Big Girl Bed

Some days with kids are definitely harder than others. Nothing I haven't said before. I want so badly for Cameran to finally be potty trained. I laid off the potty training, after previously going gangbusters, for the last three weeks. Perhaps I was putting too much pressure on her. I was hoping during those three weeks, she would develop her own interest in using the potty. No. I think she came to love her diapees even more than before. I feel so frustrated. I do not know what to do. I know that she can do it, that she can use the potty because she's done it before, she just doesn't want to. So do I wait and let her come into it in her own time, or do I keep guiding her along, bringing her to the standard? Today we tried really hard with her. Mostly because we ran out of diapers, and need to conserve the couple we have. So we had her in panties after her nap. She did great with staying dry, and being rewarded for it. She did sit on the potty after being coaxed, which was like the battle of the wills. Am I bribing my child? My mother in law had bought me a new potty training book called "Stress Free Potty Training," since the first book I was using...wasn't bringing us much success. Which is fairly frustrating because almost all our friends used it methods and their kids were trained lickety split. Was I doing something wrong? I have read it 4 times at this point.

In the new book it breaks kids into 5 groups. Sensory-oriented, strong willed, impulsive, goal directed, and the internalizer. I took this little sort of quiz that helps you identify what your child is, and I had Brad take it too. Interesting how we perceive her in different ways. Brad tends to see the qualities in Cameran that are like his own, on a stronger level than I do, and I tend to see the qualities in Cameran that are like my own. We both came to the conclusion that she is with out a doubt a strong willed child. I think I probably need to read Dobson's book. The other conclusions we came to is that she is part sensory - oriented, part internalizing. I haven't finished going through each method for each of the three. Hopefully it will give some insight into how to turn the light bulb on into Cameran's head. It may be my own thing, but I feel like a bad mom. Why is it that all the children that are around Cameran are already potty trained, with no problems? All the kids at school, even ones younger than Cam, and all the girls from Life Group. What is it that I'm doing wrong, or am not doing, that is just completely turning Cam off of potty training? She seems to have a fear of using the potty. She isn't keen about sitting on the potty...but she will. However, if she has to pee or poo, she gets so scared. I'm not sure what it is that has her so frightened. I keep asking her if there is something that happened, but she never identifies anything. During reading a potty book to her today, it says the little girl in the story is "a big girl now." I asked Cammi if she was a big girl, and she said no. I asked her why she wasn't a big girl, and she said because she wore a diapee. It got me thinking...does she still feel like she isn't a big girl because she is still in the crib? So inspiration struck me and Brad and I tore down the crib and moved the twin bed into her room. We put on all her pretty new bedding and made a big deal about he big girl bed. She really was so excited. She didn't want to leave her bed. If we'd let her she'd have eaten her dinner there.

She did get a little freaked out when it was time to actually go to bed, in her big girl bed. I think there was a security about the four walls of her crib. I also think, because we had to rearrange her room a little, that sort of made her feel a little unsure. She did eventually fall asleep. We'll See how things go tomorrow. All in all, it was sort of a sad night for Daddy and Mommy, because it was a graduation to a big girl room. No more crib or baby bed. Has it really gone so fast?

A day of rest

Today was my restful day. The day when I rarely turn on the TV or the radio. Where I enjoy the silence in my house, for exactly what it is, silence. I understand now, as a parent, why my parents were always asking for 5 minutes of quiet. When I wake up on these mornings sometimes I just lay there in bed listening to the quiet. Ahh, it's music to my ears.

Today, I was exceptionally worthless and slept until about 1030. The question in my head was, "do I get up, or do I sleep a little longer?" How badly I wanted to keep my head on that pillow, but I knew if I did that I would actually feel worse later. I really should get up and enjoy my day to do whatever it was I wanted to do. I stayed in my pajamas for a better part of the day. I caught up on my email, reexamined our budget, and read several chapters in my new book. Around 230 I decided I really should go up and get the stink off me, before I had to go pick up Cam.

Some days I just like to stand in the shower and let the hot water run down. It's so relaxing. I'm sure I'm harming the environment in some way, but it really feels great to stand there for a good 15 minutes and steam myself happy. I'm sure I could have been doing something productive while in there....scrubbing the tiles, or the floor, or shaving my legs, but I just stood there letting the water turn me red, and the steam open my pores.

