Tuesday Tidbits

Griffin's big boy bed finally arrived today.  I'm really happy with it and so is Griff.

I love doing whatever I can to make Griffin feel special and independent.  He is extremely independent and demands to do things himself all the time so I know this big boy bed is important to him. 

 

I made a new recipe today.  Love it!  I kinda consider myself a taco/enchilada/Mexican soup expert.  Mexican food is my favorite and I love any type of good soup.  Give me some sweat pants, a cold day, and a bowl (or two) of yummy soup and I'm in heaven.  Bonus:  It's a crock pot recipe and it's from Skinnytaste.com!

 

Kinley can now swing herself.  She no longer needs me.  She might as well move out.

 

 

Tonight when I was tucking Kinley into bed....

Me:  Kinley, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Kinley:  Kinley!!!

Perfect.

 

Tonight when I was tucking Griffin into bed.....

Me giving him a big kiss:  I love you so much, Griff.  You're my best buddy.

Griffin:  You best momma!

Tear.

 

I've had this next topic on my Tuesday Tidbits list for several weeks now.  It's not easy for me to talk about because it's just not a fun subject.  Between January and May I worked really hard and ate really well and lost 9 pounds.  The months of May and June were insanely busy and I quit all those great habits.  And unfortunately, I've gained most of that back.  I'm so mad at myself which I think is what the last month of eating has been about.  I'm mad at myself and I'm just done.  Well, not anymore.  I'm ready to start my good habits again and I'm having a great week so far.  The kids being at school and giving me time to do things I really need to is helping.  After I dropped the kids off Monday morning I went straight to the park and ran/walked almost 4 miles.  I did a Jillian Michaels video today, and I'm heading back to the park in the morning.  I'm going to work hard and talk about it a little bit here.  This is our family blog that I will eventually turn into a book and I don't want to look back and see pages and pages of diet and workout stuff, know what I mean?  Anyway, I think getting it out there and confessing my sins to the three people that read my blog :) will help me stay accountable.  And maybe I'll share some yummy, healthy recipes.  Do those exist? ;)

 

Successful First Day

The kids had a great first day of school.  I knew Kinley would be fine, but although Griffin was really excited about school, I thought he might cry after he realized we had actually left him there.  He cries every time we leave him in his class at church.  Nope.  No tears.  So proud of my little man.

Getting ready that morning was crazy, of course.  Both kids have been sleeping in all summer (awesome!) so I knew they would be moving slower that usual, wondering why the heck we had to be out the door before 9.  And pictures were frustrating......when will this ever get easy?!  Oh my gosh all I want is a few good pictures.  All I'm asking is they look at the camera and smile.  Ugh.  Stresses me out.  I know it shouldn't but it does.

 

Both were happy to see me when I picked them up after their half day (full days start next week. YAY!) and according to their teachers they both did great.

 

I'm so proud of Kinley and Griffin.  I have no idea why I've been so blessed but I'll take it!

Wacky Wednesday!

Contrary to this picture.......

 

they had a great first day!

Tuesday Tidbits

Griffin is officially a big boy.  I ordered him a full size bed on August 3rd and we were supposed to receive it by August 16.  Haven't heard from anyone concerning delivery and I'm pretty ticked about it but what can you do?  Anyway, since we really wanted him to transition out of his crib before he started school we decided to just put the box springs and mattress on the floor and let him sleep there until his bed arrives.  We did that Saturday night and he did amazing!  And he was so excited.  After bath he didn't want to read book but just wanted to go to bed.  Precious.  Sunday morning, instead of staying in bed until we came and got him (Kinley has always waited for us to come get her.  Always.) he came to the top of the stairs and yelled, "Hi, guys!"

Tomorrow is the first day of school this year for Kinley and Griffin's first day ever.  I've been really ready and excited, until yesterday.  We had parent orientation and there are a few things that I'm worried about with Kinley's class.  The classroom is small.  Not a big deal but I hate small spaces.  The kids have to leave the room and go down the hall by themselves to use the restroom.  Kinley isn't a confident pottier and likes to have me there to help if she needs it (yes, I realize this is my fault because I've always babied her.  She's my first born.), and I really don't like them wandering down the hall by themselves.  And I'm just worried that she's expecting her old teachers and classmates.  We took the kids to meet their teachers this morning but we stopped and saw both of her old teachers and we barely spoke to the new teacher as we walked in door.  That wasn't her or our fault, just too many people and chaos in one room.  All that to say, Kinley is a creature of habit and I'm worried about her.  I know she'll adjust but the adjustment period won't be fun.  Griffin did really well in his classroom and I think he's ready.  I might be wrong.

As I said, I've been really excited about the thought of dropping the kids off at school and peeling out of the parking lot screaming, "FREEDOM!!!"  I'm only sorta kidding.  And to prove that, here is a list of things I'm excited about doing without kids. :)

1. Zumba.  I found a super cheap place and I'm ready to dance my little big booty off.  Literally.

2. Whole Foods, Sunflower Market, Uptown Grocery.  I've never been to any of these new grocery stores in town and it's because there is no way I would be able to look around, enjoy myself, and actually shop with two kids in tow.

