Monday Night At Our House

Bachelor fans start young around here. (Even though we're all in agreement this season is pretty lame).

Today at School

Tyler's class was visited by The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax after a Read Across America assembly.We are so lucky this year. I love Tyler's school, his cute classmates and their families. His teachers are fantastic, too, and I'm constantly amazed at how much he's learning and growing. Although I'm pretty sure we're in good hands next year, we will certainly miss this school. It has a lot of heart.

Party

Tyler's birthday party was a huge success. The plan was a pirate party at the park. Snacks/light lunch, cake, swords and eye patches, and a treasure hunt provided. Gorgeous weather, lots of family and friends in attendance. Happy birthday boy. It was a great morning.

Cole pretty much hung out with Grandma Tait.

Wonderful friends in attendance. Some from church, like the Bartys. Others from Kindergarten and preschool.

The super cute Chamberlains.A few weeks earlier Tyler and I went to a Star Wars birthday party where the parents had hired two guys to be silly Jedi fighters and play with the kids. I came home and said, "Adam - you can totally head up the treasure hunt" - free of charge. (It oftentimes pays to be married to an actor). Presenting Captain Stink Eye.Capt. Stink Eye rallied the kids, passed out swords and eye patches. Gave them lessons in becoming a pirate (including giving each kid a pirate name, how to talk like a pirate, sword fight, and prep for a treasure hunt). The kids loooved him. And seriously it was one of those days I fell in love with my husband a little bit more. LOVE him for putting himself out there to be crazy and silly with these boys. So happy I married a man who is a fantastic father.

Can you see the smile on Tyler's face in this shot? He is cracking up. Captain Stink Eye was hilarious. Adam definitely channeled his inner six year-old boy. (In attendance were Sean C., Sean L. and his friend Drevyn, Luka Rafi, Lukas, Jason, Camden, Jonah, Matias, and a bunch of little brothers and sisters).

After the sword fight, Captain Stink Eye led the kids on a treasure hunt with clues he'd come up with the night before. They ran all over the park searching for lost buried treasure.

The treasure hunt ended with treasure boxes filled with goodies for the kids, and it was time for cake.

Truly a great day. Tyler was so happy. We are so lucky to have wonderful friends and family who helped make his birthday super special.

Six

One of the loves of my life turns six today. Last week I said, "Tyler, can I just freeze you at five please"? He said, "No mom, I have to turn six". He is right. And now he's six. Time is flying, and I just love this little man. He is one super cool kid, and I am grateful every day to be his mom. Now it's time to party like a pirate!

Bubba

This is my little buddy. He's so sweet and cuddly. He sleeps so well. Not through the night yet, but he's the best at putting himself to sleep sans drama. Just lay him down, even if he fusses a bit he'll fall off to sleep. I love that about him. Thanks for being easy in so many ways, Cole - at least so far. I'm sure you have some tricks up your sleeve that will make me wanna pull my hair out at some point.The weather was warm today and we busted out some of Cole's short-sleeved clothes. Little brother. Loves his siblings. Just wants someone to give him a good smile. Bottom teeth have cut through. Getting chubbier and yummier every day. Check out that belly.

Love this boy.

Signed.

It's official. After years of apartment living, we're moving up! Lease signed last night for the loveliest little house. With an awesome yard, and a garage. A neighborhood fit for bike riding, and long walks. Friends nearby, and great schools for the kids. Moving also means a longer commute to the city, but for us the positives way outweigh the negatives (so far), and we feel really good about this move. It tastes so much sweeter for how long we've waited, (and how much we looked at homes, apartments, condos, townhouses, - you name it, in a bunch of different neighborhoods). In the end it almost feels like the house picked us. Great way to kick off the weekend!

Dropped Tyler off at school this morning with a bunch of doughnut holes and apple slices to share with his friends for his class birthday celebration. (In all the birthday prep madness, we forgot his back pack and lunch, so Audrey, the baby, and I made two trips to school this morning - good times). Now off to finish last minute pirate party preparations. Costco trip, and treasure hunt clues. Hoping for a very happy weekend ahead.

Miles Is Here

Uncle Miles is back, friends. Loved more than ever by these three kids. He is a baby whisperer, and manny extraordinaire.

Holiday Weekend

Who hopes their kids sleep in late tomorrow? Pretty please. Of course sleeping in means anytime past 7:30am, and I'm going to 8am pilates - but still, sleeping in sounds so lovely.

Tonight I took at least two dozen photos of all three of my kids together on the couch before bed. Not one turned out. This is the best. We'll give it another try this week.Tyler and I spent the afternoon stuffing these goody boxes for his birthday party treasure hunt this Saturday. My boy will be six! I can't believe it. Swords and eye patches for the boys, food, cake - pirate party preparations are underway.

You know what's awesome? Not realizing there's chocolate in your laundry until after it's run through the washer and dryer. Good times.

This week Miles is in town. Can't wait to see him. Looking forward to catching up on the goings on in his life.

Busted out Cole's 3-6 month clothes today, and his two bottom teeth broke through. My baby is getting big!

We are seriously excited about our new house, and the adventure that lies ahead. We talked to the owners this past week. Lease signing will happen this weekend. Looks like everything should go smoothly.

