A Small Family Celebration

We are having a big party for Logan in May but since yesterday was his actual birthday Jacob and I thought we could give him a couple of his birthday gifts and we made a brownie cake and tried to make it special for him.  Here are some pictures of Logan on his birthday!  I think he had a fun day!

Alex was given a birthday crown at school on his birthday so Logan requested a crown for his birthday.  This is the second crown I made.  He didn't like the first one and insisted he wanted one that was "big big" so he ended up with this one.  Every time I look at it I think of the pope.  Ha.  He was happy with it. I told him we could put glitter or stickers on it and he said, "No, I like it just like this."  He wore it all day! I was glad he liked it.

We made brownies and covered them in chocolate fudge icing and then poured sprinkles on top.  This is what Logan wanted.  They were VERY rich but also very good!  Here is Logan eating his brownie birthday cake!

Logan opening one of his birthday cards he received in the mail on his birthday. (Alex helped him.)

His present from his big brother--Alex wanted to get Logan something and picked out two Iron Man action figures that they didn't have.  He kept saying, "Logan will really like these, mom.  This is a good idea!"  Logan DID like them!

Opening one of the gifts from Jacob and me. It was something he has been asking for.

It was a travel size Magnadoodle.  He has been asking for one for months!  All I could find were pink ones so I finally just decided to get one and Jacob put super hero stickers on it to make it more boyish.  Logan didn't care that it was pink, he loves the stickers on it, and uses it all the time.  He also got this Iron Man mask--the boys can't have too many costumes, masks, and hats to dress up in!  They love that kind of stuff!  :)

It was a fun day celebrating Logan turning 4. I hope you enjoyed the pictures. This will have to do until his actual party . . . ha!

Earth Day 2010

Logan standing near the blueberry plant he picked out.

Yesterday was the Plant Sale at Alex's school.  It was a way for the school to raise a little money, but also encourage people to celebrate Earth Day by planting a tree--or even just a little flower.  They sent a flier home a few weeks ago with a list of plants they would be selling along with prices.  Logan was VERY excited about the strawberry plants they were selling.  I told him we would get one and then let Alex pick out a plant as well.  I had made plans to take the boys to Alex's school plant sale when I received the flier so yesterday morning I got some cash just for this event.  When it came time to go to the sale I couldn't find the cash. I looked everywhere I could think cash might be and found myself growing increasingly grumpy.  I told the boys to go to the playroom, turn on the TV, and find something to watch for a little while so I could look for the money.  Alex said, "Aren't we going to the plant sale at my school?"  I said, "Yes, if I can find the money, otherwise we won't be going."  They acted like big boys about it but I could tell they were disappointed about possibly not getting to go to the plant sale.  I dumped the contents of my purse onto the table and dug through it, but didn't find the cash.  I looked in the car, my pockets, everywhere I could think of and never found it.  I eventually got some more cash and went to the plant sale--with two happy little boys.  By the time we got to the school most of the plants had been sold.  Logan walked up to the woman who seemed to be in charge of the sale and said, "Strawberries?"  She said, "I'm sorry, honey, they're all gone."  Logan's shoulders drooped, his head lowered, and that little "I think I might cry" frown appeared on his face. So, I said, "Why don't you guys each pick a flower that we can take home and plant."  Alex started looking at all the flowers and Logan just stood there.  "I don't want a flower," he said, "I want strawberry plants."  I got down on his level and said, "Pick a flower that you can help me plant and then we'll go somewhere else and see if we can find a strawberry plant for you."  He perked up some and began looking at the flowers with Alex.  After the boys picked their flowers we paid and then hopped back in the car.  We went to a nursery and walked through the many plants they had there.  We came to a section that was full of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry plants.  They were planted in large tin cans that were covered in pretty pictures of berries.  Logan said, "What are these plants, mommy?"  I told him what each one was and a huge smile covered his face.  "Blueberries!  Blueberries!"  he announced loudly.  I said, "You want a blueberry plant?"  He said, "Yes!"  So, we got a blueberry plant and I let Alex pick out a plant.  Logan was so excited about his blueberry plant that he asked to hold it in the car.  It was funny because the plant is so tall that he couldn't see as we drove down the road--he smiled the entire way as he held his plant. After dinner we went outside and planted the flowers and plants we had purchased.  This morning we had the back door opened--letting the cool breeze blow through the house.  Logan stood at the back door and looked at the plants and flowers. He finally turned to me and said, "Mom, can I go out there and see if my blueberry plant is okay today?"  It was so sweet that I couldn't refuse. He checked on his plant and then he and Caison played outside for a little while. 

