So every day this week, and some of last, we have been picking the kids up at school and driving them home rather than having them ride the bus. It's been over 100 degrees in the afternoons and the bus has no air conditioning so my children were being delivered as sweaty little balls of mush. This morning, the weather man said the high would be around 94 degrees and I ACTUALLY said to my children... "It's going to be nice this afternoon so you can ride the bus home." I guess my definition of "nice" has changed over this crazy hot summer.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
My Birthday Weekend
In the Two Little Monkeys home, the birthday boy or girl gets to choose a birthday activity for the weekend of their birthday. This year my choice was a little different from years past. I wanted Eric and the kids to help me install our new counter tops that we had purchased and were sitting in my bedroom for months and months.
Saturday morning (ie work day number one) the kids couldn't contain themselves. They had gone shopping with their dad for my present and wanted to give it to me RIGHT THEN!!!! Here is the beautiful wrapping job with unique gift bow that they both helped with. Inside the lovely box was a juicer... a cool little machine that I've been wanting. We postponed demolition in favor of making lots of yummy, fresh juice drinks. Along with the juicer they bought oodles and oodles of produce so we did cherry/ plum juice and strawberry/apple juice but when I started trying the veggies the kids hit the road. Apparently cucumber juice is not their fav. : )
After a cleanup party to clear all the counter tops we started ripping off the old laminate. A friend suggested heating up the tops with an iron first to loosen up the glue and boy was I happy for that little tip. (THANKS LISA!!! YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!) Most of the counter tops came up so easy that a 5 year old could do it... AND DID!
But those two little monkeys are better sprinters than marathon runners... the wide opened cabinets and missing sink hole called their names and they couldn't resist.
Eventually we bored them to near death and they went off to entertain themselves. They made a HUGE mess in other parts of the house but they were playing nicely together so Momma and Daddy were as happy as clams while we finished up.
First Eric glued on the sides and trimmed the edges. The tops we didn't get to until the monkeys were in bed, but that part was the least time consuming.
I've had a very relaxing birthday doing only the things I wanted to do... sadly the only things I wanted to do were laundry and organizing. Eric did take me out to lunch, but my hall closet was begging for a makeover so I had to oblige. But it was super nice not having my two wonderful monkeys go behind me and make messes as I cleaned! A perfect birthday indeed.
Saturday morning (ie work day number one) the kids couldn't contain themselves. They had gone shopping with their dad for my present and wanted to give it to me RIGHT THEN!!!! Here is the beautiful wrapping job with unique gift bow that they both helped with. Inside the lovely box was a juicer... a cool little machine that I've been wanting. We postponed demolition in favor of making lots of yummy, fresh juice drinks. Along with the juicer they bought oodles and oodles of produce so we did cherry/ plum juice and strawberry/apple juice but when I started trying the veggies the kids hit the road. Apparently cucumber juice is not their fav. : )
After a cleanup party to clear all the counter tops we started ripping off the old laminate. A friend suggested heating up the tops with an iron first to loosen up the glue and boy was I happy for that little tip. (THANKS LISA!!! YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!) Most of the counter tops came up so easy that a 5 year old could do it... AND DID!
But those two little monkeys are better sprinters than marathon runners... the wide opened cabinets and missing sink hole called their names and they couldn't resist.
Eventually we bored them to near death and they went off to entertain themselves. They made a HUGE mess in other parts of the house but they were playing nicely together so Momma and Daddy were as happy as clams while we finished up.
First Eric glued on the sides and trimmed the edges. The tops we didn't get to until the monkeys were in bed, but that part was the least time consuming.
Here is the finished product. A black and gray speckled counter top with some cream and brown accents... hard to see in the photo but this is the best I could do.
It took all Sunday to put the kitchen back together and the kids helped their dad make a zucchini cake for my birthday... it wasn't finished until last last night so...
... the kids woke up bright and early this morning to ice my cake and sing to me before school.
... the kids woke up bright and early this morning to ice my cake and sing to me before school.
