Good-Bye Minnie!

Whew. I am tired.  I may need a weekend to recover from our on-the-go week. 

This past week we had lots of fun and had some BIG STUFF happen!!  For starters, Momma Koehn got her keys to her new classroom at Lakeview!  Yep, that's right friends...I am heading back to school!  I was offered a job teaching 2nd grade at Lakeview and happily accepted.  While I have really loved being home with Liam this year, I am just simply not cut out to be a stay-at-home-momma.  I was climbing the walls by October!  So...I have lots of work to do!  Just take a look:

My new classroom...plenty to do to keep me busy in here!

And, we made a family change.  Remember in this post, The Space Conundrum, where The Koehn Fam made the leap into the world of the mini-van??  Well, as it turns out, I am not cut out to be a mini-van-momma either.  So, it was time to say good-bye to the miniature van.

Here we are saying Peace out, Minnie!

And welcoming our newest vehicular family member into the ranks.  Thumbs up for SUVs.

(BTW, in an odd turn of events, I got a message from a friend on Facebook today that said she bought our van!  So, it's good to know Minnie is with a friend :)

Tuesday we spent some time up at Granny & Pa's.  The kiddos always love to run around up there and Granny loves to watch them play.

Sweet cousins

Chan relaxing on the dock

Wednesday Aunt Anna, Nana, & I took the kiddos downtown for some (mostly) free fun in Nashville.

We chilled out in the courtyard at the Nashville Public Library

And checked out the kids' periodicals

before heading in for story and music time.

Afterward, Nana treated us all to lunch at The Old Spaghetti Factory.

Then we headed over to Bicentennial Mall to play in the water...

and to see the capital...

but mostly just to play in the water.

He seriously did this for like 45 minutes straight.

And then he had to have a picture with the "giant flags".

Friday we did some swimming over at Nama's

Before heading to Dougie's wedding on Saturday!  Jus was a groomsman,

And Chan was the ring bearer.  He got to walk Keilyn down the aisle.  Too cute.  Srsly.

We opted to leave Baby Lamb at home.  I figured he would just spend most of the ceremony shouting for Daddy & Nanew.

And then we ended (started?) the week back at Nama's with more swimming, eating, and ....snail catching.  Cause why not??

"There is no more lovely, friendly, and charming relationship, 

communion or company than a good marriage."

~Martin Luther~

Congratulations Doug & Chrissy!!  Wishing you all the very best in this new wonderful life that you are creating together!  So happy for you guys!

Till next time friends!

Brittany :)

My America

We are now one week into July and I still cannot believe the weather that we have been having.  The past few days have felt more like April than July (but I'm not complaining).  Today is the first sunny, rain-free day we've had in four days.  So, what am I doing now that the sun is shining???  I put the kids outside with the sprinkler and their Daddy so I could veg out in front of the TV for a bit.  Score.

But one can only veg for so long.  At least this one.  So, I thought I would share some of our shenanigans from the week.  Turns out we had a truly patriotic week celebrating July 4th and participating in some of America's favorite past times.  Here's what we were up to the first week of July:

We took a nice, long walk on the greenway, then headed down to the river with Baba

and practiced skipping stones.  Okay, we just threw the rocks in the water.  Gotta start somewhere, right??

And we found a fabulous, new friend on our little journey.  Chandler named him Charlie and loved him tremendously for the 20 minutes he had with him before Mommy made him return him back to nature.

Wednesday night we went to the boys' first Sounds game with Nana, Baba, & Uncle Woody.

It was a great night for some baseball!

And both of the boys seemed to have a great time!

We skipped the peanuts in lieu of cracker jacks, cotton candy, pizza, hot dogs, and Goobers.

And then ended up with a pretty large and in charge sugar high.

And even in spite of the little bit of rain that started in the 7th inning, we had a great time.

And got the catch the fireworks show after the game, too!

July 4th was all kinds of rainy.  And cold.  We spent most of the afternoon on Nana's back porch eating and wrapped in blankets.  Here are the boys with Uncle Woody.

Due to the rain our neighborhood 5K and July 4th parade was cancelled, but we were still all smiles.

Cause who needs parades and fireworks on July 4th anyway, right??  (Well, it would've been nice, but there's always next year I suppose.)

Friday we took the boys to tour one of the Nashville Fire Stations

They let us check out their "chillin' out" room & their kitchen before taking us to the garage.

Chandler was in awe of all the firemen and had to check out every truck.

And Liam would have stayed all day if we would've let him.

We even got to see two of the trucks (including the ladder truck) head out to calls while we were there.

It was a great visit that reminded us how important the men and women who do these jobs are.  True American heroes.

After our visit we went for lunch at Firehouse Subs.

While we were there Chan spotted two soldiers coming in for lunch.  He was in awe once again and grinned so big when one of them passed by our table and said "Hey there, buddy!" 

