Worst Costco Trip... so far

Today we headed to Costco for a grocery run around lunch time.  We started by grabbing a bite to eat - we all love Costco cheese pizza!  I couldn't cut the food fast enough for B.  He would let out a scream, yell, whatever you want to call it, between each and every bite.  (So wish he would learn to sign or talk, cause he has an opinion he is trying to share)

Then off to the potty... always an adventure with 3 little ones... holding B while trying to help Bug up on the potty... and can you imagine how hard it is to pull up your own pants while holding a 1 year old... I am sure many of you can actually totally picture it, because you have done it before : )

On to the shopping... enjoying samples along the way
And what Costco trip is complete without random comments from strangers...
grandpa #1 "You have your hands full!"
me: "Yes and I love it!"
grandpa #1: "I had 4 kids, I know what you mean!"
Made me smile

Then a lady stopped me for a few minutes to ask if 3 kids is really doable.  "Umm, yes! Of course! It is busy, especially once the baby is mobile.  But totally doable!"  I don't know if she was convinced or not...

Then the chaos really began.  H was my helper, grabbing some of the groceries for me.  He picked up the salad dressing that I asked him to get.  Instead of putting it right into the cart, he decided to shake it... just like daddy does.  I should have asked him to put it in the cart, but I figured he had it.  Two isles later, he dropped it, the plastic lid split and the floor of Costco was covered in Italian dressing!  Uggh!  We had to find a worker to clean it up, apologize, ask if we can pay for it, wait for them to clean it up... not fun, but it happens.

Then we get to the checkout... B was OVER being in the cart and was starting to take it out on Bug, who was sitting next to him.  So I put on my Beco, and put him in.  Then started unloading groceries.  I must have looked pathetic.  Because grandpa #2 set down his Nicorette Gum, and silently starts unloading my cart.  "Thank you I said." He nodded.  Again once the cart was unloaded, I told him how much I appreciated his help, he didn't say a word, just nodded!  I thought that strange, but I was thankful none the less.

Walking out the kids ask the receipt-checker at the door for a smiley face.  To which she obliged them.  She handed the receipt to H, who was walking.  Two feet out of the door, H is walking with his hand on the side of the cart and admiring his receipt smiling at him, when he stepped toward the side... BUMP.... I heard the cart wheel over his foot.  AHHHH!  H is screaming (and for good reason - a huge, fully loaded cart just ran over his toes)!  I bent down (B still strapped on me) and tried comforting him... still crying... I looked up at the cart and there was not an inch of room to put B back in or to put H in.  I contemplated putting him up on my shoulder to make it to the car.  Just as I was analyzing my possibilities a lady ran over and said, "Can I please help you?"  "Yes, please!"  So this sweet lady, pushed the cart with Bug in it, while I carried B on the front and my huge 5 year old on my hip to the car.  Then she proceeded to unload all of my groceries while I strapped in the kid.  She was a God-send for sure!

We survived!  H's toes are just fine, he hasn't even complain about them since we have been home.  I am learning to accept help when I need it and realizing that I probably really do look like I have my hands full!

Summertime Give-away

It is summertime!! The sun is out, the pools are ready,  kids are out of school... at least momentarily!  As a tribute to the end of summer, I wanted to host a give-away!

If you are like us, you have spent a lot of time either in the pool, running through sprinklers, or at the beach this summer.  Not only is great sunblock needed, but toys and of course beach towels.  My kiddos love having their very own special towels.  These fun towels are shaped like a surfboard with a hood attached.  My big kiddos love these...

I would love to give these away to two of you faithful readers...  Pink towel to one of you and blue to another : )

Here is how to enter:
1.  Leave a comment and let me know if you would prefer the pink, blue or either.
2.  For a second entry, let me know if you are a follower... if not, let me know when you become one!
3.  For a final entry, what has been your favorite "out of the box" summer activity you have done this year?

** Give-away ends on Sunday at 5pm (Pacific Time)

Happy last month of summer sweet friends!

Sweet Potato side dish

This is a favorite side dish around our casa.  It is easy to make, and SUPER easy clean up.  you can make it on the grill or in the oven... along side whatever you have cookin'.