Today is Earth Day and in honor of Earth Day the boys wore the shirts they made. We watched the men stop in front of our house and take our recycled goods, Logan noticed a piece of trash in the yard and ran to pick it up.  At least the things we have been trying to teach them are making an impact--now if we can just get them to turn lights off we'll be doing well.  Little steps by little feet, though.  We're very proud of them!  

Today, we made a fun dessert for Earth Day.  We baked some brownies and then put some pudding in bowls, topped with broken brownie pieces (to look like dirt) and topped it off with gummy worms.  The boys loved it!  It was fun to make and they each finished theirs off.  

It's been a fun day!   

Tomorrow is Earth Day!

We have spent this month letting the boys help pick up trash, recycle, plant, and do other fun activities for Earth Day.  They painted with dirt and made a bird feeder from a milk jug as well.  It has been a lot of fun.  Tomorrow is the big day--Earth Day 2010!  Alex will be doing activities at school and we will try to do more activities at home too. We made shirts for Earth Day which turned out rather cute.  The boys have been really helpful and are very curious about recycling and planting things. I wanted to share some pictures of the boys in their shirts as well as some pictures of them putting the recyclables in the bin and organizing them for me.

Enjoy . . .

Alex is trying to make a triangle like the one that is on our recycle bin.  He said, "It's a triangle, mom, like . . . recycle?"  I think he might have rolled his eyes too!

Alex said, "Logan, put your hands in your pockets like this."  They are all about trying to be cool! It's cute.

 Putting our recyclables in the bin so they can help Jacob take it out to the curb.  They are very good at this!

Organizing the recyclables for me.  Such wonderful little helpers!

The Color Brown

I was looking at pictures we took from the various activities this weekend and I noticed a common theme--the color brown. We tried to have as much fun as we could with a weekend full of clouds and rain.  Alex and Logan helped make chocolate chip pancakes (see, brown!) and Alex decided we needed eggs, too. Jacob thought it was a good idea as well, so Alex and I made some eggs to go with our pancakes. I always enjoy cooking with the boys.  They are excited about every little thing you let them do in the kitchen.  I have noticed it also makes them feel proud when we sit down to eat and they tell Jacob, "We made this, daddy." Now that they are getting older they are actually pretty good helpers!   We also watched the movie Astro Boy--It was a cute movie and the boys really seemed to enjoy it. The boys and I met my best friend, Denisa, for lunch this weekend as well.  We usually eat lunch and then go to a park so the boys can play (if I have the boys with me).  It was rainy and gross, so we decided to put some old clothes on the boys and let them just play in the mud (again--the color brown) for a little bit--which they loved! When they finished playing in the mud we cleaned them up and changed their clothes.  Denisa had brought a ton of gifts for the boys--I'm sure they felt pretty special.  She gave them costumes to play in that her mother had bought, she gave them books, stickers, glow in the dark stars, and M&Ms (brown). They were pretty happy boys at that point!  When we got home they immediately wanted to show Jacob their books and costumes.  Jacob helped them put their costumes on and they played in them for the rest of the evening--Jacob also helped the boys stick the stars on the ceiling.  We ended the day with beef stew (which was perfect with the yucky weather--oh yeah, and it was brown) and some books.  It was a fun weekend even though it was cold and rainy.  I am including some pictures of the boys--I hope you enjoy them!

Pouring the chocolate chips into the pancake batter.

Logan helping me flip the pancakes.  He was having a lot of fun.

Alex helping me make scrambled eggs to go with the pancakes.

Logan sat on this toy and made this sad expression--he said, "It's cold and wet!"  It was cute!

Alex playing in the mud.  They would stand in this puddle and pretend they were sinking--whoever wasn't in the puddle would shout, "I'll save you!" and then try to get them out.

They loved splashing in the puddle!  Logan would fall on his bottom in the mud on purpose just to get dirty.  They had a blast!

Logan's muddy bottom!

Still jumping in mud puddles!

Tired boys after playing in the mud!

Alex wearing the knight costume Mrs. Paula Wright gave him.  He LOVES this costume and even slept in it last night! 

Logan wearing the pirate costume he received. 

Alex in his pajamas--ready for bed and wearing his knight costume.  He slept in it last night and came out of his room upset this morning because he couldn't find his sword--it was lost in his bed while he slept.  We eventually found it at the end of his bed. 

Some of the stars Jacob put on the boys' ceiling.  We turned the light off after we put them in their beds and the stars started glowing.  The boys thought it was really neat! 

