Quick! Some takes! Probably about 7! Definitely 7!

Here we go:

1. I love the Google Doodles. I do. But when the actual Google logo gives me pause... maybe you should dial them back a bit. Seriously. I looked at this for a good 3 minutes the other day before agreeing that it was the actual Google logo. I thought it was a throwback or vintage version.

2. In Preschool News: since I had letter S this week I picked to read a few different Frog and Toad stories so we could talk about Snails, Seeds and Sleds. We water colored snails, planted sunflower seeds and decorated cardboard sleds before "sliding" down the S. (Painters tape in a giant S on the floor.) Rounding out with Strawberries and Sun Chips for snack. It was a fantastic S day.

3. C got a trike from my parents. I put it together all by myself. He is nearly there as far as just taking off. He can pedal but only real slowly at this point. He also got a license plate and a helmet. I think he's pretty cute riding it.

4. I didn't know these existed before his party but they have Minion Pillsbury Sugar Cookies. I have the fondest memories of these cookies when I was a kid. Back when they came in a tube with little notches of where to cut. I am happy to pass on the joy. The Minion Movie comes out in about a month now. We're loving the branded products.

5. The other night M decided bedtime was optional so she hung out with that baby in the mirror and Mom and Dad for a while. But then proceeded to sleep until 6:00 am without waking so... okay then. 

6.. Since I never posted a 7 month picture, here it is:

7. She only looks bald. She actually has long flowing locks. If by flowing you mean the wind can move it. On the top. 

Happy Friday! 

A Very Minion Birthday!

My big guy turned 3 on Tuesday! Tuesday is one of our normal preschool days and we had previously worked it out so we would host on his birthday for a small party. We had the letter S and the idea was to do Silly Minions and S is for Swim. 

But after a beautiful Memorial Day, Tuesday morning was a rainy mess. It down-poured at the exact start of the party. But we had backup plans galore! We started with a Silly Minion  craft which was kind of like Mr. Potato Head on paper. 

 

It went pretty darn well I think. Even though 4 out of 6 kids really don't know anything about Minions they still enjoyed picking out what theirs would look like. 

During the party we were pretty busy so we don't have any pictures of the other activities. But we also read 2 stories about birthdays/parties. We played with yellow and blue spaghetti noodles with spoons to find sea creatures. (It was still somewhat S themed too remember.) We had a dance party with balloons and then also played hot potato with the bananagrams banana. Because, as you may know, Minions love bananas. 

Then it was time for snack. I am SO SO glad I stuck to my guns and planned "preschool snack" and not "party food." Sure we gussied up the table more than normal but we still kept it pretty darn low key with a little bit of party fare. We had: Minion shaped Cheese Nips, Bananas and Minion Brownie Bites.

There were also juice boxes and bottled water as beverage choices. Because Edith has a juice box when she get's to Gru's house.

Just a box of brownie mix baked in a mini muffin pan. (and a few regular sized too) Frosted and then given a mini-marshmallow eye with a mini chocolate chip. They were really inexpensive, easy  to make and tasty!!

The local cheap grocery store brand bottled water just happens to have blue and yellow labels as a happy coincidence. It's where we shop anyway but I think it pulled the table together even more.

The big stuffed animal Minion was holding the treat bag bucket. You can kind of just make it out behind the bah nan ahs! sign.

I am not even kidding when I say literally, as the last guest was getting into their car, the sun came out. So after a lunch and a rest we made good on the chance for the birthday boy to swim. He just loves the water!

We had a pizza party dinner and of course a Minion Cake! He loved his cake and did a really good job blowing out his 3 candle. 

It was a WONDERFUL day spent with family and friends. We were so excited to celebrate our C. 

How Did He Get So Big?

My little boy turned three today. I snuck into his room right at 1:20 like I always do to take his picture.

I will probably continue this until it becomes too creepy but I love it.

We have a low key "party" for school today with a bonus 2 friends. Then other fun things to celebrate my newly minted three year old.

I love you little boy! I love being your mommy and I can't wait to watch you continue to learn and grow.

7 Real Quicks and a Short Dialogue

7 Quick Things About My 7 Month Old

1. Somehow another month has passed and she is actually 7 months old! 
2. She can crawl. 
3. She can pull herself up with a 98% success rate. (With the very beginnings of cruising.)
4. She can get herself down from standing with a 75% success rate. (And climbing.)
5. Loves to eat real food. (Sweet Potatoes, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Oatmeal) 
6. No teeth. Which drastically hinders #5 and her choices.
7. If there is paper on the floor she will find it and eat it. She has a sixth sense about this. 

And then because those were quick and I haven't got any pictures of her for you yet, I give you this funny exchange from my nearly 3 year old. (And expect a post about THAT in the very very near future.)

Back story: C doesn't really eat much meat. Occasionally a cheeseburger. We have been trying to coax him into trying more kinds of meat.

Sunday night before bed we were reading his tiger book and it was talking about how much meat a tiger eats. And that tigers like to eat wild pigs.

Me: Maybe tomorrow you would like to eat a tiger dinner? We could have tiger meat called pulled pork sandwiches. What do you think?

