Parenting is Tough

We had one of those moments last night where Mr. ESPN and I felt like we were failing as parents.  I know my kids are young but you try to instill values and morals in them at a young age.  For the most part I think they get it but then last night I was snapped back to reality.  Chatty's school sent home a note.  It said the first grade teachers had decided to adopt three boys from our district for the holidays.  They were asking for donations from the families and encouraging us to have our kids donate their own money (or do chores to earn money to donate) so they could experience the meaning of the holiday.  I thought this was a great idea and thought Chatty would excited to contribute. 


We donate toys and clothes all the time and we discuss why we do it.  We also contribute to the offering at church and talk about who it helps.  Last Sunday we purchased items for some families our church "adopted" for Christmas.  As we picked out the stuff we explained to Chatty and Bia who it was for and why we were buying it.



So I went in Chatty's room and talked to her about the note the teachers sent home.  We emptied her piggy bank (girl has some serious cash) and talked about how if all of the first graders donated a little bit of their own money these three boys could have a wonderful Christmas.  Reluctantly she agreed to donate $6 (mind you she never has to spend her own money on anything ... maybe that is part of the problem).  So we put the money in the envelope to send to school.  When I went to tuck her in bed I noticed she was teary eyed.  I asked her what was wrong and she said "I don't want to give away my money" and starts crying.  I was shocked and mad and disappointed, but what could I say?  We talked about the meaning of Christmas - Jesus' birth - and what God teaches us - to be kind and helpful to others, etc.  She seems to get all of these concepts but then she says to me - "I don't get anything back from giving them my money."  WOW!  I tried to explain the feeling of helping others and doing what God teaches in the Bible is your reward, however that is a hard concept for a 6 year old.  After we talked more about it I told her if she didn't want to give her own money to help these boys she didn't have to, but that I would be disappointed because Mr. ESPN have tried to set a good example of helping others.  Yes I did give her a bit of a guilt trip but I wanted her to know it was her decision to make.


When I went in the kitchen I told Mr. ESPN about the discussion Chatty and I had.  He was frustrated and said we need to find a way for the girls to really see how blessed they are.  We would like them to see in person how many others in our community do not have much.  Unfortunately a lot of the programs I know about require you to be older than 6 to participate.  I am going to contact our church's Children's Ministry Director and see if she knows of any opportunities (a group of us were discussing this very thing a few weeks ago at church). 


Let me know if you know of any organizations that might work for us.

Conversations and Sunday School

Friday Chatty came home from school chatting about 9/11.  I was really caught off guard as I didn't know they would talk so in depth about it in first grade.  She seemed to know all of the facts and on Saturday insisted on wearing her Flag shirt.  We talked about the military and Uncle Lee, the people who serve our country and the people who died that day and we talked about Pap-pa.  It seems like every time death comes up we come back to him!  She had me in tears again Friday afternoon telling me how much she missed him.  So sweet and a great reminder for me.

Chatty knows the way to my heart ... "You're the BEST, better than daddy.  You are the best and he is the second best" (although we all know that is subject to change at any moment). 

Not quite so sentimental but out of the mouth of my youngest was "I farted in my seat mommy" - anyone who says potty humor is just for boys hasn't met Bia!  She was cracking herself up over it and kept saying it.  Of course I didn't help by joking - ooh it smells!

Sunday was the first day of the new Sunday School year.  Bia has graduated from the nursery and is in the 3 year old class across the hall from Chatty's 1st grade class (that I am co-teaching).  We'll see how long it takes for Bia to get mad I am not teaching her class.  I foresee a tantrum in our near future.  To celebrate the first day we snapped a few pictures before church

I wanted one of the girls and me ...