I finally thought today, that I had started to win the ongoing war I have with my body and my quest to gain some weight. When I got on the scale before my shower I was 88 lbs! I thought I saw the number wrong, so I stepped on the scale 3 more times. I even readjusted the scale. "Did it REALLY just say 88?!" I was jumping out of my skin. It's been a tough road to regain everything I've lost. My goal is to get to 95. That day will be a very happy day. I take each pound as a success, knowing that at any moment my body will completely rebel against me and shed it off, like a bad snake skin, leaving it on the floor brittle and full. I almost feel like I have to be secret about the number I see. It's like the minute my body really knows, it freaks out. Yesterday, I had gained a pound from the day before, today another two pounds. If I kept gaining a pound or two each day I would be at 95 in no time at all. Ah, alas, it wasn't meant to be a long lived celebration. On our walk tonight, I got THAT feeling. You know...that crampy in your belly, if I don't head for the loo RIGHT NOW I'm not gonna make it kinda feeling? Grrr! I knew what it was. I was bound and determined to ignore it. I will NOT lose those two pounds. It was when I was nearly doubled over in pain that I had to reach my hand out to Brad for the keys to the house. He knew...didn't have to say a word. I slowly headed back to the house, hoping the cramping might go away. About half way back my body shouted to my brain...YOU BETTER SPRINT THE REST OR YOU WON'T MAKE IT! I made it home. Barely. So needless to say, when I got back on the scale tonight...I was back at 86. Just makes me so darned mad.

I did return to the walk. Cam on her tricycle and Brad behind her. Right before I had to make my getaway, Cam had really gained speed and confidence and gone bombing down the sidewalk like a NAASCAR driver. A little tip and she fell over sideways. She received her first battle wound from the new tricycle. I nice cherry of a scraped knee. At first, she was quite upset. We almost headed back home, but after a minute or two she said she wanted to continue on. Just like a champ she dusted herself off and got back on her tricycle and peddled away down the sidewalk. We were so proud of her. She was equally as brave when we got home and went upstairs to clean the wound. Now she has a very big band-aid on her right knee, that she is very fascinated with.

Cam says some funny things sometimes. I really must start writing them all down. At bedtime we read our book, "The Baby Bee Bee Bird" (cute book, I highly recommend), and she was able to quote it almost word for word. She has this amazing ability to remember the words of the stories we read her, almost scarily accurate. She's a smart one that Cammi. Anyway, after reading about the bee bee bobbi bird we read a couple of stories in her little bible, as we usually do. The story tonight was about Samson. There are little questions at the end. One of the questions is "who is the strongest person you know?" Cammi looked at me and said, "Mommy!" I just about melted. Good heavens she is ADORABLE! There is something else funny she said today...but for the life of me I cannot remember what it is.

Wyatt and Radio Flyers

Today I got to take care of sweet little Wyatt Ricci for about an hour while Beth had a doctor's appointment. What a sweet angel he is! It's amazing how you forget about the little stages so quickly. I love the little baby smell that all babies have when they are that little. And he really is the most beautiful angel. Of course, my Reece Walker steals my heart (my friend Christine's son), but Wyatt is a sweet little cutie who is going to be quite the charmer. Cam did so well with him. I was a little worried about the jealousy factor. But to my surprise she was so helpful, and so attentive to little Wyatt. Yay! I love the feeling of a little one in my arms again. Not that I don't love holding my big angel, but I always loved the feeling of tucking Cammi into my arms when she was so little.

The rest of our day was just a normal day. We vacuumed the house before Beth and Wyatt came over, which is now fun for two reasons. One, we have a new vacuum that is AWESOME! Finally, a vacuum that gets everything up and takes away the film of black dog hair. Our carpet actually looks clean when we vacuum. The second reason is because Cammi gets her little popper vacuum and "helps" me vacuum. It is so sweet and awesome, and she is so very proud of herself. That is what makes it all worth it.

