Our Day

The day was not without tantrums, boo-boos, and tears, but that's not what I'll remember about this ordinary Sunday....it is the family time and the laughs that make this family so wonderful. I just love each one of them so much!

Just Cole

Oh, my Cole. You are growing up so fast. It's super cliche but true. Tomorrow I register you for kindergarten. I know this is one of the last years you will be a "baby". After having gone to a birthday party this past weekend with mostly kindergarteners I noticed right away the difference between your age and theirs.....it's difficult to explain but a year really does make a difference. I am proud of you and amazed by you.

One of your new favorite things to do is figure out mazes and you're pretty good too! Tonight you told me that 4 year olds can do this but not little kids. Sigh. So true I suppose! And, wow, while I was cooking dinner you also showed me that you had done a connect the dots all the way through #10! I knew you recognized numbers but knowing what order, well, I was just amazed.

Sigh again. Cole. Cole. Cole. I love watching you grow!

Me Hobbies

Last Fall Lisa and I took up knitting. Well, she had the basics down pat and I learned it new all together. I have to say I absolutely love this activity. Once my brain put the whole knitting and purling process together everything else just fell into place! I love it. I love the feel of the yarn and I love making something new! I've never been crafty and I'm still not so much but hey I am learning! My sweet brother gave me a knitting book with lots of fun kids stuff in it. I started making the crown in the book last night and will be finishing it tonight! It's super easy! I plan on making lots! :)

I started making this sweater as my first project. After 2 months I finally finished the back and cast on the front last night. It'll go much smoother here on out. While making the back I learned so much along the way! Charlotte will be able to wear it next year and I'll be so happy to see her in it!

Next project: a button-tab hat for myself and then will make a hat for Brendan! He's in need of a new one. After that I have my eye on a darling dress for Charlotte in the book Jay gave me!

And of course my other passion (as far as hobbies go) is photography. I looked back at my pictures from last year and even from this past spring before I took my course and I can see how much my pics have changed and I love it! Of course it helps when you have beautiful scenes like the one above and the ones below! I read a post on MckMama's website today by a guest photographer and she challenged the readers to take the same picture from 5 different angles. I can't wait to try this and see what I can come up with!

And the next NHL player of the year is...

Cole took his first skating lesson this past Sunday! I've been wanting to get him into skating lessons but the rinks I checked out were too pricey and not at the right times. My Dad checked out JFK in Manch-Vegas and the price and times were right! This particular class I think Cole was very tired from Charlotte's party the day before (plus I think he is going through a growth spurt- eating and sleeping like crazy!) so he was little bit more subdued during class than he usually is. But he is such a trooper! He got right out there and held on to that crate for dear life while the instructor showed him how to march on the ice! By the end of the 1/2 hour he actually marched along without the crate!

When we got there we realized one of Cole's friends from Applewood was also taking lessons- so that helped Cole to get onto the ice a bit more quickly!

It was a big class with two great instructors but there were a few moments where Cole was there by himself. I wanted to rush out on that ice and guide him along and help him learn to skate and also wanted to yell at the instructor to get over there and help my kid for heaven's sake! But I surpressed this urge and just waited on the sidelines, giving Cole the thumb's up when he skated along. Oh, how easy it would be to just hold his hand through everything in life but it's killing me to let go!! :) Yes, I will be a mess when he goes to Kindergarten next fall!

Just some Charlotte updates since she now 2...

It seems bizarre to me to say that Charlotte is 2. I was looking through some family picture albums this evening and lamenting how little Cole used to be...how he grew up to be 4 1/2 so quickly. Charlotte is 2 and I just know how quickly time will be going by and I'll be saying she is 4 etc. Sigh.....

Some things about Charlotte to remember...

