Knowles Notes

Cedar's 1st day of Pre-K

2012-09-05T20:59:00.001-06:00

My little guy just turned four years old and is in Pre-K. Cedar was so excited for school to start! I wasn't sure how he would feel about all the changes that have taken place the last few months, but he has been a champ. He loves his new school and his teachers seem great. While some kids were clinging to their parents, he jumped right in and immediately started playing with a firehouse. He was confident and ready to start a new adventure.

After preschool, Cedar had his four year old well-visit with Dr. Matt. Dr. Matt said he's a good kid and right on track. But, I knew that already. He is smart, funny and sweet. He's also rowdy, a little shy, and competitive. He's in the 80th percentile for weight and the 90th percentile for height. He's perfect, if you ask me. Right now, he's most affectionate with his mama but I see him turning into a daddy's boy at some point. There's no doubt that he's my special boy, my sous chef and my helper. He's Ainsley's best friend and Ayelet's protector. He loves to play hockey, baseball and football with Dear Darling. And, he loves his kitty. I am so thankful that he is healthy, vibrant and an all-around good kid.

I'm looking forward to watching Cedar grow and hope he has a great year in Pre-K!

Ayelet Belle is 1 1/2

2012-08-23T19:52:00.001-06:00

My little Ayelet Belle is already a year and a half. "Take a big, deep breath" I tell myself often. While I try my best to keep her a baby, she is well into toddlerhood. There is just no stopping her. She is smart and opinionated and never ceases to amaze me. She picks out her own clothes and loves fancy shoes, a girl after my own heart. She is finally starting to eat green vegetables and loves kale and broccoli. She loves to give "raspberries" to her family and is the most affectionate baby I've ever seen. Oh, how I love this kid.

Ayelet has learned so much from her siblings and tries hard to keep up with them. She wants to be with them at all times, doing whatever they are doing. I give her as much freedom as I can but I still want to protect her from all the bumps and bruises from the world. I wash off the mud pie residue and am happy that she has 2 siblings who are willing to teach her to "cook." She has an amazing vocabulary and can just about anything. While she can say, "Cedar" she prefers to just call him "Boy." Boy. The simple word describes their simple, relaxed relationship. They love each and that's that. She refers to her big sister as, "Ains"most of the time and thinks the sun rises and sets for her. And, Ainsley thinks the same is true for Ayelet.

I am so lucky that I get to spend my days with her. She is so funny and just a beautiful human being. Her sweet laugh makes my heart melt. Then again, most everything about Ayelet Belle melts my heart.

Kindergarten, here she comes!

2012-08-22T13:31:00.000-06:00

Today is sweet Ainsley's first day of Kindergarten. She woke up before anyone else, got dressed, made her bed, straightened her room and then cuddled with me. She was excited about her day and so was I. My little girl was ready for her new adventure.

The whole family took Ainsley to school. The kids lined up outside with their teacher. When they started walking towards the building, Ainsley turned and shouted, "Bye, Mommy!" Then, she blew a big kiss to me! Right before she walked inside, she turned and waved again. My precious little girl must have known that I needed a little reassurance and her big smile gave me just that.

Ainsley is such a special girl and even though she has been a part-time preschooler for a few years, I miss her so much. Cedar misses his best friend but maybe he and Ayelet will become closer. I wish I could reach out and kiss her scrunchy nose but I know she is having a great time. We made a cookie cake and will celebrate her first day when school is over.

Happy first day of Kindergarten, Ainsley!

Sidewalk Chalk Party

2012-07-30T07:57:00.000-06:00

The Event
For Cedar's fourth birthday, I came up with the idea to have a Sidewalk Chalk Party. It's a fun, but simple, theme considering we have a concrete court in our backyard. What kid doesn't like to use his imagination and create art with chalk? Cedar thought it was a great idea so the party planning began. Here are the details for Cedar's very special sidewalk chalk birthday party.

The Invitation

I found a "chalk balloons" party invitation on Evite that was so perfect! I loaded a super cute photo of the birthday boy on the invitation and put on my party planning hat.

