Kids say the darndest things.....

I know I've posted some things the kids say before....here are a few more.  You just never know! 

I asked Carson one day what was on his butt ( I admit, I should've said bottom!).  He turns and quickly replies without batting an eye- "Cheeks!".  Guess I asked for that one!

We were in Bass Pro Shop looking around and Dustin had gotten away from us.  An older gentleman was shopping and Emilynn yells, "Get out the way Grandpa, we can't see our Dad."  I immediately put my hand over my mouth to shoosh her, smiled at the associate who heard her, and kept on walking.  Now, I will say, my kids consider grandma or grandpa an endearing term.  They love grandparents.  It just didn't quite sound endearing when she yelled it across the store!

Dustin was explaining to Emilynn that she had to pee pee in the potty and not on the floor.  I was gone this day.  She crossed her arms and frowned at him and exclaimed, "You make up all these rules!"  He was so fretted with her, but I thought it was HILARIOUS! 

Until, she then got me.  I was trying to make her wear shoes outside...she wanted to go barefoot.  It was about 30 degrees that day and a day she really didn't need to be out at all.  Anyway, because I insisted upon her wearing her boots she again crossed those arms and told me, "You're so bossy!".  Yep, I'm bossy.  Then she adds.  "You're bossy like Daddy."  Ha! 

We were eating in the Mexican restaurant a while back, Henry was still in his infant carrier.  He passed gas really loudly and Dustin and I were embarrassed enough by that.  Then Carson says, "I hear a motorcycle mom."  Yes, it was rumbly!  Dustin and I about lost it!  Too funny! 

Now that Henry can talk, Dustin was changing a bad diaper and apparently commenting on it.  Now, Henry, my one year, can say "doo-doo" plain as day!  Oh, the battles we moms go through to keep our kids talking proper!   Now, we have to make sure not to make comments as Henry is a little repeater!   Henry also says- Mama, Dadda, backpack (from Dora), 1,2,3 (we've been counting with him), and bye-bye.  

Emilynn- "I want to watch Elmo mom.  He's brilliant." 

We were on the way to the circus and saw several people riding bikes downtown in the city.  Emmy says, "What are all these people doing riding bikes in Umi-city?"  If your family watches Team Umizoomi you will appreciate this!  :-) 

Carson took his medicine one day and said to me, "Mom, it's too-licious!".  He always changes words around, it is so cute!  He takes stuff to the compost bin for me, which he calls the "pontose". 

Emilynn walked in Henry's room the other day and came right back out and said, " Mom, you need to change Henry, he smells like Jupiter!".  I have no idea what Jupiter smells like, but according to Emilynn it's kinda like poop!!! 

A Way to Make Money- Sell at Consignment Sales & Stores

I already mentioned how much I loved to buy things at consignment sales & stores.  I did not mention how I also love to SELL things too!  I made $47 at the sale I posted about a few weeks ago.  It's not a HUGE amount of money, but it's more than I had.  I sold things that were just sitting around not being worn because the kids had outgrown them.  I would not have gotten as much at a yard sale, for sure!  The consignment store is somewhere I have not sold any kids' clothes yet.  I am going to try soon, I think.  my sister-in-law sells there a lot, so she's been filling me in on the ins and outs.  I did sell some rain boots at the ladies' consignment shop I like, I grabbed them as I was headed out the door on a whim.  I got a little over $5 for those, and they have been sitting around the house for years- they were too small for me! 
To make all of this a little easier, I keep a box going at all times for- Spring Consignment Sale, Fall Consignment Sale, Yard Sale, Annabelle (my cousin's little girl), and now Landon (Amanda's baby due in May).  When it's time for a sale, or if I'm going to see someone, I have their stuff ready to pass along and it also helps when I am pulling things that don't fit out of the drawers. 
Warm weather is almost here, so I'll be doing a big switchover of clothes from winter to summer.  It's easier to deal with them right away instead of boxing them all up to be dealt with later.  Later never comes for me- take one look at my storage shed and you'd agree! 
You won't get rich selling things at consignment, but you may be able to make some money for new (or new to you!) clothes for the kiddos.  Just an idea!!  I get excited when I make a little extra cash!

