Girl Next Door

When Krystyn is a big star my kids are totally going to tell people she was their babysitter!
More at sosmitten...

Seize The Day

Often the best results come from just grabbing my camera and heading outside. Ok, I had put some thought into it (they aren't wearing transformer shirts) and the hearts were our single decoration for Valentines day. The big fluffy snow is a perfect backdrop. I'm working on the rest...

Let Them Eat Snow

I can't believe I haven't heard of this before!

You'd think with the weather around here it would be a National Dish or something!
We tried some yesterday after the fresh snowfall overnight. So fun. It was mostly like a milk slushy, but the kids quite enjoyed the whole process. We're trying some today with chocolate milk.

5th Birthday!

My tiny valentines are 5! Whew that seems very grown up. It really does feel like a milestone. For me and for them. I'm mostly really excited for them. They are learning so much and taking it all in. I'm just amazed at how we've all grown in the past 5 years. Just thinking about the next 5 kind of freaks me out!

My little Bug was so excited for this birthday. The Bee was too, but having been quite sick the week prior, he was not quite 100%. It's really a lot of fun to enjoy their anticipation to special occasions. Sometimes the waiting is frustrating, but it's easy to get excited along with them.

First we got to spend some time with Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Shishi on Saturday. The kids love spending time with them (even if we were at the crazy mall - does anyone else find the Bass Shop amazing and disturbing?) and The Bug was quite disappointed that they were leaving before the 'official' day.
He was also worried that we had to go to church on his birthday. I reassured him that it was still his birthday, all day, and we could open presents as soon as we got home. And of course they had a great time seeing their friends, and having all the kids sing to them and special treats.

Finally time to open presents! Hurray!
An afternoon playing with new toys and then a yummy dinner with Auntie ShiShi (when you're 5 yummy = chicken nuggets and drumsticks)
And then cake. Cakes. Oh my goodness. I was worried with all the Cake Boss going on around here. I am like the Cake mail room employee...so I thought this would be fun. And it was pretty and colorful. Note to self: no matter what the instructions say, LINE THE PANS WITH PAPER SO THEY WILL COME OUT IN ONE PIECE. *ahem*

Thank goodness for lots of icing! yeah! Crazy sweet, but a huge success with the 5yr olds.
I also managed to finally make them birthday shirts. Well, not make, but paint. I made a freezer paper stencil and it was fabulous (too bad the shirts were too small - curse you old navy 5T). I will be having more fun with this in the future!

How old are you? High fives!!

When asked what their favorite part of the day was,
The Bug said: The presents and the cake! (they ate a lot of cake)
and The Bee said: Blowing out the candles! (Daddy relit them several times)
Success!
Happy Birthday to my sweet Valentines!

And So It Goes

February seems to be a tricksy month. We start off with the best intentions. January is behind us and Feb is just a cute, short month filled with candy hearts and birthday cake, right?
Until we get the SICKNESS and we're stuck inside being sick and then miserable and grouchy and nothing gets done and I remember why this time of year is the most difficult.
Best intentions are replaced by sleepless nights and terrible coughing (people prefer you to please keep that to yourself) and the grumpy grumblings and bickering (by parents and children alike).
Then throw in a few more showings just to keep us on our toes. And I have to say that one of the things I missed the most this year was not being able to do fun decorations with the kids. Trying to keep up our non-reality 'show home' is no fun at all. That and not being able to really plan ahead.

I had hopes for a creative and charming birthday photo shoot. Didn't happen. Not that I've given up, but hasn't happened yet. Birthday cakes and plans and celebrations were on the 'to do' list.
My big boys turning 5 seems like a big deal. I feel similar to the way I did when they turned one. Like I had really accomplished something. You know, we survived!!

And the boys have been excitedly counting down the weeks/days since Christmas.
Luckily, much like when the Grinch stole Christmas, it all came anyway. Valentines were exchanged (one boy went to school and collected them for his sick brother), cakes were made, gifts were opened, family gathered and all is well. Just not exactly as I had originally hoped. I always tell myself I'm going to do better at these sorts of things and then I end up feeling just as frazzled and harried as the last time.
C'est Le Vie!

I actually have a few fun shots to post, now where is my camera cord...?!
And then I read this and I laughed!

Baby Girl 32 Months

Oh my girl. My sweet little beastie. She's so bright and quick it amazes me. She's president of the 'I'm just as big and smart as you and I can totally keep up with whatever you're doing' Club. I'm sure in her mind she is exactly the same age as the boys. And whether it's saying poopy words or sticking out her tongue or being sassy, she can do it!!

Lately The Babe loves to read books (have them read to her), sing (Old MacDonald, Jingle Bells, and Twinkle Little Star), color, and recently cut with sissors. As a matter of fact, the other day she was trying out her brothers new 'leftie' sissors and she chopped her soother. Oops. She had to throw it out. And now it seems there are no other soothers to be found. Well, she's not impressed with that. But what can you do when you've done it to yourself?! *evil laugh from mommy*

The Babe has been in the (bad) habit of waking up pretty early lately. Luckily she calls out for Daddy as some days she only sees him in the morning or for a few minutes before she goes to bed. She calls him, Dad... Dad... c0ckadoodad0000!
Clearly if you hear the morning rooster, it is time to get up...

It's true that we still have our share of tantrum fits at times, but some things, like getting dressed, are getting to be less of an issue. She hardly ever has a fit getting dressed for church anymore! And she can do a really good job of getting herself dressed too (if she wants to). Her favorite part is socks. She likes to pick them out especially.

Unfortunately one of her new skills is the curse word. And it's a bad one. No one likes a two year old who drops the 'f' bomb. It was easier to miss with a soother in her mouth, but she's much more clear without it now. I don't think I have to explain that this one didn't come from me...*ahem* I'm hoping she'll lose interest before anyone else really hears what she's saying.

And so goes another month. January was so busy we hardly took any photos. Not that we haven't been out a lot, and we've had some fun skating and visiting friends and driving around for no good reason other than to be out of the house while it's being shown.
And on to February, our big birthday month. Hurray!