I'm So Excited, and I Just Can't Hide It!

Because:

• I just ate
• I didn't have a very flat tummy before
• My body seems to know what to do much sooner this time
• And, I really am excited!

Photo courtesy of Caleb Photographers, Inc.

Corn Chowder

I have been craving corn chowder for a couple weeks now, so I finally made some today. For lunch.

Me: Caleb, do you like it?
Caleb: Just a little bit.

Savanna: No! No! Nooooo!

And that is precisely why I don't cook when Bryan isn't home.

P.S. Does anyone have a good recipe for corn chowder? Mine was missing something...

Unsightly Big Toe Hair

Ladies, if you have it, shave it.

That's all I'm going to say.

Playing Computer

When I was a kid, my brothers and sisters and I would always fight over whose turn it was to "play computer." As if that's all computers were good for. Well, now my kids fight over the computer. More like Caleb is playing PBS Kids or Nick Jr. and Savanna is hanging on his arm wanting to push the buttons on the keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Either way, it's "playing computer."

Necessary Evil

Now, please don't get me wrong. I believe personal hygiene is very important. And people should shower daily, wear deodorant, brush their teeth several times a day, and wash their hands 10 to 20 times a day (depending on how many diapers you change and how many little bums you wipe:).

But lately, I have been dreading this particular necessary evil. Not because of the nature of the evil itself (because I like to be clean), but because of the nature of the huge process following the evil.

Showering.

Because even if I take a super-quick shower (and I really do try!), the process afterwards is tedious and annoying, at least for me. And I don't think I have OCD, I'm just responding to my needs:

First: I can't see, because my contacts dry out every time I wear them in the shower.
Evil: Put in the contacts

Second: Nose running
Evil: Blow it, but not before putting in the contacts.

Third: Ear canals wet
Evil: Clean/dry them out

Fourth: Tangled hair
Evil: Have to brush it out before it starts drying, or it's a pain to get through the tangles. And with thin, fine hair, I can't afford to lose any hair to the tangles.

Fifth: Dry face
Evil: Put on lotion

Sixth: Dirty teeth
Evil: Brush them

Seventh: Sweaty armpits
Evil: Put on deodorant

Eighth: Need clothes
Evil: Finding the ones to fit my mood, and putting them on.

Ninth: Ugly face
Evil (and this is if I'm lucky): Putting on makeup

Tenth: Wet hair
Evil (only on Sundays): Drying it, and maybe curling it if I have time or the desire

Eleventh: Wet hair
Evil: (every other day) If it stays wet, and it's cold outside, then I get cold. And I need a sweater.

So you see, I find this process to be extremely annoying. I used to enjoy getting ready for the day, when it was just me, and even when it was just me and the hubby. Now, I find it to be a necessary evil and a frustrating use of my time.

Alas, it cannot be helped. See you in an hour.

Internal Debate

Background:

The other day I went to the mall with the kids. Now, I hate shopping, so my sole purpose was to let the kids play on the indoor playgrounds and arcades to pass the dreaded hours of 2 to 5pm. As I was walking through Sears, I noticed a clearance rack with jeans, something I have been needing/pondering for a while. I found a pair that might be my size, but the pricing was unclear. So I took my kids to the playground while I thought about it some more. After a while, we decided to check out the playground on the other end of the mall. On the way, I stopped in a few stores (for one to two minutes tops) to see if they had sales on jeans too, just to compare prices (with what I thought the jeans at Sears might be). At last, on our way back through the mall, I decided to at least ask what the price was, then decide if I was willing to take my kids into the dressing room to try on the pants. So when I asked the sales clerk what the price was, you can imagine I rushed to the dressing room when she told me $5.99! And they fit! Not only did they fit, but they were long enough, which can be hard for me sometimes. So of course, I bought them. And they're soooooo cute on me (sorry to boast, but it's true).

Which brings me to my dilemma:

Today I decided to wear the jeans with a cute white shirt. And the perfect accessory would be the super cute boots I bought a while back. But I never wear the boots because they make me so tall! So I never wear them around my (taller than me without the boots) husband, and I feel like a tower when I am out with friends. And it's not like I'm super tall in the first place. At least, I thought I was average (except for the times when I have to search high an low for pants that are long enough). So do I wear the boots or not?

Which makes me wonder:

How tall are you?
Do you like your height, or do you wish you could change it?

Please take the poll at the left!

I Have a Four-Year-Old?!

Caleb and his friend Kai

Spiderman Cake

Letting the balloons go as Caleb runs up the stairs

Caleb, Savanna, James, and Griffin

Posing for mom after the candle was already blown out...

I wish I had half his excitement for anything in life.

This car flips!

Batman