lady of the house

Snippets from our week

2012-01-26T14:46:00.001-08:00

doctors office

sssshhh…

playing games, we make up our own rules, so we win every time.

silly faces caught on tape

rainy day movie and popcorn (with marshmallows)

my boys love jillian as much as I do.

chunk loves the vacuum. I will remind him of this ten years from now.

bath time. oh how I love bath time.

WIWW- The Drive Around Mom

2012-01-25T07:04:00.001-08:00

When I wasn’t nursing sick kids this past week, I feel like I was driving them all around. To school, to the library, to karate, to gymnastics, to the doctor, so comfy clothes were in order.

Here I am with my, “this is so silly face.”

The details: plaid shirt-target merona, plum shirt-brass plum nordstrom, jeans- old navy, boots- uggs from australia

details: vest- old navy, long sleeve tee- gap, jeans- old navy, uggs

I find myself buying more clothes from Old Navy than the Gap these days. Gap always seems to be so depressing with their clothes; the colors and their waif models are just so dreary. I miss the All-American Gap. Has anyone else thought this?

Two things I’ve noticed since starting these WIWW posts. I always were my hair down now… boring. That’s what prompted yesterday's post. And I need to accessorize more. I know I always par down when I have an infant: no chunky necklaces, no dangly earings, and no wedding ring (I always seem to cut their faces so I just don’t wear it for the first year.) Band only. But now that we’re planning a first birthday its time to change that. Anyone have a favorite accessory right now?

hair up, hair down

2012-01-24T06:31:00.001-08:00

If I were getting married again…

source

must try this. sock bun curls. now, to look for a stray sock…

source

once the bangs grow out. and I’ll take some of those eye lashes please.

source

when I’m cleaning the house? a little inspiration. and I love that necklace.

source

Small Tasks… Great Accomplishment

2012-01-23T11:37:00.001-08:00

I long to accomplish a great and noble task; but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble. ~Helen Keller

My small and tiring tasks this weekend included hours and hours of rocking this baby as those chompers invaded his mouth. Four teeth in four weeks and still more swollen gums, fever, and runny nose. I expect he’ll have six teeth before this month is up. He smiles here, but in the middle of the night his pain has kept everyone up. Tired doesn’t even begin to describe the way I felt on Saturday. Exhausted, worn out, make a better attempt out describing me. He wanted to be held 90% of the time. Have you ever tried to blow dry your hair holding a baby? It doesn’t work out so well.

I do long to accomplish a great and noble task: raising men. It is such a long journey, one that Mr. Dunbar and I have only begun to climb. A journey that will take three lifetimes. Where there are so many valleys and hills and rabbit trails to be explored. But in the small of the night it is my small tasks of rocking, soothing, cuddling that will hopefully forever imprint just how loved he is. So much of who he will become relies on these first few years. Whether he’ll know just how loved he is, whether he’ll understand his value to this family and the world, his personality relies so much on his acceptance at home. I was supposed to leave him all day today. Had all of the plans made and then they didn’t pan out the way I had wanted. I was so super bummed. But then I thought, perhaps I’m just supposed to spend the day cuddling this guy. So that’s just what we’re doing. And that’s okay.

How about you? Any small or large tasks you’re conquering today?

The Take-Over Dinner

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

One thing that the Dunbar’s have been great recipients of over the years have been Take-Over Dinners. You know, we have a baby and all of our friends rally together a schedule and coordinate dinners for our family. In our case it has been each time we’ve had a baby, but it can be for anything really, the loss of a loved one, a hard time at work or loss of work, a family whose time is being stretched tight. I’ve made dinner for several of my friends who are working moms, just to give them the “night off.”

There are several guidelines I like to follow when sending a Take Over Dinner.

1. Do they have any food allergies? Or foods that they just don’t eat? Avoid those foods.

2. When packing up the dinner try to include all of the plastic and paperware fortheir dinner. Eating and then having nothing to clean up is bliss! One thing I’ve learned, when you’re trying to give the mom the “night off” creating a whole bunch of dishes for her doesn’t really help.

3. When making dinner for a family who is going to be receiving dinner for a week or more, just try to include dinner for that night. Making too much takes over their fridge and counters and for people like me, ends up causing stress.

4. When packaging the food, put it in the disposable plasticware or baggies. (All you greenies don’t come banging down my door, I only use these containers for take over dinners… and Mr. Dunbar’s lunches, in which he always brings them home.) If you can avoid it, don’t take dinner in your favorite casserole dish or glass containers. One, the giving family will probably miss it and two, who knows when it will be returned.

5. A rule of thumb for me is whatever I serve someone else, it has to be something my own family loves. And I always make the same thing for my family that night for dinner. If I wouldn’t give it to my own kids, I’m not going to give it to someone else’s. One time I made chop suey for a family, I didn't think their kids would eat it, so I included mac and cheese too.

6. Okay, my last point, if you run out of time, picking up a pizza and a premade salad is still okay. When our last guy came and I wasn’t getting more than 2 hours of sleep, anything to put on the table for dinner was fine by me. I appreciated any and all of the help. A few months ago I was signed up for dinner for some of our best friends, their meal schedule was all fancy-schmancy on a website and I had entered that I was bringing ‘tacos.’ But when push came to shove tacos just weren’t happening on my assigned night. So I swung by Tios Tacos and brought those. (I still owe you real ones B!)

This past week I was able to take dinner to a friend who has just had a baby. When I made my meal plan the week before it was supposed to be warm, so between that and that I knew two others had brought over pasta I figured Chicken Salad Sandwiches sounded good. Looking back, I should have mixed that salad for her. But I thought, if they had leftovers from a previous dinner, this would still pack away for a good lunch the following day. There are no dishes that need to be returned and the bag is hers to keep if she’ll use it. If not, I told her to put everyone else's dishes in it.

Not the fanciest of meals, but something hopefully they enjoyed. My family sure did. I went to go take a picture of it so I could include the recipe and it was GONE. But I’ll still include the recipe.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

4 cups shredded or diced chicken

2/3 to one cup light mayo

1 whole apple diced

4 stalks of celery chopped

2 carrots shredded

1/2 cup pecans

Mix everything up and add salt and pepper to taste. I also like to add curry, lots of it, but not for new moms.

Spread on toasted bread and enjoy.

Do you take meals to people? What are your go to meals?

Part-aay Peeks

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Just some snippets from the parties and festivities we enjoyed this past weekend.

And then we went to ‘Vegas for Kids’ here in our little city. The place was hopping and all of the boys had a blast, so did Casey’s pocket book. It was good times though.

Happy Birthday Lukie!!

Ahh the fun never ends around here. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

WIWW-Baby Shower

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law who is pregnant with her 4th baby had a baby shower this past weekend. It was 2 and a half hours of pure girl time to welcome a brand new baby {boy}. We love boys around these parts. Anyhow, a little pink was in order.

Here are the deets:

Her: Pink samurai top: F21, black tee: Target, black maternity jeggings: Old Navy, accessories: Old Navy, Sandals {not shown} Nordstrom

Me: Jean jacket: Gap, Scarf: Banana Republic, White tunic: Sundance, leggings: Target, Boots: Nordstrom,

Baby: PJ’s: Children’s Place

Note to self: Take pictures in day light when baby is asleep.

One note about the scarf: I tied the ends together and wore it as an infinity scarf. I just couldn’t bring myself to cut off the fringe, but instead just tried to tuck it in and thought it worked pretty well.

And of course the keeping it real outfit:

This is what I ran around in all day today. I don’t normally stay in my exercise clothes all day but it was just one of those days.

Sweatshirt: Roxy (ages old), gray tee: Nordstrom Rack ($1.99 score), lounge pants: Old Navy, tennies: New Balance

Me.

2012-01-16T06:45:00.001-08:00

I’ve been thinking about my life a bit…

I married the guy I dated at the end of college. We have three boys who somehow all resemble my husband, I thought my genes would be stronger. I drink my coffee with more creamer than coffee. My alarm clock is set for 5:10am Monday through Friday. I blowdry and straighten my hair every third day. I can’t remember the lyrics to any songs other than Jingle Bells and Our God is an Awesome God. I check my weight by how tight my jeans are and 99% of the time my toenails are polished . I love asparagus and spinach but loath broccoli and brussel sprouts. Most mornings I hop I into my SUV and drive my kids across town to the the top-rated schools in our city. On special days, we stop by Starbucks for hot chocolate and bagels, as well as picking up a latte for the teacher. I get to walk my kids to the gate or doorway of school each morning. I enjoy cooking and am currently lusting over the LeCreuset dutch oven at Williams-Sonoma. I don’t own a food processor and think that’s a crime. I’ve never gone hungry a day in my life. My boys have two sets of grandparents who love them like crazy and spoil them rotten. (My 3 year-old thinks life’s biggest injustice is that he doesn’t have a $100 bill.) All while they have so many toys, they don’t even know that I stash some of them away. My hands are always dry because I wash them too much. I have anti-bac/soap/wipes in the diaper bag, in my handbag, at every sink in the house, at the diaper station, in the cabinet by the toilet, and strategically placed at 4 separate places in my car. ( A little OCD?) Last week my biggest travesty was that holes broke through on my designer jeans. Not those jeans.

