Mommy's Big Boo-Boo

On September 5, I was in a car accident. It scared me half to death, but luckily, I came out of it with only bruises and a fractured wrist. The car, on the other hand, will spend its life in a junk yard.

Even though the girls weren't with me, they are still dealing with the aftermath because Mommy didn't just fracture her wrist. Mommy fractured her left wrist and will be in a cast for at least eight weeks.

I'll say the first couple of days were a nightmare, but I'm starting to get used to dealing better with the "biiiig bandaid" on my arm, and I think I'll be able to get through the next six weeks fairly well.

The girls still get upset when I say I can't pick them up or when it takes me a lot longer to change a diaper, but they always say "I'm sorry Mommy" if they accidentally run into me. And they want to knock on my cast to make sure it still feels like it did the last time they touched it. I was going to let them color it, but I'm not sure I trust toddlers with Sharpies.

Another aftermath is the state of our former vehicle. The girls really only knew our blue Equinox, and when I brought home all their toys and books that used to live in the backseat, they asked why they weren't in "my blue car" anymore. Many, many times we had to explain that the car got squished and broken and that it wouldn't be coming back to live with us. They asked everyday about the blue car and why it was gone. I felt bad every time I had to say that it got broken and that's why Mommy has a big boo-boo.

I realized that the connection between the car and my cast sunk in when Tim told me Lillie cried when I left to go to the doctor. She was afraid that I would come home with another boo-boo. It broke my heart.

I know that my two-year olds don't understand the gravity of my car accident, but they understand that I left in the car and came home with a cast. Lillie doesn't get upset anymore, but I still think she's wondering if I (or Daddy) will come home with a boo-boo when we leave in the car.

Halloween Thoughts...

It's September. I started seeing Octoberfest Sam Adams in the store last month. That means it's time for me to start thinking about Halloween costumes. Too early, you say? Then you obviously have an abundant amount of extra cash lying around so you can buy whatever costume your children want.

Last year, I waited too long and instead of having two cute little witches like I wanted, I had two cute little deserts (a cupcake and an ice cream cone). The costumes came from Old Navy, and the girls still wear them, so win win. This year, though...this year the girls have told me what they'd like to be for Halloween. If any of you follow me on Pinterest, then you may have figured it out. BIRDIES!

I found this adorable costume idea at Felt So Cute, so I think I'm going to give it a try. Lillie, of course, wants to be a purple bird. Dani, of course, wants to be a pink bird. Mommy is going to try to do three colors on each for a little variety. I haven't figured out the beaks/masks yet, but I'm sure something will come to mind before October 31.

And I think Mommy is going to make a cute little nest or tree headband to go with her cute birdies. I'm sort of excited about the whole thing.

Toy Overhaul

Fun percussion set from B. Toys

I am contemplating an entire toy overhaul in this house over the next eight months or so (through L & D's third birthday). We still have a lot of toys they had as infants and some they acquired in their second year. I think it's time to downsize and prioritize.

Every time I consider or mention downsizing the toys, my mom and grandmother tell me I'm doing a bad thing. "The girls should have all the toys they can play with." Even though in the front of my mind I feel I'm doing a service to my sanity and their creativity, the little voice in the back has guilt and won't get rid of the toys. That is not to say that I haven't gotten rid of some toys, because I definitely have, but I think I can do a better job than before.

Little Tikes T-ball

My new focus is to heighten creativity and pretend play while giving them things that will last for a few years. I've always tried to find toys that do this, but they have a lot of toys that are the equivalent of busy work for adults. I'm scoping out tons of musical instruments, art supplies and sports toys. I'm also starting to research bikes and trikes to get them mobile when we're out and about (as if they're not mobile enough). I've considered play kitchens and the like, but still can't decide if that kind of purchase is worth the money. I think letting them help me prepare meals would be more fun. There are, though, plenty of play kitchens at yard sales and on Craigslist for next to nothing.

For those with kids this age or older, what do you think? Is it time to give the baby toys the boot? Am I bad for wanting to downsize the toys (and, truly, the amount of time it takes to clean up said toys)? What do your kids enjoy the most?