{It's Complicated}

I'm not sure about you, but as my twins grow older, I find myself in more complicated situations. I swear God made children so us adults could grow into parents. I feel like becoming a parent is not as easy as bringing a child in the world and BAM you get the title. It's almost like we have to earn the title along the way. As you and I both know, it's NOT always easy.

{Making Big Decisions}

Making big decisions with kids around is a dangerous thing. It's also a very dangerous thing to do on three hours of sleep (that's a story for another day). Today my husband and I headed out to finally tackle choosing new carpet for our home. As any Mom does, I prepped the kids about what we were going to be doing and I gave them a 'job' to do when we got there.  Landen and Caroline were totally on board-so I thought. 

The first store we got to they were mostly awesome. Then they started running around. Aaron was trying to talk logistics and was asking me to look at this sample and that sample in between isle runs to catch L and C. How do those little legs move so fast?!  They dart, turn on a dime, and can hide in the smallest places making it impossible for me to get to them without tearing a display down! 

The phrase "you get that one I'll get the other"  has been used ALOT between Aaron and I lately. Unfortunately, when we catch Landen and Caroline, they get really silly or start screaming...which happened at the second store.

The second store we decided to make our final decision. Spending a chunk of change and hoping we communicated well with one another on what we were getting was nearly impossible...I guess next week when it's installed, we will see how good of a job we did making a big decisions while juggling two 'Bulls in the China shop.' I'll let ya know the out come. 

After all that fun this morning I crashed-like out cold, had to be woken up so I could go to my hair appointment. I scheduled it for today thinking I would need some me time after the busy holiday. Doesn't it figure all I really wanted to do was sleep after a rough night and morning. But, after a cup of coffee, some retail and salon therapy, I'm feeling a little better...I only wish my fun didn't have to be caffeine induced..but I'll take it! 

It's been a busy time of year. Carve some time out for you Mom! You deserve it! Cheers!

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxo

Danielle 

Keep Calm and Mommy On: {Mommy Confessions: Dirty Little Secrets}

Keep Calm and Mommy On: {Mommy Confessions: Dirty Little Secrets}: As a Mom do you ever feel like you are keeping 'dirty little secrets' from you friends, co-workers, and even family?  I often...

{Mommy Confessions: Dirty Little Secrets}

As a Mom do you ever feel like you are keeping 'dirty little secrets' from you friends, co-workers, and even family?  I often times wonder if people can see through into my world of chaos and I questions, do they judge me the things I just said about my kids or how I handled a situation with them (especially since I'm a teacher)? TODAY and Parent.com surveyed 25,000 moms and the number eight mommy confession found 88%of Moms let the judging fly when it comes to looking at other Moms and how they parent...So I guess the odds are slim  that no one is judging Me! 

{Christmas Panic Attack}

Merry Christmas! I hope this finds you all well and that you have enjoyed your Christmas Day with family/ friends.  I have to say I was breathing a little easier after Landen and Caroline opened their presents this morning. I about had a panic attack the night before Christmas Eve.

Aaron and I wanted to make sure we had everything ready the night before Christmas Eve because we knew we were going to be too busy to wrap last minute gifts and such on Christmas Eve.  As Aaron was putting Landen and Caroline down, I began carrying their gifts down stairs to be wrapped. As I began laying the items into two separate groups, I noticed there were no 'toys' or action figures of any sort.

You're probably thinking, "so what in the heck did we get them?" Right?  Okay, so back in November when I didn't have any of this pressure I decided  Landen and Caroline would probably love all new bedding (don't cringe or judge!). So I picked out all Thomas bedding for him and an awesome throw and thomas rug for his trains. For Caroline I went with Frozen. Olaf and all with a frozen rug for her. NEVER did I think at two both Landen and Caroline were really going to understand they were going to be receiving gifts from Santa or be excited to see what was under the tree for them this year (new parent moment-still happening).

Back to the night before Christmas Eve, I started to play in my mind what Landen and Caroline's faces were going to look like when they opened their new bedding. Would they look at it and toss it to the side just so they could move on to another gift in hopes it would be something better? I asked Aaron if we had screwed up, really me but I like to share in the blame with someone, and he tiredly said, " no, it's fine."  "Fine" was not good enough for me at the moment. I didn't want this first Christmas to be a disappointment to them. Sure they were getting super cool toys from all of their other family members on Christmas Eve, but these gifts were from Santa and us and they were opening them on THE big day!!

