Today is Nathan's first ever field trip and my goodness he was excited! His kindergarten class is going to the pumkin patch. I can't wait to hear about it and see which pumpkin he chose to bring home. He has been talking about today for, oh, about the last week and a half. I think it is such a big deal for him because he never really goes on an adventure like this without his family. Of course, we go places on the weekend together and he's been to the zoo and museum and other such outings with his grandparents/aunt/uncle. So, to go somewhere with his classmates (and new friends) and his teachers (and several volunteering parents) is super cool for him. Riding the bus isn't a biggie since he does so twice a day now for school but taking his lunch was pretty dang exciting LOL. I think there has been one day this year where he took his lunch, otherwise they buy lunch at school. Which, I have to add this, their food selection is very impressive. They have 3-5 entrees to choose from each day and 5-7 sides. To drink they can choose water, chocolate, strawberry or plain milk. Every day includes at least one vegetarian option and most days there are two. Really, when I was a kid I remember them just plopping down whatever was served that day. Anyways, Nathan picked out a lunchable which included a capri sun and skittles. SO dang exciting for him.
He is doing really well in school, he loves it and has "green" days (which means no misbehavior) that's not to say he has been an angel though just maybe hasn't gotten caught or turned his behavior around by the end of the day. One day I know he poked someone with a stick. ugh! Another day, Denae and her friend C came home with stories of Nathan trying to kiss girls on the bus!! OMG, apparently he was trying to kiss the little (well older than him) girl next to him and she moved seats so he went on to try and kiss another girl. The bus driver got upset with him and made him come sit up in the very first row and all by himself. Told him he can't sit with anyone but his sister from now on and he needs to be in front where he can be supervised. SO I had to talk to him about respecting other peoples bodies and boundaries and that it's no okay to try and kiss other little girls without their permission. Of course, Denae and C chime in to remind me they weren't little girls but BIG girls cause they were 3rd graders. Aaron thought it was a bit funny, kinda like that's my boy. whatever. He told Nathan he will get himself into trouble going for older women (you know, cause I'm older than he is). Other than those issues the new school is going well. For the first week or so Nathan was sure he'd never make a friend, he sat crying on the playground because no one wanted to play with him. Broke my heart but I told him in time you will make lots of friends. And now, he says all 18 kids in his class are his buddies and there's a select few who he talks about a lot as being good friends. He'll say, "mom afterschool can I go play at K's house?" Makes me happy that he is getting along with others and having a good time. This child is brilliant I tell you. I have worried that he won't be challenged enough at school but so far he seems to keep busy and mostly enljoys the social aspect of it. He has told me, "mom, we aren't even doing any math during math time. We are just talking about colors and right and left, up and down, first and last" Like, they haven't even begin to talk about the value of numbers and this kid is adding and subtracting double digits... both on paper and in his head if you ask him. He's amazing he really is.
Speaking of being a smarty, HE IS READING!!!! OMG, like really reading. It's just something he has mastered in the past week but it's one of the most wonderful things to watch. He loves to sit and read a book, always outload and he never gives up. He'll keep trying and sounding out the letters until he gets it. At first I was thinking he was just "reading" the books from memory. He especially likes Dr. Seuss stories and I think the fact that they rhyme a lot and many times just one letter changes like fox and box. But having him read to me, I realized he IS reading. Including library books be brings home from school which we have never read. This confirmed it for me. I love how he will sit there, in the corner of the room and be so into his story that the world could be falling apart and he doesn't even notice. Okay, so the worlds not ending but Jayden could be throwing a fit, Lincoln screaming for something and Denae has her music blasting and yet Nathan is quietly sounding out the words in his story as if it's the only thing that exists. Denae is loving his newfound knowledge as well, she quizzes him on her spelling words (2nd grade) and surprisingly he can write and spell many many words as well. I have been a bit blown away watching Nathan recently. I told Aaron, he's a genius! and of course he says, "well duh! they all are" LOL. So then I'm surfing around on MDC and I spot a thread about gifted and talented children and learning to read. I clicked on it thinking maybe I'll have something in common with these mama's as my just-started-kindergarten-a-month-ago boy is reading. Well, nevermind that as these parents are talking about their 15 month olds reading street signs and shit. I'm pretty sure at 15 months he was just saying mama and dada, maybe ball for craps sake. Oh well, he's still a genius to me :-) man, I love that kid.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
this is going a little too far...
Anxiety Detectors for Airport Security?
Really? Really?!?!? I mean can you imagine how many times it would be set off each hr? Like the wait to get thru security at busier airports isn't irritating and long enough. Think of all the people who are a bit afraid to fly or are nervous for whatever reason about where they are going? OR like me, travelling with four young probably exhausted children. I'm already a nervous wreck and then after going thru the rat maze that they call the line for security I'm just glad all my children haven't slipped under the rubber band rope thing and taken off!
Thoughts running thru my head guaranteed to make my heart rate increase include,
"I'm so tired, and hungry and this baby on my back keeps pulling my hair!" or
"this is going to suck to have to fold up both strollers and keep the kids in sight"
"are any of my offspring going to have a breakdown when it comes time to remove their shoes we just an hr ago fought to get on?"
"Did we drop one of the six boarding passes, or worse one of our ID'?"
"When asked what their name is and if we are their parents will any of my smarty pant kids say something not completely true?"
"OMG we have ten freaking minute's to get the the gate that is miles away!"
"will we annoy everyone on the plane since we take up an entire row and have noisy children?"
"Do I have to take the baby out of the carrier now that he just fell asleep to get thru the metal detector, even though it clearly does not have anything metal?"
"Does my 3 year old still have those big sharp scissors on his carryon - yup I'm sure he does!"
"will they toss my un-opened water I planned to use to make a bottle of formula, meaning I have less time to get to the gate because I have to buy some? Yup, they always do!"
"what's that smell, Did someone poop their pants? that will be FUN to change on the plane"
"Why do my children insist on using separate bins (and doing it all themselves) for each item they have to put thru the x-ray machine"
"oh the struggle of getting 6 peoples shoes BACK on when people behind us are pushing thru to get to their plane"
"what did we forget to pack? probably many things"
"ahhhhh next time we should just drive!!!"