After nap Cam and I ran to Wal Mart for some groceries. On Sunday, while at the Walkers, Cameran fell in love with Ella's Radio Flyer tricycle. I have to admit, it was VERY cool. Pink and purple with streamers on the handlebars. On the back, instead of a step, there is little "trunk" area, where she can put things. She loads up all her "peeps". It's great! We've been wanting to get out in the evenings with her, but more than just pull her in the wagon. Brad and I decided that we would buy her that tricycle as a gift. She was ecstatic. Tonight we went on a walk down our street and Cammi rode her trike. It was the sweetest, most wonderful experience. Take a look at the pictures. She was so good at it, and even peddled herself up the inclines, very stubbornly, only allowing Brad and I to help her a couple of times. What a wonderful thing for a little girl, a new tricycle. I have to admit, while watching her, I wanted one of my own. A me size radio flyer tricycle, pink and purple with streamers, and a space to put all the important things I want to take with me. Then Cameran and I could ride about the neighborhood together. Maybe I could even get a hook and drag her along behind me when she gets tired of peddling herself.

Library Time and New Friends

Today we went to our first library time at Prestonwood. We made some new friends before we even went inside. I met a Mom who had pulled along side me in the parking lot, and was going to take her two girls to library time. Two cute little redheads, Katie and Riley. Riley had the sweetest smile. And her little blue eyes would just light up when she smiled. Their mother, Rhonda, was so very nice and sweet. She was really helpful finding the story time because Prestonwood is redoing their library, and I would probably not have ever found it.



Today the story time was about building a house, mostly because of the construction on the new library, I think. It was interesting, but I think that they read too many books for 3 and 4 year olds. 3 fairly long books. By the end you could tell the kids were losing interest because the room got much louder. Kids were shifting around and getting ancy. We did do a really cool project after with marshmallows and pretzels. I think it is the first time Cammi's ever had a marshmallow. She sort of looked at me unsure...but when she tried it she was all for the Marshmallows. It also didn't hurt that I was playing hardball with her, because she hadn't eaten her dinner the night before, so she was starving. I'm a mean mom that way. ;)

We went to lunch with our new friends. It was a good time and I got to see how the other little girls ate, and if Cameran was in line with them. Other kids are definitely eating more advanced foods, but we are trying so hard with her. Easy goes it. One step at a time.

Tough times

Allow me the space, to use this blog. to just vent about my day. Today was one of those days that every stay at home mom dreads. First, I felt like hammered poo when I got up this morning. My back hurt so bad, like the worst days of my Fibro. No temperature. So I wasn't sick. Brad tried to stick around to help with Cameran, but she was being very high maintenance, and he couldn't get any work done. Many thanks to him for affording me another 45 minutes of sleep. Needless to say, Cam woke up on the WRONG side of the bed this morning. Every little thing was making her flip out. Let me tell you, my kid can out wail, out whine any kid south of the Mason Dixon line. It was tough going this morning. She just had to do everything OPPOSITE of what I was asking, and my head was hardly functioning well enough to think clearly. Finally, around 9:15 I managed to usher her upstairs to have some blanket time, while I hopped in the shower. Ahh, the shower! Nothing more comforting than standing in that scalding hot water, letting all my crankies run down the drain with my shampoo bubbles. After 10 minutes I felt somewhat better and more awake. I was so thankful that Cam was obedient enough to really entertain herself during blanket time for those 10 minutes Mommy regained her sanity.

We met Trisha, my old boss, and cherished friend, for lunch at Central Market. Swear to you, that is the BEST place ever! Anything and everything you could possibly ever want to eat, made delicious and perfect...not to mention you can grocery shop later. Plus they have a giant play area outside on the patio just for kids. So we waited for Miss Trisha, and then we headed inside for some lunch. If there is one thing I am revelling in recently, it's that I have discovered how much my picky eater LOVES hot dogs. You may think, "why Crystal, all kids love hot dogs!" Au Contraire! My child despises meat. Hates it. Flat out just will not eat it. We've been playing hardball with her on food, and pretty much not giving her options. But quite by accident in New Mexico, I discovered my kid is a fan of the dog. She'll eat 2/3 at a time. Finally, a way to get some meat protein in her. I digress....so I ordered up a kids dog for her, with a side of watermelon, which she has been jonesing for since our BBQ, and I got a kids burger with fries for myself. If you have never had a Central Market burger run now to your nearest Central Market for one. They are HEAVEN. And you are talking to the biggest hamburger conesoire ever. I search out the best hamburgers and where to get them. The ones at Central Market are never too greasy so they drip all over you. The meat is sweet and perfectly cooked...not to well not too rare. The bun is one of those delicious, sweet, fresh made buns they make in the bakery, and it just perfectly compliments the burger. They use perfectly green and crisp Romaine lettuce, and these delicious seasoned fries. Really, it's just so incredible. We had a great lunch with Trisha, and Cameran played her heart out with all the kids that were trickling in and out of the play area. Cammi kept calling them, "my new best friend." She tried things I think that she would not have tried if the other kids weren't there doing them too.

