Just Me

My wonderful hubby let me take off the day on Sunday. I will have to say, it was a very quit day. First I got to have lunch with Donna which I had a great time talking to her with no kids interrupting us, this was the best part of the day. Then I started a little shopping and window shopping. Somewhere at my first stop I lost my wallet, it was really just a really cute $40 coach coin purse that I kept my cards and cash in. Darn it!! Well at least I had my ATM/Visa card in my purse, that would have been horrible to loose that, the only thing I had in there was my Sams club card and drivers license. I am a little worried what would an dishonest person do with my DL but what can I really do about it, this is the only time I am glad my credit is poo. So getting past that and not letting it reunion my time I carried on. I had some gift cards left over from Christmas so I got to spend those, it was fun. I will say, I am so used to having the circus with me, and I think I want to be by myself all the time. But really I love the circus, and all the poop that comes with it. I was very happy to return home, and to a clean sink, since Daniel did the dishes for me, wasn't that nice. Thank Baby for being the hubby/ Daddy that you are, I love you so very much.

First Kiss

So not the picture I was hoping for, but it is hard to make a baby hold still. What I was trying for was a picture of me and Jack kissing, why, because he gave ME his first two kisses ever!! I nearly melted on the floor it was so sweet. I was holding him on my hip and leaned over to kiss his sweet cheeks like I do all day and then he very slowly and carefully leaned towards my face and planted one on me. How sweet is that, the first time no one was watching, then I told Daniel, "I think he just kissed me", and I repeated what had just happened and he did it again, and everyone saw it.

Ashton's First Sleepover

It was Ashton's first sleepover but he pooped out on the couch before his friend even got there, well maybe next time. However he was super excited to see that he was there when he awoke the next morning.

Nichole wants to eat my baby up, she can't put in down, she is a hard core "Baby Lover". Jack didn't mind, this is what he tries to get me to do everyday.

Being the baby lover she is, she loves to pinch cheeks and even more to kiss them, she calls this "machine gun kisses". Nichole all of a sudden got really shy when the camera was on, but I did it anyways.

Brayden thinks are backyard is the park, so we got off easy, however Ashton is no fool.

Just a wee bit of abuse going on, but Ashton was very controlled about it and just told on Brayden every time.

We can't wait till next time.

41 Weeks Old

Jackson is so silly these days, he started doing this thing where he smiles so big he looks like he is Asian. He is growing so fast right now, it is like there is something new everyday. Maybe we should have another, oh yeah that's right, we did the permanent cut :(

The Hotty Lube Man

After our play date this morning I went to get my oil changed at the BEST oil shop in town, Jiffy Lube. I looked underneath my car to find the HOTTEST lube man I have ever seen. I wonder if he is single? I heard he is married to a really wonderful women and has like 10 kids, so he is probably not interested, lol.

The nice thing with knowing the people who own this joint is that I don't have to take the boys out while the car gets serviced. That's what keeps me loyal, oh and the fact that I don't have to pay may help a little.

The lobby got a small budget makeover, and let me tell you for a guy doing the interior decorating it looks much better, but it could use a soft women's touch. Daniel was very proud of himself, nice job Baby, but leave the house up to me. Thank you and have a nice day and we will see you back in 3000 miles.

Salon Mama

Ashton normally gets his hair cut at a Barber shop, and they do an awesome job (lucky for them Ashton holds still for the most part). However they don't give you a kid rate, it is the same for Daniel's hair cut, $13 and with a $2 tip you are talking $15 for a little person's hair cut. So I decided to try and do it myself, he has light hair, and if I mess up I can just buzz it off, it will totally grow back fast, so he wont look funny for long.

Here is the before picture.

And the after.

Yes I will admit, the anal retentive person I am, I can see all the mistakes. But really, he is two, how perfect does it really need to be. Chill out Andrea, no one will probably notice, well lets hope not. He got a lollipop just like at the Barber Shop, this is the important part, for him at least.

Last Minute Playdate In Roseville

Friday was an extremely stressful day, the kids and I had plans to go to Vacaville the next day and hang out with Nicole, Mrs.Cindy, Dad and Lisa, and the other Nichole. However when I am stressed, I need (or prefer) to have nothing on my agenda, I prefer to do things as they came to me. So I cancelled all plans for Saturday, and then I ended up needing to go to Roseville/Rocklin to take care of some cell phone business and pick up a part for Jiffy Lube. So on the way out there I came up with the idea to have lunch with my pal's Donna and Teresa. It worked out that Teresa was able to have lunch with us in the mall, sweet, I like last minute plans (sometimes).

So we had lunch at the Mc D with Ashon's "girlfriends", and then head over to a play area.

It was so cute, the mall in Roseville, is so big and busy I felt a little anxiety just being in it, I think since I am up here in no where land, I have gotten a little weird about big crowds.

The boys had fun, and the girls were bored because none of Teresa's older kids were there, sometimes everyone can't be happy, sorry.

Thanks for having the last minute lunch/playdate with us, I always enjoy your company Teresa.

40 Weeks Old

Jackson is doing so many things in a weeks period that I can't even decide what to put on his weekly post. Here is a list of things I would like to share, all those teeth I was telling you about, they all made there apprearence, he can sit himself up now, he can put himself in a upside down U shape, he can eat an nurtrigrain bar (well I feed it to him), and he loves to hit stuff out of your hand. Something I am struggling with is how to keep his fat little legs in the crib, I find him almost every morning with something hanging out and stuck, who knows for how long. I am worried that the blood circulacane is going to do harm, who knows.

Mom To Mom Column

So the Mom's In Motion mommy group does this Mom To Mom column in there monthly newsletter and they were asking for volunteers, so I did. After doing so I was thinking, why did I do a thing like that, but whatever. So this is what I wrote and then a picture of the family will be with it. Lucky for me this Saturday Lisa is going to take some pictures of the kids in wild flowers at her Dads so I will get to jump in for one.

Hi my name is Andrea, I am a 28 year old proud mother to four wonderful kids. Kirsten 10, Kelsey 7, Ashton 2 and Jackson 9 months. My husband Daniel of 7 years and I moved to Live Oak from Vacaville 3 years ago. I resided in Vacaville for 20 years, I consider it to be my home town. We picked Live Oak for it's affordable housing and we were just so excited about owning our first home we jumped right in not knowing much about the town. After living here for a year or so we had the opportunity to buy 3 local Jiffy Lube stores which my husband oversees. Before my fourth baby was born I was a Territory Manager in the Vacaville area for Kellogg's Snacks. I knew that after the fourth baby was born I wanted to stay at home. I started working for the local Sales Rep. with Kellogg's in the Yuba City area, I now work 10-15 hours a week as a merchandiser stocking shelves in grocery/chain stores. I work really early in the morning which allows me to be home before lunch, so I don't really miss anything. I am fortunate enough to have my husband at home with the kids while I work to escape paying daycare costs. I enjoy gardening, camping, blogging, playing bunco, and spending time with my family and friends. My goal in life is to be the best Mom/wife that I can and to be a successful business owner. The thing I love most about being a Mom is watching my children smile and laugh, it can turn my day around, and it fills my heart. I joined MIM to meet others Moms in the area, since I only have lived here for 3 years, and working out of the area for most of that time I really don't know anyone. I wanted my boys to have the opportunity to play and interact with others there own age. I am excited to be part of this group, if seems like it is going to be a lot of fun for us.

Uncle

Ashton loves his Uncle, he knows his voice on the phone, ask's for him when he sees his picture pop up on the phone and since Uncle comes to visit more often he really enjoys hanging out with him. Today was a EXTRA crazy day today (bad boy and teething baby), but Uncle hung in there, I thought I was going to loose him a few different times, but he made it. I am just so glad that we are close enough to have him over often, we just all love him SO much.

Bunco #6

My dear Donna was sick, which is one of the three reason I LOVE bunco. Besides that it was fun, we had green water, yummy brownie's on a stick and some kind of float desert, it was good. I won most losses, yeah so I am a big LOSER, but at least I got money right.

I totally stole this picture from Teresa cupcake blog, thanks.

Happy St. Patty's Day

Who Signed That Permission Slip Again?

I don't know who signed that permission slip to go to camp, but they aren't my best friend right now, that is for sure. So this morning was the BIG day, Kirsten has been beside herself excited for days, for example this picture was taken at 4 in the morning!! See what I mean, I wonder if she even slept at all, I didn't that is for sure. I woke up at 2 and thought it was time to get up. I started extra early this morning (woke up at 3 AM)so I would be able to see her leave, it just dawned on me last night that I was going to be gone. It made me cry just talking about it with Daniel, so I worked it out, kinda. I went into her room this morning to hug and kiss her and tell her I love her and all the don't forget about that thing we talked about and dont forget all the other 50 things I told you not to do, ok. It was dark so she didn't know that I already cried my eyes out, but in this picture you can tell. I knew I had to be there no matter what when she said, "I really want you to be there Mom".

Why is it so hard, maybe because she is the first kid to leave with someone that is not a grandparent? Or that I am over protective and controlling, or maybe I am just a big baby. But I cried big tears today, streams down my face, making a pouting face cry, and even the out loud cry, like a little kid. Driving, walking down the grocery store aisle, stalking selves, and even standing around 60 people at her school. I couldn't hold it in, it was just so sad for me. How am I ever going to hold out until Friday? It will be to quit without her, who will be mean to Kel's?

