Sometimes I'm A Push-Over

Today was the first day back to school for Audriana, after a seven day spring break. For a 4 year old, that can be challenging. Although she was eager to return, her behavior can get a little out of sorts - understandable. So today I was ready for a full report; hoping for good, but prepared for not-so-good. At her preschool, they reference timeout as "sitting in the Thinking Chair". So on a good day I'll ask "how was school?" and she'll reply, "I didn't sit in the thinking chair." And we high-five! 

How it usually goes on a not-so-good day... 

"How was school today?"

"...I sat in the thinking chair."

"Oh no [sad face]. What happened?" 

"I didn't want [lets call him Johnny] to play with me."

"Ok?"

"....so I hit him."

"Audriana... [disappointed face]" I'm very expressional.

From there I explain why it's bad to hit, and she agrees that it was not the right thing to do. However, if she sits in the thinking chair at school then she sits in the thinking chair at home; aka sits quietly in a corner with no toys or snack, for about 5 minutes.

So today... was a not-so-good day [sad face]. And it went along the lines of the above conversation. Immediately I told her she was going to have to sit in quiet time when we got home. The remainder of the car ride went as usual, just asked her questions about school, etc. 

We pull into the garage and I'm wondering if she remembers what I said. Hands full [baby carrier in one arm, bags in the other] I open her door but run inside to turn off the alarm. The next thing I know, that little stinker takes off her shoes, socks and coat... goes to the corner of the hall, and sits. Is this a trick? I'm thinking this is a trick. She just sits there. And she's quiet. I'm so confused. I can't actually wrap my head around how well she's behaving I'm pretty sure I told her to get up and go play after just 1 minute. 

Discipline at its finest, I know. She got me today.

Audriana 1 : Mommy 0 

Something Other Than Basketball

Yesterday while everyone around me was like ...let's go Cards! ...let's go Cats! ... I was all like I just got new shoes. A random venture off to Kohls had me falling in love with these new kicks. For awhile I've been shopping around for a comfy everyday loafer, and a nice casual bootie heel or wedge. And here's what I found!  

Vera Wang Simply Vera Loafer

Dana Buchman Wedge Bootie.

Went ahead and rocked out my loafs last night, and loved them.

Totally comfortable. Jackpot! Tonight I'm thinking of throwing on the new wedge booties, so we'll see how those do through a night. Love love love. 

On another note, my baby girl comes home TOMORROW!!!!!! 

A Bloggy Birthday

Well, I have reached my one year mark! One year of my little blog. Yippee!!!!

I'm not sure if I'm more proud just having this blog, or that I've consistently stuck to something for one whole year!? I know that sounds terrible but for me, when it comes to hobbies they come and go like seasons. This was something different, though. I just love that this became a way of writing down weekly [or every-other-weekly] events and that I can easily look back on them when I want to go down memory lane. I have literally always scrapbooked memorabilia, so this seemed like an even better way to do it. 

Of course it didn't actually start out that way. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure how this blog was going to go. I read all kinds, and everybody seemed to have "their thing". What was my thing? Just the header alone was tough to figure out. Not only do you want it to be interesting and catchy, but it needs to be original. After a handful of different names I just settled on one... A Little Bit of This and That ... which in fact, was not original. There was another blog out there that had the same title, but it dated back to many years ago so I took the risk [thanks for sharing, title twin]. Moving forward, I finally had my name - in case you're confused, my current blog name was obviously not the original one I began with; here is where I changed it. After you have the name, then it's go-time! But what to write about? Shockingly, I had a ton of stuff I wanted to blog about. My preference in fashion, beverages, you name it. I even began motivational posts once a week. Whether it be mentally, emotionally, or physically, I loved the idea of possibly providing any kind of motivation. I like helping people. Love it, actually.

From there, I just started throwing in random events that our family encountered, or work events I was privileged to attend with my husband. The funny part about it all was pulling out my phone to snap pictures of e-v-e-r-y detail. Literally, you begin getting looks from people like you're crazy. Can't really blame them when you're taking pictures of a food buffet as if you've never seen one before, or oil stains on the ground because it's shaped like a heart. Dedication, at its finest.

One year later, I'm still taking random photographs to document. Although, it's with less consciousness. I just do it. Even my dear husband will wait to take a bite of his food with the expectations of me snapping a photo. Of course it's not without one of his clever remarks, "...hashtag cold food." But he loves me. 

Last but not least, I must give credit to one of my favorite gals, Katie, for inspiring me to do this bloggy thing. I remember the day I bugged her about the whole idea. At the time she was about 5 or 6 months into her own blog, so undoubtedly I had a lot of questions. In a way she sort of gave me that "just do it!" push. And so I did! If you get a chance, definitely hop on over to her page. Just be prepared for some serious adorableness of her latest creation - her son, Bennett!! 

