Hunting vs. the Snowman

My husband works wonky hours. But, the bright side of that, is that he and Madaline get to spend most mornings home together. This is has been great in a sense that it has cut down tremendously on the amount of money we pay in daycare.

Last night, after the Hubs got home from work we have the following conversation:

HUBS: I think I am going to take Mads to the sitters in the morning - as, there are only [insert number here - I can't remember] of hunting season left

Me: Fine with me...not a problem.

Which, brings us to this morning. Madaline has not been sleeping well. She insists on sleeping with a blanket that is now too short for her, since she has gotten so tall. This results in her little piggy toes getting cold at night, because, being the spirited child she is, refuses to wear socks unless absolutely necessary.

*yes, I am well aware that this dilemma could be solved by putting her in footed PJ's - but, Mads is also at the point where, she likes to pick out her own clothing in the store - and don't anyone come back and give me that line 'well your the parent' - because, this is just one battle that ain't worth it*

And, so, we were up several times last night to the calls of "MOMMY....MOMMY....COVER ME UP..P L E A S E....COVER ME UP!" Or, you could insert "DADDY" in there once or twice for the Mommy. And,finally, shortly before 7 am, she figured it was light enough out for her to get up for the day.

Which brings us back to my original story...the Hubs & his plans to go hunting today. *whew*

So, Picture this: The Hubs is standing in the kitchen sipping on a cup of coffee, as I am putting my shoes on and preparing to go out the door. Madaline, head for of bed head hair, and still in her PJ's wanders into the kitchen. She gives me big hugs and kisses and tells me to have a nice day. She then turns to my husband, with those big eyes and sweetest smile she has and says:

"Daddy, you stay home with me today?"

*silence*

"Daddy, you stay home with me today and play with me?"

*silence*

Hubs looking over the top of Mad's head says to me:
"Did you put her up to this?"

I reply: "NO...I have been trying to get out the door to get to work"


"Daddy, you stay home with me, we build a BIG snowman"

Hubs: "Yes Bug, Daddy stay home with you today"

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday: Playdate NEEDED!

Madaline is an only child.

Clearly she is a creative child.

Perhaps it is time to schedule her a playdate?

On a completely different note.... There are some great things going on today in blog land.

There is a fabulous auction being held today to benefit both:

The Liz Logelin Foundation and Anissa Mayhew.

If you get a chance, please try & take a moment to visit:
Scary Mommy, The Extraordinary Ordinary, Mayhem & Moxie, Mama's Losin It, 7 Clown Circus, Buried with Children, and Adventures in Babywearing.

thank you.

Kicking Off the Holiday Season - Merry SITSmas!

Merry SITSmas!!!!

The lovely ladies over at SITS are having a HUGE bloggy carnival and great giveaways today. Take a moment and check it out, if you have time. I am kicking off the holiday season by stealing, err, borrowing an idea from one of my favorite bloggy friend - Connie, over at the Young & the Relentless.

So, grab a muffin or brownie, some coffee or cocoa, pull up a chair, as I share with you a little bit of Holiday Mayhem, err, Cheer!


1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?
4 & 8 Cup Glass Pyrex Measuring Cups
Oversized Muffin Tins
New Socks
A Necklace from The Vintage Pearl
Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics Cookbook

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?
My cousin crocheted me an afghan for Christmas my senior in in HS to take with me to college the following fall. I still have that afghan and use it regularly.

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?
I want to learn to knit, so I can make scarves.

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?
Is it bad that I really can't remember or that nothing sticks out? We always had wonderful holiday's, but I remember going from house to house to visit family during my childhood then I do the presents.

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?
She really hasn't asked for anything - but, then again, we haven't asked her either. LOL

6. What is your favorite holiday foods?
It's a tie between the fresh baked rolls for dinner and the Cinnamon Bread French Toast Bake that my mom makes about every other year for Christmas morning

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?
Cookies, Townsend Bakery Chocolate Crunch Mix, and I *might* try my hand at some dipping & candy making.

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas - the older version, and I only like to watch it, when they play it on TV with commercial breaks.

9. Favorite holiday song?
O Holy Night

10. Favorite holiday pastime?
My parent's Christmas Eve party - its a tradition as old, if not older than I am. Good food, my loving family, and lots of laughter.

A Week Full of Happiness

Who says HAPPINESS can't be found in a bowl of ice cream?

It's now been OVER a week since I have blogged about anything. I hope you all haven't forgotten about me...or missed me too much. I suppose you have been wondering what we have been up too....Hopefully, I can bring you all up to speed.

Madaline has been spending LOTs of time perfecting her coloring skills.

My cousin Ryan & Madaline

I also noticed the other day, as I was coming thru the back door, having just gotten home from work, that my two year old, is using our fridge to showcase her new found artistic talent. I never thought that something as simple as my daughters artwork could make me feel like I can really finally call myself a mom. And, I really do feel like a Mom lately.

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Before we could gear up for the Holiday season we needed to celebrate some birthday's in our family. I ended up baking this obscene cake for my sister Molly - I called it a Strawberry White Chocolate Layer Cake. White cake, brushed with strawberry puree, layered with white chocolate custard and then covered with white chocolate cream cheese frosting.

She was an happy camper. Happy Birthday Olly!!

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In addition to that cake, I myself, have been on the search for perfect Blondie Cookie Bar recipe. As I was typing up the post over at The Townsend Bakery - it struck me that finding this perfect cookie bar recipe was kind of like the need to have 10 different pairs of black shoes.

Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

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And, finally, perhaps is looking back at the last week or so, and reflecting on all that we have done, it was this, that made me the happiest. My daughter helped her Great Grandmother blow out her birthday candles. Just last night, we celebrated my Grandmother's, Madaline's Great Grandma's 84th birthday. I marvel at the fact that not only does my daughter have the privilege of growing up to know her Grandmother, but, her Great Grandmother as well.

Madaline & her Great Grammy

Madaline & her Grammy

It's been a good week. It's been a busy week - and most importantly, It's been a happy week.

Thankful....

We have a lot to be THANKFUL for...

We are thankful for our family - for they have shared tears, laughter, hardship and triumph with us over the years

We are thankful for our friends for their never wavering support, heartfelt advice, and always there, without fail when needed at a moments notice.

We are thankful each night to come home to a warm house, in a safe neighborhood, surrounded by both family and friends who care and love us.

We are thankful that both my husband and I are healthy & that we both have jobs to support our little family, when so many are still unemployed .

And perhaps most importantly....

we are thankful for Madaline. We are thankful for the all the wonderful, magnificent mayhem she puts into our lives. We are thankful because she reminds us to take a closer look at the little things, that it is sometimes important to take life at a slower pace, and that your days should be filled with hugs, kisses, giggles, grins and just all out silliness.

Today we are THANKFUL, and we wish you and yours, a very, happy, healthy, and thankful, Thanksgiving.