And the Pictures Keep Coming....

1.  During Andy's spring break, we left the kids at home with Andy's mom and flew out to Houston (our next destination) to look at the area and hopefully find a home! Here we are, getting ready to board our plane.  Selfie junkies.  

2.  We were staying at a really nice hotel in Houston that also had a spa.  So you better believe we both got the luxury treatment.  I got a tired legs pedicure (that was simply wonderful) and Andy got a massage.  It was the perfect way to start our trip! 

3.  We also had some pretty delicious food...of course!  Really looking forward to the plentiful Mexican restaurants and BBQ restaurants.  And the plentiful free parking.  Something Boston rarely has!

4.  We found a house in Houston, close to Andy's work and a good elementary school.  All important things for me!  So, returning home to this princess was all the sweeter.  I really missed the kiddies, but boy is traveling so much less hectic without kids!  This is Clare completely entranced by the movie Frozen, the day we returned.  

5.  The second half of spring break, Andy took a guys trip with some good friends out to Park City, UT.  When he got there he made a quick stop at the Salt Lake City temple.  I loved getting this picture via text from him.  This is where Andy and I were married, so this picture was especially sweet (and is now the wallpaper on my cellphone too, I might add). 

6.  While in Park City, Andy also went skiing with his buddy Taylor.  He loved it and only fell hard one time.  I definitely think this is a hobby he might pick up in the future.  I mean, just look at that face! 

7.  The kids and I tried to find things to keep us busy while Andy was gone.  One day we went to Ikea.  Noah was especially happy because I let him have root beer AND an ice cream cone all in one day.  Lucky kid! 

8.  Clare missed her daddy a lot while he was gone (so did Noah, I might add).  My kids are just so much happier, as am I, when Andy is around.  Clare specifically asked to take a picture for daddy, and this is the one we got.  She is just too sweet! 

9.  We also spent a lot of time making forts in the kids room.  They loved it and would often just sit in their fort and chat.  It was perfect.  

10.  This picture just makes me smile.  This is Noah's artwork and these are sharks.  Notice the little fin on each sharks back and the sharp teeth!  The one in the middle on the left hand side is a hammer head shark, which is why he doesn't have a round face.  Perfection. 

11.  Then there was a day at the park.  A cold rainy day.  But the kids didn't bat an eye and that makes it all worth it.  

12. Shortly after Andy's return, Clare came down with either a bad cold or allergies from the slowly moving spring weather.  She was wheezing really badly and it scared me, as I could tell she couldn't get a good deep breath.  I took her into the Dr. and sure enough they had to put her on a nebulizer.  It helped, thankfully.  We also were prescribed some steroids and an inhaler.  Before too long she was back to her normal self.  

13.  Noah kept his little 'fort' up for a couple of weeks.  I loved walking into the kids room and seeing a little hand or foot hanging off the side. 

14.  Even though he has crazy hair (I have since cut it), this little guy and I had a lot of fun spending an afternoon just the two of us.  I sure love him.  

Noah Turns 5!

It's amazing how quickly time is going.  This week is Andy's last week of class at HBS.  I can hardly believe it!  Just yesterday I felt like we got here, and now we are getting ready to leave.  So bitter sweet for our family.

Since I am obviously playing catch-up (once again) I guess I should start where I last left off!  Which would be right around Noah's 5th birthday.  Speaking of time flying!  Having a 5 year old is so odd to me, I can hardly believe my little boy is almost in kindergarten.  I once told Noah that I was sad he was growing up.  From time to time he will ask me, "Mommy, why are you sad for me to grow up?"  I have to explain to him that I'm sad because he won't be my little boy anymore, but that I am also happy to see him grow.  I really love him.

We started out the day early (as usual), he opened presents and Andy took him to get some donuts for breakfast before class.  Noah LOVES donuts, so this was a special treat for him.

My number one goal on birthdays is to make my child feel special.  That doesn't necessarily mean getting a ton of gifts (although I know that Noah would love that).  I think he really enjoyed his special day though.  We even took cupcakes to his preschool class and he loved that.  He has been waiting patiently (and sometimes not so patiently) for it to be his birthday.  So this was extra special for him.

He was so excited about all the cars he got in the mail.  He also got about $55 dollars and used that to buy more cars for himself...he has the best imagination!  

Growing up I always had family birthday parties.  All of my family lived close by, and it was very special for me to have my cousins and grandparents and aunts and uncles come over to celebrate with me.  Since we don't have family here in Boston, we had a 'family friend' birthday party where the whole family was invited.  This is technically Noah's first birthday party and he loved it!!  We had a little dinner (Pizza and sides), played some simple games and opened presents.  He was honestly on cloud 9! 

