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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Yesterday
We had such a crazy weekend and Adison started with a bit of a runny nose, so we just stayed at home and relaxed yesterday. It was wonderful to have two easels because they both painted quite happily and there was no fighting over whose turn it was.
They both loved the paints that sing to them, although Nicolas looks half asleep on this picture!
Adison was very proud of her artwork.
After painting we took Kirsten her cupcakes at school and then the children wanted to play outside. I'd not mown my grass for at least two weeks so I mowed while they played. I'd given them lollipops for being good at school with Kirsten, and after I'd been mowing for about 15 minutes I found them 'relaxing' and chatting behind the camper. Nicolas had gone into one of the storage sections of the camper and got out their chairs. They are normally both so active that it was funny to see them just sitting there being quiet and sweet.
This area will soon be our garden, with a lot of work!!
It gives me so much hope for the future when they do play so sweetly. I can't wait until I can spark their imagination or show them how to do something and they will just do things by themselves, rather than me having to do everything with them. I'm sure when they are independent, part of me will wish they still needed me, but it will probably only be a very small part of me!
They both loved the paints that sing to them, although Nicolas looks half asleep on this picture!
Adison was very proud of her artwork.
After painting we took Kirsten her cupcakes at school and then the children wanted to play outside. I'd not mown my grass for at least two weeks so I mowed while they played. I'd given them lollipops for being good at school with Kirsten, and after I'd been mowing for about 15 minutes I found them 'relaxing' and chatting behind the camper. Nicolas had gone into one of the storage sections of the camper and got out their chairs. They are normally both so active that it was funny to see them just sitting there being quiet and sweet.
This area will soon be our garden, with a lot of work!!
It gives me so much hope for the future when they do play so sweetly. I can't wait until I can spark their imagination or show them how to do something and they will just do things by themselves, rather than me having to do everything with them. I'm sure when they are independent, part of me will wish they still needed me, but it will probably only be a very small part of me!Monday, August 23, 2010
Happy Birthday Kirsten!!
Kirsten had decided that she wanted her presents from us on her actual birthday so that she would have two days of presents, so we got up early yesterday and she opened her gift before school.
She loved all the clothes and the ring making set Mom and Dad sent her, but I felt bad because she wanted to wear one of the dresses to school and it really is to fancy for that. It's definately a special occasion dress. I could just see her climbing a fence at school and ripping it!!
Kirsten is so hard to buy for as there are no toys she likes. I just get arts and craft stuff when I see it for her. Adam is the most amazing gift giver and always gets the most perfect presents for me, normally things I don't even realize I want or need.
She loved all the clothes and the ring making set Mom and Dad sent her, but I felt bad because she wanted to wear one of the dresses to school and it really is to fancy for that. It's definately a special occasion dress. I could just see her climbing a fence at school and ripping it!!
Kirsten is so hard to buy for as there are no toys she likes. I just get arts and craft stuff when I see it for her. Adam is the most amazing gift giver and always gets the most perfect presents for me, normally things I don't even realize I want or need.
When I was struggling to think of her main gift I asked Adam and he suggested an Ipod. We found a first generation Ipod on Craigslist for $20 which was perfect. That way when she looses it (I give it 2 months), we haven't invested very much. She is a changed child at school and doing so well, so hopefully she is growing up and start being more responsible.
Jaden was literally green with envy, and wining about why he's never had an Ipod, but as Adam pointed out to him, he had $70 of birthday money but he spent it on Nerf guns!! By the time I got to school with Kirsten's cupcakes she was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement about her Ipod, cupcakes and being special for the day!
I'd tried to make rainbow cupcakes but they just ended up swirly green, but the icing was great. I saved all the colors from Kirsten and Adison's cakes and then spooned them into the piping bag in layers, so when I piped them, the icing came out different colors. Some were more multicolored than others but she loved them.
The kids in her class are really sweet and seem a lot calmer than her class last year, so hopefully her great behavior will continue.
I love going up to school now as I know so many people and I know where everything is. I'm dreading having to go to Jaden's school for anything, but I'm sure I'll soon get used to it. Luckily he doesn't seem to need anything from me yet.
I'd tried to make rainbow cupcakes but they just ended up swirly green, but the icing was great. I saved all the colors from Kirsten and Adison's cakes and then spooned them into the piping bag in layers, so when I piped them, the icing came out different colors. Some were more multicolored than others but she loved them.
The kids in her class are really sweet and seem a lot calmer than her class last year, so hopefully her great behavior will continue.
