Valentines Day!!

Well we finally made it to a holiday in February!!! So Valentines Day was a little more special this year in the fact that we could actually teach the boys about it...well Jacob anyways. We had a plan to do Valentines Day cards to each other with little mail boxes I bought from Target, but alas that failed to happen! LOL We pretty much just took photos and made Valentines Day cards for Jacob's class... for how busy  things have been, I am pretty proud we got all the cards done for his class! Thanks to Gabby, we got all these awesome photos!!

We also got some photos of the youngest siblings, of the Wood/Adams family, budding romance. As cute as they look, they were actually fighting over who would be sitting on the platform, LOL.  I love that Brayden and Tessie are so close in age and so are Melo and Jacob. It makes for funny conversations. I just got a text the other day from Gabby that said the following...
 "Melodie and I were just talking about when she grows up. She was very disappointed that she can't marry Jason. The it was decided "When he's big, I want Jacob to drive his car over to our house. Then we'll get married, And then he can go home to his house." LOL!!!! I love the ideas of three year olds!! I can only hope that Tessie and Brayden are as good as friends. But I think we are off to a good start...

These two boys, plus their daddy are definitely the loves of my life. I am such a lucky mom and wife!

Bishop Farms 2014!!!

Last year we discovered the wonderful pumpkin patch that is Bishop Farms. We had so much fun, that we had to go back this year (a couple times!). I didn't think that Bishop Farms could get better! But, they really stepped their game up even more!! They now have pony rides, a merry go round, and a zip line! We got so many great photos this year, thanks to Mrs. Gabby Adams!!! Oh and I can't take credit away from Jason because he did have the skill of getting the kids to cooperate with jellybeans! As you can see in most of the pictures they are looking up...that's because the jellybeans are located there! LOL

We had so much fun just playing in the pumpkins!!! The kids, especially the babies, loved touching them and balancing near them! I love the upper left photo! It totally looks like Brayden has his arm around Tessie, oh young love! LOL

My dad got to come with us this year! I think he was a little exhausted after, lol! But the boys loved having him there! We rode the train a couple of times, which Jacob of course loved!! My dad also loved it because there were all kinds of old cars and tractors to look at on the ride. Jacob found his pumpkin after much searching by my dad. He is quite excited for his pumpkin and has even slept with it! He often tells me that he loves his pumpkin! LOL this kid!!!

 

There is an awesome tractor ride out the acres and acres of pumpkins. The boys really liked it! I will give myself props though too, because I breastfed on the tractor, which was a skill!! LOL

 Oh these cute boys!!! Brayden seriously would not sit down and face the camera! He only wanted to touch the pumpkins!!! I swear he loves October as much as I do!!!

So, I think this was my favorite thing that we did at Bishop Farms. Gabby bought a ride for both Memo and Jacob... well, Jacob refused to get on, so I looked at the sign and the minimum age was 6 months. So. Brayden got to ride a pony!! He was definitely uneasy at first, but once he realized it was a rocking motion, he was super happy!!! Notice the black spot on his chin... I think he ate his weight in dirt that day! LOL!!!

Summer Time...

Wow this summer flew by!!! I can't believe Mike went back to school this week and the boys are going back to daycare!!! CRAZY!!! I feel like I have so much to catch everyone up on that I don't know where to start?!?!? I guess the beginning is always a good place ;0)

So we had July fourth and the World Cup this year...it was quite the patriotic month!!! It was so fun to teach Jacob about soccer and about our country.  I think he was chanting U-S-A for the whole month of July. So I had to of course work on the 4th, but we still went to Gabby and Jason's house to celebrate. Jacob definitely didn't care for the fireworks because they were "too loud!", no surprise there! However, Brayden was fascinated by them.Thanks to Gabby we had many projects and themes happening...including waffles, cupcakes, make your own flag (it is quite possible that Memo and Jacob have never seen an American Flag based on their replication lol).

I thought these facial expressions were priceless!!! So funny watching them blow these out...oh and they were trick candles too! (Gabby's idea!!)

They obviously enjoyed the cupcakes too!!

Here is our patriotic breakfast!!

This summer there was a lot of swimming!!! Between us finally joining a gym1(yay to getting healthy!) and going to Tahoe, and other various swim places; Both Jacob and Everett are getting more comfortable in the water!!! As you can tell by the lower left picture, Brayden has no issues with water lol!

Jacob also took up a new sport this summer...

He really likes to golf...however, I believe the golf club went into the garbage after someone was hit in the head...lol!!! (Yeah, my dad gave him this!)

We have also had some good times with Everett and Kiki!!! We had a few sleepovers and lots of play dates!! these cousins love hanging out with each other!!

