Lemon Sprinkles

You & Me Trips

2010-07-28T07:59:00.000-04:00

Brayden had his first You & Me Trip this year! We started doing these trips a couple of years ago and they have been a big success. Troy or I take one of the kids for the weekend and go on a mini-trip. The kids pick where they want to go, and want they want to eat (which means there is lots of McDonalds and Friendly's when we are with the boys-ugh). You have to be 5 before you get to on a trip, so this was Brayden's first! It was a blast! We started off with a trip to McDonalds for dinner and then a trip to Toys R Us.

On Saturday morning we got ready to head off to Dinsoaur Crossing in Montville, CT. It is a great place with a playground, huge splashpad, gem hunting in a mine, and a dinosaur trail complete with dinosaur's scattered throughout the trail. He is very excited about dinoasurs now since he started watching Dinosaur Train on PBS, so this was the perfect spot for his You & Me Trip. He had a great time doing all these things, he especially loved the hike, and mining for gems.

After Dinosaur Crossing, we returned to the hotel for a night of swimming in the pool, pizza and soda, and watching Shrek 2 in bed with popcorn. Could there be anything better for an almost 5 year old?

Finally, Brayden had his first trip to Chuckee Cheese on Sunday morning. He LOVED it and especially loved getting tickets and all the things he could buy with them.

Then we played one round of mini-golf and were back home to be sure he got his Wii time in. It was a great trip! Next up, CC and Mom for shopping, Gillette Castle, Mystic Village, Titanic exhibit, and Cirque Dreams show!

Mother's Day Goodies

2010-05-10T09:54:00.000-04:00

The homemade gifts from the kids on Mother's Day are always so cute and sweet, and are given with such love. This year, Brayden made a sweet little frame at preschool with his picture in it, Colby made me a necklace with clay beads and also a picure that said, "I appreciate you because you make me dinner!" I had to inquire with him about this as he usually does not like my dinners as it is not either peanut butter and fluff or macaroni and cheese; and he explained that I make him eat healthy and that is good for him (even though he doesn't like it!) CC made a beautiful sunflower with the sweetest poem on the back...I will cherish is always! (Especially when she has that tween attitude cranking out of her!) Here is her poem:

My Mom

Caring, Cheerful, Patient

Who loves relaxing at the beach, yummy hot chocolate, and helping us in any way she can

Who needs loving children, warm hugs when I get home from school, and kisses before bedtime

Who is known for being a great teacher, a wonderful athlete, and helping out at school

Who gives lots of love and care every second of the day, kind comments when I do great things, and the best life a child could ever have

Who fears slimy snakes, spinning rides that make her sick, and my brothers or me getting hurt

Who wishes for warm weather in the winter, more time to scrapbook, and that we won't grow up

Mother to Cecilia, Colby, and Brayden

Delightful, grateful, and brave

Oldies but goodies...

2010-04-16T15:07:00.000-04:00

It is a somewhat damp, cold, spring day here, so we pulled out the play-dough. CC is home sick, but recovering, and we needed something quiet and calm to play with. I think Play-dough is one of those great toys that never goes out of style. I remember playing with it as a child, and I am willing to bet that someday my children's children will play with it as well. As I sit here writing this, the kids are still happily playing away with the play-dough. I don't pull it out too often as it makes a tremendous mess, but the 2 hours of happy, occupied children is so worth it! Brayden especially loves the barber...I think we had that guy when we were growing up!

Dance

2010-03-30T09:18:00.000-04:00

CC had her 4th dance competition of the year last weekend. They continue to go well, and this weekend she got large trophy for her tap solo. (Now, she was the only one in her age group, but you did have to finish with a High Gold ranking to win a trophy...so technically she did earn it!) She also received the judges award for "terrific tapping" which was against all the other tappers, so she was thrilled with that award! Here she is with her trophy...notice the curlers in her hair as she is getting ready for her next dance of the day!

Her other three dances; her group jazz, group acro, and group tap finished the competition 1st, 2nd, and 4th. They almost swept it! It was a great day, all the girls did wonderful!

