New Traditions?

Thanks to those of you have still been checking this in the last month and a half since I've slowed down my writing.
We do things everyday that I want to share!  So when I finally start writing again more regularly- in Jan (my course will be over!! woo hooo!) it's going to be tough to decide what to share.

The kids and I had a nice day together.  Lately though, it seems to take FOREVER to get out of the house.  This morning (as with the last few days) I really struggled.  I would do Bella's hair, she'd pull it out (three times in a row). I'd try to dress Ben, he'd run away. I'd zip up his coat, he'd undo it. I'd pass Bella her mitts, she'd get mad they were the wrong ones.....

Anyways, back to the nice day.  We had a big talk on the way to town about children in our community who won't be getting presents for Christmas.  We talked about how we will have presents, and already have lots of toys.  I asked them "What do you think that we can do to help those children who won't have presents?".  Ben (is starting to talk, but) was quiet.  Isabella, said "Tell them not to cry and be sad.  And not to be naughty and santa will bring presents to them".  That was totally not the reaction I had expected!  None the less, we chatted some more and then Ben said something that sounded like "buy" but without the "b" (he seems to leave out the first sounds in a word). That's the reaction I was aiming for!

We made a quick stop for a green smoothie - and a purple one for Bella (berry-- to match her purple pants"), and some delish macaroons (from Pure).

Then, off to Walmart. When we got there, there were two cop cars parked outside- collecting toys for a toy drive! Sweet! Less driving! Meant to be!

I kept both kids in the cart, and explained to them that they could each choose one toy for a boy, and one for a girl (total =4), and we went up and down all the aisles, talking about the toys.  Then after the full tour and talk. I let them walk the aisles, and choose gifts. They were well behaved (thank goodness!)   Ben went to the Dora bike, and said "home" a couple times.  Other than that they both knew very well that the gifts were not for us, but for others.  They were very happy to be giving to others, and knew that they were doing some good, and would make a difference in a handful of children's Christmases. Also, on the way out, we passed the section of less expensive gifts, and they each chose another gift.  When we were in line, Bella grabbed some candies and put them on the counter to buy too (she just couldn't stop shopping for others! So cute. I think I know where she gets it from!) Then we delivered them to the police cars.   (We went back in to do our own shopping for some upcoming projects).

Fast forward to tonight.. after trying to get the kids out the door (on my own) for what felt like hours (this time the stalling included Ben not eating dinner until the rest of us were done, and some wrestling while we were trying to get suited up)... we went to town for the "Old Fashioned Christmas".  We met up with some good friends, sat in a sleigh, went for a horse drawn wagon ride, danced to the band, and visited the reindeer  Then it got late... and REALLY cold (read: grouchy).  Thankfully we went into a store to warm up and drink our hot cocoa, and ran into one of Isabella's lovely teachers, who scooped her up and visited with us, and probably made our night (both kids were warm and smiling, and walking - not begging to be carried).  And finally.. home, to run and squeal and make snow angels, then in for a warm snack, a seat on the heat register, more cuddles, wrestling, and songs and to bed.  Waaay too late.

I'm exhausted. I hope they are too!

I hope that these two things we did today become Christmas Traditions in our family.

(I was going to ad pics,... but wrote this two days ago....I hope you'll settle for a post without pictures!)

Sorry about being MIA. An explination, and news!

Hello!!! I 've been missing blogging. Big time! As usual we've been very busy. This time the main culprit Is the online course I'm taking to, in part, raise my Pay category as a teacher. Not only is this keeping me busier Than I thought, but makes logging into my Blog almost impossible (therefore no new posts or comments). This is due to having two google accounts. I really can't log in most days. I'm writing this from my iPhone. Hopefully I can catch up with you soon, and share some pictures, And stories. Also I can show you some before and afters. Who doesn't love before and afters anyways?! Yesterday Dan and I went for my ultrasound (18 weeks), And to look for A new car (any suggestions) and for dinner (mmmm Indian). The ultrasound technologist lady refused to tell me the gender of our little one. She assured us she knew and took lots of pictures. Only prob?? I'm supposed to wait until Wed for my follow up doc appt. Thank goodness for my friend, and wonderful midwife who called around for our results first thing this morning!! How sweet! Anyways.... I wish I had a more creative, fun, artsy- fartsy way to tell y'all. It's a boy! I'm really glad we found out!

YouTube Challenge - I Told My Kids I Ate All Their Halloween Candy

This is sooo funny. I laughed. And cried.
It's also not very nice.
Let me know what you think. The last two kids are hilarious.

WANTED

It is just me? Our house? Our kids?
We always seem to have a few things that we can't find. 
A while ago it was Bella's strawberry shortcake tee, and Ben's monkey.
Now, we are missing:
* Ben's sigg sippy (eeeeww, and it's been months.  I don't even know if I want to find it anymore.)
* A library book (which I found and set aside two days before it was due, and now it's gone.  It is at least a month overdue.).
*  And, the saddest of all.... "hooo" Ben's owl (from this shop on etsy).  He thankfully has three owl babies of different sizes, and this was his his fave- but at least he has two others to sleep with.

WANTED:

Hoooo

Reward:

 Ben's smile

&

my peace of mind

So if any of these are at your house... let me know! I have turned mine upside down.

Does this happen to anyone else? Moms? Is it my fault for not being the tidiest most organized momma? Or the kids? Or a combo? Or does it just drive me waaay too nuts?

Sophia Grace's Show Stopping Performance!

Rolling in the Deep - Adele Acoustic Cover (Jorge and Alexa Narvaez)

I adore Alexa's expression. Bella now sings along, and uses her hands a lot too.

