No. 4

January 26, 2007

Drew's BIRTHday!

2008

Drew is one!

2009

Drew is 2!

2010

Drew is 3!

Today

Drew is 4!

Happy Birthday, Bubba!

We love you soooo much!

{more to come...}

The Day Before Four

{I want to back up a little bit with these posts recapping Drew's birthday extravaganza...but to begin, let me just say this: I'm exhausted. Turning four is a doozy for Mama!}

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The teachers at preschool try to coordinate snack and show and tell day with the kids' birthdays, so on Tuesday the 25th, it was Drew's turn, in honor of his big day. I told Drew that he could pick what he wanted to bring for snack. He said M&Ms. I then told him that I have an image to uphold and that providing such a sugary unhealthy snack for a bunch of preschoolers would totally blow said image.

Okay, I didn't really tell Drew that, especially considering the handful of M&Ms he devoured later that day; but come on - you know I'd totally get labeled by all the other parents if I was the one that doped up their kids on sugary sweets.

I digress.

Anyway. A compromise was made and M&M cookies for snack at school it was! (Because somehow M&Ms baked in more sugar is soo much better.) :)

And after changing his mind two or three times, he settled on taking his three Dinoco cars with him for show and tell.

Drew tells me they didn't sing "Happy Birthday" to him. But he also tells me that he does "nothing" when he's at school. Ha.

The best part of the day was that Drew brought this home with him. I find it fantastic.

And it makes me smile.

A lot.

Picture of the Day, Week 3

Sunday {1.16.11}

A new reality - Drew is starting to reach the age when he no longer requires a nap everyday; however, I still make daily "quiet time" (for him and for myself!) a must. Thankfully, after some quiet playing, he gets bored and/or tired, crawls into bed, and ends up falling asleep. On the days he doesn't snooze, he typically occupies himself with books and puzzles. Lots and lots of puzzles.

Monday {1.17.11}

I admit that it can be a bit dreadful when the boys wake from their naps (especially if they are too short!), and my alone and quiet time ends ... but these post-nap snuggles make it all the more bearable!

Tuesday {1.18.11}

I have ambition and drive and determination and craftiness on my brain and in my system right now. This was the first of three trips I made to Hobby Lobby this week. These parts will soon become Valentine's decor for our home. I can't wait to get started!

Wednesday {1.19.11}

Cuteness. Silliness. Goofiness. Giggles.

Because that's how we roll.

Thursday {1.20.11}

There isn't much that is more routine in our house than changing diapers. {After having a sore bottom a few weeks ago when he had the flu, Reed has become obsessed with baby powder. I don't know what it is about it, but he grabs the powder when he grabs a clean diaper. Crazy kid!}

Friday {1.21.11}

To you, this is just an ordinary bowl of pasta. To me, this is a major culinary accomplishment! I don't really enjoy cooking. And I'm not that good at it. {For the record - I do cook; my family does eat. But making dinner is not among my top favorite "chores".} I was asked to provide a dish for a funeral dinner at church today, and on a whim, I just whipped this baby together. No recipe. No real idea of what I was doing. But toss in a few ingredients and ~wa-lah!~ my very own Italian Pasta Salad! I feel like a whole new person!

Saturday {1.22.11}

Brad spent much of today at the hospital. He sat and prayed with an elderly couple from our church as the husband wasn't expected to live through the day. (He did pass away just before the dinner hour.) Often times I think we perceive something like this as just a part of the pastor's job, but as Brad told me today, it's a really intimate family moment. And to be invited into that family circle is such a privilege for him. {Not sure yet what I'll use for today's photo...}

Picture of the Day, Week 2

Sunday {1.9.11}

Sometimes we find things in the strangest places...

Monday {1.10.11}

Reed is really starting to become Mr. Independent. He's most recently taken command of his spoon, wanting to feed himself. When I try to take control, he pushes my hand away and very vehemently says "NO!"

Tuesday {1.11.11}

I spent last night in Reed's room, after he came down with a case of the 24-hour flu bug. Thankfully, the worst of it was over before we went to bed, and he slept soundly throughout the night.

Wednesday {1.12.11} & Thursday {1.13.11}

Our pictures for Wednesday and Thursday are just a bit too personal to share.

So, moving along....

(And nope, still not pregnant.)

Friday {1.14.11}

We did a little photo shoot this week of Drew and Buzz for his birthday party invitations. And not to be outdone, Reed jumped in for his turn when Drew was finished.

