Megan learned to sing and march to "Lord's Army" today at school. We got to hear one verse over and over this evening. Cracks us up.



That was the only good thing about school today. I showed up to get her and Miss Tiffany greeted me with a look...a look that I don't ever want to get again. She said, "We need to talk." Crap. She described the day as a "Nanny 911" day. Megan would not obey, leave her tennis shoes on, stay on her nap mat, or basically behave. Miss Tiffany had to put her in time out a few times, but Megan fought that too. Megan was mad at us (Daddy was home this morning) for making her wear pants and tennis shoes, so apparently she carried that over into the day. After long discussion, Megan has been warned that if she has another day like today, the glitter shoes will disappear. Also, Miss Tiffany asked that I please just let her wear the glitter shoes to school to avoid days like the past month. (She has witnessed me prying them off her feet in the parking lot.) Damn glitter shoes.

It's no secret that I LOVE TO READ. Today I was invited to participate in a local book club, and I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am! I've always wanted to be in a book club but have never been invited, which is typically how to get involved in a good one. I've attended library groups that had an open invitation, but it wasn't what I was looking for. In fact, I was uninvited to return to one such group, as they actually told me that they didn't want an English teacher potentially "grading" the conversation. But this is a group of other women, some even teachers, and I can't wait to get involved. I'm bummed because the first meeting is Thursday, during Daddy's softball game, so I'll have to wait until next month. It's something to look forward to in the first week in November...oh, you know, besides the election...

About 30 minutes away from home, I could feel the allergies tickling my nose and causing a disturbance. Ewww...excessive sneezing, tickly throat, itchy eyes, snot, etc. I'd had a nice vacation from allergies all day because they were not bothering me while we were in Austin. Welcome home. *achooooo*

Not really. Can't say I've had an exciting day like this in a while.

Long story short, my friend Kelli, her two boys, Megan, and I went to Austin for the day! Yes, for the day...with a purpose. We went to see Kelli's sister Amy and her new, week old baby Jonah.

We loaded up the minivan this morning and made several potty breaks throughout the day - imagine 2 pregnant women and 3 under 4. :) We stopped for lunch and play at McDonalds and got there mid-afternoon.



The three kiddos were very excited to get out of the car, so it was very energetic and loud for a few minutes. I was good to see Amy, as I don't think I've seen her for at least 10 years. She looked so natural as a mom. Oh, Jonah is so cute and teeny. The kids were so cute around the new baby...rubbing his head and sneaking a touch. Kelli pointed out to Megan that a brother wouldn't be so bad, but her reaction was similar to, "Eh..."



The three kids and I headed to Walmart to get rid of some pent up energy and get snacks for the ride home. They were so good for me! I definitely got some looks...yeah, 3 under 4 and pregnant! :) The two oldest spent most of the shopping trip making each other crack up. It was pretty fun.



We got home this evening, Megan ate dinner, and was in bed 30 minutes after we got home. I can't imagine the boys were up much longer!

Thank goodness for the DVD player, good adult conversation, and three good kids. It was definitely a trip I would make again.

Somehow, for some reason, my DVR let me down tonight. Even though I checked to make sure it was set to record the season premier of Desperate Housewives, I got nuthin'. I clicked on "recorded t.v." to watch it and nuthin'. Then I checked the series settings, and for sure it is set to record. What the heck? I know, I know, abc.com has full episodes online. But it's not the same. And do I dare trust my DVR again???

I was at a friend's house today and called home to check-in. Daddy scared the crap out of me by telling me that Megan had cut her own hair (bangs) with a pair of scissors while he was supervising her. I have seen pictures of what other kids have done to their own hair, so I had vivid images of mine with a big, fat chunk missing from square in the forehead. When I got home, I calmed down when I saw that it really isn't that bad. Poor kid really just trimmed them up so she could see. We sat down to talk to her about it, and as usual, we walked away laughing.

Anyone else still up watching the aftermath of the presidential debate? I have a legitimate argument that I need beauty sleep, yet I sit here listening to commentary like I don't have bags under my eyes already. Like staring at a train-wreck.

