Snowballs, Pic 4 & 5

The kids had so much fun in Flagstaff last weekend, they are still talking about it.  I am having fun playing around with the pictures I took and found some fun overlays online.  FREE of course, that makes them more fun!
Since we got to see some good, sticky, snowball and snowman building snow, I got some good, posed pictures.
Hayden is first with his "huge" snowball:

And Miss Maya with her "giant" snowball.

Handsome Hayden in the Snow, Pic 3

I'm ahead of myself on my little photo "game".  Woot!
The kids and I headed up the mountain to spend a couple days in Flagstaff with my brother and his family.  It was nice to get away from the Valley and see a little snow.  We saw more snow in Flagstaff than we did the entire time we were in Minnesota for Christmas.  A smidge confusing for the kids.

Hayden begged to play outside in the backyard, so we bundled up and both kids had a blast.  It is tough to get a good picture of Hayden at this age.  He either makes too goofy a smile, wants nothing to do with a photo or has a good smile/look and moves before the pic is snapped.  I finally got a really good one of him:

Before

After

I know, not tons of difference, but I like it.  =)

Pic 2: Again with the helmet

Picture Numbe 2:
Maya strikes this pose pretty much everyday she plays out front.  She gets irritated with Hayden for not letting her lead.  Or win.  Or he goes too fast.  Or she just needs to show a little drama.  She doesn't really throw a fit, she just plops down on the curb ad pouts for a few minutes.

Before

After

Just a little overlay to this one.  It didn't need much.  =)

Playing with Pictures

I love taking pictures and playing in Photoshop with them.  I don't have the major Photoshop, just the itty bitty one.  But, I found a great website with FREE textures and backgrounds, so I am playing it up!

I am going to try and make it a goal to at least post 1 photo a week, but hope for more.  So, here is the first of at least 52. 

The before:  Buddy took this, so I can't take the credit there.  But I just loved her little face! 

And the After:

Merry Christhmath!

Yes, I spelled that right!  There was lots of wiggling in the past few months and the main event finally took place on Christmas Day:  Hayden lost his first tooth!  He has been waiting actually patiently for this day to come.  Pointing out his loose tooth every other day or so.  While packing for our trip to Minnesota he suggested we pack up his tooth pillow he got last month.  I figured that would be fine, it doesn't weigh anything.  We forgot it!  So, the tooth is now safely tucked in Mom's wallet ready for the trip back home to Arizona to be placed carefully in his tooth pillow for the Tooth Fairy to officially pay him a visit! 

What does the Tooth Fairy bring nowadays?!

Merry Christmas from The Blattner's

From our little clan to yours, big or small,

Merry Christmas!

Santa came early!!

Santa came to our house last night!!  He left a note for the kids and some fun stuff downstairs for them.  Hayden spotted this note hanging from a ribbon on the stairs.  Pretty cool that Santa makes special deliveries for kids who will be away from their homes for Christmas.  And they both got exactly what they wanted, a remote control Corvette for Hayden and a bike for Maya!  We think Frank, our Shelf Elf, must have had a little something to do with it...

You can click the picture to read it better.  =)

 

All in the Family

Family pictures were so fun this year!  Not only did we have the four of us, but we had my parents and my brother and his family as well.  3 kids, ages 6, 3 and 1 and we got lots of fantastic shots.  I even got a couch in this time!  I've always wanted a couch in family pictures.  Don't ask why, it's just because.  So many fab pictures it was hard to choose, these are just a few of my favorites.

Just the four of us.

Our Miss Maya, striking a pose

Our Handsome Hayden.  Like the tie?  I made that!!  =)

Jenn and Bud, eleven years and many more to come.



The Wagemaker family of four.  It's been a long time since it's been just us four in a picture.  199?



The entire Wagemaker family.  I know it's not huge, but we like it this way.  =)



My babies.  I LOVE this picture, it may be my favorite out of the lot of them.  I can hear Maya's laughter when I see this and the love for his sister coming from Hayden.  These expressions are ones I see alot and I am so glad they have been captured.

