St. Patrick's Day Parade

This weekend we attended our city's annual St. Patrick's Day parade.  Last year, Jeremy took Mackenzie with our friends, the Essman's, while I stayed home with Caleb.  This year, we all caravaned together and enjoyed a whole day of fun!  We started off at the Pancake break!  The girls got in line for breakfast, while the boys staked out the perfect spot & set up blankets and chairs.  We feasted on pancakes and sausage, and then let the kids run wild through my old Middle School stomping ground.

The weather was unseasonably warm and the kids had a blast!  There was some great entertainment and the kids enjoyed collecting candy.  The kids loved the drumline, leoprochaun sighting and the pot-of-gold at the finale.  The adults loved soaking up the sun, watching our kids cheer in excitement when candy hit their bags, and spending the day outside together.

                                                                      Waiting on the Parade

The Essman's

the "kid's blanket"

Ready for candy!

After the parade, our friend's stayed for lunch and to watch the OSU Basketball game.  It was a great day with friend's and we can't wait for the parade next year...of course we will have to bring a much bigger blanket with the addition of baby Essman!  :)

It Ain't Always Sunshine and Rainbows...

When I started this blog, I wanted to document moments of our life, so one day my kids could look back and read/remember their childhood.  As a rule, I typically share the "fun" stuff.  Birthday parties, holidays, milestones, etc.  However, I will be the first to admit, "it ain't always sunshine and rainbows."  Of course, like anyone else's children, mine wake up in the middle of the night, throw tantrums in public, make big messes, and spend their fair share of time in "time out."  Yet, who wants to read/share the less than flattering moments of life? Well, we all do.  It makes us feel a little more human. It reminds us that no one is perfect!

 I think all too often, we women especially, strive to do it all seamlessly.  We want to be good wives, mothers, neighbors, friends.  We want to appear to have it all together.  When we have company, we make sure the house is in tip-top shape.  We plan the perfect meal and bake homemade dessert.  Of course, on any normal work/school night, we are serving more simple meals like hot dogs and mac 'n cheese, and dessert consists of something store bought. Our family room would look like a toy-nado hit and there would probably be laundry sitting wrinkled in the dryer.

So, why am I blowing my own cover you ask? That is a good question.  One of my good girlfriends said not too long ago "you make everything look so easy.  You're like the perfect Mom."  I had to laugh b/c this is so far from the truth.  In fact, the Director of my chidren's preschool told me one day at pick up, that one the weekends, she asks herself  "what would Jill Buzzard do in this situation?" I told her through my laughter, "she would probably be yelling at her own kids!"  Like anyone else, I have my moments of frustration, irritation, and annoyance with my kids.  I have moments where I long for just a few quiet moments to myself.  I just don't always share them.  However, saying this, I would not trade what I have for anything else in the world. But by no means, is everything easy! 

I have had many conversations with my own mother questioning why my children may have behaved the way they did at a certain age/stage or how I felt like I never behaved/disobeyed (as a child) the way my own kids do at times,  And more than that, how I'm sure my own parents never had the feelings of annoyance/frustration with me and my sisters, that I have with my two.  But, I have come to find that I am wrong.  I served my fair share of time in time out, had my "less than desirable moments," and drove my parents crazy like any other normal child.  It's just that, those are not the types of things we want to share. But I have to say, having had these talks with my amazing Mom, and having similar ones with my girlfriends, it lifts a little weight off the shoulders.  It makes us feel like even the people we think are the "perfect Mom's" in reality, really have the same struggles that any other Mother has.

So...As much as I want my kids to remember the good times, I also want them to know that sometimes there were some less than desirable moments in there too.  Why?  Because, I don't want them to grow up thinking that life is perfect.  Perfect is just not realistic or achievable.  Life is messy at times.  I want them to know that Parenthood is a like a road trip.  Sometimes you feel like you have everything under control.  You are on cruise control thinkin' "I've got this parenting thing down.  I'm doing pretty good."  And then you hit a dead end and have to shift gears and recover ground that you thought you wouldn't have to retrace.  You rediscover things along the way that you failed to see the first time, and at the end of the day, you appreciate what you had at the very start of your journey. 

