Horse! Kitty!

The other night Logan and I had Logan's mom watch the kids so that we could go out and get a much needed and anticipated break.  She took the kids to the local Farmer's Market.  The kids had an absolute blast and couldn't stop talking about it for days.  They already have talked grandma into taking them again this week.  When Logan and I came home we found that we had a pink kitty and a blue horse.  The kids were so proud of their face paintings and were totally bummed that we had to wash their faces before they could go to bed.  Thanks grandma for the great time!  We LOVED it!

Saying Goodbye

From the time Collin was about 6 months or so he has been deeply in love with his binky--aka the "B".  It literally has been his constant companion.  On Wednesday my baby boy said goodbye.

It was time really.

But it was hard.  Hard for him, and hard for me.  

It still is hard, but with a new baby coming shortly, I just knew that if it didn't happen now it probably wouldn't happen until he was 4 or older.  He has shed many tears, as have I over this loss.  It has been incredibly difficult for me to see my little boy longing so much for his constant companion that is no longer with him.  I just want him to be happy.

I got an idea on helping Collin give up his "B" from a blog (blogstalking does have its benefits!) and tweaked it a little.  On Tuesday night while Collin was sleeping some magic little friends (Leprechauns really) came to visit.  They left him a present and a note.   

Here is the little guy excited about the present his special visitors had left him.

Inside were some little Sesame Street cars.  

The note asked Collin to put his "B" in the bag that his present was in and take it outside for the Leprechauns to come and collect.  He happily met the challenge.  He took it outside and said, "Bye "B"!"  and came back inside to play with his newly acquired cars.  I quickly snuck outside and threw the "B" in the garbage.  A little while later, he told me "My "B" is on the sidewalk--have to get more at the store!"  What a smart kiddo!   He has too much logic for this plan to be fool proof. 

Night time sleeping has gotten better in the past few days.  He doesn't even cry anymore.  Naps on the other hand are almost non existent and involve a lot of tears.  I am just not ready for him to give up those naps yet!  And he has become a super momma's boy.  He ONLY wants me. 

Three days down!  

I hope we have made it through the worst of this situation.  I look forward to a happier little boy whose eyes aren't quite so tired throughout the day!

Hill Air Force Base Museum

While Sophie and Jenn were away at school Collin and I headed out to the Air Force Base museum.  It had been a while since I had been there and was surprised at how good it was for young kids.  Collin enjoyed getting up close to every airplane and especially liked the kids area with toys, simulators, and cockpit trainers to climb into.  It was a good time.  I've found I enjoy the kids a lot more when its one-on-one.  

It was cheap too, free actually.  Only draw back is that they have retarded hours, they close at 4:30pm.  

These are the Moments

Collin shouted "sandwich!" when I took this picture instead of "cheese!"  He seriously cracks me up.

These are the moments that make my day brighter, put a smile on my face, and make every challenging moment of motherhood worth it.  Today when I went to tell Collin that it was time for a nap I couldn't help but smile.  Sophie and Collin were "having lunch" together.  It was so cute.  They had their table and chairs set up and they were enjoying a lovely meal that they had prepared for themselves.  I just love it when my kids play together.  They are such good friends, and it totally melts my heart to see them together.   Needles to say, Collin ended up staying up an extra half hour, and I sill had to break up their play session.  Neither of them were ready to end.  This was just what I needed after an especially hard and stressful day as a single mom in church!

Sophie's 1st day of School

Today was Sophie's 1st day of preschool.  She goes to the local elementary school and she calls it "The Tree School" because there are a lot of trees in the front.  She was really excited; especially because her best friend Naiih is in her class this year.  Her teachers seem really nice and I think it is going to be a great year.  It almost seemed like she never left school.  She just kind of picked up where she left off, even though she is in a new school with new teachers this year.  She knew just what to do when she came in and got right to work.  I am looking forward to this year.  I hope that she has a successful year with lots of learning and growing.  She wouldn't say much about her first day, but it must have been fun because she came home and fell asleep and has been sleeping for the past several hours--which is soooo not like her.  

Collin was really disappointed that he couldn't go too.  Last year he was so young, he didn't understand what was going on, but this year he was eager to go into the classroom right along with Sophie.  He had a hard morning without his best buddy around and was so excited when I told him it was time to go get her.

Labor Day

Over the labor day weekend, Logan talked me into going on one of his overnights with him again.  It was a lot of fun, but also a lot of stress.  We took a quick trip to Phoenix and back.  The kids did great on the flights:) but not so great being woken up afterwards.  I think we managed to wake up the entire hotel as we arrived.  While we were there, we met up with some friends--Len and Amber and their two cute kids.  They took us to Amazing Jakes, which is like a Chuckie Cheese.  It was a lot of fun and the kids had a blast.  Thanks for meeting up with us guys!

Air hockey was a favorite!  The kids were actually really good at it.

Sophie on a train ride--she was the conductor.

Sophie and Owen together on the Merry Go Round.  (It seems like we have a million pictures of our kids on merry go rounds, but you can never have enough fun on these things I guess!)  

The Fruits Of My Labor

Early in the spring, I am totally excited to plant my garden and get working in the yard.  However, by mid-summer I dread the fact that I have to go out and water the garden and flowers each evening.  It seriously can be such a pain in my side:)  Well, now is the time where I am beginning to enjoy it again.  We have gotten so much from our yard this year.  It is fun to be able to go outside and get a fresh cucumber for a salad, or always have a fresh vegetable on hand.  

Sophie chose and planted these sunflower seeds.  I LOOOVE the way they look.

I am especially proud of my watermelon plant.  I am not sure why, but I think it is because I thought it wouldn't amount to anything.

My pumpkin.  We only got one this year, but it is a good one!

We also had a TON of peas earlier in the year...they are my favorite, zucchini, strawberries (the kids all time favorite), and we have managed to share some of our yummy tomatoes with the ants:)!