Celebrating the BIG 2

Day 58 - Celebrating the BIG 2

The boys at their birthday party. Their party was at 9am so we decided it was a little too early for cake, but just right for blueberry muffins. Their birthday was at a jump/bounce place geared for toddlers. They had a blast.

Happy Birthday!

Day 57: Happy Birthday to me!

Or maybe more appropriately titled "I don't need no stinkin fork!" It was the boys' 2nd birthday today. They enjoyed their cow cakes. Connor particularly liked the M&M's and plucked one of the eyes off first. Before long he dug in face first. He eventually did take advantage of the fork, but that wasn't nearly as cute. :)

"Moooo!!!"

Day 56: "Mooo!!"

Feeling a little deja vu?? Remember my practice cakes? Well, this one is the real deal. Or at least one of them. I spent the day icing the cakes this afternoon. First a crumb coat, then another layer of the buttercream, and finally the chocolate. After putting on the finishing touches I stood back to admire my handy work and couldn't help but smile. I did it. A cow cake. Or actually 3. Lucky, lucky boyz.

Camera Hog

Day 55: Smiling for the Camera

Yes, it's Ryan, again. Connor the poor red-headed step-child has been a bit camera shy of late. He's too busy running such that by the time our slow cameras manage to finally get around to taking a picture all that is left is an empty spot where he once was, or a miscellaneous body part captured as he fled. Or the back of his head. Or a semi face view with him looking anywhere but at the camera. Or he's two inches from the front of the lens and we get flash blinded pictures looking up his nose. None of which are particularly flattering. Ryan on the other hand smiles for the camera and has even been known to pose. What a ham.


Though you can't see it he is actually sitting backwards IN his turtle. The seat is up, and the spot where his precious cargo typically rides instead holds his feet. And the handle bars have become a seat of sorts. He sat there precariously balanced for several minutes watching the Olympics with me.

It's SNOWING!!

Day 54: It's SNOWING!!

It only lasted for a few hours, mostly in the dark, late at night. But while it lasted we ran around outside. We closed our eyes and lifted our faces up in the air savoring the feeling as the flakes landed upon our faces. We tried to catch snow flakes on our tongues. We wore our silly hats, and mittens just because.

I did it!

Day 53 - "I did it myself!"

The toys have been out of control since Christmas. So a week or two ago I picked up a bunch of the toys and put the lesser played with things away for a rainy day. Even with less toys to play with we still managed to have them strewn all over the house. Tonight as we were getting ready for bed I had the kids help me put every single one up. They are such good little helpers. Once I got them started they did a great job of picking up everything all by themselves.

Gah

Day 52 - Gah.

I knew this day would come. And quite honestly I am a bit surprised that it took this long. This is the light fixture in our entry way. Our 24ft tall entry way. And yes - those are burned out light bulbs. Just about every day this past week when I have walked in the door and turned the light on I have heard the little tell-tale popping sound following by that tiny little flash of light just before it get just a bit dimmer... With only 3 light bulbs remaining out of the original 9 I decided that we had better haul out the giant a-frame ladder and change out the bulbs before I walked in one day and flipped the switch and there was simply no more light.

After grunting and groaning more than Monica Seles Kevin managed to get the ladder out of the garage. I helped him carry it into the house and get it set up then sent him up to the top to straddle precariously while installing spare bulbs. I knew I kept him around for a reason.

Because I can

Day 51: Why not?

Ryan discovered the reflectors in the middle of the road this afternoon. He was fascinated with them. He had to run over every single one. Multiple times. Despite the fact that he wouldn't get out of the middle of the road I couldn't help but smile.

Did you know?

Day 50: Did you know?

Did you know that there are 100 kleenexes in a box of Kleenex? It is a good thing I buy them in bulk. I should totally buy stock in Kleenex. :)

Denial

Day 49 - Denial

I have been living in denial since last Thursday pretending that the sneezing, coughing, stuffy nose, etc. was just a figment of my imagination or worst case some allergies. I have succumbed to reality today. It's a cold. And one that doesn't look to be going anywhere any time soon.

