Evan's Field Trip

A couple of weeks ago Evan and I went to Burr Oaks Nature Center with his class. I was SO excited to go on this field trip, not because of the freezing weather or the really cool stuff that we got to see, but I got to hang out with my sweet boy (JUST THE TWO OF US!!!). That NEVER happens. I get 1-on-1 with Kate when the boys are at school and there are times that Luke gets up from resting while Ev is sleeping, but I can not remember the last time just Ev and I got to be together alone . . . you get the point. 

This is my sweet guy on the way there. I don't think he stopped talking the entire car ride. I think he was soaking up all the attention he was getting and that he actually was able to complete a sentence without being interrupted! 

Each of the kids were given something to do with nature (they discussed the four seasons). Ev had a ladybug (he loved that) and took it up during the Spring discussion. 

This is a blurry picture, but I just loved his expression. He is so full of love and curiosity. He was so fun to watch. 

The field trip wrapped up early and we didn't have to be back to school to pick Luke up for about an hour so I asked Evan if he wanted to go on a "hot chocolate date" with me . . . needless to say he is still talking about our "date". We went to Starbucks and got a little sweet treat to go along with our drinks. We sat at the window bar and just chatted and laughed. I am so thankful for that morning with him. I can't wait to have another. 

I love you, Ev. You are such a joy to be around. 

Luke's Field Trip to Paradise Park {in pictures}

A few weeks ago Luke and I went on a field trip with his pre-school to Paradise Park. We had such a great time, just the two of us. They did lots of fun things throughout the morning. He is such a smart, funny little boy. I loved watching him throughout the day. 

Craft time. They made palm trees with letter stamps climbing up the trunk.

Cooking craft. This was cute. They took pretzel rods and covered them in frosting and added apple slices for the palm branches, m&m's for the coconuts and alphabet cereal to cover the trunk of the palm tree. CUTE and tasty.

Luke and his BFF, Emerson.

Phone Dump - life through the lens of my iPhone

Christmas Morning {at home}

Christmas morning was perfect. The kids slept in and woke up happy. We had delicious monkey bread and just relaxed at home, Bliss.

To start, you may notice the gigantic teepee sitting in our living room below. I may have decided 3 or 4 days before Christmas that we should get one for the kids. I mentioned it in passing thinking knowing that J would say um, no. BUT, he didn't! He said, "sure, I bet they'd love it". Wait, what!?!? Well, I immediately picked my jaw up from the floor and grabbed the laptop. Of course I knew which one I wanted. Unfortunately I mentioned this bit of info to Justin too late. All the teepee's (including all others I could find online) were sold out and on back order until February (and cost more than I really wanted to spend, I may add). Ugh, I thought it was over. No wonderful teepee for the kids to run to on Christmas morning. Oh well....

That was until I thought "we can totally make one"!!! J thought I was cray-cray, but after some convincing seeing online tutorials  he was on board. So after all that work . . . we have a HUGE teepee in our living room. Yep, and it's not going anywhere until we move. They love it too, by the way. 

 I'm on the hunt for a fuzzy/soft rug and I'm making pillows to go inside

 As if the teepee wasn't enough (I think I may be a little crazy, after all) I found a vintage wooden doll high chair at an antique mall and refinished it. And this dollhouse was a true labor of love (not unlike the teepee). I really wanted Kate to have a dollhouse, but good grief those things are expensive. So after lots of looking online I decided  . . . drum roll . . . I'd make it! SO MUCH FUN. It was like decorating a mini house. Loved it. Oh and so does Kate.

 As soon as they got out of bed they ran straight in . . . perfect

 One more bit of freaky over-the-topness (is that a word?), I hand-painted the little wooden figures to represent our little family of 5. 

 Justin and I gave the kids money so they could buy each other gifts this year (so fun) and this is what Luke got for Ev. A light saber - to say he was excited is an understtement. 

 Daddy love. 

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Christmas Celebration {take 2 & 3} in B&W

 She's totally rockin' a topknot and a dress made by her mama

 My gorgeous sister-in-law and nephew

 May be the only person that actually checks this blog, : )

 Pure bliss over this castle

A much needed break. Whew, all that present opening is exhausting.

Christmas Celebration {take 1}

 This is seriously the best picture I could capture of all 3 of them. I even bribed promised them fruit snacks if they cooperated. 

Christmas Cookies

On Christmas Eve (J had to work during the day) the kids and I decorated Christmas cookies. We don't really play up the "Santa" factor too much, but the kids do ask about him so he's somewhat present during the Christmas season. Anyway, with Santa coming we had to make cookies for him. It was a hoot. Last year Kate was young enough to sit back in her highchair and watch the action happen . . . not this year. They all did great. There was a huge mess and lots of frosting to clean up, but totally worth it. It also happened to be on our Christmas countdown. Bonus.

 Ready to decorate!

 Also ready to decorate! 

 Check out the tongue . . . that's concentration.

 Right after this picture was taken the lid came off of the sugar sprinkles and the entire bottle was emptied onto Evan's cookie. Sweet, literally. 

 After all that hard work you have to have one for yourself.

 Yep, there's that frosting I was referring to.

 Classic Ev

The masterpieces