Embrace the little stuff!

My husband is so amazing.  I am always worried about trying to get the little things done when I get home from work.  Dishes, dinner, baths, laundry, bills,...etc.  He has done a terrific job lately of making me just stop when I get into those "frenzies".  With the boys getting so big so quickly he just grabs me and reminds me to stop and capturing the "little stuff".  He often reminds me,...Jackson and Kiptyn won't be this age forever and to stop getting so worried and caught up with the "to do list".  I am so thankful for that.  I've done a better job now to even include them in those daily things that just have to get done....



Kiptyn helping with the dishes (or just taking the sauces out of the fridge and loading them in the dishwasher).





Jackson is constantly my "sou chef".  Helping me with dinner and of course desserts.





Taking the time to watch J play Madden as the Redskins no doubt,...is he not exactly like his Daddy?!


I don't want to look back 5 years from now wishing I wouldn't have missed out on the little stuff.  Especially the little stuff that means so much to my kids.  It's so hard to get caught up in our daily lives and to do lists.  I'd rather leave the dishes in the sink for weeks before I missed out on the opportunies to just color with Jackson or reading 4 books to Kiptyn in a row.  It's the little stuff that makes the difference and I'm working hard to embrace all the seconds!

Your name might be Jackson

...if you play soccer with your tongue hanging out! :)

Confessions of a soccer wife

I must confess, I'm not only a soccer wife, but I'm now officially a soccer mom!

Jackson has offically started soccer.  The Sabres is doing a Jr Academy for 4-6 year olds and he is loving EVERY-SINGLE-SECOND of it!  The night before his first practice he slept in his shin guards.  He asks daily how many days til "his" soccer practice.  He clarifies so there's no confusion with Daddy's soccer.  Oh how I enjoy watching both Josh and Jackson at soccer together!

Pinterest

Boy do I love Pinterest.  When I heard about it from friends I thought geez one more thing to keep up with but I enjoy it tremendously!  I have found numerous ideas for crafts, recipes, birthday parties, organization,..etc.  I really wish I had it 7 years ago planning our wedding.   It has the best shared ideas.

Jackson, Kiptyn and I worked on this project together:

I've even found recipes that I do surprisingly use!  I made chocolate peanut butter cupcakes (from scratch) one night.

Okay so I may have learned to scoop cupcake batter with an ice cream scooper from "Cupcake Wars" not Pinterest.



I have made my own workout tanks from old soccer shirts that are holey.



Used this to take crayons on the go for soccer games.



Took pictures of the boys in the bathroom for their bathroom.  Modge Podged them and 'voila'!  Jackson helped me with the entire process which is even better!



I think it's safe to say that I'm totally addicted to Pinterest!

Your name might be Jackson...

...if you go to Chick-fil-A...

...And accidently bust your ketchup packet all of you!

 

 

Yep your name might be Jackson!

Kiptyn's Birthday Party

Kiptyn's 1st birthday fell on a Friday.  We were heading out of town for the weekend for one of Josh's soccer tournaments so we decided to try to be wild and crazy and have his party on his actual birthday.  We had done all this prep work (big shout out thanks to Pinterest) ahead of time for the party.  Well the night before the big day became a little hectic.  While during the normal chaotic routine of trying to get the boys ready for bed ended up in a 9:30pm run to the ER.  Jackson had a pair of scissors (without asking, BIG NO-NO) in his hand that Kip had thought it was a good idea to swat at (not the smartest move Kip).  After gobs of paper towels we decided to run to the doc.  And by run,...I mean I totally pulled a Brittney Spears and had him in my lap in the front seat.  Please think before you judge...You probably wouldn't put your 364 day old child in his car seat under that trauma either.  Kip was fine in the car even giggling as Jackson was scared and worried for his little brother.  Lewis Gale did an awesome job and had his pinkie glued perfecto within 45 minutes of us leaving our home to get there.  We were just in time to get home and my amazing husband to make 48 cupcakes by himself.  Shout out to Mr. Crocker himself!  Anyway, the next morning I took a quick break at work and ran up to the house to enjoy Kiptyn's birthday breakfast with nothing better than donut holes!  Later that evening we spent a couple hours at Ma and Daddy's house celebrating our precious little one.  We are so incredibly overjoyed not only to have celebrated his birthday with our family but also our sweet friends.  We are one blessed family!  We thank you and love you all. 

*Warning: HUGE picture overload*

Had to have donut holes for breakfast!





Kiptyn's first year




Found the Sock monkey paper decorations/invitations from Etsy.  Just bought the file and printed myself.  The cupcakes I found on Pinterest.  Thought they were super cute.



Sharing



My bad,...I assumed since Jackson didn't get into his cake, Kiptyn wouldn't.  I should know by now all kids are different.  Should have stripped him down to his diaper. 





Loves his couch from Mal & Pal.





My hot Mommas!





Easily the most people we've had in that pool! :)





I adore this picture.




Silly boys!