First Haircut

I always promised myself that I would take good care to make sure my little girl had a nice girly haircut. Due to a few mishap haircuts by a certain sister of mine (I know she had good intentions), I've become a bit sensitive to short boy haircuts.  Well, Olivia has this hair that I have no clue how to manage. 

It was getting long in the front and the back and beginning to resemble a mullet.  The only thing I could do what pull the long hair back into a pony tail, but it looked kind of silly.  So, we went in to pay $10 for 5 minutes of cutting :(.

Doesn't look too crazy here, but it was a low humidity day.

This is how it looked brushed out.

This is how it looked right after the cut. I know, it looks like a boy cut but it smoothed out and looks good. It's a bit of a bowl cut, but its growing in nicely.  It's curling under in the back but the top is still straight.  I'm still not sure what to do, but I think it's in the right direction.

The Mini-Union

We all took a trip up to VA to visit my sister.  It was a nice little trip where we would get to meet our new little niece, Moriah Katherine Jackson.  So, with all 14 kids, the house was a bit packed. Thank goodness it did not rain.  We had a good time visiting and made a few park outings to tire out the kids.  I handed Alex the camera and asked him to take some photos. This is all he took :)

The Halloween Party

So, my sister in law had a halloween birthday party, since her birthday's the first week in November.  We all dressed up as best we could and here's what the little guys went as.  James as Ironman, Ryan, all of his spiderman accessories and little ballerina. 

I tried to be Little Bo Peep.  My pig tails were a bit droopy.

Alex was half and half man. Have business, half lumberjack.

Trying to be strong

James and haircuts...not fun.  He did alright the first few times, but since then, well, Remember the scene from Steel Magnolias where Julia Roberts has a diabetic fit while getting her hair done. Yep, that's about right.  So, we tried to buzz it at home, but it was so frustrating that we decided it was worth paying for someone else to deal with it. 

Nothing worked to keep him calm, not even bribes.  So, it was time for a school picture haircut. It was getting really crazy around his neck and ears, so off we went.  We went as a family this time because Ryan needed a cut also. Alex told James that if he didn't cry or scream he could pick something out from Target...

So, he sat in the chair and they started cutting.  I looked at his face and almost starting crying because he was physically trying to not scream.  He was trying so hard that I just wanted to hug him and tell him that it was okay and he could scream.  He made it through and he picked out some cotton candy from the dollar bin. WHEW! I thought it was really gonna cost us.

Fair Time Again?!

Where has the year gone?  It seems like just yesterday we were driving towards the fairgrounds and looking at all the World's Shortest Lady and the World's Smallest Horse.  I must say that this was the first really enjoyable time we've had.  We have gone with newborns and crawlers and this time, I actually had fun.  Ryan is finally tall enough to ride some rides and James likes to play the games.  Olivia stayed in her stroller, mostly against her will, but was let out to pet the goats and sheep.  She REALLY loves animals and gets super excited anytime she sees a dog, cat, bird, squirrel or any other creature. 

We met up with Mom Mom and Pop Pop Kalman.  Turns out the flannel twins had a great time on some rides too :) 

The evening started off rough when we couldn't find our advance purchase tickets, but I was able to sell those on Craigslist once we found them :)

And that was it.  More pictures will be posted on Facebook.

Where are my...?

Ryan: Where's my hand-slappers?

Me: Your what?!

Ryan: My Hand Slappers!!!

Hand Slappers = Hand Cwaps = Hand cuffs.  From the plastic police toys they got from the Fair.

A few new pics

Uncle Nick and Aunt Kristy brought these very cute knit hats from Iowa.  They are pumpkin hats but you can't see the green top. 

And here's a cute one of Olivia.  She's getting a stronger personality and does NOT like to be left out. Don't even think about not including her.  She can hold her own and we will have our hands full with her too.  BUT she definately has daddy wrapped around her finger. 

Alex's 34th Birthday!

So, it was Alex's birthday, again.  This year I was inspired to have a birthday week for him.  That  included special treats and special dinners and ended with a special meal with friends and family.  This is the cake I did for him. It was the first time in a while that I had done a cake, but I thought it tasted good. It was vanilla with homemade raspberry buttercream filling and regular buttercream frosting. 

