ETA: April 10, 2012

Mostly an Excuse to Post Pictures

Annalissa sent the kids some goodies from my alma mater. 

Here they are in their new gear

I thought the outfit needed a little flower action

They fought over the pom. Landon won

Go Bears!

I love that everywhere else I've lived in the country people have no idea that UNC can also mean Northern Colorado.
I used to bring a UNC Nalgene water bottle (BPA and all, gasp!) to work with me, and students would be really impressed that Mrs. Clark went to UNC! Right up until I clarified... no, no, no, Greeley, you know? Big time teaching school? Smells like slaughtered cows when the wind blows the right way? No?
This summer while we were in Mexico I was talking to another couple. I had already told them I was from CO and somehow it came up that I attended UNC. They knew. Greeley and all. It warmed my heart. I guess I just had to make it to Mexico to finally find someone who knows.

Hmmm...

She does this randomly at least 3 times a day

I have a feeling potty training this one is going to be an adventure

School Days

He seemed to think it was a great idea at first

Tuesday was Landon's first day of preschool. It went pretty much exactly how I expected it would. He went, he cried, and he cried a little more.
I stood outside in the hallway and listened to him cry and try to bargain his way into going home. The assistant director kept checking in on him for me since I didn't want to be seen, and came out to report that, "He's asking for his green money, which he says he left in his black car?" That's Landon speak for "I want my blanket," which was not in the car as I don't allow it to leave the house. It gives me the creepy crawlies to have the thing that he cuddles up to at night out in dirty, public places. Hmmm...

Reality begins to set in...

He wasn't too excited about going back, and leading up to Thursday he repeatedly asked me, "What will the clock say when it's time for me to go home from school?" and told me, "After Thursday I'll be all done with school!"
When Thursday rolled around his eyes filled with tears as we walked into the classroom, but once I pulled his green money out of his backpack he grabbed it, bravely kissed me goodbye, and walked off to face the day.
Preschool: 1, Mommy's Rules: 0

Must include the little miss

Validation

For every moment of guilt I've felt because there is only one of me, for every time I've had to decide whose needs were less important and therefore would come second, for every night (and thankfully there haven't been many) they've taken turns keeping me awake...

I see moments like this and I know it's all worth it

Landon's Big 3

Apparently I just need a little bit of guilt once in a while to get my butt blogging, so for those of you who still care, here goes...

Landon turned 3, and we decided since his birthday coincided with a 4 day weekend for Andy, another trip to Disney would be a fine way to celebrate. Now that Landon knew what the whole Disney thing was all about, his anticipation made the drive seem a bit looooonger for him and he started asking if we were at the hotel yet after about 20 minutes.

We, in fact, made record time (apparently not having to nurse at every stop cuts about an hour and a half off our drive time) and were at Disney in time for dinner.

A few observations...
1) Disney World on the 4th of July weekend is INSANE. I'm not sure it's the busiest weekend of the year, but it has to be close. The good news is, we weren't interested in the fancy popular rides, the slow kiddie ones were just fine by us.
2) Disney World on the 4th of July weekend is HOT.
3) When watching fireworks at Disney World on the 4th of July, staying just outside the gate is a really great idea.
4) We can still have a pretty amazing time at Disney World on the 4th of July weekend.

Helping each other through the long hours in the car

We learned last time that if you want to ride Dumbo, you better get there nice and early  

Enjoying the mouse ear off his birthday ice-cream

My little 4th of July girl

One of the workers (I'm sure they have a much happier Disnified title, I just don't know it) gave Andy a complimentary cupcake for our anniversary

Disney World sure can wear a guy out!

Getting a little loopy waiting for fireworks

Christmas card, perhaps?

Livia: A Year In Review

I'll start with a cliche- I can't believe my baby is 1! But 1 she is, and she's not looking back. This child is all about moving forward (or just moving in general). I, on the other hand, find myself thinking back to her various stages throughout the past year and wondering how they passed so quickly...

It's a healthy baby!!! And... It's a girl!!!
One of the most powerful memories of my life. 

First smile... and she truly hasn't stopped smiling since.

Rolling to her belly at 2 months. This girl has places to go!

When you're born on the Gulf Coast, beach trips start early and often.

Who wants to sit when I can CRAWL... 6 months. 

Anything he can do, I can do too!

Back to the beach, baby!

Walking in time for Easter

So much to say. Always. 

My little peanut is a one year old!