I'm throwing a tantrum now

That's it.
I'm done.
I can't take any more of this two year old stage.
I'm stamping my feet, cursing my mouth off, and shaking my fists.
I'm having a tantrum and I don't give a damn any more.

She throws things, she screams and yells, she won't go to bed, she only wants things her way. Jumps on the couch saying "look at me Mommy" Puts game tokens (penny size) in her mouth. SHOWS me, then, when I make her spit it out says " Eliaaaanaaaa" in the exact same exhausted tone I'd use, but this time didn't.

What tops it all off is that the 7 year old pulls these same stunts! Good grief! I tucked her in, then she goes to the bathroom, and sits on the stairs, calling for me to come back and tuck her in. After explaining calmly that I'm trying to get Eliana to fall asleep and it will be 10 mintues. That she'll have to return to her room and wait, in her bed. She continues to sit on the stairs, "ho humm" ing. Distracting Eliana from falling asleep. GGRRRRRRRRRRRRR

That's my rant.

Skunk Update

I live in a skunky house. On the eve of a fortnight since the first spraying, we've been sprayed 4 (or was that 5?) times. I have stuffed a rag with ammonia down the hole. I don't think it's living their anymore, as there hasn't been any movement of any of the debris I've conveniently let fall down the hole. Skunk mating season is hopefully over now, and maybe the skunk will move on, taking the smell with it. Once we are certain it is no longer living under the porch, we will fill and seal the hole. Only time will tell. In the meantime, I have a can of spray foam to insulate around the bay window in our bedroom. It's a bit draughty and lets the smell in quicker than other parts of the house.

What we've done that works:
Vinegar well to absorb smells, Ammonia on a rag or mothballs in a sock down into its home to encourage it to move. Washed all the bedding, curtains, sprayed febreeze on the carpets. 3 Glade scented oil plug ins, one per floor. Open windows on every nice day. Brew coffee. oh, wait, that's just for me...

Perler Beads

Wow! I can't say enough about this craft material. I LOVE these things. Little beads that fit on a pegboard. Once the design is complete, a parent irons the completed design (protecting the iron with a piece of parchment paper). The beads are now fused together and removed from the pegboard. Calla and Rowan spent a long time creating and recreating their designs. Even Eliana likes putting the beads on the board.

The package we picked up has 5 shaped boards: Flower, Bear, Dolphin, Horse and Butterfly. I'm ready to buy 2 square pegboards so the kids can create their own unique designs. The Perler beads website has a free offer "Send in your designs (email or regular post) and they'll send you a free gift. 2 gifts/kid. I've warned the kids that sometimes these offers don't apply to Canadian addresses, but since the pdf has Postal Code listed, we're going to give it a try. Here are my kids' creations:

Eve of Calla's Birthday

Here I sit, on the eve of Calla's 7th birthday. I have but a few things left to do. The cake is iced, the food is planned. Games are easy to grab. It helps that I have known these kids since they were 2 and under. Now they're all turning 7 this year. Where has the time gone?

I have a 12"x18" canvas that will have Calla's 7th Birthday written on it. There will be space for each child to put their handprint. It will be a great reminder of her friends that she's had since toddlerhood. Wonder where everyone will be in 10 years? Will these kids still know each other, or will they all become a fading memory of childhood friends? Only time will tell.

My beautiful daughter. She's 7. She's bright, energetic and thoughtful. She cares deeply for those around her. She's compassionate.

Happy 7th Birthday, Calla

the Skunk returns

Monday 4:30am: Whaaat?? Ewww... that smell! How can I fall back asleep with that smell in the house....why doesn't anyone else smell it? Did the darn skunk spray the house? This is disgusting.

Later that day: The house still stinks. Might as well take this chance to wash the floors, hopefully the cleaner will overpower the skunk. Let's go out. There's a new hole under our porch.

Tuesday: Still a faint odour. Hmm. Let's try placing a bowl of vinegar in the porch, as it's the worst smell. Hey, that works...

Wednesday 5am: oh, no! Is that smell getting stronger? NONONO! F#$#$ng skunk.

Now: If you look around the house you'll find pretty glass bowls, dishes, votive holders, and such, all with vinegar in them. Smells like ... pickled skunk.

Piano Theory Website

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