Butterfly Queen!

Julia went to a birthday party on Saturday and they had a professional face painter there.  She was so excited about it when she got home.  She asked if I would take a picture of her and "put it on the Stuard Family Blog" and I could write "Julia is a butterfly queen!" 

A little mom guilt...

Angry Bird in Seattle

Last Friday Mitch called me from work saying that the kids and I needed to come to Seattle after school and see what was on the Space Needle.  It was totally cool.

We also saw the world's ugliest dog while viewing the Space Needle from Kerry Park!



Mitch's office is located on Capitol Hill in Seattle and next door is randomly the Group Health hospital where he was born.  The hospital has a giant slide that the kids love to play on when we come to visit dad at work.

Angry Birds Mania

A few months ago Mitch downloaded the game Angry Birds to our computer.  We have all spent way too much time playing the game.  Why is it so entertaining? Mitch hopes to conquer all the levels so that he can stop playing and resume life again. 

I came across this idea for Easter:

 I think that I am going to make these and surprise my kids.

Trouble Sleeping

Lucy has not been the best sleeper.  At night she goes to bed around 8:30 sleeps till about 1:30-2:00 and then wakes up every 2 hours or so till I finally drag myself out of bed for the day.  Waking up 3-6 times a night is slowly killing me.  During the day she only wants to be held while sleeping.  While difficult to get anything done while holding her, it has been okay because I am too tired to do anything else.  Most days we take an afternoon nap together.  A few days ago when my house was in some serious need of attention to be cleaned, I thought "this has to stop, she needs to sleep by herself during the day."  I wrapped her up in the burrito nice and tight and she miraculously went to sleep taking a nice long nap.  I couldn't even believe it.  Why hadn't I tried that earlier?  I have no idea. Maybe I did and it didn't work or maybe I was too tired to remember but whatever the case might be for the past few days it has done the trick.  She is napping on her own.  The burrito is a miracle worker, I kid you not. Now, for a good nights rest. HA!

Mitch took this picture of us on Sunday afternoon.  You got to love how she sleeps with her mouth and eyes half open and taking up the whole bed!

St. Patrick's Day

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day by running in a St. Patrick's Day race.  Natalie and Julia ran in the 1k, Mitch and Cameron ran in the 5k and Lucy and I watched. It was absolutely the worst weather!  It was snowing HARD and it was freezing!  In the pictures it doesn't look that bad but it was crazy how much snow was falling.  The race director summed it up the best by saying "Only in Seattle can you have a green Christmas and a white St. Patrick's day!"  So true.  We had a good time despite not having any feeling in our limbs!!  Mitch placed 3rd in his age division and Cameron placed 2nd in his age division both getting a little trophy.  

I didn't film very much of anything because frankly I was freezing to death but here is a shot of Natalie finishing the 1k.  I love how determined she looks.

After our race we spent the day in Bellevue hang out at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then had a last minute dinner decision to go to the Maple Leaf for dinner.  We were having way too much fun with the lazy susan in the middle of the table, obviously!

3rd Grade Music Concert

Last week was Cameron's music concert.  This year they have been learning about Africa hence the African hats and most of the songs they sang were about Africa.  I can't believe how big my boy is getting.  While he was up singing all I could think about was how big and handsome he is.  Next week he is starting a zero hour class for writing.  He is not particular looking forward to it (okay, that is a nice way of putting it), but I really want him to improve where he struggles, so he is signed up.  It is going to be a BIG pain to get him there but even a BIGGER pain for me if I have to listen to him complain about going, so I made him a deal that he couldn't refuse.  If he goes, HAPPY, NOT complaining, and tries his very BEST he gets to choose something awesome to do when it is over.  The options of the prize were too good to refuse.  He is having to think over which one it might be.  Stay tuned....

I love how when he gets nervous he licks his lips and stares at his nose. It is so cute.

Rolling Over

Yes, it is true.  And before I know it she will be crawling.  Agh... Don't get so big, so fast!

Inside, Outside, Upside Down

Sometimes I find humor in the most random places.  The other day I was reading Natalie the book Inside, Outside, Upside Down.  You know, a childhood classic.  After I read it once, Nat wanted me to read it again, and then again.  As I turned to the first page my eye caught this:

Nothing really to look at or anything new but when I read  "Here is a brief story of a young bear who goes to town, inside, outside, upside down."  I could not stop laughing.  Doesn't that description describe it all?

Girl and her Chain

Lucy has figured out how to use her hands and loves her chain!!  She also has learned how to arch herself out of her bouncer.  Good times.

Toothless!

Conversation with Cameron

Today as I was taking the kids to the bus I had this conversation with Cameron:

Cameron: Has Dale thought about what he is going to do in college?

Me: Hmm… I don’t think he knows yet

Cameron: Has he thought about playing college football? I am thinking about that myself

Me: Laughing….. “You know, I think that he should consider that!”

Well Dale it is something to think about, your option are endless!!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Last Friday was a BIG day in 1st grade.  They celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by having pajama day, bringing a stuffed friend, your blankey, and a favorite book. Julia was so excited.  Cameron's class didn't have quite the celebration this time and was a little disappointed.  As a family we are going to the movies tomorrow to see The Lorax and we are EXCITED!

Last week was class picture day for the kids.  Julia told me that all the kids lined up in height order and she was the first one in the line, meaning she is the tallest kid her class.  I don't know why but I LOVE it!  We affectionately call Julia a gazelle because her legs are so long.  So when  Natalie had her birthday physical a few months ago and she is also off the charts in height she said to me "Mom, I'm growing into a gazelle now too!"

Rockin the Jelly Shoes

Tummy Time

Kierstin posted such a cute video of Anya on her tummy that I thought I would share what tummy time at our house looks like:

Lucy HATES being on her stomach.  The doctor at her check up asked me if Lucy was rolling over yet...yeah, not so much.  That would involve being put down.  She wants to be held about 90% of the day including when she sleeps and with her being the 4th kid that isn't possible so there is a lot of crying at my house.  Good thing she is so darn cute. 

Willy Wonka

A few weeks ago the kids went to Kenzie and Tayler's play Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, they loved it.  They had never seen the movie so over Mid Winter Break we watched it, the old one with Gene Wilder.  I thought that Natalie would get a little scared in some parts because lets be honest some of that movie is a little creepy.  Not Natalie, she seems to embrace the strange!  A few mornings ago she was running around the house screaming at the top of her lungs the lines of the movie when they get into the boat and go for the ride.  You know, the weird creepy part of the show.  She wasn't getting all the lines right but she was close:

There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing
Is it raining, is it snowing
Is a hurricane a-blowing
Not a speck of light is showing
So the danger must be growing
Yes, the danger must be growing
For the rowers keep on rowing
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing

I was laughing so hard.  What a weird kid! She also told me she thought the play was better than the movie.  You know-- a middle school play production, HA!

4 Months

This girl is 4 months old!!  With some of the juiciest thighs...

...and cheeks!  She is delicious!!!