The Welcome
To welcome our 45 guests to the party, I decorated the walk to our home with sidewalk chalk art. There were stick figures, ABC's and tic tac toes along with silly sayings like, "Cedar was here!" and "Party on dude."

The Activities

Nothing is needed for a sidewalk chalk party besides the obvious...

But nothing says party like a pinata...

Or a bounce house....

The Food

Cedar and I decided on a simple menu of watermelon, chips and salsa, marshmallow pops and pizza. Marshmallow pops are so easy to make and always a big hit with the kids.

The Cake

Much to my surprise, the baker at our local grocery store took my ideas and created an awesome cake. It was a delicious chocolate cake, Cedar's favorite! The cake was so large that I decided to carry it to the table while still in the box. It didn't make for perfect photos but he was able to blow out the candles and make the perfect wish all the same.

The Favors

Each kiddo received a box of chalk, my most practical (and favorite) favor yet.

Special thanks to Dear Darling and Grammy Pat for helping it all come together. It was a great party and Cedar is blessed to have so many wonderful friends. We are grateful to all who came to celebrate his special day.

Happy Birthday, Cedar!

Jump towards your bliss

2012-07-29T14:15:00.000-06:00

Our new house came with a trampoline. It looks so ragged that I haven't let the kids jump on it yet. The net is torn and popped springs are strewn on the ground. I decided to try it out even though the risk was high for an unfortunate mishap. Imagine explaining that to an ER doctor. Still, it looked appealing and I hadn't been on a trampoline since childhood.

JUMPING WAS SO MUCH FUN! I contemplated doing a flip but my forty-year old self said, "Maybe tomorrow night." After a few minutes, Dear Darling joined me and we giggled like school girls. He made me bounce so high that I laughed uncontrollably and was unable to speak. I kept flying through the air because I couldn't get the words out of my mouth to get him to stop. But it was so fun that I didn't want to stop. The moments that make us feel like a kid again are too amazing to will them to end. So we kept jumping.

We jumped so high that we could see into our neighbors' yards. We laughed even harder when we saw a man whom we have not yet met hanging out with his son. I'm sure he was thinking, "Who are those crazy people that moved into our neighborhood?" We laughed some more when we considered what our sleeping kids would think. They would think that they were missing out on a ridiculously fun time. And they were right.

Jump towards your bliss.

I'm Back!

2012-07-29T14:13:00.000-06:00

After a hiatus from blogging, I'm happy to shout, "I'm back!" Can't wait to share our silly events with you like Dear Darling getting pelted by a pound of coffee. We've got lots of catching up to do so I'll fill you in as soon as I get a chance. First, I want to celebrate my favorite little guy's birthday. Post to follow.

1st Time Skiers

2012-05-07T15:43:00.005-06:00

KEYSTONE RESORT 2012

Ainsley is Five!

2012-05-07T11:42:00.001-06:00

My sweet Ainsley Knowles turned 5 in March, in the midst of our home sale/househunting saga. Dear Darling and I took Princess cupcakes to preschool so that she could celebrate with her friends. Her actual birthday started off with blueberry pancakes for breakfast followed by a family celebration in the afternoon. Per her request, we had a Hello Kitty birthday cake and ice cream. Then, she headed to the movies to see Dr. Seuss' The Lorax with Dear Darling and Cedar.

At 5 years old, Ainsley impresses me with her love of life. She is so enthusiastic about school, dancing, singing and playing with friends and family. She is incredibly sweet and a really kind person. She is very protective of Cedar and enjoys helping to take care of Ayelet. What a blessing she is to our family!

As the firstborn, she will always hold a special place in our hearts. I'm so proud of who she is, a beautiful girl all around.

Pink Pajamas

2012-05-07T11:13:00.001-06:00

Is there anything cuter than a pajama clad baby? I don't think so.

Ayelet is 15 Months Old!

2012-05-07T11:04:00.002-06:00

My baby, and she will always be my baby, is growing up. Literally growing up, that is. Ayelet Belle is in the 99th percentile (33 1/4") for height. I'm not surprised that she is so tall, or thin, for that matter. My delicate little darlin' only weighs 18 pounds 12 ounces. Sure, we've tried to fatten her up, but being beautiful, tall and thin isn't a bad way to go through life.

