Bon appetit!

I'm not the world's greatest cook, but I'm not awful either. In fact cooking is one skill I've been working on since this whole stay-at-home thing has happened. I figured it's a good way to save money and I kind of like cooking- I never thought I'd say that, but I do, when it turns out well.

This week I'm supposed to be bringing something to share at MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers: a group of moms who get together twice a month at church), so I figured I'd get out my breadmaker.

"YOU have a breadmaker?!" Yes, I do. I haven't used it since we moved to our house 3 years ago and I have the dusty appliance to prove it.

So....I asked Pongo's mom to send me a recipe to make bread, had all the ingredients, followed the directions precisely and this is what I got....Not exactly a culinary masterpiece. Apparently it's important to check the expiration date of the yeast packet before attempting to make bread. Another one bites the dust, literally and figuratively.

Hap-pa Ber-tay to You!

We have been to a lot of birthday parties recently. One every weekend for the past 3 weeks. And we still have mine this Saturday. Saturday we drove to my brother's house and celebrated his birthday, my mom's and mine. They're all within 2 weeks of each other. My sister's is in there too, but she couldn't make it. It was fun to see everyone. In fact we had such a nice time that I forgot to take pictures. Pongo took the only ones. It seems like everytime we get to see my family I completely forget to take pictures, which is sad because I'd like to have more of them. Regardless of the lack of pictures it was really nice to see everyone. Next time I resolve to take lots of pictures.

Since we've been to birthday parties so often Lucky knows the entire birthday song. Will he sing it on demand? Of course not! But it's cute anyway. The song is more like "Hap-pa Ber-tay to you!" The cake you see pictured here Lucky helped me make, he wanted to help frost too, but mostly he just ate icing. He calls it "Gamma's Hap-pa Ber-ta Cake."

Rollying Around

Look at my little Rolly rolling around! I didn't actually get any video of him rolling, but he can and does. He's been able to roll since he was one month. I don't know how though with all that chunk! I guess he's just must be super strong to support all his body weight or something. Rolly's gotten really good at swatting and grabbing toys on his little mat.

What a talker too! So cute- all those gurgling baby sounds. At bible study yesterday, he was so thrilled with all the talking that he just jumped in whenever anyone spoke. He's a regular group member. Soon we won't be able to get a word in edge-wise!

Lucky is so fun to watch when Rolly starts talking. He gets this shocked look on his face, followed by a giant smile. He shouts, and I do mean shouts, "He's talking Mommy!" Since Rolly talks so much this scene takes place a lot during our days. I am so thankful to be home with my boys experiencing the joy of these everyday moments.

Big Boys Can Share

This little car was/is one of Lucky's favorite boy toys. Look how nicely he's sharing with his "bay-bee brudder." I love it!

This one is just right!

Since having Rolly, I've learned that getting just the right picture of the boys together is really difficult. Lucky has started this really cheesy smile, (pictured above) with squinty eyes and a huge teethy smile. Rolly on the other hand, can be smiling and talking, but as soon as you get the camera out goes into a blank stare. Oh well, they're cute anyway! As you can see this is the progression to get the cute picture of the boys together at the top. I think they are all cute though. Maybe I'm biased though.

Who put their hand in the cookie jar?

Last night Lucky and I made "buckeyes" for Mommy's bible study. They are super-fun to make with a little helper because the dough is soft and squishy like playdough. I asked Lucky if we eat playdough. He said, "No eat pay-dough. I eat p-butter!"

Lucky loves to cook, but even more than cooking he loves to eat. Lucky made some "special" buckeyes that we kept at home too.

Recipe for Buckeyes:

2 c. creamy peanut butter

1 stick softened butter

1 box powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix peanut butter and butter with a mixer until well blended. Add vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar while mixing. Shape peanut butter balls to be about the diameter of a quarter and place on a wax paper tray. Refrigerate. Top with Magic Shell chocolate topping before serving.

Playtime!

Now that Rolly is getting a bit more interactive Lucky feels that it is his job to "show" Rolly how to play with all the toys. As you can see, there are plenty. Rolly really likes to sit and play in his Bumbo chair.

