My Daughter ROCKS

Not too many revelations this week. 

Just a week of getting back into the swing of our household.

The only real difference about the holidays, was I didn't have to go back to my teaching job today.  Ask my husband, I probably would have gone today:o)  It was one of those days.  But my daughter made it better.  Of course it was at the END of our day together.

On our way outside today to try and lighten the mood, I was trying to explain to her how people sometimes are just grumpy.

"I'm sorry that I'm grumpy today Mallory.  Sometimes people have days where they are frustrated or not themselves."

"That's okay Mommy.  Like when I get in a timeout and I cry.  Then I feel better.  And I play again."

"Yes, that's exactly right.  I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry for being this way and I'll be better."

"Oh Mommy, we're family.  I'll give you a hug."  HUGS ME HARD.  "Clay give Mommy a hug too."

Yeah, my daughter rocks.  She gets me.  And she'll be FOUR in a few weeks.  She unconditionally loves me for who I am and for loving her.  It doesn't have to be "perfect" everyday for her.  And I am so grateful she understands this already. 

Love you Mallory Jayne Newell.  Thanks for being you.  So thoughtful, loving, upbeat, funny, and intuitive.  You make my grey days, sunny. 
 

Top 10 for the week:

10.  Kalamazoo Trip.  We woke up Sunday morning and thought it would be a great idea for the four of us to take a shopping trip to Kalamazoo.  Yeah, not-so-much fun.  Five hours, five stores, lunch, two poopy diapers, grocery store, screaming, yelling, shoes and socks off in the car four times later we are still questioning why today???  But it's okay.  I didn't have to go to school today:o)  (Sorry for those that have to go back to work.  I do feel for you.  BUT I am SO glad it's not me).

9.  BOOTS.  Yeah, I bought three pairs of boots.  Two were super cheap (one was only $15).  Needed them badly.  Since I've outgrown all of my boots (due to 2 pregnancies), I needed stock.  Not to mention practical ones.  Flat.  Comfortable.  Look good without skinny jeans (I just can't grasp that trend).  Yep, I found some.  Super excited.

8.  Kid Birthday Party.  A family friend celebrated her 6th birthday this weekend.  It's the start of a three weekend straight of birthday parties (Mallory's being the last:o)).  Always great to get together with their family and friends.  It's also great to see our kids becoming such good friends.  I love it.

7.  The Sun.  It's amazing to me what a little bit of sun can do to your mood.  We are lucky to have a TON of windows on the West side of our house.  And we also have a sun room which I have converted into a playroom which means MORE sun for us.  We had lots of dreary days this past week but a FEW sunny days.  More sunny days PLEASE.

6.  Thank-you Routine.  Hello Routine!!  Never really thought I had a routine at home.  But I do.  Just being home with the kids, just us, gives us that routine back.  It really shocked me.  But I'm glad we have one and the kids know what to do and what to expect.  My kids are ALMOST back to their normal selves after two weeks of holiday celebration:o)

5.  Who needs a gym?  I took the kids out sledding in our yard this past week.  They LOVED it and so did I.  Last year, Clay couldn't even walk, so it would have been hard to do what we did this week.  We really didn't do much but enjoyed about an hour out in the snow.  Excited to do it again.

4.  Clayisms.  He's my little hugger and kisser.  The other morning we had a hugging war.  I'd hug him hard, then he'd hug me hard, and then I'd hug him hard.  It went on for about five minutes.  Both of us grinning from ear to ear.  He also does this kiss on the cheek thing.  He moves my face so he can kiss my cheek going "Mwah."  Then, moves my face so he can kiss the other side.  It's the cutest thing EVER.  SO sweet here and then he pushes kids who are smaller than him.  We are still not getting that one...but I LOVE the moments he is sweet on his Momma.  Yes Clay, you have me wrapped around your finger.  Did you say you wanted your paci?? (Still in the process of ridding of the paci.  We will get there.  At least before he's TWO.  Baby steps).

3.  Malloryisms.  Is it FOUR?!?!  Jay and I cannot contain ourselves lately with her.  She says and does the funniest things (totally reminds me of her Daddy).  But then there's the side of her that's me.  Like today, I couldn't find my wallet in one of the stores, so I just figured it was in the car.  Went to the car, there it was.  Was on our way home, and we realized Mal had left HER wallet at the store.  Had to call them and tell them that I found my wallet but my daughter had left hers there.  Sweetness.  She's as forgetful as me!!

A few of her sayings this week:
*"That's the funniest thing I've ever heard." 
(Referring to me putting real fish in jars for her bday party).
*"Where's my suitcase?" 
(Yeah, she means WALLET! LOL)
*"I know what that face means." 
(At dinner, when she's lied to me.)  "It means I've been naughty." (yes dear, it does)
*"Let's go to Honey Store." 
(Referring to us getting ice cream, except the store is called Sugar Bear)
 
2.  Ladies Night Out.  I had the pleasure of going out to dinner with four of my old co-workers.  It was SO great.  And SO needed.  Of course all we talked about was SCHOOL.  And the awesome part of it was, I still felt like I knew what was going on.  The sad part was that I didn't have first hand knowledge of it all.  But I'm okay with that.  I'm home with my babies and have less stress than they do (I'm sorry girls).  BUT I will make an effort to see these lovely women on a regular basis.  Thank-you ladies for such a wonderful night.  You made my weekend.  Even maybe my month:o)  I really look forward to our next night out together.

1.  Future.  A good friend of mine, who I've known for like almost 25 years (WOW), blogged about writing a "resolution list."  For 2011, she wrote down 11 things to do.  For 2012, it was 12.  Some were repeated, some were vague, some detailed.  I thought this was an extremely clever way to look at this upcoming year. So, I wrote one.  I'm pretty excited about it.  And I look forward to completing MOST of my 13 things of 2013. 

A strange week of getting back into the routine of our household.
For those of you that are teachers, hope all of you had a great first day back.
Thanks for reading my blog....have a GREAT week friends!

Until next week,
Mrs. Newell