The Milk Box

I had my friend Josie come over to let our kids play. They have such a blast! This time they were exploring things and putting bugs in the milk box. I didn't think anything of them playing in there, but then Annabelle came back and started ripping out the Styrofoam.

This is Annabelle when I discovered her tearing up the inside of my milk box.
The funny thing is that after I gave her a time-out I asked her why she got a time-out and she said that she was playing with the snow. I smiled at that one and realized that she didn't mean to be malicious.

A Real Mommy

Abbi has the most natural motherly instincts. She is so wonderful with Brooks and asks to hold him or for me to put him down so she can play with him.If you can't tell in these pictures, Abbi has "a baby in her tummy". She uses a winnie the Pooh ball and tucks it under her shirt. She never has only one baby. She is always coming to me and saying things like "this baby just came out and her name is Tiffany, but I have another one in my tummy now".
She is just so sweet to watch with any baby whether it is alive or just a baby doll.
She uses this empty cart to tote her babies around outside. After we came back from California I went through all of their toys and put a few in the D.I. pile. She was begging to have toys outside so I decided to let them just have these babies for outside. They were on cloud nine!
I'm so glad Annabelle and Abbi have someone to play with. Abbi is so good for Annabelle, and Annabelle has definately helped Abbi to get out of her element. We have great kids.

A Day of Blunders

I am so unnerved right now!!! Arrrrrrggggg! Mark has been gone for 3 weeks now and I thought I was doing rather well with the ratios of good to bad days as the single parent. Well today was a mark on the wall in favor of the bad. It really wasn't all in all bad, I just had a lot of Annabelle Blunders to deal with. She has been pretty good all week, so I guess I had it coming. She started the day with an accident in her pants (she never has accidents) downstairs in the bathroom. (Of course I didn't find it until I was turning lights out for the night.) She crumbled goldfish crackers all down the stairs and in her kitchen things. She had asked for some crackers, but I was in the middle of cooking dinner so of course I told her no. She snuck them while I was on the phone. I went downstairs to tell them dinner was ready only to have goldfish crumbs between my toes and poking at my feet. After dinner I thought I'd take them for a walk to return something from the neighbors. I asked Annabelle to change out of her play dress so she could ride her tricycle and then I put Brooks in the stroller. She was taking a long time so I went in to her room to help her, but she hadn't changed at all. She was busy slathering Vick's rub from the vaporizer all over herself, the rug and their dresser. I think I was pretty patient with that one. We went to the neighbors and they liked getting out for a walk, but when we left she threw a major fit. She isn't usually like that, but she has her days when she just gets too tired. When we got home I had had enough of the fit all the way home so I decided to just put them in bed. I thought I was done and safe for the night... I was doing the dishes from dinner and I hear this crash that just kept crashing and Annabelle crying saying "ouch", "I'm sorry", "ouch", "it's o.k. Mom". She had hung on her decorative shelf above her bed and pulled it out of the wall. You would think that 4 feet above the headboard would be high enough to have a picture, and some ceramic figurines. Annabelle had gone tiptoe on her headboard, which isn't low by any measure, and reached the edge of the shelf. I just want to curl in a ball and rock back and forth and think of nothing. I feel I'm about to go insane some days.

Annabelle, I am only writing this because I know there will be a day when you ask how you were when you were little. Good luck with a child of your own like this, you know God has a sense of humor.

I am in desperate withdrawals for my husband. (especially after a day like today) He is the love of my life and my best friend. It is torture some to be away from him for so long! I am truly blessed to have a man in my life as wonderful as he is. Thanks for all we have shared! I can't wait to see you tomorrow.

Having Fun in the Morning Sun

These girls have been getting up around 6 a.m. and want to go out to play by 8 a.m. While we were in CA for the summer they couldn't step foot outside the front door alone, without me freaking out. I guess they are really loving their freedom here at the house.

Abbi woke up with a sour disposition, but really she was trying hard not to smile.

This hair-do is self explanatory for Annabelle. It explains her without having to use words. I'm glad there is laughter that comes with that girl. She definately brightens our days.

Kissin' Cousins

Annabelle and Tristin are only about 3 months apart. We do a lot with them, and they are usually being typical 3-year-olds and fighting or getting into trouble. I went over there the other day and we didn't hear from them. We kept checking on them, and they were playing food and doctor. They played really well the whole time we were there

We were surprised when Tristan came to us and said "don't worry, Annabelle made it all better". Of course I was asking Annabelle what she did wrong, but then Tristan pulled up his shirt and showed us his owie and how Annabelle had made it better. We thought it was so cute!