As you can see Bia was doing her own thing

So Mr. ESPN focused in on Chatty and me and cut Bia off

Finally one with Bia sort of looking at the camera

Conversations With Chatty

Are always interesting and never dull.  Not always respectful but very honest and open.  Some of her most recent comments to me have been:

1. The other day, "Mom just call me troublemaker. That's my new nickname" .... mmm OK
2. When she got in trouble at the grocery store this morning, "I wish Grandma and Grandpa were here right now"
3. On the way home from the grocery store, "Mom I love you even when you are mean" (and I wasn't even being mean at the time)
4. During snack time, "These cookies you made taste even better than I thought they would"
5. And on a daily basis, "This isn't fair" - that's right get used to it Chatty life isn't fair.

Have a great weekend ... Grandma and Grandpa arrive tonight so it will be a busy weekend and week here!

I'll Be Back ....

Quick post to let you know I am alive and that we made it back from the east coast in one piece and without any major incidents.  There were some tense moments like when the pudgy guy from Philly overtook the entire arm rest and some of my seat space.  I think Mr. ESPN was afraid I might cause a scene but I remained calm and ever so slightly budged his arm out of my space and let him know by my actions he better think twice about putting it there again.  Then there was the ice cube incident.  Our plane left the gate taxied to the runway and then proceeded to go back to the gate.  Why you ask?  Oh because they said the ice was bad and they needed to get new ice.  WTH?  Would you believe it took US Airways 1 hour to bring good ice on the plane (this was after it took them 30 minutes to get someone to drive the jetway out to our plane when we flew in last week)?  So what was a 5 hr 17 minute flight turned into over 6 hours of me in the middle seat between a large carseat and pudgy Philly man ... and how was your Mother's Day?  I have to admit my little seasoned travelers did beautifully even when the portable dvd batteries died 4 hours into the flight, well other than Chatty being scared to death of the bathroom but that's a whole other story.  Visit was good.  Chatty and Grandma bawled when we left.  Interviews went well ... hopefully I will be getting an offer this week ... but who knows they seem to be taking their sweet old time.  Will post more later I need to catch up on my sleep ...

Look Who's 6

Six years ago (yesterday - yeah I am that kind of mom - a day late and a dollar short - but better late than never) I became a mom. It was Easter Sunday and two and half weeks before my due date when Chatty decided to make her arrival. We were watching the Master's on the television at the hospital and Chatty made her dad happy by waiting to make her debut until after Phil Mickelson holed out on the 18th to win his first major (yes every milestone in our lives seems to have a sports tie in; Mark McGwire broke the homerun record they day we got married - it's fate I tell you)! Although she tries my patience on a regular basis she is a loving, independent, stubborn, talkative girl and I wouldn't want her any other way! Chatty your dad and I love you more than anything!

2 Days Old

Baptism 1.5 mths Old

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

(a little blurry-my first attempt at cake decorating)

4th Birthday

(the kids decorated their own cupcakes)

5th Birthday Picture

(didn't have any good ones from the actual day)

6th Birthday

(please disregard the fact that my pentagons aren't all the same size)

3rd/6th Birthday Party Pics coming up this week!

Thursday Tidbits

• If you go hiking in the springtime in the desert do not listen to Blaze of Glory (Bon Jovi) or Funny the Way it is (DMB).  Both of these songs have tambourine (I think it's tambourines) music that sounds a little like a rattler on a rattlesnake ... just sayin' it might freak you out a little, which can be a good thing because you will run/hike faster
• PC is BS ... I was told to apply for an internal position by the hiring manager (and several other managers close to the position) and now I have to wait at least two weeks to see if I get the position ... I hate PC HR rules that require the role to be posted for a week and them dragging their feet - let's get a move on people, momma wants a new purse (and wallet - my reward to myself if I get the new position)!
• I need want a Blackberry and I need to convince Mr. ESPN that I really do need it
• My sweet little Bia is so much like me in the morning that it is scary.  She tends to be very cranky in the morning and wants everything done her way.  She also likes to change her mind about what she's wearing several times.  One way that she is NOT like me is that she insists on wearing outfits that don't match ... not sure where she gets that one from
• Chatty is at my parents for two nights ... she was so excited.  My mom may have to turn her hearing aide off if Chatty lives up to her nickname
• We will be hosting a session of grandparent detox for Chatty on Saturday afternoon for any interested parties
• I am getting rid of my grey hairs (for a couple months anyway) tonight because unlike some blogs friends I have, I get my hair highlighted regularly, it is one of the many ways I keep the economy rockin', we all have to do our part
• I saw this cool post about Easter cookies (scroll down the post a bit to see the full recipe with pictures).  If we have time Saturday afternoon I want to do it with the girls.  Not sure Bia will get much out of it but I think Chatty would.

