The Superbowl

Ok, nerds.. this ones for you.  I'm not talking about the game where small balls are thrown between grown men who finally found a paycheck in beating other people up (here's where the mom's all sigh and wonder if the disciplining is worth it).  No, this is My kind of Superbowl... a Political Superbowl.  Granted, it couldn't get much more exciting than November of 2010, aka, the "Great Shellacking," but this is still exciting stuff for a geek like me.

Every year, on a Tuesday night, at the end of January, the television stations are taken over by news junkies, and caring Americans, (you know, those ones all "sitting around the dinner table"... as our politicians refer to us), gathering together to watch the State of the Union Address.    The State of the Union... isn't it always strong according to the President?  We all know it has issues, so I don't feel the need to use this blog for political pandering.  Instead, I would like to highlight why I think it's so fun watching this seemingly boring, hour long speech. 

When I was young, my family would never have pegged me for a politically charged adult.  I was too busy watching Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman to care about what was happening with the rest of America.  But as I got older, and learned that if I want to vote I should probably care about what I'm voting for... the speech all of a sudden became relevant.  Plus, I would do anything to impress my Dad that yes, his little Kimmy could hold her own in a discussion revolving around politics.

So to me, the banters back and forth, the standing and sitting like a Catholic Mass... and the MASSIVE eye rolls coming from behind the President (currently filled by the Republican Speaker John Boehner).. are all entertaining acts that could rival a good sports game.  Followed by the news commentators who tallied the number of claps, pauses, sits, laughs, and every detail enclosed in the speech.. is just sometimes what this girl needs to feel like someone else gets my world.  (I swear some of my best friends are living within my TV... they just don't happen to know who I am). 

I hope you watched it.  I hoped you learned something, and I hope you search more into what the President was saying to find out if you really agree or disagree with what was put forward.  But I have to go now.... The Republican response is on... and I am a major fan of Paul Ryan.

Another Room, another Redo

In about 10 minutes, I'll be knuckle deep in some bright white oil paint, getting the boys room transformed from a nursery to a big boy hang out.  And in my book, if you are going to do a room, then you better do it right.  Which means removing all of the ugly, stained, much beat up wood work, sanding it down, and repainting it with some up to date white shiny paint.  Good thing I'm doing it now before the government outlaws oil based paints.. which I hear is coming soon.  But thanks to Sherwin Williams, I can continue in my remodel for the time being.

So due to the small allotted time that the kids are sleeping, and I have energy to tackle a room... blog posts may be few and far between.  But I will update with pictures as soon as we make some progress.  Which I hope is soon, due to the fact that the wild monkeys are currently holding out in a little room behind our bedroom.  Meaning, if I want my space back, I better give them theirs.

Cancelled; Again?

Cancellation days in the Midwest are among my least favorite reasons for living here.  Generally, I love the temperature changes, the distinct four seasons, and a 70 degree December day thrown in once in a while.  But when January rolls around, and we are already cooped up in the house more than normal, it feels like a double whammy when school is closed too. 
Like today, for example.  Monday was off due to Martin Luther King, ok, I get that.  But today, in the face of a slight freezing rain and chilly temps, they don't think it's wise to send kids to school.  Why not folks?  They will be inside the entire day anyway.  Don't school officials think of us moms at all and our social calendars when they cancel?  Do they not realize that on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, my social network is standing outside of the preschool door?  I live for 11:20am.  My time to catch a glimpse of what an adult conversation is like, and to remember that my vocabulary spans beyond "Please don't hit your brother," and "stop taking  your pants off."  
So, I'm just a mom, asking you big wigs, to take some time, next time, to consider My time.  I've got a mini-van that can make it just about anywhere.  I'll trudge through that non-existing snow to get that sweet girl to her gym class.  Because as of now, I'm still in my robe, drinking my coffee, loosing all sense of motivation to get dressed just so I can fold that laundry pile.  It's the Midwest for goodness sake.  I think we are used to the cold temps enough that we should be able to put socializing, Learning, above our own convenience.

No pants, no shirts, no problem

My Grams and Gramps generously gave us money for Christmas to spend on something fun; her orders.  So we thought and we thought, and realized, that we could buy something that met more than just fun criteria.  It would keep us healthy, be fun, and ultimately save us money too. A triple threat.  What is this amazing device?  A treadmill, of course. 

I have been wanting one for a while now.  Although I have enjoyed my time at the local Y, (the child-care and free cable were worth it),  we've noticed that every winter, our kids are constantly sick from other ill children, and I tend to make excuse after excuse on why I could not venture out to run.

So now it's staring me in the face.  Y membership cancelled, I have no other choice but to travel down one set of basement stairs and get my run on.  Plus, as my sister so conveniently pointed out, the major benefit of having a machine in your own home is privacy.  You don't have to do your hair, your make-up (I never did it a the Y either)..or, if you are really feeling restricted, you don't even have to wear pants.  Seriously, can it get any better than that?  Just to be clear, I probably still will.  I can't imagine running without pants on.  But I'm just saying.. the option is now there.  And although I have now given up my two free hours a day without children, and with a never ending stream of free, can't get at home, TV... I think I will greatly enjoy having one in my own home, on my own time schedule. 

