Going on week 3 of not seeing my kitchen table.... can't do that crap much longer.

I can honestly say now that "it's getting there"

Anyway....

A rare moment of sibling sweetness

Oh. We are 90% sure that we are headed for Norfolk, VA in August. The other 10% is reserved for the possibility of Randy making Chief. (We will know that by July 31st) If he does in fact make Chief, he will be given a new set of orders to choose from. Hopefully Norfolk would be on that list as well. If not, we need to choose another station.

Pack, Pack, Pack

We are all about moving 24/7 here. I havent seen the top of my kitchen table in a week. Boxes everywhere. Paint cans/accessories everywhere. There is no order here. BUT... If you walk into Wyatt and Emma's rooms they are so streamlined and nice. We took out ALL the excess toys/clothes and put them into storage. I think they even like it better this way. Its like with less toys to throw off the shelves they are more deliberate and collected in their playtime.

Almost done with the thinning the house. (basement is this weekend, which was the biggest project.) Then we are off to paint/repair things. The realtor wants to aim for the first weekend in April now.

When all is said and done, I think we need to take these kids on a vacation. We have been so pre-occupied with this house and moving in general that we have been seriously neglecting the kids (attention wise). Their behavior is really showing it. Wyatt especially.

My mother in law came over for a visit Wednesday, which in the back of my head I'm thinking (man, I should be packing/cleaning) but really, it was nice to sit there and do nothing. Talk to another adult, watch the kids get attention from grandma then I started to nod off. Ha! She had me get the kids coats and shoes on then she looked at me and said "I'll take them for a walk, you go take a nap." Really, that was the coolest thing about my week. It's nice every once in a while for someone to see your need and lift you up. Just give you a tiny boost. Without you ever having to ask. Cool, cool, cool.

Oh. I have to post these pics before I forget. Wyatt wants to make a lemonade stand. We had no lemons, so we did orange juice instead.

Orange Juice! $1.00 !!

Boogers Extra!

Free play time

Wyatt: "MOM!!! Wanna come play in the tub with me?! It's Free!!!"

Wyatt's 1st love triangle

I will no longer be pushing the Ellie play date thing. Wyatt got in trouble the other day for "kissing" her at school. Apparently it wasn't one kiss, it was a few.
Anyway...
After my stomach turned, I asked Wyatt why he kissed her. With all the drama a 5 year old could muster, he said "Because I love her!"
Yikes. So I handled that by telling him we don't kiss our friends at school, we blow kisses, give high fives, play patty cake etc. to show them we like them. I quizzed him on the proper behavior through-out the day. Later, I asked him if Ellie kissed him too (wondering if it was all him or if it was her idea too?) He said "No." I said, "why is that?" He said "Because she knew the rules, and I didn't." Way too much of a mature and thought out answer for my taste. Ack.

The next day... A different girl and Wyatt had a kiss. Apparently, this time it was the other girl's idea. I asked him "Why didn't you tell her that friends give high fives not kisses?" He Said "I totally forgot." I asked him, "I thought Ellie was your girlfriend?" (why am I encouraging that?) He said "She is still my girlfriend, Bella just loves me too."
Oh man.

I'm praying that when I pick him up today, it was a kiss free day.

Wyatt's got a sweetheart

Wyatt told me he has a girlfriend. He calls her "Ellie" She's in his class. When I go to pick him up they both bombard me with "We want a play date. Wyatt and me say we need a play date today (Ellie) Ellie wants to come over for a play date today tomorrow then forever (Wyatt) Its all very cute. Now what to do? I don't know this girls mom. So..... When she gets into class to pick her kid up Wyatt and Ellie (of course) run over to bombard her with the same questions. She responds to Wyatt by saying "Are you going to come over and do my laundry and dishes then?" Wyatt looking confused as he walks away. So me (being the sociological genius that I am) Say to the mom, " They've been asking me for play dates all week." Ok. I've made a introduction pathway right? Apparently I need to be more obvious because the mom didn't even look at me when I spoke to her. (honestly, I probably did a crap job emoting and she probably didn't even know I was talking to her.)
Creeping out the door with my kid now, tail between my legs.

