Ian is 3!

It is hard for me to believe my baby is 3 - he is so much fun (albeit trying) these days!  He was very excited about his "loader" party!

Grandma and Grandpa Schneider got into town Thursday.  They always try to get in the day before my birthday so they can watch the kids and I can celebrate my birthday.  I appreciate that so much!  I took Friday off so I could get last minute stuff done for Ian's party.  I was hoping for a pedicure and some relaxing, but it all went by very fast!  I did get a few minutes to myself, but it was fun to hang out with my Mom and run errands.  I did start off the day by getting my teeth cleaned at the dentist.  I took Ian with me for his first visit!  He did great - even let them peek at his teeth and clean a couple of them.  I am not sure what was more exciting for him - the prize box or the lights the dentist let him push. 

Saturday was a busy day!  I sent Casey on some errands with Bob and Ian.  Milo napped - thank goodness!  So, Mom and I were able to get a lot of things done.  I had to decorate outside with balloons and caution tape - I put Bob in charge of that.  He did a great job!  Much more creative than I would have been:)  Mom made Ian's cake.  It turned out so cute!  She bought the loaders to put on top of the cake and we used chocolate sprinkles and crushed Cheerios for the dirt and sand.  I found a great website for affordable construction party decorations and favors - http://www.lorisparties.com/.  That is where I got the construction cone candles...perfect!  Each kid got a construction hat to decorate with their name and tool stickers.  It was a huge hit!  They also got a treat bag when leaving with snacks, stickers and coloring pages (all in a brown paper bag!).  I think everyone had a great time.  I know I had a blast planning it and decorating. 

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!  Everyone had such a great time helping Ian celebrate. 

Avyn

Colin and Ella

Uncle Jon and Milo

Ian got some great gifts - we also asked everyone to bring a donation for the OUR Center Child Care Center in lieu of gifts.  We received construction paper, markers, crayons, books, chalk, food and a few other goodies.  I will take Ian with me to drop off the donations in the next couple of weeks.  I want him to understand the importance of giving back to others in his community and what better way to do that than to take him with me to meet the children he is helping.  Ian got so many great gifts, but the highlight of the party was the whoopee cushion card he got from Uncle Jon, Aunt Heather and Peyton.  The kids loved it and it made everyone chuckle:)

The party started to wind down around 5, but Ian sure didn't!  Who could after a day of fun dedicated just to you?!  The boys formed their jam bands - Ian with Grandpa and Milo with Grandma.  Too cute!

Milo had to check out Peyton's cow before she left.  I love the look on her face - "Whatchu doin' with my cow?"

I also got some lovely gifts for my birthday, but Kate got me the cutest tumbler and I had to share.  It is filled with my favorite pictures of Ian, Ella, Peyton, Milo and Avyn.  It is wonderful!  She partnered with her husband to create a beautiful gift for me.  Thank you!

Sunday was Ian's actual birthday and we took him to IHOP for pancakes.  Little did I know they have a celebration for kids' on their birthdays.  So...after consuming his breakfast and a little bit of everyone else's too - they sang Happy Birthday to him and gave him a vanilla ice cream sundae.  What?!  Wish I would have known that ahead of time because once they brought it out I couldn't take it away.  Note to self!  You only live once though so why not have dessert for breakfast:)

We decided to wait and give Ian his presents on Sunday.  He took a nap while we watched the Big Game.  Go Pack!  I can't believe we are going to the Super Bowl.  Definitely a Super Bowl party at our house this year - so excited!!  Then I think we will be partied out for awhile...

Ian loves his Lego headlamp and his scooter.  It is supposed to be close to 60 this weekend so hopefully he can get outside and we can "scoot" to the park.

Peyton was decked out in her Colts gear lookin' super cute!  Although I think Green and Yellow are more her colors:)

Not the best picture, but I love it.  It looks like Ian and Milo are wrestling.  Ha! 

Milo was so sleepy from all the weekend festivities and no better place to rest your head than on Grandma's shoulder.  I have a picture of Ian with my Mom about this same age as well.  Love it!

Let's Play

I love having a close friend with kids the same age - it's like I get a playdate when Ian does:)  Last weekend, Kate and Ella came over for some finger painting fun!  The kids had a great time.  After that the kids had storytime with Kate.  They are reading "My Mommy hung the Moon" - a very cute story!

We enrolled Ian in a tumbling class through the Longmont Rec Center and it started last week.  Casey took him to the first class, but he had to work last night so I took the boys.  Milo strapped in the Bjorn - he loved watching all the kids run around!  It was cool to see Ian interacting with the other kids.  It isn't too structured so that is nice.  He loves the trampoline...with somersaults (and the water fountain) coming in a close second.

 January has been busy, but good.  Grandma & Grandpa Schneider arrived today.  Saturday is Ian's 3rd Birthday party.  I can't believe it.  I look forward to the 3's and all that it might bring us - two big P's on the list:  Preschool and Potty Training.  Yippee!  Let the fun begin...

 My two favorite boys in the whole world!  Ian is such a great big brother.  Milo is one lucky little man:)

I love me some Packer football!

Happy 2011!

I am a bit behind on my posts, so I figured a couple of slideshows would sum it up best.  In order to view the pictures you might need to go to our actual blog site.

Hope this new year finds everyone well.  We have been quite busy and don't see many signs of it slowing down.  Maybe in February! 

We had a wonderful Christmas.  Ian was such a delight this year.  He loved opening his gifts and anyone else's who would let him.  Ha!  We had Uncle Jon, Aunt Heather and Peyton over on Christmas Eve for a lovely dinner and gift exchange.  We made sure to put out cookies and milk for Santa before going to bed, Ian thought the reindeer would like string cheese.  They nibbled, but I think we will have better luck next year with carrots:)  Santa got Ian a camera - just what he wanted!  It has been fun to see the pictures Ian takes at daycare.  Santa brought Milo a couple of toys and some books.  We have enjoyed reading them together before bed. 

Casey had the week off between Christmas and New Year's.  I was jealous!  On the 28th he picked the boys up at daycare, then picked me up at work.  We headed to the zoo for Denver Zoo Lights.  It was so much fun!  We used to go as children and I always enjoyed the different displays.  Ian had a lot of fun, but his night was made once he got to see the elephants.  It got cold quick so we didn't stay long!

We had a New Year's Day party at our house - it was fabulous!  No better way to ring in the New Year than with your friends and family.  We had a champagne and bloody mary bar, then asked the guests to bring food.  We had quite a spread!  I couldn't believe it.  So much yummy food.  I saw an appetizer tree on Conan one night and I just had to replicate it.  Not bad for my first try, but I must work on mastering my craft!  The kids had so much fun playing - remodeling our basement was the best thing we ever did.  It can be destroyed and you won't even know until you creep down there to relax after the party.  I should have taken a picture.  It was great though and exactly what we wanted it to be!

On January 2nd we took the boys to the Butterfly Pavilion.  Ian loved looking at all the bugs and butterflies.  It was a great way to kill a couple of hours.  I have always been nervous about going because of the tarantulas, but I survived.  I did okay in the main room and avoided the area where Rosie (the tarantula) was on display.  We saw a lot of beautiful butterflies.  The trip ended with the Legend of the Tarantula exhibit.  I gave it my best shot, but a couple of minutes in and I needed a break.  Milo and I browsed the gift shop instead.  It was so nice having this family time together.  I really miss it when Casey has to work his usual schedule, but we try to do a great job of using our time when we have it. 

Time to think about 2011 and wonder what it will bring our way...