Kate's Birthday party

my two-year old

My Kate is two.
She is my last baby, my girl, and she is growing up.

I think that she is at the very best possible age. So happy and fun. So sweet. I think that I would be happy if she stayed like this forever.

But she can't, and I am having a hard time accepting that.

BUT... since I have absolutely no choice, I want to share some things that make her so sweet and endearing.

* she gives the best hugs. whole body hugs. she wraps her arms around your neck and squeezes

* her smile lights up a room

* she dances like dora the explorer

* she likes to snuggle in bed with you in the morning

* she is a book lover. she has to have one read before nap and bed time. and she will always try for more!

* she can hold her own with her brothers. she is a tough little thing!

* if someone is sad she has to give them hugs and kisses to help them feel better

* she kisses her own boo-boos

* she knocks on her own door in the morning to come out

And more! I could never begin to list all things that make her so wonderful. She is funny and happy and smart. But I am her Mom. I am completely biased.

I love you my dear daughter. Thank you for bringing such joy into my life. I am so lucky to be your Mom.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Here is the announcement that I made for Kate's scrapbook.
She is turning two, obviously.

I just can't believe it. I think that I am in denial.

My baby is getting big.

And so cute.

wow.

Father's Day

Yesterday we celebrated both Father's Day and Kate's birthday. Sadly, we spent more time on Katie's birthday then we did spoiling Dad. But after everyone had left we made up Brandon's gift. We had gotten him this... They were super easy to make.

And super yummy to eat!!!

Happy Father's Day Brandon! We love you!

All in fun

Eric decided one afternoon to get a good laugh out of Katie, so he started to slap himself silly. Really! She thought that it was great. They were both having a good laugh.

And then she got the bright idea of slapping him back! That took him by surprise.

I love it when the boys play with Katie. Especially Eric. He is enough older then her that he often loses patience with her. But today they had a lot of fun. What a great brother!

Good Samaritan

I am very particular about my money when I am working. I am very organized and I always handle it the exact same way for each and every transaction. It always faces the same way and it is never crumpled. If I get to much I paper clip together so that it will stay organized. I know that it is because of these reason that I am never short in my drawer. It is one of the reasons why I am good at my job.

Okay, well, occasionally I will have a blonde moment. But yesterday was not one of those days.

I KNOW that I took the customers money. I KNOW that I did everything the same way that I always do. I put the money in the drawer, gave the customer his receipt, and thanked him. After that I turned around to put some hangers away. I turned back around and there was a twenty dollar bill sitting on my register. I WAS SHOCKED! And a bit confused. I knew that I had placed the customers money in my drawer. I never put money where it was laying because I am afraid that it will get stolen. Yet there it was. I put in my drawer, told Ernie my thoughts on the matter, and waited for the store to close.

After we closed I counted out my drawer and sure enough I was $20.00 over. I was so excited! It was such a nice way to end the night. Twenty dollars is so much money to me. I am very grateful for the kind man who brightened my day. THANK YOU!

The how and why of the tooth fairy pillow

Josh is at the age where is starting to loose teeth. He lost his second tooth the other day. So that evening I stayed up to sew a tooth fairy pillow.

Why, you may ask? Well, I thought every kid had a tooth fairy pillow growing up. I really did! Then I learned that no everyone had them, but I didn't care. I had one and I wanted my kids to have one too. I did look around to buy one, but I quickly learned that they were not available so I brought out the sewing machine to make one for Eric. He loves it. Now it is Joshua's turn.

please ignore his dirty face!

He LOVES football. So I took some scrap sports fabric, brown felt (felt holds the teeth really well before the tooth fairy comes. less stress for everyone if it stays put!), batting, and a clip art football. I cut the felt into the football shape and added the "laces" to the top of the football. Then I sewed the bottom part of the football to one side of the fabric.

Then I put the two wrong sides together and sewed three sided together.


I turned it right side out.

Then added some batting.

Then I sewed the fourth side closed. I added a zig-zag stitch all the way around to make sure that it would not come undone. Plus, it looks good.

Viola, the finished project. Super easy and I have the worlds happiest kid.

Not to be forgotten

I would be the most ungrateful wife ever if I failed to mention that Brandon had his birthday at the end of April.

It really was a quiet day. We both had the day off and so I let him choose what we did that day. So we chilled around the house for most of the morning. That afternoon we did what he REALLY wanted to do, get some yummy Italian food and play games with some friends. We met up with our friends the Browns and the Johnsons at Buca di Beppo. They are a family style restaurant with monstrous portions! We totally stuffed ourselves! But so fun. We were also celebrating Denise's (Johnson) birthday and so we had the waite staff sing to the two of them. Brandon hates that kind of stuff and it was fun to embarrass him.

After that we went back to the Johnson house to play some board games and eat the triffle that I made. Brandon is not much of a cake eater, but he LOVES my triffle. It was a really fun night.

A few of days later I took him to see the new X-Men: Wolverine movie. It was awesome, so intense! And then, the next day, we had a family dinner in his honor.

A couple of great days devoted to the best guy out there. I am so grateful to have Brandon as my husband. He works so hard and yet spoils me because I work! He will get up with the kids if they ever need anything in the middle of the night so that I can sleep. He is so kind and considerate to what I need and I know that he often putting his wants aside for us. He even helps me with the housework, a really sacrifice for him; he hates housework! Thank you for everything that you do. I love you Brandon!

from Josh

At school Josh made me the best Mother's Day card. Not only did he make me younger, but skinnier too! And check out my shoe size!!!

My little Bug is just the best kid ever! I love him so much! This card really made my day. I hope I get something like this every year!