Ding-a-derry

So I changed the title of my blog. I always meant to- A Day in the life of a SAHM (Stay at Home Mom) was pretty boring and some people didn't know what the initials stood for- oh yeah, we're all not SAHMs, but I couldn't figure out something else at the time.
Yesterday I went to the library with the girls and had a very refreshing slow stoll through the place. When you take it slower, they and I do so much better. Note to self: need to stop rushing and smell the flowers. We checked out 20 cool books and 2 neat movies (Piaret Muppet Movie and Madeline, the Movie) and the music for the Wizzard of Oz. I played it once I got into the car. It's amazing what a song can do to you, when you need it. I was instantly feeling destressed upon listening to Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Today, after I dropped off the girls for school, I got into the car and the song If I Only Had a Brain was playing. I forgot how much I liked it. There was a lyric that I didn't quite get though- Life would be a Ding-a-derry? So I got home, after grocery shopping, and googled it. There's actually a bunch of speculation as to what it means- nonsense word, wonderland, "ring" of land, etc. I think it means something along the lines of a feel good place. And that's where I want to live. I have been so stressed lately with the kids having their "independence" phase (the tantrums, the No's, the "I do it my way!", the frustration when they can't get it, me always speaking and telling them how to or not to or... you get the picture) and also the holidays in general stress me. I need to remember to live in a Ding-a-derry world, to think more positively, to not put so much on my plate, and just enjoy. That's my challenge.

Jerry and Barb's Lake house

We traveled to Pittsburg Texas to visit Jerry and Barb this weekend. They have a lake house and the girls got to have some water fun and some one on one time with their relatives.Jerry had the best luck with catching fish. He'd put his pole out and within minutes, sometimes seconds, he'd catch one. Jer and I each caught a pretty decent one too.

Victoria woke up from her nap and wanted desperately to go out on the boat. She was so happy to be aboard it.

Bella really enjoyed pretending to drive it.

Victoria enjoys the wind in her hair as Daddy drives the boat ultra fast.

Bella did not like the life jacket and threw the biggest fit. But once we started to go fast on the water, she reluctantly gave in.

We parked the boat in a remote area and did some more fishing. The scenery was spectacular and we couldn't have asked for better weather. This time Jerry's bait got nibbled away every time by a turtle. And after Victoria complaining that she had to go pee and would not use the port-a-potty, we turned the boat around and set for home.

Both girls were smitten with Barb and Jerry. Barb was teaching them how to drive a boat, but they could only touch the steering wheel; all other controls were off limits. (But that didn't mean that they didn't try.)

I had a wonderful time. It was so nice to take a breath of country air and just breath.

Bella turns 2

Bella turned two this weekend.
We had a Curious George style party. This is her actual "Monkey" that she carries around everywhere. When she saw the spread, she was so excited.

We played pin-the-tail-on-Curious George.

Afterward we went outside and blew bubblues and played Duck, Duck, Goose.

The kids really enjoyed it.

They didn't quite grasp the idea of only one person chasing the other person around the circle, so they improvised and chased each other around the backyard.

This is one of my favorite pictures that Chris took. I can't believe my little girl is no longer a baby. I'll always protect her.

We ate pizza and cupcakes, opened presnts, and just played he day away with great family and friends. (The girls took the longest nap I think they've ever taken.) Bella had a truely wonderful time. Thank you everyone. Happy 2nd birthday my little angel!

What?!!!!!

OK. I'm done. I'm drinking my beer, gonna take a bath, and gonna collapse into the bed tonight. What a day! Somedays I feel like all I do is clean and discipline 24/7- not joking. Somedays I feel like my kids have hit that adolscence a decade too soon. And then there are days like today. I took Victoria to her first dentist visit. Plus side, I ran into Uncle Jerry and Aunt Barb at Dr. Patel's office; negative side, I held Victoria in the dentist's chair for 5 minutes while she screamed bloody murder for 5 minutes with worried customers looking at us. Not fun. Then both kid have just been acting like "little instigators" (more time outs today then in the past week). I finally came home and the girls are screaming and crying at me to be fed. When I start to make the spaghetti, they scream, "no, I want a snack". When Jer gets home, I tell him, I'm done and go to run an errand- picking up Bella's beloved Monkey that of coarse we had left at the gym. On the way back home I pick up a six pack, pop one open when I get home, let my body fall on the couch, stare at a movie that is playing on TV (Bee Movie), and realize... "Hey, Jer, where's Bella?" "I don't know." So I go to investigate...

1st Camping Experience

Victoria and Bella hiking at Lake Ray Roberts.

Daddy, Victoria, and Bella hiding in the brush.

Victoria finds some time to rollerskate.

