one talented kid

Oh my goodness! Can you get any cuter or sweeter than this face?! (Well I have 2 others that are comparably cute in their own regard but we're talking about this one right now.)

Our little Levi is such a sweet sweet boy. He is a Mama's boy and that's fine with me (unless Mommy wants to go anywhere without him...). He loves to eat and I actually started him on solids right before he was 4 months old because he just acted like he was famished ALL THE TIME.

Come on now. Don't THESE LEGS look gangly to you? Hahaha! This one is nothing but kissable PUDGE and I love it! Depending on how you count it, you can count 4 or 5 folds from his thighs to his ankles.

Sadly, this is the only stage in life where pudgy thighs and legs are cute. Enjoy it while you can bud! We are! Every inch is perfect for nibbling on.

*Remember this shot. I'll tell you a story in a minute.

What an angel face!

As you can see, I'm completely smitten with our newest addition.

He is SO CUTE! I can hardly take it!

Okay, now on to my story. It's a little gross, so feel free to move along.

Remember when they're 1st starting out on solids and you have to introduce the new food for 3 consecutive days to wait for an allergic reaction? Well, we were on day 1 of carrots. He was in his bouncer seat (as pictured above), I was on the computer and the big kids were watching me look through pictures. Jackson heard or saw something then he said, "Mommy! Mommy!"

I spun around to check Levi. On occasion he'd get his arm stuck in the leg hole or something, but that was NOT this occasion. As searched for the problem, I ducked under to check his legs. Then I saw it. Down his left leg, between his toes, and under his foot were bodily-processed carrots. FYI: carrots in the baby food jar come OUT looking pretty much how they went in. Sheesh. Hopefully he got SOME nutrition from them on their journey.



I carefully lifted him out of his seat and was AMAZED to see he'd somehow pooped straight out the side of his diaper, almost missing it and his clothes completely, and shot it straight down his leg! Now I know that's pretty gross but I couldn't help but laugh! What a tricky move! This is one talented kid!

its a jungle out there!

Earlier this month we went over to visit our cousins in Phily! We thought, "Sure. 2 moms, 6 kids, let's go to the zoo!" What were we thinking? But honestly, I don't think it could have gone much better. It was definitely doable and I'm sure we had some divine assistance. THANK YOU!

We were only able to see about 1/3 or less of the zoo but we had a great time. We saw zebra, hippo, rhino, the big cats, penguins, the reptile house, tortoise and horses.

Me and my caravan

The 4 big kiddos

Some big tortoises munching on some salad

Our sweet boy dozing in his seat as we strolled around. Honestly, he did great! He napped a bit, ate his lunch, bounced along in his front pack, and snuggled back in his seat for this nap. It was an exhausting day for all of us. Oh and the temp was about 87* or so. It was warm but there was a breeze, hallejuah!

The boys watching these cute penguins swim around and then slide down their slide.

Jackson was fascinated by this turtle. He could have watched him all day. I think its sweet how he has his hands on the glass and followed him around. (Our little secret: If we ever WERE to have a pet, a turtle is one of the few I think I could do. That or a fish. Don't tell the kiddos! I don't think Mom's ready for a pet right now. I'm working with the circus I have!) Hahaha I wouldn't have it any other way though :)

Miss Alivia was our navigator for the day. She got a map as we walked in (all the kids did actually) and she kept a hold of it the whole time. She wanted to know right where we were, what was up ahead and how to go to see what we wanted to see next. She did a really good job and I was really proud of her.

I've always had a thing with maps too. I remember on family trips always wanting to hold or see the map and help with directions, if needed. I think it's cool to see Alivia has that too! Which is pretty cool for a girl, considering boys seem to naturally have a better sense of direction.

These next few shots are at "The Treehouse" which is for zoo members only. Luckily, my sister-in-law IS a member. What a cool place. The kids could have played here all day.

Jackson's favorite part was these fish eggs he crawled all over! He LOVED them!

The girls hopped a ride from a friendly caterpillar

This HUGE Monarch butterfly that hung WAY up high was gorgeous! I can't quite capture its beauty but you get the point.

This was some giant honeycomb with giant bees. On the lower few rows the honeycomb is hollowed out so the kids could crawl through. This was a very cool place, like I said.

Mommy & Levi enjoying some time in the front pack as the other kiddos ran around at The Treehouse.

