Have a Fantastic Friday!

taken with my iphone app shakeit...LOVE IT!

Brothers:)

Holden's First King's Game!

 

  

 Tuesday night we headed out sans Daniel and took Holden to his first NBA game...the Kings to be exact...He had fun, thank goodness you don't have to sit still:-)  We ate junk food, and watched the Kings lose...badly...oh well...Holden was more impressed with Slamson the lion anyway.

Of course he also made friends with the family behind us by being his regular silly self!  I love this kid!

First Symphony - Peter and the Wolf

Saturday we took the kids to see Peter and the Wolf performed as a symphony...Grandmere got the tickets, and away we went...MJ and Beth joined us as well...MJ wsn't too sure, she wanted costumes and dancers...But Holden sat through the hour performance, pretty much eyes glued to the instruments the whole time...he sat by Beth, she said when the narrator spoke of the lion  *tante Beth reminded me it was the wolf not lion hence Peter and the Wolf*, Holden did his clawing growl...Seriously WHY didn't I bring my camera!  It was a fun day!

Heard Recently...

A conversation with Holden...

Me: "What books do you want to get at the library"

Holden: "Lots! Maybe something like the Washington boy...who was that boy? The Washington boy with the curly hair?"

Me: "I don't know what else can you tell me about him?" I am thinking at this point he's talking about a friend from Washington? Not sure though...

Holden: "Oh I know, GEORGE WASHINGTON...yeah he was a president."

Me: "Oh yes, did you learn about him in preschool?"

Holden: "Yes, but he's not the president anymore, now Barack Obama is president"

Me: "yep you are right"

Holden: "Mom where is the lighthouse?"

Me: "what lighthouse?"

Holden: "you know the one where the president lives..."

Me: "Oh you mean the WHITE HOUSE...it's in Washington DC"

Holden: "no I know where it is...it's in the United States of America!"

He's 3 people! I guess our preschool money is going to good use:-) BTW at the library we picked up a book on America:-) BUT he is more interested in our Reptile book.

Valentine Tea - With Kids:-)

 

So Tom's aunt and cousin organized a Valentine's tea...so we could have an excuse to get together and eat treats:-)  And the kiddos could have fun...Seriously they went all out...each kid was greeted with a goody bag with stickers and colored pencils, a placemat to decorate, and a bag to decorate as well...

  

Here is the loot!

So one of the twins was sick:(  So Aunt S stayed with him and Carrie and her other two boys came along for the fun...Since Aunt S wasn't there and we had the kiddos the tea kind of went to the wayside and we had a sort of chaotic time:)  The tea and the food was still yummy even served out of the containers they traveled in:-)  I guess when kids are involved there is not as much time to sit and savor the tea...but it didn't cut out the fun!

  

Beth got Miss A down for a nap, and Daniel was occupied watching the big kids, so after everyone else ate we sat down for a pot of tea and our treats:-)

  

See...

  

Quite occupied by the big kids...he sat and watched for A LONG TIME...even after he toppled over he still layed there and played with Sophie and watched:-)

  

How many kiddos fit on a see-saw?

  

Decorating cookies has become a tradition at any family kid event...they love it...even if it's a chocolate cookie spread with peanut butter so the sprinkles will stick:-) (this time we had frosting...I'm just saying in case you have to compromise...not that I've done that!:-))

  

  

  

  

The day was BEAUTIFUL!  After a lot of playing and eating we ventured outside...where again Aunt S and Carrie had activities for the kids...including flower arranging and planting...although for a while the boys were totally engrossed in ladybug hunting!

  

Aunt S had returned after a bit, since daddy came to the rescue of the sick little one:-)

  

Holden swinging with his Ladybug:-)

  

  

Mr. O showing off his arrangment

  

A little chalk outline fun:-)

  

Holden modeling how well his "fits" him:-)

  

Such a great day!  Thanks for the idea Carrie, and all the hard work you all!

Preschool Valentine's

Holden's Preschool class had a Valentine's Party...This was our first time needing Valentine's...well since I was in school!  I didn't want to go out and buy cards, so we made Valentine's cookies, and then packaged them ourselves and Holden signed them...all 16 of them!  He was really into it for about 5...then Grandmere did most of the writing:-)

As I said before Holden is really coming out of his shell...this was the most fun party to watch him at by far...he was really animated, and into it...I even thought I might see him sing...he was singing the song to me at home all week...

He was proud to show me his butterfly he made...It was really cute...

They of course had ridiculously sugary snacks at 10AM! 

And NO singing from my boy...not even the big finish! Oh well someday...he's not so silent at home TRUST ME...

