The Peanuts Gang

A Pirate's Life for Me

2012-01-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

I plan to blog about Jack's party in full detail, but until then, just take.this.in.

Charlie's 3rd Birthday Party - Decorations

2012-01-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

Over the next few days, I'll feature different aspects of Charlie's 3rd Birthday party. We invited family and close friends for a wonderful bash! My Pinterest Board for the party can be found here. Some of the ideas will be used later and most have at least some comments on what I did or did differently. This party was a blast to put together!

Birthday Banner

Using my friend's Cricut for the letters, some ribbon I had leftover from another Pinning project, simple green streamers from Walmart (style also via Pinterest), and two poster board surfboards drawn and painted by Charlie's daddy (except for the handprints of course), this birthday banner presentation was a hit! (AND inexpensive!)

Simple creative palm tree made with poster board and paint on hand

Purchased this banner for $2.00 from local party store

Chip Buckets

Snagged clearance buckets for between 20 and 30 cents from Michael's back in October & November. This made serving food a cinch! I also used these for the favor buckets, but not sure I have a picture of those....

The table landscape

Colorful table fabric is what we had on hand and the buckets were all purchased the clearance route.

What are your favorite beach ideas?

Cardboard Kitchen

2012-01-17T09:36:00.000-08:00

Having two little boys in the house usually means that we are filled with our share of cars, trucks, racetracks, trains, and blocks, but with the recent addition of a child-sized chair for Jack, we ended up with the perfect box for a homemade oven/stove for the boys to play with! I set to work creating this quick play station to keep these little hands occupied.

The Initial Box

Drawing the burners...

Time to cook! (My own pots and pans)

What's cookin' fellas?

The finished project

Proper knobs & buttons

Ready for playtime!

The boys LOVED this! They even tried to get INTO the oven which was quite alarming, but Charlie then had a blast making this warmer and using my pot-holders to get dinner ready. Dried pasta was great for mixing into their creations (as was blocks and cars), but overall, this really kept them occupied! (I also liked that Charlie always seemed to be cooking broccoli!) A quick play kitchen fix without spending a dime!

Follow me on Pinterest here.

My Miracle, Revisited

2012-01-15T05:46:00.000-08:00

It's not every day that you witness a miracle, but I'm lucky enough to live with my biggest one every day. After years of praying and two miscarriages, my Miracle had finally arrived.

His arrival was eventful, but he was stunning.

And three years later, he is still miraculous.

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Charlie Bear! May you always know how truly loved and wanted you are.

Trop50 True Resolutions

2012-01-12T11:40:00.000-08:00

With the start of the New Year, I'm excited about the possibilities! I turn 30 this year and so I'm eager to start crossing off some major things on that Bucket List! One of the biggest is that I'd really like to start exercising regularly and eating more healthy in order to set a great example for my two young boys!

I'm sharing this resolution with you as part of Trop50's True Resolutions Campaign. Tropicana Trop50 is a fruit juice beverage that offers fruit juice goodness with 50 percent less sugar and calories with NO artificial sweeteners! Their Facebook Campaign celebrates the real reasons behind New Year’s resolutions. Share your secret motivation behind your resolutions and you’ll earn a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. You can even submit incognito with a fierce disguise. Bonus: Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card.

I personally love Trop50's orange juice as well as the Pomegranate variety! It doesn't taste "healthy" and it produces no adverse after-taste! I really enjoy drinking it knowing that I'm not downing half of my meal's calories in a beverage!

Take some time to check out all that Tropicana Trop50 has to offer:

On Facebook, Trop50 can be tagged as @Trop50 - 50% Less Sugar and Calories
Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook Page
On Twitter: #Trop50 and @TropicanaOJ
Trop50 Tropicana website

Here's to our best year yet! What's your #1 New Year's Resolution this year?

Serenity Now.

2012-01-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

A few years back, we went on vacation with dear friends (E & B). Erik's favorite saying throughout the trip was "Serenity Now!!!" And sometimes, just sometimes, he got it.

In a life with two little boys, I often say this to myself throughout the day. And occasionally, you catch a moment like this:

Serenity.

Holiday Catch-Up

2012-01-11T19:30:00.000-08:00

I'm going to spend the next few days trying to play December and Holiday Catch-Up! Then after that, I'll *finally* talk about our resolutions. Bear with me as our life finally begins to slow down the next few weeks and I can blog more regularly about current topics!

First up? The Progressive Dinner (held December 10th)

This year, our annual Progressive Dinner was hosted by the Northsiders (which includes The Peanuts Gang!). As per usual, we did not disappoint (if I do say so myself) and we upped the game! Here is a run down of the houses:

Aunt Lois/Eros
Movie: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (traditional cartoon version)
A time crunch prevented some costuming on Aunt Lois' part, but the food was delicious! From guacamole to quesadillas to warm brie to chicken wings to some pre-dinner drinks to salad, this house did not disappoint! The quiz was easily won by Riya and the kids enjoyed exchanging the first of our ornaments for the night!

The Peanuts Gang
Movie: Elf
We had our guests take a trip through the candy cane forest and explore the North Pole! We had the four major food groups and the house even smelled a bit like beef and cheese. With a pasta bar (including syrup and candy toppings!), this crew was on a carb overload! Jonathan took the prize for finding the most gum stuck under things (full wrapped packages), David won the prize for the best burp (the only one brave enough I think), and Kaeli dared to try her spaghetti and red sauce WITH syrup (GROSS!) Bill also had the World's Best Cup of Coffee! And I hope it was actually GOOD!

The G Crew
Movie: A Christmas Story
Complete with dinner cupcakes, homemade todiefor chocolate chip cookies, and ice cold glasses of milk, this crew did not disappoint! We listened to the likes of Ralphie and his brother, spent time enjoying the tastes (and sights) of the food and were dazzled by the gingerbread tree created by Mr. G.

In other words, the Northsiders rocked it! Here are some pics of the night to be razzled and dazzled.

Snippets

2012-01-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

I love browsing Walmart with my two boys.

Charlie is content to snag the free bakery samples and just stare into the pre-made cake window.

Jack is happy to be snuggled in the carrier and just looking around and smiling at people.

No, this isn't always how our trips go. But when they do? It's magical.

Skokie Exploratorium

2012-01-10T05:41:00.000-08:00

We recently visited the Skokie Exploratorium with some friends for their New Year's Eve (early) Countdown. It was my first time in that area and at the Exploratorium. The celebration was great for kids - from games, small prizes, fresh popcorn, a balloon drop, the Little People, and a DJ, there were endless activities for them to enjoy. Charlie and Jack also loved the Exploratorium itself with its tunnels, climbing walls, water stations, toddler area, train sets and gigantic musical instruments. We'll definitely be back here again!

Charlie LOVED the shapes light-up box. He had fun changing the patterns and getting the pieces to fit. He also enjoyed the train station a lot which is directly behind him in this picture.

These little fellas below are only five days apart. It's so fun to watch them interact!

Check out my friend, Christine's, take on the Skokie Exploratorium as well! This is a place I highly recommend if you have younger kiddos.

Pinteresting Holidays

2012-01-10T05:14:00.000-08:00

My favorite right-now site is Pinterest. Click that link and you'll head right to my boards! From my 30th Bucket List (post on that soon) to the boys' birthday parties to favorite recipes to try, it's all there and I've gotten some GREAT ideas from it! Here's a few of the ones I tried this holiday season (and loved)!

For each of the days leading up to Christmas starting December 1st, we wrapped up Christmas/Winter books. Each night, Charlie chose one to unwrap and enjoy! This was a lot of fun and we already owned all of the books, so this project was practically free!

We also participated in our own version of RACK - Random Acts of Christmas Kindness and I plan to do this idea again next year!

