Babysitter blues

We got a babysitter tonight so James and I could go on a date. Yippee! Grace flipped out and couldn't handle the separation, come to find out it was our babysitter's first time babysitting. LOL  No Date. We didn't even make it out the door. We stayed for 45 mins to try and calm Grace down but she knew we where planning on leaving her and she didn't feel comfortable. She cried the whole time. So finally James called the date off. Needless to say we're babysitting our babysitter til her parents get home because she can't get into their house and no one is home. Oh and she doesn't know her Mom's cell phone number. Note to self teach my kids my cell phone number before they turn 12.

At first I was upset.  I wanted a date, I got the babysitter, I did all the work and now it's not going to happen.  It was a little disappointing.  Then I was frustrated, I figured I'd drop off the babysitter and our night would be like any other night, but that didn't work out.  I felt like crying, but crying over spilled milk is pointless so I started to internalize our situation.  

I told myself all is good.  And then I started to believe it.  I knew it was best that we stayed home with Grace she's a tender spirit that Grace and she needs to know she is safe. It's my job as her parent to make sure she feels safe even if that mean no date nights. On the bright side both girls will be in bed soon and James and I can have some snuggle time at home. 

So once I came to the conclusion that it was okay that we stayed home I started to feel bad for the babysitter.  It was obviously very disappointing for her.  She came into the night with excitement and optimism.  She even had her babysitting bag of goodies.  One look at Grace and she shut down.  She wasn't sure what to do or how to handle the situation.  Poor thing.  And I didn't feel comfortable leaving her with a crying child when she felt so out of place.  Staying home was the right thing to do.  

Sarah Day said it perfectly "I think you showed her an excellent example of caring parents, I'm sure she learned more about parenting tonight than she will in all her future years babysitting. Maybe she was very nervous and grace picked up on it, children are so perceptive. Be glad you are that memory!

That's when i realized I wanted to keep this memory.  I wanted to Grace to know that we love her.  That her feeling of safety is important to us and that i could be proud of this difficult situation.

Family Photos

It was freezing and we had a wardrobe meltdown moments before our photo session but it was all worth it.

I love my family

Happy to be together Forever

Thank you Jason Box for your amazing work 

Gum transplants, and extra Papa time

I had a gum tissue transplant on Monday and James wanted to take a few days off work to help around the house and make sure I rested. It was so nice to have him around.  I was able to sleep whenever I needed and take my time to recover.  I have the best husband and I'm so grateful he works for a wonderful company that supports his commitments to his family.

With that said we had an extra long weekend and way to much fun.  We (mostly James) got the kids bedroom setup, butchered our first rabbit, stacked wood, prepped the garden for winter, went to the Museum of Glass, help Gwenevere with her school work and enjoyed many nights cuddling by the fireplace watching movies as a family and as a couple.

The MOG has a great program where they take kids drawings and make them into works of art.  Gwenevere and Grace wanted to submit their drawings.  

Thanks Gwenevere for being our family photographer so I can be in a few pictures too

Everett's bedroom and other Everett adventures. Mama help needed.

We finally put a bed in Everett's bedroom.  He's been sleeping in his room for 5 days now and he loves it.  James and I love the extra room in our bed too.

Everett's not the only one excited for his new bed.  Both girls really wanted to sleep with Everett in his new bed.  After Grace and Everett where both asleep Gwenevere came out of her bed and with excitement and frustration said "For once in my life,will you please let me sleep with Everett?"  LOL  So Everett's first night in his bed was shared with his big sister Gwenevere.  I was a bit nervous to see how the night would go, so around midnight I peeked into Everett's room.  Everett was wiggling and at the very moment Gwenevere sat up and pushed Everett and in her sleep said "Will you be quite?"  Oh dear,  I moved Gwenevere across the bed and then tucked Everett back to sleep.

Everett started walking on November 17th and took his first 5 steps unassisted while I was recovering from my surgery.  Sad I missed it but Thanks to Papa we have a video.  Awe he makes my heart happy.  He knows what just makes me happy.

Everett has two of his bottom teeth.  But that's it so far.  

Two more days til Everett is 14th months old.  I love the fact they grow up.  It's so fun to watch.  

Oh and did I mention this boys loves markers.  He is a hidden marker magnet and can find a marker anywhere he goes.  The poor kid has pen marks on his legs from two weeks ago.  LOL He loves to draw and I finally figured it out.  He's really getting into coloring with his big sisters.

Everett's artwork

Everett has pushed my parenting buttons lately and I'm not sure how to parent my wild beast.  He's defiantly adventurous and fearless.  Everett loves pulling off all the booking on the bookshelf, dumping out all the toys and turning the toy bins into ladders, climbing up on furniture and screaming with delight.  You'd think I wasn't used to having kids around with how frassiled I've been lately.  I've had good momentum keeping up on the house chores but with Everett's new habits I'm going around the house like a crazy lady picking up the same mess three or four times a day.  ugggg.

