Little WONDER man

Canon is taking off! My little man is actually trying to take steps. He has been standing and drinking out of cup or playing with a toy for awhile now. But, he has taken a few steps here and there lately. So cute.

For now, he holds the land record for fastest crawler. The kid can haul it when he wants to get somewhere! His favorite thing is the bath, and when he hears the bath water running from anywhere in the house he turns on the turbo chargers and pops his head around the edge of the door in the bathroom in record time...I could just eat him up!

He also is trying to say words. He already has "tyty" down (Ty's pet name...all the kids at church think that is his name), and I swear yesterday he said some form of "drink". He has been sayin' "mama" for a little while, and occasionally whips out a "dada" when he wants something from him :) . Oh, and he has been working "hot" - a necessary word when his mommy drinks as much coffee as she does.

And, I have to say I was in love with my child yesterday when he was perfect ANGEL while I did a booth at Kid Shop (a biannual child's consignment shop in Mount Pleasant). He just played in his portacrip, or hung out in the exersaucer from 8-3pm. He missed getting both his good naps in, though he did actually crash for about 30 minutes while kids were running screaming all around him :) He was perfect...sweet baby.

Okay, so that is all. I am off to get my massage and facial (a thankyou from my husband for his long weekend with the guys last weekend)..yes, I am SOOO excited!

Good deal...

I am so excited that Discovery Toys has just announced a HUGE deal to entice more of us mommies to get on board with this company!

The Rocket Start Pack..which I bought for $99 ($300 worth of the best toys!)..is being offered for $79 for the next month! AND..they are adding a book that I am SO excited about for free!

The ONCE UPON A TIME book, which we offer in the current catalog, is a precious book for 2+ age group where they get to chose the story! Ty loves it. I am excited, because they are introducing a second book with a more masculine theme, AHOY! PIRATE PETE (the FREE book added to the new Rocket Start Pack).

Adrian will be happy when Ty is not deciding who the Princess wants to marry!

So..this includes everything you need (truly) to get a home business off the ground, or over $300 dollars of toys for a great price with a 20% discount thereafter either way!

Let me know if I can help you get started!

Feeling blue today...

Hey..so I am feeling a little blue today. I started my day dwelling on a friendship lost, and it has really effected my whole day!

Poor kids..they really get the brunt of mommy's bad days :) I hate that though, I end up yelling when its so not necessary and "throwing fits" as much as them!

I also hate that I have let something so far beyond my control effect me so strongly, for so long. I feel like I am getting over it, when I read something, or hear someone talk about them and it all comes back. All the grief over having lost this person's friendship, regret over mistakes made, sadness at knowing that things will never be right really floods my spirit.

I am reading a book by Beth Moore, called "GET OUT OF THAT PIT!". Her thoughts are so profound, and so right on. She talks about when you look around and you realize that you have found yourself in a place of darkness, of hopelessness, of an overwhelming sense of gloom and despair ..even if it is just in one area. That is a pit.

This friendship, or lack of, certainly is that for me. I feel so overwhelmed at times with the knowledge that it is all beyond my control, that I can do nothing at this point to fix anything, that I have made mistakes that cannot be undone or that I may never be able to say that this is resolved.

So, I have had to pray for peace, once again.

And it leads to me wonder, does God, like even the best of best friends, ever get tired of hearing the same things over and over again?

Does He want to say GET OVER IT ALREADY! ..I would.

Thank goodness, that "His thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and his ways are higher than my ways..."

Potty Training...

Geez...This potty training stuff is exhausting! Be SO concerned about someone elses' elimination patterns hardly leaves me time to worry about my own! :)

Ty is getting the hang of it..finally. Actually, to be honest he has gotten the hang of it a long time ago, but has chosen up to now to stick with the diaper gig a bit longer. Last week, though, when I spent WAY too much money buying diapers for both kids I said..ENOUGH!

Knowing that he was fully capable, were the desire there, I told him we were done with diapers! He was gonna wear "undies" all day long. He could wear a diaper for nap, and at night. That is it..

I totally was accepting of the fact that I would most likely be doing a BIT more laundry, but seriously. Its cheaper than these diapers! So...after a day or two, he is doing great.

He actually was dry for three solid days, including naps and nighttime. I thought I had this one in the bag..OH NO! Then yesterday, he woke up stating that he didnt "want to wear undies today". Um, not an option buddy. Well, he made sure I had a whole pile of laundry to do while I thought about my decision :)

But, this morning we are back on track apparently. He woke up this morning, walked straight into the bathroom, did his business, and stated that he wanted a "EmaEm" for his work. Well, I guess EmaEms are THAT bad for breakfast..right?

Whatever works. Whatever works.

So..we arent in the clear yet, with his mood still coming into play when it comes to his desire to control himself but I see us on the right track. I have already saved at least a few days worth of diapers trying!

Sunshine Market

Okay! We got our "Sunshine Market" this week..and it is a HIT!

