Mother's Day 2011

Today, Mother's Day, was a lovely day for me.

The morning began with slobbery baby kisses, cuddles, and sweet Mother's Day notes from my boys. The other highlights of my day included hugs from my mom, a glass of wine with dinner, a long walk in the beautiful weather with my family, a call with my mother-in-law, and a l-o-n-g nap. In fact, it was so long I may not be able to sleep tonight.

In my opinion, a recipe for a perfect Mother's Day.

I am truly blessed.

Thanksgiving celebration

The first grade at Ethan's school has a tradition where they celebrate Thanksgiving like the first Thanksgiving. One class dresses as Pilgrims, one class dresses as Indians, and then they get together for a feast! Ethan's class was the Indians, so they spent a lot of time working on their vests and their headdresses.


I loved how his teacher had them make the headdresses--the kids made/received a feather when they were doing something well. So, his teacher had them make feathers when they lined up well, when they didn't run in the hall, and when she noticed them listening well. The kids were very excited when one of the parents sent in real turkey feathers for all of them.


The parents were able to come and take pictures of the class and then follow along and observe as they prayed, sang, and recited Psalm 100. Then, the kids literally feasted! They had turkey, potatoes, corn, rolls, popcorn, and pumpkin or apple pie.

It was fun to watch all of them learn in such an active way!

Halloween 2009

I realized that I didn't go crazy taking pictures during the month of October. I remember wanting to go back to bed for most of the month (but not being able to say why until we told our family our news later in the month!). I think I was just so exhausted that doing things like take pictures of my darling children fell to the bottom of my priority list. Some days (or in this case, weeks) are like that!

Anyway, I pretty much took only a few pictures of the boys dressed up in their Halloween costumes. This year Ethan decided he wanted to be a ghost...and when Micah heard that idea, he was totally on board with the costume! I wasn't going to argue with that simple of a costume, so we borrowed white sheets from my mom and went to work.


I'd say the final result is not exactly what I was hoping for, but they were thrilled and they could walk and see (well, Micah had a little trouble seeing sometimes). So, I consider this homemade Halloween costume a success. They were also very successful in their haul from trick-or-treating, so I kindly assisted them in eating the candy from their buckets. I figured I'd share with the baby. :)

4th of July

I still have pictures from July that I wanted to post, so let's step back in time!

We've developed a family tradition where we invite all of our family over to breakfast on the 4th of July. It works out great to have breakfast and visit while we wait for the parade to come. Since it comes right by our house we don't have the hassle of searching for a spot--we can just walk out the front door (also convenient for bathroom breaks and children who are scared of loud noises!). This year my grandma, our parents, our siblings, nieces, nephews, and a few friends came over. A total of 28 people, and we managed to feed them all (it helps that it's potluck style).

Once we're full, we head outside to wait for my favorite part of the day. I love watching the parade with the kids (and of course eating the candy), but the best part of the day for me is the flyover. I love watching the planes fly overhead...and I love how noisy they are. I managed to catch a picture this year. Well, a picture of the power lines with two planes in the lower part of the picture. :)


Since we're at the end of the parade route we occupy our time by posing children for pictures and playing with the empty candy collection bags. This was Ethan, Micah, and Colin's turn:


During the parade we managed to gather this crew of cousins (and a few adults thrown in for supervision). Rachel, Charlie, Evan, Kathleen, Micah, and Ethan. They are obviously distracted by the parade rather than the mother/aunt shooting pictures. Also, we've had such a cool summer that my sister felt the need to wrap up in a blanket during the parade. Crazy!


Later in the day Grandma pulled out sparklers for the boys. Ethan was familiar with them and had fun making designs and writing his name. On a side note, do you notice my potted plant in the background? Isn't it lovely? It looks like it could be filled with nice herbs. It's not though. If you don't fill a pot with flowers the weeds grow. And if you let them be, they fill in just like flowers! The weeds were tall enough to disguise a pop can that someone left in there after the festivities. Small tangent.


Micah was a little unsure of the sparklers...once he warmed up to them he enjoyed them! We just had to keep reminding him of where to hold it so he wouldn't get burned.

Jason, Ethan, and a few other family members finished the day at the fireworks. I stayed home since Micah was in bed and I needed to pack for the cottage. Pictures of the cottage are coming soon!

Mother's Day

My boys and I had a wonderful Mother's Day! After church and lunch Jason and I decided we would like to take the boys to walk on the pier by the lake. I was all for it because you have to get ice cream when you walk along the pier. Really, I think it's a rule posted somewhere. The boys loved watching the boats coming and going--though there were not too many big ones yet! It was a little chilly for boating.


Micah enjoyed a new-found seat. He barely stopped talking the entire time we were walking! He loved looking at the water and the boats and jumping from rock to rock.