Swim Lessons, etc.

Week 2 of swim class went okay.  Emilynn did great, as expected because she's a little fish.  Carson was very apprehensive.  At first, he was fine and I even left the pool area to walk Henry around.  They came and got me after a bit because he wouldn't stay with his class or participate.  He spent the rest of the time hanging with Henry and me.  He doesn't want to do it anymore, but we'll see what next week brings.  If he truly doesn't, I will probably let him either sit with me and just observe the class, or go to the kids' gym area.  I don't want to force him to take lessons, but I don't want to just give up either.  I think he may need a reassuring nudge.  It is so hard to believe Carson and Emilynn are twins, yet have such different personalities.  The world isn't big enough for Emmy, and Carson is perfectly content at home with me, always.  I don't know how Henry will be yet, too soon to tell but he is becoming a Momma's boy of late.  He does NOT like the kids' gym at the Y.  I am going in the evenings now to accomodate that.  Afterwards we got lunch and watched an excavator tearing up some stuff in a vacant lot while we ate.  Cheap entertainment! 
It was a fun day of playing in the water and then spending the afternoon outside.  I took all 3 by myself to the Y, and it went just fine.  Yay!  I love when something works like that, so I can have independence.  It is still hard 3 years later to accept that I need help when going certain places, I'm just an independent person! 
Today we are heading to Monkey Joe's with our Kingdom Kids group from church.  It should be lots of fun and hopefully will tire the kids out!!!  :-) 
A fun, family filled weekend!  My favorite kind!!!

Plagiocephaly Update: Helmet free!

Henry officially graduated from his helmet on Wednesday!  We are so happy to have it off in time for hot weather.  He has really had it off about a week, because he was just done.  He was irritated and fussing and pulling at it, and his whole head was red.  It was way worse than when he first got the helmet even.  I thought we might get fussed at, but we didn't!  Wednesday morning my phone rang very early, and I knew it had to be babysitter issues.  My niece who's 3 weeks older than Henry had been up all night throwing up, so I didn't have a sitter for the twins.  I decided I'd just take them with me, the office we go to is very laid back.  Then my sister-in-law offered my other niece who's 12 to go with me, and that was perfect!  She is a HUGE help with the kiddos.  We had our check up, and she kept the twins in the play area.  She handled two potty breaks and a meltdown on her own!  It was kind of bittersweet graduating from the helmet, you get so used to seeing the people so often.  The office we went to was so kind, always going the extra mile to help us, especially one lady who was so incredibly helpful with insurance and payment stuff.  I love when you get an office like that because unfortunately, it's not always the case.  We've seen some doozies before!  After we thanked them for all of their help, Shelby asked me if I was still going to build-a-bear.  I had originally planned to take Henry to build a bear to wear his helmet since he would no longer need it.  I had seen someone else do that online and thought it was neat.  I told her no, we weren't going to try it with all 3 kids.  She mentioned it a couple more times, and I decided what the heck.  We told the kids after lunch they were getting a very special surprise, to build a teddy bear!  They were all excited, and I couldn't help but be all smiles and excited myself!  I knew what fun they were in for.  As soon as we walked in build-a-bear, there was a My Little Pony display.  I knew at that point, we were done!  I knew Emilynn would pick that, and she didn't disappoint!  She chose the pink pony and Carson chose a puppy dog.  Henry liked a bear we let him try, so we went with those.  It was fun to run the stuffing machine and do the "baths".  Oh, did I mention we had the store to ourselves?  It was really nice because we descended on the accessory section like nobody's business!  Emilynn was definitely the most high-maintenance, wanting everything for her pony-from rollerskates and shoes to a hair dryer of all things!  We ended up settling on a tutu that is JUST like her tutu for her dance recital, a brush, and a leash.  I had to draw the line at the shoes.  Carson got a Lightning McQueen outfit, leash, and bone for his doggy.  Henry just got a t-shirt that says "Love is the stuff inside".  I thought it was so cute.  He kept hugging his bear and loving on it.   I actually didn't do TOO bad at build-a-bear.  We spent $93, which considering everything we got for THREE kids, wasn't unreasonable I don't think.  I had budgeted $30 for Henry to go there, so I just shuffled some stuff around.  It was worth it, and honestly, the twins deserve a "graduation" treat as much as Henry.  They have sacrificed tremendously during this process, spending hours in the car heading to appointments, or with babysitters, or even in the room just waiting during appointments.  Anything we do, we usually do as a family.  We ALL go to dance class with Emilynn, we ALL go to swim class (except Daddy when he's working), I just think it's important to all support each other no matter.  That's how my family has always done things, and I am extremely close to my cousins because of that.  So, in a way we ALL graduated from our helmet experience.  How does Henry's head look?  Well, it looks good.  It is SO much better than when we began this journey.  Is it perfect?  Nope.  Is anyone's?  Doubtful! 
This experience has been a learning opportunity for us, and I must say I admire Henry's strength in all of this.  He did awesome adjusting to his helmet.  I know he is only 1, so he doesn't even realize what it takes to go out in public and hold your head high when you have something like that on.  He got so many stares and whispers, and some people were brazen enough to ask what was wrong with him, why did he have a helmet.  They only saw the helmet, it is sad they didn't know the true Henry inside-the happy, joyful boy that brings a smile to most everyone he meets.  That is why I thought his build-a-bear was perfect- it truly IS what's on the inside that counts! 

