Haircuts All Around

Since yesterday, four of the five of us have had haircuts. Total cost: $22 and a few more gray hairs!!

I was about 4 months over-due for a haircut. I decided last summer to grow it out, but the problem is that my hair is so thick that if I let it get long, I have to go every month or two to have it thinned out or I get daily headaches. I really should weigh myself before and after and see how much I "lose"! I would rather have thick hair than thin hair, though so I won't give Dad a hard time for passing that gene on to me.

Anna was next. She was in need of at least a trim, it was so long. She's always complaining about how hot she gets at recess or PE because of her hair (she's got thick hair, too...not quite as thick as mine though). So I told her when school was out she could get a haircut. She said she wanted it to her shoulders. I decided today that I could save us another $10 and just cut it myself. She got pretty impatient, but I took my time and tried to get it even all the way around. Of course I didn't, but it was easy to fix. She had to stand on a chair so I could cut it.

It's still long enough for pigtails or a ponytail but much shorter and cooler. Her hair is getting curly in the back! It started with just a small spot but is spreading farther!

Aaron was third. I've been cutting his hair since we were engaged (I learned by watching Mom cut Dad & the boys' hair growing up). It's saved us so much money. I think he's had it cut "professionally" twice since we've been married--once when he was back home and needed one and once after I butchered his hair and refused to cut it again! :)

Since I was already covered in hair and the clippers were out, I made Jacob take the chair next. Yes, I said made. He HATES having his hair cut! He's really sensitive to loud noises anyway and I think having those clippers so close to his ears is what bothers him so much. He screams the entire time (which is why he gets a buzz, no matter the time of year!). Screaming creates its own problems...sweat, tears, and slobber. Which makes the hair situation far worse than normal! I keep hoping that one of these times he'll be over it but it hasn't happened yet!

He's going to look bald this summer with how light his hair gets!

Whoops!

I don't know if you can tell from these pictures, but Isaac got a little wet today!

I moved the sprinkler and went to turn the water back on. As I came back around the house I realized the sprinkler was getting Isaac, who was laying in the stroller on the porch! He was just gasping and kicking away. I figured he would cry as soon as he could stop gasping, but he just grinned ear to ear! I think we have another water lover! :)

Laundry Time

I'm so excited that I can finally use my clothesline again!! I think the kids are, too...

Anna made up some elaborate "hide'n'seek" game...

Jacob is thinking "I don't have the slightest idea what she's talking about, but if I don't play along she gets kinda bossy!" :)

I think their favorite thing was running through! They even went inside and washed their hands!!

I love that I caught this expression!

Can you blame Jacob for just going with HER flow?? Hahaha!

They are forever and for always best friends. It brought sunshine to my heart watching them play and laugh and have fun together today!

Oh Jacob. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob. How can I love you so much?!

My baby girl is growing up right before my eyes!

This shot was her idea (so was the towel picture).

This is what Isaac did while Anna and Jacob were playing in the laundry and being my models. He has this look on his face 100% of the time when sister and brother are around. He just is enthralled with watching their every move. I have a feeling he's memorizing their actions so he can copy them one day soon!!!

Okay...first I have to do that, then that...and then that. Okay. Got it!

First I gotta figure out how to get this monkey off of this so I can chew on him!

I'll figure it out sooner or later...

Excersaucer Fun

Since Isaac loves to stand, I decided to bring the Excersaucer in from the shed. He loves it! At first, he was only happy for a little bit because he would get mad that his hands weren't doing what he wanted them to do! But he's getting the hang of it and if nothing else, loves to stand there and watch everyone.

If anything comes remotely close to his face, he opens up for the kill! Jacob isn't a big fan of this tactic!!

I have a picture of Anna in the same Excersaucer that looks a lot like this picture.

No way!! Are you for real?!?

He's already a ham. My kids don't have a chance not to be:)

Alright Mama, that's enough with the flashy camera! Are you done yet?!

Oh alright...I'll smile for another one. Just this once!

Now hold on a second...you said that was the last one! Are you tryin' to pull a fast one on me?

Time is going much too quickly!! I was just watching some old videos (well...from a couple months ago). He's changed so much! No more of those precious little newborn grunts and noises. But now I get hand reaches, giggles, and goo-goo gaa-gaa! :) I noticed that his pajamas tonight are 6-9 months...and they fit just right!!! Sometimes I wish I could freeze time for a little bit...

I'm in Love...

...with a cleaning accessory (accessory? appliance?). It's called the Shark Vac Then Steam and it does an incredible job. Vacuums up all the nasties on my hardwood floors, then in seconds it's ready to mop! My aunt has the steam mop and she loves it. So when I heard about this, I was excited! It doesn't hurt that it's my favorite color. ;) I'm kidding. I mean, it is my favorite color, but I would never buy something like this based on color!

It's an investment. It's not cheap (I got mine at Walmart). But when our Swiffer Vac went ka-put, I was ready to make the plunge (plus we got a huge tax refund so it didn't hurt the budget). My wood floors haven't been this clean since they were put in almost 4 years ago!! I love that it's a steam mop-no buying bottles of cleaner and all I'm putting on my floors is water. And the steam really gets those sticky messes up easily. After the first time I mopped, Jacob spilled some water on the kitchen floor. I grabbed the closest thing...a white burp cloth. Now, usually when I wipe something up, even if I've just mopped, the towel/rag comes up a little dirty. I couldn't even tell where I'd wiped with the burp cloth!

The Shark is quick and easy to get out and use. Emptying the canister is simple and quick. Best of all, switching from vac to mop is little more than popping on a pad on and flipping a switch (oh, and adding water). And because it's a steam mop, the floors dry in a mere minute.

I highly recommend one of these if you have a large amount of hard floors (wood, laminate, vinyl, tile). I have hardwood and tile and it does a superb job.

*Shark and Walmart have NO idea who I am (although Walmart should for how much money I spend there! ;)). I'm simply very excited about this product and love it and want you to know about it! *

Favorite New Dish

I have to give Aaron credit for this one...he picked it out of the Schwan's magazine. I added my own and switched things up to fit what I had on hand. SUPER easy and delicious! Even Seth approved! :)

Chicken Penne

1-2 chicken breasts, cubed

1 chopped red pepper

1 chopped yellow pepper (or just one or whatever you have!)

1/4 c diced onion (or use dried onion)

2 tsp olive oil

8-10 oz penne pasta (I use whole grain)

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 Tbs corn starch (or flour)

3 oz. shredded Cheddar cheese

Boil water and add pasta and peas.

While pasta is cooking, cook chicken in olive oil. Set aside in large serving bowl.

Add pepper(s) and onion to same skillet (you might need to add more oil)-saute over medium heat for 4-6 minutes. Add to chicken.

When pasta is done, drain and add to chicken and vegetables.

In a GLASS dish, mix broth and starch/flour. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir and microwave an additional minute or until it bubbles. Stir again and add cheese. Stir well and pour over pasta mixture. Mix well and enjoy!

Four Month Photo Shoot

I actually got some pretty good shots! Isaac was very cooperative :)

Of course big sis had to get in on at least one shot!