So much for planning...

I had this great idea I'd post all the time and be this awesome blogger that everyone would want to read...yeah last post was over a month ago. Reality kicked in and I have two kids, one high energy and one quieter and into the cuddling.
Here are some updates on us and a potentially broken promise that I'll be back more often than not...

My shaggy little almost one year old was in dire need of a new haircut, a friend reccomended Pigtails and Crewcuts. Tucked away in a small strip mall about 20 mins from our house we found the shop, it's a franchise and this one was awesome. The ladies whisked the kids right away into their car off choice and started cutting...B was none to thrilled with the thought of scissors near his ears but we walked away unscathed and a pretty even big boy do.

New do and helping mama with the housework...since apparently I don't do a great job, B makes sure to re-do it :P Love this sweet kid of mine and wondering how long he'll enjoy pushing a vaccum around!

 He loves to climb. He loves to climb. He loves to climb. Everytime I turn around he's figured out how to get onto something else...fireplace - check, coffee table - check, big sisters art desk - double check, couch -working on it!

Easter weekend was awesome. My mother-in-law came in on Friday late afternoon and hung out with us through Wednesday. Saturday we checked out a local church festival and K had a BLAST at the egg hunt, took her a minute to catch onto the concept and then it was game on. She even managed to help out baby brother with a few of his own, though my little man did manage to grab two on his own.

Easter morning the bunny had paid our house a visit and the kids happily gathered up eggs. B found a couple and then was more interested in opening his stash to see what was on the inside.

 Grandma bought a Tangled, it's a new favourite.

 It is awfuly painful to get a family photo were we all look decent...this was attempt 3 or 4 I believe and about the best of the bunch.

Been slowly working on my camera skills and attempting to get better, and was recently added to a photographing mamas group which gave me a nice little ego boost and I didn't think I was 'cool' enough to dip my toes in that water. One of the questions was what is our goal as a photographer in the next year...think it would have to be simply to get better. I'd love to be able to sell my prints and have people interested in what I capture...but that may be a long term goal when I have more time to play and shoot and not have my attention called in other directions. 

My little man turns one on Saturday...we're in preparation for his day. I'm faced with lots of bittersweet emotions. For now it's semi-denial :D

Sickies!

Blake started with a snotty nose last week, that ran like a faucet. That night I heard the horrible, deep barking that gives the tell tale sign of croup settling in...my boy had the sickies!

He wanted nothing but mama's lap or shoulder and lots and lots of cuddles. I would wake up in the middle of the night his little body as close as it could get to mine with deep breathes fighting off the sickies. We were going to try out a music class but decided with that deep barky cough we'd be better off at home. No fever and my boy fought it well, still has a big of a runny nose and some junk in the chest but he's a trooper...Daddy could take some lessons!

With Summer right around the corner the weather was kind to us the last few days and the little red line on the thermometor travelled past 80 last week bringing lots of outdoor time and sunshine full of vitamin D to help fight off those icky sickies.

We have a large lot with plenty of room to run and play and it's being put to good use, both the back and front yard! We love to people watch out front and most neighbors slow down to wave or check out the silly littles in the front yard being followed around with the crazy camera lady.

 I love the flowers in the neighborhood...I would say our yard but this bush is just over the property line, thank goodness for zoom lens right? Pollen is everywhere making my poor husband sniffle and snuffle and me ever so grateful to have avoided allergies. I drug the garbage can out yesterday and instead of the brown lid I was faced with a yellow speckled one! I like the windows and doors open with fans running and will avoid the air conditioner as long as the humidity will allow...but if that's whats on the garbage can outside I may have to re-think open doors and windows for fear of what will float indoors!

The better part of the spring is the thunderstorms, just when the heat gets to be a bit much and I start to think 'man it's going to be a hot summer' God prevails and the skies open! I love me a good thunderstorm, sheets of lightening and the clash of thunder so loud the house shakes and the kids move closer wide eyed and curious at the sounds mother nature brings!

Sometimes so loud we hide under the couch...well not really, a discarded toy under the couch caught his eye, and he went in after it only to realize the space was quite small and his arms not quite capable of getting him back out. Of course mama needed a picture of the sillies before coming to his rescue!

 

Indoors and out we are taking advantage of what the weather brings and having fun! Sickies are gone and we hope they never invite themselves back.

The big hand and the little hand

Eating breakfast last week Kaitlyn suddenly looked at the clock, our awesome $5 gold clock that hangs nicely on the kitchen wall and has survived moving 3 states, and said 'Mum it's 8 o'clock, that ones pointing to the 8'.

I explained the hands, little hand and big hand and we talked about the hours and minutes in our day...now everytime we sit at the table she will tell me what time it is, or at least give a very good guess.

"The little hand is pointing to the 6 and the big hand is pointing to the 4 so that means it's 6 o'clock"

I then correct and explain that it's 20 past 6 or 6:20.

Pretty good for a 3 and a half year old, right?

