Strike!

On Sunday, we went bowling.  The four of us were going to bowl but Chris had an injured back so Oliver, Adelaide and I took to the lanes while Chris watched and took some pictures.  

 Watching Adelaide bowl was really entertaining.  I love that she is standing really far from the line and has her tongue out.  Her ball SLOWLY made it's way down the lane.  She actually had to get the ball from the middle of the lane a few times because it was going so slow!

 Adelaide was very supportive of me and insisted on giving me high fives and kisses whenever it was my turn.  She was clearly on my team as the competition between Oliver and me heated up!

 Oliver was super focused and really determined to beat me.  I know the emphasis is on teamwork and participation in sports these days, but a little competition never hurt anybody (at least in my book)!

 Oliver enjoyed being a photographer and took this photo of me as I got ready to bowl my last two sets (is that the right word)?  Going into those final two sets, Oliver held a slight lead over me.

 Adelaide gave me one last kiss for good luck before I took my final turn!

 And then the pressure was on Oliver.  He definitely rose to the challenge and bowled his little heart out.  It was so cute to see him in action.  He knew he needed to get at least a 79 to win.

 DRUMROLL PLEASE.....

 When he got to his last ball, he had to knock down at least two pins to take the game.  He focused, he placed the ball and we all watched as it slowly rolled down the alley.  It knocked exactly two pins down and he started jumping up and down!  He was really excited.

By a score of 79 to 78, Oliver took his mommy down!

Magnificent

Magnificence comes in many different shapes and sizes.  In this case, I think my children in their special hats are pretty magnificent.  Wear those hats proudly, little ones.  You made them and they make you shine!

Your outfit put a smile on my face, little lady!

And this picture just cracks me up.

Oliver and Adelaide, like all children out there, are magnificent little people who are going to make the world shine!

Sacrifice

I am only including this picture because I really like it.  I saw Adelaide all curled up on the chair with her favorite babies and it made me smile.

Today is Ash Wednesday.  I explained to Oliver and Adelaide that we were all going to give up something for Lent.  Chris decided to give up beer, I decided to give up chips and Starbucks and Oliver and Adelaide took a very different approach.  Adelaide totally got the idea of giving up something she likes and after thinking about it, she decided that she would give up ketchup and potato chips.  Oliver got this panicked look on his face and broke down saying, "I can't give up something I love.  I just can't.  I'm going to give up something I DON'T like."  I did not expect him to get so upset.  He then decided to give up "the crusts of bread and mustard."  I had to hold back a smile.  I didn't push him too hard.  I probably should have prepared him better, knowing well that he does not like unexpected things.  So, our list this year includes: beer, Starbucks, chips, potato chips, ketchup, mustard and the crusts of bread.

I had a frustrating morning with the kids.  I took them to get ashes.  On the way there, Adelaide asked a very cute question.  She said, "When am I going to get my eyelashes?"  I realized that she was talking about the ashes.  When we got to church, I was hoping they would be quiet and respectful.  After a few minutes, they got very restless and starting moving around a lot and making some noise.  I felt bad for all of the other parish members because I am sure they were hoping for a nice and peaceful service.  I was disappointed that they did not understand the importance of the morning and that they couldn't be respectful and calm for even 45 minutes.  I know they are 3 and 4 but at some point they need to understand that there is a time for quiet and there is a time for play.  I decided that when the service ended, we were going to sit there by ourselves.  After everyone left, I talked to Adelaide and Oliver and then they had to sit there, quietly for 3 minutes.  I think they kind of got it.  After, the reverend came in and talked to us.  He was very kind and he told me that a quiet church concerns him more than a lively church.  I appreciated his kindness and gesture.

We've been at this church regularly for about 18 months and I am happy with the church school program and the services.  I just hope that there comes a time when Oliver and Adelaide can learn to be respectful at church.

