And The Winner Is.........

Chrystal!!! Facebook me your address, and I'll put in the mail!

Give Me Some Blog Lovin'

The giveaway ends today and there is still a lot of you that haven't left a comment! You know who you are! Right now there has only been 7 comments and that is pretty sad for doing a Target giftcard giveaway! I know it's only for 10 dollars but come on, join in on the fun!

100 Posts = Giveaway!

I'm jumping on the bandwagon of giveaways. Seems like lately everyone is doing a giveaway on their blog, so I figured why not join in on the fun. Plus this is my 100 th post! Pretty bad though when I've been doing this for exactly 2 years, which averages to 50 posts a year. Lame. I love documenting the kids this way, and when Jake went back to school, I wondered to myself what the heck did I do when it was just Tyler and I last year with Jake in kindergarten and Collin not even thought of yet? What did we fill our days with? I've given myself a goal of 2 blog posts per week. I have no lack of posts, just lack of time. When November comes around, and it's National Blog whatever, I'm going to try to do the once a day post. I need to be better at documenting the boys. The days go by so fast and it's a blur unless you take the time to remember these days. I wish I had a sign hanging on the wall in my house that says: they only this little once, or something like that to remind me to that no matter how crazy, busy, or messy, I need to take time to enjoy the moment. O.K. I got off the subject- back to the giveaway! I'm being really generic, but I LOVE Target! So you are getting a gift card. But there is one rule you have to follow. It's only going to be for $10.00, but the rule is you have to spend it on yourself. Not your kids, husband or food- well unless it's chocolate. It has to be something maybe you don't buy yourself like a magazine, book, candle, nail polish, DVD, bottle of wine- indulge yourself, but don't go too crazy, after all it's only $10.00. I know how Target works- you don't leave without spending $100.00.

So, leave me a comment, you can say what you want- I can't think of anything creative for you to comment about. I would like my faithful commenter's to of course join in, but I am also curious to know who reads my lame blog and maybe hasn't left a comment before. I have been think lately of going private, only because this my blog is mostly about my kids and I would like to be able to share information more freely without wondering who's reading. So there ya go- comment away- don't be shy.

I will do the drawing on Friday at 5:00pm. Just in time for cocktail hour :)

Oh, I just thought of a comment idea- if you want, comment on what your favorite blog is to read. I know there are tons of blogs, but which one is the one you look most foward to reading? It can be a craft, decorating, or just a regular family blog. Aren't there a lot of cool blogs out there? I wish I had the talent of some of those people!

I Didn't Know

I can't believe after 3 kids I did not know this. The last few weeks we have quite a few social engagements and I have made up for not having any cocktails for the last nine months. I am not a big drinker, but if we are out, I like to have a few drinks. I don't stop at one, so when I get home I usually pump and dump. I was under the impression that if I pumped and dumped, I got most of the alcohol out of the milk, and I was o.k. to feed Collin at the next feeding. NOT SO! As long as the alcohol is in your blood, it is in your milk. So pumping and dumping will not clear the alcohol out of your milk if you still have it in your bloodstream. Depending on how many drinks you have had depends on how long it will take to pass anywhere from 3-8 hours. So no more pumping and dumping! It just takes time to clear it out of your system. Make sense?

Here is a great new product they make for those nights when you need a drink:

They are test strips that test the amount of alcohol in your milk. This way you know when to safely feed your baby. However, they are hard to find! A lot of retailers are currently out of stock. Walgreen's is the only retailer in Jackson that I have seen sell it on the shelves and they are out of stock. Happy drinking!

Collin's Nursery

I had so much fun putting together Collin's nursery. Probably because there wasn't much that had to be done. It was already painted good ole traditional blue. I usually get tired of paint colors pretty fast, but this blue I am still in love with. It's called Steel Blue by Benjamin Moore if you are looking for a good blue color. Maybe farther down the line I will add some stripes or bead board just to change it up a little.

I have been in love with this Chase bedding from Pottery Barn since I was pregnant with Tyler.

I painted the room to match the bedding thinking it might go on clearance and I could get it for Tyler when he was in this room. It never went on clearance and still hasn't four years later. My sister found a cute set called Little Fishes from P.B. and I used that for Tyler instead.

