Before we had kids my mornings were so peaceful. I would wake about 6:00 a.m. and get ready for the day, kiss Stacey goodbye while waking him up about 6:30 and head off to work. So quite, so peaceful, and just very calm. Fast forward five years and my days of peace and calm are out the door! So why should I be surprised that I walked out in black pants with brown shoes yesterday?
Mornings are hard for some people, but it is no surprise why the most stressful part of my day is 5:30-6:45 in the morning. I get up early just to have 30 minutes of peace to start my day, that is when Ella does not get up with my alarm to chat me up for 30 minutes before anyone else gets out of bed. Then there is the struggle to get Stacey and Grace to actually get out of bed and get moving for the day. Add in the morning rush to get everyone dressed, ready, and out the door on time and you would be amazed that we are never really late. Throw in a few fussy girls some days, a husband who likes to egg them on, and you have a typical morning at the Smith House. "I don't want to wear those pants," Ella will say. "But my show is not over yet," can be heard from Grace. "Girls I am getting ready to go and I will leave you home," chimes in Stacey.
When the girls were just babies I stopped wear jewelry because as I was feeding them they would choke me while playing with it. On the positive, four years later I feel like I just got a bunch of new jewelry since it has not seen the light of day in so long. I have been to work with spit-up on my clothes (yeah that is fun to arrive and realize that, why could I not have noticed before leaving the house so that I could change). There has been toothpaste on the back of my pants from the hug I got before walking out the door (any mom knows what I am talking about here). One look and you know I am a working mom. Given my career, I always have a suit at work and prior to the girls never had a need to use it. Now, I use that black suit jacket more then any other piece of clothes I own. As I was finishing writing this, I even looked down to see the peanut butter on my shirt from making the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches this morning and now have the peanut butter and jelly song in my head (thanks Grace for that one).
So next time you see a woman who is not 100% put together, just realize that she most likely has kids and home and just performed a miracle to get them out the door and where everyone needed to be. In fact, you might be witness to the miracle that she is dressed at all. Despite the hectic mornings, the not 100% good looks each day, and the morning rush hour that starts before the cars, I would not give up the morning hugs and kisses and the sweet wave good bye for anything.
January 11, 2012
January 4, 2012
Holiday Break
I am very lucky that as a working mom I have a job that still gives me a Christmas break. Don't miss understand, I still get vacations, Thanksgiving break, spring break, and random holidays, but Christmas break is a whole different monster.
I had a great plan of things that I was going to get accomplished in my time off. My last day of work was on a Thursday and after picking the girls up from preschool we hit the grocery store, along with about 500 other people :). I let the girls stay home from the sitters on Friday since Stacey had off and we could all sleep in. Ella had other plans to kick off our vacation and got up at 5:30 a.m. Monday we all stayed home to enjoy more family time (i mean really like three days 24/7 together was not enough). By Tuesday I was ready to get everyone out of the house and get started on my to do list. While productive for two days, but Thursday I was tired and thought I would let the girls stay home from preschool and sleep in. Ella struck again, but at least Stacey had to go to work and got up with her so I got to sleep till about 6:45 a.m. I had already told the babysitter they would not be there Friday and so here we were in for three more days at home together.
I have never been so ready to start back to work on Monday and get a little time to myself (ok well I know it is work, but time away makes you want to be home more i know it does). It gave me a deep appreciation to all the stay at home moms and just confirmed for me that I can not be one of you.
Overall, it was great to spend some quality family time together and have some fun in the process. While not even half my to do list was accomplished, there was lots of snuggling, jammie time (wait for that blog next week), and laughs!
Here are a few highlight photo:
I had a great plan of things that I was going to get accomplished in my time off. My last day of work was on a Thursday and after picking the girls up from preschool we hit the grocery store, along with about 500 other people :). I let the girls stay home from the sitters on Friday since Stacey had off and we could all sleep in. Ella had other plans to kick off our vacation and got up at 5:30 a.m. Monday we all stayed home to enjoy more family time (i mean really like three days 24/7 together was not enough). By Tuesday I was ready to get everyone out of the house and get started on my to do list. While productive for two days, but Thursday I was tired and thought I would let the girls stay home from preschool and sleep in. Ella struck again, but at least Stacey had to go to work and got up with her so I got to sleep till about 6:45 a.m. I had already told the babysitter they would not be there Friday and so here we were in for three more days at home together.
