Thirty Days Hath September: Day 18-30

Marlee is a now a full circle roller. Stomach, to back. Back, to stomach. And then stomach to back again. I know I say it nearly every single blog post but I think it deserves to be said again: she is getting so gosh dang big, so gosh dang fast.

We had such a good time at the Beauty and the Beast play on Friday evening. Marlee stayed awake the entire time and was completely in awe of all the lights and noises. Jace got a tiny bit scared when the Beast made his first entrance on stage, but by intermission he was over it. And then, by the end, the Beast was his favorite character. Brynlee loved every minute of it, but I fully expected her to0 - we have yet to go to a production that she didn’t love.

And then on Saturday we had birthday doughnuts for breakfast and in honor of his special day I didn’t even make Spence help me clean the toy room.

Let’s see, what else?

It’s October and I melted Autumn Sunset in my Scentsy warmer today. Spencer signed up for another class … one step closer to his masters, I guess. The exterior of my house is getting taken over by box elder bugs and I had one climbing in my hair today. We have two pumpkins growing in our backyard and the kids have made their final decisions on their Halloween costumes for this year. Jace has requested hot chocolate nearly every single morning lately and its general conference this weekend which makes me excited. I got a massage yesterday {my first one ever}, and today my back is black and blue {is that normal?}. I caught Brynlee using the very, very top of the swing set as a makeshift balance beam. Awesome, and dangerous. And Jace got to wear his pajamas to preschool today … they learned about nocturnal animals.

Oh, and one more thing. Never do business with Insurance Designers. Never, ever. Never, ever, ever, ever.

Ever.

Anyway, the wrap up of my thirty days of September posts:

d a y  e i g h t e e n : haircutting day

 

d a y  n i n e t e e n : baby kissable

 

 

d a y  t w e n t y : in the crib

d a y  t w e n t y o n e : jedi, in training

 

d a y  t w e n t y o n e : soccer, picture day

 

d a y  t w e n t y t h r e e : backyard mega jenga

 

 

d a y  t w e n t y f o u r : piano recital

 

d a y  t w e n t y f i v e : my helper

 

d a y  t w e n t y s i x : wednesday afternoon

 

d a y  t w e n t y s e v e n : taken by brynlee

 

 

d a y  t w e n t y e i g h t : birthday cake baking

 

 

d a y  t w e n t y n i n e : homecoming parade

 

 

d a y  t h i r t y : two headed monster || alternative title: my boys are nerds

 

 

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 14-17

d a y  f o u r t e e n : home, at last

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d a y  f i v e t e e n : Tilden’s Bridge

 

 

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d a y  s i x t e e n : buckled up

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d a y  s e v e n t e e n : easy bake playdate

 

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 11-13

I put on a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans this morning. And, good news: THEY FIT. {tiny happy dance} I couldn’t, however, bend over. Or, you know, breath! Which, as it turns out, sorta gets in the way of day to day activities. Like breathing, per say.

Ahhhh well … there is always tomorrow, I guess. And for today, I will be sticking with my fat pants.

*****

d a y  e l e v e n : holy cupcake, batman

 

On the 11^th Jace got to celebrate his 4^th birthday at preschool. He requested Batman cupcakes to share with his preschool friends. I love that right now in my kid’s life all I have to do is whip up some requested Batman cupcakes to become THE COOLEST MOM EVER! For a second or two anyway, until I tell them they can’t have more ice-cream, or that they need to quit picking their nose or that it’s bedtime … and then within seconds … MEANEST MOM EVER!

d a y  t w e l v e : my baby doll

 

 

So far Marlee has been such a patient, even-tempered baby. Even when Jace is smothering her with love {which is often} or when Brynlee is carrying her around like she’s her real live baby doll – the girl just doesn’t complain much. A personality more like her father than her mother, I suppose. However, if she needs snuggled then she wants mama and nobody {nobody} should get in the way. I keep telling Spence not to let it hurt his feelings because in no time at all she will be screaming I WANT DADDY!! numerous times throughout the day. I guarantee it. Because I know … because this isn’t my first rodeo, that’s why.

d a y  t h i r t e e n : raspberry man

 

Courtesy of my husband. Always the comedian.

Thirty days hath September update to be continued. But for now Jace and I are off to hunt down a Captain America shield. He has show-and-tell at preschool today and has opted to bring his Captain America mask and shield. Except for one problem, the shield is M.I.A. Dang it. If you happen to see it would you please let me know ASAP.

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 10

d a y  t e n : on his birthday

 

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 5-9

d a y  f i v e : soccer practice

 

 
This was the highlight of Jace’s first soccer practice. The playground after it was all done.

