled eggs
L- Smoothies and PB and J
D- Hummus, chips veggies and smoothies (quick, easy dinner before church)

Thursday
B- Carrot cake Oatmeal
L- Hummus and Veggies to take to Paula's
D- Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Friday
B- Muffins from freezer
L- PB and J, fruit, carrots
D- Crockpot Honey Orange Tofu

Saturday
B- Cereal, Hard boiled eggs (whatever I am going out)
L- Nuggets, PB and J, Leftovers, whatever looks good. I am hoping not to be home long.
D- Tomato soup and Grilled Cheese

Sunday
B- Crockpot Grits
L- Out
D- Nachos (using my friends Paula and James' recipe)

Snacks for the week:

Organic Chocolate Chips Cookies (from mix)
Pumpkin Brownies
Seasoned Chickpeas
Cinnamon Rasin Bread
Dried Fruit
Granola Bars

Check it out here.

Dog slippers for a dog

2008-11-29T17:41:00.002-05:00

Yesterday evening after having a good case of cabin fever set in I decided we needed to get out of the house and ice cream sounded like as good a reason as any. So we piled in the van and set forth on a cruise to get some. I decided that we should go to the DQ in Ocean View. It's a ways from the house but a nice drive. Audy decided on the way that she wanted something to eat more than just ice cream. So we got hot dogs, chips and our free kid cones. When we do fast food we go through the drive thru and eat in the van I can't chase kids around a fast food joint. I am just not going there. With my spirited brood it turns crazy fast.

So I get parked in my chosen spot. Hop out and jump in the back with the kiddos and dole out the food. Kids of course getting there kid cones first. Cause this is an ice cream trip, so no "real food" first. As we are eating a lady walking a schnauzer in a camo shirt stroll by. Audy then informs me that "that dog is wearing a dress". Ummm... explanation Audy has recently decided that all shirts, dresses, clothing items worn on the torso are dresses. Ok moving on, I then say, "Hey Ellie wears dresses do you think we should get one for her for Christmas?" Ellie is my sister-in-law Leah's adorable teacup poodle chihuahua mix puppy. "No she needs puppy slippers" Background, Last year for Christmas Leah found Audy slippers that look just like Ellie. "That would be funny Audy. But what if we made Ellie Audy slippers?" She balked she didn't really like that idea.

Then we finished eating and jammed out all the way home to For The Kids Three. I am a sucker for a good song about poop. And when done by one of my favorite duos what could be better. Me (pronounced Mae) sent that and this for our impending road trip. I think this is going on my must get list now.

WTH?

2008-11-27T18:11:00.002-05:00

Ok so I was just checking my email. In my email box was an email ad from JoAnn's I am reading along and I come upon this craziness. I am just wondering why someone couldn't just use a stereo on headphones. Why would someone need a piece of junk like this. Sorry if ou like it but I just don't get it.

An intresting Thanksgiving.

2008-11-27T09:15:00.003-05:00

(Check out this little cutie I have to be thankful for.)

Ok so I was really bummed about Thanksgiving yesterday. My husband is gone. We didn't get invited to celebrate with anyone. Thinking about spending the day in my messy house with my kids who don't yet really get the holiday, with no special food to eat. No turkey in the oven. No hustle, no bustle. Just a parade and a dog show to watch.

Well I woke up this morning in a much better mood about the whole thing. I am going to make few yummy dishes with what I have in the house. Celebrate our traditions even if Dave isn't here. We can watch the parade and the dog show. I can clean the house a bit. Play with the kids. And enjoy the day even if it isn't the traditional Thanksgiving I wish I could have. It will be fine.

So Enjoy your day and I'll enjoy mine.

Wow I crafted.

