Stars of the Week

Once again the time has gotten away from me, but I have not forgotten the special weeks in preschool for Isaac and Stella. Both got be be the coveted Star of the Week in January/February. This is a special time for the kids. A true honor.

Isaac was chosen to be the Star first. Being Star of the Week means you get to bring Buddy the bunny home over the weekend. Buddy gets to do everything with the child. Buddy brings a couple books with him, a DVD and a blanket. The student who is the Star of the Week gets to be classroom helper, brings treats to share with the class and in our case had me read their favorite book to the class. Isaac chose to have his Hallmark interactive "Watson" book read to the class. Both Watson the raccoon and I read the book. The best part of being Star of the Week is that the student gets to bring show-n-tell during the week. A pretty big deal in a kid's life. Isaac brought his "Puppy" named Archie one day and his Hess truck the other day. His snack was graham crackers with decorative frosting on top. Isaac LOVES graham crackers!

Parents are asked to write a summary of how you spent the weekend with Buddy.

Buddy’s Weekend with Isaac

Thursday, January 12, 2012


Buddy got to come home with Isaac. Isaac was thrilled that he was chosen to be Star of the Week and that Buddy got to come to our house. We read the books that came home with Buddy right away. Buddy got to go to Isaac’s older brothers’ basketball practice Thursday night. Isaac, Stella and Buddy ran and played together during the practice.






Friday, January 13, 2012


Buddy and Isaac played in the morning. Isaac built Buddy a little house to play in. Later that morning Isaac had to leave Buddy behind while he went to Sack Lunch. Buddy napped while Isaac was gone, but was ready to play when he got home. They raced cars and played with blocks and read books.



Saturday, January 14, 2012

Buddy was excited to go to Isaac’s older brothers’ basketball game. Isaac and Buddy cheered Carson and Owen on to victory. Buddy was a very good bunny while watching the game. Buddy and the kids came home to play and watch football.



Sunday, January 15, 2012

Buddy went to church with our family. We all went to the doughnut shop after church. We learned Buddy likes doughnuts with chocolate and sprinkles. He especially likes sprinkles. Later that afternoon Isaac had a friend visiting from Nebraska over to play. Buddy had a great time running around and playing with all the kids.


Monday, January 16, 2012

Buddy was a tired little thing! He napped while Isaac and Stella were at gymnastics. He played outside with Isaac and his siblings later in the day. It was a beautiful day to play outside. Buddy played a little hide and go seek. He found some really good hiding places.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Isaac and Buddy enjoyed their last day together. They played with puzzles and watched the DVD that came in Buddy’s bag.



We loved having Buddy at our house! All the kids loved having him stay the weekend with us. Buddy was very good during his stay. He got to sleep with Isaac at night in Isaac’s and Stella’s bedroom. Buddy liked the tree in their room and the little house the kids made for him. Thank you for coming to our house, Buddy!

Stella chose her Hallmark interactive book to have read to the class, too. Abigale the bunny and I read about the missing purse to the students. Stella treated her classmates to M&M cookies with flowers decorated in icing on top. She brought "Baby" her seahorse and her teddy bear for show-n-tell.

Buddy’s Weekend with Stella

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Buddy got to go to Stella’s older brothers’ basketball game. This was the second game he’s watched the boys play. We got to the game early so Buddy and Stella got to play on the basketball court for a while before everyone else showed up.


Friday, January 27, 2012

The morning was spent reading books and playing. Buddy chose to take a nap while Stella (and Isaac) went to Sack Lunch. Buddy played with Stella and Isaac when they came home. All watched Peppa Pig together later that afternoon.


Saturday, January 28, 2012

Buddy found himself playing with Stella and her brothers most of the day. Buddy and “Baby,” Stella’s sea horse, got along very well. They even found themselves hanging out while Stella went to the Kid Zone at the Y.


Sunday, January 29, 2012

The family drove Daddy to the airport so Daddy could go on his business trip to Florida. Buddy loved seeing all the jets! He couldn’t believe how big some of them were. Later in the day the kids and Buddy watched the movie Astro Boy. Stella’s grandma, “Gee Gee,” came to visit from Nebraska. Stella took Buddy to her cousins’ house to play and spend time with Gee Gee.


Monday, January 30, 2012

Buddy watched Stella and Isaac do gymnastics. He observed with Stella’s mom and Gee Gee. Buddy loved watching the kids jump in the pit and do front rolls. After picking Carson and Owen up from school Mom surprised everyone by taking them to meet “Buckets” Blakes, a Harlem Globetrotter. Buddy and the kids got autographs and their picture taken with “Buckets.”


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Stella and Buddy had a nice morning together. They played outside on the swing set and dug for dinosaur bones in the back yard.

The family loved spending another weekend with Buddy. Just like last time, he was very good during his stay. Buddy and Baby slept with Stella every night in Stella’s and Isaac’s bedroom. Thank you for coming back to our house, Buddy! We are going to miss you.

Play, Dance, and Watch Daddy's Car Get Towed

I haven't been very good at taking pictures lately. Though, I have been trying to take more videos of the kids. I want to remember our everyday lives. I want to always remember what their voices sound like.

Anyway, here's a glimpse of how life is at our house. I almost hate to write this, but the kids have been getting along so well lately. They play so nicely and creatively together. Don't get me wrong. A fight may break out, but they are few and far between.

