She's Funny That Way...

Happy "National She's Funny That Way Day." Who thinks up these things anyway????

But as a mom of two Daughters--it just seems like our kind of a holiday.

Ellis:


She'll eat 4 or 5 Pink grapefruits a day, if I let her.

You MUST ask her who she is daily. Could be Pink Baby. Could be a kitty. Could be a puppy. Could be JUST ELLIS!


Uses charming phrases like ear puffs, forgot for me, and my favorite - "I love this TOO much." and "I am having TOO much fun." [It's just TOO much for me!]

She tells me that she has a secret. And whispers in my ear. It is ALWAYS the SAME secret-- "I love you."

She's just funny that way...

Chase:


There are many, many days that her legs "just don't work." She requires air-lifting to bed. Or the ambulance [This requires mommy making siren noises.]


She has lofty career goals. First she wants to be a doctor [for babies], then a teacher and then when she has done all that, she wants to be a mom. [She will admit that if there were ANY conceivable way to be a fairy princess, she would add that to the list... *Sigh*]

Her favorite colors are pink, and purple and supposedly blue. But ask her to wear something without pink or purple on it somewhere and you will get a protest.

Tell Chase that we are going to a party and she will immediately put on a DRESS. You shall NOT wear pants to a party.

Bedtime is such a challenge. Why? She says that when I am not in the room with her she misses me so much that her heart hurts. [I guess that would keep me awake too!]

She's just funny that way...

Mystery Diagnosis

Some of you know that last spring Chase gave us a bit of a scare. I thought that she had a bladder infection and it turned out that she had hypercalcemia. This is just a symptom that can have many different cause. Some of them VERY scary. So we went the round of testing, only to be told that it was unexplained and that she should drink lots of lemonade and orange juice to help dissolve the excess calcium. Surprisingly, this approach does work fairly well at managing the symptoms.

It does not however tell us what is causing this. And when I decide from time to time that she is getting too many empty calories, and back of on the citrus drinks - we flare right back up.

That brings us to today. Chase had her 6 year old check-up.

An aside... Chase is the height of an average 4 year old. She is below the 3rd percentile for her age... 40 and 1/2 inches tall. You probably know that she gets this from her mother...

Anyway, at today's check-up, Chase's reflexes were not what they should be. Based on Chase's history of high calcium levels, the Doctor was concerned [or as my sister says, maybe just bored and looking for something more interesting than a runny nose... could be...] Anyway, the decision was made to draw blood, run all the tests again and refer us to a specialist at Rainbow, Babies and Children.

So I feel like I am on an episode of Mystery Diagnosis [well, kind of, I am sure that this not nearly as exciting.]

So stay tuned. I am sure that I will have tales to tell of my ventures in torturing my daughter with needles. And sending myself on an emotional roller coaster.

Looking forward to telling you all that it was nothing after all...

Not Me - Stellan Style

This week's Not Me Monday is being sponsored by Natalie. The intent is to show support for McMamma and let her know that we are thinking of her family and praying for them through this difficult time.

I did not check to see if there were updates on Stellan first thing every morning. Even before feeding or dressing my children.

I did not cry almost every day for this family and baby that I have never personally met.

I did not ask Heather to email me updates on Stelan when I was at work and could not access Twitter and blogs. And then did not constantly check my email to see if there were any new messages.

And there is a very good chance that I will not be doing these things this week, too. And probably even longer.

Four in the Bed

And the little one said, "Roll over, roll over."

And they all rolled over and one fell out...

... and then he took a picture.

Dishing it up

Monday
Pork tenderloin stir-fry
Basmati Rice
Salad

Tuesday
Penne with Marinara
Morning Star Farms mini corn dogs*

Wednesday
Pad Thai with Tofu and Shrimp
Salad

Thursday
Quick and Easy Chicken, Broccoli and Brown Rice
(This is a Campbell's Soup recipe. I substituted 98% fat free Cream of Mushroom soup. I also added carrots. It was yummy.)
Salad
Fresh Fruit Salad

Friday
Wings
Potato Wedges

*I had gotten these to celebrate National Corn Dog Day on March 21st, but forgot about it... better late than never.

Desperate Times

call for desperate measures...

Last night, I was feeding Ellis some pink fruit. I looked up and saw an aura. Since there was no pain yet, I had time to fight off the migraine. I took a Toradol and headed to the shower for some old fashioned vaso-constricting [read hot water/cold water.] I wanted to do this ALONE. One small problem--all of the interior locks can be opened using something flat [like a coin, or slim toy] and the girls have seen me do it enough times that they are experts.

So I BARRICADED myself in the bathroom using the step stool. And after only a few minutes heard the girls asking each other what they should try next to get into the bathroom.

