June 1st Compared to June 30th

PACKED (or as close to it as possible). Every drawer, closet, bin: sorted, tossed, recycled and packed. Except for the items we are using daily to function, we met our goal.

June 1st



June 30th




An extra happy closing today, we have earned it!

Leaving Preschool

Ah June, one more day and you are done. What a crazy month. Ben is going to day camp this summer and loves it. Correction: LOVES it to the point that he is exhausted from swimming, games, whatever else a bunch of college age kids can do with a roomful of energy each day.

Each Wednesday they go on an off-site field trip via chartered bus. So far they have been to Frankie's Fun Park (Ben calls it "freakies") a Durham Bulls game, tomorrow the Carolina Railhawks soccer team is visiting. The best part the camp is at our gym so I can work out, even take Ian to the pool, and then pick up.

We finished preschool at the end of May and attended his graduation a couple of weeks ago. Without recounting (again) feelings about preschool, moving schools, general expectations not met suffice it to say that I am glad he will be starting at a new school with a stellar reputation this fall.

The graduation was nice, organized, and minus including Ben in any of the video presentation that appeared to have only come from pictures after we left, it was what I expected. Ben didn't seem to notice and the only tears really came from me. If I had one issue as a do-over more than not brestfeeding, going back to work, even the trials of potty training feeling like I failed him in providing the best pre-K education is my sticking point.

I know that he is going to be on par with his classmates come August. He is reading simple sentences and knows all the prerequisites entering school. I just wish the whole experience had been better. Better for him and selfishly better for us.

In the decision to return to full time work this fall comes the decision about childcare for Ian. Bill and I have talked ad nauseam about what options we have given the upcoming move, double drop offs, after care arrangements. I want Ian to be at one place until he is going to kindergarten and most of all I don't want to look back with regret that the experience could have been better. I really want to get this right and not spend the next five years second guessing our decision.

Only When You Are Five

Dear Age Five,

Where have you been hiding out? Had I known that this level of compliance and happiness were mine for reaping last summer I would have been a MUCH happier camper.

I love the kisses for no reason, watching Ben make a beeline to hug me at pick up, pointing and telling others "this is my mom, you should say hello" to complete and total strangers. I love this window being the apple of your eye.

Hence why your 5th birthday was a week long celebration. I think birthdays must mean more to a five year old than at any other age (even 18, 21, 30...)
How else can you explain five separate parties to usher in this glorious age.

1. Party at school- Store bought cupcakes consumed on what was Ben's final day with his class. One-Two punch of celebrations.

2. Surprise Party in FL- I had SO much fun decorating the house for him to discover after being out with Grandmommy (Bill's mom) and Uncle Jamie.

3. Party in SC on the way home with my mom and brother. Ben requested pink frosted cupcakes. My mom delivered.

4. Party at home complete with TWO sets of Dunkin Doughnuts. What to you get with Mom buys said the 5 YO favorite pink sprinkle doughnuts by the dozen only to realize that dad had the same idea? 24 doughnuts and a lot of guilt for eating so many in the days after.

5. Kid Party at Marbles Museum. After Ben's 4th birthday party at which guests got stuck in an insane (and unbearably hot) June event requiring shuttle buses to be ridden just to get to the location I gave Ben 2 options for Year 5.

Ground rules for both included minimal parent effort other than showing up. After discovering that a pool party at our gym required all parents to be in the pool at all times with the kids I began to push for a party at a favorite date night location, our local kids museum. Ben was game, and I was breathing a sigh of relieve not to include the words, "plan on joining your kid in the pool for the duration of the party" on invites. Nothing says, "worst party of the year" than requiring swimsuit clad parents stay in the pool for the duration of the celebration. Talk about flipping the coin to see who takes that party solo.

I asked Ben what kind of cake he wanted and as you guessed he wanted a pink race car. While I'm sure we got many a WTF looks for those who don't know he is obsessed with all things pink, know that I would have moved Heaven and Earth make it a reality.

Ben specially asked if we could eat the car at his new house so as you can imagine what will be hand carried to the new kitchen, a pink Hot Wheels Car complete with BEN 5 license plate.

Of course Ben has already started planning his 6th birthday. At this point I am still invited, until he gets mad and dis-invites me. When I mentioned maybe we could make a WipeOut course in our new backyard for the party I think I sealed my fate for 2012 party planning.

Because how sweet would it be to usher in age 6 covered in foam while running an obstacle course?

The Boy(s) of Summer

I've been a little MIA for good reason, we are down to the last days before our hopeful and uneventful closing. My days are spent teaching my summer school section, spending time with the boys at the pool, trying to keep this house in one piece for showings, and packing if possible. Nights have been spent grading and contacting students, then more packing once the kids are in bed. Needless to say we are tired and very ready to be moved.

So much awesome has happened outside of the anticipated move this month between birthdays, FL roadtrips, t-ball, day camp, preschool graduation. Before June is packed up (literally) I hope for some short recaps.

First up, T-ball.

