Catching up

I feel like my wheels are spinning. Laundry keeps drowning me. Even if I get it washed, dried, and folded.... It has a hard time getting put away.*sigh*
But... I am thankful that Kalyn is feeling a lot better. I am also VERY grateful that thanksgiving break is over. Since we were not able to join our families in thanksgiving gatherings and were cooped up in the house with two very rambunctious boys, I was VERY glad to wait in the preschool drop off line on Monday! :)
November is almost over.... Can you believe it? December is crazy busy already. Christmas gatherings, bday parties for Brayden to go to with his school friends, planning Kalyn's bday party, pre-k Christmas program, and lots of shopping, cooking, preparing and planning. We have several activities that we want to do throughout December as we count down to Christmas.
The kids were anxious to put the tree up this year so it went up on thanksgiving day. The next day we put lights outside.(I keep telling Jon he needs to do it when it's still warm out, but he doesn't listen).

I think that's all for now!!

Happy thanksgiving

Yesterday, actually two days ago (Tuesday), Kalyn woke up with a few dots on her skin. That quickly evolved into several dots and a dr visit.

Diagnosis: hand foot mouth AND an allergic reaction to amoxicillin

It seemed to be ok until Wednesday. Throughout the morning it kept worsening. After speaking to the nurse three times, I took her to the ER. She was admitted and here we are.

They gave her a strong antihistamine and wanted to watch her closely bc of all the swelling the rash was causing.

The doctors are unable to pinpoint one reason for this severe reaction. I am so thankful this evolved how it did and for all the people who are helping with the boys and medical staff helping my sweet baby girl.

Happy thanksgiving!!

Growing up TOO fast!!

The kids are SERIOUSLY growing up too fast!!! Brayden is almost 4 and a half! Where did the time go?! He remembers EVERYTHING!!! You can't put one past him!!! He enjoyed his first art class at the YMCA last week while I enjoyed my workout.

Nolan is 2 and a half and he is getting SO tall!! Besides climbing on everything, he can reach places and spaces we never would have guessed! He is signed up for preschool next year already and I am so excited for him. He participates in toddler talk from AEA and loves it! One preschool day per month!

Kalyn! Oh man! She has her third tooth and pulls herself up! My baby is getting SO big!! I have been planning her bday party already. It is going to be over the top!! This past ten months have flown by much faster than I anticipated!

Here's a few pictures for now

Tooth #3

Kalyn has finally cut tooth number 3. Top left!!!!

What a naughty little teething baby! Love her tho!!!!

Thirty

This past weekend was my birthday.

I spent saturday watching some depressing iowa and isu football and then went to stomp with my mom. so cool!! i think my boys would really like it!
saturday night, My husband got some of my friends together to go out for dinner and adult beverages. I had a blast- maybe too much fun! I learned that I am extremely passionate about vanilla and if you were there or crossed paths with me Saturday night, you KNOW what I mean!!

My mom and the kids made me lunch on Sunday (my actual bday) along with cake.(and my bestie got me cupcakes from my favorite cupcake store in valley junction!!!!!)

Thank you friends for making 30 not quite so bad!!

DIY

I made my first batch of laundry detergent on march 27, 2012. I am on my last container which lasts approximately one month. By my estimates, this mix lasts my family of five (2 adults 3 children) about nine months.
I spent $27.16. ($3.02 per month) The most expensive ingredient was the Purex crystals and is completely optional. I bought the big bottle for $8.96. (All items were purchased at Walmart).
It has worked VERY well for us!! There have been the occasional stains that I pretreat, but otherwise I just use two tablespoons of this homemade laundry detergent and my clothes are clean and smell good.

Well, there ya go!

Thankful Thursday

Today.....
I am thankful for blank children's hospital! They have helped us out when Brayden busted his head open last year. They helped us when we were terrified parents and just brought our newborn daughter home only to find out two hours later that she needed to be admitted to the hospital.(her newborn screens were abnormal so more testing needed to be done).
And last night I got to thank them again for X-raying Brayden after he swallowed a magnetic rock.... He was "pretending" to put it in his mouth and then Nolan bumped into him hard and he freaked when he swallowed it. Now, I get to dissect his poop until we find it. :)
But I AM thankful for their reassurance that he is ok.

I am also thankful for Jon. I came home tonight to this new storage thingy by our door. It is my mudroom that I always wanted!!! :) love him!!!!!

Daylight savings

I remember when daylight savings meant that I got to spend an extra hour at the bar or sleep an extra hour. Now it means spending "an extra hour" with my kids. That is not always fun bc their internal clock doesn't get it!!!

Yup Brayden was rocking on my lap and fell asleep mid-sentence.

Pictures!!!

Kalyn and mommy trying to listen to "teach me to talk" while Nolan was at "toddler talk."

Isu game

Castle that Brayden and mommy built

Kalyn is ten months old already!!!!! :(

Brayden's class Halloween party picture!! Notice....5 Spider-Man costumes!!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for my husband. I am thankful that he is a co-parent and doesn't just sit and watch me raise our children. I am thankful for his hugs-especially the ones that come at just the right time!
He is awesome! I am so thankful and blessed to have him as my husband.

Happy Halloween!

Brayden and Nolan were Spider-Man and Kalyn was a ladybug. We started at our neighbors' house- bob and Leanne. Then the boys and I went to the mall (VW). It was packed and crazy. Then we went home and to a few more houses in the hood.... And ended our night at uncle Josh's! Nolan was a trick or treating fool!!! He absolutely loved it!!!!