Basketball

2010-03-30T09:08:00.000-04:00

Basketball season at the YMCA has finished for the year! Yippee, one more thing crossed off the list! (Although, Little League will be starting soon, so it really is just onto the next thing!) Colby had a great basketball season and even made a few baskets, a couple of them were even a "Swish"! At the Y, the kids had to pass the ball three times before they could shoot, so if you were lucky enough to be passed to on that third pass, you could take a shot. Colby was a little frustrated that there was no stealing the ball away at this age, as it is one of his favorite things to do when we play ball together, but all that will come with time.

After his last game, we treated him to McDonalds, he was thrilled to get his ice-cream sundae, and Brayden and Daddy loved sharing their chocolate shake! :)

Looking for Leprechauns...

2010-03-18T11:01:00.000-04:00

Colby was so bummed yesterday after school because ALL of the kids in his class saw a Leprechaun yesterday at school, except him! He was bound and determined to find on one after school. He looked all around the yard, and put out chocolate gold coins to help entice the leprechaun out of his hiding place. But, sadly for Colby, he did not see one.

Last night, while Colby was sleeping, a leprechaun came and took the gold coins, and must of spilled some of his magical leprechaun dust! Colby was so excited to find a trail of gold and green magic dust in the yard. He also found a tiny little hole, and thinks that must be where the leprechaun came from!

Kindergarten Registration :(

2010-03-04T15:16:00.000-05:00

Sigh...I signed up Brayden for Kindergarten yesterday. I have been trying to figure out how it is possible that nearly 5 years have flown by since he arrived in this world (a week late). How is it that in what seems like a couple years at the most, this little guy has learned to crawl, walk, talk, eat, use the potty, change his own clothes, make his bed, brush his teeth, write his name, make his bed, shoot baskets, pump his legs on the swings, and nearly swim across the pool? In a few short months, I will be putting him on the bus and my baby will be off to kindergarten. Sigh, again. I just can't believe it.

Brayden often puts his hands on my cheeks, turns my head so that he is looking straight into my eyes and says, "Mom, I will still give you hugs and kisses when I'm big"...I hope he does!

Love the Black and Gold...but hate the cold!

2010-02-19T10:23:00.000-05:00

Well, we have returned from our trip to Iowa. It was a great trip, the traveling went well (minus the 3 hour car ride from 8:30-11:30 at night with the three kids smashed into the backseat of the rental car), we saw lots of friends and family, saw two Iowa Hawkeye events at Carver, and the kids had a little getaway to an indoor water park. We had a great time seeing the Hawks at Carver with Great-Grandpa and Grandma D, all the kids loved the arena and of the big ice cream cones! Brayden loved Herky...

and Colby got to participate in a slam dunk contest at half time of the women's basketball game! This was his second attempt and he made it! (Note the cheerleaders reaction in the background!) :)

It was a great trip to Carver!

So, all in all a great trip! I did decide, however, that although we love you all in Iowa, it is TOO COLD there for me! I struggle with the weather where we live, there is no way I could make it through an Iowa winter-YIKES!

4 1/2 years old

2010-02-02T14:18:00.001-05:00

Wow, where does the time go! Brayden turns 4 1/2 today! Why can't they stay little longer??

And, speaking of time flying by...I had my first feeling of, "Wow...I really am getting old" last night at the grocery store. I was purchasing my groceries and this nice "kid" who was the cashier says to me, "Did you used to teach Kindergarten?" I replied yes, I did. "Wow", he says, " You were my kindergarten teacher. I'm a SENIOR in high school now!" What!!!!! How can that possibly be that my sweet little kindergartners are now graduating from High School. The only explanation I can muster up, is that I must really be starting to get old...there is no denying it now, the wheels of time have begun. And, come to think of it, when I was getting my hair cut last weekend, I kept looking at the young 20-something cutting my hair and was amazed at how SHE didn't have any lines under her eyes; no dark circles, no bags, certainly no wrinkles, just smooth, beautiful skin. I guess those days are over for good. So-Long youth, hello middle-age!

Yummy, yum, yum!

2010-01-21T13:26:00.000-05:00

Brayden and I made our first recipe from the new "Kaduce-Bruhl" cookbook this morning. (Thanks, Mom!) We wanted a dessert for tonight so we decided to try Lonn's "Not-so-bad-for-you Chocolate Caramel Oatmeal Bars". Brayden loves to help cook, and had fun stirring, pouring, and sampling this yummy dessert. I am not so sure about the "not so bad for you part", I guess it does have applesauce in it, but I think the chocolate chips, brown sugar, and caramel sauce pretty much cancel out that 1/2 cup of applesauce! :) It was great making a family recipe, that cookbook will get lots of use over the years!

