Busy, Busy!

Things have been so busy around here and I just don't see it slowing down with the holidays coming about!

Halloween was just awesome! We had SO much fun this year going to Boo at the Zoo and having the cousins go trick or treating together. Riley loved the "Halloween Party" I made for her as she says it. I made a Beef Stew for dinner and everyone came over and ate and we went out. I had tons of goodies set out too. It wasn't really a party but I'm glad she enjoyed it so much! She was the cutest little Buzz Lightyear there ever was!



Today we had a baby shower for one of my friends. Really if it wasn't for her I would have never met Zach and Riley would have never been born! Riley just adores her so she was pumped about getting the baby gifts. She was SO good at the shower she put all the wrapping paper in the trash and behaved so well! Riley was excited that Rena's mother in law gave her a little gift for helping and she got 2 balloons. She talked about it all the way home.

Next weekend we are going to Kalahari with my parents and my sister Jennifer the twins and Brian. It's going to be so much fun! Riley is excited and she doesn't even really know what it is! I'm going to show her the website on Friday and she will just be so pumped!

And then Thanksgiving which we are having here again and then all the December Birthday party's and Christmas! Once summer ended this past few months really ave just flown by!

Anniversary Weekend

We decided not to go to Niagara Falls for our anniversary. We couldn't find a hotel near Clifton hill that wasn't going to cost a arm and leg. So we had a staycation instead! Riley still went to Papa and Gan's on Thursday night. We slept in every morning went to nice dinner's took a nice drive and walk. We went to check out the Ryan Homes which was a mistake because they were so nice that we want to build new! Although I don't want to be in one of those communities because they are not private enough for our taste. I like the Verona with the all the extras of course so it will be a LONG time before that ever happens!

I ended up returning the Shark Pocket Steamer. It worked ok I think it would be better if you have larger counters to clean. They did clean the doors nice but it's extra work in some places because you still have to dust and you have to pull it out plug it in fill it up and can do my normal cleaning way faster then that! I didn't get the mop because I'm afraid it will deactivate the glue on the peel and stick tiles and pull them up I read that on a few reviews. So now I'm not sure what I'm going to get. For our wedding anniversary Zach got me the Panda Pillow Pet and i got him a belt and new pillow which we ended up switching pillows last night because his wasn't squishy enough and mine was better then his new one. It take time to break a new pillow in I told him but a switched anyways. Although i didn't sleep well last night but I don't think it was from the pillow but we will see tonight.

I cannot believe the end of October is already here just a week until Halloween! Riley and I have a busy week planned I just hope we get more done tomorrow then what we did today!

Oh my Back!

Saturday was a special day for Zach and I we celebrated our 12 years dating anniversary! I can't believe we have been together for 12 years! I cut the grass for him Friday and got him some lounge pants. I also made a montage of our 12 years together well at least with the pictures I had I the computer. It's hard to believe we started dating way before it became the norm to upload pictures on the computer! Zach wrote me a lovey letter and told me I could pick one of the shark steam cleaners I wanted. He said he didn't want to get me one because he didn't want to be like here's a mop for our anniversary. I would have been excited because I Really want the pockets steamer, mop and vacuum!( I got the pocket steamer for the house)
Zach's mom came over and watched Riley and we went to a dinner and a movie. It was a lovely evening out and we haven't had one for quite sometime!

Sunday Riley and I went with my mom, Hollie and Ben to Red Wagon Farm. It was SO warm that day a little too warm for doing fall things if you ask me but we had fun! When I got home however I got in the shower and my back started hurting. I thought it was just a little sore and we went to dinner but when I got up from the table it was worse and by the time we stopped at my parents to drop off a corn stalk it was horrible! I could barley get out of the chair. When we got home I lied down with a heating pad and somehow I got though the day alone with Riley. When Zach got home I had to lay down and feel a sleep for a good 2 hours.

Tuesday we were able to make it to my parents and I think just sitting there doing nothing but crocheting helped and it felt better at the end of the night. I was pretty good today I had a doctor's appointment. But I might have done a little too much moving hay bails and planting mums and putting up Halloween signs that Riley and I got from the store after I picked her up from Papa.

I got one of those magnetic bracelets and I believe it was helping but by the time I got done making dinner I was in pain again. It's not as bad as Sunday night but it is not fun have the constant back ache!

October already!

I can't believe it's October already! Already 5 days into October too! (Happy 8th Anniversary Jennifer & Brian!) It has been cold and rainy with no sun for the past week or so now! When it was nice outside Riley and I had a cold so we didn't get to go out and play or we were too busy doing the million of errands we had to do. Hopefully the weather will get a t least a bit nicer so we can take some nice Autumn walks!

We started the Mother Goose Time Curriculum on Friday and I have to say it is just about the dumbest thing I have even done! I can't believe how much I paid for this and can't return it now because I opened the box and used some. I will probably only do the crafts with her which I think are horrible too! Not to mention we did the whole days of lesson plans in 45 minutes and that was with me reading a book that they don't even suggest you do and taking a few potty breaks! We can do the free program in about that time but at least it's free!! The only thing good we got in the box was a circle time CD and the weather counter and sticks because Riley likes them but I could have made those for about 3 bucks!

We got are Halloween decorators put up 2 weeks ago and they look mighty nice! I put my orange light in the front window and it looks very cool!

I will be putting Christmas stuff in the inside the windows too this year! Last year it took forever for Zach to put them up because it was cold and rainy and forever to get them down because there was too much snow and more the half the lights broke because they were frozen in the gutter and they didn't even look nice when people came over because they blew up in the gutter! So not this year I will put them in the windows! If I even get the stuff out it's just so much work!

Riley got her Buzz Lightyear custom and is very happy about it. It's big enough so we can put layers of clothes on underneath. Because it will most likey be a cold Halloween again!