• She loves being naked. Ha! I have to watch her because randomly she'll be taking off her pants or unzipping her pajamas! Lately she is also taking off her diaper. Oh boy. I know she is right on the verge of wanting to wear underwear but not quite there yet. And when she does have to get dressed she has to do everything herself. She gets really mad if I try to help her!
• She does not like being alone yet she does not like crowds or overwhelming places. She loves being around people she knows and around those people she is crazy, silly, loud, and full of personality. Around people she is not comfortable with, she clams right up!
• She prefers Mommy big time!! She only lets me out of her sight on her terms. I cannot just walk away from her, even to go to another room in the house! And she wants me to do everything with her. If Brendan tries to help her she yells "No, Mommy do it!" Brendan tried to take her up the hill sledding today and she would have none of it but had a blast going down with me. I have to say I secretly like this attention but I don't encourage it! :)
• Loves playing pretend with dollies or in the kitchen. Last night after dinner (having just her diaper on of course!) she got off her chair, said "good night" and proceeded to lie down on the carpet under the table. She giggled and popped back up and said " 'uffed lovely first!" and ran upstairs to one for "bed". So funny.
• She does not go to bed well. I know we have helped to foster this situation. We never "ferberized" her, always let her sleep in our bed, and stay with her until she falls alseep. Yup, not helpful to anyone, but it is what it is right now.
• Loves to color
• Loves to follow Cole (favorite question to ask if Cole is not in sight "Cole go?".
• So often volunteers really really tight squeezes and "yuv yous!!!"

Charlotte's 2nd birthday

Oh, my darling Charlotte, I cannot believe you are two already! I love you, love you, love you!!

We had a nice, quiet (ahem!) birthday party for Charlotte with just family and close friends the Schwinns and the Rogers. I have to laugh at the "quiet" part of the party because even with just the people we had over we still had 9 children- with 4 very energetic boys! It was a wonderful time though and although Charlotte was subdued, I know she enjoyed seeing everyone. Charlotte is a darling and she really just gets overwhelmed by craziness in her own house. I knew it would happen but as soon as about half of the people left, Charlotte returned to herself, being silly and running around the house. She just stays close to me when she is overwhelmed with everything else! :)

Erich Schwinn is my guest photographer for present opening and cake eating. :)

I didn't have to help Charlotte open too many presents. She knew what to do! Although she stopped for a bit and let me or Cole open a couple when she got this princess cup from Aunt Kerry! :)

Charlotte was a very lucky girl with all of the wonderful presents she received!

Cameron asked Brendan to put the Transformer back together. I think every adult has this exact face on when they try to work with these crazy toys!!

Charlotte received new pj's from Grammy and PawPaw. PJs are some of Charlotte's absolute favs. She just had to take off her party dress and put one of her new PJ's on!

The cake! I had every intention of making the rainbow cake as seen on McKMama's website but after reading the instructions and seeing how much time it was take I said no thank you and made a cake and just made homemade cream cheese frosting instead. Oh yeah, and just dyed the cake and frosting nice girly colors too!

Mimi and Grandpa gave Limbo to Charlotte! They love to play this game over Mimi and Grandpa's house. Now they love it over our house too! :) Cole R has this game at his house too so he was very excited to see Charlotte now has it!

Gavin, the little JCrew model. :)

I LOVE this one of Morgan.

The next couple are just some fun candid shots of our guests!

Oh, the singing of the birthday song! Charlotte had to sing Happy Birthday to me several times when she went to bed last night!

Brendan- always the goof.

Like father, like son!!

Darling Olivia!

Rob, ahem, those are for the kids. Oh wait... :)

Ha-ha, I made Jay stand there while I perfected this shot. I like how "3D" it is. :)

We made snowman cake pops from Bakerella.com! More on that in a later post!

Poor Cora! So much excitement!

Brendan begged Rob to borrow Band Hero. It is the best game EVER!!! I love it.

Thank you, Rob. You rock. Seriously.

Mimi and Charlotte make pancakes while the rest of us (ok, ok, I'm taking the picture and then joined in) played Band Hero.

Oh. My. Goodness. My parents did Kareoke. What is this world coming to?! :)

Charlotte investigates the Nerf gun while we rock out.

Rachel. So serious!

And then Ethan spent the rest of the day with us and watched the Saints game too!

What a great day and a great party! Thank you all!!!!