Hip-Hess The Luna Moth

Jacob came home from work yesterday evening with a little surprise for the boys.  As most of you know Logan loves bugs and animals.  He spends most of his time outside looking for bugs and/or trying to chase butterflies, dragonflies, etc.  Jacob walked through the door with a box that had holes in the lid.  He said, "Come here guys, I have something to show you."  He took the lid off and inside the box was a large Luna Moth.  The boys thought it was really cool.  Logan smiled his little smile and said, "Wow!" Jacob explained to the boys that Luna Moths are one of the largest moths in America and have a wing span up to almost 4.5 inches. Alex said, "Yeah, he's big!"  We did a little research and learned that the adult Luna Moth only lives for one week.  They have no mouths and do not eat.  Their sole purpose is to mate.  Jacob told the boys that they have a certain amount of energy, like a battery, and once the energy is used up they die.  This, of course, made Logan a little sad for a brief moment.  His sadness for the Luna Moth was quickly replaced by giggling as the Luna Moth began to flap it's wings and jump around in the box.  Logan names every bug he finds--He told us that this moth's name was Hip-Hess.  The boys watched the moth for a little while and then Jacob said, "Do you want to help me take it outside and release it so it can find it's mommy?"  The boys both thought that was a good idea.  They went outside and released it--the boys watched the moth fly around (low to the ground) and eventually land near the air conditioner.  Logan said, "Bye, Hip-Hess!"  This morning he came up to me and said, "Hip-Hess jumped around in the box and tried to bite me.  I will miss that little guy."

                Jacob opened the box and the Luna Moth was on the lid

The Luna Moth started jumping around in the box and flapping it's wings.  Logan jumped each time this happened--then the boys giggled.

The boys watching the Luna Moth.  Jacob was telling them about the markings on it's wings that look like eyes. They were very interested in the moth. 

Earth Month (Part Two)!

We are still trying to acknowledge April as Earth Month (some days are easier than others).  The boys helped me put the recyclables in the bin we have.  For some odd reason it is a task I have always done myself, but thanks to Earth Month I let the boys help.  They are great helpers and are at the perfect age because they want to help with EVERYTHING! We spent the week taking recyclables to the garage and tossing them in the recycling bin.  On Wednesday evening Alex helped Jacob carry the full (and heavy) bin to the curb.  He was very proud to be such a big help.  He then helped me plant more flowers--one of my new favorite things about Alex is that I no longer have to water the flowers in the various wagons, wheel barrows, and pots because Alex is always more than eager to do it all for me!  Here are a few pictures of the boys helping (well, mostly they're of Alex helping--Logan spends most of his time outside hunting for bugs).

We have also been trying to talk to the boys about how important eating right (yeah, right--as if they care about that! Ha) and exercise are.  Jacob comes home in the evenings and lifts weights, etc. and the boys are VERY curious about it.  He has started letting them work out with him from time to time and they love it! It's something else they get to do with their daddy, which is always a plus, as well.  Here are some pictures I took the other day of the boys working out with Jacob.  I thought they were too cute not to share!

Jacob was trying to show the boys how to use the Perfect Push-ups.  The boys kept standing on them and spinning and giggling.  It was funny.  Alex's expression in this photo is priceless.  That bar isn't that heavy, but he makes you think it is! Ha.

Until next time . . .

Earth Month (Part One)!!

April 22nd is Earth Day--the entire month of April has been dubbed Earth Month.  It is a month set aside to encourage people to take care of our world.  Jacob and I are trying to take some time this month to teach our boys about recycling, picking up trash in the yard, not littering, and other little things that they can do for Earth Month/Day this year.  I am going to try and document as many of the activities we do with them as I can so those of you who read the blog can follow what the boys are learning and doing.  We started the week off by making dirt paintings.  I let the boys each pick two colors and they painted their picture--we then poured a little bit of dirt onto their paintings and they used their fingers to mix the dirt into the paint.  The dirt gave the painting an interesting texture and the boys really seemed to enjoy it.

Yesterday the boys made a bird feeder out of an old milk jug.  I washed the jug and then the boys painted it.  Once the paint dried we cut a square out of one of the sides so a bird could get inside, stand, and eat bird seed.  We then took it outside and I let the boys fill the bottom with bird seed. They were very excited about the bird feeder and had a blast making it.  We may actually make more for other places in our yard simply because it was so much fun to make.  We wanted Jacob to be involved so Alex suggested that when Jacob got home from work he could help them hang the bird feeder in a tree. I told the boys to set the bird feeder on the porch so we could hang it after dinner.  Alex was concerned that the wind would blow the bird feeder over, spilling the bird seed--so he found a safe place for it.  Our air conditioner is hidden behind a wooden fence--Alex set the bird feeder on one of the wooden beams of the fence so the wind couldn't get to it.  After dinner we went outside and Jacob hung the bird feeder in one of the trees.  The boys were very excited about it. 

Happy Earth Month!!  Until next time . . .