Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

Colby's Boot Camp Birthday

 

On August 26th Colby turned seven! We celebrated his birthday by throwing a Boot Camp themed party. Very fitting for out Top Gun loving son who wants to be in the military some day, we thought.

First, we sent out orders...errhhh...invitations:

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Colby’s Boot Camp Birthday
The purpose of this mission - - - to celebrate Colby Zaleski’s 7th Birthday.
Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to:
* Report to basic training at the Zaleski Boot Camp 
* from 1500 hours to 1700 on Sunday, 23 August, 2009
* Please report to boot camp in your camo gear (if you have any) and be prepared to run basic training drills that will test your endurance, strength, and survival skills.
* You will also participate in Survival Games. You may be wet, tired, and dirty by the time you complete your mission, so please bring a towel and a change of clothes.
* Dinner and Birthday Rations will be served to include: cake, ice cream, hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Please RSVP to the Zaleski Boot Camp Commander by Saturday, 22 August, 2009 to accept or decline this mission: Commander Charity Zaleski

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Now...who would've thought the commander of our little party would have been somebody different? Ok then, just checkin'!

On the day of the party, the kids showed up donning great camo outifits. We painted their faces and gave them their ranks (bandanas on their arms with labels that said Sgt. so and so).

We started off by playing Sergeant Says, with Craig acting as the Drill Sergeant, of course!

 He had the "troops" do all sorts of things...like jumping jacks, salute, and stand at parade rest.

Then, we did an obstacle course that ended with the kids having to army crawl through the sand, under this contraption.

Which, as planned, left them hot, sweaty and dirty...because that's what boot camp is supposed to do, right?

And the kids loved it...because as we all know...kids love to get dirty!

Afterwards, we played a game called Man Down, where they were divided into teams, and had to "bandage" their biggest guy (in toilet paper), put him on a "gurnery" and transport him to the "triage" (a stump in the middle of the two teams). That was pretty funny to watch!

 

 

Can you tell which team is winning?

 

Yep, you got it!

Then, after that, there was another game, a granade launch (with water baloons) and a photo opp in a tree. Which should have been turned into a game called "How many kids can you fit into a tree?". We didn't get them all in this picture...but almost!

And after all that...the kids were famished and in need of some grub! And after dinner, of course, was Birthday Cake. Colby wanted a cake and cupcakes. So I obliged my Top Gun son and gave him both. 

 

 

And of course, you can't have a party with only ONE flavor of cup cake...

 

 

And a Boot Camp b-day party isn't a real Boot Camp b-day party unless you throw in a Boot Camp birthday song! So...as Colby waited to blow out his seven candles...and to make a wish for later bedtimes, more snacks, unlimited Wii time (or whatever seven-year-olds wish for)...we sang his birthday song to the tune of an army cadence:

I don't know, but I've been told, (echo)

Seargant Colby's seven years old! (echo)

That's why we're all here, (echo)

so let's give a big cheer! (echo)

Sound off! (one, two)

Sound off! (three, four)

Break it on down (Colb's seven!)

Happy Birthday - COLBY!!

Then, or course, it was time to open presents. (I always assign my other kiddos to be either the a) present organizer who hands the b-day kid the next gift and helps to put the opened presents into a basket...or b) the garbage collector who gets all the wrapping paper, ribbons and bows and puts it in the garbage. That way I can be in charge of writing down who gave him what for thank-you's. It's a great system that works for us!)

 

And Colby...he is one of the most excited kids when he's receiving a gift! It doesn't matter what it is, he shows such enthusiasm and excitement over his gifts. It's pretty cute!

 

 

Then we ended the party (how else?)...with a water bomb war...

 

 

where even the biggest of kids got involved.

  

 

And then...the balloons, erhh, I mean, bombs, were gone. So what is a soldier to do when he runs out of amo? He takes to the next best thing...the coolers!

 

 

 

 

And so they all left wet, tired and dirty...but they completed their mission...they had a blast at Colby's Boot Campy Birthday party!

Colby's Birthday Wish List

He knows his birthday is just a little over a month away. So he gave me this...