Homeschooling Preschool

So far Homeschooling preschool with Riley has been going rather well. We have covered A,B,& C and so far and she can write them also. She has learned how to spell her first word which is PAPA! She picked up the P writing the B and once we told her how to spell it she got very excited and writes it on everything.

She ASKS to to preschool and when we are done for the day she asks to do more! I have to say it's pretty amazing that I'm the one that gets to be there and teach her these things and here her say "Look Mommy I did it!"

Riley is a lot like me when it comes to learning new things she gets upset if she can't do it right away and then gets a attitude with me about it. But she also knows how to do things and the pretend that she can't which I don't understand either. I guess it is called being 3!

I ordered a curriculum off line called Mother Goose Time. I did a lot of research on it and picked it over the other ones because it had great reviews. I have to say I'm disappointed in it! They only cover the letters for one day and I'm upset by the lack of Fall/Halloween theme. It's Bugs and Crawly things for the month of October.

I told Zach I would send it back if it wasn't for the fact I'd be out 20 bucks for shipping. We will use it for October but I'm also going to include a program I used this month from Preschool Palace. They haven't posted Octobers Lesson plan but I hope they will soon or I will just use there last year's one.

I seem to have a problem finding a curriculum that has it all! The monthly themes along with the Letter and Number learning. Riley already knows all her letters it's the phonics she doesn't know yet which is work on mostly and writing them. We can go though 3 to 4 days worth of lesson plans in 2 hours and she still wants to do more. So I need something to fit her speed which I'm most likely going to have to tailor one too her.

My choice is made!

Well it's 2:15 in the morning and I have finally made a decision. on wither or not to send Riley to preschool. My decision is not too! There are many reason's why I have decided this.

1. The Super Small Class Size (One of the main reason we were going to put her in preschool was to get social interaction with other kids. Well with no girls her age and from what I saw of the other kids they were no where near her in speech.)

2. I feel that it will hold her back from learning because she is so far ahead for her age.

3. Money plan and simple

4. IBS- I'm so afraid of having an attack and not being able to pick her up from school.

5. Travel in the winter- So not my cup of tea

6. Germs! She gets sick and then I get sick and she will miss days that we are paying for!

7. I want her home with me! I feel like I have missed out on so much of her life because I was sick or in a bad mood and I'd like to change that!

8. Why pay someone else to teach my child when that is what I did in school. I should be doing it!

9. I don't like the idea of not being able to see with my own eyes how she is learning.

10. I'm thinking of Homeschooling her when she start School so this will be a good trial.

11. This was it this was the butt kicked OK I'm done going back and forth! I logged onto there website and they had the rest of September's "Lesson Plans" up. There was no teaching! It was a story and free play and gym time so why I am I sending her for that? In the 4/5 Classes they were seeing if they new letter and number recognition and going from there. Riley knows that stuff and she's 3! No thank you I can do better at home!

We will go to Story time at the Library, There is a indoor play gym I can take her too that's only 3 bucks to play with other kids. We can do the other free stuff at the library and I will make a Lesson Plan and teach her. I will set up play dates and we will go on "Field Trips". I will get to spend more time with my baby and be there when she learns new things!

Zach took tomorrow off and I will be working my butt off to get some Lesson plans done and see if I can find a Felt Calendar. and a weather display before I go and order the preschool kits.

I have made my choice and I'm happy and excited about it.

I hate football!

I hate football I mean I really really do! It interrupts are whole lives on Sunday. We can't do anything till after the game is over or we have to be home by the time the game comes on! I mean COME ON really why! Cleveland SUCKS we are never going to win so what's the point of watching it! I don't make the word stop for a TV show I DVR it and then go back and watch it! I didn't even do that when Buffy was still on I would tape it and watch it later!

I HATE the sound of football on the TV it drives me insane!! AND I don't understand why he has to watch it up stairs! He has a whole big basement with section couch and a 61 inch TV so why does he watch it upstairs! And it's just not the 4 HOUR games it's the pregame and after it too! I drives me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Riley and I are going to have to find a hobby or something to on Sundays from now on!

It's September!

Riley's party didn't get cleaned up till Monday and I'll tell you what it was much more work cleaning it up! It was HOT and sticky and I, ME MYSELF cleaned up the inside and out and loaded everything in to the van. I was a very cranky person that day that's for sure! The rest of the week was relaxing though I didn't have to worry about getting something done. So that was a nice change of passe.

Friday I dropped Riley off at my parents because we were going to go visit a friend on Saturday. Zach and I had a very nice evening at home got some take out watched Supernatural (It's our new DVD series we watching because we started watching it when it first came out but lost track and got to far behind so we borrowed Season's 1 & 2 from my sister and we just finished season 1.) and took a very nice walk. The weather had cooled down considerably and it was SO nice out!

But of course in being a IBS victim! (That's what I'm calling it now more on that later.) I ended up having an attack at 3 am in the morning till 4:30am when we were to leave at 6:15am. I just needed an hour more of sleep to feel better but Zach didn't want to wait that long worried about the time so I didn't get to go with him. I slept till 11am then watched the Hannah Montana movie (Cried a lot durning it!) and then cleaned out the van. Zach got home at 2:30pm which was way sooner then I thought. I didn't think he would be home till 6:30pm. I then cleaned his car out and we went and picked Riley up about 4pm.

When we got home Riley was sleeping and we were watching TV in the bedroom. I got up to go to the bathroom and caught my little toe in the bed frame. It hurt so bad! I was certain I had broken it! I broke one of my toe's once years ago smashing it on the tub as I got in and this hurt worse then that! My foot started hurting but after about an hour it started feeling a bit better and I braved touching it and it didn't hurt. I was sore walking around and after dinner I took a hot bath and it felt tons better! Riley just laid on the bed and watched TV all night. Zach had a head ache and was laying down and fell asleep and Riley was just laying on my pillow with Zach's arm draped over her hold his hand watching Dora and whatever else came on till I told it was time for bath and bed and then took a half hour to wake Zach up.