Swim Lessons! Day 1

Today was the first day of swim lessons for the twins.  I was really excited, but also nervous since I had been sick and may not be 100%.  Well, as with anything you plan to do with twins, higher order multiples, or just lots of littles, you have to strategize ahead!  I decided it would be a good idea to employ my father-in-law to help me in case things go hairy. 
The kids were super-excited to go, and were ready in swimsuits a full 1 1/2 hours before class time.  I called Papa on a hunch to see if maybe he was just waiting around for us and could go ahead and leave.  He finished his cow stuff and came on over and we headed on.  I decided maybe we would swim a while so the kids could get some energy out before class.  It turned out to be a great idea, they swam a while (me too!) and did really well in class.  They are in a "pike" class, which basically means they have no swimming experience.  We ended up leaving the pool area so they'd behave better, which worked great, even for Carson.   He fussed a teeny bit, but was fine before we even got out the pool.  I had the great idea that Henry could maybe stay in the kids' gym until it closed so I could be more hands-on with the twins, however, Henry was having no parts of it.  He MUST be teething or something because he's never been grouchy his entire little life, and now he's a regular Oscar the Grouch!  After we got kicked out of the pool, I took him to the children's gym to play with me a while and get more aquainted with it.  I hope that helped- we'll see on Monday!  I kind of like keeping the kids on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule because we have already gotten to know the kids' gym workers during those times.  I hope they'll be more comfortable with Mr. Bob & Ms. Jena than having to keep rotating folks.  We'll see. 
After class everyone left happily.  I had planned that too-I told them we would go buy sand for their sandbox if they left when it was time to leave.  I had been meaning to buy it anyway, but it was nice to give them a bribe incentive to be good and leave on time. 
Oh, and the sand bags were wet from the rain this a.m. AND one of the leaked water/sand in my car.  How's that for excitement?  The kids were yelling and telling me to get it up.  Anyway, back to swim class....
Some of the things of the first class they learned were- blowing bubbles and pool rules.  I heard them talk about walking around the pool and also going potty in the bathroom, NOT the pool!  Emmy answered that question right.   The teacher told me Emilynn was a fish.  Carson gave her a few smiles, which was good cause he's a tough one to break.  I asked Carson if he wanted to go back and he said "no, too different"!  Haha-he's such a funny, serious little boy. 
They both ended up saying they liked it and had a good time. 
I was glad I had Papa with me because Henry stayed with him most of the time.  I will probably take the umbrella stroller just in case next week. 
Oh, and when we got "kicked out" of the pool- I forgot to grab my bag, so I was hanging out in the Y lobby in my swimsuit, soaking wet, with a towel held on by one hand, holding Henry in the other.  Oh, the things we do for our kids!  :-)  I am glad the first lesson is behind us and I'm excited because it's the first thing Carson has tried.  Who knows, maybe Emilynn will end up on the competitive team one day.  She really is a natural at it.  I'm sure one day soon she'll begin telling us which activities she likes and doesn't like.  It's so hard to know what to let your kids try, you don't want to "overbook" them, but you also want to make sure they are exposed to everything so they can figure out their niche.  When I was growing up (boy that makes me sound OLD!), we basically just had softball and basketball.  Volleyball was just beginning around here.  I am glad there are so many more options for my children to choose from.  We could've done rec t-ball this year, but I really didn't want to.  I figured they might be bored since they are still so young and also, I didn't want to coach!  :-)  We will probably try soccer in the fall.  They only play 5 at a time on the field, so we will be almost 1/2 the team!  Haha! 
Anyway, I was nervous about today, but it went well overall. 
I am feeling better, just still a bit weak.  Now, my nephew, sister, and brother-in-law have it.  I did not get around them and pass it on!  I think we've all had the norovirus that's going around, which is nasty!!! 
I am trying to dig out from under the housekeeping that slipped by when I was sick.  You know once you start feeling better and then start trying to tackled a few things here and there, then you rest?  That's where I'm at.  I did some laundry, some dishes, left the living room a disaster for now.....did some bills....left some bills.  Just trying to get back in a routine.  It feels good to feel better. 
I am also looking forward to a 3 day weekend with Dustin home.  It's always more fun when we are all together and can hang out.  I have a feeling the buggy will be getting some more hours put on it. 
Also, we hope to see Dustin's grandma who's home from the nursing home as long as no one else gets sick in our family.  We aren't taking chances spreading any germs. 
I am also hoping we get our new dishwasher installed by Monday evening.  I am going to pick one out in a little while, it's been a long time coming!  What I love about shopping locally (which I don't do for everything for different reasons-a whole other story) is that when I called to see what time the place closed- they told me just call ahead if I was running late and they would wait for me!  Isn't that awesome customer service? 

