Annual Easter craziness...

Once again I followed through with my crazy way of decorating Easter eggs. I emptied out the eggs for the kids to dye. It is fun to keep them and look back at them year to year (even though Hubby really does not like storing them!). However, getting the insides out of the eggs is my least favorite part of the season. This year they wanted more eggs than the 18 I emptied. That was about all I could do this year though :)

It was really fun to watch them together this year. They both took things very seriously. We did them in the garage though because I was not about to risk the new floors! Maybe next year....

Quite a fascination with what was going on. He was determined to use the egg holder...even if it meant using his hands to put it on there. :)

Very proud of her egg

He was adorable...concentrating very hard on the project at hand.

When the eggs were done and I was trying to clean up, I turned around and this is what Critter was doing. He plopped down on the floor and started to pout. It was so funny! Pumpkin had to go over and check on him. They both sat there and pouted for a minute and then rolled on the ground laughing! I love how they can cheer each other up!

All in all...it was a fun time like always. Every year I wonder why I do it, but I guess that is a part of motherhood. Sometimes we wonder why we do things, but they are worth it in the end!

The goofy kids...

I have not been taking my camera out as much lately to just get the kids in their day to day stuff. It is hard to express in pictures how they are both goofballs. It is these little things they do which make my life so much fun!

He gets to the biggest kick out of putting his hat on backwards, sideways or any funny way he can. He will put it on like this and then laugh and say "no backwards". It is not as funny in the picture or story....but this helps me remember!
Nothing like hugging a ball to get a picture together :)

We were just playing around and she decided to start "posing". At least this is a little better than her over the shoulder look!

My girl is growing up!

Their fun game....pretending to sleep....then waking each other up. They will both pretend to snore and then see who can do it the loudest. This was a crazy afternoon in our house, but the picture looks so quiet and innocent! :)

Speaking of innocent...my angel boy! He was pretending to snore at this moment if you look at his mouth closely you can tell. He does look like an angel at this moment. He is still my little love bug and gives the best melt into you hugs! These two just melt my heart. I need to capture more of who they are in the moment. There may be many more pictures coming!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

and rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

Hope you have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day. I know we will!

Growing up...

My crazy kids are growing up. I have been looking at them lately realizing they are growing up before my eyes. It seems like each day they bring something new to my life. It is pretty amazing. We have been finding our balance again in life. It has been nice to be as busy as we would like to be. I know before long the days of just being will be over. I just want to remember some of the things the kids are doing. I know if I do not document them...they will be gone from my head!

I turned to the couch the other morning and this is how Critter was sitting and watching TV....in his pjs and his sister's boots! He looked up at me with a look of "why are you looking at me like that!". It was so funny!

He has started the "why" phase! I LOVE my children's curiosity about the world. I love the questions to figure things out. I did forget how exhausting the endless "why" is though! Sometimes there just is not an answer! :)

Critter is interested in the potty right now. I am just going with it, not pushing it and not discouraging it. What is hysterical is he will sit there and say "push down" "I got it"....so he does not spray anyone. I know that is a little graphic...but I am his mom I get to embarrass him somehow! :)

He has taken up the protector role even more in the house. If he thinks you are falling or need help he runs over to you and says "I gotcha".

We of course still have too many bumps and bruises for my sanity...but my kids are my kids there is not much choice in the klutz department! With the exception of the above HUGE fat lip due to a large cut on the inside of his mouth, Critter has started saying "I'm okay" when he falls down. It is rather cute. It helps me from over reacting to each fall!

He has grown up into such an amazing little boy. He is counting, learning his ABC's and just amazing me with all he knows. I know he will be grown up before I want him to be!
Pumpkin got this VERY special bear today. She has been saving her money for awhile to go to a store and build this and pick out an outfit. She had just enough today for one dress and the least expensive bear. We spent quite awhile deciding on things this morning before going to the store. She knew what she could spend and took it very seriously. Thanks to a generous Aunt who sends some money and a Nanny who gave a big bag of change, Pumpkin got to do this all on her own today. Even helping count out the $14 worth of change she gave the woman. I do not know if i have seen her this proud of a purchase before though! It was a great lesson of patience and money management for her. She passed up many opportunities for other things while waiting for this day!

