Things

I always struggle to come up with things to say in my monthly letters
and the minute I publish them I think of a ton of things. Some of
these things are old but I want to have them jotted down somewhere.
A lot of times I read someone else's blog and it triggers a memory so
that's where some of these things are coming from.

Madison:
Says "dwangwus" for dangerous
Says "me-wow" for meow

Jackson:
insists on getting in the car by himself. he can't do the carseat
buckles so I still do that for him but he likes to "help" me close
the door.
can open the fridge door. our fridge is on the top so he can't
actually get anything out but he insists on opening it.

OK, so it wasn't exactly a ton but I'm sure I'm forgetting more again.

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Today was "one of those days". It started with some butter fingery
moves that involved dropping things including a half carton of eggs
that landed on Jackson's large dump truck before smashing on the
floor. The best part was the egg being in all the nooks and crannies
of the truck and the time I had to spend cleaning and sanitizing it.
I'm sure I bumped into a few things. Then I went to Target and when
I got home couldn't find my wallet anywhere. I called the store and
they had it there THANK GOD!!!!! So I picked it up on my way to a
birthday party with the kids. At the birthday party Madison had a
hideous meltdown RIGHT as everyone was singing happy birthday. I'm
so happy that her screaming is going to be on their home video for
all time. I have no idea what set her off but I could NOT get her to
calm down. I had to bring her outside because I felt bad subjecting
everyone else to it. She kept screaming that she wanted to go inside
and I explained that if she stopped crying we could go inside. She'd
stop crying then the second we stepped foot in the house she would
start screaming again. I ended up putting her in the car and leaving
her alone (while standing outside the car out of her sight) for about
4 minutes. That seemed to do the trick and we were able to go back
in and enjoy the rest of the party. I was apologizing to my friend
who really didn't know what I was apologizing for because it was no
big deal to her. I ended up shedding a few tears (which is like
hysterically crying for me) so I knew I was really stressed out.

I've really been not myself lately. With the kids being so difficult
I've found my patience (which I usually have an overabundance of) to
be absolutely gone. I notice myself sighing and groaning and being
short with the kids when they ask for something. I HATE that I am
like that. They're good kids and i love them to pieces and I don't
want to get in the habit of talking like that with them. But it's
literally one thing after another with them. "Want milk!!!" Get up
to get milk. The minute I sit down, "want crackers!!!" Get up to
get crackers. The minute i sit down, "wanna watch mickey." Get up
to turn on Mickey. The minute I sit down, "mama, hold me!!!"
AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!! I know I signed up for this in a very
enthusiastic way and I really can't complain but I seriously had no
idea how hard they could actually be. I just want our lives together
to be happy and not filled with aggravation and annoyance. Any advice?

Awissa

Alyssa (or Awissa as M&J say) is going to be spending some time with us on Fridays so Auntie Kristen can work for a few hours. Last Friday was the first day. She was good as gold and even took a great 50 minute nap for me. She's not a good napper so I was very happy with that :-)

Of course the minute I set up the P&P for her, Madison and Jackson wanted to get in.

Then they were playing peek-a-boo with her under their blankets. They always make her laugh.

Last birthday post

We waited until we got home from their birthday party to open presents. Since it was such a warm day (70s) we brought the gifts out to the patio to open them.

They got harmonicas...

books

a beautiful hand me down dance costume

a new hess truck

a tool bench

a tea set, lots of other clothes, a big bull dozer, and a mini kitchen set.

and kisses from daddy.

This little girl is going to be the death of me

So far she's been screaming/crying for 60 minutes. It started out
that Jackson hit her. I asked if she had a boo boo and she said no.
Then she continued to demand things so I told her I wasn't going to
listen to her until she stopped crying. Yeah, that was an hour ago.
"Wanna get up." "Watch Mickey." "Want cheerios." Over and over and
over and over again.
Jackson has been an ANGEL through the whole thing. He has asked very
nicely for cheerios and I made a HUGE deal about the fact that he
asked without crying and that OF COURSE he could have some. But she
obviously didn't get it.
She's been sitting next to Jackson in the big chair screaming in his
ear. I can't believe he hasn't hauled off and punched her in the face.
Now we're on 70 minutes and I KNOW the minute she stops crying
Jackson will have a meltdown that I have to deal with.
I SERIOUSLY need a vacation. Like an entire week ALONE.

Birthday party

We had the kids' party yesterday at the big play place that all of our friends have had their parties. We went back and forth about having the party at our house or at a play place. The guest list consisted of mostly kids and the thought of not having to clean, buy stuff, set up, and clean up was really nice.

I got the cakes from the same cake lady I get all my cakes from including our wedding cake. I sent her pictures of what I wanted and I got these gorgeous cakes.

Sophia had fun playing.

Pizza, balloons, drinks, and ice cream were included.

Jackson watching everyone sing to him.

Maddie watching everyone sing to her. I had everyone sing twice so they each had their own song and chance to blow their candles.

Nichole won the jackpot on this machine. All the kids were so excited.

This is what she got with her tickets.

March 17, 2010: Madison and Jackson's 3rd birthday

Chris took the day off again this year so he could spend it with us. It was the first day it wasn't raining in 3 days so we were all very excited to get outside and play!

Jackson was doing everything with his tongue sticking out that day.

Getting their birthday cards out of the mailbox.

I noticed that my crocuses were in bloom! Spring spring spring!!!

Uncle Mike, Auntie Kristen, and Alyssa came over to give them their presents.

Maddie was loving her Minnie bathing suite coverup.

Little did we know what was contained in this box would be the most prized gift she ever received. It was from Nana Fitzy. Maddie calls it her princess case. It's a plush makeup case with stuffed makeup in it...a lipstick, a compact, and nail polish. She sleeps with it every night and has to take it everywhere she goes.

Here she is walking around with it.

Nana and Papa came over to visit in the evening.

When Jackson sees Nana he puts his arm out like this to her.

He knows she will kiss it all the way up. It makes him laugh so hard.

We were outside from 10am to 7pm minus a two hour nap. It was a fabulous family day celebrating Madison and Jackson's 3rd birthday.