January and early February highlights

Jack was excited when he saw these deer out our front door the other day. In total, there were 7 and they ended up crossing the street and hanging out in our empty lot. I am hoping they found the pumpkins we put out there for them to eat and not my landscaping!

She loves to help me vacuum!

I spent most of December and January preparing for an author to visit Jack's school. Barbara Techel, author of Frankie the Walk 'N Roll Dog, and her dog, Frankie, gave a presentation at the end of January to the entire school. A local Starbucks graciously donated hot cocoa for all the kids to enjoy. The afternoon was a big hit for the students and was worth all the hours I spent preparing for it.

Elizabeth modeling her new hat

I found this puzzle at Barnes and Noble and knew that it would be perfect for my family to attempt at our Christmas gathering over New Year's. It is a 2000 piece puzzle of one of the villages comprising the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. It was part of our Italian tour in September and we spent a day cruising in and out of each village. It was absolutely beautiful and I hope to take Matt there in the future. I knew when I saw the puzzle that we had to attempt it. After working on it over New Year's with my family, Matt and I spent countless hours in January working on it and finally finished it the night before the Super Bowl (we needed the kitchen table for our party!).This picture was taken in early January, a few days after we started the puzzle.

Jack and Elizabeth have fun playing dress up with the fun accessories in the suitcase that Elizabeth got from Grandma Ryan for Christmas. I know that I can use these pictures to black mail Jack when he's a teenager!!

She had been begging me all morning to paint so I moved her easel into my scrapbook room and let her create. She lasted an HOUR. Yes, an entire hour she painted and was just thrilled with each creation she made.

Best way to keep her happy and entertained---giver her a bunch of stickers!

 Jack was the Star Student of his kindergarten class this past week. Yesterday, Matt, Elizabeth and I went to watch the Star in action. It was cute watching him make decisions for his class, like who got to be dismissed first, etc. Jack wanted Matt to share his doctor "tools" with the class and I read a book and told them about my old life as a scientist (new life as mommy is probably not as exciting!). Here is our Star in front of the star student board.

Picture of mommy

I went downstairs a few days ago and saw this picture on the easel. I figured Jack drew it but when I asked him he said it was Elizabeth. When I asked Elizabeth who it was she said "it's a picture of you, mommy". Love it! There are two arms if you look closely, one just got attacked by the eraser. And for the record, this is probably how good I can draw a person!

Super Bowl

Living in Green Bay we can't help but be excited about the big Packer Super Bowl victory. The town is crazy, roads are blocked off for the parade and the celebration at Lambeau, and schools in Green Bay are canceled today (Jack has school since we aren't in the GB district).

Here are our two Packer fans celebrating (this is actually the picture taken after the Packers beat the Bears to go to the Super Bowl since Elizabeth was sick and fell asleep by halftime of the big game). We had a party so Jack stayed up to watch. My favorite quote from Matt "Jack, you need to sit down and watch the end of this since you never know when it will happen again. I've waited my whole life and never have seen my team win the Super Bowl." Jack doesn't realize how lucky he is....

Some of the goodies we served at our party (Thanks Caitlin!)

Three....

We celebrated her third birthday today. I can't believe my baby girl is three already. Where really did the time go? In between the sleepless nights and all the craziness of the past few years she turned into a beautiful little girl. I always am sad when my little ones have a birthday but I am so looking forward to this next year with three-year-old Elizabeth.

Elizabeth at age 3:
Loves Tinkerbell, playing dress up, having her nails painted, wearing lip gloss, building with blocks, coloring, riding her bike, and playing mama to all her baby dolls. She claims her favorite color is pink but she always chooses blue when given the choice (m&m's and her drinking cups). Loves blueberries, yogurt and suckers. She is very particular and has to have her blanket wrapped around her pillow perfectly at bedtime. Her bed is filled with her "treasures". She adores her daddy, her brother, and her dog. Her favorite friend is Ayla. She is so compassionate and is always the first to give a kiss if you are hurt and countless times a day she comes up to me just to give me a kiss and hug. She is always concerned about her daddy and wants to make sure he "turns his lights on at dark and wears his white doctor coat". She is often the first awake in our house and always crawls into bed with me to snuggle. She is so stubborn and could outlast anyone in that category! She is the sweetest little girl and I'm so blessed that she's my "sassy cat".

"Enough with the pictures!!"

Frankenstein

After we went trick or treating, the kids had fun opening their box of creepy crawly things that they received from Frankenstein (thanks Grandma Ryan...they love them all!!)

Tinkerbell and Peter Pan

When I asked Elizabeth what she wanted to be for Halloween she instantly knew she wanted to be Tinkerbell. I thought it would be cute if Jack was Peter Pan and he reluctantly agreed (he was thinking Spiderman or Buzz Light Year) UNTIL he found out his costume came with a sword AND a bow and arrow set. Boy, was he excited to be Peter Pan after he found that out!

Some photos from Halloween of the cutest Tinkerbell and Peter Pan ever!

Had to get a shot of her wings

Can you see her shoes? They were at least a size too big but she was a trooper and kept them on the whole night.She is getting her practice for when she is older and has to wear uncomfortable shoes all day!!!

Pumpkins

I spent a weekend with a good friend a few weeks ago so while I was gone Matt and the kids carved pumpkins. I think they had fun...