Wordless Wednesday

Preschool

The picture says it all! They are officially in Preschool and have survived their first day! 

It's so bitter sweet when it comes to them being gone every other day for a few hours. I didn't cry on the day of, but I cried the night before. More so for the worry that I wont be able to protect them from everything, that they will experience things that may hurt them in some sort of way. That's all about growing up right? But what if I don't want them to grow up! NO I TELL YOU! On the other hand it is going to be nice to have a little time in the morning to myself, doing things that need to be done or heck even things that I just want to do. 

Regardless of my woes they were so excited! They couldn't wait to meet the kids and learn the ABC's with their teacher. 

Let us not even forget how much they love having back packs. They loaded them up with toys and wanted to take the toys to class..of course that wasn't going to happen and caused a ruckus. 

It was so different going back to school shopping for my own kids! I was having a mini panic attack as I ran around the stores thinking of what they will need for the upcoming fall season (still no coats chosen as the Mr and I couldn't agree to colors and styles, haha wow). Silly reason for stress but alas it happened. 

They are growing into their own little people and it's a blessing that we get to witness it. Although coming into their 3's I've decided that people who warn you about the "Terrible 2's" need more warn you about the "Terrible 3's". We've had more meltdowns, tantrums, fights and everything in between over the summer of them turning 3 than we ever had while they were 2! 

Besides the emotional roller coaster that is children. It's a blessing in disguise of two little gremlins ;)

Camping and 30 days of habit..

We took the girls camping when they couldn't walk, once, and once when they were just learning. It was probably more frustrating and draining than I had expected. Last year was a Lake Powell trip that while the houseboat moved my nerves were being shredded! So having them be able to walk, listen, and pay attention to certain things was much more exciting! This year we've already gone camping several times and without hesitation they got down and dirty.

The dude's parents took a camper up to Skyline for a few weeks and were kind enough to let us tag along with our motorcycles and kids in tow. The gremlins at first were a little frightened and uncertain of all bugs around the camp ground but eventually learned to ignore it all.

We actually had to go buy jeans for the first time that were slightly too big and allowed for lbs of dirt to leak down their little butt cracks. By the end of every evening they were filthy and generally super tired! I never understood how kids had so much energy! I must have been a little energizer bunny when i was a kid. They spent their days in the dirt, playing with their cousin, riding 4 wheelers, riding their strider bikes up and down a little hill and a little motorcycle ride. 

Surprisingly they didn't enjoy roasted marshmallows at all, they much rather just the regular mallow itself.  But they did love the fire and we had to very often remind them not to run around it. It was so much fun watching the explore and see what things did, testing the waters of nature. I'll be the first to tell you they are professional little squatters. ;)  We are really hoping to get a few more camping trips in this year to a couple new places. 

 As for 30 days of habit...it takes 30 days to start a good habit and only a few days to break one. Today marks that day that I'm throwing myself to the lions and fighting away a huge temptation of mine. Sugar. I've dont it before, around probably the worst time of year, Christmas. This year I'm starting earlier and hoping it sticks. Anyway, here are the few things I'll/we will be changing/starting today:

• No sugar unless natural- as in fruits and other raw foods.
• Keeping a journal - Either blogging for that day or writing in my personal journal. I miss blogging and I want to be able to look back on some details I may not remember one day.
• Telling someone every day something you like or appreciate about them - I have so many people around me that deserve to be told how amazing they are!
• Taking a walk - we may work out occasionally but I think family walks in the evening would be a great way to relieve some stress, talk, and enjoy the world around us as a family.
• Cold showers - I know! It sounds crazy, because trust me, I am the first to turn the heat up to scorching and burn while I shower. But after some research on the matter I want to see the effect it will have. All the benefits of cold showers I feel are things I'm slightly lacking needing in my life. If you'd like to see just a handful of these check it out here. 
• Natural Sleeping pattern - another subject you can find lots of research on. As you know your sleep goes in patterns of deep sleep to..well not deep. Setting a time to sleep and a time to wake ie. 11pm to bed and 7am to wake. Causes you to get too much sleep and is often restless without you even realizing. Research shows that following a sleep only when you're absolutely tired but waking up at a set time causes your body to enter a sleep cycle necessary to keeping your body rested.  