They each made a bag for their Valentine's , and then they went and passed out each of their treats...and sat down with us to examine their loot:-)  Here is Sutter excited about each one of his treats...seriously...this kid is excited about LIFE...it's so fun having him in class:-)

Coming out of his shell!

 

 This guy steals my heart more each day!  Yesterday we went to his preschool Valentine party and my suspicions were confirmed...He has come out of his shell...I noticed 2 weeks ago that something changed...he wanted to hurry to preschool, he was so proud to show daddy his school, he went right in, said goodbye to me and was fine!

I asked the teachers and they said yes they had noticed that he was different, like a switch had gone off and now he participates and is making friends:-)  That makes a mama feel great!

And then yesterday, oh yesterday, he was SO animated and actually playing with the boys, he ran and gave both teachers big hugs, gave them each their valentine, and in general was the fun loving boy I always see at home!  I LOVED IT!  I heard the teachers say more than once, "we have never seen this side of him before!" I hope it continues, and that he loves school for years and years:-)

Oh AND he willingly went into Sunday school for the first time in probably 1.5 years and LOVED it...Thank goodness for Sutter Butter and Grandpa Bob(ie his friend and his favorite helper:-))!

Beth

Today we celebrated Beth's birthday...her birthday falls on the weekend of the homeshow...poor girl:-) But we had fun, we brought the kids up to her mom's and we baked most of the day:-) She picked a Martha Stewart recipe...

Here it is...inside out black forest cake...VERY tasty...although maybe not good enough for the amount of work it entailed but still good...and SO fun baking with Beth:-)  In fact most everything is fun with Beth.  We have a great relationship, I have been so blessed with Sisters in my life I really can't complain:-)  We see each other almost everyday, if we don't see each other we talk on the phone...I am quite sure she is tired of all my talking most days, but it is fun:-)  

Happy Birthday Beth!  We love you!  Thank you for being such and awesome sister and Aunt! 

Daniel at 6 months...

 

This week Daniel turned 6 months!  It's gone by SO fast!  Not sure where it went but he is growing well and giving us such joy and laughs...So here is what 6 months looks like for Daniel...

:: I don't know his measurements, as the job situation led to a slight gap in insurance, but we will be back on track next month and will go in for a 7 month check up instead...not to sad about having shots delayed a little bit...::

::My guess for current weight and height?  Probably 19lbs, and 30"?  we will see if I am close::

::Like his big brother he has begun sitting up for short stints...he even was able to sit in the cart for a bit at Trader Joes when I forgot my carrier...good thing because my arm would have fallen off!::

::Didn't care for bananas or rice cereal on his 6 month birthday...I tried two days in a row...guess we will wait on that!::

::Much prefers to watch Big Brother than any toy right now...although he will sit for quite a bit and investigate each toy thoroughly...::

::Says some sounds and some word like sounds are coming out..."hi" is said at appropriate times...so maybe that's his first word?::

::Smiles a ton, and is SERIOUS the rest of the time!::

Ok thats about it:-)

Solids = No Thanks Mom!

 

Holden wanted Daniel to eat some cereal...so we tried it...there was interest at first...hmmm what is that?

  

Takes a bite...

  

 "Oh mom, I'm not too sure about this...is this what the stuff you eat tastes like?"

  

 "Ugh, not another bite...blech!"

  

 "Seriously would you eat this?"

 

"Ok I tried it I'm done...I will stick to Mommy's milk now thanks!"

There was actually a severe protest not captured on camera...guess the food will wait!

Verde @ the Home Show

Josh and Verde Creations once again did an exhibit at the Home Show this January.  It came up so fast it felt very whirlwindy...AND I didn't even do anything for it this year!  We went and got in the way helped with set up...It is always fun to watch how it all comes together and to help Beth put the finishing touches on the space...we made a list of supplies for next time, and strategies...a few more times and it will all be streamlined:-)

The space turned out great!  I love the green pops of color amongst the black and white...Once again they also won the top award for exhibitors...

I was in the space as the first few people came through, and heard many great comments that show that Josh is really making a name for himself with memorable designs.  Several people remembered the green wall from last year.  And comments like, "oh these people always have a great space!" must make Josh feel good about all his hard work.  

Hopefully all the positive comments translate into great projects:-)

Josh and Beth both have a great feel for creating landscapes.  Walking through their spaces is always an experience.  The designs are always cohesive and well planned out.  I love being even a small part of these shows...

Can you see Beth and Miss A in there?  Miss A was a big help ;-P

Daniel helped too!