Winter Days

What a mild winter we have had this season. Only 1 big snowfall, which the snow melted in 2 days. But now it's in the 40-50s and sunny the whole month of January. As you may know, you can be outside in Colorado when the sun is out because it's so intense, you tend to stay warm. I need to remember to put sunscreen on every time too. My boys love it and we are outside almost everyday playing in the sandbox, riding bikes, kicking the soccer ball, or play at parks...just like we do in the summer time. Here are a few photos of us enjoying these fabulous Colorado winter days.

Silas is at the age where he wants to do everything his big brother, Jonas, is doing. He will try anything, even slide down face first into the slide.

Cool Big Brother!

Last Monday was a free day at the Denver Zoo. So we bundled up at 9am to get there before the crowd and walked around the whole facility. Every week we have a theme to read and study a little bit about and this week was Polar Bears. What a perfect wayto discover about Polar Bears...the zoo. So we stood for a long time and enjoyed the beautiful polar bear on the shipwreck. Jonas kept asking "who wrecked the ship?" He couldn't comprehend that it was there for visual effect.

Jonas and Daddy riding bikes. This is a weekly tradition. We meet dad when he rides home from work. Jonas said to Matt "someday I want pedals on my orange bike and ride like you, daddy" I think it's someday soon. He loves to bike...go figure, huh? Every little rock, branch, or old crunchy snow, he rides over it and says "fun times".

Jonas sayings

We were having some kiwi for snack the other day and I asked Jonas what letter does kiwi start with? Without a second, he answered "K says 'k' just like 'k' for kangaroo". WOW! He really is getting his letter sounds down already and he just turned 3!

We walked to a park while Jonas rode his strider bike and passed a soccer field. He told us "that's where we played soccer and you kicked the ball really high, Dad!" Now you need to know that we haven't been at that park or played soccer since Silas was 5 months old...nearly a year ago. WOW...again!

We were playing with a hammer and nails and Jonas remembered that Eli used a certain hammer and hammered the nails a certain way. Jonas said "hey mom, Eli hammered like this". We haven't seen Eli since last July.

I took Jonas to the Children's museum last week and on the way we passed the Aquarium. Jonas pointed at the building and said "we went there with Aunt Mo". Aunt Mo took Jonas to the aquarium a year ago in December. How can he remember that? He was 23 months old?

My favorite quotes Jonas says is "what you doing, mom?" and "you are in my heart"

Jonas was pretending to build a house with his tools. I asked him what his house is made out of? He replied "out of bricks cuz I don't want the big bad wolf to blow it down."

These are the precious moments I do not want to forget ever!

Pacifier is gone!

Our little "sweet pea" is growing up! We decided at his 3rd birthday, the pacifier needs to go. This is a huge milestone for him. When he was younger, we used the pacifier as a plug whenever he was fussy, screaming, or needed to be soothed. Then we went from just having it at nap and night time. Now's it's gone.

We told him that he could go to a toy store and pick out anything he wants for the cost of the pacifier. Sunday night was the night...Jonas tucked his only pacifier in his jean pocket and we were off to the store. He roamed for 1 hour looking at every aisle and after calculating in his mind the best toy out there for the price of his pacifier, he picked out a remote control track backhoe. Before we got to the counter, I had told the sales associate our whimsical plan(in which she told her whole team, so they applauded him out the door) and slipped our credit card to pay for the backhoe. Jonas stepped up to the counter and knew exactly what he needed to do...paid with his pacifier. There was a sense of excitement and fear within him all at the same time during this transaction.

But he did it! And we are so proud of him!

Jonas was thrilled to own such a massive machinery. 8:30pm came around and he said "Backhoe is done for the day and we both need to sleep". Matt and I were hesitating this moment to put him down for the night. But he called it and we did our little bedtime routine. He climbed into bed and laid there looking all around thinking(I'm sure about his pacifier). Typically, he rolls over, turns his music on and tells us to get off his bed. :) Well, not this time. He looked up at us and tears started to well up and said "I'm sad". Matt and I cuddled with him for the next hour singing and praying for him. He eventually fell asleep but woke up looking for his pacifier 3 times in the night. It's so tough on Matt and I emotionally as well. It's so tough watching your kid sad. But it's life and we need to move on. I think Jonas will survive during this time but pacifier withdrawals might come and go for awhile.

Here's Jonas at 15 months old(same age as Silas right now). He has loved his pacifier and Roo for so long. Luckily, he has Roo still...we will never tell him to give that up.

Nap time today was 4 hours long. YEAH! He is still on the same track...wants to nap and sleeps a really long time.

We love you so much Jonas! You are such an amazing and brilliant boy! You will be capable of accomplishing many feats in life.

January birthday celebrations with Heltons

We celebrated Jonas, his Grandmom, and his Aunt Mo's birthday last Saturday night. We had a ball! Lots of yummy food, football, presents(it felt like Christmas all over again), and great company.

Jonas, Silas, and their Uncles...they are funny guys!

Jonas received an Elmo camera, lots of books, USA map puzzle, stuffed Tigger, Rockies hat and passel of love from his Aunts/Uncles, Grandmom/Grandad and Susan/Bob(parents of Aunt Mo and Aunt Merri).

Nancy(Grandmom) and Silas snuggling together and watching the birthday festivites.

We ended the night with delicious dessert from Auntie Susan and Uncle Bob.

