a little preschool, potty and wisdom

{insert really pretty pictures taken with my really pretty camera... oh wait..}

Hello friends! Hello? Anyone?

Soo 4 months later aint so bad, no? Gah. This poor little blog is hanging on by a thread. Welp, instead of rehashing the past, which by the way includes a lot of evidence that looks something like our best summer ever; hawaii trip (part 1, part 2, part 3), family reunions x2, a week at the jersey shore, norah's 4th birthday party that rocked her world etc, etc, mixed in with a little bummer in the form of a miscarriage, why not start where I am? So here we are. Norah is in her second month of preschool now and loving it. We switched things up a bit this year and decided to take turns teaching (4 moms + 9 months = 2 months of teaching and 7 of relaxing! hooray!) Plus, Norah is loving the change of scenery. She really needed it. Ivan and I are using those 5 hours a week in the most effective way possible, we play! I love being able to give him some one-on-one time with Mama and he eats it up. This week we went to the mall where we rode the "choo-choo tain," the carousel (our mall is just that cool), and visited the candy store for the very first time.

In other news, the little man in the house is just about potty trained! At 28 months, it came out of no where, but he was ready so we didn't argue. Norah was just the same but a couple months older. I guess it's just true; when they're ready, they're ready. We use the reward-for-pee-pee-and-poo-poo tactic so when Ivan successfully uses the potty everyone celebrates (read: norah also gets a skittle). You may think this is silly but let me explain further: Norah is doing most of the work! Yep, that's right. I can go about my day, doing housework and the like and guess what? I have my little helper right there by his side making sure he uses the potty (free skittles? duh!)

Also, I finally bit the bullet and called the oral surgeon yesterday after 6 months of my wisdom teeth exposing their nasty little faces. They will be evicted this Friday. This Friday. Wish me luck and lots of milkshakes!

If you're looking for pictures, you should follow me on instagram where I post a ridiculous number of pictures of my children in various locations and poses.

A Birthday Letter to My Boy

Dear Ivan {or B or BDB or Brother Bear or Boo, depending on who you're talking to},

Today you are two. I remember so clearly the day you were born. Your tiny, fuzzy body lay on my chest as you wheezed with every exhale. To be honest buddy, I was terrified of raising a boy. Never, no not ever, could I have imagined how blissful and wonderful it is to be your mother. Your sweet and gentle temperament melts me into a puddle on the floor. The other day I came downstairs dressed for the day and you said: "Mama boo-ful!" In that moment I wished I could bottle you up and save you this way forever. I am so looking forward to watching you become a good, strong man just like your Daddy, but don't grow too fast because Mama needs your wet kisses and bear hugs for a lot more days, okay? 

We love you big, little boy.

Love,

Mama

 

Summer Bucket List

via

I don't think I'm biased when I say we live near {one of} the coolest cities in the country. I'm a big fan. This is our family's currently evolving bucket list {in no particular order} of to-do's before we break out the sweaters.


1) National Zoo (did I mention it's free? see, told you).
2) Drive-in group date with our besties.
3) Volcano Island. Season-pass-worthiness is still out on debate.
4) Hike Shenandoah.
5) Go camping.
6) Spend 4th of July Nation's-capital-style.
7) Spend an afternoon kayaking/tubing/paddling down the Potomac with my baby (read: husband).
8) Family bike rides on the W&OD.
9) Rent a bike for a day in the city for $7.
10) Go on a real life treasure hunt.
11) Spend a day on a boat.
12) Set up an impromptu lemonade stand on the W&OD.
13) Weekly BBQ.
14) Go strawberry picking. And raspberries and blackberries here.
15) Survive 4 hour flight with children.
16) Spend a week beach-side in Wildwoods with no plans but building a sandcastle.
17) Run for a good cause.
18) Watch a concert in a park.
19) Sunday afternoon picnics.
20) Group date to The Adventure Park in Maryland. Zip lines and obstacle courses? Take me there.
21) Vegas + Kanab = family reunion baby!
22) 5 year anniversary trip to Hawaii, sans children (thank you, Lorene!), with some of our best friends. That's a wholeeee 'nother bucket list in itself, my friends.

norah's preschool "class"

{emma, 3; norah, 3; jonathan, 4; aidan, 4}

here are the cute little kids who have been coming to our house twice a week for preschool since september. i wish i would have taken more pictures or at least one in september so i can compare them. they have each grown so much in these short six months! they have learned a lot but most importantly they have formed some really cute little friendships. i love these kiddos! {ivan is also included in our preschool time, but didn't want to be in the picture}

Parkin' It

we have had a super mild winter here in northern virginia. no snow (yet) and temperatures reaching the mid 60's in january! it's kinda crazy, but i'm not complaining. it makes for some nice trips to the park and lots of outside time for us which is a rrrreally good thing since this momma needs the sun.

Winter Sensory Bin

i put together this simple winter sensory bin for the kids a few months ago and am just getting around to blog about it. contents: cotton balls, plastic snowflake confetti, tiny presents, bows, plastic ornament balls, scoops and bowls. norah spent lots of time sorting, counting, dumping, pretending. ivan preferred playing "in and out" and discovering the texture of the cotton balls.

Resolutions

the first day of a new year feels like the first day of school. always exciting, high hopes and expectations of myself. here are ten things that i have resolved to accomplish this year..

1. develop a closer relationship with my Savior. read. study. pray.

2. spend at least 30 minutes of disconnected (no phones, computers, tv) time with my husband each night.

3. play. play outside with my kids every day. for at least 15 minutes.

4. put that gym membership to good use. exercise. at least 3 times a week.

5. gain weight. 10 pounds. eat like a 300 pound man.

6. minimize and simplify my house. purge. focus on one room per week.

7. read a good book every month. from start to finish. starting with a few on my wish list.

8. be a finisher. finish what i start; from a sewing project to a preschool art project. finish it.

9. find creative ways to increase our income. sell our junk.

10. live. live in the moment. then document it.