Spring Break Week

This week is spring break around here but since I am not a teacher that doesn't mean much to us.   However, at day-care each day is a dress up day for the kids.

Monday was beach day and my boys were with their Babi so we didn't have to worry about that one. Thank goodness! Beach day is hard for us because it isn't warm enough outside yet to send them in shorts and flip flops.

Tuesday was superhero day and with Casen's pink eye I forgot.  So Cooper didn't dress up that day which was no big deal because really the kids just wore a super hero shirt and some had capes.  Of course we have a cape from last year that he would have worn had I remember. 

See last years beach day and superhero day.  WOW he needed a haircut sooo bad.  I am still mad that no one insisted he get a haircut!

Wednesday was western wear day!  This was an easy day for us!

Smiling but keeping his eyes on the tv. We let him watch a cartoon before school since he got up a little early.

Casen crawling away from me as I take pictures.

Holding both of the dog toys hostage.  He LOVES these balls.  Favorite toy right now.

Thursday was Camo/Princess day.  Another easy day for us!

Cooper watching tv again...remember when I couldn't get him to sit still for a show.  Now he begs to watch tv.  (we limit it to 2 or 3 thirty minute shows a day as rewards for various things).

I LOVED this hat on him but he took it off faster than I could take the picture. I wish my hand wasn't in this picture because I love it.  By the way he isn't crying in these pictures.  He just had his eye drops.

Cooper showing Casen some toys

I don't want to imagine these two behind the wheel in another 13 years or so!

Today was pajama day.  Once again an easy day for us.  We have matching pjs for the boys but they are the fitted style and Kyle doesn't really like to send Cooper to school in those for pajama days.  They look silly with tennis shoes.  However that style is what he usually wears every night right now.

Once again smiling but looking away.

Then looking but moving therefore blurry.

This boy thinks he is soo big now that he can crawl.  He likes to sit like this on his legs and reach for things or bounce.

Last year we had this post of 2 birthdays and a cowboy

And the year before this one of 2 birthdays and a cowboy

(I tried to put Casen in that same onesie/shirt but it didn't fit)

And now this year it is 2 birthdays and 2 cowboys!  We are so blessed!

*******************

So after looking for the posts above I realized I forgot two very important birthdays yesterday.

Our lives are very crazy right now and I could list off the excuses, but it doesn't matter and it won't make me feel better. 

Our sweet Riley Rue turned 5 years old!  This girl is an absolute sweetheart.  She is great with our boys and loves to play with them.  She has nonstop energy and will chase a ball forever.  She is yippy like a chihuahua which drives us insane.  Even though she wasn't quite what we expected (supposed to be a pomkie not pomchi) I love me sweet girl.

Also, Baby C from our miscarriage in July 2010 was due 3 years ago.  That was the hardest thing I have ever been through, but I am so thankful God blessed us two more times with two amazing little boys.

Also my post from 2011

Happy Friday!

Slumber party with Babi and Grandaddy

Sunday after the cookout at Melisa's my parents took the boys home for a slumber party.

Thanks to the time change both boys slept in until almost 8:45. 

Still looking sleepy

Cooper was awake but didn't want to take a picture.

Cooper went to Grandaddy's work and helped him figure out sinks heigths for their preschool.  Unfortunately Cooper accidentally got his finger smashed by Grandaddy and he told everyone he could find that Grandaddy hurt his finger.  He told my dad's lunch friend and perfect strangers.

Casen is trying to get my dad's ink pen out of his pocket.  EVERY kid he holds wants that pen!

After lunch the boys went over the Grandad Sylvester's to visit.  Carleigh, Carsyn, Quinn, Adelynn and I think Eli were there.  Then went on a walk to the tank/'lake' and took a ride in a little trailer.  Cooper's favorite was driving the 'tractor'.  In fact he was having so much fun he forgot to take a potty break.  Notice anything in the picture?  I noticed immediately.

Even cousin Grant was in town and came to play.