This is how I celebrated his birthday, on Sunday.  Sunday was his real birthday but we celebrated on saturday.  Alex thought it was funny that James fell asleep also with a bag of chips in his lap.  All my kids like to snack like I do.

Anyways, another birthday come and gone.  He's a few pounds lighter than last birthday but a lot more wise :)

The Holiday Round Up

This might be a little early, but I'm getting things done earlier this season.  This is my post on kids sizes, etc for those family members interested.

James - will be 5 in November and is developing his own tastes and styles.  He is growing out of 4T so I only buy 5T items.  He is into fish (real ones), movies and books. He is very creative and loves to draw and put things together.  He is just the right age for legos or things like that.  He loves to have his own drawing books and bookbags.  He recently told me to look for a box with "james" on it, filled with trucks and transformers and bakugans. 

Ryan - He also is developing some tastes and styles aside from James. He now loves to dress up as spiderman, batman or Iron Man.  Basically, he's into action figures.  He loves clothes and puts on 3 outfits every day.  He is still wearing 2T for pants and can get away with 3T in shirts. 

Olivia - Our little girl.  It's hard to tell what toys she would enjoy but she does like bags/purses.  I bought some barbies and my little ponies recently but she hasn't shown much interest in them.  If there was a box full of little treasures than I'm sure she would just love that.  I wouldn't buy antyhing smaller than a 24 month / 2T and she looks good in brown, seafoam green and bright colors. 

Alex - He's a hard one.  However, he has become quite the baker so some nice baking tools/supplies would be good. He's lost a lot of weight, but I wouldn't recommend buying him clothes.  He doesn't particularly care for that :)  I'll try to think of more but he's a hard one. OH! I just remembered.  He has expressed an interest in those new Ipod Touch Nano's. He's been riding his bike and running more.  If he doesn't get one for his birthday I"m hoping to save up enough rebate $$ to get it......We'll see :)

Me - Well, I like just about anything.  I like gift cards, jewelry, clothes, books.....I haven't picked up any hobbies yet but if you happen upon a Groupon to a Charleston Spa for a massage for pedicure/manicure, I wouldn't complain.  Easy, yet probably hard.  Or if you want to encourage Alex to take me out, that would be great too :)

Anyways, that's that.  Happy Holidays!

Groupon Rocks!

So, this picture has no relation to this post. I love Groupon!! If you haven't signed up, do so. It's a daily deal that they email to you based on your location. However, you can buy the deal from any other city offered.  I am praying and praying that the perfect deal will pop up that I can use as Christmas presents.  I can't tell you everything I got due to certain readers of this blog (it would spoil the surprise) but I did just get 4 movie tickets for free. Yes, it included the IMAX!!  Now Alex has no excuse to not take me out:) Today's deal was a $180 gift certificate to The Sanctuary Spa in San Diego for only $45.  I don't like in SD but I have family that does. So maybe they'll get some use out of that one. 

Anyways, this is the beginning of the holiday coupons.  What I learned from last year is, get the deals while they're hot!! They don't come back.  So, I"m hoping to have all my shopping done by mid November. I'm right on track and I think I'll do just fine this year. 

I'm going to risk stepping on some toes

So, I've been attending Baptist churches here in SC and I attend a very large church.  One of the common phrases that is floating around is "Take it to the cross".  I get the meaning and intention here, we should always be reminding ourselves of the great love and sacrifice of Christ.  However, I feel that this is a bit short-sighted.  The cross would have lost its significance had that been the last moment.  However, Christ was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God. We have been given access to the Throne of God and can stand before God with no condemnation.  How about "Take it to the Throne".  Take it all the way!!!  I want to be awed by God! I desire to see the face of God!

The Head Stand

So I am so excited today! I was able to do this pose, the head stand, in my Yoga Core class. Yes, I had my instructor standing behind me but I did it!!  I've been thoroughly enjoying my yoga and pilates classes and my core is getting tough!!  I do take a sneak peek around to see how many others are doing some of these inverted poses. 

I can do this one also :) and it's one of my favorites....

Random photos

My little girl, 16 months old and sometimes acting like she's 16. She's walking and her first words besides mom and dad are 'juice' and 'truck'.  This is her sweet little dress and this is how she decided to play in it.  She now likes to sprawl herself on the floor and play with magnets. 

