Final Countdown

Rustic cabin sitting
at the end of a long drive.
It's been a year,
too long!

I need this relaxation.
I need this week of family.

Baby is swimming,
Grill is sizzling.
Can't forget the mini golf.

Big fish waiting
for that worm on a hook.
Easy food,
be careful!

I need this serenity.
I need this environment.

Brother's snapping pictures,
Dog's are napping.
Trivia games all night.

Porch swing swaying
in the warm summer breeze.
Falling asleep,
nice nap.

I need the laughter.
I need the fun.

I love my knitting,
Jeff is reading.
Amazing week-long vacation.

Only one more day!

Baby Blue Eyes

I get how genetics work. Really, it's not hard to figure out that when you put together two sets of blue-eyed people and they have a child, chances are high that the child will have blue eyes as well. But when one parent has a lazy eye and the other has squinty eyes, what are the odds that you get a wide-eyed child?

At this point, I don't care how genetics work because my ladybug has...




the most amazing eyes!




Modeling hairbands for a little fashion show at home...


First airplane to Florida to visit Great-grandpa...

Enjoying the outdoors...

Stuck inside on a cold winter day here in Wisconsin!...

Going to the daycare for the day to visit Aunt Michelle and Nina...

Fourth of July family shot!

All of these photos depict an event that happened over the last year and a half, but all I see are baby blue eyes. I see this pair of eyes everyday: waking up in the morning, asking to watch The Princess and the Frog again please, snuggling with me on the couch, refusing dinner, and saying goodnight, but I am awestruck whenever I capture that sky blue color in a photo! Unbelievable!

Written as a part of Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop

Stress Treatment

We leave for vacation on Saturday morning! Time to start getting all of the cleaning and packing done. I need to start today so that I can PROCRASTINATE a little and still make sure I don't forget anything. I have my lists started, but I know I'll be adding more as the week progresses.

In anticipation for this week, I found a great stress reduction strategy and have it stuck to my refridgerator. It should help keep me sane! But it might cause a headache!

It's finally here!

It's finally August!!!

All summer long I have been anxiously waiting for August to get here. August is when I get to take my week-long vacation. I know, a lot of people would say "What do you need to take a vacation from?!" I stay home all day and I only have 1 child. Some people would call that a vacation. But in all honesty, I love going on our family vacation. It is 2 things that I absolutely love put together. What could be better? The family consists of my husband Jeff, little ladybug Charley, my parents, and my brother Andy and his girlfriend Lauren. And the vacation.... Well, that is the best part. It is a week of being away from the house! I get a week of fishing, sleeping in, 1/2 mom duty (Grandma loves taking care of Charley), 1/4 chef duty (we each prepare 2 meals), and almost no cleaning (just dishes). I'm out of my house, where I'm not staring at piles of laundry to be done or dishes to wash or beds to make. I'm almost obligation-free for an entire week.

Oh wait, I haven't mentioned the stress of the week-before-vacation. As every mom probably knows, that week before taking vacation is the worst week of the year! Ok, it's not as bad as Christmas preparations and the week of no-school that comes at the same time, but it's a close second in my book. I get through that week by making lists. Yes, I'm a list person. It helps me feel organized and prevents forgotten items. My husband doesn't like to make lists of what he might need so he tells me, "Don't let me forget to pack my ...!" As if I'm not already trying not to forget everything else. I make lists of to-do and to-pack. I have to make sure that enough laundry is done to pack for a week,then pack for Charley and I, have to get the dishes are done so they don't mold in the sink, make sure the fishing equipment is packed, get the dog's bed and bowls and food ready-to-go, remember to take the garbage out so the house doesn't stink, and somewhere in the back of my mind is that little voice that's telling me "I'm supposed to remind Jeff to pack something..."

What it is, I can't seem to remember at this moment! I should have put it on the list!

Oh, then there is the preparation for a 4 hour drive with an almost-2 year old! She doesn't like to sit in the car seat for even an hour so how am I going to keep her entertained? I make a list of toys and games and activities to lessen the amount of whining.

Well, up until this point, everything usually goes ok and I can finally relax and enjoy my vacation. Wait, I totally forgot, as I do every year, that after about 3 days I will be pulling my hair out because I can't deal with my mom for long periods of time. Don't get me wrong, I love my mom and am really grateful for the support system that I have in my family. But when it comes to letting her take care of Charley, she gets the "Grandma Syndrome". You know the symptoms, giving her candy when Mom says "No", letting her scream as she runs around the house, allowing naps to be wherever and whenever, sneaking her juice, and don't forget the late bedtimes. Basically, destroying all the hardwork that I've done for the last month trying to get her disiplined and on a schedule.

Vacation? What vacation? I'm usually ready to go home!

Painting Pride

I made a judgement call and decided not to leave the crayons out in the easel everyday. Charley was drawing on the walls. It was really cute because she would color and then go get the Magic Eraser to clean it up. But as cute as it was, I didn't want her coloring the entire playroom. So we took down the easel and put away the crayons for use only under supervision. But yesterday I decided to let her try a painting project. She doesn't like her fingers dirty so I didn't know how she would like it. She loved it. She used up all the paint I had given her and asked for more.

It held her attention for so long that I got the dishes done and still had time to teach her colors while she painted. Today, she saw her painting hanging up in the kitchen and I could tell...

she was proud of her artwork!

SummerTime Blues

Why is it that at the beginning of every summer I visualize spending everyday outside? I should know by now that I am not a fan of heat and humidity! I try to plan outdoor activities for Charley's sake. She could do something different and burn off energy if only I could get myself out the door. With my need for sunshine, I should enjoy heading outside for a few rays of golden sun. But, it never fails, as soon as I start to get sweaty and my hair starts to frizz, I run for the air conditioning. We live 2 blocks from the beach and we have a summer pass, but it feels like such a nuisance to pack up all the towels, sunscreen, and toys. Especially when we usually can only stay for 2 hours. I complain when it's cold and I complain when it's hot. Why can't it be spring and fall all the time? Then I would spend everyday outside! :)

Dr. Visits

Sickness has permeated our house!! About a month ago, my healthy baby girl got sick for the first time ever. She had croup and a high fever that lasted a week. I thought that with summer right around the corner, we would be in the clear for a while and not have to deal with disease. Not so lucky!! Last week, Charley started developing these red bumps that itched her like crazy. I thought they were just mosquito bites, but after a few days, they developed blisters on top. They weren't chicken pox and we still have no clue what they were. As for me, I am now the sick one. I think it's strep because it started with a sore throat. I had a slight fever for a few days and now it's just a lingering sore throat and swollen glands. Hopefully the weather will warm up just little so I can air out this germ-infested house.