As I type this on my fairly new laptop, the current book that I just received from amazon is sitting on the arm of my chair. My cell phone is a foot away along with my DSLR camera and make-up bag. Note, there is no Target make-up in that bag.

I live in the perfect American box.

Husband, check.

Kids, check.

Home, check.

Car, check.

Two dogs, check.

College education, check.

Credit cards in wallet, check.

Completely unsatisfied and always wanting more, check, check, check.

I believe its time for a change. I don’t like the sort of change I feel coming on. You know, sometimes Jesus prompts us a little out of our comfort zone so He can do great things. Yeah, I’d much rather say I’ll see you after a trip to Nordstrom .

Chugging Along and a Birthday

2012-01-12T14:39:00.001-08:00

Today is Mr. Dunbar’s birthday. He is old. Like old old. And no matter how old he gets, he’ll always be older than me. That’s why I love him.

Happy Birthday Mr. Dunbar.

I love you.

Always Always.

(this was the only picture I could find of him since christmas.

isn’t he a good dad? taking care of story time with the bible.)

Moving along.

I am just chugging along this week. My bible study started back , I was engrossed in the conversation that I just about chucked my friends coffee mug across her kitchen counter. Splat went all my coffee. Good thing the mug didn’t break. I wouldn’t be surprised if she handed me a paper cup next week. Then I started talking and lost track of time. Needless to say, I was late to pick up Bogie. So late in fact the teachers called me on the phone. Like “ Hello! Are you going to pick up your kid?” (That means you’re really late.) I was so late in picking up Bogie that I was even late to picking up Monkey. YIKES.

Okay, lesson learned. Than I took Monkey to his new activity class and the teacher was giving me a weird look. So I asked the lady at the front desk if it was okay. She said of course. That is until the actual teacher walked over and said Monkey’s class had just ended. HUH? We missed it? Seriously? I checked my calendar, it said 5:30, should have said 4:30. Great. Winner mom over here.

You would have thought I had totally learned my lesson, right?

Oh no… Today I was running errands and had it clocked down to the minute, to be on time to pick up Monkey. What I didn’t include in my calculations was somebody else needing a potty break. 10 extra minutes it took. AGH. Late again! So not like me.

So tomorrow I’m staying home. And nobody has practice. Hopefully I’ll get them to school on time.

Anyone else ever had one of those days? Or weeks?

Too Warm for January-WIWW

2012-01-11T05:51:00.001-08:00

It has been 75+ degrees around here making for some crazy outfit choices. It’s not quite cold, not quite hot. Everything in me is saying I should be putting on sweaters and extra layers. This past weekend it was really warm so I had on shorts and flips but it got sort of chilly in the house so I threw on my Uggs. (Not very picture worthy.) I don’t really want to wear my spring/ summer attire yet, those clothes are out about 8 months of the year. The weather however, is saying otherwise.

But here’s what I did capture.

Sunday Church.

And I wore my Jeanne Oliver leather cuff, along with a hair band on my wrist of course.

Details:

Top: Nordstrom

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Nordstrom

Of course here’s what a daily outfit looks like.

Shirt: F21

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Joes

Flips: Rainbows

Jeans and flips in January? I still can’t get over it. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for colder weather at the end of this month, as there is not much snow without it.

And on a different note, a hole broke through on the knees of two pairs of my jeans this past week, one of which were my favorite pair of Citizens. They were from the year Bogie was born so I guess it was about time they gave out, seeing as he’ll be 4 in two months. I’ll be on the lookout for a new pair of great all around jeans that can stand up to the wear and tear of a mom to three boys. Any ideas?

What’s your favorite brand and fit?

I’m linking up with The Pleated Poppy.

It’s Monday Morning

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

These shots were taken a while back, I thought they looked nice. Suffice it to say this will be a random post.

1. The pomegranates were from my grandma’s tree. I love pomegranates. Don’t really appreciate the mess, but after the work of de-seeding them, they rarely disappoint.

2. It is 75 degrees here. I wore flips for most of the weekend. Can somebody let Mother Nature know that even in Southern California, 75 degrees is not winter weather? Not really complaining, but still.

3. Did anyone watch the Broncos/Steelers game yesterday? We’re not really big football fans around here, but we are Tim Tebow fans and we were rooting for him.

4. My mom started using the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred last week. She was cracking me up saying she found muscles she didn’t know she had. That’s how Jillian rolls. Love it when a workout makes you feel like that.

5. My baby has two teeth. Only top teeth, no bottom ones. His smile is so cute. I’ll try and catch it this week.

6. I’m thinking some photos of what I’m actually writing about would make sense here. Oh well.

7. I saved all my pennies and got Mr. Dunbar brand new iPhone for Christmas. Well it cam in late last week and he’s a happy guy right now, playing with it, tweaking it, and ordering all sorts of gadgets and gismos for it. Okay, it was a cover and some screen protectors but still. He deserves it.

And that is as much random as I can muster right now. What’s going on with you?

Yes, you’re in the right place

2012-01-07T14:53:00.001-08:00

I’ve been making a few changes around here.

Living Intentionally

is now “Lady of the House.”

Sort of goes better with the “ladydunbar” URL.

So stay a while.

It’s only going to get better from here.

Snippets of our Week

2012-01-06T06:20:00.001-08:00

Out of town cousins were here this week and boy did these guys play, play, play.

In the mud.

On the fort.

In the mud again.

Around and around and around.

There was lots of chasing, and sharing {or trying to"}, lots of “Hey, you wanna do….” and good good fun.

We were sad to say good bye to them last night but excited that we will see them again in a few short weeks hopefully for some snow, snow, snow.

In the spirit of being up since 4am

2012-01-04T11:25:00.001-08:00

Somebody woke up at 4:22am. Usually its Mr. Dunbar, I hear him stretch and then slip out of bed. But this morning it was the Baby, restless and unsettled. So I got up and fed him, then tried to put him back in his bed. Screams soared, so I picked him back up. Teething sucks. So I rocked him with a blanket over the both of us until I heard him start to breathe heavily and then I got up and tried to lay him back in the crib. Again, screams soared, so picked him back up and tried to rock him again….

As I was rocking him I thought of this year and I wanted to actually categorize and organize my goals. {I’m a bit of a type-A}

Anyhow, in no particular order…

This Year 2012:

Be Content: Focus on the blessings I do have

Be Wise: Spend more time daily in the Word and my understanding of it

Be Healthy: Workout 3-4 times a week, continue to improve our menu with healthy and tasty choices, especially snacks for myself.

Be Smart: Shut my mouth when mean words are ready to fly off of it. Listen, really listen. Watch that checkbook (ATM card actually.) Go back up to goal number one: Be content. And embrace new opportunities.

Be Happy: My life is good. Oh so good. I need to remember this and to treasure the small things and the milestones that will be reached this year.

Be Calm: Things will get done. When I am calm this home is also. So get up earlier if I need to get something done.

These are from the day after Christmas. Remember, calm. Breathe. Calm.

The kid loves the cell phone, do you see him eyeballing it?

Calm. It will get done….

Now I’m off to have a strong cup of coffee, play with a baby, and scrub some floors.

A Brand New Year, Right in the Middle of the Chapter

2012-01-02T14:06:00.001-08:00

We celebrated a New York New Year’s this year, complete with Apple Cider, swine- wrapped green beans, and no-egg cookie dough. YUM.

Nothing says “Good beginnings” like Martinelli’s.

We toasted and welcomed in the New Year.

2012.

Holy Moly.

2012!!

Then we came home, made our kids brush their teeth and went to bed. That’s life.

On Sunday morning, we got up and went to Church. And it was good. Like really good. Like God used Pastor Nathan to tear it up on stage, and it got my mind and my heart situated for a brand new year. Because I was ready, to say Good bye to 2011. Not as ready as I had been in 2010 or maybe even 2009, but ready. Looking back, I think things are actually on the upswing. But looking forward Mr. Dunbar and I are right in the middle of a chapter of life. We are not starting a new one, we aren’t ready to end one, we are just in the middle of one. A chapter I’ll be writing this upcoming year. Care to join me on this journey?

