Not Allowed for Boys...

Amelia is very adamant that the top bunk is "not allowed for boys."

The stars must have aligned just right last night because this happened...

She invited him up!

And they had fun!  

It was awesome and just what this mommy needed!

Ghosts, a Fort and Smiles

Two spoooooky ghosts!

Saturday night movie (Robin Hood) in a fort!

Amelia and Joe both get worried when Jackson is upset and crying.  Usually they try and shove a pacifier in his mouth or give him toys.  Amelia got really creative last night...

She drew him a picture of our family, complete with the two cats, smiling at him.  So, so sweet!

Midweek Randoms

Last weekend we had intentions to stay home and relax.  Well, I had plans to knock things off the to-do list (which I did) since it would seem I am officially "nesting."  We almost did it!  The only thing we did this weekend that we hadn't intended to was a trip to my parent's house to fix the kitchen drawer that Joe pulled out and broke into four pieces!  Thankfully my dad was able to get it looking good as new so we don't have to call our landlord and put in a maintenance request :)

Saturday morning Jason worked a voluntary extra (early morning) shift so I thought it would be nice to have breakfast ready when he came home.  I got out a box of muffin mix and Amelia and I got to it!  Halfway through putting ingredients into the bowl I went to grab the oil and there was no oil.  No neighbors were coming to my knocks on their doors so the kids and I quickly got into the van and went to the gas station for some (very over-priced) vegetable oil.  

We got them finished and cooled just in time!  He said he could smell them as he walked up to the apartment :)

Over the weekend, Amelia gained a ton of confidence on her bike!  Our neighbor ("Upstairs Kim") was helping her and she got Amelia to go over speed bumps by herself, make wide turns and, literally, quadruple her speed!  There's no stopping her now!

Joe is trying so hard to ride the trike but he's not quite getting it yet...

I plan on picking him up a helmet before the summer is over so we can get him going so he can keep up with the big kids!

A couple weeks back we got Joe a doll.  He has shown way more interest in dolls than Amelia ever has and with a new baby coming it seemed like a good idea.  Boy was it!  He loves his baby :)  He hugs him, kisses him, pushes him in the (full-size) stroller and even gives him drinks:

It is the sweetest thing.  Ever.

Monday afternoon my sister came over and set up a huge train track using just about all our track pieces and the kids had fun with it!
 

 I really should take the train stuff out more!  Sometimes I just don't see the point since both kids, especially Joe, are content to just drive their trains all over tables, walls and furniture :)

Amelia and Joe have been at each other all week so far but tonight, right before bath and bed, they just started being the sweetest to each other.  They were hugging and "falling over" in the kitchen over and over.  Between hugs they would come over and hug me and give me a bunch of kisses.  Then they'd go right back to hugging each other and laughing.

It was just what this tired mama needed tonight :)  Love them!

Five Photos on Friday

Some pictures of the kids from this month that I never got around to sharing on here! 

JOY

Sunday Night

We had some severe weather come through this evening and the sirens went off several times.  Amelia knows that the sirens mean "take shelter" and I found her in the bathroom like this at one point:

She told me she was hiding from the twisters...  I assured her there were no twisters coming only to have the sirens go off again a few minutes later for a tornado warning.  At that point she went and hid under a chair:

Joe joined her with his truck.

Once the weather passed we had some dinner, took baths and got the kids into some of their new summer pajamas!  (We went shopping this morning and are now officially set for this summer!)

<3

We're winding down with The Sandlot tonight - trying to keep cool.  (We refuse to turn our A/C on just yet and it's a little warm/humid in here this evening!)

These Kids...

"Mama, Ko heeeeeaaaaaa-bbbbbeeeeeeeeeeee." 

Yes Amelia, Joe is heavy :)  He is our big boy!

Weekend Moments

Hanging out - waiting for Joe-Joe to wake up from his nap :)

Amelia and Dad's gold mining operation - on the moon!

A rare nap, in mom and dad's bed.

She looks like a little old lady when she sucks up noodles!

