5 Things in 5 Minutes--The "Reality Bites" Version

I haven't been blogging much lately. When I read other people's blogs, they are so positive, and have such delightful little anecdotes about their happy families. When I sit down to add some of that sunshine and light to the blogosphere, I come up blank. If there is a family who is not even close to perfect, that's us...

1. No Sleep-Got rid of the soother, went away for the weekend, and topped it off with a case of stomach yuck. I know, some babies would breeze right through, but ours has decided someone needs to be in his room with him all night. Yawn...

2. No Respect-I remember being 8 years old. I remember thinking I knew everything. I remember believing my parents knew nothing and were just plain mean for enforcing any kind of rules. I apologize profusely to my parents, especially my Mother. If it makes you feel any better, I am paying double for it now.

3. No Energy-Seriously, is this just the way I get to feel for the rest of my life!?! Ugh!!! Sure, it is related to #1, but I can't even put together a sentence, I can't remember my own birth date, I can't walk to the school and back without feeling wiped out. I sure don't have the energy to look at things in a positive light.

4. No Christmas-Yup! Canceled in our house due to #2. See ya next year, Santa.

5. No Coffee-The canister is empty, so it looks like I will be leaving the house today. Oh crap, there's No Gas in the van.

Okay, just so you don't think I am on the brink, which I may be, and for my own therapy, here are 5 more, with perspective.

1. All of my children are healthy and without serious injury at the moment.
2. Halloween is coming. I like Halloween.
3. There are still one or two people who will agree to babysit so I can take a break.
4. The sun will come out...tomorrow. It will. I checked the forecast.
5. This, too, shall pass.

Phew! It took so much longer to write those ones. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's some sort of hormonal imbalance. Maybe I just need a good kick in the...

I know I have it good. I know we are lucky. I just don't always feel that way.


NB: In case you think it is unusually cruel to cancel Christmas, they do have two and a half months to redeem themselves, and ultimately, I don't have the power to stop Christmas from coming. Not even the Grinch could do that. "Somehow or other, it came just the same."

Movie Monday

More Birthday posts to come.

5 In 5

1. We are having the laziest day. A day off. Pajama Day. Only 2 loads of dishes, 4 loads of laundry, 3 meals and 3 snacks to make, and less than 10 arguments about computers, toys and things a toddler can't touch.
2. Toddlers like to touch running dishwashers, laundry soap, computer power buttons and wine bottles, among many other things that are dangerous or breakable. Toddlers are not so interested in toys.
3. Older Boys do not like to pick up their toys, but do like to use their mother's computer frequently, even though they have one of their own.
4. If you've seen my Face Book status recently, you may be tired of my Lego obsession, but there's one more COOL thing on the site. Kids can design their own Lego creation and then order it in a customized Lego kit. Is that not awesome!?!
5. Must get off my computer now so the boys can continue designing countless Lego sets which I will then have to order and pay for. Whose idea was this, anyway? Oh ya, mine.

Design Your Own Lego Model

Project Volcano

Yesterday, the older boys and I created a mountain out of, well, these things...

After drawing, colouring, rolling, taping, re-rolling, re-taping, positioning and more taping...

Baking soda and food colouring into the film canister. (It took some searching to find one of those ancient items.) Now it is time to add the vinegar, and then...

Did I forget to mention I didn't have any red food colouring...

So our lava was blue...

Happy faces...

"That was fun!"

A Work-At-Home-Mom Moment

But it could happen to any Mom really, who wants a moment on her computer during the day.

I was trying to get a bit of work done this afternoon on a video that I am editing. It just so happened that The Little One was feeling a bit needy, and he wanted to sit on my lap. No problem, but this set-up requires some sort of activity to keep little hands away from my keyboard and mouse. Today's distraction...Nacho Doritos. Don't judge me! I only gave him a few tiny ones left in the bottom of the bag. (You can guess who ate the rest of them, can't you?)

Anyway, it worked like a charm. I was getting stuff done on my computer without disruption. Then I looked down to notice, the chip bag was empty, the little fingers are covered in orange crud, and there are little orange crumbs all over his shirt and pants. I carried him to the kitchen sink to avoid a crumby mess on my office floor.

I wish I had a picture to show you, but I was here by myself and more concerned about the mess than photography. I can tell you The Little One loved the orange chips, and thought standing on the counter to be cleaned up was pretty fun, too. If you decide to try this trick at home, my advice is put a big towel on the floor next to your chair, and buy plain (non-orange) chips.

A Family Portrait

I am always looking for new ideas to expand Small Wonder. To that end, I recently had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with this family, documenting their family photo session with the talented Big Picture Photography. Not only did they end up with some great pictures, they have these wonderful memories to go with them.



I am hoping this Video Family Portrait idea takes off, because I would LOVE to spend more happy afternoons with families like this one.

Shawna Toth
Small Wonder: Cherished Moments on Video

The First Day of Autumn???

In the Northern Hemisphere fall officially began at 3:19 am MT on Tuesday, September 22, 2009. It is now 5:28 pm... and it's 29 degrees.

I am trying to be concerned about Global Warming, but it is sooooo hard.




There was one small sign of Fall in our back yard this afternoon.



Happy Autumnal Equinox, everyone!!!