My "Quiet" house.... and 18 months!

My kids are loud. There you have it. Jake is ALL boy and Grace, well..... she yells A LOT! I'm hoping and praying that as more words come, less yelling/screeching... and trips to the "no no spot" will happen! Grace is becoming more and more "opinionated" (or strong-willed as some would say). She definitely lets you know what she wants/doesn't want and she's even learned the fine art of tattling on her brother!! (if she's upset, I ask her what's wrong and she shrieks and points at Jake!) It's lovely. I had kind of forgotten that 18 months just might not be my absolute favorite stage. She's not a baby anymore, but she still doesn't have the language or skills to totally communicate her desires, but wants to do so much by herself..... so there's lots of frustration and yelling. I'm exhausted!! But, one benefit of 18 months is that she's entered the wonderful stage of independent/creative play. Grace played in the family room for almost an hour by herself this morning..... cooking in her kitchen, feeding her baby dolls, changing their diapers, pushing the babies in the stroller, playing in her little pop up play tent/house. It was pretty darn cute. Grace LOVES baby dolls!!! Grace also loves to help around the house. Whenever I change her diaper, she insists on throwing it in the garbage all by herself!! (I wrap it up nice and tight so it's not gross!) She loves to help put the laundry in the dryer, hand me the silverware as I unload the dishwasher, and she even loves to wipe down her hands, face, and tray after eating. Can you say Little Miss Independent??? So, even though things are a bit exhausting right now, on this evening of Grace's 18 month b-day...... I have to say that having this silly, loud, independent, confident, sweet, loving, snuggly, beautiful little girl has been the most amazing blessing of my life!!!

I leave you with a video-- proof of the "loudness" I call my children!!! (Grace is in Jake's bed. That's her new thing. She loves climbing in his bed, pulling up the covers, laying down, and saying night night.... and then giggling!! She would LOVE to sleep in his bed-- but NO WAY!!!)

Halloween Fun

Today was our annual Family Halloween Party. We invite some neighbor's and friends and it's always a pretty cute time! Mike makes his famous chili and it's accompanied by other ghoulish fare.

My Clone Trooper and Bumble Bee

Neighborhood pals

There's always something interesting in the Witch's cauldron! (Mike was a computer wizard. Fitting. His shirt says, "No. I will not fix your computer."
Donuts on a String game. Always a favorite!
Of course Mike had to show the kids how bobbing for apples is done!
Grace wanted to be a part of everything. It was pretty cute.

Check this out!!

I just came across this site: Mama Bargains It's awesome. They sell one baby/kid item at a time for a ridiculously low price. Tonight they had the Fleurville Mothership diaperbag on there for $46.00 (it retails for $150!!)

Check it out! And yes, just one more thing to be constantly checking your computer for!! :)

beach day

Kisses for Grandpa and Brother (Jay Jay-- as Grace calls him!!)

Not at the beach, but taken today and just too cute!! Grace isn't one to smile for the camera very often!!

Bath time or nap time?

This is what Grace loves to do in the bath... just lay flat on her back! It cracks me up. She'll play with her feet, toys, splash, whatever.... as long as she's lounging back in the tub!! Too funny.

Poem

I was going through some of my files on my computer and came across this. I love this poem so I thought I'd share it.

Once there were two women, neither knew the other
One you do not remember, the other you call mother.
One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name
One gave you the seed of talent, the other gave you an aim.
Two very different lives shaped yours into one
One became your guiding star, the other was your sun.
One gave you emotions, and one calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
The first gave you life, the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.
One gave you up- it was all that she could do,
The other prayed for a child- God led her straight to you.
And now you ask me through your tears,
The age-old question of all the years,
Heredity or Environment, which are you a product of?
Neither darling, neither... just two different kinds of love.

-author unknown

Precious

In the car the other day....

Jacob: "Mom, do you know who I love more than anyone in the whole wide world?"
Mom: " Hmmmm..... nope. Who?"
Jacob: "Grace"

While he was telling me this, he was holding her hand in the backseat as she was fast asleep!

It's beginning to look and feel a lot like fall!!

I LOVE fall! This weekend finally felt like it was fall. It was sunny, then cold, then blustery, then a bit rainy as well. Fall scented candles were lit, yummy food was baked, and some of the fall decorations were brought out!

I caught some cute pictures of Grace. Jake promised me a photo shoot soon!! :)

Playing Peek-a-Boo

We love visitors and this sweet face greets all who come to the door!!