Through His Eyes

As I mentioned in my previous blog, Jonathan got a camera for Christmas. I think he has been watching me because he was setting up shots and really getting in to taking pictures. As you can tell, with his camera the pictures are pretty grainy, but I think I like them that way. Did some minor color editing but these are all pictures he has taken with his camera. It's so interesting to see what he sees. I think I might have to use his photography skills for some regular blog posting.

Total Slacker

I have totally been slacking on posting blogs and pics for a few reasons.

It doesn't seem that anyone has missed postings so I don't feel too bad. Not quite sure what I want to do with my blog right now. I haven't been taking many pictures lately, I have got a ton of good deals but by the time I get to blogging about it, it's too late, and I am not sure how much I like sharing about the kiddos. Every now and then I get very umcomfortable and right now is one of those times.
So to hold you over, if anyone is reading this, here is a brief update.

Kids are doing great. Jonathan got his first "report card" . Very exciting to see what he is doing great it and what he could still use some help with. Like using Scissors. He really struggles with that. I think because he is left handed, he complains that it doesn't feel compfortable holding them the right way. I think I need to get him some left scissors. He really enjoyed Christmas. Got a lot of fun presents that he has been playing with non stop. A Scooter he has been trying to play with all weekend (I promise we will put it together soon), his BatCave, and a digital camera. He has been taking a ton of pictures. He even sets up shots to take. I would guess that 80% of his pictures on the camera are of Lilah. He loves her to bits! I think I am going to have to set up a Flickr account for him. Or post a pic a week or something. One of his new favorite new words is "Yummylicious". He uses it if he likes something a lot. The pizza I made for lunch yesterday and the peanut butter and jelly pancake sandwiches we had for a snack both received a Yummylicious review.

Miss Lilah has been battling something that involves a runny nose and a fever. She has had it for almost a week now. It comes and goes. She weighs 20 lbs and is 29 inches tall. Still likes rearfacing in her carseat and I am hoping to keep her that way until she is at least 2. She really enjoyed Christmas, even letting Jonathan open up most of her presents. Loves playing with her babies and her new cradel and changing table. Pushes them around the house in her shopping cart or stroller playing house with Jonathan. Likes playing with her Little People house. She's really in to her books and making animal noises. Her favorite is when you ask her what a Lilah Bear says. Go ahead and give it a try, ask her.

The Coffey Cabin

I am so excited for next summer! This fall, my parents bought a cabin up north. It's just north of West Branch. Perfect location if you ask me. An hour and 45 minute drive, about 20 min outside of West Branch, near Clear Lake. Close enough to go away for a night or so, far enough to get away. I guarantee we will be spending a ton of time up there next summer.

My great grandparents owned the cabin from 1940 - 1969 and then sold it. The woman my parents purchased it from is the niece of the woman that purchased it from my great grandparents. We have the deeds all the way back to the 1800's. My dad started vacationing up there when he was 5 and has a lot of great memories.

It's an older log cabin and a few additions have been put up. There is a bedroom downstairs, and two upstairs, with 6 beds total, and a couch that pulls out. It has a lot of work that needs to be done, but it has a great view. It's right on the lake and has a sunset view. There is also a small sandy beach just a few houses down.

We went up over the weekend and met my parents and sister. We got a lot of yard work done, some unexpected roof repairs (done by Mike and Becky), and got the cabin closed up for the winter. Can't wait to open it back up!

Moore News

Sitting here on the couch, still with a low fever, recovering from a stomach virus over the weekend, I realized I haven't update our blog in a long time. Not to mention that I need to redo the layout. I have the best of intentions, just seems a lot harder making them a reality.

All 4 of us, and my mother in law, were plagued by a nasty stomach virus. Nasty meaning in comes on within 15-20 minutes (no kidding), and it is violent. At least it came near the beginning on November, and not on Christmas this year. Here's to healthy holidays this year.

So what is new with us? Not much new here. Mike goes on his holiday schedule this week. Meaning he only gets one day off a week. I have been warned that he only opens 4 days over the next month. Sucks, but I am thankful he has a job.

Jonathan:
Cracks up us, everyday. He is getting good at reasoning and debating for what he wants. Normally involving computer time or a piece of candy. Is starting to get more protective over his "guys" and toys, hiding them in forts so Lilah can't get to them. His cough is gone, and has been ever since he started the Sigulair and Flovent(inhaler) daily. Is growing. He has pretty much skipped through 3T pants and is in 4T. Is very excited for Christmas, wants everything, literally.

