"And pwease Heavenwy Fawder, help us to sweep until I'm well done."
(The phrase he was trying to repeat was "And please help us to sleep well.")
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Have you ever wondered...
if Bridger could shove an entire mandarin orange into his mouth? Not a wedge, but the whole orange?
You can stop wondering.
Briggs got a hold of one the other day, peeled it and shoved the whole thing in his mouth.
I didn't even know he knew how to peel an orange.
Friday, January 28, 2011
climbing
I can't keep these two locked up for long. Keeping them cooped up in the house during the winter season is enough to drive us all crazy.
The climbing wall is my new best friend this winter. Porter would climb it all day long if I let him.
Even eating an apple won't slow him down. He'll just stop and take a bite every step or two.
Even eating an apple won't slow him down. He'll just stop and take a bite every step or two.
Climb up, take a bite, slide down, repeat.
It wears him out like nothing else.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
laughed until my sides ached
We watched Rock-a-Doodle for the first time today and Porter loved it.
And all day long he's been asking if we can watch "Honk-a-Noodle" again.
I haven't corrected him once, but I've laughed an awful lot.
And all day long he's been asking if we can watch "Honk-a-Noodle" again.
I haven't corrected him once, but I've laughed an awful lot.
resolved
It may not look like it from how often I update this... but we really are up to a lot of things. School, work, job hunting, potty-training, not potty-training, learning our letters and words, and trying to learn to share (just to name a few... I'll let you guess who's doing what.)
As New Years came around I got excited. I realized there were many things that I wanted to do and things I wanted to change.
Stuff that we don't need, stuff that takes up space and time and takes more work to keep than it would if we just got rid of it. Stuff that might be better off in someone else home or the garbage, or something that would be better off on someone else's to-do list instead of my own. It's amazing to me the things that I keep because, "I may wear that again someday..." or "It was a gift, I can't give it away even if I don't really like it".
She breaks down the reasons that we keep things, and makes some pretty good arguments as to why we should or shouldn't keep something. Her tactics have opened my eyes to a new world of getting rid of semi-sentimental objects that I keep for really no good reason at all (sometimes I keep things just because "I know someone close to me gave me that, even though I can't remember who.").
Everything you keep should have a reason. If it doesn't have a reason, toss it.
She goes over why we really don't need duplicates of everything, if one will do (and I'm surprised at how many duplicates I find in my house that I didn't know I had).
After she talks about how to get rid of stuff, she talks about how to keep clutter out. Cut it off before it enters your house. For example, have a set number of shirts in your closet. If you bring a new one in, another one must go. If you can't let one go then maybe you don't need a new one. She doesn't specify how many shirts you should have in your closet (that's left up to you), but set a number. Maybe it's 10 or maybe it's 50, but when you set a number stick with it and you'll never have to worry about too many clothes gathering in your closet. And she sets this example throughout the house.
It's brilliant. I've never seen an organizing/decluttering book like it. I love the way she approaches it. (Although she is quite the extremist on the matter, she does make excellent points.)
So, I've purged my closet and I'm working on the other rooms in my house.
My goal is that before we move out of this house, I will have significantly less stuff to follow us to the next one.
And that was my goal with getting this book. I planned on decluttering my house and organizing the objects that survived the overhaul.
But the book didn't end there. She went on to describe how we need to declutter life itself. How to let go of expectations and how to know when to settle for "good enough" instead of "perfect". Setting limits for yourself and sticking with it, cutting back on your extra activities so that you have more time for the hobbies and activities you truly enjoy.
I always focus on making everything perfect. The photos I post and the dialogue that follows has to be perfect. And when it's not, I find that it takes me even longer to get my next post up because my last one wasn't up to par.
When I shop for clothes or search for a new recipe to try, it's gotta be perfect. I've got to be able to have something perfect to show for the time that I invested. And in the end, I spend too much time looking for recipes when the first one I found would suffice. I search for that perfect pair of jeans when I normally end up going back to first store to buy the first pair I tried on.
I'm sure I drive Kyle crazy with how often I change my mind. I change it because maybe there would be a better choice that would pop up later. Maybe what I want now won't be what I want in five minutes.
Maybe I haven't researched it enough to know what really would be the best choice, and if I spend another week checking it out then I'll be able to make my decision.
Not any more.
I've made a decision to be more decisive, and to be happy with the choice that I make. I'm going to cut out the things that don't really matter in life and to focus on the things that do, and realize that sometimes "good enough" really is better than "perfect".
And here's one of my favorite photos of the boys today... it's not perfect, but it's my favorite.
As New Years came around I got excited. I realized there were many things that I wanted to do and things I wanted to change.