I think both of the boys would have happily spent the entire time on the rocks. Seriously, what could be better than jumping around on rocks?

I used the scenic area as an opportunity to get an updated photo of my boys. I think I'll keep them. Really, all three of them are keepers!

These guys are the reason I get to celebrate this holiday as a mom! I have two wonderful boys and have loved watching them grow up so far. They're already so big!

Halloween '08

I know Halloween seems like it was a while ago already, but when I look at the candy still left in the boys' buckets...it seems like we just went trick-or-treating yesterday! The weather was absolutely perfect this year, so it was fun to wander the neighborhood. Ethan quickly caught on to the fact that we got to more houses if he moved faster. Micah loved choosing candy out of the huge bowls that were offered to him. They had a great time, and this mom is eating way too much candy lately!

Ethan decided that he wanted to be a baseball player, so his costume was easy since we could put him in the Tigers jersey that he loves to wear! Micah loves Mickey Mouse, so when I was given the opportunity to borrow this costume, I jumped right on it!

My kiddos got sillier as the night went on. Hmmm...I wonder why that was?

This was one of the few pictures where he actually smiled instead of giving me serious baseball player faces. A photo happy mom apparently cramps the style of this baseball player.

Our nephew, Colin, stopped by to get in on the fun. His monkey costume was so cute!

I remember sorting through my "loot" after I finished trick-or-treating. Tons of fun to do the same with my kids!

I don't think Micah has ever seen this much candy. He couldn't even carry his bucket by the end of the night! We had to hand it to him at the door when he said "trick-or-treat". We decided when the bucket is too heavy to carry then it's time to head home!

4th of July

What a busy, fun day we had! We have a unique opportunity on the 4th of July. Our city's parade goes right by our house. What fun we have with that! We began our day with a big breakfast (OK, we actually began our day by staking claim to our spots in the yard!). Many of our family members were able to come and feast with us. Then we all lined the yard and watched the parade go by. My personal favorite is alway the flyover that happens each year at the beginning of the parade.

Jason and I were really able to enjoy the parade this year...neither of the kids were scared of the fire trucks, motorcycles, or any of the other loud floats. The boys had an awesome time...how can they not when all they have to do is wave and handfuls of candy are tossed their way! They also have major candy funneled their way since the aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great grandma all contribute to the candy bag. They each ended up with a gallon zip-lock bag full. That may last us until Halloween!

I finally came from behind the camera to actually get a picture of me with the boys. I often forget to do that!

Micah is waiting for the parade to come...like I said, his bag was full of candy by the end of the parade!

Chillin' out by some of his uncles. I think he received an education surrounded by all of them.

A picture with Colin at Colin's first parade...the other cousin in attendance, Charlie, was hanging out in the house for a bit (plus he's kind of little for Micah to be holding!).

Daddy and Micah, waiting for the next part of the parade.

Picking up a Tootsie Roll (one of many...the candy of choice for the floats!)

Uncle Tim making sure that Ethan's candy bag is full to the brim!

Being silly before fireworks. Poor Jason is trying to take a nap.

Ethan giggling with Grandpa before the fireworks. Being up past his bedtime makes him just plain silly, which is much better than just plain crabby!

Happy Mother's Day

One of my girlfriends emailed me this a while back. I believe it was originally published by Focus on the Family. I thought it was fitting for today! Happy Mother's Day to my mom and mother-in-law, and to all those I know and love who are also moms!

“What Remains”
The Love Chapter for Parents by Cindy Dagnan

If I spend my days building skyscrapers with blocks, assembling cool stuff out of legos, and creating relationships with other moms at Starbucks, but I have not love, I am only the siren of the kids’ ride-on firetruck, annoyingly stuck on hold.

If I have the gift of knowing which child attempted to flush the Hot Wheels down the toilet and which one pushed her sister, and if I have faith that somehow we’ll survive life’s emergencies, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I save all my box tops for school and give outgrown clothing to the local shelter, and if I surrender my body to stretch marks and under eye circles, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient when someone isn’t ready to use the big-girl potty. It is kind when my husband has a hard day. It doesn’t envy my neighbor who drives the new sport utility vehicle I can’t afford.

It isn’t rude, snapping at my spouse or my children when things don’t go my way. It is not easily angered at real or perceived injustices.

It always protects the smallest, sweetest family confidences; always trusts God to provide my children’s needs; always hopes in the freshness of tomorrow and the bright future of family; always perserveres amid hardship and doubt.

Where there are sleepless nights, they shall end. Where there are diapers, little league, and dioramas built from shoeboxes, they will cease. Where there is knowledge of baby care trends, discipline strategies, and boy-girl problems, it will pass away.

