Happy New Year!!!!

I'm trying to watch the ball drop, so to stay awake I am updating the blog layout. I may change the background a few times before I find something I like. I want to make sure the type is readable.

Owww!

Abigail's has found a new way to communicate her frustration. She grabs the hair on both sides of her head and pulls her hair out while she screams owww. Since Donny doesn't want her playing with anything, she spent most of the day pulling her hair. I'm not sure how to handle this one, so I am open to any suggestions. I have told Donny if he causes hair pulling, he must sit in the naughty spot, but it's not always his fault. She has pulled out quite a bit of hair and I don't know what to do.

Do Over

Big Daddy and I sometimes declare a do-over day. Do-over day's usually happen when things just aren't going well. About ten o'clock today, I opened the washing machine took one look inside and declared a do-over day. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew something was amiss. And then it hit me, somehow one of Donny's Pull Ups found its way to the wash. I can't even describe the mess. If you have never witnessed the inside of a wet diaper, let me explain. Basically the liquid is absorbed by a gel like substance. It wouldn't be so bad if it stayed in a big blob, but no, it turns in to tiny little globs of gel. Two wash cycles, a cup of salt (Internet suggestion), a trashed vacuum and an hour later, I was finally rid of the mess. No other way to say it, that SUCKED! I wish I would have photographed the moment to share with all of you.

PJ's For Teddy

I checked on Donny last night, thinking that he was well into dreamland, when I found a very upset little boy. He was on the bed with all the shorts from his drawer, Teddy was wearing underwear and Donny had changed from his sleeper pj's to the outfit in the photo below. I just want to add that last night was freezing.

I asked him what was wrong and he told me he needed to find pj's for Teddy. I tried to get him to put on a warmer outfit, but he refused. I put Teddy in one of Abigail sleepers, since they are about the same size. I kissed him goodnight and left. About twenty minutes later, I returned to find Teddy wearing one of Donny's sleepers and because it was entirely too big the legs were wrapped around Donny's neck. I striped Teddy and tucked everyone in for the night.

The house was very cold this morning and I tried to put a sweatshirt and pants on Donny for two hours. He finally decided he was cold and told me he could dress himself. When he returned, he was wearing what I put him to bed in last night. However, they weren't pj's, they were his spacesuit. I was really surprised when he unzipped his pj's to show me the two shirts and pair of Khaki's. He wore that outfit the entire day.

Christmas Photos

I am sorry to say that these are the best photos I have of Christmas. The fire engine arrived Christmas Eve and Santa was aboard. Abigail liked Donny's monster truck just as much as Donny. The best toy of the day? A box on the kitchen floor.

Everyone is finally starting to feel better. I think we should all be healthy by the new year. I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas.

Just Because

These two are always putting something on as an accessory.

Princess

Abigail is already proving to be very strong willed. Auntie Marilyn gave Abigail a pair of fleece pants. Whenever she sees the pants, she screams until I give them to her. She wraps them around her neck like a fur stole and the rubs them on her face. She is just as happy when wearing them. Abigail was beside herself yesterday when wearing her favorite pants and her tutu Aunt Karen gave her. She wasn't happy when I took her tutu off for her bath and then screamed until I put it back on. I think she will be wearing the tutu everyday. When I told called her a pretty girl, Donny corrected me and said, "Mama, she's a princess!"

Sick For Santa?

UPDATE: Donny has an ear infection and we have to give him breathing treatments every four hours for 48 hours. Abigail still has a fever, but doctor couldn't find the cause. I'm sure she'll have an ear infection by our follow up on Saturday.


Donny is still running a fever, so we are off to the doctor today. Abigail has a fever as well, but she is also getting a couple new teeth. I haven't been able to diagnose her, ill or teeth? I heard Donny calling me at 1:30 this morning. I found him sitting in the dark in the living room. I think he was delirious.

Smell This

I called the firehouse today to speak to Big Daddy. Firefighter Chris answered the phone and told me Big Daddy was out. As he was about to tell me Big Daddy's whereabouts, Donny walked up to me, stuck his finger under my nose and said, "Smell this!" Because I was on the phone and distracted, I smelled his finger and to my horror it smelled repulsive. My facial expression must have told Donny what I thought because he then said with a smile, "I KNOW! I stuck it in my fanny!" I hadn't heard a word firefighter Chris said since the finger went under my nose, so I said a very quick goodbye and ran to the bathroom with Donny to perform a thorough disinfecting scrub down.