Our family adores her. Even Cedar and Ainsley love having a baby in the house and don't want her to grow up. They realize babies are special and are to be spoiled. Dear Darling and I think the world revolves around her. We love everything about her and really enjoy having her in our lives.

Ayelet garners attention everywhere she goes and can be quite a show off. Her toothy grin captures the hearts of strangers. Ayelet likes to make faces-- pretty eyes, frowns, smiles, etc. It cracks me up that she will go from one expression to another just to get a laugh. She is still quite the lover. Ayelet likes to kiss and give pats on the back. She is the most affectionate baby I've ever seen. We are so lucky to have this precious, funny girl to love.

Developmentally, Ayelet is right on track. She took her first steps at age 13 months (2-24-12) but really decided to start walking at 15 months. She feeds herself and especially likes berry-banana-kale/spinach smoothies. She loves to play with her siblings and be part of the action. Ayelet climbs on everything, just like I did as a child. So far, she hasn't had a major crash. She is very communicative and does great with sign language. She is such an easy baby, especially since she can communicate what she wants-- food, drink, diaper change, etc. I love to hear her make animals sounds and to see her sign the names of animals. Of course, nothing makes me happier than to hear her say, "Mommy."

Ayelet Belle may be a toddler, but she will always be my baby.

On Turning 40

2012-01-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Me, forty? Really? How did I get here and why are there so many candles on my cake? I just need a couple to make my skin glow. 40 is enough to light up the night's sky and highlight my wrinkles.

Yes, I'm 40. FORTY. I need to start hanging out with the 50 year old crowd instead of trying to do CrossFit with girls literally half my age. Instead of hitting the town after a workout, I'm hitting the tub for a long soak. Despite what they say, 40 is not the new 30. My skin had a heckuvalot more elasticity at 30.

Yet, 40 feels like a badge of honor, something I've earned. I've been down the broken road, often taken the high road and find myself most at peace on a mountain road. There have been times when I thought, "Life isn't fair." Well, life isn't fair. I'm lucky to be blessed many times over. And there are few things that a new pair of shoes won't make better.

I am living a good life and on some level feel as if I have finally arrived. I'm happy in my own skin. I appreciate how strong my body is to have birthed three children in four years and it still allows me to do all that I need to do. I married an awesome man who makes me laugh at this crazy circus with three kids that we call "life." I became a mother and love these three tiny humans running around with my genes more than life itself. I've collected so many gems of wisdom, sometimes in the form of scars, that I would never turn back the clock. Yet, I have so far to go....

And this journey I'm on just seems to be getting better. I am constantly learning, growing and becoming. The every day challenges that bog me down at times and make my head spin, often disappear when I tuck the little ones into their beds. In the evening quiet, there is peace. I realize that tomorrow is a new opportunity to start over, do things a little better or just be. The ride is more important than the destination. I often have to remind myself to enjoy the insanity and just relax. But I am rarely still...

I've thought a lot about this milestone birthday over the past year and how I should celebrate my entry into a new decade. I decided I didn't need to do anything BIG. No exotic trips without the kids or training for a marathon or any other monumental event to mark the occasion. I just want to spend time with family and friends, have a few slices of cake and reflect on how grateful I am for all that I have.

Of course, I DO believe in celebrating and you know much I love cake. My girlfriends planned a fantastic night out at a wine bar, complete with balloons, corsage (yeah!), cupcake cake, and fun presents. Special thanks to Shana and Elizabeth for making it all happen! Dear Darling took me out for a fancy schmancy 5 course dinner while Mom babysat the kids. Then, we had a family celebration, complete with mom's homemade carrot cake. Finally, we are going on a family ski trip. This is a milestone and I plan to enjoy this year. After all, who cares when you turn 41?

Bring on the big 4-0h. I am ready to make it fabulous.

Shaggy.

