Swashbuckling Swordsmen

Last weekend Kevin and I rented the newest Chronicles of Narnia from Redbox because we had a free rental and there wasn't anything better to choose. We let the boys stay up and watch it because they had lots of energy to burn. During the movie there is a sword fight between two of the characters. Immediately following the end of the scene Cooper ran to the silverware drawer and produced two butter knives. Kevin and I at first were surprised and told him to put them away. But after he went to his brother and said "Here Aiden," then attempted to sword fight with him. We thought it was too cute and imaginative to take away the fun factor. So after a good 15 minutest of sword fighting between the four of us we put the butter knives away and continued to watch the movie. It's the little things like that which light up my days and remind me how great it is to be a parent.

Time For a Change

I have been thinking about it for a long time and today I finally decided to do it. I a changing our bloghandle to:

kevinandjacque.blogspot.com

I hope this doesnt put a damper too many people but I just wanted a change.

Blogger Inspiration: The Bella Life

Do you all read The Bella Life blog? If you don’t you should because they are funny, inspirational, and all around awesome. They did a post about Dollar Tree hurricanes and how Camberly & Keighley fancied them up. Feeling inspired I trucked over to my local Dollar Tree and picked up the last hurricane they had. I’m hoping that they will get some more in stock because really, you need more than one pretty hurricane on your mantle. Also while I was at the DT I picked up some glitter skulls because I felt that my house needed some Halloween sparkle. So here is what I did with my Dollar Tree finds:

Hurricane:

I kept it simple and filled the bottom with some moss (also purchased at the Dollar Tree) and simply placed a few little white pumpkins I picked up at a local grocery store (Harps) for 67 cents a pound! I purchased 7 and only spend $1.50.

Glitter Skulls:

In an attempt to make my mantle more appealing I opted to switch out my candles which one sat upon these candle sticks for skulls. They are super fun and when we leave the light on over our mantle the glitter reflects. Kevin was even a fan of them, which is a good thing because he generally doesn’t dig the glitter.

These are only a couple of the touches that I have added to my house but I think they are fun. I’ll post my DIY Halloween wreath soon.

Sometimes, our lives get busy…

So heres the deal, we have been super busy around here lately. School is insanely involved, which is what I should have expected, but didn’t for some reason. Probably due to the fact I’ve only taken general ed courses the past 2 semesters and this semester is the real classes. Anyways, I have been swamped with book reports, mini-lessons, quizzes, tests, observations, and presentations. It’s been a lot, but I am really loving everything and I think I have found my niche in the world. Teaching.

The boys have been super busy and really funny lately. I wish that we were potty training just for the simple fact that diapers = expensive! Aiden is a copy cat in every way possible. Whenever I say something to him he simple repeats it back. I find it hilarious when he says “There’s Aiden!” when playing hide and seek. Cooper on the other hand is super feisty!He will always tell Aiden to “stop it” and likes to think he can tell me “momma, no no!” Kevin and I laugh because he says it with a super growly voice that makes him sound like he is possessed by a creature.

They had their 2 year check up at the dentist and the doctors office. They were really good for the dentist considering the fact they don’t like people getting into their mouths. He said that their teeth looked good and had no stains and to just continue to floss them so they don’t get any cavities. I attribute their immaculate teeth to the fact they don’t eat candy and only get soda in a blue moon. Their well-check at the doctor went really well too! Aiden is 1/2 an inch taller than Cooper and Cooper weighed 1 pound more than Aiden. Some how the difference of one pound puts the kids in completely different percentage groups. Cooper is in the 50th percentile, while Aiden is in the 25th. I think that’s just nonsense so I think they are fine and on the right course for their growth and development.

They have been much more interested in reading lately and their favorite book is Good Night Goon which is a parody of Good Night Moon. We have both books but the goon book is funnier and they can almost read the whole book by themselves. It amazes me how much they are growing developmentally! Cooper has developed a love for the kitchen and will take any opportunity he can to pull a chair up and help me or Kevin. Usually Aiden climbs up there with him and they fight over who gets to stand in the chair, but none the less, it is exciting to see that he has interests in more than Buzz! Aiden on the other hand is the best dancer ever! Well, I’m not sure about ever but he gets his groove on whenever he can. If we are watching tv and a commercial comes on he will listen to the music and if he thinks it is danceable… he will bust a move. His dance move looks similar to Kevin’s signature move “The Hobie.” If I can capture a video of this little guy, it will be posted!

