Not Me! Monday

I'm joining the crowd today. You should too! My Charming Kids would welcome you with open arms.

But, I've decided that I'm letting it all out.

Not Me! Monday is here. I like to think of it as a witty way for me to loosen my mommy belt a notch and lay back and relax while confessing some things I'd rather not.

Like yesterday. Remember how I tweeted about our whereabouts? Well, Mr. Marvelous and I certainly did not devise a plan to find a sub to take my shift in the church nursery then skip our morning service--something we rarely, almost never, nearly ever, ever do--to head to the lake with our children. And there's no way I'd snap evidence of it, if we did.




And while at the pool, I did not skip the swim diaper step with this little girl:

...hoping that even though she hadn't had a dirty diaper yet, we'd still be in the clear. And I was not totally wrong. And I didn't have to sneak her in the pool room to clean up the mess before the other family, that was on the pool deck, noticed.

And, I did not praise Mr. Marvelous--as if I were praising one of our children--on eating a piece of his most disliked vegetable (the cauliflower) that I packed in his lunch last week. I'd never say something like, "Way to go, Honey! I knew you could do it." The fact that him and his BFF are at the start of a "Healthify Yourself/Weight Loss" challenge for the next 12 months has nothing to do with me. And I would never push off a lunch pail full of vegetables and a pita sandwich on a grown man. Never.

In closing, I do not have 3 baskets of clean clothes staring me down from the livingroom, and a bag of garbage waiting to be taken out.

And, I'm not wearing my favorite color. Again.

Not Me! Monday with Pigeon Poo.

Oh, how I've missed being a part of My Charming Kids' Not Me! Monday. And, Oh, how the absence has filled my keyboard with despair.

But 4under3 is back, and it's time to spill the beans in Not Me! fashion.

One night while staying at my parents' house, I definitely did not brush my teeth with a little, blue, light up, toothbrush--designated for our 4 year old:

because I was unable to locate my own. Even though we had been on the run for 7 days--because of this--I keep everything organized. And all of the time. Even when it comes to toiletries.

While the children and I were visiting a childhood friend, there is no way that I allowed Luke to jump in his birthday suit on her outdoor trampoline. After he slipped on pigeon poo in their barn, I simply stripped his soiled outfit, bathed him in their tub, and put on the extra outfit that I always pack for him. I always plan for 'pigeon poo' mishaps and I never travel without an extra outfit for each of our children. Not me!

I am not posting this picture of Norah and Hazel, attempting to slide down an indoor waterslide together, just because. There is a good Not Me! reason, and it has nothing to do with Hazel's facial expression that sends me in stitches.

The other day, as I was loading the children into our car--that was parked in my parents' driveway--a man pulled up behind us in a minivan. That's when I, without a doubt, did not kinda.freak.out as I looked down to see that I was still in a pair of pajama shorts and a nonmatching, old, and oversized t-shirt that used to be one of my younger brothers. I did not care that I happen to be sporting my dad's black cowboy boots--that I slipped on quick--that were certainly 10 sizes too big. Even though I had planned on changing into my "real" outfit after everyone was buckled in, I had no problem looking the way I did in front of that stranger. None.

And if that last Not Me! wasn't that big of a deal for you all, let me add that the pajama shorts that I was wearing were positively not advertising the legs that I haven't shaved since Costa Rica. They weren't!

Now, if you feel your keyboard is down in the dumps, head on over and join in the fun. Happy Not Me! Monday.

Not Me! Monday with Scrap Pages

We're all back from Camp Craft and it was downright dynamic.

Shocking, I know!

But, I guess that's what you get when you gather a slew of girls together and give them great food, thread, and tape runners for an entire weekend. What a bunch of shenanigans, we were.

So I thought I'd share a bit about it in Not Me! Monday fashion.

To start, there is no way that I forgot my camera at home and was cameraless the entire weekend, leaving me with nothing but post-craft weekend pictures of just the pages I created.

