Natalie At 2

Actually, maybe the title should say "2 1/2".  She's almost two and a half, and wow!

Where to start?!  Natalie has such a personality right now.  She's opinionated.  She strikes up conversations, and her sentences make perfect sense.  She points out when something is pink and says, "That blanket is pink.  Pink is my favorite color."  Or, she'll look in the sky and say, "Mommy, look at that big bird."  When, in fact, it's a jet plane.  On the way home from the sitter the other day, she says, "Did you buy some Cheez-Its?"  My response was, "Yes."  Natalie says,"That's cool."

I wish I could think of ALL the wonderful things she says.  She is repeating lines from "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" during bedtime prayers.  She still loves her pacifier and her "fuzzy" blankie at bedtime.  That's us in the chair every night-blankie, pacifier, and prayers.  But, it doesn't last long.  So, I space the timing between my words for prayers super slow so I can enjoy the snuggle time in the chair.  She's not, nor has she ever been, a snuggle baby.  She likes to lay in her bed, alone, untouched to sleep.

She eats anything we give her.  ANYTHING!  Her current favorite food is sour cream.  Yeah, weird, I know.  But she dips about anything she can in the stuff.  She wakes in the morning asking for coffee cake or bagels.  When we have neither, a meltdown ensues.

Natalie could play with her babies and ride her scooter for hours.  I came in on her today in her room, and all was silent.  She had her blankie spread on her floor, her Princess Sleeping Beauty baby on the blankie.  Natalie had the wipes out, and was gently wiping baby Sleeping Beauty's bottom, legs, hands, and toes.  Then, she says, "I'm changing her diaper, mommy.  Can  you help me change her diaper?"  How can I say no!  Speaking of princesses, everything is becoming princesses now.  She can name them all, and I hope she's just as excited to see them in person!

Today, I noticed how confident she is.  She just trotted right across the sidewalk to the playground, no fear.  She has a little wiggle in her walk, and everyone takes notice of her.  I hope she's always that confident.  Her opinions are her own, that's for sure.  Natalie likes to pick out what she wears, but not without some supervision.  She's super excited when she can wear a dress, particularly her purple Easter dress.

She's amazing.  We love her so much!

Matthew and Lucas Turn 9!!

Okay, I know.  I haven't updated the family blog in almost two months.  Fact, it's the beginning of April, and I'm just now posting about their birthday.  I know, big "mommy no no".  Oh well.

Well, their birthday was camouflage theme this year.

It was also the year of the friend birthday party.  We took the easy fun route this year and went to Sky Zone.  Sky Zone is a big indoor trampoline park in Columbus.  It rocked!

 
We had an hour of jump time, 10 nine year old boys, pizza, and a party room.

 It was SUPER fun...until Lucas came to me and said he felt like he was going to puke, and it was off to the bathroom for us.

 Oh well.  We got the stomach bug out of their systems (Matthew got it two days later) and it was time for the family party.

We had French Dip Sandwiches, veggies, potato chips, cupcakes, and ice cream.  All in all, it was a success.

They were SUPER excited about their Skylanders Wii game from Grandma and Papa, and their 3DDS from us.  Into the mix were some LEGOS, pjs, gift card to GameStop (another HIT), and books.

I can't believe they are nine.  This is our last year in the single digits!

They're reading above their grade level, and are learning so much about life in third grade.  They are growing entirely too quickly, and it's a stark realization that they'll only be under our care for about 10 more years. Boo Hoo!

They have been coming home with some bad words, but only ask what they mean out of innocent curiosity.  I can't believe they'll be driving in 7 years.  Wow.  My little boys are getting so big!

Blue Belts

Matthew and Lucas~~Blue Belts

Back in January, we set goals as a family.  One of Matthew and Lucas's goals was to earn two belts this year in karate.  They earned their orange belt in February....good goal, because they were already close to earning it.  Then, by the skin of their teeth, they earned their blue belt in December.

Matthew and Lucas testing

   

Lucas and Matthew testing

         They had to perform their katas, and also define and pronounce words in Japanese.  Honestly, I felt pretty proud of them {us} because for weeks leading up to this, we practiced those words a lot!  They were so nervous, and Lucas didn't think he would pass.  Let's be honest, practicing his words and katas at home didn't happen as frequently as Matthew's did.  No wonder he was nervous!  But, they passed, and now we have two blue belts.  

I think they're bored of answering questions!

Sensei tying on Matthew's blue belt

Lucas and Matthew practicing their kata.

              

Sensei removing Lucas's orange belt

Sensei presenting Lucas his blue belt.  They both look so proud!

Omi's 80th Birthday

Omi is Derrick's grandma from Germany.  She came over a long time ago, when she married Opa.  This fall, we celebrated her 80th birthday with a surprise Open House.  Cake, nuts, cards, punch....the perfect way to celebrate Omi!

Omi and her great grandchildren~~Skylar, AnnaMarire, Matthew, Lucas, and Natalie

Natalie and the Santa Hat

Matthew needed a Santa hat for the Cheermeister dress up day at school.  Since he was off playing, Natalie started wearing it.  She was so cute and photogenic!

Fall Fun at Grandma and Papa's

It's fun to have my parents living in the country.  Whenever we go there, or when they watch the kids for me, it's an adventure.  My parents  make sure they get plenty of fresh air and tractor time.  My dad bought the boys this riding mower awhile ago, and they just drive all over the fields and yard on it.  Now, they have a trailer on it, so they pull Natalie along.  

Matthew ready to drive.  

Lucas, Matthew, Natalie

Of course, the baby has to come, too.

Looking at the combine.  

Dad supervising while Matthew drives through the woods.

Mom, Lucas, and Natalie

Natalie helping Grandma Connie with the dishes.  

Thanksgiving 2011

This year's Thanksgiving was great.  We started off the day watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.  We spent most of our time watching it in our bed...all five of us!  Then we started getting ready for the day.  First stop was the Hursts'.  We feasted on turkey, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, etc.  It was all so wonderful.

Natalie with her Aunt Lindsey and Aunt Kristin

The second place was Aunt Cindy's house.  After we ate, the kids got to work on their gingerbread houses {which has slowly become a tradition now}.  Matthew made his look like a bull, Lucas decorated his very nicely, and Natalie got some help from Aunt Lindsey.  Before we knew it, we had three cute houses to use as a centerpiece on our kitchen table.

Natalie and Aunt Kristin

Lucas, Mae, Charlie, and Matthew working on their houses. 

Matthew with his house.  

Up close of Natalie's house

Lucas and his house

After we were done at Cindy's, Derrick and I dropped the kids off at the Hursts' to spend the night.  Yep, we went shopping.  We left straight from there, around 8:00 pm, and went to Michael's.  After Michael's, we got in line at Toys R Us.  We were in line for 2 and a half hours.  Crazy, I know.  But, we got what we wanted {the XBox w Kinect}, and almost all of our shopping done.  We headed home to sleep, then I went back out on Black Friday {around 9 a.m.} and it wasn't bad at all.  Actually, I accomplished a lot of shopping.  It was great!