St. Patty's Day

 The kiddos all decked out in their matching St. Patrick's Day shirts and matching shamrock tattoos. Thanks Grandma Janet!

 Greyson took the notion of "The Fighting Irish" a little to seriously and decided to have a dual with the dining room table. The Luck of the Irish wasn't with him today. 

 Ave with her class, in the midst of a Leprechaun hunt. 

 Avery O'Boekweg with her trusty "Leprechaun Looker", she informed me you need this special tool if you really want to spot a Leprechaun..."They're real sneaky Mom!"

We topped of St. Patty's day in true Irish fashion, with a Shamrock Shake from Mickey D's!

Thirty-One

 I had a great birthday this year.  Ezra's mom, Linda, came up for a visit and so kindly took Greyson off my hands for nearly the whole day!!  Avery and I had a girls day that started with two tickets to see Elmo Live and Buffalo's historic Shea's theatre.  Avery thought it was pretty special of Elmo to come all the way to Buffalo just for my birthday.  Elmo wasn't really at the top of my bday list, but I am glad we got to see a show at Shea's before we leave buffalo.  It was built in 1926, and been completely restored and is definitely a site to see.

 Ave and I near our balcony seats.

Then we had our own Elmo after party at Red Robin for lunch. Here is Ave thanking me for being on a sugar-free diet so she can devour my bday sundae. 

Linda watched the kids again (thank you!) so Ez and I could go out.  Like Elmo, Lady Gaga really wanted to hang out on my birthday this year.  We had tickets, and in because I am the worst gift receiver ever, I decided to try and sell them on craigslist.  Ez bought them for me as a Christmas gift since she was coming to town on the night of my bday, but I just couldn't stomach the price.  I am somewhat of a Gaga fan, but FOUR HUNDRED dollars for OK seats was just crazy to me.  Long story, short we sold them about an hour before the show to one excited teenage girl and her mom.  We still lived it up with dinner at the Cheesecake factory and a movie at the cheap theatre...that's a little more my style.

Cake Smash

Keeping with tradition, on Greyson's actual birthday, we picked up this awesome cake from Tops Supermarket who happens to provide all babies with a free cake on their first birthday.  Greyson opened some gifts from his grandparents,we sang to him, and he blew out the candles with a little help.  We then proceeded to let him dig in.  At first he hated the frosting between his fingers, and didn't quite understand why we were urging him to make a mess.  Avery didn't understand why we were just sitting there while he was ruining a perfectly good cake without giving her a piece first. 

Soon enough Greyson got into it and Avery got her cake...hence the square chunk missing from the front.

Valentine's Day

 Valentine's Day was super fun!! Ez came home early from school and took us out to lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (my FAVE!!).  Avery had tons of fun with her preschool class this year.  She stayed up late the night before working hard on these valentines we bought for her class.  It took her almost 2 hours off and on to print her name on 12 valentines, but she did it!! She still need a little help with lower case e's but she's doing great!

Ez and Ave also brought me home a Valentines gift from their last minute shopping trip to target. Avery was so excited for me to open it.  She got me a necklace and earring set...and she quickly informed me that the glass slipper diamond necklace was for her, and I could have the earrings if I wanted.  Awesome!!

Rachel and Ryan

Our friends Rachel and Ryan are hoping to adopt a child! They are two of the most remarkable people I have ever met and will make amazing parents to one lucky little kid. Please click on their link on the right to learn more about them and help spread the word to anyone who can help!

Greyson 11 Months

Grey's Sloth Smile

Ballet School Drop-Out

 Avery had been attending ballet at Miss Britta's ballet school, for several months and seemed to be loving it before we left for Christmas break.  When returned from Seattle and back to our old schedule, she started complaining about going...I had to start bribing her with Paula's doughnut, etc.  She said she really just wanted to do her own ballerina dance, and not really the choreographed one Britta was trying to teach them.  After a month of Friday morning fights to get her out the door, we decided maybe she was a little over scheduled with preschool every other day of the week...so we let her quit!  I know we are awesome parents, right?!?

I stole this pic of her with her class from Britta, her teacher.  I wish I had more...

Buffalo Icicles

Enormous Icicles & Snow mounds taller than the kids are definitely not one of the things we will miss most about living in Buffalo, NY.

OH, We're Off to See the Wizard

Pumpkin Night