Fast forward to Collin now and I still love the Chase bedding. I decided to see what was on E-Bay. David was skeptical about buying baby bedding off E-Bay, but my thinking was if someone had enough money to pay full price for Pottery Barn bedding, it's coming from a good home and is still in good condition. I found quite a few sets for sale at decent prices. I started bidding and it was THRILLING. I am new at E-Bay though, and I ended up losing the bid on 3 or 4 sets of bedding. That was DISAPPOINTING. Finally I got good at bidding and landed a set for $50.00 which included 2 sheets, the bumper, bed skirt and a pillow sham. It arrived in GREAT condition and even with a gift card for $10.00 to Pottery Barn. I got a great deal, and my favorite bedding. I was a happy girl. 

Then I started painting a dresser I found for the room off craigslist for $30.00.  

After that was finished, I just had to put the room together, and do some organinzing. Tyler started sleeping in Jake's room in March so the room had been the "play room" for a few months. It took some time finding a place for all the toys some where else. I had some major guilt kicking Tyler out of his room, but he slept better with Jake. Now we have to deal with them talking at bedtime, but I'm hoping that will stop once we get their bunkbeds.

I love the way the room turned out. The funny thing is now that Collin is home, I've slowly taken the room apart. After being home for a few days, I realized there was no way I was going up stairs everytime I needed to change him or get him dressed. So my mom and I did some re-arranging and I now have a dresser/changing table in my bedroom on the main floor. I also took the blue rocker and put it in my living room. I wasn't using it at all up stairs and it is the perfect chair for feeding him in. So for now, his room goes unused but one day he will enjoy it.

First Days

Well, we made it through the first week of school. Jake is an official first grader. He has never been one to get the first day jitters, so it was smooth sailing the first day. He wasn't even nervous, just excited. A few days before I had taken him school supply shopping and he thought that was really cool. He loved looking at all the stuff and organizing it in his pencil box. Remember when that's all it took to get you excitied? A few pencils and some scissors? He loved his school supplies so much, he tried to take them back home at the end of the first day, but his teacher reminded him they stay at school in his desk.

 Toward the end of last year, when Jake got off the bus, Ty picked him up in the Gator. It was so cute to see Ty out waiting for him, and Jake getting off the bus, getting a ride with his little brother driving. On Jake's first day, Ty said he didn't feel like picking him up, so we waited for him on the porch. When Jake got off, Ty ran out to greet him. He was so happy to have Jake home. They started talking and walking up to the house together. I was in tears it was so cute. I loved watching them carrying on their little conversations about the day. Ty looks up to Jake so much. I was so mad at myself for not having my camera ready, but I don't think I will ever forget them walking up to the house together or Ty running to greet him. The next day my mom asked Ty if he missed Jake. He said "no, but I still love him".

When I asked Jake about his first day, he said he liked writing and he was glad because he didn't have to read. It is so hard to get him to open up about his day. When I ask him, he tells me he doesn't remember. He'll only go into detail about gym, the playground, or lunch. Such a typical boy.

We made it to school on time all four days last week. I walked him in each day, which means I had to be dressed and ready each morning. Of course it helped that my mom and Bob were here for 2 of the mornings, so I had help with the kids. This past week, I have just let him out front of the school and he has walked in by himself. It is a strange feeling not having to be there for him and help him do things. It's hard to let go and not know what he is doing throughout the day. He told me today he likes walking in by himself. Granted it's a lot easier for me as well, not having to be ready, getting Ty and Collin out, and carrying Collin all the way through the school. Those damn Chicco carseats weigh 20 pounds without a baby in them.

Everything seems so easy with Jake. He seems to adjust well to new things and is ready for anything. I am grateful for this because I have enough on my plate with Tyler. His first day of preschool is a whole different story. I have been dreading it all summer and with good reason. My little mama's boy still doesn't make it through church Sunday school. A few weeks ago, he fell asleep, face on the floor, butt in the air. He probably got tired waiting, because he does not participate. The past week at S.School he stood by the door the entire hour and fifteen minute service. He only joined the group for snack, then made is way back to the door to wait.

So, Ty's first day was Tuesday.I'm usually good about finding books for whatever it is we have going on: new baby, going to the beach, seasons, ect. For some reason, I was not prepared with first day of preschool books. Not that it would have helped any. I remember getting them for Jake, who really wasn't nervous about preschool anyway. But, with Ty it slipped my mind. I also didn't really shop with him the way I did when it was Jake's turn at preschool. I remember taking him out picking out his cute little backpack and clothes. It seemed like whatever I did wouldn't have mattered anyway, he was not the least bit excited about going. We talked a lot about it with him, and it really helped having Jake tell him things that he remembered and enjoyed about preschool.

So the night before, he seems alright about going. I knew better. The next morning, he gets up and announces to me that it is his first day of school. I still know better. We drop Jake off and head home to get ready. He tells me now that he does not want to go. I'm thinking to myself here we go- let the fun begin.

