The PARTY!!!!!

What a BLAST we had!!! Jack had his first birthday party this weekend at Brecksville Rec Center! We want to send a big THANK YOU to Uncle Andy and Aunt Linda for getting us the room! It was absolutely perfect.

Jack (and Ellie...and Mommy) all were under the weather this past week and it was a tough week to get through but the preparations and dealing with the colds was all worth it in the end.

The party started with some good eats from Stancatos and Antonios! After we ate we had the kids take turns with the pinata. Yes, we used Grandma Mare's cane to hold it up and Ellie's play golf club to whack at it. It was a success!! The kids sure LOVED the candy after Dave ripped it open. We then sang to Jack who wasn't interested in his cake - but later I found Ellie sticking her fingers in his smash cake. We bought the cake from Giant Eagle and the lady there did a fabulous job following the sports theme.

Jack received so many wonderful gifts. We are truly blessed with all the friends and family we have. We thank everyone for the love that was shared at his party ;o)

I have to get back to things now......we are at Kalahari.....which I will update on soon!!!!!!

The Big ONE!!!

Jack is finally one! I no longer have a toddler and a baby - I have two VERY active toddlers!! Jack is getting better and better walking every day. He is a very daring little guy. He loves to play and get into trouble - especially in his big sister's room. It's so fun to watch them interact. Last night in the bathtub Ellie kept pouring water over Jack's head and he laughed and would splash her back. I can't wait to see them play together at Kalahari next week!

We gave Jack a cupcake on his birthday - even though his party is still a week away we just had to practice! Dave blew out his candle and Jack cried!! I hope he doesn't react that way next week!!! It will probably be a little overwhelming for him to see all these people singing and smiling at him but I'm sure Ellie will LOVE to help him out! I took the picture below after he settled down and realized what he was missing!!!

I thank God every day for my two blessings Dave and I are very, very lucky to have two such wonderful kids!!!

Steps and Big girl bed!

Jack is unofficially walking! He has been taking steps here and there. I got him to take 4 the other day! I have no clue what we will do with 2 mobile kids! The countdown for Jack's birthday and party is on!! I can't believe my baby will be ONE next weekend! WOW! Time is flying in our happy little world but we are all enjoying every single minute.

We found Ellie a big girl bed! Well - its a twin bed in our world but its a big girl bed in hers. She will be so excited once we have it up! Found the cutest headboard and sitting bench for her room on Craig's List and saved a ton of money too! Dave and I are heading out today to find her mattresses and hopefully she can sleep in it tonight ;o) We even stopped at K-mart and I found the Dora bedding on sale too! Can't wait to post pictures soon!

As for Dave and I we are doing good too!! Dave is working, working, working but it isn't is as bad as either of us thought with him at the Clinic and Metro. We have so many people in our lives to be thankful for helping us out. In January we should start a pretty consistent schedule which may make things a bit easier to plan. We don't have a lot of time together but we know what we are doing right now will benefit us in the long run.

I actually figured out how to use my sewing machine! There is one stitch on it that does not work and of course its the one I need. I have taken on my family's tradition (the Srokas - my Mom's family) of making Christmas stockings. Each and every one of my aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids have the same one! My Grandmother made them until she passed away and my Aunt Jean (who we all miss very much) took over then. Now it is my turn and as nervous as I was/am to do it I have enjoyed it so far. After the stockings are done I might try something else!

Spooky Fun!

Well a week has passed by and what a fun week we all had!!!! We had so many fun things to do! Last week we prepared for our dance class Halloween party, our playgroup Halloween party and the big day itself - Halloween!!!
Thursday night was Ellie's dance class Halloween party and although she was confused since the big kids were with them in the big dance room she warmed up at the very end when it was time for treats! It's neat seeing the girls (Olivia, Hailey and Ellie) grow up together at dance class! There is a rhyme the girls do called "Sticky, sticky, bubblegum" and it sticks in your brain! Lori told me last week she caught Ellie trying to teach it to Sophia!!! So cute!!!
Friday night we had our playgroup party at Evan's house! We had such a great time!!! All the kids dressed up, ate pizza & treats and did a pumpkin craft. April (Evan's Mommy) knows how to throw a party!! The treat bags were amazing - especially the Dora paper!
Saturday we went back to Evans to play for a bit then that evening we went with the Moats Family to the Carlisle Reservation out in Lorain County. There is a fun Halloween (family friendly) trail to walk, cars to ride on and games to play. We took a hayride with all the kids through a lighted up path. There is also a lagoon filled with carved pumpkins! It was awesome and everyone had a good time.
Sunday we had a mini get together with our best friends!!! Kim & Rob along with the Moats' came to have Halloween Tricks and Treats!!! Ellie dressed up as the gnome and Jack was Shrek and we all got to go trick or treating. It was a bit chilly but the kids were really good and got lots and lots of candy!
So today I came home from work and took down our Halloween decor and prepared for Turkey Day with decorations! Scarecrows, pumpkins and pilgrims fill our home now. We have 3 more weeks of work until our vacation! Kalahari for 2 nights!! We can't wait!!
We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween and for more pictures please check out my Facebook page!!!