Muddy Days

In attempt to cure our cabin fever and become the coolest mom ever I took the boys out for a play in the mud.  I put Zack in the shoes that are too small and walked them to the construction site 3 doors down.
We decided to let Hunter do some walking...

he didn't exactly walk where we wanted him too...

thankfully he was wearing the jeans that already had a hole...

he loved it...

until he wanted to get in the stroller...

he loved that too...

big brother is so funny.

Zack was focused on the fact that there was mud on the bottom of his shoes and that mommy must be mad...

I'm wondering where he got that from...

I've never been obsessive about keeping things clean...

I like clean things but I want my boys to know how to get down and dirty...

when the time was right...

Zack finally took the plunge and had a blast...

it was a poor example of muddy play...

and I had to almost force him to take that first step...

it was all giggles...

and he paused for a moment when he noticed that he also got mud on his pants...

but he was so proud of himself...

in fact he "needed" to make a few phone calls to tell some important people that he had mud on his shoes...

Happy Birthday Hunt-Dawg!

It was really a crappy day...but it didn't matter...the fact that we were celebrating Hunters birthday made me forget that there was supposed to be a tornado going right through our town this afternoon.
We had a monster themed party complete with a monster cake.

Hunter smashed his cake like a champ...however didn't like it one bit...so we can add frosting to the list of foods he won't eat...along with cheese and carbs (seriously...with those cheeks???)

It's sort of funny since I just had to go up to Zack because he was screaming in bed...apparently he is all of a sudden afraid of monsters...I swear the decorations were cute and not at all scary.  (I was a bit busy and didn't snap any decoration pictures).

I knew Hunter would hate the party.  He isn't a huge fan of lots of people in our house.  He tends to cling around large crowds...but I always say the first party is for the parents.  It's a lot of work the first year and with Hunter it was a LOT of EVERYTHING (except sleep)...another post for another day...This party was for me.

It was a turning point, my baby is 1...O-N-E!

He actually loved his presents (after Christmas I had low expectations and chose to open presents after most of our company left)...maybe he just loves being the only one opening presents...

Either way he even shared his new toys with his big brother (who is having a hard time understanding that not everything belongs to him)  I don't want to create a household where "this is mine and that is yours" but lately I have actually said things like "No Zack actually it's mine but I am letting you use it"...

This party was also for Zack...a "the world doesn't revolve around you" reality check.

He was happy to celebrate Hunter and had been talking about it all week.

Hunter has a whole lot of people who love him, and pray for him...I wish we could have had everyone over to celebrate.  Thank you everyone!

Project 365 3-11 (sort of)

I missed a few days.  But I'm working on it...

#3 Walking like a champ

#4 Morning cartoons

#5 potty training + sleep training = movie afternoon

#6 He has my feet

#9 It's my birthday!

#11 What the heck is this...and why is everyone watching me?

My goal for the next few weeks is to spend some time re-doing my online editing class

12 months

Hunter was one almost 2 months ago...

It seems like a lifetime ago, so much has changed...

He is happier and healthier (another post for another day)...

He is more mischievous, curious, ambitious, fearless...

He is more interactive...

but still very much a loner...

He still gives the best hugs...

You have to work for it but he gives the biggest, heart melting smiles...

He does his own thing...

but it's always done with the utmost cuteness.

...and yes I did need to bribe him with his first lolipop.

...and no this photo shoot didn't quite turn out as I had planned.

...and yes we did get his hair cut.

2014 Goals

Mothering Goals:

Build more (big) towers with Zack.

More tickle time with Hunter.

Bring the boys somewhere fun and special once a month (anything from Pullen Park to Dunkin Donuts).

Take Zack bowling.

Slow down so Hunter can walk with us (Zack hardly ever rode in the stroller once he could walk and I want Hunter to experience our walks and not just observe).

Wife Goals:

More conversation with Adam now that we aren't as tired we can (maybe) actually both hold a conversation.

Reinstate our weekly Friday Dates (most of the time take out and a movie)...it's been a rough and exhausting year and we lost track of a lot of stuff.

Homemaking Goals:

14 freezer meals every 3-4 months (almost 1 meal a week done)

Coupon again

Photography Goals:

1 DSLR photo a day (and post).

Start a small business (eeeek).

Take several online classes.

Get in front of the camera.

Personal Goals:

Walk once a week (with the boys).

Excercise 2 times a week.

Spend daily time in focused prayer.

Notice none of my goals have anything to do with laundry, gourmet meals or bikini body (HA).  Being real here.  

Project 365 #1-2

One of my photography goals this year is to take a photo a day...with my DSLR.  On that note I am giving myself grace and allowing i-phone photos every once and a while but the main goal of this is to improve my photography skills and stretch my creativity.

My HOPE is to post once a week...again...giving myself grace.

So far I am off to a good start it's day 2 of the year and I am posting 2 photos! GO ME!

On a mission

Techie Toddler