So embarrassing to admit this but I SUCK at making friends. Im socially awkward unless I've got a few drinks in me. I can't go to Wyatt's school all liquored up therefore I SUCK at trying to make friends for Wyatt. I will NEVER know how to ask a mom I don't know if their kid would like to come over for a play date. I felt that one out and apparently the mom wasn't interested right ? This feels like I'm fricken trying to date. So now, I've been listening to Wyatt all week, "Why don't we go pick Ellie up? Why don't you call Ellie's mommy? Does grandma know Ellie's number?"
Oh man....

Oh a less embarrassing, happier note...
Yesterday was Randy and my 10 year anniversary. Not marriage but the anniversary of our "Dating, going out, whatever." 10 years of Sarah and Randy. 10 years of putting up with that guys crap. ha. 10 years of him putting up with my crap.
We did a wine tasting (Love to start a date that way) bought a bunch of new wine for our growing collection. We ate at Salutes and had this ginormous boat of carbonara goodness. Drank ourselves silly. Tried to walk off the sillies around downtown before we went home. It was really a good time.

The kids and I have had strep throat all week. We're finally on the mend. Just in time for one of Wisconsin's spring weather preview days.

Today

Emma has been feeling a little sick lately so this morning when it sounded like she was drowning in flem and snot crap I took her to the Dr. She has strep throat. :( Her first one. Let me tell ya... this kid is siiiiiick. Shes not eating (which for her lately is a HUGE deal) she's walking around with a whimper while she rubs the snot from her nose up into her eye. So gross. I will give her a tissue and she knows to wipe her nose but she has yet to learn how to blow it. So we have a big smeary snotty mess here. I feel so bad. This morning when she was doing the whimper shuffle through the house I could feel my heart break. It a crappy feeling when you're her mum and you know there is zilch you can do for the misery.
Wyatt is headed over to grandmas tonight, good thing too, maybe he can be spared the 24 hours of "contagiousness"

She's waking up from her 3rd hour of nap.... and it begins again. God I hope the next few hours are easier than the back 9 were.

Empty Bowls

I worked at the Empty Bowls Event in Racine all day yesterday. There was a great turn out and so many local yummy soups. Its quite the event. I even managed to hoist my parent's rear-ends over there to check it out.
My cousin babysat the kids at night (when Randy joined me at the event to serve soup) They were good for her except when she had the audacity to put Wyatt to bed at the proper time. He told her something like he voted and she is cancelled. And the next time daddy invites her over its going to be too bad that she's been cancelled. Lil snot. Yeap, how dare she not let you stay up til midnight little man.
Embarrassing on the parents, but still freakin' funny.

Emma Tubes

Emma had tubes put in on Feb. 9th. Yea, it was a while ago, but I'm way behind on my familia postings.
Anyway..
She did great. I was hesitant and first about the procedure, but 2 weeks later her speech and babbling has picked up. Yesterday she even said " I - et " (Wyatt) FINALLY! That other kid in the house has a name!
Before the procedure they gave her a little "happy juice" that made her pretty lucid. Like a really good ecstasy trip ( of course I don't personally know what a good ecstasy trip is like... of course.....) Um. Yea. So. They gave her this stuff and within a few minutes she started staring at the TV screen cartoons and then took her bear and blanket and then the hospitals bear and blanket, stuffed them under her belly and started rolling around the bed. It was so funny. Then every few seconds, she'd stop to stare at the cartoons again, then resume rolling all over the bears and blankets.
When the anesthesiologist came in to take her, Wyatt followed the man out, looked back at Randy and I and said "WHERE!..... ARE.... THEY TAKING.....MY SISTER!?!" He was really mad. We explained, he calmed down and we started to walk out of the holding room and into the lobby... Wyatt yelled "WE CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT MY SISTER!"
Man, he was little worrier.
The procedure didn't hurt, and she was her old self within a few hours.