3. Running at my favorite park.  I need to get off the treadmill and run outside.

4. Errands and cleaning without kids.  Something that used to take 2 hours will no doubt take 15 minutes sans kids.

5. Marshall's.  I love Marshall's and they have great prices.  If you visit often enough you can find some super cute decorative stuff.  I have an entire house that needs decorating.  I'll be visiting twice a week. :)

Me and my dark purple nails are ready for fall.  Bring. It.

Today, on the way to meet the kids' teachers we pulled over for an ambulance and Kinley and I stopped to pray for whoever needed to ride in said ambulance.  After we prayed Kinley said, "I want to color with God."  Me too, sister.

Tuesday Tidbits

Me:  Kinley, what's your name?

Kinley:  Kinley Grace Hyeon-wu Chambers

You should hear her try to say Hyeon-wu.

I asked Kinley to come put on her shoes.  She stopped in front of me, bowed, and said, "Nice to meet you, your majesty."

Griffin got stung by a bee on Saturday, August 11 while climbing around in the crow's nest of the swing set.  We heard "ouch" and then he slapped his leg and then started screaming.  So we didn't actually see what got him but it sure looked like a bee sting.  I posted a picture on Facebook and my best friend texted me and told me to tape a penny to the sting.  She said it had worked for her daughter.

It worked!  We took it off after about 15 minutes and the swelling was down and the redness had mostly gone away.  And the next day there was a tiny little red dot.  That's it!  Pretty amazing.

Kinley is calling Blake and me dad and mom.  I don't approve.  I am mommy or momma for a few more years, right?!  And she's not giving in easily.  She's persistent even when I tell her I'm not going to answer to mom.  That girl is giving me a run for my money right now...

We're thinking Griffin might be a leftie.  He eats left handed, swings a golf club and baseball bat left handed, and when he goes across the monkey bars he always leads with his left hand.  And Kinley always leads with her right.  We shall see.

New Tradition

I love a good tradition.  I feel that traditions are things we always, always remember.  I don't have a great memory (really!  I get it from my mom!) but I can remember our traditions because it was typically something we did every year.  So, I suggested to my mom that she start a tradition of taking the kids school clothes shopping every year right before school starts.  Make a day of it....shopping, lunch, maybe some ice cream.  She was on board and I think she was missing the kids so we scheduled her visit for the following weekend, which just so happened to be this last weekend.

Before I go any farther, I'd like to say that I didn't come up with this tradition on my own.  My friend's grandmother took her shopping and now my friend's mom takes her grandkids shopping.  You get the idea. :)

So my mom drove in on Friday.  We ate dinner and then headed right outside to enjoy the much cooler temperatures.  I decided to let the kids get the shaving cream out and things got crazy.

My mom is such a great sport.  Kinley chased mom all over the yard and then mom would chase Kinley.  It was pretty fun to watch.  Lots of giggling and silliness.

Sidenote:  Griffin has been sick since Thursday.  Fever and congestion the first three days.  Now he's just got some MAJOR congestion.  Poor guy is not himself and hardly eating.  Breaks my heart.

So, the next day we got ready for our big shopping day and I made everyone stop and take a picture.

This is how pictures go for us......

Kinley not looking at the camera.

Mom not looking at the camera.

 Kinley showcasing her 'tude.

Mom with her eyes closed and more attitude from the little one.

Good times.

We had a great day.  We hit a few big girl stores (Loft and Victoria's Secret) and then some fun stuff like Baby Gap, Disney Store, Marshall's, Kohl's, and maybe a quick stop for a chocolate chip cookie for Kinley.  We had fun and Kinley was pretty good all day.  Let's be honest, shopping with a three year old can be less than enjoyable.  Of course, my mom handled Kinley's antics much better than I did.

Mom and I caught Kinley in the corner of Loft trying on hats and belts.  Diva.

Kinley, did the cookie explode on your face?

My favorite spot, Marshall's, was good to me.  As always.  Here's what I picked up for Kinley's room.

I love it and it fits her room perfectly. 

I also might have bought a coffee table.  But it's not really a coffee table.  And it's for our formal living room....that's empty.

Good day.  Great tradition.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tidbits

I just love love love love love LOVE the Olympics.  Especially the summer games.  So I'm watching as much as I can right now and really trying to get the kids into it.  They enjoy the swimming and gymnastics (ME TOO!).  Whenever we say we're going to watch the Olympics they run towards the TV and scream, "Let's watch exercise!!!"

May I suggest a book.  A trilogy, actually.  The first book is called Divergent and the second is Insurgent.  The third is not finished, not named, and won't be out until Fall 2013.  What?!!!  I can't wait that long!  Anyway, if you like The Hunger Games you'll like Divergent.

I took the kids to the zoo a couple weeks ago and as I was pushing the double stroller up to the cafe two Chinese girls were oooing and awwing over my kids, particularly Griffin.  When I stepped up to order one girl says in very broken English, "They twins?"

