A little weirdness for you...

So, lately, I have a few new obsessions. But, I must confess, that they are not all that new, but maybe a little bit stronger than normal. But, I'm really not sure. So, is it nesting or is it just me being a bit odd?

What am I talking about? I'm talking about my obsession with clean smells and clean laundry. First, the smells. I love, love, love the smell of washing detergent, dryer sheets, soap, shampoo, anything with "clean and fresh" smell. Not so much the perfume or fruity smells or anything like that. I just really like the "clean" smell. It is a pregnancy thing for me but it is also an "all the time" thing for me. My favorite part of the grocery store is the aisle with the detergent in it. I could stand there all day smelling of that aisle. I know. It's weird. But, when I am pregnant, it intensifies to an almost obsessive point. I think my sense of smell becomes more acute during pregnancy so things smell that much better (or that much worse).

This obsession was so bad that with Tate, I would carry a jar of laundry detergent in my car so that it would heat up in the car while I was working and my car would smell like it when I was driving home. I know. It's weird. At the beginning of this pregnancy, I was so sick that even the smell of laundry detergent and softener made me really, really sick. I was a little heartbroken because I really do like that smell but couldn't stand it. In fact, my mom would wash our clothes and sheets during this time and I had to have her go easy on the softener because I would get so nauseous smelling it. She couldn't even wear perfume around me.

But, I am over that aversion. Now, I LOVE the smell of clean laundry. So much so that I find myself doing laundry all the time (which really isn't that new) but I have found I enjoy it a bit more than I once did. I love the smell of our laundry room. I love the smell of the clothes when they are wet. I love the smell of the clothes when the are hot out of the dryer. I know. It's weird. And, yes, I do smell the clothes as I put them in the dryer and take them out of the dryer. And, yes, I think I even do this when I am not pregnant but the intensity of the smells is not the same. I know. It's weird. The great part about it (and a bit different than normal) is that I am really getting very good at getting the clothes out of the dryer quickly instead of letting them sit and have to re-warm them. I don't let them sit in baskets (which I truly, rarely, let happen before) because they smell the best when they are still warm. I also just really like have my laundry all caught up. I find myself looking for stuff to wash - oh, the sheets need washing.....oh, the blankets that we wrap up in while laying on the couch need to be washed....oh, the swimsuits that we won't be needing for 3 more months need washing...oh, let's wash up the baby clothes. I know. It's weird. But, maybe it's also a form of nesting. And, that's normal, right?

(This is what I washed up of the baby clothes so far. Aren't they so sweet?)

Since I've already revealed too much of my weirdness, I'll just quickly touch on the other "smell" obsessions that I have. Love, love, love, shampoo and soap. I take at least 2 showers a day and wash my hands obsessively - mainly because I like the smells of the soaps.

And, the other really great smell? It may be the weirdest of all. I love the smell of BJ's. Do you know the smell? It's a combination warehouse - lots of boxes - lots of paper towels - lots of cleaning supplies - lots of detergent and softener smell. Does anyone know what I am talking about? Please, someone say yes. Anyone? Anyone?

Lolly

Tea Anyone?

On Saturday, I really loved having a little girl. (Not that I don't always, but you know what I mean.) It was fun doing something kind of girly for a change.

We started the day off something like this.

Five seconds later, the birthday girl looked something like this. And, she remained that way for the rest of the party. She refused the hat and the feather boa for the rest of the party. In typical Cora fashion might I add.

We were trying for a before party mama-daddy-Cora picture and this was the best we could do. This was the only one that Cora was not scowling in but Craig's head is a wee bit cut off and my belly looks the size of a house, but, oh well, at least we are all together in one picture to commemorate the event. (Thinking back, I'm not sure why we didn't all get closer together which would have made it much easier on the picture taker. Sorry, picture taker.)

This is an example of a classic Cora picture. No smiles. Unless of course, she WANTS to smile. And, you don't ask her to smile. And, she doesn't know you have a camera or are trying to take her picture. She's photogenic that way.