"and oh man do I have to pee so bad!!"
I'd trigger the sensor thing off for sure! which would just make me even more anxious and stressed because, uh, having to get searched again and questioned would guarantee we miss our flight. you know, the one we were barely going to make.
Really? is the current security and terror threat level not enough to convince our country it's safe to fly? lets hope we don't really have to pass any kind of "medical" test such as this, done by machinery to board a plane.
Really? Really?!?!? I mean can you imagine how many times it would be set off each hr? Like the wait to get thru security at busier airports isn't irritating and long enough. Think of all the people who are a bit afraid to fly or are nervous for whatever reason about where they are going? OR like me, travelling with four young probably exhausted children. I'm already a nervous wreck and then after going thru the rat maze that they call the line for security I'm just glad all my children haven't slipped under the rubber band rope thing and taken off!
Thoughts running thru my head guaranteed to make my heart rate increase include,
"I'm so tired, and hungry and this baby on my back keeps pulling my hair!" or
"this is going to suck to have to fold up both strollers and keep the kids in sight"
"are any of my offspring going to have a breakdown when it comes time to remove their shoes we just an hr ago fought to get on?"
"Did we drop one of the six boarding passes, or worse one of our ID'?"
"When asked what their name is and if we are their parents will any of my smarty pant kids say something not completely true?"
"OMG we have ten freaking minute's to get the the gate that is miles away!"
"will we annoy everyone on the plane since we take up an entire row and have noisy children?"
"Do I have to take the baby out of the carrier now that he just fell asleep to get thru the metal detector, even though it clearly does not have anything metal?"
"Does my 3 year old still have those big sharp scissors on his carryon - yup I'm sure he does!"
"will they toss my un-opened water I planned to use to make a bottle of formula, meaning I have less time to get to the gate because I have to buy some? Yup, they always do!"
"what's that smell, Did someone poop their pants? that will be FUN to change on the plane"
"Why do my children insist on using separate bins (and doing it all themselves) for each item they have to put thru the x-ray machine"
"oh the struggle of getting 6 peoples shoes BACK on when people behind us are pushing thru to get to their plane"
"what did we forget to pack? probably many things"
"ahhhhh next time we should just drive!!!"
"and oh man do I have to pee so bad!!"
I'd trigger the sensor thing off for sure! which would just make me even more anxious and stressed because, uh, having to get searched again and questioned would guarantee we miss our flight. you know, the one we were barely going to make.
Really? is the current security and terror threat level not enough to convince our country it's safe to fly? lets hope we don't really have to pass any kind of "medical" test such as this, done by machinery to board a plane.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
$48
Since today was payday from Associated Content I logged in over there to check my pageviews. I have 145,462 as of now. That's pretty good considering I only have 99 articles published and the last one was 10 months ago. I really should start submitting some pieces. Really, I have a ton started and saved in Word I just never get motivated enough to actually edit them and submit. Think of how much higher my pageviews could possibly be if I were adding articles, even every once in a while!
Looking at the stats for my top viewed article: Is the Red 40 Food Dye Additive Having a Negative Impact on Your Child? I did the math and realized I have made a total of $48 just on that one simple, short piece. AND I am confident it will continue to get hits, as I get more comments each month and it's always my biggest bonus pay. $8 was my upfront payment when I wrote it Jan. 2007 and while it's taken over a year and a half to earn the other $40 on it, I have done zero promotion (besides mentioning it here a few times). To me it was more than worth taking the time to write out a few thoughts and come up with a good key word title. It doesn't even have to be a well written article, sad but true. With the way internet advertising works, the bottom line is always going to be how many hits you get. Even looking at my lowest paid piece: $5 upfront and an average of .20 per month, it still ends up being worth the time and effort.
I was just telling Aaron the other night that it would be even easier to come up with good key words and titles since Google now has that drop down when you search something telling you how many websites those words are found on. Pretty neato and depending on how I search red 40 and kids, my AC article often shows up on the first page of google. So here it is, yet another blog post to myself to say, "Katie, submit something to AC!! The sooner the better and the longer it will pay off!" maybe, just maybe I'll listen to myself this time.
Looking at the stats for my top viewed article: Is the Red 40 Food Dye Additive Having a Negative Impact on Your Child? I did the math and realized I have made a total of $48 just on that one simple, short piece. AND I am confident it will continue to get hits, as I get more comments each month and it's always my biggest bonus pay. $8 was my upfront payment when I wrote it Jan. 2007 and while it's taken over a year and a half to earn the other $40 on it, I have done zero promotion (besides mentioning it here a few times). To me it was more than worth taking the time to write out a few thoughts and come up with a good key word title. It doesn't even have to be a well written article, sad but true. With the way internet advertising works, the bottom line is always going to be how many hits you get. Even looking at my lowest paid piece: $5 upfront and an average of .20 per month, it still ends up being worth the time and effort.
I was just telling Aaron the other night that it would be even easier to come up with good key words and titles since Google now has that drop down when you search something telling you how many websites those words are found on. Pretty neato and depending on how I search red 40 and kids, my AC article often shows up on the first page of google. So here it is, yet another blog post to myself to say, "Katie, submit something to AC!! The sooner the better and the longer it will pay off!" maybe, just maybe I'll listen to myself this time.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Happy 29th Birthday to me!!
well, it was over a week ago but I just can't get with the program and blog more often. Anyhow, this post is for my mama. To show her my pretty flowers :-) She worries about me having a good birthday when I'm so far away. I did, it was a thursday night but the day went well... hung out with Jayden and Lincoln while the big kids were at school.
Aaron came home from work with a dozen different colored roses (red, purple, pink, yellow) and other pretty flowers including snap dragons. He knows what I like and for the past week now my house has smelled like roses. We went out for a yummy dinner at Garduno's. Of course, I had a coconut margarita!! Oh and he got me a Tiramisu cake. mmmm.
and Denae wearing my b-day present. She loves it and begs me for a turn.
so yup, I'm a year older and very close to 30 now LOL. But it's okay cause I'm happy. Life is going super well, better than it ever has been for that matter. Looking back, it was a couple days after I turned 28 that Aaron's work mentioned the possibility of moving to New Mexico. Sorta turned our lives upside down at that point and so much has happened since then. I am confident that the next year will also bring us wonderful things and for that I am extremly grateful... and excited about our future.
