Baby It's Cold Outside

Brrrr...Baby it's cold outside!

 These little cuties had a blast playing hide and seek, sipping chocolate milk (aka hot cocoa), and telling jokes.

Elf on the Shelf 2015

It's that time of year! I may not have all of Thanksgiving weekend sorted out yet, but December 1st, I am ready for you!

Our Elf will be pretty busy this year. I can not wait to hear what Jackson decides to name our elf. But more so, I am excited to see Emerson's reaction.

This calendar is slightly geared to a three year old boy, has ideas repeated from last year, a few lazy days and some new tasks too.

PDF version here.

See last years calendar here. 

Trick-or-Trunk

Batman and Superwoman prepare for battle...

 This was our first year participating in a Trick-or-Trunk, and I could not be happier that we did.

It was at J & Em's school so J had been talking about it for weeks. In case your not familiar with the concept it is a chance for kids to trick-or-treat by going car to car. Parents park their car, decorate their trunk (some really go all out) and then pass out candy. It is great for a small community, like their school.

My mom had the amazing idea to make our trunk into the Batcave. 

Emerson is ONE

Happy happy happy first birthday beautiful!

Your sweet, stubborn, silly personality is really starting to show. You know and fight for what you want, giggle at your brother and rest your head while melting my heart when you are tired. 

You still do not like to be away from Mom and crawl to find me when I leave. You say "Hi-ya" and full wrist bend wave to greet people and recently started waving bye too. 

When you have your mind set on something, watch out if someone tries to break up that plan. You love to throw your head back in protest to be sure we know your not happy. You always get food in your hair when you eat and and are absolutely obsessed with baths. 

Emerson, you make our family so happy. 

Happy birthday, Peanut.

Emerson 10 Months

This little screamer grew like a weed this month! I was shocked to see the scale say 18 pounds for her. She is still wearing anything that says 6M and we just moved her up to size three diapers (and they are quite big so we don't need night diapers right now either). She is quite the babbler, often screaming, and says "uh-oh" when something falls.

She recently started allowing us to put her down when she is not quite asleep yet. If she is tired she doesn't cry when you rub her head, say good night and leave the room.

I wish her and her brother would sleep a little later but I guess I'll take the 6am wake up for not waking up in the middle of the night. 

Emerson is definitely still a mommy's girl. She loves to be on my left hip. 

She is known to scream and very quickly have big alligator tears if I walk away. Although I can feel very guilty setting her down screaming to do something (like go to the bathroom even), it warms my heart that her tears and sadness just melt away when I swoop her back up.

I have mastered doing many more getting ready tasks with only one hand. 

She is pretty talented with her feet (although no where near walking). She frequently holds stuff and plays with things by use of her feet while laying on her back. From holding her bottle up for herself to holding extra Legos and moving a different toy to her mouth, is it always quite impressive. 

Water is her other new big love! She does not tolerate Jackson getting a bath without her and loudly protests it ending before she is ready. She loves the splash pad and I can't wait to take her swimming.

Emerson you are growing too quickly. I love when I can catch a moment of you sleeping on me and your hand wave hello is hands down the cutest thing.

Pirate Picnic

Finally getting around to posting this adorable event. After Jackson's first birthday I had said I would not have a kids party until he asked for one. Well, turning three, he asked.

Pirates, sword fights and Jake and Neverland have been favorites of Jackson's for more than the last six months. He also is a huge fan of the park and showing people his home. Trying to keep it simple I thought a Pirate Picnic would be perfect for him.

Needless to say, Jackson was SUPER excited that all his friends were coming over, and even more excited that he was going to get to show them "his" park.

Jackson helped me pack the lunches the day before; Pirates Booty, Goldfish crackers, alligator gummies and a juice box. Then the morning of I made PB&J sandwiches cut out in pirate shapes.

For an activity the kids went on a Treasure Hunt at the park. I (aka Captain Hook) made and left a treasure map to lead the kids to buried treasure!

These two and three year olds were at first confused then excited, puzzled and finally ecstatic about this hunt! We had to guide them a bit on reading the map. We pointed out the X was by trees, so they immediately tried to run to the tall skinny trees right next to them. With slightly more guidance they found another set of pine trees and the rest they did on their own.  