Here are the kids at the table ready for the tea to be poured and the real party to begin. Notice the lack of hat for Cora. I wasn't kidding when I said she did not put it back on the ENTIRE rest of the time.

Ben is really excited to have his picture taken right here. He was as cooperative here as Cora usually is.

Here we finally have a photogenic child!! Tate must be the "ham" of the family. I'm not sure why he has the "thumbs up" symbol but that's his new thing for pictures. That, and the peace sign, and giving people bunny ears.

Mallory is also photogenic. She knows how to make a good picture. And, she enjoys a good hat. The same is true for her older sister, Destany (pictured below). They know how to act at a tea party. I'm sure it will rub off on Cora one day.

I have pictures of Cora unwrapping her presents but they all basically consist of her ripping them open, barely looking at them, and throwing them to the side, and then picking the next one. It was quite hilarious because she would get something and then "give it away". All of her clothes were "given" to Mallory and Destany. (In fact, after they left and we were cleaning up, Cora exclaimed that the girls had left their new clothes!) One of her coloring books was given to Ben. Not sure what she gave to Tate. The one thing she did hold on to was a 69 cent Princess Coloring book. Go figure. They always like the simple things the best.

Craig and I presented her with our gift last. A princess convertible coupe. This isn't a great picture but seeing as how she was moving rather quickly in a circle, I did the best I could do here. When she first saw it, she said "That's mine!", jumped in while Ben quickly called shotgun, and off they went. In a circle. Over and over and over. In a circle. That's all she will do. What can I say, she must really like circles. Or, is she practicing her "throwing donut" skills?

(And, I just HAVE to throw this in, I bought this car at a consignment sale for fairly cheap, with two batteries, and it's in really good condition. It was a HUGE deal for me! I was super excited when I found this - but that's a whole 'nother story for another time.)

After the party, when everyone had left, all the kids stripped down to their undies. Evidently, wearing clothes for a few hours was just too much for them. They all climbed into our bed to watch a little T.V. and unwind from the big party. A few minutes later, this is what we found. Cora was laying practically on top of Ben, both fast asleep, and Tate was enjoying playing the DS. It was a glorious day!

And, I also wanted to take this time to acknowledge that Grandma Margie won "best dressed" (besides the birthday girl, of course) at the tea party. Grandma Margie, you win an extra scoop of chocolate ice cream for your efforts.

It was truly a busy, fun day for all of us. I can't believe Cora is turning 3 (tomorrow, actually)! She is such a big girl! She is headstrong, stubborn, has a mouth like no other almost 3 year old that I know, super smart, funny, loving, girly yet tough as nails, loves baths, talkative, night owl, independent, and she amazes us everyday. We all adore her and I think she knows it!

Happy Birthday to my best girl!

Lolly

Tea Party

Today, Cora and I started preparing for her 3rd birthday party. We are having a tea party! I am so excited!

First, let me just say that I totally stole the idea from a friend who did this for her little girl's party. I didn't copy her exactly but definitely took the main ideas from her and have re-created the tea party theme for Cora.

We only have family birthday parties right now (and will continue to do so for as long as possible). We have relatively small birthday parties consisting of my parents, sister, Craig's mom, brother, his girls, and our kids, of course. So, we only have 5 kids (but come June, we shall have 6 kids!) at the parties. I made each girl a "tea party hat" with flowers, ribbon, tulle, etc. Each boy has a "top hat" that we decorated. They each will also have a feathery boa and I think the boys will have a tie of some sort.

I used "lace" (plastic variety) tablecloths and used my mom's china to set the kids' table and to serve the goodies on. I decided against using all the china plates to eat out of (because who wants to wash all those dishes???) and opted to use them kind of like "chargers" instead for the kids. Actually, we will be eating on clear, plastic plates that are disposable.

I haven't completely decided on the menu as of yet. I want it to be small, finger food type foods. We are going to actually have tea - but it is going to be the ice, cold variety, not hot tea. I know that we will definitely have petit fours (those will be Cora's "birthday cake"). Since all of the pretty Easter candy is out, I am thinking of buying some of the pastel candies and setting those out in dishes. Maybe have some little sandwiches, cookies, and fruit. Dainty stuff. Tea party stuff. Doesn't it sound like fun? I think I am more excited about it than Cora, though today she kept saying, "isn't it beautiful?" and was very excited to show the boys when they came home.

