First Full Day of Summer

Funny that I decided to blog again today, then realized that I did this same thing this time last year.
Anyways, my sweet girl graduated Kindergarten yesterday on her daddy's birthday. I can't believe I now have a first grader! Doesn't seem real!

My concern for this summer has been my two children getting along and playing well together. I have pinterested every imaginable idea possible to prevent fighting and the "Mom, I'm bored" comments. However, I already heard that yesterday after being home from an exciting day at the park and Chick Fila...and we had only been home for about 45 minutes!!! I am in trouble.

I am trying to make Tuesdays and Thursdays our stay at home days. So, today's Thursday...and I am officially exhausted trying to keep these kids under control without throwing them in front of the tv....although it's on right now...but that's because I let Owen watch 1 Mickey Mouse during lunch and he knows that it's naptime once it goes off.

So, here's how today has gone thus far...

Brandon left for work at 7, O woke up at 6:30, ae woke up at 7.
Laundry
 7:30 I made pancakes, and the three of us ate at the kitchen table...which might be a first ever for breakfast.
Dishes
A little after 8 we went walking (o rode his little bike stroller thingy, and ae rode her scooter).
Came back home, the kids jumped on trampoline while I read my Bible.
Then I played outside with them and they swung.
Came inside for snack (oranges, apples, and pineapples).
laundry =)
went to attempt to read ae's new bible...phone started ringing, and this is where it all went down hill. Once the phone started ringing, the little one started getting antsy...fighting with sissy. So from about 10:20-11 ish it was rough. That's when the exhaustion kinda kicked in.
We did eventually get thru our Bible story...with a few little guy time outs.
After that, I attempted to let them play together for a few minutes while I worked on putting laundry away...that didn't last long.
Finally he came in here and played while she worked on cleaning her room.
Then usually O eats lunch around 11, and heads to bed by 12. But I thought I would/could try doing lunch a little later...not sure if that is going to work.
Did craft (they did great during this time), they each made a countdown paper chain to count down the days to our beach vacation.
Then I fixed their sandwiches and chips, and let them watch 1 mickey mouse (told sissy that we would let him watch his show during lunch bc she would probably get a chance to watch hers during his nap).

And now I am finishing up this first post of summer, just put him to bed, and told her she had to have quiet play time in her room for at least the first 30 minutes....I am trying to decide whether I eat lunch or just crash on the couch!!! Today has worn me out! 

My heavy heart...

My Autumn Beth is getting ready for lunch, at her new school. She is in Kindergarten. And she has done amazing. She asked me to let her walk herself in on the 3rd day! I cried, but she was so brave. As of yesterday, I am not even walking her to the front of the building. I am just driving her up, and she's out the door and on her own...in this big ol' world....well, maybe not that big just yet, but it sure feels like it to me.


My heart misses her so much. I am so sad that I am not there with her right now. I am so excited for her, but I get so excited at pick up time. However, she's exhausted at the end of the day and just wants to lay on the couch and watch tv, without her little brother. And that means upstairs, again, away from me. But at least she's home. But I am ready to cuddle and love on her.


Oh how I wish time had gone by slower. I wish she hadn't of grown up so fast. I wish I had a little more time to appreciate her and to play with her. I know she's only in Kindergarten and it's not boarding school or anything...my mind gets that...but my heart is struggling.


Just a couple more hours...

Reach further...

So, Autumn definitely has her daddy's competitive nature. She is a beast at times. I can't even walk upstairs without hearing her explaining the rules of last one up is the "rotten egg". Everything turns into a competition with her. Brandon seems to enjoy this... but to me, the one with no competitive bone in her body, it drives me crazy.

Anyways, at gymnastics, she has started the higher level class. And so they tried rope climbing. The very first time, she went the very highest. I was amazed and shocked and filled with pride. Well, since then, some of the other girls have gotten better at it. And Autumn has still continued to go high, but not as high as that first time. So, this past session, she was determined to reach the top (something she's not done before, came close...but not completely to the top). Being the mother that I am, I just told her to do her very best and I would be proud of her. Well, she started up the rope, after getting so high, she stopped. I thought she was through and heading down. Nope! She was just taking a break, and took one hand off the rope to wipe it on her outfit so that she could keep going. So, every now and again, you would see her wipe her hands and push herself that much more.

