Let’s give ‘em something to blog about

Today has been a very blog worthy day.  It all began in the morning with Jaxon’s 1st ever soccer practice and game.  He was cute and excited and loved it!  He came up to me before the game and said, “mom, you forgot to tell me something” to which I replied, “what did I forget Jaxon?”, “you forgot to say good luck!”  He’s such a good kid, and I love him to pieces. 

Jake even ended up with the assistant coach position for the day, which he loved.

It was fun to see my boys out there on the field together.

Next we headed out to Corvallis for Mya and Mckenzie’s birthday party.  We were already late, so having out tire blow out was a double bummer.  Luckily my husband is well educated in the changing tire business having spent our early years of marriage working at Les Schwab.  So with his expertise and an friendly ODOT incident control guy we were on the road again in no time.  Funny how those things that could go so wrong (just imagine my huge pregnant self alone with 2 kids when it happened) end up working out so well.  I got bored during the ordeal, so I took pictures.  Notice Jaxon checking out the action.

The rest of the trip went smoothly, and we made it just in time for the party to have ended.  Which would have been okay, except for I had the cake!   Grandma and Grandpa saved the day with a quick trip to the grocery store.  And that left a whole cake for our little group to enjoy!  Once again, things just worked out okay.

It was a mermaid party.  Cute cake huh?  I had lots of fun making it.

Here’s my gorgeous girl. 

We loved spending the sunny afternoon with family.   

The ride home was wonderfully uneventful day, and thus ends our exciting, blog worthy day.  Now I’m going to try and find a comfortable position in bed and go to sleep. 

Oh, and here’s me and Jess showing off our bellies.  It’s impossible not to laugh when taking a picture like this, hence my scary squinty eyes.  Yes, I’m huge!

And on a last sweet little note, as we were saying our family prayer tonight Jaxon interrupted with a “don’t forget….” which happens often, and usually it’s something to do with sea creatures or what not, but tonight he wanted to make sure we said we were thankful for the man who helped us with the flat tire.  He just get’s it.  And he is an example to me that I need to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father more for days like today.  Days that His tender mercies are abundant.  Good thing for my 5 year old to teach me these life lessons.

Children’s Museum

We are really going to miss the Children’s museum once we move.

I love this game

I really love playing games with my family.  And not just any games, but those really long boring games that take forever to play.  It all started with Settlers of Catan, then moved on to Cities and Knights, and has continued with all sorts of the same…..Ticket to Ride, Power Grid, etc.  Well, I lose these games on a regular basis.  Actually, I ALWAYS lose.  And as much as I like to play, it does start to get a bit tiring spending 3 hours in a game that I know I’ll lose.  Well folks, all that has changed thanks to AGRICOLA!!!  I’ve played 3 times and won 3 times.  :)  I recommend it to any of you losers out there.

Happy St. Patty’s day

For me, this is one of the greatest holiday’s of the year.  My brother and I would always make the most amazing trap to catch a leprechaun, and each and every year we caught one.  So of course the tradition must be passed along.  This is how it works.  You dig a hole big enough for a leprechaun to fall in, then you cover the trap with twigs and grass to camouflage it.  Next you wait, that’s always the hardest part.  And if you’re lucky enough to catch one, he’ll usually have to leave his bag of gold in order to get out of the trap.  Trust me, it works like a charm! 

Dig a hole and camouflage it.

The kids enjoying a green lunch.  And waiting!             Ooooo, looks like we caught one.Here we are showing off our gold!  YEAH!

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!!

Find a new park and have a picnic

It was a beautiful sunny day in Oregon in February (which doesn’t happen where I grew up) so the family and I decided to work a bit on our live list. 

We had so much fun exploring our new park we found and it made for a most pleasant Saturday afternoon.  I’ll for sure be doing this one again!

 

I sure do love my little family

Wedding Cake

I made this for a friends wedding this past weekend.  I really didn’t give her much of a choice, I just told her I was making it once I heard she was engaged.  I’m happy with how it turned out.  This was my first time doing the flowers as well.  

Finish an awesome puzzle and glue it together

Lovin’ my list!

This was especially fun because the puzzle was so perfect for Jaxon.  We let them do most the work, and they did awesome!

The very last piece!

Here’s the finished product.  We glued it together and stapled it to Jaxon’s bed.  Oh, did I mention it glows in the dark?  I told you it was awesome.