I am so glad I got this while it is on sale..it's a steal and I love it. And, more importantly, Ty loves it!

Far from a basic shape sorter box, this toy has multiple places for the fun shapes (pizza, fish, bread and lemon) including doors, windows, interchangable blocks/holes on the roof, and indentations inside the "market". The shapes also have their respective "guy" who matches their shape and color - which Ty loves.

The best part, I think, is the SHOPPING cart that has wheels and everything! It is as big as the inside of the market itself, and you can drop the "food" directly into the cart when it is parked inside the market.

It has potential for LOTS of creative play, as the child can pretend she is grocery shopping, running a restaurant, parking cars in the "garage" (Ty taught me that one), playing house..etc.

When they are done, everything fits neatly inside itself, and has a sturdy handle for them to carry their treasure wherever they go!

This is a GREAT for kiddos from 1 year all the way up to toddler. The official age on the toy is 18+ months..I think you can enjoy this way before that.

The best part, it is ON SALE! This is a NEW fall product, that is featured as a 20% off toy in our Countdown to School sale! The sale price, until September 17th, is $19.99. After September 17th, the catalog price will be $24.99.

Remember, to those of you who are Education Consultants (including those Grandmas who purchased the Grandma Special last month!) ..this toy is an ADDITIONAL 20% off, making your price $15.99!

You could also get this toy for FREE by hostessing a live or catalog party!

Call me or write me with your order: 843-532-1840 or discoveringplay@hotmail.com

And the WINNER is...

Isabella Hope

Isabella is an up and coming socialite from Arkansas. She is almost 2, and is the daughter of Brian and Amy Kelton. She also has a sister, Olivia.

Congrats to her and her mommy :)


They will receive a $15 dollar gift certificate to use on their next purchase with Discovery Toys!

A solid second, is Calliegh Abigail. She is a precious 7 month old, who is very popular in the nursery at church :)

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

All of our contestants will receive a 10% coupon as a thanks for their entry!

Kid Shop

I just found out that I am gonna get to hostess a table with my toys at "Kid Shop" in Mount Pleasant next week! I will be there on Thursday, 9-5pm so you local girls come see me!

Its also 1/2 off day, so you cant beat that!

Coutdown to School Sale!

Okay guys! I know you all love a good sale...

The Countdown to School Sale features 7 products that are all new for our fall catalog due to be out in September. ALL of these toys are 20% off the price they will be when the catalog comes out!

There is one toy that I think I am going to love - Amy, you might wish you had waited for this one! This is the new season's version of the "Busy Box"...

The Sunshine Market is a shape sorter with an imaginative twist. The box itself is a market, restaurant, grocery store..whatever they want it to be, with a carrying handle, and a cute shopping cart to store the "food". The brightly colored shapes are little people and "food" that they deposit in the "market" and they can carry it with them wherever they chose! Its a great pre-toddler/toddler toy, and is on sale for $19.99!

We get ours tomorrow in the mail, we cant wait to share!

So..this sale only last three weeks (until September 15th) so take a look!

Also, the Spring/Summer catalog is about to be outdated!

There are LOTS of toys being discontinued so if there is something you LOVE
in the current catalog you had better jump!

On my own...

So, Adrian is off to the races! He is at Bristol Motor Speedway with a group of guys from church. This is their annual trip and he looks forward to it ALL year long. I am excited for him..but dreading being alone with the kids for 4 days!

Most days I look forward to a relief (of sorts) when he wakes up at 4pm, then we can tackle the bedtime routine as a team for the evening. I am not looking forward to no weekend naps, and no "teaming" up. Oh well..

I am trying to NOT feel sorry for myself, as many of my sweet friends do this ALL the time and usually weeks at a time. Living in an Air Force town, I know lots of girls who are often on their own to deal with lifes many obstacles AND the kids :)

So, no complaining. AND..I might even find some time to scrapbook after the kiddos go to bed :)

A musing...

So, I am realizing something as of late that I think I should really share...this is for all of us SHAMs who are SO lucky that we get to be with our kids all day long! ..even when that doesnt feel like a good thing :)

I have two, beautiful "all boy" boys. They truly are firmly committed to the task of being a toddler and a speed "cruiser". I have to say, due to these precious blessings, it is an extreme effort every day to keep the living room and kitchen in some kind of order. MOST often, I work all day doing the same thing OVER and OVER, and OVER with nothing tangible to show for it when I drop into bed exhausted at night. So often the TO DO list does not get shorter, the list of failures in achieving gets longer, and my overall sense of having it together fades into an overwhelming sense of being incapable for this monumental task.

I have asked God for so many different things related to this dilemna. Requests have ranged from "give me more energy," to "let them take just ONE nap at the same time!", to "give me more patience", to "please turn me into one of those crazy moms who HAVE to stay up all night to get the house clean!" Lately, though, I have added "please decide FOR me what the priorities are, and you set my daily to do list.."

