Game Night - Settlers of Catan

When I was a kid, my parents played cards with their friends on a pretty regular basis.  When I think about it, I can still hear the laughter in the air and see the baskets of pretzels on the tables.  To be honest though, it was something I never really understood - how playing cards with friends on a Friday or Saturday night could really be all that great.  But, it's funny how when you have children, those things start to make more sense.  Because when you have children, your definition of fun and weekend plans change.  You happily exchange your adult-time-out for family-time-in.  Enter weekly Game Night.  While we only started playing games with our friends last year, it certainly feels like it has been a joyous part of our lives so much longer.  And we sure do miss it when our lives get busy and we aren't able to see each other for a while.

A big part of Game Night is what the kids do.  The girls, who were minus one this night, always love playing with toys and dolls.  Before dinner+games got under way, I got some American Girl education!  We did some searching on the new doll of the year - from ST LOUIS - who is an explorer - name Lea CLARK (hello, Lewis & Clark), and has a CAMERA.  She is calling my name!

I learned about the difference between the dolls and their specialties (like their fancy earrings) and even got to peruse a catalog.  And I also got to watch a momma and her daughter have a great connection and some sweet moments - which always warms my heart.

And pre-dinner conversation is the best: chatting and laughing and quick walk-by's of the kids.  And great memories at the kitchen table.

So, after dinner (the best Chinese in town), we played Settlers of Catan.  It is a resource-trading, road-building, luck-of-the-dice, kind of game.  My family got introduced to the game a few years ago thanks to my husband's boss.  We fell in love with it and whenever I find out people play it, it is a common bond right away!

 There are so many things about us playing this game that are important to me.  The set up (App, or no App?), who will be the kind trader, and who will be the resource holder.  There's snack sharing and kids in the kitchen and how people organize their pieces (something silly I adore) - it's all a part of the story.

And just as important is what the boys do.  Tonight, it was staging a war zone with super heroes.  This was a battle to the end!  

And then came the face swap app.  OH.  MY.  GOODNESS.  Talk about some SERIOUS laughter.  Take a look for yourself - and imagine what that screen would look like if those faces were reversed.  HILARIOUS!

When my friend saw the pictures, she said the thing she loved the most was that her husband was genuinely laughing, something I completely appreciate as a mom. What I love is that SHE was genuinely laughing.  Life gets pretty serious, and it's really nice to be able to be together when those times come.

Next up - DANCE PARTY!  It is often that there is a movie playing in the background.  And, it is also often that some sort of Disney movie is on the screen.  Along with that, there might also be singing from the moms - and maybe a note or two from the dads.  These two didn't need any help with the words though - they sure did have it all down!

As the night wore on, our game began to come to a close.  There was a little bit more of face swapping, and the kids started to wind down and even cuddle up on the couch.

It all came down to some final rolls, hail Mary buildings, silliness, and the last point card played.  But when your spouse is the winner, a pat on the back - or in this case a back scratch - is definitely the way to say great job!

A final good bye from the little one - who is still on the fence about if she can like more than one friend.  And if you get to spend game night with us, it is clear to us all that "Yily" is HER friend (although all the rest of the family sure are adored).

Until next time,

Playing in the Rain

Unlike my son turning 3, I remember my husband and son playing in the rain like it was yesterday.  Aaron was maybe 5, and as boys, they were running and screaming and laughing and kicking water at each other.  And I stood at the door, giggling and video taping the whole thing, because I didn't want to ever forget it.  So, I knew one day, with my husband's personality running through my daughter's veins, that she too would have her own day in the rain.

In the fall, we got a princess umbrella; a few months ago, we bought her new rain boots; then last week, we were blessed by a rain coat at MOPS, so it seemed to me that pictures in the rain might happen any day.  And then one day last week, we woke up to puddles on the deck and headed outside!

 While the puddles were not big, this little girl's intensity sure was.  BIG jumps in puddles and lots of walking and kicking in the water.

And reflections in puddles are a ton of fun.  And bubbles.  Bubbles are pretty awesome too.

In the end, playing in the rain was pretty fun; almost as much fun as going to the park on a sunny day.  Almost.

Until next time,

March 5-on-5: Let's Go Fly a Kite

March in the Midwest means strange weather.  From day-to-day, or even minute to minute, you can shift from sunshine to rain to snow!  So when the days and moments are lovely, you have to take advantage of them before they disappear!  And when there was some sunshine and wind together recently, my husband thought it was a great time to do a little first time kite flying.

 While getting the kite in the air is sometimes the toughest part, with an independent toddler, equally tough is getting her to let you help hold the string.  This of course leads to more getting the kite in the air times.

But it all works out and before you know it, you are up and running again.  And watching the storm clouds roll over the sunshine ...

Alright, ready to hop?!  Head on over to Sycamore Lane Photography and check out the amazing work of Jenny!!

Until next time,

Being Three

When I think back to my son turning three, my memory is pretty terrible.  I know it was a big deal, him being an official big kid, but the little details fail me.  He's probably the biggest reason I have fallen in love with photography and am documenting our life like crazy: pictures remember the little details that I know I will forget so easily.  The funny looks and important pieces of that stage of life that get swept away with all the other stuff of life, all gets remembered and held on to through photos.

And so I am remembering the magic of our days better now.  Little details like how much I love sleepy birthday mornings, beloved character wrapping paper or singing birthday balloons.  I'll recall the feel of a relaxed house before guests arrive, a special present to start your morning, and a sweet treat to show you how much you're loved.

And three is a big deal.  Three means you can have big kid toys, for ages 3 and up!  And a big kid bed because you aren't a baby anymore, much to the disbelief of your family.  And you can climb in and out of your new bed all by yourself, which is pretty exciting!

Birthdays mean wearing a new outfit, and turning 3 means embracing your dramatic side - by breaking into Frozen show tunes.

Being three also means running and dancing into your new bed, because you CAN - you're a big girl!!

After all that hard work, you have to take a little break.  A new-to-you Lego set that was waiting in the wings seems like just the ticket, especially when it comes pre-assembled!

After a break, it was finally time for the long awaited birthday trip.  Once in the car, we went to find a special doll.

And of course, a special doll requires a special store - one that is near and dear to my heart: Disney.  With so many choices, there was a lot of back and forth!



But, with our newest Ariel addiction, a new Ariel baby doll seemed to fit the bill.  True to Disney's wonderful guest service, our cast member helped us to get the doll out of the box right then and there so we could walk out of the door holding her.  So fantastic!

And when our cast member found out it was Emma's birthday, Emma even got a special birthday button with her name on it!  What a treat!

Then it was off to share a rice lunch with Daddy (because he will do so much for that little girl), some helping with her big brother (who will do equally big things for her), followed by one more go at running & dancing.

 Finally, it was off to home to get in a nap in the big girl bed before the party started!

Once dinner was done, it was time for presents and cake.  It was fun to hide the gifts inside her new tee-pee (thank you clearance area!) and watch her explore each new-to-her thing .

 Gifts from family were so much fun to open, especially when they involve your favorite characters! And hugs are the perfect way to say thank you when you're 3!

Finally, it was time to sing and blow out the candle to our still sometimes shy big girl.  I can hardly believe it - we officially have a 3 year old.  Where does time go?

Thanks for spending some time to see what Being Three is all about!
Until next time,