29

 February 19 was my birthday.  I turned 29...which really doesn't bother me all that much, I still feel young...most of the time:)

We did a little early celebrating on Sunday, because it's Derek's only day off, first my free burger at Red Robin.

Cute little pigtails!

(Adeline's wearing an amber teething necklace, it seems to help with those pesky molars)

The boys making my yummy birthday cake, tradition.

Helping mama blow out the candles.

This cake was absolutely amazing!  It's from Derek's new book, Bouchon's Bakery, it has layers of Devil's food cake, chocolate cream, and a chocolate glaze, melt in your mouth heaven!

Hakan loved it, Adeline did not, crazy girl.

  

My baker:)

On my actual birthday, we had our mom's group.  So, elementary school style, I made donuts to bring:)

While at mom's, Hakan pooped in his pull up...I'm not exaggerating when I say poop covered the entire basement of the poor mom's house we were at, on toys, tons of carpet, other kids!  I was mortified to say the least.  It was terrible, something that actually occurs at our house quite often, so not really surprising, but it's at our house, where it's our stuff that gets ruined, not someone else's.  I mean, it wouldn't be a normal day in the life of the Halvorson's without poop on the floor...

  

I did get some lovely flowers from my mother-in-law and the other mom's at group, so nice to have in our house.

Since Derek's mom was in town, she so graciously watched the kids while we went out to celebrate.  I love having Derek all to myself:)  It actually turned out to be pretty much a free date, the best kind:)  We had a gift card to Pittsburgh Blue restaurant, coupons to some stores at the MOA, and free Caribou of course.

The sparkler was pretty cool on this cupcake.

It was also my Grandma Jenny's 90th birthday, she said I was her gift from God, and her most favorite gift ever:)  I love her so much!  If you think of it, can you say a little prayer for her, she could always use them.

It was a good day, with lots of wonderful wishes from family 

and friends.  It makes a girl feel special and blessed:)

Thank you for being in my life!

Here's to a wonderful year of being 29!

snow days

It's been a little cold and snowy around here lately...it has definitely been a Minnesota winter and we've been trying to keep busy as not to catch the dreaded cabin fever.

 The kids got this sled from their grandma and it works awesome!  It's slippery and slides like a dream!  Hakan would live outside if he could and LOVES sledding, Adeline, however, is not really into the cold or moving fast.

Then, last week, I walked into their room with Hakan holding a completely empty jar of super thick cream, most of it being on his sister, the dressers, the floor, the door, the humidifier and the cat, who happened to be trapped in the room with them.  Below is the after effect of lotion in the hair.

  

 We've had friends over to play.  Friends, who just had a new baby girl on Valentine's Day, yay!

I sewed a cute little travel jewelry case, perfect for taking down to Miami in a couple weeks.  On top of going to Miami once a month every month for a few days, every year Derek takes a 10 day trip to Miami for another client, which is a really long time with two littles.  This year, I'm going to go down for five days to hang out while my wonderful mom comes to watch the kids...so excited!!

Hakan wrote part of his name all by himself!

Grandma Wendy, Grandpa Ken and Uncle Tyler have been here for over a week while G'pa is getting some tests, so we went swimming at the hotel...again, Adeline is not so much into the whole water thing.  If you think of it, can you say a prayer for Derek's dad, we just need to figure out what's been going on with his health for the past six years, thank you:)

   

We decided to brave Toddler Tuesday at the Mall of America to get out of the house, and go see The Okee Dokee Band.  They were so great!  They play awesome folk music for kids and adults, and even won a Grammy for their album, which will be going on the kids' birthday lists;)

Hakan has been getting out of bed and laying at the top of the stairs...apparently doesn't want to miss anything.

Valentine's Day was a fun day of hearts!

 I got some gorgeous flowers from my beautiful mother-in-law.  Derek and I went to the movie, Silver Linings Playbook, one of my new favorite movies, seriously, Derek and I were laughing so hard in the theater, like almost snorting...people probably thought we were nuts, but it was totally our sense of dry humor, it was awesome!

So that's been our last couple weeks.  

Tomorrow, I am turning 29...I definitely don't feel that old, it's just a number, right:) 

Happy Monday!

  

Our Favorite Books...Right Now

I love love love that my kiddos will sit and "read" books.  They always have favorites that change every few months or so.  

These are our current faves.

The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

It's repetitive and Hakan has started repeating what we read like he's reading.  It's about Bear's friends trying to keep him awake, but Bear snores on.  There are other fun Bear books, too.

  

ABC Jigsaw Book by Stephen Cartwright

This has alphabet pieces that come out of the book.  Hakan has been learning to match the letters, and this book really helps and makes it fun.

Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser

This doesn't have a lot of words and Hakan loves to pretend he's reading.  This is one of my faves too, I love the cute little squirrel and illustrations.  Squirrel and some other animals don't know what snow is, so they wait and wait for it.

A Little Vikes Football Story by Richard Torrey

Hakan went to the library with Derek and Victor the Viking's mascot just happened to be there for a reading of this book.  He talks about it all the time.  It's a great little book explaining football to a young player:)

Everyone Poops By Taro Gomi

We are deep into potty training with Hakan and he loves talking about poop...especially at the zoo trying to see if a one hump camel has a one hump poop and a two hump camel has a two hump poop, ha!

Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You? by Dr. Seuss

This is both of the kids favorites and Derek's:)  All three of them will randomly start saying some of the noises and words that go with it, "BOOM BOOM BOOM, Mr. Brown is a wonder, BOOM BOOM BOOM, Mr. Brown makes thunder!"

Dear Zoo by Rod Cambell

Adeline loves the flaps and animals in this board book.  She's a flap and touch and feel kind of book girl.  It's really cute and fun to read.

That's Not My Kitten...by Fiona Watt

Another one of Adeline's faves, lots of touch and feel in it.  We actually have lots of these, That's Not My...Train, Tiger, Monkey, Penguin, and Tractor...She loves them all. 

Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller

Derek and I both love to bake, although he's more talented than I am.  He ordered this book over a month ago and just got it, it was out of stock.  It's ginormous and has the most beautifully detailed pictures.  We haven't had a chance to bake anything from it, but hopefully very soon:)

Love Does by Bob Goff

Oh my word, this is probably one of the best books I've read in a long time!!  So amazing!  It truly inspires me to live a whimsical life loving God and loving people.  Give it a read, you'll be so glad you did:)  All royalties from the book go to his organization called Restore International, who fights injustices to children in Uganda and India.

Do you have any favorite reads right now?  I'd love to hear them:)

I linked all the books in case you're interested.  A friend of mine sells Usborne books, which we have a lot of, and are my favorite, so those books are linked to her site.