Meal time.

Do you ever feel you cook the same things for your kids everyday? I do.  I want to give them a variety of foods and healthy foods too.  I just don't want to feel like I am spending my entire day in the kitchen.  It seems to feel that way some days.  Right now things are a little crazy.  I know once Kevin comes home, we will have dinner every night together and most likely have leftovers which will turn into a quick lunch the next day.  I still have a few months before he is home though.  Any suggestions for toddler meals? Snacks that  I can prepare in advance?  Meals I can prepare in advance and freeze?  Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks..Anything will help! Thanks!

Beat the heat

With temperatures over 100 degrees and heat index even higher, we are getting cabin fever and trying to find ways to beat the heat.  Today both of the girls were up at 5:30am.  We decided to load up and go to the park while it was still cool out.  We had the park all to ourselves. The grass was cool and dewey and the girls had a blast.  We went to a park we had never been to. Lauren loved all of the new playground equipment.  Wherever we go though, she has to always ride on the swings.  She loves to swing.  It's so cute to hear her say "Weeee!"  After we played for a bit, we took a walk on the trails in the subdivision.  We came home had breakfast and played for a bit before the girls took a nice long nap.  Only bad part about being up so early is that it feels like 3pm but is only noon! 

Ummm gross. Major mommy FAIL

So this morning started out as any other morning.  The girls had breakfast, were cleaned and dressed for the day and were playing together in the living room.  I decided to hop in the shower in the mean time.  I always keep the door part way open so the girls can come and go and so I can hear them.  I heard the door squeak open and I peaked out.  Kaelin had made her way down the hallway and into the bathroom, following the sound of the water I assume.  I didn't think anything of it, I was almost done showering.  Within the next minute though, I heard the sound of splashing water.  I peaked out to find her splashing her arms in the toilet.  YUCK.  To top it off, before I hopped in the shower, I had used the toilet and failed to FLUSH the stupid toilet. So my beautiful baby was playing in my pee.  NASTY.  Oh it gets better.  I freaked out and jumped out of the shower... Probably looking something like  that crazy lady above.  I was horrified to see as Kaelin turned around from my screams of "NO KAELIN" ..that she was playing with a squishy nerf ball that she had dipped in the toilet and then into her mouth.  This is where I began gagging.  Standing there dripping wet, soap in my hair/eyes, gagging, and screaming out of terror at my 10 month old.  My sweet baby just drank my pee water.  GROSS. NASTY. DISGUSTING.  Seriously?! Did I just allow this to happen?  I feel like a terrible parent.  I guess I've learned my lesson.  Never again will I "If it's yellow, let it mellow".  That rule doesn't apply with toddlers.  To top it off, in my freak out moment, I thought I had thrown the ball somewhere in the bathroom.  Turns out I just tossed it in the toilet and flushed.  I ended up elbow deep digging the stupid ball out of the toilet.  Oh man...  what a morning.  A nasty, gross, disgusting morning. Gag..

Let Freedom Ring

This is a few weeks late but I still wanted to share our Independence Day with you.  This is such a special day for us, as it should be for all Americans.  We are just so proud Kevin.  There is something so special about having a true American hero as a father and husband.  Unless you are a military child or spouse or parent etc, you may not fully grasp what fighting for our freedom means. 
I so wish Kevin could have been here to see his little firecrackers.  They were just too cute as always.  We spent the week at my parents lakehouse.  It's always so nice and relaxing.  The girls love swimming and playing outside.  I enjoyed the nice break from the everyday 'blah' that can occur when staying home with the kids everyday...

Lauren 22 months

Kaelin 10 months

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't give up on me yet...

I know I have been lacking with my posts. In fact it has been nearly 3 weeks since I last posted. We've just been busy with family and friends and getting ready for our move back to Kansas.  We are sad to be leaving everyone here in Illinois.  I hope they all know how much we've appreciated their help throughout this long deployment. Especially to my parents who let us live at their house.  The girls are getting bigger and more active and we're trying to figure out schedules and feeding habits for Kaelin.  It' s just been plain busy and I really haven't felt like blogging.  I will get back to it sooner or later.  Continue to check in and you might just see an update one of these days...or weeks.  I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to showing you pictures of our new house in a few weeks!!