Heroes of the City Baby App

Once again I have been impressed by my friends over at Heroes of the City! Last time I posted about them I was sharing an app for ages 3 and up, this time we have one for babies and toddlers. My youngest is a year and a half and is really in love with this app! He has gotten to the point where he can find and access it all on his own. Even better, this app is FREE!

The app includes:

• 3 animated short movies (Language: English and Swedish )
• Music Panel with two different themes
• Color and shape game
• Magic coloring game
• Balloon Game

If you are interested in downloading this fun new app, you can find it for both itunes and Google Play. There really is no risk and its super cute!

App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/heroes-of-the-city-baby-app/id860084935?mt=8

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rutaett.HeroesBaby&hl=en
  
 While your at it, you can also check out some of the videos that are included in the app on You-tube!

13. Join the Kids

There is nothing quite like children that make you feel old and worn out. However, that doesn't have to be the case. In fact, make a point to keep in the opposite. There is something refreshing and truly freeing about letting go and having a little fun with your kids. Not only is fun for them, but you loosen up and understand your babies just a little better.

I always feel changed when I truly let myself join my kids. It can be hard to do with all the adult pressures and stresses around us. Its just something I have to make a conscious choice to do, then go with it.

Do you join your kiddos? What is your favorite things to join them in?

My husband and I really love to get out on the playground with them. I think there is something extra special about that for us. When we were dating it was a popular date plan (because its free). We have memories of just us two, and now with our two boys. Its a precious thing to have.

All Good Things

Must Come to an End...

And so it goes with this school year's bento lunches. My sons' semester at "baby school" had its final classes today. Next school year my eldest will be taking the big step into a real preschool. I'm both excited and sad about this. He is growing up way to fast and to me he will always be my baby. All this is beside the point! I do have two fun little bento lunches to share.

I wanted to do something special for their final hurrah!

For my ninja- a fully loaded, with chopsticks, stealth packed lunch. Including ninja star gummies and a candy ninja!

 For my mini picky minion- Peanut butter pop tart minion with "banana" gummies and candies. A few little lunch meat test tubes finish off the meal!

 

Michelle Duggar

April is the month I choose to focus on ladies from both the past and present that have or currently inspire me in someway. I am purposefully choosing to only speak on those aspects of each woman.

source

 Are you kidding me? How does she do it?! By the end of the day with my two young boys I think I may die. The nights my husband and I have to get up with my youngest drain us completely.

This woman manages to care, love, and flourish with her big, beautiful family. Beyond that, she home-schools. If you know my history I was homeschooled/unschooled through half of middle-school and all of high-school. It takes an incredible about of effort to get work together, grade, and provide enriching experiences. Now times that by a lot, say 19. She has got my respect for sure.

Another aspect in which I respect her is her faith. Considering both the hard and wonderful times, her and her family still cling to their faith in Christ. They make sure that everyone is aware of how important that is to every corner of their life.

All of her children seem to be well rounded and happy. This, again, amazes me. Her relationship with her husband is real and honest. No matter what others think, they must be doing something right! Relationships say a lot about people.

Among her other lists of respectable, inspiring traits you have confidence, modesty, and plenty of patience. I say, "Amen Sister!"

30 Before 30: 21 & 22

21. Set up an account for retirement.

No, I don't have one. Yes, I know I should. No, I cant do it yet. Ok, that is not completely true. I am a part of my employer's retirement. I work for a school so its government retirement. I just don't add anything extra to it. Knowing is half the battle, thats why its on my list to do before I turn thirty.

22. Set up and start putting money in savings accounts for the boys' futures.

I do have an account for Benjamin, but its lacking funds. My hope is that we would teach them to put half of everything they get as gifts in the account. I also hope to make small monthly "donations" to each account as well. I have student loans coming out the whazoo from paying for college. I'd like to lesson their burden.

source

30 Before 30: Seventeen

17. Return to a somewhat normal sleep pattern.

I. AM. DONE. MISSING. SLEEP. So, will someone give my boys the memo?


As I sat here too tired to remember the good ideas I formulated to write about yesterday, I decided honesty was best. I am tired! Although my husband has gladly taken on many hours a night with our youngest, I can't seem to catch up. The months of missed sleep have caught up with me. Someone tell me this gets better... please.

30 Before 30: Fifteen

15. Volunteer outside my comfort zone.

One of my very dear friends suggested this one and I am totally on board! I'm already pretty active with church and schools, but I am open to helping others in any way that I can. Since children are my comfort zone, I have a lot of choices of things outside it to do.

Truthfully, I would like to make it a priority in my life to volunteer regularly. I desire to teach my sons the valuable lessons my mother taught me. I want to show them how to give, how to sympathize, and bless the lives of others. I want those values to be so much a part of our lives that they find it odd one day when the realize not every one is like that.

The world would be different place if we made it a point to see everyone else's life changed for the better with every encounter.

What great values are you trying to install in the future generations?

Book Review: How Do You Tuck In A Superhero?

Over my vacation I read How Do You Tuck in a Superhero?  by Rachel Balducci. My expectations were completely opposite from what I got, but that ended up being a GOOD thing. I went into the book expecting a true “self help” style book. What I got was real life stories that gave me a true look into the life of raising boys.

Her stories were honest and real. Many made me laugh out loud, while others brought me to tears. It is a very enjoyable read. She uses a dose of humor to share what the crazy life of raising five boys is like.  One of my favorite things is the small quotes she includes throughout the book from her boys. You really feel like you are getting to know her and her family. 

