I made my way downstairs because it was FAR too quiet for my liking and already today they had demolished a set of blinds. I can't leave them to their own devices for too long after all.
I was eating my lunch in the next room when the blinds thing happened, incidentally. Not napping, or on another floor, or anything like that. They're quick little buggers.
The basement was immaculate and they were both playing with cars in the playroom. Aw. It was a sweet picture, one of those ones where your heart swells and you feel like maybe you're doing something right.
Me: you guys look cozy, are you having fun?
Nicky: oh ya, oh ya.
Josh: Nicky's my best friend!
Me: that's awesome. Nicky, who is your best friend?
Nicky: it's not you mom.
Me:....okay?
Nicky: my best friend is Liam.
Wtf? He's not even here and if he WAS, he'd most likely be yelling at his brothers to get out of his room. I'll have to remember this in 5 years when they're beating the hell out of each other for some reason or another.
10 August 2012
3 August 2012
Not by the hair of MY chinny-chin-chin.
I contemplated taking a picture to illustrate. Only thing is, I also have big pores and wasn't in the mood to highlight them. Another product of the Foote family gene pool.
I'm talking about chin hairs, people. And from what I've been able to tell, it runs in the family.
First was my mom with her mega-long thing that she was trying to grow out like a dreadlock. Seriously. She thought it was hilarious.
Then my sister mentioned she had one. I think. I may just be inventing that to not feel so alone, and I have an awful memory so I'll have to wait and see if she confirms*. But anyway, I'm pretty sure she had one too. She probably cried like a baby plucking it out.
And then a few years ago Jeff started laughing and pointed out that I was the proud new owner of my very own. Blech, was gone super duper fast. I found another one this morning, which is what brought this on. They sprout up a couple times a year. Again, blech.
Thing is, our genes are really strong. Like, mega strong in that you could pick the Footes out of a crowd of 500 people. And I feel a real responsibility to my female Foote cousins, so that they can keep an eye out for this. I betcha my aunts get them. It's a family secret. A revolting, but strangely fascinating, family secret.
Chin hairs, big pores, hairy toes (oops, let another one slip). Something has to balance the bright and sunny Foote smile right?
Consider this my PSA to you Chelsea, Brittany, Melissa, Stephanie, Brooke, Raeanna, and Kayleigh. You're welcome.
*She did NOT, in fact, get a hair on her chin. It was on her arm, and it's called a CALCIUM hair. And OMG please tell her that I DID NOT just write that for 20 people to read on the internet. Yes, I was yelled at and threatened until I cleared that up. She would probably have preferred me not to say she had a long hair on her arm but we're going for entertainment here guys. And I still maintain that she cried like a baby plucking it out.
I'm talking about chin hairs, people. And from what I've been able to tell, it runs in the family.
First was my mom with her mega-long thing that she was trying to grow out like a dreadlock. Seriously. She thought it was hilarious.
Then my sister mentioned she had one. I think. I may just be inventing that to not feel so alone, and I have an awful memory so I'll have to wait and see if she confirms*. But anyway, I'm pretty sure she had one too. She probably cried like a baby plucking it out.
And then a few years ago Jeff started laughing and pointed out that I was the proud new owner of my very own. Blech, was gone super duper fast. I found another one this morning, which is what brought this on. They sprout up a couple times a year. Again, blech.
Thing is, our genes are really strong. Like, mega strong in that you could pick the Footes out of a crowd of 500 people. And I feel a real responsibility to my female Foote cousins, so that they can keep an eye out for this. I betcha my aunts get them. It's a family secret. A revolting, but strangely fascinating, family secret.
Chin hairs, big pores, hairy toes (oops, let another one slip). Something has to balance the bright and sunny Foote smile right?
Consider this my PSA to you Chelsea, Brittany, Melissa, Stephanie, Brooke, Raeanna, and Kayleigh. You're welcome.
*She did NOT, in fact, get a hair on her chin. It was on her arm, and it's called a CALCIUM hair. And OMG please tell her that I DID NOT just write that for 20 people to read on the internet. Yes, I was yelled at and threatened until I cleared that up. She would probably have preferred me not to say she had a long hair on her arm but we're going for entertainment here guys. And I still maintain that she cried like a baby plucking it out.
