Zappos' Downtown Shoe Down

We (well me) enjoy attending the fun events around town whenever we can get to them. This one was at Zappos Downtown. I think it would be so fun to work for this company. (Sidenote: I just want to say that I'm so impressed with how much downtown Las Vegas is improving. It's no longer the scary, creepy, dirty, "hold-on-to-your-purse-as-tight-as-you-can" kind of joint it used to be. Fun shops, yummy restaurants, sweet park, good times.)

Ok, back to what I was talking about. Zappos is celebrating their 15th birthday, so why not invite the whole city to buy their shoes, clothes, household items, etc. at 45% off with ALL the proceeds going to Opportunity Village? Why not have a free petting zoo for the kids and fun coloring tables set up for further enjoyment? Why not have a plethora of food trucks on hand, especially the snow cone one when it's 100° outside? Why not?

Did I mention I LOVE this company?

We ALL had a fun time. Yes, I did purchase some shoes, because I'm sure you were wondering. (As if I could pass up a good deal and a great cause.)

Go check it out! Zappos!

Blueberry Hill

Some of my favorite memories growing up with my Grandma (My mom's mom - Afton Garneeta Thomas) are of us eating yummy breakfasts at Blueberry Hill. I was always astonished at how much salt she put on EVERYTHING. (My mom does tons of salt and pepper.) It was always a fun time and I am glad that my babies get to spend time with my mom. We had a fun day! Wish Grandma and Grandpa Westra lived closer so we could play with them more too.

We need to enjoy this time we have because who knows where we will be in two years. The Navy will decide. We will just have to go, willingly. :)

The Results are in...

Drum roll please...

PASS!

My sugar passed his first round of Dental School Boards. We are so proud of his hard work. His dedication to succeed is an example to us all. We love and appreciate him so much. Thanks for being a best friend, a loving husband, a caring father, and an example for our family. We love you so much.

Keep up the good work. Only 2 years left of Dental School baby! Woo hoo!

(Side note: When he opened the results, he was in the house and we were all outside ready to go take a walk. He rushed out of the garage with a HUGE (one bigger than usual) smile on his face, while skipping and flapping his arms up and down like an eagle. It was freaking adorable! So bummed I didn't capture it on video.)

Happy 2nd Month

Time is flying by. You are so much fun. Well, except during the hours of 6-10 pm. During that time you are pretty fussy. (My first colicky baby.) We still love you even when you're a fusser butt. You are growing so much it is crazy. You have outgrown newborn clothes and it makes me sad to think that you used to fit so perfect on my chest. I now have a regular sized baby. :) Afton insists daily, almost hourly, that she is grown up enough to hold you without any help, and walk around with you. I promise, I don't allow it. Jack comes up with a new name for you almost everyday. Some of them have included, Jocely (Joss-u-lee), Baby Bum, Poopy Butt Girl, My Baby, Princess, Joss, Jossy Girl, My Child, Sissy, and Lovely girl. He will call you any of these nicknames throughout the entire day, until he finds a new one. I love it. He adores you. We all do.


9 lbs. 12 Oz. - (60th percentile as a premie, 16th percentile as full term)
21.8 inches - (73rd percentile as a premie, 20th percentile as full term)
Head - 37 centimeters (43rd percentile as a premie, 5th percentile as full term)

 Easter

1st meeting Cousin Angela

Tired of T Ball

1st Swimsuit

2ND ANNUAL Mommy Daughters Date

Daddy and Jack are camping at the father son camp out tonight. Afton knew that meant it was a girl's night, and she was very specific about her plans for the evening. "ALL I want is cheese sticks and to see lots of animals. So... let's go to that place I went with daddy." It was decided, and we were off.

"Hey! Girl's night!"

Last year, she went to Rainforest Cafe in the MGM. She ordered tons of food, and barely ate any of it. She promised that would not happen this year. (Especially since that joint is super expensive.)

Notice her cheese sticks - they were actually really good. 

We got dressed up, all wearing pretty dresses, even Jocelyn. She wore a sea foam green like the flower in Afton's hair. We ALL coordinated, as per Afton's request.

We took lots of pictures. (Duh, I always do.)

We discussed her plans for kindergarten. "I'll probably just learn how to read everything, instead of just 'Zac the Rat' and 'Gus the Duck'. I'll be like a real reader." 

We sang Katy Perry. 

We checked out all the animals, especially the crocodile. Or alligator. Not sure what it was. 

We made ice cream sundaes at home and watched Spy Kids. 

All in all, we had lots of fun. (Jocelyn slept the entire time, so I take it she was bored. Ha. Or just recuperating from her 2 month shots today. Poor baby.)

I hope the boys had as much fun as we did. (Doubt it. Camping is dirty.) Looking forward to next year with my 2 cute girls. :)

The Kind of Mother I Am

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. 

So, naturally everyone is posting pictures of their great moms and sharing stories about their memories with their mom. I will say this. I love, respect, and appreciate my mom. She is a great example of strength and always makes me feel loved. I am thankful for her hard work in raising me by herself and dedication to making sure my brother and I were safe, taken care of, and loved. I know what kind of Mother my mom is... a great one.

Today, the day before Mother's Day, has been an exceptionally sucky one. My children were not terrible but... how can I put this... they were absolutely DEFIANT towards anything and everything I have ever taught them during their ENTIRE existence on this earth. They did the OPPOSITE of what I asked, at all times. They did whatever they wanted, which basically meant just about anything to make me want to pull my hair out. It made be start to think, "What kind of Mother am I?"

These ladies came to my mind.

Mother Gothel

Narissa

Cinderella's Stepmother

Due to their behavior today, and my nervous breakdowns, deep breathing periods, and personal pleas to help me remain calm, I decided I need to come up with a new system. I am strict and have high expectations, always have and always will. Classroom management should work in my home especially if it worked in my classroom, but my techniques thus far have caused me to question, just exactly what kind of Mother I am. I don't understand how my babies could talk back, be ungrateful, and have no concern, or care for their siblings, their parents or our family's belongings. (Don't get me wrong, my babies are not as bad as I'm making them sound. Most of the time they are sweet, caring, and patient little kids. They struggle with listening, but can quickly correct their behavior when it's brought to their attention. I love them so much. Today however... well, I still love them, but it was just a bad day.)

This is what I've come up with, and I'm really hoping it works. 

They have lost all shows and treats from stores, because for some reason, we've spoiled them. They can earn them back through listening AND being kind to each other. I'm using this incentive to incorporate the love and logic theory in raising well behaved and well mannered children.

They'll wake up tomorrow to this new system of positive reinforcement. They'll see a happy mom who looks and behaves nothing like the one they had today.  They'll be ready to start the day on a good note, just as I will. It's a new day tomorrow. Did I mention, I hope this plan freaking works?

Mother's Day - 2013

When my children look back on their childhood, will they think of me as I think of my mother- a great one? I hope so. I love, love, LOVE being their mommy and want nothing but the best for them. I hope they know that, even on rough days like today, the day before Mother's Day.

Yumz!

It's finally in Las Vegas. 

Go check it out.

The flavors are delicious,  

and I usually don't even like FROZEN YOGURT.

I love the decor. 

 They have a party room. 

(We were VIP. Yes I did just pop my collar.)

 My baby fits on the table.

 Family is there.

And here some more.

It's Yumz.