Henry's Third Birthday Party

On the 20th of September we had Henry's third birthday party. What fun! The theme was "Cars" of course. Henry is a major fan! But then he likes all cars, trucks, etc. We even had a "Cars" cake. My dad, brother Matt, sister-in-law Kaye, and nephew Eric came up from Lansing. Shannon and her husband Warren were there and friend Robin with her little girl Ali. The kids ranged from 8 months to 3 years so they mostly played with the toys and not each other. We had some friends and family that couldn't make it since they were out of town but the group we had was perfect.

Mark made hamburgers on the grill and we had some veggies and salad...no biggie cause you come to a party for the cake, right? Right? After lunch Henry opened his gifts. That was so much fun. He would open one and then play with it. We had to coax him to open another. And what great gifts! What a spoiled little boy ;-)! Grandpa, Uncle Matt, Aunt Kaye, and Eric gave him a big Handy Manny truck with all the tools that turns into a workshop where you can fix a toaster, fan, clock, etc. It talks and sings. Thanks guys :-( My brother has a major payback for that noisy gift coming for Christmas! Shannon and Warren gave Henry a big pack of vroom vrooms...a.k.a. matchbox cars. Robin and Ali gave him vintage Coke trucks set. Henry loved that too. Grandma gave him a wooden Thomas the Tank Engine set and the "Henry" train. Uncle Pete sent BMW racer wall appliques. Can't wait to put hose up in his room! These were the best gifts and he is truly a blessed little boy for having such generous family and friends.

After all the gift opening and playing we sang "Happy Birthday" and ate the yummy cake and ice cream. Henry had a wonderful time as did we all and it is a happy memory.

Toothpaste

Call me crazy but I am very particular about my toothpaste. And the toothpaste I like best I buy at the Dollar Tree (dollar store). It is not some crazy off brand either. It's Colgate whitening in gel form. I love it and I save some money too. I also buy my toothbrushes there since they sell the ones I like and it's a name brand too. Anyway last week I ran out of toothpaste but I did not have time to go to the Dollar Tree. Instead while I was at K-mart I bought Colgate toothpaste. I thought it was the same or at least similar to the other stuff that I wouldn't notice the difference. It was the most VILE toothpaste I have ever used! It was like brushing with a moldy, mossy flavored paste with just a tiny bit of mint thrown in. I honestly thought I was going to gag. After choking through the brushing my tongue felt weird until I gave in to the urge and drank some juice. And I could smell that moldy, mossy scent whenever I talked. There was no fresh breath to be had.

Needless to say I was back at the toothpaste savior (Dollar Tree) begging to be saved with minty fresh breath and clean teeth. I don't understand how toothpaste could 1. taste so rank and 2. be so different from one variety to another. The only thing I can think of is that the one from the dollar store is a gel and the one from K-mart was a paste. That's it. That's the only difference I can come up with that doesn't involve my being poisoned by nefarious schemers bent on destroying a stay-at-home mom. Stay away from the paste. You have been warned!Toothpaste bent on my destruction
Good toothpaste

Schwan's Home Delivery

Yippee! Schwan's delivered or rather UPS delivered the food I order from Schwan's for my brother. The problem is the food was delivered Wednesday. I ordered the food last Thursday. It should have been there for the weekend so meal time would be taken care of while Matt rested and the family took care of him. That's why I didn't send flowers...I thought this would be more worthwhile and helpful. I called on Tuesday to complain. Supposedly there is a problem with the website and it doesn't tell you the correct dates for shipping. They KNOW about it and yet there is no note to warn you. They said they are fixing the problem but I think just adding a little note telling people to "call for actual shipping dates and times while we fix this problem" would have been the kind thing to do. And it would save them money since they refunded my order.

But they did deliver the food and I got my money back AND my brother and family are enjoying the meals and ice cream I sent them. So I have had my faith restored in the company. Which is good cause I like to get food from them. Lots of healthy meals and frozen yogurts, sinful ice cream, steaks, crab cakes, etc.

Crankies and colds

What a day. After yet another night of children getting me up all night Irene decided to just get up early. And she was sopping wet. So off came her sheet and blanket for the laundry. When Henry got up an hour later he had used the pull-up as a diaper...to major leakage results. So off came his sheets, comforter, pillow cases. I ended up with three extra loads of laundry. Grrrrrr.

And both kids have colds with coughs. Extra cranky babies today. I realize they are not feeling well but is it necessary to turn into drooling beasts that attack when eye contact is made? Then for sh*ts and grins (literal sh*t) Henry has forgotten how to use the potty chair and has pooped in his underwear twice. Yippee another load of laundry for me!