The barricade may have worked this time, but I heard them discussing deluxe break-in methods. I would not be surprised to hear that they have been consulting with cousin Justin...

And then right before bedtime, Chase says "Mommy, I think you are going to be mad."

She then picks a piece of paper up off the floor next to my bed to expose a LARGE, DRY spot of BLUE nail polish. On CREAM carpet.

Chase started WAILING--BEFORE I even had a chance to react. I actually remained pretty calm [although I kept saying "If you had shown this to me when it was wet, this would have been easier to clean." Which only made her cry harder.] I was thankful that it was 'kids' polish, and therefore washable. 45 minutes of scrubbing got most of it up. I may have to do some touch up. The carpeting is only a little fuzzier.

On the bright side... the migraine never materialized...

Sticker Shock

Chase got a present from my Aunt Roly. Sent all the way from Texas. Pretty neat if you are six... tons of wall decals.

Now Roly was thinking that we could use one or two at a time, maybe during craft times.

What really happened?


Chase took them all and decorated ALL the bedrooms - walls and doors [Believe it or not, these pictures only represent a SAMPLING.]

I walked into my room to find Chase standing on the bed placing stickers. [That would be the green square.]

She was talking to herself: "Thanks a lot Aunt Roly [in kind of an exasperated tone.] Now I have ALL this WORK to do. Huh!"

Mommy says: "Yeah, Thanks a lot Aunt Roly [Also in kind of an exasperated tone.] Now I have ALL this WORK to UNdo. [Laugh]"

Hearts

Blogging has introduced me to two women whose stories have so touched my heart [Angie Smith and Jennifer McKinney.] I am amazed at the emotions and heart break I feel for these women and their families. And how their openness has touched me and impacted my Faith.

Right now, little Stellan is fighting what might very well be his last battle with his sick heart. And mine is breaking for this family. But is also hopeful. And inspired.

So I will pray for them.

Now We Are Six*

*AA Milne

Character Study

How NOT to Vacation

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog event is sponsored by MckMama. You can head over to to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

Traveling with kids can be a challenge. It is hard to hold it all together while juggling luggage, time changes, and messed up schedules. And still have fun.

I did not get an amazing gift of a massage, manicure and pedicure only to discover a few hours later that I was allergic to the massage oil and had a rash all over my body. That would be too cruel.

I did not swap my wallet into a Little Pet Shop backpack while at Disney, just because it was small and had a zipper. And I would not STILL be using the backpack as a purse 5 days later, just because I have been too lazy to swap back to my purse.

I did not manage to slather my kids with sun lotion, but forget to apply to my own neck and shoulders. And I would not have discovered, while standing in line for an hour to meet Tinkerbelle, that my skin felt like it was on fire and was changing from Casper white to lobster red.

There is only a small chance that we dragged crying, screaming kids onto a few rides [Pirates of the Caribbean, to name one] just because THE PARENTS wanted to go on the rides. That might scar them for life, right? Nope, probably didn't do that!

I could not have forgotten to hold onto the plane tickets at security and let them ride through the x-ray machine in aforementioned LPS Backpack. That would not have caused the entire security line to come to a halt and required back up security to verify that I matched the ticket and could pass through. AND there is NO WAY that this caused major marital strife. Seriously, husbands are laid back traveling with the family [on a red eye, no less,] right?

I would have learned my lesson this past summer when we took a red eye and Ellis peed on me right? Doesn't matter that we have had more than a month of dry nights. So there is no way that I woke at 6am and thought that I smelled pee. And no way that it would have been Ellis. And no way that I just wrapped her blanket around her and walked off the plane. Surely, I would have told someone, right? [My sincere apology to whoever got the wet seat. I know that you probably won't ever read this... but I am sorry. Really sorry.]

What an adventure...

Happy Birthday Chase

At 5:40 am this morning, Chase turned six.

Six years have gone by in the blink of an eye. Oh, to freeze time for just a little while.

Chase is my Princess, the Boss, Stubborn, Sweet, Crazy, Funny, Serious.

She is determined to find out if there really is such a thing as a last nerve [thank goodness there does not appear to be such a thing. I think that they regenerate overnight.]

But as often as she pushes my buttons, she also tugs at my heart strings.

I love this girl.

California Adventure

Thus began the girls Big Event. Tuesday afternoon we started at Disney's California Adventure.


First we hit some rides. Not a lot here was geared toward the little ones. NO WAY could we have gotten Chase on a roller coaster or the Tower of Terror, even if she wasn't too short! The Bug's World area is the main section for little kids. Highlights were the giant water sprinkler, ladybug boogie, and caterpillar train [and Wall E, the first character that the girls were willing to meet.]

