Green Day 2013

Well this was our 4th year of doing Green Day and let me tell you it just gets more and more fun every year! As a kid this was never a favorite Holiday at our house, see today was the 35th anniversary of my Grandma Toni's passing. Thankfully 4 years ago (ironically the year I was pregnant with Toni) this became a new tradition and one I now plan and get excited for all year long. That is just one of many ways my grandmother is always with us!

This year the party was extra big and longer!

My sister and niece and nephew were able to join us because it was on a Sunday this year. Then she was literally leaving and my old neighbor pulled up with her boys and bags of fun and the second party got started.

We started early this morning. 7:30 kids were up and all I had was the table cloth on. Waylon was putting out all the plates and cups for us when I walked down stairs. Luckily I remembered to hide the donuts last night or else I would have walked down to them eating them all!

We could not find super cute donuts but were able to find chocolate donut holes that were covered in rainbow sprinkles. Score-Just as fun! We also had green cinnamon rolls, but those were not a big hit this year and it was too much with the other treats! My Bad. No worries there was also some green milk and grapes too.

Here is my very well dressed niece. Her outfit is just too cute as is she.

Some of our fun throughout the day included

of course Skittles and Lucky Charms.

        My super fun nails that a great friend did for me during some quality girl time! Thanks Anne!

Some fun party hats and necklaces were also part of fun for the day.

We even made bracelets for fun.

Then my sister and I did a project for the family with the kids. Thanks to Pinterest we took each of the kids hands and painted it green then placed them all on the paper to make a four leaf clover. It started of easy and then got really hard with the 6 month old. Yucky!

                                                                          Toni's Turn

                        Connor's turn in his cute undies. He is early in potty training- Go Buddy Go!!

Uhh and then there was Emma... So hard to do, but then all she wanted to do was make a fist and it was so hard to keep her in the right position. Not to mention getting any paint on that super cute outfit.

Then we all sat down for lunch and waited for Ahna and the kids to call for FaceTime!

Let me just say I LOVE my I PAD because of face time. I feel like I get to see Ahna a lot more and it is so nice that the kids can see each other like this. THANK YOU whomever invented this!!

Here is the final Clover Projects.

                                       Then it was time for Amy, Jackson and Jason to come over.

                              Here are the boys actually posing before the scavenger hunt we do.

Toni actually wanted to get into the picture too. I can't believe how fast all these kids are growing up!

Then the scavenger hunts began. In the past we have always hidden shamrocks throughout the house and then next room clue was a picture of that room on the back. Well we had to change it up this year, because we are not in the same house and we won't be here long enough to make anything permanent. So we numbered the rooms in a crazy order 1-8 and then hid a shamrock in that room with a coin attached to it. Each child took a turn finding the next clue. It is always fun but gets competitive.

The last one is always outside and they have yet to figure out that they ALL get the prize and they ALL get the same stuff. Oh well I guess it is a boy thing because Toni just hangs back.

Such a beautiful day out today. No jackets it was WARM! So we stayed outside the rest of the time and hung out together.

This was a really fun day, and the best part is it is the beginning of Spring Break! So here is to a super fun week and the start up of more blogs, I HOPE???

Happy Green Day 2013

Toni is a BIG GIRL

Finally!! Toni is potty trained.

 I started pushing it in October during our Fall break and the girl was no ready. She would sit on the potty as long as you would read but rarely went. She knew she could get several books out of you and just loved the one on one time. She refused to wear underwear and I was not going to have her just not wear them, so I paused on the issue for a while.

Thanksgiving came and she was ready. Brandy and I both had the first thing in the moring done and the after nap potty down, but she was not all the way there yet. So with the three or four day break we stayed at home and hung out in our underwear. It worked and she was amazing. She was doing everything on her own with needing just the help of getting on and off the toliet. I was so happy and so proud of her. So we gave it a few more weeks before we actually said she was potty trained!

