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Recap on Summer

I have been bad at posting on here. What can I say?! Anyhow, the summer has come and gone. We weren't going to do anything or go anywhere but we ended up going to Fort Collins, CO to visit Steve's parents and about 2 weeks after getting home from there, we went to my parents house in Bellevue, WA. The kids had swim lessons again this summer and still continue to LOVE the water. Brooke keeps asking me when I will sign her up for gymnastics. The kids have started back to preschool for the last month of the summer session since I will have to go back to work at the end of July. They will start the regular school year in September. Steve had shoulder surgery to repair 3 issues and will be off work for awhile. We as a family went to the kids' first movie...Shrek 4. It was a great movie. We also went to see Toy Story 3. The kids are big moivie watchers more so Brooke than Kyle but they both love popcorn!! Can't watch a movie without it. Here are a few pictures from over the summer. I was also pretty bad about taking pixs as well!





New Birthday Bikes

For the kids' birthdays, we decided to get them some bikes. They have been riding their trikes for awhile now and their legs were getting too long for them. plus, every time the next door neighbor gal came out to play with her bike, Brooke always wanted to ride it. We took them down to Toys R Us and tried out some bikes. We let them choose their own. They rode them around the store to test them out. I was surprised when they left and didn't ask to bring them with them. I thought they would put up more of a fight when I told them if they were good they could get them for their birthday.




We gave them their bikes on a Friday which was after Brooke's birthday and right before Kyle's birthday. We figured it would be horrible if Brooke got her bike on her birthday and Kyle had to wait 3 days for his. Steve and Pop Pop put them together while the kids were at school for the morning. It was their last day of school for the summer so we sent them to school so they could take cupcakes to school. Of course I had nothing else going on so I decided to make mini cupcakes for the kids to take to school with little birthday flags in them. Seems more personal when you bake it yourself instead of just buying store bought! Gotta love that about a private school. They trust you to bake yourself.

We gave the kids their bikes after nap time before Steve and my dad went to the Mariners game at Angel Stadium. Kyle of course got a green bike with a green helmet. Brooke got her pink, white and black bike along with a....wait for it...yup, you guessed it, a MONKEY helmet. We were walking through Target and I still hadn't found her a helmet and there it was. I think I was as excited as she was. She wanted to hold it the entire time we were in Target and even on the car ride home. Gotta love a great find!

We got their helmets on so they could take their new bikes for a spin in the neighborhood. They are a little bit big for them but we figure they can grown into them a bit so we don't have to buy new ones in 6 months.

Brooke's 1st Mani Pedi

I have been telling Brooke for awhile now that if she stopped sucking her thumb at night, I would take her to my nail lady, Miss Lily. Well, it finally sunk in and she stopped sucking her thumb. I told her for her 4th birthday, I would take her there and she could have her nails and toes done. Grammy was coming to town so I told Brooke that all 3 of us could go together and make it a girls day.

When we got to the nail place, Brooke asked me if she could have her fingernails done too. She asked me, "will my dad freak out?" I told her as long as she didn't get hooker red. I of course left off the hooker part. We chose 2 different shades of purple.

While Brooke was sitting in the pedicure chair with the bubbles on, she looked at me and told me that she really like it. And that folks is when the DIVA in training was really born! She did so well. I thought for sure she wouldn't sit still long enough for the lady to work on her but she did. She looked so grown up with her hand in the water bowl to soak while they worked on her other hand. My little "baby monkey" is growing up so fast. The 3 of us had a great day at the nail salon. They were super great with Brooke and she got the star treatment and got flowers on her fingers and toes along with little jewel beads in the center. Hopefully my rough and tumble girl won't have it all chipped off in day!

Kyle's 4th Birthday

Well, 3 days later, Kyle got the same treatment as Brooke did. He got the birthday cake in front of his door and he got the same birthday banners and balloons downstairs. Kyle's choice of dinner was to go to Denny's. Of all of the places he could choose, he chose Denny's. WHY? The kid LOVES the softball pancakes! I made sure to tell Grammy & Pop Pop that we were going there for dinner. Oh well! As long as Kyle was happy since it was his day! Gotta love breakfast for dinner. I remember it always being a treat when I was a kid.

For Kyle's cake I called the same lady. Kyle is still really into the Blue Angels. He has like airplanes for quite some time but once Pop Pop & Grammy took him to see the Blue Angles fly over Lake Washington for Seafair, the kid has been hooked. Now, every plane is a Blue Angel. So with this being the case, I asked for a Blue Angel cake. Kyle loved it and couldn't wait to dive in.
We have had so much cake in the past week! YIIKES!! Between my birthday and the kids' birthdays, we now have leftover ice cream cake, chocolate monkey cake and confetti white cake. No shortage here of sugar!! Not the ideal situation for watching the calories!

After our Denny's adventure...we came home for the cake and presents! Of course Kyle got a similar bag of loot as Brooke did. He bypassed all of the clothes and went straight for the Buzz Lightyear doll. I'll call it a doll for the lack of a better term but it's the exact same toy as in the movie! He absolutely loves it and we had a hard time keeping Brooke away from it. I just love to hear the gasp of air when they open a present with a smile on their face. That's when you know you've done a great job! Way to go Grammy!!

Brooke's 4th Birthday

When Brooke woke up this morning, she had the blow up birthday cake outside of her door waiting for her. I also decked out the house downstairs with birthday signs and banners and of course a monkey balloon! We really try to separate the kids' birthdays so they each have their own special day that is all about them.

No crazy birthday party this year. Just a quiet family event which was very nice. I started a tradition this year I hope to carry on for many more years. I told the kids I would make them whatever they wanted for dinner OR we could go out to dinner. Well, going out to dinner must be a very fun thing to do when you are 4 since they jumped at the chance. Either that or they don't like my cooking!!