MIA

I've been a little "MIA" on blog the past week.  We have been so busy!  It seems like I am so much more busy than when I worked.  I am so much more tired too!  Where have we been?  We've been at the Y-M-C-A!  I couldn't resist that one.  Actually, we ARE the newest members of the Y.  I've wanted to join for a while, I got information last summer on swim classes, but just never signed the kids up.  This year we wanted it to be a priority, and when I called to investigate, it was the same price to join for 2 months and pay for swim classes OR just pay for swim classes as a non-member.  It was a no-brainer, we decided we'd try it for 2 months and re-evaluate after that.  My main concern was gas, because it is 22 miles from our house.  However, I head that way once a week for milk anyway, and the swim lessons are another trip.  Add one more and I've got 3 good days of working out!  Dustin and I took all the kids Monday for our first workout session.  It went okay except Henry was not too happy.  I think he's getting some new teeth in because he's been a touch grouchy the past week, which is so unlike him.  However, I love the Y!  They have childcare, which is awesome for me.  When I toured the place last week, my mom went with me and put the folks through the ringer....she literally asked them everything you can ever imagine and then some.  So, I know it's totally safe!    It's a really nice playroom and outdoor playground, so my kids were happy to get to play on it.  After we worked out, we swam in the pool.  The kiddie area is 1-3 foot, with a mushroom waterfall thing.  They loved it and cried when we had to leave, the only downside.  I went Tuesday night by myself, which was even nicer-ha!  I have been wanting to get back in the gym for quite a while now, and I have tons of motivation after watching The Biggest Loser.  I am excited about having a healthy lifestyle for our entire family-we can go as a family and exercise and be healthy together. 
I have not gotten to go back this week because I got sick yesterday morning and am still not 100%. 
Apparently a bad virus is going around and I got it.  I hate getting sick because I don't get a day off when I'm sick, I still have to be full-time mommy.  My kids aren't big enough to play quietly while I am sick, in fact, I think they see it as an opportunity to take full advantage of being mischeavious.  Yesterday was rough and I hopped in bed as soon as Dustin walked in the door.  Today has been better, and I think largely because our T.V. is messed up, so we don't have t.v. in the living room.  The kids play SO much better without t.v.  I would give up satellite all together but Dustin really likes having it.  Maybe it can just be broken in the living room.  :-) 
We've also been busy riding our new toy- a Kubota RTV.  We have been wanting a "buggy" as we call them, for years now.  It has been a goal of ours because we love riding trails in our woods, but on a 4-wheeler, we just can't all go.  That means usually Dustin and the kids would go, I would stay with Henry.  Now, Henry was able to go, so that just left Mommy out!  We had been wanting something bigger we could all ride on, and last week we finally decided it was time!  Dustin had been looking at old trucks online and wanted to get one to fix up to mug bog with the kids.  After going to see a few and they not being quite "right", he came to me with the idea of using the money for a buggy instead.  I thought it was a great idea and within a week, he and Carson went to pick it up!  Last Friday they brought it home and we've ridden non-stop since!  The kids and I even ride while Dustin is at work, it's simple to use and I learned a couple trails already.  I was a bit nervous because I had only ridden the trails once before, but after riding all weekend I was confident I could do it.  It is so much fun to drive!  It's kind of like a John Deere Gator or Kawasaki Mule.  I took some pics and will post those soon, when I'm feeling a bit better.  It has good seatbelts so Henry is in there tight.  I just love it! 
As we were driving through the cow pasture on Saturday Emilynn hugs me and says, "We're the best family in the whole world!"  I think she's right, and there's no where else I'd rather be than dodging cow pies riding around with my little family.  They ARE the best family in the whole world! 

