Hi there.

I am speaking out for the rolls of toilet paper that have been destroyed in this mad house that these people call a home. Now I know – a roll of toilet paper is something that has neither a voice nor an opinion but for the love of all things sane – I finally had to speak up and say something!

Point A – I am not a chew toy for a hyperactive 9 month old pug. As if it is not mortifying enough that I have become a chew toy for a pug – I am a chew toy for a pug named Penelope Anne no less AND to add insult to injury, the young people in this house think that her toilet paper antics are hilarious and actually ENCOURAGE this behavior! The mother in the house does seem to have the sense to be suitably upset by the toilet paper chewing but has also not seemed to have the time nor the energy to suitably handle this situation.

Point B – I am not meant to be entirely spent up on the mummification of a 4 year old. Seriously? Two whole rolls? Fortunately the children stopped at the third roll when they became distracted with the prospect of finding some place to bury said 4 year old sending aforementioned 4 year old into an (appropriate if you ask me) anxiety attack and thus ending the game.

Point C – I am not a toilet bowl “clogger-upper”. I am meant to be used in modest amounts for appropriate (but not necessary to be mentioned) bathroom necessities.

Sincerely,

The Toilet Paper

So the other day, the Little Buddy and I ran out to the doctor to have ear infections diagnosed – cold and flu season is in full swing here – I need to bust out my button from last year! When we came back -

no Penelope the Pug -

we looked everywhere -

called her name -

called her name -

no pug.

We called the vet, we called the animal control people, we called my BFF’s and neighbors.

We jumped in the car we drove – we called out -

PENNY!!!!!

PENNER MENNER!!!!!!

PENELOPE ANNE THE PUG WHERE ARE YOU????????

One of my best BFF’s jumped in the car with her two youngest and drove around -

PENNY!!!!!

PENNER MENNER!!!!!!

PENELOPE ANNE THE PUG  WHERE ARE YOU????????

Sigh – we went and picked up the middle child, went in to get a snack before returning to the streets to continue the search…

and there, low and behold, from behind the snack bucket, marched out a very sleepy

PUG!

This was my facebook status update:

Holly thought she had a Pug on the Lam but it turned out I had a Pug in the Pantry.

Dear Facebook Friends,

I love you – I really do. I would not have accepted your friend request if we did not know one another in some capacity. I genuinely enjoy reading about your day, seeing your pictures, and watching you all try to one up each other to be the funniest facebooker.

Now here are some things that I would like to let you know about your status updates before you begin:

Yes – I know you are tired – really we are all tired – ’nuff said.

I think it is cute that you think that I am going to read your status update and suddenly say – “hey that was an amazing status update and I am going to go ahead and change political parties”. Guess what folks – not going to happen.

The whole reason that I like to check Facebook is because I like to know what is going on in your life – keep me informed – love that. I don’t even mind the mundane, “Bob is going to the store” status updates. I do, however, mind blasting your spouse for all of your 237 Facebook Friends to read. Please don’t do that – it makes me uncomfortable.

Facebook drama – I actually check Facebook hoping for drama – love it – HIGHLY entertaining. I do not however want to participate in anyway in any kind of drama. Find someone else to traumatize.

Tagging – really? Why you gotta be mean? Yes – the cream cheese stuffed blintz that I was eating was AWESOME – did I want a picture of me eating it on the internet for my entire past, present and future to see? Not so much.

Here is a little Facebook hint for you: Guess what? They changed the way that you update your status now so you can type in your entire story. There is no more need for this series of updates…….

Sally is sad…..

Sally’s friend – ??????
Another of Sally’s friends – What’s wrong honey?
Another of Sally’s friends – Hope you are having a great day. I love you!!!!!
Finally Sally – oh it is nothing guys – just some personal stuff going on

Sigh – news flash – don’t put it on Facebook!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much my sweet Facebook friends,

Now I gotta go update my status!

Holly

Holly blogs about her families daily adventures at http://iheartbowheads.blogspot.com

Awesome – right?????

So – the last few days have been a little up and down – something like this….

