Treasure Box

Sage has a project to do for school by Friday--to make a treasure box. Why? Because a LEPRECHAUN is coming. Sage asked me about leprechauns, and honestly, I don't know a lot about them. But apparently, they make messes, and the kids are making treasure boxes for them to...make messes in? We'll find out. So back to the project. A bit of panic set in for me because I am the LEAST crafty person alive. My brother got every ounce of any artistic ability that was ever to be in my immediate family's genes growing up, so anything artsy still intimidates me. In short, I suck. I was the girl in high school that any time there was any kind of model or project to be done--atoms, cells, the solar system--I did the easiest, laziest thing I could get away with to include all necessary points for the grade (which I always got...it was just never put on display, okay). Usually on the night before it was due, too. I draw the exact same way now that I did when I was Sage's age. I'm not kidding. That's okay though--who got the musical ability? ANYWAY, I know it's just 1st grade, but I want Sage to be proud of her work. So I knew exactly who to stick this on--TRAVIS. Travis is the crafty one. Sage got a jewelry making set for Christmas with string and all kinds of beads. Who was the one to make it with her? Travis. Remember the two of them with the pottery wheel? I stay clear of it and praise the finished product. Works out best for all involved because Sage herself is great in art.

I got the supplies this afternoon, and when I got home this evening, this is what I found.

I believe she wrote, "Give me gold please!" at the top over "I love you." Doesn't it look great though?

Travis made a lock-ha! He was proud of that. I believe they spent quite a bit of time on this.

I'm not like a regular mom

Mean Girls is one of my favorite movies. I used to quote it all the time, but only Holly got the jokes, and I don't see her as much anymore. Anyway, one of my favorite characters is the crazy mom in it, always busy trying to be her teenage daughter's girlfriend. Like when the girl brings her friends to her house after school and the mom walks in and goes, "HEY! HEY! HEY! How are my best GIRL-FRIENDS?" in this sing song voice.. And of course my favorite line from her to the girls, "I'm not like a regular mom. I'm a cool mom." It's probably not funny at all reading it, but that's what I thought of as I was high in the play land at Chick-Fil-A today. High literally. off the ground. Not any other kind. :) It was a beautiful day, and we had the place completely to ourselves for most of the time. The only other kids that joined us were sisters. One went to Sage's school, and her entire family was deaf but her, so she was teaching Sage how to sign. So sweet. But then Jaggar was up in the top screaming. Alone. So off I go to the rescue, hoping the weight limit is significant. He was fine; he just didn't like being alone, but I couldn't help but think of that line--"I'm not like a regular mom! I'm a cool mom!" as I slid back down.

We were in the very top. He was in the slide when he was crying, but then he got over it as he asked me to get out when I was up there. Cramping his style. SO...it's true, I am like a regular mom not a cool mom.

Sweet Mistake

I must confess that my house is pretty wrecked (and these are MY terms...not hoarders bad, okay?) in the mornings because I'm too tired to go back when the children are asleep (the IDEAL time) to clean. Translation: I'd rather be on my ipad, laptop, watching tv, or reading (I've read two NOVELS in 4 days, about to start my 3rd btw...love those Hunger Games). So in the mornings, I walk around aimlessly trying to find a place to start. The best place is my room, the kitchen, or the family room, which are the 3 places we generally LIVE. So as I'm cleaning, I notice that Travis has left his lunchbox on the counter. I also notice that he has left a container of nasty food in it that I proceed to wash. The top part is separate and feels bulky. So I open it expecting to find dishes when I find THIS. First of all, those were MY Dove chocolates in there. You little candy hoarder. Travis is like that. He knows how much I love sugar (though...M&Ms "ain't REALLY my thang"--unless they are the pretzel kind but peanut will do), so he will hide what he wants to keep to himself. I had to laugh. Jackpot. For Jaggar really. I honestly didn't have one because, as I said, the sugar has got ta go, BUT Jaggar? Well....

He had no problem enjoying it. :) That would be M&M dye on his face.

