Good Night Sweetheart

So, this is how I found the pip-squeak a few nights ago when I went to check on her. I couldn't pass up the opportunity so I grabbed my camera and snapped a picture. She was so out that she didn't wake up for the flash, or when I picked her up and tucked her back into bed. Just so you know, I do have a toddler bed. I've had really good intentions of painting it and putting it up, but it turns out I'm too lazy!

MY VALENTINES

The Pip-Squeak

This little girl just lights up a room! I love, love, LOVE having her sweet spirit in our family. She is all about the fun and loves to run and jump around. I love to listen to her sing little songs and dance to music. If you ask her if she is a princess she will tell you she is NOT a princess, she is a ballerina! She also happens to be a ballerina who refuses to wear a tutu. Apparently they are too itchy. She is completely in love with the Little Einsteins and will clap and sing with June, Quincy, Leo, and Annie all day (if I let her). All summed up she is an adorable, cuddly little ball of opinionated spunk-i-ness, and a much loved member of our family.

The Little Guy

My little guy is so thoughtful and loving. I love the hugs he gives when he gets home from school and how he likes to snuggle up next to me when I read him a bedtime story. He loves to make up stories and has started "writing books" where he draws pictures and write captions underneath like "mom and dad with lightsavers" or "Jesus on a rollercoaster". (Note: hardly any of the words are spelled right, but I can usually figure it out.) He has a vivid imagination and I love to listen to him play. He is an amazing little boy and I wish I could take more credit, but truly he has been the one to teach me so much.

My Jon

I am so blessed to share my life with this man. Over the past eight years he has been a major anchor in my life. I am so happy that my journey has included him by my side. He is an amazingly dedicated husband and father and I could not imagine my life with out him. I'll spare all of you and save the sappy stuff for his V-day card, but know this: Jon is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I truly, truly love him.

Something Old is New Again

We've been watching way too much TV at our house lately. Since I broke my foot in November I have quite literally become the laziest mom I know. We got used to watching way too much TV while I was a semi-invalid and haven't yet recovered. Why is it that bad habits are so easy to form and so hard to break? I decided I really needed to stop this bad habit when I realized my pip-squeak was totally addicted to TV at only 2-years-old! So today we turned off the TV and brought out the dusty craft/art bucket. The little guy and I always used to create fun new things, but after my pip-squeak was born it started tapering off until, sadly, art time was completely non-existent. It was fun to bring it back out again. The little guy had a blast with pipe cleaners. He created glasses, light sabers, laser guns and sea horses. Then, amazingly, found a way to incorporate all of them into the same game. I love how creative little kids can be. I really am looking forward to fostering their creative abilities. It's much more entertaining than the Disney Channel anyway!

Just a Little Off the Back

When the pip-squeak was a baby I used to trim her hair all the time. As she got older she decided that she didn't like scissors at all. As a result her hair has grown in quite unruly. I didn't think I would be able to cut it until she was about three because she NEVER sits still. This morning she woke up really happy and was so pleasant I thought I'd take a chance at giving her a trim. I put her in her booster and covered the tray with marshmallows raisins and graham crackers. Then I got to work. She did a lot better than I expected. I, on the other hand, did a lot worse than I expected. Good thing she has a little curl to hide the uneven ends.

Here's the final product. You can tell she's in a great mood as I got her smiling in two pictures in a row. That is an almost impossible feat!