Little Girl Raps Nicki Minaj Super Bass

This little girl was singing on Ellen yesterday.  Too funny!

This Thanksgiving....

We have a little news to share.

 I"m sure you've got the hint.  :)
 If not, here's another.

As Isabella says "after my party you will have a baby!"

(Her birthday is April 2nd; the next babe is due April 13th).



13 weeks



We went to our 12 (ish) week ultrasound the other day. Isabella came with me, and Dan took Benjamin to work with him (we clearly could use more people to help with the kids; I would have loved if Dan could have been with me). Isabella was very well behaved, and loved the whole experience. She even held my hand, and rubbed my leg to comfort me. 

The baby is growing, and looks so much different than he/she did just three weeks ago- when we saw him/her last (when they looked like a little peanut).

I think the babe was trying to suck his/her thumb, or pick their nose. :)
 Hopefully not the latter.
12.5 weeks

This Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be thankful for.

A new baby on the way.

Two awesome kids.

Happy days.

A sweet hardworking husband/dad.

A good harvest.

Eachother.

Good friends.

Family.

Healthy food.

Sunshine!

Sew gorgeous dresses going to Haiti

And the thought that very soon I will start feeling better!!!

(and might be able to keep up with all of the above)

A big thankyou to those who kept our secret for us.  And a sorry to our friends that I wasn't exactally honest with when they asked me if I was pregnant, or was thinking of having another baby soon. 

My grandpa

Recently my sweet grandpa passed.  Here are a few memories of an incredible man.  In pictures.

He was so adoring of his family and especially of his grandchildren (I think that is so easy to see looking back on the expression on his face in photos where he was holding a child).  He was totally adored in return. 
A few things that stand out most to me when I remember my grandpa, was how much he LOVED hugs. 
And, when I told him that I was pregnant with Benjamin (a boy) he gave me some advice that was very close to his heart (I know because of how he explained it, and the fact that we discussed it on many visits)... and I will cherish that.  He said boys have a need to achieve, and that I had to make him feel special, and acknowledge his successes.
Also, my grandpa was such a bright and creative man.  He loved to learn, and create.  He even built a "witch's house" -- a little cottage for the grandkids. Grandpa was a great story teller. I really enjoyed listening to him... even if he had a tough time hearing me! :)
xo

Food Matters

For those of you who know me, or have read a couple of my other posts, know that I am passionate about health (eating right), and am fascinated to learn more.
I wanted to watch this film earlier, but got sidetracked.  A sweet friend informed me it was airing online for free again.
If you are interested (in the connection between what we put in our bodies and how we react- both good and bad; or have questions about cardiovascular disease, depression, cancer, drugs, vitamins, eating organic, raw, etc.)
Watch Food Matters. It is airing for free until October 8th.  Really, you should! :)

Happy watching!

"Let food be thy medicine, and let thy medicine be food." Hippocrates

Sometimes when things get a little hairy with the kids, we try to take them out for some one-on-one time.  So I took just Isabella out to do some running around with me.  Part way through, while driving around, I let out a big sigh.  Bella asked what was wrong. I told her that I really had to pee. And her response...

"Mommy it's okay."
"Don't pee your pants"
"Can you hold it for a bit?"
"We will be at starbucks soon mommy, it's okay"
"See mommy - it's there, see it, there's starbucks, it's okay now."
"You can pee there", "okay, let's go".

It suprises me all the time when Isabella responds the same way I do to situations. It's kind of adorable.  On the other hand it really shows me the power of choosing the right words, and responding appropriately; which is not always easy (and I definetly don't always get it right ).

A Weekend at my Momma's

I brought the kids to my mom and step-dad's this weekend.

They had recently moved, and I love their new house.  It was so nice to check it out.  One of the highlights of the weekend was when my mom decided to put make-up on the kids.  They had never done this before; and I'm sure that Ben anticipated it even more than Bella (shhh, don't tell Dan).

More Chalkboard paper

The same chalkboard sticky paper that I used for the frame, I used in my cupboard doors.  Which is an idea that I got from my friend, Crystal.

I simply washed the inside doors of two cupboards.  Then I drew a straight line to cut on on the reverse side of the paper, and cut it out.

I slowly stuck it to the door, pushing out air bubbles, and again, wah--lla!  A chalk board for my hunnie and I.



New-ish side table DIY

 

Another easy - peasy D.I.Y

I love old apple crates.

We have a few around the house.

My mom mentions often that there's no where to put her tea.

So I went to the local hardware store and bought four pretty industrial looking castors

 (rolling things at bottom)

Then screwed them to the four corners.

Now we have a rolling side table for the livingroom.

The kids think its another one of their toys... they take it all over the first floor of the house.

Happy Saturday Morning

This morning after we got our babies out of bed and snuggled them up and played with them in our bed, they both went downstairs on their own.  So Dan and I could spend a few more precious minutes relaxed under our warm  cosy duvet.
A couple minutes later, I heard a cupboard open (they've mastered those child locks).  Then bowls (stainless steel) clanging. Then we heard it... lot of cereal.  We both rushed downstairs, me grabbing my camera on the way, and Dan down the other set of stairs, grabbing his iphone.  I think its hilarious that our first instincts were to capture the mayhem rather than clean, or scold.

One week challenge

I forgot to tell you...
I have a goal this week.
To do at least one post a day.
We have been so busy, I just haven't gotten to my blog in way too long. And I really miss it. It's nice to share our days, pictures and ideas.  So, I think I started a couple days ago. I'll keep this up as long as I can; even though I will be away from home for a couple days, and maybe not very wisely- just signed up for an online course.
Please keep checking it, and I hope to have something new for you each time you do.