Who you are with KIDS

Last week, I tried to write a beautiful post chuck full about all my knowledge of motherhood... but before the day was over all my concrete truths were foiled and I had not even posted it yet.

So REWRITE- Honest TRUTHS

-Oh you are having a baby, "Congrats! Here is what comes next that nobody told me."

#1.) TRUTH 

You need to become a naturist. After you have finally gotten the kids to sleep or dropped off at preschool (you might have misconceived notions to call it "free time") you will need to Google caterpillars favorite foods. Or more specifically foods that promote scales that way your son's dream of being a dragon tamer will come true once that butterfly/dragon hatches. 

Here is the mansion I built, because when I said they could bring one home they somehow multiplied into five when I opened the cup. 

Also during this free time you will also need to search the car for gigantic dead snails, because the car is starting to smell funky. Yeah we still can't find the last one.... Oh and did I mention the two thousand praying mantises we had hatch in the car while traveling on a family vacation? My car resale is climbing with every birth- human and un-human... Forget the parenting books just read up on mantises, because they are feisty.

You will also have to know about frogs and have friends that will come check your house after your son realizes he forgot to release "MR. LIGHTNING CRUSH" before the family camping trip. Yeah we never found him either... 

#2.) TRUTH

Your beautiful kitchen will house so many wonderful family dinners and conversations, but the real good stuff is never eaten at the table. Behind every couch and even in the toy box and blanket box -"yes, I believe there is good cover to hide there." That far corner of the living room will always have far more stains than the carpet in the open.

#3.) TRUTH

You will never catch up, because while you are cleaning the morning messes and caring for animals you never knew would be part of the family (in your free time) your kids who let's be honest NEVER fell asleep will raid your bathroom and look "beautiful"  in your mascara. Your trash can will have happy faces drawn on all four sides and you won't even care. And when you ask your daughter about the crumbled up deodorant in the sheets of your king sized bed she will look up at you beaming and exclaiming with pride, "I didn't EAT It!"...and when you don't look satisfied she will add... "Or LICK It?!" Yes, crawl in and finish/START naps there because you won't catch up on cleaning and bonus you will smell great when you wake up.

Don't get me started on the number of stuffed animals that you will be in charge of caring for. My daughter gets far more done DURING her nap than I do. 

#4.) TRUTH 

Well your house is just a mess so get out of the house so that they can destroy something that is not yours. That concept may have factored into our positive list about sending our son to preschool. We save so much money by being away from our house... sadly the city loses money. Good thing we pay taxes?

#5. TRUTH

Clearly I know nothing about parenting, and things go south everyday. (I shouldn't admit how many of those hypothetical stories are from today.) So focus on the things that went right if that happens...

Today we went had two doctors appointments! AND they were both scheduled no ER visits! WIN!!

We also went apple picking!! WIN!!! -only lost shoes and had to walk all the rows while dodging apples with our stroller, BUT didn't lose children!

-"Yes my friend I am so happy you decided to have a baby; kids will change you in ways you never knew or wanted!" 

Thanks Mom and Dad for being there everyday!

Spirit week

Demitri is such a cool dude. One of his talents is that he is an influencer. We go to the park and he always has a trail of boys and is teaching them how to hunt for treasure or climb higher than they should. I watch him at the park or at drop off or pick up for school and every little kid seems to love doing what he does. Which is usually something he shouldn't be doing but... some day he will use those skills for good I think. He normally hides in the car so a teacher has to peak in and he jumps out and scares her, but today he proudly jumped right out and posed in his pirate hawiian outfit for spirit week and there was an audible wave of "wow!" down the line of onlooking preschoolers.

We are making it!

I AM SO grateful...

There are so many dangers in life especially when raising a brood of kids who don't understand (not in any specific order :D) "GERMS", "SHARP", "HIGH"! "HOT!" 

It is so hard to find that balance of bubble wrapping them up tight or letting them rappel out their imaginary castles. But I am grateful for all the dangerous situations in which my kids have miraculously survived and are passing through mostly oblivious to.

My daughter eats everything... Flowers, Grass, Trees... haha no. but for real. Neighbors hanging plant while they were trying to sell their house. Annihilated like popcorn! -GROSS! 

Today was a beautiful day and after lunch we were able to attend a fishing event provided by the city.

It was perfect!!!

 - Nobody drowned from trying to catch a fish with their hands. He didn't realize there was a plan beside neanderthal skills and that poles would be provided.  

