So hubby and I aren’t sure if we should admit to this one or not. We’re sort of stuck between high-fiving each other and a bit of guilt. We made a slightly “extravagant” purchase for our 2-year-old. However, “extravagant” is a relative term in this case. Let’s just say that after we set it up, we both felt the need to exclaim, “I never had anything this cool when I was a kid!”.

Quentin's TV

Is that a 19″ HD LCD TV and DVD player? In a 2-year-old’s room?! (And dammit, it’s nicer than the one in Mommy & Daddy’s room!) Ok, so before you go pullin’ out the “Spoiled” or “Bad Parent” card, I think we need to explain WHY we wanted to get this for the boys…

It was actually more for us than it was for them. The primary reason is to stop the insanity in the living room. Like it or not, our boys are snack chompin’, crumb droppin’, sippy cup lovin’, juice drippin’ television hounds. I try to limit their TV time because I’m fully aware that it’s a big no-no. But we still let them watch Sesame Street, Curious George, and several of the shows on Noggin (Yo Gabba Gabba especially). They also like to watch a lot of the Pixar/Disney movies (lather, rinse, repeat). So when it comes to TV time, I wanted them to camp out in Q’s room, as it’s more like a playroom. Stains and wear & tear on our poor overused living room can hopefully be minimized. Our house is pretty small (1600 sq. ft.), so I also wanted to get them out of my hair a bit so I can perform necessary evils like unloading the dishwasher or transferring laundry to the dryer without tripping over little munchkin feet.

Now there is a caveat with this set up because we did not hook it up to the cable. It’s strictly for watching DVD’s, hence the need for the DVD player. I’m going to limit the cable TV watching even more, and that will be in the living room so they can be supervised. Also, in our defense (dang I see a pattern here with use of that phrase), the total cost we dropped on this set up was around $225 bucks. So definitely not top of the line. We’re talking Visio and Memorex (but it gets the job done). We purchased the TV on sale at Target ($197) and the DVD player was super economical at only $25. That way if they break the player not so much heartache replacing something that inexpensive. And I fully expect they will break it. After all, I have two little button pushers on my hands.

Ok people, no dramatic commentary from me today. Not that there’s a shortage of bitching in these parts, just that I’m about to head out to have lunch with my BFF and ex-work buddy (Wassup Moe-zilla?!). The boys are going to Mary’s so I can do some errands and hubby can immerse himself in touch up paint & wall hangings (as we attempt to spiffy up the house in preparation for the MIL’s visit). So instead, I’m leaving you with some internet awesomeness that I’ve come across in my travels. Too good not to share! In no particular order:

• Sweetheart Moments: A mommy blog and a craft blog rolled into one! I’m so in love with this site! And super jealous of this chick’s creativity and organizational skills! She’s got some fabulous ideas. Sorta makes Martha look like a deadbeat
• IKEA Hacker: I’m so excited that I came across this one because I love IKEA! Check out all the creative and inspiring things folks do with items from IKEA. Some really cool hacks!
• jannypie crafts: Another craft blog, but definitely not ordinary. She’s got some really nice tutorials and some super cute (free) blogger templates (if you’re into that sort of thing). Yeah that’s the Wordpress snob in me.
• behind the seams: A Mom, Etsy-er, and humble craft blogger. Another talented Super Mom! How do you ladies do it? Send some of that energy my way please! I just love seeing how people set up their craft rooms and her room is awesome!
• Perrys’ Plate: This one might just make a foodie out of me! Ok, not really. I like to EAT. Lords knows I don’t like to COOK much. But I’m tryin’!
• Vista Icons: Totally cute icons to personalize your PC. I spent way too much time last night downloading and changing out all my important icons. And yeah, I’m running Windows Vista. Because I’m cool like that.
• Microsoft Office Planner Templates: an anal retentive organization junkie’s DREAM! Download vacation planners, meal planners, Christmas present planners, baby shower planners, camping trip planners, the list goes on! All in Word or Excel format.
• Vertex42: more spreadsheet and template goodness! I’m lovin’ it!
• Feathers, fur and fusing: Last but not least… my talented friend Jan and her blog supporting Blue Cockatoo Glass (her Etsy shop). She loves to tinker with bits of glass and comes up with some really cute stuff. Love the sun/moon magnets!

I’m in a serious funk! My energy & mood levels are down, my impatience & irritation is up. Oh no! I’m failing the SAHM test! Already?! I called my girlfriend Mary and kinda unloaded via voicemail (sorry girl, love ya!). By the time she called me back, I was totally over it. How did I get over it so quickly? I took the kids to Target and I spent money. BEST DANG THERAPY IN THE WORLD!

But seriously, let’s just say that today was “one of them days!”. I’m learning (the hard way) that toddlers cannot be entertained with a DVD for a “few moments”, while Mom squirrels away to do some graphic work on the computer. Because even though it’s relatively quiet on the other side of that office door, total secret mayhem is actually taking place in your living room. This time the havoc came via an entire bag of potato chips turned upside down and spread throughout the living room (I still curse the day that Quentin learned how to open the pantry door). Also, a torn off diaper and lovely poop trails scattered down the hall. I really should have taken a picture, you’d have been much entertained! In their defense, what was supposed to take a few minutes ended up taking MUCH longer (not even sure how long, I lost track of time) because I was having serious technical difficulties. But, we live and learn, right? Next time, I’ll just have to wait until after their bed time before I decide to go all “Office Space” with that piece of sh*t printer that keeps eating my freakin’ labels. So much for doing productive personal stuff during the day. I guess I must resign myself to the fact that my kids 0wn m3. If I could just come to terms with the fact that this life is truly now “my job” and that I’m not just on vacation! And God, if you could just send me a tiny bit more of that magical stuff called “patience” (or a valium). KTHXBYE.