23 July 2012
Countdowns
I posted on yesterday on Facebook that I was starting a countdown for my upcoming trip to Las Vegas. This trip has been in talks for...oh about 10 months or so and the fact that it's 59 days away is super exciting! I should mention that it's a stagette for my oldest (one of them anyway) and closest (again, one of them) friends. Lest anyone think that it's just an excuse to have an uninterrupted 4 days away from my family. Or something like that...;)
The thought of a countdown, and how close we are to ripping it up Hangover style (seriously. Vegas should prepare) reminded me of how I was planning on meeting my weight loss goal by then. I'm really not anywhere near it. And that's taking into account the muscle I've built up from being active and getting in shape.
Because I'm actually really proud of myself at how far I've come. I can run for a solid hour, with just a couple 60 second breaks in there. That is MILES from where I started, when even thinking about running for 3 minutes freaked me the hell out. And as anyone who runs can tell you, getting into the zone and feeling that adrenaline rush makes you feel like a rockstar. It's addicting.
But I digress, because my love affair with running is NOT the point of this post. No, the thought of the countdown has prompted me to see if I can give up fast food for the next 59 days. Because as much as I'm eating FAR healthier now, I still have a weakness for Subway, Edo, McDonalds. Wendys. A&W, the list goes on and on. Quick Wok. YUMMO.
It doesn't help that I work evenings in a mall with a foodcourt. You know, evenings...that time of day when you eat dinner? And how many times have I not eaten the dinner I made for my family because I'm working that night and can just grab something there. It's ridiculous. I'm pretty sure the foodcourt is the reason my scale has stalled.
So that's the deal. No more fast food. If we hit up K-Days this year I am going to be in torturous hell. I mean, have you ever smelled fair food? We can see the fireworks and hear the live show from our house, and I'm pretty sure I can smell the mini-donuts too. Should I give myself ONE cheat day? We'll just have to see how it all plays out.
So countdowns:
To Vegas.........59 days
No fast food......2 days
The thought of a countdown, and how close we are to ripping it up Hangover style (seriously. Vegas should prepare) reminded me of how I was planning on meeting my weight loss goal by then. I'm really not anywhere near it. And that's taking into account the muscle I've built up from being active and getting in shape.
Because I'm actually really proud of myself at how far I've come. I can run for a solid hour, with just a couple 60 second breaks in there. That is MILES from where I started, when even thinking about running for 3 minutes freaked me the hell out. And as anyone who runs can tell you, getting into the zone and feeling that adrenaline rush makes you feel like a rockstar. It's addicting.
But I digress, because my love affair with running is NOT the point of this post. No, the thought of the countdown has prompted me to see if I can give up fast food for the next 59 days. Because as much as I'm eating FAR healthier now, I still have a weakness for Subway, Edo, McDonalds. Wendys. A&W, the list goes on and on. Quick Wok. YUMMO.
It doesn't help that I work evenings in a mall with a foodcourt. You know, evenings...that time of day when you eat dinner? And how many times have I not eaten the dinner I made for my family because I'm working that night and can just grab something there. It's ridiculous. I'm pretty sure the foodcourt is the reason my scale has stalled.
So that's the deal. No more fast food. If we hit up K-Days this year I am going to be in torturous hell. I mean, have you ever smelled fair food? We can see the fireworks and hear the live show from our house, and I'm pretty sure I can smell the mini-donuts too. Should I give myself ONE cheat day? We'll just have to see how it all plays out.
So countdowns:
To Vegas.........59 days
No fast food......2 days
17 July 2012
Adventures in Cookie Land
I've gathered all my ingredients, mixed most of them together, and am at the point of pouring the flour mixture into the egg/sugar mixture.
Nicky: What are you doing mom?
Me: (oh shit. COME ON I WAS ALMOST DONE) Just mixing together some stuff to make cookies.
Josh: Can I dooooo ittttttt???
Me: I....guess so. Okay fine, but be careful please.
Reluctantly, I hand Josh a cup of oats to pour into the VERY BIG, hard to miss mixing bowl. Which he promptly pours onto the counter.
Me: (breath. 1..2..3..) Oh no honey, you missed. Here let me clean it up.
Josh: I can dooooo ittttt.
And the oats that were on the counter are now on the floor.
Me: Okay you know what buddy, let mommy do this part.
Nicky: I can get it in mom, let me try.
Me: Here you go, just be very careful-oh, nice save! Amost had another mess! (rolling eyes, *&%#$)
A couple minutes and a few mishaps later, I am dropping blobs of of oatmeal and butterscotch yumminess onto the cookie sheet.