I have never been so ready to start back to work on Monday and get a little time to myself (ok well I know it is work, but time away makes you want to be home more i know it does). It gave me a deep appreciation to all the stay at home moms and just confirmed for me that I can not be one of you.
Overall, it was great to spend some quality family time together and have some fun in the process. While not even half my to do list was accomplished, there was lots of snuggling, jammie time (wait for that blog next week), and laughs!
Here are a few highlight photo:
The girls got new princess dress up items and Grace loved it!
Ella with her new build a bear thanks to all the birthday and Christmas gift cards
Stacey making a cognac cream sauce for our steaks on New Years Eve
Yes it is supposed to flame up like that
Yes it is supposed to flame up like that
Yes he wears Micky PJS thanks to the girls getting them for him for Christmas last year and yes he wants to kill me for it each time he puts them on and yes I just laugh each time
December 22, 2011
A preschool Christmas
Over the summer when we decided that it was time to send the girls to preschool a few days a week I was so excited. Despite the fact they hated it at first, they are loving it now. Over this first semester they have learned to read words, master coloring skills, arts and crafts, and so much more.
I was so excited to hear that they were doing a Christmas program. I mean really what is better then little kids dressed up and singing. I was told a few days ahead of time that the prior year it was standing room only. This is a great tip to get as a parent who has never been to such a production. Let's just say that Stacey was less then thrilled to hear that I wanted him there an hour and a half in advance of the start to save the seats for us and the nana's and papas. We ended up arriving at 5:30 for a 6:30 performance to ensure we would have great seats for watching our little stars.
There is a special place in heaven for the Duncan Academy staff who did an amazing job with the little stars. The patience they must have had to teach is nothing short of amazing. As the lights went down and the program began the kids all danced to Christmas songs dressed in special outfits. Some danced, some stood there looking scared, and some just cried for their parents. All the while, parents were clapping and laughing and enjoying the best preschool performers ever.
I was so excited to hear that they were doing a Christmas program. I mean really what is better then little kids dressed up and singing. I was told a few days ahead of time that the prior year it was standing room only. This is a great tip to get as a parent who has never been to such a production. Let's just say that Stacey was less then thrilled to hear that I wanted him there an hour and a half in advance of the start to save the seats for us and the nana's and papas. We ended up arriving at 5:30 for a 6:30 performance to ensure we would have great seats for watching our little stars.
There is a special place in heaven for the Duncan Academy staff who did an amazing job with the little stars. The patience they must have had to teach is nothing short of amazing. As the lights went down and the program began the kids all danced to Christmas songs dressed in special outfits. Some danced, some stood there looking scared, and some just cried for their parents. All the while, parents were clapping and laughing and enjoying the best preschool performers ever.
Watch out the Smith Girls might just become stars!
The kick line
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
December 13, 2011
The Guilt Trip
Family comes first for me, it always has and always will. I have never missed anything important for the girls due to work, and I don't plan on it. All that being said, there is a four year old girl at home who knows how to make her mommy feel bad for working late.
My job has crazy hours and it is pretty common for me to work at 12 hour day at least once a week. Sure some weeks I am home every night and other weeks I have two or three late nights. And don't even get me started about my hours during a school election. Despite all of that, I love my job!
When Stacey and I started talking about having kids I made it clear that I was going to be a working mom. I think that you can do both successfully and don't have to give anything up to be good at both. Once the girls were born I made adjustments to my schedule to spend more time at home. Gone were the days of going to almost any Fort Osage School program. Gone were the days of working two and three nights a week. Gone were the days of leaving the house at 6:15 and coming home about 6. Welcome to the world of working at home after the kids go to bed and learning to delegate.
Now don't get me wrong, the girls loving being home with daddy and having special dinners with him (usually they get to choose to eat what they want and they love that). They have heard from me since they were young that mommy helps kids and schools and sometimes that means being at work until they are in bed. Most of the time it works out...not tonight. I made my usual call home to see how there day was. Ella was all talks about what was taking place at the minute and what they had for lunch (heck she is my kid and the day is all about what you eat). Grace gets on the phone and sounds so sad. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "I just miss you so much." Now Grace is my drama queen and she really was fine as soon as I hung up the phone (at least that is what I am going to tell myself). However, it still makes you feel bad when you can't be there to snuggle before bed or read the story or even tuck them into bed.
Well miss Grace you will get over it and we can have the same talk next week when I am gone Monday night, but for tonight..... Mommy loves you! Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! Snuggle in and mommy will give you hugs and kisses when I get home!