If you are raising (raised) boys of your own, you will relate and enjoy her book. It gave me some insight of what my boys may be like as they grow. I find this especially helpful since my oldest is only two. I look forward to finding and reading more books from Rachel! 

My Life Raising (and) Living With Boys

 

Happy June!

I am happy to say, Summer is near! Since I work at a school, I get the summers off. I am beyond excited because that means more time with my kiddos! Speaking of them, I would like to introduce the theme for the month: Adventures in Parenting! Since I will be home so much, I thought it would be a good time to focus on my babies. I have so many things I would like to cover. From fun things to do to dealing with bad behavior. I'm overflowing, I almost want to bombard you with it all now, but I wont.

I have so much to catch you up on since I have been without my own computer for about a week. You have missed some interesting outfits, fun moments with my kids, and other crazy events. I will try to speedily catch you up so we can move on.

Play Day

 We have taken a liking to visiting the local school's playground. Its so close and convenient. Plus, they have so much wonderful equipment. Benjamin is loving the regular opportunity to run around.

Memorial Day

 We did a few itty-bitty fireworks on Memorial day. They were so small the only personal truly interested was Henry. (Ohhhh, pretty bright light) Benjamin didn't find them very entertaining, notice the fact he is looking away from the whole situation.

My Outfits

All three of the outfits I have above are thanks to Gwynnie Bee. The middle dress is my favorite of them all. The color was so nice and the detail was just perfectly done. I know I've mentioned before how much I love Gwynnie Bee, but I need to say it again. If you are a size 10+, you need to at least try their free month. You will love it!

Looking Foward

Another big focus I wanted to make this month is on being a better parent. One of the ways I intend on doing this is by doing the "30 Days to Yelling Less Project" with The Orange Rhino Challenge. It starts Monday, June 3rd. If you want to join in make sure you sign up sometime today or tomorrow! I hope this will be the start of whole Orange Rhino Challenge for me. (That's 365 days of no yelling) Keep me in your prayers because having a two year old is hard! I also have a big collection of free and affordable summer ideas for kids I plan to share. I have collected these ideas from around the web and word of mouth. I know everyone can use some free entertainment this summer. If you want an early look at some of my plans you can check out my board on Pinterest.


So, how did you feel about last month? Are you looking forward to our theme this month? Is there anything you'd like to see this month? Let me know!

The Whirlwind: Moving, Marriage, and Munchkin

Andrew and I's first year of marriage was one crazy event. We were married in January and the year whirlwinded around us. Before we were even married six months I found out I was pregnant. My son, Benjamin was born in December of our first year of marriage. We had to move out of our tiny apartment before his birth.. so that made it marriage, munchkin and moving all within one short year.

What was the craziest year of your marriage like? What is your favorite and least favorite memories of that year?

Its amazing what a year like that can do to bring you together. I know we grew so much in that one year. Although we have only been married three years now, we have the knowledge of life that comes from many more.

We now have two handsome boys in our life. Its a great blessing and a tiring struggle at times. I find myself at times wishing for the days prec-hildren. Yet, I know that I wouldn't do it any other way. For the missed sleep, missed date, and craziness... it was still worth it.

Marriage is a rough road. Its not for the week and willing to give up type. You must be strong. You must commit. You will fight, cry, struggle, and other times you will smile, grow, and make love. Its a balance and a gift. Its burden and a blessing. I wont lie and say we have it right or that we are always happy. However, I love is true and chosen. We wont give up on this thing called marriage, we are in it for life.

Tomorrow we will be hearing from my little brother, the author behind A Daily Dose of R&R about love and life in a long distance relationship. So please stop by. Also, check out his latest project: Neverland's Library Anthology

Out of his own mouth, "It's a fantasy anthology I started to raise money to go towards providing textbooks for children in need. We partnered with First Book, because they've been doing just that for years. Also, we assembled authors from several major publishers: Orbit, McMillan, Nightshade and more."

There is only a few hours left in his campaign, so check it out!

Crying baby; Tuna sandwich

  
 I thought the name of this post was very appropriate for the occasion. If you haven't already guessed, I am eating a tuna sandwich and listening to my son express his dislike for being put down for nap. A random title seemed the best option since I had so much to discuss.

    Considering this is my very first post, I want to cover some of the things I want to explore during the life of this blog. When I first pondered the idea of blogging, it was a distant dream, a hopeful after thought. When I finally got serious, a whole plethora of ideas flowed into my cerebellum. Below I will list some of the questions I wish to answer and a few of the titles that may appear in future posts.

• What am I supposed to do?
• Who am I, really?
• What makes a good mom, not just a good mother?
• What did I learn from my childhood?
• What did I miss? (My childhood and teen years)
• Facing my past, what did I learn?
• The future, what does it hold?
• Love, Life, and Happily Ever After
• Why I like shuffle. 
• Who says I cant do everything?
• Blessings in the mail
• Miracles happen
• The No Good, Very Bad Day
• Plus size and beautiful, dealing with self image
• The beauty queen within
• When Yes means No and Vissa Versa
• Dear Manda, random facts and advice
• What happened? I suddenly grew up.
• Who says "there is no such thing as Prince Charming?"
• Can faith and logic be reconciled?
• Laugh a little
• No longer honeymooners
• Everything I learned, I learned from my mother...

    That is just a few things that I quickly jotted down. I suspect I will have many, many more pop into my mind later on.  Now, over time you will get to know me. Please feel free to ask a question, add a thought, or just point out something I missed. Self exploration is a journey, Im inviting you to come along and be apart of my team. So team, we're off!