Oct 19, 2018 | Sesame, Uncategorized |
The day has finally come.
It’s time for Annabelle to get her own home and move on out. She’s mooched off us long enough.
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| “Ya talkin’ ’bout me?” |
Christopher found plans and bought the wood for her new abode. It sat in our living room for several weeks due to weather. I felt like we had moved into the lumber department at Home Depot.
I won’t lie- I had serious doubts about his ability to build something with any kind of structural integrity. It’s not that I didn’t have any faith in him, but I really didn’t have faith in him.
Color me surprised when it started to come together.
Then tragedy hit. The floor fell apart when we moved it onto the cement blocks. I tried to be helpful by removing the bent nails and reassembling the floor using the screw gun. I had never used a screw gun before and probably won’t use one again. I couldn’t get the screws further in than halfway. I was not strong enough. All those exercises I’ve been doing have been in vain!
After many days of cutting, nailing, painting and MUCH MUCH sweating the house is nearly complete. I still need to retouch some paint on the inside and decorate a little more, but for a starter home it’s darling.
I had visions of decorating with fabric and pompom garlands but I let Annabelle have a say in decor. She chose a safety theme. That was nowhere near my top 15 ideas but it’s her house. It looks a little sparse so I’m going to look for a little table and chairs at thrift shops. Maybe I’ll fill a plastic firefighter helmet with water and fill in with flowers as a centerpiece.
Yesterday we pretended it was a Dunkin Donuts. Annabelle loves their “hashfries” (hashbrowns) so I made some out of felt.
I’m glad her new home isn’t too far away. I just hope she’ll be a good neighbor.
Aug 15, 2018 | Sesame, Uncategorized |
This bald little bunny started preschool yesterday.
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| I swear I took this picture last month. |
I didn’t cry when I dropped her off but I did cry after the open house. I get so emotional about these things. She sobbed the night before but didn’t shed a tear when we dropped her off.
Look at those little legs! I suggested this backpack and she agreed to it within .4 seconds. If only she’d act so quickly when it’s time to pick up toys before bed.
She’s such a quiet, dainty wallflower!
If you need me I’ll be over here packing a lunchbox and setting alarms to remind myself to bring her to school.
Jul 20, 2018 | Sesame, Uncategorized, What's going on |
I had a doctor appointment today. She looked up from my papers and said, “You know, your blood pressure is a little high.”
I’m sure it is.
I started the day off by burning my arm on splatters of hot butter.
We got locked out of the house so I had to rip the bathroom screen and climb through the window. It was not a big window and I am not as small as I once was. Of course I had just taken a shower, done my hair and makeup and was wearing a dress. I gave the neighbors quite a show.
Last night I cleaned up ants crawling around the front seat of my car. I didn’t know they were also in the back until this morning when AB said ants were in her snack bag. I moved a few things in the back and saw dozens of ants running around. I have no idea how they got there but I need them gone. I had to do an emergency ant extermination.
I dropped papers off at an office in town and got delayed there so I got AB to the babysitter’s late. Because of that I got to the doctors late. Delays at the doctor meant I didn’t get in until over an hour past my appointment time.
I’m not surprised my blood pressure was a little high.
You know whose blood pressure is just fine? This sweet little ballerina.
She did three hours at a little ballet camp and suddenly she’s an expert on the art of dance. She was showing me a few things she learned and having me repeat them. “Oh no, Mama. That’s not the right way. THIS is the way. Do THIS with your foot. LIKE THIS, MOM.” Then she launched herself across the floor and slid into the refrigerator. She’s such a dainty little lady!
Jul 16, 2018 | Sesame, Uncategorized |
Sad news, everyone. Annabelle starts school in a month.
Let’s all have a moment of silence to process our grief.
I don’t know how this is happening since just last week she looked like this.
I know she’ll love it but I’ll so sad at the thought of her being away from me for 12 hours a week. Christopher likes to point out that it’s ONLY 12 but he’s much less emotional than I am. We spend all day, every day together and while I frequently wish I had family around to give me a break, knowing she won’t be around three mornings a week is too much for my delicate heart. I (not really) jokingly said I might park outside the playground and watch her play with the kids. Christopher said that’s a terrible idea and the police might get involved. There he goes again with being reasonable. Of course, 12 hours a week gives me plenty of times for naps and manicures so it might work out for both of us. (Yes, I did go through this when she started MDO and yes, I ended up loving it. Let me have my moment of despair before I shout my love of school from the rooftop.)
