Time Flies

I can not believe it's been so long since I posted here. Life has been super busy and I just forget to write things down. Let's see...Tyler is 11mos old. I have no idea how he will be 1 in less than a month, but he will be. Conner has been busy playing soccer and Parker is just, well, he's Parker. Tyler isn't walking (that's fine by me), he says a few words, loves food and is overall a happy little dude. Conner is a typical first born older brother. He likes to pick on Parker and boss people around. He can be very sweet at the same time. Speaking of Conner, he started speech Jan 24. He's doing alright with it. Josh has been working...a lot. That's really nothing new. I have been busy. I can't seem to keep up with laundry and really that's more because I just hate laundry. I have been taking much better care of me. I've been drinking shakes and working out. I feel much better and am seeing some positive changes :)

Oh and today is Valentine's Day....so Happy Valentine's day...from mine to yours...

Science

This boy loves Science. He loves learning about ecosystems, animals, fossils, marine life, rocks...all of it. He loves it. When people started asking what a good birthday gift for Conner would be, I told them Science related things. One of the things we got was a crystal mining kit. The crystals were hidden in this block of plaster and when I say it was hard to bust open, hard is an understatement. At one point we decided we'd use our own tools/ It was super cool and equally messy and he loved it.

Making Changes

Change is one of those things that is always worth it but so hard to actually DO. Lately, Conner's behavior has been less than stellar. Let's face it, it's been straight up awful. I have tried almost everything to get his attention, to encourage better choices and behavior. I've tried positive reinforcement, negative punishments...nothing really works. Since Halloween, we have fought over candy every.single.day. He will sneak it to eat it. He hides it so he can go get it later. I have decided NO more. I'm going to limit what he eats. He's alawys been very picky and we've just said, whatever he will eat is better than him not eating but he's five now so his diet is getting an overhaul. It's going to require work from me (no more box mac and cheese), but I know that making him eat whole foods, non-processed crap will help him. It will help the dynamics of my family. It's not like he eats junk all day long but he doesn't eat a large variety of foods. He will eat strawberries, apples, applesauce, grapes, PB, cheese, yogurt, some chicken, pork, beef, spaghetti, mac and cheese (but now I'll have to make it or buy annies but is that really better?). He will not eat any veggies and I mean zero. He will not eat eggs, he will not even try a lot of things. Food has always been a battle for me with Conner. I have NO idea how I will actually pull this off but I am determined. I think Trader Joe's will be my new bff. Stay tuned...hopefully I will have good behavior reports soon!

"those" days

You know the days I'm talking about...the days when the kids that went to bed too late get up too early. Those days when all they do is fight...and it starts just because one looks at the other. Those days when the baby refuses real food, for no good reason; maybe he just wants a bottle. Those days when one child ends up with scratches and a busted mouth from fighting...and it's only 8am. Yep, it's one of THOSE days at our house today. These two precious gifts have fought over the air they breathe. They have stolen food from one another and have tried to create a wwf ring on the couch. Meanwhile, the baby (who just wants to be big and can climb stairs. omg), is trying to get in the mix. I can't even think straight and it's 8am. I want a drink...maybe I'll spike my coffee. Did I mention...it's election day so there's no school. Yep, one of those days. BUT during one of these days, I remind myself that they are little, they need to be taught not yelled at. They need love, not for a mommy to yell. They need extra cuddles, because yes they are tired (and woke up coughing so they probably don't feel well). They need their own space, they are little people and all people have rough mornings and crappy days. So, instead of yelling, I show them some grace. I love them, unconditionally. I have tired days too and days when I don't feel well and I express that by telling them that I'm really tired or don't feel well. They are little; they can't (and don't) always express that verbally but by using behavior. It's grace they need and it's grace I'll give. Now, that doesn't mean that I haven't yelled at one or both of them (seriously, leave the baby ALONE) but I just have to remind myself of the grace that I like extended to me and I try to extend that to them.

this post makes no sense and I know that. whatever. It's tuesday one of those days and I'm tired. I'm going to get more coffee. Happy Tuesday :)

Fall Festival

We have had a busy October (already) but it's been fun. The kids have had soccer and have been sick. We spent the weekend on a gorgeous lake a few hours north of us and hit up a fall festival where we ate (until I wanted to gag) kettle corn, played in a creek (but didn't get wet, it was chilly), went fishing and just got away. It was super fun and I wish I could just permanently live that way but that isn't reality...it was fun and I think it was really needed. I like my hubby more now and that's always a good thing ;)

**disclosure, this post will have a lot of photos. I'm not sorry for it.**

My favorite thing about this festival is the old school. Parker liked ringing the school bell.

Conner thought this big pumpkin was awesome!!

Parker kept chasing the train! He was so excited when he finally got to ride it.

Tyler was just happy to be held. He loves Papa.

The next day we went to another festival (ate more kettlecorn) and played in the creek.

While they played, I took photos of my baby. why not?!

When we got back, we went fishing. The sunset was outstanding!!!

Soccer Time

So, soccer started last week (and I've tried to do this post a dozen times already). Conner is in love and Parker was devastated...why, you ask. Parker wasn't on the team. He is now. I signed him up. They are SO excited! First game is this weekend (P hasn't been feeling well, praying he's up for it)

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Boys will be Boys

Every day, at some point, the big kids get filthy. They play in the mud, make things out of the mud, play in the sandbox, dig for worms (and other bugs including spiders). They love it. I love that the backyard is fenced and they can go out there alone for small increments of time (I can empty the dishwasher alone). The other afternoon, they were out there and I was sitting on the deck when I thought, 'idiot, go grab your camera'. Not every photo needs to be wall worthy. So I did. This is the essence of my boys.

They were 'camping' under the deck. They had transformed my tennis bag into I'm not sure what and their food choice was veggie straws and fruit loops but..they were happy.

Then, they were off again...

 Parker made a mud baby and Conner collected acorns.

This was all in a matter of about a half hour! Non-stop is what these little boys are and I love it.