Yesterday was the end of season celebration with Ben's t-ball team, the YMCA 4-5 year old Mudcats. One of the parents (not me may I add who said no when asked), oraganized a family day out at our local basball franchise. The kids in full uniform got to run the bases, run out on the field with the team during warm up, and sit in a special section.

This is the first time we have played t-ball after trying soccer, swimming, basketball, and a sports sampler (inline skating, flag football, soccer, basketball, tball.) What I had hoped from the sampler was to check out without a full season committment for any sport (namely skating). In the end, Ben loved the weeks of t-ball, hence sign up for a summer league.

I cannot say enough postive comments about the YMCA program, coaches, facilities, and skills learned. From the start in April to end of June he has really fallen in love with a sport and has markedly improved his skills. We will definately be back again next season. Even with a weekly practice and game committment it was worth it to find an activity that Ben truly enjoys and looks forward to playing both with the team and with us at home practicing in our backyard.

Nothing like a hot summer day eating concession stand goodies and watching size XS white pants taking the field. Nothing like watching your child take pride for learning something new.

Want to See It, Wear It, Read It, Eat It

I'm waaay behind on reading and esp commenting on blogs but I so loved a recent post on Carrie's summer To-do list that included a Mom column.

It got me thinking that while we have knocked out a few items like camping and smores off our summer list, ours is understandably kid focused.

So how about a short list in this summer of moving for some things I really want to do by summer end.

1. Keep the Couch to 5k ReStart outside heat/humidity version going. What a difference non-treadmill exercise adds for endurance. Ask me how excited I am about 3 miles of park that run through our new neighborhood along with easy access to a local greenway.

2. Find some cute summer shoes. I went shoe shopping while in FL. I tried on at least 20 pairs of wedges thinking about how cute they would look. Maybe it's just me but they just looked so not right. Ideas? I really want to pull off this style before it passes on and we are back to crazy pointed toe ankle boots in gold lame. Last night I came across these. LOVE them. Really would anyone even notice your outfit with these beauties on? I think not.

3. While we are on clothing, I want a cute sundress. Not all frilly eyelet lace or over the top girly, just pretty, cool for our humid days, and something if possible with a cap sleeve to hide my lunchroom lady arms. So far nothing really looks right. I am shopping challenged and I admit it. Internet ordering has shamed me into not actually shopping in stores.

4. Eat or Drink it. I love, love, love cold summer drinks. With spirts or without, nothing is better on a crazy hot day. I found a couple of cute ideas to try like this ice cream cake made from ice cream sandwiches with the boys from Real Simple.

5. Farmers Markets- Love them. Meeting up with a friend today for a basket of NC goodness (and some kick butt biscuits.) I will be recreating this summer veggie crepes with my loot today. Filling: zucchini, corn, green beans, ricotta cheese and chive cream sauce. Farmers Market on a plate I tell you.

6. Movies- I must see Bridesmaids as I want in on this conversation. Can just one more person ask if I have seen it and then shake their head mentioning, "raunchy comedy, why were you not first in line?" Hangover 2, while panned, is still a date night option and then there's Super 8. I must see this on a big screen. So jealous of anyone who has seen this already. Too bad we have kids that keep us prisoners like North Korean hostages on Friday nights.



7. Reading- Started our July book club book last night. Short stories: always good for those with the limited attention span. While on vacation I am finally going to start the Stig Larsson trilogy. Even if I am the last person on Earth to read them I must finish if I have any intention of see the Christmas release of Hornets Nest (have watched and re-watched the trailer several times and I am impressed with the casting alone.)

Not a mention of old house woes, moving stress, or kid-free list. Seven things in the next 2 months. Totally can do this.

A Moving System Only a (Kindergarten) Teacher Could Deploy

The weekend saw some major productivity in packing. Friday night Bill took Ben camping so I took advantage of a quiet(er) house and packed the kitchen. Wait, aren't you still living in the house until you officially move? What kind of family weigh loss plan are you enforcing?

Yes, so don't plan on a dinner party given I kept out just enough to keep our family afloat. At this point we are eating down on the pantry/freezer. Mighty creative meals, you bet.

When we started packing unlike previous moves, where ultimately furniture and lots of stuff eventually would be hauled away to charity AFTER the move, I planned a different system. The end game being I want the entire house moved in one day and if possible unpacked in 48 hours. Coordination of carpet, paint, cleaning, then moving is a challenge given we have a beach trip planned just before we move and are leaving a couple of days after closing.

Had I know in early March when I booked (without the thought of needing insurance,) that we would be in the middle of a move then I wouldn't have planned to back to back major events. Instead we are using leaving for the trip our catalyst to get the entire house packed before we leave.

This is a mighty task may I add. The kids are, let's just say do not share this plan of productivity, thus almost all packing happens after bedtimes.

From one of the moving companies I had gotten an estimate was the suggestion of color coding rooms using post it notes. This may around CRAZY not to write on the boxes the location or even the contents but instead just box it, tape it, mark it by room, and move on.

The idea is that the movers we have hired work on an hourly basis. Time is money. If at all possible I want to have the house loaded and moved under the 8 hour time estimate. I'm shooting for 6, 5 if we can dissemble furniture before they arrive.

