The Day's Discoveries

In no particular order-

Max has special anti-productivity powers.

Next time that I bake 24 cupcakes for Joe's softball team, I should first see if the game is cancelled due to rain.  (although, sharing cupcakes was a great reason to visit with friends after school)

I am less than excited to spend the evening at Curriculum Night at Joe's school.

The internet is pretty awesome.  I'm making dinner, and I couldn't remember how many cups are in a pint, so I googled "pints to cu", and before I could even finish typing "cups" Google told me that there are 2 cups in 1 pint.  Geesh, so convenient.

Next time that I drive to the library, I should make sure that I have Max's stroller and Lucy's shoes.  Oops.

October is full of birthdays and parties- and so we begin the party season!

Dear Television,

Welcome back!  You've been missed!

I tried not to think about you while you were gone- you know, the whole theory about out of sight, out of mind.  Not that I didn't watch my share of Wipeout and Big Brother, oh, and I can't forget Bachelor Pad!  But for the most part, I busied myself with other things, knowing that when the time was right, you'd return to me and bring me all of my favorites. 

And now that you are here, I must say that you look fabulous!  The summer break was good to you!  I like what you've done with Survivor- the whole old folks vs. young folks.  I am totally cheering for Jimmy Johnson, even though he claims that he doesn't have a chance to win the game since a jury will never give him a million dollars.  I am also cheering for Kelly, the girl with the prosthetic leg.  She is awesome, and I hope that she can stay and play as long as possible!

And Glee!  I am so curious if the group is going to be able to recruit more students for the club- like the blondie who took Finn's quarterback position.  Is Coach Beist a male or female actor?  I kind of like him/her.  And I like Rachel's bangs.  And when the group sang "New York" in the courtyard during lunch, I nearly drove myself down to the local high school and signed up for the glee club.  It was awesome. 

Oh gosh- there are so many good sitcoms.  Welcome back Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, The Office, and Big Bang Theory.  Your absence made my heart grow fonder.

And there are some new ones that I'm going to try-out, like Running Wilde, Raising Hope, and Better With You.  Better With You had me laughing out loud several times, but I am little concerned that it doesn't have staying power.  You know how sad I get when my favorite shows get canceled (ie. New Adventures With Old Christine).

I still haven't watched Grey's Anatomy.  It is waiting on my DVR.  I am a little nervous to dive in- I am still traumatized from last season's finale.

And I have to be honest- I'm not sure if I can handle The Biggest Loser this season.  You know that I love this show, but 2 hours each week is a hefty chunk of time, and so much of the footage seems to be replays or previews.  Those 2 hours could so easily be condensed (maybe I'll have to watch the show on fast-forward).

And you've saved the best premiere for last- The Amazing Race starts tomorrow!!!  Always an adventure, the Race is sure to hold my attention and keep me on the edge of my seat!

Oh TV, dear old friend, others may put you down, but you know that you are always welcome in our house!  We love you and have missed you, and, again, welcome back :)

Love, Mama Rantz & Co.

My Athlete of the Week

A few months ago, I found a karate program for Joe that I thought was going to rock his world.  Joe is a kid who likes to dress up and he pretends to battle the bad guys, and he might believe that he knows some martial arts (but he doesn't), so I thought I'd get some major mama-points for hooking him up with some legit hi-ya skills.  Plus, karate promotes all sorts of discipline and respect, yada yada.

He was excited, I think.  I took him to his first class, and he participated, and afterward, he said, "Sign me up."  We could either sign him up for the whole year and receive a special bag with bonus accessories, or we could do twice a week during the summer, or just once a week during the summer.  Joe chose to go twice a week, I wrote a check, and we were on our way.

"So, that was a lot of fun!  You did so well!  Are you excited?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, okay.  You don't sound very excited.  What's up?"

"Well, it smells funny in there."  It is true- the dojo smelled like a gym.  "And the Sensei is stinky."  Also true.  "And I don't think I want to do karate.  I thought it would be different."

"What??  Then why did you just tell me that you'd like to take two classes each week?" 

"Because the Sensei was standing right there and I didn't want to hurt his feelings."

"Well, why did you let me write a check?  You watched me write a check- you could have stopped me!'

