Don't Leave Me Now...

...I am trying to give this little old blog a fresh look for summer. Because my husband is a very busy man, I can't possibly ask him to help me with something so trivial as my blog (you do remember he once had an amazing website for the kids - so I am sure he would just laugh at me.) Being a little slow and computer challenged I ask that you stick with me through my trials and tribulations of editing margins and such to hopefully make it all come together! ...and I know you will cause you like to see the kids.

For a stroll down memory lane here is the kids website (which I can't link cause I DON'T KNOW HOW TO WORK THE COMPUTER). Go back in the archives to see Izzy as a wee little baby.

http://izzyndrew.swyt.com

My Beautiful Butterfly

It was only a matter of time before Izzy's first dance recital was upon us. Since the day she was born I had visions of her in her first dance costume. ...and a good one it is! She is a beautiful butterfly.

Izzy has been taking dance classes (ballet and tap) once a week since last September. The end is near, but with that comes pictures, rehersals, and finally the big performance.

Today she had pictures. Her hair needed to be curled and pulled up on the sides. She was to wear her pink tights, blush and lipstick. Here is the result.



Curling her hair proved to be difficult. Her hair is fine and does not hold a curl for long. Here it is right after we curled it.



You will see the curls did not stay too curly for long.





Drew entertained himself while I tried to get Izzy dressed and ready. However, next week I will be looking for childcare for him for her rehearsals. I want to be able to give Izzy my full attention for this special occasion. I will never get back her first dance recital and all that goes into preparing for the performance. I want to be able to watch her little face while she dances and focus on her eyes to see all the emotions she feels. ...and her sweet little smile that will certainly be plastered on her face the entire time - oh that sweet little smile! And well, Drew at 2.5 and all boy just won't let me focus my full attention on Izzy, so therefore he is gonna get the boot for rehearsals. Sorry kid.

Super Cool

This entry way into my kitchen is currently my most favorite area in the house! You ask, how can that be? Your husband just built you super cool cabinets in the playroom? Well, take a look...



What are those you ask? Well here, take a closer look...



Still don't know? Well, they are notice boards from Ikea. A clear laminate board that you can write on with dry erase markers, and clip memos/notes too. I was going to paint three rectangles a bit larger than the noticeboard to kind of frame them. ...but...Pete came up with the brilliant idea to put a picture behind them since they are clear. BRILLIANT!

So, the first thing the kids and I did yesterday was doodle on them...








Since these pictures were taken yesterday, I have added various lists to the boards, as well as notes, coupons, and bills to be paid. I LOVE them! Like I said...my new favorite :)

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today was Pete's 35th birthday. Fun fun! I wish I had better pictures to show for it, but unfortunately I don't :(

After Pete left for work, the kids and I headed out to pick up party supplies. Izzy had an entire theme all picked out for Pete's birthday - from the gift to the wrapping paper (sports). One of her favorite things to do is play Wii with Pete. They don't do it very often, but when asked what her favorite thing to do with Daddy is, the Wii is her answer. So, she decided he needed a new game. I asked Pete to give me suggestions of games he might like and he suggested we get the Wii Fit. He had known that I wanted one and since he didn't have any games he was pining for, he told me to go ahead and get that. Isn't he so sweet?

I digress...back to my story. The kids and I headed out to the Dollar Store to pick up our party supplies. Not only were we going old school with our party, but we were doing it on the cheap! I let the kids pick out everything they thought we would need. At one point I suggested Izzy put back the extra large party hat she wanted for Pete to wear, but she insisted we needed that too (we also had a 6 pack of regular party hats). Right after I made the suggestion and then saw her face I felt guilty over trying to save the dollar. All the girl wanted to do was throw her daddy the best bash!

We came home and immediately got decorating with our banners, crete paper, party hats, balloons and various other birthday related paraphernalia. I WISH I had pictures of all the decorations, but I don't.

Pete did not get home from work until after 7 so we decided to just do cake and presents. Tomorrow I would make him his birthday dinner of prime rib roast, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole (his choice).





Pete also got numerous other gifts from family members. I gave him a very special photo album that I spend countless hours working on! It turned out great and he LOVED it :)

Izzy was the party hostess with the mostess. She insisted on doing EVERYTHING for Pete. She wanted to set the table, serve him his dinner, get his drink, and document it all with pictures. She was so funny playing photographer. The next bunch of pictures were all taken by her. Watch out Alisha or she will steal your clients!









And of course she made sure that he ate off the special plate.


I did try to get a picture of the kids and Pete for his birthday, but made the mistake of doing it after I brought the cake out. I couldn't get Drew to take his eyes off the darn thing.


Happy Birthday Daddy. We hope you had a fun party cause we certainly had fun planning it!

Odds & Ends...and Pete's Project

We went through a tough few days with the kids a couple weeks ago. Basically they were kids being kids. Siblings being siblings. Fighting, arguing...arguing, fighting. ALL.DAY.LONG! Thankfully that passed after 3-4 days and the last couple weeks they are back to being best friends.

