Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Super moon...Super memories

 Sunday evening after church, the oldest and I watched the sunset. Then we headed off to grab some 1/2 price shakes from Sonic. We needed something sweet while we waited for the super moon to rise.

 Waiting on the moon

 It rose above the trees and then quickly slipped behind some clouds. We waited for it peek out from the clouds and we finally got our wish. Dakota told me "This moon watching is pretty cool, Mom." And I don't think it's because he had a milk shake :) 

 There is something pretty awesome about the moon. I find it rather magnificent.


 Dakota watching the moon


Monday, June 24, 2013

Disgustingly sweet joys of motherhood


 Fun in the summer sun...Sporting goggles this time around. 

See this little mischievous girly? Oh, she provided a fabulous tale to tell. Here's your TMI alert ;)
Summer fun in the backyard. Kiddie pool aired up and filled with water. Goggles on and playtime has commenced. I get the kiddos situated with the pool and goggles. Then I head back inside to get dinner in the crock pot and to start on lunches for the kiddos. It never fails. Lily has to come in to go potty. Then Dakota is tired of being outside; I convince him to stay out a bit longer. Back and forth and back and forth. Then the door creaks open and I hear "Popsicle!!" It's Leia wanting a Popsicle. I tell her no, we are about to eat lunch. She then tries to hand me some "dirt or mud looking stuff"...and says "Poop!" 
I turn to look at her and the smell hits me! It's not mud or dirt. It's POOP!!  My first instinct is to get her back outside to spray her down. She complies and proceeds to sit down and slide across the floor and down the steps out to the backyard....stinky slide marks (ugh!) I am trying to wipe them up and then it hits me...she's headed for the pool with poop in her swim suit. I'm skipping over poop marks and screeching "NO POOL for LEIA!!" Leia hears that as a challenge. She's off and running to the pool as the poop is slipping, slipping, slipping and OUT! Dakota is spraying Leia in attempts to keep her away from the pool all the while getting his dear old momma soaked. I finally grab the hose, grab the baby and spray her little hiney clean. Then the poop clean up starts. 
Oh, the disgustingly sweet joys of motherhood!!! 

And no pictures of this little tale. Skipping around and holding onto a struggling stinky toddler had my hands full. 


Sunday, June 23, 2013

Park fun

 Lilyann made a friend at the park the other day. It was kinda sweet. She introduced herself and within minutes the other little girl wanted to come over and play. I think we lived in the same city as this little girl, we probably could have worked out a playdate, but we don't. :( Lily did have a great time with her new friend while we were at the park.

 The youngest is my crazy animated one. She has a facial expression for almost everything. Lately, she's found her wide eyed look and also, the dreaded poochie lip look. Totally not a fan of that last one. 

I was talking with my sister while the kids were loading up in the van. Leia sneaked into the backseat with the big kids. Climbed into Dakota's booster seat and tried to buckle. She was almost successful. But momma got her back in her 5 pt harness car seat. She's still too young for riding like a big kid in the van. But I did stop to snap a quick picture. She wouldn't even look at me for fear I would guess that wasn't her seat. Her animated personality is priceless!!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Father's Day 2013

These crazy kiddos...yes, they're crazy...helped Jed celebrate Father's Day yesterday. Church and then lunch at Boo's. It was a pretty fun day. The best part, the 2 girls took naps!!! This is a rare occurrence in our house that the middle child naps; so we took full advantage and relaxed ourselves.

We are getting closer to vacation time. This time next month, we should be packing up the van or already packed and heading out :) While the roadtrip with 3 children doesn't sound fabulous, I think we can make it enjoyable. 


Friday, June 14, 2013

Craft time





Aunt Cathie sent a Potato Head craft for the cousins to do. They really loved them. Lily and Sammy put most of them together while the boys were playing Legos. And Leia was napping. It's was perfect for our afternoon together.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Parenting with the best of 'em



Our first week of Summer Break is coming to an end. (I'm not counting Saturday and Sunday because the hubby is home those days..and that helps to keep the kiddos occupied usually) It hasn't been too crazy here. 
A normal day consists of breakfast, cleaning up (if you wanna call it that), and then outside for playing before it gets too warm. After that, it's all play by ear.