In order to really start the year off right, we had our annual goal setting dinner. Every year since we’ve been married we go out to dinner the first week of January and set goals for our year. Goals for our family, goals for God, goals for money, goals for achievement. Some years have been rough. Some years not so rough. This year it was good. Real good. It was real. Ever had one of those conversations with your spouse? You should.

But before I get too serious, let me show you our dinner.

We ate at Wood Ranch. There is nothing better than a good dinner. Only a good dinner that is free. Gotta love those Christmas gift cards. Thanks Judy.

Fresh baked garlic rolls. YUM. I think I ate an entire basket by myself. Good thing I don’t have any diet resolutions.

Look at Mr. Dunbar smiling over his pulled pork sandwich.

That sauce in the middle, in that little tin cup, A. MA. ZING. Seriously, it revolutionized the sandwich from something that you could make at home to something worth paying for.

Now for my dinner. I ordered the Chop Chop Salad. Do not order this salad. Blah. Blah. Blah. But they did exchange my salad and got me the Natalie, in like 2 minutes flat.

So, I’m still raving about Wood Ranch.

Anyhow, back to the real story. Mr. Dunbar and I set our goals for the year. BIG goals. Bigger goals then we’ve ever set, which is funny because in reality, they are probably the most small goals we’ve ever made, but we are going to really accomplish them. And I’m excited.

That’s why on my new header, whenever I get it up, you’ll see that it says something about an “authentic life.” True, I do live each and every day intentionally. But seriously, my intentional-ness has a lot to do with laundry and dishes, along with math facts and menu planning. With some potty training and video games thrown into the mix. Not headline stuff people.

But my hope for this upcoming year and this blog is that you will see the authentic side of myself and this little Dunbar family. I am deciding to let go of outdated beliefs, old identities, and just plain baggage that I’ve held on to for so long. You know, those truly unrealistic expectations.

I hope you stay a while as we journey through what God has in store for us, as we decide to invest our time in family and fun, and as we conquer each of our goals to get us to the end of the chapter we are in the midst of. I know its not going to be easy. My pulse gets a little faster when I think of what we are going to do this year. I’m still planning on keeping the general gist of the same blog, and perhaps some WIWW (those are harder than I thought) , along with some recipes, and who know’s what else. Hair tips?Genn and I are going to do a Vlog at some point, I’m going to conn her into doing my hair extra big and letting you all see it. Ha. And I’ve got some other ideas of people and things I’d like to introduce here as well.

It should be fun and if nothing else, it will be authentic.

Happy New Year. And Welcome 2012!

Goodbye 2011

2011-12-30T08:46:00.001-08:00

Another year, come and gone. Gee, I blinked and now its December 30th. Well, okay, I didn’t really blink, since I was awake for most of this year. Somebody in this house wasn’t really a “sleeper.” I can officially say I spent 3/4 of this year without ever really hitting REM sleep.

I’d like to say one of my goals for 2012 will be more sleep, but in reality it won’t be, I’m just hoping for some more quality sleep.

I guess I’ll wait until next year to really lay out all of my goals. Goals sound so much more attainable than resolutions, don’t you think?

This guy is actually looking more and more like his Daddy. I love him so. The daddy and the baby. And my other two, too.

So goodbye 2011. I’m going to spend today doing chores and paperwork and then tomorrow soaking up the last day of the year.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year’s celebration.

See you in 2012.

~mrs. dunbar

WIWW- Christmas and little of what I got

2011-12-28T19:51:00.001-08:00

Hello there.

This is me, on Christmas.

This is me nonchalantly taking pics of myself on Christmas.

This is the top that my brother had to ask if I made out of mom’s old curtains or tablecloth? {Funny guy.}

Funny guy is on the end. The top draped nicely, I thought. And here’s the best I can do for a full outfit shot.

details: top-marshalls, pants-gap, shoes-piperlime

accessories… forgotten at home

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

and a few of the things mr. dunbar got me…

jeanne oliver leather cuff.

new watch. isn’t this band fun? I love it.

goes perfectly with my new sparkly tom’s.

and my biggest surprise… a portable hard drive. I didn’t even know these things existed until mr. dunbar brought one home to swap out music with a guy from work over a year ago. its itty bitty and it will hold a ton of pictures. hooray.

I also got some pjs and undies and tupperware. I love gifts that I will use ALL. THE. TIME.

he did good. real good.

~mrs. dunbar

Practically Perfect Christmas

2011-12-27T19:52:00.001-08:00

I don’t know about you but I really really enjoyed having the Christmas holiday on a Sunday. Mr. Dunbar was off “early” on Friday, we had all day Saturday to celebrate with the Dunbar side, all day Sunday to celebrate with my side, and then we still had Monday off. Hip Hip Hooray for that!

Anywho… in keeping with an effort to record our holidays, here are a few (or a lot) of shots from our weekend.

Christmas Eve morning at Grandmas Judy’s; waiting for presents and breakfast and not getting too much cooperation.

After Grandmas house it was nap time and Church. The boys were much too wired and did not go to sleep, so we wavered back and forth on going to the 2pm service or the 4pm service. Finally, at the last minute we decided to go to the 2pm service. Well, when you get to church late on Christmas Eve, you’ve got to sit in overflow… which sort of sucks. But it worked to our advantage because the boys were restless and the drinking fountain that was right behind us was instant entertainment until the boys got to go up on stage and hang their Christmas ornament.

Christmas Eve night is always spent at Auntie Marian’s house. Who doesn’t host parties when their 100?? She did all of the dishes and wouldn’t let anyone help with that.

The kids sitting around waiting for Santa to show up. The adults were “tracking him” on their phones.

Santa was totally sober. (Long story.)

Remember when I said there would be Christmas Chaos?

Part Two, Christmas Chaos, Christmas Morning

Monkey was out of bed at 6am. I was already up nursing the baby and Monkey bursts in and says, “Mommy, Santa came. He came and I thought to myself, should I open all of my presents now? Or should I wait. And I thought to myself, waiting would be the right thing to do.”

So at 6 o’clock on Christmas morning we were all up busting open packages.

Bogie kept saying, “I got a box. I got a box!” I think he meant he got an Amazon box, but who knows. He was thrilled with each thing.

Craziness, yes. Wonderful, yes.

Part 3, Christmas Chaos, Grandma and Papa’s

My mom always puts on a wonderful spread of food. This was lunch when we got there.

You can’t see them, but inside are tamales. YUM!

Bogie singing his Christmas song.

Somebody thought they were real funny giving this as a Christmas gift.

Monkey screamed, “A DS, just what I always wanted!”

My parents with their brood of grandkids. First pictures ever with all of them in it.

Merry Merry Christmas 2011.

~mrs. dunbar

Good Times

2011-12-23T15:57:00.001-08:00

Oh the good times. You know in these last few days before Christmas, I’ve really tried to slow down and actually kind of try to enjoy the season. Kind of.

We had some cousins over the other day for some activities and boy time. Well the activities were sort of “mom-induced” my craft days are extremely limited you know. Even cookie and ornament decorating lasted about all of 9 minutes, but hey we’re creating memories.

We really havent’ left the house much. Here is our self-photo of the day from Wednesday. My boys look thrilled don’t they?

We stopped by my parents house the other day, the Baby was asleep for while. Here he is waking up, Gramma had to get him.

And then we headed out to see Christmas lights with friends. Of course the kids had to play beforehand. Notice which boys just congregate together.

Laughs were had. By the big people and the little people.

And these two were just smitten with the Dunbar Baby. They don’t get to see a baby often enough, I think. Chunk was just happy to be close to Ray-Ray, he loves her.

Of course once we were actually walking around I didn’t take one picture. Here is a shot I ~~ordered~~ politely asked Mr. Dunbar to take.

And our family photo of the night. Ha.

One unexpected thing did happen though. Mr. Dunbar broke my stroller. Literally, broke the handle right off. SPLIT. No more handle. I’ve been contemplating for months about buying a new stroller but couldn’t bring myself to do it since I didn’t need one.

Ah well. I guess now I do. Do you know Mr. Dunbar’s response when I told him so. “Chunk is 10 months, he’ll be walking soon. We don’t need a stroller!” {Men.}

Anyhow, Mr. Dunbar is home now. So we’re going to get in some family time before the Chaos we call Christmas begins tomorrow.

Happy Holidays everyone. I hope you spend it with loved ones…joyfully.

~mrs. dunbar

Jingle Bells

2011-12-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

Well okay, I don’t really have any Christmas bells to share with you, I just wanted to type that.

I had to put the Reese’s Mini’s up on a shelf out of little hands reach and mine too.

I made some cupcakes for Mr. Dunbar’s employees this week. Only two (not-so-pretty) ones were saved for little people who like cupcakes. Little boys don’t care whether the frosting looks good or not. They did look in the mirror to check their tongues afterwards though.

