“i really want that monkey!”

February 27, 20123 Comments

Source: thinknice.com via stephany @ on Pinterest

This morning baby girl and I took a trip to Trader Joes’ to stock up on food for the week. Usually trips to Trader Joe’s are an adventure for baby girl as she gets to push her own little cart and fill it with her favorite items…bananas, oatmeal, hummus, cheese crunches, and “baby” ice cream cones!

It was going fine until she spotted the gorilla. For those of you who don’t know, a gorilla is hidden somewhere in the store (usually involved in some type of display) and if your kids spot him they can pick a treasure from the treasure chest. It gives the kids something to look for while you shop which, along with filling their own shopping cart, can keep your kids occupied while you get your shopping done.

We’ve never really played the “look for the gorilla” game as the carts keep the kids plenty busy on our shopping trips.

Today, baby girl spotted the gorilla on her own. And, she wanted it.

I told her that she could get a treat for finding it, but that wasn’t good enough.

She wanted the “monkey”.

She wouldn’t push her cart, but she didn’t want me to put her stuff in my cart.

She wouldn’t ride in my cart.

She was crying.

Wailing.

And, for those of you who know baby girl, you know she can be loud.

This morning was no exception.

I grabbed my last item and tried to work my way from the back of the store (where the gorilla happened to be) to the front…all while pushing my cart, carrying baby girl, and pulling her baby cart.

I got a lot of stares.

No one offered to help.

NO. ONE.

I finally made it to the front and the lines were 3 people deep.

I consoled baby girl, showed her the treasure box, and waited.

A woman next to me finally offered for me to go ahead of her.

Right as we were moving, a TJ’s employee grabbed my cart and said, “I’ll take care of you over here.”

“Thank you, ” I replied.

Baby girl kept crying, “I want that monkey!”

The nice man who came to our rescue gave her stickers.

She kept crying.

We went to get a treat from the treasure chest…a pink ball.

She kept crying, “I want that monkey!”

Another nice TJ’s employee (also a man) came to ask me if she was OK.

I replied, “Yes, thanks for asking. She just wants the monkey.”

We all tried to explain that the monkey lived in the store for all the kids to see.

I am sure she couldn’t hear us through all of her wailing.

Another helpful TJ’s employee came to help bag our goods and take us out to the car.

This was the first time in over 4-1/2 years of going to the grocery store with kids that I have actually taken them up on their offer to help me out to the car.

Baby girl was inconsolable.

I am pretty sure that most of it is because she is not feeling well as she and I have been fighting a head cold since last week.

There were times last week while I was sick and taking care of the kids for 4 days on my own while Ryan was out of town when I just felt like crying. And, at bedtime on Wednesday night I did cry, “I really want you to go to sleep!”

I totally understand her frustration.

But, she got over it, just like I did.

We move on.

We get stronger.

We find the good in every day.

Which, for her (and me) was eating half a bag of TJ’s Baked Cheese Crunches when we got home!

home is…a good cry.

rollerskating at oaks park

January 31, 20124 Comments

I took the kids rollerskating today.

The little guy has been rollerskating at Oaks Park for almost exactly 2 years.

Baby girl put on rollerskates for the first time this morning.

I was so nervous the first time we took this outing…almost exactly two years ago.

I wasn’t nervous this morning.

The kids were excited.

I even thought about putting skates on.

The little guy fell. A lot.

Moved. A lot.

Wanted to go fast. A lot.

He skated much better when he wasn’t holding my hand.

Baby girl wanted to wear big skates like her brother.

Baby girl fell.

Didn’t want to move.

And,when she wasn’t pouting, I carried her.

The one rule for parents is that you cannot wear skates and carry a kid…good thing I didn’t get skates.

It didn’t go exactly as I had hoped, but we did it.

And, we’ll do it again.

They both enjoyed the cookies and milk.

And, after all was said and done we decided that we would go back again.

home is…getting out and trying something new.

quick catch up…

January 25, 20124 Comments

Just a quick catch up from me!

Welcome to all of my new followers, and thank you for visiting!

Between my SITS day, a Facebook feature, and a blog critique party my blog has been busy.

I, however, have not been busy blogging!

I did want to mention a few things I have learned over the last few days…

First, from all the SITS girls that visited and left comments…you all are really nice people!! If I am feeling down, I am just going to go back and read through some of your thoughtful comments. You all made this momma very happy!

Second, I have to start watermarking my photos! I have heard about this a lot…through Instagram, Pinterest, and, most recently, through the blog critique I participated in (you can read more about that here and see the checklist we used here).

Third, I am far from a “grand opening” of my etsy shop, colton+cadence. I might have a “soft” opening and get a few items in there occasionally, but until both kids are in school this fall I do not have the time to dedicate to it. So, I want you all to stay tuned…I will post on my home is… Facebook page and the colton+cadence Facebook page when I put any items in the shop. So, “like” those Facebook pages to get the most updated information!

Fourth, having a four year old is harder than having a two year old…and I have both! Man, if you have or have had a four year old (particularly a 4 year old boy) please tell me I am not crazy! He’s majorly testing his boundaries and it is majorly testing my patience, energy, and emotions. He is like “dr. jekyll and mr. hyde” lately. Last time I had a not so terrible two year old, I also had a newborn, so I don’t remember much of it…and it really never seemed that bad (although my husband will tell you that I told him otherwise in all the texts I sent him that first year of having 2 kiddos). Anyway, I know {like everything else we have gone through with kids} that this too shall pass, but I hope it passes SOON!

