It has been a VERY long time since I last posted. Lots going on in my life. I realized that this blog is a nice way to remember all the things that are are going on in my family's life... good, bad and ugly.  So for now something good, Halloween! The kids didn't really know what they wanted to be, i kept asking and asking. We usually order our costumes in September. Not this year. Miles suggested he and Maisy be Shark boy and Lava girl. Ok, I can do that, there must me costumes out there right? WRONG! I found a Sharkboy costume on Etsy for $125... REALLY? I realized I'd have to make the costumes. I searched and searched the internet for as many ideas as I could find. Lava girl was pretty easy, Shark boy not so much. I definitely had to use my imagination for his.
It took me about a week to finish the costumes and I actually really like how they came out. I knew I did good when Miles gave me a hug and said "Mom, thanks for making the best costume and treat bag ever!" That made it all worth it.

MVP

Today was Maisy's last T-ball game. She has had an amazing season. When we signed her up we weren't really sure how she would do, but she did awesome. She went to every practice, played in every game, stayed on the field and even played catcher. Today she really played well. She chased after balls and even made an awesome stop at 2nd base. She didn't even know she had it in her glove. She turned and threw it to 1st. She was so proud of herself.  At the end of the game, she was named MVP. She was so proud of herself. And couldn't wait to tell her daddy. Maisy you are an amazing little girl. I love that you are girly and tough at the same time. I love you!

I made these...

 I was asked to make some fun spring themed cupcakes for an event at Miles' school. I found some hydrangea cupcakes on pintrest and thought I'd give them a try. I was pretty happy with the way they turned out.

Meet "RoofRoof"

 I woke up the other morning, went outside to check the weather and what was in the middle of my yard. I huge pile of dirt... GOPHERS... So later in the day, I moved the pile of dirt. I got the hose and stuck it in the hole. Maisy was out watching my every move. I watched the hole fill, it took a while and all of a sudden I see water coming out of another hole next to the original hole. But more than water came out. I saw a puff of fur. Sure enough the water was pushing a little animal out of the hole. It got out and ran away. Of course Maisy wanted to catch it, and in reality I felt bad about almost drowning the little guy. So we got a box and put him in it. Poor thing was soaking wet and shaking like crazy. We gave him some leaves and dirt. He dug right in and got dry and warm. I looked up on line what it actually was and as I suspected it was a gopher. We fed it carrots and lettuce and he like playing in a paper towel roll we gave him. Miles got home from school and thought it was pretty cool. I explained to the kids that it's a wild animal and we needed to let it go. The kids convinced me to keep him overnight. That led to Maisy naming him Roof Roof. I have no idea where that came from, but I was a getting a little worried, the kids were now naming this little guy. The next day, after Miles got home from school we headed to the field near our house and let him go. He went right into the dirt and started to dig. I told the kids he was happy and would have lots of friends there. This seemed to make them happy.

Setting Roof Roof free.

Happily digging!

He dug this hole in about 3 minutes. 

We left a marker so we could go back and visit. 

Our Star Pitcher...

 Miles got to pitch his first game yesterday. He was so excited. When I laid his uniform out he ran to grab his "lucky" necklaces. He did really well. He had several strike outs. The kids are allowed to through 50 pitches and then they have to be replaced by another pitcher. I thought Miles might throw 20 maybe 30 pitchers and then use him again in his game on Saturday. Nope, Miles pitched all 50 pitches which meant he pitched 4 of the 6 innings. I hope this doesn't happen every game, I am afraid of injuries at this age. But he never complained and enjoyed every minute of it. His team ended up winning 2-0. We are very proud of our boy.

O.S.I.O.B (Operation Sleep in Own Bed)

Maisy gets a star for each night she wakes up in her own bed. When she
5 she can pick a "present". She says she wants a trumpet...
No idea.

Monday started O.S.I.O.B... I think most of you know that Maisy does not sleep in her own bed. She usually sleeps on the couch or in my bed. All my fault, I just never fought it and she's my last baby. But I knew I needed to get her into her own bed. My mom and I did over Maisy's room in August, and she has never slept in there. So I decided spring break was the perfect time to "get it done". That way Miles could sleep in my bed so he wouldn't have to listen to Maisy scream and cry as she fights me to sleep in her bed. I was totally prepared for yelling, crying, screaming and many, many visits to me in the living room or bedroom. It hasn't been that way at all. Here are the Facebook updates I've written:
Monday
Operation Sleep in Your Own Bed is in full swing. So far since 8:30, she's been out 3 times. It's going to be a long night.

