Big Win!

 

Yippeeee!!!!

Ellie is 5!

And how do the Nobles celebrate ? . . . ?

With a weeks worth of birthday parties of course!

 

PARTY #1

 Ellie and her teacher are birthday buddies!  She thought that was pretty cool!

This years school treat was Cake Batter Popcorn.  It was sickeningly sweet - so naturally, it was a big hit with the preschoolers!

Party #2

Party number 2 was the first family party.  We went out to dinner with all the grandparents and commenced present opening.

Party #3

 Then another family party and more gift giving.  Ellie learned she was going to Disney on Ice, got a pink robe and a Merida doll.

 

 Party #4

 For about 6 months now Ellie has been requesting a "Nature Scientist" birthday party. 

Since I have no idea what that really is or how I would do a nature party in November we convinced her an "art" party would be even better.

 It amazed me that 10 kids ranging in age from 4 - 10 sat for almost an hour working on art projects and crafts. 

 Cupcakes and friends

 

Happy Birthday to my funny, witty, lovable BIG girl. 



Appy Aloweeeen!

Another favorite holidays is complete.

Halloween is great - I mean, think about it - the whole neighborhood buys candy, kids dress up and walk around in the dark begging for sweets.

What could be better??!!

Pumpkin carving with MaMop and BaPop

 

Queen of the Pumpkins!

 

Yes, we let Jude have a sharp knife.  Luckily, all 10 fingers are still intact!

 

Jude's first preschool Halloween party.  He LOVED showing off his costume.  And with his little toddler voice Batman sounds more like Bacon!

 

 The beautiful witch

 

We have a Halloween tradition of pizza and wine at the Asmann's before heading out to trick or treat in the neighborhood. 

 Olin, Ellie, Livi and Chloe.  These kids didn't mind the rain!

 

 Just today Jude started saying Aloweeeen.  Every door we knocked on go a version of Appy Aloweeen and Tank You!!!

 

 

 

Happy Halloween from the Nobles!

 

 

 

Happy Daddy

We have entered celebration season in the Noble household! 

Within the span of 3 months we celebrate 3 birthdays and 3 big holidays!

It's a bit busy

 

 

Drew's birthday kicked off with a mustache beer tasting party.  The theme was perfect and he loved the beer tasting.

 

Guinness cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting

 



Finger 'staches

 Some guys brought their own 'staches

 

 

And because the Nobles always go overboard on birthdays - the next weekend we headed down to Portland for a little get away

 

Happy couple enjoying dinner without kids.  Pink champagne and a dirty martini help make an enjoyable evening too!

 

 Cool building on our night time walk through the city

 

 We had a record stretch of sunny weather this fall.  But alas, our day to enjoy Portland was hampered by a torrential downpour.  So we spent our day inside coffee shops playing cards.  Luckily there is a cool coffee shop on every corner in Portland.

 

Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby!  I love you!

 



Cha cha cha changes

THIS KID

 

Has some big news to share!

 

Drew and I were amazed that during this sunny week in October Ellie suddenly learned how to ride her bike without training wheels.

Drew regularly takes the kids into the cul-de-sac to ride bikes when he gets home from work but I had no idea she was this close to this major milestone!!

It brought tears to my eyes to think that she will probably remember this afternoon for the rest of her life. 

After all, can't you recall when you first learned to ride a bike!!

 

Not only does she love riding her bike but she also loves giving exclusive blog interviews.

 

 

AND THIS KID

Can't stop talking.

 

He literally learns 5 new words a day and can copy almost anything.  I love his little perky voice.

 



Just a little busy

I seem to be very tired lately.

And as I was talking to Drew the other day I began listing all the things I am involved in and it hit me . . . no wonder I'm tired!!!

Here are the things that fill my plate . . .

 

1)  Kids.  No brainer right, but an almost 5 year old and an nearly 2 year old don't even have a drop of self-sufficiency.  Even a shower involves me screaming from the bathroom to "BEEE gentle" and "No hitting" and "Please use inside voices!!!!"

 

2)  Preschool.  I love love co-op preschool but it is a huge commitment.  2 days a week are devoted to my stay day at school, then 2 more days of pick up and drop off.

 

3)  Work.  I have the best job in the world and look forward to the break and change of pace every time I go but sometimes it's difficult to switch gears so completely.

 

4)  Housework.  Drew works 40 hours a week and I usually work about 7 so I do not begrudge the fact that most of the housework falls to me.  Plus, Drew is completely in charge of the yard and always chips in!  But sometimes the sheer volume of laundry, house cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping. etc makes me feel like taking a nap!!

 

5)  Co-op Board Chair.  I love volunteering at the co-op and board is a great group of ladies.  However, most every day I have 20-40 emails that need my attention just from the preschool alone.  There are issues, big and small, to be addressed constantly.

 

6)  Modules.  I also work for a company that produces online lactation education modules.  I work on these during my "free time".  It's a huge commitment but the work is fun (when I actually get time to do it) and it's an amazing career opportunity.

 

7)  Lecturing.  One of my favorite things about my job is teaching.  Every 3 months, I get to teach pre-natal breastfeeding classes for Penny Simkin (the most amazing birth doula in the world).  Twice per year I teach the nurses at Evergreen how to teach families about latch, positioning, sore nipples, engorgement and more.  And in November I am teaching, for the first time, with the most well-known lactation educator.

 

8)  Volunteering.  My newest endeavor is volunteer work with Roots of Empathy.  (www.rootsofempathy.org)  This program is so inspiring and I feel completely exhilarated after the training last week!

 I will be teaching first graders how to recognize temperament traits and emotions in themselves and others by observing our guest teacher - a 4-12 month old baby.  I am also going to work get the program at the school that Ellie and Jude will attend!

 

9)  Friends and hobbies.  There is very little time for crafting and scrapbooking but hopefully I will get to do those things again someday.  Luckily, we have lots of friends with kids so we see each other regularly.  And thank goodness for 2nd Tuesday girls night with my nurse friends!

 

10)  Drewby.  Guess I should mention my husband too!!  We do a pretty good job making time for each other with our ritual of 'happy hour'.  A glass of wine and 10 minutes of conversation can do wonders!!

 

 11)  Music.  I literally have not picked up my guitar since Jude was born but have found some time to sing.  A friend is hosting a John Prine Tribute night a bar in Seattle next month.  Drew, TJ, my dad and I will perform 3 songs.  John Prine in our family soundtrack so this is going to be awesome!

 

 Luckily, all my committment are things that I love to do but some days I still feel like I am just keeping my head above water.
I just keep reminding myself everything will be easier when the kids are both in elementary school, right . . . . . RIGHT??!!

Lil Bro's First Day

Tuesday was Jude's turn at a first day.

I love co-op because Jude gets to experience school at a young age BUT I get to go to school with him.

We learn new songs and games and I get to see him interact with other kids.

 Yep - you could say he was excited!

 

 

 This is what you get when you ask a toddler to smile for the camera

 

 Such a little man putting his monkey backpack and Beatles lunchbox in his cubbie

 

 Happy to be at school with my baby

 

 Teacher Betsy!! 

We are so excited to have Teacher Betsy again!  She has such a sweet way with the little ones and has taught me so much about parenting!

 

Jude and his buddy Wyatt.  Exactly 6 months apart - future BFF's

 

This is going to be a fun year!