I'm still not so sure about this one...Jaggar. Something still seems off with him at times. Like the fact that he was up wide awake at 4:30 this morning, never going back to sleep until his nap. And EVERY day at 5:30 am, which is now 6:30 since the time change...unless you count today, which, as I said, was 4:30 in our current time, though a few days ago, would have been 3:30. Are you confused? Tired as I am? DOUBT IT. And he is moody lately...and just not 100% himself. I'm not certain, but if my mind doesn't drop it (that gnawing feeling, you know?), we will be at HIS doctor--where I wanted to be the entire time but his searing pain stopped that--sooner rather than later.

Sage's Acting Debut

Sage had her school play last night, and it was so cute. She had been talking about it for weeks. It was called, "E-I-E-I-oops." They were barnyard animals (she was a sheep), and they were all trying to get the cow to moo after it refused to do so. Sage was one of a handful of kids out of the entire first and second grades to get a speaking part. At first, she was so nervous about it and did not want to do it. But each day that they practiced, she said that she was getting better and less shy. Well...I just have to say, not only was she not at ALL shy, she spoke SO clearly and precisely that I couldn't even hear a Southern accent. HE HATH SMILED UPON ME. I was SO proud and impressed. I'm not saying this because she's mine, but she was one of the only kids that I could actually even understand.

Blurry but there she is

This is Sage's element. Performing. She is so shy, but when she has an audience, she is SERIOUS. I see it in her, and it makes me smile. She won't be overly excited surface wise because that is beneath her, but I make SUCH a big deal out of it...and she does this suppressed grin where I KNOW she's beaming. It's so cute.

I had to laugh when they all put up their masks. Here is the first song. It was so packed in the gym, and we didn't have the best view for cameras or videos (granted, I should have used my REAL camera for once)...and I won't lie and say that I didn't get a little nostalgic remembering how I watched her march out for her kindergarten graduation just a few short months ago. Yes, the one where I wept like I was at a funeral. PS: I did not cry this time. And here is part of the song that was before Sage's, I think. Here is the "little lost sheep" song where Sage has her speaking part. She is now on the front and to the right. TELL Me I'm right in that she was awesome. Seriously, I can't say much about the play because I only heard Sage and like one other child.

We were so glad that Meagan, Kylie, and Eletha came to see Sage. Like I said, Sage was really so proud of herself, and rightfully so, so to have them come to see her made her beam even more, and they were thrilled to do it. Meagan is throwing back a ton of food these days. ;)

This picture is truly a miracle. One shot. First try. Look at every face. Look at JAGGAR. I swear I think this is the first picture I have of his face. Travis says that he's going to be some kind of secret agent when he grows up because no one has ever seen his face...until NOW.

And I just had to keep taking pictures because Jaggar was on such a roll. And they are cute.

Sage and her fans, who were also awesome during her performance.

I'm Alive

Has it ever occurred to you how difficult it can be to come up with a title for EVERY post that I've done on this blog since....2007? It did to me just now as I thought I'd try to write something with no particular point. I realize my captivating blog has suffered lately, but I just don't feel like writing. My mother called me today to see what was going on because I hadn't written anything. :) Jaggar is sleeping much better. His internal clock seems to be somewhat off, as he's now getting up at 5:30 in the morning, but he's happy and dry, which are both big perks. I am still blown away and thrilled by the fact that we are done with diapers. I just don't really care to get up at 5:30. I'm not physically able to get up at 5:3o on a consistent basis. I am not a morning person. I am also not much of a night person. I'm like a mid-afternoon person. I have nothing revolutionary to say. I guess I just thought I'd say I'm alive.

Jaggar and Sage got some mail from Mema last week.

She sent Sage some doll hangers for her America Girl dolls (her dolls have more clothes than I do with their own dresser, so this was great) and a Mickey and Donald Duck for Jaggar. He was thrilled. He loves little toys that fit perfectly in his hands.

