We're in Boston! Without the kids! For 2 whole nights! Whooo - hooo!
It is really fun, this morning we're being lazy. I have no place I have to be. That never happens. I'm looking forward to a fun day!

Another Layer

Wow, I haven't posted in awhile. I had been so good at posting often lately. Last week I hosted a Stella and Dot jewelry trunk show. It was so awesome and the jewelry was so great I decided to become a "stylist". This is a bit crazy, I've always been wary of those sort of things, but I decided to just go for it. It's not like I don't have enough to do. Two kids, running a restaurant, trying to keep up with hobbies, housecleaning etc. But, I decided that I thought it was fun and a great product. And that I would just go for it.
So, I'm trying to book trunk shows now, which is why I haven't been blogging. I've spent my time picking out jewelry for my starter kit, making lists of who I think would have a trunk show, and calling, emailing them. Oh, and I've been doing my online training. which is optional, but suggested to make the most money out of this. Which, of course, is what I want. Can I do it all? Restaurant, kids, mom, housekeeper, cook and jewelry salesperson. I have no idea. But who knows? Maybe I can.
If anyone likes jewelry and is interested check it out, I was really impressed with the quality.
www.stelladot.com/taryncocheo

Addendum

More on Friday:
I still have a headache.

I have not showered, I think that playdate is getting cancelled.

My babysitter just cancelled for tonight.

Just noticed pen marks on my ottoman.

But, more importantly, for xmas should I get these or these?

And I found my daughters birthday present, I will take her to see the nutcracker at a local theatre and get her this shirt;

Friday

Last night I had a very needed Girls Night Out. 6 of us had dinner and drinks. It really is amazing how much only 2 1/2 hours can do for your soul. I went to bed happy and relaxed.

My little girls got their hair cut and they look so adorable I am dying to take their picture. My camera has been at work for a week and I can't for the life of me remember to get it when I am there.

Today is so busy. It is my one day of the week that my husband gets up with the kids. Of course, they slept until 8. I know this shouldn't bother me, it does a little. I went back to sleep, although I have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep in the morning. I woke at 9:30 with a raging headache. It's bad, and my 2 year old has turned into a screecher, which is not good at all for headaches. Husband ran off to work the moment I opened my eyes. My brother in law is visiting tonight. I have to clean the house, do payroll for work, go to work, supposedly have a quick playdate at 1:30, music class at 4, a potluck from 5 to 6 and then work at 6. Wow, I'm tired just writing that. The kids are screaming and screeching and arguing over a little tiny container with marbles in it. I'm not sure how it's possible that my days when I "sleep in" and are supposedly to be less stressful tend to get more crazy.

There's a positive here. I made chocolate chip cookies last night and I am going to go have one right now. There's crying coming from the playroom, however I'm just picturing that cookie. (I can tell it's not I'm hurt crying, just I'm fighting with my sister crying).

Holiday Blues

I'm getting a little bummed about the holidays and how much money every costs. There are so many pretty things and so little money. I know I am not in a dire situation and we will have a fine holiday season. My kids have lots and don't need more stuff. But sometimes I get that picture in my head of the tree with present piled high and part of me wants to do that for my kids. And part of me knows it's ridiculous and they shouldn't be getting stuff just to get stuff. When I see pictures like this, I can't help it, I want it. I've always loved beautiful clothes and to see my girls on Christmas in matching dresses like this? I would die of the cuteness. I love them! Also, I look at the pricetag and how in the world did a catalog arrive in my mailbox where a dress, for a child, costs $198?!?! It is insane. so pretty, yet so insane. Somehow my brain equally believes both is true.

My children will not have matching beautiful dresses for the holidays. We don't need them. They have lots of clothes. The money. They will have christmas movies, christmas songs, ornaments, lights and a tree. This will have to be enough, even though Chasing Fireflies is trying to tell me that it isn't.

Details Details...

I thought I would give some more details on my small but motivated list.

I have always wanted to learn French, I always thought it was such a romantic language. When I lived in NYC I was supposed to take French lessons, and then it turned out it didn't start until the end of my pregnancy, so I just never did it.

To run in a marathon - I am not a runner, I have run, but am definitely not a runner. Currently I feel like I'm in the worst shape. My jeans are feeling a little snug and I just feel yuck. I seriously need to get off my ass and do something. How do people with young kids find the time? When my kids were babies I was fine, I would exercise with them, strap them on me and I would go. Right now I'm in a rut.

