POTD 073008

POTD 073008, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

How can you not smile when you see this photo?! What makes you smile?

It may be quiet around here for a few days! Going on a roadtrip...will attempt posting as we travel!

Have a great weekend!

Birthday Party Recap

Unedited! Gasp...can you believe it??!! I actually moved my camera out of RAW just to make things a little easier on me! Enjoy... Pirates Flips

And feathers
And jumping into the pit!

And the birthday boy!

1103PM

Dear Ian,

I had to stay up until 1103 PM tonight because that is the exact moment you joined us! It is a moment that you changed my life in more ways than I can count. At that precise moment I witnessed a miracle I'm unable to compare to anything else in my life.

In the last year you have changed so much growing from a toddler to a boy! I love that I can have a conversation with you that really shows me how your little mind is developing. You display such empathy and not only try to please me but cheer me up when I'm sad.

You have your moments. Those moments that test my patience and make me wonder how I will ever make it through the teen age years. I am reminded that every day you are becoming more of an independent person testing the boundaries of your world. Funny how you always seem to balance the tough moments with sweet thoughtful ones filled with phrases like, "I need you" and "I love you so much Mom."

Our days together seem so full of activity and discovery now, it is becoming more and more difficult to remember what you were like last month, last year and even last week sometimes! I hope I never forget that precious twinkle in your eye when you are being silly or those moments that you reach your hand out to touch my face when you are napping. And of course, I hope I also remember the moments of you shouting, "I don't like those choices" or " I don't want to" or my new favorite "it's here time, not bath time."

When you arrived in this world I felt an overwhelming sense of your purpose. Something you needed to accomplish. Something you were here to do. I never guessed the changes you would make would be in me! You've made me love someone more than I ever imagined possible. You've connected me to my sisters, my mom, and all the moms I know in a way I did not know.

Quite simply, you've made me a better person. I hope I can continue to help make you one too.

I love you little man.

Mom

Happy Birthday Ian!

Three years ago today! Happy Birthday little man!

Party Like A Pirate

POTD 072608, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

What a great party it was! More photos to follow soon! Lots of family in town. A couple hours in the kindergym at Technique Gymnastics and cupcakes and friends!

Ian had a blast and was really excited to spend time at "gym class" with his friends.

I'm exhausted and trying to catch up with photos. Be back soon!

Jubillee Friday

Ever have one of those so full days you can barely recall things you did in the morning? Today was one of those days. Six hours ago feels like about 6 days ago!

Ian and I spent the morning at a Friends of Grant Park event with Music Matt! He was great. A lot of singing, dancing, and fun! MMatt sang one song and then asked everyone if they knew their ABC's. Random hands in the air. He then asked for a volunteer to sing it with him and a cute little girl went up to him, said her name, and chickened out and went back to her seat. He moved on to another song and just kept the flow going. About 1 1/2 songs later Ian stood up, looked at me, and said, "I wanna sing." And away he ran. Without a moment's hesitation he was in front of the group of 40 or so moms, dads, and kiddos standing by a microphone that was 3 times his size.

He told Matt his name and then sang his ABC's in front of everyone. You could hear most of them even! I was so overwhelmed I didn't get the best pictures, but wow, what a moment! Yes, I cried, because geez, there was my kiddo standing there all on his own singing his little heart out without ONE OUNCE of fear or hesitation. When he was done. We clapped. He ran back to me and Matt went on with the show.


Then the drums came out! He LOVED them! Waited his turn and then sat right down like he'd played a million times before!

Later in the day he recieved his first birthday gift via mail! A great book and this wild shirt from Cousin Kirin! Obviously he approves!

POTD 072508-1, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Grandma and Grandpa are here, which makes his day. Tomorrow Mumzy,. Gramps and Lainie arrive. And then the big birthday bash! Pirate Party pictures tomorrow!

It's a true jubillee around our house!

Jubillee!

POTD 072408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We are in the middle of Ian's Jubillee (officially celebrated one week before and one week after ones birthday). So tonight we celebrated with a bike ride to Rubicon Brewing Company. Ian was one wild and crazy guy complete with a cup on his head! He was pretty proud of himself balancing it there!

The best part? At the end of the evening he looked at me and said, "mom, I need you." Geez, if only we could hear that forever!

Oh...and that guy in the background of the photo? He taught Ian his first pirate joke! So the next time you see Ian ask him, "what did the pirate say at his eye test?"

He knows the punchline even without understanding jokes or eye tests!

Gifts for a 3 Year Old

Many of you have asked what Ian would like for his birthday...so in one quick list here goes!

1. Art supplies
2. Shirts 3T
3. Shorts/Pants 2T (only if they have adjusting tabs in them...the kiddo is skinny!)
4. Kid size gardening equipment

Okay, so that was really my list of what I'd like him to have. He would probably tell you

1. Pirates
2. Dinosaurs
3. Candy
4. Candy
5. A movie about pirates and dinosaurs
6. Margarita at his birthday party

My friend Myra summed up gift giving so well!