I've had a very relaxing birthday doing only the things I wanted to do... sadly the only things I wanted to do were laundry and organizing. Eric did take me out to lunch, but my hall closet was begging for a makeover so I had to oblige. But it was super nice not having my two wonderful monkeys go behind me and make messes as I cleaned! A perfect birthday indeed.Friday, August 19, 2011
Amanda's First Day!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Amanda's Last Day of Summer
On Amanda's last day of summer vacation we took it pretty easy. We started our day by heading to the park before it got too hot to ride bikes. She's doing much better without training wheels but still needs some practice. She's not very confident on the gravel roads by our house so I'm trying to make more effort to drive her to good biking places.
Then we checked out some books at the library and headed back home for a quiet afternoon. Amanda and Jules enjoyed a "walk" around the house.
Any time the cat sees an empty laundry basket he jumps in and expects a ride. The kids are always willing to accommodate him. :)
The dogs were a little jealous, but they are just too big to fit in there. (We know 'cause we tried it!)
The dogs were a little jealous, but they are just too big to fit in there. (We know 'cause we tried it!)
She is SO ready for school to start. And her momma is TOO!
Logan's First Day of School
Logan started school on Wednesday and he was all gun-ho and ready to go. He woke up 30 minutes before his alarm because he was too excited to sleep! I was a bad mom and forgot to grab my camera before heading to the bus stop, but it was a rather non-event for this 2nd grader. Same-old same-old as they say. He likes his new teacher okay, but she is falling short in his comparisons to his 1st grade and kindergarten teachers. Maybe she's just slow to warm up... So far, no homework but I know that will change very soon. : )
Monday, August 15, 2011
Our Busy Monday
Today we all woke bright and early, did our chores, and headed out the door. We had a very full day starting with a CBC for Logan. Then we meet up with some friends at Chuck E Cheese where my children stretched their 50 tokens each to last almost 4 hours!!!! A new household record. Then we jetted off to Dr. Rosen for Logan's checkup and he's STILL CANCER FREE!!!! YIPPPEEEE! After a early dinner we headed back out, this time to the kid's school for meet-the-teacher night. After a swim party back home we are tucked up in front of the tube after a very busy day. The End.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
A Little Hockey Practice
What a beautiful Sunday morning it is... and what better way to spend it than playing a game of ice hockey!
Logan froze some water in a half gallon milk container yesterday and this morning they played a game of ice hockey... Kansas Style! : )
Logan froze some water in a half gallon milk container yesterday and this morning they played a game of ice hockey... Kansas Style! : )
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Off To A Good Start
Our trial run this morning went well. The kids both woke up before their alarms and pretended to sleep until the alarm went off. It's kind of cute how they enjoy the novelty of waking to an alarm. I wonder how long it will take for the excitement to wear off. 
I discovered today that Amanda will need at least 45 minutes in the morning to get ready. She did great checking off the items on her morning checklist, but she just takes FOREVER to do anything. I swear she ate breakfast for 30 minutes. I mean, really! Who takes 30 minutes to eat a half bagel and a tiny bowl of cereal? Her brother was ready to head out the door in 10 minutes! But I suppose it's unfair to compare the two. I mean, beauty of her caliber take time and effort, right?
Logan, on the other hand, was motivated by the promise of some toon-time when all his checklist items were completed. He was dressed, fed, and washed up in record time. : )
They got to spend the day at a local gymnastic day camp they they've enjoyed other times this summer. They asked me to not pick them up early so they could fully enjoy their day. I had to cool my heals for 4 hours (after I was done with work) to accommodate their request. Poor, poor me, huh? : ) I show up right on time at 5:00 p.m. and they still hadn't had enough. I guess 9 hours of jumping, running, swimming, and sliding were not enough...
... then again...
After an early dinner (they were STARVING) they crashed out in front of the TV. I suspect Amanda will be out for the night.
Logan is looking very droopy eyed right now, but he's not one to fall asleep to TV but I'll be sure to put him to bed early tonight. I guess it's a good thing this was a one day deal. Otherwise my kids would be exhausted all summer long.
I discovered today that Amanda will need at least 45 minutes in the morning to get ready. She did great checking off the items on her morning checklist, but she just takes FOREVER to do anything. I swear she ate breakfast for 30 minutes. I mean, really! Who takes 30 minutes to eat a half bagel and a tiny bowl of cereal? Her brother was ready to head out the door in 10 minutes! But I suppose it's unfair to compare the two. I mean, beauty of her caliber take time and effort, right?
