fashion vs. furniture

A little while ago, I got to visit my younger sister Lindsay, and her twinsies.

She has the most amazing contraptions in the world, for her twinsies.

These rockers are called Rock-N-Play by Fisher Price.

Where on earth was this contraption when my babies were born? I shake my fists at you Fisher Price!

Seriously though, my babies wanted to be held all day long and these v-shaped rockers would have been a life saver for me, because they snuggle the baby for you.

They are light weight and can easily be moved to and fro thoughout your casa.

They fold up so you can take them on the go. And I love how the color just blends in with everything.

Little twinsies are gettin' nice and plump. Garsh I love them.

James and Savannah at around 2.5 months. Or Amigo and Goo. Same diff.

And if we are feeling extra fancy, Savannah goes by 'Vanny-goo'. Yah. I never saw that one coming.

I got to help with the feedings and burpings, and even changed a diaper or two!

I think the burping of twins is probably one of the most challenging aspects. Back in my day, I could barely remember to burp ONE baby. It is just so tedious. So when I would forget to burp the twinsies, I would get in trouble with mama. Sorry Lin. But we survived, despite my burping failures.

We even went out to dinner and walked around the mall, with babies in tow.

We stopped at Frannie's(Francesca's) and saw a cute dress on a mannequin. I was like "I want, I want!"

So Lindsay and I both ended up squeezing into a dressing room and trying on dresses together. I grabbed 2 dresses. The first dress was white crochet/lace on the outside and green underneath. It did NOT look good on me. Lindsay said, "It's too short!" I had not even noticed. I was completely horrified. I mean, what else have I been wearing that is too short?

But that's what sisters are for. They tell you the truth when no one else will. I'm extremely thankful for both of my sisters and consult them whenever making "clo" purchases{clo=clothing in sister talk}. And with the advent of the iPhone and texting pictures, it has taken our shopping to a whole new level of awesomeness.

The next dress I tried on was the one I saw on the mannequin.

I really liked it. And it was not too short. Win-Win!

Except for the fact that I had no money. Wah-wha-wahhh...goes the sad trombone.

Lindsay to the rescue! "Hey Dee, do you want a cash donation for your couch for your birthday, or do you want me to buy you this dress?" she asked.

My eyes lit up and I said "The dress of course!" When it comes to fashion vs. furniture, I have to say that fashion wins almost every time.

I then reasoned that I would use next months 'clothing money' to purchase the dress and would put that same amount into my couch fund...Shenanigans always. John thinks I launder money. So not true.

Though the cash transfer to the couch fund never ended up happening because mama used the money to buy boots instead. Whoops. Hey. It's mama's birthday month.

I couldn't wait to wear my new outfit to the Elephant Bar last night. I don't get out much, so this was exciting.

To the left: Looking so awk, I am cringing. But I did not want to bother Finn with any more photos. And to the right. I cannot stay serious for too long and so I broke into the curtsy lunge as a coping mechanism.

Dress(yellow on top, blue with gold sparkle dots on bottom): Francesca's

Belt: Franncesca's

Shoes: Tom's desert wedges. Loriloo saw them first so she gets finder's credit. And she was so cool when I copied her. So thanks Loo.

a little side tangent.

[That is one of the things I have learned from Lorie over the years. She doesn't care about silly stuff like me buying the same shoes. In the past, I'm ashamed to admit that it kinda bothered me if someone bought the same thing I had. So ridiculous. A while ago, I realized that the desire to be unique can be an idol...an idol which I no longer want to carry. And it's selfish. Not to mention it's just more fun to share and be at peace with your brothers. Today while I was sitting in my new Precepts bible study, reading through the book of I John three times, I had an 'aha' sort of moment. In this book:

we are warned against loving the world. 

and we are commanded multiple times to love our brothers. 

if we hate our brothers we don't know God. 

and in the end it warned to guard against idols.

So this is a silly extrapolation about shoes. But bear with me. If I love my worldly stuff too much----->it becomes an idol----->and it may get in the way of loving my brothers. So let's hold loosely to our stuff/ideas/creations/style etc... It can be fun to make purchases, but people are more important.]

Moving on.

This is my new favorite belt. All my other brown belts are DTM(dead to me).

And I seriously think you all need one like this.

So. Due to the purchases of the aforementioned clothing, my couch fund may have taken a little hit...but John was SO sweet and generous to give me this couch donation for my birthday.

He is so cute. He even got the couch drawing pretty close. Though honey, we are not buying a black couch. A grey or pebble color would be preferable.

And I have no clue how I started talking about baby rockers and ending up talking about shoes and couches.

around the house

I just marvel at the fact that THERE ARE LITTLE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND MY HOUSE.

After getting hitched, John and I waited a little while to have kids. Like 7 years.

Our first year, we were still in college together.
The next year I taught high school and it was a big fat joke...so I retired.
Five years I went to graduate school...halfway through...really wanting kids.

So I know how it feels to wait and really want to have kids.

Some people think it's odd that I love having kids so much.