Lucky brings him all kinds of toys, really all kinds. Saturday we had to wrap a birthday present and Lucky thought the huge tube from the wrapping paper roll was a perfect toy for Rolly. He would shout down the tube into Rolly's face. Saying, "I see you!"

Another thing he likes to share with Rolly is his die-cast (fyi: metal) toy trains. Mommy would much prefer sharing the softer, fabric toys, but Lucky wants nothing to do with those. He says, "Mommy I chair my t00t ch00s!" {I share my choo choos!}

I can't believe how well they play together already. Lucky is one special big brother. Rolly is in for all kinds of fun!

America's Next Reality TV Show

If you know me, you know that my family is not big into TV, but when there is a show that I say I "watch"-what I mean is I'm obsessed with it. I reference what I "watch" in conversation and am completely shocked when others don't react to the breaking news occuring in my show. Can we say, Rachael Ray?- I know weird!

That being said the 2 reality TV shows I watch are America's Next Top Model and Biggest Loser. I like how inspirational Biggest Loser is. Those people are totally changing their lives-what a difficult feat. And Top Model-well not nearly as inspirational, I like the fashion, drama, and watching Tyra being a complete moron in all things, but modeling. Who gave her a talkshow?

So here we come to my newest brain child (yeah-I know I need a hobby) how bout combining my two favorite shows call it America's Next Hot Mama. There should be a bunch of postbaby women competing to become the biggest loser while learning how to dress for their changing bodies. There could be 2 teams, one team of women breastfeeding and one formula-feeding. It would help promote the benefits of nursing. There could be challenges both fashion and physical.

You're probably thinking geez- "you've got way too much free-time." I don't know where these ideas come from, but I do think people would watch. It would be inspirational to all of us mommys and it could give us helpful fitness tips, Maybe it's because I see women in the gym everyday struggling to get back into shape, or in shape for the first time. I told Pongo my idea and he said I needed to copyright my idea before posting it. SO supportive-laugh it up Pongo. I still think it's a good idea.

No, no Spit!

My little Rolly seems to have quite the propensity for spitting up lately. Yesterday at church he spit up so much that it flew down his bib and landed with a splat on the floor. Since he's been spitting up so much I usually opt for giving him another bath instead of cleaning him off with baby wipes. Lucky is cute because he tells his brother, "No, no spit!" Which is funny to me because whenever I want Lucky to understand that he is not to do something I say "No, no _____!" Lucky gets tissues and wipes and cleans Rolly up too! Rolly has got to be one of the cleanest babies ever. Here's my cute, little Rolly Poly getting another bath!

So sweet

Since I've had Rolly I've worked really hard for the boys to have different nap times. I know a lot of other people like their children to nap at the same time. I like them to be different, so I get individual time with both boys. This has worked out for the most part, until today. Pongo, Lucky and Rolly are all napping. So I thought I'd mow the grass. When I finished everyone was still asleep. I showered. Still sleeping. I folded a load of laundry. Still sleeping. I folded another load and put it all away. Still sleeping. Weird. I suppose a quiet house is a good thing, but when all I've done all afternoon is work (on the house and yard) I want my boys up so we can play. Here's a shot of Rolly sleeping soundly in his swing. So sweet.

Mall Crawler

After 4 hours at the mall my boys and I were exhausted, but we did absolutely no shopping. How does one spend 4 hours at the mall with out shopping? I'll tell you... Today we went to have Rolly's 3 month pictures done. What an ordeal! It took us 2 hours to get in and out of there. Rolly smiled sweetly for his first few pictures, but then spit up over his cute little outfit before she took his picture with his hat on. I had another outfit I wanted him pictured in so it was fine. The photographer seemed to think that if he was talking he was upset. I was thinking lady you haven't seen upset! She suggested a break. So we waited...and waited. Then we did it all over again. A friend came with us and the photographer did the same thing with her daughter. Lucky played really well while we were there, so that's a major accomplishment. The pictures did turn out well so I suppose it was worth it. Afterwards we got some Subway and played in the play area. Lucky fell asleep on the way home. He's so cute when he sleeps, with one hand tucked behind his head and an animal cracker in his hand. I didn't want to risk waking him by taking a picture, though. Trust me it was seriously cute.

