Hallowen Wrap Up

I LOVED Halloween this year! Seriously, tons of fun! The kids' costumes were kind of last minute things (thank goodness for extensive dress up clothes collections and character jammies!) But taking a 2 and 3 year old out to trick-or-treat was the best. Both kids were super stoked about it and ran around screaming "It's Halloween Day" for a majority of the morning and afternoon. Then they kept asking when they were going to be able to get into their costumes.

Finally after naps, their excitement bubbled over and it was time to go trick-or-treating. Ryan and I even got into the spirit and semi dressed up with the kiddos. I wore a Wonder Woman shirt and tiara and Ryan had a Batman shirt and cape.


So here's a few pictures of the superkids and just how stinking cute they were!

Flying to the rescue!

This could be a poster for super hero children!

How great are these pajamas? Best $6 I ever spent on Halloween day!

Happy Fall

We have officially switched seasons! Or at least the calendar tells me we have and you know the influx of all things pumpkin is another sign. It's still pretty hot outside, although you can tell that the weather change is right around the corner. Right now we are in the weird phase where mornings are pretty chilly but by mid-afternoon everyone is ready for shorts and tank tops. I am anxiously awaiting sweater weather. I just want it to cool off and stay cool, but I can deal without having frigid temperatures just yet.

My birthday was almost two weeks ago. So now I am officially 27 years old! Although if I'm honest, I don't really feel any older than I did in high school. Sometimes I feel like a kid pretending to be an adult, but somehow I remember it being a lot more fun when I was younger. This paying bills, having a job, and raising kids thing is pretty hard at times.

But back to the birthday, I had a great day and was completely spoiled by my family. Having a large family on both sides makes birthdays more fun to celebrate. There's more people, more food, more conversation, and just more enjoyment all around. Anyway, I guess one way that I can tell I am getting older is that instead of getting anything fancy/frivolous I asked for a new toilet. The one in our main guest bathroom was original to the house and was definitely on its last leg. It needed multiple flushings, had the flapper replaced a few times and you had to hold the handle down. Needless to say it made life with a potty trainer a little difficult. So I got a new toilet from my husband and I couldn't be any happier about it!

Our September has been pretty eventful. Besides my birthday, I have been working a little more than usual to start putting some extra cash away for Christmas. And I went to a K-State football and watched my Wildcats win, while melting in the extreme heat. But I had a bunch of fun! We've also been having a few game nights here and there with our friends which has made us feel like real people and not just worn down parents. It's amazing what some time with friends can do for you. My moms group at church started back up and this year I am a table leader. On top of that I am in a Bible study that I am really excited about. I can't wait to see how these things unfold this year. Sarah and Andrew like being back in a more structured routine. It's good for everyone. A regular bedtime, regular wake up, regular naps. Predictability is now something that my kiddos thrive on and I think it's about time! And we've thrown in a few fun things, like going to see The Little Mermaid in theaters (it was interactive with an IPad) and getting bunches of new dress up clothes to play pretend with!

The kids are loving the weather lately. It makes for great outdoor playing because by the time it gets super hot, we are inside for naps. I am really stoked to do fun fall things with them this year. Like apple picking and pumpkin patches!  But we celebrated the official first day of fall with a little bit of crafting!

Andrew's is on the right and Sarah's is on the left.

And because a post wouldn't be complete without a few pictures, here you go!

Andrew's Party and Two Year Stats

I just realized that I never posted about Andrew's second birthday party! He had a Toy Story theme and it was so much fun for everyone involved. I LOVE watching my kids get excited and happy about things and a birthday party is nothing but fun and excitement.

Since Ryan and I both come from larger families, this little boy is pretty spoiled when it comes to gifts. Like seriously, we had to rearrange our playroom and I am still going through a "weed out" process with our toys. It's an ever constant battle to not have the playroom look like a disaster area and it's incredibly difficult to figure out which toys are ready to be packed away, donated, or just trashed. It could be because I am attempting to do this while having both kids in the house...

So here's a few photos from that. I found most of the decorations on clearance which was pretty nice because we didn't have to spend a fortune and we came out with something that looked great! I stayed up pretty late making some alien cupcakes the night before the party. Andrew had a lot of fun wadding up tissue paper and putting it in the trash but he also really enjoyed his presents like his trains, new duplo table that his Papa built him, and a bouncy horse.

