Presents - Day 2.5

They are all still being enjoyed!  Whew.  Some more than others, but all of them are getting their use.  Makena's favorite has been her LeapPad.  She exchanged one of duplicate gifts for the "Tangled" Explorer game (which also works in the LeapPad) and I have trouble tearing her away from the thing.  I now get putting a time limit on electronic gaming!!  Matthew's faves have been ... all of them.  He's so busy that he just keeps going between everything.

These birthday presents made me purge the toys we already had too.  Be prepared for return Auntie Jenn.  I don't have room for this much big stuff! I'm also going to have to put a toy chest on Matthew's Christmas wish list from Grandpa Steinke.  :D Cars and trucks don't stack on shelves well. I am procrastinating the inevitable craigslist prep for all the other toys as well. I like making money, but it takes time and effort to do it right.

Now, let's talk clothes.  HOLY COW Noah was one dude that had too many clothes.  Now Matthew is that dude.  I LOVE it. Thanks for the closet refresh Jake and Stacey! Now I have to find the time away from the kids to sort and put away all these wonderful items.  Makena was also spoiled rotten for her b-day as far as clothes. Dresses, tutus, sparkles galore.  What else would a girly girl such as her want?  Noting, that's what!

Well, I am being nagged by children wanting my attention.  I must go play with toys work now!! ;)

It's almost PARTY TIME!

It's almost time for Matthew's first birthday party!!  I'm actually getting excited.  I think it's because I picked a simple, yet fun theme.  The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It fits because my little guy eats a lot and is also growing so fast!  The menu is easy as well.  Read the book and you have the menu.  Love it.

I also have a bunch of crafts set up for the kids that are attending.  There is a chance for rain and I don't want them to get bored inside.  If they don't do any of the crafts, no big loss.  Mk and I will do them throughout the week.  Jared and I did an example craft of each one the other night and even we had fun!

The morning will consist of us prepping food and doing some last minute cleaning (vacuuming and kitchen floor).  Then before we know it, it will be party time.

My little man is getting into a new stage of exploring as well.  Yesterday he started copying what his sister does in his rocking chair.  It was REALLY cute, but I pretended to not be impressed.  It didn't stop him from doing it since he wasn't doing anything to get hurt. He had a blast for over a half hour kinking around in the chair.  Crazy kid.

O.M.G.

Oh My Gosh, a whole year has passed since I've had my little boy? Time sure went fast now that I have two kids.  I remember planning Mk's first birthday since she was 6 months old.  Mw's didn't go into the works until about 11 1/2 months old?  Okay, earlier than that, more like 10 months, but STILL, I can't believe how that snuck up on me.

My goal for his first birthday. To be back at pre-pregnancy weight.  I didn't want to be fat like I was for Mk's first b-day.  Did I succeed? YES! I give credit to my will power and the love of the Y. I REALLY like getting to "get rid" of my children for an hour a day. It makes me love them that much more!

Things going on in our world and things Mw likes to do:

• Play with the chalkboard on the easel (doing that as I type). You would probably like the painting and markers too, but I'm not brave enough to let you try just yet.  You don't really like to color with crayons.
• You like to chase people around (crawling, but that's okay)
• NO interest in walking.  I think you think it takes you too long to walk.  You like to try if we make you "run", but otherwise you go limp noodle on us.
• You do love to walk behind things though, walkers, push cars, anything that will hold you up. You just don't like being held up.
• Not a fan of signing.  You'll do it for milk every now and then, but not consistently.  We aren't consistent with teaching it to you either.  Our bad!
• You cry a lot.  Mainly when you are mad at me.  I don't let you do everything you want and that makes you angry. I can't let you eat chalk and my shoes and I'm not sorry about that rule!
• Speaking of shoes, you know where they go.  When you see one you try to get it on your foot.
• You hate to wear socks, as soon as they're on, they're off.  Actually you're like that with all clothes.  You always have been a fan of being naked
• We still use cloth diapers.
• You can't drink cow's milk yet because of your casein sensitivity
• You love using us as tackling dummies.  If anyone even thinks of laying on the floor you and your slobbery love are all over that.  Literally.
• You LOVE to see your sister.  She is the one person that makes you smile no matter what is wrong.  If you're in the middle of a fit and she gives you a hug you smile, laugh and then continue to cry when she's done.
• When I pick you up from the Y you actually try to fly out of their arms to get to me and your face lights up.  Up until a month ago you didn't seem to care if I was there or not.
• I would say your favorite toy a caterpillar that Grandma has at her house.  You love that thing. You push it back and forth and it's head wiggles.  I tried to put batteries in it and you hated it, I'll admit the song it played was annoying and loud. Don't worry, I removed the batteries again so you would like it.
• You sleep though the night and take two naps a day.
• When daddy comes home you say "Hi dad".  He LOVES it, he'd never admit it, but it melts his heart!
• You like any touch and feel book.
• You like to chew on Barbie hair.  I think it's the "boy" in you trying to destroy your sister's dolls
• I know I said the caterpillar was your favorite toy, but "ball" (you say it) is a CLOSE second.  You really enjoy playing catch and everyone that's around is more than happy to play it with you!

Things we did today for your big day:

• Went to the Y
• Brought your big sister to dance
• While she was at dance you and I went to Target to get part of your present
• We went to Sam's club to buy food for your party on Saturday
• We stopped at Toys-r-Us and bought the rest of your present
• After nap you played with your toys and balloon (that the toy store gave you because it was your b-day)
• We had pizza for supper and you got your first taste of sweets (a cupcake)
• You dug right into that cupcake like you've had one every day of your life.  You even kept saying "yum" I guess you like cupcakes.  You are definitely your daddy's son.

Here are some pictures of you on your big day!!

I'm bored ....

AHHHH YEAH!!

Family picture

Mk was VERY excited for him to open his present

shake, shake, shake

this went straight to the mouth

more?

There IS more!!