What We've Been Up To...

Hmm, so let's see...
It's been almost a month since I've posted anything on here so you'd think I'd have many pictures to post and cute stories to tell.

But yet, I don't.

Our days have been very normal (i.e., busy and loud) and routine around here (for which I am very thankful, don't get me wrong) but that makes for not very exciting blog posts for my few devoted readers! So, I'll download my few pics off the camera to keep you coming back:).

We went to Collin Creek mall where Cal finally got up the nerve to ride the train. Doesn't he look thrilled?
Group shot...rare!
And after one pic, Cal is outta here!

So big sis put him in a choke hold...cute smile for a boy being strangled, huh?And the choke hold once again on the bench:

And here's Will and Ella heading out for their frequent backyard playing:

So there you have it...our boring, busy, but very BLESSED life! Thank you God!

consider yourself warned!!!

if you have a queasy stomach or don't appreciate preschool humor, then you should stop reading now...really! below is a convo that we have had quite a few times lately with our very matter-of-fact Will upon catching him eating his "treasures" he's just picked out of his nose:

mom: will, do not eat your boogies. that's yucky germs!
will: no mommy, germs aren't yucky. they're yummy!

Our Day O' Love

This year was one of our best Valentine's Day yet! We spent the whole day together as a family doing all the things we love and wore out our heart cookie cutter in the process! Our morning started out with heart-shaped beignets. It was my first attempt at making beignets and possibly my last, as I might leave the effort and the mess to the Cafe Du Monde kitchen. Here's our finished product:

Here's our happy Valentines:

After breakfast, Ella and I got busy making Valentine cookies:
Here's Will helping us in the decorating process by eating the sprinkles that fall on the table:
Ella even had a heart shaped PB&J for lunch...After lunch, we bagged up some cookies and delivered them to some of our nearest neighbors. We had spent the day talking to the kids about the greatest act of Love by using John 3:16, so we decided to include part of the verse on our gift tags to our neighbors. All five of us had fun delivering these sweet treats!

After a trip to the Galleria to eat at Five Guys Burgers, do a little shopping (me) and playing (baker and kids), we came home for family movie night. Here's B.M.C. (big man Cal) not too interested in Wall-E but loving the family time.
Here's Ella and Will enjoying their popcorn and M&M's and a very special Valentine's drink (Big Red....shhh, don't tell the grandparents they had their own soft drink)
This is where Ella ended the night:
And this is one happy Daddy!This is where the boys ended the night. Notice the rare sweet moment between these two with Will teaching Cal how to do the puzzle:And a final shot of our joyful boy and a glance at his tonsils (in case any of you were wondering).

Cal's Second Birthday

Last Saturday, we celebrated our baby boy turning two. In keeping with our family's tradition of second birthdays, we celebrated with a family party where we served his favorite foods. We all dined on pizza, berries, craisins (mixed in a green salad for the adults), orange juice, Thomas cupcakes and homemade ice cream with Cal's favorite candy, mini M&Ms, mixed in.

Here's the birthday boy as we sang to him. He was quite unsure about it all and looked back and forth while being sang to with a serious look of uncertainty.

Ella and Will were huge helpers for Cal with opening his presents. I'm guessing this is the last year he graciously accepts their help!The year of Little People gifts! He loves them all!Sweet little Greer was so tired by the end of the party, but was such a trooper! Thanks for celebrating Cal with us!

Happy Birthday, big Cal! We all love you dearly and can't imagine our family without you!

Cal's 2 year stats: 30 lbs, 38.5 inches, 20.5 inches (head)

Surprise, Surprise

Every couple of years we seem to have a pretty big surprise in the Baker family. In 2003 our first surprise gave us Ella. Our next surprise was Will in 2005. 2007 brought us Cal.

What could possibly be the surprise in 2009?

Thanks to modern medical science we don't have to name our surprise this year. Instead of adding to the family, Amy and I took a long weekend away from the kids in Cancun.

I woke Amy up on the 16th and gave her an hour to get dresseed and ready to go to the airport. I had child care arranged for the weekend and our bags were already packed. We had breakfast in the DFW airport and had lunch on the beach in Cancun. Here is a few pics from the trip.

We had a great time in Cancun and the kids had a great time with Mimi & Pop and Amy & Jason while we were gone. Thank you all for helping me pull off the surprise and for taking care of the kids.

Bed Head!

What has happened to Cal's lifeless, fine hair? Here's what he looked like after his nap this afternoon:


As you might observe from these pics, the boy takes awhile to wake up....not sure where he gets that?

Movin' On Up!!!

Last Saturday was a big day around this house!

Here's where Cal woke up:

And here's where he went to sleep:

And here's why:

The boys sleeping peacefully in their matching big boy beds:

Really, where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday (okay, so maybe last year) that we laid our newborn baby girl in that crib. We have had three precious babies sleeping in that crib every night for the last 5 and a 1/2 years. And now it is officially retired or so we think:)! You'd think that would bring a tear to my eye...but yet it doesn't!

Here's Ella in her new bed (queen size to most people but princess size to her!). We decided to pass her twin bed onto Cal and give her a new BIG bed since we know slumber parties are right around the corner. Can you tell she's a bit excited...

And our sleeping beauty...