And, after making two identical pages that look like this:

..one for each of Norah and Hazel's scrapbooks, I did not find that buttons combined with pictures of ladybug rainboots, and shiny letter brads that spell the word "ladies" would send me into a tizzy of tears and sniffles over our growing baby girls. I didn't.

Speaking of a tearful tizzy, I did not turn into a sobbing mess at coffee this morning when a friend asked if Mr. Marvelous and I were done having children. There were no tears to fight back and no reason to finally give in and throw my face into my palms and cry...right there in front of my 4 coffee crew members. The thought of waving goodbye to the--very short--childbearing stage we just went through does not pluck an emotional cord in me.

I do not feel a bit narcissist when I look at this page and proclaim it my favorite:

...regardless of the fact that I'm found in, like, 3 photos with our children since the first was born.

Here's one other:

Oh, and I have not started planning Norah & Hazel's 2nd birthday already. The birthday that isn't until the end of June. Even though I just finished their 1st birthday "Carnival style" pages 2 days ago:

And being the secret keeper and surprise giver that I am, I'd never share with you that the girls' birthday theme this year has to do with colorful circles and peas in pods. Never!

Now head over to Mother Hen MckMama and pluck away at all the other Not Me! entries.

You'll be cracking up before you know it.

Not Me! Monday

I'll be honest.

I had no intention to write a Not Me! post this week. And that's for real. [gasp]

I was going to take a break, sit back and enjoy reading a few other hypothetical, jawdropping stories, and dunk Oreos while I Facebooked my MIL. (She joined 2 days ago and I know she'd like a few comments on her wall.)

But then MckMama went and threatened she'd never link to me again if I backed out this week posted about how this week, all Not Me! postees earn a chance to win a fabulous 7 day vacation to the exotic island of Bora Bora! Hooray, I'm in!

Oh, dear. That's not right either.

What I'm trying to say is, well, click on over to My Charming Kids and you'll see what I'm trying to say.

Onward and upward!

The other day, when I put Luke out here again, to burn off his 2 year old energy:

I did not catch him in the most bizarre postion and think, "Hmm, that really does look relaxing."

And I didn't ask questions. So your guess is as good as mine.


And I do not have to get this off of my chest. So here it goes.

You see, I've been repurposing the closet that's under our stairs in our basement. We used to store our 14 foot, artificial Christmas tree, along with other Christmas decorations in there, but right now I'm in the middle of turning it into the Imagination Hideaway Station for our children. (Who am I kidding? It's for me, too!) And while I was painting all of the walls and the ceiling a Muddy Blueberry Blue, I did not dribble paint across our 2 year old, cream carpet as I walked through to our storage room for more paint. No I did not!

But if someone did do something of the sorts, I'm sure they'd spend a lot of time scrubbing to get the darn dribble spots out. They'd have most certainly learned their lesson. I bet they wouldn't dribble again--for example--like if they were painting a Featherstone Grey diamond atop their blue. Because you know, I'm sure they'd close their eyes and pray--before they even started--that they wouldn't drip. And I bet they wouldn't.

Donchathink?

Not Me! Monday before we leave for the slopes

Top of the Not Me! mid afternoon to you!

Would someone please tell me why it's so rejuvinating to post things that didn't happen to my family and I--but really did happen to us--for the world to see? And why is it even more rejuvinating to read about everyone else's Not Me! scenarios over at My Charming Kids?

I haven't put my finger on it, but it's positively great fun.

Like the kind of fun I have with these two little girls:

(Hazel)

(Norah)

I know a while back, I proclaimed that a 15 month old was at the cutest, sweetest, most fun age ever--and before that I thought 12 month olds were--but holy 19-month-old-bundles-of-bliss! I have not been totally smitten as a kitten with our twins, Norah & Hazel. And I do not immediately turn into "goofball mama" when they're in the room--rolling around on the floor with them while sneaking hundreds of kisses.


And this morning, after dropping Julia off at preschool, I announced that we'd be going home to play instead of infecting other children with what we have while out and about. And by "play," I most certainly did not mean haul my sewing machine up to the loft, then take pretend sips of the children's imaginary drinks made for me, while sewing this fufu coffee sleeve:

I did not plop my machine right down on the floor--completely skipping the whole table idea--and proceed to sew a hot pink lined, faux fur beauty for my girly girl girlfriend right there in the middle of our children's play area. I'll say it again, "Coffee sleeves...so not cool!" And I wouldn't allow our domestic diva, Norah, to sit on the floor between me and the machine to watch a needle bob up and down either. Nope.

And I did not see this again, after pulling our bedroom curtains the other morning: Because, you know, we live right in town, a hill away from stores like TJMaxx and ANYTIME fitness. And that would be ridiculous to see flocks of these things wandering around our place day after day. And I promise, thoughts of rifles and purchasing an extra freezer never crossed through my mind. Not once.

Not Me! Monday with Jose and Joe

No way, Jose! It's Monday already?

Oh, I love to love to love being honest with myself, and the rest of MckMama's Not Me! Monday world. It's fun and venturesome all wrapped up in one. Mmm! Like one of those Cherry Truffles I keep tweeting about. One part playful cherry, one part devious chocolate. (Ok. Fine. Many parts devious chocolate.)

So, here we go, Joe!

I did not hesitate a bit before posting this most recent video of my narration that was intended to show a normal afternoon during which I get the twins up from naps. After reviewing it, it did not seem as though my voice had a similar resemblance to that of a clamorous pigeon. And, I did not wonder if my IRL friends would agree? And even if you now envision me to be the clamorous pigeon type, I would never think to film another video of me talking in my rollicking dove voice instead. There'd be no need to set you all straight on the matter. Na ah! Nope.

And while in church this morning--as we were preparing to listen to our pastor's message--I did not spill my Caramel Macchiato on Mr. Marvelous' khaki pants. And if I did--which I didn't--it would have certainly been caused by sheer misfortune, and not the lackadaisical hold I had on my new red and cream pinched felted flower coffee sleeve that: I'm completely in love with, I was gazing at with googly ingenious design eyes, and I want to lick because it's so pretty. No! I told you. Coffee sleeves like these do nothing for me. Nothing.

And after the following conversation with our 2 year old son, I did not want to have 10 of him, 2 years apart, for the next 20 years, just so that I'd always have a piece of the adorable--and sometimes completely misunderstandable--little language that he's got going on right now.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, Lukers?" I squatted down to his little boy level and looked him straight in the eyes.

"Mommy, ader me obver in Lauren teeder dust an shoes ader meet. An me olding Lauren's shoes obver wen. Right?"

"Hmm. Let's see." I paused to think, and tried to process what in the world just came out of that cute little mouth of his. Then, I followed with, "What did you just say, honey?"

Obviously, I was the one who he thought was not paying attention. And with an irritated tone he said to me,

"Ah. Mommy! I just toad you."

Oh, Ok! Then yes. Yep. Go right ahead buddy!"

End of questionable conversation.

Not Me! Monday in the big city

Not Me!

It kind of reminds me of the phrase I hear when I ask one of our 4under3 participants--mostly the oldest two, since you know, the youngest two really don't talk yet--something like:

"Excuse me. Who did this?" Not Me! Or, "Does anyone know what happened here?" Not Me!

Well, slap me silly because I know these new sheets of adorable scrapbooking paper--that I just bought, hadn't gotten out of the bag yet, and was planning on using this week--didn't shred themselves into pieces.

But we all say it. And so here I go.

Saturday night, as we waited for our friends to meet us at the swanky restaurant that I tweeted about, Mr. Marvelous and I did not belly up to the bar and laugh about how we just pranked our friends into thinking that the reservations they had booked for us weeks ago were nowhere to be found in said super packed restaurant.

And, after we dined on grouper, steaks, asparagus, and famous hashbrowns we did not take a walk through the park to the NHL arena where we'd eventually scream our little lungs out. I did not stop to strike a pose with my friend Abby, imagining we were big city girls just livin' the life. (Doesn't she look sweet! And, would you believe me if I told you that she and her husband have 9 children?)

