Good times at the Beach!

This past Friday we had an impromptu trip to the beach. My sis and her fam were planning on going for the long weekend and they always let us know and invite us to stay with them in their 5th wheel. We knew we'd be going at least for Saturday but Friday morning I gave Neil a call at work and we decided we could just use some of our Marriott points and stay fri night in a hotel. Since Haven is still in a pack n play we knew staying with my sis over night would be challenging. So we opted for the hotel route. I was so glad we did.

My kids were so good. I was super proud of how they handled everything. The ride over was mostly good - no complaining or whining, or at least, very little and that was only because we ate dinner so late and they were hungry.

Then in the hotel room, they went to bed and were quiet when it was time to sleep. I really wasnt sure how that would all go down. Justus has stayed in the room with us before but with Haven in the mix I was a little leary. But it all turned out to be awesome.

Then we got up, at bfast and headed to Avila. We were there from 9 in the morn til 3. The kids played so good. At first Haven wasnt about to let her feet get all sandy but she warmed up to it. This was actually a blessing in disguise cause it meant she wasnt trying to run off.

My sis and her fam joined us about noon. We all had a great time hanging together. This was the first trip to the beach that I actually enjoyed the whole time. Haven was finally old enough to not be difficult. Justus is a champ, just give the kid a few cars and hes good to go.

After the beach we went back to my sis's to clean up, then into town for dinner. The ride home was good to cause the kids were so tired. Neither had had a nap which I wasnt so sure about, but that too was fine.

Good times at the Beach!!

My Girly-girl

Haven has always loved her shoes. She would go into her room and sit for like 20 min trying on all her shoes. These days she will put on her high heels and walk around the house. She will also take her other favorite shoes which are pink crock-types and put them on her Teddy. She insists that Teddy wears shoes also and is constantly asking me to help her get them on. It just is so funny to see/hear her click clacking thru the house playing normally yet with heels on. So Girly-girl!

What we are working on

Kids definitely are a work in progress!! (I guess adults are too) But I wanted to document what is forefront for my kids right now. Haven will be 2 in a couple of months and Justus is exactly 3.5.

Haven: My little sassy pants. She will close her eyes as if to say "Im not talking to you, I cant see you, you are not there" when someone she doesnt know greets her. I think this is super rude and cannot stand for it to go on. Thankfully, this was covered in our parenting classes so I know what tactics to use...it just may take awhile. So in the mean time, if she does this to you, Im sorry and we really are working on it.

Also for Haven I need to work on her coming when I call. She hears me and almost always chooses to run the other way or at least, just stop with her back to me with no intention to come. I think this will just take a little role playing when Neil is around to help. I know we went through this with Justus.

Justus: His difficulties right now are using his words to communicate instead of crying. I think he has mini meltdowns as I have witnessed a few at church (when he doesnt know Im there) and I can only imagine it has happened at Preschool as well. I do believe its getting better but still an area we need to work on.

Also, a year into his potty training, I wouldnt consider him 100%. He actually has done leaps and bounds better in the past few months. I think being home with just Neil for those few days I was in Alabama really helped him. Something about a Mans authority....hmmm....well, whatever works I say! He wont just go on his own without being prompted, but mostly he is clean and dry all day. Yay for that victory!!

Out of Control - for reals!

When you are having a bad day...PLEASE check this out. It will make you laugh!

http://kellijonesblog.com/2008/08/temporary-insanity/

(used with permission)

Justus' First day of Preschool

Yesterday it was Justus first day. We have been pumped about this for awhile! Justus was super excited. I got to take him. Haven stayed home with friend Ersilia (and had a ball playing tea party and dolls!) I already knew that two of Justus' friends would be in his class, but there was another little boy there that Neil knew the parents of and they happened to know our other friends really well from church. So it all worked out so great. Of course Justus was not in the least bit worried about me leaving him. So after I walked him in I left to go to the office to fill out his allergy paperwork. Then all the parents had an orientation to go to. After that, it was time to get our kiddos. So I went and got him. The teacher said he did really well listening to her, but that he did have a few little meltdowns. So we are working on that - no need to cry, just use your words. We are looking forward to a great year!

Mastermind

This year both my parents turned 60. That is amazing milestones and my sis and I really wanted to make it special. I had planned to make a special book for my dad to commemorate his life. I told my mom about it and she said to wait to give it to him when they were planning to come out the 4th of July. So we waited and Mom wanted to throw him a surprise party with all their friends. So of course, that is what we did. My dad was totally surprised and LOVED his party. His bday was in June. Surprise party for my dad....Check!

What about my mom....My moms was on the 19th of this month. So Sis and I wanted to make it super special too. So back in March when all this masterminding and scheming were taking place, we felt the best way to celebrate my mom was to go to Alabama where they live and actually be there with her on her bday. So we got to work. Our husbands requested the time off, I checked with my moms boss to make sure she could have the time off (we werent flying all that way just to have her go to work) (which I know her boss personally cause I worked there too, so it was an easy feat), purchased plane tickets for the day before her bday, which was a tuesday and planned to stay til Saturday. Reserved a rental car. They live 1 hr from the nearest airport. We didnt tell ANYONE except my moms boss and he was sworn to secrecy. My dad didnt even know. Oh, it was perfect.

So thats what Ive been up to last week. It was so fun! It started out in our minds as all about my mom, but as the time approached to go I realized that it would be an amazing vacay for me too! And it was. Ill be blogging all about our time in the next few days. It was the BEST!!

What Ive noticed - part 2

Now this just may be me, but when I eat chocolate like I did last night right before bed (and lets face it, I do this quite often - and its more than "a" brownie, more like half the pan) I have a very hard time waking up the next morning. I feel very lethargic and not at all energized. hmmmmm....maybe thats not so healthy??