Making Valentine Cards

Jonathan doesn't do Valentine's Day cards anymore, but the little ones sure do! Jake had to make a box to hold his cards for school. He put hundreds (?) of hearts all over it and thinks he'll win the "most hearts" contest at school (they are rating their boxes and giving prizes). He chose sports cards this year because he liked that you could make a little ball out of paper and play with the cards. Never mind how difficult they are to assemble... Jayden made a box too- to be "just like Jakey". I think she spent 2 hours decorating it with stickers. She had to peel each foam sticker, and worked diligently for so long. I was thinking I should take a bunch of these stickers on the plane with us this summer to keep her occupied! She chose "Littlest Pet Shop" cards and can't wait to bring them to Melissa's on Thursday for her daycare party. *Check out her Valentine slippers- I found them on my shopping spree a couple weeks ago. Cute, huh?!!

Jake's Buddies!

Can't believe I'm still awake- Tonight was the night I was going to bed early! Anyway... maybe tomorrow. Jake SOOOO wanted to have a friend over, so we called Cole and Tyson. They played beautifully for 4 hours. I barely saw them. Jake showed them all his new toys, they played with/ against Jonathan and Luke, and also outside on the trampoline/ in the dirt. Gorgeous day outside. Love to see my little boy so happy!

Jake's Pool Party

Jake's party was a blast- and really easy for me (though I still stressed anyway). He had it at Team Fitness (in their pool). So many kids came, which was so fun for him. Every time someone else RSVPed, his entire face would light up. Only 3 of the kids he invited couldn't come (2 were girls- and if you look at the pix of the boys' rowdy behavior in the pool, those girls should be glad they didn't make it!!!) Anyway, Jonathan invited his best friend Luke, too. Jake invited Jon- and he swam with Jayden. I didn't have to get in the pool- thank heavens. If the kids are 8 or older, they don't need adults in the pool with them (in addition to the lifeguard). Phew! The pool became a noodle zone- and it was soooooo loud. They swam from 2:15-3:30. Then we did cupcakes (which Jake picked over a cake). I was surprised how many boys actually ate their entire (or most) of their cupcake, as they are HUGE. Then we did presents. Then the kids got their goody bags and blew up their balloon thingies instantly. They were going wild- so luckily it was about time to leave. Jake really has some good friends. It is fun to see this- I focus a lot of time on Jonathan's friendships and forget Jake is growing up and needs his friends, too! As soon as we got home, he opened and played with all his loot! It's great to be 8!!!!!!!!

Afternoon of Art... Red Robin... Microscope

Our school has an annual "Afternoon of Art", where local artists/ volunteers come to teach classes for the kids. Kids get to choose which class they'd prefer. Jake chose Valentine Art- which ended up being quite a poular class (second only to pottery). I got to host that artist/ class in my classroom, so I got to be with Jake- always a treat! It turns out my artist is a teacher AND the grandma of 2 boys who go to daycare with Jayden. She had everything so well planned- with 6 different stations. Kids could decorate a wooden heart with beads (she cut apart all her old wooden teacher "jewelry" to use for this!!!), hear a story and make a paper mouse with red licorice tail, make a puzzle with paper, decopage (sp.?) a heart with tissue paper, make playdough figures, or play a "guess what's missing from the platter" game. She also made everyone floats- with vanilla ice cream and red Fanta soda. A fun day for the kids.

After school, I took the kids out to eat at Red Robin (for Jake's Birthday). They sang to him. Good thing birthdays are only once per year- I'm exhausted- AND broke!!! Oh yeah- and we also went to Toys R Us to buy a microscope- Jake already had a "science table" set up in his room. He is so funny about all his "areas" that he creates. He loves the microscope- and has already made me pull out some of my hair (and his) to examine. Definitely a budding scientist!

Cake and Presents...