I tried so hard to get a cute shot of her not only in her undies but Ariel ones which were almost impossible to find! I just adore this picture of her and her little tush...Watching for daddy.

So all in all she is doing great. Funny that I write this today as we are having a small set back, but hoping it is just a small flaw. On Christmas Eve she expierenced her first Atomatic FLUSH and she is not cool with going in public places for the moment. We have had several accidents due to this. I am hoping that the trouble she got into today and the amount of time she had to wait for "dry" pants will change her mind about this. Uhhh "it is just a stage" RIGHT?

Then there is the BIG GIRL BED! Jake and I had bought this for her months ago and again, finding the Ariel comforter and sheets was not easy to do but again we found those a few weeks ago online. So the first weekend of break we took the crib out and put in the big girl bed. I have to laugh because as a kid I got a DAYBED when I turned 13! It was a HUGE deal in my house and here my 2 year old gets it as her 1st BED. Hmmm...I love it though and the Ariel theme goes great with the already tropical theme she has in the room.

She was so excited!!! Absolutely LOVED IT!!! The only thing is it has been a week and she refuses to sleep under the covers. she wants only to sleep on Ariel. Oh well.

She has done great with this transition too. Only has fallen once out of bed and has done wonderful with staying in bed in the AM until someone comes to get her. Even if it is brother to watch shows. Can't believe my baby is out of her crib. However, I will admit I am super excited that I have no cribs or diapers in the house at this point. Yes!!! I do love this stage the most!

We are super proud of our TONI GIRL!

Fun with our Elves

Our Elves arrived promptly on December 1st for the holiday season. This year was special because we had a new elf for Toni and the elves brought the first annual North Pole Breakfast. Elfie is our original elf in red, Toni had the privilege of naming her elf on her own and I must say with little help from Waylon and I she came up with Peter Pan. Impressive considering the elf is kind of dressed like him in green and Peter does fly with magic dust like our Elf does. So Peter Pan and Elfie were here until Christmas Eve to keep watch on the kiddos.

This was the North Pole Breakfast. They arrived with a table set for Breakfast. Snow covered donuts and treats and prizes for each of the kids.

They brought little wooden toys that had pictures of Santa, a Christmas Tree and a North Pole sign with markers to color with. The kids loved them and started on them promptly after eating breakfast.

The elves also brought hats for each of the kids. Waylon loved his it was Rudolph and Toni, well she was not into hers this year but we will keep it and see how she feels about it next year.

Here was another night the elves had some fun. They were always together each night so it was easy for the kids to find. One of the first nights they decided to ride on the horse and it looks like they had a lot of fun. They were also caught in the village, kitchen, up in the kids bathrooms a couple of times and even around the Christmas tree too.

This was one of the last things the elves brought for the kids. It seemed because there were two elves more "things" came this year with them. On this morning the elves had left some magic seeds thanking them for their help from the night before. Yeah we had a small mishap and had to make an elf hospital because dear Toni touched the elves. So thankfully we had a small visit from Connor and Emma's elf for next year who is in training come and help our elves down to the hospital we had made and also deliver these magic seeds to plant the next night.

We had to plant the seeds in sugar and then wait overnight to see what would grow.

Viola! Cookies!!!

On Christmas Eve we decided to gather all our treats, candy and all the sugar we could find to make treats for our Elves as a thank you for all they had given to us this season. Well and for the trip back home to the North Pole too.

The elves were a huge hit this year and I am looking forward to their return again next year. They LOVED the treats because just the plates were left in the morning ALL of the candy was gone.

To Elfie and Peter Pan...we will miss you and can't wait until next year is here again.

Waylon Starts Kindergarten!

                                          

I cannot believe that this is being posted as late as is it but I guess life just happens and I am having a harder time keeping caught up with the blog. Here we are officially on Fall Break and I am writing about the first day!

