School is out for SUMMER!!!!!

Ahhhh, yes....it's that time of year that this mama loves.  All of my little birdies are back home in the nest for the summer.   I'm a happy chick.

To celebrate this most joyous occasion this is how we rolled....

Jaden was picked up from his last day of Pre-K with our vehicle all decorated, complete with "congrats grad" balloon out of the sunroof, music playing, and mama honking her horn like a crazy person!  

Eva rides the bus home from school so we had to get a little more creative to celebrate with her!  We decided to make a big banner for her to run through!!  Her smile was priceless....and having homemade cookies together when she got home was a pretty sweet treat too!

"Never miss an opportunity to make others happy"

--Unknown

Homemade Light Sabers

Since the theme of Jaden's birthday party was Star Wars we decided it would be fun to give each child a light saber.  In case you haven't priced them, light sabers in the store are pretty pricey.....so we got creative!  We made each child a homemade one!  Here is how we did it....

We used the following materials:

A bubble wand (this goes inside to give it support and also give the child something fun to do when the they are done playing with the light saber).

Different colors of electrical tape and duct tape.  We used the black and silver duck tape to keep everything together, and the colorful electrical tape to make the handle of the light saber have buttons, and other "digital" info.

Inexpensive pool noodles.  This is the "sword" part of the light saber.

Black pipe insulation for the handle of the light saber.

Putting it together was a breeze!  We cut the pool noodle into the desired length (we cut ours in half so we could get 2 light sabers out of each noodle).  Slide the long part of the bubble bottle into the noodle. Cover the handle of the bubble bottle with the pipe insulation (cut to desired length).  I used silver duct tape to connect the noodle and the insulation.  Then I alternated silver and black tape the rest of the way down the handle of the light saber.  Jaden decorated the handle of the light saber with the various colors of electrical tape to give it the look he wanted.  I wish I had a closer picture of the finished product, but I don't!!  If you have questions you can email me.

Everyone was given a light saber at the party and we had "Jedi Training" for all of his little Jedi friends!!  The kids seemed to have a lot of fun!!

Special Moments...

A normal bedtime for our children is between 8:00 and 8:30.  I'm a Mama that sticks to a schedule with her kiddos, and bedtime is no exception.  My reasons?   They need sleep to be at their best the next day, and by 8:00 this Mama is ready for a little down time.

However, sometimes I make exceptions.

This past Saturday we were going about our normal bedtime activities, but it was a little different because Matt was out of town.  When Matt is gone Eva and Jaden (and eventually Greyson) get to make little "nests" on our bedroom floor to sleep.  This is a special treat and something that they looove to do!   Well, Saturday night I tucked them into their nests, sat down on the chair in my bedroom, and began to read my Bible.  This is something I do nearly every night, but I really cherish it when I know my little ones are snuggled up at the foot of my chair.

As I was reading Eva asked me a question about my reading (I don't even remember what the question was...maybe about which book of the Bible I was reading?)??  Anyway, that little question turned into a long conversation with all 3 of us.  An amazing conversation about God, heaven, hell, and what the Bible says about different things.  

It was the kind of conversation that lasted for hours....and this Mama let it go on because I knew deep in my heart it was far more important than getting sleep for any of us.  

I am often in awe of my children's faith.  They are so young and their faith it so strong.    At one point I posed a question to both of them.  I said, "What would you do if someone told you not to believe in God?"

Eva smiled so sweetly and without any hesitation she said, "I would tell them that I walk in the truth".  

Amazing.  

Especially from an 8 year old.

My kiddos inspire me...and that night was no exception.

"God's promises are like the stars.  The darker the night, the brighter they shine."

--David Nicholas

Whoa...forgot the birthday pics!

I just realized that our sweet little Jaden turned 6 and Greyson turned 1 nearly a month ago and I forgot to post pictures from their celebrations!!!  Yowza....time for this mama to get on her A-game!!

Here is how we partied....

On Greyson's real birthday we had dinner at our house.  We always decorate and make a big deal when someone turns a year older!!  We had one of Greyson's favorites for dinner - pancakes!

Eva and Jaden taught Greyson how to party like rockstars when it's your birthday!

Greyson cried EVERY SINGLE TIME we sang Happy Birthday to him!!  We have his candle in yogurt, as that is his favorite dessert at this age.

On Jaden's birthday we had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant at his request, and then dessert at a frozen yogurt place that always has a dairy free selection!!  Yay!!!  When he got home he was able to open his presents from Matt and I.  His favorite?  Skylanders Giants!

The week before Jaden's birthday he had a celebration with his friends!!  They spent most of their time bouncing in a bounce house in our backyard.

We (yes, I was bouncing right along with them) took a break for a little dessert and present opening!

Jaden had a Star Wars birthday theme and Darth Vader actually paid him a visit!!  I wish I would have taken a picture of the kiddos faces when they walked inside and saw Darth Vader standing in our kitchen...equal parts amazement and horror!!  Ha!

After Darth Vader left Jaden presented each friend with a homemade light saber and we underwent Jedi Training!  Jaden and his friends are some good little Jedi's!

Later in the week we had a family birthday party for both of the boys!

Greyson, of course, cried while we sang Happy Birthday to him!  

Jaden, on the other hand, was all smiles!  He always chooses coffee cake for his celebratory cake because of his dairy allergy.  Such a cutie patootie!

