Great Friday!

  

We had a great day today!  I got home from work mid-morning and was able to catch up on some sleep before Jason had to leave for work - huge blessing.  The kids and I went to Target this evening for some things and it actually went smoothly.  Well, as smooth as it can go when you get that cart, you know, the one that makes so much noise everyone in the store can hear you and your son empties one side of a table of folded shirts into his lap while you are looking at snowpants with your daughter etc.  Really, it went well.  Amelia was so, so excited about everything we looked at and Joe was fine as long as the supply of animal crackers didn't slow.

The kids had gift cards so Amelia chose a Little People zoo animal for each of them.  

The newest additions to our zoo are a flamingo and an ostrich!  Amelia is thrilled with them and a co-worker of mine taught her how to stand like a flamingo which only makes her more excited about that one! 

We were up past bedtime tonight but both kids were very happy - unusual!  We have skipped bath for two nights in a row now - also unusual!  We have a busy weekend ahead of us and I hope it goes as well as today did!

Thankful Weekend

UPDATED with photos :)

Despite the ridiculous work hours over Thanksgiving/Grey Thursday/Black Friday I still found things to be thankful for.

A beautiful sunrise Thanksgiving morning on the way home after a long overnight shift.

A few hours with family on Thanksgiving.

A heater that works properly this year (last year it was stuck on too high) so we can enjoy hot tea again.

Sleeping in Saturday morning :)

Dinner with friends on Saturday night.

Building forts during football this afternoon (after mama's team beat daddy's team...)

It was a good weekend and I am extremely thankful to have Black Friday 2012 behind us - it makes work just a tad bit easier without that looming in the distance :)

Grey Thursday

Tomorrow is not only Thanksgiving, it is Grey Thursday.  Black Friday's new opening act.  

I'll keep it short - if you shop over the next couple of days, please be kind to retail workers.  We're missing sleep and time with family to ensure you get crazy deals on all those things you "need."  I worked 4am-1pm today.  I head back in in an hour and work 10pm-7am.  Then tomorrow night I go back in from 8pm-5am.  Somewhere in there I have to sleep and "do" Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful these two got along and played well together for the short time I saw them this evening.  She even let him play in her room with her ponies...a-mazing!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Moon in My Room

Shortly after Joe was born Amelia developed a fear of the dark.  She insisted on sleeping with her "big light" (a lantern) on.  We went along with it - thinking it was a phase.  After a few weeks we realized it was a battle we weren't going to win easily and with a new baby in the house getting her to bed with peace outweighed our desire to have the lantern off.  

We were walking through Toyland at Fleet Farm a couple weekends ago and saw a product called "Moon in My Room."  Amelia loves the moon and we thought it might be a good way to get her to sleep without her "big light."  We didn't get it and decided we would tell anyone who asked for Christmas gift ideas about it.  I was telling a co-worker this idea and she told me they had one that wasn't being used and offered it to us.  I told her we would love to have it and she brought it a few days later.

Well.......it WORKED!

Amelia has slept without her "big light" on a little over a week now!  I thought we might have some issues because we spent a few nights at my parents over the weekend while Jason was hunting and she had a lamp on there.  She did ask for her "big light" our first night back at home and there was a little crying but we got past it with the offer of a couple glow sticks :)

Joey's Photo Shoot

When Amelia was 6-months and one year we had photos taken professionally.  Joey is now 13-months and we've never taken him!  I got a nice shirt at Target to match some pants we already had and did my best to get some nice pictures of him on my own.  

The following are my four favorites:

The little man is not one to sit still so even getting four I love was quite the challenge!  I spent about a half an hour outside and saved probably well over a hundred dollars - success!

Life Lately

We are still here - promise!  We're keeping busy playing, learning and keeping the house in order!  I have been too tired by the time bedtime rolls around to stay up and blog.  In fact, some nights I am too tired to stay up until the kids' bedtime - I fell asleep on the couch reading to Amelia just last night!

Bundled up for outside play!

This box is currently a popular toy - for both kids and cats

First homework - we worked hard on this and I LOVE how it turned out!

Hanging out with mama :)

Joe and Wormy* :)

* We lost Wormy today...for about a half hour.  He got dropped in Babies 'R' Us and we went to one other place after before heading to the car and realizing he was missing.  I panicked but we found Joe's favorite friend - thank goodness!  Usually he never leaves the house but Joe is getting through some congestion right now and wants the comfort so we took him out with us today!

He's learning to use this pull toy - slowly

Until next time...

Three Little Men

Leyton - 4 months, Joe and Dan - one year :)

 Thankful for time with friends this weekend :)

Happy Wednesday!

Linked toWordless Wednesday @  5 Minutes for Mom

Shopping Cart Moments

You know those shopping carts that have double kid seats attached?  The ones that are about a mile-long because of said attached double kid seats?  The ones that are impossible to maneuver and cause you to constantly run into things...

...sometimes they are worth it :)

Awesome News Article

There was an article in the local paper this week that I wanted to share!

My co-worker's daughter had a big article written about her fight against cancer and how learning martial arts has played a role in her recovery!  It is a great article and hopefully others find it as inspiring as I did!

You can find the article here.

Happy Saturday!

Trick-or-Treating

Last night the kids went on their first trick-or-treating adventure in Nana's neighborhood!  We went to only six houses but Amelia got quite a bit of candy. 

Amelia had so much fun!  She would run up to the houses yelling, "kwik o kwee, kwik o kwee..." and then by the time the door was answered she was saying, "kwee, kwee, KWEE!"  

*I'm not entirely sure why sunglasses were necessary but she found them in the wagon and then decided to wear them despite it being dark out.

I think Joe had a fun time too.  He went up to the houses with his sister and she got him some candy too.

On our way home we made one last stop to see Jason's mom, grandpa and his friend, A.  

It was a busy day for us all and both kids were passed out by the time we made it home.  

I can't believe it is already November!  This year has gone by so fast!