Hide and Seek

The other night Shawn and I heard Nicolas and Lexi playing Hide 'n Seek. Nicolas started getting frustrated because Lexi (being two years younger) wasn't getting the concept that hiding in the same spot every time wasn't fun for him to find her... jumping out right away also took some of the fun away. Oh... you also can't "hide" in plain site. Lexi was confused at why he was getting frustrated. So I decided to step in and be the "brains" in the operation. I started hiding Lexi!

Now THAT was fun!

She is only three. She is small. And she is bendable!

The first spot was inside our big red beach bag. If it wasn't her giggling that would have been a much longer hiding spot.

The next spot was inside a kitchen cabinet. Now that one lasted a long time. I was shocked at how long she stayed quiet in there even though it had to be dark. Even Daddy couldn't find her.

Then we went for the trashcan. No worries. Trash day was the next day and I took out the actual trash bag. This one had everyone laughing!



Then she hid in the net bag that holds our balls.

Nicolas hid under furniture.

His best spot was when I put him inside the back of the couch (behind the seat cushions and under the back cushions). Lexi even sat ON the couch to think at one point when she couldn't find him. Shawn and I were laughing so hard!

Alas, she got bored after a while and was off playing something else.
I am looking forward to playing again in another part of the house so we can think of new ways to "Hide the Lexi"!!!

Playing House

MeeMaw came over recently and brought Lexi a surprise. It was the dollhouse she had when she was three years old. Um... out of respect I won't say exactly how old that makes the dollhouse (smile). Nancy insisted it was always planned on going to the first granddaughter. So Lexi was on pins and needles as she waited for her "hand me down" surprise! I was very nervous. Was she sure she didn't want to wait until Lexi was older and well... more gentle of a playing child?


I was amazed at how she had everything still with only two pieces broken. No people but we will find some that fit.


Nicolas went to bed early that night so Nancy and Lexi got time to play with it together.

The next morning Nicolas was really quick to check it out. I explained how old it was and asked him to be very careful. Well, boys are just rough... and in no time there was a broken piece, a crying little girl and a very angry mommy! Needless to say, this treasured toy is now up in Lexi's room so that it is safer. Who knew that my little three year old girl would be the safest hands in the house?

Well, this is fun. Okay, bad for the house as I haven't found help there yet but making cakes is still super fun. I hope I can do more of them for family and friends. I have posted a new blog with information on that.

trinatreats.blogspot.com

Working on a better name and website but now this will do.

This one is for my last fondant class. Fun and not too time consuming to make. Although I would like to have done it in just plain white icing as the background. I don't think the fondant was necessary but since it was a fondant class we were supposed to cover the cake in fondant first.

Fantasy Flowers.

Anniversary cake for Shawn's step-grandparents. They loved it! First time doing that lace work on the bottom tier. Time consuming but I liked the effect. Covered in sugar icing and flat frosted. Again, fondant might have been more "perfect" but not nearly as yummy! Raspberry filling!

Buttermilk Banana Bundt Cake
I can do this one in three sizes with any theme flower. Just a fun one for far less time and money. Heads up. This may become a standard to all you new momma's and neighbors!

Soccer Starts

It is amazing what a difference a year or two makes. 18 months ago Nicolas started soccer and was one of those herd-the-ball groups. They all hustled around the ball and didn't know what they were doing. Then he got a bit better and on a team with kids who played a tad longer due to birthdays... but last season we played older kids and were getting out played each week. This year we are back to playing our age group of kids and well... enjoying it! The kids get what they are doing to the most part and they are winning! Okay, only two games under our belts but so far so good!


Nicolas is finding his groove. He hangs on the outside and grabs that ball when the teams kick it out.

And he enjoys the friends on his team!

Here was an exciting play (clockwise from top left).
Got the ball... starts to break away... looking good for a real goal... dang, good save from the other team.

Better luck next game to get his own goal. He is determined!

Kai Turns Four!

Just four years ago our nephew Kai was born. I can't believe it! Shawn stressed as he changed his flights to Vegas. He was so worried he would miss the birth of his new nephew. Well, now it has been four years later and so much has happened. But one thing you can count on is how much the kids all get along and enjoy each other.


We look forward to little Edie joining the crew as she grows and gets mobile. Watch out!

Nicolas loved his cupcake. Can you tell?

Okay, this is so funny! Do you see the ball in the water at the other side of the creek? Do you see all the men who have decided to get said ball in a manly way only... throw things at it! Yep, all the women watched from the pavilion. Not because we were too weak or such to help... but because it was much more fun watching this scene. How many men does it take to get a soccer ball from the water? (oh, notice the size of the boulder Shawn is carrying?)

The kids have fun at the end of the party playing

 doggy in the back of the truck.

 Then Nicolas and Lexi get the privilege of being invited to party #2 for Kai that is with all his school friends!  They loved that for sure.  NOT that family is not a great party but boy bouncing with his buddy Kai at Riverbend Bounce is sure a day they were excited about.  Can you tell?

Football and Friends

Even though the game may not have had the outcome that we had hoped.... the day had the outcome I figured it would.

Illini vs Mizzou Football Game!

Took a bus from the neighborhood to the game. Tailgated, ate and drank with great people!
Laughed a lot!
Would like to say ate a lot... but sadly one of us should have ate more that day (um... Shawn....)



That's okay. We all had fun!

Okay... Shawn was a little more solemn on that bus ride home.



My little chocolate covered oreo footballs turned out pretty yummy! Went over great... better then planned in fact because I didn't have the promised four to bring home to the kids. Oops! Next year!

