Last week I saw a picture in TJMaxx that I thought would look perfect in molly's room but I didn't want to spend the money for it.....So I made this instead!!! And it didn't cost a thing!!

(My version)

The frame is one I got like 4 years ago and it has just been sitting in my basement waiting to be used. Then instead of buying wood, I pulled a piece of fake wood off the back of some junk furniture that was waiting by the curb for the trash-man, and cut it to fit the frame. Then I used paper, mod podge, rub-ons, jewels, and glitter (all of which I already had on-hand) And I recreated my own version of picture I had seen at TJMaxx (below is a picture of the picture) I love the way my picture turned out, and I love it even more since I was able to just use stuff I already had!

(Store picture)

little chubby monkey

The following video will most likely, only be entertaining to Grandparents. The last 10 weeks have gone way too fast.

are you smarter than a 5 year old?

Today I had a funny conversation with Ethan.

He said;
"boys are better than girls!"

me: "Why do you say that?"

E: "cause boys are smarter and stronger."

me: "lots of girls are smarter than boys, and girls can be stronger too. Don't you think I'm smarter than Daddy?" :) haha

E: "well actually I'm smarter than you Mom."

So there you have it. He already thinks he is smarter than me. I thought that wasn't supposed to happen until he's a teenager? I guess this means I'm off the hook for helping with homework when school starts.

Yesterday was his last tee-ball game. It was a really fun season and he learned a lot. But by far the best part about tee-ball is playing in the dirt.

happy birthday ETHAN

Today I have a 5 year old!! How is that even possible? It sounds so cliche' but it really seems like he was just a little baby. Especially having Mitch around, (he looks so much like Ethan as a baby) takes me back to those days. Ethan is such a sweet, good-hearted boy, and I couldn't ask for a better helper. He is my right-hand man and helps me out with pretty much everything all day long. I love you buddy.

We had a fun party on Sat. Slip n' slide, 400 water balloons, cupcakes, and all of Ethan's friends. Scott was the main target for the water balloons, and when those were all gone the kids filled up cups of water to throw at him. It was a fun party.

He was pretty spoiled this year in the present category. He loves his new scooter, and has been riding it all day. I had fun making his soccer cake, even though it didn't turn out how I had planned it, I really like the end result. Mitch & Molly have enjoyed sharing all the birthday fun with Ethan today. He was very nice to let his sister open some presents and has been sharing all his toys.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

somethings gotta give

So I must say that, to my surprise, having three kids has been a lot easier than I expected. That is not to say that I haven't had some moments where I've questioned my decision to ever have kids, because I have had those "moments" (always in relation to child #1 or #2) But all in all it has been a pretty smooth transition. But it does take me a lot longer to do things than it used to and sometimes I feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. So naturally with a new baby somethings have to take a backseat, like cleaning my house, or blogging. I have been working on this post for three days now, and I have decided that it's not worth trying to update more than once a month. So here is my monthly update.

Mitch is growing like a weed and just as sweet as ever. He is a good sleeper, a good eater, and loves to grunt. He makes the funniest noises and sometimes we think he sounds like a goat. I even love to hear his cry, it is so cute. He makes some pretty cute faces too. He usually has a serious look or a concerned look on his face when he is awake. Probably because he is always hearing his sisters high-pitched screams all day long. But whenever he first falls asleep he will start to smile. I wonder if he is thinking "finally some peace." Both Ethan and Molly have been great with him and love him so much. Actually we all love having him in our home and in our family.

Molly likes to makes sure he is never alone. Mitch always has a "friend" or two right by his side. She also likes to make sure he always has a blanket to cover his toes.
As for the other two we have just been trying to beat the heat with our backyard pool, hose, slip n' slide, and sprinklers. It's safe to say that if we are outside we are playing in water. On lucky days when Dad is home we usually hit the beach, which has become both Ethan and Molly's favorite thing to do. In the winter time I am always so thankful for our basement, but this summer we have loved it just as much since we are spending more time inside than usual.

The Pea Jungle

Scott has developed quite a green thumb this year and we have been loving our garden. Our peas climb higher and higher everyday and they are so good. (this picture was take over a week ago. The peas have almost grown as high as our garage.)

This picture is kinda blurry but I love it anyways. It has all my favorite people in it. I was a bad wife this year and didn't do anything special for Father's Day. But my kids are pretty lucky to have such a great Dad. He has been such a huge help the last few months with everything, and I want him to know that we love him so much.

the kids Slip slidin'

in New York, New York, New York

A few weeks ago I went to New York with all the Yeates girls in celebration of Bonnie (my fabulous mother-in-law). This was my first time in the big city and it was so much fun. Of course Mitch being not quite 4 weeks came along and he got to enjoy doing what he loves best.... sleeping. He literally slept the entire trip (even at night) and was such a good boy. We went to Mary Poppins the musical, went to the statue of liberty, walked the Brooklyn bridge, went to China town, walked through Central park, did lots of shopping, and lots of eating of course. It was a great girls trip and I'm so glad that Mitch made everything so easy for me (delivery included... or I don't think I would have made it with all that walking.)