Logan, on the other hand, was motivated by the promise of some toon-time when all his checklist items were completed. He was dressed, fed, and washed up in record time. : )
They got to spend the day at a local gymnastic day camp they they've enjoyed other times this summer. They asked me to not pick them up early so they could fully enjoy their day. I had to cool my heals for 4 hours (after I was done with work) to accommodate their request. Poor, poor me, huh? : ) I show up right on time at 5:00 p.m. and they still hadn't had enough. I guess 9 hours of jumping, running, swimming, and sliding were not enough...
... then again...
After an early dinner (they were STARVING) they crashed out in front of the TV. I suspect Amanda will be out for the night.
Logan is looking very droopy eyed right now, but he's not one to fall asleep to TV but I'll be sure to put him to bed early tonight. I guess it's a good thing this was a one day deal. Otherwise my kids would be exhausted all summer long.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Trial Run
Tomorrow will be our first trial run with our new organizational systems. I'm working tomorrow and Eric is out of town so the kids will be heading off to day camp. This evening they prepared by ordering their lunches, setting out their clothes, and packing their backpack. Hopefully, with the addition of our new Morning Checklist, it will all go off without a hitch.
I also purchased the kids their very own alarm clock and they are super excited to try it out. They've been asking to use them for 4 days now and I keep telling them there is no reason to wake up at 6:30! Silly, silly kids. : )
I'll post tomorrow how things went, but I'm very hopefully for a relaxing morning routine.
I also purchased the kids their very own alarm clock and they are super excited to try it out. They've been asking to use them for 4 days now and I keep telling them there is no reason to wake up at 6:30! Silly, silly kids. : )
I'll post tomorrow how things went, but I'm very hopefully for a relaxing morning routine.
Monday, August 8, 2011
What's For Lunch
I found this awesome What's for Lunch template at MarthaStewart.com and adapted it to fit our needs. This way the kids can get what they want for lunch and I don't have to interview them at the last minute to see what interests them as we're trying to get out the door. My hope is to have this filled in the weekend before so I can do my food shopping and baking. Then each evening I plan to put their lunches together and stick it in the fridge so it's ready to go the next morning. Just one more way to help us get out the door in a timely (and hopefully stress-free) manner.
Logan thinks it super cool and wants to know why I didn't do this last year. HA! Guess he hasn't met his sister yet! In his defense, he wasn't there all those mornings when I was trying to get her ready for preschool since he was already on his way to school. If he HAD been, he wouldn't feel the need to ask me why I'm getting so organized right now. : )
Logan's nickname is Monkey Man, so he gets a monkey on his chart.
And we call her Amanda Panda so guess what she gets! : )
I'm having so much fun with this back to school season and the countdown in ON! Only 9 more days!!!!!
If you have any other tips or ideas for morning organization I would love to hear them. : )
Logan thinks it super cool and wants to know why I didn't do this last year. HA! Guess he hasn't met his sister yet! In his defense, he wasn't there all those mornings when I was trying to get her ready for preschool since he was already on his way to school. If he HAD been, he wouldn't feel the need to ask me why I'm getting so organized right now. : )
Logan's nickname is Monkey Man, so he gets a monkey on his chart.
And we call her Amanda Panda so guess what she gets! : )
I'm having so much fun with this back to school season and the countdown in ON! Only 9 more days!!!!!
If you have any other tips or ideas for morning organization I would love to hear them. : )
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Tu Tu Girly
Amanda's good friend V invited us to her Tu Tu Girly birthday party and we made an exception to our no birthday party rule since it was apparent her friend would be very sad if Amanda couldn't make it. Not being one to make a special 5 year old sad, we accepted the invitation and let me tell you , IT. WAS. GIRLY!
They each got a girly tu tu, crown, and boa upon arrival.
And were given the royal beauty treatment with hair, nails, make up all done to perfection.
She looked gorgeous!
Thank you, V, for the wonderful Girly day!
Logan and Dad didn't feel like getting makeovers and wearing tu tu's (party poopers) so they decided to go blast off rockets instead... To each their own, I guess. : )
They each got a girly tu tu, crown, and boa upon arrival.