Sunday we went to the Zoo and then went and rented movies after dinner none of which we have watched yet. Monday one of my Friends and her 3 kids came over for a play date and while Riley "napped" we watch I think 3 or 4 Supernatural. Then we went over to my sister Jennifer's for a cookout which Riley had a blast playing with her twin cousins. I got to hold and feed baby Valarie which is Brian's (My Brother In Laws) Sister's new baby. Riley wouldn't look at the baby or come near her. I don't know if she was just too busy or just didn't want any thing to do with her!

Tuesday morning we got up Early (For Us) so I could drop Riley off at Papa's while I went with Jennifer to take the twins for there check up. I wanted to do a test run of the way we will go to pre-school but there was no school today so I didn't get the idea of how much traffic there would be. Riley has orientation on Thursday and then start Tuesday the 14th.

Wednesday Riley and I had a shopping trip. We drove out to Avon and went to Walmart, Old Navy and Target. Riley got to eat Burger King on the way out there and watch the Jungle Book. I never let her eat in the car so it was a special thing. We spent lots of money and got all her winter clothes. New socks for everyone and Mommy got new shirts and a few pants because none of her clothes fit and not because I lost weight either!

Today was the Orientation. She said there and colored nicely with the other kids while they went over the hand book. They have sure a small enrollment that they are combining the pre-school and pre-K classes during free play, Gym and Snack time. This ok because at least Riley will have other kids on her level to talk too. They blend Reggio and Montessori education principals. Which is learning though play and teaching a child at the level they are at which is really good for Riley because other wise she will be bored.

There are no little girls her age in class and the boys that are in her class are SO much smaller then her and do not speak as well as she does at all! Riley threw a huge fit when it was time to leave. I was quite embarrassing and she kept it up the whole way home.

I'm having mixed feelings about her starting pre-school on the one hand she really needs the social interaction. Which upset me that the class size is SO small. But she just turned three and I don't know if she has the emotional capabilities of handling pre-school. While Riley excels in learning to the point you for get she is 3 she really lacks in self control. she cries and throws fits when she doesn't get her way and she has a very hard time listening and paying attention when you are asking her to do something. So I just wonder how she is going to handle a school setting and to be honest the amount of money we are paying isn't helping either!

But like most things only time will tell.

Riley's 3rd Birthday!

This by far had to be the best birthday party I have thrown! I was so pleased how all my hard work paid off! And most importantly so was Riley and she had a blast!

Theme- Dinosaurs

Colors- Green, Orange, Yellow

~Invitations~



We invited way less people then last year. Since more then half didn't show last year we only invited the ones we knew would show. There was a total of 27 people there with 10 kids plus 1 very cute baby!

~Menu~

Hot Dogs
Hamburgers
Macaroni Salad (Gan)
Potato Casserole (Nanna)
Salad
Chips
Pickles
Grapes
Dinosaur PB&J
Cookies

~Drinks~

Mots Tots
Water
Pop
Lemonade
Fruit Punch


~Cake~









Dinosaur Crossing



Foot prints! When you came down the driveway I had the theme music from Jurassic Park playing.



We set up the food in the garage. It was such a nice day! High 81 and Sunny!



Again we borrowed tents from my sister Jennifer and a bounce house from them which Brian's brothers and sister's had gotten for the twins first birthday.



Patio



Used her pool as a large ball pit! Borrowed from both my sisters and used what she has which was about 300 balls I'd guest about 500 balls didn't even come close to filling it!



All the tables had Riley's toy dinosaurs on them. I set out books and had printed and made paper dinosaurs I got off line.



In every room we had streamers hanging from the ceiling to look like Ivy and covering the doorway to the hall and playroom. There were balloon that Zach had blown up about 45 of them! Happy 3rd Birthday signs all around too!



For favors I got dinosaur stick books and tattoos. I also got Dinosaur masks and made each kid a dinosaur tail with extra material I had at home.
blown up about 45 of them! Happy 3rd Birthday signs all around too!




The Pinata really stood up tot he test! all the kids that wanted a turn got one. Gan had to help Riley bust it open and it still took a couple swings! Zach said he was impressed!




Of course the cutest decoration was Riley herself wearing some Dinosaur PJ's I found for her at Kohl's. She had green shoes too that were only 3 bucks from Wal-Mart but those didn't stay on because of the bounce house and ball pit.

She had so much fun and was SO good! She thanked everyone for there gifts when she opened then and then went around and told everyone thank you for coming and gave them a hug! It's very cute to watch on Video! My brother in law Mike (Mikey) taped her blowing out the candles and opening gifts so we could enjoy it with her and my friend Michelle's husband took awesome pictures of durning cake and opening gifts. A big thank you to both of them! I actally got to sit down and enjoy the party and talk to the guests! It was a great party and well worth all the hard work I put into it.

It was more costly then last year even with all the stuff I did myself. it was the food that cost so much! 99.02 for food, drinks and plates and things. A grand total of 160.75 and that doesn't include Riley's outfit, ice and the propantank! It will be a challange next year to lower that total!

On her birthday which was the next day I slept till 9:30am I had gotten a cold. I wasn't too bad durning the party but needed a box of tissues close at hand. But that evening I was dieing I couldn't breathe or anything! I took some of Riley's dimatap to help me sleep and felt better the next day. She played with her new toys and we took her to Chuck E Cheese. Gan meet us up there she was very excited to see Gan and screamed her name and ran into her arms when she came in the door. Then dragged her off to show her things! We had pizza for lunch there and then took her to 3 differnt stores to look for the rest of the Toy Story Gang. Guess we will be ordering those off e-bay for X-mas.

She wanted Denny's for Dinner and then we took her to see Toy Story 3 in 3D. Papa meet us there and she was thrilled to see him. She wasn't sure it was really him standing up agaist the wall but as we got closer her little face lit up and there was a scream of PAPA PAPA!! And her running to him!