I did do something this weekend that I haven't done in a really long time--read a book. I love reading. I loveD reading. I just don't have time to do it like I want to, and not many people would have the time the way that I read...I read for hours and hours if I like a book. For some reason, the Hunger Games sparked my interest. The title alone sounded interesting to me, though that title isn't anything about what you think it will be about. I'll spare the details of the book. (You can google the synopsis), but I will say that it is one of the best books I've ever read. And I am thrilled there is a movie coming out next WEEK. I will definitely be there. I hope it's as good as the book. I started reading at 7 pm and didn't stop until I finished it at about 3:30 the next morning...which also happened to be the night the time changed. Worked out GREAT. It was worth it. All 300+ pages. I've already downloaded the 2nd book to my ipad. I will not be pulling anymore all nighters though (so I'm telling myself). Check out the trailer here.

Warning: the following picture could give you nightmares, but just think that it could be worse. It could be your face. (Yes, I realize this is the most broken up post ever, but oh well.) Words would have sufficed, but you just need to see to believe. I swear that at this time in my life, I have worse skin than I could have ever imagined having when I entered puberty. My brother even asked me years ago what I did to keep my skin so nice. At the time, my answer was NOTHING. I slept in my makeup every night. For the past year, I have kept a skin routine up (nothing major). In short, I WASH my face now and moisturize. It's clearly done nothing for me, and yes, I try different kinds of cleansers, etc. Maybe it's diet? Or lack thereof. I eat pretty terribly as of late. The irony. I can eat my weight in sugar, and that needs (it's going to) change. It can't hurt, that's for sure.

***I don't know what's scarier, the fact that my face looks...like that...or that I went out in PUBLIC like that today. Years ago, I'd have NEVER done that. Now I just don't care. Is that depression, freedom, defiance....a little of all? I don't feel depressed or defiant...well maybe a little depressed when I see that lol.

To my "credit," 2 of the 4 weeks of every month are pretty terrible to me. So you can see in this picture, not 1, 2, 3 but 4 PIMPLES in the small area above my lip. Painful, disgusting PIMPLES. Those are just what you can see. There are more. I won't count the rest on my face. You're welcome. Ironically, a weirdo on facebook was stealing pictures of me (and a few other girls) and posting them in his own album after "liking them." Think "Silence of the Lambs." I did. Thank you, "sir," for causing me to start a process of deleting MANY people off of my facebook and closing the door on accepting requests from people I don't know. I definitely keep an eye out for him now. He should see the REAL me. Does any of this matter? I'm sure not to you. Does it even really matter to me? I don't know really. But what can I do about it? It's certainly not my focus in life or anything, but on a Monday night...it's what I cared to share. For some comic relief, Travis looked at me and said I should wash my face in bleach. He invited me to feel his skin and how soft it was (he pressure washes and I'm assuming the MIST is what he is equating to a face wash of bleach). Anyway, he said, "Feel how soft and smooth my face is." I said, "Would a smack across it allow me to feel what you're saying?" The LOVE. All in fun. Oh, HE was probably serious.

Saturday

I don't remember much about Friday night/Saturday morning. I know that at one point, both children were in my room at 2:30 in the morning. Jaggar had gone into Sage's room and woke her up. I sent her back to bed, and I don't really remember what I did with him. I think he was wet and that's when I put a diaper on him, but he took it off. I think Travis took care of it from there. I slept until 8 that morning, and we were relaxing until we decided that getting out of the house would probably be ideal. We had to get milk, so we stopped at the museum. Travis gets kind of tired of it, but to me, it's a whole lot better than our ghetto mall. So that's what we did.

SO excited about the museum ;)

You know, there's not enough of ME in this blog. I'm going to change that. Just kidding. I couldn't get the kids to cooperate. They were not interested in being still for the same pictures that I take every time that we go there.

Notice Jaggar is a blur. That was pretty much the theme.

I think whatever Travis is doing with his shoulder is hilarious in this picture.

Jaggar loves to push that button above him and make the light come on in this display.

