Household happenings...

I thought I'd provide a family update for all of you.

The last week of October, Tony was in PA for work mandated schooling.  Yay, me!  One whole week of uninterrupted fun with my kids!! *are you picking up the sarcasm?*

Anywho, on Tuesday, Olivia needed to take a shower.  When I told her this, she asked what day it was.  Tuesday.  I don't have to take a shower today, she said.  I said yes, you do.

No, Mom.  My paper says I don't have to take a shower today.

What paper?

This is not a mommy approved paper.  I reasoned that she hadn't taken a shower on Monday, and needed a shower by Tuesday.  Eventually, she took a shower.

The next time she had to shower was Thursday.  She went upstairs and was quiet and I forgot about her.  Eventually, I noticed that it was too quiet and I hadn't heard the shower.  I go upstairs and find her asleep, still in her clothes, under the covers in bed.

The next morning, I tell her that we are going to be watching movies Friday night while she has to take a shower because of her stunt the night before.  This is upsetting to her.  Apparently, she is so moved by her emotions that she cannot talk.  While she is supposed to be getting dressed, I walk in on her writing this note.

When she sees me looking, she stops.  I grab the note and read it.

No, we are not going to wait for you.

Crying ensues and eventually, we get to school and the day goes on.  The minute we walked inside that night, she was up the stairs and in the shower.  However, due to her lack of hair washing abilities, I had to send her back to the shower two more times.  Eventually, she came down, somewhat cleaner and still super moody.

I jokingly say that Olivia is a ball of emotions, wrapped in a blanket of emotion, under a parka of emotion.  She is constantly overwhelmed emotionally and is crying.  I have to work hard not to lose my patience and get her to talk because, she generally won't talk to me when she gets like that.

Here's Olivia - 7 going on 15.

Here is a picture of Mia, being tickled on my bed.  Yep, the winter comforter is out.  We had our first snow November 10.  It didn't stick, but looked pretty blizzardish (is that a word?  If not, I claim the creation!) coming down fierce.

Also, I have been baking a bunch.  I bought a new cook book and am planning to go through the entire thing, front to back making all of the bakery treats.  Here are chocolate hazelnut brownie bites.  If you like Nutella, you'll like these.  P.s. the frosting is Nutella.