Sunday, June 9, 2013

Hello again!


Okay, so I want to get back onto blog-land! A lot has happened since February! Let’s start with Ben’s 7th birthday. We skipped a birthday party with friends this year and spent the night at a local hotel with Ben and the two of us (sissy stayed home). He had a total blast swimming and eating TONS of restaurant food ... his favorite.

Ben with his "money box"
In March we took a road trip to Louisville to pay a visit to Aunt Melissa over spring break. We had so much fun hanging out and visiting … but our trip was cut short due to a snow storm!!!! So we left a day early (and the snow came right as predicted, so it all worked out). 


The drive home ... 
Our house the next morning ...
Easter was very busy with a total of three egg hunts! Ben left a note for the Easter Bunny asking to leave $100 in his basket. Yeah, that DIDN’T happen. But he was happy to get MarioCart Wii Game



Little Miss Miss is completely potty trained. She still wears a pull-up at night … but not for long, she's doing so awesome! We had quite the potty training journey with Ben so it was nice to have an easier time with Nora.

Princess undies are just another amazing accessory!
In April Ben participated in the All-District Elementary Track Event. He ran the 50-meter dash and the soccer kick. He had a lot of fun with his best buddies from school and Nora had fun with their sisters.



Ben lost his first tooth on April 19. “Lost” isn’t exactly the correct term. He had one tooth that was slightly loose … so he twisted, pulled, prodded, yanked until it came out. It happened at school and according to his best bud Ben R. it bled a lot


Ben started Taekwondo in May. Our lucky boy won six free months (+ all the gear) so the price was right! He really seems to enjoy it. In addition to the exercise aspect they reinforce a lot of good morals and lessons.



In Mid-May I got to join Ben’s class on a working field trip to an area food bank. We worked our tails off and learned a lot about food insecurity. It was an amazing experience for me and I bet the kids felt very luck when they had dinner that night.



On May 23 I got this text from my brother and got a sweet new niece later that day!




We separated the kids … so they each have their own bedroom!! We painted Ben’s new room blue and he was excited to help paint … for about 15 minutes (and then lost interest). Nora moved to a new big girl bed and is totally pleased with everything!


More decorations to come -- but she loves her new bedspread.

May 30 was the last day of school. Ben had a super fantastic year and the most AH-MAZING TEACHER EVER!! We love you Mrs. Mc. His final report card was great and he learned soooooo much this year. He especially loves math and we’re working on division (at his request) this summer.


Last day of school pic!
Now summer is here, camp has started and we're a little more laid-back with our days. We've got a ton of projects going on around the house (goodbye rotten back porch - more on that later). On our official first day of summer vacation we took a "field trip" to the butterfly house and had a wonderful day.


So, that's it for us!!! What's new with you??

Friday, February 8, 2013

Nora's 2nd Birthday!

Ben made this hat for his sissy.

Proof that Grandad was there ... poor Bebe was not :(

Grampy liked his Little Mermaid Crown.
Our sweet girl is two! How is this possible? Our house has become a lot more "girlie" with lots of pink and princesses. One of our friends said the "Disney Switch" gets turned on in little girls at age two and it seems to be very true. Miss Nora is very thoughtful (saying "bless you" when you sneeze -OR- "are you okay, mamma?" if she hears a loud banging noise in the kitchen), she's usually sweet as pie (but knows how to turn on a POUT face and drags it out for a long time) ... She loves her baby doll and is a good mamma. We love our little gal and are so happy she's part of our family!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

First Haircut!

Before...
Our friend Michelle cut Nora's hair and she loved it!
I came armed with suckers and she didn't even require them!

"Nora pretty hair!"

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve-

In the morning we went to Bebe & Grandad's and exchanged our gifts (how did I not get a pic of Grandad??)
Angry Birds + Star Wars = Yes Please!
Nora and her beloved new baby doll. 
Here's what happens when we try to take a family photo.
Mags checking out her new LeapPad.
The Mc Gang.

 That night Bubba and Grampy fed us dinner and we exchanged our gifts with them.
Ben's new droid tank = AWESOME
The REAL Santa came by our house and it was soooo cool!
Nora and her new tutu + Bree Shirt.
She still wanted nothing to do with Santa! 

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Big Weekend!

Auntie finished Grad School so Tim organized and we hosted a surprise party for her. It was hard to keep the secret (I couldn't talk to her for a few weeks for fear of ruining the surprise). We're really proud of her and can't wait for our second niece this summer!! Woo hoo......



The next day we made our annual Currant Cookies -- YUM!!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Ho Ho Ho!

 We went to a friend's annual Christmas Party and the BIG GUY showed up. Ben was all about saying "hello." (Although he was quick to point out it was obviously one of Santa's Helpers ... "I saw his real hair, Mom.")
Nora was just fine looking from a distance and wanted no part of it.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

After school-

After a long day of school we like to hang out in my bed ... watch a show, Nora has some milk, we're goofy, we chit-chat (Ben's words) and read books. It's a nice way to to spend the afternoon as long as everyone is in a good mood!