lollipops

I was talking to a friend the other day and casually mentioned, "You know how you go to the bank to get lollipops for your kids?"

And she was like, "Huh?"

ME: "Uh, yeah. Isn't that a thing? Don't you go to the bank and get a lollipop for your kids?"

FRIEND: "Well, if I go to the bank to make a transaction and I have my kids with me and the teller at the counter offers me a lollipop for them then, yeah... I guess I would get one."

ME: But I mean, do you ever like go to the bank to get lollipops for your kids?

FRIEND: Um. No. ???  Like...You take your 5 kids into the bank just to get lollipops?

ME: Oh no. I don't go in...I go to the drive through teller.

FRIEND: Well, that's nice that they still offer you a lollipop for your kids after you finish your transaction.

ME: Well, I don't always make a transaction. Except for the transaction of getting lollipops for my kids. Irene knows me. She gives me extra lollipops. She likes me. She understands.

FRIEND:

ME: So wait. Is this not a thing?

FRIEND: No. That is not a thing. That is just weird.

Maranda

#OOTD

My Instagram feed has seemed unusually full of cute fall ensembles and fashion highlights. If you know me at all, you know that I struggle greatly in the area of fashion and so most of this advice and cuteness is wasted on me.

Lately, I have seen a lot less of the super tiny models wearing the latest trend, but rather a neatly laid outfit "sans human" with accessories tastefully placed alongside.

Here's a recent picture from my feed from @allinspiredboutique a super adorable shop near me that has all kinds of cuteness I can't afford. 

Embittered Inspired by the onslaught of flaccid little ensembles filling up my feed, I thought I would bring to you my personal #OOTD Instagram style.

Well, first, let me get it from the closet.

Ahem.

Ok, here we are! It's the newest trend for the season: #WrinkledAndDirty

I love sporting my soft and comfy gray #OldNavyMaternity Henley on cold days like today! #cozy. Who doesn't enjoy the ease and comfort of figure-flattering, pre-natal wear #mybabyis1yearold #slimming. I paired this with my fav jeans that I peeled off my body like a banana the night before. #InsideOutIsTheNewIn

I realized I failed to include my accessories for the day! #SillyMe. My must have essential - the green gumdrop paci to tuck between the ladies for easy access. And of course I include my daughter's ankle socks  - it feels so cool to be able to wear my 8 year old's clothes! #ForeverYoung Don't forget the toilet paper squares to tuck in a side pocket for quick and efficient snot wiping. And what ensemble would be complete without the coffee mug?! #IHeartCoffee

#FashionNeverSleeps #SoxyAndIKnowIt #PaciChic #CarpoolGlam

Special shout out to my stylists. #YouGetMe

Maranda

White flag

Dinner time at our house is just weird.

Mr. Jenkins standing on the windowsill.

Juicy girl screeching.

Banjo using the tongs like chop sticks... whilst wearing no pants.

Because apparently, we live in a pants optional household.

I guess that by dinner time, I am just waving the white flag. I have not the mental or emotional resources left to require even the most basic manners or common civility.

Honestly, the flag is waving long before dinner - many days before my feet hit the floor in the morning. And I know that despite my "ability" to muddle through the day - I don't have any true ability apart from Christ. Raising little people brings the truth of my inadequacy all too clearly into view.

Humbling these little people are.

Maranda

Potty Training

I am wondering if I have ever posted on this subject before.

It is entirely possible that I have because I loathe the endeavor with such passion. And it is here that I often occasionally come to air my grievances.

Banjo appeared to be ready for the potty training and with dreams of less poopy diaper changes enticing me, I decided to try.

Potty Training. Not for the faint of heart.

Or for those who enjoy the simple things in life.

Like doing anything else. At. All.

I hear there are those of you out there who potty train "in 3 days" or some other such insanity. But I'll have you know - that's not how we do it around here. Nay. We prefer to take anywhere from 3 weeks to a year to achieve mastery of the art of elimination.  And even once we have grasped the concept - we enjoy an occasional regression.

Some times regression happens in the privacy of our home. Like in my garage when the child has climbed upon the mini van and pooped on the sun roof and then slid down the windshield of the car in his poopy underwear.

As awesome as that can be, it is always extra special when they "regress" in a public setting. Like at the nursery at church.

Yes, my boy shut down the piglets classroom a few weeks back. All piglets were relocated to the cows classroom thanks to a sizable download that apparently could not be contained by his "big boy underwear." Granted, Brent had dressed him for church that morning and it turned out he was in fact wearing "big girl underwear" - which may have contributed to the problem. Brent's excuse when asked why Banjo was wearing Sassy's underwear?: They were in his closet.

Men.

Honestly, some days he is a total potty rock star. And he is a self proclaimed, "potty beast" - just ask him. But some days I miss diapers. At least there was more containment.