Sage waving. Notice her hair is in "piggy tails," as she calls them, courtesy of Travis. She was so proud of them. I can't do them like that because I can never get them straight.

THEN...we had a mishap. There's a part where there's a ramp going up that the kids love to slide down the edges. It is somewhat of a slide, at least they've turned it into that. There is also a black widow at the top of that in a case. The "cage," if you will, that contained the black widow had been removed. I sat at the top of the ledge while the kids were sliding and reached in my purse for my phone. I don't remember if I was putting my phone away or getting it out, but as soon as I did, it felt like...well, I didn't know exactly, but it was instant pain. I thought my skin at the base of my little finger had either got caught in the zipper of my purse or that the zipper had pulled hair out of my skin...even though there's like NO hair there. I kept looking because it hurt, and I couldn't figure out what I'd done...until I examined my purse to see a FREAKING WASP crawling inside my purse. Cue my academy award winning performance for best dramatic scene as I instantly threw my purse one way and my phone the other. And it was RIGHT after Travis said, "Where is the black widow?" And I start screaming. He was thinking I got bit by the spider. I was screaming, "AHHHH! There's a wasp in my purse!!! It stung me! EEEEEEK!" Okay, let me just say here that I've never been stung by anything in my life. 29 years of no stings. My dad is severely allergic to wasp stings, so I started freaking out. When I threw my purse, the wasp fell out so Travis stomped it. The pain really set in in my hand, and it hurt like a motha. I started taking deep breaths and panicking. My kids are looking at me like what in the world is wrong with you. Travis was like, 'Do NOT pass out." lol. It was awesome. I wouldn't carry my purse for the next 30 minutes, and I made Travis search through every bit of it...as if there was a nest in there. I have NO clue how that thing got in there, but it was traumatic. My purse should be a safe place. I'm so glad Travis was with us because I would've had to call for assistance. And let me also say that NO ONE who heard my screams offered their help. Just sayin'.

There it is. I hope Travis didn't kill it all the way so it laid there and had to die a slow, painful, agonizing death. Don't screw with me.

MEANWHILE, back to better times...I took my throbbing hand and moved on. I was really surprised at the waves of pain that tiny sting caused me the rest of the day. Anyway, the museum put a new food grouping table in the kids' favorite part, so they really liked that.

The lighting in the museum is terrible, and Travis' hand is in my way here, but here is Jaggar in the cave. We still have to practically bribe Sage to go through it. It's dark in there and she does not like that.

But we convinced her.

Travis was impressed with my picture taking skills. This is Jaggar's favorite part.

I don't really ever have to do any persuading to get Sage to take a picture.

It's the best I could do.

Sage is adorable. Jaggar still refuses to look. And it appears the wasp stung me in the face here.

So after the museum, we went to get milk and saw the cows. We actually got to see them milking them that day, so that was cool. Then we went to Mata's, which is some of the best pizza you will ever have in your life. It's as cheap looking as all get out on the inside, but it's no matter because they can cook the best greasy pizza ever. And the Greek salad is wonderful, too.

Of course, on the way home, Jaggar was out cold. The child is exhausted. So I put him in his bed. He cried for a minute, but he couldn't fight it. Travis and I had been contemplating about him spending the night at Travis' mom's house with Sage. We decided we'd go for it under the condition that she call us if he freaked out. I had to wake him at 6pm, so they didn't get there until almost bedtime (for Jaggar), but no one cared. They were all so excited. Tim and Eletha have a little dog inside, and that was the deal sealer for Jaggar. I prayed it'd live through the night. I kissed them both goodbye and told Jaggar that we weren't going to stay the night. He seemed good with it, and when Eletha pulled out frozen grapes and popsicles, we knew we were useless to either child. This was Jaggar's first night away from me, so it was a strange feeling. BUT Travis and I were able to go to a movie (the first one since our anniversary almost a year ago), and it was wonderful. Go see Tyler Perry's "Good Deeds." It was awesome.

And THEN, as if the movie wasn't enough, we went to Walmart at 10 pm. Woohoo!