Partly it's because I appreciate having them after waiting so long. My house was quiet for 7 years. But even if we got knocked up immediately, I'm sure I would have loved it. Might not have been as appreciative though.

So when I see a little toddling tush walking by...minding its own business...just meandering through the house, I am awe struck at God's goodness. And I think to myself. "Omyword. Is this really my kid walking by?"

And the little evidences of these small human creatures are scattered around the house. I get such a kick out of it.

Like for example, this week I was walking through the family room and saw this lego robot that Ollie had made. Just sitting there against my girly wall.

"Hey Ollie! What is that?" I asked.

"Oh it's the samurai", he explained. Which is a big robot from Ninjago. Of course. It's always Ninjago these days.

And then I glance over and Finn has some cotton balls in a dixie cup.

"Hey little human...whatcha doin'?" I wonder.

"I'm making itching powder", he tells me.

Oh yes. Clearly.

This is how itching powder is made, apparently. I mean, you could buy it at Target. Or DIY at home. Your choice.

Just boil up some water and CAREFULLY place your dixie cup of shredded cotton balls next to the steaming water for 23 minutes{ehhh 23 hours...same diff}, so the cotton will absorb the moisture and magically become itching powder.

Don't blame me if your experiment doesn't work. You are the one who wanted to make itching powder, not me.

Other evidencing of these little humans are more concealed. For example, we recently discovered that Finn hides all his teeny tiny Ninjago lego weapons under his bed so Twain can't find them.

Well Twain may be the baby of the family, but let me tell you something. He's not stew-pid. The other morning he whispers sheepishly in my ear, "can I play with Finn's 'ninjado' swords?"

"Sure Twain. Where are they?", I ask curiously. 

And then Twain crawls waay under Finn's bed and unveils the secret stash of weapons of mass destruction. Bam.

Oh. my.word.

So. I let Twain play with one sword at a time, and then he must put it back. Shhhh. Don't tell Finn. Our lil secret, k?

These two are always conspiring together in their bedroom. Snuggling under covers, plotting about their kitties.


Right above his bed, Ollie constructed this kitty condo, complete with balcony for Sir Tux and Master Tabby. These tiny kitties are living large those days.
Tabby and Tux can even brush their teeth in the little complex to the far left. So fancy. I wish I had my own outhouse to brush my teeth in.

Ollie also made this little lego car for Twain to drive Tabby around in. And it was on the counter and every time John and I passed it, we smiled. 

Sometimes this kitty can be seen holding a teeny tiny ninja sword.

Soooo. What do you get when you cross a kitty with ninjago?

A ninja kitty. This creation was invented by neighbor Libby. She knows how much Twain likes the blue ninja Jay...and kitties. SO voila. Blue ninja kitty.

When I refer to Ninjas, you don't have any idea what I'm talking about, do you.

Ok, here's the quick lowdown.

Here is the crew of Ninjago: 4 teenage ninjas + sensei wu + girl Nya

Kai: Red, master of fire. Has cute spiky hair.
Cole: Black, master of earth. Has bushy eyebrows.
Zane: White, master of ice. Has no sense of humor and is the odd ball of the group.
Jay: Blue, master of lightening. Talks a lot and is funny. Has a crush on Kai's sister, Nya.

Hey. Pay attention. There will be a quiz at the end.

Sometimes they wear hooded masks. I prefer that they do not. Because they have cute hair. And it's all about the hair. I was poking around online for sketches of these little cuties. Presh.


Then I got a little scared when I realized that some teenage emo girls are taking these Ninjago legos a tad seriously. I mean, even more seriously than I do. I uncovered a fan base of epic proportions. This one girl drew a sketch of what she thinks these 4 ninjas LEGOS would look like AS HUMANS.

These are LEY-GOS, girlie. Not the cast of Twilight.

One girl even wrote the following comment:

So basically this girl wants to marry the ninja LEGO Cole. I think I need to get online and explain to these girls how things work....eh maybe not.

I think I'm just gonna stick to watching the little Ninjago movies with the boys, and playing Legos with them.

More evidences. I opened my freezer and saw a purple bowl of water with Ninjago legos inside.



Ninja Zane, master of ice, is freezing his enemy, the serpent. Obviously.

Scattered on the desk are some of Finn's paintings of "spinjitzus". He kinda copied them from a picture as he painted, but I still think they are cute.


Ok, it's not all about Ninjago. There are other things around our house. Major things. Like evidences of the BIG people that live here too.

Like John thinks he's going to grow an avacado tree from this pit. This has been staring at my face every time I wash dishes. I think it's only fair that you have to look at it too.

It takes 7 years for an avocado tree to bear fruit. So check back in with us in 7 years, ok?

And evidence that I do indeed live in this house full of boys.

I think I might have killed this cactus.


Here is a picture of a cute dinner that I made for the boys in my house. Yes, I'm totally bragging about finally making something other than macncheese. Shameful.

I think boys like cute food. What do you think?

And finally. I'm very excited about this mini-lipstick I won from my Sephora rewards card this weekend. It's the black case to the right, for comparison sake, next to a NORMAL case of lipstick.

