Learning To Juggle

Down The Rabbit Hole

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:04:00 +0000

This past weekend, a bit late of course, we celebrated the very merry unbirthday of our dear sweet Livvy-Lu.

Weeks of planning

creating the invite (original design that I recreated for my own use here)

rolling little paper flowers late into the night

sewing one of the cutest little outfits I've ever made

it all came together wonderfully.

But the party?

The actual festivities?

Those were made perfect by all the family and friends gathered there.

Every single person who came out to celebrate our precious baby girl,

Every child who laughed and giggled,

colored and played,

and enjoyed this special day,

No pretty handmade decoration can take the place

of the joy and love that we felt that day.

Happy Birthday (a little late of course)

To my sweet and beautiful baby girl

Know that you are loved

And a special thank you to Kameron for all these amazing pictures!!

WW: Who....

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:39:00 +0000

Who has two thumbs

And is growing up WAY too quickly?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

THIS GUY!!!

It Takes a Snow Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:02:00 +0000

To get me to post again apparently!

One of these days we'll teach that shoveling the driveway is more useful than shoveling the yard.

My happy little snow angel!!

Jack's BFF "Ben-ja-Ben"

Someone is waiting for a push.

This was Olivia's first real day in the snow - I'm surprised she actually seemed to enjoy herself. I have to admit too that I really do have a love hate relationship with the snow. I love how beautiful everything looks under a fresh snow, and the effectiveness of good snow play in exhausting my boys is unmatched, however the cold wet feet and treacherous driving I could do with out.

*and please don't criticize the lack of pictures of my lovely boys enjoying the snow - they move so much faster than I do!!

WW: A Little Late

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:11:00 +0000

December is over....somehow I missed it...

...Well I didn't miss it....I mostly just missed blogging about it....

And really the most dissappointing thing, was that I missed blogging about the little Miss's first birthday.

Yup her very first one.

My baby girl (and most likely my very last baby...although some days that is up for debate...) turned 1 on the 23rd.

But don't worry, while I missed celebrating in the blogosphere - I promise you that I did not miss celebrating with my family.

It was nothing big (not yet), no big party (until later), and just my household (for now).

A simple cupcake, and a little singing - all for my sweet baby girl who is now suddenly, finally 1. (now if we could just get her to sleep for more than 2 hours at a time).

So happy birthday Olivia, we love you!!

(and don't worry the BIG party is coming...and I promise it will be GREAT!!)

WW: When You're Tired

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:23:00 +0000

...You're Tired

and sometimes there's nothing you can do about it....

but pass out where you are.

25 Days of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:22:00 +0000

This year I decided I wanted to do some sort of an Advent/25 days till Christmas calendar with the kids, and I wanted to keep it simple. With the hubby in school I'm on my own most nights of the week - so I was afraid to commit to too much (I LOVE the experience type calendars where you get a new activity every night - but I just fear that I wouldn't keep up with it). I also didn't want to go with candy everynight, but I wanted something they would be excited about.

In comes one of my favorite crafting creation ever....self stick foam!!

I managed to find these cute little foam stickers in ornament and Christmas light shape - perfect for decorating a little foam Christmas tree.

Fortunately before I had to make the tree I found this cute little one at Target - the perfect size for the ornament sticker.

Each night the boys get little ornaments from the "Calendar" (they are little pillow boxes, meant for wedding favors, decorated with snowflakes, and with a black sticker number)

and they get to put them on the tree where ever they would like.

They were so excited to start decorating their tree last night - and I love that we have this fun little Christmas activity that we can to together (that doesn't add any more stress to my daily life).

This weekend we are going to finish decorating and put up our big tree, I'm hoping then to get a full picture of the boxes hanging from the mantel as well as more pics of our little foam tree.

WW: Too Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:57:00 +0000

In a home with three kids

Even when one is out with his Papa

Any sense of quiet

In the pre-bedtime hours

Is the definition of too quiet

Because no matter how young

11 months or 3 years

The ability to be quiet only comes

While concentrating on

Mass laundry destruction

In other words....