We held a Progressive Dinner and our theme was movies. I found this great printable on Pinterest from Elf and snagged it for my front door.

My own version of a painted canvas for decor in my home!

I did this idea for a friend with three daughters. They came over for a playdate and I whipped this up as a surprise gift for their mom. I love how it turned out! Easy, fun, and cute! (Also on canvas and also from Pinterest!)

What's your favorite Pinteresting idea you've put to work?

Spicing up the Boredom

2012-01-09T12:55:00.000-08:00

Over the next few days, I'm planning to feature some of my favorite crafts that I've done lately (with and without the boys). Most of the ideas came from Pinterest and I'm happy to feature them here! What's your favorite cold weather/rainy day activity to do?

Big Brother's Bed

2012-01-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

So Jack wasn't the only one to celebrate a big milestone last week...Charlie did also!

One of the biggest purchases on our list this year was a big boy bed for Charlie. After talking about the pros & cons of the various styles, I knew we wanted a twin size and we wanted it in white (to match our other nursery furniture since they will be sharing a room).

On a whim, on January 2nd, I started combing Craigslist and came across a used Catalina bed from the Pottery Barn kids catalog. With a mattress and underneath storage drawers, the price was perfect! Within ten hours of the first email sent, the room was in our home and assembled (Thanks, Poppy, Momma, and Daddy!) I already had a twin bedding set in a beach theme (also snagged from Pottery Barn on clearance a few years ago) and we got Charlie all set up!

He snuggled right in as if it were home all along! (We had delayed moving him because he had never climbed out, so this was perfect!) The bed is solid and all of the furniture in the room (apart from the toy chest) were from Craigslist and goes together wonderfully!

I was a bit nervous about the first night, but with the help of some kitchen chairs, it went off without a hitch!

He flopped over and went right to sleep!

A smooth transition! Since that time, the boys have napped almost every day in the afternoon in the same room which is amazing to me! Our big boys!

Birthday Recap!

2012-01-05T06:15:00.000-08:00

Jack's birthday was filled with lots of fun and a ton of activity! First, Momma's house while Mommy ran to put a deposit on the friends' party for the boys, then Grandma & Grandpa's to visit with them and Aunt Sarah, then Daddy's work to visit and to take him to lunch at Chili's, then Walmart to pick up some last minute dinner fixin's and birthday cupcakes! (Hostess AND Cubs picked out by Charlie himself!) We rounded out the night with dinner, cupcake deliciousness and opening presents. Busy, but tons of fun! A few pictures below...

January Birthdays Giveaway!

2012-01-03T05:05:00.000-08:00

In honor of Jack's 1st and Charlie's 3rd birthdays this month, I have decided to do a giveaway on my blog for one of my favorite toys! Two Christmases ago, my cousin, Jen, and her daughter, Moxie (rock star name, right?!) gifted Charlie his very own LeapFrog My Pal Scout. This little pup can be programmed with your little guy (or gal's) name and incorporates songs and personalized learning!

During this recent Christmas season, I snagged one of these pups to save for a rainy day and decided to give it to one of my readers! Enter below! It's easy peasy and doesn't necessary require a blogger or gmail account (since you just have to leave a comment and that can be anonymous! just be sure to comment including your email address!)

This giveaway will run from today until January 14th end of day and
I'll announce the winner on Charlie's 3rd birthday! (January 15th) This would make a great gift for a someone or for your own littles! Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 1st Birthday, Jack!

2012-01-03T04:59:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday to my littlest fella! You have stolen our hearts, added to our gray hairs, and bring joy to each day! Read more about his arrival here and see pictures from that day here.

Full birthday post, pictures, and letter coming soon!

Blessed.

2011-12-26T14:33:00.000-08:00

After two hustling and bustling days of activities, we have spent most of the day in our pjs watching new videos, playing with all the fun toys, and occasionally stopping to make room for all the newness that Christmas brings.

Apart from all this stuff, I can't help but look at my family and friends and feel blessed.

My boys played with the first toys they saw on Christmas morning and did that for one hour. Without a care in the world. With no concern for the next gift. Without a thought about their stockings. They enjoyed things to the fullest extent. Christmas through the eyes of child is awe-inspiring.

My boys are drowning in boy cousins and a little mommy through their oldest cousin, Kaeli. At each family gathering, they are squeezed, pinched, hugged, and kissed repeatedly.

They are loved on and enjoyed. They bring smiles to other people and make them laugh.

They have grandparents who love them like their own children - the grandparents who will hug and hold them even when they scream (yes, that's you, Kathleen!) and say they did a good job when they eat just ONE green bean because it's Christmas (yes, you, Momma!). The grandparents who don't get caught up in the stuff of one day but who sneak them homemade cookies or buy their favorite juice just because.

So thank you. To everyone who spends any time investing time, love, and energy into my kids. Thank you.

My heart is full.

From Our Family to Yours

2011-12-21T20:36:00.000-08:00

Guest Blogging!

2011-12-20T11:18:00.000-08:00

Hi All! I'm guest blogging over at grateful for a coffee break for my friend, Christine, about our RACK this Christmas! She is a beautiful momma of two boys (so she totally understands my plight!)

and her writing inspires me!

Check it out and send her some LOVE!

My Partner in Chaos

2011-12-13T06:13:00.000-08:00

I chose this picture because, currently, this is what our life looks like every. day.

(with the exception of Jack usually getting into mischief and being wrangled by one of us).

I'm lucky enough to spend the rest of my life with a man who is the calm to our chaos. Through all of life's uncertainties, he is a constant. Some years ago (ahem), he was born and even before that, he was destined to be my husband and the father to our boys. He is the reason I said, "I do," seven years ago. He makes us laugh and seems to have all the energy in the world to wrestle with our boys after a long day at work.

He smiles amidst life's craziness. He loves us. And we love him back (immensely).

Happy Birthday, my love!

And next year you will be REALLY old.... :)

Firetruck Santa

2011-12-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Ever since I was a kid, I have always LOVED seeing Santa greet the local neighborhood kids while riding a firetruck! This year, we stopped at my parents' house in the town I grew up in, had some yummy breakfast (thanks, mom!), and waited for St. Nick to appear. After a few sneak peek drives by Poppy, we quickly heard the jingling bells accompanying his arrival! (No firetruck this year, but still just as exciting!) The white bag of candy is always displayed prominently for the weeks following!

SANTA!!!!!!!

2011-12-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

My favorite non-Poppy Santa has to be the one at Bass Pro Shops. He is extremely authentic looking (grown in beard!), just the right amount of extra fluff, and is always super nice with his rosy cheeks! {Not to mention that he's also F.R.E.E.!} The experience there is always fun as they set up half the store in a Winter Wonderland. The boys did MUCH better than I expected - no tears, no screaming, and no negativity! Charlie was extremely tired (thus explaining his spacey look) and Jack was calm (FOR ONCE!) We ended our time there with a candy cane, some fresh popped popcorn and a few warm cookies. :)

Letter[s] to Santa

2011-12-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

Each day, Charlie sets out to write a letter to Santa. He even drew Santa a picture of baby Jesus, the manger, and stars one day! So when he asked to write (yet another) letter to Santa this morning, I opted to turn it into THE official letter to the red-suited man!

Here he is - excited to give his letter to Santa!

The text of his letter is as follows (with my help of course):

Dear Santa,

I have been a good boy. I have been nice to Jack (usually). I would like:

-Angry Birds

-Pinwheel

-Cars

-Books

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Charlie

I included "usually" since Santa knows when you are lying. He enjoyed dictating most of it to me! My favorite part?

When he signed his name (for the first real time) in brown crayon.