7 year old woke up saying her teeth and her stomach hurt (first day of orthodontic work done yesterday – more on that in future posts)

The Agony of Defeat

Then she decided she was good and off to school we went

The Thrill of Victory

Got all three kids loaded up – driving to drop the oldest off – the youngest (age 3) starts crying, “I don’t wanna go to my ‘chool, I don’t wann go to my ‘chool”

The Agony of Defeat

Then we picked up our little carpooling friend and all three kids piled out of the car at preschool like little tiny cute champs to their amazing school with it’s amazing circular drop off.

Let me just tell you…..

THE THRILL OF VICTORY!!!!

Then – off I head to the gym to work out AND shower!

The thrill of victory!

Head to Car Toys because – Mommy really really wants her DVD player in her car to work again. It has been a long time and both the Roach Coach (my minivan) and I miss it so let’s see what they say…… 275 dollars to repair

The agony of defeat

Leave Car Toys in plenty of time – head to Old Navy.

The thrill of victory!!!!!!!!!!

Phone rings in my pocket – school nurse for the 7 year old. She has a tummy ache and her teeth hurt. Now I am faced with a dilemma – she is a really good girl who never tries to get out of stuff so I head immediately to school where I decide to take her with me. No more shopping, no Hobby Lobby…..

The AGONY of defeat!

Then – we go pick baby brother up ( he only goes two days, a couple of hours) and sister starts perking up. We go home, she eats lunch, takes some Motrin, says “Mommy – I want to go back to my teacher”. We jump in the car, drop her off, 3 year old FALLS ASLEEP on the way home, transfers to his bed for nap time and now I write this post while waiting for my 5 year old to be dropped off by my wonderful carpool Mom friend.

THE THRILL OF VICTORY!!!!!!!!!

Phew – is this day over yet? Oh no wait – lot’s more to go……. well – wish me luck!

Holly makes an attempt at blogging her families daily adventures at http://iheartbowheads.blogspot.com

There are so many things I want to whisper in their ears.

When they are still and sleepy and holding my hand…

There are so many things that I want to say to them after a busy and fun day.

I want to say how special they are - but I want them to be humble.

I want to tell them to be happy -  but I want them to be able to handle it when they are sad.

I want to tell them that they can do anything that they want – but I really don’t want them to do anything that they want (think of the chaos in my van alone!)

Tonight I decided as I whispered in the soft little ear and tucked the little footed jammie under the covers that I would whisper

Try

I want you to try.

I want you to try anything and everything but learn from your choices.

I want you to try hard.

I want you to do your very best at everything you do.

There is so much that can be solved with just a little try.

So that is what I whispered tonight

In the soft little ear

I kissed the sleeping cheek and I tucked them in a little tighter and all I whispered was

try.

Twas the night before Thanksgiving…

Dear Texas Weather,

I get it – you are crazy – love that about you – really I do. I have never really had a problem with that. I do think that there is such a thing as taking something a little too far. Maybe you could try for a little bit of balance?

Dropping 35 degrees in one night? Seriously? My poor asthmatic 5 year old’s peak flow meter actually laughed at her this morning – laughed out loud – an inanimate diagnostic device. This is really extreme. I have stacks of children’s shorts and pants just sitting out at this point – no idea what we will need from day to day and while I am lodging complaints…… could you pass this letter on to the Texas meteorologists?

Dear Texas Meteorologists,

I wish I had your job – or maybe I don’t – I guess being a Meteorologist in Texas is a little bit like being a psychic at a schizophrenia convention but seriously – I wish you would just stand and up there and say, “you know what folks – we don’t really know – your guess is as good as ours!” That would be a lot better than this whole, “well if it does this it could rain and if it does this it could snow, and if it does this it could be dry….. didn’t you just basically say that you have no bleeding idea? Why don’t you just say that?

