Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, ALL! 
How was your evening?  Ours was lovely; complete with a relaxing dinner at the Inca Heritage with some of our favorite friends!
Leap Frog is still on this AM. After a few Frozen sing-along songs and a couple Magic School Bus episodes, we are all still in Pj's; perhaps it’s time to get dressed...naaa.
This morning I obsessively cleaned and re-organized all of the kids’ toys.  That is to say I purged a lot of toys the boys don’t play with anymore or have missing or broken parts.  I absolutely love seeing what the year brought to the boys via entertainment. Most often it has included hot wheels cars.  I’m pretty sure we should take out stock in those tiny cars. Other hot logos include: Legos, Star Wars and anything Super Hero! The boys have discovered the joy of building, while I slowly swallow the annoying thought of stepping on one of said Legos, barefoot….Its’ going to be OK; its going to be OK.  This year I hope to see the boys create more masterpieces together. Maybe it’ll be more Lego projects or forts; regardless, I anticipate a productive, team-building year.
Now that the play area and toy box is back up to Mama Brittos' standards, I feel free to write a bit and recall the past 12 months.  I asked the boys a spattering of questions yesterday ranging from, “What do you want to learn in this New Year,”  “What is your best memory of 2014,” and  “What’s your favorite book?” It’s so fun to watch them think and devise sweet responses.  Joshua however, is so stinkin’ silly these days it took me a considerably longer time pulling out these responses….”Josh what’s your favorite song?  “Ummmm……just a second……” was his response.  Oh brother.  Later, I finally was able to record some fun facts about my adorably, bright boys.
This is the printable I used to guide the questions.  I hope to have the boys do it all themselves in the future.  Color and decorate it for a unique document to look at year after year.
This past year was eventful and well,....expensive. We got a new deck and all the fixings, I went back to school and we took a few mini-vacations with the boys. All in all the Britto family had a successful, happy year.


Caleb is loving 4K.  Every day he tells me he loves Math and can’t wait to learn to tell time! He has grown so much, sometimes we can’t believe just a HOW much. He has matured and morphed into a sweet, gentle, thoughtful, very social and mostly-obedient, little boy.  His legs keep getting longer while his itty-bitty waist stays the same.  His face is losing its roundness and he is looking more and more like his handsome daddy. He calls me ‘Mamarooski’ (no idea;) and melts my heart every time he tells me I look so pretty. He and his brother learned the lyrics to a great praise song in Spanish.  It’s hip and energetic; the epitome of my boys.  Take a peek here if you’d like. * Their favorite part is right around the 2 minute mark ;)

Joshua is our little stinker.  He is wearing the 3 year old attitude with authority. He says things like, “Let me see….” “This is cool!” “No quiero!” (I don’t want to!) “Just let me think a minute.” My favorite phrase: “I love you, mama (always with a little smirk).” He has officially taken on the wrestling buddy role with his big brother, no longer afraid or too little to hold his own. His favorite center at school is the kitchen, go figure, and still likes to sit by the teacher more than any one friend.  It never ceases to amaze me just how different these boys are. I love watching him dance around to pretty much any song.  Carlo and I both see music in his future. Perhaps the guitar and accordion they got this Christmas from the GG's will inspire him:) God only knows. We pray that this New Year would be a brave one for our little Lioness.  His big goal is to only have his Mantita at nap time and bed time….it’s an upward battle but, We. Will. Succeed.:)


Carlo and I make a new list of goals every year. On top of the 2015 list is spending less time on FB and being more present with each other and the boys.  (Thanks, Jess. Really, Truly).  With Carlo’s 40th right around the corner and a wish list including four fun trips, (representing each of his four decades) we will need to begin planning and watch our budget like a hawk so that it can really come to fruition.  Therefore this year we will SAVE, SAVE, SAVE! Somewhere on the list will be to eat healthy and get into a great routine for exercise again.  An AdvoCare 10 day cleanse is in the very near future.  If anyone is interested in joining us let me know I can get you a discount on a great herbal cleanse!

This year brought a new blossoming friendship my way.  I have been inspired and blessed by her spirit. This week I was prompted to write down a little ditty after reading one of her blogs.  I’m not sure what I’ll do with it. Maybe nothing.  Maybe it’s just to show the power of the Most High. We all have a story. I have HIStory.  There is always a new and an old. A then and a now. Here is mine.