Look at the freakin' mess Jack and Olivia made!!!

Two baskets full of laundry - completely emptied.

From Olivia's view point

Jack decided to hide in those now empty baskets.

They are so lucky they are so cute!!!

WW: A Runner?

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:18:00 +0000

I've taken up running lately - I mean I have really been enjoying it, as much as I've been hating it - if I go more than 2 days without running, I feel it, I miss it.

Is this what makes me a runner? or am I still just someone who runs? I can't help but wonder - is there a time limit, a certain pace that makes you a runner? Does it matter?

Or is it my amazing outfit that solidifies my position?

Or the fact that I have an equally well costumed running buddy?

Well whatever the title, and regardless of the importance of labeling myself, I am going to keep running like something is chasing me until I can't run anymore (which will hopefully be well after the 1/2 marathon in August that Kameron and I will be training for next.)

WW: Hayriding, Corn Maizing, Pumpkin Patching Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:05:00 +0000

With the hubs in classes I find myself flying solo on Saturdays
And I have found that flying solo is a lot easier when we have some fun distractions
Like hayrides at pumpkin patches that have corn maizes.

I also find on these outings, it helps to be friendly
and willing accept the help of the other parents
who want to give my 3 year old a hand
getting off the hayride.

seriously - who wouldn't want to help this cutie!

I won't lie - it isn't easy
Its crazy exhuasting
And I get crazy loud
I mean like loudest person there loud.
Its how I keep tabs on my kids
And leave with just as many as I've arrived with.

when flying solo it helps to lower your expectations of the outcome of any photos taken!

Despite the crazy and the noise
I LOVE these moments with my babies
And every week I find myself trying to plan the next big trip.

note: I did not tell him to pose - he posed himself :)

Writer's Workshop: Haiku-ing it

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 03:02:00 +0000

Trying hard to breath new life back into my little blog - thought a little Writer's Workshop would do the trick...at least for tonight :)

5.) Write a Haiku for Fall and pair it with a favorite Fall photo you’ve taken this year.

Soccer for the 3's

Herding cats at its finest

I swear he has legs

A father and son

A sweet moment stolen

Among the chaos

Holding Her Own

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:06:00 +0000

The baby girl

She is the princess

Sweet and small

But I don't have to worry

Because this tough little chick

She can hold her own

WW: No Time

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:51:00 +0000

No time to take new pictures
No time to post them
But felt I had to share
These 2 year old pictures
Of my baby boy
I found them yesterday
They made me giggle
He was so itty bitt
I am blessed :)

Its Somebody's Birthday Today....

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:49:00 +0000

...Or so my husband informed me at dinner tonight....

I told him not to worry I already called my dad to wish him a happy birthday...

he then pointed at my darling baby girl and reminded me...

today SHE is 9 months old!!

9 months ago today I was experiencing the most speedy and amazing delivery

9 months ago today I discovered the joy of wrapping a pink little bundle in pink little blankets

And 9 months later I am still enjoying every single moment of it.

Well almost every single moment - 3 kids, working full time, soccer practices & games, a hubby returning to school adds for some very stressful moments - and very late nights.

But actually having these three lovely children...yeah that part I love...

So happy 9 months to the sweetest of sweet little girls

And just in case you are wondering - if some day you are reading mommy's blog (while trying to figure out why your baby book went so neglected) here are some of your recent(-ish) milestones

you are a true omnivore - but a selectively picky one. While those peas were wonderful at home, you decided at school you wanted nothing to do with them. On the other hand you think falafel is one of the best thing you've ever eaten
you do not like to sleep. You do not want to go to sleep, you do not want to stay asleep, and god forbid anyone other than mommy try to put you to sleep
You are mommy's little girl, in every way, you are mommy's girl. If you know I am in the house you are not happy unless you can see me
You are happily cruising and getting very stable at standing without holding on to anything - walking is in our near future - I am both thrilled and terrified!!
you are a lady of few words, you are happy to babble and chatter away, but you have very little interest in saying much....well much except "Dada" (if you are wondering all three of my kids have honored their daddy by saying his name first)
You are the cheesemaster of all cheesemasters - you LOVE to greet us with funny silly faces, and when you catch someone's you ham it up like its your job

So to you...my sweet darling baby girl...