Directions:
1. Peal 2 medium sweet potatoes

2.  Thinly slice sweet potatoes- (the thinner they are the quicker they will cook)
3.  Slice up an apple
4.  Place sweet potatoes and apples on sheet of tin foil
5. Add a few slices of butter
6. Add 1 tsp of water
7. Sprinkle with cinnamon

8.  Sprinkle with a tablespoon of brown sugar, OR drizzle with a little bit of Agave juice
9.  Sprinkle with walnut pieces (optional) 
9.  Fold tin foil closed, seal up so no moisture can escape.  Sometimes, I will even add a second layer of tinfoil to make it more sturdy and sealed!
10.  Throw on grill (or in the oven at 350 degrees) until apples and sweet potatoes are soft, about 25 minutes.

Enjoy!!

It works for me- eliminating fruit flies

My sweet mother-in-law was here last week, and I soaked in every minute we had with her.  Her calming presence, her joy, perspective and godliness is a true blessing to be around!  Seriously, she is amazing!  I could go on and on... but that can be for another post : )

Anyway, this last visit she gave me such a practical and efficient tip that I had to pass along to you... How to kill fruit flies!  Up until now, my attempt at annihilation was to try to catch them by clapping them in my hand.  Umm, INEFFECTIVE!

Here is the easy- sure proof method...
Take a small dish and pour in some Red Wine Vinegar - the fruit flies are attracted to the vinegar.
Then put in a drop of dish soap- the soap in the mixture makes them stick and unable to fly away.

Put the little dish by your bowl of fruit

And check back in a few hours.

1st one down...

Today I had 6 floating in the dish within 3 hours!  Made me feel like I accomplished something : )
My FIL said that if you get 5 in a day you are an "ace"

I'll add that to my resume, "ACE!"

Lemons

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade... or just funny faces...

 

 

 lemons and pickles are the best entertainment for B-man at restaurants... and they provide perfect photo ops too!  Good thing the kid loves them, he keeps coming back for more : )

up to...

life is still so busy, so much to still do... here is what I have been up to:
unpacking
buying knobs
ikea run
front yard hang-out time with new neighbors
home depot run
fixin' meals
perfecting my plumbing skills
time with my M-I-L (oh how I love her so)
bookshelf building
kid lovin'
watching my baby take steps
unpacking
swinging on the front portch
organizing
park-hopping
re-organizing
drain de-clogging (can I say NASTY hair... i will spare you the details)
sorting items for donation pile
finding old pics... reminiscing
swimming-lessons (for the kids not me, though I could use some)
breaking down boxes
play-room arranging
check writing/ credit card swipping
living amongst boxes
hot date with Mr. Steady to a wedding
5:45AM walk with neighbor
beach-towel drying
counting my blessings

Ohhh, life is full!  Trying to enjoy each moment!

... just a picture of our chaos... Oh, messy garage...

We moved...

Well, I have been absent on here for over 2 weeks!  I think that might be the longest blogging break yet : )  But I have a good excuse, we moved into our new house!  Wooo Hooo!  It has been a joyful and great experience for us, but not void of stress.  I have been hardly keeping up on normal life, let alone unpacking, so blogging was on a temporary hold. 

This last week has been such a whirlwind!  I have barely been keeping my head above water... especially as a mom!  There have been days this week were I failed in the realm of parenting.  Everything is feeling somewhat overwhelming, no one's needs are being met perfectly, everyone is having some major/ minor behavioral issues.  My patience is being constanly tried and my heart is full of selfish ambitions (like un-packing)... Uggh, it has been hard!

This time of transition has been hard on all of us, especially my littlest peeps.  My kids worlds have been turned upside-down.  They are in a new home, new bedrooms, with new beds and lots of changes.  Bug especially seems to be feeling really insecure with this change.
There is not a single room in our house that is safe yet for B-man, which makes my day harder, my arms stronger and my baby frustrated that he is always being picked up and pulled away from whatever "fun" he is ready to devour.
 
I am trying to find the balance of being consistent with rules and expectations and being sensitive to their hearts in this transition into our new life (giving more grace).  The other balance I have not yet mastered is having fun times planned with the kids and then time for mommy to unpack (not so fun for the kids).  We will get there, someday all these boxes we be unpacked : )  Good thing Grammy is coming to town next week!!!

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We are LOVING our house and feel so very blessed to be here!  We love the layout, our super driveway for H to play basketball on or Bug to ride her bike.  Our neighbors are very sweet and friendly.  We have loved living close to the park and pool!  God truly blessed us with this house.  Praying that our home can be a place of love, encouragement, comfort and prayer, not just for us, but for everyone that comes in our door.