Happy 2nd Birthday Dorian!

It is so hard to believe that the "Little Man" is 2 years old already. He had an awesome "Choo Choo" birthday party.

Just look at that smile.

He was thrilled to finally get his own cell phone.
His favorite person to call is Papa.

He had no problem opening the presents.

All Aboard!

Thomas cake, created by Myron.

(and he says he is not creative)

Surprise!

5 night stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge - $few
Souvenirs of all shapes, colors & sizes - $couple
Surprising Larissa with a trip to Walt Disneyworld - PRICELESS!

It was so worth the 4 months of keeping my mouth shut to see the shock and excitement on Larissa's face when we told her that we were on our way to the airport to go to WDW. She was so excited that she actually had tears in her eyes. And she loved every second of the trip.

Here we are all decked out in our Mickey and Minnie shirts ready to go!

Larissa even got to sit in the cockpit with the pilot.

Survived the flight -

bus ride to our hotel.

Day 1 we visited Epcot.

Japan was a big hit because Larissa had been learning about it in school.

Day 2 Babcha joined us for a day at Animal Kingdom.

The drums were a big "HIT."

Day 3 and 4 were spent at Magic Kingdom.

The carousel is always popular.

We suprised Larissa yet again with a visit to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

and then lunch at Cinderella's castle. She really looked like a princess!

I know that Dorian does not looked to thrilled to have his picture with Cinderella,

but this was the only character that he would even stand next to.

He loved all of the other characters as long as they stayed far away from him.

Day 4 was spent with our friend Kris at Magic Kingdom.

This trip never would have been possible without everything Kris did for us!

THANK YOU KRIS!

Well lunch with Winnie the Pooh and Friends was supposed to be a big surprise

for Dorian, but he wanted nothing to do with a photo with these big furry guys.

Larissa on the other hand was ready with a big smile.

Day 5 we went to Downtown Disney for some more shopping before we headed

to the airport. Woo Woo! (Dorian talk for dog) This was perfect because this

character didn't move, so we actually got a picture of Dorian.

Happy 6th Birthday Larissa!

I can hardly believe that Larissa is celebrating her 6th birthday already! She celebrated with her friends with a party at Bear On The Square. Today on her actual birthday she will be going on a field trip to the zoo and the fire station and then this evening she has requested to have dinner at Friendly's. She has never been there but saw a commercial and I think the ice cream is what hooked her. Hopefully she will not be disappointed! On Wednesday she will be bringing in ice cream cone cupcakes to share with her classmates. And then on Sunday she will be celebrating with extended family. And YES daddy will be designing this years cake, a teddy bear. And I have come to the realization that it should not be called a birth"day" but instead a birth"week" because the celebrations never all happen on one day. But guess what my little girl is worth every single celebration and "MORE"!

And guess what there is MORE, but I can't tell you because it's a SECRET. So you will just have to check back in about 2 weeks to find out just what the big SECRET is.

Sleep, Shaving Cream & Toads

SLEEP - At my house I like to stay on a schedule when it comes to my kids - for their sake and for mine. And this means that when it comes to naptime Dorian rarely misses it and so when he does this is what happens- Uh, Dorian would you like some dinner with that dream?

SHAVING CREAM - When you are mommy to an almost 2 year old and you also care for another child M - F you are always looking for fun things to entertain them and sometimes this is what you end up with-

Dorian can't wait to dig in!


This is fun!


Oh ya!

Doesn't this look like fun!

TOADS - Larissa is absolutely fascinated with them and so when she found one in the flowers by her swingset she decided to make it her pet for a little while. She even named him Toady.

Please don't squish him to death!

How cute!

Toady playing in his habitat.

Toady doing a dance on his rock.

Toady and Larissa had quite a day together. Toady got to swing on the swingset, go for a ride on the remote control car and then he went for a walk to a nearby creek were he was released into his natural habitat. Larissa did want to keep him for a pet, but we reminded her that we have 2 dogs that would be more than happy to make a toy out of him.

Slow and Easy Macaroni and Cheese

So my friend Amy over at Bailey's Leaf is having a loving on the Crock-pot fest this week and is asking for everyone to post their favorite Crock-pot recipes to share. Since I could not come up with a favorite I just decided to post what I will be making tonight. Hopefully it will be yummy!

Slow and Easy Macaroni and Cheese

1 lb. dry macaroni
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
12 oz. can evaporated milk
10 3/4 oz can cheddar cheese soup
1 cup milk
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/8 tsp. paprika

Cook macaroni al dente. Drain and pour hot macaroni into slow cooker.
Slice butter into chunks and add to macaroni. Stir until melted.
Combine, eggs, evaporated milk, soup, and milk. Add 3 cups cheese. Pour over macaroni and mix well.
Cover. Cook on low 4 hours. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cook 15 minutes until cheese melts.
Sprinkle with paprika before serving.

Well I just realized that I forgot to buy cheddar cheese soup so I will have to get that before I can make anything. Oops!

I will be serving this with baked whitefish (cod) and a green veggie.

Enjoy!

Hodge Podge of Stuff

9 Years Ago!

Happy Anniversary Myron!

Ya tebe lublu!

Now that big sister Larissa is at school all day I have been keeping Dorian busy with his own activities at home. This week we have been singing "Do you know the Muffin Man?" and I decided to let him dress up as the "Muffin Man." He sure had lots of fun! Can't you tell by the smile.

Larissa had her first soccer game this past Saturday. Her team is called the Black Knights.

She loved being the goalie! And being the proud parent, I will tell you that she was an awesome goalie! She was not afraid to jump on that ball. Good job Larissa!

Today was picture day at school and Larissa got all jazzed up! (Literally!!) All I can say is WOW! Larissa definitely has her own style and I think it is great. I hope that she will always have the confidence to express herself and to be the person that God has created her to be!

I am an Aunt!

Last weekend we traveled to NY for my brother in laws wedding. Wow, they sure know how to party! We had a great time. So I have a new sister in law as well as a niece. I am so happy to have them as a part of our family.

Larissa, Dorian & new cousin Sasha

Dorian - what a ladies man!

Sasha & Larissa
(They are 2 peas in a pod!)

Natalya, Andrij & Sasha
Such a cute family!

And only one small catastrophe for the entire weekend, Dorian got stepped on by one very pointy high heel and lost his toenail. It was quite tramatic when it happened but now he seems rather proud to show off his poor little boo boo. So what did mommy learn from all of this, not a good idea to let your little one go bare foot on the dance floor when he is surrounded by some very dangerous high heels!

Larissa Starts Kindergarten

I decided to take Larissa to Miss Molly's in Medina for a special Mommy Daughter day out before she started Kindergarten. We got all dressed up (sorry no hats) and had a great time together!

Mommy & Larissa at Miss Molly's

Larissa all dressed for school

(all the pink stuffed animals had to be in the picture too)

Larissa walking into school


Larissa at her seat

Larissa getting off the bus

Larissa absolutely loves kindergarten. She enjoys learning new things and loves seeing her friends. I look forward to dinner when we have sharing time and I get to hear all about her day at school. Her favorite thing to tell me about is who she played with at recess.

The Pittsburgh Zoo . . . . . . . . .

IS AWESOME!

Larissa is taller than a newborn elephant!

Not quite Dorian!

This monkey was having a blast!

Pretty starfish!

Just chillin' with the Polar Bear.

Isn't he beautiful?

The underwater walkway was so neat.

This is why I don't swim in the ocean!

Larissa takes a relaxing log ride.

No log ride for Dorian, he would rather have a cookie!