Trying to redeem myself

Ok so I notice that once again this blog was on the back burner...ugh!! I hope I am not kidding myself when it comes to this task. I am going to attempt to update on my little munchkins. Kaitlyn started school!!! I cannot believe she is old enough for this. She loves it!! I knew she would, she is such her mama's girl!


We celebrated our Sweet Jack's birthday!! So fun at Little Gym

We went to the pumpkin patch AND we celebrated Halloween with our dearest friends, The Morris Family.
Kaitlyn: Gypsy, Karsyn: Jesse (Toy Story), Jackson: Dinosaur





It was a wonderful eventful few months especially October. Can't wait to see what the holidays bring!

Update

I have posted on 2 of my 3 goals so far. I have waited on the last one because that is the trickiest one for me. Balance...I have tried to keep up with everything so far this school year and for a few weeks I did great. I set a schedule of my housework instead of doing it all on the weekend, I would get right to work on all things school that came through my email. I have worked on my plan time instead of visiting. I have also worked on my lunch break but now that we are 5 weeks into school, Dance has started, a week of testing is over, etc. I am back to cleaning on the weekends actually cleaning and working ALL day Sunday---the day of rest. Not for the weary I guess. I need to get back into my weekly routine and get things under control. I know I did feel less stressed that first few weeks of school when I was spreading out the work and not just letting it go until the weekend. Any tips from my readers (there are some readers, right??) to help me stay on track?

You want me to eat that?

Wow! I try and get on here to post and then LIFE happens. I am going to reveal some things in this blog that I am not really all that comfortable talking about but if I want to accept it and change it then I have to put it out there. My second goal on my list was about getting healthy. I had a very in-depth discussion with a friend of mine that lost about 210 lbs in a course of a year!! I know A-MA-ZING right!! well I don't need to get that drastic but I do need to get serious. Over the course of the 13 years I have lived in a town that prides themselves on anything that is FRIED, I have gained (no judgements here people) 70 lbs!! yes I know it is a lot. I always said about the people on tv that are like 500 lbs, "don't they know when they have put on 100 lbs. Why let it to be so much." Well after weighing myself the other day, I thought, you know to a normal sized person it would seem like you would notice but I WAS a normal sized person and I didn't notice the first 30 lbs hardly at all. My pants were tighter but I still wore the same size. Now that I am about 3 sizes bigger than when I moved here, I realize I really need to make some changes and not pretend like everything is fine when in fact this is the first time since a teenager that my weight has bothered me and I have been self conscious about it. So back to my plan. Like I stated before, my friend "K" told me to do a basal metabolic rate test.Here is the link (hopefully) http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Then I could decide how I was going to eat my calories through out the day. He suggested doing a protein bar combo because it was less calories but kept you full longer. I have been doing this for two weeks now. I eat protein bar breakfast and lunch. Sometimes I have a mini protein bar in between if I am really hungry. I have to say I was skeptical at first, I thought I was going to be craving all kinds of goodies that the PTA usually brings but thankfully I have have be satisfied through out the day. Also I haven't got "bored" with it and I don't think about food ALL day long like I did before. I love it. I have lost 2.5 lbs doing this. For dinner mind you I pretty much have what I want but I do try and keep it healthy. I haven't been able to squeeze gym time into my schedule yet with all of the open house/ back to school night stuff that has been going on but I will get it in there. Hopefully this will help shed the pounds even faster. Wish me luck!!

getting organized?

hello peeps. It has been waaaaay longer than I had anticipated to get to this post. I have been super busy these last few weeks. We drove cross country, my mom was here for a few weeks helping me get my classroom in order. I have been and actually still am working on the finishing touches on said classroom. As I mentioned before I am a bit OCD. Seriously people this is not just an expression for me... Ok so back to my goals. Goal number one is to get organized. I stated that I hate worrying about home while at work and visa versa. One of the time management times I am trying is to schedule my household like a job. This may be a no brainer for the SAHM that have been doing this for years, I praise you for staying so organized. I always said I don't think I could be a SAHM for the simple fact that I am a procrastinator. BIG TIME. (is it possible to be OCD and a procrastinator, hmmm) If I was home every day I would be like oh I could do that tomorrow and tomorrow would turn into next week or month. OK OK back the matter at hand. I wrote down all of my chores I do around the house and split them into certain nights of the week. I have a few nights that I have the kids dance classes so I left those as the chore for that night. I have tried it this week and there were a few nights I tried to talk myself into just doing extra duty another night of the week but forced my rear off the couch. I have to say that I am very happy with how it is going so far. I do want to work in my gym schedule in there and they may but the "chore" days may have to be condensed a little. I am positive that this is going to work for me. I am hoping that this works tenfold for me as in I am so busy I don't think about eating as much which in turn will help with another goal of mine (to be discussed at a later date). I am learning how to use the apps on my phone to keep me going and keep me on track. Wish me luck:)

I gave birth to a fish

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stay tuned...