Aaron came home from work with a dozen different colored roses (red, purple, pink, yellow) and other pretty flowers including snap dragons. He knows what I like and for the past week now my house has smelled like roses. We went out for a yummy dinner at Garduno's. Of course, I had a coconut margarita!! Oh and he got me a Tiramisu cake. mmmm.
and Denae wearing my b-day present. She loves it and begs me for a turn.
so yup, I'm a year older and very close to 30 now LOL. But it's okay cause I'm happy. Life is going super well, better than it ever has been for that matter. Looking back, it was a couple days after I turned 28 that Aaron's work mentioned the possibility of moving to New Mexico. Sorta turned our lives upside down at that point and so much has happened since then. I am confident that the next year will also bring us wonderful things and for that I am extremly grateful... and excited about our future.
Monday, August 25, 2008
First Day of School!
way behind on blogging stuff, their first day was last wednesday (actually last monday for those who were not ditching class to hang with mickey mouse)
Denae's in 2nd grade this year and Nathan started Kindergarten. crazy and I didn't really cry, was teary eyed after I left the cafeteria (paid for lunches for the next several weeks) that's when it hit me. Then I enjoyed bringing only Lincoln to our playgroup/parenting discussion while Jayden went with Aaron to get their hair cut (both look super cute BTW!)
getting ready to go!
Nathan by the cubbies in his classroom
Denae's in 2nd grade this year and Nathan started Kindergarten. crazy and I didn't really cry, was teary eyed after I left the cafeteria (paid for lunches for the next several weeks) that's when it hit me. Then I enjoyed bringing only Lincoln to our playgroup/parenting discussion while Jayden went with Aaron to get their hair cut (both look super cute BTW!)
getting ready to go!
Nathan by the cubbies in his classroom
Friday, August 22, 2008
First Horseback riding lesson!!!
and OMG she LOVED it! has been talking about it since then, can't wait to go again.
She did really good, wasn't afraid in the least. Enjoyed brushing the horses hair and getting ready to ride. She had never been on a horse, didn't know how sensitive they can be if you pull on the reins or squeeze/kick. I'm pretty sure she will figure it out though, the horse started trotting really quickly about halfway thru the lesson and my baby fell right off! It scared me (and Aaron and Erin!) but she was okay, a litle dirty and said her back hurt a bit but she got right back on! She's a trooper and was determined to ride that horse again.
added a video:
Here's a few (ok, more than a few) pics I wanted to share
Denae and Dixon
Nathan watching
and Jayden looking at horses
Lincoln too!
Nathan,(Dixon), Denae, Erin, Aaron, Lincoln and Jayden :-)
She did really good, wasn't afraid in the least. Enjoyed brushing the horses hair and getting ready to ride. She had never been on a horse, didn't know how sensitive they can be if you pull on the reins or squeeze/kick. I'm pretty sure she will figure it out though, the horse started trotting really quickly about halfway thru the lesson and my baby fell right off! It scared me (and Aaron and Erin!) but she was okay, a litle dirty and said her back hurt a bit but she got right back on! She's a trooper and was determined to ride that horse again.
added a video:
Here's a few (ok, more than a few) pics I wanted to share
Denae and Dixon
Nathan watching
and Jayden looking at horses
Lincoln too!
Nathan,(Dixon), Denae, Erin, Aaron, Lincoln and Jayden :-)
Friday, August 8, 2008
A day in my life by Princess Denae Daniella
hi it's Denae to day i got a hair cut with my moms best friend Erin we had nice time today. We went to go eat at taco bell.Then we went to walgrens to pick up Erin picurs.And we bot some thigs.Then we went to Erins ancles house and saw horses and we rode on a golf cart.And we got my hair cut.Went to get ice cream.Went home and had a great day.Me and erin had fun.
After typing this Denae decided she wanted her own blog. So here it is www.DenaeDaniella.blogspot.com she does it herself, knows how to log in and publish a post. It won't be long until she figures out how to add pictures I'm sure :-)
The only thing is that I had her create it under my account because she does not have her own email address (yet). SO funny girl, figured out she can leave herself comments that say they are from Katie. (she is obsessed with comments, keeps asking people to read her blog and comment, then gets upset when they don't)
So as you can see there are comments from me that say, Denae is #1, Denae is great, etc. LOL she cracks me up but is having fun.
After typing this Denae decided she wanted her own blog. So here it is www.DenaeDaniella.blogspot.com she does it herself, knows how to log in and publish a post. It won't be long until she figures out how to add pictures I'm sure :-)
The only thing is that I had her create it under my account because she does not have her own email address (yet). SO funny girl, figured out she can leave herself comments that say they are from Katie. (she is obsessed with comments, keeps asking people to read her blog and comment, then gets upset when they don't)
So as you can see there are comments from me that say, Denae is #1, Denae is great, etc. LOL she cracks me up but is having fun.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
my birthday present!
from Aaron... A bit early only cause I wanted it before next week :-)
A Beco Butterfly. I had wanted Jack but decided on this one instead (named Jacob). Now I'm kinda wishing I went with my first choice but oh well, it's still purty and comfy... that's what matters the most. I only had Lincoln in it for about 20 minutes but he was cool, didn't seem to mind that he can't have his arms out over the top like he does in other carriers. He stuck them out the sides just fine. I'll have a better idea if i love this as much as I hoped after this weekend when I use it more.
Jayden, of course, had to have a turn as well. I was able to go up and down the stairs a few times with his 36 lbs on my back without too much struggle. He kept saying WHEEE! I'll have to upload those pics from the other computer.
oh oh oh and my gypsy mama wrap came yesterday as well. I am so in love with this I could just cry. Really, it's so comfy and wonderful I almost tear up LOL. sheesh, weirdo, I know.
A Beco Butterfly. I had wanted Jack but decided on this one instead (named Jacob). Now I'm kinda wishing I went with my first choice but oh well, it's still purty and comfy... that's what matters the most. I only had Lincoln in it for about 20 minutes but he was cool, didn't seem to mind that he can't have his arms out over the top like he does in other carriers. He stuck them out the sides just fine. I'll have a better idea if i love this as much as I hoped after this weekend when I use it more.
