Baby Butts, Quilt Rebel and Dirty Looks

 I seriously can't get enough of little babies sleeping with their butts in the air. How do they do that?

 Max was helping me with a little Halloween project.....

 And Davis thinks he owns every water bottle in the planet.

 It was my birthday week and I got a lot of love from friends. I loved this one, a couple ladies call me sister Goodwitch, they even made a shirt to show it a couple years ago. Awesome ladies, you know who you are.

 I finally had to get some Halloween candy and since these whole large candy bars were on sale an we only get a handful of kids I got them. And we sadly only gave out a few. Our neighborhood just doesn't have many kiddos. Sad. But we later sent all these off with Uncle Jared to pass off at his record shop. They loved it.

 For Levi's school I am part of the 'PPC' party planning committee, though I told them with my shop I'm not able to do as much in person stuff until after the New Years but I can help with planning and other stuff. This year as we were emailing I suggested doing a crazy obsticle course (they were going to just do games) and one of them ran with the idea and the kids LOVED it I heard.

I was also suggested a prize for the costume parade they were doing and since I suggested it I offered to do the awards. I found a idea similar to this on Pinterest. I thought of candy but I figured they would get a ton and also I was just sick of giving candy for everything (For me that's a shocker, I heart candy)

Jason helped with most of it, melted the guys in certain areas to bend them then cut dowels and cut little stands for them. I only really showed him what I had in mind and did the lettering. Aren't they awesome?

 And just a couple days before Halloween I was off for a quilt retreat for my birthday gift from Jason. Is it sad all my gifts are time away from everyone? For mothers day I like to go off on my own, birthday, Christmas. It's not like I don't like my guys cause I do but it is so nice to do exactly what I want to do when I want. To be able to listen to my music on the radio. To get up when I want, to not have to change diapers, answer questions, make sure kids do chores, homework and such. Heck to actually be able to eat a meal when I want instead of making sure everyone else is taken care of. At this point in my mothering career I sometimes just need a little break. I'm sure there will be a time that all I will want as a Mothers Day/birthday/Christmas gift is the opposite when all I will want is to be with all my guys. Their is a time for every season.

So when I left to go this is how I left them, watching some show, I can't even tell what it is. The house was kind of a mess and as I was leaving Davie cried a bit but it was nice to get my stuff all packed (I had a ton, sleeping, sewing, jewelry stuff) and go off with my sister and talk and talk and talk to her because we actually don't get to a lot.

 And I made it. It was heavenly. I first actually set up my photography stuff so I could take some pictures of my jewelry. I had a TON of new pieces that I just hadn't had time to photograph because it is so time intensive. I think I bit off a lot more than I could chew because it took most of the time but I didn't really care, it was fun being their with all those crafty quilting ladies, my mom, sister and Miranda. That and I actually do like doing photography overall and I hadn't been able to in a long time so it was nice to get to it.

 The boys did lots of fun stuff and sent pictures. I asked them all to do it but made sure the boys tell dad. The went to OMSI, shopping, IHOP, trick or treating at Nike(sad I missed Halloween!), trick or treating with grandpa. Lucky boys.

 Apparently Davis out ate Max at IHOP.

 After I got all my stuff photographed, which took a majority of the time, I was able to get some progress made on a quilt I've been working on for years. I think I started it two years ago on the last retreat.

How my pants look after quilting. But who cares? They were all women. I might or might not have been brasserie-less for most of the time. It was like a sleepover for the craft at heart.

 Whenever I get that thing finished it's going to be awesome!

Scarlett actually quilted too! At first she said she wouldn't even though she brought a sewing machine (which I don't think she'd used before) and was just going to knit but she got tired of it. Mom and I convinced Miranda to do an easy quilt which she finished and so Scarlett did to and finished it during the retreat. After that she helped me and mom with ironing things. She's a helper she is.

 And on the last day Mom took Miranda home and SRW and I went off to Chevys for dinner because we could. Twas a great way to end our trip.

 And I made it back just in time to catch Levi and Max's recital! They both did well though Max totally forgot a page :)  I'm just proud he went up there and didn't back out.

 Davis sat for most of the time.

 I took a couple dozen shots and these were my best. By the end I got the look.