I love going up to school now as I know so many people and I know where everything is. I'm dreading having to go to Jaden's school for anything, but I'm sure I'll soon get used to it. Luckily he doesn't seem to need anything from me yet.Kirsten's 9th & Bowen's 3rd Birthday
Kirsten turned 9 today. What is crazy for me to think about is that she was younger than Adison is now when I met her! We had her party yesterday and it was so much fun. She was so happy because her best friends Skylar and Emree were able to come.
Kirsten and Emree. Kirsten had been to Emree's birthday yesterday because Emree's birthday is two day's before Kirsten's, something Kirsten thinks is very special.
Bowen's birthday was last week, but when we had Sam's party here two weeks ago, we realized that we'd all get together for Bowen's birthday and then again for Kirsten's, so it made sense to combine them. Kirsten and Bowen both thought the huge party was just for them!
I tried to put Nicolas in his American style board shorts, but he was adamant that he was wearing his speedos, much to Adam's horror. I think he looks so cute because they show off it his little legs and bottom. I will however intervene when he's a teenager and still wanting to wear them!!
The great thing about combining the parties was that I got to see all Erin's friends and relatives who I only see a few times a year.
We had a house full of babies too which is unusual now as most of my friends children are Adison's age or older. It was a nice feeling to see so many cute little ones, but it made me realize that I'm definitely over the desire for another baby. I love Adison more and more now that she can talk and tell me what's wrong or what she wants.
Kirsten and Emree. Kirsten had been to Emree's birthday yesterday because Emree's birthday is two day's before Kirsten's, something Kirsten thinks is very special.
Bowen's birthday was last week, but when we had Sam's party here two weeks ago, we realized that we'd all get together for Bowen's birthday and then again for Kirsten's, so it made sense to combine them. Kirsten and Bowen both thought the huge party was just for them!
I tried to put Nicolas in his American style board shorts, but he was adamant that he was wearing his speedos, much to Adam's horror. I think he looks so cute because they show off it his little legs and bottom. I will however intervene when he's a teenager and still wanting to wear them!!The great thing about combining the parties was that I got to see all Erin's friends and relatives who I only see a few times a year.
We had a house full of babies too which is unusual now as most of my friends children are Adison's age or older. It was a nice feeling to see so many cute little ones, but it made me realize that I'm definitely over the desire for another baby. I love Adison more and more now that she can talk and tell me what's wrong or what she wants. She did drive me crazy on Friday night though. She kept telling me something over and over and got all tearful when I didn't understand her, so I took her out of her crib and asked her to show me what she wanted. She walked straight to the fridge, opened the door and pointed to the milk. All she wanted was a drink, but instead of saying 'drink', like Nicolas would have done, she was saying "I'm very thirsty Mama", which came out 'avertersymama'. Some days I wish she just said one clear word rather than full sentences which aren't clearly enunciated.
Sam and Carmen with one of the twins (sorry I can never remember which is which, even though they look totally different!) and our friend Melissa's little boy Ashton.
Melissa holding baby Eilee, Ashley (Erin's sister), Ashton and Melissa's nephew Cameron.
Erin and Eilee.
The birthday girl.
Kirsten's cool extendable (and slightly phallic) musical card from Kenli and Skylar. 
Bowen opens some of his presents.
Kirsten had wanted me to make her another Tinkerbell cake, but as the last one took me at least 7 hours to do (for her 6th or 7th birthday), I managed to convince her to have a fish cake. Her Grandma had bought her lots of fish for her birthday and she was very excited about them, so she thought a fish cake would be good. It was a lot less work too!
It tasted good, which to me is the most important thing!
Tori had made Bowen yummy peanut butter chocolate cupcakes, so there was plenty of cake to go around.
After that the kids all played and the Geotrax was a big hit. Nicolas goes through phases with his toys and he's loving Geotrax again after a playdoh/moonsand phase. I love seeing children all playing sweetly together and using their imaginations.
Yesterday was actually the twin's birthday (you can see they look totally different, but I still never remember which is the blonde one, sorry Rebecca!) so they posed with big brother Trae.
Then Adison decided she wanted her picture taken with one of the birthday boys.
Once everyone had left Kirsten and Emree enjoyed the slip and slide and then it was off to church for their new youth program.
Kirsten is loving her Wednesday and Sunday program and even Jaden grudgingly admitted that it was 'kinda fun'!!
It was a fun and exhausting weekend but the kids all had a great time and we got to catch up with lots of friends. It will be a while before we have the energy or the money for another big party, but we always say that and then we end up with another get together here a month later!!
