The Start of Spring Cleaning

Well today kicked off Spring Cleaning. I really enjoy spring cleaning. Everything gets refreshed after being closed up all winter. To me, it is fun to clear out, dust off, and freshen up.

With two kids, who want to play outside when the weather is nice, it really is difficult to get everything done I would like to so I had to come up with a plan. I assign a room each day and list all the things I want to get done in that area for the day. Like today, It was living/dining rooms. So on top of the normal chores, like vacuuming and straightening up, I added organizing movies, games, toys; dusting ceiling fans and appliances, washing windows, clean fireplace, organize appointments and activities, etc.
I go around and do this for each room. I also add a few projects that I want to complete in each area (in the living room I added painting a few pieces of furniture) which I will complete if I have any extra time. On the given day I stick only to the room on the list and by the end of the week all the spring cleaning is done and the house is organized and fresh again.
Also, the work is done before lunch time so I can spend the afternoon playing with the kids and having a picnic.


last years garden, can't wait for home grown tomatoes.

I am SO ready for spring and summer. Spending my days outside playing and gardening and grilling sounds like a great time to me.

I'm off to plan tomorrows activities, have a great evening.

Chugging Along

We went to look at a 40 acre farm yesterday. I was really excited to go and see it. The description was everything we were looking for.
2 story house with wrap around porch, 3 beds, 3 baths, large barn, a second house, 3 beds, 2 baths, small barn, 40 acres and only 9 miles from Scott's work.
Just perfect.
Then we looked at it. The soil is mostly lava rock, the 2 story house was gutted by tweekers, most likely, who were going to fix it up and never finished anything, the other house needed a lot of work. And both barns were used as grow houses for pot. After the cops busted them, they left a giant mess. The repairs, time and money it would take to fix it up is NOT worth it. Needless to say we are not buying the farm.

But today was a beautiful day spent outside. Really appreciating everything we have and being grateful for it all.

It was warm enough to wear a dress, never mind the pale legs.

Allison can never get enough of the dandelion puffs, that is why we have a backyard full of dandelions.

Pulling Scotty around in the wagon, for some reason she gets the biggest kick out of pulling him around.

Just as cute as can be, they are going to be great friends growing up.

And what you were all waiting for...
TOTAL BEEFCAKE!!!!

Have a great evening.

Almost Friday

With the weather being horrible, we have spent a lot of time inside trying to come up with some creative ways to not kill each other.
Mom, we're bored!!!!


Allison has started reading on the potty while doing her business after dad said that's what he does.

Scotty has been trying some new foods like yogurt and cottage cheese. He loves the stuff. And if that wasn't enough he got his 2 bottom teeth over the weekend, now he's ready for some steak...hahaha!

DERP!!!!

Grandma Carol was in town, from Alaska and came by for a visit. Allison had so much fun and we loved having her over to catch up since we don't see her very often. It really is nice to see family and enjoying their company.

To pass the time we gave Scotty a beer. (not really he was teething and liked the cold can on his gums.)

Big out the ball pit when all else fails.

Put Christmas bows on the baby and see how long it takes him to get them off. This provided about 20 minutes of entertainment.

And last, the silly hats. You have to have silly hats to make everyone giggle. It breaks up the boredom when you put on silly hats and dance.


have a great evening.

Glutton

After suffering from the stomach flu for the last four days, I have stuffed myself to the point of bursting with some yummy chinese food.

And you know what???

It was worth every calorie I ingested.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, I will post some great pics some time tomorrow.
have a great evening.

In Sickness and In Health...

Ok I know the above title is used for weddings, but it really has hit home with the whole kid thing too.
Allison has been fighting a virus for a few weeks, high fevers for a few days, then a week of nothing.....
Then the whole thing culminated this weekend. (TMI bit here)

POOP, more like runny clay, just gross. And a lot of it. We had to switch to diapers it was so bad. On one hand you feel really bad because her tummy is hurting and she really can't do anything about it and the other is thinking this is SO gross what was I thinking having kids.
And to top it off we had throw up added to the mix the next day. At bed time on Thursday, after and exhausting day of non stop runny poop, we laid down in bed to just cuddle because I was so worried about her. She got this look on her face, then a valcano of elbow macaroni and strawberries comes spewing out.
It was everywhere and we now have a really great pink trail to the bathroom on our white carpet.
Whoever thinks white carpet is a good idea with kids is dead wrong, I was dead wrong, kids are messy and spill/drop everything and accidents always, ALWAYS happen. I can't wait for hard wood.

Any way, she also had strep throat to go along with everything else. She has now been on antibiotics for 4 days and is feeling so much better.
She is getting back to her old 2 year old ways: tantrums, no naps, always saying no.

No matter what though, in sickness and in health, she is our princess and having her so sick these past few weeks have been plain hard emotionally and physically for all of us. I am so glad she is feeling better and no one else in the house better get it or I am quitting!!!!

Photo Wednesday

Just a few pictures I thought I would share. Just a bunch of goofing off and time spent outside lately. Nothing very interesting to report.







This is a series I did of Allison kind of reminiscent of Alice and Wonderland. She now calls this dress her Alice dress.

Peek a Boo, Scotty

Allison is the only person that has ever made Scotty laugh. He has the most adorable giggle.
Take a look...