Off to the North Pole!

RACK'ed Day 5

2011-12-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of extending Christmas cheer, I commissioned others to do these acts of kindness as well. Throughout the next few weeks, you'll occasionally see someone else extend the mission to their own environment. Yesterday, Momma (my mom) did her own RACK at the mall with this little sack:

From Momma:

I thought I would pick up some bakery doggie treats since I was right there. $5.00 and it came in that cute bag. Walked around asking if anyone had dog [My own sidebar: I admittedly laughed at the prospect of asking random people if they had a dog!!] Wow! Finally found couple whose sister just got a baby chihuahua. So I told them they had been "Racked". They were very surprised, liked it, and said thanks!

Thanks, Momma, for helping us spread Christmas cheer!

Childhood.

2011-12-04T18:14:00.000-08:00

Oh Christmas Tree!

2011-12-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

Our [[short]] Christmas tree in all its glory.

RACK'ed Day 4

2011-12-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Today was actually pretty simple. I've been saving baby puffs containers like this. I then wash it out, peel off the label and went to town on decorating it! With a few buttons, a felt scarf and paint pen eyes & nose, this snowman was a real delight! I topped him with a cardboard and toilet paper roll top hat and filled him with some banana muffins for a neighbor! I sure hope she enjoyed them!

RACK'ed Day 3

2011-12-03T17:58:00.000-08:00

On Day 3, we had some shopping to do at Kohl's. In an effort to spread a little Christmas cheer, I snagged this cute ornament from the decorations section and asked the cashier to give it to the next person she rang up. We didn't stick around to see who that was, but I hope they are enjoying this little beauty!

Motherhood.

2011-12-03T08:24:00.001-08:00

RACK'ed Day 2

2011-12-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite ways to bless someone is to pay for the person behind you at a drive-thru. I decided to snag a cup of iced coffee before work and vowed to pay for the person behind me, regardless of price. Of course, of all the people to pull up, it was a man in a very nice looking car with a cell phone attached to his ear.

As I offered to pay for his order and they carefully added each of his five drinks up, I heard the faint sounds of chocolate milk and a bag of munchkins - certain that those would belong to little hands. But either way, it was an act I was doing, regardless of who was behind me.

As I passed him on my way out, he gave me a friendly wave. Random Acts of Kindness aren't random if we simply eliminate blessing those just because we don't think they *need* it. Lesson learned.

RACK'ed

2011-12-01T04:23:00.000-08:00

Happy December! As the official countdown to Christmas begins and advent is in full swing, I thought I'd try to implement a neat blog idea that I found on Pinterest. Throughout the days leading up to Christmas, you and your family do Random Acts of Christmas Kindness. They can be whatever you imagine! I started things out fairly simply this year with two wrapped muffins and left a small note of "Blessings this Season"!

If you get RACK'ed this season, we would love to hear from you (rackdbypeanuts@gmail.com) ! We'd also love to hear different ideas on how to bless others this holiday season! Merry Christmas!

For this first day, I wrapped up two homemade banana muffins and sent them with Jim to work - hope he doesn't come across a Grinch! ;)

Finally.

2011-11-30T04:47:00.000-08:00

The blog has been eerily quiet these past few weeks and I apologize for that! With the Christmas season upon us, I promise to be a bit more "present" (haha). The past month has held a lot for us - from Jack's Dedication to Thanksgiving to down-and-out sickness, we've been busy!

The other aspect of our life that makes things insanely busy is him:

He is....mischievous. The word "no" is not in his vocabulary and when it is? This:

He gets into everything and I spend most of my days saying no, removing him, moving him, chasing him, and following closely behind to ensure that he doesn't tackle Charlie, climb our entertainment center, climb into the bathtub or bang on the computer keyboard.

As Christmastime nears, I enjoy putting up decorations. Our family LOVES this time of year. We understood that this year would be different because there was no guarantee that anything would stay in its place. I captured his destruction in action this morning and thought I'd give you a visual:

Plastic Fisher Price Nativity set and plastic baby Jesus meet Jack. I had barely placed the figurines on the toy chest before Jack snatched the Baby Jesus and began banging him repeatedly on the toy chest over and over and over again. Mother Mary was then used to bang together with Baby Jesus for another interesting set of sounds. Again, rinse and repeat.

Jack then gave up on Baby Jesus and the whole set and left them alone for a bit while he moved onto his exersaucer. But something tells me they won't be alone for long....

Thanksgiving is WHEN?!?!

2011-11-17T20:37:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner (literally)! Our lives are moving about one thousand miles a minute and I promise to get some semblance of order to this blog SOON! Until then, just a few snippets as to what's happening in our neck of the woods.

Daddy
Finished the Marathon, helps a TON around the house, works a TON to help make a great life for us, and enjoys (Mommy's) Keurig machine.

Mommy
Teaching, working, crafting, Christmaslistplanning&shopping. Trying to keep all the plates spinning AND get ready for the holidays without going broke!

Charlie
Hilariousness in its greatest form. He speaks in sentences regularly now (and they actually make sense). He enjoys being mommy's "helper" throughout the day and has recently taken on an affinity for crafting/coloring. He also recently spent time with one of our favorite ladies and crafted his heart out (while also consuming an excessive amount of sprinkles).

Jackson
A tornado with two legs. He is into everything - climbing, crawling, standing, easy stepping, scooting, pulling, pushing, shoving, punching. You name it, he tries it. At least once. His first word? Cat. (We don't even own one...) He also has recently started to (purposefully) throw food or cups to the ground and then lightly says, "Uh-oh!" (obviously intentionally) He is hilarious with his six (!!!!) teeth and enjoys eating everything in sight (including that which is being consumed by others).

Pictures posts AND more regular posting coming up in the next week!

Tiny Prints Talent Search!

2011-11-17T20:29:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for capturing THE perfect picture of your little ones! Now, with the help of Tiny Prints, your hard photography work can pay off!

Enter the Tiny Prints Talent Search Contest for a chance to win the grand prize of $1,000 cash plus a $500 Tiny Prints gift certificate!

In this contest, Tiny Prints is looking for the cutest photographs in the following categories:

· Cutest Baby (From ages of 0-24 months)

· Cutest Kid (From ages of 25 months - 10 years old)

· Cutest Family

· Cutest Couple

· Cutest Pet & Owner

Once the entry period is up, the contest will then open up to the entire community to vote for their favorites and determine the winners! Entry deadline has been extended to November 21st!!

Enter the Tiny Print Talent Search Contest via Facebook or on our website. For Official Rules, click here.

Best of luck to everyone who decides to enter!

Tiny Prints Shoutout!

2011-11-17T20:22:00.000-08:00

Over the past few years, I have really enjoyed getting to know the product line of Tiny Prints. Their cards are a thick quality and look beautiful - especially once the finishing touch of a photograph is added. With a great selection of Christmas cards, Tiny Prints is the premier place to find your Christmas greetings! I thought I'd highlight a few of my favorites for the holiday season here:

Feeling particularly blessed? Then add your favorite photographs to this card to count them up! I love the colors and overall theme of this card and think it works perfectly for our family this year!

I LOVE the bright feel of this card. It's vibrant, beautiful and really captures the essence of the season!

For this card, I don't know what's more precious - the picture or the print? What a gorgeous way to capture the spirit of the season!

Take a gander at all that Tiny Prints has to offer! I know you won't be disappointed!

Catching Up

2011-11-15T05:09:00.001-08:00

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind and extremely busy! Over the next few weeks, I plan to catch up on the blog before the holidays to keep you posted about what we are doing! Until then, what are your Thanksgiving traditions?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-11-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I posted here about having our family pictures taken at the Morton Arboretum. I can hardly wait to start fitting those pictures into an awesome Christmas card for this year! I thought I'd take the chance to go over a few of my favorites!

