a big (little) family

Trying to maintain my sanity and live to blog about it.

The Case of the Missing Teeth

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Ruby gave me a new bedtime stalling tactic I hadn’t heard before. In nine years of parenting and now six kids, I’ve heard a few. Pretty sure Ruby’s topped them all. “Pajamas and teeth, Ruby.”“I can’t.”“Why not?”“I can’t find my teeth.”And then… she looked at me most sheepishly, realized the error of her dreamed-up excuse, […]

Mispronunciation hesitation.

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Kindergarten is a fun grade to teach. The learning is so new, there’s so much to learn, and five year olds are brutally honest. Today’s reading had Sterling in a befuddled mess. Dr-i-ve. Dr-i-ve. Over and over he sounded out ‘drive’, saying it but still unsure what the word was. Finally I jumped in, and […]

Overachiever.

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In doing (kindergarten) math this morning with Sterling, I asked him to tell me a “some, some more” story. He looked at me with confusion. “I’ll tell you one, and then you can tell me one. Three kids were in line for the slide. One slid down. Now there are two kids waiting. Your turn.” […]

It’s a sad state of affairs.

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So I’m sitting here, staring at “Enter a post title” followed by a blank white page and I’ve realized something. My funny got up and left. Somewhere, in the stress that is life right now, my sense of humor snuck out the back without so much as a farewell. It’s a sad state of affairs. […]

Jen’s Wreaths

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Edited to add a winner: Julia, whose comment, “What an awesome giveaway! Just looking at them got me so excited for this winter!! They’re all so pretty and festive – I like them all! This one is fun: http://www.jenswreaths.com/shop/christmas-wreaths/24-inch-wreaths/dads-flannel-shirt-plaid-christmas-wreath-24-inch/” won! I used Random.org to generate a winner. I need your full name/address and I’ll send it […]

Realization of the day:

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Wash the ceiling fans. They look great, and stay clean for a LOT longer than anything else I clean in this house. The kids can’t reach them!

Just another day.

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Bedtime is chaos around here. No matter how hard I try, it can’t seem to be any other way. “Pajamas and teeth, everyone.” “Why aren’t you in you pajamas?”   “Are my teeth clean?” “No. What did you brush them with? Cake?!” “I didn’t brush them yet.” “Then why did you ask if they were […]

There will be blood.

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I’ve seen women with cute metal bangle bracelets and wished I had some. That pony tail holder is just not so chic. Problem: I have larger hands than most, apparently. Freakishly large, perhaps. I don’t really want to know. Bangle bracelets don’t even begin to fit over them. (Onto my ever so petite wrists, you […]

Combat Ant Bait Giveaway!

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I was sent Combat Source Kill Max Ant Bait and Ant Gel to review and host a giveaway to you, my readers. I’m having one problem: the ants haven’t hit yet! Without a doubt, they are coming. And I’m ready! The Ant Gel contains Fipronil, a fast acting active ingredient that kills the ants pestering […]

Happy birthday, happy birthday…

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Someone turns 30 tomorrow. She knows who she is. Half the country away, this is all the party I can throw for her. I’m trying. I’m attempting slight discretion here, in case she doesn’t want the world to know… but HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, dear ____. 🙂