March happenings!

After celebrating James' birthday on the 1st, I was finally able to accept that it was already March. We had more birthday celebrating for Calvin at the end of the month as well as spring break in Brentwood, both which deserve their own post. Here's just  a few other things that kept us busy the first 3 weeks of the month. . . 

Cal and Spencer worked hard at building their very own sailboat for Cal's kindergarten transportation museum. My original thoughts were to give Calvin some cardboard boxes and let him go to town building whatever he wanted. I'm so glad he has a more creative dad who was willing to take the time to help make the project a success!

 Macee's cute project:

We had to say good-bye to the Millers at the beginning of the month. I wasn't super close with Brandi, but Cal and Chase were such cute little buddies and always played so good together! Plus, Ben and Brandi were teaching Madi's primary class, so she was especially devasted about the move cause they are dynamite teachers! They will definitely be missed! 

Sickness hit our house during a week Spencer was out of town. It went through every single one of us - and lasted about 2 days for each person. Just fevers, chills, body aches - no throwing up thank goodness. 

Needless to say, we were all VERY excited to have Spencer home!!

 Madi got her braces off on the 12th! Very exciting day! Bummer it's just her first phase though. 

Before:

 After:

 More rain to Camarillo meant an after school trip to In-and-Out for an early dinner and hot cocoa!

 Cal's reading has totally taken off. This library trip was when we got his first chapter book and then proceeded to read the whole book in just a couple days! 

Friday pizza/movie night! Just had to take a picture cause I'm constantly in amazement at what a big boy James is now. He's totally one of the kids.

My handsome boys after church! SO cute even with Cal's too short church pants and James disheveled look. 

The kids (Elle and Cal) wrote notes for the leprechaun but he didn't see the notes until the end of the day, apologized and left some coins and treats.

These 2 girls are dynamite babysitters! After babysitting 3 nights in a row for Spence and I, I decided they deserved a little treat out with mom! 

Easter Sunday for our ward was March 18th since Easter falls on Conference Sunday this year.

Adrienne Freeland and Carolyn Brown spoiled them like crazy!! Tons of treats and toys. I'm just trying my best to make sure they don't become bratty, entitled kids. . .

Just a little park outing with the Watie kids. My girls adore their girls. Elle and Rebecca are cute little friends, but Madi just spoils Allie. I love watching how sweet and nurturing she is. Made packed all sorts of treats and gifts to give Allie when we met up with them at the park.

Then this leads us up to the start of spring break. I always love watching how my kids spend their days off school... many times they are spent playing school!

Happy Easter 2018

Happy Birthday to Cal!

Cal's birthday fell on the second day of spring break this year so I knew most people would be out of town and I didn't even want to suggest a party. Instead I just asked him what he wanted to do with his day. Here's what he came up with . . .

Waffles for birthday breakfast,

 followed by present opening - he had 6 presents to open!

 Then onto Dojo Boom for an hour of intense jumping - zip line, obstacle course, swings into foam pits, tight rope walking, etc (we left James with Grandpa Al so that I could play too! 

 Home for lunch and piano lessons before Bailey came over to play at 2pm.

 Madi and Elle came up with all sorts of fun games, crafts, and activities for Calvin and Bailey. 

Then we made groundhog desserts (Cal's request).

 We took Bailey home about 5:30 and headed over to Sharky's for dinner. Dad, Boppi, and Grandpa Al also met us there for the birthday dinner. 

 We finished off the day with homemade ice cream sandwiches and more presents from Bailey, Boppi, and Grandpa Al. 

It really was such a fabulous day spent celebrating our sweet Calvin . 

Getty Museum Field Trip

Lucky Madi got to have her daddy chaperone her 5th grade field trip to the Getty Museum. 

I still remember when my dad got to come with me on a field trip to Richardson's Rock Ranch. Those special moments having dad along can never be forgotten. I'm so glad Madi got to have this experience with her dad. 

Another thing to be documented was that they rode in the Thunell's van with Madi's teacher, Mrs. McCrory who was Spencer's 4th grade teacher! Mrs. McCrory shared with them that Madi is her first student to have taught the parent as well. Pretty cool! 

 

Mom life

Mom life really is the BEST! When Spencer snapped this picture I cringed because I was in my jammies with a freshly washed face, and feeling tired at the end of a long day, but then I really looked at the picture and it just made me happy. THIS is what I LOVE about mom life. I'm in my comfy clothes, make-up free, closing up the end of a fun filled day, and totally cracking up over James being silly about brushing his teeth. There's several insta-grammers out there who make tons of money sharing their life on social media, and while that kind of stuff is too much for me (I'm much more of a private person), I sometimes think how awesome that would be to have video of my life as a mom. Usually it's me who's doing the video taping but I would love to have more videos of my interactions with my kids. I want my kids to remember what a great childhood they had. I want them to know that I was always an involved mom  - taking them on bike rides, hitting up all the parks, playing games of tag and hide-n-go seek on the playground structures. I am the mom who goes to all their practices and games. I missed Elle's basketball game when I was in North Carolina and it was killing me not to be there. I had Spencer FaceTime so I could watch part of it. I hate missing any of their events. And while I sometimes get stressed out or overwhelmed, I want my kids to know how much I love being their mom!!

Birthday Celebration!

Happy HAPPY Birthday to our big 2 year old!! We celebrated James with pancakes and eggs before heading off to take the girls to school. 

He was all happy and chatty all the way to school!

Fit in 2 year old pictures  . . . 

Boppi and Grandpa Al joined us in the evening for birthday dinner of Hawaiian Haystacks.  Followed by choo choo train cake and ice cream and present opening. It was a fun night!

James at TWO!

Oh how this little boy melts my heart!

At TWO years old James is a whopping . . .  

27 lb 9oz (60th %) for weight

34.25 in. (40th %) for height

We took away his binky during the day last month and guess what?! He started talking a TON more!!

"I'm all done"
"I see you"
"Come play"
"Mama watch..." followed by telling everyone else in the family to watch!
Best part about all the talking is that he can finally say everybody in our family's names now! And it's so clear and precise! Ellie is said with the cutest little accent.
At two years old James loves cars, trucks, trains, and treats! He would seriously eat treats all day if I let him. He loves snuggles and story time, building with his magna tiles, daddy coming home, and watching train movies. He's got the best facial expressions but also a terrible temper. Drives me crazy when he sits and screams at the world. I've notice how quickly he gets upset if I am rushed or tense. It helps when I am cool, calm, collected, and patient.
I am so grateful for my big kids who are such huge helpers with James and play with him whenever he needs a friend.