Birthdays and Busy Bags

I now have a two year old boy who is so very active. He's stubborn and curious, mischevious and loving. I could go on and on, but he is overall a joy to our days and a light to our nights. He had a beach ball birthday this year. We had lots of sweet kiddos from church come to his party. We are very blessed to have so many wonderfully sweet and adorable friends in our church family.

One of my biggest trials this summer has been keeping the children occupied and out of the horendous heat. I love summer....swimming and sprinkers, popsicles and lightening bugs, cookouts and sidewalk chalk....and I'm not going to complain about the heat. It is what it is, but it has most definitely changed how much time we spend outside. Even in the pool or with the sprinkler on it's still very hot and Landon's little cheeks get bright red and I know it's time to take a break. It doesn't take very long until the water feels more like bath water than a chance to cool off. So, as I'm sure a lot of mommies have been dealing with this summer, we've been indoors more than usual for this time of year.

Little hands need to be kept busy. I've definitely struggled to keep all four little hands in our house occupied and from trouble. The smallest hands have definitely been the most challenging. So, I've teamed up with some friends to make busy bags. We haven't gotten together yet, but we're planning to next week. I've made some by myself before, but I'm really looking forward to having a stack of them ready for too hot to play or rainy days.

These two sweeties have been caught more than once playing in the sink. Sometimes they make a big mess....sometimes only a minimal one. (I mean can you see the mirror? Wet little hands make for a smudged mirror.) Either way, they have had more fun just sticking their hands under the water. Oh for the joys of being a child.

I'm planning to document our busy bag making so look for that coming soon. :)

Let them be Little

It's Landon's second birthday this week. It's so hard to believe that it's already been two years. My pregnancy with him was both wonderful and difficult, and I wish I had stopped to savor the moments more.

It's been a while now, but sometime in this year we got his haircut for the first time. He has since had another cut, and boy does that boy have some locks!

The decision to finally get his haircut was made for us when in the same week two different people thought he was a girl. After that his daddy said it was absolutely time to get his haircut. So our sweet friend Deborah cut his hair for us. She also did Caroline's first haircut. We love how personal it is for a good friend to be such an important part of this milestone.

He is growing up too fast. I know how cliche that is to say, but it is so true! I was looking at him today before his nap and I just wanted him little again. Throw in that Caroline will be going off to preschool this fall and I'm a bit emotional about my kiddos right now. Every once in a while he'll still let me cuddle with him and rock him. Most of the time he is all boy and all about trucks, dirt, sports,questions, and rough housing, but sometimes I'm still able to catch him in a moment of weariness and he'll cuddle. I savor these moments because when I look into his eyes and answer his favorite question, "What's that sound?" I see the boy in him. The baby is almost gone. Only the slight chub in his cheeks and thighs still shows there was ever a baby there at all. He is a boy.

I like to tease Caroline and tell her I don't want her to grow up. I go on and on about her staying four forever and how she can live with me and be my little girl always. She loves this game. She'll laugh and then say, "Mommy! God made us so we'll grow up. I can't stay little forever." I am teasing her and I know she will grow up and I pray about that often. I love to hear her explanation about God's plan for human life.

This morning we were having this discussion and in addition to her reminder to me that God made us to grow up, she added, "Mommy what about Landon? When I'm off at school you'll still have him. You like him." Yes sweet Caroline, I do like Landon a lot. But that doesn't change the pang in my heart that you're growing up. The sweet moments of your childhood will grow fewer and farther between.

For now though, I will love my children deeply and fully. I will continue to pray for them and their future spouse. I will laugh with them and discipline them, and hopefully just let them be little. For a little while longer.

Catching up...

I took an unintentional hiatus for almost a year...but I'm going to try and make blogging a priority again. We'll see how that actually goes. :) There is way too much to catch up on from almost an entire year, but I'll try and hit some highlights.

We had a really fun fall...

Love these birthday buddy cousins! These two girls have two of the most precious, sweet and loving hearts of any kids I've ever known. I am so blessed and honored to be a mother and aunt to these adorable girls!

Landon is into everything. All. The. Time. He is "noise with dirt on it." (A quote I saw on Pinterest about boys. A definite fit for my boistrous son!)

Love my daughter!

Halloween was a lot of fun. We loaded up and drove to some friends houses and really enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes. Then it was back home to trick or treat in our neighborhood with some of our favorite friends!