*Amendment:  Tonight before bed, while I was reading Oliver books, he decided that he wanted to give up something he really loves instead of something he doesn't like and made the choice to give up french fries.  He really loves french fries.  I was proud of him.  I think he really does just need time to process an idea before making a decision.

Cupcake Love

After watching Adelaide's love of potato chips grow to a startling level, I realized that some cupcake therapy was in order!  We had not made cupcakes in a few months and then I saw some on Pinterest that I really liked.

 I think their favorite part of making the cupcakes was mixing all of the different colors.

 After we baked them, we decorated them with a St. Patrick's Day theme.  Oliver and Adelaide did a nice job of decorating their cupcakes and then it was time to eat them!

 But not before taking time for a silly face!

 Adelaide decided to put the cupcake on her finger and eat it that way.

A fun cupcake making day was needed at the end of this past week.  They brought a smile to our faces!

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day with Oliver and Adelaide was really fun this year.  Last year, we made a canvas to use as a Valentine's Day decoration.  Oliver asked me if we were going to do it again this year.  After looking online to get some ideas, we made this canvas using their hands.  

I had ordered shirts for Oliver and Adelaide for Valentine's Day but when Adelaide's arrived, the front said Adeline instead of Adelaide.  We sent it back for a new one.  It arrived on Valentine's Day so we'll save it for next year!  Oliver did think it was pretty funny that her shirt said "Adeline" and whenever he wants to give her a hard time, he now calls her Adeline.

 We made our annual visit to Grammi's house to drop off her Valentine's treats.  Oliver was very excited to give her a rose and Adelaide gave her the Valentine we made.

 Before we left, Oliver and Adelaide played a little duet for Grammi and me.  Oliver really likes the piano.  I am considering lessons for him this year.

 Chris, Oliver, Adelaide and I celebrated our Valentine's Day a little early because Chris knew he'd be working late on Tuesday.  Chris took them out to buy me presents.  Oliver asked Chris what women typically get for Valentine's Day and Chris told him jewelry and perfume.  Knowing that Oliver and Adelaide were going to pick out my gifts, he took them to Kohl's so he wouldn't have to worry about what they chose and could just let them have fun.

Oliver decided that he would write my real name on the card, instead of Mom.  Inside I found perfume. It was extra special- the roll on kind:).  I wore it that night for dinner.  I may save it for extra special occasions, ha!

 Adelaide decided she wanted to write Mom on my card so that's what she did.  Adelaide was hysterical about my surprise.  She said to me the day before they gave me my gifts, "Mommy, I can't tell you what I got for you but you will need to take out your earrings in order to put in your new gift."  She and Oliver picked out some earrings.  I have worn them every day since they gave them to me because the two of them check my ears every morning before we leave the house to see if I have them on.

 Oliver and Adelaide woke up to a little surprise on Valentine's Day.  We bugged them with the little bees filled with treats.  It put a huge smile on their faces and was a fun way to start the day.

 Both Oliver and Adelaide had parties at school and then we met up with Amy and Lauren for ice cream sundaes.

 Oliver gave her the surprise that he made for her.  It was his first time giving a non-family member some jewelry:).

 Amy and I wanted to have a chance to visit so the kiddos worked on a little craft while we hung out.

 Last week, we were in for another Valentine's Day treat when Lorelai and Cali came over for a little visit.  We decorated some cookies and gave them their treats.  It was really fun to see them.

I am a lover of Valentine's Day and all of the hearts, candy, fun and treats that go along with the day.  I know some may say that you shouldn't need a holiday to show people just how much you care about them but I think it's really just another excuse to celebrate.  Life and love should be celebrated...as often as possible!

Museum of Science

Last year, we got a membership to the Museum of Science and I really enjoyed taking the kids there.  Chris and I definitely felt as though we got quite a bit of use out of our membership so we decided to renew this year and I am so glad we made that decision.

We've been twice since the beginning of the year and the kids just get so much joy out of exploring and learning new things.

This picture makes me smile.  Adelaide was determined to get on that chair and she just sat there.  This chair MAY be a bit big for this little lady!

