Last night, being the safe conscience mother that I am … HA! … I made a ramp for my children (ages almost 2 and almost 5, remember) to ride their bikes over.  Actually, I made it for Sister to ride her bike over and Brother got into the action on his scooter.  She (Sister) had already spent an hour running through the “mommy” sprinkler (an advanced water sprinkler mechanism that involves water, a hose, and the thumb of a mother), riding through the “mommy sprinkler”, riding in circles, in zig-zags, with no feet, with only one hand…. and I was out of answers for the inevitable “What next, Mom?”  It wasn’t an elaborate ramp but it occupied the remaining 20 minutes before bedtime.  After such a good time with the kids last night, I foolishly thought that things were beginning to settle down and that my dream of the simple life was starting to become a reality … and maybe it is … but (you had to know that was coming)…. today the cousins showed up about 40 minutes after I got out of bed.  Notice I did not say after I woke up since I don’t technically consider myself awake until at least an hour after my feet hit the floor in the morning.  So, the cousins came by, there was some sort of problem with the phones, an ordeal getting a carpet cleaner, an issue with the cleaner once he arrived, a few other random problems I was not expecting and a couple of meltdowns (me, not the kids).   It seemed that everyone wanted something and I just did not have it to give.  I took Brother for a ride so he would take a nap and called Will while I was out.   And I remember now yet another reason why I married him.  This afternoon has been every bit as hectic as this morning.  There have been just as many requests, demands and interuptions but I am calm now because my husband listened to me talk about my petty world and let me cry when I needed to and said I was doing a good job.  Thank you, sweetie. 

This morning started out with a lie. Oh, it was a little one and didn’t really hurt anybody but it was a lie nonetheless. What makes it notable however is that Brother was the one to tell it. I had given him a diaper which he took into the other room. He returned without the diaper and when I asked, “Where is the diaper? We need to change you.” He replied, “Daddy change me.” and flashed one of those, “do you think she’ll see through me?” looks that people seem to get when they aren’t very good at fibs. I don’t see this as a trend but still, he’s not even two yet. It was a little disturbing.
And about the diapers - I’ve settled on half n’ half. I can’t bring myself to spend very much on diapers when I have a completely viable alternative right in front of me but I can’t deal with nighttime/naptime leaking either. I am trying to be responsible with the diapers I do buy. The current favorite: Seventh Generation No cutsy characters but they work every bit as good as Pampers…. without the allergies.
I found a seat for Brother that attaches to the back of an adult bike. Not one of those you pull behind but one that actually attaches to the bike. I might stress here that the instructions say ” Fits most adult bicycles” and also that I do not actually have an adult bicycle. Still, after much struggle, I safely (or so I thought) attached the seat. The whole point of this endeavor was to allow Sister, Brother and I to ride our bikes across the Jenks pedestrian bridge….which we did. Across and back… and that was all. Because my bicycle is apparently smaller than normal the seat (and Brother) are much closer to the pedals than they should be. Brother kept sticking his feet up and kicking the back of my knees as we rode. The idea is sound but the execution was poor. I will find a larger bike and try again. On a similar note, Sister loved riding across the bridge and wants to go back very soon. I think it was excellent exercise (for her and me) and also want to go back.
Another great bedtime book from the library - Sleepytime Rhyme by Remy Charlip. It should probably bother me that all my book recommendations are for the under 6 crowd but it doesn’t . Write about what you know.
Oh, and my dad bought a horse today. She won’t arrive for a month but I am looking forward to learning to ride again (I assume that’s something you have to relearn??) and to teaching Sister and Brother.

I’m not certain how it happened but we went to Petco to get a fish (a cheap fish, I might add) and came away with no fish but a promise to Sister that we would get a bird when the house painting was finished.  For a 4 yr old, she’s very sneaky.   Anyway, a couple of days later it was time to make good on my word.  Meet Sparkle & Dash our newest feathered friends. 

My favorite blog has come to an end. I am actually sad about this which is a little strange considering I don’t even know this person but I identify with almost everything she has written and even more so with her reasons for stopping.
“As much as I would like to be a good mother, a good homemaker, and a good blogger, the fact is I can really only manage two out of three.” - Selkie
So many roles to fill and not so much time. It’s the same reason I am no longer a partner at Natural Lullabies. The cause is just but I can’t justify the time such a cause requires.
Of late my only appointments have been related to selling the house, storytime, Little Gym and of course dates with my boyfriend. The house madness will end soon enough and then basically everything I do will revolve around my family. I will still be busy … probably (I seem to have a need for multiple projects.) but it will be a meaningful business. It will be a business with lasting value. Growing a strong family is a noble cause that too many have forsaken. I no longer want to one of that “many”.

1.  Get Estimates 2.  Don’t go with the lowest bid. 3.  Check references. 

4.  Don’t hire anyone whose paint clothes have more paint than fabric. 5.  Get records from his eye doctor. 6. Purchase your own paints for him to use. (The color may actually match with this method.) 7.  There is no shame in saying you picked the wrong painter… if you discover this, get him out of the house as quickly as possible. (okay, so there’s a little shame in it but still better to admit the mistake than have a blind painter in the house.) 

Oh the little lessons of life….  

