The Truth Comes Out

I knew the day would come eventually. I was hoping it wouldn’t happen with Riley so soon. I mean she’s only 8. So innocent. And as a parent, you just hope they stay babies forever...but they don’t. You can only imagine how mortified I was when she asked me. Completely caught off guard, I directed her to ask her father to tell her the truth...and there, we realized, the holidays would never be the same.

Santa isn't real.

"Mommy, I have to ask you something. [My friend] told me that Santa isn't real and that he's dead."

To which I responded: No, baby, he's not dead. Uhhhh, go downstairs and ask daddy.

I'm thankful to have Ryan home on days like this. When you aren't prepared to answer the big questions or WANT to answer the questions and wished you had some sort of manual to guide you through. Ryan was honest with her and told her that he was make-believe and in her confused state, she ran up the stairs, into her bedroom and decided that she hated Christmas -- because it all was a lie.

Ryan and I were really sad about it. Not just for the Santa part, but having her upset about death made us feel really bad. I can't imagine how we are going to cope with the death of a loved one and hope that it doesn't happen for a very long time. But, in the meantime, we no longer have that magic that surrounds Christmas with Riley. Luckily, Ronan seems to have a couple years to believe in the magic -- but if Riley has anything to do with it, she's going to expose him to the 'truth' sooner than later and our babies will just have to settle for gifts from mom and dad, rather than from the big, fat, jolly old man with the white beard.

Pittsburgh Trip ----> Successful Shopping!

It never fails that every single time we go back home to visit my parents and friends, we leave with even more stuff than we arrived with. The kids get toys, clothes, games, whatever my mom and dad can get their hands on to spoil my kids with...and I, well, I usually just try to grab random groceries I can't find here OR, I look for Steeler's gear. You just can't have enough.

My dad is a tailor and generally, we spend a good amount of time at his store, hanging out. I use it as my opportunity to see what's new, as far as clothing goes...and did I hit the jackpot when I picked up a pair of bright yellow sweatpants, only to find that they were STEELERS sweatpants and from Victoria's Secret. I announced to all the Asians in the store (my family), that I HAD to have them and I wasn't going to leave the city of Pittsburgh without them. There, the phone calls to VS began...

And I found a pair:

Yes, I had to have them hemmed 6 inches (I'm sorry, I am nowhere near VS model height...), but tell me how freaking cute they are! On the back, they say "PINK" which my dad said didn't make sense because they are yellow...valid point, but still didn't stop me from getting them...

And because we were in the store and on the rack were other cute VS Steeler's stuff...I also came home with:
And this:
It's a long sleeve thermal shirt...so cute!!! And a shout out to my dad who hooked me up with all of my new clothing...I love it and I'm wearing it right now!

If you didn't know, VS has the college gear for that hometown (well, most towns/colleges, at least) and they have just added the NFL teams, too. Too cute to pass up...love me some Victoria's Secret!

Thirty-One Gifts: My New Business Venture

(Pic of me at my first business expo!)

I stay-at-home. And there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, I have loved that I've been able to spend the time with my kids and see the things that I probably would have missed out on, had I been working outside of the home during those times. But, I haven't ALWAYS stayed at home. There was a time when Riley begged me to go to work, so she could go to school and make friends...so I did. I went out and found a job and loved it. But then with Ronan, it just didn't make sense, financially, to go back to work and so Ryan and I made the decision to keep me at home.

I'm not complaining. I love being a stay-at-home mom. Do I have my moments where I secretly wished I had some high power executive position in a corner office with a view of a city skyline? Yes. But the amazing moments I've had with my kids, well, I can't compare it...

Now that both my kids are in school for 6 hours a day, I have a lot of time to myself. And guilt rides over me that I'm home, doing "nothing." Knowing that I had the time, I decided to become an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One gifts. It wasn't an easy decision. There are costs. Start-up and maintenance costs. As Ryan said the other night, "I guess you have to spend money, to make it."

So far, I love it. I can make my own hours and put what I want into it...but I believe that if you work hard, the payoffs will come...and I'm hoping that happens sooner than later!

I know that money can be harder to come by these days, but if you are looking for a great holiday gift idea, I'd love it if you at least browsed through the online catalog! Visit my page and if you feel like shopping, go for it! If you want to book an online party or host one in person (contact me directly regarding this...I travel, but I'm restricted!)

egalfamily4@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone for their support.

Just had to share...

It's Hard Being Perfect -- my friend's blog...just something that really hit home for me.

You are going to sit where?

Two weekends ago, Riley had a soccer game. With bleachers set up, Ronan and I grabbed our seats 20 minutes before anyone even got there. We pride ourselves on being early. Slowly, the other players began trickling in and with an entire field length of room to sit and 4 rows of bleachers...these parents decided to sit RIGHT.IN.FRONT.OF.ME. Best part, is that one parent actually turned around and asked me, after he opened his big beach umbrella, if I could still see.

