Art time

I have found a new favorite for a quick activity that doesn't involve me standing right next to Wyatt, practically doing the work for him. He is at that stage where he wants to do fun coloring, art projects, but hasn't really mastered any art techniques, you know like cutting, or gluing. So of course that means I have to be right there with a hand in the game, which isn't always easy with a new crawler (more on that in another post).

So the new favorite - paint with water books, you know the books that have pictures with the colors already there, just waiting for water to activate them. Genius- sheer genius.

All about painting - and no serious mess!

One paint brush and small container with water and we have an art project! I know it's great. I just have to be in the room, which isn't hard. And Wyatt will stay with this activity as long as I let him.

Some of his artwork as it dries

Plus he is mastering using a paint brush. At first I didn't think this was a big deal, figuring out how to use a paint brush. Boy was I wrong. There is a lot involved with a paint brush - you have to get it wet enough, but not too wet, and you have to push lightly, because if you press too hard the paper will rip, especially once the paper is wet. Huge lessons here. Didn't realize how great this would be in teaching how to be gentle, but it is great!

Anyway, I now know what to buy for awhile - no more coloring books in this house, just paint with water books! Well we do still color with crayons a lot, but they just are not as fun.

Making Dessert

Making dinner is one of those times that pushes me to my limits as a mom, but I try to get better each day. Balancing the task of actually cooking, while watching Levi and helping Wyatt realize I can't do what he wants every second of the day is exhausting! Wyatt loves to cook, and usually wants to help, but there is only so much he can help with while the stove is on and knives are being used. This can lead to major meltdowns - from Wyatt, and internal ones for me.

Well tasting is important for great chefs too

The other night, through Grace, made it through the preparing process with some energy left over. So when Wyatt asked to help, we made dessert!  Yep that's right, on a week night, during this crazy ritual, we actually made dessert. Granted it was a simple one, but hey, it counts.

finished product

We pulled out a box of chocolate pudding mix and got to making some pudding.

This is one of those things I remember doing with my grandmother, so I hope I can remember to do this enough to make sure it is a memory my boys keep for years and years.

secret from my grandmother- push plastic wrap onto the actual pudding to prevent skin from forming (not really a secret though)

Enjoying his dessert - before dinner...

Wyatt enjoyed mixing, but pouring is even more fun.

Then he wanted to eat some right away, so he cleaned the mixing bowl for me. What a smile that popped up in between bites - just too adorable for words.

The smile says it all

Later I even made whipped cream for Patrick and I when we had our dessert after the boys were asleep. There is something about enjoying chocolate pudding with cinnamon whipped cream in a quiet house that tops off an evening so well.

Mom and dad's victory lap

Two friends

Warning heart melting moment ahead.

I caught Wyatt and Levi playing together today and had to soak it in.

When I asked Wyatt what he was doing, he told me, "Two friends - baby, Wyatt - two friends."

My adorable "two friends" who would rather play with each other than anything else

They giggled and played together for a good 15 minutes before Wyatt decided to race his car out of the room. But still heart melting.

Memorial Day Weekend

Overall, as a family, we try to fill our free time with as much as we can, and this Memorial Day weekend was no exception. I could easily do 4 different posts on everything we did - and I'll try to do two (maybe) but here's the highlights.

Relaxing at Water Works

Friday evening we went to a preview event of a new exhibit at the local zoo. But I think that deserves it's own post...

Saturday we went to the preview weekend at Water Works! We had a great time. My parents got memberships this year and all of us got there at 10:30 to get shaded seats - and boy was I glad we had planned on getting there so early. It was day one of our heat wave, and the pool was packed. The line to get in was the longest I have ever seen - and we live only a 10 minute walk away, so I've seen how packed the place gets. But we got great shade for Levi, and some sun for drying off.

Teething and smiling - What a happy baby

Wyatt brought his new beach ball with Lightning McQueen on it, and loved it! He was all over the pool with that thing, just having a blast. Levi enjoyed sitting in the zero-depth entry side kicking his feet in the water. I loved having my parents there, for some adult conversation and extra hands for the kids. Wyatt played in the sand for awhile too - I think he missed that huge sand pit.

