Our Nightly Set Up

Ohh goodness is our bedroom one crowded place at night!!  We had gotten to the point that BOTH boys were in bed with us every night and none of us were getting any sleep.  I was spending more nights in Chases bed than in my own.  Getting kicked out of my own bed in the middle of the night was not cool.  4 wide in a queen size bed is just not possible.  Finally - we compromised and so far things are going well!  These pictures were the first night of us trying out the new routine.  They were excited to "camp out" in Mommy's room.  : )  They are close to each other - and close to us.  They start out in their own beds in their own rooms when they go to sleep but at some point in the night this is where they end up.  And really - Josh and I don't care a bit if they are IN our room.  In fact, I kind of like it.  I know right where they are and can hear them breathe this way.  Anyway - we made it fun for them and while our sleep around here is very dysfunctional - it has still at least improved all of our sleep.  We still have nights where Chase sneaks into our bed (I don't think he'll ever quit) and nights where Milo wants us to lay on the floor next to him for a few minutes...but I'll take that over entire nights of not getting any sleep.  I don't even remember what "regular" sleep is like!  But that's ok - I'll take these rugrats over a good nights sleep any day!!  Eventually they will be adjusting yet again when we get them bunk beds and they start sharing a room.  Maybe that will be the breakthrough to them staying in their own room all night!

Movie Night

These little cuties wanted to have a "movie night" in the middle of the day - so they took some blanky's and pillows downstairs and set themselves up a little comfy spot to watch a movie.  Super cute!  Josh even shut off all the lights so it would seem dark for them.  Who would've thought buying a simple piece of carpet for our unfinished basement would provide us with so much more potential.  Haha.  They loved it!

Brotherly love!  I love it when they get along like this.  My precious baby boys!

First Snow

First snow of the season = super excited little boys!  I totally wasn't prepared for it.  We didn't have boots or snow pants for the season yet.  And really - there wasn't hardly enough snow to mess with playing in (in my opinion).  BUT, these boys were excited - so, we made a frantic run to Grandma Ruth's shoe store and she bought them snow boots and stopped at Target for snow pants and came back home to play for just a short bit before it all melted.  Boys were happy - so we were too!  Seeing them smile is our favorite thing!

Thankful

This got sent home from school shortly before Thanksgiving.  It made me super giddy!  I love things like this!  This year Chase is thankful for: "My Aunt, School, Grandma and Grandpa, All the People, Mom and Dad, Milo".  I sent it to Taylor because she is the only one that he actually says AUNT before her name..so I figured it was probably referring to her.  She texted me back and said she actually teared up.  Haha.  How sweet!

The school posted this picture of Chase's class around Thanksgiving too.  How cute are these kiddos?  Chase's pirate face is my fav!  Haha!

Boy Shirt

When we were on our girls shopping trip Colista saw this shirt and said "I think Jeremy would be mad if I DIDN'T buy it!"  Haha.  It was a little boys shirt and she was getting it for Viv so, I made a "rule" (just being funny) that if she wore it she had to have a bow on her head so everyone knew she was a girl.  Haha.  She came to Moms wearing it when I was over there and she didn't have a bow - but she had cute flowery jeans.  ; )  I tried big girl piggy tails in her hair for the first time...and it actually all went up!  Her curly little hair in the back is getting long!  Oh, this girl is beautiful!  Boy shirt and all!  ; )

Nog

So I was sitting down after a long day and I randomly messaged Colista (like I often do) and said that some egg nog sounded fantastic.  I hadn't had any yet this season and was having a major craving for it.  Next thing I know - she messages me back and says that she is going to leave some on my porch in a half hour so make sure I grab it.  What?!!?  Could she be any more awesome?!  It was even the BEST egg nog available.  Soooo yummy!  She totally made my day!

Nap Time

This was a couple of weeks ago now - but it was still a day worth bragging about.  Neither of my boys nap anymore usually...but this day they were both trying to catch colds and I just firmly said we were going to take naps.  (since sometimes SLEEP is all your body needs)  I can still get Milo to sleep pretty easily if I want him to nap..but Chase is a different story.  He usually will NOT go to sleep no matter what.  But, by some miracle of God they BOTH went to sleep at the same time and slept for over 2 hours!  And do you know what I did?!?  I freaking napped too!!  Hell yes!  I don't remember the last time I got to take a good long nap like that.  And I miiiissss it!  I love me a good nap!  I feel like I am a better person if I get them.  Haha.  Seriously though!  It was glorious!  Maybe this will happen at least one more time this winter...

