Preschool Love

So SD has had a crush on this little boy in her class since the beginning. He is Puerto Rican I think and he is adorable. She made him a heart for Valentine's Day (without prompting I might add) and it made it in her school bag today. When I dropped her off at school, she remembered she had it for him. So she went and got it to give to him. When she did you should have seen his face, his eyes were as big as saucers. Her teacher and I were cracking up! His friend was sitting next to him just looking at him and his little cheeks started turning red. It was so cute! SD thought it was totally normal and was not the least bit embarrassed by it! She is such a sweet and caring girl.

I told his mom about it and she was laughing, she can't wait to ask him about it after school!

Boys like Bad Stuff

SD's little "boyfriend" had a birthday party last weekend. We take this little boy to school once a week and they have known each other since they were one! His mom was telling me that his birthday party was hot wheels and she just couldn't bring herself to invite SD to such a boy party, but he had requested to go to Chuck E Cheese for a celebratory lunch and had chosen to take SD as his one guest...so it was a date :)

We went to Wal-Mart to get him a present and I let SD pick it out. She said that he loved dinosaurs and we needed to get him a dinosaur with a volcano, because that is what dinosaurs like. So we found him a little puzzle of a dinosaur with a volcano in the background...the perfect gift. As we were driving home, we were talking about the present and here is the conversation:

SD - He also likes bad stuff.

Me - Bad Stuff? What do you mean by bad stuff?

SD - Well, he likes Star Wars and Batman

Me - Baby...boys just like things that are different, it doesn't mean that they are bad!

Ahhh....my little girly girl! Her future husband better be ready to put up with some serious Ms. Priss!

Cute Little Old People

At church this past Sunday as we were singing, a couple of rows in front of us, we saw the cutest thing, or at least I think it is cute! The older gentlemen were already in the row when their wives walked in. They were settling into the row and immediately he helped her get her coat off, without any prompting. I just thought it was so cute! Not to mention that they held hands the rest of the service.

To me it was a true representation of servant hood. He served her without needing anything back and without being asked. What I assume was one of their grown children and their spouse slid in the row a little while later as well. They were also very cuddly during the service. I can only assume that they say these outward displays of love and tenderness in their home and it influenced their relationship as well.

I hope that SD and Linus witness us serving each other and outward displays of love and affection and it affects their relationships in a positive way!

I know it

Chores are often not liked by kids, or adults for that matter. Our kids love breakfast, so BG thought it best to get them to do their chores before breakfast. I decided to give it a try. Sure enough, they made their beds in a hurry so that they could have their beloved cereal, but in the process, a funny conversation occurred. I asked SD if I could go check on her bed to which she replied no...which means she didn't make her bed all the way. I asked her to go do it again to which she stomped off mumbling and pouting. Then the following occurred:

Me: I know, I am mean, this is not a new concept, you should know this by now.
BG: I know it!
Linus: I know it!

BG and I were cracking up!

When SD was finally finished and back eating her cereal, she was all upset because I had put the Valentine's towels, that she had put as napkins, in their proper places...to which she said..."You have ruined Valentine's"

Kids say the funniest things!

Wedding Weekend

My youngest sister got married on the 2nd of October. We were once again all 4 in the wedding, and the kids did really well since they had done it before. It also helped that BG wasn't a groomsmen and instead an usher. He was able to keep them distracted as I walked down the aisle so that they would walk down on their own. The best thing about the wedding and being involved, is meeting new people and making new friends. There were a handful of Lauren's friends who I really connected with, which is not shocking since Lauren and I are a lot alike. One in particular is actually my friend now as well. It was fun to be the older sister to a couple of new girls who didn't have older sisters. Now if they would just tell my sisters that having an older sister is cool...Here are some funny stories from the wedding...

The night before the wedding two of Lauren's friends, myself and my mom were practicing bustling the dress. When Lauren put it on, there was still a pin in the back of the dress pointed right at her backside. She pulled up the dress and the pin went straight into her butt cheek, to which she responded "Oh S***" Thankfully SD was in the room and heard every word, which she then proceeded. Lauren apologized profusely and told SD that I was going to wash Lauren's mouth out with soap! SD hasn't said the word since, so hopefully she forgot about it! Thanks Lauren!