The next day I was making crescent rolls (from a tube) when Bogie rushed to wash his hands and pop in the kitchen to help me. Can you tell which ones are his? I was cracking up and sort of gagging. But I baked them anyways. Nobody noticed the difference but me.

This guy is just a snuggler. A very wiggly giggly snuggler. He's also 10 months old today and is cutter his first tooth... on the top. Looks like the bottom ones are not going to come in after all.

And these two have discovered that they can watch Christmas movies on You Tube. I can’t find any of our Christmas DVD’s. No Frosty, no Rudolph, no Miracle on 34th street. I’m just not willing to go out and buy them again, when I am convinced there is another Christmas bin the the black hole we call a garage.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Meg’s house is my absolute favorite this holiday season. I love everything about it. It’s classic. And friendly. And fun.
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

Every single one of her shots was fabulous.

I don’t have any fantastic home photos, but I did catch this one.

And he’s mine all mine. Along with a Pluto Band-Aid on the bumm.

~mrs. dunbar

My first WIWW

2011-12-21T20:35:00.001-08:00

One day last week, Bogie’s best friend’s Mom asked me, “How do you do it? How do you get dressed up every day?” HUH? Dressed up? No, not me. I was not only surprised, but totally flattered. And then the next day Genn encouraged me to participate in WIWW over at The Pleated Poppy…. so I snapped a few pics this past week of What I Wore. Actually I snapped like 200 and this is what I got. Taking pics of your own clothes is hard work.

Details: Sweater and collared shirt- Banana Republic, Skinnies- Gap, Boots-Kohl’s Candies

Details: Shirt-Banana Republic, Jeans-Old Navy, Boots-Target, Necklace- Ann Taylor, Belt- Windsor

But now, lets be real… I’m a mom and this is what my days look like, too. Especially Fridays. This is my clean, iron, get ready for the weekend look.

Sweats- Old Navy, Tank- Target, Cozy Socks-Macy’s, Baby-Sent from Above

Do you like how I even left the tape tag on my pants? Just keeping it real.

~mrs. dunbar

The Season’s Premiere Shows

2011-12-20T14:57:00.001-08:00

Well last week the boys had their holiday shows. Bogie’s was on Wednesday and Mr. Dunbar was in attendance. Of course when Daddy is present, Mom is all but non-existent. Bogie’s morning was called a “Craft and Carol.” First they built a marshmallow pretzel snowman and these two guys were all over this project.

Just check out that concentration.

After craft time was caroling time. Once the teachers passed out the jingle bells caroling was forgotten for this guy. Not one word was sung. Not one. But boy did he shake that bell.

And who cares if you’re performing, when you’ve got to yawn, you’ve got to yawn.

It was so funny. I thought he was going to bite somebody’s head off with that ginormous yawn.

Next day it was off to Monkey’s performance.

Monkey performed on the big stage at school. As all the parents were waiting patiently for the curtain to open I heard “Mommy! Mommy!” And sure enough there was my hooligan and his bud, front and center.

I kept mouthing to him, “Take off your sweatshirt.” He kept shaking his head, “No.” And so another performance with a recalcitrant outfit. Fabulous.

Good times. Good memories.

My favorite song to sing at Christmas Programs was Jingle Bell Rock.

Anyone else have a favorite?

~mrs. dunbar

Hey there, Ho there

2011-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

Who me? Yes you. Say what? Chicken b…

Okay don’t answer that.

Christmas vacation is here and the boys are going to be home every single day. With me. All day long.

From sun up to sun down.

From waking time to bed time. Praying for sunshine.

I just found these pictures on my camera. I didn’t take them. Monkey did. I like finding sweet photos on my camera. Since I am pretty much the only one who ever takes pictures around here I’m not really in too many. Maybe next time Monkey will take a picture of me. But for now, I’m smiling with new found pictures of the Baby.

On a different not, presents are wrapped.

This is how creative they get in the Dunbar home. Mr. Dunbar said not to even put ribbon on the packages, boys don’t care he said. Great. Why do I try? I’m constantly asking myself this question these days. I think it’s only the beginning of this cycle. But the answer is because its my duty to teach all of these Dunbar Men, what girls like.

And girls like ribbon. Even if they hate to wrap packages. (I secretly hate to wrap.) Girls like details. Ribbon just happens to be one of the details today.

That gift bag up there. The only one with pink. Is mine. I wrapped it myself. There are two gifts inside. Both of which were $10 or less. And I’m super excited about both. Yeah Me.

In keeping with teaching these future men about girls, I bought myself a girlie mug. I’ve been waiting for a year for a Christmas mug. It’s one of the things I like to change out seasonally. And with a mug that looks like that, I don’t think anyone will be trying to drink out of it in this house.

This one even has it’s own coaster or spoon holder. And it looks even better with hot chocolate and whipped cream. Yum.

But if I use up all my sweet calories first thing in the morning its this for the afternoon.

I find that when I pull out a healthy snack, the boys just naturally start snacking on them too.

Good stuff.

Healthy bodies.

Happy mom.

Wish me luck. I’ve got all three boys from sun up to sun down for the next 17 days.

Such a blessing. Truly.

~mrs. dunbar

The Present of the Great Outdoors

2011-12-16T06:13:00.001-08:00

My boys have a room full of toys.

Toys in closets. Toys in bins. Toys in the garage.

Do they play with them?

Sometimes.

What would they rather do any day of the week?

Play outside. With sticks. And with their friends. Both of which are free.

So much of the overload this month. So much shopping. So much wrapping. I’ve done the uh’oh run to Target to pick up a last minute gift for a gift exchange, a forgotten helper, and extra gift “just in case.” But I’m really trying to keep it all in perspective (and in the budget.)

Most gifts are wrapped. Still waiting for a few stragglers to be delivered. I haphazardly ventured to the mall last week with the Baby. Bad idea. The kid doesn’t sit in the stroller, so eventually I was holding him, wrestling bags, and trying to push the stroller. I think it was at that moment I thought, “Enough is enough.” Anyone else had a moment like that?

Good day, and good weekend to ya.

~mrs. dunbar

Angry Hats and Trouble

2011-12-14T15:04:00.001-08:00

All Dunbar men love Angry Birds.

Only a grandma would buy these things.

Only boys would love them. (Well in my house that is.)

Bought on Saturday night, they’ve been worn every day since.

Shirts, of course, have been optional.

Every other little boy we know wants one. Where you can find them? ~~I have no idea.~~ They were purchased in a boutique downtown in our little city. So if you’re local they can be found right next to the Princess Carriage ride outside of the Mission Inn. ~~If not… I don’t even know what these things are called.~~ But they seem to be a big hit. My SIL found them on Amazon, HERE.

They are very functional with the beanie, scarf, and mittens all rolled into one.

This guy, however, was too small for one. So we’ll just call him Trouble.

Getting closer.

And closer.

And now I have to put the camera down to pick up this crawling {adorable} package of Trouble.

Do your kids play Angry Birds? Do you? What’s the hype?

~mrs. dunbar

Our Holiday Family Photos 2011

2011-12-12T19:46:00.000-08:00

So there they are. Well, the ones I like the best.

This is us. Dunbar Family. Circa 2011.

I’m pretty pleased with how they turned out. Considering I bribed and threatened all the way from our house to the photo shoot. Which was only a couple of miles, but I think everyone was “scared straight”.

The couple shots were all Mr. Dunbar’s idea. I’m glad he came up with them. So often we don’t get any pictures of just the two of us. And though they are a little silly, I love ‘em. And him too.

Someday, I know I’ll look back and think, “What in the world was I thinking putting us in those clothes?” But for now, I’m glad that everyone wears what I tell them to wear. I know that won’t always be the case.

Clothing Details:

mrs. dunbar: sweater-Loft, pants-Gap, scarf-Target, shoes-Piperlime.com

mr. dunbar: sweater and pants-Banana Republic, shirt-Nordstrom, shoes-Clarks

boys clothes: combination of Gymboree, Children’s Place, Target, and Piperlime.com

Christmas cards are done and mailed. (The last 2 went out today; Bergner’s and Irvine Fam.)

Did you take family photos this year?

You can see our last years pics here. and all the way back from 2009 here.

~mrs. dunbar

A Holiday Hodge-Podge Post

2011-12-10T16:54:00.001-08:00

It’s December 10th and I just realized that I still had a November banner up. Agh. I guess I was looking at so much Christmas in this house and online that I just never looked up to the top of my blog. But I got that fixed now. check-check.

Our Christmas tree is in front of two windows, its making for some difficult pictures.

But in my sentimental sappy stage I did have fun pulling out the ornaments from years past. It’s amazing to see the growth from year to year. I might even head to Hallmark to get the most precious Baby’s First Christmas ornament. Just to start the Chunk off right.

