A Mickey Monday...(Day One)

*I’m starting something new here – Mickey Mondays. Disney is our favorite place and I want to take all of you on our trip there this past November (Audrey’s 3rd annual trip). So I’m going to share a day of our vacation with you for the next few Mondays. I hope you enjoy our magical memories.*

There are fewer places in the world that make me happier than Disney.

I know I talked about how my heart lives in Austin but Disney? Well Disney is where my inner child lives. And now we have a Tootsie and don’t get as MANY funny looks when we talk about how it is our favorite place to vacation.

There’s not much more exciting than waking up at 3:30 in the morning and heading to the airport for the vacation we have waited all year for.

And suddenly, we’re there – we’re in a place where alligators play the banjo down the sidewalks of our hotel.

And we’re just a bus ride away from walking right down the middle of Main Street USA. Where fairy tales are real and you can take a peek inside a castle anytime you like.

Or say your favorite piggy-tailed beauty wants to meet a magical mouse before lunch? Well of course you can – because you’re in Disney.

Then we can head off for lunch in England because we’re all in the mood for a little fish and chips. (And the Television Man is always up for trying something new. Blech!)

And then after a short nap back at the resort, what’s a better way to end the day than with a spin on a golden carousel?

Stay tuned for Day Two of our trip next Monday.

Fat

Dear Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies packaged in "100 calorie packs",

Just because there are only two of you per package does not mean that I will not automatically grab 2-3 packages to eat in one sitting. So you should really change the name of your product to "100 calorie packs if you stop eating after ONE, Leigh! So just have one. Or none. Or don't even buy these at all!"

Dear Rold Gold Cheddar Mini Twists sitting in my pantry,

I know that you are there, please stop calling my name. I'm not even hungry yet your delicious cheddar coating is calling to me. Why did you make me buy two bags of you when I was at the store? Just because you were on sale 2/$4 does not mean that I needed two of you. Please leave me alone.

Dear Russell Stovers box of chocolates my Television Man bought me for Valentines,

I don't even like the flavors that are left in you, so NO I do NOT have to eat you. Stop telling me I do. I do not enjoy the maple filling. I don't think anyone enjoys the maple filling. I think Russell Stover's puts the maple filled chocolates in the box just to prove how much of a glutton we all really are. "I didn't even like that, yet I ate it. Why? Because it was coated in chocolate. And we all know if it's coated in chocolate, it must be eaten."

Dear Leigh,

I know that you are 28 years old and you have never had to diet - but sweetheart, the time has come. You're not that metabolic freak you were in high school. So please, step away from the junk food. Immediately. The muffin top is turning into a whole other thing completely. A cannoli top? Perhaps a cream filled eclair? Whatever it is, it is not cute and your big butt is headed to the beach in 2 1/2 months. Let's not scare the whales, mmmkay?

The post in which I go all sentimental...

The nearness of Valentine’s Day and my 9 year wedding anniversary has me thinking about this man that I love so much. The man that has been in my life since I was 15 years old when he asked me to “go out” with him. We’re a rare story, the Television Man and I. Not many high school sweethearts end up together for the long run – but we’ve proven to be the exception to that rule.

The Television Man is kind. He’s the kind of man that makes a friend wherever he goes. He’s never met a stranger and he’s not afraid to be the “new guy”. He’s funny and sarcastic and fun to be around. He can make anyone feel comfortable in any situation and he’s not afraid to be the rear end of the joke. In fact, he makes himself the joke a lot.

He loves things with a passion. If he loves something he loves it completely, overwhelmingly and obsessively. Whether it is his favorite vacation spot or me and the Toots – if he loves something no one has any doubt that he does.

He is my exact opposite and exactly the man I need in my life. While I would be happy to stay at home and worry all the time he’s always on the go and he has no idea what it means to worry or be anxious. God definitely knew what he was doing when he gave me the Television Man. He saves me from being a hermit.

He thinks I’m beautiful. I can have on no makeup and my hair can be absolutely insane and he’ll still talk about how pretty I am. He’s a little messed up that way – but it makes me feel special.

He is the most amazing Daddy in the world. I knew I loved him before we had Toots but the past 2 ½ years have proven how much I adore him. He loves her more than anything in the world. My husband doesn’t cry but just the sight of Tootsie-Dee in striped footy pajamas can bring tears to his eyes. He’s the kind of Daddy every child should be blessed with. He isn’t afraid to be silly with her. They have the most in depth conversations and her favorite times are her “dates” with Daddy.

He works hard so that I can be home with our baby girl. Even on the days he feels awful or he’s absolutely exhausted he goes to work and works hard just so I can be here with our small person every day. His work ethic and dedication is the example of what all men should be.

I love you, Television Man. Thank you for being mine.

(You would totally be the perfect man if you would just turn your shirts right side out when you put them in the laundry basket and if you would PLEASE stop leaving your toenails on the night stand. These are the two things that keep you on the same level as the rest of us.)

Alive!

Dear tens of you that visit a day,

Please don't stop visiting! I haven't disappeared! My internet went kaput and I've had anxiety for days until The Television Man fixed it tonight.

Regular Tootsie-Dee posting and Motherhood Musings will resume shortly.

Until then, here's Toots strapped to a rocket....

Losing my mind?

So I am pretty sure I am teetering on a very thin line between sane and insane.