And for once, I am not talking about my kid. I am spoiled rotten. I'll try to keep this short.

My mom left town for the week. She called Monday morning to tell me that she had brisket and a huge pan of "funeral potatoes" (hashbrown/potato casserole for you non-potluck folks) leftover from Sunday dinner in the fridge that we could have. I'm not one to turn down free food, so I picked it up right away. I brought it home, and shared the brisket with the family, but over the next few days I ate the entire pan of potato casserole. It was so dang good. I even accused my mom of lacing it with illegal drugs to make me want more. Let's just say it was several helpings worth. Several.

Wednesday, I called my mom to let her know that it was time for her to come home since I was out of potato casserole :)! She said ha, ha funny joke, but offered me the recipe. HA! Another funny joke since hmmmm...don't things just taste better when someone else cooks them? She called yesterday to let me know they were on their way home, and I said, "Oh, so I can have potato casserole at around 2 a.m.?" We exchanged some humorous banter about it and then ended the conversation. Apparently after she hung up with me, Granna and Double G worked feverishly to send home a potato casserole with my mom. Later my mom called to see if indeed I would be up at 2 a.m. for casserole when they drove past, but my question to her about the 2 a.m. casserole earlier in the day was a joke!!! After I apologized profusely, we agreed I'd get it in the morning.

Sure enough, I picked up the casserole at 9:30 this morning, and I have already had 3 plates full! Yum-o! Thank you for the thought and the yummy food. I promise I will keep my mouth shut next time and cook it myself!! (I think of you guys with every bite!)

I'm hiding under a rock. My daughter's mouth can be so embarrassing!

We were sitting in the very quiet waiting room at the doctor's office this morning with about 15 other people. It was supposed to be a very quick (in-and-out) thing for me, but it quickly turned into a marathon wait. A lady walked in the door and caught Megan's attention. A very loud Megan announced, "Oh look she has a black dress AND big boobs!" The room got silent, like everyone was deciding how to react, and then they all joined in on a collective laugh. Luckily the lady did not speak or understand English (according to the receptionist).

But on the very sweet flip-side, Megan was so concerned about me having blood drawn. She freaked out when they "tied me up" and "stuck me with a flu shot." She told me that it made her very sad. She also asked the doctor if she could hear the baby's heartbeat, and he nicely obliged. She likes to make a mimicking sound of the heartbeat...quite humorous.

Granna made Megan a new beautiful gown, and it came in the mail today. I opened the package while she was at school, so it was sitting on the couch when she came in. She said, "Oh my goodness what the heck is that?" She put it on immediately! However, she refused to let me take her picture. I chased her into my bathroom and finally got a shot (after she was cornered!). Thank you, Granna.

Today I went for my 16 week check-up. Boring. Peed in the cup, got stuck with needles (flu shot, too), and listened to the heartbeat - the best part. Oh yeah, and I got to ask my list of questions - which somehow don't sound ridiculous when I'm writing them down at home, but do when I read/ask them. Oh well, he's known me long enough to just roll his eyes and answer. I don't even mind the rolling of the eyes because I'm doing it at myself, too. I did get the okay to take Zyrtec to help with the 500 sneezes per day due to allergy season. The appointment was short, sweet, and to the point and everything is going just fine. The most important part of today's appointment was scheduling next month's appointment for the sonogram. At this point, I am still holding out on finding out what it is - and holding strong - despite the many convincing arguments people try to use to persuade me to find out the sex of the baby. The hardest at work is my own husband. We'll see. After today's appointment, my cute (plotting) husband took me out to lunch. It was just the two of us, and it was very nice. Even then he took the opportunity to make sure I still know that he wants to find out the sex of the baby next month...covertly slipped into the conversation a few times. Never passes up a chance....

Before you watch this, please rest assured that to our knowledge there is only one in my belly! This is not an announcement.

