Odds and Ends from December

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.43.28 PM

Eva went to a Birthday party where they got to meet Elsa and all dress up as princesses. Obviously, she had a wonderful time.

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.43.15 PM

Finn started sitting in his jumper this month and loves it so much! He gets so proud of himself. Adorable. Eva gets very jealous that she can’t get in.

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.43.04 PM

I learned how to carry Finn front-facing in my wrap. Total game changer! He doesn’t look like he loves it from the picture, but I promise he does!

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.42.11 PM

We drove through Thanksgiving Point’s light display one evening while we ate our dinner in the car and listened to Christmas music. It was a fun Christmas activity which we will probably do again since we don’t have to get out in the cold with the kids.

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.42.26 PM

One afternoon, I took Eva and Finn to the Christmas puppet show at the Library. I love all the little free events and activities they put on!

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.42.34 PM

I put Finn down on his playmat for one second and the next, I looked over and Eva had put antlers on him. She was laughing up a storm! So funny!

Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.42.45 PM

They sang Happy Birthday to Eva and her friend at church one Sunday. I still can’t believe she is four years old!
Screen Shot 2016-01-17 at 10.42.53 PM

Eva LOVES playing (and eating) in the snow. We have an enclosed backyard, so I send her out there to play while Finn and I watch from inside!

,

Insta-Update

What the heck? It’s almost the end of November and I’ve barely blogged at all! I feel like I’m constantly playing catchup on here now that Finn has joined our family. Life is busy, folks. And I don’t even know what we’re busy doing, but I do know I wish we had like six more hours each day (preferably after the kids are asleep) to get things done. But there’s not, and I’m sure I’ll start to juggle things better as the months go by. But for now, this is the best I can do.

Life with two kids is still great (overall). We’ve had some bumps with Eva, but are trying some new discipline techniques (such as a listening chart, which has been great) and that’s helped us through. And Finn seems to be a little colicky each night… which sometimes makes me think I NEVER want to have another baby ever, EVER again, but then he’ll fall asleep and be so sweet and cuddly in my arms, so I think I’ll want a hundred more babies. Motherhood is truly an emotional roller-coaster, changing minute to minute!

Let’s see, what else has been going on? This month has been kind of quiet compared to October’s Halloween Festivities. So, we have filled our days with play dates, library trips, Grandma visits, baking, crafts (Eva has been making little bead candy cane ornaments), and Christmas shopping. Eva really likes the play area at the Provo Town Center mall (which is kind of far, but worth the drive for a fun and free activity) so we’ve gone there a couple of times too. We’re just racking our heads for fun activities inside now that the weather has been cold (and sometimes snowy!). Have any ideas?

We are heading to Arizona this week to visit my brother and his wife, along with my parents who are flying in. I can’t wait for our little getaway, we need a little something to break up the mundane life right now.

Well, that’s all for now… here are some instagrams from this month!

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.50.10 PM

We took some family photos over the weekend and I told Eva she could take photos in her princess dress if she wore what I wanted her to wear first. She posed like this by herself… so adorable and passionate! Haha!

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.50.35 PM Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.48.25 PM

Whenever it’s snowing, Eva puts on some snow clothes crazy fast (why can’t she put on her clothes that fast everyday?) and then plays on the balcony! This was on the first snow of the season and her excitement was so precious, I nearly cried. Something so simple like a little bit of snow was just magical to her.

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.48.39 PMHere’s Mr. Finn yawning the cutest, biggest yawn.

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.48.51 PM

On Tuesdays at the Megaplex, all movies are $5 and popcorn is $1. So, we took the kids to see a matinee of Peanuts. It was really simple but very cute. I don’t know if the kids liked it as much as we did, but just going to the movie theater is exciting as kid so everyone enjoyed it.
Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.49.18 PM

We bought a Christmas tree (thank you, Big Lots, for a tremendous deal!) and set it up last week. We aren’t decorating it until after Thanksgiving, but I have already loved sitting and watching it each night. I’m so excited for this Christmas season!

Screen Shot 2015-11-23 at 8.52.11 PM

I finally put up some pictures in our bedroom! I also set up a little Christmas tree next to our bed. Our room finally has a little charm.

Everyday Happenings

I am finally feeling back to normal and getting back into the swing of life again. Here are some instagrams from the past couple of weeks.

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.35.35 PMWe had a playmate with some friends who were in our Jersey ward and are out here in Utah.
Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.35.48 PM

Lots of park time with daddyScreen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.35.54 PM

More fun with dad

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.36.09 PM

Eva is in love with her baby brother. It is so sweet!