All that to say, I’m trying to pack in as much fun before school starts as we can. On Friday we had a Mommy Sesame Date. Normally we got to Dunkin Donuts (inside instead of drivethru because I like to keep our life spicy) but this time we got Chickfila. It goes without saying that it was in the high 90s but we’re stuck inside so much because of the heat I was determined to have a picnic. I was hoping for a nice picture but this is the look your child gives when you put your picnic blanket down on a pile of ant hills.
After the picnic, we went to a small gift shop to pick up a baby gift. Every so often I like to take her into such stores as a way to practice self-control and good behavior etc, but I wonder if it’s worth it when all I have to keep up a running commentary on do’s and don’ts. “Don’t touch! Look but don’t pick up! You can touch with one finger. Isn’t this pretty? You can hold a towel since those don’t break. Watch where you’re going! Don’t bump into that table! Ok, let’s wrap this trip up.” Such a relaxing way to browse the store.
That evening we played hospital for the 56th time that week. She’s is very into Doc McStuffins and has started her own Doc McSesame hospital in the living room. All her stuffed animals are patients and she gives us the option of being a med student, a chef or an entertainer. After we pick she decides she doesn’t like our choice so she tries to reassign us as ambulance drivers or nursery watchers. Without fail she informs us that we’re not doing the job correctly. “But Mama! Stuffy doesn’t talk to patients like that!” It’s tough to be a hospital employee. The hours are erratic, the benefits terrible. Good thing the boss is cute.
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| Pre hospital ball where we all wore blue and entertained the patients. |
Jun 1, 2018 | Sesame, Uncategorized |
AB: I really like the year 1926.
Me: Why?
AB: That’s when my imaginary brother Matt was born.
In the children’s room at the library
“Ok, everyone! I’m going to do a concert for you. Pay attention! Mom, do you want to come sing in front of everyone wif me?”
(Has she learned nothing in her four years? I do not perform in public.)
Me: Why are you holding Paige upside down?
AB: Daddy said it’s important to support a baby’s head.
When we got our new fish, Benjamin “Little Blue” Harrison
“Hi, little guy. I’ll give you a tour of our house. These are my dad’s drums. He’s pretty good at them. Mom doesn’t really like when he plays them.”
“I’ll get the frogs for you, Mama!”
While playing with Christopher
That is diabolical!
Mom?
Yes?
Mom?
Yes?
Mom?
YES? Don’t keep saying my name if you have nothing to say!!
Thirty seconds later.
Mom?
Yes?
Never mind.
May 25, 2018 | Party people, Sesame |
I didn’t think this day would come but here we are.
I am partied out.
My party planning protégé has played birthday party almost every day for the last two years. Her imaginary friends Goldbug and Garby have both had birthdays every day since May 1st. Usually, the stuffed animals and imaginary friend family have their birthdays more spread out over the week but this birthday season has been extra busy. AB is constantly celebrating someone but we’re not always invited. Lately, it’s become more of a production.
HOLD THE PHONE. REAL LIFE UPDATE. I JUST SAW A MOUSE RUN THROUGH MY LIVING ROOM.
Stand by while I set fire to the place.
Back to the party situation. They’re productions that require dessert, a talent for the talent show, and for all participants to bring gifts. She invites whoever is around (so it’s always me) and gets offended if we don’t show up with the proper level of enthusiasm. I love a good party and I’m proud of her for having a theme for each party but like I said, I am partied out. I used to bring good gifts to the parties but the other day I gave a broken crayon. I gave it in a tissue so at least it was wrapped. Tonight’s party was swimming theme and she wanted us all to wear our bathing suits. I declined. We don’t attend all the parties but I know someday she won’t want me to play with her so I do my best to seem excited every single time. I thought the birthday party infatuation was a phase but it’s been three years and I don’t see it ending anytime soon.
She’s planned a swimming party, a music party, a dancing party, a carrot peeling party, an animal party, a room cleaning party, a bed making party and a Bible party. She’ll set up the kitchen like a party restaurant or the living room like a “party house.” She finds snacks from the pantry and pours us tiny cups of tea. She’ll put on a tutu over her favorite summer dress and top it off with an over sized white sweater.
Right now she’s planning a circus party. I expect to be invited any minute now.