First, notice what date he wrote at the top. Nope, not today's date. It's his birthday! He informed me that Punching G B means Punching Glove and Bag. I don't know about the Xbox 360, and I don't think Transformers 2 will be out yet, but I think I can pick a couple of these to work on. Gosh, he makes me smile!

Kuddos to Colby-san

My son, Colby...

who I must brag up for a little bit. Why? Well...he went to a "World of Sports" day-camp this week. And if you know Colby, you know that is right up his alley! So anyhow, he went to this day-camp. And I imagine that most of the kids that go to this day-camp probably go there every week during the summer.  Almost like daycare, but for older kids.  I sent Colby (just for this week) because his sister is in a theater camp, his brothers aren't here...and I wanted him to have something fun to do this week as well.

So, every day this week the staff at this day-camp have been telling me that Colby is "so good" and that they've "really enjoyed having him". Which was nice to hear. And I was proud that he was being so well-behaved for the staff at day-camp. But I was even more surprised today, when picking him up, that several of the staff members told me that they were really disappointed that Colby wouldn't be sticking around all summer -- because they've had so much fun with him! They told me that he is so well-mannered. And a genuinely good kid. And that he's funny and tells great stories!

Well, I know he's funny and tells great stories! Oh, do I know!! And for the most part, I know he's a good kid. I also know that at times my little man can be a handful. Because he's nonstop. And loud. And full of energy. And at times, he's stubborn and chooses to do his own thing rather than to listen and obey. He's...a kid. A normal kid. An ALL boy kind of kid. 

So I was happy to hear all the kind words that the staff had to say about Colby today. My sister (who dropped him off this morning) even said that she was told that Colby was the best kid they had there! Wow!! Nice compliment!! Days like today? Yeah...they make me feel like we're doing something right with our loud, non-stop, full of energy, all-boy kid. And that feels good. And proud of my boy!

On another note -- lately, we've taken to calling Colby...Colby-san.

You know, like Daniel-san...off of Karate Kid. (A tidbit of info: Karate Kid was actually filmed on the island of Okinawa, where we are moving.) So anyhow, Colby has been telling us that in Japan, we will have to call him Colby-san.  

As far as I know, adding -san to a name in Japanese is much like saying Miss, Mrs. or Mr. in English. It's a sign of respect and it honors the person. 

So, perfect for today!

For fun, I found this really cool website that actually translates your name into how it would be said in Japanese -- and it also shows you the kanji characters for your name and tells you how to pronounce it. Click here  if you'd like to go check it out.

And per this website... Colby's name in Japanese would actually be Korubii. But I think I prefer to Call him Colby-san. And today, I say, kuddos to my Colby-san!

One Serious Six-Year-Old

  

Colby had been sent to our room (the guest room we're staying in at my sister's) to "think about" what he'd just done. I came in after about ten minutes and found him doing this... gazing out the window. He didn't want to talk.  He apparently had some heavy thinking going on. What could a six-year-old be pondering, contemplating, reflecting on?  Could he really be thinking about what he'd just done to his sister? Or was he thinking that I'm the meanest mom around? Or maybe he was actually thinking about what I'd told him when I sent him to time-out and was trying to figure out, to rationalize in his little head, how to put an end to bad behavior. Or... perhaps I'm a dreamer and that's wishful thinking...and he was just looking at the guy next door mowing his lawn. 

But wait...when you look out this bedroom window, you can't see the lawn next door. And there wasn't a guy mowing his lawn. What you see is a line of hedges. So that can't be it, right? Right!?!  So...what do you suppose my boy was thinking? Come on, I want to hear what you think my serious six-year-old was thinking.

Errrhh...ummm..wait...on second thought. Maybe I don't.

Idol Pilot

This boy of mine, my youngest... Colby?

 

(Picture courtesy Allyssa's camera -- yes, I'm a photo thief. :-)

Yeah, well, he has had a movie obsession for a while. Not in a horrible way (I don't think). I mean, he's very active and loves to play outside and is by no means a couch potato...but...he loves to watch movies. And he has an obsessive tendency to want to watch the same move over...and over...and over...(you get my point). For months on end, as much as he can (which means daily if I'd let him), until he's over it. Then he moves on to his next theatrical fixation.

