The Tuesday Ten, vol. V

-1-
Today was SUPPOSE to be snowpocolypse 2011. Instead of the 1/2 inch of ice and then 16-20 inches we got a minimal amount of ice, a couple of inches of sleet and we MIGHT get some snow, but only a little bit. Kinda a let down really.

-2-
I did a redonkulous amount of laundry today. I still have a redonkulous amount I could still do. (Sheets and towels and the like...) but I think I'm done at least for today.

-3-
None of us left the house today. We probably won't leave the house tomorrow.


-4-
We are a little bored.

-5-
We are catching up on our DVR tonight.

-6-
But I spent the last 30 minutes on the IKEA website after a reference to the Grunka spoons on the TV show Chuck.

-7-
Why isn't there an IKEA in the greater STL area? WHY????

-8-
Why is it that TV newborns are always the size of three month olds? Not that I suggest newbies should be acting, but I mean, really?

-9-
Madeline announced today that she was going to have 5 children all at the same time and there names are going to be Acra, Bacra, Ama, Rama and Crama. I could not contain my giggles on this one. I hope someday I get those 5 grandchildren named Acra, Bacra, Ama, Rama, and Crama. I just hope I have enough arms. :)

-10-
And just cuz...

The Tuesday Ten, vol. II

The Tuesday Ten-1.11.11 edition!

-1-
It snowed today. We played outside. Madeline and Kevin went sledding. I made chocolate chip brownie bars. Not one cup of hot chocolate was consumed. I think we need a do over.

-2-
We had a new bed delivered today. It is huge. I may never leave it. If you don't hear from me ever again you know where to find me.

-3-
Scott and Becky arrived back in STL today. We've decided we need to tell Madeline that Scott and Becky are arriving one day later than reality to avoid the constant stream of "are they here yet? is that their plane? are they coming here now? is it time yet? when are they getting here?"s spewing from her mouth.

-4-
Madeline played independently for almost 30 minutes yesterday. That is HUGE! I am half way to an episode of Oprah. (I'm (half) kidding!)

-5-
It is 10:15pm and Lydia is currently screaming from her room. I don't know why. I kinda hate this part of motherhood. (The not knowing why your baby (or 14 month old) is screaming therefore not being able to fix it.) (edit: it is now 10:27 pm and she isn't crying, fingers crossed...)

-6-
Kevin has to go back to work tomorrow after being off for three days in a row. I like having him around. I know he likes being had.

-7-
I am currently obsessed with potato soup. Snow is perfect soup weather. I think I may have to cook up a pot tomorrow. That would make five pots in four weeks. I tell you, this stuff is guh to the ood!

-8-
Or maybe I'll try a butternut squash recipe I was introduced to last week. It's pretty much potato soup - potatos + butternut squash. I bet it is just as yummy. I'll let you know.

-9-
Today I got a comment on this post from a blogger I L.O.V.E. Do you read Are We There Yet? You should. (but then again don't because you might like her more than me and then this here bligity-blog will seem even lamer... so never mind, forget I said anything.)

-10-
We had dinner out tonight. With other adults. It was ten kinds of awesome. (Thanks again Mr. H!)

I made it through another Tuesday Ten! Now it's your turn. Post as many as you'd like in the comments or post your own on your blog then leave a comment so I can read yours too!

Dear Kevin,

Happy 5th Anniversary AND Happy Father's Day.

You are the best husband I could ask for and the best father Madeline and Lydia could hope for. Thank you for helping me build the very best life for our family. You are amazing in all that you do.

Love,

Maureen

Ps. I promise that next father's day I won't make you mow the lawn and weed the gardens in the 90+ degree heat. Make sure you hold me to that, K? :)

mg

March 2010

New Month. New Masthead.

Warmer weather can not come soon enough.

Those using a reader should click here.

mg

There's no day like a snow day

I love it.

We got several inches of snow overnight.

Kevin already had the day off work.

I sent Kevin out into the snow with Madeline to play.

I didn't change out of my pajamas all day long.

It was awesome.

Breakfast:

Snowman pancakes of course.
With dried mango top hats and raisin faces!

Waiting as patiently as she can to head out into the cold.
Those pants are from last winter and are a size 18m so that is why they look short. I had her in two long sleeve shirts, tights, regular pants, snow pants, and a coat that has an inside and an outside layer. Not to mention socks on her hands under her mittens and her hat and hood. She was plenty toasty out in the snow. I also want to note that they spent most of the time in the back yard, out of the wind so it wasn't as cold without the wind chill.

Lydia hung out inside in the warm house with her momma!
(Do you see those wrist rolls?!? Love it!)

My little angel .

