Hooked on Phonics!

I made the boys a dvd of phonic alphabet songs - and they love it! Gavin is singing along and dancing, and I think (gasp) learning!

I downloaded a bunch of phonics videos from youtube (search: phonics songs) and burned them to a disc. Gavin already knows his alphabet, but he doesn't know the sounds so I think this will help us on the track to reading! Jared is too little to really get it, but he is learning his letters, and like the music - plus it will make it easier to teach him in the future!

Here's the list:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saF3-f0XWAY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8uoxWwwB0Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOu-QkmInKc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyKdUpJQBTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MikSq9USQsY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR7PMx6ngjg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWEiZ0IXOj8

My only problem is that my disc burned weird and theres a big green box and the bottom of the screen... what is up with that?? 

"It was so fun riding the robot dragon!"

We went to the fair yesterday!
The boys had a blast, and the actually let Jared on a ride! We went and saw the animals, Jared touched every one he could. It was a miracle he didn't get bitten. Gavin was really excited about them, but he was more cautious, especially the horses kind of freaked him out. He did want to take a cow home however, so he must have liked it!

Then we went over to the rides, ate corn dogs, and rode more rides! We bought popcorn and then went into the circus. Jared was not happy about sitting still (he never is...) but Gavin was thrilled that he got a free thing of bubbles, and all the popcorn he could eat. We didn't stay long, but we did watch a guy ride a motorcycle on a rope which was "amazing!".
Then we got good and sticky with some snow cones and went home.
We all had a great time and saw a bunch of our friends there.

I spent the night paying for the fried bologna sandwich (it was worth it!)and making these:

Party hats! The turned out so cute! Gavin has been wearing the hat he got at Jen's birthday for days now, so I know he'll love these! Hurry up birthday party, I can't wait!

The mustache trend

Everybody's doing it!

and so are we!!

but since I refuse to buy anything I think I can make myself (and these suckers are expensive!)

I bought 8 packs of polymer clay, and molded them myself!

I baked them at about 200 for a half hour or so... according to the package

I stuck a stick in them before I baked them, and after they were done, 

I put a little glue on the end of a stick

and voila!

Blue Doilies

Is it so important that they have to be blue??
Yes!
And seeing as I couldn't find any blue paper doilies, I dyed my own - and it was worth it!

It's actually really easy!

I had an old metal pan lying around, the kind you buy for picnics and whatnot... 

Put just enough water to cover the doilies, and put a ton of food coloring in it.

I mean a ton. 

Let them soak for about 30 seconds, make sure to flip them once.

Take them out, pat dry with a paper towel, then set them out to dry

You will need at least one roll of paper towels!!!

They turned out great!

perfect!

Save the Date!

Potty Training!

For real this time, and I am not giving up! Gavin's doing so well, at first it would literally take him two hours to go, and today he goes within five minutes! I still have to remind him and make him sit on the potty, but I think that will come soon enough. I'll be so happy to have him out of diapers!
As a reward he gets a small candy, put a sticker in his cars book, and one chuckie cheese token. I said "What are you going to do with all your coins?" and Gavin replied "put em in picky pink" I laughed so hard, I'll miss his baby talk!!! He's already just saying Mom instead of Mommy, boo!
Jared is talking more too, he says "Andrea" consistently, along with "bubble". Gavin misses Jared while he naps, and give him lots of kisses!
Jared in his new sweater:

Gavin doing a Stevie Wonder impression:

Merry Christmas!!

The last few weeks have been such a blur!
We all had a wonderfully merry Christmas, and all the new toys keep the boys busy for hours! We had to take all their old toys out just to make room for all the new stuff!We spent Christmas Eve out at my mom's, as well as Christmas morning. The tree was enormous and beautiful! Hunter was there, and it was very peaceful. Danielle was in town for a few days, and we had a blast - even seeing a movie, in the theater! wow...




My birthday was two days ago, and I had a very nice day. My mom took me out to dinner, and other than the big piece of plastic in her noodles, it was pretty nice. Later, Evan, Paige, and Sean came over and we just goofed off all night by the fire. Nice!
Gavin is talking so much lately it seems I hardly get a word in. At least I have someone to talk to while David is working! Jared has added "go!" to his list of words, which are all exclamations! "wow", "yeah", and "go" are pretty much it for the time being, but that's alright, Gavin picks up his slack.
School starts on Monday, and I still don't have my books! Yikes! These next few months are going to be so hectic - but the good kind of hectic the keeps you motivated!
A pic of the younger grandkids/great grandkids: