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The Valles Home is Vacant

2 Aug

We were booked up all through July but now it’s just us again and I’m trying to adapt.  It went something like this –

  • Our friends Chris and Julie arrived first
  • Andrew’s mom (“Lola”) came next
  • Andrew’s sister (Aunt “Ree”) and our niece Baby Ella came to take Lola home with them (we are good sharers)
  • just us for a few days (I read Harry Potter!)
  • Andrew’s mom came back with his dad (Papa Dave)
  • Papa Nick and Grandma Kris made the trip down here

A lot of the visits overlapped each other too – Lola first came down while Chris and Julie were here and that worked out great – we played board games and she watched the kids for us while Chris, Julie and us hit Atlanta for a fun night out.  My dad’s visit also overlapped Lola’s and Papa Dave’s but that turned out to be just fine too – we all went to the zoo and had a great time.  It’s just a blessing that we have a house that can accommodate everyone.  It would not have been possible at our Savannah house that’s for sure!

I’m just so thankful for all of the visitors we had – they brought so much love, laughter and comfort to us and it’s so hard to say goodbye and adjust to not having anyone here.  Nia will wake up and ask where people are.  Nate was picking up new words (he actually says Mommy now!) while everyone was here and I saw how they all helped his little brain get a boost.  (With me he only walks around talking like a caveman.)  We were so spoiled and the only reason that I’m not all down-in-the-dumps is because I know I’ll be seeing some of them and more (my mom and Ginger, Lee and Cami) in a month on the beach!  My dad and Kris just left us yesterday and Nia already asked, “When’s Honey (my mom) coming?”  Not soon enough!

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There will be much worse, but…

18 Jul

I know things are going to happen to our kids that we aren’t going to like.  I know it would be best if I deal with them accordingly at the time and then push them out of my mind.  But I just can’t seem to shake that a little girl (brat) spit at Nia.

It happened at the end of her gymnastics class on Monday.  During the last 10 minutes, the kids get to play in a big  pit that’s filled with foam squares.  Nia has a blast.  She can jump in like a madwoman – she can get buried under the blocks – all we hear are giggles – tons of giggles.  On Monday though, the little girl (bully) came out crying and walked over to her mom (miserable looking woman).  I had no idea at the time why she was crying.

It wasn’t until we were in the car that I asked Nia – “Why was that one girl crying?”

Nia – “She spit at my face.”

Andrew’s mom and Me – “WHAT?!?!”

Our reaction made her think she did something wrong and she put on a sad face.  I told her I wasn’t mad at her I just needed to know what happened.

Apparently, the girl (meanie) wanted a certain block but Nia was playing with it.  Nia said the girl (terror) began throwing blocks at her head and then spit at her face.

She said her cheek got a little wet but the rest of the nastiness landed on that girl’s (spitter’s) chin.  Nia said the teacher saw what happened and made the girl (who the heck taught her to spit at people anyway?!?!) leave the pit and say she was sorry.  That’s when the teacher walked her over to her mom.  Nia didn’t even act like anything was wrong.  Even after she told me what happened I asked her if she liked the girl (her mom better watch out) and she said, “When she doesn’t spit at me.”

Why can’t I be like that?  Nia could care less and I’m all distraught.  I want to believe that the girl (undisciplined) was just kind of jealous because she usually gets all the attention but there was a different teacher that day so she wasn’t given special treatment.  Also, Nia had her hair in a French braid that wraps in a circle and looked like a princess and was getting some extra attention because of it.  Maybe those things along with the block incident put that girl (just a kid) over the edge.

I might just be making up excuses but for some reason it feels better to do that than to think someone was mean to my little sweetie (not always innocent) because she didn’t like her.

What makes me even more crazy is that this is only the beginning of wanting to protect my kids from the spitters of the world.  What the heck am I going to be like when she comes home crying because someone made fun of her because she’s not wearing the right brand of shoes.  Or worse, the boy she likes doesn’t like her back.

I know she’ll survive and all the let downs make you stronger – but come on – she’s my baby.
 

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Underwater Explorers

9 Jul

The Georgia Aquarium ROCKS!

Whale Shark!

Today the Valles Family and our good friends from home (West Virginia), Chris and Julie, explored the awesome attraction.  It was a ton of fun and I can’t wait to go back!  Nia and Nate really had a blast.  Just take a gander at the pics and video.  Nate went crazy for the penguin!

The Fish are EVERYWHERE!

Checking Out the Fish

Tuckered Out Nate

Tuckered Out Nia

Looks Like Them, Huh?

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Celebrating the 4th

5 Jul

I knew people marked July 4th in lots of different ways but today I discovered a whole new way to celebrate.  While some people were firing up the grill to share the day with family/friends/neighbors and others were living it up at festivals – we loaded up the kids and had a blast exploring IKEA.

It was a complete spur-of-the-moment decision.  (I was the reason for the spur and Andrew loves me so much he said yes – plus I think I was driving him a little crazy because I kept telling him every time I saw a commercial for IKEA – it was a sign!  we were supposed to go TODAY – I’ve seen those commercials plenty of other times but this time I knew it was TODAY that we had to go.)  I couldn’t believe how many people were there!  Most of us were donning red, white and blue on our clothes – I made an effort to find a red ponytail thingee for my hair.  So, at least that was patriotic right?

The trip to IKEA meant we would have to give up our steak and shrimp dinner and settle for another 4th feast (subs for mom and dad – Mickey D’s for the kids) but I think it was worth it.  We got some much needed (and cheap!) frames and a nice framed picture for our spare bedroom.  Will it be a Valles family tradition?  I doubt it – but it made for a good memory!

