Ten On Tuesday

1. Cole looked inside the toilet this morning and said "the ant can go in there. After we kill it it will go in there with the stinky poop." There was no ant to be seen.

2. Kayley has a tooth coming in behind her bottom front tooth that she hasn't lost yet. It's big and I'm worried because it's so far back. I also looked at both kids teeth and I'm pretty sure neither of them have cavities. Hoping I can get them in to the dentist soon.

3. During tax season there's always two receptionists because things go crazy. Glenda started yesterday and I'm so glad. It takes some of the pressure off of me. And she's better with the clients.

4. I watched the Devine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood last night. I forgot how sad and hilarious that movie is.

5. I plan on getting my hair cut soon. It's so boring and all one length. I want to keep it long but do some layers and maybe even some bangs. We'll see.

6. I remember when I did daycare for Katie she used to run up to me when Cole was being mean and say "fuff! Cole no pees fop!" For those of you who don't understand Katie language that's "Steph, Cole won't please stop!" I was trying to teach her to say please stop when Cole was bothering her and that's what she came up with. I wish you could have heard the urgency in her voice.

7. I'm having a Lia Sophia jewelry party on March 19th and I'm so excited! I love free stuff and I'll be getting lots!

8. Our drama this weekend with the gash in Cole's face is finally over. Poor kid. He sat for hours at the emergency room and did so well. The people in Atascadero did the best job keeping Cole happy. Every single person there was kid friendly.

9. I'm so glad I can say Kim's pregnant!!!!!

Hurray for POBS jr!!!!

10. This next month will be crazy. I have to go back to the doc for some yearly check ups for me and both kids, back to the dermatologist for my three month check for skin cancer and get all of us to the dentist. Let's see if I can beat last years record of 26 appointments in one year!

Ten On Tuesday

1. I just can't get myself to post anything else besides my weekly ten on tuesday.

2. It has been a really rough week. My body is wacko lately and it's draining me of all energy, the freeways have been a total mess on my way to work and back and the piles of laundry are just overwhelming. I have to remind myself that things could be (and have been) worse at one point and just be thankful!

3. Tyler and I went out for BBQ and for a walk on the pier and beach in Port Hueneme on Saturday for an early Valentines Day. It was very sweet and really nice to be child free for a while. A week ago he bought me some cute Etnies flats that I love and on Sunday he surprised me with flowers and a card!

4. The kids convinced me to let them go swimming after church. The pool is freezing but the hot tub is really nice. Of course they jumped into the cold pool because they're Battens. They really had a blast! I'm reminded of being at the pool every single day last summer. I love it. No sunburns for me this year since I'm more prone to getting skin cancer again...boo.

5. Tyler decided that we're old people because he has been working on his model car and I crochet and cook in the crock pot. I feel no shame, only pride in my blankets and slow cooked meals!

6. I'm so happy that mister sun has come out! The sun gives me the energy to keep on moving. I can't wait till it gets even warmer!

7. Tyler's finger got infected a couple of weeks ago and in order for the doctor to drain it, he cut his finger open with a scalpel. It pains me to think about it!

8. I'm excited to get dental insurance this week. My kids need their teeth cleaned really badly.

9. I watched the Changeling last night and I really liked it. The story is great and Angelina does a nice job acting too. I don't normally love her but in this one I really did.

10. Kayley threw a massive fit before school today because she wanted to wear her Marine Corps shirt and I had something else picked out. Other girls cry over dolls and tea cups. My daughter cries over lost camoflage covers and Eagle, Globe and Anchor shirts. Goodness gracious. Don't worry, she didn't get her way. She's six now and that aint gonna fly!

Speaking of camoflage, if anyone finds camo pants in a girls 5 or 6 please let me know! And fyi I won't pay $30 for a pair of kids pants. Heck, I won't pay $30 for my pants! I'm a deal hunter!

Ten on Tuesday (A Day Late, As Usual)

1. It's a quiet day at work because one of the partners is out. It's really nice.

2. Cole is crazy. Last night he and Tyler went to the store to buy hydrogen peroxide and pound cake. The cake was for Cole's Valentine's party today and he swore it wasn't. He really tried to convince me that the peroxide was his to take to class. So I gave some for him to drink out of a cup. Hehe, just kidding.

3. I'm having lunch with Chelsie today at Los Arroyos! Yum!

4. I sometimes forget more than my closest friends read my blog. Whoops.

5. I got my eyebrows waxed for the first time in years. The first guy who tried to do them was clearly not experienced and in the nicest way possible I said "do you do this very often?" I wasn't trying to be mean but there was no way this guy had done it enough to come out successful. Much to my relief the guy asked a nice lady to come do them and she did a fantastic job.

6. We got our tax return and have been able to catch up on bills and stuff. I love being able to count on it every year.

7. Tyler's coworker's wife had a baby on Monday. He weighed a wopping 9 pounds 14 oz! That's a giant kid, especially to have without a c section. As I recall, Kayley and Cole's cousin Noah was also the same weight at birth.