Then I was less than confident. Now I am a delivered, liberated fighter.
Then I was insignificant. Now I am loved, and cherished and desired.
Then I was unhealthy mentally and physically.  Now I am strong, smart and even pretty.
Then I was below average.  Now I am His number one, the Apple of His eye.
Then I was confused and lost. Now I am determined and focused and driven.
Then I was lackluster. Now I shine for the Most High and all that He is to me.
Then I was sad maybe a bit depressed.  Now I can sing and dance, for I am free!
Then I was lazy, unmotivated.  Now I can’t wait to learn something new and I feel alive.
Then I was content just surviving. Now I can’t wait for the next adventure.

Bring on 2015!  May all of our days and months ahead be bright, liberating and full of adventure!
God Bless :)


Sunday, July 20, 2014

Summer lovin' had me a blast!

The boys are currently in the backyard fighting the dragons with Daddy. They are wearing the superhero capes that have become an essential piece of their summer wardrobe.  Meanwhile, I just came upstairs from a two hour and a half hour long reading fest. Those of you who don't know, I decided to take two more classes towards my masters this summer with the hopes to graduate next spring. The research class I'm currently taking is so different than any other class I've taken for obvious reasons; all in all I feel smarter already. My research is about learning a second language and what some of the barriers might be surrounding acquisition. If you have any insight or would ever like to share your experience learning a second language give me a call!
My new favorite place in the house, my new office!

On the home front our new deck is beautiful, we are all enjoying it so much!  We have had four, BBQ parties on it so for this summer! Next week there are plans to dig and pour in the new stamped concrete that will finish up the project just in time for the Britto family reunion! This mama couldn't be more excited and thrilled to have the additional outdoor living space complete!


My sis sweet sister-in-law Jessica, gave me a book called “Surprised by Motherhood.” It has provided the fresh breath I need in between reading research articles and textbooks. There are some great one-liners that I find enlightening. One of which is so true it almost makes me cry happy tears. 
“Becoming a mother is like breaking up with yourself.” 

Oh how this is so true yet such an incredible phenomenon I wouldn't have it any other way. These boys are redefining me on so many levels I never thought possible.  I’m learning how to speak their language, use age appropriate problem solving strategies, how to hold ‘baby bear’ properly, drive matchbox cars and a ton about my own patience level—a given.

Can't forget the all important vacation re-cap.
Earlier this week we took our first family camping trip to Governor Dodge State Park.  The van was stuffed with all the essentials; super-cool water guns for the beach, donuts for breakfast, and clip-on bug 
repellent. I’d definitely recommend this experience to friends and family who have not yet ‘tented’ with children.  PS leaving garbage hanging form tree in your camp site will serve as an open invite for special furry creatures to come in the middle of the night. ~Its always a good time watching daddy defend his family from said furry creature aka mission: Mapache!





Took the boys on a paddle boat ride. This is the only pic we took.

Love this kid!
   
And this one ...
   
My lovies in an old 'ice box' near Stevens Falls.


The day we headed home from our little get-away we stopped at Cave of the mounds in Blue Mounds WI. The boys had a blast. We will definitely be returning there as well.
Cave of the Mounds


Let us raise an invisible glass of Arnold Palmer and say, Here's to a sweet summer filled with fun and refreshing family time. May we all  keep growing and learning and loving!


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Spring Break 2014



This past week was our familys' spring break.  Carlo and I decided to take the boys to Lego Land at the Mall of America.  We really did have a great time; despite a few kinks in the plan. We stayed at a nice hotel for two nights and also got to visit the fantastic 'SeaLife' exhibit Monday night inside the MOA; it was a highlight for me (see Carlo's FB page for pics).  Our plan was to visit the indoor amusement park at the Mall all day for Toddler Tuesday.  We mustered up as much energy as we could and arrived at the Mall before it even opened.  The boys were in good spirits and I was confident we would have a blast.  The park finally opened at 9:30 am and we rode a half a dozen rides within the hour!  PS Carlo and I did our best to stay focused despite the faint feeling of nausea creeping up after yes....., the kiddy rides. We officially have accepted that fact we are getting old and dislike rides that repeat a certain “tickle belly” sensation.



Then, as the eleventh hour approached, Caleb’s sweet pink cheeks started fading to white.  He looked at me with those all too familiar eyes and told me his belly hurt.  Oh no!  That could only mean one thing.  (I didn't want to rule out the possibility that the rides got him sick, but a moms instinct knows. ;\
We decided to take a break.  I was somewhat hopeful  that after a trip to the bathroom and a little snack he’d feel better. Typically he is a total trooper when sick. That was not the ticket.  Instead he left his breakfast (and probably his dinner from the night before) right there in the middle of the floor at the Mall of America. No, I didn’t panic. Carlo didn’t either.  I stood there for a second, my hands soaking in puke, and discovered there are very sweet, hospitable folk in Minnesota.  Props to the woman who kindly handed me a clean receiving blanket I could use to wipe and cover up the mess.  We had someone call maintenance and by lunch time we were all back at the hotel veg’ing out watching day-time TV. Our plan B was nice. I snuggled with C in the big comfy bed and Josh and daddy enjoyed the ipad for a while in the other bed.

