Easter Extras

Just a few leftover Easter photographs to share.  Our Easter was relatively traditional -- boys got to play with their Easter goodies first thing in the morning, we got all dolled up and went to church, had brunch at my parents' home, visited the hubs's grandma, and then spent the rest of the day enjoying the decent weather (no rain!) in our backyard together.  That's a win in my book, friends.

{Easter Re-Cap} The Bunny Goodies

The holidays are truly so much more fun with little ones around.  This Easter was no exception -- Kingston was really into Easter egg hunting and, of course, excited to see what the Easter Bunny would bring this year.  We re-used the boys's baskets from last year (see HERE) and found a few goodies we knew they would be sure to enjoy.  In remembering how Kingston was so very literal with our Elf on the Shelf, I made sure to explain to Kingston that we needed to set out their Easter baskets the night before Easter, in hopes that the Easter Bunny might leave surprises for them to play with in the morning.  Worked like a charm.

Inside Kingston's Easter basket, he found:

1. Easter Bunny ears
2. Orange-flavored Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in the shape of a carrot
3. Robot water bottle
4. Bunny Pez dispenser + two SpiderMan eggs filled with Pez candy
5. Bubbles 
6. Skylander SwapForce character Freeze Blade

And, inside Cole's Easter basket, he found: 

1. Plush lamb
2. Frog water bottle
3. Easter Bunny ears
4. Orange-flavored Jelly Belly Jelly Beans in the shape of a carrot
5. Planes Airplane
6. Bunny Pez dispenser + two SpiderMan eggs filled with Pez candy

The result?  Two pretty happy Easter Bunny-eared boys!     

{Week 16} The Boys

Kingston, Week 16: Proudly showing off his colored Easter eggs (complete with silly face)
Cole, Week 16: In his great-grandma's backyard on Easter Sunday, after eating a few M&Ms.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Coloring Easter Eggs

Coloring Easter eggs is fun, but sometimes I think plain white hard boiled eggs are almost just as pretty.  I can't be the only one who thinks that... can I?  Well, we were sure to color these eggs up right with a store bought kit.  I had originally planned to use food coloring instead of a kit, but the hubs thought Kingston might have more fun with the traditional wax crayon.  And, he was right.  Kingston loved to scribble all over the eggs -- no rhyme or reason to his scribbles.

The blue was Kingston's favorite.  He constantly wanted to check it and see if it was done.  I made sure to set our kitchen timer so he wouldn't have to keep asking "is the blue ready yet?!"

 And, I may have distracted him by giving him one of the plastic eggs a day early.  He was happy with the one he chose... and the yellow peep inside.

Yep, I think these are the best eggs we have colored so far... wax crayon scribbles and all.  Just one small part of our Easter weekend traditions, but so very much fun.

{Week 7} The Boys

Kingston, Week 7: Putting on his rain boots to play outside in the misty rain with Cole... in their pajamas... because it was a lazy Monday/holiday morning today.
Cole, Week 7: Touching the small rain puddles on our back porch... this one loves the outdoors.

{Following the 52 Week Photo Project... taking one photo each week of our boys in 2014.}

Mini-Getaway Gift.

Instead of exchanging Christmas gifts with one another this year, the hubs and I opted to splurge on a night away sans kiddos at Alderbrook Resort & Spa.  We made our reservation for the day after Christmas... which turned out to be a perfect spot to relax after hosting Christmas Day at our home.  I'm thinking this could be a really great repeat gift next year.

Here's hoping you had a wonderful Christmas holiday with your loved ones, full of laughter and cheer!

Christmas Tree Stand Re-Do

Tree skirts have never really worked in my favor.  I have never found one I am very fond of and if I wash them or accidentally spill water on them when watering our real Christmas tree, they just don't seem to ever be the same again.  

So this year I opted to find a galvanized bucket to hold our tree stand instead of opting for our usual tree skirt.  Gotta say, I'm pretty impressed.  I love the look in our home and it has been so much easier to deal with this year.  

-----> Want to steal the look?  Head to your local home improvement store and pick yourself up a bucket (be sure to measure your Christmas tree stand before you purchase).  You'll be glad you did.   

What a Dad.

