Saturday, July 30, 2011

William is getting smarter and smarter!


William loves anything to do with Disney Pixar Cars. He doesn't have the attention span to watch the movies but he does like them. Why don't they make Disney cartoons like they used to? That might hold his attention. Instead we set this up on Rick's computer screen and at any given time William he will sit cross legged in front of the computer monitor and watch the trailer reel that goes continuously http://disney.go.com/cars/#/videos. Lately we showed him one of Skylar's favorite websites when she was in preschool called Poisson Rouge or Red Fish. http://www.poissonrouge.com/ He's getting quite smart about it. Then there is the Itouch. One year for Christmas we bought James an Itouch because we thought it had the best of all worlds pertaining to James... Apps, Music, Videos, Games, Drawing... etc. Rick and I thought we were being sneaky and also got one for each other without us knowing. Mine died first because it probably had a sippy cup contamination. Then Rick's was replaced twice and died as well so he had James Itouch (James got an Iphone less than a year later.) Now Rick who pretty much can't function without his other brain aka Iphone has given me James hand me down Itouch which I love to use for music and Words for Friends but I rarely use it and find myself keeping William entertained with it. He likes to use the preschool applications for puzzles and shape sorting and has mastered so many of them I have had to pay for the app instead of using the lite version LOL!

PS I get my Iphone so we don't have to worry about loosing the Itouch in a month

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Rough Housing & Horseplay

Sometimes the kids get wound up and chase each other in circles. Squealing and screaming... or screeching as they go. Since William was just a baby him and Skylar have been wrestling and rough housing. He can hold his own since she is a big sissy and its just funny to watch because he really looks like he knows what he is doing. He can do body slams and he loves to jump up and elbow her. She hides in a blanket and things get rowdy!
Rick and I got into the action last night as well ... actually William started on me first. He pulls my hair until my head is on the ground then he jumps on my back and bounces up and down. Then it was bed time and we put him in his crib to settle in and he was ready for sleep! Its so cute and I love to just play with my kids and have a good time. Less whining and fun for all! Do you rough house with your kids or wrestle with your boys?

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Picture Contest

http://www.parenting.com/photo_contest/137550/photos/all/351499

Sunday, April 10, 2011

I can't believe I was doing this... this time last year! OY VEY!

When do I start? 3-4 weeks before!
A party planning guide and planning is the key to successful birthday parties, because they don't happen by magic. It is important to remember that any child's birthday, after the first one, is not for you, but for her.
Engaged you child in the planning, ask her what she wants! The party must be fun for her and her friends.
Keeping it manageable, yet flexible, is the secret of success!

Party Countdown Planner

3-4 weeks before!
1. Budget
Even the simplest party cost money. You should spend what you can afford, the more you create from scratch, the less you have to spend!
2. Theme
To decide upon a theme is very important, you need to decide upon a theme, to know how the invitations, cake, banners, activities... are going to be! If your daughter is big enough let her pick a theme.
** Dr Seuss
3. Indoor or outdoor?
Are you going to have a carnival party or a fairy party. Some parties are better made outdoors and some better indoors. Depending on the theme and budget, decide were the party is going to be!
If you have an outdoor party, maybe you need to consider where you can have the party, (restaurant, venue... etc) and book it.
** Probably at one of the Pavilions on Redstone
4. Date & Hours
Plan the party when it is convenient for you, weekends are best, if you want help from friends. Also most kids will be free. Aim for the time that is best for you, late morning or afternoon.
** June 30th August 6th at 2 PM
5. Guest List
Ask you daughter who she wants to invite, (not who you want to invite), and add family and friends to the guest list!

  1. Claudia Pawlowski
  2. Meagan Rice Ottum
  3. Charlene Cox
  4. Ursula Andrews
  5. Brittany Berghammer
  6. Marissa Mabes
  7. Misty Roberts
  8. Vicki Pearson
  9. Brittany Culley
  10. Amy Sears
  11. Stephanie Nichols
  12. Sarah Bigelow
  13. Michelle Singleton
  14. Alexandria Black
  15. Barbara Hayes
  16. Christine Hood
  17. Danielle Locicero
  18. Heather Zull Hysell
  19. Jennifer Dewitt
  20. Kristen Shipps
  21. Kyla Lynn Barrett
  22. LD Gale
  23. Tony from NG
  24. Amy Greenwood
  25. Lily Cross NG
  26. Maureen McGill
  27. You?

6. Entertainers?
Do you need to hire entertainers like clowns, pony rides etc.
7. Invitations, decorations, favors, prizes, paper supplies, games, activities, costumes...
Depending on your budget, decide if you are going to make or buy invitations, decorations, favors, prizes (if any), costumes, paper supplies, supplies for activities.
What do you need to make or buy for the games/activities?
The more you do from scratch the more you will save. We have lots of ideas on how to make your own invitations, decorations, prizes... look at our general themes or character themes section for ideas on this.
If you are going to try to make most of it, make a shopping list. What do you need to make invitations, decorations, favors etc, and go shopping!
8. Supplies?
If your budget allows you to, buy invitations, decorations, party bags etc and pick a supplier who can offer you good prices. Do research!
2 weeks before!
9. Send out the invitations
1 week before!
10. Who is coming?
Check who's replied and chase up any you've not heard from.
11. Food, drinks and cake!
Decide on what is going to be served at the party and go shopping! If you are going to order a cake, order it. If not, start preparing the cake!
Days before!
12. Games, music, camera and video recorder!
Learn the games which are going to be played, see if you have enough music, and a working CD or cassette player. Do you need a video recorder, do you have batteries???
1 Day before!
13. Food Preparations
Make the food preparations which can be made before hand! Try to make most of the preparations before hand, so the day of the party will run easier.
14. Make all the decorations needed!
On the day!
You only need to prepare the food!
Be flexible and adapt to what the birthday girl and her friends want to do, you don't have to follow all our steps in our party planning guide.
I hope our party planning guide will help you plan a perfect party.