At the rehearsal dinner, SD met a new friend, a relative of the groom. The little girl was about her age and they had a blast running around together. She came up to me and told me that she had a new friend named Sophapia, funny thing is that we were at a Mexican Restuarant. I finally figured out that the little girls name was actually Sophie...too funny!

Cheerleading

SD took cheer leading this summer at our rec center.  At first she didn't like it too much, and kept asking to do somersaults, but then she got into it.  These are pics of the last day where they did a pep rally for all the parents.

Funky Chicken

High V

SD with her teacher

Breakfast

I have really been focusing on breakfast lately with my kids.  I am a morning person and they are too, so it is a perfect time to really pour into their lives.  Not only that, I really think that it sets the tone for the day.  I am trying to also set a healthy example and habit for them.  One of our favorite meals right now is homeade oatmeal.  I found the recipe at Kroger when I was shopping in the produce department.  We have modified a little bit because SD is pretty picky.  I have also added protein powder with lots of vitamins to increase that in my kids diet.  Here is a picture and the recipe!  Enjoy!

2 cups of milk

1 cup of water

1 tsp of vanilla (it is supposed to be 2, but we use a much stronger mexican vanilla...really the only way to go)

2 Tbsp of brown sugar

1/2 tsp of cinnamon

1/4 tsp of nutmeg

2 Tbsp of Protein Powder

1 1/2 C of plain oats

I mix all of the ingredients (in a pot) before adding the oats, because it makes it a little easier.  Then add the oats.  Put on med-high heat for 13-15 minutes.  Let cool and enjoy.  I make it right when I get home from the gym and the kids love to help me out!  Then we add raisins and "sprinkles" (Pampered Chef Vanilla Sugar I think).  SD has actually started asking for this in the morning with is nothing short of amazing, considering she would barely touch it when I first served it.  Linus can eat up to two bowls, he is going to be a linebacker!  This recipe makes 4 servings, but we usually finish it off in a morning :)

Glasses

 

 

Boo!

 

 

 

 

Duck boy

Frog Girl

Mr. Sandman

As a small child, I had a recurring nightmare.  It happened so often or I guess was so vivid, that I still remember it in detail to this day, and it has probably been 20 years since I dreamed it.  My nightmare was about being kidnapped, I was terrified of it.  In my dream, the kidnappers had painted the inside of a moving van to look like my bedroom and one of them had dressed up like my mom and brought me breakfast.  I am not sure where I even came up with any of these details, but they were very vivid in my dream.  I think that some people dream more than others and some are more vivid and more easily remembered. 

I think that SD has inherited my dreaming abilities.  She woke up this morning, EARLY (around 5) and said that she had a dream about a lizard.  I tucked her back into bed and we talked about it a little bit.  She said, "I don't like to dream."  I can totally understand her fears, it is awful waking up from a dream that seems so real and the thought of falling back asleep only to jump right back into that dream is awful.  But then there are those awesome dreams, that leave a smile on your face, or make you laugh.  I tried to explain to her that sometimes dreams are fun and exciting, and to think about things that you want to dream about (for her this would include Fancy Nancy, dress up and princess stuff!) 

So...what is your dream life like?

Art Gallery

I came home from work a while back to find that SD had taped her drawings on various walls in our house.


These are above her bed.


This is on a wall in the living room, totally random!

So, to prevent this, I created an "Art Gallery" for her. All I did was take some ribbon that I had and string it across her bunk beds. Then we used laundry clips to hang all of her artwork from. She really likes being able to hang up all of her drawings and school projects for everyone to see.

Summer Activities

SD has gotten to do some fun summer activities through her school. Last week she went to space camp and learned all about space, planets, stars, etc. This week she has been going to VBS at her school. I always had such fond memories of VBS at my church growing up that I was really excited to send her. The cool thing about it is that it also has a space theme, so back to back, she is learning about space and who created it! During VBS, they have a theme color each day that all of the kids and volunteers wear. We kind of messed up the first day, but since then have been doing a pretty good job. Today was finally a "girly" color...Purple! The other days we have had to be somewhat creative because SD does not have a ton of primary color shirts. But today...today was a different story! I laid out 5 purple shirts that she could pick from. Is that a problem? I hate to even think of the number of PINK shirts that we have!