"CHEESE!"

Joey reading before bed

Amelia's expanded zoo

Reading/watching the Puppy Bowl

 

 

Two kids in a "washing machine"

Thomas Night

Tonight, we had a Thomas night!

School was cancelled today because the roads were glare ice (my 25 minute drive to work took an hour.)  Amelia has a nasty cough (and threw up this evening) so we were calling her in anyways so at least now she didn't miss anything! 

When Joe got up from his nap she asked if they could wear Thomas pajamas - so we did!  We also watched a little Thomas on Netflix.  She was in and out of her room "going to bed" all evening.  Poor thing, she was just so exhausted and out of it.  

  Hopefully she can shake whatever it is that is bothering her so we can enjoy the rest of our week!

Goodnight Kisses

We made it to bedtime...

...goodnight!

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!

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 :)

Best Friends

Tonight, Amelia said, "Mama, Ko-Key i my beh fuh-wen."

That's right - Joey is her best friend.  Melts my heart.

And to think, I was itching to find something to do to get us out of the house tonight.  Had we not been at home playing she probably wouldn't have said that.  Simple nights at home really are the best :)

She Did It!

It took 377 days but Amelia has now officially held her brother for the first time.  Sort of...

It was more like she tried to pick him up and fell backwards with him.  

(And, yes, I am serious when I say this is literally the first time she has held him.  This has been a long time coming and she picked the perfect day to do it - I needed it!)

Bathtime Buddies

Happy Wednesday!

Linked to Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom

Watch Out, Mom!

Happy Wednesday!

Linked to Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom

Sweet Moment

This evening we had a playdate at the park with our friend, L, and her son, D.  Joey was all over the place - exploring.  At one point I looked over and he had crawled to a ladder of sorts.  All of a sudden big sister showed up at the top of the ladder.  I started to get up to mediate but then she stuck her hand down to him.  He took it but she realized her plan wasn't working.  So she climbed partway down, took his hand again and tried to help him up the ladder.

I think I push her too much most days to get along with him.  This is a perfect example of why just stepping back and letting them be is needed.  

I snuck up behind them to snap this and as soon as she realized I was there the moment was over.  That's ok though - it's moments like these, that are far and few between, that I am reminded that she does love her little brother and that there is hope that they will get along semi-peacefully someday!

ps - Happy 29th Birthday to Daddy today!!!!

Siblings and a Stroller

We had a trying day today but this moment is one worth remembering:

Amelia pushed Joe "really fast" back and forth across the parking lot.  They both had a blast :)

Friday Fun

Tonight my sister came to hang out with us! We hopped in the car and went to a new park. It is within walking distance but since rain was on it's way we decided to drive so we wouldn't be stuck out in it! Joey spent most of his time swinging and watching all the big kids run around and play. 

Amelia explored the small beach and found several seashells! 

(yes mom, I do realize she needs a haircut!) 

One of Amelia's favorite things tonight was "driving the car." 

In fact, before we could leave she had to run back to "drive the car" one last time! We left the park at dinner time and decided, what the heck, we'd eat McDonald's. Amelia was so, so excited when she realized where we were going. During dinner she asked me to "cheese" her and snuggled up with my sister. 

Since she ate her whole Happy Meal we decided to get some ice cream on the way home. Dairy Queen was a zoo and the one here is notorious for being very slow so we headed to the grocery store for dessert. Across from the grocery store we noticed a little sweets shop. When we pulled up they were closing (they close early - at 6!) but the owner let my sister go in and get us ice cream to go. It was our favorite, Cedar Crest, ice cream! Amelia was in heaven with her cookie dough ice cream!

Between the park, McDonald's and ice cream baths were in order. Amelia had a ball cleaning Joe. 

She is in charge of washing his tummy, knees and feet. I am in charge of his hair - with the watering can. She's the boss and I just follow orders ;) 

 Joe was so interested in the bubbles tonight. He just kept examining his hands. 

We needed this good night tonight. Hopefully the weekend will be just as good!