Continued Confessions of a Clothesaholic...

Well, it's been a while since my last post on my clothing challenge (Link if you missed the first one...http://buschboys.blogspot.com/2011/05/confessions-of-clothesaholic.html ), but thought I would give you an update on my clothing rehabilation. 
It's now been an excruciatingly long 10 and 1/2 months since I have partaken in the enjoyment of buying new clothing items or accessories.  With just slightly over a month to go- one might think this process is getting easier.  But nope, I can assure you it's not.  In fact I'm over it.  Completely.  In all honesty the only reason I think I am still sticking to this commitment is probably guilt and keeping my word to God and myself.  Despite the difficulty, I must say I have learned some life-changing lessons along the way:  I am not defined by how I look/clothes that I wear (may have taken this a little too far-yoga pants have become a staple in my wardrobe), I am very blessed and thankful to have all I do and do not take it for granted, and probably the biggest one is I don't need a new outfit for an event.  Yes the last one is trivial I know, but in the past I would almost always just get a new shirt, accessory, etc. for a special event, but have found that it is okay to repeat and really get to know your wardrobe :)  Thank God I can layer and mix it up though.  Feel like my clothes and I have become very intimate and I could currently describe my entire wardrobe better than the back of my hand. 
But while I'm confessing.... I did it.  I screwed up.  Again!  Not a shirt at a yard sale this time, but a necklace at Kohl's.  With matching earrings.  The whole set for $3.25, originally $50 --- why did I even tempt myself by looking at the clearance??  Yet my weakness was short lived as Brody broke my necklace after just 15 minutes of wear!  Alright God,  I get it...clothes/accessories are just temporary pleasures, but really did it have to be so TEMPORARY?!?
Oh yeah, and I also went bra shopping.  But for the record, I do not consider this cheating because A) 2 of my bras broke and I was down to one that really worked and B) I HATE HATE HATE, did I say HATE bra shopping!!!  It's one shopping that I always put off.  I just don't go until my current ones are so bad I don't really have a choice.  Just can't stand trying all the different ones on and trying to find one that fits.  And don't even think about me asking for help...pretty sure I'm still scarred by the sweet, yet touchy/pokey, old ladies that my mom tried to have help at the department stores during my teenage years in order to make it fit just right.  Measure and staring, poking, and pushing....umm, no thanks!!  So yeah, that was not cheating - would maybe wait another 3 months to buy clothes if it meant no bra shopping.  Well maybe...
Anyways only 39 day untils my challenge is officially over...AND I CAN GO SHOPPING FOR REAL!!!  And yes I am super excited about that day, but really do feel like this challenge has helped me put things in perspective and think about daily what really matters....God and others!  I can officially say that this clothesaholic has been demoted to a clothes lover :)

Avid Readers

Both my boys have always had a love for books.  While I often wonder why we own toys, books are always in demand around here.  Weekly library trips, switching out bins of books, and reading 10+ books daily are all common occurences around here.

Brody's current favorite spot to read........

Telling me about the story

I have started teaching sight words at school in order to prepare the students for kindergarten.  Landon is so excited about learning to read and is doing really well.  He is currently able to read 10 words on his own.  Here is his first reading experience...........

Curious as a Monkey

Don't let this super sweet face fool you............

Landon can be quite curious and crazy. :)  I sometimes think he could be a human version of Curious George and find it fitting that he LOVES to watch Curious George, sleep with Curious George, and has several shirts and slippers sporting the monkey of curiousity.

Notice the resemblance???

But something about that craziness and curiousity just makes them so gosh darn lovable!!

Some curious moments of Landon lately.........

- pushing all the buttons in mommy's new car to see what they do

- cutting things around the house --- luckily just paper since we discussed this a LOT knowing his curiousity

- seeing if Brody will listen when he tells him to do something....and he does even when told to paint with yogurt, draw with marker on his face, eat Landon's helping of vegetables, or dump applesauce on his head

- Overflowing Filling up the rabbit's water with juice

- Rearranging 30 stacked chairs into stadium seating at school why mommy was finishing working in her room....noticed when he started cheering and running around his "football stadium"

Oh curious, curious Landon!

Grandparent's Day

We celebrated Grandparent's Day at school recently with a special performance and lunch.  My class sang two songs and made presents to thank our wonderful grandparents.  I mean what would parental life be like without grandparents and free babysitting??  So thankful for them!!!

Didn't get a chance to take pictures since I was leading the performance, but did get one group shot.

Landon's g-rents representing!!  He loves them so much!

Playing Catch Up

Lately I feel like I have been so behind on EVERYTHING!! and the last couple of weeks I have been trying to be more productive by sleeping a little less at night.  Brody is at that stage that you have to watch him each and every minute, so my free time is from about 6 am -6:40ish and after bedtime around 8.  Some evidence of my slacking/lack of alone time................
1)  First blog posts in 6 weeks!!  Longest hiatus since I began (Several more coming - we've had lots going on, just no time to tell about it :)
2)  Massive amounts of expired coupons - many that I should have used....

3)  Just found 2 thank you notes that I forgot to mail from Landon's birthday in June- sorry mom and Vanessa!  He loved your gifts :)

4)  Scrubbed all my floors by hand for the first time in probably months - longer than I can remember or want to willingly admit...minus the daily sweeping/cleaning post Brody's meals
5)  Can count at least 5 grey hairs since I am several weeks overdue dying my hair...didn't realize I was getting so many!
6) Totally missed doc appointments for Brody and Landon that were already two months behind schedule...I have never done that before!!! 

The good news is I am starting to get a few things done!  Even cleaned out the storage room this weekend and part of the garage.  Just really need to get things organized so I can be more productive and on top of things.  That's the hardest part about being a parent for me is being productive with two crazy boys.  Just wish I could just play with them everyday and everything would magically get done, but since that won't happen - I'll just get used to a little less sleep :)

Landon's First Soccer Game

Landon turned 4 in May, but we have yet to have him play any organized sports.  After finding out that our friend Jeff Mac was coaching a team for the Y, we figured we would give it a try.  Only six games and practices just 30 minutes before the games, so just the right amount of commitment for this newcomer. 

I really wasn't expecting too much out of Landon.  At home he likes to play soccer, baseball, etc., but usually lasts for about 5 minutes and moves on to something else.  His competitive nature must have kicked in though, because he was in it to win it.  Game face and all - his team was the tigers and he would growl whenever it was his turn to go in.  Too funny!!

Stats of his first game:  Tigers won 9-0 and Landon got 3 assists and his first goal!!  So proud of my little player. 

On the way to the game

I am a tiger...hear me growl

Grrrrrr

Warming up

Practicing trapping the ball

The players worked on dribbling slow like a turtle and fast like a cheetah.

All the teammates lined up for a drill

Last minute tip before game time...Landon even got to start!  11 players on the team and 5 play at once.

Brody works on his skills.....eating :)

and some dribbling.

LANDON'S FAN CLUB

On his breakaway that ended in his first goal!

GOOD GAME....we actually knew some of the other teamates Olivia and Emma from church

Snacks for the player :)

Such a great first experience....hope the rest of the season goes as well!