A & S at the base of this HUGE tree. Amongst the "roots" were all sorts of trails and pathways and there's even a staircase in the tree trunk. Or so I hear.  I stood guard in the front half of The Treehouse. This place was big and with 5 kiddos walking or RUNNING around there was a lot of keep track of.

They had these giant eggshells the kids enjoyed playing in.

They took turn laying down while sucking their thumbs and saying "Mama".

After about an hour of playing at The Treehouse, I coaxed the kids out with the lure of ice cream treats for all! They were hot and tired from all their good running around so we set off to find a cool treat. But on our way we saw this HUGE rhino. It was funny to watch him. He walked up to his shaded area, did a 180 and then backed up into it (because it wasn't wide enough for him to turn around in once he was in). As I watched, I couldn't help but here the "beep beep beep" of the big trucks as they back up.

We did FINALLY find ice cream treats for everyone before we headed back to the car, completely, hot, exhausted, and sticky. After a yummy dinner and some play time, we threw the kids into the tub, dressed them in their jammies and jumped back in the car for the 1 1/2 hour drive home. 2 of the 3 kiddos slept at least half the way. The 3rd kiddo fell asleep as soon as she hit her pillow at home.

Ahhh, home sweet home

preschool fun

It was a fantastic experience to have Alivia go to preschool this year. It was a Pre-K class and she did awesome! It was so good for her. Her class were the "Friendly Frogs" and her 2 teachers were awesome!!

This is preschool graduation and she and her classmates are showing off their Friendly Frog shirts.

They practiced hard and performed their songs well! I even got a little misty-eyed on occasion. Silly Mommy...

Here they are in their graduation caps

The day after graduation they had a fun day at one of the local parks. They played games and had a picnic. It was fun to not be in their normal classroom environment but still be all together.

Classmates S, Alivia, H, and C

Classmates E, R, J, and A

Thank you Friendly Frogs for a FANTASTIC YEAR!

kiddos

These are some random pictures from back in May...

One day Jackson came out to show me the "tool belt" he'd created. Pretty clever. And he came name all his too and show you how to use them on his tool bench. He's a crafty one.

This shot of Alivia is to show off her "side ponytail". After the 1st time I did it, she kept asking for "a side ponytail". She REALLY likes them.

This is just a cute picture of our chunka monka. Love his "little peanut" shirt.

Alivia was invited to "fancy birthday soiree" for her friend. The girls were invited to come in their fanciest attire for the event. This is the hair do Mommy came up with. (I did a ponytail 1st. Then split the ponytail into 4 braids, then wrapped one braid at a time around the base of the ponytail and secured it with bobby pins. I ran out of time or I might have curled the ends more...)

She wanted to wear her "Tangled" dress and so she did.

I would have loved to see ALL the other little girls all dolled up. She had a great time!

off to work

Towards the end of April the kids got to go in for "Bring Your Kids to Work" Day with Daddy.
Jackson is all ready to go with his sweet sunglasses, sport jacket and tie. He means business. :)

Here they are all dolled up and headed in. Jackson helped deliver the mail, drew some pictures for Daddy, and had some snacks. Alivia drew some more pictures and brought sunshine to all Daddy's co-workers. She is boundless happy energy and it's contagious!

family portrait

This is my new favorite picture. I may even frame it.

The story: This past week, Alivia had her testing for kindergarten. At one point, they asked her to draw a picture of her family and this is what she made. * Left to right: Daddy, Alivia, Jax, Mommy, with Levi on her lap. She got us all right- hair and eye color. She made Levi's eyes green, but right now they're still pretty dark and brown but there is some green.  Who knows?

I also love how we have no necks and 3 fingers on each hand. I love the sun and clouds she put in too.
Nice job! I love it!

a great shot

On Mother's Day I asked Daddy to get a picture of Mommy and her kiddos. This is what he got! Pretty great huh? Wow! I couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day gift than this great shot I'll remember forever! Love you kiddos!

night on the town

Our little girl sure is a lucky duck! Last week, her Grandma bought tickets for them to go see "Beauty and the Beast: The Musical" at the Strand Capital Theatre in town!

