Mom, I'm Stuck!

My secret to surviving the cold weather months where outside play is not an option is going to different play places. Between the malls around us, Play World and McDonald's, there are about five different places for us to go.

This really is my life saver. I don't really care if these places are breeding grounds for germs and come complete with other mommies who do nothing but judge, I need these places. They are perfect for my kids to run off their never ending energy. I usually take the kids about mid morning which guarantees a wonderful afternoon nap from all of them. It is just awesome in my book.

But there is one problem with these places besides, the germs, bullies and mean mommies. There is the possibility of one of the little kids will get stuck. Meaning that I will have to go up there and get them

This really has not been an issue for us especially, since Hayden is older and can usually go up and get a little kids that might be stuck. Also the fact that Jake, Quinn and Claire are now almost two and haft and pretty good climbers (just ask my furniture), I don't really worry about them getting stuck anymore. In fact, I hardly every think about it.

Well, I used to not think about it. Let's just say that changed this afternoon.

It was a rainy day and the kids where going stir crazy in the house. So it was off the McDonald's we went to run off and climb out their energy. Once the kids were deshoed and decoated, they were off to play. I sat down at the table, relishing in the fact that no one was climbing on me. I sipped my coffee when I heard the cry.

"Mooommmmmeeeee! Help Me!"

I looked around and saw what I feared most. Quinn near the top of the play place, stuck. Well, he was wasn't really stuck but his book he was. He had climbed to the top of the climbing ledges and when he turned around to start to climb down, his feet were too short to touch the next ledge so he got scared.

I tried to talk him down. I even sent Hayden up there to try and pull him down but he was too scared and nothing was working. So I did the only thing I could do. I got up from my chair, took my shoes off and began to squeeze my fat ass up to Quinn. Did I mention that the play area was full of people. Yup, this couldn't happen on a day when the place was empty, no it had to happen during a full house.

As I climbed higher and higher, praying that the plastic would support my weight so that I wouldn't become know as the lady that collapsed the play area, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to get high enough to get to Quinn. I was just too big to fit, no matter how much I sucked in.

Thankfully, there were some old boys playing around me and they had enough sense to realize that Quinn was stuck. They asked if they could help.

So as the boys tried to convince Quinn to come down with them, I looked around and took in my view. I looked over the crowed restaurant and realized that I was featured as the lunch time entertainment. Awesome.

"Um, lady" one of the boys said snapping me back to the task at hand, "he won't come to me. He is trying to kick me away."

"Yeah, I am sure he is just scared. Just try and grab his leg and pull him down. He will cry but it is ok. He will be fine," I told the boy.

The boy stuck his head down from the ledge and looked at me, "You want me to pull him and make him cry?"

"Um, yeah. It will be alright. He is going to cry but we have to get him down," I said getting a little annoyed by the whole situation. I just wanted to get down and stop this show.

Now, from where I was I could not see what was happening but within a couple seconds, I heard Quinn's distinctive cry and then I saw his little body being shoved in my direction. He had big crocodile in his eyes. I tried to talk to him and quiet him down but his wailing just continued. So I just maneuvered myself and the crying child down to the ground.

Once safely on the ground, I smiled politely to the crowd and thanked the boys that helped us. I gathered Quinn in my arms and planted many a hug and kiss on him. Eventually, he stopped crying and I am pretty sure the promise of chicken nuggets and a Happy Meal toy help with that more than my hugs and kisses.

The photo was found on flickr and not actually our play place
but it was very close.
I wanted to take a picture but I forgot my camera.

Think of Me

When I go to bed on the eve of a big day, I like to do a double check of my to-do lists in my head. This seems to help me feel more organized and less stressed. I will wake up knowing what I need to tackle. It also is a way for me to remember any last minute details that might need to be done before I go to sleep.

I was doing just that the other night when Jeff walked into the room and began to get undressed for bed. As he was taking his pants off, I sat straight up in bed, threw off the covers and ran out the room. He just stood there pants at half mast watching me.

When I returned to the room, now more calm, he asked, "What was that all about?"

"Oh sorry," I said, "When you walked into the bedroom and took your pants off, I remembered that I needed to take the sausage out of the freezer."

With an exasperated sigh he said, "Well, at least me getting undressed makes you think of sausage, not the right kind of sausage but sausage none the less."

Starbucks Speak

So it is no secret, my love for coffee. My brain doesn't start functioning until the first drop of that sweet nectar hits my stomach and is absorbed into my blood stream.

I love the taste of it. I love the smell of it. I love how a cup of coffee fits in my hand, the warmth it gives me. I love its kick and get up and go. I just love. I have written about my love before and how I was reduced to a little pile of weepy mush when Jake spilled an entire pot.

I just love coffee. Ok, so maybe my it is more than love. Maybe, I am totally and utterly addicted but you know what, I don't care. Everyone has to have at least one crutch and coffee is one of mine.

Normally, I am happy with just a cup a black coffee. Sometimes, I like it with a little Splenda because Splenda makes coffee taste even better. I don't know how its possible but it does. But every now and again, I like to go for a froo froo coffee especially during this time of year when Starbucks has its holiday specials like Pumpkin Spice Latte or the Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha.

Mmmmm.... mocha.

