Today's a great day to . . .

. . . hug and kiss and hold and say "I love you" and laugh with my little darlings and anyone I love and cherish!!!!

Light and Fluffy

My little guy's personality is showing through today! Yippee!!! He woke up wanting to eat and drink, has been walking around, talking, playing, and imagining. My baby girl though, woke up to get dressed, eat, and well - go back to bed! She had a middle of the night scream fest. Not so much fun. The verdict - light sleeper and Simon's arousing awakened her, teething, or just could not tell us "blankie". For when I gave up and returned her to her crib to "cry it out", she instantly quieted and laid down when given her satin blanket.

So far we are having a lighter and fluffier day.

To keep my readers from bracing themselves since my recent unpleasant posts. I will share my delectable pancake recipe. I used to make the Betty Crocker version, thinking that was better than the Jiffy mix. I convinced myself that by adding cinnamon and vanilla they would be tastier. Not so much. My goal was to create restaurant pancakes at home. Not quite an easy task. Thanks to America's Test Kitchen, I now have a recipe that makes delicious pancakes - and they are light and fluffy.

Here's to you so you may have a light and fluffy morning!!!

Mopey and Wilted

. . . is how my little boy awoke this morning. From the bathroom we heard, "my tummy hurts" and he threw up in the toilet. Poor little guy. He seemed fine after that, but now, he declared "I need you" towards Daddy and wanted to be held, and then BLAH, we had to clean the floor, wash his blanket, and give him a bath. My little guy has an upset stomach. I made pancakes and eggs for breakfast and he did not ask for anything. Hopefully he can recover quickly. We had to cancel a very much looked forward to playdate this morning! We are just lounging, reading, doing puzzles, and watching some shows to spend this day as leisurely as we can!

Hope you are not mopey and wilted! It is too gorgeous of a day for that!

Five Bucks

is what my repeat visit to the estate sale cost me on Sunday. I biked down Ardmore Ave. and enjoyed perusing sans kiddos. I came away with:

• a very large cream tablecloth - for the sole purpose of another picnic blanket or place to sit at the beach
• a blue satin edged bed blanket/afghan for Simon's bed
• a red wool sweater for me
• brand new with tags black strappy sandals for me
• a few books
• a new garden trowel
• 1 1/2 bags of fiberfill/stuffing for my next project - a long, narrow car pillow for Simon to prevent the head flop-over and bent neck that happens when he sleeps on long car trips.

I always enjoy a good bargain and wandering through other homes! This was a typical 1950's ranch so typical in Villa Park. All the furniture for sale totally fit the era. The furnishings matched the home and I loved it! If I had space and room to furnish plus plenty of $$, I probably would have bought the 1/2 off Lane cedar chest (full price of $125), the six light pine '50's chairs, and a bedroom set. But looking, thinking, and dreaming is half the fun of estate sailing!

Happy sailing to you all, if you are in search of a great bargain!!!!

Today I spent $29.25

. . . and got these items at various garage sales for $14.25:

• a "just because"/"I love you" gift for Eric, a basketball rim (which can be resold at our garage sale if it does not work out for the guy)
• a little mini Weber grill for my apartment dwelling sister
• Norah's Christmas dress
• a little stuffed sheep (Norah actually swiped this from one garage sale. I found it in her hands upon buckling her into her car seat. I went back with the sticker and a quarter.)
• two new in the package toaster oven pans
• and little Norah melted hearts and came away with a free Shamrock bear because she would not put it down. The women's daughter has a St. Patrick's day birthday as well, so it went from one shamrock to another.

