Gifts from the Heart

I usually don't buy expensive toys - expensive meaning over $20 bucks (excluding games & books). But because I heard so much about Sophie the Giraffe and did some research - I broke down and bought it for my sweet boy Jacob. I've learned through my sister's kids, if you buy something for one child, its probably best to buy something for the other - especially if you don't want to see a meltdown, tantrum throwing, tears pouring out with boogies hanging out moment! So, I bought something for Evan too! I'm a good mommy to think ahead. Yeah - me!

For me?

These were "just because we love you gifts" for the boys - I told Cy. Actually, Jacob is drooling and teething and just munching on everything he touches and he needs something to sink his gums into. Solution: Sophie Giraffe. Got it at Be Beep Toys, free gift-wrapping (why not, its free) and also got something there for Evan too! Paid an extra dollar for Evan's gift to be wrapped since his toy was on sale. Like brother like brother...it has to be the same. AND since Be Beep Toys was closing for some floor renovations, I scored 20% off of my purchase. So Sophie was under 20 bucks!

Evan helping his little brother with his special gift

His very first teething toy - Sophie the Giraffe

Sophie's ear sure are tasty!

You know, you would think that Evan would be satisfied with his new water toy...but he was so interested in Jacob's Sophie, he kept asking why he doesn't have a Sophie. How many times can you explain to a five year old that Sophie is a teething toy made for babies without teeth??? A BUNCH of TIMES! Thankfully, two weeks have passed and he's over wanting a Sophie. Whew...

Another gift is going to the library! Especially when its Pajamarama Night! Here's Evan and Jacob listening to Miss Jane read some books. This was the night when we had a big thunder storm (including hail), we were the only ones who showed up!

Last but not least - having my Auntie come and visit was a nice gift!

She spent a few days here with us before heading to Germany to visit my sister. I'm so glad she made plans to stop by to see us! She had a blast and she even enjoyed picking fresh blueberries! This is was our 2nd time picking and trust me, I was super happy we went the first time at the end of June. This time, the crop wasn't so great, it was hot (even at 7 am) and we only picked 5 lbs.

The School Supply List

Yes - you read right - the school supply list! This morning, in my parent pocket was Evan's kindergarten school supply list. AAHHH....seriously, Wendy - you just need to keep it together!

What does this all mean? This is just all so new! Evan starts kindergarten next month and I just CAN'T, ABSOLUTELY NOT believe he will officially start school! I'm excited, really I am. The supply list is manini (that's Hawaiian for small - pronounced: muh-nee-nee) compared to the public school list our friends have. Most of their items are cleaning supplies. No complaints from me....I love Harmony....so economical and simple.

Can't wait to take Evan school shopping. Also, will pick up a new lunch box for him. If I have time (that's a big IF), I want to attempt to make some reusable snack bags. I've seen them sold on etsy, and judging by the pictures - it looks pretty easy to make. Just need the materials for it. I'll blog about it later if this happens. Again that's IF I have the time.

#1 son wearing his daddy's slippah's!

Cricut DVD Give-Away

Paper + Cricut = scrapbook heaven! CrafteCorner is doing a give away and if anyone out there in blog land wants a chance to win a FREE Cricut A to Z DVD, you can check out their blog by clicking here.

I'm not one to advertise, but I'm a cricut user and I'm happy to share!

FREE Cricut A to Z DVD Give-Away

Why SAHM don't have time?

Before moving to SC, I lived in the Washington DC Metro area. The Washington Post was my daily read, including Carolyn Hax's articles. Here's one to share. I'm not a SAHM, but I do have many friends who are. I'm sure they can agree with Carolyn's response.

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TELL ME ABOUT IT ®By Carolyn Hax of The Washington Post

Dear Carolyn:
Best friend has child. Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? Her: Park, play group . . .

Okay. I've done Internet searches, I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners . . . I do all those things, too, and I don't do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day and why don't moms have time for a call or e-mail? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events) and I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy -- not a bad thing at all -- but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest ("My life is so much harder than yours")? What's the deal? I've got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions.

Signed: Tacoma, Wash.

RESPONSE:
Relax and enjoy. You're funny.
Or you're lying about having friends with kids.
Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them. Internet searches?

I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand, while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom-friends are either lying or competing with you, is disingenuous indeed.

So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries, questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys, and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.

• It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15.
  
• It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier.


• It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family and friends, well-meaning and otherwise.


• It's resisting constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense.


• It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything -- language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity. Empathy. Everything.


• It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy, and then, when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend, a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends, or marvel how much more productively she uses her time. Either make a sincere effort to understand or keep your snit to yourself.

Carolyn Hax of The Washington Post

Giggles Galore!

Lovin' this stage of life for Jacob. He is just hammin' it up - laughing, giggling and smiling away! They say each child is different - but between Evan and Jacob - both my boys were/are happy babies! Jacob literally turns his head every-which-way when he hears Evan or Cy, and just yesterday - he grabbed to pet Pickles. I guess he was tickled when he pet Pickles, because he belted out some giggles. :)

Blog Catch Up

I often think of things to blog during life-occurring events, but I hardly have time to actually blog about it. Which means, I have to blog in increments per event. Here they are:

Gilbert Peach Festival - July 3rd

I always have plans in my mind on how the day will start, what our plans are, what we're going to eat, etc...and of course, I expect Cy to read my mind -- because he just needs to go with the flow and follow my lead. Little do I know he has plans of his own...i.e., sleeping in on Saturday morning, taking his time, blah, blah, blah.

