Hooked On Books

Carolyn, William, and I hit up Hooked on Books!  Charlie stayed home with Jake while Jake worked on a wood project.  We had a lot of fun.  They had so much activities for the kids that by the end our hands were so full that we couldn't physically do anymore art! They made polar bears, bug boxes, fortune cookies, decorated cupcakes, got books, petted the reading dogs, made music instruments, and tons of other stuff.  We also got to get a book we purchased autographed by the illustrator.  So fun!

Decorating fortune cookies

 

 Petting the reading dogs

 Making beaded bookmarks

 

 Finally getting to eat her cookie :D They had to wait until the chocolate hardened.

 Making a bug box and enjoying a snack by the "fire"

 

 Polar Bears

 Snow globes

 Fishing for prizes

 Shaker instruments

 

 Decorating cupcakes

 

 Will with his favorite animal!

 Meeting the illustator

Jake's New Truck!

Jake's truck, Bruce the Moose, finally decided to break far beyond what we were willing to fix :(  It had almost 200K miles and was 12 years old so it wasn't too surprising, but still sad!  It started running crappy for Jake and he barely made it to the dealer before completely crapping out.  But he made it there on Tuesday.  Being a diesel, we always had to take the truck to the dealer for anything. They called us to let us know that in fact, he blew both head gaskets.  The parts themselves were cheap (something like $80/gasket) but since they require taking the engine apart, it would be an additional $3500 in labor PER SIDE.  Um no.  The truck isn't even worth that much.  So we decided it was time to say goodbye and get a new to us truck.  In the mean time, Jake asked the dealer to tell us what they would trade for it.  Turns out, it was way more than we could have hoped for.  The only downside was we had to find a truck there.  I got busy looking.  And I found one!  It was like it was meant just for us - low mileage, in our price range, and would fit everybody. oh, and NOT diesel.  It was seriously the only truck they had used that fit the description I had in my mind and it was awesome.  We went there right after picking up Jake from work and took it home!  We haven't named it yet but we love it! It is just what we needed.  It will be so nice to not have to rely on a dealer for everything and no more plugging it in and wondering if it will start in the cold! Yay! Here it is!!

Happy Valentines Day

We had a nice and relaxing day! We spent it together just as a family and let me tell you - I love that Jake and I  - that is what this holiday is about.  It isn't about fancy gifts or big extravagance.  It is about family and spending time together.  I love that there is no pressure!
I made chocolate chip pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast and they were a hit!  We went as a family to see Kung Foo Panda 3 and then stopped by Papa Murphy's for their heart shaped pizza.  I really wanted Chinese food for dinner but our local deliver place was still closed because they had a baby last month.  Bummer - pizza was still good though :D  And of course we ate girl scout cookies for dessert!  Oh yeah - I also made Jake some chocolate dipped strawberries since they are one of his faves.  I love getting to spend this holiday with my favorite people in the world!

They turned out pretty good! Especially since I didn't use any fancy tools to get the heart shape.

 

He made me my favorite drink!  A dirty gin martini!

Valentines Fun Class with Charlie

I signed Charlie and I up for a little Valentine Fun class for him and I while the big kids were at school.  It was fun!  They had 4 crafts for the kids, a snack of brownies and juice, and a few games to play.

He loved the beanbag toss game.  We did this for a while! 

 

Happy 8th Birthday William!

Today we celebrated the 8th birthday for Will!  He was absolutely so excited.  He loved having a late start day at school so that we could have a nice relaxing morning.  I made him chocolate chip/butterfinger crumble pancakes along with some eggs.  And he got chocolate milk!  He got  to have a snowball fight at the bus stop and had a great time at school.  He passed out slap bracelets to all his school friends and they sang to him in homeroom.  He was beaming when he got home.  This year, we had the vG's over on his birthday. Will opted for a big present from Jake and I instead of a school friend party.  But of course, the vG's are considered family so they were definitely invited over. Will picked chili for dinner and cookies & cream cheesecake cupcakes for his treat.  He loved all of his gifts and just had a super day!

Birthday balloon and streamer tradition!

 Pancakes! I tried for an 8 but it totally broke.

 Showing off the birthday shirt!

 Making cupcakes

 Nus stop shenanigans.  Will is the one on the ground.

 Food

Cake!!

Time for the presents!

 His big gift from Jake and I!  His very own snowboard.

 Trying on his snowboard boots

Testing out all his gear!

Me and my boy! I love him so very much.  I am proud he calls me mom!