I'm WAY too old for this!

Staying up all night that is! Yep, you read right...Saturday night I never went to bed. Well...I actually laid my head on my pillow at 5:30am, only to wake up 2 hours later, so if that counts!!!


What was the occasion you ask??? Kevin's 30th Birthday! Not just a birthday party though...a White Trash Redneck bash rather! The house was decorated with Nascar posters, Beer Cans, Christmas lights, and the like! The table was loaded with Pork & Beans, Cheese Whiz, Spam and a very lovely Ding Dong, Twinkie, HoHo cake! The company we kept was, well, unique!


All in all we had a fantastic time, though a 5:30 bedtime was not in the plans!



Here is just a glimpse at the party...check out the Facebook link at the bottom for the rest of the album!!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=139977&id=655928868&l=5e0cf958d1

I Tried!!!

There are people, who tried and true, have their children's pictures professionally taken. Whether it's monthly, quarterly, or even yearly...The "professional" pictures are a necessity to document the ever growing and changing lives of their children.
While that is fine and dandy for those people...that is not us!!!

When Kallen was 6 months old, we went to one of those mall studios and had a session done, and just last year when Kynlee was born, we had a 15 minute promotional sitting with both kiddos! That's it, in the nearly 3 years. It's not that I haven't wanted to document those stages in their lives, but it seems to me that the 300+ pictures I take of my kiddos each month, documents those times just fine!

Well, that being said...I had a wild hair this morning, to go take some pictures of the kids, that were a little more "staged" then normal! I was hoping to find a park with little or no activity, and start snapping away. My biggest goal actually, was to get the kids to sit together for 2 seconds so I could actually get a decent picture of them together, something I have yet to achieve.

Yet again...this is what I got when I tried to get the two of them to both look, and both smile at the same time:

The..."get away", "near choke", "what are you doing mom", "I'm not listening to your 100 times of asking me to look and smile mom", and my personal favorite..."Now what" poses!

Kallen was pretty cooperative when he was by himself, and actually looked at the camera when I asked him too...well, once at least!!!

Kynlee on the other hand, just wanted to play peek-a-boo

and when her brother found a squirrel hole, she was just as intrigued by it as he was

and we finished off our morning at the park, with a little 'follow the leader' through the "dinosaur bones"

All and all...the kids had a blast, and I decided that sometimes real life pictures are just as memorable and "capturing" as staged shots...so...I'll just continue to shoot away, and when I get the cute ones, woohoo!!!

Blessings,

What Can Your 2 Year Old Do...???

...mine can drive...or crash rather! Yup...no joke. Our little munchkin decided to take the excursion out for a drive the other day!

Okay, here's the real story!

Kallen likes to "drive" my car. He sits in the driver seat, bounces up and down on his knees, turns the steering wheel in all directions, and goes through the motions of actually driving. (pretend key in ignition, adjust the thermostats, check the radio, pretend put the car in gear...and we're off). No harm, no foul right!

Well, Saturday morning, Kevin was in the backseat of my car adjusting carseats and playing with Kynlee, while Kallen was "driving"! Unbeknownst to Kevin, Kal had found the spare key, put it in the ignition, and turned it into the auxiliary position. (As a side note...most cars have a safety mechanism that only allows you to put it into gear if you have the brake depressed. Kallen can't reach the brake at the same time as the gear shifter, so no worries! Well...little did we know, that in the "auxiliary mode", the "safety mechanism" is bypassed, and you are able to shift the car into gear).

So...can you guess??? Yup...Kallen turned the key to auxilary, pulled the car into drive, and since it wasn't running or anything, it acted as if it were in neutral...and down the driveway she went. Now...we have a slight, and I mean slight, slope to our short driveway, so the damage was minimal...but it could have been worse...A LOT WORSE!

The garage door is a little smashed up, but Kevin seems to think he's fixed it now...and no one was behind it when the big crash happened. Like I said...it could have been a lot worse!