Jayden, of course, had to have a turn as well. I was able to go up and down the stairs a few times with his 36 lbs on my back without too much struggle. He kept saying WHEEE! I'll have to upload those pics from the other computer.
oh oh oh and my gypsy mama wrap came yesterday as well. I am so in love with this I could just cry. Really, it's so comfy and wonderful I almost tear up LOL. sheesh, weirdo, I know.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
less than 3 more weeks...
and the older two kiddos will be in school! (and from 8:30-4:30, quite a break for me)
as of this morning they are officially registered.
Aaron took some time off from work to do it all (thank you very much my love, you are the bestest)
He got their exemption notarized and all the other paperwork filled out and turned into the school.
They are super excited.
Last night we bought Nathan 15 polo shirts and 7 bottoms for, get this, $40.
I looked up the brands (French Toast, Old Navy, Gap) and they would have cost over $250 new. A nice mama on craigslist was selling her son's school clothes because he's going into first grade and they are the same size Nathan needed. Yay for good deals, I was worried about getting him clothes in time just because they have to meet the "dress code" standards which is only a handful of colors and styles accepted. Polo shirts being one of the most popular anyway, that was what Denae wore most days last year. So now we just need to get her a few things, pants mostly cause she's grown out of her other ones and new backpacks for both of them and they will be set! I had their school supply list on the counter for a few days and was honestly kinda dreading going shopping to pick them out (the kids however, were excited) BUT then I read the bolded part, duh Katie, which says school supplies will be purchased by your child's teacher. woohoo! They just ask for $35 to cover the costs. Doesn't get any easier than that.
I was a little stressed over the things that need to get done in the next two weeks but now the kids school stuff is outta the way :-) I feel much better now.
as of this morning they are officially registered.
Aaron took some time off from work to do it all (thank you very much my love, you are the bestest)
He got their exemption notarized and all the other paperwork filled out and turned into the school.
They are super excited.
Last night we bought Nathan 15 polo shirts and 7 bottoms for, get this, $40.
I looked up the brands (French Toast, Old Navy, Gap) and they would have cost over $250 new. A nice mama on craigslist was selling her son's school clothes because he's going into first grade and they are the same size Nathan needed. Yay for good deals, I was worried about getting him clothes in time just because they have to meet the "dress code" standards which is only a handful of colors and styles accepted. Polo shirts being one of the most popular anyway, that was what Denae wore most days last year. So now we just need to get her a few things, pants mostly cause she's grown out of her other ones and new backpacks for both of them and they will be set! I had their school supply list on the counter for a few days and was honestly kinda dreading going shopping to pick them out (the kids however, were excited) BUT then I read the bolded part, duh Katie, which says school supplies will be purchased by your child's teacher. woohoo! They just ask for $35 to cover the costs. Doesn't get any easier than that.
I was a little stressed over the things that need to get done in the next two weeks but now the kids school stuff is outta the way :-) I feel much better now.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
up to the crest - Pic heavy, of course ;-)
sorry for not resizing them, so if they take a while to load, I apolgize...
almost 12,000 ft up to the top of the sandia mountains! It's so pretty there, we took the scenic route thru placitas rather than going down to albuquerque and coming up the other side of the mountain. we stopped several times to check stuff out! You can see the entire city of ABQ from the top :-)
about half way up the mountain:
see the cave?
arriving at the crest
goofy as always
Nathan: daring as ever (it doesn't really drop right down so I wasn't worried but still! He'd probably try to climb down the rocks if we let him
cute as ever
eating their rock candy suckers
humming birds
lets not forget the radio towers
almost 12,000 ft up to the top of the sandia mountains! It's so pretty there, we took the scenic route thru placitas rather than going down to albuquerque and coming up the other side of the mountain. we stopped several times to check stuff out! You can see the entire city of ABQ from the top :-)
about half way up the mountain:
see the cave?
arriving at the crest
goofy as always
Nathan: daring as ever (it doesn't really drop right down so I wasn't worried but still! He'd probably try to climb down the rocks if we let him
cute as ever
eating their rock candy suckers
humming birds
lets not forget the radio towers
Friday, July 25, 2008
10 years have gone by...
since highschool graduation. Tonight is the reunion, we weren't able to go to Colorado for it so I'm a little bummed. When I first heard about it (via myspace) it was about a year and a half ago and I figured for sure we'd go. Never imagined we'd move out of the state. We planned on going but time has gone so quickly the last two months and Aaron has missed enough work this year already. This is the first time I've felt a little sad about living in New Mexico. Well, not really but that we can't just drop the kids off at my mom's tonight and head over to the reunion like we would have had we still lived there. Just weird I guess. Oh well, there's always the 20 year reunion hahaha. sheesh, I feel old enough as it is. Kinda funny that my dad now teaches at Northglenn High. well he will once school starts again :)
Speaking of getting older... come Septemer, Aaron and I will have been together for 11 years. That's a long time! 4 beautiful babies later we are still going strong. That makes me happy.
OH yeah and the best news is that my bestie Erin is coming to visit for a week, in a little more than a week! I so can't wait!!!!!!!
Speaking of getting older... come Septemer, Aaron and I will have been together for 11 years. That's a long time! 4 beautiful babies later we are still going strong. That makes me happy.
OH yeah and the best news is that my bestie Erin is coming to visit for a week, in a little more than a week! I so can't wait!!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
finding the wrapping love
5 yards of 100% cotton muslin = $7.50 at hobby lobby
one laptop to show me how to wrap + a tall Kona from Bad Ass Coffee = crazy hyper determined to figure this out mama
I need to hem the two tails if I'm going to use it anymore cause it looks messy. The rails however are just fine as they came of the bolt. I think I can manage to sew a couple straight lines. I hope so anyway LOL.
