Happy 4th Birthday Zoey!

Happy Birthday, Zoey! In the four years we have been blessed with you in our life, you have amazed us with how you have grown. Your sweet smile greets us each day and your humor makes us laugh almost constantly. We can't imagine life any differently. We love you so much!

Today was Zoey's real birthday. Tyler and I treated her to a movie at the theatre. We saw Pixar's new movie UP in 3D. It was very well done--a crowd pleaser. At the end of the movie as everyone is silently taking in the beginning of the credits, Zoey says, "Wow, that was a great movie. I have to go potty!" And away we went.

Last Friday was the Fun Fair at my school. We took the kids and Zoey had a great time. Zander was mostly just along for the ride. Here is Zoey riding her horse Candy Kisses.

We took the kids to the park last weekend. Zander took some time to contemplate life. . .

Two Goof Balls

Hulu Girl

Friends, Family, and a Four Year Old

Well, almost a four year old. Even though Zoey turns four next weekend (the 31st) we kept to our traditional Memorial Weekend party and celebrated with family on Sunday. If left to Zoey, she would have invited everyone she has ever said hi to. It was an absolutely gorgeous day!

We started our Sunday getting ready for the party. Chef Zoey was in charge of making her own surprise birthday cake. We didn't tell her what the cake was suppose to be until we finished it.

"Tah-Dah!" it's a Carousel Cake--in honor of Zoey's love of the carousel.

We took some pictures of the birthday girl before she had fun getting all messy.

Zoey with Uncle Eric and Auntie Tammy.

Nana and the Princess!

Zoey kindly telling Baby Owen, "It's time to open my gifts now."

About a week ago, Zoey wanted to have some bubble wrap to play with. Bubble wrap that I didn't have. So I found some at work, wrapped it up and gave it to her as a gift. You would have thought she won the lottery. It was a hit.

Owen enjoying the swing set.

Zander woke up on Sunday morning with an ear infection. So he was quite crabby for the first part of the day. But after a good nap and some antibiotics, he was ready to party with the fam.

Kiera had a good time in the sandbox.

Hazel loved the pinwheel.

Godmother Lisa and Zoey

It was a great party and it was awesome to see everyone. As soon as everyone left, though, I looked at Zoey and noticed that she had "goop" in her eyes--and since Zander had just recovered from pink eye, we knew what we were dealing with. So we got the prescription over the phone and went to pick up the eye drops.

You would have thought we were torturing the poor girl. To say that she despises the eye drops would be an understatement. She saw through all of our tricks. It took 2 adults each time to pin her down and force her eyes open for the drops.

She went to daycare today and had to get two sets of drops at daycare. Tonight when it was time for drops, Zoey told me that Mary had a secret about getting drops. "All I have to do is stay still and look up!" Is that all? Wow! I should have thought of that. . .stay still and look up!

Unfortunately, she was only brave up until the time that I tried to put the drops in. But, I had to once again call in reinforcements and tackle her to get the drops done. I hope we only have a day or two left of this.

Como Zoo

As a favor to Tyler and I, Grandma and Grandpa took the kids for an entire day so that we could work on projects around the house. As you can see by the pictures, all involved had a good time.

This was Zander's first chance to ride any of the rides at Como Town. He seemed to enjoy them. Zoey got to go on more rides than last year too. Stop growing, Zoey, would you?

Grandma told me that Zander had a blast on this ride, steering the tea cup and making it go round and round.

Zoey told me that this was her favorite ride.

A lot of time was spent here, digging in the sand and climbing all over.

Here is the turtle that Zoey said "caught her eye."

Zoey and Zander in a whole new world.

Grandpa on his favorite train ride. Grandpa is with Zander and Zoey is riding solo in the back.

"Ca! Ca!"

Zoey also really enjoyed the bear.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Nyhlen for keeping the kids safe and sugared up all day long. We got a ton done on the house and I know the kids had a blast!

May Project = Exterior Painting

Last May, I spent a chunk of my break putting together a swing set for the kids. Not only did the weather cooperate, but it was simply a joy to go out and work with my hands to create something. Nevermind the fact that the "something" was pre-cut, pre-measured and came with clear directions, it was the "handy-est" think I'd ever completed.

That was until this year's May break, where I decided to paint the exterior of the house. We have completely changed the look of our house, and I've been enjoying the hours I've spent painting away. My dad (Grandpa Livingston) has been a tremendous help preparing for as well as contributing to the project. I've also enjoyed hanging out with him during this time.

Zoey gives compliments about the house color but quickly moves on to more interesting things. Zander just loves watching people work outside and he's been very impressed with my skills.

If you have a heart, please let my boy think I'm handy and able to do anything. Don't ruin it for him prematurely. Let him discover on his own that I don't know what I'm doing and making it up as I go along.

Thanks.

Beginning of Mother's Day Weekend

Here's a picture of me and the kids--showing off my #1 Mom shirt, made by my very own Zoey and Zander. I love it!

The weather has been pretty nice this week--perfect for hanging out on the screen porch. The kids and I spent most of the evening yesterday playing out there. Here are a few pictures.

I think Zander is looking so big these days. He had a little language explosion this evening. He was parroting words all over and we could actually understand quite a bit of what he was saying. My favorite one tonight was his version of "pineapple."