The Annual Christmas Present Dilemma

The children have written their wish lists for Santa.  And of course, I am left with the debate...to buy or not to buy.  I want to encourage the belief that Santa is "alive and watching and listening to your requests" but the carefully kid-printed/misspelled items on the lists are usually too expensive, complete crap or simply not possible.

Bug's "Dear Santa" list- (please note all items include a hand-drawn representation)
Walkie-Talkie set that can talk up to 20 feet
Basketball Hoop that can hang on the wall
Big Angry Bird pillow (space pig) -
Air Hockey table
Spy net Video Glasses
Night sight goggles
A rock kit
Zipline for my backyard
(Also included: Are you real? circle one  YES or NO)

Mealyworm's "Dear Santa" list-
Camera
Barbie
MP3 Player
iPad

Early Bird's "Dear Santa" list-
rocking horse
baby play set
dog vet kit

Ultimately, it probably comes down to my failings as a mother.  I should probably be guiding the Santa lists more....steering the children to items I actually want to buy them.  But isn't it more fun to sit in front of the Black Friday ads and pick all the things you'd love to have?  I don't know, I try to be a conscientious-minded parent, teaching the "what's really important" lessons...but in my heart of hearts sometimes I like to provide my kids with experiences I always wish I had growing up.

My addictive personality

So I managed to watch 3 and half seasons of The Vampire Diaries in my non-existent spare time over the last couple of weeks.  I watched episode after episode on Netflix until the current season and then scoured the CW website and internet black market for the new stuff.  Its official, I'm totally obsessed.

This is why I can't keep White-out and those thick black permanent markers in the house. 

My Stick Family

My Stick Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Time for a dog?

Thinking about a dog....wouldn't all the extra walking be great for my exercise routine!

Champaign County Humane Society

Unfuck Your Habitat

Unfuck Your Habitat

My new favorite kick ass organize your shit website.  Check it Ow-out.

Garden Update

My squash/pumpkins are growing!

The cats are doing a great job of keeping the rabbits from getting to close to the garden.

This is the spot where the Carrots and Radishes are growing.

Watering and weeding isn't such a bad thing to do on a nice summer evening.  The kids are really enjoying helping me with the garden and are eagerly awaiting "their pumpkins". HA!

My Garden

So I planted a garden this year! I am really excited about it. I bought seeds and "starter plants". It is doing really well. Here are some pics

This is the whole garden - small but mighty!  I've got tomatoes, carrots, radishes, peppers, zucchini, corn, strawberries, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins and more!

This is my squash section...Row 1 Pumpkins, Row 2 Melons, Row 3 Cantaloupe, Row 4 Watermelon, Row 5 Summer Squash

Orlando is laying on Matthew's Strawberry Plant and near Amelia's Cucumber plant

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life

Okay so I read this blog post...and became inspired. http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2012/02/im-woman-with-plan-and-routine-and.html

An organizing eBook for someone like ME!

Click here to view more details

Click here to view more details

Warning:  This e-book is not for everyone.

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If you’ve ever wondered how someone could sleep at night knowing there were dirty dishes in the sink . . . . DON’T buy this e-book.
If, at the end of a long day, you mindlessly put your dirty clothes in the laundry hamper and hang your jacket neatly in the closet . . . DON’T buy this e-book.
If you’ve never experienced heart palpitations at the sound of an unexpected doorbell . . . DON’T buy this e-book.
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Author Dana White says....28 Days to Hope for Your Home is for people like me. People who dream of an orderly home, but truly don’t understand what happens in the three days between Party Ready and Disaster Status.
That was me.  I’m definitely still not perfect, but I’m no longer bewildered.
I know what it takes to maintain a livable home.Click here to view more details

My cats

My cats just waiting to come inside....aren't they adorable....and my cute $5 Valentines clearance wreath, oh and the leftover Christmas window clings....now, its not so cute.

I need to vent.

Early Bird is screaming in her bed. Its actually an improvement....that's how bad her bedtime routine has been lately. Usually she is up and out of her bed no less than ten times a night. It has to stop....so the fact that she is in her bed screaming is theoretically a step in the right direction.

Mealyworm cried when I tucked her in tonight. Crying because she has to go to school tomorrow. She says her teacher is mean and yells at the class. Tells her to "put her hand down" in a mean voice. :( That's horrible to hear and makes a mom's heart ache. Mealyworm says that she doesn't like like learning and sitting still. She says that she doesn't have anyone to play with at recess. Its so painful....I want my babies to be happy. Always. But I'm hoping this is just a bad week...she's been home sick the last two days and so she's been in the "home cocoon"....maybe tomorrow something wonderful will happy for her. I hope so.

Working 8-5pm sucks. I knew that going in....but its a reality again. The great thing about working nights was that I got to pick my kids up at 3pm. They liked it so much better, and so did I. But now they have an extra 2.5 hrs of afterschool care which honestly just drags a bad day out even longer. :(

Aargh. There are no easy answers.