Oh, how I want to play the guitar. Have I mentioned this before? Because my four year old also wants to play the guitar. So, guess who is taking lessons? Yes, the 4 year old. My hope is she will teach me. (I do listen in on their lessons and go home and practice)

To move somewhere, San Francisco, Portland, or someplace abroad. - I have a lot of regret with this one. About a year after college Tim and I were going to move to Portland, Oregon. We did research, we looked for jobs, we looked for apartments. Then I spoke to my mother about it. Basically I feel like I was a big baby because I couldn't do it. My mother said, you can't go that far. And I actually listened. Who does that? I am a classic first born, I have (almost always) listened to my parents. I need to remind myself when my kids are that age that I should let them have experiences and not be afraid to lose them. Currently Samantha thinks I should go to college with her, so we might not have this issue. It's never too late, right? Maybe we could move somewhere when the kids are older, although that seems so far away...

to be crafty - working on it. Going decently well. Knitting is good, birthday party plans coming up next month, I plan to be quite crafty for her Fancy Nancy party I have in the works.

to foster a child. - Although I want to do this, I honestly have no idea if it will happen. Maybe later on in life when my kids are more grown. Right now my husband does not want more kids, while I do, but not for awhile yet. I'm still fairly confident I can convince him but alas, this is for another, more serious post, the whether or not to extend your family post.

Things I Want...

Here is a list of some things I always wanted to do. As I get older I'm trying to think about accomplishing some. Others I might never accomplish. I'll probably be adding to it also.

to learn to sew and make some clothes.

to be crafty and have lots of projects going on.

to learn French.

to complete a marathon.

to play the guitar.

to not worry so much (about money specifically).

to move somewhere, San Francisco, Portland, or someplace abroad.

to be more organized.

to foster a child.

Holidays

I’m a big fan of Christmas. Most specifically I’m a big fan of Christmas cards and Christmas trees. I guess I should be politically correct and say holiday cards. My usual MO is to pick out Christmas cards early. I scrutinize over what photos to pick. I’ve been known to stage elaborate photo shoots since my first child was barely 1 year old. Hundreds of photos to scour through. My husband is not a fan of this process. We probably argue over it yearly, the fact that he does not care what kind of Christmas card we send. How is that even possible? However, he swears that it is true. I can do whatever I want. One year I should test him and get a sample of some crazy Christmas card and see what he says.

I know what I want in a Christmas card. I want my kids to look adorable (obviously). I prefer the cards with 3 pictures. One of each of my children and one of them together. This year, I might branch out and get one in there of all 4 of us, if I can get the hubby to agree. We do not have many pictures of all 4 of us, he works way too much for that. It’s likely to get this I would have to have him in his chef coat at work, with the rest of us smiling festivally around him. I have also been known to order Christmas cards and have half of them sit on my desk never sent. I’m sorry if you were meant to get one last year and didn’t.

Two years ago we used Shutterfly. I loved that picture. I can’t for the life of me remember what last years card was. We had just opened a restaurant and I don’t even know if I did one. Anyway, my

My favorite part about shutterfly is that you can adjust the pictures so much to see exactly what you’re getting. I love popping tons of pics into those little boxes to see what they will look like. I also like that you can check several items off your gift giving list. Grandparents love calendars and mugs with pics of the kids. It is so easy and they are so happy. Every year we give each set of grandparents a calendar.

For holiday cards this year, I like the simplicity of this one.

and the amount of pictures you can get with this one.

But I think my favorite is this beauty right here. I like the amount of pictures, the monogram and I love the saying. "And I Think To Myself what a wonderful World". If you can't feel that way during the holidays then when can you?

Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 free holiday cards. Learn more about it here.

Shutterfly will be providing me with 50 free cards for writing this post, but the thoughts are all my own. Well, I’m off to go get some good pictures of the kids for my cards!

Oh, and by the way, has any seen CVS, they have a full Christmas decorations out since the day after Halloween, that's just not right. Now my daughter is yelling about how she wants Barbie ornaments every time we go in there. Frustrating....

What I Wore

I need to try harder with my pics. This weekend I will try to get a good one of what I wear to work. This week I wore, my favorite flannel shirt. I love this shirt, it's my go to, wear twice a week shirt. I can't remember where it's from, but I wore it with a alternative black t and hudson jeans and frye boots.