And speaking of American heroes...check out this shot that Grandma took of Liam on July 4th.  Best Captain America I've ever seen.

 

So I was a bit bummed that we missed the race and the parade this year (we even had the bike and the stroller totally decked out with some patriotic flair).  But,when all is said and done, we don't need races, parades, floats, or fireworks to celebrate the 4th.  We need to remember that the freedoms that we have in this country were not bought or earned.  They were bravely fought for by the true American heroes of yesterday and are defended still by the American heroes of today and tomorrow.

"I love my freedom.  I love my America."

~Jessi Lane Adams~

Till next time friends!

Brittany :)

P.S.- To check out last year's July 4th post (and see how big our little Liam got in this past year), just click here. :)

Laughing All the Way!

 Can you imagine what it must be like to go through life wondering what lies behind every unopened door?  (Okay, maybe that's how you roll, I don't know.)  I figure that must be what it's like to live a day in the life of a toddler.  I can just hear their little inside voices prompting their curious nature:

"What's that?  A door?  I think I'll open it."  or
"Is that a drawer?  I think I'll pull it out." or
"Is this a lid?  Maybe I'll just open it and take a look inside." or
"Look at this giant staircase.  I wonder where it leads?  Why not check it out?"

I mean, really...I am pretty certain that this type of toddler dialogue goes through Liam's head ALL. DAY.LONG.  And did Chandler's when he was smaller, too.  And not only that, but when they open it, or pull it out, or take it off, or climb those stairs, then you have to worry about what comes next.  This inquisitiveness on my boys' behalf is exactly how we've found ourselves in the following predicaments:

1. The door led to: the dryer, which Chandler proceeded to climb into and play for awhile.  And the pots and pans, which became drumming entertainment for hours.  And the pantry, where one can find many delectable snacks to open and consume prior to one's dinner.  And the DVD cabinet...because who needs their DVD's to be nicely stacked and alphabetized anyway???

2. The drawer contained: Mommy's "feminine items", which Liam happily pulled out and scattered throughout the house.  And the toothpaste, which can be oh so much fun to squeeze onto the counter. And the clothes, that can be unfolded and emptied from a 6-drawer dresser in the time it takes Mommy to walk down the hall.  And the knives...because that's safe, right???

3. The lid covered: the dog food, which was then dumped all over the kitchen floor.  (And friends, 30 pounds of dog food covers a lot of kitchen floor).  And Mommy's powder, which proved to be quite difficult to clean up and get out of the cracks, crevices, and grout of the bathroom.  And the cake frosting, which just so happens to be a nice snack (if you don't mind staying up till the wee hours of the morning).  And the toilet, where you can dangle items like iphones and remotes over the water below and wonder "will Mommy's head explode if I let go?"  And the pitcher to the gallon of Crystal Light...because Mommy loves to mop the kitchen floor twice in one day, right???

4. And the staircase led to: well it leads upstairs, of course; just where you don't want the toddler to be by himself.  (BTW: It was much easier to toddler-proof a single story home.  Also, it was much easier to toddler-proof when we didn't have a 4 year old who undoes all the toddler-proofing.)

Ah, yes...that is what it's like to be a toddler.  Running a muck all day long just finding things to get into.  And as frustrating as it can be sometimes when things are broken, or spilled, or consumed, or wasted, or messy, my reaction normally is just to laugh.  Seriously.  Because one day I will not have these two crazy boys to run around and make a mess of this house.  And even at those times that I don't find too funny right away, I still look back and laugh afterward.

I think it's pretty clear from the scenarios I listed above that I am far from perfect parenting.  In fact, I would say that I know very little about how to be a perfect parent.  But, I am learning as I go.  And one thing that I have learned is that laughter makes for a happy home.  Besides, how could you look at these two sweet faces and not smile??

"Parenting without a sense of humor is like being an accountant who sucks at math."
~Anonymous~

Till next week friends!
Brittany :)

P.S.- Yes, I'm a day late again.  I've decided not to let it bother me...much.

P.P.S.- Yes, I do watch my children regardless of the evidence represented in the above scenarios. In my defense, they are FAST!

Day Late...But I Still Have a Dollar

Alright, so I'm a day late on posting...again.  Sue me.

Turns out this housewife thing keeps me super busy (not that I had any doubts that it would).  All summer long I have been wondering where the weeks have gone.  We'd get to Saturday night and this girl is like, "Whhhaaa??!!" Flying by I tell you!   And we have been busy for nearly every second of it!  I have been diligently keeping the house clean and tidy, preparing meals at home (since we are working on a new budget Mommy can't rely on Cinco nearly as often for lunch and/or dinner), and trying to check most of the items off of my "Summer To Do" list with the boys.  With as busy as I've been, I really don't know how I managed it all when I was teaching.  Friends...let me just tell you: BEING A STAY AT HOME MOMMY IS A FULL-TIME JOB.  And I never once doubted that before, but now that I am living it, I think it should come with paycheck just like other full-time jobs. ;)

So anyhoo, true to my OCD form, I have created a cleaning checklist and meal planning calendar to aide me in my full-time-mommyhood.  I fiddled around with different versions I'd found on Pinterest for several weeks before just deciding I would make my own.  And, I am pretty sure I have it down to almost perfect in my book.  Just thought I'd share in case you find them as lovely as I do.

