Crazy Days of Summer

Galveston Island Property For Rent or For Sale

I really hate to advertise on my blog . . . BUT . . .

We do have a wonderful 3 bedroom, 3 bath condominium unit that is available for lease or for sale on Galveston Island, Texas.  The unit itself did not sustain any damage during Hurricane Ike.  There is power to the building now and it is almost ready for move in (just waiting on repairs to the elevator).  Perfect size for a family.  For more information, please feel free to email me at summerinfl at cox dot net.

I DO NOT do chaos!

Well, ask anyone who really knows me and they'll tell you, "Summer does not handle chaos well."  And it's the truth, my friends.  I like structure.  I'm obedient.  I like rules.  I thrive off of a routine.  My kids are so scheduled it's ridiculous. 

So, with that being said, you can now understand why so many of my posts are about being overwhelmed.  Heck, I've got two toddlers at home.  Isn't that overwhelming to most mothers?  No?  Well, if you were really my friend you'd lie and say so.

This month has brought upon many challenges for me.  It seems that just when I think I've got everything figured out and the planets are aligned, someone or something throws a kink in the whole thing.  My schedule gets thrown off and all heck brakes loose.  And you know the oddest thing about it all, is that once my routine and schedule falls apart, it takes me FOREVER to get back in the groove.

And the kink . . . well it not only affects my schedule, but it affects me.  My emotions take over and I begin to feel like I'm failing because I can't get back on track.  Which leads to another obstacle to me getting back on track.  Oh . . . it's a vicious cycle.

And sometimes, a girl just wants a little understanding.  Someone to step in and say, you don't have to do it all.  It's ok that things aren't perfect.  And man, you are one hard working Mama. 

So, since there is not anyone here to tell me that, I'm giving myself a pass today.  To not do it all.  To feel good that I DO get SO MUCH accomplished.  To appreciate myself because I KNOW I DO work hard. 

I know this is not much of a post, but it's what's going on around here.  And hopefully, I'll be able to post a little about the things that are overwhelming me.  Until then, I'm gonna pick myself up and carry on . . . I will not admit defeat!

The Best Surprise EVER!

So, anyone who knows me can tell ya that I'm a HUGE Grey's Anatomy fan.  There are not many shows that I can really get into - but this one, I LOVE! 

I've been looking forward to the season premiere for almost a month.  And since hubby's schedule didn't bring him home in time, I knew I'd be watching it all alone.  I do have a couple of friends who love and watch the show too, but they were actually going to watch it at someone else's house.  And , oh darn, I didn't have a babysitter, so I'll just watch it all by my lonesome self pity party set in.

I'd just arrived home from a visit with my mother and was getting the girls ready for bed.  The season premiere was to start at 8 p.m. CST and it was 7:30.  I knew I needed to get them dressed and in bed.  (I know, selfish of me to want this alone time, but they usually go to bed at 8 anyway).  So, I quickly began getting pj's on them and herding them towards the bathroom to brush their teeth.  After a few minutes of focusing on hygiene, we headed to the bedroom.  It was at this moment that the phone began to ring.  I actually contemplated not picking it up, as I was right in the middle of getting the kids to bed.  But, I did.  And low and behold, it was two of my best girlfriends asking me to answer my front door and let them in the house.

Yes!  They surprised me by showing up to watch the season premiere here with me.  Oh ---- they just don't know the emotions that welled up inside of me when I opened the door and they were standing there.  It was the best feeling ever.  Friends . . . good friends . . . not willing to not have you at the party, so they brought the party to you.  Now, that's TRUE friends for ya! 

Leigh and Ashley, you'll never know just what you did for me.  I was so disappointed to hear that I would be by myself tonight.  With one call, you all changed that for me.  I couldn't ask for better friends and I am so appreciative.  Thank you for changing your plans for me.  You truly saved me.  And I had such a GREAT time with you both.  I am so blessed!

And so for your viewing pleasure, here are we are very CLOSE up:

 

Sorry girls, I know it's not the best picture!

And here is Ashley and Leigh in my living room:

   

We had a BLAST!  Thank you girls!

So, do you watch Grey's Anatomy?  What did you think of the show?  Do you think Derrick and Meredith will get married?  Do you think that Sgt Hunt is Christina's new boyfriend?  Do you think that was Rose with Alex? 

I've got a biter

Yes, you heard me . . . twice this week Baby Lulu has decided to bite her sister.  Both times, the girls were fighting over a toy.  And when Baby Lulu felt like she was about to lose, she bit her sister.  Hard.  Leaving teeth marks and all.  And Maddy, well in true dramatic fashion, began wailing at the top of her lungs.  And Baby Lulu, knowing full well she had just done something extremely wrong, ran away to hide.

Frankly, I was alittle taken back.  I mean, we never really experienced biting issues with Maddy.  I can only theorize, but I would assume that Maddy skipped the biting phase because there wasn't anyone to bite.  She was the only child.  She was a good child.  And she just didn't see the need to bite the only other person around most of the time - me! 

So, what does a mother do when one child begins biting another?  Well, for the first incident, I did the only thing I could think to do . . . I quickly yanked her up and began walking her to time out, all the while explaining that biting anyone is bad . . . very, very bad.  Yes, all I can remember is that I kept saying bad.

So, after placing the biter in time out and assessing the damage on the victim, I took a deep breathe and prepared my little speech.  After two minutes in time out, I went back into the room and before getting Baby Lulu out of time out, we had the following conversation:

Me:  "Baby Lulu, biting is a NO-NO.  We do not bite ANYONE, EVER.  You hurt your sister.  And now she is crying.  WE DO NOT BITE."

"Now, do you know why Mama put you in time out?"

Baby Lulu:  "Biting sissy."

Me:  "Yes, I put you in time out because you bit your sister.  Are we allowed to bite people?"

Baby Lulu:  "Yes."

Me:  "No!  We DO NOT BITE.  Are we allowed to bit people?"

Baby Lulu:  "Yes."

Me:  "No!  Say no!  WE DO NOT BITE anyone.  Are we allowed to bite people?"

Baby Lulu:  "No."

Me:  "Are you going to bite your sister again?"

Baby Lulu:  "Yes."

Me:  "No.  No Baby Lulu.  You will not bite your sister again.  Say no."

Baby Lulu:  "Nnnooooooooooooo."

Me:  "Okay, you can get out of time out.  You need to go tell your sister your sorry and give her a kiss."

And so she did.  And the next day . . . she bit her again!  UGH!  I knew it couldn't be that easy.  So, replay the whole scenario again. 

It's been two days since we've had an incident.  And Baby Lulu walks around the house saying, "Bite sissy, no, no."

Only time will tell if we'll have another incident.  But what do you do, oh great and wise internet moms?  How do you handle biting?