Ava and Landon are squished into that stroller. Hahahaha...the big kids were sweet to not want to leave them behind. The daddies walked around with the kids and us Mamas had some soup, chatted and passed out candy every few minutes. It was a lovely evening.

We had a shared Princess birthday with cousin Annalise. It was a really fun day with our family. The girls had a blast and Aunt Stephanie made an AMAZING cake and all the decorations were so adorable.

I'm FOUR!

Our Christmas card photo. Pretty "classic" of our children.

We attended the annual ornament swap with other couples from our church family. This year the hostess decided to make it a costume/tacky Christmas sweater event. I was a dark chocolate Hershey's Kiss, Aaron taped some mistletoe to his head, our friend was Jack Frost (although Aaron coined him a Snow Fairy) and his lovely wife busted out a tacky outfit! It was a fun night.

Mamas of two or more kiddos family Christmas survival tip: drink coffee regardless of the hour.

Silly girls!

I think we're going to have to make matching pjs a must every year. We'll have to have a set for the boys and a set for the girls. I think I'll all it quits for now. Goodnight!

Landon's First Birthday Party

We had a Noah's Ark theme for Landon's first birthday. I made the cakes and cupcakes...it literally took me almost all day long the Friday before the party on Saturday. I love doing it, and I will continue to make their cakes as long as they want me to, but whew! It's definitely a labor of love.







He had a great time and actually really enjoyed his cake. His sister...well, on her first birthday she did not enjoy her cake, so we weren't sure what he was going to do. He was a little apprehensive at first, but once he discovered that it tasted good...well, he was sold!





On a hot Saturday, we had so many wonderful friends and family come out to spend the day celebrating our precious son. I love this picture of Aaron with his buddies and brother-in-law.



With Aunt KK and Uncle Judd



With Opa and Oma



And yes, for the record, I know the color of those pictures isn't the best...but I still like them! I never claimed to be a professional....

It was a fun day and I'm so glad Landon is in our life! He adds joy daily and is a wonderful addition to our family!

A little of this and that...

Way back in May Aaron and I did something we had never done before. We went on a trip sans children for 4 nights! We missed them, but it was W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L! I had no idea how much we needed that time to reconnect and get our heads on straight again. We went with 2 other couples to a quiet cabin in North Carolina that belongs to some of our friends. We appreciated them letting us go so much! It was a lot of fun. We went to a movie...in the theater! We also shopped and stayed up late and slept late and didn't have to get milk in sippy cups or give anyone a bath but ourselves. Seriously. Joyous.



The view from the cabin. Look at God's gorgeous creation! We enjoyed spending some time together studying the Bible and praying. We needed that time together.





Hey good lookin'!

In other news...we have been trying to lose some of the extra poundage we've been carrying around and just be healthier overall. Aaron started back in January and has lost 30+ pounds! I'm so proud of him! I haven't done so well. I am an emotional eater and stress makes me crave things I shouldn't be putting in my mouth. So, I've lost a few here and a few there, but nothing too substantial. A good friend inspired me to look into Weight Watchers. (She's also lost 30+ since joining!) Although the idea of paying for it was NOT appealing, I decided to go for it because I obviously needed something more. Aaron was very supportive so I signed up last week. I was diligent to count my points. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I just had to rethink things a little. Well, I weighed in this morning. I was nervous. I was terrified, actually. I knew I would be really discouraged if I hadn't lost anything. Well....I lost 4lbs! I am so happy! I will continue with this for at least the next 3 months...I signed up for 3 months. I think paying for the program as helped me a lot....I do not want the money to be wasted, which gives me an extra nudge of motivation. I'll keep you posted!

the sickies and the new computer....

I have not abandoned this blog. While I feel it sounds like a trite excuse, we have been sick for what feels like months and months, and we have a new computer that does not have the software loaded to transfer pictures from camera to computer. I will return, but for now, I hope your family is well and not sick like we are!

The Children

I am constantly amazed on a daily basis at how different my children are. They were born to the same parents, we're basically parenting the same way, but yet, Landon is 100% his own person.



He had his 6 month check up this morning. My main question is, where has the time gone? He's doing great. A little on the small side percentile-wise, but his doctor is very pleased with his growth and he's hitting all his developmental milestones right on target.



He is completely enamored with his big sister. He adores her. If she's not around, he is crankier than when she is. It's really funny that I can tell a difference in his mood just by her presence! So sweet and precious.

