Alivia's 6th Birthday Party

Alivia's 6th Birthday Party

Let's see if this will save THIS time...

Yesterday was Alivia's 6th birthday party with family. Although she seemed excited, she was suffering from a cold (one she received during a rain filled day to Gifford Farm on a school field trip) to care too much. Again, it was kinda butterfly themed, but we kept things simple. The cake was pink, of course. Alivia, however, did not eat any of it. I think we will stick to cupcakes as she really does not like cake. She opened her presents from family and received a lot of nice things. Alivia is really into art, so received some things to keep her busy during the summer. She also likes to read, and she was lucky to receive some new books to read, too.

During the party Alivia kept to herself while Addison and Asher played with their cousins Lucas, Henry and Ben. Alivia said after the guests left that she wanted to just go to bed! She just did not feel well. :(

Hard to believe our baby girl will be 6 years old on Tuesday! Where did the time go?

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Alivia's Friend Birthday Party

Alivia's 6th Birthday Party

It is so difficult to believe, but Alivia is going to be 6!! years old on Tuesday! When she said she wanted to have some friends over for her party, we could hardly say no. Afterall, we moved her away from her friends in the last year, and she is just getting new friends at Bell. So, we jumped in and threw our little girl a butterfly party.

We invited her friends from 2-4. (1 1/2 hours would have been plenty - just saying). They played, Alivia opened a few special things from her friends, and they ate cupcakes shaped to make a butterfly and more treats. They girls had fun. When all was said and done, we were all exhausted! But, the important thing is that Alivia had fun!

* Sign in to see all of the pictures!

Send to a friend

The Girls Get Makeovers!

Today after school, Addison and Alivia were treated to makeovers! Addison's preschool teacher (Mrs. Gohr, whom we love and will miss so much!) told us about Concepts Salon near 156th and Dodge. For $36 plus tip total for both girls, they were able to get their hair cut, styled (Addison got a French braid while Alivia got her hair straightened), fingernails painted and make up put on! It was such a fun experience for both of them. Alivia looks so much different where Addison just looks cleaned up. They both left the Salon feeling like a princess! We would totally recommend them!

Before Pictures (sign in or sign up to see!)

Before

After!

After!

Butterfly Treat Bags

Birthday Party Butterfly Treats!

Tomorrow is Alivia's big birthday party with her friends. She is really excited. I decided that we will only be doing a bigger party every other year, if that, from now on. It is just too much! This year I did think it was important for her since she is new at the school and still getting used to her friends.

The theme is butterflies. Alivia loves butterflies. So, I came across a butterfly treat that I think is so cute and such a good idea. Chris helped me create them. Each bag is filled with candy coated and plain popcorn from JUST POPPED in Papillion along with a few gummy bears. Additionally, each little girl will get a butterfly suncatcher that they can do during the summer.

Let's pray for warm weather and an afternoon of fun!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

More Potty Training Fun...

Yes, I am still potty training Asher. But, the good news is that he is now #1 trained! Yeah! The use of diapers is quite minimal now. I still put him in a diaper at night and at nap, but he is usually dry. Since we had been making good progress, I decided to show Asher how to stand and go #1. Okay...the boy just is not tall enough. The pee went all over. Yuck! Then, next came when he had to go poo. He was so confused. I sat him on the big potty and went to cleaning up after dinner. This potty process normally takes some time, so I gave him some space. When I peeked in to look at him, he was standing going #2 into the training potty! OH NO! Let's just say we are making slow progress if we are making any progress on going #2 in the potty. I just need to make him sit there after meals and encourage him to go. At least he is like a clock and goes every day at the same time - so it should be easy, right?

On the bright side, we are really close to having a diaperless home! I don't know what we will do then!

* Sign in to see a funny picture of Asher...

Funny Boy!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

A Little Spring Fun

As I write this post, Addison and Asher are down for naps after a busy but fun morning. After taking Alivia to school, we took a walk/run around Shadow Lake. The lake trail is so nice, peaceful, and scenic. We saw many birds (a cardinal - my favorite) and even the Shadow Lake bird that looks like he belongs at the Ozarks. Addi and Asher snacked, giggled and pointed out things around our neighborhood. It is difficult to finish the trip as their is construction all over the place, and I find that annoying when there are not any sidewalks (and construction trucks and workers seem to have the right away).