Tuesday
So the OSIOB update. Maisy fell asleep in her own bed at 9:30. She woke up 12:30 and came out to couch, David put her back in bed, but she wanted mom. I laid with her until she fell asleep (3mins.) She woke again at 2:00 I did the same thing. Then at 4:30 she came to our room, I was soooo sleepy I didn't even remember I was suppose to put her back to bed.

She is is bed all by herself, not sure if she's asleep, but at least she's in HER bed!

Not to jinx myself, but she's still in HER bed, asleep since 9:45. Fingers crossed.

Wednesday
After 3 books and two visits out to the living room, Maisy slept in her OWN bed from 10PM to 7:40AM. She came in to my room this AM and said "I did it mom, I slept in my own bed!, I get a star on my paper right?" Let's hope this continues.


Maisy has been asleep since 9:15. In her own bed with pretty much no help from me or david. Yahoo... I am so proud of her.

Thursday
Update OSIOB... Maisy fell asleep in her bed lastnight at 9:15 without any help from David or me. The at 1:00AM she came into our room. I put her back in her bed, rubbed her legs for a minute. Then she came in our room again at 5:00AM. I put her back in her bed, no leg rubbing. She slept in until 8:00AM. I am still considering this a success. She didn't fight me when I put her back and I didn't give in. SO we are still working on it.

OSIOB Update: Read 2 books to Maisy at 8:35. When I was going to leave she said I want you to rub my legs. I said sure but I am not going to lay with you, I'll sit next to you. She said Yeah, I don't think I want you to rub my legs. Never heard from her again. Checked on her 15mins. ago, still asleep. We'll see how many trips to my room tonight.

So as you can see, It has gone pretty smooth. I never expected it to go like this, but I am very happy it has.

Cupcake the Pony...

Cupcake the pony comes to Creative Beginnings Preschool every year. This year, I forgot the date he was going to be there so Maisy wasn't dressed in the clothes I wanted her to be in. Thank goodness they take the pics on 2 different days. Maisy ended up taking pics on both days. They both came out cute, but I think I like the ones with the red shirt the best. Someday, I need to scan Miles Cupcake pictures and put them all on the blog.
                                                                   

Little League 2012

My little Scrapper. She loves playing and is doing a really good job. I am so impressed that she stays on the field through a whole game, hits like a little slugger and runs in the right direction.

Year two on the A's. He's doing great. Hitting like a champ and he gets to pitch this year. He loves playing.

Maybe we'll see them in the Baseball Hall of Fame someday.

Dancing Queen

Anytime Maisy hears music, she starts to shake and jump and move her hips. This girl LOVES to dance. I wonder where she gets it from, I mean it's not like I like to dance or anything :) I hope she never loses that love. 

Happy Easter

Our Easter festivities began on Saturday with bunny shaped pancakes. Then later in the day we dyed our eggs. The kids really enjoyed this. The kit I got this year had lots of fun extras, paint, stencils, stamps, stickers, glitter and beads. The eggs came out beautiful. Then in the evening the kids decorated mini "peep" houses. They came out cute, but weren't as much fun to decorate as I thought they would be. The kids really weren't that into it. We ended Saturday night watching the movie HOP.
Sunday morning, the kids were up around 8:30, when I came out to the living room, Miles was already dressed in his Easter clothes. So cute. We had breakfast and then headed out for the egg hunt. Off they went running and looking everywhere. They each got a basket full of eggs and were very happy. We came in and dug into there baskets the Easter Bunny left, then it was time to head out to brunch at Avila Gardens at Sycamore Springs. The weather was gorgeous. I booked our reservations here about 2 weeks ago. I wanted something other than a buffet. This had a special Easter menu and a kids menu as well. Each of the adult meals was $12 and the kids were $6.95, the portions and quality were amazing. After we ate, we went outside and played for a bit. Then we headed home. The rest of the afternoon we just relaxed and hung out with family.  We had a wonderful Easter, hope you all did as well.

Easter Bunny "poop"...

The best thing they got in their baskets. Silly straw glasses. 

My AMAZING meal at brunch. Poached eggs, asparagus and pesto bruchetta.

Nana's Eggs Benedict

Miles' AWESOME french toast. 

Playing hide-and-seek after brunch. 

Miles hiding from his sister.

Climbing trees. 

Of course Maisy wanted to try too.