Nancy emailed me this morning about the things she loved about our party/Jonas & Silas. I wanted to share them with you:

When we started putting out the before dinner snacks, Jonas pulled out the stool and climbed right up to the counter. His chip of choice is Cheetos. When you told him to choose more than just chips, he immediately picked up a carrot and a piece of broccoli. He dipped the broccoli in the dip and put a huge bite in his mouth and coughed. The dip had too much dill seasoning and needed more yogurt to make it edible. He didn't say "yuck" or "this is terrible." He just said very calmly, "I need some water to drink." What a sweet little boy he is.

I sat at his table during dinner and he talked about the signs on the wall above his table. He ate a good meal, especially after eating all the before dinner things. Then he said, "I'm finished now," and he bused his plate. Dang! He looked at each of his gifts as he opened them and was thankful for each gift. He enjoyed the gifts that were for him and never was concerned about other gifts being for other people. He is just a very special and good little boy.

One of my favorite parts of the evening is when you scooped up Silas and placed him in my lap. He was so comfortable and content. He just snuggled in and I loved it! :) He is a special little boy too, and so happy. He was tired and didn't make a peep when you put him to bed, even with all the people there.

Last days in the snow!

Since our last snowfall(few days ago), it's been warm and sunny. The snow is melting fast. So we have been outside in it as much as we can.

First we played basketball with snowballs. Jonas really enjoyed that.

Silas sitting on our half body snowman.

When Dad arrived home, he helped us complete "Paulie" the snowman. Jonas named him. This afternoon his carrot nose was gone. Jonas said "should we put another carrot on him?" Instead, we eat carrots and almond butter for snack.

Sledding at a near by park with his buddies. As you can see, the snow is melting quick. Very sparse!

Giddy up! Silas can't move much in the snow, so riding the horse was fun for him.

At night, we made a snowman out of cotton balls and glitter. Jonas requested, "Mom, don't put this snowman outside, it might melt."

One more saying from Jonas...we were reading a book about a duck being president. I asked him who is our President? He replied, "Santa!" Oh the things Jonas thinks!:)

Snowy days!

We are finally getting snow that is sticking to the ground for more than 24 hours. It's been a few weeks of really cold weather, lows at night have been 3 degrees and highs during the day of 15 degrees. But we live in Colorado, the sun is always out and shining on us. So it feels more warm than that. Tomorrow will be 50 degrees...so sad! We are praying for snowy days this year.

Jonas is such a trooper when it comes to shoveling. He loves to shovel for hours with Dad. He finally took a rest to smile for the camera.

My beautiful boy! Red rosy cheeks and having fun.

Silas has not fussed once being in the snow. He loves it! He knows if he falls down, it will be tough for him to get back up(with all the snow attire), so he manages to stay upright. Creating balance!

Snack time after playing in the snow. Silas is hilarious! He instigated the apple in his mouth and started giggling. So Matt chimed in with him.

Monday, Jonas' best buddy Asher came over for the morning while his parents went to the hospital to have his baby brother. I sent them outside in the snow with spray bottles of colored water. They enjoyed being artistic and creative!

Jonas' 3rd year doctor's appt.

Jonas weighed in at 32 lb(53%). That means he gained 3 lbs in 1 year. Wild! Height is 3'2"(55%). Well proportioned boy! He also received a booster shot for Pneumococcal conjugated vaccine and it hurt him. First time he ever cried over a shot. He kept asking me "why did the nurse give me hurt?" His ASQ score is above the cutoff and he seems to be on schedule with development in all areas...communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social.

In any rate, we love him no matter what!!!

My New Year's Baby has turned 3

Happy 3rd Birthday Jonas! What a fantastic birthday! Jonas is at that age now where he understands the celebratory of his birthday and how important he is to us.

Started off with chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs...his request.

Then opened his first present.

More tractors! Jonas exclaims,"oh cool...these are John Deere tractors."

Time to get dressed and head to Jumpstreet, a gym with over 100 trampolines from wall to wall and kids jump for an hour. Jonas decided to start now and jump on the bed, he was so excited! Well, we drove down and they were closed for the holiday. We were all very sad but we had a Plan B...BOWLING!

Bowling for the first time was a blast and loved it. Jonas invited 1 friend, his best buddy, Asher.

They had lighter bowling balls, bumpers, and a ramp to help them roll it down the lane. What a brilliant idea.

He was very patient and made sure the bar was up and the pins were down before he threw the ball. He loved the game.

Silas was able to bowl for the first time too.

The adults had our own lane to bowl too. Matt was a rock star and enjoyed throwing lots of strikes.

First time playing video car games at the bowling alley too. Jonas was biting his bottom lip to help him concentrate, just like his Grandmom.

Back home we baked and decorated the birthday cake together. Jonas said "I want to stir with a spatula." I enjoy talking with Jonas in the kitchen. It's so adorable the way he says things and how excited he gets to communicate with us.

Matt made this birthday party hat for Jonas to wear. IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND TODAY I'M KING:)

We devoured homemade pizza and juice boxes.

Jonas blowing out the candles in 1 breath. Nice lungs little squirt!

Chocolate Almond cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese frosting...delicious!

Jonas took the gas tank to eat.

And enjoyed showing off his black tongue.

Silas was able to lick my plate to enjoy a little taste.

The night was coming to an end and I asked Jonas what his favorite thing about today was. He said, "being with my friends and family". Next we talked about how this is a new year and asked him if he wanted to do something new this year. He responded, "go to preschool". OMG! I can't believe my little sweet pea is growing up. We are considering preschool for the fall. I think he is ready...but are we?:)