And yes, she made it to the top! Wow, talk about determination. I was so proud of her for working so hard and not giving up on something that meant so much to her.

Maybe she can teach me a thing or two about working hard and keeping focused on reaching my goals...

Owen's first real prayers...

As I was putting Owen to bed tonight, I told him that we needed to say our prayers. He put his hands in prayer mode, and waited. But tonight, I said for him to do it. So, Owen bowed his head, and said, "thank you, sissy, daddy, Au-wen (owen) and mommy. Amen" then slaps himself in the face and laughs. Such a silly but wonderful boy. I hope he falls head over heals in love with Jesus...that's my prayer for him!

bedtime...

The morning I decided to start this blog, is the same morning I looked back on Autumn's blog (mommy2autumn.blogspot.com) to compare age and bedtime habits. Surprisingly, ae was already in her toddler bed and she was going to bed on her own (somewhat), but having a rough time at naptime.

Owen; however, is nowhere near ready to be taken out of the crib...or at least I am not ready for him to be. I plan on keeping him in the baby bed till he's at least 5. I am serious. I can't imagine trying to get him to stay in bed. It just wouldn't work!!!

Anyways, bedtime and naptime works as long as I rock the boy to sleep, and he is actually tired enough to fall asleep. Then I have to wait for a while to make sure he's good and asleep so that he stays asleep when I put him in the crib. Well, this tends to be exhausting and very frustrating at times. Don't get me wrong, I love cuddling and rocking him. But it's a very long process at times, and then after all that time, sometimes it still doesn't work. And then he's crabby and cranky...and so am I.

So, tonight...I almost got him to sleep by rocking him (even though I know it's not the best way, sometimes it's just easier, that way I don't have to worry about him crying and waking ae up, too!) but he woke up crying as I put him in his bed. I left him there, crying. Almost went to him several times. But waited just a little bit longer. And I was on my way to go get him just a minute ago...and I checked the monitor...NOTHING...nothing at all....no crying, yelling, sobbing...nothing. Yay!!! After an hour, he feel asleep!!! Now, I just need to be consistent and try to let him do this for the next few nights so that it gets easier for him.

Wish me luck! Yay, Owen! Thank you, God for calming him down, for protecting him, and for keeping me away just long enough for him to fall asleep...help me to do what's best for him...even if it's not always easy.
Amen!

My baby girl...graduated preschool!

I can't believe she's old enough to graduate preschool. I found a picture of ae yesterday. It was her first day of school picture from 2009. Owen was right at two months old, and she was a little over 3 1/2. I can't believe how much she has grown in the last two years. She is such a big girl.

Surprisingly, I didn't cry at her graduation. I was so proud of her for singing and smiling. I think I was just overwhelmed with pride and love, that I didn't allow myself to be sad. I can't believe she starts Kindergarten in a little over 2 months. Where has the time gone? I miss her being little. I love the young girl she's turned out to be, but I don't want her to grow up too fast.

I am so thankful that Brandon has worked so hard to allow me the opportunity to stay home with her and O. I will never regret this time with her. She was my true first love. My heart has never been the same since the first time I laid eyes on her. She is precious!

I am so proud of that big (my always little) girl!

Perfect way to start off Summer Break...

Today has been amazing (so far). Besides the fact that I have two little ones that aren't feeling the greatest (due to allergies and what not). But I have loved every minute of today...well, except for Owen not napping, and Autumn only taking a small nap, but other than that minor detail?!?

Here is how our first day of Summer Break has panned out:

I started laundry.
Fixed kids breakfast
Let them watch tv, Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Full House or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse depending on the child.
Then we went on a walk that turned into a nature walk...with baby birds, worms, and cicadas
Owen pulled the wagon half the way home...such a strong man!
Went outside, played with Bama, jumped on trampoline, swung a little bit
Came in and had snack time: Popcorn
Storytime
Playtime with blocks or Barbies while mommy folded clothes
Lunch
Nap or at least an attempt
Now they are both playing with Play-Doh

It's Owen's first time with Play-Doh...he loves it. He did of course ask if he could eat it. But at least he asked, that's more than Autumn ever did?!? She always just snuck and ate it anyways...

Now, if the rest of the summer turns out anything like today, it will be a blessing...so, here's to a wonderful summer!!!