Callie is staring to enjoy it too.  We are working between a 1.0 and a 2.5 mph so far.  Which, considering the girl has her mother's coordination, is very impressive.  And yes Kevin, besides this posed picture, she does always wear shoes. 
Thanks Grams and Gramps!  This was by far the best Christmas gift we could have gotten. 

Bulking Up

I was reminded that I can't let this blog go another day without mentioning that our family recently took the buy in bulk plunge and became members of Sam's Club.  (We don't have a Costco here).  It was inevitable some day, with two boys running around the house.  I just never imagined it would be this soon.  And truth be told, it's not because they are now consuming un-holy amounts of meat, cheese, and peanut butter.  It was all about their mother, and my face cream.  They sell it cheeper and bigger.  Need I say more? 
So I figured that in 4 months, the membership will pay for itself, and if I walk out of there with a years supply of toilet paper in the mean time.. well so be it. 
I mean really.. they have everything.  From toothpaste to Tv's.  From treadmills to bulk chips.  (because you need one, if you buy the other).  My best purchase of the trip was a huge box of blueberries, seeing as Charlie could eat them for every meal, every day, and not get sick of them.  So instead of buying a small, overpriced container at my favorite Meijer store, I had to go with the "this should last your family at least a week," version.  I'm becoming a convert.. and I'm not sure I'm proud of myself. 
At least you know whose house to go to now if you are in need of some extra lotion, or paper products.  I'm sure to have them stored somewhere.

"We Have Arrived"

As a new parents (granted, we've only been veterans for 4 years).. we started to recognize moments where we would tell each other, "we have arrived."  Meaning, holy cow, our kid is doing something that we only dreamed they would be able to do someday, definitely not this day.  And, as a brand new parent, frankly you just don't think your kid will ever make it beyond a bottle every 4 hours, a poop every 2, and a crying fit in between each one.  (Am I right new moms?). 
For example, at 3 months, when I took Callie to visit my sister Sarah and my 12 month old niece, Lily.. I'm pretty sure I cried when Sarah casually handed Lily a cracker in the back seat of the car.  Which she knew how to eat without choking herself.  To a mom of a baby... that is like a magical dream that will never happen.  Good news though, 4 yr old Callie does just fine now with an entire McDonald's lunch in the back seat.  No choking fits yet.
So these, "We have arrived" moments continue as our kids get older.  The first time you find them dressed on their own, no matter how ugly the outfit, the first time they handle a cup without a lid (without spilling every oz of milk), the first time you can trust them on the swing set without standing in an umpire position ready to catch all falls. 
And these go on.  For me, I think I've made it to the big leagues when I finally realized that I could shower, upstairs, with my kids, downstairs, and not have to worry that 2 would be unconscious when I returned.  Really.. when you taste that freedom, it's like you got your life back.... or at least your hair back.  
But the biggest milestone we hit this weekend, was at Callie's request.  She finally wanted to rid herself of a stinky bath with her brothers, and shower,.. all. by. herself! 
Of course the entire family watched from beyond the curtain like a 4 person cheer leading squad.  Encouraging, checking, wiping her eyes, and helping with the soap.  But she still did it.  Flashes of my little girl shaving, dating, and moving out all blended into one scary thought those short 5 minutes.
We still have a lot of arrival moments to look forward to in the future.  But we like the small ones for now.  Let's us know we are still needed... and not too un-cool yet. 

Mom Guilt

If given a quiz on who is the least outdoorsy among my three sisters, hands down everyone would answer Kim.. and pass with flying colors. 
I've never been one to love nature, at least from within nature.  I like to look at it from within a car window, a house window, away from bugs, poison ivy, cold, and uncomfortable temperatures.  Not to say I'm lazy, because I promise I could run circles around most people from inside the house.  But I just don't enjoy picking weeds or building snowmen as much as some might. 
So, as a result, I begin to get the twinge of "Mom guilt" that we all get from time to time (or from minute to minute), of how my children were cooped up in this house all day long with a mom who did not for one second want to go play in the snow. 
Then, after I began to realize that apparently all you other moms love to freeze your behinds off just to get a smile out of your kids... well, let's just say I wanted the guilt voices to stop and strapped on my best boots and warmest scarf.  Oh yes, and they loved it. 
So now this household is trying, however minimally, to participate in what others call Winter Fun.  I still don't think it's that fun.  It's really cold out there folks... but the kids somehow forget that their fingers look as if they will break off, and have a blast. 
I still reserve the snowman building for Daddy... because as Callie would say, "That's just not my favorite."  But I'm trying.  We even took Callie to her very first ice skating session today.  To which I flashed back to my days as a young 8 yr. old when I too thought I would be the next Kristi Yamaguchi.  (She won gold if anyone is confused).  Then again, didn't everyone have that dream?  But apparently you have to be able to jump, and spin at the same time to make it to the big leagues.  So for now, Callie and I will just stick to trying to keep our feet on the ice, and not in the air
At least the mom guilt is slowly passing with every snow flake they eat, and my couches are getting a break from three little gymnasts.