Instead of parking someone near the door to tell the movers which room is which, make a color coded sign highly visible on the front door, sticky note each box, then put the same color sticky note on the door frame.

I added a strip of packing tape across the sticky note to make sure it didn't come off in transit and have also tried to wall up common boxes together in the garage. I also suggested to Bill that we pull all our shelving out of the attic and use to build a stronger base for the boxes instead of just thrown on top of one another.

We will see if this elementary school cut and paste approach works and helps us get moved from one place to another faster. You better believe that my motto of keeping something only because I use it 1. Once a day/week/month 2. Seasonal 3. Everything else goes, is in full force.

Ask me how much grief I gave Bill when he innocently asked if Ben would want his purple air brushed Blue Angles t-shirt. Take a wild guess where it went.

Did you guess the 4th car load of stuff to charity?

Good, you win (not that shirt my I add.)

I Will Sell This House Today

Minus the red slip, I might be mistaken for Carolyn Burnham these days. On Monday morning I walked outside and found a 4 foot sign gracing our yard, Tuesday we listed, and by midweek the house has started to show.

Needless to say my plan of packing at night has been railroaded by the start of summer school. I have major plans for weekend packing while Bill makes a 2nd attempt at a camping weekend with Ben.

I have a plan to have the house ready to show within a hour by trying to keep it in meticulous order and clean. YES that is possible with kids underfoot, even a toddler into everything. The trick I've found is to work upstairs to down, prepping each room all the way to the front door. An extra laundry basket works well for the last minute items to go in the car along with the kids and dog.

We have drastically paired down toys, clothes, and general kid related stuff as we pack. I also have a short room by room list of items to do should someone else have to prep it to show. Don't ask if lamination was involved :)

Our online listing looks great in part to fantastic professional photos that really capture every reason to love this house. In particular the fresh coat(s) of deck stain looks amazing.

The feeling I want potential buyers to walk away is seeing themselves in this house, raising a family and spending time together. There's a typo (yes I actually noticed it) on one of the fliers stating "checking out this LOVING instead of LOVELY HOME."

Maybe it's not a typo at all.

At What Point Do You Throw the Barbie Horse from the Car?

Back in 1983 my family went on the only vacation that wasn't to Myrtle Beach or Gatlinburg. We were SO predictable that we even stayed in the EXACT room, in the same motel every single vacation. My dad also requested we make a ham ball that had to travel on ice for the trip down to be consumed in transit. Memories I tell you.

On this one and only summer we drove across the state of NC on the way to the Outer Banks. I don't remember much about that trip other than being sunburned, my brother getting sick and puking inside some giant boat he was touring with my dad, and my Barbie Horse being throw at 60 miles an hour out of our family car.

Why would any parent do this? I now know after driving Ben and Ian 1600 miles to Florida. I remember when we were packing the car and my dad saying, "Heather, for the love of God why in the Hell would you bring both a Barbie Car and Horse on this trip? Let me tell you that 1. only one is going and 2. don't be surprise if we don't have room and have to loose it along the way."

I never should have doubted him that at some point when Brian and I were in the cargo hold of the station wagon, and we started throwing toys at each other that both my Barbie horse and Brian's G.I. Joe Hovercraft both were hurled from our car somewhere on I-40.

Now as a parent who restricted what could go in the car to 5 items (because Ben would turn 5 on the trip)I get it. Knowing that we would be bringing back more gifts from meeting up with family + we had the iPad which I am eternally thankful for having on the trip. Minus having Angry Birds drowning out Tina Fey the time in the car was manageable.

So at some point I realized I had missed my exit outside of Atlanta probably because I spent an enormous amount of time on the phone with Bill dealing with house buying/selling stuff while on the road. Really, should I be making decisions about a large financial purchase while drinking a 44 oz drink from the Hot Spot Gas Station while eating a bag of my *restricted to road trips only* purchase of Turkey Creek BBQ porkrinds (also from the Hot Spot.) Probably not, but I realized I was entering Alabama two hours earlier than expected.

I decided to stop at the welcome center and couple a pit stop and ask for directions. I got a map from the heavily made-up and love chain wearing lady who reeked of Designer Impostors Body spray circa 1987. Do you love Giorgio? No, and you shouldn't either. Just give me a damn map lady do you not see my children? One has grabbed my shirt and is trying to pull it over my head and the other is jumping off a display of brochures and rolling into the floor. Feel my pain, I am single parentin' it and we need to get back on the road, o'smelly lady.

She gives me the map, directions that are the WORST ever resulting in another hour of backtracking on the GPS and we are on our way, back into the 106 (really it was according to the one bank in the one stop light town she had us drive through) heat. Reason #912 I no longer live in Alabama outside of the too close for comfort nostalgia for SC, the heat that lasts a good 6 months of the year.

I DID snap this great photo outside and I can't help but think they forgot to add, "the right to not wear shoes inside this welcome center"

Ben is intrigued by the map and at some point I let him have it to "help me." I got nothing from him let me add. Help turns into him covering himself and Ian playing tent. Cute. I start to hear growling like a bear, asking what is going on I then hear the sound of ripping, no busting out like a jail break channeling Shawshank Redemption, and the sound of paper ripping into a zillion pieces. Ian is also in on the action and is squealing with laughter and also trying to tear paper.

