"Mommy, when we get home I'm gonna hold it."

"Hold what?"

"I'm gonna hold it."

"Hold what Sam?"

"I'm gonna hold it when I get home."

"Okay, I got that, but what are you going to hold when you get home?"

"I'm gonna hold IT mommy."

"What is IT?" (louder)

"It mommy, I'm gonna hold it."

"Sam I have no idea what you are talking about. I do not know what it is." (even louder)

"Pee pee mommy. I don't have to go that bad so I'm gonna hold it when I get home."

Duh...

Can anyone help me?

Today is Works for me Wednesday, backwards edition. I've never participated before, but when I saw that I got to ask the blogosphere for advice, I had to join in. You see, I have a very serious problem that I have not been able to fix on my own. It's happened to my kids clothing before, and it's not that big of a deal to me. A few weeks ago, my new North Face fleece was victimized. There is a huge gooey stain that can't be missed on the front of it.

Does anyone know how to get sticker goo off of clothing that has gone through the washer and dryer? Please tell me it's possible!

I couldn't resist!

Our second trip of the year to Target resulted in the breaking of one of my top New Years resolutions....don't buy things you don't need...

but can you blame me? They were on clearance for $7 and I giggled out loud at the thought of them with a bright pink tutu....on Grace, not me of course!

I needed today.

Winter has always been hard for me. I think I might actually have Seasonal Affective Disorder, I went through the DSM IV in grad school and self diagnosed. Since becoming a mom, it has gotten worse. Funny how these little people make the good things in life better and the bad things worse, isn't it?

Being stuck in the house is hard. Having it be dark at 4:00 p.m. is hard. Taking two kids in and out of car seats when it is 11 degrees is hard. I dread getting out of bed some mornings and by 4:30, I find myself counting the minutes till my kiddos are in bed. It's no way to live.

Today was 60 degrees. It felt like 80. We played in the melting snow for hours. We didn't wear coats. We grilled burgers, outside. I loved every minute of it. I have no idea what the forecast for tomorrow is. It wouldn't surprise me if it's 6 degrees. It's okay though. Today I had a taste of spring. I filled my lungs with warm air that smelled of dirt and life. It felt so good to really enjoy my kids. I was more patient. I had more energy. I know I can make it another ten weeks.

Happy 31st Birthday Michelle!

It was great to have you spend the night. Have a wonderful time in Maine!

"Wow, she's pretty much naked."

A little background is required for this one. If Grace is allowed to be naked for say, three minutes, there is a good chance she will poop. She poops in the tub with such regularity, that Sam will no longer take a bath with her. I no longer try to take naked pictures of her because no matter how cute they are, it's not worth cleaning poop off the carpet.

A few days ago, Brad was channel surfing. He stopped on the Miss Universe Body Building competition. There was a woman who looked a lot like me, I mean, a lot like this doing a rather athletic dance. Sam looked up from his puzzle and said,

"Wow, she's pretty much naked. What if she poops on the floor?"

He was completely serious. Truly concerned. I swear, Grace is the only person he has ever seen do this.

Have I mentioned that I hate winter?

It's 6 degrees here. My warm hand stuck to the handle of our storm door when I tossed a bag with a poopey diaper out onto the porch this morning. Even with the heat going, our house feels cold.

I know those of you who live in warm climates want to hop on the next plane and come for a visit. I don't blame you. There is so much to do in single digit weather with children. You can spend an entire two minutes outside before everyone starts crying. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that even if it were to warm up to say 12 degrees, our backyard is a giant slip and slide covered with sharp, hard, icy snow.

I want to go on vacation, but I don't. The thought of flying somewhere warm with my monkeys is almost as bad as the cold. The thought of paying to sleep somewhere other than home and have nobody sleep...well, why don't I just go camp out in my backyard? I think it would be just as pleasant. Trying to keep them entertained, watching them by a pool or at the beach? Yeah, sounds like lots of fun, lets go for two weeks. I bet I'd come home an alcoholic.

Enough complaining....the five weeks of nice weather that New England enjoys each year is only five to seven months away.