Nicky:(all wide eyes and high-pitched voice) OH HEY. Look at that MOM. It's like a COOKIE on that pan. Are WE making COOKIES????
Josh: I eat it?
Me: Yup guys, that's what we were doing. Making cookies! We can eat them after they've cooled down.
15 minutes later, after dancing around the kitchen and singing about cookies and Tinkerbell, we pull the greatly anticipated cookies out of the oven.
Me: Don't touch! They're hot you'll burn yourself.
Nicky and Josh: Okay mommy.
And what do you think happened next?
Josh: That's HOT! You no say it's HOT!
Nicky: Yes you did mommy, you did tell us it's hot. Josh you are not a good listener.
Me: (muttering to myself) Do I really sound like such a know it all?
....So, I know lots of parents like to bake with their kids. It's a 'bonding' and 'learning' experience. However, I find it to be a big pain in the ass. It takes double the time, creates 4 times the mess, and the little hooligans run off with all my measuring cups and spoons. I still do it though, because I'm a 'good' mom and it makes them happy.
We're creating memories over here, yo.
Nicky: What are you doing mom?
Me: (oh shit. COME ON I WAS ALMOST DONE) Just mixing together some stuff to make cookies.
Josh: Can I dooooo ittttttt???
Me: I....guess so. Okay fine, but be careful please.
Reluctantly, I hand Josh a cup of oats to pour into the VERY BIG, hard to miss mixing bowl. Which he promptly pours onto the counter.
Me: (breath. 1..2..3..) Oh no honey, you missed. Here let me clean it up.
Josh: I can dooooo ittttt.
And the oats that were on the counter are now on the floor.
Me: Okay you know what buddy, let mommy do this part.
Nicky: I can get it in mom, let me try.
Me: Here you go, just be very careful-oh, nice save! Amost had another mess! (rolling eyes, *&%#$)
A couple minutes and a few mishaps later, I am dropping blobs of of oatmeal and butterscotch yumminess onto the cookie sheet.
Nicky:(all wide eyes and high-pitched voice) OH HEY. Look at that MOM. It's like a COOKIE on that pan. Are WE making COOKIES????
Josh: I eat it?
Me: Yup guys, that's what we were doing. Making cookies! We can eat them after they've cooled down.
15 minutes later, after dancing around the kitchen and singing about cookies and Tinkerbell, we pull the greatly anticipated cookies out of the oven.
Me: Don't touch! They're hot you'll burn yourself.
Nicky and Josh: Okay mommy.
And what do you think happened next?
Josh: That's HOT! You no say it's HOT!
Nicky: Yes you did mommy, you did tell us it's hot. Josh you are not a good listener.
Me: (muttering to myself) Do I really sound like such a know it all?
....So, I know lots of parents like to bake with their kids. It's a 'bonding' and 'learning' experience. However, I find it to be a big pain in the ass. It takes double the time, creates 4 times the mess, and the little hooligans run off with all my measuring cups and spoons. I still do it though, because I'm a 'good' mom and it makes them happy.
We're creating memories over here, yo.
5 June 2012
Oh Mr. Sun!
Nothing makes a mom appreciate summer weather like a rainy day. Or, as I like to call them, the longest days ever.
This morning, still snug in my bed with the little ones talking to their dad as he was getting ready for work, I had no idea what was in store for me beyond the curtains. No idea that I'd be cursing Jeff with every step I took in the pouring rain that he had to remind Nicky that today was a school day. No idea that I'd be giving up my precious umbrella to the kids in the stroller so they could be just that little bit drier. As I got more and more wet.
It was a toss up between listening to Nicholas whine all day about school or walking the ten minutes there and ten minutes back in soggy weather. For me it was a no brainer. I knew I'd have the afternoon to listen to the whining to go outside anyway, and I knew I had to save my sanity. Off we went.
So school time has come and gone, we've had lunch, watched a favorite movie, played hide and seek, drawn a bit, they've played on their own, fights have been broken up...and it's only 2:30. Days like this, I really wish they still napped.
Longest day ever.
This morning, still snug in my bed with the little ones talking to their dad as he was getting ready for work, I had no idea what was in store for me beyond the curtains. No idea that I'd be cursing Jeff with every step I took in the pouring rain that he had to remind Nicky that today was a school day. No idea that I'd be giving up my precious umbrella to the kids in the stroller so they could be just that little bit drier. As I got more and more wet.
