Fair Fun

Call me crazy but we just had the best day at the state fair!  I've never really been a fair girl.  I don't really get what all the excitement is about.  Everything is overpriced, dirty, and to be honest some of the people walking around there scare me.  But today I decided to change my attitude for my kids and see if we could have some fun.  We also decided we were going to eat as much "fun" fair food as possible.  I'm pretty sure we accomplished that.

 

Let's just get this craziness out of the way. Yes, I ate at least one bite of everything in this collage. The turkey leg was something I for sure wanted to try because they're so popular. It was ok. I ate about half of the chili cheese fries and all of the corn dog. The rest was just a few bites of each. It was fun just going for it and trying everything.

 

 

Funnel cake yumminess.

 

Kinley saw the ferris wheel and immediately asked to ride it.  I was a little shocked actually....considering she's a little bit of a chicken.  But she was super excited and after watching it go around and around (and way up in the sky...gulp) she was even more convinced this ride was for her.

I rode with her and she just kept smiling and saying, "Whooooooaaaa!"

 

Then we headed over to the kiddie rides and let them ride a few rides.  Lots of fun and big smiles. 

 

We were starting to tire out but decided to take a stroll through the animal barns and I'm so glad we did. 

Have you ever seen anything so cute?!!! I want one. I'm sure our homeowners association would love us.

 

The kids (human kids. haha. get it?) loved all the animals.  We saw sheep, goats, horses, pigs, cows, chicks, and even a cat and two dogs that were looking to be adopted.  My favorites were the baby goats, of course.  They even had some baby goats that were born last week!  Oh my, they were adorable!

 

Today was definitely the most fun I've ever had at the fair.  I think Kinley and Griffin had fun, too.  My kiddos are awesome and I love hanging out with them. :)

 

Night Before Griffin's Big Day

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.