a birthday celebration!

Lucas showing me that he is 2!

Look at that yummy cake!

For lucas' 2nd birthday we had a boat themed party. We had boat themed decorations along with a blue cake complete with a #2 wooden sail boat on it! It was Darling and oh so yummy! My friend told me about a bakery in Collinsville called Kruda's. I am really picky when it comes to cakes and this one passed with flying colors! It was a great day with lots of friends and family!

Pre-K, 2010

School time is here again and Mia was so excited to start her new school. We moved her to a school closer to home, and one that wouldn't make us drive over the dreaded 162 overpass between troy and maryville. It is a disaster down there. We drove by her new school many times, made a few visits and she was ready to go! She picked out her own shoes, her own clothes and her backpack. When I fixed her hair she insisted the barette was going to make her look silly. I assured her that the other kids are also 4 and their mom's

would be dressing them!

I know the goal is to get her ready for kindergarten. She is going to learn her ABC's, 1,2,3's and hopefully how to listen to the person in charge. If you know my Mia, she thinks she is the person

in charge of everything!

The day before she started pre-k, Frank Cusumano was on the early show, which i never watch by-the-way, telling his story about his son going to college. It was so amazingly sweet, special and heartfelt. It moved me to tears from start to finish. Don't believe me, watch for yourself here. Make sure you have a tissue on hand. Again I cry as I sit here listening to him. I

can't imagine taking Amelia to college. It is heart-wrenching just going to pre-k!. As I drove Amelia to her first day of pre-k, i realized that although it is preparing her for school, it is preparing me to let her go. It is a good thing that I have 13 more years to prepare myself. When the time comes I hope she is ready, that I have done my job as a parent.

funny stuff!

Meeting Buzz, take one

Lucas hasn't really liked any charcter's - until he saw Buzz Lightyear. One of the first people he could identify was Buzz. So when I heard about this toy story event, I knew we had to go! Not to mention that Amelia loves Jessie! the kids put on their Toy Story shirts and we were off! My favorite picture is when Lucas jumped up after the charactes came out, cried and ran away! priceless. he did warm up to them once he got to see them up close!

Lucas is 2!

We always have a mini party on the kids birthday! here are some pictures of Lucas' mini-bash. He is in love with buzz lightyear so it was a buzz themed party! I made him some fun-fetti cupcakes in true neuber fashion. I always let the kids pick and so far the have not let me down, they keep picking fun-fetti!

Lucas got a few presents too - a teeter-totter, t-ball set and a car! It was a great evening celebrating my boy turning 2! And he rocked his birthday hat! I had second thoughts about it last year because it was SO BIG on him - but I guess he is only going to get bigger! And Amelia's hat that fit perfect at 1 and 2 is looking kinda small on her at 4!

happy 2nd birthday sweet boy

A time to celebrate

For our 15 year anniversary, we were able to go to The Four Seasons for a short stay. We also went back to our original date location, Union station. We ate at Landry's. Was it good! Darrin had stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon (yum!) and I had Sea Bass with white wine sauce, scallops and general yumminess! It was a great time! And if anyone needs some time away and a place to refresh, we definitely recommend the Four Seasons! It was fantastic!! here are some room pics! enjoy!

moments like these...

The love I have for my kids is something I will never be able to successfully put into words. It is impossible for me. I can type it out and then I delete it because it just doesn't seem to convey what i feel in my heart. I had one of these moments with Amelia recently. She had asked to try popcorn a few times. We bought some and it came with a toy story holder. Mia wanted to stay up and watch toy story with me and eat popcorn. how can you say no to that? so we did. and i loved every moment of it. something so simple. and it meant the world to her. and i loved that because she means the world to me.

Our staycation 2010

Originally we planned to take the kids to the fabulous windy city for a week away. We love Chicago and wanted to share it with the kids! We really want them to see how great it is and love it just as much as we do.However, we also had some things around the house that we needed and wanted to do. Paint the bedroom, make and paint the playroom, put up a fence, have a weekend get-a-way for my and the hubby, and perhaps acquire matching furniture for the living room! whew! well, we decided that we would stay here in the STL, get some projects done here and

take the kids to some local attractions. We accomplished everything on out list.

We painted our bedroom a beautiful shade of green:

The playroom is now a playroom and a nice sunny yellow. Yes, this is the only picture I have to show what color it is! look behind the adorable children and see the sunny yellow!

The swing set is out of the box and up for the kids, their playhouse was delivered pre-assembled too!

the assembly team!

taking it for a test drive!

The fence is up!! We love the fence!! Ok - this is the fence truck - but trust me, the fence is up!!

We shopped and bought a new computer (YEAH!) - no pictures of it but this post was typed on it! And we bought a new computer desk, tv stand and medium bookshelf that match. no pictures of that either!

It was not all about the house though. We took the kids out for lots of fun days as well. We went to Gus' for lunch with Tia, Aly, Jade and Bella. Sorry, no pictures of that! Luckily Tia had the

mini van so Mia, Luca and myself could all squeeze in! i think it was Lucas' first time have a Gus' hot dog and he loved it!

