While the biggest brother's away...the little brothers play.

Sometimes around here it does feel like three's a crowd. The two "big boys" play, play, play and Nathan often gets left in the dust. BUT when Jake is at preschool, we have a change in the guards.Josh becomes the BIG brother and Nathan gets to play!I love how Nathan is watching Josh's every move. He's got to take it all in so he'll know how to be cool like the big brothers. And no, Nathan isn't standing or walking (or REAL crawling). He's just kind of leaning and hanging on for dear life.

Our little animal

So I've been a little video crazed lately but there are certain things that words can't explain. This is yet another one of those things! Really now, would you rather have me say, "Nathan is learning his animal noises," or would you rather have this?

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It blows my mind that he has grown so quickly and I love seeing his personality shine on through. The babe may struggle to crawl, but you have to admit he does an awesome snake! Man, I love that boy.

My helper boy

Josh was my flag-hanging helper for President's Day. He held the flag so it wouldn't touch the ground while I got positioned on the ladder. I was standing on my tiptoes, wobbling on the ladder, trying to get the flag pole in the holder, and I told Josh, "Joshua, it's your job to catch me if I fall." He looked up at me wide eyed and said in his little voice, “Mom, are you just kidding?” Oh the fear that must have been going through his mind. We both had a good laugh when I told him I was joking. Man, I love that boy.

Pledge!

Jacob shared this with us for President's Day. Try to ignore the flag waver, fussy baby, and runny nose. (And pause the music!)

I enjoy the “You may be seated” at the end. Jake says he knows that’s not part of the pledge but he just likes to say it because that's how they do it at school. Man, I love that boy.

He Crawls...?

Nathan can crawl at long last. Well, I consider it crawling but Willie insists it's not. What do you think? (Pause the music if you want to hear his baby noises/complaining.)

crawl- 1: to move slowly in a prone position without or as if without the use of limbs (Definition courtesy of Merriam-Webster)

EYE Love You!

What could possibly get a reaction like this from the boys?

Take a look for yourself:


We ALL (well, not quite everyone as you'll soon see) thoroughly enjoyed the gummy eyeballs my sister gave us for Valentine's day. I'm not quite sure how eyeball candy made it as a Valentine’s Day gift...I think it said something like "I've got my eye on you, Valentine!" so it’s legit.

Here are Jacob and Joshua with their funny eyes. It makes me smile to see how this kind of stuff is right down their alley. True boys through and through.

This is my Large Marge impersonation. (Please tell me you remember her from a Pee Wee Herman movie. She’s a big rig trucker that gives Pee Wee a ride and her eyes pop out of her head. My brother and I would rewind that part over and over again…)
Nathan wasn’t so sure about the whole thing. I think it kind of scared him. I can’t imagine why.
We are thankful for eyeballs that fit properly in their sockets.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all! Nathan is enjoying his first Valentine's Day...I think he's really feeling the LOVE.Brotherly love is a wonderful thing. When I told Jake that Willie was MY valentine he announced to the family, "Well, ALL of you are my valentine!" (Poor Jake didn't get a matching Valentine's Day shirt...he's too BIG now.)We kick started the day with a sugar high, courtesy of valentine donuts. Ummmm...Josh looks more like he's attacking his donut than eating it! (Notice how he eats the top/sprinkles off first.)Even Nene got a sweet treat. Happy Valentine's Day! TO BE CONTINUED...

Sunshine Memories

Just a couple days ago sunlight and warmth was a plenty, so we headed out to the park to soak it all up. Good thing too...it snowed today. (I so don't get it!)

Nathan got to swing for the first time and his big brothers enjoyed pushing him.Jake pushed him harder than Josh and it gave his tummy a little tickle!Nothing pleases me more than when they are all having fun and enjoying one another. Best buddies for-e-ver.I love sunshine and happy boys!

We Have a WINNER!

The golden ticket has been found! The golden ticket has been found!

The golden ticket has been found by (drum roll please)....Jill! You'll want to be sure to see her with golden ticket in hand, so click here!

Congrats, Jill...I'll have your Wonka winnings to you soon! (You know I don't really own a chocolate factory, right?)

Our New Game

We've been going strong with our new "game" (some people might call this a chore chart...but it's not) for two weeks now. I'm not sure how long the fun of this will last. (But I'm keeping my fingers crossed!)

The goal of this game is to get everything from the "do" side over to the "done" side. It's a blast! (And amazing what my boys are able to do.)

F.Y.I.

The Wonka bars are out! They've all been shipped! Have you checked your mail? Have you seen any gold? Are you singing and dancing with Grandpa Joe this very moment? Who is the lucky winner?!