Shutterfly is the same service I used last year. The cards were printed on quality cardstock and came out beautifully! I love using them to upload my photos and then transferring them into gifts!

The Bright ZigZag is beautiful for a fun take on a Christmas classic. I love the colors and the theme behind it!

And who doesn't love a Christmas Tree?! Doesn't that look fun? Now if I could only narrow down choices for what pictures to use....

Personally, I love to choose cards that really capture the essence of the season - All is Calm.

I can promise you that none of the *real* choices for our family are included here, but I love the options available! Between the colors and fun themes to choose from, there is something for everyone. Enjoy and happy holidays!!

Days of Thanks

2011-11-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

Piggy-backing on an idea from here, we are participating as a family each evening.

I made up this little tin bucket and filled it with blank Popsicle sticks and three different colored markers. Each evening, I plan to have the three speaking members of our family talk about what they are thankful for. I plan to write each person's down in "their" color as a reflection of all that we have to be thankful for in this life. About once a week, I'll update the blog as to what we are thankful for!

November 1 - Daddy: family, Mommy: kids, Charlie: Charlie Brown movie

November 2 - Daddy: wife, Mommy: husband, Charlie: food

Consider taking this challenge with us! I have something extra special planned for next month, so stay tuned!

Sneak Peek for Joanie

2011-11-01T12:02:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T05:25:00.000-07:00

After much discussion, we finally settled on *the* costumes for the year. Considering our family blog (and Charlie's OBSESSION with the Great Pumpkin), we figured this would be a perfect fit!

This Snoopy played music and delighted those who passed us by!

Our little Woodstock! (Thanks, Momma for helping with the costume!)

Jack with his treats!

Our nephew, Jasie, as a Lollipop Guild Munchkin! Cutie! Isn't that hair hilarious?

This is after about 5 houses. Jack is already asleep....

Getting the Loot!

Getting some candy with Grandma! Looks like grandma already has some in her hand! ;)

Linus! (That's actually Charlie's blanket, but he allowed daddy to borrow it!)

Our beautiful handiwork!

Jasie loved the wagon! He didn't want to leave!

WHATT?!?! You wonder how he is so cute?!?! Yeah, me too!

Brothers! (And a full trick or treat bag)

RUNNING to the last house! (Momma & Poppys!)

All the goodies...we made out like bandits!

We had an amazing time trick or treating with the boys this year. Charlie was such a blast and enjoyed running from house to house to house. His dialogue (which we had practiced) was the same. Knock, Knock, 'Trick or Treat,' 'Fank you!' He later added Happy Halloween and after each house recited the infamous lines from the Charlie Brown special, "I got a rock..." We did over 4 blocks and Charlie was beat! (He even managed to hold going to the potty the whole time!)

As a sidenote, Cousin Connor was a dragon, but we didn't get any pictures with him since he was sleeping when we arrived. But we did see him later when he stopped by at Momma's later to trick or treat! Super cute!

Family Pictures

2011-10-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

a {day} with lil mama stuart

A full post is coming up on this, but I wanted to share these with the Daddy of the Peanuts Gang more quickly. Enjoy!

366 Days

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

I officially have 366 days left in my 20s (thankyouLeapYear). And thanks to Pinterest, I have a list of all the things I'd like to do or accomplish in this coming year. You can find that here.

I plan to add to the list as I come up with ideas. Some of them involve friends, others involve family. Some are all about me and my kids - others have to do with my hubby. My hope is that I can finish all of the things on my list before the year ends.

Some of the tasks I pace myself, others are a once in a lifetime opportunity. Occasionally, I'll update the blog as to how I'm doing - a way to document just what the next year holds. Until then, suggestions are welcome.

And Happy Birthday to myself!

2011-10-24T03:57:00.000-07:00

If you've followed The Peanuts Gang long enough, you'll soon discover that my blogging (as of late), goes in spurts. There will be days (and sometimes weeks! gasp!) where the blog seems "dry". And then, out of nowhere, multiple posts! If you follow in Google Reader, I'm sure you laugh at just how much writing seems to take place within a short period of time. I rarely take trips to Serioustown, but I've had some thoughts that I want to get down on virtual paper.

...................................................................

Being a mom (parent) is hard. I'd venture to say (and disagree or not) that it is the single most important (and difficult) job on this planet. As we juggle the everyday life, we also are responsible for the lives of the child(ren) in it. Not just to take care of them and provide for their basic needs, but the make them valuable, contributing members of society in the future.

That is overwhelming to me when I really stop to think about it. It brings great weight to every thing I say to them, everything we do, and to each time I have to take a moment to correct behaviors. This is hard.

How do I know that what I am instilling in Charlie at the age of 2 will be the "right" way? Or that in 10 years, he'll be the one that parents think is kind or has good manners or just in general, is a good person? What if I'm the parent at a birthday party that everyone talks about as "the one who can't control her kids"? Or the one who has the "pincher/biter/squeezer/puncher"?

The truth is I don't have all the answers, but I'm open (sometimes) to suggestions and helpful hints from those who've been there. There are days when I feel like when God gave me two boys, he was testing my patience and my grit - could I really handle all the rough and toughness that having boys brings?!? On other days, I look at these brothers and can't imagine them without each other - the way they light up each other's eyes when they enter rooms (usually).

I'm just putting this out there. I'm me and I'm the best mom for my boys. At least, I like to think so. And when I used to walk through a store or be in a situation where I looked at other moms and dads and thought, "I'd never do that" or "My kid will never act like that," I now know the error of my ways. I will extend grace to moms and dads in tough situations because I'd like the same extended to me when life doesn't go 100% my way or things don't work out the way I had planned.

Being a mom is hard. But the best part is, even on my worst days, they extend immeasurable grace to me and exhibit unconditional love in a way that I didn't even know they knew how. And for that, I am grateful.

Chuckenstein

2011-10-20T08:35:00.000-07:00

After seeing Jack get his makeover, Charlie wanted his own.

Every detail was chosen by Charlie including the words.

"I vant to grow middle teeth!"

2011-10-20T06:58:00.000-07:00

Jack had his nine-month-appointment the other day and his doctor was quite surprised to see his two incisors growing in - giving him the appearance of a vampire. She joked that we should make him Dracula for Halloween and remarked that she had never see a child grow teeth in that way! (Eek!) She assured me all was normal, but I thought I'd consider her suggestion of a costume via Picnik.*

*Note: I have no real intention of dressing him as a vampire OR Dracula for Halloween. Furthermore, this is all in fun and don't wish to be "reprimanded" via comments for "celebrating" Halloween. Thank you!

Sweetness

2011-10-18T05:57:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, Pumpkins; Hello, Jack O'Lanterns!

2011-10-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

This scene seems to always be playing throughout the season - Linus & Lucy. I was a bit worried that Charlie would be just as sentimental with his own pumpkins, but he seemed to fare just fine! We picked our pumpkins (one from The Center's Pumpkin Patch and one that Grandma & Aunt Sarah grew in their own backyard!!!). Charlie rooooooooollllled the pumpkins. And now it was time to cut them up!

Homegrown Pumpkin on the Left (And it actually weighed MORE than the Patch pumpkin!)

YAY for pumpkins!

Guts.

All Clean!

Pumpkin Seed Time.

"What happened to the pumpkin?!?"

Pumpkin Patch, Part II

2011-10-17T05:26:00.000-07:00

The rest of the pictures...

The Pumpkin Patch, Part I

2011-10-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

Note: There is a Part I and II for the Pumpkin Patch because these pictures are plentiful!

