E = 3

My very Sweet boy is now THREE!  His party went together perfectly, and I think a good time was had by all!  With a few close friends and some family too we celebrated Sunday afternoon.  The morning had started out with rain, and as I went to bed that night it POURED- but in between it was a gorgeous day to be outside celebrating an amazing 3 year old boy. I went about this party differently, deciding to not stress myself out about treat bags (because you have to have enough for everyone so you buy extra and then people don't show up and you are left with lots of junk!) and concentrating more on fun for everyone- with good food! Super Heros were our theme, because that is all we talk about and play these days. seriously. Elliot changed his clothes as he normally does about 5 times before the party started. What shirt you are wearing dictates what kind of hero you are. G & E matched in their Super Man/Girl shirts.

 This Green Lantern mask is a big hit. The pointy nose creeps me out a little.

 Lightsabers were a big score, he got 3 which is perfect so we can play together, along with the foam sword.  I loved having a good friend of mine (we met at work in Japan) and her family join us, the kids all played so well and had such a fun time!

 I made all the decorations. Poster board, scissors and a big black marker- cost for all: $2.50.  I traced and cut out lots of Batman, Flash, Green Lantern and Superman shapes, and even more comic "star" burst things.  

 Homemade mounds bars.  YUM.  Dark chocolate, unsweetened coconut and a little coconut oil.  A few almond slices on some and chilled in the freezer.

 1st time doing a candy buffet.  it was a pretty big hit.  Even my 17 year old nephew and his girlfriend filled bags with their names up.  Not a healthy thing, but so much fun. And really, the kids haven't touched but one candy a day from them.  

 I love his excitement, he really is such a sweet and generous boy.  

 My favorite cupcakes, so good.

 In addition to the candy, everyone got a hula hoop to take home- after we played games with them.

 E chose lemon cupcakes in addition to my choice of coconut.  I made a simple whip cream frosting with fresh lemon juice to top them.

 Having all eyes on him is something he doesn't usually have, or want but he did get a big smile looking around at all the people that were there singing Happy Birthday to HIM!

I asked him what his favorite part of his birthday party was, "when I got to eat 2 cupcakes!"  Earlier he said "mom, I love my birthday party!"

Happy 3RD Birthday to the sweetest boy there ever has been!  

and his Mumma cried.

OH the songs we sing for bedtime.   Clay is a music guy, and these kids seem to have picked it up from him!  There was  a request for more videos, so here you go!  Notice the matching Green Lantern shirts, they did that on their own.... again!

E = 3

No More Pie

It is a rainy day, so we are having a little fun inside singing songs and decided to record it for all your viewing pleasure. G learned this song at school with her music teacher, and she decided to strum along to her self tuned guitar!  ENJOY!

Spring Break & Easter

This past week was our Spring Break, which means that Gabby didn't have school, Cousin C's daycare was closed and Grandma was off work. The 3 cousins went with Grandma and Aunt Mary down to the family cabin last Sunday, and enjoyed a very rainy sleep over there. More than 24 hours they were gone, the parents all went to lunch and watched the Hunger Games! Monday when everyone else was at work and the kids were still gone, I was a little lost. I totally didn't know what to do without kids. I ended up on a run which felt great. Grandma and Grandpa left for a few days to go on a little spring vacation, so that left the 3 kids and I on our own. Thank goodness the weather was mostly wonderful! We spent so many hours outside that the kids were all exhausted. It was great! There were no big fights, and we only had one accident that resulted in blood and a fat lip! Scooter rides to the store, and around the block, walks to see the chickens, finding every mud puddle worth splashing in and hours at the park. Throw in some mini banana coconut muffin baking and we were all pretty happy. Oh and our new class at the YMCA, family yoga! G, E and I went with a friend and it was great! We learned lots and already are planning to go again this week!

E has gotten pretty great at hitting, using our makeshift T.

C even made it all the way around the block on her bike, now we just need to work on speed!