C: Maybe Tigers eat pizza?

Happy Weekend friends!

Spring: Hot and Cold.

I am pretty sure that I annually write about how I don't really like spring because of the crazy weather swings. Well... I don't. It was HOT this weekend. Humid as all heck and in the 80s. Perfect for running through the sprinkler. So we did just that.

I don't think we ran through the sprinkler once last summer so it was basically a new experience for C and he thought it was pretty great. My boy loves playing in water. Fingers crossed that swim lessons go well! (The pool part I am not worried about, the listening and not just wanting to play part is where it could be sketchy.)

Don't let M's happy face fool you. She thought the sprinkler was akin to acid rain. But she sure liked watching! And she looked cute in her swim suit too. I am glad I didn't waste a swim diaper on her though as I kind of expected her distaste for the cold water. I bet her swim lessons go great though because she loves warm water and her daddy!

Yesterday in the early morning the weather got colder. Which was a welcome relief because we were in sweatball gross sleep. I refused to turn on the air conditioner because I knew it would get cold again but boy was I tempted.

Today it got even colder. Which is still fine. I would much rather be cold than hot. Truly. But now I am asked if we "can run through the water" every ten minutes.

Here's to hoping that the weather figures it out before this weekend (and next Tuesday) because I have plans and I would like it to be nice out for them! So you hear that Mother Nature? Figure it out.

Impromptu Family Fun Day!

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house. So we went on an impromptu family fun trip to the John Deere Pavilion. The JDP is a free museum where you can look at what John Deere has to offer, history of the company, kids activities, informative facts and videos and equipment you can get into. It's practically Heaven on Earth to little boys.

Driving a tractor!

Driving a bulldozer. It was really one of the highlights on the trip, he was a big big fan. I got to go up into this one with him. He pushed every button and even buckled his seat belt. 

It was so big. Here he is in the scoop! 

Another tractor. Most definitely a less expensive one but still fun to fake drive. 

The best I could do getting a picture of them in a tractor wheel. Neither would look at me and C wouldn't make sure M would stay in so... adult hands. But they're smiling so we'll go with it. Just keeping it real here!

Another Bulldozer.

A girl on a combine wheel. The combine is HUGE. I did take pictures on C driving that one but because of the windows it was all back lit and basically look like nothing. But trust me, it's huge!!

This is my new goal in life. It is the John Deere Tango. I have always always always wanted a Roomba vacuum but this is 100% cooler. It automatically mows your lawn. Let me repeat that... it automatically mows your lawn. 

And because it is installed by Deere into your lawn with a PIN code, it is useless to a thief and would not work. I want one of these puppies so much. But they are only available in Europe currently. Boo. One day, I am going to get one though. Mark my words. 

While we were there we also played in the kid area with toy tractors and animals. We also got to plant flower seeds to take home with us! The JDP is definitely a perk of living close to John Deere Headquarters! We hit the store on the way out and that was certainly fun too. 

After we left the fun world of the "tractor museum" we went to a fun family lunch at Red Robin. We rarely go out to a restaurant so it was a real treat. In fact we're pretty sure it was M's first time going to one! It was a pretty good experience, our waitress was clearly new but it all worked out okay. 

Balloons in hand we headed home for nap time. Then watched "the horses running in a circle" better known as The Preakness. M's horse won this race too so we've got a Triple Crown contender folks! 

Then the rest of our evening proceeded as normal for us but it was a solidly fun day! 

TBT

Throw Back Thursday way back when (Saturday) my boy found a walrus sweet potato at the grocery store. 

It pretty much made his day.What did not make his day was when I turned it into baby food. But we have this picture to fondly remember "Potato Walrus."

Wash Rinse Repeat

My days are pretty much the same in their simplicity. Wake up and referee the chaos.

That's kind of where I am in life. In a constant reminder that while my children are a reflection of me, I am not them.

Just as their achievements are not mine, neither are their short comings. M is crawling because she was ready to crawl. She is pulling herself up because she wants to. (Because I don't want her to if we're being honest.)

It's hard to accept that sometimes though. To keep the perspective. To be secure in the knowledge that while I can help them learn and guide them, ultimately I have little control over their actions. Sure, I can dictate where they are located and what food goes into their bellies and when. But I can't magically stop a fit, calm the sadness or even make them eat the food I present to them.

My kids aren't rational beings yet. So sometimes they're going to cry. Sometimes (often) they're going to say no. And the frustration I feel at these instances are nothing compared to all the big feelings swirling around in their little bodies.

It's overwhelming. In the thick of it, it can be down right disheartening.

Then I figure it out again and the whole parenting thing doesn't seem so daunting.

But I'll probably blame myself again this time next week.

It goes in cycles. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Monday Monday

We had a lovely weekend.

I was gifted the chance to sleep in both Saturday and Sunday. Special breakfasts BOTH days.

I got Snuggles with my favorite boy. Then even more snuggles with my favorite girl.