We thought Kallen didn't fully realize what had happened until he was sitting in the drivers seat later that day (no key in site), with gear shift in hand, looked back at me, and said "you ready to go backwards mommy?"

Blessings,

Of Course...Why Didn't I Look There?

The other day I was taking a shower and left the kids on my bed, watching a movie (I know, I know...turn me in to the authorities). Anyways, I really don't worry about them too much, because they tend to stay put, and when Kallen gets down, he normally just goes out into the other room, and plays with his toys.

Well, this time I got out of the shower to find Kallen playing with my diamond earrings and necklace that used to be sitting on the counter, next to the sink! My jewelry tends to be off limits because there is nothing worse than needing a certain ensemble and only being able to find one earring because the other is in the bottom of the toy chest or something. This case was no different. As I looked at the new found "toy" Kallen had, I noticed only 1 earring. Now, I already mentioned that these weren't any old dime store earrings...they were a very sentimental gift from my lovely husband, so you can imagine how happy I was!


After searching all around his play area, the floor of the bathroom, and even in the garbage next to the cabinet I concluded that it must be down the drain. Being that my husband is a plumber and all...drains are no problem. I put a towel in the sink so I would remember to not use the water, and waited for "my husband, my hero" to come home and rescue my precious diamond!!!

When Kevin got home, he and Kallen worked together on the drain to try and find my earring. After taking it all apart, and searching it through and through...nothing. Then Kevin did a novel thing...he looked at Kallen and said "Hey buddy...what did you do with mommies earring?" Without hesitation, Kallen walked over to the door jam, pointed to the latch hole and announced "it's right here"! Oh...of course...that was the next place I was going to look!



The problem in our case is that instead of carving out the door jam to place the latch plate, our latch holes are completely hollow leaving a nice empty space for small little objects to be lost for all eternity!

No worries though...handy man plumber is removing the door jam for me so we can get my earring, and any other precious little treasures we find lurking inside the wall!!!

When all else fails...ask the kid who did it!!!

Blessings,

Funny Hats, and Big Shoes

So, going out-n-about with the kiddos, just officially got hard. Up to this point, it's been relatively easy. Kynlee has been in her little carrier and I can set her down no matter where we're at: next to the car while I get kallen out, in the handicap stalls with us while I take Kallen potty, in the corner at MOPS so she can sleep, etc. etc.

Well, this last week, we decided that she was outgrowing her carrier, and it was time to put her in a big girl car seat! Good idea in theory, except for the logistic's of a two year old and a non walking 6 month old while we're out in public. Monday was the first time I went anywhere with both kids alone with our new seating arrangement...and let me tell you, I think I grew several grey hairs.

First was the fact that I couldn't really get Kynlee out first because I drive a big lifted rig and trying to climb up on the running boards with her in one arm all the while trying to unbuckle Kallen, would be a sight to see! If however I got Kallen out first, he would be able to run lose in the parking lot, and I think you can do the math there. Huh!

Then...what do you know, but the first store we walk into, Kallen needs to go potty. Fine, let's go...oh wait...what am I going to do with Kynlee? You see, he still needs help getting up and down from the toilet (especially public bathrooms where I really don't want him touching the thing), and I can't really sit Kynz down on the floor while I tend to Kal...gross...so once again, huh!

Getting back in the car...same dilemma. Kynlee first, then Kallen plays "frogger" with all the cars, Kallen first, and I look like a clown in a circus act, if in fact I don't drop either kiddo in the process.

