Easter Madness...

I'm sure everyone is sick of Easter by now, but for documenting purposes and our grandchildless Nana in Utah, here are the happenings...


We began the weekend coloring Easter eggs. Jack had a lot more fun dying eggs than I would have imagined...



Even though he loved it, it still took two adults to keep this kid from spilling, splashing, and wearing the dye. (that's grandma Susie by the way, she is the lady behind all the madness...she is such an amazing woman and my kids are lucky to have her.)




Bianca still has another year or two before she will enjoy the egg dying, for now she will just drink it...

That's my hand coming into the shot, she actually got to drink a little bit before I could take it away...




The Easter bunny didn't make it to the springer house this year, probably because he dropped off a huge load of goodies at grandma and grandpa's house then didn't have any left over for us...

All 13 grandkids opened their Easter baskets filled with chocolate, games, toys, and stuffed animals. Bianca is giving that soft little chick some seriously slobbery kisses...



Next was the egg hunt. Normally this wouldn't have been too crazy, but a torrential downpour forced the hunt indoors. Nothing like 13 kids running all over the house looking for eggs stuffed with dollar bills and candy...I will remember to take some Advil BEFORE we do this next year!

I couldn't get a single shot of Jack looking at the camera all day...

Lastly, here my pathetic attempts of an Easter picture of my two sweeties. I bet I took 50 pictures and these are the two BEST ones. Also note that behind me are several adults trying to coerce a smile out of them.

No can do mama.

Shame on me for trying to take pictures when they are coming off a serious sugar high. Poor Bianca is only minutes away from bed time.

At least we know for next year, right?

Just when I gave up, Bianca flashed me a half smile...if only jack would have been in the picture. aargh.

Oh, and these are two of Scotty's amazing sisters. Randomly. we all wore the same color so a picture was a definite must. Sorry Stacy, I know you will KILL me for posting this picture of you blinking.

Not so randomly we all have the same color hair...

Happy Easter Everyone!

Drum Roll Please...

Here, in her debut as a first time walker...

The beautiful,

The talented,

Miss Bianca Springer...

Here she is with her proud daddy...

That's right, work the camera girl!

Love those buns.

**You will notice we are outside, and it's SUNNY!  Mother Nature finally gave in and gave us stir crazy Washingtonians a day of sunshine and warmth.  Don't be fooled though...rain is back in the forecast very soon!

an entertaining safety hazard...

I am a careful parent. (but not one of those obnoxious safety-freak moms)

I don't let my kids stick things in electrical sockets or give them WHOLE grapes that they might choke on. I don't fill the tub too full or let them run around with scissors in their hands and forks in their mouths.

But today I threw caution to the wind...



I was FULLY aware of what Bianca was up to.

I was making dinner as she took those scratchy, annoying bags out of the drawer one at a time.


The "mom" in me thought "hmm, those bags are a potential choking/suffocating hazard...I should remove her from the situation and childproof that drawer"

But I didn't.

I just let her play in the death trap while I finished dinner.



And she was entertained by those dumb grocery sacks for 30 minutes.

And I made a delicious dinner without a tired one year old attached to my hip.

So worth it...

Framed...

Pardon me for that ridiculously tacky title, I almost slapped myself when I typed it...It was the first thing that came to mind. I know I should have changed it but I didn't. Sorry.

ANYWAY, we have a show coming up soon so I have been working on these darling frames. I am letting a little bit of my creativity loose and actually embellishing these bad boys with little jewels and sparkly things for a little extra PIZAZZ. Everybody likes something that sparkles, right?

When Bianca actually has a room instead of the temporary pack and play in the living room, I will decorate her room like this. I love the hot pink and black together. Darling.


I love this green and blue print, if I could get out of my boring, lame red decor that I've had FOREVER I would use this frame to decorate a room.

gross, I am just noticing those unappealing fingerprints...sorry about that.

This is just the tip of the iceberg my friends...stay tuned for more soon!

an update...

