Just a couple groceries

We had quite the busy weekend.  Casey was off of school Thursday, Friday and then today.  So Friday, Casey and I went to Philly to visit Michelle and Adrienne.  Two of my friends from college.  Michelle has two little boys, so Casey had lots of fun playing with them.  Then Friday night, we took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.  They LOVED it!  When they walked in, they said (loudly), “That’s a BIG TV!”  Saturday evening Steve had some meetings and then Sunday was church.  Steve also had a wedding on Sunday night.

So on Sunday, I knew I needed some groceries for the week.  I only had 12-14 items on my list.  So I thought, this shouldn’t be too bad going with the 3 kids by myself – WRONG!  I’m hoping by writing this post, it will be a concrete reminder for me to NEVER TAKE ALL THREE TO THE GROCERY STORE!

For starters, the high on Sunday was 19 degrees and windy.  So getting all into and out of, the store was pretty cold.  They wanted the “car cart”.  Which can be handy for 3 kids.  But, that implies that they STAY in the car cart – which of course didn’t happen.  But, at least this time they didn’t go running into produce and start throwing “balls” (apples) to each other.  I had to buy a couple apples that shopping trip.

So they started the shopping trip out ok.  I told them all that they would get a special treat if they were good, and I specified good (no running, screaming, fighting, throwing things and stay with Mommy).  Well, we got to the ice-cream isle and they wanted to get ice-cream to go with Daddy’s cake. (his birthday is today)  So I let them pick it out while I went to get the frozen pancakes.  I come back to the cart, and yes – three different kinds of frozen treats.  So with tears, we put some back.  Then we continue and I have to say “No” to lots of things they are attempting to put in the cart (mainly the boys).  No candy, no chips, no fruit snacks, no koolaide, no chocolate, no cake mix and, “OH MY CHASE, put that glass jar of applesauce down – CAREFULLY!”  And Casey, “For the 100th time, stop laying in the car cart with your head and feet hanging out, you’re going to get bumped in the head.”

Then I’m at an end of the isle and about to finish my trip.  I’m a little excited because nothing TOO terrible has happened AND we made it through produce without incident.  Then I hear the screeching cry of Chase.  He’s screaming through his tears, “Julian hit me, Julian hit me!”  I gave him a hug and got him settled down.  We reach the checkout and are in line.  I look down at Chase a little closer and realize that he has blood all throughout his mouth and dripping!  I quickly got down and started examining his mouth.  I asked him what happened and he said, “Julian hit me with a pen.”  (quick summary, Julian pulled a pen out of my purse and in a scuffle with Chase, “hit” him with a pen, pearcing his mouth).  So as I’m trying to wipe his mouth, I feel many “eyes” on me.  Probably from hearing me say,” Oh my, you’re bleeding!”  A nice women offered a wet nap, which helped.  So I got a hold of Julian, with angry face in tow, and placed him firmly in the car cart and told him, “Don’t you dare move out of this seat – time out!”

By this time I’m feeling overheated, tired and just want to LEAVE!  But of course, I get the Sssslllloooowwweeesssttt bagger in the entire world!  So I spend the next 10 minutes saying no to all the candy Chase is pulling out of the isle.  Then telling him that, “No, you can’t go in the car cart with Julian.”  And many times saying, “Casey, yes we are leaving soon, and I know you’re hungry.”  So a short walk through the Tundra and getting the bags as fast as I possibly can into the car – WE ARE DONE!

 Results:

Kids = NO special treats

Mom = NO more grocery shopping with three

Our little star

As many of you know, Casey started her school “career” at Renaissance Academy Charter School.  In Kindergarten she’s doing outstanding and we love the curriculum.  Not only does it focus on the basic reading, writing, math, science, etc.  But the overall focus at Renaissance is to “build” the student as a whole.  To teach them respect, justice, hope and courage are some of their core values.  In my opinion, you can leave school and be an A+ student.  But if you don’t have the confidence in yourself, don’t know yourself and don’t understand how the “world works”, your potential is less. 

Not only are we impressed with their core values, but they really push kids to be independent.  But not in a bad way.  They teach them, even in kindergarten, to be responsible for their own actions and things.  They also teach them how to solve problems on their own and how to express their feelings (sad, happy, angry) in a productive manner.  All these things really make a well rounded student, child and future grown-up.

They’ve really dived into the Reading program in her class and Casey is reading so well!  She’s also doing very well with Math and can add and subtract.  She’s definitely an intelligent little girl.

I REALLY love the school’s Code of Conduct (I’ve highlighted my favorite part):

I AM HERE TO LEARN - Therefore I will:

• Respect myself, others, and the environment. 
• Cooperate with all school personnel. 
• Do nothing to keep the teacher from teaching, or keep anyone, including myself, from learning.

