Mothers day out....

I love mothers day out. Before I had kids, my nieces and nephews were in a mothers day out program, and I so enjoyed being a part of any activities I could. So when I had kids, it was never a second thought whether or not my kids would be in some kind of mothers day out. But it was for nathan...he wasn't as on board with mothers day out as I was. But after I had Brooklyn it didn't take a lot of convincing for him to see that MDO was something I (and Jaxon) could benefit from. Jaxon wasn't a great communicator, and could really benefit from having to communicate with other kids his age, and I needed some one on one time with Brooklyn. So, we got him in a great MDO program, VERY reasonable, and great teachers.....After seeing how much fun Jaxon had, I decided as Brooklyn got older, 1 day a week would be good for her as well..It really has been!! It gives me time to focus on things around the house, without having interruptions (which means, I am a nicer mommy on the days they are home). They both love it....although every mon and wed, Jaxon walks in the doors with hesitancy, by the time I pick him up, he says "I had fun today mom!" and I have to pry Brooklyn from her class room!! lol...One of the best things about MDO is the little projects they bring home. Jaxon has learned SO much, his ABC's, counting, songs...I'm amazed every time he sings a new song, or says his ABC's. Today, I had to go up to the "school" because I had forgotten his bag, and they were playing with play dough...something I have NEVER introduced him too...Its things like this, that remind me why I work from home to cover the cost of MDO....TOTALLY worth every penny!! Anyways, the true reason of this blog was to show off some of Jaxon's artwork..and he traced his name!! Also, Brooklyn wanted a picture of herself...even though she was throwing a fit, while she was saying "cheese"....

The Bird

So, about 2 months ago, I re-organized the kids toys, and eliminated all the "baby" toys. I put them in a box, to be sent to my parents barn for storage. Jaxon found a "duckie" in the box, and kept it. It has since, become his best friend, "baby bewd (bird)" It goes EVERYWHERE with us, to church, to school, to bed....everywhere. He makes it fly in the air and it falls on the ground, and it gets hurt, and we have to pray for it....WELL, as a result of this bird/duck, Nathan and I thought it would be fun to take Jaxon to the pet store to look at the birds..he was SO excited...and loved it!! That following Saturday, I was out all day, and Nathan was home with the kids, I came home to a NEW real live BIRD...Thanks hon!! (insert sarcasm). We are now the proud owners of a parakeet. The kids LOVE the bird, and many times, I find them like this (see picture below) playing with/admiring the bird. While I was not so happy with my husbands bird purchase, I didn't have the heart to take the bird back, because Jaxon was SO excited. Welcome to the family nameless bird.

PUMPKIN ROLLS?

Have I mentioned how blessed we are by the job my husband has? I love the fact, that his work is his passion. (mine too). Being youth pastors entails a lot of fundraising!! So with that being said, it is that time of year, for our biggest fundraiser yet, pumpkin rolls. Previous years, we have made pumpkin rolls, and were left with leftovers, this year, however was a bit different. Our amazing students sold 140 (+) pumpkin rolls...before they were even made!! With the crazy schedule we had, we only had one Saturday before Thanksgiving to make 150....mind you, we normally make 60-70 in a day...SO we had to use the church kitchen, and my moms kitchen (because she has 2 ovens...thanks mom!) We had around 30 kids, total, I only took 6 to my moms, because I know my mom wouldn't have appreciated screaming kids, or flying flour fights. From 9-nearly 7, we worked hard, and were able to make all 150 rolls. It was insane, my feet hurt, my back hurts, and I now, can't stand the smell of pumpkin...oh, and I went to bed dreaming of making and rolling pumpkin bread...HOWEVER, the kids (I hear) had a BLAST!! So, here are a few pictures of the days events, we will be making more, come December, so get your order in quick, because we are putting a cap on this time!! (lol) I'm blessed by the group of kids we have...love them all, they are all hard workers, and know how to have a good time!!

Good Morning Mommy!!!

Well, I am new to this blogging thing, but thought it was important to start blogging!! Here is why: 1) I am HORRIBLE about taking pictures of my quickly growing children, so I'm hoping this will remind me and motivate me to take pictures, and post them, seeing as I don't have time at this point in life, to actually scrapbook. 2) My kids are doing so many AMAZING things,and I forget to take note of it, OR I make a "mental note" and the sticky side on my "mental notes" doesn't stick well, so I soon forget. My 2 kids (which anyone reading this, probably knows all there is to know about them) are Brooklyn and Jaxon. Brooklyn is 19 months, and Jaxon will be 4 in a month and a half (4 IN A MONTH AND A HALF?!? WHERE has time gone!! yet another reason I'm jumping on board with this blogging thing)

I'll try to keep it short and sweet, but this first "blog" will probably be more like a novel...I'm trying to write down as many little memories as I have of my children from the last (almost) 4 years. The thing that really triggered this blogging motivation was Brooklyn waking up yesterday morning. Just about every morning, she wakes up SO happy, but immediately starts, not just saying, but YELLING, (in a very nasally voice) "MOM, MOM, MOOOOMMMM, MOM!!" and it continues until I get her out. It hit me yesterday that while it is a bit annoying, it is also very adorable, and it won't last forever. So, I thought, "I need to start writing this stuff down, so I don't forget!" Which brings me to my next thought....when Jaxon was about her age, he would also yell for me in the mornings, so I would go in to his room to pull him out of his crib, and there he would be, with a huge smile, with his blanket (or blankets) draped over the crib, so that when I pulled him out I wouldn't forget to grab his blanket, so thankful I have a picture...Sweet moments like these I do NOT want to forget!!!