Me and Miss

Daddy and the Dude

Hayden's Kindergarten Picture, A Mystery

Hayden had his first school picture taken sometime back in September.  He wore a dark grey polo with white stripes. 
In mid-October, he brought home the folder with the picture to be approved and a package to be ordered.  I must say, holy fricking expensive for even the cheapest package!  I digress.  I chose to order just the CD so I could print them.  Picture was fine, not "Oh my gosh this is the best picture ever", but it was good.  It was his first school picture, so a little sentimental.  I sent it back to school with him the day they were to be returned.
On Wednesday, Hayden came home with the disc.  The disc with this picture:

Um...I didn't fill out the part for a retake, I didn't pay for a retake.  I know what he was wearing on picture day and I know that this picture was not from picture day.  It was from Orange and Black day the week before Halloween.  

I am very confused, but okay with it.  This is a better picture!



The Happy Gas

Last week I took the kids to the dentist.  H is a pro, does great, sits there and lets them do their thing.  The last two times I have brought Maya, she had to sit on my lap.  I was a little nervous about this visit with her too, she HATES us having to brush her teeth and insists on doing it herself. 
Well, she hopped on that chair like she's been doing it for years.  The dentist got her work done, the teeth were cleaned and checked.  Then, the moment of truth, the words I figured were coming, "She has two cavities.  One that needs filling as soon as possible, the other is small, but we will get them at the same time."  Crap.  Not something I was looking forward to with a 3 year old. 
Two days ago we got them filled.  I couldn't believe this girl.  She walked in like she owned the place, plopped herself on the chair and opened her mouth (before it needed to be.)  Her dentist asked her what she was for Halloween, was she a princess?  Maya said no, Batgirl.  From then on, she needed to be called Batgirl.  Dr. Cotton said, "Okay princess, we are going to put a mask on you."  Maya said, "I'm Batgirl."  Okay, Batgirl got a nose mask on that she took deep breaths from. The dentist said, "You're doing good pretty girl, keep taking those deep breaths."  Maya said, "I'm not pretty girl, I'm Batgirl."  Dr. Cotton didn't slip up as much after that.
Then, the gas kicked in and the work began.  I sat in the hall looking through the glass doors watching.  Batgirl opened her mouth with ease, didn't utter a shrill for pain, didn't fight off the mask, let all the hoses and tools in to do their things.
Halfway through, Batgirl got chatty.  Here are a few things I heard her say:
I like your glasses.  They have pretty pink sparkle.  (As she reaches up and touches them.)
I have Twinkle Toes.
My Mommy painted my fingernails black.  I was Batgirl, so they were black.

There was other chatting going on, but out of my earshot.  I am just so thankful she did so good.  Dr. Cotton said not many 3 year olds sit that still and some have to come back to finish.  Batgirl's whole procedure lasted 20 minutes and she was in no pain at any point.  She was a little loopy and walked a little drunkenly for a few minutes, but all in all it was a pleasent experience getting two cavities filled.
She lets us brush her teeth now.  With only a little fight.

Trick or Treat!

This was the first time I took the kids door to door.  I'm usually the one handing out candy, but this year I wanted in on the action. 

The Green Lantern, Batgirl and I ventured off for some fun about 6:15.  It was so neat watching Maya so excited strutting around in her costume.  Hayden is a pro, stands behind the mat or far back enough from the door where he knows he won't get nailed by it.  Maya pretty much enters the house upon the door opening. 

We just did a little loop around the neighborhood.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunate) there were alot of dark doorways.  The kids took turns ringing bells, they both said "Trick or Treat" perfectly, and a couple houses gave them a handful (I mean huge man-handfuls). A couple houses scared the begeezus out of Hayden with their decor and music that he wouldn't go more than 15 feet from the door, but Maya went right on up ready for her goodies. One house even had a pretty scary Teen Wolf that scared her when she turned from the bowl.  She jumped back, turned and looked at me and said, "Mom, that guy scared me."  She definitely takes after Dad in that regard.  

