Art a la Deven

Deven's school does a relay for life every year and so they do art to decorate accordingly. 

Sun??

Occasionally we get some sun so I ran out and got Tova a sun hat last week.  The one I had was Deven's so I thought I would get a girl one.  Nick informed me that the one I bought was also a boy one...apparently the blue patch with a pirate on it didn't tip me off - momma of a girl fail.  Even so she's ready to hit the out doors when the sun makes an appearance.

Walla Walla Visit

Nick and I have sort of accepted the fact that we will not be going on a major vacation anytime soon. By major I mean anything that requires a plane ride.  Not for at least another year or two any way.  Nope, instead we have convinced our good friends the Block's to take us in 2 or 3 weekends a year for the last couple of years to get the 'travel' bug out of our system.  We were so excited to be invited once again to help celebrate Jameson's birthday.  I cannot believe he is two already...Shannon and I always talk about how Deven tried to swat him in the hospital room the day he was born...apparently things between them haven't changed much!!

Seriously though Deven and all the kiddos had such a blast.  Tova even had one of the best days and nights she's ever had.  She knew momma needed some Walla Walla sun, a little wine and some good girl talk!!

Both kids, I am proud to say, traveled really well.  Of course we had to stop several times to feed Tova but all and all our little lady must have known we were going some place we love because she made it pretty easy on these two crazy parents.  I was pretty apprehensive about the long drive but Nick being the awesome husband he is and Shannon being the best friend a girl could have both convinced me that we might as well bring our crazy to Walla and have a glass of wine with some good friends rather then keep our crazy all locked up in Lake Stevens.

So glad we went and can't wait for the fair in the fall when I hope they will permit us to bring our brood again!!

Here are some fun pics from the weekend.

Deven ready for the ride to WW

Don't worry this is a mix - not all wine!

Post party balloon blow out

Some H and T time

Balloons are so cool

Ahhhhwww...cuteness!!

Us!  Love Him!

Trying on her new hat!!

Fooling you, she's really exhausted here!

Some tub time!

May 2012 art

I've been remiss in posting Deven's art from school so I don't feel guilty about not saving every piece.  Starting anew here is his May installation!!  

Big Boy Scissors

Deven has been working sometimes hard sometimes not hard enough (according to Nick and me) at using the potty...not diapers.  It has been a tough road for our little guy but I am told I am not alone, boys just take longer?!?!?  Well I am ready...changing a real babies diaper just shows me how gross changing a three-year-olds diaper is and I am ready to be done!!!

THE Potty Chart

Last week I made Deven a potty chart. That's right, I broke out the arts and crafts for this one...glue, big girl scissors, construction paper and glitter glue!!  The game is: if he goes 10 times, not necessarily in a row, he will get a surprise.  I decided to leave all the surprises blank so he can tell me what he wants.  I would never have guessed that he would want scissors for his surprise so it is a good thing I asked.

Well he did it folks, a freakin' miracle!!  We went to target and got the scissors that very night.  His next surprise is a cup cake from the bakery!!  Apparently baked goods will get this kid movin' because he even went at school for the first time ever this week.  Wish us luck and let's hope he keeps his surprises this cheep...something tells me he will catch on soon enough though and will start raising the stakes.

The Zoo!!

So Tova and I sort of ditched Deven earlier this week.  In all fairness taking Deven out of his routine (going to school) can be a bad idea these days and we had just gotten back from an intense trip to Walla Walla (post to come later).  So I decided to meet up with a friend at the zoo solo...or rather with the sleeping 8 week old.  :)  I hope Deven forgives me later in life when he reads this but momma just needed a break!!  I can guarantee I would not have gotten such fun pics chasing Deven.

Flamingo

Giraffe

Monkey eating an apple

Wort Hog

African Elephant

Orangutan

The Dentist

So one of my goals being out on maternity leave was to get us to the dentist, well at least Deven.  

I haven't been to the dentist for a very very long time...like 10 years too long.  I decided this was a bad example and this was the year we all need to start going!

First though, why have I not gone in so long??  I hate the dentist...I know who doesn't?  I have a good reason though I swear!  Novocaine doesn't work on me. I've even had dentists drill my teeth to insert it next to my nerve and it STILL didn't work.  The next step up, not sure what its called, which is supposed to take five minutes to set is already well on its way out of my system by then.  The problem is dentists don't seem to believe me and they just keep trying.  I've had my fair share of cavities and I generally feel all the drilling...thus my severe dislike if the dentist.  I'm hoping Deven has not inherited this trait and I will not be telling him about it anytime soon.  

Yesterday I met my goal though and got Deven in...I'm signed up for the end of the month, promise!  So these pics are not good but I tried to take them quickly because even though I was being 'that mom that takes pics of her son's first trip to the dentist' I didn't want to go totally nuts and make him pose or anything.

The conclusion is that Nick and I are doing great taking care of his teeth!!  Deven let them clean and floss his teeth too!  So proud of our big boy!!

Wearing his "cool dude" sun glasses to help with the lamp they use

Holding his dentist take-a-way tote - complete with toothbrush, mouth wash and floss!