Your Love Is My Drug

Back when I was pregnant for the first time, I thought I was tired all the time. And even though people warned me that once the baby was walking I would be tired, I felt pretty prepared-after all, I worked at a daycare/preschool that ROCKED with tons of on going training and skill building.

So I usually just smiled and nodded, and looked really forward to no carrying 35 extra pounds around on my 5 foot frame.

And the baby years have come and gone, twice for me, and I have to tell you something.

Preschoolers wear you out. I am exhausted, seemingly all the time. If it isn't a reality consequence lesson I'm trying to teach, or taking toys away ALL.DAY.LONG because they forget how to share, then it is the NEVER ending questions about EVERYTHING-and my kids are already calling me out if I try to stumble through an answer, so there are times I've had to look things up so I can give an acceptable answer.

Yesterday, Little Dude started running circles around me at the grocery store. Literally. JR is a copy cat right now, as well, so you can just go ahead and imagine both of them giggling and running around me as I tried to pick out the cheapest OJ and compare coupons. I was THAT mom with the crazy kid.

And not because they don'e know how to behave, preschoolers just have undying energy that times up with your energy level being on empty.

So, I scooped them up in my arms and headed home to set the kids loose in the yard while I collapsed on the swing.

But, they are so very adorable and cute it is hard to stay tired for too long, after all, there are adventures to lead, light sabers to find, and forts to build.


*This was going to see How To Train Your Dragon in 3D with our neighbors. SUPER great movie*

Like A Book

I am so glad my children enjoy reading; Little Dude has even taken to "reading" the stories to us out loud now at story time. Though he is not technically reading the story, he does a very fun job of creating stories to match the pictures, or even having memorized the story and recites it.

When I find books he has memorized, I make a mental note that I can FINALLY take a break from reading it. I can really only handle "Trashy Town" a few hundred times a day.


*They are reading Popular Mechanics; I'm in trouble....

So, this is the life you'll find here if you stopped by the house. The kids reading (or causing chaos) and me watching the cuteness (or yelling about the chaos).

Occasionally I work and clean the house. I sometimes even do laundry.

And read "Trashy Town" a few hundred times; and though I may get hoarse from reading, I am so glad the boys enjoy listening.

Building Up

So we only got 1/4 of the way laying deck boards over the weekend. It is a bit frustrating, while we knew we wouldn't finish, we did think we would reach halfway with the boards, but it is going much more slowly-and is much more difficult-than we had thought.

We are laying the boards at a 45 degree angle, to make it stronger and to make it look really pretty. While it should be a simple task of cutting the boards at that angle, it isn't because most of the boards are slightly curved, or slightly warped, or just not straight. Which really sucks when it comes to trying to space, cut, and line up angles. Sigh. But it will be worth it-already our backyard is a much more inviting place to hang out-no more muddy patio! Yay!

The kids have been having a lot of fun "helping" with this project, and it has been a great way to teach about not giving up when things get hard. Our Little Dude has been telling all his toys to "never give up" when, in his play land, something gets hard for the toys. It is so cute-and such a great way to see how he emulates our attitudes.

Not only do our children pick up on our actions and habits, but they also sense our attitudes. While we never told him that we were getting frustrated with the deck, he sensed it, and asked if we were going to quit when we stopped for a break. What a great opportunity it was to teach him how you never NEVER give up.

How proud I am to hear him already soaking that phrase up. Love it.

And even though every muscle in my body is sore from bending over and screwing in deck boards, I know the pain will pay off soon. And that my sons are watching us, so we must show them a great attitude, even when the going gets tough.

Because it never pays to give up.

Like Wear Clothes

I feel very blessed that I get to work from home. My job allows me the flexibility to hang out with my kids, save money on day care, and earn extra money at the same time. It is just wonderful, and I wish that all moms that wanted to stay home, but needed to work, could find something similar.

