Saint Paddy’s Day 2015

I hope you all had a lovely feast day! We sure did. I got to start off my day with my first ever hot yoga class which I loved. My friend turned me onto a sweet deal and I can’t wait to go back. So, I got home at 7:15 am all refreshed (and extremely sweaty) ready to tackle the day. My awesome hubs had watched the kids (did I mention it was my first time leaving them?! BIG step for this mama!). He had them all ready to go so we could get him to work. I’m a lucky lady!

By the time we got back Zelie was very ready for her morning nap. She has been not doing well with naps lately. so, i prepped caidoc with his timmy time show so i could get her down and then spend some alone time with Caidoc.

When Zelie woke up we started our first activity of the day, green muffins!

 

How are these green? Why about 3 whopping cups of spinich!
How are these green? Why about 3 whopping cups of spinich!
Delish morning snack
Delish morning snack
Very popular with the kiddos! Couldn't have done it without my little helpers ;)
Very popular with the kiddos! Couldn’t have done it without my little helpers 😉

 

While the muffins were baking I did a shamrock craft with Caidoc using  a cork and some green paint. He loved it! And it will go into his art binder once its been up on the fridge for awhile. 

He wouldn't let me see his face for some reason
He wouldn’t let me see his face for some reason
There he is!
There he is!

 

I used the craft to explain the Trinity, and why Saint Patrick was important. Then I showed him a clover from the yard and he was so excited to paint them!

We made sure we dropped some muffins off for daddy at work since it is his feast day after all.

Dinner was extra delish since it is a feast day, boy, did we feast!

Baked potato with avacado and cheese. Kale salad. Polish sausage. I highly recommended avacado with baked potato. It is amazing.
Baked potato with avacado and cheese. Kale salad. Polish sausage. I highly recommended avacado with baked potato. It is amazing.

 

I wanted Caidoc to watch this kid St. Patrick little video that’s just a 30 minute story about St . Paddy’s life, but he didn’t like the part where he gets kidnapped so he asked for it to be turned off 🙁 I was bummed. Maybe he will like it when he’s a bit older. I grew up with this movie and loved it, it’s very mild, but he’s very sensitive. He was so excited, oh well! Next time. I got a cute picture out of it anyways 😉

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One of the best parts of the day was explaining to Caidoc that St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and that Caidoc’s very own name saint was preached Ireland as a priest. Well, that story went over very well apparently because he went around talking about how today was “his” day. Hmm, well, close enough.

Hope you had a great day!

 

 

Valentines Day

I cannot believe I forgot to post our pictures from the adventures we went on this past Valentines Day! We went for a family run in the morning, stopping at a new park and playground to check it out.

I had also made Chris some blueberry and coconut cinnimon rolls with cream cheese frosting for breakfast. He loves big breakfasts 🙂

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Then we went to Snoqualmie Falls that afternoon after naps. It surprisingly wasn’t too busy and the falls were RAGING! We had been up there since Caidoc was a baby. It was really fun. It felt like it was practically raining since the falls were so big. 

I'm sure you're wondering, why is Zelie wearing Caidoc's old PJs? Well, they are our backup outfit in the diaper bag in case something happens. Well, we arrived at the falls and took Zelie out of her seat, covered in poop. Apparently she has merrily been pooping away in her cute outfit all the way up there. *sigh*
I’m sure you’re wondering, why is Zelie wearing Caidoc’s old PJs? Well, they are our backup outfit in the diaper bag in case something happens. Well, we arrived at the falls and took Zelie out of her seat, covered in poop. Apparently she has merrily been pooping away in her cute outfit all the way up there. *sigh*

Despite the few mishaps along the way, it was a fun day!

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Parenting Thoughts

“If you don’t have any thing nice to say, say nothing at all.”

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While reflecting on how I’m doing as a mom, I’m riddled with the thought that all moms have at one point or another, ” Am I totally screwing up this kid!?” I think I have this thought at least once a day. It is not my personality to make excuses for myself or to cut myself slack. I am painfully aware of my short comings. I am extrmemly critical and expect a lot from myself. This leads me to have a very low opinion of my strengths particularly when it comes to parenting.

I am so very aware of my shortcomings, (temper, inconsistency, unrealistic expectations, and stressing the small stuff) when it comes to parenting, I feel that these charateristics get amplified. I mean, why wouldn’t they? Then you’re short on sleep and sanity, the ugly comes to light. Getting positive reinforcement that you’re trying hard, despite the shortcomings is so important, especially during the hardest times.

I express my insecurity with my parenting usually with sarcasm, which is not the best idea, I’m aware. But for some reason when I do express my concerns, it is over whelming how unhelpful, or even mean people can be. I think that my sarcasm is misinterpreted. Just the other day, when I was bemoaning a conflict with nap time that we have to consistently deal with, I was met with an eyeroll and, “Well, your kids are really scheduled” , as if it was ridiculous for me to have my children on a routine. I didn’t even know what to say.

There is very little room for flexibility in my kids schedule, pretty much anyone who knows me knows that. My kids don’t sleep a lot, and I can assure you, I’ve read every book, and tried every method to change their sleep patterns. What I have discovered is that time, consistency, and a unwavering bedtime routine achieve the best results for us. Do I like this? No. Do I wish my kids would just pass out in their carseats and sleep for hours? Of course. Do I wish other people would have the respect to follow my kids routine so I could get a break? Naturally. What I’ve discovered however is that whenever I do talk about how I parent my kids, I am met by eyerolls, and comments such as, “Just give them Benadryl.” I may not be a great parent, but I know enough to not drug my 2 year old and 9 month old to sleep.