"Because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."
"Joe, no one's feelings are hurt.  You tried the class, and I am proud of you for giving it a try, and you don't have to take the class, but don't let me write the check and then tell me that you don't want to do it!"

"And, besides, if anyone ever tries to mess with me, I already know a bunch of fighting moves."  Oh my gosh, there were so many things wrong with his statement that I didn't even know where to begin.  My head was kind of spinning.  In that moment, I don't think that I was disappointed that he didn't want to take the karate class.  Actually, I take that back.  I was surprised and disappointed that he didn't want to take the class.  But I was most concerned about Joe's habit of wanting to quit

.  

I'd noticed on several occasions that Joe wants to quit when he faces difficulty.  If he is up against a challenge, his first words are I can't, followed by I don't want to.  Even something as simple as cleaning his room.  If the mess becomes too overwhelming, I hear, "I can't clean this up!"  And if a homework assignment requires a lot of effort, he cries and again I hear, "I can't do this!"

As a parent, I shudder at the thought of raising a child who gives up easily, because as most of us know, life ain't easy!  Can I hear an amen!?  Just like anyone else, I want to raise children who overcome and rise to the occasion and persevere and work hard.  I want to encourage my troop with all of the cliches that my own parents said to me- When the going gets tough, the tough get going and When you fall off the horse, you get right back on again.  And I want to see my kids succeed and learn and grow and tell them You did a great job and I am so proud of you.

So, all of this to say that I am a bit sensitive about Joe's tendency to give up.

And that is why I rolled my eyes on Tuesday morning when Joe announced that he is going to quit the school softball team.  He'd rather join the drama club, and his softball team isn't very good anyway.  I took a deep breath and gave my very best speech about why he is not going to quit the softball team.  And while we completely support him in joining the drama club, he had been practicing with the softball team for three weeks, and they hadn't even played their first game yet, and he had committed to the team, and he should just go out there and have fun...

And their first game was Wednesday.  Max, Lucy and I went to watch him play, and we arrived with a bag full of snacks and a basket full of toys.  Even with my snacks and toys, Max and Lucy could not be contained, so I didn't really get to watch much of the game, but here is what I did see:  I saw Joe in right field cheering on the pitcher, who had walked at least six batters, "Let's do this, Kylee!  You've got this one!"  I saw him get two great hits, and though both times he was tagged out before he ever crossed home-plate, he returned to the dugout and asked, "Mom, did you see my hit!?"  I saw Joe take the pitching mound in the fourth inning and get two strike-outs and then make a play at first base to get the third out.  I saw him having fun with his team, even though they lost.  I mean, they really, really lost.  They did not score even one run, and the other team had 20 runs, at least.

When the game was over, the coach huddled the players on the grass and talked about what they did well and what they can work on to improve.  I listened while Max and Lucy ran around the bases.  Coach explained that each week he will be giving the game ball to a player who played well and kept his/her head in the game, and that player will be Athlete of the Week and will be named on a plaque inside the school.  "And this week, the game ball goes to Joe." 

I grabbed my camera from my bag and started taking pictures because I didn't know what else to do- I felt so goofy standing there alone with big tears in my eyes.

And Joe was very pleased with himself.  "I'm so glad that I didn't quit!"

He didn't even seem to notice that they lost- and they really, really lost.

It felt so good to tell him You did a great job and I am so proud of you!   

And I gave myself a pat on the back too, because even though I often feel like I'm wingin' this whole parenting gig, maybe I'm doing something right!  (go ahead, Mom, tell me that you are proud of me!)

Lucy Lucy Lucy

Ah Lucy, Lucy, Lucy.  Lucy, Lucy Lucy.

It has been a long day.

Last night, as I was putting Lucy to bed, snuggled up to her, peeking at the moon through her window, singing songs at her request, I looked at my baby girl and I just couldn't believe my eyes that she is so big and will soon be turning four years old (not too soon- January- but as fast as time is passing, I swear that January is next week).  I had one of those moments when I recommitted to doing something that I already do everyday, but nonetheless I felt that I really needed to seal the deal on that commitment.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  I have to soak up every second of Lucy.  I can't let myself be distracted by anything less important than my children.  Because before I know it, she will be all grown up, and I will be longing for the days when she makes requests like, "Now will you sing a Cinderella song?"  or asks, "Do you think the moon looks like a soccer ball?"  as she holds tightly to her stuffed Cheshire Cat.

