Celebrating Andrew George

My big guy is three

The previous post was about how I felt about having a three year old now and reminiscing this day (below)

Its a chilly day today.. 15 degrees... It was 55 when he was born. 

So needless to say he had to pretty much stay indoors today.

We arranged his gifts on the table.. and he shouted "open presents now!" which I think is the FIRST time he was all excited to open presents.. He didnt even care that much at Christmas just a few weeks ago

He got right down to business...

A new garbage/recycling truck.

He was smitten. 

Played with that thing ALL day.

He also got new diecast car set, a Cuckoo Clock (hysterical) Tractor Set from Sister, A Backyardigans DVD, and a Delta Airlines Airport set 

Sam and I headed out to get a few things for his little party later in the day.

I love setting up party stuff.

No real theme, just blues and reds and yellows, But his truck cake ended up being Orange.. so .. 

I had leftover cake and homemade buttercream, so I froze about a dozen un-dipped cake pops (just the cake and frosting rolled) and then I made a few blue ones. 

Drink station ;)

And I had made these sugar cookie "3"'s about 2 weeks ago and froze them/forgot about them till the party almost was starting. 

We ordered some pizza, and had snacks. 

My homemade salsa/chips, carrots and dip and popcorn, chips

As soon as we were done eating, we mentioned presents again, and he ran and sat down so fast.. he was ready.. he likes this "present opening" thing...

Then cake... He was so excited too.

I know I keep saying he was so excited.. but i'll just preface that he was into NONE of these things when he turned 2. I made him a huge construction cake.. he took one bite and spit it out.. And Samantha opened all his presents last year.. (which is why she looks teary-eyed here... She had to accept that he FINALLY wanted to participate in his own party)

We were laughing so hard because he kept digging his fork right into the big cake.. He poked off all 3 Oreo wheels and went to town.. He had never had an oreo until yesterday.. so we were amazed.. haha..

He sat and ate and ate and ate frosting and cake and oreos... 

He was so happy ... We were so happy.. 

The party was so much fun.

and just like that, he's 3.

I have a 5 1/2 year old and a 3 year old.. with no plans of another baby... thats kind of sad... 

But then again, we're getting into the stage when its become a LOT easier, and Im grateful for that.

But if I could just blink myself back into the hospital room with him for a few hours.. That would be okay too..

Our Christmas

Our Christmas season was great!
Well... let me say that we were ALL sick as dogs the week before. Sam missed 4 out of 5 days of school and slid back into the last day before break but barely made it through.. It was the cold that never ended... again.. But by the weekend we were all feeling better, thank goodness.. and it was on with Christmas!!!

It was nice and warm... well... not 10 degrees this year, but in the 50's!

We didnt have any snow, and I was never more happy!

I made some homemade crafty gifts as I always do.

Pepperimint & Mistletoe Soaps all fancy with ribbon and tinsel.

I sold a few batches as well, it was a hot item!

As part of the teacher gifts this year I made homemade marshmallows, they turned out so good. See the previous post for the recipe

One of my favorite parts of making gifts is spending crafty time on the tags and decorating them with wrapping and ribbon and pretty things.

I really think Samantha enjoyed giving her gifts to her teachers and bus drivers

We made cookies, ginger, cutouts, and crescents. And fudge and marshmallows... I couldnt stop.

I think that 

Sweets were everywhere this season.

Our annual family round robin party was so much fun. 

The dessert house is always my favorite.

Cannoli Dip ... OMG.. We all just stood there and couldnt stop eating it!

It was such a wonderful and mild Christmas season.

Cousins 

The few days before Christmas I attempted the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

They were quite a feat, but so so worth it.

My little helper made sure we got the icing just right.

He loves pulling up his little chair to help Mama 

I froze two pans.. and gave away about 5.

Just something yummy for us and our friends and neighbors to warm up on Christmas Day or whenever..  I think Samantha really understood the whole "season of giving" as I tried to explain that it is just nice to do things just because ... and the reason we celebrate Christmas .... and its not all about the presents.. hopefully some of what I was rambling set in.. but i know, she's only 5.. ha!

Samantha got to have a little sleepover at Grammy's house the night before Christmas Eve. 

So Daddy and I got to treat this little guy to a fruit whip and a date with just us.

Santa delivered this year.

He was generous.

Before Christmas, I went up to Ikea Canada, and got the kids a ton of stuff to make their rooms more cozy.. (not pictured).. and Samantha got one of her big gifts.. a new big girl desk for her room. So the kids got a lot of gifts right before the big day.. lucky them, huh?

They loved everything under the tree, and Samantha really got it this year. 

