Attitude Roller Coaster

Why is it that my sweet little boy suddenly turn into a mouthy teenager? Some days I think this kid is going to be lucky to see Kindergarten. I think he is just learning that mommy has more buttons to push than he previously realized and wants to test them out. The poor kid has probably spent more time in "the corner" this week than the rest of the year combined. On the other hand, he is being the sweetest, kindest, funnest big brother anyone could ask for. So while he is being a pain in the butt as a son, Alyssa is having a ball with her big brother. Here are some pictures of the kids this week.

Jay and Alyssa playing cars. I think Alyssa got the better end of the deal on this one.


Best Buddies posing for the camera.


A rare moment of laughter this week was luckily caught on camera as photographic evidence that Jay really is a great kid. I had to remind myself A LOT this week.


Alyssa is just getting too pretty for her own good. What a doll I have.


I finally got a picture of her showing of her little snaggletooth grin. Her two top teeth came in about a month apart and the latter one hasn't grown all the way in yet. It's so cute, but with the whole thumb sucking issue, I am already worried about orthodontic bills.

Some Like It Hot

Really, the heat in Vegas is nothing to complain about....yet. It was only 105 today. I'll start getting cranky in another 10 degrees or so. Jay on the other hand can't wait for the 110+'s to get here. After ROASTING in the house today I thought to myself, FORGET Jer's 85 degree bench-mark for the A/C. I was going to go set it at 78 and enjoy it until it was time for him to come home. When I went to the thermostat, there was no reason to turn down the temperature...just to turn off the HEATER! That's right, Jay had turned the heater on today. So after a firm scolding about NEVER touching the thermostat (how many times has Jeremy given me that same lecture???) and getting mommy ice water the rest of the afternoon, Jay has agreed that baking us alive isn't the best idea.

Music!!!

I figured the music application out finally!! Jay has been helping me choose songs for the family blog. The kid sure can dance when he is not embarrassed by everyone watching! Maybe I'll figure out how to load video for my next post! hehehe
We absolutely had to put the kids lullaby first, but now I'll never be able to view my blog again with out crying. Jay insisted on adding "his song" so we have Gwen Stefani on here too. (Can we say a little crush is being formed?) Bob Dylan's Brown Eyed Girl was a must, take one look at Alyssa and you'll see why. The others are personal favorites that have a lot of meaning in my life. So I hope you enjoy the added "atmosphere" while you read up on our silly lives.

Cute!

So after a few blogging lessons and great website recommendations, I have got this thing looking a lot better. Thanks a bunch to Meka and Harmony! So, as you can tell, I have spent a good portion of my afternoon playing around on my blog. Now it's time to learn the flash pictures and music and I'll be good to go.
As far as life has been outside of my blog, it is both amazing and frustrating at the same time. It is so easy to get caught up in all of the trials that come along with the stage of life I am in right now. It drives me nuts when I think about how much more time Jer has left in school or the fact that we are never going to be able to sell this condo. If I focus on that I get overwhelmed and moody. On the other hand, I have the two most amazing kids in the world and I get to spend my days home with them rather than stuck in an office while they are at daycare. I knew I would be giving up a lot of financial freedoms when I quit my job, but I have never lived a richer life than I am right now. Sure, we eat out less, make the clothes last longer and still haven't replaced our car that is being held together by duct tape, rubber bands and the grace of God, but I am also able to take my kids to the park, go swimming, sleep-in with them cuddling in my bed with me and a million other things I was missing out on before.
To me there really is nothing new to write about. No cute new looks from Alyssa or funny antidotes from Jay. No vacations to look forward to or job changes to prepare for. Life is a little monotonous for us lately, but I am so very thankful for the life I have.

Priorities

I got absolutely NOTHING on my "To Do" list done today. Kitchen sink still has dishes in it, loads and loads of laundry need to be folded, floors are not mopped, it's 10:40PM and I still need to plan my nursery lesson for tomorrow. Sounds, like I didn't manage my time wisely today, however, I don't think I wasted the day at all.
The kids and I were getting a severe case of cabin fever so we had fun all day instead of cleaning all day. Jay and I went swimming this afternoon while Jeremy and Alyssa had a daddy-daughter snuggle fest watching Clint Eastwood movies. I got some much needed color on my pasty complexion and Jay had a ball playing sharks with me.
This evening I loaded the kids into the car and went across town to eat pizza at a park we'd never been to before. It was after dark, but there were still a bunch of families there and I figured if I let them play hard, then they would pass out when we got home. The plan worked, but Jay was a bear when it was time to go home. Pretty funny pictures though. Oh and a tip for anyone who ever takes Alyssa to the park: she HATES the swings!
So even though my house is a mess, I can always clean it. I really needed some fun time with my kids today. Had I spent the day cleaning, I would still spend next Saturday cleaning anyway. That's how all our Saturdays are spent. It was better to have some fun time today instead.

My very good friend, Jennifer is due to have baby number two in just a few weeks. Today after Jeremy got home from work I went over to Jennifer's house to help her organize all of the baby clothes and set up the crib. After we were done, I sat and chatted with her and her husband. OH MY GOSH!! I totally forgot what adult conversation was. My mind has been refreshed and I am ready to face the rest of the week. Bonus points for borrowing her copy of The Host by Stephanie Meyer. Never underestimate the rejuvenating power of good friends and a good book!!

Say What?

Jay is going through the "lets try to get chatty with mommy so she doesn't realize it's my bed time" phase. He has been coming up with the funniest conversation starters.

*My Great-Great-Grandfather just told me that Jesus Christ is in the mountains.
*I'm doing the laundry for you mommy. Is this bra yours or Lyssa's?
*Can I have an ice-cream cone to eat in my closet?

So I see that since he has so much energy to burn I ask him to pick up his trains and put them away. His response? "Not now mom, I'm supposed to be sleeping".
That's right kiddo!! NOW GET TO BED!

It's not hard to decipher what Alyssa is saying all day long; Dad-dy. Humph...I think I am going to pout about that one for a while.

About Time!!

After viewing many many many adorable blogs from friends and family, I am reluctantly jumping on the bandwagon. I actually am looking forward to this, but I have no idea how to make my blog as cute as all the other ones I have seen. Oh well I am sure I will learn.