Here are some things about her that I find intriguing:

1.  She likes to find the boys' underwear and carry it around

2. She has to bring out both of her blankets from her bed when she gets out of bed

3.  She has to have what her brothers have

4.  She does NOT like it if James or Ryan are in my lap

5.  She loves animals!

6.  She has daddy wrapped around her finger

Did I say that?

Me: Ryan, put on your underwear and shorts

Ryan: Mom, it's not my job!

My Baby's First Day

Almost 5 years ago, we were welcoming our first child into this world.  What an easy, pain free labor & delivery.  It's been a fairly easy ride with this child.  Although he does have a strong independant side, he's pretty laid back.  So, imagine my shock when I found out that James would be going to school 5 days a week, all day AND ride the bus! I might have teared up when I was told that.  How could my sweet baby get on a big ol' bus and see his teachers more than he sees me?  I seriously considered homeschooling.  But nothing like the last month of summer to change my mind about that. 

So, all decked out in his 'uniform', new shoes and backpack, he set off for school.  The bus isn't ready to pick up the kids yet, so we still get to take him and pick him up. 

When I asked him if he missed me, he said "No." 

So, no crying for James, just some tearing up for mom. 

After his first day, I asked him what he did that day.

He said " I took a nap, had peanut butter and Jelly" ( I knew about the PB &J because I made it for him)

The Swagger Wagon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUG3Z8Hxa5I

First Days of ...May the force be with you!

Yes, the day finally arrived!  I hate to admit it, but I was really looking forward to Ryan attending Pre-School.  He is going to where James went last year and even has the same teachers.  He was so excited!!  He still is hoping to ride the bus and not my swagger wagon, but one day he'll stop asking. 

The 2nd day of school,he fell out of his chair and was given a popsicle as first aid (so the report stated).  Thanks Ms. Kim!  Now he'll always want popsicles for first aid treatment :)

Today, when I went to pick him up, the teachers were smirking and saying "Did you tell her?"

-Uh-Oh, did he hurt himself again?

-No, he just went pee on the playground, HAHA!

It's Officially Walking Time

There's something super cute about a child's first few trips around the house on their 2 pudgy feet.  And knowing that Olivia is our last one, it's bittersweet.  It's great because now her knees won't get so dirty but sad because she's really growing up.  Walking seems to be the first time when a child realizes "This is great! I have power and I cando what I want!"

And she does.  Olivia is well rounded and usually only yells when someone steals her toys or doesn't share their lollipop or treat.  Lately, I've been putting her in shoes which did not go over well.  But we got to protect her feet, so she'll have to deal.  I got her those sqeaky shoes so hopefully those will make it more fun.

As for clothes...she does not like footed pj's anymore.  She prefers to wear her brother's shirts to bed.  She also does NOT like dresses with straps that fall off her shoulder.  All of this mumbling to say that I am enjoying this little girl and trying desperately to make sure she doesn't woo us into getting what she wants.

Who's teaching my kids?

Ryan: "Mom, Open it!"
Mom: (quietly ignoring Ryan)
Ryan: "Abre!"
Me: Laughing as I assume that means 'open' in Spanish

Starting something New

So, I started something new.  I mean, I could start my own cleaning business and clean my house or get a huge garage sale put together, but why do that?! That's no fun!  However, buying purses and totes and having parties! Now that's fun!

Banana pudding and oatmeal sandwich cookies.  First time for the pudding.

I became a consultant for Thirty One Gifts.  Check out my site www.mythirtyone.com/tiffaniholdgate

I had 2 launch parties and it was so much fun. I went to my first official meeting today and although it was long, it made me want to have a million more parties.  I met some great new friends and even friends of friends. 

The catalog/order form table.

My display!

Here are a few pictures from my first party. 

Morning at the Beach

We went to the beach for the first time this summer last saturday.  We don't frequent the beach unless we have friends or guests that would like to go. It's just so stinkin' hot and we're fair skinned that it's not the most fun.  So, I was meeting a friend there and we were excited. The boys were at the water's edge the whole time! I setup our little tent but it was so windy that I had to take it down.  15 minutes later, we were sun-screened up and ready to play!!  

So, we had few fun hours and here are a few pictures that I managed to take. 

