Love is in the air....

Anyone who knows Luka and Mia is well aware that they have their moments when they DO NOT get along. As Mia got older, the more competition there was over toys, books, time with adults...many days it is all about the competition of who wins those battles. With both of them as stubborn and strong willed as they are most fights end up with each of them in their own time out spot. Here is a picture in the middle of their fight over a toy the other day...No I didn't stop the chaos until I snapped a picture...Nobody got hurt so no worries! They were just about to start biting when I got involved..

Then there are days of pure love, nothing but kisses and hugs, holding hands, side by side...days when sharing is not an issue and their bond is so very special to witness . Few days ago after we got home from work was one of those SWEET days. They were literally by each other's side the entire time we were outside and were so super duper nice to one another. Those SWEET days allow us to sit back, relax and enjoy watching them interact. We love watching Luka as a sweet big brother who teaches, who protects and who shares...We love seeing Mia all smiles and giggles over Luka who she now  refers to as Bubbas. She asks for him first thing in the morning when she wakes up and she asks if we are going to get him when I pick her up after work.

Dear TAKS- I will not miss you at all....

My kiddos at school take their science TAKS test tomorrow! I can't even begin to tell you just how ready I am for this to be behind me! The stress of teaching a TAKS grade level sends teachers over the edge during the spring semester.... I would like to claim that I don't let it get me- but I can't help it!!! My stress and anxiety levels always kick in high gear the week of testing as my kids start getting tired and start giving me some nonsense answers during our reviews....Oh goodness! EXAMPLE: MARS is not the center of the solar system- THANK.YOU.VERY.MUCH! Did I mention I am ready to be done already?

As I started talking to my students this morning about the test, about going to bed early tonight, and being on time - I got really emotinal....I cried in the middle of my prepared pep talk! Greatness, I know! The kids were surprised and didn't know what to think...I claimed I had something in my eye instead of admitting I am a nervous wreck! They are fifth graders and they knew better than to believe me....Hopefully they won't mention at home that their normally- very-collected- fifth- grade -science- teacher lost it right before the test!

 I am not sure if it had to do with knowing that I will not be doing this next year  or the fact that I really, truly feel this is my best groups of kids yet. They drive me nuts at times but I love them and feel so proud of how hard they have worked for the past 9 months. They are good kids!!!

Not gonna lie-  I also think being a parent has made me a total mush!!!

Tonight I am praying that my 75 little darlings take their time tomorrow, that they work hard and give it their all.  I know they are ready for this yet the nerves will not settle down until 3 p.m tomorrow when I am turning in my testing materials. Dear TAKS - I will not miss you at all next year.....

P.S. I have another post about Daddy's Big weekend but for some reason it posted under the one that it titled Girls v. Boys....so go ahead scroll down and ENJOY!

Girls v. Boys

Many years ago when Justin and I talked about having a family we always wanted two kiddos, a boy first and then a girl. We never really talked about how close in age but I guess God had it all planned out 13 perfect months apart!  We looked forward to all the fun from sports, to dressing them up, to watching them grow....Now as they are getting closer to turning 2 and 3 ( holly cow- make the time stop pleaseeee!) we are having a blast watching them during those special girl. vs. boy moments...

So ladies and gentlemen - here is what being a 20 month old girl is all about these days....

It is all about shoes....

It is all about hair....

It is about figuring out how many bows you can fit on your head....

It is about being independent and doing everything by yourself....

It is about purses....

 ...and snuggling on the couch in your pjs with a good movie and a snack...

It is about taking the lead when boys are involved....

Knowing your music and what works best for nap time....

It is about fashion and style....

It is about questioning everything....

It is about being curious yet cautious...

It is about having your Daddy wrapped around your little finger....(she was not sleeping- just getting her snuggles )

AND of course it is all about the D.R.A.M.A!!!!

Yes, the world is ending just because she didn't get her way!

Being a 2.5 year old boy is all about.....

Doing yardwork....

Riding your Harley...

Picking your booty before bathtime...

...or admiring your boyness

It is about being tough....

...and practicing those awesome UFC moves on your little sister....

It is about knowing how to relax when your sister is freaking out.....( notice her in the background)....

and knowing how to handle youe time out without the drama....( they were in time out together when I came to check on them -this is what I found)

It is about constantly being on the go....

...playing football and climbing trees at the same time....

It is about picking your nose because you are bored in time out and not minding one bit that your Momma is taking a picture....

And of course it is all about knowing how to treat the ladies in your life right....

We feel blessed to have these two little loves in our lives. We are thankful that God has blessed us with two high maintanance, very demanding, super stubborn, adorable, smart, sweet, lovey dovey and hilarious kiddos! Between all the booty and nose picking and all the drama - there is never a dull moment in our household!

