New Artbooks

Bria has always been so interested in drawing. The problem is, she gets out ten million sheets of paper everyday and we end up with piles and piles of artwork that eventually get thrown away. I hate always throwing her artwork away, and I always save the one's she really worked hard on, but they just get so piled up. I thought about buying her a drawing pad, but they always seem so expensive for only a few sheets of paper.


Here's is our solution:



A few weeks ago, I found a screamin' deal online and got 20 reams of paper for $25 (including shipping). It works out to be 10,000 sheets of paper. So, now we have more paper than we know what to do with.

I made covers for each of the artbooks using some digi-scrapbook stuff I already have on my computer. I printed them with our fabulous printer that does borderless printing. I added a huge stack of paper. Then, we took them to the local print and copy place and had them bound for about $2.00 each. So, instead of getting a drawing pad with 20 or so sheets, they each have a good amount of paper that (hopefully) will last longer than a few days.


The kids both LOVE them and can't get enough of drawing their pictures. Plus, when they have completely filled the books and are finished, they can their own art "album" to look at.

Max's Birthday, cont.

I'm finally getting around to posting about Max's birthday. It was SO fun!

We started off the day by going to lunch at Applebee's. We hardly ever take the kids to any restaurants. This was more of a mom and dad place, but we had a gift certificate, so....we decided on Applebee's. It was good, though and the kids had a blast! They were so excited that they got to drink Root beer and even got refills!

After lunch, we went BOWLING! It was a blast!! Neither of the kids have ever been, so it was fun for everyone! It is such a kid-friendly activity.

Bria bowled all by herself. She had such a unique style. She would walk up and awkwardly, but efficiently, throw the ball down the lane. Then, after every turn, she would turn and do a twirl.

They have bumpers on the sides to get rid of the gutter. They also had a ramp that Max used to roll the ball easier. Bria bowled all by herself. She had such a unique style. She would walk up and awkwardly, but efficiently, throw the ball down the lane. Then, after every turn, she would turn and do a twirl. Max's big fascination was just rolling the ball. It took a few times for him to realize that the whole point is to knock over the pins. He was just happy rolling the ball! He did great - bowling a 102 on his very first time! Go Max!!!

After bowling, we came home for dinner and presents/cake & ice cream.

Bria was SO excited about her present to Max. She got him a silver ball and a kite (but the weather has been too bad to even try it yet). She could hardly wait ALL day to give him his present. It was so cute and added a lot to the excitement.

Max got a new outfit and a baseball and a baseball glove from Grandma & Grandpa Webster. He had fun tossing the ball with Dad. Then Grandma & Grandpa Martin got him a circus addition to the Thomas the Train set they gave him for Christmas. It was really like Christmas all over for Max - he couldn't get enough of all these presents!!!

Mom and Dad thought it was about time that he got his own bike. When we wheeled it over to the table, his eyes lit up! All he could say was "I want to ride that!" We've practiced with him a little bit, but he still needs to learn to pedal by himself. (If only we could get some of that warm spring weather back!)

Happy Birthday Max!

Today was Max's birthday. I can't believe how much he is growing up!! It seems like he's grown up faster than even Bria. I don't know if it's just because we're busier now. But, it makes me kind of sad to see the time go so fast. I keep telling Max to stay little, but he always tells me "Me can't stay little. Me need to be big boy." I know he's right. But, really, where does the time go?!?

We had an extremely full and busy day with him, but that post will have to wait until tomorrow. I am exhausted!!! This pregnancy is literally wearing me out - and I don't think I have another ounce of energy left for today. But, I wanted to post a few pictures of Max's journey so far:

This picture was taken the day Max was born. If the massive bruise on his forehead doesn't tell you about his traumatic entrance into this world, I don't know what could. Poor baby! The doctor said that the two white lines that go through the bruise were caused by my pelvic bone. Max is literally our miracle child. We had so many complications during the delivery that the Dr said he'd NEVER seen that many complications in the same delivery! One of the major complications was the double knot that was in his umbilical cord, which if stretched at all, would completely cut off the blood supply. It's really amazing that he even made it through the pregnancy. Lots and lots of babies die with a single (let alone a double) knot in umbilical cords. They are either born too early or end up being stillborn.

I'm so glad he made it through okay. I can't even imagine our family without his sweet spirit!

Max at his 1 year birthday party.

Max at his 2 year birthday party.

It's amazing to me to see the change from year to year! They grown up so fast!!!

No more pacifier!

I'm jumping back on the blogging bandwagon. I've had kind of a dry spell lately/ But no longer - now that I'm feeling better I'm starting to notice how much more there is to blog about!

I am SO proud of Max. We've been trying to break him from his pacifier habit for MONTHS! He's been talking like he wants to get rid of it, but without fail, at bedtime he cried until he got it back. And, quite frankly, I've been too much of a softie and too lazy to force him to give it up. Plus, he pretty much has just used it at night.

Well, last Saturday, me and the kids did a major overhaul cleaning of the basement. Too much mess - too many toys. During the cleaning, Max brought his pac to me and told me it was garbage and to throw it away. This wasn't the first time he's said this - we've been encouraging him for months. But, this time, I just took it quietly and put it into my pocket. Normally I go into a dramatic charade and say "Are you sure?" "You might be sad at bedtime without it" or "Okay, watch me throw it away"! I know - maybe Bria gets some of her drama from me. Anyhow, I just smiled and pocketed the pacifier.

When bedtime came, Max didn't say ONE word about it - and he slept all night without so much as a whimper. The next morning, I gave him giant praises, and he just simply said "Pac's are for babies. I'm a big boy."

(this picture is from April 2008 - if this doesn't show his obsession with pacifiers, I don't know what else could!)

I'm so proud of him!! This is something he truly decided and carried through on his own! It was SO much easier than going through a power struggle with him and deciding for him what was right. Instead, he made his own decision and, since he's a big boy, stuck to his guns.

So, I am happy to say - we are currently pacifier free! (Now to finish the potty training).