Oh yes, somewhere in there I also won the, "Mom of the Year" award and forgot to buckle Josh in the stroller after the barf- fest and before we knew it Josh's lip is bleeding like crazy! (He tried climbing out of the stroller as we hunted for a bathroom.) Sheesh.

  After  a few more trips to the bathroom we actually had a great night sleep. We woke us Wednesday morning  bright and early and took a quick dip in the pool and then enjoyed my  favorite part about hotel continental breakfast; the fresh, tasty, golden brown waffles! While packing up to head home we decided to be brave a visit IKEA before hitting the road.  I had a few things on my list and seriously set the bar low not expecting to stay quite as long as I would normally want.  I put on a determined face and did IKEA in an hour just in time to catch lunch in the stores' cafe where families eat for $10 on Wednesdays;) I was happy with our loot and the boys both told us they had an "awesome  time!"

Check!


Josh's new reading corner courtesy of IKEA
.


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Super Hero Birthday Fun!

KAPOW!  BOOM!  Caleb's 4th birthday party was a SMASH!  We decided to do a "destination" party this year at the Prairie Kids Club here in town so the kids could have more space to run and burn all the super energy from being cooped up in the house all winter.  Carlo and I both decided it was the best decision we made:)

Papa and Gaga were able to join in on the fun and WOW! we have many pictures to share...
The sweets and refueling table
 

Telling one of his oldest buddies, "I'm 4, I'm big now!"




Littlest Super Hero in training


He loved every minute!


Trampoline time!

Daddy and Caleb in the bouncy house.


Super food


Super friends

...more super friends!




 
 
After the festivities we went home to open his gifts.  Among many of them, he received an extra special donation in his honor to our new favorite non-profit organization, Box of Balloons. Of course Caleb was thrilled to get some of his all-time, top-toy requests as well.  He got a new McQueen, monster trucks, Ripslinger and the Chupacabra, Nerf guns and an Angry Bird game!
 
So excited!
 
 



My favorite happy face.




 
We are so thankful to everyone who was able to come to the party! Celebrating our sweet, spunky, smart, four year old was such a BLAST!  .....
 
 
......Super Caleb is currently taking a super, power-nap...;)
 
 


Sunday, February 9, 2014

February Fun


I think I found my new theme song:

Beautiful Things  Gungor

I probably should make it the background music while you read this thing….not sure how to do that. Just have a listen and enjoy; be refreshed. The title of this song reflects exactly what I was trying to say when I called this thing, Blooming in the Gravel.


February is here and we are doing our very best to enjoy all this time in-doors.
Josh and E at the Botanical Gradens
Making plans for spring break and our summer vacation is really what helps me move forward. These past few weeks I’ve been trying my best to keep everyone healthy to no avail….It started with Caleb and a nasty cough.  Soon after it was Josh and then myself.  I actually called in for a sub at school last week to recoup.  It was a Friday. I literally couldn’t speak. Made for an interesting afternoon of redirecting the boys…This past week Carlo started with all the symptoms.  I love that his way to recovery generally involves a piano or guitar….we are currently all relaxing as much as possible with our friend VICKS exhaling in the background. Right now the boys are singing with daddy.  Thank God Carlo has not lost his voice. Today is going to be a great day.  Robes, tea, Heartland and beautiful messes….

 The kitchen, of course is a mess after a traditional Sunday breakfast of some version of eggs and bacon of course, coffee.  Also we just ate one of the best mangos (from Peru, no less) I’ve eaten in a while. Score for Aldi produce! The backyard is sparkling with a fresh dusting of snow and all seems to be right in the world.

Last night we celebrated one of my favorites with a night out on the town (of Columbus) ;) Sitting around the mismatched table and chairs at the pub made we smile….the decor and the company seemed to come together in a sweet infusion of memories and character….good stuff.

From the pub, Carlo and I both brought our A-game to the bowling alley.  I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it past 10pm.  Around 9:45 things changed.  The lights dimmed and cosmic events ensued. There is something about black lights and fun music that makes me want to conquer the world.  OK maybe, it was the feeling of staying out way past my bedtime with all my besties, AND the fact that our beloved sitter threw us a freebie, that all bets were off…. Whatever it was, I had a blast! I'd celebrate Jamie's 29th all over again if I could.  Happy Birthday, Jamie!