Respectfully, I said, "oh yeah, and if I can't, I'll just sit under that umbrella, too!" Not a minute later, God must've heard me complaining because the guy's umbrella flipped inside out (from a burst of wind) and he had to sit in the hot hot sun like the rest of us.

Where are the manners anymore? People just sit wherever the darn well please, I guess.

C'mon, get craftin'....

To my NJ peeps...my friend, Jamie, is starting up crafting classes. So, if you have ever had the urge to craft but didn't know where to begin -- this is it. All the deets are on her blog. Come and hang out!

A Conversation with Ronan

When I picked Ronan up from school today, we had a funny conversation and it went something like this:

(Ronan was singing, "diapers are not forever....diapers are not forever...diapers are not forever...")

Since he is now potty-trained and has been for a few months, I thought it was funny -- but I think it has to do with the potty-training they might be working on in school with the other kids.

Ronan: Momma, 'member when I was a baby Wonan (Ronan) and I used to poop in my diaper?

Me: Yeah....

Ronan: Dat (That) was fun!

Me: Hahaha, no. It wasn't fun.

IHaveToPayWhat?!!!!

What is $63 + $25 + $25 + $20 +$16?

A. Lot.

That is what I spent LAST WEEK, on the kids...on all school-related/sports-related things.

Break it down, you ask? Gladly.

$63. That was the cost of Ronan's SCHOOL pictures. Not the ones from Picture People, or Sears, or Target, or even your local really expensive professional photog. And the best part, is that I didn't even get to keep all the pictures. That was just 8 sheets. And trust me when I tell you that the thought of them shredding your child's photo is devastating. I didn't want them to do it, but I couldn't justify another $57 for the last 7 sheets. I mean, I got a copy of all three poses (and he's too handsome for words!) and enough to make sure I can get one to family and friends...but still. Who did that company think they were selling pictures to?!

$25 and $25. Soccer pictures. One team picture of each kid. And them some single pictures. Could I have purchased a car magnet, a button, a mouse pad, some mugs and a calendar? Sure...but then I know we wouldn't be able buy groceries for the next 2 weeks.

$20. T-Shirts. And not just any t-shirts. Spirit t-shirts.

$16. For a good cause and so I can't complain, but it was for Scholastic Books. Not a necessity in the very least, but hard to pass up when your kid walks by the school book fair and begs for a book...to read...I mean, how do you tell a kid, "No! I will not buy you a book to read!"

So $149 broke-er, but at least now I'll have pictures, t-shirts and books to show for it.

Welcome October!

Last year, me, at this time...longing for the day when "sweater weather" would finally be. Now that I'm a thousand miles north of where we were and "sweater weather" is here, I can't tell you that I'm not slightly nervous.

While standing outside last night, talking with a friend, I was shivering. I had to hold back the chattering of my teeth...because while she was in short sleeves and jeans, I had my Northface jacket on with jeans and I was STILL cold.

I'm in for it, I think. Ryan said I'm in trouble. I didn't have him turn on the heat but last night, I had the sheet, fleece blanket, comforter and the 'x-ray vest at the dentist' heavy blanket on me and I was still chilly.

Could it finally be that I am going to need to invest in jammies with feet?!

There's Always A First Time...

to score a lot, for very little at a consignment sale!

I love the thrill of competition. Black Friday? I'm there. I'm up early and I'm in line (with what some people consider to be fools...for wanting to be up on the day after a holiday!) I have a plan of attack, for the most part. I know that there are certain items I shoot for and then depending on my location in line, I adjust it to get the hottest items I can.

Last year, I bought a flat screen tv, for like $200. I know, crazy awesome, right?! We didn't need it. It was the thrill of the competition. A bunch of us raced to electronics and there I was, by chance, and just because I saw other people going for it, I knew I just had to have it and in the cart it went.

I then would go about the normal shopping, looking for the best deals, texting my husband to find out if he could get online to see if someplace else had it for less...and after waiting in the horrendous line to pay -- I'd be on my way home.

...feeling nothing like buyers remorse. I didn't need the tv. WE didn't need the tv. And there I was again, the next day, waiting in line....

to return it.

But today, well, it was the same adrenaline rush, sans the guilt on money spent. Because we lived in two warm weather states prior to this move, we had no winter clothes. No coats, just a few pairs of jeans and with my thrifty shopping, I've been able to pick up long sleeve shirts here and there. Unfortunately, it's just not enough for the kids, so I was turned onto the whole concept of consignment shopping. Why buy it new for full-price, when you can buy it gently loved, for less?

I, I mean, WE (meaning Ryan and I) spent $92.70 and got the following:

5 pants

8 shirts

4 sweaters/sweatshirts

1 coat

1 set of winter overalls

2 pairs of snow boots

1 pair of brand new Adidas shoes

1 new wooden puzzle

4 new plastic kids chairs

Average: $3.43 an item! Say it with me people, "Woo, that's a great deal!"