In a pickle

I've started cleaning with vinegar a little more often. Things that didn't shine are now sparkly. So once my house is clean, how do I get it to smell clean? Madi said it doesn't smell clean, it smells pickled. Ha!

Back to school we go... bleh!

I have such mixed feelings about back to school. On the one hand, I get excited by a new box of crayons, sharpened pencils and bright, new tennis shoes. I have fun helping my kids find a new out fit or getting them dolled up to meet their teachers. And heaven knows I am LOVING sneaking in a nap with my littles when all the bigs are at school.

On the other hand, I really miss my bigs! And they just keep getting bigger. I worry and pray all day for them to be safe and protected from the evil in the world. (I sigh for those days when they were all little and I was their whole world. I could protect them from bad things and was apart of every exciting moment of their lives). I get emotional when I think that I have given my babies into the hands and guidance of others for so many hours of the day.

Its only the second day of school and I am totally ready to have them back! Summer was too short!

The "responsible" one

There is a "no fun" part about being the mom... it is having to be the one to say, "Ok, let do the chores." And you have to be excited about it so the small fry will want to do it too. Who wants to do chores?! I'd rather play today too.

There is an awesome part about being the mom... it is that I AM THE BOSS and I don't have to clean the house if I don't want to! The dirty dishes, unfolded clothes and toy littered bedrooms will all be there later. See ya, we're going to play!

The Big Bad... Www.. what?

Today I made a hand puppet with a glove and some felt. I drew three little pigs, a wolf, and a house on felt, cut them out and glued them on a little glove. Then I handed it to my three-year-old and started prompting him to tell me the story.

"Once upon a time there were three little...."

"Pigs!"

"And they went out in the world to build homes for themselves. Then along came the Big... bad..."

No reply

"The Big Bad..." At this point I wiggled his finger with the character I was meaning. "The big Bad...."

"KANGAROO!"

Apparently, my artistry leaves something to be desired or I really need to review some of the children's tales with my little guy.

Have you seen these pacifiers?

These pacifiers are a little freaky, but so funny! I want the clear one with the mustache!