The first thing I try to turn on each day. Such a beautiful scene.

Snippets from our home.

The other day this was going on. One kid on one computer, the other on another computer. And the rightful owners are not sitting in front of either.

I thought real quick, took a picture with my phone and sent it off to my parents, “Dear Santa, We need an IPad2.” I thought I was funny. I thought my Dad would foresure reply with some smart remark. Instead, my mom texted back, “Return to Sender. Santa lives at the North Pole.” Ha.

Big Smile alright. Christmas shopping is just about done. And that’s only half the boxes. My UPS man loves me. I’m keeping him employed. My husband loves me, he needs to stay employed.

I had a coffee date with a dear friend this week. It had been way too long since we had gotten to hang out and chat. I love dear friends. I love coffee drinks. Although, technically mine wasn’t coffee.I had a Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Yummmm-O. She had the White Peppermint Mocha. Smelled divine.

Good week. And now we’re one week closer to Christmas. Can you believe it?

Are you ready?

mrs. dunbar

Creating the Winter Wonderland

2011-12-06T20:20:00.001-08:00

We went and chose our Christmas tree this past weekend. Papa played Santa early and bought the tree. Thanks, Papa.

The great choosing is easy with boys.

“What do you think guys, do you like this one? Or this one?”

“We like that one.”

Done.

In and out.

Truly, men in the making.

This guy stayed home for the choosing of the tree. But when the bins of decorations came out, he was all over it. It was truly a wonderland for this guy.

Stringing the lights.

Wowzers.

Why do I buy toys?

This was entertainment.

We played Christmas Carols and decorated the tree. Ornaments are now clumped together with a bottom heavy tree. Pictures forthcoming.

Is your tree up? Picture perfect or kid perfect?

~mrs. dunbar

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho, It’s off to Santa’s We Go

2011-12-01T19:58:00.001-08:00

I was super excited to take the boys to go see Santa this year. Going to his house, munching on some cookies and hot chocolate. Hanging out with friends like we do every year. All of my thoughts were halted when I was told, “We already saw him and told him what we wanted we don’t need to go again.”

Oh yeah, well tell him again. You’re going.

Chunk didn’t know quite what to think about the guy in red. But he cooperated for the most part and there were no tears, which I’m grateful for.

He totally looks like my brother in the picture below.s

These two had Grinches painted on their arms. Fitting I’m telling you. Oh so fitting for these two.

Some nights, your picture taking skills are spot on. Some nights their not. Mine was not. But this was our trip to Santa 2011.

You can see our trips to see Santa in 2010, 2009, and 2008.

It’s amazing to see how much these guys have grown.

Are you going to take your kids to see the man in red?

~mrs. dunbar

Proud Baby

2011-11-30T15:25:00.001-08:00

Somebody is crawling.

In know, I know, being that he is nine months old he should be, right? But also being that he is dragged in and out of the car almost every single day of the week and lugged in the Ergo carrier only to get home and be waited on by Big Brothers, this guy has had no real need to crawl. One “Ah” or “Er” and a circumspect object is easily rendered into the small hands of this doted upon little one. Big Brothers are at the beck and call. But in the absence of said Big Brothers this past weekend, Chunk took it upon himself to become mobile.

He is so proud of himself.

And of course we must see it in action right?

“Who Me?”

Thinking about it, while blowing bubbles and raspberries.

The lean to.

This little guy is too quick for me.

Five second break.

The “get-the- camera-out-of-my-face” look.

The reach.

The diversion.

The giggle at the reflection.

And lastly, the “I-did-it-Mom!”

But the fun doesn’t stop their my friends. Oh no. When Big Brothers are gone and if your gonna go, you might as well GO BIG. This guy also decided to start pulling himself up in his crib. On. the. same. day. When he awoke from his nap, and I heard the blinds swinging back and forth, I knew exactly what was going on. So grab the camera, I did.

Again, a step by step recap:

CAUGHT.

Change lighting on camera, cue again.

Reach for blinds.

Peek outside.

Say “Hi” to doggies.

And the “You-can-not-be-serious? You’re-gonna-drop-my-crib-already” look.

Yes we are my Sweetest.

And I’m sad too.

This is the last time Mr. Dunbar had to drop the crib. I wanted to cry. The baby-ness, is almost all over. The Itty-Bitty snuggles and cries and gurgles, its almost all coming to an end over here in the Dunbar home… forever. So much of me is happy and ready to be done with all things Baby, but there is that part that knows, its coming to a close. This chapter in our lives will be placed with all of the other “past” memories and I will never be able to “live” them again.

So I am soaking it up, all of it. And trying to capture each and every coo and grin and small accomplishment. Savoring the smell of Johnson’s Baby Lotion. Laughing at jarred peas being spit back out all over the place. Cheering on each milestone. And enjoying each second of my time with this little guy.

~mrs. dunbar

PS When did I ever become such a sap?

A Plethora of Thanksgiving Pictures

2011-11-27T19:56:00.001-08:00

Turkey Day has come and gone. It’s Sunday night and I’m barely looking at the pictures. So, in an effort not to forget Thanksgiving 2011. Here are a whole bunch of snapshots, sans too much commentary.

Mom put the boys to work this year cleaning chairs and tables.

Being around for over a decade has landed Mr. Dunbar in the “boys” category.

It was all fun until Bogie fell into the dog’s water bowl.

Go Monkey. I think that coloring may win you a prize.

Baby’s First Thanksgiving. Awe, sweet.

Okay, picture opportunity is over. Check out Chunk’s face. Popeye? Baby? Chunk? His nickname hasn’t been completely settled. His adversity towards the camera has.

These two buddied up for some hide and seek.

Usually these two are screaming in each other’s faces.

Dodge ball… the dad’s were having a blast.

From this…………………………………………….. to this.

Wish I could have napped, too.

Hope your Turkey Day was just as fun.

~mrs. dunbar

Gobble Gobble

2011-11-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

From our little turkeys to yours.

May you share your table with dear friends and family.

May your feast be plenty.

May you have time to take a rest in your favorite spot.

And most sincerely we are

Wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings ever.

~the dunbar’s

This 6 year old was busy…

2011-11-22T21:42:00.001-08:00

Friday night we had the grandparents over for pizza and presents. There was some pizza, but there were a lot of presents. With little pieces. And directions. And more little pieces.

Even the Chunk got in on the action.

Monkey chose his own cake. Can you guess what it is? He and I thought it was so funny when we picked it up from the bakery. The grandparents, in their old age, didn’t know what it was. So, what do you think?

Saturday morning he had is last soccer game of the season. He was rockin on the field.

I think his dad may have taught him how to use his elbows… legally.

Look at those dirty legs. His play just kept right on going.

After this he had his team party and then on Sunday his bowling party with friends and dads. All through the weekend he was like the Energizer Bunny, going and going and going. I was wiped out. Put the camera away, in fact. But there’s something about turning 6 that just psyches a kid up about life.

Six years old. Wow, the time really does fly by.

I love this kid. There’s nothing baby about him any more. Nothing. He’s so smart, and witty. He loves to learn and grow. He’s adventurous and competitive. He’s a rule follower and yet he likes to try and bend those boundary lines just a bit. He craves attention but he can play in his room and work on a project all on his own. He is becoming his very own person. And I love each and every second of it.

Watching him grow up is nothing short of a miracle to me. Because truly, he’s God’s Gift.

And the cake is a Thanksgiving turkey. Is that what you thought?

~mrs. dunbar

Yeah, I jumped on the bandwagon too.

2011-11-17T15:34:00.001-08:00

Being so cute, I knew it wasn’t going to get past Mr. Dunbar’s radar when we got home last Saturday. It was sitting there waiting for me on the front porch. Ah, well. A cute box is just like opening up a present. Do you know what this cute box had inside?

I’ll give you a clue… it has a spiral, lots of fun pages, and stickers.

Did you guess the Erin Condren Family Planner?

Yup, once Casey ordered one, I knew I needed one, too.

I used all of those fancy coupons they were offering through Plum District and got it for more than half off. And I’m loving all of these fun colors.

It’s all girly, yet practical and very useful.

You can bet I am going to thoroughly enjoy this planner for all of 2012.

Did you order one too?

~mrs. dunbar

My mind is a rolling…

2011-11-16T06:22:00.001-08:00

We’ve got a crazy week over here. Birthday parties and Thanksgiving feasts. Pilgrim hats to be made and gifts for the birthday boy to be bought.

I ran to Target last night. Geez, I hate going at night. It’s a different crowd, you know? I’m not sure if it was the darkness or the crowd that made me hug my handbag a little tighter and walk a little faster. But of course I was fine and since I was by myself, I perused each and every single aisle. Fun stuff. I think I’ll have to do that more often. Maybe even next Tuesday night. I’m calling it a Me Night.

