Super E Turns FOUR.

I'm so terribly behind in updating. So that's gonna be my excuse for not even editing these pictures I got from a family friend. So glad she got these shots and we'll just take 'em as is. ;)

E really wanted to superhero party this year to celebrate starting his fourth year of life. We went with a variety of avengers style decor and activities. Our first kiddo party and he got to invite whoever he wanted. I may or may not have almost died from anxiety with what to do with kids indoors. But it went great and so glad it didn't rain this year.  

 The kiddos worked on decorating their superhero cuffs and putting on tattoos at the tattoo pallor.

i made a variety of superhero felt masks along with the cuffs to decorate. 

He is still talking about his birthday party and all his friends that got to be there. It was definitely a hit!

Happy Halloween 2013

From the Avengers!

Seriously, these two were WAY too excited for gparent day and showing off their costumes at gymnasitcs. Not interested is keeping still for a civilian photo-opp. Gotta take what you can get with these heroes. ;)

We're doing our usual tricking-n-treating with our besties in the next town over this evening. And yes, this year no homemade costumes. The boys have continued to come home from gparent day with a different costume over the weeks and have been so excited about their dress-up clothes that I decided to KISS {Keep It Simple, Stupid.} ;) No need to stress about something if they're content with what they got. Looking forward to celebrating with our little gang this evening! 

Hope you enjoy yours with yours!! 

xoxo,

swenson gang

TWO Cool For School Party

Theo's birthday party was over the weekend. I had no idea until Sunday morning that it was also the kick-off of football season. Duh! But everyone came and loved on our little butterball. He is the sweetest; he showed so much gratitude and delight the whole time. 

I went with a "school" theme for Theo's second..even though he's a loooong way off until he'll be crackin' open the books. But with the new vintage desk in their room and the giant school map waiting to be hung up as inspiration, I just went with it: paper airplanes, lined paper, a globe, number two pencils, books, and apples.

I kept things real simple by just serving a handful of snacks and just focused on dessert. W is master dessert maker so he made the cupcakes and frosted them, per usual. He made a slightly larger cupcake for Theo.

For a guest book, I made cut-out apples for everyone to sign.

And put his baby book out viewing.

Vesper got her share of being passed around during the party. She was a good sport. When she got tired, into the carrier she would go.

Opening presents was by far the best entertainment. Theo would get so hooked on one gift that he would completely ignore my suggestions to keep going. And Ezra was having the time of his life watching all the new gifts Theo was getting. I'm pretty sure he must have figured out that he would be playing with them too eventually. But I was grateful for his awesome attitude either way. {He may have mentioned more than once that he got a little something too by way of his Thor costume...}

And I'm so happy to report that he kept that birthday crown on the entire party. He sure knows how to make this Mama happy. ;)

He may have needed a little help with blowing out the candle but certainly not the eating part. 

Happy second birthday, Butterball! You are totally TWO cool.

1st Day of Prek

We "started" preK this week. I use that term loosely only because we have yet to dive into the reading part. PreK is really nice like that. So is homeschooling. 

We'll be working our way through this curriculum. And start by "rowing" the book The Story About Ping. Very similar to unit studies. I made a make-shift homeschool corner...because there really isn't a corner left in our small space. There's a world map that we got in a random mailer, the ping duck to place in China {where the story takes place}, and a few 'artifacts' that I scrounged up. Hoping my planning will get better in time?! ;) And our dining area chalkboard will work perfectly for scripture memorization and reading highlights. 

Today's agenda includes PE {gymnastics} and play at Castlewood. :) Which works out great because this morning was a rough one. Here's to an adventurous year-- taking the good and challenging in stride.

Theo's Birthday // Weekend Recap

We were kinda bumps on a log over the weekend. I wasn't feeling super great--fighting a clogged duct since Friday morning {which ever so slowly worked itself out, thank goodness!!!} and we were just pretty tired. So, we stayed pretty close to home. We caught up on chores and played together.

On Theo's birthday, we started the day with his favorite: donuts. Then we played outside, explored a creek, and had the gparents over for singing, candles and gifts. 

Theo loved opening his gifts. He took it so seriously; it was adorable. He is totally my shy guy. He doesn't enjoy being the spotlight, being the subject of pictures very often, is harder to read, and takes awhile to warm up to people. He's got a "old soul" and just get things at a young age. I feel like he's so much like his Papa and very much a "Swenson." He may or may not have me wrapped around his little finger...when he's not getting into stuff. ;)

Ezra lucked out and also got a 'gift' from his gparents. They were generous enough to bring him the costume that they had ordered. And Juju got lots of Grandpa time. :)

The boys made sure to show off their new threads. 

Theo certainly LOVES the candles and singing part... and having an extra donut. I guess when it's your birthday, you get extra perks. ;)

Our Little Charmer is TWO!

Happy Birthday, sweet sweet boy!!

SO excited to celebrate YOU today!

So Proud

Over Father's Day weekend, E abandoned his training wheels. That means at a few days shy of three and a half, he can fully ride his bike. It was such a proud and exciting moment seeing him pedal around the block. I may have screamed in excitement.

We knew it was only a matter of time since the kid was biking since 18 months and often asked if we would take the training wheels off. Two things really seemed to seal the deal for the final transition...

1) Borrowing our neighbor's strider so E could understand the balance part. He rode it a few times before getting really good at putting his feet up and coasting for long distances.

2) A neighborhood friend learned on her bike last week while we were outside playing. E usually plays with the older girls around our area, so I know he often looks up to them. They are also the reason he knows about "tag, you're it". The first thing he said when he was riding was, "Now, I can ride my bike just like my friend." A great example of positive peer pressure. :)

Now he's back to asking if he can ride everyday. And he just loves being able to ride next to W while he's on his BMX bike. Such a thrilling milestone as a parent!

Her First Bath

...was taken with the whole gang!

We hadn't yet located the infant tub in the garage and Vesper was long overdue for her first bath...so last night when the boys were taking theirs, we plopped her in for a quick soap n' rinse before bedtime. 

The boys didn't seem to mind and she loved the warm water.

Lately, W and E have been doing reading time before bed in our rom . While W puts T down, Ezra has been jumping in bed and laying next to me while I nurse. Then he'll ask to hold Vesper after we're done. I got a few of them together since I had my camera on hand.

Such a proud big brother!