Alison's Birthday Party

Alison had her two best friends come over for a small "late night" friend party for her birthday. We had dinner, played balloon games and freeze dance, and painted fingernails. They then got in their pajamas and popped popcorn and watched a movie. All the kids had a good time. I liked Alison and Joshua's expressions during freeze dance.
Maggie, Anna and Alison dancing like robots.

Darren's Birthday

Darren's birthday has come and gone. We went to the Red Lobster for dinner, then came home and had cheesecake and he opened presents. This year, because of the circumstances, he didn't get fun presents. He got 2 pairs of jeans. He has lost weight and desperately needed a smaller size. He did get some cash from both parents and is excited at the prospects of what he can buy. I hope next year he will have a better birthday. Happy Birthday Darren!

playtime

I love how the kids make ordinary items into toys. I had moved the chairs into the family room so I could mop the floor and the kids played trains for the whole time. Sometimes I wonder why we have so many toys!
Joshua wanted me to take his picture showing his robot he made out of Legos. He thought it was cool because it was almost as tall as him.

He continued building until it was as tall as him.

Valentine Traditions

Every year we start the week before Valentines with our celebrations. Each family member has a valentine box. I put a treat in the box every day and family members put pictures or notes. This year I suggested to the kids that they could also do good deeds for each other and put a note in the box saying what was done. This was really nice for me. Alison was so excited to give me "the best valentine's gift ever" by cleaning my bathroom sink. This is pictures of the first night and everyone got ring pops.

We also always make sugar cookies and decorate them. The kids seam to always add so much stuff the the cookies, but they have fun.

Can you even see the cookie Rylie is frosting? We also take the kids around to neighbors and friends and deliver valentines. The kids really enjoy door bell ditching. No one has ever heard of that here in Minnesota. We still do it and they probably think we are crazy but the kids love it.

Tape anyone?

Joshua is in the phase of drawing constantly and taping them to everything (walls, toys, furniture, and even himself). Last week I told him he couldn't play the Wii and I turn around and find this. He has taped a sad face over his own to tell me he was not happy. We both had a good laugh. Joshua has a good sense of humor and is learning how to express himself. I just wish it wasn't with so much tape.

Potty Training!!

We started potty training Rylie on January 21st. I was going to wait for Emily to be ready, but I had to take the small window of time that Rylie was actually showing interest. Unfortunately, she has not improved at all. She is just not getting it. I will keep trying as long as she will cooperate but it is very stressful and very time consuming. Hopefully one day it will just click. She insisted on getting a pink potty that sings and also getting polk-a-dot underwear (not easy to find) because of a Mercer Meyer book I gave her for Christmas. Emily sits on her potty when Rylie does, but doesn't like me to take off her diaper. The first day they sat and drank and had snacks and watch a lot of movies. They thought it was fun.
This picture was cute of Rylie I had to include it (not so cute of Emily).

Here is a video of Rylie spending some time on her potty.

Untitled from Stacie Jensen on Vimeo.

Jacob's a Teenager!

I am still in denial that I am old enough to have a teenager. Jacob turned 13 on Tuesday. Darren took him out to dinner and to see the current Harry Potter movie last week. Jacob has been sick and I ended up taking him to a clinic on his birthday. He has a double ear infection. Poor kid. He did feel well enough to blow out candles and open presents.

For several years, Jacob has chosen to have donuts instead of cake for his birthday. We put all 13 candles into his apple fritter.
He got Kirby Yarn for the Wii.
He also got a case for his DS lite system that he received on Christmas.

And of course, cards and money from both grandparents. Jacob rarely spends money, so this money will be added to last years, which is still sitting on his dresser.

Happy Birthday Jacob!