So now it's Thursday, and I've simply decided to become a hermit! Okay, not really, but in all seriousness...we only go out when we need to. (Which was part of the "thinning out" plan was it not!) Then, when we do go out, it looks a little like this:

I unbuckle Kynlee first (she's on my side of the car), but leave her in her seat and run around and get Kallen out. Then Kallen comes with me and keeps one hand on the car at all times while I simply pull Kynlee out (much faster now that she's already unbuckled, and if Kal's 2 year old curiosity starts to take over, I'm not above the back seat spanking to show him how serious I am). Anyways...we head straight for the bathroom, where Kynlee rests straddled on one leg, while I prop Kal on the potty...talk about a balancing act! Then we're on our merry way. Same thing getting back in the car, Kynlee first, just sitting in her chair, then Kallen gets buckled in (and he's starting to be able to buckle himself, so that's nice) then I go around buckle Kynlee, and we're off. Hopefully the reminder note on my dash will prevent me from leaving Kynz unbuckled too many times! Oh, and the front pack and sling have also become my second set of hands...they just stay in the car so I never forgot them! Phew...I think we're figuring it out!

All that for a gallon of milk...who needs to eat, right!

Blessings,

Just as I Predicted

As I've mentioned before, Kevin and I started Potty Training Kallen a little over a month ago. We have a little potty chair, and because of that he's become quite independent with the whole bathroom "business". We've taught him to sit, so if he needs to go, he runs on into the bathroom and goes. He doesn't have to come get me to help him on the pot, and I'm not afraid of "over spray". His little chair has a little shield...for the boys! Anyways...there is little assistance needed on my part.

Well, that's how it works when we're home, but small little toilets out in public...I think not. Therefor he needs a little help to go when we're out and about. Also, when he's got to go, he can only hold it for so long...hence the little Travel pot I got him. It, once again, has a little shield, and easily folds up and stores in the back of my car. If we're somewhere we can't get to a potty...I pull over, set up the pot (in like 2 seconds mind you) and there he goes.

Kevin wasn't sure why we needed to have a "port-a-potty", when Kallen could simply "water a tree" when we can't get to a bathroom. I informed my darling husband, that the little man wasn't quite ready to be "watering trees" outside, simply because I wasn't sure that my entertainment center, or the walls (not to mention the current tree that we actually have standing in our living room), wouldn't become a "tree" also. He informed me that Kallen would definitely understand the difference between outside and inside, and that it would be no problem.

Well...this weekend Kallen "watered" his first tree outside, and thought it was the funniest thing ever. He kept giggling and saying "like daddy". Oh great...He's seen daddy going at home, and now he's doing the same thing...what happens next you ask.

Sure enough...I found Kallen this morning, standing in front of his potty chair saying "ook mommy, I wa'er tees". You can imagine what the walls, floor, and cabinet looked like when he was done. At least it was in the bathroom and not the Christmas tree, right!!!

3 Quarters

Have you ever had what I like to call a "turtle moment". One where if you were a turtle, you would climb into your shell never to emerge again. Well, I had one of those very moments, just the other day.

I was standing in line at the grocery store, with a full cart, and two kids who were more than ready to be done shopping. Just as the clerk began ringing up the last few items, I went to reach for my wallet, and what do you know...it wasn't in my purse. I instantly began having a panic attack (well not a real panic attack, just the kind where you want to disappear and go on with life as if it never happened.)

I told the clerk to "stop ringing things up because I didn't have my wallet." What does she say? "Well, how about a debit card or a credit card". "Uh yeah lady...they are in my WALLET". "Oh, how about your ID for the beer, and I'll ring everything up and set it aside". "Um...IN MY WALLET". Then I realized that I had opened the chips to give Kallen a little snack while we were in the store. She said "Well, we'll just void out the order", "fine" I said "except that I've already opened the chips, and I only have 3 quarters in my purse".

By this time my face was bright red, the people in line behind me were totally annoyed, as was the clerk, and the bag boy was looking at my like I was the worst human being ever.

I was hoping my wallet had just slipped out of my bag in the car somewhere, so I get Kallen and Kynlee out of the cart, leave my groceries behind and head out to the car to find the item in question!

