Unique Dadda

The other day I read something on Facebook that made me sad.  A friend's husband wrote something along the lines of "Wife and Kid free this weekend! Here's to being a Bachelor." Then friends responded as they tend to do. One of the responses said something like, "...unfortunately I do have my son this weekend." 

Man! How does that resonate with you?  With me, it makes me feel so sad for the wives and children of those guys. Why would any man be happy to be away from the love of his life and away from his own flesh and blood.

I am so absolutely blessed to have Cory.  God must have known something I didn't when he was playing lil' match maker eight...no wait...nearly ten years ago.  He knew I needed a man that would be an active dad. A dad who knew how to change diapers, prepare favorite meals, give baths, do laundry and be true partner to me.  Cory is such a wonderful dad to these two lil' boogers.  I don't think I have ever heard him say anything in regards to being grateful that we aren't around. He actually hates being away from us all.  Perhaps Cory isn't like the normal guy. Okay. Actually, that isn't any new. Cory isn't your typical guy. 

And because of that I love him more than words can say.

Improvising

I guess there are times in a child's life where they are totally done playing with their toys.  In instances such as those, a child is forced to improvise.

When I saw Owen sneaking into the pantry, I knew it only meant one thing--trouble.

 But then he goes waddling out w/ the large box of Pringles and starts stacking them.

He is a bit over excited about his new found playthings and as long as I didn't have to clean up a 1000 meshed up crumbs...it didn't bother me one bit! :O)

What Every Princess Needs

So what does every princess need?

Well, besides a prince.  Or a couple of frogs to kiss.

Every princess needs a castle to call her own, of course!

This lil' princess has been wanting her room redone since her lil' brothers was finished over Winter Break.   After thinking a couple of months of what to do & working on the creative juices, we decided Spring Break would be the best time to do something.   With her new obsession being Tinker Bell and Princesses, this was a perfect fit!

I think it went over real well!  The only thing she was hesitant about is the new location of her bed. Now, she can't peep out in the hall to spy on us after she's gone to bed.

Perhaps that was done on purpose....but we'd never tell her!

A fit in elastic shoes

 Don't you hate it when you are trying to have a Class A tantrum...

a grand ole shoe-flinging fit but...

 

you can't...

manage to kick off your new shoe w/ the elastic backing.

Yeah...that just ticks him off 10 x's more than usual!

Doing it Ourselves

We are certainly DIY types of people when it comes to somethings.  Laying floors...nope that isn't for us. We'll pay someone to do that. But to cut hair. Yup. We can handle that ourselves.   And in all honesty, the kids are way better behaved and sit so much stiller when I do it.

See Owen Before...

Owen After...

Bethany Before...

Hmm...looks like I forgot to take a Bethany after.

What can I say. I can't do it all--cut hair, change kids, cut hair, clean up oodles and oodles of hair and get pictures of BOTH kids afterwards.  I am not wonder woman, after all!

Sometimes...

Sometimes what Momma is eatting is better than what they are served.

Even if it is just a bowl of cereal.

Author in our Midst!

We have an author in our midst.  Cory has written three (well, four) books now.  This week, Cory received a proof copy of the third-draft of  "Light & Dark" in the mail.

Having read all his books, I've got to say "Light & Dark" is the best one yet.  I really think this one has great potential in being picked up by an agent & getting published sometime soon.  This is the second book he is making available to our students. Man, it is amazing to see him get students so enthusiastic to read and provide real, timely feedback.   I am just so proud of him for not only writing hundreds of pages of amazing plot twists and surprises; but I am proud of Cory for once he puts his mind to something, he sticks to it & produces quality work!

If Border's weren't closing...I'd bet good money saying he would've been on their shelves in the next five years!

Showing Off Owen's Brains

Our lil' man is certainly growing up.  A couple months ago, Cory and I noticed Owen pointing to letters in his book and identifying them correctly.  At first, we both thought it was just a coincidence. But after a week or two, we realized Owen was really learning his letters at a young 18 months.

Now, Owen is 22 or so months and he knows nearly all of his letters. There are a few that still trips him up (J, A, W, R, P).  However...he will point to W if asked, he just can't say it. For "P" he will just say "pah", the sound it makes. "A", he insists, is N. He's pretty adamant about that. Perhaps he knows something that I don't.

Here is Owen showing off his brains. He started off w/ his animal puzzle--doing great w/ putting the pieces in the proper place and then doing the animal sounds. We won't say the animals names...but he will almost always do the sound. You just gotta know how to interpret what he's saying!

Now, isn't his rendition of Cock-a-doodle-doo just too cute?!?!

Hodge Podge

So, I've been a blogging slacker lately.

Happens to the best of us, I suppose.  My goal is to blog two or three times a week.  Being that this is only the sixth post this month, I totally missed out in some perfect sharing opportunities. So I am going to post a hodge podge of lovely pictures!

I think this might be my new favorite picture of Owen.

Looking so intently at what Bethany is drawing.

Cheese...

 Making numbers flashcards.

Making a complete mess.

And another mess, just this time on his face.

B has been earning small privileges for all green-light weeks at preschool. Last week she earned Fritz's for the family. She was so proud!

Okay, so I promise that March will be better & I will post more frequently. If not, rest assured that I'd be in the doghouse {er} toybox.

Let, Let, Let all the Children

Bethany sang at church a couple of weeks ago. She loves the choir.   I just love her lil' shy girl facial expressions.

She's just too much!

Broke on Valentine's Day

 When kids don't have money to buy you a Valentine's Day Present...

They...

like to....

improvise....

then they might try to....

escape from Time Out!



there are times

There are times where motherhood is rather stressful. Having to work all day just to come home to clean, cook, discipline, and love. Don't even get me started on the impossibility to find times for the husband and myself. There are times where you run and run throughout the entire weekend and you are.just.worn.out!

But then you take a day off of work to help celebrate Valentine's Day at the 3 year old's preschool.   All those late night and exhausting days seemed to be worth it.  I mean...look at the outfit she puts together. Isn't see scrumptious!

But before preschool...it is time for McD's.

 

At the party I watch Bethany totally comfortable with where she's at.

 It was so much fun for me to see her at her school & to help host her party.  They had ice cream sundaes, made necklaces, hit the pinata and exchanged cards. 

It was so rewarding to see her in her preschool with all her friends.  After seeing her in her school, I am so grateful that we chose that preschool a year ago. It is a perfect fit for Bethany.   I can't wait until when Owen gets his chance to attend her school in a short 1 and 1/2 years!

We've got a problem

Hooded Towels.  Yeah, I am going there.

These kids certainly have a problem...

perhaps an addiction...

See...their heads can't be untoweled...

 

they've even started enabling each other...

 Is there a Hooded Towel Anonymous we can start considering? 

I'd hate for this to crutch to hold them back from other their hopes and desires to have a normal, hooded towel-free life!

becoming friends...

Thanks goodness these two have each other.  Being snowbound the last few days, they certainly have found a way to entertain each other.  They are becoming pretty good friends, you know...when they aren't fighting over 1 toy among the 18,383,292 toys in this house.  

But there are times between their fighting and whining, where they are absolutely adorable.
 Like when they prance around the house holding hands with their bear.

Or when they climb in bins, which were placed in the toy box.

Or reading books together. 

Yup...it is official these two are becoming good friends. And I've become one blessed mama!

1st child

Bethany's first-childness is certainly emerging recently.  She is a pleaser, rule-follower, advanced-learner, sibling-protector, and instigator all in one 38 lb, blue eyed, blond girl.  We aren't going to even bother mention her brother-correcting ways. Man...one would think there was three parents in this household...but I digress...

Bethany is becoming a nice lil' teacher to Owen.  She likes going up to her room w/ her brother in tow. They run up, flip the lights on and off a thousand times*, occasionally slam the doors* and then the lessons begin.  (* = both of which they've been instructed not to)

She likes to begin her lesson by putting a book on the chalk board (like Mrs. S), then she goes on to teach Owen the letter or number of the day. 

If you ever get the pleasure of being in her class, make sure you copy her techniques ex-act-ly.  If not...she will make you aware of your faulty ways.

However, she is a very eager and enthusiastic teacher.  Wouldn't you like to be a part of her classroom?