Crafts, Crafts, Crafts!

Well, after 16 months I have finally finished Ambree's wall hanging that I started before she was born!! Yay for me . . . better late than never, right!?

Here is the one I made for Cade when he was a baby. This one only took me a few months to finish. I don't even want to think about how long it will take me to do another one if we have another baby!

Here is another project that I finished a couple months ago. These frames were plain brown $3.00 frames and I painted stripes on them (Using tape to make straight lines). I was pretty happy with the way they turned out. Each of these pics was taken when the kids were around 9 months old. . . too funny! These pics. are in our guest/kids bathroom which is decorated in these colors. There used to be beige rugs in the bathroom, but now they are grey. . . never wash beige rugs with navy blue rugs . . . grey rugs is the outcome! Maybe I'll try dying them brown . . .?

Now that Cade's three . . .

He sleeps in a toddler bed!

Cade has never been a big climber, so although he has climbed out of his crib once or twice, I don't think he enjoyed it enough to do it again, which was fine with me! A couple weeks before he turned three he asked why all of his friends had "big boy/girl'' beds and he still had a "baby" bed. After that comment, Craig and I decided to try him in a toddler bed. I was a little worried, but he's been in it a week now, and we haven't had any problems (knock on wood)! Once we do his bedtime routine and turn off the lights he doesn't get up. I think a lot of this just has to do with the fact that he was quite a bit older and excited to sleep with "Diego!" LOL!

He goes down a slide by himself!

My kids are pretty opposite when it comes to personality! Ambree is a "climber" and she is fearless. Cade has always been a little more cautious and timid when it comes to climbing and slides. He has been going down the closed tube slides for a couple months by himself, but he wouldn't go down a slide like the one below by himself until he saw Ambree doing it a couple weeks ago! Thank you Ambree for motivating Cade to achieve this milestone in his life. We were getting a little worried!

Ambree is very pleased with herself after going down the slide all by herself . . . what a big girl!

He is attempting to go potty in the toilet instead of in his diaper!

I haven't been very consistent with the whole potty trainging thing, but I am going to start being consistent now . . . any tips!?

And of course, Ambree wants to do the same thing . . . who knows, maybe she will get potty trained soon and then Cade will follow her lead again! We'll see!

A trip down memory lane because . . .

Cade turned three!!

Cade's birthday on Sept. 23, 2004

Cade's birthday on Sept. 23, 2005

Cade's birthday on Sept. 23, 2006

Cade's Birthday on Sept. 23, 2007

Cade with his presents from Grandma and Grandpa Clegg. . . I think it's funny how similar this picture is to the one above it from last year! LOL!

Cade got the same card from his Grandma Carol and his Great Grandma Clegg (Grandma Carol's mom). LOL!

Cade enjoying his loot from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Bill!!

Opening all those presents sure wore this little guy out!!

30 (since 3 isn't very many I just added a 0) things about Cade!!

1. He was born at Placentia Linda Hospital.
2. He and his sister were both born on the 23rd. . . Ambree is June.
3. He weighed 8lbs. 3 oz. when he was born.
4. He started talking when he was 10 months old and has been talking almost non-stop ever since!
5. His first word was ball.
6. He has always loved to eat!
7. He has loved books since he was very little and will sometimes sit by himself for an hour just looking at them.
8. He also loves puzzles, coloring, painting, and play doh!
9. He has never been a big climber . . . he can climb out of the crib, he just chooses not to.
10. He loves "characters" such as Diego, Dora, Blue's Clues, Woody, Buzz, All Sesame Street guys, Curious George, Barney, Thomas the Train, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, etc.
11. He loves doing imaginary play with these characters and of course wants Craig and I to join in on the fun!
12. He loves videos, but he didn't start liking them until he was around 18 months old. . . He's not a fan of Disney yet (only Toy Story).
13. He is very affectionate and loves to give hugs and kisses.
14. He doesn't like it when other people are sad and tries very hard to make them happy.
15. He loves to sing and seems to have perfect pitch.
16. He loves the park, children's museum, pool, Disneyland, etc.
17. He loves going to work with his daddy (delivering boxes on campus).
18. We think he may have an audio graphic memory because he remembers everything and even has to remind me of things that I really have forgotten.
19. He has a good sense of direction (must have gotten that from Craig).
20. He will not go to bed without at least 2 bed time stories, unless he just happens to fall asleep on the floor or in the car.
21. He loves doing things as a family and will smile and say, "Look, we're all a family!"
22. He likes to help us cook.
23. He loves blueberries, hummus and shrimp (not typical, I know).
24. He is very independent and always wants to do things by himself.
25. If he is talking and we aren't paying attention he will either say, "Look at me when I'm talking" or "Your not listening to me." I wonder where he gets those sayings from? LOL!
26. He loves the beach (rolling in the sand and playing in the waves).
27. He loves animals and even told me that today as he was playing with a toy duck at the store.
28. He is very sensitive if he knows we are mad at him. He will say things like, "are you happy" and "do you forgive me?"
29. He brings a lot of energy, light, and volume to our home.
30. We love him very much and couldn't imagine our lives without him!

Happy 3rd Birthday Little Man!!

Cade opening his birthday presents from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Bill

I love hand-me-downs!!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I love hand-me-downs, things from thrift stores, garage sales, used things on e-bay, etc. and I don't have any shame in admitting it! I know part of the reason I like that stuff is because I have always been low on money, but I think I would still enjoy it if I had a lot of money. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy new things too, but there is just something very satisfying about getting something for really cheap, or even free (that's the best).