As I searched for family members Christmas gifts, I stumbled across this book. It's been an inspiration to say the least. And while I'm not willing to go to the extreme of her minimalist techniques. (ie. her bedroom consists of nothing more than a futon mattress on the floor and two alarm clocks on either side of the bed), I do like the way she gets rid of stuff.
Stuff that we don't need, stuff that takes up space and time and takes more work to keep than it would if we just got rid of it. Stuff that might be better off in someone else home or the garbage, or something that would be better off on someone else's to-do list instead of my own. It's amazing to me the things that I keep because, "I may wear that again someday..." or "It was a gift, I can't give it away even if I don't really like it".
She breaks down the reasons that we keep things, and makes some pretty good arguments as to why we should or shouldn't keep something. Her tactics have opened my eyes to a new world of getting rid of semi-sentimental objects that I keep for really no good reason at all (sometimes I keep things just because "I know someone close to me gave me that, even though I can't remember who.").
Everything you keep should have a reason. If it doesn't have a reason, toss it.
She goes over why we really don't need duplicates of everything, if one will do (and I'm surprised at how many duplicates I find in my house that I didn't know I had).
After she talks about how to get rid of stuff, she talks about how to keep clutter out. Cut it off before it enters your house. For example, have a set number of shirts in your closet. If you bring a new one in, another one must go. If you can't let one go then maybe you don't need a new one. She doesn't specify how many shirts you should have in your closet (that's left up to you), but set a number. Maybe it's 10 or maybe it's 50, but when you set a number stick with it and you'll never have to worry about too many clothes gathering in your closet. And she sets this example throughout the house.
It's brilliant. I've never seen an organizing/decluttering book like it. I love the way she approaches it. (Although she is quite the extremist on the matter, she does make excellent points.)
So, I've purged my closet and I'm working on the other rooms in my house.
My goal is that before we move out of this house, I will have significantly less stuff to follow us to the next one.
And that was my goal with getting this book. I planned on decluttering my house and organizing the objects that survived the overhaul.
But the book didn't end there. She went on to describe how we need to declutter life itself. How to let go of expectations and how to know when to settle for "good enough" instead of "perfect". Setting limits for yourself and sticking with it, cutting back on your extra activities so that you have more time for the hobbies and activities you truly enjoy.
I always focus on making everything perfect. The photos I post and the dialogue that follows has to be perfect. And when it's not, I find that it takes me even longer to get my next post up because my last one wasn't up to par.
When I shop for clothes or search for a new recipe to try, it's gotta be perfect. I've got to be able to have something perfect to show for the time that I invested. And in the end, I spend too much time looking for recipes when the first one I found would suffice. I search for that perfect pair of jeans when I normally end up going back to first store to buy the first pair I tried on.
I'm sure I drive Kyle crazy with how often I change my mind. I change it because maybe there would be a better choice that would pop up later. Maybe what I want now won't be what I want in five minutes.
Maybe I haven't researched it enough to know what really would be the best choice, and if I spend another week checking it out then I'll be able to make my decision.
Not any more.
I've made a decision to be more decisive, and to be happy with the choice that I make. I'm going to cut out the things that don't really matter in life and to focus on the things that do, and realize that sometimes "good enough" really is better than "perfect".
And here's one of my favorite photos of the boys today... it's not perfect, but it's my favorite.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Christmas Day 2010
Santa did come.
He ate the cookies, and then he left some goodies of his own under our tree.
Porter couldn't wait to tear into his presents, he'd been so excited about gifts all month long. He got his Lightning McQueen and Thomas the train that he asked Santa for plus books, clothes, blocks and a sword. And, Santa brought the whole family Nerf dart guns.
While Porter was opening every present in sight, Bridger took it a little slower and munched on Yogos for an hour. He didn't see a need to open presents... after all what could possibly be better than Yogos?
But, after a while, Bridger finally decided that Porter couldn't have all the fun, and now it was his turn.
And, as impossible as it may seem, he did find something better than Yogos.
This little Elmo has taken up permanent residence in this little boys arms. Good call Santa. The Buzz Lightyear car sitting in his lap came in at a close second. He also enjoyed the books and cars that he got as well.
After all the presents were opened, Daddy made everyone chest protectors for the Nerf gun war of the century.
My goodness I love Christmas.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve
This is the first year we've been on our own for Christmas Eve, and the boys wanted to start it out right.
I have to admit, I've never been swimming on Christmas Eve before... but it was definitely a great idea.
(Trying to take more timed shots this year, so that I can be in more photos. Turns out trying to run, jump in a pool, and pose in 10 seconds isn't as easy as it looks.)
These two boys are natural swimmers.
We came home and we opened up our Christmas Jammas. Bridger was so excited that he was trying to put them on over his clothes.
