Green Day!!!

About a week ago we celebrated my nephew's 3rd birthday. We also combined it with our annual Green Dinner. We have done that since I can remember and it is a blast. When Ryan and I had been dating only one month he came to our green dinner and about turned green, but 10 years later he is use to it.


Jake, Camille, Terra, Ry, myself and kids gave Caleb a fish puzzle and some bath toys along with a pass for him and his mom to go to the Aquarium for a whole year. Although he didn't understand what we gave him, I think he will love it once he goes.


Caleb LOVES Toy Story and got a lot of fun Toy Story toys & cake. He looked awesome in his Buzz outfit.


We have always done a green dinner at our house and I try to do other special things, but Brooklynn didn't really understand until this year. I saw an idea on Disneyfamily.com to make a leprechaun trap. (I had never done that growing up) We thought it was a fun idea and got to work. We made it out of a shoe box and cut a slit in it so when he came to get the money and cookie we left he would fall right in. Brooklynn couldn't wait.


The next morning we woke up to this. That little leprechaun made quite a mess with the cookie. Although we didn't catch him he left some gold coins and some magic potion to make a drink. It was awesome it was white and turned green. He leaves the same stuff every year.


Brooklynn was pleased with what we got. It was a really fun thing that we did.

We also had a green lunch, which ended in green faces.

Cam had fun with the green lunch as well and was green all over.

Happy Day!

Sunday was 3 years when we officially adopted our sweet girl. It was a long and hard process and it was a great day that finally came 14 months after her birth. We were so lucky to have family and friends who were so supportive and a social worker and lawyer who did so much work for us. We truly feel that Brooklynn was meant to come to our home. Though some people made things a little difficult, things worked out as they were suppose to. Being in court was emotional and for those that know me, know I just cried my eyes out. I still held it together enough to talk about my feelings for Brooklynn. It was a great day.

Just a few hours later my brother's wife had her first child and it is so special that Brooklynn can share this day with her cousin Caleb. We are so glad that both these special spirits were able to be a part of our family.

Love you Sassy Girl Cocoa! Some times you are too hot to handle, but life wouldn't be the same with out you. I am so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to us. You are my sweet, caring, silly angel. You make me laugh, cry, smile and love. You are my miracle. I love you. Love Mama

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

On Tuesday was Dr. Suess' 106th birthday. I usually remember, but this year I spaced it. It wasn't until Wednesday some friends were talking about it. OOPS! So we decided today to celebrate. (Especially cause we weren't going anywhere in the snow.) Brooklynn colored some pictures of Horton, The Grinch, Sam I am etc.


For lunch we had Green Eggs and Ham, toast, cheese, and a donut. (I watched my neighbors daughter this morning and she brought us some treats. Thanks Kaydee)


Cam had the same except a snickerdoodle instead of the donut.


Brooklynn always enjoys our special lunches, but what she doesn't like is smiling for the camera. Did you notice her hair? I did the Cindy Lou Who hairstyle. (not from the books, but the Jim Carrey movie.)

Cam joined in on the fun too, but didn't like it as much as Brooklynn. He threw everything on the floor. Also Cameron and I wore crazy socks today to celebrate.

If I find a good deal or sale, I buy things and save them for a special occasion. I had these Dr. Suess books and decided to give them to the kids today. Brooklynn got 3 big ones and Cameron 4 board books. YAY for Dr. Suess. Happy Birthday to a guy who is a great writer and has a super crazy imagination.

Slacker...

VALENTINES DAY!!!

For Valentines Day Ryan had to work, but we celebrated with the kids on Saturday. Which is fine, he either works Valentines or Halloween. (I want him home to see the kids for Halloween. ) For dinner we had a heart shape pizza and some sparkling cider for Ryan and I and a little dessert.


The kids each got a valentine book, a little toy and some candy.


Cam is really liking Cars and plays with them a lot. He got a couple for birthday and Christmas and my mom got him two new ones also. Still not even close to catching up with his cousin Caleb.


Brooklynn always see's these cute puppies in my pocket and wants them. So I got them for her. She was so happy. Of course they have been lost and found and lost and found and lost again. We had a fun night showing each other how much we love each other and spending time as a family.

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

My sis-in-law Danielle and I took our kids to the Children's Museum for the first time. (since I was a kid) They LOVED it!


Tyler and Chase had a blast in the construction area. I bet they would have stayed there all day.


Brooklynn had fun too, She was building stuff with all the boys.


The water area was so cool and they would have jumped in if they could have.


Brooklynn and Tyler were making up plays and loved dressing in the different costumes.


