The Familiar Smell of I.U.

I met my college roommate, Dana, at IU Bloomington today with her 3 kids. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time playing and getting IU tshirts. Kyle can't wait to show Grandpa Tom his IU Basketball shirt and Allison will have to wait about 3 years to actually grow into hers but it was like Melinda H's so she loves that fact. We walked out of the TIS Bookstore, I took a deep breathe and it smelled SO good. It was the very same smell I remembered from 20 years ago. It's funny how things like that don't seem to change. The limestone buildings were as beautiful as ever and I think Dana and I seemed to fit right in. I'm sure they were all mistaking us for current coeds. (ok, maybe not BUT it was only the 5 kids in tow that gave it away!)

We found a playground that was great for kids from 11 1/2 down to age 2. I told Dana today that I think I did it right-- wait to have kids late in life and then when you meet your friends, their kids are old enough to play babysitter. Little Melinda and Allison were buddies today and Allison just grins from ear to ear when I talk about our play time today. Wish they lived closer but glad we could visit today.

Regret

I had a lapse of judgement in my parenting today. The foot on the right is Allison's. She was SO excited by "my pretty toes mom". BUT, Kyle wanted to paint his too and I thought "what can it hurt?" Well, as soon as they were complete (foot on left) it just looked and seemed ALL wrong. I didn't have the heart to take it off today but tomorrow am it's got to go.

And, to top it all off, I took the kids to get new shoes and he had his Crocs on (no socks) so when he got his foot measured I was VERY embarressed. I did have 2 friends who said they had painted just one of their sons toes when their sister(s) wanted to. Maybe that will do next time or maybe there won't be a next time. If Damon has anything to say, there won't be a next time.

Eyes

I've been playing with my blog settings tonight. Not really thrilled with the look but going to be it for now. I do like the font size. I felt like I was squinting all time. Well, enough playing tonight!!!

Plastic Container Craziness

There is a moment in every day when I have to face it-- the cupboard that contains all my plastic containers (Rubbermaid, Tupperware, etc.) I straighten it and get it all back in shape on about a weekly basis and am always surprised (although not sure why at this point) that it is an absolute disaster. I think I should invent a system to solve this problem (toddler lock and husband on board with my solutions might help). My most recent solution was to always put the lid ON the container when returning it to the cupboard so I would at least not have to look for it. That didn't last long and things are chaos again.

Testing Limits

Damon and I had a look into the future tonight, I'm afraid. Allison carried her cup into the living room (big girl one with no lid) so he told her to take it back to the kitchen. She JUST made it on the laminate flooring and I was still telling her to get back to the kitchen as her toes were on the laminate but cup was still over the carpet. She looked up at me, looked down at her toes, edged them as far forward as she could on the laminate without being on the carpet and then gave me a look like "I'm in the kitchen, Mom". I looked at Damon with HUGE eyes and he gave me the same look back. I don't want to create a self fulfilling prophecy BUT if this episode is any indication, we might want to set her boundaries about a foot back from where we think they should be!!! She will definitely push to the limit, I believe.

Funny Moment of the day

An older lady screamed toward Allison today as we were leaving the YMCA-- the automatic door was closing and it was close to knocking Allison on the head (might have even knicked her a little) Allison looked at the lady like "what's the problem?" The lady started to laugh and said "She's wondering what that crazy lady is screaming at!" I just chuckled and said "well, she gets knocked around a lot and a little bump doesn't bother her much anymore." I will say the lady's reaction scared her more than the door!! I had to contain laughter, that is for sure.

Miss Independent

I am constantly amazed at the differences between Kyle and Allison. I'm always wondering if some behavior is a product of being first born vs. second born or boy vs. girl. I'll never know that so I just think it's Kyle vs. Allison. One BIG difference is the battle of independence. Here are the differences in conversation:

Kyle putting his shoes on: Mom says: "Kyle- put your shoes on (repeated at least 2 times)" and then from Kyle "I need your help mom"

Allison putting her shoes on: Mom says: "Let me help you honey" (as Allison is struggling or putting them on the wrong feet). Allison replies strongly "NO, ME DO IT MOMMY!".

Never a dull moment, that is for sure!!

Breakthrough!

Well, Allison had a big breakthrough today. I went to the YMCA to work out and she went in without crying!! It had been quite a while since I had tried-- they just weren't staffed to handle her high maintenance needs. It is such a great thing and now I need to stick with the program!! It felt great to have 40 min to myself and to be benefiting my body both physically and mentally.

Kyle was such a sweet big brother. He is now old enough and potty trained so he meets the criteria to go to the older play room but he chose to stay with his little sis. I love how he protects her (despite how he also picks on her at other times) I definitely rest easier when I'm away when he's with her. I know he will be one to love on her, protect her and just watch after her. She's certainly blessed.

Going Green

Over the last year, I have been convicted several times that I need to live a more "green" lifestyle. Every meal, as I'm going through 4 paper towels, 4 napkins and throwing away all kinds of cardboard and plastic packaging I think about how I should be recycling and using cloth towels vs. paper. Then, as I collect 10 plastic bags at the grocery I think-- I don't need these bags, I should try an alternative solution to bagging groceries.