For example, I need to wake up roughly around 7:30am. So the night before I will go to sleep when my mind no longer is able to keep me functioning, eyes wont stay open, good way to test is read a couple pages from a book. For the first night I may end up being up till 1am but I will without a doubt wake at 7:30am. Making sure not to lay there and to, after a couple good stretches, sit up in bed. This may cause me to drag the first couple days as I feel super tired. But in turn that means by the evening I'll be tired enough to go to sleep earlier. Bottom line if you're laying in bed and you cannot fall asleep within 20 minutes, your body is not ready for sleep. Get up, go read, or do something small till you feel tired and certain you can pass out within a short period. Eventually after a few days your body will start a natural sleep patter that will properly assess when and how many hours your need to sleep. Generally keeping your bed time within a 2 hour window and keeping your mind and body at rest the entire night. 

So in ending, I feel like these are all things that can make a positive change in my life. Especially the sleeping since I haven't slept will since the twins were 6 months old. I plan to try and track the differences I feel and see. Possibly do a few blog updates.  As for today, I haven't had a bite of sugar, I took a cold shower that actually felt amazing and woke me up real well after falling asleep a little later than normal but waking at 7:30. So far so good! 

So far this year...

Life is constantly getting more and more crazy as the twins grow older. They are trying new things and testing not only their limits but ours. This last May they turned 3 and show their age by throwing fits but making big steps in things like riding their bikes and swimming without our help. We find them clothe-less more often than not. Which I don't really mind and want them to enjoy being toddlers [still babies to me]. 

O weighs about 32 lbs while K is as usual one pound behind. They both know their letters very well and shapes are easy peasy. 

The strider bikes we got them for their 2nd birthday are getting great use as they now can ride down our little hill without putting their feet down! I took them on their first motorcycle ride on their little Suzuki 80. They were nervous of the noise at first but then asked for more. [girls after their mothers heart]  Of course as usual they are little fish and love to swim. We purchased them those life jackets that go around the arms and then the chest. They love them and just recently took the step to letting go of mom and dad to swim on their own like "doggies" as they say. 

They tend to get bumps and bruises much more often than their mother would like but I cant help but see a little bit of me in them. Especially little K who just seems to be a spittin' image of me...scary in some ways I suppose! Lets me know what I have coming. :) 

Their grandpa moved away to LA for 6 months and it was always a treat when he came home and they got to play with him. Easter was especially fun as they ran around asking where the Easter bunny left them eggs. 

They are the light of our lives and even though there have been struggles and bumps along the way, waking up to them smiling every day is a blessing. We have  had some rough spots that I wont bore you with today, and I know it has effected them with the stress levels. Luckily things are always overcome with a little faith and love. It also helps to have such loving family so near and close to our hearts. 

Once they slightly understood what prayer was we have started having them say it regularly before bed. They love it and even though they may not fully understand I think it's a great thing to have them recognize the thanks with should give. 

Our little family tugs at my heart in all the good ways. Watching us grow, watching them grow, and wondering what the future will bring. We try to live it to its fullest. Get out as much as we can, explore where we can when we can. I want them to grow up with the childhood I had. My younger years are some of the fondest memories of my life. So many amazing things I was able to discover. I have my parents to thank for that. I truly hope that we are able to bring those same opportunities to them throughout their lives. Only thing they have to worry about is that I'm no girly girl..so they may have to look to their grandmas for those "make-up" tips. ;) 

Signs&Distractions

Summer is coming to an end. There are signs all over! The sun is setting early and the air is feeling cooler, fresher even.

I'm excited for fall but at the same time will miss the early afternoon swims with the gremlins.  I never thought they would take so well to getting down and dirty in the water and mud. But they are girls after my own heart. 

With the cooler months on their way it's become a stressful thought as to how to keep the twins occupied when we aren't able to go outside as much.(Don't even get me started on the warmer clothes shopping!)  

