Dinosaur Party

 

February brought on the boys birthdays. B turned 4 and G turned 3. This year they are both into Dinosaurs. B loves PBS Dinosaur Train and G just loves dinosaurs of all kinds. He was overloaded at Christmas with different sets.

 

So we decorated for Dinosaurs. Since Hubby was gone I enlisted his best friend to help ALOT. I adore Jacoby for everything he did that day. But we set up tables in yellow and green.

 

Even my bathroom got a caveman makeover! He he. Awesome set from Factory to You, and matching towel and toilet covers from Family Dollar finished that scene. I used black paper and covered my bathroom door front and back. I used chalk to draw on it to show it was the bathroom. Then I left several chalk pieces for the kids to draw on it while they were in there.

I am a HUGE food person! I love food and everything you could create. I enjoy finding creative ways to add a theme to the food I set out.

So we had nuts and berries, we add dinosaur eggs. All my tupperware had their tight lids to keep in the freshness and out the flies....

We had tea... hot dogs I had cute names for everything. We cut up the watermelon to look like a T-Rex head... so the kids loved their fruit salad.

Isn't he awesome!!!

This was the mama dinosaur protecting her hard boiled eggs. I boiled them and then cracked the eggs before dipping them in color. Thats how we got that design on them.

We had dinosaurs on the table to play with along with bubbles, streamers, and confetti. He played with his dinosaurs and crashed for his nap shortly after!

These were the treat bags. I stuck in candy and dino toys. The boys stamped all the bags ahead of time for a craft time.

Just like Nick Jr. Dino Dan, we printed out stickers and put them on regular sprial notebooks so each child took home a field guide to explore with.

I LOVE Bingo. So every year I make the bingo cards. This year I ran out of labels so some of the girls wrote in the names on the rest of the cards. The call out cards have now become flash cards for the boys to learn from.

I used my cricut to cut out the felt vinyl for her shirt and puffy painted the edges and the year on it. Then I used the tie&knot version for her tutu. I bought all the tulle from Hobby Lobby.

A nice big Dinosaur for them to beat.

They always get their own cake to blow the candles out on, and a different cake for the other kids. We used cupcakes this year to make it easier.

We had dinosaur prints leading to the house and used some more footprints for the musical dino stomp (our version of musical chairs)

Every child got to take home Dinosaur eggs.

And we had cute decorations like this one. My kids had a blast! They keep asking for another dinosaur party. My mom made caveman outfits for them, but they didn't end up wearing them, so at least I already have Halloween costumes ;)

Hubby's Secret Mission

So my husband was able to take leave before he left the country. Yay!

When he comes into town its like bugs to a light. Every one swarms him and tries to get some time with him and the kids have to fight for attention during the parties. So this time I recieved a phone call with instructions.

"I am coming home to visit the kids. Don't tell anyone! I don't want anyone to know I'm coming home so I can have some quality time with my kids."

"but what happens if we end up pregnant?" (We have been trying since my brothers wedding in september to try to conceive another girl, so that Boo can have a sister.)

"Ok, good point. Fine. Tell my dad and your mom. AND NO ONE ELSE!"

OKay.

So hubby came home and spent 4 days with the children. He built forts, ate popcorn, watched Disney movies, played dolls and dinosaurs, and filled up their brains with wonderful memories. He was even able to get in one last Glowstick Hide & Seek before he left.



This time though, I didn't take the kids to tell him goodbye. I left my mom babysitting and dropped my hubby off at the gate.

We both decided earlier that we couldn't handle a heart felt goodbye this time in public.

A sand box

So we have wanted to put a sandbox at my house. We couldn't find a cute one at the store that would give all three kids room to do their own thing. So we've been going over different building and painting ideas for how to make one ourselves. My mom brought over some wood and I spray painted them green. Then on another day she came over and we started to paint them.

 

I didn't do the greatest free hand bugs, but I tried.

I tried helping my mom do her dinosaur side by cutting out a cricut cartridge.

We double painted some so they had different colors.

I think it came out super cute. I didn't get a picture of the other 2 sides, but maybe when we finally put it together and put sand in it, I will post about it again.

 

Hiatus

Yes, I've taken a long hiatus. After the hubby left, things got crazy. I kept up the spanish day with GG until my kids jumped on her and hurt her nose. Then we started making our visits spaced out. The boys had their birthday in Feb and because they were close together, we usually throw one big party.  But I have a ton of crafts and stuff to update on. So here we go!

January 13, 2012 - Special boxes

Last summer as a project, my son picked out a wooden box and I helped him paint it light blue. He carries it every where, shows me his "secret toys", and hides it under his bed when its time to sleep. He keeps his favorite cars in there so his brother can't take them. This last week, the other two have been carrying and playing with his box much to his frustration. So, to stop the fighting and tears, I bought them their own.