It began with Finding Nemo before he turned two. Then Dumbo. Then...well, he's moved on to much bigger and better things. Like...Tom Cruise and airplanes. Yep, for the last few months his favorite movie has been Top Gun.  He even got a Build-A-Bear a while back that he named Goose and dressed in a white navy uniform, complete with aviator glasses. (All his idea, I'm not kidding!) 

So, for the past few months, Colby has been walking around doing things like...asking us to call him Maverick. And telling us that he wants to be a Navy pilot. Not things that are too off base for my military brat. Things that we find quite cute, actually.

But the cutest thing of all? Well, besides when he wanders out to see what I'm doing every time there is a "smooching scene"? The funniest thing was tonight, when we were watching the finale of American Idol...

He was cuddled up next to me watching the show, and with the most serious look on his face he said, "Mom, you know what I want to do when I grow up BEFORE I become a Navy pilot?" And without leaving room for me to utter a word, he continued, "I want to be an American Idol. Then I can be an Idol Pilot!"

I think he was referring to Auto Pilot. But hey, he's six -- and really -- it's all just semantics, right? What do I think about it? I think the world is his oyster! I say, Colby, be who you wanna be. Do what you wanna do. And if being and Idol Pilot is your dream? Then so be it!!

Oh my beeping heart!

Last night, after Colby had gotten sick for the third time, he was sore, tired, and was sitting on the couch looking very defeated.  With a somber look on his face he turned to me and said, "Well, at least my heart is still beeping."

 

I'm glad too, Colby, I'm glad too. 

From the mouths of babes!

"Mom, I'm Famous!"

Did I ever share with you Colby's team t-ball picture?  (Craig loves to smile in pictures, can't you tell?)

Just the other day, we had taken our dog to the groomers.

We all had a good chuckle when Colby looked up and said, "Mom, look! I'm famous!"

He still thinks it's pretty cool! Especially when people tell him, "Hey, Colby, I saw you on the Billboard..."  Yep...he's famous alright! That boy...

*Edited -- yes, I see the typo on the sign. Do you?*

Can You Believe...

The new school year has begun already?  Can you believe that these kiddos are so stinkin' cute?  (*Please don't let them know that I called them cute. They'd totally gag, roll their eyes, and then moan, "Mommmmm!")

 

Can you believe they have such cute haircuts?  Can you believe they have such cute teachers?!?!

Can you believe I drove them to school and made asked them nicely to take a picture with their teacher in the doorway to their classroom? (To which they each replied "Sure, we'd love to!" *smile*) Can you believe that these kids look so grown up!?!? That they ARE so grown?  That I officially have a 6th, 4th and 1st grader?  I remember when I used to do home daycare and I'd take care of "School Agers"...and they seemed so big to me. So old.  That was back when I had a Kindergartner, a Preschooler and an Infant. Now, I'm the one with the School Agers that are so big. So old. Back then, when Daz started Kindergarten, I couldn't believe he was old enough.  That I already had a kid in school. And now, Colby, my youngest, is past Kindergarten.  It's kind of hard for me to wrap my brain around.  That my kids are getting so big. That summer flew by so fast and another school year is here already.  That my kids are growing up so fast. That...Wow. Sniff. Sniff. Pout. Tear. Breath. Sheesh! Can you believe I'm getting so sentimental over the first day of school? 

Ideal Summer Swim Team Mornings...

 

If you don't know this about me already, let me say, I am NOT a morning person! Ask my mother, ask my husband, ask my children.  I am just a programmed Night Owl. I get alot accomplished at night and I enjoy sleeping in.  This all has to do with my sleeping cycle and my sleep disorder, which is another story for another time.  So, I guess you'd say that summer would have been the perfect time to have had many late nights and lots of sleeping in kind of mornings.  And since I had just graduated and wasn't going to have homework, and we didn't have any hectic routines we had to be on...my summer dream was to do alot of relaxing, reading, and enjoying my summer flowers.  But, then...plans changed...

