I don't like daylight savings...

This is Naomi and her Power Ranger Ship Tower!

So daylight savings is not something I really look forward to, anymore. Not since I have children. That and I am lazy and annoyed about having to change all my clocks. I like that my computer and cell phone change automatically.

"Fall Back" should be a great way to catch an extra hour of sleep. It used to be, and I think I remember it being lovely. When I was a teenager I used to argue with my dad that I should be able to stay out an hour later Saturday night. I don't think that was ever a successful debate on my part. In fact, I'm pretty sure he tried to turn it around on me in the Spring, saying I should get home an hour earlier.

Anyway. Having kids and changing times kind of messes with the balance we try so hard to obtain around here. Just when I have these little stinkers sleeping until 7 a.m. or so (instead of 6!!!), we go and "fall back" an hour. Keeping them up at night for a later bedtime works some, but it's not a fix all. Kids have an internal clock and it's tough to change it.

So what I'm saying is that instead of an extra hour of sleep, we end up with an extra hour of awake time. That means tired kids. And it also means that they have the tendency to wake up at 5:30 and think it's 6:30. Kids, or rather babies and toddlers, have no inclination to "sleep in". I think that is a skill you pick up when you hit your teens.

Tonight we put our kids to bed at about 7:30. It felt like 8:30 to them, which is a little late nowadays, so they were dragging. Tomorrow I won't be surprised if they wake up at 6 a.m. because it will still a bit like 7 to them. I guess what I'm saying is that it's going to be a while before I get to sleep past 6 again.

Darn daylight savings.

And some pictures too of course.

Carving pumpins on Halloween

Happy Halloween 2008

Where ya from?

Naomi (singing) "Tell me a story, I love to hear... sing a rhyme Christmas time.....when as a baby he came to the earth!!" James came to the earth huh mom?!

Me: "yes he did, and so did you, from Heaven. When someone asks you were you're from tell them Heaven"

Me: So Naomi, where are you from?

-pause-

Naomi: "Where's my bum??"

I about died laughing, this caught me totally off guard. If you didn't catch it, she got that answer from the line: Nice bum, where ya from?

Nice indeed.

Bird skirts for Naomi. I need to start sewing again...

Grosgrain has giveaways nearly every week- so I'm linking back to her site so that I might win. I love these skirts she has this time around. Naomi wants to wear a dress or skirt nearly every day and the pocket would be her very favorite. Perfect for her rock and berry collections as we are walking outside. So check out the link and maybe link too so you might win:)
She's starting a mini online store soon too.

Link below:
GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

Pretty Princess and the Mad Chicken

Tonight was the ward trunk or treat. We had it inside because it was a torrential downpour. So it was more like a ward classroom-grab-handfuls-of candy-walk.

Naomi went as herself, Princess Naomi. I asked her what princess she was tonight, you know, like Belle, Sleeping Beauty. She said, "no, I'm Naomi." I even put gold eyeshadow/liner on her. There was a little persuasion involved but she very much liked the results in the mirror.

James however did not go as himself. My happy chubbers was completely missing. In his place we had a grumpy mad chicken. He was SO adorable though.

I made Noami pose with all the friends we could catch and I let her eat a whole doughnut at the party and a lollipop on the way home just before bed. She did brush her teeth after.

I've only eaten a snickers, tootsie roll and a bubble gum from her pumpkin bag. So far.

We actually forgot her special pumpkin candy collecting bag bucket thing and Zach saved the night and went back home to get it. James went with him seeing as he loves hanging out with Daddy so much and then he fell asleep in the car.

He was then woken up and put in a chicken suit.

I think I would be grumpy too.

It was a fun party and the kids costumes were fun, some were very original. I don't think I'll ever be the type to make costumes for my kids, but I just might if one of them wants to be something crazy one year. I guess we'll see.

She wasn't about to hug Sam in that mask!

Aren't these girls sweet?

Naomi loves Charlie only second to her James.

The snazzy alien girl costume (next to Naomi) is homemade!

The "witches brew" was cool.

There he is! ..... but not for long, James called it a night.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

There is this dress.... and I SO want it for Naomi!!! It is beyond fabulous and Naomi would look so awesome in it! So here is my link so I am in the running to win it.
Check it out for yourself~

Time well spent

We went to Naomi's favorite playground ever the other evening after dinner, before bedtime. It has been named by Naomi the "Dolphin Park" because of the 1970's era dolphin-like swing she so loves. Naomi can make the swing go all on her own. I think she feels pretty proud of herself for that. She's so good on it that she gets it going pretty fast and then puts her feet up, like we used to do on our bicycle handle bars. There is also a big twisty slide and a fast short metal slide. Naomi is an old pro at them all. Recently she's been testing my reaction time by climbing to the very top of this thing made for climbing. But she's only two and she's a little bit like a cat, climbs up fast and well and then falters a bit on the way down. She's brave and prefers I keep my distance but I can just see it all turning South if she missed a step one of these times and fell about 6 feet to the ground.

