Pictures

I've just spent FOREVER loading pictures into Shutterfly to try them out. So far I don't like them. Then I find out I can't get the great deal I thought I could on 4X6 prints. Now I Like them even less. So I am sharing my album, but not buying prints from them at this time. Anyway, I have enough photos to scrapbook right now without getting more sent to my house and clogging up my creative processes. So here's the darn link if you want to see the pics: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/share/view?i=EeBNWzFm4ZOXBQ&open=1&x=1&sm=1&sl=0

I'm going to bed now.

Happy Birthday, my Mary Lee

2:03 PM slipped by without notice this year. At 4:53 I noticed the time and realized that uncomfortable memories of last year at that time were foggy at best, thank heavens. Mary turned one while she was sleeping and I didn't even notice. She was perfectly adorable and sweet today, like most days. I loved her more than ever just for being here. We didn't do anything of note today except sing 'Happy Baby Birthday' a dozen or so times. She swayed back and forth the minute we started and smiled all the way through. She let me rock her for about 15 minutes tonight, and I told her all sorts of things you want to tell somebody you really love: about what it was like the first time I saw her, felt her, heard her; the sweetest times I've ever had with her; the sounds I love; (the sounds I don't love); how her hair curls in back and is turning coarse; how all 10 of her toes are absolutely perfect and kissable (and what has she been doing with them since they've gotten so big?!); and on and on. She patiently listened to me and smiled and cooed when she should. Then she got impatient and began trying to tear my face off via the corner of my mouth with her pointy index finger. So I laid her down in her crib - in the middle of the nest of blankets she has made - gave her her blankie and her pacifier and said good night to my precious 1 year old baby as I said goodbye to my helpless infant.

Directly after that, I chased down my naked 2 year old and wrestled her pajamas over her head while she screamed that is was morning, not that evil time called night. Then I sat down and locked her on my lap with my leg to comb the tangles out of her wet hair while she squirmed with amazing strength. She then pleaded for me to find her rainboots (no rain here) and she found her 'purse'. With Disney Princess nightgown, tulip rainboots, and electric blue bag, she announced she was going 'bye-bye' and climbed into the pedal car that Jim got for the girls. Good-bye, dear toddler - until tomorrow.

Blog, Blog, Blog....

You wouldn't believe it if I told you. I blog constantly. Really, I do. Almost every minute of the day, I have a constant monologue accompanying me, making spectacular and witty observations. Imagine my surprise when I review my blog and find none of it there. Some day the need to come up with software that will type what you are thinking when you need it. That would make my life a lot more interesting - and documented. Aside from talking to myself in my head all day, I have been filling every spare moment with crafts. It has been in the 90's here with humidity that makes trees wilt from the weight of it, so I have been spending a lot of time in the basement with the kids and the craft area. I recently bought a climbing/slide toy to put down here so that Emma (and soon Mary) can expend some energy on days we cannot, or do not want to go out. We also put down some of those colorful foam floor mats that interlock like a puzzle to extend the play area. There are two bound remnants that measure about 8 x 10 and 10 x 14 feet, and then the 8 x 8 area of playmats. We brought down our old TV from our bedroom (a little 9" screen with a video player built in) and hooked up a small DVD player to it as well. It doesn't get any reception, but it does play Dora and that is all that matters in this house right now! So the girls have plenty of toys (most of the noisy ones) and things to do downstairs. The idea was that I could scrapbook or do crafty things while they played nearby. WELL, LET ME TELL YOU - that was laughable! When I walk off of the designated play area, Emma suddenly cannot manage the Jack-in-the-Box by herself. Then she cannot climb up the little rock wall alone. Her shape sorter is suddenly out of sorts and can only be righted by me. In other words, she is glued to me. So what ends up happening is I spend short 5 minute bouts of time pulling out everything and really WANTING to craft, but end up playing with the pop-on blocks instead. Then when they go down for a nap, I can't get to my craft area fast enough to do everything I have been wanting to do all morning. Likewise for when they go to bed. So, consequently, I do not spend too much time on the computer. Hence the lack of reliable blogging. I would be surprised by now if anyone besides my loyal Lochmoor Mom even checks this any more.

I would go on, but now it is late and I am tired. I still must pick up the toys and put sheets on our bed. We had Mary's first birthday party this past weekend. I cannot believe she is going to be one on Thursday. My little ball of love is walking occasionally and speaking quite a few words, both of which shock me every time they occur. I will get some pictures up soon, as well as an account of the festivities.

Quick Summary

We had a faboo Fourth of July weekend, doing everything that makes summertime great for kids. Diane and Derek came in Friday night with their girls, and we had an awesome time together! We took the kids to Jungle Java, the Spray scape park (think giant sprinklers), Chuck E. Cheese's (where a birthday girl can be a kid), went out to dinner (for the adults!), saw the parade in Northville, and walked to the ice cream store together (Cold Stone's - where else?!). On Monday, Jim and I escaped to go see Star Wars Episode III, which was awesome, and the kids played together before they went to bed. In the span of3 full days, the kids got to eat birthday cake, hot dogs, ice cream, pizza, more pizza, and brownies. Now, tell me that isn't a good summer weekend for them.

I know you wouldn't believe we had a great weekend if you heard the other side of the coin first, but I will only say that in spite of leaking, explosive diapers and broken glass (not caused by the diapers in any way, shape, or form), it was a fantastic time with our very dearest friends. And, as we mentioned in regards to the glass: at least it wasn't a deer in our house. This is a true story, folks - they had a deer jump through their front window and create havoc and wreckage for 45 minutes one morning while they were out. Caused a h*ll of a lot of damage and left a lot of blood in it's wake. See? The poop and broken glass wasn't that bad. Needless to say, the Ruckers are doing some minor redecorating. We are just ordering a new oven door.

Nothing else to write about right now, except that we are going to sit down and watch the original Star Wars episode so that I can remember the rest of the story - right now, as a matter of fact. We left off last night where Hans Solo and the gang get stuck in the trash compactor - sure hope they make it out!