So, to my children who will one day read this when they are grown, remember that "It Ain't Always Sunshine and Rainbows."  As parents, you may question yourself, regret decisions that you made, knock your head against the wall at times...but so does every other parent.  Because, if we didn't, then we wouldn't care.  So, while I may not record many of your "less than desirable moments" on here, or mine for that matter, they did exist.  And sharing these moments with others will provide some good laughter, keep reality in check, and give you the confidence that you are doing just fine.

Happy 36th!

Happy Bday to my very best friend in the whole World!  You are an amazing father and husband and I am so lucky to be your wife!  So... we may not have rung in your bday with an expensive dinner out at some trendy restaurant like we used to back in our early years, but Chinese take-out and a Kroger cake with the kids was just as memorable (not to mention much cheaper!:).

Wishing you a year full of health, happiness and love!  We love you!

Birthday Boy!

I cannot believe Caleb turned 2 this past week!  Where does the time go?  I still remember the day we found out we were having a boy!

*don't forget to pause the music on my playlist to the right :)

I remember the first time I laid eyes on your adorable little face!

And the day I held you in my arms for the very first time!

 And of course the day we introduced our son to the family! 

....and to your big sister who had no idea how much she would actually love having a brother (instead of a sister named Maddie)!

The first time you smiled at your Daddy and completely melted his heart!

                                                 ...and your first real best friend

                     I remember your very first steps caught on video!

Sadly, my baby boy is slowly disappearing.  In the past year, he has mastered walking, talking in short sentences, feeding himself, sleeping in a big boy bed, counting to 20 (with assistance), singing the ABC's and lots of other nursery rhymes, putting on his own shoes, and is learning to identify different colors. 

Here are some of his favorite things:

food:  yogurt drinks, apple juice, watermelon, pineapple, grapes, goldfish crackers, hot dogs, mac 'n chesse, cereal with milk, oatmeal, donut holes, and any type of sweet!

activities:  puzzles, building with blocks, running, jumping on the trampoline, coloring, painting, looking at books

shows:  Dora, Sesame Street, Frosty the Snowman, The Elf on the Shelf Movie

comfort items:  paci's and blankie

cutest phrases:  I love you,  all done _________ (night night, car ride), Good Morning, Nice to Meet You, Uh-Oh Skeddy Oh's!

favorite recent pictures of my 2 year old:

All About YOU at 2:
Since day one, you have had the sweetest personality.  You continue to be very laid back and love to be around people.  You LOVE your family and especially love your Grandma and Grandpa and Nana and Grandpa.  You are great with names and even though you are the youngest and newest in your preschool class, you learned everyone's name in just a few weeks.  Your teachers would quiz you over all the kids names and you would get a big grin, point to them and say "right there!"  They are amazed at how quickly you learn and have told us that although they try not to have favorites that YOU are theirs.  Here is a video of you singing Jingle Bells at your Preschool this past Winter.

You are very social and love to be around people.  You have a very warm and cuddly personality.  You will gladly give out big teddy bear hugs and kisses.  You love to make people laugh and love to perform.  You will say "Look Mommy, Daddy, Kenzie" and will then show off something that you are proud of or that you think will make us laugh.  You are very tender hearted and I invision you being a people pleaser in the years ahead.  If I give you a disapproving look when you are being mischevious, you will put out your bottom lip and begin to cry.  It makes disciplining you pretty easy, although I'm sure it won't always be!  :)  You are one active little boy.  You love to climb, jump, run, roll....anything that involves any type of movement!  You are curious about everything and love to put things together and take them apart.  We have learned that babyproofing does not really work for you, you have figured out how to squeeze your little hands through the locks to open them and enjoy taking out the outlet covers and pulling out the vaccum and trying to plug it into them.  The fact that you have not been electricuted, broken any bones or harmed yourself in any way is AMAZING to us!  I guess boys will be boys!  I love this video of you and your sweet Sister enjoying your Christmas toys in the basement.

....and here you are checking out your "big boy boy!" 

To celebrate your big day, we went out to eat for your favorite meal: chicken fingers and french fries.  We finished dinner with your favorite dessert....icecream!  This coming weekend we will celebrate with the family!