Well here's to you, blog! Hoping for many more years together!

Now that's an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

"Monday Monday..."

This song is stuck in my head and I don't know WHY?!

 

Anyway... yes it's Monday, folks. And I haven't the slightest idea on what to write about today. I had a dentist appointment this morning and oh my goodness, it never gets easier. Well, no... I take that back. I remember when I was younger I had to do the fluoride treatments - you know, that mouthguard with the air suction thingy in between your teeth you had to bite on to catch all the excess in your mouth, while the excess on your FACE just fell down your chin.  Yes those days have passed, so I suppose I could say it's a liiittttttle bit more manageable.

...at least this kid knew to wear cool shades to make do. Kudos.

Meanwhile, only 5 more days until my baby girl comes home...#myhouseistooquiet

My Daughter Left Me For Minnie Mouse

Well, spring break has officially arrived and I am at home. Yes, the absolute FIRST spring break I have not jetted/drove off somewhere for the week. There's a weird calming peace to it, though, I must say. Literally for as long as I can remember, mom and dad packed us all up [usually with a friend] and we'd drive down to Orlando for the week. I never did the Panama City, Fl spring break or any of that - didn't care to. Although, there was that one time I lived there and did experience it for the first time. Regrettably, I enjoyed it for that brief moment. But as luck would have it, I moved away and never did it again. #winning! Disneyworld/Universal was where it was at for me. Hands down. Although now I prefer more of a Hilton Head relaxed vacation, given Disneyworld can get exhausting with two kids [admit it parents!]. But with that said, I still wouldn't trade those memories for anything; nothing is more important than seeing that life in their eyes. 

Ok now I'm getting sad. 

So..... my daughter left for spring break this morning and I've been a basket case. No this isn't like a senior year trip to Cancun [yikes, my heart can't even fathom that right at this moment] ... no she's only 4. When we found out we were expecting and set to deliver after the first of the year, my parents jumped right on that and decided to take her to Disney as a nice "big sister" trip but just the three of them - to give us a short week to ourselves with little man. All fine and dandy at the time of planning said trip, but now it's here. And I'm sad. I miss her. Like reeeaaaallllly miss her. My heart was aching last night when we said goodbye. Even when Chris went to give her a hug she said "...are you leaving me?" Oh my heart!!! :( I know she's in good hands, that's not the issue. I have serious separation anxiety and sometimes it just gets the best of me. 

So here I am. Little man is asleep, hubs is being the handy man helping his dad at their house, so it's just me. It gets too quiet, so I usually put on Big Band/Swing [ch.801 Direct tv, if you're interested] and let it play. It's soothing. I don't dare turn on a movie, afraid it'll trigger something that will remind me of my girl. Yes, I am that sensitive. I cried like a baby last night.

I think it's just the whole I'm at home, while she's away thing. When I leave for a trip without the kids it still takes me a day to recover, but I know I'll be ok because I'm not home where their toys are everywhere or near the smell of their clothes/room. But I'm home! So everything reminds me of her. I opened her door this morning just to peek in and the smell of her little room just got to me. I sound like such a sap. 

7 more days, and she'll be back home. But who's counting? :) 

Obsessed

I know I've talked about this before, but switching gears a little bit. I'm still obsessing over my hair and the style I'm trying to achieve. Does anyone else have this problem? Please tell me I'm not alone in this. I'm pretty sure it's just the whole you want what you don't have sort of thing. Likely. Although I know that's not how life should be, we are just talking about hair so let's not get too philosophical on this topic.

Here's the thing. I've recently merged into this ombré trend, yet it's more gradual than most. I just can't decide how light/dark I should go/stay. Does that make sense? Here is whose hair [talk about a Dr. Seuss tongue twister] I've been obsessing with lately via my Instagram feed.

Although they all seem to look about the same, there's definitely a shade or two difference in all of them. As you can see they all have a similar complexion to my own, knowing it isn't realistic to compare ones hair to that of someone drastically different - you wouldn't compare Barbie to Teresa [the brunette barbie in case that went unknown]. 

Here's my hair process thus far.

Leaving the salon the first time we had the color a little dark than we wanted, just in case it faded. But two weeks later it's still a little darker than I'd like, so I have an appointment next week to do some toning. My ever-so-patient stylist is probably ready to give me the boot, because I seem to always text her about something! Just this morning I already begged her to let me know if any cancellations arise prior to my already-scheduled appointment. I'm that anxious and impatient. **bless you, Melissa**

Until then, let's say a little prayer that I can make a decision. Oh, and that my husband doesn't disown me after these last few hair trials. I'm going to have to start digging out change in my car seats after too long.