Dance Party

Tonight we headed to Harper's preschool for a Valentines Day Party. We danced our little bums off while DJ Shif D spun the records;) Thats old skool talk, but crazy thing is... Shif D is an old college buddy of Shannon & Kates. Who knew he was doing preschool gigs? I actually went to a college party he DJ'd at years ago with them. "23rd & U what time is it? It's time to get LIVE, time to represent!" The scene looked a little different back then;).. Ok... A LOT different. FUNNY!! Come to find out, he does a lot of cool stuff around town with clubs and music. Anyways, small world it is here in the good life.

Happy Valentines Day!

Love,

The Kings

Last weekend...

Super Bowl Sunday we headed to Lincoln to hang with the g-rents & Aunt Shannon. It was a spontaneous fun filled visit. We painted the snow with our "snow paint", Teaf built a ramp for sledding, and we scooted around the front yard. We were going to head to a nearby slope for sledding but it started to get late and quite frankly we were being a bit lazy. Harper enjoyed her little hill just the same. The thing is she doesn't know the difference yet, so we can still get away with it;) Shannon and I had a moment when it was time to sled down the hill, guess it was a sister moment that I can't really explain, except for I was laughing so hard I cried the ugly cry and nearly peed my pants. Good times!

Snow day & cupcakes

Last weekend it snowed here about a foot. It was absolutely beautiful. "We" Nebraskans can appreciate the snow when it isn't happening all winter long. We haven't had much this winter so enjoyed every second of it. It helped that it wasn't freezing cold during the day. We headed over to our Grauntie and Gruncles house (Patti & Tom) to bake cupcakes and play in the snow. The girls had a blast, as did I. Teaf reaped the benefits of the baking and commented about how AMAZING the cupcakes were. He is wondering how Aunt Patti does it?! She is a great cook an all, but they were from the box. I mean if "we" follow the directions, shouldn't we all make such fabulously moist cupcakes? We're convinced it's her oven and mixer.

Wishy Washy

I don't know if I've said this here before, but I am wishy washy about the zoo. Everytime I go there (and the circus too), I get this feeling of saddness for the animals and their small spaces. The fact that they aren't able to be in their own habitat is bothersome. Then there is always a moment that happens and it hits me, where I go from wishy to washy. It's usually when we are face to face with an animal and learning all about the amazing creatures at the zoo. I know 100 percent that I do enjoy going there and watching my girls loving every second of their experience. We have a zoo pass so I guess there will be lots of wishy washy moments!

sissy

There is not much that is more amazing than watching your two daughters build a relationship. At least in my opinion;)

No words needed...

Liv "J""Z"

Liv J,

My oh my have you been growing at a light speed rate. These past couple months have been incredible with your language development and your personality shining through. I hate to say it sister but you are LOUD. You definately let your presence be known with the intensity of you voice. The best word that I have found lately to describe your new found independence is "scrappy." You have NO fear and are very determined to have your way. You love to be in my arms and will follow me around screaming and crying until I pick you up. (which isn't always easy when getting ready for work) Both you and your sister are extra emotional when I am around. Since I am away for work 40 hours a week, you yearn for every second of my time when I am here. I am honored while at the same time exhausted. I try to focus my energy on the idea of soaking up every minute of your lives and patiently staying positive when I am exhausted. I am no saint, so I make mistakes, but I am working on being actively present when I am in your presence. This is not so hard to do because I love being around you and watching you learn and grow from the world around you. You are still a fantastic sleeper and it still amazes me that when its time for bed you want to be held for a minute or two and then are easily put down and put yourself to sleep (I know I know I shouldn't have said it.. ginx) You say so many things throughout the day. You are a little peanut so I think thats why it seems even more crazy to see you talk. You know a lot of animals names and their sounds. You point to a lot of objects throughout the day and say the name for them. You sing the lyrics to songs we listen to and you are a huge fan of the hokey pokey. You are an extremely picky eater and our biggest focus these past few months has been to beef you up. You love your milk and your binky. You love watching cartoons with your sister and reading books. You would be content all day reading books. You love going down the slide and have to be coached on the process of sitting down at the top before going down. Your scrappy style would be to fly down head first, no turning back. You recently decided that you don't like to swing and get this freightened look and demand to be done. You are in miss independent mode and want to do things by yourself. No carrying you anymore, you want to walk at all times and will say "hand" when you feel you need assistance. You have a smile that lights up the room and your big huge brown eyes glisten your existence. You give the sweetest kisses and pat my back while I pat yours before laying you down to sleep. You have six teeth and it's been like that for awhile now with no new growth. You love to brush your teeth. Did I say you like your binky? Because if you could, you would be sucking on that thing all day long. We have to limit your use and you are a "closet" user. We are working towards only having it to sleep which is mostly when we give it to you. (and car rides if your tired) You demand a book in your hand while riding in the car. You love Barney, Boz, and Elmo to name a few that you scream while pointing to the t.v. You love your grandparents and aunties (all of them) and get excited to see them. You love to see Harper's best bud Ryder and call him by name. You love your sister but it's on your time. When she gets in your face to love on you, you yell at her to get out of your space. You take her toys and want to do all the things that she is doing. You aren't a fan when Harper and I leave Tuesday and Thursday mornings for Harp's preschool but daddy reports that are happy to have quality one on one time with him once we are out of sight. Sister moon, you are truly a diamond in the rough. I am so humbled by your spirit and each day I look at your sweet existence and my heart is full of love and contentment. 18 months and counting. You are perfection!

Human bubble

We headed to the Children's Musuem this past weekend. I took the girlies by myself which is always a crazy trip, especially on the weekend, because there are a MILLION kids and parents there. At one point I was transitioning the girls to another area when all of sudden Liv was going up the slide where another child was coming down. I ran and grabbed her. When I turned around to find Harper she was gone out of sight. My heart hit my stomach and I coached myself out of panic mode. "Kandra she is here, just calmly look for her." Even though my body was in flight mode, I scanned the area and walked around looking at every kid. I was calling for her through the tunnels of the climbing area and looking in and out of everywhere. What seemed like forever was probably only minutes when I decided that I couldn't find her without help. I approached a worker who had been monitoring that area for the thirty minutes we had been there. I told her that I couldn't find my daughter and she was wearing the same shirt as her sister. (who I had in my arms). A few moments later, she walked back to me with Harper in hand. Harper had a freightened look. The thing is Harper wouldn't have known any different because she was happily playing in the house. I have never played in the house with her and so when scanning I didn't actually go inside, which is where she was. I was sucking back my tears as I faked not to be FREAKING out and went about our play time. I did have to remind her that when she leaves the area she needs to let me know. She says "ok mommy" like no biggie. Little does she know I just about stroked out in front of a MILLION people. Just sayin;)

Since becoming a parent I have realized that I wish I could place our peanuts in a human bubble and protect them from life; harms way and saddness. I know that I can not have them in a bubble and that isn't realistic, but a momma can dream right?! Bubble or no bubble it is my duty to do the things I can control to protect and love them every minute of every day! I take on the challenge and honorably love to be their momma! I will make mistakes and "lose" sight of them from time to time but every minute of every day, I will love them unconditonally and try my damndest to be the best parent I can be.

a first...

Grandpa helped Harper with her first tredmill experience. It required a lot of patience and redirecting her focus on paying attention to her feet moving on the belt rather than looking at herself in the mirror. She also liked to look over at me for my reaction causing her to get off track. She LOVED it and was smiling and/or laughing the entire time.