Easter

I really try to incorporate the Savior in with the Easter festivities since the Resurrection of  Jesus Christ is what Easter is about.  So this is what our Easter involved of.

This morning Tony got his Easter basket.  I painted a frame and put a picture of the Savior in it so that Tony can hang it in his room and he also got a chocolate bunny.

I wanted to get a picture of us all in our sunday clothes before church but we were running late so that didn't happen....

We went to church as usual on Sundays.

Then we went to my Isaac's family's house.

Jessy got Tony an Easter basket with a gun, Tony loves guns!

I hid Tony's eggs with scriptures and candy.

After the hunt we opened all his eggs.  We all got together as a family and divided up the scriptures about the Resurrection and we read the scriptures while Tony ate his candy and looked at a picture of Jesus that was in one of his eggs.  He can recognize Jesus which I think is really neat, it means he is actually learning something when I teach him ( :

Took a quick family picture since Isaac and Tony were being very impatient.

Hayley colored Easter eggs with Tony.  Tony enjoyed talking about how pretty the eggs were, about the colors, and he said the eggs were hot (they were not hot).  So he wouldn't tough them but he still enjoyed his time with Titi.

tickles from Abuelito!

The rest of the day we enjoyed being together as a family and Tony had lot's of fun with Jessy and Hayley a.k.a (Titi!)

First Time Camping as a Family

So I love Camping.  The last time I went camping was when I was pregnant with Tony.  I needed to get out.  We hadn't camped with Tony yet because when we lived in Idaho it was cold, I really don't like camping in the cold...sorry!  Then we moved here and we needed to restock all our camping gear.  We sold everything before the big move to Fl because it was too expensive to drive a moving truck.  So we invested in some camping gear and I planned our trip!  Camping is a tradition that I want for our family, it is something that I grew up with and loved! 

We went to Anastasia State Park here in the Sunshine State.  It was actually colder than I hoped but with sweaters we were just fine and we slept very warm!  Tony got to dig in the dirt, ride his bike, and push his truck.  Our site was so pretty and great privacy!  I love all the tropical plants.  We ate great food!  And we all enjoyed being mesmerized by the campfire! 

The first day we set up camp and just played around our campsite.  I taught Tony that he was actually allowed to play in the dirt!  So we dug in the dirt alot and Tony rode his bike around and pushed his truck.  I bought Angry Birds the board game version to play as a family so we played lot's of Angry Birds.  We built a fire, ate beef hot dogs and dutch oven peach cobbler for dinner!  Tony was a little apprehensive about the dark after sunset so he and Isaac played birds in the tent and talked about many things while I relaxed by the fire and listened to little toddler giggles and Isaac singing fun little songs to him.

Just had to add this photo even thought it was blurry because he was experience pure joy with his bubble gun lol so stinking happy it's crazy!!

The first night was a little rough because Tony was getting over a cold and sounded like a monster snoring!  Isaac was coming down with a sore throat so he didn't feel well with the cool air being breathed in and he snored like a monster lol.  The first night we put Tony down for bed when we went to bed.  Several times throughout the night he would wake up yelling Mommy Mommy and I would tell him to lay back down and he would go back too sleep.  He woke up cranky because he went to bed at 11pm!  

Needless to say by morning we were worn out!  We actually went out for breakfast at a local diner which was Isaac's idea....sometimes life requires compromising.   I was willing too compromise my roughing it for a happy husband who was well fed lol.  Marriage is just happier that way ( :

After breakfast we went to the beach and Tony got to push his truck around and we did shelling.  Lot's of beautiful shells.  I love the ocean so I enjoyed walking along the beach even though it was too cold to swim.  After the beach I drove around the park so Tony would fall asleep.  When we got back to the campsite I transfered him to the airbed with me and he napped for about 2-3 hrs and I got to nap as well!  Later that day I took Tony on a trail ride with his bike.  We went back to the beach at sunset for one last view.  We played at camp and we ate 7up chicken and did s'mores!  Of course Tony is so darn picky he wouldn't even eat the s'more but I loooove s'mores!  We bought extra firewood that night so we could have a longer fire.  We put Tony down to bed earlier this time and I snuck out of the tent when he was asleep.  So Isaac and I got to enjoy the fire together which was nice!

That nights sleep was much better well for Tony and I.  Tony slept through the night and didn't snore too loud.  However Isaac's sore through hurt worse that night so he didn't sleep too well.  I slept okay.  It was nice because we could hear the waves crash as we layed in bed at night, something I have always dreamed of!  Tony woke up very happy that morning!