But the best part was the parade. The theme was Pixar Movies and BUBBLES. A very good combination!

Guest House

This is the really cool place we got to stay. What a view.


The girls enjoyed playing POODLE [Ellis INSISTED that is what you call the game. She says a pool is where you swim... so it can't be this too. And Billiards - forget that.]

And they loved that the bed was so tall that even I need a stool to climb up on it!

We went on a neighborhood walk and passed the homes of:
Angie Harmon [while I was at the spa, Mark did a Mommy and Me class with her]
Melissa Etheridge
Howie Mandel
Mariah Carey
Lisa Marie Presley [Actually her car drove past us.]

Other neighbors include the Kardashians, Van Halens, Denise Richards, Jay Leno's attorney... and I am forgetting some of the other famous names. But just look at that view. I can see why they all want to live here!

Cats Like Water

Well... my human kitties do.

Relaxing in our friends pool and whirlpool.


At the Disneyland Hotel pool. Both afternoons included a swimming break.

Lessons from the Road

I know that you are all going to get tired of my vacation pictures soon... so brace yourself...

But on the airplane last night, when I should have been sleeping [so I wouldn't be the coma lady that I am today,] I kept thinking of some of the things that I noticed and learned on my trip. I thought that I would share a few with you:

Even the scariest Hell's Angel type men cannot resit a Mickey Mouse Tee Shirt.

Women of all ages and shapes like to fancy themselves princesses. Some should just keep thinking it and not wear the tiara.

A twenty minute wait sign might actually mean twenty minutes [about 1% of the time] but it is more likely to REALLY mean an HOUR.

Do not think that going though a door will get you any closer to the goal.

If you want to feel fabulous about your body, sit poolside at a big resort. Sure there are those 16 year olds that you love to hate [too bad I didn't appreciate my 16 year old body when I had it!] but they are far out numbered. Need I say more?

Not every one defines the word PUPPY the same way. I am not sure that I would classify a 120 lb Bull Mastiff in that category.

Malibu Babies

No Barbies on Malibu Beach...

No Beach Blanket Bingo...

But we did have fun on this famous beach! This was the first time that the girls had been to the ocean!

This was our one "cold" day. It was only in the mid-60's.

But that didn't keep the surfers away!



The girls had fun playing with friends and collecting shells.

Fairy Godmother Strikes Again

No.

I didn't get a gown for the ball.

But, I did get:

A massage.

A pedicure.



A manicure.

And a few hours of pampering.

Ahhh.

Note: The state of my cuticles caused quite a stir amongst all the Vietnamese ladies running the shop. Apparently they were shameful. They pass inspection now!

Beautiful Girls*

Here are the girls rocking out on Alex Van Halen's old set of drums. [How cool is that!]

Turns out the guy is very down to earth. Kind of like just hanging with any old neighbor in a faded Izod and flip-flops.

And he seemed genuinely amused by the girls. Joking with Mark to watch out for when they are teenagers.

And amazingly, Chase and Ellis have a little bit of rhythm.

Can you say "Girl Band?"

*Van Halen II, 1979

Everyday Obstacles

Another week of sharing the struggles of motherhood. Just trying to hold it all together, and maneuver through the obstacle course of life.

Check out the other troops in the trenches by heading over to McMamma's blog.

Chase was not late to school two days this week. Even with the time change decimating our schedule, I could have gotten her to school by 9:05am. And I would not have been heard telling her to hurry up and pee faster, as if THAT was the one thing holding us up.

I would not have been super disgusted with the school for making me fill out forms so that Chase can be out of school for our trip. And, I would not have been EXTREMELY vague on those forms. Do they seriously need to know 900 details about why a 5 year old will be out of school for 3 days? Nope, not irritated by this at all...

I did not resolve to NOT buy any groceries this week in an effort to clear out the cupboards and fridge. I did not then regret this 3 mornings in a row when I had to listen to Ellis cry about the fact that we were out of bananas [Never mind that we still had strawberries, apples, oranges, pineapple, grapefruit and grapes that I wanted to use before heading out of town.] And I did not give in on Thursday and pick up bananas at the store.

Packing

Okay, packing is depressing. Trying to pack for warm and chilly weather [Day and Night in CA looks to be tricky] is hard enough. But having to find something in my mommy wardrobe for this trip has proved even more difficult.

Why you ask?

Two things in particular have me stumped.

1: What do you wear to Disneyland in 75-80 degree heat to be memorialized on film because it is a huge family vacation. In March. When my skin has that Casper blue cast to it.