As far as two year stats go, he's pretty middle of the road. Which is a good thing considering all the concerns that his doctor had about his head size earlier.
27 lbs - 35%
34 inches - 27%

He's also right on track for physical and developmental milestones. His language skills are exploding and he constantly has new words. Also he's learning the art of getting on big sister's nerves and doing it well. So overall, we have a pretty healthy and happy TWO year old!

Brain Dump

I have had every intention of blogging the last couple of months. I mean really it helps me keep my thoughts in order and it makes me feel good to know that I have recorded some of our memories in a place that I can't lose them. But then life happened and whenever I got the thought "That is something to blog about" or "hmmm maybe I can make a post about this" I would get distracted and eventually forget it.

So I'm a bad blogger, but I can deal with it. What I can't deal with, is my overloaded and totally overwhelmed self! Almost a year ago I took on a part-time job thinking that it would be good for me to get out of the house and make a little extra cash. Well now, that job has turned into a mix of good and bad (like most jobs I assume). I'm fairly certain my boss doesn't like me too much, my hourly wage is definitely much lower than it should be, and people have NOT been tipping well lately. (In case you've forgotten, I'm a barista - which means I make the fancy coffee drinks. Nine years in the business and I can't seem to leave it.) Add on some heavy duty medical bills because oh yeah I had a chest tube for six days and well my extra cash is a little more necessary now.

The kids are 2 and 3 now which is fun but also very trying. I KNOW there are days when I barely hold it together and I praise God (literally) that we are all fed and alive when Daddy gets home from work. I can't seem to find a good balance between work, mommy, and me time and end up feeling like a failure on all parts.

I've been debating about going back to school, putting Sarah in preschool, and possibly throwing a third baby into the mix at some point for months. Seriously here is just a sample of the frenzied thoughts swirling around my head on a near daily basis.

"When would be the best time for school? Is Sarah missing out on some fundamental developmental milestone by not going to preschool this fall, should I look for something for her for the spring? Is preschool really worth the $160+ a month? I miss having little babies around, maybe we should have a third." I lose it over all the toys ALL OVER, and wonder why I ever thought I could handle a third!

A giant mess of crazy I tell you! Some days I seriously wonder why I majored in history and if maybe I would be better off if I had a more full-time intellectual job to head off to everyday. But I love my customers and co-workers at my job. 

What it all boils down to, is that I am feeling a bit lost. After being a full time stay at home mom for the last three years, I want to find something that stretches me more. Lord knows I love my kids, but it would be nice to not cut food into small bites (Andrew's new thing is that he swallows most foods whole and ends up gagging/vomiting. Fun times) and well maybe have a reason to wear more than yoga pants and tank tops every day. I want my kids to see me and be proud, and not just cry when Mommy puts on her uniform and leaves. I work evenings so I leave after or during nap time and don't get home until after bedtime. 

I know, the grass is always greener on whatever side of the fence you aren't on. Here's hoping I can figure some things out soon. I just need some direction in my life. I feel like I am standing at a crossroad but I don't know what the signs say and if I should take any of the streets. So instead I am camped out at the intersection being all awkward and weird. 

Two Years Old!

Happy birthday Andrew! You're officially two now and I am so incredibly blessed to be your mom. It has been amazing to watch you transform from a baby into a little boy. It's hard to believe that it's already been two years since we first laid eyes on you!

I have to admit, I will miss some of your baby-isms. (Like your scrunchy face and your tiny hands holding onto my shirt to name a couple.) But I am oh so ready to embrace the fantastic little boy that you are. You are nearly always happy and giggly and never hesitate to give Mama kisses.  And while I may be a little bit sad to see you moving further away from my "baby", I am so excited to see where you will go from here.

Already I can tell you have a crazy passion for your family. You LOVE to follow Sissy around and do whatever she is doing (and yes sometimes you like to push her buttons.) You also like to be right up next to Daddy seeing what he is doing and "helping" him with whatever it may be. But at the end of the day, when you hug me good night and say "wuv you Mama" you melt my heart and make me oh so happy that you are a part of this family. Sometimes I can't believe we were lucky enough to get you as a son.

 It's so much fun to watch your personality form and see how you react to different situations and adjust to life in general. You are amazingly sweet but also more than a little stubborn. Remarkably mellow but energetic. One minute you are calm, and the next this wild crazy kid running around the house yelling and laughing.

