Tis the season

It's always so hard for me when Christmas is over. I love this season, I love the lights, I love how festive everything seems and I love our family time.  I will be returning to work tomorrow after five unexpected days off! It was such a nice surprise. I have loved every minute of my time with the boys. We had a wonderful time together and built a million memories. I love the smiles on their faces, the twinkle in their eyes and the squeals of their excitement. Tomorrow will be hard to be away, but I'm ready to end this year back at work. 

We have packed a lot into my days off. Christmas was exciting this year for me (Walter says I say that every year). Watching Oscar learn our traditions filled me with joy! Oscar learning to say Santa was definitely one of my highlights. Felix has followed in my footsteps, embracing every part of this season, which makes me feel like I hit the jackpot! The other evening he asked for all of us to dance around the Christmas tree singing "Jingle Bells", just as I did as a child. I love how magical Christmas was for him this year and how he believed in Santa, with his entire being. 

I have hundreds of pictures to hold onto and to look back at. I can't wait to continue making Christmas magic next year, only 362 days away! 

Christmas at Mor Mor's

Walking Dino! 

Caterpillar Color Matching, he loves!

Peacock Lane!

This last year has been one of the hardest I have ever been through, looking forward to 2015! Happy New Year all! 

Thankful

I am always THANKFUL for my family! My  family is my rock, my favorite part of life! 

Mom, I am thankful for the unconditional love you show my family and especially the boys! They are so lucky to have such an amazing Mor Mor! You always go above and beyond to help and for that I thankful! I love you so much! 

Walter, I am thankful for the type of father and partner you are! I am so glad the boys have you to look up to. The love you show me is the kind of love I hope our boys find one day! We are a good team and for that I am so thankful! I love you! 

Felix, I am thankful for your sweet, caring nature. Your love of the world is heartwarming! In your almost five years of life you have an amazing understanding of what life is about! You have such a gentle soul and for that I am beyond thankful! I love you, Baby Beluga! 

Oscar, I am thankful for your happy nature! Your smile lights up any room you enter. You are such a fun babe, with a loud voice. I love your love for your family and pets, for that I am thankful! I love you, Oxy! 

Signe, Erika and Ada, I am thankful for your loving support. I have had some rough days this past year, but you three are always there! You shower my kids with love and for that I am thankful! I love you guys! 

Crock Pot Monday's

Monday's have been known to be rough around our house around dinner time. I am at work, Walter is home with both boys (also Archie) and it is usually about the time Oscar just wants to be held. Almost two months ago I decided I would help out where I could and that meant preparing a crock pot meal! We have had some good ones, some bland ones, but none that were absolutely horrible! I wanted to write this blog to share the ones we have tried! Also if any of you have recipes you love please share! 

We started with Taco Bean Soup! I didn't use quite as many beans, and we also had tortilla chips to eat with! http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/234498/slow-cooker-taco-bean-soup

Our second week was one I just googled. Walter really liked this one, it reminded him of something he grew up with. 

http://m.campbellskitchen.com/recipes/slow-cooker-chicken,-broccoli-rice-25994?utm_referrer=direct%2Fnot%20provided

Third week was one of my favorites! I'm sure not so healthy, but what's there not to like! 

http://easyrecipestodo.blogspot.com/2013/11/cheesy-chicken-tater-http://hallieandthehappylife.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-visit-from-my-brother.html?m=1-casserole-in.html?m=1

We love curry and we thought since there are pumpkins galore why not try to make a pumpkin curry! While I enjoyed the smell, it was bland! I followed the recipe, but it was missing something. It wasn't horrible, but if someone has another one they have made please let me know! 

https://snapguide.com/guides/make-pumpkin-curry-in-the-slow-cooker/

5th week was by far the BEST! We were both surprised how well it turned out! Parmesan Honey Pork Roast! I am not a big pork eater or someone that loves left overs, but this was great for lunch the next day! 

http://www.joyouslydomestic.com/2013/01/slow-cooker-parmesan-honey-pork-roast.html?m=1

Last week we tried chicken fajitas! It was good, but nothing to rave about. We like things spicy so we added Chalula, we had radishes and Walter added cilantro (not my thing)! 

http://hallieandthehappylife.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-visit-from-my-brother.html?m=1

Tomorrow we are trying Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches! Yum! We are excited, hopefully they turn out delish...I will let you know! 

http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/10/slow-cooker-philly-cheesesteaks/#_a5y_p=1014644

Here is an extra recipe to try!

