Happy Birthday Mr. Max!

Happy 1st Birthday to my cute and cuddly MAX! This post is a little late but was still well documented :)He's such a big boy!

This reads "Happy 1st Birthday MAX!" We spent the afternoon at the beach playing and having fun!

He was very interested in the candle and adores the song "Happy Birthday" Hesitant with the cupcake. we tried again the next day and he loved it!

presents were fun, but he would've been happy with just one. Lily was a big "help" when opening the gifts. She forced him to continue unwrapping his gifts.

He loves sitting at the table with all of us.
He's enjoying his birthday breakfast of mickey mouse pancakes.

He's such a happy guy!He loved his birthday sign :)

I can hardly believe how quickly he's grown. He's a little person now, with likes, dislikes and an enthusiasm for independence and adventure!

Happy Birthday Max!

Mother's Day Reality Check

Ok so I'm a mom. I love being a mom. I think this Mother's Day was meant to teach me a few lessons... or perhaps a test to see what lessons I've learned. Here are my results:

1- Disney is fun and lovable but teaches bad things to my daughter. These are not what you might be intitally thinking. Lilia's current favorites are Rapunzel and Mulan. The bad lessons learned: hair cutting and writing on your body.

1A- As we were prepared to leave the house Lilia informed me she cut her dolls hair like Rapunzel. Poor Barbie was left with a bad mohawk, no magical powers and no clothes (those were removed prior).
LESSON: Find the blessing amidst the disaster- she only cut a doll's hair and not her own.

1B- As we arrived at church and I go to unbuckle Lilia from her car seat I discovered she's used blue pen to draw all over her right leg(thigh to ankle, front and back), and her new white church sandals, and both hands. Her reason "Mulan do it and say 'Notes in case I forget'". My response, "well Mulan got in trouble too!"
LESSON Continued: Find the blessing amidst the disaster- she spared her dress and the ink was removed with vigorous rubbing of 2 wet wipes.

2- I'm asked to give the opening prayer while I'm holding one child and the other is wrapped around my knees. I agree. Babe in arms begs for milk during opening hymn, falls asleep, and wakes screaming when handed to off to another so I can publicly pray.
LESSON: Doesn't matter if no one in the congregation could hear me over my sons wailing, it brought me the spirit.

3- Sharing Time Prep for Mother's Day: 4 hours (making "My Mother" books for kids to fill out, dipping strawberries, making boxes for strawberries enough for 36 kids and 10 primary workers)
Actual Sharing Time: 20 mins (15 kids and 9 workers)
LESSON: It doesn't matter. They loved it and the extras were given to many more including a few who might have been overlooked today.

4-Terrible Twos have nothing on the Temper-mental Threes.
LESSON: I hold my ground, I put up a good fight. But in the end I must distract the child who is literally kicking me out of her bed so she can go get the purse full of chapsticks and hide them beside her, make her smile and show her my increase of love.

CONCLUSION
I'm a mom. I love being a mom. I love my husband and the beautiful red roses he gave me. I love that he still honors my birthday gift of sleep and gets up with the kids each morning so I can sleep. I love that he gave me a "day of shopping alone". I love that he kisses me 4 times each night before sleep. I love that Max wants me and only me 90% of the time. I love those wet kisses he bestows on me. I love that Lily still wants to be my baby. I love that she wants to climb in bed with me when she wakes up and will only lie on whichever side of the bed I'm facing. My life is unpredictable but this much I know for certain. I'm a mom. I love being a mom.

Beach Broughs

We call ourselves the Beach Broughs for a reason.

WE LOVE IT!

Can't keep her away from the water, not even in April.

Max thought this was a new fun place. He doesn't remember last summer. He was particularly fascinated by the moving waves.

Trying to get a handful of sand without toppling over..... it started out fine but ended in the sand.
These rocks held some water and that was a perfect splashing pool. Thank goodness I thought ahead and brought extra clothes for the kids. Max is playing with Nina our best friend!

Cute Beach Bums!

His first water exploration!

This will show Max's enthusiasm, and Lily's so busy she doesn't have time to talk.

Glorious Easter

We woke to the most beautiful Easter day. It was an amazing reminder of our Savior's love and His atoning sacrifice. We're trying to teach our children Easter is fun and you get candy but Christ gave us the most wonderful gift. He lived for us, He died for us and He lives again so that we might too!

Here are some photos of our lovely day.

these are fabric eggs I made from fabric scraps that we left out for the Easter bunny to hide. He also hid some eggs full of candy :)

Our Easter Tree

Lily in her Easter dress. She calls this her Belle dress cause its yellow.
Max in his Easter finest. I made him this vest and bow tie. the vest is reversible with another print on the inside. I'll show in the future :)

I also made David a matching tie. they look dapper!

sweet sibling kisses!

I've decided to start making and selling neck ties and bow ties soon.

Tiny Ties for Tiny Guys! Also I'll offer matching ties for Dad!

Max found one egg in the egg hunt and was very happy :) Lily wouldn't hold still long enough for a picture, she was too thrilled that the bunny finally came!

Lilia helped me make our annual bunny cake. She's such a big girl!

One more shot of the cute bow tie and cute boy. I couldn't decide which shot I liked best, so I included lots :)

Happy Easter!

Brrrrrough

Someone recently described our weather as bi-polar....I certainly agree

This post is a variety of photos and you'll notice a wide range of apparel for the temper-mental weather.

This is Lilia ready to see her 1st play "Beauty and the Beast" at a local high school. more in a future post.

We spent Saturday in Ocean City on the boardwalk picking up ride tickets for half price. It was bitter cold and rainy but we were covered so it was alright.
The reason I do not pay to have my children beside any character or gift giver. They show no love.
Max's new jammies and I love them. They glow in the dark too!
loving the fire engines
Max's 1st real ride ever. We didn't know if he'd make it. Lily was ejected from this very ride a little older than Max is now because she kept standing up. He had a steering wheel and was very happy about it! Lily loved having him to ride alongside.
He also loved the motionless trucks :)
she hated this ride last year. Now its a huge hit!

Lilia recently found my old recital costumes and has performed much for us!
check these moves!
loving the coatless days at Birch Grove. Lily is getting very brave and tricky!
Yo! I'm a JerZ Boy!
I just love the faces he pulls :)
Max is so big now! He walks, he babbles, he plays and is into everything!
and I love this hat on him. My Rough Tough Brough Rider!

Snuggly Streets

Coolest quilt on the block! This is my newest and coolest creation. SNUGGLY STREETS is a fun way to keep the games going all day and night.
hand stitched dotted yellow lines includes cute road sign print
measures 3 sq feet
let your imagination soar!
go on a high speed chase.......what's your dream car?

soft cozy flannel car print on the reverse side

Only $40 for Snuggly Streets Quilt (cars not included)

I told you get a cat

Like I always said, if you want your kid to walk- get a cat!

He's really into it now!