This is exhausting.

I'm not the one taking 8 hours of class per week, but I am just whipped every week. John is gone from 6 AM - 10:30 PM on Mondays and Wednesdays. He goes to lab after work for a couple hours on Tuesday. He goes to lab for four hours on Saturdays. We're both drained. He can't stand looking at the "tube" for 18 hours and I am run ragged all evening without a break. Ugh. Soon, the weather is going to get much colder and the girls and I will need to find ways to burn off some energy - indoors - on those nights he's gone.

He has to take these classes and he will be done by the end of May. That sure seems like a very long time from now. Then, to start the fun all over, I need to go back to grad school.

Underwear.

Tonight, once again, Alexa and I are shooting for a dry night. No pull up, only underwear. And a waterproof half sheet, in addition to the waterproof mattress cover - just in case. This is at least our third try in almost 18 months, to stay dry all night. She's a very heavy sleeper. The whole theory of letting her "wake up wet" because she won't like it, has never worked for her.

We've been gearing up for this for two weeks now, and she's been dry just about every morning. She was so excited to NOT put that pull up on. Cross your fingers. I hope she's ready.

I should be in bed...

I have to be at work at 7 tomorrow to help at a new car seat technician class...but I've been finishing up a couple crafty projects. Please pardon the messy scrap area:

The letters are painted and glittered.

And, why would the previous owners of this house think "guacamole green" would be a good wall color, even in a basement?

And this, for my princess.

I think she likes it. Butterflies, and glitter, and bling, all things Alexa likes. Almost as much as looking at herself! We are going to hang it in her room.

Good night!

A few updates.

John officially started school August 27. Every Monday and Wednesday from 6PM - 10PM. UGH. That makes for a long day, since he leaves for work around 6:30AM. He is going back to get his certification in Unigraphics, a design program. If all goes well, he will be done, and certified by the end of May. This could help him whether he stays in the automotive field, or even if he goes a different route.

Say a prayer for both of our jobs. We could both be in positions that are on the chopping blocks at our respective places of employment. The economy is horrid here.

Since the girls and I are winging it most evenings, I'm trying to come up with different activities to keep them busy. Tonight we made pizza. Lets just say, it wasn't quite gourmet. Alexa liked it, but I think I need to tweak the recipe a bit.

At daycare, the "school" portion started up again. I think I'm going to find some activities for Alexa at home, the curriculum being used is too basic. She already knows what is being taught. (letters, numbers, shapes, colors) Once Ava hits 2.5 she will be joining the "big kids" during circle time.

I've also got a couple scrapbook layouts to post. Trying to use up my stash, so I can justify other purchases. ;)

I also made a mini-album of some questions and answers with Alexa. I plan on doing this each year with both girls.

I forgot to upload those pics, but you can see the mini-album right here at AMM in my gallery.

I. Love. It.

I think she looks like an angel.

Potty training and speech issues.

We've decided to try a little potty training with Ava. She certainly seems more ready than Alexa was at this time. Daycare has been encouraging her as well. The biggest problem? Getting her to communicate clearly that she needs to go. (She doesn't pull down her clothes on her own) Her speech is an issue. Sometimes we just don't know what she's saying, and of course, Ava gets frustrated. I'm not sure if I am being overly anal and paranoid about her speech (she just turned two on June 30), or if this is a real concern.

When Alexa was around 2 1/2, we took her for an evaluation at the MISD, and she was just a bit below average. My debate is should I take her now, or wait a couple months? Are we going to blow this chance at potty training? If we wait, will she make enough progress, since she will be going to Kindergarten (yes, I'm thinking that far in advance) as a "young" 5.

*sigh*

Oh, it was almost a perfect picture.

Almost. But, Ava has half of John's DNA, and she obviously got his goofy, sense of humor, in that DNA.



I love how her hair glows from the sun, how you can see her eyelashes...*sigh*

And then there's the little blue chalky nose. She colored her nose. On purpose. Oy. I've sent the full resolution photo to a friend of mine who's a photoshop guru. I'm hoping she can fix her nose. If she does, I'm going to crop it down even more.

Election 2008

Thanks to a friend on a parenting board, I viewed this little gem from Jibjab...

http://www.jibjab.com/originals/time_for_some_campaignin

One of the only things I like about election year. Enjoy!