Today we’ve got school, Bible Study and Monkey’s birthday celebration in his classroom. 6o sprinkled donut holes were ordered by request of the birthday boy. He’s doing it my way, spreading out his birthday love for almost a week. Celebration today in school, Friday night with pizza and Grandparents, Saturday is the actual day and Sunday something with friends. Boys only, I was told. Ummm, what about me? I’m a girl. I was told I could come for a little while to take pictures but the party is for boys only. Ok, Thanks for bending your rules for me a bit.

I really think we should have a birthday week. How fun would that be?

Oh, and the Mom should get some presents too. Since she was the one who did all of the work that very special day. Anyone remember Mary? Girlfriend, rode on a donkey, gave birth in a stable and we celebrate her.

I feel like this guy this week. Rolling here and there and everywhere. Trying to get to my goal, but of course there is so much to do.

I woke up this morning thinking I need a date night with Mr. Dunbar too. It’s been a while since we’ve had one of those. Usually we have a weekend in the fall where we do something away, it didn’t happen this year. Two wrenches: our church didn’t have their annual marriage getaway and somebody won’t take a bottle. But I’m feeling the need to get dressed up and eat a nice meal with my own plate and fork and perhaps an adult beverage or two or lets get crazy here, three.

But before I can even think of getting dressed up for a fancy date with my husband this mornings activities need to be accomplished and the clock is ticking and its time for me to sign off. We’re going to try and make it to school early for 100 Mile Club, but I still have to pick up the donuts, and the diaper bag needs to be packed with extra toys and things.

For a quick run down of this morning:

Pick up donut holes

Go to Monkey’s school

100 Mile Club

Drop Bogie off at school

Go to Bible Study, leave baby there

Go to Monkey’s school for donut holes

Go back to bible study

Pick up Bogie from school

Pick up Monkey from school

At the end of the day I just may want to crawl up into a hole, or perhaps under a dresser to take a break.

~mrs. dunbar

We’re Late… Happy Day Project-Day 3

2011-11-14T09:58:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I crashed and burned on the Happy Day Project. Well atleast having done it for seven days straight. I do plan on having each day completed though. Its just going to take some time.

For Day 3- giftcard for the homeless, we are participating in “The Gift” at our church. This is a project where families choose to adopt someone else for the holidays. We could have chosen a boy, a girl, a homeless, or even an entire family.

The Dunbar boys chose to sponsor a 6 year old boy this Christmas.

This special boy wants an RC Airplane. It’s the only thing on his list. So that’s exactly what he’ll be getting. We’re also going to include a few other things like crayons and drawing paper for him. And, if I can find it, a book on how to make paper airplanes.

I’d really like to instill the JOY of giving this season, as much as receiving. My boys were pretty excited to do this, I mean who doesn’t like the idea of gifts. But more importantly Mr. Dunbar and I really want them to understand what a blessing it is that we are able to do this for someone else and that not everyone’s holidays looks like ours. One where you write out your Christmas list and as long as the things on it are pretty reasonable, you get what you want. After typing that, I think perhaps our Christmas vision needs a little restructuring.

But for now, and for this 6 year old boy, I’m hoping that he will see the light of Jesus through these efforts. Because it isn’t about us at all, this whole season is about the birth of a King and all his human life meant for us.

Tis the season.

~mrs. dunbar

Pen and Paper

2011-11-09T22:18:00.001-08:00

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I got a little behind on the Happy Day Project.

I wrote my letters.

I addressed them.

Then I went to the desk to get stamps.

And there were none. What?

So I texted Mr. Dunbar, “Ummm, stamps?”

His response, “Bogie thought they were stickers.”

Aye, Bogie. Outside of the box, ask for forgiveness rather than permission, Bogie.

Okay, back to letters…

Growing up I loved to write letters. Writing and receiving letters was a favorite pastime. There was no email. No texting. Only snail mail. And the run to the mailbox. The anticipation was always the same. The joy was always great, reading and re-reading the mail. Handwritten thoughts. Genuine thoughts.

Today, for my letters, I didn’t write any sagas in my letters, just short and sweet notes that will hopefully brighten some days.

So anyhow, I went and got stamps and the letters are going out today.

I picked up stamps at the market and they gave me these.

Holiday stamps. Wowzers.

Don’t you love to get mail? Non-bill mail?

~mrs. dunbar

Eggs and Cookies for the Neighbors

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

I decided to participate in the Happy Day Project this morning after I saw Julie’s cookies in a jar. I had everything to make the cookies and some extra mason jars from the baby dedication. Crazy easy. And my boys, well they love to deliver goods to the neighbors. Sweet. This is going to be great. And easy. And very simple.

But alas, there has to be a hick-up somewhere in the middle of doing something nice for someone else. Nothing ever goes as smoothly as you planned, right? A few posts back I mentioned that I don’t cook eggs.

Ever.

No scrambled.

No over easy.

No omelets cooked to order over here.

Ever.

Eggs gross me out. Like make me want to gag,with my whole body-GAG . When I have to use them, like in cookies for example, I either avert my eyes or close them altogether.

Are you seeing where this is going? I’ve been doing this for years. For as long as I’ve been cooking or baking in the kitchen.

Close eyes, crack egg.

I’ve got it down to a science. One tap of the shell, pull apart, dump. Science, I tell you.

Or so I thought. Today while cracking the egg, I missed the bowl. Altogether, missed. When I looked down, I had an open egg sitting on my counter. Talk about near panic attack. I just screamed. And then I took a picture of it and sent it to those who really appreciate my egg aversion.

Phone picture: Tag line “I just about died.”

And do you know what my sister-in-laws texted back?
And I quote “LOL, LOL, LOL Bahahaha!” and “Bahahahahaha! That is awesome. Did you try putting it in with your eyes closed? Blog this.”

So much for sympathy.

In my quick thinking I took the bowl off the mixer and just scooped the darn thing into it with a spatula, some of it landed on my shirt and I thought I was going to pass out. That shirt may or may not be in the trash can right now.

UGH! Call me crazy, everyone else around here does.

Anyhow, moving on to cookies.

They were baked and delivered to brighten the neighbor’s day. We delivered 3 jars of cookies, to 3 neighbor’s, because we have 3 kids. Only two are pictured though. Babies aren’t allowed to hold glass jars.

This jar went to the neighbors who bring Halloween bags every year.

This jar went to Mr. Larry and Ms. Bev because they are the best neighbors ever.

And this jar went to Ms. Jean, because she’s 92. And she always waves whenever she’s out. And because she is the nicest old lady ever. Only, she wasn’t home, so we left the jar on her front porch. Within an hour she called and said “Thank you, it was the most pleasant surprise. And we are so thoughtful…”

So to recap:

Crazy laughs for my family. Check.

Simple and sweet gestures for neighbors. Check.

Mission accomplished.

Over and out.

~mrs. dunbar

Thankful Trees

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Found this great idea on Pinterest. One look and I was sold.
Handprint trees.
In fall colors.

I wasn’t sure if this baby’s would turn out but with a lot of coaxing and patience, this is what I was able to get. Sweet little hands.

And a print of his chubby little baby arm.

Once dried, I added their names and the year.

Side by side you can see the difference of size in their palms.
Each one showing their personality just a bit with the swirl of the colors.
And forever more, a little bit of a cherished season.

I am so thankful for the little hands that made these trees. Some day, those hands will be bigger than mine, with no time for painting projects. This year though, little hands loved getting paint everywhere. Bogie gave a gut laugh each and every time the paint brush stroked his palm, it was so delightful. The baby kept squeezing his hand open shut, open shut, not quite sure of the paint. Monkey planned where each and every print went, double checking the progress with each added color.

If you’d like to make your own: I used an 11X14 canvas for each one. We started with dark brown for the tree limb and let it dry. I pretend painted their hand, showed them how to press their palm firmly and evenly down onto the canvas BEFORE any paint went on. Practice practice. Then we painted green, went to yellow, and finally added the orange. Coating the hand color by color. For some layers we used two colors on the hand. Once dried I painted on each boys name through the trunk and a small 2011 below it.

~mrs. dunbar

A 5 on 5… Thankful for the small things

2011-11-04T15:08:00.001-07:00

1. A bright green baster that has brought hours of entertainment and soothing gums. ( I think he thought she was trying to take it from him.)

2. Glow sticks on Halloween. This thing has been glowing all week long.

3. Neighbors who bring over treat bags for my kids, that contain things other than candy. And again, hours of fun. Why oh why do we spend so much money on toys?

4. Getting my hair cut, by a fellow blogger, who doesn’t think its weird I’m taking pictures of her.

5. Colorful leaves. Does this mean cooler weather has arrived?

It’s all about the small things this week.