2008-11-24T22:12:00.003-05:00

Ok so I made the extra effort tonight to get the kids to bed at a decent hour so I could have some time to myself to sew. And this is what I made an apron for someone special on my Christmas List. I don't think they read this blog but just to be safe I won't say who.
They had better appericate it too cause I got my finger creamed by the sewing machine in the process. I am sure that only happened cause I wasn't paying close enough attention. Seeing as I had a bit of a stressful day taking kiddos to the ER because the decided that Reese's Pinworm Medicne would be a good snack. Then fining out it wasn't a big deal. Well it could have been but it wasn't. Glad I didn't have to go back to the ER for myself. This was our first ER trip for injury or stupidity. Yes I just called my kids stupid. But they are sooooooo far from stupid. Stupid kids don't figure out how to move a chair half way across the house quietly enough that Mom doesn't hear what's going on and proceed to scale said chair and get on kitchen counter open dish cabinet and find the one random medicene that isn't with the other medicenes in the bathroom closet that is hard for mom to open. No olny smart kids do stuff like that. And they happen to be 2 years old and named Amelie. Now the Master Mischeife Maker at the Spritely Household.
Ok back to happy crafty thoughts I found this cute fabric in a bag of random fanric that I got at the thrift store awhile back. Yes, that is a Rizt cracker. It's all I could find to show the size at that moment. And then I thought it was funny. Anyway, I am going to make some napkins and if its soft enough after I wash it I'll make some hankies out of it as well.

So anyway, heres to a better day tomorrow.

Ice Cream Remix

2008-11-24T05:49:00.003-05:00

Ok so I made another batch of soy ice cream. I used a mango that was sitting in the bottom of my fridge, 1 1/2 bananas that I had tossed in the freezer, and some soy Very Vanallia Silk soymilk. Thats it. It was way to bananaeeeeeeeey. You could barelt taste the mango. It was still yummy. Just not what I had been hoping for.

Oh well I'll keep trying things out and then I'll have good recipes for when Dave gets home and he'll never have to try the flops. Although I am sure he would enjoy trying all the flops. I miss my Schmoopise Poo.

Friday Food Bite

2008-11-21T20:13:00.005-05:00

So I just ate this very yummy treat. Apricot Soy Ice Cream. I recently found the ice cream maker at the thrift store marked down to $1.99 originally a whopping $2.98. But anway I have been wanting one for a long time so I had to have it. Its a hand crank variety but so awesome. So on to the recipe

1/2 cup dried apricots
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup honey (The original recipe calls for 3/4 but its too much for me. I won't use that much
2 cups soy milk ever again.)

So to start you cook the apricots in the water , in a covered saucepan, until they are soft. Then you throw that in the blender. Ok don't really throw it. Boiling hot water and throwing really shouldn't be ion the same sentence.

Ok so you have pureed the fruit in it cooking liquid. You add the honey. Blend some more. Once that's mixed add the soy milk. Blend again.

So then you pour it in your ice cream maker and follow your manufacturer's instructions. Mine say it stir 2-3 times every few minutes for about 20 minutes.

You could really do this with any fruit puree. I am gonna try it with a mango I have in the fridge. Maybe even some pumpkin. The yummy ideas that are a flowin'.

Look at that tasty goodness. What's not to love. Oh yeah and in the background there is wine in a jar. Yeah I am classy like that.

My Baby!!!

2008-11-20T20:21:00.005-05:00

IS 4 TODAY!!!!! We had a great day of playing with friends and celebrating.

The smiliy birthday girl. you can't really see but she has purple sugar on her nose.
The happy little sister.The birthday girl and her birthday buddy Leah (her birthday is Sunday). Whose mama happens to be my awesome friend Patricia.

All in all an awesome 4th Birthday.

It's a little crazy thinking that four years ago today I was having baby #1 and today on her fourth birthday I have 3 amazing, beautiful girls. Wow the things that have happened in the last 4 years. Maybe I'll post about that tomorrow?

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

2008-11-19T23:51:00.004-05:00

...so that picture of my dining room. Go look at it and imagine a huge blue blob on the floor between the table and the dresser.

While I was checking my email this afternoon my girls got into the paint I had put off moving from the shelf. And proceeded to pour half a bottle or more on the carpet. How am I going to explain that one to the landlord. Maybe I can get some more of it out. Why do my kids have to be so damn smart and constantly get into mischief. Oh well life goes on and so does the party. Audy's birthday playdate is tomorrow. It's also for our friend Leah, her Bday is Saturday. Happy 4th birthday you beautiful girls!!!

