The Crasin Strikes Again

Some of you may remember back when E was about two and she shoved a Crasin up her nose during Sacrament. Crasin's and children just don't mix. I'm not exactly sure what is so appealing about shoving things up your nose but I left Bear with some snacks and then he started crying and holding his nose. 

I knew he shoved something up there and he would let me use my finger and look but he had nose desire for me to use tweezers to get it out. He also couldn't grasp the idea of blowing out either. So after 10 minutes of trying to reason with him I called my neighbor over to help hold him down. (Of course I had laundry piled in the hall ready to take down and lunch was still on the table.) We tried a few different variations but in the end i sat on him pinning his arms down and she held his head as tight as she could while I use the tweezers.

It was scary for not only Duke but for E too as she ran back into her room and bawled. Poor girl thought we were hurting him and Duke was just traumatized. 

We got the Crasin out and I learned a few things. 1. Crasins are ONLY to be enjoyed when closely supervised by an adult. 2. Keep your house clean because you never know what you'll have to call the neighbor to come pick something out of your child's nose.

Valentines Week

 It's Valentines Week in our house! While I know Valentines week is a little over the top, the kids really enjoy it! E excitedly races to her backpack every morning to see what surprise Mama left for her and this year Duke really got into it. I kept this super simple this year and only did 5 days instead of 7. Here is a round up of Valentines Week.

 Day 1:

 

 This kiddos got a ring pop that said "You are a Gem" and Daddy got some hand grips that said "You are my main Squeeze"

Day 2:

 

 This kiddos got "You're One in a Melon" with candy watermelons.

 Daddy got some kisses.

 Day 3:

 Duke got a truck Chocolate that said "I Wheelie Love You." and E got an owl chocolate that said "Owl Always Love You."

 Daddy got Reese's Pieces that said "I love you to Pieces"

Day 4:

 The kids got stickers that said "I'm Stuck on You!"

 Daddy got thumbprints which he really liked. 

Day 5:

 The kids got puzzles that said "I Love You to Pieces" Daddy's gift was funny but a little inappropriate for the family blog. 

 E was pretty excited about her heart dress and her heart hair for Valentines Day at school.

She wrote out all of her friends names and signed her Valentines to hand out. She came home with quite the goody bag and was just so excited to show me which friend gave her what! 

 Duke didn't dress up, but he's cute regardless.

He was over the moon about his Valentines and dumped them out on the table. He pointed at each one and would say "Duke" then point to himself. It was adorable.

Holidays are so much fun with little people. I am so thankful for my sweethearts!

Zoo Day

 The sun was shining at it was a beautiful 67F so naturally we headed out for a day outside!! The kiddos were super excited to go to the zoo! 

 It was even better because it was the weekend so Daddy was with us! 

 I asked E if we could take a picture, this is what we got. :)

 

 Poor Duke, his little feet needed a rest!

 Duke was beyond excited when it was our turn to ride the train!!!

 And E's favorite part was the carousel and riding her favorite white horse!

 Mama hopped on too!

Bear with some bears. It was such a wonderful day! We had a great time and the sun felt amazing!!

Paper Stitching

 As mentioned before, E is all about being my helper! If I'm cooking she wants to cook, if I'm cleaning she wants to clean, if I'm sewing she wants to sew. I was making a blanket for our little man and E asked if she could help. She hopped up on my lap and surged away.

 She was very careful and a good listener and she did a great job!

 After our successful time surging I figured she was old enough to start paper stitching. I was about 4 or 5 when I wold sew with my Mama and E was more than ready. She sat down on my lap and I explained about how to hold the paper and how to lift the presser foot. And off she went.... ALL BY HERSELF PEOPLE! I mean look at those lines!!! I was BEYOND impressed!!

Shortly after finishing her creation, she asked if she could have her own sewing machine and if we could make something. I see pillow cases in our future! So proud of you Miss E!

Duke's School

 I honestly cannot say enough wonderful and amazing things about the program that Duke is in. I often wonder what would have happened with him if we had moved to Missouri instead of Kansas. Everything that Duke has enrolled in has been free and they have been OUTSTANDING programs. We have been so blessed beyond measure and I am so thankful!

In this 4 day a week program they do a ton of different activities with different themes from week to week. The teachers also try to keep you in touch as much as possible, which is difficult given the number of students so I am grateful for that. These are some pictures that they have sent us from class time. 

Duke's vocabulary grows more and more each week. It is so difficult for him but he is simply thriving in this program. Currently he can count to 13, he knows most of his colors, knows lots of songs and is stringing together three word phrases. Not everything is accurate but his approximations are wonderful!

Considering the fact that Duke wasn't even making sounds such as b-b-b or ma-ma-ma, I am just so proud of him. Apraxia is hard, it takes patience every day from the entire family but mostly from this sweet boy. He has come such a long way and I am so excited to see where he will go. Way to go Duke!

Peppa Pig Pinata

 I have made several tutorials for how I make my pinatas. This year E wanted to do a Peppa Pig theme. I was pretty excited as Peppa is really pretty basic, so I decided to keep things simple and go with a "flat" instead of a 3D version. 

 E just wants to help me with all of my projects. Once I cut out Peppa, she insisted that she needed a face so she set to wok drawing.

 Cardboard rim all taped in place!

And with some tissue paper and some felt this sweet little pig really came to life! She was super simple and I loved adding the felt arms and facial accessories. It worked out great! Now time to get everything else ready!

Manny's First Pedicure

 Nail day is a pretty fun time for E and I. We pick colors, sit and chat and just have some much needed girl time. While we paint Bear usually sorts the polishes and I ask him what the colors are. This time however Bear really wanted to join in on the fun! 

 He picked out blue and green and hopped up on the table with his toes flat and ready and how could I say no! He was so excited! 

For days he would walk around the house with his painted toes and hold them out and say "LOOK!!!" I sure do love this boy!

The Doctor is In!

 One of the kids favorite games right now is to play Dr. E asks all about my symptoms, gives me vaccinations, checks my temperature, listens to the baby and usually pulls some sort of sliver out of my arm or leg. They really enjoy when I wince or whimper. 

 So while I was at my OB appointment I grabbed a couple face masks that they have at the door way. I brought them home for the kids and they were beyond excited! 

Manfred wore his all afternoon and was an excellent patient as E performed surgery on his tummy to get the bugs out. Perhaps they will be like their Aunts and Uncles and go into the medical field.