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Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
Cousin Fun
My nephew and neice were up this weekend for the big birthday party, but things got a little boring inside for the kids (a lot of adult conversation!). So, we braved the wind and cooler temperatures and tried a bit of everything.
Spraying our shadows: (it's that food coloring and water in a spray bottle thing we did at the 'kid' birthday party)
Blowing bubbles with their new bubble 'guns' -- thanks Grammy!
Spraying our shadows: (it's that food coloring and water in a spray bottle thing we did at the 'kid' birthday party)
Blowing bubbles with their new bubble 'guns' -- thanks Grammy!
Taking a little 'nature' walk in the backyard -- walking the plank at the garden:
It's interesting the different temperment of the kids -- my nephew is only 1 month older than my daughter, but he's about 3 sizes larger than her (not really this much bigger -- that picture above is really an optical illusion!). He's a very active boy -- running, jumping, roaring, throwing, etc -- all boy! My daughter, on the other hand would rather be reading a book, playing with her 'little things' (polly pockets, little junk you can get out the gumball machines at the grocery store, little scraps of paper, etc), drawing pictures, painting or making craft projects. My nephew LOVES to be outside -- I have to drag my daughter out to get some fresh air!
But, when one toddler is doing something, you're bound to find the other toddler wanting to do the same thing! It was nice to get some fresh air this weekend with my nephew leading the way...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Party #3 -- a family affair
Our final birthday adventure was held this weekend -- it was a family party. We were actually celebrating many birthdays at this event. The 3-year old (of course), both of my sister-in-laws (my brother's wife and my husband's sister) and my father-in-law, "Papa Bob".
The toddler choose a "Hello Kitty" cake -- we went with the cupcakes, decorated to look like a cake (I don't really like the mess of cutting a cake -- the cupcakes are definitely the way to go!).
The toddler choose a "Hello Kitty" cake -- we went with the cupcakes, decorated to look like a cake (I don't really like the mess of cutting a cake -- the cupcakes are definitely the way to go!).
Two birthday girls...
The cousins: Cori, the birthday girl and Wil. Cori and Wil belong to my brother. These are the only cousins so far in our family -- my daughter being the only one on my husband's side of the family, so you can only imagine the loot she came away with after the party!!
It's late now, the 3 year old is in bed, the husband is sick on the couch (ALL day -- he was just sick 2 weeks ago -- I think I need to start taking control of his health -- more on that later!) and I'm tired. More pictures and stories to follow...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
1 year already?
I didn't realize that I've been blogging for a year now -- I doesn't seem that long -- SO much has happened in this past year. I was just looking back through some old posts and saw that I started blogging in April 2007 -- WOW!
Funny, how it's my toddler's birthday yesterday. I think that's the reason I started blogging. I still have not completed a 'one year' album for my daughter. I was into Creative Memories before I got married and made a lovely engagement photo album and a beautiful wedding album and knew in my mind that I would continue scrapbooking when we had children.
Funny, no one told me that I would rarely have free time and when I did have free time that maybe my priorities would change!
It was my daughter's 2nd birthday that made me realize that I was getting anywhere with photo albums -- there's not one picture of my daughter in a photo album, pretty sad, huh? The pictures are all cropped and ready to be put into an album, but I can't find any time to sit and scrapbook -- thus, the blog appeared.
This blog was started to document our lives, my daughter's life and the struggles and joys we encounter. I LOVE blogging. Even though I have no fancy page with lots of details and no high-tech links to other various websites and blogs -- I love that I can be as simple or as complex as I want to be when I blog. This is my diary -- I'm still learning each day.
Here's a link to one of my first posts, and in recognition of the big birthday girl -- it's a link to her 2nd birthday: http://wearereilly.blogspot.com/2007/04/im-two.html
Here's to another year -- a year of blessings and joys!
Funny, how it's my toddler's birthday yesterday. I think that's the reason I started blogging. I still have not completed a 'one year' album for my daughter. I was into Creative Memories before I got married and made a lovely engagement photo album and a beautiful wedding album and knew in my mind that I would continue scrapbooking when we had children.
Funny, no one told me that I would rarely have free time and when I did have free time that maybe my priorities would change!
It was my daughter's 2nd birthday that made me realize that I was getting anywhere with photo albums -- there's not one picture of my daughter in a photo album, pretty sad, huh? The pictures are all cropped and ready to be put into an album, but I can't find any time to sit and scrapbook -- thus, the blog appeared.
