Terrible, horrible mommy is what I am...not cut out for this having 2 kids, working full time, and trying to keep up with the blogging thing, that is FOR SURE! It's times like now, when I have to check myself, and remember that I LOVE my kids, I love my job, and I really do love to blog, I just also need to remember life has priorities. ;)

That said, we are still here! Less than a week away from our big palate surgery (and lip and nose revision) on Monday, Oct. 4. I'm a nervous wreck. The surgery itself is a big deal, but I am so much more worried about the recovery, and how little man will handle it all. He is such a stubborn, rotten little monkey...it will either be a piece of cake or absolute hell! Hoping for choice #1...keep us in your prayers, PLEASE! Speedy recovery for him, sanity and patience for me, right?! Grandma is coming to help, and Mamma will be here as well, so between 3-4 sets of hands we are hoping that the 1st week just goes by quickly. There may not be much sleep, but we will see...I have a couple of ideas about how that might work.

Anyway, a couple of updates from the past month.
--Calder is up to 5 teeth now! Loves to bite and pinch when he doesn't get his way...Naughty.
--Caydree turned 4 on the 23rd
--Calder turned 1 on the 27th...we celebrated their b-days with a pirate and mermaid themed party...ARRR!
--Calder went to his 1 year well-check and is 19.2 lbs...he is in the 6th %ile for weight, WOO HOO!!
--Caydree's preschool (at my site) is closing due to lack of enrollment, so she will be going back to Ms. Linda's...where I know she is loved and will be happy! It was a good experience for her, and I will miss the more "formal" school aspect of it, but she'll head to kinder next year (holy smokes) and will be just as ready, no big deal.

I want to post a couple of pictures from birthday...and Calder's 1st year video...so I'll leave it at that, for now. Look for surgery updates early next week!





Little man's 1st year video...sorry, it's a little long, I got carried away!

school, school, school...

This is where I work, eat, and practically sleep these days. Things are good, but I'm not keeping up with anything else. Thank you Shane for doing the laundry last weekend, I apologize for the filthy house and sink-full of dishes!! :( Back to school is hard for mommy, but GREAT too!! Caydree is also with me at school, and liking it so far. She is in the kinder-readiness program, with only 3 other kids so far, so we will see how it starts to pan out! Her teachers are Ms. Sylvia and Ms. Sarah. She plays hard, doesn't nap as well, gets to go to the library and computer lab, and eats lunch from the cafeteria. BIG changes for my little girl.

Mr. Man is way too much to handle...been walking like a maniac for more than a month now...into everything, and is the boyest of boys I know!! ;) I'll put some new videos on here to share just how fun he is these days! Not talking yet, but makes lots of noise. Just waiting for the words to come flooding out, but for now the facial expressions, screaming, and head shaking will have to do!

4th of July...vacation in Washington

So, apparently, I'm not very good about staying on top of this. :( I'm posting some 4th of July pics from our trip to Washington to visit Uncle Aaron, Aunt Stephanie and cousin Caleb. We had a great time, despite the lack of schedule and being out of our "element"!

I love my family!

Here we are with Uncle Aaron, Aunt Stephanie, and cousin Caleb!

Mommy and Caydree at Lake Cushman...self-taken. ;)

Calder in the water, trying to eat the rocks...yum!

Caydree on the boat with her noodle!

Sister at the playground...

Little man and mommy after a wet afternoon in the fountain!

Trying on mommy's sunglasses on the ferry ride to Seattle!

With daddy on the deck riding to Seattle...

Mommy and Caydree at the Seattle Center, riding the carousel.

The group...at Pike's Place Market...watch for flying fish!

Great view of the fireworks from Port Orchard at Aunt Stephanie's parents...thanks!!

Getting ready for the fireworks, but tuckered himself out and missed them all!

It wouldn't be the 4th of July without some sparkler action!

Some new pictures...

This was our first "get in the sand" beach trip...and maybe mommy's last. What a pain!

Don't really know how much sand we left at the beach, lots in the mouth and lots in the diaper, but he had a great time.

We went to San Diego to watch the Rock and Roll Marathon, waiting to see Nikki, Jessica and Stacy...it was windy and kept lifting the comb-over up!

Caydree on her first pony ride at the Temecula Balloon and Wine Festival. She will also tell you she got to pet a llama (her favorite) and that we bought some of her favorite dip for bread (balsamic vinegar flavored with fig)...she is our interesting girl.

Here is little man watching the band Vertical Horizon at his first real concert! The Gin Blossoms also played that night, and he loved it. (Balloon and Wine Festival)

Mommy finally couldn't stand the comb-over anymore and cut it off. It was about an inch and a half that I actually trimmed...yes, I admit to using "product" on him now!

POOL TIME!

1st time at the pool for the summer! Caydree, Nicelle and Calder going for a swim!

Even got a smile from the girl...love her!

This was the only picture he actually looked at me for...all the others he is just having a blast in his swim float. ;) He loved the water!!

The video clip is from Father's Day, but sorry daddy, has nothing to do with you. This happens daily in our house, Calder can't get enough of Caydree, and she is becoming quite the entertainer! All I can say is that I LOVE my kids...

summer...thought I would have more time?! HA...

So, school ended, summer began, and the extra time I thought I'd have is nowhere to be found. I just want to give BIG props to all the amazing stay home moms I know...the fact that you love what you do, and manage to do it without killing anyone is seriously something I envy! This is why I am a working mom...LOVE my kids, love being home, but all day, everyday is just too much for me.

So, in the few minutes I have while naps overlap:

• Calder is standing unassisted for long stretches of time, and in the last few days has gotten his 2nd bottom tooth
• Caydree finished up at her in home day care, and will be coming to the kindergarten readiness program at my school next year
• had our "cleft team" meeting for Calder and they told us not to anticipate his palate surgery until Sept.
• I am changing grade levels, and will be working with one of my best friends and one of the most amazing teachers I know, Nicole, in 5th grade next year!
• we cleaned up our garage enough to buy an elliptical and start working out...although Shane has been much better about it than I
• went to the Temecula balloon and wine festival, Calder saw his 1st live concert and Caydree got her 1st pony ride
• we wallpapered the kid's bathroom with a surfboard border...finally
• Calder experienced the beach for the 1st time by eating it...sand must taste yummy?I

I will upload some pictures later, for some reason blogger is not letting me right now!

videos...

Cute clips of little man...I need to start being a bit pickier about what I video, but he sure is funny!

Pictures and things...

May Fun

Mr. Man eating, mixed veggies with a side of toes.

Mommy and Calder playing at the park for Kylie's birthday.

Caydree rescuing some animals at Kylie's party!

Calder standing all by himself. He's become quite the brave little boy!

Sister playing in the yard...love the smile...

Brother's first tooth!