Cleaning

I am considering the idea of a yard sale before we pack up unnecessary items to put in the storage shed. So, I got focused and started clearing things out. I still haven't decided to have a yard sale, but the garage is filling up with items. Since the garage was filling up, I needed to organize it a little bit. So, I started with the daunting task of kids clothes.

Newborn to 9 m above. 12-24 m below

2-5 above. this is how many bins i started with below.

I want to have one more baby one day, so I have the hardest time even thinking about parting with these clothes. Dave keeps telling me to just get rid of them, but I don't want to do that. I would give them away if I could find a good home lol, but I don't want to just give them away. So, I bought the vacum seal bags and repacked them all to save a little space. Oh it was a long hard job, but thankfully the kids helped with minimal complaining. As a reward, I took them to McDonalds!

Novel Party- How to Eat Fried Worms

The kids and I have finished another novel. This time we read How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell. I was surprised though. I thought Trent would love it due to the content of the book, but neither of the kids really took to the story. They thought it was borning. They liked the movie ok, but it wasn't their favorite. Although, they both loved the activities I put together for the party. So, this time, we made worms out of tootsie rolls as well as pipe cleaner and pom poms. Then we wrote recipes using worms. They wrote a worm story. And since the book was set outside, we set up the tent and the kids watched the movie outside. The party was fun and I am glad we did it even though they didn't like the book!

Make a Smilebox postcard

What's Next? Matilda by Rahl Dahl!

WooHoo!!

I think one of the joys of motherhood is sending your chilren off to school. As the school year comes to an end, I always find myself anxious for it to end. I want the kids at home with me and no school responsibilities. And as the summer starts to end, I am pulling my hair out counting down to the new school year. But for this moment, I am excited that today is the last day of school!!!

Beds

I couldn't resist starting off this post with her adorable smile.

I suppose if you follow me on facebook, you already heard the news... but here is proof. I did it. I switched the kids into toddler beds. They didn't crawl out of their cribs yet and they couldn't get out to pee. I never in a million years figured that I would switch them before they crawled out, but since they are doing so good on potty training, I figured it was time.
Logan does an amazing job with his. He stays in it for naps always and usually gets up once (with Trent's help) at bed time to pee. He is really good.

Laycee, on the other hand, has been a battle. In fact, she doesn't even sleep in it anymore lol. I gave her 2 days but she was constantly getting up. So I put the crib back together, but then she was screaming that she had to pee. So, I took it back apart and decided that I would try a different approach. I put her in a diaper at night and it has really cut down on how many times she gets up. BUT, she doesn't want to sleep alone, so I put her to bed, she gets up once to pee after I put her to bed and then crawls in bed with Haylee. They are like two peas in a pods since they started sleeping together. Since Haylee doesnt' complain, I figured it was ok.

Pool

We weather has turned warm and I was looking for something new for the kids to do outside. So, I bought just a baby pool for them to play in. Laycee loves it even though most of the time it is freezing.

Logan was a little heasitant.

He would only wet his hands.
Trent, on the other hand, thought it was great fun.

Haylee was a little cautious, but eventually started pouting when it was time to get out.
We have since emptied it and set it aside because a storm came in and the weather went from 80 to 60, but I know when it warms up again, we will be back in the water.

Potty Training Update

I couldn't resist when they decided they had to go at the same time. I thought it was tough with the 2 kids, now we have 4 fighting over the bathroom. We even have a second bathroom but the kids are afraid of it, so Dave has turned it into his quiet sanctuary lol. Anyway, I think we have been potty training for 3 weeks now. Oh the first 3 days were horrible. I was constantly cleaning up accidents. But now I clean up about 2 accidents for Laycee and rarely one for Logan. They have almost even figured out the poopin thing. Logan also stays dry for naps and bed. So, we have come a long way and I am pleased with their progress. No they are not perfect and they aren't trained YET, but we are making great strides and my diaper usage is down to 1 a day for Bed for Laycee!

Mr. Potato Head

I guess the kids couldn't find Mr. Potato Head, so they decided to wear it themselves.

I couldn't believe how silly he was being... oh wait, yes I can because Trent will do anything to make you laugh.
Haylee thought he would look more authenic with the eye patch.

The kids rarely play with Mr. Potato Head, so I thought it was great when they decided to play with it. I never realized it would turn into this.

Memorial Day

I never have the desire to bake. But Sunday before Memorial day, I wanted to bake. I made these 7 layer cookies, but we didn't even eat those until the next day. We made cookies and brownies as well.

Then on Memorial Day, we made some homemade ice cream. My mom's recipe. 2 liter of grape sode and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.


While all our goodies were cooking and I was making lunch, the kids wanted a snack. Laycee didn't want to do anything but eat watermelon and grapes.

It was time for clean up so Trent is picking up our now overflowing bucket of balls.