Making footprints

The crowning moment (sorry mom, have to) was a trip through the lazy river with my mom before we left. Let's just say gracefully sitting on the tubes takes some serious practice - my mom did a great backwards flip before we started, totally adorable - so glad it wasn't me! But hey we have a fun story, and a great bonding experience. And how often does that happen now that I'm the mommy and she's Nana?

too busy to look up

Sunday was simply a regular Sunday - because it was 92 degrees - yep that's right!

Before the parade- Wyatt is telling Lightning to smile

Memorial Day was started with the parade, our tradition. And I'm glad we do it. I think it is so important for our boys to know why we celebrate this day (check out my other blog for my tribute this year).

Wyatt actually was very interested in the parade and waved and said thank you to many of the veterans walking.  We are all so blessed to be in this country where we are free to have weekends like this and celebrate, so it is imperative that we show our thanks to those who give up everything to keep that freedom for us.

Telling Levi it's alright - it was very loud

Since we are still enjoying a heat wave, we've stayed fairly quiet today. Maybe we'll finish the weekend with some sprinkler time soon - but either way, our weekend was so fun!

Keeping his eyes on the parade- even if we turned him to be in the shade

Making coasters

In a previous post I mentioned how we celebrate a bunch of May birthdays in my family on Mother's day. And in my other blog I mentioned how we are trying to focus on getting out of debt. So you can only imagine how that budget meeting went when we had to figure out how to do gifts for Mother's day and birthdays. Well we decided to make some gifts, and I was really happy with the results.




Although this birthday craft was not something I could do with Wyatt, it isn't difficult.

I got my inspirations from different pintrest posts. Yep I might very well be a little too into pintrest, but what can I say - I have two boys and no girls and I'm at home all day, I need an outlet! I love making little crafts, but I can't ever figure out what to do with them, so giving them away is great.



So yeah, I made gifts inspired by those three great ideas.

The final four patterns

Here's what I used:
16 plain white tiles
1 roll of Smash tape    
4 pieces of red felt
Hot glue
(oh and a top coat of Mod Podge)

Smash tape

Here's what I did:
I decided I wanted four different patterns, since I was only using the one type of tape- so I experimented. Basically I just cleaned off each tile, and then starting taping them! Super easy.

Then I glued on the red felt, which I had cut to fit the bottom - slightly smaller than the tiles.

Finish off with a light coat of Mod Podge to seal it.



I also printed of these adorable labels as gift tags and added a small packet of coffee from my favorite local coffee place.

gift tags

I really loved these gifts - I hope those who received them did too!

Final product: gifts!

I might be on tight budget for awhile, but I'm enjoying being creative with how to gift those I love!

Fix it

As a girl there are things that boys find interesting and captivating that I would have never realized are so interesting!

Tools for one. Sure for years I've heard the jokes about men and their tools, but I never realized how much truth there is in those jokes. Men love their tools. Why? Because tools fix things. And I think I can say with a little bit of surety that men, of all ages, want to fix things (but then again so do women, which is why I feel confident in this thought).

Showing mommy what needs fix (the little clip)

Well Wyatt has begun to display this desire to fix things. All things. He finds ways to "break" his toys so that he can fix them, or better yet, "help daddy fix".

The screwdriver is currently his tool of choice. Who knew so many things could be fixed with a screwdriver? Surely not I!

Doing the fixing

Wyatt's imagination is amazing. The little odds and ends he finds that he then fixes - astounding.

Trying a different angle

This is the kind of behavior I love to watch. I can just sit there and watch him as he concentrates super hard on fixing whatever it is that caught his fancy. It's amazing to watch. I only hope this determination and focus will help him in years to come.

