Petting Zoo Birthday Party

We went to such a fun birthday party for our little friend Kane Garcia who turned 1! It was amazing, and ALL the little kids had so much fun. Holy cow! It was a petting zoo birthday party with pony rides and a BBQ.

Max couldn't stay out of the little corral that this company set up, in just a regular old park. There were like 6 goats, a pig, rabbits, ducks, chickens...I'm probably missing something... Ivy liked all the animals, too! As always, she was such a good girl the whole time we were there! Hello Chunky Brewster, do you have a neck? She's so cute.

Max petting the crazy looking chickens...there were a bunch of different kinds, and they were all ca-razy looking. And he kept telling the ducks that their feet were silly.
The Pig ate Max's watermelon rind, and the bunnies had so much fur, I'm not sure they weren't cats...they were really soft and cute. They weren't supposed to pick them up, but Max snuck it a couple of times...

I'm not sure which way is up...but he wasn't moving. (maybe that's not a good sign)...and yes, that's the bunny/cat/something I was talking about.

They also had a pony for the kids to ride. Max is now a pro at riding ponies, since he's done it so many times, he was putting his hand up the way a cowboy rides. He loves to ride horses! This party was such a fun idea!

I looked up the place that put on the petting zoo and pony ride part, Nettie's Party Pals and you can view their website here. I would totally recommend it--the Garcia's always have wicked fun parties!

dumpin' and lickin'

I attempted to potty train Max months ago, but after 5 days of staying home and running to the bathroom every twenty minutes, accompanied by kicking and screaming every twenty minutes I decided that he was clearly not ready yet.

He's been tinkling in the potty right before tubby for forever, but no pooping whatsoever.

(you all wanted to know, right?)

So for the past couple of weeks, Max has been telling me that he is going to 'go hide'. He hides himself behind a wall, or a door or whatever, and 2 seconds later comes out with a poopy diaper. Every time he does this, I jump on it--quick, lets go do it in the potty, like a big boy, and you can wear big boy undies, and pick a treat...and and and...fruitless! Until today! We had just gotten home from the store where I found an awesome poopin-in-the-potty-prize, and he told us he was going to go hide...and while a little bit escaped before he decided that it would be really fun to get his new toy, he did it! Skids on the seat and all! hee hee. he was so excited, and I am so proud of him, Good job, Maxer!
So he got a pretend ice cream cone that came with lots of different colors of scoops...and each time he poops on the pot, he can choose another scoop...
After naps, mom braved the world and took the kidlets, solo, to cold stone, where Max and I shared my birthday ice cream for freeeeeeeee!
we'll see if the poop for a scoop will continue...


While Ivy licked away on her pretend ice cream cone after we got home. mmmmmmm!
So today, we've been dumpin' and lickin'!
aren't you jealous!?

Holy Jim Falls Trail

Memorial Day we got a couple families together and went for a hike. I did say 'we'...yep, Jeffer man-ed up and went for a hike. I found this hike on the internet, and because it was a short one, to a waterfall, and because it had the word 'holy' in it, I told Jeff that I wanted to do it for my birthday. (perhaps the only way I can get him to do anything even close to hiking). We had to trek up the "gnarliest dirt road" (as Amber called it) to get to the trailhead. It was a 2.8 mile round-trip hike that ended with a cute little waterfall. Perfect length for a bunch of little kids, and very pretty. We saw stink bugs, butterflies and the coolest natural tunnel you have ever seen. We loved doing it with our friends the Baltzers and the Waldrons. Ivy and I at the trailhead... Daddy and Max

We are a hap-py fam-i-ly

Holy Jim Falls

Here's the group we went with. Yes, I know it's blurry, but I was banned from posting any of the other group ones. The crazy guy that took this one was a self-proclaimed photographer, yet this was the best one of the group...and it took him about 5 minutes to snap a quick picture...yes...at least we know who went with us! From left to right:

Saxon, Tad, Dane, Micah and Amber Baltzer, Max, Ivy, Autie, Jeff Mousser and Brandon, Hudson and Kim Waldron.

Without fail, every time we passed another group, we were called the baby brigade, or the baby patrol because there were so many kids. Tad was a trooper and carried two! We can't wait for Hike number two!!! I'm looking!--and Jeff is hiding! hee hee

Baseball??

