Simplier Times

Sunday afternoon we decided to visit the state museum. Randy and I had not been in several years (Emily has never been) and it was so stinking hot outside that we needed something to keep us entertained inside. We got admission to the main exhibit AND to the special King Tut exhibit for $20 less than what it would have cost us! Why? Because the AC wasn't working well. Ah, South Carolina! You get us every dang time.

It was a touch warm, but not unbearable inside. And there was just so much to see! Emily loved the King Tut exhibit and she squealed when she saw a dog statue artifact. Whoops.  Sorry, startled museum go-ers. She just really loves dogs.

We ventured into the section of the museum full of the state's history.  SC gets a bad wrap sometimes (ok, most times) but it really is a fascinating place, both then and now. I loved the exhibits that depicted what it would look like living in the state on an old plantation and was fascinated by the kitchen gadgets people owned just as electricity was becoming a household commodity. I remember seeing a lot of those items in my grandmothers house and it brought back some good childhood memories. I can vaguely remember the small garden at my grandparents house, the laundry line out back and I even have her mixing bowl that I still use to this day.

It's such a stark comparison to life today. I have at least 4 different mixing bowls in our kitchen cupboard and we are constantly running out of room to put things in our house. We are surrounded by excess and it's at times annoying, yet we constantly seek more.  I can remember a time not that long ago (less than a year ago) that I wanted a bigger house, a newer car, nicer clothes and more things. But my mindset has significantly shifted. Partly I know because, let's be honest, I have a baby that demands more of my money! I don't have extra money that I can spend on stuff but rather I spend what I do have on things we need. And it's exhausting, the constant searching for and buying the latest thing. Sure, it's fun to find a good deal but do we really need another $5 DVD?

So, we are beginning to think seriously about decluttering our household and our lives. For starters, we have canceled the cable. And we have survived without it (although it is not yet college football seasons, so TBD if we will). Once this sweltering heatwave has passed, we will begin tackling (dum, dum, DUM) our garage and giving away or yard selling most (if not all) of what's in there.

I'm curious. What are ways you have simplified your life? How has it changed you? 

*M

Reasons My Daughter is Crying

Several months ago, a mommy friend introduced me to Reasons My Son is Crying. It's a hilarious compilation from a dad of all the daily, random reasons why his toddler is having the worst.day.ever. I remember reading it and just about dying from laughter because they were all so silly ("I touched his foot with my foot" or "The milk is in the wrong cup") and they were all accompanied by a picture of his son sobbing.

Oh, it was all so funny then. But this is now. And now this is my life.

Now, in all honesty, Emily does have a pretty valid reason for being cranky these days. She is teething, recovering from a nasty rash as a result her most recent set of vaccination shots and she's taking medications for an ear infection. But, Emily and I have known each other for a year now and I've become accustom to her many and varied cries. I've come to learn the difference between a serious "I don't feel good" wail to "things are not going my way" bloodcurdling scream. The first is usually accompanied by huge tears and a good cuddle or snack does the trick to make things right. The later is suspiciously absent of tears and is often combined with some serious head shaking, throwing herself backwards (usually when I'm hold her) and in rare instances, what I'm pretty sure is an attempt at biting me. Sigh.

Yesterday was full of those meltdowns. From the time I picked her up from daycare to the time I finally gave in at bathtime and asked Randy take over, my daughter cried beacuse:

• She spilled her Cheerios in the car 
• She couldn't play in the fridge
• I moved her away from the hot oven
• I closed the pantry door
• She ate all her green beans
• I turned the page in her book
• Tooth brushing time stopped
• I wouldn't let her drink bath water

I'm beginning to feel like maybe the toddler years aren't going to be all sunshine and giggles.

*M

SAHM (for the day)

I love Saturdays. The work week is over and it's nice to wake up and not have anything on the agenda. I woke up last Saturday with the thought "I'd like to pretend that I'm a SAHM (stay at home mom) for the day and find fun things for us to do!"

This past Saturday, Randy had to take his truck in for servicing so EG and I had a mommy and daughter morning out! We had breakfast at McDonalds, went to the library (her first trip!) and got groceries. Emily was so good during the entire adventure. She loved exploring the puzzles and books at the library. I think if I had let her, she would have pulled every book off the shelf. She chose a few books (she picked one about hide-n-seek polar bears and another story about a mouse who flew with the Wright brothers) and we grabbed some DVDs of Clifford and Author. Cleary, this kid loves some animals. She even made a new friend (see the bottom right picture :)) and wanted to sit with her while she read one of her new books. We had such a great time but I was exhausted by the time lunch rolled around!

Saturday funday! 

Sunday was a busy day of church, cleaning and resting. I noticed at lunch that Emily felt warm and had begun breaking out into a rash all over her body. I called the nurse hotline at our wonderful pediatricians office. They told me to keep an eye on it but sounded like she was coming down with a virus. It didn't seem to be bothering her that much and I thought we were passed the worst of it.

Then she woke up yesterday with the rash all over her face and redder than the day before. Ugh! After a quick call to the pediatirians office, we decided to take her in. Randy had a busy day at work so I was a SAHM again! I was determined to make it a good day together, even if we were home because she was sick. The doctor couldn't see us until later in the morning so we did a quick errand and then went by a local park to see if we could spot some ducks. We brought bread for them but no luck! They must have been sleeping in on a lazy Monday morning. Emily loved the swings so we played on them for a while and then went to check out the waterfall.

Still looking for those ducks

After our morning adventure, we visited our Dr. W (our favorite pediatrician) and it was determined that Emily had a reaction to her vaccination last week AND an ear infection! Poor thing just can't catch a break. Luckily, some antibiotics and an afternoon nap seemed to kick off the healing process. While she napped, I tackled the mountain of laundry in our spare bedroom, vacuumed, mopped, changed our sheet and started another load of laundry.  And after Emily woke up, we took a quick stroll around the neighborhood, colored and I even cooked dinner. I was so proud of all my accomplishments! Gold star for my SAHM day!

So, on days like today, when we are back in the grind and I'm trying to get myself ready for work and Emily ready for school, packing both our lunches, realizing I don't have what I need to put together an easy dinner in the crock pot, rushing out of the house to beat early morning traffic and doing it all in a dress and 3 inch heals....I'm reminded that I can and DO have great days as a mom, a wife and employee. They usually don't all happen on the same day. But I can make the best of the time we have together and enjoy the little things without worrying about what's next on my to-do list. I'm thankful for my "pretend SAHM days" because they remind me of what's important in life and hold me over until our next fun adventure together.

*M