Our Little Cookie Monster

This little cute mischief maker has been at it again!

This morning he came into the kitchen and I said, "Phin what is by your eye?...it's chocolate.  Where did you get chocolate"

His response?  "From my room."

Me: "What do you mean your room?"

Phin:  "I ate cookies in my room."

I glanced up to notice the Keebler Fudge Stripes I bought yesterday were missing from the counter.

Me:  "When did you take them to your room?"

Phin:  "I sneaked down this morning when everyone was sleeping."

I then asked him to bring them downstairs....and this is what is left of our nearly full package of cookies!

I intended to use them in a trifle today but let the kids each try one yesterday.  He obviously really liked the sample.  I asked him why he left three, assuming he'd say he was full or his tummy hurt, but he sweetly said, "I wanted to leave some for the rest of the family."

How kind of him.;)

Top Ten Things I Have Missed about Marc while he's been gone...

Marc is in Lebanon.  He is having a great trip and we have fared well.  This is the longest he and I have been apart and the longest the kids have been away from him, as well.  God has been very gracious in providing family and friends who support me  (mowed my lawn, called, email, dropped off cupcakes, gave invites to dinner or offers to drop off dinner or babysit).  Yes, we did just fine physically, but we all miss him like crazy.  Now that I am safely harboring at my parents (yes, I did escape here this weekend because faring well or not, I am TIRED!), I can blog about his absence without worrying some weirdo will find out online and come knocking;)

Top Ten things I am missing...in no particular order

1)  Pillowtalk
2)  Telling a gazillion stories about things my kids say or do to someone that finds them equally as adorable
3)  Having the dishes done and breakfast taken care of every day...by someone other than me;)
4)  Seeing Marc roll around on the floor with the kids...giggles abounding
5)  The smell of my freshly showered, shaven, and cologned man;)
6)  My Food Network-watching partner
7)  Making fun of him as he flexes in the mirror (bam...busted on the blog;)
8)  Praying with him every night
9)  His conversation on the drive down to Chicago (we put on the DVD player and it's almost as good as a date- 2 1/2 hours of real conversation...this trip was decidely a bit lonely)
10)  His compliments...constant and sometimes annoying when he's present, but when he's absent, I find myself wondering where my cheerleader is;)

I am so thankful for my husband.  I am so thankful we are in the home stretch now.  We have survived the week and have 3 days to go...can't wait to see him!!!

Chloe is TWO!

CHLOE IS TWO!!!!

It's hard to believe that two years has passed since this precious, miraculous day....June 15, 2010

We had no idea when we looked at her precious squishy, red face, that she would so perfectly live up to the meaning of her name.  Chloe means, "Verdant or Vibrant".  She certainly is...she is a ball of personality and knows how to work a room;)  

Saturday we had her second birthday party.  I had lots of themes swimming through my head but in the end decided to focus less on a creative outlet for me and more on what CHLOE would enjoy.  All of our children like music, but it seems to flow in Chloe's veins.  From the time she was itty bitty, she has fingered the piano keys instead of pounding on them.  She has been able to carry a tune since very young and lights up when her favorite songs are on.  She's got moves Jaggar as never seen!

I invited a few little two year old friends.  I decided to do a little music class.  I ordered our favorites for everyone- maraccas, scarves, cymbols with handles, eggs, etc.  I also made rain sticks.  I really wanted a big drum, but restrained myself from spending the money- as it turns out Jimmy John's Sandwich trays make AWESOME group drums;)   I also had bubbles (Gymboree's for the occasion, because they are by far the most superior bubbles on the market;) and I ordered a parachute, but we ended up going outside for the bubbles and got distracted by the playset and such...so we didn't use it;)  We had pizza (her FAVORITE food) and an ice cream cake;)  It was in many ways the most simple party we've done, but it was perfect for our little ball of joy.

We love you, darling, Chloe- every little mischeivious bit of you;)

Airduct Adventure FOILED!

My son is upset with me.  Actually, he cried pretty hard.  It was kind of a heart breaking anguish type of cry.  Boo! for having to be the responsible voice of reason!

He was making quite a bit or ruckus in his room during nap.  I have a stiff neck and therefore a splitting headache, so I was trying to sleep myself and became very frustrated by his antics.  I went to his room and there he was on the floor- all of my scrapbook pens in front of him along with his Toy Story toys.

Mom: "Phineas, what are you doing?  Why aren't you napping and what you are you doing with my pens?
Phin:  I can't nap, mom, we are having an adventure.
Mom:  What kind of adventure are you having with my pens...if you write on your toys with those it won't come off.
Phin:  I would NEVER write on my toys, mom.  We are having an adventure.  I couldn't find a screw driver so I am trying to use your pens.
Mom:  For what?
Phin:  I am going to take off the vent so I can crawl in there with my Toy Story guys!
Mom:  What?
Phin:  we are going into the vent!


You can probaby predict what happened from there.  A) I informed him he probably wouldn't fit and if he did, that was very dangerous and he'd probably end up stuck or hurt and B) if just his toys fit in we might lose them forever cuz we might not be able to reach them to get them out.  He was crushed...crushed.

If you have seen Toy Story 2, you'll remember the toys use the Elevator shaft and air ducts to get to Woody and use them again to go after Al when Woody and the rest of the Woody's round up gang are in Al's suitcase bound for the airport..

Phin pretty much lives Toy Story and I guess his adventures are getting bigger with age.  I just hope he doesn't try to get the toys to drive the car....better be on the look out and be ready for more dream destroying;P

Touch`e

Ava is a pack rat, or, if you are a more optimistic sort, sentimental.  She hates to discard things.  I have had her in a total meltdown on numerous occasions because I threw out art work or something.  I've tried being direct and I've tried being sneaky.  There is just no good way to keep the house clutter free and Ava happy. I just try to pick my battles.  The truth is she seems to be an artist through and through and sometimes she makes VERY imaginative things with "trash" (like her homemade circular knitting needles she made from old chopsticks and wire- impressive!).

There has been a bit of an ongoing battle of sorts between Ava and I re. a Cheesball container in her room.  I think it's gross, she is going to make something out of it.  Our concession, after asking her to throw it away numerous times and finding myself in a debate about it's worth, was to make sure it was washed properly and free of crumbs.  Mind you, it still has annoyed me.  Why have an empty Cheeseball barrel in your room?!  It just is calling for the garbage can every time I walk in and it has taken every ounce of self control to not sneak and toss it.

Yesterday I was preparing for Chloe's musical birthday party and I wanted a big drum.  I can't justify ordering one, but I was sort of wishing we had one.  Then I walked into Ava's room.  Instantly noticing the menacing Cheeseball container proudly proclaiming it's spot on her dresser.  Angst filled me, I had to hold my hands back to keep from picking it up and throwing it in the trash...and then it hit me!  "That Cheeseball container looks awfully drum like", I thought to myself.

So today, I nonchalantly (feeling totally sheepish inside)asked Ava, "Hey Ava, would you mind if I used that Cheeseball container for a drum at Chloe's party?"  She confidently said, "Oh Sure Mom!  It makes a great drum."  As I walked out the door, she cheerfully added, "See mom, take it from me- you just never know when you are going to need something."  AYE!  I think I just took two steps back in my decluttering battle....but I do have a "drum" for Saturday;)