Ringing in 2013!

Last year, our city did fireworks and a cool show. This year they didn't so we thought we were off the hook, but our street for some reason decided THEY needed to ring in the new year, so it was loud for a good 30 minutes at midnight.  Our kids ALL woke up and checked out the fireworks and then went right to bed.

This morning they rushed to get ready so THEY could ring in the new year the Witte way.

Mason has been hearing about this all year, since last year he was in the NICU.

He was SO excited to start.

What mommy? Not yet?

These next few just crack me up...

They all really got into it.

 It amazes me how fast they grow up. I can't believe we have little big people now.

Then we tried to get one more good one but it was only 10 degrees out.

 I don't think Mason has ever been this cold in his life!

But, we still got a smile. :)

We came in, got the color back in our cheeks, and talked about our goals from last year:

Last year HERE

2012 goals

Less Waste, Recycle More (as a family), and Strengthening Relationships

errr, not so much - but 100% on relationships!

V - Start Specials at Home, relinquish control when it comes to family things, haha.

I did a good job on both.
N - Complete AAS, Backyard and Front Yards. Start Specials at Home

Nathan finished his AAS and AGS, worked on the yards, and did specials!
L - Complete Kindergarten and finish the ENTIRE Ready Freddy series.

Yes to both!
B - Finish 3K move on to 4K and continue being a GOOD 4 year old.

Yest to both (mostly on the 2nd one) ;)
S - Not be a terrible 3 year old, work on volume control.

Tried really hard on #1, much better on #2
J - Keep smiling, and to keep the blue eyes, and move to a toddler bed.

check, check, check
M - Come home from NICU and stay home. Grow, Feed and pack on the pounds. Also to stay healthy.

check! check! check!

***

Then we talked about what we wanted to do this year.

2013 Goals:

Enjoy Nature's Gifts

Spending and enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.

Trying to not be "plugged in" as much.

V - Continue Specials, Less Processed Foods for the fam.

N - Finish year 3/1 (of 4) of BS in IT. Finish basement.

L - Complete 1st Grade, and Year 1 in Piano. Try out for the Baseball Team and Swim Team. 

On to 2nd Grade. Most importantly, read the BOM cover to cover...alone. (meaning not with the whole family but with mom or dad each night)

B - Complete PreK/4K, have a great Kindergarten year. Try Jazz and summer sport of her choice.

S - Move on to 4K, have a great summer, work on writing.

J - Keep the blue eyes, Potty Trained, Have a fun summer.

M - Stay healthy, learn to talk, get into nursery!

While Nathan was making the waffles, the kids all shouted out what they wanted to do. Of course Lucas, the over achiever had a lot of things on his list. Haha.

After that, it was time to eat! I love when things are timed perfectly.

 Juju didn't care to toast, she was HUNGRY!

Even Mason enjoyed the waffles. I love that he eats regular food now. :)

We had a good day until my sister broke my microwave. I blame her because I was talking to her when it broke. It popped and that was it, it just stopped working. So, now we wait and shop around for a new one.

For dinner I made baked sweet potatoes and the kids favorite, chicken fingers.

I abhor the nasty store processed ones, and these are DELICIOUS! I make them all the time.

So flavorful and crunchy and juicy!  This is where my "goal" started.

I am going to try extremely hard to not do prepackaged/processed foods. Not like we eat an excess of this stuff, but the homemade is SO much better for you and waaaaay cheaper. 

We are also fasting from fast food for the whole year. Meaning no drive thru's, nothing. It may be convenient  but so are PB&J's. This will be especially fun when we road trip this summer. Wish us luck!

Good Luck to you and your goals, we are going to try really hard to achieve/complete ours.

Here is to a healthy, happy, 2013.

April Specials

We have done so well with our Pancake Breakfast. This time Lucas and I made Cornmeal Pancakes. They are light, fluffy and sooooo good. Lucas is becoming quite the chef and really enjoys cooking with me.

He told me during our special that he always wants to cook when it's my turn. Daddy only makes box stuff, but Mommy makes real stuff. Haha.

***

I took Scarlett to get a hair cut. She looks oh so cute and really liked just being with me.

We sat in the parking lot and sang her favorite songs while enjoying a lollipop.

She is such a sweet little girl.

***

Juliet and I went on a walk in the backyard, we played catch and then I pretended to chase her. 

She thought that was the best thing in the world. I now find her pointing outside from time to time, almost like she is saying "again!"

***

Bridget and I decided to paint a picture.

Just her and I. She dominated the conversation, like always.

I don't know how I got such a girly girl, but I did.

She can go on and on and on about the most random things. :)

***

Mason has been plugging away at physical therapy.

My time with him is spent working on his arm strength.

Every time I have a special with the kids, I realize how special each and every kid is to me.

I really encourage you to give your children an hour of undivided, unshared, attention.

Our relationships are always strengthened and we have become so close to one another, it is wonderful.

In case you were wondering, I LOVE my family, more than ANYTHING.

February Specials

Scarlett and I went to Joann's and then went to McDonald's for a sundae.

While we were ordering, a familiar face gets in line behind us.

"Emma!" Scarlett was thrilled.

We went into the play area, and Scarlett went right inside to play.

Emma was skeptical, so we went to the tall tables to watch the cars go by and to sit next to each other and eat.

Emma's mom taught Scarlett a new trick with straws and when she came home she was so excited to show everyone.

Lucas and I spent some quality time assembling a new lego set and played for a good 2 hours.

He really enjoyed building a harder 8+ set and having someone who wouldn't wreck it - play with him.

Juliet and I took a walk around the block and Mason joined us.

Bridget and I went to buy her some new clothes because she is now in a 6x.

She loved every single minute of it and I told her we could go people watch and sip on some hot chocolate.

She LOVED this so much!

Nathan and I are going to try a new restaurant for Denver Restaurant week on Wednesday.

I am really loving this time with my kids. It is so nice to just be somewhere else and just give them my undivided attention. We talk about all sorts of things and really connect on a different level.

I also love to come home and pat myself or Nathan on the back for a job well done, because our kids are pretty awesome!

Specials - January

We decided that we were going to spend individual, quality time, with each family member, once a month.

Nathan had January.

Scarlett got to go first, since she never gets to go first on anything. :)

Nathan took her on a walk to the park and they played at the playground.

Bridget went to the Library and read books, played games, and did puzzles.

Lucas went on an errand and then went to McDonalds for a parfait and chatted about life.

Juliet played in her room with toys and such, and then practiced walking.

Mason got to come home, so we counted that! :)

Each "special" is an hour.

No cameras, nothing "flashy", little to no money, just undivided attention,
and we try and get them out of the house.

There is no fighting, or crying from anyone - because they know their turn is coming up the following week.

This was one of our family goals this year on strengthening relationships.

Nathan and I are good about going out on dates once a month, but the kids needed a "date" too. 

I am EXTREMELY excited I am next month, and stressed because there are less days in the month.