As the past girlfriend of a collegiate and proffesional baseball player, and now the wife of a baseball-crazy-guy, I've had to learn a few things about the sport. Not to mention, my dad taught me a thing or two. Anyways, I thought it would be fun to put my girlie friends to the test and see if they know a thing or two about what makes the Mousser's world go round...good luck!
Disclaimer: Each of these questions was asked of me by my loving husband...if I got it right, it was entered onto my list of questions for this quiz...if I didn't know, or got a question wrong, it was thrown in the trash can...so, know for sure that I did know the answer to each of these questions...(I'm bragging) Some are waaay easy, and some may not be...see how you do...ps no cheating and asking your husbands...or my husband for that matter

1.) What's the difference between a curve ball and a change up?
2.)What does full count mean?
3.)How many feet is between Home Plate and First Base
4.)What's the difference between a glove and a mitt??
5.)What does DH stand for?
6.)Which league uses a DH?
7.)Who is known as "The Big Unit"
8.)Who holds the record for highest number of home runs?
9.)When is 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame Sung?'
10.)What is the name of the white rectangle on top of the pitchers mound?
11.)How many gloves are on the field in an inning?
12.)What are three names for the base in front of the catcher?
13.)What is rover?
14.)What does B.P. stand for?
15.)Where, generally is the best hitter placed in the line-up?

I'll post the answers later in a few days!

good ole bunny

Maxer got Bunny for Easter when he was like 6 months old, from my sister brandy...all the Ellsworth cousins will recognize bunny, because they all got one, too...but theirs is probably still in pristine condition, while Max's looks raggedy. Max LOVES bunny...he isn't allowed to take him out of the house, and is only taken somewhere when we'll be spending the night, because Max ALWAYS asks for Bunny. Maybe it's because Ivy is here...dunno, but Bunny has become part of our family, where bunny must pick the show Max watches, and Bunny will help clean up the toys. Max insists on setting bunny on the doorstep, because he wants to watch him play. He's been wrapping bunny up in in Blankets like a baby and carrying him around and asking me to say hi...and then yesterday, while I was fiddling on the computer, I turned around to find this:
Max had gone in his room, found one of Ivy's blankets, gotten a diaper, his 'powpow' (powder), his wipes and the aquafor (my magic potion that goes on everything) and told me bunny needed his bum changed. So stinkin' cute! I'd found a newborn diaper 2 seconds before this, that Ivy couldn't really fit into anymore, and I wiped bunny's bum, pretended to put powpow on, tried to skip the aquafor, but was reminded that I forgot it...and put a diaper on him. phew!

...and he was so happy! I just think it's funny...Brand, aren't you thrilled that this thing has gotten so much love?

the death of a well-used truck...

Max's AZ Grandma bought him this truck that he has so loved at DI for $2. This is Max when he was 13 months old, playing with the stinkin' thing. I can't tell you how many hours he has pushed this truck up and down the driveway, and now in California, has pushed it up and down the sidewalk. Hours and hours and hours and hours...for real

This is Max in CA, still playing with the thing at 26 months... And this is the truck today...it had a little accident, and is now destined for the dumpster. Max was so sad that it broke...and I must admit, that I, too, was sad because he has loved it so much.

So long, friend. You will be missed, but replaced with a truck with a lifetime warranty!

Announcement!

I'm kicking myself for only ordering 50 of these awesome announcements that my friend Kim designed for me. (bubsiedesigns.etsy.com)

Check Kim's stuff out here.

So, if I wasn't able to send you announcement, here's our little lady!

27

It's kind of the pits to have your birthday on a Sunday, but after all is said and done, its not so bad! Jeff tried and tried, for a week, to get me to open my present...he was so excited about it, the turkey. He got me an 'Ivy' charm to add to my necklace, and a freaking rad ipod shuffle with my name on it. So cute!!! He also kept another secret, which Im so impressed about...Saturday night, after we put Max to bed, and I was settlin' in on the couch with my feet up, feeding Ivy, and pulling up 'Lost' on the laptop, someone knocked on the door. I swiftly pulled Max's superman cape over Ivy...and my parts...and Jeff opened it and in filed 7 of my friends with a pink satin sash with "Mrs Birthday" written on it, and a tiara. I was so confused, and surprised and even told them to ssshhh, because I didn't really know what was going on...So fun! They whisked me away to the movies to see 'Ghosts of girlfriends past' and packed all sorts of goodies with caramel in them...my fav!!! So fun and thoughtful. Stayed up waaay past my bedtime and had so much fun with the girls!

I felt lots of love on Sunday (my actual b-day) with a gajillion comments on facebook and phone calls and texts...and a shout out from Melody in RS...heehee. My cousin, Sherry, drove in from Utah for like 3 and a half minutes and we had a fun time talking with her and her friends from Switzerland...and I loved having Jeffer home all the live long day! I'll post some pics from my girls night out when I get 'em...thanks everyone for making me a special day! Sad...ivy just wanted to eat, not get her picture taken...

