My turn

My mom always told me that when I was young, I made she and my dad read Cinderella to me over and over again until they were so tired of it they couldn't stand it. I thought maybe she was exaggerating a bit, but not anymore. Shelby has discovered a favorite book and I am living what my mom told me about. Her book is Go Dog Go! She has had favorite books in the past, but never quite like this. We have been reading it 1 or 2 times a day every day for about a month. I can recite parts in my sleep! In fact, yesterday Shelby and I were repeating parts from memory in the car. A (small) We can even her her "reading" it on the monitor after we put her to bed. Too cute! Part of me loves reading it to her over and over because she is starting to "read" parts of it to me. I don't kid myself into thinking that she is really reading, but she says the right words on the right page. It makes the reading teacher in me smile!

Sarah has also gotten in on the action. She has started bringing me books and then sitting on my lap so I can read to her. She also brings me the same 2 or 3 books so we are getting to know them very well.

We are getting quite a bit of use from the pool so far this week with the heat being back. Yuck! Can't summer just mean 84 degrees every day with low humidity? Where is it like that because I want to move there?!?

A great weekend

I was sad to see it end. Nate took Friday and Saturday and Sunday off! I can't tell you the last time he even took a 2 day weekend let alone a 3 day weekend! It was just nice to have the time together. I drug him to the zoo yesterday. He told me last night that he didn't really want to go at first, but was glad that I got him to go. He really enjoyed the girls reactions to the animals. He also bought Shelby a Big Wheel bike on Saturday night. That little girl has him soooo wrapped around her little finger. He is in serious trouble when she figures that out! Her little legs are not quite long enough to reach the pedals, but a towel behind her helps. I'll have to get some pics to post.

Shelby has been testing, testing, testing lately. She is super stubborn and has a hard time letting go of things once she has them in her thoughts. She had Nate clash worse than she and I do, and that's not surprising since they are alike (we all know it's true). I have been reading 1-2-3 Magic and another toddler book to try to gather some ideas for dealing with her and keeping my sanity. I keep telling Nate that she is a great and fun little girl when not driving me crazy.

Sarah is trying to get a piece of that making mommy crazy action. She has taken to throwing crying tantrums when she doesn't get her way. Last night I was treated to about 10 minutes of screaming because I was done giving out the grapes, but she wasn't done eating them! She looks and sounds just pitiful when she starts in.

A little cleaning?

Sarah was doing a little cleaning Sunday while I cooked dinner. She spreads the towels out all over the floor and goes to town! Is this my kid? I wonder...

At the zoo!

We took the girls to the Henry Villas Zoo in Madison. Yesterday. It was perfect for them, not too big. Shelby loved the turtles, seals, and penguins. She was sort of grossed out that the rhinos slept in the mud, and she was afraid of the large orangatan.

Sarah on the other hand loved him (a big hairy guy) and kept trying to talk to him!

This is a pic of Shelby and her friend Olivia at Magic Waters. They had such a great time there on Tuesday!

Although not too enthused about the whole "princess" dress thing at first, Shelby couldn't help but think she looked "perfect" (her word) in her flower girl dress for my cousin Amanda's wedding this fall. It is incredibly cute, but the bridal shop industry is ruthless. This dress cost more than my bridemaid dress!?! Robbery, I tell you!

It fits her almost perfectly, just a touch too big so hopefully it will be just right by October.

Just 3 weeks left...

until I start going back to work. :-(

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy what I do and I am really excited and very nervous about my new job, but going back to school after summer is always hard. I have gotten used to being around the girls all the time and knowing them better than ever and having more time than normal to do my thing (exercise, scrapbook, read). I will say that I am easing back into work this year, unlike last year when I had to jump in with both feet and scramble frantically to unpack my new room in a new school. I am going to spend 2-3 days and then have a 4 day weekend before I start back for real.

With only a few more weeks, I feel the need to cram lots into that time. I have scrapbooks to catch up (I was only a year behind in both girls books), shower invitations to finish for my cousin, and some assorted school stuff I have been putting off. Oh, I can't forget that I have to finish my new Harry Potter book! That is the cause of my lack of productivity in the past few days. Nate doesn't get it. "Why do you want to read that kids book? I just don't get it."