A couple days ago we were enjoying a leisurely morning. I was having coffee and reading the paper while the kids were playing together. I wasn't really paying attention to them until Izzy asked me to take their picture.

Here's the picture.


And a close-up.


Once I explained why a rope around the neck is not a good idea, they went off to play some more...and then requested I take this picture.


Now for something really exciting! Pete has been working on a shelving unit for the kids playroom (aka: converted living room). We have very little storage so this goes a long way to help out! Pete worked hours upon hours to put together these selves and install them. He also installed the pocket door you see. How talented is he????



The top shelves will store craft stuff (currently being stored on shelves in my washer/dryer closet). The middle will have books and puzzles. The lower cabinets are for large toys. The tall cabinet on the far right will hold my vacuum, mop, drying rack, etc. FUN FUN FUN!!! I am beyond excited to head to Ikea to begin getting fun totes and storage stuff.





We have also begun labeling various things in this room. Drew is really into "reading". He likes to find the bin with his name on it and say, "Dis one says Drew. D.R.E.W. That says Drew-drew." Izzy, of course, loves to walk around the room and quiz Drew on the various words. Besties I tell ya!



Speaking of Ikea (one of my all time favorite stores). Pete picked up these fun lights for Izzy's room when he stopped there last week. She LOVES them, and so do I! As a matter of fact we decided she needs a white flower to go in between these two pink ones. Drew will also get a set of stars/moon for his room.



Last but not least...I went to the grocery store yesterday and when I got home this is what I found.



Why doesn't the kid nap for me anymore? Pete says it is because he feels safe and secure in his daddy's lap. Gag! The blanket and Cat in the Hat are compliments of his big sister :)

Strawberry Picking

Today the kids and I left Pete to fend for himself for the day. My amazing husband is putting a shelving unit in our playroom, as well as a pocket door! He needed some time to finish up some sawing, painting, installing and molding so the kids and I headed strawberry picking. Since Stephanie's husband was gone, they tagged along as well!

Who'd a thunk we'd find goats at the strawberry patch?




After feeding the goats we waited for the tractor to take us to the strawberry fields. The girls are super excited! And Drew, well he is just a super stud with his cap on backwards. Only he wears it backwards cause some guy on Imagination Movers wears it that way.



Finally we were turned loose! Unfortunately it started to rain minutes after we started so we didn't collect as many berries as we would have liked. However, we were told that there are 30 days from a bloom of berry picking. Luckily we saw many blooms so we can go back again!







After all our hard energy was spent berry picking we needed a treat. Strawberry something? Nope! We went with good 'ole chocolate and vanilla ice-cream. Not all was lost on those delicious berries though as Stephanie and I had strawberry cobbler with a scoop of ice-cream.











Izzy has an entire menu planned consisting of all strawberry filled goodies! I can't wait to start baking!

My Mother's Day (and 200th post)

I had the most wonderful Mother's Day! The day was filled with huge smile and lots of giggles from the small people that gave me the title Mom.

Our Sunday started out pretty routine with Pete and Izzy heading off to Starbucks for our weekly mochas. Once Drew and I got up we came downstairs where I got an unprompted "Happy Mother's Day" from Drew. ...I'm not certain, but he might have heard Oooh and Ahhh say it on Noggin?

Once Pete and Izzy got back, 90 minutes later, they set to work in the kitchen. I was then presented with this fruit tray.



They also brought home a cheese danish which required a trip to a second grocery store. Izzy insisted they find one because it is, as she told Pete, my favorite! ...it isn't my favorite, but it sure is Izzy's :) So young and already playing her father.

After breakfast I went for a run. Once home it was time to make lunch. Pete went to the gym and the kids and I had lunch and then Drew took a nap. That was a gift in itself as he is desperately trying to give it up. With Drew down for a nap, Izzy settled in for some quiet time and I got to relax and watch a movie. Izzy and Pete had picked me up Mama Mia while they were out.

After Drew's nap, the real fun began! Do you remember how we went to the carnival the night before, but got rained out? Well we decided to go back. The weather was gorgeous and we had a bunch of ride tickets to use so off we went. The kids had a BLAST! Pete and I had just as much fun watching them. They rode every ride together and were full of giggles and smiles. It couldn't have been more perfect, honestly. I loved amusement parks as a child and I can see that both my kids are going to take after me. The faster the better! And if it spun, awesome!









It is hard to see in this picture, but Drew just kept looking back at Izzy with a huge smile while on this ride.


Izzy got brave here and rode with no hands.


We took in a game - fishing.


And check out the prizes!


What would a carnival be without a snowcone?




The next couple are priceless...these two rides were for the fearless toddlers and both my kids LOVED them!

Waiting for the roller coaster to start.


Check out this action shot!


Getting ready for a spin.




Here are a couple video snip-its of the kids on rides. This was Drew's second roller coaster ride, but his first without an adult. There is also a shot of them on the kids "Tilt-a-Whirl".

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

My heart swelled as I watched my two beautiful kids just being kids. ...not a care in the world. I had originally thought I wanted to spend some time alone for Mother's Day, but am sure glad that we did this instead. Gosh I love those kids...and their daddy :)