My job has crazy hours and it is pretty common for me to work at 12 hour day at least once a week. Sure some weeks I am home every night and other weeks I have two or three late nights. And don't even get me started about my hours during a school election. Despite all of that, I love my job!
When Stacey and I started talking about having kids I made it clear that I was going to be a working mom. I think that you can do both successfully and don't have to give anything up to be good at both. Once the girls were born I made adjustments to my schedule to spend more time at home. Gone were the days of going to almost any Fort Osage School program. Gone were the days of working two and three nights a week. Gone were the days of leaving the house at 6:15 and coming home about 6. Welcome to the world of working at home after the kids go to bed and learning to delegate.
Now don't get me wrong, the girls loving being home with daddy and having special dinners with him (usually they get to choose to eat what they want and they love that). They have heard from me since they were young that mommy helps kids and schools and sometimes that means being at work until they are in bed. Most of the time it works out...not tonight. I made my usual call home to see how there day was. Ella was all talks about what was taking place at the minute and what they had for lunch (heck she is my kid and the day is all about what you eat). Grace gets on the phone and sounds so sad. When I asked her what was wrong she said, "I just miss you so much." Now Grace is my drama queen and she really was fine as soon as I hung up the phone (at least that is what I am going to tell myself). However, it still makes you feel bad when you can't be there to snuggle before bed or read the story or even tuck them into bed.
Well miss Grace you will get over it and we can have the same talk next week when I am gone Monday night, but for tonight..... Mommy loves you! Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite! Snuggle in and mommy will give you hugs and kisses when I get home!
December 12, 2011
Hard Conversations
Not that long ago we found out the our dog, Diamond, has an aggressive form of cancer and was given 3 to 6 months to live. As hard as it was for us to receive this news, we had no idea what to tell the girls. After keeping it from them for about a month, we decided on Sunday that we needed to tell them. I mean really how to do explain that to a child without scaring them.
Grace has always tolerated the dog, but it was Ella who loves Diamond. Maybe it is because she can boss the dog around and for the most part, the dog does what Ella wants. Maybe it is because Ella likes taking care of people and she can take care of Diamond pretty well by her self. Whatever the reason, we had no idea what we were going to tell them, especially Ella.
Grace has always tolerated the dog, but it was Ella who loves Diamond. Maybe it is because she can boss the dog around and for the most part, the dog does what Ella wants. Maybe it is because Ella likes taking care of people and she can take care of Diamond pretty well by her self. Whatever the reason, we had no idea what we were going to tell them, especially Ella.
We decided to have the conversation over breakfast so that I had all day to answer questions and see how they took it. Grace got a little teary and Ella asked, "so the day she dies can we get a new dog?" Keeping in mind that Diamond was my first baby, I was a little taken back. Really kid, you are all about this dog and you are ready to just get a new one? As the day went on she talked more and more about Diamond and would we know when she did not feel good and could we take care of her. This made me feel a little better. Grace actually took some time to snuggle by Diamond (that is about as good as it gets with her). So telling them turned out not to be so bad. But, lesson learned, they girls would have been fine had the day Diamond passed we just told them and moved on.
November 29, 2011
Marketing Scheme
Now I would like to think that I give my girls a nice balance of what they want and what they need. I want to teach them that you don't get everything you want, but as their mom I want to give them so much. I am not always talking about material things, but in this case yes.
Thanksgiving was great and we settled down that night to snuggle on the sofa, our evening routine. The first Christmas shows of the season were on and we were all excited. We watched Elf on the Shelf and thought it was pretty cute. I should have hit delete on the DVR. Over the course of the next three days the girls and I engaged in our Thanksgiving tradition....shopping Black Friday with Stacey, Christmas decorations getting put up, and lots of jammie time just hanging out playing games and watching movies. After watching Elf on the Shelve for perhaps the 20th time, I got asked the question of the weekend, "Mom can Santa send us an Elf on the Shelf?" I explained, like most parents, that you can ask Santa for whatever you want, but he has lots of girls and boys to make toys for and you may not get everything you ask for. To which my way to smart children responded, "But Santa is sending them to all the boys and girls." What is a mom to do? You try to explain that everything you see on TV is not real, but when it comes to Santa I am not giving that up yet.
As we wrote our email to Santa (yes we email Santa instead of mail...come on now with all the technology why write? I am really wanting for Santa's Facebook and then we can just post our list), and they both asked for Elf on the Shelf I began to see the genius in the cartoon developer. Make a show the kids love and they will ask their parents for the item. I am sure this Elf has great qualities and a base of Christmas tradition, but let's get real.
