Around the House

Yes it's about time. Ok so here's a few pics from around the house. Since we're still waiting on some decent weather. I finally learned how to french braid. Once again YouTube your possibilities are endless. Don't judge too much... I'm still a beginner.
Using the vacuum as a fire hose.
Check out the outfit. Pretty snazzy cowgirl/ballerina.

Boston is a climber. However, since this photo things have gotten worse. He is able to get on the kitchen table now. He could probably get on the counters if I let him. We make sure the keep the chairs at the table tucked in now.

Sorry for the quality of some of the photos... they are off my phone.

Dusted off the camera...

A week or so ago on Todd's day off we made a little trip to Idaho Falls. We did some shopping, had a great lunch at Famous Daves, and went to the BODIES exhibit. Reese has been obsessed with skeletons lately. I kept debating whether or not it might freak a 3 year old out. We actually had decided earlier that day not to go, but when we were on our way to the restaurant for lunch we passed a big billboard display with a picture of the exhibit and Reese quickly remembered - so we ended up going because she was so excited. She ended up really liking it and asked A LOT of questions. Mostly "What's that?" The exhibit was really neat and there were a lot of people there. We weren't able to stop and read about every little thing since we had both kids with us. It was so interesting to see how complex the human body is. I would highly recommend this to anyone.
So the other day I was perusing the internet and I came across the Children's Book of the Month Club. I love childrens books, and I'd rather buy books that toys for my kids. So I took a chance on it and ordered some books. I ended up getting 20 brand new hardcover books for about $60-$65. About $3 per book. With their introductory offer you can get 6 books for $2 and 2 more for $4 a piece. When I chose my books I picked as many as I could find that came in sets of 2 or 3. So my introductory order I got 15 books total ($11 for the books at a whopping $20 for shipping [note that isn't the price for shipping every time just the intro order]). As part of the agreement you have to buy 2 more books within the next year. They had a buy 1 get 1 free sale with 2.49 shipping and I picked up my additional books then. So I fulfilled my agreement. Hopefully that all makes sense. I'm tempted to sign up under Todd's name now to get some more at a later time. Books are too fun - I could get carried away. So much more worth the money than buying toys - in my opinion.

So we're actually keeping these books stored in a box in our closet as a reward for Reese going #2 in the potty. She desperately wants Llama Llama Red Pajama - but she's not even allowed to touch it unless she poops in the potty. Potty training has to be the stupidest thing ever... Reese is awesome at going #1 in the potty but everyday she poops her pants and it's SO FRUSTRATING!! I know she knows that she has to go but runs and hides every time instead of going in the potty. We've been trying to stay positive but it's waring my patience very thin. So any magical advice someone has would be great. Note: none of the following works, giving her a diaper to poop in, cutting holes in diaper and having her sit on potty (she won't even go near diapers any more and insists that she is a big girl), sticker charts, treat rewards (any reward for that fact) --- blah! Help!! What would super nanny do?
The other day when we were in Jo-Ann's Reese found a magnifying glass in the dollar section. When we got home she found a "detective coat" and briefcase and went around the house looking for clues.
This last Sunday was March Birthday dinner time. We have 6 family birthday that fall in March. So we just combine them all into one get together. Reese was so excited to see all her cousins. She'd been talking about days before. On the way up she kept telling us how she loved Brookie (her cousin about 10 months older than her). They all had a blast! There are 8 grand kids between the ages of 6 and 3 months. So you can imagine the madness. Above: they each took turns being buried under couch pillows and then all the other grand kids would climb on top. Not quite sure how that might be fun, but they sure seemed to enjoy themselves.
Brooke and Boston.
Boston reaching for the grapes. I can't even tell you how much this kid eats. He probably ate a whole bag of grapes. Plus a handful of pickles, cucumbers, and then dinner on top of that.

Trouble makers.

Not much to post about...

Hey all... So not much has been going on around here lately. I know it's been a month since my last post but I don't think I've even taken one picture of the kids. Sad I know. It's starting to warm up a bit lately so maybe we'll actually head out doors soon and snap a few.
Lately I've been trying to justify the amount of television I watch at night by at least being productive during the shows. I made a blanket for my friends baby shower, a pillowcase for Reese's friend's birthday (the picture only shows it partially done - and yes I know it's kind of boyish - but they didn't have any girly Toy Story fabric - which she loves), and I made a skirt for Reese (I'll take a picture of that when Reese is wearing it). I slowly trying to improve my sewing skills. Pretty basic stuff - but it's kind of fun to work on. So if anyone knows of any cute (simple) sewing projects feel free to pass it along. I have a box full of fabric that needs to be used. I am such a sucker for cute fabric. I buy a yard here and there with no specific project in mind -- so I need to start using my stash -- so I'm not just a fabric hoarder. The next project I want to try is using a skip stitch blade for my rotary cutter. I already suggested Todd put one in my Easter basket. It's just a blade that makes little holes in your fleece so you can crochet around the edges. Another thing I need to work on - crocheting! My mother and grandmother have quite a knack for it - I on the other hand cannot hold the yarn right for the life of me. I end up holding it all screwy and get major cramps in my hand after 5 minutes - not to mention the inconsistency in my yarn tightness. So yeah that was kind of a boring post -- hopefully more excitement next time. Monday I want to go to the Museum in Idaho Falls to see the bodies exhibit. It looks kind of interesting -- and Reese thinks skeletons are kind of cool - weird child I know.