No. I wouldn't believe me either. No really. Don't believe me.



Then, as Abs and I walked to our seats for the first time--our hubbies lost us in the bathroom line and ended up in their seats before us--we did not giggle at the sight of these two snuggle bunnies who did a wonderful job exhibiting both endearment, and roaring manly qualities simultaneously throughout the game.

And when the scoreboard said we lost at the end of the game, being the dedicated, encouraging fans that we are, we did not jump up and hustle back through a Sleepless in Seattle'ish type park to the said swanky restaurant for the dessert reservations we had. You know, the desserts of pies and ice creams that did not taste like heaven in our mouths.
Nope. Nosiree!

So, belly up Not Me'ers. Let's hear all about your favorite Not Me! Then, head over to MckMama's--the Ringmaster--to read some more.

Not Me! Monday while on Vacation

You'd think that while being surrounded by weather that's a whoppin' 94 degrees warmer than home--which also happens to be 29 hours and 1770 miles away from home--there'd be no room for embarrassing, silly, or shameful episodes.

And there hasn't been. Riiight.

Yesterday morning while hubs, my MIL and I were waiting on the lanai for breakfast to be served, Julia was concentrating on taming her excitement about walking to the pool to swim. As she patiently paced the floor, she apparently couldn't hold her exuberance in any longer. That's when she did not run full bore into one of the closed sliding glass panel doors separating the living room from the lanai. She did not look as though she was a fly smacking a moving car window. She did not bounce back on her bottom on the tiled floors. And she definitely did not turn into a sobbing mess because of her miscalculation of closed spotless glass doors to open spotless glass doors. Not her! And it--for sure--did not take everything in us to keep a straight face from the comical sight she made.

And, I did not--upon ordering the King Crab Legs at a private beach club the other night while out with my in-laws and friends of theirs--break into a sweat wondering how in the world I was supposed to eat said crab legs when the waiter presented me with them. I'm a cultured girl, and definitely not sheltered in the seafood department. I know things like this. And really, as I sat back quietly, secretively scoping out how the others were digging out their crab meat with their mini crab fork, I agreed that they were doing it correctly. Just as I thought it was to be done.

I know what you're thinking. She sure has got it together. Now, I'd love to hear how well you have it together.

And, in case you want to check out others who indeed have it together, hop on over to My Charming Kids and join in the fun.

Not Me! Monday..for I was not embarrassed.

UPDATE: Ok. Psych! The version I was talking about is not from Shaun Groves but Russ Lee. I promise this time. And, I got another letter from the Sneaky Santa. We'll talk more later.

UPDATE: My favorite Christmas song this year--that I spoke of below--now has an artist!! Hip, Hip Horray! My ipod is welcoming Shaun Groves' version of O Come all Ye Faithful as we speak.


ORIGINAL POST:
It's Monday again, and that means our favorite crockpot BBQ for supper, 18 month appointments for the twins, and hopefully riddle #5 from the Sneaky Santa (Did you read what Andi said last post?) it's Not Me! Monday!

I have not had a difficult time leaving this present--that I made for Julia--alone in the Christmas cupboard. And, I do not think it's the cutest thing I've seen since felted bunnies:

And, the reason I haven't wrapped it yet is not because I love looking at it, that I [heart] crafted clipboards in pinks, greens, and blues, or because its ribbon combination is like eye candy for me. No! I just haven't gotten around to it. For pete's sake you guys, it's Tinkerbell. Only 4 year olds--and maybe 5 year olds...quite possibly 6 year olds too--love Tinkerbell. Not mamas!

And because I promised....

...the other morning--while our 4 and 2 year old were constructing atop the lego table in the livingroom, the twins were eating whole wheat banana pancakes in their highchairs, and I was cleaning up the kitchen--my very favorite Christmas song for this year came on the radio.

(I've searched high and low for the male artist who sings this wonderfully harmonious version of Oh Come All Ye Faithful with no luck at all.)

