Home Valentines

This Valentines was really special and nice for several reasons.
1. We would not be together. I know that sound crazy- but because of this, we did special things all week long! Al would be going to upstate NY to snowmobile with Frank, the kiddos and I would head to Long Island to be with the Grandparents and Great Grandparents.
2. Addie is old enough that she "got it" and enjoyed making special Valentines for all the people she loves.
3. It was the weekend and the following week I had "off" from teaching!!
4. We've been reading Adeline- a sweet book some good friends gave us- and it's all about how every day is Valentines Day since we are loved by God.

Beautiful roses and card that the kids and Al gave me.


Cheesy cake I made for us. Yes, the bottom portion is missing- Al couldn't wait for me to frost it before he had some....

Special little cakes I made for the kiddos

Alden opening REALLLLLY wide to cram in as much cake as possible


Addie wanted a fork-- so she could have good manners- and this is how she used it. I think we need to revisit the term "good manners."

All gone!

Fun Around the House

Here are a few pics from just our day-to-day living....

Addie and her 2 beloved Dotties- the one of the left she got her 2nd Christmas- the one on the right she earned recently

Such a proud mommy!


Bob the Builder can't hold a candle to Alden the Architect!

Fish Picnics!!


Talking to the boy in the door- he was offering to share the blue phone that is in his hands with his reflection- SO sweet!

Such a big boy!

He LOVES wearing baseball hats!

Is Addie turning Type A? She did this all by herself!!

Random Moments From This Week

We've been busy playing this week since it's been so ridiculously cold. They say a picture is worth a thousand words- so here goes!!


Alden pointing to himself- he was just asked whos snack he was eating! What a smart little man!


Alden and Addie enjoying the bounty from their Valentines Party- 3 days later....


Addie showing me her favorite Valentine- from Grayson!

A true Diva- heels, tiara, necklace, hand on hip

Who needs building block when you can "Building" with Daddy's books?

Modeling a special scarf!

Alden's First "Real" Haircut

Alden was born with a full head of hair. His first "trim" was at 12 weeks- I hated how it stuck out around his ears.... Since then, he's been subjected to "Mom Cuts" since I just can't bring myself to spend $13-15 for a hair cut. During his last hair cut, I started rethinking that- he moved TOO much. I was confident that I was going to lop-off an ear.... Thankfully last week, we got a coupon in the mail for a local Beauty School- $5 boy hair cuts!! Perfect!! Al took Alden- a male-bonding time- and as you can tell, Alden wasn't a fan of getting his hair cut, but he's going to have to get used to it! For $5, he will no longer have to sport a dorky "Mom Do."

Starting the torture.

Not very sure about this...

"I thought you loved me, Dad!"- I love how the man is looking and laughing at Alden!!

MOPS Valentines Party

The MOPS group we are involved in, had a Valentines Party on Feb 4th. The kids had fun decorating bags and then "delivering" Valentines to each one. Then they played, ate food, and played some more. It was low-key and lots of fun!

Alden doing his best to look cool while having a VERY full mouth!

Addie and Grayson playing together so nicely.

All the "mailboxes" waiting to be stuffed!

Avery being adorable while crawling underneath Alden's chair- I think he may have been dropping her special cookie crumbs....

Addie's First Day of Preschool

Today was a big day in our house. Addie went to preschool for the first time!! I never imagined her starting "school" so young- but when I started calling places for NEXT year, I found out that The Little Red School House had an unprecedented opening starting the beginning of February. Thanks to Grandparent's generosity, Addie got to take the opening in the Tue-Thur 12:30-3pm class.

This morning, it was snowing, and I wondered if today would infact be her first day.... Thankfully the 60 degree temps helped all the snow to melt on the streets and school was on!! When it was time to get ready to go, she started to say she didn't want to go- the fact that 2 of her friends were at out house was the reason! When she realized that her friends would be napping, and she would NOT have to, she became very excited!

We arrived a little early, met the director and got a tour of the facility. I liked this preschool because it is not a daycare center. It only offers academics- parents must pick-up and drop-off. Addie wasn't really intimidated- she did hold my hand as we walked around, but once she saw all the baby dolls and the Cinderella table, I might as well have not existed!! I was able to leave and she didn't even notice!!

When I picked her up- she had LOTS to say! I will try to summarize what she shared.
-She made a friend named Allie- they played Baby Dolls together
-She had fun sitting at a tea party at the Cinderella table
-She did a good job tracing the circles and her hands. She got a sticker for it.
-She loved singing the songs- Wheels on the Bus, Little Tea Pot, ABC's, Twinkle Twinkle
-The snack was crackers and juice- she LOVED it
-She didn't go potty

Not a bad summary of her day!! I look forward to what she learns these 4 months at The Little Red School House!!

All ready to go!

Proud Mommy and Addie- thanks Allison for taking the pic!!

Addie on the stairs of The Little Red School House

Hanging up her coat and backpack like a big girl

Talking with the director, Miss Debbie with her teacher Miss Pam, looking on

Super Bowl Fun

For the Super Bowl, we went to our good friend, April and James' house. Our kids are similar in age and they love each other!! As an added bonus, all of the spouses are friends, too!! Yay!

While the men watched the game, the kids played in the basement with the Mom's watching and chatting. Once it was time to eat, we headed upstairs and made pizzas. I had bought the personal sized Bobli pizza crusts- Addie and Grayson had a blast "making" their own pizzas.

While waiting for the pizzas to cook, Addie finally noticed the game on the big tv.
Addie: "Oh Mommy! Them men is falling down!! Oh No! They not sharing the ball! Tell dem to share, Mommy. Desus (Jesus) wants us to share. Oh No! They falling down again!!"
Pretty funny observation on football!!

Once dinner was over, the kids all changed into their PJ's and had fun playing together. Time for bed, we headed home.

Grayson showing off his pizza.

The men watching the game.

The PJ Brigade

Addie LOVES Grayson- and he loves her, too!

Playing with "Miss" April