the stikas

Sunday, February 19, 2012

row row

She twinkles. While watching a show, reading a story, running, dancing she is twinkling.
Her whole face lights up when she smiles.
I love how much enjoyment she takes in the little things...a silly fishy balloon stuck on the ceiling, being chased, thrown on the bed, taking a bath, have a story read, getting a treat.
She LOVES daddy. She tries sneaking down to him in the basement home office. I've caught her lying on the stairs waiting for him to come home. Sometimes, she even calls him "buddy". Buddy's love and adoration is mutual and the two our often found sneaking treats, cuddling to stories together!
I have this panging in my heart several times a day when she says "down baby, down baby". She has had to share a little of her precious baby time with brother Ben. I wish I could hold each of my children as much as they wanted.
She loves dresses, dressing up, caring for her dolls, bears, esp. taking them on stroller rides, watching tangled, library trips, swinging, climbing up on anything precarious or dangerous, nursery, her aunts, singing and dancing!
She doesn't love loud noise, jetted tubs, horn beeps, blenders, new people, having her teeth brushed.

Happy 2nd Birthday my sweet girl. I love, love, love you!

No, your eyes are not deceiving you that is a whole lb. of Scotch mallow from See's. Josh has been taking note these last eight years, it's the piece I look for if ever See's chocolates are offered. Nearly as good as a true Love's kiss...don't worry he got one for this sweet present. We started a new tradition of getting take out and eating as a family using china, tablecloth, and candles. It made something so simple seem special. Valentines, your climbing up the list holidays. I like feelin' and sharin' the love.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

girls room

I need a daytime shot to really show how cute it is.

Yet another project in progress that I didn't get a true before picture of. I was going for a light blue backdrop to pinks and a vintage feel. We wandered a little from my vision due to some awesome finds. It was kismet walking into Pottery Barn Kids and finding the last two twin quilts and shams same kind/ different colors on sale with an extra 20% off that day so I went for it. The bookself and beds were also super sale finds at downeast. I have a few projects from pinterest that I haven't finished and I think we will be adding a reading chair, some crown molding at some point as well. No rush Rowan is still happy in the nursery and I love to keep my babies in a crib for as long as possible.

bonus room redo

Ta-dah! Love our new map from Ikea

post painting, pre set up

I can't believe I didn't shoot before and after pictures because there is a b-i-g difference. Our bonus room/play room is still in the process but so far so good. I feared the paint at first but now I love it. We wanted something to make it not look like a cave and it has definitely lightened it with the light grey. I am pulling from my teacher background and wanting more designated areas for play. The space itself is quite large (800sq. ft) so lots of room to work with. SO far, there is a reading nook, train area, dramatic play (kitchen) area, art/crafts table, and music. I know the amount of stuff seems a little much, I blame it on teaching k-1 for 7 years, and my husband the yard sale enthusiast ;).

Reading Nook

craft area

play area

So there will be more to add soon I hope...stage, etc :) I know it looks like a run a day care (I guess with 4 kids 6 and under I pretty much do).

Sunday, January 29, 2012

surprise trip

We had some buddy passes from Beck that were expiring soon that we had planned to use as a family. Then the reality of trying to fly a family of 6 standby, packing 4 car seats, strollers, for only a few days due to Josh's work schedule made it seem daunting, stressful and not what we needed right now. I brainstormed this idea and Josh jumped at it.

The ultimate father, son outing.

A weekend trip to San Diego to visit family and go to Lego land.

We kept the whole trip a surprise to Noah. Josh casually comes up early from work and asks Noah if he wants to go on a little trip with him. Noah cutely asked all the right questions. When? tonight.(twinkly smile) Where to? California (huge, excited eyes) How? on an airplane (really dad!today! just you and me! on an airplane?) Within minutes he threw his folder from his school backpack ran upstairs and filled his bag (5 shirts and pajamas) and was back downstairs ready to go. I'll have to have Josh insert some of the personal anecdotes from the trip but it was awesome. No stress at all making the flights. The next morning they played at the beach, watched surfers, ate, and then went for a drive. Josh didn't tell Noah where to until they were seeing signs and rides. It took a sec for Noah to put it all together and then magic and amazement struck again. Dads really can make magic for their kids. Noah guided their day at the park, which they basically had to themselves. Afterwards, they headed south for a sleepover with cousins. Kris and Adam hosted and sounds like even more fun than Lego land...yummy food, Sound of Music, fun with cousins. The fun continued with many more of the Scholder crew in the morning. What a great memory for them to share forever. I was so giddy with all the joy they were having, it made me so happy. (There may be another one in the works for me soon too, we'll see.)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

ben 2 months update

He may be taking on the nick name Big Ben with these stats. At his 2 month checkup he wieghed in at 13lbs and 24in height. That is nearly doubling his body wieght and growing 6 inches in 2months! He gave us the sweetest Christmas present by smiling huge his first time on Christmas Eve. He is super snuggly...nestles right in on my chest (one of the sweetest pleasures of life). He loves to hold my hand when he nurses. He tolorates the loves, pokes, tantrums of his siblings like only a forth child can. I love, love, love him!