So today I awoke and remembered my renewed commitment, and while we sat and drank our morning beverages and watched our morning shows, I asked, "Lucy, can you believe that you are going to be four years old on your next birthday?"  A big smile crossed her face, followed by a look of concern.  "Mommy, does it make you sad that I am growing?"  I wanted to respond YES IT BREAKS MY HEART!  but Devon told me that I can't say stuff like that anymore because evidently it freaks her out that I get sad about her not being a baby anymore, and she can't stop from growing so she can't make me feel better, and she feels conflicted because she thinks that it is happy to have birthdays and get older yet mama feels sad, and sometimes she acts like a baby to make me happy, but it is really just kinda annoying...  Devon may be right about this one, so instead of telling the truth, I assured her, "No Lulu, it doesn't make me sad.  It makes me happy because you are doing such a good job of growing up."

And that is how our day began- I vowed to soak up my growing girl.

For the rest of the day, Lucy drove me crazy. Crazy!

I didn't know that she could talk for 14 consecutive hours.

She talked and talked and talked and talked.

She talked about everything.  She always has a lot to say, but she was on overdrive today, and I can prove it- while Max was napping, I offered to put on a movie for her- any movie!  Her choice!- but she said no thank you, she'd rather TALK!

We had many fascinating conversations, and many silly ones too, and sometimes we didn't have conversations at all- she wouldn't put periods at the end of her sentences or leave a moment of silence for me to get a word in, so I just listened.

But you know that time of the day when you could easily close your eyes and fall asleep in 2 seconds?  For me, it is 3:30-4:30, and during that time today, I felt more exhausted than usual.  It was the constant dialogue- kinda like when you are in a public place that is noisy, and you just need a mute button for a minute to relax your head.  Or when the TV has been on all day, and once it is finally turned off, you feel like, "Wow, that is better." 

I'm not being mean, I promise.  Usually Lucy will read books, or play in her room, or watch a show, but today she had so much to say!  I didn't get a break!  NO BREAK!

The climax was definitely this evening, as the kids and I sat in traffic on our way home from running errands.  Lucy had a meltdown because she'd dropped her toy.  I reached behind my seat and grabbed the first thing that I could find.  I handed her a Sleeping Beauty figurine, which was not what she wanted, and no sooner than I released the toy, it shot from the backseat and smacked against my dash board.  Joe, who was sitting beside me in the passenger seat, screamed, "OUCH!!!!", grabbed his head and immediately started crying, and it took me a moment to realize that Sleeping Beauty hit Joe's head before ricocheting onto the dash.

"Lucy!  Why did you throw that toy?  You hurt Joseph!  What do you say to your brother?" 

I'll spare you my side of the conversation, because you know how the parent's side of the script goes.

"Mama, I've already learned my lesson!  My lesson is to never throw toys!  It is a really good lesson!  I don't want a spank!  I don't want a time-out!  Please don't set the timer and give me a time-out because I will cry in a time-out!  I will cry if I get a spank!  I am just a little girl who doesn't like time-outs!  Or spanks!  I've learned a good lesson!  No, I don't want to be quiet!  I don't want to be quiet!  I don't want to be quiet!  I can't stop talking, Mama!  I did apologize to Joe!  Yes I did!  Yes I did!  Fine then- Joe, I am sorry!  Yes I am!  Yes I am!  You aren't even hurt, Joe!"

During all of this, I am driving while consoling Joe while trying my best to keep the upper hand with Chatty Cathy.  Eventually Joe and I were silent, and Lucy kept talking, and our silence made her nervous, and she finally yelled, "Mom!  Say something!  I need you to care for ME!"

We were giggling in the front seat- Lucy was being ridiculous.  She was suddenly the victim.

At home, she did have a time-out, and she did cry the entire time, and Max did sit beside her on the time-out step as he always does, and she did eventually give Joe a sincere apology.  And hopefully she learned a lesson (???). 

