Valentine's Day 2012

We don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I believe you should date all year round...just my 2 cents. Anywho, despite our rejection of Val's Day, preschool is now in our lives and they go ALL OUT! The kiddos sported their favorite jammies, had (lukewarm) hot cocoa and cookies, decorated bags and exchanged Valentines. Whoa buddy...was Deckers excited!! He rocked it in style with this little ditty:

(Thanks for the inspiration, Pinterest)...

A Night at the Museum

A local museum is having free admission Thursday nights in Feb and since Mark has guy's Bible study, we went on a Decs/Mommy date. It was so fun to see him wide eyed in wonder: "wha wha what's that, mommy??"

Mark and I both went here when we were kids. This front room was my favorite!

Digging for bones (my husband's favorite room when he was Dec's age):

Can you say goofball??

 Looking at bug's wings in the microscope (a popular stop):

 Listening to bug chirps and buzzing (Declan loved this):

 

So in awe!

Yoshi in hand and looking so tall and skinny:

 Ahhhh, the museum through the eyes of a three year old. Or, "the big zoo" as Declan called it. He was a bit confused why everything was so still. :)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

We had our first big snow storm this weekend (over a foot of snow dumped on us Saturday) after a strangely mild winter. Despite having no power for 5 hours, it was actually fun! We spent time outside building a fort and scooping and even went sledding the next day. Declan loved it.

Sledding with the cousins

My bay-beeeee

My baby is all grown up.

 

He was more ready than mama to start school this week.

I had to chase after him for a hug goodbye.

I cried like a fool in the parking lot.

New chapter for this little guy.

So proud of who he is and who he's becoming.

Such a sweet, spunky, hilarious, passionate, adorable, always going/talking/moving little man.

what am I thinking?!

Just registered for a:

5k next month

10k that next month

and a half marathon that next month.

You'd think I was in good shape.

I wish but I haven't run much these last couple of months.

Let the hardcore training begin next week.

Yes, the week it finally is cold and snows.

Nice timing, Ash.

Hold me, I'm scared.

phases and stages

Declan has gone through lots of phases and stages: balls, Dora/Diego, bowling pins, Mickey, etc etc. This one is a doozy. Complete and utter obsession.

Maria, Luigi, Toad and Yoshi have taken over my son's world. Yes, folks, Mario Bros is on the top of the "phases and stages" list. He wakes up talking about it, goes to sleep talking about it. He role plays with his stuffed animals. He begs to play it on the Wii (we have to restrict this big time). I've fallen prey as I'll pick up the random shirt and jammies (only in little boys XS because it's not a popular toddler hobby).

A boy and his current love:

 

How incredibly grown up does he look here? Blows me away. I have a little story about these pics. Declan accompanied me to a photo shoot today and I was checking the light (he was my little model). The shoot was for a gal who has 3 kiddos...probably 7, 5, 3 in age. The 7 & 3 year olds (boys) played with Decs for nearly half an hour after the shoot. They had an amazing time and it was a nice mental break as Declan has been alone with me working today because our childcare fell through. He has constantly needed my attention for every little thing all day long. With these boys he was in heaven. 

As I drove away from the shoot I was a little sad. Declan needs a sibling. I can't wait to see him run around and play games with his sister or brother. I called Mark and he tried to "encourage" me by saying they played so well together because they WEREN'T related. Ha!

Absolutely gorgeous.

I can not believe it's nearly 70 degrees in January in Nebraska. UNHEARD OF. We basically spent every moment prior to nap outside soaking up the sunshine.

 Flip flops. Yes, please.

 Picnic in the park!

 It was chilly early on but nearly 70 by late afternoon.

Good times with this little man: