Our Beach Vacation

We spent the whole last week on vacation at Panama City Beach, FL.  I'd like to say that it was the most fun, relaxing time ever.  I'd like to. I'd like to say I spent the week with my toes in the water, my butt in the sand and a cold drink in my hand.  Well, some of the week I did.  But, more accurately, we spent a week chasing our flyaway beach umbrella, buckets and hats down the beach.  We spent a week dodging thunderstorms every morning and every evening.  We spent a week waiting on a slow elevator to the 17th floor condo.  We spent a week begging the Universe to take away the double red flags on the beach.

It was our first beach trip since the twins were born; actually, our first trip since Big Sis was about 16 months old.  We were all excited and ready to get there for sure.

 

Now, I will share with you What I Learned on My Summer Vacation--

 

 

THANK GOD for my mother.  Even with the 3:3 adult to kid ratio, we were still barely able to manage.  After having mom's help for a whole week, I've decided that our life would be easier with another wife.  I will be taking applications for a sister wife ASAP.

 

Tiny butt cracks can hold a lot of sand.  Actually, so can bigger butts.

 

There was absolutely no reason for me to pack two magazines in my suitcase.  Reading on the beach? Ha! They never saw the light of day.

 

Um, yeah. That time I said I wanted to skip the sunscreen on the front of my legs so I could "get some sun".....it worked.

 

Driving through the night is the Best. Idea. Ever.  The kids did great on the way there because they slept most of the way.  Not so much on the way home, driving in the daytime.

Going on a 16-hour road trip provided many opportunities for geography lessons.  For example, answering the question "Are we still in Florida?" about 50 times in the first hour of our trip home.  

It took getting caught out in the brewing storm one time for Big Sis to develop an intense fear of storms.  Everyone on the beach heard her frantically wailing, "Hurry and get inside!" over and over and over.  In the elevator and up all 17 floors of the condo.  Geez.

 

Lesson learned: the next time I see an unopened packet of ketchup lying beside the curb, I will not point out that packet to Big Sis.  I don't particularly like having ketchup splattered on my face and in my hair.  No more stomping ketchup packets!

* more photos and fun stuff to follow...stay tuned.

Twin Tuesday

This week's Twin Tuesday goodness is brought to you by Girl Twin.  Twice in one week, she's had us laughing our heads off.  This girl.  I tell ya, she's a mess.

 

The other morning I was getting the kids ready for daycare.  It's always a frantic time, and this was no different.  Boy Twin was eating a waffle and apparently laid it in the floor when he came into the bathroom to get his hair brushed.  When he went back to get it, it was gone and he was crying.

 

Me:  Fergie!  Did you eat that waffle???  This, as the dog is walking out of the room with her guilty face on and her head hanging low.

 

Girl:  Fergie can't talk.  Only kitty cats can talk. (well, duh)

 

Me:  What do cats say?

 

Girl:  Meow!

 

 

Over the July 4th weekend, Girl Twin ran through the yard barefoot and bloodied her pinkie toe.  After a band-aid and much fuss, we got it to quit bleeding.  Then we realized the toenail wasn't going to survive.  Now, a week later she lost it.

 

We were spending the weekend at Grammy's when it happened.  I took her into the bathroom for yet another band-aid.  As I'm getting it on, she very seriously asked me if the tooth fairy was going to come get her toenail.  I said no.  Then she dropped it on the carpet and we never found it.  Have fun with that, Grammy!

Call it Stubborn, Independent or Whatever You Want...

Today is picture day at daycare.  The staff requested that all the children wear denim and white---jeans, skirts, overalls, whatever.  I guess they are going with a Western theme.  They told the parents this approximately 16 hours prior to photos, which I'm a little put out by, but that's for another story.

 

Today, this is about our children.  Our stubborn, hard-headed, independent, do-it-myself kids.  I've waited years for these kids to be able to dress themselves and lighten my load a little, so you'd think there's really  nothing to complain about here.  But the thing is, we are in that stage where they want to choose what to wear (no matter the practicality or comfort level) and they want to dress themselves (and put shoes on the wrong foot).

 

So, I put together some clothes this morning and they weren't having it.  So for western day, my kids wore rain boots and nothing denim.  Yee haw!  And you know what?  I don't really care.  It's exhausting to fight about it when it doesn't really even matter.  The photographer will slap a toy cowboy hat and bandanna on them, and they will look ridiculous, and it still won't matter.  I'm not going to buy the damn pictures anyway because the school insists on taking photos every 3 months and it totally irritates me.  Why is this necessary?

 

Today's drama also got me thinking about a text conversation I had with a good childhood friend a few months back. I saved the text because I knew it would somehow end up on this blog.  It's a gem.  She's got a daughter who is the same age as Big Sis, so we often compare notes on phases, attitude, kindergarten and general 6-year-old smartassedness.  That is a word, no?  Here's the basic convo:

So, why am I sharing this?  Because it makes me feel better.  Because I  know that other moms are having the same issues with their stubborn, independent children, too.  It's OK to laugh, because this was funny.  But it's also OK to shake your head and say "yep," because you've been there.  And you get it.  No matter how much we think we are teaching our kids, or helping our kids or whatever.  The bottom line is they will still occasionally leave the house without underwear on.  Or, in our case, Spiderman rain boots on western day.  And really, it doesn't matter.