Apparently, my complaining about the difficult aspects of parenting my particular kids is socially unacceptable. I feel like I’m a 25 year old being judged for wearing preteen clothes or something. Instead of encouragement most parents are met with ridiculous unsolicited advice or even critized, as if they did not have their children’s best interest at heart (I believe most do, even if it doesn’t seem like it). I loathe that I feel the pressure to explain and make excuses for my parenting choices.

Despite my shortcomings, I think sympathizing is something I do well, particularly with other parents. You know what another parent needs when they are complaining about another sleepless night? “Wow that sucks. You look great even thought you got no sleep!” Trust me, that parent is raking themselves over the coals of guilt enough by themselves, and, even if they aren’t, being judgey isn’t going to make them feel guilty. I disagree with most of the parenting choices I encounter, but I don’t even bother to say anything to the parents. I hate it when people do that with me, so I’m not about to return the favor.

 

I struggle with not letting the meanies out there get to me, particularly if they are close in proximity, but something I always try to remember is, “haters gonna hate, potatoes gonna potate.” And then I feel a little bit better. These little people remind me why I do what I do. 

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Seattle Hot Chocolate 5k

I mentioned that I was going to post about the 5k race I did, so here it is!

The Kent Moms Group that I am a member of is absolutely fabulous and definitely the most support group of women I’ve ever met. I’ve made some of my closest mommy friends through that group. Several of these moms decided to run a 5k and they picked the Seattle Hot Chocolate Run held on March 1st. I couldn’t wait to join the fun.

 

 

Some of the sweet swag that came with the sign up fee.
Some of the sweet swag that came with the sign up fee.
My bib number!
My bib number!

It was so incredibly motivating to have this group of ladies to compare notes and tips with during the month of training. When race day came I felt so ready, even though I had had some set backs during the training (stomach flu, sick kids, and my first postpartum period starting two days before the race!)

 

Chris and I packed up to the two littles at the crack of dawn (literally, it was 5 am, luckily that’s when the kids normally wake up) and headed into Seattle on Sunday. Chris was a trooper with the kids and super supportive. It turns out I wasn’t actually able to connect with my friends before the race and I was so bummed. But, alls well that ends well because I finished in 32 minutes, which surprised me because I was sure the hills around the Seattle center would kill me! I was hoping for a 30 minute finish but I also got stuck behind some walkers (even though i was in a no walk section..grr..oh well). I survived! I’m still here! Yay!

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The best part of this race? The sign Caidoc made me with Chris. "Go mommy, go mommy!"
The best part of this race? The sign Caidoc made me with Chris. “Go mommy, go mommy!”
A little tired but pretty happy about the treats!
A little tired but pretty happy about the treats!

My next goal is to run a 10k, probably around September. Hubs is going to run the mud run in June and we are trying to space out our runs :). The same group of moms that did the hot chocolate run are doing the Tacoma color run in August  and I plan on joining them. I’m so excited I’ve always wanted to do one of those! It is only a 5k but I’m glad to have a mid-training push for the 10k. 

Anyways, so pumped to be back into the workout routine and have some goals to work towards.

Cheers!

 

 

First Beach Visit 2015

After our soccer class yesterday morning, we headed home for naps and to get ready for our afternoon excursion to the ocean! One of my very favorite things about where we live is that we are 20 minutes from the ocean. Its just gorgeous and not too busy or dirty like it is further north.

The weather was so lovely; crisp, but sunny. Caidoc could not get enough of the “beech!” And happliy dug away. We’ve recently read a book about a crab called Kermit too, so we obviously had to go hunting for him as well. This was Zelie,s first time at the ocean, and she loved it!

All pictures taken with Chris's iPhone. Love that thing!
All pictures taken with Chris’s iPhone. Love that thing!
In his element!
In his element!
Getting her little toes in the sand :)
Getting her little toes in the sand 🙂
Happy as a clam! She kept taking off her cute beach hat.
Happy as a clam! She kept taking off her cute beach hat.
Saltwater State Park. Um, yeah, I'll take it!
Saltwater State Park. Um, yeah, I’ll take it! That’s me and caidoc you see there, hunting for Kermit.

Remember when I was saying I have a really hard time slowing down? I REALLY do. But yesterday, I just turned off the busy. And it was wonderful. I had such great connecting moments with Caidoc, and he was the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time.

I love the ocean
I love the ocean

 

I was in and out of the water filling up Caidoc's bucket- WHEE! CHILLY!
I was in and out of the water filling up Caidoc’s bucket- WHEE! CHILLY!

Not a single pout or fit all day long. He is generally a happy kid, but yesterday, he was euphoric! I wish you could have heard him on the beach howling with delight over the sand and water! Lesson learned forthis mom: CHILL OUT! Of course, today the house looks like a tornado hit it, and after I got the kids to sleep, I was able to get 45 minutes of sleep before Lady was up to nurse again- starting a very difficult night with her after such a long day. But…worth it.

 

I have a hard time limiting the amount of shells I bring home.
I have a hard time limiting the amount of shells I bring home.
Man, I love this kid.
Man, i love this kid.

And, because I love him, I’ll post Husband’s favorite picture of the day…

It was bright. And our selfie game is NOT strong.
It was bright. And our selfie game is NOT strong.

Yeiks. This one is a little better.

We don't really like taking pictures of ourselves, our kids are so much more fun to take pictures of!
We don’t really like taking pictures of ourselves, our kids are so much more fun to take pictures of!

 

Anyways, stay tuned for my 5k post! It was quite an ordeal but I’m pretty proud I rocked it. I owe hubs big time for watching the kids!

Have a great day!

 

 

 

 

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