And who else is so impressed with how much I’ve posted this week? I am totally impressed with myself. Ha. But now I’m fighting a cold. Boo. A nice cup of tea sounds good. Or some chicken noodle. Achoo. Okay, gotta go.

~mrs. dunbar

Cooking Frenzy

2011-11-03T20:16:00.001-07:00

I went on a cooking frenzy earlier this week, along with making dinner for that night, I made the meat for the next 2 nights, and these burritos to freeze.

Mr. Dunbar goes to the gym in the morning and then to work. There’s not really too much time in his morning schedule to sit down to eat breakfast. For the past few years a power bar would suffice, but as his days are getting longer he needs something more hardy. So breakfast burritos it is.

These burritos had beans (homemade), tater tots, shredded chicken, green sauce, mexican rice, and pepper jack cheese.

Once I get them all assembled, I wrap them in wax paper, and throw them in a gallon sized freezer bag. Each night when I make his lunch, I just toss one in.

No extra preservatives. And breakfast is done.

Since I don’t cook eggs, his mom makes him some too, with eggs. So that’s a win win for us both.

Anyone have any other breakfast shortcuts?

~mrs. dunbar

Tortilla Soup, Yum

2011-11-02T14:57:00.001-07:00

Made Tortilla soup for dinner last night. It was really tasty and I had all of the ingredients on hand.

One thing I’ve started doing is baking an entire bag of chicken in a glass pyrex dish with some salt and pepper, shredding it, and then freezing it in 2 cup increments. It’s a real time saver for dishes like this or even enchiladas, or burritos, or chili.

Ingredients: (the list looks long, but its really pretty simple.)

2 cups shredded chicken
1 TBLS Olive Oil
1 TBLS Cumin
1/2 TBLS Chili Powder
1/2 TBLS Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 Onion, diced
1 green gell pepper, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 can (10 Oz. Can) diced tomatoes
1 small can diced green chiles
1 container, 32 ounces, Chicken Stock
3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1-2 cups hot water (optional)
2 cans white beans, drained, (15 oz cans)
1/4 cup cornmeal mixed with water
1 cup tortilla chips

Extras: avocado, pepper jack or Monterey jack cheese, cilantro, chunky pico de gallo

Directions:

1. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. (I am dreaming about one of those Le Crueset pots, right about now. Hint. Hint) Add in onion and bell peppers. Stir it up to sauté it a bit.

2. Sprinkle in your spices. Stir them up with your veggies.

3. Add shredded chicken and stir some more.

4. Dump in diced tomatoes and can of green chilies, chicken stock, tomato paste, and white beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Simmer for 30-45 minutes, uncovered, and stirring occasionally.

5. After about 30 minutes mix cornmeal with a small amount of water and pour into soup, let simmer for another 20- 30 minutes or so.

6. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.

7.Once in bowls top with tortilla chips, avocado slices, and pepper jack cheese. Cilantro would be yummy too, or just about any other “spanish” style topping you can come up with. I’m thinking sour cream or pico de gallo too.

~mrs. dunbar

The Halloween Low Down

2011-11-01T20:24:00.001-07:00

AKA: The Recap and Picture Overload

Ah… the days keep getting away from me. Each year I want to post our Halloween pictures but that is always slighted by our anniversary. These past few days were fun, filled with all things pumpkin and candy.

As in all years past, the boys were super excited to carve pumpkins only to have that excitement fizzle about five minutes into the process. They started out strong and interested.

Man, I love those hand dimples.

And round cheeks.

Mr. Dunbar, of course, finished off the pumpkin.

One pumpkin carved.

The other two well, perhaps next year we’ll carve multiple pumpkins.

Part Two: The Parade

Bogie’s pre-school did not do a “Halloween Parade” instead it was a Community Helpers Parade. And since he is adamant that he is going to be “the police” when he grows up, that’s exactly what he dressed up as. He looked like a New York City traffic cop and he was proud as punch.

The Grandma’s came to watch the parade.

Part Three: Classroom Crafts

I went to help out with crafts in Monkey’s class. It’s still very surreal to be on this side of the whole classroom and parent teacher thing. Monkey’s teacher rocks though, she teaches just like I did and she loves (standards-based) crafts.

Part Four: The Neighborhood

Part Five: Trunk N Treat

Our church does a phenomenal job of TrunkNTreating. The cars and people are decked out, all in good fun. There are no scary, spooky, dark side cars. Which I love and its so fun for the kids. We Treated down one row of cars and then my boys wanted to go play games and bounce.

Nerf guns and large pumpkins? Love at first sight for my boys.

Fierce faces? Scary faces?

Confused face?

Cool skateboard.

And we called it a night.

Wow it was a busy day.

And now its November, so we’re moving on.

~mrs. dunbar

Who would’ve thought?

2011-11-01T10:10:00.001-07:00

Eight years ago we went from being this:

To today, being this.

He is the ketchup and I am the mustard.

He’s always the little sweet and I am always the little tart.

It’s just the way we are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Happy Anniversary.

I love you, Mr. Dunbar

~mrs. dunbar

these days…

2011-10-29T20:16:00.001-07:00

if I had a photo dump for you, these pictures would be included.

1. baby splashing

2. big boy eyelashes- to die for

3. moving nap time to floor

4. farmer day

5. concentration

6. hair done

7. corner church trunk-n-treat

8. ninja turtle

9. pharaoh's kingdom

~mrs.dunbar

The Patch

2011-10-27T09:59:00.001-07:00

We made the trek to the small church Pumpkin Patch near our house this past weekend. If you think trying to get 2 kids to look at the camera is hard try getting 3, its darn near impossible. I am going to start prepping my boys from here on out, “If you smile and get the good pictures mommy wants at the beginning then I’ll stop bugging you and you can go play.”

Anyhow here they are.

This one is getting printed. .

Most of Popeye’s shots looked like this. “Tell that lady to get the camera out of my face!”

Do my kids just look so happy? And how about the Hawaiian shirt theme for the pumpkin patch? Seriously, Mr. Weather Man please deliver some cool weather soon.

~mrs. dunbar

5 Things of Dunbar Boy Happenings This Week

2011-10-22T14:16:00.001-07:00

As always my life revolves around these 3 guys. So here are 5 happenings from our week.

1. Trying to get some decent shots of this guy. Never happens.

2. It’s fall. That means football.

3. Mr. Larry, our neighbor, pulled Monkey’s first tooth out. It was hanging on by a thread. This is the reenactment, and his hands were clean. The Tooth Fairy brought $5. Is that fair?

4. I slammed Bogie’s fingers in the car door. We were dropping him off at pre-school. I thought they were broken and I couldn’t even bring myself to look at them. I grabbed the baby and Bogie and headed straight for the Preschool office. Thank goodness those ladies were not even fazed and had lots of words of encouragement for me. Fingers are fine.

5. A nice surprise arrived in the mail. A card from the Northern Cousins. My boys love to get mail. Absolutely love it.

Now you’re all caught up.

Have a good weekend.

~mrs. dunbar

How Dad’s do Dinner

2011-10-20T20:10:00.001-07:00

The other night I asked Mr. Dunbar to help me put dinner together. I told him it was pretty simple, the directions were on the counter.

Stromboli.

Easy Peasy.

A pizza crust, some provolone, a little parmesan, salami, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.

Roll.

Then bake.

He did a great job. Came out perfect.

I got out some veggies. Chopped them up for a salad. Made the pizza dipping sauce. Served it all up.

Monkey say’s, “Dad, you make the BEST stromboli ever. Papa makes the best cookies.”

Ummm, excuse me? Mom did all of the work. Oh and Papa’s cookies? Yeah, those are all Pillsbury.

The boys have asked for Stromboli twice since then. They want it in their lunch. They want it for dinner tomorrow. If anything, I think I found a new go to dinner, that even Mr. Dunbar can handle.

Do you have a go-to dinner? Do share.

~mrs. dunbar

Snippets of Time

2011-10-17T14:42:00.001-07:00

Along with a blogging break, I seemed to have taken a break from taking pictures as well. But I did find these shots on my camera from a few weeks ago. All three boys, on my bed, in their jammies. Doing what they do best; laughing and wrestling.

And though most of the shots are a bit blurry or someone’s head is cut off in most of them, they just made me smile this morning. {sigh} Smile and think.

When I drop Monkey off at school in the morning I see all of the “big kids” heading off to their days without a Mom at the gate saying “I love you.” Instead I see them with cell phones texting who knows what, to who knows who. And it just reminds me, these days are limited. My walks up to the gate-numbered. All three boys having a good time in my room- circumscribed. These are fleeting moments. I have to consciously tell myself to enjoy the moment, stay in the moment and relish it because so often I am doing laundry, or getting lunches packed, or making sure that homework is signed or the Share Bag is ready to go. Along with checking the weather channel and the online banking site, and the ever progressing to-do list for the next day just grows and grows. But then, every once in a while, I remember to grab the camera while the boys are doing just what boys do. Laughing, Wrestling, Reading, Jumping.