Twin Tuesday, the Wednesday Edition

This post didn't make it on Tuesday because I was out doing something fun with my twinners.  Dad took Big Sis on a mini road trip, so I was home with the littles for the night.  We spent our evening outside at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, enjoying a free family concert by the Arkansas Winds Community Band.

 

I am totally embarrassed to admit this, but here goes...last night was my very first trip out the the botanical garden.  I know! Why???  What a beautiful facility and grounds; a perfect setting to throw a blanket down and relax to some music.

 

After work, I headed home to make a picnic dinner for the kids and myself.  The whole time I'm thinking maybe taking them out by myself isn't a great idea. But you know what? They did great! And they LOVED the show and walking around the gardens.  They feasted on peanut butter sammies, apple slices and popcorn. They giggled, danced and twirled all through the show, determined to entertain everyone sitting around us.  Then, during intermission, we got to walk around the gardens and enjoy the flowers, ponds, statues and lily pads. 

 

 

 

We decided that we can't wait to go back and take Dad and Big Sis to check it out.  I decided that I need to make an effort to spend more time with the kids doing fun activities and not worry so much about being out on a "work night," or the crap needing to be done at home.  I loved spending time with them alone; watching them explore the grounds was so special. 

 

 

A Change Will Do You Good

Oh, these wise words of Sheryl Crow have been dancing in my head for the past few weeks.  I know it's been a while since I made a new post, but I've been getting acclimated to my new schedule.  You see, after eight years at the American Cancer Society, I have a new job.  I am now the Marketing Manager at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.

 

After eight years of doing anything, a change is scary to even consider.  Well, maybe not so much scary as intimidating.  It's hard to think of changing your entire schedule and way of doing things.  I mean, you do spend more time at work than at home...so you better be happy with what you're doing.  But I know I've made the right decision.  For one, I've been wanting to get back into doing a marketing/PR/communications job for some time.  And for another, this particular job has a special place in my heart.

 

For those who don't know, my first "professional" job was actually working at the Northwest Arkansas Mall as the Marketing Assistant while I was in college.  It started as an internship, and turned into a three semester part-time job.  It was fantastic!  This is where I cut my teeth on event planning, promotional marketing and writing for business.  That's why, when the opportunity came up, I knew the job was calling my name.  Kind of a career gone full-circle thing, no?

This is me in my new office, at my new desk, wearing a new outfit and my new favorite necklace.  See, change is good.

The Real Barbie Dream House!

Last Saturday, the girls and I got to visit the real Barbie Dream House!  Because I'm a cool mom, we had VIP passes to see the traveling display of Barbie Is Moving when it stopped in our area.  We were greeted by some very nice staff people who explained to us what exactly Barbie is moving...going into it, I wasn't sure.  Apparently, after all these years living in Malibu, Barbie has decided to pack up up her tiny shoes and clothes, sell the Dream House and move.  Crazy, I know!  Glad I have that Malibu Barbie packed away in the attic somewhere.  Anyway, Barbie has packed all her things and she's traveling around the country looking for a new home.  Could she be Walmart Barbie next?  I think she could rock the blue vest with ease, but she may have to get some longer skirts and more sensible shoes.

We were escorted to the front of the line at the Dream House, where little girls were going berserk to get dressed up in pink frilly tutus and boas to walk down the runway to loud, pulsating music and have their photos made.  Of course, you know my girls (at least the big one), didn't want any part of that madness.  And because Big Sis wouldn't do it, then Little Sis was a no-go, too.  So we watched.

Then we went outside to an area set up for the girls to actually design and color a dress to take home for their Barbie.  Remember the old "fashion plate" days?  Very similar here. We used carbon paper to rub off a design, then they could color it with permanent marker.  This is where we spent the most time, of course!

Then on to the face painting....always a crowd favorite.  Our final stop was in the Mega Bloks area, where they had a large bin full of blocks for the kids to build a "room" for the Mega Blocks dream house.  You can buy the kits in the store now to assemble your own rooms! And the girls got to bring home a small sample kit.  Girl Twin has carried her teeny, tiny little kitty cat all over and not put it down since Saturday.  And I *might* have had to dig it out of her mouth multiple times.  

Overall, a super fun thing to do with my girls on a warm Saturday morning.  They are stopping in 12 more cities across the country, so visit Barbie Is Moving and maybe you can catch it in your hometown.  It's fun and FREE!  

Our Kindergarten Graduate

It's been a busy month for us since school let out.  Big Sis was only out of school for about a week until she and the littles loaded up to go stay a week at Grammy's house.  I realized that I didn't even post all of the photos from her graduation celebration.

They started out with a little program for the kids to sing to us. It was in the morning, so Lee wasn't able to go because of work. I took Girl Twin, who was missing daycare due to the "24 hour rule," and we had a great time.  Big Sis has really come a long way from that first day of school when I don't think she spoke a word to anyone.  I've said it here before, but we are so thankful for her wonderful teacher who was so kind, patient and special to her.  The sad thing is that Big Sis will be losing her two friends from her class because they are moving to different schools next year.  

She got a great final report card and scored above average on reading...you know that makes this mama happy!  She is writing and reading simple books.  We are going to work on math over the summer and get ready to have a great first grade year.

She's just left of center--can you see her little head poking up?

With her teacher, Mrs. Cloud

Look at that sweet, toothless smile!

My girls with Big Sis's BFF from school. Her first sleepover buddy!