I think its because of that prayer that I have really felt knocked over the head with HOW important sitting down with kids and focusing on them is. I think being home all day makes me feel on some level that I am here, they are here, we are here together so the need is met...right?

Actually..not so much.

I have been making a real effort to give each my kids a focused amount of time each day...its different for both of them, and sometimes I have to set the timer for our play time because I have so much going on but...it always pays off. In the end, I feel like I HAVE done the most important thing of the day. Not having the house clean, or the laundry done, but having savored a moment with these little people in my life who are growing so fast!

Babies, Babies...

Well, August 15th will go down in history for me - two of my dearest friends had sweet baby boys yesterday and only an hour apart!

Dana had a little one, Andrew Wesley at 8lbs 7oz and 18 inches long. I am so excited they finally decided on naming him Andrew cause I love "Andy". It fits well with his brother, and Ty's bestest buddy, Joey. Andy and Joey. So cute. Love it.

And, Mel had Isaac Daniel almost an hour exactly after Andy was born! He weighed 8lbs and 1oz.

As you can imagine, I was a nervous wreck yesterday afternoon! At least my SISTERS had the compassion to seperate their first babies by a couple of weeks. Geez girls, how bout spreadin' the love a little next time, huh?

Both mommies are doing great, and I am so excited for both of them!

So sweet.. makes me wish.. HA! just kidding!

What are they watching?!

So, my sweet friend Melanie considered the things our kids were watching..I have pondered such things many times as I have watched my bright eyed little boy watch adoringly all those shows.

So, while her giving her the credit for the idea spark, I feel that I would be remiss if I didnt also share with you MY thoughts on these characters who entertain our kids...lucky you, right?

* Wiggles - Oh, the Wiggles. Ty loves them, as in, HE could have SO replaced Greg when he ducked out to enjoy an early retirement under the pretense of an illness (yeah, right..you are OLD and running around like that would make ANY adult exhausted!). Until fairly recently Ty thought that the color yellow, purple, blue and red were actually refered to as "Greg", "Jeff", "AnFonny" and "Murray". Another thought, their kids must be felt for..I mean, when you are 4 its COOL that your dad is a Wiggle...when you are 14, not so much. Oh..and they sing about the most RANDOM stuff. I wonder how many two year olds can honestly say, like Ty has on many occasions, "I LOVE ATHENS..OPA!"

*Dora. Okay. That chic needs to be slapped. Why does she feel the need to yell at me so much? And, she has no patience. "SAY WISH! SAYITSAYITSAYIT!" The repetition thing is its only catagory of annoying, and I try not to be insulted at her assumption that I dont remember the last review (30 seconds ago) she yelled at me. Of course I remember..I was traumatized!

*The Doodlebops. I often wonder how Rooney, Moe and DeeDee (or as I refer to them, Cyanosis, Jaundice, and Hot Flash) can play those instruments with those huge fingers. AND..is a "keytair" an ACTUAL instrument, or are we just expected to believe that it is?

*Little Einstines - where are those kids' parents? I dont know that I would want my kids galavanting all over the universe exploring and solving peoples problems in a rocket I am SURE hasnt EVER been serviced! ..even if they DO listen to great music and have an unatural appreciation of art. :)

*Wonder Pets - makes you wonder if your pet is a superhero whenever you turn your back doesnt it? Dont say you havent thought of it...:) I can say that MingMing has made me consider the possiblity of ONLY singing everything I say. It could be cool.

I'm just sayin'.

From the mouths of babes...

So, we were rocking for our pre-nap routine, and Ty says:

"frowin' a fit is not a good idea."

How true.

Note, this was after a long battle of wills LAST time he went down for bed when he and Adrian faced off for about 20 minutes. I am glad we got through :)

Water Family

I could say that both of my boys are "water" babies. But, that would only be half the story! This summer, we have become a water FAMILY.

We got a summer pass to the water park, and have used it WAY past enough times for it to pay for itself. We figured up if we used it 7 times, it would pay for itself. Well, the first week we got it, we went 4 times. That was two months ago - and we have SOO gotten our money's worth out of it!

We "Slip-n-Slid" yesterday - actually, daddy and Tyler did. Mommy cleaned out the car, and Canon "helped". I tried to leave Canon in the backyard with the boys, but when Adrian slid Canon FREAKED out. He didnt like it at all!

We have also had been able to get the beach alot this summer. Mostly because we have had a few guests that needed the South Carolina beach experience. That was nice..though a little salty, but wet enough to qualify!

Finally, to make sure we could make it through the winter without getting dehydrated, we got a membership to the YMCA yesterday! Yeah! I am so excited. They have an adult pool, and a family pool. We will most certainly use it all year round!

We can even do swimming lessons this fall, which will make Ty a "Polliwog"...how cute will that be?

So..in summation. We love water...and its a good thing, cause its HOT outside!