As for Kev, he is still busy with work. We sold his truck so now we have no more car payments or insurance payments!! YIPPIE! We do have insurance on my car, but its through the shop so we don’t have to pay for it. Don’t worry, we stay safe in this family. Kevin even told me that our next car will be a new family car that will fit any other little munchkins that happen to join us down the road. (No, I am not pregnant. Kevin and I just have plans for more kids in the future so we are being responsible.) I can’t think of anything else at the moment. But I promise as soon as I find some time in my busy schedule I will do a picture filled post.

All Grown Up

Lately Kevin and I have been in disbelief over how big our boys have gotten. I remember when they were just little bitty and just fresh from the hospital. I can't believe that they are two and have grown so much in just a short amount of time! They have gone through all of the adorable baby phases (little babies, little old men, baby/toddler) and are now just little boys. Thats all I can say to describe them. So, since they are no longer babies we have decided they must dress like big boys for church. While at the grand opening of a new Good Will I picked them up some white button ups ($2) and my friend bought them little clip on ties (for their birthday) ($2). I then was in search of some dress pants. Did you know that little kids clothes are just as expensive as adult clothing? I think its silly. However, Kohls was having a sale and I picked up some pants ($8) and found some shoes on clearance at WalMart ($5). When it was all put together yesterday morning I couldn't have been a prouder parent. The boys were just beaming with excitement of their spiffy new outfits and the fact that they looked just like daddy. Of course, I tried to do an impromptu photo shoot in our backyard before church and was not able to capture the picture I wanted... but these turned out super cute still.

Cooper is a ham for the camera. 

Saturday Steals: Birthday Bargain

So, the boys turned two on Thursday. These past couple of days have been kinda crazy! I can't believe that they are two already! Seriously, where did the time go? Anyways, this post really isn't about their birthday or the festivities that we did. It is about a super cute cake that I made by myself without anyone's help (except the internet's). 

You see, A & C are obsessed with Woody & Buzz so I figured we would have a fun rocket ship shaped cake. I Googled rocket cakes and saw a whole bunch of ideas. So basically, I decided I would do it myself. I baked a 13X9 in greased foil so it would be easily removed. Once it was all cooled down I cut the rocket shape and then took the corners flipped them upside down and placed them on the opposite side of the cake. That sound's kinda confusing, but it was really easy. The end result was a super cute cake that I decorated with homemade cream cheese frosting and sprinkles that were in my pantry because I didn't get any piping icing and don't own any piping tips. I know, I need to get on the train and purchase those things but I just havent yet. So, with out further ado: here is the cake!

I even decorated with cardboard stars and a moon that I covered in tin foil. I'm a genius, I know. 

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This post is in conjunction with Camille over at Archives of Our Lives. Click HERE to see other Saturday Steals and HERE to enter her giveaway for some super cute handmade flowers :)

Happily Ever After

Some days are hard. Some days Kevin runs late, doesn't answer his phone and makes me late for school. Some days if I was capable of breathing fire, I would burn him to a crisp. But, thankfully {for the both of us} that is not possible. Today was one of those hard days. Fortunately for the both of us I have a long drive to school.

My drive started out with me telling myself how lucky he was I had to leave or else he would have gotten an ear full! After I had blown off my steam and had learned a bit of patience thanks to a slow driver on a two lane highway I put on my Sugarland cd. Country music is my guilty pleasure. I lost myself in music and arrived at school. I had a fun time in class learning all about the cool things I get to do this semester and then headed home. By this time I had completely lost all the fire in my anger and realized how lucky I am to have a man who can leave work when needed so I can go to school. I am lucky to have a man who is capable of making my children a healthy dinner. I am lucky to have a man that knows even though I am fire breathing mad at him, it will be okay when I  get home.

I really am living my happily ever after. I couldn't imagine my life with any other outcome. We may not have a lot of years under our belts, but we are building a strong foundation. And, we all know how a strong foundation is. I really am a lucky gal!

{how precious is this picture? he is such an amazing father!}

SEE! LUCKY! thats me :)