You Make Me Happy, Too

I'm usually good for writing a "woe is me" entry once in a while as challenges with toddlers rear their head on a daily hourly basis, but I thought I'd take a different approach today. Today - for whatever reason - I want to say that I rock as a mom. (I think I'm a pretty good wife, too, but I don't think entries about stocking the beer fridge or sorting Erik's boot socks versus workout socks are that exciting.)

Did I take the boys to a park today? Nope. Did I bake them homemade cookies today? Nope. Was there about five different time out sessions today? Yep. Did they eat chicken nuggets two meals in a row? Yep. But who cares? Landon held me extra close for a good night snuggle this evening and randomly said "You make me happy, Mommy. I love you." Those were his exact words. He made sure he gave brother a good night kiss before I closed his door, too. So I obviously did something right.

Let us rejoice in this moment of joy and confidence, shall we? 

My Mom Dressed Me...

...and forgot to finish.

Big Boy Wheels

I guess he couldn't ride a tricycle forever. Another day, another proud and sad mommy moment.

And he's off...

I still have this little turd nugget nearby, though. Presumably lounging and enjoying the ride.

Pumpkin Patch 2013

I suspect they revoke your "All American Parent" card if you don't take your kids to a pumpkin patch every fall. Lest we lose our qualification, we got our buns in gear and headed over to the farm on Sunday morning.

Goats.

A Man.

Cloudy and yet so so bright.

Back to the goats again. Big hit.

Wistful.

Chickens, as usual.

The best family pic we could get.

License to smile.

Obligatory "insert face here" picture.

Maybe next year, buddy. Keep working those biceps.

Plaid on patrol.

Face painting.

License to mow.

Stopping for a pumpkin cookie to wrap up the morning!

My Mom Dressed Me

He's turning his head away in this one, completely self aware that his face should not be caught on film in such an outfit. What am I doing to this kid?

Leg warmers with a side of froggie hat and Cheerios.

The End of an Era

It is kind of bittersweet and kind of not, but Anders said bye bye to the boobies last week at 15 months. I didn't mind nursing him over a year because I am fairly certain it will be our last little snookum wookums to snuggle up for milk. As I write this, emotions are randomly starting to flood me a bit; I suppose this is the first time I'm stopping to really think about it. Damn, my eyes are tearing up. 

There wasn't a big plan behind the weaning... feedings just dropped here and there as the months and weeks went on. I didn't know the last time I fed him was the actual last time I was going to nurse him. I wish I would have held him a little longer, had I known. But in reality I probably broke the latch because his teeth were irritating me as he mindlessly drifted off. Damn, I'm officially crying now.

But! It was time. I know this. So although I'm blubbering at the moment, I am happy that we are both moving on and growing. Onwards and upwards, as they say. It is the start of a new chapter where I get to reclaim my body for myself after almost 4 years of being pregnant and/or nursing. Can I get a "Hallelujah!" from the crowd?

Hallelujah.

The Cable Conundrum

For a couple years now, Erik and I would occasionally have the discussion of how we need to get rid of cable. It costs too much and do we really watch it that often to merit the cost? Well the answer was obvious but there was one pesky factor: football. How would we watch men in tight pants run around with their toned buns on display?

Well we are into month four of our life without cable and fall is upon us. And you know what? It has been just fine. Of course this has all been supplemented by Netflix, Hulu Plus and NFL Sunday ticket, along with streaming any other items from various sites to the TV via Apple TV. Our remote has so many functions that it may as well solve world peace while it's at it.

Even with all this, we still come out much farther ahead than paying Comcast with our children's naming rights. Do we spend less time in front of the TV? Nah, not really. But it's less time flipping channels and mindlessly scrolling through the channel guide.

Thinking about quitting cable? Go ahead and stick it to the man. You can do it. 

"Yay! We can still watch football! Go Team Blerghy-Blerghs!"

Around the Homestead

We are hanging on to the last of the sunny days here at the homestead, although I'm excited for Fall as it is my favorite season. And to be honest, one of the main reasons it is my favorite is that it signals the return of pants weather. This homegirl is not a fan of shorts. And I would say that I hate shaving my legs everyday but if I am - again - being honest, I'm not really great about that during the summer, either. Moving on.

Landon is back in his little preschool three days a week, testing the waters in the "big kids" room. The waters are a little choppy right now, but I think there are some calm seas on the horizon. His focus and intensity perhaps are a little unique for a toddler crew, but I personally believe this means great things are ahead for him as long as we can harness his behaviors with the power of kindness and productivity. And so he shall be named: Super Landon!

Anders is not yet in any type of program and hangs with me. I suspect he will one day invent a line of mommy-and-me clothing, the main product of course would be matching track suits with NASA-strength Velcro strips that allow the baby/toddler to be attached to his mother for the majority of the day. He will also someday invent the ultimate sippy cup because right now he just goes from cup to cup like the little girl in Signs ("This one is contaminated.")

Without further ado, some pics:

Picking up some blueberries at the farm and stopping to say hi to the chickens.

Attending our friend Aiden's super hero themed birthday party.

Mom and Dad escape for a day to complete an aerial ropes activity (seriously) and to visit the Red Hook Brewery in Woodinville, WA. Squadron event - I am far too lame to plan something like that for a date.

Football has returned.

The grass is back.

The Fall boogers are running.

"Landon, isn't it nice that it's sunny again today? Landon? Can you see me?"

The return of the fat spiders and their crazy glue sticky webs. I battle them daily in our backyard.

Always a favorite for Landon: visiting the construction vehicles at the old mill site.

Anders' daily collection of cups.

My Mom Dressed Me

If you ever see flying pigs, it means that Anders made it out of the house in something other than pajama pants.

My Mom Dressed Me

...or lack thereof.

Bonus points for big brother licking a tree in the background.