Back to school

We're gearing up for a new year of preschool around here. Our mother's day out program starts again on Monday. I'll be teaching three year olds this year with my friend Leslie and Jake and Emma will both be going to their own classes. Leslie and I met most of our kids last night at Open House and they are all so cute I want to eat them up.

This morning I started talking to Jake about going back to school and he seemed very excited although he kept talking about his teachers from last year. Apparently Ms. Joanne and Ms. Keri gave him lots of yummy crackers last year and he is hoping for the same treatment this year. Unfortunately, I did not mention to his new teacher last night that he would need to be fed a constant supply of crackers because I just did not know this fact about my child. I did, however, let them in on the fact that he is funny, high energy and just a little bit sensitive. I also mentioned that they might want to let him hang on to Mr. Crab for naptime and on occasions when he's feeling sad. Most everyone at church already know about Crabby and that he is Jake's companion so I thought it would be self evident that you don't separate the two. However, last Sunday as I was getting Jake out of his carseat to go into Sunday School he looked at me and said "teacher better not take my Crabby away." Well, then. I kindly asked them to let him hold onto Crab as long as he needed it and I'm sure they complied even though he was tucked neatly away in Jake's backpack when I went to pick him up. I'm telling you--never come between a boy and his crab. I'm pretty sure that's even in the Bible somewhere.

Anyway, we're all looking forward to a new year. I'll try to get pictures of their first day of school Monday morning but I make no promises since this will be the first time EVER that I will have to get all of us up and ready and out the door by 7:30am. Everyone say a quick prayer please.

Wordless Wednesday

Still sexy at sixty

Yesterday, I asked Mike if he knew what day it was and he said "Sunday?" And I said what else? And he said "August 23rd?" And I said what else? And he had no clue. Well, yesterday, my friends was Rick Springfield's 60th birthday. I have to note it because he was my first love and a girl just never forgets her first love. He's still got it after all these years. But I love you best Mike. No worries.



If everyone could have arms like this at sixty I truly think the world would be a better place. Amen.

why i've been taking a summer hiatus (in case you care)

Things here at Little Mama have slowed way down this summer. I love to blog but there doesn't seem to be much time for it anymore. The kids have the same afternoon nap schedule so I always think I can get on the computer at naptime. But usually what ends up happening is an hour long battle with Jake about why he can't go to sleep. My theory is that it's because he won't close his eyes. Personally, I usually find that closing your eyes is the first step in going to sleep. And then on the days when he does go visit the sandman easily it seems little Emma decides to rebel and wake up early. It's almost as if they have joined forces. I didn't think that would happen until they were older. Between you and me I'm a little bit scared of them sometimes.

So before you know it eight o'clock rolls around and they are both tucked safely in bed and I think now maybe I can go think of something to write about or at least post a picture or two. Then I remember all the packed boxes still waiting for us in the garage or all of the projects we still need to finish and then before you know it eleven o'clock rolls around and we go to bed.

I'm actually hoping that starting back up at work again in a couple weeks will help get me back on some sort of schedule that allows for some free time. Not sure how that's going to work. It's probably just wishful thinking on my part. I do hope to get back to the blog on a regular basis before the kids graduate from high school.

We did get a much needed visit from my parents over the weekend. My dad and Jake wore out a path in our bedroom carpet playing cars all day long for four straight days. Mama wore out her arms trying to hold our squirmy little girl for me so I could do things like eat and take a shower. We were sorry to see them go. Jake actually cried a little bit this morning when he realized they were no longer here. I believe his exact words were "I can't SEE them anymore!"

My sweet hubby also celebrated his 28th birthday this week. For some reason the only picture I got that day was of Jake sitting in front of the birthday cake. See what happens when you have kids? You even get overshadowed on your own birthday.

Anyhow, here are a few of the latest pictures of the munchkins. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Can they please stay like this forever?

