Little feet, big money

   There are eight little feet in my house that all need to be kept safe, less the dried and dead grass spear them or the Texas heat melt them to the pavement. It's hard keeping all these little feet in shoes. I've heard many parents lament about the costs of children's shoes or how fast they grow out of them.
   My son got a new pair of shoes at the beginning of September for school and this weekend I was out again because he little tootsies have grown. Additionally, my girls needed some new sneakers so I was doomed to shoe shopping.
   In my house children's shoe shopping = mom shopping for children's shoes. As my hubby puts it I "am way more picky than he is about their shoes". And he's right. I want no characters on shoes; no lights; no large print; no crazy colors and absolutely no Velcro.
    Since all my children are young they have a tendency (OK, not really a tendency as much as they simply ALWAYS) take off their shoes in the car. There is nothing more frustrating that putting all your children's shoes on each time you stop the car to get out and then the moment you pull away from a place you hear the rip of shoes coming off.
   Those don't sound like too many restrictions in shoe shopping when compared to how most people purchase shoes; however, since my children are all 3-years-old and younger the no Velcro bit is challenging at best. There is often only one or two choices per store. Even Amazon has limited options -- crazy I know.
   So when I do find a pair of acceptable shoes I'm pretty much stuck paying whatever it costs. I did all right this weekend when purchasing shoes for several of my children, but really why is it that so much less shoe costs as much as my shoes. Granted I'm no shoe diva or anything but I do own name brand shoes.
   My biggest fear is that it is only going to get worse as they continue to grow. So parents, any good tips on shopping for your children? Where do you find the best deals?

I miss my food

   I love food. (Yes, emphasis added.) I enjoy most all kinds of food with favorites being rare (yes, still bleeding preferably) steak; lobster (a given really); scallops; oysters; and bread pudding. Oh, and don't forget anything with a remoulade sauce. Add in just about anything sweet or bad for you and that's pretty much the diet I like to eat.
   I also do not share food! If it is on my plate leave it alone and don't ask. I do occasionally share with the wonderful hubby; but he uses his own utensils. I also don't drink after people -- even if we are related. That's just how I roll.
   So how is it that I now am constantly giving the food off my plate; off my utensils; and drink out of my cup to my slobbery little minions. Hmph
   Last weekend I sat down to a delicious piece of pumpkin pie (refer to the sweets portion of this rant). I don't get it often other than at the holidays and I'm simply too busy to cook one most days so this was a nice treat. And then my beautiful little daughter pulls her chair up next to mine before I even take my first bite and looks up and say "Pease" (yes, she doesn't put the "l" in there yet but for 20 months it's okay). With her little angelic face and proper little manners how could I tell her no.
    Then  with the last bite of pie in her little belly she smiles picks up her little chair and moves on to the next person -- THAT STILL HAS DESSERT!
   But it's okay, I know she just takes after her momma and knows what good is. However, somehow I wonder am I ever going to get to eat my own food again.

Update: My mom made me the best pumpkin pie last week to take home -- All for me! Ok, not really of course I shared with my family -- just not from my plate.

Nobody told me

   I found a blog not all that long ago that as a newer parent loved. And Nobody Told Me is just that -- all the things no one tells you about being a parent. Everything from my new name would be mom to I would end up driving a minivan (yes, I certainly commented on that one). Unfortunately, the site ended its tenure last week, but the good news is for those who haven't read it; all the old posts are being left up for your enjoyment.
   I write all this to say that I totally agree that there are so many things I discover as a parent that no one ever mentioned to me ( and I secretly wonder if they didn't on purpose). So here's a few things that have taken me by surprise.

• That my once sanctuary of peace surrounded by candles and a wine glass and book holder formerly know as my bathtub would now occasionally be infiltrated by the Fisher Price Armada.

• How many conversations my husband and I would have about our children's bathroom habits.

• That I would clean up just about anything that can come out of a human body up at least once a day and not even think twice about it. (Oh, I don't remember feeding you THAT!)

• I would let someone else eat off my silverware ... no my husband doesn't even do that.

• Whenever I cook a dinner I no longer consider if I want it, rather it is all about if the children can feed it to themselves.

Things I never thought I'd say

   I was never worried about sounding like my parents when I became a mom. If I said things that sounded like them it is okay by me. However, there are a number of things that I never thought I would say:

• “Put your monkey in your lap” or  “Don't play with your monkey” -- To be fair my children each have a color coded sock monkey in the car. I have a strict no toys in the car rule, but on a long road trip the hubby insisted the children needed a toy for the car, hence the sock monkeys that still seem to dwell in my van.
• “Mr. Steamy works great” -- via text message to hubby. We recently purchased Mister Steamy dryer balls to help with the laundry which frequently sits too long in the dryer and gets wrinkles. I've got to admit I filled one with water the other day, turned the dryer to on and 15 minutes later was pleased with the results.
•  “Just put it where ever it will fit and I'll worry about it later” -- yes this is my alter ego and I am not that person. At least I wasn't in the past. Now I know eventually I get around to organizing things; it just takes longer these days.
• “Eat your meat!” -- I don't really care for a lot of meat and prefer just veggies, but my kids need a well balanced diet.

Stop the Insanity

   Apparently overnight my wonderfully amazing twins have decided they are too big for naps -- Um, NO! Let me assure you that at less the 2 they certainly are not ready for a full day of chaos. And neither is momma. I'm told this is normal yet I know that by dinner time they are less that fun to be around sans nap.
   Every little thing becomes a monumental crying fit. Ah, the good times.
   I often answer the phone these days with at least one crying munchkin in the background. So I'm wondering parents, what is your trick?
   We've always kept a strict routine. Period. Same thing everyday, so should I try later naps, later bedtimes?

What I still don't know

   I still don't know so much about being a mom. I had a friend make the comment this week that she was still new at this and since I've been at it a year-and-a-half I must have it together -- Um, no.
   I never really did have it all together I just wing it each day and learn a few quick steps along the way. Plus, I think you get to know your child better. For example, my twins need almost constant entertainment. That does not mean television in this house, rather change out their toys when they start getting too feisty.
   The one important thing I have learned however is that if we can't all get along, we get separate activities so mommy can keep up with everyone. Children are just like everyone else, some days they need a little "me" time; they just don't know how to ask for it yet. I also know how important it is to maintain or build new relationships with people who do "know" or are figuring out their own children. You never know what nugget of goodness they may share. Every baby and toddler is different, but sometimes another parent will know just the thing to soothe the wild beast in your child.
   For these people in my life I am so grateful.
   Here's a few new things this last week has reminded or taught me:

• Never have a television on in another room while trying to convince your child to eat -- it's a losing battle.

• Teaching your toddlers to clean up is very cool but watching your slightly older toddler be OCD about his toys reminds me that sometimes a mess is okay.

• Bed time is bed time -- NO TOYS!

• I wish there was a spot cleaner that REALLY worked on children's stains, but there isn't. Argh

• When potty training your children ... well, I got nothing. If you have some advice please share.