Valentines Party

The kid had his heart set on me helping with the Valentine's party at his school. 

Though no help was requested, I went anyway, just to be there like he wanted me to be. 

He doesn't own much Red.

Neither does Mom. 

but he sported a red polo and I - well, i don't think i even showed up in Red at all. 

Ryan and Abram - friends since the baby room! 

They're one month apart. 

He loves his cupcakes. Well, really he loves icing. A boy after my own heart!

These kiddos were so cute. Full of chatter, telling me all sorts of cute things, which none can I recall now to post for a good smile or laugh, but - cute;) 

And their favorite foods - all so different. Abram went after his cupcake and ate two huge bowls of pink yogurt. Ryan drank three cups of juice. Cole ate so many corn puffs I don't know how he could move afterward. And Danny ate tons of cheese curls... lol. 

Silly Boys!

He loved me being there and was very anxious to go afterward, grabbing his bag and yanking me out the door. 

We celebrated at home later - a spaghetti dinner with Daddy:) 

Finally - some snow!!!

I should have known that this year, we would barely get snow. 

Why? 

because I bought the kid all new gear - snowbibs, boots, gloves, hat. 

And those who know me know - I rarely buy NEW. 

I hoped his coat from last year would still work - it sorta did, especially considering we've barely had a drop of snow. The sleeves are slightly short but hey, it'll do!

So since i was ready for winter, it's decided not to come. 

But this morning, we actually got a few little inches - 3 maybe? 

I was bundling the kid up and pushing him out the door before he'd hardly rolled out of bed. 

had to get to the snow before it was gone! 

Sledding with Dad - 

Trying to get Daddy with a snowball!

He loves his tube Santa brought last year! 

I apologize for the foggy bad photos. Two reasons they aren't good. 1 - i have a terrible beat up point and shoot camera i use. 2 - I was the person making the pictures. 

What can I say - I'm no photographer. 

The kid had a tough time walking in all his gear - but he was warm! 

And while he loved sledding, he was intent on "SNOWBALL FIGHT" - as he kept yelling. 

Apparently he's watched some wintry TV shows that involve snowball fights possibly?? 

Not sure but that was #1 on his priority list, thats for sure! 

I ran inside to whip up some homemade hot cocoa while the boys wrapped things up outdoors... 

He ran into the dining room yelling "I really really want Marshmallows in it!!!"

 Luckily, we had some - and it was tasty good and toasty warm!

A great snow day at home with my boys. I hope there are many more to come this winter!

It's A ....

Here we are breaking the baby news to the kid.

Husband and I went to the ultrasound that afternoon and waited to tell him the news until we were home so we could record his reaction:) so glad we did!

He's been holding out for a brother - BIG TIME. 

I kept reminding him - it might be a girl. 

"I know I know Mommy. God decides... but its prolly gonna be a boy..." 

Ohhh K Mister.

Another day he added - "it has to be a boy... cause cause - i don't know any girl names!"

Because he's naming the baby right? Oh my. 

Can you tell he loves grapefruit? lol... 

And here's a few pictures of our #2 in the womb - amazing huh? 

While the kid is pumped to be a brother - he was still slightly paranoid there was a girl in there too - somewhere ha. 

We've assured him NOPE. Just a little bro! 

I went for a checkup and Abram had to tag along. 

I explained they were going to check on the baby... 

He was good as gold at the appt. I took the ipad for reassurance that he would be entertained.

The doctor entered (same one that delivered Abram!) and he told her there was a baby in my tummy:) 

He went back to his game, the doctor did her thing - measurements, listened to the heartbeat, etc, then said her goodbyes... 

"Okay kid, lets go!" 

He looked up from his game. "What? What happened? Where's the Dr?" 

"She left. She's done. She checked the baby and we're done." 

"But - i didn't see her take it out!" he sputtered, clearing frustrated. 

"oh honey... no no, she checks it through mommy's tummy!"

"OH." he said,  gaving a little eye roll before sliding off the chair, as if to say - why was i excited for this? haha - poor little fella...  

Snack Time

The kid used to eat most anything.