I am still finding shards of paper in the car. I wish I had a picture of the first real time I think the boys conspired against me. My laughing at them likely didn't help.

So what do you think happened when at Chick fillet last night before t-ball practice Ben got a MAP of the NEW ENGLAND states as the kid toy. Who the hell comes up with their toys anyway? Wendy's currently has Minute to Win it games so as you can image we ate Wendy's a lot on the trip.

I made him give me the map to avoid a repeat 5 mins before practice and have him acting keyed up with the coach. What he doesn't know is I am all over busting out of that map with him.

Map = Barbie Horse = Different parenting approach

4th Annual Vinson Family Big Summer Fun List

Not quite sure why looking at the calendar that this week kicks off summer in my head. Maybe because our new summer schedule of day camp and summer school section I'm teaching kicks off tomorrow. Maybe because we've been on the road and now home focusing on the summer move. Or maybe it's because it was the first weekend we spent a majority of time at the pool?

Four years ago when I started this blog is was to post an insane list of items to finish off with my then one year old. Since then the summer list focus was on family fun. This year between the house moves we are full on in summer mode.

Ben is on a traditional school schedule so he will not start kindergarten until late August giving us the whole summer to play, travel, swim, and wear flip flops as our official footwear of the season.

1. Stay in a beach house
2. Host a bike/scooter car wash
3. Start a family cooking night
4. Eat S'mores
5. Go camping
6. Plant Ben's all pink container garden
7. Catch a fish
8. Go to a baseball game
9. Walk or wheel to the library each week
10. Go to a farmers market
11. Wash the dog outside weekly
12. Eat Shrimp
13. Go to the zoo
14. Visit the aquarium
15. Participate in a bike parade
16. NC Museum of Art Kids Saturday or puppet show series
17 See an IMAX movie
18. Scrap Exchange Saturday
19. Family game/puzzle night
20. Make ice cream
21. Try gymnastics
22. See an outdoor movie
23. Go to Pullen Park (once reopens) to ride the train, carousel, and picnic
24. NC Railroad at New Hill
25. Try out the Airport Playground
26. Go on a nature hike at Umstead or Eno River State Park
27. Watch fireworks
28. See a car race
29. Take swim lessons
30. Ride go-karts
31. Move into and decorate a NEW BEDROOMs and PLAYROOM!!

Wrapping up a 1600 mile road trip in 1 picture

And your week?

And Five Years Ago Today,

We welcomed Bennett Davis with open hearts and open arms.

Happy 5th birthday to my favorite Ben, my firstborn, my mini-Bill in looks but mini-Heather in attitude. You talk a mile a minute, make me laugh like no one else, have boundless energy, and attempt to befriend everyone. I think you would fit well in any profession where talking is essential. Used car salesman or politician anyone?

In the past year you have moved even further into boyhood as your love of sports, Leggos, any and all reasons to be active outside, and most recently graduating to video gaming with dad.

Your sweetness outweighs your grumpiness 10 to 1. You more than anyone else named Vinson that reminds me that life is way too short not to find a reason to play everyday.

Watching your relationship with your little brother develop has reaffirmed all my reasons that +2 is the right fit for our family. Your love and protection and recent attempts to integrate Ian into your play is goodness indeed. You fill my heart to watch the lifelong bond that is developing between you.
As you move to start kindergarten and a new phase of your life I have to let you go, ever so slightly. Why you are ours, you are also more the Worlds with each passing day.

For now hearing your voice, feeling your arms in a "Ben Monster" hug, catching and pocketing kisses are mine to cherish for this day and for all the others that I will call you my son.

Happy 5th birthday my beautiful blue-eyed boy.

Love-Mom

When Does A House Become a Home?

For the last 10 years this house has been filled with many things: a new-ish marriage, babies into children x 2, many days and nights of decisions about the serious and not so serious.

Last night we signed what seemed like a bazillion papers to make our home someone else's dream. In the past weeks of crazy days trying to get everything market ready is has been easy to forget that I have loved this house for so many reasons. On a hot summer day much like today we rounded the backyard for the first time, saw the porch and knew if was our house.

We have spent many a sundrenched afternoon under the shade of a huge fig tree on that porch, watched the boys play from the swing, and walked to the nearby park nearly every day.

For all the reasons we have called it home it was a good, good run. As someone who would rather do most anything than home improvement, the last weeks have been tiresome and frankly I have been a real joy to be around. The last thing you will most likely hear me say involves a love of products purchased at Home Depot.

I leave this morning with the boys on a week long trip to see my mom for a few days then onto Florida to see my inlaws then back to help with my mom who recently had two minor surgeries. We will stay for a couple more days with her before returning home late next week.

Ben's 5th birthday, the official start to summer, a new daily schedule, new schools for Ben and Ian, con't nightly packing and cleaning, and a transition to a new home will take up our days when we return. But for the next week I will lounging by the pool, taking the boys to the beach, and staying up late with like-minded late-night lovin' family (which is all of them.)