I love Fall! And I am happy to have started to instill that in my boys already! Charlie LOVES "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!" and adores pumpkins....so of course, we had to go out and scout our own when we had a beautiful day this past weekend!

The Center in Palos Park, Illinois has a great farm and the best part about it? It's not over-commercialized and the main things we like to do are still FREE!! They have a cute area set up to take pictures, cheap snacks, a free hayride to the patch and a great atmosphere. Pumpkins are only 40 cents a pound! While they do offer the other activities, there is no admission fee for good old-fashioned pumpkin picking - LOVE it!

Happy Birthday, Ethan!

2011-10-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

26.2 Miles

2011-10-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

1 Mommy, 1 Daddy, 1 Momma, 2 little boys

1 overnight with a friend and her family (also two little boys)

2 parking garages (one free & one paid)

2 Early Wake-up Calls

2 packedlikesardines red line train rides

75 flirting companions (EVERYwhere Jack went)

2 McDonald's stops (ugh)

1 men's bathroom stop for mommy (for Charlie)

3 suckers

1 balloon

2 bells

3 slap bracelets

1 iPad

2 times seeing daddy up close (including hugs & kisses) - miles 3.5 & 11 [Orangeville]

3 naps for Jack

1 nap for Charlie

4 text updates

1 pulled muscle

A few blisters

Some sunburn

2 limping miles (for Jim)

5 walked miles (for us)

A few thought-we-all-would-die moments

45,000 runners

1 winning Kenyan

1 winning Russian

One Proud Family

One Happy (and Accomplished) Daddy

One Unforgettable Experience

Da Bears (Fan)

2011-10-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

Jack is into everything and is very nosey. When daddy recently was fixing a bench that we handed off to Momma & Poppy, he wanted to help out!

October!

2011-10-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe we are already entering our 3rd day of October! Apart from some snippets here and there, I have been blog entry-less. I vow to remedy that this month! Look for birthday celebrations, fall parties, pumpkin patches and Halloween goodies! All treats & no tricks this month, I promise! What does your October hold?

Our Marathon Giveaway Winner

2011-10-03T06:51:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who have graciously donated thus far! You are making a difference!

In our Target $25 Giftcard giveaway, we have chosen a winner! I placed all of the donors up until that point into a Word document and numbered each name (removing Charlie, Jack, and myself from that list).

Then, I used Random.org to choose our winner.

Congrats to Joan & Gene! (Co-workers of Daddy) *
*I'll be sending your gift card later this week.

Enjoy this Giveaway!

2011-10-01T14:22:00.001-07:00

From Lil Mama Stuart & Paper Culture!

http://adaywithlilmama.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-4-paper-culture.html

Happy 10th Birthday, David!

2011-10-01T05:39:00.000-07:00

World Vision

2011-09-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

About six months ago, Daddy to The Peanuts Gang decided to start an endeavor to run the Chicago Marathon. No, I don't understand why he would want to run 26.2 miles, but we support him nonetheless! He's running with Team World Vision through our church. You can read more about World Vision and what the organization does here.

If you would like to support him in this amazing endeavor, we'd appreciate it! We can each make a difference! Donate here.

Connor's Birthday Party

2011-09-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

We had a fun time at Connor's Birthday Party enjoying great food & a bit of football. Just some pics from this day....

Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

2011-09-26T06:08:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday, Connor!

2011-09-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Charlie & Jack's youngest cousin turns O-N-E today! Happy Birthday, big man!*

Charlie sits nicely with the cake.

Jack spies the cake.

Jack wants the cake.

Mommy discusses sharing with Charlie. He does so unhappily.

*This was by far my favorite birthday shoot of the boys. While they still don't sit entirely still, props now keep them generally entertained. I laughed out loud at these events.

Charlie-isms

2011-09-21T19:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but having a talker in the house makes life fun & interesting. You just never know what may come out of his mouth!

Last night, he applied small stickers to the left side of my face. After he was finished, he stepped back to examine his work, sighed, and said, "Much better!" I didn't know whether to be offended or laugh!

He also asks daddy to do "push-ups" when he tucks him in....this is basically when Jim tucks the blankets all around him so that Charlie's body is "pushed-up" underneath the covers. He also likes to have his hands AND feet covered completely....sounds like someone else I know....

After fixing him up for bedtime exactly the way daddy does, he simply responded "Perfect."

He giggled for about ten minutes before his nap which made my heart smile.

He loves his brother. Most of the time.

He shares. Sometimes.

I love him.

Costumes, anyone?

2011-09-21T06:48:00.000-07:00

If you know me in real life, then you know I'm a bargain hunter. Three years ago, when I was *very* pregnant with Charlie, I bought a Halloween costume for him to wear the next year for his first Halloween. The costume was less than $5 purchased at Babies R Us post-Halloween 2008 and I bought the size I *thought* he would be wearing.

Fast-forward to August 2009 and Charlie actually wore the costume then. In August. Two Months BEFORE Halloween. You can read more about that horrendous day here, which includes pictures of Charlie in all his costumed glory.

Knowing that with another super long baby, the costume would never fit (and because we have already chosen costumes), I decided to subject Jack to the same costume-wearing. He was thrilled.

Happy Birthday, Ryan!

2011-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ryan (hubby to Sera Cupcakes) celebrates his birthday today! Happy Birthday, Ryan!!!

Blog Housekeeping!

2011-09-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

The Winner of Label Itz Brand Bandette, ToothBand, and MySpot Giveaway is LBC! Thank you for becoming a Google Follower! LBC has already been in touch with me and I can't wait to see what you think of these fantastic products!!

Don't forget about my other giveaway hosted Square One Organics:

http://www.thepeanutsgang.com/2011/09/square-one-organics-baby-food-review.html

I know I've been a bit quiet on the personal blogging front - we have been BUSY! I promise to catch you up on all that we've been doing later this week!!

READY READY READY to enter the Fall Season! Have a great Tuesday!

TC Creations Review

2011-09-13T06:01:00.001-07:00

TC Creations is a fabulous WAHM company that makes adorable wear for kids! Based in Canada, Tammy's newest "baby" was born in 2009. From baby wash cloths to bibs to diaper carriers to a number of other great options, TC Creations carries one-of-a-kind items for all of your baby needs! (She's even on Facebook!)

Her Tooth Fairy Pillows are a great way to get your kids excited about the possibility of losing teeth (and hopefully finding a neat surprise inside!) I also long for my own little girl to dress up in one of these darling dresses.

Recently, I had the opportunity to use (and review) one of her signature items - her bibs! With a Minky backing and snap closure, these are super soft for baby (and a lot easier to keep ON baby). The cute prints make these a must have!

My absolute favorite thing about TC Creations' bibs are that they are super long and provide amazing coverage for the front of Jack's clothes. With a messy (and now interactive) eater, this is an excellent feature that really makes her bibs a must! I have washed this bib several times and it has definitely withstood the test of time. It still looks fabulous! Check her page out for all the latest in cute baby gear! You won't be disappointed.

Mompact Blog Hop! - Label Itz Brand Bandette, ToothBand, and MySpot Review & GIVEAWAY!

2011-09-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

MomPact Blog Hop

ViveVita is a mompreneur-run company that seeks to create innovative products that solve everyday problems experienced by moms & families! Run by Robyn - mom of NINE children, ViveVita is a company created with families in mind (and with nine kiddos, I'm sure Robyn knows all about how valuable time is and what a blessing modern-day conveniences are!)

I had the opportunity to review the Label-Itz line (Unique 4 Me) of products with my own family. As a momma of two boys (Charlie - 2.5 years old & Jack - 8.5 months old), aunt to three nieces & five nephews, once over nanny, and previous church childcare helper, I was extremely excited to learn more about these products!

