Just another Day at our House!



Peek-a-Boo!




Beauty Queen!

One of our favorite games is playing Peek-a-Boo!  I guess because we can all play and it always makes us giggle in delight.  Don't you just the simple life:)

Another fun time is wearing Mommy's shoes!  Even Blake likes to stroll around when I leave my shoes unattended (which is frequently).  Ava is my dramatic movie star.  Isn't she just precious.  Her smile is contagious. 

Up to my ears in POOP!

I'm sure the 3 readers that I have are anxiously waiting my next post and it has been weeks! 

Well, first of all I had all these posts and I couldn't get my pictures to show up on my computer.  I love pictures with my blogs so I really wanted to wait until I could post my blogs with the appropriate photos. 

Then the "poop" hit the fan!  I took Ava last Monday for her well check.  I told the nurse practitioner that her bum was sore because she had diarrhea which I chalked up to getting teeth.  She agreed and we talked about Ava's teeth and how she hates them brushed and that led to me getting referrals for local dentists. 

Later that day Blake started with diarrhea so I started the zinc oxide with him (A&D).  No big deal...right!  8 Days later the poor boy still has diarrhea.  I called the doctor twice last week about his diaper rash and poison ivy that he and I broke out in.  They called in a diaper rash cream prescription and gave me advice on treating poison ivy.  Monday I took Blake to the doctor because my nerves are shot, he is in that much pain.  He has a virus, infection, diaper rash and poison ivy!  I am even having his diarrhea examined, crazy I know.  Although he is not better as of today I pray and hope you do too that my sweet baby boy is on the mends.  I have cried a lot because it pains a mom to know her child is not well and hurts and there is nothing more she can do to console him.

Special thanks to Mom for continuing to take my calls and coming out to help:)  She showed up on Sunday with Zyrtec and poison ivy lotion for me and a sub, what a saint.

Popcorn, Get your Popcorn!



Notice the "Steeler" salt shaker!  I did forget to put the brown paper lunch bag in the picture, but you know what they look like.

 Ahh, there is nothing like a fresh bowl of popcorn as you sit down to relax for the evening.  I love popcorn and have a great recipe for a cheap and healthy way to eat a loved snack.  Holly posted this on her blog and at first I tried it, but stuck to my ready made bags, now I use this recipe all the time.  And no my kids can't eat popcorn, but that makes me smile because there is more for me!!!!  Selfish I know, but sometimes when they are in bed it is a nice treat and well I think I deserve a treat too.
All you need is:

1/4 cup popcorn
1 brown paper bag (lunch size)
salt and butter to taste (I use the spray butter)

Okay so it's not all that healthy if you are like me and like salt and lots of butter!  But remember I told you it was my treat.

Microwave it for 1min 30seconds - 3minutes, depends on your microwave.

The best part is that you can reuse the brown bag several times...until there is a whole in it!  I buy a bag of kernels for less than $2 at a local store and it lasts months.

I also just read in this months Ladies Home Journal that microwave popcorn bags contain a chemical that has been shown to start menopause early in women!  They recommend popping popcorn in a brown bag.

Just Hanging Out!

I love the summer months when most of the day is spent outside playing.  You always get plenty of vitamin D and the kids just seem to sleep better.  I love the sun and warmth and grilling and just relaxing outdoors.  Which explains why the inside of my house is dirty!  My deepest apologizes for those of you that enter my house during the summer.

Blake and Ava love all of Daddy's big boy toys...tractor, mow-mow (lawn mower) and 3 wheelie (4-wheeler).  Blake constantly asks if he's going to get a ride on something and Ava lights up like a Christmas tree and oohs when she sees Daddy coming on a riding toy.  Here are some photos of my babies with their Daddy on the Big Boy Toys!  Mommy tells Blake and Ava that she doesn't know how to operate those big toys (partially correct at least) so we will have to ask Daddy for a ride.

Daddy also taught my little ones to hang on a tree branch...thanks honey!  Blake likes to hang from the tree and Ava well she thinks she big stuff.  I had to take their picture "hanging out".

Look Mom, One hand...see anything boys can do, girls can do better!

My Baby is Growing Up!

Ava is now just shy of 18mths and we have given up bottles!  Now some of you out there may think it is high time, but I am not a cold turkey sort of person and have no need to end something abruptly.  It's sad to think of my angel no longer in my arms sucking on a bottle while I pray and thank God for her.  She is such a blessing and I have so much to learn from her.  Now we have started a new routine...play, bath, snack, brush teeth, read, pray and bed.  Last night Pappy Dukehart lovingly helped me move an old sofa (Pappy and Grandmother's old sofa) to Ava's bedroom so that Blake, Ava and I can read in comfort.  Last night was a hit because it was new, but I am not sure how the rest of the week will go.  When Ed is home our hope is to alternate putting the kids down.  One night a week I will just have Blake and one night I will just have Ava.  Our hope is that both kids feel good about whomever puts them to sleep.  Right now Blake walks in his Daddy's shadow and Ava walks in mine.  The first night I have Blake and Ed has Ava should be eventful. Next item to give up...Nuk (please keep us in your prayers:)

Ahh, Sugar Sugar

I sent my husband to the store and as you may know he usually finds the economy size items and definitely doesn't stick to my list.  He always finds something he thinks we need, always thinking ahead!  I asked for sugar because yesterday morning when I went to get my coffee ready (SUGAR, MILK, and a dash of Coffee) I took that first wake me up drink and it burned my mouth.  No it wasn't too hot, I had put SALT in it not SUGAR.  My sweet husband decided to lovingly fill the sugar bowl thinking he was putting sugar in it, but instead grabbed the container of salt.  Now to his defense I have salt in a Tupperware container that is not labeled.  It certainly woke me up, but did not improve my mood.
He did go to the store for me and this is what he brought home:

Yes, this is what 50 pounds of sugar looks like!  Now, he tells me he purchased this large amount because we are about to embark on our yearly canning.  I guess he is thinking ahead and wants to be sure that we don't run out of sugar. 
I must also mention the large economy size Saltines and Honey Graham Crackers that he brought home and two bags of Twizzlers!  He certainly makes me laugh when he goes shopping.  Yes, I would rent him out if you would like economy sizes and a dash of surprise added to your grocery list.

Ice Cream Social

Saturday, my Mom and I took the kids to an ice cream social.  Unfortunately Daddy had to work and couldn't come, but we had a nice time.  We bought books at a rock bottom price ($0.50 a piece), got our faces painted, touched an alpaca and a snake, listened to a story, ate ice cream (thanks Happy Pappy and GrandMary), and watched a magic show.  It was a great morning and the kids loved the small gathering.  More importantly they loved the chocolate ice cream:)