Holy Crap, I'm Behind!

Okay, really there is no excuse for not blogging. First, I just finished book number 440 last night, so I only have 10 more to go to reach my goal! Pretty exciting!!!

Last week, I spent the entire week disinfecting my house. I cleaned EVERYTHING from top to bottom, shampooed carpets, cleaned the walls and baseboards...EVERYTHING! I also did ALL the laundry in the house and cleaned out closets and drawers. I have a box of girl stuff and a bag of boy stuff to give to a friend over the holidays! I then went through all the toys, loaded up a trashbag full of things to donate and things to throw away. The throw away sack went out with the garbage, and the donate bag went to the drop off place in the Target parking lot. Usually I like to take the kids with me and drop them off in person, but this year...I just dont have time for that.

Right now I am trying to make some sort of plan to get everything done ASAP....so far, here's what I have.
Today - Lunch with a friend...Hobby Lobby shopping.

Thursday - HEB shopping for cookies and fill up with gas.

Friday - Bake 3 dozen cookies

Saturday morning - Christmas pictures taken...rush home, upload photos, enter photos into Shutterfly account, whip up a Christmas card, and finish up the photo books (They are complete...just waiting on our Christmas photo.) Press the order button!

Saturday afternoon - Drive to Houston for Cookie exchange.

Saturday night - Drive back home

Sunday - Take kids to Sea World...Glad I am writing this all down - becaus I just realized that I will wait to order Shutterfly stuff until after I upload pics from Seaworld!!! Duh! Gotta get the kids at Candy Cane Lane in there!

Monday - Me and two other mom's from Logan's school are taking all our kids to Austin to go get pics with Santa at the mall. I figure if we go on Monday after school the traffic wont be so bad.

Monday evening I will finalize my Christmas cart and make the purchases online. I sure hope that give amazon enough time to get my shipment here so I can wrap everything before Christmas! YIKES Geez! I don't even know if anything will be ordered in time...I swear next year, I am getting our Christmas pics done The day after Thanksgiving....I do this every year and end up stressed to the bejesus!
Happy thoughts, Happy thoughts, Happy thought!!!
Good note...I can have the photo books sent directly to my mom and grandparents...I can always go to Target and just put together a quick photo card right there for the rest of friends and family..actually I think I can do it on Shutterfly and have them print it at Target - that may actually only be prints...I need to look in to that! Grrr.
Oh man...I also need to get my niece and nephews gifts! UGHHHH AND MY SISTER! SHIT!SHIT! SHIT!

I also have to make all the kids in Logan's class little gifts and one for his Teacher...hence the trip to HOBBY LOBBY...I think I will make my sister something! Sounds good!

many strange conversations

Over the last few weeks I have had some crazy, funny, embarrassing, irritating conversations...

BRUSHING LANDRY'S HAIR -

Me - Landry sit still.
Landry - Ouch. That hurts. Ouch
Me - If you'll sit still it wont hurt so much.
Landry - (growl noise) You're pissing me off!
Me - What did you just say?
Landry - I said you're pissing me off!
Me - Umm...Landry, we don't say those words..those are big people words.
JR - Wonder where she heard that?
Me - (giving JR the evil eye) I know, I know! (growl noise)
Landry - Am I pretty now?
Me - (chuckle) Yes, you are so pretty!

ps...she hasn't said piss since then...and it was a few weeks ago! PHEW!

CHRISTMAS TALK -

Me - Logan what do you want for Christmas this year?
Logan - I want 3 things.
Me - Okay, what 3 things?
Logan - I want a 3D DS, New Super Mario Bros. 2, and a red Toad. (not a real toad but he wants a plush Toad, a character from Super Mario).
Me - Okay, well we will have to write a letter to Santa.
Logan - Last Christmas, Santa brought me a sword that has two pieces, some toy story cups, Mario Kart 7, and an Umi Zoomi game.
Me - WOW! you're right...I can't believe you remember last Christmas!
Logan - Landry wants 3 thinigs too. (It's hard to keep up with Logan sometimes because he goes back and forth between thoughts and ideas in his head!)
Me - Okay, what does Landry want?
Logan - She want's a DSi, Mario v. Donkey Kong, and a puppy game.
Me - hmmmm...well, maybe instead of Mario v. Donkey Kong she can pick a girly game, like a princess game, or a Dora game.
Logan - Yeah, she can get the Princess Peach game! It's where Peach has to save baby Mario and Luigi!
Me - (sigh!)

TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE TERM "DEAD WEIGHT" AND COMING TO TERMS WITH YET ANOTHER LIE MY DAD TOLD ME GROWING UP!

Last night both kids fell asleep on the couch, so I carried them to their beds....
Me: (breathing really heavy after getting Logan upstairs) God! He is heavy! I'm a little disturbed that he is so hard to carry.
JR: Why is that disturbing? He's half you're size.
Me: Well, I know but you're supposed to be able to carry twice your body weight, and Logan is only a little less than half my weight.
JR: Why would you be able to carry twice you're body weight?
Me: I don't know, it's a fact.
JR: (Shaking his head) Where did you come up with that?
ME: My dad used to tall me that all the time. When I was in agg, my dad would always make me carry the 50 lb. feed back all the way from the truck to the pig barn. I would always have to stop, like ten times, because it was so far, and he would get onto me saying that I was supposed to be able to lift twice ymy body weight.
JR: How much did you weigh at the time?
Me: 75-80 pounds
JR: Sara, you're dad just didn't want to carry the feed bag. (still giving me the strange look as if I am out of my mind.)
Me: Great! So yet another thing my dad lied about! Just like when he told us he took the animals out to the pasture so they had more room to run and play. ( I only recently found out that this meant the animal had died...stupid me, I really thought they went out to a pasture!)

Me: I wonder what dead weight is?
JR: What?
Me: I mean, I know what it is...I mean, carrying Logan up the stairs while he's asleep is different than carrying him when he's awake, but I don't really understand why. I mean, he weighs 47 pounds, whether he's awake or asleep, so why is it different.
JR: (He's giving me the look)
Me: Let me ask you this...If you have a 10 pound bag of Oatmeal and a 10 pound block of concrete, does the concrete weigh more?
JR: WHAT? NO, they weigh the same...10 pounds.
Me: So what makes the concret SEEM heavier? Is it the mass?
JR: What are you talking about? They are both 10 pounds they are equal in weight.
Me: so maybe it's the density?
JR: Do you know what density is?
Me: mmmm...no, I don't really remember.
JR: Density is mass divided volume.
Me: That explains nothing.
JR: It explains that you should NEVER teach our children ANYTHING to do with math or science.
Me: Maybe its because of the distribution? (Now I am basically talking to myself) No, That can't be right because I can hold him in the exact same position but he still feel heavier when he's asleep.
JR: (sigh) What are you trying to figure out? (sigh)
Me: I want to know why Logan weighs more when he's asleep than when he's awake, except that I know he doesn't ACTUALLY weigh more it just seems like it, so it has to be "dead weight"? But I don't know what the definition of "dead weight" is.
JR: (He gives me the "You're out of your mind" look) When you hold Logan when he is awake He is able to hold some of his own weight because he is holding his own head up or he wraps his arms or legs around you, so the weight is dristributed between your arms and legs and back, but when he is asleep, wh isn't controlling any of his muscles so most of his weight goes to your arms and back, so he feels heavier.
Me: That makes sense.
JR (Shakes his head) That is going on facebook!

