Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend...
We had a great weekend at the lake. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. We had fun with family and celebrated Aaron's birthday too. I can't remember a Memorial Day weekend that we needed swimsuits....it was heavenly. Here are some pictures... (yes, Natalie was with us, but I guess she was napping when the camera was out...oops)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
It's coming and I can't stop it....
Natalie is 11 months old...which means her first birthday is right around the corner. I know, I know...you are getting sick and tired of me lamenting about her growing up too fast. But, I figure blogging is cheaper than therapy, so you'll just have to put up with it!
Actually, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. I am amazed at the ease that we transitioned from 2 kids to 3. Of course we had our moments...usually witnessed by others...but really, I am shocked that adding another munchkin to our family was not harder. (This is where I con all of you into having just one more baby.)
Luke has grown leaps and bounds in every way. He's taller, smarter, funnier, and so enjoyable to be around. This morning he woke up at 6:30am, got up and got his Leapster and then asked me for some headphones so that he wouldn't wake anyone else up....MIRACLE. If you know Luke's sleep history, then you probably just fell off your chair. Really, this is the child who used to get up at 5am and wake everyone in the house....now, he's sleeping longer and is showing consideration for others....simple things, but HUGE milestones! He's more than ready for Kindergarten next year and has recently surprised us by letting us know he speaks fluent Japanese...or maybe not...but he's pretty convinced he can. He throws out some jibberish, and then translates for me, so I know what he's saying. It's pretty hilarious since he speaks really loud and slow when he's translating. I'll have to get it on video and post it so you can enjoy it too.
Peter is growing too. Just yesterday he started insisting on wearing big boy underpants (is there anything cuter than tiny buns in spiderman underpants???) I asked him to wear a pull up at naptime and when I went to wake him up, he'd gotten a new pair of underpants out of his drawer and had slept with them (like a blanky) at naptime...YES, they were clean. He's ready...and so are we! Peter loves to be outside. The other morning he was out in the backyard by 7am. He easily entertains himself and loves to do anything that involves running, jumping, kicking, etc. He was extremely disappointed to find out that he was not on Luke's T-ball team. He wears a basesball shirt to every game and still insists that he's on a team. We bought Luke some t-ball gear for his birthday and bought an extra batting helmet for Peter...for obvious safety reasons. This has confirmed that Peter has an obsession of safety head gear (see this blog post for history). He wears it ALL of the time, and the other night cried when he couldn't figure out how to sleep in it.
This brings us to Natalie...sweet Natalie Kate! She is growing in every way too. She's about 18 pounds now and she's a tall girl. She's pulling herself up and cruising along the couch. She's so different from the boys...the slightest stern word will have her in TEARS. We just aren't used to that...so, when daddy says "no, " cue the waterworks....I'm assuming this trend will continue for the next 18 years. She is a happy, content little girl. She is a snuggler too...she loves to crawl up on Aaron's lap and just lay her head on his shoulder...I'm serious, this girl knows how to get to her daddy. Most days she refuses to eat Cheerios off of her high chair tray, but when she finds them on the floor under the high chair she'll sit and happily eat them up....it's just gross. But, I have to admit that with the third kid my standards have relaxed and I just try to clean the floor more often so I feel better about her using it as a plate. Stop judging me....I know there's a few of you that just placed a call to CPS.
So, that's where we are at. This is a busy time of year with Luke and Aaron's birthday in May, Natalie's in June, and Peter's in July. Everyone is growing, changing, and getting a little bit older. Let the fun continue.
Magnet...
Luke's preschool teacher forwarded a recent "Daily Bread" devotion. The opening story cracked me up....
A teacher gave her class of second-graders a lesson about the magnet and what it does. The next day, in a written test, she included this question: “My name has six letters. The first one is "M". I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word mother.
Yes, mothers do pick up things. But they are much more than “magnets,” gathering up clothes and picking up toys around the house. As willing as many mothers are to do such chores, they have a higher calling than that.
A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when the children need a listening ear, a comforting word, a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. And for the Christian mother, her greatest joy is in teaching her children to trust and to love Jesus as their Savior. -Richard De Haan
A teacher gave her class of second-graders a lesson about the magnet and what it does. The next day, in a written test, she included this question: “My name has six letters. The first one is "M". I pick up things. What am I?” When the test papers were turned in, the teacher was astonished to find that almost 50 percent of the students answered the question with the word mother.
Yes, mothers do pick up things. But they are much more than “magnets,” gathering up clothes and picking up toys around the house. As willing as many mothers are to do such chores, they have a higher calling than that.