A while back our good friends, the Palmers,

decided that they didn't want their double jogging stroller anymore, so guess who they gave it to? US!! Thanks again Palmers . . . we have really enjoyed this! I use it for walks and runs in the mornings.

Isn't this picture adorable!? I have to take pictures of Cade when he is being sweet with Ambree because if doesn't happen that often!

Craig even rigged up a way to attach it to his bike so we can go on family bike rides! I know you are probably thinking that may not be safe, and I was skeptical at first, but the contraption is really well put together. Craig is very good at building things like this. He did this with metal bars and screws, and it has a devise that makes it able to turn just fine and we put their helmets on them, etc. Why didn't we just the baby carrier that is made for this kind of thing? Well, that would cost extra money, and then we would have another "big thing" that we would need to store!

Craig had taken the kids on bike rides this way a couple times before I decided to get on my bike and join them for a "family outing". It had been about two years since I rode my bike due to pregnancy, two kids, etc. So, I went out to the patio to retrieve the bike and this is what I found. . .

Somehow, a vine had made its way onto our patio through the crack below the wall and wrapped its way around the spoke on the wheel. I had to use scissors to get it off and of course my tires needed air and my chain needed to be oiled! It turned out to be a lot of fun and good exercise. I really enjoy doing "active" family activities! Does that surprise you?

A couple weeks ago, we even took the jogging stroller to the beach on a Sunday afternoon to walk around the pier which was fun and very INTERESTING! I'll tell ya, there are some interesting people out there . . . especially on a Sunday afternoon! I don't know if it was really the best place to go to feel the spirit, but is was nice to get the kids out of the house. Sometimes when we are all cooped up in the house it is hard to feel the spirit too! So Sad!

Needless to say we have enjoyed this particular hand me down very much! I just hope after reading this post the Palmers don't decide that they want it back after all! LOL!

What is it that I actually do all day?

Do you ever have days where you feel like you've been doing things all day, but at the end of the day there isn't any tangible evidence, and you think, "what exactly did I do all day?" Well, I feel that way all the time, so when I saw my friends post (Summer Christiansen), where she documented her day through pictures, I thought it would be fun to do the same thing, in order to have proof that I actually do quite a bit in one day! Of course, taking pictures of everything added a lot more to do to my day, but it was fun too. So, if you have ever wondered what it is that "stay at home moms" do all day, here is your answer . . .

A day in the life of Me . . .Sept. 10, 2007 . . .

After my husband gets Ambree out of here crib and leaves for work, she comes toddling into my room, where I am peacefully sleeping and shoves this toy in my face, while whining! I then realize this is her way of saying, this isn't working . . . help me! So, in a groggy state, I get up and put new batteries in her barney toy!

Make breakfast . . . it's amazing how much longer this process takes when you have children to feed! And of course, Cade won't eat cold cereal, he insists on eggs and toast!


Get kids ready for the day, which includes doing Ambree's hair, which I usually do while she is eating breakfast.



Comforted Cade after he pulled this drawer out and onto his foot!



Helped Cade make a chain to count down the days until his birthday, since he asks me everyday, "How many more days?"

Colored with Cade and told him not to poke his eyes out with the marker!

Put Ambree down for a nap.

Put a video on for Cade . . . right now, this is his video of choice!



Finally was able to get myself ready for the day!



Return a few e-mails and do some blogging . . . of course!

Get various snacks and drinks for the kids throughout the day.



And for myself as well.



Watch Cade build a "really big tower" which he was really excited about! Then watch Ambree knock it over and have to make sure that he didn't strangle her! Had to tell Ambree over and over again not to knock his tower over and had to remind Cade to share over and over again!



Went to Walmart and Albertsons . . . luckily without kids today because Craig had a break for a few hours before he had to go back to school (not very common).



Carried some groceries in the house and then decided to use the stroller for the rest (of course Ambree wanted to go along for the ride). What will it be like someday to be able to park my car in front of my house and walk only a few steps to my front door?

Put the groceries away!

Pushed the kids in their swing. Had to make sure Ambree didn't get too close to Cade when he was in the swing and get knocked over!



Ate left over pizza for lunch!

Washed Ambree's highchair tray multiple times throughout the day, and the kids hands and faces!

Changed who knows how many diapers between the two of them.

Cleaned up mess after mess after mess!

Did LOTS of laundry!

Decided Cade needed a break from watching "Dora" and read him a few stories.

Made dinner and then ate it when Craig got home.



Told Cade not to stand up and not to throw his fork on the floor and to eat his vegetables and not to put the pot lid on his head multiple times!


Cleaned up dinner . . .

Did the dishes. . .



Watched Craig clean up Ambree's dinner mess with the vacuum and then proceed to play with the kids, with the vacuum (I know . . . not the most sanitary activity)!




Also watched Craig play with Cade doing this (I know, I know . . . not the safest activity)!


Decided to take the kids to the park for "Family Home Evening" since they hadn't been out all day!

Came home and did the good old "bed time routine" and put the kids to bed . . . ahhhhh. . .

Felt like doing nothing after the kids were in bed, but forced myself to go to the gym and of course read "New Moon" while I was on the elliptical machine. . . this is a great way for me to wind down.

Took a shower (sorry, no pic. of this!LOL!) got ready for bed, read scriptures, prayed, and went to bed to rest for another day! I look a little less chipper by the end of the day, as you can see! After seeing my day in pictures, I realize that I actually do quite a bit during the day, and I usually don't have tangible evidence at the end of the day besides the fact that my kids are fed and clean and our laundry and dishes are done and we have food in the cupboards. Maybe someday soon I'll get to all of those projects I want to finish and then I'll have evedence that's more visible . . . for now, these pics will have to do!