Waylon started Kindergarten this year at my school Coyote Hills in the Peoria Unified School District. He was so excited to start which made it easier on me. I was excited until it actually got here and then my nerves took over and almost went out of control. The idea of having him so close to me was exciting yet terrifying at the same time. Jake was apart of the first day and made it to school in time to officially walk our "young man" to his classroom and spent about 15 minutes in the classroom with him. Then it was time to say their goodbyes so that Kindergarten could officially start. Up until this point Waylon was excited with some nerves, but then when it was really time to say goodbye he was nervous but pulled out his amazing brave card and gave his daddy a big hug with a little tighter squeeze than normal and walked back to his seat. Several other kiddos cried and our little guy did a great job of holding it together for his daddy.

I wish I could have been in there too with them, but I also had to start my day with my students so I had to change from Mommy to Mrs. Pickard quickly and begin my day. I was also brave as I walked past his room peeking in throughout the day. (he is literally down the hall, I can open my door and see his classroom) I never walked in to check on him and thankfully he never came to my room crying his eyes out either. As you can see by the picture below (sent to us from his teacher on the first day!) he blended in a began to show his true colors quickly. (he is the one on the far left back row)

Waylon has made a wonderful friend in his class named Wyatt. This is kind of funny because his mother and I met last year at the Kindergarten Round Up meeting and thought it was so cool that our boys had similar names. Well I guess the boys thought the same thing because the first day they were next to each other in line (because they lined up alphabetically) and became friends.

Even though this was not written on the first week of school like it should have been. I am still so proud of him every day. There are days I know he (and I ) miss the small days of Brandy with lots of smiles and hugs, but as we grow up we have many changes. This is a change for both of us on many levels. I think for the most part we are both doing fine and learning how to adjust to school.

I know Waylon will do wonderful I am ALWAYS proud of our little man! We love you Waylon and are so excited to see what you learn in Kindergarten.

Toni Turns Two!

I cannot believe this cutie pie is 2 already! Sadly, her birthday was not as celebrated this year due to the move. We moved 2 days before the big day and then the day after they went to Payson with Grandma Pam,  Grandma D and Papa Waylon.  So I tried, but with boxes everywhere we HAD to go out. So we went to Burger King for lunch (that is where the crown came from) and then we picked up cupcakes to have as our treats!

  Our Toni is NOTHING like her brother and WE LOVE that about her as it makes her full of all new things for us....Here are some things Toni has done over the past year.  The first thing I would say about her is she is VERY INDEPENDENT!  This picture above is how you see her most often...ahead of you, not wanting to hold hands but at the same time not running off either. She has a certain spring in her step that tells the whole world to watch out because here SHE comes.  She loves being able to be on her own and explore new things. Toni does Love to be outside and she also adores animals. So any place that has animals she has a great time and she pets and talks to each and every one of them.

I love this picture...she has a strong love for chocolate. SMART girl..This was her first chocolate covered strawberry-Thanks to Ahna for sending these for my birthday this year we all loved them and I know Toni will light up again like this the next time she eats one.

Toni is full of smiles but also has a hard time staying cute and smiling for the camera because she always has to see the picture and moves too quick. Funny because both of these pictures she looks great but is strapped in her carseat or in her highchair.

Toni is also great friends with Connor, her cousin. This is them in the pool that Waylon got for his birthday this year.

Toni is learning a lot too and it makes me sad to know that soon she will be heading back to "Brandy Days"as I head off to school...uhhh I hate saying that. Toni can count to 10 and sometimes a little more than that..she knows several colors and numbers too. I am still working on her with these, we got some posters the other day that she things are pretty great so I am hoping it starts to click soon.

Toni loves to dance, knows a lot of songs, and has become a huge Ariel fan.

Home is Where......

