Party Animals

Last week we celebrated Mr. Max's 2nd birthday and are still recovering. Just kidding, we DO still have streamers on the ceilings, some decorations up and they boys are still in train mode though. We had a great time. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the day. Ok, it was actually two days, a friend party Saturday, family on Sunday.

Sr. Max in his red fireman boots of course.
Lots of play time with the kiddos outside and with trains.
I'm pretty sure all Max ate was a ton of watermelon and pretzels.
And Levi? Mostly just fruit kabobs. What can I say my kids love fruit. Veggies on the other hand....Sweet Natalee entranced the boys with a train story. Max wanted to show his buddy his gator.
Presents, which he loved. It took him a little bit to get back in the grove of it (I know you'd think he'd be all over that after the crazy Christmas we had)
But he figured it out in no time.
Levi was a trooper through it all, watching his brother getting all the attention and presents. He's such a sweetheart.
All fun must end though but I think all the kids had fun
and hopefully got a nap afterwards. But then the after party began! Max thought it was hilarious to hide under the table and play hide and seek.
Then it was time to hit up the goodie table

I'm pretty sure the boys thought having all that candy by the door, free for the taking, was the best thing about the day.

Then the next day we had the family party. Krista brought over some party horns. She must know a thing or two about kids because they were a huge hit.
Then the boys attacked grandpa. You might wondering what they are doing but they not only like to give raspberries on bellies but also on backs. They think it's hilarious.
Wrestlemania!
And Max sporting his new costume. It's been a big hit, and for some reason especially the tape measure.
What a fun two days. For more pics of the party end of it check out my other blog here.

6:02pm

What sometimes happens when Levi "want's to have fun!" instead of napping at a normal time.
Silly boy. (I think you get this trait from me, though I would NEVER turn down a nap.)

Al Fresco

Reason #47 why I love warm weather.
Clean up? All you need is a hose and a towel. Perfect.

Last Minute Rush

This week has been all about Max, ever since Wednesday, his actual birthday. We've had parties, lots of fun and my cameras full of great pics to come. Here's a shot of a pic I just took of Max enjoying it to the very end, though he might think that is just how we do things from now on, going on lots of trips, singing happy birthday to him at random times and having fun treats. Sorry bud, but there's always next year!
If your wondering what this is, I set up a candy 'bar' for the kids to put treats in a bag and take home, it's right by the door and has been up since yesterday. I'm pretty sure the boys LOVE the idea of having jars of candy set out by the front door so they can grab whenever they please. A piece of candy before church? Sure, don't mind if I do. Headed downstairs and need a little sugar rush? Why not. Sorry guys, it goes down tonight. Plus not only the boys have been enjoying it so everything's almost gone anyways.

I'm Pretty Sure I'm Insane

Just ask Jason. He'll tell you the truth to any of those who are wondering.

Right now I am putting together the pieces for Mr. Max's birthday party tomorrow. I've been working on it a little bit at a time over the last several months, so it probably seems like forever to my family. I just want it to be a fun, happy day for my boy and his friends and since I've decided to only do this every other year, I have to get my crazy party planning-ness out of me while I can.

When I get an idea of something I want to do, a project, a party, a talk or even teaching, I have a picture in my head of how it's going to be and I do my darndest to get as close to that as I can, even though at times I make it much more complicated than it needs to be. But it usually turns out pretty cool, I learn a lot along the way and have lots of fun doing it. Also Jason normally says he's glad I did whatever it is. Ha! He just likes to roll his eyes at me and my insanity, but he knows he likes it. Don't you hon?

I'm so grateful to my little sis who came over and helped me put everything together and lower my stress level, she usually does. Now it's mostly done and I just need to clean up the house now that the boys are gone; Levi off with Jason at the father/son campout and Max who is hanging out with Nesie for the night.

Here's to a great weekend!

Choo Choo! I'm Two!

