Happy Valentine's Day

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!  I decided to make my husband a yummy treat and he surprised me with flowers.

chocolate Valentine cupcakes

I decided to make my husband chocolate cupcakes topped with buttercream frosting.  I then used red candy melts to add accents on top.  It was very easy and cute.  Preston especially loved the candy melts.  He couldn't get enough of it.

 

beautiful flowers my husband got me

Cake Decorating

I have some really talented family members and friends who are really amazing cake decorators.  It has always looked like tons of fun and it has been something I have always wanted to get into.  This past Christmas Sam bought me a bunch of stuff to get started.  Here is the first cake I attempted.  Hopefully I will get tons better.

 

Cake with buttercream frosting

I have finally found a buttercream recipe that I really like.  Not only does it taste really good but it is really easy to work with and make the cake look good.  The recipe can be found here.  She also gives some really good tips on frosting a cake and making it look good.

decorated cake - not too bad for my first cake

Toddler Class

About a year ago our pediatrician recommended that Preston start an early intervention program to help him with his speech.  At that time he could say maybe 2 or 3 words.  About twice a month we have someone come into our home to help him with his speech and to learn new ways to communicate.  We started out by teaching him basic signs so he could tell us what he wanted.  He still doesn't talk a whole lot (he says about 27 words and can do several signs now) but communicating with him and knowing what he wants has gotten a lot easier.  Now that he is 2 and a half he is able to take a toddler class where they will be able to focus on language, early literacy, and social skill.  Also in the classroom there will be a speech pathologist that will work with him on his personal goals that his speech therapist and I set.  I was a little nervous to drop him off but he didn't even care that I left.  He had so much fun that I don't think he really wanted to leave.  I am so excited for him to have more interaction with other kids his age and to improve his communication and speech. 

First Haircut

Spencer's hair was so long that it just seemed like it was getting in the way.  Every time I turned around something was in it, and it was always in his eyes.  We decided it was time he got a haircut.  I was a little sad because I really wanted to wait a lot longer.  Preston didn't get his first haircut until he was almost 2.  Here are some pictures of his first haircut.

 

Before picture - this isn't the best pic of him, I think he just woke up.

 

getting his haircut

 After picture

Close up after picture - I think with his haircut he looks more like Preston.

The boys with their new haircuts - as usual Spencer is a big drooly mess.  I also can't believe how big Preston is getting.