The treasure was a box marked well with an x that my husband hid under the tree. It was full of little foam pirate swords, pirate stickers, glow bracelets and ring pops. 

 Angelina spotted it first, alerting her friends, then Jackson helped "dig" it out.

The swords provided great park battles and the ring pops were great bribery to go home. 

Jackson truly had a great time! He was all smiles, said it was the best birthday ever, and ate way too much gummy alligators and skull and cross bones cookies.

This party was not hard to put together, but even if it was, the excitement in his eyes, his proud demeanor to show everything to his friends, and share his love for sword fights with others was more than worth it.

Emerson Marie - 8 months

Eight months! 

Emerson, you are growing to fast! You have discovered the art of rolling all over the place. Although I don't think you yet understand what your doing, you learned how to drop toys off of your high chair or walker...just so I pick them up again. 

 You are a mommy obsessed little lady. It breaks my heart to hear you cry (and cry and cry) when I have to leave. You truly are saying "Ma ma," for when I am not around, no one hears you say it. And when I set you down, even to go to the bathroom, you say it through alligator tears loud and clear. You melt my heart with those two little syllables. 

Emerson Marie - 7 Months

Hey Peanut! You did some major growing this month! 

She was officially moved to size two diapers earlier this month but they were big, now they fit fine. Emmer is still wearing almost all of her 3m clothes (I just put the first 3m outfit into the storage bin not long ago). When we are out an about people are always surprised when I tell them how old she is. Tiny but fierce, this little one also accomplished sitting up this month!! Don't dare forget the Boppy pillow behind her, but she will sit and reach for toys till she tumbles. 

Day at a glance:

6:00-6:30am Wake up and 6 oz bottle

Play and watch brother till breakfast

8:00ish breakfast of cereal and fruit puree 

Play with some sleep 

10:30-11 time for a 6 oz bottle

12:30 lunch of veggies &/or fruit

Nap

3:30-4 is another 6 oz bottle

5:30 dinner of veggies (sometimes with meat)

7:30 final 6 oz bottle

8:00 usually out within minutes of lying down or snuggling

Likes & Dislikes

She loves to play with Little People

She is not a fan of apple cinnamon oatmeal

She cries when mom leaves (not every time though)

She loves to watch her brother

She hates to have her face wiped, usually signaling she is done with a meal.

She loves to have her head rubbed

Little Emmer, you reach at everything with lightening speed. When it is my face, you reach as if you are telling me something important, and often snuggle your head in to me. You have such a calm demeanor. Your brother is your hero.  You are so very loved. 

i like the way you roll

"i like the way you roll"

 your friend, Jackson

He is so excited for his Valentine's party at school. He loves to give (and receive) gifts so I can't wait to see how he does handing these cute cards out to all his friends.

So many allergies and choking hazards with edible gifts that I wanted to come up something fitting for a boy and fun for others to get.

I made the card, printed them, and then used scrapbook double sided tape to put them on cardstock. The car is then stuck on with a double sided thick scrapbook dot.

Jackson thought they turned out pretty neat! 

This car is not meant for wee little ones, but is perfect for 2-3 year olds. Jackson has played with these cars before and we  haven't had any issues but supervision with your child is always recommended.

blank Valentine

Valentine card inspiration from here.

Happy Valentines Day!



DIY Kissing Booth

Looking for a fun prop for a Valentines photo? 

This was easy to make and turned out so cute! 

Materials:

 2 wooden crates (18" long, 12" wide and 9.5" deep) 

2 basswood rods

2 basswood flat sheets

white paint

chalkboard paint

ribbon

canvas hearts

red paint

6 small nails

I painted all the pieces separately and then assembled when all dry. I nailed the tall rods to the top crate and then the flat sheets to the top of the rod. I kept the crates separate for move easy and then I plan to reuse them in Emerson's room for storage. 

The top sign was a bit flimsy but it was never knocked over so it worked! The ribbon of hearts is now hanging on display in our family room. I wish I would have painted both sides of the hearts now that I am using it again.

The last thing you need are two cute toddlers and a strawberry shake!

To see more of the photos go here.

This project was fun and the photos turned out awesome! 

This post was first seen on Little Quacklings.