MacDoodle Update

*I just copied and pasted this little update from my family's website. Sorry about the weird spacing.
I've been inspired to give a quick family update. Finlay is napping and Duncan is in "not so quiet time". I can hear him in there making up his own stories to the books he's reading.
He even changes the voices for different characters. I must get that recorded some day.

We're still here in Carlsbad at my in-laws. We're gearing up for a big weekend and week. All 7 kids plus families will be here at the house for a reunion. Bedrooms are being fixed up.
Towels and sheets are being washed. Freezers and pantries are getting cleaned out. Sabrina is cleaning the carpets and that's just the beginning. Oh my gosh...and the BACKYARD!! Allan
moved the entire deck with the built in trampoline to a different spot in order to build twoconcrete slabs. One for the hot tub and one for the Aqua fitness Pool. We're praying the hillside can hold the extra 20,000 lbs or so. So, does anyone want to come visit yet? It is paradise for ages 3 and up and Mom's worst nightmare for anything less. Finlay is addicted to the
outdoors. Anytime that back door is open he is right there within seconds just waiting to make his escape. Talk about stress. He really keeps me on my toes. Good thing he is so cute. Like melt your heart, just want to eat him up cute. He gives the best snuggles and kisses. When
Jimmy gets home from work Fin runs to the door, arms wide open screaming, " Dad! Dad!
Dad!"

Duncan is now 3 and 1/2 and is amazing us with that little brain of his. His vocab is hilarious. And his desire to learn is out of control. His favorite books are the kid encyclopedias about
different topics like animals, plants, weather etc. Luckily we have a live in kindergarten teacher (grandma MacD) who will literally read to him for hours somedays. What will I do when it's just
us? Yikes.

There are of course difficulties combining 3 households. Did I mention Jimmy's bro. Bruce and his wife and baby live here too? My big problem is that I NOTICE everything. I realized that I
am a nosey nellie. Some how I need to figure out how to be more oblivious and not notice all the stuff going on around me. It's a bit overwhelming sometimes, but really not that bad. We
are looking to buy a place. We're taking our time, waiting for a raise in Sept. so we'll know
what we really can afford. Jimmy is doing amazing at his job. He just finished up his 4th month and already got promoted to team lead which is the first step to getting his own team.
In case you didn't know, he is an enrollment counselor at Ashford University. He is going to
start his Master's program in a few months there as well.

Overall we are so happy to be here in Carlsbad and would love to be able to stay in the area. Liz and I get together a few times a week and going to Mom and Dad's for sunday dinner is
always a treat. They make the best food! Now if only we could transplant all of you, life would be perfect! We think of you often and have all sorts of great ideas for cards and care packages which remain just that -ideas. Sorry. Lots of love!
-Holly and her MacDoodles

The Truth Behind My Late Nights

I now have a way to catalog all my somedays. Somedays are what I call projects I want to make and things I want to buy. I'm embarrassed by the hours and hours of blog browsing I do. But now you can, if you'd like, enjoy the fruits of my labors.

s o m e d a y

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