WE'VE MOVED.

Upstream From Ordinary

We'd be happy for you to join us over there. ♥

AND WE ALL CATCH WHAT BABY SISTER HAD.

I'm sick.
My husband is even sicker.
My son feels the need to "tummy ache" quite often.
As for Baby Sister .... 100% healthy.

so, sadly for her, she's been on her own with playing.
What is a child to do when all the cars & trains are her for the taking? And the kitchen is open for pretend cooking. The books sit untouched on the shelves, & the blocks can be built without fear of someone pushing them over.

Everything is there for her & only her. So, what does she decide to do....



attempt to learn how to tackle the stairs.



I knew this day would come, I was just hoping it would be a day that I could chase her without feeling so light headed. She seemed scared at first (perhaps this is only what she wanted me to think) but after a few test runs she excelled the stairs like a professional rock climber. You'd have never thought she'd just started walking, & would have swore she's been doing it for months!



We had our own "Leap Year" craft activity. It was the one thing my son would get off the couch for...





I've learned that I have come to love my daughter's hair. Some days it lays flat, others, she gets a little curve to it. Her bangs get in the way unless clipped back, but I'm too stubborn to cut them. Sooner or later she can tuck them behind her ears. ♥





I hope to feel as great as my daughter does tomorrow morning. I hope to be myself again. But in order to do that - I must take my medicine, snuggle under the covers, & watch another round of Puss in Boots. Please, stay healthy everyone. This is no fun. ♥



At least, no fun to us. Ripsi might enjoy having the house to herself while we groan on the couches.

LAZY AFTERNOONS.

Sit back, relax, & be sure to grab your favorite snack. Sometimes, just being lazy with other people is the thing you need. The weather hasn't been forgiving (why, hello again Snow. Don't you realize it's time for Spring?) which is causing us to stay indoors.

Our energy levels are low.



Semi-low, actually.



Despite being different ages, gender, & completely having a different personality my babies are a lot alike. They both are blond hair-blue eyed & go nuts over a glass of milk, enjoy the same books over & over again, like wearing boots over shoes, think fruit bars are gifts from the glamorous heaven, & they both cross their legs while watching television.



They both has a sense of style at such a young age. I know this partly has to do with me, but I allow them to pick & choose colors, prints, materials, etc in their outfits when they are with me shopping. I mean, seriously, what little girl can resist pink rosettes made of tulle?









Our program of viewing was the Public Broadcasting Station, better known as PBS. Martha Speaks to be specific.



During the cold months of the year, we watch entirely too much television. (IMO, at least. I don't know how families can go ALL day watching television. It gets on my nerves.) So, when our toys are just too boring, & the ground is still too frozen - at least they tune into educational programming. (with the occasional movie here & there.)





We are still trying to teach Daycen the concept of board games to help pass the time. But, he often gets a little carried away & goes into "destruction" mode. I think we need to try different game...









Sadly, it is probably a good thing the snow is coming since the illness bug hasn't quite left us. Daycen awoke this morning with "tummy ache" & "throat hurt" Baby sister is still sleeping a little more than normal, but seems to be in a semi-fantastic mood during her awake hours. At least we are heading to the doctors office today & everyone can get checked out.

I think today might be another lazy afternoon.

ONE CHILLY WEEKEND. {but we were burning up.}

Our weekend started off with snow, sniffles, & a whole LOT of crankiness. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, I assumed he woke up on the wrong side of bed & that she was teething. Oh, but as I look back today - It was more than just that. She was SICK. Runny nose, warm skin, constipation, lots of tears, & the state of not wanting to be separated from another human being. Yes, it could have simply been teething, but it was much more intense.

So, sick baby on your hip for a few days results in a jealous three-year-old. I admit, I am guilty of the "No, we can't because Baby Sister is sick." There wasn't much we could, especially since the weather was so chilly.



Except of course, head to the Library.



For as sick as the baby acted at home, the second we entered the children's area of the local Library a small smile slide across her flushed face. We spent the first 15 minutes browsing all the books on the shelves, sliding the best ones into our canvas bag to rent & revisit later. After collecting about a dozen books between both Children we settled in by the play area. This is where I should have gone to the adult section for a complimentary cup of coffee to indulge while they played. mental note for next time.







We must have arrived at the perfect time of the afternoon (or there was something going on in town that we accidently missed.) because there was very few families there. It was almost as if we had the WHOLE place to ourselves.







After the Library, we headed to Grandma's for a change of scenery & a change in television viewing. (At a certain time in the afternoon PBS in our area stops playing children's programming. It would mean snuggling to a long movie or finding a cozy spot with dish network. Let me tell you, Bubble Guppies is a better illness cure than any DVD we own. So, Grandma's was the only choice.)






Baby Sister wouldn't eat any of the lunch we picked up, so she got treated with yogurt. I couldn't get her to eat much more than a few bites, but it was enough to help get us through her illness. :(



Oh, Don't you worry! Daycen got to indulge in the sugary snack too!


We spent the rest of the weekend like this....





Everyone is feeling 100% better now. (except for Dad. He seems to catch it RIGHT as everyone else is totally over it) I'm excited our week is starting out fabulous! ♥ I hope you stayed healthy this past weekend! I know we sure had a rough one, but made it through!


Late, but still just as glamorous.

HELLO BEAUTIFUL! { weather that is! }

Have you stepped outside lately? I mean, more than that brisk walk to the car. Have you actually spent time out there? Enjoying the fresh air, feeling the warm sun soak into your skin, & totally consuming yourself around sounds other than televisions & blocks being knocked over. I will admit, the chill has kept us in lately but we decided to chance it.


(I'm afraid he doesn't quite understand the difference between snow & grass yet.)



It took at least 15 minutes to gather & put on all the gear. Boots, snowpants, jackets, hats & mittens. Daycen helped choose what Baby Sister was going to wear; she wasn't quite thrilled with the layers of clothing. It would be her FIRST time actually encountering the snow.



Yes, she knows what snow is. Don't get me wrong. However, the first year of her life was a in & out of places without really touching it. This year so far, she was able enjoy it from a stroller. This was her first time getting right there in it - & at first, she wasn't too thrilled.



She didn't want to sit in it. She isn't a very good walker to be able to stand in it without face planting. So, I offered her the sled. Oh, I'm SO glad we picked this old thing up from a garage sale last year for $2.







It amazes me how much a little fresh air can change everyone's mood. Instead of being cranky & frustrated; the kids were full of smiles & laughter. Nobody was focused on picking on the other - we all just got along. So, much so that I was able to attempt a group picture. (THIS IS A BIG DEAL) The kids don't normally like being close to each other, especially not close enough to snap a picture of all three of us in frame.





It's not perfect photography wise. It's not even centered. The settings were WAY off. I moved in too close & Daycen was eating snow. However, it IS perfect. Frame worthy. I've learned through the years that even the not so good shots are the best moments captured. So, don't worry so much on your camera settings - focus on preserving those quick moments. Sometimes the best shots are the crappiest composed.





After playing outside, we walked down to the local auto body shop & got treated with sweet treats. (COOKIES!) What a perfect ending to a long afternoon playing in the snow. ♥





WAIT!

BACK UP!

DID YOU CATCH THAT?!





After TWO-AND-A-HALF years Daycen finally got his haircut! He did SO well at the salon & is SO proud of his new hair. I can't believe it finally happened but I am thrilled with the new look & great attitude change that came along with it. ♥



haven't done this in awhile ♥