Saturday was nice outside, though it was a little bit buggy, the one drawback to the rain we've been having. We were able to get out the water table. C has been all boy this outdoor season and plays in the dirt like he means business. Well I am trying to grow grass and frankly I'm sick of cleaning up his filthy self multiple times a day so we are building a sandbox. But we haven't built it yet so we added sand to the other side of the water table as a band aid to the situation. It was a win.

We also planted my Impatiens and that excites me to no end. When we moved in, the previous owners had our two flower beds FULL of perennials. Now I know this is not the popular opinion but I don't like perennials. Sure tulips and daffodils are great. We've planted even more daffodil bulbs than what we had. I have plans for tulip bulbs this fall.

But the vast majority of what they had planted was really ugly. There's this vine-like purple one that is nice. And I like the greenery the hostas provide but pretty much the rest could grow. I am just far more partial to annuals. I'm not ashamed to say it.

Yesterday we didn't do much. I wanted a ham dinner because we didn't have a ham for Easter. So we had homemade rolls, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots and ham. We set the table all fancy like with flowers and everything. Actually it was really low key but super nice. Then a thunderstorm rolled through, and I love a good thunderstorm so I was really happy.

I hope however you spent your weekend it was special it it's own way.

And now it is Monday. It's a little chilly and dreary today but that's okay. It makes for cozy feelings and snuggles. I love snuggles. Well I hope M will be convince of the need to snuggle, she is learning how to pull herself up without a parent right next to her and it is taking up all her time.

That's what's going on in my neck of the woods.

C is for Caterpillar and Other Happenings

Ah man. Why is it when you wake up early the days go so well? I really kind of hate waking up early. I am not a morning person. But 6:15 rolled around and I started my day. We're only halfway through but things seem to be going well.

We hosted school this morning and I think it went okay. I think every one of us, even if we can learn from the other moms, is going to have a steep learning curve for the first day. But I have a plan in place already for Thursday. 

Did you know that C is for Caterpillar? Well it is. And we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar then read it again and let the kids participate. I made a leaf and caterpillar filled eggs. Then the caterpillars ate the food on each page. 

For craft, everyone decorated their own caterpillar. Clearly, my boy doesn't love coloring as much as the girls did. I think that's normal though. 

Then for fine motor we had caterpillars eat some noodles. 

Those were my C themed activities. Snack and music time wasn't C themed. Then of course there's just free play. The kids seemed to have a good time anyway. 

Backing up a bit, we had a really good weekend! We had a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday. We all put on fancy clothes and ate apps, picked our horses and cheered them on. It was running late this year which was weird but it was still a good race. We are good pickers because M's horse won! My horse got second! C's pick was fourth and even Husband picked the sixth place horse. Too bad we didn't have any money on it. 

M officially took off crawling on Saturday as well. Fully hands and knees and zooming around. It's pretty cute. She had her 6th month appointment yesterday is is healthy and strong. She is smack dab in the 50% percentile for height and weight.

That's what is up in our neck of the woods. I hope you have a wonderful Cinco De Mayo! We're having Fajitas!

Things On My Mind: 7QT

1. First off, I am thinking about C and his first week of "school." Because it was the Letter M week, there were muffins and monkeys. He spent Tuesday afternoon and all day Wednesday telling me about the monkeys jumping on the bed and the monkeys swinging in the tree teasing Mr. Crocodile. He asked to have muffins yesterday and I obliged because he told me that "M is for Muffin."

Yesterday he was so excited to go back. He did so well. They did more monkeys and more muffins and he was thrilled. It warms my heart listening to his reports on what they did. His excitement is contagious and his eyes are lit with a passion for learning in a way I've never seen before.

M and I came home on Tuesday and read books, sang songs, opened a Christmas present that she was given that was for age 6 month. It was a glorious time. Today we went to Walgreens and then home for some snuggles.

Yes. I think I am going to like school.

2. I am thinking about Nepal. My cousin and her husband lived in Nepal working for the embassy until the 14th. They just left. That's crazy to think about. So many lives. So much more unknown. The aftershocks are expect to last for a long time too.

3. I am thinking about Baltimore. Husband was just there for business. He ate in restaurants that have been looted. Because of the industry he works for, he spoke with the owners of those restaurants. I can't possibly understand the hurt that the people feel but I also know in my heart there are better ways to deal with the pain than destroying property.

4. I am thinking about Grey's Anatomy. *Spoiler Alert* They killed McDreamy. I haven't been watching this season, more because of the 7:00 start time and less because I haven't wanted to. But boy am I glad I missed this. I will probably watch this horrific season when it is on Netflix but it is somehow better when you don't wait a week between tragedies.

5. Today is May Day! We made and delivered 2 baskets to our friends. Due to car seats and the speed at which one can get in and out of them, we we're sneaky and hung the baskets from the door handles. Then after we were back in the car sent text messages that said "Knock Knock! Check your door!" We were not caught! Which made it super fun for the resident nearly 3 year old.

6. He really is nearly 3 now. It's birthday month. It's also everything else month. May is a busy one folks.

7. Tomorrow is Kentucky Derby. My favorite! In other sports news, Go Wild! Beat the Blackhawks!

Happy Weekend People! Linking up with Kelly.