Saturday {1.15.11}

Our very good friends, the Vriezes, made the trek from Minnesota to Illinois yet again to spend the weekend with us. It's so much fun to see these four grow in their friendship with one another. Even though they don't see each other often, they remember each other and get along great. The house has been full of fun, laughter, silliness and n.o.i.s.e. all weekend long!

22 Months, 5 Days Old

I can't believe I did it again!!

Please don't hate me, Buddy... I promise I won't forget on March 10!

In a Nutshell

As promised, I've completed our Christmas story.

In chronological order (because I'm just that way)...

Our Christmas post is HERE

The Vander Waal Family post is HERE

The Clifton Family post is HERE


AND, as a *bonus* !!! I've been wanting to follow-up on our Summer List from 2010, since, well, Labor Day when I had intended on doing it. So, click HERE and read. It'll have you itchin' for Summer 2011! {And for the record, it drives me crazy that the layout on this post about last summer is kinda wonky. If you hadn't noticed, I like order. And symmetry and organization and...}

Picture of the Day, Week 1 {Project Life 2011}

I am so excited to begin another year of Project Life. I just totally dig it. Totally believe in it. Totally think you should do it, too. (And I totally should be getting paid for all of this promoting!) ;)

After taking a picture every day for an entire year, and preparing to do so again this year, I'm going to make a few adjustments to this year's album. On a very basic level, I won't be using Photoshop to add the day and date directly to my photos. The album/kit I'm using

(this beauty, a Christmas gift from my parents (thanks, mom & dad!)

product & photo courtesy of Becky Higgins)

includes day stickers and a date stamp. I've decided to save the time at the computer and use these kit components instead.

In terms of the photos you'll see this year - you'll still see us. And you'll definitely get more than your weekly dose of the boys! But my goal with this project this year is to specifically capture the details of our life right now. You'll still see people and special events and funny stories, but you'll also see the specifics of what life is like for us. Things like how much gasoline costs, or waiting in line to pick up Drew at preschool, or store marquees from where we shop. Things like that. Potentially boring things like that, but very important things to us, as again, these are the things that make up who we are and what we do and where we're at right now.

I also want to capture more of Brad this year. More photos from his perspective and his experiences and his routine, day in and day out. The stories I shared in 2010 were from my perspective, which includes being a wife and mother, which translates into a lot of sharing about the boys and housework. :/ I want to include more of Brad's stories this time around.

{Oh, and with that - I'm also setting out to actually learn how to use my camera! About dang time, huh?}

Just like last year, I'll post my pictures from the previous week on Sunday.

With no further ado...Welcome to Picture of the Day 2011, Week One!

Saturday {1.1.11}

After tucking the boys in at mom and dad's, Brad and I rang in the New Year with my brothers and their ladies. These people are awesome. I just love 'em so much!

Sunday {1.2.11}

I gave Brad a Kinect for XBox 360 for Christmas. The boys are already pretty into it...and Drew is sooo good at it already!

Monday {1.3.11}

One of those "I need to go check on the boys and see what they're doing" thoughts that was ignored. Both Brad and I were working on things in the living room as the boys were playing in the family room. Reed eventually made his way in to see us, bright orange dry erase marker in hand. As we retraced his steps, there wasn't anything that marker hadn't touched - kitchen floor, walls, toys, carpet, wood paneling, chair, couch, window, entertainment center, and there's probably more we haven't found yet. Thank goodness for washable dry erase markers!

Tuesday {1.4.11}

I mean, really, what is there to say???

I love these boys!

Wednesday {1.5.11}

Much to Drew's disapproval, it was time to take down Christmas. Drew wasn't ready for it to go; however, it took him an entire day to realize the tree was gone!

Thursday {1.6.11}

Much like my mom used to do each year, I always put the photos we received in holiday greeting cards on the freezer door. It's just really good to be surrounded by the faces of those that you love. {Don't see your picture??? You either didn't send us one :( or it's displayed in a more prominent place in our house. :)}

Sidenote: One of my craft projects for 2011 is to make new fridge magnets...has anyone seen any cute ideas/tutorials for such a thing? Please pass them along!

Friday {1.7.10}

Nowadays, the only way to get Drew to come with me to the store is to tell him he can look at "his cars" while we're there. He has to look at every.single.one, but thankfully he'll exit the aisle without too much of a fuss. Today he was still in a bit of "holiday mode" as he kept asking to put several cars on his Christmas list. :)

Saturday {1.8.10}

Brown sugar and cinnamon poptarts for breakfast is the norm for the the boys (including Brad). Occasionally pancakes or cereal, but usually it's the poptarts.

{Linking up to The Mom Creative's Project Life Tuesday}