Wyatt's 5th Birthday

Wyatt,

5 years have went by extremely fast. On your birthday I sat down with you and we looked at your baby pictures. 1lb 15oz wires coming out everywhere, ventilator, isolette, 3 months worth of hospital pictures. Thinking back I don't remember ever being worried you wouldn't come out of everything ok. I just always knew you'd make it through whatever got tossed your way. And you have.
Developmentally you have caught up! You've worked so hard in 5 years and your just a child! Your the most resilient child I'll ever know and you take everything in stride.

We celebrated your birthday in yellow. You wanted everything yellow, including asking everybody to wear yellow. Fitting, considering it is your Golden Birthday! Dad and I decorated your room with streamers and balloons and you woke up to a donut with 5 candles in it.

You have jokes. That's exactly what you say "I've got jokes." Your favorite being, "Why did Wyatt throw the butter out of the window? To see a butterfly!" You have a great sense of humor and will always try to make anyone who's sad feel better with eyelash batting, hugs, kisses or of course, jokes. Your laugh is infectious. In fact, whenever I'm sad or stressed you pick up on it even when I hide it. Then you'll do the smile, batt the eyeleshes, and do the hug thing. When Im annoyed (at you) you'll do this and its in such a way where it feels almost patronizing. I think you actually know that.

Your a "decisive" eater and very stubborn. If there is something you don't want to eat on your plate (usually the vegetable) you will fight us on eating everything just because of that vegetables presence on the same plate. Right now, we are making you try at least 1 bite, if you don't there is nothing else for you to eat the rest of the night and you'll receive the same thing for breakfast. Seriously, you will go all night and morning with no food if we let you. God I hope that passes.

Your favorite toys are the ones with wheels. Cars and trains. This has ALWAYS been your favorite. You actually are not the kid who plays guns, dinosaurs or pretend pirates. Your favorite friend is still Molly the giraffe (which is actually a horse, but we don't correct you because at first glance we thought it was a giraffe too) You asked me to make Molly a snowsuit for your birthday, I have not done it yet. I bought the material, but honey, you have to understand your mommy doesn't sew. But I promise I will make Molly that snowsuit eventually.

I love your language. You have the best phrases and I keep track of most of them. Our favorites right now is that you say you are the " ______ guy." Fixer guy, cheese guy, mixer guy, conductor guy, etc. The other is "I'm all about _____." I'm all about trains, I'm all about macaroni, I'm all about puzzles, etc.

You are Emma's little protector. Most the time you're visibly frustrated and annoyed with her though. She is always in your things, in your room and in your way. When she had ear surgery a few days after your birthday and they took her back in the operating room, you were so concerned and worried you looked down right sick. Ahhh, the truth comes out. She adores you, that's why she is always under your feet. It will be the same when your older too.

I couldn't imagine life without my Wyatt. This sounds strange, but you have taught me step by step how to be a mother. We're in it for the long haul buddy.

"I love you even when your being a punk"
Love,
Mommy

Popcorn for Sale

Wyatt is full of cute-ness lately.

Wyatt: "Mom, would you like some popcorn?"
Mom: "Sure"
Wyatt: "That will be twenty bucks"
Mom: " Wow, um, Hey Daddy, did you know that Wyatt is selling popcorn for twenty bucks? Is that a bargain?"
Dad: "Twenty Bucks?!"
Wyatt: "I wouldnt complain, or else its going to be $80 tomorrow."

Wyatt-ism

Wyatt was trying to get past me. (pushing)

Me: "Can you hold on a minute?"

Wyatt: "Yes, I always hold on a minute when you're busy"

Me: "Thats because you are a good boy."

