 |
| Sunday morning, Philip decided to get up and play at 3:00 a.m., so when the sun finally caught up with him, none of us were anywhere near ready to face the day. |
THE STEFO CREW: Organized Chaos, Minus the Organization
Showing posts with label Big Mean Daddy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Mean Daddy. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2015
Like Father, Like Son.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Awwwwww.
My cell phone camera stinks. And of course I woke him up with the stupid shutter sound that I should have deactivated. But aw, shucks, anyway!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Happy Father's Day, Hon.
Thank you, Lord, for the steady, hard-working husband and father with which we've been blessed.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Kids. Ruin. Everything.
(Warning: Lengthy Rant Below)
At low times, my motto around here is “Kids…..ruin…..EVERYTHING!!!!!” usually spoken through clenched teeth with a scowl. It’s sad that I feel that way, but I do.
I remember once while pregnant with the twins…in an absent-minded moment, I let Theresa hold my watch for about 2 minutes, and during that time it completely vanished. I was too big and lumbering to bend down or move the couch, and so it was lost for a couple weeks. (My husband eventually pulled out the couch and found it in about two seconds). She was only 3, and I was so angry with her and myself and everything, and I really let her have it. I made her (and myself) feel pretty awful.
But it was the first watch I had ever owned as an adult and I’d worn it for two straight years without losing it, a first for me. God was testing me then, and I failed. Then my wrists swelled up and I couldn’t wear it anyway, and the battery died shortly thereafter. It still lies dormant on my dresser. That'll teach me.
My point is that I was (and still am) so tired of EVERYTHING in this house getting broken, lost or ruined. The twins are the worst yet right now. They walk off with anything they can snag. They like nothing better than to clean all the dvds or homeschool books off their respective shelves. You can’t let them anywhere near a box of tissues.
They ransack any unsuspecting schoolbook that they find.
They dump out at least one box of cereal a week. 
And DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE EGGS.
Why, you may ask, are they allowed to get near the cereal/eggs/tissues/etc.? Well, for starters, they work together. I have numerous other critters in this house who leave doors open, gates open, cereal boxes out, etc. I'm usually busy or distracted. And the twins are a lot faster than I am!
A few months ago in desperation I decided to confine them to one room, because I figured that one room of chaos was better than four rooms of chaos. Anyway, the twins either find ways to sneak through the gate, (Noelle is the master escape artist)
or else we leave it open (in an insane moment), or we have pity on them for being locked away like animals. We can't stand to see them like this:
One day in February (the same day we all came down with the flu) was a day we planned a field trip to a Reptile zoo up near Williamsport. Our trip was delayed by at least an hour because one of Noelle’s booties (brand new, expensive, Robeez) went missing, right from plain sight. I ranted and fumed and cleaned like a madwoman and generally made everyone miserable (even Andy) because “Kids…..ruin…..EVERYTHING!!!!!”
And then Natalie pooped. And when I went to change her, I found that Noelle’s other bootie had somehow gotten stuck down Natalie’s pants. NO WONDER we couldn’t find it !?!?! And to top it off, guess who was the one who dressed Natalie? You got that in one, it was me. All my fault. No wonder God struck me down with the flu. If i was Him, I would have given me the plague. Someday I will learn.
A few days ago, I slipped away to the bathroom. The twins were at the front door, occupied with playing peek-a-boo through the glass with their older sisters Clare & Theresa. I swear I was only gone for 2 minutes. That's 120 seconds. But by the time I returned, the twins were standing on the kitchen table banging on the laptop. They had somehow hit the right (or wrong) combination of keys, and managed to lock and password-protect the keyboard. I set the password about three years ago and had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what it could be. So the laptop was rendered completely useless. Thank the Lord that our mailman came by a few minutes later, and was able to calmly explain how to fix it to exasperated old me .
I have to keep repeating over and over: “My children are a gift from God and I love them.” LOL
PS - This post was originally made in June. I still privately think that kids ruin everything. The last major doozy was in August. I stepped away from the computer to use the bathroom, and the twins pried 7 keys off the laptop. Laptop keys have three insanely tiny and fragile parts required to reattach them to the keyboard. I spent two hours hunched over the table. I kept telling myself that if Malaysian children can do this, then so can I, failing eyesight, clumsy fingers and all.
We are still missing 4 keys, and the 'e' key will never be the same. It's like a loose tooth - gonna lose it any day now. The Big Mean Daddy won't replace it, and tells me it's my fault because I let the kids use the laptop to play, so they treat it like a toy.
At low times, my motto around here is “Kids…..ruin…..EVERYTHING!!!!!” usually spoken through clenched teeth with a scowl. It’s sad that I feel that way, but I do.