Lilah:
Is so vibrant. I think that might be the best way to describe her. LOVES reading books. Countless times a day she will grab a book from the shelf and back herself up in my lap to be read to. Her favorite books right now involve flaps, textures, and animals. Quacks at Haley. She somehow thinks Haley is a duck and not a dog. Quacks at ducks in books and on command. Quacks and Woofs at dogs. Moos at cows in her books. Enjoys pointing out her belly to anyone that will watch. I hope no strangers are watching. Teeth #15 and #16 have finaly broken through. She has a full set of teeth so I am hoping we are done for a while. Likes to try to pull out her piggy tails. Is a mini Aunt Sarah, nuff said.

We made it to Hallmark, again!

Yea!! My card goes on sale today online at Hallmark's website! This is the second card I have had for sale through Hallmark. Right now it is only for sale online, but several cards will be selected to be sold in stores next year. Boy would that be nice!

Halloween Lunch

He is also getting a yogurt and more than likely an apple to go with his lunch. I am taking bets as to if he'll eat the egg salad sandwich or not. Though I might have a chance if I make it cute. We'll see.

Recent Quotes

November 3rd,

Jonathan: Mom, this shirt is Lilah's, not mine. I like pink on books, not on shirts, and not on fancy shirts.


October 26, 2009
I asked Jonathan what he wanted for dinner.

This was his reply:

Jonathan: Mom, can you get me a sack from Donalds (McDonalds)?

Me: No sweetie, we had Donalds a few days ago.

Jonathan: But mom, I just want one, two, three, of those sacks for dinner.

Me: A Happy Meal?

Jonathan: Yea, that's what I'm talking about.


October 13th, 2009

I told Jonathan no more snacks or drinks until dinner. He hasn't been eating dinner good recently.

This was his reply:

"Mom, that's a bad word. When you say when I come home and I can have no food, that's a bad word."

Jars of Goodness

After receiving a pressure canner this spring for my birthday, I have started preserving some of our favorite foods. I love canning. You can get fresh fruits and vegetables all year long. We love going to the farmers market every week and this way we can make it last a little longer by canning. When you can, you do not need to refrigerate the jars until you open them.

In this picture are a few of the things I have made so far, Apple Butter, Pumpkin Butter, Cherry Jam (whole cherries from TC), Cherry Jam (cherry pieces from TC), Garlic and Dill Pickles, Dilly Beans (my fav).

No pictured: Raspberry Jam (we are currently eating our last jar)

Silly Girl + Silly Kids Contest = Winner

I am entering Miss Lilah in a "Silly Kids" photo contest to win $1,000. She is such a wild and silly girl, how could I not?

Moore updates . . .

*I know I totally just used this photoon my photo blog, but I love it!

Miss Lilah:

Is such a little stinker. She has such personaliy. She definatly gets it from her brother. She thinks she is so funny. Every time someone else laughs, she liks to join in, regardless of the situation. Thinks whoopie cushins are hilarious. Has WILD hair. I don't know how to do her hair. Instead, I brought little hair ties to daycare and Miss Aimee does her hair for me. I need to learn. Is a marathon runner. Seriously, she's got speed. Loves bottle time. She runs to her bean bag and waits for you to bring it to her when she is tired. Tries to put her socks on by herself, unsuccessfully. Is very proud of her climbing capabilities, whether it is the stairs, Jonathan's bed, or random objects.

Lilah's ever expanding vocabulary:

Momma
Up

Duck (Dah), and quacks

Sings her "Momma" song that Jonathan and I sing

Uh -Oh (she will say "Uh" before she drop something and then fished up with "oh")

Nana

Bubba

Mine (seems to be her favorite)

She does a pretty good job of understanding basic commands. She almost always sits down when I ask her to (mainly in the tub). I can ask here to go get basic items like her blankie, nuk, baby and sippy cup. She will also feed, hug, and kiss her baby when you ask her too.

She has so much personality, such an amazing little girl.

Mr. Jonathan:

Is hopefully finally over "the cough". Oficially diagnosed with asthma. He know uses an inhaler every day, along with Singulair, and has a rescue inhaler for when he needs it. Likes playing with his little sister, then banning her from all things Jonathan in a matter or seconds. Likes picking up Lilah and carrying her around "helping" her. I don't like it so much. Is starting to avoiding discussions that make him uncomfortable, specially those involving him being in trouble. Had a girlfriend, got dumped because he needs to be bigger and stronger. Can fit in to his sister's 12-18 month Halloween costume. Is insisting on being a ghost (or The Riddler) for Halloween. Wants to go to Vegas. As in every day. We have never been to Vegas, probably never will. Is finally starting to wear shoes other than Crocs. Finally. Is such a loving child, most of the time. Still likes to be held and cuddled, all the time. Takes part in our nightly discussions about the best part of our day. Holds us accountable if we forget to say grace before eating, at every meal. Has the sweetest singing voice when he sings to Lilah.

