One year older and wiser too!

A late post--I know, what's new. But we have to give a shout out to Drew for birthday number 3! This kid just got expensive people. Drew has always been a smiley boy. I think he likes me too...he snuggles me and we're buddies. I remember when Shannon told us she was pregnant with him and I loved that he and Allison would be close in age. They really love playing together. I'm wondering when he'll realize his real name is Andrew....for now, he only answers to Drew Bubbies. When you ask him his name, that's what he says too.

I got him this really cool toy for his birthday, which now will sit on the shelf until Christmas because the request came in loud and clear, Drew wanted a GOBLIN for his birthday. I should have taken a picture of it...I'll have to add that in later. But I whipped one up in record time. My mom made us bouncing goblins when we were little and I've carried on the tradition in our own family. When Drew visits, he pretty much doesn't let one out of his grip. I used an orange T-shirt for the fabric and I cut out a little goofy goblin shape for the body, add some pom pom balls glued all around, stitch on a face,add some yarn for hair and for the finishing touch-- an elastic string attached at the head for bouncing! Tac it to the ceiling and viola---an instant Drew pleaser! (Here are some pictures of the goblins at our house so you get the idea!)

Happy 3rd Drew Bubbies! (Check out that cake! Way to go Shannon and Andrew!)

Engagement Party?

Ok, so I'm new to some of the traditions that go on surrounding an engagement so when we got an invitation in the mail for Dan's brother's engagement party I thought--oh cute! A little family and friend get together to celebrate. But then I thought, we kinda did that right after they got engaged though didn't we?
Little did I know....it is like a mini reception. I say mini, but it probably was just as big as some couple's wedding receptions.

It was held in Kendra's backyard and the decor was romantic and enchanting. Their wedding colors are this bright lime green and teal. It's really summery and I'm really looking forward to Wendy's photography at the wedding with the great color choices. Yes, that's right...Wendy's their gal...and she pulled off a complete miracle. Hopefully I don't get her in trouble by saying that the turn around for their engagement pictures in time for the engagement party was a world record...she is SOO busy and really pulled off something amazing. Everyone was ranting and raving about the pictures displayed as everyone came in. The story board seriously looked like it should be in some magazine.



Then there was this crazy table of tasty cupcakes (to wait for after dinner)--the crazy part? The special ordered M&M's--yes, the one is a picture of the two of them on it.


OK, so I'm glad I wore a skirt because I was debating on white capris or the skirt...well, everyone was in these tiny little evening dresses so I would have stuck out like a sore thumb...not that I didn't still stick out having a shirt up to my neck.. But really, it was pretty fancy. So we grabbed a little party favor--hot tamales with a congrats to Nick and Kendra on it, and grabbed our drinks...soda that is (for us anyway)...and waited to partake in catered Mexican food spread. Yes catered...and there were easily 90 people there.
It was quite the party! It really was a perfect evening---great weather, a beautiful setting, and great company...and best of all, the celebration of Nick snagging the best girl for him. I'm really excited to have Kendra as a sister-in-law and I know I've said it before but I have SERIOUSLY lucked out with sisters-in-law (not to rub it in TAMN.) Kendra and her family are one of THE sweetest most generous, thoughtful families I've met. Nick is sure lucky...and so is she! Mother-in-laws don't get much better than mine!
(Dan's dad, his wife, and Kendra's dad)

Anyway, it was a long drive, and my babysitter earned bank...maybe not as much bank as Shannon's sitter...4 kids yikes! But it was really a great evening of celebration!
I guess I have many months to prepare for the excitement of what the wedding itself holds! Aren't they a good looking couple?!

Just another walk in the park

Ok, so motherhood is NOT always a walk in the park, but lately I've been trying to allow my kids to tell me to put things on hold to do things like go to the park! If I could just really get it in my head to put my kids before things of lower priority, I think things would run more smoothly, but since the toothpaste gobs smeared in my bathroom sink make me almost gag while brushing, at some point, cleaning the sink get's #1 priority every so often. And of course putting your kids first, doesn't mean they won't have two year old tantrums or acts of aggression due to lack of sleep. But it was about time to do something the KIDS wanted to do, even if it meant putting everything else on hold to do it. So we braved the heat in the late afternoon and took a ride over to the park (I love having a park within walking distance.) It's been so hot for so long that I'm pretty sure my kids had forgotten what a swing was. It was like breaking out a toy they hadn't seen in months. The two of them LAUGHED and giggled as I pushed them in the swing and I thought...you know what? This IS fun! What could be better than watching my kids enjoy life so completely? After a few shocking rides down the slide (literally--we kept zapping each other with electricity!) the kids were bummed to find that mom still had things to do...like cook dinner, so we headed home. Satisfied.

So you think you can dance, dance, dance....