So those pics...

2008-11-17T21:38:00.005-05:00

Ok so first this is my dining room now. That dresser I found it in my neighbors yard. Waiting for someone to come take it home. It does have missing drawer but I'll figure out a nice way to deal with that later. Any suggestions?
Ok the pics loaded backwards and i am having a heck of a time moving them so I'll just leave them. This is the new home for the bookshelf that used to live next to my desk see below.

There will soon be pics of my office makeover so you can see all the work I did there.This is what was were the bookshelf now lives.

So...

2008-11-17T19:22:00.003-05:00

...that big project. Isn't finished yet and it just got bigger because my kids turned the tv room into a diaster. I still had messes in here myself. But it will all get done tomorrow. As Thursday is Audy's birthday and we are having a birthday playdate. So it has to be visitor ready. Very little gets done on Wedsdays around here with school and church. So tomorrow is D-day. I'll post pics of the bookshelf later this evening.

I like this way better than the other one

2008-11-15T22:05:00.001-05:00

In the Middle...

2008-11-15T12:31:00.003-05:00

...of big project. Overwhelmed. Wish kids would stay out of mess. Need motivation to finish. Will post pics when done. Ahhhhhh! That was nice break. Back to work now.

Old Red Barn Quilt Giveaway

2008-11-14T21:42:00.003-05:00

This is a shameless attempt to win one of # amazingly beautiful quilts that Dana is giving away.

I am too lazy and my lap too full of two year old to take the time to figure out how to steal her pics so just go look for yourself. GO NOW!!!!! TRUST ME YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID!!!

That soup in my menu.

2008-11-10T10:21:00.004-05:00

Yummy Portabello and Barley Soup

2 Portabello caps, chopped large
1 red pepper, rough chopped
4 green onions, snipped up with scissors
Olive oil
Bragg Liquid Aminos (soy sauce would work to)
Balsimic Vinegar
Garlic
Barley
Water between 4 and 6 cups (whatever looks right)

So I started by putting a bit of oil in the pan. Then I threw in the mushrooms and the garlic and let then saute. Then I poured in a bit of vinegar and the liquid aminos just once or twice around the pan (to steal from Rachel Ray).

Toss in the peppers and let them soften a bit. Pour in the water and a few palmfuls of barley and let it simmer on the stove for a bit, to cook the barley. Throw in the green onions right at the end. Throw in a dash of coarse sea salt at this point.

I put part of the onions in with peppers and it made them really ugly. So I am not recommending that.

This was really yummy yesterday and I have a feeling it will be even better today.

*In the photo the soup is in the Dansk dutch oven that I found at the thrift store. I won't say how much I paid for it. Lets just say way more than I usually pay for things at the thrift store.

Menu Plan Monday

2008-11-10T08:24:00.002-05:00

OK so I have been reading the Org Junkies Blog for a long time and this is the first time I am participating in this so go me.

Monday
B: Soy Chorizo and egg Burritos
L: Portabello Soup (was Sundays lunch and oh so good.)
D: An Amy's frozen Pizza

Tuesday
B: Oatmeal with Pomegranates
L: Pad Thai from a box mix
D: Noodles with Soycutash and Salmon

Wed
B: Eggs with Toast and Jam
L: Chick'n Nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries
D: Tricolor Gnocchi with Alfredo Sauce

Thursday
B: Muffins
L: Annie's Mac and Cheese
D: Spaghetti Squash with Sauce

Friday
B: Granola Bars and Fruit
L: Soy Chorizo Burritos
D: Acorn Squash (still need to find a recipe)

Sat
B: Pancakes
L: Bacon, Toast and Eggs
D: Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry ( I am basing this off an other recipe and winging it.)

Sunday
B: Bacon Eggs and Toast
L: Eat out probally Fast food
D: Meatloaf and a yummy side TBD.

A bit political

2008-11-09T22:21:00.001-05:00

Just Do It!!!!