Wordless Wednesday

Due to Wordless Wednesday being more photography related, I am moving it to my photography blog. If you are a follower, you can also sign up to follow my photography blog.

www.yourlittlewonders.com

Click on "Get The Scoop" and you will be taken to my photography blog. Thanks to everyone that comments.

Unwanted Guest

After being concerned about a small spot on the ceiling above Jonathan's bed, we bought a home mold test from Home Depot (Jonathan's favorite place to get a hot dog). We did two tests, a surface test, and an air test. Our results, the photo. After a few days the ceiling and walls were cut out, an issue with the ventilation pipe from our basement bathroom was fixed, and the insulation and drywall have been repaired.

I am hoping this help with the kids chronic coughs, particularly Jonathan's, his has been the worst. We have another visit scheduled for him next week. They both had allergy profiles ran last week, generic allergy tests, and mold specific allergy tests, both came back completely negative for any allergies. I am a little shocked, I was actually hoping something would show up so we could know what is wrong. Hoping to get some results next week.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Hallmark, here we come! Again!

My Crazy Kids

Jonathan:
Started "school time" at daycare again. Was very excited. Has started quoting his favorite movies. Is 30 lbs exactly. Has had a horrible cough since July 20th, multiple dr trips. First a "virus", then "asthma/allergies", now a "bacterial overgrowth", however none of the medicine is making a difference.Can be very sassy. Loves riding his bike. Will yell at you if he thinks you are not buckled up in the car. We always buckle up. Tells on himself when he get's in trouble. Blames everything on Aunt Becky.

Lilah:
Is one. Has a 12th tooth. Yes, all 4 molars. One is all the way in, the other three are all poking through, but not in all the way across yet. Says "Momma" when she wants me, says "mine" when she wants what you have, and likes to sing her favorite song "Lilah" that Jonathan and I made up when she was a newborn. Loves to give kisses, which could be confused with eating your face, until you hear the kissing sound she makes when she is finished. Walks. Runs. Loves shoes. Loves to feed her baby dolls bottles, then attempt to help herself until she realizes they are not real. Is officially done nursing. Tear. Sob. Crying a river.

Lunch Menu Monday

I normally pack both of the kids lunches everyday, sometimes breakfast too. I recently fell in love with the LapTop Lunches that I ordered for both of the kids. I love the bento style lunches and have been doing them for over a year. I have been wanting to order bento boxes but the majority of them come from Japan or China, and they are not microwave or dishwasher safe, and those are a must. Not knowing what the heck is in the plastic also was a concern for me. Hence the purchase of the LapTop Lunches. BPA free, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and all of the containers have lids. The box itself even has a spot for silverware and a napkin. Love it!

I cook dinner about 90% of the time. Once and a while we will grab something on the way home, but we have a lot of food in the house, so we might as well use it. Every week we try to stop at the Farmers Market on Sunday to get out fruits and vegetables. I stock up on meat when it is on sale, the basics we buy each week, and everything else I stock up on and store in the pantry. We always have leftovers, so I like to put them to use, mainly for our lunches.

I thought I would start doing pictures of the kids lunches on Monday.

Welcome "Lunch Menu Monday"!

I cook dinner about 90% of the time. Once and a while we will grab something on the way home, but we have a lot of food in the house, so we might as well use it. Every week we try to stop at the Farmers Market on Sunday to get out fruits and vegetables. I stock up on meat when it is on sale, the basics we buy each week, and everything else I stock up on and store in the pantry. We always have leftovers, so I like to put them to use, mainly for our lunches.

I just took a picture of Jonathan's lunch this week as him and Lilah have pretty much the same thing. Tomorrow is his first day of Preschool at Ms, Di's, so he wants to take his lunch in a backpack. Too funny, they do "school time" for an hour or so, and he is sooo excited to start again.

Monday's Menu:

Whole wheat pasta, light smoked sausage, olive oil, diced tomatoes, zucchini, onions, and eggplant. The zucchini and eggplant came from Nana and Papa's garden, and I think it might have been the biggest zucchini EVER!

