Halloween 2014

We had so much fun on Halloween this year. Ahhhmazing what a difference a year can make! That, and TJ has recently started going to bed closer to 7 so it made trick-or-treating more feasible. We started off the festivities this year with a fun trip to "Boo at the Zoo" (thanks to my friend Jill for suggesting it!). The kids had a great time seeing the animals, playing at the carnival, and eating treats along the way. I actually had a great time - even though it is getting harder to keep up with these two the farther along I get in this pregnancy. We then were able to dress up again for our kindermusik class the day before Halloween. On the actual day of Halloween Daddy came home early to carve a pumpkin and make some luminaries with the kids. We then hit our small cul-de-sac and called it a successful night! A little back story into the kids' costumes: FC has a favorite book called "A Gold Star for Zog". She has a pile of princess-ey dress-up clothes thanks to a thrifty nana and I scored a deal on a dragon costume for TJ. So they went as Zog the Dragon and his Princess Pearl. If you have a toddler/preschooler check out the book. :)

Petting the goats. FC has been asking to "go to the jungle" for weeks now. So when John asked her what her favorite part of the zoo was I assumed she say "monkeys" or "gorillas". Nope - it was "I liked the goats, Daddy. Let's go see more goats at the gungle". There 'ya go!

I love seeing my two boys hang out together.

Princess Pearl had a few costume changes throughout the day, but settled on this lovely selection about 5 minutes before we left. She HAD to wear her frog boots. And that crown - she always wears it on the back of her head or over her eyes. Hillarious to watch - hopefully my sweet girl will always be as creative and assertive in her choices as she gets older.

One big piece of my heart!

No boy is cuter than mine! Another piece of my heart smiling back at me!

He was actually thrilled, but did NOT want his picture taken. Only meltdown of the night - score!

I must learn how to take pics at night!

And the Dynamic Duo strikes again....

Just a funny post to file away for my babies one day - I call them the dynamic duo for a very good reason. These two can get themselves into some pretty wild predicaments.

 

Nothing wild here...just two absolutely adorable babies.

When it gets quiet be afraid, be very afraid. FC informed me upon my discovery that she was ice skating. This happened THREE times over a couple of weeks before I finally got wise and found a way to lock them out of my pantry. So sad that it took three times, yes?!?

 

The kids love to play in the car. I confess that I have on occasion put them there as a way to appease them for the last half hour before John gets home. All about survival some days.

 

Okay. I know these pics look scary, but they're just eating a home-made fruit popsicle. But look at what a HUGE mess they made!! For your notes - that raspberry juice stains big time. Poor TJ looked like he had been in a horrible accident for three days.  

 

These kids like to play naked in the backyard. Give them some dirt and rocks and a cool breeze and they're content for literally hours. Blessed - I know!!

 

Mmmmmm. Tasty.

 

FC getting in on the rock therapy.

 

After one of the flour incidents - I think the last one. I was SO MAD all I could do was put them in the tub and walk away.

 

FC totally knew she was busted. TJ was blissfully unaware.

 

They were too proud to scold. I laughed so hard when I found this. Another note to file away - when you can hear them happily playing together. Check on them. Always.

A New Bed for FC...

At the start of summer FC began to show a growing need for independence. Among other things, she did so in the form of getting into and out of her bed. Sleep has always been a battle for FC, but shortly after she turned a year old she started sleeping a solid 12-14 hours a night. Every Night. And would take a 2-3 hour nap. Every Day. I dragged my feet on initiating a new big girl bed because I didn't want to risk losing such an awesome gift. But with the coming of a new baby the end of the year I knew I was just putting off the inevitable. FC was going to get a new bed. Joy.

I didn't search for long before I settled on a versatile bed from IKEA. I started to get excited and we planned a Saturday of fun around our IKEA trip. The kids LOVE the children's IKEA.

The following weekend John spent a couple of hours assembling the bed and FC seemed pretty excited about her new "nook"(a word she took from experiencing her cousin Matthew's special nook when they visited in July). The first night didn't go great. She fell out of bed around 2 am and refused to go back to her bed that night. Dumb mom move - off to buy a bed rail and try again. Second night we deemed a huge success. She slept all night without a sound. That is...until we really started moving around the house before she awoke. First we found her pajamas and underwear on the floor in the pantry. Uh-oh. Then we found a small pile of half-eaten pretzels on the kitchen dinning room table. Hmmm. Then we found a pile of mile in the living room that had been colored on with various mediums. Finally, I found a stack of books from her room sitting atop a blanket in the formal dining room. This child must have had an awesome party for one all night long. Thankfully all doors were locked, but we made immediate plans to account for safety from the next night forward. Silly girl slept until almost 9:30 after her fun night!