2008-11-09T18:33:00.003-05:00

Well I have been thinking about it for awhile. And now is the time. I am going Veg. I am gonna do it in steps. There is a small amount of meat in the house still from my last shopping trip. Once it's gone I no more will come into the house. I will then only eat meat out of the house. Seeing as its the holiday season I don't want to make this whole thing hard on everyone else yet. After I get home from my Christmas travels I won't eat any meat at all.

I had to be practical about this. I am going on a three week, four stop holiday trip. I am going to have to eat at fast food restaurants. I don't need the hassle of dealing with that this year. I have to much going on.

Yes Dave that means when you get home no meat.

Random Ramble

2008-11-07T20:12:00.003-05:00

OK so I want to post and i am gonna do a stream of consciousness kind thing. I am NOT sorry if that kind of thing bothers you or if you may be offended by anything I may say. I feel no need to apologize.

I really want to do something crafty, but my current lack of husband makes that slightly more difficult. With no one around to play with the kids while I work I get a bit tense. I have several things to start working on for Christmas. I also have a few charity projects I want to work on. I also have a quite dirty house. I have no motivation to clean. Although it does need to get done tomorrow since i have a babysitter coming while I go to a movie. Yes I am going out by myself for the first time since dave left well i shouldnt say by myself Cassidy is coming with me but at this point in my mothering carrer going out with a little baby is nothing. Its like she is just part of me. I will be so happy when my hubby gets home. It is still a long time off but am still excited about it. I sent him a box today I was really excited bout it. Hope he enjoys it. Hope he sees whats in the book there is a special gift in there.

Well my kids are climbing all over me I am outtta here. This was fun.

Barack Obama

2008-11-05T00:08:00.003-05:00

Wow I am so excited for our nation. Change is such a good thing. It's 12:20 and I still don't know how my state turned out. My voting state that is. I am a Missouri voter and the results are still not in yet I'll check when I get up. But I am so excited.

I think the weirdest thing that I am most excited is that fact that we again have a President who can speak with eloquence and a strong grasp of the English language. A President who's words inspire. Who can inspire hope and rally people.

I understand people's fear at his lack of experience. But I always wonder what experience did George Washington have. I mean really. He was doing something no one had ever done before.
Personally I think this is just what our nation needs.

Red and Aqua Swap

2008-10-24T20:13:00.004-04:00

So I did my first swap. And today my box arrived. I wasn't here when they tried to deliver it so I had to pick it up. They would have redelivered it tomorrow but who can wait for a package. I was so excited I opened it in the parking lot.

Haircuts

2008-10-24T20:04:00.003-04:00

This is my new do. I love it!!!!! I feel really spunky.

Amelie decided Sunday evening that she needed a haircut. She did it herself. Luckily we were already going to Whittney's Manday for my haircut. So She trimed Amelies up to so the hackjob wasn't as obvious. Its as cute as it can be considering.

$35

2008-10-24T19:44:00.006-04:00

All this was only $35 today at the thrift store. Including the "train table it's all sitting on that was only $10. In that mess of fabric is a dress, a green skirt and a pair of chocolate brown pants. A bunch of books for the kiddies. Four books for me. A little people minivan. A trash can for my office/sewing room. And a pair of pink Emu brand boots to keep my tootsies warm and cozy this winter.
I just couldn't resist this adorable needlepoint. Its actually a Flavia, It's too cute.

Yippie!!!!!

2008-10-24T16:08:00.003-04:00

A good stuff day. Awesome deals at the thrift store. My Red ans Aqua Swap package in the mail. could it get any better. I'll post more about this later. I gotta go be my to my babies. They need me more.

WELL!!!

2008-10-16T12:36:00.002-04:00

I was going to post about how messy my house is with pictures and everything. BUT the pictures won't upload maybe I should just go clean it up. I wanted to post before and after pics. I'll have to try later. Sorry folks you don't get to see my mes now. Check back later for the carnage.

Hallowe'en at the Sprightly household

2008-10-14T13:48:00.003-04:00

I have been inspired to post about Hallowe'en by Apron Thrift Girl.