I don't think I have pictures of the party, but I did do our tradition of 20 questions with Noah.  For your reading pleasure : 

20 Questions with Noah: Age 5

1. What is your favorite color?  Red and Green

2. What is your favorite toy?  Eye Cars

3. What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries

4. What is your favorite TV show? Pingu

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Cheesy Pasta

6. What is your favorite outfit?  Star Wars shirt

7. What is your favorite game?  Slap Jack

8. What is your favorite snack?  Raspberry yogurt

9. What is your favorite animal? Bald Eagle

10. What is your favorite song?  Let it Go (from Frozen)

11. What is your favorite book?   Shark Book

12. Who is your best friend?  Jackson and Abby

13. What is your favorite cereal?  Fruity Cheerios and Honey Bunches of Oats

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Build a Snowman

15. What is your favorite drink?  Soda

16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  (Stuffed) Doggie and Blanket (and sometimes toys too!)

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Cereal

 19. Where’s your favorite place to visit?  Toy Store

 20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A student, like daddy

Noah Adds his own questions…

21. What is my favorite Dinosaur?  T-Rex (they are really scary)

22.  What is my favorite Cars one race car?  Apple car and Tank Coat

23. What is my favorite shark?  Hammerhead

24.  What’s my favorite money?  $35

25. What’s my favorite state?  Idaho

26.  What’s my favorite truck?  The blue one grandpa is sending me.

There you have it, my friends.  I know I speak for Andy and I when I say how lucky we are to be this kids parents. He is one of a kind, and I am SO grateful that the Lord sent him to us.  

Almost Forgot...

Some big news at the Stockhoff household…besides the fact that Andy accepted a job in Houston for after Grad School (can you say summer heat?) we are also happy to announce that…..

Baby #3 will be making his/her debut at the beginning of July this year.  We find out the gender in just a week and a half. We are so excited! 

Since Christmas….

In an effort to do the last of my catching up all in one blog post, here is a short list of things we've done this month…..

1.  Played and played with our Christmas toys..

2. Joined the New England Historic Genealogical Society and worked on some of Andy's family history.

3.  Naps, Naps and more Naps (we are on break, after all). 

4.  Celebrated my 32nd birthday.  Andy took me out to this great Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant that was by far one of the best meals I've ever had.  Also had dinner with friends and spent quality time with my family.  It was one of my best birthdays ever. 

5. Had family come visit from Maryland…and we did fun stuff like (guys) going to a Celtics vs. Lakers game...

Guys also went to a hockey game.  We all hit up the museum and got to ride the shuttle over (the kids love the Harvard shuttle).  

I am a Child of God.  I love her face 

6. Played with our friends in the hallway, in our PJs (Noah). 

7. Watched Clare develop her fashion sense. 

and 8.  Took a little train ride downtown one afternoon.  It was great fun. 

There you have it, friends.  And here we are at this moment.  Pray for me, maybe I will be able to keep it up this time :) Until then! xo. 

Noah's Preschool Christmas Program

Before I get to the program pics, I had to share these pictures of Santa visiting Noah's preschool.  Noah did not want me to smile at him, tell him good job or make any faces that would make him think I was even paying attention to him (he get so bashful like that).  So when I had him smile for a picture this is pretty much all he would give me.  I'll take it!   Clare on the other hand refused to even look at Santa.  When her and I got in on the photo she turned her head the other way.  Kids are so funny. 

 On program day (which was also Andy's birthday, December 18th) we got to the school a little early so Noah could get all ready with his class and dressed in his costume.  He was a sheep, and a mighty handsome one at that!

As they sang the songs, I couldn't help but become emotional a little.  I was so proud of him and the hard work it took to learn all the songs and actions, but even more, there is something about your child signing songs about Christ's birth that just hits you hard.  I was so happy at that moment. 

The Boston Nutcracker Ballet

Early December, we decided we would do something we had always wanted to do, go to the Nutcracker Ballet.  I was really excited and we got great seats at a really great price.  I had tried to get the kids excited by showing them videos of the ballet that were online from previous years (just promos from the Boston Ballet).  We got there and Clare was very apprehensive.  She was terrified the whole first half but seemed to do ok as I talked her through it, explaining the pretty ballerinas etc.  Once intermission came she refused to go back in, so Andy ended up sitting out in the foyer the whole second half with her.  It worked out ok though and we are really glad we went.  The ballet was absolutely beautiful!  I look forward to going again. 

I was a little unsure of exactly how much the kids liked it after all was said and done, especially Clare.  The funny thing is, though, that they have asked to listen to the Nutcracker music SO many times.  Whenever I put it on, they will begin to dance like ballerinas.  Clare has even asked me numerous times if we can go to the Nutcracker!  Maybe she enjoyed it more than I though.  We just may have to give it another shot next year in Texas.  

Noah especially loved the Rat King!  We even made him a little costume so he could be the Rat King.  The mini football in his hand is supposed to be a green olive, that the Rat King was carrying in the show.  He came up with that all on his own, so creative!