. . . and for $15 at an estate sale I got:

• a silver and turquoise watch
• a ring
• a necklace
• new, tall black boots (the kind that look good with a skirt and tights in the winter)
• a black and white patterned tank top
• Lily of the Valley perfume from Crabtree and Evelyn
• brand new in the box Lily of the Valley shower gel

One of the workers stated that there was a lot of nice things - even fashionable things, to which I agreed. I mentioned that it is a bit creepy buying things, especially clothes, at estate sales knowing that someone has died. She very quickly stated that the woman did not die and has moved out of her home to an assisted living place. I felt much better perusing and buying her quality stuff for way cheaper than I expected. Bonus that debit/credit cards were also accepted. I clearly heard that Sunday was going be a "blow out" and that "everything had to go". Perhaps I'll take a walk down and peruse again by myself on a lovely Sunday.

Why was I out garage sailing? Well, I love a good bargain and haven't gone all year. Just not the same fun with two kids in car seats. Simon was in VBS at his preschool church so it was just Norah and I. And all I was searching for was a big wheel for Simon.

Still, a good time had by all!

Just Pukey

It's been a bit pukey around here.

Simon has consistetnly declared "I not like it peanut jelly" which means my stubborn boy has never had a PB&J sandwich. Until this week. I was bound and determined to win the battle of an easily prepared lunch and gave him half a sandwich on Tuesday. To which I let him choose which 1/4 he wanted to eat. He nibbled the crust first - you know to avoid the filling. Then he ate the cucumbers, pickle, and pretzels on the plate. Then I proceeded to help him pick up the sandwich to take bites. And bite he did, chewed, and swallowed with no grimaces or gags. I proceeded to encourag/make him eat the small portion of sandwich. He took big swigs of milk between teeny tiny bites. He had barely two small bites left. And BLAH, stomach contents all over his shirt and shorts, down his arm, on the chair, in his flip flop, and on the floor. I disrobed him carefully as to not touch any grossness. Then, I grabbed oodles and oodles of paper towels and just placed them on the puddle.

Then, I added my stomach contents into the garbage can. G.R.O.S.S. I got him into the tub and somehow finished cleaning the mess and dealt with the guilt.

Needless to say he does not like peanut butter and jelly. No easy lunches. Sigh :(

Wednesday comes along and Norah is quite mopey. I just chalked that up to shots and teething (tons coming in at once). Nap was over and it was 4:30. I picked her up and walked into the living room. BLAH all over the floor. I high-tailed it into the bathroom with a very clingy girl. And more BLAH, this time on my shirt, down my arm, all over her, on the shower curtain, all over the floor, toilet, and doorway. This time it was four and a half hours old strawberries and jello - quite the shade of pink. This time I discovered if I just cover the stomach contents with a mountain of paper towels, it will be better. Oh, and call hubby if he can leave work a bit early to come the 1.5 miles home to help. I needed to bathe sickly girl, change grossed out Mommy, clean, clean, and clean. Loving hubby was so helpful! I spent many hours that evening just holding little Norah. She was content to be held and didn't want to even play! She proceeded to grow a fever that evening/night and have runny diapers the next day.

But Pastor Said

Our wonderful Pastor always says good-bye to us by telling us it's a good day for Dairy Queen or the Dairy Queen we pass on our way home is open. His trademark code phrase of "sure is hot out" means "let's go to Dairy Queen".

This past Monday Simon and Norah both had their wellness visits. I love two appointments with the same doctor at the same time. And I love my pediatrician. We switched when Norah was born and we are much happier. We had a pediatrician with a "know-it-all" personality and now we have a calm and kind doctor who listens and does not walk out the door talking. Much. more. pleasant. Anyway, both Simon and Norah had shots and were troopers. Simon said "ow" at the shot and Norah of course screamed for a maximum of 20 seconds. (I personally thought he was done with shots until next year before kindergarten and so I told him no shots. Poor guy. They gave him one shot this year so he only needs 2 shots next year. Better that way than 3 shots next year.) At least I had pennies with me to make wishes in the fountain that Simon reminded me was there as we parked

During the car ride home, we had a conversation. At 10:30 a.m. Just after shots:

S: Mommy, I want an ice cream from Dairy Queen
Me: Oh, perhaps tonight we can go with Daddy (as I am this close to giving in because of the shots)
S: But Pastor said Dairy Queen was open.
Me: What else did Pastor say? (trying not to laugh)
S: I don't know. (with a silly grin)

Yep. I don't know. Not even a church answer of "God loves me". After all of those children's sermons and long sermons and Sunday School and VBS. I get an "I don't know" and he remembers the Dairy Queen!!! Well, at least he know who Pastor is and what he says is important!