I know I said I was going to fill you in on how I was going to accomplish each one of my goals this year. I am leaving in the morning to travel back home to Oklahoma so I will post about them after the weekend. I am not looking forward to heading into 100+ heat when it has been a wonderfully sunny yet breezy 80ish degrees here in Upstate NY. Hope everyone has a safe and "cool" weekend.

I want to write about me??

Yes you read correctly, I want to write about me. I started this blog as a way for my family that lives 1350 miles away from me. I would post about my family, mostly just things about the kiddos to show their growth, creativity, humor, etc. I have been reading several blogs for about a year now and I really want to post more on here as an outlet for MY own growth, creativity, humor, etc. Sometimes (like right after I wrote that) I feel guilty for wanting something to be about me instead of about just my kids. I'm sure a lot of parents go through this dilemma. I am starting to understand that when I take time for me then it is making my children's life better.

Today, I want to tell you about three goals I have for myself:

1. Get more organized- I am really more OCD than I would like to admit but since the divorce I have been a more than a little slack in this area. Whether it be with my time for getting things done, cleaning (no we do not live in a barn), or just time management in general.

2. Get healthier- I say healthier because it is more than just the losing weight part that I am concerned with. I really want to be a runner and I have attempted to achieve this goal on several different stages in my life only to find something to keep me from accomplishing it. Again the divorce is a year and a half behind me and I am ready to move on with my life: acceptance, dating, etc. I am just ready to say I am single and feel good about it. I want to get healthy with my finances also which I believe all of the these issues come from the same place inside me. I need to make a change within me to grow with success.

3. Get more balance- I feel like I wear so many hats in this life; mother,teacher, and friend. (just to name a few) I want to stop feeling like my house is a mess because I needed to focus on my classroom or my classroom is so disorganized because I had a mess of laundry to do at my house. I hate being late (it gives me that fight or flight feeling) but I am ALWAYS late, it doesn't matter if I get up hours ahead of time, I am always late. I want to avoid that next year also.

Those a few of my goals for this school year. *note* I am a teacher so my new year's resolutions do not start on Jan 1 but in Aug LOL My year runs from Aug to July. You have heard the goals that I would like to accomplish. Tune in for my plan of actions for each of these goals. Please leave me a comment and tell me what you think. I could use all the encouragement that I can get here, folks =)

I gave birth to a fish!

We spent the day at my grandparents today, actually we have spent the last few days there and probably the next few since we are leaving the great state of NY on Friday. ((sigh)) I am ready to head home but not ready to leave. Ok back to my topic. My grandparents opened the pool late this year and we have been out swimming any chance we can before we head home. (wow! Sorry about the depression, yikes!) Like I said we were swimming the other day and my youngest niece was in the pool with out floaties. We were all in there just in case, but she was "swimming" and so excited about it. It got me thinking that Kaitlyn is such a good "swimmer" with her floaties that I should let her try it without anything keeping her above water. (well she can touch but still) Flash forward to today, we all got in the pool and I say,"Hey Kaitee, want to take these off (arm floaters)?" She couldn't wait!! We tore those suckers off and she was off like lightening!! OMFishy! She was swimming across the pool and I mean S W I M M I N G not "swimming". She was doing the head under mostly, kicking her way across the pool but she was swimming!!! I was so happy for her!! We stayed out in the pool for about 3 hours!! Not lying here people, I was 33 when I got in but looked 93 when I got out!! LOL She just kept telling me that she could almost touch her head on the bottom and that now she could dive for the rings. I didn't know I was holding her back folks!! I was afraid, I don't want anything bad to happen to her EVER!! I know now though that I WAS the bad for her by hold her back. By the end of the 3 hours she showed me how to do a front roll UNDER water and a back roll!! Good Gravy this girl was on fire! I have a video of it but it doesn't seem to want to load. I will post it later.

