I've Been Waiting

I have been waiting for something for over 12 years. Something that I have been searching for, longing for, and wishing for. Yesterday if finally once again entered my life and I feel like I am now complete. It is:

"Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner"

This is my absolute favorite food. The last time I remember being able to eat it I was a Freshman in college. Shortly thereafter it disappeared from the grocery store shelves. For years, that's right years, I would search grocery stores in many different towns, hoping to find it. But much to my dismay I never did. Those of you that know me, know that I have some strange food obsessions, so when one of those leaves my life, I go into mourning. Last week, without much hope I decided to once again go searching for it. And miracle of miracles I found it. I have searched for it before on the internet and never found it, but this time I discovered a group of people just like myself who were also missing "Egg Chicken Noodle Dinner" and they were able to lead me to a site to buy it. Isn't that just the best news?

The Progression

Sadie's fit-throwing progression:

She first expresses her unhappiness, by putting her head down and crying softly.

Then realizing that I am not responding, goes into full fit-throwing mode. Complete with tears and screaming. This picture also shows paper in her mouth that she has been trying to eat. She is so sneaky!

However once picked up, she recovers within seconds.

I have a sneaking suspicion she is so cranky, because SHE IS NOT SLEEPING AT NIGHT. It is also making me cranky.

Newly Crawling

Sadie has been practicing and practicing all month, and she is now a full-fledged crawler. I am excited, but Jackson isn't too happy that she can get to his toys whenever she wants. I am wondering how much I am going to have to baby proof my house. We still have all of the outlet covers, and door locks, but I wonder if I am going to have to move all of my breakables out of reach. My other two kids were never very interested in them, and I am hoping the trend continues. We will see.

First Day Of School-Megan

Yesterday was Megan's long-awaited first day of 3rd grade. Construction is now complete, but the traffic was beyond terrible. It will definitely be an adjustment. Anyway, Megan had a great first day.


Some highlights:

• She already knew 3 other girls in her class.
• She received her first classroom job as office runner.
• She was quite annoyed that most of the girls were wearing skirts the first day and she was wearing shorts.
• She said her lunchroom was a lot smaller than her other one, and that her classroom was pretty small but did have windows. (Has anyone else noticed how small the classrooms are here in Las Vegas?)
  
• The best part of her day: Recess

The second day of school-skirt and all.

Eight Is Great

I don't think I have mentioned how great it is to have an 8 year old. I really don't know how I managed to take care of a baby without one. Megan waited quite a few years to have a sister, and now that she has one, she takes the job of big sister seriously. She goes back to school today, and I have to admit that I will be going through a transition period. This summer Megan has helped me more than I think I even realize. If I needed someone to play with Sadie while I took a shower, cleaned, or made lunch, she was more than willing to help. Granted, she is still 8 so that help only came in about 20 minute bursts. But still, it was a big help. Good thing I still have Jackson to go get me diapers. Imagine if I had to go and get them myself! Here a few of my favorite pictures of Megan and Sadie the last few weeks.





Oh, and one more thing that I will miss. She would run into the store to buy my Dr. Pepper while I waited in the car with Jackson and Sadie. It was great! I let her keep the change which seemed to make her day.

Megan Said

After looking at this ad for Old Navy:


Megan: "Mom, her hair is definitely not very age appropriate."

(I guess we have been watching a little too much Shear Genius)

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Entertaining/Parties

Hmmm. First of all, there are so darn many amazing bloggers out there, with so darn many good ideas when it comes to entertaining. However, I have not actually taken any of these good ideas and ran with them, so for this SPT I am giving my favorite party idea. It is not extravagant or exciting, but nonetheless it is one I use every year on my kids birthdays.
When it was time to open presents at my kids parties I noticed that there tended to be a lot of crowding, yelling, and mayhem. So a few years ago we started setting up two chairs.

One for the birthday kid to sit in, and one for the kid who was giving the gift to sit in. That way everyone could see, my kids were able to actually see who gave them the gift, and thank them properly after they opened it. It also gave me a chance to take pictures of everyone at the party. So although not super exciting, it has been practical.

Who's That Girl?

Megan got her haircut. At first she requested only a small trim, but then realizing if she cut it shorter she would no longer have to actually do her hair, so decided to cut it off. Just a brush in the morning, and she is all ready.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Megan when mom asks you to clean your room and you don't, does that invite the spirit in or turn the spirit away."

Still Swimming!!

One of the best things about living in Las Vegas is that our swim season lasts so long.

Sadie loves the water. She doesn't even mind it when we dunk her.

Megan is becoming a much stronger swimmer. Last night she was even diving into the pool.

The only problem with swimming late in the summer is that it gets dark so soon. But the pool lights were really cool.

First Day Of School-Jackson

Yesterday Jackson started his last year of pre-school. After I dropped him off I ended up talking to another mom about how they all looked so small. Our first children had been in pre-school together a few years ago and we both felt that they seemed so much older. It is probably just another case of wanting your first one to grow up fast and pass another milestone, but wanting to hold onto the smallness of the rest of them.


Jackson had a great day.

• He has a new teacher this year named Miss Sheree.
• He got to have animal crackers with blue whip cream for snack. Doesn't that sound appetizing?
• He requested a mo-hawk this morning but when I went to pick him up he had plastered his hair flat.
  
• These pictures made me notice that he never opens his mouth when he smiles.
• He was a little reluctant for me to leave him this morning (he held my hand for a few extra minutes).
  
• He said he had a lot of fun and liked his teacher. What could be better for a 4 year old?

We are still awaiting Megan's first day of 3rd grade. She is going to a new school this year that is not completed yet. It is supposed to open on Sept. 15th. I hope so, because with most of her friends back in school she seems to be getting a bit bored.

Jackson Said

Jackson: "Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "Yes, Sadie is beautiful."
Jackson: "No Mom, Sadie is a beauty."
Me: "What does that mean?"
Jackson: "Beauty is much cuter than beautiful."

SPT

The challenge this month is to highlight one thing per week that you have been inspired to do "because of a blogger."

Tuesday September 2nd: Home Decor/Tabletop
Tuesday September 9th: Entertaining/Parties
Tuesday September 16th: Arts/Crafts
Tuesday September 23rd: In The Kitchen
Tuesday September 30th: Personal Growth

Home Decor

This challenge is going to prove slightly difficult for me. Not because I don't find inspiration from fellow bloggers, but because I don't usually take action on that inspiration. However, a few months ago I ran across an idea that I liked instantly and actually tried it. It also helped that it was really easy, thereby not too intimidating to me.
Here are the results:



All I did was turn the pictures black and white, adjusted the contrast, and printed them out on colored cardstock. I haven't done anything with them yet, but I do enjoy looking at them. My inspiration came from Amy (a blogger that I have never met). To see her original idea please click here.