Just let me say it again: I simply cannot believe that summer (at least as far as the teachers and kiddos are concerned) is almost over!  This is the first July in eight years that I am not heading out to frantically snatch up back to school sale items for my students, rearranging my room one more time, attending one (or four) more inservices, laminating & cutting out new wall decor, making new games or learning tubs for my kinderkids, or otherwise just spending time preparing myself for going back to school.  And...I'm perfectly okay with that.  I already miss the friends, and the sweet new kinderkids, but I know without a doubt that I am doing right now what I am supposed to be doing.  I absolutely love my new job. :)

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, 

since the payment is pure love."

~Mildred B. Vermont~

Till later this week friends!

Brittany :)

P.S.- Just figured I would throw in a couple doses of cute on this post...how could I forget?!

Chan outside having our "pic-uh-nic"

Liam doing what he does best..eating

You Might Be a Mother of Boys If...Part 3

Snips, and snails, and puppy dog tails...that's what little boys are made of.  Okay maybe not.  But, my oldest does now have a snail for a pet.  See:

This little fella has been given a nice, luxurious new home in a sand bucket with plenty of soil thanks to his new owner.  At one point, Chan even told me that he'd fed the snail and it had plenty of food...should probably check on that.  Anyhoo, this lovely addition to our family this week got me thinking of my "You Might Be a Mother of Boys" list (seeing as how the pet snail thing was #10 on the first part of my list...this is a secondary occurrence for us).  So, here are a few more recent additions to my list:

You Might Be a Mother of Boys If:

50. Your children are rough and tough from the time that they are infants.  So much so that your 11 month old head butts other babies at daycare.

51. The bottom rack of your dishwasher has, at one point or another, been used as a car or a dinosaur cage.

52. Nuts and balls are technical terms for male anatomy.

53. You (unfortunately) know what "poop basghetti" is.

54. With very rare exceptions, bathtime must occur every night due to the amount of dirt, filth, and grime that covers your child.

55. Your jewelry box has been raided, not for dress up, but for pirate treasure.

56. Your 4 year old has gotten two black eyes...at church.

57. You know you should start saving for grocery bills for when your children are teens because your 13 month old can consume more food at one meal than the other three members of your family and your dogs combined.

58. You have unknowingly gone out in public with Legos stuck to your leg. (Wendy Hardin!)

59. You have had bouncy balls thrown at you repeatedly when you were just trying to go potty.

Okay, that's all I've got for now...give me a few more days and I'm sure I will have more to add!  These boys sure do keep me on my toes!  But, I wouldn't have it any other way!

"Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable."

~Plato~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)

Let Freedom Ring!

"This, then, is the state of the union:  free and restless, growing and full of hope.  So it was in the beginning.  So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith."

  ~Lyndon B. Johnson~

I know I usually end my blog post with another's words (and I still will), but as I was looking for inspiring words for today's post I had came upon this one that I thought was interesting.  I have read it before, but today as I was searching for a quote for Independence Day, this one just made me think of my boys.  President Johnson was referencing here the state of our great country, but those words could easily be used to describe my children, any children really.  "Free and restless, growing and full of hope."  

I am so grateful to have been born in this country.  I count my blessings that my  children, who are "growing and full of hope" will grow up in this country with their freedoms that have been fought for, won, and are protected.  As they grow up, I know that they will learn in school how our independence was won.  But I hope to instill in them a love for their country, a great respect for those who defend our freedom, and a grateful heart for those who died  for our Independence. 

Though Independence Day is about so much more than cookouts, pool parties, and fireworks, we did do a lot of that today.  We started our morning watching our annual July 4th neighborhood parade, stuffed our faces full of way too much food for lunch, and ended our day with more food and some swimming.  Very little fireworks this year.  Chandler has decided they are too loud for his ears (what??!!)...though we did stop and get my tank and chicken which are staples of every July 4th celebration for this girl.  

Jus & the boys all ready to watch the parade go by

Beginning of the parade passing our house

Next year will plan to be in the parade...this year we were happy to watch

Love this sweet face!

Couldn't resist not letting you see this gem

Happy Independence Day from The Koehns!

Okay, the kids are asleep and tucked in...I am heading outside to watch some of the neighborhood fireworks!  Maybe next year the littles will decide that they can stay up late enough to enjoy them with me.

"Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty."

  ~Louis D. Brandeis~

Till next week friends!

Brittany :)