We love you more than you will ever know and are so proud of you!  Happy birthday, sweet boy!

Happy New Year!

2011 was a year of change for our family!  Here's to all that 2012 holds in store for us!  Wishing you a happy & healthy 2012!  Looking forward to a new year, new memories and new adventures!

Christmas 2011

Last year, we began a tradition with my family of exchanging gifts at our house on the night before Chrismas, followed by  Christmas Eve dinner.  This allows us to not rush around Christmas morning trying to be 3 places in 1 day. We get quality time with both sides of the family, along with special time Christmas morning just the 4 of us.

Nana, Grandpa, Great Grandma Monty, Aunt Emily and Uncle Cody came over around 4 for our gift exchange. Caleb loved helping pass out gifts this year (along with his big sis of course) and it was a great practice round for Christmas morning.  I was very surprised at how patient Caleb was this year waiting for his turn to pass out and open presents.  As usual, the kids were spoiled rotten by my family!  :)  Following presents, we enjoyed our traditional steak, shrimp cocktail and baked potato dinner.  It was a great night together as a family, and we feel so blessed to be able to make these memories together each year.

                                                   Exchanging Gifts Christmas Eve

Great-Grandma Monty and Caleb and Mackenzie

Nana and Grandpa playing Santa

Caleb with Uncle Cody and Aunt Emily

Mackenzie and Aunt Emily

              Big Sis isn't the only one in love with the new Princess Pop up Tent!

Aunt Em and sweet Caleb hangin' out!

                                              

Enjoying some appetizers before dinner

Dad and 2/3 of his girls (missed you Melissa!)

4 Generations

                                                               Best Buddies

Me and one of my favorite gifts....my amazing Dad!

Cody being "one of the girls!"

                                                               Preparing for Dinner!

                                                        Enjoying Christmas Dinner together!

 ...and then it was time to put on p.j's, lay out treats for Santa and his reindeer, and listen to "Twas the Night Before Christmas" read by Grandma Buzzard on a recordable book!

...and after storytime, it was time to get all nestled and snug in our beds....well the kids at least....Mommy started making breakfast casserole around 10:30 p.m., while Daddy finished wrapping last minute gifts....and after what felt like a few quick hours of sleep...some VERY excited children arose from their beds for some Christmas magic!

Christmas Morning!

Opening stockings with Daddy

Rippin' through the paper to see what  Santa left!

Kenz showing off her new Princess Yahtzee game and Caleb loving tearing off the wrapping paper!

I love this picture below.  Totally sums up what the morning looked like!

                                                       Daddy teaching Caleb all about tools

My sweet girl loving all her arts and crafts stuff

Caleb LOVING his new farm set.  His teachers at school said it is his favorite toy and to add it to his Wish List!  :)  They were right!

Mommy and her favorite 2 gifts...and I'm not referring to the best friend's dolls!

I adore this picture!  Big sis looking lovingly at Caleb hugging his favorite Christmas toy, an Elmo doll!

...and after unwrapping it was time for a quick tea party....

...and then Breakfast casserole, Grandma Buzzard's recipe.  Yummy!

After showering and loading up, we hit the road for Christmas with the Buzzards!  :)

                                     Best Buddies, ready to pile into the car....can you tell they're excited?

Ready to unwrap with the Buzzard clan!

Ella, Kaylee and Kenz opening their stockings from Santa!

I love the next few pics.  Such sweet memories from our day with the family!

The girls with their Figit Friends!  A HUGE hit!  We may have heard the phrase "Dance with me!" close to hundred times!!  :)

The boys bonding over a little train time!

BFF's!

....and there's not much I can say other than "boys will be boys".  I mean, who doesn't want to throw all the wrapping paper in the downstairs bathroom and turning it into a paper pit....do you know, Uncle Buzz?  :)

the mischevious Buzzard boys....we may be in trouble in the future with these 2!

...and THE BEST gift this Christmas, was the addition of sweet Ava, Chad and Kendra's  baby to the Buzzard family!  We had to squeeze in a visit of course to meet our new neice!  It is amazing how much I already love this little girl! 

...and Uncle Buzz is pretty smitten as well!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!