Wednesday

Thought I'd just run down a typical summer's day and document sort of a "day in the life". Not the best, most exciting day-but they're not all, are they? :)
(warning-this may be an especially boring post. Just throwing it in for memory's sake)

***Sry-have to interupt this. I just called to Ally, "Ally, I hope you're not jumping on your bed...". She replies, "I am!" She is seriously so proud of herself. When will it sink in?***

Anyway, I woke up to Ally about 3/4 of an inch away from my face, saying, "Get up, Mama! It's nine o'clock!" LOL. I don't think it was 9:00...but I can't say for sure. :)

Emma was on the computer right away (very much enjoying our new (to us) computer! Thank you Aunt M and Uncle S!). I gave Ally her morning shake then made some oatmeal. Put on a load of laundry and jumped in the shower while the girls ate.
Out of the shower-Emma had finished her oatmeal, Ally's full bowl was still at the table....I warmed it up then called her back and sat w/her until she finished...

We had plans to go to the pool w/some friends so the girls got in their suits and I packed the small cooler w/watermelon and water bottles. Got to the pool a little early (VERY unusual!) so we did sunscreen in the parking lot before going in.

We had SO much fun at the pool-as always. We have very much enjoyed our pool time this summer. Me just as much as the girls. It has been a hot, hot summer, so there's not much better than spending a few hours splashing around in some cool water!

We stayed right at 3 hours. That seems to be the magic number for us. Had one snack break and reapplied sunscreen then jumped back in. Emma is all about swimming. She LOVES to be in the water. She floats, jumps, dives, does her "tricks"-the dolphin flip, the mermaid, the spin, the long jump, to name a few. :) Ally wants to jump to me, she loves to swim too-and today wanted to practice her back float/swim a bunch. She's getting good!

Hit the Sonic dollar menu on the way home to get something in our bellies and did a little looking up of recipes and made a quick menu and grocery list. We hit HEB about 6:30 and did pretty good-a quick trip, small total, but got the fixings for at least 4 good meals.
(Chicken tacos, meatloaf (a double batch, I'm going to try and freeze half this time), Chicken Stirfry and Taco Soup, plus spaghetti stuff if we need it, and various sides-my green beans, salad stuff, potatoes, etc.)

edited to add-while we were at the grocery store, I realized Emma had a pretty bad sunburn. It bothered me, because I feel like I failed...I'm the one responsible for her tender skin, and this was her first burn.

Got home before 7:30, made the girls "Ants on a Log". Emma's request-Ally's w/o the ants. :) Got them in the tub and all cleaned up, hair brushed and braided, and got to work applying aloe to Emma's burn. We had just been giving an aloe vera plant and I cut into it and smeared the healing aloe all over her back, shoulders and face. Her little shoulders are pretty bad. Makes me sad to see it. :(
Emma read Ally about 5 books before bed, then read a chapter or so on her own before lights out.
Ally is in a habit now of looking at books after lights out. I haven't said anything and I don't know if she knows that I know she's doing it. Follow that? She'll flip through several books by the light from the hall and I'll always find her passed out w/a couple in her bed or on the floor right beside.

Guess I'll stop here.. I turned on the tube and waited for Jason to get home. He brought me a taco-thank you! We watched some of Dave and chatted a bit then he crashed. I checked FB then followed not much later.

COP

heh. :) My title is a little homage to my hours of coupon/sale/frugal shopping research I have done the past few days. I have come to understand and differentiate between the plethora of acronyms (are they acronyms? someone help me here. I don't have the energy to look it up) to include OOP/ECB/SS/RP/RR...and many many more!

Just now I came up with my own.

COP
(Change of Plans)

A regular, if not daily, part of our lives here in the Keashold.

I've spent hours this morning researching the sale ads, the best coupon deals, etc. and had my afternoon all mapped out with several stops for specific items here and there. We also had library time scheduled and other random errands like the bank and movie store.

And all before the 3 o'clock dentist appt.

I had Ally's hair brushed and braided and was working on Emma's. Ally not yet dressed, hopped up on the couch and was teasing me with "I'm laying on the clo-othes!". I decided not to fight that battle and that my freshly washed load of towels, sheets and pillow cases from our week of company would survive.
As I finished Emma's hair I glanced over to see this:





And so was born the COP plan. Or whatever. :)

I will now fill the next hour and a half with much needed household chores, so time not wasted. But this means we have to do our previously scheduled errands AFTER the dentist appts., which completely messes up my evening plans....SEE why I usually don't even bother to plan in the first place?!

Smiles

I made a memory last night. Let the big girl ride her bike by the light of the moon, to show her Daddy her new skills on her TWO WHEELER! (it is no longer a bike-always a two wheeler!) She had mastered the two wheels while he was gone for the weekend and he had yet to make it home in time for her to show off.
So last night, I texted Jason to see if he was close, and at 9:15 pm, quietly called Emma out of her bed to put some shoes on and get her bike ready. She was so proud! Even in the dark I could see her smile beaming-spreading from ear to ear. :) A very special moment. :)

What's it Worth to You?

