Remembering our Intentions

First of all, I relocated back to my old blog address so that I can have all of my posts in one location. I created the new blog because I was getting annoyed with spam comments about enlarging your penis and whatnot. I changed some of my settings here so that should not be a problem anymore. Lately, the kids and I have really enjoyed looking back at old videos and pictures. I have been trying to upload some videos to youtube so we can keep the best ones in order there and not lose them in the abyss that is my pc. I like reading old posts and realize that blogging is totally worth it. Even if I tire of it sometimes, keeping those memories alive is so awesome.

"We write to taste life twice." - Anais Nin
This goes for taking photos and videos as well!

And onto this post and what has been on my mind lately.

I just want to say my kids are being real asswipes lately and I'm going insane!

Also,...

I suck at consistency. I need reminders. Reminders to slow down, reminders to eat right, reminders of what matters. I need a slow pace to life so I do not forget. Quitting gymnastics has allowed this for me and my family.

What matters?

Cloth diapers and hanging clothes on the line. Real meals and time spent with friends and family. Making my bed, not driving for an entire day (or two or three), letting my kids help with dishes and laundry because I have the time. Reading my pile of "to be read" books. Time to journal, time to reflect.

Food is always the hardest. I read about what percentage of income Americans spend on groceries and how we should spend more...I do not think spending 30% of our income on local organic would provide us with enough food. I should have had less kids you say? Too late. Anyway, we will do our best and maybe figure it out. Probably we will all be rail thin in a few weeks!

 Here are a few pictures from Father's Day.

Taven helped Grandpa make a platform to go between his skate ramps.

 Mirek pushing Daddy.

 We made Grandpa a bird house for the beach house.

 My Mom gave us her old bed and so we gave the girls our old bed and they gave their toddler beds to the boys. So now everyone is excited to hang out in their rooms. Unfortunately, this also means they are staking out their territory.

 My husband is a huge soccer fan so we have been watching the World Cup a lot. He is also from Nigeria so we had a little party when they played. They did not play well...

 Taven skates every day.

Well this was kind of a ramble but I just wanted to post something and let everyone know how much my kids are frustrating me. I'm trying to come up with some answer to help them get along, help them listen, and to stop myself from yelling. WHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Beer and deep breaths. Beer and deep breaths. Beer and deep breaths.

We have really been enjoying a more relaxed schedule. Eaden still does quite a bit of gymnastics (not competitive), but the gym is very close and I do not have to get on any sort of freeway. Yay!

Weeds in the backyard were getting a bit out of hand and the mosquitoes were swarming. Taven decided to do something about it.

 I took the kids to a free class on tomatoes at the farmer's market.

 Then we went by Grandma's where they wrapped her house in yarn.

 Taven was a ninja.

 Eaden caught flies in her spider web.

 Then they had to clean it up.

Figuring out knots always reminds me of one of my favorite books growing up, Maniac Magee. Speaking of books, we have been reading quite a bit. The kids all started a reading timeline  but it is not picture worthy yet because I have no color ink to print out the book covers. Eaden reads about 5 chapter books at a time in addition to me reading both The Penderwicks and an American Girl (Felicity) book aloud.

We are also still working on our mini books. The collection is growing.

 Here are some videos of the kids playing in the garage. My mom likes to point out how messy it is or how large the laundry pile is, but every time I drive by someone's house and they have their garage open it is full of junk and no car could ever fit inside. I think if a car can fit inside, we are good.

The kids jump on the couches almost all day everyday.

 The kids and I did some chemistry experiments. Mirek has decided he does not like naps anymore so we have to do short bursts of this sort of thing.

 Naia has been bugging me to do dishes for some time. Finally, I said yes.

 Lego ice excavations.

 Another "burst" of chemistry.

 I made it to noon! Drink time!

 Learning about pollination.

Getting hot!

It's been muggy and rainy and mosquito-ey.

So how do I get the kids outside?

Water balloons!

Taven almost never wants to do anything crafty but he did make this crown. He was proud of it but didn't want me to take a picture. So I had to catch him while he was running around.

 Playing dress up in Daddy's closet.

 I checked out a Martha Stewart kids craft book from the library and she had a collection of miniature books in baseball card holders (plastic sleeves). We love making books so we got right on it.

 Thank goodness I drink beer because the kids love bottle caps.

 More water balloons. We made a game.

 Naia tried to take all of the balloons and her shorts fell down. Serves her right!

Here is a video of Taven and I dropping bombs on Mirek.