Good Thing...Bad Thing

• Good Thing:  My kids are now going to bed in their own beds.
• Bad Thing:  They still sometimes climb in our bed in the middle of the night (though that isn't so bad cause I like cuddling with them).

• Good Thing:  We have a huge yard now for the kids to run around and play
• Bad Thing:  Now they want to go outside every day after school (when it's time for me to cook dinner, pack lunches, etc.) and I can't be inside doing work and outside with them. 

• Good Thing:  Our new washer and dryer is being delivered today!
• Bad Thing:  Now I have no excuse not to do laundry.

• Good Thing:  I just ordered new perfume
• Bad Thing:  I ordered it because my daughter broke my last bottle and it shattered in a million little pieces on the floor.

The Silver Linings Play Book

May's bookclub book was The Silver Linings Play Book by Matthew Quick



Amazon's book review:
Meet Pat Peoples. Pat has a theory: his life is a movie produced by God. And his God-given mission is to become physically fit and emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure him a happy ending—the return of his estranged wife, Nikki. (It might not come as a surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility.) The problem is, Pat’s now home, and everything feels off. No one will talk to him about Nikki; his beloved Philadelphia Eagles keep losing; he’s being pursued by the deeply odd Tiffany; his new therapist seems to recommend adultery as a form of therapy. Plus, he’s being haunted by Kenny G!
I really liked this book.  While I thought Pat was kind of child-like, he was likable.  I wanted to see him happy and I appreciated his optimism (even if it was unrealistic).  I liked the story line and his relationship with Tiffany. 

While the father/son relationship was sad, I liked that they showed how Pat's breakdown affected his entire family. 

Random things I liked in the book:
I liked that he ran wearing a trashbag.  I like that he was afraid to order anything at the diner because he only had $20 so he ate raisin bran.  I like that he chose the color of the recliner that he sat in (brown on black) depending on his mood.  That totally sounds like something I would do (does that make me kinda crazy??).  I liked the movie scene montage--I thought that was a clever way of writing that portion of the book since Pat saw his life as a movie. 

I am looking forward to seeing the movie as I hear it is different from the book in a few ways-- like Nikki and his Dad are at the dance competition. 

Why I hate taking my kids shopping

I don't know about you...but I find it exhausting to chase kids around the store. If your kids are anything like mine...they either want a toy or they want to get down and play.  This past weekend, we went to Lowes and this is what happened when they got out of the car. 

Hide and Seek...  they were hiding between the appliances and boxes of appliances.  Not a fun game when I am looking for them

They then decided to hide behind the boxes near the wall...though in this picture Mia is hugging Paxton.

  So, despite how exhausting our outing was...they really are sweet kids. 

Making Fairy Houses

Mia got an unfinished bird house (aka fairy house) as a birthday party favor last weekend (it was a Tinker Bell party incase you are wondering).  I thought it was a great idea and decided that we'd take advantage of the beautiful weather and make fairy houses.  I had to first go and buy Paxton one too.  Unfortunately, there is no Michaels near me, but I found the larger house at Walmart. 

We used paint, glue, glitter, gemstone stickers, and puffy balls as decor.  I basically sat back and let the kids have at it.  They had a GREAT time!!  Mia is convinced that she is going to catch the Tooth Fairy. 

This is their finished product.  These are now hanging on the tree in our front yard. 

Feel free to leave comments with any easy craft projects for ages 3-5.  :)

Weekend Recap

We had yet another busy weekend.  It started out Friday with taking the kids to Gymnastics.  I signed Pax up for the toddler class and Mia is in the 5-7 year old class.  I think she loved it!

Saturday, we ran errands in the morning.  Pax fell asleep on the way home.  When I looked in the backseat, this is what I saw.  I love how much they love each other. 

Sunday, we went to church.  Mia got a party favor bag from a friend's birthday party and wanted to wear her new butterfly mask. 

Paxton was all smiles....

Sunday afternoon we made fairy houses (pictures to come on that tomorrow). Sunday evening, we invited some friends over for a bonfire. 

We had sparklers...

A few of the girls...

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  While we spent the day at home catching up on housework and yardwork while the kids played...I want to take a minute to thank all of those who have served including my Dad, who fought in Vietnam.  I hope you all had a great holiday weekend. 

Dear Sleep...why do my kids hate you so much?

Do your 2-5 year olds still nap?  Do they go to bed (and stay there) around 8pm?  Because mine don't.  I need some tips on how to keep my kids in bed at night.  Right now, they leave their room and run to one anothers rooms...or to our room...or wherever.  Here's the problem.  I can't gate them in their room because they don't wear pull-ups and sometimes need to use the potty.  Further, they would scream and wake the other one up--if he/she did finally fall asleep.  So...any tips out there from other experienced mamas?  Right now, we each take a kid and lay with them in bed until they fall asleep.  Right now, that is usually around 10pm, which does NOT work for me since I get up at 5am.  Ideas???

Literary Junkies

 What are you currently reading? Tell us about it.

