turd

So, we have returned from the land of eternal vomit. The throwing up thing that plagued Finley last week decided to pay visits to Jason and I as well, although piper was lucky and avoided it all; how? I don't know. Seriously, it was really awful and we are all just getting back on our feet.

Good thing this week was Spring Break 06! It was just what we needed to feel better. We spent last weekend disinfecting the house and then it was time to party. Monday found s at the park, Tuesday we went to Sea World (absolutely fantastically fun was had by all), Wednesday we chilled at home, Thursday was the zoo with Grammy, and today we went to the beach! It was a seriously great and fun week.

Piper was not bitten by the stomach sickies but had a very difficult week last week because it's no fun to have parents that can't get out of bed without throwing up, so needless to say, she was not at her best and didn't have what I would call a cheery attitude but who can blame her? Well, this week was a total turn around and she was so much fun to be with and talk with and just have fun. Bug and Birdie are really starting to get along and become friends which is something I had resigned myself to believing would never happen. They play together and laugh all the time and sing and dance and just love on each other and on me and daddy.

Jason and I have decided to tackle one house project each weekend. One project i am itching to start is our kitchen. I decided that I want to paint our cabinets white. The cabinets have a raised panel in each door and I want to use the magnetic chalkboard paint on some of the panels. has anyone ever used this product and if so, where you pleased with the results and do you have and advice or tips?

I've also been involved in a bunch of swaps lately and I need to properly thank and post picstures of what I've received. It has been so much fun.

Wow, this is a way boring post. Finley learned a new word: "Turd" She most likely picked it up from Piper calling her "turdface". nice.

Taking a sick day

I have never seen a child throw up so much. On Monday night Finley started throwing up around 11pm and continued to throw up every 20 minutes or so until 9am the next morning. We set up on the couch and I got to watch late night TV, not something I think I would ever choose to do again. Poor baby, she was so weak and limp and just wanted to sleep but everytime she would fall asleep she would wake up to throw up again. I was almost positive that she was going to end up in the hospital.

We went to the doctor the next morning (who just so happens to be her granpaw) and she was very irritable but that was a good sign because she had big fat tears which meant she was not dehydrated. He said is was probably a virus and gave her some medicine to stop the vomiting. The side effect of the med was that it would make her very sleepy (a very favorable side effect if you ask me) and would make her loopy. Well, when we got home it was like she was drunk. A crazy spring break college co-ed kind of drunk. Very funny. She slept the rest of the afternoon and there was no more throwing up so she ate a bit of dinner . The BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. She slept all night after another dose of medicine which was a suppository which I will never do again because it involved me shoving 3 tiny pieces up her tiny booty.



So today we are taking a sick day and hanging out at home but for any of you who have any children you know that it means I am the activity director and to keep the house from exploding I need to have something for them to do the majority of the day although they are playing very nicely right now on their own. Anyway, I found a recipe on Martha Stewart Kids for homemade fingerpaints and it looked easy and cooperative and I had all the ingredients on hand so off we go.

You just mix 4 tbs of sugar with 1/2 cup of cornstarch then add 2 cups of cold water and heat of medium heat until it gets thick, not very long. It continues to thicken as it cools. I divided it into those tiny plastic disposable containers then added whatever color Piper wanted and mixed it up and voila...Fingerpaints. So, so easy and Piper helped with the whole endeavor.



I can see myself making these as a gift for someone and including a homemade art smock and some homemade playdough and these crazy crayons which I think we might try this afternoon or tomorrow and some art paper. Fun! I would like a gift like that!

For Jason Egan

For my friend over at Can Do Attitude! Thanks for calling and thinking of me tonight.



A river in Savannah, Georgia dyed green for St. Paddy's Day!

"Greening of the Fountain
This event will take place in Forsyth Park at noon March 12."

With my own two hands

The girls and I have been listening to the new Jack Johnson album Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George and we all really enjoy it. Jason had taken Piper to see the movie for Valentine's Day and it was funny to hear his opinion of the movie:

"Are all kids movies sad? It was sad, all I could think about was the girls and I almost cried."

This is one of my new favorites as I have been struggling with feelings of inadequacy as far as contributing to our society and taking care of the planet and issues dealing with poverty and injustice and on and on...I think that after you have children you are more aware of the atrocities that are happening. Kind of makes you want to be a child again when all you had to worry about was whether
or not you were going to be invited to a birthday party. I feel so much more responsibility now as an adult and a mother because it's my job to teach my own children to respect the earth and love all kinds of people and so many other things. It's a huge undertaking, I'm finding, to raise children that are aware and unselfish and responsible, but still free and vibrant and joyful. Can you be all of those things at once? You can try.