In the car on the way home, I knew what I was in for, for the rest of the afternoon. She just came unglued at everything. The air was too cold, she was out of minty water, she pulled her band aid off and wanted an new one....signs that she NEEDED a nap, PRONTO! I just kept praying for patience. Nothing can send my nerves to fray faster than her wail. I'm telling you, it's worse than nails on the chalkboard. It's her whiny wail. The one that makes me want to poke my ear drums out so I don't have to listen to it, and can bob along happily without ever getting super irritated. I knew next that the shoes were coming off and if she got mad enough, thrown at my head. HUGE problem I am working to correct. Unfortunately, she has inherited that lovely trait my mom and I have when we get super frustrated and upset...throwing. I was at my wits end and I pulled out the spanker and said if she even thought of throwing her shoes that I would pull over and spank her immediately with the spanker. *cue wail and meltdown* Needless to say she didn't throw her shoes. And I sat there thinking, "OMG I JUST became my parents!" (I hear you laughing Mom and Dad!) She did get timeout when we got home and did it exactly like she was supposed to, while Mommy took those three minutes for a timeout of her own.

I don't know about other stay at home moms, but nap time is the best time of my day sometimes. Especially on days like today. Unfortunately, I am not one of those moms that can sleep when her kids do. I don't fall asleep right away, so I am behind Cam, and when she wakes up I am disoriented because I'm still in the middle of my nap. I enjoy the quiet of nap time. I never turn on the TV. I just listen to the quiet of the room. Sometimes I just sit and think, and stare at the wall. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I get online. Now I understand all those times my parents were content to ride without the radio on, or not turn on the TV and just sit and enjoy the silence. It is magical.

Wake up after nap was no better than morning wake up. She was crrranky. I managed to bribe her (I know, worst GFI thing ever!) with the promise of a popsicle, and that seemed to cheer her up a bit. By the time I managed to get her ready for a trip to the grocery she was in full on melt mode again. All the way to the store...."Mommy I NEED my blankie! Mommy where is blankie! Mommy we have to go home for blankie!" In full whine. Again, where is the hot poker for my eardrums??? I felt bad because i snapped at her and she started crying. Talk about the worst parent award. I felt like a total monster. I apologized and asked her forgiveness. When I pulled into the store parking lot and parked, I immediately gave her a giant hug and told her that Mommy was wrong. She's got a great capacity to forgive quickly. Something she inherited from the Williams' side for certain. She was SO VERY GOOD the whole time we were in the grocery store. Of course those carts with the little cars on the front help! Praise the Lord for the inventor of those carts. You have saved the sanity of many a frazzled Mommy. I think Cam could sense I was a little cuckoo for cocoa puffs at that point. We gathered up all our groceries and headed to check out. We did have to head over to Sprouts, our local healthy grocery store, for some odds and ends I didn't get at Tom Thumb. I like to buy my meat there cause it's fresher and less loaded up with hormones. We picked up our favorite Minty water.... Metro Mint water, check it out at www.metromint.com, as a treat because Cam was very very good at the grocery store. When we got home Brad was pulling in right behind us. *Crystal's sanity does a happy dance.*

I managed to get dinner made at a reasonable hour and Brad took Cam off my hands. She melted at dinner and got put to bed early which she hated. She had worked herself into a frenzy by this point and we just waited for the silence to fall again. After some Daddy snuggles and a long potty break, she slipped off into sleep. And now it is midnight and I must be off myself. Tomorrow is another day in toddlerland, and unfortunately you cannot hit a snooze button on your kids.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment of....How Mommy tried not to lose her sanity while potty training. Extra bonus: story time at the Baptadome, sans Grammy who makes everything fun.