8. Sometimes I just want to take a baseball bat to something breakable. I think I might use the punching bag today!

9. I swear, the only thing keeping me from kicking into full baby fever is the crying baby in the condo above us who kindly woke me this morning at 4:45.

10. There is something amazing about Trader Joes macaroni and cheese. It's just noodles and real cheese. And pure heaven.

Ten On Tuesday

1. I got a new car on Saturday! It's no Reba (the Magnum) and it's certainly not Star Jones (the Tahoe) but I'm so thankful for those who blessed me with it! It's a little 01 Corolla but it's super clean and runs really nicely. The best part is I have no car payment, woo hoo! It gets fabulous gas milage (that's important for my commute) and it's pretty fun to drive. I swear it's made specifically for small women. In every other car I have to adjust everything but in my little guy it's a perfect fit. I still have to name it. Any suggestions?

2. I hardly ever read MckMama's blog anymore. Her posts are too long and too often to stay caught up.

3. My computer needs to be completely wiped. It has not been a very good lappy.

4. I need some good crock pot recipes. Now that I'm working all day I have have no energy to make dinner when I get home.

5. There was a very famous man in the conference room yesterday. I can't tell you who he is. Moohahaha!

6. Megan and I plan to have cupcakes and coffee for lunch this week. The cupcake place up here is so scrumptious and is obviously a candidate for my well known meal replacement program. Check them out here.

7. I went to get the mail last week after the kids went to sleep. I always lock the door and take the key with me. I locked the door but forgot I took the key off my key chain. I had no phone so I knocked on my neighbors door in my pjs and used their phone. They were so nice about it but I was mortified. My mom came and let me in. That day was really horrible.

8. Yesterday I drove home from work and didn't even look at the ocean. How sad is that!

9. Last night Kayley made a list of chores for herself. This morning she did all of them before school without me asking her to do them. I'm so proud of her!

10. Wow, today is going to be an interesting day at work.

Happy Birthday Kayley & Cole!!

My plans to do a post with pictures has been foiled due to my laptop crashing. I will add pictures later, I promise!

Today my kids are one year older. I cannot believe Kayley is six now and my baby boy is four. That means almost seven years ago I found out I was having Kayley. It was a surprise but so very wanted. After Tyler and I got married we had our tiny, adorable premature baby with trips back and forth between home and the NICU. It was hard and sad but to tell you the truth I don't even remember the bad parts. I enjoyed being home with Kayley and not having to work. I got pregnant with Cole and had a fairly easy pregnancy, I just got really fat! I had Cole on Kayley's birthday (which at the time was so NOT funny) and ever since then it has been a wild ride. And God has provided for me, Tyler and our babies every step of the way!

I'm sad my kids aren't so little anymore but I love who they have become! They are both at the age where I can see each of their personalities. Kayley is sweet and kind but also super spunky and "boyish" (in her words). I've had to explain to her that God made her a special girl who is every bit as awesome as a boy. She seemed convinced. Cole is a stinker who is one extreme or the other. One second he'll be happy as a clam, the next he will be whining and crying and completely out of control! He does love his sissy and likes to bring her ice packs and water when she's sad or hurt. The best part about both kids, though, is that they both love God and sing worship songs all the time!

Happy Birthday Kayley and Cole, I love you!

Ten On Tuesday

1. I spilled a bunch of almond joy bites in my purse (they're like m&ms) and ate them little by little all day long yesterday.

2. The plan is to take the kids to Sea World on Saturday for their birthday because we get in for free! The forecast is rain. Surprise, surprise. What exactly do the storm clouds have against my small children?

3. My kids are totally cracking me up lately. Last night Cole walked into his room at bed time and randomly said "this is impossible!" I'm amazed at the funny stuff they say and do.

4. My back is so sore from sitting all day long. I've never had that problem before! Today I stretched a lot and it seems to be getting better.

5. At my job I've been learning so much about rich people and the way they spend their money. When people have enough money to pay someone to manage it for them, sometimes they really don't have a clue what's going on in their own finances and probably wouldn't notice if a poor soul like myself took some for my own. But we know I would never do that!

I also almost fell on my face carrying three heavy boxes to the post office in my stinkin' heels today.

6. Krista came over for dinner last night and we ate Papa John's pizza (my fave) and talked for a while. I don't see her very often so it's nice when we get to hang out!

7. I really need to take some pictures of my kiddos and upload them. After all, this is their last week of being 5 and 3!!! There's no way I'm going to be the mom of a six year old. Holy moley. I decided that I'm going to do a blog on their birthday with pictures from each year of life for each kiddo.

8. I get my first paycheck tomorrow! Our finances are still so rough but I'm still trusting in God!

9. I entered Tyler's W-2 information into our tax program at work today. Just call me Stephanie Batten, CPA. Ha, yeah right!

10. Last but not least, here's a little bit of Auntie JoJo awesomeness:

Funny Kid

Kayley: "Mom, is that a Netflix you got in the mail?"

Me: "Yes, it's not a kid movie though."

Kayley: "Is it a chick fil a?"

Me: "Bahahahahahaha! No, it's called a chick flick honey."