2012-01-18T13:43:00.000-07:00

Notes on a 1 Year Old

2012-01-18T12:52:00.001-07:00

My little Ayelet Belle was born on a wintry morning just one short year ago. I remember the drive to the hospital. Snow was gently falling and all was still and peaceful. There were few cars on the road and I just took it all in. The soft snow blanketed the ground, the trees and the rooftops. Our neighborhood looked like a winter wonderland. Ayelet's birth was the highlight of 2011 and every day since has been amazing. She is such a blessing and completes this beautiful family of mine.

I enjoy watching her every move and seeing her big personality revealed. She is humorous, opinionated, strong willed and oh so sweet. She loves to be with her siblings, play with toys, read books and play peekaboo. She likes to be chased and to play with the curtains. Her favorite activity is bathtime and it's all the more fun if one or both of her siblings is in the tub, too. And mostly, she loves to love, giving kisses and hugs to her family. Sometimes, she reaches out to strangers with a hand and a smile, all 8 teeth in view. She is ticklish and the sound of her laughter can turn any day into a great one.

So many things make my little girl unique, but one thing I love is the little mole on her tiny tush. I have tried so many times to wipe it off during a diaper change, only to find myself laughing at its permanency. It's funny how much I love that little birthmark.

And somehow, I love her more every day. Mom says she has to be the most kissed baby in the world. I can't help it. Her little checks are a magnet for my lips. But I'm not the only one who finds her irresistible...

Ayelet Belle, you are a ONEderful ONE!

A Pretty and Pink First Birthday Party

2012-01-10T15:34:00.000-07:00

Secretly, I love pink. I do. For Ayelet Belle's first birthday party, it just seemed fitting to have a "Pretty and Pink" theme. My delicate baby girl is always wearing pink and I love the look of a monochromatic color scheme. Two shades of pink filled our home, from the decorations to well, our outfits! Here are the details of Ayelet Belle's very special birthday party.

The Cake

The most important component of any birthday party is the cake. It is the grand finale, the fireworks, the oh so sweet ending that will send guests on their way thinking sweet thoughts before their sugar crash. Instead of going the bakery route, mom and I got to work in my kitchen. Mom baked a triple layer strawberry cake and made a Swiss buttercream icing. After covering the cake in a thin layer of icing, I topped the two bottom layers with strawberry filling. Then, I decorated the ruffle cake. It turned out pretty well, considering it was my first attempt at decorating a cake. I know. It was a risky move but it turned out almost as good as Martha Stewart's. Almost. I considered making a practice cake earlier in the week but that would've been too safe. Sometimes, you just gotta go for it. That's my philosophy in the kitchen and in life. We also made a smash cake and cupcakes. Without further ado...

Strawberry Ruffle Cake

Smash Cake

Treats and Bags

While cake pops are all the rage, I decided to make marshmallow pops. These are super easy to make and a great alternative to cake. They looked very pretty in vases on the table and the kids loved them!

For the kids' special activity, I set up a candy bar. The kiddos scooped candy from various bowls into clear treatbags. I tied them with ribbon, slapped on a pre-made "thank you sticker" and stuck them in the treatbags. Each treat bag also included an old fashioned pink swirl lollipop and a marshmallow pop. Voila'! A big hit with the kids.

The paper treatbags were also used to decorate the mantle. I just love the pennant banner that says, "Ayelet is 1."

The Decorations
I snapped this photo before the table was completely set but you get the idea. I layered a bright pink runner made of wrapping paper over a pale pink tablecloth. The runner was a little wide but it showed more of the pale pink tablecloth than can be seen in the picture. The background on the wall is also made of wrapping paper, strips of ribbon and balloons. So easy! The chair cushions were covered in cuts from a pale pink tablecloth. I especially love the pom poms!

The Menu
Yes, even the food was white, pink, or close!
Mozzarella cheese cubes
Strawberries
Strawberry graham rounds with strawberry cream cheese
Pink iced animal crackers
Mini pimiento cheese sandwiches
Smoky gouda dip and crackers
Cream cheese topped with red pepper jelly and crackers

The Outfit
Last but not least, the birthday girl must be dressed for the occasion. Ayelet Belle was ready to party in her pink cupcake onesie with pink rosette skirt and leggings. My little fashionista found style and comfort in this cute outfit. As for me, I couldn't resist wearing pink too.

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Ayelet Belle!