The Basement

2010-01-15T10:50:00.000-05:00

So, the basement is coming along. We have the new couch that I absolutely LOVE!!!!! We can all fit on it comfortably to watch our "Sunday Night Movie". (Free Willy 2 will be showing this week-Colby's pick) It is comfy, cozy, and also works great for people to sit on when we have some serious Wii competitions happening! I added the yellowish colored pillows, as the basement needed an accent color and I got the big look of dread when I mentioned painting the basement (again). So, we are keeping the paint the same, for now, and I am just adding some touches of color. Here are a few pictures...

The new tv stand and tv area still need some work. I need a couple of black bookcases and some more accessories for that area. Troy and I are each picking a movie poster to hang, his is the Back to the Future poster, and I am still trying to decide on mine.

My scrapbook area is coordinated as well. I made this "cheap" artwork by buying 12x12 canvases for 50% off, and then just used modge pod to attach some of my scrapbooking paper that coordinated with the colors of the room.

Finally, we have made a little reading corner with the old couch. It still looks old, but I tried to spruce it up a bit with new throw pillows, a blanket and new artwork.

We also are going to continue to add to the kids' Artwork Wall. So far, is has come along nicely, and I love seeing it every time a go the the basement. We just got all three of their handprints up, they are so sweet!!!

Gosh Mom, These are Swell!

2010-01-09T17:42:00.000-05:00

Sometimes after a long week, there is nothing like a batch of good, old-fashioned Toll House cookies. While Brayden slept on the couch (he has been sick all week-poor guy), I made cookies and Colby read books to me. It was like something from the 1950's; no technology, no rushing, just good old fashioned cookies, milk, and books.

Favorite Gift...Whoopee Cushion???

2010-01-04T14:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I would have to say that this is probably not my proudest parenting moment, but it is pretty funny. At preschool this morning, all the children were asked to share their favorite gift from the holidays. It could be from anyone, and could be big or small, but it had to be their most prized, most loved gift. When Brayden's turn came, he proudly stated that his favorite gift of the holiday season was his Whoopee Cushion that Santa brought for him. That's right, not the blue camera he was asking for, or the cool red hot wheels scooter, or even the Lego Batman Wii game, but the Whoopee Cushion, that "makes gas noises!" He told me that both his teachers laughed and laughed, they no doubt did just that!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-12-31T21:16:00.000-05:00

We have just finished our New Years Eve meal chosen by the kids (chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, sausage, fruit) and one of our favorite desserts, chocolate fondue-YUM!
Then it was onto family games. We have played a dice racing game (Colby's choice), a marathon game of Uno Attack, and are now going down to karaoke on the Wii before we get the kids to bed. A great night, such fun! We wish you all a happy and healthy 2010! Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T16:00:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas! We are having our traditional Christmas Day; kids in their jammies all day playing with new toys, games, and puzzles, french toast casserole for breakfast, lasagna for dinner, and rest and relaxation!!! We hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas!

Letters to Santa

2009-12-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

Here is the children's letter to Santa this year...written by CC...

Dear Santa,
I can't wait for Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. I love all the food and happiness, but Colby and Brayden can't wait for their presents! Brayden says he really wants a blue camera and a 2-wheel scooter. He also wants a webkinz to put on the computer. The last thing he want is something to paint your car. He called it a paint your car thing, but no one knows what it actually is. Colby wants a snowboard that he can ride down the front hill. He also wants juggling balls and Lincoln logs. The last thing he want is a 3-lane Super Speedway. I don't know what it is but is sounds like something he would really want. Jess wants a pain white shirt to match some of her pants. She also wants a nice every day outfit. I want a digital camera because I think it would be so much fun to take my own pictures. I want a flashlight too because it's a good thing to have that I don't have. I also want a sewing machine. I love to sew and make my own clothes. The thing I want most is diablos. They seem like so much fun and I would love to throw it up in the air really high and catch it. Thank-You so much for making Christmas special! Merry Christmas!

Love,
Cecilia, Colby, Brayden

PS I hope you like the cookies and carrots for the reindeer!

Snow Days!