We hadn't been to the peach festival for a couple years, and I wanted to go this year and make sure we made it in time to see the peach parade. That didn't happen, we ended up sleeping in and taking our time getting there. I was told from friends who saw the parade that we didn't miss much. Whew...

The weather was surprisingly nice for a day in July - hot, but not overly hot. It was manageable. We enjoyed walking around looking at all the vendors, watching people spend money on some hideous items. We paid $3.00 for a hot dog for Evan and Cy bought a chicken sandwich that was $4.00 - which was big enough for both he and I to devour. Evan downed that dog and was like, can I get an ice cream now? How can we NOT go to the peach festival without buying peach ice cream? That cost $4.00 for a couple scoops on a waffle cone -- super yummy! Evan went with a rainbow popsicle. Why not - it matched his shirt and also his painted face. Yeah, I broke down and let him get his face painted. I guess you can say we did our share and was "one of those people" who spent money on "hideous" items. It turned out cute and Evan loved it! Made him happy and while waiting in line, Cy and Jacob strolled the grounds and looked at the classic cars. I was happy to be standing in line (listening to random conversations around me) with Evan then walking around looking at cars. ;)

Ending our stay, we stopped by Tamara's Longaberger booth. Cy chilled & talked w/Ted while I was sitting in their van feeding Jacob (add that to my many places of breastfeeding places). Evan kept himself occupied with Taelor. We headed home, exhausted and ready to jump in the pool to cool off.

4th of July

We ate a very healthy vegan lunch at my parents house and then that afternoon, walked the Lake Murray Dam. It was the first time exercising (hardcore) since giving birth to Jacob. I definitely felt the pain afterwards + the two days after. I did a little running, and Evan kept up for the most part. Jacob fell asleep in his stroller. Mr. Early -- well, he was soaking up the beautiful scenery and also messing around with his iPhone. At one point, Evan and I ran up ahead of him, he was far behind, he ended up jogging a little...which he hates! Hah!!

Birthday Parties

Evan had a mid-week birthday party to attend. His friend Presley turned 3 years old and they celebrated at Chuck E Cheeses. That day was just crazy! I took Evan there, then tag-teamed with Cy while I left to go pickup Jacob. Fed Jacob, in the meantime, Cy and Evan were due home by 6:15 - Evan headed to Royal Rangers with my dad and Cy coming home to watch Jacob while my mom and I headed to Coupon 101 class at church, by 6:30 pm. Although it was just wild, it worked out perfectly. I actually sat down, chit-chatted a little, ate a slice of pizza - thanks Dawn! and of course had some cake and ice cream. And mom and I got to the coupon class exactly at 6:30. The class was very informative and I'm glad I went. I'll have to blog about my coupon savings at another time.

Evan attended his buddy - Colt's birthday party on Sat., but I neglected to take pictures (above picture is of Noah, Evan and Colt - who are at Presley's birthday party). I'm sure Dawn will post some up, and I can snag some from her facebook.

Play date

Last but not least - Evan had a play date with his friend Greer. She came home w/us after church and had a great time. Yes - we cramped them in the back of the Volvo. The picture below shows proof that three car seats can fit comfortably. :) They ate lunch, swam in the pool, watched Wallace and Grommet, jumped on the mini trampoline, played games and ended the date by playing with Thomas the train. Evan always enjoys hanging out with Greer. Fun! Fun! Fun!

Let's see what this week brings! I know lots of cleaning since my auntie is coming next week for a few days before heading off to see my sister who lives in Germany. Time to clean up our house!

It's about time!

Jacob is four months and it's about time we put him in his crib. You may ask, why did it take this long for us to put him in a crib?? Hardware baby -- hardware!

When preparing for Jacob's arrival we pulled out Evan's crib and mattress and all the linens too! We decided to save some dollahs, its best to reuse/recycle rather than go out and buy a different theme of linens for the nursery. Time to put the crib together. Guess what? We searched high and low, in the basement, in random boxes in the closets, and still couldn't find the hardware. Somehow, when we moved from the Lewes Circle house to the Marley house two years ago, the crib hardware "got lost" between the move. We figured, eh Jacob will be fine in the bassinet, that will buy us some time in doing another search for the hardware later. Well, he only lasted 1.5 months (still no hardware), so we busted out our new pack n' play. Woo hoo! We will look for the hardware later. Two and half months later, the pack n' play is starting to bow on the sides. We feared that Jacob was getting to heavy for the top part of the bassinet, plus at this point, we are feeling really bad for the little guy because he deserves to have his own little bed just like everyone else!

I'm sure some of you are thinking, just call up the manufacturer and order new hardware parts. Umm, yeah - we found out they no longer make this model and can't provide the hardware. Plus, there's a recall on it! Hah! I'll spare you the long details and will keep this short. Cy ended up going to HD to buy some screws, bolts, washers, etc. and put the darn thing together last night! As he was doing this, I had flashbacks of him putting this very same crib together before Evan was born. That was FIVE YEARS AGO! Boo hoo, teary eyes! Now, here is Cy (again) putting this crib together and EVAN helping Cy put it together with Cy. Again..teary eyes. You know I had to take some pictures of this event. So, here they are:

2005 - Cy setting up this crib for Evan's arrival

Jacob in his pack n' play

2010 - Cy and Evan putting the crib together, only this time, its for Jacob

Evan showing Jacob the same crib toy he had when he was a baby

Jacob in his "new" crib - he was very happy!

His first night sleeping in his crib

Have a SAFE and HAPPY 4th of July Everyone!