FRUIT Loops

Sugar cereal is a special occasion thing at our house and since our cousins are here for the week we count that as a special occasion. I stocked up on the Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops and of course the kids can't stop at just one bowl. After Addie had finished her 2nd bowel of vitamin fortified sugar cereal she asked for another bowl of Fruit Loops. I told her that if she was still hungry she should have a piece of fruit instead. Addie's reply was, "But MOM! they're FRUIT Loops." Her reasoning was so sound I couldn't argue. She got her 3rd bowl of Fruit Loops.

Can't Sleep

I'm sitting here putting off going to bed, and wandering aimlessly on the internet. Mostly checking blogs and mostly of my family. I'm in one of those moods where I really miss them. I wish I could be closer so I could meet my new nephews Rockwell and Hayden. I wish I could give my chubby other nephew, Topher, a squeeze and bite his cheeks. I wish I were closer so I could see my over-achieving baby sister play as a featured violinist with the Cedar City orchestra and to offer my mom some much needed comfort, companionship and maybe a laugh or two. I wish I could hug my little (and mean younger, 'cause he's much bigger than me) brother and tell him how proud I am of him and all the positive changes he's made in his life recently. I wish I could give my dad a huge birthday hug, hang out in is totally awesome designer home while he cooks and talks about past girlfriends, then check out the new Harley he bought (mid-life crisis # ?) and maybe go for a ride around the block. But, I'm nearly 3,000 miles away so all I can do is send my love in this pathetic blog. (I'm probably high on paint fumes again since I just finished painting the living room). I love you family. You're in my thoughts tonight.

Project Pandemonium and Paint Fumes- Part 1

If you know me well (or even not so well) you know I always have a project going. Someone once asked why I do it. I stated, "I guess I'm addicted to projects or it runs in my blood," - thanks to mom. "Or your addicted to the paint fumes," they said. This week I am definitely high on paint fumes. Something about having upcoming house guests puts a bee in my bonnet and I feel like I have to go on a project marathon. This week, in anticipation of my sister coming followed by Rob's parents, I have been attempting to finish painting the girl's bedroom, the playroom, the dining room, the living room (in addition to putting up crown molding in those two rooms), a bookshelf for Alex's room, and refinishing a chest to put in the dining room. In addition, I will be attempting to sew curtains for four rooms. I know, I'm totally crazy.

Thus far I have finished painting the girl's bedroom, which I love (pictures soon to follow) and the playroom, which I hate! (my eyes are burning from over exposure to bright yellow - I doubt I will take pictures of that). Though I do like the chalkboard wall I painted in the playroom. I have also finished the bookshelf and the crown molding. I am nearing completion of the chest of drawers I bought for $20 on craigslist. I really do love refinishing furniture. My regret is I get so excited to remake the old that I always forget to take a before picture. Darn it. You really can't appreciate the "after" unless you've seen the "before".

Well, wish me luck. I'm off to bed with cramps in my hands and paint in my nails and hair, that is if I come down from my paint fumes high. Tomorrow's goal: to tape and paint the dining room. Project Pandemonium and Paint Fumes - Part 2 soon to follow, hopefully with pictures.

P.S. Thanks, honey, for putting up with the chaos.

Cultured Again

After being submerged in culture during my college years going to operas, ballets, Broadway productions, etc. I've gone through quite a culture drought. After nearly five years living here, I finally attended my first North Carolina Opera and musical production all in the same week. The productions: Carmen and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Carmen was put on by Charlotte Opera. "L'Amour". It was fantastic. Millie was put on by one of my Young Women's performing High School group and I must say for a High School production, it was quite good. Definitely have the performing bug again.

Maycie's Mud Pie Madness

Nothing like good CLEAN fun!

The Ultimate Parent

We happened to get in a discussion about death with the children. Addie asked what would happen to them if Rob and I were to die. I told her that there would always be someone to take care of them. Addie's response: "Like God?".

How will I choose?

Maycie tonight as I'm putting her to bed: "Mom, when I grow up how will I choose who to marry?"

Hamburgers are made from WHAH?

I can't remember exactly how the conversation started, but Addie began inquiring where certain foods come from. We got through the plant group fairly smoothly, but once we went onto the meats that's when the bomb shell hit.
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"You mean hamburgers are made from cows?" She actually got a little teary eyed at this point. "Mom, I can't eat cows. I like cows. They're so nice"
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So the inquiry continued as she learned many of her favorite foods were also animals she would like to keep as a pet someday. Ham, hot dogs, turkey, chicken nuggets. She actually wavered slightly on chicken nuggets that night as I made them. As the irresistible aroma of crispy nuggets filled the air she decidedly declared, "Mom, I don't really like chickens that much. Plus, chickens are put on the earth so we can eat them." She enjoyed chicken that night. However, the next night she stuck up her nose at the cheesy chicken pasta I made. I told her just to pick out the chicken and not eat it. Then she demanded to know where pasta and cheese come from along with the broccoli that was on her plate. I'm happy to say she was okay eating the broccoli, bread and pasta.
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Despite my efforts to explain that the animals we eat are raised so we can eat them (I don't want to hear anything from any animal activist about how inhumanely these animals are raised) and how Heavenly Father said it's okay for us to eat meat sometimes, she was and is determined that she will take no part of ingesting animals. Part of me thinks, "What a bright and compassionate daughter I have whose conscience and deep love for animals won't allow her contradict those feelings by eating her meaty friends." The other part of me thinks, "Who has ever heard of a 6 year old vegetarian with meat eating parents?"
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My plan is to make as little deal of this as possible and see what happens. I'll let you know in a couple weeks...