After dessert there was plenty of present opening!

Last, but not least, we had a birthday party for Jaden at his school!  Jaden brought in homemade cinnamon rolls for all of his friends and we got to celebrate with him!  Such a special time (and this mama forgot her camera)!!!

WOW!  A crazy week I must say!!  This mama was definitely ready for a little breather by the time the week was over, but I truly wouldn't have it any other way.  I love my kiddos and I love making their birthdays extra special!!!

And the WINNER IS.....

CONGRATULATIONS 

to 

BECKY!!!

She is the winner of an amazing carseat!

Thanks to all who entered!  My kiddos thought this was fun because after putting all of your names in a bowl Jaden got to pull out the winner!!!  Yay!!!!

Two of my favorite words...SAFE and FREE!!!!

I am a bit of a nutcase when it comes to my kids safety.  Ask just about anyone that knows me personally.   If I could bubble wrap them and send them out into the world that is exactly what I would do.

Unfortunately, I can't.  

While I can't bubble wrap them, I can do other things to ensure their safety and part of that is making sure they are safe while traveling in the car.  As they get older this gets a bit easier, but for little ones (like Greyson) it can be more of a challenge because of his car seat.  

It is a proven fact that 3 out of 4 car seats are NOT installed correctly!!!

A local fireman recently told me that in order become a technician (someone that is certified to install car seats, as may firemen are) you are required to go through a 40 hour training course. Yes, you read that correctly....40 HOURS!!!  

You and I - on the other hand - just pull the ol' car seat out of the box, plop it in the car, buckle it in, and figure we are good to go.  

Sounds a bit naive on our part now doesn't it?  

We really don't know the least bit about proper car seat installation, yet we trust our most precious little beings safety while they are strapped into it.  

Wouldn't it make sense to make SURE your car seat is installed properly?

If you live in the Indianapolis area you are in LUCK!!!!  Dorel Juvenile Group, the makers of Cosco and Safety 1st,  are hosting the WORLD'S LARGEST CAR SEAT CHECK!!!  Yep, you read that correctly.  Be a part of history folks, and make sure your little munchkin is as safe as can be in the process. 

All you have to do is swing into the following location:

 Indy 500 Community Day

May 22nd   10am - 2pm.  

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

21 Virginia Avenue

Entry Gate #2 or #10

All families that get their car seats checked will be registered to get a FREE iPad!  

Yowza....I love safe and I love free!!!!

In light of the notion of making our childrens safety a top priority, I am excited to announce that Safety 1st would like to GIVE AWAY an AMAZING new car seat to one lucky reader!!  

Let me assure you, this is no ordinary car seat.  This seat is music to this safety nuts ears!!!  Safety 1st actually partnered with RACE CAR ENGINEERS at Bald Sports and RACECAR DRIVER Scott Dixon to understand the energy dynamics a high performance driver faces in the event of a crash.

The result is a car seat with UNPRECEDENTED technology for full body protection!!!  The placement of this technology on the car seat diverts crash forces away from the child's head, and cushions the child's body in the event of multiple hits.

You heard that correctly folks....RACE CAR technology in a CAR SEAT!!!  

Would you like to win one?

If you would like to register to win an Advance 70 car seat  (suitable for children that weigh up to 70 pounds) please do the following:

Leave a comment on this blog post and tell me where you would like to take a family road trip with this little gem (or tell me about a family road trip you've already taken)!

For an additional entry please share/link this post on your blog or Facebook!  Please let me know if you do this so I can enter your name twice!

Lastly, make sure I am able to link back to you so I can let you know if you win!!!!!  Contest will end Monday, May 20th.  Good luck and feel free to email me if you have any questions!!

XOXO...

Jamie

PS.  If you can make it to the car seat check be sure to bring your camera!!  Race car driver Scott Dixon will be there to greet your little one, take pictures, and give autographs!

A few things I want to remember...

Jaden Stone is my snuggler.  Out of all my kiddos (and my husband, who can SOMETIMES be considered a kiddo),  Jaden is my one that loves to snuggle the most....and this mama loves it.

This afternoon he was sitting on my lap and we were hugging.  We were talking and talking and I asked him if I could kiss every single freckle on his little face.  I wish I could have bottled up his laughter and kept it forever as I sat and tried to kiss every freckle.  I love the sound of his giggles.

Tonight he got out of bed and asked me if I would snuggle him.  I was crazy busy making cookies for alllll of the kids teachers at their schools, but one look at his little face and I dropped my cookie making to be with my little guy.

We snuggled up in his bed and he said, "Mommy, can we double snuggle?"  I asked what double snuggling is and he informed me that it's when you snuggle "twice in one day".  

My quick response was ABSOLUTELY!!!!

We snuggled up as tight as we could and he closed his eyes.  Then he quietly said, "Mommy, your hands are sticky and you smell like cookie dough".

Love my little boy.

"If you haven't time to respond to the tug at your pant leg, your schedule is too crowded"

--Robert Brault

She's my little slugger...

This girl got her FIRST HOMERUN tonight.  I'll never forget the smile on her face as she crossed home plate....priceless.

DON'T YOU WISH YOU HIT LIKE A GIRL?!!!

"Life was throwing curve balls at me left and right...

then God gave me a bat and taught me how to swing"

--Annonymous