First Valentine's Day Party

I absolutely love Andrew's weekly Music Makers class. This week we had class like normal and then did a little Valentine exchange at the end. I finally remembered to bring my camera to class, so I got some pictures of Andrew doing his favorite music class activities.

Dancing around with the other kids singing about hugging our friends. He thinks falling and throwing himself on the ground while dancing is fun.


Marching time (aka running time for Andrew)


Parachute! I love how all the kids scream when the parachute goes up in the air. It is the cutest thing.


Story time and snack time (such smart thinking to pair the two together- everyone at least listens to the stories for a few minutes while they scarf down their snacks).


I didn't get any pics of the actual Valentine exchange because it was too chaotic with 15 kids putting cards in 15 kid's boxes... Here's a pic of Andrew checking out his goods once we were home though.


His Chews a Card mailbox was a favorite at his music class and all the kids wanted a turn to put their card in the monster's mouth.


The cookies and lollipops were his favorites!


For Andrew's little Valentine card we made a car themed treat/card to give out. All the friends loved it and ripped it apart and ate it pretty quickly!

Andrew loved driving his cars through wet paint to make our Valentine's Day cards...


Kevin "enthusiastically" helped me assemble some candy cars on Tuesday night after I was unsuccessful in finding car shaped chocolates to affix to our tire covered valentines.


The treats turned out great and so did the exchange... can't wait for more partying this afternoon!

The Penguin Race!

When my parents came to visit last week they brought Andrew a present... the Penguin Race. They basically bought out the store in Provo since these things break so easily and they want every family to have one (and some back ups). I love it. It provides hours of fun for all involved and lots of laughs (especially when Andrew yells "penguins" and the way that he says it sounds like he's yelling about his private parts). He had Aunt Jessie rolling on the floor.


Even adults can't take their eyes off of it. It puts you in a little penguin trance. If only it came with a mute button.


Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! Mom can get more dishes done now that I am occupied :)

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

This afternoon we went to the Danville Library to check out the White Crane Lion Dance Troupe. We watched them chase out the old and greet the New Year with a performance of the Lion Dance.

The little guy was mesmerized. He pretty much sat like this for 20 minutes.


I am hoping with all the loud drumming, his hearing is still intact.


Most kids were excited about the lion (which he was), but Andrew thought the drums were even cooler. When I would point as the lion climbed up high on a platform, little man would yell "drums!" He could barely take his eyes off of them.


After the lion's performance...

little guy was shocked to see the lion up close and personal when
he went cavorting around the room.

Andrew waved and smiled and just stared in shock as the big lion walked right by him.


At the finale, the little dude cheered... but as soon as the drummers packed up, he said "all done" and booked it out of the library.


He said "loud" over and over again as we walked back to our car and every time I mentioned the lion, he smiled big and said "drums!' Such a fun afternoon!

Super Bowl Partaay!

We went to a fun Super Bowl party tonight. Little man was enthralled (for all of 2 minutes)... but I got it on film :)


Some friends from church invited us over. There were tons of kids, toys for boys, an energetic dog, and way too much food! Little man loved this chair...

although he thought the doggie bed was pretty cool too.

Such a great night!

P.S.- Did anyone catch Google's first ever TV commercial? (I didn't... too busy chatting...but watched it afterwards)

Success!

My Dinner Challenge was a success, so I am a happy mom. It will continue through next week (14 days makes a habit, right?). Check out the happy dinner faces.


This little guy's favorite meal was ziti. Kevin loved it too. Andrew would've eaten it all week long. I haven't ever made it through a 9X13 pan of ziti... but we just finished it today (and I only ate 2 pieces of it). Yay! No more moldy pasta dishes in our fridge! Little man's favorite thing was to have "sprinkles" on his ziti (parmesan cheese) and then he'd scoop up the little pieces of cheese and lick them off his fingers.


Now I just have to figure out what we want to have for dinner next week...

Thanks for all the good recipe ideas and food blogs. Please pass along any other easy favorites if you've thought of any other ones (I especially like vegetarian ones).

Making Memories

Cat's mom's memorial yesterday was amazing. Our entire family flew in and so did many friends and members of the Peer's family. I have never seen a church that full before... not even for conference. The neighborhood was flooded with cars and there was standing room only in the massive chapel and overflow room. The memorial was a beautiful tribute to such a great lady.

Afterwards we attended a reception at the Peers home. Andrew and Uncle Scotty took a break from socializing to play. The little man loved it.


Days like yesterday remind me that we need to cherish each day and cherish our families. I loved getting to hang out with my family a little bit this weekend.


Mostly we just chatted while playing with Andrew. He loved taking his entourage with him to Super Franks,

eating oreos with Grandpa,

and goofing around with everyone.

It always seems to go by too quickly. Fortunately we all get to hang out again next weekend!

Grandma's Glasses

Grandma's got some stylin glasses.



Grandma & Grandpa (and the whole Smith/Caffee/Peers clan) flew in today. We had a bucket load of fun tonight hanging out, eating Zachary's pizza, trying out a new cookie recipe, and goofing around with Grandma's glasses.