You see, I usually sign my kids up for swim lessons during the summer. But last summer I noticed something -- they were kind of -- um -- over it. I mean, they loved the swimming part.  They loved the pool. And the water.  And they loved learning new stuff. But, they had pretty much mastered what they needed to at swim lessons.  So, this summer, I decided to sign them up for Swim Team.  The kicker...they would swim Monday through Friday from 6:30 - 8:00am. And this started THE DAY after they got out of school.  No break.  And...they would have to do it on the base, which is fifteen minutes from the base annex, where we live.  Which meant, in order for my kids to swim, I was going to have to get up at 5:30 every morning to get them to swim team on time.  And on top of that, my husband deployed for the summer.  My friends who know that I'm not a morning person told me, "Charity, you're nuts!  Craig's gone, it's ok to give yourself a break for the summer"...or, "Are you nuts!? You are going to get up that early all summer long? You hate mornings!" 

But here's the deal.  I don't really hate mornings! I got up early, super early, for five years when I did home daycare and had to have my home open for business at 6:30am.  I used to prefer the 6am-2pm shift when I did shift work.  I am not a grumpy person in the morning.  I don't have to drink three cups of coffee, smoke two cigarettes or run five miles (obviously :-) to wake up.  Nope, not me. I just have to want to crawl out of my cozy, warm bed.  (Among a few other sleep disorder things, which I will get to another day, I promise, because I know you all really want to know more about how I sleep!) And this summer, swim team did that for me. It made me want to get out of bed; I looked forward to swim team mornings.  And not just because I got an hour and a half to do what I wanted, without having to watch kids, answer to kids, or deal with kids. Although, that helped. Not just because I had an hour and a half to read a book, take a walk, or sit and talk with another pool mom, although, that too was a plus.  But because, these swim team mornings were so calm.  Even though there were usually about fifty kids in the pool, all you could usually hear was the quiet and constant splash, splash, splash of the water as the kids were swimming lap after lap after lap.  And there is something about waking up to the bright sun beating on the blue water and watching your kids, so gracefully, glide through the pool, stroke after stroke after stroke. It was a nice way to start the day.  Until of course...

Colby runs walks really fast by and jumps in, trying to splash me and get me wet! 

And then laughs about it...

And then looks at me and gives me that Colby grin!  But that only lasts for a few seconds, and then even the youngest member of the Maxwell Sea Hawks Swim Team is back off to swim. 

And you know, it's been a week now since Swim Team has been over.  A week since I had to get up at 5:30am.  A week I've spent staying up late and sleeping in and "enjoying the last few days of summer".  A week of not having to worry about ravenous kids who acted as if they'd eat everything in my entire kitchen (because swimming REALLY DOES do that to kids).  A week of remembering how much I loved my swim team mornings.  A week of being thankful that I had that routine to ground us while Craig is gone.  A week of being grateful that the kids had a nice way to tire them out, give them something to look forward to, and a positive way to start their day.  And...I miss it.  I was happy to be up at 5:30 am.   I'd do it again in a heartbeat...for those ideal  Summer Swim Team Mornings.

Two...

* ...the number of home runs he hit at his Thursday night game.  And I'm not talking about a home run because some five-year-old couldn't field the ball...or ended up overthrowing 1st base or something crazy to the likes of that (which, come on, happens alot in t-ball).  Nooooo, not my ball crazy kid.  He hit two honest-ta-goodness home runs.  Straight down the 3rd base chalk line -- to the fence!  You go Colby!!  (And, of course, he hit them after I told him I'd pay him for home runs.)  He came in after his second one and said, "Mom, now how much are ya gonna pay me for home runs again?"  My response?  "Well, kiddo, it depends on how many you hit." 

* ...also the number of teeth he has now pulled out of his head.  He had another loose tooth.  And he wiggled and jiggled and wriggled it until he pulled the sucker out!  All, again, during his Thursday night game.  (It was another bottom tooth, sorry his smile isn't showing it.) Pretty talented kid...can play 2nd base and pull his tooth out all in the same game.  And no, I'm not partial.  Not at all!

