Proud momma here!

On Monday morning Chloe had to go to Woodhull (her elementary school) for a Kindergarten test. The whole night before and during the morning as we got ready, she continued to tell me over and over again how she was sooo nervous! Sean and I both assured her that she would be just fine! And she was, she had a hearing and vision test than got to go play with the teachers. They said she did great!! they were VERY impressed with her vocabulary :) thats my girl!! ;) They had no concerns and said her development is great. They recommended that we keep working on her letter recognition, letter sounds and her writing. She gets mixed up sometimes and I really think that its because she thinks too hard about things and second guesses herself. Alot of times she will say the right answer and then say no its this, and gives the wrong answer. So this is all stuff that we've been doing on a regular basis and plan to continue to work on throughout the rest of the summer. I def was a proud momma after she was done and I got to talk to the teacher about how she did. She was so proud of herself too! :)  

Chloe practicing her writing today :) 

And practicing with her new hula-hoop! 

I can't believe my little lady will be going to Kindergarten in about 9 weeks!! Ahhhh!! 




<3 Liz

Summer Project-Share, Spend, Save

We have alot of summer projects planned. Things to do around the house, and little crafts with the kids. 
Today Chloe and I went to A.C Moore and Joann Fabrics and got a few things to do together. We also put together her money jars. I got the idea when I was reading a magazine at the library a few weeks ago. It was an article that talked about PNC Bank and Sesame Street teaming up to teach kids about saving money. I went home and did some research on it, it talks about the important of the 3 S's, Spending, Sharing and Saving. So I talked with Chloe about it and the importance of it all. She is always hearing the Mr Softy truck drive by and wants an ice cream, or we go to the store and she sees something that she wants, so explaining this all to her in a way that made sense was great, and she got really excited to do this herself. We decided we would use jars that we had. A small mayo jar and 2 small pb jars, all the same size, plastic and had tops that screwed on. Pergfect. 
She had money in one jar that she had been saving. She gets money when she helps mommy, daddy or grandma. She will help us when we do laundry, dishes, cleaning up her room, or cleaning up in the den. Little things here and there will earn her a quarter or a few coins. So today we split up the money into the 3 jars. She helped to sort the money so that it was evenly split, she picked out 3 colored notecards and I wrote each S word on them. We taped it to the jars and there we go.  Now each time she gets money she will split it between the jars. 




Here is the info if any of you are interested in doing this with your kids. Liam is too young now but when he gets older and understands I would love to do it with him too. There are other activities at the links that you can do with the kids. There are even printable labels.
http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/save
http://www.savings.com/blog/post/Sesame-Street-and-PNC-Bank-Team-Up-to-Educate-Kids-About-Saving.html

Chloe's Jars  :) 

Share, Save, Spend

<3 Liz

POOL FUN!!

So normally I would be on top of getting a pool right away but with moving and the summer weather coming later here in NY that it does in NC we just got one this week. I searched around for the past few weeks to find one that I liked, one that would work well for both kids. I've seen Barbie ones and princess ones which Chloe would love but that's no good for my little man lol. So Sunday morning I was browsing thru the circulars and saw Target's sales. I love Target so any excuse to go there is a good one for me, so Monday we checked it out and found the pool! It has a volcano slide, waterfall, palm tree sprinkler and an alligator ball thing (basically basketball but instead of throwing the ball in the hoop, you feed the balls to the alligator.)
The kids love it and I was definitely pleased with the $25 price tag :) 
Chloe loves sitting under the waterfall and going belly first down the slide, and Liam loves playing with all the balls. He runs around the pool, chasing after them yelling" all all all!" He hasn't gotten the "B" sound yet but its soo cute! 


Here are some pics :) 

They absolutely LOVE it!! and it makes me soo happy to watch them having so much fun together :) 








<3 Liz 

Transition to Toddler bed

Well as some of you may have read in a previous post from memorial day weekend, that Liam has started climbing more than usual. He is climbing out of his bed. His bed has been at the lowest setting for quite awhile now, probably ever since he started standing up in it, it's been low. I tried the toddler bed last weekend and it worked for one day and then bedtime was not going well so I put the side back on and changed it back into a crib, well then Monday he climbed out 5 times. I def can't have him doing that and def don't want him to get hurt. So back to the Toddler bed it is and I am determined to make this work. It has been a rough week but it's getting better. He has been going to bed later than usual and waking up earlier than usual but we are still working out the kinks in this so we'll get out routine better once he gets use to this new bed. 
Naptime has gone pretty well, I lay him in his bed and he fusses a few seconds and then I hear quite, I check in a few minutes later and he is passed out. Night time is not as easy. The first few nights, I was laying him down over and over and over and over again, him crying "momma momma", getting out of his bed and banging on the door until I come back in and put him in his bed over and over again. It's been very trying but I am holding my frustrations together and trying my best to stay calm and praying that he adjusts to this soon. 
He has never had problems at bedtime (problems with bedtime have always been Chloe's department LOL) so I know this won't last long and last night I had a silent victory in the hallway when I realized he was finally asleep at 8:59pm!!! 
I first laid him down at 8: 21. Checked on him at 8:31 and put him back in bed, again 8:41..back in bed and then finally at 8: 51 back in bed! And a few mins later all was silent and he was asleep :) 

Little man up before 7am one morning... ugh what a stinker! lol good think we decided to make iced coffee the morning cuz momma needed it ;)

 

my little Chloe when she started sleeping in her toddler bed! She looks soooo little <3

Anyone else transitioning or have transitioned a toddler from crib to toddler bed?! I gladly would take some tips of what worked for you! 

I know I did this with Chloe but that feels like so long ago and she was much older. She didn't go into her toddler bed until she was 21-22 months old and at that time she didn't have any problems with bedtime. Liam will be 15 months in a few weeks and is growing up too fast for his momma! 

<3 Liz

New Summer Haircuts

I decided last week that Liam really needed a haircut because the heat was really getting to him, then Chloe said she wanted one too. So Wednesday we went to a place I found nearby and they both got new summer cuts! I really would like to find a kids salon like I took Liam to in NC but this will do for now. 

 

Here is Chloe's BEFORE and AFTER: 

BEFORE

AFTER

my beautiful girl <3

We went shopping after the haircuts at Kohl's and this is her in one of her newest summer outfits!! She rushed to her room as soon as we got home and wanted to try it on! :) 



Now for Liam's BEFORE and AFTER: 

BEFORE

another BEFORE ( you can see how much more hair he has in this one)

AFTER :)

My boy is such a cutie!! He is wearing one of his new outfits and his new shoes! First pair of sandals that we got on sale and with coupon, at payless :) 

<3 Liz

Daddy and Chloe Date!

Daddy and Chloe had their first date in NY last Thursday! Kung Fu Panda is a fav movie in our house so when Sean heard Kung Fu Panda 2 was coming out he asked what I thought about taking Chloe...I thought it was a great idea but was a tad bit jealous that mommy wasn't coming with and that mommy and daddy weren't having their own date..although that will come soon ;) 


Chloe wanted to get all dressed up for their "date" She wore a pretty dressed, asked me to help her pick out her nice shoes, necklace and headband. It was adorable! She even wanted daddy to wear a suit but was ok when he wore a nice blue shirt. lol ;)

Here is the two of them before they left. They had so much fun together! & she can't wait for her next date with daddy :) 

<3 Liz 

My baby is going to Kindergarten!!

It's true! I can't believe it myself that this September, 3 months from now, my little baby girl will be turning 5 and starting kindergarten!! 

It feels like it was just yesterday that I was bringing her home from the hospital and now she is growing so fast and will be starting school. Last Wednesday we decided to get her registered so that things would be all set for the fall. We had to go to the High school to register her and she was a little confused when she didn't see little kids. She said, "mom where are all the kids?" I told her the people walking around were kids but that they were high school kids, big kids and she just said "ohhh well I want to see little kids like me so we can play and learn together, I don't want to be around all these big kids!" Sooo funny :) 

We got everything taken care and then had to head to the Elementary school to turn in papers. Chloe was sooo happy to finally get to see the school that she's going to attend and see kids her size! She got to meet the school nurse and we got an Kindergarten orientation packet. 

She will get something in the mail soon that gives her a date where we go in for testing to see which class she will be in, than later in the summer she will get something letting us know what school bus she will have and who her teacher will be. I am a little nervous about her taking the school bus and she knows it, she says" mom its ok! It's ok mom, I'm going to be just fine!" I know she will be but still she's so little and I worry! lol 

The school is really only 3 minutes down the road so I really know that she'll be ok! I'm excited for her to start but I don't think anyone could be as excited as she is :) 

Here is a picture that we took at the school! She saw this sign and wanted a picture with it! 

Chloe outside of her Elementary school! 

<3 Liz 

The past month...its been a long one

We'll I am sorry it has been so long but moving was crazy! and it wasn't just moving it was everything that happened all at once. 