Me...Labelled

Someone at DD linked to Wordle today and I of course got caught up in it! This is what I was able to create using just my de.lic.ious tags. Word size corresponds to number of tags in that category. Kind of just sums me up doesn't it!! (click for larger view)

Woohooo Number Two

POTD 072108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

So I have resorted to bribery. Ian has wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with potty training. Nothing we tried would intice him to even get close to the bathroom let alone sit upon the throne. We had decided a while ago that we wouldn't pressure him, just let him go at his own speed and he'd tell us when he was ready.

I guess we changed our minds.

One too many nasty diapers (while also feeling guilty about more diapters) and we'd had it! So...I bought a bunch of little toys put them in a basket and told him. When you go in the toilet...you get a prize! It was like I finally flipped the switch on! He looked at me, said "I need to poop" and away he went. Lots of close calls, lots of playing on the pot only to have nothing happen. BUT, we've had success of two varieties!

So there you have it. I've given in to commercialism just to rid our house of diapers and wipes and excessive hand washing by a clean hands obsessed mother. He's happy. I'm happy. That's what matters most, right?!

I do wonder though...at what point do I look at those big blue eyes and say, "ok, no more toys you just have to do the deed now buddy?"

Happy Birthday Justin

POTD 072008, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We celebrated Justin's birthday tonight with a vegan sushi party! Everyone made a roll and then we all shared a huge platter of rolls with lots of yummy stuff in the middle! Our first few rolls were pretty simple and then we got more and more daring with sauces and rice on the outside of the roll and then got decorative!

We made our own but found some great recipes for inspiration at The Post Punk Kitchen

Great way to celebrate a birthday!

POTD 071908

POTD 071908, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

He loves his dad.

I could attempt to write some clever piece about the two of them and how good they are to each other blah blah blah, but I think those 4 words say it all.

He loves his dad.

Look What I Learned Today

Yep...that's me with a power tool in my hands! Given my extreme fear of knives and most sharp objects it was a bit of an obstacle to overcome! But I was determined! I love the photo but I love even more that Shea didn't hesitate when I said I wanted a photo of the moment! Final project results to follow soon. **For those of you worried about Ian's safety at this moment, he was tucked away in his bed in the middle of a long nap! Woohoo for naps!

Life Is Good

POTD 071708, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Justin and Breena showed up on our doorstep tonight on their bikes! With a little persuading we took a little cruise across midtown to Ernesto's for dinner. It was just a perfect night! Our ride home was in the dark, but in a pack with Shea's headlight all was well!

It was one of those nights that we just knew we'd made the right choice buying our house in midtown. I feel about 100x happier than I've been in a very long time!

Happy Two Year Blogaversary

Two years ago today I started blogging for Ian right before his first birthday! I thought it was really cute back then to write in his voice, which ended pretty quickly as he got his own voice and it just seemed a bit strange to be talking for him!

Here's the first photo from that very first post

Pouty Face

Ian has perfected the pouty face look! He now shows it to us if he is sad, mad, angry, disappointed, or any of the other related emotions! I think we only saw it three times today -- a good day!

Practicing

Ian is so excited about his birthday! He has officially begun to practice blowing out candles and singing Happy Birthday! In fact singing has become a new favorite of his. He played his "guitar" (a lacrosse stick) in the living room today for about 10 minutes wailing out a toon to go along with it! Then he followed it up with a punk rendition of Old McDonald followed by a "drumguy" solo on his plastic jack-o-lantern that somehow turned up after we moved!

What's next?!

POTD 071408

POTD 071408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Monday is gym day so that means time with Kathy and her kids! Ian loves his Addy time and his visit to Starbucks with them after! I love that he almost always falls asleep on the car ride home and can be carried up to his room for a long nap!

Since I saw him last Corbin has learned to crawl! Kathy let him demonstrate for me! This is just moments before he went for my lens! And once again his smile just made my day!

POTD 071308

POTD 071308, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We had our first party at our house! A post softball game bbq for Justin's store. A completely fat free vegan meal and NO ONE complained! In fact they ate more than I could have ever imagined!

About midway through carrying all of the food out Shea and I realized we didn't know were Ian was. I went to the front door, Shea went to the back. He is usually really good about saying, "I'm in here" when we call his name. For some reason this time he said nothing. Justin's friend and coworker saw him and Shea and I went running. He had made his way into the back corner of our yard by my vegetables -- a place he has never gone alone. He told us he fell and he sat so sadly with his lower lip curled and tears in his eyes. I don't know that I've ever felt so sad for him. I'm not sure why he was there.

Fortunately 10 minutes later he was okay again, even introducing himself to people with an extended hand and the "hi I'm Ian" greeting! He cracks me up!!

POTD 071208

POTD 071208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

We took Ian to story time at Time Tested Books. He tolerated it but didn't really love it! Somehow he had it in his little head that we were going to the "fish place."

After a couple of stories he was ready to go, no looking at books, just back in the bike trailer still asking for the fish place. Shea and I stood on the street and discussed just were a fish place might be found. So about 12 blocks or so later we arrived at the fish place! Ian loved it and he even found Nemo!

