My Littlest Cowboy

 Adorable jammies from Aunt Kate.

Fun Weekend

I'm back after a little blogging break.  I just can't find the time to blog during the week. 

We had a really nice weekend.  Friday we went over to play with the Szajda's for a while and then that evening I went for a wonderful massage that Mike got me for Valentine's day.  What a great way to end a very long, very hectic week!  I don't know if it was a candy hangover, or what, but my students were extremely spirited this past week.  Boy was I glad when it was over!

Saturday we drove to Bethlehem to visit MB, Aziz and their adorable twins.  We didn't stay too long, but long enough to catch up and thankfully we left before the boys broke anything!  Both boys stayed awake on the ride home and both took long afternoon naps once we got home.  Sweet.  My sister stopped over to show me her "rock" and talk about wedding plans.  She got engaged last Wednesday!!!  Eric asked my dad permission to marry Beth during Adam's birthday party.  We also found out during Adam's birthday party (last Saturday) that my cousin Kate is pregnant and due in August!!  So many exciting things going on in our family.  Saturday night while I cleaned up dinner, Mike took BOTH boys on a run.  Up until now, we had only taken Owen on runs, but Adam really wanted to go.  He was able to run the whole way around the block.  I think that could have been why both boys slept so well and didn't wake up until after 7:15am.

We had to start a positive sleeping behavior chart with Owen.  He's been getting up almost every night saying he had a bad dream and then he crawls into bed with us.  One night his dream was that an alligator was eating his blankie.  Another night his dream was about Scoobie Doo, and two nights ago it was about Transformers.  I know it sounds bad, but this working mama needs to sleep and I don't mind getting up if my kids are sick or have a bad dream every now and then, but it was starting to be every single night.  So on the nights that he doesn't wake us up, he gets a sticker.  Once he has 10 stickers he gets to pick out a toy at the store.

Today was a special day with Owen.  My mom and I took him out to lunch and then we went to see Joseph & the Amazing Tecnicolor Dreamcoat.

I saw the musical in highschool and loved it so much I went out and bought the tape.  Yes, I said tape.  Well, about a month ago, Owen came home from Sunday school telling me that he learned all about Joseph and his coat in class.

I broke out the tape and played it in my car for him and he loved the music.  Isn't it crazy that I am still driving the same car from highschool that has a tape deck and radio?  Pretty soon my car will be considered an antique.  I'm pretty sure they don't make tape decks anymore.   Anyway, a few weeks ago I saw that the musical Joseph was performing in Harrisburg so I got tickets.  It was definitely one of the best shows I've seen in a really long time.  I would see it ten more times and not get sick of it.  Too bad today was their last show.  Owen really liked it too.  He sat on my lap the entire time and fell asleep for a minute or two, but the music woke him up.  There were lots of kids in the musical which made him enjoy it even more.  I love that he's at the age where he is fun to take to plays.  I really hope one of my kids is into the arts, whether it be playing a musical instrument, theater, or something artsy.  I have a feeling it won't be Owen.  He appreciates it, but when I asked him if he'd like to be in a play someday, he was definitely sure that he wouldn't like it.

After our day of fun with Owen we went over to Papa and Finney's house for dinner.  The "big" boys play fuse ball while Adam played with Papa's trains.

Tomorrow we have off school.  I am looking forward to playing with the boys and hoping to finally see the light at the end of the laundry tunnel at some point tomorrow!!

My Birthday Boy

Dear Adam,

One week ago we celebrated your second birthday.  It's hard to believe you have been around for two whole years and yet we couldn't imagine our life without you.  You bring so much joy and laughter to our family.  Here's what you are up to at 2 years old:

