Crazy kiddos and less comparisons

(Mascara mishap)


(Z started gymnastics)


(Literally still on the phone with grandma, even after the crash)

(Max and cousin Andrew)
Comparisons are the worst. Comparing myself to others never made me happy, and comparing my kids to other kids is just as bad. I have left playgroups feeling lousy because Z didn't behave as well as other kids or Max isn't crawling as well as so and so, etc. So Z has mucho energy and I can't keep her off the top of our vehicles or from sneaking out the front door or from sneaking worms up into our rooms. What if Max loves the army crawl more than the normal crawl. I'm choosing to embrace it. Eat that.



What I know is: I'm one lucky Mama.

The truth hurts

Zannah and her friend Brayli were having a conversation which I didn't understand or catch the first half of, but it ended with Brayli giving Z the hardcore truth:
"Zannah, your mom is very mean to you." And let me tell you, the recipient didn't appear to be shocked with the news.


Today, Z, with one hand on her hip and the other hand pointing to me, said, "You go to time-out, you are a pain in my neck today."

I swear I have never told her she is a pain in my neck. On the other hand, "time-out" is in almost every other sentence I speak. Yikes, I hope my "how to deal with strong-willed children" books I ordered from Amazon get here soon.

To A Girl Who:

• Sleeps with her head at the wrong end of the bed EVERY night
• Is rarely afraid of anything
• Likes to dress up as a princess and catch the bad guys
• Thinks eating is a nuisance
• Loves to run anywhere, anytime and mostly at the most inappropriate times
• Gives stubborn a run for its money
• Says, "I missed you soooooo much" if we have been apart
• Could play with or in the water for most of the day
• Tells her mom or Max, "That's It!" when we do something she doesn't like (wonder where she heard that phrase)
• Squeezes and carries cats around, likes most dogs and wants the cows to lick her
• Is a socialite and asks to play with friends daily
• Loves nursery
• Calls Max "buddy-boy" and says she's going to get her "some Max" as she attempts to wake him up from his nap
• is not potty-trained YET
• Turned 3!!!!

Happy Birthday Zannah Mae! What tender memories your dad and I have of your miracle entrance into our family.

A Bully and A Queen

There once was a blue-eyed goose who was a Bully and a brown-eyed girl who was a Queen. The Queen enjoyed sharing her wealth of bread crumbs with the local pond-folk, until the Bully made his appearance, and he always did.

Using his scare tactics to challenge her majesty.

And for a few months, it worked.

Alas, the Queen does not allow disobedient subjects to abide in her kingdom. As the rest of the royal family well knows, we all eventually bow.

Holy Guacamole (for all but marcus's eyes)

I'm such a procrastinator! Instead of packing this week:

• I've baked cookies and convinced myself that it is less flour we have to move.
• Checked out the "Great Gatsby" and "King Arthur" from the library because I HAD to take advantage of the library while we are here, what if Idaho doesn't have one. About those movies, can't believe I haven't ever read or watched the Great Gatsby before......depressing and by that I mean wow that was depressing to watch. And King Arthur had me laughing hysterically at what Kiera Knightley is wearing in the last fight scene.
• I have 2/3rds of my visiting teaching done. Funny how even that is more exciting than packing.
• Got my hair trimmed, gotta look good for the boxes I'm too nervous to introduce myself to.

Marcus is out of town all week and is expecting to come home to a completely packed house. And really that good guy had 85% of the packing done before he left. He always makes things look so easy, sometimes annoyingly so. But, you know what, I work well under pressure. Some of my best homework assignments were performed at 3 in the morning. It builds character or something.

Currently

Max is sitting on his own. Unless detained by the Z-meister.Currently bathtimes are unpredictable.I cannot figure out if Z is a lefty or a righty. I don't even know at what age this is determined. She only kicks the soccer ball with her left foot and throws with her left hand. But, draws with her right and eats with either. Currently I'm trying to memorize these two at this age. I dislike when life seems to be a blur of days squooshed together.

For Real

We are moving back to Idaho! We are excited and nervous. I think the kids can feel the anxiety. We are grateful Marcus's company is letting him do what he does from there. The past year we have felt the need to get our kids closer to family and be more permanent. Yet, it is still unreal. I will miss Amarillo. We were given both of our kids here. We have made friends here and I can finally get most places without getting lost.

But, I like a big change. Aside from the stress of moving. Change is exciting and fun. The biggest thing that makes me nervous is dumb. I worry about Idaho being our permanent stay. I like to look forward to moving onto something new. Although we never know what the future holds, we plan on staying in Idaho. I hope I'm ready for that.