I never imaged that I would spend a decade in one place and I think I underestimated just how much 10 years would look like in a well loved home. As we walked through last night with our agent, he pointed out just how much this house has to offer, esp to someone similar to us a decade ago.

I agreed and I hope the right family is out there waiting to know the same.

May 2011: On like Donkey Kong: Bonus Round or How I figured out how Demi Moore pulled off Striptease.

Back on May 1st I proclaimed this month would leave me either:

1. insanely proud of my ability to deal under lots of stress
2. in a corner crying uncle while sucking my thumb in a fetal position.

While I am equally enamored with to-do lists and the crazy high of 3 am productivity, I know where over scheduled insanity leads. I pulled it off minus a few items and I'm telling you there was some insane work that went down in May 2011.

This list of 17 items was the weekend to-do. Note that only 3 remain including de-greasing a grill. I have skills I never knew I had in all this house prep.

Did I plan to find a new house in the midst of all this insanity? No. Did it up the insanity meter, yes. It also pushed us to list as soon as we could and get this house packed provided everything works out with the closing. And for that, worth it.

Here's the wrap up:

1. Wrap up Spring teaching. Already have turned down extra Summer work commitments in light of maintaining two houses and that during summer the course compresses 18 into 8 weeks. Good Decision and one I'm already not regretting. I SO want there to be pool lounging and good times with the boys to recap our summer.

2. Celebrate mothers day the way I've always wanted, at home. Bill took the kids and I got a boatload of work done. PERFECT.

3. Keep moving with 300 mins or 20 miles/week. Kinda. I logged somewhere around 12-15 most weeks and if I could count all this house prep work I would have killed my goals. I never made it to ONE day of 30 Day Shred. Maybe if the title had been, "30 Minutes More and Jillian will tuck you into Bed"

4. Sleep. Keep a good thing going.. up until last week. Finishing this semester will help immensley get back to the good thing.

5. Get out of the house at least once a week nightly- 3 out of 4 weeks not bad and none of those outings was I sportin' the sun visor that is normally permanently attached to my head.

7. Bust it to get this house market ready by June 1st. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! And I now know how Demi Moore was glistening in Striptease... she stained a deck. Good God Almighty, I'm still finding stain in my hair 48 hours later.

May, you were put on notice for serious productivity and brother I delivered.

Bring it June. I got only one thing on my TO DO list: MOVE!

Friday Gumbo with pics

This is the current state of my garage in progress. All hopes for more organization by Monday including staging area by area of the house.

And to think this time last week we were still waiting to hear if the 2nd counter was accepted. In one week we have moved quickly for our loan, all inspections, getting Ben registered at a new school, checking out daycare options nearby.

We are meeting with our agent to list ours next week with a plan of staging the garage with a whole house pack up by close date.

I took advantage of the few hours of being in the new house to also meet up for carpet measuring and our contractor. We now have estimates on painting and some playroom build-ins including a toy/box windowseat/booknook and walling one of the dormers for a secret hide out for the boys.

I've been checking out ideas for playrooms on line and am IN LOVE with some of the ideas. Esp this from pinterest for book storage

It's been a really busy week but much done. I'm feeling a little better knowing we are going to be gone for a week and that things are in motion. Ben has a friend over tonight for a sleep over and Bill's "camping" as in backyard version in hopes of the real deal next month.

Paired my 60 students down to the 15 with a shot of finishing by Wednesday final, final, deadline and have officially turned down all but one summer section of classes to focus on the houses. Yay to saying NO when I normally would say yes and then complain all summer about being stressed. I've also said no to a leadership role for consideration that I just cannot stretch myself more when I and the kids pay the price.

Bill's taking the kids to Charlotte tomorrow to check out playroom storage ideas while I really try to knock out the last bit of work. Thank you Bill!

The best pic of the lot. I knew this was a great house when I saw the porch, the backyard begging of boys to play, and a fulling blooming hydrangea hedge.

When I got to the house yesterday the current owners had left a very nice note and a bouquet from "our" yard. Really thoughtful and indicative of how despite all the craziness of the past few weeks everything is falling into place.

May. June. Insane in the Brain. Period.

No, not a self portrait. Yet. This will likely be my only post this week and maybe next. It's hell week at school wrapping up the first of 3 deadlines to get my 60 kido to the finish line either Friday, Tuesday or the final, final, final deadline of next Wednesday. Don't ask but it's the mother of multiple chances.

SO why no post other than work...because I signed a contact on a new house on Friday. to close on June 30th and have to have everything inspections done by June 10th.

did I mention that I will be gone from June 1-8th driving to Florida?

The super.awesome.fantastic.bursting at the seams happiness news is that this is our dream house. More to come later including pics once I feel I won't jinx myself by publicly publishing.

Know that when I questioned on Friday if all this stress was worth it.

Yes.

A million times YES.

A wink and a nod from the Universe YES.

2011, the year of YES.

