dear fancy nancy

I cannot thank you enough for all that you do. Your books are some of our favorites. I can read them over and over over (and over) again without wanting to gouge my eyes out.

They were also some of the first books that E was able to read independently.

You've introduced very fancy vocabulary into our everyday conversations, such as dining al fresco.

But, most of all, for the second year in a row, you've come through in a pinch when A's needed a costume for her school's Halloween Parade. A trip down to the bin of dress-up clothes is all it takes, which especially nice when A's actual costume is waiting for her in California.

 

So, thank you, Fancy Nancy! Or, should I say Merci Beaucoup instead?

18 weeks

I'm 18 weeks today, which means that I'm 9/20ths of the way there! This week marked the first time when a total stranger asked me when I'm due. This always shocks me, since I'm a staunch follower of the Don't Mention Unless the Baby is Crowning rule. But then I look down and think, "I'm bigger than some chicks who are about to give birth." So it makes sense, I guess.

To add insult to injury, E hugged my belly last night and declared, "Your belly is so big! It's much bigger than your boobies now!" Thanks, kid, for the update.

 

Please pardon the Homeless Chic look I'm rocking in the picture. I'm doing laundry in anticipation of our trip to California tomorrow, and my entire maternity wardrobe is in the wash. I tried to make the picture more palatable with a snazzy setting on CameraBag...but there was no "Supermodel" setting.

rubbing off on each other

This weekend, as part of our jam-packed with stuff to do oh my god I just want to sit down and I'm a football widow to boot, the girls and I headed over to JerseyBaby's for a little Saturday morning waffle-fest. And, as she so astutely pointed out, my penchant for slack rubbed off on her as we neglected to create any photographic evidence of this all too rare get together.

But, don't think she's the only victim of undue influence this weekend. Oh no. In addition to seeing the gorgeous master bath redo in person, I also got to witness the greatest craft closet in the history of man. The shelves were filled with various crafting bins all neatly labeled with a label-maker. Y'all, she has a bin devoted solely to feathers and pom-poms people. Feathers! And! Pom-poms!

So, after waffles, the kiddos spent time creating Fun Fusion masterpieces. Haven taught E how to make a scarf using crafting loops. My kiddos were hooked. So, after we left, we went straight to Michael's to pick up our own crafts. (If by straight you mean after going to the mall, E's school's Fall Festival, and home to pack for a slumber party at Nonna and Pop-pop's house.)

The results were craftastic! E wove a pot holder and they both created masterpieces with Fun Fusion beads. And, on Sunday, the good times continued, when the girls successfully created the piece de resistance for their Halloween costumes -- butterfly antennae!

 

All in all, what a great weekend!

other big news!

The March 2011 arrival of SlackerBaby isn't the only big news round these parts. Oh no! We Slackers are full of excitement!

• E has a new favorite color! She has abandoned pink for...BLUE! Can you believe it? We certainly can't. It's somewhat difficult for her to incoporate blue into her outfits every day, because, well, she has a pink-centric wardrobe. But she's somehow managing.


• E also chose to wear her UVA track suit to the game last weekend instead of her cheerleader uniform. I know! Blue AND pants...it's almost like she's a tomboy!


• The Slacker gals all went to the dentist this week! Which, I didn't find all that thrilling, but the girls thought it was Christmas in October. New sparkly toothbrushes! Crappy prizes for opening their mouths! They are already talking about their appointmens next April.


• Speaking of teeth, and despite my prediction that a tooth loss was imminent last September, E has yet to lose a tooth. But her bottom two teeth are super, super wiggly. So maybe 2010 is her year?


• And, finally, here's a picture I shot of A at the GAP on Columbus Day. It was just the two of us all day (E had school), and we went to get 40% kids and maternity clothes. (Actually, we went twice, because I got to the mall and realized I left my wallet at home. Awesome.) While I tried on clothes, A had fun with the fake belly.
  Apparently, wrapping your arms around your belly is instinct.


