Friday, March 18, 2011

He's 2!






Last weekend, out little guy turned 2 years old! We threw him a big party with a pinata (that he didn't care for so much), a tractor cake (thanks to grandma Fawcett) and lots of family to join him. We went to my Gaga and Papa's for dinner and celebrated with all the family and cousins and the kids had a blast. The week before, we spent prepping for the party and the boys and I did some paper mache to create a fun pinata for them to destroy at the party. All the kids seemed to enjoy it but Simon wanted to just watch and observe. We are really finding that he doesn't like to be the center of attention too much and this might have been a bit much for him. The kids were just about able to break it open but Thomas took it and dumped all the goodies out. Then we opened presents and had dinner and cake. The kids played in the jumpoline for a while (a large inflatable trampoline) and Simon absolutely loves it. He loves balls and the combinations of balls and the jumpoline are his favorite things to do. Overall, I think the party was a hit. Simon is definitely 2 as this week has been a bit of a challenging one. He is really exercising his will and beginning to really voice his opinion. We are working on doing this in a respectful and appropriate way. He is so different than Ethan and it truly is fun to get to know each them better and watch their growing personalities blossom. We're excited to meet baby #3. The boys have been talking to him and Ethan is always telling Simon that he needs to be careful not to be too rough with the baby. This is good advice, especially for Simon.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Weekend Getaway with the Family

Last weekend, we went to an indoor water park called Wasserbaun located only about 2 hours east of our home. We went with Grandma and Grandpa Fawcett and Leanna and Grace. The kids had a blast. There was a small pool with fountains, slides, and a tipping barrel of water that Ethan spent most of his time in as well as a deeper pool that both the boys enjoyed with Mom and Dad. I was a bit reluctant to go swimming but I took the plunge and had a great time! I think Thomas felt like he was a kid again and had a blast with the boys teaching them how to go under water, jump off the edge, and slide down a big slide. He is a great teacher and I can see the lifeguard come out in him with the boys around the water. He might have to teach me a thing or two. We had a wonderful time with the family, the set up was great being that we had a room right next to grandma and grandpa Fawcett and Leanna and Grace were just a few doors down. Uncle Tom joined us for dinner one night which was a treat! We love spending time with him. Thomas and I were even able to go out on a date one night, thanks to Mom and Dad Fawcett, when the boys went to bed. They were pretty pooped from the afternoon so they went right to bed and we headed out. It was some much needed one on one time that we were blessed with! I would say it was a great weekend, full of memories with the family. I could see this becoming tradition every year as a way to break up the winter months a bit with a fun getaway that isn't too far at all!







This is Ethan jumping into the water from the side. He was able to even jump in all by himself with his life jacket on. I didn't get any pictures of that. We were pretty impressed that he was able jump so far!





These are the pictures of the water park and the slide that Ethan went on all by himself! He loved it. Simon went down with Thomas but wasn't so sure about it. He clearly let us know that he did NOT want to go down again. Maybe next time :)





Here are a few pictures with Grace. She was also jumping off the side with Ethan. This was our best attempt at getting a picture of all three of them together. It's not the easiest thing to do :)




There was also an arcade which Simon thoroughly enjoyed. He really liked playing ski ball and racing cars. All three of the kids played for tickets and by the end of the trip were able to trade in tickets for some fun toys to take home!



Saturday, March 5, 2011



This last week, I'm sure we had record temps for Iowa in the monty of February. I think one day the temp was up to 66 degrees! It was absolutely gorgeous and we took advantage of it. We went for so many walks with friends and some by ourselves. We went to the muddy parks and played outside of our own house in the mud and slush. The boys got out there lawnmowers and pushed them up and down the street together and Ethan was able to try out his new bike with training wheels that he got for Christmas. It was a great week, one worth noting! It seemed as if spring wasn't far until this week approached and we're back in the freezing temperatures. Some people often ask me if it's difficult to be in Iowa coming from a place like California and honestly, I think it is what you make it. I really don't like being cold and the winter does seem to be a bit long, however the family and friends that we have here in Iowa add such warmth to our lives and I wouldn't trade that for anything...that doesn't mean that a trip to somewhere where it's warmer during this time of year wouldn't be nice. I think that might be something we try and do in the years to come when the kids are a bit older. I would love to take a road trip south to break up the winter a bit but we'll see. For now, we're doing ok and trying to take every advantage of days that show some sunshine and above freezing temps.
Next post, Simon's Bday! We've already been making the plans and EThan and I are going to work on making a pinata and special favors for the kids. I think Grandma Fawcett is working on a special tractor cake and Gaga Shiplett is making plans for a spectacular meal to celebrate the day! Can't believe our little guy is turning two!
Oh, and this next Tuesday, March 8th, 2011, we will be finding out what the sex of baby #3 will be! We can't wait!!! Updates soon to come!