On Monday, I did what I told myself I wasn't going to do til after vacation (mid July). I put panties on Miss Leia. I hope I'm not confusing her with panties on while at the house and diapers for outings, naptime, and bedtime. It was so easy potty training Lily (middle child) because I knew what not to do from experience with the older child. Well.....she's used to wearing panties now. We haven't had any success except for pooping on the potty last night WITH her panties still on. Just fabulous. After nap one afternoon, she asked for panties when I went to change her diaper. I say, that's a step. 
I know, I should be "NO more diapers only panties" and she will train. But right now, I'm not in the "shove potty training down your throat" type mode. I could be. But she's the last baby. 

I feel the pressures from everywhere to "do it this way" or "if you do _____ every 37.5 seconds, you'll be amazed at the transformation."  Seriously, do I want to work the "get rich scheme parenting methods" with my children right now??? They are only little for a short time. I am seeing this in my oldest. It seems like he was just a baby. Now, He's reading off the the guide list on the TV for me. He helps with Leia's breakfast. He's practically an adult by some standards...lol

Talking along the lines of pressures of parenting/motherhood....I was trying to figure out my "style of parenting". I'm sure I don't fit the strict parenting mold. I'm more a transplant of inspiration, added with a stem of Happiness, mixed with alot of love and crazy potty dances, fueled with Coffee and the desire to succeed, and sprinkled with tidbits of silly faces.

I've read the books, seen the movies, and wear the t-shirts. With all the information out there to "do this or that". I take the Blessed are the peacemakers approach. I know I get this from my dad. Well, It's either "blessed are the peacemakers" or "greet the brethren with a holy kiss" *kiss kiss* haaaa!  
I'm willing to read what you share and then take what I need from it. I won't bash your views to the ground. I understand that there are things that people are passionate about. I get that. We live in America. You're free to express your views, your thoughts, your freedom of speech. But what gets me is those that "shout it from the rooftops" and then live the exact opposite. I'm confused. What you say is good, but what you act is something else. 
I'll hold onto to this "Blessed are the peacemakers" mentality. I'll smile at your suggestions (some are excellent) and then we'll continue on with our lives. Taking a little here and there to improve and better ourselves.  ♥

I'm not sure if this is even the least bit understandable. But it's been on my mind lately. And my coffee is getting cold....enJoy. :)


Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Thoughts from Dakota

Thoughts from Dakota.
It amazes how much this little man thinks. He's gonna go far in life. Why? because he uses his brain.

We were riding down the road today. I mentioned the approaching storm clouds. Dakota says, "Those guys working better hurry up before the rain comes." I told him that they would probably welcome the rain right now. Then they get to go home. (they were working on the curbs along the road...road construction) Then I went on to say if I was I was working in this heat, I'd want it to rain for a few days. Then I could stay home. 
He sat back and got that thinking look on his face. "Well, staying home isn't all good. They should go to church."  I asked Why?  "Mom, they should go to church so that they can learn about Jesus, get saved, and then go to Heaven one day."  

Hmmm....yes, he uses his brain. Kinda proud Mommy Moment ♥

Coloring...boredom buster



 I found these detailed coloring pages on Pinterest. I printed a set for Dakota and Lily. They LOVED them. Dakota colored the details. Lily just colored all over. But hey! it was a boredom buster.
Leia was given 2 markers (she was in marker heaven) and a notebook. As you can tell from the picture, she LOVED it! Below is a clickable link to take you to the page to print off pictures as well. 
enJoy.



Monday, June 3, 2013

1st Day of Summer Break

 First day of Summer Break and we were off to the park to meet up with friends. Here's my cool kiddos for you. All sporting shades and radiating their awesomeness.
I'm rather pleased with how things have been so far. I know, I know...It's only been 1 day. If we keep this trend going, the summer will be fabulous.  

Our friends brought pizza to the splash pad!! My kids LOVED this. 
Lily got to have fun with her friend, Garrett (they went to Pre-K together) and Dakota played with the older siblings/cousins of Garrett. Mommy got to get some adult time in with her mommy friends (that makes a world of difference for me).