Ho Ho Ho!!

Today was the last day of school and Christmas break is in full swing!  The weather was wonderful outside and so these two silly heads were outside being goofy.  Guess who had her camera handy to snap a few pics?  Their mother of course!!!!

Who needs to mail out Christmas cards when your momma takes pics and posts them EVERY.SINGLE.DAY?

My guy needs a haircut and so that is on the list for tomorrow, but goodness I love these two!

Layla is so flexible...Am I right?

 We can't believe our first Christmas living back in Texas is finally here!!

this is one for the memory book!

My lovely children decided to fight like cats and dogs earlier this week.  He was mad, she was crying and they were yelling ... he kicked her in the head and she smacked him.  #CALGONNNNNN!

So what did I do?  

I made them wear the 'Get-along' shirt.  I asked Hayden to go upstairs and get one of dad's shirts.  Then I made them squeeze into it together and stand there for a few minutes.  They were not very happy with me, but they did it and I really didn't hear to much from them the rest of the day.  It worked!!  

And thennnnn I said I was going to post a picture of them online.  

Layla was mortified, but one day she will look back and giggle.  Heeeheeeeheee!

Copy Cat Reader

Layla reads every night as part of her homework for school.  Usually she gets a new book each night and so Hayden and I sit down and listen to her read.

Can you tell Hayden idolizes his sister?

He even put on the same sleep shirt she is wearing.

Thankfully seeing Layla read has made Hayden take an interest in reading.

He hasn't really shown an interest in books until just a few weeks ago.  I've tried to read to him and we'd get about 2 pages into a book and he was off playing with Legos.


I'm thankful his big sister is a good example for him!

right now

I know I say it all the time, but my kids just keep getting more fun.  Each stage of life gets better.  I know we will have good times and bad times.  Some days Hayden wakes up grouchy and other days Layla is super duper sassy, but all in all life is fun.

I remember bringing Hayden home from the hospital wondering how I'd ever manage with two kids.  Hayden was a complete mess for the first six months of his life.  He was the grouchiest kid and I was constantly wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.  I just kept saying to myself, "This too shall pass."  And it did.

Now we are all potty trained.  We can get through the days without naps and we can even stay up later now and then.  We are at a fun stage.  We can go out to eat and not have temper fits.  We go to the grocery store without melt downs.

The big thing for me that is so awesome is seeing my kids play together.  They love each other and play really well together.  Sometimes they fight and argue and I have to play referee, but all in all they are buddies.  Since school is out for summer both kids are home and they are forced to play together.  I'm loving it because I get time to myself here and there.

I am not saying my life is perfect because it is far from that.  I'm just documenting the 'right now' for us.  I'm hoping that people reading this may have hope.  When you are in the here and now (for me the newborn stage) you forget things can get easier.  Heck, I may read this post in the future and remember  that my babes used to get along.  The teenage years are approaching and I've heard that might be a wild and crazy ride.

I just want to remember my kids in this phase of life.  I don't want to take a second for granted.  Even though Hayden was a high maintenance baby I loved every moment.  I cringe each time Layla talks back lately, but I remember back in my mind how fast they grow and how quickly this phase will transform into new phase.

All that being said.  I'm good with time slowly creeping by.  I want to enjoy every moment good and bad.  My hope is that my kids will have tons of fun together this summer and have a brother/sister friendship that will last forever.

Happy Friday!

sibling love

I have waited so long for the kids to play together independently.

Does that make sense?  

 I mean Gary and I had kids because we wanted to have kids, but I wanted Layla to have a sibling.  Someone to talk to and hang out with.  I wanted her to have a sibling so that when she is older and as an adult she can have family other than Mom and Pops.


And I wanted them to entertain one another so I can have some peace and quiet.
I know you know what I mean ;)

They finally grab each other and go play.  They don't need me to 'help' them play.  They play in the playroom or each others rooms for hours.  Yes, it has been happening this summer...whoo hoo!  

{throw glitter and confetti} 

Honestly, I think they have really enjoyed each other lately.  It is crazy how all of the sudden they play and I don't hear bickering and complaining.  They are ages 6 and 3 and are able understand each other better than before.   They still have their fights and disagreements, but those are mostly about TV shows.  Layla likes to watch girlie shows and Hayden likes to watch, well, boy shows.

This past week and this weekend have been somewhat low key.  We have been inside staying out of the 110 degree heat.  The kids have played a million different things.  Gary and I give them ideas, but then they just play and play so long, together.  They play games, cars and Barbies.  They play video games on the Wii and on the computer.  They have tea parties and cook in the play kitchen.  They have been dressing up in old Halloween costumes.  They wrestle with Bogey.  He is the best dog ever to be gentle and loving to the kids.  They watch movies and request popcorn.

I am thankful for their friendship and I hope they are always great friends!