There it was between the console and my drivers seat. We headed back into the store, actually equipt with some money this time, only to find that they truly had voided the entire order and needed to ring it all up again. I kept apologizing profusely to the clerk and bag boy, and they never uttered as much as a second hello. They just said "uhu". I grabbed my groceries, and the kids and headed out of the store totally flustered, annoyed and beyond embarrassed.

Life lesson #97...Always check for you wallet before heading into the grocery store!

Peace at Last!!!

Here's a little update from outside the closet...and no ear plugs!!!

Last Tuesday was probably the roughest day I've had with Kallen and one I hope to never repeat! I think however in all the madness and tears I realized a little something about my little man...his need for Quality time (I'll get to that later). I was basically up all night Tuesday trying to figure out where I've gone "wrong" with Kallen, and how I can help him. I prayed that the Lord would give me patience and understanding with Kallen, and that he would give me wisdom to know how to deal with him on a day to day basis!

I woke up the next day with a sense of peace and calm about the day ahead. I tried to be calm and soft spoken with him, give him a chance to "voice" his wants and needs by showing me what he wanted, or try to use the limited words he has. We went to some early doctors appointments, and headed to the mall to do some shopping! I wasn't in a rush, and king of let his mood determine where we went and what we did! Success! I got lots of shopping done, we shared some quality time and made it through the day with only minor problems...nothing I couldn't handle!

Then came Friday...The BEST day I've had with Kallen in a long time. Back to the "quality time" thing!!! I started to look at my days, and see how things happen around here. I realized that Kallen and I do things throughout the day that help me, that I want to do, that gets things done around the house...but not really things Kallen wants to do! I'm constantly with him in the various rooms of our house, but I'm doing things for me, and he's doing things to keep him occupied. Coloring for example...I'll set Kallen up with his colors and coloring book while I sit down to the computer and check emails, read blogs, etc, etc. We're together, but I'm not fully engaged in what he's doing...therefore, he acts out! Coloring on the chair, throwing crayons, screaming and yelling until I also pick up a crayon and join him!

Friday I decided to devote my whole attention to Kallen and do what he wanted to do! That was the answer! We played blocks, went for walks outside, both colored in the coloring book, etc. etc. I found time to do the things I needed to get done during Kallen's nap time, and when he woke up...it was back to time with him!

It's hard to find the happy medium between getting things done, and spending quality time with my son! I'm learning though, and now that I know what makes him tick...maybe things will start getting easier around here. They already have, so lets just keep this up!

Sunscreen...Who Needs it?

This morning I met my mom & Aunt at a local nursery to pick up some flowers for the house, and our plumbing shop. The weather report said it was going to be a bright and sunny day, and I definitely wanted to take advantage of it! We haven't been able to do anything in the yard since we moved in, due to our lovely Oregon weather, and I couldn't wait any longer!

I started planting the Petunia's around noon, and finally finished up around 4:00...Chasing Kallen around, and trying to keep him out of the street, makes planting flowers quite the challenge!

Anyways...I remembered to put sunscreen on the little man, but neglected to lather myself up as well. With my back to the sun all afternoon, and my pregnant belly helping create a gap between my shorts and top, my nice olive skin, became nice scarlet skin!!! I'm not one who generally burns in the sun, but today was different. The backs of my arms, my necks, and my lower back are a nice shade of red! The itching and burning that has already began to creep in, is a great addition to the aching back and muscles brought on by all the gardening!

Maybe I'll remember the sunscreen next time!

Alaska - Installment #2

So here we are at the airport; It's 7:00pm, we're all checked in and killing time before the dreaded moment when Kallen and I walk through the security checkpoint, and leave Kevin behind. The good ol' Portland airport has a nice little play structure for kiddos awaiting arrivals or departures, and that's where we parked ourselves for the next hour or so.

Then it was time to go. We said our goodbyes, gave our hugs and kisses, and went on our way! Being that it was now 8:30 or so, I put Kallen's PJ's on, set him in the stroller, and walked from gate to gate until it was our time to board the plane!