The car rug is back in the rotation. It's been providing lots of fun and entertainment for all the kids. Stella and Isaac are especially loving it.

The twin bond between Stella and Isaac is extremely strong. They are besties!

Some things never change. Any activity outside our window always draws a crowd. On this particular day the tow truck came to our house to tow Daddy's car to the shop. (Extremely dead battery.) The tow truck guy told me he felt like a celebrity with all the kids watching his every move. It doesn't get much better than watching a car get loaded on a big truck!

It is not uncommon to find Owen with his pants like this. (That is when he has pajama pants on.) He is our blanket bandit! He loves blankets and anything that might feel like a blanket. Well, these green pajama pants are fuzzy like a blanket and a bit big on him. So, what does he do? Pulls the pants up to his shoulders and warms up. He even had Carson doing it with him the other night.

PS These two are still the best of friends.

Last week all four kids put their slippers on (no matching necessary) and decided to have a pants optional freeze-frame dance party. Music would play then when it would stop they would freeze. The music would play and they could get their groove on again. The kids made this seem like it was the best thing they'd done in ages! It was great to watch.

Times like these are the best!

1.2.12

We now have one boy and one girl in our family who are FOUR!

We only had a small celebration on Stella's and Isaac's special day. We will be celebrating their birthday in a more festive manner at a later date. One in which they will appreciate their presents a little more. A day a little further away from Christmas. (A day where their mother won't be so crazy and stressed from all that Christmas brought.)

Carson and Owen were the first to wake. I think they were as excited that it was Stella's and Isaac's birthday as the birthday kids were. Stella and Isaac woke up happy to the house decorated and their birthday table full of gifts. They are so excited to be four years old.

We did things a little backwards this morning. We first sang 'Happy Birthday' and opened gifts, then we decided to blow out candles on the cakes after singing 'Happy Birthday' again.

Isaac couldn't help himself. The frosting was calling his name!

Stella and Carson sampled her cake and frosting.

Can you guess what we had for breakfast?

(This means one thing. It must be someone's birthday!)

A big birthday mess.

Jump for joy! It's our birthday!

Happy birthday Stella!

Happy birthday Isaac!

We love you very much.

Party Planning 101

Happy 2012!

When my kids learned it was new year's eve they got excited. They of course have no idea why or what it means, but after watching television they learned that you get to go to a party on new year's eve. They couldn't wait to hear where we were all going to party.

We, of course, had no new year's plans.

Party plans were made when the kids learned this. The oldest twins went into full party planning mode. In a matter of six minutes they had our entire evening planned.

The next thing I know is my first born was asking where our Pin the Tail on the Donkey game was. When I informed him we don't have one he took matters into his own hands. Before I knew it he had made us a Pin the Nose on the Guy game. He even drew and cut out six noses. Labeled each one with our initials and put tape on the back of them.

Our new year's party started with wheelbarrow races. The winner got to pin the nose on the guy first. Second place went second, and etc.

After those two activities were over the kids wanted to do puzzle races. Due to Pin the Nose on the Guy lasting a littler longer than anticipated we skipped the puzzle races and went strait to the party poppers, champagne (faux) and strawberries.

The kids loved it! A little more than I thought they would. And they seemed a little too comfortable drinking that champagne ;)

We then all headed upstairs to try out my new s'mores maker. (A Christmas present from my kids.) The s'mores were delightful and extremely gooey!

I couldn't think of a better way to bring in the new year.

It was a great night!

Christmases 2011

We celebrated our family Christmas this year the evening of the 22nd. We were no longer puking at our house so that was good. We went out for dinner then came home to open Christmas presents. My husband joked that is was an expensive meal since only two out of the six people ate. Our stomachs still weren't right. The kids loved having what they call fake Christmas. We all got nice things.

The family truckster got loaded up on the 23 (Friday) and we headed north to Boom's and Gee's house. Traditions were followed. Cookies got decorated followed by (most of the) grandkids in the "round and round" tub.

Christmas eve was spent hanging out, watching football, going to mass, coming home to chat, having a wonderful prime rib dinner along with other fantastic food then cleaning up the mess before opening presents. And, oh boy did presents get opened. Christmas is so much fun with little kids. They truly make it magical.

Santa found us in Nebraska. I believe everybody was thrilled with what Santa brought them. Isaac even got his bowling alley. Ask and you shall receive, I guess. Santa is quite a guy.

On Christmas day we went to my parents house. My mom had her extended family over for dinner. It's so nice getting to spend Christmas with my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma. It's great that we are able to still do this.

All the cousins, their kids, and Grandma Porter

After everybody left we decided it was as good as time as any to have Christmas with my parents, siblings and their families. The kids were thrilled with the decision to open presents at night rather than waiting another day to do so. Christmas dinner was on the 26th before everybody had to get back for work the next day. Another wonderful prime rib dinner. We are spoiled!

The rest of our time in Nebraska was spent chatting and catching up. The kids played wonderfully and loved the fact that Nebraska had snow so Papa could pull them on the sled behind the golf cart. Red-neck sledding? All that matters is the kids loved it.

You know we live in a climate that has little snow when my kids were excited to see all the snow on the ground. (Yes, there's hardly any snow.)

Merry Christmas and thank you all for making it memorable one!