She enjoyed the movie and again sat there and watched it SO nice. She didn't fall asleep in the car but was ready for bed when we got home. She got her Plush Buzz Lightyear and feel fast asleep!

To Do List

Yesterday morning I typed up my To Do lists for the week. Since Riley's party is this Saturday I have to make sure I have everything I want done. It's a 3 part list one part is for the week and the other part is for Friday and Saturday the day of the party.

Zach just looked at me when he saw me printing out the list. I know what he was thinking OH GOD! After almost 12 years together he knows all about my list making obsession! I have to write it down I have to write it out all pretty and and cross things off my list.

The first time we moved I had my "clip board" and had everything timed out for what should be happening. It was a different move because we had to get stuff from my parents house and the from his parents house. It went nice and smooth. For 3 days before my wedding I printed out itinerary's for everyone! They thought I was crazy and yes I was and while things still happened at least everyone was on time and knew what they were so post to do. It made me feel better knowing I wrote down a list for when each of the boys were to take their shower and get dressed and leave so I wouldn't be standing there waiting for Zach.

Instead I stood in ran because someone didn't unlock the door at the church I was to go in but lucky my sister Hollie was there and got the door opened for me.

Anyways I LOVE lists makes me feel so much better! It's a short list compared to last year that's for sure! It was a two month long list of things that had to be done around the house!

Writing a To DO list also makes Zach do the things I had been asking him to do for 4 weeks right away! He understands you don't MESS with the list! For weeks I asked him to replace the kitchen fan light with the fixture my Dad gave us. It has 4 lights instead of 1. (He won't let me have 60 watt bulbs in the lights he said it hurt his eyes I said oh man this kitchen is dirty!)

Yesterday he put it up without being asked again! 3 weeks the Car Seat for his car had been sitting out side. Yesterday he finally put it in his car! And he finally helped me get poles out of the rafters in the garage that I had been asking him to for weeks.

See lists are goods they make me feel organized because I can't stand it when I'm not.

So Long Summer!

The lazy days of summer are coming to a close. School will start on the 24th and in the mornings we will here the kids walking to school and all the cars driving up and down the street. After school there will be more children walking home from school and cars lined up down the street waiting to pick the kids up. An Elementary School is right at the top of our street which is going to make it super crazy to get Riley to pre-school 2 days a week. Since they close part of the street and that's they way we have to go! We can go around to the next side street but that is the street the School is on so it's even busier then ours. Not sure what time School start since Riley starts at 9:30am I'm hoping school starts at 9am but I don't think so since the street is closed till 9:30am. The end of August is always going to be a busy time for us with Riley's birthday and School starting.

This October will be Zach and I's 5 year wedding anniversary and 12 years since we have been together! My dream of going to a Sandales Resort and getting re-married is not going to happen this year that's for sure. So we are planning a weekend getaway instead.

He also informed me yesterday that he has to go to Detroit for 2 days in September. I do not do well when he travels! I don't know why but every time he travels for work I end up getting sick! Wither it be my IBS or the Flu it just never goes well! I told him Riley and I were going with him I thinks he thinks I'm kidding but I'm really not! I have told him many times before that Riley and I were going with him! I take that back he went away for 3 days in July of 2008 and Riley and I did fine.

I haven't been feeling that well again lately and have been having IBS attacks again. I hate it! it always seems to start acting up in the Fall which I never understand because I LOVE the fall! I need to start taking the Probitics again if I can ever find the ones with the right amount that doesn't cost 30 dollars for 1 month!

I have to say my sister was right the Slim Fast upsets my stomach A LOT I didn't think it would but it really does. And with the IBS bothing me it is just not fun!

Dream

The other night or should I say day since i was napping I had a bad dream about Riley. I never dream about Riley. I know she is there but she is always with someone else in my dreams or she hasn't been born yet. Weird I know but the other day I dreamt we were at Walmart. It was a different store and it started snowing and the power went out. You could only use cash and I had none so i was putting things back when I realized Riley wasn't in the cart. I started screaming her name and ran down a center aisle. There she was standing there starting to get upset and then she saw me and ran to me. I was so scared and was shaking when I hugged her tight. She told me she had to go poop and decided to get out of the seat of the cart and got by herself! Like I said very weird dream!

Slim Fast Diet!

Some time in the past couple months I have packed on a extra 10 pounds to my already over weight self. I was always thin as a child and even in my early teenage years but it seems like after I got out of High School my wonderful metabolisuim slowed and I started gaining weight little by little. I could blame it on having a baby but I went down to my pregnancy weight very quickly. Actually during my first trimester I lost weight and looked quite nice until I turned to the side and my belly started popping out.

But no my extra weight has to do with eating late at night, having mini pizzas for lunch everyday for over month, chocolate hostesses cupcakes and a slew of other bad eating habits. In January I went off pop it was very hard I was addicted to Pepsi in the wrost way. I drank no water at all! I dropped 8 pounds and then I started drinking only sprite or the clear pops. After sometime off being off all pops. Well I gained it all back plus some and I'm saying enough is enough it's time to get this weight off!

My clothes that were lose in the spring are now too tight, I can barley bend down because I can feel the extra weight in my legs. Like when I had retained a ton of water while pregnant.

So I decided the other day to cut all pop and juices out and only drink water. But to go even father I planned on getting Slim Fast and replacing one meal a day with it. Well after I got the cans which are not cheap by they way 10 bucks for 12 cans. I saw they have a new plan. It's called 3.2.1 You replace 2 meals a day with a shake of a meal bar have 3 snacks a day and eat one sensible meal.

I logged onto the site and I liked what I found. They have the water in take log they have meal plans for you list all the different snacks you can eat which are just not there snack bars and you can track your progress and all that. So starting tomorrow I am going on the Slim Fast diet. It's going to be hard and slow going and I think most of all the amount of money it will cost will be challenging but I need to get this extra weight off that I put on and then get down to a weight I'd like to be. Wish me luck!

