A New Adventure Has Begun!

This week summer came to an end and school started. I am so sad summer is over. This has been the first summer I haven't counted the minutes until they got on the bus! Last week we were on vacation and it looked a little something like this....

Who would want this to end?

Once I get into the swing of this new schedule I will post all my feelings on being the mom of a middle schooler! (Insert sniff sniff here!)

Catherine

Is this a test?

The kids needed and adventure today as I have kept them locked in the house while I try to work so we decided to head off to Costco. Costco is the perfect place to wonder around for hours and they even have free snack while you do it!

We had lunch and wondered up and down every aisle. Exciting right? I know you wish you were me.

Anyway, as we were loading the car up with our haul, I went to put the cart in the cart trolley thingy and noticed a cart in there with purchases still in it. I was parked out of the way so I looked around and there was no one to be seen. Who leaves their purchases in the shopping cart in the cart barn? I mean you have to have pushed it across the parking lot with the stuff in it and then walked away! And then it hit me, I have done that in the past when the kids were screaming, or I was on the phone (I know, I know) or just flat out not paying attention. Hello Mama LaLa land!

I grabbed the kids and we grabbed the cart to push it back into Costco hoping someone would come back and claim their laundry detergent and massive amounts of kleenex. How many people these days would do that? Take time out of their busy day to push it into the store and explain to the manager the details of the cart being full, or how many people would have just grabbed the stuff and thrown in their cars and thought "finders keepers"?

The finders keepers thought never crossed my mind. That might be why I find stuff that belongs to others all the time  in parking lots and grocery carts and at baseball, you get the drift. I believe in karma and temptation. Sometimes the carrot is dangled just to see what you will do with it.

Once, when the oldest was a few weeks old, I found a $100 bill on the floor in Petsmart and I turned it into the teenage manager. My husband was so mad at me because he was convinced the manager would keep it so I should have (we needed the money too!). But the truth was, it wasn't mine.

 Whether you believe in karma or not, I am a "rule follower" and am just not willing to risk what will happen if the "rule" is broken. I hope they find the lady who bought the stuff and she's smiles knowing someone was looking out for her (or him)

catherine

Let's Review...

Today I have a horrible, PMS based migraine brewing so some of this might get a little fuzzy and not make much sense but I will try and do my best..

Last night for GNO all the girls in the 'hood headed out for dinner and a movie. Of course this group of crazy  women wanted to go see a feel good movie that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in our hearts. So that means we viewed Magic Mike!

 If you haven't seen it and don't want it spoiled STOP READING THIS RIGHT NOW!

Since this was not touted to be an academy awarding winning film I didn't expect to see dramatic performances or a heart wrenching love story but I did expect more than men looking stupid. Don't get me wrong, they all LOOKED amazing and a few of them (Channing Tatum) can definitely dance but the dialogue was very much lacking. The characters didn't even seem to mesh very well past the three (ok four if you count the sister) main stars so all other conversation was pretty much boring.

Would I have seen the movie had I been warned that it was basically an inside 'look" at the ugly side of male reviews? Well.........

I will leave you with this....the halloween costumes for the neighborhood party will be much more exciting this year!
catherine

Well, this is embarrassing.....

I cannot believe it has been a year since I last posted on this blog. Wow. That is just crazy!

I could probably sit here and write a list of excuses as the why i haven't posted but no one want to hear all that. So instead of excuses let's just start over. Begin again.

Hi, I am Catherine! I am the mom to three obnoxious fabulous kids, the oldest is 12 and the youngest is 6 with an almost 9 yr old in the middle. When I started this blog I owned a retail embroidery and gift store but now I work out of the house as these children are quite demanding active. How did I work anywhere else for 5 years? That I will never know the answer to!

I have a website and an etsy store and they both keep me very busy. I love designing and creating. I have become addicted to Pinterest (who hasn't?) and keep getting in trouble with the hubby because I spend too much time "brainstorming" on there. BUT, I do have a room with fabulous curtains, pictures on the wall and flowers in the yard all thanks to "brainstorming" on Pinterest. Oh, and plenty of new recipes in the cookbook! That's not all bad right?

I do have to admit I am VERY NERVOUS about school starting this year! Why? Well, my oldest is heading to Middle School! Ahhh! 6th grade here we come! He is totally psyched and cannot wait to have a locker and change classes and all the fun things that come with middle school but I am scared to death! I am sure you will have to listen to me rant about this on here so be forewarned, it wont be pretty. I am going to be a wreck. He is my oldest and I feel like I make all the mistakes and have to learn the hard way with him. Fingers crossed I don't change my mind and lock him in his room and talk myself into homeschooling him! (ok that's definitely not happening!)

So here we ago again blog, let's try and keep up this time!
catherine

Wrong End...

