Easton's Birthday Celebration: Part 1

I absolutely love to plan birthday parties for my kids. I go all out with a theme and everything coordinating. Tonight we had Easton's third birthday party. And as a side note today was our first BIG snow storm of this winter. We got like 10 inches of snow! Its beautiful, but it made for a smaller than hoped for guest list. None the less, we had a blast! This years theme was trucks, tools, and construction, basically big trucks! His fav right now.

The color theme of the party was black, orange, and "CAT" truck yellow. I pretty much used what I had in my craft supplies. I've done that for the past couple parties. Its so nice being stocked up any ready to go with everything I need! :)

All those dump truck stickers are from a pack of wall decals that matches E's bedding.

My favorite is this chevron bunting I made! It was the perfect addition to the decorations.

I used a big toy truck as the drink cooler. Filled with ice and green teas it worked great. And the cake, Easton's favorite part, was a fantastic idea I saw on pinterest that I made my own.

My computer is being slow so I'll share more pictures and details on Part 2 of Easton's birthday celebration next time. :) XO Lindsay

So proud!

This past Saturday Meah had her spring dance recital. Last year in dance it was way more low key, and just in the studio. This year was on a BIG stage, and was a full on show!! I'm not a big one for showing my emotions publicly. But, when MY little "baby" so bravely got up on that stage, I could feel my eyes get moist. A big smile was plastered on my face watching her remember perfectly every little step. The only time she had any kind of nerves was when I brought her down to room where all the other dancers were waiting before the show started to go on stage. And I think that was only because the room was FULL of all the dancers, and she was slightly overwhelmed. After all, besides play dates with close friends, Sunday school, and regular dance classes, this is the first time I've had to leave my little girl with a bunch of "strangers". But, I told her (and myself) it was gonna be okay. ) (this is right after I did her hair and makeup) She did fantastic! Not looking at her teacher for the actions at all. She had those dances memorized by heart. All I could do was smile, and try to snap a few photos to remember this proud occasion. Part of the show had the older more advanced students. I couldn't help but imagine myself sitting at her show in ten years, thinking back to this first one. And now a few pictures to remember the day. She's done for this year now, until the fall. I asked her as we drove home from the recital if she wanted to do dance again next year? Her, reply, "YES!".

At the end of a LONG day.

Today was a stressful day, to put it lightly. The kids were a little too naughty. And I was beyond tired from yet another night of little to no sleep. Easton really needs to break the habit of coming in our bed at 3:00 am! Its like he thought it was time to get up for the day. He seriously was playing from 3:00-4:30am! Then when we all woke up for the day this mama was kinda on edge. I may have yelled, a couple times. So, to say I was excited for the quiet of bedtime would be an understatement. And that bliss of silent time to myself would not come easy. E came out literally 10 times! Trying every excuse in the book. Finally giving up, after I gave in to his request for an ice cube in his water. All this to say, I just went in to check on them. And, well I love my peaceful sleeping beauts! There in the quiet of their dark room the soft breathing of MY babies. So, what I'm really trying to remind myself is that, even though there are some rough days (some more than others especially lately), I love my kids more than words can truly express! At the end of any long day, all I need to remind me how blessed we truly are, I just need to peek in on those peaceful sleepin babes of mine. Tucked in with full tummies, under their comfy blankets, in our cozy house. Yes, we are very blessed!

Life lately.....

Mason is now 8 moths old! It's amazing how fast he is catching up with Meah and Easton. Here's some fun facts about him: -sitting up on his own for nearly 2 months now. (since March 24th) -crawling since the end of March. He's mastered that skill for sure! the boy can move! -pulling himself up on everything. I think he'll be an early walker like his big sis! -growing 2 little bottom teeth. They finally made there appearance 2 weeks ago. -he "sings" (hums) whenever we do it to him. It's so cute! -sleeping on his own in the pack-n-play for naps for almost 3 weeks now! And almost making it through the night too! He just gets too hungry in the middle of the night, and I'm too tired after nursing him to get up and put him back! ;)

Easton is 2 1/2 and is quite the rambunctious little man!! He has unlimited amounts of energy, on very little sleep might I add! And speaking of sleep he just got his "big boy" bed on Tuesday!!! (it's just a twin size mattress on the ground, until Ben builds him a bed). We're hoping he'll brake the habit of waking up at 3 am wanting milk, and or coming in with mama and papa! This mama is TI.RED!! -He sings all the time. I love it! And usually his songs are 3 different songs that he knows some sentences from each! -His words are getting more and more clear everyday! I still cherish the time in life with each of our kids where I'm pretty much the only one that understands what they're asking. (even the frustrating times when he REALLY knows what he wants and I have to go through my head rhyming anything with the words he's saying!) -he reminds me SO much of his papa! Seriously! He acts so much like a mini Ben sometimes its scary! lol!

Meah is 4 going on 14 haha! She is growing and maturing WAY to fast! She's got so much personality it oozes out of her in all kinds of ways! She loves to be the center of attention, unless she's in an unfamiliar place. -she's in her second year of dance and knows her routines by heart. We all do for that matter! ha! I have her practice for her recital at least once a day. I will forever have those songs on replay in my head. Even Easton knows most of the words. -speaking of dance, she has her first real recital in less then a month. And, we had class pictures taken a few weeks ago so she wore some make-up for those. Whoa she looked way to grown up with a swipe of mascara and red lips! I know I'm biased, but my "little baby" girl is beautiful! With or without make-up!

I am so beyond blessed that these 3 call ME mama!!!! All I've ever wanted in life is to be a wife, and mommy! And although there are crabby times, and hard days, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am lucky enough to have a husband who works very hard so I can stay home with them everyday. I have read a lot of blogs/stories lately of heartache and hard times. It has made me really thankful for our health, home, and love for each other!

Leap day!

Happy Leap Day 2012!! I just had to write a post tonight so that the date will say February 29th! I LOVE those 3 so much!!!

2 month check up

This past Monday Mason had his 2 month well-check. He did wonderfully! Everything the doctor checked for his "age range" he went over and above impressing her! I know every parent says that, haha. But, everytime she is through with any of the kids' appointments we go to, she always lets us know how easy our family is. Good to know!





We've heard this kind of thing from my midwife too. Both her and the kids' doctor are always asking us if we have any questions or concerns. Ben and I look at each other everytime,and reply nope! We are just very relaxed when it comes to being parents and raising our kiddos. My midwife has joked with us many times that we should have 10 kids, since we're "pro's"!!! haha! I don't know if will add that many to our bunch. But, hopefully one day we'll add 1 more! (or 2 :)) That reminds me that someday soon I need to right out Meah, Easton, and Mason's birth stories. Maybe someday when there are more hours added to an afternoon! teehee!

Anywho here's Mason's stats from his 2 month appointment:

Height 24.5 inches (95% We make 'em tall)
Weight 13 pounds 14 ounces (80%)

He's very happy and healthy!! And just for fun, a couple recent pictures of our 3 blessings!

6 years

Yesterday (October 15th) marked our 6 year wedding anniversary. I cannot believe how fast that went! I'm sure I've said that every year, and I'm pretty sure I'll keep saying it! It was a very low-key day. Ben had to work for an hour in the morning, but brought me home some beautiful daisy's! (my fave!)

After Easton woke up from his nap, we dropped the 2 older kids off at grandma and grandpa's. They love it there! Then we (and our little 3rd wheel Mason haha) got to go out for the afternoon. We went to coffee, ran a couple errands, and out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Nothing to exciting. But, having a 6 week old, we didn't plan anything big for this year.


I love you Ben today, tomorrow, and forever!!