2 plumbs from Spicers Orchard which we visited on Sunday.

Raspberries and Blueberries that we picked from Spicers. Well, Mike and I picked them. Jonathan put 4 raspberries in the quart and everything else he picked, he ate.

Corn Bread that Grandma made, mmmmmm!

One of Jonathan's favorite drinks, Milk!

Chocolate Teddy Grahams for a treat!

Wordless Wednesday

Special Lunches x 2

The kids Laptop Lunches came in the mail last week. I am LOVING them!

Lilah:
Breakfast - Cherry/Blueberry Pancakes and Sausage
Lunch - Grandma's Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, Meat Sticks, Mixed Vegetables, Strawberries and Apples

Jonathan:
Breakfast - Cherry/Blueberry Pancakes, Sausage, and Syrup
Lunch - Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jam(Homemade) Sandwich, Carrots, Grape Tomatoes, Strawberries and Caramel Corn

They sent Jonathan a purple lunch box by mistake, they are replacing it with a blue one. Now we get a free purple one too!!

Trip to Walgreens

I had $13 in Register Rewards that were about to expire next week that I needed to use up. Jonathan spent the night at Nana and Papa's so that allowed Lilah and I some time to hit up Walgreens this morning.

I spent $4.76, and earned $15 in register rewards. I was able to roll all of my Register Rewards and not loose a dollar. The Walgreens in Grand Blanc is one that will normally let you use multiple RR in one purchase.

I never use to shop at Walgreens, until I started using coupons. But if I can pick up a few things here and there, for just pennies, I'll make the extra stop.

The only item I really NEEDED was coffee creamer, my work bottle was almost empty. Every time we get sick, we seem to be out of cold medicne (other than Samboucal), and we end up paying full price. I got the TheraFlu for free. I am going to try to stock up more on cold medicine so we don't end up having to buy it at full price because we need it.

That is the thing that I enjoy the most about using coupons. Very rarely am I getting groceries because we NEED something (other than milk or eggs). I get the items that we will use, at the best price I can get. That way when we need them, we have them. I don't mind paying .24 for a can up Tomato Soup today, rather than $1.59 when I need it.

Gone Krogering

I have been slacking on me deal posts. Don't get me wrong, I have been getting deals, I just haven't had the time to take pictures and post them.

Last week's trip to Kroger was just too good not to share.

I spent $42.46, and saved $126.97

That includes:
8 boxes of cereal (6 Cherrios and 2 Cinnamon Toast Crunch)
6 boxes of Hamburger Helper
Nighttime Pullups
2 packages of English Muffins
5 Containers of Juice (5 Juice Juice, 1 Ocean Spray)
2 packages of Gatorate G2
4 Kraft Sundried Tomato Pasta
2 Macaronni Grill Pasta Dinners
2 Wachai Ferry Asian Dinner Creations
4 Packages of Yogurt
2 Packages of Yogurt Drinks
Jenny-O Turkey Ham
Plenty of more, those items were just harder to see in the picture.

I love Kroger!

Wordless Wednesday

She's one. A glass of wine(for me), and a box of Kleenex.

It's hard to believe that my little Lilah is now one.

This past year has gone by faster than I ever could have imagined. A year ago, we were a family of three. This little lady was safe and sound in my belly. Then after a trip to the hospital, Lilah was "boring"(Jonathan insists that is what happened).

The first few months were rough. When she would stop breathing it was terrifying. Her intollerance to so many things that I was eating completly changed my diet, along with hers. Now, she will often eat just as much, if not more, than what Jonathan eats at a meal. And he is a good eater. She no longer wants anything to do with babyfood, and eats whatever we are eating.

This little girl that was carried around hooked up to a monitor for months, now walks and dances across the floor.

That little dark head of hair is now lighter, and very curly (wonder where that came from).

Those little toes that were too chubby to fit in shoes, still only fit in a pair or two :)

That little mouth that would utter a cry here and there, now argues back and forth with her brother. And yells "momma" when I am needed, will say Lilah, Bubba, and Dadda occassionally.

The little body that slept next to me in the co-sleeper, still sleeps next to me in her pack and play. And I imagine she will stay there a few months longer. Just not quite ready to make the move to her big bed yet.

I don't know why I am more emotional about her turning one, with Jonathan I was just so excited at each and every new thing he was doing. Maybe it is because she could be our last, maybe not. Either way, she was just born, and now she is one. A toddler. My newborn is now a toddler. I think this deserves some wine. And some tissues.