So I have been asking the girls what they want to be for Hallowe'en. Over time I have gotten several answers from Audy princess, pumpkin, and several times now ghost. I told her she stays with ghost and she seems ok with that. I have some white suit lining that I used in the decorations at our wedding so now I have a use for it. There will be a small amount of sewing to hem the fabric and keep the eyeholes from fraying. Soooo simple.

But Amelie. Amelie wants to be me. Yes my daughter wants to be her mother for Hallowe'en. I am excited so easy put her in a grown up looking outfit and through on her doll sling and a dolly. Add a few cloth grocery bags with play food in them and there you have it free Hallowe'en costume.

I guesss I should check with the Paula and see if a ghost would freak out her kiddos. Since we are going to their house to trick or treat and hang out.

A fall day at the beach

2008-10-13T22:23:00.003-04:00

I took the girls to the beach last Monday. Oh It was beautiful. It started out as a way to clam Amelie down while we had to wait for Audy to get out of school. She was having a big fit and Audy's school isn't far from the water(the Chesapeake Bay). So we went for a little walk. Well neither one of us wanted to leave but we had to pick Audy up. So we decided that we would get Audy and some food and head back to the beach.

And that is just what we did. I had capressa salad. The girls had string cheese and rice cakes. The big girls splashed along the waters edge and played in the sand. We collected lots of rocks and shells and a piece of drift wood. Cassidy nursed and then took a snooze on the blanket. I just sat and enjoyed the beauty that surrounded me.

We had the beach to ourselves for the most part. No one stayed for nearly as long as we did. Several folks walking their dogs. Two ladies one of whom was getting ready to board a flight to Chiago and wanted to put her feet in the ocean before venuring back to the Windy City.

It was one of the moments you really want to last forever. And share with the ones you love most. (Yeah Dave that means you. We miss our Daddy! Stay safe honey! We love you!!!!)

HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!!!!!!!!!!

2008-10-13T21:20:00.004-04:00

MY DAUGHTER CAN RECOGNIZE WORDS!!!!!! My daughter who has never really shown much interest in words or reading. As a baby would crawl away when I tried to read to her. This wonder I call Audrey just recognized the word GRANDMA. I had the cabinet open in the kitchen while I was making my menu and shopping list for my payday shopping trip Wed. Audy looks in the cabinet and then starts talking some nonsense about GRANDMA'S. I then realized as i looked back in the cabinet that she was looking at the jar of Tastes Grandma's Peach Jam.

HOLY CRAP!!!!!! I know she is four so this isn't too out of the realm of normal but with her former lack of interest in words it is so exciting to me. We now have something new to talk about. Wow the growing she has done since starting preschool. I wonder what will happen with my future homeschooling plans.

Amelie is making me want to pull my hair out her two is so different than Audy's two. She is having lots of tantrums and aggressive behavior. Luckily she did better today at the park than she has been at other things recently.

We are all growing and learning around here recently. I have been learning alot about myself the last few weeks. For one thing I am tough as nails. I can pull my self from the edge of a cliff. Not alone I have to reach out and up. But I can come through a storm. And be better on the otherside.

Well

2008-10-13T11:25:00.002-04:00

I am back to my normal cheery self with the few random moments of glum, snarky, or other emotion thrown in. But I would no longer conisder myself depressed.

And I thought I'd share this random picture Audy took of the fridge.

Zombie

2008-10-09T12:28:00.003-04:00

That's how I have felt for the last few days. I am not getting anything done. My house is gross. Not just messy I can live with messy. It's gross. I keep trying to get the energy and motivation to do the work that needs done. But it doesn't last long and there is always another mess that needs cleaned up when I am done. Can someone please tell my children not to touch anything in our home ever again. They can sit on the couch that's it.

Anywhere

2008-10-04T19:14:00.005-04:00

My girls will sleep anywhere.
In any mess.
In any position.

Things from life

2008-10-04T18:50:00.006-04:00

Shaving cream painting in the shower.

Let's play drums with Minnie.

The other evening we had tea at bedtime.

This is what I wake up to in the morning. I swear she doesn't sleep with that much stuff in her bed.

A yummy homemade dinner I made the other night.

Friends.