2. What do you wear to have a "family" dinner with Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen? Trust me. My Target tees and a pair of jeans [aka my mommy uniform] are NOT even a LITTLE bit rock and roll.

Oh well. Got to live with what we've got. And have a good time.

Maybe my host will take pity on me and loan me something... or take me shopping...

Hey, real Fairy Godmothers make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the ball.

Dishing it up

Can you believe it? Another race week at the Godale house. Mark has been running like a mad man. So you guessed it--carb loading started Wednesday.

Monday
5 Bean Chili
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
Salad

Tuesday
Vegetarian Yellow Split Pea Soup
Homemade whole wheat bread-
I used the bread to make Mark Swiss Grilled Cheese sandwiches
Salad

Soup:

• 2 cups split peas (green or yellow)
  
• 8 cups water or vegetable broth
• 3 vegetable bouillon cubes (if you don't use broth)
  
• 2-3 potatoes, chopped
• 2-3 carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dry mustard (optional-I omit)
  
• Salt and Pepper to taste
  
• 1 bay leaf (optional- I omit)

In a crock pot, cook on low heat for 4-6 hours. Or stove top on low heat for about 3 hours.

If you think you hate split pea soup- try again. For the faint of heart, try the yellow split peas--which tend to be milder and sweeter than the green. And less intimidating for those that fear the color green.

Wednesday
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Whole wheat angel hair pasta
Kitchen Sink Salad

Kitchen Sink Salad
Or everything but...
Most nights Mark gets some version of this. The base is Romaine lettuce. Then I add any variety of things. Cheese (Blue, Feta, shredded Cheddar or ColbyJack--basically whatever we have on hand.) Greek Olives, carrots, fruit (anything from grapes, pears, mandarin oranges or apples), chopped nuts/seeds (almonds, cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds) and sometimes, if he's lucky-- croutons or crumbled bacon. Really the only thing he doesn't like on his salad is tomato. He likes at least 3 'toppings' and more is just a bonus. It gives some variety to this daily menu staple and gives me an opportunity to use up those last little bits and pieces of things that might go to waste [those crumbles of peanuts at the bottom of the bag are actually good for something!]


Thursday
(No you are not seeing double. Mark requested the SAME meal two nights in a row)
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Whole wheat angel hair pasta
Salad

Friday
The girls and I headed out to visit my Grandma, and had a "summer-time picnic." My dad grilled up some hot dogs, opened a bag of potato chips and offered up strawberries and whipped cream. It was simple and fun.

Triskaidekaphobia

Today is Friday the Thirteenth. One of three this year--something that only happens about once every eleven years. And it has such fun vocabulary.

I am so glad that I do not suffer from Paraskavedekatriaphobia [Fear of Friday the Thirteenth] or Friggatriskaidekaphobia [A morbid, irrational fear of Friday the Thirteenth--a subtle difference.] Or even more generally, Triskaidekaphobia [Fear of the number thirteen.]

Trivia Aside: President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the thirteenth day of any month and would never host thirteen guests at a meal.

I might not be able to relate to these fears, BUT, let's look at Ablutophobia [the Fear of Cleaning.] Now that's one that I can understand.

And if you can't--I have a few projects that could use your help.

Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

How to Wear a Party Hat

Uncle Steve turned 40. Yikes. Is it possible that we have siblings reaching this milestone?

His party was a loud and crazy place. Ellis was a bit nervous and so her thumb got a lot of use. She perched happily on this stool next to Flo. Which gave my poor neck a breather. [Thank you, Flo!]

How to pass the time until CAKE?

Be a duck.

m: "Who is is that purple duck?"

e: "It's me mommy. I'm Ellis. I'm the duck!"

m: "really?? I would never have guessed. What a good disguise!"


Thank you Elizabeth for sending me these pictures!

Prince Charming and our Fairy Godmother

Thanks to Daddy's, aka Prince Charming, artistic talents and hard work, and thanks to his client/friend, aka our Fairy Godmother, the Godale's are headed to Los Angeles and... Disneyland!

We are flying out Saturday to visit the Griefers at their home and enjoy a few days of socializing and 70 degree sunshine [I have forgotten that this actually exists.] And then then, in payment for ad work, we are going to get 2 days at Disneyland and California Adventure!

I am SO excited! And the girls are CRAZY excited! This will be a first time visit for our family. And the timing is perfect... right before Chase's sixth birthday. What a present!

Anatomy Lesson

Last night, Chase taught us about a new part of the body.

She was climbing on the bridge [my legs stretched between the couch and the coffee table.]

My legs felt like they were going to break in two. [Apparently my joints have a weight limit pretty close to Chase Weight.]

