Yes, I'm still alive....

Yes.  It's been a while.  Some of you know that I have a "blog stalker".  It's really weird.  Someone has made numerous vulgar comments (which have all been deleted by me) in regards to my children....the latest of which has been a flat out proposition of sexual activities they want to perform on them.  Yeah.  I'm pissed.  So much so I have called the police and filed a police report....but nothing is being done. 

So here I am.  I lOVE to blog....but understandably haven't been "in the mood" lately. 

What would YOU do if you were in my shoes? 

vaseline & ken dolls

Saturday night I went to my friend Danielle's bachelorette party and had WAY to much fun.  With that said, Sunday I received the World's Worst Mother Award.  I was tired and crabby all day.

Monday morning came around and I had to make it up to my sweet children for putting up with me the day before.  I decided to make french toast for breakfast in hopes for their forgiveness.  The way to my children's heart is definitely maple syrup. 

I called the kids down for breakfast.  Maya did not come.  I went upstairs and found this...

She found a tub of Vaseline.

"I pretty Mommy?" she asked me when I walked in.

These pictures do NOT do this giant gooey greasy mess justice. 

If you ever have this mess to clean up, alcohol works on the carpet and dish soap on the hair.  As for the body.  Lots of paper towels and time.  Ugh.  It's a nice way to start a Monday morning before your coffee.  But really how can you be upset with a two year old this cute?  

In other household news, Saturday I bought a Barbie Dream House for the girls for only $2!  I know they are a little young but I loved Barbie when I was a little girl and always dreamed of having her house.  I couldn't pass it up. 

They only had one doll that they received for Christmas from a relative this past year, so we went to Target to buy another.  Zander (my almost 6 yr old BOY) begged me to buy a Ken doll for him...so I did.  Two of them, one for each boy.  The boys have been playing Barbies all weekend. 

I haven't the heart to tell them they are "girl toys"

I have to come clean before school starts....or their friends come over.

It thrills me to  have these pictures to torture them when they are older. 

Evil?  maybe.  Funny?  definitely.

Freaking Out!

Ok ladies.  I am seriously freaking out. 

Let me back up a bit.

Remember the new year's resolutions I set earlier this year?  If not, you can read here, in the Year of Dana.  One of them was to go on a vacation with my sisters.  No kids.  No husbands.  Well, that's happening next week....and I'm totally excited. 

We're going to Eureka Springs for 4 days.  Spa, wine tasting, spelunking, and shopping.  I can't wait. 

A few days ago I called the wonderful Suchness Spa and spoke to the owner, Caterena.  I told her I was a busy mother of 4 young children and wanted the ultimate spa experience.  She suggested the Ocean Essence Cocoon with chakra work and a massage.  Sounds amazing. 

 Why am I freaking out?

At the end of our conversation I say, "Thank you Catarena for all your help.  Is there anything I should do or avoid before coming in?" 

"I'm so glad you asked," she replied.  "No alcohol and no coffee before you come in." 

Fine.  No problem, but better schedule on first day of vacation!  hee, hee.

Then she asked, "Do you go to the spa a lot?" 

Ummmm.  No.  I have 4 kids.

"Well, you're more than welcome to wear a bikini if you are uncomfortable in the nude....a g-string and topless would be best." 

Ahhhhh!  What?!  I don't even own a bikini!! 

And as for the g-strings....well, they have been replaced by boy short panties. 

Look at the belly....and those stretch marks!  I'm very blessed to have 4 healthy beautiful children, but man did they do a number on my body.  And nursing 4 kids....lets just say I won't be posing for Sports Illistrated anytime soon. 

I thought this whole "body image" issue was long gone with my 20's.  I guess sitting naked in front of stangers will bring it all up again.  *sigh* 

Most of you are probably thinking, "Oh whah.  You get to go to a spa and be pampered." 

Seriously, this is HUGE for me.  Taking time away from my family and the money.  I feel guilty.  Hey, that's what I'm working on right?  This is, after all, The Year of Dana! 

Guilty Pleasure

Shhhh...don't tell anyone.  I have a dirty little secret. 

For those of you who know my family, you know we don't have a TV.  Well, we a have a television set upstairs that the kids watch dvd's and Ely likes to play playstation once every six months....but no converter box or cable.  We're just unconventional to cheap to pay for TV.  It just isn't that important to us.  I mean really?  When the heck do I have time to watch tv?  There is so many other things I want to do.

But I must confess.  I do watch something religiously on abc.com everyday while folding laundry.  No, it's not anything cool like Lost or Grey's Anatomy.  I watch General Hospital.  I know, I know, stereotypical SAHM right? 

But this secret obsession started way before having children.  At NSU my roommate watched it everyday in our tiny dorm.  I was literaly forced to watch it. 

So there it is.  My guilty pleasure.  It's out there for the world to know. 

But really...who can blame me for wanting to watch? 

What's your guilty pleasure?

Middle Child Syndrome??

I've had to focus a lot of my attention on Gavin lately. For those of you who don't know, Gavin is my 3 1/2 year old...the "middle" child. When he was only 2, the twins were born. I was so incredibly busy (and still am!) with the girls that he was, unfortunately, pushed to the side.

The first year of the twin's life was such an adjustment...for all of us. We all know how much love and attention TWO infants need, so naturally he was pushed away. "Let's watch TV" or "Go play with your brother." As a mother, this is really hard to admit....out load. But I own it. It is what it is. I did the best I knew how at the time...but am paying for it now!


All the attention he missed out on...being the baby...there is a lot of guilt there. I find myself making excuses for his bad behavior.

Gavin, just a week before the girls were born...still such a baby himself!

I know children are resilient. I haven't "scarred" my child in any way. BUT I know that I can do better by him. I refuse to give up on my little Dennis the Menace!



We started "date night" with the boys. This is special one on one time with mom or dad. It can be anything...a trip to the grocery store, library, movie, ice cream, park...the important thing is to spend quality time with Gavin, in particular.



Hopefully positive energy will transform into positive behavior. A mother can hope right?! Ideas, suggestions and encouragement are welcome!