I got to register my "little" girl for Kindergarten a few weeks ago. I truly can not believe that day is almost here. She is ready, but my momma heart is not!

Pumpkin's caring nature continues to amaze me. There are a handful of younger kids who she just dotes over. She will grab their hands and help them without anyone asking. She seems to see when others need help, caring or just a hug.

She is still my independent lady who does not always like to acknowledge me (yes at 5) but she still likes a momma hug and cuddles. I don't know how much longer i have of that, but will take it whenever I can!

The annual pony ride at her school. She did not say hi to me at all that day while I was there, but I got to see a glimpse of her world away from home.

Both kids are growing up so quickly. I am trying to absorb each of the things they do.

This is why we live here...

I LOVE this time of year. It really makes me appreciate where we live. With the chaos of the house done, we have been able to go back and focus on what is really important. Family! I started last week taking the kids outside after dinner to play for a little while before it gets dark and we need to get our bedtime routine going. I did not realize how much the kids would love doing this! We blow bubbles, draw with chalk, Pumpkin has gotten REALLY good on her roller skates and Critter loves either his trike or his sister's scooter. It has just been nice to relax and enjoy the kids and this weather. :)

He has actually gotten quite good at blowing bubbles...

However, he is always surprised when it works for him!

It is so dang hard to get this kid to NOT pose for a picture. I am not quite sure where she gets it from, but this over the shoulder look has been popular with her for a LONG time...

I had to use most of my tricks to get her to actually laugh/smile. My girl growing up too quick!

This was the look I got when I asked if he was sure he could use his sister's scooter....he is becoming my adorable little stinker :)

I really love this time of year. Even our neighbors saw us tonight and came out to hang out for a little while. It was just so much fun. I realize before long these kids will have so many other things to do. I am soaking up each of these days before they change dramatically!

What we have been up to...

We are done! Not just with sanity...but with the house project. We are still living in a little bit of chaos...but the floors are done! Can I tell you how excited I am about this. We finally moved our couches back into the house after almost 6 weeks today! It was lovely to sit and relax with the kids. So...here we go on a virtual tour :)

When I say we were living in chaos...I truly meant it! This above picture is during the floor installation. Now...I should have realized it but did not. When replacing ALL the floors in a home...you have to move ALL the furniture and stuff in the home. Well, it has to go somewhere! So..our living room ended up being the storage area when it was not having floor put in. I am truly surprised I have not had to start dying my hair :)

The view from walking in the door...the fireplace is a HUGE change!




The lovely view into the kids bathroom...before, during and then after.
Across the house. I did not remember until looking at these pictures today how much I detested the old floors. They might not look bad in the pictures...but I really hated them! Plus, the carpet was this funky shape and the kids and cats had destroyed it!
Looking towards the master bedroom, before and after.



The view into the kitchen before and after. It is a little hard to see the kitchen tile, but MUCH nicer than before!


The hallway between the kids room, before and after...

Pumpkins room, before and after. Yes, we got her closet back in. I just did not take another picture!

Critters room, before and after. Plus a picture of his actual closet. We had this closet built this past July with out construction then. We finally got the actual hanging closet in there last week! Can I tell you how excited I am to organize his clothes...it was fun! :)

So...we are not in the final stages of organizing the house. We of course can not make it easy. We are going through everything as we bring it back in to see if we need it and then clean it. It takes longer this way...but it makes sense. I figure we have lived without some of this stuff for almost 6 weeks, some of it can just go away. It is an easy way to make us simplify things :) So...we are just going to relax for awhile as a family and enjoy this awesome house. It feels like home again. The kids are having fun and I am enjoying our "home". Thank you to you all for being such awesome friends throughout this. I know I have done a bit of complaining. I appreciate you listening and supporting me!

Happy Valentine's Day

From my little love bugs to you...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know our day will be filled with family, good home cooked food and some fun at the park. Hope you enjoy your day!