We ate some powder doughnuts in the morning and then packed up quickly so we could get all our stuff loaded before the rain hit.  Literally as soon as everything was loaded in the car a storm hit and it was pouring rain!  Such a blessing to have everything packed first or else we would have to set everything up in our apartment parking lot to dry out when we got back.

Since we have a 2 door Honda Civic and a big toddler seat in the back we needed some extra storage. We don't have roof racks so we got a car topper that can go through the car.  However when the rain hit it came pouring in the windows.  So Isaac and I held up sweaters to try and catch it all but it would get drenched so fast.  Luckily Florida rain usually comes and goes quickly so it went away after maybe 15ish minutes.  Isaac said well something had to happen to make this trip exciting because everything else went so well lol...past camping trips with just the two of us we had some not so pleasant experiences lol.  Our car sounded like a train inside when we were driving the highway because of all the wind hitting the topper, great white noise for Tony too sleep with!

Anyways all in all this trip went very well!  We all had fun and got some quality family bonding time together.  The only thing that could have made it better was if Isaac didn't have a sore throat but there is always next time!

(I HAVE MORE PICS ON FB)

My advice to you if you are hesitant about camping with toddlers it:

1. DO IT!!! It is so worth it.

&

2.  If the first night is rough, most likely the 2nd night will be so much better so don't give up!

Tony and The Phone

Tony started getting a little, no, a lot possessive over my phone!  He was on it for way too long and felt that he had the right to use it anytime he wanted too and not me.  So to solve the problem we went through a phone detox program, lol jk well kind of.  When we went camping there was no phone time and he kept asking for it.  So when we got back from the trip I bought a timer and he is aloud to play his games on it twice a day.  I set the timer and when it goes off then he has to give it back to me.  It is working pretty well, the timer goes off and he gives it back.  I can actually use my phone occasionally with out a huge fit from him which is nice.  I usually let him have phone time when I shower and in the late afternoon when I need a break.  Anyways never thought I would be running into this problem till I had teenagers in the house!  One day during his phone time I was on the computer and I heard snoring....

Eventful Day Today

I said in a recent post that I was going to try to get out of the house more.  Well I did today and it was quite eventful lol!

I actually was dressed and showered before 11am crazy!  And I had done a load of laundry by then too. Wooh!

I went to a kids consignment store to shop for Tony some clothes for our camping trip.  He needed a raincoat and some warmer clothes for the night since the forecast is looking rainy and cold at night.  They were having a $5.00 bag sale so after I got everything I needed for Tony and even things I didn't I stuffed the rest with short sleeve onesies for Rico.  I crammed that bag as much as I could.

Then we got in the car.  Tony put the keys in the ignition and then I started the car and turned on the AC.  I then put Tony in his seat shut the passenger door and walked around to the drivers side.  It was locked, and so was the passenger side!  Tony had locked it when I didn't realize...what a blessing I turned on the AC before I shut that door.  I called Isaac and he was going to ride his bike over to bring me the spare key...only to realize 10mn later that the spare was in my diaper bag, in the car!  So the fire department and the sheriff both came!  They kindly opened my door for me.  After they opened it Tony got a huge smile on his face and said "keys!"  I am grateful for the firefighters who opened the door for me.  

Then I decided to take Tony to check the mail and play on the playground.  There were actually 2 other kids there so Tony got to socialize ( :  The Mom's of one of the kids asked me if I was looking for a double stroller.  Well I am so I said "yes!"  I have been on the look out for one.  All the one's I have looked at have been too big to fit in the trunk of our car.  So I checked it out and it was sooo nice!  It was a $500.00 stroller and she was selling it for $150.00, she was moving soon.  I could not pass up such a good deal and it fit in my trunk!  What a blessing ( :  It is actually a swedish stroller, she is swedish and just moved here recently and the stroller is only 8months old.  We researched the stroller and how much it cost and with the bassinet attachment it was worth 500 us dollars.  It even came with a bassinet attachment and weather attachment.  I am so excited to use it!

Anyways that was an exciting day for me  ( :

Chili Cornbread Casserole

So I am in the process of rebuilding my recipe book.  I had a recipe book that I made right out of high school before I left for college that I have accumulated a lot of unorganized recipes and thrown them in there.  So I am making a new one.  I am trying new healthy recipes and when I find one I like I will put it in my recipe book.  So that I can have a whole book of useful, yummy, and healthy foods ( :  I will post the successful recipes here!  I'm always looking for new recipes to try so I figure it would be useful to others to share ( :

Tonight I tried Chili Cornbread Casserole.  I made it as an alternative healthier option to a dish I used to make.  The cornbread actually has wholewheat flour in it.  Anyways here is the recipe.

 http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chili_cornbread_casserole.html

My criteria for a good recipe is healthy, budget friendly, yummy, and simple. This matched it well ( : I also like recipes that last for 2 days so I don't have to cook everyday.  We definitely have leftovers!

Typical Day

Being a stay at home Mom can be very isolating, especially right now.  We are living in a new area that is dominated by the elderly retired folks.  So making friends has been a bit of a challenge.  I have zero Mom friends or really any friends to hang with right now unfortunately.  All my friends are spread across the country.  However I have met a few people at church that don't have permed gray hair and am going to get up the motivation soon to invite them over to do something!  (p.s nothing against old people ( ;  they are better to live with in an apartment complex than partying college kids)  

I just hit my 3rd trimester!  Woohoo!  But no wonder I've been feeling drained and unmotivated lol.  Somedays I just don't have the motivation to leave the house.  It is exhausting taking Tony out.  Just getting to the car is an event, and I am trying to not carry him as often because it's been straining me to carry a flailing toddler around lol.  However staying home all day makes me almost go crazy sometimes.  

Here is what a typical stay at home day looks like:

• I hear Tony so I wake up.
• I go to get him from his crib and we play with his caterpillar and bear while he is still in his crib and have them kiss lol.
• I get him out of bed and sit on the floor until he decides to lay down for his diaper change.  I'm too tired to fight about diapers in the morning so I just tell him I won't play or get him food or milk till he has a new diaper on.  Usually doesn't take too long for him to cooperate.
• Lately he actually doesn't want milk in the morning so we go and stare at the pantry until something looks good lol.  Usually we eat dry cereal while watching cartoons.
• Then we play with trains or guns.
• At 8:00am we wake up Daddy!  Tony get's his phone time while I crawl back into bed while Isaac is waking up.
• When Isaac gets up he and Tony have Daddy/Tony time while I nap ( :
• I wake up eat and then get dressed for the day.
• Then we turn off cartoons and play and play and play and play lol we are usually playing with trains or guns.  When I get too sick of pushing trains in a figure 8 circle a million times and loading up amo in guns then we eat something again and may watch another cartoon.
• More play time!  I do believe we have too much free time lol.  Isaac pops in and spends time with us when he takes breaks from job hunting, hw, and his Beachbody coaching.
• Isaac and Tony play a video game together and I get a break, woohoo!  Tony no longer naps unless he falls asleep in the car.  So it is nice to get a little break.
• Sometimes we do chores and sometimes we don't.
• Then it's more play time.  I load more rounds of ammo and again push trains round and round.  Sometimes we play with blocks, I build stuff and Tony destroys it lol.  
• On a good day I make dinner and Tony actually plays by himself sometimes or plays with Isaac.  He usually pushes his truck around or vaccums.
• Eat.
• Then the house usually looks something like this ( ;

• So now we clean up Toys.
• Then bedtime routine.  Isaac and I choose who wants to do dishes or who gives Tony his Bath, then it is diaper, family prayer, milk, scriptures, brush teeth (he is so good, he open the toothpaste and everything by himself, he doesn't like help!)  Then I chase him around the house literally, it's like a game we do I guess lol and when I catch him then I put his jammies on ( :  Then we say his personal prayer and read Green Eggs and Ham while he holds the flashlight.  We sing songs and talk about his day.  Finally it's bedtime 7:00pm and he is in bed.
• That's when I get my time to just have some me time.  I don't do chores after bedtime.  Any chores that need to be done I do during the day or save them for the next day that way I can unwind.
• Since I am a night owl and so is Isaac we usually go to bed around midnight.  We are working on going to sleep earlier but it's our only alone time so going to bed early hasn't been very successful yet lol.

Sometimes I wonder if our days are too boring for Tony but a picture speaks a thousand words right, lol...looks happy to me ( :

Everyday I don't stay home all day but alot of days I do.  I just worked on making a list of free things to do outside the house in our area.  I found a lot of cool activities for toddlers at 3 local libraries and some neat outdoor places.  So next week I am going to try to get out of the house and do something everyday, even if I'm feeling unmotivated.  Because when I get out I feel so much better about life ( :

Here is some pictures of when we actually get out:

Tony thinking, what are you doing Dad? lol

Tony giving it a try

Florida Moss!

Isaac is great at distracting Tony to come to the car!  He got him to carry this moss on a stick and then before you know it we are at the car lol.