Sincerely,

Holly
Concerned Texan

Holly makes an attempt at blogging her families adventures at http://iheartbowheads.blogspot.com

Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA Annual December Auction

Where? Flower Mound United Methodist Church (3950 Bruton Orand Flower Mound, TX 75022)

When? December 14th, 2009 9:30-11:30am

What do I do with my children? Register them with Meghann for childcare provided by the wonderful caregivers from Adventure Kids! Cost is 5 dollars per child. Please RSVP (lceptareservations@yahoo.com) ASAP to ensure a spot

How do I get in? Reserve a bidder number with Amber (ageldersma@verizon.net)

Admission to the auction is 5 dollars each and includes food and drink from Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Corner Bakery, Great Harvest Bread Company, and Swirl Bakery just to name a few.  It also buys your first 5 raffle tickets; additional raffle tickets available for purchase at the auction. Raffle items include jewelry, gift cards, free entrée cards, gift baskets, gift items and much much more!

Auction schedule of events:
9:00 – nursery check in begins
9:30 – 10:30 silent auction items are open for bidding!
10:30 – silent auction ends, raffle drawing begins!!!!!
10:45 – check out begins
11:30 – pick up children from childcare – head home to admire your amazing shopping prowess!
A sampling of auction items up for grabs: Nintendo DSI, 2 nights at an Embassy Suites in San Antonio, birthday parties from places like Win Kids, Jump Zone, and Peter Piper Pizza, gift cards GALORE (Applebees, Rosa’s Café, TomThumb – the list goes on and on), registrations for local preschools, massages, toys, free Karate, gymnastics, Gymboree, HUGE photographer packages, a 400 dollar golf foursome at Timarron Country Club, and SO MUCH MORE!

Detailed lists and starting bid prices will be emailed to all bidders that have RSVP’d to Amber at ageldersma@verizon.net

Who are you and why are you raising money?
The Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA (GLECPTA) is an organization dedicated to the health, education, and welfare of children and their families. We are a non-profit organization offering friendship, guidance, and support for families with children ages 0-6. We rely solely on fundraising projects to provide the resources to fund our activities and support local charities throughout the school year. A portion of our December auction proceeds will go to support the Lewisville ISD Council of PTA’s DRESSED TO LEARN program that provides new clothing or LISD at risk students so they are dressed to learn and attend school.

For questions or to donate please contact Holly O. at hollyo1@mac.com

Yes – I like mowing the lawn.

Yes that is an actual picture of me mowing the lawn taken with my phone that is always in my back pocket. Anyone driving by would think I most certainly had lost my mind!

1. The Noise

Yes – it is loud – it drowns out anything and everything and I LOVE it when the children come and try to tell me something and they look like this:

…and I’m all “what’s that – I can’t hear you – just a second!!!!!!”   Love that!

2. The Exercise.

3. It Gives my Husband More Time with the Kids

When Daddy does the lawn on the weekend it sort of takes him out of commission for a lot of hours. This way – I cut that down and he gets to play with us instead of the yard!

***** Note – I am still not a weedeater operator. That one scares hubby a little. I am not the most mechanically savvy person (although you should see me out there with the electric hedge trimmer!) and our weedeater is old and a little tricky.

Holly keeps a daily blog of adventures with two bowhead girls and her baby boy, check it out!

I could have the rewind……..

I have been on this amazing journey. I met this kind man. Together he and I made the three most amazing children. They grow each day. Each day they learn something new and I am so looking forward to seeing what they do tomorrow. I don’t want to go back. I don’t want the younger husband. I love the one I have now and I love him more every day for each step of the journey that we take together but when it all comes down to it – when we part – I know that I will wish that we could go back – that we could rewind………

The same goes for my children. I am loving this phase of life – school and soccer and playing outside and family outings that don’t involve crying jags or puking. I love my children more every day because of the trip that I am able to take with them but each day – they get bigger. Each day – they are farther away from being the babies that we made and closer to being the adults that we cannot wait to meet.

I am excited for the journey that I am on. I am on it for life and I don’t want to go back. I don’t want new babies or a new husband – I want to find out what happens with the ones that I cherish but I do have moments…….

Little moments like the night before my youngest – my baby boy – my miracle child – turns 3 that I wish……

I could just rewind – just for a minute – and taste it and feel it and breathe it one more time.

Holly keeps a daily blog of adventures with two bowhead girls and her baby boy at http://iheartbowheads.blogspot.com