James loves to growl and chase Ellie around. The punishment if he catches her usually is crawling ontop of her and plopping his diapered bum down on her head for a nice rest, or a juicy kiss or bite on the cheek, or perhaps climbing up on her back and pulling her long golden curls. Ellie is usually pretty good natured with James and his desired to wrestle, but yesterday I could tell she had had enough. When James attempted to climb up her back, Ellie used one of her (well practiced with Daddy) swift wrestling moves and flipped James flat on his back, then leaning over him with her finger planted on his chest she growled in her deepest, most manly voice, "You're playing with the big boys now."

(I just had to chuckle)

James a little startled, but not one to miss a beat, just grinned and reached up and gave those golden curls dangling in his face a good hard tug. Ellie screamed, James squawked and chaos resumed.


To celebrate the arrival of summer, I am taking a month long summer siesta from blogging.

So I'll catch you next month, have a good one.

Ellie's New Ride

I decided to get Ellie a new bike for the summer. So we went to the store and let her ride the different bikes around a bit.
The one she chose was a little big, but by far her favorite, so we decided to go for it. We had a hard time getting her off of it, but when we put it in the cart, her eyes got all big. She was just glowing as we pushed the cart around the store and people would comment to her about her beautiful new bike and how lucky she was.

Even though it was rainy and cold when we got home, Ellie insisted on taking her new bike for a spin on the front porch. She did remarkably well.

I love this little girl, she has never ceased to amaze me.

Rainy Days

Rainy days are just no fun.





but nobody told my kids that........



Ellie making a silly face, preparing to tickle attack her mother




James as he prepares to dive off the couch




Come and play, we're having a ball.

Blog Survey

I would like to thank all those who participated (we'll except for my SIL who I now have renamed CRAZY Kelli ;) ) in my first and probably last ever blog survey.

I didn't post the results earlier, because they didn't work.

Let me explain, even though an overwhelming majority "sortof" agreed with me. (what I wanted) I feel like I've gained no justification to my slacking off,

I just feel like you're all slackers too. Ah sorry about that, I can't help how I feel. (isn't that what people say?)

Thanks for all the helpful slacking-off tips though. :)

P.S. Stayed tuned to hear about a major Pate household update.


Erin L said...
Well, I'm not really one to talk. I don't like ironing either. Part of me says "Iron those shirts" and part of me says "only do it when absolutely necessary, and only do the really bad parts."

Can I have 1/2 a vote each way?

April 16, 2010 1:18 PM
Kelli said... (this would be AKA CRAZY KELLI)
I am an iron freak, I always have to iron our clothes before we go out. Sadly enough I even iron our jeans, my family has always made fun of me for doing this. I actually love to iron clothes, so I'm not one to talk much cause I don't have wee little ones running around. But I'm all about having clothes ironed before you go out.
(I don't know if you will like me after this ;) )

April 16, 2010 6:54 PM
leardonsbelle said...
I will admit I only iron Landon's church shirt and only when he asks. That goes for any of his shirts. I have found that if I hang his shirts up right as the dryer is finishing than he doesn't have as many wrinkles and they look less wrinkled. So I would say no.

April 16, 2010 10:28 PM
Amy G. said...
Only do it for special occasions, ironing is the worst and its not like Barry needs to look any more attractive around those young college girls

April 19, 2010 1:36 PM
JBurger said...
Ironing is fantastic- there's nothing better than a nicely ironed shirt. That said, Nope- I don't think you should always iron every shirt.

Try this cheating method. Buy a wrinkle-releaser, you can get them in most laundry isles. I think Downy's brand is "Wrinkle free" or something like that. Iron the collar and a crease in the sleeve (if you do that, I know military has to have the sleeves creased but not sure if that's what you all do or not ;) and then hang the shirt on a hanger. Spritz the shirt down (avoid the ironed collar and sleeves) and tada! Quick easy fix. Or at least that's what I do.

April 21, 2010 12:19 AM
Kimberly said...
NOT: Just get wrinkle free shirts, and you never have to iron them again. Or just make him do it.

April 21, 2010 12:43 PM
c said...
I think a key thing to consider is, "does Barry want you to iron his shirts?" I always did it for Andy for me not for him--I didn't like looking at him in wrinkly shirts...he now does not iron his shirts and is probably happier...

It's been a long hard journey, it started with an idea, then hard work, dedication, meditation, paying homage, and finally shear courage..........

1

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5

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7





Papple, Peapal, PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

HE WiLKED, HE Wulked, He WALKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TODAY'S THE DAY!!!!! HOORAY HOORAY!!!

James took his first unassisted steps TODAY!!. FOUR to be exact, then he promptly sat down and clapped. ....and so did we.

Inspirational

I have been following this girl's blog for about a year now. She is amazing!
She was recently featured in this short Morman Message.

My New Life

My Quest

This is good for a Smile



Thanks T.






Before Ellie was born, I made plans. I planned out my day, how it would work with a baby. I would rise early in the morning, shower and dress, before she woke up. Then while she napped during the day I would exercise, and during her second nap of the day I would prepare dinner. It was a beautiful.

God had other plans and blessed me with a child who didn't nap.

After 2 good years of butting heads with her, I made adjustments to my schedule and found what worked, for her and I.

Lately I've noticed another routine. The afternoon has always been my time of thinnest patience, adding kids and their needs onto that, I often want to pull my hair out. They're tired, I'm tired, they're hungry, and I'm hungry. Our routine is unnecessary yelling (yes some is necessary) during dinner preparation, unkindness, temper tantrums, whining, and more whining. Then crying, pouting ....okay you get the general idea.

Some days are smoother than others, but it seems everyday we go through this horrible routine.


We'll I've opted out. :)

It was a simple choice really.

NO, I am still going to make dinner everyday. Just earlier. After Lunch and James' nap, when everyone is in a good mood and patience is thicker. I'll make it,(Ellie can help me, if she's likes) and I'll put it in the fridge to cook or bake later. That way when 5 o'clock, (better known as Whine-o'clock) rolls around, I'll be better prepared. I'll be ready to put James down for another nap if needed, or just give him the attention he deserves, and Ellie, we'll Ellie and I can get ready for the Ball without any dinner making interruptions.

Why am I telling you this?

Because I am on a Quest for peace in my life, the kind of deep and lasting peace that only comes with the Spirit, and I know that if neighbors coming to the door at dinner hour, choose to run home for cover, that it is also not possible for the Spirit to abide.

Come on my quest with me. Here's a challenge, think about your daily routine. Is there something you could change to promote peace in your life and others?

Start small. Great things can be accomplish with such a quest.