Aunt Jenny had to go to the corner store to get something and came back with those whistle pops. We used to have them when we were younger, but we haven't seen them since we were well...younger. The kids went outside and had a great time tootin' on their pops. Thanks Jenny!

This is how we found them watching a flick on the couch. These two are so fun to have together. They are either pulling hair and biting, or lovey dovey and playing great. That is what cousins are for...right?

Sprinkler Hats

Abbi and Annabelle have absolutely loved being back here at home. When I noticed that our sprinklers were set for the middle of the day I told the girls to hurry and get their swimsuits on so they could play in the water. They were ecstatic!

I got distracted with Brooks and I was surprised when I turned around and found that the girls got out the winter hats.

I guess that there is more than one use for dad's hats.

The girls loved to put their heads in the sprinkler and watch the hats fly off.

They had so much fun for quite a while!

Abbi is so beautiful! Messy hair or not!

Annabelle is the cutest, most fearless girl who gets a high from doing gutsy things. It makes me laugh everyday. She does things like run through freezing water to take her own breath away. She falls off her bike and before thinking about it she says, "I'm o.k. Mom".

I really enjoyed seeing them have fun in the sprinklers. I feel like I'm a successful mom if they are having a fun day and smiling while they pick up their toys.

Beahm's House on a Sunday

These are some of the other highlights of last Sunday.Abbi loves to ride her bike, and is quickly growing out it.
The girls always find an adventure of some sort when they put their heads together. They have 5 acres to wander and find hidden treasures.
Grandpa and Brooks had a great time bonding, or doing whatever Guys do best.

Princess Bride & A Brother Paul

When I saw Mark from the front after cuting his hair I thought of the movie Princess Bride. Mark is always making a voice like Vizzini saying the line "everyone knows that iokane powder comes from Australia".


O.k. Paul, we all know you're dying to know what your brothers would look like if they end up with your hairline. Well, Mark and I thought we'd humor you.

Surgery Anyone?

The girls love to use their toys to play doctor and "fix" each other. I am amazed every day at how well they play together. Abbi has such a wild imagination, and Annabelle is always up for an adventure, so it works wonderfully!

Ready- Set- WIGGLE

Abbi is a pro when it comes to the wiggle racers at Grandma & Grandpa Beahm's house.
Grandma is re-finishing some of the boards in her house so they are in the garage drying. This is a highlight for the girls, however because it makes an obstacle course for them to drive in and out of.
The girls just get a kick out of each other coming close to the other without actually hitting racers.
What a cutie!
Yes grandma gets in on the action, and man can she get bookin'. It's a bugger to get a picture of her, but isn't she so cute! I think the girls love this the most because Grandma gets to be one of the kids too.
We made a course and then the race was on. It looks like a mother duck and her ducklings. Abbi always seemed to pull ahead and Annabelle was just having fun making her own course.

Brooks had a fun time on them too. It was a little tricky to steer and keep him in my "lap" with my knees up to my cheeks, but we seemed to manage.

We're Back!!!

The kids and I came back to Idaho last weekend and we are enjoying every moment of being home, however it is a bittersweet scenario. Mark is up in Washington for at least another month, and I miss him like crazy!!!!!!!!!! Mark this post is for you babe. I just thought I'd give you some pics of the kids and I. I hope you like them. I know we haven't changed that much in a weeks time, but man I don't know how I'll manage more than a month! Love You more than words can express.

Simple Pleasures Kid Style

I gave Abbi and Annabelle an icecream sandwich after a long walk and they decided to lay on the kitchen floor. I guess it was the coolest place we had. I love kids being kids. I see them get pleasure out of the simplest things and it makes me take a step backwards as to my happiness and contentment.

When The Mother Is Away...Annabelle Plays

Annabelle does the most random "kid" things that are oh so normal for well, curious kids. She basically will do anything and everything that you are warned about by the doctor at a well checkup. She has done things like paint a mural on the wall with her dirty diaper, put pens in outlets, cut her hair, overdose on Benadryl...the list could go on and on. Today she got into my powder and looked like a geisha before she was done! I really didn't mind too much, but when it comes to using the camera and putting her fingerprints all over the lens, I get a little more irritated.
These pictures are of the things she thought were interesting...including me coming towards her when I figured out what she was doing.

Watch Out Ladies!

He is learning the life of a beach bum early.

Brooks is the cutest little boy!!! I just get a thrill out of him just being him. He has the sweetest and most kick-back personality, it makes it easy to be his mom.



Can we say Cheese Ball!
I am so glad he loves the water.