I met my mom halfway to get the boys and unfortunately by then Casen's eye was swollen and we suspected pink eye.

Luckily my mom is on spring break this week so she came back up early Tuesday morning to Fort Worth to stay with Casen and take him to the doctor.  They confirmed pink eye and also found a double ear infection. Poor little guy.  We go back in 4 weeks for a follow up and may have to talk about tubes because the doctor is concerned they he isn't fully getting rid of the infections.  Previously he has had the beginning of an ear infection but never full blow.  Apparently this time they looked bad.

Babi and Casen had a great day together.  I am glad Casen got some one on one time with my mom.  And his eye already looked much better by the time I got home.

Weekend Recap

I looked at my phone this morning and these are the only two pictures I took in almost a week except for Casen crawling.  Yep, we officially have a crawler and it is adorable  He isn't zooming but he definitely does it when he wants something (dog toys).

Friday evening Kyle and I took the boys to an Italian place near our house.  We had only been there once before and Kyle didn't like that they served bruschetta instead of regular bread.  I convinced him to give it another shot.  Since it was a Friday during Lent I couldn't have meat and it is easy to get meatless Italian food.

I ordered baked ziti and it was delicious. Both of the boys gobbled it down with me.  Kyle tried it to and said he would come back and order my dish.

After dinner we attended mass and the beginning of the Stations of the Cross.  We were actually going to attend SOTC, but the church bulletin said they followed 7:00 mass so we did that first.  Well by the time SOTC started it was 7:40 and Cooper and Casen were done! Casen normally goes to bed by 7:30.

Saturday morning we enjoyed sleeping in and donuts.  That afternoon I took Casen for his 9 month pictures while Cooper took a 3 hour nap! 

Mimi and Grandpa came over for a visit Saturday evening.  Cooper got to show Grandpa his new gun.  And Casen got to show off his crawling skills.

Sunday we had an off day with the time change.  But we got our grocery shopping done, but somehow laundry was somewhat neglected this weekend.  We did 3 or 4 loads, but I guess it was random stuff because Kyle and I need to wash some of our stuff tonight.

Sunday afternoon we headed to Midlothian for a cookout at Melisa and Trent's house. We had such a good time! The weather was gorgeous, the food was yummy, and there were lots of laughs thanks to our toddlers.

I made these notes on my phone on the drive home so I wouldn't forget.  I am just going to share it in list format.

• Trent made delicious venison burgers.  I have never had a venison burger, but I will definitely eat them again.  Makes me want a grill!
• Gorgeous weather.  We all thought it was going to be cool outside but they have a nice backyard and we enjoyed it.  (however the toddlers around the pool made Kyle and I both nervous)
• Lots of laughs thanks to two cute toddlers
• Casen showed everyone his crawling skills
• I weeded (is that a word? and is it an appropriate word?) their rock area.  Let's say I pulled weeds.  Now Kyle thinks I need to do the same at home.
• MacKenzie and Cooper took turns torturing Toby the cat.  Luckily Toby is a sweetheart and good sport.  (I don't like cats but he won me over)....No Melisa and Trent, I do not want him!
• The guys spent some time fixing things or talking about fixing things.
• Cooper and Mac fight like siblings and look like twins.  They started fighting hard core over a little broom and it brought tears to my eyes to see them be so mean to each other.  Of course they were over it within seconds...I however was not. LOL
• Both toddlers had successful poo poos on the potty.
• We celebrated with poop cake! Melisa already had brownies in the oven so she came up with a clever/crude name and they even got candles to blow out! It was too funny.
• You can tell how much Grandaddy loves his grand kids.  Babi walked around the bricks of the fire pit with Mac like a balance beam.  They did some ballet, gymnastics, and dances.  Grandaddy thought it was dangerous until Mac said 'you do the hokey pokey with me?' to him in the sweetest softest voice.  He didn't even hesitate and he went all out with the hokey pokey.  There may or may not be a video that we have sworn not to share.

