Super Hero Noah

Saving the world one target bullseye at a time! Noah was absolutely amazed that he couldn't move this ball because after all "he had his uniform on!"

Banana ice cream

It can't get any better than this...banana ice cream. Our family favorite dessert, no matter the weather. This time Maleah ate two bowls before anyone else!

Farmer Noah

He still loves tractors...

Pumpkin patch 2012

These pictures are combined from two different visits this past week. The kids enjoyed the fresh air at the farm as well as running around hay mazes and animals! I always enjoy watching the smiles on their faces. Noah was so excited that he accomplished the hay maze on his own and "saved" us from being lost. Maleah loved the animals, especially the pigs! She liked pulling their tails...not sure that they did! And mom and dad enjoyed some activities too!

My vacuum of ten years died so I got a new one. Nope, nix that...Noah got a new one! He won't let me touch the thing. He now vacuums daily and does a super job. One less chore mom has to do. Hmmm...wonder when he will decide he doesn't want to and I have to beg him!

Big Noah

My big boy. He dresses himself, brushes his own teeth, has the best imagination, and makes me laugh harder than ever. I'm a lucky mama!

Dress up

I think the kids are ready for Halloween. They have been enjoying their costumes already.

I really do love you

Despite all the pushes, there is always room for some kisses.  

First day of school

This cutie pie is ready for his first day of school!  He has been to orientation to meet his new teacher and is excited to reunite with old classmates.  So, with new backpack in hand he is ready to go.
I am happy to report that he had a wonderful day and his favorite part was getting to paint!

Fruit of our labor

The kids are really enjoying their garden. Right now we have tons of red peppers, cantaloupe and tomatoes. As well as onions, carrots and cucumbers. Some of our cantaloupes are getting huge!

Just like Adam and Eve

Terrible threes, not twos.  Let me set the record straight.  It is not so much the tantrums that the twos invite as much as the independent nature which brings all the back talk and attitude.  However, with all the attitude comes some very funny conversations for later in life.  Here is a great example:
While attempting to get my very independent three year old ready I (sigh) repeated myself again with "Please get dressed".  As I realized that he was going to ignore me, I sternly stated "Noah, if I have to ask you again, you will be punished".  He quickly turned, looked at me with a very serious expression, and replied with "Like God punished Adam and Eve?" Biting my tongue I further probed with  "What do you mean?" Noah quickly stated "You know mom.  They ate the fruit off the tree that God told them not to and then they got punished.  And that is what you are going to do to me."

Though this conversation is comical.  I am greatly encouraged that both this season of challenge will be over soon and that my child is retaining all that I am teaching him.  Despite the attitude I often receive, I  am in continue encouragement and prayer that my precious little boy is growing  to know his Lord and Savior.

Museum fun

I took the kids to early works again, it has become our favorite place to hang out. The best part for me is that my kids are completely engaged in learning and then come really engaged in napping when we get home! Today Maleah was able to keep up with noah and she even started walking some!

Sunday morning

On our way to church and all dolled up! (and a little silly)

Let's play together

As much of an adjustment as it has been to have two kids, it is amazing to see them interact. Not only do they fight (what?! My kids fight?) they play together. The picture below is what I found on a very quiet occasion...two lovely kids playing trains! (and no fighting!)
The other Pictures are from our latest park outing. :)

Block Party

I love those rare moments where there is peace and the kids aren't fighting and screaming. Here I found both kids kindly playing blocks together. Maleah finally mastered stacking two blocks and Noah was able to build his tower without the "monster" (aka Maleah) knocking it over.

Getting my exercise on

Noah showed up in my room at 6:30am this morning with his running shoes on ready to roll. (I guess I'm rubbing off on him!) He switched the treadmill on by himself and started running at a pretty good speed. I love that we are starting early with this habit!

Random fun

Since Dave is gone, I have been trying to keep the kids busy in this hot weather. Here are a few random shots of my cuties.

That's junk food!

Today marks day 8 of a surprisingly seamless journey our family has ventured to take.  No gluten, dairy, corn or corn produce, or food dyes.  Yikes, looking at that list it makes me wonder what we can possibly be eating! So how did we begin this journey you ask? Well, one day while driving around town with my ever so perfect side kicks I passed back some snacks to the back seat.  Within minutes, my ever so calm child was scaling the walls with a very wild look on his face.  It started to sink in that something I was giving him was not agreeing with his body thus driving him to be angry and hyperactive.  I started to do some research (and without going into too much detail) found that food allergies are a very common cause of these behaviors.  So much in fact that once you eliminate the culprit, your child's personality can dramatically change.  Determined to find the harmony in my child's world we have vowed to do the elimination diet for two months.
Sounds easy right?  Yes and no.  First of all, one slip up means starting from day one all over again.  Ouch.  This has lead me to some lengthy conversations with teachers and other caregivers.  And, well, finding foods to eat outside of fruits and veggies can be a bit challenging.  I had never been so aware of what was being dumped into our foods-when I thought I was eating healthy- until I found myself tossing every food item we owned.  The empowering side of this is that we are eating so much more of the stuff I always hoped we would be eating.  It is such a wonderful feeling to have my child tell me he is hungry and needs an apple than that he is craving a granola bar or some other processed food.
So how is it going so far you ask?  Well, by day three we have seen unbelievable changes in his personality the main one being that he is very calm and cooperative.  I cannot even imagine what I will be seeing in him in thirty days!
Finally, in making this lifestyle change we have started to educate our children on the difference in junk/processed foods verses healthy foods.  We have been encouraging him to think about the foods and how it makes his body feel.  Here is an example of his thought process-unprovoked:
While at Publix picking up a few items we passed a lady holding a large back of M&Ms.  Noah excitedly pointed is finger to the bag and said "MMM Mom, look M&Ms!" Shaking his head side to side he followed with "But, I don't eat them because they are junk food and when I eat them they make my tummy sick!" The lady holding the bag smiled.  I wonder if she put the bag down.
I am proud that he is starting to understand that food is a fuel and we need to eat the stuff that makes us feel the best inside.  And that is what this lifestyle change is all about.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's day to my wonderful husband.  We spent the day doing relaxing family things like hiking and gift giving.  The kids got daddy a new drill, a special book and some goodies to take to Afghanistan. 

 We had a great time hiking together today.  The weather was wonderful and the kids enjoyed combing the rocky mountain.  Here are a few shots from the day:

Hiking Around

This is a picture to document our first family hike.  It was a short test run, but it went well.  Noah loves being let free to run the trails and hunt for "bears and hyenas".  Maleah, enjoyed the ride and scenery.  And, well, dave got a good workout carrying our big girl around!  What a fun time!