Child Labor

It's not what you think! Emma wanted to help wash the helicopter.

She started by watching.

Next there was cheering and clapping.

She than was able to help with the helicopter.

She was finally found scrubbing the floor of her own accord. 

Resolutions

So I don't like to make my New Year's resolutions at New Year. I don't really like to follow the crowd and do what is deemed 'popular'.  But I like goals.


I generally make a list of goals that I want to work on or accomplish over the year starting on my Birthday (birthdays kind of symbolize a time to better yourself in my opinion). My birthday is in September, which begs the question: "Why bring this up now?"

I keep my goals written on a small post it note that I use for a bookmark in the only book (besides scriptures) that I kept out of storage-Harry Potter. This way I can see what those goals are as often as I pick up my book (approximately once a day). I bring this up now because I've completed 6 out of 8! I believe this current success is due to the fact that I've found a way to physically see my written goals almost daily. I think about them. I make plans to complete them. I make mini goals to accomplish the actual resolution.

So if you're looking for a way to get something done, write it down and than make yourself aware of it often.

Now for those last 2 goals: Actually using my canner, and living off food storage for a select amount of time that is yet to be determined...

image from internet

Day at the Zoo!

We went to the zoo! It's a small zoo but enjoyable just the same. We were able to enjoy free pie (thanks to a certain elephant that had a birthday). Plus we watched the bird show; it was entertaining with an unexpected twist (one of the hawks ignored his routine and flew off)!

We really liked the tigers, they were napping RIGHT next to the windows! Plus Emma thought the elephants were pretty cool. There were several monkeys that always make people laugh. 

We look forward to going back (we bought membership passes). 

FREE crafts for the Birthday celebration

Garden Boxes

So Shane got the bright idea to make our own 'Earth Box'. If you're not sure what those are I suggest googling-very interesting garden concept.


Anyway now that we are living in a 3rd story condo we had to find a way to keep a garden; so making our own boxes was not only a great idea it was also less expensive to do it ourselves.

His make-shift garage.

Emma helping.

One of our two boxes is mostly dead, we think the heat from the AC unit may be the culprit. But our front balcony box is doing very well!

Play Date

Emma and I had a chance to play with our cute friend Maxwell while his parents were out.

Emma played her part of 'bossy older child' well, but she also did a great job sharing and interacting too. I enjoy seeing Emma interact with younger children, she does it well and to me that means there is hope for this second baby.

Four Years

Well I was in the middle of my anniversary post when my computer had a total freak-out and shut down. I was rather agitated (blogging currently feels like a lot of work) and didn't attempt a new post until today.

 In short, I was married 4 years ago June 12th. I absolutely love building memories, struggling, laughing, and perhaps on occasion bickering with Shane.

The long:

It's funny, looking back at a short but LONG 4 years: We have our routines, and although I used to pretend I was very independent and slightly feminist I really like to have routines. I understand them now.    I am aware that 99% of the time I'm the one to change the toilet paper roll, but on the other hand Shane 99.9% of the time will put Emma in her car seat if we travel at the same time etc.


 In our house we have an unwritten rule: There are no assigned tasks to either husband or wife outside of the "Family Proclamation". It's not 'my' job to do the dishes. Yes I'm an at home mom that usually takes care of those things but it's not 'my' job. Shane and I work as a team, he is just as responsible as I am to wash the car, bath the child, plan and prepare dinner, mow the lawn, or make the bed. One of the reasons this marriage works is because we discuss who is more or less capable of tackling a task at the time, and we consider it service towards the other spouse when accomplished.

Thank you Shane for being my husband and naturally my best friend. I'm grateful to learn the attitude that this partnership is all about putting each other first.