DJ Jazzy J

We just pulled out this music table that Phoebe got for her first birthday, it has been the hit of the house for both 4.5 year old P and 9 month old J. They are loving it, spinning some tunes together! I am amazed how well I remember all the tunes that come from this little table; the Jazzy Alphabet, the Bluesy opposite song, and banjo playing frog.

J at 9 months

P at 1 year

I Voted

It is strange to go to sleep and have no idea who your next president will be for the next 4 years. This morning we were thrilled with the news! Obama 303, Romney 206, at least according to this.  I don't want to get all political, on this here my OWN blog where I voice my OWN opinions, because there is no reason to gloat at a time like this.  There are people who are sad, even distraught that Obama won, but I think right now this is the best option for our country.  And I am even more hopeful that the GOP is taking a look at who they are and what they stand for, maybe they can start caring for the life and success of ALL people.

I love this Facebook post from a republican friend, his perspective is so encouraging when there are so many nasty and disrespectful things written and said about our country's President/ President-elect:

"Congratulations to my friends who were rooting for the President's victory! My unhappiness with the result is mitigated by knowing that you are happy. It's also hard to despair knowing that so many smart and thoughtful people believe he is leading us on the right path."

Now on to the cuteness factor:

Did you vote the best Momma?  So you are going to be President?

GOBAMA!!!

Phoebe didn't actually make it to the polls with me (between school and tumbling class and nap time she had a full day).  Justus was there with me both times I went (the line was too long the first time) and the second time we met up with the Mister so J actually voted with him.  I hope we can instill in them the pride that comes with this civic duty.

I can't believe just 4 years ago I took this little baby to the polls with me where we took part in History.

Happy Hopping

Frog and Pumpkin

Hop Phoebe Phrog

 

Crawling Pumpkin

P wanted to be a Frog this year, I love that she didn't choose to be a princess or fairy or something full on girl, I love that she picked to be a green hopping frog- so much more her style!  This costume was easy to put together; a few years ago I picked up this green suit and a green sweatshirt from the thrift store with hope that it would make its way into a costume of sorts.  The green suit has been part of the dress up closet ever since, but this year P found inspiration in it, she wanted to be a frog because we had this suit already! (so thrifty!)  I found the green XL sweatshirt that had been in my sewing stash and went to work.  It was so easy; I cut the hood off and gave it a jagged edge (Kermit the frog style) and glued on the eyes (which we had more balls left over from last years costume), then cut the end of the sleeves of for the hands, utilizing the cuff, and cut the feet from the bottom edge of the sweatshirt and put a little elastic at the back so they can be pulled on over shoes and voila!  A frog. 

J's costume has a shorter tale; he was a pumpkin because someone gave us this pumpkin costume, and he didn't know what he wanted to be.  One of his favorite words is 'D'oh' so we thought maybe he wanted to be Homer Simpson, but the pumpkin was just so cute. 

We made a loop around the neighborhood to see our favorite peeps.  It was a sweet night continuing our simple tradition.

We Survived!

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

We survived Sandy without much damage here on S Street.  For us it was the "Perfect Storm"; not much damage and days off of work and school.  I think a stir crazy husband and child are the extent of the storm damage in this house.  The mister kept busy checking on our exterior drainage systems.

I on the other hand spent some time surfing the internet inside with a cup of tea nursing my sore throat.  Some of the places I stopped along the way....

Appreciating a friend's home.

Dreaming of my future master suite.

Thinking of meals. (Because eating is the best way to wait out a storm!)

Starting a new sweater for J.

All while.....

Wishing for a fireplace!

Kitty Cat Halloween

P finally gets a cat!, originally uploaded by 207 Living.

Click on the Picture for more pumpkin photos.

Enjoying Fall

A few weekends ago we visited the Mister's sister and two of her kids (the rest of the family was off on another adventure). It was a beautiful fall weekend and Justus and Phoebe got to play with their sweet cousins.  We spent one afternoon walking around the lake, keeping up with these two 4 year olds was a task!  

Phoebe and Danny...catch them if you can

Phoebe and Danny 'fishing'

Lydia and Justus reaching for one another

Collecting leaves

Where's Danny?

let the children come

For years, the Mister and I have been praying for more children on S Street. And this summer the Lord provided in a big way!  This little one was given to our neighbors in the perfect timing that only the Lord has. We have loved having more babies on our quiet little street and patiently wait for the next one. 

dad and daughter

family pumpkin picture....why not?

Suiting Up!