Grocery Store Hell

Let me start by saying that I set myself up for trouble by going to the market today, but we were out of milk and I didn't have a choice. The cards were stacked against me; Donny is sick, it is Saturday and a snow storm is hours away. Before we even leave the house the meltdown begins, Donny insists on wearing his fire boots which are in the car. I carry him to the car and then must locate his fire helmet similar to the one pictured above. The helmet is authentic and weights above five pounds. He insists on wearing it into the store and wants to walk since he is the fire chief. I go against my better judgement and allow him to walk, I NEVER let him walk in the store.

When we finally make our way across the packed parking lot, I pull out my list and pray this will be quick. Donny wants to help and does this by walking over to the display of apples which are already packed in totes. He picks up a tote and knocks over two trying to get the tote in the cart. Apples are everywhere and people are staring. While I clean up said apples, he tells me he is off to get some tomatoes. I put the apples back and grab a fresh tote, which comes back to haunt me later. I try to put Donny in the cart, but he arches his back and starts screaming with tears streaming down his face. Abigail doesn't want to be left out of the fun, so every time Donny screams so does she and she continues to scream until she is in her car seat. I have been very fortunate up until this point, Donny has never behaved like this before and I know it is because he is sick. I am trying to calm him down when this woman walks up to us, pulls out her cell phone and tells Donny that she is calling Santa to tell him what a naughty boy he is being and not to bring him presents. I am very proud of my behavior because I didn't smack the lady like I wanted. I explained that he wasn't feeling well and this behavior was very unusual for him. My explanation didn't seem to matter because every time we ran into her, she whipped out her phone and pretended to speak to Santa.

I finally get to the car and am loading the groceries when I notice that the entire bag of apples is rotten. I return to the store and notice there are now two women soliciting for domestic abuse in front of the store. We wait at the customer service counter for a few minutes, when it is finally our turn the lady hands me five dollars and some change. I decide to buy a Mega ticket with the five and leave the store. As I walk out, I remember the domestic violence woman and feel bad that I spent all my cash on the Mega ticket. I get over it real quick when one of the women tells me what a beautiful family I have and that the children have great lungs. She was so mocking me.

On the ride home, Donny tells me he feels really, really bad for what happened. Then he said, "Mama if you want to transfer me or fire me, I completely understand." I know that he is quoting a line from Prep and Landing but it still made me smile.

Ohhhh

I was thrilled last night when both kids were asleep before seven. Around eleven o'clock Donny came wandering into the living room mumbling. When I picked him up to return him to bed, I noticed he felt warm. He had a temperature of 102.8. His four year check up just happened to be today. The doctor couldn't find a reason for his temperature other than the beginning of a cold. He was still running a fever tonight when we put him to bed. I am hoping he will be fever free tomorrow and it was just an odd occurrence.

Cuddle

I put kids in the living room to watch a Christmas movie. I went to the kitchen for a moment and when I came back I found them cuddling.

Small Miracle

Both little ones were asleep by 6:51, I don't know what to do with myself!

Cupcakes

I sent cupcakes to school today for Donny's birthday. When I picked him up, I asked if the cupcakes were good. Donny replied, "Oh Mama! The children were delighted!"

Name Calling

Donny told Big Daddy a story last night before bed. The story was about Donny's son who was calling Donny names. Big Daddy asked what names were said, but Donny wouldn't tell. Big Daddy asked what Donny did to punish his son, did he put him in the naughty spot? Donny said he didn't put him in the naughty spot, he just gave his son more love and his son stopped calling him names.

Water Fountain

I sent Donny to the bathroom to prepare for his bath. When I arrived moments later, I found my son giggling and water all over the bathroom. He had place his rinse cup upside down and turned both faucets on to the fullest. The water was arching over the entire sink and counter and spilling onto the floor like a beautiful Italian fountain. I used three large bath towels to clean up all the water. You would think I would learn by now, always be in the same room with the little guy.

Happy Birthday Donny

Here She Comes

I have been trying to upload this for 24 hours!

Robin

Donny has officially changed his name to Robin. He is taking this very seriously, if we don't call him Robin he gets very mad. He has never watched an episode of Batman. He has only seen pictures of Batman and Robin in toy catalogs. When he first started this name change, I tried to convince him to be Batman. I told him Batman was the leader and Robin the follower, but he didn't want to hear my opinion. I am hoping this phase doesn't last long, he even has his teachers calling him Robin.

