Boys will be boys...

Love.

get your knee pads

   There are very few times when I am at home with all three boys that I actually get some time to myself. Most of those times involve a locked door, a bathtub full of steaming hot water, a magazine and something hot to drink. Last night, however, I found myself treasuring the hour I spent on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. Laugh if you want, but don't knock it until you have tried it. Few things in life are as good for the soul as taking out everything on the gross tile covered kitchen. It's like free therapy and you get a squeaky clean floor as a bonus.

   For the 60 minutes that I was scrubbing away that days lunch of bananas and dinner of veggie stew, I could think about anything I wanted. I had zero guilt because I was actually doing something quite important and I felt so stinkin' good by the time I was done that I was actually tempted to tackle the living room as well. (I didn't)

  My small piece of advice for the day: give yourself a good hour and scrub a floor on your hands and knees. You will thank me later when all of your stress and negative thoughts have worked their way right out with all of the grime.

*Mrs. Meyers all purpose cleaner is amazing and definitely worth the extra dough if you're going to be up close and personal with your bucket of cleaner for that long. My favorite is the lemon verbena

who me?

My house is a mess (again), the kid's haven't eaten lunch yet, the dog hasn't been walked, the bed is unmade, the dishes aren't done.... and I can't figure out where in the world the morning has gone. It's 2:45 and I am pretty sure that my only accomplishment for the day has been getting dressed so that I could go get Harry from preschool. Life: 1 Truly: 0

best deals in town

It is no secret that I am pretty much always looking for an amazing deal (especially when it comes to stuff for thing one and thing two). Some of my favorite steals deals have turned out being stuff that I was definitely not even looking for.

There is a fabric store about a mile down the road that I like to visit once in a while, and on occasion will wander through their adjoining decorator's weight fabric. About 2 months ago they had a table up of some pretty things that were marked down to $3 a yard.... You can imagine my amazement when I found some beautiful things waiting for me. I snatched them up. For around 15 dollars I made my way home with some lovelies.

Fast forward to this morning when I saw this post and recognized the window seat fabric. Yup. Then I got curios and did a little googling (it's a word!) This is what I found. Basically I scored the fabric deal of a lifetime. I love little happy surprises....

In case you were wondering, I plan on saving the fabric for the next house and using it in the boys' room.

Living room

I just need to get this done so that I can feel as though I have at least completed something.

Welcome to the living room. It's open, bright and the heart of our home. (the kitchen is too small and closed off to be the heart of anything). This is where we spend the majority of our time. The kids are pretty well contained, and I can complete whatever I am working on and at least hear them if not see them.

balance

When it comes to things like working out and eating healthy the hubster and I don't exactly see eye to eye. He actually likes going to the gym. I kinda see it as an optional activity. I like fruits and veggies and love vegetarian dishes. He thinks all meals require meat and bread to be considered complete.

However, after the arrival of baby number two and our big move, I noticed a huge plunge in my energy levels. Starbucks and I were already close friends, but it was becoming an unhealthy relationship.... almost abusive. I wasn't eating well (or really at all sometimes). Things were not looking good.

So we are slowly and surely making some changes. We got a membership at the YMCA. I still don't like the idea of hanging out at the gym, but it isn't all that terrible I suppose. They provide childcare for the little guys. I can go in the morning when we first get up and going or in the afternoon if we really need a break from each other. If nothing else, it is preventing me from completely losing my sanity.

I am also focusing on eating more and better throughout the day. If I forget to eat for some reason, I make myself stop and find something like a piece of fruit of a bagel. Smoothies with an added nutrition packet have become my best friend. They can pretty much take the place of a meal, but I can take them with me if I am running a bit behind.

These might sound like no brainers, but when you have two kids and you are doing it all alone most days, "no brainers" are even too much.

It's a start at least. We'll see how much I can add to this tiny beginning.

All images via Weheartit.com

big week

This past week was a big one at our house.

Harry turned 3. Wow. I have a 3 year old. When did that happen? We had friends come visit for the weekend then had a pirate party with a couple of friends and had a pretty laid back time.

He is such a big boy now.

West is 10 months now, too. He is a giant baby. There is no other way to say it.They are really great together. It is so amazing watching them play. West LOVES Harry and watches everything he does. Harry watches out for his big brother and tries to comfort him whenever he cries. It makes my heart melt. Here are some pictures of my big fellas

and their special days.