This blog was started to document our lives, my daughter's life and the struggles and joys we encounter. I LOVE blogging. Even though I have no fancy page with lots of details and no high-tech links to other various websites and blogs -- I love that I can be as simple or as complex as I want to be when I blog. This is my diary -- I'm still learning each day.
Here's a link to one of my first posts, and in recognition of the big birthday girl -- it's a link to her 2nd birthday: http://wearereilly.blogspot.com/2007/04/im-two.html
Here's to another year -- a year of blessings and joys!
Birthday Dinner
One birthday tradition that the babysitting family does is that on each family member's birthday they get to choose where they go out to dinner. I thought that might be a nice tradition to start as well.
After telling our 3 year old that we can't go to Chuck E. Cheese again and that no, we're not going to Bouncetown for her birthday, she settled on Red Robin. I think she was also persuaded by me -- we had a gift card from a friend and also a free birthday burger (if you sign up for their birthday club -- they send you an email for a free burger!).
Who knew "Red" was going to be there too!
After much encouragement to eat some of her dinner (she's not too much into food these days), they came around and say "Happy Birthday" and gave her a birthday sundae!
After telling our 3 year old that we can't go to Chuck E. Cheese again and that no, we're not going to Bouncetown for her birthday, she settled on Red Robin. I think she was also persuaded by me -- we had a gift card from a friend and also a free birthday burger (if you sign up for their birthday club -- they send you an email for a free burger!).
Who knew "Red" was going to be there too!
After much encouragement to eat some of her dinner (she's not too much into food these days), they came around and say "Happy Birthday" and gave her a birthday sundae!Party #2
Birthday Party #2 -- a FRIEND PARTY!!
I've never hosted a friend party before, so I didn't really know what to expect. I sent out invites through evite and waited for responses. We invited about 12 kids and their moms. Now, I figured maybe about 5-6 kids would be able to come -- boy was I wrong! Wednesday afternoons must be a popular time (or maybe not so popular, because nothing else was happening) because EVERYONE came to the party!
This was not a 'traditional' birthday party. It was really just my mom friends -- and their kids -- it was just as much for the moms as it was for the kids.
On the invite, I specifically said that we weren't accepting gifts at this party, however we were collecting food to take to the local food pantry.
Again, I was surprised at the response -- look at all this food we collected:
Those bags and box are full -- to the brim will lots of goodies to take to the food pantry!!
What's a birthday party without some sweets....
Here is the 3 year old with a 'special' candle.
Then, with the help of all the moms, the kids frosted and decorated their cupcakes!
It was such a FUN day -- I wasn't stressed out about hosting -- I kept everything as simple as possible: hotdogs and pasta with parmesean cheese for the kids, chicken finger wraps for the moms, some chips and salsa. Some of my friends even contributed -- fruit salad, 7 layer dip, cheese dip -- what fun!
We sat outside and ate -- so there was no mess in the house to clean up -- thanks for that great idea from another mom!
The kids played outside with sidewalk chalk, bubbles and toys. The biggest outdoor activity that was a hit: filling spray bottles with a little bit of food coloring and water and letting them spray the driveway! Who knew that that would entertain kids of ALL ages: 2-6 years. The only problem -- trying to keep them from spraying each other! (I somehow got yellow sprayed on me -- I must have been stuck in cross fire!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY big girl!
I've never hosted a friend party before, so I didn't really know what to expect. I sent out invites through evite and waited for responses. We invited about 12 kids and their moms. Now, I figured maybe about 5-6 kids would be able to come -- boy was I wrong! Wednesday afternoons must be a popular time (or maybe not so popular, because nothing else was happening) because EVERYONE came to the party!
This was not a 'traditional' birthday party. It was really just my mom friends -- and their kids -- it was just as much for the moms as it was for the kids.
On the invite, I specifically said that we weren't accepting gifts at this party, however we were collecting food to take to the local food pantry.
Again, I was surprised at the response -- look at all this food we collected:
Those bags and box are full -- to the brim will lots of goodies to take to the food pantry!!What's a birthday party without some sweets....
Here is the 3 year old with a 'special' candle.
Then, with the help of all the moms, the kids frosted and decorated their cupcakes!It was such a FUN day -- I wasn't stressed out about hosting -- I kept everything as simple as possible: hotdogs and pasta with parmesean cheese for the kids, chicken finger wraps for the moms, some chips and salsa. Some of my friends even contributed -- fruit salad, 7 layer dip, cheese dip -- what fun!