All of Megan's dresses were dirty, so dang, I had to do laundry. I gathered each dress, with her help, and then found out that only 3 of the 8 dresses she owns are acceptable anymore - according to her. NOW, she has decided that she cannot wear any dresses with ties or pockets (apparently those requirements do not cross over into dress up clothes) and ALL dresses must match the pink glitter shoes. Therefore blue and purple dresses are now out of the question. Basically we are down to the polka dot dress, the pink dress, and the flower dress. And when I came at her with a blue dress earlier, you would've thought it was with a pick axe. She took off screaming and crying like the dress was going to physically hurt her to wear it...which is very similar to how she acts if we come at her with pants or a shirt. From the tom-boyish mom to the toddler: I do not comprehend this behavior! Isn't a dress, is a dress, is a dress? *I wonder what it would be like to have a boy...*

Megan, Daddy, and I have been busy and sociable all day today! Brace yourself, this could be a long post...potty break before you get started?

I've snuck into Megan's room while she was sleeping and "borrowed" from her piggy bank. Granted, I'm not 4 time burglar, but I've done it at least 4 times. Yikes. Let this be a lesson to me...

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (AP) -- A man convicted of stealing $20 from a toddler's piggy bank has been sentenced to six years in prison. Four-time convicted burglar Ryan Mueller was convicted Thursday of felony burglary as a repeat offender in a Sheboygan, Wis., court.
Prosecutors say the 31-year-old Mueller broke into a home in August 2007 and stole money from a 2-year-old girl's piggy bank while she slept. They say the girl's mother walked into the room and caught Mueller in the act.
Mueller also was sentenced to five years' probation. His is to serve his sentence consecutively to a six-year prison sentence he was handed in June for a separate burglary conviction.

Poor Granna and Double G. Megan used a highly questionable phrase today that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't a single cuss word or something completely recognizable, so I asked her to repeat it. I won't repeat it here for fear of offending anyone (or outing you in case you taught it to Megan), but it kinda reminded me of a Shakespearian insult; I'll refer to it as "p.a.p". Yeah, it wasn't something I ever wanted to hear cross her lips again...it called for an investigation.

Mommy: Um, Megan, who taught you that?
Megan: Granna and Double G.
Mommy: What? When? I don't think that's something Granna would say.
Megan: One time when I was little and now I am big so I can say it.
Mommy: Why did they say it?
Megan: They just told me it.

I thought for sure not, so I called them to inquire about the "p.a.p" comment. Of course they were both adamant that it was not them, which I never even thought it was, but just had to check. Granna sweetly reminded me that her accuser was the same person who found an elephant in her closet and threw Uncle Scott under the bus for pushing her down the stairs. Point taken.

Confession: I have had a hard time living in Podunkville and adjusting to the new life. I long for my so-called-life (I can't even believe I'm referring to it as a life) back in "the city", yet can't afford the nearly $4 gas to conduct life as we used to know it...playgroups, Splash Factory, cool library story time, scrapbooking, grandparents, etc. I haven't really met any friends; yes, my fault because I haven't really made a huge effort. Some of you who have known me for a while might choke when I share this, but since I've become a stay-at-homer, I've become just a tad bit shy. Surely not as confident as I once was. I say hi to the other moms at story time and preschool - big whoppin' effort. I consider myself a pretty decent person to hang out with, but gee, I can only take so much of hanging out with myself! It has caused some serious issues, and maybe even a hint of poutiness on my part. Not anything near Prozac or depression proportions, but without intervention I could see it headed in that direction.

So, today I sucked it up and joined a moms group in town. Yes, I wrote a dues check and bought myself some friends. It was cheaper than a year's worth of anti-depressants, and it looks like it might be a little fun too. Megan met a new little friend, Georgia, and I hit it off with her mom. In fact after the group meeting, the two girls were upset that they had to leave each other. We decided to pick up some lunch, meet at the park, and let the girls run each other ragged. Success. I enjoyed the adult interaction and conversations related to all things NOT princess. Afterwards, I sat down with the "event" calendars and planned out our September and October play days. We won't do every single activity; for one, I'm not that desperate and two, some things just don't sound fun, but at least now we have some options.