Mom's Day Out!!!!

Yesterday I got a much-needed day out!  By myself!  Wahooooo!  :-)  My mom graciously agreed to keep the kids so I could go to the "city" and get some real groceries.  I had been making do with what we can get at the stores 20 minutes from here, but I really wanted some time to just go get things I had been missing.  I also really wanted time to just look and enjoy not being rushed.  When I normally go get groceries, Dustin and the kids wait in the car.  I normally get a few "distress signals" from the car in the form of text messages.   Some recents ones have said things like "It's getting bad out here."  and " Emmy pooped in her pants-I need help!"  Once I get things like that, I can't even concentrate, I just leave.  I sometimes get the same-type messages when I leave them at home and go alone.  I also recently went in Kroger with the twins.  You can imagine the chaos that ensued.  I also had forgotten the list in the car, and my cell so I couldn't text Dustin for the list.  We made it through though.  The kids are perfect for my mom though.  It never ceases to amaze me.  I always come home to a clean house, dishes done, happy kids.  Oh, and they were all bathed too when I got back this time!   It's awesome! 
I headed out yesterday morning, and had even burned myself a new CD of my favorite new songs from the radio to listen to on the way.  I jammed with Luke Bryan and a few others on my way to shop!!!  I was able to browse through the Christian bookstore peacefully, which I thoroughly enjoyed and picked up $38 worth of stuff!  I had not planned to buy much of anything, but I kept seeing things and then the lady at checkout talked me into a CD of the music that was playing in store.  I don't guess $38 was too bad, and it included a workbook to teach the kids Bible stories.  I'm counting that stuff as homeschool material!!  Anyway, I was able to peruse Target alone, a treat, and then I headed over to my favorite health foods store.  I had not been there in a while, even though I go right by it for Henry's helmet appointments.  I ground some fresh flour- they have a machine you can grind wheat berries right there....it's awesome!  A bit messy, but worth it!  I also got some other goodies that I can't find easily elsewhere- sucanat (a natural sweetener), ak-mak crackers to try, freshly ground peanut butter (you can grind it right there just like the wheat), some peanuts to try grinding my own at home, and a few other things.  They have an awesome bulk section!  I know, grocery shopping doesn't sound like fun to most people, but I love to cook and it truly is a luxury for me to get to go and just browse ingredients and look for things I am wanting to try.  I ran in Babies R Us for Amanda, then hit Kroger.  I was dreading Kroger because of school being out, I figured it would be really crazy but it wasn't.  I got hot and ready pizzas for dinner and headed home, feeling refreshed and happy.  It does make me happy to have fully stocked cabinets too!  I have at least 3 days each week we are all home for all 3 meals a day.  Who do you think everyone looks at when they are hungry?  You guessed it- me!
I almost forgot my favorite part of the day- lunch!  I went to one of our favorite Mexican resturants BY MYSELF!  It was pure bliss!  I was able to eat in absolute peace, at the pace I chose.  I did not have to share the chips and salsa, cut anyone else's food, or eat with anyone sitting in my lap.  I thoroughly enjoyed this RARE treat!!!  I took a book with me and was perfectly content eating alone.  I know some people don't like eating alone, but if you ate how I normally have to in a restaurant, you would probably welcome it!  Normally, both twins and I are in one side of the booth, Dustin in the other.  Henry in the highchair.  Everyone wants to sit with Momma, and I normally end up barely able to move my arms.  I normally have a teeny spot for my meal, because I have two plates to the right of me for each of the twins, and I can't put my plate to the left because Henry may grab it.    If they get raunchy, I have to inhale my food so we can go.  I'm not saying I don't enjoy eating with my family, because I do.  It's just that eating alone yesterday was awesome, and as I said- a rare treat. 
All in all, it was an awesome day!  Boo Boo (my mom) always keeps the kids, she never says no and seems to enjoy them.  I am so grateful!!!  I felt refreshed and recharged when I got home.  I think every mom needs a day out now and then!!!!