Our last week in NC was great but sad all at the same time. It was nice to spend time with friends but sad to say goodbyes. We really miss all of our friends! but we know we will keep in touch and see you again!

Liam's surgery was also 2 days before our move, it went very well and we can really tell a difference. He has been to his new pediatrician this week. He got a referral to the ENT and will be seeing him soon for another check and hearing test. His pediatrician said he is doing well, the tubes in his ears look good. He is 25 lbs and 31 inches long! I can't believe how big my boy is getting. When we first arrived in NY he had a hard time adjusting. He wanted momma all the time and that was all he was saying. He would follow me around and yell " mommmm, momma" over and over again! As a mommy I love feeling needed by my kids but it was difficult at times with trying to move and unpack and get settled. But he is doing much better now and is pretty well adjusted. He went back to saying all the words he was using and learning the past few months and last night said a form of "grandma" for the first time! It was soo cute! My MIL came home from work last night and when she was saying hi to him he started waving and said something like "gamma" cute! and she loved it! He said it again a few times this evening. 


Chloe is adjusting well to the move too! She pushes her limits at times because she is around Grandma and knows she will get away with more but we've been staying on top of her to make sure that she listens and behaves as she is supposed to and continues to know that the move doesn't mean the rules change. 
She has spent alot of time at the library since we got here, and the first week we we're here, Chloe, Liam and I got library cards. She goes often with Grandma and other times with Liam and I. The library here is pretty cool, it has a play place, amazing children's section with ALOT of DVD's so Chloe loves to get them! We also see the little frogs there and got to see the chicks through webcam that just hatched today!
She misses her friends alot, she is always talking about her boyfriend Robert, and her friends Lillian and Gabrielle. She plays Barbie's and will name them after her friends that she misses. She has made a new friend here named Gianna, she really likes playing with her and asks me each day when she can again.


I have had a difficult time adjusting. It's hard not being in my own home, living with my MIL is taking some getting use to but I am dealing with it all as best I can and taking it one day at a time. Some days are great and other days can be miserable. It all depends on the day and whats going on. I am very grateful that we are able to stay with her, especially since our NC house is still empty. Not having all of my friends around is hard too. I know people here through Sean, but haven't spent alot of time with them in the past so it kind of feels like the getting to know you part of a friendship. Not many people we know here have kids either, which is a huge thing we have in common with all of our friends in NC. I know this will all change with time.  Its also difficult learning where things are located, how to get there and how long it takes to get there. I took Liam to his pediatrician on Wednesday and the closest one that our insurance covers is 45 mins away :/ and on top of that it was pouring rain the whole way there and back. I've been job hunting and not having much luck. I went on 3 interviews, the first I was OVERqualified...seriously! and the other 2 we're for the same place, it seemed a done deal and then they never called back. So that has been pretty frustrating. I've sent out over 100 resumes at this point so we'll just see what happens. Atleast I have my work at home business :) I LOVE THIRTY-ONE!!! <3


Some days Sean goes stir-crazy, he was sooo looking forward to all this time off but he gets sooo bored! LOL.  He even started to look for jobs! Just looked though, no applications! hehe. He got accepted to Stonybrook University, so he is all set to start school at the end of the month. He is registered for summer classes and that will help to keep him busy and not go crazy at home with me and the kids! He even said to me one day, "I don't know how you do this all day!" Haha...made my day! 
He also took us to see the lighthouse out in Montauk! Made me and Chloe happy and Liam had fun! He's been telling me since we met that he was going to and Chloe likes a song that has a part about the lighthouse in Montauk so she had really been wanting to go! It was beautiful!! 

Lighthouse in Montauk, NY

So happy she's at the lighthouse

daddy and Liam throwing rocks

We celebrated Easter with Sean's mom, his Aunt Barbara and his cousin, Kristin and her bf, Victor. I made a big Ham and all the sides! Sean made a yummy ricotta cheesecake :) We dyed eggs and the kids had an egg hunt to their baskets in the morning and then one outside after dinner. They we're both soo happy, and for the most part it turned out to be a really good day! 

trying to eat the eggs

Liam in his cute Easter outfit

my pretty girl 

Love my kiddos <3

momma and Chloe <3

this has become a lonnng blog, maybe my longest, maybe not, and I'm sure I've forgotten ALOT that we have been up to but the plan is that now that we are more settled I will be on top of my blog!! Promise :) 

until next time...

<3 Liz 

Liam's 1st Haircut!!