Last Ninja Standing and End of the Season

 I am a total briber when it comes to the boys and the dentist. For a couple of times I have told them if they go to their checkups and they don't find any cavities I/we will get them a big toy of their choice ($20 or less, this time was $10). I figure it's better than paying hundreds even after insurance which we have already had to do with Levi for a couple cavities. I know my mom paid thousands and thousands for us and our terrible teeth and I'll do anything to prevent it. I will even do big money when they get to be teens. Again, I figure it saves money and you only get one set of chompers. It is also handy to remind them of it when they are brushing or don't want to brush that their is the possibility of something later on. 

Anyways, it worked for this time around because neither had cavities. We weren't able to have them pick out toys for a week or so because we were busy but we finally got to it. Max picked a set of ninja turtle figures/key chains and Levi picked some sort of army guy set. Max was so dang sweet and pretty much right after gave two of his four guys to Levi. Later that week he gave one (leaving him with only one) to one of his best friends in kindergarten. Sometimes he is so dang generous. Not all the time but when he gives he gives it all.

 Dave the Destroyer.

 Bath time!!!! These guys are so cute in the tub together. It's pretty crowded but there but there are always lots of giggles. Levi and Max will put water in their mouths and spray it at Davis' belly which always gets big giggles from Dave.

 And I finally watched Gilmore Girls. I could not stop. How did I never watch this when it first came out?

 And I finally gave up and gave my whole stash of ribbon which was this entire container, to a good crafty friend of mine. I'm just trying to pare things down and get rid of things I don't use much and this was definitely one of them. I know she will put it to good use. I'd been wanting to find a new home but couldn't bear the thought of giving it to Goodwill probably because it was hundreds of dollars in ribbon and other bow making supplies. I now know they are going to a good home full of girls and a crafty mom.

 Max loves when I do this for his sandwiches. It's not all the time but every once and  a while. I like it because I'm pretty insistent kids eat crusts but it also makes a fun face using all the sandwich. I actually use a doughnut cutter which looks likes a bulls eye. We have yet to make doughnuts but at least we're getting some use out of it!

 Levi practicing piano. It's been slow going lately since we lost our piano teacher. I have yet to find a new one and have been trying on my own but it's not going so well. It's hard to be the teacher and the practicing enforcer. Most teachers are full but I'm going to try again after the new year. It will happen.

This is when he was practicing and Davis really wanted to watch and wiggle his butt. So dang cute.

 Sweet Tomatoes and proof that Max does eat some vegetables, at least at sweet tomatoes. At home not very often.

We baby sat a couple of friends for the day. The boys loved it.

After  that I caught the boys playing headbands while Dave-o napped. I love that they're at an age where they can play games by themselves. Well, at least for 15 minutes before a fight usually breaks out.

And my early birthday present. It was actually the first time I went to the Nike employee store and bought something for me. Usually I go to one of the factory stores, they are just less expensive. But I am loving these, they are probably my most comfortable pair.

And after a visit to the Red Sled to restock jewelry. The boys got suckers this time.

And Davis trying to 'help'. Curious monkey.

The last game of the season, a night game. The boys did great and I don't know who won but it doesn't really matter at this age. They worked hard and had fun. So win. Since both boys were playing at the same time, Jason mostly watched Levi while Davis and I watched Max. Mostly because Levi's team is more serious and competitive so I am no help with tips and such and because Max can have his moments and in those usually wants me. But it all went off without a hitch.

Go #4!!!!

After both teams went out for pizza. Since each team was kind of on their own as far as organizing goes each did different things. Max's team decided to do trophies and a little presentation while Levi's didn't. I didn't think they were doing anything but a couple weeks after all this he got a medal through school, Max's school. Weird. While I felt bummed for Levi (who was optimistic about the whole thing) I'm glad it wasn't the other way around because Max would have had a fit and we would have had to go home right then.

But we stayed until we were the last ones. Jason took Davis home because we had separate vehicles and he needed to go to bed (Davis) but the boys were up partying. Go Wildcats! 

Sunday Davis kept taking toys from the girls in front of us. BUT it was actually the first time I was in RS for the whole time in months and months. And he hasn't done it since. The ladies all were kind and let him rifle a little through their bags.

And since it was my birthday I got to go take a nap while Jason did this in preparation for people coming over for dinner.

Davis celebrated his 1st and we had the Carsten's and Christiensen's as well as the regulars over.

And cake was had. I have more pictures on my other camera I think. It was so funny to watch him eat and destroy. Always is.