And she continued to talk.

In bed, after telling me, "But I am scared of Big Foot!  He might be real and I am freaking out!" she finally closed her eyes, and her mouth, and I looked at my big girl, just as I had the night before.  I have to soak up every second of Lucy.  Even when she drives me bonkers.  Even when she won't stop talking.  Even when she won't apologize for pelting Joe in the head with Sleeping Beauty.  Because someday she will be too busy to talk to her mama, and I will be longing for the day when I couldn't get her to stop talking!

Weekend Wrap-up

This past weekend we had a special visitor- Devon's older brother Mark.  Though Mark's visit was brief, it was a sweet reunion for the brothers, who hadn't seen each other in over 14 years.  I took it all in- seeing the resemblance, remembering the stories that I'd heard about the boys as they were growing up, noticing that Mark's humor is just as Devon described.  I wondered what it was like for Devon to introduce us- me and the kids- to his brother.  I imagine that it is kind of like, "I love Mark, and I love my family, so now you should all love each other!"  And we did love him, even Max, who insisted on showing him our autograph book from Disneyland.

The very next day, we visited Aunt Merry and Uncle Dave.  We relaxed, swam in their pool, and watched football.  Lucy really likes being a "little helper" these days, and so she was very happy to be Merry's helper in the kitchen making yummy pizza.

Lucy and Max received a package in the mail from my parents.  Did you know that fun socks are super fun??  Max was so excited about his Curious George and Handy Manny socks that he insisted that Devon put both pairs on his feet- one pair right on top of the other.  And Lucy just likes to change her socks every 15 minutes or so- she likes variety!





A Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop just opened in our neighborhood!  We gladly welcomed them (I chose Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough).



Remember that Devon declared last weekend to be a "perfect football weekend"?  Well, this weekend was the exact opposite.  The Huskies lost, the Seahawks lost, and the Metalheads lost.  On the bright side, Mark and Grandma Donna returned to watch the Seahawks game with Devon, so at least he was able to lament with fellow fans.  As for me, I snuggled with a sleepy Bubs.

And that's a wrap!

Blogging Buddies

Nearly two years ago, my friend Lisa and I decided to start blogging.

 

Together (though 800 miles apart) we'd follow the blogs of complete strangers, and we'd talk about them as if we knew them- "Did you see what So-and-so did last weekend?  She has the best parties!  And that picture of her kids was so cute!..."  Fine, call it blog-stalking, whatever! 

Eventually we thought that maybe we should start our own blogs, so that we could follow each other's lives more and stalk strangers less.  Appropriately, we titled our first entries "Hi Lisa!" and "Hi Annie!"

A community of bloggers formed- Lisa's friend Sadina joined in, and my friends Andrea and Allison joined in too, and spanning 5 states, we've shared in the lives of each other, giving support and encouragement when needed, sharing recipes that are just too good to keep to oneself, giving Tuesday Tips, marveling at how fast our children are growing, learning of family traditions and celebrations... 

And others have joined the community too, and I tremendously enjoy what blogging has brought to my daily life.  I love swapping blog addresses with friends and officially becoming "blogging buddies," and I think that it is pretty darn cool that my parents, siblings, aunts, cousins, grandparents, can see what our family is busy doing with just the click of a button.  It is an outlet for expressing my thoughts, as well as a family journal.  And I love reading comments to see how the "community" weighs in on my latest post.

And, of course, blogging takes time, and requires vulnerability, and I often worry about, "What if my point doesn't come across?  What if my joke isn't funny?  What if I am over-sharing?"

But overall, I think that blogging is the bee's knees!

And I am SO PLEASED to share that Lisa, my original blogging buddy, who had kept us all updated with Blake Bunch, is back with a new blog!!!  Please visit her at peekthroughourwindow.wordpress.com and take a "peek through her window" to see what the Blake Bunch is doing! 

And while I'm here, I would like to thank YOU, dear reader, for reading my blog and for commenting (or not commenting- no pressure!) and for supporting and for laughing and for thinking that my kids are cute :) 

The Weather

It is warm and rainy here in Issaquah.

And the weather does silly things to Max's hair!