James is thrilled just to be outside. He's becoming a great people watcher. Other children are fascinating to him. He will stare a at a child nearby and be all smiles and exciting sounds. He also loves swinging. James has been sick with a cold for what seems like forever. Poor baby. I hate when my kids are sick, especially babies. I guess we are entering the season of sickness.

But on to better topics- We has some friends over for dinner today, Ashley and Jess. It's always good to hang with them. We always seem to talk to them for forever, I love it. Zach made a very delicious pot roast. I'm so happy to say that we can now officially re-create my parents Sunday dinners. Mashed potatoes (using the Bosch to "whip" them), homemade gravy, a tender pot roast, lots of veggies, (we needed more today though), a green salad and cookies for dessert. The cookies are most definitely a Champlin thing though. A Z&T Champlin thing would have been to have grapes or some other fruit. I was missing it today.

I made some Chocolate Quake cookies, Ash helped me. They turned out pretty good. The recipe is from my all time favorite cookie book. It's called Got Milk? The Cookie Book by Peggy Cullen It's fabulous. Really. I've made the best cookies ever from her recipes, everything form the classic CCC to sugar cookies with royal icing to divinity. I always double the recipe and it's a good thing, the cookies are usually gone by day 2.

Tomorrow starts another week of who knows what for us, but I'm sure we'll be busy and tired and cranky and happy and everything else in between too.

All ready for church today.

I Heart BabyLegs

I know it's a little bit debatable about putting these on a boy, but now that I have a pair for James, I love them.

I found a darling little baby boutique (Daisy Baby) in downtown Bethesda that carries BabyLegs and bought a pair each for Naomi and James.

I put them on James with a onesie and his little legs are warm and I can leave them on for diaper changes, that is sweet. Also with my little fatty- pants are tight for sitting up. The leg warmers solved the problem.

So there was a skull and crossbone patterned pair that I briefly considered getting, being so un-girly and all. But I decided that I am undecided on that latest trend.

What do you think- skull & cross bones ok for babies/kids, and do you like BabyLegs?

Happy Meals

I am getting bad mommy of the month award delivered to my door soon, I am sure of it. I have completely immersed Naomi into the world of McDonald's happy meals. For shame, I know. I DO always get her apples and milk rather than fries and soda. But still, she can down a cheeseburger faster than me!

The happy meal toys right now are awesome. Every once in a while Madame Alexander does mini dolls for McD's and they are so cute. So the theme is Wizard of Oz with a total of 12 characters. Naomi LOVES her little dolls. So far we have the Lollipop munchkin, two Glinda's and today we got Dorothy with Toto in a little basket. Their eyes open and shut, I love that. I really want the Wicked Witch of the West- she's awesome being green and all. I think I'm loving it so much because of Wicked the musical. I saw it last fall with my sister Natalie in NY. We were surprised at how much we liked the show, loved the show.

I think until they move on to the next set of toys, we will be frequent guests at our local McDonald's.

4th photo, 4th folder...

Tagged, by Erica. I was supposed to post the fourth picture in the fourth folder of my pictures.

So here you go:

This is when Naomi was about 3 months old- I used to put the biggest flower headbands on her! I loved it. She was so bald so it helped with the girl/boy thing....

Now I tag: Jenny(out there in Oregon!) Jenny(in Illinois) and Jenny(in Indiana!)

Fall in Maryland- colds, soccer and races

My little "James-ers" (as I like to call him) or "James-a" (Naomi) is so sweet. He's seriously such a fun little baby! I guess he's not really so little.

He's had a little cold that's just about gone, we've all had a cold this last week, and he's been so cheerful anyway. He just loves to be held and carried but will play with his toys so well too. He sits up officially now. He falls occasionally, especially when Naomi is nearby.... and he loves his exersaucer too, he jumps in it now.



We went to the zoo with our friends; Cassie and Abby, Claire and Drew. Naomi and Abby are great little friends. I'm so glad they get along well, It's nice to hang out with Cassie and a bonus that our girls like each other too! Naomi tagged along to Abby's soccer practice this week. She LOVED it. She wants a pink ball just like Abby's. I was impressed that she followed most of the coach's directions and could actually run and kick the ball at the same time:) It's really cute to watch all the kids running haphazardly after their balls- buffalo ball, I think that's what my dad calls stuff like this.



We've been having family home evening (finally) and it's been a big hit. Naomi asks every few nights if it's time for FHE. I think she enjoys the treats and games the most, of course. We decorated cup cakes and ate them for one of the nights. Last night Zach taught the lesson on "helping" and we sang When we're helping" and then we all helped fold the laundry! Nice huh. I'm a total advocate for incorporating things that need to be done anyway into our family time. Naomi sorted while we folded. James just sucked on a towel.



For other awesome news; I ran an 8k last Saturday! We did it with our friends Jess and Ashley Theodore. They are real runners and I am trying to be and Zach is pretty good too. I think I was the only one who walked part of it, but I ran nearly the whole thing and made decent time too. I was/am SO proud of myself! 8k is 5 miles- that's farther than I've ever done at one time. I've done about 4 a few times. It was the first time I've run a race too. I'm excited about running now. I want to run more races, I felt so happy with myself when I finished. I almost threw up, but I was happy.