Then we headed out to check out the Christmas lights. This house has its own radio station, and the lights are synchronized with the music. It was amazing.
Finally, we came home, wrote letters to Santa and made candy cane cookies to leave for him.
Oh, and we watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...cause it isn't Christmas without it.
Porter needed help with the letter, but he did a good job writing and coloring pictures. The letter says,
"Dear Santa, Ho Ho Ho. This year I would like a Lightning McQueen Car. Thank you, Porter"
At the bottom are pictures of Lightning and Sally.
It's been such a fun holiday season with these little boys. I don't know who's more excited for tomorrow... me or them.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
same conversation, every day
We've tried to find out what Porter wants Santa to bring him... but conversations are difficult with this kid.
Me: "Porter, is Santa coming?"
P: "Okay!!"
Me: "What is he going to bring you?"
P: "Bring you?"
Me: "Yeah, he's going to bring you presents! What do you want him to bring you?"
P: "Bring?..... Presents!!"
Me: "Yes, he'll bring you presents! What do you want the presents to be?"
P: "Presents to be?"
Me: "Yes, what do you want your presents to be?"
P: "Bring presents from Santa!"
Me: "Yes, Santa will bring you presents. And when you open the present what do you want to find inside?"
P: "I find inside?"
Me: "Yep, what do you want to see when you open your presents"
P: "..........................one present"
Me: "You want one present?"
P: "Okay!"
Me: "Okay, and when you open that one present, what do you want to find inside?"
P: ".............................two presents?"
Me: "Okay." (said with an acceptance of defeat)
I guess I should be grateful he's not picky.
After days of this repeated questioning we finally got an answer; a Lightening McQueen car and a train.
I'm sure Santa will not disappoint.
Me: "Porter, is Santa coming?"
P: "Okay!!"
Me: "What is he going to bring you?"
P: "Bring you?"
Me: "Yeah, he's going to bring you presents! What do you want him to bring you?"
P: "Bring?..... Presents!!"
Me: "Yes, he'll bring you presents! What do you want the presents to be?"
P: "Presents to be?"
Me: "Yes, what do you want your presents to be?"
P: "Bring presents from Santa!"
Me: "Yes, Santa will bring you presents. And when you open the present what do you want to find inside?"
P: "I find inside?"
Me: "Yep, what do you want to see when you open your presents"
P: "..........................one present"
Me: "You want one present?"
P: "Okay!"
Me: "Okay, and when you open that one present, what do you want to find inside?"
P: ".............................two presents?"
Me: "Okay." (said with an acceptance of defeat)
I guess I should be grateful he's not picky.
After days of this repeated questioning we finally got an answer; a Lightening McQueen car and a train.
I'm sure Santa will not disappoint.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
simplify
This year I wanted a more simple Christmas. I've been working so much, and Kyle's been so busy with school that I just wanted us to enjoy our time together and celebrate the season. The solution was to simplify it. Take everything stressful about the season and simplify it.
And I've done well so far.
Our annual chopping down of the Christmas tree was a 4 hour affair, 3 3/4 hours were spent stuck in the snow, but it took exactly 15 minutes to find the tree. I don't think I've ever decided on anything in 15 minutes. See... simple. It may have had to be simple (sun was setting and didn't have more time), but it was simple.
The tree isn't enormous like last year. This tree was much smaller, but it's perfect, and it's up and it's lit. Simple.
We did all of our shopping in one day. One day. It's all finished and it's being shipped. I don't have to worry about any more shopping. Simple.
Our annual kick-off was perfect. We decorated the tree and undecorated the tree (ie. Bridger) and redecorated the tree. We watched movies and ate yummy food (my Gramma's glazed ham and dutch potatoes) and enjoyed the evening together.
I love this time of year. I love the people I get to spend it with. Plain and simple.
And I've done well so far.
Our annual chopping down of the Christmas tree was a 4 hour affair, 3 3/4 hours were spent stuck in the snow, but it took exactly 15 minutes to find the tree. I don't think I've ever decided on anything in 15 minutes. See... simple. It may have had to be simple (sun was setting and didn't have more time), but it was simple.
The tree isn't enormous like last year. This tree was much smaller, but it's perfect, and it's up and it's lit. Simple.
We did all of our shopping in one day. One day. It's all finished and it's being shipped. I don't have to worry about any more shopping. Simple.
Our annual kick-off was perfect. We decorated the tree and undecorated the tree (ie. Bridger) and redecorated the tree. We watched movies and ate yummy food (my Gramma's glazed ham and dutch potatoes) and enjoyed the evening together.
I love this time of year. I love the people I get to spend it with. Plain and simple.
Monday, December 13, 2010
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