 
Oh did I mention I got to stay in bed until 7:30 this morning?  Yeah, life is good. It’s the little things, people.

 Happy day to you!
Stinker
Oh Sole Mio

Ms. Jaci took this while we read books one day...




 

Sunday, January 5, 2014

What do I do with all this stuff?


 


Christmas this year was nice. We spend our holiday with my family up in GB. We were even able to make it to my Grandmas annual festivities on Christmas Eve. It went a little something like this;  Food, presents, drinks, presents... Repeat.  We stayed as late as we could with our two littles at GG Vi's house.  I'm actually proud to say we walked out of there around mid-night with no major melt downs;)  Thank God.
At both family gatherings we enjoyed the gift exchange where you pick from the pile or steal one; we came home with some sweet entertainment/kitchen items :)

The day after Christmas my parents and my brothers’ family joined us for some fun at the new Green Bay Children’s Museum to celebrate Josh’s second birthday. We took tons of pics and video of the cousins. Of course we made some great memories and fun was had by all. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Later that night, Mom had my brother and his family over as well as my grandparents for dinner. It was there, that evening, that overwhelming sense of, “holy crap, we got A LOT OF STUFF” set in for me, again. Don't get me wrong, all great stuff, just so much of it.

 That night as my kids tore into another massive pile of presents from Gaga and Papa ( I don’t know who had more fun, the kids or Gaga;), but I was reminded of that mom who took all of her kids’ toys away, remember her? After getting so sick and tired of picking toys up all the time, she took them all away.  It was quite controversial when she first posted it. You can read it here:  http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2012/09/14/why-i-took-all-my-kids-toys-away-why-they-wont-get-them-back/  She started noticing that her kids were not appreciating the things they had because they just had too much.stuff. Instead of being thankful, they would be concerned, somehow with getting more instead of enjoying the sweet moments with each other. Maybe that sounds a little heart less, to take all their toys away, but I get why she did it.  I should mention this is also based on a conversation I had with my beloved as we reminisced about our favorite toys growing up. We had a fraction of the amount of toys kids have these days, and just as much fun, if not more. Granted it was another era and things were safer, less complicated and far less technologically driven. But still, why do they need so many toys?

I would be curious to hear what you all thought about it…Maybe I'm the only one who is not doing this? I've decided to call it " 2014: Project Simplify"  as a kind of experiment to see what they'll do.  What kind of behavior will I see? Could it be possible that my kids might learn to appreciate the things they have more, or even discover a whole world of fun by using more of their imagination?  I was even thinking that maybe I would see more creative problem solving skills and longer attention spans if there were less distraction.  Here goes nothing!
(had I been a bit more patient, I would have taken a before picture of the kids messy play area, and placed it here;)
 
Looking back over this last year It seems like I spend more time trying to keep all their stuff organized in neatly, labeled boxes then actually watching and or playing with said toys. Pathetic.  They take something out and then get side tracked with all the options and rarely come back to what they started doing in the first place.  I don’t know about your kids, but mine don’t love putting their toys away either. When I whip out the ol’ “Its, time to clean up,” jingle, its hit or miss if they jump to action and actually sing the tune as we put the toys away. The problem in my opinion is there is just too much stuff!  It’s all so distracting and overwhelming.  Caleb always says he needs help when its time to clean up. No kidding, honey.  One look at the tornado in our living room or downstairs play-area would make anyone cry for help. Where do we even start? 
 I started a trial period yesterday.  First, I took all of their neatly labeled boxes from the playroom into my office.  I sifted through them, picked a bunch that will, "take a break" on the shelves, then put the boxes back in there place. 

Here are all the toys taking a break.

Yet, another year has come and gone.  This New Year we enjoyed a lively gathering of friends and all of our kiddos.  I think the highlight of my night was watching the “balloons” drop for the boys Happy New year celebrations. Becky staged a fantastic ceremony complete with noise makers for the boys at around 9pm. Beautiful chaos.
 
 

I feel like maybe that moment summed up our year to date.  Beautiful, sweet chaos. To name a few highlights;
 Caleb turned 3

 We turned the kids play house in the back yard into a real club house.

                              We made memories at Lake Ripley with friends and family.
 
Made some more memories at the Little Farmer,
 
 Joshua turned 2!

And soooo much more!
 
Happy 2014 everyone!
 
Do you have a "project" for this new year?