Boyette Party of 5: August 2011

my #1 superhero

| at 8/30/2011

Okay.....so who said dress-up was for girls? My Kael LOVES to play "dress-up." You name the superhero, we have the costume. There are always "siterations" as Kael calls them, brewing at our home. The bad guys are lurking in every corner, and he is ready to "serve and protect."

This past year, it was transformers....Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. But we have moved on to include the MARVEL series. Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain American and the Hulk. Plus a knight and a black ninja. Last year, I hit the 90% off section at Wally World and stocked-up on costumes. We also have the weapons to support these superhero powers. From the Spider Man Web Shooter that shoots silly string (Thanks Heather) to the Iron Man chest light and hand, we can then move to the Captain America shield that has actually worked.....it knocked Kort out (who was the bad guy) and gave him his first black eye. Rest assured, we have the artillery right here at home.

It really is fun to watch him become these superheroes. His imagination runs ramped!!

He's almost too pretty to be a "superhero."

Even Capt. America has to go.

In "battle"

Knight

Check out the pose

The face is priceless.

we "heart" kisses

| at 8/30/2011

Check out Kael, Karis and Kort giving each other kisses.

We love each other, most of the time!!!

"Pucker-up"

Could they be any cuter? This picture makes me melt.

I love my brother!!

a "nip" of fall in the air

| at 8/28/2011

It was beautiful today. There was a nip of fall in the air. I always love when the seasons change. It's just about the time you are so ready for hot or cold....whatever it may be. I love summer and all that it brings. Hot days by the pool, sleeping in, no schedule, being with my kids all day every day, golf cart rides, and on and on......But I love fall too. I love all the fall colors...I love Halloween...I love wearing my jeans and boots.....college football...WAR EAGLE.....and on and on.... But now that I have 3 kids under the age of 4, I also LOVE being able to be outside and play. It has been way too hot to do that....BUT today was one of those days. We got out the ride on toys, opened the sandbox, and just PLAYED all day!!! It was perfect. Check out the K kids growing up and just playing!!

My sweet baby girl is growing-up way too fast.

My princess Karis Annslee

Ready to go on the cart!!

What do you mean smile?

Cruising topless!!!

Swinging!!

Playing at the sandbox

I'm getting too big for this swing!!

Captain America is in action.

My little monkeys!!

Playing in the sprinkler.

It's cold!!!!!

fun and sweet....they look so good you could eat!

| at 8/24/2011

I love,love,love etsy. It truly is an obsession. I could (and do) spend hours surfing others brilliance and creativity. There are so many incredibly talented people. The only negative is that I spend too much money!!!

So last year, I was looking for some cute, inexpensive Christmas gifts that were out of the norm. Something you would not normally buy yourself....And I found this precious girl Denise and her adorable creations.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62207251/fruit-tart-polymer-clay-earrings

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61589007/salted-pretzel-polymer-clay-earrings

She can do anything and everything you can think of!! Are they not so fun and cute!?!?!!

my little picasso

| at 8/23/2011

I know my downfalls. And one of them is that I'm a neat freak and anal retentive about my house....to the point that my dad calls me JAWS. This is because the vacuum is soon to be behind you when you're at my house.

So having 3 children has really taught me patience and learning to just "go with the flow" more. This has been incredibly hard for me to do, but it has made me a better mom. It has not been easy, but I have learned that I can either spend time cleaning-up after my kids or time making a mess with them. I would be lying if I said it isn't a lot more fun making a mess. I would also be lying if I said that every night before I go to bed I clean-up and everything is pristine while I'm sleeping. I do not think I could sleep if my house were in disarray.

So I have turned my little screened in porch into a creative haven. The kids can paint, draw, color, do play dough, and everything in between. I love watching them create things in their minds and translate them to paper...or walls...or the floor. Since Rob is am amazing artist, I feel certain that one of them will love the arts too. I'm creative in my own right, but I cannot draw a lick. I just want them to have different ways to express themselves.

Kort is proving to be my one that loves attention to detail. He enjoys the intricate details of things and will examine something and study it over and over. Look at his masterpiece!!

I think he's gifted.....hahahaha!!!

I think there's more paint on him than the paper.

Very proud!!

So the best part of this is that I didn't use one wipe the entire time!!!

the difference between my girl and boy

| at 8/22/2011

My biggest fear in life is losing my parents. I have looked death in the eyes and been through tough times, but nothing compares to the thought of losing my mom and dad. They are my world. They have been there for me during the best and worst times in my life. And they love me unconditionally.

The relationship I have with my mom is like no other. She is my very best friend. And I wanted to have a girl to share all that my mom was and still is to me. And being Dad's little girl has been amazing too. My dad is the one person in my life that can make everything better and always knows exactly what to say and do. One of my favorite movie quotes is from Grease...

"The only guy a girl can really trust in her Daddy."

