Mommy & Me Day at LAP

Today was SUCH a special day! It was Mommy & Me Memory Day at LAP.

To start the festivities, all the moms gathered in the chapel where the kids sang us two really sweet songs. I love mommy, I love mommy, yes I do, yes I do, mommies are for hugging, mommies are for kissing, I love you, I love you!!

After our mini-concert, we had one hour to spend doing various activities around the church. We painted tea cup planters, had our picture taken in front of an igloo made from milk jugs, ice-skated through the chapel on pieces of wax paper, had a snow ball fight with wadded up newspaper and much more!

The afternoon was topped off with a Valentine's day party in Luke's classroom. There were strawberries, heart-shaped cookies, and lots of Valentines day cards and candy!!

Part of me was so sad because for the past three years I've taken these types of events for granted...maybe even thought of them as an inconvenience since I have to take time off of work...but, this year was so much different because next year Luke will be in kindergarten. I know I won't have as many opportunities like this, which made today so sweet.

Noah 18 months!

My Sweet Angel turned 18 months a couple of days ago. He is SUCH a joy and brings so much laughter and happiness to our family. His sweet, pleasing personality has me wrapped around his little fingers. He is full of hugs and cuddles and loves to be held.

We had Noah's well visit yesterday and he's only 25 pounds, which makes me laugh because Luke weighed 25 pounds at 9 months!! Noah, however, is an inch taller than Luke was at this same age. Rounding things out is his sweet little head...still the 5%. Looking at the charts, Noah is a tall, skinny boy with a sweet pea-sized head! Love, love, love my baby boy!!

Although Noah still isn't talking much, he definitely knows how to communicate. He is an extremely smart boy who understands and obeys. He uses sign language...some of his favorite signs are cracker, orange, cookie and more.

Noah is constantly running to keep up with his big brother, Luke. He doesn't play with baby or age-appropriate toys...he wants batman, trains and big boy balls. Noah is incredibly athletic. He can punt a football, kick a soccer ball and throw almost any ball like a pro!

When I think back on the last 18 months, I'm so deeply grateful for Noah's life. Starting so sick with pyloric stenosis and plagiocephally and seeing how healthy he is today is most definitely a gift from God. I can't for the life of me figure out how I got so lucky to have been given the most precious boys in the world. I am blessed beyond words to have been chosen by God to be their mother.

Happy 18 months baby boy!!!

My Little Drummer Boy

Luke is SO in to music right now. He loves to sing, play the drums, guitar, piano and more!

Right now though, he is super in to drumming! Maybe he has some of his Papaw and uncle Jeremy's rhythm in him? It's hard to tell right now, but I'm telling you...that boy can make some noise!!

He will set up his "drum" set using our Little Tykes drum, a bongo drum, my bowls turned upside down and anything else he can get his hands on!!

Just yesterday he was explaining to me how his base drum, right tom, left tom, crash symbol, etc. were arranged all around him. And, today alone, he's broken two of my plastic storage bowls by banging on them too hard.

I keep trying to talk Papaw and uncle Jeremy in to sitting down with Luke and helping him with his rhythms and beats. We'll see what happens. Right now, I'm just listening to the banging of various pots, pans and toys...and contemplating on whether or not I should get some ear plugs.

Padron Pancake House

When I think of what I had to eat for breakfast as a kid (usually cold cereal or a pop-tart) I realize how lucky (and spoiled) my boys are. Every morning they want a hot, fresh, home-cooked waffle or pancake...no Eggos in this house!

Right now, while they are both in preschool and don't have to be at school until 9:00, I don't mind cooking for them in the mornings. Next year, when kindergarten starts at 7:30, I'm not sure what we're going to do though. Luke isn't even hungry when he first wakes up!

Regardless, we'll make it work...and it's my privilege to take care of my boys. I still don't know how I got so lucky to be blessed with the two best boys in the whole world!!

Unlikely Hiding Places

I recently brought the boys art easel inside so they could play with it in the toy room during these cold winter months...it just seems like there isn't enough to do when they can't go outside.

I love this art easel because one side is a dry erase board that is magnetic and the other side is a chalk board. Both sides have a clip to hang paper from, so both boys can create masterpieces at the same time.

The other day though, I came in the toy room and could hear Noah giggling, but I couldn't see him. I quickly realized my little monkey had climbed up between the easel and was hiding in the middle!

Not to be outdone, Luke had to try it too...of course, he is not as small as Noah (to put it nicely), so only the front half of his body made it through! Too funny!

Fire Station Tour

I'm catching up on some blogging...A few weeks ago Ms. Christy took Luke, Lil' Luke and Noah on a tour of the fire station with the Wylie Moms' Group.

Even though Luke has been on at least one or two other tours, each time he has blast. This time was special because they got to tour the new, big fire station that was built in Wylie this year.

The boys had fun seeing where the fireman lived, sitting in their rocker-recliners, checking out their super-sized kitchen and, of course, checking out the fire trucks.

At the end, the boys got a special surprise when the fireman got a call and had to leave, lights and sirens a blazing.

It was the perfect ending to a really neat tour!!!

Fresh Squeezed Apple Juice

This morning Luke and I decided to make some fresh squeezed apple juice. It's all part of our trying to eat more natural, healthy food.

Luke had so much fun putting the apples in the juicer and using the plunger to push them down and make juice! I think he was surprised at how sweet and tangy the juice was...nothing like the pasteurized store juice. Noah liked it too. In fact, we all had two cup fulls!

We're headed to the store in a bit to pick out some other healthy fruits and veggies to juice. We might try carrots this time, mixed with our apples. Luke wants to try blueberries too.

I also introduced the boys to almond milk this week. I started by mixing 1/2 almond and 1/2organic cow's milk. Then, they both had it in their cereal and oatmeal...and I had it in my coffee and tea. It was honestly yummy and sweet.

Next on my list to try is a meat substitute. I'm wondering if the boys will notice if I mix 1/2 meat substitute crumbles with 1/2 ground meat? Hmmm...we shall see!