Friday, May 30, 2014

Nathan's Last Day of Early Childhood

The annual pics I take of the kids....Nathan on his last day of school, holding a picture from the first day of school!  He has definitely grown!!!
 Nathan with two of his three teachers (the third one was not in school for the last day as her son is getting married tomorrow!)
 Nathan in front of his school! 

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Here We Go!

Okay, I just synced my phone to my computer, so I'm about to add a post with a TON of pics.  Some of these have been on Facebook or Instagram, so I apologize if you have already seen them.  But, I like to have them in the blog too since I will eventually print the blog books!  Thanks for your understanding and forgive any repetitiveness!
Did I mention that we have a toothless little girl in our house??  No corn on the cob for this one!
 Nathan went through a two week "tie" phase where he would wear ties to school, sleep in them, etc.  It was adorable!  
 Charlotte and a few girls from her Daisy Troop
 What a cutie!!!
 Preschool drop off line selfie
 Nathan with his BFF, Nikhil!
 Char and I on Easter!
 Watching Daddy's softball team...this picture was taken right before Daddy caught a line drive in the wrist and had to go to the ER....good times!
 Just a "manly" tea party between buds
 Nathan started ice skating...and he's actually doing great!  
 I found Nathan an Olaf and he was SO thrilled!!  I love making this boy happy!
 Every day that Charlotte comes home from school...Nate runs up to her and jumps into her arms and hugs her.  He misses her so much when she's gone all day!
 Nathan dressed up as Batman at his school
 Someone in this family is happy that warm weather is here!  
 Daddy rescued a huge frog from our window well and let it loose in the pond by our house.  What a hero!
 Charlotte and Aunt Liz!
 Having a little fun at the Home Depot!
 Charlotte and Nathan with Elsa and Olaf 
 Mother Goose came to Nate's school
He got to dress up and play "Old King Cole"
 My own personal superhero!
 Guess who got to chaperone Charlotte's kindergarten field trip to the DuPage Children's museum?  This mom!
 Letting kids play with saws..what can go wrong?
 Using her body to produce energy!
 Bubbles!
 Charlotte weaving with her friend
 Using her noodle
 Playing a wrench xylophone 
 The kindergarten! Charlotte is front row right
 Snuggling with some wild animals!
 Annabelle trying to give Nathan a kiss at Charlotte's party!
 My favorite cowboy and I at his "roundup" end of year show and picnic
 I came down to breakfast to see this...decor, menus and the table set.  The menus say, "The Family Restaurant"
 The waitress!
 The waitress and the chef!
 Dining with the help
 Nathan with Grandpa Ron.  When Ron is around, no one else exists to Nathan!  
 Charlotte and Grandpa on Memorial Day
 My Memorial Day cuties!
 Nathan's self portrait at the beginning of the school year
 Nathan's self portrait at the end of the year, his handwriting really improved!
I have a strep throat..and tonight, this little guy snuck out of his room and came into my bed and said, "Mom, I'm just gonna lay here for a while to protect you from your yucky throat."  Thanks buddy!
 Charlotte and her cousin, Charlie...toothless twins!


Lots of Videos!!!

Hi everyone!  Check out YouTube for some videos of the kids!  Links are below!  Click on one...or all and enjoy!!!

Nathan's End of Year "Roundup"

More Roundup!

Roundup Finale "Happy Trails to You"

Charlotte's "Mother's Day Tea" Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Charlotte's "Mother's Day Tea" What a Wonderful World

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Charlotte's Frozen Birthday!

Well, now that life is (sort of) getting back to normal, I can blog about Charlotte's fabulous Frozen birthday party!  When it became time for Charlotte to pick her theme, it was a no brainer.  Because, unless you have been living under a rock, Frozen is all the rage!! So, for months, I have been in search of all the turquoise, snowflakes, icicles and glitter I could get my hands on!  Of course, Kevin and I were panicked up until the day of the party, because it had been pouring all week.  Ugh!  But, luckily that morning, it turned out to be a great day!  It was a little cooler than we would have hoped, but NO rain!  

One of the best surprises of the day was that I had hired an "Anna and and Elsa" to come to the party and surprise the kids.  Charlotte was absolutely floored.  She was so shocked when they walked into the backyard.  It was magical!  They did a great job singing and reading with the kids.  They played games, sang happy birthday and posed for pictures!  At one point she came running over, gave me a huge hug and a kiss and said, "Mommy, this is the best party, EVER!"  We thought it worked out great too!  Thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate 6 awesome years with this special girl!!!!

Charlotte with Elsa and Anna
 Charlotte before the guests arrived
 Most of the kids with Anna and Elsa (some were too old or too young to really enjoy it)
 Nathan with the princesses!
The "Drink station"
 The special drink that we made for the party
 An idea I stole from my friend, Cindy.  Buy a book that matches the theme and have everyone sign it!
 Even Anna and Elsa signed it!  
 The dessert table.  I started putting this up 2 weeks before the party!  
 Cupcakes
 "Snowballs" aka powdered sugar donuts
 Pretty Candy
 Centerpieces...wish I had time to iron the tablecloth!  
 Icicles dripping off of everything!
 A special drink for the kids
 Arts and Crafts
 Kids food table
 "Olaf Noses and Olaf Arms" aka carrots and pretzels!

 Wreaths that I made for the front doors
 "Frozen Heart" Artichoke dip with heart shaped blue cornbread
 Charlotte seeing Anna and Elsa for the first time
 Reading a story
 Dancing and Singing to "Let it Go"
 Charlotte is enthralled!
 Love!
 So happy!!!
 Making a wish!
 Getting ready for the "SNOW" crab boil!
 Carrot slaw
 "Snow" pea pasta salad
 Yum!!
 Dig in!
Reindeer sausage and cheese plate (yes, it was ACTUAL reindeer sausage flown in from Alaska!
 Coronation Chicken....yes, there is actually a dish called coronation chicken!
 Goat Cheese snowman
 "SNOW" pea hummus
"Iceberg" Wedge salads