a little bit more about us…

1.There are 2 pets that are part of the Barela family. We have a fancy tailed goldfish cleverly named Basketball by Mason. Basketball is round and orange with bits of black…you see Basketball fits just perfectly! Basketball was a gift to Mase on his 2nd birthday. He’s been with us for awhile and is a fixture in our playroom. The newest member of our family is Samuel Gardener aka Sammy G. He is a leopard gecko and joined our family on Mason’s 4th birthday. He eats meal worms and crickets. He has suffered a severed tail from Mase which grew back in a really weird way. But he has won our hearts and we are all oddly attached to this cute lizard!

Here’s a pic when we first got Sammy G. He’s much bigger now with a weird lookin’ tail.

2. We are big fans of cereal over here. And more than that we like mixtures of cereal. Each morning we mix at most 4 cereals together. I love getting a little bit of a many because I love cereal so much I just can’t decide on one. The kids have fallen suit and put in their requests each morning with what concoction they want.

3. One of our favorite family shows is Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel which we randomly get with our basic cable plan. Score! It’s a great show that is so gross and entertaining at the same time.

4. Dance parties are a daily occurrence in our house. Sometimes it’s all of us, sometimes it’s just the kids or Mase and I but Mason is always a part of the dancing. And let me tell you this boy has some moves. Not quite sure where this talent has come from? (Hopefully some video footage of this will be coming soon.) Dancing, loud music and just being carefree can almost always cure a case of the grouchies. You should try it:)

5. Did you know we are moving in less than 3 months?!? I know.

1. Brian’s parents came for a 4 day visit. It has been awhile since the kids have had some good grandparent lovin’, especially from Bri’s parents so there were lots of hugs and kisses to be had. We had a great time playing, eating good food, watching the Olympics, enjoying Chico and even going on an unexpected afternoon date while the grandparents held down the fort. It’s always a treat for us to watch our kids light up when grandparents are around. Now the questions is, how did I go 4 days without taking a single pic of this experience? AHHHHH!

2. Unfortunately, during the grandparent visit we encountered our first sickness of the season. I know it’s pretty good that it’s almost March and we haven’t been sick yet but its making its round now. First, Mason got it and passed it Theia who quickly passed it to Kaia. Mason escaped with only a bad cough and snotty nose. The girls got that plus double ear infections and some fierce wheezing. So now we doing breathing treatments 4x a day to combat this nasty virus. Overall, we are doing ok and you have to admit they look pretty cute giving themselves their own breathing treatments! Such big girls!

3. We made the transition to toddler beds this week and surprisingly it has gone pretty well…at least at night. Naptime  is now party/destroy our room time. There is no sleeping to be had. But I think that helps them fall asleep quickly at night. Afternoons are long right now because they only last in their room about an hour before they completely terrorize everything! I’ll admit I’m missing my 2 hour break from their sweet faces. On the flip side they are LOVING their big girl beds!

4.  I finally got my new sewing machine all set up. I had fun figuring out how to do that one night. I was the only one awake and yes when I accomplished what I had set out to do and it actually worked I was doing a little happy dance, giving myself high fives. I wish I could say my first sewing project went as well. Not so much. I set out to do pajama pants made out of an old sheet. Let’s just say as of right now it looks like I made them for a really really fat, short person. I haven’t quite figured out what I did!

5. Often people ask me, “How do you blog with 3 small children?” Well it’s not easy, but enjoyable so I strive to keep up with it. Here is a pic of me right now trying to finish very quickly while 3 little people are eagerly waiting for my undivided attention.

Have a great weekend!

1. The girls are coming up on some milestones and I don’t know which to tackle first. As mentioned before the potty training adventure was about to begin. And we even got closer this week with buying a pink little potty and some Dora underwear to add to our princess collection of underwear. Believe it or not we’ve had success with going number one without much effort on my part! Much clapping, dancing and celebrating was going on. I was thinking this might not be that bad. Then Theia decided to climb out of her bed and fall on her head. Found her laying flat on her back screaming her head off and poor thing was so stunned she didn’t know what to do. Now I’m thinking before Kaia follows her sister (which I have already seen her get pretty close) we may be switching to big girl beds. I was hoping we could wait till we move but I think we may suffer some major head injuries if we hold off too much longer. I know I can’t tackle big girl underwear and big beds at the same time. Dilemmas of a mommy. Suggestions welcomed!

2. Does anyone know what is happening a week from tonight? Something we are very excited for over here? How about the Olympics! Woo hoo! I must admit I am more of a fan of the summer Olympics but hey, the Olympics are the Olympics! Love the competition, the drama, the intensity and the unity. Here’s to watching a lot of TV in the next coming weeks. GO USA!

3. I got my sewing machine this week. I got a Singer Simple sewing machine. I didn’t do anything with it like I had hoped but what I am excited for is the year subscription for Martha Stewart Living magazine with my purchase. Yeah! This is a favorite of mine but I rarely buy it.

4. Next week we are having a role reversal in the Barela household. I am going on a trip and Brian is staying home with the kids for 4 days. I will going to wives conference for Campus Crusade and lucky me it’s in Newport Beach! I am very much looking to this break from normal life to refresh as a wife and mom, hang out with friends and sleep! Oh, yes I know I will miss my team but time away is good. Time for Daddy to be with kids without Mommy is good too.  So if you think of pray for us next week as we are a little re arranged:)

5. Before I leave for my getaway I get to celebrate Brian’s birthday the day before. He’s a special man so are doing some special things this weekend together. I love celebrating birthdays, especially those I love the most! Birthday pics to come!