Birthday - Video

I forgot to post the video from our actual video camera. There are two clips. One is from the morning of his party when he got to open family presents at home and the other is from the birthday party. Enjoy!

NANA!

We just had Nana with us for a whole week! She was a huge help around the house and pulled babysitting duty a time or two. We took her to Outdoors In, Pump It Up, gymnastics, soccer and dance class and a whole ton of other places! We had lots of fun and can't wait until her next visit!

PS. Getting two children to pose and look at the camera is just about impossible :-)

The Nutcracker

Alia's dance studio is doing a winter production of The Nutcracker. It is completely voluntary and I would like to state for the record that I, in no way, forced her to do this ... she asked! She really loves ballet and loves the story of the Nutcracker. We had a stretch this summer where we read it every night! On Saturday, they had auditions at the studio. Everyone gets a part, but they have the kids come in and do a "formal" audition. Here are a few pictures of Alia with her little #10 on, being silly and waiting for her audition. I can't tell you what she did or how she did because they covered up the little viewing window. However, I can tell you that she went in to the room and came out of the room with a smile! We will find out on Thursday afternoon what part she will have. The show will be the week of Thanksgiving in case anyone wants to start booking their plane tickets :-)

Alia's Gymnastics Class

Alia has started taking Gymnastics at a new gym. The class that she was taking at the rec center where I teach was no longer offered in the evenings and she was loving it so much that I really wanted to find another option for her. She has been there two times now (tomorrow will be three) and so far she is really loving it and I am really impressed! It is a small group of 4-5 year olds (Alia is the youngest) and the teacher is great with them. Starting tomorrow, Max and I will be doing a parent/child gymnastics class at the same time on the other side of the gym! Here is a little video from Alia's class last week.

Birthday Party!

The kids all had a great time at Max's birthday party! The party was at Magnolia Park and the day was absolutely gorgeous! They were able to play on the play structures and in the fountain. There were a total of 12 kids ranging in age from 10 months to a 4 years! I had a heck of a time narrowing down my picture selection to just these few. Too much cuteness for this mommy to handle!

My little wild man/birthday boy playing in the fountain

Alia and Carson just hanging out :-)

I wish you could see how high up he is in this picture!

Maybe he'll be in the circus when he grows up?

Landon, Max. Alia, Carson and Katy enjoying dinner

Liv, Nick, Maren, Addie and Cash

Cutest birthday boy there ever was!

Yummy cupcake!

Max and his buddy Landon making sure no frosting goes to waste!

The older kids were all very helpful when it came time to open presents ... lucky Max!

Alia and her little buddy, Baby Jack. He is absolutely in love with her! He always smiles when she is around!

Max's Birthday Present - Video

This is one of my favorite videos of Max ever! I love how excited he was and how quickly he figured out what that toy did. That's my boy!

Max's Birthday Party - Part 1

A shout out to my best friend and the one who makes all my kids birthday parties look adorable ... the always fabulous Miss Jamie :-)

(and a shout out to Pinterest for a bunch of the ideas)

Cupcake toppers by Miss Jamie

Super cute "spare tires" sign by Miss Jamie

Adorable tags for favor boxes by Miss Jamie

Treat/Favor table

Food!! 

That's my cutie pa-tootie husband! 

He made pulled pork on the smoker for the event and it was A-MA-ZING!!

Max's Birthday

Sorry, I know this is a little late, but we have had quite a busy September to say the very least!

Max is now 2 years old! He has his birthday party on Sunday, September 16 although his actual birthday was Monday, September 17. We let him do most of the present opening on Sunday just to try to keep things simple. Mommy and Daddy got him a car ramp and a couple of car books. Here are a few pictures of him with his birthday presents.

 On Monday night (his actual birthday) we did another round of cupcakes. We weren't able to light candles at this party because of the wind, so it was nice to give him another opportunity to make a wish. He did a great job blowing them out all by himself!

 

I can't believe that two years have gone by already! Max is such a character! He is the funniest guy he knows :-) Max loves milk, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and "pouchy things". He loves cars, trucks and anything with wheels. He enjoys running, jumping, climbing, playing soccer and copying whatever sister does. His newest fascination is with Alia's dance clothes. If you're not paying close attention he'll go upstairs and sneak in her room, take off all his clothes and put on her tights and leotard! Seriously! He is equal parts determined, persistent, stubborn, cuddly, lovey and hysterical! 

1st Day of School

Today was Max's first day of "school". It was strange to drop off both kids and drive away. He was a real champ. He walked right in, found the cars and trucks and that was about it! He did come home completely covered in every activity that he did throughout the day. I tried to get an "after" picture, but it really doesn't do it justice!

Two cute kids ready for school, backpacks and smiles on!

I should have made the print bigger! Hope you can read it!

Absolutely could NOT get Max to stand still for this one!

Big sister is ready to show little brother how it is done.

I know a little guy who was very silly and very excited to go to school!

Max doing the happy dance in his classroom!

He found the trucks!

Alia and her new teacher, Mrs. Rousch

I took this picture thru the window ... Max deep into his play with the cars and trucks!

The after picture ... They used red paint today. Can you tell?

Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa Max came out to visit us for the Labor Day weekend. We were very busy and had lots of fun! We went to the park, a birthday party, Panera, Max's soccer class, the farm, church, the mall, the farmer's market, the playground, Mommy and Daddy took him out to eat, Outdoors In and out for ice cream! And he was only here for 4 full days!!

Max's Soccer Class

As some of you know, Max (and Jason) have been taking a soccer class on Saturday mornings. This weekend was the first class that I was able to attend, because Alia used to have swim at the same time. As an extra treat, Grandpa Max was in town and was able to enjoy it as well. Here is a little video from class that day. I was pretty impressed! I thought he did very well, for a not quite two year old.

On a side note, if you ever watched "Little People, Big World" on TLC, you'll recognize Zach Roloff in the video. He is one of Max's soccer "coaches". 

Hooray For Friends!

Some of our dearest friends moved to Spain almost a year and a half ago. They are back in the states for a short while this summer and we were able to spend an afternoon together ... not nearly enough time, but quite possibly the highlight of my summer!

(photos courtesy of Maggie)

Silly kids eating dinner

The cutest 6 little ones that there ever were ... 

Alia (3.5), Carson (4), Landon (17 months), Aine (almost 3), Max (almost 2), Aoife (4)

Maggie, Me, Jamie

I love that we can pick right back up where we left off!

Post dinner/dessert chaos!

Sweet little faces enjoying their sweets