Molly's club had an egg hunt, so we all went Saturday morning and participated in the mad dash for candy filled eggs. E got the most, and would love to eat every candy at once. Instead they are hidden and put up!

After the egg hunt we joined M, D and Cousin C for a walk at Tennant Lake. It was gorgeous out, but the little wood boardwalk was nerve wracking with the kids. Thankfully no one fell into what looked like a swamp, filled with lots of frog eggs!

Easter was the nicest day of the year so far, it was even 60+ degrees outside! We even took off sweaters and tights! The Magnolia tree burst open with flowers and was the perfect back drop for a picture.
Elliot wanted no part of pictures, but I did manage to snap this before he changed 3 times.

Gabby, she was more than happy to give me some poses. In fact, she insisted- I know have this hilarious bunch of 50 pictures of her modeling. The last pose she called the bird! In church today during the children's time one of the pastor's asked what Easter was about. Gabby spoke up and said Because Jesus has Risen! Yes, he has Risen indeed!

Kid Love

I'm having major kid love lately. More so than I normally do. These two babies of mine, well they stole my heart and I just can't get enough of them. Even with the fits and messes, they are the best around. E and I play games while Sissy is at school, we run errands and snuggle too. He told me he was going to marry me. We finished our 2nd session of swim lessons, he scored high on confidence but negative in the "listens to directions" category. Mostly because as soon as the teacher looks away he scoots of the step into the water where he can just barely keep above water and bobs up and down, and climbs back up and does it again (all the while I sit watching thru the window stressing out.) He is testing his independence and control, which is a battle but he loves so deeply and is thoughtful and caring. The boy is amazing. Then there is his Sissy, she is so strong and sure of the person she is. Takes my breath away watching her. There is no question about it, she is a performer- dancing, singing, small talk, play. Oh and her heart, it is pretty huge like her Brother's. She has a love for life and an excitement for all things.

pic by Gabby, E was showing off his Batman shirt. We are all about Superheroes all the time.

sweet and beautiful

chalk+ scooters+ sunshine+ sibling= great day!

their Dad is pretty special too. playing ball is making a comeback. paper towel tube works well for a stand in T, that way Dad's hand doesn't get hit quite as many times (but still gets a few hits)

the girl who wanted hair as long as Rapunzel decided she wanted to try a change. just over 8 inches cut off and ready to be donated to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. her new cut looks great, even with bedhead (who are we kidding, she makes dirt look good.)

1,2,3 cousins on a ride... only a few weeks before the 4th makes her appearance.

did I mention she is strong with who she is? this was today's outfit. this fancy hat she wore to school two days in a row, and it wasn't even questioned it was no big deal.

So silly and strong, yet so tender. he cried tonight because (in addition to being tired) he thought he was being laughed at. This boy never really ever wore a bib, but daily he wears one of Cousin C's- turned around backwards as a cape (yes, he does have actual capes). This one turned him into Green Lantern Star Boy (green lantern shirt+ stars on the bib). We have Turkey man and Butterfly boy bibs too.

Our big excitement of the day, the purchase of an easy bake oven. I always dreamed of having one, alas it never came true... until we bought this one with all it's pieces at an estate shop (my new place to go). Gabby has been wanting one for about a year.. this was the perfect fit. $3.50 and it was ours. We made red velvet cake. I'll stick to regular baking, but cooking with a lightbulb is a pretty fun thing for the kids to do after school- every once in a while.

Oh and this whole march photo challenge was a bust. maybe another month I could try it again, but this month it just isn't going to happen.

Before/After

a few supplies, ribbon, cardboard, scissors.
Plus a box of diapers
after a little work it all ended up looking like this:

my sweet husband volunteered me to make a few diaper cakes for a lady at work. She supplied the diapers, I bought a little ribbon for the Red White and Blue theme and he will bring them to work tomorrow. Let's hope she likes them. I did get a bag of nice things for doing it, a robe (which I have been wanting since my other ones are still packed away in FL) a new makeup bag and a nice candle. I am glad Clay is proud of a few of the little craft things I do!