Saturday, June 1, 2013

Joshy's Big Week!


Look at this kid! Doesn't he look like he needs a post all about him!?
 

This week our Joshua turned FOUR! Wow! I think he's happy about that.
 

He got to take treats to preschool. At home we had pizza, cake and ice cream, and of course presents.
He was so happy to finally have his birthday. He jumped and skipped around the house all day and was very chatty. It was a good, happy day for him. (The next morning he crawled into my bed and asked me how old he was. He wanted to make sure this 4 thing stuck!)
 

If that wasn't enough, the next day was his preschool field trip to Willow Park Zoo AND Mc Donald's! I know. Fun week! Joshy really liked the little turles. There were some pretty neat peacocks, but he told me that sometimes peacock's bite?! Who knew?
 

That night was his dress rehearsal AND graduation. He got the "Little Engine That Could" Award. I actually teared up when the teacher explained how hard Josh had worked this year. It was hard for both me and Josh (and teacher too I'm sure!) Josh learned that he could do things by himself! He can put on his shoes. He can put on his jacket. He can try new foods (well, some... that's a whole different story. But, we are making progress there too! The kid eats yogurt!) I didn't realize until that moment just how proud I was of him. He has done well this year! So very well!


He sang his songs so well and did the actions and even his little roll as the Blue Engine. It was so fun to watch.
 

Afterwards.
It was all worth it!
 

So, we made it to the weekend and I'm still smiling! (it's hard not too when you are blowing up balloons!)
 

Josh had his first "friend party". We decided to go into the great outdoors (our back yard) for
CAMP JOSH. This boy loves to camp, and seems to sleep better in a sleeping bag and tent than in a bed in his room! Not to mention he LOVES S'mores!
 

We set up a great little campground complete with campfire and fish pond!

I was so happy with how our "camp uniforms" turned out. They were "Happy Camper" shirts with the kids last names and bandanas.
We started off the festivities with the best part of camping...
a PANCAKE BREAKFAST! Look at those happy faces! Danny and Jared were our "Camp Counselors" and had a good time being great helpers.


After washing off lots of sticky fingers it was time for games. Danny ran the bean bag toss. The balloon tent was a hit too.
 

One of our favorite games over here is one that I used to play when I was little. Colored Eggs. I haven't met a lot of people who have played it before, but it is always a hit. Jared was a fabulous "Big Bad Wolf" chasing our little Red Egg (Josh) around the camp fire. Run, Josh, run, or else you will end up in the frying pan!
 

When one of Joshy's little friends made it back to the safety of the tent he accidentally plowed right over Josh. I love this shot of him helping Josh feel better.
 

Next it was time for the fish pond. (Danny is giving it a shot in the background here).
 

Each kid caught a fish with their name on it and a little prize that I picked up in a dollar section. I actually got to buy a little headband and tiara for the two little girls that came! Fun!

Presents! What a fun activity to do around a camp fire. I'm REALLY glad we did not have a real fire. This beauty was set up by Jared and made out of tissue paper and rocks. Easy peasy.
 

Time to sing! I just love the "Happy Birthday" song.  You can't be sad when you hear it. :)
 

Look, I opened up my cupcake wrapper drawer and found these amazing bandana cup cake wrappers! I was so excited! p.s Yes, I did design and cut out the fish on my Silhouette Cameo.


 Without a real camp fire we couldn't roast marshmallows, but we sent the kids home with these S'more kits. "S'more for Later!" I know, I had too much fun.
 
 '
Josh is one fabulous, little dude! He makes me smile EVERY day! 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSHY!

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Christmas Time is Here!


Soooo, I just found this post under "drafts". Guess I'm not a super-duper blogger. Oh well, I guess I'm good at other things.
I thought about adding in captions for all of these pictures, but I think I'll let you fill in your own. Happy Christmas in June!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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More Hochstrasser Happenings





 
It's time for a Hochstrasser Happenings update. I know I posted pictures of Danny's science project last time, but I though it would be good to throw in this little gem too. He did such a nice job on his presentation!
 

Recently we hosted our first scone night in, well, a Loooooooong time. The weather is nice, the flu season is past (and the house was actually clean!) so we invited over the ward and got fryin'!
 

We really had a good turn out, over 50 people! If you have never been to scone night before you need to come! Here is a shot from our view during the evening. It is so fun to get our neighbors and friends together.
 

I have started baking again! (We are coming out of the I was pregnant for 9 months and then had a baby, and haven't slept in weeks, haze). Yippee! It is good to feel good enough to get creative in the kitchen again. These Strawberry Chocolate Delights were a baby shower treat.
 

Look who's FIVE months old! (Well, now he's almost 6 months old... but at the time of the picture he was 5 months old). We just love this HAPPY, smiley guy!
 

We love this guy too! He's all ready for church, ALMOST.
 

I had to throw this one in. Not my best photo, but I love the expression. I think I was hyperventilating at the time. For Mother's Day Ryan got me a Silouhette Cameo. !!!!! I can't even begin to tell you all the amazing things it can do (or I will hyperventilate all over again). It is MY FAVORITE TOY, EVER! Google it.
 

 Wishing we had a picture of Ryan to put here. We attended a pirate themed Murder Mystery this month. I was the governor's daughter. Ryan was a humble sailor (but actually a PIRATE and a MURDERER!) It was an eventful night.


One of my cupcake concoctions for the evening. Coconut Lime in a Jolly Roger wrapper (designed and cut the wrapper with my Silhouette Cameo!!! )


I also whipped up these babies. I know, AWESOME, right? Yay, Peanut Butter Pleasers in Pirate Ships! I had waaaay too much fun. I think I bruised my brain.
 

 Andy-roo is growing so fast. He is all over the room. We set him down and he rolls and rolls, and then he rolls some more! We have never had a baby before that actually prefers being on his tummy. He even sleeps on his tummy, there is no stopping him.
 

Jared used to play with my hair when he was a toddler. The boys don't know the difference between hair spray and body spray, or perfume for that matter. Let's just say my hair smelled really "good" in this picture. This is Jared's first successful attempts at braids. I was impressed (but not enough to leave it in for my trip into town!)
 

We had a quiet Memorial Day with a bike ride to the park for a picnic. This is our NEW PARK and we are Waaaaaay excited! It will be a lot of fun.
 

Danny decided he would like to have his hair short for summer. Memorial Day seemed like a great day to go for it. He is all smiles and really likes it. Lookin' good Dan Man!
 
How can my Danny boy be so grown up!?!
 


Andrew had a Memorial Day first. We gave him his first solid food! Oatmeal Cereal. Yay! So happy, so messy!
 So allergic. I think. This will be another great adventure.
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