WE ARE

Jake and I have had a difficult 4 years fighting for our home. It is much to long of a story to publish, but we have lived and learned by the phrases "It is what it is and Everything Happens for a Reason" Three weeks ago we moved out of the house we spent the past 8 years in together. Even though this was not our first home together this home was our first we built and the memories in this home are countless.  Our family grew here as well as our love.  Even though it was a very, very difficult process and decision we know now that home is not made by a house nor things but the people that live there. We have moved into our next home and since we are all together this is where our HOME will be. My only hope is that whomever lives in our house next cherishes it as much as we did.

And so begins our new chapter TOGETHER!

Waylon turns 5 OH MY

Can it really be that this is OUR 5 YEAR OLD!

I cannot believe that this handsome young boy is going to start Kindergarten in just a few short weeks. He never ceases to amaze, amuse, and keep us all very alert in everything he does. I adore this young boy more than anything. This year I have enjoyed our time together and really grown to love his creativity and imagination. He loves to build with his blocks (and his sisters) and also with his large Lego's. In fact he wants more for Christmas so he can build even bigger things. I believe that in more ways than one. 

 Waylon has grown so much this year he is able to count, recognize and even place the numbers 1-20 in order visually. He is really getting the hang of the rest of his numbers and I am sure in no time he will be able to count to 100. We work with basic math problems both addition and subtraction problems and he understands words and phrases such as "how many are left, how many more and altogether" all mean. He also can recognize ANY letter in the alphabet either capital or lower case and he can place those in alphabetical order in less than 10 min. with very few errors.

Waylon has even surprised us with his knowledge of the states! This is/was actually a funny little story but in the end benefited him greatly. He received a states puzzle that says the name and capital of the states from family this year. Weeks later we pulled it out to "try" it and he whipped right through it. I was shocked and asked him if he had done this before. His classic response was "Brandy has this puzzle and I have to work on it a lot when I am bad" Now those are his words but anyone who knows our Waylon knows he does need his"cool down" times and this was the way she approached it with him. What an amazing gift his has gained already and he now LOVES doing this puzzle now at home because it is easier to do for him. I know many of my 3rd graders would not know what he does about the states.

Here is Waylon on the morning of his 5th birthday with his traditional Birthday donut and some fruit.

This was Waylon's Birthday present from us this year. As in the past years he still LOVES to color and draw.  He is so great at it and really does an amazing job on all the detail he puts into his work. This was a perfect gift for him this year along with 100's of markers he received too.  I set this house up while we were packing and it was so great to have Toni and him not on play in it together but also color it together.  He had written his name on the door (along with his wife-Chloe) and even drew things on the inside like a TV and pictures.  However, this lasted only shortly after we got to the next house. Two kids and a cardboard box won't last forever together. They sure had fun with this present though.

He even was able to sleep in it a few times too!

Here is another dose of his creativity. This is one of his creations he had and was able to describe it to Daddy to have him cut it up. This was originally a wipes box and then he had it cut in half with windows and then painted them to make a house and some days it was a garage. Painting is another thing he still adores doing, he painted an amazing bird house for his Daddy this year for Father's Day. (an idea all on his own and he did an outstanding job on it-hoping I get one someday too!)

Here is his last "official day" at Brandy's. He spent 3 years learning SO MUCH from this amazing woman. She not only loved him no matter what, hugged him ALL the time--but was so patient and creative with him. Waylon has a very unique way of learning and she was always finding ways to make learning SO MUCH fun for him. Kindergarten has a lot to live up too.  He not only had fun there, but he made great friends too.  He also came home and shared what he had learned and then wanted to continue doing it or learning more about it.  I cannot thank her enough for doing all she did for him. She was a blessing and we are so grateful Toni is starting her 3rd year with her this year.

Here is another shot of Waylon and his building skills. He loved playing with these pavers at the house and then one night he and some great friend of ours help flourish his vision of the "HOUSE" he was creating.

Waylon Glen~You NEVER seem to Amaze US...You shine every single day. Continue to grow, learn and LOVE always. We love you ALWAYS sweet Boy!

Happy 5th Birthday