A little bit of baseball

Tonight, after living in Frisco for four years, we finally made it to a Rough Riders game. The Rough Riders are our local baseball team and field team for the Rangers. One of Brad's business partners had an event at the game. It was nice. We were on a patio and had a great view of the field. Cammi was the best part of the whole game. We had hot dogs and we watched the staff pull the tarp off the field, because it was raining. That entertained Cammi and I for a good 45 minutes. That tarp took 12 men to pull and fold. It was quite a feat. Cammi thought it was really really cool to see them roll up that big ole tarp.

All in all it was a fun time for Cameran. She said she wanted to do it again. I am excited to take her to more sporting events, if even just for the novelty of it all. She even wore her Rough Riders hat, and looked adorable in it. We left at 7:45 to get her into bed at a reasonable hour. If I've learned anything in the last couple of months, it's that I should try my very hardest not to get her into bed too late. The next morning there will be hell to pay. She is like me and can be VERY cranky in the morning. Little things can send her spiraling. So I make sure she always gets plenty of sleep. I try anyway.

Sunday...bloody sunday.

okay, not really bloody. Just a song lyric in my head. Today, we went to church. It was a good message. A message about John the Baptist. The message was that John the Baptist is important because he was a pointer to Jesus. He was the "opening act", as our pastor said, to what God was bringing, in the way of Emmanuel. So our pastor had us write a thank you note to our "pointers." Who was it in our lives that pointed us onto a closer relationship with Christ, just as John the Baptist pointed so many to Jesus? I wrote mine to Summer. She was my pointer. Summer was there for me in a time that was not so easy. She single-handedly pointed me back to a different life. A life where I learned to walk with Christ. I, by no means, am infallible. Wow, I make lots and lots of mistakes, but I am so very thankful to her for changing my life and for helping me pull myself together. I love our pastor, he always has the best messages. I should say pastors, because we have two, and they are wonderful. How blessed we are to have two such great leaders, two great "pointers," as it may be.

The best part of today was Cameran and her ensemble. Today she told me she wanted to wear one of her very girly dresses, the one we bought her for Easter. The best part of this is that the shoes she chose to wear with her dress were her butterfly wellies (rain boots for you non-fashionistas). Seriously the cutest thing ever! Everyone who passed her smiled big, and had a good little giggle. I think she'll never know, until she is older, how stinkin' cute she was today in her wellies. She even corrects Brad. He calls them her rain boots and she says, "Daddy, they are called wellies!"

Today we also played Life with Cameran. She was more interested in the pink $20k bills than anything else. She had the largest salary card, out of the three of us, so I had to pay her $90K in pink bills. It was hilarious. Needless to say at the end, she beat the pants off of both Brad and I. It was a good time. She was fascinated by the little pink and blue people in the cars. She thought that was very neat. Every time she passed a pay day and I would give her more money, she would turn and say, "thanks for my money Mommy." She had these hilarious handfuls of money that were all over. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday BBQ

Today is the first Saturday, in a long time, that I've been able to schlep myself out of bed when Cammi wakes up. It was a little difficult, but I made it through. Just sort of treated it like any other day, when I would have Cameran alone. We had some breakfast and watched some TV. Yeah, I'm that good parent that entertains my kid with TV. You know, sometimes you just have to. Probably breaking every GFI rule ever, but I'm not too worried.

Today we took Cameran to the Mall, to the children's play area. This is my new favorite spot. It's clean, it's safe, there are always a ton of kids there, and it's inside where it isn't blistering hot. We let her play and really wind off some of that energy she had. The funniest thing happened while we were there. After being there for about 45 minutes, she came skulking over to where we were sitting. I asked, "Baby, what's the matter?" She said, "They told me not to run." I asked who had told her not to run? She said, "Those boys over there!" She sort of pointed in the other direction. So I told her to show me. She proceeded to walk all the way over to the other side of the play area and pointed to two men sitting watching their kids. When I say pointed to them, I mean within 2 feet of them. It was hysterical. She totally punked them out. I tried to explain to her that they were looking out for the smaller kids (although, to tell you the truth, all the kids were Cammi's size), because sometimes when we run while we are having fun, we can knock other people over accidentally. Still it was funny. We left after that because it was close to nap time and really time to wind her down.