The above picture was taken on New Year's Eve. She picked out her own outfit and was very specific about what she wanted wear. *sigh* She's a girl all right! I had to force her to wear the white shirt under that dress. I just didn't feel like spaghetti straps in 40 degree weather were a good idea...even if we were going to be inside. She wanted her hair done like Princess Tiana, and she wore the Tiana socks she got in her stocking. Sweet and creative girl. She's a joy.



Her imagination is wondrous and exciting! She loves to play pretend and makes up songs and story lines for her toys to follow. One of her favorite things to do right now is "cook" and then "eat" on the "white table" (the art table in her room). She will make "cakes" (stackable rings and block creations) and then drink "coffee" from her tea cup. I love listening to her and seeing her line up her toys. It really brings back childhood memories from my own play days.



Landon is loving finding new things around him. He loves to play with his feet and he likes to play with and chew on regular kitchen items like plastic cups and spoons. He enjoys being in the kitchen and Caroline and I will sing and narrate what we're doing for him. I love to hear him squeal and laugh. He still has his difficult and cranky moments, but things with him are getting a lot better as he gets older, which is bittersweet. He's growing. He changes daily and I know before long I'll be looking at a one year old, then a three year old, then five, and so on. Life does fly with rapid speed.

Enjoy your weekend!

Birthdays

We've had 2 birthdays around here in the past few months. Caroline turned 3 and Aaron turned the big 3-0! We had parties for both. Caroline's was ladybug themed. Aaron's had no theme.







I did not make those adorable cookies, which I gave out instead of goody bags. I did make the cupcakes and they took a lot longer than I was expecting! A definite labor of love, and she loved them, so I loved making them!





I think these pictures say it all. Birthday parties are fun and exciting, but are also tiring and overwhelming. Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet girl!

I plotted and planed Aaron's birthday party for months beforehand. I wanted it to be a surprise and I wanted it on his actual birthday, which is really close to Christmas. I knew some of our friends would be out of town, but I also knew that some wouldn't be, so I planned it for his actual big day.

For the 30 days leading up to his birthday, his sister planned a huge and touching gift for him. She contacted family and friends and asked them to send in pictures, stories, objects...anything that they had that meant something to Aaron. She got so much great stuff! Each day for 30 days he had an envelope to open for that day. Each day was from someone, and held the picture, story, or object from his thirty years. It was so wonderful to read about his life and see it through the eyes of people who have known and loved him. Fun times. I used presentation boards to display each day at the party. (and had Science fair flashbacks while putting it all together!)



He did sniff out the actual party, but he was surprised that his family came. His parents, sister and brother-in-law all came for the surprise, which he absolutely wasn't expecting. So I halfway got him.





Happy Birthday to my amazing husband!

Life, Life, Life!

Life is...wonderful, exhausting, fantastic, difficult, and ever changing. Caroline isn't that much older than Landon, but I definitely forgot that once a routine is established and things get going good...BOOM! Something else changes and everything is haphazard again. I love my husband and the life we've built together. I love our children. In our wedding vows we promised to love one another, in fortune and trial, and to always walk a Godly path. I just recently watched our video and was reminded of what we vowed in front of our Lord. I cried and was awestruck at how this life is trying and tiring, but we are keeping those promises daily, even when times are tough. Seasons of life can be hard and we're in a hard season right now. Rewarding, but hard.



We've been busy, as always, but enjoying life as much as we can. Our sweet baby boy is a crier. Bless his heart, sometimes I have done everything in my power to help him and he still cries. For a long time, most days felt like bad days, but things are looking up. I am prayerful that he will continue to cry less and smile more. He won't be a baby forever, and I try and remind myself that I will miss the baby stage.



Caroline is growing and changing everyday. She's become a huge help around the house. She loves "5 minute pickup." I play the song of her choice and we spend 5 minutes picking up toys, plates, trash...anything in our main living area that doesn't belong. She will sing and work. It's enjoyable and then I have a clean space during nap time, which I appreciate so much!



We went up to Aunt KK and Uncle Judd's house 2 months ago (which is where all the pics are coming from...sorry they're so old!) and met up with Opa, Oma, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Stephanie, and Annalise at a pumpkin patch. The girls had a blast.











I have no pictures from Thanksgiving, other that one Aaron's cousin took. It's a good one though...if I do say so myself!



Have a great weekend!