She kept saying she was going to sneak out of her bed and check for Santa.. hahah.. I remember thinking the same way when I was her age too.. I love all the magic Christmas brings.

Christmas Day, like last year.. we opened presents and then headed to Ohio.

The roads were empty and the ride was smooth sailing.

We spent our time enjoying wonderful food.. and amazing cookies...

I could go on and on about the cookies and food.. I even have tried some of my MIL's cooking and have  tons of her recipes.. but for some reason it just tastes better when she makes it.. and youre at her house.. its good for the soul...

The cousins were reunited.. and cute as ever.

We originally planned on leaving on Saturday, but the weather was so nice, and we didnt have anywhere to be back home, so we stayed an extra day. We drove out to Trader Joe's .. the whole gang.. Baka and Papa too.. 

The kids had fun and there was a huge active construction site with cranes and all sorts of busy action for them to watch.. bonus!

The weather was around 55 and sunny, I got in a LONG run and it felt great after all the indulging I personally did while there..

Andrew got a new fisher price IXL from my Mom for Christmas and he loooooved it all weekend.

Sunday came and the kids were excited to get home and see Carl.

We gathered in the kitchen one more time all together 

And indulged... again.. 

Buckwheat pancakes and sausage.. mmmmm

It was such a nice visit and a wonderful Christmas that Im so so thankful everyone was healthy for.

Until next year! Now its time to take down all the decorations and make way for the next holiday.. another fun favorite.. Valentines Day! 

Hope you all had a great holiday season

xoxo

Today I Was SuperMom

Today I felt like SuperMom

It may have been an every day thing for other Moms out there, and reading this is something they do all the time, and part of every day life...Well, Im gonna pat myself on the back for today.. not only did I do a lot.. but the kids cooperated and I don't think I yelled ONCE....

 

I try to keep things simple often times because I'm cautious about pushing Andrew to the limit, in fear of meltdowns, tantrums, screaming, overtired whines... you get it.. Its not pretty.. quite embarrassing to be honest.

But I try not to let these things stop me.. I try to get the kids out and do something EVERY day in the morning.

So today we were a little more adventuresome.

We took headed to the Children's Museum again.. this time just the three of us.

It was about a 1/2 hour drive.. 

 

He enjoyed the same favorite places as last time.. light switches, door knobs, door bells... 

 

The rice table.

We spent about 1.5 hours there, and then Andrew started getting a little tired.. and came up to me and said "car"... so I assumed that was our signal that he wanted to go.. I packed a lunch for Samantha and she ate lunch in the car on the way home, and thought it was the greatest thing ever...

I was speeding home (not really).. but trying to hurry, rolling windows down, listening to upbeat music.. trying to keep lil man awake.. since he has been known to power nap.. and then he has enough fuel to not take another snooze till bedtime (not cool)

 

We pulled in and I felt like I just finished a 5k. I kept him awake.. and he was still happy!

The garbage trucks pulled up 2 seconds after we got home, perfect.
I unloaded the car while these two we in heaven.

Andrew was soon sleeping, and took a 2.5 hour one.. yeay!

I started our dinner, did laundry, and even made a new yummy recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies.



Daddy was helping a friend, and so I took the kids to the airport to watch planes take off

Thursdays must be the busiest day around here..

We must have seen about 15 take offs and landings..



 

They were so cute, sliding down the hills and holding hands.

He just adores her. And she's starting to see that he's pretty cool himself.

Not all days will be like this..

But I definitely wanted to document this one..

It was such a great day.

If I were to try to repeat it tomorrow, it just would never happen.

Days like this God gives me, and reminds me that this time with them is so short, and sometimes as a Mom, especially one who stays home ... we need reminders like this, and its easy to take these days for granted... I love my babies!!

WILW

Decided to try and participate today.

Linking up with Jamie

Here's what Im Loving!

1. This Monogram Bib I ordered for Andrew

Samantha has SO many monogrammed, personalized and embroidered things..

He needs a little something for his collection

 

2. Re-Play Plates, Servewear, Cups etc.

I found them at Walmart and I love them!

Plus, as you can see, almost every product comes with a Yo Toddler coupon.. Bonus!

 

3. DIY Passion Tea Lemonade

I always get this drink when Im at Starbucks.

The Passion Tea box caught my eye when I was in there last week. And right on the back are directions on how to brew your own tea and make the drink!

You just brew the tea, and add lemonade and ice!

It was exactly the SAME!

I have an entire pitcher in my fridge right now.

So good!

 

4. My sweet babies.

Its been a rough couple weeks with a few issues in our house..

But at the end of the day I am so blessed and thankful for my sweet babies.

I love them so much!