2009-12-10T16:27:00.001-05:00

We had our first official snow day from school on Wednesday. The kids were thrilled! Colby began the day by sitting in front of the tv and watching ever so closely for GRANBY-CLOSED to scroll across the screen. When he finally found those letters and read CLOSED he was jumping for joy. And all this from a kid who LOVES school. I think it is just the novelty of the situation that excites him, all day to play in the snow! We had a fun day making mulling spices, doing some crafts, watching Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, and of course, sledding!
All three kids had a great time sledding, but Brayden got cold after a few times down the big hill. He waddled over to me and said through his chattering teeth, "Mom, I am so cold, my feet are drowning!" I took him in, took off the hat, gloves, neck warmer, snowpants, and finally boots. I was shocked and had a bit of that bad mommy moment when I saw a ton of snow that had gotten down his snowpants and into his boots. His ankles and calves were bright red, and his socks and feet were soaked! We went right up for a nice warm tubby, and he was all set!

We need a vacation from the vacation!

2009-12-07T13:17:00.000-05:00

We left on Thanksgiving to fly to Orlando for a week in Sea World and Disney. It was a wonderful trip, full of laughter, fun, and family; a great combination! There was lots of walking, I think next time we should bring along pedometer to track just how far we walked throughout the week. The kids did fairly well, Brayden got tired and needed to be carried often, but everyone else hung in there most of the week. We were surprised at Brayden's ambitions to go on so many thrill rides at the ripe old age of four! He even went on the Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios, (which in turn made Grandma Sue go as well, she was such a good sport!) We all loved seeing the orca whales at Sea World, and we all got an up close and personal taste of the whales when we got SOAKED by the biggest orca during their holiday show. We were sitting 10 rows up and thought we wouldn't get toot wet that far away, maybe a couple of splashes, but we were dead wrong! The orca splashed us with his huge tail, and all of us, except Colby and Troy who were on the aisle and ran up the steps, got soaked. CC and Colby loved the roller coasters and went on all of them that they were big enough to ride. It was fun to let them go together if they wanted to ride something more than once, one of the benefits of getting older. One night, Troy and I took CC and Colby to the Cirque de Solei show, La Nauba. It was amazing, the kids LOVED it and can't wait to go to another Cirque show. Overall, it was a great trip, but now we need some rest! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T11:22:00.000-05:00

Wishing all our friends and family a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In school, all the kids did projects to say what they are thankful for, here are their answers:

Cecilia: I am thankful for my family, our home, and dance.

Colby: I am thankful for recycling because it helps keep our earth clean.

Brayden: I am thankful for roller coasters!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gift of Giving

2009-11-26T11:09:00.000-05:00

For CC's 9th birthday party, we had an American Girl Doll themed party. It was great fun with fancy cupcakes, a doll fashion show, and making fancy bracelets for the dolls. Instead of gifts, CC decided she wanted to make a donation to the children's hospital. She asked all her friends for a donation instead of gifts so that they would be able to buy an American Girl doll for someone at the hospital. The generosity of her friends was overwhelming, and she had raised enough money to buy two dolls and two outfits. Grandma Sue completed the gift with making an adorable pair of pajamas for each doll. We delivered the dolls and clothes yesterday, and CC beamed when she told the nice lady in charge of donations her story. The hospital will be saving these dolls to give to two special girls on Christmas Day. We are so proud of CC for her insight to those in need and giving spirit. It was a great way to start the holidays!

A Cake for Cookie

2009-11-20T09:43:00.000-05:00

Cookie has been a part of our family for about a year. He is, as Brayden often reminds us, a cookie, and we are not supposed to eat him! Cookie is Brayden's little friend. We can't see him, and he doesn't live in our house, although he visits often. Cookie is often to blame for any number of things that happen in the house concerning Brayden. For example, when Brayden has something he really shouldn't have, like the hammer or screwdriver, and I ask Brayden how he acquired that object, the answer is often, "Cookie gave it to me!" Cookie is also to blame for eating extra M&M's, messing up the bed, and forgetting to put away toys. Brayden even discovered one day as we were making chocolate chip muffins that Cookie doesn't like chocolate chips. After I had given each child a small pile of chips to eat, Brayden reminded me that Cookie needed some too. I quickly apologized, gave Cookie his pile and went on with making the muffins. It wasn't long before Brayden chimed in to tell me, "Mom, Cookie doesn't like chocolate chips, he said I could have his!"