What I Learned in Kindergarten

Last Friday I was scheduled to volunteer in Chatty's classroom.  As soon as I walked in the room I could tell something wasn't right ... and then I got the news from one of the students ... "We have a visiting teacher today" (I guess they don't call them substitutes anymore).  Needless to say it was chaotic when I walked in ... the boys were all over the place and no one was listening to the "Visiting Teacher".  She had no control over the class and looked so relieved when I walked in.  The sad part was the whole time I was there she kind of looked to me to lead the class.  So being the Type A person I am I did just that.  When they wouldn't listen to the "Visiting Teacher's" instructions, I threatened to escort them to Dr. B's (the principal) office.  One kid said "All of us?" and I responded by saying "If that's what it takes" ... they settled down a little bit after that.  In the course of the 90 minutes I was there, I put two boys in STEP (timeout), one of which was the Mr. X who Chatty is no longer allowed to play with.  The little punk told me I was mean when I put him in STEP for kneeing another boy.  Further confirmation as to why Chatty will NEVER be allowed to play with him.   

Some other observations:

• One little boy went to the bathroom and was in there for quite a while.  When he came out he sighed and said "Man I feel better now" (mimicking his father I am sure).  I felt bad for the little girl who had to go in after him. 
• A couple boys in Chatty's class have longer hair than her. 
• One boy said to me "I get to go to The Turks and Caicos for my birthday" - umm what?  Yep that's right he is going on a nice little Caribbean trip with his family for his 6th birthday (aka family vacation).  Yes I am a little lot jealous.

Thursday Tidbits from the ESPN Household

Some interesting tidbits I learned today:

• If you wake up a little before 5:00 to go to the gym for a 5:30 class (and hit snooze for 10 minutes) and arrive 1 minute late the entire class will be full ... this was at 5:31 AM not PM people - WTH? (I worked out on my own at the gym and got a good work out - probably because I was fuming about missing the class!)
• If you come home from the above incident at the gym it is possible Chatty Cathy will be loving and kind when you walk in the door and later turn into a horrible monster and pitch a 15 minute non stop whining, crying, fussing fit that started when she told you you had no rock n roll music in your car (which by the way you do via CD's, Radio and XM) .. which causes you to be running late to work which means you can't stop for a fountain Diet Coke
• The toilets in the restroom at work seem to always flush before you are done wiping which means you still have to manually flush by pushing the button (not to mention the spray on your fanny!). Also in this restroom only one of the stalls has a door that remains closed while doing your business. The rest open at random moments. Do you realize how hard it is to squat and hold the door with your hand and wipe quick enough so your fanny doesn't get sprayed?
• Lunch with guys often includes random discussions. Today's involved buffets at titty bars and how guys can't multi task in this type of situation, i.e. eating and watching
• It is possible for your second child to inherit the severe fit throwing temper tantrum gene of her older sister (it was proven tonight by Sweet Bia - not so sweet tonight - girl's got some serious strength for an itty bitty thang!)
• It's horrible when a starting quarterback gets hurt during his first series of a National Championship Game ... I feel so bad for Colt McCoy ... great guy and cute too (plus it just makes for a crappy game)!
• In the ESPN house it is possible for the children to get distracted by a sporting event while they are eating and/or doing their homework. Like I said above, they seem to inherit all of these lovely traits (they obviously haven't inherited or learned the multi-tasking traits of their momma)!

