Dating Your Kids and Favorite Rowan Things.

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Do you date your kids? Hahahah- that sounds kind of funny, but do you? Kev and I try to make it a point to go on dates with the girls. Life is busy and it doesn’t happen a ton but at least every month we try to go out with Rowan or Finley individually and then switch kids the next month. The girls love it! They always look forward to it- I also use it as a gauge as to how the girls are doing attention wise. I know if Rowan starts asking for it- it means she definitely needs the dedicated one and one time. Not that you can’t give that to them at home but this is just a little extra special. In the summer the New York City Ballet always comes to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for a week of performances. It’s something I look forward to every year! I get so excited to bring Rowan but also to get to see Justin Peck’s newest ballet. Ooh it’s always so beautiful, I just love him! Anyway, Rowan is always more interested in getting dressed up and doing all the activities they have for the kids than seeing the actual ballet but that’s ok with me. She’s 4 right? I can’t expect her to sit the entire performance. On family nights at SPAC they have all kinds of fun things for the kids. They had some of the ballerinas (and male ballet dancer? he’s not called a ballerina is he?) come out and teach the kids some of the steps from the ballet and talk a little about how they got started in their careers. There was balloon animals, free ice cream, photo booth, instruments you could try playing, and lots more. It was a great night to spend with my sweet little Rowan.

I had a mini break down in the car the other day when I was driving. It totally hit me she is starting kindergarten in a few weeks. Ahhh!! It wasn’t so much the kindergarten that was making me cry- I mean she is just going for like 2.5 hours every morning- more the idea that this is the start of her not being with me most of the day, all year long for…like… ever (insert all the crying here). She has always been with me. My little buddy. My sidekick. Then all the sudden she is just gone for 18 years of her life. I know that is being dramatic but Waaaaa! It makes me feel so sad. Now don’t get me wrong, most days I am ready to ship her off somewhere (I kid, I kid) but even on the toughest of days I wouldn’t change her being with me. We are taking each year as it comes with school. We loved home schooling last year but we just felt like this year with the new baby coming maybe it wasn’t a good idea. Who knows though, maybe the school she is going to will be such a great fit we won’t home school anymore. I don’t know. It just feel like such a big change this year.

Rowan at 4 years 10 months:

1. calls funerals sad parties
2. loves to give run hugs
3. tries to put air quotes around words when she talks- hasn’t quite figured out the appropriate use but it sure is funny when she does it
4. jumped off high dive at the pool
5. only likes peanut butter on her sandwiches
6. comes up with the best, most creative drawings ever
7. everyday wants to be something new when she grows up (latest as of the last 3 days: zoo keeper, model, hockey player)
8. best big sister in the world
9. loves to retell the plot from movies to people who haven’t seen them yet. Current favorites… Big Hero 6 and the new Annie
10. belts out Tomorrow from Annie in the car when she thinks no one is looking
11. has a very particular, super nervous laugh she does when she is actually scared but trying to pretend it’s really fun (Like petting animals and swimming in the middle of the lake)
12. says underwhener instead of underwear
13. loves to come into our bed in the morning and fall back asleep cuddled up to me super close
14. LOVES and I mean LOOOOOOOVES to go out to eat. I think she suggests it about 2 times every day.
15. always wants someone to play with
16. learned to swim in 2 swim lessons
17. Rowan is super excitable. We’ve noticed when she is doing something especially fun for her she act this certain way that Kev and I call “captain papa”. We call it that because the first time we noticed it she was on my Dad’s boat in FL walking around shouting “Aye, Aye Captain Papa”. It’s this very sweet, over the top, making silly jokes, talking nonstop, everything makes her giggle in almost a fake kind of way sort of thing. I don’t even know how to describe it and I think it’s only something Kev and I would really pick up on but we love it to pieces and I also love the little inside joke Kev and I have about it now. What a doll she is!

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Preschool Valentine’s | Homemade Bird Seed Feeders

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I won’t lie. I’ve been looking forward to this day since before I had kids. I dreamed of the day when I would get to make Valentine’s Day cards with our kids to bring in to school. The day is finally here!! Tomorrow is Rowan’s Valentine’s Day party at school and we’ve been busy all week making little goodies for her friends. We decided to make some cute bird seed feeders in the shape of hearts for her to give out. We designed little bags to put them in. Rowan colored in the hearts on the bag and painted some paper for us to cut the hearts out for the top. Now let’s just hope the snow doesn’t rain on our parade. My fingers are crossed school doesn’t get canceled tomorrow.