2008-10-03T18:28:00.002-04:00

I just have to say I have the best friends. Friends who I can call and ask disgusting medical type questions of. Friends who will put up with me calling them just because I am lonely. Friends who bring me pumpkin bread and transfer my birth video. Friends who will let my family live with them when we have nowhere else to go. Friends who know me and love me warts and all. Friends who will drive my placenta half way across country.

What would life be without good friends?

Crisis!!! Averted!

2008-10-01T14:07:00.003-04:00

Potential finical crisis averted. At least somewhat at my house. Thank God for a mother who taught me how to think quick in a crisis.

Eatable

2008-09-29T17:12:00.002-04:00

Ok so Audy has a few Audyisums. "Drinkable", "That's tasty". Well now there is a new one. "Eatable"!!! I was making noodles for lunch and i was using the some fresh from the fridge type rather than dried. Audy reaches up on the counter and grabs a noodle and says "yummy this is eatable." It was so cute. SHe happily ate several 'raw' noodles while the water was boiling.

I will hopefully be posting a few things this evening if i can get my memory card to read. There has been lots of sewing going on here the last few days and I want to share. And whatever other pictures strike my fancy to post.

Another conversation.

2008-09-28T11:55:00.003-04:00

I enjoy posting the crazy conversations that happen around here. So here is one that just happened.

The girls are sitting on the floor nest to the computer. Amelie is holding Cassidy. Audy leans over and says:

Oh she's so beautiful! Can we keep her?

Me: Of course we can!

Audy: Daddy said 'no keeping Baby Cassie'!

Where this came from I have no clue Daddy never said anything like that.

Amelie's Nipples

2008-09-25T20:06:00.005-04:00

Yes that was a topic of conversation in my house yesterday evening. I was holding Cassidy and Amelie told me "Baby Cassie have milk" and pointed to my shirt. Obviously she thought that it was time for Cassidy to nurse. Then she wanted to help Cassidy nurse. Then she stepped back and said "my boob". She wanted Cassie to "drink my milk". And then came from her mouth a word I didn't even know she knew "NIPPLE". The ensuing conversation was abundant with nipples. Amelie's nipple fell off and needed to be found by GOGO (Deigo or Dora the are interchangeable to her) and Moona. Audy's new American Girl doll (that I got at the thrift store for $3) wanted to find her Mommy and her "nipple" puppy. WTH? I love my girls they have active imaginations.

For the love of fall

2008-09-25T12:37:00.003-04:00

It's fall in Hampton Roads. We are in the middle of a Nor'easter. Rain and wind abound. It's beautiful. The girls went out and played in the rain for a little while. Then came in and had hot chocolate ans strawberry Pocky.

We had planned on having a playdate at our house today with a few friends. But the weather has us and our kids out of sorts so we canceled. But at least I got my house some what clean for that. I'll finish today.

Now off to finish picking up messes. New and old. Oh the joy of curious children. What a joy.

Sorry folks

2008-09-24T23:06:00.002-04:00

I realized why I am feeling so off. It is a bunch of stuff piling up. The changing season (thanks Amber Magnoila for pointing this out to me), new baby hormone shift, Dave deploying, being at home with my kids like non-stop, Charlie leaving and some other random craziness.

Now that I realize whats going on I can find ways to deal with it. The main things I have noticed are a general brain fried feeling, having a hard time expressing myself and an extremely short temper. Anyone got any ideas? Supplements? Food? Could it be related to the yeast issues I am putting on the back burner until I have time and mental space to tackle it? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Beware Depressing Post Ahead

2008-09-21T22:00:00.008-04:00

I have been feeling a bit off lately. Been biting my nails like crazy. I can't figure out exactly what it is. I mean I have a lot to be anxious about right now. But I feel like I have been dealing with everything pretty well. There must be something that my subconscious is trying to get me to deal with. Well I will have to figure out what that is.

On a sad note I took my sweet Charlie to live with a new Mommy tonight. He is such a sweet little guy but the girls were really stressing him out and I wasn't the best dog mom. He never went for walks, cause how do you take two kids, a baby and a dog for a walk the logistic of that I just couldn't figure out.

