Halloween 2014

Sariah: Nice Scarlet Vampire
James: Optimus Prime
Seth: Thing 3

Dad's Phone Pictures

I cleaned the pictures off of Jared's phone tonight.  There's some beauties on there!  I am so glad and grateful that he takes the time to capture these sweet moments.  Makes my heard go pitter patter.

Exchange with a Gallon of Milk

Today, I took Seth and went to Wal-Mart.  Now, if you have ever had toddlers in tow while venturing on your errands, you know that things never go as expected.  You have to have a few things packed in your purse to keep them distracted, extra diapers in case of an accident, or even just the mindset that if things go south - you will ditch your cart and bail.

This morning, as we were meandering about, things went wonderfully according to plan.  Until I got the gallon of milk.  Seth, being just as independent and vocal as his older sister was when she was a toddler, was very clear about wanting to hold the milk.  So I set it next to him instead of on his lap, because it was so heavy.  Do you think that satisfied Mr. Independent?  After a very colorful exchange between Seth and the gallon of milk, I figured it was time to quickly check out and leave.

As we pretty much sprinted to the front of the store, I noticed the sweet little old ladies doing their morning shopping either chuckling along with the commotion or glaring at me.  I either made their day and miss the days when they had young children, or I completely ruined their calm and peaceful shopping trip.

I'm just glad that the milk was the LAST thing on our list!

NOTE: Falling face first into a slide at the park is what gave him that wonderful swollen cheek and purple bruise.

My Heart Belongs to an Athlete

This firstborn son of ours is a full-fledged soccer player!  We are done with Little Feet Sports and have started on the adventure of real soccer.  James is in heaven!  He loves his coach, loves his teammates, and even scored a goal in his first game.

I think they should rename soccer at this age to Magnet Ball.  It's hilarious to watch!

James is very sportsman-like, very kind, very patient, and always wants to do the right thing.  It is hard for him when someone else isn't doing the right thing because everything within him wants to make it right.  When teammates weren't being nice to one another, James had a good talk with them  and helped them sort out their issue.  "Blessed are the peacemakers..."

James has found such confidence in himself as he has been playing soccer.  He feels like he is important, that he stands out in our family, and has found a voice that is very empowering.  My heart belongs to this wonderful brown-eyed athlete of mine.

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

Sariah LOVES boots.  She would sleep in them if I let her!  We found these boots on clearance at Target, and she hasn't taken them off.

I love her sense of style - I always have!  I am so grateful for a girl who isn't afraid of what others think about her, and is comfortable and confident in who she is to make her own statement.

"I see excellence in you, my daughter."

Nugget

It is time that I introduce Nugget!

We promised the kids that once we moved into our new home, we would get a dog.  To keep.  Not to foster and give away, but to keep as ours.

One Saturday, I took the kids to Pima Animal Control to adopt a pit bull.  We all know that pits are my favorite, and PACC is FULL of them.  I even thought maybe we would bring home a couple of puppies!

Alas, my children fell in love with probably the only chihuahua in the entire shelter.  She's so sweet, so snuggly, and tiny.  The kids named her Nugget.  Welcome to the family, sweet girl!

Cousin Trouble

Boy oh boy do these cousins love each other!  At 30 days apart, they are bound to be best buds.  I sure hope so!

We spent some of our fall break days at Courtney's house.  We took Nugget.  That's an entirely different blog post!

I think the kids spent 80% of their time outside, and about 99% of their time outside in the awesome treehouse.  Next time, I'm taking my nice camera!

These two little boys had such a grand time following each other, and playing with each other.

Two little cousins who are smart enough to close the door.  However, neither of them is tall enough to open the door back up!  So they stood their and cried.  I had to get a picture before we rescued them!

Probably their favorite thing to do was push each other around in this baby doll stroller.  It took them a while to figure out how it all worked.  But once they did, they zoomed around!

Until someone was ready to be done.  But then they didn't just climb out.  He FLOPPED himself out in frustration.

I die everytime I see that picture.

Brothers

These boys adore each other.  James is the best big brother because he loves to play and snuggle his little brother.  There is something comforting, as a mother, that these two have each other.  Looking out for each other, playing with each other, even figuring out how to argue with each other.

I was a little worried about the transition of getting them into the same room now that we have moved.  I was being so silly!  They couldn't be happier sharing a room together!  Often times, I will put Seth down to sleep and he won't fall asleep until James his joined him.  James and I will sneak ever so sneakily into their room, and Seth will pop up with a huge smile on his face almost as if to say, "Finally!  My brother!"

I hope to do all I can to foster this friendship, and help them know how lucky they are to have each other.  One of their favorite things to do is basket rides.  I am not quite sure which one has more fun!  (The boys have different outfits on.  These were taken on 2 different days.)