I'm a Mom....

After a long weekend.... (Why would I be complaining about a long weekend???)

Our kids for some reason were really fighting with each other this weekend, which does not usually happen, they both kept ending up in time out.  I am endlessly trying to explain the beauty of "ignoring" to Kate.  The funny thing is, she gets it, she does it when she wants too.... She just really wants to have the last word.  (Hmmmm.... I wonder where she gets that passion from?)

Anyways, I joined them gym and I love it.  Free child care, spending time with my friends, having more energy.... it is great.  All I wanted to do this morning was get to the gym and have an hour to myself.  Bags are packed, kids are in the car, and..... Stephen vomits.  

I know, poor guy.... I do feel bad for him.  He has such a strong gag reflux, he can't just cough up something, he has to empty his stomach.  No, I do not think he is sick with a stomach bug, but he has been coughing and he does have a slight runny nose.  Nope, I won't be that mom, bringing her sick kid to infect everyone else's kids.  (However, there is a part of me that wants to be that mom right now, in order to get an hour to myself.)  Ahhhh.... tomorrow right?

Potty Training

Well, we are back in the diapers.  Occasionally we are peeing on the potty, Stephen that is. :)

We will get there, we are just not there yet.  In the meantime we have a full drawer of little boys underwears with "Thomas, Lighting McQueen, and The Wonder Pets."

I guess the question should be, Who is on your underwear?

What have we been doing?

Well, take a look.  Hundreds of dollars spent on Christmas gifts and these are the games we play....

Pirates....

Lemonade Stand...

Flying Game / Dinosaurs????

Anyways, I find it crazy, wonderful, and creative.  As much as a part of me wishes that they would play with the toys we got them for Christmas, the creative side of me loves watching their creative minds IMAGINE and develop new things.  Who knows, I might be raising some rocket scientists or veterinarians, which I love.

Big BOY

He decided today was the day.

TODAY, is the day he decided to pee-pee in the potty..... life according to Stephen.

(I jumped at the opportunity, and I am completely shocked by his willingness.  But, I had 6 little pairs of underwear ready to go.)

So, he did it!  And we are working on it..... Personally I think little boys "underwears" are the cutest things.  

We have lots of snow...

Can you believe there is a flag on top of the fire hydrant?

Now do you see why?

I'm still here...

Did you think I had left for good?

Nope, I am still here OR now back here.

It is good to be home.  I am still unpacking and of course my suitcase is the last one to unpack.  Yes, I have been living out of it for the past week.  Well.... really the past three weeks.

Happy news, it is SNOWING!  Really, really snowing..... we are supposed to get 6-10" during the day today.  So now I might actually have to use the snowblower because David is at work.  If this happens, it will be a first.    

Thankful

Yes, I am behind on my posts and I know everyone is anxious to see pictures of the 4 cousins together again.  They were quite cute, tons of fun and work.... but among the caos I LOVED every minute.

Thankful.  I have had that subject on my brain for weeks.  I have so much to be thankful for it was hard picking just one thing, so I picked more than one.  (They are not in any order!)

First, I am thankful that everyone in my family is healthy and happy.  That is a HUGE blessing in itself.

Second, based on the past year, I am very thankful for my talented, well educated, witty, and loving husband.  As my grandmother would say, "We made lemonade out of lemons."  Yes, we had to leave our Virginia home and start a new adventure in Milwaukee, but I am eternally grateful for our family being together, a roof over our heads, and a great future.  David, I am really proud of you and of us.   

Third, I am thankful for Kohl's!  They hired David, moved us to Milwaukee and offered us an amazing opportunity!  They are not only a great place to shop, but a great place to work too!

Fourth, I am thankful for the opportunity to step on matchbox cars and plastic dinosaurs, treasure maccaroni & bead necklaces like diamonds, masterpiece marker drawings adorning my fridge,  lots of "i love you mamas" and hugs from little arms, independant minds, swings flying in the sky.... way up so high, scooter races in the driveway, caotic morning routines, and 2 sweet little children of my very own.  Kate and Stephen, everyday you fill my life with joy, laughter, passion, and love and for that I am ETERNALLY THANKFUL.

I love you all and I wish you nothing but blessing this Thanksgiving!

Together Again

This is how we found them, sound asleep holding hands...

(Of course prior to this moment was lots of giggling, sillies, and wiggling.)  

Post Halloween

This is how my kids have dressed the entire week.  I wonder if they will be wearing the same hats at Christmas?

Happy Halloween

I am happy to report that our first Halloween in Wisconsin was without snow.  It was sunny, a little brisk and thank goodness, NO RAIN.  Normally you would hear my speech to my children on how rain is good for Our Mother Earth, but we have seen too much rain.  Instead of beautiful autumn October days, we had lots and lots of rain.  According to natives, October is the last beautiful month in Wisconsin before the snow and bitter cold descends.

At 5 sharp, all the little trick-or-treaters decended upon our neighborhood.  At our house, we had Hannah Montanna, a witch, and a green dinosaur.  Also known as Peyton, Kate, and Stephen.

The kids had a blast, running from house to house and Stephen did his best to keep up with the girls.  I love tha Kate's feet were not even touching the ground in this photo.  At one point Stephen sat down on the ground and proclaimed, "I can't walk."  We did have the wagon, it was full of coats and warm beverages.  As you will notice, the kids did not have on coats, but they were very layered underneath.  (Stephen had 5 layers under his costume, he even looks puffy.)

Kate's costume is very special.... It was the same witch costume I wore when I was her age.  Mom made it for me and I remember wearing it on a few Halloween nights.  I think the last time I wore it was in middle school and I wore it with jeans.  We did add a few new items, a pointy hat care of Madeline Grace, the black & white striped shirt, polka dot tights, and her favorite.... clicketty-clack-shoes.  She really loves the costume and has continued to dress up post Halloween.  She even worn the pointy hat to the grocery store and the park.  She proclaimed that she plans on being a witch next year too.  I love that she loves that costume...  How can she be scary when she looks that cute!