This evening we had a BBQ for our life group. Always good fun. The girls all played on the slip and slide, and the boys all stood around chatting outside, while the girls all sat around chatting inside. Funny, that even in our thirties we're still segregating into girls/guys. It was all good fun. I absolutely adore every single person in our life group.

Library Time

Cammi and I have joined the Frisco library. It's pretty cool. The library is totally posh, even has a cafe downstairs, and HUGAMONGOUS! I'm not sure I've ever seen a library this big? okay that's a lie...a college campus library. For a small school, TCU had a pretty big library, of which I spent A LOT of time in. Anyway, on Tuesdays and Fridays, they have story time for toddlers. The kids area of the library is really great. Good set up, and easy to find books. Today Cameran and I checked out our first library books. Two books for Cameran, both about animals at a zoo. They were really cute, and we read them tonight at bed time. Cameran seems excited that we can get books, and then take them back to the library...or liberry, as she says...for new ones. Her little face lights up. I don't know what is more exciting, the getting the books, or the returning them?! LOL! So we shall try and go twice a week to the library.

On Thursdays we have story time at Prestonwood. We haven't gone yet because I am an idiot and thought that yesterday was Wednesday, all day. So we are excited for next Thursday to come. I shall report back then what Cammi's reaction was.

After the library today we went over to Target with Christine and the kids. I really love spending time with them, and with her. We have become such close friends, and I am truly so blessed with her friendship. It's eerie how similar our families, and our personalities are. we had a great time at Target. Cammi and Ella were just as silly as they could be, but as sweet and precious as they could be. They have such a love for each other. I hope they will be friends for a lifetime.

Continuation of the 4th

Hmmm....can't seem to remember where I left off. I think I got through Cam's birthday. Next up...the end of my Fossil days. There is much I could say...but I think I'll keep it to the facts. I realized that the best thing was for me to leave Fossil. I really did enjoy my time there. I had gotten to a point I wasn't loving it anymore, and my health was being affected by the stress I was feeling. Of course, it wasn't just work stress, life stress in general, but I had to sit down and really examine my life and find the places I could cut out some negative energy. Brad and I could make it work on one salary, but it would be tight. We'd been having some serious behavioral issues with Cameran, and I knew that if I stayed home it would help. I gave my notice, went to work to gather up all my things, and did my exit interview. I thought I might be a little sad walking out...but no, not really. I will miss some of my close friends that I made there, but I have to be honest and say I don't miss much more. Ask me again in a couple of months.

I've spent my time the last several weeks helping my dear and lovely mother in law with her room at school. It needs some organizing and I've been trying to help her get organized in any way I can. If there is one thing I am exceptionally good at, it's organization and streamlining things. I may be rubbish at everything else, but I'm pretty strong in those two areas. It's been quite a project, but I've gotten to spend some really really great quality time with her, and I know that we both need it and love it. She is a really amazing woman, and I just don't tell her enough. I seem to be having that problem a lot with the people I love and care about lately. I stumble over my words, and they just don't seem to come out. But in my head I'm composing odes and soliloquies. I need to try and get better. I don't know how I've gotten to this. How have I lost my words?