The other pic is a tracey reese frock dress, bamboo black tights and Seychelle shoes. (Need a better pic of this outfit bc it was a good one, I had on a fitted camel J Crew blazer with it when I was outdoors). Samantha, the cuter one in the pic is wearing gap kids and her brand new haircut. American Girl doll on floor, we are unsure what she's wearing, vintage we think.

Don't Stand So Close To Me

My children love me. That is known. Especially the little one. She must be touching me almost all the time. Just this morning, in my bed, she had to have one little arm above me and another below me. Like if I was 10 times smaller she would be holding me like a baby. It was not comfortable. It was my one morning to sleep in and she had to be in bed with me, holding me. Lately at times it gets to me. I try not to let it. Sometimes I feel like screaming , stop touching me'. I know, it's terrible to think that. And I don't scream it. Sometimes it gets to be so much. I'm cooking dinner and she's on my legs, begging me to pick her up. How do I get her to be a little more independent, or at least a little less touchy feely?

For today, I will focus on the times when I pick her up after not being with her and she has a huge smile on her face, and yells mommy, while running to get to me as fast as possible. She then throws herself around me, even if we were only separated for one hour. She loves me, and I love her too, more than I can imagine.

As always, my life is feeling like a whirlwind. The days pass so quickly, so much seems to get done and not get done. And, I am exhausted.

Knitting is going well, I'm almost done with my second scarf. It is taking longer that I thought and I decided to make a hat next. I'm a little nervous about the circular knitting so someone suggested I crochet. It seems complicated, but probably just because I'm used to knitting. So, I'll get there. I just have this lovely vision of the 4 of us wearing hats I made. Believe it or not, this seems like a very impressive feat.

I used to take Samantha to a weekly playgroup where for the first hour everyone played and for the second hour people watched the kids for you while you sit in a group setting with a counselor. It is at times very cheesy and wierd but sometimes it was great. When I was potty training Samantha it was great to talk about my frustrations or hear tips from other people. Sometimes the group facilitator, who I guess is a licensed "life coach", can you be a licensed life coach, I'm not sure?, can be quirky. When nobody has a big issue to discuss she will make us go around the room and say what is wonderful about us. I've done this so many times in the last 4 years that I'm so over it and can't help rolling my eyes like a teenager when she brings it up. That will lead her to say, "and why does this make you so uncomfortable..."

Anyway, I'm not painting a pretty picture. It is a great place to go because you have something to do, you know at least a few of your friends will be there, and it can be fun. I went this week with just Ella for the first time in about 6 months. It was actually nice, we did have to say what was wonderful, but I'm so used to that by now, it's no big deal. I said it was wonderful that I go to a organized exercise class once a week because I'm taking time for me, even if that is all I do some weeks, at least I know I'm doing something. I also told them I started a blog. Only 2 people know about my blog in real life (husband and 1 friend). It was like I was sharing a little secret about myself. It was fun, and they all thought it was a great idea. They all might be googling me now, if they care that much. Number 1, I don't think I'm easily traceable and Number 2, my secrets aren't all that juicy that I need to hide them. I just do like knowing that family and all friends aren't reading my blog. What about you? Does everyone know about your blog? My old blog, I used to email out to remind people to read every so often, so all my friends and family read it. For this point in my life, I prefer it this way.

Someone Else's Giveaway

I want to win a coat from Beth at I Should Be Folding Laundry and you probably do too. Go here to see her post.

She is giving away a awesome Lands End coat for kids. It looks very warm and cozy. If I won, I would pick pink because my daughter will only wear pink if she can help it. what about you?

1 Year!

We had our one year anniversary last week. We have owned a restaurant for one year! That seems like a pretty good success, right? Things are not perfect by any means. But, the first 2 years of owning a restaurant are the hardest and at 1 year, we are doing well. That seems like something to be proud of.

We had a party for our staff last Sunday. It was so so great. Many of us are pretty good friends. Of course, we're the bosses (my husband and I). So besides our manager (who we met in college) and my brother, there is a line there. Some we're closer with than others, as always. I had visions of our party being a bonding experience.