-  You go to bed between 7:30-8 most nights, but if you're really fussy we put you to bed earlier.  You are not the best sleeper.  Many nights you wake up once and fuss a little bit before falling back to sleep.  You are an early riser, however lately you've been sleeping better at night and sleeping in in the morning until after 7am :)
-  You wear size 4 diapers, but I have a feeling you'll be in 5s very soon.
-  You wear size 2T clothes
-  You still get a bottle in the evening (don't judge:)... you ask for it, then position your pillows just right on the couch and turn on Sprout and drink your bottle while you watch TV.  If someone is in your spot you'll say "Excuse me".
-  You are super polite.  You say "Yes please", "No thank you", "Bless you", and "May I be excused". 
-  You have a cute little lisp :)
-  You love to read books and sing songs and rock before bed.
-  You hate when the sun gets in your eyes which means you really hate riding in the car when it is sunny out.
-  I'd be lying if I said you were an easy toddler.  You have definitely thrown your fair share of tantrums.  However, I am starting to see hints of maturity in your behavior.  I am able to reason with you more than I could a few months ago.  You understand what I mean when I say you can't have a piece of chocolate until you eat your broccoli and you are starting to obey without throwing a fit.  We've starting telling you that you are a big boy now that you're two and I really think it's helped with your behavior.  Don't get me wrong... we still have a long way to go.  When it is time to go to bed or change your diaper or you know you're in trouble, you pretend to sleep which usually results in a time out. I am hoping all the discipline, time outs, talks, and redirection will shape you into a nice, young, man one day.
-  You have no fear and love to climb and jump off anything.  You obviously didn't learn your lesson after you broke your leg.  This means we can't turn our backs to you for one minute. 
-  Your favorite foods are banana with peanut butter, spaghetti, grapes, yogurt, nuggets, pizza, ice cream... all healthy stuff :)  You absolutely LOVE soup (especially Subway's potato soup).
-  You are such a snuggler and will say to me, "I wanna snuggle". 
-  You love your brother and do whatever he does.  You give him lots of hugs.  The two of you have really started playing together, but the sibling arguing has also started.
-  You are daddy's outside buddy.  You LOVE to be outside no matter the temperature. 

-  You are strong-willed, determined, lovable, sweet, funny, and 100% boy!!

Happy Birthday Adam!
Love,
Mommy

Choo Choo I'm Two!

Today is Adam's second birthday.  We had a Choo Choo party for him Saturday night at our house. 

While we were getting ready for his party, Adam opened his birthday gifts from us.  We never even got to see him open them.  He's such a stinker!

About 30 of our family members came over to celebrate our little guy's big day.  Many people drove a few hours to be here and we are so appreciative of that!  A special thank you to Finney for making all the food.  What a huge help! 

I had some mommy guilt leading up to his party because when Owen turned 2 we had a "friend" birthday party at Paramount gymnastics for him.  Maybe it's the second child syndrome, but Adam didn't seem ready for a friend party.  I think having a party here for him ended up being the perfect thing for Adam.  He had a blast! 

 

Brain Freeze

 

 

 I want to do an update on what Adam's been up to lately, but I am feeling a bit under the weather.  It started last night in the middle of the night and then this morning Mike and I gave blood at church and I've felt awful ever since.  I'm starting to feel a little better and I hope by morning I am 100%.  So Adam's two year update will have to wait.  As you can tell, he had a great weekend and is definitely one loved little boy!!

Weekend Recap

We had another nice, uneventful weekend.  Friday after work we raced the cars in the alley behind my house.  At one point, my dad and Aunt Judy were laying on the ground while Mike jumped his truck over them.  Total red-neck Friday night :) After that, we had breakfast for dinner- a real treat for our pancake loving boys!  After the boys went to bed I enjoyed a rare, but much needed, bubble bath and read almost my entire Martha Stewart Living magazine, another rare event. 

 

Saturday morning, Owen challenged Below (who was here visiting Maddie) to a 4 lap race around the high school track. 

Mike got permission and a key to the track.  Owen ran a mile around the track without stopping in 10 min. 17 seconds. 

He'll often run sideways because he pretends he is Lightning McQueen racing on a dirt track.

We were very proud and I was very much looking forward to him napping after all that running, but no such luck! 

This morning Owen and I went to church and Sunday school.  Once we got home and ate lunch we ran a few errands and went into my school so I could get some things done.  I told him as long as he has good behavior he can come into school with me on Sundays instead of napping.  He usually doesn't nap anyway, but if he does, he ends up being awake until after 10pm.  Not fun on a Sunday night when I want to go to bed early.  He loves playing in my classroom and entertains himself really well while I get things done.