Sam and Carmen with one of the twins (sorry I can never remember which is which, even though they look totally different!) and our friend Melissa's little boy Ashton.
Melissa holding baby Eilee, Ashley (Erin's sister), Ashton and Melissa's nephew Cameron.
Erin and Eilee.
The birthday girl.
Kirsten's cool extendable (and slightly phallic) musical card from Kenli and Skylar. 
Bowen opens some of his presents.Someone gave Bowen some sippy cups and Adison really wanted them. She was heartbroken when she couldn't have them but luckily Ashley and Melissa had brought her presents too so she got a cute little outfit and a bucket and spade, which she has carried around for most of today.
Kirsten had wanted me to make her another Tinkerbell cake, but as the last one took me at least 7 hours to do (for her 6th or 7th birthday), I managed to convince her to have a fish cake. Her Grandma had bought her lots of fish for her birthday and she was very excited about them, so she thought a fish cake would be good. It was a lot less work too!It tasted good, which to me is the most important thing!
Tori had made Bowen yummy peanut butter chocolate cupcakes, so there was plenty of cake to go around.
After that the kids all played and the Geotrax was a big hit. Nicolas goes through phases with his toys and he's loving Geotrax again after a playdoh/moonsand phase. I love seeing children all playing sweetly together and using their imaginations.
Yesterday was actually the twin's birthday (you can see they look totally different, but I still never remember which is the blonde one, sorry Rebecca!) so they posed with big brother Trae.
Then Adison decided she wanted her picture taken with one of the birthday boys.
Once everyone had left Kirsten and Emree enjoyed the slip and slide and then it was off to church for their new youth program.
Kirsten is loving her Wednesday and Sunday program and even Jaden grudgingly admitted that it was 'kinda fun'!!
It was a fun and exhausting weekend but the kids all had a great time and we got to catch up with lots of friends. It will be a while before we have the energy or the money for another big party, but we always say that and then we end up with another get together here a month later!!John Will's Party
After Emree's party on Saturday afternoon, Adam and Jaden went off to a concert at church that Adam was playing drums for and Kirsten stayed with Emree, so I took the little ones to their 3rd birthday party of the day!!
I was really looking forward to it because all Nicolas' preschool friends and their Mom's were there. I wish that life with children was less busy because I know so many people who I would love to spent lots of time with, but there just never seems to be enough time. I'd planned to have playdates by the pool all through July but I don't know where July went, time just flew by and then the pool went green. Playdates by the side of green pools are never that appealing!!
Adison and John Will's baby brother Russell. The kid had so much fun exploring and playing and I got to sit and relax and catch up on everyone's news.
Nicolas thought the idea of his 4th or 5th cupcake in one day was just great!
This was one of my favorite moments. Caitlyn, on the left, was deep in conversation, explaining something to Adison. I have no idea what they were talking about but it looked 'serious'!
The birthday boy in his pirate's hat opening presents.
They had this plastic thing that allows you to throw a ball really far (Nicolas has it in his hand) so he spent ages throwing balls for the dog.
Then Adison decided it would make a good scoop for water.
All Nicolas' little friends. It was the perfect end to a perfect day of parties and fun.
I was really looking forward to it because all Nicolas' preschool friends and their Mom's were there. I wish that life with children was less busy because I know so many people who I would love to spent lots of time with, but there just never seems to be enough time. I'd planned to have playdates by the pool all through July but I don't know where July went, time just flew by and then the pool went green. Playdates by the side of green pools are never that appealing!!
Adison and John Will's baby brother Russell. The kid had so much fun exploring and playing and I got to sit and relax and catch up on everyone's news.
Nicolas thought the idea of his 4th or 5th cupcake in one day was just great!
This was one of my favorite moments. Caitlyn, on the left, was deep in conversation, explaining something to Adison. I have no idea what they were talking about but it looked 'serious'!
The birthday boy in his pirate's hat opening presents.
They had this plastic thing that allows you to throw a ball really far (Nicolas has it in his hand) so he spent ages throwing balls for the dog.
Then Adison decided it would make a good scoop for water.
All Nicolas' little friends. It was the perfect end to a perfect day of parties and fun.Adison's 2nd Birthday Party - At Last!!
I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of Nicolas in Adison's room encouraging her to eat something. I sleepily wracked my brain as to what he could have sneaked in to her so she could share the blame for whatever he wasn't supposed to eat. When I went into her room they were eating the left over fondant 'scales' from Kirsten's fish cake. Not really the best food to be eating at 6:30am, but at least it wasn't something I needed for Adison's party.
