Random Update

After our 2 weekends almost back to back in Ohio

Its nice to get back into our little routine around here.

This summer has been very very mild. Last year was a scorcher.

Anyways... our garden has been suffering, but clearly not our other surrounding plants & flowers.

Here's Daddy and Lil Man by our tallest sunflower.

We had our cousins over this past week for a little bouncing playdate.

The blondie boys, Andrew & Joe

And the brunette girls

Sam & Clare

We have many many nicknames for Andrew.

One is "Bullshark".. Mainly because he's a biter sometimes, hard to handle, loves water, and I guess has very sharp teeth.. he bit the nipple off one of his bottles this week... clearly part Shark.

And my little artiste.

Lover of all things fancy, sparkly, princess & painting...

She loves coloring and painting princesses.. I do the sketch, and she colors them in.

I let her use my acrylics this week in the backyard during A's naptime.. she loved it.

One thing about the cooler summer is I can cook more, so that's good!

I tried the Pioneer Woman's Sour Cream Noodle Bake this week.

It was so so good.. I made 1/2 and froze 1/2.... I need to start filling our freezer more.

 

We're enjoying taking dance class too.. (Samantha is)

Andrew found some girls to flirt with while we waited. The girls just loved him, playing peek-a-boo.. and thought he was hilarious.



And we got some mail this week from Samantha's new teachers.

Along with a list of school supplies that I am VERY excited to shop for.

I love the beginning of the school year.

And I love school supplies! I always have loved shopping for pencils and folders.. ever since I was a little girl.

 

My little bubble wonder

She has been struggling with a few things lately. Listening is the biggest challenge for her lately. And we've had some trying days... Im not quite sure where this phase snuck in from, but I hope it doesn't last long. I've heard from many people that its just "the age".. but man, I feel like all I do is discipline her these days.. 

And little brother is no saint either.

He teases her, and runs away.. But then in the next minute he's kissing her, and following her like a puppy, wanting to copy everything she does. 

See what I mean (below)

He flipped out because I put a shirt on him.

He'd rather be naked all he time.. I hope THIS phase ends real soon.. before our cold winter settles in. 

So its been a fast summer, feels like it just started, and its about to end in 2 short weeks.

Back into The Routine

Since we've been back from vacay, its just been all about getting back into the routine around here.



The best of our seashell finds from Surf City.

Looking at this just makes me happy.. and sad too.. I really miss it!

 

 

I have done a TON of crafting lately ...just getting some late Mother's Day gifts done, teacher gifts, and some other Pinterest finds that I'm trying.. more deets to come on the craft blog.

 

Samantha celebrated her summer birthday at school this week...

So I made some fruit kebobs & pink krispie treat S's

 

The sweet moments & gentle kisses are very plentiful lately.

And Daddy and I want nothing more.

I know they'll fight .. naturally.. but they've been very very sweet to each other these days.

Little Man.

He's back home, and we can tell he's a happy camper

We've really tried to cut out juice from his diet, and are concentrating on him eating more food.. (since he has a tiny appetite) & load him up with Milk instead of juice.

And if / when he wakes in the night, I give him milk now instead of water

He's had a few really good nights.. And I also picked up some Blackout room darkening shades to go under his wood blinds.. ha! Hey... whatever helps!

Baka and Papa came in this weekend from Ohio.

Bringing treats and spoilings for my babies.

We soaked it all up, and had so much fun with them.

The weather was really nice the last few days.. and water is our best friend...

Last night we tried a new yogurt place in our neighborhood.. and it was really really good..

But whats bad is, we can walk there.. 

 

My husband, father in law & Samantha are the only ones who think that The Three Stooges is hysterical.. I just don't get it ... 

All she wanted to do was watch the Stooges with her favorite partner in crime.. Papa

Papa & his Grandkids.

It was a nice visit!

We cant wait till they come back again.



As we Welcome December...

As we're welcoming December, here's a few things we've been up to around here..