When Brooke was asked this question, she quickly jumped on it and stated that she wanted to go to Red Robin. I told her we could do that. Grammy & Pop Pop were in town so they were able to come with us. What a treat!


Once we were seated at our table, we had a wonderful waitress who really catered to the kids. I made sure to tell her that it was Brooke's birthday. Brooke was really excited when they brought her an ice cream sundae and a balloon and sang to her. She was excited with the ice cream since it was her 2nd time that day! She asked if it was "her cake." I told her it was not and that I had a special one at home. Brooke is still really into monkeys so I got a tip from someone at work about a dessert place. I called and sent the lady a picture of a monkey. She made a monkey cake for Brooke. Brooke like it and that is all that matters. After singing happy birthday to our birthday girl, Grammy & Pop Pop had a "bag o' goodies" for lil miss Brooke. All sorts of stuff for the birthday girl! She loved the little Disney Princess player and passed right by the clothes! Just like a kid. It was hard to have Kyle sit there and watch. We have celebrated their birthdays on the same day for the past 3 years and they hace always opened presents together. They got to play with her new "loot" and then it was time for bed. Brooke was hopped up on so much sugar from ice cream and cake that I figured it would be impossible for her to go to bed. Luckily, it wasn't too hard.

Little Bunny Foo Foo

I can't believe it's already Easter already. Where is the time going? I am on spring break and this week is just flying by. I made cut out cookies yesterday and the kids were all too excited to watch and get their hands in the way. Brooke told me that we should name the bunny head we were making. I asked her what we should name him and she said "little bunny foo foo." Now there is a kick back to an old song. I start to sing it and then stop and of course, Kyle jumps right in to finish it off. Of course it's another song by Ms. Susan at school. Love it!! While we are putting the kids to bed, I realize that we have not gone to see the Easter Bunny at the mall. EEKS!! We have seen this Easter bunny since April of 2007. Yup, this is our 4th trip to the Easter bunny. I figure I will drop the kids off at school for their Easter party and then hit the mall after nap time. What a wonderful idea. There was no one there. We had our picture taken, went over to play on the play toys which is right next to Starbucks, oh how convenient. I got a Starbucks and the kids got a hot cocoa. We play and then I am freezing and we go inside the food court where there is now a Merry Go Round. Brooke gets on a horse this time and Kyle wants in the bench seat. We are good to go and they like it. We then go back out to play on the toys some more. I then decide to top the night off with a trip to California Pizza Kitchen. Couldn't talk the kids into Panda Express.Tomorrow is already Friday and we are headed up to Lemon Cove to visit with Uncle Bob, Aunt Joanne, Susan, Ray and Bobby and Kellie. We were there last August or September and the kids had a blast. I did too. It was just good ole family fun. We have a new car top carrier so I have their Jeep loaded into the back of the Cadillac. Thank God. More room to pack the kitchen sink and then some.

I am all prepared for the Easter egg hunt on Saturday. I think I must have 100 eggs to stuff and hide. Nothing like overdoing it. Oh well. Brooke and Kyle had such a good time last year on their egg hunt. This year should be even better since there will be total chaos with 13 kids in attendance. Aunt Jo told me there were going to be 29 people at her place. I love it. The more the merrier. I just love Camp Bierbaum. I hope the weather holds for us.

Now all I have to do is finish packing and get my Martha Stewart cookies finished. I cut out the cookies and frosted them and put everyones name on them. I especially like Kellie's. It's a bunny head with her name on it. I'll post more of Easter once it has happened. Until then, Happy Easter to all!

Valentine's Day Care Package



As usual, another holiday is rolling around and Grammy packed up another box and sent the kids their care package. Brooke told me on Christmas Eve that she wanted a baby monkey and a mommy monkey. Well, at this point I was a little screwed with this request. Mommy monkey was all set to go...baby monkey...didn't exist. Well, grammy found a baby monkey and Brooke got it in her care package. Kyle of course was all about the fruit chews. He actually layed down on the floor and pretended to eat the entire pile of them. What a ham that kid is. For the actual day of Valentines day, we are going to be in Lake Arrowhead. I am going to take the kids with me up to the Scrappin' Shack. It has been snowing up there so I figure I will pack the 2 sleds and the kids can have fun in the snow. I also went through my scrap closet and found some stuff to bring for them so I can teach them the art of scrapbooking! When that lasts for about 5 minutes, I'll have some movies and games for them. Thank God Cindy is bringing her kids. Maybe Sage will have fun with them since he is a few years older than them. Steve might join us later if he doesn't have to work. I have this entire week off from school. I am still getting over this cold business. Luckily the kids have bounced back. Steve and I are still trying to get rid of the last bit. The kids will have their Valentine's Day party at school this week on Thursday. I will have to work on the cards before that so they can pass them out. It will be their first time giving and getting Valentine's Day cards from friends. How cute! Since I'm off, I might just have to stick around and help out at the party and take pictures.

Pre-School Pictures


The kids had their very first school pictures this year. I had NO clue how they were going to turn out but to my surprise, they turned out pretty good. I was wondering how I was going to send 2 three year olds to school at 7:30 in the morning and have pictures taken around 9:30 and have the kids be clean and looking nice. It happened. Kyle of course is the ham. The year at school is flying by quite quickly. It's a great school and I love it.

Santa Picture


Here are the kids with Santa! Hats off to my wonderful husband and my father for standing in line with the cold wind and weather while the kids, my mom and I all stood in the stores staying warm. They stood in line for an hour! What a great dad and pop pop!
This year I did not have to bribe Kyle with fruit chews in order to sit on Santa's lap. They both walked in and gave him a hug. They both remembered that he was going to give them a candy cane though. It's always about the candy!