Because Dylan and Brenda can SO pack it up

So this was a post intended for like days ago, but life has just circled (and smothered) any time there was to finish. We are a week out from the home hell repair and I *wish* I could say I had gotten so much done on packing, cleaning, all the fun stuff still to do since Sunday's uber productivity but I haven't. If you find my productivity mojo, please return.

I hope the weekend brings some good tidings to report of where a substantial part of the week went. Really and truly I need to be reminded that it's all worth it. Return thoughts of the upcoming FL trip to their upright position every time I'm feeling stressed.

If EVER I wished to have family close to just take these kids for a few hours and let me get something done it is now. There simply are so many hours in a day to cram the extra insanity on top of the already insane going down in this house.

Enough with my personal whine. Let's see some before and after pictures!!!

So just to recap the great reveal of what farming out the contract work brought.

First up, gone is my late 1990's wallpaper and border.From my lovely and very cluttered with kids stuff/art kitchen. Anyone want the Lenox china spice set seen in the background I traded the surplus of 28 dinner plates in my Christmas china to buy in 1996. Really no takers. Guess what, I never even put real spices in there anyway.



Without the kitsch we are now sportin' a streamlined non cluttered kitchen. Note the Diaper Genie and Pack and Play will be put up before showings or I may just early potty train Ian. Right We also banished all toys downstairs to Ben's room as NOT to look like a Babies/Toys R US exploded.









I bought big portfolios to keep special items each boy. We are drowning in papers that don't need to be packed to move. I for see some midnight trash removal as not to upset Ben that we didn't keep everything.

Our dining room was a lovely red/burgundy that was nice, about 10 years ago when it was trendy, back with 90210 was heading into the geriatric years and Donna Martin still was a virgin.



The room was always really dark, esp in pictures. I like how much lighter everything seems.
I didn't take pictures of the floor repairs, Ben's room, or the porch re screening but they too look refurbished. I also didn't take pictures of the master bath before but due to the layout of the master bedroom into bath, we wanted to try to separate the rooms more. We took down the large mirror and replaced with smaller picture ones. In addition we swapped out fixtures. Both look more updated. I still have to repaint the bathroom which will also help. Nor did I take pics of the deck and porch which as of today are only 1/2 finished with plans somehow to finish this weekend.


It feels like we really didn't change that much, since we left the upstairs alone. Still, everything looks fresh, cleaned, less cluttered.

Well worth it and kinda sad I most likely won't get to enjoy nearly as long as I did Carol Walsh's kitchen set.

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestickmaker

We survived ripping the band aid off home repairs in a single week. As I literally am the landscaper, the cook, the cleaner, the laundress, the primary child care provider, the organizer, the planner it is no surprise to know that the only way this house is going to be ready by June 1st is because I have made it happen.

Not to brag but I have pulled off some amazing feats in the past 2 weeks. In addition to ongoing cleaning out every closet,drawer, container of toys with Ben's help, my stuff (which is mainly baby/kid related stuff) in the walk out attic I’ve also been farming out the work I literally not physically able to do.

Yes, I agree I *could* have rented ladders and painted our vaulted ceilings, yes I could have borrowed a powerwasher and cleaned grime off the house and roof, yes I could have dug out ginormous bushes and chopped them up. But there is a physical and time limit to what can happen in 24 hours each day.

Given I have 60 students in the final weeks of class to finish or they do not graduate I’m a little busy with daily (or nightly) mounds of grading and school contacts even before the recent decision to push getting the house market ready.

May '11 is going down as a Cluster**** of insanity not seen since our summer of IVF and Bill's simultaneous surgery. I'm really trying to keep it together and just hunkerdown with a daily to do list and keeping my eyes on the prize of just getting to the end of May. Needless to say that the only way I am handling stress is sleeping as a priority and trying to get to the gym or outside to run with the dog. I literally use every single minute from the time I wake up to I finally collapse to get something done.

Yeah, yeah quit complaining, but allow me to detail what has gone down in the last week. Part of me loves this type of (temporary)stress from the high of productivity. Kinda sick, right? The other part is reeling from exhaustion when I stop at the end of the day. Telling you, amazing feats in the past 15 days.

Contractors here the entire week. They were AWESOME and I highly recommend them if local. I got them to beat a bid to re screen my porch as well as powerwash my driveway and outdoor swing for free by bundling jobs. Super Score for some negotiating.

So what happened during the week of home hell renovations:

Stripped my icky 90210 era wallpaper
Repainted the kitchen, dining room, and living room, stairs, hallway
Took down my gaudy brass light fixtures and ginormous mirror in my master bath and replaced with portrait mirrors and new lighting
Rescreened the porch including the damage from the tornado
Fixed siding that I had hit with the weed eater
Reattached the downspout
Replaced boards in the hardwoods
Fixed some cosmetic issues (aka 5 year old fun)in Ben's bedroom and then repainted the wall

Yes it was crazy not having use of most of the downstairs for most of the week, Yes Ian's napping with airguns and powerwashers going off was less than stellar with several days of NO nap at all or an abbreviated version of his already short one nap a day schedule. Yes I got behind with my class and worked late into the night almost the entire week to catch up.

