I'm tired!

So, I was all excited about getting the video to work, but apparently it only worked on my computer. I seriously haven't had a minute to figure out what's wrong with it. I give up for now, life's been WAY too crazy! And I'm not even sure why. I feel like I've been running like crazy for two weeks now. I'm starting to think that the vacation put me way behind and I still can't catch up. Every room in my house is cluttered. Piles are stacking up everywhere! Yesterday, I had nothing scheduled - first day in a long time. So I decided to tackle cleaning. I ended up getting the downstairs bathroom spotless. But that's it. How could I have an entire day and only get one bathroom clean? And on a day when I had nothing else to do? It's amazing how "nothing" takes up so much time. I ended up visiting primary kids for their birthdays, figuring out a preschool field trip today, going out to eat with Steve and then rushing everything else I needed to do. But I did spend an hour or so just playing with the kids. They were so good yesterday. Nice change for me. However, Ella seemed to have a bit of a bathroom problem yesterday. Guess where she decided to have her accident? Right in the middle of my barely cleaned and sanitized bathroom floor! Looking on the bright side though, the rugs were in the washing machine, so it was actually pretty easy to clean.

The beginning of the month is pretty hectic for me, preschool-wise. I have to have the newsletter all printed up - which means having the month all planned. I have to have the parent informational article printed up (this month I couldn't get it done though). I have to have the book orders all ready. I have to have the parent/child home activity done (also didn't get it done this month). I had to have my end of the year comment sheet ready. We had an outdoor field trip planned today. Forecast looked cold and I woke up to snow today. I had decided to just go ahead with it, but wasn't loving any of my choices. Luckily Jill called with the idea to go ahead with the field trip, just move it to a different location instead. Cabelas instead of Thanksgiving Point farmland. Just like a big sister to solve all your problems! It turned out great and I think all the parents were glad not to suffer outside in the cold and, yes, snow. This afternoon it started snowing again and I told the girls to go outside and spank the snow. They thought that was hilarious and had a great time!

Not only is it the beginning-of-the-month stress. It's the end-of-the-year stress. This year I've created a completely new curriculum. It's been very time consuming and I think I'm burning out! I can't wait for next year to go back to the curriculum I've already developed and practiced 3 times! I just have to get Mother's Day, Zippidee-do-dah what a wonderful year theme, and the graduation planned. Then a couple weeks of break before I go into summer camps.

Paige wanted to have a yard sale soon. Unfortunately we can't find a week that works. I'm all for getting RID of stuff. I think clutter stresses me out. (Me and probably 99% of the rest of the world.) We have SO much stuff. I'm hoping to be brutal while getting ready for the yard sale. Unfortunately, I still have the teacher mentality ("I'm sure we could use this saved up dryer lint someday..." - Actually no joke, I did see a craft idea using lint to make Halloween ghosts." And unfortunately, I think I like some of my girls toys more that they do. ("How could I get rid of that doll they've never played with - it has buttons, zippers, snaps and ties - what a great way to learn!") Of course, they've learned how to button, zipper and snap all without the doll's help. Anyway, time to declutter my life a bit.

Last night I forced Steve (and convinced Lynn and Dustin) to go get a free dinner at Magleby's. Forced because it was a sales pitch. Yes, there was good information on fire safety, but in the end they started showing us the products they sell. By that time I was tired of listening, hadn't liked the food, and needed to go get my already cranky kids. Paige was nice enough to watch them, but she seemed pretty stressed out when we got there. Since they were both crying, I can't imagine why she would be stressed out! Ella was mad that Paige had flushed the toilet for her and Emily was mad that we had arrived to get her! Luckily they fell asleep pretty fast. They woke up like clockwork at 6:45 again today, so they've been pretty cranky today.

Ella's been great at potty training since we got back! She's only had 2 accidents (plus the one that wasn't her fault yesterday.) She was getting stickers on her chart for everytime she was successful and she quickly filled out her second sheet this week. We went to Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate. I used coupons and only got a small pizza but it still cost $24! I think it will be awhile before we go back. But the kids had a ball. They both can just run off by themselves and figure things out. Paige and Natalia came by for a while too.

Steve's work has been really slow lately. He's come home early several times the last two weeks. Friday morning he knew he didn't have anything to do, so he called to check. They told him just to stay home. We headed out and stopped at a couple of yardsales on our way to Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum and Farmland. I decided to try out their 30 days free membership. We took Mason with us as well. They loved running through the museum. They loved digging through the sand for bones at the end. We went on a pony ride at the Farmland. It was a really nice day and nice to have a family activity on a less-busy Friday, rather than a busy Saturday. Saturday morning was a lot cooler, but I went out yardsaling anyway. I've been waiting for this season (you know Fall, Winter, Spring, Yardsaling) all year. I got a few fun things, but I'm much more picky than I used to be.

We bought a treadmill last Monday off Craigslist. It's a really nice one that you can download personal training programs into. The girls wouldn't let me near it the first couple of days, but Steve and I have both gotten a mile in everyday since. You'd think this would give me more energy, but I haven't found it yet!

We went to the library for FHE this week. They were having a Mexican celebration. We made a paper flower, jumped with a jumping bean to Mexican music, make a toy, got our faces painted, danced the Mexican Hat dance and hit a pinata. The girls loved it and loved playing at the park afterwards.

Well, I've been rambling and I've probably "Lynned" you all out. (No offense, Lynn!) So I still haven't figured out how I can be so busy and so behind with only two kids and a part-time job. Guess I should make myself a schedule or something. At least I would feel better crossing things off. Which reminds me - that's Emily's favorite game with me. When I need her to help me with jobs, she hands me an imaginary list. I write what I need her to do on it. She'll go and do it and check it off. Then she'll give me the list again so I can give her a new chore. Whatever works, I'm just glad for the help around here!

Here's a few pics to share.
Stick legs to go with a stick horse!! Barrel racing.
Lassoing a cow!
Milking our cow!
Preschool fieldtrip!
Spanking the snow.
Yee haw!
Yippee!
So cute!
Biggest smile in the west!
What'd we do?
Watch out!
Look out behind you!
Digging for bones.

Perfect size for her.
Yee haw! Grandma made the vests - aren't they adorable!
Chicks in a nest.

Dang cutest cowkid I ever saw!
Roasting marshmallows by the fire.