Um, no.

I just smiled and said, "No.  Just brother and sister."

Pretty sure something was lost in translation.

Griffin's new adorable thing to say is whoopie daisy.

Not whoopsie daisy.

That kid is hysterical.

I love stomping up the stairs just for fun and listening to the kids run for their lives.

Kinley says something I can't understand and seems frustrated when I tell her so.
Me:  Do you want to repeat it?
Kinley:  Yeah!
Me:  Say it again.
Kinley:  Repeat it!!!
Big sigh.

"What planet are you from that you think I'm Go Go Gadget Mom that can do 14 things for you all at once??!!!"
Said to Griffin in one of my finer parenting moments.

I go into Griff's room to get him after his nap and immediately smell the funk....
Me: Did you poop, Griffin?
Griffin: Yeah!
Me: You did?!
Griff: I touched the poop.
Pause........
Me: You touched the poop?
Griff: Yeah.
Fantastic.

As we're cruising through the dollar section at Target...
Griffin:  Check it out, guys!!!
That's my boy!

First MLB Experience

Since Blake was a kid, his favorite baseball team has been the Angels.  Just so happened that the Angels were playing the Texas Rangers last week so we decided to take the kids to their first major league baseball game.  I love baseball but I might have been a little excited about getting to make another Trader Joe's trip.  I could write an entire post about TJ's but I won't....I guess.  Anyway, I was excited about grocery shopping, Blake was pumped to see his team play, and the kids were dying to get back to a hotel pool.  Win. Win. Win.

We drove to Fort Worth Tuesday morning/afternoon, checked into the hotel, and went right down to the pool.  The kids are fish and would swim all day if we let them.  But it was 106 degrees (for reals) and even in the cool water it was HOT!

 

Diva!

They were in heaven!

This one is a natural in the water.

We had the place to ourselves.

 

Love her.

 

Griffin jumping in.  Dare devil.

After a couple hours we took two exhausted (no naps, lots of swimming) kids upstairs for a bath and snack before the game.

 

I really thought the bed would be the end of them but nope.  Just kept eating and watching How To Train Your Dragon.

 

Wanna guess what happened as soon as we pulled out of the hotel parking lot?

 

Yup.  Two sleeping kids.  Oh well.  Traffic was bad so they got to sleep for about 45 minutes.  Actually, Kinley slept over an hour because she didn't really wake up until we sat her in her seat in the ballpark.

 

This picture makes me laugh hard because Kinley is still sleeping and Blake is hanging on to Griffin for dear life because for whatever reason Griffin was having a hard time standing up.

Taking it all in....

 

Griffin's first cotton candy experience.

 

He liked it but not as much as the peanuts and popcorn.

 

Kinley has had cotton candy before and loves it but this is her face while eating it. LOL!  She's always struggled with weird textures and cotton candy is as weird as it gets.

 

Proud daddy.

 

Angels win!  Pujols hit two homers.

 

I wanted to be sure and mention our friend that we met at the game.  He and his three buddies showed up with beers in hand and immediately sat down and started heckling the Angels players.  Obviously, the players couldn't hear them but my kids could and it was just annoying.  And they weren't really over doing it but we were just wondering when they would zip it and just enjoy the game.

 

Enter the Chambers kids.

 

Sharing peanuts.

High five!

 

Both of my kids are super social.  Griffin occasionally doesn't warm up to someone but for the most part both of them are annoying :) friendly.  The guy directly in front of me was the loudest, biggest guy and I really thought he and his friends would end up drunk and unbearable.  I was way off.  He started talking to my kids and then turned to me and said, "Two and three?"  Uh, yeah.  How did this early to mid twenties guy guess my kids' ages?  He continued to play with them and the kids were loving it and the attention.  He was AWESOME with them.  Seriously, I wanted him to come home with us.  We got to talking and he teaches kids ages 18 months to 5 years privately.  He told me all about the Fort Worth Science Museum and insisted that we check it out.  And even told me that Wednesday's are half price day.  He was just the nicest guy.  I regret not getting his name.

 

We got back to the hotel that night around 11 and got the kids in bed.  They slept in a pull out sofa bed.  Together.  And it actually worked out really well.  They giggled and talked until 11:45 that night and I let them because it was the cutest thing ever.

 

We woke up the next morning and Blake took the kiddos down to breakfast then we all went for a morning swim.  Then lunch and our first (yes, first) trip to Trader Joe's.

 

Success!

Then nap, a horrific migraine for me, pizza for dinner, and more swimming.

We were starting to go a little crazy in the hotel room so we brought out the big guns....stickers.

We woke up the next morning and while I made a final run at Trader Joe's, Blake grabbed Starbuck's for me and Jamba Juice for himself.  And off we went.  Homeward bound.

It was a great trip.  The kids had a blast and were tuckered out by the time we got home.  We feel blessed that we can just get away for a few days and come home both exhausted and refreshed.