Here's what she had to tell us about it:

• Grandma let her get some "red gooey fish" (aka Swedish fish) for a snack, along with some apple juice. And, she ate the WHOLE box of fish. (This is significant because we are food nazis and don't generally let her eat a WHOLE box of candy at one time, but this was a special occasion, so it's permissible.) :)
• She said, "It was the REAL Beauty and the Beast!"
• Confetti came out when they sang "Be Our Guest" and she brought home a long golden strand of it. She danced and twirled around with it at home for the next few days.
• She thought Gaston was really funny.
• I did her hair into 2 french braids down the sides of her head then brought them together in the middle in the back. When Belle came on stage, she looked at Grandma and said, "Her hair is just like mine!" Belle had a similar do. Very cool! Mommy didn't even think about that!
• She kept telling Daddy and I, "You should've been there" and "you would have liked it Mommy". Next time sweetheart.
• She said her favorite part was the end, not the kiss, or the Beast's transformation, but the VERY end, when they all came out to bow and wave to the audience.

1st trip to the dentist

Also back in April, Jackson had his 1st trip to the Dentist. Alivia went too and that was great. He was able to watch her and see how easy it was. I was worried he'd be so nervous he wouldn't even get in the chair but with a little "head's up" talk the night before, watching his big sister, and a GREAT hygienist it went so smoothly!

Here she is showing him "Mr Thirsty" sucks up the water in the cup.

She also showed him how the special toothbrush "tickles" his arm, and later his teeth. He even let her do a full cleaning! It was miraculous!

It probably helped that we went on one of the "Kids' Day" days. They had a balloon guy out front making whatever you could think of. Jackson asked for a frog that ended up sitting on his arm, and Alivia asked for a unicorn (or something magical of that sort).

I'd say his 1st trip to the dentist was a COMPLETE success and he shouldn't be too anxious when he has to go again. WHEW!

the coolest park in phily

About a month ago (or more?) we drove over for to Phily to visit our cousins. We went to THE COOLEST PARK they have. It was the Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse.

They have this long, curvy ramp you run up to get to the top, then you slide down this SUPER cool slide on a potato sack. It's extra cool because the slide is enclosed. Good thinking.

Cousin E is jumping on the trampoline in the middle of the "spiderweb" while Alivia is laying on the trampoline, enjoying being bounced. Remember those days?

These 4 barely slowed down for a quick shot. They're sitting on one side of a giant boat or whatever it is...?

These are spinning cups. Alivia enjoyed running and spinning it around with E enjoying the dizzying ride. No thanks, Mama would most definitely be sick or have my equilibrium off for days. I'm not much of an amusement park rider.

The boys- on one side of a giant sitting teeter totter.

Not-so-baby A, enjoying the fresh air! I think it was about 57* this day. Really, pretty crazy, but it was fun.

Back at our cousins house, the boys model their SPIDERMAN jammies, and Alivia holding her baby cousin, who's just about as big as her. Our Levi is rivaling him and will probably be up to his stature soon. More to love and kiss on, right?

april happenings

After I get caught up with the next bunch of posts, I'll try to stay more "on top of things" so I don't have ALL recipes for a while, then ALL pictures.  Here's hoping.

These are a few funny scenes we found at our house WAY back in April.

Jackson- he thought he was pretty funny walking around with his head in his shirt like this. Honestly, he was busting up and thinking he was pretty clever. Silly guy.

We came into the kitchen one night after putting the kids to bed to find this hunk of cheese out. Looks like a little mouse was in it! Sure enough, it was our JACKSON mouse! This boy LOVES his cheese! He'd eat it all day if we'd let him, but we've learned the sad lesson of letting him have too much cheese (leads to trouble in the lavatory). So, we've scaled him back to 1 or 2 slices (or chunks) per day.

On this particular day, he'd already had his quota of cheese. BUT, that wasn't enough so he helped himself. HAHAHA When we asked him about it later he said, "Yeah. Me just wanted some cheese." Of course he did!

About a week before Easter, Alivia's preschool class had an Easter egg hunt. Each child brought in 6 eggs filled with candy for the hunt, then they each were allowed to find 6, then be done.

 Below are some of the shots I captured. She had a fun and Jackson and I enjoyed watching her. Nice sunny day.

These kids in line have all found their 6 and are cheering on the rest as they point them to more eggs.

I think I said it before, I just can't get enough pictures of Levi sleeping. It's so sweet and I could just hold him all night, but I don't because I'm TRYING NOT to spoil him too much... :/