It's the Most Busy Time of the Year

As much as I love this time of year, it never fails to be the busiest ... always something going on and something to do ... which for the most part I love. The OCD in me loves to be busy and to have a fully planned out schedule. But sometimes (or should I say most of the time) a wrench gets thrown into the aforementioned planned schedule. The wrench this week - Chatty - she is sick! Poor kid has a fever, headache, throwing up ... not so fun. She is looking better today but still far from 100%. So I am "working" from home today and answering to her beck and call. I personally think she feeds off all of the attention she gets when she is sick (but then again who doesn't)! Tomorrow Nana and Poppa are taking a shift as Mr. ESPN and I both have holiday luncheons at work. Since my assistant baker (Chatty) was out of commission last night, I had to cut out and bake all 7/8 dozen sugar cookies myself! She was sad she missed out ... I told her she and I would bake some later this week when she was feeling better. So here is my schedule the rest of the week

• Tonight - Gym ...
• Wednesday - Work, Hair Appointment, Dinner & drinks with two college friends - so excited to catch up with them
• Thursday - Work (last day before a two week vacation), Gym, Bunco - Dec. Bunco is always the best - lots of good food and drinks
• Friday - Gym, volunteer at Chatty's school, lunch with old co-worker, errands, dinner at Oregano's with my BFF's family
• Saturday - Gym and then cookie baking with some of my friends who live near me sans kids!
• Sunday - Church, baking with Chatty

I have to go to the gym as much as possible to offset the large quantities of cookie dough I have been eating! It is frightening trust me!

Thursday Thoughts

Some random Thursday thoughts ...

• I cleaned out my pantry last night and wiped all the shelves clean (yes I am Type A and OCD) ... it really needs to be painted but Mr. ESPN doesn't seem to want to do it .. hmmm how to convince him???
• I don't blog everyday but I expect my favorite bloggers to so I have some fun things to read during lunch
• I should scan one of my Christmas cards and post it on the blog ... personally I think they turned out pretty cute (mostly because it is just the girls!)
• My hair is driving me nuts! I am so ready to chop it off ... appointment next Wednesday can not come soon enough.
• I have to remember to take pictures of my cookies I made for the baby shower I am hosting Saturday and post them ...
• I need to wrap presents before said baby shower so my Christmas tree looks good. It looks so bare with no gifts under it
• Bia is overly obsessed with boobies ... every time she sees me (luckily just at home) she comments on them (even when I am fully clothed) and laughs! I try not to laugh but it is contagious! She likes to chant "boobies, boobies, boobies" and laugh
• Chatty got a hole in her leggings this week in PE (right on the knee) on the indoor basketball court. WTH? She ruins more clothes than most boys. To say that she isn't a dainty little princess is an understatement. That was pretty obvious when she wanted to play tackle football with her sister!
• I am glad Mr. ESPN is handling Elf placement duties. He has placed Snowball (our Elf) each day ... goodness knows I have enough other holiday responsibilities to handle
• Chatty has been asking for a WII from Santa. She also told Santa Mr. ESPN wanted a new TV for the WII. I had to explain to her that Santa only brings kids gifts. She then told me she thinks we need to put the WII on the big TV because it will look better. I had to remind her that getting a WII isn't automatic - she has to be good (otherwise Santa will return it!).
• Speaking of Christmas - any suggestions on what to make for a main dish? We do Italian on Christmas Eve (Mr. ESPN's family tradition) and on Christmas Day we have varied what we make. I was thinking either steak, beef tenderloin or pork tenderloin. Anyone have a fabulous recipe they want to share??

100th Post

Wow - I finally made it to 100! I kept thinking I would do the 100 things about me list, but decided I am just not up for it. So just some random Thursday thoughts.