Gonna go cuddle my baby until he falls asleep, watch Downton Abbey with Adam. Relax tonight before another week begins.

Love.

This year Valentine's is ...
Heart-shaped (frozen) waffles, strawberries, raspberries, and pink milk for breakfast.
Class parties!
Passing out cards to friends - Pirates of the Caribbean for Tyler, Audrey is Disney Princess.
Mailboxes at home stuffed with a few little surprises.
Dinner for five at Miceli's.
Hangin' with Adam after the kids go to bed.
And hoping for a little chocolate, too.

Happy Love Day.

House

We found one! The owners are nice, the living space is much bigger than we have now, has a garage, and we will be purchasing a washer/dryer (yes, that's a big deal for a mom of three who does waaaaay too much laundry). The bedrooms are small, and although I don't wanna post too many pictures on the blog - I pretty much would've rented the house for the back yard alone. They're doing a ton of work on it because the last tenants didn't treat the yard well. The above-ground pool is already gone (which is fine with me), and there will be more grass out there. Gardner's already working a ton. But seriously --- check out the play house!! And it's super shady and private. The yard my two-bedroom-apartment kids have been dreaming of.

Big twisty tube slide the owner has already reattached. And he hung a baby swing for Cole! And yes, randomly there is also a fountain. More grass in on this side, too.

Crossing fingers that everything goes smoothly, but we already paid a deposit - so looks like it will. Who wants to come over for a play date?

Friday Is

Tooth Fairy strikes again.
Surprise weekend visit from Utah cousins.
Laundry.
Playing with friends outside after school in the gorgeous weather.
Valentine's plans.
Play date with Sadie, Becca, and baby Bridget.
Slice and bake cookies with Audrey.
Impromptu trip to Toys R Us to spend saved Tooth Fairy money.
Postman delivering US Weekly and February's Birchbox to my door.
Reheating leftovers.
Exercise.
Baby snuggling.
Movie watching.
Early bedtime.
Ladybug planning.
Adam working super duper late.
DVR catch-up.

Tummy-time work out buddies.
Baby besties. Cole is exactly two weeks older than Bridget.
Beautiful girl.

Sale

Always one of my favorites. Happening now. Baby showers, birthdays, stocking up for spring and summer. We filled a small basket this afternoon. Start shopping!

Another Week Begins

We are getting ready for Valentine's Day over here. Keeping it really simple. Mailboxes soon to be filled with Valentine's Day treats. (There are five of us living here now, by the way. Five!)

My baby. Have you seen him lately? He's super cute. He just wants you to look at him, play with him - he'll reward you with tons and tons of smiles. And seriously he smells soooo good. Can't handle it.

He's also found his super cute tiny tongue, and loves to stick it out. So itty.I am super lazy with cooking now. That's what happens to me. Into making dinner, then totally over making dinner. Plus we have a bunch of leftovers that need to be eaten up, (including this pork tenderloin that was awesome)! Tonight was Costco vegetable barley soup with cheesy bread. Other ideas for the week are chicken fried rice (to use up leftovers), loaded baked potatoes, the easiest stromboli recipe with turkey pepperoni, Chick fil A. Easy, easy so I can keep up with this crazy house of five.

This Week I...

Was a horrible blogger. Sorry. Hands full. Forgot the camera. I have many excuses. Most involving little ones and a baby.

Had a date with Tyler. His choice? Mini-golf and arcade. We kicked butt at the arcade, winning almost 200 tickets (which by the way, still lets you only pick from the stupid prizes on the top shelf - like a tootsie roll, rubber duck, or army guy).

Returned to pilates. Wowza! Let me tell you the best way to motivate yourself to lose baby weight - put on your pre-baby yoga pants. Still went, in spite of myself. Feels sooo good to be back. (Oh, and hit my first baby weight loss goal, a week later than I hoped, but still good. Baby steps as the scale creeps toward the next goal).

Love being back at Ladybug. By the way, a certain 80s TV star is gonna be in one of my classes which is kinda funny and cool at the same time. The 9 year old me would be super excited.

House hunted. Hoping a new spot for us is on the horizon! It's getting closer, and the sooner the better - especially as far as school registration is concerned.

Took Cole to his first Ladybug Music babies class. He was so sweet, and stayed awake the entire time. Audrey had a daddy ice-cream date, too.

Got a pedicure and a massage (thanks to a Christmas gift certificate). Nice!

Continued to plan Tyler's pirate birthday party. Need ideas for easy pirate snacks! Also found out another kid in Tyler's class has his birthday party the same day. Drama! Oh well, still think Tyler's day will be a success. Both parties are not at the same time, at least.

Was invited to a Superbowl party (Not really a party per se. More like a we-both-have-a-bunch-of-kids-so-come-over-and-lets-watch-the-superbowl-and-eat-yummy-food-while-our-kids-run-around-like-crazy party). Gotta bring a dip. Maybe this one, or this favorite.

Gathered ideas for Valentine's Day. Let Audrey pick out a couple Valentine's books at Barnes and Noble. Audrey and I have an idea to make Valentine's Day play dough (which means red and bright pink with red glitter). We'll see if I have it together enough to do that project. Tyler has to make a shoebox mailbox for school.

Cuddled my baby a lot. He smells sooooo good, and is already growing up way too fast. Oh, and he found his thumb this week.