Sunday while Bill was at a birthday party with Ben I took advantage of Ian's crazy long 3 hour nap (all the time he didn't sleep during the week I'm guessing) and mowed the grass, scrubbed down all the porch furniture, and stained the porch.

I had started Sunday by running 3 miles at the gym thinking it was going to rain and I would punt on the outside work so needless to say I am crazy tired and sore today.

On the punch list is ONE item still to complete before month end:

Final contractor to jackhammer out and re pour the front porch.

On my list: buy and plant 3 bushes, annuals and flower pots for the porch. 2nd coat of stain on the porch and also stain the deck that I skipped yesterday due to time. Weed the hosta bed as well at the mailbox planting (note site of the nasty poison ivy), put out mulch, paint the master bathroom, attach new master bath fixtures (Bill's job I hope while we are in Florida, if not I'm calling the contractor again as I have no idea how to do plumbing). In the meantime I am sorting, cleaning, tossing, donating, and in general doing everything I can to move with the least amount of stuff.

Yeah, I'm tired. Crazy, insane tired hence why I've been very MIA to most everyone not named Vinson and under 5 or one my students. Even students I am keeping office hours to manage my time during the day. Things will definitely slow down after the end of my classes on June 1st and hopefully once we get the house listed. Did I mention that I am driving the boys to Florida on June 2nd with absolutly nothing to do but side by the pool, enjoy the extra help from grandma, and if I'm lucky read Rob Lowe's new trashy tell-all book.

All hopes that all this hard work is going to pay off with a house that sells over the summer and in the meantime make it 15 more days.

And On My Mothers Day Weekend,

I busted it out with a 120 min workout on Friday. Barbell Strength + 60 mins of Cardio. Man I was tired and sore come Saturday.

Heard back about my December surgery. I have a date with Dr. Troy, finally.

Had a date night involving 4 house walk throughs (one we both loved and may go back again). Hello playroom and bonus room and TWO, I tell you TWO, kitchen pantries.

Talked over the INSANITY of the upcoming week with contractors here every day over dinner at a new restaurant. Logistics of working from home are going to be ROUGH (add to it a mobile baby to contend with this week.)

One final freeze ahead Session with a friend about to pop with a baby 2. Seeing that my mom lost a bunch of the food I had taken last trip due to a power surge that killed her freezer it looks like my lot is spoken for next trip down.

Went to a surprise baby shower where the only way the mom to be would come into the restaurant was being told they were giving away free gift cards inside. Watching her frantically ask everyone at the hostess station from afar was just next to funny.

Packed up and took down everything downstairs in prep for painting.

Settled on paint colors. Sad to see my dining room color go but this kitchen wallpaper can suck it. It looks like 90210 was filmed in my kitchen it's SO dated.

Bought a haul of mastery bathroom fixtures being replaced including new lights, mirrors, hardware to be installed.

Picked out flooring for the kitchen. Finalized work on the porch.

Whew... tired yet.

But wait....

Working on deadline to get 60+ progress reports and individual make up plans sent to my classes, their schools, and parents.

Getting financial stuff together for a meeting with a mortgage lender tom morrow.

Bought all of Ben's birthday party paper goods and treat bag stuff. Also scoped out soccer goals for my mom to give him.

Watched not one but TWO really crappy movies while working on grades. Do not watch 127 Hours or the HBO doc about Jack Kevorkian. You will wish you had a suicide machine or at least those hours back. Really.

Celebrated mothers day by sleeping in until 8:30am ( granted I HAD stayed up until almost 2am working)

Bill took the kids the bulk of the day so I could work on my classes. YAY. They brought me flowers, cards, and best yet

I'm mom to a bonafide TODDLER... Ian took 6 steps in row right before I put him down so I'm counting it as an awesome mothers day gift.

It was a great mothers day. Better yet the best I think I've had. Minus having to punt on outside plans due to rain, I was with my boys and that was just what I wanted and needed.

Love you Ben, Love you Ian. My Cup Runneth over to be your mom.

I'm Putting Mothers Day on Notice

I am asking for 4 things on this first ever mothers day. I say FIRST because I cannot remember a time since I went away to college that I didn't drive home for mothers day.

I decided to go and pull out all the stops for Easter in SC to have Mother's day to myself, with my own kids, not on the road and frankly so tired once home (and usually frustrated) that the day is chalked up to "next year I'm going to do something different and not feel guilty."

Next year is this year and I'm asking for 4 things:

1. Please let me sleep. Please take the boys anywhere away from the house between the hours of 7-9 am and let me sleep and not awaken to crying/screaming/yelling/running/whining/ TV blaring or any combination of the usual way I wake up the other 364 days of the year.

2. Please don't give me anything (no flowers, no promise of a watch to replace my old that has now been offered up for at least 3 different holidays, not even a loaded up Starbucks card). Other than not minding me spending $ to print some of the recent family photos, I want to spend the day with my family.