Kevin makes the best snow angels. They are always perfect and make me smile. Yep, I'm schmoopy* like that.

Both girls took great afternoon naps so Kevin and I watched AN ENTIRE MOVIE!!!! (Angels and Demons, was good but not as good as DaVinci Code) We finished the evening with baked chicken, tater tots and peas for dinner and of course hot chocolate.

Other than that I got nothing done today. I count it as a success.

*Schmoopy: adj. meaning totally sickiningly sweet and lovely dovey about my honey.

mg

Fall, part I

Fall is my favorite season. I used to think it was the weather and the colors, but as I have gotten older I realize that it isn't so much about the big things, but the smaller things that make fall so special for me.

As a kid, Fall was all about family. We spent a lot of time with my dad's parents because all of our birthdays fell in the fall. We'd go apple picking, and make Apple crisp or pie. We'd carve pumpkins for Halloween, build a fire in the back yard (or fire place) and break out our cozy sweaters and sweatpants.

Although the weather is still a little warm around here I am looking forward to the fall. I know this fall will be different then in the past. I AM only 4 or 5 weeks away from our due date and Madeline has been so much fun the last few weeks. I can't wait to do all the traditional stuff with her/them. So much so that we have already gotten underway!


After spending most of the summer in flip flops I always look forward to putting on my comfy sneakers in the fall. Of course I couldn't let the season come without getting Madeline her very own pair.

I mean really, are those not the cutest shoes EVER?!?! I am in love and honestly, I want a pair for myself! (I have a blue pair, but aren't the red awesome?!?)

When we bought our new house, in January, we had no idea what our yard would look like. Most everything was dead. But as the spring came and summer continued we quickly realized we were going to have our very own apple tree! We haven't been able to actually identify the apples, but we think they are either a very tart golden delicious, or Granny Smiths.

Regardless of what they are, they make a very tasty apple crisp. If you are in the neighborhood and need some apples come on by. We have thousands on our tree. Madeline has been enjoying picking them, but there are only so many apples three people can eat! We have already had picking parties with Madeline's friends Leo and Max and Granny and Poppy. There are plenty more to go around so come on over and bring a big bag!

mg

Summer Perfection

Today was a perfect summer day.

Kevin had the day off and started his day even earlier than he does when he works. He was up and golfing with a 6am tee time. I think he is crazy. He thinks he's crazy.

Madeline and I had a lazy morning and after Kevin returned home and we ate lunch we all headed to the pool.

A little more than an hour later we returned home and we all napped. It was glorious.

Dinner was yummy and then Madeline and I did an art project (photos later) and played in the hose while Kev did a ton of yard work.

Now we are all exhausted and headed to bed. I LOVED this day!

mg

the lightening ate my post

I wanted to post tonight. With photos and everything. I have a very cleaver post planned I assure you. But the weather has foiled me again. If only we could assure that the massive amounts of lightening wouldn't fry our fancy computer if our house is hit... I'm just not willing to risk it.

So until the weather passes, I blame the lightening for my lack of post AND for sapping me of my cleverness. I hope all you mid westerners enjoy the light show and stay safe.

mg

Warm up

The weather is getting warmer and one of the biggest signs of summer for me is watermelon! Madeline and I have been eating off that gorgeous fruit for days and it still tastes awesome!

The pool is open, the weather is warming up (again) and my freckles are starting to show. Oh summer... how I love you.

Sorry I've been a bit scarce this week. I'll be back next week and hopefully I'll have something worthwhile to say.

mg

Dogwood

All of the blossoms have fallen from our red dogwood. Although I hate my spring allergies, it is always sad to leave the beauty behind. I miss the daffodils and tulips already.

As you can tell Madeline is not fazed by the passing of spring and is ready for the pool to open. Only four more weeks!

Sunshine

I should be mopping my kitchen floor. Instead I am feeling sorry for myself because I haven't seen the sunshine in 4 days.

Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day.

mg

Nope, not us.

Madeline and I were both ridiculously crabby today. (Just ask Kevin.) Maybe it's the weather. I miss the sunshine and it has only been two days without it... argh. I am declaring tomorrow a better day.

We are less than one week away from Madeline's second birthday. I can't believe it. Not one little bit. We have a two year old? Nope, not us. We JUST came home from the hospital with a teeny little thing right? We don't have a screaming, tantrum throwing, walking, talking, two year old. Nope, not us.

mg

Missing you

Dear warmer weather,

I miss you. It has been far to long since we've spent quality time together. Sure, you visited us last week, but I am not satisfied and I want more. I want to hang out in the yard and take walks to the park. I want to head to the zoo and hang with the animals and not have to wear a coat. (One of the great injustices of my life is that I am always cold and I HATE wearing a coat. I mean really, really HATE it...)