Currently we are up by 8am.  Breakfast (after a rush to the restroom) is finished within 20 minutes. We spend a good 20-30 minutes reading books...the same books..over and over again. :)  Then they like to cuddle and watch a couple blue's clues or Go Diego Go before mid morning snack break. They then promptly insist on going out side to play on their slides and with their water tubs or even swim.   Before we know it it's lunch time.

Lately though K has insisted on going inside early. Even though the weather is wonderful. We aren't sure why she does this?

This in turn means more time inside and more time they end up becoming bored.  They even prefer to ride their bikes inside rather than out. 

I've been searching Pinterest (yes I  too am drawn to the addiction that is Pinterest) frantically for ideas of toddler games and activities.

That's when I came across this blog: Simple Little Home with 40 Ways to distract a toddler. 

Many of these we already do but the majority of these I never even thought of!  

For example ZipLock bag painting! What a great idea that keeps the mess off the kids (most importantly your house).  It has  sensory feeling and is a way to bring out their creative side.

I really need to pick up on the mommy awesome and schedule a good hour of crafting/painting/creating etc.  before their nap time. 

Do YOU have any great ideas to keep a toddler from throwing herself to the lions in a fit of rage? ;)

Moving forward

Why am I so lucky? 

Drama happens everywhere with everyone. Everyone has problems and obstacles they have to overcome. No one life is the same. Which in turn makes it hard for others to understand the difficulty of your own. 

This little family has had their ups and downs but I'm trying really hard to put things into perspective. To realize that as long as we have each other we can overcome these obstacles and also realize that everyone is different and we just need to be there for one another. 

In the end I'm lucky for all that I have and am able to accomplish. 

Sorry for the quality of the photos. I haven't moved them from my Lappy to my Desktop yet so I'm using re-saved grainy images. :)

This summer has come and gone we have been so very busy. Our vacations have been amazing and the twins wont stop growing. 

I don't normally openly talk about our religious beliefs. Mostly due to the "book by it's cover" policy. If some people were to know that I grew up LDS many would instantly assume I was a specific way. Without getting to know the history behind everything leading to this point.

I have not been active in the church since I was 19. At which point I was a nursery teacher along side my mother. I enjoyed it. I love kids. I have always had second thoughts and doubts in my mind about the Church though. Mostly based on past experiences that I wont really go into at this point..maybe another day.

Anyway, once my parents moved back to Washington I stopped going. I moved to another city and just never got involved in my ward. Through my doubts though I never once doubted my belief in the LDS church at the roots.  Again, more I could go into but wont.

The dude is a convert and, as well, hasn't been active for years. So when we met, it wasn't an issue or even really discussed. Until we had kids.

Once the twins were born we both felt like all children should have some backbone or stepping stone, I should say, of religion. At this point it was a matter of getting the push to finally go.

With things being hard and us struggling with things as a family, I started to really miss the church. The feeling that I got learning the things I did and how much I really did enjoy it. The support and friendship that I found with others through the church. Even if I chose not to see it at the time. To me it's been hard to just show up one day and say "Hey, I really didn't like coming to church for the 2 years we've lived here, so never did..but I'm here now!" 

But like I said, with things how they've been we felt like now was the right time. I feel like that was a good sign though, that we didn't force it, we didn't push ourselves into something we really weren't ready for.  

Waiting for the time that we felt was right, to me, was perfect.

So far, we've been a few times. The gremlins love their nursery and don't even seem to notice us leaving them behind. 

The first couple attempts us worried parents accompanied by my parents support, sat in the hall every now and then checking on the twins. Assuming at some point they would realize we were gone and scream. Or so we hoped as an excuse not to attend class.

With a little nudge from my dad though we did finally go to Sunday school this last weekend.

I will honestly say I didn't hate it. The things we spoke of and hearing the opinions of others was very refreshing and interesting. Even the dude enjoyed it, although he did admit during a semi important part he was lost in deep thought about Batman.  I couldn't argue...I too get lost in the awesome that is Batman. 

Most of this is a ramble, vent even. Very probably confusing and lost in translation! But bottom line, I think we are moving forward in directions that we should be. We are growing and repairing as a family, with support from so many around us as well.  

It's those little events and "mooshy gooshy" feelings that make me realize how great things are. As well as how much I should hold on to the tiny moments in life. Even if it takes large steps and struggles to get those moments. 