Happy Happy Birthday - thank you for an amazing 9 months already!!

WW: A Soccer Mom I Be

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:18:00 +0000

I am a soccer mom - this is my first soccer baby. He LOVES it, I LOVE it, I LOVE that he LOVES it.

And I LOVE that this weekend his little brother gets to start playing too!!

This little one didn't seem to love it quite as much, but she did get a nice nap in her stroller so I'll count that as a win.

Three Little Birds

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:00:00 +0000

I woke up this morning
Smiled at the rising sun
Three little birds
Sat on my doorstep

Singing a sweet song
A melody pure and true
Singing...
This is my message to you

Don't worry
About a thing
Every little thing
Is gonna be alright

Celebrating my new look & the new title & life with my three birds
and singing to myself my favorite Bob Marley song
as I stay up to late.

Hoping with this comes a fresh start to my little piece of this blogosphere!

And thank you so much to Jill from Sneaky Momma's blog Tips and Tutorials, my good friend from back before Jack was in my arms, we were moms wearing puke together and now she is one of the best blog designers I know!! She is quick and amazing (and I love her!!) and check out her blog for brilliant blog designs tips!!

In Which I Don't Fall on my Butt

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 02:11:00 +0000

Someone saw fit to offer me (or a family member) a pair of Heelys

And being the self sacrificing mother that I am

(and fully aware of the injury prone children I have)

I volunteered and ordered a pair of Heelys just for me.

Being a fan of old school Vans (the shoes not the vehicles ;) I was thrilled when I saw the amazing styles available.

And when I found this pair I KNEW I had to have them.

So what exactly does a 30-something mom of three need with Heelys?! Well I say it makes perfect sense. My kids are fast - like crazy chihuahua on espresso fast, I am old, over weight, and not so fast (in other words s.l.o.w.). The idea of these little wheels on my feet that would allow me to speed up, and make keeping up with my little speed demons easier sounded wonderful.

Well much to my dismay the learning curve was a little steeper than I thought it would be - and I have to give that 11 year old boy I saw cruising through the store the other day a lot of credit - becoming fast in Heelys is no easy task!! Fortunately however, Heelys does their best to help the budding Heely-ist (what? its a word!) learn to roll in style and stay safe while doing it.

Easy or not IT IS FUN!!! I have never enjoyed dishes quite as much as I do while rolling the dishes to their proper cabinets (sidenote: thank you Correl plates for being shatter proof)

And I have earned major cool mom points with my kids just for simply owning them.

And the shoes are much more practical than you might think - with the nifty little tool they send with the shoes it is so simple to pop out the wheel and replace it with a plug and they are so comfortable.

I worked an 8 hour day, on my feet most of the time, in my Heely's and didn't regret it for a moment!

Its official...I am a Heelys fan not only will I be getting much use out of these shoes - the kids will (as they get older) be getting their own pairs.

***Official Disclaimer: I received the product discussed for review purposes only as a Blogger2Buisness member (B2B Disclosure Policy). My writings and opinions are my own. ***

WW: Three Kids and a Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:50:00 +0000

When the parent of 3 young children decide to go to a family wedding, on a farm, with the kids there are certain facts that they accept from the moment they say yes

1. Most likely Mom will be painting her toes while sitting in the passenger seat - its the only way she can be sure no small people will cause them to smudge

2. Family photos in many forms will be attempted - none of them will be "successful"

3. Cute little outfits will be made dirty, but in return cute little boys will be happy and occupied

4. Goats will be ridden and talked to

5. Ice cream will be eaten (and worn)

6. Cousins will be enjoyed and played with

7. Babies will nap while firmly attached to mommy

All in all it will be a wonderful day - if not exhausting for all. Children who normally go to bed at 8 will be so worn out that they will fall asleep on the car ride home and be in bed by 6:30. And when asked if they will do it again the parents of 3 young children will say yes - if for no other reason than the 6:30 bedtime!!