I love how much you love Buzz Lightyear and Justice League and how excited you get to see them. And it totally makes my day to listen to your staccato speech and the way you emphasize certain syllables in words. I hope you always have something that you enjoy and people to share it with!

But no matter what happens or who you become, know that Mommy and Daddy love you and we are so excited to watch you grow up into the person God meant you to be! 

It's August!!

Holy cow! It seems like I blinked and summer is almost gone! I cannot believe it's already August! We've been busy with life! You know taking care of the kids, working, and having some fun while doing it. And it's hard to believe that in 15 days my baby is going to be 2!

I am honestly in denial that he's going to be a big boy soon. I am so not ready for the potty training and getting rid of his crib! But all of that will be here before I know it! So meanwhile I am distracting myself from all of this "growing up" by planning Andrew's party. It's going to be a toy story theme and I am super excited for it. Now I just have to figure out what kind of cake/cupcakes I'll be doing and then also what we should get the birthday boy!

Here's a few snapshots of the last few weeks here in our house!

We went to a superhero themed party and these were in the treat bags. They have worn them at least once a day since then

 Playing at the park, I found a "new" park. I'm sure it has been around for a while but we have never been and it had a pirate ship!

And lastly the kids were playing in the summer rain! Unfortunately they have been few and far between, but the weather has been unusually mild so we have been outside a lot!

Trying to drink the rain from the gutter, I told him to stop!

Things My Kids Say

Just some actual conversations that have happened in our house the last few weeks.

A few gems from Sarah:

"Andrew you lost my mind" - Said in frustration when her brother was not listening to her

"If you hold a flag to your eyes, you can hear fireworks" - She was super excited about 4th of July

"I think it's probably, maybe a hippo" - When asked what her favorite animal is

"There are no medium kids, I am this big kid" (Holds hand up to the top of her head) - When asked if she was a big, medium or little kid

"Maybe you should go on bay-cation again so I can stay with Gummy" - I asked if we should all go on a vaction

"Bay-cation means riding in an airplane not driving in a car"

Sarah also has memorized lyrics to multiple One Direction songs (thanks to Aunt Codie) and can sing pretty much any of them when asked to.

Andrew's turn:

"Sissy/Daddy/Mommy hit me" - If anyone makes him angry he starts crying and goes up to the closest adult and claims that whoever it was hit him

"My hair!! *Tears*" - After witnessing his bed head in the mirror this morning

"Hi bug" *picks it up and chases sister* - A regular occurrence when playing outside

"thank you" - in place of please

"Meee-sah-boot" - I have no idea what this means but he says it and then laughs hysterically

"You E-doo" - He likes to call other people by his name and laugh


They both have this crazy little I don't know song that they sing together. It's really loud and they do it a lot! There's a link to it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10101137665925331&l=8610883373509883692

Semi-Wordless Wednesday

I realize it's been a while since I've shared some cute pictures of the kids. So here's a bunch while updating you on what's been going on in our lives .

While we were on vacation my amazing in-laws kept the kids! They had a blast and Sarah even asked if we would go on "bay-cation" again soon so she could play some more. They went to the pool and the zoo and were well loved and well taken care of.

Carousel ride

Carousel ride 

Gift shop goodies

 Sarah got her first haircut on Monday. We had been talking about it for a few weeks and she was super excited for it. She kept telling everyone it was just a little haircut! After she was all done, Andrew looked at her and said "so cute". How's that for brother/sister relationship?

Before she got it cut.

The first snips. I was pretty sad to see it go, because I remember how long it took for her to actually get hair!

Walking out of the hair salon, hand in hand. I seriously want to frame this!

Oh and here are her sweet pigtails. She's more willing to get her hair styled now that it's shorter. 

Swimming at Grammy's in the new bigger pool!

And just for fun, here's a look into what I do when I am not with the kids. I work at a local coffee shop and it's been really fun doing something for me that makes some extra cash as well!

Home Sweet Home

I'm back from vacation and it was everything I hoped it would be! Yes it was tough being away from the kids for a few days but the quality time I got to spend with my husband was so worth it! It's amazing how much time you get to talk and connect with your spouse when there are no small children clamoring for attention. And here are a few photos from the trip.

Going out for anniversary dinner

Shell hunting

Our hands in the sand. Love this picture

The sweet message we got from our kids the morning of our anniversary