Today my baby boy was 12 months and 1 week old and he got his very first haircut!!!! :) 
Sean has been telling me for awhile that we should get it cut, I said not until around his first birthday and only if we take his to this kids salon I've heard of where the kids can sit in these cool seats while getting it cut. So we went Saturday, to Toadly Kool Me Kids Salon. It's on Bragg Blvd for any Fayetteville moms that are interested :) Unfortunately they were too busy so we made an appt to go back Monday! 
* The reason they were too busy is even a great story...they do parties there for the girls to go and get their hair done, nails and toes done! They come out all glitzed and glamored! Such a cute idea! I know Chloe would love something like that! 


Anyway so we went this afternoon and of course Liam fell asleep the moment we pulled in the parking lot. Chloe was even talking to him and telling him to stay awake and wake up because she could see him eyelids closing. He was ok and not whiny or anything but he wasn't his smiley self for such a fun place. 
I took him over to the chair and it was a little airplane! ADORABLE! He sat there really well, moved around a little but for the most part he did great! I was so proud! :) He looks soo cute with his new cut too! Big sissy was proud too! She kept saying "Oh Liam you did such a great job!" :) 

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER!

I'd say the first hair cut experience was a success! Liam did great, and momma did too!! ;) 


<3 Liz 

Moving!!!

Moving day is getting closer and closer, tomorrow we will be down to 10 days left in North Carolina and tomorrow will also be the last night sleeping in our bed until we are in NY! The movers come on Wednesday!! They will be packing everything up so the past week we have really been doing more than ever. Each day is filled with getting stuff moved around, going through boxes, throwing out ALOT of junk and when I mean ALOT  I really mean ALOT..those poor garbage men tomorrow will be busy in front of our house! LOL We have donated ALOT too and have even sold a few things on craigslist and braggyardsales.com.
Sean and I spent a pretty good amount of time in the garage lately going through all of his Army gear. There is sooo much! So much that is getting turned in but so much that he gets to keep too...I swear there are like 25 sets of ACU's that have NEVER been worn! It's crazy! We dumped everything out on the floor and separated into piles and they were more than piles it was like you had to climb over a couple of mountains to get from one side of the garage to the other! On Wednesday morning he has his appt to turn in everything thats on the list so while he is doing that me and the kids will be watching the movers pack up all of our belongings! 

MOUNTAINS!!!

Today I spent the entire day getting the house ready! I mean we've gone through things for the past 3 months so that our house would be presentable to potential buyers and renters but now that movers are coming its time to cut out ALL the extra junk! Some people would rather move themselves but I am so thankful that we are having movers do it. It has really made us look at everything we have and go through it all piece by piece. I feel like if we moved ourselves not only would it be alot of work with 2 kids and an 11-12+ hour trip with moving trucks, I think we would probably just throw everything in boxes just so it was packed and not actually go through it thoroughly. I spent alot of time in the kids rooms today and picked out what clothes and toys we will be keeping for the next 10 days so that it can be kept separate from everything else. It was so cute watching Chloe decide what toys she wanted to stay and then she would get so sad that other things were getting packed and I had to remind her that it wasn't going to be packed forever and she would get them all back in NY. She was sick last night and for most of the day today so she spent the day on the couch and in the early evening, after dinner she got involved and said to me...."mom you sure did alot of stuff while I was sick on the couch! You did an amazing job!" It was so sweet! 
Made me feel really good that she took notice to how much work at had done because from the time I woke up this morning until about 10 o'clock tonight I have been going going going! Sean finally said ok its soo late, sit down and relax, and even after that I still finished cleaning the kitchen until I was satisfied! 

Tomorrow will be another day like today was, and it will probably be even busier! Sean picked up his clearing papers this morning so he will get to alot of what he has to do tomorrow, and I will do alot more at home. I need to finish doing all the laundry that I have left because the movers are taking the washer and dryer too! This is probably the one this that I am not looking forward to most! But we will deal with it for the 10 days that we have to. 

Even though we've been so busy, I have still been trying to make sure that I am doing something with the kids each day so that they don't feel like they aren't being paid attention to because lets face it with all this craziness there are times when I just need to keep going and can't always do what I'd like to be doing with them. 

The other day we stopped at Walmart and Chloe really wanted pizza for lunch so we grabbed one and got her fav toppings, when we got home she put all the toppings on and it made her day! :) 

walked in from topping off the pizza and little man was caught putting his foot on the table! 

my girl LOVES her black olives!! 

while mommy empties out the drawers, Liam decides to fill them back up with himself ;)
I could not keep him out!! LOL

<3 Liz