It was a toss up between listening to Nicholas whine all day about school or walking the ten minutes there and ten minutes back in soggy weather. For me it was a no brainer. I knew I'd have the afternoon to listen to the whining to go outside anyway, and I knew I had to save my sanity. Off we went.
So school time has come and gone, we've had lunch, watched a favorite movie, played hide and seek, drawn a bit, they've played on their own, fights have been broken up...and it's only 2:30. Days like this, I really wish they still napped.
Longest day ever.
28 May 2012
Different stuff.
What can possibly have kept me from this blog for so long? It's not like my life has been boring (any more than usual anyway) and I like to think I'm witty enough to make even the most mundane topic semi-interesting.
Let's see, we've got the kids. I always write about the kids though. And you know what? They're textbook perfect kids, for their ages. The two year old is tempermental and is prone to giving us shit and throwing tantrums at the drop of a hat. The four year old is tempermental and is prone to being sassy and bursting into tears at the first sign of trouble. The thirteen year old is prone to periods of moodiness and can never seem to talk loud enough, thereby earning the nickname Mumbles.
If you didn't know me and my family, you'd be shocked to learn they're all boys.
Then there's my friends. Both the ones that are right here in my real life that I can touch with my two hands, and the ones that live only in my computer. I've had the opportunity to meet a handful of those mythical 'online friends' and I can tell you, they're real! And not psyco-murderers!
This weekend I got to go wedding dress shopping with some of my closest 'in real life' friends and it was lovely. I got to be there as my best friend found The Dress, and then for dinner as we all got pumped up about the upcoming Vegas stagette. It was awesome to be able to connect with friends again, especially since I really don't do much during the week except take care of children, work a bit to get away from said children, and run.
Oh ya, running! One of my friends-in-the-computer really made me start to get serious about it. I won't say that she put the thought in my head, because it's been about 2 years that I've started and stopped running, over and over. But she's the one that really made me push through the part of my running program where I would have just given up and not bothered anymore. Where she is now, is where I'll be in another 6 months. And that's the definition of inspirational.
It's just in the last few weeks that I've started to feel like a real runner and not like someone just playing at it. I can run almost 30 minutes at a time, which is uh-mazing when I think back to starting the program and not being able to imagine lasting for 90 seconds. And I remember freaking the eff out when I realised I had to jump from running 9 minutes straight to 20. Now, 20 minutes in is when I'm in the middle of my huge adrenaline rush.
On my Saturday run, I kept getting the thumbs up and smiles from people I passed in the neighborhood. Sure, 90% of them were from elderly people...like the old lady power walking or the dude riding his bike. It was still encouragment!
So there's me at the moment. A running obsessed mom who's finally starting to get out a little more and enjoying socializing with friends. And one who is going to make the promise (for the 20th time) to try updating a little more.
p.s. I really need to start having definite topics for these posts instead of being all over the map like I am today. There's only so many ways you can make a blog title of 'This and That' or 'A Bunch of Random' or 'Let's Recap the Last Month'. Sheesh.
Let's see, we've got the kids. I always write about the kids though. And you know what? They're textbook perfect kids, for their ages. The two year old is tempermental and is prone to giving us shit and throwing tantrums at the drop of a hat. The four year old is tempermental and is prone to being sassy and bursting into tears at the first sign of trouble. The thirteen year old is prone to periods of moodiness and can never seem to talk loud enough, thereby earning the nickname Mumbles.
If you didn't know me and my family, you'd be shocked to learn they're all boys.
Then there's my friends. Both the ones that are right here in my real life that I can touch with my two hands, and the ones that live only in my computer. I've had the opportunity to meet a handful of those mythical 'online friends' and I can tell you, they're real! And not psyco-murderers!
This weekend I got to go wedding dress shopping with some of my closest 'in real life' friends and it was lovely. I got to be there as my best friend found The Dress, and then for dinner as we all got pumped up about the upcoming Vegas stagette. It was awesome to be able to connect with friends again, especially since I really don't do much during the week except take care of children, work a bit to get away from said children, and run.
Oh ya, running! One of my friends-in-the-computer really made me start to get serious about it. I won't say that she put the thought in my head, because it's been about 2 years that I've started and stopped running, over and over. But she's the one that really made me push through the part of my running program where I would have just given up and not bothered anymore. Where she is now, is where I'll be in another 6 months. And that's the definition of inspirational.