As I look over the spelling of this post I am realizing that there is a lot about Jacob LOL. Brayden has accomplished so much this summer too!!! I feel like this post is getting a little long, so my post tomorrow will be all about Brayden!

A month to Catch up on!!

WOW!!! This past month really flew by!!! I was reminded the other day that I had not blogged in a while...and man has it been a while!!! Things around here have been crazy busy!! Mike just finished up the school year and is starting a basketball camp this week (surprised I know lol), I have recently started in a new business venture, Jacob is crazier than ever, and Brayden is starting to be on the move!!! Needless to say, we are running around like crazy!! So what exciting stuff has been happening?

Jacob is in full soccer mode!!! He is loving his new sport!!! Although basketball continues to be his favorite, he is enjoying expanding his horizons. It is nice for him and Melo to have something to bond over. As they are getting older the boy/girl differences are showing. For example, Melo wants to play princesses and Jacob likes to juggle the princesses. When the princesses inevitably fall to the ground, Melo starts saying to Jacob "You broke it!!!!" LOL. So soccer is a great way to keep their friendship intact!! As for the babies... well they are not as impressed with the siblings soccer skills...

They are very patient watching them play, but as you can tell by the look on their faces, they think they can do better.

This month there has been a couple trips to the Children's Museum. As always it does not disappoint! Gabby and I tread the water by ourselves, and it honestly wasn't too bad! It's nice to have a place to go where the kids can't escape! Is it weird that we try and pick places that have locked doors or fences? I guess their are different priorities of being a toddler mother now! LOL

Jacob has been way into singing lately...it's probably the cutest thing that he does!

We have recently discovered a new place that is totally amazing!!! It's called Wacky Tacky! It is basically an indoor crazy house for toddlers!! There's jumpy houses, mazes, giant slides, ball pits, and a whole giant ballapalooza!! I know I am explaining this really well, but it's definitely one of those things that you have to see in person.

All the kids had a blast!! And yes, there was some major crying when we left. However, that crying turned into about 3 hours of silence...it was a major nap time after that! That carries me into the next and last topic.  There has been many naps in this house recently, seeing as we are always on the go. Brayden has turned into an excellent napper! He may not sleep long, but he can sleep anywhere!! In true Shadd fashion!

Love is in the Air

Since it is still February and this is the month of LOVE, I think it's time that I post about about the most adorable love of all... Toddler love. For a second there, you thought I was going to blog about Mike and I...gotcha!!! That's a boring topic and let's face it, the pictures just aren't as cute!  It is so fun to watch Jacob and Memo interact with each other. It's just another perspective on how much Jacob has grown in the past two years. They went from not interacting, to fighting, to genuine excitement to see one another in just a short 24 months. The picture above is probably the cutest picture I have ever seen.  Granted they were arguing about the ball before this was taken, but they always seem to get over it in time to give each other a hug when they say good bye.

Their hugs are always so cute!! Jacob always looks like a little old man!!! LOL

I can only hope that the relationship that Jacob and Memo have, is something that Tessa and Brayden get to experience. Having a best friend that you can grow up with is truly a special and unique thing. 

I think they are off to a good start!!

It's Tea Time!!!

As a mother of boys, I never thought I would see the day that we would have a tea party!! Thank goodness I have a friend like Gabby, who thinks of these things!! For Valentines Day, Gabby hosted a tea party for Memo and Jacob....another thing that happens when your BFF is a girl.  I must say it was a genius idea, and probably one of the cutest things in the world!!  Their tea was really apple cider, which helped wash down mini pink cupcakes, fruit, and chicken nuggets.  All appropriate tea time snacks (I'm sure the Queen Mum would even approve).

As you can see Memo was a lady with her tea drinking....and well Jacob lets just say the picture above and below is the most refined moments during the eating process.

About halfway through tea time, Jacob stopped using his manners...

I don't know where he learned to eat like a dog or drink tea with a spoon, but he sure was having a blast doing it!! I'm just glad he hasn't brought this new skill set to the real dinner table.

 These two are just too cute!!

Tea time was not complete without a little crafting!! Gabby set up an awesome craft for the kids to do... decorating a sticky heart with all kinds of things.  (Again something I would never think to do!)

They are obviously very focused and take their crafting seriously!

 

As much as it looks like the babies weren't there, they were. They did great tolerating our toddler activities.  And of course we tried to do a photo shoot with all four of them...and this was the best we got!! LOL I think there is room for improvement...

Jacob may look back at these photos a little embarrassed with what he used to do with Memo, but he truly is enjoying himself.  He keeps telling me to look at his hair and then he says "Pretty hair?" LOL!!!

