The real thing

Mae loves tags. So naturally she has some taggies toys. However, she only likes the tag on her taggies toys. She appreciates an authentic tag. Nothing but the real deal for her. I think for Christmas I may take her to a mattress store and let her go wild.

I can totally feed myself

Just like my big brother could at this age.  Remember?

http://themalonefamilybridgetmalone.blogspot.com/2010/03/guest-blogger-andrew-malone.html

Andrew is thankful for donuts

Parts

Andrew loves the book Parts.  It is super cute.  And we all know how he calls his tongue his "licker part".  So we have started referring to all of his body parts but different names. 

Head = Thinker Part

Eyes = Looker Parts

Nose = Sniffer Part

Teeth = Chewer Parts

Lips = Kisser Parts

Fingers = Feeler Parts

Feet = Walker Parts

Booty = Stinker Part

Recently 5

We are getting ready for winter, which seems to be coming pretty fast this year.  Part of our fall routine will now be putting the storms on the playhouse. 

Andrew loves to bake with me. 

One day I made a casserole.  I took a can of artichokes, chicken breasts, sun dried tomatoes, water, rice and a can of cream of chicken soup.  Then I baked it.  I was all excited, thinking I had created some super easy and good casserole out of things I had around the house.  No grocery store trips!  One problem.  It tasted nasty.  Not sure if it was the rubbery chicken (chicken weirds me out these days) or just the whole thing in general.  Kevin ate it and said it was good - but I think he is just scared of me.

I got to take the kids to the dentist.  No cavities!  WOOHOO!

In other news, I bought my second groupon.  I was a bit skeptical of groupons, thinking I was going to get ripped off or something, but since Gracie and I had a successful manicure experience a few weeks ago I am on board with the whole groupon thing.  Anyway, one came up for a new activewear store that is supposed to be just like lululemon.  The first one in the US is in Milwaukee (we are so cool).  So I bought it.  I am less than satisfied.  It had a LOT of rules.  I ended up buying a great hoodie and a new pair of yoga pants.  The salesman promised me they would be just like the lulu groove pants.  I fell for his lies.  

You see the lululemon pants lift my butt up and make it look somewhat perky.  They make me look like I do yoga everyday. 

I do not. 

The new pants make me look like I eat a muffin everyday. 

I do that.

And finally, I got an MRI on my back this week.  I was sort of excited for it, thinking it would be relaxing for me.  I could just lay there and no one would be asking me to wipe their hands, mouth, nose or their butt.  I was wrong. 

No one asked me to wipe them, but the board that I had to lay on was super uncomfortable.  I had to get two MRIs, so it took an hour.  And it was really really LOUD!  I was prepared for it to be noisy, but it has this alarming noise that set off some sort of panic instinct in me.  Picture laying in a tube with a fire alarm going off and you can't move at all.  Kinda crazy.  They do give you headphones to listen to music.  But I asked that they put on the news, since I never get to watch it at home.  It wasn't radio news, it was just CNN TV talk shows.  So I got to listen to political pundits yell at each other for an hour.  Again, not relaxing. 

#2 Tip from a mother of 3

Mae is sick. Again. I am starting to think this whole breastfeeding = immunity story is a load of crap. But she does have one of her new outfits on in this picture. I bought her a few things that do not have poop or puke stains. She is so spoiled.

Anyways, when you have a sick baby you will DEFINITELY end up with snot all over yourself.  It is totally inevitable.  The other morning I found a large, green booger encrusted in the hair on my forearm.  It did not phase me at all - I think it was hours before I removed it.  But is does bring me to my tip - definitely use water to get that off of you.  Just grabbing it and yanking is not the best idea.  Ouch!

Conferences

In the past two weeks I have conferences for all three kids. 

Grace's went well.  Her teachers said she is really social and eager to learn.  She is also doing a great job on her school work.  I know I haven't put much about her on the blog.  Seems like she is gone all the time!  I am going to have to do a special post just about her.

