Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Baby James!

8 Dec

You are the jolly little soul in our lives. With a kick back attitude and loving nature you’ve completed our family in a way I could have only dreamt. Daddy tends to be your favorite, but lately you’ve wanted extra hugs from your mama which makes me very happy. You’ve become Jake’s best friend and partner in crime. When you wake up from your nap you shout, “Jacob, r you?” He drops everything and runs up to get you out of your room. I hope this friendship continues throughout your lives.

It amazes me how much time you spend flipping through books and studying the pictures. We spend hours and hours reading books together. Obots (robots), Scooby Doo and Doda (Dora) are just a few of your favorites. Mostly you like to follow your brother around and copy him, which at this point, makes him very happy.

We love you to the moon and back.

Check out the cake Josh made this year!!!!

james e 1 james e 2

Scaaary Halloween

5 Nov

It was the night before Halloween and I was laying peacefully in my bed… The lights were off and all you could see was the glow from my Kindle. The kids had been in bed for about 20 minutes sleeping soundly. Everything was good or so I thought.

All of the sudden, I heard a loud BOO about 2 feet from my face. What the H-E-double hockey sticks?! I lept from my bed and threw my book down. My heart was pounding out of my chest.

When my eyes could focus, I saw Jake standing right by my bed. Apparently, he had quietly opened my door, tip-toed to my bed and scared me 1/2 to death. I was furious at first and then started chuckling. How on earth had he snuck up on me? This boy can’t be quiet any other time of the day.

Anyway, trick or treating was a blast this year! Jake didn’t want me to walk up to any houses with him. This was a complete change from last year. As I stood back on the sidewalk looking a little sad, he turned around and said, “Don’t worry mama, I’ll share my candy with you!”  James on the other hand, was not happy to be walking around in the dark with all the spooky sounds and scary decorations. He would say, “Ohhh scaaary!”
*What were your kids for Halloween or did you dress up?

Trick-or-treating all by himself

Red and green dragons

They Sure Grow Up Fast

29 Oct

Josh and Jake have been pestering me to move James to the bottom bunk and out of his crib. I was hesitant about switching sleeping arrangements because it works, but I’m trying to be more open minded.

Part of me wanted to take the leap because I know it will have to happen eventually. Or, can a five year old still be in a crib? The other part of me loves my sleep and feels at ease with the idea that he’s caged contained all night long. A few months ago I let him nap in the big boy bed, but chickened out when it was night time. What if he wanders around the house or wakes me up at 1 am? He’ll be free!

I took the plunge. A few nights ago my baby slept on the bottom bunk. He made it all the way until 5:45 am when I was awoken by him running into our room yelling “MAMA!!!”  It was a success for the most part. Now, I needed him to stay in his room until our magic rocket ship night light turns off at 6:15 am. We have Jake ‘trained’ to wait for the night light to turn off, otherwise he would be in our room before 6 am every morning.

The next morning, I turned on our video monitor at about 5:30 am because I heard noises. Sure enough, Jake was on the bottom bunk playing with his brother. A few minutes later, I heard their door open and James came tearing into our room shouting “MAMA!!!” I had a strong suspicion that Jake set him up. When I went into his room he was laying in his top bunk smiling. Stinker. We told him if he encouraged his brother to come into our room in the morning again, James would have to go back into his crib. This threat has worked so far. Jake would love nothing more than to sleep next to him on the floor.

I decided to put up a short baby gate in their door way so James can’t get out, but Jake can climb over. This has worked so far. I can’t believe we’re completely done with cribs. How bittersweet.
How old were your children when you moved them out of their crib?

Doda the Explorer

14 Oct

Our sweet James is obsessed with Dora the Explorer (Doda). One of the first words he repeated over and over again was Doda. I thought this would pass, but nope. If we’re at the store and he sees anything with her picture on it he points and yells DODA as loud as he can. Heading down the toothpaste aisle one day he laid eyes on a toothbrush with her picture plastered all over it. I want to encourage brushing don’t I? He hugged that toothbrush the entire shopping trip and all the way home.

I took the boys to Toys R Us one day because I’m insane. I wish I could describe the look on his face. Everyone in the store could hear him yell MY DODA!!! I pulled the Dora doll off the shelf and handed it to him. He scooped her up and gave her and the box she was in a huge hug.

Hmmm… I wasn’t sure if I should buy my son a pink and purple doll. Jake could see my hesitation and said, but mama he loves her. I even tried to offer him other toys so he had choices. There was no doubt in his mind what he wanted to take home. As we went to the check out Jake put his Lego purchase on the counter while James wouldn’t loosed his grip on Doda. The kind lady used her scanner gun so we wouldn’t have to set her down. He carries her everywhere and sleeps with her. I do not care what anyone says and I feel bad for even hesitating. My son is in love with Dora even if she is a “girl” toy.

The picture below is of James and Doda watching her show.

His 2nd Birthday is fast approaching and I’ve been thinking about decorations and such. I was leaning towards tractors because he used to love those. Who am I kidding? I’m going to do a Dora theme. He will be thrilled!!!

Do your kids have any out of the ordinary toys that they love?

Magnet Fishing

1 Oct

Fishing season has begun! We bought a nice older fishing boat a couple of months ago. It’s just big enough for Josh, the two boys and another adult. I may go sometimes, but it’s kind of nice to have time to myself or spend time with just one child.

To get the boys even more excited I saw this idea somewhere on the internet. Fishing in our very own bath tub.

1) Fill up the tub 1/2 way and using color Bath Dropz add your choice of color.

2) Drop magnets such as the letter ones shown below in the tub and attach another magnet to the end of a fishing pole. If you want to get educational you can ask your child to to grab certain letters or spell words with the letters he or she finds.

Jake is clapping for James who almost caught a “fish”. After play time is over,  you can just plop them in the tub to for bathing time. This bath didn’t last very long because baby brother turned the water green haha. Gross I know :)

*I think this “practice” worked because Jake caught a huge fish the next day.

No Tears Again

20 Sep

Jake started school last week and yet again there were no tears from anyone. If you remember my First day of preschool post from last year, I was the only one who was distressed. Is it wrong of me to wish for one small tear?

Jake loathes having his picture taken. Here is my first attempt at his back to school photo.

Telling him we might not make it to school if he doesn’t turn around did the job. The next picture was perfect. When we got to school he ran in and didn’t look back. Sigh.

Now, when I drop Jake off James throws a fit because he can’t stay and play.  Much to his dismay, James can’t start preschool for two more years. I keep telling him that we get some alone time and can do all kinds of fun stuff, but no.  Don’t either of my boys want to have fun with their mom? Haha.

Sunny Savers Make a Deposit $$$

6 Sep

The topic of conversation around our house lately has been about money and how Jake wants to spend it. Mom and dad’s money that is… Earning isn’t a concept he’s quite embraced. He believes that $1 goes further than it actually does with the philosophy that $1 can buy one thing and so on. Lego Technics are a wish that can be quite expensive. Remember my Lego post? Unfortunately, $1 cannot buy one Lego set.

We’re trying to teach him to earn and save his own money. It’s a hard concept for a four year old. When I’m working in the office at Sunset Credit Union it’s funny to see the faces of little ones making deposits. They don’t usually understand why they’re handing someone their money until we pull out the treasure chest. Concerned looks turn to smiles when kids can pick from one of the many prizes.

My boys deposited all the change from their piggy bank the other day and chose from the treasure chest. Below Jake is handing James some super cool neon color crayons and he chose the bright yellow flower for himself.

If you’re eligible to join Sunset Credit Union come on over so we can help you teach your kids about saving!

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