Bet Your Bottom Dollar

For our family Back-to-School Dinner my sis, Jeannie was in charge. Her theme was "Practice Your Talents." We had Mexican food and the kids did a little talent show followed by a fashion show of their new school clothes. Here is Nay's rendition of Annie's "Tomorrow." She actually knows the whole thing, but was slightly distracted and wanted to sing the Beatles at first. She's hilarious.

Little Man and Boo

Little Man--

Had a mini-golf + McD's birthday, had an awesome season of soccer, and caught a big fish.

Boo--Ate a turkey leg, rode a donkey and went to Cox Farm

The last few months

You know how you get so behind, that you figure instead of catching up you'll just not do it at all? Like with a journal?
I'll try and do a brief synopsis of the last couple months...

Le Le--took her first plane ride, can't sit in any sort of baby chair/swing or she can flip out of it, is super cute and smiley. Seriously. Best. Baby. Ever.

Nay ate Fried Macaroni and Cheese on a stick at the Renaissance Festival, started ballet and a co-op preschool.

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Over the past couple months I've hosted two showers for two individuals that I really admire. One was about to have her second child, a boy to go perfectly with her sweet little girl. The other? She married my awesome brother-in-law, Jacob. And she is just as awesome. We are so excited to have her in the family. I wanted to document the parties so I can remember for future showers (and maybe you can use some of the ideas).


Shower #1: Baby Boy Shower--"Blue Skies"

Decorations:
Helium-filled blue balloons w/ stars
Tealight candles
White tablecloths/blue napkins
White and blue serving dishes

Menu:
Rice Spring Rolls w/ peanut and sweet and sour dips (provided by Kristen)
Coconut Chicken Skewers (and plain for those who didn't like coconut)
Mango Salsa
Green Beans with Garlic
Rice
Edible Flowers (provided by Kristen)
Chocolate Mousse (provided by Kristen)
Berry Tarts (Provided by Wendy)
Mint Limeade
Raspberry Lemonade with Fresh Raspberries

Games:
Guess the sex of the baby in the picture
Baby Memory Tray


















Shower #2--Bridal Shower--"Birds of a Feather"

Decorations:
White, White, White
White Origami Cranes hanging from the ceiling (provided by Michael, age 8, and groom and anyone else around who knew how).
White Orchid

Menu:
Vegetarian Eggrolls
Chinese Salad (with Chicken on the side, b/c the bride-to-be is a vegetarian) (made by the amazing Reb)
Fresh fruit (provided by Mom Mud)
Peanut Noodles with Peppers, Carrots, Snowpeas
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Pavlovas
Lemon Curd Creme-filled Cream Puffs

Game:
Ask the groom questions beforehand on video and compare answers with bride.

Just wanted to say I couldn't have done this shower without Rebecca!

After looking at the pictures I realize I need a good camera. These don't even give it justice. Hmmm, I have a birthday coming up...

WHAT?!?!?

We have TWO kids in school?!?! INSANITY.





What in the world did we do all Summer? Maybe, just maybe I will post some pictures. But, I ain't promising anything :).













ps--do you like L's mosquito bite in the middle of her forehead? That's because yesterday was BEEEAUUUUTIFUL and we were outside most of the day. And she's super sweet.

Happy Birthday to Boo

We had a musical birthday back in June. Seven-year-old Boo decided on a musical theme (very fitting for such a musical girl).







Activities:
Design homemade tambourines
Play musical pictionary
Decorate piano and musical note cookies
Make necklaces with musical notes
Learn the macarena and dance with tamourines
Play "Pin the Note on the Staff"
Make jingle bell bracelets/hairbands
Eat pizza
Eat piano cake and ice cream

Decorations:
Hanging notes
Black tablecloth
Backstage entrance sign on front door
Hanging black curtains they had to walk through

Favors:
CD with Boo's favorite songs
Lipgloss
Musical silly bands
Fingernail polish
Pack of gum
Ring pop

May 1st-July 4th

Where have you been?!?! I've been here the whole time. We had a new addition born a week late, and now she is 2 months! Man, time flies. I will write down the birth story so I can remember and fill in the blanks in between then and now. But, for your viewing pleasure here is the cute little baby girl who has stolen all FIVE of our hearts! Happy Fourth!!

Baby pic by the amazing Reb

Spring Has Sprung!

We are enjoying our Spring Break--We went to House of Bounce, picnic and hiking at Walney Pond with cousins, Downtown D.C. for a picnic with Mr. Mud and to see the Cherry Blossoms, and today had a picnic and egg hunt at the playground. I love when there is no school. Give me Summer already!!

Here are also some belly pics for those who have been requesting them...I am bigger than I've been with any of the kids! Maybe, just maybe, it has to do with all the burgers, fries and milkshakes I've had from Elevation Burger the past 9 months.

ps--that shirt is a XS (non maternity) from Anthropologie. I love buying clothes that fit me pregnant and not!

The Coolest Parents on the Block

Here's why we are the coolest parents on the block:





1. We have a HUGE moonbounce with a slide in our LIVING ROOM (This SAVED us during the blizzard)!! I leave it deflated and the kids go turn it on when they want to bounce. It takes 2 minutes to inflate. It is used every day!


2. We took our kids to the Big Apple Circus for getting good grades/reports from their teachers.




Sure, we only let them play 30 minutes on the wii a day, and they only watch TV on Movie Night (Friday) (with an occasional Little Einsteins or Magic School Bus during the week). They don't use the words "Mean" or "Hate." Man, they are some good kids. Rules are important, and fun is, too!

Guess Who is Two!?!?!

Please excuse the pizza sauce on her face.



I love how happy her brother and sister are when they are with her.

Nay celebrated her 2nd birthday! We had a last minute birthday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa A's house after piano lessons. Some of the cousins were there (other local cousins were off tubing in West VA), Aunts and Uncles, and both sets of Gparents. I made the Elmo cake that has been made for every child's 2nd birthday.

Some things we love about Nay:

She is hilarious. Seriously. She has personality.
She sings (including the instrumental parts on songs).
She dances--she goes into Boo's ballet/tap class and pretends she is one of the 6-8 year olds.
She laughs. A lot.
She puts on her own shoes.
She picks out her own outfits (okay, this can actually drive me crazy. Especially with 9:00 church)
She is a good hugger.
She is a good tackler.
She is an awesome snuggler (the other kids were not at this age).
She loves to dress up.
She loves her brother and sister.
We are so glad she is part of our family!

Crazy Snow Storm 2010

We've been enjoying some time in the snow. It's been a crazy few days! Last night when we were shoveling at 11pm it was snowing with lightning and thunder!!! How crazy is that? I've never seen that before and it was so cool!

Today consisted of shoveling, making a snow fort with a tunnel and slide, making graffiti in the snow with colored water, shoveling, hot chocolate with whipped cream AND marshmallows, digging out the car half-way, naps, and movie night. Maybe tomorrow we'll be more productive!

Who else is ready for SPRING?!?!?!