Dates are Fun!

Our overnight anniversary outing turned into a dinner date only in Stillwater.  (DJ seemed to be fighting something, and we didn't feel comfortable being gone overnight).  I was a bit disappointed, but we had a great evening, and because we left our little town, it felt like we actually went somewhere.

Nacho Mama's ended up being our choice.  (We had a coupon and it fit the criteria of being unique...not a chain!)

The decor was fun and unique.

The food was superb!

Pansies were blooming in buckets and baskets all over Main Street.

27 weeks!

I'm 3 and I love birthdays

In my family, my birthday seems to come at the end of a very long line of birthdays, eight to be exact, starting in February and ending in May. 

I love birthdays.  Afterall, I'm now just 3.  I've had a lot of experience these past few months making cakes for my sisters.  And always asking mom..."Where's my birthday?"  For awhile I thought it was gone, but she assured me that May was coming....and that she had to wait for hers, too.

So with the big day at hand, we started on the cake.  I insisted on using the "old mixer" and mom still doesn't know why it was so important to me.  Halfway through making my cake, I suddenly realized I needed to call Grandpa Bud and Grandma Vineta to thank them for my Veggie Tales B'day card. 

The old worn-out mixer worked beautifully and my spice cake was done.  DJ helped us.  You know, he's quite experienced and can run the mixer himself.

Of course, licking the beaters is the best part.  Maybe this activity is why mom kept me in my pj's long after breakfast!

For a long time, I've known it was to be a train cake.  It was settled.   Mommy said it was fine.  I also wanted to be sure that I had my train shirt washed and ready to wear.  I actually did remind mom several times last week that I wanted to wear that shirt on my b'day.

So while I was napping, DJ and Mommy did the really messy part, leaving the fun part for me later.   DJ was thrilled to take lots of pictures of the process.

Thankfully, mom had DJ's advice, because he consulted "The Little Engine That Could" several times to be sure we were getting some of the details correct...such as the color of the engine!

This was where I came in...all rested and ready to decorate!

Actually, I think I was more ready to sample the candy mom bought in the bulk bins at Cub Food and "oreos" from Trader Joe's.

We decided this certainly was a zoo cake and needed some animals too.

I was so happy to see myself on this cake.  DJ thought it was a little weird to cut up one of my old pictures, but it worked!

Because I am so proud of each and every car, I must show each one!

This was super fun!

And to think, I got to blow out the candles myself.  I love that part!

Kade got a small piece of cake and devoured it, along with some candy.  You should have heard mom exclaim the next morning how late Kade managed to stay awake in his crib that night.  She blames it all on the sugar high! 

Grandpa Stacy and Grandma Carol came, too.  It was so fun to have them.  And daddy figured out how we could have a video call with Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Betty so they could watch me blow out my candles.

This was the best I could do for the last picture of the night.  You think Kade was hard to put to bed.  I had him beat!

History Project

Our history this year has included the time period of castles and knights.  It has been such fun!  Our activity book always has many ideas for projects, and DJ makes sure we always read through them.  I wish we had done more of them this year.  This was one project we managed to do...a rice krispie castle. 

As you can see...he was pleased with the results!

Bronco Riding at Bedtime

When I told DJ we had a surprise the next day, he was quite astonished when I told him it was a ride in an airplane.  On a beautiful April day we drove about 45 minutes to a small airport to enjoy a plane ride! The pilots from this club volunteer to take children from the ages of 8-17 on a free 20 minute ride.  This airplane wasn't the one they flew, but I liked it!

Here's the pilot with his excited passengers.

THE plane

Some spectators!

Travis held Kade quite a bit, and Kade warmed up quickly!  I just had to post this picture because of Kade's expression.  This is his classic, "Don't look to0 long at me.  I'm trying not to smile."

Harrison and DJ show-off their planes they put together. 

Fun stuff

I made my first hooded towel for a baby gift last month.  I received a big fluffy one when Levi was born and we LOVE it and keep using it.  This was fairly simple, so I think I'm going to make some more for some upcoming babies.  Picking out the ribbon is fun!

Kent's favorite cookies...oatmeal, walnut, chocolate chip.  I cut back on the sugar and use half whole wheat.  They're so yummy and I think I ate almost as many as Kent!

Our lilac bushes are right outside the kitchen window.  My boys are great at keeping me supplied with fresh flowers!  Love these!

Flowers from our trip to the conservatory at Como Zoo.  What a feast for the eyes!  Wow.

Kent decided to cook dinner one night while I made a quick trip to the store.  I was going to make spaghetti and this was his new twist.  It was good and he always enjoys "presentation" (which I find kind of cute...no same old boring for him) so I had to take a picture because he put it on my fancy platter.

DJ and I made this yummy, very rich chocolate mousse after learning about France during our history time.  This recipe was in the back of the book and DJ is always enthused to try projects!