Cute, no? And the color is red. I have always wanted to try red lipstick. Doesn't that seem exciting? The girl at the counter said that "anyone can pull off red". Even you.

I am so glad that I have spent my money at Sephora all these years, just so that I could finally win this mini-lipstick. So thank you Sephora.

p.s. I hereby crown you masters of Ninjago, after reading this post.

b2s 2012

I was afraid to unload the pictures from the first day of school.

Very afraid.

Finn was glowering at me. I snapped a few shots and then shook in my boots and ran for the hills.


I guess this means Finn will no longer hold hands with me and skip to the bathroom anymore. The rudeness.

So as penance for the scathing looks, I made the boys take a few shots across the street the other night. Besides. I had completely forgot to take any pictures of Ollie at his new preschool. Parental fail.

Did you get the new crewcuts fall catalog? The clothes are ridiculously cute but the prices will make you wanna gauge your eyes out. At least for the boys clothes. A cute tie for $76. Really???? But I was inspired by the cover of the mag--the kids were lined up like the good old days of class pictures.

Our wannabe attempt. It did not quite translate. With their backpacks, the boys look like they are strapped into a roller coaster at Magic Mountain.

I didn't have a big chalkboard so I photoshopped one in. As if I could write that evenly on a chalkboard.

I mean, I did not think I would be able to pass that one by you any way. You are much too smart.






Someone here thinks he's too kewl for school. And for mama's camera.




Perfecting his duck face--one of life's more important skills.






It's so funny how last year Ollie was in love with Nemo, and Finn and Calvin were obsessed with Star Wars.

Now it's ALL ABOUT NINJAGO people. We need new patches. Even mama has completely fallen for the charms of Ninja Jay. Kai still has better hair. Ok. I'll stop, before I scare you any further.

Here is the scoop with Ollie. He doesn't like going to school. He goes to a new Montessori
preschool on tuesdays and thursdays and has 1/2 hour speech sessions on mondays and wednesdays.

Once he is there, he is totes fine. Like happy as a clam. But every morning, he asks with a suspicious, anxious tone, "mommy, do I have to go to school today?"

I kinda hold my breath and mutter, "yes ollie".

And then he wails and thrashes like a wet noodle and REFUSES to get dressed. And then I give him a homeopathic remedy for fear(rescue remedy or aconite).

And after around 10 minutes he calms down.

But still. It's wearing me down. I dread mornings. It's good for kids with spd to be in a structured setting with other children, so they can learn to cope in the world. But sometimes I wonder, especially about kindergarten next year. Our school just went to all day kindergarten. That is just not going to fly. However. I will{prayerfully} do what is best for Ollie when the time comes. And for now, we will continue on the current course.

Does anyone else out there have to drag their kids to school? If so, any tips are welcome.

I already learned something new about Ollie this year:

Yup. It's a true story.

Ollie calls his preschool "Twain's school". Because Twain's little friend Paul attends as well. Therefore, it's Twain's school. Perfectly scientific reasoning.

And Ollie is definitely learning his letters. He found a p-shaped carrot the other day. And we cheered. Wouldn't you celebrate, if you found a p-shaped carrot?

With spd, you take nothing for granted.

Calvin has team teachers this year.


I found this little self-portrait in his backpack. He colored his orange and blue striped shirt, complete with skinnies, haha.




Finn's teacher is strict and likes to keep the classroom very quiet. Finn likes the classroom dead silent and gets annoyed whenever anyone talks, so they are a match made in heaven.


What have I learned about Finn this year? See portions underlined in red.

My kid still loves money.

I said, "Hey Finn! I cannot believe you wrote that!!!!" And he started laughing hysterically and said "I was just being funny! I didn't mean it". Yah right kid. Whatevs.

I have tried(and tried) all summer to show him that money is not to be accumulated, but to be shared with others, but I guess we will have to KEEP on it.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

We are all still adjusting to the new school year. Even mama. We were used to having daddy home for most of the summer, so it was just a rude awakening for us all.

By the end of the 2nd week, we were all toast. I keep falling asleep in the middle of the day and the boys have all been on melt-down mode. Especially the other night.

There were nonstop temper tantrums.
And nonstop fighting between all brothers.
There was disrespecting of parents.
and refusal to repent.
Mommy and daddy were sad and tired from it all.
And their were lots of consequences. And more tantrums when they realized they were not going to get their way.

At one point during the evening, I could not handle seeing the mopey tear-streaked face{s} any longer.
"Enough already! Your life is not that bad! Snap out of it". And I was very tempted to say, "Save your tears for the pillow!", ala Dance Moms...but I refrained. (Have you ever seen that show? omw).

Then God, ever so kindly, pointed out that I had been a bit mopey and teary about something for a little too long as well...and that I needed to snap out of it too. No more angsty teen drama over hurt feelings.

I think when we see our kids act this way, it mirrors how we sometimes act. I can't help but think God uses our children to show us our own yuckiness.

Thank goodness HIS mercies are new every morning.