Life's happenings

I hate to sound only negative and keep focusing on all the C-rap that keeps happening around here, but it just feels like that's all that is happening.   I say feels because I know that isn't reality, it just seems that way.  So this post is to document (mostly for me) all of the good things in our lives right now.  I need to see it in print.  I also believe that family blogs should be genuine, and that means putting my real feelings down and not just the "fluffy stuff".  Nothing can make me feel worse than looking at all these cute blogs and feeling inadequate about my own life.  I wish we could all just be more honest with each other.  Oh well, that's a post for another day.

Mara started Kindergarten.  Shut.the.front.door.  When/How did she get soo big?  I was so excited for her (and not gonna lie, for myself as well).  We start walking up to the school and suddenly I feel these sobs starting in my belly.  I was able to contain myself and not shed a single tear...for a moment.  When I saw Mara standing there all by herself she just looked so uncertain and and scared out of her little mind, I lost it.  The tears started pouring.  I'm not even talking a tear or two, I'm talking borderline hysteria.  She just looked so scared.  So cute, but so nervous.  All the other kids were chatting it up with each other and Mara seemed all alone.  I think my sobs were because of the guilt I felt moving her away from all her friends and planting her there all alone.  Despite my sad departure she was full of fun stories when we picked her up for the day.  Each day she gets a little better telling me about her day and the friends she plays with, and each day I feel a little less guilt about moving her away from her friends.

Logan started Preschool.  That day couldn't have come soon enough.  As much as I adore that little man, we both needed a small break from each other.  Twice a week he goes to Ms. Brooke's preschool that is in our neighborhood.  He came home from the first day with the cutest drawing of a truck, and didn't surprise me at all by the detail.  He did however surprise me by attempting to write his name.  He did a perfect L and o then a funky g and some scribbles.  This kid is a genius.  I know we all think those things of our own children, but it's true!  I sadly cannot take any credit for it.  He honestly figures everything out by himself.  He looks at something and then replicates it.  It is adorable.  It's so fun to watch him become a little kid.  His listening skills improve every day (for which I am deeply grateful).

Both kids are in soccer.  Mara is timid and careful when she plays.  Logan doesn't know what planet he's on.  Both ways to play are equally adorable and frustrating!  Isn't that the funny thing about parenting?  I don't care if they are soccer stars, but then we get there and I find myself wanting to be the screaming parent telling Mara what to do (don't worry I don't, but I'd love to).  Watching Logan is another thing entirely.  He is the weird kid that doesn't pay attention at all, randomly sits down, runs and bops his head up and down...you know the type?  It's hilarious and slightly embarrassing.  Don't call the mommy police on me for saying that.  Just keepin' it real.

Sean started a new job.  It kind of sucks.  The positives: working M-F 9-5.  That's where the positives end for me.  I hate the pay and I hate the benefits (or lack there of).   I guess we'll just keep waiting and see what happens.

As for me, my business has taken off running.  I feel so excited every time I see a sell.  I get between 30-40 each month the past couple of months.  Soooo cool!  Right now I'm trying to expand into the digital scrapbooking elements.  It takes a bit of computer time, but I think it's worth it.  Piano lessons have started again too and that helps us out a lot.  The combination of the 2 "jobs" make me feel like I'm actually worth my weight to this family sometimes.  I always feel like Sean works sooo hard especially compared to me.  As the kids get older and my parenting job gets easier I feel guiltier and guiltier about not contributing to our family financially.  These "jobs" lessen that guilt.

I feel like that's about it for us right now. 

Easter with the Evans family

We left my parents house and headed to the Evans for another hunt.  It was cute.  At the Evans' you have to find you easter basket first!  That is always a fun tradition I think.

Afterwards we went inside for a nice Easter Feast.  I ate waaaay too much that day!

Easter Egg Hunt with my family

To start easter weekend we had an Easter egg hunt with my family.  My aunt Valerie and her family were in town!

 Mara was somewhat obsessed with the chicks that my aunt Marcie brought with her.  It was pretty cute.

 Melissa was showing the kids videos of Lilah on her phone.  If they can't play with Lilah (she was trying to nap) then they have to see her some way!

 Logan was very nervous about the chicks, but wanted to play.  It was a funny combination.

 Uncle Mike was helping Logan during the hunt.  It took him several minutes of standing right there for Logan to finally notice the orange egg on the tree post.  It was pretty funny.

Overall it was a fun quick hunt!  We had some lunch and just chatted outside forever.  I got my first sunburn of the year!

BOOM! BOOM!

We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and take the kids out west to go shooting.  Gotta say, it's nice living not too far from where we shoot!  Sean dropped Mara off at school and then went to pick up some ammo and a target.  After he'd been gone for a while I decided to call and see what was up.  No ammo!  He'd gone all over and called a bunch of places.  Seriously, people calm down a bit about gun control.  Wowsa.  Anyways....I suggested we call our friend Will and see if we could buy some off of him.  He said no.  Then said he'd give us some ammo. 

As soon as Mara got home from school we were off!

 First thing we had to do was teach Logan how to pee in the bushes.  It was hilarious.

 Then we'd been there for about 5 minutes and this happened.  The picture above and the two below tell a funny/not cool story.

 Mara got dirt bombed by Logan.

 The kids used their BB Gun (with Sean of course)

 Mara was pretty cute trying to keep one eye open.

 If you know Logan at all, you can totally hear him in this picture.  Tongue out, giggling.

 I kept hearing Sean say, "Logan!  Don't pull the trigger until I tell you too!"

 Naturally they had to hold hands to go down the hill.

 Mara desperately trying to get Logan to look at the camera.  Unsuccessful.  But look at those snotty dirty faces.  Aren't they adorbs?

We had a lot of fun, and look forward to doing it again!

Mara turned 5

This is my sweet little 5 year old.  It's really hard to get a picture of her not posing right now.  I tried to get her to stop, but then I realized Hey!  This is a part of what makes her the cute 5 year old that she is!

 Of course I used this opportunity to put together another birthday kit for my shop.  I think it turned out pretty cute!  I wanted to make a princess party that wasn't just pink.  Plus, the majority of her cousins that would be there were boys.  They were good sports though!

 Best Buds ready to party!

 Do you notice something that is missing from this photo?  How about the 5th candle....oops!!!  I can't believe no one caught that mistake!  I think we are all just in denial that she is really 5.

 While we were cleaning up the party I looked over at Logan.  Apparently the party tired him out!  He just crashed on the floor.  He layed there forever.

 This is Mara and her best friend Brooklynn.  This was the first year we let her invite friends to her party.  She is growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!!