A.K.A.

I've been tagged and I actually did it this time. Sure you know my name...but do you know my aliases?

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Ooboo Sienna (that's rocker to the bone!)

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Oreo Chocolate Chip (real tough!)

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
N-Kah

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Elephant

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Nelson Las Vegas (I think I'd be killed off in the first season with a name like that)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Kahna (I prefer to be called Princess Leia)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Blue Water

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
Lawrence Grant

9.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names)
Louise Raymond

10. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Carlisle Cleveland

11. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Autumn Rose

12. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Strawberry Sweatery

13. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Apple Jacks Maple

14. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)
The Typing Sunshine Tour (Is typing a hobby?)

I tag anyone who wants to do it!

COOLEST Library...ever

Play group today was at the library and let me just say...the library in our area is without a doubt the coolest library ever. Here's why:

1. A pretty building. It's kind of shaped like a pyramid with lots of windows and a nice view of snowy mountains (in the winter). It's aesthetically pleasing, which is important for a truly great library.


2. A nice children's area. Little chairs and tables, a good assortment of activities, stadium seating benches for my boys to jump off of, small doors to slam loudly and pinch other children's fingers in, and it's kind of in the corner so you can't hear all the screaming.


3. A good selection of books. Today the boys selected books about Peter Pan and drawing. I know you're probably thinking that every library has books...but wait, there's more.


4. A Star Wars display. Yes, this was the first thing my boys spotted as we walked in, but it made waiting for our new library cards quite pleasurable.And when we ran into our good friends (with four little boys) they all crowded around and talked and gawked at the Star Wars. Yes, every good library has Star Wars, and as if this wasn't enough...


5. A fireplace. This is something you won't find in warm-weathered places. A big, cozy, double-sided fireplace. And guess what we find on the other side of the fireplace?


6. A snack bar. "Get out of town!" I said to myself the first time I saw this, and then I knew that this library was particularly special and would forever hold a place in my heart.
And yes, I could stop there and you would be extremely impressed with my library, but I must go on...


(I didn't get a real-life picture, so pretend with me here...the lady is passing a book.)
7. A DRIVE-THRU!!! Let me say it again...a drive-thru! I can go online, hold the books (or movies, or magazines) I want, get a call that they're ready, and drive on over and pick them up...without getting out of my car. No need to unbuckle the troops and drag everyone in if in need of a quick pick-up. Is that not totally AWESOME?!


Now if only I could convince them to have my books AND my treats ready for me at the drive thru...

In the BAG

Check out this ADORABLE bag I got for my birthday yesterday! When I opened the package and pulled it out, the back was showing and I thought it was such a cute bag. Then I turned it over and saw the bow and my name...I screamed with glee! Kahea, where on earth did you find such a thing? Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

28 is Going to be GREAT!

We celebrated my 28th birthday here at home with our little family. Willie always does a nice job of making sure my day is special and he didn't fail this year! We woke up to streamers and decorations, which just about sent the boys over the top with excitment. It was great to see how thrilled they were for MY birthday.Willie picked up some pizzas on his way home from work and we all enjoyed our fine dining, especially me since there was no work done on my part! I didn't even wash these messy faces...
Everyone was eager to help with opening the presents. (Yes, even Nathan got in on the action!)Joshua gave me a much-needed mouse pad that doubles as a notepad. WAY cool!Jacob gave me bubble bath!Nathan gave me markers for my new white board calendars from Willie. A house of order is my goal for this year...taking babysteps with some calendars here.I loved all of my presents but I think this is my favorite gift.I know I've only been at this for a few days now but I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that 28 is going to be great!

"Peter Pan"

(Promise me you're reading this with a snobby British accent) I took my two eldest boys to the theatre for a matinee of “Peter Pan” one lovely Saturday afternoon. All spit-spot and ready for our outing!I am bound and determined to get a bit of culture into these rowdy boys, so my friend Jenny and I decided a musical downtown was a must! (We used our Christmas money and bought the tickets online while talking to each other so we'd be sure to get seats together!) They watched wide-eyed as Peter (played by a girl…but they didn’t seem to notice/mind) flew across the stage.When intermission time rolled around...the boys tried flying in the aisles.If only Tinkerbelle had given them a bit of pixie dust!
The boys watched the pirates in awe and saved Tinkerbelle with their clapping. And Peter Pan even taught them how to crow!It was a fun play for the boys and they seemed to take it in with a sense of wonder.And when it was all said and done, Jacob loudly announced that he liked the movie better.