Sweet Moments

I know, I said I would blog and I didn't! I really want to get back on it, but just haven't found the time. One of the reasons that I started this blog is because I wanted to document things that my family was doing and going through. I post periodically on Facebook, and that has kind of taken place of my blog, but you can't take your status updates and make them into a book like you can your blog entries. Not only that, but I use these entries when I scrapbook and my memory is definitely fading with age, which by the way, I will be a year older this week! Yikes! How did that happen?

So, here are some sweet moments lately in my life.

SD is hilarious really! As I was explaining this story to a friend, she commented that SD had such awe and amazement with everything, which I think perfectly describes her. If you have ever heard her talk, she has a very sing-songy voice that is quite cute! Last night I was putting her to bed, she is sick by the way, and I lifted her up into bed. I don't remember (see what age does) exactly our conversation, but in the context of it, I told her that God had fearfully and wonderfully made her and that He thought she was pretty special. She looked at me with big doe eyes and said with such enthusiasm, "He did! Wow!" It was such a sweet moment and a total God-stop moment for me. It was awesome to put Him in the midst of our everyday conversation, just like instructed in Deuteronomy 6:6-8

Linus has also come into his personality, just like his Daddy, only a little more stubborn, hopefully it is just the age. If you ask him to do something that he doesn't want to do, he just goes and puts his forehead against a wall or piece of furniture and pretends not to see you or hear you. Lucky for him, his mama is more stubborn than a mule! No comments on that please! But, he is a momma's boy and cute as all get out! He has now learned about giving kisses and when you ask for one, he sticks his lips out like a duck and waddles to you! It makes us all laugh, and makes it really hard to stay mad at him.

Well, that is all for now! Hope you are enjoying your day!

Pre-school jitters

SD has started pre-school and is loving every minute of it. I on the other hand nearly had an anxiety attack about it. It wasn't because she was going to be out of my care or anything like that, it was more the work that it was going to take. You see, when I signed her up, I did so thinking it was no big deal. I thought it was a drop your kid off, the play and color and then you pick them up. Boy was I wrong. BG & I went to the orientation and walked away with homework! We had to color their name tag for them and then we had to bring in pictures for something that they were doing. Then they gave us homework to do with our preschooler, we had to add bling to their bags. Of course, being the rule follower and perfectionist that I am, it all had to be done before her first day of school, two days later! Talk about stressed!

Not only that, but she has homework weekly, so far it has just been a color sheet that she has to glue pictures of the color on, but that involves scissors, glue and me helping! We are settling in to the routine of all of this, but I can't imagine what kind of mess I am going to be when she and Linus are in actual school! And now, we have the big project to do, the "All about me" booklet that they sent home. Something else that they told us about at orientation and then we didn't get until last week, which had me asking BG to ask her teacher about it on his turn to drop her off.

On top of all that, we have to send a snack once a month and wear spirit colors once a week. I almost failed at this on the first week. SD was all ready to go to school when I remembered that she was supposed to wear her school shirt. We had to do a quick change because I realized this about 2 minutes before BG was taking her to school. I know that it really isn't that big of a deal if she doesn't wear the right color, I mean she is only 3, but anything I can do to keep her out of therapy, I am all for!

Mini-Me?

SD is just like me, I mean, EXACTLY like me. It really scares me and poor BG is just sunk. One day I looked at him and said, "It is really hard living with someone like that!" to which he responded, "Really? Try living with two of them!"

This being a mini-me has gone to a new level now! We use choices for SD to do things. One that we use daily is "Do you want to pick up your toys, or is Mommy going to do it?' The consequence for having me pick them up is that they get taken away. This usually works really well and gets her moving! The problem, is that now, she wants to take away her own toys! Too funny!!

