Can it Be? Ian's 3!

When I first asked Ian what kind of birthday party he wanted, he said 'cars!' About a week later, he changed his mind to dragons. I asked him several times and the dragon theme stuck, so we went with it. He wanted a green dragon cake and for his birthday meal? - waffles and bacon. Who can argue with waffles and bacon?

When I asked Ian who he wanted to come to his birthday party he said, 'Samuel, Sarah, and Daddy.' Oh, to be three. Three years, three party guests :)

So Ian said, so it was.

Ian and Samuel have become quite the good buddies. They laughed, played, and tortured the girls (by chasing them.) Poor Payton, when Samuel's not around she discusses the play tactics with Ian. She says, 'Ian, when Samuel gets here, you need to tell him not to chase Sarah and me.' Ian dutifully replies, 'Ok, Payton.' But somehow when Samuel arrives this conversation is completely forgotten.

Anyway, Ian got some cool toys: hot wheel tracks, Lego sets, and a Playmobil biker/skateboarder set - stuff that Daddy likes playing with just as much as Ian :)

Samuel's Birthday Party

Last Saturday, we went to Samuel's 5th birthday party. The kids were super-excited about it. The party was at the YMCA with a bounce house.

Ian was a little scared of the bounce house at first. I tried to go with him a couple of times. Daddy finally got him to go through the tunnel entrance. Then he couldn't get enough.

Oh, and by the way, since I'm a weather freak - it snowed AGAIN! - I believe this is the seventh time this winter. About 1 inch stuck after it was all said and done, but if it would have been colder, I think it would have been closer 5 inches.

Kites

Today we had lots of wind. Mommy got tired of being in the house, so we went to the dollar store.  I persuaded the kids to get kites.

It was a little gusty, so the kites would get up and fly for a little while and then crash. This was very frustrating for each child at one point or another.

Poor Ian

Poor Payton,

Go Ian!

Oh - it's just snow.

Yup, I think this was the 5th time that snow has hit us here in Winston-Salem. Wednesday, school was not cancelled or let out early - it was just a mere brush with the stuff. It melted as it hit the ground. But it was pretty to look at while it lasted.

Payton got to play out in it a little bit during school recess, but it was too wet to play in for too long.

Ian didn't really care much for it. It was almost like it was no big deal.

I thought it was pretty cool because I got to drive in it. I don't get to drive in snow much and this was probably one of the best conditions in which to do it.

All of that aside, we are really ready for all this snow business to be over with.

One day when we couldn't go outside, Payton and Ian decorated a 'stage' and put on their play. My prince and princess....

Spring?

I wish it was spring already. This weekend, a hint of it was in the air, even though there was still a little snow on the ground. The birds are starting to chirp bright and early in the mornings. The buds are visible on the trees. It was sunny and semi-warm - we didn't even need our coats to play outside.

The gardening expert in the paper that if the ground wasn't frozen, now was the time to plant some veggies outside! So Payton helped me plan and design the garden for the Spring. Payton's major contribution to the plan was a walking path right down the middle. We planted snow peas, carrots, broccoli,onions, spinach and some lettuce. We plan on planting some more lettuce and flowers when it gets a bit warmer. We also started some flower seeds indoors so that Payton can have her flower garden.

Ian just dug in the dirt, practiced he golf, and stole my garden hat. He looks a lot cuter in it than I do.

Kids say the darnest things - Part IV

We were getting ready for school one morning and Payton decides it's a good time to practice her ballet dancing. She's wearing her tutu, tries to get Ian in one as well (he declined), and asks me to turn on my musical jewelry box. I oblige and hear Payton giving Ian directions on how to dance. At the end of the dance Payton explains to Ian, 'OK, Ian, now you bow and I Pepsi.'
'What was that?' I call out.
'Ian bows and I Pepsi'
'No, Payton. Sweetie, you curtsy.'  :)

Valentine's Weekend

Scott gave me a fabulous Valentine's present this weekend - time. (ok, and some orchids which I hope I don't kill.)

He gave me Saturday afternoon AND evening off to go do whatever I wanted! Scott's been working long hours and weekends lately, so he knows that the kids have been driving me a little bananas. I went to Starbucks to read a book. When I lived in Phoenix, this time of year I would have gone for a hike on one of the mountain preserves right there in the city. Considering the snow from Friday night was still on the ground and all the hiking trails close to here would have been either covered in snow or muddy, I chose more city-fied things to do. After I finished my book, I went to the mall to wander. I found a sweet pair of lined jeans for only $10 at Eddie Bauer.This is the first pair I've ever owned. I don't even think they sell them in Corpus Christi. It never gets that cold there. (sigh)

After a hamburger, by myself! I picked up my friend Jill, and we saw the movie Avatar in 3D. The movie was great - action, romance, fantastical alien world with half-naked creatures - what's not to like. Special effects were cool. Only drawback was that the 3D glasses started pinching my nose. So, Saturday, was awesome.

But the weekend didn't stop there. Scott took the kids to Charlotte Sunday while I stayed at home! I decided to stay and do laundry, clean, take a nap, etc. Scott went to IKEA, the outlet mall, and Trader Joe's.  At the outlet mall, Scott spent some of his birthday money at the Lego store. He bought all kinds of Legos for the kids (and him). He wanted to get something that he and the kids could do together - isn't that sweet!

So, even though today (Monday) is rainy and dreary, I'm still basking in the glow of my wonderfully relaxing weekend :)

It's exactly what I needed - thanks sweetie!