Our Day Off

Today we were off school for President's Day. Dave had to work, but Dane and I got to stay home and enjoy the day, This is our last day off for a long while. We had a fun day playing together.

Tracey builds forts for the kids at daycare a lot. Today I built a little one in the living room for Dane.

He crawled right through.

Then he sat and hang out under it for a while.

When he would crawl through I would say, "Where's Dane?" and he would hide his face.

It fell a couple of times and I fixed it. After watching me Dane learned how to fix it himself. I guess as he gets a little older my forts are going to have to get better. This was pretty basic, but it made him happy.

I have a lot of pads of paper. I make several lists a day.....stuff I need to do, stuff I need to buy, stuff I want Dave to do. There are usually two pads of paper on my refrigerator. Tonight I grabbed a pad and started a list, then I stuck the pad back on the refrigerator. Dane wanted a piece of paper so I torn one off for him. The little guy was trying to get the paper to stick to the dishwasher. He would hold it there, then let go and it would fall.

Finally he got so mad he wrinkled it up and threw it down. Poor guy!

Our Weekend

We had a nice weekend hanging out together. Saturday Dave had to work so Dane and I went out in search of an Easter outfit for him and I wanted to use some giftcards I had gotten for my birthday. Dane was pretty good, it is just not as easy to shop with an 18 month old by yourself. He was perfectly happy when we were walking through the mall, but once I stopped he wanted to get moving as soon as possible. We made stops at the mall, JCPenney Home Store, Kohls, and Walgreens before we were both getting tired.

Today we were lucky to have Dave home with us. This morning we hung out around the house and I got some things done, then Dane took a morning nap. Once he got up we had lunch and then decided to head out and try to get his haircut. This was his first haircut, which is why I waited until Dave could go with us. I had no idea how he would do.

He was happy when he climbed up into the big chair and could see himself in the mirror, but he had no idea what was going on.

The stylist gave him a sucker to eat while she cut his hair, that seemed to keep him happy.

I debated even this morning on whether or not to get his hair cut. I couldn't believe how much hair she cut. I didn't think it was that long. Then she gave us a Baby's First Haircut card.

Filled out with all of his information and some of his hair taped inside.

I was worried because everyone told me that once he gets his first haircut he will look so much older. I really don't think he looks much different.

After the haircut we had to go to Lowes to get more child locks for the doors. Dane can now open the doors and there were a few without the doorknob locks.

With the weather nicer the past week we have been taking walks after school and we stopped by the playground several times. Dane loves it! Friday when we left for school and passed the playground he was holding his arms out wanting me to take him. On our way home this afternoon we stopped and let Dane play a bit. When we stopped he held his arms up and yelled, "YA!" He ran down the hill, so excited to play.

He loves to climb up and look around.

I wanted him to come down the slide, but he was still checking things out.

He loved swinging with his Daddy.

Birthdays and Valentines

Sunday we had a fun day celebrating birthdays and Valentine's Day. We first went to Claire's 2nd birthday party. She had lots of friends and family there to enjoy her day with her.

The Birthday Girl!

Delicious cake balls!
Her cake

Lots of pink for the birthday celebration

Cookies to take home!

Dane enjoyed cake with Aunt Katie.

He then talked Mama into giving him a cake ball.

Kara had a lot of balloons blown up for the kids to play with. There were lots of kids, some older than Dane and some younger. He loved playing and running around.....so much in fact that he got a bloody nose. Delaney always hangs out and plays with Dane. He loves her.

Dane loves wagons. Hope I can find one for him soon....maybe a blue one though.

After the birthday party we all headed to Mama and Papa's house for Claire's and my birthday celebration and Valentines Day dinner. Mama had the tables set for Valentine's Day.
We each had a party favor on our plate.

Even the kids' table was decorated.

The little ones having dinner.

My little man and me before I blew out candles.

Claire and I getting ready for our birthday cakes!

We had a fun day celebrating birthdays and Valentine's Day with our family.

My Little Valentine!

My little man was extra sweet to me today. He greeted me this morning with a card.

We took our picture before heading out this morning. We were celebrating Valentine's Day with parties at daycare and school.
If I would have know what was waiting for me I would have taken my camera into daycare when I went to pick Dane up. My little man walked around the corner holding this vase with a rose for me. He was so excited to give it to me! (Thank you Tracey)

Look at his cute little handwriting!

So lucky to have him as my Valentine!