The Haps

So the last few weeks have flown by, and yet it seems like so much longer than just 2 weeks since we brought little Mitch home. I have been pretty spoiled with help over the last two weeks, first both my mom and dad came out to help and I don't think they even know how great it was to have them here. It was so nice to just relax while they did everything. Then the day they left Scott's mom showed up which was just as wonderful. And best of all Scott was off work for the past two weeks. Like I said I've been pretty spoiled, but now I am on my own again and the reality of three kids is starting to sink in. We survived our first day!!! The kids have all been really good but I'm just not sure how we are ever going to go anywhere. But at least it's summer right :)

We had a good time with the Grandparents and are REALLY going to miss them all.

The following is a little update on what we've been up to.....

E has been learning how to ride a bike without training wheels and is starting to get the hang of it. He just needs to remember to look where he is going and not everywhere else. He finished up soccer a few weeks ago and has had to say goodbye to some good friends... it's that time of year. He is now playing tee-ball and has been having fun. But the most exciting news by far is that it is warm enough to go swimming and play at the beach. This boy LOVES the water, so hooray for summer.

My sassy 2 yr old has been quite a handful these days. She can be really sweet when she wants to be and then without warning she can throw the biggest fit you've ever seen but we sure love her. She adores both of her brothers, loves to play with Ethan and is very helpful with Mitch, but is still learning to be "soft" with him. I was wondering the other day how long it would take before she wanted to be the baby again and it happened on Tues. She crawled into the crib with one of Mitch's Binky's and refused to get out. She also loves to sit in his car seat. Today when I found her in the baby swing I told her that she was too big for it and I didn't want her to break it. She said; "well... when I grow big then I will be a baby again." She also likes to tell people where the milk for the baby is.

Mitch is a sweet sweet baby. I am amazed every day at what a good boy he is. And Like with all my babies I can't kiss and snuggle him enough. He is already growing too fast, and I see him changing every day. On Monday his cord finally fell off so he was able to get his first real bath. He has also been on a few outing this week. He went to the beach, the park, and the zoo, and just slept the whole time of course. It has been so nice to have this little guy in our family, and it has been especially fun to see how much his brother and sister love him.

Besides the baby we have a few other new additions to the family. Meet Dart and Peaches. Since I'm such a mean mom and won't let the kids get a dog, we got fish instead. Ethan and Molly love their fish and have promised to take really good care of them.

Molly and Mitch

sweet baby

I remember Ethan being such a good little baby and when Molly was born I was surprised that she was even easier. Well so far Mitch is by far the sweetest. He is such a good little baby and it has been so nice and peaceful to have him around to snuggle with. He is just a perfect little angel and we are all so in love with him.

little monkey

Mitch Kory Yeates

Born 5.16.10

8 lbs 4 oz 20 in

Cute Brothers

Ethan has been such a good big brother and loves to hold "baby" (he keeps saying that he can never remember his name so he's just going to call him baby) Both Ethan and Molly are so happy that he is finally here and home so they can hold him all the time and tickle his toes. Molly loves the little bro too and will be a really good helper once things get a little more routine.

Mitch is a sweet baby and actually smiles quite a bit, (usually from the gas.) I have been trying to capture it but am never quick enough. This is the closest I've been able to get.

On a side note

molly has sensitive skin and gets crazy rashes sometimes and is ALWAYS clawing at her skin. So tonight Scott decided she should wear socks to bed and she thought it was pretty funny. We'll see if she can keep them on and if it will help?

my sunshine

We finally got Molly a "big girl" bed and she absolutely LOVES it. I was nervous that she wouldn't want to stay in it and we would have a week of long nights. But she actually loves it so much that she doesn't want to get out in the morning. She also loves her new-found freedom to put every toy and book in bed with her to sleep. I spent most of the week painting her "new" room Yellow. I say new because we moved her into the room that used to be Ethan's. It is a lot smaller than the room she was in before and I wanted the boys to have more space. Ethan is excited about the switch cause now he gets to share a room with his soon to be baby brother. So it's win-win for all!!!I didn't take a "before" picture, so this will have to do. Above is what the room used to look like and below is the After. It was a lot of painting to cover up all that blue with a light yellow but I LOVE the way it turned out!!!!! And it's sooo nice to have it done before baby. We haven't finished the Boys room yet so I will have to post about that later.