• If I was doing a 100 things list (but I am not since I am too lazy) I would tell you I am extremely Type A, Christian (who is striving to be a better one), conservative, Republican, love to bake, have a Master's in Taxation (riveting I know!), love college sports (and most sports), Arizona Wildcat, originally from Florida (and in a lot of ways still think of it as home), Mr. ESPN was originally plan B, mom to 2 independent stubborn girls (just like their momma!), Chatty's first name is my maiden name (Lacey), competitive, love fountain Diet Coke with a splash of Cherry Coke, love my southern roots, have a love/hate relationship with running and exercise, yacked one time on the way to Yakima, WA, left handed, want to go to nursing school, love Bud Light, wine and most food .... along with a bunch of other useless information!
• I have tackled a decent portion of my to do list - Kahlua cake and brownies baked, packed at work, purchased new shoes, Amy had to cancel lunch (boo!) and Mr. ESPN completed painting project
• I still have the biggest portion of my list still left to do - DEEP clean my house, bake cookies, cut out some vests from paper bags for our Battle of Jericho lesson/craft for Sunday school, grocery shop (but list is complete and coupons are ready), need to exercise this afternoon, tomorrow and Saturday to complete my 5 day goal this week.
• Mr. ESPN and I are having date night with our friends Ang and Lars on Saturday night - yeah for grandparents babysitting!
• Bia is obsessed with Boobees (yes Chatty went through this phase too). The other morning Mr. ESPN was getting her dressed and she was pointing to his shirt saying "Boobees, boobees! Daddy has little boobees!" Just how he wanted to start his morning! I told him at least she didn't say he had big man boobees!
• Bia loves to snuggle in the morning ... this morning she woke up around 5:45 and ran into our room with her entourage (blankie, little blankie, puppy, monkey and pluto), threw them up on our bed and then climbed in next to me to snuggle! I love it!!
• Chatty didn't make her day twice this week at school (and once last week) ... not sure what's going on in her head. I reminded her this morning that God is disappointed in her behavior and she responded by saying, "Yeah Santa is too!" Uggh! I then proceeded to explain that the only one that truly matters is God ... hopefully a little of that will sink in.
• Still trying to work the Coco hook up for a single lady in Austin for Uncle Greg ...
• Still haven't made a dent in the 10 pounds I wanted to get off by the holidays - doesn't help that I had donut holes for breakfast yesterday morning (in my defense I had a 7:00 am meeting and needed some fuel! Laurie - I don't always eat that bad in the morning)

Kahlua Cake recipe per Dee and Sass' request (it came from my friend Ang). If you love chocolate this is your cake - so easy and so good!

• Box of German Chocolate Cake Mix
• Large box of Chocolate instant pudding mix
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup oil
• 16 oz. container sour cream
• 12 oz bag of chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Kahlua
• Mix ingredients together by hand; Spray bundt PAM generously with PAM; pour batter into pan and bake at 350 for 1 hour (or until toothpick inserted comes out clean); Let stand 10 minutes and then remove from pan and let cool completely. Once cooled sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Variation - I have used mint chocolate chips and it tastes great too (if you like mint)

A Little Clarification

Dear Chatty:
Remember that letter I wrote you the other week regarding the behavior you display at home versus the behavior you display at school? I think you may have misunderstood my request (not sure if it is because you can't read yet or not). I asked you to bring the behavior that you use at school home with you everyday and act that way at home as well as at school. I did NOT ask you to take the behavior you have been displaying at home to school with you. I want to make sure you understand me 100% as I do not want to see another note from Miss Johnson detailing where you had behavioral issues at school. If you need any further clarification, please let me know and I will read the letter to you. Thanks, I love you sweetie!

Love
Mom


Dear Bia:
I don't know what happened to my cute, sweet innocent little baby. Since you turned two you have become the most stubborn and independent child (at least you are still cute). Now I know you get those lovely traits from me, but please sweetheart, don't throw a tantrum every time someone tries to help you do something (i.e. wash your hands, get you dressed, buckle your carseat, etc.). And when you do decide to throw those "selected" tantrums can you not scream "NOOOOOO I DO IT MYSELF" at the top of your lungs so the whole state can hear? Just asking, as Daddy and I are getting a little tired of the screaming. Oh and one more thing, can you please stop talking during dinner about eating your dinner and actually start eating it? You enjoy saying "eat all my dinner" numerous times during the meal and then proceed to play with your food and chit chat for 45 minutes. All the while the food stays on your plate and doesn't go in your mouth. Then you scream when we finally (after 45 minutes) take your plate away, claiming, "I eat my dinner." Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions! I love you sweet Bia!