I just finished Thoughtless yesterday.  While I could not put it down, I found the main characters to be really annoying and whiny.  But...like I said...I couldn't put it down so now I'm reading book 2- Effortless.  These are your classic Romance novels.  Easy summer reads about a Rock Star and a girl he falls in love with.  I am starting to like hte characters a little more in book 2 and I hear book 3 (Reckless) is even better.  We'll see. 

Summer is just ahead and my favourite thing to fantasize is laying in a hammock with a good book. What are your top 3 favourite "summer" reads?

I chose Chelsea Handler's" Are you there vodka, it's me, Chelsea", because her stories always make me laugh and this book was my favorite.  The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a fun easy read that always makes me smile.  I love the story behind their friendship.  I chose "The Best of Me" by Nicholas Sparks because all of his books are great and I haven't read this one yet. 



What are your top 3 summer "to-reads"?



1.  Kristin Hannah, "Firefly Lane".  I have heard so much about this book that I have to read it soon.  Everyone says it is fantastic.  It's been on my list for a while now.
2.  Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson.  I  read Jenny (The Bloggess's) blog and she is so funny.  She has one story in particular about a rooster that she sits outside of her door that had me laughing so hard I was crying.  Her book is a must read for me.
3.  Flat out Love by Jessica Park.  I put this on my list because I read a review on it from another blogger and it sounded like a book I would like.  I think it's a quick easy fun love story--with a sequel--Flat out Matt. 

What book do you wish they'd make it a movie of?

Unbroken is hands down the best book I've ever read.  This man's story is nothing short of amazing.  An Olympian, a POW, and finally, a devoted husband...I could not put it down.  I'd love to see his story turn into a movie. 

 Has your favorite author published a book lately or going to publish a book soon? Tell us about it.

 

I have absolutely no idea what this book is about--only that it is due out in September 2013.  But...I love Nicholas Sparks' books so I'm sure it will be great. 

Paxton's progress and weekend recap

Friday morning we took Paxton to "feeding school" again.  We are going biweekly now.  He is making progress, but it is very slow.  He will now occassionally feed himself (his baby food or yogurt).  It is rare that he will do it for us, but he will do it at school once in a while.  He is also eating approximately 10 cheerios or fruit loops a day.  He pockets them in his mouth until they melt, but it's still a small step.  Friday evening, the kids had their last soccer game.

They both got medals for playing.  Paxton rarely played, but he was happy to get in line for his medal.

Mia was so proud of her medal. 

Saturday, I woke up to this little princess beside me.  She crawled into bed with me around 5am. 

Saturday mornings are busy as always.  Mia had swim lessons.  She is doing great.  We signed Paxton up starting June 29th.

Paxton looked so handsome in church Sunday.  In this picture, he was pretending to call Nana.

Mia loved her new "rainbow" dress from gymboree.  I love that she is a girly girl.

Sunday afternoon we met friends at the strawberry patch. 

We picked 4 quarts!  It was hot, but so much fun. 

It's the Little Things

It's the little things in life that really make me happy.  Today, I woke up at 5am and got ready for work.  On my way out...I heard Paxton fussing.  I could have left.  I was half way down the stairs, but I'm so glad I didn't.  I was 10 minutes late, but in that 10 minutes, I got the best hugs ever from my little man.  I forget sometimes how cuddly he is in the morning.  I miss being there with them when they wake up.  That got me thinking....what are some other little things in life that make me happy.  Here is what I came up with:
1. Blue skies and sunshine
2.  Warm weather and flip flops
3.  Picking strawberries
4.  Knock Down hugs from my kids
5.  Hanging out with friends and laughing about old times

What are some little things that make you happy?

So what Wednesday

    I'm linking up with Shannon today for So What Wednesday.  Today, I'm saying So What...  

• If I have nothing planned to blog about.  I am still celebrating my Dad's good news from yesterday.
• I was 10 minutes late to work today.  I had to spend extra time doing my hair because we are shooting a video today for our new intranet.
• if I'm planning to buy Chris and I concert tickets for Father's Day.  I should get to celebrate too, right? 
• if I am trying to get Mia interested in the American Girl Doll thing.  I really want to take her to the bistro and boutique as a mommy/daughter thing for her 5th birthday. 
• if we have nearly every weekend booked with swim lessons this summer.  I want to not panic everytime my kids are within 2 foot of a pool. 

What are you saying so what to this week?      

Good News...

My Dad's biopsy showed nothing but scar tissue!!!   There are a total of 3 nodules in his lungs.  They are all small.  They were only able to biopsy 1 and it came back as respiratory tissue.  I cannot express how absolutely happy, relieved, and most of all...Thankful I am.  I have prayed every day and night for more time with my Dad and he has so graciously answered yet another prayer. 
On another note...there are still 3 nodules in his lungs.  He goes back in July for another CT scan and blood work.  His blood count did indicate that cancer was present so there is still a possibility of the nodules growing, but for now...I will celebrate. 

Be Jealous Ladies

I wanted to do a shout out to my husband who is my rock.  He is so supportive and an amazing Dad.  Be jealous ladies...even after 6 1/2 years of marriage, I still get texts like these: