Valentines Day, and a baby shower gift

Today we set to the task of making out Valentines for Sam and Eben's classes.  I had bought these Fun Dip Valentine packages a few weeks ago, and have successfully kept them hidden till today.  Sam's teacher wanted him to fill out the cards himself, and I assisted him with the spelling.  He did a great job!

So, after all the allotted amount of Valentines for the class were signed and sealed away, I gave the boys a few packages to eat themselves.  

 

Note to self: DO NOT BUY FUN DIP AGAIN! 

They loved it though, and nothing a little soap and water won't clean up

Today I go to a baby shower for a friend of mine that I have had since Girl Scout Camp in the early 90's.  We lost touch over the years, but reconnected a few years ago, and she is having a little girl in April who will be named Alexandra.  I decided to give her a few handmade gifts, and I hope she likes them.  The Going Home Dress, A matching Beret, and a pair of booties to match also leftover from our Farmers Market Sales

Julia unfortunately had to work, but sent along some AMAZING little handmade goodies as well, including a PRECIOUS little baby doll she hand made and designed, and the fantastic mobile that is adorning the basket.  She is so talented. 

 

Here I am, dressed in my finest maternity shirt, and a real bra for the occasion...LOL

1/14/11

Today after school the boys dashed into the living room not looking for the game or TV remotes, but for the newest remote to take over our house...THE CRANE REMOTE!

You see, our parents kindly gifted the boys with this MONSTROUS working crane yesterday as a belated Christmas gift, and there has been no other.  

It was a huge hit, and shocker...THEY TOOK TURNS!

After they tired of the crane, then came the dump truck they could run their wrestling guys over with.  

Yup, boys will be boys

Then they wanted a snack.  Ritz crackers, and Merkt's port wine cheese spread was the snack du'jour.  

I decided that GASP...I would actually PLAY...GASP...a game WITH them...GASP!  They were thoroughly elated, and we had a blast.  (Pardon the blurriness of Sam's face, but you get the idea!)

Connect four (Spongebob/Patrick faced edition) was the game of choice.

The final score was Sam 10, Eben 8, me 9.  I did have my fare share of "Oh Darn, you won again (WINK)", and "How come you keep winning (WINK)", and "I didn't see that opening (WINK)".

VICTORY!

1/9/11

Today being my one day off in a 5 day stretch, I woke with a smile!  I successfully managed to keep my %$#@ together, and not become a RAGING %$#%@ when readying the 3 boys for our morning of skiing. I say 3 boys because I count my dear husband amongst the children on days like this.   Usually I am less than patient as I make sure everyone has all the things they need for our trip.  Helmets, skis, poles, underware, turtlenecks, mittens, snacks, etc.  Today. Jay had already laid out his stuff (as I asked) the night before, and the boys stuff was already together from yesterday when they went with Julia.  The morning went off without a hitch, and I did not even once raise my voice!  

That being said, I thought I would share with you my newest gift from my mother.  Fitting don't you think?  Every week has a different little saying, and I must say...I resemble most of the remarks.

We had a fair time skiing, amongst the windy, cold there were smiles, and jumps.  Racing in and out of a free race course, trying to beat each others times, and all of us laughing when Jay fell while getting off the chair on his first run ( he did not hurt himself, just his ego was injured).  I must say that was the highlight of the ski trip. DO NOT TELL HIM I SAID THAT!  The boys think that the baby in my belly made the best time in the gates.  I tend to agree.

I have been on a craft-a-thon for this new babe.  Although, I can not pick gender specific colors, I am content with my greens, and blues, and whites.  This newest blankie is no exception. 

I made it larger than the pattern so it could be a crib blanket, and I am glad I did.  Although it took me OVER 10 hours to crochet, it was an easy pattern, and I enjoy the finished look so much!  I am planning on edging it in a picot stitch in a purple (girl) or blue (boy) as of FEB 17th.  That is right...we find out the gender on the 17th, and I am counting down the days.  

Here is my most recent belly shot.  I have popped over the past few days.  Sam, the other day, patted my stomach and said "Mommy, the baby is growing!"  

I smiled at his cute little face looking at me, and then at my stomach.

  I must say I am loving the belly pop, but I am not loving how my body feels in general.  I feel out of shape, un-limber, and in need of some exercise.  Of course the weather has been less than optimal for outdoor activites, and I am on high alert couch potato duty...BAD MIX! 

 

Even Bear is getting his stretch on...NOTE TO SELF: Get moving!