I really wanted the shoot of her walking into the bus and waving good bye on the bus, but I couldn't stay any longer. With a pain in my heart I walked away, my little baby girl was leaving me, in a strangers hands.

I am so excited to see her excited, she will have so much fun, but, at least she said she will miss me, like three times. And I even got, "If I was the Mom, I don't know if I would want my kid to go to camp?", wow, that was a surprise. I didn't really think I was going to let her, I wonder who signed that letter still.

So she is gone, just until Friday. Kelsey cried when Kirsten said goodbye to her, until Friday when she asks if she can live somewhere else, sisters, geez.

Pray for Kirsten, that she makes good choices, has fun, and most important that she makes healthy choices.

An Afternoon With The Statham Cousin's

The Statham tribe came up for a picnic at the park (which didn't happen, it was way to windy and cold so we just ate at the house), and a little play time at the park.

Auntie Dani is helping Maddy get across the monkey bars, I can't believe how much she changes every time I see her.

I would love to say I got a cute picture of Jimmy and Ashton, but as you can see that wasn't going to happen. But here they are, well the back side at least being very busy little boys. Sweet Lil Jack just hung out in the warm blanket strap into his stroller, which he wasn't all that happy about.

Kelsey wanted to pose so bad.

The little girls wanted to be baby's.

Maddy just couldn't get enough of Jack, what can I say, he is pretty adorable.

Jessie wasn't feeling well, so I didn't want to annoy her with my camera in her face. I hope you feel better Jessie. Thanks for driving up to see us Dani, it was fun. It always makes me feel better seeing someone else that has a crazy life with four little people, because most just don't understand it unless they live it.

Can You Please Not Do That Baby

Some how constantly the baby gets into the kitchen and does this, it drives me up the wall. He will do it until you move him, so if you are cooking, washing dishes or anything, until you move him away there is no stopping it. Good thing I love this little baby.

39 Weeks Old

Lil Jack has been very busy this week. He has cut three new teeth, that wasn't all that fun, lots of diarrhea and cranky hours. Come to find out, there are two more about to pop out, well at least we get them all done in a package deal. He has started to hold his own baba, I have taken advantage of this already on several days were I really needed to hurry up and get out of the house. Jack has started to crawl on his hands and knees, but only backwards. Also he has learned how to click his tongue on the roof of his mouth, I would love to get this on a video for you. He also is talking up a storm, this video was while we were driving to Vacaville (this explains the shoot quality). All of this is so exciting, but he is the last, what am I going to do. Someone needs to have a baby, who is going to do it?

Picnic At The Park

We had fun, I love family time :)

Brayden Comes To Play

Braydon came up because he love us so much and wanted to play at our house.

While he was here they watched some TV together snuggled under the blanket.

Begged for food together.

Swung on the swings together.

Of course when there is two boys together it is the rule that you have to wrestle, right?

I had to shoot a little clip of how effortless it was for this little people to jump on the trampoline, it made me want to jump, but then I thought of how tired I might get so I decided not. I really got a kick out of how Ashton was rolling himself with the ball, over and over again.

Braydon was really enjoying himself, his Mom never lets him out of the house (only kidding).

These boys were so busy they didn't have time to look at me and stop talking.

Thank you Nichole for bringing up Braydon, and all the dog beds (for my Mom). We enjoyed having you.

38 Weeks Old

Jackson likes to be sat in fron t of the toys then after a while make him self fall gracefully. He is getting to a more content with playing by myself stage, and I think it is fantastic.

Busy Day For Little People

Today was a busy day for the two little people. We had story time at the library, which was really fun and crowded this time. Ashton made this craft while we were there, and got a free book since we turned a reading sheet in (it is a calender that shows what books I read to him and for how long). Right after that we went to Mc D for some good heart healthy lunch.

Then we went to get some stuff at Sam's, and this was Jackson's first time in a shopping cart. I was grossed out that I couldn't use my cover since the cart was a double seater, but how well, next time, the blanket over part of it helped. Doesn't he look so grown up sitting in there, he totally loved be able to see everything too, I could tell.

And of course they crashed as soon as I put them in the van. I took this picture because I just recently took Jackson out of his infant seat, and put him in a big boy seat (well kinda). He looks so grown up in this seat to me too.

Ha Ha I Got You

My Mom's high maintenance dog doesn't like to have pictures taken of him so I tricked him, that is my job as a older sister. He was laying down all peaceful, so I focused the camera then called his name and he had no way to run away, I was totally ready, ha.