Ingredients:

4 cups of bird seed
1 envelope of unflavored Knox gelatin
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 cup of water
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3 Tbsp corn syrup
Heart cookie cutters
Cooking spray/ or oil
Twine
Straws
Wax paper
Cookie sheet
measuring cup

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Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix everything but the bird seed together. Mix well.
2. Add bird seed. Stir until combined evenly.
3. Spray inside of heart cookie cutter with cooking spray.
4. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
5. Place cookie cutter down on baking sheet, fill with bird seed mixer. It will be sticky. You can use fingers or you can spray your wooden spoon with cooking spray to help.
5. Pack cookie cutter with mixture. You can use the back of a measuring cup to pack it in and make it flat.
6. Poke a straw through the heart towards the top.
7. Lift cookie cutter. You should be able to slide bird seed heart right out.
8. Respray cookie cutter. Repeat all steps.
9. Let them dry for a few hours to over night until they are hardened.
10. Tie twine through the hole and then give as gifts or hang outside on your tree

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Happy Valentine’s Day.
(To see another super easy preschool bird feeder craft I did- head on over to the Little Hip Squeak blog and check it out!)

Little Ballerina

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I don’t have much to write today. I look at these pictures of the sweet little girl who made me a mother and realize just how much she has grown up. It leaves me speechless sometimes. So filled with emotion, I don’t even know how to get out the words I want to say. I am so honored to be her Mom. She teaches me, stretches me and breathes life into me. I welcome 2014. As much as I want to press the stop button and savor these moments with her. I know that each new year will bring a new journey. A new road to travel together. It will be bumpy and hilly at times but we will hold hands together and see what great adventure awaits us.

Being a Kid.

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sometimes a girl’s just got to jump in a giant pile of leaves. ya know?
enjoying the last few days of autumn around here before we hit that no turning back winter shift. isn’t being a kid so fun?

Let’s Make Something! | Beads

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Yay! Well, it only took us about 3 months to make another one of these videos. Remember our bath bomb one? Whoops. I even video taped this one in August but just never got around to editing it till now. Better late than never I guess? I’ve been painting wooden beads like a mad women around here for the necklaces I’ve been selling in my etsy shop. The idea actually came from making beads and hand painting them with Rowan one day. It’s a super fun craft to do with your little one!

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Materials:
Craft Paint
Paint Brushes
Air Dry Clay ( I like the Delight brand. Super light weight for kids!)
Yarn Needle
String
Clasps (Magnetic Clasps work best for little kids. They can take it on and off easily and if it ever got caught a slight pressure would break it off)

Have Fun!

What Rowan Wore | 10.02.13

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School has been going so great for this little one. I didn’t think I was going to love it as much as I am either. I was excited for her, but it’s scary dropping them off for the first time ever and leaving for 2.5 hours. You know what though? I am really trying to enjoy the time I get with just Finley and the small amount of time that I get (gasp!) by myself. School lands right during nap time. I come home, feed Finley and put her to bed. I haven’t had down time during the day since Rowan gave up naps a long, long time ago. It’s a little luxury that I know won’t last forever, so I am totally enjoying it. I actually got to eat a hot meal today for lunch and I ate it slowly. Boom!

I wanted to call Rowan “Rizzo” in this outfit.

This is such a Rowan face…http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/10041740654/

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OUTFIT DETAILS:
Denim Jacket: c/o GUESSkids
Red button up: Old Navy
Leggings: Gap
Converse High Tops: Zappos

The Princesses and the Worm

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived 5 little Princesses. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845392966/

They were the very best of friends. They loved sharing and always played nice (wink, wink). http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845376615/

One day when they were all together in their most favorite gowns and tutus, the youngest one yelled “AHHHHHHHHHH,” pointing at something that she saw on the ground. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845395796/

They all turned to look. What was it? What could it be? http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845440903/

They had to get a closer look. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845332594/

and then an even closer look. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845376786/

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To their surprise it was a worm. He told them of the magical hidden princess wands. They were to find them and use them to change him back into Prince Charming. Off they went. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845415363/

When they found the wands. They danced and celebrated and had the time of their lives. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845341345/

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One the way back to find the worm they came across a trampoline. It was filled with bouncy balls and they couldn’t help but hop in and jump. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845390046/

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They bounced into the good Fairy who reminded them of their promise to the worm.http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845414516/

They found the worm and changed him back into Prince Charming. And what a handsome Prince he was! http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenloveskev/9845427773/

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and they all lived happily ever after.
The End.

(needless to say, Rowan has a very fun time at her party.)

Hi, I'm Jen!

Welcome to my personal lifestyle blog. It features topics such as motherhood, family life, fashion, cooking, and all sorts of adventures. I hope you enjoy what you find!

Jen Loves Kev
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