Daddy also took them to some more houses when we finished or loop.  Then we sat and handed candy out as a family from the driveway.  It was a fun night, both kids got their sugar high and then conked out when their heads hit pillows.  

 Yes, the ring gave him power!!  You didn't lift his bag!  =)

 On her turn to ring the bell, she knocked too.  She needs to be heard.

Ready to pack it in.  Happy Halloween!! 

It's Over

Babyhood in our house, that is.  Tuesday marked the two week, well, mark for no diapers for Little Miss M.  Well, we still have protection at night, but for during the day it's a HUGE deal!  It took a long time, it seemed, for Maya to finally "get it" and want to be a potty kind of girl. 

So, it's kinda sad.  We have no plans for baby 3.  I re-did our headboard last week and in moving the bed I found 2 NUK's that had fallen behind.  I think babies look cute sucking on those things.  Not happening anymore here.  There are no more bottles to wash, NUK's to locate, swings to be a focal point in the living room, high chairs to clean, strollers with infant seats attached, or little baby baths to give. 

*Sigh*  I don't really like endings.  But I guess this is a good one.

It's a good day!

On Monday, Hayden handed me a yellow postcard from school inviting me to an Awards Ceremony today. I got a little excited! It seemed like something that not everyone's parents were invited and it was pretty cool.

Today, Maya and I went to Hayden's school and waited patiently for the assembly to start. K-2 grades were brought in and each teacher was called one at a time to hand out awards for her (they were all female) class. When Hayden's teacher was called, our attention was focused. The principal did the announcing and Hayden's name was called for the second award of the class. Student of the Month for September!!! Yay-ya!

He received a certificate (see picture) and a certificate for McDonald's. Also included was a write up from his teacher of why Hayden received this award:

"I am pleased to nominate Hayden Blattner for my September student of the month. Hayden is a very hard worker. Hayden has made great friends in class, and is alway willing to help others out. I can always count on Hayden to think of others before himself. He always puts forth his best effort. Hayden is a model student and I am so pleased to have him in my class this year. I can't wait to see how far he goes, because I know he is going to do more great things. Keep up the awesome work, Hayden!!"

This is a pround Momma moment. There are days when I am so frustrated with how he is at home; the way he acts, talks, and doesn't listen. Of course I know he is a good kid and is for the most part at home, yet I am so thankful to know he really is a good kid away from me.

And as a side note, Hayden stands about four inches taller than the next tallest kid in his class. =) Keep up the good work and growing, Dude!!

(I made the mistake of asking to see his award in the car and somehow he managed to dump his water on it upon returning it to him. He's going to ask his teacher for new one tomorrow.)

He's 6

In approximately 2 hours, at 9:18pm Arizona time, this little guy officially turns 6. Where is the rewind button for me to push and just hold this little babe for a minute?

Today

10 years ago today I was at my home in Payson, Arizona. I had flown back to AZ from Minnesota after being in a friends wedding the weekend prior. I woke up and turned on the Today Show as I did every morning. I just sat there in disbelief, shock and horror. I didn't know anyone involved in any part of what happened. My family was safe, my friends were safe. I couldn't believe the feelings that went through me. I could not fathom how something so horrible could happen here or anywhere. I don't understand why and no one can I don't think. We can just remember, hurt, pray, feel, grieve, and question.

All day I online and on TV there have been stories on what happened. Everyone is sad, remembering and grieving over ten years past. There was a story in the paper on the babies born that day, making it a day of celebration for many families. What I didn't see on the news, in the paper, online, was the bickering, blaming, feuding, back and forth political battles, and crap that we see everyday.

It is more saddening to think we live in a place where the only day we can all get along is a day of saddness and horror and constant grieving. One day.

God bless the USA! Today and everyday.