Today Shelby and I are making one more trip to Magic Waters to use my other free ticket with Meghan, Olivia, Kara, and Lucas. Hopefully I will get some cute pictures. I feel bad not taking Sarah, but she wouldn't enjoy it like Shelby does and I can't handle both of them safely in a place like that. Next year, maybe. I did get to spend some 1 on 1 time with Sarah last night though while Nate took Shelby to look at work and visit.

Sarah's not been quite herself these last few days. Cranky and more tired than normal, and she's not eating as well either. This child is usually a crazy eater. I am thinking that the teeth she's cutting could be the cause. I am going to give her another day or 2 before I call Dr. Geddes for advice.

Such a fake little smile. She had just finished wedging herself between the wall and hutch right behind her. She found that to be great fun! Why no shirt? Because this pic was taken on one of those terribly hot days when I didn't have the heart to dress the girls properly while in the house. On days like that, panties and diapers do just fine, thanks!

It's not easy...

being the little one.
At least that's what Sarah must be thinking. She so desperately wants to do just what her big sister is doing at all times, but that just doesn't always work out. On Saturday, Shelby had her Play-doh out and Sarah so so so wanted to play so I finally let her while holding her on my lap and closely supervising her. Shelby and I kept telling her "No play-doh in mouth, it's not food" and I thought she got that because none had gone in her mouth (not even an attempt) for about 10-15 minutes. So, I focus on Shelby for about 10 seconds, and Sarah has a mouthful of RED play-doh stuck in her teeth! Ew and gross!! I had to pick some out and then brush her teeth (not a popular activity with Sarah) to get it out. No more Play-doh for Sarah!

A rare pic

My mom took this picture on the Fourth of July at my Grandma and Grandpa's house and I thought I should post it since pictures of the girls with their mommy are so rare. I am usually the one behind the camera. Of course, we couldn't get one with everyone smiling and looking at the camera, but you can't have it all, right?

Naughty!

This Monday finds me feeling like the only (and I know I'm not) mom in the world with a NAUGHTY toddler. Shelby has really been working to push my buttons lately, and today has been no different. It started with us trying to leave the YMCA after I had gone to exercise. She really enjoys going to the daycare there and playing with all of the different toys, but time to leave is a difficult transition for her. Normally, she needs to watch the people downstairs exercise before we can leave. I am fine with that, but today she wouldn't stop and I finally told her it was time to go. What does she do then, but throw herself on the ground and say loudly "No mommy!" Great!! The old man sitting behind us gave me a look and made a rude comment about needing a leash. No, thank you I don't need a leash for her, just another set of hands so I can carry her out while also carrying her sister. I should have told him that, but kept my mouth shut.

I know I can be a pushover with her because it is sometimes simply easier to let things go and pick battles than to duke it out in WWIII with Nate junior.

Oh and she also has a thing with hitting when she doesn't like what you have to say. She pulls that one on Nate too and we have NO tolerance for that one. It lands her butt in time-out right now! We had a hitting episode at home this morning too. Speaking of time-out, I am going to buy a small rug or something for her time-out spot that way I can move it but it will still have some consistency.

The other thing she did was write on the felt board I just made her! Scroll down, you'll see it. Now it has blue dry erase marker on it. That one made my blood boil, but she didn't really seem to care. Needless to say, between that and the marker on the walls, the dry erase markers have gone far away for a LONG time.


So, if any of my friends or family have any advice for me, I will gladly listen to it. E-mail me or leave a comment. I also reserved a couple of books from the library on the topic since that's how I tend to learn new things.

Anyway, happy Monday. I am thinking that a drink (and I'm not a drinker) may be in order before this day is over!

Felt Board

I made the girls a felt board this weekend along with an assortment of shapes to "build" with on it. Shelby especially is having a fun time creating with it. I attached it to their easel on the chalkboard side which they don't use so it can't be taken down and stepped on. It was a simple and cheap project. Just a foam board and some felt from the craft store along with hot glue to attach. I think I did the whole thing with shapes for under $10. I have enough to make Shelby and Sarah each their own small board for car rides and other outings, but that will mean I may need to cut out more shapes. I am thinking of buying them some letter and number and character sets for Christmas (not crazy enough to try making those).