So when I found out that I was having twins, after the initial shock, I instantly thought....I'm going to have 2 more boys. And I was fine with that. But I would be lying if I didn't say I really wanted a girl. So when I found out that it was a boy and a girl, I was over the moon. This is the honest to God truth...every time I went for an ultrasound, I would say, "Are you SURE it's a girl." I didn't believe until she came out that she was a she....Karis!

Nobody prepares you for the life of twins. It is fun, exhausting, hilarious, draining and on and on....But boy/girl twins is so incredibly unique too. It proves so many theories on gender differences. In my case, Karis is ALL girl and Kort is all boy!! Kael is my half and half!!!

Karis is 100% girlie girl. She loves her dolls and her purses and her lip glosses and her shoes.....everything you think of when you think of a girl. We call Kort "bruiser." He is full speed ahead, loves to rough house and throws Karis's babies like their rag dolls. They really are night and day. But they are also best friends and partners in crime. Today, I decided to let them try and eat at the "table" instead of their seats. Check out this series of pictures....

We're both so sweet seating in our seats.

Kort needs some action. Notice Karis doing exactly what she's suppose to.

Notice Karis has not moved.

Maybe this is why Kort weighs about 5 more pounds than Karis. She still hasn't moved.

Karis didn't move the entire time. Kort never sat down.

I'm just so incredibly lucky to have these 2 precious babies in my life. They remind me every day of God's miracles. Not because their mine, but they really are so amazing. I love seeing life through their eyes. I have often said you should live your life backwards. Someday I'm going to write my book about it called "Reverse." Look for it at Barnes and Noble stores someday. Until then...I'll just keep blogging for the K kids.

my little monkeys!!!

| at 8/21/2011

Check out my little monkeys!!

too far away

| at 8/21/2011

Most of you that know me, know how much i love and adore my brother, Karekin. From the time i was a little girl, he was my hero. I wanted to be like him in every way i possibly could. He was admired by all who knew him.

Till this day, I still feel the same way. I'm just mad at him because he moved my 2 nephews so far away from me!! They are in Pennsylvania now, and it's just not a hop, skip and a jump away.....it's a marathon. It's just tough because i love being an aunt. Travis is 10.....almost 11, and loves superheroes as much as Karekin did growing up. Keane is 4 months old and has a smile that melts your heart. I always thought Karekin and i would grow up next door to each other so our children could grow up together. We never had that growing up. All of our family lived so far away. And now....here we are.

But my sister-in-law Becky does do a good job of sending daily pictures. But that's just not the same. I got this picture today and it really made me happy and really sad. These are moments i'm missing out on because of distance. But one thing is for sure.....they are all always close to my heart.

the next bill gates

| at 8/19/2011

Those of you that have not have the privilege to spend time with my baby, Kort, need to!! And those of you who have, know how funny and entertaining he is.....he will never have a shortage of friends. He is my baby by 2 minutes. but he acts like the baby none the less. I'm the baby, so I can say that : ) He is always up to something and honestly, he laughs at everything.....well almost everything.

Most of you that have children know that at 18 months of age, there is absolutely nothing you do without 2 feet at your own 2 feet. Well in my case, it's four. So when I'm at my computer, Karis and Kort usually park right underneath me. At times, aggravating, but 99% of the time, endearing. So today, I briefly get up to go get Kael his infamous "sweet tea." And when I come back, this is what I found....

Lord help us all!!

This is a different generation. And as much as I'm trying to keep up, I know there is going to come a time when my kids surpass me. Kael already knows how to completely operate and change the inputs of the TV to watch a DVD. I think that took me 5 years to figure out, just in time for them to change it. I do come from a household that most of my childhood, the light on the VCR blinked 12:00. And he is quite good on his touch. Not to mention the $124.00 worth of Apps he downloaded on my mom's iPad2. Yet another example of the generation gap....my mom knew nothing about parental settings and password locks. Of course that was after Canadian Biker was purchases.....which we are neither of....not bikers and not Canadian. I won't even tell you the others he purchased.

As funny as it is, it is tough watching children grow up in this day and age. Finding balance between all these things as a parent is so important. Out of all the toys Kael has, he wanted to make a fly paper airplanes with Daddy tonight. Yes, I want my kids to be able to function and contribute to their generation, but I also want them to know the important things that other generations have given us. Something to think about.....

an angel received her wings

| at 8/18/2011

as a cancer survivor, i often am faced with survivors guilt. Every night, i thank God for the miracle he gave me, my life. i thank God every day for giving me more time with my loved ones and try to live each day as if it were my last....But I often feel guilty that I'm still here and others are not. my humorous side tends to think that the good Lord knew heaven wasn't ready for me!!

am amazing family that went to bed with 3 kids, woke up with 2 today. their daughter, abby, was diagnosed at 2 years old with neuroblastoma, and she received her angel wings at 7. she was so brave and fought for 5 years with everything she had. I had the privilege of knowing her and her family. Amazing, Christian people who looked to God for answers. But how can taking a 7 year old child be what God would want? i have thought about the question "why" more times than i would care to share and all i can say is "because." His reasons are far greater than anything i can understand. and there really are no answers. being a mom now, i understand how my own mom and dad felt when i was diagnosed. i am their child. i was 26, but still their baby. my uncle put it best....he said that if and when he got to heaven, the first thing he was going to tell God was that your children should never go before you. i cannot wait to hear the answer.