Love
Mommy

Dazed and Confused

Dear Chatty:
Yesterday I had a lovely parent teacher conference with your Kindergarten teacher Miss Johnson. She couldn't say enough sweet things about you. Miss Johnson said you are a born leader, transition from one activity to the next in an appropriate manner, willingly participate in all activities, is always happy and greets her with the biggest smile everyday, plays with everyone in the class, helps her peers, intelligent (at or above levels in all subjects/areas), to name a few. According to Miss Johnson you are a pure joy to have in class. Wow - I was so proud!

Fast forward to this morning when you were in major meltdown number 29 (or 59, it has been so many I have lost count) this week. What happens to you when I drop you off? Do you turn into another child? I mean seriously, the Chatty that was at my house this morning could not possibly be the same Chatty who is a prized pupil in Miss Johnson's class everyday. What do you do with her at 3:00pm every weekday, stuff her in your backpack and not let her out until you get back to school? What can I do to make sure she appears at my house during non-school hours? Your Dad and I are willing to try almost anything (within reason) to get prized pupil Chatty to make a regular appearance at our house. Let me know ASAP! Thanks.

I Love You,
Mom

Monday, Monday, Monday!

It has been an interesting day ... got up and everything was going like normal Mondays do well except for the fact that I actually liked the way my hair turned out and thought my outfit looked pretty cute (both of those things don't usually happen on the same day and especially not on a Monday) ... I was just about to put my stuff in the car to take Chatty to school and she proceeds to throw up on her back pack (Bia stayed home from school on Friday because she threw up twice but then was perfectly fine by the afternoon and played all weekend without any issues). Nice! It wasn't a lot and I kind of questioned whether she was really sick or not (as she was begging to run around and play) ... but I didn't want to be THAT MOM again and send her to school. So I changed clothes, told Chatty to lay in her bed and read books and then e-mailed my boss to let him know I would be working from home. Then a few hours later as I am working on my laptop, I get the dreaded blue screen. Called my IT desk and lo and behold the motherboard crashed! Perfect timing, since it is quarter end close at work and the parts won't be here until tomorrow! What a lovely Monday! I guess it is payback for beautiful weather this weekend with lots of time playing outside with the neighbors! BTW - I guess Chatty really didn't feel good, she fell asleep in her room ... hopefully she will be back to her normal self tomorrow!

A couple pics from weekend ...

Soccer anyone?

She can be so mischievous!

Similar to her goggles, Chatty likes to keep her helmet on when playing outside. They would go from scooters to bikes to wagon and back again several times. Safety First!

Ready for batting practice

Mr. ESPN snapped these photos during her nap on Saturday!

Proof that my children sleep with tons of lovies.

In this pic - Puppy, Monkey, Pluto, Big Blankie and Little Blankie oh and Bia too!

I am That Mom

I am THAT mom that postponed taking my daughter to the doctor when she complained of an earache and when we finally went to the doctor he couldn't see anything because there was so much gunk in said ear and it was so swollen. I am THAT mom who asked the doctor if my daughter was OK to go to school even though her ear looked so bad (he confirmed she was not contagious and Chatty really wanted to go to school) . I am THAT mom who got a call from the school nurse saying her daughter was in the nurses' office complaining of an earache and had large quantities of fluid draining from said ear. I am THAT mom who was told by the school nurse that her daughter spit in another student's lunch because she didn't like what they said to her ... yeah that would be me! I am THAT mom who dealt with a cranky kid with an ear infection all afternoon while trying to work from home and clean the house. I am THAT mom who is having a beer and watching college football!