We don't have much going on here in gloomy, soggy, rainy Washington.  We are basically sitting around waiting for the clouds to clear up and the cold weather to go away...

see, I will prove it:

Just kidding, we really aren't literally sitting around waiting for the clouds to clear up, otherwise I think we will be waiting until June.  I just wanted to have a reason to post that cute picture of Jack sucking on his fingers and Bianca looking especially rolly-poley...man I love that chub.

I thought I would let you all know what the springer family has REALLY been up to the last few months...because we have had A LOT of changes around here.

so, here it is:

1.  Scott landed a great permanent job for the Department of Labor and Industry as an auditor.  To make a long job description short, he is the guy going around to businesses and busting them for being dishonest in their insurance reporting.  He likes it, but it's really just another little stop along the way to where ever.  He also continues to deliver pizza (yes, I said deliver pizza.  You would be shocked at the amount of tips he brings in every night) 3 or 4 nights a week...we are trying to quickly get rid of those blasted student loans we have looming over us.    

2.  We have moved out of Scott's parents house. PHEW.  I love his parents, and they know that, but you can only live with parents so long before you want to rip your hair out.  I was really just longing for my own space.  We live in a beautifully small apartment with an amazing backyard that has trees, grass, and mossy rocks to climb...the epitome of Washington's beauty and the perfect place for a curious two year old.  Pictures to come soon.

3.  Since Christmas I have been training with my sister-in-laws for a half marathon.  I am not a runner, at least I didn't think I was.   I basically started from nothing and have slowly worked my way up to about 3 or 4 miles a day.  I have actually grown to love running.  That "runners high" people talk about is a real thing...almost an addiction.  I work out 5 days a week, not because I am obsessed with losing that last few pounds, but because for 20 bucks a month I can throw my kids in the clean, safe daycare at the gym for a couple of hours a day.  They have slides, toys, movies, and giant climbing blocks...it's the perfect place for two active little kiddos to get their wiggles out while it's pouring down rain outside.  

       

Oh, and it keeps me sane.  I am not ashamed to admit that I need a break from my little darlings everyday. 

4.  Jack and Bianca are growing up incredibly fast.  Bianca is finally toddling around and jack is a constant ball of fire who spends ALL day spouting off his colors, numbers, letters and animals.  He is hilarious.  

And everyday is growing to be more and more like his daddy...

freaky, I know.

Well, there you have it folks...things around here aren't too exciting, but definitely exciting enough for our little family.

Stay tuned for a craft update later this week!

Desperate times call for desperate measures...

I like to think I am a decently patient person.

However, my patience with a certain little boy named Jack is starting to wear thin.

Hitting has become an epidemic in our house. If Jack doesn't have the right cup, he hits. If we don't sing the right song, he hits. If we can't find the exact right car, he hits. You all get the picture. I know this behavior is totally and completely normal for a two year old, and I understand that he hits as a way of communication, but it's getting old.

We (meaning I...) have tried several methods punishment or discipline to try and cure this hitting. I've tried time outs on the stairs but he would just play on them making it counter productive. We tried time out in his bedroom but there are WAY too many fun things in there. I tried to just talk to him but all I got was blank stairs and a hit on the shoulder. I DIDN'T try spanking...don't get me wrong, I think a well placed swat on the behind is perfectly acceptable under some circumstances, but teaching someone not to hit by hitting seems ridiculous.

Well, mama has found the perfect way to deal with jack...




That's right, this little nose is as good as plastered to that wall.


I have figured out a way to make timeouts as boring as humanly possible. I have gotten great at threatening Jack with this little line..."if you choose to hit, you will sit in time-out with your nose against the wall" No kid wants to stick their nose in the wall.



I am pleased to report that hitting is down to a fraction of what it was.



And I have become a hardcore mom.



Don't mess with me.

It's my birthday today...

And Scott has to work all night.

And my little angels are being particularly rotten today.

And I have three loads of laundry and a dirty diaper staring me in the face.

BUT...

It's all ok because I was able to find one last box of Samoas after looking at THREE different grocery stores today.

I will eat the entire box tonight, one calorie laden row at a time.

And I am NOT ashamed.

It's "Pasture" Birthday...

