Old Man 'Jamas

A gift from Crispy

You may remember Crispy, our Elf on the Shelf - well, he re-appeared today...well, in book form!  I told Zane last week that I had heard that Crispy was sending him a little present - he was ECSTATIC!  Everyday, he kept asking me if it came, could we go check the mail, how would we know it was here etc!  Well, today it finally came and he was so excited when I let him know it had arrived!

Crispy sent him a book with pictures of every one of his adventures at our house this last Christmas season.  I we think this is a fun idea for us to all remember what Crispy was up to while he was here - Crispy may have to send one of these every year after he goes back to the N. Pole :)

He's already asking to take it to school on Friday for Show-N-Tell!

Speech Eval

Landon went in for his much anticipated speech evaluation today.  They pretty much said what I was thinking - he is slightly delayed, but nothing earth shattering.  She gave us some skills/tips to work with him at home on and wants to re-evaluate him in 3-6 months.

In the waiting room before his appointment.

Getting tested...

More testing (with toys now - pretty exciting for him)!

HOW GOD SELECTS THE MOTHER OF A CHILD WITH DIABETES

HOW GOD SELECTS THE MOTHER OF A CHILD WITH DIABETES
by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with diabetes are chosen? Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger. 
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint Matthew." 

"Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, Patron Saint Cecilia." 

"Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint Gerard. He's used to profanity." 

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a child with diabetes." The angel is curious. "Why this one, God? She's so happy." 

"Exactly", smiles God. "Could I give child with diabetes to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel". 

"But has she the patience?" asks the angel. 

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I am going to give her has her own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy." 

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." 

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." 

The angel gasps. "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?" 

God nods. "If she cannot separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with less than perfect." 

"She does not realize it yet, but she is to be envied. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see .... ignorance, cruelty, prejudice ... and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as if she is here by my side." 

"And what about her patron saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in mid air. God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

Because he's adorable...

Jump Planet - JDRF

We headed out to Jump Planet in Bothell this afternoon for the annual JDRF event that is held there.  All kids with Type 1 and their families get to jump for free for 2 hours...this is our 3rd year attending and as always it was a wonderful time.  This is the first year Landon really was able to get into the bouncing (sliding was his favorite) and boy oh boy was he all over the place!  He couldn't get enough of these things and was not intimidated in the very least by all of the bigger kids or the big bouncy houses - nothing phased him (as per the usual).

Even though this event was really for Zane (Landon was just lucky enough to tag along) - I only snagged 2 pictures of Zane and the rest were all of little Landon.  Zane was way too busy running wild with all of his buddies to hang around his mom and little brother and our camera!!!  I'm so glad he has so much fun and has no problem just letting lose and meeting new kids - love my little social butterfly!

The lighting in this place is terrible - so pardon the poor quality photos.

Landon didn't get a nap today due to the timing of this event - but he held up very well.  I knew as soon as the car would get moving on the way home he'd crash...I was right...

Zane too took a little snooze on the way home - kid was T.I.R.E.D!!!

Snow Fun

We drove up to Hayak Snoqualmie today to do a little sledding and playing in the snow!  It was gray skies and foggy when we left our house and BEAUTIFUL once we got to the pass - blue skies and sunshine the whole time!

Zane could not get enough of playing in the snow and sledding!  Landon had to be forced gently coaxed into going down the little hill on the sled...but once he was on our laps and headed down the hill he kept yelling "weeeeeee!!!", so it wasn't total torture...he actually enjoyed it!

Josh built a sledding hill for Zane and Zane was so impressed when the other kids all started coming over to use his hill because it was faster and you went farther on it!  Anyone we saw after getting home, he let them know that all of the kids came over to use his hill that daddy built because it was the best hill!  Nice job Josh :)

Sure love the snuggles when I get them - even it is because his little face was freezing!!

Firetruck Party

Poor 2nd child with a Christmas birthday - double whammy for Landon!! Landon finally had his much anticipated Firetruck Birthday Party this weekend!  After a little planning and a lot of help from Zane - we pulled it off!  The little fireman had a great time and just couldn't get enough of all of the Firetrucks around the house!

I had fun coming up with the menu and what to call different food items...seems to be my new thing...to give the food "party themed" names!  We had:

Backdraft Bean Dip
2 Alarm Chili
Firetruck Wheels (Oreos)
Engine #2 Cookies (#2 Sugar Cookies)
Firehouse Cupcakes (that were supposed to look like Firetrucks)
Firey Fruit
Fire Dogs in a Blanket (Little Smokies wrapped in Croissants)
Ladder Truck Lemonade
Fire Extinguishers (water bottles)

He wasn't interested in eating his cupcake at all :(  But he had fun trying to blow it out!

He was SO into opening his presents - such a change from last year!!

More pictures of Zane with his friends than Landon - the little ones are just too busy to say "cheese" for the camera!

All of the kids received Firemen/women hats and a bag of Fire Safety fun all courtesy of the SeaTac Fire Department (and Josh's parent's neighbor Firemen Matt)!!

My two favorite Jr. Fire Chiefs!

I've said it before and I'll say it again...Landon, I cannot believe you are 2 and what a wonderful little boy you are.  Our lives are more entertaining, more full and complete with you in them.  Thank you for being you and I look forward to the fun this year brings for all of us.  I hope you enjoyed your little party baby!

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My birthday dinner dates:

Followed by some birthday snuggles and ice cream!!

Bowling

We took the boys bowling last night...well, took Zane bowling...Landon just ran around like a chicken with his head cut off dodging flying bowling balls.

Its probably not important...but I felt I should mention that even though there are no pictures of me bowling - I did win the game we played :)

Little Man Baby Shower

And this is the reason my friends I am so far behind in blogging...I have been feverishly putting together a baby shower for my good friend Jen and the upcoming arrival of her first baby...a boy!!!  I have been wanting to throw a "Little Man" baby shower ever since mustaches started becoming cool (cool, if they are not on a real man's face that is) - finally someone was having a boy so I could!

Here are a few pictures from her special day last weekend...

My first tricycle diaper cake...love it - think this is my new baby shower gift!

I made a handful of onesies for the Little Man.

Favors for each guest to take home with them to remember their fun!

Dessert!

Delicious spread!

Had to get a picture of these plates, aren't they adorable?!

Landon and his mustache shirt - which I did NOT buy for this shower, but it worked out perfectly!

Zane was SOOO upset when he saw Landon's shirt and he didn't have one, so I quickly whipped this one up about 10 minutes before the first guest arrived!

Playing "Guess the Celebrity Mustache"

 

Zane and Jannika hanging out under the table :)

Gifts!!

Pretty cool to get wine as a baby shower gift!!!

The blanket I made for Baby Nybo...need to make one for myself, so soft!!!

Photo-prop time!