Happy Easter - From My Cheesters!

Ok, so I know that St. Patrick's Day is over and gone.  But, I had to start with this Colby story that may just crack you up!  And what better way than to start with a Colby picture that sets the mood.  Tonight, as I was getting Colby ready for bed, he says to me in an oh, I just remembered something very, very important tone, "Mom, I was talking to Eric and Terik the other day at school.  And, they were wrong." 

A little dismissive; I admit that I was thinking that this is going to be one of his typical Kindergarten conversations that eludes to how the green Power Ranger can beet Spiderman because of..., something to which I know nothing about.  But, no, the Little Kid surprised me.  After I asked, "Wrong about what?"  He replied, wide-eyed and looking very concerned, "They told me that God is the only person that knows everything!" 

Not sure where this was leading, I replied with an "Oh?  And what did you say?"

He looked at me as if I should know the answer already, and stated, "I told them that's not true!  Because my Mom AND my Dad know everything TOO!!" 

Then I, I cried.  Well, really, I laughed.  Then cried.  Laughed so hard I cried.  Then cried at the thought that my Little Kid really thinks that I, the crazy momma knows everything!  Then laughed a little bit harder that he thinks Daddy knows everything too.  He'll learn when he gets married, just the Momma, Colby.  Just the Momma. 

Then, like a good mom would, I explained how his good little Kindergarten friends are just a little bit right.  "Colby, you see, when Mommy tells you something, and you say nuh uh  and I say yes sir Mister, and you better just listen to me now because Mommy knows everything...Colby, (gulp) Mommy is just..."

as I get really quite "joking."

"WHAT!?!?!" he asks, so that the whole house has now tuned in.

I repeat the story and my reply.  And now my plot to brainwash my children into thinking that I know everything has just failed.  Miserably. 

But, when push comes to shove, and you're put up there against the Truth, who can fudge to that?  I mean, God or Mom? And speaking of, today is His day.  So a couple of pictures from my Easter Cheesters!

Look at those cheesy grins! Do you see the looks on Allyssa and Colby's faces?  My, are they related?  And Daz is such a ham!  He cracks me up!  Life has been crazy, hectic busy - evidenced by the fact that I didn't even think twice and shut the door to my messy pantry, remove the oversized and unattractive bottle of vinegar from center stage, or clear off a counter or two before I snapped this photo.  See, folks, another snippet of my Crazy Beautiful Life.  And my, oh my, I didn't realize how cluttered my fridge looked.  Wowbuddy!  But I'm a magnet lover, so, what's a girl to do?  So, obviously this is a picture of the kiddos last night coloring their eggs.  And Craig, trying to hide out in the back ground, on egg-peeling duty. I'm sure he'll be so pleased that I just shared that with y'all. 

So, we had a really nice Easter.  Church.  Good Food.  Friends.  Relaxed.  That equals good in my book.  A sinus-migraine that had me held up for a few days is still lingering, but all in all, a good day!  So, the kids wanted me to share this photo with you, because they are proud to be sporting new watches, thanks to the Easter Bunny.  Don't you love Colby's crocks?  Father did at mass this morning too.   Pretty funny!

Happy Easter!
~Charity

Colby's New Nickname

Colby has come up with a new name for himself.  It's kind of cute!  No, it's really cute!! Here's how it works:

Colby:  "The Little Kid wants to watch a movie, Mom."

Me:  "Who wants to watch a movie?"

Colby:  "MOOOMMM!!!  Meeeee!  I'm The Little Kid!"

~OR~

Me:  "Who wants some ice cream?"

Colby:  "The Little Kid!"

~AND AGAIN~

Me:  "Kids, you need to pick up your rooms before we go bowling."

Colby:  "Except for The Little Kid"

Me:  "Nice try!"

Colby started using this new, 3rd person style nickname all on his own.  He cracks me up!

Colby is as Colby does

A Colby thing for sure...