And that's all I've got to share for now!  Happy Friday!

Show and Tell: picnik.com

When it comes to taking pictures, I simply do not have an artistic eye.  I am a point-and-shoot-and-hope-for-the-best type of picture-taker (I can't even call myself a "photographer"- I am a "picture-taker").  And when I don't get a great shot, I visit http://www.picnik.com/ to edit the photos and improve them a bit.

Now, I am not sure if the response here is going to be, "Duh, Annie, everyone knows how to do this,"  or "Instead of picnik you should use a different website/program..." or "Cool, I didn't know how to do this kind of stuff." 

So, allow me to show and tell a little bit-

With this picture of Lucy, I cropped it so that she is in the center, and then I brightened the coloring, softened the photo, darkened the edges, and whitened her teeth.  Oh, and then I added the before/after frame so that you can see the difference.

This picture of Devon at the State Tournament was kind of poopy, even though my subject is super handsome :)   I changed the exposure and the temperature, cropped the shot, whitened his teeth, and did the before/after frame.  No, I didn't enlarge his muscles- they are really that big. (ha ha ha, I'm funny!)

With this one, I used the blemish remover feature to lighten the dark circles under my eyes, and I whitened my teeth, cropped the photo, and added the white fuzzy frame to make me look dreamy :)

I've also used this website to make photos look like Polaroids, or add text, like I did here:

What I love most about picnik.com (besides the teeth whitening feature) is that it is free!  I like free!  They provide the option to become a "member" for a fee, and membership allows you to use several "premium" features...  but I still like free!

What do you use to edit your pics?

My Cure

This morning, I woke up grumpy.  Like, super grumpy.

So grumpy, in fact, that I refused to kiss my husband.

He is so darn pleasant.  Withholding kisses is really my only weapon against him.

And even as he was gathering his stuff and heading toward the door to leave for work, and I had The Thought- you know The Thought that I am talking about- What if something terrible happens today and this is our very last goodbye?- nope, still no kisses.   

I know- I'm a real peach.

The babies and I went to Stroller Strides, and I was able to work out some aggression as I got my butt kicked, but I still had the grumps.

And when we returned home, Max hurried to the Hot Wheel collection that he inherited from Joe.  He sat and played, and I smiled.  He makes the vrrrrrrrrrm sound as he moves the cars around, and I marvel at his boyness.

I moved low to the floor to take these pictures, and before I could return to my feet, Max and Lucy joined forces and seized the opportunity to ambush their mama.

They climbed on my back, sat on my head, bear-hugged my legs- they showed no mercy!  Camera still in hand, I held it high and snapped away, trying to capture the chaos.

It was silly and rambunctious and it cured me!

Grumpiness be gone!

Kisses will once again be given and accepted :)

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Football season is upon us.

Devon woke up early this morning- before 7:00 am- and turned on the pre-game shows. 

He was ready.  His Seahawks shirt was on, his laptop was in place (to track his fantasy football team), his seat was reserved on the sofa, he was wide-eyed and excited.

"Devon, is this like Christmas morning for you?"

"Yes it is!  I don't want to move from this sofa at all today!"

And I do not believe that he moved from the sofa all day.

It is now 8:33 pm, and he is still there, Seahawks shirt still on, laptop still in place, perma-dent in my sofa, and his heart is full.

The Huskies won yesterday, the Seahawks won today, and The Metalheads (his fantasy team) won too.  "A perfect weekend of football," he said.

Mixed Tape

Remember these?  Cassette tapes?  Or better yet- mixed tapes! 

I've been in the mood for a new mixed tape.  I remember the days- I must have been 10 or 11 years old- when I'd sit by my boom box, waiting for my favorite songs to be played on the radio, and once they began I'd push the "record" button as fast as I could, and then I'd add that song to a mixed tape- after coping it with high-speed dubbing, enjoying every second of the Chipmunk-esque sound- and I'd distribute the finished product to my friends, and, a few years later, to my crushes.  

Not too long ago, I received a fantastic mixed CD in the mail from a blogging buddy, and it reminded me of why I loved making those cassettes so many years ago.  A mixed tape was kind of like a friendship bracelet- it meant something special. Sometimes I'd write personal notes in the case liner, and I'd always use a Sharpie to title the tape "Annie's Mix," or something like that. 