Next, after a little household cleaning and laundry, we visited one of Papillion's parks. We have not visited too many of the local parks as I still find ourselves in West Omaha visiting parks there that are tried and true. However, the park we visited today was unlike any we have visited in Omaha! The first section was older but Addison and Asher could care less. They played a bit, then ate some lunch, before we walked around this little pond. As promised, I took them to a playground I could see from where we were at. This one was 3 stories of fun! It was grand! Addison ran around playing with her new found friends. Asher, grabbed my hand, and took me up to try out the slides with him. There was one slide even Mommy refused to go down. I went down the big covered one with Asher and about broke all my bones. He did go down that slide alone the first time and rolled his way down! Seriously, it is not made for an old Mommy or a little toddler 2 or under, I don't think.

Now, they are finally down to nap. Oh...well worth it. I am so looking forward to summer when Alivia can join us!

* Sign in to vox (or sign up for vox) to see all of the pictures!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Up for a move?

I have not decided yet..but we may be moving. Moving the blog, that is (what did you think I meant?). It is either that or I am going to go mostly private with our pictures and such. I have visitors from countries such as Croatia, Romania, Israel, United Kingdom, and Austria just to name a few. We do not know anyone from those places, and that scares me a bit. Additionally, they try to sent me weird messages which I am more or less just annoyed by. So...stay tuned. I am not sure what we will do. Chris has suggested this to me before...but now I mean business.

What do you all think? Would you stay with me if we moved? Some viewers I know of are not vox members so would not be able to view any of my postings. Some viewers do not tell me they look at the blog. Chris set up a tracker on the site so I can see if anyone is reading it - but it is vague - city and state only. We have many repeat visitors from states we do not know anyone in either - but I can tell what brought them to our blog (like they were referred by my posts of my Grandma's Eulogy - which is actually one of the more popular posts!).

Anyway...I want to know what you all think.  I want to be able to be helpful with my posts too. But, I don't want to put my family at risk in efforts to be helpful. Thanks...and stay tuned.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

May at the Zoo - Expedition Madagascar!

Expedition Madagascar

When I looked outside and spotted that it was not a perfect day, I decided to make it our May day to visit Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and our first visit to Expedition Madagascar! I figured it would be super busy with school trips and with the exhibit just opening.

We arrived right at 9:30 and went in with our passes through our secret entrance (we never go in through the main gates because their is always a major line!). I ran with Addi and Asher in the stroller by the monkeys, through the lions and the gorillas to get to expedition Madagascar. I wanted to avoid any major lines if at all possible. And, we did. We arrived and stepped inside to find opening tables set up. The kids got a poster, activity passport that they had signed, and pin to wear.

The exhibit was not really what I expected. It was mostly dark with smaller animals such as lemurs, turtles, and snakes. Their was also an outdoor exhibit with similar animals on display.

After that, we went and watch the seals have breakfast. That was fun. Addison and Asher love watching the seals. We walked around to the other side checking out the various animals before stepping inside the warm butterfly exhibit (it was actually chilly outside) and then onto the aquarium. Alivia would have loved the butterflies this time because we saw many azure butterflies!

After a picnic where we all became freezing cold, we left just before it started to rain. What timing I had today!

Addison's favorite part today was the butterflies. Asher, well, he kept asking for lunch all morning. I am not clear he enjoyed anything other than the picnic!

Until next month (when Alivia will be able to come with us!)...

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Our Yard - Before & After

Our Home, Easter 2010

In one week, we painted the kids' bathroom (now we have painted 3 out of the 4 bathrooms) and planted 11 trees! "Just that easy, just that quick!" Ha!

Friday my Dad came down to help me select and pick up our trees, along with Addison & Asher. We knew what we wanted to buy, it was just a matter of selecting the right trees. My parents are good at that. I felt cruel taking Addi and Asher because I remember going with my parents when I was maybe 5 years old to select their windbreak trees. I hated it! Well, Addi & Asher hated it too, I think. After several stops, by the end of the day, we had the trees purchased and at home.