Can you tell?  He lost a tooth!  No, the "Colby thing" is not that he lost his tooth...it's that we didn't even know he had a loose tooth until yesterday after school.  He made the grand realization while eating lunch.  He then proceeded to tell everyone - and I am NOT exaggerating this when I say everyone - that we saw at the end of school.  Which equals, probably, about 350 people.  (OK, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.)  Anyhow, so, loose tooth.  He told Allyssa's teacher, Mrs. Hoffman, who told him to be brave and pull it out and not to let it dangle.  Thanks, Mrs. Hoffman, because I hate when loose teeth dangle and kids are afraid to pull it out, and then you're afraid they're going to swallow it when they're eating, and...gross!  So, what is so Colby about this whole scenario, you ask?  Well, it is that...before dinner, Colby had done it!  He had gone and pulled his tooth out!!!  He didn't even have a loose tooth for 1/4 of a day. Some kids go on sporting their loose teeth for weeks - not my Colby!  He couldn't take it any more. I think it was a combination of the promise of a visit from the tooth fairy, money...his very own money (if you don't know already, since Colby was real little he has LOVED money, and I don't mean this in a materialistic way because he really doesn't get the value, he just loves to play with money), and the excitement of having lost a tooth and getting to stick his tongue through the hole in his mouth.  What a kid!!!  And like I said, Colby is as Colby does.

It IS October still, Right???

Oh, my, where have I been?  The other day, somebody was telling me about something upcoming and said "It's on November 17th", and I went right along with it.  She really meant March 17th. Truthfully, most days, I do think it's still October.  This fast roller-coaster of a year just has been taking ahold of me...and my time.  Hence why I still have yet to get Christmas Cards - or presents - out.  Perhaps we'll call them Easter gifts this year, folks.  What do you think about that??  So, in the week+ since I've posted, what have I meant to post???  Here ya go....

He's a HEART BREAKER (2/10/08)

Meet Sophia.  She belongs to my good friend, Delphine.  Del had to go out of town for a few days (four to be exact), and her husband is deployed, so I offered to keep her two youngest kiddos, Sophia and Zack (not pictured).  Sophia is Colby's age.  They are good buds - they were in the same half-day preschool class last year, get to hang out all the time because their Mom's are both volunteering crazies, and are in the same class again this year.  Aren't they cute?? 

Cute, you agree?  Well, let me tell you a story about our Cute Colby.  A few weeks ago while we were at the school setting up for our Movie Night, Sophia came up to Delphine and told her that Colby had kissed her.  My five-year-old, smack, smooch, kissed her!!!  Delphine and I both looked at each other, muffled a laugh, bit a lip, and frowned at both of our youngsters.

Later that weekend, I sat down and had "a talk" with Colby. He told me he kissed Sophia because he wanted her to be his girlfriend. I told him how "we don't kiss girls unless they are our girlfriends or better yet, wives, and he is NOT to have a girlfriend until he is at least 18, 21 would even be better, and that really if he wanted to know the whole truth, I would prefer if he waited until he was married to kiss a girl, and to that, I would say...dear son, please wait until you are 30 and educated before you get married, so that means, 30 before you're kissing girls -- so, for now, Colby, you are WAY TOO YOUNG TO BE KISSING GIRLS and NO, NO, NO she CAN NOT be your girlfriend!!".  Feeww!! *Breath* Sheeshhh...what a talk to have with a five-year-old.  And yes, I did say all that.  And yes, I did forget to breath.

So, the talk was well received. Because after all of that, he looked at me with and odd, "where did I get her from" look (I don't know why) and he said, "OK Mom!!" 

Then, a few days later, my family was all in the grocery store together.  As we were checking out, we saw some of those ENORMOUS hearts with the chocolates inside.  Colby was begging for one.  I told him, "Colby, you don't get to buy one of those for yourself, those are to give your Valentine on Valentine's Day.  That means, your wife or girlfriend..." (And I was about to go on in regards to how he won't be able to buy a chocolate heart until he is 30 because...as we had already discussed) when Allyssa chimed in, "You can get one for Sophia, Colby."  He immediately looked at me with big, disgusted eyes and said, "No, not Sophia!" (Good boy, I've brainwashed trained you well!) Craig then said, "Well, then you could buy one for Mommy?!?"  Colby looked at me with even bigger, more disgusted eyes and said, "Noooooo, not Mommy!!"  "I know" he declared, "I could buy one for Grandma Sharon!"

