Jealous Much

Finally something to post about

My 2010 4th quarter bonus has arrived

After 12 days of waiting

I sure hope it's worth it

This took a lot of sweet talk to the Lenzer CFO

But after a few days of being a total bitch

He finally gave it

LOVE YOU HONEY!

This is the maytag big mamma size washer with an allergy setting

I am hoping it helps Colton's skin some

And the .....

(wait for it)

steam dryer

OH YEAH!

Maybe we can save some $$ on dry cleaning

Mark takes most ok all of his work clothes to the cleaners

because I completely suck at doing laundry

Which I find odd because my granny, my mom, and my sister

all kick butt at it

I totally missed that gene

I know it won't make laundry fun

but if I can do it less often than maybe I will always feel so behind

I might be over it in a few days 

but for now

I am ready to wash

Getting them here though

P.A.I.N.

Mark bought them 2 Sunday's ago

They were set to be delivered on Tuesday

We dirtied up everything we could on Monday 

just full of excitement to wash

Then the call came

The dryer was out of stock

New delivery date set for the next Sunday

I kept piling up the laundry

Sunday came

After several hours

We get the next phone call

Dryer did not come in

I finally had to start some wash

The kids were going commando

(don't freak out, they're boys-they think it's fun)

Finally today word comes 

The w/d are on the truck

But then I couldn't find the special cord we had to buy

I knew Mark got it because I saw it on the receipt

When I talked to him before he began all day meetings

He swore it was in the laundry room

I tore this house up looking

Every closet

Every cabinet

Garage

Attic

Under beds

you name it, I looked there

No cords

So I woke up the little one and drove to Lowes

30 minutes before delivery 

to buy another stupid cord

Come to find out, the delivery guys bring it 

WTF?

Are you kidding me

But I did get an extra 10% for having to wait so long for delivery

Ok, that made me feel better

And the boys went to bed early!

And I have now completed 1 load

washed, dried, and put away

I think it's gonna be good

What We've Been Up To

 Last weekend we got outside to enjoy the warmer temperatures and sun

We went to the fishing pond to feed the ducks

Don't think you can tell from this photo

but half the pond was frozen

The ducks were walking on ice

The boys get a kick out of this

And I get rid of the stale bread

The big boys are enjoying Colton's new trike

It's not really made for 2

but these guys don't always follow the rules

Christian is really into the pantry lately

And I am unable to put a lock on the door

The bigger problem is

this boy is quick

SUPER FAST

He got into the lemonade mix

pink lemonade

The picture is sideways

but notice the trail of powder

And the results

He was colored for days

While in Dallas after Christmas

we enjoyed some ice cream with friends

And lunch with Linda

Colton's God-Mother

And visiting with family

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Sara

And Aunt Barbie and Uncle Jerry

And Nanna and Pappa Lou

I am spending my Friday night catching up on some DVRed shows. ATT is coming by tomorrow to replace my receiver so I am going to loose my recorded shows. We tried again for Friday Family Fun night with a pizza and some Wii games. It worked out this time. We completely failed at it last week, but tonight....pretty impressive. Every one held it together nicely.

Mark is working most of the weekend. There is a home show in OKC and his company has a booth there so he will be there several hours a day. Tomorrow we will hang out and wait for the cable guy and maybe finish up, okay start, some valentines crafts. Sunday, after church, my new washer and dryer are suppose to arrive. They were suppose to be here last Tuesday. But come to find out, the dryer was out of stock. I haven't done laundry all week so that I can see how much these new puppies really hold! I am completely out of clothes so Sunday better get here quick. I have never been so excited to wash.

I Want Legos

Did you say the title out loud

or did you just read it?

Well say it

out loud

go on

I Want Legos

Now say it again

louder

I WANT LEGOS

Now again

even louder with more force

I WANT LEGOS!!!

And just for kicks

and to make a point

Do it once more

only this time

scream it, draw it out, and add in some crying 

IIIII

 WAANNNNTTTT LLLLEEEGGGGGGOOOOOSSSSSSS!!!!

That was Connor in Target yesterday

nice, huh?

That was the beginning of the major meltdown

Did you know you can find not one

but two 

time out spots in Target

needless to say

He did not get Legos

He also lost his DS for the night

and he came home, ate, bathed, and went straight to bed

I did realize I am a much better public mom

Had this happened at home

I just might have lost it

CPS might have been called in

But in public

I handled myself very well

Quite proud of this mamma

Cause it was a scene

no joke

good times my friends

but this is what happens when the middlest wakes up at 5am

and gets up the oldest with him

It makes for some tired boys 

And since I am making my boys out to be bad kids

might as well share this story.....

