2 of 3...

For Molly's 2nd Birthday, I was still able to pick the theme... since she really had no opinion at that point.  I wanted to do something a little different... actually I had not seen anything like it, so it was the hardest party to pull of thus far.  Thankfully, I started prepping for it a couple of months in advance, because Fall is a SUPER-BUSY time for us, and last year actually brought much more than we even expected.  

Though the decorations were only a tad peacock-related, I really love these colors, so it was fun to put all of the pieces together. 

The cake was simple, but was fun to do!

 Molly really liked it! 

One of the best pieces, by far, was Molly's peacock tutu!  It pulled everything together, and gave her a great dress-up skirt at the same time! Cutest Peacock ever!

Some random shots of the party...

The favor bags were fun... the few boys that were here received these fun fabric snakes, and the girls each got a fabric boa (don't seem to have a picture).  

Birthdays, Birthdays, and more Birthdays!!!

I am 3 children's birthdays behind... I really must not be cut out to do this on a consistent basis!!  Anyhoo... I thought I would do a quick post of the last 3 birthdays- 2 for Evan and 1 for Molly!

March of 2012:  Evan decided he wanted a BUG birthday party!!!  I have to admit, at first mention, I did not like this idea.  But the more I looked around- there were some really great ideas out there.  So, Bugs it was! 

The invitation...

A few buggy snacks and drinks... 

Build a bug station

Bug Catchers and Favor bags

We are going on a BUG hunt!

Mmmm... Worms!!!

Dirt Cake with Rocks and Worms

Little Sister had a great time celebrating!

Oh, How Things Change...

Wow, I cannot believe I have not been on here in about 6 months... actually, YES, yes I can!  We have had so much going on and some days I feel like we just made it through.  To start, I will begin with the kiddos.

Evan turned 4 in March!!!  It is still hard for me to believe!  He is such a sweet boy.  Right now he has many loves... from super heroes (made up by him) to dinosaurs to dragons to ninjas to Super Mario to the Chipmunks to Puss in Boots... you never really know what you will get each day until he comes out of his room.  He usually has a toy to represent his choice, but there are days when he comes out first thing in full dress of whatever character he has been dreaming about.  It is really fun!  He is extremely curious and wants to know how and why everything is the way it is, or what words mean that he doesn't understand.  He has asked lots of questions about God and Heaven and what the sacrifice of Jesus means- warms my heart to have those conversations.  He LOVES to be read to, and repeats most of the stories word for word during his play time.  Everything is an adventure, whether he is trying to rescue something from lava, make a bridge to get someone out of a cave,  build a rocket to get him back from space, or jump from very high heights (his bed) to escape the snares of a dragon- he is full of imagination, and ALL boy.  He also plays with Molly, but it is harder for her to understand the pretend part of his play just yet... so she usually ends up 'messing it up' and I am called in to mediate.  Even so, he is patient with her and loves to have her play with him.  I know he is very anxious to have her as a full-fledged playmate one of these days. This summer we are taking it easy, he will be doing swimming lessons and one short preschool camp, and in the fall he will be starting a 2-day-a-week preschool program at the church Page grew up in.  He is SO excited about school.  I think it will be good for both of us, and it will give me a little more time with just Molly, so we can work on stuff she needs to be learning. :)

Molly will be 19 months tomorrow.  Talk about change... I think I had forgotten how fast they change in 6 months or so.  I feel like even just a few weeks ago she was a different child!  She is beginning to talk- much later than Evan, but he still tries to do all the talking for her, so it is understandable.  She has about 40-50 words so far, which is up significantly from her 18 month appointment, when I could only count about 7 for sure.  So, while her language is exploding, so are her social skills.  I have a feeling she is going to be a little pistol. :)  She already tries to talk back and is very opinionated about most everything.  She LOVES her baby dolls, and her puppies (stuffed animals, one of which she swiped from our cat)... other than that, she wants to play with whatever Evan is playing with. She is his sidekick on days where one is needed or could be helpful in his play... there are many days when they put on their capes to protect people or save them from some natural disaster.  She also loves her sleep!  Evan was and still is ready and willing to stay up with whomever to do whatever, as long as something is going on.  Molly however, is good about going with the flow if she is entertained, but if not, she wants to be in her bed at bedtime.  If she is asked whether she is ready for bed, the answer is usually yes. :)  She still uses a pacifier, which we are hoping to lose by her 2nd birthday, and she is pretty attached to her blanket.  It doesn't leave the house, and usually not her room, but when it is time to sleep- her paci and blanket need to be close.  Molly also does not like to be tied down.  Whether that means in the car seat, or just to sit and read a book or watch a quick show- she likes to be on the move.  There is not much slowing down for her.  