But since I only go into Starbucks upon occasion, I usually get all confused with how to order my drink. I don't know the lingo. What I want is a medium sized, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, with skim milk, not too hot, no whipped cream and only a little bit of peppermint.

And that is just how I order. But what is repeated back to me sometimes sounds like a foreign language.

Starbucks Girl: "Hi, what can I get for you?"

Me: "I would like a medium sized, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha, with skim milk, not too hot, no whipped cream and only a little bit of peppermint, please.

SG: "So you want a Grande Peppermint White Chocolate non fat, no whip, no foam, half shot, luke-warm mocha?"

Me: "Um, yeah that."

I am never sure what I am really going to end up with in my cup but so far, it has always been what I wanted. Maybe some Starbucks speak lessons would be helpful?

Fashion Friday

One of my favorite bloggers is Summer.

Isn't she gorgeous?

She is a total fashionesta and all around awesome person. Besides her knowledge for all things fashion, her talent for the written word is, well it has brought to me tears it is so beautiful.
She just has this way of speaking right to my heart.
It is amazing.

Summer has just started this new online fashion/image consultant business, Chic Shoppers.
She has helped me find something to wear to an event I had to go to.
It turned out awesome!
If you need fashion advice or an outfit, you should totally check the site out.

Well, the other day, when I happen to to looking at Summer's blog, Hayden came over to see what I was doing.
He was very intrigued with the "very pretty lady" and her pictures.
He asked what she was doing and I told him that she was modeling some pretty clothes.

So I guess it shouldn't have surprised me when a couple of minutes later, he came downstairs dressed and ready.

"Take my picture, Mommy," he said, "I look gooood."

"Alright," I told him, "Now strike a pose like the pretty lady."

And he totally did.

Please ignore the nakedish toddlers in the back ground.
Unlike, Hayden, they are not to big on wearing clothes.

Happy Eagle!

I am not one for decorating. Sure, if you have ever been to my house you will see pictures on the walls and things here and there. You could call my house decorated but that is not by any of my doing. If it was left up to me, all the walls and shelves in this house would still be bare.

My house is decorated because of my mom. She is the decorator and she is really good at it. Her friends will often call her for advice on what to do in this room or what would look good here on this wall? I keep telling her that she need to change careers and become an interior designer but she is content just helping people when they ask.

My mom is one of those people who changes the decor in their homes based on the holiday or season. Now it is not to the extreme but tastefully done. It is a change in a table cloth here and an addition of a knick knack there. I really like it. And it kind of makes sense because since you only see these things for a few months at a time, you never get sick of anything.

I have always wanted to be like this. But sadly, I am not. The decorator gene did not get passed down to me. But that doesn't mean I am not going to try, for the kids sake because they deserve, make that want, cool decorations for the holidays.

So that is why, when I saw this guy in the store I just had to take him home. I know its not much but its just a little something to make the house more festive.


Yeah, I know. I really need my mom's help. I think so too but the kids, especially Jake, loved it.


When he first saw it on the table, he ran screeching with glee, "Happy Eagle! Happy Eagle!" Yeah, I know he is a little confused on the name but he was just so infatuated with it. Well, just watch and see.



I am pretty sure that if I had not told Jake that 'Happy Eagle' needed a 'nap', it would still be in his hands crushed to an unrecognizable mush.

But you know what, that would have been fine with me because his joy and the joy of the other kids made the $3.50 that I spent more than worth it. And for their joy and giggles, I am truly thankful.

This post has been part of Writer's Workshop.
I know its not a Thanksgiving poem like the prompt asks for
but it is about something for which I am Thankful.

Plans, The Only Certain Thing Is That They Change. Edited to add Giveaway Winners

So this was the plan. Since I have to work the day after Thanksgiving, we were not going to travel and see our out of town relatives. We are going to stay in town and have Thanksgiving here. I was going to pull out the 20lb turkey that has been in the freezer since last year, chip off the ice and cook it. We were going to host all the family at our house and we were going to have an awesome Thanksgiving.

Not only was I going to cook the most awesome turkey in the world. But I was going to make parsnip pudding, brussels sprout gratin, my sister was going to bring cheese potatoes, my sister in law was going to bring carrots and peas and jello for the kids and Jeff was going to make his famous pumpkin pie. There was going to be mulled cider and wine. I am drooling just thinking about all the goodness. Yum!

But then my Mom and Dad decided to go to Iowa to see my mom's side of the family. My brother drew the short stick and now has to be on call all day out of town. My sister can't decide where she is going to be.

So fine. I decided that I would invite other people to come and share in our awesome feast. But you know what? When you call people a week before Thanksgiving most people already have plans. But no worries, I am still going to cook up a storm. There is going to be a enough food to feed a small army. So if you are in need of a place go on Thanksgiving, stop by. We will have plenty of food, the house will be warm and cozy and the wine will be flowing.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Now, I am not really sad about everyone changing their plans or having to work or go other places. It really is fine with me. As long as they are happy and full and with people they love, all will be well. And a Happy Holiday will be had by all. But seriously, there is going to be enough left-overs here to last us until spring. Thank goodness, the turkey left a pretty big spot to fill in the freezer.

******

So I know that I promised to announce the winners yesterday but I didn't so here are the winners today.



Julie from Just Playin' Around
Cindermommy

Congrats Ladies!