Okay so my simple list got wordy, but that isn't shocking with me, is it?

Tickled Sew Pink

Today I want to do a little blog feature for a company I recently came across.

Tickled Sew Pink is run by a stay at home mom in Oklahoma.  To be honest I don't know a lot of details because I don't know her personally.  In fact, I found her business through a blog friend on Facebook.  Tickled Sew Pink was doing a 14 day giveaway and I decided to enter.

I mentioned previously that I won this cute fleece throw with our name on it!

Then a few days later I won these adorable seersucker shorts with Casen's monogram on them.

She shipped them both two me and I love them.  I can't wait for Casen to wear these shorts this summer.  I think he may wear them for his 12 month pictures!

 Tickled Sew Pink did not pay me or give me anything free for doing this post.  In fact she doesn't even know I am doing it.  I am doing it because she recently shared her Easter designs and I love them!!!  Not only are they cute but they are at great prices. And I know several mommy blog readers of mine also love applique so I wanted to share what I saw.

You can see all of her designs HERE, but I am going to share some of my favorites with you. 

I love these marshmallow bunnies and the fabrics she used.  And of course it could be done with bolder fabrics. And this design is only $16.50!

Then there are these 3 marshmallow bunnies and I love this one even more! This one is $20

Here are two of my favorite girl options. I love the blue and pink combo and the bright colors.  I also love the initial instead of the name because them multiple kids can wear it.  Assuming you are like me and name your kids withe same initial (sorry Melisa). I am really tempted to order this in a boy version with a C on it.  Or if you don't have kids with the same initial I bet it is super cute without the initial on it.

And again this one is only $16.50!!! 

I love this egg design! It is just so cute! It is $20 so a little more but seriously it is adorable! I love the color combo, the font, and the cute shirt it is on! Just precious!

I hope you take a minute to check out the TSP blog. She also has a link on there to her Facebook and you can follow her there.  Let me know if you order anything. Not because it matters, but just because I am curious.

Also if you order something let her know you will need it shipped  She charges $3-5.50 for shipping depending on the order.

Hoppy Friday!!

Friday Five

1. Kyle and I make Mexican food for dinner at least once a week.  Lately we have been making tacos or burritos.  Each time we use chicken or beef, some sort of beans, cheese, sour cream, and taco sauce (Taco bell brand is our preferred choice).  I am in love with black beans lately so that is my preferred choice.  Sometimes we use corn tortillas and sometimes flour.  But each time something is missing and that is rice!  We both love rice at Mexican restaurants, but I have tried the Knorr brand at home and just not a fan.  It is too oily and heavy instead of fluffy like the restaurants.

So yesterday I decided to ask Facebook for help.  I got the following suggestions and I am going to try one each week and then report back with what we like.  Not sure if I will tell you along the way or just to a summary post about spanish rice.  Sounds exciting, right?

• Lipton, Great Value, Zatarans, Uncle Ben's Rice a Roni, Homemade (Jodi says it is easy)

2. Cooper has had a rough week at day-care.  He has cried and thrown a fit every day at drop off.  Yesterday he got in trouble for being means to his friends and then had to leave tumble bus.  Not to mention after 6 days of being accident free he then had 4 days straight of accidents.  Yesterday was accident free so hopefully we can get back on track.  There are also so changes with teachers starting next week and I think it will be for the better.  Today is just one of those days where I worry I am not doing things right.

3. Two of the blogs I read shared about Lent - Check them out here and here (seeing Eli with his ashes makes me wish I had taken the boys with me when I got mine).  Savannah also shared pictures from St. Cyril and Methodius celebration that I previously blogged about here.

4. I read a lot of blogs and one of them I really love is Loves of Life by Katie.  She has two adorable little girls and she is a funny writer.  I originally found her blog through someone talking about Katie's weight loss journey.  Katie has done an amazing job and really makes me want to get to work.  See her post about it here.  And then she shared this post earlier this week and look at those abs! I am in awe! Seriously I need to buckle down and get to work.  I would love to have a rockin body like that.