Birthdays, birthdays all around

I was sitting here thinking about what to write about as I finished up the cupcakes for tomorrow's festivities. We are having the mother of birthday parties. My daughter, Karsyn was born on the same day as my first niece, Madison so when we come to NY for the summers we end up having a combined birthday party. Now this was great at first but now Maddi just turned 9 and Karsyn is only 3, that is a major difference in interest. This may be the last birthday we get to celebrate as one. I remember how excited we all were (Maddi included) to have a shared birth date. I guess we just weren't thinking this far ahead.

This is going to get a little off track so bare with me. I need to give you a little back story. My oldest daughter, Kaitlyn has her birthday in May and Karsyn has her birthday in July. When the kids were babies, The Daddy (my ex) and I discussed just having one party in the middle for friends and family since they are only one year apart and the actual days are only a few months apart AND over the summer. We tried this for the first time this year. We did a small celebration for each of them on their actual birthday with just me and The Daddy. We had the "party" for them some where in between. Now the issue is that MY family (in NY) really do not get to celebrate for Kaitlyn because we are never here around her birthday.

I am going to bring this rambling to a point now, I promise. This year we have decided to have a 3 in 1 party for Kaitlyn, Karsyn, and Madison. After we decided to do the party this way, I had second thoughts. I was feeling a bit guilty for a few reasons. 1) Maddi is usually stuck with what ever theme, I choose to do since I foot the bill. I try to make things as broad as possible and not to babyish for her. But still I am sure she would love to have a day that is just HER day.
2) I felt bad for Kaitlyn because I think she feels like she is just thrown into the lot and that the day really isn't about her at all.
Karsyn is the only one that really gets the special treatment on that day.

Like I stated before I don't think I will have a shared birthday party again for Maddi and Karsyn but do you think its ok to have one for my own two kids together since they are so close in age? *reminder* I am a single parent on a T-I-G-H-T budget. Thanks for reading.

blogging for Dummies

Seriously People I.NEED.HELP. I don't know what I am doing. I have tried to change the look of my blog to make it more me and ended up with two backgrounds on top of each other and finally had to strip it clear and put up a generic background. Its ok but its not me:( Any advice? I have read/listened to the tutorials but I really need the book Blogging for Dummies! Do they even write those anymore? Probably not most people aren't dummies anymore except me Queen of computer illiteracy!! I digress. I need help in the design department and on how to add more than just 5 pictures if need be. Some day I hope to get to the "collage" point but I will live with baby steps.

She won't let me be the mom!!!

So earlier today I had to break up a conflict. Kaitlyn was devastated that Karsyn would not let her be the "mom" while they were playing. I am not really sure what their "mom" role does but I could give them a quick job description that would surely make their decision for them! LOL Needless to say we decided that lots of "moms" hang out together in the "kitchen" so they could both be the mom. Now I may need to buy my poor Bella a toy bc she had to be the kid!!

Karsyn Marie just turned 3!!!!

So I know this post is a few days late. We are in NY visiting my family and time is just flying by! Pics will have to be posted later because I took them with my phone and I am not sure how to put them on here yet. On Sunday, my sweet angel turned 3 years old! I know I say this with every passing year but I cannot believe it has been 3 years! How do I express on here the warm fuzzies I feel whenever she is with me? I know the parent is the one that is supposed to make the child feel safe, secure and like everything will be right in the world but this, my dear, is what you do for me:)

Dear Karsyn Marie,
I love you with all of my heart. I love the way you are so inquisitive about just about anything you can get your hands on. I love the way you tap your chin when I give you a choice on any thing: clothing, food, activities. I love how you seem so clueless if I ask you to find something. I wish I could describe to everyone in great detail how this looks. It is so cute and infuriating at the same time! LOL I love that you want to be just like your big sister but tend to be more you than you will ever know. I love that you always look like you are rolling your eyes when you tell a serious story. I love how sassy you "try" to be. You are so smart and creative. You think OUTSIDE the box and I hope that NEVER changes.

As of Sunday these are some of your stats and interests.
You are 27 lbs
You are 35 inches tall

Favorite tv show: Yo Gabba Gabba
Favorite Cartoon: My Little Pony
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite Movie: How to Train a Dragon
Favorite saying: get(Guess) what mom? (before you start a conversation)
Favorite Toy: Book (of any kind) and a pen
Favorite book: Mommy's Little Girl

My baby is 4!!