TJ Turns One!

TJ was a lucky boy this year - he celebrated his birthday twice. Once when John's family came to visit and a second time on his actual birthday when my parents visited. TJ and my dad nearly share a birthday so it was fun to spend it with Dad.

TJ's personality has really started to shine in the past few months. He has always been a pretty easy-going baby, but I have loved getting to know this little person better as he gets older. TJ is very tender-hearted and loves his momma! He lights up when his big sister is around and he makes a point to get into all of her things. I can't wait to see what this next year brings for TJ - God never makes mistakes and looking at how TJ fits in with our family is just another confirmation of how God works. I can't imagine life without my little man.

We started the celebrations off with a trip to our local aquarium with Nana and Pap - so great to share one our favorite outings with my parents.

Dad is great with our kiddos - always willing to get on the floor and roll around  with them!

 



 

 Poor FC had a tough time understanding that sometimes gifts are for other people.

 

 

 

Cake! TJ is definitely not a sweets eater - but he did....eventually....eat his cake.

Time Flies!!

I have literally been so busy keeping up a house and chasing after my kiddos that blogging has been put way on the back burner in life. I have tried to jot down the funny and tender moments that I want to some day remember, but getting pictures complied and put onto a blog post has simply been beyond me.

In February, we hosted the Seton Mom's for a St. Valentine's party. The house was filled with lots of children and laughter. We are so blessed to belong to a church with such an active parishioner base. The mom's group has given me roots in Texas and filled a pretty needy void. Looking forward to getting to know the women better in the year to come. John was sent to South Korea for his AT this year. When he offered to fly me and the kids to Huntsville I jumped at the chance to spend time with our families. During our stay we enjoyed quality time with the cousins and TJ met many major milestones including sitting up on his own, crawling, and cutting two teeth! I look back now at pictures and video from that trip and it blows my mind how quickly the time goes. Felicity also experienced her first snow...In Texas of all places!!

My Dynamic Duo in action:

She definitely has a flair for the arts - music, coloring, dancing....all favorites right now.

Little Man's safe place. Ha!

Scratch that...it was his safe place!

My babies love to be outside.

A girl an her dirt - captivating.

First ride together in the big "choo-choo train" cart. Poor FC is having a bad hair day.

 

Playing in the backyard at Nana and Pap's.

FC and Cousin Matthew were able to have a fun adventure together at the Early Works Museum during our visit. They had a blast!

TJ and Cousin Natalie getting to hang together.

April - Felicity turns TWO!! She had her very first birthday party complete with sweet friends and cake. It was zoo themed since she is in love with all animals. We were lucky enough to have my parents and Aunt Ashley and Natalie with us as well. Such a fun-filled weekend. FC is my fiery-spirited little girl. She marches to her own drum beat and brings such joy to my heart every day. I can't believe my baby girl is already two! Looking at the pictures from the April file and I love seeing my children's relationship blossom. They generally fight like cats and dogs right now, but they also can't stand to be apart. Hopefully they will always share a close bond.

Bath time is a family favorite!

FC and her books. She looks so tiny here - just about 6 months ago. Her Uncle Matt and Aunt Katie sent her an "Annie" dog that she still cherishes.

TJ looking so handsome in his nautical bubble. Love a chubby legged baby in white shoes!

It was absolutely awesome having Aunt Ashley, Cousin Natalie, and my parents here in April. 900 mils is simply too far apart!

FC was given a play kitchen for her birthday! It was a huge hit.

Easter in Texas - this year we attempted Keller's Egg Drop with the kids. While there were not many eggs to be had the kids enjoyed playing at the park and walking the trails.

Where did she get those long legs?!?

Mommy is rarely in a picture so I felt the need to post. This little girl is my heart.

 

PARTY DAY!!



It's my party and I'll cry if I want to....haha! Life with a two year old begins.

Party animals. :)

Playing with all her thoughtful birthday gifts. Obviously dress-up is pretty big for us right now.

Jungle treats

A little bit of art since it's one of FC's favorite pass times right now.

FC's year - I literally cried as I put these pictures up. Slow down time.