Excuse the crappy photos, I took them myself
a not so willing Lincoln (mama, put me down so I can run!) I bribed him with a bottle
and a very cooperative Jayden in a back carry (mama, you can tie me onto your body any day)
and then on the front cause he wanted to snuggle, excuse the water spotted mirror
I was able to figure out a few different ways to wrap on the front with Lincoln and two different back carries with Jayden. No matter how I did it, their 25 and 35 lb. bodies felt weightless. I am in love, this is far more comfy than my ring sling, pouches, mei tais and soft structured carrier :-)
I have been wanting to try a beautiful wrap but they are pricey. From $40-300+ (I kid you not, they are gorgeous though at the higher end) I figured I'd do a homemade one first and see how I liked it. 5 yards seems like a lot of fabric to get caught up in and handle but I like the length to do a variety of ties. The directions I was using came from www.mamatoto.org it's a neat website, she gives instructions for no-sew carriers and patterns to make slings, mei tais, pouches, etc.
Now that I'm getting better the last couple days I am wanting a pretty wrap from www.gypsymama.com I'm hoping someone on the babywearer will be willing to trade me one for my babyhawk so I can get one without spending any money. If not, I hope to order one soon if I can decide which print/version I like the best (of course I want them all!) These are very reasonably priced IMO and are pretty well liked among babywearers especially those new to wrapping. If I can swipe a used one off the trading post that would be awesome cause they tend to be broken in and thus softer (or so I've read anyway).
I knew there was a reason I stayed away from wrapping, besides being a bit intimidating, there are some really beautiful fabrics and hundreds of brands to choose from. I just may have to sell some diapers to fund this adiction :-)
one laptop to show me how to wrap + a tall Kona from Bad Ass Coffee = crazy hyper determined to figure this out mama
I need to hem the two tails if I'm going to use it anymore cause it looks messy. The rails however are just fine as they came of the bolt. I think I can manage to sew a couple straight lines. I hope so anyway LOL.
Excuse the crappy photos, I took them myself
a not so willing Lincoln (mama, put me down so I can run!) I bribed him with a bottle
and a very cooperative Jayden in a back carry (mama, you can tie me onto your body any day)
and then on the front cause he wanted to snuggle, excuse the water spotted mirror
I was able to figure out a few different ways to wrap on the front with Lincoln and two different back carries with Jayden. No matter how I did it, their 25 and 35 lb. bodies felt weightless. I am in love, this is far more comfy than my ring sling, pouches, mei tais and soft structured carrier :-)
I have been wanting to try a beautiful wrap but they are pricey. From $40-300+ (I kid you not, they are gorgeous though at the higher end) I figured I'd do a homemade one first and see how I liked it. 5 yards seems like a lot of fabric to get caught up in and handle but I like the length to do a variety of ties. The directions I was using came from www.mamatoto.org it's a neat website, she gives instructions for no-sew carriers and patterns to make slings, mei tais, pouches, etc.
Now that I'm getting better the last couple days I am wanting a pretty wrap from www.gypsymama.com I'm hoping someone on the babywearer will be willing to trade me one for my babyhawk so I can get one without spending any money. If not, I hope to order one soon if I can decide which print/version I like the best (of course I want them all!) These are very reasonably priced IMO and are pretty well liked among babywearers especially those new to wrapping. If I can swipe a used one off the trading post that would be awesome cause they tend to be broken in and thus softer (or so I've read anyway).
I knew there was a reason I stayed away from wrapping, besides being a bit intimidating, there are some really beautiful fabrics and hundreds of brands to choose from. I just may have to sell some diapers to fund this adiction :-)
Monday, July 21, 2008
something else we found outside
after it stopped raining a few nights ago Aaron caught this in the driveway!
The kids were fascinated and of course looked up a bunch of info on frogs online to learn about this particular toad. They were a little sad after we let him free. They had already caught bugs trying to get him to stick out his tongue but he was a little scared. It was fun watching him hop, hop away. The boys became frogs for the rest of the night, imitating his movements until they were ready to go to sleep :-)
The kids were fascinated and of course looked up a bunch of info on frogs online to learn about this particular toad. They were a little sad after we let him free. They had already caught bugs trying to get him to stick out his tongue but he was a little scared. It was fun watching him hop, hop away. The boys became frogs for the rest of the night, imitating his movements until they were ready to go to sleep :-)
so much for it not raining often in NM
seriously it has rained every day for about two weeks now. Not exactly the dry hot weather one might assume we have all year round here. The storms have included a good amount of loud pouring rain as well as beautiful lightening and scary sounding thunder. We kinda look forward to it each day as it cools everything off and I can give the AC a rest for a few hours. The kids are so funny, they all bundled up in jackets yesterday to go grocery shopping. Jayden has been wearing a coat including hood around the house and outside at the slightest hint of rain. Here he is riding his bike with Elmo zipped into his coat once the rain started to slow down. Oh and underwear was the only other thing he had on his body. Yes that's a pacifier in his mouth which he found in some toys in the garage.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
another find in our yard
so there are lizards everywhere around here but today Denae caught one and the kids were fascinated to see it up close.
poor thing, we told her not to hold him by the tail again
poor thing, we told her not to hold him by the tail again
Beautiful Rainbow
It rarely rains in New Mexico but the couple times it has since we've lived here there have been beautiful rainbows afterwards.
These are from the other day taken from the porch and balcony
These are from the other day taken from the porch and balcony
what we've found the last few days
a roadrunner in our backyard
A snakeskin also in the yard
and a scorpion in the guest room! (Aaron added the stink bug so he'd have a friend LOL)
we also saw three coyotes but no picture of them
A snakeskin also in the yard
and a scorpion in the guest room! (Aaron added the stink bug so he'd have a friend LOL)
we also saw three coyotes but no picture of them
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Finally!
Denae and I are starting the last Spiderwick book! (number five in the series)
I think we'll buy the DVD once we are done (I just realized there is a movie)
We try and read some of the books every night (you know after the millionth elmo and pooh and Thomas story to the boys) and once we get started it's hard to stop after a chapter or two cause we both get so into it. And we're funny cause I don't want her to read any of it to herself unless she minds me re-reading it outloud to her and same thing if she falls asleep I have to make myself put the book down so we can continue to read it all together.
