Want a Cracker?

So, kids really are parrots!! They repeat EVERYTHING!! And although I have been warned by everyone that they have the capabilities to do this, I am not the best at watching my language or sarcasm. Yes, they can even mimick tone! So...what I have now is a couple of smart ass, bad mouths!! Well, it's not that bad, but I'm not proud of everything they have repeated.

I was really good when I had Bryce. My patience was better and I didn't have such a potty mouth. His first bad word was "shit." He was acting out a scene from Sandlot, his favorite movie at the time. He didn't even learn it from me! I told him it was bad and he was really good and NEVER repeated words after I told him they were bad.

Now when I say I was good, what I meant was, I would say everything up to the swear word. My favorite was, "WHAT the...?" and trail off. Let this be a lesson in intention. We were strolling around at Target and their was another mom with her cart full of kids. Bryce was in my cart and dropped something out. He said with a smirk, "What the...?" I was on the the edge of my seat...was he going to go all the way? Would he drop the "F" bomb and make me look like the worst parent in the world? Nope! He trailed off! Her kids were laughing at the expression and the mom made sure to send an evil glare in my direction. Ok, so it sounds just as bad, even if you don't say the actual word.

Now Leah as you can imagine...repeats everything! My language has worsened since the second one has arrived. I know, but before you judge me, I think I'm a damn good mom....dang mom, dang mom! The first time Bobby heard our little princess say a bad word he called a little parent meeting and said I should try not to swear. I told him I know, and I feel guilty but I don't spank, and I try not to yell, so when I see a chocolate pudding mural on the carpet for the 3rd moning in a row, I might let the word, shit, slip out. Leah told us when she had "shit" instead of poop in her diaper. At least she used the right context. I understand, it isn't right.

That weekend Bobby watched the kids ALL day while I ran errands. I got home and the house was a disaster, he looked defeated and the kids were a mess. I didn't care though because I was refreshed from my relaxing day. After we put the kids to bed, I got the validation I needed. Bobby asked, "How do you do this EVERYDAY?" I said, "Well, I swear, that helps!" He gave me permission to swear away.

It is still a goal of mine to watch my language around the kids. It is an on-going battle. I figure they would hear those words one day anyway and it is better to educate them then shelter them. Hey! Whatever helps me sleep at night. They know they can not repeat the bad words and I have told them to correct me when I say them. They really like being able to say, "Mommy, you said a bad word and that's not good!" We are all learning from each other.

First T-ball Practice

It's official! We have entered into the world of Little League!! We signed him up in December and couldn't wait to see him play. He's actually been slugging the baseball since before he was 2 and has been practicing with Bobby in the backyard ever since. I feel a "little" out of my "league" with this new clique of parents. When we signed him up I wore heels and a trenchcoat while all the other moms were sporting their league and team t-shirts. It's only a matter of time before we fit in and I have my own collection of hideous t-shirts. haha

A couple of weeks before the first practice we get a phone call asking if Bobby would coach. Of course, we couldn't say no, so now Bobby is the head coach of the Red Sox. It's pretty cool because that was the first team Bobby played for too. There are seven kids, including two cute little girls. I naturally signed up for team mom and supplied the snacks and juice. Our team looks pretty good for 4, 5, and 6 year olds. That said...it is still t-ball and the first practice consisted of all the lil' cuties running in the same direction after the ball, while no one covered the bases. They caught on quick after Bobby told them to only go for the ball if it was closest to them.

Bobby established the rules before practice began. They were:

1.) HAVE FUN!!!

2.) Be safe!!

3.) Always listen to your coach

There are several parent helpers and we can't wait for his first game. Bobby thinks it doesn't get much better than this: The American Dream- playing and coaching Little League. More updates to come as our little slugger starts to play.

I'm a Steam Cleanin' Machine

When we first bought this house and went to go pick out carpet, we decided on a nice neutral color that would go with whatever decor we picked. This decision was made pre-kids and now I know what a disasterous decision is was to go with LIGHT carpet. I work my butt off to keep the carpet looking presentable, and trust me, this is no easy task! A couple years ago I got a steamcleaner as a present, and let me tell you, that was probably one of the most useful gifts I ever got.

Here is a run-down of what I can recall cleaning off the carpet:
*dog poop
*kid poop
*dog pee
*kid pee
*freshly spilt milk
*sour milk
*chocolate milk
*throw-up
*blood
*a whole pitcher of red kool-aid (still stained)
*half a gallon of red paint (didn't stain)
*markers
*scrapbook tape rolled all over the carpet (I actually had to cut that out with scissors)
*a whole tub of apple juice
*a bucket of dirty mopped water
*every color otter pop
*a whole bottle of kid shampoo (the suds with this one!!)
*fish food (very stinky)
*chocolate pudding
*glass of wine
*bottles of beer (adults spill too sometimes, more when they are drunk)
*half a bottle of KY (Leah found somehow...at least it is water soluable)
*mud/dirt
*desitin (butt cream)
*lotion
*dried toothpaste...about half a tube
*baby oil
*starbursts and lollipops stuck to the carpet
*probably every drink that has every been drunk has left little dribbles
*every food that escapes the table including pizza, mac n cheese and cereal

I probably forgot something but I think it is clear to say that I have my work cut out. I like to laugh when people come in and ask if they have to take their shoes off. I guess when they ask I should know what a good job I am doing. If they only knew....

Be Mine, Valentine Forever

2 years into our relationship and a "few pounds lighter" haha

Today not only do we celebrate Valentine's Day in our house, we also celebrate our anniversary when we started dating. We are not quite sure if Valentine's was the exact date, since it was a gradual courtship, but it is the day we chose to count the years we've been together. It seems like we have been together forever but it also feels like with a blink of an eye we have made it to the point we are today. Wierd to feel like "forever" has gone by sooo fast. This year we have been together a total of 14 years and married for eight of those years. WOW! I've been with Bobby for more than half of my living years.