After the 8k, Naomi and I went to Disney on Ice with Cassie and Abby while the "boys" stayed home. It was a sweet girls outing that we all really enjoyed. The show was better than I expected and Naomi liked it more than I expected as well. I would definitely go again, Naomi actually loved it. She spent the last half of the show twirling in front of her seat like the ice skaters! I don't have any good pictures from that though. Or any souvenirs, they cost more than the tickets. Disney....

Naomi starts preschool tomorrow. I'm still undecided if I really want her to do it- It's for two hours M-Th, so 4 days a week. James needs a nap usually before I need to drop her off for preschool. He naps from 8:30-10 and preschool is 9-11. If I could just get him to sleep until 7 a.m. we could shift our nap times 1/2 hour too.... anyway. We'll see what works out tomorrow. I think she'll really enjoy it. If it's too much for me, us, her, then I can just pull her out. She's only 2 anyway.

So we're off to another busy week here in Maryland. I'm not sure what I actually spend all my time doing, but the weeks fly by anyway. We are having the most beautiful fall weather. The leaves haven't started to change colors yet but the temperatures have been lovely. I love fall. But I think I say that about every season. Conference is this weekend, that's something to look forward to.


Rub a dub, dub, two kids in a tub, and who do you think they be? Naomi and James, James and Naomi- as chubby and cute as can be!






FHE treat- cupcakes:)






Pigtails today- she looks old with her hair up.






My little rolly-polly




BFF Abby and Naomi at the zoo






Seriously, I have cute kids.




I "lurve" these pants on James!



Soccer Stars


Drew and James, hanging out


Naomi and Abby


I walked into the room to find Naomi "reading" her Book of Mormon! Too cute.


"James is a Prince!!!" - Naomi

Project Postcard

This is the post where I am calling out all you lurkers- people who live in states where I don't actually even know anyone...and also all those people I do know from all over too.....

I have this awesome nephew who lives in Utah. His elementary school class is collecting a postcard from every state in the USA. And I thought, how cool would it be if they could really get a postcard from EVERY state!

That's where you all come in:)

In my particular situation I was able to send him postcards from 3 "states" (DC isn't a state...) because I regularly within the borders of VA, DC and MD.

So if you have a soft spot for these kind of things, and a little bit of time and a stamp.... drop a postcard in the mail to my nephew Tommy, can you just imagine how cool it would be to get all those postcards from all over:)

Tommy M.
c/o Mrs. Frazier
Syracuse Elementary
1503 S 2000 W
Syracuse, UT 84075

SNL - it doesn't get any better...

I don't care who you support, this is great!

Ocean City

We had one last hurrah before we called it quits on Summer. Ocean City, MD was wonderful. we went with our friends Natalie and Adam (and Charlie too:) and spent two lovely sun filled days on the beach. The water was warm and the waves just rough enough to have some fun in. Actually, I got bowled over a few times, lots of sand in my ears....
It's amazing how much sand can stick to a baby! James had sand everywhere- in every little leg roll:)
Naomi loved every second of it. She loved the sand, the waves, the seagulls, the rocks and sticks, everything you need to make a little girl happy. She had sand in her ears and everywhere else too.

I had a great time, I'll be the first to admit that traveling/vacationing with little ones takes more planning, more patience, more time and more energy, but it's definitely worth it. James was content to sleep in the baby bjorn any time he was in it, and Naomi played hard, not minding missing her naps.
So of course I have photos to share.

babies, sand and stuff.

Nurses nurse

And teachers teach

And tailors mend

And preachers preach

And barbers trim

And chauffeurs haul

And parents get to do it all.

-- Babs Bell Hajdusiewicz

I definitely feel like a parent:)

We've been playing like it's the last day of summer. I guess it is.

This last week we've been to Butler's Orchard to pick berries twice, visited multiple various playgrounds and parks, spent the afternoon at a awesome water park in VA, made play dough at a friends, had friends over here to play, and spent today at the bay at Sandy Point. It's been lovely.

Zach starts school tomorrow but I've not lost all hope yet, we will still have fun. Mostly on weekends and days off now. I love having Zach home.

I've been taking pictures of James with his buddies... like they even know what's going on at 6 months. But I like to take pictures of my kids with their little friends.

James and Drew- having some guy time.

Hazel and James. She gives him a run for his money on the sweet baby chubs!

James is tipping the scales at about 20 lbs now, that's just 2 shy of outgrowing his infant car seat. And it's probably a good thing. I lug him around in that thing, to and from the car, often into church because he fell asleep on the way (that's one of the really nice things about the infant seat, you can let them sleep....) and all this hefting my big boy is killing my back! But he wears me out holding him in my arms too. I just love how cute his chubs are though. Naomi didn't hit 20 lbs until she was a year old.


Siblings, so sweet. Those girls love their babies!

Abby and Naomi in their matching swimsuits down by the bay...


Naomi, Abby and Sam in the sand.

And Naomi, she's become the specimen collector. She *must* have a berry or rock or cone from that tree/bush/whatever every time we go outside. She has a little box where she keeps her treasures. Since she visited the dentist a few weeks ago, her new Dora toothbrush has made "special box" status.