Zoo, Party, and Camping!

We have loved having this long four day weekend together.  Saturday it was a warmer day, so we thought we would take advantage and go to the zoo.

The bears were interacting and even standing on two legs for us.

Matthew told her to not take her glasses off.  She doesn't like to be told no! 

on our way to church

Evie's first SS craft

Ava had her birthday party at Chuck e Cheese's.  Mason had so much fun.  He picked her out a Barbie kite, a Barbie mermaid doll, and a Barbie coloring book.  I think he must know her well!  :)

His card to Ava.  He told me exactly what he wanted me to write!

the birthday girl!

Matthew got the great idea to try to make his own beer and told Mason that he could help him.  Mason came running upstairs and said he needed to change out of his church clothes and put on some "drinking beer" clothes.  ha!

We came home from Ava's party to this!  Matthew had set up the tent so he and Mason could camp out.  Mason was so so excited!  We made smores outside and then the girls had to go upstairs.

Can you see the excitement?!

smores time

I guess you can't camp without the iPad!  I came downstairs to check on the boys a little after 9PM, and Mason was watching Iron Man and Matthew was sound asleep.  :)

The boys had fun camping and Mason is already talking about sleeping outside next time.  I love what a fun dad Matthew is!

Valentine's Day

Every day leading up to Valentine's I would write one thing I love about the kids and put it on their doors. 

opening presents from Mimi and Papa

gifts for teachers

bubbles for his friends at school

my Valentines

She has had a Capri Sun twice... both times during Mason's class parties.  She doesn't move until every last sip is gone!

my handsome boy

Matthew took his girls out for a Valentine's lunch

Mason got some super heroes  and Evie got a bath time baby from us.

Matthew giving Evie her roses.

I got roses and an Edible Arrangement, and Evie loved the chocolate covered strawberries!

Random happenings

My mom came and stayed with us for a week.  It was nice to have extra help with kids and I got to get some things done without having to haul the kids around with me!  Matthew and I also got a couple of date nights which is always nice.

We went out with the Brown's and Urruty's for sushi and drinks.

Mom and I took Evie to the mall for shopping and lunch.  She loves fried rice!

before church

story time

we went out another night for dinner and a movie

a lunch date!

Evie thought the boys needed some company on the couch

she plays with her babies all day long

games with Mimi

She has even started sleeping with her baby

We had a pj's and painting day

I think she thought it was make up!

Mason's "Beary" Special Day

Every child in Mason's class gets their own special day.  Mason's assigned day was February 7th.  He has seen other kids have their days and for the last month or so he would ask if it was his day yet.  He was so excited for it!  He had to make a poster about himself, bring a special snack, and pick out his favorite book for me to read to the class.  He had everything picked out before Christmas.

It worked out that Mimi came to visit during the same week.  Mason was even more excited that she was going to be there.  We worked hard on his poster.  He was very particular about what he wanted on it.

We put a picture of the day he was born, his first birthday, our family in Winter Park, his first Texas Rangers game, soccer, the day we moved to CO, an the day Evie was born and he became a big brother.  He drew our family, and cut out his favorite foods (pizza and ice cream).  Of course the poster had to be orange, and he put Spider man stickers all over it.

the cute butterfly snacks for everyone

You would have thought it was Christmas morning when he woke up.  We all got to watch him play with his friends for a little while and then it was time for the big show.  As soon as everyone's eyes were on him, his shy self came out.  After talking and talking about each picture for a week, suddenly he didn't want to say anything.  About half way through he just broke down crying and got in my lap.  Oh well!  We left and of course he was fine.  He was in a great mood when I went back to read "Harold and the Purple Crayon".

Evie loves visiting his classroom.  She goes straight the the home center every time!

This is where he lost it and just cried the rest of the time we were there.

We came back in the afternoon and he was in a much better mood.

We got to take Teddy, the class bear, home with us for the weekend.  We took him everywhere with us and then wrote a story about the adventures.  Mason loved having Teddy visit!

Teddy watched Mason during Swim Class.

Teddy loved the strawberry froyo!

I love his school and the fun things he gets to do!