Max has been really beginning to work on his talking skills lately. He is really good about understanding what is being said to him. While he can't say full words very well or make a number of sounds he is surprising me everyday with new words. So far here is what he says

No (he learned that one pretty fast and says it a LOT)
Yeah
Mom
Da-E
I (Levi) also this is "I" for eye and "I" for Uncle Isaac
E (Nese)
Bay (baby) and if you point and ask him who he is, he says "Bay"
down/uhh (up)
ba (back)
bah (means either bottle or pacifier)
bow bow (his gun sound)
oon - spoon
Mow - more
Don-od (donald, this is both the cartoon character and the fast food place, he LOVES the playgrounds there)
Mi-mao (mickey mouse)

And he basically does whatever letter he knows in the word instead of the word itself.

Mr. Max is extremely determined and is not easily swayed. I don't know if this is a good or bad thing but I'm thinking good. Right now we are working a lot on sharing and while many times it takes a lot of my negotiating skills, he is much more willing to share with his brother and give things up if you do it in the right way. Mostly no, but lately it's been more yes. We'll see if that continues.

Now the the weather is getting better I'm beginning to see the outdoors man in him. He loves to play outside and just run around in the back yard playing with sticks, in the sandbox, or 'riding' one of the bikes. He's also just started following his brothers lead in bringing me fistfuls of dandilions any chance he gets. And dirt? He is definitely not afraid to get dirty, though there is a limit of how much stuff he'll let get on his hands. I can wait for summer time with these boys!

When we had Levi I thought he was a party animal but Max is definitely a partier to the core and sometimes can even give Levi a run for his money.
Favorite shows: Wonder Pets, Mickey Mouse Club house, and anything with Elmo in it though he doesn't usually sit still for most shows, just too much excitement going on.Favorite objects: his yellow fleece blanket, blue puppy blanket, a small clown doll that used to be Uncle Gabe's when he was little (he calls him 'bay', baby), his buzz light year, and of course any spoon he can get his hands on. He has also been extremely into trains lately, which is good because we are having a train party for him. When Levi decided Max needed a train party almost 6 months ago he liked them but nothing like he does now. Choo Choo!

One of my favorite things about Max is is smile, it's infectious. Even when I'm frustrated it can usually melt my heart. Oh, and his giggles are one of my favorite sounds in the world.

Things that make him laugh: dad, Levi if he's doing something crazy, other kids doing any sort of kids stuff, Elmo, seeing Nese drive up to our house (he really gets excited for that one), rubbing noses, and pinching his belly.
He has always loved doing whatever his big brother does and wants to do 'big boy' things like him. Now he refuses to sit in anything but a regular chair, no booster for this one. And while he'll drink out of a sippy cup, prefers a regular cup. Whatever Levi does/has/eats, you can bet Mr. Max will too.

Lately he has been such a little helper, he puts his dishes in the sink (a number of times has even done it without asking!), helps put his toys away, and likes to bring things to people.

Max is my little baby, even though he is two years old. I don't know if I'm willing to give up on him being my baby. I love that he loves to cuddle with me and always wants me to hold him. Though it has been a little problematic because if it were up to him I'd be holding him, having him sit on my lap or leaning up against me most of his waking hours.

Sir Max, we love you more than you'll ever know, our home wouldn't be the same without you!

Let's Hear it for the Boys!

Last weekend and all this week I was spoiled rotten. The whole week long and I loved every minute of it. I started out Friday night with getting to go on a girls night where I ate my first burger and fries for a long time and chatted the night away with some of my favorite mommies.

Then Saturday I got to sleep in and do whatever I wanted. What did I want to do? I jogged the furthest I ever have consecutively in my life (4 miles, not much but you've gotta start somewhere!) I was tired but I really wanted to go to a Zumba class at the gym, so I did. Let me tell you by the end I was good and tired but I felt great. Then turns out while I was gone my mom whisked the boys away and took them to see "Rio" and out to lunch while Jason and I got to hang out and do some errands together. Not terribly exciting but it's always a treat to go hang out just him and I. We were going to go to "Out of This World Pizza" because that's what I really wanted to do with the boys. We all always have fun there but it was too late and we ended up doing that Monday instead. Then I got to craft the night away on some fun projects I've been wanting to work on.

Sunday? It started off with breakfast in bed, flowers and a poster by my artists in residence.
I was so surprised and Levi was very excited about the whole thing and if I poked my head out of the door he would tell me to 'Go back to your room!' Max was too sick for church so Aunt Rose stayed with him but that made sacrament kind of nice and a whole lot quieter. My primary kids sang and did a great job, we had a mother's day lesson followed by a lot of chatting, which I haven't been able to do with some people in a while since I've been in primary. I got to take a super long nap, have strawberry shortcake (delicious) and spend the evening with my little family.

