Sew Fun!

This weekend, the whole family worked together to create some fun book slings for Noah's room!

We had found an awesome tutorial (http://pennycarnival.typepad.com/penny_carnival/2009/02/tutorial-hanging-book-display.html) and figured if we all use our individual talents, then these would be easy.

Now usually our projects run into at least a few snags along the way, and we have to tweak our expectations a bit when it comes to that "easy" part. But in this case, easy held true!

Noah enjoyed picking his fabric, and even though it might not be what I would pick from a design perspective, he loves his choice.  When it was time to sew, both Audrey and Noah were mesmerized by the sewing machine.  Noah loved helping me thread the machine and even helped pin the fabric.

Once the fabric portion of the slings were finished, it was time for Dave and Noah to take over with the installation.  A quick trip to Lowes for the hardware and dowel rods was quite the delight for the kids, as they love the giant blue car carts with the steering wheels. 

With some drilling, screwing and a bit of painting on the ends of the dowel rods, Noah now has three awesome book slings.  Even Audrey helped when it was time to fill them up with Noah's favorite books!

And now we know how much the kids like to sew, so we have to plan some new projects! Don't be surprised if every kid we knew gets some book slings for their birthday :-)

Takes up much less space than a traditional book case, and increases children's interest in books since they
 can see the cover instead of just the spine! (And someday we will put pictures in his frames. I promise!)

Young McDonald

Noah feeds  his favorite goat!

 What began as a dreary week, quickly changed to a bright and sunny Tuesday, and the Lewis Bunch (minus Daddy), headed to Springton Manor Farm Park with our MOPS group!

We arrived about 20 minutes early, as were weren't sure how long it would take to get there.  We got out of the car to get the lay of the land.  As per usual, Noah takes a little bit to warm up to people and animals, so we spent a lot of time just watching the sheep and goats in the outdoor pen.  By the time the rest of our friends showed up, Noah was ready to roll!

We began by seeing our now buddies, the goats and the sheep.  A little girl that was not a part of our group, informed us that the goats would eat the buttercups and dandelions.  Then the hunt began.  Noah was off to find as many as he could.  He wouldn't pet the animals, but he did tentatively stick his hand out to offer a curious baby goat a sprig of buttercup.  After waving its tongue in the air a few times, much to the delight of Audrey who then followed suit, the goat gobbled it up!  And continued to do so for the next 10 minutes.

Big Pig and her babies

We then went into the Barn to find a BIG mama pig and her babies.  There had been two piglets set off to the side.  One was the runt of the litter and the other was healing as it had been stepped on by it's large-and-in-charge mama!  I immediately felt better about my parenting skills!

Noah loved the chicks!

We got to see baby chicks (Noah's favorite), some bunnies (Audrey's favorite), a peacock and hens and were even able to add stamps to our "Animal Passport" along the way.  What a fun activity for the kids to do!

Though not a part of the traditional tour, I am sure, Noah found a barn with some tractors and insisted on checking them out.

The horses weren't that interesting to Noah, as they
were housed near the tractors.

The day ended with a picnic in the sun and a walk down to their beautiful pond.  All in all, a really fun day for the kids and the moms!

Noah adored the tractors, of course!

Awesome climbing tree!

Even sister got in on the action.

Oopsie!  Didn't see this until the end!

It's OK, Mommy

Today, Noah and I had a very sweet moment that I hope I remember for the rest of my life.

Noah enjoys sitting with me and looking at pictures on facebook.  Since I am normally looking at pictures that my friends have posted of their kids, it is a great chance for him to see his friends.

On Monday, a friend of mine from college passed away after a terrible car accident.  We weren't close by any means, but we shared a ton of mutual friends and had many interactions.  So many of my friends had posted pictures of themselves and Emily on facebook in a sort of tribute.

One particular picture, posted by a friend Nicole, made me tear up a bit and pause to think.  Noah takes my hand in his and asks if I am sad.  I told him that yes, I was sad.  He asked why. I told him that a friend had died.

Now Noah has no experience with death. I think he has maybe heard the word less than 10 times in his life, as it doesn't usually come up on Curious George or in Charlie Brown holiday specials. So we haven't given him any verbiage about death.

Noah looks into my eyes, pats my hand, and tells me, " It's OK, Mommy.  She is just going home."  He said it with such sincerity, with such a genuine and peaceful look in his eyes.  I have no idea where he got that from.  The conviction in his eyes and the tenderness in his hand gave me goosebumps and a feeling of peace washed over me and I knew that my 3 year old son has a sense of God in his heart and head.  I pray with all of my being, that that intimate connection with God remains with Noah his entire life. 