And when I would receive a mixed tape from a boy- oh! The excitement!  What a perfect way to express feelings!  There was no texting, no facebooking, no blogging.  It was all about the mixed tape.  It was all about listening to the first song and assuming, "This must be our song!" and then fast-forwarding to the next song, and the next song, and the next song, until I'd finally heard both sides of the tape, and then I'd know exactly how he felt about me.

Remember the song "To Be With You" by Mr. Big?  Sing it with me now- "I'm the one who wants to be with you. Deep inside I hope you'll feel it toooooo!"  I love, love, love that song!  Does anyone make great music like that anymore?  (my husband is totally going to roll his eyes when he reads this!)

Today I sat down to make myself a good old fashion mixed tape, except that instead of a cassette, I used a CD, and instead of sitting by the radio waiting to hit "record," I downloaded iTunes to my computer (I know, I'm way behind on technology) and purchased each song for $1.29 (although some were a bargain at $.99) (and my brother Seth is totally going to scoff at the fact that I paid for music because he knows of several websites where I can download music for free) (and can you tell that I'm super excited about this?)

So, I am thrilled to share my new mix, or my "playlist" (as the kids say these days), and I can't wait to listen to my new tunes in my mama-mobile! 

Without further delay.... 

✓ Baby- Justin Bieber & Ludacris My World (Bonus Track Version)- Pop

✓ Bad Romance- Lady GaGa, The Fame Monster (Deluxe Version)- Pop

✓ I Gotta Feeling- The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies)- Pop

✓ (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To- Weezer, Raditude (Bonus Track Version)- Alternative

✓ Party In the U.S.A.- Miley Cyrus, Party In the U.S.A. -  Pop

✓ Leavin'- Jesse McCartney Departure: Recharged (Bonus Track Version)- Pop

✓ If It's Love- Train, Save Me, San Francisco (Bonus Track Version)- Pop

✓ Undo It- Carrie Underwood, Play On- Country

✓ Need You Now- Lady Antebellum, Need You Now- Country

✓ Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, Once (Music from the Motion Picture) Soundtrack

✓ You Are the Best Thing- Ray LaMontagne, Gossip In the Grain (Bonus Track Version)- Rock

✓ Ugly Dress- Jesse Woods, Moon Rocks Singer/Songwriter

✓ Hallelujah- Jason Castro, Jason Castro (Deluxe Version)- Pop

✓ 1, 2, 3, 4- Plain White T's, Big Bad World (Bonus Track Version)- Pop

   

I'd like to take this opportunity to plug my cousin, Jesse Woods. ESPN.go.com featured an article yesterday about Jesse and his music, and I'd love for you to read it (click here)! Jesse is incredibly talented, and the Rantz fam is cheering him on as he shares his music and pursues a career in the biz.

If you would like a copy of my "mixed tape," I'll mail one to you (and if you don't want a copy, I'm not offended, and we can still be friends)!  But you have to promise that if Jesse's folksy sound floats your boat, you must check him out on iTunes and support an up-and-comer!
 

A is for Afternoon

Lucy is cuddled up on my left side, watching Cinderella, which Ethan so kindly let her borrow for the third time.

Lover Boy is snoozing on my right side.

And imagine me in the middle, still wearing my clothes from Stroller Strides, smelling a little stinky, wearing no make-up, and with funky hair. 

I am happy that it is Friday afternoon.

It has been an interesting week for me.  It has been a couple of months since I've had a panic attack, until this week. They're baaaaack (said as in Poltergeist).  It was a very familiar feeling- the shortness of breath, the rush of adrenaline, the tightness in my chest. 

The new flavor of stress is the big question mark that looms over our home.  A conversation with our realtor left me to believe that a short sale was probably not going to work out for us, and he told me, "Well, Hon', I know you believe in fate, so, I think it is time to start praying."  I think he meant "faith."

Without many other options, I did just that- I started praying.  I also started looking for a home that our family could rent for a couple of years.  Enter panic.  "What if we are homeless??"