I somehow managed to get him to eat breakfast and get him dressed, but the whole time he was repeating over and over "I don't want to go" along with some crying to really add some drama. The whole car ride is crying and some more "I don't want to go." Oh wait, I have to back up. I forgot about the phone call to David with me in tears saying "I don't want to take him." I was so frustrated, sad, and determined all at the same time. When we got to school, I opened the car door and he is screaming. Parents are looking and I don't know what to do. I peeled his fingers from the car- he was frantically looking for anything to grab onto. I start heading for the school and his teacher meets me in the parking lot. She asked me if I just wanted her to take him. I had visions of walking him in, but I knew it would just be worse if I went any farther. I am crying as she peels him off me. Other kids are calmly walking by with their moms and dads, I might add. At times like these, I wonder why David isn't here. When is a job more important? Mrs. W, his teacher tells me she will call me, and I ask her when do you throw in the towel and deem them not ready to attend preschool- it's 2 weeks.

So, I'm back in the van, wore right out. I'm not sure what to do now, so I head to where I know I will feel better: Target. Collin and I walked around for 2 hours. I felt so much better having him to snuggle and keep me company. $100 dollars later and I am ready to pick up Ty. When I got to the school, I got to watch him on the playground. He was running around and looked just like a normal preschooler. It was such a joy and relief to see him having fun. They told me he cried for about a 1/2 hour and then all of a sudden decided to play trucks. Just like a switch he was fine. He was so proud of himself when I picked him up. And this boy loves to talk. When I ask him about his day, he will give me an answer. He said is favorite part were the songs: bubble gum and hot potatoe. He also liked playing on the playground.

I had to take some after school pictures so they wouldn't all be of him crying. Look how happy! It was a long, stressful day and he passed out on the couch by 6:45. He couldn't even eat dinner. My little Ty really knows drama, but what would life be without it? Boring. Besides, how else is Target going to stay in business?

This Summer

This summer we:

1. Went to Michigan Adventure for Jake's Birthday.

2. Went to Binder Park Zoo.

3. Watched Jake play T-Ball.

4. Had a garage sale with my friend Keri.

5. Set up a lemonade stand for the boys (at the garage sale).

6. Did summer reading at the library.

7. Went to Lake Michigan (Jake and Tyler).

8. Went to the cabin with our friends for the weekend without the kids.

9. Picked raspberries.

10. Went up north with the boys for 1 1/2 weeks.

11. Went putt putt golfing.

12. Made a sandcastle.

13. Ate lots of ice cream.

14. Had a play date with my gal pals at the pool.

15. Ate fresh watermelon out of Grandpa Stans garden.
16. Went camping with Grandma Sherry (Jake & Tyler).

17. Went fishing at the cabin and Ty caught his first big one.

18. Went to Nixon park.

19. Went to the fair and ate a boy scout burger.

20. Took Jake to swim lessons for 2 weeks.

21. Jake played 9 holes of golf.

22. Grandpa Bob and Jake rode to Jackson on the bike trail.

23. Played in the sprinkler under the trampoline.

24. Watched fireworks on a boat in the middle of the lake.

25. Went to some garage sales.

26. Caught glow bugs.

27. Ate sweet corn. A lot.

28. Made homemade ice cream with Grandpa Stan.

29. Had a picnic by the river in Albion.

30. Had playdates with 2 friends I worked with at Gap.

31. Did sparklers.

32. Went to Chelsea Treehouse with Nana and Grandpa Bob.

33. Took a reptile class at Kids N' Stuff (Jake).

34. Celebrated our 5 year anniversary.

35. Made s'mores- they are great with Nutella.

36. Played in the garden and dug potatoes.

37. Got a swing for Tyler for the porch and he learned to pump.

38. Hosted game night and enjoyed a few cocktails for the first time since we started doing it in back in January. (It was hard being the only sober one.)

39. Had a bon fire.

40. Went to Cascades- Magical Falls is what the boys call it.

41. Camped in the back yard for half the night, until it started raining.

42. Jake built a pirate ship for Lego week at the library.

43. Took the boys to "Library Kids" and they got to paint their very own treasure box complete with chocolate gold coins.

44. Did "run and jump froggies" as the boys call it.

45. Made homemade bubbles and slime.

46. Did the mentos and diet cola science experiment.

47. Went to a lot of dentist and doctor appointments.

48. Ate lunch outside almost everyday.

49. Worked on the nursery.

50. Had a new baby!!