We never managed to have a party for Adison with the chaos of swim team, Nicolas' surgery, Shelley's visit and the back to school chaos. I felt that if I was making one cake I may as well make two and if we were having a party for Kirsten, we may as well have one for Adison the day before.
Adam thinks I'm crazy for using this kind of logic, and he's probably right, but I blame Mom. I don't think I've ever seen Mom bake one cake, it was always 8 or 10 because if she was making one, why not make 10 and freeze the rest but usually they were needed for some event she was organizing. Anyway, I channeled my inner 'Pamela' on Thursday and the children watched about 2 hours of TV while I baked two cakes for Kirsten, one for Adison, one for the ladies in the nursery as a thank you for looking after Nicolas for 3 years, 48 cupcakes (Kirsten needed 26 for her class and as a cake mix makes 24 cupcakes it was either make double and freeze or not have enough for everyone). Then because my oven was hot and I had squishy bananas, I made two loaves of pineapple banana bread!! Luckily I'd made all my icing on Wednesday and Baby Jaguar and fish scales on Monday and Tuesday, so Friday was an easy day of cake assembly, which went very smoothly.
I was really looking forward to Adison's party because I exercised all the self control I had and only invited 4 little girls who I know Adison loves (and one little girl's brother who Nicolas loves). Stephanie called on Friday to see if Lilli could come too, which was wonderful as Kirsten had a friend there too. We have so many big parties where I feel like I never actually spend time with everyone (see the next post!!), that it was great to be able to really spend time with all the children and the Mom's. 
Adam was official photographer and did all kinds of artsy things with some of the pictures on his phone.
Instead of spending money of lots of little bits of stuff for favors I wanted to do an actual craft with the children. I searched on the internet for girly ideas and decided to make wands. I have a big box of ribbons for making Adison's hair bows so all I needed was dowels and wooden stars from Joann's which I glued together and Adam sprayed silver. I glued the ribbons on and then bought self adhesive jewels and stickers so the children could decorate their wands.
The boys had blue ribbons and the girls had pink ribbons and then I got feather boas in pink white and black to add a bit of fluff too. Nicolas had chosen the black feathers in the store but he ended up with pink feathers and lots of pink hearts on his wand. Everyone had lots of fun decorating the wands, including the Mom's!
Elizabeth and Rebecca
Then I had some candy necklaces left over from Easter so we made necklaces, with lots of help from the Mom's.
Adison loves the concept of edible jewellery! 
and Nicolas just likes to thread things.
Even Adam and Jaden had a go.
and Jaden was very proud of his 'blinged out bunny' necklace!!
I wanted to make the English party food that I remembered Mom making for me, so we had a cheese hedgehog (which of course is a porcupine here, although my babies know what a hedgehog is), pink meringues (which took me two attempts to make, the first were like sugar frisbees), profiteroles (which also took two attempts, the first were like little stale dough balls) and mini sandwiches. 
I also took several days to make a rainbow jello and was very disappointed when it came out like a brown lump!! It did look prettier and somewhat mulitcolored when you cut into it, but I wouldn't have called it a rainbow. It tasted great though. It's only when you try to do all the things that your Mom made look so easy (like Christmas dinner), that you realize how hard they actually are to accomplish and how skillful Mom's are. It's sad that I'll have to wait until the kids are in their 30's before they'll think I'm good at stuff!!
Adison was very excited when we all sang to her and I think it was the most tuneful Happy Birthday I've ever heard!
Adison loves Diego and Baby Jaguar is her favorite character. It ended up a pretty cute cake and although it was time consuming to make Baby Jaguar (yes she does pronounce it Jagwar) it wasn't hard.
Considering it was a little girl's party, Jaden entered into the spirit of the party and seemed to have a good time. Generally he's always happy when there's cake around!!
Nicolas made everyone laugh by tripping through the living room in Kirsten's dress up shoes. Even in heels he still manages to walk on his tip toes! I did have to draw the line when he removed his shorts and underwear and came in just with Kirsten's crochet shawl around his waist! One wrong move and he would have flashed the little girls through the crochet holes!!
Adison got the perfect presents, a princess baby doll, some gardening tools in the cutest little bag and some toddler paints and an easel.
By the end of the party she was exhausted but fell asleep on her princess doll, with her new bag next to her! I let her sleep for an hour before I had to wake her for the other two parties we had on Saturday!! She slept very well on Saturday night. I think Adison's party was my favorite party so far. I'll definitely been keeping parties small from now on for Nicolas and Adison.