K is for Kindergarten

A is for Art class
B is for Books
C is for Core Curriculum our school uses
D is for Dr. Bales our principal
E is for Energetic as in Chatty's teacher
F is for Full Day Kindergarten
G is for Games with an educational focus
H is for Homework, for the parents that is (forms, etc.)
I is for I will do my best every day (Miss Johnson's motto)
J is for Jumping Jacks in PE class
K is for Kindergarten
L is for Listening ears
M is for Miss Johnson our fabulous teacher
N is for No more naps in Kindergarten
O is for Organization, this teacher gets an A+ in my book!
P is for Pictures, lots of them taken today
Q is for Quiet, hard to come by with 25 Kindergartners
T is for Teachers, what a difficult job! We admire them immensely
U is for Upload in the wrong order - my pictures below
V is for Volunteers in the classroom (I am looking forward to this experience)
W is for Wildfire our school!
X is for eXpectations, do what is eXpected and do it the best you can (another Miss Johnson motto)
Y is for Yellow skirt Chatty Cathy picked out to wear her first day
Z is for Zoo field trip later this year
(Note-I copied a couple of these off of the ABC's of Kindergarten Miss Johnson sent home today)

Family Photo at school

A refreshment after recess

Waiting in line for the bell to ring

Standing in her classroom

Chatty Cathy & Mommy

Chatty Cathy & Daddy

Our Big Kindergartner!

Tuesday Ramblings

Don't have much to report just a few random things ....

• I think I lost employee of the year today. When I got home from the gym and walked in the door, Mr. ESPN says "Your boss just called". I am think "Oh Crap" what did I forget to do (it is month end close at work). So I call my boss and low and behold I forgot to make a journal entry and they can't close the books (and it was 6:00 p.m.). So much for that employee of the year award! Anyway I made my entry and then come to find out my friend (co-worker) forgot to make one too so I didn't feel too dumb! That's why I always tell my boss he shouldn't let tax people like me do REAL accounting work - yes believe me there is a difference, that's why my degree is in Finance and Entrepreneurship and not Accounting!


• Chatty Cathy - Her belly button is healing nicely - yeah! Chatty Cathy is always talking (hence the blog name) and more importantly she always has to tell Mr. ESPN and/or I something. Below is an example of a typical daily conversation with Chatty Cathy.


• Me - "Chatty Cathy please go do -------- (insert anything you would normally ask your child to do, i.e. brush your teeth, wash your hands for dinner, get dressed, go to the bathroom, etc.)"
• Chatty - "But Mom I HAVE to tell you something"
• Me - "It isn't an emergency, you can tell me after you have finished doing what I asked you to do"
• Chatty - "But it IS an EMERGENCY, I HAVE to TELL you NOW!"
• Me - "OK Chatty, what is it that you have to tell me now?"
• Chatty - "My friend at school wore a GO CATs shirt today" (or insert any other random - i.e. non emergency - event that occurred during the day)
• Me - "UGH - GO DO ------- NOW!"

• Bia - She is her usual stubborn self (I have no idea where she gets it from - LOL). Every morning (for the past couple weeks) after Mr. ESPN gets her dressed she walks into the master bathroom pushing her purple grocery cart filled with her lovies (Puppy, Monkey & Gorilla) and blankies (big one & little one). She is very adamant about this routine so there is no use discouraging it unless you want Princess Whiny Pants in the house at 6:15 am! I am not sure what started it and if I was more awake and in a better mood at 6:15 I might actually take a picture - but we all know that probably won't happen anytime soon!
  
• Mr. ESPN - I asked him to start pulling out his clothes last weekend for our trip to Florida - which of course he didn't get around to. Yes, I pack every one's clothes. If I didn't the other members of my family would be wearing wrinkled clothes the entire vacation and may or may not match. Tonight I decided to pull out some shirts for him to take and folded them so they are ready to put in the suitcase. He is at the gym right now so we'll see what he says when he gets home. He likes to pick out his own stuff, although I have been known to switch it out to something I prefer when he isn't looking!

That's the exciting stuff around here, I warned you at the beginning that I didn't have much!