C is for Chocolate

Our summer preschool has been casual, but I think the boys can appreciate that!  Several weeks ago we were focusing on the letter 'C' with a weekly theme of cats.  I think the boys would agree that their favorite part of that weeks was the chocolate pudding finger painting.  I recently read that one good way to practice writing letters out is to have them use their fingers... in sand, rice, finger paint, etc.  It requires less motor skills, yet teaches them the proper way to write the letter.  So that is what we did... What could be more fun than playing with chocolate?

Kyle has a good taste in his mouth for preschool!

How does your garden grow?!

Mine has grown vertical this year...

Our sunflowers are 10-12 ft, here is our 3 ft child in awe of them.

The sunflowers look so happy basking in the sun (or the tiny moon).

They also brighten up the rare cloudy day...

This was the garden a few weeks ago... Those big boys grow fast!

It has been a fruitful garden this year, I can't wait to taste the corn :).

Smile to make your week!

I know it has been awhile since I blogged, I have been in some sort of first trimester hibernation.  Every chance of 'quiet time' has been spent catching some zzz's as the little one in my belly grows faster than he/she ever will in their life!  I am now 12.5 weeks prego and hope that the early prego blahs pass soon.  In the meantime I will leave you with some smile smirks made by little J... He cracks us all up at the dinner table :)!  I have a lot more to post from the past month, I just need to find the time to do so- so good night until the kids wake up from their naps!

Yee Haw!

The horse ranch that we have so much fun at with the kids had a fundraiser dinner with a 'Chuckwagon Chic' theme...

Ready for our date and yes, Mike only wore the bandanna for the picture, not the dinner!

I have to show you the full length view, so you can see the great red boots that my friend let me borrow.

It was held at a local BBQ resturant, lots of cowboys and cowgirls there!

They offered free horse and carriage rides... For some reason it reminded me of the Amish driving around the Indiana country roads, it was very cozy though!

The centerpieces were very appropriate for the theme!

E & R, one couple from our triple date!

C & M- they are a new couple, but we all go way back to freshman year in High School... Lots of memories!

They had live music... country,bluegrassy flare.

Us girls at the end of the fun evening... We were all happy to have each won something in the silent auction!  I won piano lessons!

We have a due date!!!

During this past crazy busy week, I also had a couple of doctor appointments that included an ultrasound that predicted the due date to be on Feb 18, 2011 (my wonderful sister-in-laws birthday!).  That would put me at 91/2 weeks pregnant :).  Big sigh of relief when the ultrasound tech saw only one baby in there!

By the way, I have no idea how to tell what is what in the picture above... I have never understood the ultrasound pictures they give us!

Our 1 year old...

On the move at all times and carefully watching big brothers to figure out how to play with things...  He is a watcher and a doer!  Lately he takes claim to this car when no one else is playing with it and shows us how he can drive. 

Quick I got to hurry before someone else tries to get it!

Sit down and close the door...

Oops, I have to remember to turn around before I sit!

He is such a big boy, measuring in at the 90th percentile for length (although he was only in the 25th percentile for weight?!). 

He is still such a happy bundle of joy!

After seeing those pictures from earlier in the week (go ahead, scroll back up to look at them again!), I gave him his first haircut!

He's got a lot more hair than the other 2 at a year... They were nearly bald!

He is ready for the next big thing!

Our little friend is back for the summer...

There must be something about our yard that attracts toads... They are fat, come out at dusk and eat the bugs swarming around the grass.  I guess this is a good thing?!  Well, the boys are learning about them and love watching him find bugs and catch them with his tongue so I guess that in itself is a good thing :). 

Cake Pops

I have been eyeing these new creations called 'Cake Pops' for awhile and I finally had an occasion to try them.  We served these at Jacob's party instead of cake, but they were quite appropriate for his 'ball themed' party and I think the kids enjoyed something a little different.  More info, including recipes and directions for making them can be found on Bakerella's blog (by the way, she has tons of fun baking techniques and recipes!). 

Not a lollipop, not a cake... A cake pop!

Inside is crumbled homemade chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting mixed together... they are rolled into balls, poked with a stick, frozen and then dipped with chocolate and decorated.

Each one comes out looking a little different

We were having a big party and needed enough for everyone! 

The Cake Display!

Yum!

They don't get this kind of treat very often, so they savored them!

Jacob's Birthday Party

It is hard to believe that little J's birthday has come and went already!  We had a play date style birthday last week to celebrate... Lots of food, more cake, pleasant conversations, bounce house fun and toys & kids everywhere!

The theme was 'balls' since that is his favorite right now... the kiwis and strawberries are ball decorations for Jakey's smash cake.

Lots of experienced kids to show him how to eat his cake, but I think he remembered from the day before!

He goes in for the good stuff...

... But gets a little overwhelmed with everyone watching him.

Some of the older kids recharging on the couch... These 4 have unlimited energy!

Party goers enjoying the weather

and more happy faces!