NOT DIGGIN' PEAS

So, how obvious is it that my Nathan detests peas? Seriously, you would have thought I had tried feeding him prunes or some other incredibly disgusting baby food. I do wish the Mr. would have recorded a bit longer, as you really would have laughed at how quickly the temper tantrum stopped when I moved the spoon away and offered him an ever coveted mum-mum [his favorite snack in the world.] It literally stopped right when he saw that mum-mum. And just to be sure that is indeed what stopped that tantrum in its tracks, I took the mum-mum away and offered the spoon of peas once again. Can you guess what happened? He screamed, cried and kicked away, letting me know he wanted nothing to do with those dang peas. Again, I took the peas away, and guess what? Once his eyes caught the departure of that spoon full of peas and the arrival of that mum-mum, it stopped immediately.

So I think it is safe to say that my baby boy does not like peas. At all. Which really would not be a problem if he liked other vegetables, but that is so not the case. When I fed him carrots? He gagged with every spoonful I put in his mouth, and followed up the gagging with a look on his face that said "what the heck is this crap, Mom??" I have tried green beans, with the same result. Gagging and all. Now sweet potatoes he seems to be able to tolerate, and for that, I am one happy Mama.

This eating thing has really been an uphill battle with him since he turned 6 months old. First he wouldn't eat anything, not even the good stuff, like bananas, pears, applesauce, and peaches. Weird, right? Then he seemed to get used to that goodness. Now all this trouble with the vegetables, will it ever get easier?

I guess I need to just look the bright side - he may scream bloody murder when fed peas, and gag when fed carrots and green beans, but at least he enjoys his mum-mums, fruits, and the occasional sweet potatoes.

AVA'S SCHOOL PROJECT

On Sunday, I spent the day busying myself with helping Ava get ready for her Simple Machine's Fair at school.

I will start by saying this was a project that I had handed over to the Mr. a few weeks ago, thinking that he would be the best person to help Ava with it. Why? Well Ava was supposed to come up with an invention that included at least 2 simple machines. She was to build or purchase said invention, write a report on it and present it to the class, along with parents on the Simple Machine's Fair day. I am not all that savy with such things, and thought this was right up the Mr's alley, which it was. But I knew there may be a problem with handing the project over to him - the problem being he would not get to it until the very last minute.

And I was right.

Over the past 2 weeks, I continually asked him if he and Ava had chosen an invention yet, if they had started building it yet, if they had gone shopping for supplies yet, if they had done anything yet. The answer each time? "No, I will get to it."

For those of you who don't know me, I don't like to procrastinate. At all. My husband, on the other hand, enjoys waiting to the very last minute to do such things. I think it has something to do with him working better under pressure, or maybe he just never gets around to such things until he has absolutely no other choice. Whatever the case, it is a little something about him that I wish I could change. [We all have those "little something's", no?]

So, I was hearing "no, I will get to it" for days and was simply getting tired of that response. Ava seemed to be too, as she came up to my bedroom as I was putting away laundry on Sunday crying. Why, you ask? Because she had asked Dad to take her to work on her project, and he had said, "in a little bit." She cried and cried until he got the hint and finally took her to the store to start researching and getting the supplies for her project. For the next hour they put together her invention and I have to admit, the final product was quite impressive. What had they made?

A wheelbarrow.

Once that was done, the Mr. decided his work was done, and that it was my turn to take over, so I did. The next 2 - 3 hours were spent writing her report, drawing pictures, labeling simple machines, taking pictures, gluing, cutting, and strategically placing items on the tri-fold poster board.

By the end of the day I was exhausted. We did a project that should have taken a week to complete all in one afternoon. I breathed a sigh of relief and said, "thank goodness, I was so worried we would not get this all done." The Mr. simply said, "Why do you worry so much? I told you it would get done."

Why doesn't that surprise me?

TREATS!

My Liv Grace has a very special place in her heart for treats as of late. Don't get me wrong, she has always loved them, but lately it has gotten a little out of control. So much so that she pretty much asks for a treat 20 times a day. I hear "Mommy, I want a teat." or "Mommy I am so hungry, I need a teat." Or "Mommy, can I please have a feezey?" [Freezy]

She asks all day long, and it gets old. Real quick.

I try to deter he by asking, "how about an apple?" Or "What about a banana?" When I ask such questions it most often ends in a total meltdown, with her screaming, kicking and flopping around on the ground like a fish out of water.

Seriously, this girl has dramatic down to a tee.

So yesterday, when she decided to do the whole I-want-a-treat-and-I-am-going-to-throw-a-tantrum-if-I-don't-get-my-way-thing, I ignored it, and walked away. I was surprised when the crying stopped so soon, but did not think much of it as I folded the laundry.

