I Can Hardly Wait...

...but secretly, I can. 

From the time we brought our two little bundles home from the hospital in 2007 and again in 2009,

 I've caught myself saying many...too many times...

"I can't wait until (insert important milestone in child's life)."

I've always been one to look forward to the future in hopes of what it will bring.

I've also found this to, unfortunately, rush away very important things happening now. 

And I've promised myself, several times, that I would start trying to slow things down instead of wishing away the 'now moments'. 

But, I couldn't help myself today.

After Brynn's short nap this afternoon, we spent a little time together,

like we usually do...folding laundry crafting.

She has quickly, and thankfully adopted a love for doing anything

artsy and craftsy

(which makes this mommy very happy, proud, and excited).

But... it happened again today. 

I found myself saying,

"I can't wait until we can pick out projects to make together."

But, for now, we're both stay content with her practicing her cutting by snipping away at my fabric and ribbon scraps and modeling the products of mommy's naptime break. 

(Seriously, Mom. Are you going to make me try another one of these things on?)

Dear Minnesota...Please Melt Our Snowman!

Yesterday...

no snow pants,

dripping gutters,

dry driveway

doing 'spring' things

Today...

snow pants,

coated trees,

slushy gutters,

doing 'winter' things

It's so close we can almost feel it...spring, that is.

For that reason, we only built 'half' of a snowman because we know how

quickly

he is going to melt...!

The Best Tool on My Belt...

Over the years, I've acquired many tools. 

Some, I've been given. 

Some, I created out of necessity.

Patience...

Trust...

Caution...

Faith...

Composure...

Persistence...

Perserverance...

Humility...

They've all come in handy at one time or another.

But, the best tool I've been blessed with didn't become part of the collection until just a few short years ago. 
One that was never explained to me...

and if it had been, I wouldn't have understood.

  A tool that has been used with me and on me,

but only recently became mine.

Something I love to use daily, if I get the opportunity...and I usually do.

A tool that I used before I even knew I had it.

One that gives me much peace, and equal frustration....doubt, and confidence.

Because I don this tool, it puts me in a very lucky 'rank' in our world.

One that I will never have to live without again.

The best tool on my belt....my mommy instinct. 

Can You Mash Potatoes...Can You Eat Them Hot?

It took planning.

It took coordinating and a watchful eye on the stove.

Not to mention, an actual thought about tonight's supper before 4:00 pm.

Water was boiling, potatoes were peeled, grilled cheeses were browning (blackening) and kids were sitting....finally.

Potatoes went in....boiling....all mouths eating...potty flushing.

Plates were cleaned...two diapers changed...table washed....toys back out....

potatoes done and mashed quickly. 

Cooling on the back burner in the hot kettle. 

Kids read to....last diapers changed...everyone tucked in...loud thud. 

Hot, mashed, potatoes on the kitchen floor...guilty looking brown-eyed dog repeatedly licking his most-likely burned tongue. 

Thinking to myself....laugh?....cry?....or just wonder if it was worth it?! 

Fishing for Ice Cream Cones

Just shy of 8:00am and I've already been fishing for plastic ice cream cones...

...out of the toilet.  

Not something I had done in a while and a reaffirmation about the 'no toys in the bathroom' rule  ;)

The bathroom has become a real congregating place lately. 

Cleaning, singing, washing, waiting, cheering, smiling.... 

Once in a while, I'm catching strange looks being thrown my way, but I don't mind...my enthusiasm is all for good GREAT reasons! 

The sticker charts are doing the trick for Brynn (so far). 

She's exceeding my expectations and putting way more stickers on than I thought she would! 

She's already earned a few "presents" for her stickers...very high quality presents (loving the dollar section!), I might add.

Quality enough to produce masterpieces....

...priceless ones that will be added to the "baby book" collection of memories. 

(I am absolutely enthralled by the way her little mind makes her fingers concentrate so hard to create marks that go much beyond the fast, wild, "I'm Done!" kind of scribbles!)

Let the potty luck continue.....

On My Table Today...

...I have a potty chair and Christmas decorations. 

Not related in any way, but maybe eventually they will be...?

The only reason, for now, is because the table is the center of the house where all things random find their resting place.

As far as the potty chair goes....Brynn has finally decided it's time....words that are (or will be) music to my ears and also, a little stretch of my imagination.  One of her friends that plays here each day has taken the next step and I'm really hoping that his eagerness, quickly, becomes Brynn's. 
But, for now, the {clean} potty chair on my table is there for anyone who will use it!

I'm slightly annoyed with myself that I've accumulated a Christmas decoration pile that still needs to be put away.  As I do every year, and mostly out of laziness and sadness in having to take down "Christmas", I left a few things up that represented winter, and not just Christmas. 
But, after a stretch of spring-like days and definite spring fever, it is time....
kind of like potty chair time. 

Slow-Bake...No-Bake....?

....or Turn-On-The-Oven-and-Bake???

A day late, and a few degrees short....that's how today has panned out. 

Arriving back to the 'arctic chill'

(or so it seems to those who have spend the last 4 days basking in the 'sunny & 80's') has proven to be more of a shock than I imagined. 

My initial thought as I left the sunny elevation, passed through the thick blanket of clouds, and then descended into gray skies and dirty cars.....How bad could it be?  I mean really, I was just here four days ago, changing diapers, begging for a quiet naptime, and planning my 'day late' Valentine's Day treats. 

Four days, typically, doesn't bring about much of a difference from one day to the next in this household. 

Unless, of course, you have been kidless, snowless, carefree, and drinking wine among palms. 

I missed my kids & hubby like crazy....

But definitely could've used a day to unwind from my unwinding!

And those 'day late' Valentine's Day treats....yeah....that was the moment when I realized my mind was still somewhere between here and Phoenix. 

Trying to accomplish some treat-baking during naptime, I, like usual, overbaked my first batch of V-day treats.  Quickly and again, like usual, I switched off the oven and grabbed the cupcakes before they turned any darker shade of brown.

Batch #2 then went in.  I kept setting the timer for a few minutes and would check....and check.....and check again....and recheck....and couldn't figure out why these cookies were still not done.  

(Don't worry, it's not like this checking...rechecking....went on for an hour...
....it was only about 35 minutes)

Lesson:  Plan a day of unwinding after any type of vacation before returning to the 'full' duties of mommyhood.......
...and make sure the oven's on.