Tea for Two

Camdyn spent all morning playing with the play food.  She cooked, organized, and then invited me to a tea party with a full smorgasbord of food.

She left out no detail...

Yesterday, we started Camdyn on medication for ADHD.  I have very mixed emotions, but I think we need to try this next step, for both Camdyn and for our family as a whole.

Yesterday, Camdyn was a different girl.  She played for over 4 hours with the play food...there was no fighting, no tantrums, no zooming around. There was no screaming, no hitting, no teasing.  

It was bittersweet.

We have a book called The Good Little Girl, it tells the story of a good girl named, Miranda.  Miranda, has a naughty girl living inside her, named Lucretia, who comes to the surface when Miranda has had enough being patient with her busy parents who have no time for her.  Lucretia is bold, bossy, and stands up for Miranda...maybe a little too much.  I can't help comparing it to Camdyn...and the naughty little Lumpy living inside her.  Camdyn so desperately wants to be good, she wants praise, she wants people to like her.  Who wouldn't?  Hopefully, this will give Camdyn a chance for all of that.  I know it's not a magic pill...a magic fix all, but if it helps even a little bit, I'm willing to try it.

I said it is bittersweet.  Bittersweet, because I love that little Lumpy just as much as I love Camdyn.  I don't want this to come at the cost of losing her personality...'cause God knows that girl's chalk full of it.

So, we're going to work on finding balance. 
If this doesn't work, we'll try something else, but at least we'll know we tried.   

Felt Ornaments

Since somebody fell asleep in the middle of eating her licorice, I used the time to make some felt ornaments.

I decided to make a few for the cats, with a little extra added ingredient.  I plan on giving them out without letting their humans know about the kitty weed...watching the cats scale the tree should make for great fun on Christmas.  haha!

I started by printing off the letter, cutting it out, tracing it onto the felt, and then cutting it out of the felt.  I used a toy to trace the circle onto the felt and cut out two of those, as well.  I picked out coordinating thread and first hand sewed the letter to the felt front.  I then stitched around the outside being sure to sew through the ribbon I'd decided on for the hanger.

Stop about 3/4 of the way, stuff with filler and a little catnip.  Finish hand stitching it closed...and you're done!

I made this one for my Mom's cat, Oliver. 

Three didn't get the memo it's not for him...

So, to pacify him, I gave him his own.  Let the drug-induced coma begin.  If you've never seen a cat high on the nip, you don't know what you're missing.  Seriously funny stuff!

Sick-o

The stomach flu has been making its way through our house.  I hate vomit.  I think Clyde hates it even more, he's the one that's had to clean the carpets twice, the couch cushions three times, and the fabric ottoman once.  God forbid, they hit the hardwood floors.


I'm just thankful it's happening BEFORE Christmas.


I'm off to disinfect...everything.

Crafting

Today was crafting day.  Riley is home with pink eye, which hopefully, will end with her...so she helped me make a wreath for the front door.  I got the wreath from Target's dollar aisle, along with some of the packs of ornaments.  The rest I picked up 75% off after Christmas last year.

The crafting was a diversion for me.  Lumpy spent Sunday night into Monday puking, then preschool was canceled due to the weather Monday and Tuesday...so she's stir crazy.  I'm crazy anyway, but the added chaos means mommy needs a Xanax.

I'm happy with how the wreath turned out...and I only burned one finger on the glue gun, that has to be a record.  On a side note, the wreath turned my fingers hot pink.

Opportunist

While the other kids are in school, Rowyn makes good use of her time, sneaking into Riley's room to delve into Polly Pocket world. 

Time to fire up the sewing machine

Add this to my list of sewing projects I want to make someday. It's a faux chenille blanket and I'd love to try and make ruin one.

Dana also has a tutorial...cute, right?!

Add another bookmark to my 'sewing' folder.  I am awesome at finding ideas I like and fail at actually completing any.  Maybe someday, when my craft table doesn't look like this...

Etsy Love

Some of my favorite Etsy right now.

These dog collars from AddisonLogan.

This Mr T shirt from mi cielo.

Look how cute the Star Wars ones are too!

This hat from Totzhatz.

This bag from ElisaLou...okay, really I love her whole shop.

This alphabet print from Penny People...I want one for the girl's room.

Walrooz

How cool are these sleds from Giggle

Look, they connect! 

Nick and Booth

St. Nick came to our house last night...we had some very excited kids this morning.  Probably none more than Ro-diggity, who got enough lip balm to last her through the winter...or at least through the end of the week, hopefully.  Girl loves her lip balm.

I found Santa set up like this in the toy room.  Looks like he came to the Playmobil family too.  I think that little girl may be on to him.


People keep asking me how the new puppy is.  Well...

The jerk puppy eating the tree in the toy room.

The sneaky puppy standing in the dishwasher "pre-rinsing" the dishes. 

The naughty puppy terrorizing the cat.  Don't worry, Three's a street kitty and lets the puppy know who's the boss.  Our other cat, Tashi, however, detests Booth and is surely devising a plan to get him run over by a car.  Yesterday, I saw her holding the screen door open in hopes he would escape. ;)

We're still working on potty training.  Clyde still gets up at least twice a night to take him out.  He's chewed up at least half a dozen polly pockets...God knows how many of their little shoes he's pooped out in the yard.  He is forever shredding my house plant.

I think I forgot how much work a puppy is...but he's worth it...we'e in love with him. ♥

Red Robin and a birthday

We celebrated Camdyn's birthday last night.

Blowing me kisses across the table.

Here comes the RR staff to sing!

A little overwhelmed...

Happy girl with her pink balloon.

Her Barbie cake, as requested.

Camdyn had a great birthday party!  I can't believe she's five already, it doesn't seem possible.

The First Snow

Our first snow fell last night and into the morning.

It was like Christmas morning around here when they woke up and saw all the snow on the ground.  They suited up and headed out.  I wish I was that excited to go out in the cold.

 

Daddy getting ready to go do snow removal.  He took Riley with him today...she was very excited to help out.  

Booth and I are the only two not thrilled with the white crap, but I love seeing the kids so happy and I guess that's all that counts.

Christmas Parade

Camdyn invited Rowyn and I to her Christmas parade.

There were trains, a pirate ship, a school bus...even Swiper made an appearance.

Allergy Testing

Camdyn went for allergy testing the other day.  She got to watch Scooby Doo while she waited.  

Good news...no allergies!  He explained the dark circles under her eyes, which are often referred to as 'allergy eyes', are actually a misnomer.  He explained, that her fair skin makes them more prominent, as well as, increased blood flow that comes with colds or sinus infections.

He did refer us back to her dermatologist, since her eczema is looking terrible right now.  Her prescription medicine burns when we put it on, so it's a fight to put it on her.