I had gotten some wonderful advice from my friend Laura who told me not to board with the usual "early boarding for people traveling with kids", but instead to wait until that last possible moment to board. If you board early, you end up waiting another 20-30 minutes for everyone else to arrive, before the plane actually begins to move. The 3 1/2 hour flight turns into 4, etc, etc.

We boarded the plane, waved goodbye to daddy, and settled in to our seats. It was merely 2 minutes or so before we began to taxi down the runway, and we were off to Alaska.

Let me backtrack, just a minute. I've never flown with kids before, so I don't really know the ends and outs of family travel. I didn't buy a seat for Kallen because I figured he would sleep on my lap the whole flight, and it wouldn't be worth spending the extra miles. The thing I didn't realize was that the airlines try to accomodate families by blocking out seats when the flights arn't full. Sure enough, they had done that for us. We ended up with two seats, and plenty of room to move around.

The engine noise at take-off, put Kallen right to sleep, and he didn't wake up until the plane touched the ground. Thank you Lord!

We're now in Anchorage, and begin looking for a place to crash for our 7 hour layover...yes, 7 hours...but remember how much I saved on the flight, and it is 12:00 am, so it's bedtime!!! Well, this nice lady, pointed me in the direction of the "nursery". Okay, we'll check it out. Let me tell you how wonderful the Anchorage airport is. They have a nursery room, for parents traveling with kids, that had a crib, two leather couches, toys, and even a private bathroom! Thank you again Lord. I let Kallen play for a few minutes, laid him down in the crib, found my place on the couch, and went to sleep. Sleep isn't really the right word, since the announcer kept coming over the loud speaker telling us all that the local time in Anchorage was 1:00 am, 1:30 am, 2:00 am , ect., ect.. Kallen slept through the noise, but it was just enough to keep me alert!


We woke up, went to our gate, boarded the plane for Fairbanks, and once again we were off!

It's a first!

Yesterday morning, Kallen decided to wake up at 6:30...a rare thing compared to his usual 7:30 or 8:00. Well, every morning, no matter what time he's up, he's ready for a nap 2 hours after he wakes. Generally it's around 10:00! Since he was up at 6:30, he was ready for a nap at 8:30, so that's what we did. Well...all that means, is the afternoon nap adjusts a few hours also. Okay, fine, no big deal! We're going through our day like usual, playing here and there, reading, picking up the house, etc, etc. We even went into town to run a few errands. I pay pretty close attention to the clock throughout the day because the little guy needs his naps, and needs them pretty close to the same time every day. Well...that's where my mind was...the same time as usual...only it should have been an hour or so earlier.

You may think that an hour or two wouldn't make much difference, but for a kiddo who needs his sleep, and is pretty set in a routine, it makes all the difference. Anyways...here's the point...I was in the kitchen baking cookies, and Kallen was in the living room playing with his toys. Well, I began to realize the he was winding down and probably ready for a nap, but I couldn't resist letting him go a little longer. He had climbed up on the couch, cuddled in some blankets, and rested his head on a pillow. I thought surely he wont fall asleep, but in the back of my mind I was really wondering...so I let him. It was the cutest thing. He was all curled up on the couch, with his head on a pillow, "sawing logs" (the poor guy is stuffed up, so he kind of snores when he sleeps right now!)

Of course I had to get the camera and take pictures of our first time falling asleep on the couch. I took some pictures then decided it was probably best to move him to his crib. Well, that's where I messed up. I laid him down, no big deal...not a peep out of him, but I forgot to shut off his little birdie mobile thing that goes off when you bump it. Sure enough, Kallen rolled over, hitting the birdie thing, making it sing and play it's light show. Well...that was it. He was up, and there was no putting him back down. The 5 minute power nap was all he needed to be off and running again.

Lesson learned...Staging the photo ops, isn't always the best idea! Oh well, one less nap wont hurt the kid!