Today Mini Tahoe #3 is having surgery. It's nothing serious it is just to fix a little problem he has with his boy parts. They told us it will only take about ten minutes and he will be fine to return to school the next day.

Of course, as with any surgery, he cannot eat anything for 12 hours before surgery that are not clear. Then nothing at all for the four hours before the surgery.

Now I know he is only 5 so I am trying to explain all of this to him in a way he understands. I told him that if he eats before he goes to sleep he might throw up on the doctor and she wouldn't like that very much plus his tummy would hurt. His response seriously made me giggle...

"Mommy, they are fixin my penis, not my mouth. That really doesn't make any sense"

I just love this kid.....

Tahoe Girl



I have been there...

I am not sure how much detail I have gone into about each of my kids. As with everyone else, I have three kids with three different personalities, but with that I have gained knowledge and patience on how to help each one of them succeed. I also feel like I can be a resource to friends and family when they too are faced with something I have gone through.

That being said, in the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to help two friends who have boys with ADHD. Now let me back up, my oldest was diagnosed with ADHD when he was 4years old. That is very early, but it was very obvious at the time. He has also been on medication since then and in the past 7 years we have researched, studied and learned everything we can about the situation. He has had more struggles I can count and I have cried buckets of tears over things I have no control over. I have asked "what did I do wrong" or "why him" so many times that I learned to stop and face it HEAD ON. And that we have. Faced it. Owned it and even bragged about it in a way. I grew up in a southern household, we don't hide crazy, we put it on the front porch!

So back to my friends, each one has a different approach....one is accepting (finally) and working with doctors to find the right meds and behavioral plan for her son. She has her husband on board and they are working with their son to help him learn to work with his abilities not to focus on the disability. She called me to ask for other methods to help and I gave her tons of advice on diet and that food is the hardest struggle with a medicated child. I gave her hints and tips with self esteem and confidence and rewards for the good things they do. We talked for hours and I had such a happy heart knowing I was helping a parent to avoid some of the struggles I have had to deal with.

When I talked to my other friend the conversation was totally different and the way I handled it totally shocked my husband! I am not one to hold back and I had finally had with this friend burying her head in the sand. She stopped me at school to ask if mine was having a good first week of school as she had already been called twice and was having a meeting with the teachers to discuss his behavior issues. She was exasperated and feeling at a loss over the situation. When she confirmed she had finally had him diagnosed with ADHD my next question was, which med is he on? She said he wasn't on any because she was scared of side effects, specifically the food issue. When I started talking to her about this I pointed out there are non-stimulant meds, what the meds were for and how to overcome the side effects. She looked at me like I had a third eye ball growing out of my head. She had no idea what I was talking about. This is when I finally got frank with her and told her to go home and do some research because she was not facing it head on and accepting the truth. It was time to get real and HELP HER CHILD! She doesn't even have a good understanding what the real situation is and doesn't understand what ADHD truly is.

I understand that many people do not agree with me about ADHD. BUT I HAVE LIVED IT FOR 7 YEARS! I have seen the good and the very, very bad and open to discussing it with anyone who asks! I will tell the truth about my child and how we have managed things but I do it to help others. IF your going to ignore it and not step up and protect your child then don't ask me about mine.It's not a dirty little secret in our house and I have gone to battle with family members and teachers to make sure my child gets what he needs.

Medication is not the answer for everyone, I agree with that but it is and has been for my son. He has improved at school considerably over the years even with his struggles.He doesn't get in trouble at school and I don't get phone calls about aggressive behavior and defiance. He is taking control of himself on his own and is learning the cues to know when something isn't right for him. He knows he is loved and is learning to embrace his abilities not focusing on the disabilities. He wears his ADHD label like a badge of honor and is proud of himself when he overcomes an obstacle. He is NOT GIVING UP!

So if your wondering why I jumped on my soapbox this morning, here is why. Research, learn and step up for your child. They are the ones living with these many things and diagnosis and they are not in a position to fight for themselves. BE their advocate and DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL. There are TONS of resources out their and I will be happy to help anyone who needs it.

But don't ask me if you don't want an honest answer because it will not always be what you want to hear.
Tahoe Girl

Who Are You?

That is what I hear when it has been a few days since I have called my mother. She pretends to not know me and  makes me go through the whole thing explaining who I am. No,she doesn't have alzheimers, she just likes to point out how long it's been since she heard from me.

I am guessing you are feeling the same way my mother does...

Where does the time go? The last time I posted was FEBRUARY! This is crazy....I mean seriously, it's not like I have anything better to do....you know, just running the three kids around, working, cooking, cleaning (yes Titan Boy I DO know what a vacuum is) and just living life.

I pinky swear I will start catching this blog up on all that is happening in Tahoeland soon!

I have missed catching up with ya'll!
Tahoe Girl

Heard from the front seat of the Tahoe...