Did I really do this stage two times before?  I just have to keep reminding myself this is just a stage.  But if you have any fun advice about raising boys I would love some heart warming encouragement.  This mama is weak sauce.

With all that said, I can't imagine my world without him.  I love this little man to peaces and if my house looks like a tornato came through it, just know I'm busy watching my kids grow up to pay attention to cleaning details.  My BIG goal is to raise my kids in love and righteousness and hopefully someday cleanliness but I'm very much a work in process kind of mom.

Charlie's Birthday

To go or not to go?  We planned a trip to go Portland for Charlie's birthday and to take family photos, but feeling very overwhelmed I decided to cancel the trip.  It was a sad decision since I love visiting family.  Portland trips are so fun, but also very stressful sense we have so much family we want to see and limited time each trip.  I hate making the decisions on who to see and who to skip.  Sometimes it's easier not to go at all.

So on Wednesday morning I woke up and thought to myself, what are we doing here in Tacoma it's Charlie's birthday.  I called up James and told him of my wonderful idea of taking the kids to Portland.  He thought about it and called me back a few minutes later and said why not.  So I called up Rebecca and shared my idea with her.  She was excited we'd be coming and wasn't disapointment we interupted their birthday plans.  Rebecca was going to go on a mommy son date to the swimming pool, instead she invited Grandma Sharolee and we took the whole gang.

Grandma Thomas comes to visit

We had our primary program on Sunday so Grandma Thomas came to see it.  Lucky for us Preston and Taylor's primary program was on the same day so Grandma got to see both.  Grandpa Thomas wasn't up for the flight and long travel days so he kissed Grandma goodbye and sent her on her way bringing gifts of Hot Chocolate sent with love by Grandpa.

Grandma flew in Friday night.  Saturday morning we took her to ballet, the Farmers Market, and a local toy store.

At ballet

So much fluffiness  

We made it home to unpack change and then go again.  This time we went out to eat lunch at McDonald's and shop at Wal-Mart.  Then home to eat a yummy clam chowder made my James.

Sunday was a busy day with two primary programs. But we got to spend the evening with Will and Jenni.  It was wonderful.  

Monday I drove my mom back to the airport, but thankful to know we'll be seeing each other again right after Christmas.  

Random Happiness

This is what I get when I let my children play with my camera day after day.  Life is good

Gwenevere and Grace playing Noah's ark

We see this scene several times a day, I never thought of capturing this memory.

Mommy's break time to check my phone and proof that I had it earlier today.  Now if only I could find where I put it. 

Home schooled on the kitchen table in pjs 

Grace does Gwenevere's "boring work"

Grace's prize from the independent toy store celebration

Frosting gingerbread houses for the letter H 

I love how artizy this girl is becoming.

Local library coloring

Gwenevere with the camera again taking pictures of her little sister

"Now pose like this."  says the photographer 

90% sure this picture was taken by Grace

this picture made me happy

Grace's view of her room

Some of Gwenevere's favorite things in her room

Snowflake from Grandma Sharolee

Lately the kids have been playing surfer girls, I love how the play so well together.

Everett's First Haircut

Thanks to Jill, Everett got his first hair cut.  

Before

After

 Getting this boy to hold still to take his picture is getting harder by the day.  I love his hair cut.  I wasn't sure if he really needed one but the hair by his ears where starting to curl and the bangs where getting longer than the rest of his hair so we went ahead a gave him a hear cut anyway.  I'm SOOO glad we did.  He looks so handsome with his new cut.  But I have a feeling it's going to grow fast, time for me to learn to cut little boys hair.  Or bring Jill her favorite desserts every other month.  ;-)

Bunkbeds

A bunkbed, two mattresses and a dresser.  

Papa has done it once again.  We've been saving for new beds and James had plans to build a bunkbed for the girls but when he scored this great bed for a quarter of the price it  was like Christmas had come early this year.  The kids where eager to get in on the assembling action.  

We're quickly learning that a ladder might not be the safest thing for Everett to climb.  No falls yet.  

He made it to the top twice without any help but boy was my heart pumping

Enjoying their new bed

James still wants to make a railing for the top bed before Gwenevere sleeps up top, but tomorrow we're going to Ikea to pick out some new bedding.  It's going to be great.

Oh and he also got a new matching dresser for the girls room.  We'll be doing some furniture rearranging the next couple of days as we set up Everett's room/guest room.  We're also in the middle of trying to decide if we move our bedroom upstairs for the winter and make the down stairs bedroom the guest bedroom.  Or if we leave it the way it is.

The best part is they have a secret hideout spot now

We picked out new bedding

Grace's bedding

Gwenevere's bedding