It's just in the last few weeks that I've started to feel like a real runner and not like someone just playing at it. I can run almost 30 minutes at a time, which is uh-mazing when I think back to starting the program and not being able to imagine lasting for 90 seconds. And I remember freaking the eff out when I realised I had to jump from running 9 minutes straight to 20. Now, 20 minutes in is when I'm in the middle of my huge adrenaline rush.
On my Saturday run, I kept getting the thumbs up and smiles from people I passed in the neighborhood. Sure, 90% of them were from elderly people...like the old lady power walking or the dude riding his bike. It was still encouragment!
So there's me at the moment. A running obsessed mom who's finally starting to get out a little more and enjoying socializing with friends. And one who is going to make the promise (for the 20th time) to try updating a little more.
p.s. I really need to start having definite topics for these posts instead of being all over the map like I am today. There's only so many ways you can make a blog title of 'This and That' or 'A Bunch of Random' or 'Let's Recap the Last Month'. Sheesh.
27 April 2012
Adventures in potty training.
I avoided posting or making any big announcements about it. After all, I jinxed myself at LEAST twice on these very pages, bragging about how I was going to tackle potty training Josh and how smart I was going to be in figuring out timing and blah blah blah. No, this time I kept my damn mouth shut.
Monday night we were doing our weekly grocery shopping and Jeff asked if we were picking up pull-ups for Josh since the stash was getting low. Now, I hate buying diapers and pull-ups. I'm cheap when it comes to those, that's why I loved cloth diapers. So I decided right then that we were going to try potty training. Again.
Tuesday morning he stayed in a pull-up until after we picked Nicky up from school. Mostly because he usually takes his poo sometime in the morning and I was only interested in tackling one thing at a time. Come lunch time, poop out of the way, we pulled out the undies! We were very excited! This was going to be so much fun!
Pee everywhere. Pee on the couch. Pee on the kitchen chairs. Pee on the rug in their playroom. Pee. Pee. Peeeeee. But in the midst of that, he went on the potty unassisted and unprompted. I swear to god, that one pee was the only thing that gave me a ray of hope that day.
So Wednesday. Wednesday looked very much like Tuesday, but with a little more sitting on the potty and a little less pee all over my house. It was progress.
Yesterday was even better. Sure we had a bunch more pairs of wet undies BUT he was catching himself after the first few dribbles and going and sitting on his potty. All by himself.
Today he woke up and immediately banged on the bathroom door for Jeff to let him in to do his thang. And so far this morning, no pee accidents. That's not to say it's been a total success because now that he has the hang of peeing, we're doing the poop part. So there was that. That was fun. But hey, at least it stayed in the underwear and not all over his hands and my walls. Yippee!
...oh God, it's true. I'm sorry. After all this, I just realised that maybe you're not as interested in hearing about my kid's bodily functions as I am in writing about them? Yup it's true about moms, because THIS, this right here? It's the highlight of my week. Sadness. I used to be cool.
Monday night we were doing our weekly grocery shopping and Jeff asked if we were picking up pull-ups for Josh since the stash was getting low. Now, I hate buying diapers and pull-ups. I'm cheap when it comes to those, that's why I loved cloth diapers. So I decided right then that we were going to try potty training. Again.
Tuesday morning he stayed in a pull-up until after we picked Nicky up from school. Mostly because he usually takes his poo sometime in the morning and I was only interested in tackling one thing at a time. Come lunch time, poop out of the way, we pulled out the undies! We were very excited! This was going to be so much fun!
Pee everywhere. Pee on the couch. Pee on the kitchen chairs. Pee on the rug in their playroom. Pee. Pee. Peeeeee. But in the midst of that, he went on the potty unassisted and unprompted. I swear to god, that one pee was the only thing that gave me a ray of hope that day.
So Wednesday. Wednesday looked very much like Tuesday, but with a little more sitting on the potty and a little less pee all over my house. It was progress.
Yesterday was even better. Sure we had a bunch more pairs of wet undies BUT he was catching himself after the first few dribbles and going and sitting on his potty. All by himself.
Today he woke up and immediately banged on the bathroom door for Jeff to let him in to do his thang. And so far this morning, no pee accidents. That's not to say it's been a total success because now that he has the hang of peeing, we're doing the poop part. So there was that. That was fun. But hey, at least it stayed in the underwear and not all over his hands and my walls. Yippee!
...oh God, it's true. I'm sorry. After all this, I just realised that maybe you're not as interested in hearing about my kid's bodily functions as I am in writing about them? Yup it's true about moms, because THIS, this right here? It's the highlight of my week. Sadness. I used to be cool.
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