Come back please. I promise to bask...

Maureen

mg

Hanging out with the sunshine

The sun is finally out and the weather has temporarily warmed up. I am such a happy camper I can't even begin to tell you how much of a difference that makes to my overall sanity.

How do you make a beautiful day at the park even better? You share it with some friends!

We met Leo and Becca at the park today and I snapped some photos while the kiddos ate a snack.

Leo: So Maddy, I hear you've never had fruit snacks?
Maddy: It's true... what are they?

Leo: They are really good, especially those green ones right there.

Maddy: Wow, Leo! You were right. These are yummy! Mmmm.

Leo: Is that your mom with the camera in our face?

Maddy: Mooooom!? Can't a girl have any privacy?

We had a great time!

mg

Dreaming

It is 25 degrees outside.

I am dreaming of this:

July 2, 2008

Soon right? Not soon enough.

**********
btw, thank you for all the love. Today has been a better day for Ms. Madelou and me. If only I could bring in some warmer weather... although I hear that is coming too. (thanks, b.)

mg

eight inches of the white stuff

Snow! Kevin worked late today so we spent almost an hour and a half outside this morning.

First we had to get Madeline all suited up... check out those bags on her feet! That's right, tights, then bags, then socks, then boots. Her feet were toasty when we came inside.


Of course I put her in a snow suit before we went outside, as well as socks on her hands (thanks maw maw), plus mittens, a hat and a hood. She was toasty.

She helped Kevin shovel the driveway. Click on the photo and you can see just how tiny her shovel is. Hilarious!

At this point she still wasn't sure about the snow. She kept stopping and saying, 'Momma! My boots! My boots icky!' She was totally concerned about getting snow on her shoes. So I plopped her down in the snow. Eventually she got it, that it just wasn't an issue to be snowy!


She played on the porch while Kev finished most of the driveway.


Then she was ready to go sledding.
Madeline was a little upset when Kevin walked down to the hill to check it out without her. She stood there yelling, "Daddy! Sledding!"




Then the neighbors, O and P, got into the action.
Even I got into the spirit and took Madeline down the hill for a ride!
Then we went inside, warmed up with some hot cocoa and some Elmo. What a good snow day!

mg

Snow Day

We are at home today, because my work was canceled b/c of snow. We are eating warm oatmeal and watching The Street. Oh, I love this show and I love my DVR.

I usually don't mind the snow. Although this is day three of just Maddy and me at home, alone, all day. It is this time of year that I start having serious cabin fever and am dreaming of walks to the park and picnics on the yard. Oh, what I wouldn't give to have a warm day to sit outside and soak up the sun. (just wait... in a few weeks it will be 80 degrees and I'll be complaining about the heat.)

Because of the cold weather I've also decided I miss being pregnant/nursing. For the last two winters my body temperature has been higher and I was hardly ever cold. Yesterday I spent almost all day with a heating pad on my feet and a warmed neck pillow on my shoulders. How did I live in Norway? I just don't remember being that cold when I lived there... even though I know it was at least this cold for the first three months I was there. (I think it snowed everyday for the first month I was there.)

mg

Did you know?

Did you know that printers will not print unless they are at room temperature? I didn't until ours gave us an error message that said something like,

"Do you know how cold it is out here on the porch? I am @%#&-ing freezing you @$$hole! I'm not doing your bidding until I am at least at ROOM TEMPERATURE!!! "

To which I replied, "Whoa printer! What's with the toilet mouth?"

Then I checked myself into a clinic for those who talk to their electronic devices.

The End.

The Weather-Blog Hypothesis

The colder the weather gets, the less likely I am to blog.

It is true. I can prove it.

Fact #1: When the weather gets really cold, we shut the sun porch/office door. The windows on the porch are still the old windows (the only windows on the first floor we didn't replace in '04) and that room gets really cold which makes our bedroom really cold, which makes the hallway cold, which makes the heat run a million times a day.

Fact #2: Since Madeline came along our office is out on the porch. Along with the computer that holds all of our photos.

Observation #1: I don't like blogging with out photos. I feel like blogs with photos are so much more interesting then just words. Who really cares what I have to SAY! They want to see my daughter and what our house looks like! (It's true, don't pretend you don't want to know!)

Observation #2: With the porch door shut, I am less likely to open the door to turn on the office computer, especially since I have a perfectly functional laptop in a "warm" room in the house.

Conclusion: When the weather is cold... I am less likely to blog!

Which is a shame, because I have some really cute photos to share from the past few days. Maybe I will put on my long underwear, hat and gloves and head out to the porch this afternoon. I can be extreme!

mg

Enjoy the BBQ and sunshine. We will!

mg