Ayelet Belle's 1st Birthday Party!

2012-01-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Cake!

Pretty in Pink

Doting Daddy

Proud Mommy

Cake Time!

Some of the crew

Faith at the "Candy Bar"

Grammy and her girl

Wren

Yesterday, we were delighted to celebrate Ayelet Belle's first birthday with family and friends. It was so much fun to watch our baby girl at her very first, VERY PINK birthday party. She was happy and loved all of the action! Of course, she also loved CAKE. The Broncos game was on during the party (they won!) so it was an especially exciting afternoon. Happy Birthday, Ayelet Belle!

LSU Pride at One Mile HIgh

2012-01-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

It's game day and there's no doubt who my kiddos want to win the BCS National Championship! They donned their LSU outfits for preschool and shouted, "LSU! LSU! LSU! GEAUX TIGERS!" all morning. There is lots of LSU spirit in the Mile High City.

One Year Later

2012-01-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

One year ago, I was 9 months pregnant during Christmastime. I didn't know if the baby in my belly was a boy or a girl. Now, I can't imagine life without my little Ayelet Belle. The last year has been fun, challenging, great, exhausting and a beautiful journey. I have learned and grown and had wishes come true. And my baby belly is almost gone. What a difference a year makes.

Christmas 2011

2012-01-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Christmas-- that wonderful, magical, glorious, yet exhausting time of year has come and gone. I made a special effort to enjoy this beautiful time with my three small children and was careful not to overbook my calendar. Still, I was wrapping presents on Christmas Eve while Santa (a.k.a. Dear Darling) was assembling the last gifts. All in all, it was the perfect holiday season.

The holidays were extra special since Grandma Sue, Grandpa Ron and Grammy Pat were all here to share the Christmas joy. We went to church on Christmas Eve and then had gumbo and German Chocolate cake. Next, we all donned our Christmas jammies and the bears opened their gifts from Fairy Godmother Tina and Dan. Then, the kiddos left a plate of sugar cookies for Santa and an apple for Rudolf on the dining table before heading to bed.

I love the hours on Christmas Even between the time the bears go to bed and I awake in the morning. I get so excited, anticipating the chaos that will occur bright and early the next day. Dear Darling and I usually enjoy a glass of wine while stuffing stockings and enjoying the Christmas tree lights. Every year, I encourage the adults to meet in the living room early so that everyone can watch the sleepyheads racing to see what Santa brought. With coffee cups and cameras in hand, we waited for the kiddos at 5:45 a.m.

Christmas morning was amazing! Ainsley got up first and I told her she had to get Cedar before coming into the living room. At four years old, Ainsley was able to take it all and enjoy the insanity of Christmas morning. She immediately went to check out her new Barbie townhouse and believed Santa had made her wish come true. At three years old, a sleepy Cedar was a little overwhelmed by all the surprises. He couldn't believe Santa brought him such a big workbench. He warmed up quickly and soon, wrapping paper was flying through the air! After the big bears and the adults had opened their gifts, Little Ayelet Belle woke up and we got to do it all again. It was so nice to celebrate our baby girl's very first Christmas in this special way. We opened her presents and all of the attention was on her. She had a great time and was so happy to be a part of the fun.

That night, we enjoyed a German style Christmas dinner with the Kurz and Goetz families. We are grateful and blessed to have such good friends. I love big holiday gatherings filled with laughter, friends and good food.

This might have been the best Christmas ever.

Ayelet is 11 Months Old!

2011-12-16T14:22:00.000-07:00

My baby girl's first birthday is just around the corner. Time is flying by but I am enjoying every second. I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to watch her grow and witness her many "firsts." She learns something new every day and so do I.

Little Ayelet Belle is one active baby girl. She is pulling up and crawling all over the house. She gets a kick out of crawling away from me. She plays very well independently but really loves to be with her siblings. Ayelet likes to be in the middle of the action, whether the bears are playing on the floor or in the bathtub. She claps for me when I walk into the nursery to pick her up in the morning or after naptime. We both laugh after she imitates sounds (coughs, etc.) or hand gestures. She is a funny girl and full of energy.