We never managed to have a party for Adison with the chaos of swim team, Nicolas' surgery, Shelley's visit and the back to school chaos. I felt that if I was making one cake I may as well make two and if we were having a party for Kirsten, we may as well have one for Adison the day before.
Adam thinks I'm crazy for using this kind of logic, and he's probably right, but I blame Mom. I don't think I've ever seen Mom bake one cake, it was always 8 or 10 because if she was making one, why not make 10 and freeze the rest but usually they were needed for some event she was organizing. Anyway, I channeled my inner 'Pamela' on Thursday and the children watched about 2 hours of TV while I baked two cakes for Kirsten, one for Adison, one for the ladies in the nursery as a thank you for looking after Nicolas for 3 years, 48 cupcakes (Kirsten needed 26 for her class and as a cake mix makes 24 cupcakes it was either make double and freeze or not have enough for everyone). Then because my oven was hot and I had squishy bananas, I made two loaves of pineapple banana bread!! Luckily I'd made all my icing on Wednesday and Baby Jaguar and fish scales on Monday and Tuesday, so Friday was an easy day of cake assembly, which went very smoothly.
I was really looking forward to Adison's party because I exercised all the self control I had and only invited 4 little girls who I know Adison loves (and one little girl's brother who Nicolas loves). Stephanie called on Friday to see if Lilli could come too, which was wonderful as Kirsten had a friend there too. We have so many big parties where I feel like I never actually spend time with everyone (see the next post!!), that it was great to be able to really spend time with all the children and the Mom's. Adam was official photographer and did all kinds of artsy things with some of the pictures on his phone.
Instead of spending money of lots of little bits of stuff for favors I wanted to do an actual craft with the children. I searched on the internet for girly ideas and decided to make wands. I have a big box of ribbons for making Adison's hair bows so all I needed was dowels and wooden stars from Joann's which I glued together and Adam sprayed silver. I glued the ribbons on and then bought self adhesive jewels and stickers so the children could decorate their wands.
The boys had blue ribbons and the girls had pink ribbons and then I got feather boas in pink white and black to add a bit of fluff too. Nicolas had chosen the black feathers in the store but he ended up with pink feathers and lots of pink hearts on his wand. Everyone had lots of fun decorating the wands, including the Mom's!
Elizabeth and Rebecca
RuthAnn and Daphne
Nicolas and Trip
Then I had some candy necklaces left over from Easter so we made necklaces, with lots of help from the Mom's.
Adison loves the concept of edible jewellery! 
and Nicolas just likes to thread things.
Even Adam and Jaden had a go.and Jaden was very proud of his 'blinged out bunny' necklace!!
I wanted to make the English party food that I remembered Mom making for me, so we had a cheese hedgehog (which of course is a porcupine here, although my babies know what a hedgehog is), pink meringues (which took me two attempts to make, the first were like sugar frisbees), profiteroles (which also took two attempts, the first were like little stale dough balls) and mini sandwiches. I also took several days to make a rainbow jello and was very disappointed when it came out like a brown lump!! It did look prettier and somewhat mulitcolored when you cut into it, but I wouldn't have called it a rainbow. It tasted great though. It's only when you try to do all the things that your Mom made look so easy (like Christmas dinner), that you realize how hard they actually are to accomplish and how skillful Mom's are. It's sad that I'll have to wait until the kids are in their 30's before they'll think I'm good at stuff!!
Adison was very excited when we all sang to her and I think it was the most tuneful Happy Birthday I've ever heard!
Adison loves Diego and Baby Jaguar is her favorite character. It ended up a pretty cute cake and although it was time consuming to make Baby Jaguar (yes she does pronounce it Jagwar) it wasn't hard.
Considering it was a little girl's party, Jaden entered into the spirit of the party and seemed to have a good time. Generally he's always happy when there's cake around!!
Nicolas made everyone laugh by tripping through the living room in Kirsten's dress up shoes. Even in heels he still manages to walk on his tip toes! I did have to draw the line when he removed his shorts and underwear and came in just with Kirsten's crochet shawl around his waist! One wrong move and he would have flashed the little girls through the crochet holes!!
Adison got the perfect presents, a princess baby doll, some gardening tools in the cutest little bag and some toddler paints and an easel.
By the end of the party she was exhausted but fell asleep on her princess doll, with her new bag next to her! I let her sleep for an hour before I had to wake her for the other two parties we had on Saturday!! She slept very well on Saturday night. I think Adison's party was my favorite party so far. I'll definitely been keeping parties small from now on for Nicolas and Adison.
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