Since that phone call with the realtor, I've had 4 realtors view our home, and someone is coming back tonight to take a second look.  This is good news, of course.  Are prayers being answered? 

I should have Joe follow me around the house with a video camera next time that I am preparing for a realtor's visit.  I am a crazy woman.  I am yelling at the kids because there are toys everywhere.  Who needs this many toys?  Why isn't Max able to put his toys away yet? Why are Lego pieces so small?  I should just vacuum them up!  "That's it! I'm getting rid of all the toys!" 

And Lucy's dresser.  Oh, should I even venture down this path of sharing my woes of Lucy's dresser?  Okay, Lucy changes her clothes and panties several times each day.  Literally, several times.  Each time, she rummages through her drawers until she finds the exact item of her heart's desire, and then leaves all other inferior items on the floor.  I am exhausted from stuffing the clothes back into the drawers.  I used to fold them, but now I stuff them, because either way they will soon again be a heap on the floor.  Sometimes I have her stuff the clothes back in, but she heaps them all into one drawer, which won't close, so really, she isn't any help at all, and what I've decided that I need to do is gate their bedroom, which will give me full control of when she enters and exits and the damage done in between.

And Max has an infatuation with Devon's razor.  He knows that he isn't supposed to have it, which makes it all the more appealing, right?  We hide it, but he finds it, and he tries to suck on the razor blade which, I know, is both gross and dangerous!  And God forbid that Max let me out of his sight, so while I am racing up and down through our 3 story townhouse, getting it to be "Realtor Ready", Max is hot on my tail, looking for opportunities to get into trouble, like sucking on a razor!!!  (please don't report me to CPS- the razor has been put away where he can't find it, again).  He pulls books off the shelves, toys out of the baskets, toothbrushes out of the bathroom drawers...

I do a quick wipe down of the bathrooms, I clean the kitchen sink, I toss around the clothes in the hamper so that there are no undies on top, I hide the laundry baskets in the bathtub behind the shower curtain, but I never quite get around to Swiffering the kitchen floor.  Ugh, the kitchen floor is pretty dirty, and the light from the windows highlights every spot.

Yesterday, two realtors came through while the kids and I were home.  I wasn't given much forewarning, so as I welcomed them in to have a look, I cheerfully said, "We live here, so, it is what it is!"

But today I put the kids in the car and drove around the block while strangers were sizing up our home, trying to imagine their furniture in our rooms, their family photos on the wall.  I imagine they'd say, "I would put new carpet throughout, and I'd paint every wall."

I parked in front of the house, casually looking through the new Ikea catalog, waiting for them to exit.  Once they did, the expression on their faces was all business and I saw the realtor make a motion with his thumb and pointer finger, signifying that something had fallen short by just that much, as if to say, "The kitchen floors were just a wee bit dirtier than they should have been."

So, we pulled back around into the garage, and I could smell cologne as I walked past Joe's room.  It must have been where they ended their tour.  I scanned the house, trying to imagine that I was looking at it with fresh eyes.  "Ah, yes, big kitchen... nice, open space... natural light..."

And then I noticed that they pulled back the shower curtain and exposed my hidden laundry baskets, full of clean, folded clothes.  "I wonder what this lady does all day.  She doesn't have time to put away clean clothes?"

And here we sit. Rain is cascading down our windows.  Cinderella has pulled the other glass slipper out of her apron pocket. Maxy is still sleeping.  And Joe is at softball practice (though I forgot to let my neighbor know that he had practice, so she called to ask, "Where is Joe?  Aren't I picking him up from school today?  I can't find him anywhere."  Oops).

I should probably clean my kitchen floor before a realtor brings the second-lookers back tonight.

A is for Afternoon.
Tell me, what does A stand for in your life today?

PS- She did it again!!!!

Drive-By Visitors

Last night, we gathered

three generations of Rantz men

and we anxiously anticipated a visit with our Alaska family

-Devon's sister Terin, her husband Ben, and Baby Lyla!-

We ate spaghetti...

We visited...

We wanted the visit to last longer...

And we wished them a safe drive back to Alaska.

And to say that I held Lyla without wanting another baby of my own would be a lie.

(and when Devon held Lyla, it was obvious that he felt the baby-itch too!)