Ayelet is growing, growing, growing! She has 8 teeth but is a picky eater. She is growing up but not out. Her personality is becoming more and more apparent. She is so loving and sweet but also has an assertive side. She lets her desires and opinions be known. I love that she knows what she wants and is able to communicate her wishes.

Ayelet Belle is such a delight! I'm looking forward to celebrating the big ONE!

2011 Preschool Christmas Program

2011-12-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

The Bears were really excited about their Christmas Program at Preschool. Cedar was a shepherd and his class sang, "Go Tell it on the Mountain," complete with hand gestures. Ainsley was a little drummer girl and her class sang, "Little Drummer Boy." She was so cute playing her drum! They enjoyed being on stage and smiled when they spotted their family. I was so proud of them!

2011 Winter Dance Recital

2011-12-11T21:33:00.001-07:00

Today was Ainsley's Alice in Wonderland themed dance recital. Her Pre Ballet 1 class performed to, "We are the Loveliest Flowers." It was beautiful and magical and amazing to watch my tiny dancer on the big stage. My little Ainsley moved gracefully and her sweet spirit was on display. She takes my breath away.

Ainsley spotted Dear Darling, Cedar, Grammy Pat and me in the crowd. And she smiled that crinkled nose smile that I love so much. It's that smile that lets me know she is truly happy. Dancing fills her spirit so much that we nicknamed her, "Dancing Feet." I hope she always dances for the sheer joy of dancing.

Ainsley has given me so many precious moments in four short years. Today, I was glowing with pride and couldn't wait to kiss her little round cheeks when the recital was over. Dear Darling and Grammy Pat were also proud of their little angel and Cedar couldn't wait to present her with pink roses. It was a special day for our family.

Ainsley Knowles, you are the loveliest flower.

Sneaux Buddies

2011-12-01T14:10:00.000-07:00

They wanted to stay home from school and play in the snow. I am not that nice. However, I will treat them to homemade hot chocolate and let them build snow people in the backyard. I'll even give them carrots for the noses.

Crepes

2011-11-29T21:23:00.000-07:00

Nutella Crepe

Where's MY crepe?

Oh! There it is!

While Ainsley was in ballet class, we strolled into the crepe shoppe. Cedar and Ayelet tasted their very first crepes and were in heaven. I'm sure Cedar will ask to go again next week. Who am I to deny my only son? Besides, crepes are baby friendly and happy hour prices make them impossible to pass up. Now, if only the nutella crepes weren't so messy....

Ayelet Belle is 10 Months Old!

2011-11-29T21:06:00.000-07:00

Ayelet Belle is such a sweet, dreamy baby. She is so affectionate and loving. She lays her pretty little head against me and gives me kisses. I just can't get enough of her. We all adore her and even Cedar thinks she's a keeper.

My littlest bear is growing so fast that I can barely keep up with her! Meanwhile, she is trying to keep up with the big bears. Ayelet is a super fast crawler and wants to be in the middle of the action. Sometimes, it looks like she is just going to stand up and walk. Instead, she does little hops on her knees or tries standing on all fours. It's so cute seeing my three kiddos playing together. I never imagined this scenario but it's oh so sweet.

Little Ayelet Belle celebrated her first Thanksgiving! The Kurz family of 6, along with Nathalie and Lisa, joined us for a wonderful dinner. Ayelet Belle put her 5 1/2 little teeth to good use during the holiday. She especially loved my butternut squash risotto and Grammy's cornbread dressing. It was a special day and I am thankful every day for her.

I am blessed beyond measure to have Ayelet Belle. I enjoy the day to day moments, playing peekaboo and watching her do silly things like crawling around with toys dangling from her mouth. She is funny and smart and even temperamental at times. She feels loved and readily gives love. This little girl is some kind of special.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-04T11:04:00.000-06:00

The Gang

Spider Girl

Pirate Cedar

Little Cinderella

Halloween was a blast! We enjoyed dinner with neighborhood friends, followed by an evening of Trick or Treating. It was so fun to watch our little ones run from house to house, unsuspecting that their treat bags would later be raided by the adults. It won't be long before they figure out our tricks.