Letters to my Children

When Haven was about 10 months old and I was pregnant with Avie I decided I wanted a way to remember everything I love about them at their age. They grow so fast and as a Mom I find so many things to appreciate about who they are at this very moment. I want to remember my most urgent prayers for them. I want to remember the things I agonized over (like the first time I let Haven cry it out). I want to remember funny conversations and what things they did that day that made Mike and I lay in bed that night laughing and smiling.

But the main reason I write to them is not so I remember them (how could I forget), but so they get a glimpse into how much Mike and I love them. I want them to know all the prayers I have for them. I want them to gain wisdom from what I am learning in my life. I want them to know how hard we try and how much we pray that we will be good parents even though we are not perfect. I definitely want them to know (when they are older) that I even found joy in them when they were misbehaving (at this exact moment my son is peeking his head around the corner when he should be in bed). Mostly I just want them to know I have always loved them at every stage and for the distinct qualities that makes them...them.

I haven't decided when I will present the letters to them. I don't plan to tell them I write them. Maybe I will wait until they graduate from high school. Or maybe I will give it to them sooner if I think they need it. I bet you can think back to a moment with your parents when you could have really used a stack of letters reassuring you that they had your best interests at heart.

Maybe other parents would consider doing the same for their kids. I write a letter every few months or more frequently as the moment strikes. I'm looking forward to the day when I hand them a notebook full of reasons I adore them and always have.

Vail!

We headed up to Vail a few weeks ago to film a wedding for some friends. We used that time for a little R&R. We had a great condo. Our room was in the loft. Haven got to sleep in his very first bunk bed! We also got go swimming and Haven and Avie got their arms painted for the first time also. Haven initially asked the artist for a Pteranodon. Since she didn't know what that was he settled for a fire breathing dragon. ;) We also found a pirate ship play ground! Since Grandma and Grandpa were there Mike and I got to go out on the town on our own as well. It was a great time. When I told Haven it was time to go home his response was "Mom! We are home!" I wish...

View from the balcony off our room.

Our room

Mike wasted no time teaching Haven how to climb

up and down the ladder on his own.

We learned Avie is a little dangerous in water.

I think swim lessons will be happening soon to save my sanity.

Exhausted after a great mini-vacation!

Here's what we've been doing this summer...

Hiking in Estes

After running through a hail storm

Saving birds from hail storms...

Look!...More Hail!

Easter Baskets!

Easter is almost here! Most of you know I can be pretty "picky" when it comes to how much sugar and candy I give the kiddos. I always try to come up with candy alternatives for the Easter Baskets. I also am a fan of saving money! So here is a list of items I'm including in the easter basket this year. Feel free to add suggestions!


These have less sugar than other fruit snack brands!


These are a great alternative to twizzlers!




Ok...these have a decent amount of sugar...but they are so good.



You can get this for right around $1 and it makes for some fun crafts!



My kids love getting new tooth brushes! I got this idea from http://www.sweetmamajame.blogspot.com/.



For young kids, safety sizzors are a great idea. Cheap and good to have around for crafts.




Flower seeds! You can get a pack for 50 cents! All you need a small area to let the kids have fun. Since our entire back yard is weeds and we don't have time or money to invest any time soon, I decided I will let the kids go crazy. They each will get 2 packs of seeds and they can put them where ever they wish and watch them grow! I'll show pics once we see some results!

For even more ideas visit http://www.sweetmamajame.blogspot.com/


As for candy...dont worry. I'm sure the grandparents will glady cover that part. ;)

Wedding Preview Event

Emerald Productions was chosen as the exclusive videographers! We had the show on Sunday, March 21st. It was a really cool event, definitely not your average bridal show. Mike and Dave shot the event and we can't wait to show the finished video.

We had a great time, met a lot of brides and wedding professionals and got a lot of great food!

Until the videos are done here are a few pictures of our table display.

Cake Pops!

Found a great recipe that is really fun and tasty!

You will need:

50 4" lollipop sticks

Wax Paper

Melt-able candy or chocolate (several bags or boxes)

Box of cake mix and required ingredients

Can of frosting

Sprinkles or decorations of your choice

1. Following instructions on cake mix, bake a cake. Once done chill in the fridge for several hours.

2. Once chilled through, crumble cake into fine pieces in large bowl.

3. Add can of frosting and mix together. You can use a wooden spoon, but I used my hands and it went a lot faster. It is messy!

4. Once mixed well (it should be mushy texture) put in fridge for several hours or freezer for 15-30 minutes.

5. Once cake mix is chilled begin forming balls about 1.5 " diameter using your hands. Place cake balls on wax paper.

6. Melt small amount of candy and dip stick into candy and then insert into cake ball. (About 3/4 into ball).

7. Place balls with stick back in fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.

8. Melt more candy or chocolate following instructions on bag. Dip cake balls into melted candy and place on wax paper to dry. You can use sprinkles now, or add them once the candy is hard by using more melted candy as glue.

This recipe does take time, so I would start in the morning or make cake ball mixture night before.

Also I tried using a Styrofoam block to let them stand and dry, but all the candy just dripped down the stick and made them...more blob like. Finding the right consistency might be key, so give it a try and let me know if you come up with a good technique!

You can get all kinds of creative ideas for decorating by googling "cake pops"!

I used Chocolate cake mix with cream cheese frosting, dipped in purple candy and

Red velvet cake with chocolate frosting dipped in white chocolate. (These ones were Amazing!)

Cupid's got nothing on Mike.

For Valentines Day Mike and I planned on going out to dinner and maybe a movie. Sabrina was going to come over and watch the kids for a few hours. When she arrived, we headed out the door and decided we wanted to eat somewhere downtown.

We couldn't decide where to eat so we thought we would just park and walk around for awhile. Mike found a great spot... right in front of the Oxford Hotel in the valet parking. I of course quickly pointed out he must have missed the "valet" sign and we could not park here. Instead of moving the car, he gets out and tells me to get out and hands the driver our keys and pulls a bag out of the trunk.

I just kept repeating "What did you do?" with a completely cheesy grin on my face. Last week we were downtown for a friend's birthday and we passed by the hotel and I glanced inside and mentioned I would love to stay their sometime. Somehow without me ever knowing he arranged my sister to watch the kids all night and most of the next day, book a room at the Oxford, and pack a bag without forgetting anything I would need.

This was the first time we have ever had the opportunity to spend an entire night away from our kids since we had them. That is over 3 years ago! We had a great time. We went to several different restaurants, hung out in our awesome room, browsed their fantastic personal library (I could stay there a week and do nothing but read), we ordered room service, we slept in with no kids calling for us or demanding breakfast, we woke up to snow, ate breakfast at 11:00 and then went to see Avatar 3D.

This was the best Valentines Day ever! I still can't believe he planned it without me ever having a clue.

The Oxford Hotel- Built in 1891

Our room!