This guy

 plus this guy

fighting with toy swords

that end up like this

 Result in this

 and this

not sure how this little one got involved but he had tears too

TOODLES

My Future Scientist

Well not really

But a mom can dream right

We have been wanting to test out the Science Museum for months now

It is right next door to the zoo

which we frequent

So we talk about it all the time

Finally I decided to venture out

We used some Christmas money to purchase an annual membership

And we will get every penny's worth out of it

guaranteed!!!

With it's play fire station 

and real fire pole to slide down

or crazy mom's to dance on

And the nation's largest indoor spiral slide

And even plenty for Christian to do

And planes and trains

And tumbling

And so much more we did not even get to yet

(don't they just look like trouble?)

Super EXCITED about this place

But let me tell you what pissed me off.....

I try to teach my boys respect

Of their things

but more importantly of others

For example, while here at the museum

They played with blocks

When we were done, we put the blocks back in the bucket

Now this place has seen better days

But I imagine it is pretty hard to keep up with it with all the kids that come through there

But come on folks

RESPECT

My boys were playing on the slide

This gi-normas slide

Christian and I were in that section crawling around

It is kind of set up like a big tree house

Then this group of boys comes running in

Probably about 9 years old

probably some all boys school on a field trip or something

Anyway

they come 

RUNNING

and are all running UP the slide

I snapped

And told the teacher/supervisor

I have little ones trying to slide down

Every section we went to 

Here came these unruly boys

Now in a couple of years

I might be singing a different tune

But for now, it irritated the living poo out of me

I try to show my boys one way to behave

and here come these older ones acting like monkeys

Luckily they did not stay very long

Kroger-ing

So not really considering there is 

NO

Kroger here in these parts

I have finally settled into

Walmarts

for my weekly grocery trip

And please say it right

It's WALMARTS

with an "S"

not just WALMART

that's how granny says it

do the old people of your family add the "S"?

Any who...

I am posting about this because it is one of my stupid

"resolutions"

to have a better grocery budget

So 2 full weeks into the new year and I am doing better

but I swear I am going to shave another $25 off 

some how

some way

I make a list and stick to it

99%

I have been trying to plan at least 2 dinners

Those will last at least 2 nights each

more if Mark is out of town

This week the only thing I bought off the list was

Don't know if you can tell from the photo

They are football oreo's

I thought the boys would get a kick out of them

I usually have about $10 worth of coupons

Not much

but hey 10 bucks is 10 bucks right

I think the key is going to be better meal planning

going back to the basics

like grilled chicken and vegies

and of course

plain and simple

eating less!!!

This week's trip ran me $170

Last week I spent about $200

Let's just see if the food lasts me all week long

And with a vacation date set

I totally plan on eating less!

This is what I saw in the checkout lane

The guy behind me bought:

Yes, I believe that's 8

Red Baron pizza's

And in his cart still

(if you can tell)

weight watchers yogurt and snacks

Go Figure

Not in the Mood

To blog that is

Can you tell?

I've been sort of absent

Trying to read but no interest in writing

After taking a little break over Christmas 

It's hard to get back into the swing of it

Then with our lovely school schedule

Finding time during the day is difficult

And I am back to being drained by the time the boys are down at 7pm

My brain is mush

Thinking is a big task

Uploading pictures and typing a post....

even BIGGER

So....where to start?

How about with Christian

My baby boy has been sick for almost a month now

I have waisted over $100 on medicine and doctor visits

There seems to be nothing the doctors can do

But the snot keeps coming 

and coming

and coming

I don't know why it bothers me so bad

I am not a doctor or medicine kind of person

I have to be 1 foot in the grave before I will see a doctor

But I really thought my boy was sick and needed some help

Yet I got none

Doctors suck!

On a lighter note

Christian got tooth #6

It just barely broke the gum

So now maybe that will help the snots

And he is trying to walk

2 or 3 steps here or there

I have not been rushing him

I am trying to keep him baby as long as I can

Plus once they're walking

holy moly

With him being sick, all he wants to do is nurse

Kind of makes the weening hard

How do you tell a sick baby no?

On to Colton.....

