It DOES Matter....

There are so many days that I don't feel like what I'm doing matters....I love this.

More Snow!

While we waited...and waited....and waited for snow during the first few months of winter, I certainly have gotten my fill. We got another nice little powdering yesterday and the boys LOVE it. I am ready for spring...tired of being cooped up and trying to figure out creative ways to pass the time. I need outside play. All day. 

 Since they kept eating it....

 ...we made snow ice cream (and added chocolate chips).

 One of the goals this year at preschool was for each student to be able to write their name. Dane struggles with the letter "N"but he is getting very close.

I hope that you're all powering through winter and that you have a spring break getaway to look forward to! We checked into it but it was going to cost us at least $1500 to get anywhere. And that was just to get there! So we will likely be heading to Leesburg for our getaway. No palm trees and warm weather but we're missing our cousins pretty badly so it will be nice to get back to visit! Facetime helps keep the kiddos in contact but I know they are itching to play with Presley, Andon & Barrett...especially since the Zehrings caught a bug and couldn't make it to the boys' birthday party.

It's Party Time!

We had the boys birthday party on Saturday at Pump It Up...an inflatable party place! The kids had a blast but we missed the Zehrings and the Mertens due to sick kiddos! They all played very hard. Dane was sweating profusely...wet hair and all. Kale was just a blur the entire time we were there. At least until we went to the party room for cake. After everyone left, Kale went from plate to plate polishing off anything that was left...juice too. Hopefully none of the kids that attended were sick...if they were Kale certainly ingested their germs!

On Saturday morning Dane received his present from us...his own bike!

At the party....

 Our little kings for the day:

Happy 4th Birthday, Dane!

Today we celebrate two special little boys birthdays! Pictures from the party coming later...

Dane,
On your 4th birthday I want you to know....
- that you are so very loved.
- that you are a great big brother (most of the time)!
- that you have the biggest heart.
- that you are so passionate about everything you do...you put all your effort into it.
- that you love love love John Deere tractors and everything associated with John Deere.
- that Kale woke you up today...much to mommy & daddy's chagrin. He climbed out of his crib, walked into your room and started giggling. Apparently he wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday.
- that you love Curious George (your stuffed animal).
- that Martin and Chris from Wild Kratts spend a lot of time at our house...they eat dinner with us, they sleep in your top bunk at night, they rescue baby animals with you (the list could go on and on).
- that everyone thinks you look just like Daddy.
- that you are so excited about your party at Pump It Up.
- that you like to sing.
- that you get frustrated when Kale won't play with you.
- that you like to watch cartoons on the spanish channel.

Most importantly, I want you to know that we will always be here to support you. No matter what comes your way in life, you can always turn to Daddy, Kale and I and we will be here. Happy 4th birthday to the boy who turned us from a couple to a family...we love you.

Cupcake Love

I think Kale hated every second of his birthday cupcake....

Happy 2nd Birthday Kale!

The big party is on Saturday, but we'll have a special little family birthday celebration this evening. Kale is getting a bubble machine...I will have pictures of the family fest a little later.

Kale,
On your 2nd birthday I want you to know...
- that you are so so special and we had no idea how much you would bless our home.
- that you are incredibly loved.
- that you are a funny, funny kid.
- that you love to dance.
- that you do "duck lips"when you are being defiant or selfish.
- that you are currently a clinger to mommy.
- that you love the snow.
- that you insist on climbing the stairs smack in the middle, holding onto nothing and that you refuse to go down the stairs on your butt.
- that you say around 30 words and that is considered a lower count than the average 2 year old. However, our pediatrician isn't concerned and will re-evaluate you at 2.5.
- that you woke up this morning to Dane & Daddy singing you happy birthday while I video taped it (video to be posted later).
- that your laugh is absolutely contagious and adorable.
- that you love to flush the toilet and so far have only gotten a rock in it at the old house (the plumber had to remove the toilet and flip it upside down to try to get it out and we ended up purchasing a new toilet before we moved out).
- that you love Curious George.
- that you love Da (Dane).
- that you love choo choo's.

On your 2nd birthday, I want you to know that you came to complete our little family and that I couldn't be more excited to watch you grow. But that it would be nice if you would slow the process down a little. That everyday I love you more if that is even possible. That everyday I am so thankful that God chose me to be your mommy (and Dane's too). That everyday my heart is so full it could burst. But most importantly, I want you to know that you can be anything you want to be in life and that Dane, Daddy & I will be here cheering you on! We love you Kale!

2 & 4 Year Checkups

I took the boys for their annual checkups on Monday. I didn't walk away with an information sheet on Dane, they must stop giving those after 2 years but Kale and Dane continue to be almost the same size at their checkups. This time Kale measured in at 36 inches tall and 30.2 lbs...at Dane's 2 year checkup he measured 35.5 inches tall and 29.4 lbs...not much of a difference. Both continue to be tall and thin. Kale was in the 90-95th percentile for height and 75th for weight.

Today Dane got to celebrate his birthday at school. One thing I love about Dane's school is that I have the chance to be the parent helper one day per month. Today was my day so we got to take a special birthday treat for snack time and also everyone gave their valentine cards to their classmates. Dane was so excited to be the "birthday boy" and didn't hesitate to use the title when it was appropriate.

Birthday crown being sized:

 Can you tell he's excited??

 Eating red velvet cookies and singing "Happy Birthday" to Dane:

 Circle time:

 Receiving a valentine from Megan:

Dane was really funny every time he received a valentine...."Awwww! Thank you so much!"

Birthday Week

Birthday week has officially begun...Kale will be 2 on Thursday and Dane will be 4 on Saturday. Big double birthday bash happening on Saturday at Pump It Up (play place with all inflatables / bounce houses). The boys are excited and I am astounded at how fast 4 years has flown by. And unfortunately it's not slowing down. At all. 

For the past week or so our late risers have shifted to early risers. We seem to go through this every now and then so hopefully they go back to their normal 7:30 wake time soon. When they wake up before 7, we typically put them in bed with us and throw on a cartoon so we can catch 20 more minutes. This morning they were full on wrestling in our bed at 7am. WRESTLING. I wish I could siphon a bit of their energy. These 2 hit the ground running and don't stop until bedtime. Needless to say that catching an extra 20 minutes of sleep once they are awake seems a pointless attempt, but we always try. :)

 CAUGHT YA KALE!! In the middle of a punch....probably well deserved for almost 2 years of abuse!