Victoria's war wound from falling off the picnic table.

Note the Scobby Doo bandaid.

Daddy teaching the girls how to cook a hot dog.

Daddy teaching the girls how to cook a marshmallow.

We took the girls camping at Lake Ray Roberts this past Saturday. We left after their naps. It took about 35 minutes to get there- not bad, although Bella was still not a cooperative passenger. Jer bought a new cool tent at Target, because we can't find our old one- I think we lent it out, but can't remember to who. So if you have it, give me a ringy ding. This new tent sleeps 6 people and at night you can watch the stars in it- really cool. When we got to the campsite, we set the tent up, went looking for firewood (Victoria loved finding it), and got settled in. Then we drove around the lake. They actually have a beach area with sand and water to play in, but I didn't bring the girls' suits. Then we took a walk on a paved trail- nice for the kids. Victoria was even able to get some roller skating in. Later that night we had a feast- hot dogs on wire hangers, green beans from the can, Cheetos, marshmallows, and New York Peppermint Patties. At night we turned on the lantern and taught the girls how to play War with cards. They loved this. Ahhh, we lost. We won!!! Yeah! Over and over again. We put the girls to bed and tried to read our book outside, but Victoria kept waking up and talking, so we ended up going to sleep at 10ish. The one thing I hate about camping is the sleeping, or lack there of. It got so cold (50s or low 60s) and we really didn't bring much covers. Jer, Bella, and Victoria kept waking up throughout the night and complaining. Every sound woke me up. I swear I heard someone/ something in the bushes behind our tent at least 10 times during the night. Acorns or leaves kept dropping and making weird sounds. And then there was the most uncomfortable thing of all- the bedding itself. I think I slept/laid on a rock the entire night and I kept moving from this side to that side with no real difference. I will be buying an air mattress before our next excursion. In the morning, we made another fire and ate some more hot dogs for breakfast- they were good. I feel like I have a hangover- my back hurts, I have bags under my eyes, I'm so tired, and I just feel plain beaten up. But really, I wouldn't have changed it. I made some wonderful memories and so did Bella and Victoria and Jeremy. My favorites were of Jer teaching the girls to set their marshmallows on fire, me teaching Victoria what a Praying Mantis was, and playing a great game of war.

JDFR Walk

We did the annual Juvienille Diabetes Walk today in Plano. In years past, I've been able to complete the 3+ miles in an hour with everyone else. Ha! My two little angels walk the pace of an ant. We started out in the stroller and were good for about 8 blocks, then Bella breaks out into a full temper tantram, because she wants down. Victoria of coarse wants down too. I push the stroller to the side and get them out. They walk on the side dirt, where not as many people were walking. But we still are getting bumped into and stepping over dog crap- something like a hundred dogs came on the walk this year- the girls liked looking at them. After 10 minutes, Bella throws another fit- she doesn't want to walk and she doesn't want in the stroller. At this point I decide, we've had enough and stear the stroller while holding Bella and screaming for Victoria to follow toward the parrelel street- the path back. We traveled with all the fast runners already making their way back after half an hour, as Bella and Victoria

"run" along side of the stroller. When we cross the finish line, the girls got a ballon, sticker, and split a giant chocolate muffin. They also got to go play in the bouncehouse.

Plano Balloon Festival

We went to the Plano Balloon Festival this past Sunday. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing. I loaded the car with the lawn chairs and a cooler for some drinks. There last "take off" was at 6 that night, so we left at 5:15. We grabbed some McDonald's and headed for a parking lot to watch the sight. It was splectacular! The balloons floated right over our head. Victoria and Bella ran on the little grass section in front of our car.

The ballons had to clear the power lines that were right in front of us. I was a little scared of this- I've seen one too many Real TV episodes where a balloon pops on the power lines.

The great dragon balloon- this was of coarse the girls favorite. It was also the last one of the evening. I was a little disappointed because I thought there would be more giant balloons and balloons period. On their website it shows close to 30, but we probably only saw between 10-15.

They seriously floated right over your head. You could see the fire when they pulled the string.

Jeremy and Victoria are getting a better look. Bella would not put Monkey down the entire evening. She also loved my Coke drink from McDonalds.

The girls found a little space to sit down in the grass. There was also tons of rocks from the parking lot scattered in the grass that they kept playing with. See, I told Jeremy that we didn't need to bring a ball to play with. (Sidenote: I did bring their bikes to ride, but the parking lot was too crowded.)

Strike a pose! Afterwards we went to Garden Ridge and bought some Fall accesories for the house. We also went through their Halloween section of the store. They had really scarey ghosts and gowls. It was funny to watch the girls' reactions.