This is the original box. Unpainted.

It has a small latch.

For my daughter I painted hers pink inside and out.

My oldest wanted his inside painted too. (Apparently we only painted the outside.) So I helped him add in his and Nana's favorite color.

I am just now realizing that I never took photos of my other son's box. It's dark blue out and green in. But the little rascal has hidden it and wont tell me where. ;)

January 14, 2012- Been busy

I've been busy crafting! I have so many ideas of what I want to do and need to do stacked up. I finally made it out to Hobby Lobby, the hubby won't be too happy with the bill when he finally checks the bank. eek!

But today after cleaning the livingroom again and getting to use my new shark Vac/then steam! I love it. I cleaned off my table from all my crafts and put away the sewing machine. I have a baby shower to go to/host this weekend for my 'lil sister (college sorority sister) and cleaning the rest of the weekend.

I tried making another diaperbag from scratch, but ended up hating the colors and material. So it will become a bag for my older son to play with.

First I found a piece of cardboard from a box that could be used as the bottom to my bag to make it sturdier.

Cut the fabric just a little bit bigger and sew 3 sides together.

Then you slide in the cardboard.

I made pockets by sewing three sides onto the different sides of the bag.

After attaching the handles, I shoved it aside to spend quality time with my sick baby girl.

January 12, 2012- Shrimp Feast

I absolutly LOVE shrimp feast. It was a recipe my mom would make growing up for us that was quick, simple, and filled us up. Now although in the beginning I had tried to make it exactly like my moms, my brother (the better taste tester) said it wasn't spot on, I gave up and used my own variations.

One can of corn - larger or 2 if you want more.

Mom used to use the regular shrimp, I use the tiny shrimp.

Mom would cut the large red potato in half, I cut the small ones into threes

I like the flavor of the chile powder, but totally optional

Season All has always been put in by both me & mom. She would also put in salt & pepper.

Throw it into the pot, fill with water, and let boil.

When the potatos are soft, its done. :)

You can put it into your bowl like a soup or drain it out and just eat it.

Hope you like it!

Jan 5, 2012- False Hope

Well, I had hoped to get the children in as a walkin this morning. But schedules and help fell through. I ended up waking all my babies up at 7 to get dressed, in the car, and to the Doctors office by 7:45 am by myself. I had all of them unloaded in the office to tell me that they had no more walkins. Now, my kids are coughing all over the waiting room and they still say no. I walk over to the General practice and they don't know if they are going to have time for walkins today. I make them call the other dr office, and the other pediatrics location is done with walkins. As I'm waiting for them to give me any information, my younger son throws up all over their floor. A hint to see us? Of course not.

So after setting up an appointment next wednesday, we left. I drove by on base to see about maybe setting up our tricare since Hubby didn't get to it before he left. But they are doing construction and closed down half the parking lot, so now you have to walk a mile to the entrance. So not doing that in the cold with 3 toddlers crammed into a double stroller. So maybe next week, I can get to that as well.

Jan 4 2012- Sick babies

I was hoping to start showing off my crafts soon after I started the blog but two things are stopping me = sick babies and money.

The unit my husband was under overlooked a few of the guys and didn't put their paychecks through. We are still waiting for ours.

All three children are sick. The earliest doctor appointment is next week, so in the morning I will be taking them in as a walk in bright and early.

Today was spent with quality time in and out of the bathroom. At one point, I had all three spitting up phlegm into the toilet. It was a fun day to be here.

Once I pretty much got everything out of them, my mom stopped by to help me get them to my grandmothers. I am starting Spanish Wednesdays. I plan on having the children over at her house every wednesday for at least an hour to learn some spanish.

Today we learned cientate.. (?) sit. Up - Arribe, down- abajo, and turn but I dont remember that one. Diego & Dora help out a lot on other days with spanish terms. Here's hoping by the end of the year, they can speak in sentences.

Jan 9, 2012 - Valentine Wreath

I bought a few bouquets from Dollar Tree, dug out an old wreath I had, paints, and a glue gun.

Original Wreath

Painted pink & red

 I took all the flowers off the stems and hot glued them inton/onto the wreath.

Some of the roses I found came with those hearts so I cut the wire stems and hot glued them in as well. It was supposed to be finished but it didn't look like it.

Glitter paint!!!

Put some on the tip of your brush and brush the edges of your flowers.

For a special persona touch I added colored rhinestones into the large white roses.

Pink for my girl

Blue for my oldest son

Green for my younger son

Finished product hanging!