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.36.27 PM

We went to Glen Park with cousins one afternoon after school.

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.35.10 PM

Eva really loves going to music class each week!
Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.34.59 PM

Here’s our Diva Eva being adorable.
Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.34.52 PM

One Saturday we went to Thanksgiving Point to check out some big pumpkins.

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.34.46 PM

As big as Eva!

Screen Shot 2015-10-13 at 9.34.38 PM

We celebrated our niece’s first birthday with family.

,

End of February

LAST WEEK OF FEBRUARY! Can you tell that I’m excited? We did it! WE DID IT! Yesterday was sunny and 45, melting all the snow right away and it sure gave me a taste of Spring. I almost wanted to open the windows when we got home from church, but I held off, 45 really isn’t THAT warm.

Really not much has been going on, but just in case you aren’t on Instagram, here’s the latest happenings:

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.23 AM

Weird Pinterest activities

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.33 AM

Eva has been taking a bath nearly every afternoon in her swim suit for a little pool time.

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.43 AM

My friend Laura from Provo came to town and we met up at Brookfield for some lunch.

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.54 AM

Eva has been wearing a toilet seat around the house.

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.02.10 AM

Before Ashley moved, we went to see Phantom of the Opera!

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.00 AM

Here’s Eva all dressed up (w/ lipstick of course) for Vday!

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.08 AM

The outside of the theater may not look like much but the inside is AMAZING.

Screen Shot 2015-02-23 at 11.01.15 AM

Here’s Eva with her Vday bag at playgroup. Eva didn’t quite understand that you had to deliver each valentine in everyone’s bag, she wanted me to do that part while she guarded her bag.

unnamed

Ladies’ Night Out 🙂 I’m grateful for good friends and delicious pizza.

Three noteworthy things I want to remember for journaling purposes:

  1. I played piano yesterday for choir and did not mess up ONCE. Not one note. I was so nervous about the ending! So grateful to be the pianist at church even though sometimes it’s a lot of work.
  2. I also taught the Beatitudes and Matthew 5 yesterday in our gospel doctrine class and it really was great lesson for me to study. I’m amazed at how the teachings of Jesus Christ from 2000 years ago are still so applicable in our day. Let your light so shine!
  3. So many people have been looking after me and making an effort to reach out to me since Ashley has moved. It’s truly amazing and I just feel so blessed to have good friends and family. My neighbor has brought me dinner TWICE, a friend from church babysat Eva for a couple hours one morning, my visiting teacher from church invited me to come to Costco with her one night, a couple girls went to see a movie with me on Saturday, my husband brought me flowers and has played with Eva lots since I haven’t had much of a break… the list just goes on and on. And a new family moved into our ward pretty close to where I live. My prayers have truly been answered and it just shows me over and over again that God really cares about the little things in each of our lives.

Passing the Winter Time

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.48 PM

Valentine Cookie Making

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.57.01 PMEnjoying last moments with friends

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.57.10 PM

Liberty Science Center

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.57.24 PM

Lots of coloring/painting/playdough time

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.55.43 PM

Kidville Open Play

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.55.51 PM

Sesame Street Exhibit at Lincoln Center

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.02 PM

Big Bird!

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.10 PM

Snow days

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.22 PM

Car rides are very special since they rarely happen.

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.31 PM

Valentine’s Gifts from Nana
Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.56.37 PM

Shopping Carts are also a treat since the kids usually are in their strollers.

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.55.27 PM

Date Nights

Screen Shot 2015-02-12 at 12.55.16 PM

Broadway Lottery Busts… tonight we are going to see Phantom though to send Ashley out of NYC with a bang!

February is half over… March and WARM WEATHER are right around the corner. I can feel it! I CAN’T WAIT!

Last of December in NYC

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.29.04 PM

I had to run errands in Hoboken one afternoon, so I treated myself to some Carlo’s Bakery treats!

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.29.15 PM

I hosted a playgroup at my house where we made homemade ornaments. Yeah… I threw it away almost immediately. It was much harder than anticipated, but I still enjoyed doing it with Eva and now I know it’s not worth doing it again, haha!

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.29.24 PM

A couple of days in December, we had some warmish weather! It was fabulous to get to go to the park again!

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.29.55 PM

In our Sears next door at the mall, they have this Kidville place set up. Your kids can play if you buy something from the children’s department and then your receipt is good for two days. We go pretty much twice a week. I just buy something small, like an undershirt or something from clearance. But it’s perfect to let the kids run around. Eva loves it and calls it the “store park.”