I love how excited she is about reading this series (and books in general, she just genuinely LOVES to read) she looks forward to it throughout the day and when the boys allow us we try to sneak in a few pages here and there.... but like I said it's similar in a way to harry potter that you just want to keep going to find out what happens :-)
Thanks Grandma! didn't realize how much we'd both enjoy this series
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Lincoln and Mama
I tried to edit out the peeps behind us (we were at IT'Z) using photobucket - much different than good ole photoshop LOL
from afar it doesn't look too bad heehee but my ear looks funny shaped and some of linc's hair is missing :-)
from afar it doesn't look too bad heehee but my ear looks funny shaped and some of linc's hair is missing :-)
Father's Day pics
finally getting around to posting some. The best thing about both Coronado State park and the Jemez Canyon dam is that they are less than 5 miles from our new home (behind the casino for those who have been here) so we can go as often as we want without it being a big trip. And of course the Rio Grande runs just east of us :-) It may even be walking distance to the rivers edge! There is just so much to see and do around here, I absolutely love it.
eating breakfast
arriving at the ruins
my oldest three
reading a sign
the ancient artwork is in this room
and the museum and giftshop here
and old school wagon
kiddos enjoying the drums
getting ready to go see some nature :-)
the princess and cactus flowers
heading down to the river
the rio is quite grande
daddy's are the best at getting out splinters and pokies
another view of the river's edge
on the Tiki Trails
Lincoln has it made
and he's passed out
then we drove over to the jemez canyon dam (over by the Tamaya Resort and golf course)
Do not cross the fence! :-)
Linc at Red Robin - handsome little man
sitting on the fish bench at Red Lobster for Dinner -- Aaron's choice :-)
want an appetizer?!?
looking at the "monsters" Jayden kept thinking we were saying that instead of Lobsters. They thought it was pretty neat until they found out daddy orderd one lol
Nate and Linc - best buddies
how he even reaches the handle I dunno (he looks so small here but really he's a tall kiddo)
eating breakfast
arriving at the ruins
my oldest three
reading a sign
the ancient artwork is in this room
and the museum and giftshop here
and old school wagon
kiddos enjoying the drums
getting ready to go see some nature :-)
the princess and cactus flowers
heading down to the river
the rio is quite grande
daddy's are the best at getting out splinters and pokies
another view of the river's edge
on the Tiki Trails
Lincoln has it made
and he's passed out
then we drove over to the jemez canyon dam (over by the Tamaya Resort and golf course)
Do not cross the fence! :-)
Linc at Red Robin - handsome little man
sitting on the fish bench at Red Lobster for Dinner -- Aaron's choice :-)
want an appetizer?!?
looking at the "monsters" Jayden kept thinking we were saying that instead of Lobsters. They thought it was pretty neat until they found out daddy orderd one lol
Nate and Linc - best buddies
how he even reaches the handle I dunno (he looks so small here but really he's a tall kiddo)
the new kiddie pool :-)
my dad bought the kiddos another pool while he was here visiting last week! They are loving it and must go swimming oh 10 times a day.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
thanks to my wonderful husband
the chipmunk is gone. I didn't end up doing anything to help besides stand there at one in the morning with my latex gloves on saying ewwww!
He also figured out what to do with the yucky water and drained it with the hose far out in the field next to our house.
Now the pool and hose are both going out with the trash and we'll have to get new ones... cause that was just nasty!!!!
He also figured out what to do with the yucky water and drained it with the hose far out in the field next to our house.
Now the pool and hose are both going out with the trash and we'll have to get new ones... cause that was just nasty!!!!
my dirty little secret...
so Denae and her friend are quick to google whatever they are interested in and today they wanted to watch music videos. One of their fav songs at the moment is Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects. So looking back at the search results it was lucky that youtube and aol vidoes were the first few to pop up and incidently all they clicked on because well, there was not so appropriate websites that came up. Anyway, this would be why I still have that song in my head and keep singing it. "I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)" that and she loves Rihanna songs, Pocket full of Sunshine by Natasha Bedingfield and of course Maroon 5. as long as it's not miley cirus over and over again I'm cool. BUT I am already that old lady that yells turn the bass down!!! seriously, Aaron hooked up a mean subwoofer and it can probably be heard a mile away.
anyway my front room becomes dance party usa because the boys all run in when they hear the beat and get crazy. Then the girls get embarrassed cause they want to sing without anyone else watching them.
anyway my front room becomes dance party usa because the boys all run in when they hear the beat and get crazy. Then the girls get embarrassed cause they want to sing without anyone else watching them.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Things I need to work on this week:
I say this week and ha! it's already late wed night
*getting the kids to bed earlier. My dad is coming monday to visit for the week and he goes to bed early and gets up early so having my wild monsters up past midnight probably isn't going to be very considerate. If we could all get on a better schedule it will make getting out and doing things together easier. BTW it's 11:51 pm and Denae is sitting next to me at the kitchen table playing with her paper dolls... she doesn't seem the least bit tired.
*finishing some of the many articles I've started writing over the past month. I also have so many great ideas (i think anyway) and have yet to get them down anywhere. I have a bad habit of writing a paragraph or two and even doing a little research about my topic and then never finishing them. Like the one I began tonight regarding a "natural" sunless tanner I just tried. I still have yet to submit any articles since Nov and it's starting to bother me. It's not a big amount by any means but it truly is easy money considering the amount of time I'm on the computer and how fast I can type. And every little bit adds up... not to mention the longer my content sits published the more page views it will accumulate. I know that as soon as I get one completely done I'll be motivated to submit even more. Really, it's not the actual quality of the piece that makes the money and we all know I can ramble and go on and on and on and on heehee so 400 word minimums is easy peasy!
*post pics somewhere (here hopefully!) of our weekend. I may have taken oh over 200 photos so I need to find the time to go thru them and pick out some to share. We had such a good time hiking and sightseeing and going out to eat (several times) that I want to be able to look back and have something to help remember the fun we had as a family for father's day weekend :-)
*gather and organize all the hospital and doctors bills. They depress me to a point that I don't even open them anymore when I check the mail. I am overwhelmed to say the least but I know putting this all off will only make it worse. I know this, I just have a BIG problem in life called procrastination! and when it comes to this issue, well it's easier to just not think about it all. But since my dad is coming in a few days and I want his help figuring out a plan, I need to get organized. ugh, I'd rather do dishes or laundry for that matter and I hate both of those LOL.