Now these three remain: faith, lived out in my daily circumstances and instilled in my children; hope, of one day rejoicing with my family in heaven; and love, which covers over a multitude of less- than-perfect moments.

But the greatest of these is love. It is what remains… long after I am gone.

Mother's Day Celebration

Today I was able to go to Ethan's preschool for a Mother's Day Tea. Ethan told me many times that we weren't really going to have tea though, just punch. :) The kids were very excited...I'm not sure how the teachers kept them focused until it was time for the party! They had the room decorated very nicely in a spring/bug theme. We enjoyed a bug-decorated cake, bug crackers, and punch. The kids also sang some songs for us. They were so cute! Ethan excitedly gave me a "mom" keychain (that he decorated himself) and a potted marigold. Such treasures!

The beautifully decorated table

Ethan's piece of cake...a sunflower

My piece of "ladybug" cake

One of the many cute songs that they sang...

What a great way to begin celebrating mother's day!

Micah's 2nd Birthday

My son

Dear Ethan,

Today you turn 5. Five. One whole hand. I can hardly believe it. You seem to be growing as I blink. I can't help but think back to the day you were born (as I tend to do every year). I smile when I think about how I turned down going out for lunch with your grandma because I was going to the hospital to be induced. Since your grandma is smart, she suspected where we were going (especially since when I was pregnant I never turned down an opportunity to have lunch). I replay all the stages of labor and delivery at the hospital, and I usually tear up when I think about how when you were born the doctor immediately placed you on my stomach and I was able to pick you up and declare "It's a boy!". What a joy it was to introduce you to everyone! You're not a baby anymore, but you always will be in my heart.



This past year you went off to school. You love it, and your dad and I love to sit and listen to you tell about your day, and your friends, and all that you learned. You remember the facts you learn in school with incredible accuracy (which sometimes leads your mom and dad to look up your facts...just because they are things we don't always know ourselves). You're already talking about going to Kindergarten.



You've developed a love of all things NASCAR. We have no idea where this love came from since your dad and I don't watch NASCAR, nor do any of our family members. The first time you saw a race, you were hooked, and now you tell us all about the drivers you know and you love to drive your NASCAR matchbox cars in pretend races. This past weekend you watched the Daytona 500. You were so excited about it that you were literally bouncing.



Some days, your dad and I feel like all we do is "nag". You've learned to push limits and will try hard to get dad and I to change our mind when we decide something you don't like. We're having a hard time deciding what type of discipline works best for your stage in life...so for now you've spent a lot of time sitting in a chair waiting for the timer to run out. One of these days we hope to find something that works better. You also don't like that your dad and I have made you eat more foods, even just trying one bite. We've been known to beg, plead, threaten, joke, tease, and send you to your room. However, you're like me, so you will only take that one bite when you decide to...if ever. You were happier the other day when I told you that you could take corn from the dish yourself (until I told you that you had to take a least five kernels...a gigantic spoonful to you). I was shocked that you took out six kernels and promptly ate them. I'm hoping it was progress, but I also remember that you did it at grandpa and grandma's house, so it could have been a show.




For a while, I've questioned if we taught you any manners. The constant burping noises are enough to drive me crazy, which is probably why you do it so often. I say "don't spit" on a regular basis because you seem to think that spitting noises are all the rage. All boy you are. Then, when I figured I'd work on manners in a year or five, you suddenly are chivalrous. Yesterday, we pulled in the driveway, and you noticed that the path to the van had filled in with snow. "Wait here in the van, mom" you said. "I'll shovel you a path and you can stay where it's warm". You then shoveled a path all the way around the van...and gave me a "thumbs-up" when you went by my window to let me know it was clear. I don't know whether to laugh because you're silly, or cry happy tears about how sweet you are.



You love your brother like crazy. I know you think it's fun to provoke him, and it's not always happy noises exchanged between the two of you, but you're starting to enjoy him as a playmate. You're great at cheering Micah up when he's fussing, and you both like to race around the house after each other.



My dear boy, I pray that your sweetness and caring about others stays with you all your life. I pray that you continue to ask questions about God, and that you keep appreciating the beauty of the world He created. You are a wonderful child, and an awesome gift to your dad and I.



Happy 5th birthday little man.

Love,

Mom

Valentine's Day

It's been a while since I've posted again (I have a nasty "cold" that I just can't seem to kick...it's made me lazy!). I'll probably do a catch-up post soon!

We spent part of this Valentine's day morning decorating cookies. The boys and their friend, Ava, had a great time putting the frosting mostly on the cookies. There was a lot of knife and finger licking...as well as a liberal use of sprinkles. I doubt we'll be sharing many of the cookies since I think they were licked as well. They really enjoyed decorating a cookie for their snack and it was a great way to pass the morning! I think we may have to work off a sugar buzz outside later in the day!



If you look closely at this picture of Micah, you can see that each of the cookies has bite marks. He was eating the cookies with and without frosting.



This last picture is of our Valentine for Jason. It has become our tradition to use up the last of the frosting in the bowl on a cookie for Jason. He enjoys seeing how high the frosting is (and his sweet tooth loves a whole bunch of frosting with a little bit of cookie!). The cookie is supposed to be two hearts next to each other, it's just hard to see with all the frosting!



Come on...admit it. Looking at the picture of that cookie makes you a little sick to the stomach and a lot jealous of the fact that Jason gets to eat that cookie!

A Year in Review

I don't know about you, but every year I enjoy watching the "year in review" clips on the news and reading about it in the paper. I don't really know why that is, but I think I simply like to look back and be reminded of things that have happened throughout the year. Sometimes I find myself saying "I forgot that happened this year!". So, I thought I would go through my pictures from the year and pick out some favorites to post as my own little "Brown and Green Year in Review". It wasn't easy to pick out my favorites. This blog could have been really long. But, I managed to select "just a few". Enjoy!

In 2007, we enjoyed many opportunities to play at our house!


We celebrated Ethan's fourth birthday on February 19.


My dad had hip replacement surgery in January...this is Micah helping in his recovery in February.


In the month of March, Micah was really moving around and getting into everything he could.


This is my bouquet of fresh flowers that Ethan picked just for me in March. Lovely.


This picture from March is just one example of Ethan's growing love of candy. I think he's definitely my kid.


We celebrated Micah's first birthday on April 8.



In the middle of April, Micah had outpatient surgery. He is doing great and the doctor is very happy with his recovery. Praise God!


My cool dudes...a shot from a park in the spring.


This is where Ethan and Micah spent most of the spring...and summer...and fall. I had to convince them that we don't need to play in the sandbox when it's winter. I think they would be out there in their snow pants with their trucks if I let them.


The big event for our family in June was my sister's wedding. What a fun day that was. I love getting dressed up and having a big celebration!


With the temperatures being what they are right now, this is a nice reminder of what one of the flowers from my garden looked like in June.


I guess someone saw his mother doing a lot of this over the summer so he thought he would see what all the fun was.


Jason and Micah enjoying the 4th of July parade. The race car and monster truck were the favorites of my crew.


We spent a lot of time at the lake this year, especially in the month of July. This is one of my favorite shots. Ethan's expression is great...this is right after he "pushed" grandpa into the lake...with all of his clothes on.


We had our annual gathering of college friends at the beach this year. The kids all had a great time playing while the adults enjoyed a chance to catch up. Our 2008 picture will have many more children in it!


One of our local parks has a "splash" pad, so on one warm August evening, we took the boys there to play. They had a riot running in the water and getting sprayed.


For quite a while this past summer, this was one of Micah's favorite hiding spots. We couldn't believe he fit his little body into this cupboard, but he managed to do it many times over! Sometimes, the only way we knew were to look for him was to look for the tiny hand holding onto the cupboard door.


Here's Jason and Ethan at the park during one of the family picnics we had this summer. Who do you think was the most proud that they got up there?


This is Ethan and Micah on Ethan's first day of school. I can't believe we've already reached that milestone with one of our kids. But, he loves it and was ready to go!


This is Ethan on school picture day in October. He loves school so much. We love listening to him talk about what he learns and does in school each day.


This one is from October. Micah was just being his usual silly self. He loves to read books and wear a hat, so this is the cute picture that came out of it!



I have to include the Halloween costumes. One Superman + one construction worker = a lot of candy around our house!


This one is from November. Ethan loves to help me when I bake and he has recently started asking to crack the eggs. My mom suggested having him do it in another bowl to minimize the egg shells in the baked goods. I have to say that it's not a fool-proof method, but it decreases the number of shells at least! James and Merridith, those bars you ate that one time may have been crunchy from egg shells, not crunchy peanut butter!


I love this one of the boys. It's from December. Micah likes to give out hugs and Ethan was more than happy to receive. I hope they continue to love each other this much as they grow up!


This one is from December. It's all of the counselors that do GEMS with me at church. We had a western themed mother/daughter night, so we were all dressed accordingly (Thanks, Angie, for the use of your hat...I think it looks better on Henry!). They are an awesome group of women that I love getting to know better every year!


I gained a new niece this past year (and can't wait for two new nieces and/or nephews this year!). This is a picture of Kathleen from one of our Christmas parties. She has grown and changed so much over 5 months. She was giggling for me at the party...so cute!


This is the boys on Christmas Eve before they opened presents with Jason and I.


And finally, our family. What a blessing each member of my family is to me! Our year was full of love, lessons, and laughter. I hope and pray that this year will be more of the same!