Another Sign of Growing Up!

Yep, it has happened!

Nicolas lost his first tooth!

I am ... getting old?

This tooth has been coming out ALL summer! In fact, our dental check up six months ago it was beginning stages of loose. Well, no matter how hard we wiggled it... it hung on! Even though the new tooth was coming in. Oh my gosh! We worked on it. He worked on it. Can you believe our dentist even said to let him eat taffy and tootsie rolls?

What finally got it out?

A friend!

Nicolas' little friend's, Ben and Thomas, are lucky enough to have Dentist Dave as their Dad. Shew that we spent Labor Day BBQ with our friends and Dave let me talk him into checking out said tooth. He did a little wiggle and waggle and pull. Out came the guilty party! And Nicolas got his toy from mom and dad plus a visit from the tooth fairy! Yep, she left him a $2 bill along with an amazing trail of pixie dust!

Oh, lessons for the Tooth Fairy! Pixie dust is a pain in the ... pixie butt! Gets in the hair while they sleep and does not dust off the sheets easily. So if you come again, please don't have that bright idea or be prepared to change the sheets the next day. Luckily, I heard the Tooth Fairy did go to the bank and get a bunch more $2 bills so she is prepared next tooth. Lovely precedent to start when you only have one $2 bill in your possession! But thankfully she now has 20 of them!!! Bring on the baby teeth now!

Lexi's Turn

The first cake class I took I put Nicolas' name on it. It was the day before he started kindergarten and so I thought it would be fun to "give" him the cake. He loved it. Even if it was flowers. Well, Lexi hasn't forgotten that. Every week she asks if I am going to make her a pink cake with her name on it this week. Well, I finally did. We were studying flowers and borders. So looks a little more like a "grandma" cake to me. But Lexi didn't mind!



She looks plenty happy to me!

Girl's Group Grows by Two

We are all very excited for Kim as she is about to grow her family by two. And to top it off it is two girls to add to her two boys! I am so excited for her. I can't imagine having twins but boy it does sound yummy!

Another yummy thing was the shower that her good friends threw for her. And I was honored to get the chance to make her a cake.

Two little girls turned into a pea in the pod cake for Kim.  Strawberry icing, banana pudding filling.. and lots of dots!  This was fun!  Thanks for the honor, Kim!

First Day of School for Lexi Too

Well, school started 2 weeks later for Lexi but she was ready! She was so excited to get back to school, see friends and learn!

The weird summer weather was on again that day as it was cooler out. So we headed back to school in long sleeves and tights. Gotta love it!

Lexi took her blankie with her.

And her mommy's heart!!!

Okay, the photo came out poorly but the eager happy faces shine write through!
Lexi is excited to start school and very excited to see her little friend Jack. They aren't in the same class but they do see each other at the playground each day and play then!

Lexi sits in her seat and plays at the start of class. No tears at all! Just a happy girl!

And the mom's were off for a Boo Hoo Breakfast at Cracker Barrel.

Is it 12:30 Yet???

Well, the first day of school is actually a half day! And we are ready to get our little guy! Lexi and I got in line at the bus pickup a bit early. Good thing we have this awesome new minivan with multiple video screens! Lexi got to watch My Little Pony while we waited.

And a nervous mom who wasn't sure we were doing this right? Did he want me to park and come up to the grass area to wait? Augh! I am stuck in this darn line of cars! Wait ... I think I see him....

There he is!!! I can't wait to hug him and hear all about his day!
Was it a good day buddy???

I believe his exact words were "It was GREAT!"

Nicolas Goes to School!!!

Oh my gosh! I remember his first day of daycare! His first day of Kids First! His first day of preschool! Those were just yesterday, weren't they? Now my baby is a kindergarten student! How is this possible? I just held him in arms as he slept. How he has grown!

But I am proud. I know he is ready to grow, sprout his wings and soar!
He loves school! He loves to play with other kids and he loves to learn. He was excited.

I am used to my little boy clinging to me as he wanted to go to preschool but wanted his mommy there. But the morning he was going to kindergarten he was ready. He didn't cry. He didn't seem to fear.



He showed off his new Illini backpack which held his new Transformer lunchbox inside.
His sister was very proud of him too.
The top photo was taken by Grandpa Jim who was also excited to see his little grandson off to school. That was really cool to catch this moment as we all walked Nicolas up to the front door for the first time.

Yep, that is me having to capture each and every step on film!!! I think Daddy was going to hold on to his little boys hand as long as he could.

I got a photo op in while Nicolas sat at his table to play play-doh.

A picture with daddy too. I cannot believe I am not crying! He is being so very brave. He doesn't seem to be upset at all. Wow! This is going so well. Okay, I am going to collapse in the hall but I have to keep it together now.Lexi got a few minutes to play in the kitchen area of the room. I must say this room is so much fun! I wish their preschool rooms were as awesome as this!!!!

Okay, a good hug and kiss and we start heading for the door with big grins on our faces!
Yeah!

"Mommy?"
I stop... "yes, sweety?"
"Can I get just one more hug and kiss before you go?"

Uh Oh!!! Can I hold it together? Can he? We were SO close ....

Nope! Let the water works begin for both of us! I love you little buddy!

A Yummy Class!

Thank you mom for the gift of your time for my birthday this year! Mom is coming over every Monday so that I can go to the Wilton classes during the day. Lexi loves this time and she is especially excited every week when I come home to see what cake creation I bring home.



Cupcakes with lots of fun designs. Boy those disappeared fast!

Just practiced star tip designs today.

I am enjoying this! I hope I get lots of chances to make cakes for family and friends!