Kickin' it old school

The girls had their hair cut this afternoon & were introduced to the crimping tool.  As we arrived at the salon Nicky (hair lady) was doing a lady's hair & makeup for an 80's themed party.  So she already had her crimper hot & ready to go.  The girls were thinking this tool was the coolest thing ever & suggested we buy one.  Nicky said she's had people offer her $100 for hers because they are hard to find & becoming quite the "thing" again.  When I asked where she got hers she said, "I bought it back in the 80's".  Oh, back when we all had one, right girls?  I would have never thought to hang on to it.

She offered Savannah some orange color spray & she gladly accepted. 

After watching her use it I realized that I was using it all wrong years ago.  I could have looked way better and not had an afro every time.  Whatever, I thought I looked cute & that's all that matters.  So if you, by some crazy chance, still have your crimper laying around bust it out because that look is back!  Oh yeah!

Trick or Treat Bags

Every year I go to Wal-Mart & buy the cheap plastic $1 trick or treat bags.  And every year when they break (notice that was "when" not "if") I say things under my breath that are not nice.  And after I say these potty things I say that I won't buy those cheap things again.  But every year I do. 

Until this year.

I've been a busy bee this week sewing up these cute things that I promise not to swear at

Haley's

  Savannah's

Matthew's

Luke's

Any guesses on what they'll be for Halloween?  I know the boys' are obvious.  And these are obviously customized for their costumes this year.  But I've already gone & bought black & orange felt so I can sew some traditional halloween bags for next year.  Never again will I buy those plastic bags....ever! 

So if you are also interested in not swearing at your kids' plastic bags this year, click here for the tutorial on these cute felt trick or treat bags.   

P.S.  For those interested in making them, Luke's bag is the size given in the tutorial.  The other 3 are 2" wider & the handles are 2" longer.  Fortunately I did Luke's first & discovered it was a tad to small.  He's a little man, he can have a little bag.

Have you ever heard the quote that goes something like "Be the kind of women that when your feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says, 'crap she's awake' "?  I thought of that this morning when I heard Luke's bedroom door open and I said "crap, he's awake".  Out loud I said it, not under my breath.  That's when I decided the two of us needed to have a chat.

Breakfast seemed the perfect time.

Me "Alright, I just need to know what your angle for today is.  Is it pretty princess day where you wear all my jewelry & make-up?  You do love that mascara.   Maybe you were thinking of sibling bedroom destruction.  Where you ruin any art projects, jewelry, books or anything they deem valuable.  You must find great satisfaction when they come home, head to their room & immediately begin crying?  Job well done, right?  Is that it?" 

No response, he keeps eating.

Me "Ok, so it's random day.  Where we find DVD's in the tray of the printer/copier, where every piece of fruit in the fruit basket has just one Luke-size bite out of it and the kinda day where my wallet is invaded and my cash stuffed into your pockets & diaper.  Your personal best is $220 and at some point I know you'll want to beat that.  Is that it?"

He looks up periodically but doesn't say anything. 
Does he really think I'm talking to someone else?!

Taking a different approach I say "Have you seen all the toys in the toy closet?  What about the playroom?  And the formal dining room is Fisher-Price heaven, have you seen that place?  We should really buy stock in Fisher-Price!  We have great toys scattered all around this house.  Have you noticed ANY of them?!"

After a few moments of silence he says

"Asld lieqwa jwlapeb ksjfsldf!"

Hmmm.  He gave me some information, now I need to decode it.

Sometimes you just have to love the dollar store

And the happiness it brings!

Especially to these two clowns (no pun intended)

Do I look pretty?

Thank goodness his Mommy doesn't use waterproof mascara, that would have taken longer to clean up. 

I'm wondering if he thought

they won't notice if I do just one eye

  We noticed

Chelsea comes to town

Chelsea flew in yesterday & will be here for another week for a friends wedding.  She figured last night was the best night for a slumber party for her & my kids.  My girls are always so excited to hang out with Aunt Chelsea.  As Haley put it "Because she doesn't have any of her own kids, we get to have all her attention!"  As my kids all talk at the same time, jump all over her, beg her to swing & all kinds of other things, part of me feels bad for her, even though I know she loves it.  She arrived just in time for dinner then they played outside, painted nails, made cupcakes & made bracelets. 

We love it when Aunt Chelsea comes to visit!

That darn weatherman

I was on the phone this morning & I noticed Matthew got his shoes on & sweatshirt on.  I had errands to run so I appreciated his take charge attitude.  Then he goes to the house/garage door & opens up the garage doors.  I told him to hold on.  I got off the phone.

Me:  "Should we get Luke a sweatshirt before we head out?" 

Matthew:  "No, he's not going to school today"

Me: "Well today is Friday & neither are you.  We're going to run some errands."

He sat in his seat with his arms folded & a scowl on his face.  About 10 minutes of silence & then...

Matthew:  "Why does the weatherman get to choose?"

Me:  "Why does the weatherman get to choose what?"

Matthew:  "Why does he get to choose what day it is?  Now I can't go to school because he choosed it to be Friday.  Why did he have to choose Friday?!"

I can't remember what I said but it didn't lighten his mood.  I called Judd because I thought it was a cute little conversation.  As I'm retelling it Matthew starts crying & calling the weatherman mean & rude.  I have Judd try his magic in talking to him.  It worked.  I get the phone back and....

Judd:  "Why don't the kids ever want to hang out with you? 

Me:  "Ha, ha, ha" (said sarcastically)

Judd:  "You need to be a fun parent so I told him you'd take him to buy something."

Darn weatherman, why does it have to be Friday?!