We sat outside and ate -- so there was no mess in the house to clean up -- thanks for that great idea from another mom!
The kids played outside with sidewalk chalk, bubbles and toys. The biggest outdoor activity that was a hit: filling spray bottles with a little bit of food coloring and water and letting them spray the driveway! Who knew that that would entertain kids of ALL ages: 2-6 years. The only problem -- trying to keep them from spraying each other! (I somehow got yellow sprayed on me -- I must have been stuck in cross fire!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY big girl!
Monday, April 21, 2008
A week of birthdays!
This is installment #1 -- of birthday week 2008. I'm not much for big parties, but for some reason I've decided to throw/host/organize 3 parties for my little girls who's turning 3 tomorrow! (no, there will NOT be 4 parties next year!)
So, here it goes -- party #1:
So, here it goes -- party #1:
Well, it wasn't really a party -- we just took the birthday girl and the babysitting family to Chuck E. Cheese after church yesterday. The birthday girl has been having a runny nose and a bit crabby for the past 4 days, but we really wanted to go to see "chuck", as she calls him. See -- she wore a bow in her hair just for Chuckie!
The babysitting kids also spent the night and we went for ice cream -- more pictures to follow!
I am preparing the house for a little friend party on Wednesday and a family party on Saturday -- YES, I have just come to the realization that I am crazy! The friend party on Wed. is really just an excuse to have friends over -- with their moms for the kiddos to play and the moms to connect and discuss life. It's a "no gift" party -- and I'm sticking to my guns -- absolutely NO gifts allowed! We are actually collecting items to donate to the local food pantry instead.
More pictures later -- the house cleaning is calling my name :(
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
a PONY for the toddler?
No, not of the mammal origin -- of the hair type. You know -- a pony tail?
I have struggled for ages to get the toddler to wear a ponytail in her hair, but have always been met with resistance to even the thought of something in her hair! Well, the other day at the babysitter's house it was very windy and her hair was blowing in her face. The neighbor girls had their hair in a little half-pony, on the top of their heads. I told my daughter, "wow - look how those girls have their hair up and it's not blowing in their face, maybe we should try that.".
Her response, "okay mommy"
WHAT -- that's all it took? We went to the store and bought some little rubber bands and viola!
Okay, so it's not perfect. I'm not really a hair person -- if you know me, you would know that I don't really 'do' my hair -- I wash it and it dries. It grows and I get it cut -- pretty simple concept. So, I won't be doing anything fancy to my daughter's hair either. To get it up and out of her face is a huge accomplishment!
Here she is playing ball outside -- and look -- there's not hair blowing in her face! Isn't that wonderful?
She even slept with the ponytail in her hair. She was concerned all evening that it was going to fall out and I reassured her it wouldn't. She woke up in the morning and I took it out telling her, "I'm just going to fix this ponytail and make it straight again, since it's all messy from sleeping".
Well -- she stopped me in my tracks: "No mommy, I don't want a pony" And there you have it -- we've had no more ponytails at our house -- I must have counted my chicks before they hatched, because I haven't had any more luck pulling her hair up!
It was good while it lasted...
I have struggled for ages to get the toddler to wear a ponytail in her hair, but have always been met with resistance to even the thought of something in her hair! Well, the other day at the babysitter's house it was very windy and her hair was blowing in her face. The neighbor girls had their hair in a little half-pony, on the top of their heads. I told my daughter, "wow - look how those girls have their hair up and it's not blowing in their face, maybe we should try that.".
Her response, "okay mommy"
WHAT -- that's all it took? We went to the store and bought some little rubber bands and viola!
Okay, so it's not perfect. I'm not really a hair person -- if you know me, you would know that I don't really 'do' my hair -- I wash it and it dries. It grows and I get it cut -- pretty simple concept. So, I won't be doing anything fancy to my daughter's hair either. To get it up and out of her face is a huge accomplishment!
Here she is playing ball outside -- and look -- there's not hair blowing in her face! Isn't that wonderful?She even slept with the ponytail in her hair. She was concerned all evening that it was going to fall out and I reassured her it wouldn't. She woke up in the morning and I took it out telling her, "I'm just going to fix this ponytail and make it straight again, since it's all messy from sleeping".
