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.

February happenings!

Oh February. . . . one of my very favorite months!!! 

I love everything about it!!!

I fell in love back when we lived in Burbank and the days were so warm and sunny - while the rest of the country was usually freezing. It's still holds true here in Camarillo. February has such gorgeous weather that warms my soul and makes me want to play outdoors till the sun goes down. Been loving Elle's weekly outdoor basketball practices that give us weekly park time. 

We put up our LOVE wall (pic above) at the beginning of the month and it just makes me happy all month long! I love the Valentine cards my kids make for me. . . 

Jocelyn, Michael, Derrick and Collin were still in town until Feb 5th, so we got to play with them a few more days which was fun!

I love happy time at Boppi and Grandpa Al's when the cousins are enjoying each other. 

It was extra fun to have the Coon's come over to our house on their last night here in Camarillo and play for a bit. I love how well Cal and Collin, and James and Derrick play. It will be fun watching them grow up together! 

February 6th was National Yogurt Day so we hit up Yogurtland for an after school snack with Corinne, Bailey and Allison. Spence was even able to join us which made it extra special especially since he flew out to Boston the next day and was gone the rest of the week and weekend. 

Spence flew to Boston for work on the 7th, and got to drive up and spend 2 nights in  New Hampshire with Fred and family. It was fun for him but boy do we miss him when he's gone. We celebrated his return with Thai food for Family Home Evening. Trying to become more adventurous with our food choices in preparing for Thailand.

This year, on the day before Valentine's Day, I was busy in the kitchen making my special cookies (that I make only once a year to give to teachers and visiting teachers), when I stopped to go tuck Calvin into bed.
As I gave him a big hug and said good night he asks, "Are you busy getting everything ready?"
Me: "Getting ready for what buddy?"
Cal: "Our big Valentine breakfast that we always do. You know, like last year.... with the special straws and napkins..."
Oh man am I grateful for these sweet kids who keep me on my toes. I wasn't even thinking about our "special" valentines breakfast. I was just trying to get cookie plates for teachers ready to take to school in the morning (which I don't think I ever got a picture of dang it)!
I immediately sent Spence to the store to pick up some buttermilk and I did a quick set up for a "Special breakfast" morning!

Heart shaped buttermilk pancakes on cute valentine plates with whipped cream and raspberries on top, pink smoothies with pink straws!

Even special valentines from Gram and Papa that had arrived in the mail the day before. . . 

They had parties and valentine exchanges in class. Everyone came home happy and loved! Elle had dance that night . . . 

I stopped by the Whites (who I visit teach) to drop off cookies and James got to play on the trampoline with his buddy Lexi for a bit.

The big highlight for me in February was flying to North Carolina with James to spend a week with my sisters and their families. It was such big deal for me to be able to get away and I'm grateful to Spencer who encouraged me to go and took care of everything while I was gone.

We arrived Friday the 16th and spent 2 nights at the Calhouns. We got to attend Sam and Adley's basketball games and have lots of fun cousin time.

The Evans arrived during 2nd hour of church. What an awesome pack of cousins came piling out of the classes and nursery after church.

James took right to baby Emme and was so sweet and gentle with her. I thought he might be jealous when I held her, but not at all. He was totally mesmerized and did so great with her and me holding her. 

After church we had a special celebration for all the February birthdays - Karlee and Sam's on the 27th and James and Pargie on the 29th!

Sunday night James and I headed to Greenville with the Evans to spend the next 3 nights. 

It was so fun to get to hang out with Leila, Mav and Emme. James was totally obsessed and had so much fun! I loved just hanging out and chilling with Karlee!

I loved snuggling sweet baby Emeline. I never thought i was a newborn lover, but it's totally different when I'm out of that stage. And she reminded me so much of Elle as a baby so it made me all nostalgic.

James took right to Leila and called for her wherever we went. It was a treat to get to pick her up from preschool on Tuesday.

The boys had lots of fun while Leila was at school. It was nice to have that break where they were forced to play together because otherwise they always wanted to be with Leila.

Being with Karlee reminded me so much of my life just 6 years ago - when Madi was almost 5, Elle almost 3, and Calvin a new baby. I remember it all so well.

Tisha drove to Greenville Wednesday morning to spend the morning with us before we headed back to Apex. I am so glad I made this trip to get a glimpse of how wonderful it would be to live close to my sisters. 

James was a champ traveler! The flight to NC was the very easiest (he took a 2 hour nap and I got to watch a full movie). The way home wasn't as easy, but I really can't complain - he did a fabulous job keeping himself entertained for 6 hours! He ate, played with his new trucks, and Spencer's iPad. Hoping this helped prepare him for our upcoming Thailand trip! 

Spencer, Madi, Elle and Cal managed all sorts of fun without us. I was happy to hear Spencer tell me how much work it was when I got back though. And sweet Adrienne Freeland brought them dinner TWICE while I was gone (pizza and chicken wings)! She spoiled them with Valentines and all sorts of treats! I think Spencer only cooked once the whole time I was gone. 

February was transportation month for Calvin's kindergarten class. They had a sweet field trip to the Oxnard airport where they got to explore the helicopter and even watch it take off. Super cool. 

February 27th was International Pancake Day so I took the kids to Ihop for free pancakes after school. They were being such stinkers though and totally fighting. Made me so annoyed. I want so badly to enjoy all these moments and be able to do fun things with my kids, but I don't want them to be spoiled brats who get accustomed to getting to do fun stuff all the time. 

I do want them to have happy childhood memories and remember that they had a mom who played with them at the park, who took them to the library, who read to them every day, who tucked them into bed every night, who checked on them before going to bed, who got up extra early to exercise so she could be home to make them breakfast and pack their lunches. I know they won't remember much about this time, but I always want them to remember how much their dad and I love them and how hard we are working to raise them up in truth and righteous. I want them to be good and kind and contributing members of society.