He was such a great dog. We got him a month or so after we got married. He has moved all over the country with us. Been around through three pregnancies and babies and was present at Cassidy's birth. I miss him already but I know he is better off with a Mommy who can really focus on him and take care of him.

On a more upbeat thought I have really cute kids. They can always make me smile. Who can resist faces like these?

Keeping Busy

2008-09-20T19:41:00.002-04:00

Since David left I am trying to keep busy. And doing pretty good at it. We have plenty of time at home. Which I know the girls and I need. But most days we have something to look forward to. I think Fridays are going to be thrift store day while Audy is at school. The little ones and I can do better out than all four of us. Audy just doesn't do well in stores. This week while Audy was at school we went grocery shopping, to the dmv twice in one day(I forgot a paper at home), and to pass and id at the base to get stickers and the NEX to get headphones for Daddy.

Daddy needed headphones because I found the ipod that we thought we lost like EIGHT MONTHS AGO!!!!!! It was stuck in the chair in our bedroom. WTH?

I have also been working on projects around the house. The next is to change my desk/sewing area. I hope to have that done by Thursday.

The gratuitous picture post

2008-09-18T18:38:00.006-04:00

Smiley Audrey in her new Tinkerbelle shirt she got for school.
Amelie in fire truck.
Cassidy chillin' in her bed.
Amelie cute as ever.
Cassidy in milk bliss. She is a total milk junkie.

Ok I know that lots of people want to see pictures of my little ones. So this post is for them.

Espically for Dave I know he is missin' him some little girly love.

Life

2008-09-17T23:13:00.004-04:00

This picture captures so much of my life right now for me.

Amelie took it. Yes my two year old took this picture! (I think maybe I have a future photographer on my hands)

It is a laundry basket full of baby clothes and diapers. Cassidy just grew out of most of her 0-3 month clothes and newborn diapers. So I am loading them up to be passed on to friends.

I am contemplating if she is our last baby. I feel like we are in a good place. Like I am complete. I am open to more kids. I wanted 6 or 7 to begin with but I like our family the way it is right now.

Bedroom Makeover

2008-09-16T21:37:00.005-04:00

So to keep busy today I spent the day making my bedroom beautiful. The pics didn't turn out as well as I had hoped but oh well.

Housework

2008-09-16T15:36:00.002-04:00

I would like to pose a question to my rather small group of readers.

Am I the only person who will chose to do some rather unimportant piece of housework, (like say organizing the silverware drawer) while there are real messes that need to be cleaned all around you?

Well that's what I have been doing all day the dining room and the girls room are a mess. Yet I have been in my room doing silly stuff. Like sorting through a box of random old notes and other sentimental stuff. I did throw out a bunch of stuff and make the corner look neat. But there is still a sink full of dishes that need washed. And there ain't no one else to wash them but me now.

I just feel guilty when I do this and I have been doing it for a few days now which makes me feel worse.

A Bit of Reretail Therapy

2008-09-15T20:05:00.001-04:00

David shipped out Friday. So to keep my mind off of the fact that he is going to be gone till April, after dropping Audrey off at school, the two little sprites and I headed to my favorite thrift store.

We got some good bargains all that you see here was only $25.

In the back there is a wooden folding laundry drying rack. I few yards a a cute yellow fabric with little flowers (it's vintage!).

I love these two pillowcases. They are hand stitched and I love them sooo much. They totally match my quilt. Which was also a thrift store find a few months ago. Once I get my room together I will post pics.

I fell in love with this little guy. He is my stand in for Dave while he is gone. Isn't just to cute?

I love this bread box. I probably will use it to hide stuff out of site in my tiny kitchen. Not for bread but who cares. It's so cute.

I really like this set of four wooden bowls. I think we will probably use them for snacks and popcorn in front of a movie.

That's a better shot of the fabric in the back.

I was excited to find a few books for the girls as well. And the basket you see peeking out of the top right corner. I love this place.

After our shopping adventure we headed to the library to hang out until Audrey was done at school. It was a fun morning.

Welcome

2008-09-15T19:43:00.000-04:00

Well this is my first post with a name I just created. I hope the actually use this blog.