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.30.07 PM

We had a Family Home Evening about the nativity one Monday night, and pulled out all of the figurines for Eva to look and play with. We emphasized many times that Christmas is about Jesus and at the end I asked her what Christmas is really about and instead of saying, “Jesus,” she replied, “CANDY CANES!” #facepalm

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 8.37.47 PM

The Saturday before we left for KY, we made gingerbread houses at a friend’s house. She had made all of the gingerbread herself… I was so impressed, and also couldn’t stop eating it! This was mine and Eva’s house!

,

Santa at The Plaza Hotel

Can you believe it’s January? So crazy. I’ll be playing a bit of catch up on here for the next couple days. So bear with me as I plow through these posts for journaling purposes!

One Saturday in December, we took Eva to see Santa at the Plaza Hotel. We got there at a perfect time-4:30. Santa currently was on a break so there was nobody in line. After grabbing some fun treats in the cute shops at The Plaza (you should totally check it out next time you’re in NYC… I had no idea they had shops inside!), we got in line and were second to see Santa, who came at 5. So we barely had to wait… fabulous!

Eva was very nervous with Santa this year, but she at least would sit with him because I told her that was the only way he would know what to give her for Christmas. She walked up to him, looking down, not giving any eye contact at all and just started whispering over and over, before Santa had even asked what she wanted, “Elsa dress, Elsa dress.” It made me laugh so much. But my bashful girl gave us a cute photo, so hurray!

Afterwards, we walked down Fifth ave since TJ hadn’t done that yet this season. There was a cool light show on the side of Saks, which I hadn’t seen last time. As the night went on, we realized it was Santacon because more and more Santas (and lots of slutty Santa helpers) filled the sidewalks. Eva was so confused at why the McDonalds was completely filled with Santas. Ooh, and outside of McDonalds, two Santas were about to fight. You don’t see that everyday. (Yes, we live in NYC but still eat at McDonalds… I’m ashamed. But it’s so easy and cheap with Eva. Don’t judge me!)

A video posted by Katie Derrick (@katiederrick) on

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.55.27 PM

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.55.38 PM

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.55.44 PM

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.56.03 PM

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.56.45 PM

Screen Shot 2015-01-04 at 7.57.48 PM

Eva in Motion at Disneyland

I haven’t put videos up of Eva from Instagram in a while! So for you all not on IG, enjoy! Here are the ones from Disneyland, I’ll be posting more that I’ve missed later!

A video posted by Katie Derrick (@katiederrick) on

"Eva do a princess laugh." #5hrflightsaretoolong

A video posted by Katie Derrick (@katiederrick) on

, ,

Weekday Happenings

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.06.50 PM

We threw a birthday party for Susan over at Ashley’s theater room. The little kids looked so cute sitting in their big recliners watching the show!

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.08.05 PM

Ashley and I can’t stay away from the city since we have had so many beautiful fall days!

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.08.12 PM

Eva insisted on getting pretzel bread from Trader Joe’s last week. It was too funny not to take a picture of her eating it. Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.08.23 PM

My next door neighbor who is from India gave me food for the Indian Festival Diwali. Wasn’t that the sweetest thing?

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.06.13 PM

Another day in the city! We went to Washington Square Park and I told Eva that she could throw a coin in the fountain to make a wish. She said, “Mom, that’s not a wishing well!!!”

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.06.25 PM

Another afternoon in the city we went to Bryant park. We wanted to have a picnic on the lawn, but when we arrived we saw the lawn was already turned into the ice rink and winter shops. So crazy!

Screen Shot 2014-11-02 at 8.06.35 PMWe went on the carousel at the park though which made up for the fact the lawn was gone.

A year ago, Eva wasn’t sitting in her stroller and so we didn’t get to enjoy the fall weather in the city. Now that she sits in the stroller without any problems, I’ve been making sure I make each day count while the weather is still warm! I love this NYC!

 

, ,

Broadway in the Park

This Summer, Bryant Park had a Broadway series each week. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about it until the last week… but I at least got to go to one! The week we went, they did clips of the musicals Mamma Mia, Matilda, and Motown. All three were so good, particularly Matilda. Those kids can sing. Holy cow. We’ve got to see that musical!

We brought a picnic and enjoyed the show on the lawn. The kids danced to the music too, which was adorable.

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.52.21 AM Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 10.52.11 AM