We invited everyone to our home. We had it catered, for once we were not cooking. Most of the people who worked for us were there. We have 2 teenagers who work for us, a 20 year old and a mix of people in there 20's and early 30's. So it was interested to have everyone over together to hang out. I was given a copy of this karaoke singstar game. I asked the 16 year old who works for me to bring his playstation over (how hilarious is that?). I wasn't sure how it was going to go down. I said, we're going to karaoke, haha. Everyone laughed and said, yeah, right. Well, we broke out the game and it was perfect. Everyone sang, the good, the bad, the younger, the older. It was hilarious. We laughed. The only people who didn't sing were the 16 year old who brought his playstation over and the Mexican cook who can't read much English. I would love to know what was going through their heads. They were both smiling, laughing and just watching from the back.

I like to think we bonded, we definitely had fun. Some of us were very good singers, I was one of the worst. But it didn't matter. My song came on. "Every Rose Has It's Thorn" And I rocked it anyway. Fun times.

Now I'm off to make my Christmas lists.

What I Wore...

... To Work Tonight
I've been reading Girls Gone Child who is asking people to post what they wore. I am pretty bad at taking pictures of myself, but it was my first time. I also need another room of the house. Obviously, I took these pics in my playroom.
I am wearing:
dress: Papillon Blanc
tights: Express
purple watch: unknown
boots: Vintage Fryes from 1970's

These are my favorite boots. I forgot to wear the bracelets I wanted to wear with this, next time...
by the way, omg, who doesn't clean up before taking pics that they put on the internet. I apologize. In my defense, I had just gotten off work and I am exhausted, I just really wanted to get this post up. Next time, clean room, I promise.

More Parenting Woes

Sometimes my about to be 5 year old can be just so annoying to her younger sister. This is especially happening at bedtime. Both Samantha and I read to Ella together, then we sing to her. Then we kiss her good night. Lately Samantha can be so annoying at that time. She will be pulling on the book from her sister. Saying the words ahead of time. Tonight she kept putting her foot on the book. It's like she's doing it just to be annoying and difficult. I feel badly for being a little tough on her. But, this is supposed to be a nice, quiet wind down time and Samantha can make it so difficult. It's amazing that someone can be so sweet sometimes and just so terrible other times with her sister. I guess that is sisterhood.

An update on Ella's bedtime. Tonight I have walked her back to bed 3 times so far. Last night she woke up and we let her in out bed. Today someone suggested a gate in the doorway and just tell her she has to stay in her room. This seems a little harsh to me for someone her age. Tim agrees and thinks that is not a option for us. I guess I'm just hoping she will grow out of it.

This morning I told Samantha she should put on her tights herself (I was in the shower at the time). She looked at me and said, "you're a bad mom." So many thoughts went through my
head at that moment, I wasn't sure what to say.
Number 1, she has no idea what a bad mom is.
Number 2, I think she might be a tough teenager.
Number 3, hmm..so many ways I could go here.

I decided to tell her that I was not, in fact a bad mom. That really hurts my feelings to have her say that. Bad moms don't feed, clothe, or take their children to school. She just looked at me and said, okay, you're a good mommy.

Lately a lot I feel on the brink of being too harsh with her. I just feel like she is at this critical age where lessons need to be taught. She'll either learn or become a big brat. She needs to know what is appropriate to say to people, and as her mother I should be teaching her. Right?

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here yet but Tim and I are going away for 2 nights at the end of the month, this is seriously needed. We went away for a very short one night last February, left at night and returned at 8 AM the next day. Before that, it had been before Ella was born. So, this is needed, maybe I'll have more patience afterwards. I can just keep picturing those 2 nights when I start to get frustrated.

Bedtime Woes

I woke up a few night ago and felt something warm and cuddly next to me. I instinctively curled up next to her. Then I awoke. "Tim?", I whispered. "Did you go get Ella?"
"No, did you?" "Nope."
My just turned 2 year old and just started sleeping in her own bed, was now coming to my bed in the middle of the night.
Samantha will be five next month, she still yells for us when she wakes. She does not get out of bed on her own. My little baby Ella is getting out of bed on her own. What's even more strange to me is that she's not even waking me at all. Just climbing into bed and going to sleep.

I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, she is very cute and cuddly and I don't mind sleeping with her at all. I mind it even less when she's not even waking me up to do it. So sweet... But.... I don't want my kid to sleep with me nightly. That's never really been my thing. I like my space at night. So, what to do? Wait it out? Put her back in the crib? She's too old to let cry at night. I'm not sure. I guess for now we wait.

I need to post, I know. For now I will give you the obligatory Halloween picture. enjoy!