Then later in the week my dad ended up taking Levi for 2 nights and at the same time my big bro, Jared, took Max for an overnighter as well. So I got a FULL 24 HOURS in the middle of the week without kids or without having Jason watch them. Talk about spoiled rotten.

And I can't tell you how many times Jason cleaned the house, did the dishes, rubbed my feet, or got the kids ready for bed this week. Glorious. I better get started on what I'm going to do for him for Fathers Day.
Here is the story my mom told me about the flowers I got. While Levi was out with Nesie shopping, they were just about home when Levi says "But where are the flowers for my mom?? She needs flowers with a bottle" Nesie tried to explain that I said I didn't want any, to which he replied "But you got flowers and Gram got flowers". He was obviously very convinced that I needed flowers, enough so that the car was turned around to find some. First they stopped at the much closer Hallmark store to find something. Cards where shown and other gifts but he did not find quite what he was looking for. So off to another store they went. When they finally got to the flower section of another store Levi refused all of the ones that were shown to him, saying "She needs pink and white ones". He finally found a bouquet that passed muster and then went on to find a 'bottle' for it. Much like the flowers, he was very particular about what he was looking for and they finally found it. They were both beautiful (and from what it looks like, the most expensive of them all! I guess he inherited the talent of being able to find the most expensive item in a store without ever looking at a price tag, from Nesie and Aunt Rose. They're so funny.) I must say that boy has some pretty good taste and I am loving the smell of lilies in my living room.

Hilarious Levi

Eating a corn dog. "Hey, there's a hot dog inside!"

We were playing a matching game and this one was a new one with outer space objects on it. During it I would tell him what it was if he didn't know. We came to one even I didn't know, some sort of satellite thing. Then I ask him what it might be. Reply? "It's a thing-a-ma-doodle- mom." Of course it is.

While in the bathtub, "Mom, why's there a crack in my butt?" Good question buddy.

Lately Levi has been calling me Princess Tendra. This came because I often call both him and Max my little princes, usually referring to him as "Prince Levi". Then I asked him who I am. "Princess Tendra". Dad? "King Daddy" Max? "Sir Max" I LOVE it!

"This is the best day ever in my life!" Why you ask? Because he got Marshmallow Mateys which we don't usually have. Cereal is more of a treat around here. It's the simple things.

Telling me what he did he did in the morning "I had to help dad get ready for work, it took three hours" Little stinker got up way earlier than he normally does, at least he was helping!

Jason was hanging out in the boys room on the love sac and drifted off. Levi who wanted to play didn't like that one bit.

Levi: "Stop sleeping dad!"
Jason: "I'm tired"
Levi: "But it's day time, you can't sleep in the day time."
Jason: "It's ok to sleep during the day time."
Levi: "But owls are nocturnal, people are not. People stay awake every day."

We've talked a lot this week about what 'nocturnal' means. He's finally beginning to use it properly. Kind of.

I've been prepping for Max's #2 b-day and so of course Levi has been talking about his birthday. While we were discussing who he wasnted to invite he said, "...whatabout me? Yeah! I love myself."

High to the Sky

We sure love blocks round' here.

Tunnel Vision

I've been prepping for Max's upcoming train party and have a tunnel at the end of the hall, the boys LOVE playing with it.

Chatterbox

I wondering who he's talking to....

Letting Go

Every night before I go to bed I can't help but check in on the boys, even if I know Jason has already done it. I just have to take a look at them. As I kiss them goodnight I always say a silent prayer for them, asking Heavenly Father and the angels that surround them, to protect them and guide them.

The other day I was doing my routine and Max had woken up so I held and rocked him for a good while, something I don't do nearly enough. Thoughts raced about how fast they are growing and how I wish that I could freeze time. Because, despite all the hardships that come with parenting young children, it is wonderful and something I know I will never get back. I love their innocence, complete love and devotion, joy in the smallest things and curiosity. It is no wonder the scriptures tell us to 'be as little children'.

