Fun at the park

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous the past couple of days, so we had to get out and enjoy it!  We took a trip to one of the big playgrounds in our city - and because we went during school hours, it wasn't too busy!

Noah especially enjoyed running around . . . but he had to have someone tagging along with him.  Fortunately, he has a big brother and sister that are glad to fulfill that role (leaving Mom free to take pictures)!

Such a great time!

Science Fair Fun!

One of our final co-op activities of the year is the annual SCHOLA science fair.  This is the second year that Lael and Jaden participated in the science fair, and although the days leading up to the science fair are always filled with a flurry of activity, it's always a fun night!

This year we had a special guest - Mr. Frank DeFreitas (he's a member of our church) - who shared with us about holography . . . amazing stuff!

 At the cafe, kids could choose a cookie by naming an element (or just picking their favorite color)!

 We've been studying the human body this year, so Lael and Jaden each chose to do a "display of knowledge" about something relating to the human body.

Lael's project was on nutrition and digestion:

One of the co-op moms was the judge who talked with Lael about her project.

 Great job, Lael!

 Jaden's project was on muscles . . .

 . . . and here he is with his judge.

Great job, Jaden!

 Noah spent a lot of time in his stroller at the science fair so that he couldn't do any damage!  But he still had lots of fun - he especially liked looking at the goldfish that was at one student's display . . . and he ate lots of popcorn at the cafe!

 What a fun night!  Congratulations to all who participated!

Looking back - 8 years ago!

Eight years ago today we welcomed

Jaden Matthew Martin into our family!

He was 7 pounds, 4 ounces - which seemed huge after our

micro-preemie Lael!

Because I had to wait so long to hold Lael (she was over a month old before I held her for the first time), I was incredibly anxious to hold Jaden.  But having had a c-section, I had to wait until I was out of recovery - which seemed to take forever!  Then when I was ready to leave, they had no place to take me because all the rooms were full!  Which meant more waiting!

Finally they took me to the post-partum unit only to have to wait in the hallway because my room was being cleaned . . . well, I couldn't wait any longer to hold my son!  So I asked the nurse to bring him to me so I could snuggle him in the hallway!

Lael was pretty impressed with her new baby brother, but she was just as happy to snuggle her doll! 

Daddy with his son

Lael "holding" her baby brother

Grandpa and Grandma Martin

Ready to come home from the hospital

Visit from Nana and Papa - when Jaden was 2 weeks old

Jaden, we are so glad that you are in our family - you bring your own special spice to our lives and I can't imagine my life without you in it!

Mother's Day weekend 2012

We took advantage of the wonderful weather on Saturday to head to the park - Noah always enjoys having space to roam . . . and have people chase him!

 The best way to keep track of Noah at the park? Push him in the swing!

 After some busy playtime at the park - and running and climbing and hanging around - we headed to Chick-Fil-A for supper . . . and more climbing, sliding and hanging around!

Here Jaden jumps to touch the airplane in the play area.

 Lael was Noah's escort in the play area (mostly so he didn't get stuck somewhere that we couldn't reach him) - I think he wore her out!

 Jaden had fun checking out his "big brain" in the mirror

 I'm not sure, but I think he had fun ;)

Mother's Day itself was full of all kinds of surprises . . . wonderful gifts, heart-felt cards, homemade gift certificates from my kids that I look forward to redeeming! 

Oh, and we can't forget the delicious chocolate-covered strawberries . . . Noah helped me eat one!

 I love my kids . . .

 . . . and I'm so blessed to be their mom!

Mmm . . . muffins!

If you give Noah a yummy, warm-from-the-oven blueberry muffin . . .

. . . make sure you put a bib on him or you will end up with this!

In case you couldn't tell, he enjoyed every bite! :)

Time with Grandma and Grandpa

In the midst of all the birthday festivities, Grandma found time to read quite a few books with Noah . . .

One of Noah's favorite things is to read books . . . so if you want him to climb up beside you, just ask him if he wants to read a book! ;)

 The only way we could get Noah to sit still long enough to get a picture was to give him a book.  Of course, then we had to wait until we could get him to look up for the picture . . . everyone else kept patiently smiling while we waited for Noah to be camera-ready!