And these two? These two are joined practically every waking moment. The big brother, the caretaker, guider, protector. And the littlest brother always the student. They are so close even at this young age. When Bogie gets up the first thing he does is check on his baby brother. I love to hear their sounds coming from the nursery.

And then I pray. Pray that they will always find time for each other. Pray that they will always put the other first, above friends and girlfriends. (Wives will one day take the number one spot.) Pray that the protector, my Lion Heart will always look first before leaping because his little brother is watching. Pray that my Leader will honor all that God has gifted him with, and that he will find the strength that I know is growing inside of him. Pray that my Baby will grow into a man with integrity who is not afraid of responsibility.

And the weight of it all seems so heavy because I want the best for each of them. And I turn to Mr. Dunbar and he smiles and tells me to “Relax. To enjoy them, enjoy the day. That they will be boys.” I want to just throw my feet up in the air.

But then someone toots, or calls out a Potty Name and my work begins again. And I think, “God you must have some divine plan for these hooligans or a great sense of humor entrusting these smelly creatures to me. But I’ll take it, each and every moment with them. I’ll take it.”

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

~mrs. dunbar

A Costume and an Update

2011-10-16T20:18:00.001-07:00

Any guesses what this little guy is going to be for Halloween?

If you guess correctly it might just be worth something sweet.

And after weeks of computer drama… I think I just may be back up to par with blogging.

New computer: check

All set up: check

Photoshop loaded: check

All other programs loaded: check

Only took a few weeks time, interviews to one brother about his computer, a trip to my other brother’s house for computer set-up, multiple phone calls to him during work hours, and hours of Mr. Dunbar setting up all of my favorite programs.

Anyway…hopefully this is it.

And back to that cutie pie up there, isn’t he cute? Any guesses what he’s going to be?

~mrs. dunbar

It’s takes an old person quite a while

2011-09-29T07:17:00.001-07:00

Well, this post is about what I did last weekend. But since Monday was my birthday, in my old age, it is taking me quite a while to post. Anyhow, here we go…

Friday night I spent the evening with two of my besties. We had dinner and a ton of laughs.

It was lots of fun and just nice to be out with girls. No kids. That’s always fun right?

Thanks girls!

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Saturday Mr. Dunbar and I went to a wedding.

Question:And this is how you know you’re getting old?

Answer: You’re friends with the parents of the bride.

When we met Lauren, she was in junior high wearing braces and friendship bracelets. She has grown up into a lovely young lady and we were very happy to share in her special day.

Why I didn’t wear a pink pashmina to match Mr. Dunbar I do not know. Those are the details that bug me. Getting old, I’m telling you.

Okay, moving on.

Some of our friends that have moved out of state flew in for the wedding. It was really nice to see them. They are the friends that when you see them again things just pick right back up as if no time has passed.

And just so you can see what my husband is really like. My mom caught it on film. And I just realized there is not one photo of my parents, who were at the wedding also. I think some old-peopleness is starting to set in.

The toast of the night was given by the mother-in-law when she ended her speech with “And may you give us lots of grandbabies!” This is what the mother-of –the-bride’s face looked like.

Or maybe these boys just never grow up.

~mrs. dunbar

The Pee Wee’s

2011-09-19T14:58:00.001-07:00

These little guys do everything their big brothers do, including Pee Wee Soccer. Bogie had been counting down for five weeks until it was his turn to “go to soccer practice.”

The advantage of being a second brother is that you already know what’s going to happen and you’ve got all of the cool gear. (Monkey wore Vans to his first soccer practice.) Bogie was outfitted in his soccer socks, cleats, and he even took his own soccer bag packed with his choice of Gatorade.

I think I’ve got a true soccer star on my hands here. Dribbling the ball up and down the field.

Taking the shot.

He’s even got the follow'-thru watch.

Kai Kai’s cousin is also playing. But trying to get three 3 year olds to cooperate for a picture is like asking an elephant to smile, (it just doesn’t happen.)

To see Monkey’s 1st time playing soccer here.

~mrs. dunbar

Soccer Family

2011-09-14T06:44:00.001-07:00

Monkey had his first game of the season on Saturday. Only catch, the opponents didn’t show up. No joke. We had two fields and the only ones warming up and putting on their game faces were these little Warrior Sharks. Nobody else. But since there were eight of them and about 45 parents and grandparents who came out to watch, they played four on four with turned in jerseys.

GOAL!

My favorite shot of the day.

G-Man came to the game decked out in his own little soccer warm-up jersey.

Bogie was out there pretending to be a Landon Donovan soccer superstar.

Then he came in to hug his baby brother.

But, are you ready for this? It gets even better, Mr. Dunbar is coaching and I am the Team Mom. We are now the all-american soccer family. Now all I need is a mini-van and the some bumper stickers. I

feel like there should be a theme song playing here. Can you hear it?

Kudos to us.

And just because I like this shot so much

and I’m hoping you’re having a goal-scoring kind of day.

Here you go one more time.

(I wish I felt this way about cleaning the bathroom.)

~mrs. dunbar

playing, playing, playing

2011-09-09T07:00:00.001-07:00

Mr. Dunbar’s boss gave us their playset. Her kids have outgrown it, and well, as it was free, we just couldn’t pass it up. It’s been weathered, but its solid and with the beating that my three boys will give it, it’ll do. A few days ago he and my dad set it up in my MIL’s backyard.

On Labor Day the boys went surfing. Well, pool surfing, that is.

These guys were lovin’ their Hebrew National hotdogs.

Ben-Ben was there. Hi Ben!Popeye couldn’t figure out how Ben had grown so quickly.

Popeye, that isn’t Ben, that’s his big brother. That’s what he’s going to look like in 6 years.

See the similarity?

Well, its Friday. Hallelujah!!

We’re going to try and beat the heat with an early soccer game and then some family time perhaps watching some movies in our jammies on the couch.

~mrs. dunbar

These days…

2011-09-08T05:55:00.001-07:00

are adventurous.

are for learning new things.

These days are for smiles.

and growth.

and hope.

These days are for acceptance.

and for trust.

and for celebrations. mini celebrations. and big ones too.

These days are for practicing, pursuing.

falling down and getting back up.

Enjoying.

Mr. Dunbar always seems to remind me of why we have “these days.”

(He’s special like that.)

I’ve needed some big reminders lately. With school back in session, we are go-go-go, all of the time. It seems like its a non-stop “Put your shoes on, go potty, wash your hands, hurry up, get your lunch, brush your teeth, buckle your straps, stop kicking my seat” whirlwind. I’ve been that nagging kind of mom, and ugh, I don’t like it. So I’m up at at ‘em early, planning my days and getting ready before they rise, so that I’m not adding to the hurried frazzled mornings, but rather enjoying them. I can be so quick to reprove or lecture or scold. So quick. But I’d rather take the time to cherish, and love, and teach. Why is the former so much easier? Why is nurturing and guiding harder to remember than the admonishment that is so quick to roll off of my tongue?

These days, today, I am going to be a mom who celebrates each of my kids. A mom who it slow to reprimand and quick to offer praise and encouragement.

Who’s with me?

~mrs. dunbar

Relax

2011-09-02T21:29:00.001-07:00

Here’s to a relaxing weekend!

Happy Labor Day.

~mrs. dunbar

And he was Dedicated

2011-09-02T06:12:00.001-07:00

At our church we “dedicate” a baby to the Lord, with the hope that the child will one day make a commitment to follow Jesus. The dedication is a quick proclamation and prayer that we as the parents will do what we can to teach our child God’s ways and Words, show him God’s love, and do everything we can as their parent to protect them, love them, guide them and encourage them towards Jesus. On Sunday morning we dedicated Popeye.

It’s always fun trying to corall all of the hooligans, especially in front of 1,000 people.

As a special surprise all of the elementary kids recited a bible verse. Can you find Monkey?

Okay, I’ll make it easier.

Afterwards our family and some precious friends came back to our house for a small breakfast.

Hey, there’s a sprinkles donut missing!

Caught’chya!

Thank God for Mom’s. My MIL made those scrumptious egg mcmuffins down there and my mom put together the fruit platter. Mr. Dunbar and the boys went and picked up donuts before church. I have learned how to delegate, or better yet, ask for help.

It was a great spread.

And I really didn’t get many pictures once everyone showed up. (Bad blogger, bad blogger.)

But more importantly my Popeye is now being covered in prayer and is on his way to knowing Jesus.

~mrs. dunbar