Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a nice Valentine's Day that consisted of a heart themed breakfast, a long run for dad and mom took the crew to teach boot camp, playing at the park, a birthday party and picked up Crust pizza for dinner at home.  Not the most romantic Valentine's Day that we've ever celebrated but we wouldn't have it any other way!  

Joseph celebrated Valentine's Day in school on Friday the 13th and each student had to bring in valentines and we received a letter stating that a treat was not mandatory but if we wanted we could attach one with the card.  Well, after learning my lesson last year that treats go with valentines we decided to send something along with the valentine; however, since I was appalled by the amount of candy that he received last year we decided to make it a non-edible treat and after checking out pinterest for ideas Joseph made the choice to send dinosaurs.  Joseph wrote his name on all 13 of the valentines and I did add lines for him since the space was small.  He had fun after school on Friday going through his box and reading all of his valentines.  

 On Saturday morning the kids woke up to a decorated table for Valentine's Day and Joseph rushed into our bedroom saying "Happy Valentine's Day!"  

 Heart shaped pancakes and eggs to start the day!

 We had a birthday party in the afternoon for our friend Victoria at the children's museum.  Mom and Ella selfie!

 Joseph spent almost the entire time in this section building a hideout.

 Daddy and Julia supervised!

 I have to include the following series of pictures...seriously though, am I the only one that has SO much trouble getting a picture of my kids!!  This is what our Valentine's Day photo shoot looked like...

 Here are the best I could get and they aren't even that great!!  Phew, that was exhausting!

 Thankfully she is an easy one to get with her big smile-if only they weren't blurry!

Our littlest Valentine!

 Happy Valentine's Day 2015!

First Half of February

February has flown by and it is hard to believe that the month is half way over already.  We have loved the 70 degree weather the past two weeks and have been outside a lot enjoying it!  Other than that we are just in our normal routines of school, boot camp, library, meeting with friends, run club, and so on.

Ella having fun on the big blue ball on February 9th.

She was cracking herself up!

 Meanwhile, Joseph was entertaining himself by trying to throw the ball onto the roof.  Such exciting times at the Ducote home on a Monday afternoon.

 And Julia was just hanging out, grabbing her toys, laughing and rocking her crazy hairstyle!

 Oh, and she hung out in the bumbo for awhile while we played baseball.

 And, enjoyed a tasty snack.

 I never thought that I'd be the type of mom that let my kids choose their outfits and let them out of the house even if they look like a hot mess but I definitely am.  Case in point.  I might have let this one go a little too far but she gets so excited about what she chooses and is wearing that I just go with it.  For an extra flair today her hair clip lights up!  And, yes, she went to library storytime, Target and the park like this!  

 Julia amongst the playroom mess!

 King of the Rock!

Such a climber!

 A little help from her friends! 

 Sisterly love.

Joseph has been participating in The Woodlands Run Club since the end of September.  Each runner had to log 25 miles in approximately 5 months at the run club and if they accomplished that then they will receive two medals after their big race on February 27th.  The race is a 2k (1.2 miles) so by completing the race they will have logged 26.2 miles which is the distance of a full marathon.  It has been a really fun extracurricular activity where Joseph has learned to work towards a goal (he has had to color in a foot for every mile that he has run so has seen his progress towards the 25 miles.)  Joseph had fun running with friends during each run club and was super excited to get his race shirt.  His race is the day before The Woodlands marathon which Daddy and Pop Pop are both running in so it makes it extra special that he will receive the same medal as both of them and that Nonna and Pop Pop will be here to see his race.  

 I know there are way too many of the following photos, but she is just too sweet to only chose 1...or 2 for that matter!  Just love her and all of her cute facial expressions!  

February 11th

 Ella looking like such a big girl on February 11th.

 It takes a little bit longer to get home this way but she was insistent that she pull!

 And then Joseph wanted a turn!

 Love starting off our mornings like this!

 These two sweet girls are becoming really close friends which is so cute to see.  Ella talks about "Tor Tor" (Victoria) a lot and they play really nicely together.

 Getting ready for the bath on February 12th

Ella wanted to take a picture of herself with her bow in her hair on February 13th.

 We lost her sunglasses at the library last week (the day she wore her romper and skirt over her pants/shirt so the flower sunglasses really completed her outfit!) so she picked out a new pair at Target-she wanted to wear them immediately!

Cool kids on our way to the park later that afternoon.

 The sunglasses always go on upside down to begin with

 Three sweet kids!  I sent the picture to Rich saying that if we have one more we'll fill up the swingset... :)

Joseph doing all the work on the way home

And they made it!

February is off to a good month and we are looking forward to visits from Nani and then Nonna and Pop Pop for the second half of the month!