Yes you read that right, my baby is 4!! I can't believe it! Where does the time go? She will be going to all day Pre-K next year at All Saints. I can't wait to see her in her uniform and pigtails but I know I will be so sad.

Dear Kaitlyn Rose,
I love you with all my heart. I am not sure I will ever be able to show you how much my cup runneth over with love for you but I will spend my life trying. Maybe someday when you grow up and have a daughter of your own, you will truly understand how much love is in my heart for you. This year you have grown into quite a young lady. You cannot wait to go to school and I hope you love it as much as I did. I hope you will love your school and teachers because you will not be going to school with mommy as we had hoped. I know you will be great!! You are still ALL GIRL.
Your interview
Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Book: Pink cupcakes (pinkalicious)
Favorite tv show: Team Umizoomi
Favorite movie: Tangled
Favorite toy: Polly Pockets
You love Ballet and Tap
You love Miss Lisa your dance teacher.
Favorite thing to do: swim and play in the sprinkler

You are so polite and use your manners. You are getting so much better with sharing and playing "together" with your sister. You know how to work mommy's phone better than I do! LOL You are so smart and love to work out puzzles and not just the preschool ones but REAL jigsaw puzzles. You love to dance and sing. I love to listen to you sing because you are so passionate about it. I can't wait to see what this next year will bring with it. I love you Kaiteebug!

Missed Opportunity...

Not so much an opportunity but nevertheless missed out on, my family was supposed to come down for Easter this year since my nieces' spring break is during that time. My mom called tonight to let me know that they were not going to be able to make it. I am very disappointed but completely understand. I wish we could live closer to each other so we could get together more frequently. We are going to have to wait until summer vacation to see everyone. Until then the girls and I will be planning a special little Easter for the three of us. Simple and together...

growing, growing, grown???

So I was going through the photos I have taken most recently of my little beauties. My they have grown a lot. Too much for my liking... I know most parents probably go through the whoas of their children growing from infant to toddler to preschooler to...well you get the idea. I loved my babies as babies then I loved them as toddlers each growing stage has been interesting and exciting. It has been frustrating and trying all at the same time but I loved loved loved every minute of it. Lately though, I have had a hard time with them "growing". I have found myself mourning the loss of my "little" bits.
Kaitlyn is getting ready to go to preschool not the daycare kind but for realz preschool. She speaks like a teenager and acts like she runs the show, when did this happen?? What happened to my big brown eyed baby girl? This is what I see now when I walk into a room.


Karsyn on the other hand goes in and out of the toddler phase, one minute she is curled up on her mama's lap content as a little lamb the next minute she is out the door with not a second thought on her dear ol'mama. We took some time over spring break to work on potty training since our last attempt was unsuccessful, I was not hopeful. She took off like a race horse!! She was potty trained within a week. I couldn't believe it. Although, she still needs some lessons on TP use!! This is what I confiscated from the munchkin. LOL

She is such a big girl now and doesn't hesitate to tell me so. She follows right along on the shirt tails of her older sister, before long she will be off to school too. I just want to hold on to them for a few more moments.

I have been perusing the internet for FREE activities that I can do with the kids while we have been out of school. My neighbor told me about the weekend story time at Barnes & Noble so I went the site and checked it out. While there I found several books online, read by the author, which I love (now I will know how it was MEANT to be read). Anyway, I thought I would give it a shot with the little bits. Here's a few shots of what I observed.








We tried some of the other titles listed but they really just wanted to watch the cupcake one:)

Epic Fail...

I know that there are many milestones in a child's life that as parents we hold our breath waiting for them to occur. Potty training is one of them. This was supposed to be the BIG weekend. The BIG transition. It went fab.u.lous.ly with my oldest child, everyone said about my youngest, "she'll pick it up so quickly after watching her sister". and "She's sure to do it early". Well today was an EPIC FAIL, no point in beating around the bush. I failed. She is NOT ready to do this potty thing. We started off ok and went down the "crapper" literally. (sorry had to throw it in there) There was a timer and big girl pants and M&M's and stickers and...well you get the picture. We had all the right ingredients but the oven wasn't ready:( She cried, I lost my patience. All in all, it is not time for my little miss to be out of her diapers just yet. I have to say that, although I am eager to stop spending money on them, I am not ready for her to be that BIG just yet.