3. Please plan some type of Sunday outing with the kids. A picnic, go karts, paddle boats, ice cream, anything that is outside and the only phrase I hear is, "it's planned, the kids/car is packed, just be ready by say 10 am once you have leisurely gotten up and I can stop by the house to pick you up.

4. Please keep these kids entertained when I stain and seal the deck. No plans for Mothers day labor, all bets are on next weekend if the weather holds out. I don't need helpers, I need the time to do it in peace.

Thank you.

Love your spouse, the mother of your children, the good daughter, the really tired mom.

Happy Mothers Day!

Of Baby Chain Smokers and Pint-Sized Hobos

*****Team 317 (Vinson vs. Vinson) are the Meet the Challengers Interview today in the Move It 2011 Competition****** Come check out our story.

Really I needed some more stress this week given we moved up painting the entire interior by 3 weeks to save money. Painters are here Monday-Wednesday. Direct quote from our realtor, "you are not letting any grass grow under your feet." After a day with a professional landscaper I will answer, "and how much would you charge me to cut said grass and get me on the market faster."

But back to the fact by day-end yesterday I had managed to sadden both kids by medical appointments for each.

Kid #1 sounds like a pack a day smoker. Most people almost immediately ask if Ian is sick with a cold after being around him. No, he was diagnosed with tracheomalacia or a "floopy trachea" 2 weeks after birth. At every dr appointment I have asked if we needed to be seen by a specialist. No, by 12-18 month it should disappear, nothing to worry about.

At his one year appointment I brought up that I don't think it's getting better, rather that he frequently begins to choke and gag on just air, even when not eating. At meals it's even more pronounced as he often sucks his thumb to push the food down making the choking worse.

We saw a ENT yesterday and after running a fiber optic scope down into his trachea through his nose he confirmed no structural issues, he looks fine, even good. Luckily I was expecting my super wiggly boy to be super duper wiggly and also crying. I asked Bill to come and help me hold him.

After the initial crying he was ok with hugs and kisses. To our complete surprise nothing is structurally wrong with him and the ENT questioned the original diagnosis. So at this point, he is still gagging and choking with no answer. We are going to evaluate if this is more of an eating issue and consider a swallow study if by his 15 month appointment he is not better. We also are going to reevaluate what he is eating as with only 1 tooth even with smallest bites of cut up food he is swallowing most everything whole. We may move back to a stage 2 soft diet. Overall I am thankful that while they didn't find anything, frustrated wondering what is going on with the choking on simple air. In the scheme of issues this is really not a big one, just one we would like to find the answer for. Believe me this kid is thriving. Just check out my grocery bill.


Kid #2- The pint sized hobo- Prior to both pregnancies I never had a cavity. After Ben I had 9. After Ian 7. The only explanation I have is being post bariatric surgery and missing the ability to metabolize 12 known vitamins, likely more I take a lot of supplements. As in in have two separate pill cases I filled to the brim daily. I should get reward points at Target pharmacy. And you might want to consider buying me a cane for my 37th birthday.

When Ben showed up with two small cavities at his cleaning recently I immediately wanted to die the bad mommy death in that I *think* I do a good job. He brushes every night, uses a fluoride rinse, doesn't drink juice at home, has never had a soda in his life.

Ugh. Super Ugh. We have not been making a big deal about his sick tooth. I mentioned in the morning that we had to go back so his sick tooth could get medicine. He was good with this explanation and not until we were going in did he pull the rarely seen shy Ben mode of standing behind me and tugging on my leg.

Enter shy Ben. I asked if he wanted me to go back. Yes, please Mommy. I had to change Ian and the hygienist came to tell me he agreed to walk back with her and to meet them in exam 8. Good. I was hoping if she could get him settled watching the tv then he would not be scared. When I wheeled back I was standing where he couldn't see me and the hygienist was talking to him in preschool terms about picking a mask for the nitrous (he picked pink, his favorite color)and talking about painting tooth shampoo (the filler) onto his tooth. I gave the thumbs up and wheeled Ian back to the front. The Dentist came to talk to me about 15 mins later and said he was fine just a little confused why he couldn't feel his mouth. We paid, booked the other appointment and headed home with one quick stop.

I had promised Ben a pink sprinkle frosted doughnut if he was brave and let the dentist make his sick tooth better. Don't even comment on the whole Doughnut=Brave at the dentist thing. I know but in desperate times, I will opt for desperate measures. You better believe we were barely in the car before he was asking about his doughnut.

As I was crashing from the stress and late nights this week I had to get some coffee so we stopped. I told him that he could have it for dessert to which he said, "you can have yours too for dessert". Obviously he doesn't understand the immediate need for caffeine. He promptly ate, no inhaled, the doughnut and chewed it on the non numb side.

Not that I wish for him to have a mouth full of cavities and seeing we are remembering to floss every night plus add am brushing he did really, really well. In part because I think we didn't play it up other than in some simple preschool terms and I left the room when the momma bear really wanted to stay.

Glad that the only appointments today are 2 house related events. Mouth of a hobo and my little chain smoker, you bet. Pros at being a big boys(both of them) makes be happy to see them able to handle the an out-of-the ordinary dr appointment without a meltdown.