10.

 Disclaimer....I apologize in advance if this post is totally random, a bit whiny (who am I kidding, a lot whiny) and extremely wordy. Numbers 1-3 will explain why!

1. I have been a single mother now for roughly nine days. Nine days people! I'm so ready for Pat to come home today...ugh! I need a parenting partner (to make it one on one instead of two on one), I need a breather (a break from the demands), I need my husband and I need a visit to the spa (ahh, sounds wonderful) And the boys, oh the boys...they need their daddy. Mommies just don't play the same as daddies.

This is what happens when you can't leave your house for 24 hours...window markers.

2. We had a blizzard hit Kalamazoo on Wednesday. A blizzard, that's actually what it was categorized as in the news. I guess I had never heard of it called anything but a winter storm (at least from what I remember) and I grew up in Northwest Wisconsin. My single mother status does not go well with a blizzard (that gave us 15 inches of snow) or the city that is virtually shut down due to this blizzard. But, sweet neighbors that understand my situation and help snow plow my driveway (out of their own goodwill) sure do! Love good, helpful neighbors!

3. I have snow-blowed/shoveled my driveway about 6-8 times in the last nine days. I actually don't mind doing it as it is refreshing being outside and its actually good exercise. As I have said on here one million times, Jack loves being out in the snow and he exerts lots of energy playing and shoveling. 

Here lies the problem, Owen hates it outside in the winter. And I mean hates it. Within 5-10 minutes, he starts whining and whimpering and within another 5-10 minutes it turns into full blown crying for me to take him "home" because he wants "hot coco". I'm not sure what to do about this as I feel I am being pulled in two different directions. The thing is, he gets super frustrated when he can't grab and hold onto things (and be just like Jack) so he takes off his mittens and then his hands get cold and then he cries and cries and cries. It's torture for all of us. I guess its time to get Owen his own pair of L-Bow Mittens because we are going to keep going outside..its a must with these boys.

4. Speaking of playing outside. While Owen napped yesterday, Jack and I went outside to have some uninterrupted play-time in the snow. Jack was wearing this striped hat..it has turned out to be a winter wardrobe staple for my boys. I love this hat so much due to its cuteness, longevity and the fact that both boys wear it.

Gosh, looking at these pictures makes my throat tighten up with emotion.

5. Being cooped up in the house for the past few days has not been good on my psyche. I have been trying to remember what Eckart Tolle told me, "Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life." So smart that man...easier said then done though Mr. Tolle.  Pat is currently reading this book so we have been talking about his concepts and new ways of thinking a lot. Maybe it will help to reprogram my brain so I am able to make it through the rest of the winter/move out of house/selling of house/temporary living/building a house/move into house/change in life/change in routine...all with two little boys. Hmmm? Can't hurt, I guess.

6. Boredom Buster...Art! I saw this and thought it would be easy-peasy for my boys.

It was easy and lasted a good 10 minutes. Jack quickly moved on to something way more exciting and creative, squirting/smearing glue onto paper. I try.

 7. Another Boredom Buster...fishing for dogs.

All you need is a tape measure, a dog biscuit, a dog (or 3) and two silly little boys.

Tie the dog biscuit onto the end of the tape measure and send it down...the dogs will come a sniffn'.

8. In an effort to take a shower, I asked the boys to play in Owen's crib together (you know, to confine my toddler). Let me first just say, that Jack has never learned how to climb out of a crib, ever..in 4 years and Owen had not tried either. Well, as I stepped out of the shower, Jack and Owen came walking into my bathroom, "Hi Mommy", they said. WHAT?!? Yep, they taught each other how to climb out of the crib...great, awesome, perfect. Then this morning as I was just waking up, I could hear Owen talking and calling for me, but the next thing I know...Owen is walking into my room, saying, "Hi Mommy!".

So, although I am glad he has figured out a safe way (he showed me just how he gets out) to get out of his crib, I find this to be such a huge bummer because this Momma is not ready for the big-boy bed transition. In this house, we do this transition, Supernanny Style and its painful...gut wrenching painful. However, I must say that it works and its amazingly worth it in the end. I guess I will have to see how the next few days go!?!

9. Here is some home decor eye candy that has been making me drool....

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Totally Kidding. 

I saw these today at a thrift store. Seriously, who would put these in their house other than Barbie.

10. A Boredom Buster for me...dreaming about our new home. I thought I would share a picture of what our new house will look like, so here she is, give or take a few things (as this is not the exact house)....