Naptime Drama!

I am so over the nap time drama I go though with Riley everyday! For over the past month all I do is fight with her to take a nap! If she doesn't go to sleep fine (even though she needs that nap) but she needs to lay in there quietly! It never happens! Every since Riley was born she has always been a good sleeper at night and at nap sure there were days when she didn't nap and nights were it took her longer to fall asleep but the way nap time is now it's like a scene out of Super Nanny everyday!

Nap time has always been right after lunch 1pm. I turn on Enya for her (Use to be A Mother's Gift) and she would lay down and talk to her teddy bear until she fall asleep always with in 20 mins.

Now, after lunch when I tell her it's time for nap she starts the crying I don't want to take a nap. I tell her she doesn't have to nap but she needs to have quite time. She messes around in her bed, throws her stuffed animals all over, shrieks, kicks the wall, comes out of her room with the I have the potty, or some other excuses.

Nothing works when I tell her she needs to stop. Taking the stuff animals away result in her screaming like I'm killing her, and her talking back to me. I use to be able to get her too sleep by telling her if she napped we would go in the pool afterwards or play a game or something like that but that doesn't work anymore.

I do not like letting her read books because I believe she really needs to nap. If she didn't need a nap then she wouldn't be so cranky in the evening without one and when we go out later in the day she always falls asleep in the car. Hench she still NEEDS to nap. I don't think letting her read a book is going to help her fall asleep. But most days I give in after a while and let her read books.

Per other peoples suggestions today I put a movie on for her in the my bedroom. There are no little kids shows on during nap time right now because everything is Sponge Bob because of summer. Riley is not allowed to watch Sponge Bob I think that show is just awful and teaches children nothing besides how to act stupid! Anyways since we don't have a DVR in the bedroom I put on a movie. I told her she has to lay there nicely on Mommies bed and watch the movie or it will get turned off and she will have to go in her room. My hope was she would fall asleep like she did the one day in the basement.

Well after a little while I hear the door open she drags the cat in there, then it's the potty bit and then she messing around on the floor. next time I see everything on my night stand messed up and the movie went off and she went in her room. There was another hour of fighting with her. Way didn't I give up and let her go play you ask. Well i will tell you because then she will think she can get a way with it! She then will think oh if I talk back to Mommy she will let me out, if I kick the wall enough I will be allowed out, if I shriek and scream loud enough I will be let out. After me going in there every few minutes telling her to stop that behavior and to lay in her bed quietly and yelling at her when she talked back she me or laughed at me or went ahead and did what she pleased as I'm standing right there she did finally fall asleep!

Tomorrow I'm going to try something different the movie thing is not happening so instead I thing I will give 10 mins to sit in her room and look at books. After that time then it will be time to get in bed and take a nap. Maybe that would help who knows but I'm so over this fighting everyday!

My G.I. Doctor says I need less stress yeah right I have a toddler!

Back to School

Everyone has been talking about back to school lately. I cannot believe that summer is almost over! It didn't even seem like we had much of a summer this year because it has just been SO hot and humid we have spent most of it in side! Some summer that is, I've said quite a few times this summer might as well be winter for as much as we are getting out! As much as I detest winter I am starting to look forward to fall! We are in need for a cool down and I love everything fall!

Although this year I am a bit saddened. I realized today that the Minear household is going to be entering the The Back To School scene this year and at least for the next 15 years! Riley will be starting preschool the end of September and even though it is only 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours we will be in that September to May scene of being in school and only having the summers off.

My little baby is no more! And at this point right now I feel like I could cry! She will be 3 in less the 3 weeks and all the little baby stuff is far gone! This spring and summer alone she gave up her last too baby things Diapers and her Patty!(Pacifier) She's been a toddler bed since October and has now can ever reach to turn lights on and off and open the fridge. She's always been smart but these little things that enter her more into the big kid zone is more upsetting!

Guess I will just have to start getting use to it. On another note my friend told me about a huge sale Office Max is having on back to school supplies. 5 cent crayons 1 cent folders things like that so I might have to check it out and start a back to school bin too save for when Riley doest start need school supplies. Plus I really just love office supplies!

Our Beautiful Yard!

(Before we moved in)



(August 2009)

I have never been much of a gardener. Usually I can kill any plant just by looking at it. I didn't plant anything in the front last year we didn't have the time. My Mom did put some Snapdragons and Allisum on the side of the house last year and I'm pleased to say they came back this year very nicely. I can't wait to see if the Mum blooms or not it has gotten really big! See it all the way down on the end.



Earlier in the spring Zach and I layed mulch down and put in Malibu lights (Solar). My Mom gave me some Wheat Grass and a small Burning Bush I put those in early spring. My Mom also brought me some Cone Flowers from her yard and we out those in. Then I got some flowers not many just a few. I believe thay are Pansy's. And put them in at 10:30pm a Saturday night in June while my Mom sat on the steps and watched me. I am pleased to say that they front looks wonderful! I didn't know the Pansy's would multiply! They got huge these were just 2 or 3 little flowers when I put them in!

The Wagon on the one side was my sister Jennifer's she had gotten one Christmas when she was little and all three of us played with it. I sprayed it red again and put the potted flowers my Mom and Zach's Mom gave me in it.








In the backyard there isn't much but my Mom gave me some Day Lily's they did bloom earlier in the summer very nicely! Just a few weeks ago I dug that area out and put a boarder around it and put in some bagoins. They were on clearance and it made the are look less bare. We moved Riley's swing set to the bottom of the yard.

We also planted a Weeping Willow tree sometime after Father's Day. We also have a very tiny little maple tree growing! In 50 years it will be wonderful!



(The camera was in the basement and when I took it out side the lens fogged up!)




