Just Another Aaauuuuuh Moment

First of all, forgive my absence. Things are busy. And I can be lazy. A lot.

But absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? So you're feeling pretty fond about now, right?

The two little ones are playing outside in about 53 degree sunny weather ---Maaahvelous! I snagged my computer to sit in the garage and type up this story before I forget it!

We just got back from going to school to pick up Ally. She walks the 1/2 block from the school to the van with a little friend or two. Today she walked over with her favorite friend, also named Natalie, and Natalie's mom, who volunteers in the classroom on Thursday afternoons. I have known the mom, also named Kris (short for Kristina) since I first started MOPS in 2006. (Let me digress a moment to share that Kris's other daughters are named Allison and Mackenzie. I kid you not. If you don't get the significance, let me share. Our Allyson's middle name is Mackenzie. Kinda freaky, right? The similarities end there, as the daddy's name is not David, nor do they have a wildly handsome little brother named Christopher.)

Back on track now.

The three walked grinning to the van and Kris asked if she could take Ally home with her for a bit. I said "Sure!", cause I'm a cool mom like that.

The little ones watched the exchange from the van and watched Ally walk away with another family.

Natalie's lower lip turned down further than I've ever seen it and she said, "She OW sistoe, not anybody else sistoe!" (Translation: She's OUR sister! Not anybody else's sister!)

I quickly assured her that Ally would return after playing. I assured her that we would pick her up or they would bring her home in time for dinner and all would be right with the world once more.

She was quiet for a moment, then nearly yelled, "I WANT MY SISTOE BACK RIGHT NOW!"

It's not too often that I can tell if Natalie even likes Ally, but this proved it.

The sistoe bond is strong.

Speechless

I promised you a few pictures that, surprisingly, rendered me (almost) speechless.

I was getting ready in the bathroom the other day, and the little ones decided to join me. I barely noticed when they unloaded my nail polishes. But I began to take notice when Natalie left in search of another "chair."


What is this, a toilet tea party? Potty Salon? Practicing our colors?


No clue.


But they had a ball for nearly 30 minutes playing with my polishes. On the toilet.


Once they learn how to open the things, I'm screwed.

Ya know what they say about pride?

(If you haven't ready yesterday's post, read that one first, then come back here.)

I was so proud of myself yesterday for all the sweet shoe deals at Wal-Mart.

Pride.

It's a touchy thing.

I must've overdone it.

Christopher hates his shoes. I put them on him for our quick trip to Ally's school, just to get him used to the idea. He screamed like you wouldn't believe the entire time. Mmm-Hmmm.

Ally was somewhat excited about the pair I picked for her, but when she tried them on she knew right away that they were like three sizes too big. Not in number, the number size printed on the shoe matches what she should be wearing in the summer, but the shoes themselves are way big. Lovely.

Then David saw my boots and said, "They're just like the ones you already have." I looked down and stuttered a bit saying, "Uh, no...the ones I already had were black...and uh, those...uh...those are a very dark chocolate brown. But I SWEAR they looked like regular chocolate brown in the store. I swear."

So there ya go, pride comes before the fall.

The Season of the Shoe

I don't know what the deal is lately, but shoes (I mean, great shoes) are finding their way into our home at fab prices!

Today I picked up 5 pairs for $15.00! Oh yes, I did.

The first four were at good 'ol Wal-Mart. I only make it in there maybe once a month, but I had heard their clearance shoes were marked WAY down AND were buy one, get one free. My boots were $5 and the other three pairs were $3 each. I probably wouldn't have paid even $3 for Nat's turquoise flip-flops, but you should have seen her face light up when she saw them! (Yep, that's me S-U-C-K-E-R.)


The fifth pair I picked up at a little consignment store nearby. $6 for Minnetonka sandals that had probably been worn three times. I just looked them up online and they go for $40 new!


And not too long ago, (maybe a month?) we were at Goodwill wandering. Not sure what brought us in there, but anyway, David spotted these sandals. That boy has an eye for good sexy sandals.

Voila! My size, super cute, and seriously, they did not have a single mark on them! Seriously! If they were ever worn at all, it was indoors on carpet, because the bottom side didn't have a single scratch. They're cute in the picture, but even cuter on. I'd totally post a picture of me wearing them, but my pedicure is in serious need of improvement and these tired toesies wouldn't flatter them.

And just when you thought I was done...I picked up some cute summer shoes from Land's End for $6 shipped just a few months ago. (I should've shared the deal so you could snag some, too!) And I spotted some Mary Jane crocs online for $8 shipped. And Natalie scored some Crocs of her own at Big Lots the other day (did ya' know that Big Lots carries actual Crocs? Now you do!) for $10. Typically I wouldn't spend $10 for kids' summer shoes, I'm cheap like that, but a solid name brand like that can win me over. Oh, and let's just remind you that I'm a S-U-C-K-E-R.


So I think I'm stocked. And I'm not sure why I wanted to share all of this useless information, except for the fact that I was excited about my deals!

Oh, and I have a fabulous story about that day at Goodwill, but I'll save it for another day to keep you coming back...

And I have a few pictures to share that just make me speechless. I don't even know where to start. Maybe you can help? Come on back now, ya hear?

Huh?

As a parent of young children, I am constantly plagued with "huh?" moments.

(When I'm a parent of older children, it's possible I'll have even more.)

Anyway, I was making dinner yesterday and all three kids were playing upstairs and listening to Go Fish. Natalie started screaming and crying and rushed downstairs to report her injuries.

She said, through her tears, "Mama, Ally bit me in the tummy with her hand!"

And my response was (feel free to say it with me), "Huh?"

She repeated, "Ally bit me in the tummy with her hand!"

It took me a second (or five) to process the event then respond, "You mean she pinched you?"

Natalie, enlightened, screamed, "YES!"

Then she ran back upstairs, happy for being understood.

(In case you were wondering, Ally firmly denies this incident, claiming she did no such thing.)

Who do you believe?