I hope to goodness I am not writing this same post 3 years from now when we're doing kindergarten mornings. Sheesh, school mornings around here are so frustrating! Megan lolly-gags around this house like we have 3 hours to accomplish what I've budgeted an hour and a half to do; I'd budget an extra hour and a half if I thought it would do any good. She pokes at her breakfast, gripes about clothes, and basically just stalls. Oh, she's excited to go to school, and talks about it while we're getting ready, but it's the actual process of doing anything that leads to the lolly-gagging. Here are a few actual happenings from this morning.

Megan: Come here and stand by the door while I open it (as said to someone behind her...I was in front of her).
Mommy: Who are you talking to?
Megan: The elephant that I found in the closet. She's coming with me to dance. Come on through this door (as said to the invisible elephant).
Mommy: You were supposed to be getting clothes from the closet.
Megan: Well, I found an elephant.

Megan: I will not wear pants today I want my pink dress.
Mommy: You wore your pink dress yesterday, so it is dirty.
Megan: How dirty?
Mommy: So pick another dress. This one or this one?
Megan: The pink one that is dirty with my pink glitter shoes.
Mommy: You cannot wear the pink glitter ones to school; against the rules.
Megan: What? No glitter shoes?
Mommy: Megan, I tell you this every single school day. No glitter shoes.
Megan: You do? I don't hear you.

Mommy: Megan, come here so I can get you dressed...we are going to be late. (no response)
Mommy: Megan, come here so I can get you dressed...Ms. Tiffany is waiting for you. (no response)
Mommy: Megan, come here so I can get you dressed...if you don't go to school, you can't have the Caprisun in your lunch.
Megan: I'm here. I want that Capri so hussle, hussle, Mama.

This one, but I was too lazy to bake the pie crust.

Papa, Gran, and Cousin Mandy stopped by yesterday. The girls had a blast! They ate lunch, played babies, dressed up, and danced. Both girls were extremely exhausted, so we weren't without a tear or two, but they had such a good time together. What a hoot!

So the comment I got from Megan yesterday was that I am old. Today, she walked up to Daddy and said, "Daddy, you are handsome."

I was in the middle getting ready to go out to dinner. I had on a black shirt and black and white skirt. Megan did not approve of my choice of shoes (neither did I but I didn't have any other choice), so she dug through my closet. She brought out a pair of my old teacher shoes. She wanted me to wear them.

Megan: Mommy, wear dese. They are bea-u-ti-ful.
Mommy: No, they are old lady shoes.
Megan: Well, you're an old lady.

We just got back home from the doctor's office, and Megan is fixed! She had a dislocated elbow that he relocated for her by twisting and pulling, much to her dismay. And it almost sent me over the edge...I got a little lecture on not bringing her in sooner, but who knew? Could've been just drama! Rest assured she is back to normal. She has officially bounced from one wall to the other in the house. Oh but the real indicator that she is back to normal? "Mommy, you be Prince Phillip and I'll be Sleeping Beauty."

Well, the elbow is still an issue. Megan took a 3 1/2 hour nap which I thought may erase the whole "hurt elbow" from her mind, but it did not. In fact she is normally a windmill when sleeping, but she stayed in the exact same spot the entire nap. The two times she tried to move, she screamed out in her sleep. This evening she has been very cranky and weepy with the occasional scream. We stayed on the couches and watched Megan shows tonight. Guess what her new favorite show is that she requested by name tonight? Anyone watch "Holmes on Homes" on TLC? Yeah, seriously it is a show about a contractor who comes in and fixes mistakes previous contractors made on houses in Canada. Megan watches it with Daddy-o and loves it! She really gets into the sawing, drilling, and drywalling. She told me that Holmes was making her feel a little bit better and helping her to forget about her arm hurting for a little bit. The school called to check on her, but it made me a little nervous. They were asking me if I sent her to school hurt this morning or if anything like this had happened before. Uh, I think someone would've noticed if she was hysterically screaming when I dropped her off. Maybe it was just my paranoid pregnant mind, but it felt like they were passing the buck back to our house...she was somehow delivered damaged. The whole thing is weird, but I truly believe it was just a fluke thing. Megan keeps telling me that she doesn't want to hurt her arm again like she did when she was sleeping at naptime. At 9:00 p.m. she asked me to help her go to bed...I almost fell over because that has never happened. She said that sleep would help her sore arm heal. Good idea.