We met when I was 5 and he was 9. Our brothers, Dane and Brian always take reponsibility for us meeting. It was through their preschool class that our families met and became friends. They had a boat and so did we, so we spent many weekends at the lake together. I can't say I have always loved Bobby, because at one point he was MEAN to me. This was the preteen years though, and I have since "let it go." I was the only girl among my three brothers and the two Parks boys, but I can't say I didn't love it. I mean...I ALWAYS got to be the princess when we played guns and who doesn't want to always be a princess.



I developed a school girl crush on Bobby around 10 and he still wanted nothing to do with me. He was funny and attractive and I was 10. My brothers finally convinced me to tell them who I like when I was 12. They swore they wouldnt tell a soul. I said I liked Bobby and the first thing the little asses do is call him up and tell him. He probably said (to my recollection), "I'm playing Nintendo," and hung up. Not until my "top half" developed did he finally decide I was cool enough to take a chance on. I guess for boys that's all it takes.



I knew I wanted to marry him since I was 12. Most people would laugh when I was so sure I was going to marry him at such a young age...but I knew. There were many qualities along the way that made him AMAZINg to me. One story that sticks out:



Once our parents left Bobby in charge while the adults went out to dinner. My younger brother Neal had fallen and got a cut. I think we were doing something we weren't suppose to be doing, like flying off the top bunk or something. I don't know if it was because Bobby didn't want to get in trouble or because he has a great heart, but he took Neal in the bathroom and plugged the sink. He continued to pull everything out of the medicine cabinet and mix it in the sink to make a "potion" to heal Neal. He mixed cough syrup, antibiotics, vaseline, lotion, anything and everything. By the end of his potion making, we were all in histarics, even Neal. Neal forgot he was hurt and none of us were going to tell the parents what happened.



I remember that night thinking what a great Dad he would make and that I loved him. Not a little girl type of crush but I knew that he would always be the kind of guy who made things better. Nothing has changed. Even now as I write this, he is putting the kids to sleep so I can relax and all I hear is them laughing.



Here's to 14 years of being each others Valentine and always wanting it to be that way...

And that's not just the wine talking (although I apologize in advance for the mushiness...I am a few glasses in already)

His 1st Tooth

About a month ago Bryce notified us that his tooth was loose. He was upset because he didn't want to lose any of his teeth. We tried to explain best we can about how he will get new teeth and how fun the tooth fairy will be and did we mention...you get MONEY too? He tells us he has enough money in his piggy bank and he would rather just keep his teeth. Bryce has always been a little hard to trick.

I tried to recall when I was young and loosing teeth. I remember I didn't love the sensation and I hated pulling them. I would just wait until they basically fell out on their own. Some kids would talk about tying a string to the tooth and slamming a door shut, others would say to just yank it out, but that just seemed barbaric to me. The timeline for loose teeth is unclear though. I recall it like this: loose tooth one day, the next day it falls out. Not real accurate.

Bryce's tooth stayed loose for a whole month! We'd tell him to yank it out but he must have adopted my "wait till it falls out" method. He'd play with it with his tongue...not my favorite thing to watch! I swore it was going to come out a week ago, but Bryce started to baby it. He wouldn't eat with his front teeth and he wouldn't eat anything hard.

Finally it came out this morning! Bobby, Leah (still sneaking in with us) and I were still asleep on our bed, when he runs upstairs, tooth in hand, screaming, "I lost it, it FINALLY came out!" I was nervous...is he going to be happy or mad?

To my suprise he was way excited and I was glad he wasn't going to be traumatized from the experience. He got a bag and said he couldn't wait to get $. I guess you never really can have too much...right?

Now I get to play the tooth fairy and I'm a little unsure about the amount to give. I don't want to be a cheap tooth fairy and give him some spare change, but $20 may seem a little overboard. I'm going with a dollar or maybe I got five on it.

This is yet another milestone screaming at me, telling me how old he is getting. It seems like he was just born yesterday...I totally understand the saying "Time Flies!"

Welcome Back and Take That!

I am always saying that once you are a mom, all of your free time comes at a cost. This means that if you let your kid (that is at the questionable nap age) take a nap to enjoy some quiet time, the cost is going to be that they won't go to bed until eleven pm. It's a trade-off. Deal with them now or later. If you enjoy some quiet time upstairs expect to come downstairs to a disaster. Catch my drift?

This last week Bobby and I took a five day vacation on a cruise. We were so excited to get away kid-free. To not have to clean, cook and wipe poopy asses all day was going to be a great break. We went and it was so enjoyable and carefree. I missed the kids, but we NEEDED that get-a-way. We get back and we are excited to get see the kids and establish our routine again. Saturday goes well. Dang! We left for a week and didn't have to pay a high price? Why did we even need that break in the first place? I can't remember because the kids are being so cute!

Not too fast!! Sunday comes and we are all watching a movie on the couch. Leah disappears into the playroom and some time passes before we notice she is missing. Bobby goes in to discover Leah playing in her poop!!!! Disgusting! I don't understand why some kids think this is a suitable past time. If you are a mom and your kid NEVER does this, consider yourself the most blessed person in the world. It is every where: the carpet, the toys (which I threw out for those of you that visit with their kids and go in there), and all over her. The smell makes me want to vomit. We have been potty training her and this was a huge "F" you to us!

I feel like Leah may have been collecting her momentum all week to give us this whopper of a welcome home gift. I remember why we need the break now....

Enjoying "poop" free time!