A Sweet Heart

Friday was my niece Kaleigh's birthday and today we went out to eat for the family birthday meal. Kaleigh's sister Ali is 7 and Kaleigh just turned 11. I have a story about Ali. She truly has a sweet heart.....she can be a little difficult at times, but her heart truly is genuine. Ali walks into the restaurant holding a big pink shopping bag that was from some store and says it's her gift for Kaleigh. Apparently she wanted to get her sis a gift and never told her mom (my sis, Katie) that she wanted to and Katie never thought to take her shopping to get her own gift. When it came time to open gifts Kaleigh opened Alis gift. The first thing she pulled out was the card - it was the cutest thing. Ali had taken a card that was given to her by one of my aunts on her birthday, crossed out the name, and wrote in her own birthday message to Kaleigh. Then Kaleigh pulls out the gift. There was a figurine that was from Ali's room and a packet of pez that her dad had given her at some point. It was so precious to see how much Ali loved Kaleigh and really did all she could to give her a gift on her special day. Such a sweet heart!

Better Mom

Im really working on being a more flexible mom. I want for my kids to have so much fun in their childhoods. But always I have been so schedule orientated that I didnt do things if they didnt fit in the routine. All this was for a good reason, I felt that my kids behaved better and my sanity was protected. Now that the kids are getting older, Im ready to shake things up a bit. So today was a great opportunity. My niece just turned 11 on Friday so she had her little party and they were going to Build-a-Bear and then to lunch. Neil was out of town for the day to go see Fresno State play UCLA. I found out my nieces plans just 15 min before they were going to leave. So I decided to go too. I had to get Haven up from her nap a little early and pack up lunch stuff for her and get the kids to head to the mall. Let me just pause and say I hate the mall on Saturdays. But I did it! Justus got some quality time with Uncle Jeff as they were the only two males in the pack of girls. Then we even went for lunch, even tho it was about an hour later than I norm would feed Justus and about 30 min before their naps. But I hung in there and they actually did really good at the restaurant. I was a little worried cause Haven had been in the stroller all day and then was in the highchair. I usually make sure they get some time to run around. Im just not that mom that hauls her kids where ever, when ever. It must be the accountant in me! But I realize that there is a good balance and Im certainly trying to get there!

Expensive

Girls are WAY more expensive than boys! Can I just say....when I would shop for Justus, I would get him one pair of brown shoes, some jeans, some shirts, some socks and call it a day. For Haven, I have to buy 3 different pairs of shoes- pink, brown, and black-jeans, but since they are so different, you have to get more, shirts to match all the different jeans (or jeans to shirts) and this is all not even considering dresses or skirts, socks - some frilly, some casual, tights, and the kicker - hair bows! OK, so I was just online looking for some cute hair bows and for the few I wanted to get it would be way more than I wanted to spend! That is crazy!! But what do you do?? Girls take so much more!!!!!! (But they sure are cute!) ;)

Spiders...eww gross!

So Justus got bit by a spider today - in 4 places. Two on his arm and two on his leg. They started out looking normal so I wasnt worried, but after a few hours they spread. I got a little nervous so I called my mom. She said I should take him to the pharmacist so I did. He said no worries, use some cortisone. In the mean time, the bites looked really icky. These pics dont really do it justice (ha). I have to say Im always a bit more concerned for things such as this cause of Justus' heart. Im not really freaked out, I just am more cautious. Id rather know I did all I could then for something bad to happen and then Id feel HORRIBLE!! But alas, he is fine!

11 months and counting

Today Haven turned 11 months! That is huge to me cause I know that just one more month and she will be 1 year! An official toddler, not a baby anymore!! Im doing my best to get her off a bottle. We have introduced her to milk and she likes it and isnt allergic. She just doesnt seem to like the sippy cup. I dont remember this being a prob with Justus. So I guess I need to gird myself up and just deal. Im really anti bottle past a year and really would like to have this process complete before to much into October. But besides that, she is doing well. Such a cutie - soon I will no longer have babies - just kids! How happy!! What a major milestone. Here are some pics of Haven today. I do love her squishy cheeks!

Outdoor fun

Im so glad that the weather is getting cooler! Here are some pics of the other day when Justus and I went outside to play while Haven was napping.

Mental Snapshot

Here is what I observed as I looked around soon after the kids were up from their afternoon nap:
Neil had the radio playing, with no less than old school Warren G, dancing away
Justus was a few feet away starting a race. He was counting down for when the planes would take off - Little Einsteins reenactment
Haven was being daredevil trying to get on the little trike thing we have, standing with both feet on the seat while holding onto the handle bars
Im just sitting on the floor in the mix.
Dont forget - Warren G is still playing
Crazy...we need to get out of the house!

You know youre the mom of a toddler when....

the characters from Little Einsteins invade your dreams. It was crazy - last night, Leo, Annie, Quincy, June and Rocket visited me in my sleep.

Also, just a side note - Justus loves Curious George and when we get in the car he always wants to listen to "George, please Mom." We have the Jack Johnson soundtrack and he requests it. I found that very curious!

Bath x 2

This was the second time that the kids took a bath together. They both really enjoy it. Haven loves to be with her big brother and Justus just loves playing in the tub so the more the merrier. It is so convenient. The first time they were bathed together I did it when the kids and I were out way past bedtimes and Neil was out for the evening. So I just did a quick job, both at once. Tonight, it was more because we needed for the kids to go to bed early cause we were ready to have some peace and quiet. Well, it wasnt early for Haven, but about an hour early for Justus. We are lucky tho cause he loves to go to bed. He has always loved it - crazy lucky! For some reason, tonight it was just tough. Haven has started screeching and growling. Haven's noises along with Justus' not wanting to do what we want and being vocal about it made it a good night for a quick bath. I cant say Im a true fan of boy-girl bathing. My sister and I bathed together lots as kids, but we were both girls. Im sure this wont be something we do very often, but it sure is cute to see them together!

Foolishness

I try so hard to break Justus of this (prov 22:15). It seems I need some breaking as well. Break me Lord - May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14

Free Rocks!

Anything free is fabulous - but this weekend was the kicker to all free stuff. Neil's work invited the top producers for a weekend at Monterey. They put us up at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, fed us and gave us a great time. There was a group of us that got to go and it was fun to get to know some more of Neil's co-workers. We didnt take the kids so it was just Neil and Kelly time. It was so relaxing and of course the area is beautiful! We got to go for a run, eat when we wanted to, sleep when we wanted to, sit and have uninterrupted adult conversation. It was so perfect!

You can find me in my wigwam, Ill be beatin' on my tom-tom

Justus had a great time playing in his Tee-Pee Tent thing. We've had this since he was about a year and a half, but this is the first time he has liked it all put together. He had so much fun!

These Boots are Made for Walking

Haven strutting in her new boots. I was making sure she would be able to walk in them - Im hopeful it will get cool soon and she can sport her Fall wardrobe.