Isn't Cam cute?

Little News Anchors.

AQUARIUM

A couple weeks ago (on National Pancake day) We went to IHOP and got free pancakes. with two of my sisters-in-law and kids. Afterwards we went to the Aquarium with Nanci and Gracie.


The kids loved looking at the different fish. Brooklynn is getting better at remembering what the fish's names are.


Cam absolutely loves the fish and just stares at them.


The girls were a little scared of the Sting Ray's.


Cam and Nanci got to touch one. They kept coming up the side several times. It was awesome.


What a fun day we had at the Aquarium. We went home that day and watched Finding Nemo. Brooklynn thought it was awesome that she saw a lot of the fish in the movie at the Aquarium.

Who doesn't need a snack while napping?

Last week my sister-in-law Danielle and I went to the Children's museum with the kids. (Had a blast by the way) Anyways, on the way home Cameron was so tired and I didn't want him to fall asleep yet. So I gave him a cracker to keep him awake. Well it didn't work. It was so cute watching him eat while napping. At the very end we turned a corner and it woke him up, and he puts his hand out for more. This kid LOVES to eat. He would sit all through church if we had enough food to last. What a cutie.

Best Hubby Ever!

Ryan was able to work an extra shift last night, Brooklynn woke up about 2am coughing and we got to sleep about 5am. I was really tired this morning and acctually had no idea what the date was only that it was Friday. I noticed that Ryan was kind of late coming home and normally I call him to make sure he is ok. But I suddenly got a text saying that he was almost home. So I didn't call. Ryan came through the door with some beautiful flowers and a sweet card. I had no idea what he was giving them to me for. Except that Ryan doesn't like to give flowers for Valentines, Anniversary or Mother's Day. He feels that he would rather give them to me for no reason, rather than just because he is "suppose" to. (Except I love that every Mother's day he buys me flowers for the yard.) Anyways... I opened the card and started crying. Today is the 10 year anniversary of our first date.


Oh my gosh. Ryan is so sweet and I usually remember this and I can't believe I forgot. (Let's just blame the fact that I had surgery last week and really haven't left the house and so dates were all messed up. Plus I had a long night with Brooklynn) But I just wanted to say how I am so happy and thankful for the past 10 years I have spent with him. Although neither of us wanted to be on the blind date we were set up on last minute, but it turned out great. (It wasn't that we didn't want to go really, but Ryan didn't want to date a High School Girl and I had other plans that night.) I am sure glad we both went. Ryan is a great husband and wonderful father. And I love him more and more every day. Thanks Honey! I love you so much. Eternity is going to Rock with you!

Smart little girl!

Last time I taught preschool I was going to teach on the letter N. I thought to have a little review and talk about Names and Numbers. So I had the kids practice spelling their names writing them. We also practiced numbers. We did different games and activities about Names and Numbers.


Brooklynn got really excited and can now spell out loud Brooke, Cat, Mom, Cam and sometimes Dog and Dad (She mixes those two up.) She can write on paper Mom and Cat.


I am so proud of her and how good she is doing. I hope that she continues to love to learn and like school. We do have to work on numbers though. She has no interest in them. Way to go Berkie!

It's Groundhog's Day!

Monday night Brooklynn had a Groundhogs Muffin Tin Monday. She had a hotdog at the ground hog. Baked Beans at the ground. A cracker was a flower hoping Spring would come and Marshmellows for the snow. Everything else was just dinner. Sorry I am not that creative this time.


Brooklynn enjoyed her food and was a silly girl as usual.


We got Cameron his own Muffin Tin and he joined in the fun. This boy LOVES to eat.

Goofy Kids.

Today when Cameron was asleep and Brooklynn was having Quiet time in her room I was watching that movie Fame. Brooklynn heard the music and came out and started dancing. It was so funny I recorded it.


Cameron started doing this Grouchy Face and it is so cute. Too bad he doesn't look at the camera for it. He also started giving the sweetest hugs. Although he wasn't very cooperative, but he is still cute.

The Aquarium

Still playing catch up. A few weeks ago we went to the Aquarium with my friend. The kids had a lot of fun. Brooklynn really enjoyed it and was pointing out different fish. She said she really liked "the tiny Jelly Fish, the little Sea Horses and that's all." Cameron was amazed with everything and wanted to get out and touch everything.



I really liked the Jelly Fish also. It is kinda dark, but still pretty cool .



This picture ended up blurry, but I still thought it almost added movement. Jelly fish are amazing.



This fish was awesome and it reminded me of the fish in Finding Nemo. We had a fun time and especially for Cameron's sake we will be going back again soon.