Okay, so at our house we use the word "ginormous" to describe something well, you guessed it, gigantic or enormous. It's just a quirky word that makes Megan giggle, and apparently we use it quite a bit. Lately though she's picked it up in her vocabulary which cracks me up! The "golf ball" at Disney World (Epcot) was ginormous...the new house next door is ginormous...Prince Charming had a ginormous stomach ache...and today hurricane Ike was ginormous on the radar. She even had to call Double G and Granna to tell them to "run, run, run from the hurricane!" Looks like they might miss the ginormous hurricane.

Okay, how many hours of pretending to be a prince or princess is fair enough? I've been playing "castle" for hours today, after playing for hours yesterday, and it still isn't enough. Megan informed me that she needs me to play because "there are too many figurines for me (her) to talk for". Poor Daddy was accosted as soon as he walked in the door. It doesn't have a parental warning on the box: "Warning: you must be the voice for Prince Phillip and Sleeping Beauty for upwards of 4 hours a day."

I know you were all sitting on the edge of your seat wondering if Megan liked her Cinderella castle. Uh, yes! She loves it! She's played and played even opting to skip her nap (no brainer). I was a little surprised with the amount of accessories, but one benefit of my setting it up first is that I kept some of the microscopic parts in the bag. Fair warning: if you come over here, you're subject to being cast in a role as a prince or princess.





Also, special thanks to Gran for coming over and rescuing us from our own filth. She came over and cleaned today. What a difference! It feels like maybe I can keep it up now...

Old Navy is having a baby/kids sale, so we decided to get some fall/winter things in case fall/winter decide to make an appearance. The shopping trip was...exasperating. Yep, that's a good word. Megan was extremely opinionated about the clothes we picked out and obsessed with trying on shoes, which was not part of the plan. She was so upset that we were buying pants instead of all dresses. And if the shopping part wasn't enough, the dressing room fiasco was extremely exhausting as well. We were SO excited to finally make it to the register. Then we beat ourselves up even more with a trip to Target...

Last night, Megan wanted to play "fashion show" to try on all of her new clothes.

So Daddy decided to pull Megan's hair back into a ponytail before dinner. No kidding...the man put those two barrets in by himself to keep the stringy hairs from hanging down. Notice one is inside out? PLEASE alert me if you ever see my daughter out in public like this!

I've been trying to get Megan to help me clean up the disastrous play room all morning. Yes, I can say "all morning" at 9:30 a.m. because we've be up since 6:00 a.m. again. Anyway, she's done everything to keep herself from helping me clean. While I was picking up, she was playing Little People. We have the house, the farm, and the manger scene. Evidently Megan has combined some thought processes because one of her little scenes involved Mary, baby Jesus, and Mary's little lamb. I can't remember the whole interaction but I do know that Mary "taught" baby Jesus how to sing "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Very entertaining.

Related, one of Megan's favorite songs is from the movie Cinderella. One of the lines from the song is "Cinderella...you're as lovely as an angel...Cinderella..."; Megan's version is "Cinderella...you're as lovely as a manger...Cinderella..." She knows it doesn't make sense because she keeps telling me that a manger is not lovely, yet she keeps singing it that way.

This is Megan's new trick she taught herself during the car ride from Orlando to Panama City. It sure didn't sound this good 2 days ago...she must've been practicing!

Between our Hard Knocks: Cowboy's Training Camp marathon last night (I just love our DVR) and the 74 degree cool day today, I'm ready for fall! I've got our windows open so we can enjoy the cool temperature and the nice breeze...oh, it's just so wonderful...for today. Tomorrow and the rest of the week are supposed to be hot again. Boo.