Chaos and Cupcakes

That title just about sums up my day yesterday.
Potty Training- Andrew starts preschool in the fall so the laissez-faire approach to the toilet has gone out the window. I’m using all the tricks I’ve got now- big boy undies, marshmallow and matchbox car bribes, singing songs about how cool it is to go on the potty, etc. I might get lucky and kill two birds with one stone as Cameron always follows us to the bathroom and goes after Andrew.
Purple Crayons- Taylor stuck a purple crayon in his pocket and in my haste to get yet another laundry load in I didn’t check all his pockets. To top it off, I didn’t notice till after I dried the clothes; hence, the stains set in. Thank goodness for Oxiclean since after a nice soak in it a lot of the stains came out. My dryer is a beautiful shade of violet, though, and even my trusty Mr. Clean Eraser was no match for that.
Puke- As usual, Olivia graciously spattered my clothes, her clothes, and the carpet with her own special blend. That doesn’t faze me anymore. However, what did faze me was this: We’re enjoying a dinner of pizza when Taylor takes a sip of water. The water goes down the wrong pipe, so to speak, and Taylor starts to choke and gag. He stands up in his chair in alarm and looks at me and the next thing I know, he spews all over me.
Ahhh, the joys of motherhood…

I guess it is time for me to start blogging again. Since I tend to fall exhausted into bed without opening the nightstand drawer and taking out my journal to write in, perhaps blogging might be a better idea for now. It seems it takes a bit less energy to type than to find a pen and write an entry. Heaven knows I am short on energy right now.

Today was Mother’s Day. I got up and started the shower but before I could get in Taylor banged on the door and told me to get out of the shower and get back in bed. Then the kids arrived in a procession: Andrew bearing a napkin, Cameron carrying a card, and Taylor helping Jared with Mexican hot chocolate and waffles (with boysenberry syrup and whipped cream!). I got a new bathing suit for Mother’s Day to wear when we go to Louisiana in a few weeks. That’s a nice present for me but I sure feel sorry for those that have to see me in it! At church, mothers were given a cd of hymns- quite a thoughtful gift.

Taylor’s birthday was last week. I can’t believe that 4 years have passed since his birth. I remember the excitement and anxiety I felt on the day of his birth. I especially remember the moment when the nurse said it was time to push and with tears streaming down my face I yelled, “Wait! Stop! I’m not ready to be a mom yet!” But, alas, it was a little late for such sentiments.

I’m so excited about our upcoming trip to Louisiana at the end of May. I do pretty well most of the time without my family being close but when it’s been a while since I have seen them I get pretty homesick. We also have planned a camping trip for the weekend before we go to Louisiana. We found this beautiful place called Hobble Creek Canyon that has a nice campground. Beautiful, big homes are being built there now and we would love to buy one but Hobble Creek is pretty far removed from “civilization.” I don’t really want to spend the next 20 years in my van shuttling the kids into town for various things so I think Hobble Creek can wait till the kids are gone. It would be an ideal spot for a big house where our kids and grandkids can visit. Wow, I sure am getting ahead of myself now. Grandkids?