-Nobody got a hook in their hand after jumping over the pole to see if she could. 

-Nobody was lost for long... I really need a stroller so I have more hands. 

Anyways WE ARE MAKING IT!! And I am grateful each and every hard day. (That is every day... WHICH IS GREAT! Because it is when life is messy and out of my control that all I can do is stand back and recognize the MIRACLES in my life.

Time Out

Loved our time out from our regular responsibilities to hang out!

Soccer Mom?

After too many last minute attempt to find all of the kids soccer equipment Demitri and I get out of the car and he asks, "mom did you bring a flag to cheer for me?" - haha no kid we are lucky we got your shoes....

Oh wait we didn't.

After the game I tell him, "Bud we accidentally stole Daphney's shoes and wore them at the game today, so you should go put them in her soccer bag." To which he mumbles, "Oh so that is why I didn't score any goals...." -haha yes son it was not your own fault probably just the shoes.

Not only did we wear crazy shoes, but Daphney had a game at the same time so Shane and I took to two cars to head to two different fields. Well wouldn't you know it we showed up at the same field on accident. Whoops... Being soccer parents is harder than it looks.

So I showed Demitri this video and he doesn't laugh or act like he was being funny running backwards for most of the game... so I ask him, "Why?!" To which he claimed, "I was doing that so I could run while still being able to watch the goal so I would know if they were going to score." - And I was actually impressed! Who knew he was actually trying hard and focusing? I am not quite sure his finding cloud shapes during the game can tie in to the soccer game quite as well. 

I mention to Demitri that his team might need to pick a name so we know who to cheer for and he said, "mom we already have a name. Teameriffic!" I am pretty sure he made that up on the spot... But I think next game I might have to have a flag with that monogrammed on. Daphney did get to name her team this year and she was so thrilled that they picked the idea that she came up with. They are the bumble bees!

Picture Day

Preschool and First Grade

Paisley did not have school pics but isn't she adorable.

Dead faces are in this year. 

Update

Sometimes there is only one cup of hot chocolate and they come up with a good plan. 

They love dads yogurt!

We were sliding down the big slide together at the park. 

He loves this gorilla bank.

Demitri is growing into quite the artist and has his own little style. All of his drawings look like they are grumpy and growling. But they are adorable! He taped this up right outside our front door. 

We had a warm day and I encouraged the kids to ride their bikes through the sprinklers. We waited on Daphney forever turns out she had to gather all of these things first to make her beach get away complete with shells.

Starting School

VISITING THE SCHOOLS

(dropping off supplies)

Johnston's Cutest DRAGONS!!

On the first day Daphney ran right onto the bus and didn't even look back. The kids ran after her yelling, "What about our hugs?!!"

Second day I told her to make sure and stop and look back while getting on the bus so I could get a photo.

Last year I told Daphney you never get on the bus without hugging me goodbye so I know you are leaving, and she responded with, "Then you never just go inside- you have to stand outside and wave as I leave." This has been our deal and every morning as she pulls away I get to watch that cute smile and hand raised signing I LOVE YOU! It is one of my favorite traditions!

End of Summer Shenanigans

Dad taught the kids how to surf at our favorite pool!

Daphney got a doctor set for her birthday and eagerly began working on Kendrik and letting Paisley work on her baby doll.

 

We love getting out and about on adventures and misadventures. Demitri made that robot at the science center and turned in a metamorphic rock in order to earn enough points to get two fossil rocks.

Backyard Fun

We love our lazy days at home.

https://youtu.be/cnZxRuV3IpQ

https://youtu.be/0ca_5iplcog

Outside Our House

 Yay, Summer is in full swing and we are managing to make it out and about now.

During the summers they have lunches around in schools and at parks and we made a point to hit up a couple. It was so fun to be able to take Daphney to lunch and teach her how to use a tray and such before she starts going to school full days. 

All wet from the splash pad. 

Freebies

 Chick Fil A: Dress Like a Cow Day!!- We may have hit up two different restaurants...  LUNCH AND DINNER BOOM BABY!!

This event was so much fun because I told Demitri if they knew we were not really cows we would not get free food, so the kids sold their role and kept their masks on really well as they slinked into the restaurant. Paisley always faced her mask the wrong way which was real funny.

I told them to squeeze their faces together: meaning move in, but she took it personally. 

Enjoying the rewards of the summer reading program with our ice cream coupons.