So this time the girls win and for $29.95 our Elf will be "Santa delivered" by mail this week and the Smith household will be the next proud owners of Elf on the Shelf. Truth be told he is a cute little guy and the idea behind it all is pretty neat. That being said...Marking scheme 1 mom 0.
Thanksgiving was great and we settled down that night to snuggle on the sofa, our evening routine. The first Christmas shows of the season were on and we were all excited. We watched Elf on the Shelf and thought it was pretty cute. I should have hit delete on the DVR. Over the course of the next three days the girls and I engaged in our Thanksgiving tradition....shopping Black Friday with Stacey, Christmas decorations getting put up, and lots of jammie time just hanging out playing games and watching movies. After watching Elf on the Shelve for perhaps the 20th time, I got asked the question of the weekend, "Mom can Santa send us an Elf on the Shelf?" I explained, like most parents, that you can ask Santa for whatever you want, but he has lots of girls and boys to make toys for and you may not get everything you ask for. To which my way to smart children responded, "But Santa is sending them to all the boys and girls." What is a mom to do? You try to explain that everything you see on TV is not real, but when it comes to Santa I am not giving that up yet.
As we wrote our email to Santa (yes we email Santa instead of mail...come on now with all the technology why write? I am really wanting for Santa's Facebook and then we can just post our list), and they both asked for Elf on the Shelf I began to see the genius in the cartoon developer. Make a show the kids love and they will ask their parents for the item. I am sure this Elf has great qualities and a base of Christmas tradition, but let's get real.
So this time the girls win and for $29.95 our Elf will be "Santa delivered" by mail this week and the Smith household will be the next proud owners of Elf on the Shelf. Truth be told he is a cute little guy and the idea behind it all is pretty neat. That being said...Marking scheme 1 mom 0.
November 21, 2011
Girls Night
Friday night mom and I took the girls on a girls night out. They had been looking foward to this all week. Not only were they going to see nana, but princess Belle as well. Friday morning I reminded them that today was the day and Grace asked if her papa could come to which Ella promply yelled at her that papa was a boy and it was girls night. At this point I was thinking maybe this was going to be a long night.
After work I got the girls and asked them what they wanted to eat for dinner. Taco Bell they yelled! Really, mom and nana will take you out to eat and you want Taco Bell. Not that I mind Taco Bell, it is actually one of my favorite fast food places to eat. I was just thinking of a little something nicer. After grabbing nana we headed to Hobby Lobby to take a look around and waste a little time before heading to eat. I actually got the girls to agree on a Mexican place that did not serve food on a tray.
The hightlight of the evening was taking the girls to the theatere to see Beauty and the Beast. Well ok it was technically a theatere, but the performers were Fort Osage High School Students. In my mind this production was going to be about an hour and a half, but I was told Friday morning that it was more like two and a half hours. The girls were so excited to enter the theatre. We had talked about how you needed to act and what would happen, but the looks on their faces were priceless.
After work I got the girls and asked them what they wanted to eat for dinner. Taco Bell they yelled! Really, mom and nana will take you out to eat and you want Taco Bell. Not that I mind Taco Bell, it is actually one of my favorite fast food places to eat. I was just thinking of a little something nicer. After grabbing nana we headed to Hobby Lobby to take a look around and waste a little time before heading to eat. I actually got the girls to agree on a Mexican place that did not serve food on a tray.
The hightlight of the evening was taking the girls to the theatere to see Beauty and the Beast. Well ok it was technically a theatere, but the performers were Fort Osage High School Students. In my mind this production was going to be about an hour and a half, but I was told Friday morning that it was more like two and a half hours. The girls were so excited to enter the theatre. We had talked about how you needed to act and what would happen, but the looks on their faces were priceless.
Ella before the show
Grace before the show.
They were great the entire performance. I would look over at Grace and she would have the biggest smile on her face. A few times I thought Ella would fall alseep, but they both stayed awake the whole show. The Fort Osage High School students did an amazing job and the production was excellent.
After the show the girls got to "meet" the cast in the lobby. Grace could not wait to see Belle and get her picture taken with her. The girl who played Belle was so good to the little kids and really made them feel special. The girls talked non stop about the show on the way home and wanted to know when they could take nana back to see another show.
All and all a successful girls night out!
The girls with princess Belle.
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