Movie, late night walmart trip and sleeping, without interruption until 8 the next morning was a gift. We did NOTHING on Sunday. I was told the first thing Jaggar said when he woke up was, "Where's Julie?" Ha...we got them later that evening and were glad to have them home, but I may take the grandparents up on that more often than a year from now.

Making It

Hi. Are you interested to hear how sleepgate is going in this house? Well, the night of my last post was horrid. I don't think Jaggar slept at ALL that night, and I'm sorry...but I don't want him getting used to sleeping in my bed. I wanted to fix the problem. And for me, fixing the problem meant sleep for me. Travis was sleeping in the hallway outside of his room. Jaggar was waking up Sage, too. It has just been rough. I was pretty hysterical that next day because none of us got any sleep. And my child is screaming all night. I had some errands to run that day, and when we were done, he took a nap. He will sleep if I sit in his floor until he falls asleep. Lately, I fall asleep in the floor. And I regain some strength in naptimes.See. Seems fine. Cuteness is definitely in his favor.

And PS...btw...huge news: he is in underwear 24/7 now. Nights and all. Yep, it's true. I have no more children in diapers. I may never change another diaper unless I'm babysitting again. Now THAT is bittersweet. Where did all the time go?? So Travis has argued that perhaps the potty training has caused this. Heck, I've tried to put a diaper on him at night in the event that he is afraid to sleep and pee on himself. Know what happened? He took it off and was rocking half naked in his rocking chair at 2:30 in the morning. So, BACK to underwear it was.

I am 100% sure that he is exhausted because the moment we get in the car, this happens.

But something happened on Friday. The moment we got in the car to get Sage, he started screaming. "MY EAR HURTS!!!" Instantly. He was laying his head over. Pulling at his ear and SCREAMING that. I called his doctor, who I'd already made an appointment with on Monday to HELP us. Maybe something was physically wrong...and now? It was. Of course, they were closed. So I got Sage and came home. I had some drops that I thought may hold us until Monday. It was like I poured acid in his ear. SCREAMS. As someone who has had a lifetime of suffering with ear infections, I did not wait for Travis to get home. The child was obviously in extreme pain. I and both kids went to Cares. I am SO glad I went when I did. Due to the storm predictions, they were closing at 4. It was 3:30. In a place that normally has at least a 2 hour wait, I was in a room in less than 20 minutes. In triage, he was screaming, "Can they please fix my ear?" It was heartbreaking. Normally, I hate those doc in a box places, but in a case like this, it's OBVIOUS the problem is not his knee when a 2 year old is screaming and tugging at one ear. Of course, it was infected as well as the other one, too. When they looked in his throat, he threw up everywhere because they gagged him. It was not fun. I opted for the shot and have hopes that THIS is why he hasn't been sleeping. We're not all good yet, but surely goodness and mercy will bring us back to normal rest. Mom and Chrissie had suggested that it may be his ears that bothered him when he laid down. He never said that until Friday, but I hope that's it and that it was all building until it was a full fledged painful infection...that is now gone.

This was right after his shot. We went to 32 degrees. He got the same shot and same prescription as when he had strep. Yes, the one we have to spike his drinks with because he will spit it all over us to avoid taking it. He did a lot better with the shot this time and was able to walk without pain, unlike the last time.

He got a sucker, that bracelet and a ball from Cares. Sage asked if she could have some, too. Trust me, I've given them enough money that we could've taken the entire box, but they were more than happy to give her some.

This was through the sunroof in my car. Travis took this while I was getting the medicine. Awesome picture, yes? Beautiful babies.

In an effort to catch up with things, I'll post this video here. It was...sometime this past week. It's all a blur to me honestly, but Jaggar loves "I wanna dance with somebody" by the great Whitney Houston. He likes it because it's on his smurfs dance game for the Wii, but when he heard it in the CAR, it was almost too much for him. Anyway, he can sing it and it's so cute. I had to prompt him (pardon my singing..I'm no Whitney), but a lot of times, he will sing this all on his own.