Miss-Elaine-ous Monday: The Family Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:50:00 +0000

While I was preparing to post about the amazing wedding we went to

I found myself laughing at these pictures

And figured whats more fun for a Monday

Than our sad sad attempt at a cute picture of our kids

But then again...I love a picture that shows personality

And these are FULL of personality!!

WW: The First Day

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:39:00 +0000

No words can really express how proud I am of my little man for doing so well on his first day, and the shock I feel over being the mother of a school age child.

Kindergarten Day 1:

WW: This Face

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:09:00 +0000

How can you not love that face?!

I mean look at all the expression it already has!!

Getting Away From Me...

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:19:00 +0000

....Life that is....

its all getting away from me...

piling up...

being left behind.

There are messages left with no response

blog posts half finished, publishing no where in their future.

Pictures drowning in the organization hierarchy of dated folders...

...never to be printed.

Its all getting away from me.

There is just too much to do.

Three kids, one husband,

piles of clothes to contain,

lunches to prepare,

bottles to mix.

Bags upon bags, hauled off to the car

every morning to be delivered with their respective children

to their respective daycare rooms

as I dash off to work.

I am stripping down, and finding the bare bones

What is needed, what is necesarry, and what can wait.

Loving on my children, and raising them well.

Enjoying the summer,

and my return to the working world.

Finding a way to get the important things done

and slowly working on fitting in the rest.

I am happy, content, full.

And finding that I do not miss

that little bit that is being left undone,

at least not for the moment.

The Birthday Week

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:52:00 +0000

Tommy turned 5 on July 3rd...

And this lucky boy

(who already gets fireworks on his birthday

every year!)

had basically and entire week to celebrate.

Home for the week with Mom and Dad

bedtimes were delayed.

The entire neighborhood wished him well whenever they saw him

(Included Big Tom who lives down the road and shares Tommy's birthday)

Many meals finished with ice cream...

other meals started wtih ice cream...

and, yes, a fair few consisted of nothing but ice cream.

He played with new legos....

then when those were a day old....

was given even newer legos to try out.

He slept to his hearts content

and showered as infrequently as he could manage.

And then....as the week was drawing to an end

And Mommy and Daddy were ready to collapse...

This amazing, sweet, and only slightly spoiled big boy

had a bowling party....

followed the next day by a lego party.

So once again

{and for the final time}

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet Tommy

I hope this year was as wonderful as it looked!

{I fear what he will be expecting for birthday number 6!!}

Ever Stylish

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:47:00 +0000

There is no denying

That my littlest guy

Has a style all his own

But with a belly that cute

He can totally get away with it!!

Biking After The Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:39:00 +0000

Because little boys have much energy

And laundry is being done anyway

Why not let them bike after the rain

And have a little fun.

If You Give a Boy Some Drift Wood...

noreply@blogger.com (Liz {Learning To Juggle}) — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 04:22:00 +0000

Welcome to all the lovely visitors from Miss Elaine-ous Monday!!

If you give a boy some drift wood

He will see in it an alligator and ask you for some green paint.

Once he sees the paint on his hand, he'll want to make a hand print

So he'll ask to paint the driveway.

While painting with the green paint he will remember that brown is a good color too.

So he'll ask you for some brown paint to go with the green.

You'll give him the brown and put it in a plate so he can make some prints.

He'll want to make a picture

So you'll give him more colors.

And watch him make foot prints and hand prints

And color in the drive way.

As he walks back to the paints

He will see the piece of drift wood

and ask you for some green paint so he can make it an alligator.

*inspired by If You Give a Moose a Muffin