Merry Christmas!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope most of ya'll were able to slow down from chasing little ones around and enjoy the holiday.

I hit the jackpot this year when my sister-in-law came for Christmas. She wanted to spend time with the boys and they wanted to show off and play with her, so I actually got to clean and sit and read or do nothing for a bit or take a shower by myself. It was wonderful!

I have also discovered how to get the boys to play with a variety of toys. I decide to see how something new works, never fails, one or both of them will be over in less than 30 seconds to take it away for me. Go figure.

This is the first year that Aedyn really got the idea of presents and because he had an example Jaron was pretty into it all too. We've tried and will continue trying to emphasize what they are giving more that what they get and I'm looking forward to next year when Aedyn might be able to start really making some of the gifts he gives.

As much as I love all the holidays at the end of the year I'm very much looking forward to settling in and finding a "normal" for the next few months...

Toys, Toys Everywhere

At it's best...

I'm so tired of toys. My boys definitely don't have as many as they could have, but there's enough. They're all stored around the edges of the living room. Even when they're picked up and put away, it still feels cluttered.

Here's my dilemma. I want the boys to play out here, I want our family room to be a FAMILY room. But I don't want the mess.

Our house right now is pretty small and the way things are arranged, it's not possible for us to store the toys in their room. We're moving in about a month or so and that will change. It's my chance to change things.

I asked what other moms of toddlers did through Facebook and Twitter (go like and follow, I'll wait...). The response was very mixed, but even the mms who had the toys stored in the bedroom usually had a basket or hidey hole in the living room.

Then I asked about whether or not bedroom play was supervised. The answers were mixed again but @YourVALisa suggested using a monitor. Genius! We've never had or used a monitor but I'm going to start watching Craig's List for one I think.

At it's usual...

And I think I will move the toys to their room. There are a lot of changes that I'd like to make when we move and a big one involves how much TV time they have. I think it might be easier if we are mostly in their room with the toys and the TV is out of sight. Or at least to have that option.

So, even though I think I've made my decision, what do you do? Anythings that I should think about that might make me change my mind? Share your thoughts and come join me on Google+, Facebook, and/or Twitter!

Your Son Wants to Breastfeed?

By now nearly everyone has heard about the Breastmilk Baby. If you fall outside nearly everyone, this is a doll who starts to make sucking movements when held near a sensor in a halter top that a little girl would wear.

Jake and I talked about it briefly when it first made headlines a few months ago. Neither of us had a problem with the doll, but we agree that $80 for a toy just wasn't going to happen in our family. Then I said, "But would you have a problem getting it for Aedyn? (If it wasn't $80)"  He just looked at me.

I get his point. We have boys. Boys either A. Bring the baby to Mama to eat, or B. Give the baby a bottle.

Once they are taught.

Before that they learn by following an example.

Which is why my 22 month old (at the time) asked to hold his newborn brother and then proceeded to pull up his shirt and say "Baby need eat." and why he tried to nurse his Buzz Lightyear doll.

Now that he's starting to understand that Papa doesn't feed the baby, he does things differently.

First he tried to help me undress because "Baby Jaron need eat", and I was asked to let Buzz Lightyear "eat." Then he settled for helping Jaron eat by holding my breast for him. Now he just waits impatiently until Jaron is ready to get down and start playing again.

But my point is, doll or no doll, boy or girl, children are going to emulate what they see their parents do. And yes, I'm proud that my son wants to breastfeed.

Written as a part of the Breastfeeding Blog Hop hosted by Jen at Life With Levi.

Blast from the Past ~ I'm bringing Smooshies back!

My very first Smooshie...got him for my
4th birthday, maybe?

I'm a selective pack-rat. Or like my husband I just never want to get rid of anything because I think I can use it later. Or I can chalk it up to being a Military Brat and clinging to my possessions because they were the only things that never changed in my life. Or I just can't get rid of anything. You pick. Which is why my parents have a room full of all my old toys, clothes, and boxes of "memorabilia" sitting in my old room at their house. A room that my mom is still hoping to turn into a craft room...yeah...moving on.