Because of a two year old. This may or may not be the reason I haven't blogged in a few days. My sanity is entirely questionable right now.

Let me first say this: I have NO IDEA how mothers of multiples do it – or even mothers of many small children younger than 5. To these women I bow down in admiration because MY small person is making me absolutely. insane.

I am also PRETTY sure she hates me – because what other reason would there be for her to yell at me to get out of her room or to run into her playroom, slam the door and tell me to just leave her alone?

Oh yes, I cannot WAIT until she’s 13.

Now that I think of it, maybe that’s what I should start doing. I am going to close my door every time she frustrates me and tell her to just LEAVE. ME. ALONE.

Totally mature and effective parenting, no?

No?

Dang.

Also, the constant repetition. “Mommy, can I have a cookie?” “No cookie Audrey, you just had (Fill in the Blank)” “But a cookie? Can I have a cookie? I want a cookie? Is there a cookie I can have? Could you get me a cookie? I want a cookie. Please? See Momma? I’m asking nice. I want a cookie. A cookie? Yes???”

My right eyelid twitches a lot. I’m slightly worried I may be losing my mind.

I love her SO MUCH. I just have absolutely no idea what to do with her.

In all seriousness though, I feel pretty lost. I am extremely consistent, I try to deal with her as kindly as possible while still being stern and, you know, a PARENT – yet nothing seems to be working.

Help? Advice? Words of encouragement?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

P.S. I am also TOTALLY bummed because my hair WILL NOT DO what my hairdresser got it to do last Thursday so I just look like a big hot mess. I am a messy, insane woman. Hot.

Random Randomness

Warning! This post is chock full of absolutely nothing. There is no substance here. So if you are looking for some bits of wisdom to guide you through your day, well, you’re out of luck. (Of course, this blog has absolutely no wise bits, so maybe you already knew what you were getting into when you surfed over to my neck of the web.)

Ahem….

We celebrated Granny’s birthday last week. Here’s Granny with her two girls. They sure do love her and so do we. Michael and I are so thankful for her, she really is one of the grandmother’s people write stories about. She loves her girls so much and she gives and gives and gives. We wish we could give to her all that she has given to us – but until we can do that we just want her to know how MUCH we love her.

Now…on to some serious foolishness.

I got my hair did today. Just a bit of a trim because, if you remember – I’m growing this hot mess out. So my hairdresser just thinned me out and messed me up. She said until it gets longer I’m just going to have to be messy. Ya dig? No?

So…hard….for….me. Step away from the flat iron, Leigh….just step away. (Side note: new shirt, Target, SEVEN BUCKS! How do I love thee, Target 75% off rack? It gives the illusion that I do not have a muffin top. SCORE.)

Audrey decided I needed a little ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ so as you’re looking at these pictures imagine “I do not LIKE DEM green eggs and ham. Not in a BOX or in a FOX!” I love her.

Next…I found this beauty in the back of my bathroom cabinet this morning. How exciting! A full bottle of body wash! I have no idea when I got it or who got it for me but this……this I know – it’s like bathing in a bottle of Elizabeth Arden old lady perfume. ACK! GAG!! I could not finish my shower soon enough to keep the fumes from burning my nose hairs off.

So….Enchanted Orchid from Bath and Body Works, you get a big fat thumbs down. “Elusive violets and delicate white irises” my hiney. (Like the Dora toothbrush holder? I love living with a two year old.)

And last…but certainly not least. I drove past a shopping strip in my town this afternoon, only to discover that a new tax service shop has opened. “Mo Money Taxes”. Seriously? Mo Money Taxes? Right, because the people I want handling my taxes and whether or not I get audited by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT are people who can’t take the time to spell out MORE. That ‘RE’ must just be too time consuming.

Yummy (times TWO!)

SNICKERDOODLES.

We spent the afternoon at my Mom’s yesterday and we made SNICKERDOODLES. The happiness that word brings to my soul is indescribable. A shortbread cookie coated in cinnamon and sugar. It’s like a tiny slice of heaven in my mouth. (I was going to say, on a plate, but that would be silly…everyone knows snickerdoodles last about 1.8 seconds on a plate before they are devoured.)

Well….at least it’s that way in my house.

Here’s the Toots sporting her Nannies cowgirl apron.

Side note: My mother totally should have been married to a cowboy. She would have been the perfect ranch wife. Up at the crack of dawn? Check. (Well, pre heart-bypass at least) Perfect housekeeper? Check. Amazing cook? Check. The ability to multi task like no other? Check. Able to make delicious homemade goodness out of four ingredients in the pantry? Check. The word “procrastinate” does not exist in my mother’s vocabulary. Oh the shame I must bring on her….

Tootsie loved every minute of it.

She stood still.
On a stool.
For 20 minutes.

I have decided that every Tuesday afternoon will be “Make homemade deliciousness at Nannies house”. The child LOVED IT!

I’m not sure what she loved more…dumping flour into a bowl.

Or eating the cinnamon and sugar between dipping the cookies.


I would totally post a picture of the finished product here but I was too busy shoving them in my mouth as fast as possible. Cookies. Yum…


And just to end this delicious post on an even YUMMIER note.

I saw this at Wal-Mart today. I mean SERIOUSLY? Seriously, yum.

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P.S. Head over to Becky's blog for an amazing Celebutante makeup giveaway. (Plus, her blog is just too fun to miss!)