Taking Advantage of the Sunshine

Since moving to the Pacific Northwest sunny days are few and far in between.  So when the sun shines I try to make as much use of it as I can.  Today was absolutely beautiful!  There were clear blue skies that you find after a good rain storm.

We started the day early with breakfast and people watching at the local Starbucks.  With a full tummy, my baby "dare devil" took her like trike for a spin warning off other drivers with her Dora the Explorer bell.

After lunch we got in kicking the ball around, making chalk master pieces on the drive way and monkeying around at the playground.  I would have thought that would have tired her out. No such luck, she's still a ball of energy.  How did you enjoy the day?

Craft Time

It's Sunday Fun Day in our house hold.  The sun is shining from last night's rain storm but everything is too wet to play at the park.  So it's arts and crafts time and maybe we'll go biking later on today.  Right now she's painting mommy and daddy a picture.  The only color she wants to use is purple so I'm curious what story she'll come up with.  What are you doing for your Sunday Fun Day?

*I'd like to thank the person who invented washable paint.  My walls and carpet thank you!!!*

Happy toddler!

Apparently this is a picture of mommy, daddy, Izzy and Oscar

Counting Down

Another stretch of time away from blogging.  At this point I wouldn't be surprised if I have no followers out there.  When it comes to choosing between spending the precious short time with all my family home or sitting at the computer, this mommy and wifey chooses family.  We were surprised that hubby's time at home was extended as long as it was.  My three year old has been fully using every moment of daddy's time.

From the moment she wakes to the moment she closes her eyes for the day she asks for him and wants to play only with daddy.  I love watching them cuddle on the couch together or giggling in her daddy's arms.  I can't help but smile with how close they are.  In the back of my mind I know that the big "D" slowly approaches and there's nothing I can do to stop it.  

That's right, we're a military family and that means the big deployment is on its way.  I know this time will be oh so much worse.  Izzy understands so much more than the last time daddy was away.  I can for see screaming and crying in my future.  Until then, I'm going to enjoy every moment my hubby is home with us.  Until next blog, "peace out!" 

Bad Words

It seems that I find myself surprised with all the milestones my little three year old makes every day.  She grasps concepts I thought were too complex for her age.  Recently she showed me that she knows some bad phrases and understands how to use them in the correct context. Yesterday I scolded her for kicking my chair and overheard her say "Jesus Christ".  After letting her know that isn't something nice to say she waited a few minutes and whispered it to herself.

On one hand it was frustrating to deal with correcting her bad language.  On the other i was proud that she was able to use the phrase in the right context.  Mind you, it's not something i want to hear again.  I know kids her age repeat words they hear, but do they understand context at this age too?

At what age did your child begin using phrases in the correct context?  Was it ones you didn't want to repeated? 

The Unthinkable

I met a man the other day and had a chance to hear his story.  Those of you close to Everett, WA might have the heard the news story of a man and three children hit by a car on the corner of Broadway and Everett.  Reading or watching stories like that are shocking but impersonal.  We feel empathy for those families but we may think "that won't happen to me."

I had the opportunity hear this man's first view account of what happened that day.  He never once bragged or called himself a hero.  He told me that he was just walking down the street with his niece, nephew and son when he saw out of the corner of his eye a car make a u-turn and head straight for him.  He didn't know how but he had the time to throw three middle school aged children out of the way of the on-coming car. He took the brunt of the impact and dragged under the car.  Some how his injuries were minor.  He knew that if one of the children went through what he did, they wouldn't still be here.  He was told me over and over how blessed he was to have the quick reaction to save three of his own.

As a mother I couldn't help but think about my own daughter.  He is a big guy but I can't imagine the inner strength he would have had to pull on to throw the weight of three children out of the way in time.  I'd like to believe someone was looking down on him from above to help him react in time and prevent what could have been more serious or even fatal injuries.  It was touching that he had no anger, hatred or ill will towards the driver.  He sincerely was thankful it wasn't more serious.

I hope and pray if the unthinkable happens to my family I'll be able to think as clearly and quickly as he did.  What are your thoughts?

Home Coming

It's coming to an end! My time working and living dual roles as a mother and a father is ending today! My husband's ship is coming home and we get to see his face. We get to hug him, touch him and to love him in person.

My toddler is not even three and these past few months was the first time she's been apart from her daddy for this long. I was worried how she would handle it. I didn't want her to forget him or his face. I don't know how other moms handled it but I talked about daddy a lot. She watched videos of the two of them together, over and over. When she missed her daddy she would hold and tell her "problems" to her daddy doll.

I'm getting more excited writing this blog. My hubby's coming home!!! Here's to all the other military wives out there!

Life Proof Iphone Case

I've had the Lifeproof Iphone case for about six months give or take. I didn't think about writing a review on this blog until today. I didn't think a phone case review belonged on my toddler/mommy blog until I had to deal with a toddler problem.

My husband bought me this case because it's water, shock and dirt proof. Throughout the six months it's definitely done it's job up against my child that sucked on it, bit it, threw it on the floor or across the room. It still works great and when I do open the case my iphone still looks brand new.

Today my daughter thought it would be hilarious to drop my phone in her glass of milk. I was able to fish it out, wash it under running water with soap to clean it and it still works like normal. I thought it this case was overkill when my hubby first brought it home but today's extravaganza made the cost worth it. Have you ever had an "incident" with your child and phone? Was it salvageable or did you have to buy a new one?

Blood is Thicker than Water

Yesterday I shared with you my Child Care Woes.  The day care we use will be closed until August 13th for a suspected mold they found in one of the rooms.  On one hand I am happy they take any concerns like this seriously and promptly.  On the other hand I have been worried that I wouldn't be able to find child care for the days I work.  Right now we do not live close to family or friends.  I work outside of the home and I'm an "acting" single mom until my hubby's ship returns.

That makes it a VERY big deal when my main source of child care closes down at a moments notice.  I don't have anything concrete right now but I wanted to share something special.  As soon as I spoke to my parents about what was going on they started searching for a flight here.  It just goes to show no matter how far apart you are or how old you become nothing is stronger than a close family bond.

I'm so thankful my parents are healthy enough and so supportive to jump on a plane at a moments notice at times like these.  Hopefully, we'll get a visit from grandma and grandpa next week.  Was there a moment when your friends or family pitched in to help you and your family out?  What about it stuck out in  your mind?  Thank you for sharing!