Later that afternoon, after I got both Liv and Nathan down for naps, I made my way into the playroom to clean up a bit. When I got to cleaning up the craft table, I found this.

Apparently, my girl decided to heck with Mom telling her "no" and took matters into her own hands. Somehow, she figured out how to open the freezer, get the scissors, and cut open the freezy all by herself. It turns out, when my 2 year old is determined, she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to.

Funny part of it all is, she didn't even eat the darn freezy she went through all that trouble to get. And most importantly, she hasn't learned how to hide the evidence of her wrong doings. She left it right out in plain sight for me to find, and clean up. Little stinker.

MY BOYS

Lucas loves his baby brother. He loves to comfort him when he cries, play with him when he needs attention, feed him when he is hungry, get him out of his crib after a nap.... all of it. But most of all I think he just loves holding him. ♥

Unfortunately, I am not certain how much longer he will be able to do so, being my chunky little 7 month old already weighs 20lbs. But until that day comes, I am pretty sure Lucas will be holding and taking care of his baby brother just like he always has.

DANCE

My girl is becoming quiet the dancer if I do say so myself.....

FASHIONISTA

Yet another great outfit Miss Liv put together all by herself.

I don't know about you, but I am thinking she is not going to go very far with this fashion trend of hers. You know, wearing tights without anything else, say a skirt, for example. My girl loves wearing tights, but for reasons unknown to me, she will have nothing to do with wearing a skirt with said tights. Ever. Whenever I take a skirt out of her closet and gently suggest she put it on, a melt down ensues. She flops around on the ground like a wet noodle, moaning and groaning, and crying "Nooooooooo Mom, noooooooooo!" You would think I had asked her to take her entire lot of tights and throw them in the garbage for goodness sakes.

Apparently modesty is not an issue for my girl - as she has no problem running around the house, the back yard, and the cul-de-sac with the rest of the neighbor kids in nothing but her tights and a t-shirt. I guess it really is nothing to worry about as she will eventually grow out of this I-only-wear-tights-and-t-shirts stage. Now fast forward 5 years, and if she is still exhibiting such behavior, then I think we may have a problem. Until then, I think I will just go with it.

FAMILY FUN DAY

We have frequented the Mall of America pretty much ever since it opened. The kids have always loved it there - walking around, exploring in all of the cool stores, and even playing at Lego Land. Amazingly enough, up until last year they had never experienced Nickelodeon Universe - formerly known as Camp Snoopy. If you are not familiar with this little gem of a place, it is pretty much a mini ValleyFair. Rides, games, restaurants, face painting and caricature booths, places to meet and even get your picture taken with the character of the day [today it was Spongebob.] You get the idea, the excitement is endless here.

The reason we never introduced our kids to this place? It is insanely expensive - especially when you have 5 kids. But slowly over the past year or so, we have dropped into this little place the kids like to call "heaven on earth" and spent an hour or two going on rides. It has never lasted very long as the kids seem to race from ride to ride which has always resulted in running out of points for the rides VERY quickly.

But yesterday was special. Yesterday we were so very lucky enough to go to Nickelodeon Universe with 4 free all day ride passes in hand. Daddy knows a man in high places that gave these - lucky us, no?

So we spent practically the entire day at the Mall riding rides, eating treats, playing games, riding more rides, eating dinner, riding some more rides, eating some more treats, and even playing at Lego Land.

It was most definitely a day to remember.

I ❤ LAUGHING BABIES

My baby is growing up so fast. He sits up now, rolls over, plays with toys, interacts with his brothers and sisters, laughs when you laugh, smiles when you smile..... he sleeps through the night, loves his nuky, loves Mum-mums but screams when a spoon full any sort of baby food comes near his mouth, poops up and out the backside of his diaper on average, two times a day, cries when he is not getting enough attention, loves to bounce in his Johnny Jump Up, and pretty much is the cutest darn baby on this planet. At least in this Mama's eyes.

Here you can decide for yourself....

89

Happy Birthday to the best Grandpa ever.

I love this man -

he really is something special.

It makes me sad to think that we may not have many more years with him. Although the times we do get over to the nursing home to see him are few and far between, we enjoy them so very much. It is loud, the kids are crazy which makes it hard to visit with him, but honestly? I don't think he minds one bit. I actually think he quite likes the chaos that ensues when we all visit, as it is a change of pace. A few fun, crazy and upbeat hours for him to enjoy with his 3 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

SHORT N' SWEET

I am so,so tired of not being able to sleep through the night, trying to keep up with ass loads of laundry, dealing with a 2 year old that refuses to give up the nuk and won't potty train.... tired of it all. I need another vacation.

Do I need to remind you that I just got back from one 2 weeks ago? Now that's saying something.