Meet Peanut

Today Sam came home from school with a new friend. Peanut.


This is a class friend or pet or something that the kids get to take turns taking home. They are suppose to take him with them everywhere, take pictures and then write about what they did with Peanut. Peanut has a blanket, a special bag that he gets carried in and a notebook journal.
So today Peanut went shoe shopping and clothes shopping with us. His blanket had to come too.

While I do appreciate this project there are several things that after only the first day (less than 12 hours really) I am already annoyed with.

Peanut has to come with us on adventures. It says so in his journal. And the teacher has told the kids so, or at least that is what Sam has told me. Really? Do I need two more things that I have to carry with me on errands? As if two kids bundled up in coats/hats/gloves/boots and all that comes with kids isn't enough NOW I have to bring a bear and his blanket along. Shoe shopping. Pants shopping. Grocery store. Awesome. I am sure these are not the adventures that the other kids and parents want to hear about but because my daughter is now completely attached to this bear there is no leaving him at home.

I have seen Sam put Peanut in her mouth. Awesome. Just like she does with her other dolls, blankets and stuffed animals. Did the other kids do this? I am thinking yes. Peanut's journal did not come with washing instructions but I am thinking it will be imperative to wash him before he goes back to school. But what happens if I ruin him; an eye falls off, the nose gets lose or he shrinks? I CANNOT be the mom that ruins Peanut! Oh the pressure.

Other moms were funny! This bear has a pretty interesting journal. Other moms did fun things and wrote funny stories about this little bear. Again I say OH THE PRESSURE! I try to be funny on here and on Greening but it never comes across very well and I don't think I actually have a very good sense of humor. Now I have to put it in a book that other parents (that see me IRL) will read and will stick around all year, or longer depending on the teacher's plans for this bear. Think I can hire someone to write my kid's classroom bear stories for me?

So far this year I have had to create several scrap book type projects for Sam to take to school and now I have a bear with a journal that I have to tackle. Love how personal and creative Sam's teacher makes their class but I am so ready for Sam's homework to actually be Sam's responsibility!

Models!

My girls are MODELS! You gotta check out there amazing ability to sell some really cute hair accessories at the Southern Baby Boutique!

So exciting. And such cute products...be sure to go and check it out.

Little ones having a BLAST!

Okay, Avery didn't like the bowling so much. But she always loves a little cuddle time with Grandma!

Tired but having a blast!

SO fun when family and friends come to visit. But for Sam and Avery there is just nothing better than having instant playmates fill the house! Three willing and able to play cousins are the best thing in the world.

Today was great!

Outdoor Baby Network

Have you seen the new badge I have on the sidebar? Outdoor Baby Network! This is a new networking site that I found that is amazing. Filled with parents that have the same passion for the outdoors that I do (most of which are WAY better at it than I am!). I am learning about tons of great gear, activities and places to go. Loving this new site.
Plus they are having some great giveaways right now!
Join and check out the giveaways!

A great reaction caught on camera

We don't always get the best photos. Chris and I are not usually good 1) remembering to pull the camera out, 2) being in the right place to catch the moment, and 3) knowing how to work the camera to have the picture turn out okay!

The new camera that we got for Christmas (from ourselves!) is really helping. We are loving taking pictures again and the pictures are turning out (at least to our untrained eyes!) much better than they did before. No, the lighting is not always perfect but at least things seem to be in focus. And because we are enjoying it again we are remembering to get the camera out!

Chris caught these photos for me on Avery's first birthday celebration.

Clearly the puppets were a hit! She even let go of the pacifier for a minute!! Lots of other cute photos of her opening the gift, but these three at the end were my favorite.

Great moment to capture.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Dear Avery,

How is it possible that you are already ONE? Like I am sure every mom says, this year went by way too fast. But for us all the craziness that happened with the move in the first months of your life certainly helped to make that time speed by even faster.

You are already becoming such an amazing little girl. You want nothing more than to be able to keep up with your big sister and do everything that she does. You want so badly to communicate with me but are still working on mama. You love playing peek-a-boo and will initiate it with anyone! You melt anyone that sees you the second you show off your one little dimple. And those big blue eyes make it hard for people to look at you and not smile.

Your family loves you. You may not always feel it but your sister loves you SO much. She wants to play with you and share things with you (sometimes!) and help you do things. You two already have the ability to crack each other up and have so much fun.

I know you are going to become an amazing big girl very soon. You are going to be strong willed, stubborn and determined, much like your mom and big sister. You will hate when you don't get your way and get frustrated when you can't do something on the first try. You will get better at walking and soon be out running all of us I am sure.

In 15 hours you won't be a baby anymore. You will be a one year old. I am so excited to watch you grow and change, to become an amazing woman later in life. But for now I am just going to miss that baby year and hold on to every little last glimpse of it that I can.

I love you!

~Mom