We're Published!!!

Check out Chicago Parent Magazine!!!

Every so often I pick up this free publication from places like the library and the grocery store. I like it because of the interesting articles and the local places featured. And now we are one of those interesting articles. Browse the latest issue (top right corner with a boy standing in grass). Click on the "next page" button at the bottom and search for "Banking on Hope", "Advocating for Change", and "Circle of Life Complete" (our story). Or just click on the links here!

I picked up about 10 copies. So people like my Mom and Dad, sisters, Eric's parents, Uncle and Aunt in CA (so helpful to my Dad throughout the entire process), and we can have one of the publications! Both of my children have been captured in newspapers during their short little lives. Who would have thought that would happen?

I plan to give the article also to my ob/gyn as the doctor's hands who delivered Simon is pictured in one of the articles. Also to keep highlighting the option of donating rather than banking cord blood. It was so difficult to find the donation center, but so easy to do!

And we're off . . .

. . . to rural I-o-wa for Eric's family reunion. Seriously a great time in a simple place with lots of great memories of a wonderful Grandma. I have met her and seen her a few times before her passing. His family still re-yunes in New Sharon, IA and some family is still there. There really isn't any other place that can host the crowd for as reasonable a price and great amenities. We look forward to golfing, swimming, fishing, relaxing, visiting, eating, reminiscing, and laughing! So, after a late night of gathering and packing the necessities and the nice-ities we will drive in the morning. My highlight of the drive is the awesome Mississippi River. My jaw dropped at how wide it is where we cross. My MN version of Ol' Man River is quite narrow in comparison. Sunday we continue our "circle tour" towards MN to spend time with my family. Then we head home on Wednesday.

I have some great pics and stories about Simon's birthday but will have to share them later. He had a fantastic day and knew it was special. He loved his day! And he is now four!

Enjoy your fourth! See you when we return!!!!

Birthday Fun

(I've had this written without pictures. Will add the pictures later!)

June 30th was a fantastic day! I love my childrens birthdays! The first thing Simon said in the morning was "we have to get out the birthday turtle"!!! Simon, Norah, and I had a great day at the zoo. We paid for parking. It was a free kids day and I had a coupon. But a woman told me she had a membership that let in 2 adults so I joined her through the gate and we all zoo-ed for free. We got there around 10 and left around 3. We brought a picnic, so due to the low cost day we rode the carousel before we left. A "birthday carousel at the birthday zoo" according to Simon. Close to home Simon said he wanted to go see Daddy at work. So I asked him why and he answered "because I have to talk to him". I asked what was he going to tell him and he said "tell him I saw a blue frog". And that's what he told him. Eric tells him a made up story called "The story of the blue frog". It was pretty cool to see a blue frog! We took a short break at home, then had hot dogs at Mickey's hot dogs with Eric's parents. They came back to our house for presents and cake.

Simon was soooo happy. We gave him Legos, a swing, 2 books - one has 7 or 8 folk tales and the other is Charlotte's Web - his first read aloud chapter book, the owl and birds with a nest, and new swim trunks with pool shoes. He played and played with the Legos last night and is quite intrigued and good with them already.

Norah played with his birds and owls at the table while he played with the Legos wearing his swim shoes. When he opened his owl gift, he took out one bird at a time. The first bird he gave to Norah, the second to Grandpa, and the third to Eric. He shared them with Norah all night and she loved them! That night he tucked in his owl next to him, held onto one bird, and the other two slept in the nest at the foot of the bed. The next day at Norah's nap time he gave the nest with birds to her. The night after his birthday we read a book to each bird and owl before bed. So much fun!