Today was Keith's big 3-1 birthday. He got his present a few weeks ago, so today was just a very low key day. He is up and out the door before the kids and I even wake up, so there was no birthday breakfast. The kids had some time to play on their own this morning while I was cleaning up and getting ready for the day, and they put together the cutest little birthday "display" for Keith to see when he got home. They drew him a picture of a football on their magna doodle, they each made him a little story book, they each built him a trophy out of Lego's and Natalie made one final card for him with a pretty little picture. It was just too sweet, and it made me happy that they put all that together for him, on their own.
We were going to try and squeeze in a tour of the new stadium, but since we forgot to check the times, we were unaware of the fact that the last tour goes out at 4:30, well Keith wasn't home in time for that one, so we skipped the tour and headed to On the Border for a birthday dinner (sans loud obnoxious singing) and then headed home for homemade birthday cake and some Ben & Jerry's ice cream on the side.
Now we are just hanging out, the kids are finally asleep, and the day is done. It was very quiet, but I think Keith know he is loved, and that is the most important part.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
To Do List
I really have a tendency to just lay around and read or hop on the computer or nap when I get a free few minutes, and so I was really afraid I would waste away my vacation days doing just that. Now, don't get me wrong, there will be plenty napping/reading/computing(??) happening, I just want to make sure I get some other needed stuff done as well. So how's this for accountability?
My Vacation To Do List:
1. Bake at least 3 new recipes. Including this from my cousin's foodie blog. She has tons of great stuff, check it out!
2.Take the annual trip to a local water park. First time was NRH2O, last year we went to Hawaiian Falls. This year it will be where ever is cheapest, haha!
3. Go to bed and wake up early (at least once). Ha ha.
4. Take the Cowboys Stadium tour.
5.Complete a sewing project.
6.Organize my fabric stash.
7. Get Keith to the dentist and the kids to the eye doctor.
Oh yeah, and the best one:
8. RELAX!
Of course now that I wrote this down, I will probably not do half of these things, but as long as I enjoy every minute, spend a million hours with the kids and Keith and visiting family (WOO HOO) I know I will look back and feel good about what I accomplished.
My Vacation To Do List:
1. Bake at least 3 new recipes. Including this from my cousin's foodie blog. She has tons of great stuff, check it out!
2.Take the annual trip to a local water park. First time was NRH2O, last year we went to Hawaiian Falls. This year it will be where ever is cheapest, haha!
3. Go to bed and wake up early (at least once). Ha ha.
4. Take the Cowboys Stadium tour.
5.
6.
7. Get Keith to the dentist and the kids to the eye doctor.
Oh yeah, and the best one:
8. RELAX!
Of course now that I wrote this down, I will probably not do half of these things, but as long as I enjoy every minute, spend a million hours with the kids and Keith and visiting family (WOO HOO) I know I will look back and feel good about what I accomplished.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
First weekend
I just had/have so many things that I want to get accomplished over my vacation days, that I knew I needed to take one weekend to veg out before I really get down to business. Except why can't life ever let me veg out?
I feel like I have been going non stop the last two days, and I am so glad it is Sunday because I can't run any errands! Not to mention the fact that the weather here has been out of control! I am afraid for our electricity bill to arrive. We have been pretty much living without any lights on, so that we can have the AC set at a comfortable temperature. Though I am hearing much worse horror stories about fritzing units and such, so I think we are pretty lucky as far as that goes! I am grateful ours broke awhile back, so that it runs fine now, and run it does! It's pretty much on all day.
Friday we met with one of Natalie's school friends at a little water park, and I feel bad because we stayed for MAYBE 30 minutes. It was just too hot! Even playing in the splashers, I knew my kids were gonna melt away. It's just not pretty.
I also had a huge project thing to do for church today, that thankfully Keith helped me finish which means that tonight I can start sewing something new I am cooking up. I picked up some cute fabric yesterday, and I can't wait to cut into it. I love when I get in the mood to sew. Let's hope that what I want to make turns out! Especially since the second one I make will be for a giveaway for my blogiversary! :D
Oh, and one more thing. Yesterday we ventured to Costco to pick up a few things we just couldn't live without (doesn't everyone need a giant thing of animal crackers, or a package of 60 eggos, or 2 HUGE things of crunchy peanut butter, or maybe Punch Out for the wii is more your style...), and ended up getting everyone a book for the upcoming trip. Seriously, what is it about that store?? We always buy more things than we went in for, but it's all stuff we need (have you tried Mr. Yoshida's sauce before? It's amazing, and we have been looking all over for it and apparently we missed the memo that you can only buy it at Costco or Sam's. So Woo Hoo Costco!). Anywho. At least that's what we tell ourselves...but, I am getting off track. The books. Keith was happy to find the next book in the series is he is currently loving (The Ranger's Apprentice) for super cheap, and I was happy to find something that looked so crazy I just had to get it. I am not normally a book buyer, I prefer the library for selection, but this one had to come home with me.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Click the link, I am not making this up! I can't wait to read it and see if they butchered the book, or if, like the critics say, it's actually pretty entertaining! Sad thing is I have to wait a week before I can start it.