Wyatt: (Looking OVERLY elated) "THANK YOU MOM! That makes my heart beat out loud from my head and it comes out of the top and flies to you!"


:)

Kitchen Follies and Triumphs

This is the difference between a muffin with no sugar vs. a muffin with sugar. I've been having all kinds of brain farts lately. The muffin on the left without a doubt is pretty good for you. Carrots, apples, wheat flour, craisins, pecans, apples, applesauce.... no sugar. Taste wise, it wasnt appauling, but didn't have the yum. Sure is ugly though ain't it ? The muffin on the right has sugar... but I forgot the apples. At this point, I'm giving up the bowl and spoon.

On the other hand. While I was getting my coffee at Starbucks, I ordered Randy a caramel apple cider. (he hates coffee) As I was watching them make it, I gasped in horror when I saw them break out a gallon of Tree Top Apple Cider, Can of Reddi Whip and Smuckers Caramel Topping. Umm... Why am I paying 5 bucks for something I can make at home ? I don't know why I thought Starbucks put some magical yummy ingredients in their caramel apple cider that I couldn't produce at home, but now that I'm onto you Starbucks, from this day forward I shall no longer pay $5.00 for your characterless & mundane caramel apple cider... I will triumph and make my own! Not only that, but I will make it slightly healthier by using FAT FREE reddi whip and SUGAR/FATFREE smuckers caramel apple topping. And Walla! We have Sarah's Caramel Apple F.U. Starbucks Cider.

Emma and the Stairs

Randy: "Saaaaarah?"
Sarah: "Yes?"
Randy: "Did you put Emma downstairs?"
Sarah: "Noooo"
Emma: *big smile from the bottom of the basement stairs* "Giggle"

I had no idea she knew how to get downstairs
*note to self- remember to always lock the basement door from here on out.*

Selling

The realtor came through the house yesterday. Good news is there isn't too much we have to do. A lot of "thinning" of our clutter, some painting and sad to say, she wants the red in my kitchen to be no more. :( I love the red. It will probably help if I stop thinking of this place as "my house."

Randy threw a curve ball at me. He put in a request (behind my back) to extend in his time here to Dec. Long story short it will improve his chances of making chief. Translated to civilian speak, extending to Dec. will give him almost like "seniority" ? in his current position and will make him look like a much more desirable candidate for promotion.
He didn't think the request would be approved, but it did.

What this means for our family is we still have to take the opportunity to sell the house once the snow is gone and we will have to move to base housing in Great Lakes. Wyatt will have to start his kindergarten year down there. When Dec. rolls around we will all have to uproot again to (wherever) Wyatt will continue school in the new duty station town for the rest of the year.

Its a shitty deal for Wyatt if you ask me. Maybe he will do okay with it and surprise me. Maybe not. Either way, August would have been a way better time to move to the next duty station.

Military life has its benefits. It really does, but it has some serious serious cons as well.

Emma's Speech Evaluation

Shes just fine. :) She does not qualify for services.

The lovely lady from Birth to 3 that helped Wyatt so much was the one to evaluate Emma for speech today. Great, no-nonsense type of lady. When she was done working with M she looked at me and said " You weren't worried at all were you?"
No, I wasn't. Emma tested between 15 - 17 months. Emma is 18 months and she is very typical. The only thing she told me was that she thinks that after Emma gets the tubes in her ears we will see a HUGE jump in "parrot" talking. If that doesn't happen, then we know she needs a re-evaluation.

So ... yay!


Oh! I kept Wyatt home from school today to watch the inauguration of President Obama. I know he wouldn't understand all of what was going on and being said, but my hope is that he'll at least have a small recollection of this day in history. Just for him to be able to say "I sort of remember when he was elected, yea." That's all I'm lookin' for!
He watched pretty intently and then Hi-Fived me when he was through being sworn in, then announced to me "That man is going to change the world."
Yes baby, he is.