a new 'tude times two

So, I've made a huge conscious effort in the past 2 days to be more positive with the kiddos. Prayed on it, reminded myself of it, and most importantly, ACTED on it. Instead of saying things like "Emerson, stop picking your nose," I'm saying things like "Em, do you need a tissue?" "Emerson, please don't hit your brother," has changed into "I like how you pretend that Pete is your drum. Show me how you play softly."

Now, I'm not saying that this is a miracle solution, but I promise you that the attitude adjustments around here have been impressive. Here's the proof...

5 o'clock box?

So, you know all the things I've said about Pete sleeping like a dream and Emerson loving preschool?

Scratch that.

Pete has seemingly forgotten how to nap and how to sleep through the night. Don't know what is up with that, but seriously, let's get back to it, K Bug?

And Emerson, who lulled me into a false sense of security with 3 perfect drop-offs for the first 3 days at school, has since turned into "that kid." You know, the one whose teachers have to physicaly pull her off the Mama. Awesome.

With naps coming at a premium, and lots of testing and pushing the limits going on, the "witching hour" comes early and stays late around here. All 3 of us have short fuses come 4:00 or so, and there's a loooooong few hours there before Papa comes home. Add into that the fact that I need to make dinner at some point, and we hit full tilt meltdown mode.

My solution? The "5:00 box." A genius of a ditty if I do say so myself. A treasure trove filled with entertaining, engaging, independent activities that Emerson can do at the kitchen table while I'm cooking or whatever. And, to build excitement about said box, it can ONLY come out when the first number on the clock is "5."

Pretty clever, huh? For once, I thought of a good idea all by myself. Well, sort of. See, I have this grand plan for the 5:00 box, but I have absolutely NO IDEA what to put in it!!! So, I'm BEGGING you...what are the best independent, inexpensive tried-and-true activities for your preschoolers?

some pictures and some blessings

First things first. I've had the chance to spend time with lots of sorority sisters over the past 2 weekends, and I have to say, you girls are my besties. Every one of you. It says a lot that we can not only have fun during the years of studying days and partying nights, but also during our new lives of weddings, babies, jobs, sickness, and general mayhem in the daily routine. I love you all and am so, SO glad that we are SISTERS.

Ok, on to some pics of the cutie patooties. We hit the park last Tuesday morning before school, where incidentally, it was "yellow" day. Hence the sunny shirt on Miss E. I think I did pretty well with my little point-and-shoot, especially since it was an impromptu photo session.



This Pete's first swing ride. If you know him, you might be surprised to see Mr. Serious...he's usually so smiley. But he was so captivated by the motion of swinging and having his sister swinging right next to him, that I think he forgot to smile.

pete @ 6 months

Hard to believe, but our little man is 6 months old! Here's a snapshot of life with Pete at 6 months:

* he has started eating "solid" foods. Here's Mr. Giggles and his first taste of squash.





I suppose I should use the term "eating" pretty loosely, don't you think?




I very much enjoy making Pete's baby food. I love knowing exactly what my kids are putting into their tiny bodies. Emerson has been my sous chef, and this weekend, the whole family got into the act.




* He's getting stronger every day. He can even sit up all by himself for about 5 seconds now!





We love Pete!

big doings around here

Today was a red letter day in our house.

Emerson started Preschool. And it almost didn't happen today! She (and Pete) both have allergies/colds, and sleep has been coming at a premium for her this week. She's a booger factory too, and generally feeling crummy. And if it wasn't the first "First Day of School" EVER, I wouldn't have sent her.

But, this. was. a. big. deal. We've been talking about it, like, since February. I think we've checked out every book our library carries about going to school. We met our teachers and visited the classroom last week. We were ready.

And she did great! No tears, no hesitation; just one, two, three, GO!

Welcome to a lifetime of learning, Tootsie.

these eyes

These eyes...

* were the color of blueberries when she was a wee babe, but are slowing turning to hazel, just like her Papa

* scruch up when she throws her head back and laughs

* fill with tears when things don't go her way

* make me laugh when they're pretending to belong to Donald Duck or Minnie Mouse or baby Goofy

* sometimes (and lately, more often than not) test the boundaries of acceptable behavior

* will, along with the rest of Herself, be starting preschool on Tuesday

* have a love/hate relationship with her baby brother. Mostly love, though. Today she went over to him without any prompting from anyone and threw her arms around him while saying "I love you, Pete."

*have been with me for 3 years, but I can't remember life before them

* have an amazing future ahead of them

a project

Happy Labor Day all. I know that I've been away for a while, so I'm bringing a peace offering tonight...my latest project!

As you probably know, I'm an avid scrapbooker. I read some scrapbooking magazines and they're always suggesting that we look for creative inspiration in the everyday world around us. Now, I'm not the most creative person...I can modify a project with the best of them, but I rarely think of something cool on my own. But when I saw these stickers that Emerson got for her birthday, I knew that I wanted to do a family photo shoot just like them.



So, we waited for a sunny day, turned off the flash (I SWEAR that it's the best way to take pictures!!), and had a fun photo shoot. By the way, Pete was done in one take. He's such a ham!

Here's the final product (before I got it up on the wall) It's in a black square record album frame from Hobby Lobby. I LOVE it!