Veggies. Fruits. Nuts. Grains. Any Color. Any Shape. Any Anything!

Then somewhere along the way - he decided that wasn't gonna be anymore -

and I've been struggling to keep him eating variety ever since.

So in this new year, I'm trying to get creative.

This is his newest snack tray (yep, an ice cube tray with a new purpose!)... 

Cheese Puffs, Whole Wheat Pretzels, Bear Grahams, Almond Butter for dipping, string cheese, corn, peas, edamame, raw carrots, vanilla yogurt for dipping, strawberries, clementine, strawberries, blackberries and mango!

He ate most all of it up! Good Snack Mommy!  he raved... 

he least favorite was the corn. Next time i'll add some nuts because he loves them and they're packed with good fats. And probably do more raw veggies which he likes better - then add a dip for those like ranch. 

Side note - Abram is very into when the baby will come. and what we will call it. 

He's coming up with some names all on his own! 

Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and Happy New year folks! 

We had a fabulous 2011 Christmas with lots of family and friends... 

We did not have a family photo made this year nor did we send out cards :( 

Bad me! 

But we did get yet another cutie pie pic of the kid with Santa. 

He loves that guy! 

After spending almost a week visiting family in both Western PA and NE Tennessee... 

we returned home to see what Santa had left for our boy!

He left a note for Santa, ONE cookie, and a bit of water. 

I suggested milk but nope, water was definitely what Santa wanted according to Abram!

He insisted on wearing his reindeer jam-jams to bed and couldn't wait till morning...

He ensured his manger scene was setup just how he wanted before he tromped off to bed. We've been talking more about the baby Jesus this season and he's having a hard time grasping it.

I took him to a birthday party for Jesus with the mom's church through our church.

He kept asking "Is Jesus coming??" I explained I doubt he would, he was busy in heaven, with God.

"He's not coming to his own birthday party?!"

Well No and I was pondering a deeper explanation when Abram said -

"Well how am I supposed to ask him if I can have some cake?!"
It was really all about the cake ha:) 

Isn't that manger scene just precious? I kept it on the bottom shelf of a cabinet so he could play with it and rearrange it daily - and he did! 

Santa wrapped some of his presents - and some others he had sitting out, ones that appeared to be too much trouble to wrap - 

We ended up taking more video with our flip video camera on christmas morning - so that meant way less pictures! But it was an awesome morning full of excitement and joy and surprise:) 

He adored every little present he got from Santa! Especially Buzz:) 

I even made some homemade sticky buns using canned biscuits - and they were G.O.O.D. I think thats going to be a tradition, those there sticky buns - yumo! 

Sharing & Spitting

Before Nap, we read "What's Fair is Fair" featuring Piggy and Kermit. 

The book ends with some questions I ask the kid: 

Me: Have you ever shared something that was important to you? 

Kid: No! shaking his head... 

Me: How did it make you feel? okay, not applicable. 

Me: Do you like it when your friends share with you? 

Kid: Nodding, Oh yes! 

Me; Why do you think it's important to share? 

Kid: So people can play with stuff!

Kid: But really mommy, you shouldn't spit. 

Me: Um, true. You shouldn't. 

Kid: Yea, you shouldn't spit. on people, or walls, or the floor, or on lights. or even on Christmas trees

Me: Very good point. You haven't been spitting have you? 

Kid: No! No! 

Me; Never?? 

Kid: nope. Never. 

Santa Comes Thru

Each year Santa comes to our neighborhood. 

On a fire truck!

and the fire truck runs its siren as it goes through every street in the township. 

All morning. 

And it just so happens to always be on a morning when I'm trying to sleep in. 

Lovely. 

It happened last year. 

And whadda ya know?

Again this year. 

I'm a lucky gal what can I say? 

But the kid loves it... 

and waits for him in his Jammies each year! 

Santa greets each boy and girl on the street and hands out Candy Cans. 

Not Candy Canes. 

Candy Cans, per Abram:) 

I took him to a parade later that day. 

That was 45 minutes late starting. And it was 22 degrees. 

We left early and I didn't have one bit of guilt over it either!

Honestly, how many times does he need to see Santa!