Mother's Day 2012

I was well aware that Mother's day was coming up for weeks, so when I had a spare couple of minutes Wyatt, Levi and I put together a special gift for my mom. My intentions were to make more for all the moms in our lives. Then the world happened. All of a sudden it was the week before Mother's day and I hadn't done anything else. Sounds like a mom story if ever I heard one! 

Baby hands and feet for Nana

As a result, our out of town moms (grandmas) got personalized certificates that Wyatt picked out. And some professional pictures I'd been holding on to for Mother's day (see I planned ahead of time...). I guess next year I will try again!

My mother's day was celebrated on Saturday. We got a new basil plant and some pretty red flowers, Wyatt's choice, for me. I'm trying again at a little herb garden, well if you count one plant at a time a garden. Plus the boys got the garden bed prepared for our seedlings and pulled weeds and Patrick mowed. Since I hate yard work, getting the yard  spruced up is a true gift.

Family tradition holds a ton for Mother's day. We always get together to celebrate our moms, and May birthdays - my family has seven May birthdays (more on the birthday side later). So our afternoon was spent at my mother's with the extended family.  There was a time when these parties were loud and lasted long into the night with lots and lots of food. But many of some of us have moved away, making the gatherings less loud. Of course I have two little guys, so we don't stay nearly as long. However there is still plenty of food!

 

 

 

 

Almost ready to crawl - just hasn't figured it out

I thought that there was a chance that Levi was going to crawl for me, but alas, it wasn't so!

Over all we had a good day in each others company. I mean what better way to celebrate the mom's in our lives, that time together?

Just going for it

There are moments when I hope that I am making a real memory for my boys. I mean because if I'm not then I could be really embarrassed. Take a couple of days ago for example...

I mean if you would have run into me the other day you might have thought to yourself - did she even brush her hair? Has she heard of make up? or even - maybe she doesn't realize you have to wash your clothes after your kids sneezes on you.

Yep all those statements could have been applied to me.  Yet I was focused on the fact that I some how managed to take my two little guys to the park, on my own, while they were both awake, without interfering with nap or eating schedules. During the day, but not when it was too hot and sunny - so as to avoid that super hot slide moment.

Enjoying the slide

I mean it was completely last minute that I decided to venture over to the park. It's about a 5-10 minute walk from our house, and Wyatt has always loved it. So I knew it would be a great way to wear him out. So I just said let's go. And go we went.

Taking it all in

Of course it would have been smarter to take the double stroller! But it was in the back of the garage and the single stroller wasn't. So Wyatt walked, the whole way there and back. Which made the walk more like 15 minutes. So the trip was longer than I expected. Oh well.

I am happy to say that even though I hadn't planned on going out - I had planned on doing chores, and paper work that needed done - it all turned out great. We had a great couple of hours out in the sun, getting tired, and who cares if I wasn't my regular-going-out-in-public-where-I-might-see-someone-I-know self. I decided at the beginning of the year to relax about time and schedules, and am happy to report that this day, I succeeded.

Weekly meals

I didn't realize I had mentioned it so often on here, but it was brought to my attention that I mention cooking dinner as a regular accomplishment for my self. And to be honest, there are many days when getting a home cooked meal on the table, to me, is the biggest accomplishment of my day! I mean there is so much to be gained from sitting down to dinner as a family, and even more when my boys are watching/helping with the cooking. So I thought I would share a couple of my tips that allow this to happen for me.

I've had a weekly menu calendar for years now. I even wrote about it pre-blogging day! (Check that out here) Sure I have no real secret. I mean my biggest tip was to fill out a menu and follow it! Yeah I know, genius. However, that is still my number one tip. Just print out a blank calendar and fill it out. No need to get fancy, just pick easy meals you enjoy making and eating. When I started making this a priority I wasn't concerned about pleasing everyone's palates, just getting a meal on the table. The talent of finding meals everyone enjoys came over time.

So now years of practice, and trying new recipes at least 5 times a month has allowed me to have tons of recipes to pull from.

I'm getting comfortable at making double batches of some recipes and freezing half in order to have "frozen" dinner go-tos on those nights when life messes up the planned menu. Oh yes this happens to me quite often.

