Harrison's First 1st Birthday Cake

I never got around to posting these pictures of Harrison with his first 1st Birthday cake. He had this cake on the night of his actual birthday, November 24th. I had been anticipating this because I knew that unlike Ava, Harrison was for sure going to dig into his cake! Let's just say, he didn't disappoint. He loves cake and I was so happy that he smashed it even if his dad was upset that I let him stick his hand in it!

(Thanks to Aunt Bethany for taking all of these pictures except the last one!) :)

You can tell how bad he wants it here...

Contact!

Ava has to copy whatever anyone is laughing at...

Here is when he realizes that it is not fun anymore and he is sleepy...

Loving her books

One of Ava's favorite places to go is still the library. She doesn't love to pick out her books, but she loves to play while she is there and every once in a while she will spot a book and add to her pile. I pick out most of the books that we read from the library and try to get a nice assortment of books that I think she will enjoy. She loves anything Fancy Nancy, Olivia, or Pinkalicious. She is also great about trying to pick out something she thinks Harrison will enjoy. She loves to listen and then read the story back to you and you can definitely not get away with skipping pages. She double checks! I hope she continues to grow in her love for books as she starts to become a reader and I cannot wait to share some of my favorite chapter books with her when that time comes.

The title of this book is so fitting!

We took these using the remote. I know that I don't get into as many pics as I should with the babes!

The Best Toy in the House

Obviously the best toy in the house, other than a broom or a cord, is the Shop Vac. It is by far the thing that Harrison wants to play with the most. Never when it is on, but when it is off, it is the toy to beat all toys. He loves playing with this and you can usually find it hanging out in my craft room/mud room. Bradley made the comment once that he would love to keep his Shop Vac in the garage where it should go, but since it is pretty much a daily staple inside the house, I vetoed that. What does he expect with two children under age 5 who make such nice messes. Especially when the Shop Vac can double as a babysitter!

Recent Scrap Pages

Here are a few recent additions to Harrison's scrapbook. I say recent, but the first two I finished in October (not sure if I posted them or not...) and the last one I started then, but finished over the weekend. Just never enough hours in the day.

This one covers all the US pictures that I had of Harrison.

Playing Outside Today

This afternoon the kids and I went outside to enjoy the nice temps and even though it was windy we had a great time. It was excellent for blowing bubbles because all we had to do was hold our wands up and the bubbles blew by themselves. Harrison loved chasing the bubbles and Ava used up all the bubbles she had (which is not hard given that she spills a lot...). But it was a nice day, wild kids, but nice to have a day to spend with them.

Trying to get a picture, but this is typical of how busy he is.

He can't seem to figure out the slide yet.

Look at the excitement on his face.

Anatomy of a Princess

In Ava's world, she has certain ideas of outfits that embody being a princess. Bradley and I laugh at the outrageous outfits she puts together because they are usually a riot. When she has gone upstairs to get dressed and is taking forever, Bradley always says, "There is no telling what craziness she will be wearing." I find it very humorous, but sometimes he doesn't.

The other week Ava was getting "dressed" and came down in what she said was the "Fanciest Princess Outfit." So here is the anatomy of a princess outfit, broken down piece by piece for your enjoyment.

You start by throwing a crown up on top of some crazy bedhead hair.

Then the ensemble includes a Cinderella nightgown (compliments of Aunt Bethany), a nice puffy vest, a crazy scarecrow sidekick (who we call Michael), and a beautiful butterfly wand (compliments of Grammy and Gramps).

Then you must have gloves. However, when you can't find your real gloves, socks will apparently do. But make sure you wear a rubber band bracelet to help hold them on and add some real pizazz.

Finally, what fancy princess would be complete without her glass slippers (compliments of Aunt Bethany). And I will tell you a secret....Harrison wears these more than Ava does!

Things at the Rogers' house

Totally random things I am thinking of:

• So glad that the weather has taken a turn for the warm. We were able to go out on Sunday afternoon and enjoy a little time outdoors. Harrison LOVED it!

• I have just finished up my 3rd class for my Masters program and have started on my 4th. I am waiting to see what my grades are, but so far, I have made 100% of all of my assignments so I am hoping for a great score on my final paper which would continue my 4.0! Fingers crossed!



• I have started couponing and it is so much fun. Who knew that planning your shopping trip could be so exciting! This was my first try. I bought these at Walgreens for $19.00. I saved $16 right off the bat of the purchase prices, but I also got a $7 back reward for my next purchase. So I really just paid $12 for this. I have totally been degerming with these wipes!





• We have been tossing around the idea of trying to go to Disney this fall. Maybe a money tree will grow in the backyard...... That would be nice...but seriously, we are ready to go somewhere as a family of 4!


• Ava and I got our hair cut yesterday. She got several inches cut off and I am hoping it will bring back some of that nice curl.
  

• I bought some new scrapbook supplies, so maybe if I can ever get a handle on the disaster that is my craft room, then I can sit down and do some new work!


• As of right now, barring any more snow, our spring break will remain intact. However, if we are out once more for weather, we lose the first 3 days of break. :( No snow, PLEASE!
  
• Harrison, all boy, all the time and loving his trucks!