getting ready for school

Bella will be starting Junior Kindergarten in a few weeks. Illinois is not charging state tax for this week, so we decided to go school shopping with my mom. Since it was so hot out we hit the outlets. Not one pair of pants bought. Bella is on a dress kick. I told her when the weather gets colder she would have to wear pants. She said, " Mom, I will just wear heavy tights". The highlight of her day came when we got back to my mom's house. There was a box sitting there from Zappos. It was her Twinkle Toes shoes. This was a gift from my mom and dad for going to sleep by herself. These are gym shoes made by Sketchers. They are two shades of pink amd have jewels on them. Much to mine and my moms surprise. They light up. I hate light up shoes. As a teacher, they were the biggest distraction. I have always told Bella no to them. I however sat and watched her with a big smile run through my mom's house in them. How could I take them away. I am sure the teachers will hate them but we will deal.

Sleeping by ourselves

As parent I think we all have one or two things we have a problem breaking with our kid. I have a friend whos child has been potty trained for a while but still needs a pullup to poop. Bellas is that she has always had me to fall asleep with. It was my mistake but in all fairness. When everyone was letting their kids cry it out Bella was still too sick to do that. So lately, I have been having a hard time with Bella with me leaving. She is fine if it is during the day but at night she freaks. So yesterday, I decided to make the move.

I put her in her room and told her that she could look at books but had to stay in bed. Needless to say this was rough. She cried and cried. I kept going in and reassuring her. There was a point when I was ready to break but I finally decide: ok I gave her no warning so I am going to sit in the hall. Once I did this she feel right asleep.

Today, I bought her something special to sleep with. You would think Mary her cow was enough but I figured this would help. We also made a chart. After a week of doing it she gets to pick something special. So I read her two books and went in the hallway. At first she cried and I said she could read books. I had to do something so I had Bill sit in the hall. When I went back up, she was laying there. After another 5 minutes, she was out. It still took an hour but she did it. I know I will have to work to not have to sit in the hall but this is a huge step! Yeah Bella! Yeah Mommy!

Flash back

Sean driving Bella in the car!

Face painting

Reilly and Bella having slurpies and popcorn!

Remember a world where the kids ran up and down the street or rode their bikes. SO yesterday, we went to a block party at our friends house. They live in the city, we live in the burbs. Now so many people move to the burbs because to feel safe. Our friends live in a nice area in the city that may surpass the burbs.

Now back when we were growing up, every year our block had a block party. It was more like a backyard party because all our yards were attached with no fences. The kids played, the adults, talked and we ate. Then we either had a water balloon fight or played in the sprinkler. I loved going up in the neighborhood I did. I think those people helped as much as my parents to raise me to who I am today! So thanks!

Yesterday brought me back. The kids rode bikes, jumped in a bounce house, and had their faces painted. The adults ate and drank. No one worried about what might happen. I wish my town allowed them. So thank you to our friends The Johnsons for taking us back and reminding us what summer is about.

Can't I just get a shower!!

Remembering the days when Bella was little and I had to take the bouncy seat or excersaucer in the bathroom to get a shower in. Or when she was a toddler and I had to shower when she napped. Now that she is four, I should be able to show in peace. I mean come on 5 minutes. Just enough time to wash my hair and body and every other day shave my legs. Here is how this morning went-

"Bella, I am going to take a shower ok."
"Ok Mom"

Not even a minute later, the door opens!
" Mommy, Daddy is on the phone"
Wait
" How do you know?"
" Cause I answered it"
Thinking how?
" Go tell Daddy, I will call him back"
Thank god it was 7:45 in the morning because no one else would call that early.

So as I am washing the soap out of my hair.

" Mommy, where is the jelly"
" In the door"
Second pause
" Bella"
" WHat"
" Come here"
" What?"
"Why do you need the jelly"
" I am making breakfast"
" What are you making?"
" Toast with Jelly and eggs"
"Is everything out?"
by now I am washing in fast motion, hoping by talking to her, my kitchen is not on fire.
I jump out and throw a towel on and go downstairs.

Here is what it looks like:

Toast in toaster but she does not realize that it has to be turned on. Good! No burns or fire.
Eggs( I make a ton of hard boiled because Bella is on a hard boiled kick)
However- like me she does not eat the york so the york is on the table.
She now has the jelly and knife.

So in my towel, I help her get everything made.

Now my thoughts-
1. Independance great
2. Possible danger in kitchen- not good

My bigger thought-

Why is it that my husband can go with a paper in the bathroom, do his business and shave and shower for 20 plus minutes and no one bothers him. I want a five minute shower and my house may go down. Tis the life of a mom!

getting things in order

As summer is ending, I have decided we need to make some changes in our house. We need order. I know my friends and family are laughing because I am very anal about things.I know Bella is only four but the whining has to stop. It is driving me and Bill nuts.

With that these are my goals:

1. Get an easy chore chart started for Bella. She is great at doing things we ask her to do.

2. Set a night schedule

3. Do some schooling at home. No I am not home schooling

Let me explain the last one. Bella is the type of kid who likes to be busy. Not has to likes to. She also loves school. My husband wants to know why I don't just homeschool her. He did not understandwhy. I explained. You know how much she talks. Just think how much she would talk if she didn't have friends to talk too.

So we will keep you up to date'1

Sick kids

On Friday, (the hottest day of the year) we decided to mini golf with friends in the morning before it gets hot. So when we got home, Bella was quiet. Not Bella but the heat is very hard for her so I did not think twice. When I picked her up, she was burning up! Here we go again. Saturday, high fever, did not eat or drink a thing. Sunday, lower fever and still did not eat. Monday, we had a fever (low) but she was acting like herself. So I figured I would take her in the yard. As we were out there I noticed she had a rash all over her face. So off to the doctor again. Much to our surprise, HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH AGAIN. We just had it 2 months ago. I guess there is 7 different types out there. Crazy! Good news, today we are back to normal. After 4 days not seeing sunlight, we are going out!

Free activities

With us being a one income family, summer can be expensive. So Bella and I have been looking for fun, free activities. The library by us has great activities! Today we made crafts out of recycled materials. They also have a Saturday family program. Last month, we saw The True Story of the Three Pigs. Next month, bubble magic.. On Saturdays Bill has to do his expense reports so we have a routine. Coffee, storytime at Borders and craft at Lakeshore.

This weekend, I have scheduled a cost free weekend-
Saturday- Borders, Lakeshore and the Mt. Prospect Block Party.
Sunday- Kohl's Childrens Musuem is free from 12-5

No be aware when you talk free, you sometimes risk it being crowded.