So the good thing about our trip is that there is no need for the gym today with all the stroller pushing, baby carrying, bag carrying, and squating with both boys in my arms. Sometimes I think it would be easier to just carry them both and leave the stroller at home. But then where would I put my monstrous diaper bag?

Genuine

Since school is back in full-swing I've been experiencing life as a true stay-at-home mom. It's exciting to me to build our days around meaningful activities. I once told Pongo that a good day is getting as much accomplished as possible. Now that I'm a mom a good day is quality time with my children where they are able to play, learn, and laugh. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to teach them, molding them into people who reflect Christ's love. My boys are not yet Christians but it's my prayer that our lives will so reflect Christ's love that they would desperately want to love and follow Him too.

In my desire to train my boys I am very protective of the time I spend with them. In my brief experience of staying home after Lucky was born I saw some stay-at-home moms that seemed to have lost the passion and vision in their ministry to their children, opting for busy schedules centered around themselves. I don't want that. I know that there is balance to every relationship: errands need to be done, homes need to be maintained, I need time to take care of myself, my husband and I need time together too. These are all part of the balancing act, so you can see why it's hard for me to commit to something unless I feel certain that God wants me a part of it.

For a long time I have desired a time of study with other women, women who have traveled the road I'm on. I want to learn from them and what God has taught them. I prayed for an opportunity to meet that kind of women and today that prayer was answered. I attended a weekly bible study that was filled with genuine hearts, people earnestly seeking God. These women looked like anyone you'd run into at the grocery store, but they had such light in their eyes. One woman going through a tremendously difficult struggle was so encouraged by another that we all cried as she spoke her words of comfort and encouragement. It's not everyday you have the opportunity to see such a visible glimpse of God. I was blown away, in awe of what God has taught these women and so thankful for the opportunity to get closer to Him through them.

A pastor told me once that in order to be a blessing to others we first must be filled or we won't be able to have anything to share. The Lord has blessed me with this bible study and my family will be better because of the need that it meets in my life. I'm so grateful for this answered prayer and would like to encourage you to continuely seek the Lord for your needs.

I can play if I want to

Right before I had Rolly I became interested (nope scratch that) obsessed with Birth Order Theory. I read Dr. Leman's book, discussing it at length with others, because I did not want my baby to suffer from middle-child syndrome, well you know the negatives of it (comparison, inferiority, etc)...."What do you mean 'middle'? He's the baby!" you may be thinking-trust me he is the middle, there will be more. Anyway, regardless of my attempts Rolly has many characteristics of the classic middle child: easy-going, along-for-the-ride attitude, differs greatly from firstborn, which is great, but I still strive for him to have many opportunities alone with me. Try as I may to accomodate both of my children, some days one gets greater priority than the other. Most days, however allow for time with both my boys. Rolly is so enamored by Lucky that it's fun to see him play all by himself. It's as if he's saying, "I can play if I want to!" Check him out!

Labor Day?

I've never understood this holiday's name. Why call it Labor Day? Why not "No Labor Today Day"? Maybe it's a bit long...anyway we did not labor on this day. We went to the beach. You may be thinking, "don't you have a three month old?" The answer is yes, and he went too. Rolly is a pretty content little guy, who ends up being schlepped all over the place, since Lucky is a crazy, busy boy. We had tons of fun enjoying one last trip to the beach this summer. How much more fun will it be to bring both boys next year?!

Rolly mostly hung out under the tent canopy, but braved the sun for a couple of photos. Lucky as previously mentioned quite literally ran around in typical Lucky fashion. Pongo and I took turns with the boys.

When we got back on the road I looked at Pongo and said what I always say after an outing other than to the grocery store or the gym, "Was it worth it?" The answer: Absolutely!

What a helper!

I know that in house of mostly boys that some order has to be sacrificed, but I have refused for it to be my neatly organized silverware drawer....until now. How can you tell a sweet little boy "Thanks, but that's not how Mommy does it?" You don't!