Easter at the Nursing Home

Our little community has several Easter Egg Hunts for the kids each year. We went to the city hunt, and the hunt at the nursing home. These pictures were taken at the nursing home. My family came down for Evan's birthday, luckily Evan's birthday fell on the same weekend as Easter this year so we were able to celebrate together. Jason held Wyatt most of the time and helped him to gather up a few eggs.

Evan is starting to understand more and was able to "hunt" a little better this year. He is such a laid back kid however that the idea of getting as many as he can doesn't even dawn on him. He liked to pick up one egg, see what was in it, put it in his bag (or eat it), and then maybe go find another one. It's fun to watch because all the other kids are in a frenzy and he just sits back and is chill about the whole process.

Evan going off with Grandma to find some eggs.

Wyatt and Jason picking eggs out of the tree. They both had a good time and enjoyed the treats they found inside the eggs.

Evan's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVAN!

How old are you? Evan had his third birthday last Friday and he had a blast. Birthdays and Holidays keep getting more fun as he grows up because he gets more excited and can understand and participate more. His cake. We were supposed to have his party at the park and due to the location I decided that cupcakes might be the way to go; it was rainy and cold so we ended up moving the party to our house, so his cake is a little unconventional. He loves to blow out fire, so I put lots and lots of candles on his cake. Blowing out the candles!

When we were little my Mom would buy us balloons with a little present tied to the bottom; then she would sneak into our rooms and they would be there for us when we woke up. I love this tradition and have decided to do it with my boys. We tied this water bottle to the end of 3 balloons. He loves water bottles, (probably because Dad and I carry them everywhere) so he got this yellow one and has carried it around ever since. The highlight of both of my boys' parties were by far the balloons.

Evan has been asking for a whistle from my Mom for about a month now. I don't know where he got the idea but he loves it. Here he is opening up the whistle. He sleeps with it every night. And blows it all the time. Digging to the bottom looking for presents! I loved the fact that the bags were almost as big as he is! Evan loves just about anything, but bubbles are by far his favorite thing in the world. We even do bubbles in the house during the winter time because he wants them so bad. He got lots of bubble toys and even though it was a yucky day we decided to embrace the cold for 15 minutes or so to play with his new toys.

Bubbles are fun for kids of all ages. Even the adults had a great time playing with the bubbles.

Russ and I bought him a big Mickey Mouse bubble wand. Here is Evan trying to make the bubble work. It splashed in his face and Russ was there just at the right time to catch it. I love this picture.

This one too! He was finally able to get a Mickey Mouse bubble.

Evan you are a ray of sunshine and I'm so glad you bless my life everyday. You have the best attitude about life, and I have been privileged to watch you grow up. I love you so much.

Power Risers

These are so much FUN! My family came down for Evan's birthday and my brother, Jordan, brought his power risers with him that he got for Christmas. They are so cool. I love them. Here is Jordan, with them on he is getting ready to jump. Here is the jump. Notice how he is over my Mom's car. They are stilts that hold you about 1-2 feet off the ground. They have a spring in them that makes them super bouncy if you can learn how to use them. Jordan was doing some awesome jumps and running about 30 ft with 3 or 4 strides. He is really good with them and can do a lot of cool things. He makes it look easy. Jason is still learning, but seems to be catching on pretty well. He can walk without help. And is starting to run and do a few tiny jumps.

Standing up. It is really hard to just stand still on them. If you are moving it makes it tons easier to balance, but it is kind of scary because you feel like you need to catch your balance first then move; with these it is backwards you move first then catch your balance.

Me getting loaded into the stilts.

It was my first time so I had Jordan handy just till I could catch my balance. Then I kept him around to catch me when I fell. Jordan said he's never fallen in them but I fell twice. It doesn't hurt so bad but it is awkward because the stilts hold your legs in a certain position. Walking by myself. I felt safer on the grass. ( a softer landing )

By the end of the cold and wet weekend I was able to kind of jump, and starting to jog. They were so much fun. I can't wait to try them out again. Thanks Jordan!

Punishment?

Evan has hit a phase where he thinks it is appropriate to throw food on the floor. Almost every mealtime at our house now requires wash cloths, the broom, and lots of napkins. Everything that is around him he throws on the floor: silverware, food, cups, napkins; it is really getting out of hand. So on Saturday I decided to punish him for it. In my head I'm thinking okay what is the natural consequence: you throw food on the floor so you clean it up. He threw food on the floor and I told him he'd have to clean it up. He picked up most of the food with his hands and then we told him he needed to bring out the broom, and sweep up the rest.

Looks like he is really hating his punishment. Huh? He thought it was a blast, it totally backfired and he thought it was the coolest thing in the world to get to sweep.

Hopefully he'll keep the same work ethic as he grows up.

It didn't have the effect that I wanted because now when I tell him he'll have to clean it up if he throws food he's not stressed about it because he likes to pull out the broom.

Standing

So this may not be so interesting to EVERYONE but Moms and Grandmas love new milestones. Wyatt has started standing, he is really pretty good about it now but when these were taken, it was the first day that he could really stand up long enough for us to catch a picture. Almost. Wyatt standing by himself

Mommy trying to entice him to stand up. Evan wanted to document the event with his camera as well. Good Job Kiddo! Close Up :)

Dad trying to entice him to stand.

Evan smiling big for the camera. He's trying to show off his funny face.

Puppy Wyatt

Here is the sweet, not so innocent puppy.....

.....and here is the chew toy!
I took Wyatt into his room the other day and turned on the light to change his diaper. After changing him I was looking around and started to notice little nics out of his crib. I kept looking around the edge of his bed and figured out that those little nics are teeth marks. My baby has been teething on his crib at night! He is getting more teeth so this totally makes sense, but I don't want him to swallow any of the pieces or hurt his stomach. Any ideas???