Author: Melissa

I was hearing way too much "Me first!" and "Mine!" and needed to do something. I was ready to pull my hair out. If I heard one more fight about who got the pink plate or who got the last grape…
Now we have a jar of Hershey's Kisses on the kitchen counter labeled "Kisses for Kindness". I saw this on Lots of Scotts and decided to give it a try. When we see the girls doing something extra loving or unselfish, they get 'kissed' for being kind. The only rule is they cannot tell me they did something – we have to catch them in the act. Not that they don't try. ("Mom, I gave Grace my favorite toy! Wasn't that so super kind of me?") Its a great way to give immediate encouragement when kids are being loving and making good choices.

Its been great! It has made the girls much more aware of being kind and unselfish towards each other. And I am so excited to have some positive reinforcement going on – sometimes it feels like all I do is tell them what not to do. Give it a try and tell me what you think!

…then Colin decided to wake up early.

As in 2:30am early.

But, I need to be sensitive. I mean, he is just a baby and with daylight savings timethat really would have been… 3:30. Hummm… still not okay.

I have seriously been awake since 2:30, you guys. In the AM!

So, needless to say, I'm dragging a bit today. Right now he is in his crib, screaming his head off, once again refusing to sleep as I try to put myself together this morning, globbing on undereye concealer in an effort not to look like a vampire. And go figure, Monday is our busiest day of the week.

This should be fun! How much coffee is too much coffee? Because I may find out today.

That's me!

Either we have nothing going on or we have something scheduled every night. We have no one over to our house, or we have so many people we are parking cars up the street around the corner. I'm not involved in my kids schools or I'm there every single day doing something. My husband is not traveling at all or he is gone for an entire month. I'm not sewing at all or I'm trying to cram a month worth of sewing into 3 days.

Perhaps you can relate?

Balance. That's what I need. I need to find some balance. In anyone has figured that out how to do that, let me know.

"Grace, get off your brother!"
"Why? He sits in my lap all the time!"
"You are four. He is six months old. You cannot sit in his lap!!"

Seriously. What is wrong with my kids today?

"Mommy has a headache. Please play quietly in your room while Mommy takes a nap."

Can someone please explain how jumping off the bunk beds, singing at the top of their lungs, playing with whistles and a recorder fits into the definition of "playing quietly"?

Ugh. I should have just put on a movie.

Have you guys visited Sources of Joy? Its such a cute blog. Anyway, she tagged me for a meme, which I haven't done in forever! Perfect for my crazy week!!

10 years ago I…
1. Spent the summer in China. (Ni hao!)
2. Started dating a friend of mine. (Who I ended up marrying.)
3. Had the best roommates ever. (Hi, Erica and Kelly!) 
4. Was ten pounds lighter. (I was way too skinny. Really)
5. Got lots more sleep. (Oh, sleep. My old friend…)

Things on my to-do list (for tomorrow):
Finish up sewing burp cloths, run kids around, go grocery shopping, bake cookies, clean the house for a dinner we're hosting on Thursday, return library books and go to story hour, go to bank, arrange playdates for next week, drop off shipment at post office, go to church dinner to hear missionary speak, and – if I'm lucky, sleep.

Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Help people. We're surrounded by people in tough situations who could use a little help. 2. Move. Our house is so nice, but I would love a house not on a busy street, in more of a neighborhood.
3. Make sure the house I bought had a really big yard with a swingset. And room for a dog.
4. Go on vacation. And bring our families.
5. Buy my husband a new car. He's driving an old car that is starting to fall apart and I know he would just love to have an awesome car. But he's way too responsible to actually buy one.
6. Get pedicures. Often.

Places I have lived
1. Solon, Ohio (Hi, Mom!)
2. Albion, Michigan. (Burr!)
3. Several places in Connecticut (Hi, Grandma!)
4. Mission Viejo, CA (Lookin' pretty good in this weather!)
5. Philadelphia, PA (Center City. Oh, we had so much fun!)

Jobs I've had:
1. Fundraiser/Event planner (Busy, but fun!)
2. Dance teacher (Also very fun!)
3. Tutor (for junior highers. Not so fun.)
4. Program Advocate at an extremely liberal women's organization. (really!)
5. Bank teller (Only set off the alarm twice!)
6. Cashier (I actually liked that…)
7. Data Entry (Awful. So awful.)
8. Preschool aide (LOVED that!)

I never know who to tag. If you are related to me (including you, Megan), consider yourself tagged.

We have SUCH a busy week here in the girlymama household. I think we'll be out every single night - joy! PLUS, I've been up late watching the World Series every night. Go Phillies!! No time to write in complete sentences or even paragraphs…..

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I just spent the last two days sewing like a madwoman getting ready for Eliza Grace's first craft show! Eek!! But look at this little piece of fall cuteness now in the store! That fabric comes in green too. I think I must have some.

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Colin's first official sickness/injury is…. ringworm! Won't that be adorable in his baby book? How the world did he get that? And he got two shots today. He is just super dooper cheerful! Is it bedtime yet?

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I am sooo frustrated. I just got this book but I barely have time to read it. All I want to do is snuggle up on the couch under a blanket with a cup of coffee at my side and read until its done. Instead I have to be all responsible and take care of my kids and stuff. Darn it. 

(Ohmygosh, you guys, its sooo good so far! I tell you, if I wasn't happily married and Edward Cullen wasn't about half my age, a vampire and fictional….)

…how unbelievably annoying baby toys are.

Especially the toys with batteries.

Especially when you have helpful older siblings to help teach baby how to push buttons so that the toys make as much noise as possible.

Especially the toys that play songs.

Especially the toys that play the same song over and over and over and over and over…

(bangs head against wall)

help me