Half Birthday

I woke up today realizing that it was Everett's half birthday.  He is 2 1/2!! I can't believe it.  Anyway, I wanted to do something fun with him.  Start some little tradition.  You can still celebrate your half birthday!  I didn't want to make a cake or anything, but I wanted to make something he'd enjoy.  I had been looking through different recipes when I found one for Birthday Cake Popcorn! Yup. And since I'm on a popcorn kick I thought why not?!

WE had such a fun time mixing everything together.  Everett especially loved being able to sample everything.  He had to test the popcorn before we added anything to it.

We had to add mini M&Ms and I think this was his favorite part.  I was honestly surprised he didn't eat anything.  He thought about it, but then just poured it in!

Once he dumped then in,the M&Ms all went straight to the bottom he kept saying "MM gone, MM gone".  So I had to show them where they went.  And what did he do?  He went for them!

Then we melted the chocolate, mixed in the cake mix, and then finally the sprinkles.

Once everything was mixed together we put the popcorn on a tray and let the chocolate harden. While this was going on Everett noticed there were M&Ms that were left at the bottom of the bowl.  They of course could not be left!

We had a pretty good time.  The popcorn turned out pretty good too!  I think we just may start a new tradition of doing a little celebrating on half birthdays. Jacquelyn was of course part of our celebrating.  She was just enjoying her view from below.

2 1/2

 Our little guy is 2 1/2 today! I can't believe he's almost 3. It still seems surreal to me at times. He is just growing up way to fast.  There are so many things that he's accomplished in the past 6 months.  I never thought this kid would talk.  But now he talks non stop. It was like he just started overnight!  At first it was just a word here and there, now he's started to put more and more words together. I love it.  IT's fun to hear his little voice and how he pronounces things.  He is constantly learning new words. He loves the alphabet.  He'll sit and sing the ABCs and go on about what sound each letter makes. A few months ago we had a hard time getting him to stay in bed at night.  So every once in awhile when we'd lay with him we'd tell him he had to close his eyes.  Well he'd lay there and just start naming off letters. Maybe it was his way of counting sheep! We're slowly learning our numbers.  He knows most of them just not the right order.

He is such an active little kid. We are so ready for the summer to be here! Anytime we have decent enough temps we try and go outside for a little bit to get some energy out.  There's a little gymnastics place here in town that we've gone to a couple times.  They have open gym on Thursdays so the kids can pretty much do what they please.  He LOVES jumping on the tramps and going down the slides.  Last week and swear he spent almost the full 2 hours jumping on the tramp.  Although he does not like to have anyone else on there with him!  I think one of the first times he went on there a bigger kid came and jumped and knocked him over.  So since then once another kid gets on there with him he gets off!  He loves jumping into the foam pit, but hates trying to get out.  I usually have to go in there and get him and then I have a hard time getting out.  He loves in though so I can't complain.

He has his good and bad days with his sister. I think he is just a typical big brother.  He can be the sweetest thing to her, but once she starts getting attention,or taking any of his toys, she is not his favorite! I can usually tell when he did something to her because I will either find him patting her backing say sorry, or he runs off! Like if he's not in the room when I get there then I'll never now!  But for the most part he loves playing with her.  Especially as she's gotten bigger and mobile.

He is still a pretty good eater on most days.  He could eat snacks all day if we'd let him.  He's getting to be a little picker about things, but I can also notice him eating things he would never touch before.  I've always had a hard time getting him to eat meats, but as of lately he loves meatballs and now we found chicken with bbq sauce.  I usually have to cut the meats up real small and mix them with something!  His sleeping habits go back and forth.  Right now I'm not really caring for them.  He pretty much will not take a nap for me anymore, which is fine cause he'll do a quiet time.  But our nights end up being horrible.  No matter what time I put him down he's up by 6.  I hope this is a short phase!  If I put him down at 6:30 or 8 it's still 6 o'clock in the morning I hear him.  He's never been one to sleep in much.  His sleeping in is usually 7!

We love this kid.  He has such contagious laugh and smile.  He's becoming more and more of a little boy.  He loves the word "no" and uses it quite often.  He's good helper though.  He'll usually help throw anything away, he always puts his dishes in the sink, he'll get what we ask.  I have my rough days with him, but I wouldn't trade him.  I think we've got a pretty good kid on our hands!

Watching a Movie

Last Friday I was finishing cleaning the kitchen when I had Everett go and watch a movie so I could just get it all done.  We have netflix and it's his favorite thing to do.  He knows how to get in and pick what he wants to watch.  Well, when I went to just go check on him I found him looking comfortable and enjoying his show!

He was watching one of his favorite shows Phenias and Ferb.

 

Splish Splash

My two kids love baths.  Everett could stay in there for hours and if I'm having a rough day with Jacquelyn I know bathtime will usually calm her down! I always get a kick out of watching them in there. Most days I'm usually rushing the process, but last week I was just sitting there watching them play and had to capture the moment. 

 Jacquelyn loves playing with Everett in the bath.

I don't know if you can tell,but I have one kid that will immediately look at the camera when I bring it out, and the other automatically turns away! I kept trying to get a picture of Everett and his mohawk, but he would never willing look my way.  Everett right now loves bubble baths.  Lately when the bubbles start going away he tries turning the water back on thinking it'll create more.  One day he actually used almost all of his body wash thinking it would make more!  He sees I squirt it from a bottle and I guess he thought it'd work.  Jacquelyn just loves her baths! She'll kick and splash and tries to get all of the place.  She is constantly trying to crawl in there and has been trying to pull herself up on the edge of the tub. 

Our Valentines Day

I've never been real festive when it comes to Valentines. We do our usual thing, but this year I wanted to be a little different.  I wanted to have fun with Everett.  There were some big plans made. Sadly, like usual, not all turned out, but I think we still had a lot of fun.  Tuesday morning we woke up and had some heart shaped eggies. They're were you cut a circle out of the bread and then cook your egg and toast together.  Once Todd headed for school I got the kids ready in our pink and red outfits.

Our first activity was making a little heart person.  Everett had more fun then I thought he would with it!  He especially loved the gluing parts together.

 Jacquelyn was having fun playing while Everett painted.

After the kids went down for naps we headed up to Rexburg to have lunch with Todd.  There was a new place, called Sammy's, that we hadn't tried.  IT's a little burger/shake joint.  Wasn't too bad though. Everett loved going out with his dad.  I had to wake him up and that's how I got him up was telling him we were having lunch with Dad. He always gets so excited to see him.

 That afternoon I had one more thing to do with Everett.  I had made some jello so I had him cut them out with our heart cookie cutter.

While he was cutting the hearts out I told him he could eat it. He got so excited. He ate one then went for another when he informed me they were yucky.  He would not touch them the rest of the day!  Don't know what happen between his first and second heart.  When I put them on the table for dinner, he started taking them to the trash! I didn't think they were that bad. At least he had fun cutting them into hearts.

Later that night the cupid came to visit.  I don't know about others, but for us the cupid comes and drops off a little present for valentines day. This year was so fun watching Everett.

 After hearing the someone knocking on the door he went to see who it was.  When he first looked out he didn't really notice anything, but when he looked down and saw McQueen he started laughing. He was so excited.  I wish I could describe is excitement laugh.  I love it!

And of course he had to put the shirt and jacket on right then.  He slept with the shirt over his pjs and then still wore it the next day:)

Todd completely surprised me.  He had me search for my gift that morning and when I found it I started to tear up.

I was so excited. I LOVE them.  The numbers are the kids' birthdays.  Now I really have to start putting pictures on our walls so I can get these up.  He always seems to surprise me with his gifts and the thought that went into them.  For him, I wasn't quite as romantic.  He had been wanting a Pooter Tooter. Yes a Pooter Tooter.  I felt silly giving it to him once I got my gifts, but seeing his excitment made it all worth it!  I was making fake toots all day and would text when he'd get a huge kick out of it.  Oh man the things that make him laugh!

We had a pretty good Valentines. Maybe as the kids get older I'll keep getting more festive, but I'm happy with how things turned out. I'm grateful for all the loved ones in my life and the joy they bring.  I couldn't ask for anything more.

8 Months

Jacquelyn was 8 months old as of last Tuesday the 7th. Crazy how time flies.  She is growing and become quite the character.  Some things about her from the past couple months:

Started crawling
Goes from laying, to sitting, to crawling, to sitting again
Can slightly pull herself up. Usually only if we're holding her hands and she has that support.
Finally started eating. Just at the beginning of the new year she decided she would give in and eat solid foods. She likes pears and peas.  She honestly has pretty much liked everything we have given her. Especially real food. She loves some mashed potatoes!

Claps. She LOVES to clap her hands.
Wears size 6 months and 6-9 months clothing
Has been teething for a few weeks. 1 finally broke through last week and it looks like another is on the way.
She loves to be held and is quite the momma's girl. 
She has quite the attitude already.  She will let you know if she does not like something. Whether it's a toy, her food, or where/if you put her down.
She is off and on with being a good sleeper. She gets in good habits, but then something happens and she gets back into waking up every few hours.
She is quite the jabber.

We love her and her sweet spirit she brings to our family.  It's been fun to watch her and see her interact with Everett.  She is already learning how to get my attention when she doesn't like what he is doing.  She has started this little scream where she acts like she's going to cry, but then kinda checks to see if you're paying attention.  I use to think Everett was always doing something to her, but now I'm started to notice the little games she plays! I'm sure he still does things, but she does know if she makes a little scream mom is right there to see what is going on!

Popcorn Popping

I have a new addiction.  Stovetop popcorn.  I've always loved popcorn, but a couple weekends ago I decided to try popping our own, and boy am I glad I did.  I called my sister for some advise.  It kinda scared me.  I don't know why all I pictured was me burning it all!  Anyway, my sister had written about how her husband is an expert, so I gave them a call to find out their secrets.  The first time we made it we had popcorn coming out of our ears! I didn't realize so little would make so much.  It was tasty. 

Later in the week I wanted to find some excuse to pop some more.  I had gone out and bought some kettle corn seasoning that I wanted to try.  Luckily Everett had a playgroup Valentine party to go to and we were to bring some treats.  So I had my excuse. I would make some homemade cracker jacks!  And of course make extra so we could try it with the kettle corn!  This time Everett was able to try it out.  He wasn't too sure of it at first, but really enjoyed it once it started going.

It finally started popping! He couldn't quite shake and stare at it at the same time :)

All popped and ready to eat

He was so excited to test it out!

Once again I made a huge batch.  We still have a ton of caramel corn left over.  Everett doesn't mind it at all.  He gets his helpings in everyday now.  I ate the kettle corned portion pretty quickly! It was delish.  There was of course a re-occurrence this past weekend.  I honestly could make this all the time now!