Here are a few "preliminary" photos of what we did today. (These are from my iphone so they may not be that great). I plan on having Craig move the table to the middle of the playroom so the kids can sit all the way around it. The food will be on the decorated kitchen island. Adults don't get to have any of the fun - no special table or hats for them. We just get to watch them in their silly hats, eating scones and drinking tea.

And, by the way, I know it seems early to be prepping for the party since it is on Saturday but this old girl gets really tired these days. I have to spread out my activities if I want to be able to function properly. Friday is for cleaning and cooking a little. Saturday if for getting showered and dressed. And, of course, putting out food. I like for the day of the party to be virtually stress free. I have more fun that way. Everyone else has more fun that way. TRUST me.

Lolly

Bring on the sunshine (and other scattered thoughts)

It's hard to believe that a week ago we were anticipating snow (and it did indeed snow!) and that today it was 72 degrees outside! Believe me, I am not complaining. I love, love, love the weather we had today. If I had my choice, the weather would always be like today - not too cool, not too hot - it was just right.

I think the sunny weather changes everyone's mood. Cora and I headed out to Target and BJ's today and had a great trip. We even went out to eat by ourselves (which I rarely do with just the two of us). It was lots of fun! We went to Golden Corral (which I also rarely do) and Cora did a great job eating. She ate broccoli, and onions, and green peppers, and mushrooms, and lots of bread. I took some photos on my iphone of our adventures eating.

Here she is dipping her onion in ketchup. Everything tastes better with ketchup!

And, now, a yummy green pepper....

We had a great time at Target just looking around at lots of different things. Cora had a gift card to use so she picked out a few pieces of clothing, some DVDs and a coloring book. I also found the Dove Truffle Eggs that are only available during the Easter season. Yum. It seriously doesn't take much to make me happy. And, Dove Truffle eggs make me very happy. They come in packs of five and I have eaten two already. And, the baby approves because after eating the second one, she really kicked it up a gear and was really active. I think she likes them, too. I should probably eat one (or two) every day during the Easter season, don't you think so?

Lolly

February Snow days

In honor of the possibility of yet another snow (unheard of around these parts) this year, I thought I'd share a few photos from the snow we had in February.

If my memory is correct, it started to snow on a Friday afternoon and just kept snowing and snowing and snowing. We had been sick that week with the dreaded stomach bug that is currently rearing its ugly head in everyone's home. I was still recovering from it and the kids were doing fairly well by Friday. Anyway, we oohed and ahhed over the snow but didn't even bother getting out in it on Friday. Not sure why. Laziness maybe.

On Saturday, we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland! We bundled up, headed to my mama's for breakfast, and played in the snow. Well, the kids and Craig played in the snow while I took pictures. I'll use the remnants of the stomach bug and my growing belly as my excuse for lack of playing. I actually was a little on the cautious side...my center of gravity is way off right now and the last thing I wanted to do was end up on my bum on the ice or snow.

Snow forts were built, snowballs were thrown, a snowman was erected, and a first for all the Richard children - they were able to ride a sled!

At first, Craig put Ben and Cora on the sled and just pulled them around and then pushed them down a small hill. Then, we had the bright idea to tie a rope to the sled and to the back of the golfcart and drive around with them "sledding" behind. Great fun!

I would have loved to try this but alas, being 22 or 23 weeks pregnant at the time, I thought better of it. I could only imagine falling off, being taken to the ER, and explaining that I had fallen off a sled while being pulled behind a golfcart. Maybe next year, I'll get my chance.

Needless to say, the kids had a ball. I had fun watching them and photographing it all. Even more fun was going in, having to strip them all down because they were soaked through (we don't really own snow clothes here in Georgia), finding another set of clothes, and then doing it all over again a few hours later.

Who knows - maybe tomorrow, we will be doing this again!

Lolly