Well -- she stopped me in my tracks: "No mommy, I don't want a pony" And there you have it -- we've had no more ponytails at our house -- I must have counted my chicks before they hatched, because I haven't had any more luck pulling her hair up!
It was good while it lasted...
Monday, April 14, 2008
The weather is warming up a bit and I'm breaking my back outside trying to dig up the earth to plant grass seed. You see, we moved into this house in the fall and spent all our waking hours raking leaves. So, now this spring we see that we have many areas of dirt in our yard -- where grass doesn't or won't grow.
When we meet our neighbors -- out for a walk or working in our yard -- each and every one of them tells us, "oh the other people that used to live there, they NEVER did anything with their yard". I respond, "yes, we can tell".
There are areas of our yard that are just plain old dirt (and mud when it rains). There is moldy-moss growing on our roof, there is a leak on part of our roof because there's no flashing (whatever that is) at the junction of the house and roof, there are dead trees, too many trees (little off-shoots from the larger trees that they didn't stop from growing), overgrown bushes and too many leaves and walnuts for any one person to deal with! YES, I know the previous owners did nothing in their yard.
But, that's the fun of home-ownership, isn't it? We signed up for this when we bought the house and so far, we're enjoying it. You know, I wanted to work out more -- I got a treadmill from a friend that was getting rid of it, but I've only used it 3 times so far -- instead I've been breaking my back doing yard work!
And you know another thing? I think yard work is a better workout anyway. You know all those 90-100 year old people that are still living? I bet they did a lot of yard work in their lives -- I bet they never went to a gym or owned a treadmill. So, really I'm just helping myself live a better life, right?
If I don't break my back first...
When we meet our neighbors -- out for a walk or working in our yard -- each and every one of them tells us, "oh the other people that used to live there, they NEVER did anything with their yard". I respond, "yes, we can tell".
There are areas of our yard that are just plain old dirt (and mud when it rains). There is moldy-moss growing on our roof, there is a leak on part of our roof because there's no flashing (whatever that is) at the junction of the house and roof, there are dead trees, too many trees (little off-shoots from the larger trees that they didn't stop from growing), overgrown bushes and too many leaves and walnuts for any one person to deal with! YES, I know the previous owners did nothing in their yard.
But, that's the fun of home-ownership, isn't it? We signed up for this when we bought the house and so far, we're enjoying it. You know, I wanted to work out more -- I got a treadmill from a friend that was getting rid of it, but I've only used it 3 times so far -- instead I've been breaking my back doing yard work!
And you know another thing? I think yard work is a better workout anyway. You know all those 90-100 year old people that are still living? I bet they did a lot of yard work in their lives -- I bet they never went to a gym or owned a treadmill. So, really I'm just helping myself live a better life, right?
If I don't break my back first...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
What does HE have against me, anyway?
I mean, really -- is there something wrong with me or my house or my yard that he won't stop? Does he already have enough people and houses on his list that there's no more room for me? When he drove past, did I look cheap and thrifty and not willing to spend some extra money on a little treat?
Seriously, am I not good enough for the Schwan's man?
I thought their business was sales, right? I remember when I was younger I really wanted the Schwan's man to come to our house -- but, he never did. Maybe my family did something wrong to turn the Schwan's man off -- now, it's coming back to haunt me!
I grew up in the country and the kids in 'town' (population: 550) always had the Schwan's man come to their house -- I was jealous!
So, the other day, we were out in the yard doing some yard work and what did I see? A Schwan's truck -- my heart skipped a beat, wishing he would stop at our house. Now, I know the products they sell are way over-priced and I am really deep-down-inside too cheap to pay for home delivered food that I am perfectly capable of driving to the grocery store to buy, but I still wanted him to stop and offer me a catalog. I think it was just my inner child wanting the Schwan man to come to my house. But once again, I was disappointed and shunned by the Schwan's man -- this time as an adult.
I don't know which hurts more -- being shunned as a child or as an adult by the Schwan's man. He just drove right past our house -- his loss, right?
I mean, I would have bought something -- maybe my favorite Schwan's treat: item #369 chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
Seriously, am I not good enough for the Schwan's man?
I thought their business was sales, right? I remember when I was younger I really wanted the Schwan's man to come to our house -- but, he never did. Maybe my family did something wrong to turn the Schwan's man off -- now, it's coming back to haunt me!
I grew up in the country and the kids in 'town' (population: 550) always had the Schwan's man come to their house -- I was jealous!