I had a nice morning break and tried making Samantha a christmas tree shirt.

I figured if it was sparkly, she'd wear it..

Menu Planning...

I feel like I've been in a rut.. eating the same old things week after week..

 We came up with a really good and cheap meal idea recently.

Hubby actually found it online.

Chicken Burgers via Martha Stewart

They are sooo soo good.. and we even had fresh Chives from my herb garden that werent frozen/wilted yet... so so good!

 The mailman brought me some presents I had been waiting for this week

Some pretty necklaces... and pens for my planner..

 

Samantha and I love getting out for our much needed girl time.

She loves the grocery store, and I really can tell she loves being one on one too.



She's hysterical with the things she remembers.

I was pulling in to get gas and she said "mama, mama, mama, ... That looks like Gordon's car!"

It was a VW Yellow Bug and she was referring to Gordon's car from the movie "Follow That Bird"

I nearly died... the things this child says... cracks me up

My kids are getting so big.

Its scary.. I no longer have a little baby anymore either.

I've started jotting down little things he's up to at 10 Months.. (post coming soon)

 

He had a follow up Dr's appt Friday.

He STILL has an ear infection.

This has been since early October.

I just dont know what to do anymore..

 

The Dr gave us a referral for an ENT.. and we think he's on the road to having/needing tubes.

Nothing has worked for him.

The Doc gave us one more antibiotic to try... so we're hoping in a few days we notice a difference.

I think the doctors just dont want to have to put a small baby to sleep for the procedure.. tubes are the last resort.. but they make them try 4-5 antibiotics first to see if it will go away ... and NOTHING is working for my poor guy.

 

He fell asleep for a nap, and woke up screaming 15 minutes later.. I held him, and rocked him until he fell back asleep.. then I layed him on a comforter on the floor..



 

I thought he'd wake up within 5 minutes..

He stayed there for 45 more minutes.. bonus!



 

And Im attempting to make our own Christmas cards this year..

I've got about 10 completely done.. so if no one develops another cold within the next week or so I hope to be done...

 

This extra week of November has really helped me get organized and ready for Christmas.. shopping that is.. Im compleley done with the kids..

And I have plenty of time to get what I need for everyone else.. I dont feel rushed this year which is nice.

A Better Day...

Today was a better day.

Well how could it have been worse than yesterday, right? just kidding.

I tend to stress about my kids when there is drama, but what Mama doesnt? I think it comes with the territory of Motherhood.

 

I got a comment that menitoned someone else was going through the same school ordeal as we are.

Thank goodness! Any tips/advice..? Im all ears.

Im feeling better about things today and know that like all things it is just a phase and we'll get through it... but I cant help in the moment of these times to fester and think and over-think it way too much ...and it makes me crazy!

 

We had a pretty good day though.

Andrew took a morning nap and SJ and I ran to Target while Daddy worked, and he slept.

He was in SUCH a better mood today after "unloading" all day yesterday and into today.

He's totally a monster. We lowered his crib mattress AGAIN today.

 But he is totally sweet just the same.

Today I was laying on the couch and he was standing/holding the back cushions and I kept saying "come to mama," and he would fall into me and just hug me and stay still for about 10 seconds and not move a muscle.. I totally needed that today...

 

We had a little pizza party tonight

I always make homemade pizza dough in my breadmaker

I used Whole Wheat White Flour, and the crust came out very very tasty.

 Getting mail helps make any day better as well.

I ordered this bib for Andrew and it came today.

I realized I have SO many monogrammed and embroidered shirts/bibs/dresses for SJ, and hardly anything for my little man.. time to dress him up a bit.

 My new thing lately is making my own favorite non-coffee drink from Starbucks.

I cant always jump in the car with two kiddos, so I bought a box of Passion Tea and the directions for how to make a Passion Tea Lemonade are right on the back

It tastes EXACTLY like Starbucks..

You brew the tea and then combine the tea with regular lemonade.. you can add sugar/sweet syrup to make it a little more tasty

 To end the evening we took a little stroll around our neigborhood.

