Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love, 

Brady & Layla

13 Years, A Valentine's Party, Sweetheart Swap, and More!

First things first, Brian is home!! He made it back from his busy relay (only 7 hours later than we expected besides being 4 days late) and I'm happy to report that all is good on the home front.

I mean, for the most part. The kids still like to test me daily but that's a whole 'nother post!

Today is also our 13th dating anniversary. This is us back in 9th grade going to our 9th grade formal. We were just babies! We're going out tonight on a nice little date to celebrate 13 years together and V-Day and hopefully beat the crowds. I love you, Brian!! :)

Today Brady also had his Valentine's Day party at preschool. Nice smiling faces, optional.

Brady couldn't choose so we had Applesauce Valentines

and Cars ones too with suckers. Because of course.

This is what Layla thinks of all this Valentine's business

I was in charge of snack for the 16 cutest preschoolers you've ever seen so I made some Valentine's fruit pizzas.

Here's Brady seeing us after his recess time. He didn't know Brian was coming so he was really surprised!

Snack time!

Thumbs up and deer in headlights eyes. Why must you embarrass me, Mom in front of all of my friends?!

With Daddy at the party today I've never seen this little boy happier. He just kept meeting our eyes and looking back and forth at us with the biggest smile.

Playing some fun Valentine's games

Bingo!

Fishing for Valentine's

I told Brady to smile nicely for a picture with Daddy and this is what I got

Much better! :)  When we walked out to the car he said, "Daddy, thank you so much for coming to my preschool party. I love you soo much!" Melt. My. Heart.

In other news, I participated in a fun blogging swap that Kristin and Meg put together. I was paired up with Maria from Little Miss Cornucopia.  We both sent our packages to each other 2 weeks ago, but sadly it must take longer than 2 weeks to send things back and forth from Nebraska to Canada since neither one of us has gotten our packages yet!  So I will post next week what goodies I receive. I love doing these swaps because it's fun to get to know another blogger and shop for and receive fun goodies!

We also met with a realtor this week and are getting ready to put our house on the market. YIKES!!  We still have a lot to do before we do that but it's crazy to think we actually are moving! I am soo sooo sooooo not looking forward to having to show the house, especially with 2 youngins who love to make messes. If you have any tips on selling your house with children and a dog, I'd love to hear them!

Hope everyone has a Happy Valentine's Day!! :)

The Future of Hollywood

Ok, not really, but my kids love to dance and sing so I thought I'd share a video or two of them doing what they love to do best. Cue the "not more pictures/videos of her children" groan.

Watch out Beyonce! This girl doesn't get distracted by her crabby brother while she's shakin it.

And watch out Frank Sinatra! This is Brady's favorite song right now and he sings it pretty much constantly. His favorite place to do it is Target and all of the older ladies think it's hilarious that he's singing Fly Me to the Moon so I thought I needed to catch it on video. And there's Layla video-bombing him from the couch too so don't miss that. Nothing but good times here! ;)

Happy Tuesday! :)

A Long, Long Week

Ever have one of those weeks? Well for whatever reason my number was up this week. And I'm not proud of the way I responded.

This week I lost my patience. With my kids. The dog. And the Air Force.

This week I yelled. At my kids. At the dog. I yelled.

This week I hid in my room more times than I want to count. Not because we were playing a game but because I needed a minute to myself without someone needing something, whining, or crying in my ear.

This week I cried. Not only by myself but in front of my children, but over Skype with my poor husband who wants nothing more than to be home.

I wasn't my best self and for that I'm not proud of.

See, although I like to keep things lighthearted on here I am at the point where I can admit when I was wrong, when I didn't do my best.

This week Brian was gone. He's only gone for a week but things were a little crazy. Layla was sick.  I pulled something in my back and was barely mobile for a couple of days. We had a snow day and were trapped inside. We were extra, extra crabby for some reason and were testing my patience at every hour, every minute of every day this week. I kept telling myself just make it through the next couple days and then he'll be home.

And then his jet broke down (of course) and he gets "stuck" in Greece. And sends me a picture of his surroundings.

This was his view. Rough.

And this was my view. Not sure what's worse. Layla crying her head off or Caillou on tv.

And then the jet gets fixed but they have to stay in England a couple extra days. So he gets to go sight-seeing in Scotland. To which I couldn't help but think that I sure get the short end of this stick.   

Or maybe not. I mean, what's more fun than cleaning up spilled milk? 

Sometimes I have to take a step back and cut myself some slack. Military life is hard. Life with small children isn't always easy. I solo parent more than I wish to. We're away from family and this life is stressful. 

I got a break today for an hour to get some errands run and I had some time to reflect, regroup, and refresh.  Not all weeks can be perfect and although I didn't act the way I should have this week, I know that tomorrow is a new day, the start of a new week, and I can and will do better. 