Page is busy as always.  He started his last semester of Grad school this week!!  YAY!!!  He actually walked at graduation a few weeks ago, but still has 2 classes to finish this summer.  He has been riding his bike more in the last several months and actually has his first race this weekend.  It is a great outlet for him and allows him to exercise when he has the time to do it.  He is still an amazing husband, and I am constantly in awe of the blessing he is to me and the kids, and to everyone who knows him. :)  We have our 7th wedding anniversary next week!  Saying it sounds so long, but thinking about it, it kinda feels like we were not ever not married... it has been wonderful.


For me, I am just trying to keep up with each day and what challenges it brings.  I have really been trying to focus on what is truly important in life... I get sidetracked SO easily!  God has really been showing me some areas in my life that he is molding and shaping (for me and to change for my children) and though it is not always comfortable, I know he is working in my life.  


So, obviously even a monthly blog post seems to be too much at this point in my life, but I will attempt to keep writing. :)  

Sugar & Spice & Everything Nice...

I absolutely cannot believe that our little girl is now 1!!  Yes, I know it happened almost 2 months ago (November 8th), but with crazy holiday stuff I am just getting to it... So, 'What is Molly like?' you ask.  She is so fun!  You cannot tell by most pictures (she tends to hate the camera), but she laughs all the time and loves to play.  She just started walking over Christmas, and it is still a little strange seeing her toddling after me instead of speed-crawling like she has been doing for so long.  Her personality is a great one.  She loves to play peek-a-boo and hide behind furniture and blankets for someone to come and find- or she will chase you around if you don't come soon enough.  She follows Evan everywhere!! They are pretty inseparable these days.  It is so wonderful to be working on something and look through the house to see them playing together in a bedroom or in the living room.  I am praying they will be great buddies.  Molly is slower to come around to speaking.  She has said DaDa for a long time, and at times will say MaMa.  That is close to all of her recognizable words.  She has her own versions of saying Evan, All Done, Yeah and Hello.  She makes the animal sounds of Moo and Hoot.  She prefers grunting and pointing in communication- which I am not a fan of and try to redirect if at all possible.  She will however, sign... she signs the words More, All Done, Please, Milk, Hat, & Hurt. For her limited skills, she has a pretty good way of getting her point across. :)  Molly is sweet and affectionate (when she wants to be) she lays on soft things and people so that they know she cares, but is definitely the daredevil of our 2 kids.  She does not really have much fear and will bail off the couch or go face-first down a small slide without blinking an eye.  If she could climb everything in the house, I am afraid she probably would.  It is harder to discipline her as well, Molly likes to test her limits... over and over. There is something so sweet and gentle about her- she does not like to see people upset and cries any time Evan gets into trouble.  But she also makes her wishes known... she will push and scream if Evan is holding her to tightly, and she does not really like to be cuddled.  She is a girl on the go!  So, as I finish up my description, I will leave you with some pictures of our sweet girl...

These are shot from Molly's First Birthday Party

November 12th

Theme: Owls

A friend of mine does great pictures, so I asked her to take a few shots of Molly to have for 1 year pictures... we even got Evan to cooperate for a couple. :)

Love the owl hat...

When we were in California over Thanksgiving, I made a game from Easter eggs for Evan, but they ended up all over the place... I just think this is a cute picture to add to the mix.