Dinnertime

Dinner.

This word is dirty in my house. I have always had the vision of having my family, all around the table enjoying a meal together.

Bahahaha.

I cook two dinners, I admit it. I have made one very picky child. (I wonder if that's hereditary, I am picky.) He is getting so much better with every day. He tries new foods, at least one meal a day. I attempt to make things for the hubs and I, that our 2 year old should have no problem eating. Usually, I am successful. He eats great. There aren't many foods that he doesn't like.

Then there's brax. He eats like me. Not much. The things he does eat though are great. He loves his fruits and veggies. I think one of the only veggies he doesn't like is over cooked asparagus. (Who can blame him) He loves, loves, loves broccoli and bell pepper. But, try to get that child to eat a bite of chicken that isn't nugget shaped, and I might as well be speaking Japanese. He tries them, but never likes them. And his gag reflex is amazing. He doesn't even have to put it in his mouth and he is gagging.

So the food is rough.

Sitting at the table, my kids do great for the first 10 minutes, but after that, they are humming, dancing, throwing food and silverware, knocking over drinks, and seeing who can “cheers” the most times. One starts laughing, then the other, and its a chain effect.

We have nice conversation about our favorite part of the day, and it makes us all thankful for the things we have. Then BAM chaos... (What was I thankful for again??) I know as they get older this will get easier, but oh my guacamole dinner time is rough.

Any great tips for dinner conversation other than, how was your day, and what are you thankful for?

Breaking It Down!

I am a mom. Sometimes it's mommy, mama, mooooooooom, and occasionally they throw out Fallon. That's the first, and most important hat I wear. I took on the responsibility the day I found out I was growing a little bean in my tummy. That day I made the decision to become the mom that raises her little ones to be polite, respectful,and responsible human beings. I also made the decision to instill these traits in them from the start. I want my children to be able to grow up, and be good, up standing citizens of our town, state and country. I hope that someday, when they look back at their childhood, they know that mommy was doing the best she knew how to raise them, and prepare them for the real world.
I am a wife. (Which usually sounds more like babe, honey, princess or sparkles.) I am that supportive wife. I am always behind my husband 100%, unless I know for certain he is wrong, then I am beside him, gently guiding him in the right direction. There are so many different types of wife. I am the wife that lets her husband make decisions, but isn't afraid to add her two cents. However, I am the wife who believes that her husband can ultimately make the choice, and I will support that choice. We have a partnership, and I could tell you it's equal, but I don't believe that's how a marriage should be. I'm a little “old school”, and I believe my husband should be the head of the household. I want it that way, and I've chosen that way. Now, don't get me wrong, my husband doesn't have this amazing life with no responsibility other than bringing home the bacon, he has chores, too. And I ride his butt to get them done, but he does support my staying at home, so he does have “get out of jail” passes.
I am a daughter. I love my mamas. (My mom, my mil, and my sons grandma) yup, I am blessed with many great women who inspire me, and are role models for me. They push me to be the best “me” that I can be. I love that I have so many strong women in my life, it's more love I have, and more people to bounce ideas off of. I have a dad and a “pop” also. I guess I am their daughter too, haha. ;) All of the parental figures in my life have given me examples, and life lessons along my path thus far.
I am a friend. Which I have really let go of these last few years. I am finally (after losing all my friends for my babies) putting myself out there, and rebuilding as a social person. This is where I struggle most. Not because I am a bad friend, but because I put my family first in my life, and I rarely find time for my friends. It's a struggle to realize that my family will make it a few hours while I go have “girl time.” I am actively working on pulling myself out of my bubble. (Ill keep you posted on my progress ;))
Lastly, I am a woman. I struggle here more than anything, (yup, you thought my being a hobbit was weird...) I feel guilty taking time for myself. There is always something in my house, or with my husband, or my children that needs to be done. So, naturally, I take care of all those things first. Then, at the end of the day if I have anything left when everyone is asleep, I'll do for myself. My husband pushes me to do for myself, but I can't bring myself to Let to of the responsibilities that stare me in the face.
As women, we feel as if we should have it all. Perfect children, smokin’ hot bods, and beautiful homes. I haven't found the balance of making it all work, but right now, I know I am working towards the healthiest, most centered me I can be.