• And, we are getting pumped up for our trip to California to visit AJ and her parents. All three girls are going as butterflies. The outfits and wings are store-bought, but this weekend, E, A and I will get our craft on to make anntennae. I'm hoping that it goes marginally better than the Cat Ear Debacle of 2010. But, even though it seems like it'd be hard to screw up a headband, some pipecleaners, and pompoms...I'm sure we'll figure out a way.


• Last weekend, I had the opportunity to hang out with Jenn and Sweet Pea Chef at the UVA game. This weekend, the girls and I are brunching with the JerseyBaby clan. And, of course, we're seeing AJ and fam next week. I love getting together with everyone! Yay!

the girls have something to tell you

E and A have some big news that they couldn't wait to tell you!



Yes, that's right we're having a baby! SlackerBaby #3 is scheduled to arrive at the end of March 2011! We're all thrilled (and a little terrified...well, at least I am)! E can't wait to be a "double-big sister" and A's psyched to be the "medium sister."

So far, I've been feeling great (if not slightly alarmed at how big I'm getting so early this time). The big difference between this and my other pregnancies has been the amount of testing I've already had, thanks to my (ahem) "Advanced Maternal Age." Also, A's enormous size at birth (9 lb 6 oz) got me an BONUS gestational diabetes test at 12 weeks...which was fun. But...so far, so good!

So there you have it...the big news 'round these parts. Brace yourselves for Belly Pictures and Gender Prediction polls!

all's well that ends well

In a nutshell, last week sucked. Between a busted AC, elliptical trainer, and car repairs, the term "hemorrhaging money" was uttered multiple times by John and me. Add to that some major upheavals at my job and a haircut that resulted in me having helmet of so-black-it-looked-blue hair...we were at the laugh so we wouldn't cry stage of survival.

Luckily, things did start to turn around. The job stuff isn't as bad as it could of been (i.e., I still have one!). And, after a 3 1/2 hour stint at the hair salon with the color correction specialist, I now have really really dark brown hair (i.e., brown is the new black!). John and I were able to get away to go to a wedding where we got to see a bunch of friends (including, randomly enough, my best HS guy friend/prom date) in a beautiful location.

So, hopefully, the worst is behind us...and there will be lots of good in the future.

i stand corrected

Apparently, it doesn't matter that I was scrambling to put away Monday night's homework (Word Sort) so that I could get everyone bathed and in bed by a decent hour. R's should look like R's and not V's.

 

Thank goodness E was able to remind me.

the neglected second child turns four

Sweet Baby A turned four (4!) on Saturday. I had every intention of writing a sentimental post about how much she has grown (as I've done when she turned one, two and three), but we were so busy celebrating that I didn't get a chance. And, though I feel bad about it, I know that she doesn't mind. She is such an easy going kid that she was just happy to get some presents and a Hannah Montana cake (that she picked out all by herself).
Dear Sweet Baby A,

Happy 4th Birthday! Turning 4 was a big deal to you, if only because it means you are one year closer to Kindergarten. Oh, how you want to be a big kid so badly. You want to ride the bus and go to the same school as your big sister, E. You like to say that you are "almost in kindergarten", even though "almost" is 11 months away.

There was a time when you were a loner when you played outside. You are the youngest on our street, and you were too young to keep up with the other kids. Not anymore. When the neighbor kids come to our door, they are asking if both of you can come out and play. And, off you go on your bike, pedaling as fast as your little legs can go!

But, for all that big kid stuff you do, you still are my baby. You fell off you bike yesterday, and while E and the rest of the kids stayed outside, you were happy to come snuggle with me and your beloved Taggie, who at 4 is looking much much much worse for wear.

This year is going to be so exciting! I can't wait to see how much you grow and change. So, happy belated birthday, Sweet Baby A. And, remember, no matter how old you get you will always be my baby.

stifiling e's creativity

My girls can spend hours playing together. A big portion of this is role-playing, where E is the mommy and A is the daughter. Or E is the teacher and A is the student. Never vice versa.

Often, I'm drawn into their games...not as the mommy, mind you, but as the grandma or the teacher or dance teacher. And, most times, I'll play along without a problem.