My newest step was setting up a more permanent menu in my kitchen. My current weekly calendar is almost out of paper, so I decided to take that trusty frame/dry erase idea and mold it into my weekly menu! Yep, I just got one inexpensive 8x10 frame and inserted my calendar of choice! No more waste, or even better for me, no more remembering to print a new calendar.

Weekly menu inside 8x10 frame

I know that not everyone can make a dinner for their family every evening, I don't do it every evening. But for me, it's a priority to see my boys learn the importance of cooking meals and eating as family, and this is a way I'm making sure it finds its way into my daily routine. Another step for learning to live in Kairos.

Outside play time with daddy

We got to enjoy some nice outside play time recently. I have to admit, I'm not really an outside kind of girl - I mean it's dirty and there are bugs. However, I see how great it is to wear out little boys, so outside time is a new friend of mine.

Run!

Luckily, this time, I got to watch the outside play while Patrick wore out the boys! Or rather, the big boy, because the little boy just watched. I'm always glad Patrick finds energy for playtime. I mean I'm usually going on an empty tank, so it's impressive when he goes around the house at least 8 times after spending hours playing.

Look who is smiling for the camera!

Notice how they are matching? Yep, thank Aunt Bridget for awesome outfit.

Learning to eat

We have been sitting at the table for most dinners, as a family of four, for a good two months now.  That is so exciting for me. I remember dinner time very vividly growing up. We all sat around the table and ate and chatted about the day. Some days had more conversation than others, but still we sat there and ate. So I'm glad I'm building those memories for my boys too.

This of course means that Levi is sitting in his high chair and eating food! (Did you catch that? I know he's that big!)

Spoon in one hand, toy in other - perfect meal time

He's not a fan of too many things yet. Although he would rather feed himself than allow Patrick or myself to do the feeding. So dinner (and breakfast, and lunch for that matter) have turned into messy affairs.

Hmm, peas? Not too sure about this mommy

He hasn't mastered the skill of feeding himself at all mind you. He does enjoy getting messy and playing with the food on his tray or his spoon. But here's my thought, I'm going to clean the tray no matter what, because even if I feed him it will get a little messy, so who cares if I'm cleaning a super messy tray or just a slightly messy tray?

Oh yeah, if I can squish it in my hand it must be good eats

Of course when he somehow got green beans on the nearby desk chair I almost nixed this policy. But still - it's better that he just has the chance to learn, even at almost 8 months old.

Oh yeah you're gonna love cleaning up this little guy!

Besides there is something so adorable about a baby with pureed food all over his face, hands, hair, etc. I mean they are only allowed to get so messy while eating for such a short time in life. Why not enjoy it? At least as much as possible.

Puzzles and Pillows

Chores continue to be at the forefront of our days here. I really want my boys to be able to care for themselves one day, and being able to have clean clothes and a tidy house, I feel, fall into that category. Sure they are young - I mean I don't really expect Levi to learn to walk simply because I want him to do clean up (wouldn't that be a surprise!). However, at three I do believe Wyatt can have chores, and if Levi is watching, then all the better!

 So anyway, we have been working on towel folding. I consider it a fairly easy task, but like any task you must learn it. Wyatt and I spend about 15 minutes every Tuesday folding washcloths and hand towels (we've discovered the bath towels are just plain too big right now).

Wow a new toy!

This past Tuesday I figured I'd leave Wyatt with the unfolded towels while I put away the clean folded laundry, just in case he had figured out how to fold them on his own. Granted I didn't expect him to actual fold any, but hey if you don't give them a chance they can't ever strive to make it.

If only this big part would fit in my mouth!

So Levi and I were in Wyatt's room putting away clothes, sheets, etc. To keep Levi occupied I placed one of Wyatt's puzzles in front of him. He was all about those large wooden pieces - I mean he wasted no time getting those suckers in his little mouth. Of course I had to take a break and document the moment - I mean this could be the major teething technique for him, right? (Still no teeth, in case you are curious)

After the clothes were all put away we made our way back to Wyatt to see if there were any folded towels. Needless to say this is what I found.