I want to encourage this, so last weekend we found a very cool electronic clock at the consignment sale, the tag said for ages 5 and up...but we're ignoring that since it seems my girl is ready.

Makes me think of all the things she's going to be ready for...starts off small with telling the time and tying shoes, to riding a bike with no trainig wheels to riding the school bus and eventually ready to drive a car and leave for college.

 Pre-K starts in August and she is ready, to get out of our neighborhood we pass the local elementary school and every time we do I hear "Mum I want to go to big school, am I 4 yet" and I answer "no hunny little bit longer and you can go" while screaming on the inside, NOOOOOO it's coming too fast! :( I know she'll love it, I know it's what she needs and my little smarty pants and social butterfly will have the time of her life. But doesn't make the heart break any softer.

That big hand and little hand seem to move awful fast these days!

Happy Friday!

Have YOU looked in the mirror lately?

Being in a group of women from all walks of life with all kinds of backgrounds, presents and futures drama often arises.

The mixed words from one conversation to another.

The confusion of what one types and what one means.

The interrperated tone of a message.

The cliques.

It's almost like being in high school again, the need to be seen a certain way, wanting to fit in with the cool girls.

clearly a cool girl-I asked her to find a bow to wear and she did, in every colour that perfectly matched her dress!



It's hard not to get into the middle of it and a year ago I would have been front and center, but these days

I'm biting my tongue and staying away. I think of all the things I could say and the digs I could take but keep them in my head where they belong. Cause really what good is it going to do? I mean besides that little dip given to someones ego and a temporary boost to yours...

I look in the mirror these days and I'm good with what I see. I know who I am and it's a happy place to be! Do you? Are you good in your skin? Do you let the bites take ahold of you and fester? Do they leave a small mark or mark another notch on the lesson learned journey?

Not for a second am I saying the bites don't sting, they sure do, but I'm brushing them off  these days, kissing my wounds good-bye!

Spring has sprung!

It's a whole new season to enjoy, summer is around the corner and lots of travel plans are in the works! Plus two little monkeys are turning a whole year older...hard to believe really.

Time when you want it slows seems to move so fast!

Still trying to figure out what to do for our youngest little one's 1st birthday!! Being  new to this community we haven't many friends yet, so I'm not quite sure what we'll do. Nan is talking of flying out for the day and as a tradtion started with baby #1 we must make a trip to the zoo on the actual day. I think we'll do a theme with cars since the littlest LOVES his cars and I will be attempting a cool cake. The day will be about him, whatever we decide to do.

Best way to get my littlest smiling and not grabbing the camera...behind glass! :P

K has been talking about her birthday for months now and everytime she seems something of interest on the T.V we must add it too the list of things she wants for her birthday. We've also been instructed to invite all her friends, have a yummy cake and party hats!

I think for her this year we'll do a butterfly or cupcake themed party complete with playdough station and water table and paddling pool...something with a birthday at the end of July I doubt she'll ever escape, unless of course we move to Australia and it's the middle of winter....

My big 2-8 is at the end of June and I'm looking forward to it! I love birthdays, mine especially :) And this year will be extra special as my bestie is coming down from TN and we're meeting up another friend and her friend in Atlanta to see NKOTB and BSB!! And I've already decided we'll be doing sushi beforehand, since it's my favourite but never get to eat it with the kids and a hubby who isn't that interested in the stuff! I'm hoping for a yummy ice cream cake and celebratory dinner at home the weekend before...hint, hint, hint...not that he reads this but maybe putting it in the universe the request will be answered!

Spring cleaning has begun and last night with the help of my awesome hubby I de-cluttered all the baby stuff we've outgrown and don't use! Church consignment sale starts this Thursday and I hope it's a great success. We'll probably donate most of the stuff we don't actually sell, it's nice to make way for I'm sure all the new stuff coming in the next few months. 

I'm loving our daffodils in the front yard and the teasing hint of summer with 75 degree days...mixed in with rain and reminders that it's still March and while I pine for hot days and the smell of sunscreen and chlorine I do love that smell of rain and watching the droplets fall. Spring and Summer bring it!

Happy Monday!

I'm going crazy?

I don't know if it's part of staying home, having more time to think or having less time to be on a task or what...but I kind of feel like I'm going crazy over here.

I think it's time to learn more about what my disorder is, because I haven't much of a clue and really I should. I over-analyze my thoughts constantly...like is that normal or that just my brain?

I also worry about my kids and analyze their behavior, well not so much the 9 month old since well he's 9 months old :P But the almost 4 year old. I've worked with kids before, a lot of kids from all ages, but I'm not sure I could pinpoint 'normal' 3-4 year old behavior.

Is this normal to think and overanalyze every thing your kid does or is it just me because there is the potential she will end up with ADHD like mama?

I think 'google' is about to become a good friend of mine, any other suggestions for medical but in lamens terms information?

I'm starting with http://www.adhd.com/

The beginning of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent for the Christian calendar. Ash Wednesday comes from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance. Traditionally, the ashes used are gathered after the Palm Crosses from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned and mixed with oil. In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting, abstinence from meat, and repentance. It is a day for contemplating one’s transgressions.