*get out for a walk at some point. I'm embarrassed to say we haven't been out to walk this whole week and only a couple times last week. So much for my everyday goal. Again, it's one of those things if I make an effort to get everyone ready and pumped to go... we'll be more likely to do so the next day as well. It's been pretty damn hot here though so I suppose that will be my excuse.
*OK so this one is really really awful but the dead chipmunk in the kids pool needs to go. Gross, right?!?! It's been there since yesterday and I can't so much look out a window into the backyard cause it creeps me the eff out AND no one has taken care of it. If it's still there in the morning I am going to have to get some gloves on, grab the pool net catcher thinging and fish it out.... I can't believe I may do this but like I said the man of the hosue has not (funny, the kids told him tonight at dinner yeah dad's are supposed to do icky things like that not mommy's) Aaron said can't we call someone to do it? like who, animal control? carcass removal? I don't think they would for something like that. We have so many bunny rabbits running around the yard at all times I am just glad it's not one of them. Poor thing probably wanted a drink of water (cause it's so damn hot and dry) and fell right in and drowned. It makes me sick to my tummy to think about it though and I can't imagine the kids using the pool again. See that's the thing, I have no idea what to do with the water after the dead animal is out... It's been floating in there and so it's contaminated and nasty right?!?! I don't want to just dump it in the dirt in my backyard or the rocks next to the pool.... gross but there's no way to lift the thing up even with several people helping. The sides would start to cave in and nasty icky water would spill out. jesus wtf maybe I will call someone for help LOL. another big UGH! the kids will be happy to go out there again, I have locked the backdoor and not let anyone out there for fear the baby will touch it or something. I'm surprised no coyotes have tried to get in the yard and fetch it out to eat. OMG yuck, I may throw up. and the best part is that yesterday was trash day SO wtf am I going to do with it if I get brave enough to even go out in the yard? no freakin way do I want it in my trash until next tues. and I sure as shit am not putting it in my van and driving it somewhere. I swear if I do anything, aaron will owe me big time. for real.
*Get all the laundry put away. So it's pretty much all clean just not folded or hung up (as usual) But since my dad's coming, well it would be nice to get it all out of the living room right?
***I would add all kinds of other things to my list like those I haven't accomplished since I last wrote something similar, you know like get the sewing machine down and make something (I did buy some pretty fabric, for what I dunno) but reading what I wrote just now seems like plenty enough. Besides I need to get stuff ready for Aaron's b-day on monday and the sheets clean on the guest bed for my dad and just overall cleaning this weekend so there ya go... I have no reason to be be bored. Not that I ever am out of things to keep me busy with four kids (two of whom get bathed at least twice a day lately) oh and CRAP go to the POST OFFICE Katie! Tomorrow!!!!!!
*getting the kids to bed earlier. My dad is coming monday to visit for the week and he goes to bed early and gets up early so having my wild monsters up past midnight probably isn't going to be very considerate. If we could all get on a better schedule it will make getting out and doing things together easier. BTW it's 11:51 pm and Denae is sitting next to me at the kitchen table playing with her paper dolls... she doesn't seem the least bit tired.
*finishing some of the many articles I've started writing over the past month. I also have so many great ideas (i think anyway) and have yet to get them down anywhere. I have a bad habit of writing a paragraph or two and even doing a little research about my topic and then never finishing them. Like the one I began tonight regarding a "natural" sunless tanner I just tried. I still have yet to submit any articles since Nov and it's starting to bother me. It's not a big amount by any means but it truly is easy money considering the amount of time I'm on the computer and how fast I can type. And every little bit adds up... not to mention the longer my content sits published the more page views it will accumulate. I know that as soon as I get one completely done I'll be motivated to submit even more. Really, it's not the actual quality of the piece that makes the money and we all know I can ramble and go on and on and on and on heehee so 400 word minimums is easy peasy!
*post pics somewhere (here hopefully!) of our weekend. I may have taken oh over 200 photos so I need to find the time to go thru them and pick out some to share. We had such a good time hiking and sightseeing and going out to eat (several times) that I want to be able to look back and have something to help remember the fun we had as a family for father's day weekend :-)
*gather and organize all the hospital and doctors bills. They depress me to a point that I don't even open them anymore when I check the mail. I am overwhelmed to say the least but I know putting this all off will only make it worse. I know this, I just have a BIG problem in life called procrastination! and when it comes to this issue, well it's easier to just not think about it all. But since my dad is coming in a few days and I want his help figuring out a plan, I need to get organized. ugh, I'd rather do dishes or laundry for that matter and I hate both of those LOL.
*get out for a walk at some point. I'm embarrassed to say we haven't been out to walk this whole week and only a couple times last week. So much for my everyday goal. Again, it's one of those things if I make an effort to get everyone ready and pumped to go... we'll be more likely to do so the next day as well. It's been pretty damn hot here though so I suppose that will be my excuse.
*OK so this one is really really awful but the dead chipmunk in the kids pool needs to go. Gross, right?!?! It's been there since yesterday and I can't so much look out a window into the backyard cause it creeps me the eff out AND no one has taken care of it. If it's still there in the morning I am going to have to get some gloves on, grab the pool net catcher thinging and fish it out.... I can't believe I may do this but like I said the man of the hosue has not (funny, the kids told him tonight at dinner yeah dad's are supposed to do icky things like that not mommy's) Aaron said can't we call someone to do it? like who, animal control? carcass removal? I don't think they would for something like that. We have so many bunny rabbits running around the yard at all times I am just glad it's not one of them. Poor thing probably wanted a drink of water (cause it's so damn hot and dry) and fell right in and drowned. It makes me sick to my tummy to think about it though and I can't imagine the kids using the pool again. See that's the thing, I have no idea what to do with the water after the dead animal is out... It's been floating in there and so it's contaminated and nasty right?!?! I don't want to just dump it in the dirt in my backyard or the rocks next to the pool.... gross but there's no way to lift the thing up even with several people helping. The sides would start to cave in and nasty icky water would spill out. jesus wtf maybe I will call someone for help LOL. another big UGH! the kids will be happy to go out there again, I have locked the backdoor and not let anyone out there for fear the baby will touch it or something. I'm surprised no coyotes have tried to get in the yard and fetch it out to eat. OMG yuck, I may throw up. and the best part is that yesterday was trash day SO wtf am I going to do with it if I get brave enough to even go out in the yard? no freakin way do I want it in my trash until next tues. and I sure as shit am not putting it in my van and driving it somewhere. I swear if I do anything, aaron will owe me big time. for real.