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Fun and Sun at the Park

2 Jul
Picnic Time

 

Bird Watching

 

Teeter Totter Princess

 

Super Nate!

 

Squeezing Down the Slide

 

Daddy Spinning Daughter

 

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Sweet Memory

1 Jul

Tonight, I was feeling a little brave – not in the “I’m going to save a life” way but in the “I’m going to let the kids make cookies with me” way.  I’m calling that brave because I am a nervous person when it comes to cooking – especially cookies.  Even when there aren’t kids distracting me, I still do something dumb like use baking powder instead of baking soda.  Despite my fears, this baking experience went wonderfully.

Yum

Yum

The kids helped me put the ingredients in and I let them put their hand on the blender as I mixed.  They had a blast helping mom cook but, of course, they had a better time helping mom and dad eat.

Cookie Face

Cookie Face

 

Happy Kids

Happy Kids

 

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It’s Valles, not Valles

26 Jun

Today, I got what looks like great coupons from Target.  The problem is – I can’t read them.  They’re in Spanish and there is no English translation.

It’s not the first time someone thought we were Hispanic because of our last name. Even Monica thought we were when she first met us and she is an English as a Second Language teacher!  I called her and told her she needs to read me the restrictions because I could tell by the pictures of the products that I might want to use a few of them!

Andrew says I should go in and talk all redneck – asking if I could still use ’em being that I don’t habla Espanol and all.

Oh, if you don’t get what the title of the blog is about, click here.  Andrew and I think this Saturday Night Live skit is pretty funny.

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When You’re a Wife and a Mom

21 Jun

I was recently thinking about all the funny things that happen to me now that I’m a wife and a mom.  Things that I probably wouldn’t have even considered doing before the kids or the hubby. I may make it sound like I’m complaining, I’m really not.  I treasure every gross, annoying, tiring and space-invading event that happens to me. For example, when you’re a wife and a mom:

  • Your body parts are no longer your own.  Andrew slaps my butt – now Nate slaps my butt. And, even though they are now closed for business, Nate still tries to reach down my shirt from time to time.  I feel so used.
  • Nothing is ever boring.
  • I no longer get grossed out when it comes to snot or boogers – even the really gooey ones.  I’ve watched Andrew blow his nose in the shower by holding one nostril to empty the other one.  I cannot rest until I’ve made sure every last yucky green guy is removed from Nia and Nate’s noses.  I will shove tissue after tissue up there and when that doesn’t work, I admit it, I pick their noses.  (Of course, making sure to let them know THEY are not allowed to pick their own noses.  What a good example I am, huh?)
  • I’m sure you’ve heard this one before but I can no longer go potty in private or in peace.  The kids follow me in most of the time and I’m forced to waddle off the toilet because I have to save the boy from falling over the bath tub or getting into the trash.  Even when the kids aren’t in there with me, the dog comes in and stares at me, breathing his warm, smelly breath in my direction.  It about drives me bonkers and I end up taking my frustration out on him.  I ask him, “Do you freakin’ mind?!?!”  He just keeps breathing on me.  Perv dog.
  • I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner almost every day.  Before married life, I pretty much only cooked some Ramen noodles or a tuna sandwich.  I was pretty much petrified to really cook a meal.  Now, I love it.  Especially when Andrew and the kids say “mmm.”  I never would have thought I would love cooking like this.  There is just something about it that makes me feel like I’m taking care of my family.
  • I’m at home during “talk show” time during the day and I don’t even get to enjoy it. I just feel bad watching tv when I should be reading to the kids or playing with them or taking care of house stuff.  Besides, who really wants to watch Ellen dance anyway?  Well, actually I do. I’ve tried recording the show but it’s just not the same.  There’s just something about watching a talk show in the middle of the day that makes it even better.  I can’t really explain it…I guess that’s why they’re scheduled to air then right?
  • You remember which sock is missing its partner.  It doesn’t matter whose sock it is.  If I see a pink ruffled sock at the bottom of the hamper, I say “there it is!” because I remember I washed a pink ruffled sock last week and couldn’t find its match.
  • It’s really hard to diet when you’re constantly surrounded by delicious food you’re not supposed to eat.  Cheese puffs, fudge-striped cookies, ice cream, frozen chicken nuggets with ranch dressing, french fries…

I could keep going but those are probably the best examples.  I wouldn’t trade in my titles for the all the peace and quiet and sanity in the world.  I feel so blessed and loved every day and it is because I’m a wife and a mom.  Thanks fam!

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Our Little Mermaid

21 Jun

Nia is finally getting over her fear of going under water!  Today, she went under all by herself at swim lessons!  She was so excited.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get the full underwater event on camera, but I thought you would like to see the action I did capture.

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Missing Phone

20 Jun

Remember that toy phone I wrote about in the last blog?  The one that came with the playhouse?  The one I said I didn’t know where it was?  Well, I found it – or more, it found me.

As I was taking out the garbage, it beeped at me.

Yep, I had to dig in the garbage (past the dirty diapers and old food) because I could not knowingly throw the phone away.  Don’t worry, I doused it with Lysol wipes.

If you’re wondering how it even ended up in the trash can, you probably can guess.  Nate slipped it in there the other day.  I thought I saw/heard him put something in the can – but I wasn’t about to go garbage diving.  That was until I realized it was his phone.

The things we do for our sweeties.

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