The Perfect Blogger Mom and Her Perfect Kids: Park Edition

We went to the park the other day after having a morning full of bible study.

'Cuz I'm a Christian Blogger mom.  And I'm kind of perfect like that.

My perfect friend Erika (who also blogs, because she too is perfect) came too. 

My perfect toddler played nicely on the public playground that I sanitized before she played.

Perfect Blogger Moms don't let their kids touch germs.

While I was busy sanitizing the park, my daughter ate a nutritious meal.  That I made from scratch. From the animals on my farm and the vegetables in my garden.

I would never, ever think to feed my child the garbage that some mothers feed their children.  I shudder at the sheer thought of McDonald's.

My perfect 6 month old posed beautifully for every picture that I snapped.

I trained him early.

I was armed and ready with my camera aimed at every fun activity that my little lady could think to do.

Not because I wanted good blog material, but because I care.

Every single shot turns out perfectly. Every time. No exception.

When my toddler is not sharing and caring on the playground, she is with her brother... hugging and loving on him...

He returns the love with even more love.

Precious.  Just precious.

 

They would never even think to wrestle, or pull each other's hair.

I've seen some children behave that way.  It's appalling.

But not my kids.

I would never stay at the park past my toddlers nap time.  That would be irresponsible.

She would never turn into a Donald Trump look-alike because she was having a breakdown.

No, no.  She is the image of perfection 100% of the time.

My children never have to tell me when it is time to go back to our perfectly clean house for a nap.

That is my job as their mother!

And I'm not just any mother... I'm a perfect blogger mother.  One who's child would never turn into a sleep-deprived zombie.

That would just be wrong.

Just another one of those blog posts written at 12:30 am.

I'm busy.

So busy.

I'm so looking forward to Wednesday when I leave for the Newspring Leadership Conference in South Carolina.  I neeeeeeeed a break!  Ohh man.

So you know that bullet point list I made a few days ago.  Yeah that seems like a really lame idea now, I have no motivation to follow through with that list.  Plus there's other things I'd rather blog about.  

So here's the quick version :)

• the flat tire fiasco I had on the way to my much needed hair appointment concluding with the new tire install annoyance I got a flat tire and missed my hair appointment and I could have joined Peyton and Vandis in a cry fest, but instead I called Progressive Roadside Assistance and watched Dora with Peyton while someone came and changed our tire.  Good story huh?  Gosh, who made this list?
• Vandis sleeping on his tummy Yep.  He's old now.
• Peyton no longer even trying to be potty trained outside the house This is mostly true.  I just don't really have the motivation to keep trying to make her go on the big public potties.  Someday soon. It'll happen.  She's not even 2 yet, so I'm ok with her just being potty trained at home.
• the new volunteer position I have taken up in my church's youth group I am part of a 3 person team called the "Hub"  We work out all the logistical things that the youth group does.  It's time consuming but exciting and worth it!
• the new volunteer position I have taken up in BSF I am a discussion leader.  Which is entirely crazy.  But, I'm excited to see what God does through me and in me this year as a result of that.
• the old and loved volunteer position with ALIVE that I have temporarily let go of because of my graphic design class I needed to let something go while I am taking this class, So Alive it was.  I am really sad about it and it's really really hard to stay out of it, but I have to be a mom first and being gone Monday, Thursday, and Friday nights was just not going to be OK.  

Ok.  Glad that's done.

Now... on to more recent events that involve cute pictures.

I went to the Great Minnesota Get Together aka, The State Fair with my MIL and BIL and kids.  On the hottest day of the last few weeks.  We toughed it out, there was a nice breeze so that really helped.  Because it was so hot, I didn't really feel like stuffing myself with tons of fried food, so that was a helpful thing for both my waistline and my wallet.  It was Van's first fair adventure and he seemed to have fun.  He likes people and stuff to look at,  so the fair is a great place for him!  Peyton had a blast too!

Aaaaaand I'll leave you for the night with the progress that has been made in operation girl room to boy room...

before:

after (in progress):

LOVE how it's turning out!!!!!!! More pictures and progress coming... so stay tuned!

Friends From BSF

*** this should have posted yesterday, but didn't. so now you get it today :) ***

Today the kids and I met up with some friends that we met last year in BSF.  We met at a park for playtime and lunch... on a windy, sunny, warm day!  It was GREAT!  Our kids (ranging in ages 2.5 months to 4 years) played together and us moms gabbed about our summers.

If you are looking to join a bible study, or have been wanting some christian friends, I would encourage you to see if you have a BSF group that meets around where you live.  It is a really great program!  If Ryan and I ever end up moving, I will be joining a group in our new city ASAP!  It's a great way to meet other people who you have some common ground with!

Here's the link to the website.

We have a much needed night off of life tonight and will be enjoying our time by staying home and eating BBQ chicken that is getting yummy in the crock pot as I type!

Happy Wednesday friends!!!

Family Vacatiaon Day 2... creative titles are my strong point

What a view, right!

Unfortunately, I can not take photographic credit here as I did not take the trek up this massive hill.

Neither did my brothers.  Though they did race up to a certain point and then came back down again. No, no.  Us young, spry kids decided to turn back about a third of the way into our walk and let our parents go the rest of the way leading them to the view that you see above.  Nice, huh?

My siblings and I were hungry.  And we wanted to go swimming.  And we knew we could see the best parts in pictures later.  Without the snakes, ticks, spiders and bears.

So, really my parents have the strength and we have the smarts.

Yeah.  That's it.  Anyways, we left Biwabik this morning after our 2 night stay at Giant's Ridge.

After two days of family fun out in nature, we enjoyed 5 hours of family bonding in the car.

Nature is more fun than the car.

We took a detour to Brainerd to visit my grandparents which was well worth the extra hour and a half of driving. 

Our family vacation was a major success.

Such fun memories that will stick with us a long time :)

Thanks for the FUN, family <3

Family Vacation Day 1

My Dad and I found a Groupon for Giants Ridge a while back and we are using them this week for a family vacation!

Everyone (except for Ryan and including my brother's girlfriend Ashley) is enjoying time together in Biwabik, MN.

We drove up yesterday and settled into our rooms before going swimming, hiking, and exploring.

On our hike (really more of a walk) we splashed, ruined our shoes, and knocked down dead trees.

Great bonding times were had by all.

We have a couple more days here... and we plan on enjoying every second. 

Unless you are Peyton, Joseph, Isaac, or Micah.  In which case you will sleep until 11:30 and then enjoy the time here.

We practiced our planking skills...

Took some awkward family photos...

And played at the park.

Today, we're off to find some hiking trails and more trees to push over.

Boat Ride On The Saint Croix

On Wednesday my MIL took the kids and I on a boat tour in Taylors Falls on the Saint Croix River.

It was a perfect day for a boat ride.

You'll notice that Peyton had an accident and needed to have her clothes changed halfway through the boat ride.  

I changed her in our seats.  The bathroom was teeny tiny.  No way we were fitting in there to get her wet clothes off.

There were a lot of old people on the boat.  Like really old.

They did not get their diapers changed in their seats... Not that I saw anyways.

We had lots and lots of ice cream after the ride.

It was such a fun day!  Thanks Candice for the great memories!