Mother's Day 2012

I had a nice Mother's Day! We are so lucky to have a lot of Mothers in our lives, and wish we could have seen them all. I was enjoying too much and didn't get many pictures of the weekend, so here are some from our phones. I'm so lucky to have two wonderful kids who make me a mother. 

Grant and his "cousin" Miles.  Grant loves babies and was excited to "hold it."



Sorry this is so blurry, my grandparents and their three great grandchildren (with one more soon to be in picutres in Sept!).  The kids are so lucky to know their GG's!

Our only family picture we got on Mothers Day weekend, towards the end of the day after we went out for ice cream.

The kids with Grandma and Grandpa S.  Glad we got a good picture of them all. 

Grant not paying attention as usual.

My gifts from Jenna.  A cute poem about "If you give a Mom a muffin" and homemade muffins, along with a handprint and picture poem.  I LOVE handmade gifts!

Grant's gifts to me.  A handprint plant with a cute Mom poem, and a art project to hang.

Jenna, Grant, and Miles, all smiling and looking at the camera, it's a miracle!

Work it!

Jenna and Grant were recently models in the Red Cross Fashion Show Fundraiser. They were too cute, that is until Grant laid down on the stage, declaring it was bed time. They had two outfits to model and Jenna loved it! Grant had more of a demanding supermodel attitude and was good if he was supplied with fruit snacks and lemonade.

Jenna said afterwards that being a model is hard work, her legs were tired from all of that walking and twirling.  The ladies in the audience loved them, but Jenna reminded them her outfits didn't come in their sizes.  Fun was had by all!

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Jenna has been taking singing lessons for almost two months now.  Her teacher, Miss Hannah is great!  We will miss her this summer while she is studying abroad.  Here is Jenna singing one of the songs they've been working on.  

Dear Grant,

Dear Grant,
You are 21 months! You're almost two years old. You are such a fun kid, and ALL boy.  You love trucks, airplanes, dinosaurs, Elmo, balls, sticks, and eating.  It's so fun to watch you explore and learn new things.  You're talking more and more, putting words into sentences, and even throwing a couple tantrums now and then. 

Picture from Jenna's 5th Birthday in December

You love your big sister (Sissy) so much, she is the first person you ask about in the morning and cannot go to bed without a kiss and hug from all of us.  I know a time will come when you fight like crazy so I'm trying to soak up the moments now.

His "cheesy" smile, LOVE him!

We never have a dull moment with you, you're on the go, being fearless, pushing your limits, and being goofy all the time.  You love to wrestle with Sissy and Daddy, then you will come right over, plop in my lap and want to read.  You love dancing and singing too.

The first and only snowman we got to build this winter, hardly any snow!

Some of your favorites:
Food - scrambled eggs, banana's, Mandarin oranges, fruit snacks, noodles, ham, string cheese, blueberries, white cheddar mac'n'cheese, waffles
Things - Elmo, trucks, airplanes, tractors, dinosaurs, small dogs, books, and of course blankie (ne-ne) and your small Elmo doll

Daddy's hat and fleece, they almost fit honey!

Shows/Videos - Sesame Street, Thomas the Train, any Elmo song video on You Tube, The Cars Movie
Favorite Words/Sayings - Love you, Sissy, Where'd it go?, Outside, Shoes on, waffles and milk, A truck...beep beep, thank you, a book, all done, excuse me

Love babies in pj's...so cute!

In March you had tubes put in your ears.  We hated putting you through that, but you are seriously like a new kid.  You had so many sick days and fussy moments before, and things have been so much better after.  The ENT doctor said you had a ton of fluid in your ears, and he wouldn't be surprised if you could hear and speak better too.  You were such a trooper and the hardest part (which we were warned about) was you coming our of anesthesia.  You just cried and cried and were so out of it.  Even by that afternoon you seemed happier.

 



Grant - before surgery to get tubes put in.  March 2012

Grant - we love you so much!  You complete our family and watching you and Jenna grow up together is so fun.  You're such a sweet little boy and I "Lull Yu" very very much!

Love always,
Your Mom

Happy 5th Birthday Jenna!!

Jenna was so lucky to be able to celebrate her birthday so many times!  She had a celebration at preschool, a party with friends at the bowling alley, and multiple parties with all of our families who did a great job to make sure we celebrtated her birthday seperate for our Christmas celebrations.

Jenna and Wyatt at their Bowling Alley Birthday party!!  Pizza, cupcakes, cookies, and bowling with 18 five year olds is an exhausting day, in case you were wondering!

Yummy!!

The Birthday Princess

Jenna and Grant standing by Jenna's birthday cupcakes!

"I'm five!!"

We were happy GG and GG could come celebrate with us!

December 19, 2011 - our family!

Wish and dream big sweetie!

Dear Jenna

Dear Jenna,

Please forgive me for this being so late.  This is your five year letter and you turned 5 in December.

I can't even begin to explain the impact you've had on my life. You are an amazing girl and I'm so lucky you're my daughter. It's been such a blessing watching you grow up and seeing your personality shine through. I've been thinking a lot lately about when we were pregnant with you and how we never could have known how wonderful this journey is, when I first held you I loved you more than I imagined I could, and it's amazing to see the girl you're turning into.




Daddy/Daughter Date Night 2012

 

You are sensitive and dramatic, and sometimes that can be an interesting combo. You are a romantic at heart and truly love people. You are kind, considerate, compassionate, and loving. Your dramatic flair is coming out in your singing lessons you're taking now. Your preschool teachers swear you are going to be famous and on TV on day. They've made you promise you won't forget about them when that happens. So, remember Ms. Kelli and Ms. Erica! You can have quite the attitude sometime. Yesterday you disagreeded with me on your outfit. You are pretty persistant on your way of matching, and I usually pick my battles on that.

You are the most caring and fun big sister we could hope for. You are protective and proud of Grant. He looks up to you already and you're the first person he asks for when he wakes up. Seeing the two of you play together, you read to him, and he having to kiss you goodnight sometimes can bring a tear to my eye. How did we get so lucky to have such wonderful kids?!

You're a busy and social person and are so ready for kindergarden this fall. You love reading, coloring, doing puzzles, and learning. I hope that never changes. You're a good friend and kids (and adults) seem to gravitate towards you. You will start a conversation with anyone and make a new friend wherever we go. 

Valentines Day 2012

We have loved these last five years and are so proud of you. Sometimes Daddy and I talk about the challenges you'll face throughout life and worry and wonder. All we know now is we love you so so much, and will do everything we can to raise you how we believe is right. We will be there for your good days and your bad days. Thanks for being you!

Love ALWAYS,

Mom

The Balancing Act

I probably have 27 posts titled this, but there is no better way to say it.  My life is a constant battle of balancing what I need to be doing, want to be doing, should be doing...and for who...the kids, work, the house, friends or family, or heaven forbid, myself.  My mind is running a constant to-do list, which currently lies at about 1 trillion things long. 

Like every other mother out there, I need more hours in the day, more money, more energy, and more patience.  I need to find the right balance between all of the different hats I wear.  With all this said, I love my two kids  and husband more than anything, but I did find a great post by a different blogger who sums life with two kids up pretty well.  Take a peak...you'll relate I'm sure.

http://www.mamalaughlin.com/2012/01/what-i-wish-they-would-have-told-me.html

I have so much I want to update here on the blog, and I will get to it, it just may be a Christmas post when it's summer, but it will happen.  The kids are great, the house is great, life is good!