So now, I'm 27...and it'll be a great year, since it's odd! woo hoo!

our sweet girl

I just can't believe what a sweet girl Ivy is. She is so patient and tolerant and calm. We are honestly so lucky to have her. She helped me fold clothes on our bed today while Maxer slept. she's so pretty, huh?

jill and joe cool

Out for a walk on yet another beautiful day... I had to take their picture before we left...sunglasses are so fun!

fluff and stuff

Well, don't tell Erin, (my sister, the dietician) even though she's the one who gave us the sinful stuff, but Max's tastebuds had their first fling with a fluffernutter sandwich...

He macked on that sucker like it would disappear! For those who don't know about fluffernutter, don't be too worried, I wouldn't eat it to save my life, but it's a peanut butter and fluff sandwich. Fluff is marshmallow creme, glorified.
Like Father, like son...this is Jeff's favorite treat!

and, ps...I finally got a picture of Ives smilin'...hee hee......and poopin!
happy day!

smooch fest

Max was having a smooch fest this morning with Ives...It was so cute, he was loving giving her kiss after kiss, and then eskimo kisses and then more kisses. He is such a sweet big brother, and loves to say hi to her and call her 'pretty girl.' After his smooch fest was done, I had him lay next to her, and he couldn't have been happier! She's chunkin' up a little, which is fun, but my favorite is that this week she has been smiling like crazy! i love that!
(ps...ivy might shoot me when she sees this in like 15 years, double-chin and all...but she really is stinkin' cute!)

Green as Wee Grow

Well, I've been waiting and waiting for the website to update...Max was asked to be in a photo shoot for a new organic line of clothing a little while ago, and the shoot was really fun at a photographer's paradise of a park in Seal Beach, CA. I checked today to see if his picture was on there or not, and lo and behold...there she blows!

We got a free shirt from the shoot (the one Max is wearing in the picture), as well as a free onesie for Ivy, and then a free picture from the shoot (the photographer is freaking amazing, but a little too expensive for us to use her on a regular basis). Anyway, if you want to see our little model's pic on the web, here's the link:

http://www.greenasweegrow.com/home.php?cat=1

Mothers Day

I always think to take a Mothers Day picture when I'm out of my church clothes, or in bed...when it's way too late. But, I had a great Mothers Day. Ivy slept in...so I woke up a little later than usual. And when I came out...Jeff had scrambled eggs and waffles waiting for me... and Max completely dressed for church! What a fun surprise! After church I was sitting in the rocking chair, feeding little Ives and watching this: and this:

and this:

...and I couldn't help but feel sooo grateful to be a mom to two really amazing little kids, and a wife to the sweetest guy in the world. Jeff is such a hard worker, and does so much so that I can stay home and be the mom, which is my favorite. I love you three!
love mommy

Here Comes Summer!

Woohoo!

We broke out the shark pool yesterday...and the kids had soo much fun. We couldn't believe that we'd been outside for 5 hours: it went so fast! At first, Max wouldn't get in. It wasnt until the twins came out...and a little reverse psychology that he finally sat down in the water...and then it was all over-- The shark has a spout that shoots water.
Add a couple of balls and voila! A little guys paradise!

The kids played so cute together...we had such a fun day!

SuPeRMax!

Here he is...SuperMax!!!Just another day in the life of a two-year-old little boy...saving the world, one stair at a time... I've been wanting to make this reversible cape for Maxer for quite some time...it's been on my list of things to do. I thought: maybe I should save it for his birthday or something...but when you know he's going to love something you made this much...how can you wait?
This cape is superman on one side, and batman on the other. So cute and super easy! I found the tutorial here, if you want to make your own!

Sweet

We got Ivy's newborn pictures back today...this was Max's first time holding his 'pretty dirl'.

so sweet!

Play Ball!

Back when Jeff was coaching at ASU, we were able to get Max a little starter glove (not a mitt, are you proud of me Jeff?). A great perk of being a baseball coach. I wanted to save it to give him for his birthday or something, but Jeff and I have been playing catch a few times in the last couple of weeks (ps, this doesn't last very long because Jeff enjoys coaching me instead of just having a little fun), so, anyway, he finally coerced me into unveiling our little catcher's new toy. He knows which hand it goes on, can't catch with it to save his life, and tries to throw the ball with it (and not his other hand...saves time, right?) But he thinks he's pretty cool and just like daddy with it on. Here's Maxer in action: ...the wind-up...
...the stretch...

... the delivery...and follow through...

can you see the ball?

Watch out, MLB!

Any resemblance?

Autumn (1982)

Ivy (2009)
...are you kiddin'?