Crazy excitement

This is going to sound like I am bragging...I kind of totally am!
I have ONE pair of jeans...well ONE that semi fits. Really they are "skinny" jeans that are just too big for me, so they look like regular jeans that can be worn as baggy skinny jeans. My mom commented a couple of weeks ago,
"Do you own any other jeans?"
I said yeah, but they dont fit.
Mom: Then why don't you buy some that do and throw the others away.
Me: Because all of my other jeans are too big, and you never know when I might start putting on weight...and when that happens, I will have jeans- so I wont have to go shopping. Plus, I never really leave the house, so why would I need more jeans?
Mom: because those dont fit either.
Me: I know, but it took me almost a year to find these, and I don't want to give them up.
Mom: So keep them and get at least another pair that actually fit.
Me: But it takes SOOOO long to find jeans, AND on top of that I have to take at least one or both kids shopping with me, so I end up buying clothes for them instead of me, AND it's so hard because no one EVER has pants that are long enough for me so I just end up going to 9 different stores, never finding anything and getting frustrated.
Mom: You are so wierd!
Me: I know.
Vanessa piped in to the conversation with different stores I should try that carry longer jeans...some of these places I had NEVER even heard of. She mentions 5.7.9, and I say yeah, that wont work. I wear a size 9, and I doubt they are long
Vanessa: Ummm...there is no way you wear a 9.
Me: Yeah, I do...these are a size 9.
Vanessa: Right...and they are way too big.
Me: ughhh....okay, okay, I will look for some jeans. Geesh!

on Friday Jr and I went shopping, we had to get the kids some new jackets for the football game that night. Jr wasn't in the mood for a shopping excursion, especially on Black Friday, so we just went to JC Penney and Walmart...I had already looked at Target, but they didn't have any jackets I really liked for the kids. PLUS, Target jeans ARE NOT LONG ENOUGH...no matter how many times I try!
At Penney's we found a jacket for Logan and I found a pair of jeans...they are super skinny jeans, but they are a size 5...so yeah, that's where the bragging comes in. I still can't believe I was able to fit my big ass into those pants. I thought maybe I read it wrong, and I think I checked the tag about 10 times...I tried on about 8 different pair, all size 5...and they all fit, however, none of them were long enough except for the one pair of skinny jeans that I bought. I finally found a pair of ling pants, but they were a size 4, and while the zipped and buttoned, I felt a little "stuffed" in them, I was afraid that if I ever wore them and had to step up into the truck, there was a good chance they might split...so I decided to wait until this week when they have restocked there clothes. Next we went to Wal-Mart, where we found a jacket for Landry. I found a pair of jeans, that I don't really like...they are flare...which I hate, and in all honesty, they are a little short, but they were 6 bucks and I had to have a pair to wear to the game. I was planning to wear my long johns under them so I got them in a 7 and ended up having to wear a belt...but oh well, like I said they were $6. I probably wont ever wear them again, but it was worth it to be able to wear jeans without holes in the cold weather!

Also, Thursday night after Thanksgiving, the kids went to Galveston with JR's mom for the weekend so JR and I were able to do some Christmas shopping. We got Logan a 3DS and Mario game and we got Landry a regular DSi XL with a game. These are the Santa gifts, so it was nice to be able to get them and hide them without having to worry about sneaking it around the kids! I am ordering the rest of their gifts online, except for clothes, and stocking stuffers which I plan to get either this week or next - depends on when I get motivated enough! LOL

I am going to try to talk Jr into getting our family pictures done this weekend so I can hurry up and order our Christmas pics. I think I am going to do a photo book for my mom, grandmother, carol, and JR's grandma. Then I have to get something for the niece and nephews and JR...I am getting boots, and then I am all done with my Christmas shopping! Woohoo!

JR and I put lights on the bottom level of our house on Friday. Our extension ladder is only 20 feet, and we need about 35 feet to reach the top of the house. Jr's idea was for me to climb out Landry's window, put the extension ladder on that roof, and climb all the way to the top....so I did (because I'm an idiot), then he wanted me to lay down, hang my head and upper body off the side and staple the lights....so there I was, almost 40 feet in the air, shaking like a leaf, I tried to lay down, but I was too scared...there was just no way....so now we have to rent a 40 ft. ladder to finish those lights.