I cranked the volume and phoned a friend--one who had been trying to help me figure out the artist--so that she could turn it on her radio too. I only got her voicemail so I hung up and continued to dance around the kitchen belting my very best stage voice into the pancake flipper while the twins watched with wide eyes.

Just then I was startled with an, "Excuse me, Hello!" Mid-chorus, I did not spin around to find the carpet guy--seemingly amused--witnessing my mini concert as he stood in our front entryway. He did not have the widest smile painted across his face. He did not apologize--as if he was caught without paying--chuckling, "Sorry, your kids let me in." And, I certainly didn't quickly lay the flipper down as I started in with my explanation of why I was doing what I was doing. Na-ah! Nope! I don't get easily embarrassed over things like that. (Ok, but I really don't. But this time I did. I mean I didn't.)

Now this is not the end, but yet the beginning. For more embarrassing moments that never happened, click on over to My Charming Kids. You'll be glad you did.

Not Me! Monday

UPDATED: Because of a recent incident that didn't happen to us this morning, I've added a Not Me! scenario at the end of this post.

ORIGINAL POST:
I could think of 43 things that didn't happen to me in the last day and a half.

I'm sure of it.

But, to save you time to hop over to My Charming Kids and read all the other things that would never happen to a chick like me, I'll give you just 2.

On Saturday, Mr. Marvelous and I were short our oldest child and thought we'd load our 2 year old and 1 year olds in the car and run to the mall to Christmas shop. As we excitedly began searching for a spot to park, one of the twins did not let out a loud burp followed by her entire breakfast. Not even twice! Nope. Then--after a quick 3 minute trip home--as I was leaning across little Hazel to unbuckle and remove her entire carseat--with her still strapped into it--she did not repeat the process of burp-and-release-breakfast right across my arm. No way! That would be gross.

And last night, after all Mr. Marvelous' Tuesday Morning Bible Study friends and their families left our house, I did not walk into Julia's room to find these two:

jumping on her bed. Not me! We run a tight ship here! Our children know the Furniture rules and follow them wonderfully. Furthermore, they had not stripped down to bare nakedness leaving their panties and diaper on the floor near the door while flailing about in their birthday suits. Never. [huff] I wouldn't even know what that looks like.

Ya catch my drift? Not me!

And, hot off the press! After we arrived home from our morning business today, I unloaded Hazel first knowing she had blown through her diaper and up her back, therefore needing a change before I removed the 3 remaining children. After returning to the car for her siblings, Luke did not yell, "Mommy, No-wah no peel good!" as she was apparently trying to outdo her twin sister's vomit session right then and there. Nope. Which means we most certainly didn't just infest many, many children--between our party last night, and the grocer's Stay-n-Play this morning (I'm so sorry!!) with this nasty bug that isn't floating around our house. I do not blame it on the McDonald's Playland Germ City that we visited last Thursday. I did not have to go through the entire car seat clean up ditty as I did just a few days before. I will not have to call my friend--who was planning on watching the twins while Mr. Marvelous, Luke, and I go to Julia's rescheduled and very first EVER Christmas Concert at preschool--to tell her that we won't be needing her since one of us will be staying home with our little Norah. And as a result, I did not set up the pack-n-play in our bedroom for Hazel, so that for the VERY FIRST TIME they would sleep apart from eachother allowing for uninterrupted naps for the both of them.

[Sigh.]

Nope.

What did we do? And Not Me! Monday

It was a fun, jampacked weekend. If I do say so myself.

But don't take my word for it. Just ask these two who joined in the adventures with me:


That's the duo that I caught myself blowing mucho kisses at--through the rearview--while barreling up the highway to the big city for an overnight sleepover at my brother and SIL's. But before we arrived at their slippery, six degree doorstep--2 hours from ours--we made some other stops. So in true Not Me! fashion, I'll fill you in on a little of what we didn't dip our toes in. (Toes covered with thick socks and snow boots, that is.)

Hang on to your Viking hat, these horns are ready and rearin'.

While enjoying our morning playdate with friends Nicole and MckMama (Where "Karen" works, but wasn't that day.), I did not look at their two sweet little girls and wish my little Norah and Hazel were along too. Not once! For goodness sakes, I had two children along with already. That was plenty. And Norah and Hazel were home with their daddy wrestling and reading books, so everyone was getting good quality time in. And I knew this, so it didn't feel weird--at all--that I was having fun with only half of my squad.

Our next stop was my good friend Michelle's house. It was her daughter's 4th birthday party. And believe me, when we walked in and I saw her fabulously decorated cupcake birthday decor--trees of felted cupcake ornaments, carefully constructed cupcake shirts as party favors, and pink and brown ribbons and bows galore--I did not foam at my craft loving mouth. I just enjoyed it all like everyone else, not once drawing up blueprints in my mind of exactly how I would attempt to recreate it all when I returned home. Come on! Nope.

And, after my SIL and I enjoyed our night out at the Christmas concert, we stopped at a Caribou for coffee by the fake fireplace. While standing in front of the cashier, trying to decide what to order, I did not apologize for my indecision justifying it with, "I'm sorry, it's just that I'm a Starbucks girl at heart but I'm trying to broaden my horizons."

Now, if you want to play along in Not Me! Monday, go on over and join in. It's rejuvinating! Oh, and while you're over there, check out the REBEL FOR A CAUSE RAFFLE-WAY. The Mckfamily is raising support for three wonderful ministries. Try for a chance at winning a Canon SLR plus TONS of other great prizes. But hurry. It ends soon!

Not Me! Monday

I know. I'm late.

Golly, some Not Me! members were writing about what they didn't do over 12 hours ago. Go check them out at MckMama's blog carnival. It's a hoot! And I'll be honest, time got away from me so I wasn't going to post today and it didn't even bother me. Not one bit!

But, the little ones are napping and I've put one load of laundry in today so my day is feeling pretty accomplished. Here it goes.

The other day when a friend asked me, "Are you tired this morning? You look a little sleepy." I most certainly didn't tell a little fib and agree with her that I was most definitely bushed. It didn't matter that I got 8 hours of sleep the night before and was feeling foot loose and fancy free that morning--until that moment--apparently I looked tired so I figured I'd give an explanation for my weary eyes.

And yesterday when this little girl:

begged me to repaint her fingernails--the ones that were painted by me the night before--because her "gloves rubbed off some of the polish" I did not tell her that partially rubbed off polish is the "in" thing these days so that I could get out of another fingernail fume session. I'm not sure if she believed me, being that my nails are never chipped and always polished up nice.

Then today after serving up seconds on Julia and Luke's lunch plates, then putting away all our lunch fixins, I did not bribe them to "be finished already" when they asked for even more food. The bribe had nothing to do with "whoever is finished, clear your spots, wash your face, and I'll give you an Oreo cookie for dessert."

And there you have it. Truthfulness revealed.

Now what is it that you haven't done lately?

Not Me! Monday and a Pumpkin Pop

Last week, I did not wear my pajamas for 2 days in a row--night and day. Who would do that? Not me! It didn't matter that we were carless for 4 days and had no way of getting anywhere anyways. And, regardless of being housebound, I would never allow myself to appear as if I'd just gotten out of bed--all day long.


Last Saturday I did not secretively love the fact that our 16-month-old was the only one singing--loudly--along with Mr. Cowboy at our library's Special Program. While the twins sat on my lap, a hundred or so other children--Julia and Luke included--impatiently sat around us with their parents, while Mr. Cowboy struggled to keep our attention on his banjo. Even though we were all supposed to have our voices "off" and our listening ears "on," I would never enjoy having the center of attention be on our little Norah who was doing quite the opposite. Even if it was much more entertaining then poor Mr. Cowboy.

And, last night after returning home from a long, intense trip through the grocery store with all 3 girls, I did not--for the first time--grant Julia her wish for just a bowl of cereal for supper. I'd never! No matter the convience of it, the non-nutritional value of it, or the fun of it for her, I much rather prefer wholesome meals to fill my children's tummies. And if I ever did this--which I didn't--and Julia promised me to be the "best mommy in the whole, big, big world," I'd still never do it again. Ever!




Now, if you haven't already, head on over to our Not Me! Monday ringmaster's place. MckMama's new addition--baby Stellan--is home and has a clean bill of health. God is so good!



But, before you go...



How about a pumpkin pie-sicle!

I found this recipe and Julia and Luke thought we should try it. If you like pumpkin pie, you'll love these. They taste just like your sinking your teeth in a chilled slice of pumpkin goodness...without the whip, of course.

Ingredients:

• 1 butternut squash


• 1/2 C pure maple syrup


• 2/3 C light cream


• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1. To make a batch, cut a butternut squash into quarters and scoop out the seeds.

2. Bake the squash until it's soft. Let the squash cool a bit before scooping its flesh into a medium-size bowl.

3. Add pure maple syrup, light cream, and pumpkin pie spice to the bowl. Use a potato masher to mush the squash and blend all of the ingredients.

4. Spoon the mixture into ice pop molds (we were able to fill about 10), add sticks, and freeze for at least 6 hours before serving.

De.lish!

Not Me! and a Sibling Name Challenge

UPDATED: Because I can't miss out on Not Me! Monday, and because I feel as though my event that DIDN'T happen in the parking lot of Target today is my most definite Not Me! incident, I'm joining in Mck Mama's fun again this week. Here it goes.

I DID NOT, repeat, DID NOT, run into a cart corral machine in the parking lot of Target this morning. And then, I DID NOT fight the urge to kick, scream, and cry right there on the concrete in front of my 4-year-old. Not me! I learned my lesson about careless driving when I ripped my driver side mirror off while backing out of our tight garage a couple of weeks ago. And even if there was a recently stalled cart machine positioned right in my blind spot--waiting for its driver that had run into the store to get help--as I rounded a corner to go down a lane to park, I would have seen it regardless of the size of my large SUV in comparison to its short out-of-view self. And honestly, who would want to spend an extra hour writing up reports with the Target crew and my dear sweet eye witness--who ran at me waving her arms proclaiming she saw it all and she'd testify for me--, while snapping pictures of my popped tire, my entire dented/scratched/damaged passenger side anyways? For surely not me. Sigh.



ORIGINAL POST:
I figure that Holly--the winner of this contest--has already received her loot, so it must be time for another challenge.

And, Hazel is here to get our new party started. Come on and dance with her. Let's get jiggy wit' it. Shake a leg now. And listen up.

If you followed me on twitter over the last couple of days, you know that my dear sweet friend, Sarah, had her 3rd baby last weekend. This is the first baby born--from my nearby friends--since our twins were born. And even though I was out of town until today--when I got to see the little pumpkin for the first time--it was still an exciting last few days because of the arrival of our new little bundle. The emotion of a newborn started all over for me after hearing about precious little Claire.

What a CaUte name! I love it!

And that got me thinking. I loved picking names for our children. The choosing, saying, writing, and searching for the meaning parts were so much fun. Then, I started imagining what names I would like enough if we had another baby to name.


[silence]

Hazel: What's that you say? I thought I was the last baby you were naming?

No! We're not pregnant. Nor are we trying. Which really doesn't matter, since we didn't "try" with any of our four. But that doesn't mean that I can't have myself a simple little Sibling Name Challenge here on my blog. Right?

So, here's the situation. (That is, if you'd like to have at a chance for a fun little snail mail package.)

Our children need a sibling...or two. Julia, Luke, Norah and Hazel need ONE more brother and ONE more sister. What you do is, in your comment, leave your idea of the perfect name for both a boy and a girl. What two names would look and sound simply smashing for our family? When I close the contest--sometime in the next couple of days--I'll choose my favorite boy and girl name from the bunch and award the winner (or winners) accordingly.

If you pay close attention to our girl names, we love "classic" names. And our boy names, short and sweet. That's all I'll say.

Happy hunting for more siblings!

Not Me! and the contest follows

The other night--near the end of our sewing party at a friend's house--I did not give directions to the new girl in town to go in the complete opposite direction as her house. Not me! I know my East and West, and I've lived here for almost 2 years. Goodness! And besides, that would have sent her on an extra 40 minute countryside drive..at 11 o'clock at night. And it would most definitely have been the cherry on top of her night, being that she had just backed into a tree trying to get out of our friend's driveway.



And the other day, I did not try to pray away the circles under my eyes. Nope. Not me! I'm actually starting to like them right where they are. After all, I find they make me look mature and experienced. I feel like a full-fledged adult who is established in life. In fact, I think purple brings a little color to my face.



And Saturday night, as we were loading everyone into the car and attempting to leave the wedding reception, I most certainly did not have to pee so badly that I squatted right down in front of the car--in the dark--to relieve myself. For heaves sakes! Are you kidding me? Not me! It didn't matter the height of my heels, or the distance back into the reception hall, I most certainly marched myself right back to the ladies room and behaved...like a lady.

For more Not Me! fun, party on over to My Charming Kids. But don't forget to play along in 4under3's Scrabble contest below.

Not Me! Monday

I did not squeal with joy after finding my lost bottle of Pat on Black fingernail polish in a purse from last fall. Not me! It'd be ridiculous to have 4under3 in the house and still find time to paint nails anyway? And really, I find joy in surprises like diapers with hefty waste and leglines anyways. Not fingernail polish.

And this morning--before anyone was up--I did not run to the coffee shop to buy whole beans and a ginormous monster Cinnamon roll for only MYself! Not me! And then, once I was back in the drive way, I didn't slouch down in the car until I finished it completely, licking my fingertips clean and disposing of the box in our dumpster. Come on, I teach my children how to share here.

And last week, after unknowingly leaving my husband's bank card at a home design store, I surely did not bite his head off the next morning when he asked me if he could have it back..yet I couldn't find it. I'd never! Regardless of having dug through every purse, pocket, and nook in the car, and regardless of the fact that my heart rate had hit the ceiling, I'm cool under pressure! I never get worked up over those kind of things.


For more Not Me! fun, head over to My Charming Kids.

NOT Me! Monday

I'm joining in Mck Mama's Not Me Monday Carnival. Go on over and check out what others would never do....if you need a good laugh. Here's what I would never do. Seriously. Never.


My Not Me list.

I did not use my husband's razor on my legs and underarms during my shower this morning. I realize that his facial razors are much more spendy than my leg razors. And I am very aware that using them on my legs diminishes their usablility much quicker. That's why I'd never use his razor--against his will--even if I was cold and didn't want to get out of the shower to find mine. I'm much more trustworthy than that.

I did not take a package to the post office this morning without the address to send it to. Because really, that would be forgetful of me, and I'm not forgetful. And furthermore, I did not ask the postlady if she had internet access so that she might be able to google my friend's address since I couldn't reach her on my cell. That would be ridiculous.

I did not spill my thermos of coffee on my leg in the car on the way to drop Julia off at Preschool. And I for sure did not spill my bottle of water on my hip, rear, and thigh on the way back to pick her up. I'd never do that. I'm quite the cautious driver and find that drinking and driving only leads to major distractions.

I did not almost clip a new BMW on the way back home this morning. I'd never take my eyes off of the road, even to secretively watch Julia praise Jesus by clapping and singing to Life Song behind me in her carseat.

I definitely did not meet a police car while driving 13 miles over the speed limit this morning. Even if Luke and I lost track of time while playing together at the park while Julia was at school, I would never speed in hopes to pick her up on time. And even if I did meet a police car while speeding, which I would never do, I would not shed tears or nearly wet my pants as I saw his break lights in my rearview mirror. I'm mature and things like "break light warnings" don't scare me.

And,

I did not question my capability as a licensed driver today. I'm very careful while I'm on the road. I wish all those other loonatics behind the wheel were too.