Summary of a week

This week has been a good one thus far, just a little hectic. My days have been pretty normal... get up, breakfast, playing/books/Jax's nap, lunchtime, playing/Dora, naptime for both, more playing/occasionally running errands, etc., getting dinner ready, Daddy home, dinner, playtime, bathtime every 3 nights or so (don't judge me... I'm not one of those every-night bathtime mothers unless my kids are really dirty... I don't think it's necessary), bedtime.

Monday I watched my friend's little girl, made meals for two other friends, then that night went to another friend's house to watch The Bachelor finale. I don't even want to blog about it, it was so disappointing. He undoubtedly picked the wrong girl, but only time will tell, I guess. Tuesday night I had Bible study, yesterday I had some girls from my MOPS table over for a playdate in the morning, and tonight is our MOPS Moms' Night Out at the bowling alley... with an 80s theme. Yes! I have my tie-dyed t-shirt, boyfriend rolled jeans, beads, big bangle earrings, and neon eyeshadow all ready to go. And who doesn't love bowling?! I'm not very good, but my form doesn't suck too much. As long as I don't drop the ball on my wind-up (I'm guessing it's not called a wind-up, but I have no idea), I'm a happy camper.

We went to the park today after lunch and enjoyed this beautiful weather! I'm so glad to see the temperature in the 60s... I'm a 60-degree kind of girl. Sometimes even the 70s are a little too warm for me. I really enjoy a mild day with just a teeny bit of coolness in the air.

Off to catch a quick cat nap before the kiddlets awaken.

First Haircut

Is it normal to be a little sad about this event? He just looks so grown-up. *Sniff sniff.*

A new look

So I was sitting here tonight realizing that I hadn't changed my blog background in... well... EVER. So I'm fiddling around with it and trying to make it fun and springy. You might give me a week or ten to get it right, so please be patient as I attempt an update. My favorite update so far? The picture I found of me and my siblings circa, oh I don't know, maybe 1985? Gotta love the first day of school.

Speaking of springy, is it just me or is it taking for-ev-er to get here? I'm ready to play in the yard and take walks and go to the playgound without bundling my children up like little sumo wrestlers. And poor Emerson has to walk by her Barbie jeep every day that we get out of the car. She knows to say, "I'll ride my car when it gets warmer, okay Mommy?" GiGi and SueSue bought it for her on her 2nd birthday, and this will really be the first time she'll be able to drive it. Beware, all neighbors in the cul-de-sac. Maniacal 2-yr-old on the loose in a month or so.

Thanks for all the sweet comments about our pictures. And I know there are quite a few of you who haven't signed up as followers yet... please do! I'd love to know who is still kind enough to be reading after an almost-year of my ramblings!

Y'all have a great weekend. I know I'm planning on it.

Jax's 9-month session!

I just love Kelly, our photographer. As she was texting me to tell me the pictures were ready online, I jumped on the laptop and sat and cried watching the slideshow! I texted her back telling her that her gift of capturing the spirit of my children is something I'll always treasure. She's a fellow believer, and her God-given talent is evidenced in her craft. I love that God gives people such creativity and the rest of us can directly benefit from it!

To view the pictures:

Go to Kelly Stocksen Photography.

Click on 'Enter-the-Site', then 'Proofing.' Enter 011910vanvalkenburg as the password.

Enjoy! And YES, Emerson is always that happy. She's a ham, just in case you couldn't tell.

Chicken, anyone?

Tonight I made balsamic marinated chicken with rosemary. Unfortunately my eldest child didn't think it was quite as good as I did. Here is her exact quote after taking a bite and in the middle of pushing her plate away:

"Mommy, it's yucky... I don't yike it. I need sumpin' to eat sumpin.' I need sumpin' to eat sumpin.' I'm veddy, veddy sad."

I mean, what do you say to that? Seriously!

The ManChild Crawleth

Jaxipoo crawled for the first time Thursday! What made it even more special was that Daddy was home for it. Last week was a tough one with Daddy working such long hours every single day, but Thursday he was able to come home a little early. It ended up being one of those really fun nights where we all gathered in the living room and just played. No office work, no TV, no distractions... just getting down on the floor with our babies and playing. It did a Momma's heart good!