The lawn was just over run with weeds but Zach has done a wonderful job and getting it too look nice! It was doing wonderful before we hit that very hot and dry spell but he is getting it back! Trees like to grown in places they shouldn't in our yard like the side of garage and the side of the house were the draining pipe is! Zach poured gasoline on the one by the garage and weedkiller on the side of the house. I believe the on on the side of the house is holding strong! We cannot dig them out because the are pressed right next to the house and garage and they have big pretty big trunks. The house set empty for a while and the yard was not cared for at all except for cutting the grass.

But we took HUGE strides this year in getting it too look nice and I Am Very Proud!!

Dinosaur Pinata

Every time Riley and I went to a party store to look at things she saw a Pinata and loved them! She told me she really really really wanted a dinosaur one! She talk about how she's going to get her bat and hit it and all this cool stuff will come out.

Well you know those things that you beat with a stick and bust open are anywhere from 20 to 40 bucks! I think not! So I searched google and the only thing I could find was either a dinosaur egg or one were you use a stuffed dinosaur as the mold. So I'm resting the other day laying in my bed listening to Riley screech and romping around doing anything but napping and it hit me. Why can't I make the body out of a balloon that's the only part that needs to be stuffed.

Yes...thinking.... YES!!! I can use a balloon and make the legs out of toilet paper holders and the neck out of a paper towel. So I got up and searched again on google this time the ehow site finally loaded and it had that way to make one!

So I blew up a balloon taped 4 toilet paper rolls to the balloon. Then I taped a paper towel roll bent the top a bit and took some brown packing paper and taped in all around to make the head. Took some more brown packing paper shaped it into a cone bent it a bit too make it look more "tail like" and taped it to the Balloon. And Walla! Dinosaur!



Next I paper mached the dinosaur. I got out the newspaper cut it into about 2 inch strips mixed up some "paste"
2 cups Water
1 cup Flour
4 TBPS Salt (to keep mold away)
a few TSP of Cinnamon (to make it smell nice!)

I tried to let Riley help but she couldn't get the extra paste off the paper so she went and played. I didn't about 4 layers and then let it dry over night. I was upset the next morning that it was still wet so I put a fan on it and it dried really fast. Cut a hole in the bottom popped the Balloon and took it out.


I told Zach sticking my hand in the Dinosaur was much nicer then sticking in a Turkey! I stuffed it full on little dinosaurs, mini candy bars and mini Cheez It packes with toy story on them. (Gotta have toy story!)

Taped it back up and did another 4 layers of paper mache. I had some trouble after this and thought I was going to have to start over. I either didn't put enough layers on the first time or I should have just done more layers the first time and then been done. The head, and tail started to come off the body and one side was dented in.



I was so upset! I mean really this had taken me DAYS to do and I didn't want to start over! I tried tape it didn't work then I stepped it up and got the Duct Tape. Let me say I LOVE Duct Tape. It fixed the problem and it was good to paint!

Per Riley's request I painted it green with pink spots. Just used some of my craft paint I had at home. I think it looks awesome and all it cost me was time and $8 bucks for the stuff inside!!

The basement is clean!!

I did start on it last week I got the table cleaned off in the utility room and cleaned cat poo off the carpet. I when down today cleaned more cat poo off the carpet and clean the whole thing!

Everything has a place and it all clean and organized. I painted the wall in the corner by the cats box with water sealer because when it rains really hard it was getting damp over there. It looks wonderful down there!

Riley has been a mood today! Of course no nap so after a while of her in her room I let her out. She wanted to come down stairs with me and since the cat poo was cleaned up in the morning she was able too. She played for a while and then feel asleep on the couch watching TV. I was nice she was asleep so I was able to get all the trash up stairs then took a quick shower and then started dinner. When Zach came home he went downt here to do eBay stuff and she woke up.

How I had the energy to clean the entire basement and make a new dish for dinner I will never know! Now I need to decided what to put in Riley Pinata and get that stuff so I can finish it up!

Zach: I will try really hard to keep the basement looking like that.
Me: You better!
Zach: But it might not stay THAT perfect.
Me: It better at least till Riley's party!!

He did the smart thing and walked a way! LOL

I should be...

I should be cleaning the basement but I am just putting it off as long as possible! Really though I don't see why i have to clean it the only thing I go down there for is to wash clothes! The rest of the basement is Zach's. See Riley gets the second largest room in the house for a playroom and her bedroom, Zach gets the basement which is the size of the whole house and I get a tiny little room were mostly all there stuff gets plied into it!

So not far that I should have to clean the basement when i don't even use it! The main reason I don't wan to go down and clean it is because I have to clean the carpet. yes are brand new carpet and the cat(s) poo on it! I believe it is only one of the cats and it's April! I do not know what she does I think the poor cat has a slight case of IBS and some times she either doesn't make it to the box in time or isn't finished when she though she was. I wouldn't be bad if it wasn't for the fact the the poo is liquid!

I get the spots at the bottom of the stairs and the way leading to with there box is but in the laundry room? Which is on the other side of the basement? Luckily it does come out of the Berber carpet easy. Thank goodness for Woolite Oxy Clean! But in the utily room I can not get if off the cement floors! It's always dried by the time I find it and I have even tried scrapping it off with a scraper and nothing. So when we got the carpet put in in the playroom I took the left over pieces and put them in that room so at least when it gets bad enough I can just throw them out.

But it is still super nasty in that room and I hate it so much! And this is why I don't want to go clean the basement at all!

Where did I go wrong?

So I'm super sad tonight I thought I was doing really well on the budget for Riley's birthday but after today when I bought the cake plates, napkins, balloons and banners I added it all up and I'm at $32.01 so much for being super frugal mom and doing her whole party for 50 bucks!

I'm so sick of dong hot dogs we have done them the past 2 years I wanted to do cold cut sandwiches and cut all the bread slices into dino shapes! Right now for food and drinks with that menu I'm guessing some were in the neighborhood of 30 bucks. I also still need to get favors. Riley asked for Dinosaur hats which are these foam dinosaur shapes hats she saw them at the $ store. With 10 kids that's 10 bucks right there and she also wanted dinosaur party blowers. A 8 pack is 3.99 she will not be getting those.