When I got this sample pack of diapers from The Honest Company I thought the patterns were so cute, and edgy! Justus, not only a trend setter is also setting his athletic goals quite high because in this family, the skull and cross bones is clearly a sign for the Blackshirts....Go Big Red!  Some how, I don't think J will ever be a part of the Nebraska Defensive Line, but one never knows!?!?  

Suiting up for the game

Blackshirts baby style

Go Huskers!

Happy Homecoming Huskers!

not quite a birth story

In the car this morning, I popped in my favorite CD, it is a burned CD of some of my favorite music.  It is actually the music that I had playing in the L&D room as my body worked to bring Justus into this world.  And there are a few songs that I actually remember humming to in between contractions. 

on the move

Last I reported, Justus was making his way toward crawling....well it has happened!  Last Thursday (9/6/12) all that practice paid off and he crawled.  This is a fun milestone.  He is still a little wobbly, but I imagine in no time he will be scooting away from P as fast as he can, or toward her?  As you can see at the end of the video she has such a hard time keeping her hands of him.  (SOOO MUCH LOVE!)

1st Day of Pre-K

Phoebe, You were so excited for your first day of Preschool. You love telling everyone that you go to Capitol Hill Learning Group, and that your teacher is Miss Kellie. (Miss Kellie happens to be best friends with Miss Mary Beth, your teacher from Little Learners!) On the first day, you ran into the classroom and found your best buddy, Josiah. Then you turned around and scanned the room to find Miss Kellie and even though you had only met her one time, you tapped her on the shoulder and jumped into her lap to give her one of your signature big bear hugs. I think you are going to like having Miss Kellie as your teacher!

On the second day of school you got a little certificate from your teacher for being a kind friend to a classmate who was very sad, you continue to be concerned about your little friend as she gets used to school. We are so proud of you for being so caring!

When you go to class on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday you are so happy to be there and very energized when you come home.  I have enjoyed watching you and your excitement for school.  I hope that this year satisfies and encourages your sense of wonder as you learn more about God and the world He created. Good luck this year, little one. 

Justus at 7 months

Justus continues to be a delight! He has been around now for 7 months and everyday he seems to wake up more to the world around him.  We were at the beach last week and, just like his big sister, he LOVED it!  Most of the time he stayed on the blanket and played with toys, but when we took him to the ocean or set him in the sand he would giggle and wriggle with excitement.  

He loves to look at his hands and see what they can do, he is enjoying new toys passed along from a friend, and he still is so excited to see Phoebe any time she comes around him.  We struggle a little keeping her mothering hands off of her baby brother, but it is sweet to see how much she enjoys him and wants to be near him.  

Justus is on the move, not exactly crawling but he gets where he wants to; army crawling, rocking, lunging from the sitting position.  He is very close to crawling, pouncing his arms and rocking his body and if he can get some time of the floor without sister dictating his moves, he will be off in no time!  

Our little guy was sleeping through the night but now he is up 1-3 times a night, I am hoping this is just a growth spurt or something brought on by our vacation.  (please, sleep through the night again!!)  I keep adding more foods to his diet, and more eating times, hoping this will keep his tummy full through the night!  The most recent concoction of food is pumpkin-apple, and this week he will try more greens- beans, peas, and zucchini.  I got this great baby food making kit that has made the process easier, and it comes with really nice containers to freeze and store the food.  I love that I can make his food, that it is fresh and literally only has one ingredient. 

Ok, enough ramblings of J at 7 months....here are some pics from the beach of our little beach bum.

peak-a-boo

evening beach time is the best!

yummy, sand!

6 Months

6 Month Stats: 

17lbs. 11oz.

26.5"

So fun to compare....though, I need to get him in the onesie!  It still fits, he just wasn't up for a wardrobe change today. 

Things he does/is doing:

• eating solids; cereal, sweet potato, banana, peach, avocado
• babbling, cooing, singing
• rolling
• sitting (recently Matt went to get him in the morning and he was just sitting up in his crib)
• rocking on hands and knees
• laughing when tickled
• everything goes in the mouth, no signs of teeth though
• smiling at the camera (he already knows!)
• best friends- all girls so far, Olive and Hannah
• favorite toy, sister, books, anything appropriate for chewing

Creative Movement

Phoebe just finished her summer dance class; creative movement at Dance Place.  It was a nice little class and a great 'extra' thing for the summer.  (and it was the first dance class I haven't had to attend with her...BONUS!)

Whenever I tell people she is taking dance they always ask, Ballet?  I say, no, it is creative movement.  It actually isn't recommended for children to start ballet until 8 (formal training), and most teachers believe that children under 4 don't have the attention span for a structured class.  This is why we end up in classes called Creative Movement, or Dance Basics, or whatever other name they come up with that described kids running around like animals; elephant, mouse, butterfly, flamingo etc.  