Wordless Wednesday

Sunny Summer Days

Mike has started a week of closing 7 nights in a row. Lovely. The kids and I made the most out of the weekend with a trip to the splash pad, some late night shopping for party decorations, Birch Run with Aunt Becky, and a fun evening at Nana and Papa's. In addition to that I feel rather accomplished. Cooked, cleaned, got laundry done, cleaned the kids room, and worked on editing (should have done that more, I have 4 sessions left to edit still).
Now this week will be busy. More editing to do, lots of cleaning for Lilah's party this weekend, and another (possibly 2) photo session, and next weekend we have a family reunion and Lilah's 1st Birthday Party. Did I mention she is turning one in a week? I can't believe it.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Summer Vacation Day 3

Monday morning after the kids played for a while, we drove to a beach in Marquette. We really went to see the lighthouse from the beach, so we didn't swim. The weather was warming up , but Lake Superior sure wasn't. The kids played at a playground at the beach and then we drove about 45 minutes to a trail. We hiked with Maggy and the boys to Laughing Whitefish Falls. Poor Maggy let us use their backpack carrier for Lilah, and she pushed Boden in an umbrella stroller. I think the hike itself was only 1/2 mile, but the stairs went on forever.

Somehow I let Mike convince me to crawl over the deck area and go to the bottom of the waterfall to take pictures. Of course Jonathan and Jace wanted to follow. So Mike and the bigger boys joined. They had a great time walking on the rocks with Mike. They saw large frogs and turtles. We then made the long hike back up the stairs. Jonathan just about ran up all of them. I tried to keep up as he had an "opporunity" with his listening skills (she still insists he left his listening ears at Nana's), but he sure gave me a run for my money.

I think Jonathan's favorite part of our hikes was the fact that if he had to pee, he could go outdoors. He doesn't get to do that at home. If it were only that convenient for all of us . . .

After our hike we met Uncle Craig at the Marquette Lighthouse. We went on a tour and went through the museum. We were able to walk out on the grounds of the lighthouse too. We ordered some of the most delicious pizza, and while it was cooking we took the kids back to "Wood Park" to play. After we ate dinner at Craig and Maggy's, Craig took us all on a tour of his golf course. We took an 8 passenger golf cart around the grounds. I think this was one of my favorite parts of our vacation. The golf course is absolutly beautiful. It has AMAZING views. Jonathan loved riding on the golf cart. He found a ball and Jace tought him how to wash it in the ball washer. The kids found a patch of wild raspberries and filled their little bellies. Lilah loved the green. The grass was perfect for her to crawl around and stand on. The boys also enjoyed rolling down the huge hills. The perfect ending to the perfect day.

Vacation Day 1 and 2

Day 1

We planned on leaving for vacation Saturday they 18th, around 3pm, a few hours in to Marjie's open house. That morning we changed our plans and decided to drive straight through to Marquette to stay with Craig, Maggy, and the boys. It was going to get cold that night and we wanted to wait until it was a little warmer to camp.
The kids were great for the 8 hour drive. They both slept until we got to Mackinaw City and stopped for dinner. Once we crossed over Lilah slept off and on, and Jonathan stayed awake watching movies and playing. We got in around 10:45, chatted a bit and went to sleep.





Day 2

We lucked out and Uncle Craig had the day off, overseeing the golf course, he doesn't get very many of those. We started off the day with a hike up SugarLoaf Mountain. The kids had a great time. Jonathan and Jace would take off ahead of us and explore. They enjoyed climbing up the rock and picking and eating wild blueberries. Jonathan was stealing all the berries everyone was picking. The grabbed some sticks and stones on the way up and loved "launching" them off the top of the mountain. The view was amazing. Most people forget we have all of this right here in Michigan.
After our climb, we went in to Marquette and picked up a family size sub to split from a local sub shop. We took it to Presque Isle Park and had a picnic lunch facing Lake Superior. This was where we had Craig and Maggy's rehearsal lunch at. The boys spend a good hour throwing rocks in to Lake Superior while Boden and Lilah splashed in the little puddles of water that gathered on the rock. I think they could have spent all day doing that.
We headed back home and let the boys play outside. They had a great time running across the rumble bridge and playing in the sandbox. Mike and Craig went golfing at Craig's golfcourse, Greywalls, while Maggy and I took the kids to "Wood Park". Jonathan and Jace were "booming" on the older kids when they started to play back. Jonathan ended up getting pushed down and mommy had to lay down the law with a few kids. I can't stand bullies. After a nice dinner and baths, we were all ready for bed.