No More Excuses

Two weeks ago I was really tired on Friday. I had started bootcamp and had run on Monday and Wednesday, so I figured I had earned a break on Friday. SD had other plans though. As I was doing my Bible Study, she came to me and asked if we could go running. I told her we could, but Mommy needed to finish her Bible Study, she sat there so quietly and patiently waiting for me to finish. As soon as I closed my Bible, she hopped up and asked if it was time to go. I had already gotten her dressed and she had picked out her Nike's to wear. So as I went to change my clothes and put on my running shoes, she went to get "ready" as well. As I came out of our room, there I saw my little running buddy, complete with a baby in her baby stroller. I guess that I wasn't actually going to get a run in that morning, because SD wanted to "run" with her baby! So, I plopped Linus in the Flinstone Car and out we went. It was so cute to see her actually running while pushing her baby. I don't know what I loved more about that morning, the time we got to spend together, the fact that she wanted to go running, or her encouragement to get me out the door! Truly a cherished morning. I don't have pics of the actual event, but here is a picture of her pushing her baby on a run!

Grocery Store Outfit

We went to the grocery store a while back and SD loves to go with me. It was early in the morning so she still had on her PJs. I asked her if she wanted to go and she went to grab her shoes to go with me. Her outfit consisted of the following: Pajamas, plastic dress up high heels and her sunglasses.

She looked a little eccentric, something you can do when you are young and old!

Evidence...

That I am not OCD...

And my Daughter does not have nearly enough bows!!

I got a wild hair this weekend and decided to organize all of her hair stuff! I got the bows arranged by color on her bow holders and her hair stuff, in a basket, with smaller baskets holding her rubberbands and clips! This is normal, right?

My Husband Rocks Friday

My husband rocks because he is such a great dad! Last summer Amy told me about a summer movie deal where you pay $5 per person for a total of 10 movies! The catch is that the movies are during the day. Since BG is self-employed, he has that flexibility. I took the kids while I was on maternity leave last year, but BG picked it up once I went back to work. This year, he decided to do it again. It started this week and he suffered through Space Chimps! The awesome part is that he is even willing to take SD to see Kit Kitridge, eventhough I offered that maybe his mom could take her! A great dad and a very blessed little girl!!

It's Kind of Like Water

SD got a tea set for Linus' birthday, I know, I know! Anyway, she is LOVING it and I must admit, it is really cool. The cups turn a darker pink when they have "tea" in them. It also has a little tray and everything fits perfectly in its very own spot, a total blessing for us OCD girls!

Anyway, yesterday afternoon, she wanted to have a tea party, so I told her that we could after she woke up from her nap. So, staying true to my word, we went out on the deck and had a "Tea" Party. I put out a little mat and filled the pitcher up with water. I also surprised her with some left over birthday cake, which thrilled her! She did a great job of pouring tea for me and herself. I told her that it was really good and asked if I could have some more tea please. She responded with, "Ummm, it's kind of like water." Too funny!

I guess that she doesn't fully understand pretend! Someday, someday!

The funny thing is that our friend Melissa taught her how to hold the top of the teapot on with her finger, so as to not spill the tea. Melissa claimed it is a life skill, she is from Mississippi! SD has totally picked up on it and pours tea like a true southern bell! I smell Kappa in her future :)

These are truly the memories that I cherish making!

On Mother's Day

I had a fabulous Mother's Day thanks to my wonderful husband! It was so relaxing and calm and at the same time, I got a lot done. One thing that I did was go to the grocery store, which is my Sunday tradition. SD loves going to the store, so a lot of times I take her with me. She is usually pretty good and helps me put the groceries on the belt to pay for them. At the first grocery store (I go to three each week) she wanted to ride in the basket that has space for extra kids. Since I only had her, I told her that we didn't need that one since we didn't have Linus and that we were going to use the regular basket. She started to throw a fit of course! I calmly told her that I was using the regular basket and going inside and that if she wanted to come with me, she was welcome to, if not, she could stay outside! She quickly got in the basket and that was the end of the fit. I was really proud of how calm I remained and how the fit was quickly nipped in the bud! As we were walking in, a nice man told me good job! I know it seems small and it probably no big deal to him, but it totally made my day!!! For the most part we use the concepts taught in Love & Logic, but our parenting class is talking about first time obedience. We are trying to work on the first time obedience, but I think that it can be used in conjunction with Love and Logic! I do think that using Baby Wise when they were little did set the stage, but I like how we give them choices now and put the responsibility on them, which I think lines up with the Bible!