Sunshine Finally!

Today we decided that since it was SO beautiful out, we'd head to the park! Today is one of Brandon's days off, so it was so much fun to head there, all three of us! Beau fed the ducks and then slid down the slide OVER and over again! I've never seen him have so much fun on the slides! It's one of those reminders that he's getting to be a big kid.

Brandon had a board meeting today for lunch, so Beau and I made the decision to fix our lunch and then eat it outside! It was such a good idea and afterwards, we ran around playing! The boy got so dirty, so we came in and cleaned up and he's now been asleep for almost two hours. When he wakes up, we're planning on making ants on a log for snack (peanut butter inside celery with raisins/m&ms on top) and then some more time outside! So thankful for such beautiful weather!

Lunch:

Beau- Ham, yogurt, apples, orange slice, some veggies/dip and rice off Mama's plate :)

Mom- Homemade ground turkey nachos with fresh cilantro, and cut veggies 

Eating with my most favorite little boy!

Playing Around and Haley's Birthday!

Beau and I were playing with one of his bins yesterday, namely the one that contains all the Toy Story figurines. Beau was so set on everyone fitting on one vehicle (including himself!), but unfortunately it just wasn't happening. He tried so hard though and was so sad when I suggested putting everyone between two vehicles. It worked, but you could totally tell it was just not the same for the buddy.

Then we went to Haley's birthday party! Beau was SO excited to go, he kept running around the house saying "Hay-ee, mon!" The party was super cute and had lots of presh kids running around. Beau sat like a big boy with the other kids at the birthday girl's table and ate pizza and cake and ice cream right along with everyone. Before we left, Beau apparently was drawn to one of the little girls at the party named Harper. When we were walking out, she and her mom were right behind us and we told them all bye. This morning he was going ON and ON about "Haw-per"...oh my! It was so cute! We had so much fun at your party Haley and Beau loves you so much!

Puzzles and "Snack"

 Beau's been playing lots with his puzzles today and it is so fun to watch! He'll put all the pieces in, I clap, and turns and dumps them out and starts all over again.

Beau and I have this little ritual that when he wants ice cream (and it's been ok'ed by us), he'll go into the kitchen, call for "snack" (I have NO idea how he started calling it this), I'll open the freezer door and he'll get out the two packages of ice cream we have. Yes, both of them. He'll take off their lids, hand me each one, I scoop out one scoop (Basically 2 Tbsps worth of each), and then he puts the lids back on, puts them back in the freezer, shuts the door, and then comes and sits in my lap (and it HAS to be in the kitchen) and he eats his ice cream. It's actually very sweet and once he's done, he tells me "thank you, Mama" and goes to do whatever else. No complaining of wanting seconds, no nothing. I can sure handle graciousness like that. Tonight, however, we let Dada take my place so I could snap some cute  photos of this ritual. Enjoy!

Getting the ice cream out

Taking off lids

All ready in Dada's lap!

YUM!

Huck was desperate for a bite...so Beau let him lick the bowl. :)

Chicken Soup

Made some chicken soup today for the guys, as Brandon hasn't been feeling well the last few days. We've been couped up and are so ready for the sunshine! C'mon spring!

Picking up our toys, Beau-style

Lately we've really been stressing the importance of Beau learning responsibility for picking up the messes he makes. While this doesn't mean we sit and watch him pick up every single piece of any toy that's on the floor (simply because we also play with him, so we help as well), it does mean that he's responsible for much of the larger pieces that are easier to pick up. I happened to run and grab the camera while he was picking up tonight. He made a game out of it, which is totally ok by me because 1) he's happy doing his job and 2) he doesn't stop picking up to play. If one or both of those change, then we'll reexamine. For now, it's neat to see him learning how to be responsible for himself and to be a helper to us. Enjoy the guy!

Putting Woody in the block/Toy Story bin

In go "Tata-heads" (Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head)

Gotta get one last wear of the hat tonight before putting it in...

Can't forget the bandanna!

And of course our learning blocks

Mom even let me get a Pez out of each of my Pez containers; Mickey and "Ho-ho" (Santa)!

Yeah for yummy Pez and a clean play room!

Way to go Beau, you're growing right before our very eyes!

Cupcakes, cupcakes, everywhere!

Today we had a Superbowl party to go to and I decided to make homemade cupcakes and icing. I made chocolate lovers, orange cream, and peanut butter and jelly cupcakes. Peanut butter and vanilla buttercream icings. YUM. Actually, the PB&J cupcakes are my husband's new favorite. He seriously said he could eat the whole thing. I didn't let him. But he did enjoy one or two. :) I'm not a total meanie. So here's some pictures.

Peanut butter batter

Cupcakes just waiting to be injected with strawberry jam and then iced

The platter

Cute little dollop of strawberry jam on top

Orange cream

Chocolate lovers

Just a Saturday and Recap

 Today was kind of chill. Beau and I played in what was left of the snow. That lasted about 5 minutes because he totally busted on the ice underneath. Luckily he's become such a big boy about it, he just got up and when I asked if he was okay, he said "O-tay". But he was done playing. So we went to McDonalds to use a giftcard we had and to let him play. He's getting so big! He just runs around just like the other kids; almost makes me sad. But I'm so grateful for each stage we have with him, it brings new experiences and new challenges. I love that his verbal skills are increasing and we can really start to converse more with him. Discipline has become an everyday thing, but while sometimes it can be hard in the moment, I'm starting to see glimpses of why we're doing this. He's starting to learn that we're the authority over him and Brandon and I feel that's just so essential in him understanding that God is the authority over us all. We're also working on having a servant's heart. He picks up his own toys and he helps with things around the house (as much as he can) in practice to understand how important it is to be a servant. Our newest learning with God is a building off of answers. We start with "Who wrote/inspired the Bible?" God. "Who's God's son?" Jesus. "And Jesus is our?" Savior. He's really starting to understand and it's so exciting to see him say his answers with such excitement. (He usually jumps up and down with each answer) So, that's a quick recap of where we are with Beau, so enjoy some quick pics of him!

Playing in snow

Playing at Mickey D's

Watching a movie at bedtime with Dad