Like Wear® is just that company-it gives moms and dads the opportunity to run an at home business selling character themed clothing items that, well, your kids will LIKE to WEAR!

I was contacted to try out Like Wear® to try their clothes out on my boys-and I can guarantee you they LOVED wearing them. There isn't as big of a selection for boys as for girls-but that is always my clothing complaint. Little Dude picked out a Lke Wear® "Wheaties Champion" shirt that I have to now sneak out of his room to wash-otherwise he will wear it every day. He wore it yesterday and is yes, wearing it again today. At least he as clean shorts and socks (and undies) right?


Like Wear® sells children's clothing featuring modern day and vintage package art, and exclusive designs and unique twists on popular culture. They have created more than 100 images featuring family friendly brands like Wheaties, Trix, Tootsie Roll, Dots, Honda PowerSports and many others-some that are sure to bring back childhood memories of your own!

What I am most impressed with about Like Wear®? They make it possible for a parent to earn extra money from home-which is quite the gift! Like Wear® is the first and only company to focus on selling licensed apparel and accessories via the Direct Selling channel, and features a modern day fusion of a fun, boutique children’s clothing line and more traditional party plan direct sales companies, similar to Mary Kay or The Pampered Chef. Like Wear® provides a flexible and financially rewarding way to earn money or have a career selling a unique line of children’s clothing and accessories that feature products, brands and other stuff moms and their kids really like. Learn how you can start your own business selling Like Wear®


As a side note, I wanted to share as well that even though my son has worn his Wheaties shirt for almost 3 weeks straight, it still looks fantastic, the colors have stayed bright and dirt stains have come out with every wash, so I am very impressed with the quality of clothing.

Yes, my son and I LOVE Like Wear®. You can also learn more at the Like Wear® blogs, from Lisa and KenGold

**I was given a shopping coupon to buy two shirts from the main Like Wear® distributor for the purpose of giving a review, valuing around 30 dollars and immediately feel in love with their direct sales opportunity for stay at home parents.****

Little Help

Well, time just keeps flying and we have been super busy lately. Somehow, there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done-and no matter what I choose to focus on, I end up with guilt because I'm neglecting something else.

I somewhat caught up on work I had been putting off by staying up after everyone else was asleep. Even though I was tired, it was pretty relaxing to enjoy the quiet, with only the sound of the keyboard clicking way.

Today I will focus on trying to clean the house, but with three little kids I doubt I will make much progress. We might just end up reading books all day.

As the kids get bigger, they get more and more independent. They want to do everything for themselves, and it is very bittersweet for me. Especially with JR, because he is starting the "independence thing" so much sooner than Little Dude, simply because he mimics everything his brother does. Sigh.

Lately, Little Dude has wanted to help with everything-last week when we went to Marbles to play, Little Dude insisted on paying. He clutched his play money in his hands the whole car ride to the kid's museum, and once there the young man checking our membership was sweet enough to play along, and was clever enough to give back Little Dude's play money as "change" for his tickets. Little Dude was so proud-as was I. My son took his brother, Emily and me to Marbles! Even if he didn't actually pay, the simple act of wanting to do something nice for us so badly was just so terribly sweet.

So, without further ado, here is my little helper, "helping" to build our deck (which we are almost done with-and might finish this weekend-squeal!!):



My little boys are rapidly becoming little men; I love it and hate it all at the same time.

Keeping Up

Things have been busy here, between work, the children, and building a deck onto the house, we have not had much free time.

It seems like life has sped up-the days fly by and I'm always going, going, going, and then just exhausted at the end of the day.

But today, this morning, I went to a local Park, hiked through the woods with a wonderful friend and all the kids, and just got to "be". I left my phone, I didn't worry about work; it was NICE to just walk around in nature and be simple. No facebook, no twitter, no blog, no technology.

Just birds, trees, water, and an old Mill.

It was awesome and helped me reflect on how I need to slow down and enjoy life, instead of trying to keep up with it.