Daddy's First Triathlon

Three months after his last surgery our super duper rockstar Daddy partricipated in his very first triathlon with Uncle Tono on April 25th. We are so proud of those two! They got up at 4:30 a.m. for the race that started at 7:30.We were not able to make it this time since it was so early...plus we had two rough nights of kids not sleeping well but we will be there for the next race!

Luka was so excited to see Daddy after the race...

Admiring Daddy's outfit

Mia Bear loving on her Daddy-o

Of course these two acted like they had not seen a water bottle before...Daddy was nice enough to share!

Happy Earth Day!

This week was Earth Day and Luka was all about pocycling! He doesn't say recycle since he made up his own word - POCYCLE! Right before bathtime we found him in the pantry trying to grab as many things we had next to our trash can...he was super cute and so excited!

The whole pocycling thing is all Daddy...this 5th grade-teaching-science-momma did not even mention Earth Day to her class this year due to high stress and anxiety over TAKS prep!Yeah, I know- way to go Mrs. Bates!

Here is our cute little man with his new haircut SOOOO excited to do his part as he celebrates Earth Day!

Preparing for TAKS+misplacing the camera charger= no recent blogging

I am so sad to say that I have not taken one single picture for the past few weeks. Between all the craziness of school and getting ready for TAKS, Saturday camp, our water heater dying on us, a really bad pinched nerve in my neck for a week, my parents moving out and kids getting back into a routine- our life has been a bit crazy. So here is what has been going on with us recently:

• Luka seems to be switching gears from the awful temper tantrum throwing stage into a much calmer and easier to please little guy. We are super excietd that his tantrums and time outs have gotten much better. He still has his moments but they are much more managable and not nearly as frustrating.
• Mia on the other hand has taken over the tantrum throwing part...Just ask Mimi and Baka and they will both tell you that our little Miss has been such T.R.O.U.B.L.E! She is almost 20 months old and she wants to make sure she is the boss. We have a feeling that she will put Luka's terrible twos stage to shame. Oh so much to look forward!!!
• Luka finally got his big boy furniture last week and Daddy is almost done putting it together. We ended up getting a twin captain bed with two drawers and a headboard with some shelfs. Since Luka's room is the smallest room in the house we ended up ordering a nigthstand and a five drawer chest. I am very pleased as it is perfect for toddlers. We also ordered the bedding last night - it is a perfect match for Luka's baby blue and brown walls. For now here is the bedding for a quick preview.

• Luka finally slept in his big boy room for the first time last night . He fell asleep at 7 since he had no nap yesterday and he made it in his own bed until 2am. We will be working on that transition over the next few months. We are hoping that he is not trying to throw out his one and only nap during the day as tonight is the second night of falling asleep super early- 6:30 pm....WOW! Last night he slept for the first time ever for the full 12 hours! He woke up in such a good mood too! Sweet boy!
• Mia has been loving sleeping in her own room. We ended up giving her furniture away and she ended up with Luka's original furniture in her room now. It looks great with her pink and brown bedding. It was much better quality plus she always prefered it in the first place. If you remember- she has been sleeping in Luka's room in Luka's crib since she was a few months old...So I guess she claimed it a while back!
• Another huge milestone that we are currenlty celebrating is the fact that for the most part she is sleeping through the night for the first time in forever. While my parents lived with us she was known to get up at least once during the night and sometimes even twice. She was an aweful sleeper plus we couldn't let her cry it out as we had a house full of people who needed rest. Right now we are rocking her to sleep in her room but luckly it only takes 5 minutes. We are getting rid of her night-night sippy cup with milk and replacing it with water so that in a month and  half she will be ready for potty training with big brother. June 4th is the beginning of a fun stage as I attempt to potty train two toddlers at the same time!
• Daddy is feeling pretty good these days, playing softball on Sunday nights and training for a triathlon- I know CRAZY!!! He is a man who doesn't know to slow down when he is feeling good! We are looking forward to seeing him bike, swim and run in a super sexy outfit- pictures will come soon :) Sorry Daddy- Momma runs this blog!
• I am ready for the year to end but at the same time it is not as easy as I expected. I love my job and my team- it will be hard to say good bye in 7 short weeks...I know I will love staying home with the babies but I also know it will take some time getting used to everything.
• Science TAKS is just around the corner and I am ready for that to be done. I currently have a super sweet student teacher who has been a huge help. I am ready to have fun after TAKS and enjoy these last few weeks with the best classes I have ever had.
• Tomorrow we are excited to get our close group of friends together with all the kiddos as we celebrate Zach and Ang's shower for Baby Braxton. Braxton is scheduled to arrive on May 12th! We can't believe that is just around the corner. Can't wait to meet this sweet little man!

Life has been good!