Janie's Big Day

I've been absent for awhile, but I've had a few projects going on and last week I was down for the count with a horrible cough and cold.  Hopefully that's on its way out and I can get back to being a mom who feeds her kids dinner again and not just a piece of bread or a bowl of cereal.

First of all our 3 year old turned 4!  

On Monday school was out so we decided to throw Janie's birthday party that day because all the cousins could come, but her actual birthday wasn't until Tuesday.   She decided break down the days the following way:  Monday was her "fake birthday" and Tuesday was her "real birthday". She did tell us before the big days that "on my real birthday and even on my fake birthday I don't have to do any jobs or pick up anything.  And I can be rude to whoever I want, BUT everybody has to be nice to me!"  It's nice to know your kids are sweet and caring.

But here's the birthday girl who was actual very nice on her big days.  (Although I did get a look when I asked her to take a toy up to her room and a comment like "Hello!  Didn't you remember that on my fake birthday I don't have to do anything!) 
This is the only time Janie wanted to go near her cake.  We discovered she has a fear of fire.  As soon as Jared lit the candle she bolted off the chair as fast as she could.  A few days before her birthday I was broiling something in the oven and the smoke detectors went off.   She was very concerned about smoke and fire the entire day, so I'm pretty sure that's where her new found fear began.  Oh well if my 4 year old is going to be scared of something, fire seems like a good thing.  So we sang her happy birthday with a flameless candle.  

On her REAL birthday I took her over to Build a Bear.   Despite my best efforts of trying to persuade her for a different choice she chose the WHITE, Hannah Montana bear.  I just kept telling myself "It'll be okay.  It may be a black bear by the end of summer, but hey what a birthday girl wants, a birthday girl gets" (at least according to Janie)! 

Ice Fishing with the Guys

A few weekends ago my brother Shane asked Jared and Logan if they wanted to go ice fishing with him and my dad. Of course Logan was thrilled! Jared debated for a while and decided to go and spend some quality time with his son (Jared went ice fishing with a friend from work when we were dating and didn't enjoy his experience very much!) But when they returned home from their chilly morning fishing Jared said it was nothing like last time and that he had a good time!

They didn't catch any fish, but they had a lot of fun. I'm so glad that my brothers invite Logan and Jared on their many manly adventures. It's just one of the great things we've enjoyed since moving home.