Insert silly little picture of a farm scene with a cow, pig, and chicken stacked on top of each other.


get it? Pasture? Genuis. Thanks Stampin' Up for that little gem.




Scotty's birthday was a week ago and the poor guy didn't even get so much as a post on his big day for me to brag about how wonderful he is. Sorry dear, that's what happens when you move and start a new job the week of your birthday.



So here's to you babe...You ARE the most handsome, hard working, honest, devout, loyal person I have ever known.


That's why I snagged you up when I did.


Even if you did have black hair and bracelets.


oh, and not to mention, you are the best dad imaginable for these two little rugrats...


Thanks Scotty man for doing what you do...I love ya!

Dear comcast: you should know how utterly dependant we all are on the Internet. Please don't make us wait 8 more days. Sincerely, annoyed customer

A few reasons why I love March...

1.  March means spring is just around the corner

2.  March means I get celebrate my Birthday...yikes, the big two-four is coming up for me!

3.  This is the reason above all that I love March.  Forget birthdays or springtime, I am talking about GIRL SCOUT COOKIES.  There is nothing more delicious than those little morsels of goodness.  I honestly believe that toasted coconut was invented JUST for the Samoa.  

You think I am kidding.  

I'm not. 

I have already downed two boxes and worry that a third is on the horizon very soon.   Bless and curse those little girls standing outside every grocery store just waiting for my four dollars.    

I am off to Albertsons.  

We will see if I can resist.

Wish me luck.

The Great Wolf Lodge

**Ok, before I start this post I must warn you all that I am about to sound very much like a terrible infomercial...but this place really was amazing.

Because Scott's new job doesn't start until next week (oh, forgot to mention that Scott just got a really great job here in Olympia as an Auditor so we will officially become Washingtonians!!) and his temporary job just ended, we decided to take a little over night vacation to The Great Wolf Lodge. (Which by the way is just 15 minutes from our house)  It was a little more, okay, a lot more than I like to spend on a hotel stay, but we couldn't pass up the massive indoor water park. Oh, and by the way...I have become a total hotel snob now, no more super 8 motels for me baby. I learned that you REALLY do get what you pay for in a hotel room! the beds we so comfy, the carpets were clean, the towels were huge and fluffy, and there was an LCD screen TV hanging on the wall. Perfection.

The kids had so much fun swimming. I thought maybe we would be there for an hour then get bored, but after almost three hours we had to remove a screaming Jack who wasn't ready to leave. I couldn't believe what a little fish Bianca is. This was her first real exposure to water and she loved it...

like, loved it so much she would just sit in the middle of a waterfall or a geyser.

I couldn't get very many good pictures because the lighting was terrible...but you get the idea.

When we got back to our room, we put a movie on for Jack and this was the poor little guy about 30 seconds into the previews...

We wore this kid right out!!

Unfortunately the nap was short lived and we made our way down to the arcade...what two year old doesn't like neon lights and obnoxious music? (and besides, his mommy is like a little kid and wanted to play some of those ridiculous games. I know, it's stupid, but we all have our quirks, right?!)

We had a rough night with the kids (no one wants to sleep when there is so much to be had!!) Everyone was finally sleeping at about 1 AM, after putting Bianca to bed in the bath tub and jack in the pack-n-play. Next time we will definitely be getting two rooms!

I do have to share one last bit of amazing-ness about our stay. These wrist bands have a tiny microchip in them that act as your room key. Pure genius I tell you! Oh, and if you want some ice cream or a souvenir from the gift shop, or pizza...yeah, they just scan your wrist band and bill it all to your room!

Man I love this place!

Every gal needs a purse...

...And so does every two year old BOY,

Right?

This little pink bag was given to Bianca for her birthday, but Jackson insists on taking it with him.  Scott tried to take it away but lost the battle when it came down to tears and gut wrenching screams.

Look at that face...this is serious business people.  Only a man completely secure in his masculinity can hold a bag like that with such confidence.

It really is practical.  He can fit all his cars in it, and any other treasures he finds along the way.

And besides, it sings the alphabet and counts to ten...what mother can turn away an educational toy? (at least that is what I have to tell myself)