So, the other day, we were out in the yard doing some yard work and what did I see? A Schwan's truck -- my heart skipped a beat, wishing he would stop at our house. Now, I know the products they sell are way over-priced and I am really deep-down-inside too cheap to pay for home delivered food that I am perfectly capable of driving to the grocery store to buy, but I still wanted him to stop and offer me a catalog. I think it was just my inner child wanting the Schwan man to come to my house. But once again, I was disappointed and shunned by the Schwan's man -- this time as an adult.
I don't know which hurts more -- being shunned as a child or as an adult by the Schwan's man. He just drove right past our house -- his loss, right?
I mean, I would have bought something -- maybe my favorite Schwan's treat: item #369 chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
out of the winter gloom...
comes...NEW LIFE!!
Under all these leaves.....
out pop up some lovely colors:
Under all these leaves.....
out pop up some lovely colors:
We spent all afternoon on Saturday raking leaves, mulching leaves, dragging leaves, burning leaves and of course a couple of games of hide-n-seek in the back yard!
Raking leaves was/is pretty tedious, however when I would rake away the dead leaves and find some beautiful, colorful spring flowers -- it make it all worth while!
(just don't ask me the names of any of the above flowers -- I will learn this year....but, I am a gardening 'baby' and have no idea what I'm doing or what I'm growing!!!)
Friday, April 4, 2008
Did I ever tell you...
that I LOVE disinfectant wipes???
Well, now you you -- they are a life-safer here at our house. Or at least, I hope so!
Our toddler daughter just started throwing up last night at ~9PM, out of the blue -- no warning signs. The kids at the babysitter's house aren't sick, we haven't been around anyone sick for at least a couple of months, but last night (and this morning) we had a 'bad case of the sickies' at our house! The only thing I can think of is we went to the park on Wed afternoon and there were well over 25 kids there -- maybe one of them had some sort of virus and my daughter touched the germies all over the playground? My daughter is a big thumb sucker, it's a wonder she's not sick more often!
I had that 'mommy gut instinct' last night and decided to sleep on the floor next to the toddler's bed -- good idea! Every 30-45 minutes we were up getting sick -- the poor thing. I don't even know how she had anything in her system to still get sick at 4AM this morning!
She's napping now, so hopefully, we're in the clear....
I did 3 loads of laundry and disinfected the entire house -- all the door knobs, lightswitches, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms -- it's all germ-free (or at least germ-free by my standards). I can go on and on about germs and how I'm very lax when it comes to germs -- I mean a kid has to build up their immune system, right? But, when the 'sickies' come to our house -- I break out those wipes and go to town!!
Well, now you you -- they are a life-safer here at our house. Or at least, I hope so!
Our toddler daughter just started throwing up last night at ~9PM, out of the blue -- no warning signs. The kids at the babysitter's house aren't sick, we haven't been around anyone sick for at least a couple of months, but last night (and this morning) we had a 'bad case of the sickies' at our house! The only thing I can think of is we went to the park on Wed afternoon and there were well over 25 kids there -- maybe one of them had some sort of virus and my daughter touched the germies all over the playground? My daughter is a big thumb sucker, it's a wonder she's not sick more often!
I had that 'mommy gut instinct' last night and decided to sleep on the floor next to the toddler's bed -- good idea! Every 30-45 minutes we were up getting sick -- the poor thing. I don't even know how she had anything in her system to still get sick at 4AM this morning!
She's napping now, so hopefully, we're in the clear....
I did 3 loads of laundry and disinfected the entire house -- all the door knobs, lightswitches, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms -- it's all germ-free (or at least germ-free by my standards). I can go on and on about germs and how I'm very lax when it comes to germs -- I mean a kid has to build up their immune system, right? But, when the 'sickies' come to our house -- I break out those wipes and go to town!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Grammy's visit
Last week was spring break around here -- not that we are of 'spring break' age at our house yet. But, my babysitter's kids are of that age and they skipped town and went on a little vacation. So, Grammy came to stay with us!
Grammy stayed for 3 days, one of those days being my day off -- so, we all went to work on the yard -- picking up sticks, raking leaves, etc. The toddler daughter kind of ran around -- not of the 'working' age yet either!
Grammy stayed for 3 days, one of those days being my day off -- so, we all went to work on the yard -- picking up sticks, raking leaves, etc. The toddler daughter kind of ran around -- not of the 'working' age yet either!
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