5.  I am in a bit of a funk today.  Nothing major just a lot of little things and feeling stressed.  I wish the weather was going to be nicer this weekend.

Weekend Recap

Babi loves her boys.  My parents were out of town the weekend before and this past weekend so Friday night she came up to visit.  She was only there for about 2 hours but the boys loved every minute of it.  The only thing that would have made it better was if Grandaddy could have come too.

Saturday morning we ran some errands.

By that afternoon it was gorgeous outside and our boys were wearing shorts!

I took Casen with me to Kohl's to do some returns and Kyle took Cooper to Cabela's.

We met Kyle's parents at the park for a picnic and to play.  Unfortunately the cold front came in earlier than we expected and it was very windy.  We ate quickly and took Casen down the slide once.  Then Kyle and I headed back to his parents with Casen.

Mimi and Grandpa took Cooper to feed the ducks.  He wasn't scared until one nipped him a little then he was more cautious.

Sunday our wardrobe changed with the weather. I went to early mass and brought home breakfast for the boys.  Then we went to the grocery store and Ranger went to the groomer (he needed it bad!).

This little guy is so close to crawling. He is so strong and does about every move on the floor he can except go forward.

After nap we made a trip to the toy store to pick out a new truck.  Kyle had made a promise to Cooper on Saturday to get a toy at Cabela's but they were overpriced.

Well by the time we left he decided he wanted a gun.

Where's Casen?

Peek-a-boo! Casen was so patient with Cooper's toy search unlike Mommy.  He played peek-a-boo with me the entire time and I remembered to take a video.

When we got home Cooper got a lesson in gun safety.

By the end of it I think he was wishing he had just gotten a truck!  But he and Kyle both love the gun.

After dinner the boys had muffins with mommy.

We had a wonderful weekend with the boys and are ready for more warm weather.

Beginning of Lent

Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent. 

I have decided to share with you my Lenten promises.  I am so tempted to call them goals, but goals are often broke.  Promises are meant to be kept and taken seriously.  I want to keep these promises.

I am doing a promise for my faith, for my family, and for myself.

Faith-
Attend mass one day during the week in addition to Sunday.  This one should be easy for me because there is a Catholic church downtown and they have a 12:05 service.  However, if it was so easy, why wasn't I already doing it?  I am planning to do this during Lent and then continue it throughout the year.

The second part for my faith is to follow my Lenten book. I received one from my mom and one from church.

Family-
Stay off of my phone while the boys are awake.  I spend A LOT of time on my phone.  Too much time.  I get this from my mom.  We can't just sit and watch a show.  We have to be doing something else like playing a card game on our phone, checking facebook, playing sudoku...something.  My two sisters are the same way and it drives our husbands crazy.  So now the plan is to stay off of my phone in the evenings.  Be more available to my boys (all 3 of them) and give them the attention they deserve.

Myself-
Starting March 1st I started only drinking water and milk.  No more sodas or sweet tea.  Then on March 20th I am going to add no sweets.  I have a major sweet tooth and often think I need something sweet after every meal.  That would probably be fine if I limited it to just one little piece of candy, but that was never the case.  I am doing this to break the habit of consuming so many empty calories.  I have no intention of cutting them forever, but this is a good time to work on this.

These are all going to be hard promises to keep but that is the point.  Each time I find myself struggling I will stop and ask God to help me.  I hope that at the end of the 40 days I feel closer to God and have formed some better habits and lost some of the bad habits.

Whether you are Catholic or not Lent is a great time to make a promise to the Lord and keep that promise.  In your weak moments ask God for help.  I would love for you to share your Lenten promises with me if you want to.

Happy Ash Wednesday!


**My Hormel Giveaway has ended and I have chosen the winner.  You can see the result here.  Congratulations Savannah!!  Check out her blog here.