With My Own Two Hands
Jack Johnson and Ben Harper

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands
I can hold you
With my own two hands
I can comfort you
With my own two hands
But you've got to use
Use your own two hands
Use your own
Use your own two hands
With our own
With our own two hands
With my own
With my own two hands

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the light always find you on a dreary day.
When you need to be home, may you find your way.
May you always have courage to take a chance
And never find frogs in your underpants.

Picnic in the park swap

I am supposed to post this on my blog for a craft swap I am involved with for my partner to see:

Questionnaire

1. Your style: ecclectic, vintage, homey and cozy, very laid back

2. What's your kind of bag: I'm not picky, every bag has a place in my heart

3. Your ideal summer: salt water, sunburn, sand in my toes, babies that smell like sunscreen, a great tabloid magazine, dancing with my girls in the kitchen, cooling off in our new pool (yeah!!!)

4. Sherbet (made with water) or ice cream (made with cream)? fruity sherbet (i'm lactose-intolerant, like you really wanted to know)

5. Water or fizzy drinks? water, please, but I love a great white wine spritzy sangria

Overheard in my house

Me: Piper, it's time to wash your hair

Piper: I can't Mama, because I'm sick

Me: What's wrong, Piper?

Piper: I'm sick because I have the feelings so I can't wash my hair.

pride

I went to a baby shower last night and I was surrounded by pregnant women and women with little ones and my heart ached for my girls. I missed them although the time away was fun, catching up with old friends, meeting new people and just taking a moment to breath and relax. Most of the women I visited with are former colleagues of mine from when I was teaching. It's funny how some things never change but other things are continuously changing. When I left the school I had a tiny one and she's now three with a little sister. It was a lovely shower.

The best part about it, however was when the mommy-to-be was opening her gifts. She has a little boy a few months older than Finley and now she is having a little girl. I'm not certain, but I'm fairly sure that I have never seen so much PINK in one place at one time. But the very very best part was when she opened my gift.

Now, I have just really started this crafting and sewing phase (I hope it won't be just a phase) where I actually make things for other people and not just keep things at home too embarrassed to show anyone else. For my friend I made a bib, 2 burp cloths, a blanket and a bag that held all the goodies. I also included some Baby Bee Burt's Bees baby potions and a book for the older brother. Most of the items I made were monogrammed with an "r" for the babe's intended name (boy am I glad that she hadn't changed her mind about the name). What was so great about it was when she opened it she said to me, "Shannon, where did you find these things that have the letter on it and such a cute print?" I felt hotness creeping up my neck to my face and answered nonchalantly (sp.?), "Oh, I made them," as not to draw attention to that fact. Her eyes got big and teary and then her mom announced to the whole party, "These are from Shannon, and she MADE them."

I was so so embarrassed and at the same time patting myself on the back. It felt really good to be complimented with the "oh, these are beautiful" and "you could so sell these" and "I'm calling you when I need a baby gift". It isn't very often that I feel such confidence and pride about something, like I really did it!

I hear Piper and teach Piper about the emotional coaching and putting words to her feelings and you will very often hear her say things like "I did it" or "I'm really excited" or "that make me very frustrated" and I think it is so good that she can express herself with these words and I'm trying to model it more for her but in the process learning it for myself. It's ok to feel really proud of something and toot your own horn once in a while. Not only is it ok, but it is important to "use your words" to give a voice to your feelings. Before you can be heard, you have to speak.

Today is my birthday...inching closer to 30

what is better than your 3 year old addressing you as "Your Majesty" on our birthday?

Hair and there

just so you know, Wednesday is my birthday, (shameless plug) two days from now...and I have some BIG plans. you'll have to wait and see but be on the lookout for something new with me.

oohhhh, and I get my haircut tomorrow by a new person. It is the same woman who cuts kellie's hair and her hair always looks good so it will be ok, right? Ever wonder why when women change hair people it's like a divorce? I feel like I'm sneaking around behind my hair stylist's back and cheating on her. so if you see her, tell her I've gone to the gym or had to work late.

I'm in the kitchen pouring some soy milk into a sippy cup for Piper after she has woken up from her nap and she rubs my leg and says,

"Mama, you're the best, the best maker of milk."