So here Brayden is making a cake for cookie. Maybe Colby's friend Brownie will come to help eat the cake!! :)

The Big Brag

2009-11-15T22:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I don't want this to blog to turn into a "look how great my kids are" blog...but sometimes we parents have to brag just a little bit! And since it is really meant for our family and friends, and since I will post the bad things too, like when the kids shake their a@@, and say "shake your booty, shake your booty", I feel it is ok to brag every once in a while.

So here it is, CC came home from school the other day with a huge smile on her face and was anxiously awaiting to tell me something that was clearly very exciting. She took a certificate out of her backpack that was for a "4 STAR FITNESS AWARD" and proceeded to tell us that only 2 girls and 13 boys in the whole school received 4 stars on the physical fitness tests in PE. They have to do push ups, sit ups, a stretching test, and the pacer test (think shuttle run, but 31 times-ugh!) We are very proud of her, it's a great thing to have a sense of accomplishment and she certainly felt that on that day. She was very proud, which is so important; especially in these sometimes overbearingly positive times where everyone gets a trophy for everything, and kids often don't get rewarded for actually excelling at something. I believe that everyone is good at something, so I say let's point out everyone's somethings and help kids feel good about their real talents, not pretend to make them feel good about things they stink at. So CC, great job, you are extremely strong, flexible, and fast!

"Mom, do we have any Reddi-Whip?"

2009-11-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

There was a lot of whispering, planning, and many questions about whether or not we had reddi-whip from CC and Colby for the last couple of days. Last night, we discovered what they were up to. They had found some yummy desserts in CC's American Girl Doll magazine and couldn't wait to surprise us with what they made. After dinner was finished and cleaned, we were sent to the basement while CC and Colby went to work. We heard cupboards banging, the timer being set, and Colby came down to find another parfait glass. After about 20 minutes, we were summoned upstairs to have, "The best dessert you will ever have", according to Colby. They had made these cute little parfaits, with crumbled up graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate pudding, M & M's, and Reddi-Whip. They had them all nicely presented in our little parfait cups, and the best part was that the kitchen wasn't even that messy!

Microwave S'mores-Absolutely!!!!!

2009-11-06T09:54:00.001-05:00

After 6 days of being in the house with sick kids, the rules have begun to fade away. This morning at 9:15 when Brayden decided he needed a snack, I was thrilled. After all, he hadn't eaten much of anything this week besides glasses of orange juice and the occasional piece of peanut butter toast. His request for s'mores normally would have been immediately denied at 9:15 on a Friday morning, but today I thought it was a fantastic idea. It would give us something to do other than play with legos or match box cars, and besides that, let's face it, they taste great. I'm not sure why we don't make microwave s'mores more often, they are easy, quick, and really good!

2 Sick Boys

2009-11-04T17:23:00.003-05:00

The boys are home again today with a low fever; just enough of a fever that they can't go to school, but not enough to really make them miserable. Which, in turn, makes my days very long! We shouldn't really go anywhere, after all I have kept them home from school, so we are stuck in the house-again! Today we filled the day with lots of Wii-probably more than they play in a month-books, and Legos. Colby has become such a great reader, he will often sit and read book after book to Brayden. Reading is one of those milestones that when they begin to effortlessly read any book they choose, it makes you take a step back and think, "When did that happen?" I often find the boys sitting together in that little glider, that same one I rocked them all to sleep in as babies, reading books, laughing and having a great time together. Could somebody please figure out how to slow down time?

Halloween...a tad late

2009-11-03T09:23:00.003-05:00

Halloween at our house is always an exciting event. This is in part due to Grandma Sue, who makes the best costumes each year, and in part due to our pumpkin-carving tradition. Every year, we have a night when we transform our carefully picked pumpkins into amazing works of art. Troy really has the carving mastered, his pumpkins come out great every year, his witch this year was AMAZING! We also have a great neighborhood for trick-or-treating. We get about 150 trick-or-treaters each year, (yes, I count them, it gives me something to do while I am handing candy to all the cute, and often scary trick-or-treaters!) This year, the weather was perfect for a dreary, eerie, and bit spooky Halloween. The wind was blowing, it was misting outside, the dark clouds were rolling over head and the best part was that it was fairly warm, so nobody minded the dreary weather. Hope everyone had a great, fun-filled Halloween!