Building Towers

If you don't own some magna tiles or playmags (we have both) well you should. They are an investment but we play with ours almost daily.

Building towers, fences, cars, tracks, etc.

This boy loves loves them!

100th day

I can hardly believe its been 100 days of school already. I remember other mom's telling me time goes so fast but thinking sometimes it seems like it is standing still. Well our days with Shadd gone have gone by way too fast. I still crave the days he is home early or doesn't have school. It totally throws off our normal but it is so great to have all my birdies home in my nest. Someday I will crave those few days my mom gets with all her birdies in her next.

Until then I will savor the craziness and chaos that seems to abound because all to soon it will end.

In honor of celebrating he took 100 pennies (with some coaching - he wanted to take 100 quarters) and got to have a 100 snacks throughout the day (small things but still fun).

He still loves school but loves when we surprise and pick him up. Plus he gets home sooner which is a win win. However the craziness of packing us all up to get him isn't always worth it.

New Years

We were able to celebrate New Years with some of our best friends. It was interesting as we have two infants and the extra three.  We played games, laughed and made it till midnight (thanks to the babies)  And most importantly we got to love on mr. k.

80s Rock

Her mom was raised in the 80s. Love me a side pony! You rock it Ells

My Birthday

Got to spend my birthday with some of my favorite people. My little people made me beautiful cards and got me some new boots and a curling wand.

Not sure if I completely have it but getting better with practice and a few you tube videos. Boy do I feel old. Nothing like a real mom trying to look cool or at least somewhat put together. I owe credit to my sis. She keeps me young and trying new things. In fact I'm gonna sport a a head wrap later today.
I mean why not.

I also got to venture to check out the new IKEA in KC with my sis, mom, and sis in law. We had a fun day shopping and hanging out in the car.

Z - 5 months

Wow...This guy is 5 months old already..So hard to believe. He is just so big already. So many new tricks. 

He is sitting up. Crawling (mostly backwards but some forwards - lets just say he gets around), rocking up on all fours (started this at Christmas). He is busy busy but really fun. Mostly smiles but sometimes a bit grouchy if his teeth (which I assume he's working on some) or he is stuffy or sleepy.

He still loves to spend time in my arms just hanging in and around my neck. You may notice scratches as even with clipped nails he is quite the grabber and has a really strong grip.

He loves the exersaucer too.  Big grins and his brothers and sis can really make him laugh.

He has his own opinions and ever since that four month mark sleep at night has been scarce but hopefully the teeth will pop through and we will be golden. He has been falling asleep to nap on his own a bit so thats at least a step in the right direction.

He is a great baby - loves to move and keep up with all the action, which can be a lot around here. Still just can't believe how fast my baby is growing up. Trying to love and snuggle him while I still can.

Enjoying our new toys

We have been loving all our new toys. 

So thankful for new games and things to do in the cold winter months. 

We love playing Just Dance or Mario Kart on the Wii (finally broke that thing out of the box after the move - nothing like 2 years of dust)

I get to relive my childhood with some of Ells new toys. Like this guy. Wow is she a great colorer.

And our new favorite game - like even D and I play late at night.  Blokus.
If you don't have it. You need it.

And who would guess but this guy is super good at it! He has serious smarts.

We have a ton of other new stuff that we are enjoying too. Just these are a few of our favorites.

Christmas (just us)

This year we got to spend Christmas eve - well most of it, just us. Then Christmas morning and then later Christmas day we hosted a get together with D's extended family.

Christmas Eve we opened the presents from us. We watched movies, played games, and baked Santa some cookies.

Ells helped me set the table and we enjoyed a candlelight dinner of homemade pizza

baking chocolate chip m&m cookies for Santa

We opened presents a few times - drawing out the magic of the week (note the various jammies).  D's idea and it was fun. Next time it would be better if they all just opened the same one. Some a more fun than others. 

   

ells and her matching doll jammies

sage sporting his new underwear - started stripping down right away 

shadds new lego tray - thanks to dad

new duds

the boys

then santa came....

 Just look at them waiting. Love this.

oh the early morning look of Christmas

Santa ate his snacks and left a note

And they were pumped about their gifts. Well most of them.  Ells was a bit disappointed in her dollhouse. its for Barbies which she has a ton but I guess she specifically wanted the Elsa Castle (like $120). Well she was disappointed. Like starring at the house with disbelief. (oh how it hurt my heart)

I took the blame and told her that Santa had called me to check on what she would prefer and I said the dollhouse. So while Santa is out of the doghouse,  I am to check with her next time before I tell Santa one way or the other. Not to self - listen to your kiddos harder I guess or be prepared for disappointment. 

He is an official Broncos fan - loves Peyton Manning yet still a Jets fan

He got a new turtle backpack

z trying out his new toy - a bit big though

Ells got an Anna and Elsa outfit for her dolls