We wrapped the gifts in silence as I was trying to decide where I could go to find a toy for them. As I wrapped and made laps to the trash can with scraps, I started telling myself not to forget the meaning of Christmas and that there are children who have less or would love a new bed set....and they were getting toys from everyone else and our house would soon be chalk full of little pieces for me to chase around and keep organized-that type-a personality.

So how did it pan out today? It went great. I should have never second guessed myself.  Landen and Caroline were so excited to wash their new bedding, make their beds and take a nap today (long nap time-added bonus!) They proudly marched Mimi up stairs tonight to show off the new look to each of their toddler beds and inside it made me thankful for kids who were genuinely thankful for bedding. 

I totally understand how parents get caught up in wanting to get all the fun toys for their kids at Christmas. We don't do it because we've lost sight of Christmas. We get excited and caught up in hearing our children gasp and squeal and light up over a surprise they have been anticipating.  For me, I got caught up in my kids this year believing in Santa because honestly they are too young to understand  the abstract idea of such a miraculous birth and person ( developmentally,that is appropriate). 

I know there has to be someone that just did an eye roll.....to clarify, Aaron and I have read stories about Jesus and his birth. We've talked about it being Jesus' birthday and how he is the true reason for the season. But surrounding them has been this idea of Santa that has been more concrete and for me, hearing Landen and Caroline squeal and gasp for the first time at Christmas is a sound that I'll forever hold dear to my heart. How many moms can relate to that sound ? 

With every year Landen and Caroline will begin to really understand what the Christmas season is all about, as children should do. But for now, I'm going to continue to savor these Christmases of pure innocence, excitement, and joy. I'm going to let Landen and Caroline be kids and I'll remind myself to not go over board...because unlike them at this point, I know the real reason for the season. 

With this being our first year home together as a family on Christmas, we took it easy, enjoyed the day and began the new tradition of having Chinese take-out. It was good! And fun too! 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! 

Keep Calm and Mommy On! 

Xoxoxoxo

Danielle 

{Yoga Pants}

This is whirling around the Internet and I HAD to share!  

http://www.scarymommy.com/every-mom-wears-yoga-pants/

{One of Each}

If you are a parent of boy/girl twins you will probably be able to relate well to this.  Ever since Aaron and I found out we were having "one of each" so many people said, " wow, you're done now! " or "that's efficient." Having a boy and a girl is fun. It's amazing to watch as they developed similarly when they little but now we are beginning to see them become their own person. 

I was never big on dressing my kids a like or really for that matter doing anything "the same" because they're twins.  It's too much effort and really, I just wanted them to be themselves. I didn't want to turn them into my "dolls" by playing dress up. If that's your thing-more power to you! I don't know how you find the time or have the energy to put in to it! And anyways Caroline won't let me dress her now. She has become quiet the two-year-old fashionista. 

She likes picking out all pieces of her clothing including socks and shoes. This new interest also has her choosing bows for her hair-yay!!!!!! I'm so excited to have her hair out of her face! FINALLY!  This past Saturday we began our Christmas celebrations and Caroline chose an outfit that was clearly meant for valentines but she loved it and was excited to wear it...how can you say no to that? 

Today at the zoo, a lady was passing by with a stroller and a few children walking by her side.  Caroline's latest decision was she didn't want to wear a coat but she wanted to wear a pink polka dotted dress with leggings, purple gloves, and a winter hat. The lady said she was happy to see she wasn't the only one that let her child wear whatever she wanted. I hollered to her," it's just not worth the fight." On a side note, this trip included NO public temper tantrums..it was really an amazing trip!

I love when my students, and now my own children, become responsible and take care of themselves. Sure Caroline may not match right now, but in this process she will learn about what goes together and what doesn't. For now she's just going to march around proudly in whatever she picks out.  

So while some think having twins is really all about being the same, in our household we really just follow their lead and let them be who they are. We aren't really the type of parents who are trying to force them to like one thing or another. It's really up to them. It's so much more interesting to see what choices they make for themselves. It certainly keeps things more fun for Aaron and I. 

Keep Calm and Mommy On!

Xoxoxo 

Danielle