Art Show 2010

Every year, the Little School, which is Jon's preschool, hosts a huge art show. Every class participates and turns their classroom into a themed art gallery. Families come in the evening to view the fabulous exhibits throughout the school. I'm amazed every year (well, the two times I've been, once for Jake, once for Jon) at how wonderful the projects are that these teachers do with such young kids. Very clever...and VERY PATIENT!!! This year, Ms. Nicki's class did an enchanted garden theme. Cute.

Flowers made from mini cupcake papers and egg cartons

Drew and Jon with their flowerpot frogs

oops, forgot to turn this guy right side up, but here's Jon with "Jon flying a kite"

After spending months doing all these art projects, Jon has decided he'd like to become an artist someday. We're so proud ;-).

Good job, Jon. You'll make an amazing artist someday, I'm sure!

Our Baby is 2!!

It's hard to believe that Lizzie is now 2. And she's quick to tell you when you ask her. She's a smart one, cute as can be...and T.R.O.U.B.L.E.!!! I say that with more love than you can imagine...
Happy Birthday, Sweet Lizzie! We love you, baby!

Mickey Mouse Pancakes for her birthday breakfast, shrimp and risotto with broccoli for her birthday dinner (yes, the expensive taste continues with her, too!) and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes for dessert. She is all about Minnie, as you can see...
Lizzie's friend, Grace (yes, Grace is MUCH older, but Lizzie absolutely ADORES Grace and Grace's sister, Georgia who is Jake's age. They are her best buds!!!)
The Gebhart kids, Anna, Evan and Drew playing in the sandbox

Is this not the cutest picture? Brooklyn came dressed for the party in none-other-than the most adorable Minnie Mouse dress!

The Justices: Krista, Cale, Caden and Kevin

God made a beautiful rainbow for Lizzie's birthday

I'm not sure what it was, but something was HILARIOUS!!!!

The hula hoop was quite popular!

This was my favorite birthday party yet...because of the simplicity of it. It turned out to be such a gorgeous day, rare for my cold-weather babies, so we moved the party outside. The kids just played on the playset, in the sandbox, and with the outside toys and we adults just hung out around the patio table, had some drinks, ate some food and just enjoyed each other's company. And this was the thanks I got...a smooch from my sweet girl. Makes it all so worthwhile...

We spent so much time decorating the basement, we did go down there for cake, ice cream and presents. Here's Lizzie's 2nd birthday cake, with Mickey and Minnie on top and "polka dots just like Minnie Mouse!" as Lizzie always says whenever she sees polka dots on anything. It was a yummy white cake with fresh strawberry filling...yummy!

The kids also enjoyed playing the "red gooey fishing game". You have to watch as much Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as we do to understand the relevance of this one. Evan caught a big one!! Can you see in the background the Lizzie Park sign, too?

Donald and Drew fishing together. I love Melissa's face on the side, too! she was so excited Drew caught one! Love that family.

Can you say ornery? Love this kid!

My favorite part of the party (aside from the relaxing aspect of it all) was dancing the hotdog dance with everyone in the basement. Here's Lizzie strutting her stuff. Too cute, little one!

The party continued with a fun Minnie Mouse swimsuit cover-up from Aunt Kristen and Uncle Bean a couple days later.

That's my girl...she found these swim goggles in the toy box and thought they were great fun and kept them on the whole time she "read" her new Mickey Mouse book. Piece of work that one is...

Love ya, Liz! Happy Birthday baby girl!

Jon Turns 5!

I know, I know, this was back in the middle of February, but cut a girl some slack. I'm trying here...
Anyway, the pictures speak for themselves (except for the huge mess on the back of the cake plate where my volcano COLLAPSED!!! Oops! I literally was holding it in my hands and just plopped the pieces back on top, slopped some extra red/orange frosting lava on and called it good!!!) The kids loved that the dinosaur growled and popped its head out at them when they waved their hands in front of it! Who cares what the rest of the cake looked like, right? A fun time was had by all at this dinosaur blowout. Don't you just love Kyle's face (the kid with the ice cream scoop!!!)

Jon playing with his favorite gift of the night...a rubber snake from his bud, Ryan. I love how nicely Jake, Jon and L izzie all play together. Melts a mama's heart.

My Jonny's the big 5!!! LOVE this kid!!!