Cleaning and Shopping and Teaching Oh My

Much has happened since my last post, so I will try to hit the high points of the last week and half. Bear with me, as I may ramble...................

The remainder of my Spring Break was spent completing piddly little projects around the house, ripping the carpet out of Maddi's room, as well as teaching my boys, potting training my four-legged child, and actually cleaning my house. Approximately 2 days after my kitchen floor was clean, you couldn't tell it at all. Maddi needs a list of chores to do if she is going to track dirt, leaves, and twigs into my house.

Saturday, I was invited to go First Communion shopping for Arissa, with Anne in tow. Our Mission: find shoes, a veil, and after-party paper products. Would we be able to find those items in a timely fashion? Would we argue, snap, and whine? NO and YES...................Upon my arrival at the Mall at 10:30, I was shown the dress Arissa will wear, which is very Arissa-like of course. We headed into Dilliards, walked to the main part of the mall and decided which store we should try first. Parisian won our votes and off we headed, in a slow fashion because Arissa and Anne were already whining about the footwear they had chosen for the day. I knew it wouldn't be long before we were purchasing new footwear. Parisian didn't offer us anything, a total bust! On our way to our next destination, we stopped at a store to visit a dear friend of mine. Then it was off to the trusty Rack Room where they were offering "Buy One, Get the 2nd Half off", lucky for Anne. The purchase of 2 pairs of flip flop/slides were made and we were off to another store. NOT! By this point, my hypoglycemic self and niece were ready to eat, especially the niece! She was a pistol until she ate her slice of pizza. Then we were ready to shop again. Our next victim, I mean store, was Belk. We made it a mere half way thru the cosmetic section and thanks to my curiousity of a new line of makeup (Benefits), we succumbed to makeovers. By this point, we had been in the mall about 2 hours and had found nothing for Arissa's First Communion. After our makeovers, we were supposed to go to the children's section, only to run into a friend of mine I hadn't seen in about 5 years. I explained what had gone in my life, the Reader's Digest version of course. We found nothing in Belk or any other store so our plan was to go to a local bridal store. SCORE..... we found a veil that matches her dress. Next, shoes and paper products, which leads us to Party City and the Shoe Carnival. By this point, Arissa all but begged to ride with me to have some away time from her Mommy. I really hate to see what they are going to be like when Arissa is a teenager. Arissa is stubborn like her Aunt Carol and her Mommy and knows what she wants and won't settle for anything less. Party City was successful, as well as the Shoe Carnival. We called it a day after that and went our separate ways.

Sunday, like I hadn't had enough shopping and bonding on Saturday, being the polite daughters we are, felt and expressed the urge for our mother to return the dress purchased for Easter. We loaded up in our cars and made our way to Goody's where Mother got a much better Easter ensemble, and looks absolutely beautiful in it. SCORE, she threw in a stinkin cute pair of black flip flops with red and white polka dots. (She didn't have to do that, but I am thankful she did.) Every new outfit needs a new pair of shoes, so we found ourselves at the Shoe Carnival Again. We had fun and laughed and whined and Arissa and I compared blisters from our cute, but not sensible footwear. (Being a girl is tough work)

Monday was hard. My body has been in shock all week because I have to get up so dang early. Maddi has done well this week (so far) with her accidents. She goes outside, and has finally learned to jump on the couch all by herself. I have a feeling it won't be long before she is successful at leaping onto my bed.

On a side note, Anne went to the doctor on Tuesday and was diagnosed with an apparent case of strep throat. After vomitting from Tuesday evening until Wednesday morning (the last 2 times being in the ER), she was tested and admitted to the hospital for a case of Mono!!!!! She is pitiful, hooked up to an IV, massive headache, and ready to get into her bed. We are hoping she comes home tomorrow. But more than that, I want her to get better.

This is Easter Break/Weekend and my plans are up in the air for Saturday. Anne and her health comes first. I hope you all have a hippity, hoppity, weekend.