Being Honest

So I sit her and think about my blog, I think about it a lot. What's keeping me away? My lack of time management, my own fear of failure, my Lord directing me in other directions? I'm not sure, but I want to take it back, I want my path this year to include my blog, for me.
I read all these amazing mommy blogs where their kids are perfect, their house is adorable (and spotless, regardless of young ins) they show “real” pictures of their kids and those cute faces just seem so... Posed. Perhaps it makes me feel inferior. My kids usually have dried go-gurt on their face, and not for my lacking as a mom, (I bathe them I promise). My kids are little monsters. Fun loving, hyper active, jumping on (or off) the couch little boys. So my house always has the toy of the day strung throughout our modest 1400 sq. feet. Let me tell you, toys make it feel tiny!
I have the normal mom “issues” if you will. I cannot use the restroom alone, I am constantly hearing “mom, mom, mommy” all day long, and just as soon as I put something away, the kids pull it out. But, I have raised dependent little buggers. My 2 year old is constantly at my legs. We are currently in the middle of severe separation anxiety. Like, I cannot go in my room and shut the door without a meltdown. My genius 5 year old spent the first 2.5 years of his life in my lap, being constantly entertained. These last 2.5 years have been hell trying to breed some sort of independence in him. Now, I will say, I am not complaining by any means. I made these two little boys who they are, so I realize I am the responsible party here. I just would like to know where the handbook is to raising kiddos.
These “perfect” blog mamas clearly know of a secret book that tells you how to have it all, and raise self sufficient, intelligent, and dang adorable kids. I just want to know the secret to cleaning my house with a toddler on my leg, or in my arms.
I apologize for coming back to the blogging world with such a lengthy post, but these last few months have been spent evaluating (ok, ok, comparing) myself, and my family. Also, trying to find my niche in this huge world of blog. I am back, and though I cannot promise a specific number of blogs a week, I can guarantee some serious laughs, probably tears, and pictures of messy kiddos loving their life.

(Speaking of funnies, my 2 year old is convinced his name is "Honey Boo Boo Child" after hearing it on GMA!)

Happy Birthday Giveaway!

Today I hit 26. I am no longer in the 18-25 category, and its very surreal. I dont know where the time went, and when I hit 26. I am trying to embrace it. Its still hard! SO.... because of my step up in the age world, I am offering a fun giveaway! I am very excited for the wonderful women that sponsored this giveaway!

Since I love presents, I am giving away a pair of Adorabows from Just Lovely Things. I have them in hot pink, and I looooove them! :)
Also, I have a new obsession with the magazine Mollie Makes!


Hello! My name is Charley and I write Cooke's Frontier. Let's start off by answering the biggest question that I get, why the name Cooke's Frontier? I chose that name because starting a blog and sharing my life, recipes and crafts with the world was a whole new experience for me. I was going where I have never been before, but I was excited to do it and prove to myself that I could. This blog is about our life and all that it brings us. It's an honest blog, it won't always be pretty or happy but it will be real. I'm honest and I honestly love doing this.
Charley is giving away a vanilla scented lotion stick! Seriously, I always have mine on hand. Its definately love with me and my lotion!!

Amanda Carlisle Design has literally been years in the making. I graduated in 2008 with a degree in graphic design and like a lot of college graduates, haven't done anything with that degree. That is, until now. Once I found out I was pregnant with my son, it really hit me with just how much I would love to be home with him & as luck would have it, I had a degree under my belt that could allow me to do just that. Amanda is offering up a personalized blog design! Check out her portfolio, this girl has skills! :)   You have a week to enter this giveaway! (which happens to be ending on my bff's birthday!) Go and show these girls lots of love for being so awesome!    

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pumpkin Time!

This year I jumped on the painted pumpkin bandwagon. Call me lazy, I see it as a chance for my babies' inner Picasso's to come out. Plus with Hubs new crazy schedule, Id have to plan waaaay to far in advance to fit in carving.

I taped paper to the kitchen table, and set up a bunch of different pants and brushes. Viola, painting pumpkin time!

(Dont mind the pile of sewing machine and stuff in the corner of my dining room! haha!)

I also had a pack of foam pumpkins I picked up at Michael's last year for like a dime. So we all painted those up too. (I did something cute with them... post on that later on!)

 

 They concentrated so hard, and had so much fun. Did I mention I also put out 4 containers of glitter (Yup, my boys use glitter!) and I think most of it ended up on the floor. I guess thats a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of keeping it easy!

 

 

Pay no mind to the fact my kids are in unders, and Boden has paint all over his mouth. He was licking it off his fingers!!!