Just some hangin' out pics...

Starting your Christmas shopping for the girls? Great, you can just go to the grocery store and buy us some food that comes in cool containers! They really enjoyed these empty Crystal Light containers on Saturday.

Where's your tummy, Sarah?

This is the response I now get to that question. Sarah can't simply point to her tummy, she has to show it off too! That also means that we have had to pretty much put wearing onesies to rest since she gets really frustrated by not being able to show off her belly. The other day I had to unsnap the onesie. She also knows nose, but points to mine not hers. :)

Another project

This is a project I have been meaning to do since we moved Shelby into her big girl room back in November. I bought the lamp shade above and used the stencil I used to do her room to stencil the lamp shade (see below). It only took me a little over an hour, but I am ever so happy to have gotten around to it finally.

Not too bad, huh?

Yum!

Shelby's just showing off our creation. We made chocolate-peanut butter crunch with Chex cereal and pretzels. Shelby was interested in breaking the pretzel sticks in half for about 3 minutes before she started alternately eating them and dropping whole pieces into the mixing bowl! She did help me count and pour the Chex into the bowl and then shake the powdered sugar and M&M's into the mix in a Zip-Loc bag. Shelby just loves to help out in the kitchen. It's usually not so helpful to me as maddening, but I love nurturing this interest for her.

A summer project

I got this album from a student in my class at the end of the school year whose mom sells Creative Memories. I used it to make a recipe book of our favorite recipes. I just thought I would share how it turned out. I bought some cute scrapbooking paper that matches the book at my kitchen decor. Nate took one look, and said "Someone has too much extra time, doesn't she?" I say not really, but little projects like this are what summer vacation is all about for me.

Sisters

I will admit that I have had moments when I wondered what possibly could have possessed me to have my children just 18 months and 4 days apart. Most of those days occured last summer when I have a toddler entering the terrible two's early and a newborn who was more fussy and difficult than her older sister. However, I kept telling myself that with time our girls would be great friends (even if they did fight sometimes) like Nate and his brother have always been (they have the fights too). This summer I am seeing this friendship start to develop, and what a neat thing. Last night Nate and I were treated to a scream fest. Shelby usually starts this, but Sarah is quick to join in. They communicate with screams and laughter, and it goes on and on. I am sure the neighbor thought something funky was going on over here since all of the window were open and they were LOUD! I missed out on recording that this time, but I NEED to!

Shelby is also learning about feelings so she tries to make her sister feel better when she's sad, sometimes. This definitely does not apply when she wants a toy from Sarah because then she takes what she wants (a doll maybe) and give Sarah something like a block. Sarah is sometimes okay with the trade and other times very offended. Don't let her size fool you, I have watched her go over and try to shove Shelby for what she wants! In Shelby's mind, as long as she gives her something, she can take whatever she wants. We have a long way to go in the sharing dept.

Shelby's language is still growing by leaps and bounds. She has been saying tons of words and even sentences, but now the sayings and cute phrases are coming. The other day I suggested we get out Shelby's marbles (she says "mardles") after Sarah was in bed so she didn't eat them and Shelby said "Good idea mommy!" A couple of weekends ago she spontaneously started hiding her eyes, counting to 10, and then yelling "Ready or not here I come!" Where did she learn Hide and seek!! Nate and I had a great time helping her hide and letting her try to find us. "What'cha doin'?" and "What's that?" are favorites and I hear them about 100 times a day. This age is a blast, but also frustrating. In 2 seconds flat we can have a screamer because we won't let her say jump off the couch.

Sarah is starting to play more and become more content. She is also the lover of the 2. She will run toward me and bury her head in my chest laughing all the way. Shelby was never so loving at that age. She is also trying to say so much. She's always babbling something to me. She said "tickle, tickle" last night. Her favorite word is "more" for more food. She is an eater for such a pint.

I never thought...

a bed sheet fresh from the dryer could be such a fun plaything! I was trying to fold this yesterday, but finally gave up. The laughing and high pitched girl screams were just too much. Both girls have always enjoyed peek-a-boo, so this was for them! They spent a good 1/2 hour covering each other and running around.

