Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Caleb Wade, February 25, 2008

8lb, 4oz.

This was the first time I held you.  I remember it seemed to take SO LONG for the nurses to clean and check you out and I was getting so frustrated!  Finally, you arrived in my arms.

It's hard to remember you were this small.

First birthday, one year ago!

And today you're such a big boy!

At two years old Caleb:

 Talks and talks, about many things.  You answer questions, you chatter to your toys and friends and you love to tattle on your brother & sister.

 Is super-social, enjoys going to church, parents day out, the "Popcorn Store" (Target) and anything outdoors.

Enjoys his silkies, big trucks and Thomas the Train.

Still sleeps well during naps and nighttime.

Wears undies for short periods, but doesn't seek a potty when it's time to go!

Likes to read books, sing and jump - very active!

Is an easy-going but strong-willed little guy who is always ready for adventure.

I made froggie cupcakes to take to his Parents Day Out today and this evening we are meeting friends at Chuck E. Cheese. Tomorrow we get to visit with the grandparents - I'll post more photos after our celebrations.

Grand Prix Day

It was the annual Awana Grand Prix and this year we worked on our cars for several weeks.  Jake was especially excited about his Spiderman themed car, which won TWO RACES!

It warmed my heart so much to hear him look for me yelling, "Mommy, I won, I won!"

He was so proud, can you tell?

Sweet Faith's car won FOUR races, but she was more reserved and seemed to know all along she would do well.

Both got blue ribbons and had lots of fun.

It's Here!

My lovely new camera arrived one day early!  I had saved a little, gathered LOTS of coupons, discounts,

etc. and Mike matched the rest as a birthday gift....oooh-la-la! 

I feel a bit intimidated, but can't wait to try it out this weekend.  My favorite feature as stated by the maufacturer is below.  I truly hope it helps as I try to capture my three monsters in all their glory!

• Split-second Shutter Response: Eliminates the frustration of shutter delay, capturing moments that other cameras miss.

We did have Valentine's Day

This was my favorite Valentine this year:

Notice how the hearts are each person's favorite color.

(except I think Daddy's is blue - maybe they were out of blue?  Oh, and Jake and Faith have assigned Caleb orange, as his fave.)

And we made some to send to family, so I saved one of Faith & Audrey to keep from year to year.

I was thrilled to have flowers delievered to work!

I've loved watching birds since the days we lived in Georgia and had an ecosystem in the back yard.  When it snows, they visit our humble feeder here. 

This Friday I'm expecting a new camera and can't wait to try it out - get ready!

Cooking with Faith

I just love cooking with my children.  Jake has enjoyed it for a long time, but Faith is newer to the fun.  Lately she wants to help me with every meal.  I've been using the slow cooker lots because it seems so fast and has easy clean-up.  So Faith was excited to work on this spaghetti sauce with me.

Then she decided she would be shy -

and wanted to take pictures of me!

By the time the sauce was done, the spice cabinet was empty!

I've been getting Crock Pot recipes here: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

Simple Pleasures from the Little House

A fellow blogger, Kelly, asked the blog world to link up: so here's my short list of life's simple pleasures:

• Sonic Coke with Vanilla (no Diet Coke for me!)
• Hearing the giggles between my children when I'm in another room - I just love that they're friends!
• A clean house at the end of the day (wait, that is certainly not simple!)
• Uninterrupted time in the tub
• Picnic by the river
• Clean Sheets 
• Fresh Flowers
• Planting, watering or puttering around the garden
• Packages in the mail
• Pretty dishes
• Reading aloud (usually to the children, sometimes to myself!)
• Wearing an apron - silly but fun!
• Lunch out with my Mother

I can think of so many more reasons to be grateful.  Life is good.