Yesterday while headed to baseball (it's spring, where else would I be going) I was sitting in the front seat reading something on my phone (Titan Boy was driving) when I heard this....

Littlest Tahoe says: "Ya know I have boy makeup at grandma's house in a special drawer. She says it's ok for boys to wear makeup and I like it"

Ummmm WHAT? Boy Makeup? My inlaws are very conservative so I am now shocked at this comment. What the heck is boy makeup?

As I turn around obviously confused Sassy says: " Don't worry mom, he's just talking about chapstick. That's what he calls boy makeup."

Phewwww, I was getting worried I was gonna find him wearing my lipstick and borrowing my eyeliner...
Tahoe Girl

Perspective

Sometimes, out of nowhere, comes an event that puts everything into perspective. This is that week for me.

This morning a childhood friend called to let me know her brother had passed away. My heart breaks for her as I think of all the fun we all had as children. He was a unique and charismatic character and will truly be missed.

Tomorrow I have the opportunity to witness joy in families where stress normally resides. For four days they will be nothing but pampered and I get to help send them off on their journey.

Recently I have learned of friends with illnesses and family struggles. Nothing seems to be easy for anyone these days.

All of this leaves me wondering how my perspective will change after all of these events. I am blessed with a happy, healthy family and love in all directions. I have been through hell and back in my 36 years on this earth and am looking forward to many more years but will I continue to head in the same direction or will my path change? These are questions I cannot answer but I look forward to the journey that does answer them.

I hope your day is full of sunshine, even though sometimes it hides behind the clouds.
Tahoe Girl

This is fun...

Today I decided it was time to do some sprucing up of my website (www.themonogrammedmarketplace.com), my website's blog (www.monogrammedmarketplace.blogspot.com) and then I thought, well I need to update this blog as well! I have had a morning for creative fun redesigning everything!

Oh, did I mention HUGE CLEARANCE SALE on my other blog? Oh yeah, I added tons of great products and super low pricing in an effort to clean out the studio and get ready for all the new products headed in for spring! I cannot wait to get started on all the new stuff...that means....everything else has to go! Check it out and I am sure you will find something over there you can use (or give!)

Just a couple of the things you might find on sale...

Tahoe Girl

Flashback to 1988

This afternoon I taught Sassy Tahoe and her friend how to make friendship bracelets. You remember those...all the colors of the floss and the clipboard to hold it still while you tied each knot with enthusiasm. I used to make hundred of those things in colors and patterns. Don't even get me started on the ribbon barrettes I used to make.

But Sassy and her friend got bored 1/2 inch into their bracelets then ran off to do something else.

It was fun to be nostalgic even if only for fifteen minutes!
Tahoe Girl

We interrupt this broadbast..

For a Public Service Announcement...

If someone emails you a question or request regarding a service you have purchased or an event they are involved in, PLEASE RESPOND. No response leaves them wondering, are you stealing my money and not going to provide the service I paid for....or...do you not want me at the upcoming event?

I find this situation so frustrating!

Ok, now I feel alittle better!
Tahoe Girl

Hard Work...

When the day comes that you become a parent you are so blindsided by the bliss of that sweet newborn that you never think ahead to the days of adolescence. Babies and toddlers can be a handful and make you want to pull your hair out but they still think you hung the moon because you can make a peanut butter sandwich in the shape of a dinosaur and find their lost blanket.

Fast forward to the year of the "dragon", I mean the 10th year. The year where parents become mean and evil and obviously have nothing better to do than torture their children with horrible things like homework, and teeth brushing. I never thought it would happen to me as i was not going to "be like my mother" and my kids were going to be well behaved and perfect and NEVER say a cross word to anyone including me.

I am sure my mother is laughing hysterically while singing " I told you so!" Why are mothers always right? And how come we don't realize this until we become mothers? Wouldn't it bridge that gap between tweenagers and grown ups if we figured this stuff out at 10?

I love all three of my children with my whole heart and I think that is why it makes me insane when they don't do the "easy" things I ask of them....I am not making them mow the back 40 or clean the horses stalls so is TYING YOUR OWN SHOES WHEN YOUR 10 REALLY THAT MUCH TO ASK? Seriously!!!!

This morning before school did not go well and I am mad at myself for how upset I got at Mini#1. But what are we supposed to do as parents when they didn't come with instructions? There is no troubleshooting guide in the back that explains how to handle issues. If only there was a reboot button or you could "CTRL/ATL/DELETE" and correct the problem. Some days I think animals have it easier....if they step out of line you just nip them and growl and they jump back in line......if only...

So now I sit here second guessing myself since I am now "the mean mom" who obviously plans on torturing her children by making them do their homework today and has "grounded" them from their playdates for bad behavior...

Do you think one day I will get to say "I told you so!" to them like my mother is saying?
Tahoe Girl

Where does the time go?