We went to the children's garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The kids loved it. They could run and explore, and there was a splash area at the end.

We took a day out to join the Harris family for some swimming fun at Aquaport, which was so much fun! We did discover that the kids need more exposure to the water as they were not completely a fan of the water!!

lucas taking his time getting in the water

they only picture I have of Mia there! yikes!

Overall, it was the best decision and we had the best time! We were able to enjoy each other and accomplish SO MUCH!

Fuss-a-licious

Lucas is definitely fuss-a-licious!

boys only!

Recently we were invited to a play date with a fellow mom friend, Trish. Trish was pregnant with Robbie when I was pregnant with Lucas. Trish was due about 2 weeks after me. While I delivered Lucas at 39 2/7 weeks, Trish delivered Robbie at 26 weeks. 26 weeks. She had just had her big ultrasound, just passed the half way point. You can read her story here. It is pretty remarkable, her journey. And equally remarkable is Robbie!! He is a fighter, has had an amazing journey, and is one of the cutest boys I have ever seen. Want to see for yourself? go here!

I purposely planned this play date when Mia had school and I could arrange to have her picked

up. why? because as kid #2, Lucas gets shuffled around a lot. He tags along a lot too, to things that are more interesting for Amelia, to her friends houses, to her gymnastics class. I think he deserved his own play date, with another boy no less.

Trish and I attempted to go to a splash pad for our play date, only to have it postponed for ear infections (Robbie) and slight fever (Lucas). Attempt two we decided should be indoors, so we went to Monkey Joe's! I thought it would be a hit with the boys, but it was just the opposite.

Robbie was far more tolerant of the bounce pads than Lucas. he cried and then climbed out. Robbie did stay in for a few minutes! Mostly, they ran around and we chased them and tried to corral them in the same general direction so we could at least stand and talk to each other. After the play date, we went to a local Thai place for lunch. Yummy pad thai, chicken satay, gyoza's...mmmm. I love Thai food and although this place is no Thai House (columbia, il), it curbs the crave! All in all, not a bad morning! The boys had a good time and so did I. Here are a few

photos I managed to get between the talking, corralling and eating! enjoy!!

As far as Lucas would get in!

Robbie!

get me out of here!

I make the bounce pad look good.....

It can't be possible....

two.

my baby is turning 2. It is heart breaking and exciting at the same time. I love watching him learn new words, experience new things, grow and change before my eyes. He is the sweetest boy, will walk by and freely give kisses and hugs. On occasion, I miss this little cubby bear of a boy. We welcomed him into our family on August 18, 2008 at 10:55. He was 9lbs 13oz and 21 1/4 inches. I remember it like it was yesterday.

Fast forward to two, Lucas is running and climbing on everything. His favorite thing to climb on is the kitchen table and stand there. He is saying about 45 words and is putting some together for 2 word sentences. He loves buzz lightyear. I bought him some Buzz jammies and he will point to him and say "busth". Lucas is also jumping with both feet off the floor, kicks the soccer ball and has one heck of an arm on him. We are working on colors and puzzles. I am hoping to find a library program to put him in while amelia is at school so he can have some learning time as well. His most favorite thing ever is his fussy. He prefers to have one in his mouth and one in each hand! and he loves his stuffed animals. he has EMS bear that he got from the EMS crew at SLCH, his bunny bear that he got when he was born, glowee monkey, flatopotomus and his elephant pillow. At last check he was 34 inches and 34 pounds! He has one 2 yr molar and one on the way. I think he has been trying to cut them since he was 18 months. Thank goodness they are almost in! He is such a happy, happy boy!

Lucas, you are an amazing boy and I am so glad you are mine!

Happy Birthday Sweet Lou

Mia-style*

Amelia has discovered so you think you can dance. she loves it! She watches it so intently and wants to mimic everything they do. She does a great job for a 4 yr old with no dance lessons yet. We will be enrolling her this fall. I think she will love it.

*pictures coming soon!

Argh

We had some Pirates in our midst. Love, love them dressed at pirates - can't decide which one is cuter!

a face off! argh!

Captain Lou

the fearless mia rose

part pirate, part fairy dancer

partying with the princess'

For Mia's fourth birthday party, she decided that she wanted a princess party! Decorations were bought, a fabulous cake was made (thanks Lisa!) and costumes were put on. The girls had a ball and looking back at the pictures, everyone one of them looked ADORABLE! they laughed, played and waved their magic wands. It was a wonderful day with some wonderful girls!

decorations!

the fantastic cake!

magic wands

nothing better than little girls dressed up playing ring around the rosie!

all the beautiful princesses!

a new bike!

two arms full of love

i love this picture. my mom, enjoying her grandson and her great-granddaughter. I am so lucky to have her, and love every minute she gets to spend with my kids. I wasn't lucky enough to have grandparents growing up. My kids have 2 sets. I hope they know how lucky they are!!

Amelia Rose

Four of my favorite pictures from her 1st four years.