I know these pictures are out of order, but here the kids are playing with Dave. They were so happy to have some time with him since he has been gone so much lately. They started playnig at 8 in the morning and didn't stop until noon! They played baseball, and then Logan played everything else lol. Soccer, Basketball (not pictured), golf and football.

After all the playing, we were all hungry, so we had all our goodies for lunch.
And for dinner we had hamburgers with the rest of the goodies. Hope you all had a great memorial day as well!

Chores

Tonight when I check on the kids unloading the dishwasher, I hear Haylee singing along with her new IPod and Trent putting earplugs in his ears lol. Gotta love them kids!

The BFG Party

So as most of you know, I decided to try something new with the kids. We decided to read a novel and then watch the corresponding movie. The book was on our bookshelf since it is one of Dave's favorites and I got the movie from the library. So, we took about 2 weeks to read the book and then I prepared a festive party. Here they are with the book.

They are all dressed in white "nities" light the girl in the book wore.
We created giantes on the poster board.

The kids also wrote a dream for The BFG to capture and put on his shelf.

We all gathered around the popcorn for the movie.
and we drank "frobscottle" (green cream soda).

The movie

Their finished posters, sorry they are difficult to see.

It was really fun and we actually really loved the idea. We just had our next novel party tonight. Check back soon for pictures of "How To Eat Fried Worms".

Her Birthday

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

These are pictures from Haylee's special day. Dave was gone and I wanted to be sure she had a special birthday. She loves social attention, but we don't know many people for a party. This was her first birthday ever in school, so we played hookie (well I checked her out early because she wanted to bring cupcakes to school lol), went bowling, and went to the movies. Then came home for a small quiet time (nap for the little ones) amd headed to Red Robins for dinner. After coming home, we put the ice cream in the maker, did cake and presents and then completed her day with a little High School Musical. It was such a great day.

Tribute To Haylee

Today is Haylee's birthday. I can't believe she is 7 already! Wow, where did the time go? I love my Haylee so much. I really don't know how I would survive without her. She knows when I need a hug. She knows when to make me smile. She knows when to irritate me. She knows when I need help. She is an amazing big sister. Her and Laycee share such a special bond that began before Laycee joined our family. Haylee couldn't wait for her baby sister. She is so bright and enjoys learning and pleasing others. She can be a struggle sometimes but she is My Haylee Girl and I love her.

Often, In My Daughter's Eyes, I see me and for that, I am grateful. I love that she is sensitive to spiritual things and the feelings of others. She is such a light in this world and I can't wait to see how she continues to grow and mature.

Diversity Fair

The kids had a diversity fair at school. Their task was to read the book "The Crayon Box that Talked" and then use that idea and create a posted representing their diversity. They were really excited about it and each got prizes for their artwork. Haylee's picture was of a restaurant that offered different foods that she has eated around the world. Trent's was a picture of lots of sushi.

Quesadillas

Yum! Yum! What to do with leftover roast? Cook it a little longer to make shredded beef and then make shredded beef quesadillas. Dave is not a huge fan of shredded beef, but after adding a little taco seasoning and making these, he really loved them.

Hair Cuts

This was a very hard day for me, but after much debate for some time, we decided that I couldn't keep Haylee from what she wanted any longer. She really wanted her hair cut. She was very frustrated with trying to comb it and never getting the job done. I ADORE her hair, so it was hard for me. So, here is the before.

And after. I have to admit, it has cut down A LOT on the morning debates about hair. She is able to brush it all the way through herself and she doesn't need it put up every day.

Since I did the boys also, Laycee didn't want to be left out, so here are her baby curls. There isn't much you can do with hers because she has minimal hair as it is, but this is the start.

This is the end. I cut it again a few days later after a bath and I was able to see what it looked like. It is kind of a boyish cut but it looks really cute on her now.

I never got a good before and after of the boys, so here is Logan's after. I like to cut theirs short so I don't have to do it for a while.

Jump

Why do they need to jump on the bed when we have a trampoline? I don't know. But they do.

It is moments like these when the fact that I have twins really hits me. I don't know why. Usually I just view them as two toddlers. It is rare I think of them as twins. But there are some of those surreal moments when it hits that they are twins. Usually that moment comes when I see two little children in diapers playing!

However, I never see 2 little kids in diapers now that they are potty training. So this was fun to catch that one last glimpse of twindom before they grow up and they are considered just two kids again.

I love their laughs on days like these.

Sewing

I am not a a very good sewer. But I do like to try Halloween costumes and the occasional dress. Well I can't seem to find dresses or skirts long enough for Haylee, so I thought I would try to make one.

The finished product.
It had some issues, but I think the next one will be better. Jessica e-mailed me some online tutorials, so I might actually try one of those instead. I have enough to make 3, so we will see. I just wanted to show off my limited sewing skills.