Paparazzi

As a mother, I sometimes feel like I am the paparazzi when it comes to my children. I find it actually quite hilarious that at the ripe old age of 18 months, Jacob started saying "cheese" when I held up a camera! Gabby and I get especially crazy with new activities ( I would say Gabby more than I...lol).  However, all the photos that we have taken have started to reveal a trend. Between the two blogs, I kept noticing photos that included Jacob in the foreground "mean mugging" (I will call it that) and Memo in the back ground "posing."  I couldn't help but think of People Magazine. So, here is my version of People Magazine, lets call it Tikes Magazine...

 

Here the couple is seen trying to meet in secret at the rail road tracks... once photographers were spotted, they tried to leave the scene.

 Here, the couple was spotted in downtown Roseville in Jacob's flashy 2008 ladybug convertible. 

With rumors of the couple's relationship on the rocks, Jacob lashes out at the photographers. Memo tries to put on a brave face for the cameras, but to no avail.

 In Jacob's blue 2011 Push Me Trike, Memo shows that the two are still very close. Maybe this relationship does have enough to survive toddler hood!

Jacob still not comfortable with all the fame, continues to stay protective of Memo in font of photographers, whereas Memo is always willing to oblige and strikes a great smile for her adoring fans.

With a rare glimpse into the couples personal life in the trampoline, Jacob remains leery, while Memo strike a pose.

Feeling relaxed at the local Roseville library yoga studio. Jacob provides the cameras with a rare smile, while Memo focus on her workout.

 

Jacob's Semi Parent Free Weekend

 As my last blog entry showed, there was much time spent away from Jacob. Yup, that made two blog entries in a row without one picture of the little man!!  I'm sure your all on the edge of your seats to see how he has changed since November 6th!! LOL. Mike and I had a great mostly adult weekend, but don't be fooled, Jacob had a blast without us too! He got to hang out with grandparents and his two BFFs!!!  He went to the park both days and got to have a sleepover with Everett!!

The boys had a marathon bath because the new toy (plastic green cups) kept their interest for forever. Then when Grandpa Dayton turned on the faucet...well things could not have gotten more exciting for them!! Oh our little water babies!!

On Sunday, Jacob got the surprise of the weekend!! Memo was at the same park in Pleasanton as him, completely by chance!! They were both a little stunned at first, but once they got over the initial shock... they both did their shrieking of excitement! The funniest part was when we were leaving...Memo decided to hop in Jacob's car and have him drive her home. LOL

We walked her all the way home like this (which is not that far). I just know that if any other kid tried this with  Jacob there would be a lot of screaming involved...are Gabby and I getting a glimpse into the future?!?!

Mother Goose on the Loose!!!

I wish I could claim the title as my own because it is so cool sounding, but alas that is the name of the class.  Every Tuesday morning a reading/singing class is held at the Roseville Library.  Gabby introduced it to us a couple of weeks ago. Jacob is starting to get more and more comfortable every week that we go.  As you can see above, Jacob likes to pay close attention to her stories (I should say he only pays close attention when their are props involved).

Jacob and Memo's favorite part are the scarves and bells. They go crazy with the scarves!!! You may notice the outlets on the ground...I should also mention that, that is one of their favorite things too. They love hitting the bells on it and polishing it with the scarves. This week they recruited two other kids to do the same thing (their mother didn't think it was a appropriate as Gabby and I did).

They have really become quite the pair. Besides the fact they look like twins in these pictures, they have started copying each other with EVERYTHING!!!  If one falls and gets hurt, the other falls and starts fake crying. LOL it's too funny!!

A bonus factor to this class and this library is that there is a park attached to it!! It's actually a pretty awesome park too. I must say, when they designed Rocklin and Roseville they must have had the best park designers on the planet!! After class Memo and Jacob go and play for a while...just in time for lunch and naps!! (oh we mommies have it all planned out!)

Another sign that our children are twin like is they are not good with sharing with anyone else, but each other!! Jacob always screams at any kids who tries to sit on the bumble bee with him, then he yells for Memo to join him. It's cute to an extent, but I always feel a little weird when their parents look at me.

When your BFF is a girl...

Sometimes your manhood gets a little compromised.  For Memo's birthday we bought her six pairs of high heels. Now, when I purchased them I never thought my son would be wearing them!! LOL. The funniest part was when he first put them on he was slipping and sliding all over the place...I guess he does take after me!! After a little practice on the carpet he was ready to cruise...

Yes he is pulling a pink wagon!! We were able to get him to change his shoes before going to the park, but the pink wagon had to come with us!!

He did strike a pose before we left...

VOGUE!!!