Anyone else have some fun books lined up for summer time reading?
I feel like I have been going non stop the last two days, and I am so glad it is Sunday because I can't run any errands! Not to mention the fact that the weather here has been out of control! I am afraid for our electricity bill to arrive. We have been pretty much living without any lights on, so that we can have the AC set at a comfortable temperature. Though I am hearing much worse horror stories about fritzing units and such, so I think we are pretty lucky as far as that goes! I am grateful ours broke awhile back, so that it runs fine now, and run it does! It's pretty much on all day.
Friday we met with one of Natalie's school friends at a little water park, and I feel bad because we stayed for MAYBE 30 minutes. It was just too hot! Even playing in the splashers, I knew my kids were gonna melt away. It's just not pretty.
I also had a huge project thing to do for church today, that thankfully Keith helped me finish which means that tonight I can start sewing something new I am cooking up. I picked up some cute fabric yesterday, and I can't wait to cut into it. I love when I get in the mood to sew. Let's hope that what I want to make turns out! Especially since the second one I make will be for a giveaway for my blogiversary! :D
Oh, and one more thing. Yesterday we ventured to Costco to pick up a few things we just couldn't live without (doesn't everyone need a giant thing of animal crackers, or a package of 60 eggos, or 2 HUGE things of crunchy peanut butter, or maybe Punch Out for the wii is more your style...), and ended up getting everyone a book for the upcoming trip. Seriously, what is it about that store?? We always buy more things than we went in for, but it's all stuff we need (have you tried Mr. Yoshida's sauce before? It's amazing, and we have been looking all over for it and apparently we missed the memo that you can only buy it at Costco or Sam's. So Woo Hoo Costco!). Anywho. At least that's what we tell ourselves...but, I am getting off track. The books. Keith was happy to find the next book in the series is he is currently loving (The Ranger's Apprentice) for super cheap, and I was happy to find something that looked so crazy I just had to get it. I am not normally a book buyer, I prefer the library for selection, but this one had to come home with me.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Click the link, I am not making this up! I can't wait to read it and see if they butchered the book, or if, like the critics say, it's actually pretty entertaining! Sad thing is I have to wait a week before I can start it.
Anyone else have some fun books lined up for summer time reading?
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Galoshes!
They are one of those things that living here I just can't justify buying. Yes we get some major rainage, but it's just not often enough to spend money on boots. But of course, getting prepped for this trip had me searching the web for some cutie patootie boots for the kids, you know, just in case. Pretty sure I won't be able to convince Keith that we NEED them though. It was still fun to look!
I actually ended up at Target.com. I love these for Natalie. Like seriously, a bow! polka dots! hot pink and black! Could the BE any cuter?
I loooove these, in fact I wouldn't mind a pair in my size! But, they don't have Nat's size available anyways.
These little robot ones are super duper cute for Brady.
Except these are the ones he has actually SEEN and asked for in the store. They are definitely little boy!
Oh, and not sure why I am posting so dang much today, I blame the Diet DP!
I actually ended up at Target.com. I love these for Natalie. Like seriously, a bow! polka dots! hot pink and black! Could the BE any cuter?
I loooove these, in fact I wouldn't mind a pair in my size! But, they don't have Nat's size available anyways.
These little robot ones are super duper cute for Brady.
Except these are the ones he has actually SEEN and asked for in the store. They are definitely little boy!
Oh, and not sure why I am posting so dang much today, I blame the Diet DP!
Say what you will...
...but I loved his music! Michael Jackson was an Icon. One of those people that you just assume will be around a long time, even if he was weird. The man left a great legacy of music, and I am sure most of us can remember one song or another of his that we loved and danced too.
Mine is this one. I remember in 5th grade my best friend and I would spend HOURS singing along to this one.