For any readers who have not had the pleasure

of meeting my middlest in person-

He is so freaking cute!
However, he is putting me in potty training
HELL
Today he did go all day with out an accident
So tomorrow he will probably have 4 and poop twice
That's how it goes
He just doesn't seem to care


And Connor...
4 (and a half)
with an attitude of a 14 year old
He is reading
or has the stories memorized
not sure which
but either way I am super proud
He won't eat anything unless it comes with a happy meal toy
And is yelling a lot
Oh gosh, wonder where he learned that?
whoops




Can't forget Mark...
He painted the wet bar today
And I must say, I'm pretty impressed
It looks great!
He also wins HOTY award
He bought me a new washer and dryer today
I had to be a total bitch all weekend to get it
Now I have to eat, sleep, and dream laundry

Finally me...
I'm tired
Chris has been waking up at night, several times
Today I couldn't fall back to sleep
Hopefully I will sleep well tonight
I redboxed SATC2 last night
I had a solo girls night
It was good
Tomorrow is a new week and I am looking forward to it
Gonna work on all my "deeds"
you know-
working out, eating good, cleaning, laundry
all the fun stuff
No school tomorrow though
YAY!
I actually prefer no school days
how sad is that
Still seriously considering taking Colton out of his Monday school


Here's to a better mood
toodles

Lost and Behind

I feel so lost and behind here at Casa de Lenz! That's probably because I am. Isn't it funny how we think we are going to make all these fresh starts and new great changes in the new year. Hello, January 10th folks. Not even 2 weeks and I'm behind on being on top of things. OH well.

I am enjoying the snow right now.

I had to stop typing and rest and now, an hour later, the snow is done. I was a little disappointed with the weather. We were having 2 fronts. The first yesterday and then another over night through this morning. The one yesterday went just south of us and the one today mostly went north. However, I got the best of both worlds. I got to watch the beautiful snow fall and it left a light dusting, but hopefully won't have to deal with bad roads or dumbass drivers. Secretly, I was wanting to be stuck in the house for a few days. Have I mentioned lately how much I hate my schedule? I will take any excuse not to get out.

Christian is sick again, or still sick...not sure which it is? I called to get him to the doctor today and of course he was booked up. Still waiting on that phone call back! And to make it even better, I feel like crap! The left side of my throat has a freaking golf ball in it. I can't swallow and my head is pounding. What I would love to do is climb into my unmade bed and pull the covers all the way up and close my sweet little eyes.

The boys have been entertaining themselves with some arts and crafts the last couple of days. Bad thing to let little boys do alone. Today, while trying to pick it up I noticed a sticker of a tree, not just any tree-3/4 of an 8x10 sheet of paper tree, stuck to the kitchen table.  I got upset with Connor and thought I would try to explain money and how much things cost. I asked him where he thought money came from. Well he knew-from daddy! I gave up! It adds character right?

Hope those with the snow are enjoying it! We are freezing here, highs in the 20's! I am going to make my bed, do a load of laundry, and find some Tylenol to take.

Toodles

Boy Talk

CHRISTIAN:

We take a bath in the same way each and every time. Connor up front (by the faucet) then Colton and Chris bringing up the rear.  A few nights ago, it was just Christian. The big boys stayed down stairs with daddy. So Christian got the front end of the tub. The water was running and he was just giggling. Try and picture hear it...the sweetest little laugh you ever heard. He was reaching for the running water and the laughs just kept coming. After I turned off the faucet, he kept giggling. Finally I realized he was laughing at himself. He was seeing his reflection in in that round silver thing under the faucet (whatever it's use is?).

He now has 2 words:
   Die-da (diaper)
and
  Dau-de  (doggy)


Now on to Colton:

Prior to his first swimming lesson this morning
In his deepest voice possible "I gonna go simming. I go jump off dibing board all by MYSELF. I go under water. "
I soon realized at lessons that he was all talk. He warmed up quickly though. Sweet boy!

And finally, my man of many words:

Me: Connor, can you pick up those cars
Connor: Colton, pick up those cars

Me: Connor can you put those shoes away (fill in the blank with any task)
Connor: Colton, put those shoes up!
 You get the idea. Hey, at least he's got some leadership skills right?

Connor: Mommy, look I zipped up my jacket all by myself
Me: great job buddy! You are getting really good at that zipping thing
Connor: How about every time I zip something, you give me an M&M?
Me: um, NO...that's not how life works
Connor: AW, MAN!

