If it were up to a three year old..

I like to go with my kids. I often joke that I am not a "stay at home mom", but an "away from home but with my kids mom". Well, we have all been a little under the weather lately and so today we had no plans. Normally, I would make a list of things to do around the house, clean, or things to play with Blake that we don't normally do BUT today, I decided to try a "study". A study of Blake. I thought, "what if I left the entire day up to Blake? I wonder what he would do?" Stay tuned:

7:27am - Up and dressed. First thing on his list, play "police cars and firetrucks".

8:04am - Breakfast. Blake's choice: Fruit Loops

Followed by a drink of Milk

8:26am - More Cars. Then, some talking with his baby sister.

8:34am - Blake wanted to watch a show...his FAVORITE show, "USS Ronald Reagan". Yes, that is right, not Diego, Bubble Guppies, Sesame Street, NOPE!, not for Blake. Instead, he prefers to watch a national history documentary on the aircraft carrier. (and he asked for Piper to watch with him - **smile)

and reenact as he watches

9:24 - Playroom playtime

10:34 - Snack time (again totally up to Blake) SO, he decided to raid daddies snack cabinet and eat all of his peanuts and a good amount of Cheez-its.

11:09 (my favorite time of the day today)- Blake wanted to play "firestation" under a blanket on the couch like a fort. There were lots of snuggles, laughs and well, rushed attempts to go around the house spraying out all the fires - yikes! He even made me Spaghetti and Ice Cream afterwards.

12:16 - "mommy can we play moon dough"

12:49 - Trying to decide what next?!?

12:51 - Lunch time. On the menu: Dibbs (yes the ice cream), turkey and cheez-its mixed up. Apparently it is Ick's favorite lunch.

12:53 - Playing fetch with Chloe

1:00 - Nap time and a few snuggles from mommy

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I had to work after nap today, but here are a few things that Blake chose to do after nap:

It was a GREAT day! It was amazing to sit back and watch Blake play and really listen to the words he was using and things he was acting out. It was wonderful to notice how much of his day he chose to spend time with Piper or include her in things. It was fun to realize that, at least for now, I am one of his best friends and it is his choice to play with me and only me over and over again! He really is such a sweet hearted little boy!

Study Complete. I can honestly say, I can't wait to do this again in a few years with Piper and see what her perfect day will look like.

Family Rules

You know what's funny...we have LOTS of rules, rules for behavior, rules for manners, rules for situations, rules, rules, rules. What about rules for our daily lives in our Home?

I have seen Family Rules signs before and loved them! When I decided to make them as one of our crafts at MOPS in October, I figured out how to make one with my cricut machine.

So, yesterday I made ours!

There are SO many things I want to teach my kids, but here are some of the main ones I want them to remember and that I selected for our Family Rules sign. I really loved making this craft!

Brian came home and liked it too! He even asked me where we were gonna put it. Love!

A date with my kiddos

In case you haven't noticed - I LOVE my kids :) They are the center of my being and although each day is a different level of crazy, it is also a different level of FUN!

Since my work allows me to be home with them, we get to go and do a lot of fun things together. Often times, we meet friends and family at fun places. We are blessed with awesome friends who love to go have fun and explore the world (aka: CO) with us! BUT, I have also realized the special gift that is "date days", just us.

It is one of my absolute favorite things to do with the kids! I am sure it will continue to be as they get bigger too.

So, one day last week we went to the Zoo, just us. We were not in a rush, explored at our own pace, and made special lunches (shark sandwich for Blake). It was a great day! Probably the best part was it was really the first time Piper was able to look and see and do right along with Blake. We walked in and Blake chose to start on the left side of the zoo, we saw the Lions first. I got Piper out of her car seat and her eyes instantly locked on the lions. Based on her expression I am pretty sure she was thinking "big dogs"! She LOVED watching the animals and really enjoyed all the fish (which is also her brothers favorite part). It was fun to watch Blake be excited to show Piper the next thing and then to see them himself.

We could talk, sit down and eat, watch whatever we wanted, not rush, and I loved every minute!