Down time

The boys are in bed. Thank goodness! Griffin refused his morning nap so he was definitely ready when lunch time rolled around. Noah was GREAT this morning but as we got closer to lunch time, he got more and more whiny. Whiny days are hard and really exhaust me. It's nice to have a quiet moment to myself... I'm hoping they both take 3 hour naps. Ha!

I'm printing out some Joy School stuff right now and I'm really excited about using this program to teach my young children. You can research it here. It's really a great curriculum and Noah is so excited about doing "school". I finished the calendar today and Noah loved putting the date up. Next on my list is the weather chart.

Tomorrow, we are going to the circus with Gigi! I can't remember the last time I went to a circus... Actually, I can't remember EVER going to the circus. Maybe this is my first time? Mom? Noah is thrilled that he might get to see elephants, tigers and lions. He also put in a request to see little lizards... I sure hope not but hey, it's the circus! You never know what might happen.

Then later this week, the boys and I are heading up to VA to visit with my family! My brother and his family will be there for part of the time too. It will be great to spend some time with them. Mom and I have made some fun plans. Noah has been talking about seeing Poppy and Sloopy (the dog) for a week now! Maybe our new calendar will help him realize how many days are left until we get to go. We'll miss Ammon while we're away but, he's in a tournament Friday and Saturday. He won't have lots of time to miss us. I just hope he eats while we're away. If I don't cook for him, he doesn't eat. Boys are weird.

Little Grasshopper

The other day, I took the boys to playgroup at the church and when we were done, Noah kept saying that he needed to find Daddy. This was right at noon so I knew that Ammon was probably headed to Cookout for some lunch. The man is a creature of habit. McDonald's Monday - Thursday and Cookout on Friday. I headed towards Ammon's work hoping to see him along the way and we did. We found Daddy! Noah said that he needed to eat lunch with Daddy so we all headed to Cookout. We found a table and Noah took his floppers off. He was enjoying his lunch which consisted of this:

Yep, dragging his finger through the ketchup and licking it off. Lovely... All of a sudden he starts giggling and saying, "a bug is on my foot!" over and over.

This grasshopper landed on his foot and stayed there for quite a while. Noah thought this was awesome and was excited that I got a picture of it.

My adorable 2nd son... He is amazing.

'nuf said!

not done yet...

I forgot to post these. It's a bad picture but it kinda gives you a feel for the porch decorations.

Noah's homemade birthday banner.

Love you baby boy!

Farm Birthday Party - the rest.

I have SO many pictures from this party... I think I'm done blogging them but who knows... you could see another post. or two. on the subject.

Noah driving the tractor.

This is my studly brother, Josh. My boys LOVE him!

During his "Happy Birthday" song.

Or maybe not... In this picture the candles are lit and in the previous picture, they are not... I think THIS one was during the song.

Eating a piece of the pig.

Nana kinda took over Griffin duty... Thanks Nana!

A few of my helpers. Aren't they adorable?

I spy a hayride... Can you?

Coming back in from their ride.

Daddy and Griffin playing on the parachute.

He loves balls! So much in fact that it's the theme for his 2nd birthday next year!

xoxo.

We had such a fun time at this party. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who helped me and to everyone who came. Noah had a blast with his friends and so did I. My baby is 3. There's no turning back time. He is a fantastic little man and I love him.

Farm Birthday Party - the food. and favors.

I had so much fun planning the food for this party!

Watermelon Pops were made by cutting watermelon with star cookie cutters, putting in a popsicle stick and freezing. They were a big hit and so cute! (thanks meg)

Noah's Garden. Just a vegetable platter all lined up in neat rows.

Little Piggies = Pigs in a blanket.

Hay = Pretzel sticks

Chicken Feed = Chex Mix

And the favors! Stuffed with noisemakers, candy, and bubbles. : )

Farm Birthday Party - the cakes

Noah was quite the lucky three year old this year. He got to have a farm themed birthday party up at Gigi and Pap's farm! He also got 3 cakes! I have tons of pictures from this party so, I think I'll have to make a few posts to get it all down here. And I know it won't be tonight. I am giving a talk in church tomorrow and let's be honest...

that. is. terrifying.

I've got it all written out and have gone over it a bunch of times. It'll be fine but what is it about public speaking that makes my stomach hurt so bad??

Anyway- back to the party. I saw these cakes online and asked Gigi if she thought we could replicate them. Gigi is awesome when it comes to cakes. So awesome in fact that we're trying to get her to start a cake business. She said we could make these cakes no problem so that's what we set out to do. My family (Mom, Dad, Meg, and Josh) came the night before and helped a lot with these...

The sheep cake. This guy was made of chocolate cake. Megan, Josh and I decorated him.

The pig cake. He's made of strawberry cake. Gigi did this one.

And the cow cake. He's made of white cake. Nana decorated this one.

I have pictures of the decorating process but, they're on Gigi's computer... I'll get those later.

Happy Birthday Griffin!

Third Article of Faith

I have so many things to post on here... We'll start with this. Noah has memorized the first 3 Articles of Faith!! Here he is reciting the third one.

"We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."