Writings of Natalie

Natalie made multiple Christmas wish lists before Christmas and they all said pretty much the same thing. I saved this one to put in her 1st Grade binder...
It reads, "A stuffed animal cat. And a stuffed animal bat. A new zoo zoo pet. A new game (mariokart). From Natalie. I been good my dad said."

This cracks me up every time I read it! And I love that Natalie only asked for a couple things, she really is so easy to please!

Now can you guess who wrote underneath her list? It wasn't Natalie... but Dan! He thought it was scrap paper to write down directions. And now you know one of Dan's secrets - his handwriting looks exactly like our 7-year olds!! I absolutely love that about Dan. Don't ever change it, babe!


Here is a worksheet Natalie did at school...

It melts my heart when I see what Natalie wrote that she could not live without - "a spirit, and a home, and a family." I bet her teacher didn't see many answers like that!

And here is one of Natalie's more recent drawings of a cat:

Absolutely precious!

Thank you, Natalie, for bringing a smile to my face everyday with the cute things you do. :)

Forgot to mention one little thing...

Nathan started school!!! (actually that's a pretty BIG thing!)

It was kind of a long process because we were waiting to apply to the school after we moved into our new house, and then we had to wait for the school transfer to get approved. Finally everything went through and he started school in the middle of January. He is officially in Pre-K at Natalie's school and he loves it!!

First day of school - Nathan is SO EXCITED!!!

I was a little worried about how Nathan would adjust to being in school everyday since he's never gone to any kind of preschool. But he fit in right away, has already made several friends, and loves going and learning everyday. I think his favorite part is getting to buy breakfast and lunch - it makes him feel like such a big boy, and he is!

I can't believe I have 2 kids in school now. The house is so quiet with just Tyler and me. But I am really enjoying the one-on-one time I now have with Tyler. And it is so much easier running errands with just one kid, I really am feeling spoiled here! So far this seems to be better for everyone - Nathan isn't so bored at home anymore, Tyler gets Mom all to himself for part of the day, and I feel like I can get more done (not that I do).

So way to go, Nathan, you really are a big boy now!!!

Trying Thai...

I have recently been introduced to the culinary creation of Pad Thai. And while enjoying its yumminess I thought, "I could make this!" After looking at many online recipes I found one that seemed easy enough so I bought all the ingredients, followed the recipe exactly, and made this:

Doesn't it look wonderful?
Even the kids were excited to try it...

I think Natalie's face here best describes what it tasted like

No one thought it was good -

including me!

So if anyone knows any good recipes that call for "fish sauce" please pass them to me because I have no idea what to do with the bottle that's now in my fridge!

(and now you know why I rarely try new/exotic recipes!!!)

Valentine's Day 2011

We celebrated Valentine's Day early this year - we traded babysitting with some friends of ours over the weekend. It was so nice to get to go on a date! And the kids loved having "movie night" with their friends 2 nights in a row. I think we've started a trend here!!

Getting ready to go on our hot date!

We went to BJ's (one of our fav places to eat) then did a little shopping. Dan surprised me with flowers and chocolate right before we left on our date - thanks, babe, you outdid yourself and made my gift (a shirt) seem totally lame! I hope my card at least made it up to you ;)

Valentine's morning we had heart-shaped waffles:

Gotta love cookie-cutters!

I went all out on decorations this year...
Yep, cards on the mantle. That's it.
But they are the sweetest cards made by Natalie and Nathan so to me it's the best decor to have!


Natalie's holiday attire-

See my beautiful flowers on the table?


I went to the school and got to celebrate at both of the kids' parties. Unfortunately, I didn't take the camera so I only got pics on my phone (and let's face it, I doubt I'll ever learn how to download them to my computer). Tyler loved getting to enjoy all the treats and be at school with his brother and sister. Nathan got out of school before Natalie's party ended so he got to come to her party as well. Her teacher had an ice-cream sundae bar - YUM!!!

Once we got home it was time for...

Making a heart cake! (thanks, Michelle, for the pan!)


Nathan got right to work on opening all his treats - that boy sure does love candy!

And of course we had to read some Junie B. Jones!


It was such a beautiful day outside so we also rode bikes and played outside for awhile. Then it was time for our special Valentine's dinner (which I think is going to become a tradition):

Heart pizza from Papa Murphy's - oh how I love it!!!

The kids were super excited about it as well :)

And no, Tyler did not eat a rock for dinner (he was so happy to find it in the backyard - don't tell him I put it back!)

After we stuffed ourselves with pizza and salad it was time for...

CAKE!!!!

Is there such a thing as too many sprinkles? No way!

Our delicious strawberry cake - enjoyed by all!

Dan had to work (that's why we went out early) so he left after that. It was so fun having Valentine's day with the kids and doing family activities together. Plus we didn't have to face the crowds and go out! So all-in-all I think this was one of our best V-days so far. I'm so happy to have such a great family to share it with.

My Valentine-

I love you!