Flip Happy

Our little toddler is turning more and more into a physically capable little boy every day. Since turning 2 he has perfected his techniques for climbing and descending, jumping, and somersaulting, and is therefore always on the look out for a new physical challenge. Lately he's grown tired of the inanimate objects, and has chosen us as his jungle gym/balancing boards. Kevin can not stand without being solicited for flips, and I can not sit without having our monkey wrap his arms around my neck and do a plank...like I'm his personal street sign or something. As for the past couple of days, he's discovered the challenge of climbing up our backs, and quite confidently standing on our shoulders. We're torn as to whether he's going to join the circus or be an Olympic gymnast when he's older. Either way, in 11 months, he's being enrolled in a real gymnastics class!

every trick is followed with an enthusiastic dismount stance and a "ta da!"

Happy Friday

This has been a nice, productive week in the Gupton household. Despite several late nights of work, and a mounting to-do list for Kevin, we were more than happy to adjust back into to our routine as a family of 3. But on top of the work load, school days, dog walks, and planning of an upcoming adventure, we managed to take a little time to relax and enjoy a pleasant 'espresso' party.

Embrace the Camera

a conversation with Papa

Love.

 They have such a sweet, loving bond.

She's been his protector from the beginning.

Papa's Home!

 ...and slightly under the weather, but we're not complaining!

Modern Technology

Kevin has been gone essentially for four of the past five work weeks. Numerous times a day August and I have the exchange where August says "Papa" in his questioning tone, to which I follow with "he's on a trip", and then we go about our business. It's a bit of a broken record by now.
Well August apparently decided to get resourceful, and taught himself how to Skype on the ipad so that he can see his Papa. Every once in a while, I will hear the dial tone going, and run over to see who he is trying to contact now. So far just his Papa and his Grandaddy have been blessed with his surprise calls, but I'm sure more are on their way... Let this be your warning as August is feeling awfully chatty!

chocolate, cards, flowers, and dog shows

Highlights of our enjoyable day:

Splashes of homemade decorations, heart shaped foods for 2 of 3 meals, two free morning mocha's, festive personalized goodies from super sweet preschool teachers and class, an EPIC three hour afternoon/evening nap, and of course, intense viewing of the Westminster dog show.

Heart

Evolution of a Valentines Day Card

This will be Augie's third Valentines Day, but his first year to really celebrate the holiday. We are having a little get together with some of our swim class friends on Monday, followed by a party and Valentine exchange at his preschool on Tuesday. Naturally I found the process of handing out his first cards to be a very important milestone, and therefore should not be taken lightly. I was going to just go out and buy cards, but when I started looking at the options, I was less than impressed. I mean really, how can Augie adequately profess his love to the world through an over-commercialized, animated character that he doesn't even know exists? So I quickly realized that I was going to have to take matters into my own hands and produce a batch of cards to hand out. I loved the process, and I love how the cards turned out.  However, I do realize that it will probably only be a couple of years until we are forced to give in to the licensed character phenomena ourselves. In all honesty, had we come across some Lady and the Tramp or Finding Nemo cards in the stores, this post probably would not exist. Regardless, I will happily continue using any festive, preschool opportunity that I can to pull out the craftiness.

Here's the low-down on the process of creating Augie's cards:

1. take a photo of the most adorably photogenic little Valentine that you can find.

2. edit the image, add some text, print on cardstock.

3. trim it down to preferred size (I chose 2.5x3.5).

4. punch hole with a heart punch.

5. apply modpodge to the back of your cards, mount to decorative cardstock backing, allow to dry.

6. trim yet again, and you're done!

An easy, personalized way for your little Valentine to express his love to the world. 

Puddles

Jumper, Stomper, Toe Dipper... 

However you prefer to describe it, he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

A Second Birthday Party!

We were firmly set on not hosting a birthday party this year. But then we felt compelled to host a small, intimate gathering with our closest friends. Somehow we kept finding ourselves in the 'what's a few more?' mindset. Before we knew it, we were hosting a fun-filled, cow jumped over the moon, second birthday party. We still managed to keep it pretty small, but when you pack thirteen adults, seven kids, and a newborn into our small abode, it suddenly feels like a much more chaotic affair. Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time, and I look forward to hosting our next party. But I'm certainly in no rush for August to grow up any faster than he already is!