A towel nest

Yep, a towel pile used as pillows and blankets. I mean who needs clean towels anyway? (Yes we did end up folding and putting away, just after we relaxed in Wyatt's new lounge spot!)

Time with Friends

I have been meaning to write this post for awhile, but somehow it kept getting pushed aside. I wanted it to be good, not just written in a hurry. But then again if I don't just go ahead and write it, I never will. So good intentions pushed aside, here goes.

I guess almost a month ago one of my oldest (as in, our friend is decades old, not that either one of us it old) paid me and my boys a visit. I love spending time with her. We don't get to as often as I would like just because life is so crazy.

Luckily we have boys practically the same age, and I pray this will help us stay close as the years continue to fly by.

Look at those big sitting-up boys!

Wyatt was all about being the oldest in the bunch. He showed of his toys and playing abilities. He loved being the center of attention.

It might not look like it, but the little guys really did love watching him play

Of course that meant lots of, "remember the babies are little, and we have to be careful when we play with them" comments out of my mouth. And this mothering business kept me from catching up with my bestest the way we used to, but there is something about a really good friend - you don't have to say it all in words, just being with each other is enough sometimes.

I hope that my boys find friends they stay close with as they experience life. Old friends are such blessings.

All toys

I am the oldest in my family, I have one younger brother. I think I have a good relationship with him, now- now that we are adults and are living our lives in different houses, in different cities even! We can talk to each other easily, we don't get into arguments over politics and religion and such (we are not always in agreement though). We like to talk about our memories of childhood - especially how we weren't always that loving sister-brother team. 

In fact, when I first met my brother I was almost 3 1/2 years old. My mom, Mamoo and I had flown to California to pick him up (we are both adopted). My Aunt and Uncle lived in San Fran, and that was where my brother was born. So we stayed with family. When we first got there, before brother, I loved the time I got with my cousins. But then the focus changed, I had a new brother. I was not a fan. My mom says I made that very clear - you can see it on my expression in pictures. It didn't change over the next few days or weeks, or even months. Yep I was that spoiled older sibling who did not want to let go of full control over mommy and daddy. 

So you can only imagine what I thought Wyatt would be like with a new little brother. I prayed and prayed that he wouldn't hate his new brother. That he would love him and not feel like he was being pushed aside (not sure that was what I felt with my new brother so many years ago but makes sense- a little). 

My prayers were answered positively- Wyatt loves Levi. It is adorable (I think I've said this before). But now that Levi is older, and playing a little more, that love and adoration that Wyatt has just glows during playtime. It melts your heart. Wyatt will find every toy he can and present it to Levi to play with. Levi never fails to encourage the attention with squeals of delight and playful kicks. 

I love my little guys, and I love that they love each other so much. I am sure there will be times when the love isn't as obvious, there might even be times when jealousy makes the love seem to disappear, but I know that these first months are building a foundation of brotherhood for these two that nothing can ever take away. 

Bath time giggles

I wish I was schedule person. In school I thrived on the strict schedule of the day. I knew how long I had to endure classes I didn't enjoy (Algebra for example) and I knew when I could go to my favorite classes (Health - we had the best teacher!). But a daily schedule for our days? Nope not really happening. So I settle for certain routines. Like bedtime.

We have had a bedtime routine in place for years now. We aren't super strict on when we start it, but we are super strict about following it. And it always starts with bath time.

Bath time is one of those times of the day that my boys greatly enjoy.

I'm glad they do. The smiles on their faces while they are splashing in the tub almost (but not quite) makes up for the mess those splashes make.

big bath time giggles

Wyatt used to crawl to the tub and want to climb in.

Now I'm glad to see that Levi is just as thrilled about this time to play in the water as his big brother.

Of course the next goal is to have the boys enjoy being scrubbed clean - you can only imagine the amount of dirt we can scrub off these little dirt lovers!