I feel like I took a wrong turn somewhere on something I bought. I shopping around and I believe I got the best prices on stuff!

Napkins and Plates 20 ct. 6 X 1.29

8 Happy 3rd Birthday Signs 3.00

Tables Clothes 4 X 1.00

Balloons 15 ct. 3 X 1.29

Dino Wall Stickers- 1.00

Dino Center pieace- 1.00

Streamers 8 for 4.00

Spray paint for Card Board Cut Outs- 3.40

Invations- 2.00

Forks- 45ct- 1.37

Plates- 50ct- 3.82


:: SIGH ::

Busy FUN Weekend!

Such a busy weekend and fun until Monday at 3:30am for me! Friday I FINALLY found out what kind of coffee I had a wedding a few weeks ago. I hate coffee I have tried it many times and I can't stand the taste but LOVE the smell. So I called the hall and asked. The lady didn't know and said she would look for me and call me back. On the order form it said Citvao which you can only get through a whole saler so she told me to stop on up on Friday and she would give me a bag. Turns out the coffee was Maxwell House. She gave me a little back however the little bag doesn't say what type. I'm thinking either original or house bend.

Saturday we lounged a round all day until the evening and then went to my cousin's daughter's high school graduation party. Riley had so much fun jumping on the trampoline and playing with the dogs. There house is awesome! They have done so much work and it's just beautiful! Love the patio stones and the hot tub and pool! Wish I lived there!

After we left which Riley had a minor melt down but I stayed cool and got her to stop rather quickly we went to Babies R Us to pick out a gift for my Brother In Laws Sister's baby shower that was the next day. That little stinker baby came the day before the shower 6 weeks early! Both baby and Mom are doing just fine! The shower went on as planned and the new Dad got to open all the trillions of gifts!

After we left there Riley and I went home to get Zach to go over to the east side to a carnival. We meet up with his Mom and Sister. Riley had a blast going on the climber slide thing over and over and over again with her Cousin Calvin who despite being 6 and HUGE loved it too and they had a blast! Daddy won Riley a huge Hello Kitty by playing basketball. Which Riley is just trilled with and has slept with the past too nights even the the thing takes up her whole bed!

The bad was I don't know if it was something I ate or the heat but I woke up last night and had a very bad IBS attack and Zach had to stay home this morning so I could sleep since I was up all night sick.

Riley is totally in love with the Toy Story movies. She has not seen 3 yet but will watch 1 & 2 all day if we let her which she got today since Daddy went into work at Noon and Mommy still wasn't feeling that well. She ran around the house pretending to be Buzz Lightyear talking into her arm saying came in Star Command, running with her eyes closed saying "I Can Fly!" and saying TO Infinity and Beyond! It was just too cute she did this all running around in just a shirt and Underwear which mad it even cuteier! Zach got it on tape!

Riley has been doing SO much better and me as well! I know when a tantrum is coming and I nip it in the bud before it gets too bad. I've learn that giving her 2 choices is the way to go. It's either you will do this and then we can do this or you will do this and you can't do that. But she knows either way she's going to do what I want. So it was a very good weekend and she was very good today also so I'm crossing my fingers that this will keep up!

Now I'm not saying she is as sweet as pie all day long and doesn't everything right when I ask i know that will never happen but there is no yelling and screaming and me going off the deep end just to get her to come inside or something.

She is noticing that when she behaves good things happen like all the fun we had this weekend. I wasn't going to take her to the baby shower but she was so good in the store and slept till 10:15 on Sunday that I decided too.

Today we finally made it to the ice cream truck! I have been trying all summer! Most of the time it doesn't come down the street even! Today I heard it and I said come on Riley hurry lets get pants on! She was in her nigh shirt and me in mine at 5pm because I didn't feel that great. I got my pants on and was trying to get hers on when I heard the truck pass the house. I said forget it and we ran down the street holding hands nither of with shoes and socks me no bra and my hair wild and Riley in her T-shirt yelling "Wait Ice Cream Man Wait!" They finally stopped for us (I think they we laughing at us and keep going because it was funny!)She got that Dora ice cream bar said Thank you Mister Ice Cream Man and walked back tot he house with me with the biggest smile on her face! And it will be something I will always remember doing with her!

Two of a kind! (More Like 3!)

I came across a picture my mother had posted on facebook and I couldn't help but see how much Riley and I look a like. Other then blonde hair and blue eyes we also have the same temperament! I can see my mother sitting in her office laughing an evil laugh as she reads this what goes around comes a round around!

I can hear the ring of her voice echoing in my head from my childhood when I was being difficult I HOPE YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER JUST LIKE YOU SOME DAY! I can also image my Grandmother sitting at the kitchen table smiling quietly to herself as I gave my mom a hard time and she said that too me! As I'm sure my Grandmother had said to her at times too.

Well guess what Mom you got your wish and pay back is a BI***!


But who could not help but fall head of heals in love for this little beauty!!

Affording Another Child...

Okay is this has been a topic on my Facebook status and I must say I never get THAT many comments so it must be a interesting topic. Or at least one people want to comment on. The is what I said.

"Why would anyone want to have another child after going though the terrible 2s! I know I don't."


I got a lot I comments about it. Mostly that you will want to have more except for one of my Guy Friend who finds me inspirational every time I post something that Riley did bad as more of a reason to get a vasectomy! LOL

After about 7 comment on that I would want another one...




I commented...
"Riley was such a good baby I think I'm getting paid back big time for that! Number 1Why I don't want more is I don't want to be Pregnant again I hate feeling sick and not too happy about having my stomach cut open to have another one. Number 2. They are expensive and we can't afford another one. I don't know how people afford more the one kid with only one parent working.

And a Number 3 I'm adding now I wonder how Riley would take to a new baby. She just about bet poor little Chloe down when she stepped into Riley's spot light of being the only girl!




