Happy Birthday Mike!

Mike's birthday has many memories linked to it. I can't believe this was the 10th one we have spent together! We traditionally have carrot cake, which reminds me getting engaged... I was supposed to make my yummy homemade recipe for his family party (for him and his twin sister, Rachel, and also our niece Korinne on the same day). Plans were changed when he took me up the canyon, blindfolded me, served up a romantic picnic, and proposed... needless to say we ate store bought carrot cake that evening. 

Maddie was also due on Mike's birthday, but she waited 5 more days to make her debut! I think she was trying to give him some space so she wouldn't completely overshadow his special day.

Daddy with his girls

The girls were so excited to give him Trail Mix, mostly so they could eat the M&M's themselves.

He got a bunch of new work clothes we scored at a Dillard's sale, and a lamp so he can read in bed.

Happy Birthday dear Daddy!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Maddie made the cutest little Cat in the Hat costume at preschool... and we're enjoying our Dr. Seuss books today!

Wild Animals

I'm running a zoo lately. Tyler turned Panda when my back was turned.

A little giraffe helped me make banana pancakes for dinner. I know it looks like she's ready for breakfast, but she really just wore her jammies all day.

The girls had a playdate and a teddy bear picnic. Maddie had one at school this week and has been a little obsessed with bears. 

She discovered the boxes of baby clothes on the basement and has been dressing her bears. This bear has had an identity crisis...it's worn boy and girl clothes, pull-ups to Elmo undies, and even been pregnant and delivered of a tiny baby bear.

Love their imaginations!

He Loves Me

It is pretty amazing to be the object of a baby's affections, and this baby loves his mama. In other words he is a mama's boy, but I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact I'm almost selfish about his attention... I want to be the one to change him so I can blow on his tummy or tickle him. I want to get him out of bed because I want the first smile and first hug. He is really good at hugging his arms tight around my neck and he gives me open mouth slobbery kisses. I absolutely love this age because he is starting to grow up and do new things, but he is still so sweet and innocent!

The only thing threatening to eclipse me is this heart balloon. Whoooowweee, he loves this balloon!

 

He gets so excited when he sees it and flaps his arms like a bird. He squeals and talks to it like it's alive. It cracks us up!

 Ty loves his sisters and Daddy too, but he doesn't love being thrown so much.

Okay, he loves the kitchen too. He's going to be a little chef.

He definitely loves food. He has tried spaghetti, bread, hummus and chips, mango, strawberries, and kiwi, among other things. He has 3 teeth now and is getting really good at grabbing food and shoving it in his mouth. 

Oh and he loves bath time! It is so cute to see him splish splash. We just love our little buddy and can't believe he's getting so big!

You Rock, Valentine!

I love the day of love. Some people think getting flowers on Valentine's Day isn't special because it's expected, but I guess I am a traditional girl and it makes me happy!
 

This year was fun because Mike took the girls to the store with him. They loved being in on the secret and making sure I was closing my eyes until they hid everything.

If you remember last year, we did pretty much the same thing as before--Heart everything! (I went back and looked at last year and was shocked to see how much my kids had changed. You don't notice until you compare!)

The kids all needed new bath towels and I had planned to make them for Christmas,   but they were spoiled enough, so I put them off till now. They wore them all day!

We all dressed in red and pink... even Daddy. I didn't notice but Maddie did!

 {HUG}

The girls enjoyed making and receiving Valentines from preschool friends this year. Ella made this one for Tyler at preschool. She even wrote his name!

 

We decided to go sugar-free this year... not that we didn't eat any sugar, but I thought one less sugary Valentine might be appreciated by some mom's out there. My girls are obsessed with sticky hands... we've gone through about 10 already.

 Heart sandwiches ( and hoodie towels) for lunch. 

By dinnertime the girls had decided they were swimming with their towels and had found their suits. 

Ella helped me make the heart pizza.

And dinner was romantic with candles and bubbly. Right after this shot we turned the lights out!

I really love my little family and I feel so lucky to rule this roost.

Down Time

It's been one of those weeks when going outside the house is a big event.

It began with Maddie throwing up 10 times on Monday. Thankfully nobody else got it, and Tuesday morning we were able to register Maddie for Kindergarten!!!

Tuesday afternoon Tyler came down with a really high fever (103.5). He was lethargic and tired but there were no other symptoms. Again nobody else got it, but we had to cancel pretty much everything. After three days of mystery fever, it broke and he returned to normal.

Needless to say, we spent lots of time in our jammies this week. Here's some highlights from our exciting down time... you gotta get creative to stay sane.

 Silly headbands

Finger painting... and watercolors... and crayons... always working on a masterpiece

Playing the piano

Pretty sad when a bath is the most exciting thing you do all day.

 Musical chairs--we love to turn on music and boogie.

I am trying to upload a video of the girls having a pillow fight with Daddy. They love to wrestle and play with him. I'm so glad he comes home with a burst of new energy at the end of the day!

What does your family do to have fun? I can always use more ideas for my down time repetoire.

Buzz Buzz!

One of Maddie's preschool teachers did a Bee Family Literacy Night to celebrate reading. She is so amazing and we had a blast!

 Making Bee twinkies

 Listening to "My Bumblebee Friend" book

Pinning the bee on the hive

 Queen Bee and Baby Bees (ha!)

 We won a door prize!!

Working the puppets in the theater room (my girls at right bottom of pic)

Miss Tina really outdid herself! She is the best! 

Just Stay Little!

I have been thinking about how fast my kids are growing up. We are working on getting Maddie registered for Kindergarten, Ella is sprouting like a weed and talking like a big girl, and Tyler is learning new things every day. It is bittersweet.

My family came to visit last weekend for my niece's birthday. Emily and Ren even surprised us and came from sunny AZ! Here Em was teaching Maddie some cheerleading/gymnastics moves. She is so fun with the kiddos.

Ty is having some major stranger anxiety but my mom didn't give up and worked hard to make him laugh. 

It was a nice family reunion and Mom and daughters (sisters) even got to get away to shop, eat, and relax for a morning. We couldn't remember the last time we were all together without kids! Next time, we're taking an airplane, ladies.

Maddie and Ella got to play with Emrie for 3 days straight. They were in heaven.

And now just a few sweet pictures from our day-to-days... one morning I caught Ella reading to Ty and then playing peekaboo with a funny hat.

For FHE we made a temple from sugar cubes. It made for a tangible (and tasty) lesson for our stake temple week.

Last one... Ta da!

We are still enjoying this mild winter with sunny blue skies, although grateful we got enough snow to make one snowman.

In the sun she melted...

 I love how the girls are each giving me goofy faces as they ride by.

This little guy is so darn yummy. He is learning to wave and starting to go from sitting to his tummy. I was thinking today that in the next few months he is going to change so much, from my little baby to a crawling and walking toddler! I'm not ready.... just stay little!!!

I just love my little monkey.