First, I tried out the Bandette Labels for Kids' Cups and Bottles. These labels are phthalate free, lead free, and BPA free which means you can feel comfortable letting your littlest ones grip them. These labels fit most kids cups, bottles & drinks and are perfect for daycare, playdates and every day use! They also reduce the spread of germs since kids always know which cup is theirs! For the non-readers of your house, you can coordinate all of their Label-Itz items by color & animal - Charlie chose the green monkey. While he recognizes his own name, even if your little one doesn't, the color & animal coding help your child to know right away which cup belongs to them. In my own immediate family, Charlie & my nephew Ethan have similar cups - these labels quickly keep them separate from one another.

If you do have a reader in your house (or you send your child to a playdate/childcare with other kids), you can write a message on the Bandette Label, including either your child's name or basic description (i.e. morning milk). To personalize, use a ballpoint pen to write your information. Apply mild pressure and the information comes off If you'd like to make the message more permanent, simply boil the band with the printed information still on! For these labels, I opted NOT to boil so that I can change them up! I LOVE these Bandette labels. They are simple to use and Charlie loved the newest accessory to his cups! I was also able to use them on Jack's bottles when going out as well!

Second, I tried My Spot which provides the perfect place for your child to find his own "seat!" My Spot is soft on one side, while non-slip on the other. They come in coordinating colors (again, green monkey for Charlie) and provide a space to permanently give your child their own Spot! I used a permanent marker and found that it worked perfectly! My Spots are flexible which makes for easy transport (toss in the diaper bag to encourage your child to stay in their "seat") and these work particularly well in larger groups. Jack (my 8.5 month old) doesn't quite sit in his own Spot yet, but I can definitely foresee making these a part of our regular family routine once he does. For now, Charlie knows just where to sit at the dinner table and it's perfect for getting him to wind down after a particularly busy play time!

Lastly, we tried out the Toothbands. It seemed like only yesterday that Charlie carted around no less than seven family toothbrushes to "play with." I definitely could have used the Toothbands then! These bands are also phthalate free, lead free, and BPA free. These stretch to fit most styles and lengths of toothbrushes. We again color & animal-coordinated with the green monkey. The Toothbands make it easy to snag the right toothbrush right away and also gives Charlie's a sense of ownership over his "new" toothbrush. For personalization, again write your message with a ballpoint pen and place in boiling water for at least five minutes to seal for a long-lasting message. Note: This was the only product I did the boiling method on. I used permanent marker on the My Spot and wanted to be able to change the label easier on the Bandette labels. Personalization is completely up to you and one of the components, I think, that make these products unique.

As a mom of two, these products definitely simplified our life in a fun way! The personalization definitely won me over (particularly being able to *change* the message) and the color coordination is great for the not-yet-reading kiddos in your bunch! This company is family-friendly, health-conscious, and always thinking of new ideas to make our lives simpler! I'm excited to be able to "share" some of these with one of you also!

Don't forget to visit the other mom blogs giveaways too! There are more than 120 prizes being given away this week! NEXT Mompact giveaway is Kitchen and Kids giving away Strap Tamers!

All giveaways run from Monday, 9/12 12:01 a.m. to Saturday, 9/17 12:00 a.m. Only 5 days to enter! You can find links to ALL of the great giveaways at Mompact!

Square One Organics Baby Food Review & Giveaway!!

2011-09-10T05:28:00.000-07:00

When I had Charlie a over two years ago, I was determined to give him the best foods, but without all the additives and preservatives that most jarred baby food contains. I started out making his food, but always wondered if a store-bought version existed to ensure the same health quality, but also make life a little bit more convenient! I was happy to find out with Jack (eight months) that such products DO exist!

Square One Organics is a family-run company created by Denise Henderson. As a mom of twins, she wanted to ensure that she gave them the best start possible, while also considering some of their food allergies that came up. She created a system of superfoods (nutritionally dense and have identifiable health benefits) that were unblended to easily pinpoint allergic reactions. The foods were then color-coded to make feeding baby a breeze! The color-codings are organized in such a way to be sure that you know what healthy benefits come from each of these superfoods!

The containers also are labeled starting with the proper age to begin usage (over 6 months, over 8 months, over 10 months), so there's no confusion about when baby can begin to partake in this yumminess!

Throughout the past few weeks, I have tried a few of these on Jack. Two of our favorites are the Papaya and the Quinoa.

Papaya
An excellent fruit source of vitamin C without a high acid count. We want to keep digestion easy that is why Vitamin C without all of the acid is a great thing for a 6 month old. Around 6 months your child's natural irons stores begin to be depleted. Serving vitamin C foods with your child’s cereal helps with iron absorption.

Papaya Nutrition Tidbits

Super food for the skin, digestion and immune system
Excellent source of Vitamin A, C and Folate
Contains the enzyme Papain that aids in food digestion
A two ounce Square One® serving of Papaya Puree provides 100% of your Child’s RDI of Vitamin C, 50% RDI of Vitamin A and 30% RDI of Folate, Promotes healthy immune function with its Vitamin C content.

(credited to Square One Organics - 6 Months)

Quinoa - pronounced (keen-wa)

Supports healthy digestion
Provides energy for baby’s growth, activity and brain function

Quinoa Nutrition Tidbits
This Gluten-Free grain is a really great food for your child to learn to love. It contains more protein than any other grain, as well as, supplies ALL the essential amino acids.

Super Food for Heart and Antioxidant
An excellent source of Magnesium and Folate
Gluten free
Contains more protein than any other grain thus considered the "Super Crop"
Supplies ALL the essential amino acids.
A two ounce serving of Square One® Organic Quinoa Puree provides 11% of your child’s RDI of protein

(credited to Square One Organics - 8 Months)

As a mommy, I can feel good about feeding him foods that are perfectly suited for his needs and promote growth and development. The packaging is clear - if the food is pumpkin, the product only contains pumpkin - no additives, preservatives, flavorings, etc. They are also simple to use - they are frozen (which acts as the natural preservative) - simply pop the different food(s) you want out for the day, allow to thaw and serve. You can even mix some together for some great "recipes" once you know baby doesn't have a reaction to them! Find some helpful Food Journals here where you can keep baby's food life organized!

Jack loves these foods and the new recipes I have created from them. I love the convenience of being able to just toss it in the diaper bag and go! Even Charlie loves these mixtures (and he's been out of "purees" for a while!) They are a great snack on summer days (I'm partial to the mango) and it's nice knowing these snacks are superfoods!

I am happy to share that Square One Organics has generously offered to giveaway some of their great products to one of my lucky readers! The prize pack includes:

A 12 pack of Square One Organics Superfood Purees
A Two week supply of SQ1 Daily Journals
A Square One Organics Children's CD featuring 2010 American Idol Winner Lee DeWyze
Shipping and Handling

Enter now!

Labor Day Weekend - Downtown Chicago

2011-09-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago, my Aunt Joan (Justin's mom) passed away at a youngwaytooearly age. One of my favorite memories of her is our trips downtown to enjoy the city when she came in to visit us from the great state of Indiana! Her birthday was this past Monday (September 5th) and in her honor, all 13 of us headed out to enjoy the City! Milennium Park, Grand Lux Cafe, Garrett's Popcorn, The Bean, Kite-flying and a TON of walking - she would be proud of us! (And the weather was *perfect!*) Miss you more than you know, Aunt.

Labor Day Weekend - Windy City Thunderbolts Game

2011-09-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

*Note: I promise to catch up on vacation later until then, enjoy these posts!