I didn't get to many comments back on how people afford it. One person said "You make it work". And in another comment she wrote about using cloth diapers and nursing to save money and cutting thing out to get what's really important to you.

Months ago I added it all up based on what we use to get for Riley for just Diapers and Formal alone it's over 200 bucks a month for a baby. Now I did not nurse Riley. I'm not going to get in a all out war about this and I support women who choose to breastfeed but it's not poison to the baby they way some people make it out. That just really upsets me on some of the things I have read. Some people just cannot nurse they try and they try and there body just doesn't produce the milk.

I did not breastfeed because I was on and still am on Medication that you cannot breastfeed on. And it was not a option for me to go off it. Because if I did she wouldn't have gotten fed half the time because I was sick with IBS. Zach loved feeding Riley and so did my mother. I remember her waiting on her toes at the hospital the day after Riley was born for her chance to feed her!



Anyways with that being said it will cost us more a month then it does for people who nurse. I just cannot fathom how people with more then one child where only one person works can do it. I know a lot of people are able to get W.I.C. because of there income level and let me tell you I would have L.O.V.E to have that! Free formula would have just rocked and most likely if that was the case now we would have had another by now. But Zach makes too much money for that which is comical in it own way because we struggle every month just to make ends meet. I remember signing everyone and there mother up for those formula coupons just to get some relief from the 28 bucks we would plunk down every 5 days to feed Riley and then having to by baby food when she got older.

Now Zach makes a modest salary he has a professional job he is a engineer. Now he does not make what he could make living in other state but he also has a nice stable schedule and is home by 6pm every night unlike he would somewhere else.

We have a mortgage, 2 car payments, regular utility bills, cell phone, cable, and student loans. We barley put anything a way a month for savings and everything is on a shoe string budget so tight if you plucked it it would make a nice high note!

So I honestly do not know how people do it or were they cut things! I know the best prices I can get for groceries and things which is Super Walmart. I'm not a coupon clipper because everything I find that we use you have to buy 2 or 3 of and lets face it that's not saving money.

So tell me my very tiny group of readers how do you afford more then one child when you cannot get any type of assists.

Taking the first step toward peace!

Today started off as a bad day but after an hour of fighting with her Riley finally took a nap for the first time in a week! She hasn't been napping very well only here and there but she still NEEDS a nap. By dinner time she is so cranky and sometimes will start dropping off at the table or siting down. I'm not sure why all of a sudden she won't nap she use to be such a good napper! After lunch about 1pm she would go in and drift off to sleep quietly and quickly.

Not lately she lays in there and yells and throws her stuff animals and kicks the wall and come out of her room and slams the door anything she can think of she will do. But today after getting into it with her big time because Mommy is at breaking point with her behavior I left her in there for a while and when back in and told her again that if she doesn't nap she will not get to go in the pool and she needs to start behaving better. I think she actually listened that time and talked nicely too me and I gave her a hug and kiss and she laid down and when to sleep!

She woke up whining something about changing clothes with out her I'm not sure but she stopped. She changed her cloths to her bathing suit while I looked something up online and we looked at pictures of her when she was a baby. Then we went outside to play in the pool and swing and had a VERY nice time.

I'm sure Zach was thrilled when he pulled in the driveway and saw us playing happily together and not arguing or me telling him how awful the day had been. She had a few moments like when it was time to come in for dinner but I stayed clam instead of getting upset and gave a choice. You can either come in the house like a big girl and get ready for dinner and come back out and play after or you can go in the house whining and not come back out to play. She thought for a second and got off the chair she was clinging to and walked nicely in the house!

I've been looking up a bunch of different ways to handle the tantrums and the one I like the best is a little like what my sister said on a comment on my last blog about Riley. It's called a Tantrum place. You pick a spot in the house and let them know when they throw a tantrum they will go to that place or room you tell them "you can come out when you are done." If they come out still going on you take them back and tell them again you can come out when you are done. We haven't used this yet because thankfully she has been good today!

The is also The I message. I FEEL blank WHEN you blank BECAUSE blank. It's making it about you and not them. Also to tell them this a few times a day. I feel happy when you are with me because I love you.

Another good one Which is one I have always known but forgot about using is not say NO & DON'T. Instead of saying stop that, or NO or Don't do that phrase is positively. Please go around and use the steps on the slide so you won't fall and get hurt. I have to say that worked super well today! I only said it once and she stopped trying to climb up the slide and went around tot he other side. She says I climb this way so I won't get hurt.

With Riley is needs a reason for everything and if I would just take the time and give her the reason she will listen. But most of the time I'm so on edge just can't. So like on SuperNanny it's also about training myself!

As for the back talk I haven't come up with a good on yet because most of what i find is for older children. But for know I'm going to do the walk away and tell her she can talk to me when she can talk nicely.

Hopefully this things will work and I won't want to rip my own ears off so i don't have to listen to her. I don't except all days to be super happy but they have to get better then this or I WILL be making a tape to send into Super Nanny! i really wonder what Riley would make of Jo or if Jo would have finally found her match! I hope not because then there is no hope for me!

Our New Bathroom!

I just love how it turned out! It's just how I pictured in my head it would look!




The new tub is wonderful! I got to take a very short bath today with Riley and the cats pounding on the door and coming in and out every few seconds so it wasn't quite that relaxing. (She was so post to be napping!) But the back of the tub is nice and it very comfortable to put your head back! There other one was a straight back and i couldn't lay back and relax.




It so nice to take a shower and not stare at the wall thinking this really needs replaced! The walls are so much higher that know the water doesn't it the dry wall. Which was very nasty i was told when it was ripped out!



Not the best picture of the Mirror but I got it for 20 bucks at Old Time Pottery.




The counter top looks so much nicer with the blue paint unlike it did when the bathroom was yellow.

And there you have are pride and joy a new bathroom!! I told Zach it makes the whole house seem more updated because that was the worse room! And now we rest!