Top 10

Top 10 for the week:
January 20th, 2014


10.  Weather. This cold, crappy weather is really starting to get to me.  If it was only a bit warmer, the kids and I could actually go out and enjoy just being OUT of the house.  Unfortunately, I feel like there has been NO break in this terrible weather.  I have never remembered a winter like this before.  I'm done already.


9.  I LOVE 5.  Period.  Five is a big difference from four.  She's starting to act like a school age girl.  Seriously.  Her thoughts, actions, sayings remind me of someone older.  I'm enjoying our conversations and exploring our world together.  Five is my favorite age yet!


8.  Snow Days!  Love them.  Seriously.  I know people rather grown about having them.  Snow days for me mean not having to go out in this crummy weather, being able to relax, and get caught up on things without feeling like I'm running around all the time. 


7.  Lawton Play Group.  Tried out a new play group this week--why not get out?!?!?  Kids really enjoyed it.  In fact, Mal overhead me talk to someone about going and I had totally forgotten about it.  Well, SHE reminded me the day before (I'm not kidding--she has a better memory than ME!) and asked if we could go.  Clay loved dancing, singing, doing the craft, and listening to books.  I have a feeling this will be our regular Tuesday thing.  Excited.


6.  Friend Visit.  A few friends happened to be going to the same play group.  We had a family over afterwards.  It was so much fun.  So nice to finally be seeing friends and enjoying company.  The kids played really well and I enjoyed holding onto a newborn:o)


5.  Craft Time.  I've been crafting a few nights this past week.  It's been bliss.  Now that I have my little area all set up downstairs...I'm enjoying the QUIET, cozy, all organized area.  Now, IF I could just keep Mal away from all MY stuff.  She can't help herself.


4.  Thursday Night Out.  I usually get a "night out" each week to run errands or do whatever I'd like.  Unfortunately, due to the weather and crazy holiday season, my nights out have been rare.  This past Thursday I was able to run a few errands (got some awesome sale deals!) and meet up with my SIL for an appetizer and drink.  It was SO nice to sit down, chat, and catch up on everything with her.  As we were heading home, the 2nd storm was coming in! UGH. 


3.  Clayisms.  I am SO sad to say that Clayton is growing out of his naps.  The boy does not stop.  Ever.  And I really appreciate an hour or so of quiet time.  Even if Mal talks my ear off during this whole hour.  Anyways, it's been getting really hard to put him down at night.  Like 10:00 and he's still awake.  So, I've had several people suggest to me to stop giving him naps. NO!  And so I've listened.  Several days this past week, we called him "No Nap Clay."  It was a bit brutal for me during the day--I still made him have "quiet time"--but BOY was it easy to put him down at night.  Like as we are reading books to him, he passes out.  Which NEVER happens.  Mal was 4 1/2 when she stopped taking naps (like 6 months ago), Clay's 2 1/2.  So different.  He's so much more active than her, you would think that he'd be tired.  But I feel like his mind just doesn't rest.  Ever.  In fact, he even has rather funny tactics to prolong the sleep process.  This week he faked a cough to get water and come out.  He's faked a poop, gone to the fridge for a snack, and brought out MANY toys and books (some ripped) JUST to get out of sleep.  SMart kid I tell ya. 
 
2.  Malloryisms.  She starts kindergarten next year.  I am SO not ready for this.  I've really enjoyed the every other day thing.  A day with me, a day at school, a day with me, and so on.  It's nice for her to have her own time away and it's nice for Clay to get some alone time.  BUT I'm not ready for her to be gone FULL time.  I dread this.  And I can't imagine how they will deal with this as well.  They are seriously connected to the hip.  She is SUCH a great big sister to him.  It makes me SO proud. However, she did ask on the way to school one morning when Clay was screaming at the top of his lungs, if she could have another brother.  And she wasn't asking for another one, cause I asked.  She told me she wanted to have a different one.  It was cute.  And after listening to the statements she's made this week, I'm shocked she even said this (stay tuned for next week!).  A few other sayings:  "Mom, Dad wanted me to distract you so that he could put the cookie dough in the cart."  Freaking hilarious!  Jay acted all innocent--like it was her idea.  "No time for exploring, Tipper."  As Tip was enjoying her freedom out and about.  Mal was ready to head inside and be home.  She makes me laugh.


1.  Staycation Bliss.  We were suppose to head up north with two other couples this past weekend.  But due to the weather, decided to stay at our house (4 full/queen beds + 3 couples =  enough room!).  It was so strange being home with friends and without the kids.  But it was awesome!  We were able to catch up with dear friends, eat great food, play games, drink, and sleep in--in the comforts of our own home AND without driving!  It's amazing to me how a few days away with the kids rejuvenates me and then makes me crave my kids:o)  I was ready to have them back.  But glad to have the time away with great friends. 


Well, I'm late.
And I'll be writing in a few days.


The snow can go away any time now.


Have a great weekend and Super Bowl!


Until next week,
Mrs. Newell