Some of my other favorites were Black or White and Man in the Mirror. What Michael songs did you grow up listening too? Which ones were your favorites?
Mine is this one. I remember in 5th grade my best friend and I would spend HOURS singing along to this one.
Some of my other favorites were Black or White and Man in the Mirror. What Michael songs did you grow up listening too? Which ones were your favorites?
Shannon is...
...trying to stay calm, but failing miserably. Seriously, I am so excited about the upcoming trip it's like I had 4 cups of coffee (or at least what I imagine I would be like if I ever did that, haha).
...working on a "To Do" list for my 3 weeks off. I don't want it to fly by and not have accomplished anything. In fact, maybe I will post it here so I have to hold myself accountable.
...drinking a ginormous Diet DP so that I can try and skip my regular nap. Maybe that is causing my jitters...
...feeling a little sunburned.
...procrastinating starting the laundry. Why does it torture me so? I swear that basket is magic. I wash every single piece of dirty laundry, and by the time I go to bed the basket is full again.
...also starting her list of Must See places when we go to Portland. Among them VooDoo Donuts (I have GOT to try a maple bacon donut), Pix Patisserie (to try some of the French Macarons that Black Apple's Emily often raves about), and the Portland Children's museum (much larger than when I was a kid, but still a childhood memory I want to pass on to my own kiddos). I really hope we can do these things, but we shall see!
...getting excited for a new sewing project I am starting up. Keep your eyes peeled for a blogiversary giveaway coming up! (See now that I mentioned it, I HAVE to do it!)
...wondering if anyone still reads this? *tap tap* Anyone out there?
...working on a "To Do" list for my 3 weeks off. I don't want it to fly by and not have accomplished anything. In fact, maybe I will post it here so I have to hold myself accountable.
...drinking a ginormous Diet DP so that I can try and skip my regular nap. Maybe that is causing my jitters...
...feeling a little sunburned.
...procrastinating starting the laundry. Why does it torture me so? I swear that basket is magic. I wash every single piece of dirty laundry, and by the time I go to bed the basket is full again.
...also starting her list of Must See places when we go to Portland. Among them VooDoo Donuts (I have GOT to try a maple bacon donut), Pix Patisserie (to try some of the French Macarons that Black Apple's Emily often raves about), and the Portland Children's museum (much larger than when I was a kid, but still a childhood memory I want to pass on to my own kiddos). I really hope we can do these things, but we shall see!
...getting excited for a new sewing project I am starting up. Keep your eyes peeled for a blogiversary giveaway coming up! (See now that I mentioned it, I HAVE to do it!)
...wondering if anyone still reads this? *tap tap* Anyone out there?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Little Story Books
Natalie in recent months has taken to making us stories. She has always loved to draw, and now she will make a bunch of pictures on computer paper, have us staple them together, and sometimes narrate for her. I love the stories, but I hate keeping the bulky awkward "books", so I finally buckled down and made a craft I have had bookmarked to make for ages.
I know these are not a new concept, I first saw them on Salt and Chocolate here , and I knew that I had to try my hand at them eventually. It only took me, what? A year and a half? Better late than never I guess.
Anywho, they are very easy to make, cut the paper down to size, get some embroidery thread, poke a few holes and "bind" it up. They are actually really relaxing to make too, so if you don't think you can make them on your own (and you want some), I would love to! Haha, no really, I have pent up creative energy, call me. The best part is now Natalie has a great place to draw her stories and pictures, and they are much more pleasing to look at than stapled together computer paper.
I know these are not a new concept, I first saw them on Salt and Chocolate here , and I knew that I had to try my hand at them eventually. It only took me, what? A year and a half? Better late than never I guess.
Anywho, they are very easy to make, cut the paper down to size, get some embroidery thread, poke a few holes and "bind" it up. They are actually really relaxing to make too, so if you don't think you can make them on your own (and you want some), I would love to! Haha, no really, I have pent up creative energy, call me. The best part is now Natalie has a great place to draw her stories and pictures, and they are much more pleasing to look at than stapled together computer paper.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Puzzles!
One thing I love to do (though I haven't done so in a very long time) is put together puzzles. I don't know why. I must have gained this love from my Mom and my Grandma Jean, and now it looks as if I have passed it on to my kids. Brady for the longest time, would pull out his puzzles after I had tucked him down for naps,a nd put them together one by one. Now he will go to the closet and pull out a huge puzzle to put together. I love it! It also gives them such a sense of accomplishment when they finish one. Plus it makes me one proud Mama!
Oh! And a very, very Happy Father's Day out there to all the Daddys!
Oh! And a very, very Happy Father's Day out there to all the Daddys!Saturday, June 20, 2009
fleeting moments
Yesterday we got to take both kids to the dentist for the first time in too long (no cavities for either kid! Woo hoo!). Keith and I were watching the way they were acting, and said to each other how nice it was to see them acting their respective ages. Not acting like a baby (whining, crying, pouting) and not acting like a teenager (sassy, rude, defiant), just acting like sweet innocent kids. It was really refreshing, and it made us so happy. Brady was being so good in the dentist chair, and when it tipped back he just held on to the little toothy alligator he was playing with for dear life, making sure it wouldn't fall down. It was so sweet. And Natalie with the little sunglasses she put on to block the light, she just opened up wide and obeyed the hygienist, but then was still fascinated by all the tools and stickers and bubbles they had to look at. Weird how some seemingly insignificant moments of time, that you might not even have noticed had you not been watching closely, can bring such a sense of peace and joy.
I also saw it in Natalie the other day at the library. They each got these cool cowboy hats for turning in their second reading log of the summer, and she instantly put hers on and pretended to be a cowgirl riding her pony all over the library. Gone was the little princess, the sassy girl who thinks she is older than she really is. All I saw was my precious, creative 5 year old enjoying being a child. Sometimes I feel guilty that we have made her grow up too fast, but seeing things like that make me breathe that much easier, she is still a little child, happy to enjoy simple and sometimes silly things.
Brady can be so hot and cold. One minute he is just the sweetest thing, soft and squishy and lovey, and the next minute he is screaming "NOOOOO" at the top of his lungs and you are standing there scratching your head wondering what set him off. Even with the weird outbursts I still can't get enough. Often times when I am just watching his sweetness and can't resist reaching out for a few squeezes or maybe a nibble of a squishy body part (toes, thighs, fingers, cheeks, arms, elbows, belly..you name it!), he has to tell me to stop. Earlier he was playing with his harmonica and had said that the high note meant stop, and the low note meant go. Well this afternoon, as soon as I sat down on the floor next to his piggies hanging off the couch, to get a little nibble, he let out a high note, "that means stop, Mama."
I think having a 5 year old, that is clearly NOT a soft toddler anymore, and just so ready to be a Big Girl and having a 3 year old that is there in that in between, no mans land of being a Big Boy and yet still being the child that will tell me he never wants to grow up so he can be my baby forever, makes me see and realize how quickly time goes by. In 2 short years Brady will really be a Big Boy. It makes me sad in some ways, but in other ways makes me realize I need to enjoy what I have while I still have it. Instead of a time out, give an extra squeeze or ten. To grasp at those quickly passing days of childhood.
I also saw it in Natalie the other day at the library. They each got these cool cowboy hats for turning in their second reading log of the summer, and she instantly put hers on and pretended to be a cowgirl riding her pony all over the library. Gone was the little princess, the sassy girl who thinks she is older than she really is. All I saw was my precious, creative 5 year old enjoying being a child. Sometimes I feel guilty that we have made her grow up too fast, but seeing things like that make me breathe that much easier, she is still a little child, happy to enjoy simple and sometimes silly things.
Brady can be so hot and cold. One minute he is just the sweetest thing, soft and squishy and lovey, and the next minute he is screaming "NOOOOO" at the top of his lungs and you are standing there scratching your head wondering what set him off. Even with the weird outbursts I still can't get enough. Often times when I am just watching his sweetness and can't resist reaching out for a few squeezes or maybe a nibble of a squishy body part (toes, thighs, fingers, cheeks, arms, elbows, belly..you name it!), he has to tell me to stop. Earlier he was playing with his harmonica and had said that the high note meant stop, and the low note meant go. Well this afternoon, as soon as I sat down on the floor next to his piggies hanging off the couch, to get a little nibble, he let out a high note, "that means stop, Mama."
I think having a 5 year old, that is clearly NOT a soft toddler anymore, and just so ready to be a Big Girl and having a 3 year old that is there in that in between, no mans land of being a Big Boy and yet still being the child that will tell me he never wants to grow up so he can be my baby forever, makes me see and realize how quickly time goes by. In 2 short years Brady will really be a Big Boy. It makes me sad in some ways, but in other ways makes me realize I need to enjoy what I have while I still have it. Instead of a time out, give an extra squeeze or ten. To grasp at those quickly passing days of childhood.
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