No, she's not pooping.

Trying to get her to smile. 

Look at me!

Turns out Ryan is not the only one who can get into trouble.  Sometimes our disobedience gets us stuck, doesn't it?

My Baby's Walking

Finale Friday

I've been thinking of cleaning and accountability.  I'm not a great cleaner and so, my house is rarely in top form. I don't know if I've ever lived in a tidy home other than when I was actually living AT home.  3 kids and husband haven't helped and none of them are very tidy either.

So, here's my Friday Finale!  Meaning, Finally, I'll start working on one room at a time until my house is put away.  I'll grudgingly take a picture of the room to be worked on and periodically update.  I'm hoping for some help with organization and set up so feel free to share some house tips.  Pictures to come, but I'm hoping to go rest for a bit right now since we had a puking child all night.  I"m also hoping for you to say "Tiff!! how's that cleaning the room thing going?"

but I"ll start by posting some things I liked at IKEA.

How many parties does a 3 year old need?

This year, Ryan got 2.  He has the unfortunate or fortunate dilemma of having a birthday right around Father's Day.  This year, it was the day after.  Normally we would've had a party the saturday before, but I had the incredible opportunity to meet up with my sister for a night.  That might not seem that extraordinary to you, but she has 7 kids and is in the military so they travel around a lot.  And finding someone to watch the kids, well, you know, isn't that easy.  So, we decided to have a family party on Ryan's birthday and then a party at the park the following saturday.  I'm a firm believer of doing something to officially celebrate on one's birth day. 

So, Alex made an extraordinary cake (his best yet) and we celebrated Ryan's 3rd birthday and Pop Pop Kalman's birthday also.  Pop Pop's bday is the day after Ryan.  We didn't want to get caked out, so we joined them together.

Anyways, it was fun and Ryan really enjoyed receiving gifts. Although, we'll have to work on the "No, it's mine! It's my Birfday!"

3 Weeks and 2 Inches

 Update on the Flat Belly plan. In the 3 weeks that I've been trying this plan, I've gone from 37" around the waist to 34 3/4".  Not too shabby! Going to the gym 2-3 times per week does help. I'm not as hard core on the weekend eating due to the weekend festivities.  But during the week I try to keep to the "plan". 

It's very encouraging to see the results, but not many people have commented on my lack of belly fat.  Maybe they didn't notice to begin with or maybe nobody watches me as much as I watch myself :)

Anyways, I feel good and am encouraged to lose a bit more.

No picture here because I can't hold the camera and the measuring tape around my belly.

Till you're as tall as me

Alex: "You don't play with cleaning supplies till you're as tall as me!"

Need I say more?

The FLAT Belly Plan

It's really called the Flat Belly Diet but I don't like to use the D word.  To be honest, I've been skinny my whole life up until I had a few kids.  After 1, it wasn't so bad. But after #3 and not a consistent workout plan, my belly has left a lot to be desired.  It's been tough to nip those "after dinner sweets" cravings that I developed while pregnant. And also, I can eat a whole bag of chips in one sitting.  That's just what I love to do.

Anyways, I don't feel good.  I don't feel good when my belly is hanging over my belt or that I have to wear A-Line shirts that cover my belly.  Yes, I think my body type runs in my family but so does diabetes and I'm going to try to do what I can to post pone that as much as I can. 

So instead of Diet, I like to say healthy eating and watching what you eat. 
Rules:
(1) Eat every 4 hours, a meal of 400 calories
(2) Eat a MUFA (mono-unsaturated fat) with every mean (nuts, avocado, Olive Oil, olives, dark chocolate)

These MUFA's are healthy fats that lower your bad cholesterol and also target belly fat.

I went into this to change some eating habits and eat a little more healthy.  So, I try to eat a MUFA at every meal. I do still drink my coffee in the morning and usually something alcoholic at night, but I try to limit my meals to 400 calories or less. 

In a week, I feel better! My belly fat is reducing and I can tell when I overeat. All good things, right?!  I'm trying out new recipes and yes, I do add a bit of salt. I'm a firm believer of eating things that taste good. I think I get that from my dad.

Can't keep him away

No, I'm not talking about Alex. We can't keep James away from finding the camera and taking pictures of everything and everyone.  A rather nice photo of daddy.