Yuck!

What a gross weekend! Too hot!! Mom, Dad and I had our garage sale on Saturday, and had a great turn out (I got rid of lots of baby things), but wow was it ever toasty out that day. Then, yesterday was worse. It made me really wish we had central air! I have that wish a few times every summer, but most days are not so bad at our house because we get that great country breeze. Our pool was some relief, and the girls really enjoyed playing in it.

The heat must have gotten to Shelby as well, since she was Little Miss Sass yesterday. She and Nate were butting heads most of the day (they are way too alike). Lots of "No!" from that girl and that doesn't work for Nate.

Sarah has been working intently on her shape sorter and has mastered circles. She would sit and drop circles in the hole all day if she could. She will do the other shapes if I model 1 first. She has also figured out where her belly is and will lift her shirt all day long when asked. Too bad she spent much of the day yesterday getting toys taken away by her sassy sister and getting upset (feelings very easily hurt). It must stink to be the littlest one sometimes. Although I must say it melted my heart last night when Shelby blew Sarah a good night kiss and told her "sweet dreams" before bed. So cute!

As for me , I am plugging away at my summer projects. I have most of the book labels done for school that I am working on. I am working on a check-out system for our reading books so I had to type each title on a label and stick those on index cards. (Fun, I feel like a librarian.) Right now, I am working on a recipe book for our favorite recipes. I got a great flip album from a family in my class at school and it is perfect for recipes. It's a quick project, but I am enjoying it. I'll have to post a pic when I finish. I really think I'm putting off working on the girl' s scrapbooks because I am soooo very far behind.

I should get up and get ready before I have someone awake for the day. Hopefully this heat wave has passed!

More pool fun

Shelby in the pool...she acts just like a little fish. I think she was a little chilly just like Sarah, not that she would admit it. Whenever I ask what she'd like to do, her answer..."go 'wimming!" She tends to leave the 's' off lots of words right now so I wanted you to imagine it the way she would say it.

Pool time

Sarah in the pool...she and I only lasted about 10 minutes there because she got cold...we're talking pitiful chattering teeth!

Finger Painting!

I thought it would be fun to finger paint with Shelby. I was going to make my own (I had found a recipe) but Nate talked me into just buying some instead. I may still make some later. Shelby thought it was alright, but she literally finger painted with only her index finger! I think the new sensory feeling of the slimy paint kind of freaked her out. Her favorite part was when I let her squirt her own paint onto the page (she used WAY to much). I'll try it with her again soon.

I am also on the hunt for some large wooden beads for stringing, a large piggy bank for her to start keeping money in, and supplies to make a felt board to start putting stories and letter and numbers on. I am also trying to draw upon my knowledge of Montressori learning from my year of teaching multi-age to get/create some new and more interesting play things for her since she seems to enjoy pretend playing with real things and tasks than with toys most of the time.

Funny, I am getting things on my summer to-do list done, but I keep adding things to it so it never seems to get any smaller!

Potty

So, you know you are a mom when you sit down to actually write about the bathroom, but I have to record this so I can embarass Shelby with it when she is older. :-)

Ever since Shelby started using the potty (back in April), I feel like we are on a tour of all the public restrooms we encounter. It never fails that once we are in a public spot, I hear the all too familiar call of "Potty Mommy!" And really, how can you not take her? Wouldn't that make you look evil to not take a toddler potty when she asks (and quite possibly wet)? We have visited every restaurant, store and even park district (yuck) bathroom in the Belvidere/Rockford area.

So, last night we are out to dinner and make 2 trips to the potty. Then, we took the girls to the park. This little tot lot near my mom and dad's house because the park we usually go to was closed off for fireworks later in the night. There we are playing happily when I hear "Mommy potty!" in the frantic voice that means 'I have to go RIGHT NOW!' and then, you guessed it, she went right there on the slide. Meanwhile, I had been getting braver with her since she does so well and only had a pull-up with me, not a spare pair of shorts so we had to cut our outing short and skip ice cream. Needless to say, I am packing a pair of shorts from now on just in case...