Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day! And not for the reason many would think. I actually do not want gifts or flowers, just some chocolate and time with the people that have my heart! It is so fun to celebrate this holiday with our kids, I just think it is such a sweet, stress-free holiday!

This year our day was very low-key, which was great! We gave the kids a small gift when they woke up that morning and then just went about our day!

Earlier in the week Denny had been invited to the NBA All-Star game and I insisted he go! Although I missed him, I knew it was one of those once in a lifetime things! So while he was spending his afternoon/evening with these people......

Shakira

Alecia Keys

I spent my day with these two cuties!

Doesn't Jack look happy to get his photo taken! ;)

I kept us busy baking strawberry heart cakes.

Jack on his way to check out the goods in the oven!

Mmmmmm... this little boy loves sweets!

The finished product... glamorous I know!!!

I doubt any bakeries will be banging down my door for my secret recipe (Pillsbury box mix), or for my secret decorating tips, but we had fun and it kept us all entertained... and full!

February Snow Day

I have to clarify in which month this snow occured since we have had so many... and I am SO behind! So, I will keep it brief since we are all so glad to finally be done with winter and moving on to spring!

As much as I dislike winter, the snow really was beautiful!

Thursday night we found out that school would be canceled the following day, so I let Olivia sleep in (which was until 7:00 a.m.) and then we made donuts for breakfast! She really likes to help out in the kitchen and we had alot of fun!

Enjoying all her hard work!

After filling our bellies, it was time to head out to our winter wonderland!

We made this wonderful snowman, did snow angels, had a snowball fight, went sledding, etc... basically all the typical fun in the snow stuff!

Jack loved the snow, as long as he wasn't sitting in it, for some reason he didn't like that at all!

We were oh so classy with our make-shift sled!

Jack had a great time despite the icy roads..., and pink and purple car!

Lucky for you I did not take any pictures of our last snow, just last week! Hopefully this will be it for a very long time!

2010 Daddy-Daughter Dance

Way back when in the beginning of February Olivia and Denny attended the annual Daddy-Daughter dance with Olivia's BFF Kennedy and her daddy! Just like last year the girls chose Chili's as their choice for dinner after the dance! They had a great time and we look forward to next year's dance!

Our sweet princess

Silliness with daddy is the norm around here!

A quick shot with mom and dad

And Olivia's real date, Kennedy! ;)

If these aren't two of the most beautiful girls then I don't know the meaning of the word!

The girls and their loving daddies!

The theme for the dance this year was "Alice in Wonderland"

Much more from February to come...

And here is what Jack has been up to!

This precious little boy is 19 months old!!!

His smile (and dimples) melts my heart every time!

He loves his la-la (lovey)

He will sometimes stop mid-play and take a rest, even on the hard floors!

Beautiful boy!

Jack is so busy, he doesn't stop moving, climbing, or making a mess. He carries this stool anywhere to get to what he wants.

But he is still such a doll!

He LOVES being outside!

And HATES being told he can't go out! He is just waiting me out I guess!

One of his new favorite places to have a snack... so random!

In case you couldn't tell this little boy has me completely wrapped! He brings new meaning to the phrase, "it's a good thing you're so cute!" Because he is into everything and goes non-stop. He won't even sit still for his show these days. What's a mom to do! But he just flashes that smile and he's got me right where he wants me!

Jack is talking more and more and has some cute words and phrases. My personal favs are...

"hi", still so cute for some reason

"uh-oh", he uses it anytime he throws something down... on purpose

"otay" - okay

"shoes", quickly followed by "socks"

"tin tu" (thank you)

"belk" and sometimes appropriately "milk"

"cacko" - cracker

"otch show" (watch show)

"bye-bye Elmo" (when we turn off his show)

"Oyeeya" (Olivia) - he also LOVES his big sis

"cock" - cook

"all gun gow" (all done now)

"hee - is" (here it is/there is is)

"I poop" - yes, he tells me when he poops!

"bye, bye mama/dada/Oyeeya/book/whatever"

bye, bye graf (goodnight giraffe) - from his most favorite book, Goodnight Gorilla

And he loves, loves, loves to scream Mama... for no good reason other than to get my attention

At 18 mo. Jack was 24.4 lbs - 40th % and 33.5" tall - 85th %.

I could go on and on, but I will try not to bore you... as if I haven't already!

What Olivia's Been Up to...

I know it's been eons since you last heard from us! So I will take a few posts to catch you up on what we've been up to... if there is anyone still out there who even checks our blog! ;)

I'll start with Olivia. She has just become this sweet, friendly, well-mannered little girl. Not that she hasn't always been all those things, nor is she ALWAYS those things, but within the last couple of months I am amazed at some of the changes she has made. She just seems to be growing up faster and faster and I do NOT like it one bit! But I am very proud of her and the little lady she is quickly becoming. We seem to be connecting alot more and I feel like we have this special bond, I absolutely love it! And I plan to enjoy it while it lasts, I know the teen years will be here before I know it!

Way back in February Olivia's school celebrated their 100th day. They were asked to bring in 100 of their favorite things and display it creatively.

And for the special occassion Olivia got her ears pierced! She was so great... not one tear (thanks to some lidocaine!)!

A few weeks later we got her hair cut, and it's so cute, especially from the back, it's got little layers!

Olivia is really into reading, spelling words out loud (I don't know where she would have picked that up), and writing. Here is something she had written me one morning before school. It literally brought tears to my eyes! She came up with it all on her own.

I love when you have a smile on your face but I mostly like it when you be with me!


And just tonight she offered to fold the towels! I think she may do a better job than her daddy! ;)

Next up, an update on our little terror, uh, I mean man... Jack!