Day 13 - 1/13/13 - I've Got Friends in Low Places

One of the best things about this weekend was watching my children bond with my best friend's little boy, Smith.  They both love him so much!  Lindsay wanted to be next to him almost the whole time we were there.  I love this moment in time I captured. 

Day 12 - 1/12/13 - Just Monkeying Around

Okay, so it happened sooner than I expected.  I got behind.  I took so many pictures this weekend though that I'm going to spread them out a little and catch up. 

My Peanut love monkeys and climbs like one too.  We went to a playground during our visit with the Lawlors.  Patrick has been working hard to tackle the monkey bars and this weekend he DID IT!!!  Now I didn't get a shot because he wanted me right there by his legs for security and comfort, but I did snap this one of my little monkey climbing!

Day 11 - 1/11/13 - Cheers to the Weekend!

I'm very excited for this weekend for several reasons.

1.  I'm going to see one of my oldest, best friends, Kristen, and spend time with her family!

2.  We are going to the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus on Saturday.  I have never been to a big three ring circus and neither have my kids.  I think I am just as excited as them.

3.  We have some new wine to try.  I sent my husband to the local winery to pick up a few bottles for the weekend.  This is what he came home with.  He's a good man!

So, cheers!  Have a great weekend!!! 

Day 10 -1/10/12 Playing

I caught my kids playing on the swing.  I took some pictures.  Then I played a little too.  Enjoy!

Day 9 - 1/9/13 - Sleeping Beauty?

My favorite time of day is that last kiss goodnight.  Sneaking in my kids room before I go to sleep, checking on them, and giving them one last kiss fills my heart!  Sometimes, though, it can also make me crack up.  Now last night, Lindsay went to bed with pajamas on and in bed, but when I went in to check on her this is what I found - pajama top off and sweatshirt on inside out and backwards, on the floor, and book in hand.  Too funny.  I tried to get a picture of Patrick too, but you couldn't even see him with all the stuffed animals and toys hoarded in his bed.  My kids crack me up!

Day 8 - 1/8/13 - Tablet Time

We got a tablet for Christmas.  I immediately loaded a ton of kids apps on it.  Let's be real, it's mostly for them.  The first couple days there was a lot of arguing and whining over the tablet, so we decided to institute Tablet Time.  Every day they have to earn minutes of tablet time by doing things the first time we ask them to or just by being caught doing something good.  On school days, we have tied it into their behavior charts at school.  Then after dinner and before bath they get their Tablet Time.  We set their timer for the minutes they've earned and let them play.  Best thing we've ever done!!  The kids are clearing their plates after meals without being asked and as soon as I mention the tablet the mood changes.  Here's a picture of my Peanut during his Tablet Time last night.  (Yes, I know that he is 5 and has on 2-3 Toddler socks on but he loves them and some battles aren't worth fighting!)

 

 

And since Patrick is very much like his father and doesn't really like getting his picture taken, I either get an angry face or a super cheesy smile face.  The times when I get a good genuine smile are few and far between.  Well, I camped out while he was playing the tablet.  When he looked up excitedly to tell me he figured a game out, I snapped this gem.  Mustard stain in the corner of his mouth and all, but I'll take it.  I love my sweet boy with all my heart!

 



Day 7 - 1/7/13 - She Gives Me Love

This little girl knows how to brighten up my day even when she's whining and being sassy.  Her smiles and giggles are infectious!  Her free spirit and bright personality are illuminating!  I love her so much!

Day 6 - 1/6/13 Puppy Love Part 2

I felt guilty that my first Puppy Love post just had Sparky.  This post is dedicated to our almost 4 month old mini Labradoodle, Jazzy.  Patrick picked Sparky's name and Lindsay decided on Jasmine, Jazzy for short.  She is sweet and snuggly, but feisty!  We love our pups!

Day 5 - 1/5/13 - My New Wheels

We have been thinking about trading in my minivan for an Equinox for awhile.  Will does not fit well at all in the Honda and it was very uncomfortable for long trips.  I've been wanting something smaller, as well.  The fuel efficiency is much better on the Equinox and the features are soooooo much better.  I'm loving the MyLink!  The only drawbacks are that it doesn't have the third row seating and no DVD player.  Trust me we will be getting a DVD player installed ASAP!  We don't use the third row enough to justify it.  So here it is, my new car...