Lent includes 'giving up' something to glorify God. Typically people give up sins (caffiene, alcohol, etc). What alot of people don't realize is Lent is actually 47 days long, 40 days plus Sundays which are not included in the penance.

This year I'm limiting Facebook...yes I said limiting not giving up. I need the outlet and friends I have on Facebook, since I'm still trying to find IRL friends in our new town, plus I love those ladies and would miss them alot!

I somewhat explained Lent and Ash Wednesday to Kaitlyn, but being 3.5 it's very much over her head. Once we go to service and have the ashes, it may be a bit easier to explain. I find often it's easier to explain things with evidence as opposed to intangiable theories. Seeing the ashes will hopefully let her make more of a connection to what I'm talking about! We are going to have meatless Friday's in our house as well, I'm going to make fish and chips this week!

If you are looking for some scripture to read, Hallee has some great, relevent ones listed on her blog today about Ash Wednesday: Hallee The Homemaker .

Our United Methodist Church, like all UMC's, celebrate Ash Wednesday. I'm debating on bringing K to service or putting her in childcare, I think she may still be too young to fully understand...we'll see once we get there!

If you observe Lent what have you given up this season?

If you don't observe, maybe consider joining us Christians in giving up something for the 40 days as a sense of Spring cleaning?

Enjoy your Ash Wednesday!

we've been busy...

The weather has been amazing, for February this is weird for me, I'm not accustomed to sunny days meaning outside time...usually sunny days still meant bundle up cause it's still about 30 outside. We've been soaking in every minute of it and I've made a point of going outside after lunch before the little ones naptime.

It's a refreashing part of the day, the phone stays inside and we just soak up the sunshine, play with the dog and have fun running in the yard, picking flowers or finding sticks. We have a really nice big, backyard at this house, I WISH it was fenced in but we make do :)

Kaitlyn's been learning to ride her bike...we differed on how to teach her, for some reason Daddy didn't think she needed to learn how to stop???? his argument was she'll just keep stopping when she gets scared. Male logic? who knows, so we did his way for a little bit but when she started stopping with the toes of her new summer shoes Mummy won the argument and she's been taught to push back on the peddles to stop! Still a little fearful of going down the slopped driveway but we're getting better daily and it's her favorite nag...which I won't complain about because it could be much worse :)

I never thought I'd say this, but I cannot wait for Blake to walk, he is 20lbs at 9 months old and H.E.A.V.Y! He's also a squirmer, fast crawler and into everything. But carrying him around is killing my back...much to the grievence of my friend who works at a chiropractors office I hadn't done anything about it. She set me straight and I've been to see Dr. Annie twice now, the first time it just hurt alot then and a lot after, Saturday I was in more pain that before...I went back today and she adjusted me again and will see me Thursday. I've been icing it as much as possible since sitting down for 20 minutes at a time is a rarity it's usually at night that this happens.

 My little princess in her dress, LOVES to play in the dirt...I swear if she hadn't come out of my belly I wouldn't believe she was mine. She is a walking disaster, doesn't care if she's dirty, leaves a mess everywhere, plays in the dirt and sand and loves running around outside. Granted I 'may' have enjoyed those things as a child as well but in my old age, of nearly 28 holy moley, I have a rather large ick-factor-phobe, dirt, sand, grim, etc I have a rough time with it all. I end up washing my hands probably 75 times a day, plus a shower in the am. Needless to say I need a good lotion, I've tried a ton but so far the best is the Mary Kay satin hands! I've never been so impressed it works well and it worked fast...now if I could find the same thing for my grotty feet I'd be happy...should ask Kellie if they offer something similar!

 Case in point, leaf in unbrushed hair, dirt all over from rolling on the ground.

 I fear I have become 'one of those' people who walks the gender line. My son is outside barefoot and eating grass, doesn't bug me. My daughter however must have on shoes and we wash hands immediately after playing in the dirt. I don't know why I do this or how to just be cool with both of them being kids in the dirt...something I most definitely need to work on. 

We haven't found many friends here yet, I have found a wonderful church but with a congregation of 3200 plus people it's been a bit difficult to connect with others. But I did go to a newcomers class and found a mums and tots group to attend so hopefully with more time in smaller groups I'll make some new friends!  :)
Thanks to babyzone I do know some wonderful ladies within a 45-60 min drive that we've made time to get together a few times in the last month which has been great for me, Adult conversation!!!! and great for the kids to have an unstructured playdate.

*Blaire is about 2 weeks old than Blake*

In our beautiful big backyard we have a huge magnolia tree...according to my MIL it will bloom beautifully in the late spring/summer, I'm excited and have been scouring craiglist for a patio set to put on the back deck so we can enjoy it in all it's glory!!

Oh and our internets back baby! So I'm here, and hopefully will be back to blogging weekly, its a great outlet and seems to help my grumpy moods disappear pretty quick! To quote Joey from Friends "I'm back baby!"