Casey has her parent teacher conference this afternoon, so I was looking over her report card.  Her teacher had the following to say about her and I got a tear of admiration in my eye:

“Casey is a kind, gracious, and wonderful student, who has a beautiful smile that lights up her face.  She plays well with all the other children and has many friends.  She enjoys running and playing tag during outside recess.  Casey exemplifies the core values of justice, hope and courage.  She is kind and friendly to everyone and treats all fairly.  She offers hope and friendship to all, but especially to those students who are having a difficult day.  She has been a positive role model this entire year!  Keep up the great behavior Casey!”

SO proud!

So we had the big trip on Saturday and Chase did well.  Stayed dry in the car and pee’d at Gramme’s and Steve’s cousins.  But, also had two #2 accidents on Saturday and Sunday.  I was getting a little frustrated with Chase, wondering if we jumped the gun with potty training.  He just didn’t seem to get the #2.  Then, even though he had no pee accidents, he’d only go if we were in the bathroom with him and made him concentrate on going.

So yesterday, he was off to school.  He had to ride the bus for almost an hour, go to his morning IU class and then to his pre-school class.  Well, he did awesome!  He went in the morning before the bus, stayed dry on his bus and all through is IU class.  He wouldn’t go there for them, but that’s ok.  So he got to pre-school and went twice there and no accidents!  He came home last night and we knew he had to go #2 since he hadn’t gone all day.  So we watched him like a hawk and sent him in numerous times.  Finally, right before bed, I sat with him and read him a story while he was on the potty.  He went #2 and very excitedly said, “I went poopy Mommy!  Now I get my cupcake!”.  That was his reward and he was very excited.  He gets such a big smile when he goes on the potty.  He’s so proud of himself and we are VERY proud of him!

A Successful Day

Nine pee’s, three little poops, and one big poop on the potty with only one accident – makes this a very successful Day in the Life of Potty Training Chase.  I think Chase got a hold of Casey’s juice (with miralax in it) and drank some yesterday.  He usually doesn’t go #2 this much.  At least it gave him practice with it.    He also woke up dry from a 2 hour nap. 

At the beginning of the day we made a list of people that he wanted to call after he had his successes on the potty.  Sponge Bob was one.  So in the middle of the day after some successes, I had Steve call and pretend he was Sponge Bob.  Steve is very good at voices and Chase was convinced it was Sponge Bob.  Casey was home by then (1/2 day today) and I had the speaker phone on.  She was convinced too!  It was hilarious.  Then Chase asked to speak to Patrick and Planktin (two other characters).  So Chase heard Sponge Bob say that he was proud of him for going on the potty.  GO Steve!  Chase also really likes, “Super Readers”.  It’s a show called “Super Why”, but he calls it Readers.  I was going to have him “call”, but the voice isn’t really unique.  Maybe another day.

Tomorrow we’re making a trip to Lancaster to see Gramme.  I’m a little nervous how it’s going to go in the car and then being distracted at other houses.  We’ll just have to remember to take him often and be sure to bring extra clothes.

Overall, a great day!  More than I expected.  We are very very proud of him!

Last in line for the potty

Well, I’ve decided that it’s time to give Chase a little push to “no more diapers”.  Casey potty trained easily and Julian was a breeze!  Chase is just about 3 1/2, stays dry for most naps and occasionally wakes up in the morning dry.  He’s also been sitting on the potty for quite sometime at daycare, a couple times each day.  He can also pull his own pants/pull-up, up and down.  So, I think it’s time to work on the “brain” part of potty training.

I’ve been talking to him about going on the potty and wearing big boy underwear.  His response had always been, “Underwear is for Julian.”  (meaning, not for him)  So I’ve finally convinced him that he’s a big boy too and it’s time to put poop and pee in the potty.  No more diapers.  He’s stopped saying underwear for Julian, so I hope he’s pumped up like I am.

My sister, Michelle, used a method that seemed to work well for her son, Caleb.  It’s a book from 1976 that potty trains in less than a day.  Sounds pretty ambitious, but the process is very intense.  It’s done in about 4 hours.  The child doesn’t play with toys, puzzles or watch TV during this time.  Every 15 minutes on the potty and the focus is for them to keep their pants dry.  Lots of fluids and snacks for rewards and to make them thirsty.  That’s the very very short version.  I’m just about done reading the book.  So, I’m planning on Friday to keep just Chase home from school and give this a try.

I bought some cool big boy underwear, plus great snacks, some Sponge Bob and Cars straw cups and spider man snack bowls.  I’m ready!  Now lets just hope he is.  

I’ll keep you posted.

Casey’s dream

Casey with wide eyes and lots of excitement, “Mommy, guess what I dreamed last night?” 

Mommy, “What’s that Case?” 

Casey with continued excitement and big smile, “I dreamed that cake, all different kinds, was falling from the sky going everywhere.  It was all wrapped in tape, not too much tape, but enough so it wouldn’t fall apart.  Then I would catch it and take the tape off and eat it.  Wouldn’t that be great Mommy?  We could eat cake all the time.  Yum!” 

