Lovable Lizard!!

Audrey and I were in the backyard this morning, and she found a baby lizard. So picked him up for her to see better and touch and the lizard decided to hang out on my hand for like a half an hour, while I watered and everything. Then Audrey blew him a kiss and we put him on a nice warm rock!

Audi and Bodhi (boddie) Hanging Out!

Audi is taming the Bodhi monster!!

Home Daycare Available!!

I'm using the opportunity that I have a blog to advertise my services and maybe through word of mouth from friends, family, or even browsers I'll get some work to help support my family, but also be home for my family.
I've been a nanny for 10years, the family I've been with have their last child entering high school, so my services are no longer needed. My own family lives in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. (Chaffey College area) and I am offering my nanny/daycare services from my home. Flexible with hours, offer a reasonable weekly rate, and lunch, activities, etc. provided. Please anyone who is interested, contact me, email me (jjflattery@aemail4u.com), or leave me a post with your info. References are available if needed also, just request! Thanks
Family & friends put the word out for anyone looking for childcare, thanks guys!!!!

Random Pics!

Here are some random pics, been busy and just haven't been keeping up with blogging. Sorry!

FAIR!

We went to the Ren. Fair this weekend, an early birthday celebration for Ethan! He had so much fun, fencing, watching jousting, giant swings, etc. One cool thing was Ethan doing the dunk tank, the guy was heckling him and Ethan hit the target and dunked the guy and he had a crowd cheering for him. He looks like he belongs in that suit of armor, he is going to be a heart breaker when he's older! I love him so much, and it's wonderful to be a part of raising him.

Pitcher

This is the second game Ethan has been pitcher this season, and he did very well! Audrey's always excited to be around her brother and happy to be at his game.

Time!

I want to go faster, but I did well though I suppose for my first 1/2 marathon. 2 hours 20 min., room for improvement but since I have a coach (John) and a running buddy (Kim) then I think that slowly but surely I can do better. I have set a personal goal of doing a qualifying time in our October's full marathon to make it into the Boston Marathon!!! (Kim is holding me to that goal!!!LOL...my big mouth!) Thanks for all the well wishes from everyone, I know they helped.

1/2 Marathon!!!!

Ahh..I am participating in 'The Run through Redlands' this weekend, doing the 1/2 marathon (12.6 miles). I have already been training for the big full marathon that Kim and I are doing in October, but I have been coerced into doing this. Well not really but I am getting a little nervous cause this will be my first marathon of any kind and I'm all alone, no running buddy:( I can run for 3 hours straight pretty comfortably, so I'm not really worried about getting the mileage done, I'm just getting I guess some stage fright cause I have no idea how I'll rank against other runners! I am excited to do this though, with the expertise of a close family friend, John (like a grandfather figure). He has run marathons all over the U.S., he can't anymore cause he had throat cancer (never smoked a day in his life),that went in remission, came back and then remission again. So this run is specifically in honor of him, a firefighter all his life, wonderful energetic man, and it's special to see how excited he gets coaching me. I hope to make him proud! And a big thanks to Kim also for always being my supportive running buddy in text and spirit..hehe! So everyone wish my luck, break a leg and all that (but not really that would hurt the chances of finishing the race..lol).

Brilliant Birdhouse!

Audrey and my artistic collaboration, won't the birds be amazed!!!

Easter comes Early

Well since we weren't going to have Ethan on Easter, I still find it important for he and Audi to experience holidays, etc. together. So the Easter bunny arrived early just for them, he left a special note for them and set up an easter egg hunt, also left them a nice easter basket with 2 movies and birdhouses to paint! The best part is that Ethan still has that youthfull innocent imagination and believed Sniffles (our bunny) had help the Easter bunny set this whole thing up. I do plan on teaching them the real reason we celebrate this special day, that it's not just about rabbits and candy too! Happy Easter everyone!

The Great Hopper Hunt

Anytime Audrey sees a grasshopper she gets excited and says, "Hopper hopper!". This morning we had a "hopper" kicking back on our porch and she wanted to show everyone even her babydoll. Now anytime she sees any insect that sort of resembles a grasshopper she informes us theres a "hopper".

Sleeping Beauty!

Busy!