Chris planted one tree last night and we planted the remaining 9 trees today. That was seriously exhausting, but it was so worth it! We planted 8 trees in the front and 2 in the back. We plan on planting more in the back after the fence is installed, if that ever happens (the 4 weeks is now into week 6). We just want to make sure we know where the fence will be and then finish our landscaping job. Okay, here are the trees we planted with links to pictures of the trees bigger and/or in bloom:
1. 1 Japanese Tree lilac
2. 5 Chanticleer pears
3. 1 Autumn Blaze Maple
4. 1 Dwarf Korean Lilac
5. 1 Red Dragon Japanese Maple
6.1 Butterfly Japanese Maple
7. 1 Newport Plum
Now...here are the after pictures! Stay tuned...more planting around the house to come!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

PE 101 Kids Gym

Today we were invited to a play date at PE 101 Kids Gym. I had been there with Alivia for a birthday party once, but Addison and Asher had never been there.

We arrived during a rain storm at 9am for open play. They have a lot of fun things for kids to do including a foam pit (the kids can either jump in or go in off of rings), in ground trampoline, zipline (in which Addison and Asher were not interested in at all but is it a lot of fun), scooters, basketball hoops, climbing wall and more. The kids had a lot of fun playing and running around where they otherwise would have been trapped inside on such a cool and rainy day. Overall, I would totally recommend PE 101 for a morning of fun and getting some toddler energy released.

Want to go to PE 101?
Make sure the kids wear socks
Nice play clothes (short sleeved shirt regardless of the weather and cool pants or shorts because the kids get hot as they play. I did not do this!).
A bottle of water or juice box and a snack for after playing would be good.

Have Fun!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Mother's Day 2010

Mother's Day 2010

Yesterday was a very peaceful Mother's Day. We visited Chris' Mom in the morning, then went back home to begin dinner preparations. Things have changed since moving and having 3 little kids under toe. I used to be so concerned about party prep, and now I am just lucky to have food in the house when the guests arrive.

Great Grandma Marci and my parents arrived shortly after 11:30. We had a peaceful dinner that Chris prepared on the grill (out in the cold May temperatures). We then watched Alivia's program on DVD and just chatted for a while before enjoying our dessert. The moms exchanged presents. My parents gave me this thing for the phone that I am to wear over my ear and is wireless. I think they thought I should have this because I never know where the phone is. Well, I went to use it this morning and I don't even know how to turn it on! :) Chris and the kids got me a nice card (after some encouragement) and, like I said, I bought myself some keens. Chris said he will be buying me trees soon...and I can not wait!

It was a peaceful afternoon. I hope my mom and Grandma had a great Mother's Day! On this Mother's Day...I thank my hubs for giving me 3 fabulous babies and the opportunity to be their Mommy full time There is no better gift than that!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2010 - 4 Generations

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

I'm in the Omaha World Herald!

Nothing major...but I am still quoted. Kinda fun...
"Mom's Find Treasure..."

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

growing OLD

As Mother's Day approaches, I feel so old. #1: I am old. I fill out surveys now and have to check that NEXT box. Nice. #2: Our babies are growing up. OMG...that is so sad! I know I know...we want them to grow up. That is what we are trying to do...help them grow into responsible adults. But, I don't want them to grow up!

Alivia: She is almost done with Kindergarten and nearing her 6th birthday! How did that happen?
Addison: She is almost done with her first year of preschool and nearing her 4th birthday? Where did our baby girl go?
Asher: Oh, our baby, our baby Asher. Baby Asher is nearing 2 1/2 years old and is mostly potty trained (we just have to commit to potty training at night!). To be honest, I am really dragging my feet because he is the baby. I don't want him to go to preschool. I am not even sure if it is needed. I am home, afterall, and can teach him the things needed to prepare for school. I am thinking one year may be enough to get him ready socially to be away from Mommy. And, I need that year to transition to being away from all 3 of our kids. Seriously, I will be a total wreck. But, with that said, I still have a few months to decide since he is only 2. 

As far as having another baby...well, I know...I have given up on the idea. It was only that anyway...an idea. Chris was and never will be on board. If I am old, he is older (3 years older).  I am thinking, how would I look to be having a baby with gray hair? How weird would it be to be sending our kiddo to school when I am 40 or 41? Yikes! So...I have to move past my feelings of wanting another baby. We are done. I am old and need to move on to retirement.

As for Mother's Day...just another day. I got myself some really nice shoes - Keens! LOL. Seriously, I deserve that much, right? Afterall...I'm a mommy of 3, and I'm old. Mommy's and old people need good shoes. :)

Read and post comments | Send to a friend