Interruptions well worth it

I'm having a moment, and I have these often, where I just feel like I absolutely must write something but once I sit down in front of my keyboard my eyes look far past the screen into the deep corners of my brain and I unconsciously travel to a thought in which...

Never mind. Daisy just entered the room and asked me thirteen times, "what is the wish that you choose... and what are those? What are those two things? What are those two pink things up there? On that shelf, Mommy. When you get up you can see them." (She's referring to two wrapped birthday gifts that are not for her). Sigh. I love her dearly and all of her daylong chatter and her bright questions and adorable little face and the sixteen games of Hello Kitty UNO we just played but man alive, can I get ten minutes? Can I get five?? Shoot.

This is inevitably what happens every time I start a new blog post. Which is why you see my posts maybe twice per year. There was a time when I would write daily. And it meant a lot to me to do so. Whether in blog form or journal. Now I'm best on a post-it-note. Something like this:
Rummy - vet
Glasses
Bedding.

Gives you chills, doesn't it?

Well, hey, we can't hold on to our hobbies and favorite pastimes forever, right? At least not during the first, say, six years of your child's life anyhow. You may be wondering why I don't just plop down and write after the kids go to bed at night. That's a good thought. But that isn't my creative time anymore. That's the time when I need things to entertain me because I've been sapped of all creative power since about 7 pm. So reruns of The Golden Girls coupled with a few pages of a Mindy Kaling book and I'm happy as a clam... until I fall asleep mid-enjoyment thus ruining my "me-time" (and I absolutely despise that term by the way but that's neither here nor there).

"I want to take my belt off but I can't!!!!!!!.... Oh, never mind, Mommy. You can wear this belt... cuz I don't want to wear it..... It looks like a necklace." {Places the "necklace belt" right on top of my mouse}.

Back to my nonsensical train of thought. Where wasn't I? ...

"Mommy, when I hold my eye with a hand it only leaves one eye open! Wanna see me do it? And it goes back up again!!"

I love her. Daisy is just amazing. She's the sweetest, most thoughtful and caring and selfless child. Her heart impresses me. Truly. She's currently learning to read and she's doing really well. It makes her so proud, she smiles the whole time. Watching her sound out those words are some of the best moments of each day. Her will is super strong. Which is incredibly challenging most times but comes in handy a lot too. It has been a true pleasure to be home with her these past few years. She will be starting school in the Fall and she's SO excited about it. I hope it's everything she hopes for.

Now, if you'll excuse me I have an UNO rematch to attend with my little charmer.

"Alexa, play 70's rock."

Grinches. The lot of them.

I just challenged myself to write a blog post within fifteen minutes. I don't have a topic so let's go withhhhhhhhh....

"Why the hell won't you just watch The GRINCH?"

Alright so anyone who knows me knows that I love Christmastime. I start listening to Bing Crosby while putting together Halloween costumes. I stalk the aisles of the stores for the first sign of a wonky, red bow or those chocolate covered cherries that I only really notice during the holiday season. Do they really sell them year round? I begin tucking away ideas for what I want to put on the mantle or the dining room table. I search "retro Christmas" on Pinterest just because it makes me incredibly happy to see the results. I make lists of possible gift ideas, I DVR forty thousand Hallmark Christmas movies (which I later narrow WAY down because I typically despise the cast within the first ten seconds) and I peruse the lovely internet for the girls' holiday dresses.

The BEST time of the year, gang.

So, why am I not sitting by the fire with my family sipping hot chocolate and watching Frosty, you ask?  Well, because my children seem to boycott all things Christmas except when it comes to curating their list for Santa. MmmHmm. "Ughhh, Christmas music againnnnn?" Um. YEAH. For certain. Yes. It is nearly DECEMBER. You bet your boots you're going to hear some Perry Como while I do the dishes.

"You know what we're doing tomorrow?.... Decorating for Christmas!"

"UGHHHHH, Mommyyyy, enough with Christmas!"

Um. Excuse me? What child doesn't want to see festive little trees and Santas strewn about their living room? We have frigging sleigh bells hanging up for crying out loud. I don't get it.

I only have three minutes to wrap this up and meet my challenge so let me just end with this tale...