Mom N Dom

This boy is my Momma's boy..and I loooove it!  I love our one on one time we get and the snuggles he gives me! We sent these to Daddy one day that he was out of town.  Just to remind him how cute we are.  ; )  Haha

Girls Shopping Day

Colista had been sharing with me that she was a bit overwhelmed lately and needed some time to get stuff done for HERSELF...so, the day before our shopping day I offered to keep Vivianne for her as long as she promised to have a positive day. : )

Isn't she a doll?!  We hung out at Moms in the morning so Josh could sleep since he worked through that night.  I took advantage of my time there and attempted to organize the kids clothes at Moms house for her.

After I picked Chase up from school we came home to our house just in time to have lunch and give little missy a nap.  She was super snuggly and rocked right to sleep.  She has a monkey just like Milo's so I think the music probably helped her feel comfortable.  She stayed asleep for 3 hours!  Vivi is the sweetest snuggliest little lady.  She is tiny and adorable too.  I just love her to pieces!  After nap time I took her home and Colista was excited about how much she had gotten done.  It feels good to help people I care about feel better.

We were up bright and early the next morning to leave to go to Iowa City.  Josh was home for the day with the boys.  They were both looking forward to and super excited for their Daddy day!  Us girls stopped at Starbucks in Ft. Madison on our way to get us a yummy coffee.  Colista joked about the cups not being holiday enough so the guy put a snowflake on there for her.  Haha.  It's always the same guy when I go in there - and he is super nice (even though he spelled my name wrong).

First things first: breakfast!  We went to IHOP again this year because we had a good experience last year.  This time...not so much.  But, still good company!  Started out the day with some awesome giggles as we were getting ready to leave.  Mom and I were in the bathroom and she was growling in her stall about how she hates it when the toilet paper only rips off "two slices at a time".  BAHAHAHA!! I died laughing!  She called it freaking SLICES!  Like it's pizza or something.  : )  Oh, goodness!  It was hilarious!  (sorry Mom..had to share!)

Next up was our longest stop of the day - Kohls.  I have this weird stomach issue that I can not for the life of me figure out what it is that bothers it.  I get nervous about it ruining things for me - so I was extra cautious with my breakfast choice and didn't eat a whole lot...hoping to prevent any issues.  Well, didn't do me any good.  I spent pretty much the entire time we were at Kohls in the bathroom!  Thank the God above that they have their family bathrooms which is a single stall with a lock on the door!  I seriously feel like I am dying when this happens to me.  I was so scared to leave the room. Good grief..not a great start to the day!  Eventually I got up the courage to venture out and LUCKILY didn't have any more troubles the rest of the day.  My stomach still felt tender for a while..but other than that I was good to go.

We went to Gordmans and Target next.  Normally we go to Target last when we are all exhausted so this time we thought we'd try and go early.  Worked out pretty well I think.

By that time we were all ready for lunch (or mid afternoon meal, really...and yes, we like to eat).  I was scared to eat - but was hungry, so I did.  While we were waiting for our table at Chili's Colista looked around and pointed out that we were the only ones in there not wearing black and yellow.  Haha.  There was a Hawkeyes game that day and everywhere was a little crazy.  I ordered what I THOUGHT was going to be a fairly mild and "safe" meal...fish tacos.  Well...turns out their fish tacos are freaking SPICY as shit!  They were good...just not what I was expecting.

We hit up the mall stores next.  Colista found this chair that she wanted to take home with her.  Haha.

Another round of lots of giggles trying to get this picture.  We never did get just the right picture..but the memory of attempting it is great.  Haha

We were successful yet again!  Colista did the best this time.  We spent a lot of our day picking out cute girly stuff.  What Mommy, Aunt and Grandma doesn't love that?!