And were given the royal beauty treatment with hair, nails, make up all done to perfection.
She looked gorgeous!
Thank you, V, for the wonderful Girly day!
Logan and Dad didn't feel like getting makeovers and wearing tu tu's (party poopers) so they decided to go blast off rockets instead... To each their own, I guess. : )Oh, and check out the video below of Amanda and the Royal Princess Pinata.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Clothes Organizer
One of the ideas I've had to help us all get out the door in the morning (come back to school time) is to lay the kids clothes out the night before. Now I relize this isn't a new concept, and we've tried it before but we didn't have staying power and we still had issues with finding shoes and such. My newest idea is this awsome peg board organizer with baskets for socks and such and hooks for hats, gloves (for when it hopefully cools off), and accessories.
Logan enjoyed breaking out his tool set to help me instal the spacer blocks. 
And even before it was attached to the wall the kids were laying out their clothes. I think this will work beautifuly for us this coming year.
We had to do a little re-arranging of the kids rooms to accomidate the new peg board. Both kids had shelving units in their closets that needed to come out. But you all know how I love moving furniture and apparently my kids love it too. They've found new insperation in their rooms and each other since the change.
I think the only thing I need to add to Amanda's closet is a mirror so she can put in her hair diddy right there... I guess she doesn't have a problem looking through all that hair so if it were up to her she would just let it flop all day long!
Notice how many shoes that girl has! And that's not even all of them! I think I'm creating a shoe monster here. I hope I can afford the teenage years.
Logan enjoyed breaking out his tool set to help me instal the spacer blocks. And even before it was attached to the wall the kids were laying out their clothes. I think this will work beautifuly for us this coming year.We had to do a little re-arranging of the kids rooms to accomidate the new peg board. Both kids had shelving units in their closets that needed to come out. But you all know how I love moving furniture and apparently my kids love it too. They've found new insperation in their rooms and each other since the change.
I think the only thing I need to add to Amanda's closet is a mirror so she can put in her hair diddy right there... I guess she doesn't have a problem looking through all that hair so if it were up to her she would just let it flop all day long!
Notice how many shoes that girl has! And that's not even all of them! I think I'm creating a shoe monster here. I hope I can afford the teenage years.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Camping Weekend
This past weekend we joined Eric's dad and his wife at Melvern Lake for some camping and boating fun. Unfortunately I forgot my camera at home in all the excitement of packing so you'll just have to make do with a verbal account. : (
Friday night was nice and cool, for a change, with some much needed sprinkles falling every now and then. With the rain, we enjoyed some cooler temperatures... (but just 2 hours away in Wichita our parched yard got nada!)
We all woke bright and early Saturday morning to jump into the boat before the heat came back. We did a little fishing, let the kids take turns driving the boat, and a lot of swimming. Then Grandpa brought out the "BIG GUNS"! He had a HUGE inner tube that he tied to the back of the boat and pulled the kids around the lake. They had SO much fun... giving the sign for FASTER, FASTER! Then Eric had to give it a try and I'm just happy that he was wearing a life jacket. While Grandpa was pulling the grand kids he took it nice and slow. Turning corners wide and slowing down over the waves. When his own son jumped in the tube it was petal to the metal and tight, TIGHT, turns. Eric lost it twice and I got a bunch of new gray hairs. In all fairness, Eric was having a ball the whole time. That man is a crazy dare devil on the water! Then all decided it was MY turn in the tube. I didn't think it was a great idea... but not wanting to be a party pooper I gave it a go. I KNOW Grandpa went SUPER slow with me, but it was more than I could handle. Maybe if I was 3 feet shorter, 100 pounds lighter and could actually fit INSIDE the tube it would have been better. But hanging over the sides, hanging of for dear life while trying to keep the tube from flipping up in the air... not so much fun in my opinion.
We cooled off in the camper for lunch, let the kids rest while we played cards, swam some more, then the boys and kids headed back to the lake for some night fishing. Us girls were pooped from too much sun and I was fighting a nasty summer cold so we relaxed back at the campsite. Logan and Amanda had a WONDERFUL weekend getaway and can hardly wait until next time.
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