*Get all the laundry put away. So it's pretty much all clean just not folded or hung up (as usual) But since my dad's coming, well it would be nice to get it all out of the living room right?
***I would add all kinds of other things to my list like those I haven't accomplished since I last wrote something similar, you know like get the sewing machine down and make something (I did buy some pretty fabric, for what I dunno) but reading what I wrote just now seems like plenty enough. Besides I need to get stuff ready for Aaron's b-day on monday and the sheets clean on the guest bed for my dad and just overall cleaning this weekend so there ya go... I have no reason to be be bored. Not that I ever am out of things to keep me busy with four kids (two of whom get bathed at least twice a day lately) oh and CRAP go to the POST OFFICE Katie! Tomorrow!!!!!!
aw to be a kid again
I'm a little jealous of my daughter last night as I watched her and C quickly walk up the road giggling. They are excited because it's Denae's first time to spend the night over there. They have big plans to stay up late and watch a movie until they fall asleep. C had helped Denae pack her new hannah montanna tote with extra clothes (not sure why so many as I reminded her it was just the one night and I wanted her back in the morning)
anyway, I watched them until they went inside C's huge and amazing home. I wanna stay the night there, they may even have a cook that makes breakfast LOL.
I worried that I'd have a hard time sleeping because I do as it is and with one kid not home I figured I'd be up all night. Amazingly though I did not, Aaron and I (and the boys) stayed up pretty late watching a movie we downloaded from vongo. Not sure what teh name is but the one with Will smith and his son, he gets an intern at a brokerage firm and ends up a single and homeless dad struggling like crazy to get thru the program... good movie!! anyways we kinda missed Denae but then I ended up sleeping fine. I think just knowing I could see her friends house from my balcony off our bedroom helped. If I needed her or she needed us we were right across the road. I really wonder how I am going to manage the kids teenage years when they can come and go as they please, staying with friends, going out at night and such. I may be a mess LOL but as long as I raise them right I suppose they will make decent choices (for the most part anyway). Lets hope by then all cell phones have GPS trackers and I can find them easily if I get paranoid heehee. That includes their vehicles too, must have satelites keeping tabs on them as well. How else will I be able to keep track of four (or more) kids?!?!? Which reminds me, I was more okay with Denae spending the night than Aaron was, he thinks at 7 she's too young... well it's the next day and she did just fine thank you very much. in fact she's back over there again now!
anyway, I watched them until they went inside C's huge and amazing home. I wanna stay the night there, they may even have a cook that makes breakfast LOL.
I worried that I'd have a hard time sleeping because I do as it is and with one kid not home I figured I'd be up all night. Amazingly though I did not, Aaron and I (and the boys) stayed up pretty late watching a movie we downloaded from vongo. Not sure what teh name is but the one with Will smith and his son, he gets an intern at a brokerage firm and ends up a single and homeless dad struggling like crazy to get thru the program... good movie!! anyways we kinda missed Denae but then I ended up sleeping fine. I think just knowing I could see her friends house from my balcony off our bedroom helped. If I needed her or she needed us we were right across the road. I really wonder how I am going to manage the kids teenage years when they can come and go as they please, staying with friends, going out at night and such. I may be a mess LOL but as long as I raise them right I suppose they will make decent choices (for the most part anyway). Lets hope by then all cell phones have GPS trackers and I can find them easily if I get paranoid heehee. That includes their vehicles too, must have satelites keeping tabs on them as well. How else will I be able to keep track of four (or more) kids?!?!? Which reminds me, I was more okay with Denae spending the night than Aaron was, he thinks at 7 she's too young... well it's the next day and she did just fine thank you very much. in fact she's back over there again now!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
reduce, reuse and above all... RECYCLE!!!
I love trash day, it sounds silly and I'm not sure exactly why but it motivates me to get organized and clean the house up a bit more. Maybe cause they haul away everything we accumulated for the week. I dunno. The kids love it cause they can watch the trash guys dump the bins. Today I am proud to say that our trash can is not even filled to the top. Our recycling bin however, is filled to the brim. I love that everyone is on board regarding recycling everything we possibly can. If you finish the box of cereal, well you break down the cardboard and take it out to the green bin. Same with soda cans and milk jugs and aluminum foil and etc, etc, etc. It's not that hard, Jayden even knows what can and can't be recycled. And he LOVES to take the cans out at the end of the day. He's so funny and he gets a stool so he can reach teh top of the bin. Anyway, I am embarrassed when I think of all the years we did not recycle and we probably made a bag of trash PER DAY. That is disgusting to me and I just wish that we hadn't been so lazy and inconsiderate. I mean, yeah living in an apartment where we took everything to the dumpsters as opposed to a trash company coming to pick it up could be my excuse but come on, I'm sure they come to apartments if you call and set it up, or maybe you get a seperate trash can and put it in the closet or on the balcony and drive it to a recycling center each week. It isn't that much of an effort and worth it for sure. Everyone around here recycles and it's just what is expected, it doesn't cost any more per month and even if it was a few extra bucks... again, it's worth it for our earth and our children and our children's children. If I ever saw a house in my neighborhood who didn't have their green recylcing bin out on trash day I would feel judgemental and annoyed with them, but so far that hasn't been my experience. Like I said, it's just what everyone here does. That would be one of the many reason's I feel New Mexico (or at least our city) is more progressive than Colorado was. Sure, many people there recycle but it's probably true that more don't. and that's sad. I for one do think about my family's "footprint" and how it impacts the rest of the world.
Friday, June 13, 2008
baby's first artichoke
He loved it, which really is too bad because we all like artichokes so it means less for the rest of us :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