Be My Valentine

We had a great Valentines yesterday! Minus the fact that I had to work most of the day. We started off pretty early 7 or so and Todd made a french toast breakfast for the family and the kids opened their goodie bags.

I decided to make these bags Saturday. So of course it was a mad rush Sunday night trying to get them finished. They didn't turn out too bad. Reese's was my first one so of course it's the one with all the mistakes. (It's too big, the fabric on the flap is going the wrong direction, and there's a giant pen line across the piece of fabric - oh well). Boston's turned out perfect - it was just the right size and it came together nicely. One thing I will change if I ever decide to make them over is assemble the felt bag portion and then sew on the letter. I sewed on the letters first and then assembled. It was hard getting everything centered. I didn't really use a pattern. I followed some directions from a diaper bag tutorial on makeit-loveit.com but made some obvious changes. I watched a youtube clip to learn how to do a blanket stitch to attach my initials. It was a fun little project.
Reese's loot: Sticker activity book, Little Critter Valentine book, Fancy Nancy Valentine book, a Valentine shirt, and some treats.
Boston's Loot: Set of Elmo mini books, Valentine shirt, and Elmo movie.

Boston turns 1

So this weekend we celebrated Boston's day of birth. His actual birthday was last week but since Todd is working mostly evening shifts there wasn't time to do a party then. On his actual birthday we let Bos open a couple presents (a little people airplane, and a penguin pillow pet). He loves his pillow and likes to play with his airplane when his big sister isn't hogging it. We still struggle with sharing most days. We even bought a cheesecake from the bakery to enjoy (I'm not going to lie Boston probably only had one bite of that).
As you can tell we had a cookie monster themed party.
We just stuck with a blue and cookie theme everywhere. Most stores don't have cookie monster decorations, and I never remember to order stuff online in time. We did find some cookie monster books to give out as party favors, also guests got a bag of chips ahoy mini cookies, and a bag of cotton candy (much thanks to my grandma's neighbor for making the cotton candy).
Boston was pretty excited for his party.

We had pizza for dinner (Boston's favorite).
This would be the 2nd child of mine that wasn't too thrilled with their birthday cake. Reese bawled the moment she stuck her finger in the frosting on her first birthday. Boston got frosting on his fingers and didn't like it too well either. He didn't even dig into the cake part.
It's his party and he can cry if he wants too...
Opening presents.

Helpful cousins.



We didn't worry too much about the mess he was making since he'll only be wearing this shirt once. Notice the blue frosting, pizza and root beer stains.
Modeling his new birthday shirt.
Showing off on his new 4-wheeler. He can barely touch with his toes, but he still pushes himself across the room. It was a great birthday!

"Look what I can do" - update my blog

It has been well over a month... and I thought I better get an update in here before I get too behind. To be honest January has been pretty dull. We're all going bananas cooped up in the house all day.

A couple of weeks ago it snowed a good 6 inches and we finally got Reese some snow pants. She'd been asking for some snow pants for weeks. I don't think she liked playing in the snow as much as she thought she would. She especially didn't like all the layering and making sure socks and boots don't get any snow in them. She did have fun though. She made a snow angel and tried making snowballs to throw at dad. She even made a friend with the girl across the street and together they had fun scraping armfuls of snow off of our cars.
Just some cute pics of my best little guy - after eating an oreo.

The kids had some fun with the balloons left over from Todd's birthday. No, I didn't take any pictures from his birthday. Both Todd and I worked on his birthday, but earlier that week we went down and celebrated at his parents house. On Todd's actual birthday the kids and I got a few things rounded up when he came home for lunch. Just dinner, some balloons, and a gift from the kids (Community Season 1). Todd also got a ukulele from me.
6 blossoms on the Amaryllis we got for Christmas from Grandma Kathy. Usually we get 2-3 blossoms but 6!
Boston LOVES hats! He is constantly wearing hats out of Reese's dress up box, Daddy's hat, or even just random tupperware buckets.


Playing a little air guitar.