On our way home from school we stopped to see Ollie (my grandmother) at the nursing home.  She was awake and she was so calm and looked at me the entire time I talked to her.  Usually, she is sleeping when we visit or her eyes are only open for a few minutes.  I could tell she wanted to talk to me, but just couldn't.  It was definitely one of the best visits I've had with her since she's been in the home.  Alzheimer's is awful.  Just awful.

Tonight we went over to Papa and Finney's for some super-bowl food and watched a little of the game there before coming home.  I just watched Madonna rock out during the half-time show.  Definitely one of the best half-time shows I've ever seen!!!

The Prayer

The boys learned this prayer at daycare. They say it before breakfast and lunch and at home before dinner. So precious!  I've been meaning to get it on video.  It's definitely one we'll enjoy looking back on some day :)

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Our Weekend

Lots of playing outside

 Bologna Fest fun

 

Owen asks to go on a run almost every day.  We thought it would be fun to take him to the highschool track to run, but it was locked, so we had to run around the middle school track.  He ran four laps without stopping.  He and daddy were racing.  Owen was Francesco Bertolli and daddy was Max Schnell (from Cars).  Owen even makes an engine revving noise when he starts his race.

The  finishline

Mike and I enjoyed another date night with friends.  I could get used to this!  The boys had a fun sleepover at Papa and Finney's house.

Lala now owns her very own hot pink remote controlled car. 

Another great weekend! 

happy new year & some other things

Our school district is hosting a Chinese teacher for the year and she is going into each classroom to teach the kids about Chinese culture and how to speak a little Chinese.  This past Monday was Miss Yi's last day in my class and it was a very special day because it was Chinese New Year.  She taught us all about the holiday and all the special traditions that take place on this day.  Since Mike was working late and I will pretty much use ANY excuse NOT to have to cook dinner, I decided we would celebrate Chinese New Year at our house that evening.  I picked up Chinese food on my way home from work before getting the boys at daycare.

I was able to get Owen to try a little bite of Chinese food, but he was not a fan and Adam didn't even want to try it.  Both boys did enjoy eating with chopsticks though!

I've tried multiple times to eat with them, but I just can't do it.  Owen, on the other hand, was a pro!

He loved it and now asks to eat everything with chopsticks.  ha!

He had an orange with dinner because that symbolizes wealth and luck in China.  Then, we opened our fortune cookies.

I read the boys their fortune, but they had no clue what it meant.  I should have made something up that really got them thinking.  Next year, I'll be sure to play some Chinese music on Pandora.  That would have definitely added to our celebration.  All in all, it was a fun night and Owen learned a little bit about China and I didn't have to make dinner. 

Owen is really missing his friend, Ella.  Since we said our good-byes on Sunday, he's talked about her at least 35 times, looked at her picture on the blog every night, and made her a card every single day.

This is a picture of Owen and Ella playing soccer and baseball outside.  Ella has a baseball glove.  The house above them is the house we stayed at at the lake and all of us inside.  The person at the top is Santa Claus.  Just in case you were wondering.

The inside of the card.

I sent the first one, but "forgot" to send the one from Tuesday.  He asked me if I sent it and I said I forgot so he made her another one tonight.

Owen told us he used red because it's her favorite color.

We really only know her parents because they are friends of friends so I'm reluctant to send their daughter a card from Owen everyday... they'd think he's is a little crazy.  Truth is... he has a HUGE heart.  The only problem with having such a big, caring heart is it is bound to be broken into pieces one day.  He's too young to have any feelings for her, but in his mind she was just a really good friend that he loved to play with and he knows she doesn't live close by and probably won't see her much at all which probably makes him miss her even more.  I'm thinking his mild obsession will pass as time goes by? 

Both boys were home sick today.  They are fine, but we weren't sure how they'd be as the day progressed so Mike stayed home with them.  Adam has a horrible cough and Owen woke up with a  sore throat.  This morning, before I left for work, I walked downstairs to find that Adam had created a very cool bridge from the train table to the "coffee" table.  I was impressed!  He did it all by himself too.

And lastly, if you're in the mood for a yummy and relatively healthy soup, try this Chicken & Rice Soup.  I got it from another blogger who got it from Rachael Ray.  Adam, my soup lover, really enjoyed it.

Happy Hump Day!  We're gearing up for a fun filled weekend at the Bologna Fest!