So, with this confusion of dance class names Phoebe insists on correcting me every time I mention dance.

me: Ready for Dance?

Phoebe: It's Creative Movement, Mom.

me: Well, yes but it is also dance.

Phoebe: No, it is Creative Movement.

me: right.

Of course this only comes after I have corrected her multiple times:

Phoebe: Mom, when do I have ballet?

me: Well, it's actually creative movement, and it is on Wednesday.

It is sort of like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square....dance is ballet but ballet isn't creative movement, maybe?

a peak into our day: Vacation

We just got back from a trip to Amish Country in Pennsylvania.  We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast on a farm.  Phoebe LOVED it, for so many reasons; cousins, animals, late bedtime, and lots of treats!  This picture is a great snapshot of our time, Phoebe letting her hair blow in the wind flanked by Silas and Ira.

Dreaming...

I never thought I would be dreaming of less space...but sometimes I do think wouldn't it be nice to live some place with just a kitchen, a toilet, and a bed, just those few things.  I am not sure I would actually LOVE it, but these tiny little places do capture my heart.  If there was a lot of outdoor space, running water and a comfy resting place seems like it would be enough.

Maybe some day when the kids are off at college, grad school, raising children, or raising hell, whatever it is they do when they leave our place, maybe then the mister and I will drive off to our tiny house in the woods...or maybe just with a tiny camper in the woods.  

Isn't this tiny little Teardrop Camper a great set up..featured on Sunset. 

It is certainly not your momma's camper... or your papa's! 

And many more tiny houses can be found here.  

a Peak into our Day: waiting

P loves having friends over to play, when she knows someone is coming over she gets worked up with lots of excitment.  One morning (after she dressed as a princess...a few days after the pirate outfit) she was expecting friends.  Their plan was to 'drop by in the morning', but there wasn't a time commitment or any more of a plan than those loose words.  Phoebe spent about 45 minutes waiting for them on the front porch.  

I watched her from the conditioned house as she watched for her friends.

close your eyes and cross the sea...

Today we went to the National Gallery of Art for their summer series, Stories in Art.

We met up with Ms. Marjorie who greeted us with a happy 'Bonjour' and after closing our eyes and counting to 3 we were on the streets of Paris, but only for a moment before we left for the french countryside.  We entered a garden and ran into the gardener hard at work, Claude Monet.   Phoebe sat quietly and listened to a story about a little girl visiting Claude Monet in his garden. 

Ms. Marjorie took the kids to sit in front of Monet's The Artist's Garden at Vetheuil.  She described to them how to look at a painting; left to right, top to bottom, then crazy eyes, and asked them what they saw.  I watched this interaction with envy, wishing that I was a wee one looking at this painting for the first time.  

Then Phoebe got to do a 'painting' of her own with oil pastels.  After the art project we meandered through the galleries to find the actual Monet painting that P had just colored, The Japanese Footbridge.  She only seemed a little interested in seeing it and was mostly just appeasing me, so we headed for the car.  Though we exited through the underground concourse between the east and west buildings; this might have been Phoebe's favorite part of the whole outing.  She stood on the moving walkway stunned by the lights exclaiming that it looked like 'space out', which I think means outer space.  :)  

Seriously...

I saw this sign at the Hirshhorn today and smiled, nodded my head, and thought, that is a great question. When was the last time I laughed? I take myself so seriously sometimes that I forget to enjoy...life. I remember two times in life when my seriousness was questioned...both times I was basically asked why I didn't smile more, internally I thought, because there is nothing to smile about.

Now that I am a mom, and I still take myself too seriously, this sign somehow helped crack me a bit...I started to think that maybe if I laugh, smile, giggle, be silly just a little bit more there might be less fights in my house. If I joke and enjoy the silliness of my little ones a bit more we all might enjoy each other. Then I read this article this morning and was encouraged to let go. 

So, when was the last time I laughed? Well, last night...we chose to watch the funny movie over the serious movie, Cedar Rapids made me giggle, it was so nice to laugh with the Mister after a long week and a rough day with the kids. If you haven't seen it, you should! Especially, if you are looking for a little break from your serious self.

peak into our day

When the mister is gone it takes a little more effort to keep things running around here; early morning runs into morning, late afternoon runs into evening into bedtime, without the mister coming and going our rhythm is less defined.  We are happy to share the mister with little Lydia, but we do miss him!