Like this for example:

Taking O and K to the ocean for the first time. :)

They grow up...

Most will agree..it's way too fast.  

I was going through pictures the other day of when they were new born's to 6 months. 

They were so cute, little, and pudgy! You just wanted to squeeze the guts out of the chub rolls, they were so adorable. (Yes, I'm biased)  

Now..  They are two 2 year old's ready to take on the world. Can you believe that? 8 week early preemies who now look and act like perfect, healthy, little angels. Not to mention I am proud to say that they are a good 90% potty trained at the age of 2! (the other 10% percent being the obstacle of the frightening public restrooms they refuse to enter) As long as we are only out and about an hour and a half or at some one else's home. We're golden!!  Boy is it nice to have no diapers in the house! 

People ask daily if it's hard to tell them apart. To be honest most the time yes.  That's because I know their personalities, how they hold themselves up, etc. But, I wont lie..there are plenty of times that I mistake one for the other, and to be honest as they have grown up, thinned out, and so on, it gets slightly harder to say right away: "oh yea, that's O." 

It's perfectly obvious how much they absolutely adore one another. I never thought I would get to experience such a close sisterly bond. Obviously they know no better, but it's still so beautiful to watch them learn with one another. To also teach each other new things, if one figures it out before the other. All children are miracles in my eyes but watching multiples grow up so close is a whole new experience that I wish everyone could enjoy.  

They take turns with each other, they give one another hugs if the other is hurt in any way. 

O will especially make sure "sissy" has a bear or stuffy before herself. She's such the mothering type it's amazes me.  How soft her heart is and how greatly she likes to take care of others just makes you melt.  She is also our dramatic of the two. Small things are made into large climactic events. The terrible two's should be spelled with her name in it! Fits are her cup of tea as her sister sits back with a look of "woman...chillllll!"  

K on the other hand is quiet, daring, loving, but most of all my ball of energy. Ironically enough mostly when she is tired. It's as though a switch is flipped and she will start asking you questions you could have never thought anyone would be interested in.  Her smiles lights up your life whenever she is proud or excited about something new. My parents always told me I had it coming. I would get a daughter who was just like me. Well, parents are always right people. Because sure enough Little Miss K is exactly like her mother. Leap before you think kind of a girl. After my own heart. <3

(had to get a shot of Aussie's skills!)

As you can imagine they love to play with "oussie" and "kona". Most the time walking around telling them what to do. But, also while outside throwing the ball, or chasing them around. Aussie is a perfect older brother. Letting them roll around on him or hold on to his back fur as he drags them around the house.  He more than loves the attention.

To say it lightly it's been an emotional couple of years. From a girl who never wanted to get married, not to mention have kids! To getting blessed with two amazing little girls. My heart is so full of love when I'm around them. 

I'll be starting school again tomorrow and being away from them during their bedtime stories is going to be another one of those silly hardest things of my life. It's a great thing to hear "Mommy, BOOOK!" as I get them ready to snuggle in bed. Or, "hug mommy, lub jew" just as they lay down to sleep. 

This last year especially has just been a busy whirl wind of crazy. I missed their birthday post..our vacation post..a post of potty training progress.  And in reality so much more. I suppose that should be my highest goal:

Time Management!

Wish me luck ;)

Scenes from the Weekend

   I've said it before, I'm going to say it again. I LOVE the weekends! We get to have to much more fun now that the twins are almost 2.  They love exploring and constantly asking "Wha's dis"? Adorable and exciting all bundled into two packages! 
   Most of Saturday was spent at Yuba Lake.  Just an hour or so South of us. It was sunny with a chilly wind, but that didn't stop us from having so much fun. The girls spent most of their time playing with their cousin Tyson and running around with the dogs.  We took a walk down to the lake and of course they had to play in it. Obviously everyone got a bit wet. 
   The view was so amazing from the camp site. Overlooking the lake and the valley below.  Watching the kids play in the water and all around made me so excited for our camp outs and road trips this summer.  
                         PS. Yes, K is showing crack. :) Couldn't help but giggle she couldn't keep her pants on.

{Happy Monday!❤}