Boxes Boxes Boxes

1. I hate punishing my kids. Which doesn't mean I don't do it. It's just the one part of being a parent so far that I don't like. Holden had homework yesterday for 2 1/2 hours. Yes on a Sunday. He told me he was finished and looking at it I couldn't tell that he wasn't apparently. He turned it in and I just got an email from his teacher saying it was incomplete. But it looks like half the class turned it in incomplete. Which says to me they're just giving these kids too much homework! I don't remember having that much in 4th grade and I went to an excellent school. I sent Holden to his room to think about it after a long lecture. Ugh. And he looks so sad. I hate this. New rule: he has to finish his homework as soon as he gets home before he can do anything fun.
2. I ordered this Hot Dots preschool learning box from zulily and after our kiwi crate and a trip to Dollar Tree for Halloween decorations, Ash and I worked on it. He loved it. We worked on colors today and this kid sat for 30 whole minutes and really enjoyed it. I'm so glad he wasn't bored after 5 minutes. Sometimes I just don't know what he'll enjoy and what he won't.
3. Speaking of boxes... Just discovered a new one called the Brit box which is a crafting one! And only $20... I have to try it out. I just have to.
4. My BFF Jennie is actually coming to visit next month! She really bought a ticket. For real. It's happening!
5. We put up Halloween decorations today. Ash wanted to and I didn't even attempt to argue. I still need to finish the fireplace and outside though.

Mindy & Dyson

1. Bill and I are "planning" an anniversary vacation to Hawaii in 2014 for our 15th. Is it too early to be really looking forward to this? But also want every day to last longer because I want my babies to stay babies forever? Dilemmas.
2. I can't wait for my Dyson to get here.
3. What new TV shows do you like so far or are looking forward to? I can't wait for The Mindy Project. I love Mindy Kaling.
4. Has anyone ever shopped at Coldwater Creek? I don't now anything about their clothes except that they seem overpriced and for olderish mom/teacher types. I have a coupon for $25 off $50 and I looked online to see if I could find a few things that suit me. Not sure...
5. I had a $25 gift card to AE and everything was 25% off so I bought a few things - needed more jeans.

Fall means house decorating time!

1. I really wanted to hire a professional photographer to either do newborn photos or our entire family. But there's just too much going on and it's so expensive for a family of 6. I decided today to grab the kids and just take a few pics while everyone was awake and in a good mood. And I'm happy with what came from it. Got quite a few cute ones I think. And it cost me nothing.
2. I've been watching Breaking Amish. There's one girl on there named Rebecca who really surprises me. Having never been exposed to movies or tv and to still be a tacky, catty bitch is pretty surprising. Apparently we aren't all taught that behavior by just the media or 90210.
3. I'm going to watch Somewhere tonight - Sofia Coppola. Anyone seen it? I love Sofia and I'm a little obsessed with the Fanning sisters, especially Elle.
4. We watched Cabin in the Woods last night. It was highly ridiculous and highly entertaining. I loved it. I wish I had made it.
5. When do you put up Halloween decorations? I like to wait until right after Ash's birthday. It's on October 2nd and I want it to feel like his bday and not a holiday. But if he wants to put them up sooner we may do it on the 1st. I'm excited and I have a lot of fun ideas. Man I love Pinterest.

Turbans & Burpins

1. I keep seeing Eva Chen on Instagram and Sonjia on Project Runway in cute turbans so I decide to try one out. I looked up a How To on YouTube and I really like the result. Luckily I have about 100 scarves that can be used for this purpose. I'm excited to have a new look to cover up my bedhead and perfect for fall weather I think.
2. The Woot! Deal today is the Dyson we've had our eye on for only $250. Overstock had it the cheapest for $320. So we got a good deal I think!
3. Yesterday Holden told me that he learns a lot from school. Not just typical school stuff but how to deal with people, he said, among other things. It made me really happy to hear him tell me that on his own unprompted. At the beginning of the year he was a little lonely at recess and earlier this week he was struggling with some things. So I'm glad he already feels better about things after just a little more attention from his teacher and intervention from us.
4. Mina has a little baby acne. Jennie said to put breast milk on it. Other people online said it worked too. We'll see if it looks better in the morning after this.
5. I was just burping her and Bill came over to hug me. I put my arm around him to hug him back and patted his back. He said "You don't need to burp me." Ha Ha

Hair & Rainbows

1. Hypothetical: if you were perfectly happy with your current setup in life- job, home, etc. - would you even consider changing it all drastically just for a new experience?
2. Dee asked if I use anything in my hair to help with the craziness. And yes I have a good pomade that works well by bumble and bumble - sumotech. But it's a very gritty wax and I don't like how it makes my hair feel. So first I use bb texture then the sumotech. Then I use Aveda brilliant styling creme to smooth it out. And finish off with Aveda light elements smoothing fluid lotion to give it a little shine. This is the most product I've ever used in my hair at once but it doesn't need much and it takes a couple of minutes to fix thankfully. But note to self: do not go to bed with wet hair.
3. Had an appt with my ObGyn today. Totally didn't realize he was going to inspect "the goods" aaaaand I did not shave my legs. Horrifying!! For them. Not me. I'm used to it.
4. Has anyone taken the progestin only mini-pill as birth control? Bill is getting a vasectomy soon but apparently it's not totally healed until 10 weeks after so you can't trust it as birth control. I got a prescription for the mini-pill for just 3 months and my doctor said it shouldn't decrease my milk supply which was my main concern. That has happened to me before. Please let me know if you have any experience with it. Thanks!
5. Bill's aunt sent the boys this cool solar powered rainbow maker. It spins around and makes rainbows go everywhere. Bill was cranky this morning and said something about "that shit all over the walls" and Ash goes "That's not shit! It's rainbows!" I lost it.

Showers & Sleep - life's 2 greatest luxuries

1. I'm the only one in my house (occasionally Bill) that can comfort the baby quickly and get her to sleep easily. So if I want peace and quiet I have to just hold her and take care of it or the whole house gets to hear her scream. Exhausting.
2. I really don't get to shower as often as I'd like.
3. I love my new haircut. But after a single night's sleep I have the worst cowlick ever in the back. So I've been wearing lots of hats in public.
4. Every time I buy Mina a dress I think "I wish they made this in my size". Time to learn to sew. For realsies.
5. Tonight after the kids go to bed, Bill and I are going to play Borderlands 2 and I cannot wait!! *update (We played for an hour and I almost fell asleep. Going to bed now!)

[This is my favorite picture from fashion week. But not because of Kate Bosworth, who by the way needs to eat more... But check out the diva behind her in the black strapless dress and chainlink choker. Werk.]

Just Another Morning