Has it really come to this?- Dyes in our Food

After all the excitement of Easter was gone and I had everyone tucked into bed, I went through the Easter candy secretly.  I felt really bad about it at first, but I had to keep reminding myself of my intentions.  Something that has become a big issue lately in the media and in our home is the subject of artificial dyes in our foods.  Most are not even necessary, they are for aesthetic purposes.  A website I follow all the time is www.100daysofrealfood.com and they recently launched a petition to Kraft to take Yellow 5 & Yellow 6 out of macaroni & cheese. They were even featured on the Dr. Oz show!  The amazing thing is these additives are banned in Europe and are NOT in Kraft mac & cheese there.  They require a warning label in many countries, but our country allows them.  Yellow 5 & 6 are made from petroleum.  I knew all of this and we do not purchase these items anymore.  It just doesn't seem right to me.  Well, for a few weeks, and off and on we had had trouble with Emilynn going to sleep.  The kids had been taking Benadryl for seasonal allergies they were suffering with.  I did not think anything about the Benadryl until I was reading the 100 days website and something just clicked.  I ran to get the Benadryl Emilynn takes and sure enough, it had Red 40 in it, which is known to make many kids hyper.  Let me tell you, at bedtime she would take her medicine and then be up until 11, 12, or later with no plans to settle down.  She kicked the walls, jumped around, acted out and we were all frustrated.  I normally buy only dye-free meds, but that particular day we were out and Walmart only had regular.  (go figure, shopping at Walmart is a post in and of itself!).  Carson did not like the regular Benadryl, so I had found him the dye-free elsewhere. 
I started Emilynn on dye-free Benadryl the very next night and she was asleep within 10 minutes.  We've had no problems since except noticing her a bit more hyped up after having a popsicle and also some strawberry ice cream (not at the same time).  I checked and sure enough-Red 40.  It is really frustrating that so many known carcinogens like Yellow 5 & Yellow 6, and Red 40 are allowed in our foods. It all boils down to money, an artificial coloring agent is cheaper than a natural one.   It is just a reminder that we truly have to be advocates for our children because no one has their best interest at heart like their parents.  I feel strongly about avoiding these dyes (my cake decorating is one area I am frustrated about this...how do you dye icing naturally.  I will have to research that!).  Yet, I still felt very guilty raiding the Easter stash while my kids were asleep.  The thing is, they will never miss anything, they still have plenty to eat on and play with.  Luckily, most everyone gave them very useful items- like body washes, coloring packs, small toys, beach towels, etc.  I didn't take a lot of candy, but it was a small bag full.  I was actually surprised at some items that had the dyes in them.  I found myself disappointed when something had them in there.  The solution to all of this would be- take out harmful ingredients so no one has to "police" the candy after their kids go to sleep.  Why can't we eat food the way God intended?  Pure, simple, and tasty.  Not made in a lab somewhere.....made by the Lord!  That's my rant about food dyes!!!