And now we're all heading for bed..

So glad tomorrow is Friday!!!!!!!!!!!

Around Here ...

Around here this is what has been happening lately.

Im a SAHM with one in school and one on the hip.. its weird, but very good.

Samantha finished her first week successfully...

We got her a Hello Kitty backpack for the 2nd day... because after the first day she showed me all the other kids backpacks on their hooks.. she said "Momma.. look at THIS!!!" as she pointed to all of them... poor bubba.. she needed one of her own.

 I almost cried when I got her little book order in her folder.

This sure brings back memories for me.. I used to love circling everything I wanted and bringing it home.

After all the transition with school, we moved SJ into her big girl bed the weekend before school started. I know she's 3.. some people I know have had their kids in big beds for a while now..

Please dont judge!

SJ was a bit of a challenge to put to bed.. even up until when I was preggo with Andrew..

And when he was born, he was colic.. screamed and cried ALL DAY LONG .. for about 4 months.Im not lying.. see my archives from Jan-April of this year...

So I didnt want to change anything in her routine since after he was born she somehow slept through all the screaming every single night.. dont ask me how!

 She transitioned amazingly.

She slept in her bed ALL NIGHT the first night.. and never called for us since.

Im so glad ... she just loves her bed.. and Im kind of jealous!! Its super comfy... I'd like to catch about 12 hours in there..

 

Andrew has been a little fuss ball this week... I simply dont know what to do to make him happy sometimes.. But Samantha does.

He'll ALWAYS laugh, giggle, observe and smile at her... ALWAYS.

I love that she's my little babysitter.

 Since he's been so fussy.. I've tried some new equipment.

SJ got this car when she turned 1

He's 7 months..

And he's already in it..

 Oh but he isnt stopping there..

He also is pulling up and standing up on toys, his crib, anything he can pull up on.

 He is also falling a lot because he has little balance yet.

So today he fell on a few toys and he has some cuts on his face.. Ahh boys..

 

This weekend I got to cookin' thank goodness.

I made cupcakes for my brother's birthday on Sunday, and made and froze PW Pie Crust

 My little Cinderella.

We got this costume for her to play in..

But I have no idea what she's gonna be for Halloween!

 Yummy Sunday dinner

Fresh ColeSlaw with Cabbage and Carrots from the garden

Panko Fish Nuggets

Oven Fries...

One of our all time fav meals around here..

And thats what's been going on!

Just life with the kids

More news to come.. but I have to wait till the weekend!

We Remember {9.11.01}

I remember I was in a college class....

We thought nothing of it, and went on with our lecture.

Until the 2nd plane hit.. then it was real.

Fear.

Uncertainty.

Being Far from my Family on that day.

My friends were my family

We all hovered around our TV in shock.

We will never forget.

 So I watched some coverage this morning.

And Samantha asked me what was that??

I told her that some "bad people crashed planes into the building".

Gosh.. how do you explain 9-11-01 to a three year old anyway?

 We visited Daddy at work today..

It was a day JUST like the actual day of the attacks..

Blue Skies and about 70 degrees.. beautiful

 At Daddy's work they had the flag flying appropriately.

 Then we came home and I made SJ a really fun lunch.

It helped that Andrew was taking a nap... otherwise I would never have had time for this..

Peas, Goldfish Pretzels, GoGurt with Patriotic Sprinkles, Annie's Bunny Mac n Cheese, Carrot Sticks, and Cooked Ham Squares.

She ate like a pig.

I think its motivating for me to make lunch look pretty.. especially if she eats better!

After lunch I brought out the walker and put some shoes on brother.

He absolutely loved it..

Why didnt I do this sooner.. (i know Mom.. "i told you so"...haha) 

 And we had a stroll...

Sometimes we can actually get down the block without stopping 32 times to grab leaves, sticks, and a sip of water...

It was a pretty low key 9.11.

And I am so blessed to have these days when I remember all those lives that were taken on that day.