Favorite New Products

Here's a change of pace from pictures of my cute kiddos to pictures of my favorite "new" products. At least they are newish to me.

Let's start at the top:
1. Dorat Frozen Herbs. I find these at Trader Joe's and love them. I have tried the garlic, basil and cilantro. All spices I use a lot of, and it is so handy to have them pre-chopped and ready to throw into recipes. They taste much better then herbs that are dried or preserved in oil.
2. Palo Alto Fire Fighters Hot Sauce. Not being a big hot sauce gal, I was pleasently surprised to find that I love this stuff. I put it on everything...from chili and salsa to eggs. Seriously, it's that good.
3. Caldrea Counter Cleansers. They smell so much better then the chemically versions and clean just as well. My favorites are the Basil Blue Sage and Ginger Pomelo.
4. Mary Jane Trekker Shoes by Lands End. You can wear these anywhere and are great if you chase kids all day. So comfy!
5. Pickled Okra. Try it, you won't be sorry.
6. A and D Ointment. So great for all sorts of bumps and bruises. And the best part is you can slather it all over their face and it won't hurt if it gets in eyes or mouth. Great for sore noses.
7. Simply Saline Nose Mist. A must for cold/allergy season for little noses. Totally helps alleviate runny noses, and since it is just saline you can use it as often as you like. Warning: Your kids will not like this product, but they will breath much better.
8 and 9. Barbara's Shredded Spoonfuls and Almond Milk. My favorite breakfast ever. James and Luke are also big big fans of this combo. Note: I only buy the unsweetened almond milk, the sweetened stuff tastes terrible.
10. Edward Mark Chocolates. The best chocolates on the planet.

First Harvest

Our first strawberry of the season.



Both boys were really excited for a juicy bite, and lucky for us there are a few more that will be ready soon.

The boys love to help water our herb garden. And now they get excited watching the strawberries grow.

Yum yum!

Butterfly, Firetruck, and a Turtle

A pretty friend

a visiting firetruck,

and a wandering turtle.

We had quite an exciting weekend!

Edisto Island

We Turners' were at the beach last week hanging with the "cousins". The kiddos had a great time playing together and were so sad to leave each other. James asked for "Cousin Abigail" at least 10 times on the way home.

The best group shot of the little cousins. Go ahead, you try to take a picture of 5 preschool aged children. Not easy at all.

My sweet family. The boys were sportin' their cute beach shirts.

Luke, Patrick and Grady all trying to get the faucet to work. These boys loved water, and would do anything to play in the faucet. All three were born within a few weeks of each other and had the best time playing. Really, they may be the next three musketeers.

James, my beach boy.

More pictures and stories coming soon.

SEATTLE

Where can you get fabulous fish and chips, see a gum wall, and kiss a brass pig?
Well, Seattle of course!

Girls weekend in Seattle and Victoria was fantastic. I came back exhausted from all that eating, giggling and caffeinated beverages. Girls, thanks for the fantastic trip! I can't wait to see where we go next.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy Birthday Daddy! You are the coolest most awesome Daddy in the whole world!

Love,
James and Luke

THREE

Happy Birthday James!

Birthday boy started off his day with his 3 year well check up. He was happy to go, but not so happy to show off. We heard a lot of "No thanks", "I don't think so" and "All done". But we were able to perform one of the two vision tests and an assortment of the other activities. His favorites were when she asked him to jump and play with a bouncy ball. Least favorite activities included a shot, vision test, and being asked questions. He was not in the mood to chit chat.

Tonight we are going to end the day right with some ice-cream cake. James almost cried yesterday when we told him he had to wait until today for a piece. Although he is ready for cake today, and already asked for a piece twice.

3 year stats:
Height: 39.75 inches (93%)
Weight: 38 pounds (94%)

I thought the jogging stroller was feeling awfully heavy lately.....

Happy Birthday James! We love you!

"Bye bye Mommy!"

These boys are so independent lately. It is really fun to watch them grow, but sad to think they won't want to always give big hugs to their mommy.

James has already asserted his independence and wants help with very little. He also doesn't want to do what I tell him. Although if I can trick him into thinking it was his idea, then he will do it.

Today Luke actually wandered away from me at the park. Just dropped my hand and walked away.

Don't worry. He came back.

Updates with Pictures

A few fun tidbits to report....

*Luke has developed an attachment to blue puppy dog. Funny, because James had an attachment to this same blue doggie at about 18 months too. James lost interest in stuffed animals before he turned 2. Wonder if the same thing will happen to Luke.

* We found a fun trike at our neighborhood yard sale. Both boys really like it. To bad they didn't have 2 because at $4 I would have happily gotten one for each. Instead we are learning more about sharing.

* Luke marching around with Daddy. This boy loves to be outside.

*James continues to try and figure out this whole potty training thing. Last night he ran around the house naked yelling "I was raised in a barn". Seriously, where did he learn that lovely phrase? No picture for this update, and not to many pictures of James lately. Probably because he is not dressed most of the time, and this blog is rated G.

James Morgan Turner, M.D.

Dr. James: I will make you feel all better.

Dr. James: Oh Mommy, you are very very brave.

Dr. James: Let me give you some medicine.

("Medicine" courtesy of my dear husband. Probably the prettiest and best tasting mojito I have ever had.)