The kids and I put the Christmas tree up on Sunday...I still need a star for the top of the tree and another strand of lights. There are a couple of pinterest projects I would like to do...but am waiting on JR to bring me some 2x4's...I told him if I dont have them by the end of the week, I am going to the houses they are building across the street and taking what I need from their trash pile! LOL Also I need to make a wreath, and pick out a few indoor project's I want to do. I am hoping to add a couple each year or through out the year so that one day we can have a really Christmassy house!

Wanting to do too much

So much I want to do with the kids since Logan is out of school this week. In no particular order.
#1 - Take the kids shopping for new winter clothes
#2 - Do some pinterest crafts
#3 - finish cleaning out kids closets
#4 - Take the kids to Sea World for the Christmas Adventure (although I hate doing Christmas things before Thanksgiving.)
#5 - Bake cookies with the kids.
#6 - Do some Holiday shopping
#7 - Go grocery shopping...which is always a long and terrible thing to do with two kids.

book reviews and book clubs!

So many of you know that I have a terribly wonderful addiction of reading. As of today, I have read 397 books this year. I have 53 more to go in order to meet my goal and I really think I can make it. Recently I found a blogger (you can find her blog on the right hand side of my page) called the well read wife. On a whim, I decided to sign up for a chance to read and review a book on her page. I was selected and should be getting the book within the next two weeks, but I am super excited.

I have often thought about much fun it would be to join a book club, to be able to get together with others that share my passion for reading. There are a few problems with the idea. The first is that I read A LOT! So, for me to be in a book club that meets once a week or bi-weekly, or once a month, I would have to make sure to read the particular book the day before our meeting. I don't think anyone would be willing to meet daily to go over a book! LOL

I have also thought about reviewing some of the really good books that I read. I know you can offer a review on Amazon, but I thought about also doing some on my blog...I just don't want to bore people....but I do feel like there are books I read that should just be shared with everyone! LOL

ON another note, I sent a note to Logan's teacher yesterday to discuss his progress in his new reading group. He has only been there for a week and a half, so I don't want to push...but I wanted to know how well he is adjusting. Is he struggling? You know, basically being a worry wort! I am excited to say that his note home was wonderful. His teacher said that he is progressing quickly and after only a short time, he is at the top of his new reading group! She said he is doing great and will most likely be moved up to the green group before the Christmas break! YAY!

I know I sound like a crazy person worrying about Logan's school work, but as you can see - I love to read, I just want my children to love it as much as I do. I feel like that crazy dad who loves football so much that they force their son to start a vigorous workout schedule at the age of 5 so that he can play pro-ball later in life...except that my craziness isn't a sport- it's reading! Oh well!

I have a couple of things coming up...Thanksgiving (obviously), Dec. 15 I am going to North Houston to do a cookie exchange with my sisters-in-law and their friends, Dec. 17 is Jr's Christmas party, then we have Christmas and New Year's, and then VEGAS! We are now 62 days from our Vegas trip! So excited...my biggest problem is that I will be away from the kids for 3 days, and if I stay the night in Houston after the cookie exchange...that makes 4 days in one month that I wont be with my kids. I was thinking about it last night, and I think I have some abandonment issues! I won't go into all of the reasons for these issues, but I feel like I am terrified that if I leave my kids they will think I am leaving them forever. Landry is now a little over three and I have only spent 2 nights away from her. Logan is 5.5 and if you count the week he was in the hospital at his birth, the week Jr and I were married, plus another 10 he has stayed the night with his grandma, or my parents...I have missed 3 weeks worth of nights with my son. Of course, while he was at the hospital, I visited him every day for as long as I could...heck 4 of those days I was in the hospital with him. I have said since the day that we had to leave him there that it was the hardest thing I have ever done. Emotionally, I was destroyed. Even now, when I think about that moment of having to leave the hospital without my baby, I get choked up...which is irrational because he came home and is perfectly healthy now. The nights that he has stayed with his grandma in Galveston, or my parents...it's usually one of those things where he spends the day with us and stays the night with his cousins or Grandma Carol...so it isn't that I was away from him for a whole 24 hours...but still just to think I have missed 3 weeks of my child's life is disturbing. I guess 24 out of 2000 isn't too bad, but he is already talking about sleep overs with his friends, and as he gets older I will miss more and more time with him. Before I know it, he will be the one leaving me, going off to college and beginning his life as an adult. I need time to slow down...I don't want to miss out on spending time with my kids, which is probably why I have such a hard time leaving them. Yeah, I am kind of a psychopathic mother - It's okay, I am aware of my illness. God help my children when they start dating. No one will ever be good enough - I already feel sorry for my future daughter and son-in-laws!