Random Pics

I have so many pictures on my camera from the last few weeks. I have done really well taking at least one picture a day, usually I take quite a few. I just have had absolutely no time to blog my pictures for my 356 project. I know I have had a lot of snow days, but I can honestly tell you that I haven't used those days to lay around or sleep. I currently have a to do list with 23 things on it....crazy, I know.

Here are some random pictures of my adorable little man.

Having snack with his buddies down the street during a Sunday playdate.

Laying on the floor and giggling at Max on the couch.
Playing on his laptop while I make dinner.

Dane can now open the kitchen drawers, but he can't see what is in them. He will reach his little hand in and snatch whatever he can. Then he runs. This time it happened to be a potholder. I found him hiding in the corner in his bedroom with it after he ran from me.

Snow Day #9

Yesterday was snow day #9 for Ste. Gen. Lucky for us Dave got to spend the day with us.

At Christmas time, since Dane got so, so much, I put 4 or 5 gifts in the closet to pull out at later dates. Dane has been saying, "Choo, Choo" quite a bit lately. I remembered that one of the gifts I had tucked away was a Thomas the Train Mega Bloks Train Set. I pulled it out and he was so excited! He carried the box over to Dave and could hardly wait for him to open it up.

He waited patiently while Daddy set it up.

He worked hard to set the train on the track like Daddy showed him.
He loved watching the train on the track.

His choo choo kept him busy all day!

After lunch Dave decided to take Dane for a little ride. It was so cold but I bundled him up good and let them go out. He fits perfectly in the baby sled from Aunt Amy.

Ready to go!

Dave pulled him all over the yard.

When they came around the house I expected to see a huge smile.

However, I don't think he really knew what he was doing.

He had a very serious look on his face. He seemed to like it though.

Today is snow day #10 and we are again enjoying it with Dave home with us.

Icy, Snowy Day in Lake Forest!

The thrill of snow days has worn off. As much as I love hanging out with Dane during the day I have had my fill of snow days. Now all I see is my summer getting shorter day by day. Also, I think Dane is getting bored of "Mommy games".

Dane and I already had an extended weekend. Dane's babysitter had a death in her family and had to close on Monday so we stayed home together. When I heard the weather report over the weekend I had a feeling it would be extended even more.

School dismissed early on Monday and late Monday evening we got the call that it would be closed on Tuesday. With the weather forecast Dave decided to pack an overnight bag for work on Tuesday, just in case he couldn't get home. I started hearing about the possibility of power outages. I was just dreading the next few days.

Early Tuesday morning I got an email from a friend down the street. I was excited to hear that due to the weather forecast she was staying home for the day. She was excited as I was for a playdate. I gave her a call and within minutes felt so much better. I was packing the diaper bag for an extended stay, just in case. I loaded up some leftovers and some snacks for the kids. Dane and I headed down about the same time Dave left for work so we would be there before any bad weather started. When we got there we heard the plan-two other friends were coming by to play and there were already plans made if the power went out. We knew who in the neighborhood had gas fireplaces and who had generaters. We were assured we would be taken care of. And so the extended playdate started.

The view from our front door.

It doesn't look like much, but there was quite a bit of ice underneath that snow.

We ate, we played, Dane had a blast, and I enjoyed hangout time with good friends. Dane and Aiden are 3 months apart and Tyler is 3 years old. Colton, who is 2 years old, visited, as well as Logan, who is 2 months old. The boys were very, very busy, but was so much easier to entertain them with others around.

Lunch break!

Playdough time!
Bath time!

Right after bath time Dave called and said he was going to be able to make it home. He had to stop and pick up Dane and I because I couldn't get my car out.

Vicki and I had already planned Snow Day Playdate #2 for today. I made a list of what to bring...we were running low on soda and bread. Dane and Aiden also have the same stuffed monkey. I didn't bring Dane's, but of course he thought Aiden's was his, so I had to bring Danes down today. Dave dropped us off on his way out to work today and we played all day again.

The boys spent a lot of time on this playset in their basement. Dane loved to stay in the top part and would rarely slide down the slide.

Vicki put their tent and tunnel together for them.

And, they have a dog....which Dane loves! Zeke usually stays in the back bedroom, but Dane would walk around yelling, "Dog, Dog" and beg for him to come out.

I feel so blessed to be living where we do, with wonderful friends and neighbors. We had such a fun two days and they went by so much faster than if Dane and I would have been stuck in the house by ourselves. It felt so good to know that if the power went out or Dave couldn't make it home that I had friends that would help us if we needed it.

Now, hopefully tomorrow I can get my car out of their driveway!