A good mother loves her family and provides an atmosphere where each member can find acceptance, security, and understanding. She is there when the children need a listening ear, a comforting word, a warm hug, or a loving touch on a fevered brow. And for the Christian mother, her greatest joy is in teaching her children to trust and to love Jesus as their Savior. -Richard De Haan
Sunday, May 17, 2009
And the party goes on...
Saturday, May 16, 2009
What a great day....
Our day started bright and early. Aaron and our friend Jon built a new swing set for the kids. They did such a great job and were ridiculously fast (which I appreciated.) Meanwhile, the boys and I were working in the yard. And by working I mean, I was weeding and they were flinging dirt everywhere.
In the afternoon, Luke had a T-ball game.
We had a great dinner together, and while Aaron wasn't looking I gave Natalie a bowl of yogurt and some noodles. She desperately needed a bath, so why not let her have a little fun. For full effect, click on the picture to see real deal...and for the record...she did have a bib on, but pulled it off in an effort to shove noodles down her shirt.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Speedy Boy Saves the Day...
We have new additions to our family...2 frogs and a snail. Luke named them Peanut Butter and Jelly...and the snail is Speedy Boy. (super cute names....but poached from his cousins who have the same thing...they are named Peanut Butter and Jelly and Speedy Girl). We get big points for cute names, and zero points for originality.
Luke got these for his birthday from Bubby and Papa. He loves them and takes great pride in having a pet. Peter loves them too, but tried to feed them Cheerios today...which would most likely lead to their demise. We'll have to keep an eye on that one.
I love dogs and cats, but to be honest, we are a NO PET household (well, we were.) At least at this point in our life when we still have two kids in diapers, it just seems like too much for me. I don't need anyone else to potty train, or clean up after. BUT, our new pets are pretty awesome. Basically they only eat every 4 days, they come with a year's supply of food, and you only clean their water once or twice a year (I haven't read the booklet yet). The snail is suppose to keep the tank clean...and so far Speedy Boy is doing a great job.
So, here are a few pics of our pets....
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Princess Natty-Pants....
Kung Fu FIVE!!!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Happy Birthday Lukie
Luke is 5 years old today! He is thrilled! Of course, this is the same boy that on the second day of 3 yr old preschool asked us, "when can I go to 1st grade?" He's so eager to grow!
He is a joy in our lives...always making us giggle, always saying sweet things, and coming up with new adventures. He has a precious heart and we are so lucky to be his parents.
Thank you Luke, for making us parents 5 years ago. Our lives are so much richer because of you! What a blessing you are!
Every year, we make our kids a slideshow on their birthday. Here is Luke's video for this year!
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Work smarter, not harder....
Yep, that's our 2 1/2 yr old vacuuming...and LOVING it. One of my least favorite chores of the day is sweeping up the cheerios and other food that Natalie tosses over the side of her high chair. The other day I happened to have the vacuum out and Peter begged me to let him vacuum. Of course I said "no," but then thought...what's the worst that could happen? This is a VERY valid question when considering the last few months of Peter's track record with pens, scissors, etc. So, I conceded and he vacuumed up all of the cheerios in just a few minutes...smiling the whole time. Wonder if he does windows???
Just the way it is...
If you've ever watched Oprah, or listened to any kind of relationship specialist (who are these people???) you'll hear about how a master bedroom is suppose to be a sanctuary. A place filled with order and peace. A relaxing retreat that encourages...ummm, well, okay you get the point...
Our master bedroom is our sanctuary....except for that is a big fat lie. This is not to say that I haven't tried to kick the kid-crap (no offense intended) to the curb. I did lead a mildly successful campaign to "ban all things that don't belong to Aaron and I" from entering our room. But, in the end, I lost. I know I lost because there's Thomas the Tank Engine (and several coal cars) perched on our window sill. And, instead of super fancy exfoliating body scrub in our shower, you'll find Wacky Watermelon bargain discount, no-more-tears, kid shampoo. My alarm clock was long ago replaced with a baby monitor, and when I clean out under the bed, I often find toys that have been missing for months...errr weeks. Of course I clean more often than "months." There is an exersaucer to keep Natalie entertained while I dry my hair, and a Rescue Heroes DVD in our TV (don't judge me) that has bought us 30 minutes of extra sleep on many a morning.
If I'm totally honest, the invasion doesn't end there...the boys have perfected crawling up from the end of our bed into the middle spot so that we don't realize they have joined us at 3am. And, anytime Aaron attempts to lock the door and take a shower alone, there are two very disappointed, little naked boys, banging on the door.
So, I guess we'd be the ultimate disappointment to the "sanctuary of peace" people. Oh well. This is just the way it is at our house...at least for now!
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