Old McDonalds

Day 48 - Old McDonalds

We picked the boys up a little early tonight and headed to "Old McDonalds" as the boys call it for some chicken nuggets and plenty of play time.

Moooo....

Day 47: Mooooo!!

Aren't they udderly adorable?? :)

I thought it would be a good idea to do a proof of concept of the cakes for the boys' upcoming birthday party before the actual event and I couldn't be happier with how they turned out. My frosting abilities could certainly use some help, but I think they will be a big hit. I will make a big one (or two) for the birthday guests and then two of the smaller ones - one for each of the boys to dig into.

Prep Work

Day 46: Prep Work

The first batch of cakes for my trial run for the birthday party.

Happy New Year

Day 46: Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Chinese New Year that is. We welcomed in the Chinese New Year by enjoying some dim sum at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants down in Chinatown. Ryan was especially adventurous (or starving) and tried out a variety of new things. He also impressed us with his use of chopsticks. Before we were done he had gotten pretty good at spearing things with his chopsticks. He even fed daddy the left over "cake" using his chopsticks.

War Wounds

Day 44: War wounds

I had this great idea to build the boys a playhouse out of cardboard boxes. I rescued the boxes on their way to the trash a couple of weeks ago. So this weekend we went into work and retrieved them. The boys love running around at work. So many hallways and open places to run and roam. But as we were heading out Ryan tripped and fell getting onto the elevator. He smashed face first into the side of the boxes. Poor kiddo sliced his cheek in two different places.



Luckily the wounds were quickly forgotten and the boys had fun checking out their new digs.

Loot

Day 43 - The Loot

The boys' Valentines Day party at school was today. They made out like bandits. It was quite a haul.

Scraplifted

Day 42 - "Scraplifted"

"Scraplifted?" It's a nice way of saying stolen. :) I happened to visit Helene's blog yesterday and saw a post where she shared how she and her daughter made special Valentines for her daughter's class. I thought it was a super cute idea so I had to make some of my own. :)

Ahhh... Heaven

Day 41 - Ahhh... Heaven

This? This is my couch. It is where I plop down at night to play on the computer or watch t.v.

A Cow Cake

Day 40 - A Cow Cake

That pile of stuff? That's what it is going to take to make a cow cake. Or actually 3 cow cakes. At least in theory. In a moment of temporary insanity I abandoned the perfectly practical choice of having a competent bakery make the cakes for my kids' birthday party. Oh, no. I decided I could make them myself.

Corn-y

Day 39 - "Corn-y"

Okay - I confess this is corny. Even for me. But I just couldn't help myself. The kids needed "Thank You" cards for their birthday party, and since it was a barnyard theme... Admit it. It's really kinda cute. :)

Now I just have to find envelopes that will fit them. Turns out that the standard small envelopes at the store (at least the ones Kevin came home with) aren't quite the right size... They are too wide. I was hoping to be able to make these two to a standard sheet of cardstock - cut in half, then folded in half. Only the paper is 5 1/2" and the envelopes are about 6 1/2". They would work in a pinch, but I would really rather find something a little closer. I am not making my own envelopes. I draw the line. No way. No how.

Jackpot

Day 38 - Show me the money!

As you no doubt already know it was Superbowl Sunday. While I wasn't particularly vested in either team I was sitting down pen at the ready to watch the game just before kick-off. I didn't have to wait long for what I was waiting for, though I did have to cheer awful hard to make it turn out right. Colts - 3, Saints - zip. Cha-ching. Cha-ching!


Last year one of the guys I work with and one of his friends ran a superbowl square system. It's a $25/square buy in which is kinda steep, but I loved the rules - lots of chances to win especially if it's a high scoring game. And win I did. The final pot - $1400. They set it up again this year so of course I had to play again. This year I got a square for me. And one for Kevin, too. Mine paid off the first score of the game -$50. I came within a minute of making that $200 (end of quarter pay-out). And Kevin came within feet (missed field goal) of cashing in himself.