Just about every night I ask the girls if they will watch a "holiday special" with me. And every night the answer is a thundering NO. No Rudolph. No Frosty. No Grinch. No Garfield. (That's right, I took you way back). I don't know why they refuse so much. My best guess is that because we live in the age of digital tv and DVRs - nothing is actually "special" because they can watch whatever they want whenever they want. They have twelve shows that they adore and all of them have their own holiday episodes. Not like when I was young and if you missed Rudolph you would have to wait a full year to catch that special again. And you were bummmmmmmed.

The times they have a'changed. So help me, God, these kids will enjoy my favorites with a smile across their face by the time I'm through, I just need some Christmas magic. *wink.

Crap. I blew the challenge.
HA! xo

End of year questionnaire for the kids...

Happy New Year, friends! I wish you all good health, happiness and wealth in 2018! CHEERS!

At the end of each year I like to do a questionnaire with the girls just for fun. I love hearing their answers each year and looking back on their old ones that I've filed away.

Feel free to ask your children and share!

Here are some Q's & A's from 2017 ...

SCARLETT: Age 6

Where is the most wonderful place you've ever been?

Maggie's house

What are you good at?

Drawing pictures

What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you?

I like your clothes. Or outfit today. Or hairstyle.

What are you most proud of?

How much I can read 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An artist 

What makes you cry?

When Daisy hits me

What are you scared of?

Nothing

What is your favorite song?

Shape of You, Castle on the Hill

What is a friend?

A person that you love a lot and play with. A brother or sister

What is your favorite memory?

When me, Ava and Maggie made jewelry boxes

Who is your best friend?

Maggie & Ava

What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

Make a gingerbread house, bake cookies, decorate the Christmas tree

What's the best thing about being a kid?

Playing with toys, no washing dishes or cleaning

What makes you happy when you're sad?

When a friend comes to play with me

What's the greatest thing ever invented?

Shopkins toys

What is your favorite word and why?

Gems. Jewelry. Crystals - because I love them

If you were in a band what instrument would you play?

Drums

What three words would you use to describe your family?

Loving, happy, fun

What is something you'd like to learn how to do?

Make jewelry

What is the hardest thing you've ever had to do?

Color a reallllllly big paper at school

Favorites:

Book: Shopkins Collector's Guide

TV Show: The Pioneer Woman

Movie: The Polar Express

Place: GeeGee's house

Foods: Pizza, strawberries, apples, ice cream, tacos, soup, pancakes, cookies

Thing to do with Daisy: play games

Thing to do with Daddy: treasure hunting

Thing to do with Mommy: bake cookies

Season: Summer and Winter

Day of the year: Christmas Day

Thing about school: When there's different teachers on lunch duty

Animal: kitty

Piece of clothing: sparkly blue kitty shirt

Shoes: light-up hi-tops 

DAISY: Age - alllllllmost 3

Where is the most wonderful place you've ever been?

GeeGee's house

What are you good at?

Tricks. I love owls

What is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to you?

Thank you

What are you most proud of?

Hug Scarlett

What do you want to be when you grow up?

An artist/painter

What makes you cry?

When Scarlett hits me

What are you scared of?

The witch with Sid Fishy from Bubble Guppies

What is your favorite song?

Shape of You, There's Nothing Holding Me Back

What is a friend?

Snowy Owl

What is your favorite memory?

Painting

Who is your best friend?

Owen the owl

What is your favorite thing to do with your family?

Crafts

What's the best thing about being a kid?

Playing

What makes you happy when you're sad?

Scarlett playing with me

What's the greatest thing ever invented?

Owls

What is your favorite word and why?

Owls. They are cute

If you were in a band what instrument would you play?

Drums because they are loud

What is something you'd like to learn how to do?

Color on paper - not on the table, not on the place mat 

If you had to give away all of your toys but one, which would you keep?

Minnie ball. Owls

Favorites: 

Book: Little Owl's Night

TV Show: Bubble Guppies

Movie: Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas

Place: Store

Foods: Soup, pizza, PB & J 

Thing to do with Scarlett: Paint

Thing to do with Daddy: Put googly eyes on

Thing to do with Mommy: Paint

Season: Summer and Winter

Day of the year: Christmas

Animal: Owl

Piece of clothing: Owl clothes

Shoes: Shopkins shoes, owl boots

Can anyone guess what theme Daisy's birthday party will be? Hahaha