But, yesterday was not one of those days. We were playing on the swingset, and E was handing out the roles.

E: Okay, Mommy, you be A's mommy. And, I'll be the girl who is too old to have a mommy....
Me: What do you mean "too old to have a mommy?" I'm old, and I have a mommy! Daddy has a mommy, too! Besides, you'll always be my baby. So you'll always have a mommy!
E: Okay...how about you be A's mommy. And, I'll be the girl who lives far away from her mommy so that's why she's not here.
Me: I. Beg. Your. Pardon. You will never, EVER live far away from your mommy, do you hear? You will live close to your mommy forever, so I can come and visit you!
E: Okay. How about you be A's mommy? And, I'll be the teacher.
Me: Sounds good to me.

bullet points

It's been crazy round these parts the week or so with the beginning of school and football season. Here's what's rattling around in my head, in my [NERD ALERT} favorite format...the bulleted list.

• First grade seems to be going well. E hasn't been bitching about SAC, either! Yay! And, if you need healthy ideas to pack for your kids' lunches...I highly recommend you hop on over to Sweet Pea Chef, where she has compiled a kick-ass list of things that DON'T include Lunchables!


• Yesterday was John's birthday. We have celebrate 13 of those together. The first one I took him to a really fancy French restaurant. Last night the girls and I took him to a pizza joint. My, how the mighty have fallen. We did, however, bake from scratch buy him a cake with "Happy Birthday, John!" in orange.
  


• On a related note, every member of my immediate family would prefer vanilla cake with vanilla frosting over chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. What kind of freakshows are they?!?!?!?


• We are catsitting my parents' cat, Frank, again. Hopefully, he won't run away this time. Now that the girls are older, he's actually letting them pet him. Either that, or he has early onset Stockholm Syndrome.
  


• The Slackers are California Dreaming. Well, actually, we aren't just dreaming...we are doing! All four of us are headed out to visit Baby AJ and her family before her little sister arrives! We are so excited!

first day of school

Yesterday was E's first day of first grade! Last week, we went to her Meet the Teacher. It was so funny to see that she was no longer a newbie...she was waving at kids left and right as she walked down the hall, and had to show me where the 1st grade rooms were located. Her teacher was nice, and she was excited to see that two friends from her Kindergarten class and one friend from her summer camp were in her class.

It should be noted now that my mother-in-law (Grandmom) came to our house on E's birthday with presents for E *and* all of E's school supplies. She was buying school supplies for needy kids at home...and downloaded and purchased E's list to spare us having to run all over. It was awesome...and I can't thank her enough!

Anyway, after a fun weekend that involved going to UVA for a football game, running into DC to meet a new baby, eating dinner with my parents, and hanging out with the neighbors, the day finally arrived. The family all hung out in the morning and ate breakfast together (a rarity during the week), and then we took the obligatory first day of school pictures.



Then, we piled in the car to drop E off at SAC.

I was a little worried that E would pull some of her shenanigans from last year...but no. She was so happy to see all her friends that she ran off without even a kiss good-bye (or the opportunity to take one more picture)!

From what we gathered last night, she had a good day. She had fun, likes her class,and is excited to go back. What she did at schoo, however, still remains a mystery. Whatever it was certainly wore her out...but she and A were asleep pretty quickly last night.

it's that time of the year again

It's football time, yet again.

 

And, in case you were wondering what life is like around these parts during the fall, here are the FAQs about Football Chez Slacker.

I'm not going to lie, the enthusiasm is a bit tempered around these parts this year because...well...UVA and UT are both supposed to suck. Luckily, the Cincinatti Reds are 1st in their division (and 7 1/2 games ahead of the Cards)...making it likely that they'll make the playoffs this year!

Can you just *feel* the enthusiasm that I have for watching inning after endless inning of baseball this fall? Maybe I need to write the GM for the Reds a letter.

the beach in a nutshell

I'll have to admit I was a bit nervous about our Hilton Head trip this year. I mean, sure it was the beach and we spend lots of time wth O family (their house, our house, near and far). But this was all 10 of us together...for a week...in a three bedroom condo.