I remember once while pregnant with the twins…in an absent-minded moment, I let Theresa hold my watch for about 2 minutes, and during that time it completely vanished. I was too big and lumbering to bend down or move the couch, and so it was lost for a couple weeks. (My husband eventually pulled out the couch and found it in about two seconds). She was only 3, and I was so angry with her and myself and everything, and I really let her have it. I made her (and myself) feel pretty awful.
(Theresa, me, my twin belly at about 5 months,
and the watch in question. We are sitting in the same spot
where she lost the watch a mere two months later.
My head is cut off because one of the kids took this photo)
and the watch in question. We are sitting in the same spot
where she lost the watch a mere two months later.
My head is cut off because one of the kids took this photo)
But it was the first watch I had ever owned as an adult and I’d worn it for two straight years without losing it, a first for me. God was testing me then, and I failed. Then my wrists swelled up and I couldn’t wear it anyway, and the battery died shortly thereafter. It still lies dormant on my dresser. That'll teach me.
My point is that I was (and still am) so tired of EVERYTHING in this house getting broken, lost or ruined. The twins are the worst yet right now. They walk off with anything they can snag. They like nothing better than to clean all the dvds or homeschool books off their respective shelves. You can’t let them anywhere near a box of tissues.
They ransack any unsuspecting schoolbook that they find.
They dump out at least one box of cereal a week. 
And DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ABOUT THE EGGS.Why, you may ask, are they allowed to get near the cereal/eggs/tissues/etc.? Well, for starters, they work together. I have numerous other critters in this house who leave doors open, gates open, cereal boxes out, etc. I'm usually busy or distracted. And the twins are a lot faster than I am!
A few months ago in desperation I decided to confine them to one room, because I figured that one room of chaos was better than four rooms of chaos. Anyway, the twins either find ways to sneak through the gate, (Noelle is the master escape artist)
or else we leave it open (in an insane moment), or we have pity on them for being locked away like animals. We can't stand to see them like this:
One day in February (the same day we all came down with the flu) was a day we planned a field trip to a Reptile zoo up near Williamsport. Our trip was delayed by at least an hour because one of Noelle’s booties (brand new, expensive, Robeez) went missing, right from plain sight. I ranted and fumed and cleaned like a madwoman and generally made everyone miserable (even Andy) because “Kids…..ruin…..EVERYTHING!!!!!”
And then Natalie pooped. And when I went to change her, I found that Noelle’s other bootie had somehow gotten stuck down Natalie’s pants. NO WONDER we couldn’t find it !?!?! And to top it off, guess who was the one who dressed Natalie? You got that in one, it was me. All my fault. No wonder God struck me down with the flu. If i was Him, I would have given me the plague. Someday I will learn.
A few days ago, I slipped away to the bathroom. The twins were at the front door, occupied with playing peek-a-boo through the glass with their older sisters Clare & Theresa. I swear I was only gone for 2 minutes. That's 120 seconds. But by the time I returned, the twins were standing on the kitchen table banging on the laptop. They had somehow hit the right (or wrong) combination of keys, and managed to lock and password-protect the keyboard. I set the password about three years ago and had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what it could be. So the laptop was rendered completely useless. Thank the Lord that our mailman came by a few minutes later, and was able to calmly explain how to fix it to exasperated old me .
I have to keep repeating over and over: “My children are a gift from God and I love them.” LOL
PS - This post was originally made in June. I still privately think that kids ruin everything. The last major doozy was in August. I stepped away from the computer to use the bathroom, and the twins pried 7 keys off the laptop. Laptop keys have three insanely tiny and fragile parts required to reattach them to the keyboard. I spent two hours hunched over the table. I kept telling myself that if Malaysian children can do this, then so can I, failing eyesight, clumsy fingers and all.
We are still missing 4 keys, and the 'e' key will never be the same. It's like a loose tooth - gonna lose it any day now. The Big Mean Daddy won't replace it, and tells me it's my fault because I let the kids use the laptop to play, so they treat it like a toy.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Our twins turn 2 today!!
Natalie & Noelle
Watching Veggietales 3 inches from the screen again...
I can't believe it, but Natalie's almost 2 inches taller than Noelle.
Sampling the frosting, which was amazazing. So light and fluffy and easy to spread, and it didn't pick up any crumbs when I was spreading it. That was important because there were crumbly, cut edges on the cake from cutting out the shapes. It tasted exactly like marshmallow fluff. I just couldn't believe how easy it was.
Recipe is here.
A close-up of the cakes.
A shot of the carnage that ensued...
Check out Natalie's face as Brian shows her a birthday card...
It was also a baby doll heaven. They received matching sets of baby dolls three separate times. Good thing they're crazy about babies right now. They also received a play baby stroller for Christmas, so they load up with as many babies as they can manage.
