A Week of Celebrations

What a hustle and bustle week this has been and one full of celebration at that! 

Inner mixed with everything exciting was our standards – dance class, swim lessons, park play time, little sports class, play dates and more.  Even many of these events were elevated this past week!  At dance class, where Kara continues to practice and do her best she has been asked to take the center spot for the year end recital.  Kara has developed a knack for remembering the choreography and timing and her hard work is showing.  Kaden continues to love his little sports class, this past week they played a new game of red light, green light.  When the teacher held up a green balloon the kids ran toward her, when she held up a red balloon they were to stop.  Kaden enjoyed it so much, he’s turned it into a game here at home and goes around happily saying “red light, green light”

Preschool Mother's Day craft making

On her own!

He LOVES the mini balance beam!

"Red light, Green light!"

Many a mini heart attack was had watching him do this by himself

My care free Fancy Nancy

If only the water was turned on!

 

Yay for dates of play!

Checkers, anyone?

 For one of Kara’s play dates this week she invited a bunch of her friends over for a movie party where the girls watched “Tinkerbell and the Neverbeast”.  It is so much fun to see the girls enjoying themselves and each other.  When I watch them I can’t help but smile and hope at the same time that nothing changes – they remain the same strong fun friends into the future that they are now.

Love this on so many levels!

While completely opposite of celebratory - Kara had an adventure this past week when she got a hold of some of our preschool scissors and chose to give herself a trim.  She cut a good section of her bangs away.  Fortunately with a little comb over action it becomes harder to notice this little (though to me not so little) blunder.  I am happy to report there was no yelling, no tears, no stern talks or any of the like regarding said trim.  Just a gentle reminder we should not cut our own hair and the potential consequences for doing so.

This past week, on Thursday, was Kaden’s birthday.  Where have the last 3 years gone?!!?  To describe my thoughts of Kaden and this day I think what I posted on Facebook Thursday is the best I’m going to come up with:

Happy birthday to my plane, train, dinosaur, and Mickey Mouse loving little man! You challenge me, inspire me, teach me about patience, unconditional love and how to be happy at all times. Your sensitive spirit, boundless energy, and infectious smile bring such joy to my life. You continue to cause me to reflect on heaven between your angelic laugh, perfect prayers, and good nature. I love you forever and ever and always. Happy Birthday, Kaden!!!

A family tradition states that we decorate bedroom doors for someone’s birthday.  Of everything his young little mind could remember, this was one thing he did remember and was looking forward to.  So, after staying up crazy late the night before his birthday to blow up balloons to fill his bedroom with I proceeded to hang streamers from his door frame.  I also thought it would be fun to hang some streamers from one side to the other so he could break them while bursting through his doorway.  Well, that plan backfired and Kaden wanted them left where they were.  This meant that in honor of the birthday boy anytime I needed to enter his room I had to get down and crawl on all fours in and out of his room.  This went on for almost 2 full days until Brent was the one that said enough is enough!!  There is definitely a lesson learned in there about where to position streamers that go from side to side!  We tried to make Thursday all about Kaden where possible.  He chose what we ate for breakfast – Mickey Mouse pancakes.  

The completed door turned obstacle course

Happy little man!

After preschool he was surprised by Brent taking half a day off work so he could take Kaden out to celebrate his birthday.  Brent ended up taking Kaden and Kara to Pump It Up where the kiddos jumped and played for a good couple of hours.

Later that day, per Kaden’s request we went to Rainforest Café for dinner.  While the food is pretty good, it's the ambiance that makes the place worth it.  Observing the kiddos as they watch the animals move, the sounds of the thunder, the glowing star lights on the celling – their eyes get big, their heads whip around in different directions trying to take it all in.  The experience in itself always makes it worth while to continue to go back there to eat.  *As a bonus, we’ve been able to sneak some shrimp and tilapia to the kiddos while eating there – and, they’ve enjoyed both!

Love this little man!

If I could read his thoughts, I think they'd say, "finish the song so I can eat my pudding already!"

Presents have not been lacking this year for Kaden.  From his dad and mom Kaden received some clothes and the start to his true Lego collection. From Kara, he received a couple Lego building kits.  From Grammie and Papa a Mickey Mouse backpack and “Dinosaur Digs” book (his current favorite series).  From Grandpa and Grandma his very own suitcase with light up wheels.  From Uncle Jake, Aunt Adele & his cousins, his very own authentic construction hat, safety goggles and work gloves.  And from Aunt Allison a set of guns and a “Planes” book.  All of this, plus more from friends!  What a blessed and lucky kiddo he is!

Whoa!

Eagerly playing with the new Legos the next morning

I see the future in his eyes

Of course, a birthday would not be complete without birthday cake.  After racking my brain as to what type of cake to make it was decided he’d have a construction cake this year.  I have to see, I’m quite proud of the cake, I think it’s the best one I’ve made for either of the kiddos yet. 

This look! 

To add to the celebrations at the Nutt House, Allison snuck in for a fast weekend trip!  How fun this made the weekend!!  After getting in so very late Friday night our little Nutts didn’t waste any time in making sure she was up bright and early Saturday morning.  After some pampering by our little Nutts, who wanted to be glued to Aunt Allison for every moment of the visit - awake or not!  it was off for some girl time!  Allison treated me to some spa time where thanks to her we enjoyed facials and manicures.  How needed and enjoyed they were!  After that and a good lunch it was more worshipping time by her niece and nephew. 

Nothing says R&R like a make over by a 4 year old

Kara's week was made right here!

Not to be left out, he loves his Aunt too!

Today has been Mother’s Day and I have been pampered more than I deserve.  I had one of my sisters in town, my kiddos made me flower picture presents, Brent made all three meals – dinner even being my most favorite pasta carbonara!!, did the clean-up, gave me a beautiful charm locket, and flowers.  How blessed I am!  To top all of that off, after church most of the day was spent playing games with my sis, little Nutts, and Brent.  What a perfect Mother’s Day!

I crushed at Boggle!

Scrabble, not as much

Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate moms and it is deserved.  I also know, I am the one that is blessed and grateful to be the mother to Kara and Kaden.  They teach and inspire me daily.  I am fortunate to be Brent’s wife and eternal companion.  He makes me want to be a better person and a better mom.  I am thankful for the sisters I have and their friendships.  I’m beholden to my own mom – her example to me and how who she is in so many ways has inspired me to be the mom and wife that I am today.  I’m so appreciative for my mother-in-law, for her love of Brent and his family, for her selflessness, and friendship.  I’m blessed to be surrounded by so very many wonderful women in my life that each serve as examples to me.  I find myself trying to sneak pieces of so many of them into who I am to become the best me – the best wife and mother I can become.  

My life is Nutt-y and at times crazy, but it is an amazing life and I am so happy for this path of life Heavenly Father has given to me!!  I hope even without the big celebrations on most weeks the Nutt House can continue to find cause to celebrate and enjoy who we are and what we have!