I thought she'd love it. Enchanted dance it's called, and you even get to dress up! Allison made it through the first 40 minutes of her first hour long dance class. Anyway, she was a little hesitant, but she seemed to like it. I had prepped her beforehand, telling her to do everything her teacher did, act like a mirror to her. So after 40 minutes, it was like a switch turned off. She was done. She seemed a bit tired...I mean and hour is a long time...at least I'll get my money's worth...or so I thought. Class number 2...she resisted participating the WHOLE time. I even bribed her with a McDonald's ice cream cone and after I agreed to add chicken nuggets and fries to it, she STILL didn't want to have anything to do with it. I made the mistake of saying, "If you're not going to participate, we're going home." Her response? You guessed it, "Ok." Then I decided, no, we're staying. (Usually I stick with what I say no matter how much I regret saying it but I really spoke to quick.) So she stayed and watched. She was REALLY upset when she realized we weren't going to "Old MacDonalds" and melted down the whole way home. Tired again.
Then ALL week, we talked about dance and she would tell me how she was going to do EVERYTHING Miss Kathy did and she even showed me the moves they had done the week before when she sat on the chair. The morning of, we talked about it some more and I figured we were set and things would go great. Wrong again. We came in and to the chair she went. I kept telling her she was not earning her ice cream and she didn't seem to mind. She just watched Margo and the other girls have fun.I finally figured, if SHE wasn't going to get my money's worth...someone was, so Cole gladly joined in on the action. He LOVED it. Allison loved watching him too.
Finally, to break up the hour, Miss Kathy pulled out Elefun--this toy that blows little butterflies up this tube and all the girls tried to catch them. Allison did that but as soon as it was put away, it was back to the chair. Afterwards, Miss Kathy told us Allison was still trying to be sure it was a safe place for her and asked if she came home and did all the moves... she totally does. So we walk to the car and as Allison is getting in she says, "That was fun!" I'm like..hello?! You didn't even participate!! But alas, I was going to stick with it.

So Monday last week came. I only realized late Sunday night that we had dance in the morning so I didn't say much until it was time to get ready to go. Nana stayed at our house overnight so she stayed at the house while Cole slept in. It was nice not having to worry about him or wear him on my back. Shockingly, she got right in there, with me by her side, and participated during the whole hour! I was SOO happy! And so was she because she was ready for her ice cream...and nuggets and fries she reminded me. So away we went at 10:30am to "Old MacDonalds" and grabbed the goods...and she even got to eat the ice cream first so it didn't melt on her brunch. I was sure to be clear that participation next week would only earn an ice cream--not a whole freakin' happy meal! I mean common...I've been sacrificing fast food for months and here she gets the works! She got lots of praise from Daddy and Nana and Grandma and Grandpa over the next week for her participation in dance.



This last Monday she did great too. I was sure to tell her that she could only earn an ice cream cone...no nuggets or fries. I had bought this coupon book that came with a couple coupons for a small ice cream--so I couldn't just get Allison one--Cole needed one too. I was thinking it was for those 25 cent cones...oh no...it was these HUGE cones. Man was it great though...I helped Cole with his a little every so often to get the drips, but it was a lifesaver for the next few errands we ran!


Maybe it's that child inside of me that wishes I wasn't lurpy and that I could have been a cute little dancer and that's why I'm pushing her, but I'd like to think that I push her to try new things and new experiences to have her decide what she likes...how can you decide if you don't give it a fair shot....right??

I've Got Joy!

Allison started Joyschool this year. We bravely gathered a few moms together and started a little preschool group. It's not your average preschool though. Instead of a primary focus of academics, it focuses on specific "joys" and values. I actually went to Joyschool when I was 4 and the same curriculum has made it all this time for me to now teach Joyschool to a daughter of my own! I got chills when I was reading some of the first unit and new that this was the path for us. Information on Joyschool and many other really great resources can be found on valuesparenting.com/joyschool. I know a lot of moms get together to forms groups like this and each take a week to teach, but man was it easy to just download the lessons and have everything laid out for you and not have to create it all ourselves!
I took on the challenge of teaching the first week---which really was just an introduction. (Sadly because I was in charge that first day, I didn't even think to take a picture of Allison on her first day of preschool...so here are some candids my mother-in-law took of her-she was ready for book and craft time a little prematurely.) It was a bit challenging getting 5 kids--some barely even 3 years old---to sit on their mats and pay attention. It helped that we moved around from one activity to the next, and time just flew by! Of course my mind was completely consumed with preparing for my week and knowing what the heck I was doing but it really turned out well.
All the kids will have gone to each person's house once so I'm excited to take on the challenge once again to teach next week and see how far they've come since 5 weeks ago.
We also received the CD's of music that go with the lessons and they are the same recordings from the tapes--yes tapes-- I used to listen to (and still have) from when I was in Joyschool. They have also added a new rendition to each song with this terribly obnoxious girls singing...I usually skip when she sings.
It's been great to see and hear the new things Allison learns. She's really done well and it's been nice to have that extra time and to spend a little time individually with Cole. Check back later to see a video of Allison singing "I've Got Joy!"

Anyway, here's some of Allison's work this month! --The Joy of the Body...
This is the first ever little person she's ever drawn! And her sweet auntie happened to be teacher that week! Thanks Shannon!