I don't even remember when this video was taken and I don't know where else to stick it, but it's a wonderful glimpse of what the babies are like as they're turning two. They do this kind of thing every day, and I'm so privileged to be a witness to it.
Watching Veggietales 3 inches from the screen again...
I can't believe it, but Natalie's almost 2 inches taller than Noelle.
Sampling the frosting, which was amazazing. So light and fluffy and easy to spread, and it didn't pick up any crumbs when I was spreading it. That was important because there were crumbly, cut edges on the cake from cutting out the shapes. It tasted exactly like marshmallow fluff. I just couldn't believe how easy it was.
Recipe is here.
A close-up of the cakes.
A shot of the carnage that ensued...
Check out Natalie's face as Brian shows her a birthday card...
It was also a baby doll heaven. They received matching sets of baby dolls three separate times. Good thing they're crazy about babies right now. They also received a play baby stroller for Christmas, so they load up with as many babies as they can manage.
I don't even remember when this video was taken and I don't know where else to stick it, but it's a wonderful glimpse of what the babies are like as they're turning two. They do this kind of thing every day, and I'm so privileged to be a witness to it.
And finally, a photo montage of the twins' first two years. I had so much fun (and spent too much time) making this! I especially love the first song, "Easy Livin," the lyrics for which are below the video. Don't feel like you have to watch the whole thing. It's LONG. I couldn't stop myself - I kept finding 'just one more' picture to include. It's mainly for us and the grandparents, anyway.
Living for you is easy living
It's easy to live when you're in love
And I'm so in love
There is nothing in life but you
I never regret the days I'm giving
They're easy to give when you're in love
I'm happy to do whatever I do for you
For you maybe I'm a fool
But it's fun
People say you rule me with one wave of your hand
Darling, it's grand
They just don't understand
Living for you is easy living
It's easy to live when you're in love
And I'm so in love
There's nothing in life but you
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Thanksgiving Puppy
On a cold Thanksgiving day, a puppy wandered, lost and 
lonely, through the streets of town. As he turned a corner, there in front of him was a busy parking lot, bustling with cars and people doing last-minute shopping before Thanksgiving dinner. "Aha! Here is a place where I will find someone to love me!" the puppy thought. But not one person had time to stop for the poor, lost puppy. People walked right past him, ignored him, and chased him away. He had to dodge shopping carts, cars, and skateboards. Sometimes somebody would stop to pet the puppy or talk to him. But nobody wanted to take the puppy home.
Then a nice lady noticed him. "Maybe she will take me home!" the puppy hoped. But the lady left him outside as she walked into the store. Sadly, the puppy kept sniffing and searching the parking lot for someone to love him. When the nice lady returned to her car with her groceries, she saw some mean kids teasing the puppy. She walked over, chased the kids away, and said, "You poor puppy...have you been here all day? I don't want you to get hurt by a car. Do you want to come home with me?" The puppy wagged his tail happily and hopped into her car. Her children were so surprised and happy when she brought the puppy home, and they all lived happily ever after.
That's pretty much how it happened.
Except for the Big Mean Daddy who wouldn't let them keep the puppy. After two days they found a nice man (we hope) who took the puppy, and the children cried and cried. One of them even locked herself, sobbing, in the bathroom, and walks around clutching a framed picture of the puppy who lived with them for 48 hours.
Sheesh. So much for a good deed.
lonely, through the streets of town. As he turned a corner, there in front of him was a busy parking lot, bustling with cars and people doing last-minute shopping before Thanksgiving dinner. "Aha! Here is a place where I will find someone to love me!" the puppy thought. But not one person had time to stop for the poor, lost puppy. People walked right past him, ignored him, and chased him away. He had to dodge shopping carts, cars, and skateboards. Sometimes somebody would stop to pet the puppy or talk to him. But nobody wanted to take the puppy home.
Then a nice lady noticed him. "Maybe she will take me home!" the puppy hoped. But the lady left him outside as she walked into the store. Sadly, the puppy kept sniffing and searching the parking lot for someone to love him. When the nice lady returned to her car with her groceries, she saw some mean kids teasing the puppy. She walked over, chased the kids away, and said, "You poor puppy...have you been here all day? I don't want you to get hurt by a car. Do you want to come home with me?" The puppy wagged his tail happily and hopped into her car. Her children were so surprised and happy when she brought the puppy home, and they all lived happily ever after.
That's pretty much how it happened.
Except for the Big Mean Daddy who wouldn't let them keep the puppy. After two days they found a nice man (we hope) who took the puppy, and the children cried and cried. One of them even locked herself, sobbing, in the bathroom, and walks around clutching a framed picture of the puppy who lived with them for 48 hours.
Sheesh. So much for a good deed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)