On a MUCH cuter note: Sam lost that wonky tooth yesterday.  I got home from work, adn picked him and Eben up at Julia's, and Julia calls to me " Come in Eben's room!"  I walk in and I see the 3 of them all sitting together on the side of Eben's bed, and Sam is smiling at me.  It took me a minute to notice his gap, it was a LONG day.  He giggled, and had BRAVELY pulled his own tooth out. I hugged him with all my might!

HOW COULD I NOT NOTICE THIS RIGHT OFF? 

Seriously he is the cutest kid~right?

On another cute kid note: please click on the following link for a wonderful cause. 

Kelle Hampton is a tireless advocate for Down's Syndrome, and a FABULOUS blogger and AMAZING mother of two beautiful little girls. She inspires me with every word! 

For more on Kelle and her world click here.  

Support a great cause, and spread the word!

My Scholar!

So, let me just say this, as a first time mom, first grade has been a huge undertaking.  It is by far not what any of us had expected. I remember first grade being like an extension of Kindergarten, just a bit less play, and a bit more ABC's and 123'S.  Sam is taking everything in stride, and he likes his teacher (although I am not sharing his sentiments AS much) which is great!  He has a lot of friends, and has not turned into someone other than SAM, my love.  His reading was having some issues with comprehension, and he was having problems deciding which + or - symbol to use in math problems  (according to the parent teacher conference in November).  In my eyes he was doing AMAZING!  Of course we all think our children can do no wrong, but as a rational person I took a step back, and looked at what the teacher had said.  By doing so, I did notice that there were definitely things that we could be more diligent in.  So I set, and sometimes my husband set, to work.  It has been just over a month now, and MAN is there a HUGE difference.    

So yesterday, we had a first!  He did every ounce of his homework by himself, including reading the questions on the math papers!  I was beaming, and thought I would share.  

Working Hard...thinking

See that little pink pill?  Yeah that is the bane of my life right now...my pre-natal vitamin, and I HATE IT!

 

While I made dinner, he worked independently.

 

Look how great he did!  Two of these pages, and one math problem page.  ALL ALONE!

(they are learning time too!)

Then as I was signing off on his homework, Sam asked me how I "draw" my name like I do, and I told him it is cursive. Then I asked if he wanted to write his name. I wrote the first line, and then he did his copy cat version. I think he did awesome!

Finally I leave you with a picture of my current favorite thing on my son's body:

This tooth has been edging it's way forward for weeks now, and there is barely a wiggle to it. So funny! I love how he looks with it. Endearing I think is the right word.

Here is to a better parent teacher conference next time, and to a smart, loving boy who likes to make his mama and daddy proud! 

GingerBread House, and a belly shot (10 weeks)

 Of course I had to have 2 evenly divided bowls of decorations ready for the troops!

They really enjoyed picking where to put their own decorations

All done, and looking fabulous if I do say!

Here is my 10 week belly shot.  As of this AM I have gained 3.3 lbs!

Christmas Cookie Time

Today, the baby and I had a craving for cookies.  All I had were stale raspberry filled ones that would not due.  With my car in another town, and not at home I decided to make some.

I found an awesome, delicious, easy recipe at the ever handy MarthaStewart.com, and proceded to make some yummy cookies for my boy and I to decorate after school today for the first Holiday task.

I ate 4 straight out of the oven, suited my craving just fine ;)

My boy was as excited to show me something when he got home as I was to tell him of our cookie adventure ahead of us.  He made me this lovely little man in art class. 

Seriously, could it be any cuter?

After I OOOHHHHEEEDDDD, and AWWWWEEEEEEDDDD

at our newest little Christmas decoration, I frosted, and Sam diligently sprinkled.

He did an awesome job~I love him so!

We are CRAFTY!

I am the first to admit it, I am not one of those arts and crafts moms.  Point blank, the current project shown in this post has been in a box waiting to be put together for TWO years...you heard me!

So, when Sam asked me if we could put together the bird house, and he could paint it, I relented. I am so glad I did!

I basically put it together because believe it or not...it was a BITCH!

He had full painting responsibility, and did it all himself.  He did a GREAT job, and is so proud!

 

I am so proud.

Trick or Treat?

Here is my love on this Halloween

He was Mario (Eben was Luigi)

He refused to wear the AWESOME mustache, but I think he looked like a million buckeroos!

Fall Photoshoot 2010

A visit with a snake

Today, my dad found a garter snake on the walk to our house.  He brought the new friend in to meet the boys.

Here are some pics

Of course they wanted to keep him, but we sent him back to his home where dad found him.  They have a new best friend that they will look for every time they walk up to mom and dads.