Day 4 - 1/4/13 - I am Woman Hear Me Roar!

 

My husband is a building contractor.  Therefore, I rarely put things together or do any work with tools.  But before I married Will, I lived on my own for about six years, and I did a pretty good job taking care of things myself.  So, when I saw that our new shelf had arrived I decided I was going to put it together myself.  I enlisted the help of two sets of little hands and borrowed my son's tools.  (I have never met a 5 year old with a more complete toolbox than my son, and I'm talking REAL tools.)  We (really just me) worked to put this awesome little shelf together before Daddy got home from work.  I was pretty darn proud of myself.  Now for the fun part - decorating with knick knacks!!!

Then I threw together these awesome homemade pizzas.  Chicken, bacon, and ranch for Will and I and a half cheese/half pepperoni and sausage to accomodate both kids.  Threw together a little side salad (opened a salad in a bag) and dinner was served. 

Both projects completed within an hour!  I am woman hear me roar!!! 

Karen

Day 3- 1/3/13 - Bloom

This year instead of making a resolution, I made goals and a plan for the new year.  I had so many things to include, but I picked my four most important.  So here goes...

1.  Do a load of laundry, fold, and put it away immediately at least every other day.

2.  Keep fresh flowers in the house.

3.  Practice patience in all aspects of my life!

4.  Organize, organize, organize!!!

Now, some of you might say that #2 is silly but look at these pictures!  Flowers are beautiful and it makes me happy to get a bouquet every week or every other week.  So, I included it in my top four because it's important have random things in your life that make you happy.

 

 

 

Day 2 - 1/2/13 - Puppy Love

We have 2 labradoodles, Sparky and Jazzy.  Today's picture is of the older one, Sparky.  He is about six months old and totally goofy.  He has a fun personality and is very funny looking also.  We recently got him trimmed up.  My husband thinks he looks ridiculous and likes him better fluffy, but I think he looks cute. 

Karen

Day One - 1/1/13 Crafty Kids

My kids wake up at 100 mph and ready to craft.  My daughter would craft 24/7 if I let her.  Today my kids cut up paper and made confetti for their stuffed animals birthday.  (It is always one of their stuffed animals birthdays.)  I have a little problem with being indecisive so I made a collage of pictures for today.  I loved their sweet faces, little hands and crafts all organized in the awesome new buffet we got from Ikea!

Karen

2013 - A New Year and a Fresh Start to My Blog

Happy New Year to All! 

Last year for my birthday/anniversary my husband bought me an awesome Canon Rebel T3i.  I LOVE it!  I had also been taking an awesome photography class for moms called Momtography with Amanda Star Photography.  I learned so much about my camera and how to take pictures, in addition to having a ton of fun!  I'm really going to miss the classes this year!

Anyway, back to the fresh start.  I have decided to make this blog into a display for my 365 days of photos.  I have learned a ton but still have lots of room to grow.  Mom always told me practice makes perfect.  So I'll be practicing daily and showing you how it goes.

Here are my promises:
1.  There will be a ton of pictures of my kids!
2.  I will probably get behind, but I am going to do my best to keep up and make it up if I get behind on posts.
3.  I will have fun doing it!

You must promise me:
1.  You won't be too critical.  (Remember I'm still learning!)
2.  You will comment if you like it.
3.  If you don't have anything nice to say, you will say nothing at all.  :)

Sit back and enjoy!

Karen

Conversations with My Kids

Background:  My husband is a coffee addict.  He prefers expresso because it's stonger.  Our current expresso maker was on the fritz.  Gasp!  I ordered a new one and it came in yesterday.  Patrick was helping Daddy put it together and we were talking about coffee.

P:  Mommy, do you like coffee?
Me: Yes, but I can't drink it.
P:  Why?
Me:  Because it makes my heart beat to fast.
P:  Why?
Me:  Well, because my heart's a little different.  It's doesn't always work quite the way it should.
P:  So it's broken.
Me:  Kindof.  But I'm okay, Buddy.  Don't worry about Mommy's heart.
P:  Do you still love me?
Me:  OF COURSE!  Why would I not love you?
P:  Because you have a broken heart.
Me:  (Smiling and lots of hugs and kisses).  I will always love you broken heart and all, sweet boy!!!