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d a y  s i x: a lunchtime love note

 

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d a y  s e v e n : at the park

 

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d a y  e i g h t  : game day

 

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 d a y  n i n e : my girls

 ***** 

Jace, Marlee and I made it to the library earlier this week. Jace opted not to go to story time since Brynlee wasn’t there to escort him, so instead we browsed the picture books for “awesome books that daddy would love”. Which, as it turns out, “awesome books that daddy would love” also happen to be awesome books that Jace Buddy would love so that worked out nicely. As always, he ended up with quite the stack to bring home. I grabbed a few chapter books for my big first grader and the last few nights we’ve read a couple chapters together before bedtime. She was getting too big for picture books, but neither of us was ready to give up our storybook bedtime routine. I’m not sure why I didn’t swap for chapter books earlier – just didn’t think of it – but we are enjoying reading something a little more age appropriate and I love when Brynlee laughs out loud at six year old humor. I picked up a Clementine book and a couple Junie B’s {that girl’s got sass} and my sister suggested The Magic Tree House series. I would love more suggestions if you have any.

Jace started soccer and oh.my.heck if that’s not the cutest thing ever. Little boys in soccer uniforms parallel little girls in dance tutu’s. Both are absolutely adorable.

His first little practice didn’t go well. He wouldn’t let go of my hand and was holding back tears the entire time. I was kicking myself for signing him up and was fighting the urge to pick him up and march right off that field to a place where he was more comfortable. Sometimes watching my adorable shy babies in unfamiliar situations is as hard on me as it is on them. I was certain his first game on Saturday would be more of the same. But he surprised me. I mean, he certainly wasn’t the most aggressive player on the team, but he was out there on the field. Without me. And like I said, … it was sooo cute!

Speaking of cute, the other day when we were driving over to Jace’s preschool he told me that he thought he was going to love going to preschool all by himself. Actually he said “me thinks me’s gonna love preschool by meself!” My little boy is growing up. Oh how I adore him.

Tomorrow he turns four! He wants to go swimming to celebrate. We will also be hanging streamers, blowing up balloons and eating cake. Oh, and doughnuts for breakfast, of course. It’s going to be a fun day.

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 4

d a y f o u r : preschooler

 

He did it! Tear free and all.

 

Good things about yesterday:

Preschool success. I am so proud of my little backpack clad preschool attendee. He was nervous, and I was nervous {mainly because I knew he was nervous} but we did it! He walked in to preschool, I waved goodbye and made a quick escape without looking back. “Like a band-aide” I told my mom minutes after I dropped him off. Two hours later I picked up a happy little preschooler. I couldn’t wipe the proud mama smile off my face.

Marlee turned 12 weeks old. I can’t believe how fast my little bug is growing and changing. I wish I could pause time just so I could more fully take it all in. She’s a mover these days. Not quite rolling, but still moving. A quick nap propped up on the arm of the couch is no longer safe.

 

New soccer ball. Jace starts soccer today so yesterday I gifted him his very own soccer ball and shin guards. Last night after dinner Spencer set up some net goals that were stored away in the garage. Brynlee loved it – kicking the ball around and asking Spencer for soccer ‘how to’s’. Jace was too busy saving the world from imaginary “mean guys” to even notice the soccer ball. Watch out Beckham!

 

Freezer corn. Served my very first bag of this year’s freezer corn for dinner. Every year I debate if the whole freezer corn process is worth the hassle. And then {never fail} every time I serve corn for dinner I am glad I invested the time. Fresh freezer corn is so much better than canned corn or store purchased freezer corn.

Thirty Days Hath September: Day 1-3

d a y  o n e : aunt sarah + a sleepy marlee bug

 

we spent our Saturday celebrating a baptism for an adorable eight year old alec. and alec spent his saturday getting baptized and then {somewhat unsuccessfully} fighting a swarm of angry bees. three stings for alec, one for bryn, and one for charlotte. poor kiddos.

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d a y  t w o : sunday drive up buckskin

 

The leaves are coloring, the air is crisp and i feel change a coming on.

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d a y  t h r e e : picnic at edahow

 

in other news: brynlee discovered a whole new level of playground talent, she can now do the monkey bars forwards and backwards.

also, in other news, one of my favorite jace remarks that never got written down: when we were evacuated from our house during the fire we sat on aunt kate’s front steps and watched as the smoke billowed near our house. jace watched quietly for some time and then very sincerely said, “i wish I could turn into the real spiderman and go fight that fire!” it made me smile. and there is no doubt in my mind that if he were able, he would have.

Celebrating Summer: 31 days, 31 ways

This is me, you guys. 

I’m a dork.  I have no fashion style.  Sometimes I slop food down the front of my shirt – and then continue wearing the shirt without a second thought.  My feet are gross.  I’ve been telling myself ‘I’ll start my diet tomorrow’ for about a year now.  Maybe tomorrow.  I obsessively make lists.  I eat pickles straight from the jar.  I turn into a motor mouth at bed time.  I’m calmest when my house is clean and happiest when I’m with my family.  I forget to think before I talk which often results in me saying stupid things.  I have a tendency to over schedule.  I’m determined and hardheaded and once I’ve made up my mind it’s hard to sway me.

Which is why I’m starting July’s 30 Pictures in 30 Days challenge even though it is already July 6^th.  Because my mind was made up.  And telling myself not to do something after I’ve already decided to do it is like telling my kids to just eat one Otter Pop when they are running around outside in their swimsuits.  Not gonna happen!

Plus the only reason I didn’t start on July 1^st is that we’ve been out of town and my computer has been dead and I didn’t have the charger and it was the 4^th of July and there was fried chicken to be eaten and fireworks to watch and swimming pools to swim in and 4 wheelers to ride and water games to play and sisters to talk to and miles to be driven and a million other legit excuses.

But anyway, here it begins:

My goal?  To post a celebrating summer picture every day for the entire month of July.  Which will actually make it 31 pictures is 31 days.

Disclaimer:  I take pictures with the exact same purpose that I keep a blog.  To remember.  I’m not a photographer.  I’m simply a mom with a camera and a goal to document our life one blog post at a time.

In case you’re interested, previous 30 pictures in 30 day challenges:

My first attempt, April 2009

My second attempt, November 2009

7:00 at our house, February 2010

Tour de’ feet, August 2010

TDF: When we play a board game in the afternoon sun.

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When Jace takes a potty break in Lowes.

Do you think that I should take this as an indication that it's time to start potty training my boy? 

Or that my kids might be starting to feel a little too comfortable in the home improvement stores?

P.S.
Happy, happy birthday do the best mom ever.
Love you mom!

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When Jace gets lost in Home Depot

Where'd Jace go?

 Oh, there he is. . .

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When Project Master Bathroom takes command.

I burnt the French bread for last night's dinner.  You know that thin line between toasted perfectly golden brown and unrecognizably broiled crispy black? I crossed it.

And, the day before that I managed to incinerate a bag of microwave popcorn. Seriously, popcorn reduced to smoldering ashes. My house still has a faint 'good crap, who burnt the popcorn' smell. And I don't think my microwave {or my confidence in my ability to microwave popcorn} will ever be the same.

And that, with a huge ole' serving of chaos and lack of sleep, pretty much sums up my life since my last tour de feet post.

My little sister, Katie, moved into our guest bedroom. Which explains all the chaos and neglectful cooking woes.

Oh, I'm just kidding.

Kate's lived with us numerous times before so we've worked out all the kinks and it's always fun to have her around. Plus my kids are about seventy-two levels of excited about our new semi-permanent house guest; specifically a semi-permanent house guest that buys them milkshakes and treats them to the gas station candy aisle upon their request. It's just like the sweet nectar of awesomeness is living in our guest bedroom.

Except for that sweet nectar of awesomeness likes to take an occasional shower. And that's where things get a little problematic.

Because, do you remember how we started Project: Master Bathroom? Like, forever ago. And then, do you remember, how Project: Master Bathroom turned into Project: I'd much rather stay up all night and watch Lost. And then Project: It's kind of nice to only have two toilets to clean, so we will work on the bathroom a little here and a little there but no rush on getting that third toilet back up and running. And then Project: If you close your eyes when you walk into the Master Bedroom it's just like that HUGE UNFINSHED HOLE FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE BATHROOM doesn't even exist.

And that worked. For a while.

And then Kate asked if she could move in.  And so Spence and I decided that it was high time that we took back claim on what remained of our master bedroom and bathroom so our new roommate could actually use the guest bedroom and bathroom. It just made sense.

So with that we blew the sheetrock dust of Project: Master Bathroom and since then we have done nothing else.

Spencer took most of last week off work. We tiled. And designed. And Home Depoted. And sheetrocked. And grouted. And barely slept. And burnt microwave popcorn. And left the house and all of its contents at the children's immediate disposal. It was like the tale of an amateur construction team meets crazy. Sorry you missed it.

And needless to say tour de feet went out the window with my sanity. And the burnt French bread.

And although Project: Master Bathroom is no where near completion we've made progress. We have a toilet, and a floor, and a bathtub, and a shower. And get this . . . the other night I came upstairs to find Spencer cleaning the garage out of our bedroom. There he was, shining like a bright beacon of cleanliness and delight, picking up tools to expose what used to be our bedroom floor. It might have been my favorite part of the entire week. And now we are back to sleeping in our very own bedroom. And earlier this evening the kids took a bath in the new bathtub. And look, I'm even posting tour de feet pictures.

Everything's back to normal. Whatever that is.

P.S.

No, I don't always where flip-flops when we do construction work.

Sometimes I go barefoot.

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When right hand goes on yellow

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When she rides her bike sans training wheels.

And a few more pictures, because I'm a proud mama.

And can I just add that I'm glad I was on 'push Jace in the stroller slash camera' duty and not 'run around the neighborhood next to a reckless four year old on a two wheeler bike' duty. Because seriously, EXHAUSTING!

Why all the feet pictures?

More about tour de feet here.

TDF: When it’s the weekend.

TDF: When we meet again {10 years later}.

TDF: When we go to grandpa's farm.

TDF: When we take an afternoon walk.

TDF: When mom crosses her arm, her legs, her toes?

TDF: When it's a Sunday afternoon with cousins.

TDF: When we arrive back home and spray each other with water.

Why all the feet pictures?
More about tour de feet here.