This was a vase I etched using a stencil on my cricut machine.

The left over flowers and decorations I didn't use, put into a vase so I have a centerpiece on my table. When I take off my supplies the table will be pretty!

Happy Valentines Day!

Jan 3, 2012 - Sad Goodbyes

Today was the day.
He woke up before us and started his errands. Without fail, as it always comes near him leaving he loses his wallet. So he had to get a new drivers license, military id, and bank cards. He had to run around town and get everything before we took him to the airport.

When he finally got home, I woke up the children, dressed them, and packed them in the car. We met his sister, brother in law, and Papa at the airport.

Today they had him flying Continental. It's personally my favorite company to fly with. I have always had good flights with them and the staff is courteous and helpful. After showing orders we were allowed to escort him to the gate. It was amazing to be able to spend that extra hour with him and our children loved watching all the plane fly in and out.

The sad goodbyes came and I know it was hard for him to say goodbye to all the children. Moreso, his baby girl. She was the only birth he was able to witness and never spent more than 6 weeks away from her in the last year and a half. He hugged her tight and told her that he would see here when she was 2. He will miss this birthday. He will miss all of our birthdays and I know its going to suck. Hopefully this deployment will be better than last and I actually get to skype with him. The first deployment didn't allow for any internet contact at all.

I got the last hug and as he squeezed tight, my eyes started watering. Before he could pull away, I sucked it up though. I didn't want any one to see me crying in public. Ha, I remember one of his CO's in Hawaii telling me that Marine wives are the toughest of all. We don't cry in public when our husbands walk away. We are stone strong just like them. We hug them, kiss them, and send them on thier way. We walk our children away standing tall and take up house with a fury.

We watched him walk down the terminal. The family helped me point out his airplane to the children as it finally took off and we watched till it was tiny.

We walked to the parking lot and his sister got into my car. His father and bil went home to take care of things. I had a WIC appointment for the two younger ones.

After our appt, we came home. I cooked dinner. My mom showed up and the 3 adults cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Char took off, while mom & I sat down to watch the new Jane by Design on ABC Family.

My brother stopped by to see how I was doing and then left.

After my mom left, I tuned into this season of Switched at Birth. I set up the space heater in our play room and let the kids watch Nick Jr before bed. When hubby finally landed and made it to the barracks, he called and wished the two awake children sweet dreams.

I survived Day 1 of this deployment.

Tomorrow, I start cleaning the playroom again. I'm reorganizing the whole room to be more classroom friendly. I have to try and get the children a doctor appointment because all of them are sick. Then I'm heading to Grandma's or GG as the kids refer to her to check on her and start spanish classes for the lil ones.

Goodnight all....

Jan 2 2012 - A Day for Snuggling

Day 2 of the new Year!

We woke up late. Hubby couldn't get much done as far as his errands because of the federal holiday.

So we spent a lot of today with the children. We watched them play, we played with them. We tried to give some good quality time while trying to make some good memories for them before Daddy left.

They giggled a lot as he pulled out all of his gear. They played with his flak and helmet. He packed them in his sea bag and managed to get both boys inside of it. I labled all his bags as we organized and packed his personal and military gear.

I still haven't found my camera charger so we have been relying on camera phones and video camera.

After everything was sorted he finally figured out what he wanted to do his last night. He texted everyone to meet him at Cici's pizza for a goodbye dinner.

We headed over to his dad's to wash all his shirts while we were at dinner. We ate pizza and pasta. When I was done, I watched the kids in the arcade while he enjoyed conversations. I'm sorry that he didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his best friend. I know they are both probably taking it hard.

After we stopped by a friends house so he could tell her goodbye, ran back by his fathers and waited for his laundry to finish.

Later, we came home and laid in bed and talked. It was good to snuggle our last night. I will miss him this year, but I have a lot of hope.

I have hope that his deployment will go well. He will come home safe and spend a lifetime together raising our children and grandchildren (way down the road).
I have hope I can reach my weight loss goals.
I have hope that my children will excel in their learning and growing, also that they will take this deployment well for their age.
I have hope for our grandmothers. They are getting older and thier bodies are showing their age, but their personalities and attitudes are decades younger.
I have hope for my mom that she will lose the weight she wants to and soon start dating again. We all love her so much, but now as a mother and wife I know that the love from a child and partner are different in thier own.
I have hope for his dad.
I have hope for our siblings that they will be happy in all their choices they make this year.
I have hope for his best friend to get the job and pay he deserves. I know last year he took a large pay decrease to work at hubby's civilian job.
I hope that my friend will find herself this year.
I have hope that others will come to term with what they are dealt and make the most of the choices they have left.
I have hope.