Babysitter Needed Immediately

Babysitter Needed Immediately is the title of an ad a friend of mine posted on a local university job board. She has received several replies but there is one in particular that had us on the phone laughing together. My friend received an e-mail from this applicant inquiring about the position. My friend decided not to consider the applicant when she saw her e-mail address: sexiassbarbiedoll@xxxxxx.xxx. I am sure you are all smart enough to do what I did.

P.S.--Friend if you are reading this and I have posted too much information please let me know.

Hey Ohio

Are my Ohio readers going to get hit with the big storm moving across the mid-west?

WHY

For those you in the market for a new yacht, Hermes has expanded their creative interest. Hermes designs are incredible, I haven't been able to find the price yet. I think the old saying defiantly applies to this situation....If you have to ask how much, you can't afford the price tag. Very interesting concept.

http://www.why-yachts.com/#/This%20is%20WHY

Dinner Conversation

"Mama, I fell on the rocks in the driveway."

"Oh, I thought you said, I found the rocks in the driveway."

"I found them when I fell!"

"Donny, you just made a funny!"

First Snow

Baby Boy

Big Daddy e-mailed me this video he had saved in his e-mail. I can't believe what a difference a year makes. I almost cried, he was still a baby last year. I feel like a terrible parent, we sent him to school. I dropped off this little boy all alone. He doesn't look old enough to be in school. Might explain why the three year old teachers seem to love their kids more than the four year old teachers do. This was taken October 2008.

Do I Need To Say Anything?

What A Day!

It has been one long day. Donny had to sit in the naughty spot more times than I can even list. Our little Donny elf didn't have much effect today. There was one particular time of the day that made think of the old Calgon commercial. Around three o'clock I had just pulled the last tray of pumpkin cookies out of oven, two dozen were cooling on a wire rack. I wanted to let Donny play in the snow since today is the first of the season and it was so beautiful outside. I told him to go to the potty and then I would bundled him to go outside.

He went off to the bathroom and a little time went by. I realized he was too quite, so off I went to see what my little man was doing. The giggling led me right to bathroom where I found him plunging the water right out of the toilet bowl. The walls on either side of the toilet were wet with toilet water and the floor was soaking wet. I sent him to his room and cleaned up the mess. While I was scolding him for making such a mess, I heard an odd noise coming from the kitchen. Upon further investigation, I witnessed Ashley eating cookies off the wire rack. She was standing with her paws on the counter eating as if that is the way I feed her every night. She ate around fourteen cookies, so I am expecting explosive diarrhea around two in the morning.

Hee-Hee

I LOVE Donny the elf! Donny ran into the living room this morning, took one look at the wall, gasped and then looked a me with magic, fairy dust in his eyes. "Mama, he's gone!" I told him that I had forgotten about Donny the elf and hadn't noticed. We then went on a search to find Donny the elf. Can you imagine how excited we were to find Donny the elf in Donny's room sitting on the curtain rod. Donny asked him if he saw Santa last night and the told me that Donny the elf called Santa from the cell phone in the elf's pocket.

Thank You Miss D!

We have adopted a new member into the family thanks to Miss D's suggestion. Although he has only been in the house for an hour and a half, his magic is working wonders. Our new little elf, named Donny by Donny, sits on the shelf and watches the children to see if they have been naughty or nice. He flies to the North Pole when everyone is sleeping to give Santa the daily behavior report. Donny is beside himself. The elf comes in a box with a book that tells the story of the elf's job. I let Donny hold the box while I read him the story. When I told him the elf was magic, he practically threw the box across the room. He finally warmed up to his little elf and asked to hold him. One of the rules is that the elf is never to be touched or he will lose his magic. I told Donny he had one chance to touch him when I took the elf out of the box. He gave the elf big hug and we picked a spot to put the elf for the night.

When I put Donny to bed, he thought for a moment and then said, "Mama, Santa sent that elf to Abigail not me." I realized I should remind him the elf will also tell Santa about all the good things he does. He felt much better and decided that elf Donny was for both of them. We will see what the next few weeks bring, but I can't wait for the morning to see what happens when Donny realizes that elf Donny is in a new location.

Tony M. Part II

I'm sorry that I wasn't clear with my story about firefighter Tony M. I should have explained that Donny made up that story. He has been quite the storyteller lately.

Out Of The Blue

"Mama, I down like touchdowns. I like bacon and marshmallows."