A Big Month

February has been a big month for us! The trip to Puerto Rico, the boys' first trips to the dentist...

I took them each one at a time, and was really dreading each time. I had no idea how they would react. Gage's was the first trip, and wasn't I surprised when my "big little boy" ("I'm not a big boy Mama, I'm a little boy") was right at home in the dentist chair!

He knew just what to do with the air-sucking thing, and he even smiled and giggled! I was SO proud of him! The awesome pediatric staff was wonderful and helped a lot I am sure.

Eli's trip was on Valentine's Day and he amazed me too! I did have to hold him so I didn't get any pictures, but there was no screaming, no tears, and lots of cooperation. He did clamp his lips shut a few times (which didn't surprise me at all) but overall he was a trooper!

While we were there the dentist talked to him about his beloved paci. She told him that "paci's are for babies, and you're not a baby anymore...", which actually caused a lump to form in my throat as I pondered that fact. But it was a very good talk, and perfect timing then to tell him later that "The dr. said no more paci..."

So away it went as soon as we got home. And 10 days later it is still gone. (We were down to just 1 after all the others had disappeared and I refused to buy more. Where do they all disappear to anyway??)

We have been paying for it these last 10 days honestly, even though he has hardly said a word about it. He has had a terrible time getting to sleep; it reminds us of the old days of letting him cry himself to sleep as a baby to teach self-soothing. It dawned on me that that is exactly what he needs to do, learn to self-soothe again without paci. And it breaks my heart for him! But it is slowly getting better and I know he will be completely over it soon.

It is definitely a relief to now know the answer to: How are we going to get rid of that paci??!!

Puerto Rico!

Taking a business trip to Puerto Rico hardly seems like "work"... at least for me, the lucky wife who got to tag along! When Craig told me about his upcoming meetings in San Juan, I jumped at the chance to go along! Thanks to my mom, and Grandma and Grandpa E, it was possible! My mom stayed with the boys for the first 2 1/2 days, then Craig's parents took over the last 3 days. This was my first trip away from the boys that I truly relaxed and didn't worry about them. It helped that they are 2 and 3 now, I think. And the gorgeous views didn't hurt either.


We arrived a few days before Craig's meetings. One of those days we took a tour of the coast and rain forest.
Along the way we stopped at a local artist's gallery, and then a little hut across the road where a local woman was selling her goods.

I love the bright colors!

One day while lazing by the beach, I looked over and saw this:

How startling! After that we saw iguanas and lizards of various sizes everywhere! (Thankfully none in our hotel room...)

On our last day in San Juan, Craig had the morning off from work stuff and together we toured a nearby historical fort.

My honey and me. My favorite co-adventurer. I am spoiled.

Winter Picnic

I think we can all agree that this has been an amazing winter! I mean, to be able to have a picnic on February 1?!Incredible! I couldn't even get a very good picture because the sun was so bright!

They really would much rather prefer the snow though - crazy kids!

For the Love of Curious George!

We could not let a birthday (two birthdays!) go by without a PARTY! Of course, Curious George it had to be!

I figured it would be a good time to have it when all of Craig's family was here, including all the cousins, over the holidays.

Checking out the decorations.I found a clever idea on Pinterest to make a yellow cup and plate look like a yellow hat!

I had the kids rotate through four different Curious George activities:
Making pictures with monkey stickers.Gluing together monkey faces.Doing some matching activities.And this one cracks me up...I put Uncle Kevin in charge of reading Curious George books. Looks like he had a captive audience!

We turned the kitchen into Chef Pisghetti's Restaurant.The kids made their own pizzas!No big cake this year, just monkey cupcakes.
And presents!
It was a lot of fun! Big thanks to everyone, especially Aunt Erin, Grandma, and Daddy, for all their help! :)

Birthday Time!

We celebrated two birthdays this holiday season!

Eli turned TWO on December 16th!
Chocolate chip pancakes for supper!

Gage enjoyed helping Eli open his presents!

Cake! (Daddy was in charge of the candles...He made a number "2" plus some...)
Gage turned THREE on January 4th!
Enjoying some new trucks. Eli of course thought they were his...Gage was a good sport too!
Pancakes for breakfast, mini pizzas for lunch, and mac & cheese for supper...and cake for dessert!
I am a big one on birthdays! Something I so gratefully learned from my mom, who made our birthdays very special growing up.

As much as I'd like to spoil them with lots of gifts, we go pretty simple on the birthday gifts, but BIG on the LOVE! We decorate the kitchen, make special meals, do fun things together. It is my JOY and DELIGHT to shower my boys with lots of LOVE on their birthdays!

Inwardly, I celebrate them as my "birth days" too. January 4, 2009 and December 16, 2009 will always be two of the best days of my life!

It's Christmastime!

Oh how I love this season! The white lights and Christmas music playing everywhere....And I love the opportunities to share the Christmas story with my boys again and again!

This year we bought a Fisher Price nativity set. Wow, was that ever a wonderful purchase! I found a book at our church library called "My First Story of Christmas" by Tim Dowley. It is perfect! They can act out the story using the nativity set while we read it. I also checked out a movie called "The Very First Noel" which I also love, and which the boys act out also! It is a joy to watch.
When I started unpacking our Christmas decorations this year, I found something that brought tears to my eyes...Our Christmas Binder! I just started this tradition last year, and I was so happy that I did that I actually teared up!

It includes photos of Christmas Day 2010, our Christmas card and letter, addresses of friends and family for sending cards, favorite Christmas recipes, and photos of some crafts that I have done or would like to do for gifts. I love having traditions, and although this is just a small one, as the years pass I know it will be very meaningful.

Some favorite Christmastime pics so far:

Helping decorate the tree...

Fun times at lunch after church:

Fall Fun

Hello! I'm back! :) I have been so busy with my new obsession, I have neglected my blog.

My new obsession is... drum roll please... searching for preschool activities to do with the boys! I am putting together a binder to keep us busy through the upcoming winter months. Truly, I.Am.Obsessed!! One great blog leads you to another and another and another! I feel so blessed to have such great, FREE, resources right at my fingertips. (I think Craig misses my obsession with hunting for recipes...)

These are a few things we have done so far:

Searching for numbers in the rice, then hammering them in place - so fun!
Mixing paint colors!
A paper plate pumpkin! I just love this...had a hard time taking it down!

Bath paint! Before it got messy...
Sensory Table Fun!Craig built this table himself...pretty awesome!

Making leaf people! Examining the finished product!

Having FUN!