One of my good friends shared her recipe of chicken soft tacos, but we haven't added it to our Monday's yet only because we wanted to try different things. Her recipe is super easy and everyone we have made it for LOVES it! 

Chicken breasts (we usually use about two lbs for our fam)

Container of fresh salsa

Package of taco seasoning

Cook for 6 hours on low

Shread chicken and dish up! 

It turns out great! 

Felix the Fish

Tonight Felix started swim lessons. We took them when he was a toddler, but he didn't really like the water. He wouldn't put his face in and he didn't like his hair wet. We were on a swimming hiatus for about two years. This past Summer he seemed to be gaining more confidence in water and was willing to try getting his face wet again. We talked about trying lessons again and he agreed! This time was going to be a little different then the rest. He would be in the water with just the instructor. He had always had lessons with us, so he was a little nervous. 

He did AMAZING tonight! Walter and I were shocked and so proud! He tried everything without hesitation! He was constantly looking at us to make sure we had seen what he was doing! It was so neat to see how far he has come! He was a fish! The instructor was great and smiled a lot with the kids (which I love)! He wasn't ready for the class to be over and cannot wait for next week. The instructor said if he keeps this up he will graduate to Penguin! 

Go Felix Go! Oscar, Daddy and I are your biggest fans! 

Quiet House=Productive Mom

My house is quiet, I actually have time to finish a project ...that I somehow start, but feel like I have no time to finish! 

We have started Felix's Halloween costume and I wanted to finish his jacket. I decided this year I wanted to make the costumes, Felix wants to be a dinosaur (of course). Green hooded sweatshirt + green sponges from the dollar tree = dino jacket! As of this morning the jacket is DONE! Now to find green/brown leggings or sweatpants?!? 

I love this time of year. Nice enough to be outside, the Fall festivities are beginning and the trees are starting to change colors! 

Boundaries

When our children are born we are constantly teaching them. Teaching right from wrong, good vs. bad, yes and no, all are boundaries being built within those young people. 

Recently it has come up in our life, reteaching our four year old about boundaries. Teaching him that he has a voice and that he will be heard. Teaching him that he is in charge of his body and actions and that he can speak up. 

Tickling, is something that happens all the time, but it can be uncomfortable or unwanted. It's a perfect example of using boundaries; Felix was being tickled the other day and he was telling the person to stop. The person kept going, Felix was getting visibly upset because we have been working on our "No, Stop!" and it clearly wasn't being heard. He pushed their hands away, turned around and was starting to cry. The person tickling him then said, "'you can't be mad at me." After all our hard work of teaching him, he has someone else pushing the limits...what does that teach him? Does that teach him that it's always ok to push limits? Does it teach him that it's ok not to respect others? Does it teach him that his voice isn't being heard? 

Why don't we listen when kids speak up?  Is it because some adults assume they don't know what they want? Is it because kids are "just kids"? I want my children and every child to learn that they too will be heard and that their boundaries will be respected! We are constantly teaching younger people that it is important to respect older people, but what about vice versa? 

RANT OVER! 

Bye Bye July

August already!?! Summer is already over halfway over. I cannot believe how fast it is going! 

Oscar started WALKING! It is so cute to watch him stumble all over, and he is so proud of himself! His version of crawling is still faster, so he switches back and forth. He is talking so much and has such a happy personality! His top two teeth are finally in! He is still definitely a Mama's boy! He lunges for me if I'm in his view. I just love him to pieces and am so happy to be his mama! 

Felix is ready for school to start again. He misses his friends and teachers. The community center is a perfect place for Felix. People know him, he feels so comfortable there. It is fun to see him in his element! He is growing like a weed, we had to buy him 12.5 size shoes for school! Felix is still our sidekick and just loves being with his parents. He is just a lovebug and still loves to cuddle with us! I just can't get enough of this kid! 

August, we are ready for you! New adventures! Daddies birthday! Sunny Weather! And pre-k orientation! Cannot wait to make more memories!