Sweet Emma.

She has been very excited and very eager to clear out her room for the garage sale. She started the other day in her "toy drawer". This is basically a "junk drawer". The place for Happy Meal toys, bouncy balls, forgotten party favors, and the occasional water gun.
Emma was extremely proud after she sorted through her drawer and presented me with a bag of oh, half a dozen or so trinkety toys. She had also taken the time to compile a price list.

Oh dear.

Here's how it went: (and this was after we had a discussion AND I gave the recommendation of about a dime apiece...)

Sonic race car (kid's meal prize): $2.00
whistle (the kind that comes in a set of 12 for birthday party goody bags): $1.00
key chain (more of the above): $.50
bouncy ball: $.50
toy gun: $2.00
Kung Fu Panda (Happy Meal prize): $2.00

She also told me she thinks we should price her vanity set at $90.00.

The plan is for her to man her own area the morning of the sale. This is going to be interesting.

;)

Popcorn and a Prize

As I watch the girls snacking contendedly while watching "Bug's Life", I have to make a note, hoping our simple little game stays in their sweet heads as they grow.
I started giving "popcorn with a prize". Just on a whim one day. Must have had something at the end of a box or bag and tossed it on top of their bowl of popcorn.

And so it began. :)

Now it is so funny that they squeal and shout "YES!" when I announce I'll bring them their popcorn and a prize. I think it's mostly the surprise. The "prize" is nothing big. A few mini marshmallows, M&Ms, gummi bears, and today yogurt covered pretzels. Something very simple but just the little "extra" that brings delight.
It makes me smile that they find such excitement in something so small. "Thank you thank you thank you Mama!" I love that they don't expect anything big and that they appreciate something so small.

Obviously this is about more than a few marshmallows in a bowl of popcorn. :)

Goodness

We are currently playing the "how long can we survive without going to the grocery store" game. :) Tonight for dinner we had turkey smoked sausage, ranch style beans, zuccini chips (sliced rounds of zucc. topped w/mozz cheese and broiled) and kiwi. I know-it sounds yummy, doesn't it.
Well, there wasn't anything on the plate that I was absolutely sure that Ally would eat. She's iffy on the sausage-she wasn't a fan of the zucc the last time I did it like this, she has never tried beans, and hasn't been happy about eating kiwi lately.

She ate everything! And happily! I make the HUGE mistake of saying, "Ally, I never thought we'd see the day that you would finally be a good eater!"

And then it began...from EMMA! The whining, the moaning, the crying!! Over the zuccini! This is the girl that ate a raw squash straight from the garden and told me, "Garden fresh is good, Mama!" I told her she had to eat 3 slices. O.M.Goodness!! The drama!

Finally I left the room, knowing that my patience was thinning. And she followed. I just had to tell her to leave. And I started to question my approach. Do I make her eat this? It would be one thing if I knew she didn't like it, but she's eaten it before!
So I tried that approach-

"Emma, you have eaten zuccini before. What is the big deal? It's THREE little slices! You could have been done by now!"

And through the tears, she tells me...."I just like it un-cooked!"

You have got to be kidding me. I had one zucc left on the counter. I sliced up a few pieces. She ate it. No whines. No problem.

So next time I'll skip the olive oil, the sprinkling of salt and pepper, the careful arrangement of mozzerela cheese....and just serve it raw. ;)

The Simple Life

I am overwhelmed with all the catching up I have to do! To get the ball rolling, just a quick post about the NOW...

As many of you know, we had an EXTREMELY busy week last week with our vacation at Nana and Pops house. We were go go going constantly!

Since we have been home we have not had a playdate, a swim day, nothing. Today we are getting ready for the free movie. Other than a string of errands yesterday, this will be our first time out of the house! I have not even checked the mail. Zip.
(this did result in an extra yummy chicken spaghetti dinner last night. I didn't have the usual ingredients for the sauce, so I grabbed some bell pepper, a squash, a handful of green beans, and cherry tomatoes from my garden stash and chopped those up to throw in. Yum!)

So, we've been enjoying the Simple Life. Lots of coloring and design time for the girls. Emma made a mobile of 5 or so planets for cousin C. Just got a wild hair. Ally has been practicing her people skills (drawing them!). I have spent way too much time on Facebook and negleted the blog... op!

Ok-just a quick teaser-lots more to come! Including giant ostriches, life size dinosaurs, hair-nesting birds, manatees, a man in a mouse costume, 3-D fun, pool time, tractor rides, fireworks, slip-n-slides, Dinosaurs ALIVE!, a train ride....and....oh yes! the Hokey Pokey! ;)

Stay Tuned!