I’m a cross-er off-er. I love lists, make at least one a day and find a teensy amount of joy in the crossing off.

Jason has accused me several times of writing things like “Brush Teeth” on my list, just so I could cross one thing off first thing in the morning. I don’t know if I’d admit to that, but it sounds like a good idea to me.

Here is the list that has plagued me lately- the one that is supposed to be completed by mid-November:

1. Have Henry potty-trained.

2. Buy a van. {My thoughts on the matter here.}

3. Have all Christmas shopping done early.

4. Lose 20 or 30 pounds.

5. Have Eliza on some sort of schedule.

6. Clean hall closet.

You might as well add “World Peace” and “Not let children watch TV” on there. Because not one of those things has happened. Not ONE, I tell you.

And in case you are wondering, lots of things are happening this month. Here is my rationale for the list:

1. Have Henry potty-trained. This child is SO ready to be potty trained. Yesterday he told me that he “would like to sit down and eat ‘wunch’”, but he “needs a new diap-ah, pwease. Dis one is poopy”. If you can complete a sentence with logic and planning, I think you can probably be potty trained.  I wanted to get this done before Christmas travel and craziness, but it’s not gonna happen.

2. Buy a van. {My thoughts on the matter here.} We’ve got to travel this month and we aren’t going to have time to get a van. It’s going to be ugly, friends. The likes of which can only be compared to the Griswold’s Vacation with the dead aunt on the roof of the car.

3. Have all Christmas shopping done early. Yeah right. I say this every year and Never {NE. VER.} get it done. You’d be really surprised at the number of people who do! A lot of people ordering from me are saying things like “These are the last few things on my list!”.

Crazy talk.

I think everyone on my list will be getting something monogrammed that doesn’t sell this year. That sounds thoughtful, kind and in the spirit of Christmas, doesn’t it?

4. Lose 20 or 30 pounds. Don’t get me started. I wanted to lose weight before my cousin’s wedding this month and Christmas card pictures. We took the Christmas card pics yesterday. My pants were so tight that I sat a child on my lap to cover myself. That’s the perk of having 3 kids! They can completely hide you in a family picture!

5. Have Eliza on some sort of schedule. Y’all. This baby girl is fabulous. She just goes along with whatever we’re doing. I love her so. But it would be nice if she was on some sort of a routine- not really even a schedule. She does eat, play, then sleep- but none of those are set to any sort of clock.

My 1st-time-parent self would fiercely kick my 3rd-time-parent self’s butt.

{Eliza with my sweet friend and blog reader, Amy, being held at a Halloween party at pre-school. (Hey Amy!! I probably should’ve asked before I slapped you on the blog!)}

6. Clean hall closet. This thing has a life of it’s own. It has all wrapping paper, luggage, large picture frames I’m not currently using, extra sheets, my high school yearbooks, etc. It was supposed to be my project while I was on maternity leave, but never happened. Puh-lease tell me you have a closet like this. I used to think they only existed in the movies and overly exaggerated sit-coms, but I really do shove things to the back, then close it as quickly as possible.

So what’s on your list right now that has been lingering there for a while?
Go ahead, fess up.

Look what got crossed off mine tonight! {I might or might not have added it when I was finished writing.}

The bottom of the list is my real list of things that have to be ordered for my store. B’ness is great!! Thank you! :)

I’m listening to some old school jams (oh yes, I said that) tonight while monogramming and really think I just heard Funky Cold Medina for the first time. Hello? Rape drug, anyone? I’m pretty sure Loc couldn’t get away with that doozy today. I mean, “this IS the 80s and Loc IS down with the ladies” and all, but I didn’t think he would stoop to that level.

In other news, I am monogramming stuff/ running a business all the time. My “part time” job is actually several full time jobs as many wise people warned me. The kids that live here are still hilarious, messy and kind of loopy, so I’m trying to remember so I can write it here. This is for your entertainment of course, but also because I don’t have a scrapbook. Not. A. One. This is all they’ve got.

Henry has taken to being particularly funny lately. We heard him crunching in the way back (you call it that, too, right?) on the way to church on Sunday morning. I turned around and saw him chowing down on Fritos… from 3 days before. Nice.

Me: “Buddy, those are yucky. I don’t think you should eat them.”

Him: *Wimpy crunch, chomp, grind-these-suckers-any-way-I-can*

“They’re still good, Mom.” * Chompy, scrunch, chomp*

Boys are gross from the get go.

Cute, but gross. {the best picture I got from 3 Halloweens}

Ollie has taken to spelling words around the house and asking “WHY?” to every single thing in the world. You know how they depict 5 year olds in movies as always saying, “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why do we have to wear clothes?” and “Why are boogers yellow?”- for once, they’re dead on. Hollywood may have Southerners all wrong, but they’ve got 5 year olds pinned.

He also is starting to think he knows everything. Today he tried to teach me about “medium” showers. They’re rocks that fall from the sky in case you’re wondering. He also has vast knowledge of robots and their capabilities and will quickly correct you if you are not-so-up-to-date on matters. These conversations run like this:

Me: Why don’t you and Twister Robot pick up those toys you left out?

Him: Moooom. Twist Robot can NOT pick up toys.  He only throws them out. Claw armed robot can push them to the box and then Stomp Foot Robot can kick them into the toy box. *disgusted tone that I have offended the robots and their made up capabilities*

Oh my.

Sweet baby girl is the most precious thing we have ever had in this house. She still has red hair, round cheeks and can light up a room with her gummy smile.

Here she is with her great grandmother GeeGee. There is something special about their hands- experienced and wise combined with fresh and chubby- that just makes me happy.

She really is just adorable and so much fun to have around. Jason and I made her promise to stop growing since she’s pretty perfect right now. I’m sure she nodded, so we’re holding her to it.

Eliza was a baby bumblebee for Halloween, but again, this is the best picture I got. She looks thrilled to be strapped in, doesn’t she? She really is a smiley baby; I just need to be a better picture taking mama.

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Some other quick info: Look out for several of my blogging buddies hosting giveaways to Mint Julep Monograms in the next few weeks. My last day to accept orders for Christmas will be December 3rd.

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My latest article for our local parenting magazine is here. It’s on raising a grateful child. I think I’m going to leave it out for my children to read so they can get a few tips. *snort*

I hope people don’t see me at Target screaming at my children telling them they can’t have all 42 toys that they’re begging me for.  Hmmmm. Must not go to Target with children while this article is out…

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My iTunes list has played through Toby Mac, Tone Loc, {I had to skip Toto! What?? Let’s blame my husband. Explain yourself, Jason.} and I’m on to Train now. I think it’s safe to say I have an eclectic taste in music- and it’s time to go to bed.