Big brother Matt texted me that the gift I sent him never showed up yesterday. Grrrr. There was an email stating it had been shipped but it wouldn't be delivered until Wednesday. What the....? I called, mad that this had happened. The gift is almost pointless now since it is two meals for them to make while Matt was recovering. I explained the situation to them and how I was upset that their website said it would be delivered by Monday. Supposedly there is a problem, that they know of, on their website that doesn't explain their delivery practices. They only ship on certain days blah blah blah. So why don't you state that on the site? It would have been useful information! Thankfully they are giving me a refund. I did not ask for a refund they just volunteered it...wonder if this happens a lot?

It would be nice if just for once something I did to be nice, thoughtful, or just needed to be done didn't turn to sh*t. I am discouraged today.

Pottys, colds, and partys...Oh my!

Ah potty training. What a way to bring out my insecurities as a mother. Am I doing this right? Is this how the other mommy's do it? Should he be sleeping/napping in a pull-up? I am trying to remember that what I am doing is fine and that yes, I am a good mom.

Friday was a terrific day pottying. Henry had six pairs of new undies. Three Thomas the Tank Engine and three Cars. He ran around in those all day and loved using the potty. He even carries it to the bathroom and empties it in the toilet. My only concern is naptime and bedtime. I put him in a pull-up at those time and he completely forgets about using the potty. Instead he pees in the pull-up when he wakes up. I think he thinks the pull-up is a diaper. I am going to have to suck it up and start putting him in bed with just the undies. I was hoping to avoid having to wash sheets each day, but I think that is going to be the best way with him.

Saturday I made a potty training mistake by going out of town with the kids. It was a trip planned before pottying was planned. It was a fast day trip but Henry would not potty in his chair, which I brought in the car. Nor would he use the grown-up pottys. Add to that the pouring rain, my headache, and my cranky mother.... Once we were back home he was back to pottying like a pro. And he even pooped on it! He just walked over and did it, no guidance needed. Good Boy! And yes, I took a picture. And sent it out to family and friends. :-0 So overall the potty training is going well. The big test will be driving to Grand Rapids to pick up daddy at the end of the week.

Last night we had a bad night of sleep. At 1am I was still awake. Every time I dosed off one of the kids would cry. Once I got to sleep one of them would get me up every hour. EVERY HOUR! Finally put Henry into my bed at 5:30am. He proceeded to cough and hack into my hair. Lovely. Both kids have running noses, sneezes, and coughs. I am NOT happy. I am hoping this cold will run its course fast. Henry's birthday party is on Saturday and we have a couple of kids coming plus adults. Here's your party favor...A cold. You're welcome!

It's Potty Time!

Okay okay...potty time doesn't start until tomorrow but my super duper smart boy has already tried out his potty chair tonight. We went to K-Mart to buy an Elmo potty chair. When you high five Elmo he says "great job". When we got home Henry wanted to try it out. And sure enough about five minutes later he had peed in it! I am sooo proud! Of course like any good mom I took pictures of him with my phone and sent them to daddy, Uncle Matt, Uncle Pete, Stacy.......

SO tomorrow is the big day. We are going to have our first official potty training day! I have stickers, m&ms (one for pee pee, two for poop), and lots of praise ready to go. Hopefully Roo will stay out of the chair although she thinks she should be able to sit on it too.

Wish us all luck!

Time for a quiet day.

Well the hospital is springing my brother today. Earlier this morning they thought his arm might need surgery but have decided against it. The heart doctor said his ticker is fine and he should be heading home soon. I am trying to send him some frozen dinners from Schwann's. It's more practical than flowers at this point and then they don't have to worry about coming up with meals for the next few days. We are having Henry's third birthday party next week Saturday and I am hoping Matt and the family will be able to drive up.

Yesterday Henry, Irene, and I had my friend Shannon over for dinner. She was kind enough to stop to the store and pick up garlic bread for me and I've just realized that I never paid her back for that. Sorry Shannon! Although Henry and Irene have seen Shannon before, last night they went crazy for her...so did my dog Lu Lu. I wonder if Shannon was wearing some kind of special scent? Eu d'love me? My feelings were hurt just a bit. Any other time these kids won't leave my side but Shannon comes over and they LOVE her? Gee thanks. And the damn dog too!

Anyway the kids really had a great time with her and Irene was on her best behavior. No temper tantrums, no dramatics. Of course she has more than made up for it today. Three temper tantrums in ten minutes. I did yell at one point during the evening when there was a "road rage" issue over the play car. They both wanted it and actually shared...for a minute. I was so tired though and I started to lag as the night went on. No scintillating conversation from me.

While Shannon was leaving Matt called me from his cell phone. Yes, he used his cell phone in the hospital. Those signs aren't meant for him, silly. Anyone that knows him will totally understand and laugh over that. Matt is the cell phone God. The best part was that everytime he tried to call out the cell phone signal would interrupt his IV and set off the alarm. Perfect.

I am off now to enjoy some peace and quiet...while the kids nap....yeah right. Quiet? Peace? In this house? I am going to enjoy a lower noise level :-)