Cabin Fever

Day 2 of being iced in.  Not snowed in.  If we were snowed in we could actually build a snowman or something fun like that.  We did attempt going sledding on our 2 inches of solid ice.  Living in Texas we don't have a sled on hand.  So, we used a giant gift bag and a jump rope.  It worked for about 4 minutes, but that was really all we could handle being outside with a wind chill of -2 anyway.  Here is what I've done to entertain my boys (ages 3 and 2) on these days with no play dates or sandbox fun.  Feel free to add your own ideas....as you can see, I really need them!!!

1)  Turn off the TV, and turn on some music.
2)  Get off the computer and put away the iphone.

3)  Do a really complex and time-consuming art project.

Hey, I never said we were a crafty bunch.

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4)  Make dough shapes.  Mix Bisquick and milk until a play-doh like consistency.  We can also learn our letters!

It's a good snack...before and after it's cooked.  Most prefer it cooked.

Sigh.  He's two.  He doesn't know the difference between Play-Doh and Bisquick.  He thinks everything is tasty.

 5)  Pretend the crib is a boat and go fishing for green monster arms.

6)  Get out old Halloween costumes.  Is that Buzz Lightyear's helmet or a dunce cap? 

6)  When you get tired of all that, you can always just let them run wild.  Drink wine so they bug you less.  Here, I got in trouble by the hubby because I used a 2002 Private Selection to make Beef Burgundy in the crock pot this morning.  Oops.  I suppose I should... A) learn my wine better, and B) drink the rest so it doesn't go to waste.  

What do you do with your kids on snow days?

Ducks and Seagulls

Ahhhhh.  It feels like a spring day.  I feel like I should be planting flowers or something.  Gorgeous 8 mile run with the boys in the stroller.  Well, it was really more of a run/walk.  Um, ok, mostly walking.  I was really just taking in the beautiful un-seasonally warm day.  It was more for my soul than my VO2 max.

We stopped at the park and the boys fed the duck and seagulls.  We watched a few boats head out from the marina and a sailboat drift lazily by our little patch of shore.

I LOVE the excitement of my boys over such simple things.  At this age, they have more fun digging in the dirt and collecting rocks than any high-dollar amusement park could ever provide.

Ooops.  I think a seagull must have eaten Zane's hand.

Then, later that night, we went and ate pizza.  I asked Dax, "What number do we have"?  He responded completely logically, "two-ty nine".

That really makes more sense than twenty-nine anyway, don't you think?!?!

Streaker

Zane has decided that he doesn't like clothes anymore.

When he's in the house, this is actually somewhat endearing.  I mean, who doesn't think the chunky little booty of a two year old isn't completely adorable?  Especially, when combined with a perfectly round belly, big blue eyes, and a little voice laughing hysterically while yelling, "STWEEEKOOOORRR"!

However, this morning I was teaching my Creative Movement class at the gym.  This class is for 2-4 year olds and I teach them how to hop like frogs, slither like snakes, stand like flamingos and do "The Sprinkler" like Vanilla Ice.  Pretty important stuff.

This morning I had about ten little munchkins (including my own) in class, which is a bit of a challenge in itself, keeping everything moving fast enough and with enough energy and enthusiasm that they stay interested and on-task for 30 minutes.  But, it's what I love to do and I feel it comes naturally to me.  Probably because I am on the same maturity level as the pre-schoolers!

Needless to say, I am used to the typical interruptions such as bonked heads, scratched knees, untied shoes, and unraveled pig tails.  However, I can't say that I've ever had to redirect class because of a naked kid.....until today....and it was my kid....and he screamed and fought and DID NOT want his clothes on....at all....ever.  I had to wrestle him to the ground to force his clothes on, and it wasn't pretty.  He was yelling, "STWEEEKKKOOORR" between sobs like a mini William Wallace from "Braveheart".

It made me mad, broke my heart, and made me giggle all at the same time.

You Know You're a Mama When....

#1  The day you teach your 2 year old how to blow his nose, you feel like you've hit the lottery.

#2  You yearn for the day your baby sleeps through the night, then, when they finally do, you're up every few hours checking on them to makes sure they're ok.

#3  You never thought you would clap and cheer over a toilet full of poo, as you do when potty training.

#4  If you happen to lay on the floor, you suddenly open yourself up to being a jungle gym and a horse.

#5  Your once sensitive gag reflex disappears.  See #3.

#6  At one time you could sleep through a thunder storm and sirens, and now the pitter patter of tiny feet coming down the hall wake you.

#7  You've traded your purse with an arsenal of make-up and hair accessories,  for a diaper bag with an arsenal of diapers, wipes, sanitizer, binkis and toys.

#8  There is no need for a tv, because your kids are enough entertainment.

#9  Your heart swells when your baby wakes up from his nap, and beams at you with his sleepy-eyed smile, rosy cheeks and messed up hair.

#10  You say things like:  "No head-butting at the dinner table," "Stop kicking your brother in the head," and, "If you throw one more thing in the toilet...."

#11  You clean all day, but your house is still trashed.

#12  There is no better smell in this universe, than the top of your baby's head.

#13 You finally realize how much your own mom loves you.

The Littlest Quarterback

In light of the Super Bowl, here is a video of Dax taken last year when he was 2!  Check out the perfect spiral he throws at the end of the video!  Welcome all you Steelers and Packers fans to the great state of Texas!  May ya'll have safe travels, warm Texas hospitality and one hell of a ballgame in one hell of a stadium! 

Why God made 2 year olds cute

As I was sipping coffee with hubby during a rare 5 minute segment of quietness, I thought to myself, "hmmm, it's TOO quiet".  .....and about that moment I hear the toilet lid slam shut.  Um, that's never good.  ....and it wasn't.

A soaked two-year old went sprinting down the hall swinging only one arm the way only toddlers do.  My Sonicare toothbrush was in the toilet, as was a Lightning McQueen cup.  My Bare Minerals makeup was in the sink (with the water running), the floor was drenched, and my make-up brush had clearly been used to paint the walls.  Ugh....but look at how cute he is.....

You just can't stay mad at that for very long!

Running in Sequins

Not sure how I got talked in to blackmailing myself, but I guess anything in the name of "a good laugh" is acceptable.  If someone judges me and calls me "weird" after seeing this video....meh, I've been called worse!  Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind....right?  My Running Mamas group always has contests/competitions to keep everyone motivated between races, because after the "high" of a great race wears off,  there always seems to be a myriad of excuses not to run.  Cold weather, hot weather, rainy days, sick babies, I-just-ran-a-marathon, and too much chocolate cake seem to usually fall somewhere in my top 10.  In fact, I've been using the I-just-ran-a-marathon excuse for over a month now.

The competition this week is called "The Inaugural Ball".  You see, Heather, the group owner of Running Moms has passed the torch to my bff Tara, the Ultra-marathon runner.  So, in light of this situation we are  having an Ultra-marathon competition!  Everyone, is running OVER 26.2 miles in a week!  ...but you also get points for dressing up.  Umm....I'm a total slacker...I've only run 2 miles since my marathon on December the 5th...so I figured I'd just rack up my points on the fashion portion of the competition....that's really more my thing anyway.  Please note, in 1994 (senior prom), I thought this dress was gorgeous!!!!  eeeek!!!!  Dax kept saying, "Mommy, you're so shiny"!  hahahaha!!!