Finally we come to the fourth of July. On Thursday we went to Kaboom Town in Addison. LOTS and LOTS of people. I expected as much. It was free, and we knew that Cam would love it. We took a tarp and a blanket for Cammi. We sat in a nice spot in one of the fields outside the circle. I'm so glad we did because it wasn't crowded, we had a great view of the air show and the fireworks, and it wasn't people on top of people. The only thing I'd do different is to bring our own food and drinks, which we could have, but didn't. I went into Addison Circle to the vendor booths. The booth I went to wasn't prepared sufficiently for the number of people, so by the time I got up to order all that was left were chicken sandwiches and hot dogs. I got two chicken sandwiches, 2 cokes, and 2 bags of chips for a nice grand total of $19. Let me tell you, the chicken sandwich wasn't even worth $1. HORRIBLE!!! It was so bad I couldn't even choke down 3 bites, chased with about a gallon of sprite. Note to self...next year go by Wendy's first. It'll be a hell of a lot better, for half the price. Other than the bad chicken sandwich, it was a good time. Cammi and Brad totally dug the airshow. We have a great picture of Cammi with an OMIGOSH face at one of the bombers going by. While Cam and Brad were watching the airshow is when I was getting food. I was watching all the very interesting people going by. I seriously question if people actually LOOK at themselves in a mirror before descending upon the public. I just want to stop some people and ask, "REALLY?! SERIOUSLY?!" But nonetheless, what would entertain me if everyone was normal?!

Cameran really loved the fireworks and thought that it was very cool, but very loud. It's a whole new experience watching them with your kids. The awe and complete delight on their faces is better than the actual fireworks. I was lucky enough to have two opportunities to see it. On Friday, actual 4th of July, we went over to Christine and Jimmy's. Ella and Cam Cam had a great time playing and being silly. And of course Reecie got into the action, as per usual. He's going to pass those two soon. In height, he's nearly got them. In weight, he's a pound or two away. I love that Ella is small and petite like Cam. After eating, being merry, and wearing the kids down slightly, we all packed up and headed over to Pizza Hut Park. We parked out in the wilderness. It's the first time I have walked through knee high grass in a LONG LONG time. The cutest thing is that the Walkers have this great tandem stroller where the two girls can sit side by side on a little bench seat. They are both so little that they fit. It's awesome. So, off we all trudged to the stadium to watch the fireworks. The weather was actually pretty nice. A slight breeze and since the sun was going down, not so bloody blistering hot. We found what we thought to be an EXCELLENT spot to sit. Turns out that it was like 70 yards from the actual fireworks. So we slowly moved to the other side of the field, much further away. The kids loved the fireworks, but boy was it really really loud. I love sharing the 4th of July with good friends and family. Being with the Walkers definitely made it a great day!

Happy 4th of July

I've really really sucked at keeping my blog updated recently. Lots and lots has happened. I quit my job at Fossil after 4 years. It was really time for me to go. I wasn't enjoying it anymore and I want to enjoy my job. I was struggling to like my job and be happy, and I was just a bear at home and no fun at all. It was time to say my goodbyes and head for the hills. In a way I felt like I left my life behind, but at the same time, I had left long ago. I had already mentally checked out. I can say that after being gone for almost a month, I am MUCH happier, and a whole lot less stressed and GRR than I was.

Since my last blog what has happened....Cam turned 3, I quit my job, have become a stay at home mom, have been helping my mother in law with her classroom, the 4th of July.

Cam's birthday was wonderful. We rented a bounce house. I'm telling everyone I know that this is the BEST thing to do for a child's birthday. You don't need any other entertainment. This fully occupies them for the whole time, and extra added bonus...totally wears them out. Every parent of Cammi's friends said their kids totally passed out after the party. So did Cam. So did Mommy and Daddy. They came and set it up at 8 am, and it was great entertainment for Cam to sit in the windowsill and watch they guys blow it up to a giant pink and purple castle! Which really worked out for Mommy cause it gave me time to shellac and coif myself before running some last minute errands. The SECOND it was up we were out and jumping. Nothing like the joy on your angel's face whilst jumping away in a bounce house all to themselves. We were really smart about the food this year. We ordered a chick-fil-a tray of chicken nuggets for the food. BEST thing ever! Who doesn't like chicken nuggets? And then i made some fruit salad, and some pumpkin dip. Throw in some bottled water, soda, and juice boxes and you have a party. I was going to make a Uniqua cake for Cammi, since it was a Backyardigans party...but decided that was a bit too ambitious for my novice culinary skills. So instead I made pink ice cream cone cupcakes. They were a hit! Seriously easy, cute, and tasty. Plus it's super cheap to buy a box of cake mix, a box of cake cones, and a tub of pink icing. Makes 24 cupcakes.

More tomorrow on the rest. time to sleep.