As I held my sweet little man, I wondered what our lives would be like in 5 years, 10 or even 20. I sure hope they like me when I'm older, when they are teenagers and I have to tell them they can't stay out all hours of the night, make them study for some test or don't let them do whatever they want. I hope they still want to call and talk to me when they go off to school and get married. I hope they live nearby because you can bet I want to spoil some grandkids. I guess sometimes I just want to hug them and hold on to them forever. But that's impossible. It's just hard letting go even the littlest amount. Next year Levi will be going to preschool 3 times a week and it is weird to think he has a whole life outside of me and our home. I know it's got to happen though and am trying to enjoy it all while I can. My babies are growing up.

Cupcake Decorating 101

A couple weeks ago I volunteered to make some cupcakes for a friend of ours, Cameron, for his 3rd birthday. I love making stuff for little kids! He loved Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story so I searched around online and found something simple and perfect!

Levi saw the first one I made and insisted on lending a hand.
He did a pretty decent job and the kids loved them. Mission accomplished!

Running for Risa

Last weekend I did my first official 5k. It was to help raise money for a young woman who had cancer, I didn't know her personally but knew her older siblings and family. She actually passed away a week or so before the event but I am so glad we were able to help even in some small way.

When they first announced it several months ago I started jogging 5k's every Saturday, just to make sure I wouldn't pass out or anything. Which I didn't. I was super slow and was 175th out of 206 but I didn't stop, which was my goal. Here's a horrible picture, it was probably going up one of those hills. It was a lot hill-ier than I expected.
After the 5k Scarlett and I had plans to meet up with my mom and the boys to do the fun run. She had taken them over to her house for a sleepover and per typical Denese fashion they were a little late getting there but we eventually started off.

Levi was quite excited about getting to put a number on his shirt, though it was a little difficult to tell what number it was upside down.
We all started off on the fun run trail.
After getting up the first big hill Levi says to us "This is a fun run! We need to run!" So him and Aunt Rose ran off with the rest of us trailing behind. It wasn't a very long distance, I'd say approximately one cookie and bag of Cheetos long. Silly Max. Now THAT is how you run a race. We all finished, last (mostly because we pretty much started when everyone had finished), but had a fun time. We're definitely doing this again sometime soon. Next time we'll make Jason come with us. He actually would have come but he had to work last minute. I've already signed up for one in June, I hope I do better!Yeah baby!

Why I Stayed Up WAYYYY Too Late Last Night

I've been hit with party fever lately. When Levi had his #2 b-day I decided I was only going to do 'big/friend' party every other year, so on the evens, and on the odds do it with family but with a super awesome cake. This year, and every other year from now on, I have two I'm planning, a train one and a superhero one for Levi at the end of the summer.

Ever since b-day #3 Levi has been talking about his #4 party. It was decided long ago it would be a superhero one and at least once a week we talk about it or look at cool superhero stuff on the computer. Even though Max's party is in just over 2 weeks, I saw the coolest idea for my super-boy and started on it last night. It took me forever to get just right but I didn't want to stop in the middle of it because I know how I am with projects, better to finish now or it might just be a year before it happens. I LOVE it and am going to turn it into a poster for his party. Part of me really wants to show him but I kind of want it to be a surprise for his party. Good thing he can't get on the computer!

Easter

This year for our Easter festivities we went to my step-aunt's who has a little boy and girl Levi's age along with some other cousins. It was so much fun to have so many kids around and they were in heaven.

The Easter bunny might have even left a little something for everyone at the door
The kids were so excited and seems like that easter bunny sure knew what he was doing though it took Max a little bit to figure out what was going on. I think he was much more interested in playing Wii.Mr. Potato Heads with awesome costumes for all the boys. They were perfect and Max was so excited with his fireman one. He's been obsessesed with them lately. Levi got a policeman one and insisted on showing me how to whistle.
It was tricky to get it but I got a picture of all of them sitting down at the same time, which lasted for aproximately 2.4 seconds before they took off to play.
After food had settled it was time for dessert which meant it was egg hunting time! There were tons of eggs scattered around the house (it was a little to wet outside to do it there) Max even found a corner where to totally hit the jackpot.
You might wondering what was done with all that basket filling, no fear, it was put to good use.
We might have even seen a rainbow or two.