..and just because we hadn't stuffed our faces enough - we grabbed a little Steak N Shake for the drive home.  Eggnog milkshakes?  Heck yes!  I figured at this point I was only an hour and a half from home so if my stomach decided to hate me again then I wouldn't be far from home.  But guess what?  When I KNOW I am doing something bad to my body it doesn't do it! I sure don't get it. All in all - great day!

It was our latest arrival home ever but luckily hubby is a night owl and was still up to greet me.  : )  My babies were snugged in their beds when I got there.  I got to hear all about their day.  They had a pretty awesome Daddy day!  He had a cozy morning with them at home and then took them to see Grandpa George.  George asked if they wanted to go to lunch - so they all went over to The Fort and had lunch together.  I couldn't believe Josh took them both out to eat by himself!  AND THEN...he took them to the park to play!  This coming from the guy who hardly ever takes them even uptown with him because its more work for him that way.  I was so proud of him!  He made them supper and watched Up with them before bed.  I love it!  I feel 100% content leaving them with their Daddy.  He is seriously the best!  So when I got home we talked about that and looked through all the stuff I bought that day.  Last year he got called to work just before I got home - so I was extra appreciative of him being home when I got back this year.

The next day was just plain awesome.  The boys woke up with excitement to see me - just as much as my excitement to see them!  I brought them each home a new shirt.  Chase got minecraft and Milo got "starhorse".  ; )  I got the sweetest snuggles!  They were voluntarily loving on me.  Gah!  Just what I wanted and needed after not seeing them for a whole day.  I NEVER EVER go an entire day without seeing them from the time they wake up til the time they go to bed.  I missed those little stinkers!

Usually on weekends unless Josh takes a day off he gets called to work right away.  Well he didn't have another weekend day to layoff with - so he had no choice but to stay marked up.  We were kind of dreading him having to go to work - BUT...somehow, by some miracle he didn't get called!  We were able to say in our jammies all day and just relax and enjoy each others company.  It was amazing!  We all agreed.  Those days after being split up especially are just what the doctor orders.  I felt so content.  Life is good peeps...life is GOOD!!

Corny

Eden had quite an extensive dental surgery done.  She had to be put to sleep and all.  I was told she did great and I was excited to see her new little smile - so while Chase was at school the next morning - Milo and I went up to see her.  I took her a balloon and a little stuffed unicorn.  Colista said when she told her I was going to stop by she wanted to go get dressed right away and wanted to wear a shirt that I hadn't ever seen before.  : )

She now has the cutest little lisp.  And I must say - she pulls off the toothless grin.  ; )  Colista said for a couple nights after that she wouldn't go to bed without "corny".  Haha - I love it!

Bed Time Routine

The boys are FINALLY getting into reading books every night with me!  I started an ACTUAL bed time routine.  We have always done about the same thing every night..but now I am making sure to be 100% consistent.  I have attempted different things numerous times - but now I feel like we have finally found what works for us.  When it is bed time we shut down lights, brush teeth, go potty, and then go into Chases room and kneel by his bed to say prayers as a family.  After prayers they can each pick out a couple of books and bring them to the living room for us to read.  We read books and then rock - either to sleep or until they are ready to go to their beds.  Most nights they are in bed asleep by 7:30-8:00.  I enjoy that time of the day with them.  I have no other distractions and give them my 100% focus.  Their snuggles are the perfect end to my day too!

Rich For A Night

Ryan and Alisha asked us to go out with them kid free for a night.  We all need that break once in a while!  We decided to pretend to be rich for a night and go to Martini's for supper.

Alisha and I are both lightweights apparently!  Haha.  Our martinis weren't even half gone and we were both feeling all crazy.  I think part of it was that we hadn't eaten anything yet though.

We were all trying to decide what to order and then we decided - what the heck, lets graze!  These were the appetizers.  (my favorite course)

Main course.

...aaannnd dessert!  We were STUFFED!  It was all delicious!  Josh and I had grazed just once before but Ryan and Alisha had never even been to Martinis before - so it was a fun first experience for them.  Our bill was ridiculous - but we just used some of our Christmas money and told each other Merry Christmas since we don't get gifts for each other anymore anyway.  : )

They suggested we go bowling after supper.  Josh and I like to bowl but never go - so we were up for it.