POTD 071108

POTD 071108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Justin showed up at our house tonight with his new ride :)

We now can ride in a pack!!

POTD 071008

POTD 071008, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Self Portrait time!

He was playing in the sprinkler this afternoon since our house was HOT! He would run in it, run to me and try to dry himself off on my shirt. He finally figured out if he snuck up from behind and hugged me it had the best effect of getting him dry and me wet!

I'm not a fan of being IN photos but I liked this...although the longer I look at this the more it is beginning to look like I photoshopped my head in...wonky angle! (and wow is my head big compared to his or what??!!) Thanks to Jessica Sprague for the great ShaZam technique for jazzing this up some.

Great visit with my mom and neice and nephew...photos tomorrow!

Ohhhh and here's the muffin man story. Credits here It's also on the Designer Digitals blog!

(this was a very link happy post!!)

POTD 070908-2

POTD 070908-2, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Thanks Mom and Shea! They stripped and painted our front door today! I can't wait to hang it! Great visit with my mom...they always go too fast!

POTD 070908

POTD 070908, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Do you see anything from yesterday's photo???

POTD 070808

POTD 070808, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian and I planted bellpeppers before we moved. When we finished putting them in pots I asked him what time it was. (since it was naptime!) He looked at me with his big grin and said, "grow time!"

And yes, it grew! This is our first one off the vine! Can't wait to try it out!! (and harvest a lot more!)

tomorrow (errr later today, I'll post the muffin man story!)

POTD 070708

POTD 070708, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian's first AAA game today! He loved it even in 101 degress at 7pm. Heat meant not a lot of people which meant lots of lawn space to play!

POTD 070608

POTD 070608, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

Ian's favorites at almost three

Food - waffles and strawberries, rice and beans, gold fish, broccoli
Book - Curious George
Phrase - "I don't like those choices"
Person - Dad unless it involves pain or upset then it's all about mom
Movie - Eloise, Madagascar, Mighty Machines

Saturday? Sunday?

Today felt like Sunday all day. I love days like that! It makes you enjoy the extra day just that much more!



To celebrate the completion of our living room painting project we rode our bikes to the "big taqueria." Always a good bet for me since they will cook my veggies exactly like I need them without giving me that "geez lady you are annoying look."

After finishing rice and beans Ian was a little anxious to leave. "You all done guys?" Since we weren't he decided to wear the guacamole bowl on his head. And being the bad mom that I am I took a picture of it instead of telling him to take it off! I'm not sure why they put them on the table anyway. I think it is their little marketing maneuver...if they see the empty vessel on the table they will want to fill it with the green stuff...

He's such a little ham!

POTD 070408 - Kids...

POTD 070408, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

don't try this at home!

4th of July

Like none we've had before! 4 parties to attend, much to be lit, and all within 4 blocks of home! Ian loved it and we (hesitantly) let him hold a sparkler. We climbed onto the levee and where able to see the Cal Expo fireworks before we started our own show!

After Ian went to bed Shea and I had the "adult" lighting with our next door neighbors. Joe truly got into the action :) And...well...there were some fireworks that I'm not exactly sure you can buy in California! But we won't talk about those!

Pirate Cupcakes

Ian and sat on the front steps today and discussed his birthday. It went something like this.

Me: What kind of cake do you want for your birthday?
Ian: A pirate cake!
Me: Do you want cupcakes or a cake?
Ian: Cupcakes and a cake.
Me: Do you want party hats?
Ian: Pirate hats!
Me: Who do you want to invite to your party?
Ian: Justin.
Me: Ok
Ian: You
Me: Okay, I'll come to your party
Ian: Margarita
Me: Where is Margarita (since I didn't think who is would be helpful)
Ian: In her house (okay where is wasn't helpful either)
Me: Is she at school?
Ian: Yes
Me to Shea: Do you have any idea who Margarita is?
Shea: Nope

So who is Margarita?!

POTD 070208

POTD 070208, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

My first power tool! I'll show the project later...I can't give it away before it's done!

PIcture A Day Shutterfly Book

I made this last week! The printed copy is really fun to look at and feels so professional! And today it is in the featured gallery at Shutterfly :)

Click here to view this photo book.

POTD 070108

POTD 070108, originally uploaded by katrina.kennedy.

I love summer vacation! Shea and I play a different game everyday! We've been through dominos, cribbage and today Scrabble! And well...let's just say that that long word you see is mine. And yes it was 71 points! Every tile! Wooohooo!

I can't wait to teach Ian to play! He'll be the 4th generation of Scrabble player in my family! :-)

****ETA
Well...I hope I can teach Ian to spell since my friend Mollie just pointed out that I spelled painting wrong!! Shea and I never even noticed that an N was missing!! Oh MY goodness!! I played it, scored it, and we never even noticed it was missing an N!! LOL Thanks MOllie :) SO much for that score!! But to my credit that blank could have been an N instead of the S!!