My "Garden"

So, Gardening has always been a desire of mine, but I've never been successful at it.  Maybe that's why my husband didn't want to till up some land and make me a garden. He told me I had to grow it in pots.  So, I said, Okay.  The issue is placement.  Our yard does not have the best backyard for a garden. Very shady and no grass and floods during rainstorms.  The best sunny spots happen to be right next to our driveway, where some shrubs are.  So for my birthday, Alex dug up some shrubs in an attempt to get a garden going.  That was a month ago and the project has fallen by the wayside for now.  However, I keep helping him remember despit the many and more important other things has to attend to that a garden would be super great. 

These are my picking cucumbers. I can see 1 sprouting but it's really small.  The roots are in a pot but as you can see, it's spreading out quite nicely. 

These are my prized heirloom tomatos.  They are 2 varieties but I forgot their names.  One will be the small green kind and I forgot what the other one will be.  The camera caught a fairly good picture of the younglings. 

My Black Beauty zucchini's are flowering but only 1 squash is growing.  maybe they need to be out a pot but we'll see. 

This is my oregano, basil and chives.  The basil's been finicky this year even though they get plenty of water.  I have another pot of thyme and mint, parsley and even cilantro.  I think I'll have to pick some and dry it because it's growing so rapidly. 

Boarding School or the Military?

There was a time in my life when I thought I would be a great parent.  Then, I had James and thought, "Huh, this isn't so bad".  Then there were more.  Not that my 2nd child is a bad kid, I don't believe kids are bad, just need some help and boundaries.  However, my 2nd child always leaves me scratching my head and praying "Lord, please work through my inability to communicate to this child of mine". 

I've had to make a goal every day to keep things in perspective.  What's a big deal worth getting upset over and what's not.  Coming downstairs in the early morning and eating a cold cheese dog...not such a big deal.  Spreading Desitin over our couch....big deal.  For one, it's cloth.  Second, it's our only couch right now because our good couch is at our other house for the open house.  Does desiting come out and clean easily? No. 

Baby Poops

This is how it went: Ryan was sitting on the toilet and I was standing next to him.

Ryan: Baby poops say "mommy, mommy!"
Me: Oh yeah? What do daddy poops say?
Ryan: PBLTTTTP! (insert sound of motorboats)

Me: (laughing)

Beautiful

After Olivia's Birthday Bash, this is what I saw outside. It wasn't even an intense storm. Just some clouds and rain, but it was so beautiful! I usually only see rainbows in part and not very clear. This one was so clear I could see the entire semi circle, all the colors and I was expecting skittles to start pouring down on me. But it was so breathtaking that I had to thank God for all the blessings in my life.

Birthday Fun

Alex made her this wonderful chocolate cake. 

To Olivia,

I can't believe it's already been 1 year since you entered this world. After 9 months of wondering what you'd look like, me or daddy; Would you have red hair or blonde; Would you be real quiet like James or real loud like Ryan; Would you let me sleep for 5 hours at a time or would you need to sleep in my arms for the first month or so.

After you were born, we could tell your personality would be a bit like both of your brothers.  Your labor was longer than James' but shorter than Ryan's.  You weighed 7lb 11 oz, 21" long and had red hair like Ryan and big blue eyes!  I will always remember the first time I saw each of my little ones.  Somehow you knew I was your mom because you looked straight at me when I spoke to you.  Unlike the boys, you have always wanted to be touching me.  You're so content to be held by me or sit in my lap or climb over my legs.  I'm sorry to say, that it looks like you inherited a gap in your front teeth, just like me.  Hopefully you won't be as self conscious as I was and just remember that it will be fixed when you're old enough to get braces. 

The first time I saw you, you reminded me of your daddy.  But people now say you look like me, except for the red hair. 

You are content to watch and play with your brothers. Nobody can get you laughing like those two.  You look up to James and enjoy playing with Ryan.  They both think you're great and still call you 'Baby'. You're pretty quiet, except when you want some food or somebody takes your toy away. 

You are so smitten with your daddy and Pop Pop that it makes me want to cry every time you reach for them.  Happy tears! 

We look forward to the woman you're going to be and we pray that we will not mess you up too bad. Happy first Birthday and I love you!