Because these sweet angels,

(most of the time)

They deserve it.

Wednesday Words

I have nothing profound to say today so I thought I'd just share a couple things that are on my mind.

• Nice neighbors are the best and essential if your husband is gone a lot. The kids had been begging to go outside and play since it'd been snowing all day. So finally after dinner when I thought enough snow had built up we went outside. Brady and I were shoveling the snow and Layla made it about 2 steps outside.  She  lasted oh about 3 minutes outside, the whole time screaming.  I was hobbling around (back is STILL hurting SO bad!) and my neighbor got home and instantly fired up his snowblower and came over to help.  I can't thank him enough.  Nice neighbors rock.

Layla must have no Minnesotan in her blood

This kid, on the other hand, I had to drag him inside. Best shoveling helper!

All were happy with some hot chocolate and Disney Junior.

• We are counting down the days until Arizona.  I cannot wait to see Brian's grandparents, see mountains,cacti, and warm weather. Ooh I cannot wait! What I am not looking forward to is the plane ride there.  We haven't flown in over a year and I'm nervous mainly because of Layla and her loudness and her screaming when she doesn't get her way. Oh baby girl, please take it easy on us!
• I know it's crazy early but I'm starting to plan the kids birthday parties. With the kids being born 3 weeks apart (Brady will be 4 on April 24th, Layla will be 2 on May 15th) I'm thinking of doing a combined party for them.  My question is what theme do I go with?  I'm leaning towards a pirate theme because there are so many cute things out there.
  

Like this Zazzle invite

Or there's also the pirate/princess theme

From Zazzle

Or I thought of maybe doing a royal theme?

You're probably reading this thinking I'm crazy but I know that the next few months are going to be complete madness with trying to sell the house and the move and birthdays are a big deal to me so that's why I'm getting started on it now!

I asked Brady what he thought and he said Layla wanted Tinkerbell and he wanted Buzz Buzz. Those were their Halloween costumes so I think he was a little confused. 

Are there any other cute sibling birthday themes? They're both over Mickey otherwise I would have done that. What do you think?

• I've learned that any separation from your husband sucks. Doesn't matter if it's a weekend, a week, months, or a year. They all suck. Especially when they do the jobs you hate like bringing out the trash in the negative degree, snowing weather.  Brian, I love and appreciate you!
• And last but not least, thank you all for your sweet comments about our move and my new layout! You guys are the best!

Our Weekend + A New Look!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! First of all, I have to thank Jane from Poppiness Designs for the new look around here. She was absolutely great to work with. She did everything I asked and did it all within a week (not to mention she got back to me within hours every time!). Hope you like the new look and go check Jane out, she does great work!
We had a pretty good weekend around here! We had a case of the crankies (cough, cough, Layla) but otherwise it was a fun time!

Friday morning I took the kids to the zoo.

It may have only been 19 degrees out but we'd had enough of being cooped up inside

so we ventured to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and saw the fishies

and then penguins

and the monkeys too of course!

Can you tell we've been cooped up for awhile? 

We couldn't leave because Layla didn't get to say goodbye to the monkeys (heaven forbid) so we walked back to the indoor monkey part and these monkeys were are huddled together and just staring at Layla! It made her day. I think they were just terrified of her.

Brian's been working a ton lately so he didn't get home until after dinnertime Friday night. But we were a little desperate to get out of the house so we headed to Target because honestly, what's more fun than Target on a Friday night?

Saturday morning we went to a friend's birthday party. Brian had to work until 2 so we had yummy food and cake without him. (Ok we're not all mean, we did bring him some food home).

My friend seriously makes the coolest cakes!

Saturday afternoon I went to the gym with a friend, and then had a pretty low key evening and home. Brian and I binged on some Downton Abbey so we're closer on getting caught up with the current season. We also ordered in and had a nice dinner together after the kids went to bed.

Sunday morning the kids got up way too early. "Are you awake yet, Daddy?!"

Since Brian has been gone a lot lately he graciously offered to take the kids out for the morning on Sunday and I spent a blissful 3 hours at the house alone (well, Rascal was here). I spent my time cutting coupons, making "things to do before moving" lists, enjoying some coffee (and the silence), going through and sorting the kids toys, and starting on getting rid of the clutter so we can put our house on the market. And gosh, we have SO MUCH STUFF!! 

Sunday afternoon I went to the gym, did a Zumba class, and pulled something in my back. So to reward myself I ate all of this great food at the Superbowl party.

Including these adorable cookies my friend Annie made. We have so many friends that are from Colorado and are huge Bronco's fans so needless to say they were not pleased! We did have fun though and left stuffed.

Brian's gone this week so naturally we're going to get a snowstorm, I can barely walk thanks to my back, and the kids are continuing to be crabby, unhappy beings. But such is life!  Have a great week! :)