Here are the highlights for Monday, June 17th Grandma left early in the morning for her trip to DC and Papa left that afternoon so we are all alone for the first time since moving to 8700.  It’s a little strange not hearing the movements upstairs or having someone to eat lunch with … and being completely responsible for the kids again.  I hadn’t quite realized how much pressure is removed just knowing there is another adult around who could help if asked.  I am going to try to get the upstairs kitchen in order before they (read she) comes back.  I have already thrown out a box (a large box) of tupperware lids with no tupperware. (I think I’ll just keep my comments to myself about that one.) 

In other news, Sister can yo-yo.  I found a Duncan in some of Aunt R.’s stuff this weekend (that’s another story) and within a morning Sister had figured it out.  She’s actually about as good as I am at this point.  Which is not saying much except that she is 4 and I am …. ahem … over 25. As on every Monday evening for the past few weeks, we picked up Cousin I. and made our sojourn to storytime.  The only evening storytime is across town at Hardesty library so the half hour event actually takes an hour and a half.  But it’s okay.  It’s an oppurtunity to get the kids familiar with the library and reading, it’s fun and it’s free.  I can’t believe how many kid friendly, free (and relatively cheap) activities there are in Tulsa.  Anyone who is bored this summer just isnt’ looking. 

Will and Sister went to Gate this weekend, had a great time, and bought a piano.  $95 with the bench and a whole scad of music.  James and Sheila brought it for us Monday evening.  Given our space constraints I was a little dismayed when Will told me of his purchase but it is so perfect for living room and now the children (& I) will be able to learn together. 

When Sister was a baby it never occurred to me to use cloth diapers. Pins and Folding and Leaking!?! No way! With Brother, I considered the option just because by then I knew there actually were options. Snappies, velcro, & buttons made the idea more agreeable. Still the ease of staying mainstream kept us from that route until (15 mo) Brother developed a mysterious rash - bumpy, blotchy, red, obviously uncomfortable (even painful at times) and absolutely impossible to treat. Could it be the diapers? Around 19 months our pediatrician confirmed that it was an allergic reaction and agreed with our assesment that the diapers were to blame. And so began the big switch. A quick Google revealed so many choices….everyone with a name cuter than the last. (Tiny Tush, Swaddlebees, Bumkins, Bummis, Kissaluvs, Bum Genius, Mother-Ease, Kushies.) And everyone with ads and disads. (high cost, low cost, great for day not for night and naps, needs a cover but easy to wash, doesn’t need a cover but only fits one size.) Finally, we settled on Fuzzi Bunz - cute, huh? And the rash disappeared overnight.
Skip ahead 4 months. We are in the middle of moving, Brother needs a change and the cloth diapers are “all the way” downstairs. I sneak a disposable from Grandma’s stash and hope that the allergy won’t pick up on the trick until the next change. It doesn’t. A couple of days later, it happens again. I can feel myself slipping back into mainstream. I have never regreted or resented the switch to cloth. I really never thought of it as any more or less difficult than disposables… until now. But it’s more than just our move prompting me to think of changing back. In the hot weather, the cloth diapers have started causing a rash and after 4 days the disposables have not. Even double duty nighttime diapers have started leaking. And the biggest reason of all, Brother actually likes changing when we use the “elmo, bird” diapers. He actually wants to change and tells me when he needs a change. These are actions I was told to expect from a toddler wearing cloth but with cloth my son runs away and says, “NO!” even when he clearly needs a new diaper.
I have washed all my Fuzzi Bunz and am going through the leftover Pampers. There is about a week’s worth left. Decisions, decisions.

Okay - so I get a form from ye old IRS stating that Tech-It-Easy  (that is to say “I”) failed to pay almost $750 in payroll taxes back in Q3 of 2004.   And that not only are they due now but there will be interest and penalties for the time they were unpaid and there will be interest and penalties on the interest and penalties until they are paid.  Does this sound like a scam to anyone else??  On top of all of this, after some digging (this was almost 2 years ago), I figure out that I DID pay them.  I even have an EFTPS confirmation # to prove it.  In fact, I even over paid them by a penny.   One thing I failed to do however is file the form that said that I paid them.  Only with the government would the form be more important than the actual cash.   Anyway, enough ranting.  I really just need to be praising God about it because 1) I don’t actually owe $750 2) I was able to find the confirmation # to back up my claim and 3) I came across the IRS letter in time.  Apparently, sometime during the move it got stuck in the bottom of one of the moving boxes along with some junk mail.  I just happened to unpack the box yesterday.  The letter states that I only have 30 days to dispute the claim.  Thank you Lord for always providing an on time solution. 

Note to self:  Confirm that ibackup is working BEFORE harddrive crashes and you can’t get to all of your very important data including your MS Money file that allows you to generate invoices (and get paid) and keeps you updated on where you are financially so you don’t get THREE overdraft fees even when you actually have the money in another account and could have prevented them with a simple transfer.   On a similar note the guys at Aktec Computer were great.  They actually did save the data albeit not soon enough to save the bank fees. 

Brother’s favorite book of late is Hush, Little Alien by Daniel Kirk.    We actually sing it instead of reading (the tune is the same as “Hush, Little Baby“).  He’s so cute when he says the title.  It’s more like Hush, lil aien.  Cute story and apparently, we’re not the only ones reading it.  Another favorite - Ten, Nine, Eight by Molly Bang