And here’s one of Sage wearing Nanna’s glasses.  :)

Catch a salamander & catch a crawdad

The kids got to go with Grandma and Grandpa to Horning’s Hideout this weekend to start checking off our live list.  I love that Jaxon isn’t afraid to just scoop these creatures up in his hand.   He’s all boy, that kid!

Party anyone?

 

This is the season of parties in my family, that’s for sure.  1st there’s Heathers, then mine, then Sage…all within 3 weeks, then a few weeks later is Jakes.  Crazy!  So we’ve been having a great time partying.  Here are some highlights.

My birthday, part III

I never got to finish off how the day ended, and it’s oh so important, so I’ll squeeze it in After the delicious lunch and cupcakes, I took a short, but much needed, nap.  Good thing for Little Einstein's which kept the kids entertained.  Then the Bruno’s had me over for Fondue, presents and cake and ice cream!  I’m so spoiled.                Heidi made my cake.  Isn’t it lovely.  The kiddos sure thought so.              And what party would be complete without a game of charades?

I came home full, exhausted, and content with another successful birthday.  Can’t wait for next year!

Onto yesterday.  Sage’s 3rd birthday.  Really I’ve felt like she’s been 3 for the past 6 months, so it’s nice to have it official.  Sage loves anything pink, so I decided on a pink princess theme.  After reading a cute idea online about having a real princess come to the party, I just had to make it happen.  Luckily I’ve got some royal connections and was able to get Princess Glimmer to come. 

It was magical, to say the very least.  She read a princess story to the kids, and gave them each a certificate that said they were real princesses.  I also had a little jewelry box with a ring in it for her to give to each girl.  Kari did an amazing job as the princess, and Sage is still talking about it.  You’re so stinkin’ great Kari!  THANK YOU!!!!         We also were able to borrow a princess jump house, and the weather cooperated enough to use it outside.  It was a perfect little party……    even with this little monster as the star of the show. :)

After that party wrapped up we headed out the door to the Zoo with Maegan and the kids.  It was such a sunny day, we just had to get out.  Jaxon and Sage loved feeding the birds.           

Next it was off to Chuck E. Cheese for a bit.  Heidi got all the kids tokens to play for a little while.  It was nice to finally just sit for a minute while the kids were in Heaven.  

Whew, okay what’s next.  After that we went home to find grandma and grandpa at our house.  Sage LOVES her grandma, so that was a special treat.  They were showered with attention and I had a minute to get ready for my Opera date with my dad later that night.  Instead of making dinner for the whole family clan, we went to McDonalds and had happy meals.  If only they had been giving out princess toys, it would have been perfect, but what can you do!  We came home to presents and cake before I had to go. 

(I’m counting this video as my “belly picture”)

         

It was an overwhelmingly fun day, and I’m so happy to have made it the best for my sweet little girl.  Granted, she tests my patience a lot, but there is so much goodness that radiates from her.  She’s funny and so sweet with her brother and is my kindred spirit.  We both have to be in pajamas all day long. :) '

I love you baby girl.  Happy birthday! 

You’ve never lived until you’ve….

I feel like my life is tumbling forward at a frenzied pace, and there’s no way to slow it down. My kids are getting big, and another one will be joining our little family very soon. Sometime I worry that I don’t do enough for my kids, that I don’t show them how much fun life can be. I’m all they’ve got to show them the best childhood possible. So this is a little list to help us remember those things that make being a kid so great. I can’t wait to start checking it off.

• go to the beach and build an awesome sand castle
• stay up late
• sent up a tent inside and sleep in it
• go strawberry picking and eat strawberries until we’re sick
• find a new park and have a picnic
• stay in pajamas and watch movies all day
• catch a fish
• catch a salamander
• catch a crawdad
• have a princess lemonade party
• make a lemonade stand and sell it for 10 cents a cup
• play basketball
• play mummy tag
• finish an awesome puzzle and glue it together
• get in a food fight
• have a water balloon fight
• learn to hula hoop
• be in a parade
• make homemade ice cream
• collect cool rocks
• make a zoo out of play-doh
• go to the Zoo and look at all the animals
• have a red day and wear only red, and eat only red foods
• go to a waterpark
• have a party for no reason at all
• splash in lots of big puddles and get sopping wet
• buy fresh flowers at the farmers market
• watch an amazing sunset and let the kids take lots of pictures of it

Thanks to Megan for the great idea! What’s on your live list?