Juuust for the record - I beat my husband!  Hahahaha!

Bowling shoes are most definitely the coolest!

We had a great evening unwinding and catching up. It had been a while since seeing them again.  As always though we picked up like it was just yesterday.

The next morning there were 2 craft shows going on in Carthage that I wanted to go to.  I didn't know if I'd be able to go early enough in advance to schedule it in with my Mom to go with me (story of my life) so she was busy babysitting that morning.  I didn't want to go alone - so I texted Alisha to see if she wanted to go with me.  She thought it sounded good - so we went over to their house and I picked her up.  Josh and the boys stayed there with Ryan and his kiddos to hang out while we went.  Chase and Milo were sooo excited!!  Alisha and I thought this was perfect so the guys would get some guy time too (and the kids some play time) and we wouldn't have to feel as guilty about taking some time for ourselves.  This was the first time her and I had ever done anything one on one...but it went well and wasn't awkward at all.  The shows were awesome.  I totally want to go again next year!  I never get a whole lot at them but I enjoy going and looking at everything.  We even went to the coffee shop on the square and got us a yummy coffee.  : )  When we got back we grilled out some burgers and had lunch together and hung out for a while longer.  It seems like we won't see each other for months but then we end up spending entire weekends together almost every time.  Haha.  I wish our schedules worked better together so we could do things more often.  Hanging out with these guys breaks us away from all drama surrounding the rest of our family's and we actually enjoy ourselves every time.  We all left feeling very content.  Great weekend!

Short People Probs

We have this little suction cup ball that the boys like to throw at our glass door and make it stick.  Harley was doing that when I was keeping him one day.  It got stuck too high for him to reach.  All on his own - he went to the toy box and found the grabber.  He brought it out and got that ball right down!  What a thinker!  I got a kick out of watching him do it.

A Walk Through The Middle Ages

SPPS had a day that they called "A Walk Through The Middle Ages" and dedicated the entire day to the kids having FUN learning about it all.  They got to go to school dressed up as their favorite person from the middle ages.  They had been talking about it a lot at school and Chase was dead set on being a Knight in Shining Armor.  So, I found a cheap little costume on Amazon for him - and a Knight in Shining Armor he was!

I dropped him off at school and came back home. Josh was home so I up and decided to leave Milo with him and go back to the school to spend the morning there helping out.  Chase was surprised to see me!

They had stations during the morning that the classes all shifted through.  Their first stop was outside learning how to sword fight like a Knight.

Look at that smile!  This was very cute to watch them all.

Next up they went inside and watched a slide show about how kings and queens are REAL and not just pretend.  At the end of it they got to take turns going up to board and digitally sliding the Knights armor onto him.

After that they went to dance class and learned to dance some middle age dances.

This was adorable!  They made a sword archway and each kiddo got to dance through it.

They split the preschool class up a bit since they have such a big class - but this was Chasey's group.  This was during their snack break.

Next they went to Mrs. Lakes room and she read them a story about a dragon librarian.

Then they went and learned about castles!

They pretended the loft in Mrs. Haas's room was the tower of a castle.  Some of the kids went to the top and some stayed down low.  They threw "boulders" at each other.  Haha.  They loved that!

A little recess to burn some energy..

Love getting that one on one with him!  Starting next year I'll have to split up my time between him and Milo.

They had the entrance to the gym even decorated festive.  They lowered it and let us all in after saying a middle age prayer.

The 5th and 6th graders had stations set up in the gym that they "educated" the groups on certain topics.  They did a great job!

They ended the morning with a catapult contest.  The kids could make a catapult to launch marshmallows with.  They competed to see which was the best.  The little ones didn't have a very good view of it, but it was a cool idea.

They had the gym all set up for a feast for lunch.  Had I known I was going to get to go - I would have signed up for Chase and I to stay for lunch...because it looked like fun!  Chase was ready to go by the time the morning was up though anyway.  All that fun wore him out!  I am so glad I decided to go back up and experience it with him.  When I heard they were doing a middle ages day - I thought it sounded boring (because I really don't get into history) ..but, they really did a good job of making it fun for them.  SPPS rocks again!