We will all deal with death many times in our lives, unfortunately.  I truly hope that through each time, we can believe with such conviction that it is indeed OK, and that person is just going home.

Easter: Take 2

Noah rides the Easter train with Grammy

Since we were super busy the week before Easter and we were on the road for most of Easter Sunday, we decided to postpone Easter until the following weekend so we could all be in the right mindset to enjoy the meaningful things about Easter, as well as the silly things, too. 

So before the "real" Easter, Noah took a trip to my old stomping grounds and rode the Easter train at the mall in Greensburg with Grammy.  We also got to attend Mommy's old church and spend the morning with Noah and Audrey's great grandparents opening baskets and eating a piece of chocolate or twelve.

Coloring of the Easter Eggs

Then when we got back home, we started prep. for Easter 2.  Each day we did at least 1 fun Easter activity. On Monday, we used some awesome Easter stickers to tell the story. So Noah and Audrey created their own pictures, complete with the cross, Mary, Jesus, the tomb and stone, etc.  On Tuesday, we painted Easter eggs and even found the old-school wraps that shrink up around the eggs.  Noah was quite intrigued by their shrinking (looks like Shrinky Dinks might be in his future!). 

Wednesday's lunch was split up and tucked inside Easter eggs. Noah and Audrey then had to find the eggs hidden throughout the house!  We hid grapes, chicken nuggets and peas.  They both ate everything out of those eggs! Had I known, I would have slipped in some brussel sprouts or something!

We planted our jelly beans!

On Easter Eve, we spent some time with family and then came home to plant some magic jelly beans!  Noah was thrilled to go out and check the next morning to see what had grown. Miraculously, 2 lollipops had popped out of the ground waiting to be plucked and enjoyed.  Since Mommy and Noah aren't a fan of jelly beans, it was a great way to use them up.

She enjoyed playing with the Easter ham more than her Easter basket.

We did the traditional find the basket and eggs on Easter morning after church.  Audrey was more interested in the ham for dinner than her basket, but she finally caught on when she noticed the chocolate lollipop.

All in all a great 2 weeks of Easter for us.  Someday, the kids will be old enough to know that Easter falls on a particular day, but until then, we plan to stretch out as many holidays as we can!

Grammy and Noah visit the Train Store in Greensburg

Audrey finally got into Easter when she discovered her lollipop.

Audrey learns shapes with her great grandfather.

4 generations of strong, beautiful women :-)

She certainly likes her food!

Noah checks to see what might be growing!

It's an Easter Miracle!  And it was raining on Easter morning, so the lollipops were still wrapped. What a practical Easter Bunny!

A Very Lewis Easter Egg Hunt

This year, we have been pretty bad about the Easter preparations.  With work, birthdays, then a trip planned to Greensburg, things get pretty darn busy.   We wanted to go to Easter Egg hunts, but they just never happen.  Weekends are jam packed and always seem to fly too quickly.

We wanted to do one at home, but it is hard when Dave doesn't usually get home until after dark.  No fun hunting for eggs you can't see.

So, thanks to Pinterest, we found our solution! A Glow In The Dark Easter Egg Hunt!

We let Noah stay up a bit late and let him go hunt for eggs in the dark!  Who knew some glow stick type earrings and some plastic eggs could be so much fun for a 3 year old? Sometimes it stinks that Daddy works such late hours, but it also forces us to be creative and have a lot of fun in the process! 

Oh, and our neighbors thought we were crazy, I have no doubt.  Oh well :-)

Noah Turns 3!

Noah, George and the birthday donut

On Wednesday, April 4, Noah celebrated his 3rd birthday!  Since it was a mere 3 days after his big party, he was still in the birthday mood that Monday and Tuesday, too.  In short, we pretty much celebrated his birthday week!

His super special third birthday started out with a chocolate donut.  He loves the phrase, "I'm hungry."  Then usually adds, "for chocolate," "for donuts," or "for marshmallows."  So Daddy surprised him with the requested donut.   He also got to open 1 of his presents in the morning before Daddy headed off to work.  A giant Curious George stuffed animal.  He and George were inseparable all day (and everyday since).

Once Daddy was out the door, so were the rest of the gang.  We headed to Monkey Joe's for some birthday jumping.  We had been there for Noah's 2nd birthday and several times since, and he was always very timid.  Apparently he had some birthday confidence and was making friends with everyone he met, and was jumping and sliding by himself. George, of course, also jumped.  As soon as we left, Noah informed me that he missed Monkey Joe's and thought we should head back after our nap.