This past weekend one of my absolute favorite people came into town - my cousin/brother, Justin! It was his first time meeting Jack and I was happy to spend a bunch of time with him and the rest of my immediate family. My nephew, David's, birthday is October 1st, but since his BFF Justin was in town, they moved his friend party up to this past Saturday. It was rained out, so we went on Sunday instead! The weather was GORGEOUS and it was my family's first time being there (Jim, Charlie, Jack and myself). It was Jack's first official baseball game and we had fun enjoying the weather and the sport (I guess!) I really am digging this minor league parks because they are super family friendly AND affordable! (Not to mention the numerous freebies we received on our visit!)

Just a few pictures that captured our day....

Eight Months!

2011-09-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

Dear Jack,

Has it really been EIGHT months since you've been born?!?! Two-thirds of the way to your FIRST birthday? Party-planning just around the corner? (Who am I kidding, been planning for months on Pinterest!) You are lively, persistent, joyful, and experience life to the depths of your being! I can already tell you will be the child that keeps me on my toes 24/7 - I look forward to enjoying your first Fall & holidays coming up - can't wait! (and yes, your Halloween costume is already planned and being designed....)

Firsts:

*Vacation

*Time at the Beach

*First Bike Ride

*First time at the Oak Lawn Children's Museum

*First Worth Days Parade

*First high school reunion (haha)

*First Boat Ride (Mackinac Ferry)
*First time out of state! (Indiana, then Michigan)

*Sit up on your own from laying down

*Scootin' your boot and then full-on crawling!

*Screeching!

*Table Food & high chairs! (You eat what we eat and it makes life SO much easier!)

Likes:

*Nursing (my little cuddle bug!)

*Being held (usually by mommy or daddy the most)

*Charlie - you *LIVE* for Charlie - he runs into a room and you get giddy!

*Baby Einstein (thankyouJesus)

*Puffs!

*Watermelon

*Most foods (takesafterbigbrother)

*Lovey

*Scootin'! You get into mischief already!

*The Outdoors - you LOVE being out in the sunshine! (SPF'd of course!)

*The iPad (of course we don't let you play it, you just gravitate towards it....)

*BATHS! You literally LEAP out of our arms when the water starts to run!

*The Beach (water - of course) & the sand - you enjoyed throwing yourself INTO it completely flat and scraping your hands and arms in all its wonderful graininess

*The walker - at Momma's house you zip around in this thing and you have become quite proficient at it!

Dislikes:

*Being left alone

*Diaper changes (usually)

*Clothing changes (SCREAMING)

*Being put down or generally otherwise "neglected" aka notholdingyou talkingtoyou acknowledgingyou 24/7

You consistently nap in Charlie's crib (unless it's his time of course) and you sleep usually 8:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Mommy *usually* doesn't mind spending time still in bed with you in these wee hours, nursing and cuddling you, and you drift back to sleep until 7:00 or 7:30 a.m.

You are in 6-12 month clothes - depending on the brand, sizing, handmedown factor, and type of clothing.

You are a beam of sunshine in our mornings, our smiley guy, our little one who feels two emotions - extremely happy or hating life (ha!). You love to terrorize your brother, but I can already see just how much the two of you love each other. Three years ago, I would never have guessed I would have TWO boys and now, I just could never imagine our lives without you in it! We love you to bits & pieces!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Welcome, September!

2011-09-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

These are an attempt to tide my blog readers over. I assure you vacation pictures, updates, and the like are coming THIS weekend! Until then, enjoy my two favorites Littles!

Home Sweet Home

2011-08-29T04:25:00.000-07:00

We have arrived home from our wonderful vacation as a family of four! Many pictures to come in the next few days as more detailed recaps of our adventures...

Day 3

2011-08-24T04:18:00.000-07:00

Pancake Chef breakfast
Shopping at the mall, park play, FUDGE, Mackinaw Outfitters
Lunch at home
Beach
Bike ride to post office
Darrow's for dinner

Day 2

2011-08-23T04:24:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at home
Relaxing/Beach
Lunch (Annie's, Nonna Lisa's)
Dinner leftovers
Bonfire

Official Day One Recap

2011-08-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Highlights
Bakery & Tea Shoppe ("Big Mac" Donut, coffee, juice)
Walmart for stock-up shopping (Cheboygan)
Mancino's grinders for lunch
Wawatam Beach
Alexander Henry Beach
Mackinaw Bridge
Mackinaw Fudge & Pastie Company (3 cookies)
Relaxation, loft time
Dinner? probably at home!

En Route to Michigan!

2011-08-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

After seven hours of driving, we arrived safely at our destination in Mackinaw City, Michigan. our drive was fairly simple and the boys did great with only one minor outburst from none other than Jackie D. We snagged a quick breakfast & potty break at McDonalds, noshed on a yummy lunch at Triple D's Rosie's Diner in Rockford, Michigan, and then drove four straight hours to our vacation home! We ended dinner at Audie's restaurant and that is an entire blogpost in itself! Pictures, restaurant reviews, and Recap to come!

One Year Ago [this week]...

2011-08-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

One year ago this week, we discovered that Baby #2 was a B-O-Y!

I told one person - Bethany Scottberg.

In September that year, we saved a little message in the Florida sand as a keepsake.

And also wrote his name...

Sneaky, huh?

*It shall be noted that neither Jim nor I nor Bethany participated in the baby guessing contest.

Memory Snippets.

2011-08-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, I plan to post some "Memory Snippets." Memory Snippets are just some quick things the boys are doing or saying that I want to forever remember years from now...

I love the way Charlie says "polly-lop" for lollipops.

Charlie, Upon arriving at Poppy & Momma's house once, Daddy told you that we had arrived at Billy's house! You repeated what he said, then went about your way. Imagine my surprise when weeks later, when we got to our OWN house, you also said, "We're Here! It's Billy's house!" (ha!)

We also look forward to when Daddy comes home and some possibilities await us - dinner, milk, even the park! Just today, when out running errands (with the sun shining), Charlie burst out! "It's nice! Daddy come home - go to park!" Apparently, we are headed to the park post-dinner.

Charlie's current favorite show? The Letter Show! aka Wheel of Fortune - he SCREECHES when someone wins and the top guesser in our house? Mommy usually

Jack *lives* for his brother. He cries when Charlie kisses him goodnight, knowing that his friend disappears for the evening. He also cries when Charlie leaves the room sometimes!

Jack has also quickly become a mover and a shaker, never staying in the same place for long...he will definitely be keeping me on my toes!

"Loving the Little Years" - A Book Review (after just 3 chapters)

2011-08-18T08:56:00.000-07:00

If you are a momma to littles (in my case, two that are 2 and under) and are looking for a Christian perspective on raising kids, stop what you are doing and RUN to the bookstore to snag this book. After reading a brief review from my friend, Christine's, blog, I ordered it from Amazon and read the first two chapters after all the boys were in bed.

Hitting the nail on the head, Rachel (the author) offers a fresh perspective on something I needed a gentle reminder of and I started today with a new look at myself, my kids and my role in their lives. I hope to do a lengthier review after I finish reading the book on vacation, but until then, this is a must read!

Uncle David & Mimi's House!

2011-08-12T04:23:00.000-07:00

My brother is a lucky enough duck that he gets off for the summers because he's a teacher. As the summer winds down, we headed over there for a day of fun with Charlie & Jack's cousins! Filled with sunshine & good food, we had a great time as we always do!

Summer's Theme: Fireworks!

2011-08-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

You've probably heard the Katy Perry song, "Firework!" (hoping that's THE title)...but even if you haven't, that's been the theme of our summer! We have seen about four different fireworks shows and each time, Charlie is more enthusiastic than the last. Despite the Worth Days' fireworks being a minor bust (i.e. 30 minutes of waiting for 12 minutes of fun), we took the time for some photo ops!