I cannot believe 2010 is already about to end. Christmas is tomorrow and while everything here in the Tahoe household is mass chaos I wanted to take a minute to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! It all happens so fast these days that it is so easy to blink and time has passed!

I hope all of you have a happy, healthy and blessed holiday season and that Santa brings you joy on Christmas morning! I also wish he magically makes my migraine go away~

Back to cooking the turkey~
love,
Tahoe Girl

That reminded me...

Last night when going to bed, Mini #3 was discussing Transformers with Titan Boy. He kept talking about "Octopus Crime" and Titan Boy was laughing hysterically. Being that I have never seen Transformers didn't realize what was so funny.

Turns out the characters name is "Optimus Prime" and Mini #3 SWEARS it's "Octopus Crime" cause he's a bad guy....but this story reminded me of something hysterical Mini#1 said to me last year.

One day while in the car (probably on the way to baseball cause that is about the only place I seem to go these days) Mini #1 started a conversation with me....

Mini #1: Hey Mom, we are studying Mama Holly at school and I think it they are so cool!

TG: Um, who?

Mini #1: MAMA HOLLY!

TG: Mini, I have no idea who you are talking about but you can sure tell me all about them.

Mini #1: What do you mean you have never heard of Mama Holly, you know "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee?"

TG: (Tyring not to wreck the car from laughing) You mean MUHAMMAD ALI? The boxer?

Mini #1: Yes, Mama Holly! Wait, what's his name again?

At this point I can do nothing but laugh, because he really thought his name was Mama Holly.

They may make me crazy but atleast they make me laugh!
Tahoe Girl

Epic Fail...

We are on vacation this week, sunning ourselves on the Gulf Coast in Florida! So far we have played on the beach, swam in the pool, danced with the dolphins and of course, burnt ourselves to a crisp.

As a mother there is one thing that really makes you feel like a failure. Sunburned Kids! I swear I have slathered and sprayed and completely covered them from head to toe in the thick white veil of sunscreen. Doesn't matter cause the sun finds the one spot I seem to miss or the sunscreen seems to wear off ten minutes into playing in the sand.

Sassy Tahoe looks like she got into a bar fight cause her right eye is sunburnt and Mini#1 has a ring around his belly were his pants rode down. They complain about how bad it hurts and it makes me fell HORRIBLE! I feel I have failed as a mom. Sunburn is preventable and I cannot seem to prevent it this year.

Guess its good we only have one more day or it might look like I am taking home red alligators instead of children.

Tahoe Girl

My recent adventures...

I haven't run away screaming to the hills. Dreadfully I have spent most of my time recently in the dentists chair! Ugh, it has not been fun..

This week alone I have had a root canal, a crown and a filling. I have had numb lips more than not and I am over it! Don't get me wrong I adore my dentist but I am kinda tired of looking at him...

What have you been up to? Hope its been more fun than what I have been doing!
Tahoe Girl

Not what I planned..

This post was going to be about the fact that school started yesterday and summer was over and how proud I was of myself for surviving my first summer at home with the Mini's in 5 years...

BUT...

instead it's about this....

Last night right before bed, Titan Boy noticed a chunk on hair in the sink and the little sideburn trimmer was on the bathroom counter. Thinking that Mini #1 was trimming his sideburns or just goofing off and just making a mess I ignored it and went to bed.

Fast forward to this morning when we were giving him a speech about not messing with stuff that wasn't his, that is when I noticed something a little different...

HE IS MISSING ALMOST AN ENTIRE EYEBROW!

He "trimmed" his right eyebrow almost completely off! Not to mention the fact that the center of his left one is missing too! He is 10 years old for goodness sake! What the heck? He looks ridiculous!

I couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry! I didn't want to start a war with him right before he headed out the door for school but I wanted to drag him upstairs and draw them back on like my grandmother used too! He has red hair so it's not that is overly obvious but once you look at him you know something is off.

Atleast we don't have pictures scheduled anytime soon!
Tahoe Girl

Addicted...

You would think since I have three kids I would remember how hard some things are. I mean I have done most things twice already so by the time I get to the third one it should be easy?? Maybe?

The "Binky Fairy" came to our house last night. She came and got all Mini #3's binkies and gave him a prize! I thought since he is 4 1/2 this would be easy but I was wrong! Holy cow he is now super grumpy and keeps asking me where she lives so he can break into her house and rescue his binkies. He says he doesn't care if new babies don't get new binkies cause those are his and he has changed his mind!

He did sleep all night last night but I think this is gonna be a struggle for awhile!
Tahoe Girl

Hurricane Monkey

Instead of posting something fun and witty I will be heading upstairs to put all of Mini#3's clothes back in his closet! He decided yesterday he didn't like the way his closet looked so he removed everything from the hangers and shelves and threw it on the floor!

The only thing keeping me sane is that school starts in 12 days! Then I might be able to function again!

Tahoe Girl