Twenty Nine

Yesterday I celebrated my 29th birthday. Alright, I'm really 37 but who's counting - I (sort of) feel like I'm 29. As my birthday was quickly approaching, I started to have the sewing/crafting itch. I had this itch almost 15 years ago when Jeff bought me a sewing machine. I could probably count on my fingers how many times I've actually used it - I've made some curtains and hemed a few skirts and pants. Anyway, I've decided that as a Mom I should be doing crafty projects for myself and my children. My mom was always sewing and had several projects going on while I was at home (and she still does). She planted the creative seed in my head so many years ago and now it's starting to sprout again. So, I began celebrating my birthday by spending a couple of hours at the fabric store with Hannah, where I purchased material to make a flower cozy for Hannah, chocolate lollipops for Valentines Day, and bouncy balls for Alex. I remember making the chocolates with my mom and grandma many years ago and loved it so I thought I'd give it a try again. Hannah and Alex can't wait for the finished product. As I dropped Alex off at school, he told me he wanted a "boy" project hence the bouncy balls. We'll see how all of these turn out. Whatever happens, I'm excited to get started. Here's the flower cozy from JoAnn Ideas online:

After the fabric store, the kids and I went to the "play" McDonalds. After our fill of Happy Meals and playing, we came home for quiet time (my favorite part of the day). To top off the fun, Jeff brought home a yummy dinner from Carrabba's and a delicious triple chocolate mousse cake from Wegmans. I opened gifts with help from an additional four hands. And can believe it ... I got a pink pony Webkins!! I had a fantastic 37th Birthday. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings.

GMU Basketball

The Walls family can never pass up a GMU basketball game. Basketball season is in full swing and we go to the Mason games as often as possible. For the most part, it really is family oriented and the kids love watching Gunston (the fuzzy green mascot), eating popcorn and getting the opportunity to shoot free throws after the game; I love getting out of the house; and Jeff loves to watch the game. Spongebob was at the last game and the next home game (I believe) is Homecoming which means pre-game stuff and fireworks. The Mason games truly are one of our family passions and pleasures. Go Mason !!

Already February?

I can't believe it's been two months since my last blog post. Nothing new to report other than time is flying by - but that's nothing new. Today I had to register Hannah for preschool for next year. I can't believe that both kids will be in school this Fall. Alex is already talking about kindergarten, the school bus, and SACC (child care at the elementary school not at a daycare). And Hannah thinks that she should be at Knollwood (preschool) NOW. At least we still have a few more months to jam in "little kid" activities. Hannah and I are going to see Mr. Skip tomorrow morning and all of us are going to the family pool at the gym this afternoon. I'm trying to do lots of "little kid" stuff with them now because they'll be off to college before too long. Although, I am looking forward to bigger kid stuff... I can't wait to say goodbye to Hannah's diapers and cheering for Alex at his soccer games this Spring. "Goodbye Diapers!" and "Way to Go, Alex!" -- just getting some practice in.

Christmas Season

Christmas is just around the corner. We had our annual Santa picture taken yesterday. Unfortunately, I had to be in it too because I didn't want a repeat of last year's photo - Hannah screaming for dear life. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas Season!!

We Came, We Saw, We Disney'ed

All in all, I have to say that our Disney trip was a success. So much happened over the course of seven days that I can only "blog" the highlights. The weather was perfect, George Mason played well, no naps, Hannah was clingly, Alex was afraid of the dark and needed lots of coaxing to get on the rides, NO naps, Nanny survived the craziness, Mickey hit on me, did I say NO NAPS, and Jeff and I now need a vacation. That about sums it up. I hope pictures really are worth thousands of words because I'm too tired to write anymore.

Trick or Treat

Alex and Hannah had a great Halloween season this year. I say "season" because they spent a couple of weeks celebrating by going to several parties and parades at school, choosing and carving the perfect pumpkin, and closing the season out with the grand finale of trick or treating. Alex was the Red Power Ranger and Hannah was "pink" (aka Uniqua from the Backyardagins). Hannah was supposed to be Tinker Bell but she freaked out when the tulle of the costume touched her legs so we resorted to her back-up costume, pink. The trick or treating weather couldn't have been better. After trick or treating Alex played outside with his friend, Evan. The sugar rush helped them keep up the pace flashlight tag. Now that Halloween is over, we can concentrate on getting ready for Disney World. Look out Mickey 'cause here we come.

Alex's First Football Game

Alex has been asking to go to a football game for a couple of months now, so we chose to make the trek up to Annapolis to see the Midshipmen play in their 2007 Homecoming game against Wake Forest.

Although Navy lost, the trip would have to be called a success because Alex seemed to enjoy himself immensely.

When we got home, Alex said, "Now I've seen baseball, basketball, soccer, and football - can we go see a hockey game?". I guess we'll have to go see the Caps play soon.

Thirty Seven

We helped Jeff celebrate his 37th Birthday this week. Alex and I went birthday shopping for Jeff and came home with "Wack a Mole" game. I'm sure this is exactly what Jeff has always wanted. Alex and Hannah both gave Jeff suggestions on what type of cake to get - Alex suggested Spiderman while Hannah thought Dora would be a good cake. Jeff ended up with a Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Cake - my personal favorite. Jeff and I spent the day together sans kids (they were at school) - we went Christmas shopping for the kids and had lunch at Chipotle. We topped the day off with take out dinner from Carraba's (thanks to Grandma Flora), ice cream cake and presents.

Jeff, I hope you had a very Happy 37th Birthday. Ha Ha - You're older than me now (well, for about four months). Here's to many, many, many more!! I love you!!

Cox Farms

We had a wonderful family adventure at Cox Farms last weekend. I absolutely love this place! They have farm animals, slides and rope swings, climbing hay mountains, hay rides, apple cider, and pumpkins, pumpkins and more pumpkins. The slides are so much fun because all of us can partake - Alex was brave enough to go by himself but Hannah had to sit on my lap. Each slide has a different theme: volcano, miner's mine shaft, winding slide through the pig barn, dinosaur's back, etc. Alex liked the miner slide because it was bumpy and went through a long tunnel; I liked the winding slide through the pig barn; but we all loved the gigantic dinosaur slide.

Alex on the Castle Slide

Of course Alex and Jeff had to try out the rope swings. And we finished the day off with the hay ride. The kids loved the hay ride. If you look closely enough you might spot Snoopy characters, CareBears, SpongeBob, or any number of other critters. We were followed by space aliens and got stuck in the pond and Farmer Cox had to pull us out. The finale of the ride was the "spooky barn" where all the creatures (including with Alex and Hannah) danced and clapped to Happy Halloween songs. Alex thought the ride was "sooo awesome". (He is going to have his socks knocked off when we go to Disney World next month).

Jeff on the Rope Swing

Alex on the Hay Ride

October Already?

I can't believe that it is already Fall - time has really flown by. Even though school has started, the pool has closed, and the Halloween costumes are selected, it just hasn't felt like Fall. It probably has something to do with the 94 degree temperatures we've been experiencing. We are finally at normal Fall temperatures and can now think about getting pumpkins and other Halloween stuff. Since it's been awhile since my last post, I decided to post miscellaneous recent photos. Nothing new or exciting to write about except for a few random tidbits: Alex started school and absolutely LOVES it - he is finally showing interest in reading and writing; Alex got his first black eye doing boy stuff; Alex enjoys his soccer class but could do without the Karate class; and Hannah is Hannah - still screaming, constantly being held, and loves to sing and dance.

First Day of School

Alex and his first black eye