Something's Missing . . .

I knew something was very wrong when I got done putting the groceries away without any interruptions.

I went searching for the munchkins and this is what I found:

Tots was obediently sharing her fishies with babes. How stinkin cute is that?! (Not to mention the HUGE sigh of relief when I realized there was nothing amiss.)

The Verge

Well, I did it.

I am on the verge of tears tonight.

Because I feel like a bad mom.

Really.

Because I am a toy natzi.

And now I have spent the last 2 hours researching toddler toys to see which ones I am willing to break down and buy. What do you think??

Those are just a few thoughts (Note: Most of these I am going to ask Chad about making so I can add my own twists to them . . . does that still count??) I am also thinking of a few others I can make and so I really don't need pictures . . . like matching stuff.

ANYWAY

Maybe you should know what brought on this emotional mayhem?

WELL, a good friend came over and I heard her ask tots (while I was otherwise occupied), "Where are all your toys?," as she took rattles from tots hands (that tots no doubt stole from babes) and tossed them aside.

The question made me think about our toys.

As I scanned the room I saw stuffed animals, balls, cars, books, rattles, and some odd-and-end toys. And it hit me. We keep all tots toys put up so she can only play with them when I think to get them out. But, really, she doesn't have much. She has grown so much and Christmas and birthday only come around so often. I guess I should just be thinking about this stuff regularly. Then, as I was searching for some possible toys, a tear actually came to my eyes when I remembered tots learning to walk behind whatever chair she could push around.

NO PUSH TOY. (I'll be honest, sometimes it was an empty diaper box.) No riding toy, no pushing toy, not even a toddler chair.

OH the guilt.

Any other night this would be a sarcastic post (a really funny one), but tonight I am feeling like the toy natzi that I am. And so I need to end because I feel another tear coming on.

*On a funny note, I actually caught tots (at the learning to walk stage of her life) trying to mount this little pull toy that couldn't hold her weight and so she would go tumbling over every time she tried. It was funny. But tonight . . . not so much :(

How Do You Do the Two?

Do you have a two-year-old?

I would love to hear about how

you do the two-

because this is how we do the two:

Silly me decides to put dishes away in the morning (I like the extra counter space during the day).

As I am putting the dishes away, my two-year-old comes into the kitchen and starts taking dishes out of a cupboard we left for her

to play with when she was 1.

It takes me a few minutes, but I eventually factor in the contributions of my two-year-old and realize that this endeavor has become counter-productive.

So I stop.

And so does she.

We have just had our first two-year-old moment of the day.

Art Exhibit

Do you enjoy art? Well, little did you know there is a new art exhibit every sunday . . .

at my house!

Tots loves to color. And she loves to put her pieces of art up for display on our fridge. So we keep magnets at her height and let her change it out as often as she sees fit. Here is the latest display (I caught her changing it out just this morning).

*She puts a lot of effort into the whole process. It is so fun to watch!

Thank you, Tots.

This world is a better place for your willingness to share!

(If not the world, at least our home) :)

Big Momma

I have had friends ask me, with dubious expressions, why I wanted to be a mom. I comletely understand this question because it wasn't so long ago that I was asking it. And now, here I find myself, less put-together than I know (for lack of mirror-gazing), sometimes rather flighty, but with more love than I thought one heart could hold.

(Just when I thought I'd explored all the facets of love . . .)

Best buds.

(A little blurry, but the best one I could get of this little diapered bum sticking out of the toy closet)

Hmmm, an unforseen predicament.

What? You say I have something here?

Uh-oh. Mom caught us scheming!

Seriously, Do I NEED to go on? This is just so funny!

Big sister being big sister.

And so, this is me. Wrinkly, happy, a little scraggly around the edges, but it's me.

Big Mamma.

Descansito

One last Sunday of rest,

before we forgoe Breanne's days of diapered bliss!!

Just a Think

I have a few thinks that I must

share before they become

thunks, and go the way of

all good intentions.

1- Choose your words wisely, for once they are out,

they can never be put back in.

2- Think your thinks wisely, for a

think that has been thunk is your

best ____ (insert friend/enemy).

3- Praise your children often.

4- Praise yourself sometimes, too.

(Please don't forget to thank your spouse)

5- Most people don't honestly intend to hurt you.

6- Know yourself well enough in order to

see through the lies that sometimes

try to creep into your thinks.

7- If you can't live with your thinks,

repeat #2 a few times,

then try #4,

remember #5,

and practice #6 regularly.

8- If all else fails, laugh. If you're struggling

to laugh, come to my house

and we will laugh together.