And Then There Was One......

This morning has been a very busy morning. Carter is getting over a cold so he stayed with me while Kelsey went to school. I of course, have much to do and one little fireman to tote around with me to help me get it all done. First we ran errands right after dropping Kelsey off at school. I never know how a car ride with the kids will be from one ride to the next. Usually, they get very loud and crazy - just feed off of each others energy. Yes, we have car rules, one being keep your voices low, however, this is the most difficult one to follow.

I have to say, this mornings car ride after dropping Kelsey off was the most pleasant I have had in a very long time! I could not ever imagine life with less than two - that is until today. The peace and quiet and pleasant conversation without someone else interrupting and yelling over the other was HEAVEN. Carter just sat so happy in the back seat - and was loving the fact that he did not have to share Mommy with anyone. Every once in a while he would ask a question or have something to say and he was so polite and low key. I Loved it!!!!

On our way home after about an hour of running around, I was thinking of all I had to do when I get back to the house before I go pick up Kelsey. It was now getting too quiet in the car. Neither of us were talking and then Carter says, "I miss Kelsey." " Awwwww! Me too!" I said. One is nice .....its great to be able to connect with one child without any disruptions. I realized while one is has its own charm and peace, it just feels like our car ride was not complete without
Kelsey with us. It may harder on my blood pressure, but I wouldn't want it any other way! And i don't think Carter would either. Next year will take some time getting used to not having Kelsey with us all the time. she will be in Kindergarten while Carter will still be in Preschool. Its just one of those happy/sad things to look forward too.

Outstanding in the Field - Ultimate Dining Experience

http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/home.html

http://hyperhomemaker.blogspot.com/

Love this Blog! If my middle name was not Martha, I would totally use this Blog as my personal guide. HA! Well, anyways, this is one of the best places to get ideas for everything from how to clean anything to how to make anything and everything about entertaining and etiquette a happy homemaker might want or need to know. Enjoy!

Carter Took Care of It

It was so beautiful Thursday. We had been couped up in the house waiting all morning for the cable guy to come - of course he did right before lunchtime. So I decided we would run through Chick fil A and pick up some lunch to take to the park for a picnic. Great idea Mom!!Perfect! Sent them to the bathroom and to get their jackets and shoes and off we went. They could run off their energy in this beautiful sunshine before we head back home! We sat at a table, ate lunch, watched a funny little dog run around, got up to play and Carter starts running to the car. "Carter, what do you need?" I say. He says "I need to go potty." Uh oh. so I say, "Carter there is no potty here, we need to go to the house. Kelsey, lets go, we'll come back later."


Meanwhile, as I am picking up the trash and our jackets, I noticed Carter playing on the playground. I asked, "Carter, don't you need to go potty? " He says, "Not anymore. I found a potty. I took care of it Mommy." "WHAT? Where is the potty? What do you mean?" I ask horrified at the thought of his answer. He said "over there!"with a big smile pointing to a leg of one of the benches. I was a little baffled, what did he mean? I asked him to "show mommy the potty, I don't see it." He took me over there, and said happily "here the doggy potty. I went there too!" OMG! I looked around to make sure no one was out to see. There was a man by the pond but I don't think he noticed. Whew!


I squatted down, looked Carter in the eye, and said, "Carter, we are people, we do not go potty just anywhere. We are not animals. Only animals go potty anywhere. We use a bathroom potty. Next time you need to go potty, we can and will find a bathroom. Do you understand? "


Carter looks at me with a huge so proud of himself smile and responded in the most chipper voice, "Don't worry Mommy. I took care of it!! I love you" and ran off.


The joys of having a boy I suppose. I am seriously thinking of getting a portable blow up for these exact situations.

Kelsey Commands Time Away for Mom and Dad

BABYSITTER....not a good topic for Carter to hear about. He protests as any 3 year old all boy who adores time with his mommy and daddy would. Kelsey, obviously has overcome any reservations might have had towards our favorite babysitter (I'll call her A).

Todd and I love her. Is it possible to love your babysitter even though not related ? Well we do! If we could do more for her, we would. She is the most kind hearted, generous, and doting babysitter we have ever paid. She's like family - just comes in, takes over even while I'm there, knows all the routines with each child. We NEVER have to go over anything with her. And she really knows kids and how to talk to them. She gets them. She knows boundaries and sticks to them. What else can I say, she is a angel to this family.

Now, as much as I would like to have her come over every week, it doesn't happen. She is very in demand so I schedule her months in advance whether we have something planned or not. Anyhow, it usually always falls on a night when one or the other, or both kids, don't want us to leave for one reason or another.


TONIGHT, however, Kelsey says out of the blue,

"Mom, I think we need A time. I love you, but we have seen alot of you lately over Christmas vacation, and, and, and, well you and Daddy need alone time"

I looked around to see if there was anyone else in the room. Nope. Well, Carter, but he would never say such a thing. What kind of daughter says that? At almost 5 years? ever? Well, ours did, and you know what? We're taking her up on it ASAP! She was right!!! We have been together every day, all day over the long Christmas break and then some. Its possible my patience is running low and she notices.

Its amazing how conscientious our children can be of their surroundings. We get into the routine of always guiding them, teaching them, showing them new things, that we forget there is so much they can teach us or how aware they are of what is happening around them.


Kelsey has always been the sensitive and empathetic one. After thinking about it, it really does not surprise me she said those words. Carter however, well, lets just say his communication regarding too much togheterness with mommy and daddy would surely be and have heard before,

"Go away........ but don't leave the house!!"

The first and only snow the kids have ever seen - so far.

The Journey Begins.......

Okay. So it all started seven years ago this past December 15th , I married my one and only sweetheart, Todd, and my life has only changed for the better. One cliche that I have truly learned to understand and live by is that the one thing in life that NEVER changes is change itself.

Five years ago, we had our daughter, Kelsey, and 21 months later we had our son, Carter. Every day they wake me up very early, I fumble out of bed, make a cup of coffee, and put on my dancing shoes because I know that any moment, my sweet and sprightly Kelsey, and my intensely boisterous Carter will have me dancing with them.....all day long.