I dropped my feet to the ground and Chase slide down them like a slide.

And exclaimed "Ouch, I just cracked my Butt Knuckle."

Hmmm. Tell me just exactly where I find that one?

Enthusiasm

I wish I could muster up even half this much enthusiasm.

Sloth and Supersonic

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


It was a long week, for me. I felt like I was crawling through my days. With the occasional spurt of energy and speed.

I did not let Ellis eat Pink Grapefruit for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for 3 days in a row.

I did not then, one morning, let the girls have ice cream cones for breakfast.

I did not let Chase sleep in until 8:56 on a school morning. And there is NO way that I would have been able to get her to school by 9:05. I did not exceed the speed limit to do it. And was not TOTALLY relieved to have managed to do it, because I would not have been driving her to school in my pj's and uncombed hair. Going into the school to sign her in would have been so NOT embarrassing.

And, I would have learned my lesson from that, and NOT done it again, just this very morning.

Tempting Fate

Meet Grandma Jean's new fish. They are named after her four youngest grandchildren.

Considering her penchant for killing fish, it is obvious that this woman is NOT superstitious.

I am hoping that these fish live nice long fishy lives.

Dishing it up

Monday
Quiche Lorraine
Salad

Tuesday
Turkey Polska Kielbasa
Super Skillet Dish

Wednesday
Tofu Fried Rice
Salad

Thursday
BBQ Chicken
Au Gratin Potatoes
Salad

Friday
I may have to update this later... but I am hoping that the girls stay awake long enough to meet daddy somewhere for dinner. Work has been insane this week and today and the idea of cooking ANYTHING has absolutely no appeal. If Ellis falls asleep early though, all bets are off and I will have to rustle up something.

Puzzled

Ellis, Pip, and Pink Fruit. Photo by Chase



Ellis is always working on making sense of the world.







E: Mommy, do puppies love Pink Fruit as much as me?
E: Mommy, can I marry the cat?
E: Mommy, when I was a baby, did I have teeth?
E: Mommy, can Zack [the cat] take a bubble tub with me?

FYI: I believe the answer to ALL of these is NO.

March Forth!

Today is National Grammar Day.

[And yes, I intended my title to be a sentence telling you to march forward. Just a little fun with today's date.]

This is a day to ask you for forgiveness. For all the LIBERTIES I take with the English language. For all the errors I make, known and unknown. For plain and simple typos.

This is also a day to see the great IRONY. Where I often miss my own mistakes--people actually PAY me to find and correct their errors. [and rumor has it that I don't totally stink at my job...]

So, to which style guide to do you adhere? Chicago? AP? Another? Because, my friends, even grammar and punctuation are not as straight forward as you might have thought and been taught. It is debated. It is constantly changing. Have you seen the words they are including in the dictionary these days?

So for my blog, I will speak in my own voice. My own style guide. If my errors go against your sensibilities, forgive me.

And then try to lighten up.

Desire

Chase wants a puppy. Badly.

I do not. Badly.

Last night, when Mark came home from work, she informed him that when she turns 7, she and I will be having a talk about getting a puppy. [News to me!]

I have over a year to think about this conversation.

But as long as the CAT is ruling the roost, I don't see this happening. He hates when we puppy sit. I can't imagine if one of the ENEMY moved in!

And let's be honest. We all know who is in charge at a house where a cat lives.

I know it isn't me...

Puppy Jumping

We puppy sat again.

The girls decided to play jump rope with Pip. [Chase is learning this in Phys. Ed]

He was a good sport.

Our Variation on the jumping rhyme:
I Had a Little Puppy

I had a little puppy
His name was Tiny Pip
I made him play jump rope, to see if he could skip

Excuses

I've been busy. I've been distracted. I've been...

Well, my Average Mommy Self.



That is no excuse for the things that I did not do this week. But perhaps an excuse for the fact that I can remember so FEW to share.

I did not have to wash the same load of laundry TWICE, simply because I started it before bed and then promptly forget about it. And I would not have gone to do another load of laundry 48 HOURS LATER and find one STINKY load of wet cloths patiently waiting for me.

I did not use Ellis' bout with the flu to get out of going to my in-law's Church Dedication. She was TECHNICALLY better - more than 24 hours since she last threw-up, but there is always the SLIGHTEST chance that the rest of the family would start our round during the ceremony. And of course this thinking had NOTHING to do with the fact that their pastor ranks right up there with the Wonder Years teacher... Any questions? Any Questions?

Garbage Princesses

Since the Big Thaw, Chase and Ellis have been collecting garbage and recyclables that have blown into our yard.

This weekend they decided to "Dress" for the activity.

Black Tie and RAIN Boots.