anyone that has seem someone battle this dreadful disease knows that it is life changing. for abby today.....she is at peace. No more tubes, no more vomiting and diarrhea, no more treatments...... She is resting peacefully.....thankfully.

i love my white shoes

| at 8/16/2011

So......Karis's first word was SHOE!! I know, I know.....we're in trouble. What's really funny about it is, I'm not a shoe person. I LOVE my tennis shoes, but besides that, not so much. But guess who LOVES shoes......my mom, aka Nena. So of course, she coined the term that Karis would "never be denied a pair of shoes." Her senility must be setting in because she failed to remember that like her Nena, she also has expensive taste!!

Kort's first word.....BALL!!! Not shocking being that he is part Cunningham. He's a bruiser. Always has bruises, bumps, scratches, all of the above. Anyone would be legit to wonder what kind of mother he has. : ) He has been a very weak walker from the get go. He doesn't really walk anywhere, rather he runs or goes so fast that he crash lands. I even took him to the pediatrician because my mom had me convinced something was wrong. The fact of the matter, he's a bull in a china shop. And let's just say there is not a piece of china that isn't broken. But since buying him his tennis shoes, he is improving......slowly.....

So the reason I'm talking about shoes....again....they have a new favorite book. My mom's sweet friend Lynne gave them a book "Pete the Cat: I love my white shoes" by Eric Litwin aka Mr. Eric. One of the cutest books I have read. They are absolutely mesmerized when you read this to them. Not sure if it's the way Daddy sings the words and adds his funny animation, but it's truly one of the only times they will sit still.

My mom tells me all the time that you want your kids to have a love of reading. Considering she's the best mom I've ever had, and taught for 30+ years, I believe her. We read to the K kids every chance we get. Just look at the expression on Kort's face in this picture. When your kids smile, so does your heart. And of course Karis aka "Sissyrooty" looks very serious in this picture. She usually bobs her head back and forth when Rob is singing the phrase, "I love my white shoes! I love my white shoes!" Just remember....the best thing you can spend with your child is TIME. Whether it's reading a book or asking them about their day. Every night when Kael gets in bed, I ask him, "What was the best thing about your day? What was something you would change about your day?" And 9 times out of ten, the best part of his day is something that Mommy or Daddy did while spending time with him.

From trash to sass

| at 8/16/2011

So last year, they were getting rid of these stools at school. Some of them were old and starting to look shabby. Well I saw them, and of course my mind went from shabby to chic. Oh the possibilities!! Of course, finding the time to create what I had envisioned would be the hard part. So this summer, I worked on Karis's and I thought I would share it. The reason being, today they were giving away more and my mind starting wandering again.

I painted the legs of the stool pink and green. Then, on the "rungs," I decoupaged various scrapbook papers. The top was painted with pale pink and green stripes, and around the top, I made a tulle skirt. It is precious!!

new tenny boppers

| at 8/14/2011

so Kael needed new tennis shoes. for those of you who know me, i LOVE LOVE LOVE tennis shoes. for several reasons:
1. I have ugly feet
2. The are super duper comfortable
3. You can wear them for most everything
4. I'm very active
5. I have 3 kids under the age of 4

so anyway.....I love buying tennis shoes for Kael too. but Lord have Mercy, the price of kid's tennis shoes is ridiculous, especially since they are going to need a new pair in 3 months. so check out the new tennis shoes for the "K" kids and then I will share how I bought 3 pairs of Nike kids tennis shoes for under $60.00 ($59. and change).

So..... Kael found some retro Nike's for $40.00 @ Kohl's that he loved. I had a Kohl's coupon for 30% off. with my 30% off coupon, that brought them to $28.00...minus my $10.00 in Kohl's cash = $18.00.

Found Karis's pink Nike's @ Ross for $19.99

Got a coupon from Hibbett's that if you spent $20.00, you get $10.00 off. So found Kort's for $29.99 - the $10.00 coupon = $19.99.

So 3 pairs of teeny boppers for under $60.00. yippee!!!!!

we heart PlayDoh

| at 8/14/2011

So Kael spent the night at Nena and Pap's last night So this morning, it was just the twins and me. thought I would take advantage of a great opportunity to spend some quality time with just them. Believe it or not, at times, Kael can be more high maintenance than both of them.

When I was a little girl, I loved to make "mud pies." I seriously think I tried to eat them several times because they looked like real chocolate. And those of you who know me know I LOVE chocolate. I loved playing with PlayDoh, clay, any of that fun stuff that you used your hands to create......so today was the day that Karis and Kort were introduced to PlayDoh. They are in love. They are finally at the age to know you don't put it in your mouth. Of course Karis, like her mommy, did try it. But they had so much fun playing with all the utensils and molds. They were showing each other their creations and talking as if they understood one another.