Happy Monday

5:30 am rise and shine.  First day back at school.  Bronwyn covers me with kisses.  Jack is excited to go back to school and picks out his clothes.  If only time froze right there.

5:35 am chaos.  Jack hugs Dad (who was away all weekend) and somehow pinches a nerve or something during the hug fest. Scene ends with Jack on the floor reeling in pain.

Cut to Bronwyn. Despite the fact it is 30 degrees outside she wants to wear her summer Belle princess dress. I offer a grand solution... to wear it over her winter clothes. She will have none of that. Many tears and she ends up in olive leggings, grey henley, red-orange cardigan and a BIG GIANT PINK TUTU.

6:00 am breakfast. Jack now loaded with Advil and pressing a compress to his neck.  I make the callosal mistake of serving Jack, my slow eater, first. Bronwyn dissolves into a fit of fury. I decipher a "I want the blue plate" through the screams. So her breakfast is served on a blue plate. "NOT THAT ONE!". She cries...she wants Jack's...same plate colour and style...the exact same food. Yet the tears are at a rate of an ounce a second!  With Jack's permission I switch plates.  She then notices Jack dipped into his butter already.  More. Fits. Of. Fury.  Plates quickly switched back and tears start to subside. Gary gives me the, "you will spoil her rotten if you keep giving her, her way" look and exits stage garage.

I bundle Jack up (not to dote but to maximize time.)  I put his shoes and coat on while he continues to chew his waffle slower than any other human has ever chewed a waffle before. Then I slip his backpack on forgetting about his "broken" neck. A lot more tears and a few accusations about it being on purpose (where's the logic in that, Mr. smarty pants.)

Bronwyn on the other hand...as the left hand is holding her waffle and sausage link...does not want to wear a coat. Even the coat we call a dress because it looks just like a dress.  Plan B.  She gets a scarf, hat (too big for her head) and a chenille blanket wrapped around her. 

We walk the .25 miles to the bus stop as every other parent passes me in a car, coffee in hand and children nestled in backseat watching their automobile's entertainment system for the .25 miles to the bus stop.  Why am I so dumb?

Once there my children transform into polite, happy and engaging children. The life of the party.  Mr. Matt comments..."boy I wish I could have a little of what your kids have in my house each morning." Oh, you can Mr. Matt. You certainly can.

After several comments about Bronwyn's lack of coat despite the blanket (in the wagon), two cardigans, scarf and hat...I hang my head in shame, put my son on the bus, hold my daughter's hand and steer the wagon (which she insisted on riding there but refuses to ride home.)  Once we get home I spot the waffle and sausage still in her left hand...just a bit soggy and crumbly. I debate for a nano second putting it back on the plate for her but wisely choose to make her a fresh breakfast instead.

And that is the story of Monday morning here...

Jack Tackles Mercy Watson Who Tackles Crime

Jack got a new book for Christmas with help from Santa and his Cousin Jennifer--Mercy Watson Tackles Crime.  Here he is reading it.  Bonus, Bronwyn "reads" her book at the end.  Jack's reading is starting to really soar.  I have noticed he is reading everything lately...with pride!  Today he asked me about a picture at the doctor's office.  I answered and he corrected me saying, "look, it says it right here."  Of course if he could read the caption one might wonder why he asked me in the first place...ha!  But it is good to be needed (even if not useful!)

Jack Reading (6.1 years)

Happy New Year

We took the kids out for dinner and movie on New Year's Eve.  Family Date night!  And then had the bright idea to let them stay up and usher in the new year.  I had the bright idea to record the kids sharing their highlights of 2012...let's say the idea was better in conception than execution...either way enjoy the highlights of their highlights.

And on a sadder note, the new year brought our family some sad news of Jack and Bronwyn's older cousin, Jarrodd's passing.  He will be cherished, yet not forgotten by so many.  A very talented boy...he would have been able to compose a beautiful score to accompany Bronwyn's song (not to mention added a bit of intelligence to the lyrics.)  God bless you Jarrodd.

A Budding Artist

Here is an art project completed in school by Jack.

And here is an art project completed by Jack on his new handy, dandy art projector--a Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

Guess which one I like better...

P.S.  What did Dad do to upset him so much?  Excused him from the table without desert due to poor manners (and by poor manners we mean incessant whining during dinner...I know...horrible parents we certainly are...HA!)

Merry Christmas

The boxes have been broken down.  The paper tossed.  Batteries loaded and new toys broken in.  Yes.  It is official, Christmas came.  What a wonderful time of the year (so the song says...) What is it about a string of twinkling lights that fills you with wonder?  With all the craziness that can and has taken place in this world, Christmas time always manages to bring joy, hope and a feeling of peace to me--this year without fail.  That is the miracle of this holiday.  I am sure a lot has to do with the Christmas cheer--the cookies, elves, trees, lights, carols, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha (limited edition) and don't forget the Lifetime Movies (I can't help but to watch them...the shame!)  But the real magic comes from doing all those things with the ones you love the most.  I am very grateful to be surrounded by the most beautiful children, husband and family.  Merry Christmas to you all.  God bless you Jack and Bronwyn.

Oh and Santa rocked it this year!



I saw Bronnie kissing Jackie Clause...

Bronwyn wasted no time.  She made a b-line for her new crib.

She unwrapped every one of her presents on her own...and then took them to Pop Pop saying, "get it out for me, Pop Pop!"  So he did :)

Her favorite gift appears to be this stroller from the North Pole.

But this Princess loved her Princesses too!

Spy boy. 
His sister gave him a spy alarm to go with these spy goggles. 
He is using this high tech gear to sister-proof his room...ha!