Noah chose his favorite lunch. Milkshake and fries.  Luckily, I had pumped him full of fruit and cheese and crackers while he was jumping, or else his whole day might have been devoid of nutrition of any kind.

Noah, George, Daddy and the Cupcake Truck!

Once lunch and naps were over, we were in the car once again to meet Dave at work with a special surprise.  The Cupcake Truck!  Dia Doce is a local gourmet cupcakery in mobile form.  They recently won the show Cupcake Wars and have become a semi-regular visitor to SEI.  We love days when Daddy brings home cupcakes, but it was super special to go and see Daddy and eat cupcakes from the big truck.  Noah was in heaven.  He and Daddy shared a stout cupcake outside in the sun and Noah picked a lemon lavendar cupcake to take home for later that night.

Noah also got to pick his favorite dinner.  Ham, Cars macaroni and cheese, and peas.  We picnicked outside in the backyard and ran around until it was time for more cupcakes. (Note:  Noah only ever eats a half cupcake max at a time, so please don't think we let him eat way too much cake.  But even if we would have, we are A-ok with it for one day!).

Noah's favorite part of the birthday festivities may be the singing!

Noah got to open his presents, a book entitled Curious George Flies A Kite and his very own angry birds kite.  We had some twilight kite flying and then it was time for bed.

All in all, a pretty awesome 3 year old birthday if we do say so ourselves!
Happy Birthday, Noah!!

He blew out all the candles.

Waiting for us to sing again!

Noah, George and the kite book.

Noah opens his new kite

Late night kite flying

Sister is quite a fan of the cupcake truck, too!

A Very Happy Caterpillar Birthday!

Wall banners

After waiting for what seems like forever, Noah and Audrey's Very Hungry Caterpillar party came and went in the blink of an eye.  It seems rather appropriate considering their childhood will probably do the same.

Caterpillar on canvas

We were so thrilled to have all of the original Lewis 5 here for the party.  They came from OH, PGH and NJ to help Noah and Audrey celebrate their big days. Grandma and Grandpa Lewis came in too, as did Grammy.  Also gracing us with her presence was N&A's great, great Aunt Barbara.  We realize that not only are N&A lucky enough to have 2 great grandparents that adore them,  they also have a great, great aunt who will smother them with love whenever she gets the chance!  How lucky are they!?  Then some of our dearest friends in the area were also able to make it despite crazy schedules.  In short, the company was fantastic and in typical party fashion, we didn't get to spend enough time with anyone. 

Caterpillar Birthday Banner

Audrey is in the prime of her Stranger Danger phase, so that made for a clingy little darling. It didn't help that her top tooth broke through her gums the very next day.  She was Mommy's snuggly shadow for the day.  Even though she didn't get to show her winning personality much, Mommy never minds the extra snuggles.  There will be a day (in about 3 lbs!), that I will not be able to carry her all day, so I will take it while I can.

Butterfly Canvas

Noah loved playing with his cousins and friends, and showing off his downstairs play area, including his prized train collection.  Since we weren't downstairs with him very often, we just hope he shared!  Noah also loved getting the chance to interact with adults.  He is very comfortable going up to an adult and having a full conversation, and he certainly got to do just that during his party.

We are so thankful for all who were able to come out to the party!  We are also very appreciative of Mrs. SaraH for helping with amazing graphic design for our theme, Mrs. Faith for her fantastic cupcakes and that delectable melt-in-your-mouth butter cream, and Mrs. Hannah for helping us out with decorations!

All in all, it was a lovely and very memorable party!  It was a perfect theme for a semi-healthy toddler party and totally gender neutral.  We are certain that next year's theme might be a bit tougher to come up with, but we are excited to start planning the next Little Lewis Birthday Bash!

Noah and his Lewis Grandparents making the base for the cupcakes. What a fun art project for them to do together!

Our lantern caterpillar who just may live in our dining room forever.  

Adopt a Caterpillar Favor Basket

 

Caterpillar Cookie Favors

Caterpillar Food (yes, we know the Caterpillar didn't eat ChikFilA nuggets, but he would have if they had been available. We are certain of that!)

Food Detail

Caterpillar Cake Pops (Noah had a blast making these guys!)

Audrey's Caterpillar Smash Cake

Caterpillar Cupcakes

Noah loved everyone singing to him.  He loved it so much, we had to do it about 12 times!

Noah enjoying his cake. He insisted on the head.

Audrey was timid about the cake, which was surprising considering her normally voracious appetite. 

This was the messiest she got!  Mommy is not complaining!