Swiffer to the Rescue

I saw Duncan grab the Swiffer from the pantry and knew something was up. And I was right. His pants were up. Up on the chandelier. This isn't the first time we've found bits of his clothing hanging high above the entry. The Swiffer idea was actually Jimmy's. Duncan was going to rescue his shorts just like Dad had done before. Fortunately I interjected and rescued his pants and the chandelier.

btw. i watched The Young Victoria last night. If you're in a rental slump, it's one I definitely recommend!

Another Bloody Dinner.

need I say more?

and my new favorite breakfast! (and the boys like it too)

flax seed toaster waffles from costco

plain greek yogurt

a bit of syrup

quick, yummy and filling!

That's Just the Kind of Mom I Am

A few weeks ago during Power of Moms we were talking about not comparing ourselves to other moms. You know, we all have different talents and interests. We have different home lives and schedules. We really can't compare. I came away thinking that I can't just sit around wishing I was more like someone else (someone I might not even know...dang blogs!)

For example:

Every time a birthday comes around, I say to myself, "I'm going to make a birthday banner!" You know, like one of those cute one's out of felt or fabric or scrapbook paper. Obviously that has never happened and we end up with something like the picture above. After the other night, I realized that I don't really care about having a cute birthday banner (I could replace lots of other things for birthday banner). Sometimes I want to make stuff like that just to prove that I can. I want people to think I am creative and crafty and can sew and make stuff too. Really, I can and I am and I do... enough. Wow, that felt good.

Anyway, I resolved to figure out what kind of mom I am and what kind of mom I WANT to be an how to make the two meet. So as part of the first step of figuring out what kind of mom I am right now, I came up with a few examples.

- You have probably heard me raise my voice at my children or act visibly annoyed by something someone has said or done. (Patience is a virtue I pray for hourly)

-My kids bathe twice a week and I would like to keep it that way.

-My sister is the only reason I take my kids out on BIG outings. I always think the few moments of fun won't be worth all the WORK. Sometimes they aren't but sometimes they are and I'm learning that it's worth the risk.

-I unabashedly agree with you when you comment on Duncan's smartness and Fin's cuteness.

to be continued.

I'm One!!

For my actual birthday on Friday, Mom let me do lots of fun things like play in the toilet, pull all the wipes out of the container, play with marbles and rubber bands. She's the best! I also got to go to the park. Mom looked ridiculous chasing me all around. I don't why she bothers? Now that I can walk, there really is no stopping me.

On Sunday we had a party for me....oh and for Dad too, but with smiles like this, no one paid much attention to Pops.

Mom made me this shark fin cake. Get it? 'Cause they call me Fin? I was so happy when they cut that big fin off and put it on my tray.

Here's that cake I was talking about. I wonder if she's going to make me a fin cake every year?

I just love smiling at that little red box with the flashing light! Almost as much as I love being one!

Lately..

Here's a glimpse at life these days at the MacD's

basking in the sunlight on green green grass

trying to "get things done" while keeping this kid alive

experiencing the ice cream truck in underwear

finishing off green St. Patty shakes in underwear

making squishy "dams" in closets

(i need an editor. this used to say damns.)

discovering the essence of boy through trios and legos

sucking up every free moment of grandma's time usually to study this

feigning interest in new bike.

and the best day, SATURDAY. Wrestling with Dad

As for the rest of us, Jimmy's job is going well. He's gone too much, but I'm learning to be a little less selfish. I'm working on getting a grip on life and motherhood. This really helps give me something to focus on each month. Finlay is kind of walking. He knows how. He would just rather stick with what works and that's enough for me. The in-laws just informed us that we haven't worn out our welcome, so life will continue as is for a bit longer. No real complaints here.

My Day

6:20 Am : up with kids...

6:30-9am : eat breakfast, watch Handy Manny, play

9:30-11am: Grandma babysits, Finlay naps, and I go for a nice long run

11am: Get home, get kids and go to park for "Park Pals" (notice there's no mention of shower or even change clothes)

11:15-1pm: Watch kids play, enjoy sun, make new friends

1- 2:30pm: Change clothes, lunch at Soup Plantation with Liz and kids, try my new ergo baby hipster style.

3pm: Fin naps, clean out the car for the first time since August, Duncan plays with cousins.

5pm: Make dinner - pizzas. (still no mention of shower)

6pm: eat dinner

7pm: Grandma does dishes, just like every night, Fin goes to bed.

7:30: Duncan ready for bed and reading books with grandma

7:45-9pm: Jimmy and I go for walk at the beach, get ice cream and rent a movie.

9-9:30: figure out how to set up clear play.

9:30-11pm: watch "Up in the Air" (waiting anxiously for the troublesome topics I read about on the clear play description, only to be dissapointed)

11:30pm: Shower, go to bed (ok, not really. but that's what I should've done. the rest is true)

and my daily companions....