This visit, we went to the electricity section of the museum.  Oliver was really intrigued by electricity and how it moved with his hands.

Another part of the museum was the robot section.  We had never been there before.  By connecting different blocks, Oliver and Adelaide were able to make a robot move in different directions.

I also took them to the Omni Theater for the first time.  Tickets are included in our membership and I wanted to make sure to use them.  When the show started, Oliver turned to me and asked me if it was similar to the Soarin' ride at Disney World because he said he felt like flying.  Adelaide was a bit more concerned with getting out of Alaska.  When the show started, she asked me how we were going to get out of there.  Love her!

Back to School Night

Last night, I went to Oliver and Adelaide's back to school night at their nursery school.  It was fun to talk to their teachers and see the different projects that they've been working on throughout the year.  Adelaide's teachers said she is quiet but coming out of her shell.  She makes them laugh with her sense of humor.  They say she often delivers her funny moments in a deadpan voice and then they see a little smile and know she is being funny.

Oliver's teachers also say he is very quiet and polite.  They said they would love to see him talk more or answer questions.  I did have a good laugh with the teachers because they said that sometimes when they ask him to do something, like identify colors for their assessment, he gives them a look like "do I really have to do this right now?"  I told them how I often get that look when he thinks that something I am asking him to do is considered "stupid" in his mind.  They said that is exactly the same look.  I told them he is very different at home (verbally) and hardly ever stops talking.  It's like he thinks he's the boss at our house!

I enjoyed seeing the projects they had done.  Oliver's hat picture and story really made me smile which is why I decided to post it here.  I really enjoyed seeing their teachers and chatting with them about Oliver and Adelaide.  They both really enjoy being at school.

This past weekend, we had some Superbowl plans that never happened when the kids got sick with the stomach bug.  Adelaide actually only got sick a few times but Oliver was non-stop.  The poor kid.  I had just finished telling Chris how Oliver reminds me of myself when I get sick when I felt the stomach bug hitting me...a few hours before the game started.  I was holed up in our room the rest of Superbowl Sunday and part of Monday until I finally felt better.  I kind of watched/listened to the game.  What a close one!

Did My Mind Go Blank?

I found this old picture of Oliver from the last Superbowl between the Patriots and the Giants four years ago.  Oliver was almost 7 months old in this picture.  Hard to believe he was that little and that so much time has passed.  But, I think he looks a lot now like he did in that picture.  I really don't have much on my mind which is why there haven't been many updates.

I am excited for the Super Bowl.  Chris is openly routing for the Giants and I am routing for the Patriots.  I think my dad is going to come over for part of the game.  I told Chris to be kind and I think he will!

We got the kids progress reports from Harborlight Nursery today.  They are doing fine.  There is really nothing new that we didn't already know about them.  They are both very quiet at school and are hitting their milestones.  Lately, Adelaide has been talking about a little girl in the class that she really likes and, on her progress report today, the teachers mentioned that they thought Adelaide and this particular little girl would make good friends outside of school as well.  I guess I'll have to get on it:)!  Time to meet her mom!  I will say that thanks to Oliver and Lauren's friendship, Lauren's mom and I have become good friends.  There ARE benefits to "setting up" my children with their friends!  I just don't like worrying about whether or not Oliver and Adelaide are social enough.  Chris and I have talked about it, and while we have friends, neither one of us is a social butterfly.  Some people have that natural charisma and neither Chris or I are truly that way so why would we expect our children to be any different?  It's okay to be a little shy and reserved when meeting new people.  It's just their personalities.  I was very shy when I was little and I feel as though I still met wonderful friends who are still an important part of my life today.

One other thing, I think this whole Gisele email thing has been completely blown out of proportion.  I actually think it is sweet that she cared that much about Tom to ask family and friends to hope he has a good game on Sunday.  CLEARLY, I have nothing on my mind if this is what I am writing about.