At the store, any store, every store
Connor: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Me: I doubt it, what are you thinking?
Connor: Well, I'm thinking you should just buy me _________ (whatever it is he sees)

Connor and I have been working on reading, very simple 3 letter words
He read is first sentence yesterday. "Matt sat, Sam sat."
I was thrilled. He was ecstatic!!!
Me: you should tell Mrs. Jones (his teacher) that you read a sentence
Con: I want to keep that a secret
Me: Why?
Con: Cause I don't want anyone else going to the library to borrow those books



Hope my boys made you smile today

See Ya Later 2010

I am ready to wash my hands of last year! Good Riddance! Don't let the door hit ya on your way out! Do not pass GO, do not collect $200! C-ya, wouldn't wanna be ya! Hasta la Vista Baby!!

It was a tough year for me. I look forward to 2011. I was gonna go all Oprah in my blog and talk about my feelings and such (you know, why I hated last year and what will be better this year) but maybe it would be better for everyone if I did not go into too many deep details.

Lets just do the Reader's Digest version here:

There were many, way too many, things I hated about my life in 2010. But I do understand that only you have the power to change what you do not like. Even though some of it depends on others, you can still change your heart and attitude about any given situation. So what better time to start with a new attitude then with a new calendar?

It's not resolutions. I SUCK at resolutions. That's for sure. But just fixing me. The list is long and not so distinguished of what I hate about myself. So I have promised myself to work on said list. I can't expect anyone to be happy with me if I am not happy with myself right? The good news is I already had a "me" moment and got a haircut!

I do really want to find "something" I am good at. I have been reading/checking out other blogs. All these people have a hobby. There are crafters and cooks and bakers. My friend has recently started painting and is even taking a class. I got nothing! I can change a mean diaper. I can even pour up a bowl of cereal with a baby on my boob. But talent? Talentless is more like it. I need to find my something. I really want(ed) to get into photography, but it seems that everyone is doing that. So I am still searching.

I  have promised myself to work on fixing a problem. When there is one, fix it then. No sitting and stewing over it. That only makes it worse. Fix it, let it go,  move on...something. But just doing nothing-that ain't right!

So there you have it, in a non glorious list. My things to work on. How I am going to try and better myself.

If I had to choose a "resolution" though.....
GET MY GROCERY BILL UNDER CONTROL

There I have said it!
I have typed it!
I have put it out there for all to read!

But is it possible? Can 1 mom really control the amount of money spent on food for 4 males? My gosh, I might have to cook more. What have I gotten myself into?

WOWZA

The boys go back to school tomorrow. I can't believe their 2 week break is over. Seemed like we used to be out for almost a month. Swim lessons resume and the endless driving around of little people will pick right back up. Wish we had 1 more week to stay home and relax! AND CLEAN!! It's like a disaster zone here. And I have been trying to clean out the toy closet to rearrange and make room for new. YIKES! Mark will shit his pants when he gets home and sees the basement.

We have traveled and been going non stop for weeks it seems, all though it's only been 2 trips to visit both sides of the family. At my parents' place, it relaxing. Lots of family time and visiting. In Dallas it is a tight schedule to get everyone in. The boys have to see all their friends, we have family to visit, and of course a certain amount of restaurants and stores to stop by. I've gained another 20 pounds it feels like, but it's good.

I have packed up the Christmas decor, with the exception of the tree on the landing. I don't do tall ladders that lean. Mark will have to take that one down when he gets home. And he has to carry the trees to the attic. I don't do attics either....creepy!

Now the month of clean up and organize (and throw out) begins. You wouldn't think I had that much to work on seeing as I have only been here 6 months. Yeah, how the hell does that happen?

When we were in Dallas, I did not take my computer. I knew there would not be time for blogging. But I  wish I could have had just to work on my thoughts. Got my big "New Year" floating around in my head. Hopefully I can work on that sometime this evening.

Mark got me a new TV for our room. Doesn't work. It works downstairs. Just won't work upstairs. Stupid cable!!! Or stupid old house. Not sure which.

I have decided that I am getting my hairs did! This week. I don't care what it costs or if my boys have to eat Ramen noodles for the whole freaking week. I sacrifice for them alot, right?  I think I have found a salon to try. Finding a new hair stylist is like finding a doctor, maybe harder. You see your doctor less.

Better get my butt back to cleaning, hubs will home in an hour. And he is bringing my puppies home from the doggie hotel. I really missed them last night. It was kind of scary being here with out Mark and no dogs. I rely on their ears so that I can sleep.

Happy 2011. Think I will be saying 20  11, not two thousand eleven. Seems easier, so I'm rolling with it!