All I want for Christmas...
Jack got wonderful gifts from everybody and was excited about each one.  But 3/4 of the way through I heard him mutter "I sure do hope I get what I asked for..." as not a single Lego had been unwrapped.  Once it was...pure joy was seen all over this Lego loving elf's face!

Jack surrounded by the evidence that he indeed was a good boy this year.  And this is before he unwrapped his big gift from Santa...a Lego Cargo Train! 

Merry Christmas Jack and Bronwyn!  Mom and Dad love you (and apparently Santa too!)

Disney Family Vacation 2012

Jack Wishes You A Merry Christmas

Six months ago, Jack began piano lessons.  Last weekend he played in his first recital. He was nervous, and adorable.  Very proud of you, Jack!  You're quite handsome too :)

 

Jack's Lego Birthday Party: Part Two

What do you get when you combine a Lego Fanatic and a Birthday Party?  Well, keep reading to find out!  Jack turned six and there was not a question to ask when it came to picking a theme for his birthday party.  Legos, legos, legos.  Ah...dejavu?  Well, he did decide to change up the theme a bit...we went from Lego Minifigures to Lego City Police.  Come celebrate with us...

You know you are in the right place when you see this on the door!  Jack and I made it together.  It is so fun and easy!  How?  Take a $3.99 straw wreath.  About 500 balloons and stick pins and just start pinching and pushing, repeat until hand cramps, crippleing you or you run out of balloons.

Reduce, reuse, recycle!  We used last year's Happy Birthday Banner made out of red felt and letters in the LEGO font traced with yellow marker. 

The snack section.  We didn't do a full meal this year but heavy snacks for those that didn't get a chance to eat before coming.  New printables and the same lego cardstock from last year helped us dress up the snacks!

New touch this year...lego lanterns.  Inspired by watching Tangled one too many times with the kids.  Plan to hang these in Jack's room as decorations. 

A few repeats from last year with slight twists. 

1.  Changed the art to this Lego City Mural.  Gary made the frame by breaking up smaller, less expensive black frames and sealing them together.  Smart guy I married, huh? 

2.  Marshmellow pops...now all Police Men...

3.  Lego candy in Lego boxes. 

4.  Gift bags.  Filled with Lego crayons, lego minibags, and lego barretts for the girls!

5.  Lego frames and Lego pictures.  We used these as place settings as Jack had a bit of an opinion about where everyone should seat.  He was quite thoughtful too, ensuring children who got along the best sat next to each other.  Cute!

But a party isn't a party without a bit of fun (you thought I was going to say cake, didn't you.  We had that too!)  A wonderful man from Buildfun.com (Mike) lead the kids in three builds...a spaceship, race cars, and a free build!!!  Super fun!

Happy Birthday Jack!  You have filled our lives with joy!  We are so proud of the boy you are and the boy I know you are on the path to becoming! 

Love you forever,
Like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Mom

Lego Party Take Two

We had so much fun with the Lego Party last year...can we say RERUN!  Of course, just to challenge me a bit...Jack decided to not just have another Lego Party...but to have a Lego CITY party.  So here we go...

Apparently in 2012 Balloon Wreaths are all the rage.  We carried the blue, gray and silver balloon theme with the typical balloons up the banister thing we do here each year :)

The kids had so much fun creating their lego scenes--the also made a lego robotic and race lego cars of their own creation.  COOL!!!

After games it was time to eat.  Jack and Dad built the Lego police centerpiece.  We did place settings with homemade lego frames and lego pitures (pixels) of each child--which they took home as one of their party favors!  It was a lot of fun seeing the kids walk around trying to figure out which pixelated photo was of themselves!  Check out the amazing lego plates...cool!

The lego marshmallows repeated but this time we made all lego police faces (Dad did great!!!)  

Bronwyn tested.  

Jack approved.

This was a fun decoration.  Filled this paint cans with legos. and hunt front the chandelier.

Let there be cake.  Happy Sixth Birthday.  Hope you wished for something more than 'every Lego in the world'  :)  :)  :)

 Looks like you had fun at your party.  I know your friends really enjoyed celebrating with you!

We had a bit of time left before everyone's parents came to get them...who knew this many Kindergarteners could fit into your clubhouse :)

Happy Birthday Jack!  You have filled our lives with joy!  We are so proud of the boy you are and the boy I know you are on the path to becoming!  May you have the most fantastic year!!!  (and can we find a new obsession...I'm done with Lego parties)  ;)

Love you forever, 
Like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Mom

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween!  From these scary creatures of All  Hallows Eve!

Day started with Centers in Jack's Class.  We charted spiders, explored fall senses and played Halloween Bingo.  This is Jack's teacher reading Frightfully Funny Stories.

But the fun began at 5:15 pm, when all the ghosts, goblins and ghouls gathered on the neighbors' lawns to play and eat pizza (and some just played with their pizza...) before the candy gathering tradition began.

Our Street's Kids!

Jack and his Best Bud Devin!

Bronwyn and her future babysitters!

Have you guessed what the kids are for Halloween yet?  Jack went as a Fighter Jet Pilot.  He explained to his class that,  "My weapon is a B-2.  You may not know but "b" stands for bomber.  I don't know what the 2 stands for.  But, I fly in stealth mode which is sort of like flying invisible as I evade radar."  That's our Jack! 

Bronwyn LOVED being Cindy Lou. This costume was decided a year ago when she was first spotted in pigtails. It clearly was her destiny! She was the hit of the pizza party!

Halloween was ushered in with a few scary sight at our home.  This giant spider is one of many...a new form of time out too!

The kids did great!   Here's Bronwyn's first house.  Clearly she has no issues with strangers as she was trying her best to bypass the candy and see what was in  the fridge!

And their loot!  Three piles.  Their personal stash, stash  for Halloween Witch, and the confiscated peanut butter stash.  We only got one popcorn bag and no raisins ;) It was a good night!