When it was all said and done assuming I can count correctly it payed out 21 winners. It kept me entertained and made the game much more fun.

Heart Attack

Day 37 - Heart Attack

I am fairly certain that my children are trying to do me in. I know they are getting so big. There is no need for them to do death defying stunts like climbing up crazy ladders while I close my eyes and hold my breath to prove it.

Redirection

Day 36? - Redirection

It was a rough, rough day. My dog "blew-out her knee." I have no idea what happened - she was just in the backyard and when I went to check on her she couldn't walk on one leg. She will need to have surgery to repair it. It was such a crazy day and I was so wiped out that by the time I got the kids down I could barely keep my eyes open. I called it a night without taking a single picture.

To make up for it I rolled up the roller coaster of emotions and anxiety and poured them into making treat bags Saturday night. I decided to add a box of candy hearts, and two mini raisin boxes to the mug, pencil, and variety of chocolate hearts that I had already picked up. I stayed up until well into the wee hours of the night finishing them up. I think they turned out nice, and I am glad it is one less thing off my ever growing to do list.

Proof

Day 35 - Proof

Have I mentioned what a great buy I thought these mugs were?? Totally loving them! So much so that guests at the boys' upcoming birthday party will be taking home their own customized mugs. Yeah, a bit overboard I know. Just nod and walk away slowly. :)

With the party coming up fast I have been working on invitations, the mug design, and the favor label. Got some proofs printed last night. Loved how they turned out. All that's left is the printing and cutting, and mailing. Whew! Glad that's off my list. Woo-hoo!

Backpacks

Day 34 - Backpacks

The boys' new school backpacks. They are almost as big as the boys... :)

Feeling Crafty

Day 33 - Feeling Crafty

When we got to school yesterday sign up sheets were up for the class Valentines Party. By the time we arrived however the only things left were healthy snacks and treat bags. Healthy snacks didn't sound like much fun so I thought I would run by the dollar store after the boys went to bed and see if I could find something to put in treat bags. And I think I hit the jackpot. I found these great little create your own mugs. I seriously bought out all they had. I got enough for their class, and should have enough left over to give them away as favors at the boys' birthday party as well. I was so excited!

I spent the entire drive home racking my brain on what kind of design to do. When I sat down and starting looking through my scrap stash for some sort of bee or birds I came across a kit called Lovey Buggies from Kristin Aagard that I knew would be just perfect. Here's what I came up with:



I LOVE IT!! I drove my husband crazy last night as I kept printing proofs and kept forcing him to admire my work. :) But seriously - aren't they adorable?!?! I got a class roster today so I can do personalized cups for each child in the class. They will also get a Valentines themed pencil and a few pieces of chocolate.

Today at lunch I picked up a spool of ribbon to tie the tops of the bags with. And tonight I made matching gift tags. I had to assemble a sample to make sure everything would fit in the bags and see what they would look like. I was thrilled with how they turned out! Let's just hope they are as big of a hit with the kids and other parents. :)

Storytime

Day 32 - Storytime

It was a big day for the boys. Today was Connor's 1st day in the big kid class. He was so excited when we put his bag on the hook and took his coat off. He finally got to stay. I didn't realize how badly he wanted to be in the new class until that moment. He was so excited.

When I picked the boys up typical of our 1st day luck Connor had an incident report. Apparently during his first ever trip to the potty he fell into the toilet hitting his cheek on the seat on his way down. Poor kiddo.

The boys also got new bags just like all the other big kids. They are nice backpacks. On the way out of the building I had been carrying Ryan and then put him down to walk. He hadn't quite gotten his balance when I let go and with the weight of the bag tipped backwards off the curb and landed on his rear end out in the drive way. He looked stunned like he had no idea how it happened.

When we got home they were both excited to carry their bags into the house. Just before dinner I read the boys a couple of books and before heading into the kitchen I helped Connor into the reading chair with a book. A minute later Ryan scrambled up with his bus and sat down beside Connor listening as Connor "read" the book aloud. They were so cute sitting there together.