The other day I had both kids in the playroom. I was just watching them. Emma rarely takes her eyes off of Jake if he is anywhere near her. She smiles and laughs at him. So cute! He is just as fond of her. I watched him bend over her, pat her little hand and say clear as a bell "Best Friends!" I wanted to cry. Instead I left the room for two minutes to go to the bathroom. When I came back I heard Emma making the strangest noise and walked into the room just in time to see Jake sitting on her back riding her "like a horsie, mama!" Funny what friends will let you do to them.

Clearly, he's the next Michael Phelps

Since we moved to a neighborhood with a swimming pool a few weeks ago, we've taken the kids swimming approximately 100 times. We go at night after dinner because going before then would be suicide. After dinner, the temperature has gone down to a nice balmy 95 degrees as compared to the hotter than the sun degrees it is before dinner.

Jake absolutely loves swimming this year. The past two summers he wasn't so sure about it, but now that he knows he can jump off the side and someone will catch him he's all "hey let's go SWIMMING!" If you can incorporate jumping into any activity then our son will give it a go.

Emma tolerates it. She doesn't cry but she doesn't laugh either. She simply is. Very zen of her. Unfortunately, the only swimsuit I could find for her is in the 6 to 9 month range and she's a very small 5 month old. She looks way cute in it, but she just can't fill out the top yet. If she's anything like her mama, this will be an ongoing problem for her. Luckily, she has what we like to call in our family the "Standefer Stuff" which means she's got all sorts of booty going on. So she will never have trouble filling out the bottom part of her swimsuits. And actually I just made that whole Standefer Stuff name up but all the girls in our family have it and it needs a name.

ANYway, Jake has several swimsuits but along with swimsuits for babies and toddlers comes the need for those disposable swim diapers. They're kind of expensive and since we're doing a lot of swimming this year it can really add up. Hence, the need for a swim suit with the swim diaper built in. I got one for Jake and it is adorable. The problem is that his daddy won't let him wear it because it's a speedo and we "don't live in Europe". Now, I agree that anyone over the age of five really shouldn't wear a speedo unless they're in training to be some sort of Olympic champion. And actually, swimgear has come a long way and there are way more attractive options out there fellows. All I'm saying is I think a speedo for a toddler is perfectly acceptable especially since it would save us money on swim diapers. But for the love of all that is good in this world stop wearing them after age five. After all, there are other people at the pool or the beach or wherever and they have eyes. That can see things. Think of the others.

Let's take a poll. Should Jake be able to wear his speedo? Or does everyone else out there think his Spongebob Squarepants suit that is clearly a foot too long for him is a better option?




And yes, I'm aware of how skinny he is. We feed him. Really we do.

Wordless Wednesday

Just Because

I was tagged, so I'm playing along. I hope I'm interesting enough:

8 Things I Look Forward to
1. Sleeping in
2. Being able to go on camping trips with our family
3. Having a completely diaper free household
4. Teaching my kids to read
5. Seeing Jesus
6. Lower temperatures
7. Going back to Cali
8. Seeing who Jake and Emma become

8 Things I did Yesterday
1. Laundry
2. Went to the movies (The Proposal)
3. Changed a multitude of dirty diapers
4. Tried to get Emma to stop crying
5. Took the kids and the dog to the park
6. Walked out of a movie theatre with a melted milkdud all over the front of my pants
7. The Shred-level 2
8. Played cars and hide and go seek with Jake

8 Things I Wish I could do
1. Let go
2. Combine my love for the ocean with a job in Texas
3. Go on safari
4. Swim with the dolphins
5. Stop the aging process on my face and thighs
6. Be outgoing
7. Sing
8. Go on a vacation with just my hubby

8 Shows that I Watch
1. Sesame Street
2. Sid the Science Kid
3. Survivor
4. Lost
5. The Office
6. Tori and Dean (I KNOW!)
7. 24
8. *Jon & Kate- though I may not be watching anymore. Such a sad turn of events