mum's the word

Lately I have been listening to what I call "smooth music". Basically it's Mumford & Sons, Phillip Phillips, Alex Clare, Fun., etc. I like the beat, I don't know..it makes me happy!

We are having a problem getting to eat his lunch at school, so it looks like I am going to have to figure out something to pack him for lunch. He comes home everyday acting likes he is starving. I discussed it with the teacher, she said he isn't eating! Grrr!

Landry is her usual crazy self. She alternates from a sweet heart to a whine monster with the blink of an eye. I know it's her age...but yuck! I hate whining!

I am ready for Thanksgiving! Still trying to get our plans in order...but my mouth is starting to water for some turkey and dressing! LOL

oops!

So I don't know if I blogged about this, but Logan was moved out of his tier 2 group and into tier 1. If you don't remember, basically it means he no longer has to leave the classroom for extra help with his reading. Tier 1 is the "yellow" group. When he was leaving the classroom for the extra help, their were 3 other children that went with him, and he was the only one to get moved up. The other 3 still go to Mrs. Arnolds plus another student who was in Tier 1, but still isn't quite getting it, so she was moved to Tier 2. I'm not saying this to brag or anything, I am just saying it because at first I thought it would be a group thing, sort of like if one was still struggling they would all stay until they could all move on. Apparently, that isn't the case and I am very happy that it is based on the individual child's needs and not a group. I am really proud of Logan for working hard. His first day in Tier 1 was last Monday, and so far he is doing well. I know this is going to sound terrible, but after I got the note telling me he was moving to tier 1, my first thought was YAY! My next thought was, "so, how long until he gets to the green level?" When I told my mom, she was like...omg! you should be happy for him! I am happy for him, I just want him to continue to work hard and succeed. The hard part is that Logan misses Mrs. Arnold:(

I have tried to really encourage his reading by always putting aside what I am doing ANY time he wants to read. This isn't as easy as it sounds because reading with Logan can be incredibly frustrating. I KNOW how to read, but I DON'T know how to teach someone to read. I can show him how to sound out words, but I can't make him string the letters together to form a word. It seems so easy, but that's because I already know how to do it - trying to explain why a y sounds like an "i" in the word "why" and why the "h" is silent...I don't know how to do that...it is what it is. This last week, his book from school had words like, "people", "some", "they", "where", "are", "thing", and "little". He got "people", "little" and "some" easily, the others took some time. Thing is the only word he still has some trouble with. Other words in the book were train, truck, bicycle, fire engine, plane, crane, bulldozer...but the picture was there to kind of help him work it out. I decided to take every word in each of his books and write them out into flash cards. My hope was that he would be able to recognize the words, not just from his book but in other places. I think it worked. He has 36 word flash cards and the only one he has real issues with is "bicycle". He will get two new books today, so I will do the same thing and keep going over all the words. I am goind to try to make a bingo game or something to help make it a little fun. Also, I had an idea to make a memory game where he has to find a pair of words one that is all capital letters and one that's lowercase...for ex. WHERE and where would be one pair. Anyway, he is really picking it up pretty quickly, I will be so excited when we can read a book together and I wont walk away with a massive headache!!! LOL