So it’s a new year…

We all have “resolutions” that we try every year – some stick, some don’t.  The famous – I need to lose weight - which is on my list this year too!  But right now, I’m really going to try my best to “Get rid of the clutter!”  As some of you know, we live in a small house.  At least for 5 people it’s small.  It’s a twin house and seems to be a nice size for a twin.  But for all the “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the past 6 years, space seems to be very minimal.

 Our attic is really getting stuffed.  So, since we’ve decided 3 is enough, out we go with all the baby stuff.  I’ve started selling some big items at my jobs’ “Online exchange” and have sold some.  I’m also planning to set up a meeting with my local consignment shop to also get rid of some too.  And then, for the rest – Goodwill!  Having twins really left us with double the amount of baby clothes, gear, etc.  And then Casey has LOTS of little girl clothes as well. 

If anyone has any other ideas for selling things, let me know.  I have thought of the eBay route – but it is QUITE time consuming.  To get each piece cleaned with a good picture, posting it, selling it, mailing it – it would be a full-time job with all the stuff we have!

 So here’s my decree – I promise to myself to get at least 1 bag a week out of my attic/house.  Be it, sell it or goodwill it.  I feel that if I post this for you all to read, that it will help keep me more accountable.  Feel free to ask me how I’m doing with it.  (and Dear – maybe a bag from the basement a week? )

Good luck to all the resolutions out there – stay strong in 2008!

When is it time to trim the nose hairs?

Possibly, when your five year old daughter is sitting on your lap, looks up very concerned and says, “Mommy, why do you have spider webs in your nose?”

Little Boys

There’s just something about little boys, that just brightens your day.  Of course they can be rowdy and not want to listen.  And it does seem at times that they really can never stay in one place unless there’s food in front of them or their favorite TV show is on.  When I was in pre-school and kindergarten, my parents would listen to stories from school that would always start out with, “Guess what those boys did today”.  And to this day, I still have stories that start with, “Guess what those boys did today”. 

I think back to the early days of pregnancy with the boys, when we didn’t know they were boys.  I really thought that I wanted another girl.  I grew up with 2 sisters and loved having sisters.  I really wanted that for Casey.  Of course, I ultimately just wanted two healthy babies.  So, I must admit, that when we found out that the twins were boys, I felt an ounce of disappointment that Casey wouldn’t have a sister.  Boy am I glad that I wasn’t in charge of that decision!  I love our family dynamic of 2 boys and 1 girl.  It keeps Casey from getting too “girlie” and she tries her best to help keep the boys in line.

 I never would have known how the mother/son relationship fills your heart.  It’s SO different than the mother/daughter relationship – and it’s really something that you’d have to experience to understand.  I think part of it is that they are so rough and tough (at least mine are) and yet, they’ll always take the time to come and give you a hug and kiss on the cheek.  No matter what they’re doing.

 Julian really likes hugs and kisses too.  He’ll come up to me at times and say, “I need hugs Mommy.”  What he’s also learned lately, is when I’m in the middle of scolding him for something he’s done, he’ll say while tilting his head a little and giving heart felt eyes,” I need hugs Mommy.”  Boy they learn early!  The one thing that Julian says that I love, is when I’m putting him to bed and I give him kisses and hugs, he’ll say, “Mommy, I need to kiss your cheek”.  CUTE!

Chase is very cute with his hugs.  He really loves to give hugs and I find myself wanting to give him long hugs.  Sometimes, if I try to give too long of a hug he’ll say, “That’s enouf, that’s enouf, Mommy” in a very cute way.  The other night was one of my best times as a Mom.  I was sitting on Chase’s bed asking him about his day.  He went to give me a hug and before I could say anything, he said very clearly, “I love you very much Mommy”.  For a 3 1/2 year old boy who was once very speech delayed, these words brought tears to my eyes.  I think that was one of those moments that I’ll never forget.

Welcome!

I’ve been wanting to enter into blog land for a while now.  I enjoy being a lurker on other sites and I thought it would be therapeutic for me to have one myself. 

It’s amazing how difficult it can be to come up with a blog name!  We live on Nutt Road – hence the name.  Our household also inspired the name.  Our twin boys (3 1/2 – Julian and Chase) with their endless amounts of energy and our 5 1/2 year old daughter Casey (who can be quite the instigator and is always talking) - makes our house pretty nuts at times (and some days, a majority of the time).  Don’t get me wrong, we love our kids and we all have lots of fun together.  But, I’m sure over time you’ll learn why our house, is definitely “The Nutt House”.

 I hope you’ll enjoy reading this blog.  I see this blog being full of my life as a mother of 3, a wife, a sister, a daughter and a friend.  I was definitely NOT an “A” student in English, so you’ll have to bear with the lack of good grammar and word usage.  At least WordPress has spell check!  =)