I feel like I have been doing something all the time, probably not but feels like it all the same. So sorry for not keeping up to date on my blogging. I still have to charge the camera so that I can transfer new pics to put up, that's on my 'To Do' list! Everyone is doing pretty well: Ethan is busy school, guitar, and baseball. Audrey is busy busy busy busy :) all the time. Darin is busy with the helping Ethan with his baseball (he is very dedicated dad), trying to rustle up more work, etc. As for myself, feels like I'm busy with everything, but just the usual I guess except for training for a marathon (Thanks Kim..hehe...no actually I am really loving it and getting really into it). Last weekend Audrey, Darin and I went to church, Audrey actually behaved pretty well. People were giving their testimonies and at the near end of someones Audi started saying "Amen, amen, amen, amen" loudly, I guess she was trying to relay she really understood:)! I guess that's it for now, I'll charge my camera soon promise :)

Park and Pond

Daddy was a little down, about work prospects etc., so Audrey and I decided a trip to see the ducks at the park would be a good distraction for him. Sunday afternoon was very beautiful day to go, sunny and clear but with cool undertones. Funny we brought bread for the ducks and Audi does enjoy seeing the ducks, but I think she had the most fun imaginary fishing!

Everyone Should Read...

I didn't want to read something that was more than just pure fantasy and fun, but I'm so very glad I decided to read this book! Emotional, but an amazing journey none the less. Please read this book, doesn't matter what religion, no religion, race, anything, it will touch your heart and maybe give new understandings. Pass it on to someone afterwards!

"Charlie and Lola"

"Mamma, Charlie..Charlie...Charlie!" ="Charlie and Lola is my very best and most favorite show!" - Audrey
I have to say I love this cartoon too, it's very cute show on the Disney channel. It's shows the funny and very imaginative world and relationship between a brother and sister in England. I love the fact that they have cute english accents and speak intelligently.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!

Audi getting to watch a few extra episodes of her favorite show "Charlie and Lola" before bed, with her baby Elmo (she picked him out all on her own this morning).

Mmmm....frosting! She loves cupcakes, for the frosting then she's done.

"Why is this phone not working?! " / "Can you hear me now?!"

Audrey's Birthday balloon. I couldn't help it, it was too cute. She started out punching it and being annoyed by it. Then running around the house with it, so I think it did it's job!

Nap time, not without my balloon and baby Elmo!

I can't believe my beautiful baby girl is 2!! I love her so much and can't believe the wonderful gifts from God, sometimes they are more than you could ever dream of.

She had a good birthday day, I got her the balloon in the morning with a muffin. Then we all got ready, Darin and I took her to pick out a toy @ Target (cause her Charlie and Lola dolls had arrived in time). Audrey had gymnastics after that and we brought cupcakes. Darin had to go to work after that, but Audi and I had a great rest of the day. We went and she picked out a sparkly pair of sandles. We went to work and saw Sean (the kid I'm nanny for), Audi loves Sean! On the way home we picked up Chick-fil-a for her and Gramma, mommy got a Starbucks. It was a nice night at home playing and having fun just mommy and Audrey! I remind myself to soak this time up, cause she will too soon be all grown up.

Sunday we are going to take her to a bird farm with brother for a little extra birthday fun as a whole family.

Remembering the Blessings!

Wow... I think the last few weeks has been ruff for many people, for many different reasons. My gramma (who's like a mom) has had a really bad patch with her mental health (dementia) and was in the hospital with unhopeful predictions for the future, but fortunately we have found a good balance with medications to make it possible for her to return home for awhile. I believe it must have been because of all the prayers for her and just keeping faith that things would happen the way they should. These two beautiful kids are one of the reasons I didn't loose it completely, sometimes you are reminded of the blessings you have even in the worst of times! All we can do is deal with ever day as it comes and do what's right in our hearts. Thanks for everyones prayers and my thoughts are with those who are still struggling with things that can feel so unfair and out of their control.

That's My Girl!

She cracks me up all the time !

Pump..pump!!

"Pump...pump" is Audrey's phrase for when she wants to get the boxing gloves out and play. I think it's one of the cutest things when she comes to me and says "pump..pump mama".

Very Studious!

Audi's creative work, daddy is her inspiration!!

They are both hard at work, one on homework and the other trying to be just like her big brother. One of those moments :)

Family Time

We had a nice late afternoon and evening Thursday, some good family time. Ethan and Darin played a little basketball, and Audrey made friends with a neighborhood cat. Then we went to dinner and when we came home the kids built a awesome tower of blocks!