So, that would have been a cute enough story, left as it, right?  Of course, and it was.  Until we got in the van after paying for our groceries and Colby said, "Mom, I couldn't buy those chocolates for Sophia because of what you told me.  And I told her all about what you told me.  We were on the playground at recess and we talked about it.  I told her that I was not old enough and that I had to be thirty."  Craig looked at me with a curious look, I looked at Craig and smiled proud.  My baby, knowing where his boundaries are.  But then, he said, "Yep, when Sophia and I were playing, I stopped her.  I sat her down and...I broke it to her."  Oh goodness me!  Craig and I looked at each other and both of our eyes filled with tears, smiles so wide, we were both trying so hard not to burst out laughing.  Stifling my belly-laughter, I asked, "And, Colby, how did she take it?"  "Ok" he told me, quite optimistically, "she just chased me!"  And at that, we could not hold it in any longer.  We laughed, and laughed, and laughed, almost all the way home.  Oh, my heart breaker!!

Valentine Fun (2/14/08)

I got up this morning and made these for my children...can you tell they are heart pancakes with strawberries and bananas on them?  No?  Well, they could!  And they quite enjoyed them...

I got the pancake molds from Lillian Vernon.  They work really well. We also made homemade Valentines last night for all their classrooms.  We even got "Daddy" (Craig) in on it.  He helped tie quite a few ribbons.  The kids made these special treats for their teachers...I got the idea from Split Coast Stampers, I get alot of ideas from there.  If you don't already, you should check it out.  Type in whatever you're looking for in the search area, and go to town.  You're sure to find lots of ideas.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!!
And..   Happy Birthday to Grandpa Alan!!!!!!!!!

Killian for A WHOLE WEEK!! (2/16/08)

Craig went yesterday to get Killian.  He has -- what his school calls Winter Break this week.  So he's here to hang out with us.  He still gets Spring Break, so not so sure what this is all about.  But we're not complaining!!  He's having a good time so far.  Look how big he's getting, and how darn cute he is!!! (Shhh, don't tell him I told you that.)

What's cool is...this Friday is our Talent Show. So, he is going to perform with Daziel, Allyssa and Colby and all four of the kids will be in it together.  How sweet is that?  Craig won't be on leave any more (have I mentioned he's had the last two weeks off of work - he's been studying - he tests for Master Sgt. on the 20th??)  But we'll still have a good time.  I'll get to take him to the school and show him around.  Daz's teachers are pretty cool, so he'll get to hang with them a few times.  Plus, I figured he can help me take Nicholas (technically his dog) to get groomed, and go to a movie or something during the day, just me and him for fun.  Sweet!  So glad for any time we get to have him!!!

Skin on the sides, a 1 on top (2/17/08)

After church today, we went to the Barber Shop so Craig, Daz and Colby could all get haircuts.  If you haven't already heard, Colby LOVES to get his haircut!  He actually starts begging a week or two into a haircut to get another one.  And, as the previous picture of him and Sophia shows, he was actually in need of one, per his standards.  He is very proud of his haircuts!  He sports them around and says "Don't touch my haircut! You'll mess it up!!"  Because, we all love to rub a nicely shaved Colby cut!  (Note - this is funny, because after his haircuts, there is NOTHING left to mess up!) So, Colby gets haircuts quite frequently.  The same cut as Craig.  (Hmnnn..go figure!) And when he climbs up in the barber's chair, he knows exactly what to say, "I want skin on the sides, a 1 on top".  That's barber lingo for the size of the razor they use on his cut - short!!  And here it is, skin on the sides, 1 on top...

 

 

A boy and his dogs, how precious!!!

Nicholas asleep on Colby's bed a few nights ago.  Nicholas takes turns, but is always asleep with one of the kids.  And of course, what little boy could go to sleep without a Webkinz chihuahua named Mojo???   A boy and his dogs, how precious!!

Waiting for the Bus