{yes, that blur in the background is his two year old sister}

Fifth, thank you to Jennifer and Amy for critiquing my blog. I found your critiques very insightful and will make some changes based on them! I also had fun critiquing (and visiting) Amy’s creative blog. And, I made a visit to Jennifer’s beautiful blog, as well!

Finally, if you are a blogger (or photographer, or computer geek) how do you watermark your photos?

(for photo software I am currently using iPhoto and Picasa…I make my collages and add text in Picasa)

home is…trying to keep a calm center.

snowball fight

January 16, 20124 Comments

We got enough snow here in the Pacific Northwest over the weekend to throw a few snowballs.

That’s about it.

A few snowballs.

I remembered that I had pinned a fun idea to one of my boards on Pinterest.

Source: fey-next2heaven.blogspot.com via Stephany on Pinterest

An indoor snowball fight kit!

So, I grabbed some white yarn that I had on hand for another craft and started making yarn snowballs!

I didn’t take a photo of how to make the snowballs, but you can see a tutorial here.

Source: persialou.blogspot.com via Stephany on Pinterest

{I like the idea for using yarn pom-poms for pretty packaging and other decorations}

I wrapped the yard around a piece od cardboard instead of my hand, and didn’t trim the balls, just left them “wild”.

It was really easy and only took about 20 minutes to make 10 snowballs.

I had a poster tube on hand from some art I recently ordered, so I put the snowballs in there.

I haven’t made a cute label for it, but plan to eventually.

So, if we don’t get anymore snow here in the Pacific Northwest we can still have a snowball fight anytime…indoors!

home is…a “snow” day project!

*linking up with…

baby girl said

January 12, 20122 Comments

We have transitioned baby girl to a big bed this week.

And, she is not taking naps…which is a good thing because she is very tired by her 7:00 bedtime.

This evening, while changing her diaper (potty training is next) I said, “Are you sleepy?”

She replied, “I not sleepy. I La-La.”

I replied, through my laughter, “You are cute.”

To which she replied, “No. I La-La!”

*********

I also have to add that later today she also said, “Mommy, I not sassy.”

“Oh, you’re not sassy?” I asked.

“No. I La-La.”

*photos were taken last month at home and at friday playgroup

who likes pancakes for breakfast?

December 22, 20112 Comments

We do!

It’s what the kids wanted for breakfast this morning and three or four other times in the last week.

They also like them for dinner.

And, I don’t feel bad feeding them to the kids that many times a week.

Do you know why?

They are actually good for them!

Here’s the trick…

EQUAL PARTS: egg, oats, and cottage cheese

Yep, eggs, oats {I like to use the gluten free oats from Trader Joes}, and cottage cheese!

(2 large eggs are pretty much equal to 1/2 cup, so use 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup cottage cheese)

Add some cinnamon and vanilla (probably about 2 tsp vanilla and cinnamon to taste).

Blend it all together until smooth.

Cook them on a med heat in a skillet.

Serve with your favorite pancake toppings!

We like chocolate chips, strawberries and whipped cream, and good old maple syrup!

Wouldn’t pancakes be great for breakfast on Christmas morning?!

Remember to go leave a comment to enter my {december blog giveaway}!

home is…getting my kids to eat food that is good for them!

we got one

December 18, 2011Leave a comment

The infamous 2 year old crying on Santa’s lap photo.

After standing out in the cold for over and hour to wait to see him we went for it and stuck her on his lap long enough to snap a quick shot.

Then we grabbed our candy canes and got out of dodge!

When baby girl looked at the photo she said, “Me boo-hoo.”

Then said, with excitement, “Me sit on Santa’s lap!”

By the way, doesn’t the little guy look all grown up and adorable?!

home is…the things we do for a snapshot in time.

a new day

December 8, 20112 Comments

Wow.

It’s amazing how a shower, putting on “real” clothes, getting out of the house, and watching your kiddo learn something new can change your mindset.

The little guy had his last swim lesson of the current session last night. We couldn’t miss it.

This summer, we realized that our little guy LOVES the water.

He has excelled in his swim lesson this fall. By the second class the instructor said he was ready for the next level.

By then end of the class yesterday she said he was almost ready to skip level.

His stroke is strong, he is confident, and he LOVES the water.

I grew up spending the summer at the pool.

Swim team early in the morning, pool all day, and when I was in high school I lifeguarded as a summer job.

I am thrilled to see his confidence.

I needed that yesterday.

This morning I am sitting here watching the sun stream in through our windows.

Sun.

In December.

In Portland, Oregon.

I am listening to my kids play together in the other room while the Christmas lights glow and Christmas music plays in the background.

This is more like it.

home is…a new day.

scrooge

December 7, 20111 Comment

Sorry I’ve been away for almost a week. I have sat down and wanted to write a post, but for many reasons I only get a few sentences in and then I stop.

I’m still sick.

Yes.

I was sick before we left to go to Colorado for Thanksgiving.

Sick the entire week of Thanksgiving.

Sick when we got back.

And, I’m still sick.

Every time I feel like I’m feeling better I push a little bit too much and then I feel worse the next day (and the next and the next).

We got a new camera. A little point and shoot Nikon. I have used it to take most of my photos lately and I can’t figure out how to load them on to my computer. There is no USB cord in the box and my laptop doesn’t have a place to put a memory card. UGH!

I have photos of all our christmas decorating…lots of projects from Pinterest.

I have photos of a new breakfast hit at our house…and I want to share the recipe with you all!

Anyway, although I am still sick I am trying to deck our halls and make it fun for the kids this time of year.

I will admit they have watched a lot of this…