Well, I took some baby steps towards becoming more green today! I still am probably a very PALE shade of green but I did buy 3 bins today for recycling and can tell with only 1/2 days trash that they will fill up quickly. My mission tomorrow is to call to find out where to deliver it and also to better understand what can be recycled and how they want it delivered. I also bought a large pack of cheap washcloths for the kids messy hands and faces. So, hopefully our very speedy use of napkins and paper towels will at least slow down.

In regards to the grocery bagging, I didn't try an alternative method yet. Any ideas would be welcome. I think the one I might try is just putting them back in the cart the way I bought them and transferring them to 2 large tubs in the back of the van. I figure it's more handling of the items at the store but then only 2 trips into the house with the large tubs would be nice. We'll see if I can accomplish this no bag lifestyle little by little.

Last goal would be to get Allison potty trained and then we'd help slow down the diaper pile up at the land fill. Maybe I'll be blogging on that event next!!

Midlife Crisis?

Do you ever sit back and pretend you are looking down at your life? I think I need to do that more. In my twenties, I just went about life with little reflection-- just lived in the moment I guess. In my thirties, I definitely spent more introspective time and really wondered what life would end up looking like. I was single and really seemed to be finding my niche in life: accepting the life of singleness and really embracing that for what it could be. STOP. Enter a big twist in life-- one I had desired at times although not with the same passion and drive as many women do-- marriage. I had, on and off, hoped to marry some day but really wasn't sure that would fit my life and not sure anyone could put up with my horrid perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. Now, at age 40 I find myself married nearly 6 years with a 2 yr old and 4 yr old, I must admit there are times I really feel this must all be some sort of a crazy dream (or nightmare I must admit at times!) I think I'm back in that 20's mode of just living life with little reflection. It seems life gets so hectic taking care of everyone else that I've really not spent much time on me. Well, time for that to change. It's time I find the me in Melinda!!! Maybe this is what they call a Midlife Crisis!!! :)

Roughin' It

We took a vacation to Cincinnati recently. Two hour ride in the car seemed like much longer. We had the movie player hooked up, Gma and Gpa for entertainment and a bucket of "stuff" Gma provided for each to play with on the trip. I must say the constant frenzy of activity made them rotten. There was more whining and screaming than I could handle for that short trip. So, we changed things up last weekend for our 3 hour trip to Goshen IN. No movie, no toys, a snack and drink were provided in the end of the trip and some music toward the end to sing to as well. They did GREAT. Allison entertained herself with a wipe playing peek a boo, they slept some, made silly faces at each other, sang and at one time I heard Kyle pretending something about Santa. It was 100% more tolerable and peaceful. I think all these modern day conveniences may need to be reassessed!!!




I was so thankful for time with the Luebbehusen's and Plavchak's Saturday pm. My sisters I never had!!! They are my cousins and we have such history that it was just great to catch up and let the kids get to play. Kyle loved the dress up uniforms Evan and Jacob had. Emily was a huge help to play with Allison and JT is such a sport to play with the little guys! We got to meet the new puppy Jack which was fun. Allison and Kyle are so afraid of dogs. Kyle did finally pet Jack (for a quick second) The whole way home he talked about Jack being his best friend and that he likes dogs now. His perspective of events always is fun to hear!!

Baseball Fever

Kyle had his first baseball game experience this afternoon at the Indianapolis Indians game. He couldn't wait to go-- all morning he would ask if it was time to go to the baseball game. When will we learn to not tell him in advance of the event? His favorite part was Rowdie (the mascot) and the fact he has a baseball for a nose. He also was fond of the ice cream although with the HIGH drip factor, I think I ate most of it. 92 degrees and a toddler with an ice cream cone makes for one big mess (no photo unforunately)

He conned a new baseball cap out of us (he NEVER wears caps). However, he wore that cap the rest of the day and I thought he might want to sleep in it but he was content to hang it on the knob of his dresser til morning. It was fun for Damon and I to do something solo with him. Allison also enjoyed some solo time with Grandma and Grandpa E.

It was a hot one but it was quite fun and great conversation with our small group. We have been blessed with some great new friends over the last year and I'm thankful for that.

Cousins reunited

We got to meet the newest addition to the Frank Clouse lineage on June 23. Trevor Wayne Bockelman made his way from Austin TX and it was so fun to meet him. All but 6 of the cousins were there to get to know each other. It was a beautiful day on the farm and we can't wait to see him again in a week at the "official" Clouse family reunion.



Allison LOVED Trevor but had her hands pretty full!!

Busy Month

Wow. I knew it would be a challenge for me to keep this blog thing up but really do want to give it a better try. We had a very busy month and hopefully things will slow down soon. I was sick the week post Grace Kids Camp so it took me a full week to get back in the swing of things and then we left for vacation. Thankfully, antibiotics kicked in and I was fine for that.

We went to the Newport Aquarium and Kings Island with the kids and Damon's folks. Kyle was so skeptical of the aquarium. He was very focused on the shark pictures and I think he thought they were going to be too close. BUT, once he warmed up to the place, he really had a good time. Allison is no fear and did well considering there were no strollers allowed. She prefers to walk and of course spent some time on Daddy's shoulders which she loves.

The next day was Kings Island where both kids had a lot of firsts. Allison rode two, level 2 rides. The Nick Jr. area was great for little ones but the Swiper ride had her looking quite worried. Kyle rode his first roller coaster with Daddy (Little Bill's Wild Ride) He was crying the whole time in line but didn't want to walk away. He later declared it his favorite ride but a week later says he doesn't want to do it again.