My Daddy
by Kingston


My Dad is funny because: He dances to music.
My Dad thinks I am funny when: I fart in his face.
(Oy, potty humor already).
My Dad is: 3 years old.
His favorite thing to do is: Eat dinner. 
His favorite color is: Blue.
My Dad's job is: To teach and some kids throw a pie at him.
He loves to eat: Macaroni.
He is really good at: Numbers. 
My Dad loves when: I play with him.
My Dad always says: "Go" words.
My favorite thing about my Dad is: When we play together. 

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We celebrated the hubs today, showing our love and appreciation for him and everything he does for us.  Our family is pretty lucky - he just so happens to be the best daddy to our boys and I am so thankful he is my partner-in-crime.

I picked out his new hat, gave him a few of his favorite goodies, and let him sleep through the night/sleep in this morning.  Kingston picked out a trophy ("Best Dad") and painted a picture/card for him, which contained the words above.  And Cole made sure to get a few wrestles in.

We also made sure to share some love with our dads and Kingston found the most perfect superhero cards for each of his papas.  What a wonderful day.

Easter Goodies for Good Boys

This year I had fun collecting little goodies and treats for my two sweet little boys.  I tried to not overdo it by finding little things that they needed, paired with a couple of wants.

Because we had plans to head to my parents' home for Easter, we didn't do any plastic eggs/Easter egg hunts at our home.  And there weren't any in their baskets either.  But Kingston still managed to get two chocolaty treats in his basket.  

For the big boy, I got two main fun things Kingston wanted/needed... then threw in a few extra treats.

1. Pinwheel (this ended up being the desired toy for both boys)
2. Wreck It Ralph (His "want" for sure)
3. Ironman Headphones (His "need," as daddy's headphones are broken and he needs a pair to listen to ABC Mouse.  And when I found a pair that had his favorite superhero designed on the earpieces, I knew I just had to grab them for my boy) 
4. Chocolate Frosted Sugar Cookie Bunny (he snuck this cookie behind our couch and started eating it... before church... without us knowing... and then got a baby wipe bath before we had to leave)
5. Easter-themed M&M Fan (Because I knew the boy would have a blast pushing the button and making it spin)

For our little, only two things.  He didn't need much and will share the DVD and books with his brother.

1. Chick Stuffed Animal (something soft and cuddly for him to play with)
2. Jack & Lily Soft Sole Slip-On Shoes (a little big, but the boy needed a new pair... a pair of his own that were not previously worn by his big brother)

I am a sucker for books and could not pass up on the good deals I got on these four books.  They weren't going to be part of their Easter goodies, but with the holiday coming and these new books in my hand, I decided to just place them with their baskets for the boys to find on Sunday morning.

Kingston couldn't wait to flip through the superhero book... and Cole thought "The Happy Egg" was a good book to use for a teether... so, score?

I will be sifting through my Easter weekend photos throughout the week and will share them with you - we had a wonderful, relaxing weekend and hope you all did too.  And for those of you in Western Washington: can you believe the weather we had?  The best. 

Valentine's Day Week: My Little Valentines

Dear Kingston,

Valentine's Day is almost here!  Tomorrow you will finally get to hand out the superhero Valentine's Day cards you have been just dying to get your hands on this past week.  Momma may have even snuck one in for you too (Batman, of course).    

Even though I make sure to show and tell you that you are loved each and every day - I hope you always know that you are.  I love you my big, silly, smart, and active little boy!  

Love,

Momma 

xoxo  

Dear Cole,

Your first Valentine's Day is tomorrow - and I cannot believe you are this old already!  Although you may not understand this day to share love with those who are important to you, I hope you can tell how much this momma loves you, always.

Enjoy your heart balloon and know that you will always be in my heart, my baby.

Love,
Momma
xoxo

Valentine's week?

Just like last year, Valentine's Day came early in our household (see last year HERE).  I brought home two heart shaped balloons for the boys yesterday and they, of course, saw them right away.  Luckily, Cole sat patiently with his balloon so that I could get a few pictures - Kingston, on the other hand, needed to run as fast as he could through the house with his balloon, or jump with his balloon, or shake his balloon...  Boys.

So I guess yesterday officially started our Valentine's week here at our home... which is fine with me.  Why not show your love on other days besides February 14?