Breakfast Struggles

Lucas B. is not a breakfast person.  I can't find anything that he is interested in eating except for biscuits, and he's usually too busy playing to even want that.  I am having to make it a little more exciting to hold his interest...

Lincoln

Kelly and I have such great intentions with our Sunday morning walks.  Fun time with friends, a cozy visit to the coffee shop, exercise since we walk to the playground after breakfast.  It always fails though.  We have finally learned that taking four kids under the age of six to a coffee shop is NOT a good idea.  And we have learned that walking with the same kids down a semi-busy street is NOT a good idea.  Next time we'll go out for wine and leave the kids at home.

The kids didn't seem to notice our stress (maybe because they were causing it).  They always have a great time.

Lincoln was protesting the end of the play date, so told Kelly just to leave him for couple more hours.  They had a great time digging in the "garden."

And playing with the "pink castle."  Notice Ellen right in there with them : )

Katie and Tyler Dinner

We had our good buddies over for dinner last night...

Jeff and I call this "Ellen Face."  With her buddy, Mr. Adam.

Happy Birthday Jared!

Ellen's two best friends right now are Karis and Jared, both in her preschool class.  Jared is in her class every day, whereas Karis only 3x a week, so she and Jared play together more.  Each day after school they run and run and run until we make them, usually kicking and screaming, get in the car to leave.  Malia, Jared's mom, has become a great friend as a result of all of the playing.  She told us about J's party and then said, "Wait, can you come?  If you can't, we will reschedule!"  So it seems Jared loves Ellen as much as she loves him : )

Like her brother, Ellen likes to be beside the birthday person...



Jared licking the icing off of one of the party favors...

Ellen licking the same one... oops.

Three year old best friends!

Lucas was also invited to the party.  Here he is making Ellen laugh by trying to not get hit by her swing.

Jared and Ellen looking cute.

Ellen swinging with another classmate, Ella.

Pout Face

New Year's Eve Acorn Drop

Raleigh does something pretty cool for the little folks on New Year's Eve.  They drop the acorn and shoot fireworks at 7pm and midnight.  That way the kiddos can celebrate, but still get to bed on time.  I have to admit that I was a little disappointed though.  It just doesn't feel the same to celebrate at 7pm as it does at midnight.  Better than nothing, I guess, since Jeff and I were asleep before midnight : ) 

The best part was the energy in the air and the snacks.  Oh, I almost forgot.  We looked and looked and looked for ice cream, but all they had was italian ice, for about $5 a serving.  We decided it would be more fun to go to Ben and J*rry's or B*skin Robbins.  We didn't think about them being closed on New Year's Eve.  But guess what was open for $1 a serving?  A hint is that it has a yellow sign that is shaped like an M.  No shame here... we saved about $12 bucks and got the same result.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Jeff went running this morning, to get his birthday started out right.  Lucas, Ellen and I were happy about that because we had some birthday breakfast and crafts to work on! 

Wait, why does Ellen have a popsicle at 8am?  Don't worry, she had something green for lunch.

We had fun making pancakes and Happy Birthday cards for Jeff.  He was surprised and happy to have pancakes in his belly.  It was a fun morning...

Date Night for Jeff's 35th Birthday

Jeff and I decided it was best to go out on 12/30 for his birthday this year.  12/31 is too crowded, expensive, etc... and we want to go downtown with Lucas and Ellen for the acorn drop tomorrow. Our friends, Marie and Olivier, volunteered to baby-sit L and E tonight for us - thanks guys! 

I just got my smart phone and have been using that instead of the big, bulky SLR camera.  I didn't remember, however, to use it tonight!  Except for this one picture of Marie and me.  Marie was planning to go out with friends at 10pm, so that explains her outfit choice (not your usual kid-watching attire.) 

What I wish that I had gotten a picture of was our ride for the night.  Olivier just bought a sporty BMW that he insisted we borrow for the night.  The funny thing, or maybe no-so-funny, was that we were going to a restaurant that is located right next to the R*leigh Homeless Shelter!  So Jeff parked the car right in front of it and felt like a jerk. 

Dinner was okay.  Great food, but not great environment.  Then we went to a movie. 

When we got home Olivier and Lucas were asleep on the couch, curled up together.  So cute!  Marie was gone, but Olivier said that Ellen fell asleep in her arms and she carried her to bed. 

Happy Birthday Jeffrey!  We love you!

Fall 2011 Family Pictures

My friend, Gina, took these pictures for us this fall...

Love this guy : )

Christmas Break Craft

Lucas and Ellen are home the rest of the week and Daddy is back to work, so we needed a craft.  I figured we'd try thank you cards.  (note from 3/18/2012 - we never actually got around to sending them... oh well!)

Ellen loves having permission to get messy with markers and glue...

Lucas thought everyone would enjoy pictures of l*gos on his cards...

Cuties hard at work...

This is the first time Ellen has ever written her entire name!  All by herself  :)