Saturday, January 28, 2012

Ice Skating 101 and 102



This month, Emily and Christian started ice skating lessons! It's been a big hit and both have really been improving.

















Emily picked up right were she left off last year. When Christian originally had gone to open skate, he'd used a glider to help him balance. Not so when he started lessons! He's out there, flying solo, attempting to be the "fastest skater ever!"

These pictures are from their first day of lessons. Emily's learning her "swizzles;" Christian is watching his teacher closely and learning to balance on his blades!





















They work so hard and so far, no complaints when it comes time for lessons! Way to go, kiddos!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Dunking Like Daddy

We were at the Y's Family Fun Night last Friday and a friend of ours took this shot of Kari slammin' it home. I know the lights are a bit bright, but I just love how Kari's little tongue is sticking out!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Kari's Non-Minnie Mouse Party

For Kari's birthday, I'd planned on doing a "Minnie Mouse" theme (b/c she LOVES Minnie Mouse). I was looking online for ideas, and I ended up finding these DARLING Minnie Mouse invites, banner, and cupcake toppers from an Etsy shop. This was just over two weeks before her birthday. So, I contacted the gal with the shop and gave her the specifics of what I wanted and asked if this would be enough time to do it. A few days pass and she gets back to me that yes, it would be fine. So, everything is going fine.


Then, I get an email from her that her machine broke for a few days and so she's late in sending things out but will overnight everything. All she needs is my address. I email it back. Saturday before Kari's birthday comes and goes and NOTHING. Sooooo...Saturday night, I dig into our "birthday box" and make due with what we have. And, for last minute, I think it turns out pretty cute (especially since Kari's two and not exactly picky when it comes to a theme anyway).

So, anyhow, I get an email from this gal on Wednesday, saying that she just checked her spam folder and that my emails had somehow ended up there! She hadn't sent anything since she a) didn't get my address and b) then concluded that I'd changed my mind about it all. UGH. But, like I said, it did all turn out to be just fine for a sweet little two-yr-old's cupcake party with a couple of friends and our family over. Nothing fancy, but she was sure excited to be the center of attention!

And, even though she didn't get the "themed" Minnie Mouse party, she got plenty of Minnie Mouse stuff (wrapping paper and all)! I also need to add that when Kari says "Minnie Mouse" it comes out sounding like "Minnie Boat." Very funny and cute, I must say.


Kari even got a great big Minnie Mouse to snuggle with at night. (And to have as a new guest at her tea parties during the day!)


More loot :-). (I had Kari in other clothes, but she insisted upon wearing her "dancing dress."


Here are my attempts at cupcakes. (Kari does not like cake very much, but she does like cupcakes! Funny girl.)

Here are some of our little friends/neighbors that came over to celebrate. Kari was hopping around soooo excited when they all came over--just for her!!

These are Kari's little friends, Alexa and Campbell. All very busy with various "electronics." They sure are sweet little girls and Kari really loves playing with them.


After the present and cupcake madness, we sent the kids all downstairs. Christian, however, wanted to stay upstairs and do a couple of big puzzles with Uncle Kyle and Auntie Erin. It was very sweet to watch them all work together :-).

So, there you have it, folks. The non-Minnie Mouse party. I was disappointed at the miscommunications and I'll probably end up either planning a bit further in advance next time or just buy the stupid Cricut cartridge and do the work myself like I have in the past! So much for trying to simplify! Kari still had a great time regardless of the theme!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Kari's Two!

Happy Birthday, Kari! It was a fun birthday weekend for her. Emily set up a tea party for Kari and their dolls. (Below is Kari dressed up in Christian's p.js--she likes to be a super hero as well as a hostess.)
She also has enjoyed the new slide that Cubby brought home. (And, this is yet another ensemble she has put together.) On a side note, the little capris that Kari is wearing were formerly ones that I had to roll over at the waist b/c they were so big and long on her. Now, I couldn't even snap them at the top and, well, they look more like peddle-pushers. Hurray! She's growing and gaining weight!!!

One of Kari's baby got to be included in her playtime.

What a cute girl!

Sunday morning, we had her open up a couple of her other gifts, just because we didn't want her to get too overwhelmed that evening when everyone came over. She got right into unwrapping!

Here Kari is after she opened the purse that Emily (w/Grandma's help) had sewed for her. So nice and Kari LOVED it!

I just love her little profile--such sweet cheeks!

Kari also has enjoyed her new Minnie Mouse house. (Kari LOVES Minnie Mouse.)

More to come on our little Kari's birthday celebration...


We love you, Kari and are so grateful you're a part of our family!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Our Parade Float

New Year's Day brought the Rose Bowl Parade. And, I must say, the kids enjoyed this one waaaayyyy better than the Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade. All floats and bands--perfect for little ones. They even had a float with dogs boogie boarding--it was pretty cool and funny too.

Being the creative girl that she is, Emily put together a float of her own! The sign that is on top of the cardboard box displayed the theme: "Welcome to Sesame Street." Emily chose this b/c she wanted Kari to enjoy it and she did it on our bed b/c it was the only space big enough for it all (and our sheets were getting washed so she had a clean slate to work with!). Big Bird had his own nest, Cookie Monster was eating carrots, the Count was in his swing, and Elmo, Grover, and Ernie sat up front in a little train. (We even have a Sesame Street table cloth that she set down as a covering.)




Christian and Kari thought it was just fantastic--and so did we! Way to go, Emily!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve was a bit different for us this year! We actually partied a bit! Ha! (When I first mentioned the idea of having our neighbors over for a Wii party he said, "Kathleen, you've been in bed by 9:30 the last three New Years. Are you sure you want to have a party??") In my defense, we've usually had a new baby or I've been super pregnant--not just 6 months along!

Well, we went ahead with our plan and had a great night! Three neighbor families came over with all of the kids' friends and the kids took turns playing the Wii and playing downstairs. The girls and boys kind of worked out a system where they'd each take turns since the girls wanted to play "Just Dance" and the boys wanted nothing to do with that! Even the little girls, Kari and Campbell, got in on the dancing action!

The boys then played some sort of Looney Tunes game. Notice Christian's flushed cheeks?? Yeah, they got into it just a tad.


Everyone had a great time and were thoroughly exhausted when it was all over. (And yes, I was exhausted as well and was asleep by 10:00! Hey, I still beat my old record, right??)


Happy 2012!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Winter Break at the Lincoln Children's Museum

On one of the last days of Winter Break, Cubby, Great-Grandma Carolyn, and I took the kiddos down to Lincoln to play at their Children's Museum. Of course, it did not disappoint! Here are some of the highlights of what each of the kids enjoyed most:

Emily: Felt right at home in the Veterinarian's Office!

She also enjoyed some craft time with Great-Grandma.Christian: Was all about being in-charge of the controls.

At the news desk....
On the moon... Or even at the theatre!
Christian also enjoyed being creative with the crafts. Here is Great-Grandma w/the kiddos


(some more willing to sit in the big, oversized chair than others.)
The kids also liked the water-play area.


Kari: Kari loved playing dress-up and dancing on stage!

She was also pretty tickled with the Thomas riding toy and engineer's hat. Kari also loved just sitting in a quiet spot and reading a book with Daddy.

We drove home shortly after lunch and this picture sums up how much fun we had! (Christian, Kari and I all crashed!) Thanks for the fun morning, Grandma!