Playing in the Yard

I feel like the past few weeks have been one big blur. I've barely taken any pictures or videos. We've totally been out of our routine. We've lived surrounded by a chaotic mess. We've done our best to find a new school and new activities. But at least we've still tried to have some fun. We've been swimming at the rec, the library, the park, and other places. But pretty much their favorite place has been our backyard. They love the freedom of going in and out whenever they want. They love getting messy in the yard and sandbox. And I am so thankful for that!!

Here are a few pictures of playing with bubbles in the backyard.

Why So Hard?

I think my blog is going to turn into a place for me to vent a little bit - maybe an outlet for me to tell my stories, feelings, and thoughts. It already sort of is, but I feel like writing more often would be good for me.

Don't get me wrong - being a mom is the best thing ever and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love it!! But one question comes to mind after today...Why is it SO hard to run errands with two little munchkins? Starting with getting out of the house to getting back in time for naps, it's all around just tough.

My goal today was to make it to Target (been my goal since we moved) to get a bunch of odds and ends that we really need. I figured on the way, I really needed to quickly stop by two other places and assumed it would be no big deal. What was I thinking?

The first stop was to Walgreens to refil our printer ink cartridges. I need to print out a letter that we've wrote and have been wanting to send out for about 3 weeks now. Figured we'd walk in and right back out. It turns out they don't refil them at that one, so they told me where to drive to another one that does fill them. So, back out to the car and over to the next stop.

The second stop was to Wells Fargo to get a temporary check card until I get my new one. I had to do this because I was so DUMB and canceled my old one because I was sure it got lost in the move and then I ended up finding it a few hours after I canceled it. Figures. By the way, now I have to change our card number on any automatic withdraws. Ugh. Anyways, it took about 20 minutes just to get it and you can imagine how impatient Zane and Emmy were by then. They were crawling around, up and down, yelling at each other, etc. Then, on the way out, Emmy didn't want to leave so threw a huge fit. But as we were leaving, Zane told me he really needed to go poop in the potty, so we had to go back in. Up the elevator to the second floor, we went to the bathroom and I changed Emmy's diaper too, since she had pooped during the meeting with the banker.

Next stop - the next Walgreens that I'm hoping with fill up my ink cartridge. We drove about 10 min away to find out they didn't fill our specific number of cartridge. And, as we need to leave, Emmy decided she didn't want to put a toy back that she was holding from the rack and threw tantrum number 2. I had to carry her out screaming again.

By this point, since everything took so long, it was nap time and I knew there was no way we could make it to Target. So we drove home without new ink and without going to Target.

Why does it have to be so hard?!? LOL.

On a positive note, we did get a lot of unpacking done yesterday so that feels a little bit less chaotic.

Moving Oh My

Just a glimpse of what we've been up to. Lot's of boxes. Lot's of running around. Lot's of craziness.

Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Wow. Moving is hard, hard work. I've pretty much been one big, tired, nauseous, grouch for the past few weeks while trying to prioritize a million things to do. Our kids have adjusted alright, but have sort of been acting like they're on one long vacation - just out of their routine, restless, and squirly.

At least after almost a week of living here, we're finally seeing a tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Next top priority: find Zane the perfect school...

Imagination Games

Our "imagination games" as Zane calls them, have gotten very fun lately. I mean, we have our usual Scooby Doo games, Superhero games, and lot's of others. But lately, Zane's been coming up with lot's of new original characters and games. Emmy always joins right in.

Here's "Zarg" the pirate. The title pretty much explains it all. He's a pantless pirate, with a patch on one eye, a hook on one hand, and he's also a superhero. Wow, what a guy. He says, "Matee" after every single sentence and he calls Emmy "Baby Matee."

Pantless One-Eyed Pirate Superhero with a Hook from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Here's two surfer dudes catching some waves.

Surfing from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Here's my favorite new character that Zane made up. It is so hilarious - these videos are super long, but you should watch them to hear all that he says. He sort of has a Boston accent - he's rough, tough, and silly. He calls Emmy his girlfriend who helps him collect garbage. He uses all sorts of funny adjectives, like nasty. And..I almost forgot, he's also a superhero who solves mysteries.

Garbage Man Part 1 from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Garbage Man Part 2 from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Overwhelmed

We have had so much going on lately. Change is hard. Even when you know that the change is good and what to come is beyond exciting, it's still hard. I really do believe that this time in our lives is a fresh beginning and I truly can't wait to start our new adventure, but right now it's just a little crazy getting ready for it. Here's some of the things going on right now that I want to look back on and remember...

*Zack's last day at Forest Ridge is Sunday and he starts his new job at Flatirons Community Church the next week.
* We move Tuesday. Yikes.
* I've been packing some each day and feel like I'm making some progress.
* I'm 9 weeks pregnant and feeling every ounce of exhaustion from it.
* Zack and I both have sinus infections.
* Need to find a new school for Zane, lessons, activities, groups to belong to, etc.
* Starting to go to a new church
* Celebrating Granny's 100th birthday today with the whole big fam
* My mom recently got diagnosed with Breast Cancer and she's been going through tests and waiting for answers - talk about stressful. Luckily, we think it's just one lump, so she'll be getting surgery and radiation soon.
* Changing address on everything.
* Keeping the house perfect for showings.

Ok, that's enough of negativity and complaining - I just had to write my thoughts and now I'm moving on from here!! I'm happy and excited for what's to come and I vow to be positive from here on out.

Video Time

Things I like about this video:
Emmy saying "cheese" at the beginning when she thought I was taking a picture
That they love to sit next to each other
That Emmy copies everything Zane does and says
Zane acting like Shaggy from Scooby Doo

Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

I was trying to catch Emmy doing her newest "pout" where she says, "Ohhhh Man!" and then crosses her arms and pouts out her lips. Didn't really get that, but they showed me some of their other faces.

Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Lately, Emmy gets so sad when it's her nap time. Mainly because Zane doesn't nap anymore and I think she knows it and doesn't want to miss out on anything. It's so cute though because when she doesn't want to do something, she asks for "One more minute??" and then Zane always barters up for her for more minutes. She can go from so sad when she thinks its nap time to really happy when I say ok to one more minute.

Untitled from Josie Weingartner on Vimeo.

Pictures

Wow, time sure can fly! Here are some pictures from the last few weeks.

Zane loves to draw and write lately. He's getting really good at tracing letters and numbers and better at writing some on his own. It's also been fun watching his progress on drawing people. Now they have most of the main parts - they are so cute. I have to get a good pic of one.
Zane and I ventured out one morning in 15 below zero weather. We threw water in the air to see if it turned to ice. I guess we didn't have it hot enough, because it didn't work, but Zane still thought it was cool.
Wow, bed head baby.
Here's what Emmy will look like as an old lady I think. She found these sunglasses and was never wanted to let them go. She wears them constantly and acts so sassy in them, but they're hilarious.
Just hanging out, eating a snack together. Emmy follows Zane every single place he goes. Good thing he's usually pretty patient with her.
Peek - a -boo.
Emmy was dancing like crazy in this little Nuggets jersey - I love her chubby little thighs.

Superbowl Sunday - Steelers fans...
Passing the time during the game - so classic!

I had to take a picture of the moment that never happens - they were both eating a huge dinner...chicken enchiladas with green chili sauce that Zack had made. They can be the pickiest, worst eaters sometimes, so it feels good to have them chow down on something.