I am mad at someone's kid. Maybe yours?

I knew it was time to blog, but I just haven't felt too bloggy recently. Then I got messages from two different people this afternoon saying it's time to blog, so....

Things have been same old, same old. Rachel's still sleeping well, and has spaced out her feeding schedule to only 5 or so times a day, so that has been good. For President's Day Nathan and I took Cassie and Braden up to Wolf Creek Ski Area and taught them how to ski. We were amazed at how well they learned! By midmorning they were already to tackle the bunny hill off the 'real' chair lift. Plus, they lasted from 9:15 till 3:30, which is some kind of stamina for a beginner! They loved it and are still asking when we can go again.

Today I left to take some friends out to a birthday lunch, and when we returned I found this on my garage door.

Yes, folks, that's red marker. I thought it was Crayola washable, but when I took the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to it, the ink hardly budged. I don't know who the culprit is. Most of the kids on our street (including the artwork's namesake, Brendan) are in school all day, so unless it was done before school and I just didn't notice it, I'm not sure who to blame. Braden has been questioned, but he did his vacuuming job (without a timer today!) all afternoon, so we're pretty sure it isn't him. BUT CAN YOU GUESS HOW ANGRY I AM????

This doll tastes just like...

So, Rebecca has been playing at my feet here in the den, and I haven't been paying attention. Until I looked over and saw that what I'd been hearing for the last five minutes was her version of The Adventures of Cherry Cheesecake, her doll that looks like this:

Compassion

After church Sister B, the Primary Music leader came up to me and asked if Cassidy was OK and if she had said anything about being upset after Primary. I warily responded, "No...did something happen?" Sister B. said, "I had to get after the boys in her class because they were misbehaving, and after I did I noticed she had tears in her eyes. I would feel so bad if her feelings were hurt, so I wanted to make sure she knew it wasn't her fault." Sister B. went over to Cassidy, put her arm around her, and apologized for upsetting her. The two of them talked for a minute, and parted with a smile.

Later I asked Cassidy for more details. She told me she knew that she hadn't been in trouble and she wasn't upset with Sister B. I replied, "Then why did she think you were about to cry?" I was beyond surprise when Cassie said, "I was upset because I felt so bad for Sister B. and how the boys were treating her. It made me feel sad for her, and that's why I was crying."

Sometimes children surpass their parenting.

Get your Rear in Gear

Braden's chore today: Vacuum the house 

Time elapsed for the first two-thirds: Two and a half hours 

Estimated time wasted talking, giving me progress updates, sitting on the floor, measuring the barstools with his hands, and playing with the vacuum pieces: One hour 

Time elapsed for the last third: Thirty minutes

Lesson learned by Mom: If Braden drags his feet getting his jobs done, all you have to do is say, "I'm setting a timer for thirty minutes. If the rest of your chore isn't done by the time it beeps, you'll be grounded from the Wii tomorrow."

You people should've seen him move!

I love my Clearance

Just got back from returning part of an online order to Kohl's that was the wrong size. As luck would have it, they day I chose to make the return was also one of the first days of the 80% Winter Clearance. Sweeeet!

Among other things, I got 3 Nike track suits for Braden at $6.80 each, a pair of Candie's jeans for Cassie for $6.50, and some Carter's winter pajamas for Becca for $4.50 each. I love to shop clearance and save stuff for next year. Love it, love it, love it.

This entire purchase totaled just $75, including tax. Not bad for 5 complete outfits, 2 pajamas, and two pairs of pants. Now I'm going to take a spending break for the rest of the week and rest on my laurels.

And do you know what thanks I get for my hard work?  None.  I came home, told Nathan I had just found some great deals, and he very disinterestedly said, "Good."  It IS good!

Nedarb's Nuf Ytrap

Braden got to go to a friend's Backwards-themed birthday party today, and this was the result. He informed me that only he and one other boy wore their underwear backwards. I would worry about that if he was an adult who came home and told me that, but I'm not concerned, since I'm guessing that's the first thing a group of 8 six year olds talk about at a backwards birthday party.

Anyone in search of an easy kid's party idea should try this one out. His eyes practically danced when he told me they walked backwards while playing musical chairs and ate their birthday cake under the table instead of on it. Kudos to Kristy, the mom who planned it!

Breakfast Tears

Since Nathan had cereal for a late night snack, when I poured out my bowl of Raisin Bran Crunch this morning, it was pretty scant. As luck would have it, Rebecca, who was back for a Breakfast the Sequel cup of yogurt, looked at my paltry serving of RBC and asked, "Can I have a bite?" I told her no, because she already had her breakfast and now was rockin' the seconds. As I poured the milk, she asked again, saying, "But I like that kind. Can I please have a bite?" Again, I told her no. I put the milk away and pulled out my stool to sit down. She persisted, saying, "I want a bite of yours, Mom. You took the rest of it and I wanted some." Exasperated, I firmly and loudly (but not yet crossing the border into Yell-country) responded, "NO! This is my cereal, and it is what I am having for breakfast. You had your own breakfast." She then burst into tears. After a few seconds, I asked, "Why are you crying?" Her reply was, "Because I don't like you anymore." Bummer.

Now, 20 minutes later she is sitting in my lap, talking nonstop, and kissing me on the cheek every 15 seconds, and instructing me to tell her Thank You every time. I think she likes me again, because she just told me, cupping my chin in her hand, "You're the cutiest-ootest one, Mom."

Sidenote: Cassidy is currently reading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Rebecca just told me the name of Cassie's book is the green I Will Pants book.

Three year olds are a trip.