At Andrew's daycare, his conferences were really great.  The teachers prepare a portfolio of their work and little stories about what he likes to do at daycare.  They said he is always well behaved.  He loves things to be neat and in order, which doesn't surprise me.  And he doesn't like being dirty.  He usually takes a nap.  He will try all the different foods they offer.  He loves to play with the little girls, or "single ladies".  And is very, very shy. 

Awe, sweet Andrew.

I had a talk with Mae's teacher about her as well.  I guess she does really well and loves the other kids.  She is a good eater.  She has at least one blowout a day.  And she does artwork there.  (I must say I LOVE the baby room at her daycare.  Who has the time to do art with babies?!)  They gave me a pumpkin she painted for Halloween and this picture of our family tree.  How ridiculously cute is this!  I think this one is getting framed.  It is hard to see but Mae, Grace and Andrew's names are each on a finger.  So there are two empty fingers.  They assured me that they are not implying I need to have two more kids.  Phew!

Tip from a mother of 3

Totally fine to allow yourself one glass of wine as soon as all your kids are asleep.  You have my permission. 

 

Did you know that one glass of wine isn't 4 or 5 ounces? 

 

One glass = however much wine as you can possibly fit in a glass. 

 

So for Christmas, I will be asking Santa for a set of REALLY BIG wine glasses. 

Open letter to lame carpet cleaner dude

Dear Lame Carpet Cleaner Dude,

Thank you for gracing me with your presence earlier this week. I knew we were off on the right foot when you told me my carpet looked worn, and I told you that is because people WALK on it.

And when you asked me how long it has been since I stain-guarded, and I said "not interested", well that pretty much sums up my feelings about everything you said.

And thank you for cleaning everything for the quoted price, like you were doing me a huge flipping favor.

And thank you for chastising me for not telling you that the upstairs carpet is wool. I assumed that an all knowing carpet genius could just sense the wooliness of that carpet.

I particularly enjoyed our conversation that went like this.
"Is your downstairs carpet wool too?" lame carpet dude
"No." me
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
20 minutes later
"That carpet is wool." Lame carpet dude
"No it isn't" me (bear in mind, I am not really sure if it is wool or not, nor do I care, I just wasn't going to give in at this point.)
"Yes it is."
"No it isn't."
"Yes, it is. I can smell it."
"Maybe you are smelling the carpet next to it. That is wool. Oh and when you were here last time you didn't say it was wool."
"Well I need to use a different...Blah blah blah."

I totally respect your enthusiasm and outright passion for your work, I guess, but I don't give two dirty diapers about your carpet cleaning tools.

I don't respect the fact that your interpersonal skills are so poor that I almost had to push you out the door to get you OUT of my house.

I realize at home that night you thoroughly enjoyed telling your wife or girlfriend (lucky lady) about this woman you met that day and how dumb she was. Rest assured, the feeling is mutual.

Bridget

P.S. Good job on the carpets buddy, they do look great.

The Many Faces of Mae Malone

"Hello there.  I am Mae."

 

"Nice to meet you."

"Are you going to eat that?"

"Excuse me!"

"Why yes, I always do get what I want.  Thank you for asking."

"Oh Andrew, you are so stinky."

"Oh Grace, you are so funny."

"Oh Dad, you are so embarassing."

"Come back!" or "Pick me up!" or "Feed me!"  or "Put the damn camera down!"

A Herd

Grace ~ October 2007

Andrew ~ February 2010

 

Mae ~ October 2012

Halloween 2012

 

Halloween was, again this year, the never-ending holiday.   The kids have been celebrating since Friday.  Here they are ready to head out for the main event - trick or treating! 

Andrew is a monster.  Mae is an elephant.  And Gracie is dressed as Chaka Khan dressed as a mermaid.

Our neighborhood is really fun and it is a great night for the kids.  There are decorations, lots of candy, and this year one of the neighbors even dressed up as a  GIANT (somewhat creepy) teddy bear.  We usually only do 1 or 2 blocks and that is enough.

Kevin was out of town for work, so I got to handle the night time trick or treat without him.  Luckily I had major help.

 

 Mae is wishing there were some treats for her...or maybe she is just ready for bed. 

  

And here Mae is wondering where her sister went and who this scary lady is?