Happy Birthday Jack!

Jack's 3rd birthday involved jumping, running, hopping, zip lining, parachuting (the kind you play with ON THE GROUND) climbing, obstacle coursing, skipping, flying, playing and most importantly SMILING! Penobscot Valley School of Gymnastics is the perfect place to have a party for a 3 year old. My kids left happy and exhausted!

As far as my boy being 3? Well that is just unbelievable to me. These three years have zipped by faster than I wanted them to. But I would not have changed a thing. He is a B, O, Y for sure. Trains are his thing, especially Thomas, James, Percy, Diesel the whole gang actually. He's recently watched CARS from Pixar so Lightning McQueen has become part of his vocabulary too. He loves to play with any cars, trucks or trains but if they aren't available for entertainment, any old fork, spoon or carrot will do. Just come witness him at dinner time. He provides entertainment for all of us!
Fun on the air track!
Opening presents.

Happy Birthday My Big Boy!

Art work and puzzles

The kids were working on a puzzle this morning. Can you guess how long it was?

Mr. Snowman has "dancing arms" can you tell?
Alyssa brought home some samples of the art work she's been doing at school. My kids art work is one of my favorite things about school. The snowman is getting it's own frame as well as the "abstract" art piece above. Alyssa was unable to tell me what most of it was but can you find the ladder and the rainbow? Her assignment in the abstract art was to make squiggle lines all over the paper with marker and then paint it. I LOVE it! Below is her American quilt. You can't tell by the photo but she cut the ends to make fringe as on a blanket. She is having a lot of fun in school and often reports out exactly what has gone on during the day. She was very animated in telling me all about these art projects.


This next picture I took because it is her very first written piece that I've seen come home from school. She took upon herself to write a note to her friend Hayden. It reads, "Hayden, you did a very good job. Chocolate." So I asked Alyssa why she wrote the note to her friend and she said "well, I'm not done but I wrote it because she did a very good job." "A good job at what?" "Playing with me" she replied matter-of-factly. I was so proud of her on so many levels. First that she would think to praise another child, a peer no less, second to do so by writing a note and third that she attempted to spell this ALL on her OWN! Did I mention that she is in Kindergarten? Yes I am a very proud Mommy!

Winter Fun

Last Saturday Alyssa, Jack and I bundled up, threw the sleds in the car and went to find us a big ol hill in Orrington. We found all kinds of fun on top of King's Mountain. Once we got there all kinds of memories of sledding on that hill came flooding back. Must've been 25 years since I've been on that hill. It was warm enough to sled for hours, we managed a little more than one before we were soaked through. Jack managed the hill really well, although you can see he preferred the "pull me on the sled" method of going up the hill. (notice his hands behind his head) A great day was had by all! Next time Dad will join us!

CHRISTMAS!

Christmas 2010 was filled with trains, trains and more trains! We had happy children from piston to footplate! Alyssa was thrilled with her littlest pet shop sets, not one but TWO zhoo zhoo pets and their new home! Santa didn't forget Lauren either with new shoes, AE outfits and lia sophia jewelry. My favorite gift has to be the silver, diamond necklace surrounded by two hearts that was chosen by my oldest but from all the kids. And my second favorite would have to be my new phone! Santa was really sneaky this year but he knows I've been a good girl and definitely deserve a new phone. Thinking about the new year and what resolutions I should make. On the top of the list is to definitely make some more me time. I've spent most of this vacation catching up on some much needed R and R and I realize just how much I am overworked. My mantra for 2011 should be Less is MORE! We've had one of the best vacations this Christmas because Jason had time off with me and we just stayed home. There IS no place like home! Well enough of my rambling. Happy New Year Everyone!

Olive Garden Family dinner 2010

Mom and Tina
My handsome husband and me!
The kids with their Great Aunt Judy.
Waiting to be seated!
Colin, Jack, Lauren and Alyssa all ready to dine on some fine spaghetti!
All dressed up for the tree!
I must say it takes a lot of energy to get two kids bathed and dressed up for dinner. Every year around December 21st we all get dressed up and head out to our traditional family dinner. We've gone to places like the Muddy Rudder, Chocolate Grill in Old Town, Seguinos and last year we went to that Greek place in Brewer that I can't quite remember the name of right now. Anyway we always say we are going to celebrate my brother's birthday but I think even if it wasn't his birthday we still would all go.

Winter Fun 2010

Although the snow has been hit and miss this year we've still made some time to go out and enjoy the fluffy white stuff. Sledding has definitely been the favorite outdoor activity and we have the perfect hill for it. It's just big enough to get a good run in but not sooo steep that the kids can't climb up it themselves. Although Jack definitely prefers to be pulled up! Alyssa has learned the run and dive trick to get the most out of our hill. Jack tries it too but mostly he needs to have a good push. We've tried making a snowman but haven't had much luck yet. Perhaps today will be the day we get that "magic snow" as my dad would say! Here's to more adventures in the snow!

Christmas with the Freemans

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d544d354d6a6b344d544d3d0d0a&blogview=true

Click the link above to share our Christmas!