Weekly Project - The Many Faces of Josh

Sometimes you are taking some pictures at your sweet niece's first birthday party. And sometimes you look over and notice your breathtakingly handsome son sitting in a chair right in front of a huge picture window, and you say "Hey Josh, can I take some pictures?" "Sure, Mommy". And then this happens and you realize how unbelievably lucky you are so have produced such a beautiful human being. I love this little guy. And his heart is the biggest you could ever imagine. He is so compassionate and all he talks about is love.

"Mommy, can you make my oatmeal with extra love today?"
"Mommy, I'm going to reach into my heart and give you love"
"I dreamed last night about you and Daddy and God and love"
"My favorite shape is a heart because a heart is for love!"


I have very different kids. Jules isn't like this. Shes a sweetheart too, but doesn't have a heart like Josh's. I'm a lucky Mommy.

And the boy LOVES his Gingy. 

6 Reasons Why Disney's Frozen is so Good

I think Disney's Frozen is one of the best movie musicals in many many years. Starring Idina Menzel, Josh Gad and Kristen Bell and directed by Chris Buck, the film follows Anna, the future Queen of Arendelle, as she races against time to prevent her sister from unwittingly turning the kingdom into an eternally icy realm, meeting some new friends and learning some important lessons on the way.

I think it is one of the most wonderful movies ever for many reasons. I'm going to list them.

1. Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel. Seriously?? For one, I am OBSESSED with Veronica Mars. Yes, I was one of those that watched this show religiously. She rocks my socks. And hello Logan? Swoon. So, let's make a movie and pair her with Broadway darling Idina Menzel. You know how I'm Broadway obsessed: She was Mimi in Rent and Elphaba in Wicked. Um, well just go ahead and consider me obsessed.

2. Since we're already talking about Broadway - the music in this movie is fantastic. It's is Broadway ready - the duets, the writing, the drama, it's so unlike watching a cartoon. This needs to be in live theater stat. Aside from the obvious show stopper songs (Let it Go, For the First Time in Forever - they even do a reprise! Hello!) I can already see Summer on stage, and Fixer Upper being a huge crowd number.

3. The story. Empowerment. Girl power. Love. I come from being the middle of three sisters. And I cannot TELL YOU what a giddy blubbery mess I became when Anna was saved by true love from HER SISTER than some boy. The movie was making you think that. But nope - Sister Love. Awesome.

4. The fact that this movie made fun of instant love. Getting engaged to someone you just met? Oh the utter silliness of it!! Love it.

5. It's one of those fabulous Disney movies that is fun for everyone that watches. I love it, Jake loves it, and both my daughter AND son love it. Thats hard to do nowadays.

5. The villain. I love that the villain is someone you didn't expect right off the bat. Kind of a surprise in the end.

6. Olaf :Precious. Sweet. Funny.

5 on Friday - Mar 7

Here are Five things on my mind this week:

1. How is it already March? It's times like this when I want to curl up in a ball in the corner and cry. I posted before how I though the age from 3-4 went by lightning fast. WAAAAYYY faster than 0-1, 1-2, or 2-3. And we are on the same track. How was Disney 3 months ago?? I haven't even done our photobook, done any blog posts about it, or hell even downloaded the first pictures from my camera!! Christmas was over 2 months ago?? And crap - they turned 4 two months ago too!! What???? I JUST had their party!! I'm still finding glitter!

2. My workouts are back on track and I feel so great! Jake and I have been doing DDP Yoga each morning. They aren't long, which is great. (I'll probably do a post about it soon - it's different!!) So, we're doing it before the kids get up and then some other days I'll do something else - either walk, jog, a Leslie Samsone walking DVD, or the kids and I will do a kids exercise video together. They don't "really" do it, but they think it's fun. I just pull up a video on youtube. (usually Paul Eugene) and hook it up to the TV via an HDMI cord. Speaking of...

3. I recently started selling Plexus. It's it the greatest thing ever - and I'm not lying. I have NEVER EVER wanted to sell ANYTHING at home - but I just honestly fell in love. It is so easy and I've lost 10 pounds and haven't felt better. If you want to know  more shoot me an email - apstribling@gmail.com Here's my website if you want to learn more:
www.plexusslim.com/nashville

4. The kids and I are having an absolute ball at home. I am SO SO thankful I'm able to do this, at least for a little while. I will never regret it I know that. Time is fleeting and they are growing up super fast. They are hysterical and cute and cuddly and I love it. And they love it too, which is the most important. I am posting much more pics of our daily life on my instagram account. www.instagram.com/apstribling

I'm actually doing much better there that I used to!

5. Starting to plan a trip to Napa for my sister's 40th birthday. SUPER excited about this!!!! Much needed.

Josh and Jules singing Let it Go from Frozen

Well, here is mine. I'm sure all of your have videos of your kiddos singing Let it Go. Mine took it very serious. When I told them I wanted to film them singing it, they had a few requests:

1.Josh needed a shield and a sword. Check out my DIY cardboard shield. Mad skills I have.
2. Jules had to wear a blue princess dress. We don't have Elsa, so Cinderella would have to do.
3. They did not want to dance.
4. They each wanted to get their chairs and sit while singing instead of standing. Jules just wanted to "sit and sing" - no dancing. Serious, I tell ya.
5. Josh is usually the most vocal but he got a little camera shy.
6. Jules didn't quite make the note at the end. We're working on it. lol.

How Daniel Tiger is Helping me Parent

Okay, I'll admit it. Daniel Tiger is helping me parent my children. Seriously. It's embarrassing to admit, but it's true.

They actually don't watch the show, but they are OBSESSED with the little segment videos on the PBSkids app. And I gotta admit, I love it.

Let's start with the obvious. It's a complete knock-off/recreation of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, but it's so much better. Each episode consists of two 11 minute segments (or shorter with the app) that centers around exactly things that go on in a four-year-old's life: disappointment, anger, sadness, thankful, etc. The genius thing is that is uses a musical motif phrase to reinforce the theme. And my kids REMEMBER it and use it in their day-to-day things that happen. They really do!!

For example When you do something new (and my kids totally sing this when we are doing something new, so it reminds me that we need to talk about it first)




When they get super frustrated about things and pout (Josh and Jules actually sing this to each other lol!)





When something bad happens, why turn it around and find something good!!



Hey - need help with Potty Training? Daniel need help too!



Again, any time they are proud of themselves they'll sing this. Yesterday, Josh called down to us from his room because he was super proud that he found his Pjs himself, and though he was going to need help putting them on. Then he ran downstairs saying, "Mommy!! I did it all by myself! I tried and tried, and I did it! Keep trying - you'll get bbeeeeetttttteer!!"

  And one more. They literally sing this every time they clean up. I thought for a while that it was a song from school. I should have known better - why Daniel Tiger of course!!



I really don't have a problem with it at all. Its so funny. And it SOOOOO easy for kids to remember little short songs to help them remember things.