Nick's new soccer gear

So we went to Academy Sports to day and got Nick his necessary soccer gear. His first practice is on Thursday. Here he is playing in the backyard. Regular clothes from the waist up- soccer from the waist down.


While at the store Stella conned me into a pink soccer ball for her. It will be for her birthday.

Like the yellow grass?

Happy Valentine's Day

Last Wednesday we decorated cookies for Valentine's Day. We did it last year, too, so I think it is a new tradition. Nicholas decorated his cookies by drawing faces on them. Stella decorated hers with icing blobs. Stella also couldn't help eating the icing in the process.



Happy Valentine's Day...Yeah!!!

It is not too late!

That's right. I am convinced that it is not too late to make a goodie for Nicholas' Valentine's Day party at school...which is TODAY. Why can't I plan ahead?
I love Crafty Crow website. She finds the best kids craft ideas on the blogs. Like this one we are doing today.

By the way, this is my 100th post! Most bloggers celebrate with some giveaway. Not me, not today, at least.

Now, on with the craft!

9:00am- See THIS awesome alternative to paper valentines. His classmates can't read anyway.
9:12am- Run to get "ready" to go get the supplies. (After him-hawing around about this for 12 minutes.)
9:18am- Driving to Hobby Lobby. (I know. I can get ready FAST. That included face, teeth, clothes, and printing off a coupon. Did not include contacts or hair.)
9:45am- Drive home from Hobby Lobby with heart pan, card stock, and 192 Crayola crayons.
9:55am- Started running blog post on this.
10:05am- Began to convince N and S that peeling and breaking crayons is WAY more fun than watching Kai-Lan!
10:35am- Had to wait until Kai-Lan was over to start. FYI: Crayola work the best for this craft.
Step 1: Peel and Break up crayons into small pieces.
Step 2: Put small crayon bits into silicone baking pan (muffin-type pan).

11:00am: Step 3: Bake at 250 degrees for 10-15 min.

11:25am- Second batch ready to melt. Waiting for first batch to cool and set. We will be doing this four times today.
11:31am- Snack then headed to back yard!

2:05pm- Last batch of melted crayons comes out of the oven. Avg. cooling time has been about 30 min. Good thing, because the party starts at 2:45!! Will we make it?!?!
We have also had lunch, put Stella down for a nap, received our big orders from Old Navy.com and LandsEnd.com. Lots of crayon peeling and breaking. And we made up the little cards and taped on the already cooled crayon hearts. See?

And my lovely assistant...


3:33pm- Home from the party. Whew.

Stay tuned

Just wanted to check in here before heading to bed. You can see I got nothing posted last week. I got nothing done at all last week. The kids took turns being sick. Nick with high fever and incessant cough. Stella with incessant vomiting.

It was lots of fun. Hopefully this week is better. I just didn't want you to think I forgot about the blog.

Big Girl Bed

She isn't quite 2, but Shawn and I thought she was REALLY ready for a big girl bed. Yesterday my friend, Katie, and I-oh and her new baby Charlie, headed down to, yep, IKEA. I got two twin beds for $70 each. (Though they sell for $60 at many other IKEAs.) I got them duvet cover sets ($20ea), Stella some pink sheets, a pillow, a comforter, and a mattress. Then of course I had several other things on my list that I got! Katie got some large items- a futon-ish chair, a futon couch, and 2 large bookcases. I wish I had taken a picture of how packed the Odyssey was. If this is any indication: A loud humming came from the rear of the van anytime I hit 65 mph. So I drove 55-60 mph all the way back from Dallas.

I spent the day disassembling a crib, washing new bedding, and assembling 2 twin beds. This is all in preparation for the new baby. After the baby is born, we will be moving Nick and Stella into what is now, their playroom. Remember that room?

This is Stella before her nap today. She told Nick, "No Nick. Stay off. My bed." Hmph. Though she didn't exactly "nap" today she did stay in there and didn't cry. I think tonight will go better. She'll have Nick to keep her company (AND she is really tired). She looks so little in that bed!

But so did this guy:

Pictures from Christmas

Nick and Stella really GOT Christmas this year. Even though Nicholas was SO sick, he still enjoyed all of it. He took several rests during opening presents- it just wore him out. I tried my best to take pictures on Christmas day, despite my flu, and here are some cute ones I thought I would share.

I might love this toy as much as Nick does.

Rock Stars.

If you could have heard her! "Oh LOOK! Princess!" I still don't know how she knew who those gals were. But she did and she knew how to wear all of it, too.

She carried this big box over to show Daddy all of her new princess shoes.

Santa brought the stroller and baby, just like she wanted.

And you thought it was a one-seater!

Nick and Doggie Dog in under-roos.


And if there is room in your prayers tonight, please think of my Uncle Bruce who is struggling through his last moments/hours/days of his time here. I pray he does not suffer any more than he already has. God will take care of him. He will be cancer free in heaven.

Time to Blog On

I am not sure if even that by letting a month or so pass, that this task is any easier whatsoever. I don't even know how to start, but sadly, on Thanksgiving Shawn's stepdad, Jerry, lost his battle with cancer. He was diagnosed in July with multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). His last week was really difficult for him. So much pain. We are so thankful that God didn't make him suffer any longer. He went peacefully. We were thankful that we were there in town. Otherwise, we could not have gotten back home fast enough.

We extended our visit one more week and helped Shawn's mom get things taken care of. Then we drove back to OK. Then we got sideswiped just outside of St. Louis. I hope our insurance company is "winning" it has already been a month.

SInce then: 1. We have been busy getting ready for the holidays. I was SO far behind this year- with every aspect. 2. Somehow, I pulled it off. 3. Monday before Christmas Stella got sick- lots of vomit. Just as we were figuring out our plans for Christmas Eve mass (Stella still had to stay home), Nicholas started vomiting. So that took care of plans for mass. Then I got the flu on Christmas day. 4. We just had our Christmas dinner last night.

Today: I joined Sam's Club. Bought a chest freezer for the garage. Starting to feel like we are moved in.

Upcoming: 1. Nick starts swimming lessons (again). 2. I see my midwife next week. 3. Take down Christmas decorations. Get out maternity clothes when we put them in the attic. 4. Post pictures from Christmas. 5. Now that I am better, clean, orgainze, sew, blog (Jerry loved our blog so much).

Oh, and Happy New Year. This will be the lamest NYE we have ever had. I think Shawn and I are fine with that. I am still giddy over the freezer anyway!

Pap Pap/Jerry- we love you and will miss you in 2009.