Mother's Day 2016

My family did a great job with Mother's Day. 

I got two games that Maxwell picked out for me (they are games that he can play with me) and I got some sweet cards.

"Mom I love you so much

Thank you for being my mom just because you keep loving me so much"

Maxwell's "bouquet" he made me at school

Peter made a delicious breakfast for us all!  (I should note that I got to sleep in!!!)

Then Emmalyn took a nap and Maxwell and I played the new games he got me.  After Emmalyn woke up, I did her hair in two little french braids.  I've never done that before - go me!  It's crazy that she's got enough hair for me to braid like this!

View from the top

 (I distracted her with the ipad while I was doing it)

View from the back.  It's not perfect but I feel good about it.

Another view of the hair in better light at Costco.  Okay, I was a little obsessed with it and kept looking at my work of art.  :)  I was proud of it!  It was also fun spending the time with her while I was braiding. Hopefully we do it many more times as she is growing up.

Emmalyn got to hold the receipt.  It's always a big deal to the kids to get to hold the receipt at Costco because then you get to hand it to the person at the door who checks it and draws smiley faces on the back.

It's still staying in!

A closeup of how I finished the braid and pulled her hair up into pig tails.  A closeup is so silly but oh well - again, I'm proud of it!

After Costco we took the kids to the library where we looked at books and played on the computers a little bit.

Peter rested his eyes.

It was a nice day outside so after the library, we took a blanket outside in the backyard and played one of my new games again.  I wasn't ready to be done outside so then we went to the park, too!

Video - Emmalyn "playing" with Raider, the German Shepard across the street.  It was really cute how he followed her with his ball.  They did this for awhile.

Maxwell made a Happy Mother's Day card for Mary Ann next store and we delivered it to her and then we did takeout from Palio's Pizza for dinner.  Max said he had a gazillion hearts that he was going to blow at me because he loved me so much.  :) He was incredible sweet the whole day.

It was a great day!

The next day they did a breakfast for the mom's at Maxwell's preschool- "Muffins with Mom".  He was really excited for me to be able to go to it with him.

It was fun to sit and spend some time with Maxwell, just the two of us.

silly face!

Think the sugar from the muffins and juice has hit yet??

My big kid all loaded up with his backpack, water, and lunch...  Headed to his classroom.

First week of March 2016

Watching Frozen (again)

We've found this great recipe using Gouda and Apple Chicken Sausage and Peter has really become a pro at making it.  We have it every few weeks and it's a favorite with everyone.  I really appreciate Peter's help when he cooks - it's nice.

Rocking my old had for Dr. Seuss Day - Look at Maxwell's fun personality in the next few pics...

Ha!  Love that kiddo.

Emmalyn enjoying some alone time with Brittany while the boys are in school at the playground in the mall.

More time playing at a park but this time with the boys.  She's so independent and loves the slide.

Maxwell's lunch box.  I love this lunch box.  It helps me make better choices about what I pack in his lunch.  He's been enjoying salad lately (only with Catalina dressing).

Peter and I went on a date with 3 other couples in our neighborhood.  We tried our first escape room and had great teamwork and were able to escape within the hour.  It was a lot of fun and I loved solving all the puzzles.

Playing at Kindermusik with one of my favorites - the parachute!

Maxwell enjoying Kindermusik with Mrs. Carolyn

We picked up subway and had a family picnic outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.  I can't wait for the grass to green up!

Dad making them giggle with his crazy driving.

I took Maxwell for a mommy/son date to play Top Golf.  He was so excited.

We had a great time.  We ordered breakfast and played for an hour.  Maxwell had a lot of fun and was even scoring some points.  I had the best game ever and got to a point where my swing felt so good. I wanted to stay and keep playing.  :)

Emmalyn enjoying some play dough.  She doesn't get to do it very much compared to how often Maxwell played with it, I just don't think about it often.

Working on a drawing.  He enjoys writing notes and drawing pictures.

The kids at the library.

Britt went to pick Maxwell up this week and found him reading out loud to his class.  I think that's pretty awesome!

Maxwell at 4 1/2 is skilled at negotiating to get his way.  He is quick to tears if he doesn't like something.  He tries to tell jokes for example here's a joke - -"peanut butter on bottoms".  (He thinks it's hilarious.)  He gives kisses freely to those he loves on their arms, face, etc. He loves to eat mac n cheese and pizza.  He asks what is for dessert every night but doesn't have to have sweets each time.  Most of the time he accepts our answer that it's a piece of fruit... or that there is nothing for dessert.

He wants to work out at the gym.  He asked to go to a musical. and he REALLY wants to go to New York to see the Statue of Liberty.

He remembers dates really well (for example he knows we are going to Seattle on March 25).