Winter Fun, 2013

A boy after my own heart.....

 I cannot believe that we have had nice enough weather in January to be outdoors without coats playing in the sand, taking pictures and climbing trees.  This momma is thankful because the great outdoors is exactly where you boys need to be!

 We went to Newton for a surprise celebration in honor of Great Grandma's 80th Birthday!  Is this one beautiful 80-year-old or what?  I sure hope I've got GG's genes! :)

 You had a fun time with your cousins playing in the back parking lot of the Bread Basket.

 When the weather got cold, we still found plenty to do inside including dress up and shoot outs.....

 wagon rides in swim trunks and a diaper....

 marshmallow pyramids....

 hunting excursions....

 talking to Grandma and Papa on the ipad.....

jumping on the bed and landing in the ER.....

 Did I mention that there is NEVER a dull moment???

 Wyatt, you have been taught several calming techniques at preschool.  My favorite is the STAR: Stop, Take a deep breath, And Relax....I've adapted my own STAR in the midst of mahem in our home: Stop, Take a picture, And Relax!  Somehow the stopping for a picture helps me to appreciate the brevity of the moment.....  it gives me perspective in realizing that this too shall pass.  Most moments of chaos are funny memories if you can just breathe them in and survive the 20 minutes of cleanup and correction without losing your cool!  Life is too short to be frustrated or to expect perfection..... 

 A trip to Power Play

 A day in your PJ's, underwear and warrior paint

Valentine's.  I am BLESSED!

 Chocolate straweberries!  Or just spoonfuls of chocolate for Micah!

 Isaac, you needed a little help putting together your Yoda card from Grandma with only one functioning arm!

 Mimi joined us for dinner and Valentine's surprises.  She always tells you boys that she loves you to the moon and back, so guess what she gave you for Valentine's?  Light up moons for your walls to serve as a nightlight and  a reminder of Mimi's love for YOU!

 Wyatt, you got to go to the KS College Gameday in Lawrence with Daddy....

 We finally got some tons of SNOW in February....

 Snow ice cream

 Hot chocolate

 Lots and lots of SMILES.....

 



Micah is 22 Months!

Cannot believe it's February and you are playing outside without a coat.  The weather has been incredible which makes you one happy little boy.  You love to be outdoors!

 You are your mother's son.....  you love chips and dip!  Here you are taste testing the salsa we just made together!

 Hiding in the pantry

 We've got a food theme going here.  You helped yourself to the jar of chocolate covered blueberries!  Yummo!

 Cooking up a storm...

 You are so proud to be able to wipe your own nose!  We've gone through a gazillion tissues this month during your new craze.

You have lots of cute words and phrases to add to your repertoire this month:
-Ipad
-Want one
-Night night
-Wy wy go?
-I run fast!
-Ice cream cone
-Moo moo (movie)
-Gobble
-Poo poo
-Bubble
-NO!
-Choco (chocolate)

Isaac Owen, Year in Review.....

Your closet remained your bedroom at the beginning of the year because it was just too hard to settle into slumber with the freedom and adventure of having a whole room to yourself.  You started sleeping in the closet when you learned to climb out of your crib at 22months.  We decked it out with a crib mattress, a turtle night light, glow in the dark stars on the ceiling, and Daddy even cut the bottom of the door so you could see out (and get enough fresh air--Mommies worry about that kind of thing, you know).  You seemed perfectly content (notice even here you are SMILING) with the arrangment and we weren't sure when you'd ever get to have the privilege of sleeping in a big boy bed in a big boy room. You would turn on the night light, turn off the closet light and lock the door all by yourelf.  Then you'd lay down and say night night and have Mommy sing you a song from under the crack of the door.  Mommy and Daddy would always sneak in and unlock the door after you fell asleep so that you could come out in the morning (or during the night....we weren't holding you captive in there, just giving you some boundaries!)

 you have a love for pop

 Your goodnight favs-thumb and blankie!  I know someday they'll both have to go but please hold onto them a little while longer, ok?

 

 For some reason in this photo you remind me of the darling little mouse, Fievel, from American Tail!

mommy's little helper

 Trying to scare Micah in Daddy's Ronald Reagan mask

 The ipad

 You were puking and sick this day but still smiling and wearing a cowboy hat for some reason?!

 Summer camp....you thought you were so BIG at "school"

 Sporting a mohawk

 Riding the Steam Locomotive

 Fall nature walk and trip to the park

 3 Today! 

Don't grow up so fast on me, Isaac!  I want to enjoy your firsts and savor your lasts.  Seasons just pass all too quickly, even the hard ones that have been full o temper tantrums and dirty diapers I would choose to hold onto a bit longer if I could.  You see, now your 3 and no longer sleeping in the closet.....  it is a distant memory....  now you are in a big boy bed in a big boy room!  Oh, how I miss those goodnight songs under the crack of the door.   

Lord, give me GRACE to EMBRACE the moments as they come because I know that too soon they will go.....