Switch-a-roo

There is a paradigm shift happening in our home.

Miss Munchkin formerly known as little miss pleasant has taken on a new nickname. The PILL. As in, "Don't be such a pill!"

I know I know....she's two. Don't get me wrong she's had two year-old moments earlier on but as of late it's as if something inside of her snapped: I must be whining, crying, fussing, hitting, biting, slapping more often!

However it's quite difficult to punish someone so adorable. Timeouts are heartbreaking for me as I sit there and watch big crocodile tears slowly blaze a trail down her cheeks.

But I'm happy to say that Diva (more on her in another post) has been soooo much better these past few days, hence the paradigm shift.

Love my girls but they sure can take me on an emotional roller coaster!

My parrot

The other day I overheard Diva singing a song to her barbies. It went something like this:

I'm just so exhausted! I'mmmmm just soooo exhaaausssted!
You're just making things WORSE....worse....I'm just so exhausted!

And so on and so forth.

Great.

Not only that the other day I was talking to my sister in-law and I said something along the lines of, "Yeah...blah blah....kick your butt."

And from the other end of the room I hear this little scolding voice, "MOMMY WE DON'T SAY BUTT!"

So I tell her that, "sometimes it's ok if mommy says butt."

She sighs, rolls her eyes and mumbles,

"Whatever."

We like the beach

We really....really like the beach. It is truly one giant playground.


My younger sister and her hubby live literally 200 feet or so from the sand and water. So a couple times this summer we packed up and crashed at their place.

Diva is in imagination heaven. She runs in and out of the water, grabbing pieces of seaweed, talking to herself, skipping rocks, building mermaid tails, etc.

And miss Munchkin...she enjoys the beach as well but her exploration of the water is experienced vicariously. She demands, "DOWN....BEACH!" But really she means, "Pick me up! Take me down to the water! But don't put me down! I just want to see YOUR feet get wet!" So we stand and hold her while she gleefully watches the tide wash over our toes.

It doesn't hurt that the sand and sun completely exhaust my children without any exertion on my part.

And just for jealousy purposes this is the view from their family room. Yup, that is the pier.

Quality Family Time

We spent some quality time with in-laws tonight. It was a blast. I heart my family. On both sides.

We enjoyed many delicious treats. Including cake. Really enjoyed the frosting.

I don't know what to make of this girl. She doesn't give a hoot about getting dirty. Ever. She just digs right, scoops right up, plops right down. Can't say that I really care all that much. Kids are meant to get dirty.

Oh this boy. My nephew. He's 3.5 months. 3.5! He is so large it's hard to remember he's still a newborn. But he has the most delicious rolls and has the most adorable pout. And don't judge him for the spit bubbles. His cheeks are at fault for that one.

Blazing

It is murderously hot outside. These girls are turning into fish (or a mermaid if you were to ask Diva.)

She is so weird and hilarious. In the pool today I told her I was going to bite her because she was so delicious. As I came at her and flashed my teeth she cried out, "NO NO! Don't bite me! I'm not dough!!"

Told ya we eat too many cookies(dough.)s

Dialogue

"Hey honey it's your last day of camp! I want to take your picture! Say cheese!"


"Cheese!"

"Okay now turn around so I can see the back of your shirt. Okay sure Munchkin you can be in the picture too."

"Mommy take a picture of Ariel."

"She's kind of skanky but sure. Just give me a big BIG smile. Say cheese and crackers!"

"No! It's not cheese and crackers! Just CHEESE!"

"Oh I'm so SORRY. You are right. It's not cheese and crackers. What the heck was I thinking? Where is your happy face? I need to see it!"

"MUCH better!"

Fourthin' It.

Kids had a blast with the sparklers.



Along with a couple adults.

We got to hang out with some ADORABLE (second?) cousins.






And Hubby was able to debut his mountain-man beard.

I rather like it. Maybe a lot.

Helpers

In our house we make cookies.  A lot a LOT of cookies.  Way way too many.  But honestly, wouldn't you make a ton of cookies if your helpers were as cute as mine? 


I vividly remember helping my own mother in the kitchen; sitting on the counter and digging my digits into the dough.  It's amusing to see my girlies doing the very same thing.


We are strictly a chocolate chip kinda family but are known to throw some oatmeal in there as well.

Our three main recipes:

For a soft, gooey, melty cookie

For a crispy yet chewy cookie

For the ultimate milk chocolate oatmeal cookie:

1 ¼ cup brown sugar
1 c. butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
3 c. old fashioned oats
1 1/3 c. flour
-milk chocolate chips


Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
Beat all ingredients except oats, flour and chocolate chips in large bowl w/ mixer on medium. 
Stir in oats, flour and chocolate chips.

Bake 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.

Tip:  I actually use quite a bit LESS sugar in each recipe.  The first recipe I only use 1/2 cup of white sugar.  The second about a 1/4 cup less white sugar and the third recipe only about 1/8 of a cup less since it only calls for brown.  They still taste delicious!

Thoughts

Yesterday was a great day.

Nee Nees asked to take the girls and have them spend the night and I didn't dare turn down such an enticing offer!

Hubby had to go straight to mutual after work so with the girls gone for the rest of the evening and no hubby to keep me entertained I came to the decision that I needed some time alone in the temple. I have never been by myself; I always have the company of my wonderful husband.

There were four...count 'em FOUR other people in my session and if you know how large the Los Angeles Temple is you know how big those rooms can feel with so little people. Oddly enough it still felt cozy.



Lately I have been feeling that I am kind of a mediocre mother. I lose my patience easily. I am not a great teacher. I am not the best example. Did I mention I lose my patience easily?

I desperately needed this time inside the Lord's house to organize my brain and prioritize my life. There is no better way to do those two things than to serve someone on the other side of the veil.

As I sat in that beautiful celestial room and relished the peace and silence that permeates the building, I began to think of the reasons why I came and the feeling, "I'm not good enough" was quickly replaced with the feelings, "I am an integral part of my family. I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who loves me more than I could ever describe. I am beyond blessed with two beautiful daughters, I have an incredible husband who is an equally incredible father, and this life is for learning and growing and you can't learn without making mistakes."

How blessed I am to have the Gospel in my life! How blessed I am to know my Savior and to partake in the blessings of keeping the commandments. We are all here for a very specific reason and it's very easy to lose sight of what's truly important, but inside the temple it's extremely evident. I know without a doubt that the Gospel is true. He lives, He loves us, He wants us to return and be with Him forever.

Thanks for reading.