Oak Lawn Children's Museum

2011-08-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

We headed to the Oak Lawn Children's Museum with Sarah of (SarahEmilyCathy) and let me just say, having an extra set of hands is GREAT! Especially on days where Charlie wants to run, explore, and get into healthy mischief! Thanks for joining us, Sarah! (We went on August 1st!)

Worth Days Parade

2011-08-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

I've been going to this parade since I was little! We always sit in front of my Aunt's Beauty Shop and we've been bringing Charlie for the the past three years! This was Jack's first Worth Days Parade (third parade this year!) We had a great time and Charlie collected candy like a champ with Moxie (our cousin).

Brothers.

2011-08-08T07:41:00.000-07:00

As Jack grows and becomes more and more like his own little person, he and Charlie seem to connect more like brothers. Just a sweet moment caught...

Oops! Mommy was spotted!

Seven.

2011-08-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Boys,

On this day, seven years ago, on the 7th of August, Daddy and I were married. He is everything I wanted in a husband and father to my children. He is everything I want the two of you to become.

He puts God and family first. He loves us unconditionally. He understands stress, but doesn't let a bad day ruin his mood. He is head over heels in love with the two of you. He treats me with respect. He likes to have fun and even pushes back bedtimes, just to enjoy the fireworks you love so much. He is smart, handsome, and caring.

If I would have known that the combat-booted, Metallica band shirt-wearing, long-hair flowing boy in high school would become the man I wake up to each and every day, I would have done one thing different - married him sooner.

xoxo,

Mommy

Vintage Mommy [and Jack]

2011-08-05T03:50:00.000-07:00

Vintage.

2011-08-04T03:35:00.000-07:00

*One of my all-time favorite pictures of Charlie. Taken at Lil Monkey Bizness - about two years ago. Love him, love this outfit. The end.

In an Instant

2011-08-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

My dad reminded me today just how quickly time flies. And as I sit here tonight, looking for a picture, I came across the following picture....when did he:

turn into him?

As I started looking through old pictures tonight from just two years ago, it was as if those memories happened yesterday. It's like I remember what I felt when I took that picture or what we were doing or how Charlie was acting. And in an instant, he is a rambunctious, fun-loving, two and a half year old....and my life somehow feels like it's in fast-forward.

So on days when I feel overwhelmed at the thought of all I have to do, when I feel burdened at daily life, when these boys just seem to drive me to the brink, I'll think of each of these pictures and remember that this is a season, a brief time in which I am the world to them and in which the laundry can wait 'til tomorrow and life will work itself out. I know that years from now, I'll long for these days, but while I'm here, I'll cherish them.

Seven Months!

2011-08-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Not Your Best, Boys...

2011-08-02T20:55:00.000-07:00

A Day at Home - August 1

2011-08-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to blog every day this month - whether it be about what we did, what the boys are up to or just life in general, you'll find it here (except for when we go on VACATION! Yahoo!)

August 1

Life was nuts around here today! Charlie woke up early and Mr. Jack was c-r-a-n-k-y - I think due to teething. We spent the day watching movies and just laying low (also to avoid this oppressive heat!) Daddy surprised us with Chipotle for dinner and the evening ended nicely! What are your favorite tricks to beat the heat with little ones?

Mommyhood

2011-07-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

I changed a diaper...
....and changed another a half hour later.

I fed the baby....
.....and fed him again and again and again.

I took a potty break...
.....and helped someone else take four more.

I washed three loads of laundry....
.....and saw that I still had three more to go.

I vacuumed the kitchen....
.....and did that again two more times. That hour.

I played cars, trucks, trains, blocks....
.....and we've only gone through one-third of the toys we own.

Four naps have been taken today....
.....none of which have been mine.

I thought about what to make for dinner....
....and made breakfast instead.

I wore pajamas all day today....
....because I forgot to get dressed.

My boys wore pajamas all day....
....because I was too tired to dress them.

I hugged, kissed, and cuddled....
.....because I'm a mommy and that's what we do.*

*amongst all of the other things that I previously mentioned. Mommyhood is exhausting, but the last line makes it all worth it...most of the time. (KIDDING!)

"Snakes, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails..." (times six...)

2011-07-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

So what happens when you get four big boys (between the ages of 2 & 7), two little boys (6.5 months & 3.5 months), and one little girl (3.5 months)? Pure, unadulterated chaos! I wouldn't have it any other way, amidst the crying (everyone had their share at one point or another, except Parker, I think), multiple snack breaks ("cookies please," "chips please," "juice please," "SOMEthing PLEASE!"), a few diaper changes, and some match-making with single friends, we managed to survive AND had fun. I'm glad to have friends who are low-maintenance in that sense - let's just talk and enjoy!

Future Boy Band perhaps?

Jack crawls forward for the first time....to get TATUM!

The Fellas

On the Move

2011-07-26T15:35:00.000-07:00

Floppy Hats

2011-07-25T07:03:00.000-07:00

With two boys born in January, their closet is overflowing with clothes. In an effort to re-organize and make sure all the right sizes are available, I got down to business this past weekend. Throughout the course of my efforts, we came across some floppy hats that all of the boys really enjoyed playing with....

Box Fun

2011-07-25T05:53:00.000-07:00

We love our boxes around here and the new carseat box is no different! After daddy was kind enough to cut a large door into it, lots of peekaboo fun was had.

Stud Muffin

2011-07-21T11:25:00.001-07:00

Baby J is famous!

Pinteresting.

2011-07-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks, I have become obsessed (like many people & bloggers) with Pinterest - thanks to my friend, Bethany. You can find my Pinterest boards here. Pinterest is a great way to organize thoughts, recipes, crafts, & room decor. I've also begun planning Jack's 1st birthday (yes, I know) and made a few of the recipes and crafts on there.

With the heat wave here in Chicago, I checked out Pinterest for a fresh new idea for Charlie for the indoors and came up with this. Here are some photos of our version, practicing counting:

Charlie's Chores

2011-07-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

A few days ago, I referenced putting up a chore chart for Charlie. This is the Melissa & Doug one I had purchased a few months ago at a great Carson's sale. After looking over the possible chores, we selected the ones that would be the easiest for him to understand and then we added one, "Eat Dinner." Each time he accomplishes these chores, he gets praise and a magnet for the day. Some days are better than others and rather than forcing him to accomplish each thing each day, we focus more on completing things that are on his list as he does them. For example, if he says please & thank you without prompting. So far, he has done really well! He plays with the bottom section and he knows the top is for mommy & daddy. I'm brainstorming possible rewards for a GREAT week - any suggestions?

My only complaint is the "manners" chore tab shows a child getting ice cream. I'm a firm believer that a child should say please and thank you, even if they aren't getting dessert. :)

Jack in the Box

2011-07-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

During the time when illness invaded our home, we spent lots of time doing indoor activities, like puzzles. After dumping out a puzzle for Charlie on the floor and having Jack sit up in his Boppy to watch him, I went into my room to put some clothes away....I came back to find this [I promise you...I did NOT do this and Jack was in a sitting up position when I left]:

And yes, I'm THAT mom. You know the one...the one who takes a picture of her child in a box instead of removing him first. I still have yet to figure out if Jack rolled into the box or if his brother helped....hmmmm.....

Battling a Summer Bug

2011-07-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

A little under two weeks ago, a bug hit our house in a big way. Leaving Jack fussy, warm, and generally unhappy, we realized just how serious this was going to be. I fell victim a few days later and we are just NOW leaving most of it behind (while still feeling some ill effects). Baby J has made a complete (active) recovery much to our dismay as we still sneeze, cough, and have feelings if fatigue. In the meantime, while we were laid up indoors, we used the best of what we had to pass the time: