Busy, busy!

Trick or Treat

Smiles

Thought we'd share some smiles to start the day. As adults we smile and laugh less frequently than children. Maybe it is part of aging or part of becoming more concerned with out environment and world. We learn to worry about the little things and details that we cared less about as children. We accepted responsibility for our family and jobs. I would love to think that the girls will be just as happy and carefree as they grow up.
"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been." ~Mark Twain

Lemonade out of lemons?

I'm trying to make an ugly day better. I know life could be worse. It's always greener on the other side...
A self hair cut by my three year old yielding plastic safety scissors and her friend. The hair looked cute after it was fixed by the stylist. I will not complain about her style as I have not seen a stylist in months.
To complicate matters... my tooth needs fixing. Big time. It hurts to chew on, it's sensitive. The temporary fell out earlier (used some special fixodent to adhere it to my gums). Hello grandma-hood. To make matters worse, our insurance is maxed till next January. Woo-hooooo. I am frustrated.

It's October!

I've slacked this past week on updating our blog...what can I say other than life is busy.
I felt so busy all week long going places and doing things that I've felt overwhelmed. Sometimes my head spins just thinking about all of the daily activity from preschool with three year old drama to infant development. Not to mention daily errands, household upkeep, two dogs (one who's always itchy) and a husband (who's also over scheduled). I cannot recall a day that I wasn't busy and just relaxing...reading a book, enjoying a nap, drinking a cup of tea to settle down. Oh wait...yes I can! I had my first girls night alone!! Alone meaning without Elle & Ava Jason. Thank you Ms. Schuler & ladies for too much wine, behavior therapy and stinky cheese. We did miss SCH...maybe next round! While I was sad by leaving the girls I also knew they were in the care of their wonderful daddy. I returned to a quiet, clean house (though late) and the girls were both asleep...Jason too. It was nice to feel like I was a mommy as well as myself last Thursday. I know it's a bit of an identity crisis early. Oh well, that's a whole other post.
In all of my madness to get through the past week I realized Wednesday that it was already October, my favorite month of the year. In honor of this colorful time of year we are taking the girls to a farm this coming weekend for a fall festival & corn maze. I anticipate fun at the farm, smelly animals and all. I anticipate Ava running through pumpkin patches, hay rides, face painting, and that wonderful smell of fall. I'll have pictures posted asap. Hope you all are enjoying my favorite season, enjoying all that it offers. I know I will. And I promise to slow down and repeat "life is too short".

Ava's 3rd birthday party!

We had fun celebrating our third birthday!

Daddy's home ; )

I can relate to friends who have a spouse that travel for a living, whether it's military or for business. I've come to the conclusion that it's really difficult no matter how strong your character.
My husband has left for a few weeks to California before, and while our life has been interrupted, it has not changed our family dynamics for the short period he's gone. I cannot complain about the stormy feelings of resentment, love & regret for his business travels like some of my friends have to struggle with. I truly miss my partner and friend while he is gone. While life goes on and our children grow, I feel we all do not collaborate as well while he is away. I cannot pretend life would be better without my partner in crime. So tonight I am grateful my husband is home and does not have to leave again soon.

Time Management

Waffles are great to eat on mornings you have extra time to wash properly after eating. This was not the case as we scrambled out the door this morning to get Ava to school at eight thirty while juggling a baby,a cup of coffee, a gym bag and a horse flashlight (for car monsters of course). It takes a half hour to drive there and another five minutes to get in the door, waffles make a slow and sticky choice for breakfast. However, at the ripe age of three waking up to get ready for school time management is not your top priority. Waffles are an excellent choice for breakfast, with extra syrup and eaten slowly. I went about the rest of my day slightly late to the gym, grocery and finishing the rest of my errands before I picked up Ava at school for lunch. When I asked her what she'd like to eat for lunch, she replied, "waffles". I guess at three you don't have to manage time or care what a sticky mess waffles are. That's what mommies are for.

My first blog

Fall has arrived bringing cooler weather, football, and changing leaves. With this new season I've decided to try and blog to keep our family & friends up to date on the McDonald family current events.
We had a wonderful summer with our new addition Elle Adeline McDonald on May 10,2008. She has been a super happy and fun loving baby (thank god!). Elle loves to smile, coo, and get tickles. She has a really funny giggle when you tickle her under her chin. Ava is also loving being a big sister and tries to help in any way she can. We try and load her up with tasks she's allowed to help with (getting new diapers and finding baby wipes). She is eager to help in any way she can.
Ava also recently celebrated her big third birthday, yeah! She had a blast celebrating with everyone. And boy, did she get lots of new toys! Thanks to the grandparents she has a new scooter, "plasma car" & leap frog reading book. That was before her actual party with her friends! At her party she ate a Dora cake, opened a pinata, ate way too much candy and played with her best friends. As she put it, "that was great". According to Ava, she still has some growing to do before she is older ; ).

We went on a few trips to Florida to visit family and have some R& R ourselves. It was busy to say the least, but a very nice to spend time with everyone. Now that summer is officially over we are looking forward to some family trips with the girls to camp and hike. Jason is super excited that the Jaguars have won a game finally, and Ava was there to cheer them on. I am just happy to have fall here and hopefully look forward to cooler days.