Needless to say, my fears were for naught. Everyone had a blast. Sure, there were some tantrums. And sure, every night was a new and different sleeping arrangement. And maybe everyone came out of the vacation a little less rested than going in. But that doesn't mean we didn't have fun. See for yourself!

 

better than expected

The last few days have been filled with pleasant surprises, where things turned out better than we expected. As someone who anticipates the worst...this was fantastic.

John's neck surgery went well! He's in far better shape than we thought he would be, and is at home recuperating while I rock the Florence Nightingale role (working at home all week! Woo!). The surgery was nerve-wracking because it was on his neck and, while necessary, not of the You! Must! Do! This! Now! ilk...so we're happy to know that we made the right decision.

E turned six years old! Since the big day was situated between vacation and John's surgery, we weren't able to have a "proper" birthday party. Sure, we celebrated at the beach with a party...

...and then she had a day long celebration on her actual birthday, including flowers, a balloon and muffins for breakfast; Popsicles for her class at school for snack; and a family celebration at home with Nonna, Pop-pop, Grandmom *AND* Cousin H that night...

But, at no point were goody bags handed out. Which, according to E, is what makes a birthday party a birthday party.

But, perhaps E's easy going attitude was due to the fact that she finally got an American Girl doll. We ended up getting her the Just Like Me doll, that was true to its name.

I think she was excited...

Which, in turn, brought us to our other big surprise. We were worried how A would handle E getting an American Girl doll first. Last year, she was a bit upset about E getting such cool stuff. So much so that she had to be physically restrained by Uncle Dave so that she wouldn't run off with it.

This year, she was super-psyched for E and totally zen with the thought that she would be getting her own doll next month. It was amazing and so cute. So much so, that John and I (big softies that we are), let her open a birthday present very early.

The names are a bit of a moving target. E's was originally named Lacey...then she switched to Hailey Jessica...and last night she changed to Kaylee. A named hers Jessica, but has since taken to calling her Jessie. I'll keep you posted on what they change them to tonight.

six

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

You would think that, after six years of doing this parenting gig, I'd have some semblance of an idea of what I'm doing. But, nope. Luckily, you make my job very, very easy. And so much fun, to boot.

Now if I could only figure out a way to slow down time so you would stop growing up, that'd be perfect.

Happy 6th Birthday, E! Though, no matter how big you get...you'll always be my baby.

vacation* with the cousins**

I've been MIA for the last few weeks because last week, we were on vacation in Hilton Head with some good friends of ours. The week preceding vacation was a nightmare of trying to wrap of Hellish 2010 Project 3 of 3 prior to my departure. And, this week is pretty crazy because tomorrow, someone turns 6 (SIX!). And then, on Thursday, John is having surgery on a degenerative disk in his neck.

The vacation was tons of fun, and everyone got along famously. We hit up some old haunts from when John and I went as kids, and even got a night out with the help of a brave (and well compensated) babysitter. I'll try and post some vacation pictures soon...but half of them are on my actual camera instead of my iPhone. So here's one from my iPhone of a relatively quiet moment for the kids.

All six of them. Under six years old.

 

* Not sure it could be correctly termed a "vacation" because with the cooking, cleaning and heiny wiping going on...it's more like "Regular Life in a Better Location."
** The girls aren't actually related. Maura calls E and A her "cousins" because "cousins are your friends who live far away from you." So cute.

a killer among us

We are in the midst of a crime wave at Chez Slacker. Much like the reign of terror that gripped us two years ago, victims are falling left and right. It's a gruesome scene.

 

Three bodies. Two heads. I don't even know what to say.

the goodbye kiss

"Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaddeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" E yelled this morning as the garage closed. When I went to ask her what was wrong, she said, "Daddy left for work, but I didn't get a kiss goodbye." We walked out on the front porch only to see him driving out of the cul de sac.

Luckily, I was able to catch him on his cell phone, and he was able to turn around and give the girls one last kiss goodbye. Luckily, I was able to grab my camera iPhone and capture the sweetness of it all.